Oroville Gazette-Tribune: July 1978 - September 1980

HE CREPT INTO TOWN one hot July day on fumes which were the only noticeable contents in his Torino’s gas tank. His monetary status was below the broke level and he was in need of a good bath and a decent night’s sleep. His clothes were a bit ragged and in need of an introduction to a good Maytag. All these conditions were evident, plus, he was a stranger in town.

Yet, he had a gleeful personality and one could immediately detect a happiness about this stranger. He wore an honest look and reflected a positive attititude and stated he was a printer besides! With only his personality as credentials, he was hired (on a temporary basis, at first) as a printer for the Gazette-Tribune. Some nine months later, Tom Barrie is still printing and his future in Oroville looks bright.

Tom is young compared to the ways of the world, yet he has travelled many miles and learned about life each step of the way. Tom came to Oroville a stranger but became an instant friend with many local people in just a matter of days. Now, nine months later, Tom is considered a stranger no more.

There are many newcomers to the Oroville-Tonasket area who find it difficult to break into the mainstream of events. Without a doubt, these two communities do offer an unseeable resistance to those who move to the area from far-away places. Letters come to this paper periodically that express the frustrations of being a “newcomer.” Many who have resided in the region for two and three years still state they feel an uneasiness around many of the established citizenery and “fitting in” becomes a problem. How does one break through these invisible barriers? Take a lesson from “tattered Tom.”

One - smile a lot! Tom has a winning smile. Even when others are agonizing at the day’s events, Tom continues to flash those teeth.

Two - be yourself and don’t worry about what other people may think you are. Tom is Tom - long hair and all, yet he is a human being that enjoys the company of other human beings.

Three - join in! Don’t find fault! Tom is now a local church member, he is singing in a community choir, belongs to a local men’s group and is involved in a local youth organization. He plays his guitar whenever asked and is quick to help those in need.

Sure, Tom has his faults! He runs out of gas systematically, yells at his printing press once in a while, and talks to himself in the newspaper dark room. But, he is working on these and without a doubt will overcome them in time.

Tom never waited to be invited to local functions, either. He just went and then did the unthinkable - HE PARTICIPATED!!

Tom does have three secrets that helped him become part of this community. First is his desire to see people happy and does all he can to reflect such a mood; two, his wit is both spontaneous and refreshing; and thirdly, he says “Yahoo” a lot. Don’t laugh! Those “Yahoo’s” go a long way.

Welcome to Oroville, Tom, but more importantly, thanks getting stranded here. You have done wonders for us all!

– The Oroville Gazette-Tribune, April 1979