Pipe Dreams

The story of Portland native Keith Portune and how he rose from young pianist and competitive roller skate to become the 15 year resident Wulitzer pipe organist at the Portland, Oregon landmark roller skating rink Oaks Amusement.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• organ
• music
• portland
• oregon
• skating
• roller
• history
• nostalgia

[suncladcom]

I believe it's Keith F_ortune. Yes?

[mark97217]

yes. you are correct.

[Iconotark]

@857pgsny98

Yes, Russ was playing at the Imperial Rink the first night I skated there, and he was a huge inspiration in my early days of learning to play the pipe organ. He was very open to helping me get started, even letting me "play along" with him at times. Great times, and great memories. Thanks for your comment.

[857pgsny98]

Keith , You mention the Imperial Skating Rink , that you loved that organ. Did you ever hear Russ Chilson play? He was good was he not? Thanks for sharing this. Russ was self taught, Thought you may know him? I enjoyed his playing very much! This is my first hearing you. Nice.

[TheWillOfFenris]

At 4:07 in this a woman named Helen Washam appears in the video talking about the organists that have come and gone. She was my Aunt Helen. She spent nearly all her life at Oaks. She was such an amazing person. She danced and skated up until almost the very end of her life and she never did stop giggling. I miss her so much.

[kolaski33]

This just assures me that having had to live in Forest Grove Oregon was a mistake . We should have never left Vernonia . Keith was the only friend I had . It just goes to show you that childhood can be less than what one would expect . Sorry if I offended you . I should never go back to Oregon for family or what was percieved to be friends .

[LadyBdancesk8er]

@kolaski33

Wow, I can see why he wouldn't contact you. It sounds like you need a lot of attention & some therapy. Thanks for serving & I'm glad you're a Christian, but you're making Christianity look bad w/the way you put others down for no reason. You throw a lot of negativity around w/o having any fact to base it on. Keith's music is loved & appreciated by many & I doubt you could find anyone who'd say he's become a snob! Since you obviously don't know...playing the organ is not his career.

[kolaski33]

And musicman don't you worry about my faith . I am struggling because of post traumatic stress syndrome . I was wounded in combat and have a terrible life now . I bet you are better off . You didn't have to serve . I am a Christian , but very frustrated with the way my life turned out . Keith always had it made . Joe kolaski III U.S.A.F.

[kolaski33]

@musicman3901 I believe you are right . I detest Oregon because of the people and the judicial system there . Conservative to a fault . Oregon is ignored on the map by the rest of the nation . They immediately pass up Portland and refer to Seattle when the Pacific Northwest is mentioned . The name Oregon was a mistake around the turn of the 18th century and has the legacy to match . Pathetic place .

[musicman3901]

@kolaski33

Dude....let it go! Congratulations on your accomplishments, but there is no need for these kind of comments. You've had no contact, and you're making assumptions. You could just be very wrong about the whole thing. You obviously have problems with where you were raised. Start being the "Christian" you claim to be.

[kolaski33]

He was a rich kid that used to be somewhat honorable . I wonder why his aspirations became so limited . I mean an organist in a amusement park ? I am an engineer with an Honorable Discharge out of the United States Air Force . You would think that maybe he would at least contact me about our lifes . I was in combat . I wonder what kind of war stories he has . Fighting over some cotton candy maybe ? My family moved from Forest Grove . It's a rinky dink backwoods town with strange standards .

[bboice02]

I said I'm sorry Red . Now let's move on . Keith turned into a snob . Who would've figured ? I didn't realize this was your production . It has no reflection on your integerity or character . But I , being a Veteran have honor . God Bless in Christ our True Parents Name