From an article by Ken Woodside that was published in Tall Topix, June 1959, "We started as a handful in August 1957.  Yours truly was asked to join as a charter member, but, unfortunately, I turned my back on them, thinking it would never get off the ground.  Besides, I didn't like tall girls (notice the past tense).  However, due to supreme efforts of people like Gwen Roberts, Ardet Monk, Dick Brown, Jean Delsman, and many others who will clobber me for not mentioning them, the club prospered.  About then I jumped on the ol' band wagon.

...our club is ...combining our second anniversary party in August with the Northwest Convention.  All this in one package should prove to be a really big show.  We have to concede that the Northwest get-together is a Seattle brain child, a good idea that we hope to continue.  Joining the AATC (TCI formerly known as AATC--American Affiliation of Tall Clubs--Ed.) is a way we hope to solve mutual problems, exchange ideas..."

As early as 1961, Skyliners began trekking to the annual TCI convention.  In 1977, the Portland Skyliners welcomed their tall friends to the Pacific Northwest when they hosted convention at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain.  Highlights included a parade decorating contest at 10 a.m. and then participating in the parade in Bend at 2 that afternoon!  Later that evening conventioneers took a hayride to a river site for a buffalo BBQ.  If that weren't enough, square dancing with Slick Fox began at 11 p.m. that same evening!  Another scheduled event (actually on a different day!) was log rolling and a beaver hunt. (Can only imagine what that involved!)  Again in 1985, the Skyliners hosted the TCI convention-- "Exploregon" at Rippling River Resort (now named Inn at the Mountain). 

Soon after the club formed, members selected a Miss Tall Portland to represent the club.  However, it was not until 1962 that a Miss TP attended convention and competed for the title of Miss Tall International®.  Since then, 24 more women have held the Ms. Tall Portland title bringing the total to 29.  Those who are still currently members are Nan McDuffee (1977, winner of TCI Ms. Congeniality), Megan Hewitt Lukens (1987), Maggie Anderson (1991), and our current Miss Tall Portland, Jane Baldwin (2005) who was 1st runnerup for the tital of Miss Tall International®.

There are other long-established traditions that the current membership may think are relatively new.  One of those is participating in the Starlight Parade.  However, prior to the Starlight Parade there was a parade called the Merrykana Parade.  The club's first entry followed the theme "Your Feets Too Big," from a song by the same name.  Miss Tall Portland, Jennie Shepley (prior 1962), and the second Mr. Tall Portland, Mike Scheckla, (oh, yes, there also was a Mr. Tall Portland in those early days) and their courts rode on that float.  The theme was carried out by putting Mike in a bathtub with his "too big" feet hanging over the end of the tub.

The Mr. Tall Portland tradition was first begun by Jan Roeper Grohs who was chairman of the second annual Queen's Ball.  (A charter member, Jan is still a member of the club.)

It was held in the "Queen's Room" at the Imperial Hotel.  The king selection was made with judging by audience participation using the following rules in making their selection:

• SHAPE OF LEGS
• Sturdiness
• Muscle Appeal
• Dimples
• PERSONALITY
• Amicable
• Effervescent
• Sexy
• STRUCTURE
• Tendon Tension
• Curvacious Calves
• Limb Flexibility

Did you think that trekking off to Mount Hood for fun in the snow was a new idea?  Not so.  Skyliners posed for a group photo at Timberline Lodge in 1957.  (Under construction--group timberline photo to be added.)