Beard in Oregon

Kathleen Squires’ article on James Beard’s Oregon [“Devouring a Cool Coast,” June 4] brought back great memories as my mother, Kathy Ringo, was one of those disciples who took cooking classes from Beard at Seaside High School.

We lived in Corvallis, where my mother was a devoted homemaker and accomplished cook who rarely did anything special for herself.

Taking classes from Mr. Beard seemed like a significant splurge, but she and a handful of friends would carefully save and budget for this incredible experience.

One vivid memory comes from fall 1978, my senior year in high school. My mother read that Mr. Beard was coming to Oregon State and Corvallis for a conference on mushrooms and boldly invited him for lunch at our home!

He accepted, and we had a lovely afternoon enjoying food reflecting his love of Oregon cuisine — barbecued salmon and berry pie, along with my mom’s perfect crescent rolls.

My mother worried the salmon had been undercooked, but he was charming and assured her it was how it should be done. We all had a wonderful time, and my mom was the toast of the town.

She died 10 years later from a brain tumor at the age of 59. Aside from a long and happy marriage and raising five kids, going to Seaside for Mr. Beard’s cooking classes was truly the highlight of her life.

I moved to L.A. when I got married in 1990 but always love taking my family to the Oregon coast for the unmatched seafood and scenery Squires described. Thank you for capturing it all. JULIE RINGO BATTAGLIA

La Cañada Flintridge