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December 8, 2000

Wanted: Leavenworth town crier

  • News you can use after 5 p.m.

    • LEAVENWORTH (AP) -- Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! The Bavarian-theme village of Leavenworth is looking for a town crier. But so far, no one's applied, and the city borrowed Anacortes' town crier for the weekend holiday lighting festival.

    "A town crier must have presence, loudness and good content in their cry," said Judy Jewell, 61, who was decked out in a specially made green robe and ringing a brass bell.

    There are only four official town criers west of the Mississippi River. The other three are in California, Jewell said.

    The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce scheduled tryouts for last Friday, but no one showed up to audition.

    "I'm not too discouraged," said Rob Eaton, chairman of the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival. "We only had one announcement."

    The word "oyez" translates roughly to "hark" or "listen."

    The tradition started in England about 1066, when criers carried news from hamlet to hamlet and their mission was protected by law.




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