An open letter to the parents of “The Oregon Boys”

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Dear parents of “the Oregon boys”,

You should be extremely proud of the young men that you have raised. As a father of 2 children of my own (29 and 26), I can say that you have exceeded any hopes you might have had for how they might turn out.

These young men are respectful, polite, bright and engaged, inquisitive, and well behaved. They quickly became the darlings of Ebertfest, impressing many people of all ages. They asked insightful and penetrating questions during the Q&As after each film and engaged in in depth conversations with true film lovers, holding their own in every case.

I quickly lost count of all the people—particularly people in the 50-75 year old demographic—who wanted to talk with them, hear their story, congratulate them and their parents (this post is written on behalf of many people and not just myself), hug them and wish them safely home with the express hopes of seeing them again next year.

I know that they have been offered a place to stay next year. If I were you I would not worry; she is a good person. Someone is willing to open their home to four young men that they just recently met for the several days of Ebertfest. People took them out to dinner; more would have if there had been time.

I could go on and on. I truly hope that you are proud of these young men that you helped get to this point. I well remember those days at the end of high school for my boy and I know how tough parent-child relationships at that point can be. But I am here to tell you that you ought be proud of them. I know that I am and that I am proud to call them friends.

Sincerely,

Mark

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Ebertfest was last week and on the 1st day we met 4 young men from Coos Bay, OR standing in line right behind us. Mike, Tyler, Bret and Dana had somehow managed to convince their parents to let them come all the way from the Oregon coast to central Illinois. They had saved their own money and paid for the trip themselves. $750 each just for airfare, plus several days in the Hampton Inn, meals, etc. Wow! They truly wanted to be here for Ebertfest!

We got to know them pretty well over the course of the 5 day film festival. Basically high school students/graduates, in love with film, wanting to be an actor and directors. They know film. They are bright and articulate, respectful, charming, and Sara and I are pleased that we got to know them. Hopefully we, too, will make it back for Ebertfest and run into them. And if not, then when they are famous at least we can say we knew them when and took them out to dinner the 1st time they came to Ebertfest.

::hugs:: and best wishes to “the Oregon boys.”

7 thoughts on “An open letter to the parents of “The Oregon Boys””

  1. If they were the boys I saw at the Art (who had come straight from Ebertfest) they were indeed charming, Soylent Green t-shirt and all.

  2. Probably was them. I know they were trying to catch The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

    By the way, how violent is that movie? We’ve heard good things about it and would like to see it depending on its level of violence.

  3. Hi Mark – I’m on staff over here at the I Hotel and Conference Center and saw that you were around the property. Although I did not get the opportunity to meet “the Oregon boys,” they seem to be guys that we’d like to help out next Ebertfest. Keep us in mind next year, and we’d love to get them into Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar for a meal on us!

  4. On behalf of “the boys”, thank you very much for your generous offer, Laura.

    I emailed you yesterday (as no doubt you are aware) and we’ll see what we can do re next year.

    Thanks, again!

  5. Mark,
    I am the mother of Tyler and Dana. I’ve heard so much about you (and Sara) from the boys. You left a lasting impact on them and I can’t even begin to tell you what your friendship and kindness means to all of us here (speaking for the parents).
    It was so comforting when following the Ebertfest posts to see so many people concerned with those boys. I smiled every time I read a blog or a tweet about them. Thank you so much for making this experience so special for them!
    Thank you, also, for this letter. I am humbled and touched by your words. I don’t think we tell them enough how proud we are of them. I’ll hang this letter up to remind me to say it more often.
    We are so glad they were able to meet you, and all the other people that changed their lives forever during Ebertfest. We are forever grateful to you all.
    Sincerely,
    Jody Henson

  6. I too am humbled by the comments and kindness shown to the “Oregon Boys” of whom Mike is my son. The festival certainly left a lasting impression on Mike that will influence his future.

    Thank you all! Mike’s dad,

    ~felix

  7. I am a maternal great grandmother of Dana and Tyler Henson and am so happy that everyone treated them so great. They have always been very nice respectful boys and we are all very proud of them.