By Jaime Donegan

Much has been written about the small, fairytale Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA. Newspaper articles, tourist brochures and even a book entitled “Miracle Town” tell the story of a boom town that went bust several times during the first half of the 1900’s. Nestled in the Cascade mountains on Highway 2 leading east to Wenatchee and west to Steven’s Pass, Leavenworth has also been featured in a documentary and most recently a segment on CBS Sunday Morning. It is the home of all-season festivals, beer gardens, restaurants, shops of every imaginable Christmas decoration, wineries, ice cream parlors, coffee houses and of course, the infamous Woody Goomsba, a raucous Nutcracker that went viral about fourteen years ago with his bawdy rap song promoting Leavenworth tourism.

I have enjoyed day tripping to Leavenworth for a hike with friends usually concluding with a few beers and a Bratwurst, but I also enjoy evening shows at Leavenworth Summer Theater. Every summer the locals and tourists watch a young lady playing the role of Maria Von Trapp come spinning and singing down the ski hill to audience applause as they kick off their annual production of “The Sound of Music.” I believe that you would be hard pressed to find a more idyllic backdrop for this particular show and I personally get goosebumps when the Mother Superior and her chorus of nuns begin to sing “Climb Every Mountain” which seems to echo off the cliffs and peaks of the Sleeping Lady.

No matter the season, every time I visit this “Miracle Town” I feel that I have been transported a world away as I bask in a time and space that is like living in a postcard.

The hills are definitely ALIVE with so many wonderful things that touch and tease the senses that I have often said to myself in my best impish voice, “there be magic here.”

Speaking of imps (a huge complement in my book), a year and a half ago I met a man named John Sutherland at a Hot August Nights production of “Pippin” in Wenatchee. John introduced himself after the show and during our short conversation I made note of the fact that this gentleman was a veritable font of passion for every topic he spoke about. While he spoke of his passion for theater production and his experience as a theater producer in Seattle, his eyes danced. While he spoke of his passion for managing Ski Resorts and being a ski instructor, his cheeks glowed. And then as he spoke with an even greater passion about a little project that he was currently working on, the Leavenworth Adventure Park, his chest swelled with a well deserved sense of pride and satisfaction. The Park features “Tumwater Twister,” Washington’s first Alpine Coaster. This man, I thought, has a bit of what I like to call the “IT” factor, and I instantly liked him and hoped we would connect again.

After we exchanged contact information, John invited me to come have a look at the Alpine Coaster while it was still being built and I told him that I looked forward to a visit in the near future. A few weeks later I made my way to Leavenworth with my friend Dave Sutherland (no relation) to see what this grand undertaking was all about. John gave us a personal tour of the unfinished Adventure Park and as we walked through the interior of the new building, he described every nook and cranny with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning. He then took us outside to see where a rock climbing wall would be, along with some other outdoor fun and games for visitors of all ages. We finally turned our heads and looked up at the big hill. The feel of autumn was in the air as we hiked up through the construction to the top of the coaster where we were instantly treated to spectacular views of the town of Leavenworth. Below us, the mountain forests, their leaves just beginning to change, stood in sharp contrast to the shiny silver streams of steel that came swirling down the hillside. I took it all in for a moment and then I imagined the breathtaking thrill of riding the curvy rails with the wind in my hair and a big smile on my face. I imagined the joy of the ride and it gave me a great feeling.

We left the park and went to a local beer garden and that’s where the conversation became even more interesting as John told us the history of his idea to build the Alpine Coaster. “I make no qualms about it, Walt Disney was my idol. He had a grand vision that most people thought was ridiculous. They asked ‘You want to do what? Why would anybody want to go to THAT?’

Well….

He proved them wrong and I am proud to say that I am a full fledged “Disney Adult.” Though I am definitely not in his league, I had a strong imagination and a sense that this project was the perfect fit for the town. I have spent time in Bavaria skiing and riding the Alpine Coasters that are a part of the landscape… thirteen of them in all, I believe. Leavenworth was missing this key component and I was eager to bring this joyful project to town. I’m very proud of this because I’m a gay man and a complete outsider but somehow, I was able to persuade enough people to be able to follow through and make it happen.”

He laughed and added, “In a way, I am a lot like the two men who conceived of and proposed the idea of turning Leavenworth from a dying town into a Bavarian-themed town back in 1960. Their names were Ted Price and Bob Rodgers and they were not only outsiders and business partners, they were a gay couple! That’s right. The gay couple who then persuaded enough people to follow through on their idea and make it happen.”

Imagine that!

I had never heard anything about these two men before, but now, as a proud, openly gay man myself, I was quite anxious to hear more.

May 13, 2024. I am sitting on the third floor of the Adventure Park with John Sutherland, almost a year after the park opened. Coco Hopkins, local tour guide at Bavarian E Bikes and Walking Tours has also joined us for a conversation.

I will tell you now that I have read “Miracle Town” and watched the documentary so here are the bios of Ted and Bob to quickly help get you up to speed so that we can spill the tea and get down to the good stuff. If you want to know more about the men and their ideas, I highly recommend that you read the book because it truly is a miracle story. Also, there a few great photos of Ted and Bob but we were unable to get the clearance to use them in time. Check them out on the UW’s archival site HERE.

Ted Price - Born in Portland, Oregon 1923

Joined the Marines in 1940

Attended Oregon State University

Graduated Pharmacy School and graduated in 1949.

Worked for Pfizer as a Pharmaceutical Rep.

Bob Rodgers - Born in Seattle, WA 1923

Drafted into the Army in 1942 and served in General Patton’s Third Army in France

Spent a lot of time in Bavaria. Attended University of Washington and dropped out.

Worked for the State of Washington Department of Food and Drugs

The two gentlemen met on the shores of Lake Washington in the mid-1950’s and after many camping trips in the Leavenworth area, they bought the Coles Corner Cafe late 1959. They didn’t know a thing about running a restaurant but that didn’t stop them. They re-opened in April of 1960 and slowly turned it into a Bavarian-themed restaurant called The Squirrel Tree. Soon they added a motel with the same theme. The two men had dreams of creating an entirely Bavarian town in Coles Corner but that seemed daunting at the time. Starting from scratch would be a big undertaking. However, nearby there was a town that already had an infrastructure in place and that is where Leavenworth comes into their story.

A Conversation

Jaime- So...let’s talk about “the Boys” (as they were known about town). What else can you tell me about them?

Coco- Ah yes, the “Bavarian Boys.”

John- The Bavarian Boys…ha ha…that’s perfect. Well, from everything that I’ve heard and read, they were total outdoorsmen. They loved to ski, hike, fish and they dreamed of a ski resort on Wedge Mountain. The Bavarian theme idea they had was more than just reviving businesses and bringing in tourists. The idea was really a way to create the kind of community that supported and promoted an “outdoorsy lifestyle” in a town that was pretty beaten up but had so much to offer. I have kept the Bavarian Boys and their vision in the back of my mind as I was working hard to make the Alpine Coaster happen. Interestingly, sixty some years later, my vision is very much in line with their vision.

Jaime- This is the part that intrigues me the most. Ted and Bob - as well as you, John, had a vision that was really big. You made a business plan, you were able to procure some backers and you presented the idea. Initially you were met with skepticism and other challenges. At this point, some people who have great ideas just pack it up and abandon their projects because it’s too hard, but they didn’t and you didn’t. Why?

John- Because we’re stupid (much laughter). No really. You continue because you have a passion for it. You have to keep plugging away and see it through as far as it will go. I can’t really speak for Ted and Bob but that’s just how I am. It’s a part of my nature and I have a feeling that we had that in common.

Jaime- That is part of what I call the “IT” factor. All three of you were gay men, outsiders with big ideas for change and yet somehow you were able to persuade enough people in the community to say “YES, let’s do it.” There had to be a certain level of trust given and that probably was not easy to establish. You are an out and proud gay man arriving in a town that had already been transformed. Ted and Bob likely had a tougher go of it as they maneuvered their private life amongst the townspeople who had been through the booms and the crashes and were more skeptical.

Coco- Absolutely, you have to remember that this was the early 1960’s, when being a homosexual was illegal in the U.S.

Jaime- Exactly, if someone wanted to make trouble for two 37 year old male outsiders who lived together they could have done so. They could have had them run out of town or even arrested them. If they were arrested there was nothing that could be done because the law wasn’t on the side of gay people. You paid the fines, did the jail time and were ostracized by those who felt you were perverted and sick. In fact, homosexuality was classified as a mental disease at that time so often times convicted homosexuals were sent off to institutions by their families to be “corrected” which we now know to be completely bogus.

John- So no, they weren’t technically OUT. But then, they weren’t really IN either, they were private. They lived together, they created together, they persuaded together and were likely, just being themselves most of the time. People either figured it out and accepted it, didn’t care, or looked the other way because there are no accounts or reports of discrimination or trouble for them with regards to being gay. They became a part of the community and I think for the most part people liked them.

Jaime-That is part of the “IT” factor. I mean, to come into town as strangers, sharing their vision of a Bavarian makeover, there must have been something special about them. Call it charisma, call it charm, or trustworthiness, whatever it was, their persuasive powers were strong because it worked.

John- And that is why it’s so important to know and tell their story, our story and not just the parts that make you feel comfortable...all of it. My reasoning is because it’s historical and quite a fucking miracle that it actually did work.

For me and my idea of building an Alpine Coaster, it was more about persistence. I am an out gay man in a new generation of acceptance so I didn’t have to concern myself with hiding, I could just be myself and so the project became everything to me. I made it my life and I threw myself into it. I wanted to be in the mountains and Leavenworth is really kind of perfect for me. Two great ski areas close by, it’s stunningly beautiful and you have Seattle just over the mountains two hours away. There is so much mind blowing opportunity here. It has all the things.

Jaime- Agreed. I’m curious though, gay culture, gay pride and gay history have come a long way since the 1960’s, do you think we have reached a place of equality in our society where it’s unnecessary to label this couple as “gay” visionaries but simply as “visionaries?”

John- NO! We must have the visibility and the validation otherwise we will be erased. We need to know that gay people are making valuable contributions to society. We need to know as much information as possible.

Jaime- True. We generally make a distinction if a woman has done something of note and we make distinction when a person of color does something of note so why shouldn’t we speak up when someone from the LGBTQ+ community does something? Barack Obama is known as the first African American US President, Kamala Harris is known as the first female VP who is also a woman of color, Pete Buttigieg is known as the first openly gay man to run for President.

John- Exactly. Harvey Milk (first openly gay elected member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors) said it best. He said “the only thing that’s really going to move us forward is that we have to come out so that people know we exist.” Visibility is key. If people don’t know that we exist and they don’t know our history, we will never make progress. We have to come Out, and this is a big part of me now, we have to be out grabbing our gay history, acknowledging our gay history and making it known. Period. I firmly believe this 120%.

For example, I was talking to Ann Peavey, a local historian and volunteer at the Leavenworth Museum one day and she told me that a gay couple had come into the museum and read the story of Bob and Ted. She said that they walked up to the desk to ask some questions because they never knew the story about “the boys” and they were surprised to find that they were a romantic couple. “Business partners and partners in life” is the quote used in the museum. She said the couple left the museum that day with a sense of validation and pride and that’s what it’s all about. I am also pretty militant about this. I come from Washington D.C. and from a political family so I have very strong feelings.

Jaime- Yeah, I’m getting a sense of that.

Speaking of Ann Peavey, thank you for introducing me to her. I met with her and we had a fascinating talk about the history of this town. Ann spent her early years growing up in Leavenworth, moved to the Seattle area for a while and has now moved back to the town she loves. She shared with me a conversation she had with her mother about her father, who was a bit of a pessimist. “My father thought that the idea to turn Leavenworth into a Bavarian town would be short lived. He thought that the facades would go up and everything would go bust again and they would all be torn down in six months to a year leaving them all right back where they started.” She believes that while a few thought it was a great idea, her father’s view was likely the mindset of most of the population.

Ann gave me a quick tour of the museum and particularly the area which features large cut out photos of Ted and Bob together with their story printed below. She told me that visitors are often surprised when they learn that Ted and Bob were partners and that the reaction is mostly positive.

Coco- Yes, I think that is true. You get the occasional eye rolls and the “ughs” when you tell tourists about them but for the most part people are simply surprised and intrigued. And why not? Just look around, this all began with Ted and Bob’s Big Idea and now we have John’s Big Idea. There are loads of great ideas floating around here now.

Jaime- That’s right and with three and a half million visitors each year, you realize just how much these ideas have paid off.

John- To me, that’s what business is. Taking our ideas and running with them. This is “our” dream place too. Ted and Bob helped save this town. They deserve to be celebrated for who they were (publicly and privately) and what they accomplished. We are doing good things here. Now there are several gay-owned businesses and strong support for the gay community. Business is good. Leavenworth Adventure Park opened June 1, 2023 and we have been packed. We were sold out all of last summer and have exceeded our expectations by 48%. I did get the personal satisfaction of a big “I told you so” out of it and the investors are very happy. Quite a few people who were opposed are now solid supporters. Much the same as what Ted and Bob experienced.

Jaime- Ted Price and Bob Rodgers left Leavenworth in 1986 and spent the rest of their lives between Vancouver, WA and Palm Springs, CA. In their later years they came out to their family and friends but it was a 2003 story in the LA Times that made their relationship public. I’ve heard that they got a big laugh from being “outed” at the age of 80!

Bob died in 2014 and Ted died almost exactly one year later. They were always proud of what they and the people of Leavenworth had achieved and have left behind a magical legacy.

John- Leavenworth is successful because everyone worked as a team. They stayed true to the vision and worked together, peaceably, to solve differences. We welcome and celebrate all walks of life and we are grateful for what we have created together.

Jaime- And the legacy continues. What’s next for you?

John- Coco and I are co-chairing the committee to submit an application to the state of Washington to designate Leavenworth as a “Creative District” which will amplify and support the arts here. I’m also hoping to work with local businesses to create some “pop up” theatrical productions around town. I want to get my hands back into theater again. Pride month is upon us so we are planning several events including Drag Bingo at the Adventure Park on June 15th. Admission is free but you need to go online or call to make a reservation.

Jaime- Thank you both for sharing the story of Ted and Bob with me today. I wish you continued success on all of your future big ideas. I think “the Bavarian Boys” would be over the moon to see and experience the joy and happiness of Leavenworth today.

Imagine That!

Jaime Donegan is a theater director who originally hails from Elkhart, Indiana. He has lived most of his life in New York City and Philadelphia but made his way to Wenatchee 25 years ago when he came to direct The Follies, a community show sponsored by the Follies Guild. Jaime has been directing Follies Productions all over the country since 1984 and also co-founded and directed the Hot August Nights Summer Theater at the Numerica Performing Arts Center which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. He is currently “home free” yet feels entirely at home in the Wenatchee Valley. When not directing a show, Jaime is traveling somewhere in the world or pouring wine at Fielding Hills Winery in Chelan.

This article is a product of him not being able to keep his big fucking mouth shut because he lives by the saying “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.” It gets him in a lot of trouble but he has a lot of fun.