After see the story about Twin Peaks Mountain Spring Water created for the 1992 Twin Peaks Fan Festival in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, fellow Bookhouse Boy and long-time Twin Peaks fan Dugpa found a rare treasure on eBay. He was searching for a bottle of that spring water but found something even better – a four-page newspaper titled “Twin Peaks Record” created for that first event. He alerted me to his discovery and I quickly added it to my collection. As part of my efforts to document and archive all things related to David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange show, here is a complete look at this unique item I never knew existed.
TWIN PEAKS RECORD – PAGE 1
Organized by the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, the 1992 Twin Peaks Fan Festival was held from August 14-16, 1992. The weekend event included three days of activities for bothĀ Twin PeaksĀ fans and residents of Snoqualmie Valley, Washington. From a craft fair to a 8K fun run to meals with actors, the festivities concluded with the U.S. premiere ofĀ Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me at the North Bend Theatre in North Bend, Washington.
There is little-to-know information about who actually created this four-page newspaper. My gut says someone at the chamber made it because it’s a mix of articles based on real activities taking place during the weekend and a fever-dream ofĀ Twin Peaks-inspired stories. Pay attention to the bylines – why are there so many Palmers in town?
The paper was sold for $.50 during the festival, making it an affordable souvenir from the experience (thank you to Travis Black and Dugpa for confirming that detail).
The masthead is exceptional with drawings of Snoqualmie Falls and Mount Si. The official festival logo is found in the upper right corner. This newspaper is Vol. 1 – No. 1 and was released in August 1992. I’ve never seen another volume, issue or really anything like it except for the official short-lived “Twin Peaks Gazette.”
The first story by Bill Palmer discusses “UFOs” or “Unusually Friendly Outsiders” that were seen “pouring into the area in cars, trucks and buses.” Palmer’s article quotes “officer Truman” and “D. Lynch” which are nods to Sheriff Harry S. Truman and David Lynch. An itinerary of events was listed with some interesting details. For example, on Sunday, August 16, there is mention of a possible second screening of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me at the North Bend Theatre. Did this actually happen? I’ve only heard of one sold-out screening which was attended by David Lynch, several actors and hundreds of fans.
There is also mention of “Pirates of Penzance” being performed at the Forest Theatre in Fall City and Bingo was held on Sunday in downtown Snoqualmie. Unsure how either item is related to Twin Peaks, which furthers my belief that the chamber produced this newspaper.
I also love that a Prodigy Picnic was held from Noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Long before the days of social media, online bulletin board systems (BBS) like Prodigy were the way fans communicated online (I once ran up a $200 phone bill using CompuServe in the late 1980s – it was definitely a different time).
The second article on the first page – “Old controversy … ‘Peaks’ new interest’ – recounts how the town of Twin Peaks got its name. The article claims William Brunt was the found of Twin Peaks which there is no reference to a character by that name in the “Access Guide to Twin Peaks” or the show. It’s a strange story about a long standing feud between families.
The image included in the story is the real Twin Peaks overlooking Snoqualmie Valley known as Mount Si.
The image could have been captured at the Elk Field long highway 202. I captured a similar shot during the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event on February 26 just after a fresh coating of snow had fallen.
The final article on the first page by D. Mick Millen was titled “Social Event of the summer.” There is a Dan McMillen who wrote a report on the “Filming of Fire Walk With Meā in āWrapped In Plasticā (Vol. 1, Issue #12, August 1994). I’m assuming this byline was a reference to him. The story takes place after the Twin Peaks Savings and Loan explosion at the end of season two. The Martells were held holding a barbecue on Friday, August 14 at 2:00 p.m. in their “new home in Ghostwood Estates.” This is just so odd!
TWIN PEAKS RECORD – PAGE 2
Page two contains trivia questions, details about stars scheduled to appear at the movie screening on Sunday and a few made up stories featuring characters from the show and film. First up, trivia questions aboutĀ Twin Peaks.
Sixty-seven questions were asked about the show with answers on page 3 (I’ll share them in a moment). There are a few glaring errors in the questions such as number 9 – “What make of motorcycle did Bobby ride?” He never rode one – that was James Hurley. Most of these questions seem to bee from the first season.
Skipping ahead, here are the answers. How well did you do? These reminded me of the recent trivia contests held during the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event.
Below the trivia questions, there is a a column from Dr. Jacoby with questions from concerned residents about The Log Lady and someone who is supposedly Sarah Palmer.
There is also a box with the words “Printing by FALLS PRINTING CO.” which was a real business in Snoqualmie, Washington. In the mid-1960s, Bob Scott, Sandie Scott, and Gaillard Buchman purchased the Snoqualmie Valley Record from Charlotte and Ed Groshell and created Falls Printing Co., which owned and operated the paper. Bob Scott became the publisher of the paper. After 36 years, in 1996, Falls Printing Co. sold theĀ Valley RecordĀ to Karen and Jim McKiernan, the daughter and son in-law of Bob and Sandie Scott.
This means the local newspaper printed this special edition newspaper for the festival.
Cathy Briggs (relation to Major Garland Briggs I assume) wrote a story titled “268-Foot waterfall discovered” which detailed how Mrs. Ida Seenit of Passion (the sister town to Twin Peaks) supposedly discovered Snoqualmie Falls. Clearly it’s a fictitious story since the falls have been a part of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe (sdukŹ·albixŹ·). As an aside, you can thank the caretakers of this land who have lived and continue to live here since time immemorial by pledging to support the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement.
The image is from a time before 1988 because the original Snoqualmie Falls Lodge is seen perched above the falls.
In 1988, the Lodge reopened as The Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls. Coincidentally, I recently purchased a postcard with nearly the same image.
Two shorter articles are also found on page two with one by J. Aaron Palmer about One-Eyed Jacks changing its name to “The Power and The Glory.” This was the name of the bar Laura Palmer and Donna Hayward visit with Buck and Tommy inĀ Lynch’s 1992 film. It’s odd that One-Eyed Jacks would change its name before the events of the first two seasons took place.
The second shorter article by John Palmer talks about the Banks’ family moving to the town. This is supposed to be Teresa Banks’ parents which also makes no sense since “Banks was a drifter and nobody knew her.”
A square advertisement in the middle of the page discussed which actors were scheduled to appear at the festival. Of note, Chris Isaak, James Marshall and Dana Ashbrook did not attend. Jonathan Leppell, who played the Grandson, was at the film premiere.
There is also mention that the police car driven by Agent Cooper in the show (a 1981 Dodge Diplomat) was a “Snoqualmie Police Car.” I wonder if that was actually the case which is why the car was available to raffle.
Most interesting to me is proceeds from the Festival were earmarked to assist in Snoqualmie Floor Reduction projects. I’ve discussed at great lengths how flooding by Snoqualmie River has impacted many filming sites even today. The Fat Trout Trailer Park, Twin Peaks High School, Welcome to Twin Peaks sign on Reinig Road and even Hap’s Diner have all been impacted as a result of those flood waters.
The last article on the page included an interview with Washington State Agricultural Extension spokesperson Sherry Pitt about Washington state cherries. There were also quotes from Norma Jennings of the “R & R” about cherry pie. The story gave a nod to the first annual Cherry Pie Eating Contest held at Railroad Gazebo Park on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2:30 p.m.
TWIN PEAKS RECORD – PAGE 3
The third page contained even more fictitious stories mixed with activities happening during the weekend. I’ve already shared the upside-down trivia answers.
The first story discussed the Mystery Dinner show held at Snoqualmie Winery known today as Snoqualmie Point Park (where the Donna and Laura picnic scene was filmed). Titled “Roast to Death,” the show was written by Marshall Brisendine and Harry Charowsky. This was the fourth season for EAT, which stands for Enter Act Theatre.
According to a Seattle Times article on May 10, 1991, the community company began with “local playwright Marilyn Healea’s historical musical ‘Snoqualmie Prairie’ presented as part of the 1989 Washington centennial in Olympia. The production eventually moved to North Bend’s Sallah Grange Hall where the company has also staged ‘The Life and Death of Sneaky Fitch,’ ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ ‘Century Snooze,’ ‘Eat, Drink and be Murdered’ and ‘Dracula.'”
D. Mick Millen penned another article about another murder in the town that has residents frightened. There are nods to the story that BOB was the killer since a note left behind contained dialogue heard at the end of the European version of the pilot episode. Of note, the murder victim was killed due to “a sharp sycamore branch thrust into one ear and out the other.” Um, okay.
Cathy Truman (relation to Harry and Frank Truman?) wrote about about three births in town – one for Lucy Brennan who named her son “Walter” (how about that?!). The second was for Shelly Johnson who had a girl named Bobbie Sue while the third birth was a son named Jimmie to James Hurley and Donna Hayward. The latter were married last summer and James is now working at the Packard Sawmill.
Another Palmer family member, Rona Palmer, wrote about Leo Johnson’s new truck named Big Pussycat.
This was a nod to something seen in episode 1.001 where the side of Leo Johnson’s truck is seen outside his home.
There was a story about Gray Line Tours offering tours during the weekend ofĀ Twin PeaksĀ filming sites. I wrote extensively about tours the Seattle-based company offered from May 1 to October 13, 1991. The one-hour tours ran every 30 minute from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14; and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tours began at the end of King Street by Sandy Cove Point Park. How I wish I had a copy of their script!
I’ve discussed Twin Peaks High School, which was actually Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie. The article by Cathy Palmer quoted Rich Beard, the Twin Peaks School District Superintendent, announcing that a new language wing was being constructed due to the arrival of residents from Norway.
The image is most likely from construction at Mount Si High School as the facility gained added 60,169 sq. ft. during a remodel in 1991.
Reporter James Palmer (Seriously … so many Palmers!) wrote about “Occult worship” in the town following appearances of crossed chain saws painted in “what seems to be cherry juice” and the murder of a myna bird (a nod to Waldo, Jacques Renault’s bird).
G. Olson (which I believe is supposed to be Greg Olson who wrote about the film in “Film Comment”) wrote about a strange storm that caused a stoplight to become permanently stuck on red.
The final tidbit on page 3 was “Learn a word a day” which was “Shenanigans” a nod to Josie Packard and Catherine Martell’s exchange following Josie’s decision to close the mill after Laura Palmer was found murdered.
TWIN PEAKS RECORD – PAGE 4
The final page contains four advertisements from local businesses in Snoqualmie Valley.
First up, The Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Fall (known today as The Salish Lodge). The remodeled 91-luxury room hotel overlooking Snoqualmie Falls reopened in 1988. I’ve discussed this highly-recommended hotel via a series of articles featuring postcards (as seen here).
The second advertisement is for the Mar-T Cafe (known today as Twede’s Cafe). They held an after-hour gathering with cherry pie and coffee on August 16 following the U.S. premiere of Lynch’s film. The ad mentions “Twin Peaks Souvenirs” which are still found today at the cafe. Check out their online store – Twede’s Cafe Merchandise.
Speaking of merchandise, the premiere shop in North Bend to findĀ Twin PeaksĀ souvenirs was the Alpine Blossom and Gift Shoppe. You can read about this now closed wonderland in this Twin Peaks Blog article. Interesting they said “Twin Peak” … Do they think they are Jean Renault?
The final ad is for the Twin Peaks Trolly Tour hosted by Gray Line. Tickets could be purchased for $15 for adults and $7.50 for children (good for those parents introducing their kids to the show so young!).
That wraps up the in-depth look at this unique souvenir from the first Twin Peaks Fan Festival. I’d still love to know who wrote the stories and how this paper was created. Perhaps in time those mysteries will reveal themselves. For now, I’m adding this paper to the permanent archive of the show I adore.
Thank you again to Dugpa for telling me about this paper. What a treasure!
Download high-resolution images from this newspaper by visiting my Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/albums/72177720321335245
