Columbia River Reader March 2026

THE TIDEWATER REACH

Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten.

Rex Ziak’s edited and annotated edition of Franchére’s 1820 journal, The First American Settlement on the Pacific.

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Southwest Washington author and explorer

Rex Ziak revolutionized historical scholarship by documenting minute-by-minute the Corps’ dangerous days at the mouth of the Columbia.

A LIFETIME OF

WORDS AND WOOD

Pacific Northwest Woodcuts and Haiku by Debby Neely

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A Layman’s Lewis & Clark by Michael O. Perry.

•BW Edition $35

•220 historic photos •Boxed, signed. $50.

14th Ave.

Over the years (now at 22, with this issue), the Reader has included the occasional “Armchair Travel” feature, meant for reading/dreaming by the fire during the dark, wet winter. These stories represent a departure from CRR’s usual “strictly-local” focus. For example, one such story was by the late Dr. Tom Pence, who visited Ethiopia and wrote a colorful, engaging story about it a few years ago. This month, we’re off to Africa again!

Hunting for Life

We hope you’ll enjoy reading highlights of Bob Park’s African safari (People+Place, page 17), and don’t worry — the only shooting was with Bob’s camera. His photographs are magnificent and even more will be included, along with his expanded story, in a new book CRRPress plans to publish this summer. Watch for it!

A Spring break

It appears we have survived another winter, and I am reluctantly letting go of my hope for even a brief dusting of snow. On the bright side, with the recent change to Daylight Savings Time, we can begin to enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures. Spring break is ahead and, especially if you have kids or grandkids, we’ve suggested a few “closer than Africa” local opportunities to see exotic animals (see page 21). It’s a great opportunity for a Spring road trip; make it a one-day outing or overnight.

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper

Columnists and contributors:

Hal Calbom

Nancy Chennault

Alice Dietz

Joseph Govednik

Judy MacLeod

Bob Park

Michael Perry

Ned Piper

Robert Michael Pyle

Marc Roland

Alan Rose

Greg Smith

Andre Stepankowsky

Jim Tejcka

Judy VanderMaten

Dennis Weber

Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry, Susan Nordin, Tiffany Dickinson, Ned Piper

Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632

Columbia River Reader, llc 1333 14th Ave, Longview, WA 98632

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Sue’s Views

Congratulations to Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director Joseph Govednik, whose new book, Southwest Washington Logging Railroads, just released by Arcadia Publishing, presents a trove of amazing photos and Joseph’s commentary on

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 14,000 copies distributed in the Lower Columbia region. Entire contents copyrighted; No reproduction of any kind allowed without express written permission of Columbia River Reader, LLC. Opinions expressed herein, whether in editorial content or paid ad space, belong to the writers and advertisers and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Reader.

Submission guidelines and Advertising info: page 10, 24.

Ad Manager: Ned Piper 360-749-2632. St. Helens ad contact: Mitzi Ponce: 252-675-3423-

late 19th and early 20th-century history of timber transport here. Pick up your copy for $24.99 at the Museum (405 Allen Street, Kelso, Wash.), or order online (cowlitzcountyhistory.org or Amazon, etc.) Proceeds benefit the Museum.

Easter Brunch?

We also include in this issue Man in the Kitchen’s recipe for classic Eggs Benedict. Many people love Eggs Bennie and often order them in a restaurant, but somehow, cooking them at home seems daunting. Take the “Easter Eggs Bennie Challenge” and follow the steps to cook them at home this year. If you do, let us know how they turn out (publisher@crreader. com) and if you wish, send a photo. We’ll share your results with readers.

Quips & Quotes

EASTER EGGS

BENNIE

HaikuFest 2026

And many thinks to everyone who submitted to this year’s Gary Meyers Memorial HaikuFest. Find the judges’ selections on page 4-5. We remember Gary fondly, miss him, and feel his spirit in this continuing tradition.

Happy early Spring! Thanks for reading Columbia River Reader.

We welcome to the fold this month Jim Tejcka, a retired civil engineer who lives outside of Woodland, Wash., overlooking the Lewis River. I hope you’ll enjoy his first batch of selected quotes, found on page 28.

Sue Piper

Columbia River Reader ... helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River Region, at home and on the road.

Issue

Gary

2026 Event draws wide variety

This year’s HaikuFest drew a hearty response, and we salute everyone who submitted their haiku. We even had one advertiser work a haiku into his ad! See Vince Penta’s spot, page 8.

Submission categories were generally specified as Traditional, Pop, and Youth, with emphasis on regional themes, flora and fauna, Columbia River heritage and traditions, and the essence of “the good life,” CRR strives to promote. This year, we leave it to readers to imagine which “emphasis” might have formed the basis of each chosen haiku ... even the judges couldn’t always agree!

Many submitters mentioned their fond memories of Gary Meyers, and appreciation that the tradition of his “brainchild” is continuing. Thanks to all!

Experience the Best. Experience Cascade Title.

1425 Maple Street Longview, WA 98632

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Consistent, Courteous and Complete Title and Escrow Services

Softly feel the wind hear the ripple of the creek Nature calms the mind

Patti Conley Longview, Wash.

Wind, rain, hail and snow

Columbia’s mouth in view need a bigger boat!

Dan D’Amario Scappoose, Ore.

Deepening colors

In the mountains mean one thing: night will follow soon.

PJ Peterson, Longview, Wash.

Poetry planted in pages of the Reader blooms before my eyes

Carolyn Caines Kelso Wash.

Distant foghorn sounds ship in the river says Hey! cut me a wide swath

Valeria Burch, Oakville, Wash.

The fog lies heavy Split asunder by sunlight Seen through my window

Jim Meskew Toutle, Wash.

Cold and breezy wind Icy carpet covers land Beautiful forest

Blair Wilson Longview, Wash.

Upon misty fog

A haunting call from afar

The raven’s warning

Shaylee Anttila Toutle, Wash.

Longview: cloudy skies

Winter blues, so why not wish upon a star here?

June Vezaldenos Longview, Wash.

Square and round dancing whirling, twirling, lots of fun!

R Squared D Dance Club

Kristy Nessly Longview, Wash.

Legacy of man. Inherited from salmon.

Power the land!

Karie Webster Kelso, Wash.

Trees stand bare except A lone oak losing leaves Julst one moon ‘til Spring

Glory Nylander Longview, Wash.

Founder on his perch, a pinnacle on his roof. Inside...words, words, words. Fred Baxter Mulkiteo, Wash.

cracked helmet, bruised knee big jump in second-growth trees best day biking yet D’Arci Klinginsmith Longview, Wash.

Common Green Darner

Dragonflies dance on the wind Messengers of change

Debbie Adair Soro Longview, Wash.

Starry nights above Winter’s joy for all to see Aren’t we lucky

Peggy Lundquist Scappoose, Ore.

we are all artists our most important work is a beautiful life

Marc Imlay Longview, Wash.

sharp crack of gunfire pierce the morning silence birds quickly scatter

Mary Hubbard St. Helens, Ore.

Birds skim the river Pelicans, eagles, herons Kin to dinosaurs.

John Ciminello Naselle, Wash.

Full moon is soothing Reminder of loss and love I still see his face.

Terri Charbonneau

Ocean Park, Wash

Nutty Narrows Bridge— proof a town once paused to ask, “What about the squirrels?”

LeNay Eastman Clatskanie, Ore.

Gary Meyers Memorial HaikuFest

Sea swallows orange disc

Sky dancers swirl pink ribbons

As birds fly homeward

Pat Owen Toledo, Wash.

Crow convention calls A raucous chorus echoes

Filling the canyon

James D. Tejcka Woodland, Wash.

The sun provides warmth

Even on those cold mornings When it just doesn’t.

Victoria Findlay Corvallis, Ore.

Orange draped over gray

We traversed the beach at dusk

Sun sinking to rest

Adele Brown Longview, Wash.

Falcon tips its wing Glides slow across the freeway

Unexpected grace

Katy Shannon Vancouver, Wash

Mother earth asks us, Is there intelligent life on her green planet?

Constance Cleghorn Clatskanie, Ore

Slough water thickens the glazed mirror dimming heron’s reflection

Arlys Clark Rainier, Ore.

PUBLISHER’S CITATION

Dead Poets

Cumberlands mingle

In new new minglewood blue

And red grenadine

Just a box of rain

Or a ribbon for your hair

All a dream we dreamed

Easy wind blow ‘cross

The bayou today never Heard a word he say

Samuel Berger, Seattle, Wash

By adult staff members, Sprouting School, Battle Ground, Wash.:

Candle light, my friend

Tell me what’s inside of you

Why you shine so bright

Amy Tejcka

Night sky sparkles light

Full cold moon in the big sky

Whispers of the trees

Rosanna McClellan

Love planted deep down

A new seed sprouts, pushes through Life’s light grows brighter

Tiffany Wheeler

YOUTH

Houses are waiting

From all through the neighborhood For morning to come.

Emerald Nylander, age 7 Homeschool, Longview, Wash.

The little bird flies

As he sings his song of love

The chicks can fly now

Halley Rose, age 11

Sprouting Seeds School Battle Ground,Wash.

Owls are beautiful

And athletic creatures, yes

Hunting prey for food

Wyatt McClellan, age 12

Sprouting Seeds School

The Milky Way glows Stars shine bright to us tonight

The final frontier.

Stella Maurer, age 10

Sprouting Seeds School

Looking UP

SKY REPORT

March 17th – April 17th

By Greg Smith

The Evening Sky

A clear sky is needed.

Later in March around the 25th, the 1st Quarter moon will be near Jupiter in the constellation of Gemini. Jupiter is still very bright and won’t be over-shown by the moon. The constellation of Leo is rising higher in the sky and is a very bold star figure to be seen in the spring sky. At dusk, in early April just after the sun has set, look to the west-northwest horizon and see the planet Venus. It will rise higher and higher in the western sky for the whole summer before it heads back to go behind the sun in September.

The Morning Sky

A cloudless eastern horizon sky is required.

There are still no planets visible at this time. But the ‘Summer Triangle’ is rising higher in the morning sky. Summer will make its way here, eventually.

Night Sky Spectacle

A clear dark sky is a must. Two lovely star clusters are in view by 8:30pm. The first is the Pleiades (M45). It looks like a tiny cup to the right of Orion in the western sky April 1st . Then there is the Beehive cluster in the faint constellation of Cancer to the left of Gemini. It contains the bright planet Jupiter. In binoculars the cluster of stars sort of looks like a swarm of bees at a hive, thus the name Beehive cluster (M44).

MOON PHASES:

New Moon, Wed., Mar. 18th

1st Quarter, Wed., Mar. 25th

Full Moon: Wed., April 1st

Last Quarter: Thurs., Apr. 9th

END OF TWILIGHT

When the brightest stars start to come out. Allow about an hour more to see a lot of stars.

Wed., Mar. 18th • 7:51pm

Wed., Mar. 25th • 8:01pm

Wed., April 1st • 8:11pm

Wed., April 8th • 8:20pm

Wed., April 15th • 8:30pm

SUNSET

Sun., Mar. 15th • 7:17pm

Wed., Mar. 25th • 7:32pm

Wed., April 1st • 7:41pm

Wed., April 8th • 7:51pm

Wed., April 15th • 7:59pm

Longview resident Greg Smith is past president of Friends of Galileo. Meet him and other club members at monthly meetings in Longview. For more info about FOG, visit friendsofgalileo.com.

Do you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

... or is it Starlight

Deprivation Syndrome (SDS)?

By Greg Smith

If you are an amateur astronomer like myself, it is most likely SDS. The long spans of time that a clear night sky is not around affects us with fatigue, irritability, crankiness, frustration, and going to the window to check to see if the sky has miraculously cleared… but which mostly has not.

It is amazing how just one night can clear up all these symptoms, but a string of clear nights can bring incredible healing to your psyche and relationships with family and friends.

A night under a clear sky can do wonders for your mental health. Your perspective is reset to normal, and the size of your problems shrink to the appropriate size that they deserve.

I am a person who likes the long nights of winter rather than the short nights of summer; having the stars come out ‘til nearly midnight, puts a real damper

on my spirit being revived. To be able to go stargazing just after dinner makes my day complete.

Even if the moon is full on a clear night, observing the craters of the moon is highly rewarding in itself. When selfinduced stargazing sleep deprivation affects me, I am still invigorated. I have spent time with the part of creation that puts me in my place and keeps me humble. It makes me kneel to the power that put this in order, and yet it lifts me up in the wonder of it all.

Yes, all this Pacific Northwest cloudiness can be depressing, but the lack of a starfilled night is just as soul-sucking as a cloudy day.

Thanks to Jennifer Willis of Portland Oregon, and Sky and Telescope Magazine for inspiring this article.

Boat Moorage

1976 On-site Manager

ROLAND ON WINE

WBuried in clay

TV series spotlights search for legendary bottle

by Marc Roland

hat if the greatest wine in the world wasn’t in Bordeaux or Napa, but buried underground in clay?

I’ve been watching the Apple TV series “Drops of God.” It’s about wine, sort of. It’s really a mystery wrapped in wine, and I love it. Honestly, I’ve never met a wine movie I didn’t enjoy, no matter how good or bad it was. In the new season, the search is on for a legendary bottle said to be the greatest wine ever made. That search leads the characters to Georgia. Not the American South, but the small Eastern European nation tucked between Europe and Asia.

Georgia may not be famous to most Americans, but it is home to one of the oldest continuous wine cultures on earth. Archaeological evidence shows that people in this Caucasus nation were making wine at least 8,000 years ago. Residue found inside ancient clay vessels confirmed the presence of fermented grape juice. It very well could be the birthplace of winemaking.

Unlike most modern producers, traditional Georgian winemakers ferment and age their wines in large clay vessels called qvevri. These vessels are buried underground. The design is practical and brilliant. The earth naturally regulates temperature, and the clay allows gentle oxygen exchange. Instead of oak flavor, you get structure, texture, and an earthy complexity that feels ancient and alive. UNESCO has even recognized qvevri winemaking as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage.

Wine in Georgia has always been tied to family life, religion, and survival. Nearly every household once maintained a small vineyard and cellar. Wine was safer to drink than water and served as a reminder of identity during centuries of invasion by Persians, Ottomans, and later the Russian Empire. During

Soviet rule, however, quality suffered. Production shifted toward volume and cheap supply for the Russian market.

Today, Georgia is known for distinctive native grapes such as Saperavi and Rkatsiteli, varieties rarely grown elsewhere. The show “Drops of God” uses the extremely rare American hybrid Herbemont as part of its mystery. It is a nice plot device, not a historical reality.

The flagship grape of Georgia is Rkatsiteli. It produces what many Americans call “orange wine,” though Georgians simply consider it traditional white wine. Fermented on the skins, these wines are tannic and textured, often tasting of dried fruit, tea, nuts, and herbs rather than bright citrus.

They will challenge your palate, but in a good way. Georgian wine represents a winemaking tradition that evolved on its own path. When you drink it, you are tasting something closer to the origins of wine than almost anything else on the shelf.

Georgian wines are imported into the United States, though availability varies by state. Interesthas grown steadily among sommeliers and adventurous drinkers who want authenticity. You can often find bottles in specialty wine shops or natural wine focused restaurants.

The clay vessel story does not end in Georgia. A small but growing number of American winemakers are experimenting with qvevri or amphora style fermentation. It remains niche. The vessels are expensive, fragile, and require careful handling. But curiosity is rising alongside the natural and skin contact wine movement.

cont page 8

NOTES FROM MY LIVES

WBy Andre Stepankowsky

Prickly business Pruning lays foundation for growth and blooms... in the garden and life

hen I prune my roses every spring, the effort reminds me of the need to also prune my life.

Think of it. The need to lop off dead, crossing, weak or crowding rose canes is a lot like the need to refocus and selfassess ourselves.

It is said that every bush needs pruning to thrive. That is certainly true of roses, and our lives are the same. We need occasionally to cut away biases, beloved but neglected hobbies, stale ways of thinking, bad habits and — sometimes — spent or troubled relationships.

Like clipping a rose bush, this can be a prickly business.

Cutting away old and dying canes, for example, is easy on a rose bush. But it’s harder to recognize dead or diseased wood in how we think or behave, and sometimes we must concede to the realities of aging. Like this: Having studied classical piano seriously, I still love to play and perform. But arthritis is starting to gnarl my fingers. I’ve had to recognize that my days of virtuoso performances are over. But I still play. Concession is not capitulation. I still hope to get more music out of my fingers — as I occasionally do to get more blossoms out of a favorite, but aging rose bush.

Then there are those strong, vigorous canes that sometimes clutter the center of a bush and must be removed — as heartbreaking as it can be — to ensure air flow, discourage diseases and avoid damage to adjacent stalks. Likewise, there are times when we need to scale back or prune beloved or closely held hobbies, memberships or commitments because our lives have become too packed, stressed, and unbalanced.

Two examples from my own life:

First, I want to do more hiking this summer, but to do so I must shear back the amount of writing and woodwork that I do.

Second, I once had about 175 rose bushes under my care, but new time demands turned a love into dread. So a year ago I turned over the rose beds at St. Rose Church to dedicated volunteers Kathleen and David Schatzel. This left me with just the 80 or so of my own. This was a hard choice. I designed and supervised creation of that church garden 30 years ago, and I had directed its maintenance ever since.

As an experienced rose grower, I have a favorite saying: “There are liars, damn liars, and rose catalogues.” So, inevitably, you get a dud, and you must decide whether to give it more TLC or dig it up. Life has its parallels.

Early in life, I persisted in pursuing relationships with girlfriends (I’m using the term loosely), even though it was plain that all the magic was one way. I subjected myself to unnecessary heartache until distance and time finally cured me. It was an emotionally thorny thing to go through. Perhaps if I had been growing and pruning roses in those years, I would have learned not to put myself through that anguish.

But to close on a happier note: Doing the spring rose prune establishes the foundation for healthy growth and summer blooms. The work is a classic exercise in working cooperatively with nature to create beauty.

And that, dear readers, is so good for our souls.

Longview resident and former Kelso teacher Marc Roland started making wine in 2008 in his garage. He and his wife, Nancy, now operate Roland Wines at 1106 Florida Street in Longview’s new “barrel district.” For wine tasting hours, call 360-846-7304.

Award-winning journalist Andre Stepankowsky is a former reporter and editor for The Daily News in Longview. His Columbia River Reader columns spring from his many interests, including hiking, rose gardening, music, and woodworking. More of his writing can be found under “Lower Columbia Currents,” on substack.com.

In Oregon, Troon Vineyard in the Applegate Valley uses terra cotta amphorae for fermentation and aging, most notably for their Amphora Amber Vermentino. Grapes are fermented on their skins with native yeast and extended contact time. For reds, they use varieties like Mourvèdre and Grenache. The clay allows gentle oxygen exchange without adding oak flavor, highlighting texture and fruit purity.

Beckham Estate Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains takes it even further. Andrew Beckham began as a ceramic artist before becoming a winemaker. Inspired by ancient traditions, he started crafting his own seamless terra cotta amphorae on site. His work has helped put Oregon on the map for modern amphora production. Under the A.D. Beckham label, he ferments and ages wines such as Gamay, Syrah, Pinot Gris, and Riesling in clay vessels he makes himself.

Spring is a good time to explore. The vines are waking up. The air is lighter. If you find yourself in Oregon wine country, Beckham is about an hour and a half from Longview near Sherwood. For $30, you can taste the wines and hear the story firsthand. You’ll need a reservation. Phone: 971-645-3466.

Sometimes the best way to understand the future of wine is to taste something different. This might be the season to dig a little deeper.

Lewis & Clark

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

Newfoundland Dogs

EPISODE 23

Homeward bound, still!

What’s the holdup?

W hile preparing for the e xpedition in 1803, Meriwether Lewis paid $20 for a “dogg of the newfoundland breed.” Lewis failed to write about his reasons for buying this particular breed of dog, but I believe it was no accident. Lewis knew his men would be traveling on water most of the journey, and that many were not good swimmers. They needed a lifeguard.

Newfoundland dogs are web-footed and have natural life-saving instincts, so Lewis may have bought his dog with the idea it might save someone who fell overboard. Fishermen on the island of Newfoundland used them as water rescue dogs more than 1,000 years ago. They are big – over two feet tall and weigh up to 150 pounds. They are larger than a St. Bernard and share a tendency

By Michael O. Perry

to slobber profusely. They were used for draft work, such as helping pull in fishermen’s nets. Newfoundland dogs almost became extinct, and today the breed owes its existence to a single stud dog that lived 100 years ago.

Scannon, Seamon, or Seaman?

Until 1987, every book about Lewis and Clark referred to Lewis’s dog as “Scannon.” In 1984, while examining one of Clark’s maps, a historian noticed that a creek near Missoula Montana was named “Seaman’s Creek.” Since there was nobody associated with the Corps of Discovery named Seaman, and since they were 700 miles from any ocean, it seemed odd. Whenever the Corps named a geographical feature,

The Newfoundland Dog was the first animal to be commemorated on a postage stamp by any country. In 1894, Newfoundland issued a half-cent stamp showing the head of a Newfoundland dog. In 1930, they issued a 14-cent stamp honoring their namesake dog.

Each year — typically in July — the Lewis and Clark Historical National Park features “Seaman’s Day,” a popular event and convocation of these lovable, huge, and inevitably slobbering Newfoundlands and their owners.

they usually picked a name of someone involved with the Expedition (such as Sacajawea’s River) or that reflected the particular landmark (such as Milk River). It turned out historians had mistakenly interpreted the dog’s name in the hard-to-decipher journals as “Scannon” while, in fact, the name on the map was correct: “Seaman.” Sgt. John Ordway’s journal also verified the dog was named Seaman — Ordway wrote it as “Seamon.”

Corps spent the time hunting and stockpiling meat to make the journey to the Nez Perce villages on the Clearwater River, where they had left their horses the previous fall.

No official records exist as to the fate of Seaman. He was last mentioned in the journals on July 15, 1806, two months before the journey ended in St. Louis. Some people have speculated that the men got so desperately hungry they ate him, but that seems very unlikely. Others think he may have died or wandered off, never to be found. If anything like that had happened to Seaman, it seems almost certain one of the men would have recorded it in their journal. In all probability, Seaman returned to St. Louis and stayed with Lewis until either he or Lewis died (more on that in a future Dispatch). Newfoundland dogs typically live only 8–10 years, and very few of them walk 4,000 miles across the continent!

While anxious to return home, the Corps spent the first nine days of April 1806 camped near Washougal, across from the Sandy River. Local Indians told them people were starving upstream since the spring run of salmon had not yet arrived. So, the

Upon resuming their journey, they found it very tough going due to the high water and fast current. Rapids they had easily passed through in October 1805 were now impossible to traverse. They had to unload all their baggage and carry it around the rapids while the men tried to pull the five empty canoes upstream with ropes. One canoe got crosswise and was swept away. The four remaining canoes were unable to carry all the baggage, so Lewis bought two more from the Indians.

Doggone!

On April 11th, some Indians stole Seaman, Captain Lewis’s black Newfoundland dog. Lewis wrote, “I… sent three men in pursuit of the thieves with orders if they made the least resistence or difficulty in surrendering the dog to fire on them.” He got his dog back. Lewis described this particular band of Indians as “the greates thieves and scoundrels we have met with.”

By April 15th, it was evident they would need horses to continue upstream. Attempts to buy some from three Indian villages failed because the Corps had nothing of value that they were willing to trade. Finally, Clark crossed the river and obtained 12 horses, and another six, two days later. On April 18th, they reached a point where the two largest canoes could

cont page 10

Five years ago, we introduced a revised version oF Michael Perry’s popular series which had begun with CRR’s April 15, 2004 inaugural issue and was reprised three times and then expanded In the new book, Dispatches from the Discovery Trail, edited by Hal Calbom and published by CRRPress. It includes an in-depth author interview and new illustrations and commentary.

Lewis

& Clark from page 9

go no further, so the canoes were cut up for firewood. They needed more horses and, reluctantly, traded two large kettles for four more horses. Lewis was furious when one of the horses wandered away that night after one of the men failed to picket it.

The Indians caught the first salmon of the long-awaited spring run on April 19th. However, it would be a while before the Indians had enough to sell to the Corps of Discovery. Meanwhile, Lewis was becoming very mad at the Indians for the daily loss of goods. Six tomahawks, a knife, and two spoons were stolen on April 20th. And horses started to disappear. Charbonneau lost three horses in two days. Three more were purchased, and one was found and returned by an honest Indian.

On April 28th, Clark traded his sword for a “very elegant” white horse. He was also told about an overland shortcut they could take from Pasco to Lewiston. Food was becoming a real problem, but since their supply of trade goods was almost gone, the Indians would not give them any food. Clark started trading medical treatments for food. His reputation was well known from his having provided similar treatments on the journey down the river the previous fall.

Abandon ship

On April 30th, they sold their remaining canoes and set off overland with 23 horses. A Walula Indian caught up with them and delivered a steel trap he had found near his village that one of the men had forgotten. The steel trap was a very valuable item, and based on all the other things that had been stolen from the Corps, it was remarkable that it was returned.

By May 4th, the Corps had reached the Snake River and a Nez Perce village. A day later, they reached the Clearwater River. A Nez Perce man brought two lead powder canisters his dog dug up from one of the supply caches the Corps had dug the previous year. The Indians had dug another cache to store the remaining material, but some saddles and other things were missing. I don’t want to hear it

On May 7th, the Indians told the Corps the Rocky Mountains would be impassible until June. That was not something they wanted to believe. Everyone wanted to get back to St. Louis! They found Chief Twisted Hair and arranged to get their horses back. Then, on May 10th, they awoke to find eight inches of fresh snow on the

… the fate of Seaman …

All the books I’ve every read, they all talk about nobody knew what happened to Seaman. Some people even think they ate him! You know they did eat over 200 dogs on the trip…. But with all of Lewis’s troubles, getting accidentally shot, and ending up dying in Tennessee at age 35, we never found out about the dog. So I followed the newspaper accounts and heard about a museum that had a dog collar. And the dog collar said, ‘My name is Seaman. I traveled to the Pacific Ocean and back,’ or something to that effect. And the museum burned down some hundred years ago, but the newspaper account still exists.”

ground. Maybe the Indians were right after all? On May 15th, they decided to build camps and wait for the snow in the passes to melt. The men were encouraged to partake in contests of strength with the Indians to keep from getting too out of shape. The upcoming journey over the Rockies would be a real hardship, especially if the men sat around very long doing nothing.

With their supply of meat exhausted, they had a choice – eat roots and dried fish provided by the Indians, or eat horses. Everyone remembered how sick the party had become when eating roots and fish the previous year, so horse sounded pretty good. Even though the Nez Perce were appalled, they provided the horses the men needed. Some men ate the roots, but several got sick again. Some men cut the buttons off their uniforms to trade for food.

Big Medicine

In addition, Clark continued his practice of trading medical treatment for food. On May 24th, a Nez Perce chief who had not had the use of his arms or legs for three years was brought to Captain Clark.

He had no idea what was wrong, but gave the Indian a painkiller and tried to give him a sweat bath. The man was too stove up to sit upright inside the sweat house, so Clark had the Indians dig out the floor so he could get inside. Four days later, the Indian could move his arms and sit up unaided. On May 30th, he could move his legs and on June 8th he was able to stand up. No wonder the Indians thought Clark was “big medicine!”

Hit the road, Jack

By May 31st, the Corps had 65 horses and were anxious to leave. The Nez Perce recently had sent messengers across the mountains to visit the Flat Heads in Montana. When they returned on June 3rd, they said the passes were still full of snow and the Corps should wait another two weeks. The men decided to wait another week, but ended up waiting until June 15th to begin their assault on the Rockies. Surely, the passes would be clear of snow by then? We shall see.

Hush-hush marriages, ‘special’ needs, thinning social fabric?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A colleague just sent me a “friends and family” letter, months after the holidays. In itself, this is fine. I have never received a family letter from them before; we are friendly, but we don’t socialize together.

When I opened it, I was happy to be receiving their news. The first paragraph described their last birthday party in great detail -- a party I wasn’t invited to, although we live in the same city. The next paragraph described their forthcoming book, with a QR code to purchase it.

When I realized I was receiving an advertisement disguised as an acknowledgment of friendship, my pleasure about the outreach evaporated.

Am I out of line to have taken this as a breach of etiquette? Is this mixing of personal and commercial now proper? Would Miss Manners approve if we send out a QR code to purchase what we’re selling in our next holiday letter?

GENTLE READER: This letter is not only a breach of etiquette, but also a conflict of professional interest. Since the author is a colleague, it is unethical to try to solicit business from you.

Miss Manners assumes that is why you made the so-called friends list. But friends also do not openly advertise parties to others who were not invited.

Either way, no response -- or reciprocal QR code -- is required.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While having a casual dinner at my parents’ house, I noticed that my brother and his fiancee were wearing wedding bands. I texted my sister to ask if they had secretly gotten married, and she told me I needed to talk to our brother.

He finally called me tonight and told me that they did indeed go to the courthouse

to get married. He explained that they are trying to buy a house, and that it is easier to get a mortgage when legally married.

I am the last in the immediate family to find out. I feel very hurt that I was not included in any of the initial announcements and had to find out by noticing wedding bands on their hands.

The icing on the cake is that they plan to keep this hush-hush and have a big white wedding next year -- they will have a ceremony, register for gifts and pretend to the entire extended family like they have not been married the entire time.

I think this is highly irregular and inappropriate, and it feels like lying. There is nothing wrong with a courthouse wedding, and I think it should have been celebrated in the moment, maybe with a nice dinner with close family.

I don’t know how I am supposed to celebrate and support my brother now that he has gone about this in such an untraditional way, and I am having a hard time getting behind lying to our extended family members and friends. What is the best way to navigate this situation?

GENTLE READER: When he was young, did your brother tell his teachers that he couldn’t take the test as he was in mourning because the dog died -- and then the next week complain that the dog ate his homework?

Miss Manners asks because he does not seem particularly adept at lying (as evidenced by wearing the wedding rings).

Separating a “wedding” from the act of marrying, as if the trappings were more significant than the ceremony, is no longer unusual -- although a year is a long time to wait between the two.

You are not required to lie about it to others, although this may be why they didn’t tell you. But if he and his fiancee plan to wear their rings to the rehearsal dinner, perhaps you can offer to sequester the jewelry.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: This may be a losing battle, but as an adult with a birth defect, I completely abhor the phrase “special needs” in all its forms.

People with disabilities have the SAME basic needs as everyone else. Shocking, I know! The accommodations may be more than others generally require to get to the same baseline, and may affect family routines, bonds and behaviors, but the needs themselves are not “special.”

There are organizations that are trying to help correct this mindset, but do you have any suggestions?

GENTLE READER: Miss Manners suggests compassion, dignity and an assumption of goodwill and good intentions. Also needed, she fears, will be patience in getting people to understand and change.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We live in an era where the social fabric has thinned significantly. The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away. Opportunities for natural socialization have plummeted across the country, leaving many of us more isolated than generations past.

In this new landscape, the reality is that we can often truly depend only on our families and ourselves. When a mother hosts her own daughter’s bridal shower today, it is rarely out of vanity. Rather, it is often a resilient effort to gather scattered loved ones and create community where it no longer exists naturally.

I hope we might view this not as a breach of taste, but as a necessary adaptation to keep our connections alive.

Please come with me to page 26

Biz Buzz

Please email to publisher@crreader.com

Longview Library offers Financial Literacy series March 17– May 23

Members of the public are invited to build confidence in their financial future in a free workshop series covering homeownership, budgeting and debt management, life insurance, and investing. Attend one session or the full series.

•Tuesday, March 17 | 1:00–2:30 pm

Welcome Home! Homeownership in all phases — first-time buyers or investment properties. Is your home equity serving you well?

•Saturday, March 21 | 1:00–2:30 pm

Welcome Home! Homeownership in all phases — first-time buyers or investment properties. Is your home equity serving you well?

•Tuesday, March 24 | 1:00–2:30 pm

Budgeting & Debt Management — Does my budget fit my size? How do I pay off debt and stay away from it?

•Saturday, March 28 | 1:00–2:30 pm

Budgeting & Debt Management — Does my budget fit my size? How do I pay off debt and stay away from it?

•Tuesday, April 21 | 1:00–2:30 pm

Life Insurance & Investing — Protecting your income and learning about investing for retirement, nonretirement, and youth accounts.

•Monday, May 11 | 5:00–6:30 pm

Welcome Home! Homeownership in all phases — first-time buyers or investment properties. Is your home equity serving you well?

•Monday, May 18 | 5:00–6:30 pm

Budgeting & Debt Management — Does my budget fit my size? How do I pay off debt and stay away from it?

•Saturday, May 23 | 3:00–4:30 pm

Life Insurance & Investing — Protecting your income and learning about investing for retirement, non-retirement, and youth accounts.

Longview Rotary proposes Martin Dock restoration at Lake Sacajawea

At their Feb. 26 meeting, the Longview City Council gave the nod to Longview Rotary Club, represented by member Brian Magnuson, based on the design concept to restore Martin Dock at Lake Sacajawea. Magnuson is managing the project, estimated the cost $3–4 million generated from a campaign to raise private and corporate donations, along with grant funding. The project could take 2–3 years to complete.

Longview Rotary, which was formed in 1926, plans two other community gifts as part of its Centennial Celebration in 2026:

•$50,000 renovation of the “Rotary Meeting Room” at Longview Public Library, currently underway

•A Giant Sequoia tree to be planted at Lake Sacajawea.

SPENCER CREEK STATION

GLIMPSES OF HISTORY

By Dennis Weber

Ancient geology paved the way

Years ago, Southwest Washington was branded the “Land of Fire and Ice” in an effort by the State of Washington to boost tourism that proved unsuccessful.

Why “Fire and Ice?”

It wasn’t disappearing glaciers or recent wildfires, but rather deep flows of lava evidenced by columnar basalt formations, by plate tectonics creating volcanoes, and the Ice Ages advancing and receding over the years all working to shape today’s spectacular waterfalls and verdant forests.

Water forming these glaciers originated in the oceans. During the Ice Ages, sea levels plummeted as much as 300 feet as glaciers grew in thickness. Geologists believe that is what created one path for human migration across the nowshallow Bering Sea.

Repeated massive floods

Closer to home, the massive glaciers formed repeated ice dams to create “Lake” Missoula in what is today Montana. Experts estimate this happened 40 – 60 times. Each time the dams unleashed massive floods into the Columbia River, blasting through the Cascades. The crests of these floods are most evident to travelers along I-84.

At today’s Portland, the floods reached 400 feet, a height equivalent to the 30th Floor of the old US Bank building. Their crests would have swept into today’s Lake Merwin before pushing

past Green Mountain. After scouring out Kalama Narrows, they backed the Cowlitz River up to today’s Toledo, rounded Rainier Hill before punching past Oak Point and inundating Clatskanie. Once breaching the Coastal Range, the Columbia River finished carrying its sediment miles into the Pacific Ocean.

Coastal peoples ventured up

As the Pacific filled back up when the last Ice Age ended, an estimated 20,000 years ago, coastal indigenous peoples gradually ventured up to drier lands, forming villages along the way.

More information is available

Visit https://wa100.dnr.wa.gov/ columbia-basin/ice-age-floods. You may also enjoy CWU geology professor Nick Zenter’s excellent commentary on the Ice Age Floods, two-minute videos, and field trip notes on geological topics at HUGEfloods.com.

Related: ‘Bretz’s Flood” poem by Robert Michael Pyle, see pg 31.

Dennis Weber, an award-winning writer of local history, works through Friends of Longview, a 501(c) (3) non-profit, to enhance appreciation for Longview’s history and development.

Homes of the Old West Side

WWenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center

Branching out – big changes!

Story

& photos by

Joseph Govednik, Director, Cowlitz County Historical Museum

ith the upcoming spring season, we have opportunities to rekindle weekend road trips to the east side of the Cascades with less concern about crossing mountain passes. This is a perfect time to go visit the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center (WVMCC) located in the “Apple Capital of the World,” Wenatchee!

I had the opportunity to visit the WVMCC last fall for a collections consultation and was impressed with the exhibits, collections storage, and the friendly and professional staff. This museum is preparing for major renovations and will close for approximately two years for facilities improvement. The coming weeks offer a last opportunity to see the museum before the renovations begin on May 16.

The museum houses multiple galleries sharing the impressive history of the Wenatchee Valley and its agricultural and cultural significance. The WVMCC is in two historic buildings built in 1918 and 1938, which will be updated to better serve the community after the renovation.

Some of my favorite exhibits include a wall of apple box labels, each a piece of colorful art in its own right, a 1920s-vintage apple

sorter, and subjects including everything from railroad dioramas to the first people of the Columbia Plateau, the Wenatchi/P’squosa.

Prehistoric displays of megafauna fossils of creatures that once roamed the plateau are also displayed. As part of the Wenatchee experience, a visit to the WVMCC is a must-see while also exploring the town, its shops, restaurants, and my favorite — antique stores!

Come and see this gem of Central Washington before the big change, and if you can’t make it by May 16, the museum will have a temporary gallery open just down the way at 30 S. Mission Street. For more information, please visit www. wenatcheevalleymuseum. org. Come visit, learn, and explore Central Washington now that the passes are (mostly) open, and visit again in 2028 to see the reimagined museum in all its glory!

IF YOU GO

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center

Annex Building, 127 S Mission St, Wenatchee, Wash. Open Tues–Sat, 10–4 Phone: 509-888-6240

wenatcheevalleymuseum.org

VISITOR CENTERS

Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce / Visitors Center 422 NE 4th Ave, Camas, Wash. • 360-834-2472. M-F 10:30am–3pm

• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitor Center I-5 Exit 39. 105 Minor Road, Kelso,Wash. • 360-577-8058

• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996

• Castle Rock Visitor Center Exit 49, west side of I-5, 890 Huntington Ave. N. Open M-F 11–3.

• Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4, Naselle, Wash. 360-484-7103. Pacific County Museum & Visitor Center Hwy 101, South Bend, Wash. 360-875-5224

• Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, Wash. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542

• Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce 1715 Bay Ave., #1, Ocean Park, Wash.

• South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, Ore • 503-397-0685

• Seaside, Ore 989 Broadway, 503-738-3097; 888-306-2326

Classic Eggs Benedict consists of split, toasted and buttered English muffins, layered with slices of Canadian bacon and poached eggs and crowned with hollandaise, the “Queen of Sauces.” The combination is a gourmet experience you will remember. This recipe serves 2 or 4, depending on whether you serve one or two poached eggs per person.

Ingredients

4 eggs, poached

4 slices Canadian bacon or ham

Hollandaise Sauce

3 egg yolks

1 Tbl. water

1 Tbl. lemon juice

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 C. butter

BRUNCH FAVE

Place the pan over heat and continue to whisk until the egg mixture thickens enough that you can see stir marks in the bottom of the pan.

2 English muffins, sliced in half, toasted and buttered

Poach the eggs first and set them aside. The classic method of poaching eggs is to bring a pan of lightly salted water to a boil, insert a spoon and stir the water vigorously in one direction, creating a vortex. Drop the shelled egg into the vortex and cook it at a gentle simmer until your desired doneness. You can also cook the eggs in specialty multi-egg cooking pans set over boiling water. While making the sauce, pan fry the Canadian bacon or ham and keep warm. Hollandaise sauce is typically made in the top of a double boiler over simmering water to better control the heat. Too much heat and the egg yolks scramble, a primary reason for most failures. Whisk the egg yolks in the pan, off heat, until well blended. Add the water and lemon juice and blend well.

Take your time. Pull the pan off the heat frequently while continuing to whisk. There is no hurry. Slow heat is better than a scrambled failure.

Once the mixture has thickened, remove from heat and dribble small amounts of melted butter into the sauce, while continuing to whisk. Add the butter too fast and the sauce will curdle. As the butter is whisked into the mixture, the sauce will remain thick. Discard the solids at the bottom of the bowl of melted butter. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

Top each muffin half with a slice of Canadian bacon and a poached egg. Generously spoon sauce over the top. Options: Add a couple of stripes of asparagus for color and flavor, or replace the Canadian bacon with cooked spinach and you have Eggs Florentine.

Hollandaise sauce is heavenly over asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli or fish. Vary it with herbs to enhance other savory foods. Tarragon transforms hollandaise into béarnaise, perfect over lamb or beef. After serving hollandaise or its variations, you will probably find someone in the kitchen licking the saucepan clean

“Raising the Curtain on Care!”

Production notes

To Botswana and Back

This month, we go armchair traveling.

CRR is featuring author Bob Park because we like his eye for detail, his ear for story, and his plainspoken style of expression. And because, from the very first, his stuff simply moved us.

We hope it has the same effect on you.

Bob, a lifelong big game hunter, traveled to Africa this January and surprised himself. Not only was he smitten by a schoolyard full of first graders, he also ended up shaming the King(s) of Beasts as notorious male chauvinists.

“The male lions appear to be totally worthless,” he told us. “All they do during the day is sit around with their big distended bellies and sleep.” (see documentary proof, page 20).

We strive to inspire in our readers a different way of seeing, whether it’s Bob Pyle crafting river poems, Mike Perry following Lewis and Clark’s footsteps, Debby Neely carving words in wood, or Greg Gorham distilling a lifetime of art into fierce colors.

Bob Park will join this distinguished company this summer with our publication of his travel memoir, Hunting for Life. Sometimes you need to go halfway around the world to appreciate what’s in your own backyard. We welcome to the fold Bob’s collection and recollections.

people+place

Hunting for Life A different way of seeing

Istarted deer hunting with my grandfather when I was six years old and tagging along with him. I’ve hunted big game all over North America all my life.

Since I was a young kid reading Outdoor Life and NationalGeographic I wanted to go to Africa and hunt big game. Later, reading Hemingway’s hunting sagas and AfricanGameTrails, by Teddy Roosevelt, the desire only intensified. The capper was Robert Ruark’s Horn of the Hunter, which came out in 1953.

Two things got in my way. First, I never seemed to have time or money to go on safari. Second, somewhere along the way, I completely lost my appetite for killing African animals.

I COMPLETELY LOST MY APPETITE FOR KILLING AFRICAN ANIMALS

This January, I visited Botswana’s Okavango Delta, home not only to southern Africa’s greatest concentration of animal life, but also — according to many archaeologists — the birthplace of our own human civilization.

Guide and tracker

We landed at a bush airstrip, met by our guide, Willie, and village representative and tracker, Wilson.

There was not a white person in sight. Everyone from the pilots to the lowest person on the totem pole was black. For some reason, this felt good.

We started down a sand path and nearly ran into a large tree with a huge male giraffe eating leaves.

Willie said, “If it’s a good enough place for him to have lunch, then it must be good enough for us.”

Bluff charge

Later, a group of elephants appeared 30 yards to our left. We stopped and the largest bull trumpeted and started to charge with ears full out and eyes fixed on us.

He stopped about 20 yards away, stomping his feet and trumpeting again. Willie and Wilson said it was only a “bluff charge.” We moved on.

Nine days’ camp

THEY INSISTED WE DANCE AND DRUM WITH THEM

Our camp was on a waterway elevated above the water on pilings. It was all-wood construction and the workmanship was outstanding. Cabins branched from a main lodge area to a boardwalk extending 20 yards into the trees.

The circle of life was right in front of us every minute for nine days. Every animal and person was looking either to kill and eat something, or trying its best to not be killed and eaten.

The only rule required a staff escort if you wished to move after dark. The big risk was hippos and lions feeding at night.

WA World Heritage Site delta

We made three helicopter trips. The first to get a sense of the Okavango itself in the summer, which is the rainy season. Okavango is one of delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean. Seasonal floods area for four months, attracting thirsty animals, then evaporate the Kalahari Desert.

e appreciate that Columbia River Reader helps us understand both the places and the people of the Columbia River region. The breadth of CRR’s reporting highlights the interconnections among us — past, present and future.

George and Holly Roe

We thank The Boeing Company for matching its retirees’ gifts.

Proud Sponsor of People+Place

Okavango Delta of the few interior floods swamp the their water into

We visited an island village in the middle of a lake. The villagers educated us and put on a show. They acted out the planting of crops, by hand, using only a hoe and covering each planted row with their feet.

They had musical instruments, drums and guitarlooking things, and whistles. They insisted we dance and drum with them and it was big fun. I’m not musical, not even slightly, so I’m sure they’re still laughing.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

Ukulele Club Centennial Recital

Fri, April 24 | 2 PM

The LPL Ukulele Club performs songs from the past 100 years!

100th Birthday Party

Sat, April 25 | 10 AM

Celebrate with birthday cake, displays of the Library’s history & more.

•10 AM: Remarks and refreshments

•10:30 AM: Gifts to the Library from community members

•11 AM: Special guest, author Bethany Bennett

The Evans Kelly Family onE of longviEw’s pionEEr fAmiliEs

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US EVERY MINUTE

The High Point

We visited a four room school, not really a building. They were concrete block walls about six feet high and then open for two feet and then a thatch roof on it. Dirt floor. And the kids had these plastic tables rather than desks. They didn’t have books or paper.

cont page 20

They had these words and writing on a chart on the wall and the teachers would point to the word and say the word and the whole class would pronounce the word.

The kids were all just so smiling, and bright and interested and paying attention. And I gave one kid a high five and then these kids all came scrambling over the tables, over hill and dale, until every one had a high five. They were chuckling and bright and forthcoming and happy.

I’ve never seen kids quite like that. It was very moving. This was the high point of the trip, the twenty minutes in that room with the first graders. It sticks with me every day, still.

Past and present

The Okavango Delta is flatter than a pancake, but there are two hills, the male hill and the female hill, and there’s literally thousands of petroglyphs all over them. The earliest people to inhabit these Tsodilo hills were Middle Stone Age people 100,000 years ago, who are thought to be our most ancient, anatomically similar human ancestors.

To be with these people and see this early human art was humbling. The people are known commonly as San people or Bushmen. Wilson, our guide / tracker / village representative is a San person.

All the people that work in the camps are villagers, and each villager has a huge concession of land that they lease out, for lack of a better word, to the company that builds a camp — on the condition that they only hire people from the village and that they follow the rules to make sure the animals aren’t abused in any way.

Hunting for life

The four or five hours I spent with the schoolchildren will stick with me forever. You can be outgoing, positive and friendly without being wealthy or having a lot of modern conveniences.

At the end of my trip the animals were secondary to these people who made me see a life of hardship and risk does not mean you cannot be kind and happy.

A Different Way of Seeing

THIS WAS THE HIGH POINT OF THE TRIP... IT STICKS WITH ME EVERY DAY, STILL

Robert Park is an outdoorsman, steel company CEO, and contributor to Columbia River Reader. During a recent trip tracing his roots in Donegal, Ireland, he convinced his cousin, Audrey, to accompany him on the adventure he describes here.

This summer CRRPress will publish Bob’s photos and observations in a deluxe print edition titled Hunting for Life.

Bob’s eye for detail and plainspoken narrative style first graced our pages in a series of reminiscences: “Our World in Words.”

Watch for Hunting for Life, and shop other dramatically different CRR Press titles, in the Reader this summer.

– The Editors

To see wildlife closer than Africa, plan your own local ‘safari’

• Schreiner Farms • Lyle, Wash 10-minute experience.

Free. The 12,000-acre operating cattle ranch raises some 18 species of exotic animals which roam in spacious wideopen areas. Located in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area across the river from The Dalles, Oregon, the ranch is open to the public to drive through and view the animals, including giraffes, antelopes, zebra, yak, mule, llama, camels, bison, and more.

Open 9am to dusk. Stay in vehicle. No smoking, no littering, stay on main road and turn around at the giraffe barn (a sign is posted), please yield right of way to farm traffic. Directions: East on WA-14, 82.5 miles from Vancouver, Wash. Watch for gate on the left.

• Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Auto Tour Drive through a variety of habitat, with a chance to see Columbian white-tailed deer, ducks, geese, swans and the threatened sandhill crane. Located between Ridgefield, Wash., and the Columbia River. Directions: From I-5 Exit 14, drive west on Pioneer Street 0.4 mile, turn right, drive 0.6 miles on 9th Ave, turn right into Refuge. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield/visit-us/ activities/auto-tour

• Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Dr. E., Eatonville, Wash. Open 9:30–3 thru March 29; 9:30–4 Mar 30–April 30. See animal habitat, take a tram or wild drive tour. Wildlife includes cats, canines, bears and birds. Tickets $17-26. Visit nwtrek.org. Directions: From I-5 north, take US 12 exit to Morton and Mount St. Helens. Turn left onto SR 7 to Elbe. At the “T” at Elbe, turn left on SR 706 to Tacoma. Near Alder Lake at sign for Eatonville, turn right onto SR 161. Follow SR 161 through Eatonville. NW Trek is 6 miles north on SR 161, right side of the highway

• Wildlife Safari, Winston, Oregon. 7 miles SW of Roseburg, Ore. (3-hour 40-min drive from Longview). See rhinos, zebra, giraffe, cheetah, hippos, elephants and others. Allow 60-90 minutes for driving safari. Open 9am–4pm. Tickets: $29.50 adults, $26.50 senior, $22.50 ages 3–12. Under 2, free. Family bundle $95 (2 adults, 2 kids). wildlifesafari.net

Look Up! Grow Up!

Versatile, vertical vine will elevate your garden

When a fence, arbor or trellis (smothered in blossoms of every size and shape) catches our eye we look up! It is then that we notice and appreciate the extraordinary splendor of the regal clematis. Clematis (pronounced KLEM-a tis or kle-MATis) offer unlimited possibilities for your garden profile.

Hybrid Clematis

The genus Clematis include more than 250 species and numerous hybrids. Hybrids are the result of cross-breeding clematis species. Beginning in the 1850s, clematis enthusiasts world-wide made improvements to these crosses, which became the parents of today’s hybrids. In 1862, the British breeders at Jackman Nursery developed C. x jackmanii, which is still the most popular clematis grown today. Characteristically, the clematis hybrids have larger flowers than their species parents. C x Jackmanii Superba (photo, top far right) is a descendant of the original Jackman Clematis.

Bi-color Hybrid “Nellie Moser” (second photo from top, right) is another easy-togrow clematis. In late May it produces large, flat flowers more than eight inches in diameter. Each light pink flower has distinctive, gleaming lilac-pink bars on each petal.

Species Clematis

As you can imagine, hybrid clematis with their large flowers capture a lot of attention. However, Clematis species, the predecessor of the fashionable hybrids, comprise an enormous collection of hardy, disease-resistant and exceptionally vigorous vines that are equally inspiring.

The first to bloom are the Clematis “Armandi” cultivars (third from top, far right). The enormous clusters of fragrant, two-inch blossoms are tinged pink in bud. You’ll find them for sale at local independent garden centers now.

The blossom size on the species clematis is smaller than their large flowered offspring, but the diversity of flower form (see middle photo, far right), color and season of bloom make the species cultivars “must have” additions to the garden.

Clematis montana, noted for its extremely vigorous growth to 20 feet or more is a perfect vine to place at the base of a tree. It can compete with tree roots and will use the branches of a deciduous tree for support. This long-lived vine blooms profusely in early May. C. alpina,

are somewhat smaller but just as impressive. flowEr phoTos courTEsy of donAhuEs grEEnhousEs inc donAhuEsgrEEnhousE com

C. macrapetala, C. viticella and C. texensis cultivars may at first be overlooked by novice clematis gardeners. However, the distinctive flower form, color combinations, growth habit and bloom season make them outstanding choices for the serious collector. Vigorous C. paniculata “Sweet Autumn” blooms late into the fall. Reminiscent of its counterpart that began the season, C. Armandi, the clusters of one- to two-inch pure white flowers fill the garden with sweet fragrance for weeks.

Clematis tangutica “Golden Tiara” is my personal favorite (pictured above). The thick, textured blossoms feel like wax. Place them next to the garden path. To touch them is one of the joys of growing this species clematis. You will find them irresistible.

The challenge in growing clematis is not in the cultivation, but the selection.

Jackmanii Superba has 5” open flowers. More rounded and slightly larger flower than Jackmanii, it blooms on new wood only from July through September.

By Nancy Chennault

You will find that your singleton clematis can quite innocently become a collection. And when your enthusiasm becomes an obsession you will be continuously looking skyward for yet another structure on which to grow them. This obsession will become a fundamental component of your vertical garden spaces. Be joyful! and surrender to it.

See “Vital tips for new vines,” next page

Nancy Chennault and her husband, Jim, operated a landscaping business and independent nursery/garden center for 20+ years. She wrote CRR’s Northwest Gardener in CRR’s early years. After a hiatus, she re-joined CRR to reconnect us with some of her favorite gardening topics. Nancy is founder of “Castle Rock Blooms” community team of volunteers.

Vital tips for new vines

Local garden centers and nurseries will be stocking inventories of clematis soon. Because of the diversity of this genus, information on planting, fertilizing and pruning techniques will be included with your new vine. Notable instructions would be to plant the root ball to a depth of 4-5 inches below soil level and most importantly, remove the staples that keep the plant upright in the pot! (see photo) If you try to remove the clematis with the staples securing the stake, you will break your new vine and it will have to start again from soil level.

phoTo by Jim chEnnAulT

Mount St. Helens Club

HIKES

(E) - Easier: relatively flat ground (up to 5 miles and/or less than 500 ft. e.g.)

(M) - Moderate: Longer, more elevation gain (over 5 miles and/or 500+ ft. e.g.)

(S) - Strenuous: Long and/or elevation gain (over 8 miles and/or 1200+ ft. e.g.)

Call leader to join outing or for more info. Non-members welcome. Driving distances are from Longview, Wash.

(SS) – Snow Shoe (XC) – Cross Country Ski (K) – Kayak (B) – Bicycle RT - round trip e.g. - elevation gain

Mar 18 – Wed

Rainier City Park (E)

Stroll the level, paved path (a tiny bit is dirt) around the park and along the beautiful Columbia River then take in some of the sidewalks on neighborhood hills.  3 miles RT,400’ e.g.  Leader: Melanie F. 907-351-8741

Mar 21 - Sat

Forest Park - Newberry Loop (M)

Drive 98 miles RT  Hike 5.5 miles total on Newberry Loop and Wildwood Trail with 454’ e.g.  A nice hike through alders, maples, cedars and firs in the northern section of Forest Park. Leader: Bruce M. 360-425-0256

Mar 25 – Wed

Marine Park Vancouver (E)

Drive 84 miles RT  Hike 3.5 miles out and back, on a level paved urban trail that follows the Columbia River with a mix of forested and urban scenery. Leader: Art M. 360-270-9991

Mar 28 - Sat         Dry Creek (S)

Drive 184 miles RT  Hike 6.7 miles RT with 2742’ e.g. to Smith Point, site of an old lookout. Leader: Joe H. 360430-8447

April 1 – Wed

Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk and Twin Barns Trail (E)

Drive 154 miles RT  Hike 4.5 miles with 0’ e.g. along boardwalk (which may be slippery in places when wet) and some gravel trails.  Boardwalk crosses protected wetlands with areas for viewing birds and wildlife.  $3.00 FEE PER CAR PAYABLE IN PARKING LOT.  Leader: Julie L. 360747-1415

Mother'sDayStarts intheGarden

Saturday - May 9, 2026

Master Gardener Plant Sale

Master Gardener Grown

April 4 - Sat      Lake Sacajawea (E)

Walk 4 miles on flat ground around the whole lake or any portion for a shorter walk.  **This walk is designed for super seniors and/or people with physical limitations at a slow pace.

Leader: Susan S. 360-430-9914

April 8 - Wed      Strawberry Loop (E)

Drive 150 miles RT to North Bonneville recreation area. Hike a 4 mile loop with little e.g. to top of dune with views of Columbia Gorge. Leader: Bruce M. 360-425-0256

April 11 - Sat         Gillette Lake (M)

Drive 125 miles RT. Hike 5 miles RT with 300’ e.g. to scenic little Gillette Lake. Another extra 2.5 miles RT with 600’ e.g. will take you to Greenleaf overlook. Leader: Charles R. 360-751-0098

April 15 – Wed  Astoria Riverwalk (E)

Drive 100 miles RT.  Walk a level, paved path out and back 5 miles total.

Leader: Melanie F. 907-351-8741

April 17 - Fri      Triple Falls (M)

Drive 154 miles RT  Hike 5.1 miles RT with 1,168’ e.g.  This is a moderate hike where hikers will see Pony Falls, Horsetail Falls, Middle and Upper Oneonta Falls and ends at Triple Falls – which are all spectacular.  The trail parallels and gives a view of the steep gorge formed by Oneonta Creek.  The trail is well maintained but a little rocky in sections.  There are some sections of the trail that run next to steep drop offs.  People who are fearful of heights might have concerns.  OREGON STATE PARKING PERMIT REQUIRED.

Leader: John M. 360-508-0878

8am - 3pm

Cowlitz Co. Fairgrounds 1900 7th Ave, Longview ~ Service Dogs only ~

Outings & Events

Submission Guidelines

Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previouslypublished articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations.

Submitted items will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond, and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/ sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Commercial projects, businesses and organizations wishing to promote their products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

ADVERTISING Deadlines, see page 10 Ned Piper, Manager 360-749-2632 nedpiper@gmail.com

General inquiries: 360-749-1021 publisher@crreader.com

Mitzi Ponce - St. Helens, Ore Ad Rep: mitzi@mdponce.com 252-675-3423

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR

Send your non-commercial community event info (incl name of event, non-profit beneficiary/sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com

Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to:

Columbia River Reader 1333 14th, Longview, WA 98632

Submission Deadlines

Events occurring: April 17 – May 20, 2026 by March 25 for April 15 issue May 17 – June 20, 2026 by April 25 for May 15 issue

Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, relevance to readers, and space limitations.

See Submission Guidelines above.

Northwest Voices Thurs., March 19. Poet/essayist Derek Sheffield, discussion of writing process, Q&A. 3–4:30pm workshop at Lower Columbia College. 5:30pm Reading at Longview Public Library. Info: longviewlibrary.org

Annual R.A. Long High School Hall of Fame Saturday, March 20, R.A. Long High School auditorium 6pm. Graduates, teams and others selected by the Hall of Fame committee will be honored and inducted into the Hall of Fame. Free. Public welcome.

Columbia River Chamber Music Festival Sat, Mar 21, 2pm.St. Stephen’s Church Parish Hall , 22nd and Louisiana St., Longview, Wash For ticket info or to make a donation visit www. columbiarivermusic.org.

Music and Memories Thurs, Mar 26. Music therapist Airel Farley directs program geared to those with memory loss and their caregivers. Lyrics displayed on smart TV facilitates easy singalong and/or play along with drum, marimba, maraca. Fourth Thurs monthly. Kelso Senior center, 106 NW 8th Ave., Kelso. 360-232-8522

Quincy Grange 50th Annual Chicken Dinner. Sunday, Mar. 29, 12–3pm. 78314 Rutters Rd., Clatskanie, Ore. Adults $15, 6–12 years $7.50. Under 6 free, Traditional fried chicken dinner incl. dessert and beverage. Proceeds benefit youth programs, scholarships, and community services. Ellen 503-728-2886; Barb 503-728-4143.

Researching Newspapers Outside of Newspapers.com Amber Oldenburgm speaker at the Lower Columbia Genealogical Society’s April 9th Zoom meeting. Virtual doors open 9:30am. Speaker’s program begins 9:45am. The public is invited to attend. Please consider joining LCGS for $20/yr. For a link to join the meeting or to join the Society, contact lcgsgen@yahoo.com 24hrs prior to the event.

North Coast Symphonic Band concert 2pm, Sun, April 12. Conductor: Terry Dahlgren. Prelude, 1:30pm.The Liberty Theatre, 12th & Commercial., Astoria, Ore. Admission $15 in advance, $20 day of concert. Box office 2-5:30pm Wed - Sat, online: www.libertyastoria.showare. com, and at the door day of concert, beginning 12noon. More info: northcoastsymphonicband.or, cablegbi@charter.net, or 503-298-107.

THE MINTHORN COLLECTION OF INTERNATIONAL ART

A gift to the community from Dr. and Mrs. H. Minthorn via Lower Columbia College Foundation, The Minthorn Collection of Chinese Art encompasses a wide range of styles and is displayed in the upper level of the Forsberg Gallery in LCC’s Rose Center, open M-Th 10–3. Free.

Annual Kids’ Fish-In April 25 at Martin Dock on Lake Sacajawea for youth ages 5– 14. Nine sessions of 50 participants each. First session starts at 8:00am; last one starts 4:00pm. Registration fee $10 per registrant paid with registration. Donations, mailed to Rotary Club of Longview Early Edition, P.O. Box 2064 Longview WA. 98632, are gladly accepted since WDFW is no longer providing grant monies. Early registration is strongly recommended. Longview Parks & Recreation at “my longview.com” or call 360-442-5400.

A Blooming Browsing Market Sat., May 2, 9am–4pm. Kelso UnitedMethodist Presbyterian Church, 206 Cowlitz Way, Kelso,Wash. Spring flowers, herbs, collectibles, baked goods, handmade items. All proceeds go to those in need, incl. local charities. www.KelsoUMPC,org.

BROADWAY GALLERY

1418 Commerce Avenue, Longview Tues thru Sat, 11–4. Visit the Gallery to see new work. For event updates check our website: the-broadwaygallery.com, at Broadway Gallery on Facebook, and broadway gallery longview on Instagram.

FEATURED ARTISTS

FIRST THURSDAY April 2 • 5:30–7pm

Join us for refreshments and music by Freelance Mix

Check out our Classes, Workshops, and Paint & Sips by visiting our gallery or website.

March Guest artists JoyLynn Woodard (watercolor); Jules Koch (mosaics) April Gallery artist Sandra Yorke (watercolor landscape paintings) and Guest artist Brenda Duby (wearable art with designer fabrics).

OPEN

Tues - Sat 11–4

Free Gift Wrap on request.

See ad, page XX

Find a unique gift! We have beautiful artisan cards, jewelry, books by local authors, wearable art, original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photographs and so much more.

Altzheimer’s Assoc. Caregiver Support Group Fourth Wednesday each month, 2pm, Fireside Room, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2218 E. Kessler Blvd, Longview, Wash. New attendees register online at alz.org.crf. Walk-ins welcome; please inform facilitators you did not register in advance.

Outings & Events in the spotlight

Mount St. Helens Club HIKES

newcomers welcome

See schedule, page 23.

by Hal Calbom

Wizards on Ice Not in Kansas anymore... by a long shot!

Innovation, imagination, and a yellow brick road. Wonders, witches, and a classic revived.

This month: Wizard of Oz on Ice ... IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts continues to offer ingenious combinations of on the boards and off the wall.

“We have amazing technology,” said Wizard of Oz on Ice creator Alex Wilfand, “and a very traditional and demanding art form, ice skating — combined.”

This dramatic merging of innovation and imagination comes to the Columbia Theatre Thursday, April 16th at 7:30pm.

“Think of us as Broadway meets skating meets 2026,” said Wilfand, “all in a retelling of one of the all-time classics.”

The technological tricks begin with setting up an entire “ice-skatable” stage

phoTos by lindsEy mccuTchAn

allowing world class (with many former Olympians) skaters to strut their stuff as if on ice itself.

“We have a special flooring, trade secret, in 4 by 8 slabs that assembles to form our own surface,” said Wilfand. “Then we use both hard sets and a projection mapping technology to create entire electronic scenes and backdrops.”

The company, with roots in professional skating, Disney musicals, and Broadway theatricals, has been down these yellow brick roads before, creating “Peter Pan on Ice,” “Cinderella on Ice,” and “Beauty and the Beast on Ice” over the last ten years.

cont page 32

IF YOU GO

Wizard of Oz on Ice

Thursday, April 16 • 7:30pm

Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash.

Tickets $23–50 online; by phone, 360-5758499; Box Office 11:30am–5:30pm M-F, and kiosk two hours before performances. columbiatheatre.com

SPECIAL: Use Code Word “CRR” to get one child’s ticket FREE with purchase of an adult ticket.

March 15, 2026 / Columbia River Reader / 25

Where to pick up YOUR copy of Columbia River Reader

It’s delivered all around the River by the 15th of each month (except the Holiday edition, which comes out Nov. 25th). Here’s the handy, regularly-refilled box and rack locations where you can pick up a copy.

LONGVIEW

Post Office

Forever Fit - 1211 18th Ave

Bob’s (rack, main check-out)

In front of 1232 Commerce Ave

In front of 1323 Commerce Ave

In front of Stash Records 1420 Commerce

Teri’s on Broadway (side entry)

In front of Freddy’s 1110 Commerce

YMCA

Fred Meyer (rack, service desk)

Grocery Outlet, OB Hwy

Fibre Fed’l CU - Commerce Ave

Monticello Hotel (front entrance)

Kaiser Permanente

St. John Medical Center (rack, Park Lake Café)

LCC Student Center

Columbia River Reader Office 1333 14th Ave (box at door)

Omelettes & More (entry rack)

KELSO

Visitors’ Center / Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

KALAMA

Etc Mercantile

Fibre Fed’l CU

Kalama Shopping Center corner of First & Fir

Columbia Inn

McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge (rack)

Luckmans Coffee, Mountain Timber Market, Port of Kalama

WOODLAND

Grocery Outlet

Luckman Coffee

Park &Ride lot (former Vis. Ctr)

CASTLE ROCK

In front of CR Blooms Center

Cowlitz St. W., near Vault Books & Brew

Visitors’ Ctr, 890 Huntington Ave N., Exit 49, west side of I-5

Cascade Select Market

Fibre Fed’l CU

VADER

Little Crane Café

RYDERWOOD

Café porch

TOUTLE

Drew’s Grocery & Service

CLATSKANIE, ORE

Post Office

Mobil / Mini-Mart

Fultano’s Pizza

WESTPORT

Berry Patch (entry rack)

RAINIER

Post Office

Cornerstone Café

Rainier Hardware (rack, entry)

Earth ‘n’ Sun (on Hwy 30)

El Tapatio (entry rack)

Grocery Outlet (rack by front door)

Senior Center (rack at front door)

DEER ISLAND

Deer Island Store

COLUMBIA CITY

Post Office

ST HELENS

Chamber of Commerce

Sunshine Pizza

St. Helens Market Fresh

Olde Town (near 2-Cs Vendor Mall)

Big River Tap Room

Safeway

WARREN

Warren Country Inn

SCAPPOOSE

Post Office

Road Runner

Fultano’s

Ace Hardware

WARRENTON

Fred Meyer

CATHLAMET

Cathlamet Pharmacy

Tsuga Gallery (entry rack)

Computer Link NW

Puget Island Ferry Landing

SKAMOKAWA

Skamokawa General Store

NASELLE

Appelo Archives & Café

Johnson’s One-Stop

Oakie’s (rack inside)

ILWACO

Time Enough Books (entry table)

OCEAN PARK

Ocean Park Chamber of Commerce, 1715 Bay Ave

COMMUNITY VOICES INVITED

“Columbia County America 250” anthology open for submissions

The Columbia County Authors Alliance has issued an open call for submissions to a special community anthology commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

This anthology will capture the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Columbia County residents during this historic moment in time.

Contributors are invited to share their reflections, memories, or observations about our community and county through short stories, personal essays and memoir pieces, and poetry. Submissions may be historical, contemporary, or forward-looking.

Participation is open to all Columbia County residents, from young writers to elders. No previous writing or publishing experience is required.

The Columbia County America 250 Anthology is scheduled for publication in June 2026 as a free ebook, for everyone to download, read, share, and enjoy history in the making.

“The goal of this anthology is to create an inclusive, lasting record of this moment in time, told in our community’s own words,” said Ellen Jacobson of the Columbia County Authors Alliance.

The submission period closes on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. Complete submission guidelines are available at: www.columbiacountyauthors/america250

For additional information or interviews, please contact: Ellen Jacobson, America 250 Anthology Project Lead columbiacountyauthors@gmail.com

About the Columbia County Authors Alliance: The Columbia County Authors Alliance (CCAA) was founded in 2025 to support Columbia County, Oregon writers through educational and networking opportunities, local author events, anthologies, regular creative gatherings, and building connections with readers.

Miss Manners from page 11

GENTLE READER: Agreed that the social fabric has thinned, and also that it is an excellent idea to gather people one cares about to, as you put it, recreate community.

Miss Manners only wonders why one should wait to do so on an occasion on which presents for one’s daughter are expected.

Your columbiA rivEr rEAdEr Read it • Enjoy it

Share it • Recycle it

Columbia River Reader is printed with environmentally-sensitive soybased inks on paper manufactured in the Pacific Northwest utilizing the highest percentage of “post-consumer waste” recycled content available on the market.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A family member sent me a “happy anniversary” message; however, it was on the date of my first marriage, not my second (which has now lasted 30 years). She attended both weddings.

It kind of ruined my day, but I know she meant well.

What bothers me, though, is that when I politely reminded her of my actual anniversary date, she messaged back asking if I was sure about that, since she had a different date saved in her book. Certainly, she should not have asked if I was sure about my own wedding date, correct? How should I have responded?

GENTLE READER: With, “Yes, I’m quite sure. So is my husband. We were both there, as you may remember.” Why the mistake should have ruined your day, Miss Manners cannot guess. But why were you not amused at this silly attempt to avoid admitting to a mistake?

UIPS & QUOTES Q

Collected by Jim Tejcka

Always remember, a cat looks down on a man, a dog looks up at a man, but a pig will look a man straight in the eye and see his equal.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1940-1945

And still I wander, seeking compensation in unforeseen encounters and unexpected sights, in sunsets, storms and passing fancies.

Charles Kuralt, from, A Life on the Road, 1990, CBS correspondent and author, 1934-1997

The day science begins to study nonphysical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries.

Nickola Tesla, Electrical Engineer and inventor, 1856-1943

L

indberg said We are of the stars, and I believe it and feel it and have always looked up to them for guidance…standing at the water’s edge, I took in the view overhead of lingering planets and constellations still visible over the bay. My front yard, where the sea meets the sky, combined with the silence and the beauty of the natural world at that hour of the day, has long created a thinking spot…it is a good way to go to work, especially when you don’t really know what your job is.

Jimmy Buffett, singer, and author of Swine Not? A Novel Pig Tale, 2008, 1946-2023

Work is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday-through-Friday sort of dying. Studs Terkel, Pulitzer Prize winning author, from Working, 1997, 1912-2008

Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw, Irish activist with Nobel Prize in Literature 1925, 1856-1950

Jim Tejcka is a retired civil engineer, most recently working for Bonneville Power Administration. He enjoys playing guitar and ukulele and lives outside of Woodland, Wash., overlooking the Lewis River. We welcome him to CRR’s elite fellowship of quote wranglers.

What are you reading?

The Midwife of Auschwitz by

Review by Judy MacLeod

Anna Stuart

My usual reading is romance comedy, but sometimes a book in a different genre shouts “read me” to shake me out of my ignorance and apathy.

In World War II, the Germans conquered Lodz, Poland, implementing a reign of fear and terror. Jews were separated as “unclean,” a blight on the purity of the superior white race. Hitler’s SS

invaded homes and businesses, ferreting out Jewish men, women and children in hiding, even arresting those non-Jews who dared to help them and anyone who protested. Forget due process. Entire families disappeared into detention centers before being deported to Auschwitz, a notoriously barbaric concentration camp that few survived.

This gripping novel is inspired by the life of Anna Kaminski (prisoner #413455), a Catholic midwife, and her Jewish assistant, Ester, who somehow survived two years at Auschwitz while delivering 3,000 babies in Block 24. Hitler’s Lebensborn Program snatched blond, blue-eyed newborns from Jewish mother’s arms and gave them to German families to raise. This is only one example of the programmed brutality endured by millions.

Author Anna Stuart reminds us, “In a turbulent world, we must fight for humanity, decency and tolerance.” Especially apropos for us today. The Midwife of Auschwitz is a must-read. I could not put it down.

Kalama resident Judy MacLeod is a retired high school English teacher, a voracious reader, and an activist, advocating for a better world for her grandchildren and all children.

ATTENTION READERS

Read a good book lately? Share your impressions and thoughts with other CRR readers. Email alan@alan-rose.com or publisher@crreader.com for info. Writers and non-writers welcome, editing services provided, and can be based on phone miniinterview if preferred.

1. Theo of Golden Allen Levi, Atria Books, $20

2. Project Hail Mary Andy Weir, Ballantine, $22

3. Dungeon Crawler

Carl Matt Dinniman, Ace, $20

4. Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt, Ecco, $19.99

5. Heated Rivalry Rachel Reid, Carina Press, $18.99,

6. And Now, Back to You

B.K. Borison, Berkley, $19

7. The Long Game Rachel Reid, Carina Press, $18.99

8. Wuthering Heights (Movie Tie-In)

Emily Brontë, Penguin Books, $18

9. I Who Have Never Known Men Jacqueline Harpman, Transit Books, $16.95

10. The God of the Woods Liz Moore, Riverhead Books, $19

Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, dated March 1, 2026, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

1. Raising Hare

Chloe Dalton, Vintage, $21

2. Braiding Sweetgrass

Robin Wall Kimmerer, Milkweed Editions, $22

3. On Tyranny

Timothy Snyder, Crown, $14

4. The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Penguin, $19

5. The Artist’s Way: 30th Anniversary Edition

Julia Cameron, TarcherPerigee, $24

6. The Wager

David Grann, Vintage, $21

7. I’m Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy, Simon & Schuster, $19.99

8. Want Gillian Anderson, Abrams Press, $18

9. Thirty-Two Words for Field Manchán Magan, Chelsea Green, $19.95

10. Monsters of the Pacific Northwest

Jessica Freeburg, Natalie Fowler, Adventure Publications, $9.95

BOOK REVIEW

MRemarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

Harper Collins

$19.99

Paperback

y thought as I finished reading this book was Thanks, I needed that.

First published in 2022, Remarkably Bright Creatures was recently recommended by a friend. It’s a feelgood book like Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a feel-good movie. They possess many of the same qualities: heartwarming and humorous, life-affirming, celebrating basic human decency against the

1. The Correspondent

Virginia Evans, Crown, $28

2. Vigil

George Saunders, Random House, $28

3. Operation Bounce House Matt Dinniman, Ace, $32

4. The Crossroads C.J. Box, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $32

5. The Astra l Library (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Kate Quinn, William Morrow, $32

6. Carl’s Doomsday Scenario Matt Dinniman, Ace, $30

7. Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

Heather Fawcett, Del Rey, $29

8. The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook

Matt Dinniman, Ace, $30

9. The Gate of the Feral Gods

Matt Dinniman, Ace, $30

10. My Friends Fredrik Backman, Atria Books, $29.99

1. A World Appears Michael Pollan, Penguin Press, $32,

2. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

Omar El Akkad, Knopf, $28

3. Nobody’s Girl

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Knopf, $35

4. We the Women

Norah O’Donnell, Kate Andersen Brower, Ballantine Books, $35

5. A Marriage at Sea Sophie Elmhirst, Riverhead Books, $28

6. Always Remember Charlie Mackesy, Penguin Life, $27

7. Young Man in a Hurry Gavin Newsom, Penguin Press, $30

8. The Let Them Theory

Mel Robbins, Sawyer Robbins, Hay House LLC, $29.99

9. The Gales of November John U. Bacon, Liveright, $35

10. Separation of Church and Hate

John Fugelsang, Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, $29.99

Top 10 Bestsellers

1. Goodnight Moon

Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $10.99

2. Rumpelstiltskin

Mac Barnett, Carson Ellis (Illus.), Orchard Books, $19.99

3. Jamberry Bruce Degen, HarperCollins, $9.99

4. Good Night, Gorilla Peggy Rathmann, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, $8.99

5. For the Fans! (KPop Demon Hunters)

Golden Books (Illus.), Golden Books, $6.99,

6. I Am a Bunny

Ole Risom, Richard Scarry (Illus.), Golden Books, $8.99

7. All the World

Liz Garton Scanlon, Marla Frazee (Illus.), Little Simon, $8.99

8. Little Blue Truck

Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry (Illus.), Clarion Books,$10.99

9. The Wildest Thing

Emily Winfield Martin, Random House Books for Young Readers, $19.99

10. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle, World of Eric Carle, $10.99

Bright stories for dark times

coarse and corrosive forces that would cheapen and “monetize” life. Both are set in small towns— Capra’s fictional Bedford Falls and the book’s fictional Sowell Bay on Puget Sound—lifting up the importance of community where neighbors know, help, and care for each other.

Both include fantastical elements. Where the film has Clarence, the hapless angel trying to earn his wings, the novel features a Great Pacific Octopus named Marcellus who lives in the local aquarium. A sign on his tank notes that octopuses are “remarkably bright creatures.” Indeed, Marcellus is so intelligent that he has learned how to escape his chamber for a midnight snack on the sea cucumbers in the next tank. He also offers a running commentary on the strange human creatures he observes.

Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award (LGBT category). He organizes the monthly Word Fest gathering (info on facing page). Reach him at www.alan-rose.com.

By Alan Rose

Tova wonders sometimes if it’s better that way, to have one’s tragedies clustered together, to make good use of the existing rawness. Get it over with in one shot. Tova knew there was a bottom to those depths of despair. Once your soul was soaked through with grief, any more simply ran off, overflowed, the way maple syrup on Saturday-morning pancakes always cascaded onto the table whenever Erik was allowed to pour it himself.

-- from Remarkably Bright Creatures

His favorite is Tova Sullivan, a 70-yearold widow who nightly cleans the aquarium. She talks to him, and over time they have developed an interspecies friendship. Marcellus knows of the recent death of Tova’s husband, and the mysterious disappearance of her son Erik thirty years ago.

Joining them is Cameron Cassmore, a young drifter. Abandoned by his addict

1. The Amazing Generation

Jonathan Haidt, Catherine Price, Cynthia Yuan Cheng (Illus.), Rocky Pond Books, $14.99

2. A Blood Moon (Snowlands #1) Morr Meroz, Collin Fogel (Illus.), Graphix, $14.99

3. The Lions’ Run

Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen (Illus.), Balzer + Bray, $18.99

4. Unsettling Salad!

Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown (Illus.), Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $13.99

5. Hatchet Gary Paulsen, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $9.99

6. A Whale of the Wild Rosanne Parry, Greenwillow Books, $9.99

7. Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie (Illus.), Yearling, $11.99

8. Super Duper Extra Deluxe Essential Handbook

Scholastic, $16.99

9. The Lost Library

Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass, Square Fish, $8.99

10. The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures #2)

Katherine Rundell, Ashley Mackenzie (Illus.), Knopf Books for Young Readers, $19.99

mother when he was nine, he drifts into Sowell Bay in search of the father he never knew. Their three stories will become entwined through the themes of aging and death, of loss and grief, and of seeking one’s home.

Both book and film suggest how dark times bring out the best and the worst in people. We can despair at the daily dismantling of decency and the democratic norms of civility, honesty, and mutual respect. We can feel helpless before the brutish power politics of the unsupervised playground. Yet such stories—about caring for our neighbors, about the bonds of family, familiarity and friendship, about welcoming the stranger in our midst—remind us of the better souls we know we are capable of becoming. They remind us that in even the darkest times, we can be light-bearers.

We are left with Marcellus’ parting words: “Humans. For the most part you are dull and blundering. But occasionally you can be remarkably bright creatures.”

Clatskanie, Ore.

Fultano’s Pizza

770 E. Columbia River Hwy

Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

Dine-in,Take-out and Home Delivery. Visit Fultanos.com for streamlined menu. 503-728-2922

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

640 E. Columbia River Hwy

Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Dine-in, curbside pickup. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–10:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344

Rainier. Ore.

102 East “A” Street

Microbrews, wines & spirits 7am–8pm Daily. Inside dining.

Interstate Tavern 119 E. “B” St., (Hwy 30)

Crab Louie/Crab cocktails, crab-stuffed avocados. 17 hot and cold sandwiches. Amazing crab sandwiches. Full bar service. Catering for groups. 503-556-9950. interstatetavern@yahoo.com

El Tapatio

117 W. ‘A’ Street

Mexican Family Restaurant. Open Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, rest of week 11am-10pm. Full bar. 8-11pm. Patio seating. 503-556-8323.

Longview, Wash.

Formerly The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge located on 14th Ave. 3353 Washington Way Chinese & American cuisine. Full bar, banquet room stage room with balcony; available for groups, special events. Restaurant: 11am–9pm, Lounge 11am–1:00am. 360425-8680.

The Corner Cafe

796 Commerce Ave. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Daily Soup & Sandwich, breakfast specials. Tues-Fri, 7am-8pm. Sat 7am-3pm. Closed Sun-Mon. 360-353-5420. Email: sndcoffeeshop@comcast.net

Eclipse Coffee & Tea

In the Merk (1339 Commerce Ave., #113) 360-998-2139. Mon-Fri 8am–4pm. Specialty coffees, teas, bubble teas and pastries....drinks with a smile. Takeout and on-site.

COLUMBIA RIVER dining guide

Freddy’s Just for the Halibut

1110 Commerce Ave.

Cod, Alaskan halibut fish and chips, awardwinning clam chowder. Burgers, steaks, pasta. Beer and wine. M-Wed 10am–8pm, Th-Sat 10am–9pm, Sunday 11am–8pm. Inside dining, Drive-thru, outdoor seating. 360-414-3288. See ad, page 35.

The Gifted Kitchen

711 Vandercook Way

Friendly neighborhood kitchen open 7am–6pm M-F. Sandwiches, soups, entreés, salads. thegiftedkitchen.com. 360-261-7697

Hop N Grape 924 15th Ave., Longview Tues–Thurs 11am–8pm; Fri & Sat 11am–9pm. BBQ meat slow-cooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon. Worldfamous mac & cheese. 360-577-1541.

Kyoto Sushi Steakhouse

760 Ocean Beach Hwy, Suite J

360-425-9696. Japanese food, i.e. Hibachi, Bento boxes, Teppanyaki; Sushi. Mon-Th 11-2:30, 4:30-9:30. Fri-Sat 11am10pm. Sun 11am-9pm. 360-425-9696.

Lynn’s Deli & Catering 1133 14th Ave. Soups & sandwiches, specializing in paninis, box lunches, deli sandwiches and party platters. Mon-Fri 8-3, Saturday 10-2. 360-577-5656

OMELETTES & MORE

3120 Washington Way

Open M-F 7am – 1:30pm, Sat and Sun til 2pm. Home-cooked comfort foods. Breakfast & lunch classics. Dine in or order online at omelettesandmore.com. 10% Senior Discount everyday. 360-425-9260.

Roland Wines

1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, beer, specialty cocktails. Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Sat, 360-846-7304 See ad, page 23.

Scythe Brewing Company 1217 3rd Avenue #150 360-353-3851

Mon-Fri 11:30am -8pm; Brunch Sat-Sun 11:30am -10am–1pm. Family-friendly brewery/restaurant, lunch and dinner.

Teri’s Café on

Broadway

1133 Broadway. Lunch and Dinner, full bar. Mon12–8pm. Tues-Thurs 11am–8pm, Fri 11am–9pm; Sat 12–9pm. 360-577-0717

Castle Rock, Wash

Luckman’s Coffee Company 239 Huntington Ave. North, Drive-thru. Pastries, sandwiches, salads, quiche.

Vault Books & Brew 20 Cowlitz Street West, Castle Rock. Coffee and specialty drinks, quick eats & sweets. See ad, page 28

Kalama, Wash.

LUCKMAN’S COFFEE Mountain Timber Market, Port of Kalama. Open 8am–7pm. 360-673-4586.

215 N. Hendrickson Dr., Port of Kalama. A Northwest pub and unique bars serving breakfast, lunch & dinner daily. Info & reservations, bar hours at mcmenamins.com. 8am–midnight daily. 360673-9210. Indoor dining, covered outdoor seating.

Antique Deli 413N. First. M-F, 10–3. Call for daily sandwich special. 360-673-3310.

FIRESIDE CAFE

5055 Meeker Dr., Kalama. Open Wed-Sun, 9–4. 360-673-3473.

St. Helens, Ore.

Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine. Limited inside seating, curbside pickup and delivery. 503-397-3211 See ad, page 11.

Big River Tap Room 313 Strand Street on the Riverfront.

Lunch/Dinner Tue-Thurs 12–8pm; Fri-Sat 12–9pm. Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, pastrami. Weekend Burrito Breakfast, Sat 8-11, Sun 8am-3pm.

Scappoose, Ore.

Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” Sun–Th 11:30am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am–10pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-543-5100. Inside Dining.

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant 33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017

Warren, Ore.

for hours.

Country Inn

Toutle, Wash.

LRestaurant operators: To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call Ned Piper 360-749-2632

The Klondike

The Klondike 71 Cowlitz St, Historic Riverfront District. Steaks, seafood, burgers. Daily specials M-Th. Catering. Full bar. klondiketavern.com. 503-396-5036.

A Different Way of Seeing

THE TIDEWATER REACH FIELD GUIDE TO THE LOWER COLUMBIA IN POEMS AND PICTURES

Poem by Robert Michael Pyle • Photograph by Judy VanderMaten

Bretz’s Flood

It starts in the furnace of the core, rises through the mantle’s crush. Makes the crust, then breaks on through in plutons, vents, volcanoes. Dike swarms leak across the land like Vaseline on hot skin. Congeal in lava flows called Roza, Elephant Gap and Rattlesnake Ridge, Umatilla, Pomona, and Selah. Flow, then freeze in lichen-daubed entablature and colonnade, all the way to the sea.

After Pangaea, continents surfed the crusted waves, broke their backs against far shores, forging the shapes we know. Plates of the shelf shoulder plates of the land, bunch them up in the middle, raise the Rockies from nothing more than force and dust. Where mountains crumple upward, before crumbling down again, a moment comes when, high enough, they tempt the snows that crown the years. Then press, and press, and press some more, till glaciers start to move.

As cold goes south, the ice sheets grow, till half the continent goes under. Polish, scour, lathe, and grind — leave sign of ice on granite domes, the scream of ice on unforgetting stone. Rivers drain the glaciers, but Clark Fork is plugged: two thousand feet of ancient ice, two hundred miles of inland sea. Then warming, and melting, time after time for a thousand years, till the dam breaks through!

Then Glacial Lake Missoula is loosed upon the land. Down pours deluge, downhill, down-grade, down-map — ten times the flow of all the rivers of the world.

Cut the coulees, channel scablands, carve basalt like old black butter; even gouge that great green slot that we will call the Gorge.

Slash Grand Coulee! Swamp Dry Falls! Shoot Wallula Gap, whack Beacon Rock, shatter the very Bridge of the Gods, before they’re even named. Never so much water, sluicing to the sea, with such a force of will — sloshing from wall to black rock wall, from rimrock to rimrock, four hundred feet deep — until, the ice all gone, the river finds its level, never looking back at the havoc it’s left behind

where all that remains is geology

See related article by Dennis Weber, page 13

WORDS AND WOOD

PACIFIC NORTHWEST WOODCUTS AND HAIKU

by Debby Neely

Great Horned Owl II

An owl in the tree

Casts his shadow on the door

Leaves a strange feeling

The quiet night changes

An owl calls, the rabbit stops

Snow flurries increase

EMPIRE OF TREES

by Hal Calbom

AMERICA’S PLANNED CITY AND THE LAST FRONTIER

From Peril to Power

From the time of the first great Missoula Floods, the crushing, cascading channel that became the Columbia River has ripped, scarred, replenished and redeemed all that lay in its wake

A few visionaries, notably the precocious Wesley Vandercook, predicted this turning of peril into power as early as a hundred years ago:

The government has a reclamation project on which they proposed to spend $300 million to reclaim about 2 million acres of land for farming and incidentally develop 1 million horsepower of hydroelectric power.

-- The Vandercook Report, 1920

This page and pg. 8 feature excerpts from CRRPress books.

CRRPRESS was founded in 2020, with the first printing of Tidewater Reach, followed by Dispatches from the Discovery Trail (see current episode, page 9), Empire of Trees, Words and Wood, and A Lifetime of Art. Purchase info, see page 2.

Wizard from page 25

They boast an international following, fed in part by casting skating superstars, and future superstars, in lead roles. Russian legend Oksana Baiul made headlines in early performances of “Wizard,” and next month’s show will feature Canadian Olympian Shawn Sawyer as the Wizard of Oz himself.

“I know its a cliché to talk about an ‘all ages’ show,” said Wilfand, “but we’ve really found a sweet spot with the Wizard.”

He points out that not only have audiences literally grown up with the film, and Dorothy’s journey in her ruby

slippers, but an entirely new generation has fallen in love with “Wicked’” and the “Wicked” phenomenon.

As usual it feels that Columbia Theatre is punching well above its weight. The melding I talked about with Alex — where traditional theatrical values and stories meet daring, outside-the-box stagings and interpretations — makes more often than not for great theatre.

Bravo to the Columbia and Managing Director Kelly Ragsdale for stretching our expectations and offering us the best of both worlds.

thejewelersbenchinc@gmail.com

Where do you read THE READER?

The Amazon delivered! Gail and Craig Wells of Longview, Wash., enjoyed a two-week trip to Peru. The first was spent cruising on the Amazon out of Iquitos, with frequent stops to visit native villages, and taking jungle walks for wildlife viewing. The second half of the trip began in Cuzco in the Andean highlands, where they visited many Inca cultural sites in the Sacred Valley, including a visit to the city of Machu Picchu.

Girls on the lam Longview resident Karla Dudley’s granddaughters, Maggie, 7, and Ruby, 8, camping at Seaside, Oregon, last summer. The girls were tired of Karla reading to them from Cat in the Hat. Luckily a copy of CRR was nearby (perhaps intended as fire starter?)

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER?

Send your photo reading the Reader (high-resolution JPEG) to publisher@crreader.com. For cell phone photos, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Include names and cities of residence. Expect an acknowledgment within 5 days of submission; otherwise, please re-send. Thank you for your participation and patience, we usually have a small backlog!

Turkey for Christmas Tina Edwards, of Rainier, Ore (right)., with daughter Breana, a professional volleyball player in Turkey. The duo was in Istanbul for the holidays. Breana’s club is based in Bursa, a city in northwestern Turkey and the fourth-most populous city in Turkey. Now in her third pro season, she previously played in Italy and Greece.

WAthlete in the attic

hile re-filling Reader racks and sidewalk boxes with Readers on Saturday, March 7th in Kalama and Woodland, I was fortunate to locate the Washington State A-2 Basketball Tournament on the radio. The game was the championship game between Bremerton and my alma mater, the R.A. Long Lumberjacks.

My team had jumped off to a big lead of 12 points when I left the car to deliver to McMenamins. By the time I returned to the car, Bremerton had regained the lead. It was one of those back-and-forth games until the very end, when a controversial foul gave Bremerton’s best player the chance to make two foul shots with virtually no time left on the clock.

Of course I was very sad at the outcome, as a win would have been the RAL basketball team’s first-ever State Championship in their 100-year history. Some family folklore: The Lumberjacks were number three in the state in 1939, the year my uncle, Kirk Gebert, played for R.A. Long. One year later, Kirk was selected as an All American, having played for the Washington State Cougars. He also took the Cougs to their second-ever national tournament, played in Wisconson, equivalent toi

PLUGGED IN TO COWLITZ PUD the spectator by ned piper

today’s March Madness, where the Cougars, like R.A. Long this year, lost by two points to Wisconsin. Kirk was selected as the tournament’s best player, a tribute rarely awarded to a player on the losing team. The Cougars scored 34 points in the final game. Kirk scored 27 of those points. He was a remarkable athlete.

I am hoping that my disappointment will be assuaged by the fact that March Madness, the series of college basketball games that will determine who is Number One in the college ranks, is coming up soon.

I will be rooting for my favorite college team, the Gonzaga University Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have had an amazing season, having lost only one game, and that was to Portland University, a team that won 15 games and lost 19. How the Pilots managed to beat the Zags is a mystery to

By Alice Dietz, Cowlitz PUD Communications/Public Relations Manager

Cowlitz PUD’s dedication to delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community trees has earned the title of Tree Line Utility in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. We will continue to strive to maintain our title by doing the following:

• Training our employees in quality tree-care practices

• Educating the public about planting trees for energy conservation and helping homeowners plant appropriate trees near utility lines, which provide beautiful trees for the future and also yields long-term savings for our customers.

In celebration of Arbor Day and in partnership with Tsugawa’s Nursery, inWoodland,Wash., we will be giving away 20 powerline-safe trees, which have a mature height of less than 25 feet. Enter starting April 1st at: cowlitzpud.org

• Plant your new tree in the right place to conserve energy and reduce your energy bills.

• Properly placed trees save energy by providing summer shade, winter warmth, and winter windbreaks. For more information, visit https://www.cowlitzpud. org/outages/vegetation-management/

LONGVIEW ROTARY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!

Rotary focuses on the needs of the neighborhood: early literacy, student scholarships, and community projects — big and small. During the past ten years, that dedication can be measured by the funds that have been invested in our local area:  over $600,000. In addition,  has been donated to international projects.

A Giant Sequoia Centennial Tree at Lake Sacajawea

Newly-renovated Rotary Meeting Room at Longview Public Library

Martin Dock Restoration at Lake Sacajawea

SPRING PROJECTS? PLAN AHEAD!

If you are planning to do some landscaping or even plant a tree, we ask that you keep some things in mind.

• Call 811 before you dig

• Trees and shrubs can be a problem for overhead and underground facilities.

• Look up to see if there are overhead lines above or near your planting site.

• Trees planted directly under or within 20 feet of the power lines should have a mature height less than 25 feet

• Trees that mature to 25 to 45 feet should be planted 20 to 50 feet away

• Trees greater than 45 feet at maturity should be planted more than 50 feet away

• Look around to see if there are green metal or fiberglass boxes which indicate underground facilities. Avoid planting nearby.

Alice Dietz may be reached at adietz@ cowlitzpud.org, or 360-501-9146.

A Different Way of Seeing...

THE TIDEWATER REACH Field Guide to the Lower Columbia in Poems and Pictures THREE EDITIONS • $25, $35, $50

By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten

“Tidewater Reach is a pleasure to hold; it provokes delights, both intellectual and emotional. I commend all who were involved in bringing us this treasure. It deserves a place on your bookshelf and in your heart.”

-- Cate Gable, “Coast Chronicles,” Chinook Observer, Long Beach, Wash.

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

A Layman’s Lewis & Clark $35

by Michael O. Perry

Order

Books also available at:

• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Museum Stevenson

• Broadway Gallery Longview

• Cowlitz County Historical Museum Shop Kelso

• Kelso-Longview Visitor Center, Kelso

• Vault Books & Brew Castle Rock

• Tsuga Gallery Cathlamet

• Redmen Hall Skamokawa

• Skamokawa Store Skamokawa

• Appelo Archives Naselle

• Time Enough Books Ilwaco

• Marie Powell Gallery Ilwaco

• Godfather’s Books Astoria, Ore.

• RiverSea Gallery Astoria,Ore.

• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum The Dalles, Ore.

Please support our local booksellers & galleries