History and the holidays
Scappoose football Page A10
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Wednesday, November 29, 2023
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Nature Park developing in St. Helens WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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n an effort to offer a communal space and tranquil connection with nature, the Christ Episcopal Church in St. Helens is developing the Blessing Woods Labyrinth and Nature Park adjacent to the church at 35350 East Division Road. Ground broke on the project in August, and in the following months, the 2-acre property has already begun to evolve. A labyrinth, the first public labyrinth in Columbia County, has already started to take shape. Jamie Sanders, the Vicar for Christ Episcopal, said the project has been developing for four years. The church wanted to find a use for the 2 acres of land on the property that benefited the community. “We are creating an opportunity for synergy, for growth, for flourishing, for community that we can’t anticipate,” Sanders said. When all is said and done, some of the features they want to have are paths with overarching trees, the labyrinth, and a wildflower meadow. Paths have been installed around the property, winding through the woods on the property. Along the paths will be benches that will offer a serene spot to sit and reflect. The neighborhood surrounding Christ Church lacks a centralized park or gathering space for families to come and explore, according to the Christ Church website. A task force for the church assessed what the best use for the land would be. The project is in-
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The labyrinth is made up of river rock, and the center of the labyrinth is composed of stones that were part of the original Christ Episcopal Church stone alter.
spired by the idea of “rewilding.” This concept is being used by historical churchyards in England, which have included places for meditative walking and shared space with wildlife, Sanders said. “In the 1950s and ‘60s, we had
this idea of setting aside some places for nature and other places for people. Now, we’re realizing people are part of nature. It’s not an either-or,” Sanders said. “We all share one planet. Part of the idea is, how can we use this to
create flourishing for all the creatures that might share it.” Planting for the future
trees planted on the property. Sanders said they will basically only use native plants to build a space that is part of the natural ecosystem. To help promote sustainability, eco-lawn has been seeded, and understory shrubs and pollinator meadows have been planted. The first planting will be in the “next couple of weeks,” with another planting happening in the Spring. The steering committee for the project said that part of the excitement surrounding the project is that it will develop over the years as the trees and plants take root. Sanders said that some of the trees won’t see full development for maybe 20 years. “I think that our culture has done too much exploiting for today and not enough planting for the future,” Sanders said. “This congregation, the Christ Episcopal Church, although this building is not this old, the community was formed over 150 years ago. And I think of this woods and this project as the next 150 years.” The project is funded by private donations from members of the congregation. Native Plantscapes Northwest is the landscape design company that the church has contracted with for the project. The design was finalized in the Spring of 2023. Sanders said she sees the ground being used as a way to connect to nature. She hopes that, eventually, people will use the space for retreats and a way to “get out of the office.” One idea
As part of the project, there will be thousands of plants and
See PARK Page A7
Whoville coming to Scappoose
Converting the house has been a labor of love. Williams said she and Bauer have been working on the project for a year. Between October and November, Williams said she couldn’t even count the hours she’s put in. Williams wants the event to bring people to the Watts House and give the community a sense of togetherness around the historical landmark. “There’s people who have been born in this town that have never been in this house. We’ve started to try and have functions and try to get people to come in,” Williams said. “Because it’s meant, just like it was when it was built in 1902, it’s like a community center. [It’s] like a hub; do fun things here for families and people.”
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To spark the holiday spirit, the Scappoose Historical Society has transformed the historic Watts House into a scene straight out of Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Starting with a grand opening on Dec. 2, the Scappoose Historical Society will offer tours of the Watts House, which has been fully decked out in the spirit of Whoville. People can tour the home from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Coffee, hot chocolate, and goodies are available for purchase. The Watts House is off Highway 30 in Scappoose at 52432 SE First Street. Whoville in Scappoose Each room of the 1900s-era home is filled with Grinch and Whoville-themed decorations, with much of the work done by volunteers and Scappoose Historical Society President Janet Williams. Williams said that the inspiration for the mashup between the Watts House and Whoville is an effort to bring more families to the house. “Every year, the Watts house is decorated beautifully for Christmas.
Janet Williams, with the Grinch, in one of the Whoville-afied bedrooms of the Watts House.
They have tours, and the tours have been attended, but I would say not heavily attended,” Williams said. “Wanda Bauer and myself cooked up this idea to bring in more kids and families. Because kids come to it a couple years, see it once, and they’re bored. So we wanted to make it fun and free for everybody.”
One of the reasons it felt like a good fit was that the book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was written in 1957, and that fit with the timeframe when the Watts family lived in the house. Williams also hopes a trip to the Watts House will spark children’s interest in history. According to Williams, the event
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is made possible through sponsors and a $5,000 grant from the PUD. Williams has worked with local craftspeople and artists to bring the spirit of Whoville to the Watts House. One such contribution is several portraits of Whos that adorn the wall, which a local artist has painted.
Holiday Lights and Sights contest The grand opening also coincides with the kick-off of the Scappoose Holiday Lights and Sights decorating contest. The Lights and Sights contest is something that Williams and the Historical Society started last year to try to engage the community in the holiday spirit.
See WHOVILLE Page A6
The Teen Support Program helps local teens in need Police Blotter .......... A3 News and Views ...... A4 Poll ............................ A4 Community Calendar A4
Obituaries ................. A5 Classified Ads ......... A6 Legals ....................... A7 Games and Puzzles A8 Crossword ............... A9 Sports ..................... A10
Vol. 141, No. 48
SARAH KELLY For Country Media, Inc.
The Daybreakers Kiwanis organization in St. Helens works closely with the school district to identify and assist teens who are living without a parent or guardian and are experiencing a lack of proper housing through their Teen Support Program. The Daybreakers said they worked hard with the help of the community to provide support and basic needs to these teens, allowing them to concentrate on school. “It’s so difficult to focus on school if you’re worrying,” said Co-President of the organization, Monica Cade. Cade first approached the school district with the idea of helping teens in the community who were dealing with housing insecurity in 2015 when she noticed some of her son’s friends dealing with that very issue. “He had several friends that were trying to negotiate life on their own without a guardian and I was so impressed with the fact that they
Courtesy photo from Monica Cade
Previous photo of the Daybreakers Kiwanis members and community partners gathering together to help wrap presents for local teens in need.
were still in school but I could see them struggling to meet their basic needs,” she said. The organization started by creating what they call “Fab-Paks,” containing full-sized personal hygiene items, for teens identified by the school district as most in need. The Daybreakers quickly grew,
helping with things throughout the year. At Christmas time they provide wrapped gifts for the teens. “Holiday programs are usually designed for families and these kids are usually living on their own. … We noticed that these kids were falling through the cracks. They are part of
the target audience for holiday gifts but because they weren’t in a family unit, they weren’t receiving them,” said Cade. They purchase and wrap several gifts for each teen with the help of
See KIWANIS Page A6