"When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die." — Eleanor Roosevelt
“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” — John F. Kennedy
“Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does.” — William James
“Regardless of whatever I do, I know what my purpose is: to make a difference in people's lives.” — Tim Tebow
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.” — Nelson Mandela
PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN KITTITAS COUNTY
“If you were to ask me what I want to do - I don't want to be a celebrity, I want to make a difference.” — Lady Gaga
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank
"I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference." – Jimmy Carter
“There is no greater joy, nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.” — Mary Rose McGeady
"We must become the change we want to see in the world." — Mahatma Gandhi
"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." — Muhammad Ali
ALMANAC
2019 DAILY RECORD
accounting Carrying out our mission of providing administration quality care to a growing community is a team effort. We are grateful for the community relations dedicated staff whose non-patient diabetic education & care roles are nevertheless vital in registered dietitians helping make patient care possible. dietary staff We couldn’t do it without you. employee health engineering environmental services foundation health information management KVH board of commissioners house supervisors human resources information systems laundry services materials management medical staff services patient financial services provider recruiter quality registration revenue cycle Learn about these roles and how staff development they impact patient care in KVH’s volunteer services Behind the Scenes blog series at Kittitas Valley Healthcare Photo: KVH Digital Mammography
kvhealthcare.org/news.
KV
Your Home for Health
On the cover
Contents
Difference makers in Kittitas County
ea se to mak you cea begin to die." "When lt ution, you nor Rooseve contrib — Elea
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AC AL19MDAAILYNRECORD 20
Mollie Edson Designed by Stan Eichwald
Long-time Ellensburg resident likes to get involved.
Jim DeVere Mayor of South Cle Elum reflects on his decades of service.
12
Megan West Local entrepreneur builds modern business with historic base.
20
Jean Putnam CWU professor worked for opportunities for women in sports.
24
Alexis Andrews 20-year-old honored as the Young Cattleman of the Year for Kittitas County.
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Getting involved
Mollie Edson connects to community in many ways By MATT CARSTENS staff writer
I
f there’s one thing that’s important to Mollie Edson, it’s getting involved. After falling in love with Eastern Washington while attending Wenatchee Valley College, the Seattleite finished her undergraduate degree at Central Washington University — then never left. “I became a Vista volunteer went down to Sacramento for a year, but have been back pretty much ever since then,” Edson said. She married a man with two kids, then had three of her own, and all five grew up through the Ellensburg School District. Being a mom, Edson said it was important for her to set a good example by serving the community she chose to live in. “You want to mirror things for your kids,” Edson said. “When you live someplace you need to serve in some way shape or form.” Edson has always been on some board or commission throughout her Ellensburg life, and the political science major inevitably found her way into local politics. One day while watching her children swim at the pool, she realized how often parents complained about an oak railing that blocked the parents’ views of their swimming children when they sat down. Edson made a phone call to the city manager, and shortly after city workers came down and removed it. The next thing she knew, she was on the parks and recreation commission. From there, Edson became a city council member, even serving a couple of years as mayor. “It was great, I learned a lot about city government,” she said.
See Edson, Page 4 Difference Makers
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EDSON Continued from Page 3 Local politics eventually took its toll on Edson’s family during the Growth Management Act saga in the early 1990s, with tensions rising between the city and county. “I just didn’t feel like it was good for my kids or me,” Edson said. “I was volunteering, why should I be accosted in the grocery store?” Again, wanting to set a good example for her children, Edson went back to school, this time to get a masters degree from CWU in history. “I thought maybe if they see their mom working like crazy for school they’ll get that idea,” she said with a laugh. Her interest in history has led to what she calls her niche in this Photos by Jake Green / Daily Record latest phase in her life — historic preservation. She spent three terms Mollie Edson poses for a portrait at the 420 Building in downtown Ellensburg. on a committee to figure out what to do with Morgan Middle School, and
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helping to win that uphill battle is one of her proudest moments. More recently, she helped facilitate the move of the Munson Pott House from University Way to a lot she owned on C Street. “I’ve never seen something go together so well,” Edson said. “At 4:30 in the morning to watch that house lumber down University Way, city crews lifting wires, it was really almost kind of a moon landing kind of feeling. So many people pulling together.” She’s currently serving on the landmarks and design commission, which ties nicely into her purchase of the historic 420 building in 2006. Formerly city hall, Edson said she and a group of six or so were looking to invest in the building after the city moved to its current location, and even initially were thinking of starting a glass blowing studio. “That proved to be expensive and also a little bit dangerous for a town that had burned down once,” Edson said with a laugh. “They’re very careful
about putting big burning furnaces in buildings downtown.” While her friends slowly dropped out of the idea, the building still spoke to her. It was designed by Carl Gould, a famous architect responsible for several famous buildings in Seattle, including the Seattle Art Museum, as well as some houses in the neighborhood Edson grew up in. During its time as city hall, the 420 building housed 95 employees. The floor of what is now the loft stretched straight across, and was filled with dropped ceilings, maze of cubicles and a mess of telephone and other wires. “It was quite an undertaking,” Edson said. “I did a lot of the work myself. We only used local people and it took three years to restore.” She had always hoped it would be retail, but first rented out eight offices upstairs. She toyed with the idea of selling the building a few years ago, but since she landed a centerpiece tenant on the ground floor in Dark
Moon Craft Beer, she’s all in. Edson said her vision for the 420 Building is a hub, where people can come and exchange ideas and experiences, whether that’s at Dark Moon, taking a yoga class, producing a radio show on Ellensburg Community Radio or looking at art in the second floor gallery. One of the building’s latest projects are tiny stage concerts, which happen on the second floor on what quite literally is a pretty small stage. “In trying to get five bonds passed for Morgan Middle School, I realized there was a disconnect in our community we really shouldn’t have because we’re really all good people,” she said. “Somehow we’ve put ourselves on teams. We’re on the ag team or the student team or the professor team or the downtown business team… and we don’t have enough stuff where we come together and just plain have fun.”
HAVE FUN BE A
MENTOR
FUN WANTED!
“I am writing to share about my experience with the Kittitas County Youth Mentoring Program. I have been matched with my mentee for over three months. My mentee is an older teen with many challenges. She is also bright, creative and fun to be around.We have spent time exploring our community, doing crafts and trying new foods. I really value our time together.We are working on social skill development and honesty. It is an honor to get to be a supportive adult in my mentee’s life. I get a feeling of fulfillment from this relationship and I hope that it is as equally impactful for my mentee. I cannot wait to see what new adventures our match will bring.” – A Proud Mentor
Mentor PrograM Volunteer Today! 509.962.2737 www.youthserviceskc.org crystal-church@youthserviceskc.org
We are a local 501(c)3 non-profit supported by community donations; advertising paid for by Health Care Authority.
Difference Makers
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South Side Story
Jim DeVere reflects on decades as South Cle Elum mayor By KARL HOLAPPA staff writer
I
t’s not often you meet a mayor who can’t remember the exact year he was elected. Upper County resident Jim DeVere could possibly be in the running for the mayor serving the longest term in the state. He has served in his position in South Cle Elum since the mid-1990s, or at least that’s the best he can estimate. His family has resided in the county for generations and has had multiple successful businesses over those generations. In his time, he has spent most of his life in Upper County and has seen the vast changes in the region over the decades.
FAMILY ROOTS DeVere was born in Ellensburg in 1945. His grandparents moved to Upper County in the late 1800s and had 13 children. His grandfather was a street and water commissioner in Cle Elum, a steam mechanic for Boise Cascade, and did some logging on the side.
“He did a little bit of everything,” he said. DeVere lived in Cle Elum as a child before his family moved to the current site of DeVere Field. His grandfather passed away when his father was in his teenage years, and so his father took on responsibilities with helping support the family financially. “My dad was an amazing man,” he said. DeVere’s father learned to fly and received his pilots license in 1932. Among his father’s business pursuits included being a foreman at a lumber mill, businesses in trucking, petroleum and chainsaws, as well as renting, chartering and working on airplanes at his airport, DeVere Field. DeVere said his father began work on the airport in 1956 while he was in grade school. “I helped him build an airport where it is today,” he said. DeVere and his wife, Charlotte, purchased the airport from his father in 1994, and it is still going strong.
See DeVere, Page 8
Discover History Today
KITTITAS COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Discover the amazing past of Kittitas County
Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm
1735290
Free Admission
114 E. 3rd Ave., Ellensburg,WA 98926 • 509-925-3778 • www.kchm.org Difference Makers
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DEVERE Continued from Page 7 These days, the airport is used for locally-based private aviation. As for flying, he has soloed twice: once at 14-years old, and once at 16. “I never really got the bug to move that any farther,” he said. DeVere also became involved in his father’s petroleum business, which was started in the 1950s. The rural fuel distributor mainly served Upper County customers. “Charlotte and I bought that from my folks in 1980,” he said. After graduating high school in 1963, DeVere moved to the West Side and worked as a mechanic at a service station. In 1964, his mother contracted cancer. His father needed help running the family business and asked him to come back across the mountains. After buying his father out, Jim and Charlotte ran the business until 2006. Along the way, DeVere served in the Marine Corps Reserve and married Charlotte in 1966. He was in the same grade with Charlotte’s older brother and ended up in the high school band with her. “She was a drummer and I was a trumpet player,” he said.
PATH TO SOUTH CLE ELUM After having their first of two children, the DeVeres rented a house in South Cle Elum before purchasing their current one in 1969. Although it had changed hands prior to their purchasing it, Charlotte’s grandparents had previously lived in the home. “Her folks got married in that house in front of our fireplace,” he said. Jake Green / Daily Record
Tools used for working on cars hang in the garage of South Cle Elum Mayor Jim DeVere. 8
almanac 2019
Jake Green / Daily Record
South Cle Elum Mayor Jim DeVere tinkers with one of his cars in his garage on Tuesday. subsequently became mayor pro tempore. While snowmobiling with Charlotte in Idaho, he received a call from the street and water foreman telling him that the mayor had passed away of a heart attack. “I then became mayor by default,” he said. “That’s still the case.” Since he has been mayor, DeVere cannot recall anyone running against him.
See DeVere, Page 10
39 Years of Experience... It’s the key to buying or selling with confidence.
Experience the difference. 1872548
After moving to South Cle Elum, DeVere joined the volunteer fire department, serving as fire chief twice. “South Cle Elum’s not a very big town,” he said. “Of course, everybody knows everybody. Everybody on the counsel was either in the fire department and all that kind of thing.” Jim said the road to mayor wasn’t planned. Around 1987, he began serving on the town council and
508 North Main • Ellensburg, WA • 509-925-6991
w w w. k e l l e y r e a l t y. c o m Difference Makers
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Jake Green / Daily Record
South Cle Elum Mayor Jim DeVere poses for a portrait in his car. 10
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DEVERE Continued from Page 9 He’s not sure whether it is because everybody is pleased with the job he has done or if they are content with the status quo. “I find it really interesting,” he said. DeVere said the members of the town council also tend to stick around, generally serving at least two or three terms with little turnover. “It’s really nice,” he said. “It always has been in my memory. The people that have governed or run our small town have done an excellent job.”
CHANGE IN UPPER COUNTY Over the decades, DeVere said he has seen Upper County go from a resource-based economy to the tourism-based one that it is now. He said he is old enough to remember how traumatic the closure of the mines were for the community. The last mine closed in 1963. “Things changed,” he said. “Things weren’t the same.” After the mines closed, DeVere said the logging industry, once robust in the area also waned. “The Upper County community was left with almost no visible means of support,” he said. “It was a big change.” Compounding the problem was the movement of the main highway from Seattle to Spokane. Once Interstate 90 was built, it effectively bypassed the main arterial through Cle Elum. “At that point, everybody was concerned that Cle Elum would die on the vine,” he said. The Upper County survived those days, however and has developed the tourism-based economy it boasts today. DeVere said he sees these changes as being positive for residents. “We’re doing OK as an Upper County community,” he said. “Anything that brings people can be nothing but good for the economy.” Despite the population growth seen in some parts of Upper County, DeVere said the population of South Cle Elum
has stayed stable by design. He said the town was conceptualized in the late 1800s and platted in 1911. The original plat was larger than the current town size, and DeVere said he believes the town planners scaled the design down to achieve a more manageable size. As time went on and the state developed its Growth Management Act, DeVere said the town decided upon its direction going into the future. “They didn’t want to be industrialized,” he said. “They wanted to be a residential community.” Although achieving success in a small town on a small revenue base can be difficult at times, DeVere said the town is committed to maintaining the goals set forth in the past. He said part of this involves financial prudence exercised by the town government. “We endeavor to provide a community for the people living in South Cle Elum that they find both enjoyable, efficient and well-cared for,” he said. “We’re in pretty good shape today.”
LIFE IN SEMI-RETIREMENT Aside from tasks related to being mayor and running the airfield, Jim and Charlotte enjoy participating in the hot rod circuit, taking road trips to meets on the West Coast. One of his favorites in his collection is his 1956 Ford pickup. He purchased the vehicle shortly after getting married. “I took it home and my wife just about divorced me,” he said. “It was $450. We were making $260 a month. It wasn’t a good thing to do, but I still have that pickup and I still have my wife, so that’s my favorite rig.” Although they had at times considered moving from Upper County, DeVere said his family realized that everything they wanted or needed existed in the area. As a result, they found no reason to relocate to another place. “I am and I always have been very proud of the fact that I’m here,” he said. “I was happy that I got the opportunity to stay. I suppose underlying all that was the mindset of doing something to perpetuate what everybody started here and make it better.”
Plenty for everyone, all year round Saturday May 11th | 9:00am to 2:00pm (6:30am bird-walk) at Helen Mccabe State Park and Umtanum creek recreation Area.
20th
rsary
Annive
Learn about local geology, plants, reptiles, natural history, fish, river bugs, and more! you are encouraged to participate in as many field trips as you can, and educational booths with fun activities are located at Helen Mccabe State Park. This annual event is FrEE and FAMiLy friendly. Please bring your kids, but not your pets!
Held at city Parks around Ellensburg, KEEN offers hands-on science learning for FrEE to learners of all ages. Beginning mid-June, find fun activities at the following parks: SUNDAyS: carey Lakes - 1PM to 3PM MoNDAyS: Mountain View Park - 6:30PM to 7:30PM TUESDAyS: Kiwanis Park - 6:30PM to 7:30PM wEDNESDAyS: west Ellensburg Park - 6:30PM to 7:30PM THUrSDAyS: North Alder Street Park - 6:30PM to 7:30PM
FREE!
FriDAyS: Memorial Park - 6:30PM to 7:30PM KEEN’s Pond to Pines summer camp 2019 Summer camps have been announced! During Pond to Pines, children learn through inquisitive and creative activities utilizing science, math, critical-thinking skills, and a great Register deal of imagination! camp is for K-9th grades and is BEFORE held at Helen Mccabe State Park. April 1st and receive a
15%
registration information online at www.ycic.org
discount!
SEND A KID TO CAMP! Every dollar donated to the Send a Kid to camp fund goes directly to camp scholarships. $250 pays for one week of camp. you can donate online, or by sending a check to: KEEN at 414 South willow Street, Ellensburg, wA 98926. KEEN invites you to grEEN DriNKS at [the pub] by iHB on Main Street! Join us in the back room for this casual meet and greet on the fourth Friday of each month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. we chat about the latest KEEN projects, sustainable initiatives, and environmental issues, all while drinking some beer! SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, October 5, 2019 The Best crafted cider & Music meet to celebrate the colors of fall in the center of washington!
nd 2 Annual
ciderhouses from Puget Sound, wenatchee, yakima and around the region will bring enough varieties to make the most experienced taster swoon. Four live bands, Bluegrass to Folk to Americana, will own the outdoor stage. come to western Town at the Kittitas Valley Event center, Ellensburg, wA. gather with your friends on october 5, 2019. Taps are open from 3 pm to 9 pm. windFall is an event for ages 21 and up. iD will be required.
For information on these events and more, visit www.ycic.org Send inquiries to: kittitasee@gmail.com or 509-551-8807
Difference Makers 11
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Brick, mortar and beyond
Megan West builds modern business with historic base By MICHAEL GALLAGHER managing editor
S
ome times it’s best not to know. Fresh out of Central Washington University, Megan West decided to tackle opening her own business in historic downtown Ellensburg. “I didn’t know what to expect and maybe that was a good thing. I wasn’t overthinking. I just was kind of going for it,” West said. West opened Claim Clothing on Pearl Street in 2014, crafting a traditional brick and mortar small town store with a more expansive online presence. In the years since, West has involved herself in downtown business groups working to better the environment for all businesses. West credits working as a student at the Wildcat Shop in the Student Union and Recreation Center on campus for giving her needed preparation, but looking back at that start-up period she marvels that she survived. She said the enormity of what she was taking on settled in after the first few months. “It was probably three months in and we were fortunately very successful right off the get-go. I didn’t have a staff. It was all me,” West said. “It was all me pretty much seven days a week, buying on my off-days, doing paperwork, which has grown increasingly since we’ve been open. I don’t understand how I did it on my own pretty much that whole first year.”
ADDING NEW SKILLS The first weeks and months of owning a business, exposed the gaps in West’s training.
See West, Page 18 Difference Makers 13
2019 Kittitas County
1887
1891
502 E 1st St, Cle Elum
cwu.edu 400 E University Way
963-1111
925-2327
1906
1909
674-2530
1892
1896
323 N Main Street
114 W. 4th Avenue
1911
1923
KELLEHER FORD
www.kelleher-ford.com
501 E 1st Street
401 N. Main
HERBERT SNOWDEN INSURANCE
602 N. Pearl
www.snowdeninsurance.com 426 N. Pine Street
1944
674-2233
925-1414
925-1911
1934
1936
1937
GLASS & UPHOLSTERY,
925-9828
925-6174
LLC
925-2827
211 S. Main
925-3777
www.lazyfcamp.org 16170 Manastash Road
962-2780
925-2961
1944
1944
1945
1945
710 W. 8th Avenue
FERtiLizER 925-3378
604 W. University Way
962-9871
FARM SUPPLy 925-3525
FUEL & PROPANE 925-3171
310 N. Pearl
iRRiGAtiON 925-6141
2121 Highway 97
933-7050
920 E. 1st Street
674-2430 1876590
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2019 Kittitas county
1946 Certified Public Accountants
209 E. 5th
1946
1950
1953
Furniture & Appliance Inc. www.shawsfurnitureandappliance.com
Owned & Operated by Joe & Molly Morrow since 1973
I-90 Exit 106
University Way & Adler Street
925-9876
512 N. Pearl
925-1475
1800 Vantage Highway
925-2833
925-5542 925-5442
1960
1961
1964
1964
910 Anderson Road
674-2233
114 E. 3rd Avenue
925-3778
Carrying on a Legacy started in 1883 120 E 4th Ave
1968
1972
1972
925-4149
603 S.Chestnut
962-9841
1972
Home of the Goodey Gallery
1492 Thomas Rd
416 N Pearl Street
615 S. Main
206 W. Tacoma
925-4613
962-2934
925-6181
925-3007
1974
1977
1978
1979
305 N Pine Street
111 W. 6th Avenue
319 N Pearl Street
1206 S. Canyon Road
962-4767
925-2505
925-3176
925-6922
1876592
Difference Makers 15
2019 Kittitas County
1980
1980
1982
508 N. Main
314 N Pearl St
1984
All the Pets You Love & Everything They Need
412 N. Pearl
701 Wilson Creek Rd.
962-2837
925-1435
925-6991
962-8977
1985
1986
1987
1987
1116 E. Mountain View Avenue
216 E. 1st Cle Elum
674-5755
500 W. Third
925-5397
7820 US-97, Ellensburg
1987
1990
1990
1991
962-7770
4190 Look Road
899-5318
323 North Pearl Street
962-9333
907 N. Hibb Road
962-5445
1994
1994
1994
1995
925-7878
925-2015
tandtelectric@fairpoint.net Tommy Wilmart Lic# TTELEI159BT
200 E. Mountain View Avenue
We LISTEN so You Can HEAR
601 N. Main, Suite1
962-9575
Pregnancy Center of Kittitas County Free Pregnancy Tests • Caring • Confidential www.CareNetEllensburg.org
1631 Vantage Highway
962-2900
101 Main Street, Kittitas
968-9111
111 E. 4th
925-2273 1876593
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2019 Kittitas County
1998
1998
1999
101 W. 5th
205 W Tacoma Ave
208 W. 9th Ave., Suite 6
933-4324
925-2902
2002
2003
2004
2005
925-1477
962-9282
2001
101 E W 2nd Ave
Jon Newton
206-550-0822
New • Used • Antiquarian 305 N. Main St.
509-925-1999
808 University Way
407 Swiftwater Blvd., Cle Elum
2006
2006
2007
2012
807 W. First Street, Cle Elum
Jerry Lael 2301 W. Dolarway, Suite 5
962-2599
962-8800
933-4224
306 N. Pine Street
603 E 1st St. Cle Elum
2013
2013
2017
7820 Hwy. 97, Ellensburg
929-3675
307 E 5th Ave
933-3600
Now Delivering!
674-0111
674-7433
306 S. Main
925-2253
1887-2019 107 W 3rd Ave
968-5559 1876570
Difference Makers 17
Jake Green / Daily Record
Products line shelves in Megan West's store Claim Clothing in Ellensburg.
WEST
Continued from Page 13 “I kind of knew Quickbooks and accounting,” West said. “It was ‘oh crap, I didn’t go to school for this.’ I am not an accountant and I needed to find someone. Find someone to be on retainer or be willing to teach me. It just so happens I did find someone willing to teach me.” Picking up accounting skills was just the start of the add-ons to West’s skill set. If you’ve been to the Claim website and enjoy the photography, you can give West a high-five the next time you see her — she’s the staff photographer.`
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“Our product shoots are in-house. All of our shipping is in-house,” West said. “We don’t have a warehouse off-site. We have a great inventory management system, sends us notifications right away and updates inventory.” West’s next major project at the shop is to remodel the back area for a better set up for product photography.
ONLINE, IN STORE The photography is integral to the store’s online presence, but is just part of the picture. West said Claim’s website has evolved over the years. Her husband, Jared, is a graphic designer and web programmer,
but he did not have time to take on the Claim website when the business first opened. “I think within two months, my husband was like, ‘I think I’m going to redesign this,’ so it was a redesign after about two months,” West said. “It was another redesign after six months. It was another redesign after four (years) and we’ve been on this version for a year.” More change is in the works. West said the site has focused on a clean, minimalistic look. “But we’re going to be drastically changing that up pretty soon, add some new flare to website,” West said. While the website has potential to
reach a much broader audience, the retail space drives the business. “Our retail space does way better just because we have such a great town that loves to shop local,” West said. “Online its a whole different beast. It’s a pay to play game and the market is really saturated.” By pay to play, West means online ads and marketing. “Facebook ads, is really where it’s at for our industry,” West said. “Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest is the new one exploring that’s super fun because it’s so image heavy.”
SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Jake Green / Daily Record
Products line shelves in Megan West's store Claim Clothing in Ellensburg. One of the things West likes most about her business is its 315 N. Pearl St. location. “I totally love our location. It would be a really hard decision to move,” West said. “We’re right in the middle of everything with the market, the parades. I think it just makes it easier for people to get to us.” In addition to loving it in relation to foot and vehicle traffic, West loves her neighbors. “It’s a total camaraderie with the neighbors on either side and down (the street),” West said. “If think about it our block is almost all women-ran and
-owned businesses which is frickin’ awesome.” The sense of community is enhanced by West’s involvement in downtown business associations. After opening her business, she joined the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and then became involved with the Ellensburg Downtown Association board of directors. “The EDA, they’re my people. It’s super cool what they do. It’s great that I get to directly impact where I work and where I want to be every single day,” West said. “It really fit for me and what
I was wanting. I get to impact my business, I get to impact all the businesses
around me by the decisions we get to make.”
Difference Makers 19
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Changing the game for good
Jean Putnam worked for opportunities for women in sports By LUKE OLSON sports editor
J
ean Putnam remembers growing up in Illinois and the regulations girls had to endure when it came to athletics. “We could not participate as a team,” Putnam said. “We could only participate as an individual — because it was illegal.” For basketball, there would be a ‘Play Day’ and each individual would take shots at different stations and see how many it took to make it in the basket. Her six teammates would all be from different towns — having no idea who they were. Each county would send those individual results in and Putnam and her “teammates” would see how they fared against these other girls teams who also had no clue who their teammates were. But when Putnam moved on to Illinois State University for college, those rules were altered. But still, when she competed in basketball, many restrictions were still intact for women. You couldn’t go past the half court line and a player only could dribble twice. It was very limited because the thought was women were not capable of the intensity of sport. “I think my desire to go on in athletics had to with those early years when it was illegal,” she said. Putnam, 89, was a fervent supporter of women’s athletics from the very beginning. She was a physical education teacher at Central Washington University from 1967-1991 and a long-time field hockey coach. Putnam was inducted in the CWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
See Putnam, Page 22
Difference Makers 21
Jake Green / Daily Record
Jean Putnam holds her varsity letter from Illinois State University in her home on Friday.
PUTNAM Continued from Page 21 Putnam didn’t just encourage women’s sports, but men’s, too. “I felt that women had the right to compete as men,” she said. When Title IX arose in 1972, Putnam can recall the conversations she had with the athletic department. It was going to influence CWU and her decree was to combine the women and men’s athletics into one, as before Title IX took effect, there was two separate departments for each. “I said ‘We need to think about what’s going to happen, both to the men and women’s sports,’” Putnam said. “As a result of Title IX, the women were forced to accept all of the goals of the men’s sports. No. 1, winning is the first thing you must do — you have to win at all cost. No. 2, it’s not it’s not what the individual wants, it’s what the team wants.” As a result of the Title IX changes, CWU eliminated field hockey, a team sport which Putnam coached. Recruiting became a requirement with Title IX
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and Putnam couldn’t recruit because nobody knew how to play. She would teach the student-athletes from scratch. Putnam brought the first-ever field hockey national championships to CWU. Central didn’t win, but it was a huge deal to have it in Ellensburg. “We had that national tournament here and it was mainly because of Jean (Putnam),” said her long-time colleague Gary Frederick. Putnam wasn’t only an influence in athletics, but also academics. In 1980, there were women who wanted her to run as a dean. Putnam wasn’t interested, not desiring to sit behind a desk. But she was finally talked into it. But Putnam didn’t earn the dean title. The vice president at the time was afraid the other deans would be infuriated if she was made one, too. “They wouldn’t allow me to be a dean,” Putnam said. But the deans were upset with the VP for another reason — upset that she was not given the title. Putnam became the first women academic dean at CWU. She did that from 1982-88. But after a health accident, she decided to resign and go back to
teaching.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Putnam was involved in many things — still to this day — and she knew she had to take a step back in her early 60s. “It kind of told me I can’t do it all,” Putnam said. Putnam recently has attenuated her responsibilities. She spent about two decades with the League of Women Voters handling the moderator duties at candidate forums, but ended it in 2017. Her goal during the tenure was to educate voters on issues and letting them make the best decisions for themselves. Putnam can be seen at Ellensburg Golf Course on Thursdays playing in the Women’s Golf League until winter hits. She was in charge of many things with the league, including the publicity, which was recently dropped from her to-do list. “I think it’s important when you have responsibility, but you get too many of them,” Putnam said laughing. “I think for the club itself, I think it’s important to let other people do that. And this is what I have been
doing with some of the things I’m responsible for.” Putnam is from Illinois and was dairy farmer’s daughter on “Putnam’s Jersey Dairy.” She earned her bachelor’s degree from the state university and then got her first teaching gig which paid $3,000. But in those three years teaching, Putnam saw how dreadful her physical education comrades were at their job. That motivated her to teach teachers the importance of fitness, sports and skills. Putnam got her masters at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and then received her doctorate at University of Southern California before she came to CWU for work. She planned on staying three years — but that plan didn’t come to fruition, as here she is 49 years later. “Because it had the highest salary,” Putnam said why she ended up at CWU. “That was my purpose, I knew nothing about Ellensburg! Ellensburg? I mean, who in the right mind who would pick Ellensburg, Washington.” There was a National Convention for
2019 in Downtown
First Friday Art Walk*
Hosted the First Friday of every month from 5-7pm – enjoy art and community in venues throughout the downtown.
May 4 Kittitas County Farmers Market Begins* 4th Ave from Pearl to Ruby
Shop every Saturday 9am-1pm through October to buy local, fresh produce, unique artisan crafts, and fresh baked bread.
May 9 Girls Night Out
Downtown shops, taverns, restaurants
A fun evening for the ladies filled with deals, giveaways, and pampering. This year’s theme is Luau!
May 11 Children’s Day Downtown Rotary Pavilion
During the second Farmers Market, enjoy local youth music performances, sign kids up for summer programs, and check out activities and treats provided by the merchants.
June 15 Dachshunds on Parade 4th Ave from Main to Pearl
Dachshund costume contest, parade, tricks, and races make a day of fun for the entire family.
June 25 EDA Pint Night Iron Horse Brewery
Join the EDA at The PUB by Iron Horse Brewery to learn more about the organization and bid on silent auction items from downtown businesses. A portion of each pint goes toward the EDA, so drink up!
Jake Green / Daily Record
A decoration adorns the wall of Jean Putnam's home. Physical Education in Las Vegas, and that’s when Putnam heard about Central. The salary was $12,500, higher than any other university. Central was looking for a woman doctorate. The department chair for CWU at the time wanted to her to sit down and chat. “I was not interested in the area or anything — until he came to the salary part,” Putnam said. “As soon as he came to the salary part …boy.” So, with fewer responsibilities now,
what will Putnam do? She wants to get back into the gym after an eight-week hiatus. She slipped and fell on her back and broke two spiny processes in the lung area. But she’s at full strength to work out three days a week — along with playing golf. Putnam also has a minor in art. “I haven’t picked up a pen or brush or anything for a year because I have been too busy. I want to get back into art,” Putnam said.
June 27 EDA Appreciation Celebration & Fundraiser Enjoy drinks, light appetizers, an awards ceremony, and learn more about how you can get involved in the organization.
July 26-28 Jazz in the Valley*
Three day music festival in intimate venues, all within walking distance.
August 17 Rodeo Kick-off Breakfast* Rotary Pavilion
Kick-off the Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fair Season with a pancake breakfast downtown.
August 28 Ellensburg Rodeo Hoedown in the Downtown Rotary Pavilion
Kick your heels up with great music and some of the best beers and wines Kittitas Valley has to offer.
September 27-28 Buskers in the Burg
Various locations, 4th Ave, Rotary Pavilion
A weekend of family fun, music, arts, street performers (buskers), and an art parade.
October 31 Downtown Trick-or-Treat Downtown merchant shops
Bring your kids out in their spookiest, cutest, and most creative costumes for a trick-or-treating extravaganza!
November 22 Moments to Remember
Downtown Ellensburg
Shop local for Plaid Friday. Take the kids on a cookie scavenger hunt. Enjoy kids dancing and activities, and end the evening with the Streets of Bethlehem and lighting ceremonies.
December 7 Teddy Bear Tea Kelleher Motor Co.
Kids! Come dressed in your Sunday best for tea and stories with Mrs. Claus, performances, and lots of teddy bears! Teddy bears are later donated to the Court Advocates for Children.
December 12 Holiday Girls Night Out Downtown shops, taverns, restaurants
Just in time for the holidays! A fun evening for the ladies filled with deals, giveaways, and pampering.
This is just a snapshot of some of the great happenings downtown! Visit
ellensburgdowntown.org for a more extensive list.
The EDA works to strengthen our downtown through events such as these, our entrepreneur course, beautification projects like the street furniture, and general promotion of our downtown.
Join us as a volunteer or contributor. Contact (509) 962-6246 and get involved today. *Not an EDA event, but worth mentioning! 1877411
Difference Makers 23
Alexis Andrews and the ranching family By SAMIRA GEORGE staff writer
“I
t certainly is an old man’s game,” Alexis Andrews said. Andrews is 20-years-old and was honored this year as the Young Cattleman of the Year for Kittitas County, an award that means a lot to her. But with that award also comes a symbol that, for Andrews, there is still more hard work ahead. “In the name itself is Young Cattleman. I’m a part of the Cattlemen’s Association but I’m certainly a woman who is trying to do more for our industry and to be recognized is extremely empowering to me,” Andrews said. Andrews and six other women ranchers with a range of backgrounds shared experiences of what it is like to be a woman in the ranching industry during a round-table discussion at the Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering in February. Andrews serves as a county director for the Cattlemen’s Association and was a Washington state beef ambassador for several years, helping to promote beef in local communities. Andrews showed in 4-H for 10 years — she showed steers, bulls and heifers. During that time Andrews gained a true love for judging livestock. From there, she went on to go to school for two years for judging livestock and now helps coach the county and state-level teams to compete at Nationals. Andrews attributes her passion for ranching to her mother, Charlene Andrews. Originally from the West Side, Alexis’ mom decided to move the family to Ellensburg to get away from city life and be closer to the outdoors.
See Andrews, Page 26
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A woman on the rise
Difference Makers 25
ANDREWS Continued from Page 24 Alexis and her mom have extended their passions for ranch life by competing in ranch roping competitions together — a sport that combines day-to-day ranching techniques. “My mom is somebody who’s extremely important to me,” Alexis said. “She’s somebody who I’ve always looked up to, and we have our differences. But that’s probably because we’re so similar minded. We’re both strong-headed, and strong-willed, but she’s somebody who I strive to be like because she’s done so much for herself by herself.” Alexis said her family was more specifically into horses, but through the years they have built up a small cow herd. Alexis saved her money from showing in 4-H to buy her own cows. “Now we have a fairly decentsized cow herd, which is about the average cow herd sizes across America … about 60 head,” Alexis said. Alexis said she wants to further educate people on what the ranching industry embodies and believes that a lot of people, especially young individuals, stand to benefit the most from the opportunities the ranching industry offers. Alexis said that it can be difficult to be a young individual trying to make strides in an industry that is very set in its ways, but she is optimistic what the future holds. “I think that the small accomplishments that I make mean even more to me than other things that I’ve done in my life,” Alexis said.
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Jake Green / Daily Record
Alexis Andrews prepares her rope to capture a calf during the intermediate category of Spirit the West Ranch Roping competition in Bloom Pavillion on Feb. 17. The roping competition happened in conjunction with the Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering in Ellensburg.
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