June 2015 The Good Life

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Contents

page 8

unpacking for ride on a river of air

Features

7

hey, get outdoors!

But first, stop by Pybus to see all of the fun opportunities offered

10 Fish and Food

A local couple builds an aquaponics system to grow healthy vegetables all year-round

12 the young can learn from the old

The DON’T WAIT project interviews local seniors for their life experiences, then finds modern ways to share that wisdom with the young

15 Jacob’s travels

From rock climbing in New Zealand, to handing out Christmas candy in India to finding the rare red panda in Nepal, Jacob Hopkins had quite a trip

18 the fire ride

Biking through the Carlton Complex Fire area reveals widespread destruction — and the restorative powers of nature

20 Stage Kids

It takes high energy and passion to create a theater group for local youngsters, but that’s where the fun is

24 home at last

Twice moved and remodeled, The Farm House in East Wenatchee now rests on its charms

ART SKETCHES

n Magician Mel Babcock, page 32 n Irish Dance teacher Angela Schaub, page 36 Columns & Departments 22 Pet Tales: Mr. Jinx jumps on the stove 28 June Darling: How to deal with those %$#@* 29 Bonnie Orr: It’s the season for spinach 30 The traveling doctor: Amazing power of stem cells 32-38 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 35 The night sky: Jupiter and Venus meet up 39 History: Early fires burned through wooden towns 42 Alex Saliby: Drinking the vision of Warren Moyles June 2015 | The Good Life

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OPENING SHOT

®

Year 9, Number 6 June 2015 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 PHONE: (509) 888-6527 EMAIL: editor@ncwgoodlife.com

sales@ncwgoodlife.com ONLINE: www.ncwgoodlife.com FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/NCWGoodLife Editor/Publisher, Mike Cassidy Contributors, Tim McCord, Andy Dappen, Marlene and Kevin Farrell, Jessica Creel, Rachel DiLorenzo, Jacob Hopkins, Lisa Bradshaw, Travis Knoop, Donna Cassidy, Bonnie Orr, Alex Saliby, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin, Peter Lind and Rod Molzahn Advertising manager, Terry Smith Advertising sales, Lianne Taylor and Donna Cassidy Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth TO SUBSCRIBE: For $25, ($30 out of state address) you can have 12 issues of The Good Life mailed to you or a friend. Send payment to: The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 For circulation questions, email: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Hastings, Safeway stores, Walgreens, Mike’s Meats at Pybus, Rhubarb Market, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and A Book for All Seasons (Leavenworth)

beauty grows among the muck

By Tim McCord

I

was on top of Steven’s Pass on a side road and came across a pond with many of these Western Skunk Cabbage plants.

I have never seen so many at one place.

I was able to hop on a stump to get a close-up shot of these odd looking plants.

I love nature photography

because it makes me appreciate the area I live in. The changing weather and lighting makes it interesting and challenging to capture.

Also, it is rewarding to be able to share the beauty I was able to see.

Editor’s note: Wondering why such a pretty plant is called Skunk Cabbage? Here’s what Wikipedia has to say: “Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent but not harmful odor, the source of the plant’s common name; it is also

foul smelling when it blooms.

The plant is not poisonous to the touch. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies, stoneflies and bees. The odor in the leaves may also serve to discourage large animals from disturbing or damaging this plant which grows in soft wetland soils.”

On the cover

Kevin Farrell took this photo of Sam Bryant, who returned to paragliding after losing a hand in a snowblower accident. See Sam’s story beginning on page 8.

ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact advertising at (509) 8886527, or sales@ncwgoodlife.com WRITE FOR THE GOOD LIFE: We welcome articles about people from Chelan and Douglas counties.

Send your idea to Mike Cassidy at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

The Good Life® is a registered trademark of NCW Good Life, LLC. Copyright 2015

by NCW Good Life, LLC.

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June 2015

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editor’s notes

MIKE CASSIDY

Listening to family stories I grew up in an oral culture

where my folks told and re-told family stories going back to when they were kids.

(And retold and retold to the point where I swore when I had my own kids, I would never bore my offspring with such stories.)

My dad and grandparents told stories of family heroes — like my uncle who was the first college graduate. That wasn’t the story, though.

Uncle Joe had graduated in physics during the scariest part of the Cold War, and was waiting on a train platform in a little town in Texas in the pre-dawn where he expected to board a train for a job interview with the president of a small defense contractor doing top-secret work.

After the train whooshed past, a miffed Uncle Joe convinced the station master to give him the name of the president of the little railroad, called the sleeping president at home, and announced: “I’m a nuclear engineer, I need to be on that train.”

And so the president of the railroad ordered the train to back up 60 miles to pick up my uncle. Joe got the job.

My grandmother told a different kind of story involving her wayward brother, Price, who rather than doing farm work like his siblings, gravitated in his early 20s to drinking (during Prohibition), gambling and running with fast women. Even though he was a favorite child, he died young under mysterious circumstances.

Such stories embedded lifelong traits in me — such as having gumption and avoiding fast women — more than I would have admitted at the time.

My experience is not unique.

A biography of President Lyndon Johnson tells how although he grew up dirt poor in Texas and struggled in high school, family stories of a larger-than-life cowboy ancestor convinced young Lyndon his dire circumstances were just an aberration, that really, he was meant for a far larger stage.

I grew up in a generation that thought we were “It.” We knew more, we had the smarts and the vision, we were going to get life right. Those stories from old people — so not “now,” dude.

Another generation is coming along. And karma, or life or whatever is paying my generation back. Why listen to us when there’s a cell phone always in hand with instant access to any fact, sports score or celebrity gossip in the known world?

What the cell phone can’t provide — and what I missed all those years ago around the dinner table — is that family stories, honed and polished through the telling and retelling are about character and family wisdom, as seen through the passage of time.

Along this line, contributor Lisa Bradshaw has a fun — and poignant — story this month, writing about a project she and her friend, Melissa Knott, worked on with local seniors.

Lisa and Melissa wondered how to bridge the gap to allow the young to access the wisdom of their elders. They have created a project to do just that.

Check out her story on page 12.

Put down the cell phone. Pay attention and enjoy The Good Life.

— Mike June 2015 | The Good Life

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fun stuff a full LISTING of what to do begins ON PAGE 33

From the arcane to the plane N

o, that’s not a typo in the headline, it’s a reference to Aviation Day at Pangborn Airport this month, where you’ll have a look at and ride in magnificent flying machines.

Elsewhere this month, learn about really dangerous jobs, how to play an accordion and cars that go zoom in the night.

Folklorist Jens Lund —

Danish-American folklorist

When work was really work, manna from the skies and music from the country.

Jens Lund’s presentation, I Done What I Could, brings to life the dangers of traditional Pacific Northwest occupations such as loggers, miners and fishermen.

Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free, donations encouraged. Info:

wvmcc.org. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Friday, June 12.

Pangborn Airport Aviation Day — Pancake

breakfast, aircraft displays, airplane/helicopter rides, lunch on the ramp, free drawings and kids activities.

Win a $300 Alaska Air gift certificate, a helicopter ride courtesy of Flying M Air and introductory flight courtesy of Rantz Air. Pangborn Memorial Airport. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, June 13.

Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration —

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Celebrate accordion music from ethnic to jazz. Feature performances in the Festhalle, Grange and gazebo, competitions, workshops, jam sessions and free accordion lessons. Cost: free. Info: accordioncelebration. com. 9 a.m. – 11 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, June 18-21.

Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival — One of the longest

running Bluegrass festivals in Eastern Washington. Award winning national and regional bands. Events include Instrument Workshops featuring Taylor’s Camp for Kids, Slow Jam, Band Scramble, an entire weekend of family fun. Chelan County Expo Center (Fair-

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June 2015

grounds). Cost: $25 - $30. For detailed info and schedule: www.wenatcheeriverbluegrass. com. Friday through Sunday, 6/19-21.

Founders’ Day — Live music, local wines, refreshments.

Crunch Pak Grand parade is at 1 p.m. Cashmere Valley Bank Kids Zone 2:30-4 p.m. Wenatchee Wine Country Wine Garden 2:30-9:30 p.m. Doanes Valley Pharmacy Ping Pong Ball drop 4 p.m. Cashmere Riverside Park.

1 – 8 p.m., Saturday, June 27.

Eastside Pile-up Cruise-In Car Show — No entry fee.

Vendors, beer gardens, DJ, cash drawings. Awards and prizes in 5 car categories. Valley Mall Parkway. 5 – 9 p.m., Saturday, June 27.

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My world

GET OUT! But first, duck into Pybus to learn ways to explore Central Washington’s beauty

By Andy Dappen

What kind of nonsense is

this… use National Outdoors Day (June 13) to go indoors so you can learn about the outdoors?

The irony of this scheme is not lost on those of us who proselytize about the outdoors.

And yet if we want to convert the huddled masses who are not yet initiated to the church of the outdoors, then to the indoors we must go.

That’s why, during Everybody Out(doors) Day, our local outdoor clubs, groups, stores, nonprofits, agencies, and services will be indoors at the Pybus Public Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., informing local citizens about our bloom of outdoor opportunities.

We’ll be telling everyone milling around Pybus on Saturday, June 13, that the hills, mountains, rivers and trails of Central Washington make this area one of the country’s great outdoor places — which is nothing but the God’s honest truth.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon representatives from all different sectors of the outdoor world will be on call to help newcomers join our flock.

We’ll have many activities, quizzes, talks, mini-workshops, equipment drawings and more to engage visitors of all ages and dispositions.

You’ll be able to: n Talk to representatives from such groups as the Wenatchee Row and Paddle Club, El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club, Wenatchee

Velo, Arlberg Sports, Mission Ridge, WenatcheeOutdoors, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, Wenatchee Valley College, the Wenatchee Valley Museum, Chelan Who wouldn’t want to be outdoors experiencing such backyard beauty? Everybody County Search and Out(doors) Day (June 13 at Pybus) will introduce you to resources, places, people and Rescue, and the groups that will connect you with our regional outdoor bounty. Photo by Andy Dappen Leavenworth Mountain Association.

Survivor Challenge put on by to distract you, this is a surprisMost of these tables will have the Wenatchee Row and Paddle ingly peaceful stroll taking you associated activities — take a Club. This activity, taking place under big shade trees, exposing wildflower quiz, guess what’s in just outside of Pybus at the PUD you to a flurry of birdlife, and the pack of the well-prepared boat launch, will have hunletting you escape inside your day hiker, guess the lengths dreds of elementary school kids head awhile. (and take a map) of our different running a land-based obstacle You’ll return feeling like body, Foothills Trails, learn the best course and/or a water-based mind, and soul all got a shot of way to repair and best way to obstacle course. pick-me-up. prevent flat tires, check out the n Witness the launch of the Ultimately that’s why all of best products for blister preven- Everybody Out Campaign, a us connected with Everybody tion, learn the best exercises to year-long effort all of us in the Out(doors) Day are willing to keep you in trail shape… outdoor community are makdevote a Saturday indoors. n Receive information about ing to get everyone in the wider We know from personal upcoming outdoor events, community out at least once experience that the outdoors inoutings, classes, instructional hiking, biking, fishing, padvigorates us on many levels. We workshops and more. The event dling, camping, horseback ridknow outdoor activities create coincides with the start of suming, birding, or hunting. community among those of us mer vacation, so students and After sampling the outdoor sharing these interests. parents can use this as a onespectacle, take our advice and We know our time outdoors stop opportunity to learn about get outdoors on a loop of the enhances our lifestyle, our love summer camps and outdoor Loop. While making the circuit of this place, and our desire to classes. of this paved, riverfront trail, go protect the qualities that make n Enjoy 20- to 30-minute long slow and look out over the river the Wenatchee Valley a prized mini workshops taking place and hills. place to live. every half hour between 10 a.m.

What pulls on your heartIn other words, we know and 3 p.m. on the stage near the strings and which of the groups what’s packed inside the punch main entrance to the market. represented at Pybus connects of these outdoor activities, and Talks will vary from technique to those heartstrings? we want them to knock you over demonstrations, to gear mainAlternately, drive over to as well. tenance clinics, to first-aid tips, Andy Dappen is the creator and ediWalla Walla Point Park and capto tips on where to go, to gear off our event with an hour’s walk tor of the www.WenatcheeOutdoors. org website. He also serves with the comparisons. along the Loop and through the Wenatchee Valley Outdoor Alliance n Participate in or spectate Horan Natural Area.

(WVOA), the group that organizes the Youth on the Columbia Without traffic or technology this event.

June 2015 | The Good Life

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To fly on an invisible river of air

By Marlene Farrell

S

am Bryant, a Cashmere native, stands atop a tall grassy hill in Hay Canyon.

He and Denise Reed, his mentor and friend, have just driven up a steep rutted road that climbs 800 feet above a wide meadow. It’s a stunning view of cloud-scraping mountains with Cashmere and orchards nestled below.

Sam and Denise are here, not just to enjoy the view, but also to become part of it. They are paragliders, and this is their launch.

They spend long minutes reading the air. “It’s like understanding an invisible river,” said Denise. They look for clues in the windsock, the ruffled grass, dust devils in the distance, and a hawk circling overhead.

If the conditions are right, Sam lays out his gear. Out of his pack comes the blue, red and yellow wing, which is 30 feet long, and slender, made of ripstop nylon. It’s connected to his harness by a web of thin lines, fanning out from his controls to evenly spaced spots on the wing.

The wing itself is two ply, with ribs between the upper and lower surfaces and open and closed cells that inflate to an airfoil crescent.

The preparations and safety checks over, Sam takes a few backward steps to inflate the wing and get it off the ground, and then he turns toward the launch and takes a few more steady steps, down a slight

grade. His motion, combined with the wind and the launch grade are enough to pull him skyward for a flight of a few minutes or a few hours. # Sam had his first taste of paragliding 20 years ago when he took a three-day introduction course with Aerial Paragliding at Hay Canyon Ranch.

The lesson starts with a discussion of equipment and safety protocols. Sam said, “The Ranch’s safety record is impeccable. For every single flight, you go through the checklist with your instructor.

“But also on that first day they will get you off the ground.

They’ll run behind you, controlling your lines for you. Your feet will come off the ground about three feet, and you’ll fly 100 feet.

“Next they take you to a bench above the first hill. This time you’re 30-40 feet off the ground and travel for 1,000 feet. Then, once you’re ready, you’ll go to Don’s Launch, the big hill. You get a few hundred feet off the ground and the flight lasts for eight minutes. You have time to look around and relax. You will know then if this is the sport for you.”

After his introductory lessons, life got hectic, so Sam put paragliding on hold.

He has always found outlets for adventure, however. He can be found, depending on the season, skiing the slopes of Mission Ridge, fishing local lakes and rivers, or scuba diving, some-

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times in the tropical waters off Honduras.

In 2001 Sam suffered the loss of his left hand in a snow blowing accident that also led to his retirement as a steamfitter.

There were new challenges.

Sam said, “It’s a steep learning curve, but over time you figure out how to do things you didn’t think you could have done.” He might not be able to tie shoes tightly, but he’s come up with innovative ways to pursue his passions. “I retested on my motorcycle and didn’t even have to modify it.”

A decade later, in 2011, Sam found himself hanging around the house a lot. “My wife, Roxanne, told me to go find some-

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June 2015

thing to do. The very next day I said, ‘I’m starting paragliding.’

She said, ‘It’s about time.’”

Doug Stroup and Denise Reed, the current and internationally respected owners of Aerial Paragliding, didn’t hesitate to start Sam on a training progression, which had to be unique given his handicap.

Normally, a pilot controls the wing with a Kevlar line held in each hand. After a few prototypes, Sam now uses a wrist guard that Doug designed. The line is fed through a buckle, enabling Sam’s left arm to finesse the line as well as his right hand. # The paragliding season starts as soon as there are clear dry

One of the many amazing views for a paragliding pilot. Here, Sam flies above Roldanillo, Colombia, where he traveled with paragliding friends.

Sam Bryant practices kiting, or ground manoeuvres, on a Cashmere soccer field. Photo by Kevin Farrell

roads, which was several weeks early this year, in early April.

The Ranch’s 2,200 acres are situated to take advantage of anabatic flow, which are thermal-driven winds that channel up the canyons in a predictable way.

It’s the midday heat, especially in the summer months, that serves as the breeding ground for thermals. That’s when Sam goes to The Ranch almost daily to fly or help with lessons.

Sam and the other pilots, like their avian counterparts, seek out the thermals to pull them

high in the sky where they can coast, and spiral and slowly descend. But where thermals go up, there are also pockets of air moving down, and paragliders learn, through experience, how to avoid “falling out” of the thermal.

“You become a good micrometeorologist if you’ve been paragliding for awhile. Before you fly, you check the computer models for things like barometric pressure changes and thunderstorm likelihood.”

For the miracle of flight, it’s a relatively inexpensive sport.

For all his lessons, two different wings, two harnesses, and all the necessary computer gadgetry, Sam has invested about $7,500, which is less than more mainstream sports like horseback riding or road bike racing.

And it’s a simpler sport than hang gliding, with its large rigid frame and wing. Sam said, “I can be ready to fly in less than five minutes. And all my gear fits into a 45 pound pack.”

Sam has tested and passed his P3, which designates him an intermediate through the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.

Looking for the next chalJune 2015 | The Good Life

lenge, he has competed three times, with his fourth, the “Rat Race” at Woodrat Mountain in Oregon, this June. A competition is no small affair. Each one lasts seven days, with each day having a “race to goal.”

Last year, unbeknownst to most locals, Chelan hosted the U.S. Nationals. The buttes above town offer powerful thermals that are for experienced pilots only.

A race, like at Chelan, will launch near a house thermal, which is fairly predictable.

“There were 120 pilots in the sky on the same thermal, both those in the competitor class and those in the sport class,” said Sam, who competes in the sport class. Over the week, competitors collect points based on who flew to each waypoint and on to the finish in the fastest times.

Propped on his chest will be Sam’s flight computer, which gives him the waypoints and also reads his current location and elevation. “You have to be within an imaginary cylinder of each waypoint before heading to the next one. When you get close enough, the computer makes a ‘happy noise.’” Competitors fly point-to-point as best www.ncwgoodlife.com

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they can, but the day’s distance is still significant; the pilots will be aloft for two to seven hours.

Roxanne comes along to the events to watch Sam take off.

She said, “As I watch, I’m thinking, ‘Turn, turn’ and ‘Core, core.’” Though her words go unheard, Sam heeds them and turns, or spirals, upward, looking for the core of the thermal.

Roxanne said, “It never makes me nervous. I know he’s cautious.”

In a sport of real risks and huge rewards, Sam said the hardest part is mental. “Ego can get in the way. After you’ve climbed a big hill with your pack, it can be the hardest thing to repack and hike back down (if the wind isn’t right). But you have to err on the side of caution.”

The exhilaration of flight is hard to put into words.

“When I catch a thermal — I don’t know how to describe it.

Even the veterans can’t describe it. But the first time I did a cross-country flight from Cashmere to Leavenworth, and I touched down, the rush was so great that I couldn’t call Roxanne. I couldn’t even remember my wife’s phone number.

Fish & Food Aquaponics system allows couple to grow vegetables in a safe medium all year-round

Cassidy and Joey Aguilar grow their own vegetables indoors by recycling water from a fish tank into a growing medium, where the plants extract nutriments from the water before the water is returned to the fish tank.

By Jessica Creel

J

oey Aguilar, a financial banker, and his wife, Cassidy, a dental hygienist, have made a practice of being mindful of what they put into their bodies as well as researching innovative new ideas.

For many years they have grown a garden outside their East Wenatchee home, along with having fruit trees.

This last year, however, they researched aquaponics and realized they could create this system in their home.

“We were looking at aquaponics or some sort of alternative to gardening outside after learning the soil may have high levels of lead and other heavy metals and chemicals built up over the years; it wasn’t long before we were harvesting beautiful salad greens with our very own indoor aquaponics garden,” said

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Cassidy.

In fact, when I met with Cassidy and Joey at their East Wenatchee home to learn about aquaponics, they made a salad plate for me to try and yum, proof was in the salad.

They grow rainbow Swiss chard, green Swiss chard, several different types of kale, green bell peppers, beets and they just started growing cilantro.

Aquaponics is a growing system that combines wastewater

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June 2015

from aquatic animals (such as fish) to grow food in a waterbased, dirt-less environment.

Using tanks, tubes and pumps, the contained system circulates the dirty fish water into a clay or rock-lined planting bed. Plants in the growing medium clean the water and gather nutrients for growth before the water is circulated back into the fish tank.

Aquaponics taps the natural synergy between fish, water and

leaves off, by the end of the next week there are new leaves already grown for another meal.

In aquaponics, there is no soil, weeds, soil pests or pathogens.

That means there is no labor involved for tilling, cultivating, fertilizing, composting, shredding, irrigating… you get the idea.

The seeding and planting and most of the harvesting can be done just standing at waist level.

Aquaponics does require a grow light, which uses electricity or an alternate energy system.

Cassidy said one benefit she appreciates is the reduced driving to the store for vegetables plus, “we know we are eating good healthy vegetables.”

Fresh, healthy & frugal Joey’s and Cassidy’s system now produces both fish and organic vegetables, in a dynamic, natural 100 percent chemical-free eco-system — at a cost lower than the grocery store. plants. Building the system was a process; Joey first wrote out a plan and engineered the whole thing from random supplies he pieced together, both from local businesses and by ordering components online.

Most people grow in plastic totes but Joey wanted to avoid plastic, so he fabricated stainless steel grow beds and piping.

Arriving at a balanced system “was a journey because to get all the nitrogen, nitrates, phosphorus and the PH and ammonia levels in the water to where we needed them is important for the health of the system” said Joey.

“One problem we had was the first goldfish batch had some sort of goldfish disease and they died. We needed the fish to be healthy and growing so they could fertilize the plants. We finally ordered baby Tilapia from the Great Lakes,” said Cassidy.

“A box arrived with a bag full of tiny, little Tilapia in the mail; you can have anything shipped

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anymore it seems. The Tilapia did great and began to grow and mature, as they grew healthy so did the plants” said Cassidy.

Once an aquaponics system is up and running the main input required is fish food, which they have on a fish feeding timer to make things even smoother.

Joey’s and Cassidy’s system now produces both fish and organic vegetables, in a dynamic, natural 100 percent chemicalfree eco-system. They figure vegetables cost much less than what they were paying at the store, plus running the system has entertainment value.

Aquaponics uses only a fraction of the water used in conventional gardening not to mention it is an indoor system so growers can produce vegetables through the winter.

Aquaponics grows plants more rapidly and provides a more substantial crop for the amount of space being used without ever depleting the nutrients.

If they cut a half a dozen kale June 2015 | The Good Life

HealthAllianceMedicare.org

Turning 65 or new to the area?

Come to a FREE Health Alliance Medicare Seminar We’ll walk you through our Medicare Advantage plans in person. Learn how we can save you money and provide one easy-to-use package for your medical, prescription drug, dental and vision care needs.

Thursday, June 11, 11 a.m. Senior Insurance Services 1312 Maple St., Wenatchee Thursday, July 9, 11 a.m.

Call us today to reserve your spot.

1-877-561-1463 or TTY 711, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays.

A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-561-1463.

Health Alliance Medicare is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health Alliance Medicare depends on contract renewal.

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11

What the

young

can learn from their

elders

By Lisa Bradshaw One of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced since founding The DON’T WAIT Project four years ago is working with board member Melissa Knott on her idea for a project archiving the stories of senior citizens in our community.

It started off with several meetings to determine how we could go about gathering interviews with various community members, then we held a dinner at Highgate Senior Living and invited 12 residents to share a meal and conversation with us.

We simply put a microphone on the center of the table and recorded as we asked questions in awe of what they shared.

We heard stories of driving at the age of 11, working for NASA in the 1970s, watching siblings being born at home, and losing loved ones along the way.

One man named Bob Hall presented us with his journal — he’d written in it regularly since the day of his retirement in 1991.

He just trustingly handed it over

Married 68 years, Rose Reynoldson still believes her husband, Elmer, is “smashing.”

to me.

“I don’t think I can take this home with me. I wouldn’t want to be responsible if anything should happen to it,” I politely declined. “But I would love to come back to read it with you and hear more about your story.”

Melissa scheduled a time for us to visit with Bob to commence a few weeks later. We couldn’t wait to dive into every page and hear about him and his wife’s travels and children and what he had learned about the world during his 80-plus years on the planet.

“I have bad news,” Melissa said when calling me the day before we were supposed to meet with

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Bob. “Bob isn’t doing well. We’ve had to call in Hospice.”

Bob insisted we stop by to get copies of some of his journal entries, despite how horrible he was feeling that day. We honored his request and made a few copies, but it just didn’t feel right. His typed pages, although neatly organized and wonderfully written, were incomplete without his interpretation of them.

Bob died six days later.

The loss of Bob created an urgency and a DON’T WAIT mentality for us to gather more stories before they are gone.

“I created the History Project because I realized we are los-

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June 2015

ing so many amazing stories and experiences that can help influence the next generation,” Melissa explains.

Over the course of several weeks, Melissa and I organized multiple interviews and enlisted the help of local high school students to help film and conduct the interviews with us. We had hoped by involving our community’s youth, we could bridge the generational gap and use social media to tell of our progress.

Our first interview took place at Highgate Senior Living with 86-year-old resident Rose Reynoldson. Rose has been married to Elmer for 68 years and throughout our interview she

“I hope none of you — no one in this country — has to experience what we went through. Ever.” spoke fondly of him.

“What is your favorite word?”

I asked her at the end of our interview.

“Smashing,” she answered after pondering her answer for a moment.

Within minutes, her husband joined us for a walk through the hallway. Before saying goodbye, the two of them posed for a picture and laid a big kiss on each other as Rose swung her arm around his shoulder.

“He’s smashing!” Rose exclaimed, as the two of them walked out of sight and back to their cozy apartment inside the complex.

Our later interview with Fumiko Ishida was compelling and eye-opening to the suffering the Japanese endured during World War II. The students were listening intently as Fumiko spoke softly and with much trepidation.

“We don’t even like to think about... uh... camp. We call it ‘camp.’ Actually, it was prison,” Fumiko explained as she looked each of us in the eye one at a time. “I hope none of you — no one in this country — has to ex-

Bob Reilly shares his scrapbook of photos and newspaper clippings from his time serving in the United States Army. Bob’s unexpected death created an urgency to collecting stories from the elderly.

perience what we went through.

Ever.”

Fumiko was born a United States citizen and was just a teenager when she and her family were forced into a Japanese internment camp during the war. Fumiko wouldn’t discuss the details of her experiences at “camp,” saying it was too painful for her.

The room fell silent as she spoke about her loving and educated parents — her father was a dentist — and the dreams they had had for her and her sisters to attend college, but those dreams were replaced with worry and uncertainty until they all

eventually returned home.

We also visited Wenatchee’s Senior Center where we asked questions about personal history, people of major influence, advice for young people today and one of our favorite questions: what have you learned is most important of these three things: love, fortitude or forgiveness?

“I think love is most important,” Wes Crossley answered.

“Because if you have love, you don’t have to forgive.”

Madeline Hemmann, who we interviewed at her home in Quincy, was by far the most active and vibrant woman most

Madeline Hemmann was given the key to the airplane after she completed her first solo flight at the Orange County Airport in 1969.

of us had ever met. Despite being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 21, now in her 70s, she has remained active her entire life.

“Want to go skydiving with me?” she teased the students at the end of our interview.

“Sure!” one of them shouted.

“I’ll go.”

We spent the last 20 minutes of our interview chasing Madeline with two cameras as she ran her dogs around Colockum Ridge Golf Course where she lives. We could barely keep up with her.

“After sharing this experience

}}} Continued on next page

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Learning from the elders }}} Continued from previous page with volunteering students, we hope we helped teach them to respect our elders and consider playing a vital role in their aging process,” Melissa said.

“By understanding our history, we can hope to avoid some of the atrocities people like Fumiko endured, teaching the next generation empathy and respect.

We can also shed light on the beauty of lasting love and illustrate a clear picture of it, as we did with Rose and her husband.”

I founded The DON’T WAIT Project seven years after the death of my husband because I wanted people to think about what’s important and stop putting off what matters.

Loss and life have taught me that too many of us waste time living far outside what we had hoped for our lives and the impact we want to have on those around us.

Archiving the histories of these fantastic human beings and involving community youth in the process has been a dream come true.

From the mouths of seniors...

We asked seniors we met

at Wenatchee’s Senior Center the same seven questions and were intrigued by their varying answers.

Here are a few of their memorable responses: What do you miss most about your youth?

Boy that’s a hard question...

Energy, muscle mass — you just can’t do things as well without them. — Dr. Carl Kjobech The chance to get out in the world. — Donna Hinderman What have you enjoyed most about growing older?

None of it. — Frank Lafayette Leisure time — away from the rat race. — Clancy Erwert What about your personal history impacted you most?

My life as deputy sheriff for 23 years. — Don Danner I owe my shared experience to Melissa’s heartfelt desire to capture these stories and the many people who willingly shared

I got to umpire pro baseball.

— Wes Crossley Who had the greatest influence in your life?

The counselor I had at the University of Washington when I was searching for a major said, “Why don’t you go into medicine?” So that worked out okay.

— Dr. Carl Kjobech My dad. He wanted me to be a ballplayer because that was what he liked when he was younger. And he just backed me in everything along the way. — Wes Crossley What advice do you have for young people today?

Get an education. You’re going to need it. — Frank Lafayette Find something you like to do (for a living). You kinda feel when you’re growing up that things are being laid out in front them with us.

The DON’T WAIT History Project is on display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center

of you, rather than you running the show, but there are some decisions (you can make) about finding something you really like that will make a difference. — Dr. Carl Kjobech What do you want your grandkids to remember most about you?

My sense of humor. — Sara Lippert That I loved them. — Donna Hinderman and Bob Eller What have you learned is most important of these three things: love, fortitude or forgiveness?

Love... because of my wife.

I miss her, but I will never quit going to see her. — Bob Eller I would say love. If you have love, you don’t have to forgive.

— Wes Crossley

through June 5 before moving to various locations throughout the community. For more information, visit www.dontwaitproject.org.

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June 2015

OPEN

Menu in Phone Books! Tues. to Sun.!

Jacob Hopkins gives street children in Hampi, India, candy on Christmas Day.

Jacob’s travels

From the sheep meadows of new zealand to the bouldering capital of the world in india to trekking into remote villages of nepal rivers, mountain biked, etc…

Of recent, I began learning new skills in bouldering and rock climbing. So when the opportunity to travel to New Zealand to do the backpacking/rock/climbing school came, I jumped at it.

New Zealand is made up of two large Islands. The YWAM school is on the south island near the town of Christchurch. Students studied hard on the weekdays and then played hard on the weekends. Nearly every weekend we climbed and hiked a new place.

One of my favorites was Queenstown near The Remarkables mountain range. A huge adrenaline hits when hanging down the inverted ledge overlooking the turquoise lakes.

In the nearby fields, bah! bah! and the sound of bells jingling was all I could hear … which sent me tearing off toward the sheep.

By Jacob Hopkins

Having just finished up three months

of biblical studies and adventures in New Zealand, I pondered what traveling adventures lay before me. It was mid-December and the team’s schedule had our team going to Hampi, India for seven weeks and then to Kathmandu, Nepal for three more weeks to culminate our travels.

I have to admit, traveling to New Zealand to do a YWAM (Youth with a mission) backpacking/rock climbing school was an amazing dream come true for this 18-year-old boy.

Having grown up in beautiful Leavenworth, I had developed a love for the outdoors. Surrounded by stunning snowcapped mountains and glacier fed rivers, my two brothers, sister and parents hiked high A pair of red pandas in Nepal are as curious about mountain lakes, fished for salmon in the Jacob and fellow trekkers as the hikers were about the rare animals.

Icicle River, hunted the highlands, floated June 2015 | The Good Life

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Jacob’s travels

To help Nepal after the quake Two weeks after I arrived

}}} Continued from previous page New Zealand has lots of sheep and I was bound and determined to catch one of those fuzzy creatures.

We learned later that you are likely going to have a milk bottle broken over your head or a shotgun pointed your way chasing sheep. The farmers aren’t so keen on people stressing out their livelihood. Good thing I didn’t catch one.

After three months in Christchurch, we flew into the bouldering mecca of the world, Hampi. It is known for its crazy amount of rocks and boulders as well as sensation historical ancient ruins. This bouldering paradise is a village located in northern Karnataka.

Our mission in Hampi was to work with tourists and to run a coffee and tea shop. Tea is big in India. By night, all nine members of our team slept on the coffee shop floor and during the day we learned to make a mean tea.

While sharing life at the shop or on a daily rock climb, we would run into rock climbing tourists. These encounters would often lead to some great conversations about life and sharing our skills on a climb on one of the countless boulders in the area.

A highlight of our trip in India was to hang out with India’s most famous rock climber, Jyothi Raj. There were TV cameras and crowds all around this celebrity, but he took the time to talk with us and give us pointers on climbing. He’s known for his special style of spinning around in a 360-degree fashion as he climbs. (His nickname is The Monkey King.)

Another highlight happened as our team put on Santa hats at Christmas time.

A local church had donated

After climbing with the famous Indian rock climber known as The Monkey King, Jacob relaxes by helping another friendly monkey.

$40 to purchase candy for the local children — that’s a ton of candy in India.

We celebrated Christmas by walking through the city and back streets offering the delicious treats — and we were mobbed by the excited children.

It was such a blast to see the joy in their faces.

Next it was on to Kathmandu in Nepal — so clean compared to the southern part of India where we had lived for the past seven weeks.

Our group had traveled to Nepal to partner with the Five14 organization to help the people of Nepal. With most families in rural Nepal living on less than $1 a day, Nepal is the second poorest nation in Asia. Poverty, lack of education, and despair put these people at incredible risk for exploitation.

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One of those great injustices is sex trafficking in the city and local villages.

Our objective was to improve opportunities for tourism in the small Nepal villages so that those local families would not be forced to sell off their daughters to provide income to survive.

We began with a 14-day trek into Nepal’s Langtang National Park. Our group of nine from YWAM — seven were males and two brave females from Canada, New Zealand and the U.S. — were lead by two local guides up the mountains through the Gosaikunda pass.

We traveled to elevations of 15,000 feet and went from village to village.

Each village had a series of guesthouses or rooms locals would rent out to foreigners who came through their village.

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June 2015

home, an earthquake of a magnitude 7.8 hit Kathmandu and the surrounding villages where we stayed, killing more than 8,000 people.

My heart is heavy with grief as the news of the destruction comes in.

Most of the buildings were destroyed and over 100 people from a small village I had stayed in were killed. All of the houses were built of rock, mud and mortar.

Families that housed us and the children we played with are gone.

One of our guides for the two weeks we spent trekking lives just down the valley from Gosaikunda pass. We still do not know if he and his family are OK. Needless to say Nepal needs help and prayers.

To donate to Nepal Disaster Relief, visit: https://www. ywamsf.org/respondtonepal/ They are currently helping in Kathmandu and are making their way north towards Gosaikunda pass and its surrounding villages.

— Jacob Hopkins They would provide a thin mattress to sleep on and serve us a delicious food called “dal bhat.” It was a mixture of rice, lentels and curry.

We had three objectives: Find a new pass through the mountains so that tourists could more easily access the villages and nearby mountains; raise money for a local villager to start up a new tea house to provide essential income, and thirdly and most importantly, we went looking for the Red Panda. It is believed there are only 10,000 of these cute looking creatures in the world.

Climbing — or maybe dangling — at The Remarkables mountains, on an inverted ledge overlooking the turquoise lakes near Queenstown, New Zealand.

We ventured on some trails where no foreigners had tread before.

To our great surprise we located a group of Red pandas in a patch of bamboo trees. This discovery is a great opportunity for the locals to advertise and bring nature seekers looking for a chance to see this incredibly rare animal.

Being part of enabling the villagers to earn a better income was very satisfying. We got to know some of those families and children in the villages and developed friendships with them.

I could not imagine any of those sweet children being used in sex trafficking.

After Nepal we traveled back to New Zealand for our final two weeks of studies and to readjust to first-world culture.

I experienced many different cultures during my travels. We Americans often think our way (our culture) is the only and right way of doing things. But as I experienced how others live, I began to realize that their ways aren’t wrong, they are just different.

June 2015 | The Good Life

The most valuable lesson I learned is that it’s not the places you go that are the most important objectives. Instead, it is the people who are with you and who you meet along the way that makes traveling special.

I will forever remember the little girls’ faces in the villages

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in the Himalaya mountains far more than the buildings or mountains we visited or climbed.

For more information about New Zealand YWAM or the Five 14 organizations, visit www.ywamoxford.org and http://five14.biz

A truck that was overtaken by the Carlton Complex Fire.

North Star Bike Loop

The fury of fire ride

By Andy Dappen

Forget a woman scorned.

Hell really hath no fury like a forest burning where a century of fire exclusion has created an overload of fuel that, compounded by climate change, is ready to burn at extremely high intensity.

Over 250,000 acres in Okanogan County re-discovered the fury of fire during the summer of 2014 when a patchwork of

four smaller burns caused by lightning strikes merged into what became the Carlton Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in Washington State’s recorded history.

Besides huge tracts of forest and shrub-steppe lands taking to flame, the fire destroyed around 300 homes (mainly around the towns of Pateros and Malott), killed about 1,000 cattle, burned nearly 500 miles of fences, damaged orchards and

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fruit crops, torched hayfields, and consumed the structures and machinery of farms.

This loop ride (best suited to cross-bikes and cross-country mountain bikes) exposes you to a sliver of the fury that raged over the Okanogan landscape during July of 2014.

You’ll pass homes, farms, structures, fences, machinery, range lands and forests that burned. On the environmental side you’ll see how quickly green

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June 2015

is returning, especially to the shrub-steppe; while on the other hand, large tracts of severely burned forest remain expanses of charcoal.

On the human side you’ll see homesteads where the inhabitants have thrown in the towel and vacated, and other farms where new construction rises from the surrounding ashes.

Parts of this ride, where new greenery springs from blackened earth, are scenically beautiful.

As you pedal this loop it’s hard not to think about fire’s role in the dry lands of the American West.

Other parts, where mountainsides of trees were completely decimated, will more slowly develop their own beauty with flowers and scattered conifer saplings among the silver snags.

The entire ride, however, lets you use pedaling time to learn and muse.

You’ll see places where fire swept through and caused relatively little damage. Why? Some combination of gentle topography, favorable winds, higher humidity, lower-fuel load, fireresistant vegetation and good luck.

You’ll also see places where high-intensity fire annihilated most everything. Why? Some combination of steeper topography, stronger winds, lower humidity, higher fuel load, less resistant vegetation and bad luck.

All of this is both instructive and thought provoking. As you pedal this loop it’s hard not to think about fire’s role in the dry lands of the American West.

This was neither well understood nor well managed over the past century.

Fire is a natural force that, despite our efforts to contain it, will occasionally sweep across the landscape. The question for the century ahead might be posed as: How do we want our smoke delivered and our forests burned? Can we live with, relatively frequent fires that are more manageable and have more tolerable effects?

Or do we want to keep playing the suppression game that’s heaven at the start but allows all hell to break out when fire eventually jumps its chains?

Unfortunately many stands of trees burned too hot and were completely destroyed.

Details, Details

North Star Loop Ride

Activity. Bike ride with either a cyclo-cross bike or a mountain bike.

Skill: 1+ (advanced beginner).

Fitness: 2 (intermediate) Length: 30.3 miles. Elevation Gain: 2,000 vertical fee Access. Drive Old Highway 97 south of Malott about 1.5 miles and park at the intersection of the Chiliwist Road (milepost 12.5). There is a small pullout and interpretive sign immediately after turning onto the Chiliwist Road (no permit required).

Trip instructions — long loop (30.3 miles): Ride Old Highway 97 south for 9.5 miles and turn right on North Star Road (at milepost 3). This is the busiest leg of the ride. The shoulder along Highway 97 is decent but not fabulous so plan this portion of the ride during a non-peak part of the working day when traffic will be light.

Follow North Star Road for 15.4 miles to a Y intersection with the Chiliwist Road. The North Star Road turns to gravel June 2015 | The Good Life

In some areas, the ground that was black in late summer of 2014 has greened quickly, as seen here in this photo at left taken this April.

after 5.6 miles. Along this leg of the ride, notice the Valley Road on your right after 1.5 miles (you can use this for the short loop described below). After following the North Star Road for 11.2 miles, pass the Davis Canyon Road on your right. At 14.3 miles the road hits a Y and the North Star Road is the right fork.

Mile 15.4 brings you to yet another intersection. Turn right onto the Chiliwist Road. From here it is 5.4 miles (mainly downhill) back to the start.

The last 2 miles is on pavement again.

Trip instructions — short loop (12.8 miles) Drive Old Highway to North Star Road and then drive North www.ncwgoodlife.com

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Star Road 1.8 miles until Pioneer Drive comes in on your left. Park here on Pioneer Drive (there is a wide pullout on the west side of the road (no permits required).

Ride North Star Road another 6.4 miles (mainly uphill) until Valley Road comes in on your right.

Turn right onto Valley Road and follow this (mainly downhill) about 6.1 miles until it hits North Star Road.

Turn right and follow North Star Road 0.3 miles back to the car.

Hazards. The long loop is subject to more traffic hazard along the leg following Old Highway 97.

This story first appeared on the www.

WenatcheeOutdoors.org website. For a topographic map and more details about how to complete this route, see http://www.justgetout.net/ Wenatchee/post/North-Star-BikeLoop---The-Fury-of-Fire-Ride

STAGE KIDS where putting on the show is more than half of the fun

By Rachel DiLorenzo

S

ome define success as achieving specific goals. Others view it as simply the contentment resulting from challenges met.

But the truly resourceful among us don’t waste time wondering. Instead of merely selecting among available roles, they follow a dream fueled by relentless enthusiasm.

A case in point: Michelle McCormick, proud owner/director/ producer of Wenatchee Stage Kids.

This new children’s community theater offers theatrical training, along with the opportunity to participate in performances and summer camps. Stage Kids strives to provide a quality theater experience for children and their families.

“Process is just as important as performance,” Michelle explains, “Our goal is to emphasize the life skills of teamwork and responsibility, while growing confidence in kids.”

In just under a year, Stage Kids has performed Annie, Jr., and is hard at work on The Wizard of Oz. The latter will be presented May 26-June 6.

Michelle gives credit to her devoted crew of helpers. Every performer has at least one parent volunteer, averaging 35 per show. A few additional teen volunteers, along with five paid staff round out the crew. Additional staff help with the summer camp.

Four young actors singing in Wenatchee Stage Kids’ first show, Annie, Jr., are Tyler Kunz, Chloe Forsyth, Gabby Archerelle and Ella Crawford.

“Kids make me laugh. They are real. They are like little sponges.”

This is one professional who doesn’t take her job too seriously. “Kids make me laugh,” she confesses, “They are real. They are like little sponges.”

A few of the challenges in children’s theater? “Funding is a big challenge. Frequently, families request financial assistance; but as a young organization, we can’t afford a scholarship fund.

As a non-profit, we’ll be seeking corporate and community partners. My dream is that every child who wants to experience musical theater can.”

On another note, she adds, “Casting a production is always a challenge because you wish everyone could be Dorothy or Annie, but often there are little

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disappointed hearts. Luckily, parents help their children navigate the emotions and disappointment.”

Regarding favorite aspects of her job, Michelle loves “seeing kids try something new, surprise themselves and gain confidence.” She also enjoys “hearing from parents the important role Stage Kids has played in their child’s development in public presence, responsibility and social skills.”

Michelle considers herself an entrepreneur at heart.

Her diverse experience includes a childhood business selling handmade Christmas cards

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June 2015

Wenatchee Stage Kids founder Michelle McCormick, right, and Lana Bromiley, who is stage manager and choreographer.

door-to-door, to later stints managing a scrapbooking business, a non-profit coffee house and a youth theater.

Prior to starting Stage Kids, Michelle spent almost six years as theater director for a San Francisco Bay area school district. Never short on energy, she directed up to five shows per year.

“Parents often asked me, ‘Where do we go for more?’”

Michelle recalls, “So, I began to consider the possibilities. In a city of one million, there were no youth theater programs that prioritized the training over per-

forming. So, I considered starting a theater school where the kids rotated through the three disciplines: acting, dance, and voice training.”

A learning curve ensued: “Although I was already an entrepreneur, I found it intimidating establishing a business in the Bay area.”

Ever resourceful, Michelle contacted the largest youth theater organization in the U.K. Their CEO suggested she purchase a franchise.

“But then my family convinced me to pursue my plans independently.” Along the way, she was glad to discover many kind, supportive people offering their help. “I didn’t set out to have a business,” she explains, “What I really wanted was to fill a need for families seeking a yearround theater op for their child.”

Stage Kids’ director has spent decades preparing for her job.

Besides childhood piano lessons, Michelle was also active in community theater. Her first acting role was playing Ebeneezer Scrooge. She later served as costumer for high school performances. During college, she kept busy with drama classes and more costuming.

While living in Mesa, Arizona, the earlier work began to pay off.

Michelle had spent several years directing teen productions at her church, when the elementary school principal asked her to direct their annual show. “That’s when my love for directing kids was discovered,” she recalls, adding proudly, “I’ve now directed almost 40 productions.”

Besides her pianist mother, actor father and singer sister there were two other sources of inspiration.

Michelle explains, “I learned a lot in the brief moment I met Hillary Clinton. She strongly gripped my hand, looked directly in my eyes, and expressed her appreciation. It left a strong impression on me.

“Then there is Mark Thompson, parent of one of my Cali-

stage kids Showtimes Stage Kids presents The

Wizard of Oz in two matinees and four evening shows Fridays and Saturdays, May 29-30 and June 5-6 at the Riverside Playhouse, 233 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee.

Show times are 2 p.m. for the matinees on both Saturdays and 7 p.m. for the evening shows.

Tickets are $10 and $12 at seatyourself.biz/stagekidswa.

fornia Stage Kids. He’s a New York Times best-selling author.

Although he travels the world doing speaking engagements, he is still supportive of me.”

Many empty nesters readily embrace a child-free lifestyle.

However, Michelle and her husband, Chris, continue mentoring and guiding youth. While his wife keeps busy with her young performers, Chris is Family Pastor at Wenatchee Free Methodist Church. After relocating here (from San Jose) in 2013 for Chris’ job, the couple is delighted to call Wenatchee home.

She goes on, “I feel like I’ve been given a gift by moving to Wenatchee,” said Michelle. “It’s a community that loves theater arts, but had no year-round program. It was ready for Stage Kids.”

When asked how many hours she works, she laughs, “That depends on who you ask. I would say a 40-hour work week, but my husband would say that I can’t turn it off. I love what I do, and it gets intermingled with the rest of my life. I pick up costumes on the way to the grocery store, get copies made on the way to the post office..” she trails off.

Michelle admits, “I work hard.

I’m often told that if I worked this many hours in another job, I could make a lot of money. But I have a life full of passion, purpose and joy. What more could I want?”

June 2015 | The Good Life

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PET tales

Tells us a story about your pet. Submit pet & owner pictures to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com

Mr. Jinx is far

Silkie’s story: This tiny, older terrier was found along a highway in Wenatchee. When the

man who found her picked her up, she curled into his arms and did not want to be let go.

He drove her to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society but no one came forward to claim her.

Silkie needed surgery, which WVHS paid for, and volunteers took care of her.

She still had her drain tube in her stomach when WVHS took her to Puyallup on Sunday, May 17, for a special adoption event at a Petsmart store.

Tom and Laura McKee of Gig Harbor had been following Silkie’s story on WVHS’s social media, and were at the event even before it opened waiting to adopt her, which they did.

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more inquisitive and sensitive than any cat I ever shared a house with. He is claw happy and a sidekick in love with any human food that comes from a can.

Chili is his favorite.

You can pet him with your right hand, but left hands are prey and end up bit and bleeding.

He is picky how he wants to be loved.

If I sleep, he sleeps.

If I work outside, he hunts. If I bring home groceries, he leaps to the counters and stove top to investigate. But when I cook, he meows and knows the stove is hot. He checks out every can I open — cat food or not.

Today poor Jinx made a bad mistake and jumped on the stove while we were cooking steak. Thank God he is quick enough to scramble from the burner where we just boiled eggs!

He didn’t scream so I know he is all right, but still it’s hard for Dad to take. I’m so glad he has my traits as a Leo like most you meet… potholer pads on all our feet.

— Mark Neher

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June 2015

NEW HOME of the Month H & H Construction NW 309 N. Stoneridge Drive East Wenatchee

H&H Construction NW, LLC has been building custom and spec homes in the valley for many years.

Our newest is this 4,200-sq.-ft. spec home with a view. It was refreshing to enjoy the process and feel the passion of creating a beautiful piece of art.

Travis Hofstetter knows the importance of the structure in a home, as he started in the construction business with framing and to this day will put on

carpenter’s bags and frame. He makes sure the layout is right so it won’t cost unnecessary money. You would be surprised how many homeowners come to us not realizing that little changes can save them money.

As his wife, I add to Travis’ touches with my design ideas.

We love working with excited homeowners who know what they want in their dream home but still lean on us for guidance.

At the end of the day we know an We enjoy building and are blessed H&H home will be beautiful and loved. everyday working with our homeowners Thank you to our clients, your trust in us and our team of subcontractors. It takes means everything. everyone to build a beautiful home.

— Tina Hofstetter

Thanks to our great subs!

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Apple Valley Pumping Service (509) 884-7960

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Green Thumb Landscaping (509) 669-3205

The shape of the Farm House remained the same, but the intensive, intentional landscaping surrounding it had a huge effect on livability. These westward views from two perspectives show a decade’s difference.

‘THE FARM HOUSE’ home at last

by Susan Lagsdin

N

ot just once, but twice this long-suffering 1916 house was hoisted off its foundation and moved as the Department of Transportation configured first highway, then no highway, then Loop Trail.

In the ’50s it went from a river-

front location to just a bit higher on the hill. Then in the ’70s the house was moved south a bit and permanently positioned, fronted by its own lush six acres of orchards — cherry and apple trees that have never been threatened with eviction and are doing nicely, thank you.

Lovingly called “The Farm

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June 2015

Scott Sanders, Owner • Over 25 Years Experience Across from Les Schwab

The family’s choice of fixtures and furniture ensured that the old time feel was not lost, and the soft sage color scheme echoes the meadows at the river’s edge. The snug and scenic window seat was the builder’s idea.

June 2015 | The Good Life

House” by owners Chrismon and Rena Nofsinger, the big white house sits on a bluff at the end of 30th Street NW in East Wenatchee with a full-on view of the Columbia River, the city of Wenatchee, and the Cascade Mountains.

Rena grew up in East Wenatchee, so in a way she’s home again. In fact, her father, Bob Murray, had farmed the orchard and was able to facilitate their purchase in 2002. Now the Nofsingers use it happily for family vacations and also share

}}} Continued on next page

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ABOVE: The primary change here, besides all new wood flooring, was opening up the living/dining area.

Removing the archway and adding French doors to the south porch lightened and brightened the whole space.

current photos by Travis Knoop

A Robert Graves painting of a mountain scene in autumn tops the fireplace, and plenty of soft seating encourages relaxing. The whole family pitched in hauling wheelbarrows full of perfect rocks for the living room’s centerpiece.

The Farm House }}} Continued from previous page

it with others, very aware of the century of heritage they hold in trust.

Wenatchee resident Claryda Smith Howell’s family enjoyed ownership from 1937 to 2002, but through misuse and disuse the old place had recently fallen on hard times and was almost unlivable. There had been lavish

parties for notable citizens in its early years, evoking scenes if not Gatsby-esque, then festive.

The new owners started renovations, filled with high hopes and achievable dreams, convinced they could make it the showplace it had been in its youth.

Although they started renovating immediately after buying

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the place, it was two years before the Nofsingers could call it good, and five more to bring it to perfection.

Accumulated damage from years of indoor feral cats (27 counted) and lots of “deferred maintenance” compounded the project, but the results show none of the stress.

The young owners lived in Seattle, so the first semi-permanent tenant was Lois Cole, Chrismon’s mother, originally from the Midwest.

Lois, now an East Wenatchee resident with her own place, said, “They invited me out for Christmas and realized they wanted someone to live in the house to oversee the last few years of the remodeling — I loved it here, so of course I said yes!”

Bringing the house back to life again has been very much a

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June 2015

labor of love, and the result is a light-filled, airy structure with a thoughtful blend of amenities both modern and evocative of an earlier time. Rena said, “Our goal was to refurbish with updated features but to keep the original charm of the house.”

They credit Bud Raymond, the lead carpenter, with much of the creative architectural work, and many local craftsmen for their attention to detail.

The main floor and walls were all replaced, as well as exterior doors and siding, roofing (plus new plumbing, and upgraded wiring) but they all were committed to keeping the “old farm house” look.

Interior fir doors were found at Second Use in Seattle and hanging lights come from a salvaged 1910-era Bellevue cottage.

A swaying hammock suspended between two shade trees on the rim of the yard lends an idyllic touch and a nap spot...

New bathroom fixtures have an antique look, but the black and white subway tiles (chic then, chic now) are original.

Windows, cabinetry, and trim are an invisible mix of old and new. Some of the old pastel cotton bed quilts and 1940’s bedroom furniture were purchased with the house, and just-right antique store treasures adorn the walls.

Though the overall footprint of the 3,400-square-foot home has changed little since its last move, some interior restructuring made it more convenient.

A window seat with cushions was added near the big oak dining table, and the family worked together to gather river rocks from the property for the fireplace.

The great room was opened up with a second set of French doors onto the covered porch.

A steep, dark stairway was dewalled and widened, and an upstairs closet became another bathroom.

The mudroom and breakfast nook, while refurbished, were present in the home’s earlier iteration.

Rena said two other surprisingly livable delights of the original house are an open sleeping porch off the upstairs bedroom and a sensible walk-out basement level that opens onto the lawn and pool area.

Outdoors, the biggest draw for the youngsters in the family is an expanse of lawn, two patios and a swimming pool.

An old garage space is a handy

As in pre-air conditioning times, the sleeping porch gives respite in the summer. One visitor said, “At night, the sound of the river, the breeze and the birds was almost too loud…”

storage room for bikes and kayak. A swaying hammock suspended between two shade trees on the rim of the yard lends an idyllic touch and a nap spot, and for the playful it’s just a quick trek downhill to the orchard and a scramble to the river.

On any day, you can look down and see bikers, dog walkers and even horseback riders on the trail.

As soon as the place was ready for full-time living, the Nofsingers started heartily enjoying it with their two sons, Drew and Cole, now young teenagers, and their numerous friends and relatives. (It sleeps 10 comfortably in various configurations).

As people attached to a place often do, Rena unabashedly personifies her home. She wrote, “We spent seven years refurbishing The Farm House to return her to her beautiful self. She has given thanks by blessing us with her charm, peace, serenity and love.”

This old house has finally come to rest in its perfect spot, and luxuriates in its elder prime.

With loving attention from Rena and Chrismon, it may just stay June 2015 | The Good Life

here for another 100 years while their kids (and their kids) grow up.

The farmhouse that finally settled in has become part of the family.

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Serving North Central Washington |

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>>

column moving up to the good life

june darling

How to deal with those %$#@* What shall we call them —

“jackasses”? Or perhaps you’d find the word “arse” less crass?

Dr. Robert Sutton wrote a book about them called The No Asshole Rule.

The noun he uses in his title might be apt for the blanketyblanks we’re talking about, but probably not suitable for this publication.

Calling them “jerks” is really too lightweight for all the suffering they can cause. We feel our blood boil or our guts twist when they are around. The feeling lingers even after they leave.

We can’t think straight.

I’m not talking about someone who occasionally acts badly.

That’s probably just a human being who may be tired, hungry, or overwhelmed.

The independent thinker or slightly disagreeable sort doesn’t qualify as a blankety-blank either.

The blankety-blanks have certain patterns of behavior that may include — personal insults, sarcastic jokes, rude interruptions, dirty looks and treating people as if they are invisible.

They usually reserve their worst behavior for those lower down on the food chain.

Those are the ones I’m talking

You might say this to your boss.

“Jack, I would really like to do my best work, but I lose focus when you raise your voice and shake your finger at me.” about.

How’s a person to live a good life with those people around?

You basically have three strategies available. These strategies are the same ones that you would use to deal with any adversity — take action, reframe, or distance yourself.

First of all, what direct action can you take to change the situation with your blankety-blank?

Let’s just call him “Jack” (if it’s a woman, substitute Jackie).

Sometimes you can improve a relationship with the Jacks of the world by respectfully confronting them.

You might say this to your boss. “Jack, I would really like to do my best work, but I lose focus when you raise your voice and

shake your finger at me.”

Sometimes that straightforwardness can open the door for a constructive dialogue and change.

Start there, don’t expect it to work permanently; nevertheless, I have heard of Jacks being turned around for good by a very simple statement said calmly to them in private like, “We can’t work together like this.”

If that does not work, or it’s too risky, then go to the second approach. Reframe.

Reframing means that you figure out a different, more positive way to think about the difficult person or situation.

Here’s what I mean: I was once listening to a group of young people talk about the Jacks they had experienced in their lives. As they talked, they realized that they had a particular Jack in common.

One young man listened to the others grumble. After everyone had finished, he smiled and said, “I worked with Jack too. I enjoyed it and learned a lot.”

The young man framed Jack differently: “I heard Jack was a hard guy to work for, but I also knew that he’d been through some tough times. He was good at what he did. He could teach me things that I needed to know if I were patient.”

Reframing a difficult person or situation into something positive is one of the most useful approaches to putting you back on track to the good life. Many people have told me stories of turning their relationships around through reframing. I Know of someone stepping off the beaten path in the search for fun and excitement? E-mail us at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

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highly recommend it.

But reframing may not always work. Sometimes it may even be dangerous.

Some Jacks should neither be directly confronted nor reframed. In some adverse situations, with some Jacks, you should get away. Get some distance.

You can get away physically by spending as little time as possible with Jacks. If you work closely with one, make an exit plan if possible. Distance yourself psychologically by thinking of other things and other people.

Sometimes we make the situation much worse by constantly thinking about how the Jack is a Jack.

Okay, I hesitated about adding this last part, but who else is going to tell you, if it isn’t me?

You (and I) could be the Jacks and Jackies of the world. Less than one percent of us think we are, but others see us differently.

If you dare, give others the power to call you out.

I know of one CEO who gives money to his employees if they catch him being an arrogant blankety-blank. He thinks it’s good for him, good for relationships and good for productivity.

Arses can mess up the good life. You can deal with them.

And you can stop being one.

How might you move up to the good life by learning how to deal with arses (and not being one yourself)?

June Darling, Ph.D. can be contacted at drjunedarling1@gmail. com; website: www.summitgroupresources.com. Her books, including 7 Giant Steps To The Good Life, can be bought or read for free at Amazon. com.

>>

column GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

bonnie orr

It’s spinach salad on-the-deck weather T

o me, June means spinach salads.

Garden fresh spinach as well as all the herbs and young leaf lettuces are ready for a large salad bowl: I go out and snip sorrel, arugula, burnet and chive flowers. For an extra treat I add some new peas.

I barely add a dressing — maybe some Gorgonzola mixed with buttermilk and a bit of oil.

I think that people put salad dressing on the greens to make them stick more easily to the fork. You know the old rhyme: I eat my peas with honey; it makes them taste real funny; but it sticks them to my fork.

Fresh spinach is easy to grow.

Spinach tends to go to seed early in NCW because of our long days.

Plant again in August to harvest until a killing frost — and the plants will re-sprout in the spring for an early salad treat.

Solstice spinach Salad This is an early season out-on-thedeck meal.

I roast lots of garlic and store it in the freezer so it is available for quick meals with an Italian flair.

Most people discard the spinach stems because they can be tough. Add the stems to the bag in the freezer where you save your ingredients to make chicken stock.

Serves 6; 20 minutes preparation 1 pound of spinach leaves (8 cups) 5 crimini mushrooms — Or if you are lucky, morels 3 roasted garlic cloves, finely minced 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 1/4 cup chopped green olives

Make the dressing by blending all those ingredients.

Pour the sauce on the pasta right before serving it, and stir thoroughly.

Mandarin oranges — plus soy sauce and Asian chili sauce in the dressing — help give this Asian pasta spinach dish an exotic flavor.

1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese cut into small squares Dressing 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Salt/ pepper De-stem and chop the spinach leaves.

Chop the mushrooms. If you have morels, sauté them in a little butter so they are cooked thoroughly before adding them to the salad.

Mix all the ingredients together.

Whisk the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad about 15 minutes before serving, so that the cheese and mushrooms absorb the dressing.

I can’t write a column about spinach without adding my most favorite comfort food dish. I thought this was the oddest dish when my elderly landlady served this to me in the 1970s.

Asian pasta with spinach This light pasta sauce is not soupy nor does it cling to the pasta as a dense sauce does. You can fork the June 2015 | The Good Life

sauce and the pasta together to your mouth if you use small pastas such as small elbows or wagon wheels, or my favorite for this dish, orzo — bird tongues.

I like the spinach raw and finely chopped. You can chop the leaves and lightly steam them or cook in the microwave for one minute.

Serves 6; 20 minutes preparation 4 cups cooked small pastas 3 cups chopped fresh spinach 4 mandarin oranges 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds Dressing 1/2 cup chives chopped 1/2 cup cilantro chopped 1/2 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons Asian chili sauce 2 tablespoon olive oil Cook the pasta and cool. Use a mixture of shapes and cook them separately since they have various cooking time.

Zest the mandarins before you peel them Combine the tangerine segments, zest, spinach and sesame seeds.

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Elegant poached eggs This is a fine summer breakfast or brunch meal.

Serves 4; 30 minutes 1 pound spinach 1 cup cream or half-and-half 2 teaspoons corn starch White pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil Six eggs 6 tablespoons grated Swiss cheese 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese De-stem and finely chop spinach.

Mix spinach, cream, corn starch and pepper and puree.

Heat a heavy frying pan and add the oil.

Pour in the spinach puree.

Make six indentations in the puree and break an egg into each one.

Mix the two cheeses together, and dribble on top of the egg/ puree mixture.

Cover the pan and cook gently until the eggs are the consistency you desire: runny yolks or hard yolks. The spinach mixture will steam while the eggs cook.

Serve with toast and red pepper jam.

Bonnie Orr — the dirt diva — cooks and gardens in East Wenatchee.

>>

column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

Regenerative medicine: Healing by stem cells I

did not know much about the exciting advances in the medical field called regenerative medicine until my good friend Mike told me about his experience.

Mike and I have been friends since we served as U.S. Navy doctors at the San Diego Naval Hospital during the Vietnam war. We are both gastroenterologists.

Mike is now a 74-year-old retired physician and an avid tennis player, golfer and walker.

He was slowed down by left knee pain, and he sought relief.

A CAT (computed tomography) scan showed the pain was caused by a torn medial meniscus and lax anterior cruciate ligament.

Researchers are focusing on ways to help aging cells aid our own self-healing processes.

Mike’s goal was to be able to continue his normal activities, including tennis, without enduring the pain and without reliance on anti-inflammatory pain medication.

After talking with doctors, it was determined that he was a candidate for knee replacement surgery. Having had two previous arthroscopic knee surgeries with some complications, he was reluctant to have surgery, so he looked on the Internet for “al-

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ternatives to knee surgery” and found regenerative medicine using stem cells.

He didn’t like the thought of stem cells until he inquired further and understood that the cells would be his own, taken from his bone marrow. Based on his Internet review, he chose the Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Colorado.

Mike started the process registering online, sending a computer disk of his imaging studies and arranging a telephone interview with Dr. John Schultz. This all went well, and Dr. Schultz felt that he was a candidate, so Mike booked an appointment.

Since Mike lives in Hawaii where there are no regenerative medicine practitioners, he flew to Colorado. His first appointment day included a visit with a physical therapist who tested him for stability, alignment, articulation and mobility. The findings were consistent with left knee damage along with finding degenerative lumbar spine disk disease.

Dr. Schultz reviewed all the data. Under ultrasonic guidance, he injected the knee with an irritating agent, which was the first part of the procedure to prepare the joint. The next step was the bone marrow draw and a blood draw for platelets.

Forty-eight hours later, Mike had a localized injection, again under CT guidance, of his platelet-rich plasma and his own stem cells. The injections went into the knee meniscus and into his lumbar spine.

He was fitted with a knee brace, rested another day, and then flew home. He wore the knee brace for 10 weeks and limited contact activity for three months. After that, he was back

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June 2015

to full activity.

Mike said that with a local Xylocaine anesthetic the procedure was painless. He had some mild aching in the sacrum after the bone marrow draw.

Some of the costs were covered by Medicare/group health insurance, but his out-of-pocket cost was about $6,000.

It has now been 18 months since the procedure, and he is happy with the result.

He very rarely has pain in the knee or back after vigorous tennis and gardening and if he does, the pain has been easily relieved with a single 200mg dose of ibuprofen. He has no limitation of activity.

The Mayo Clinic, where I trained, has a Center for Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine isn’t really new since it includes procedures like organ and bone marrow transplants that have been used for decades.

But now regenerative medicine research has taken the field much further. Through advances in cell biology and immunology, new therapies are emerging.

As we age our body’s cells lose some of their ability to divide and reproduce new tissues. Researchers are focusing on ways to help these aging cells aid our own self-healing processes.

Replacement involves using healthy cells, tissue and organs from a healthy donor to replace damaged ones. The problem here is that there is a greater need for organs than there are donors available.

Mayo and others are trying to find ways that don’t rely on donors’ organs as well as working on ways to reduce the possibility of post-transplant rejection.

Regeneration involves the de-

Regenerative medicine seems to be on the cusp of developing new ways to treat and manage many chronic diseases... livery of specific types of cells or cell products to diseased tissues or organs in order to restore tissue and organ function.

So what are stem cells, you might ask.

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that through a process called differentiation, can develop into many different types of cells including brain, skin, and lungs and in ligaments and bone tissue.

They remain in an inactive state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury.

Commonly, stem cells come from two main sources: embryonic stem cells and adult tissue stem cells.

Adult stem cells exist throughout the body and are found inside different types of tissue such as bone marrow, brain, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin and the liver.

There has been so much controversy, both religious and political, regarding embryonic stem cells from fetuses that alternatives have been the subject of intense research.

Umbilical cord blood, normally discarded after childbirth, is a potentially rich resource for stem cells.

Since in many cases a patient’s own stem cells might be used, the objections should not exist.

The patient’s own stem cells, as in Mike’s case, may be collected and reprogrammed in a laboratory, giving them certain characteristics, and then delivered back to the patient to treat his or her disease or damaged organ.

The fact that our immune system rejects all cells, including stem cells, that it does not recognize as its own has been a limiting issue in this field.

David Russell, M.D, Ph.D, professor of medicine at the University of Washington Medical School, has developed a way to change stem cell genes that cause rejection by changing their DNA sequence, resulting in a “universal stem cell” precisely engineered to avoid detection by the immune system.

Hopefully, this will allow researchers to produce one stem cell line for everyone, potentially leading to the availability of regenerative therapies in more clinical settings.

Dr. Russell thinks this offers hope in solving a major problem in the stem cell field pointing to a powerful future in regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine seems to be on the cusp of developing new ways to treat and manage many chronic diseases such as

However, beware of quacks After I had decided to write

an article recently about advances in regenerative medicine using stem cell injections there have suddenly occurred a few articles warning about the potential of quackery in a new stem cell medical industry that is very questionable, unregulated and potentially dangerous.

It seems that over 170 so called “stem cell clinics” have popped up on the horizon. Their advertisements claim miracle cures for a myriad in about 30 conditions including the hope for an anti-aging “magic bullet.”

It appears these doctors are removing bone marrow blood cells and injecting them into whatever diabetes, heart failure, and degenerative nerve diseases as well as bone and joint disease.

I am excited about future prospects in this field.

THE JOURNEY TO

organ or joint they purport to be healing.

The largest of these is a chain called Cell Surgical Network founded by Dr. Mark Berman in Beverly Hills. Berman has no formal background in stem cell research. He was even quoted as saying, “I don’t even know if there are stem cells in the soup” that he is injecting.

Critics call this quackery.

The only stem cell treatments patients should consider, in my opinion, should be done at a medical school research center or a center like the Mayo Clinic Regenerative Medicine department.

— Dr. Jim Brown Jim Brown, M.D., is a retired gastroenterologist who has practiced for 38 years in the Wenatchee area. He is a former CEO of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.

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June 2015 | The Good Life

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s i h d n a L E S U M O L E V AR M C I G MA

By Susan Lagsdin

M

el Babcock said he’d love to do a few card tricks, but his old hands have been worn by so much woodworking and so much orcharding that he doesn’t even try anymore.

And then in a split second, he’s whiplashed his watcher’s rapt attention and caused a sturdy, solid wooden block to disappear sideways off a red ribbon that’s threaded straight through the block’s middle.

“HOW DID YOU DO THAT?” “Very well,” he replied, his practiced rejoinder accompanied by a big grin, and then after a beat, added, “What you saw is not what you think you saw.”

To Mel, that’s the essence of magic, and it’s also the essence of this man’s life.

Here’s what you think you see: a tall craggy, sun-toasted 84-year-old in a flannel shirt and tractor cap (but read the label carefully), a third generation Cashmere orchardist. Hotshot high school basketball player, lots of varied college credits, a three-year stint in the Army.

Came home to the orchard at age 25.

Now a long-retired family man who raised his kids in the business, cared well for his nowdeparted wife, has coffee klatch-

Mel Babcock makes magic — magic boxes that is — in his Cashmere workshop.

This box constructed by Mel is completely empty, as you can clearly see — until a trained magician pulls out a surprise.

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es at the mini mart with old friends. Nice. He’s got a woodworking shop and he collects stuff — not untypical hobbies.

Here’s what you don’t see: A 13-year-old only-child, a little shy, who bought a $2 booklet advertised in the comics and found local fame in his slight but growing repertoire of magic tricks.

Mel explained cannily, in far retrospect, “It’s not unlikely that a boy with not much confidence might think ‘If I can do something no one else can do, that makes me a little better.’”

You wouldn’t know that the man traveled the region doing magic shows for about 30 years, kids in tow as helpers (they loved it, but went on to other endeavors after high school). He’s performed for hundreds of audiences, the spell-bound and the cynics. And he’s always known that people genuinely want to be fooled, momentarily deceived.

Not made fools of or swindled,

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June 2015

but tricked.

Mel believes, “The people who insist on ruining an act, or on finding out how a trick really works — they just don’t get the point of magic.” Prestidigitation is not lies; it’s a thrill for the eyes.

Sometimes the spotlight in the Grange Hall, the community center, or the school auditorium shone on the handsome tuxedoed illusionist with a showman’s flair, slicing his lovely assistant into three parts, causing doves to fly out of a just-cooked omelet, coaxing a bunny into a clearly empty un-gimmicky box and then … in a whisper’s time showing you absolutely no rabbit. None. Zip. Sometimes the tricks would be

“The people who insist on finding out how a trick really works — they just don’t get the point of magic.” smaller for living industry — items room or table auever more beautidiences, with tiny ful and ever more boxes concealing clever. coins, or dice, lost So what’s a guy cards whipped out to do when the of nowhere. But orchard’s running always Mel would like a top, when pack the gear, do Siegfried and Roy, the show — about David Copperfield 40 a year — and and Doug Hencome back home ning have made to the orchard. magic not only A gradual respectable but a transition, more spectator sport, Sign made by Mel’s daughter important than and all those luswarns of parking in his space. sleight of hand cious hardwoods but as elusive, are waiting in the started 60 years ago when he shop? learned to make his own gear, No question. Around 1990 Mel mostly variations on trick boxes retired, leased out the trees, and with their springs, gears, sliding became box-maker of choice to a panels and hidden compartleague of extraordinary connoisments. Seattle magic shops carseurs. ried great designs, but they cost The orchard’s in good hands, too much, so Mel would study with his daughter lined up to them carefully, figure out how be fourth generation owner. So they worked, and build his own. Mel’s able to manage his webHe soon entered into a lucrasite, e-chat with colleagues, ship tive partnership with those orders all over the US, to Asia same store owners. and Europe and attend a few His meticulous workmanship trade shows and conventions and the fine woods he insisted every year. on using gradually created a But almost every day he walks nationwide reputation and a out to his wood shop, once his worldwide market, and Mel grandfather’s cold storage shed, the Magician evolved to Magic to make the magic boxes he House of Babcock. The emphaloves. He may even invent a little sis went from performing tricks something new — Mel’s still got to creating items for the magic a few tricks up his sleeve.

June 2015 | The Good Life

>>

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

NCW Blues Jam, every second and fourth Monday, 7:30 – 11 p.m. Columbia Valley Brewery, 538 Riverside Dr, Wenatchee. Info: facebook. com/NCWBluesJam. 2 Left Feet, every Thursday, 7 – 9 p.m. 2 Left Feet is a loose organization of local dance enthusiasts who would like to see more dancing in the Wenatchee Valley. Beginner lesson at the top of the hour followed by carefree social dancing. No partner necessary to join in the fun.

Dance style will be 1940s swing with a bit of salsa, blues, waltz or tango thrown in. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org.

Sage Hills Trails open to Dec. 1.

Pack Walks, every 4th Saturday, 9 a.m. Bring your friends and dogs on leashes and walk the riverfront trail. Meet on the loop behind Pybus Public Market at the boat launch. Info: wenatcheefido.org.

Wenatchee Farmers Market, every Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pybus Public Market. And starting 6/17 every Wednesday, 4 – 8 p.m.

Village Art in the Park, now through Oct. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Downtown Leavenworth.

Sleeping Lady Birdwalks, 1st and 3rd Saturdays through September. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Heather Murphy, local wildlife biologist, nature journalist and artist has recorded 109 species of birds in the Sleeping Lady area, join her for these walks.

Info: sleepinglady.com.

WVC Student Art Exhibit, now through 6/12, Mondays: 8 a.m. – noon, Tuesdays, Wednesday and

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Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fridays: 5-7 p.m. Robert Graves Gallery.

Cost: free.

Service Club Fair, 5/30, 10 a.m.2 p.m. This event will highlight the vast volunteer organizations throughout the valley. This is a terrific opportunity to find the club that is right for you to put your volunteering spirit to work. Pybus Public Market.

Artis Open House, 5/31, 2 - 5 p.m.

Live painting demonstration by local artist Teara Dillon, raffle of a glass sculpture by local artists Teri and Steve Zimmerman of Silvermoon Studio, display of high school student art, a free hands-on craft project and display of works of Heather Wallis Murphy. 11734 Hwy 2, Suite C, Leavenworth (next door to Sage Mountain Natural Foods).

Living with Wildfire, 6/1, 8, 15, 22, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Join Wenatchee River Institute and five of our area’s leading ecologists for an in-depth, four part lecture series exploring the past, present and future of wildfire on the eastern slope of the Cascades. Milepost 111 Brewing Company. Cost: $135 includes 4 dinners. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.

Valley Academy of Learning Spring Concert, 6/3, 4, 6 – 7:15 p.m. Music students of Connie Celustka and Jimmi Wilson will perform on piano, guitar and with a children’s choir. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Wenatchee River Institute Legacy Banquet, 6/4, 5:30 – 9 p.m. Silent and live auction and dinner. This year’s theme is connecting people, communities and the natural world. Cashmere Riverside Center. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org.

}}} Continued on next page

>>

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

}}} Continued from previous page Film Series: Bela Fleck: How to Write a Banjo Concerto, 6/4, 7 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $13 at the door. Info: icicle.org.

Foothills Middle School Mariachi, 6/5, 1 p.m. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

The Wizard of Oz, 6/5-6, 2 p.m.

and 7 p.m. Stage Kids presents this live play. Riverside Playhouse. Cost: $10 and $12. Info: seatyourself.biz/ stagekidswa.

Two Rivers Art Gallery, 6/5, 5 – 8 p.m. All new show, featuring over 50 artists and a special presentation of watercolors by Ruth Raisler.

Music by pianist Joseph Phillip Groves. Wines by 37 Cellars and complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free.

Info: 2riversgallery.com.

Merriment Party Goods, 6/5, 5 – 8 p.m. Freedom Firm is an or-

ganization that exists to eliminate sex trafficking and child prostitution in India. They will be bringing Ruhamah Designs jewelry that has been hand-crafted by the women who are survivors of sex trafficking. Freedom Firm uses the jewelry to create sustainable jobs for the women survivors. Snacks and beverages. 23, S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. Info: facebook.com/merrimentpartygoods.

Tumbleweed Bead Co., 6/5, 5-7 p.m. MF Pottery will be available with her handmade ceramics. Also Mijanou. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com.

Small Artworks Gallery, 6/5, 5 p.m. Local artists works will be on display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Info: wvmcc.org.

Eden Moody, 6/5, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance. Music is sweet ’n’ spicy country-pop with a South American twist. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Show Brazil, 6/5, 8 – 10 p.m.

Five long-time performers are led

by Eduardo Mendonca, BrazilianAmerican guitarist, vocalist,

percussionist and composer. Music includes bossa nova, traditional and contemporary Brazilian tunes and originals. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free, donations encouraged. Info: wvmcc.org.

Learn to row - crew, 6/6, 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. Two hour introductory class will teach you the basics – equipment, the stroke, rowing commands and rowing safety. Sponsored by Wenatchee Row and Paddle Club. Walla Walla Point Park. Pre register: wenatcheepaddle.org. Cost: free.

Leavenworth Spring Wine Walk, 6/6, noon – 6 p.m. Stroll through Leavenworth and sample over 60 wines at more than 20 locations. Souvenir wine glass, wine tote and passport for prize drawing.

Cost: $45 pp or $80 couple. Info: cascadefarmlands.com.

The Courage to be Blind, 6/6, 1 – 3 p.m. Book signing with author Juanita Vedder. Hastings. Cost: free.

Cruise In, 6/6, 4-8 p.m. Hot-rod, rat rod or muscle car, bring it down to Hot Rodzz’s Espresso at Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

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| The Good Life

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June 2015

LANDFILL HARMONIC

With nine concerts featuring performances by nationally-recognized musicians to young artists, we invite you to come early, stay late, spend the weekend, and enjoy the unforgettable musical experiences and the breathtaking beauty of the Cascade Mountains. For the full schedule of concerts and performing artists, visit Icicle.org.

ICICLE.ORG (509) 548-6347

34

FILM

JUNE 25, 7PM

>>

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

Kairos String Quartet, 6/6, 7 p.m. Canyon Wren Recital Hall.

Cost: $20 or $25 at the door. Info: icicle.org.

Kevin Nealon, 6/6, 7:30 p.m. Live performance. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Info: numericapac.org.

WVC Volta Piano Trio Concert, 6/7, 4 – 6 p.m. Sponsored by the James Pauly family. Concert features new music by Terry Hunt: Wendell Berry Songs: and includes the composer (guitar), Jennifer Rhyne (flute) and Steve Stefanides (voice). Wenatchee Valley College Grove Recital Hall. Reservations required, free event. Info: wvc.edu/ anniversary/default.asp.

Film Series: Valley Uprising, 6/11, 7 p.m. Climbing Yosemite’s massive cliffs. Snowy Owl Theater.

Cost: $10 advance or $13 at the door. Info: icicle.org.

Six String Salute, 6/12, 7 – 9 p.m.

Five high school guys from Cashmere who love playing music. From folk to jazz to rock. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Folklorist Jens Lund, 6/12, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Danish-American folklorist Jens Lund’s presentation, I Done What I Could, brings to life the dangers of traditional Pacific Northwest occupations such as loggers, miners and fishermen.

Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free, donations encouraged. Info: wvmcc.org.

Pangborn Airport Aviation Day, 6/13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pancake breakfast, aircraft displays, airplane/helicopter rides, lunch on the ramp, free drawings and kids activities. Win a $300 Alaska Air gift certificate, a helicopter ride courtesy of Flying M Air and introductory flight courtesy of Rantz Air. Pangborn Memorial Airport.

Mission: GranDuro, 6/13-14. 47mile mountain bike trail riding on Saturday. Cost: $100. On Sunday 15-mile trail run. Cost: $50. Benefit for Wenatchee North Rotary Scholarship Fund and the Central Washington Evergreen Bike Alliance Chapter for the Squilchuck Park project. Pre-registration required.

Info: ridgecyclesport.com. Register: obra.org/events/23754/register.

Ohme Gardens Plein Air, 6/1314, 6 – 10 a.m. Paint your favorite

}}} Continued on next page

>>

column the night sky this month

Peter Lind

Jupiter & Venus meet up at dusk Venus reaches its peak vis-

ibility and brightness in the evening sky in early June but the highlight of the month comes when it sits side-by-side with Jupiter on the 30th.

Although the nights of June are the shortest of the year in Wenatchee, there’s plenty to see in 2015.

On top of the close encounter of Venus and Jupiter, Saturn is still up all night with its rings and glorious moons to watch.

Also, Uranus and Neptune are coming into view, and Mercury is making a brief predawn showing.

On June 1, look high in the western sky, where you’ll find Venus and Jupiter standing 20 degrees apart. Venus is lower but still shines 10 times brighter than its visual neighbor.

Venus lies in the background stars of Gemini the twins on the first, forming a straight line with the two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux. By the 25th, Venus crosses into Leo the Lion, and the separation with Jupiter has shrunk to 3 degrees, and they look like eyes shining in the night.

Over the next five nights the distance between the two planets closes until they are closer than the diameter of a full moon.

As Jupiter slides from the forefront, evening viewing through a telescope is best.

If you read this column last month you’ll remember there was an occultation, where one of Jupiter’s moons passes in front of another from our line of site.

And again this month, on the 10th, Ganymede occults Io for almost 25 minutes.

Saturn rides high in the southern sky all through June. The orange looking planet turns into June 2015 | The Good Life

a gem through telescopes, with cloud bands, and its ring system tilted towards Earth. Even a small telescope reveals the ring system.

Neptune, a binocular object, comes up just before dawn in the southeastern sky. Uranus, its neighbor, shows up shortly after Neptune and just before dawn’s light.

The final solar system object that we can see in June is Mercury, which appears in the east-northeast before dawn in late June. If you find yourself up before dawn go outside and see if you can spot it low on the horizon.

Only Mars remains invisible this month, as it passes behind the sun from our viewpoint starting June 14.

I attended a workshop that convinced me Pluto is not a planet, but is part of a group of objects out past Neptune called the Kuiper belt.

Do you remember back in 2006 when the International Astronomical Society decided Pluto wasn’t really a planet?

It was something I just couldn’t accept as I had grown up with Pluto being the ninth planet. I never did forgive them for what they had done to poor Pluto.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a workshop that convinced me Pluto is not a planet, but is part of a group of objects out past Neptune called the www.ncwgoodlife.com

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Kuiper belt.

Pluto became a member of the new “dwarf planet” category (and specifically a Plutoid), but they are commonly known now as minor planets.

The number of known Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) has increased to over 1,000, and more than 100,000 KBOs over 100 km (62 mi) in diameter are believed to exist.

Now, the reason for the background information. In January 2006 NASA launched the New Horizons mission to study Pluto and other objects in the Kuiper belt.

The probe was launched from Cape Canaveral in January of that year, in what is called a solar escape trajectory with an earth relative speed of 36,000 mph, which set a record for the fastest launch speed of a manmade object from earth.

New Horizons had a brief encounter with an asteroid, and then headed to Jupiter, making its closest approach in 2007 at a distance of 1.4 million miles, and using gravity assist to pick up an additional 9,000 mph.

New Horizons will reach Pluto and execute a flyby of the dwarf planet on July 14, 2015.

Much news will be coming next month, and possibly early pictures from Pluto.

This is another exciting exploration that will gain us plenty of scientific data, plus what I hope are some cool photos, so stay tuned for breaking news in July.

Peter Lind is a local amateur astronomer. He can be reached at ppjl@ juno.com.

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

>>

The Art Life

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

}}} Continued from previous page view of Ohme Gardens. $200 best of show, 2nd and 3rd prize of $50 gift certificates. Painting to go on display at Two Rivers Gallery, 7/331. Ohme Gardens. Cost: $20. Info: Wenatchee.org.

Cat spay/neuter clinic, 6/14, 7:30 a.m. Available to those who have lower incomes that typically are unable to afford regular vet appointment. By appointment only, walk-ups are not allowed. Info: Tamra Hively, thively@wenatcheehumane.org Cost: $20.

Apple Ice Classic, 6/19-21, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. 150 skaters from throughout the Pacific Northwest is expected to compete. Town Toyota Center. Info: wenatcheefsc.org.

Everybody Out Day, 6/13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Quizzes, talks, miniworkshops, equipment drawings and more by several local outdoor organizations to engage visitors of all ages on why to get out into the beauty of the outdoors.Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Arabian Nights, 6/13, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fabulous Feet Dance Studio performs. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Info: fabulousfeetdancestudio.com.

Super Summer Adventures, 6/15-8/27. Eleven sessions of enrichment classes for students entering 1st through 7th grades.

Classes include science, art, cooking, robotics, music, wizards and superheroes and more. Info: wvmcc.org.

Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, 6/1821, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Celebrate accor-

dion music from ethnic to jazz. Feature performances in the Festhalle, Grange and gazebo, competitions, workshops, jam sessions and free accordion lessons. Cost: free. Info: accordioncelebration.com.

Film Series: A View from the Bridge, 6/18, 7 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $13 at the door. Info: icicle.org.

Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, 6/19-21. One of the longest running Bluegrass festivals in Eastern Washington. Award winning national and regional bands.

Events include Instrument Workshops featuring Taylor’s Camp for Kids; Slow Jam; Band Scramble; an entire weekend of family fun.

Chelan County Expo Center (Fairgrounds). Cost: $25 - $30. For detailed info and schedule: www. wenatcheeriverbluegrass.com.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gala, 6/19, 5 – 9 p.m.

Wenatchee Valley Senior Center.

Info: ncwhcc.com.

Chance Brothers, 6/19, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Country western live music.

Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Lilac Services for the Blind Breakfast, 6/20, 8 – 10 a.m.

Breakfast of eggs, bacon and all you can eat pancakes. Applebee’s Restaurant. Cost: $10. Info: Mardi Scott 679-3369.

Insects, Bugs and Spiders, Oh My, 6/20, 10 a.m. – noon. Family fun in the garden and activities for all ages. Dale Whaley, regional extension specialist and entomologist will discuss insects and have displays of this collections. Steve Foley, president of NCW Beekeepers Assoc., will talk about honeybees.

Activity stations and refreshments.

Community Education Garden, 1100 N Western Ave. Cost: free.

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// SKETCHE

LADY OF THE DANCE

By Susan Lagsdin

T

hough she’s lithe and lean, Angela Schaub would probably not be picked out of a line-up as a teacher of traditional Irish step dancing.

“There are very few Asians in the field,” she admitted, then quipped that we more easily accept that many Karate studios are not owned by Koreans.

Not only does Angela have no Irish roots, she freely admits to having no professional dance background, just a brief brush with ballet. She’s a 40-plus mother of two grown and growing girls, with a career in environmental research and food safety and years of training in classical flute.

She knows her music study has affected her dancing ability, but she also is humbly quick to disclaim any pretensions to being a dance “artist.” And though she’s been in a few step-dancing competitions, she doesn’t think of herself as a spotlight kind of performer.

What she does is teach. And

The

START YOURS TODAY! www.wrac.org 662-3544

DAYS OF

SUMMER MEMBERSHIP

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| The Good Life

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June 2015

Wenatchee Racquet & Athletic Club

ES OF LOCAL ARTISTS she does it very well — her students attest to that.

Angela’s weekly classes take place on a rubberized studio floor in an upstairs warren of gym and offices at Columbia at Palouse streets in downtown Wenatchee. Decorated with glamorous production posters, big-smile class photos and shelves of Irish dance literature and replete with feel-good slogans, the room feels like a haven for happiness.

Her students are mostly young, mostly girls. And they’re her special joy — she said “I love seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and watching them accomplish goals in dance.” And when someone shy or even unathletic starts the class, she said, “Helping them become more confident and self-assured as individuals is hugely important to me.”

Angela said it was Riverdance and Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, fast-footed Celtic extravaganzas that took the popular media by storm a few decades ago, that reinvigorated Irish dance in America. The athleticism and grace of those traditional jigs and reels motivated thousands of young people to try Irish step dancing.

Angela’s daughter was one of those who learned well and immersed herself in competitions.

Watching, learning, participating and practicing alongside her for years, Angela evolved into a certified teacher and was able to open a small studio of her own, under the non-profit umbrella and with the blessing of Portland’s prestigious An Daire studio.

Her young students work hard for her in class, and they travel and compete aggressively throughout the West. But what matters most to Angela isn’t winning competitions; it’s the laughter and giggling during lessons.

Her students have fun, and that’s important. She respects

“When the beats and the rhythm come together — it’s like flying.”

Angela Schaub with students in a blur: Practicing Irish dance makes for “a perfect workout...” said one student.

their efforts and said, “This is hard work, so if they’re not having fun in class, there’s no reason to keep on.”

Her adult students are women who’ve found Irish step dancing to be a surprisingly effective substitute for the gym. In her studio last month, four of them in turn paused from their rigorous dance lesson to describe, somewhat breathlessly, why they keep taking Angela’s weekly noon class.

Karen said, “The music — I just couldn’t sit still watching my daughter’s lessons,” and that June 2015 | The Good Life

it’s become the perfect workout for her, for “sweat, muscles and overall health.” Peggy, with a classical ballet background (“which helps a lot,” she said) has a Scots-Irish heritage, and finds the cultural link to the dances personally satisfying.

Danica, a former dancer, said that with her workouts at the gym, “I lost my sense of rhythm, but I’m regaining it, even after just a month of step dancing.”

She’s also in awe of the kids’ light-footed style, since she’s still feeling the strain on under used foot muscles. www.ncwgoodlife.com

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Becky likes the tangible, positive effects on her body, like ankle stability and posture, and eagerly describes “when the beats and the rhythm come together — it’s like flying.”

(This non-dancer writer, in a 3-minute private lesson, found that a simple “step-kick-glideshort step-long step-kick” — or something close — pattern was tougher than it seemed.

It looked like a high-strutting amalgam of tap and clog dancing in Angela’s students, but it might take weeks to master.

And facing a full wall of mirrors while learning a sideways kick — “just swing your right foot up to kick your left hand,” Angela gently suggested — was similarly daunting.)

Angela and her students are good proof that traditional Irish dancing is not just for the Irish or Irish-Americans anymore.

A late 19th Century revival in Ireland created proud practitioners, and by the 1930s the steps were refined and codified.

Now, 30 years after the extravagant performances of Riverdance first hit the media, those hornpipes, slip jigs, reels and céilí (“keely” are group dances) are enjoyed around the world.

And here in Wenatchee, tucked away in a small, mirrored studio, local devotees are caught up every week in the athleticism and percussive grace of Irish step dancing.

Angela, dedicated to finding the excellence in others, quietly guides them on to perfection. Her artistic creativity, she insists, is not in creating dances, but in finding new ways to make dancing a pleasure.

>>

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

}}} Continued from page 36 Rock Island Dam Tours, 6/20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tours every 2 hours.

Pre-registration required: 663-7522.

Oldest dam on the Columbia River.

The Music In Me, 6/20, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Live performance by Next Step Dance Studio. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Info: numericapac.org.

Happy 2nd Birthday Pybus Public Market, 6/20, 2 – 3 p.m.

Bake a birthday cake and bring it to Pybus Public Market by 10 a.m. The public will view and judge cakes.

Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. and samples will be distributed to everyone in attendance. Info: 888-3900.

Wenatchee Naturalist Mini Course, 6/22-25. This miniWenatchee Naturalist course is the field trip component of the 12-week course. Hone your observations skills while learning about plant and animal biodiversity, riparian and aquatic habitats and geology.

Three all-day field trips and a twohour orientation meeting. Instructions: Susan Ballinger and expert scientists. Cost: $129. Register: Wenatchee Valley College Continuing Education site.

Film Series: Landfill Harmonic, 6/25, 7 p.m. Follow the lives of a garbage picker, a music teacher and a group of children from a Paraguayan slum that started creating musical instruments out of garbage. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $13 at the door.

Info: icicle.org.

Julian Patrick Vocal Camp Singers, 6/26, 5 – 6:45 p.m. Live music with popular Broadway tunes. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Dedric Clark and the Social Animals, 6/26, 7 – 9 p.m. Live music. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free.

Entiat SummerFest and Rods on the River, 6/27, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Car show with lots to do for everyone. Entiat at Kiwanis Park.

Crescent Bar River Fest, 6/2628. Wine tasting, live music, Classic Car Cruise, BBQ, stand-up paddle boarding, boat demos, waterski tournament, fun the whole week-

end. Info: crescentbarriverfest.com.

Humane Society Open House, 6/27, noon - 3 p.m. Wenatchee Valley Humane Society will hold an open house. Cost: free.

Founders’ Day, 6/27, 1 – 8 p.m. Live music, local wines, refreshments.

Crunch Pak Grand parade is at 1 p.m. Cashmere Valley Bank Kids Zone 2:30-4 p.m. Wenatchee Wine Country Wine Garden 2:30-9:30 p.m. Doanes Valley Pharmacy Ping Pong Ball drop 4 p.m. Cashmere Riverside Park.

Eastside Pile-up Cruise-In Car Show, 6/27, 5 – 9 p.m. No entry fee. Vendors, beer gardens, DJ, cash drawings. Awards and prizes in 5 car categories. Valley Mall Parkway.

Into the Woods, 7/3, 11, 16, 18, 22,

4th of July

2015

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| The Good Life

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June 2015

24, 31, 8/4, 7, 13, 19, 22, 26, 29, 8 p.m. Leavenworth Summer Theater presents Into the Woods. Ski Hill Amphitheater. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org.

Breakfast for Heroes 7/4, 7 – 10:30 a.m. Cashmere Valley Bank presents a pancake feed, Veterans eat for free. All proceeds go to support local veterans’ programs.

Pybus Public Market. Cost: $5.

4th of July celebration, 7/4, all day. Pancake breakfast, Wenatchee Youth Circus, kids activities, live bands, a salute to veterans, food vendors arts and crafts, elite hoops fest and the Wenatchee Valley Symphony will perform while the fireworks go off at dusk at Walla Walla Point Park. Cherry pit spit contest at Pybus Market, Info: wenatcheevalleyfourth.com.

>>

column those were the days

rod molzahn

Fires burned through wooden towns A volley of pistol shots

awakened Wenatchee residents just after midnight on Sept. 2, 1892, rallying them to fight a suspicious fire that had begun in the vacant Minnesota Mercantile Store.

Two water wagons were brought to the scene where the recently roused citizens formed a bucket brigade.

It was four months before the city was incorporated so there was no fire department. It was an era of poorly constructed wood frame buildings, badly made chimneys and no pressurized water system.

The bucket brigade managed to save the brick Columbia Valley Bank next to the store but six other buildings were destroyed including the O’Connor & Co. livery stable where 22 horses died.

Flames struck again on July 5, 1909 when fire started in the Frank barn behind the Central Market on Mission Street then spread north to Orondo Street.

The pressurized water system installed in 1901 and a new >> RANDOM QUOTE

The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.

Arnold Bennett

“... nearly all of the original buildings along Wenatchee Avenue and Mission Street were destroyed by fire.” man-powered hose cart weren’t enough to stop the Cottage Hotel from burning to the ground as did the fire station bell tower sending the bell crashing. The entire downtown area was covered with a thick layer of smoke.

Over the next 50 years at least 15 major fires razed downtown buildings causing over $2 million damage.

John Gellatly wrote that “through the years nearly all of the original buildings along Wenatchee Avenue and Mission Street were destroyed by fire. Some fires brought down an entire city block before being brought under control.”

Gellatly added that the fires “did have their compensating benefits, as it meant that a new and better structure, usually of brick, would replace the destroyed building.”

Town fires weren’t limited to Wenatchee.

On March 1, 1893 fire burned the fledgling town of Winthrop leveling Guy Waring’s Methow Trading Company Store, his home and the post office. The only thing that survived was a 12-foot by 14-foot root cellar that, after the fire, served as the only store and post office until new buildings were constructed.

In July of 1924 the entire business section of Twisp was reduced to ashes by a fire that started in Dr. Holmes office.

There were no injuries though 17 buildings were lost to the flames.

In rural areas, far from bucket brigades and a water supply, farmers and ranchers often lost houses and barns.

The Methow Valley saw many of those losses.

In 1928 Henry and Grace

Bertram’s log cabin burned taking with it most of their belongings.

In 1938 the summer was very dry and grass fires broke out. In July the R.E. Short family lost their barn and hay along with the separator house and chicken house. Down the road the Harvey Peters house burned the same day.

Two years later the Cooper boys were living in a house built

by Logan Graves near Mazama.

According to Roy Kumm, a neighbor, the boys would regularly “jump out of bed and go to town for breakfast and leave the electric blanket on.” One morning the blanket caught fire and burned the house down.

Roy Kumm’s own house was destroyed by a nighttime chimney fire that started in minus 20 degree weather with a fierce wind blowing.

School and public building fires were uncomfortably common.

}}} Continued on next page

NCW Home Professionals

June 2015 | The Good Life

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THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Schools heated by wood stoves were victims of fires }}} Continued from previous page The first Douglas County courthouse in Waterville, built at a cost of $3,000, was totally destroyed by fire in August of 1905. On Dec. 18, 1918 the new two-story school house in Withrow, near Waterville, burned to ashes and rubble. The following year the Majestic Flats School, across the Columbia from Malaga, a wooden structure painted white, burned. The fire was likely caused by an overheated

wood stove.

Wood stoves were the cause of most early school fires. The stoves were the only heat in the small one and two room schools.

Teachers were responsible for lighting the stove and heating the school before the children arrived in the morning.

The teacher would rise early, go to the school and kindle a fire in the stove then stuff it with wood. The teacher then hurried back home for another hour of

sleep only to wake again and find the school in flames. Luckily the fires usually started before the students got there.

That seemed to be the case with the two-story, four-room Monitor School in December of 1919.

Nelson Taylor, son of an early Monitor family, recalled the school fire. “The fire started early before the children got to school. Good thing, too. The fire escapes were plain old ladders

attached to the building… one at the N.W. corner and one at the S.E. corner. No chutes. Just ladders. It is thought that the fire started in the chimney flue.

Probably overheated.”

Structure fires, as devastating as they were, were not the only fires to strike north central Washington. Forest fires were recorded by many early white explorers and travelers.

In 1853 Lt. George McClellan led a contingent of soldiers up

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... “when the cattle started on that drive it was so smoky that it was impossible to see the lead cattle more than 200 yards away.” the east slopes of the north Cascades in search of a mountain pass suitable for a rail line. On Sept. 10 he was at Lake Kachess near Snoqualmie Pass. He wrote in his journal, “The air is so smoky that we can see nothing

of the lake.” The next day he added, “The air is perfectly thick with smoke… I fear we will have but little clear air until the rains set in.”

In 1868 Jack Splawn drove a herd of 200 cattle from the Yakima Valley over Naches Pass to Seattle. He recalled that, “when the cattle started on that drive it was so smoky that it was impossible to see the lead cattle more than 200 yards away.”

On Sept.9, 1883 1st Lt. George Washington Goethals and his men were exploring the Methow Valley and had reached Early Winters Creek. Heavy rain fell through the night. When the

sky cleared Goethals wrote that he and the men were “thankful as we had been passing through smoke since we left the head of the north fork of the Twotsp (Twisp River).”

In a previous Journal entry he wrote that their view of the land was “shrouded” by smoke from forest fires from the beginning of the trip on.

In 1891 Mr. N.W. Durham traveled to Stehekin and hiked to Rainbow Falls. He wrote that, “the immediate surroundings (at the falls) at one time were very beautiful, but a year or two ago fire ran through the gorge and blackened many of the trees.”

Some of the forest fires were likely lightning caused. Some could have been human caused.

Indians built fires at hunting and berrying camps and an untended fire could have spread.

They also used “controlled” fires to burn off huckleberry meadows. Those fires could have gotten out of control as they sometimes do today.

Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake.speak@frontier.com. His third history CD, Legends & Legacies Vol. III - Stories of Wenatchee and North Central Washington, is now available at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center and at other locations throughout the area.

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41

Window Specialist

>>

column ALEX ON WINE

ALEX SALIBY

Warren had vision, we have his wines Every success has its ori-

gins, its simple beginnings, as is demonstrated by the success of the wine world here in the upper Valley.

Most of these simple beginnings have some down-to-earth yet complex humans as their instigators.

I’ve not enough space here to list all the men and women who built NCW’s wine world, so I’m going to focus today on just one of the people I credit for the success we see in the growth of the wine business here in the upper valley.

This column is a thank you and a dedication to one man — Warren Moyles — one of the founders of the wineries in the Leavenworth area and to some extent, the vineyards in what is now the American Viticulture Area (AVA) of Chelan.

Warren had his grapes planted almost a decade before the first real vineyard was planted in Lake Chelan.

I may not remember the actual year here, but I believe it was the summer of 1999 when we were visited by two of our friends, Ed Rutledge and Warren. It was a

Our family owned, estate grown, award winning wines are available at your favorite restaurant, local wine retailer or at one of our tasting rooms.

Quincy Tasting Room 2101 F Street SW, Quincy, WA 98848 (509) 787-8108 Pybus Public Market Tasting Room 7 N. Worthen St. Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 888-0809

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friendly, sunny afternoon on our porch in the Leavenworth countryside, and before long the talk drifted to the subject of this area fruit harvested in as a wine growing area and one single year the ability of the region to and labeled with support wineries. the year of the I confess here to having vintage. been wrong. More to the Smokey’s Vino point, Warren was right.

Rosso is nonOf course, he had been vintage, having right from the time when been made from he and wife Julie first fruit from two planted the grapes in their years. But don’t back yard and named their let that stop you homestead “La Toscana.” from enjoying the There was no bonded winwine. ery there then, but there There’s a was a dream. special point of That dream became realinterest also on ity for Warren and Julie; Warren Moyles poses in his La Toscana tasting room a couple this wine: it’s they converted their garage of years ago with head cat Smokey. made from the into a working winery. fruit harvested They cut out and removed a sec- ventory is still available for sale there at La Toscana. tion of the concrete floor of the In that sense, it would qualify at La Toscana Winery. garage and excavated a staircase to be called “estate” vintage, Here’s a short list of the red space down to the newly dug, were it not for rules that winerwines you can expect to sample underground wine cellar storage and enjoy. ies are only allowed to call wines room. estate if the grapes are grown at I can assure you that these At about that time, Warren a winery that exists within the wines were crafted by Warren shifted direction and turned boundaries of an American Viand will not disappoint you. his amateur wine making efticulture Area. Alas, La Toscana These red wines have some forts into a full-fledged, bonded carries a Cashmere address on cellar age on them, so they are and licensed winery. And so La the bottle and Cashmere is not ready for you to take home and Toscana Winery was born. enjoy with friends and family, or in such a designated area.

That is my recount of the Visitors must, as always, as a gift for some special occastart-up history 15 or 16 years phone ahead (548-5448) for an sion. ago. In the years that followed, appointment.

Warren’s wife, n La Toscana Cabernet SauviWarren and his wine built a Julie, as always an important gnon place of quality among the presence in his life and in their n La Toscana Cabernet Franc rapidly expanding number of n La Toscana Merlot (this one business, will make your reserwineries in our tri-county area. vation. has always held a special place But then Warren’ life changed; for me) And although the tasting he now suffers from Parkinson’s. room will be lacking the presn La Toscana Sangiovese (it’s A few years ago, Warren stopped La Toscana, so there has to be a ence of Warren himself at the making wines because of his bar, the wines are still those creTuscan styled wine) physical limitations. For all of ated by Warren’s hand. n La Toscana Smokey’s Vino us who know and love him, this Rosso (Smokey, fyi, was the head Alex Saliby is a wine lover who was sad news indeed. cat of the house who died last spends far too much time reading For those in the wine-drinking year) about the grapes, the process of making wine and the wines themselves. world, that stopping was tragic.

Most of the wines are vintage, He can be contacted at alex39@msn.

Yet, the welcome news is inmeaning they are made from com.

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June 2015

Write for fun and adventure.

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METEOR SHOWER TO LIGHT SKY Y EVENTS CALENDAR

COLD RIDE ON DEVIL’S BACKBONE Y EVENTS CALENDAR

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

April 2015

Open for fun and adventure

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE

WINTERING IN PANAMA Y EVENTS CALENDAR

MAGAZINE

Price: $3

November 2014

Open for fun and adventure

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NUMBER ONE

CAVES & CASTLES OF FRANCE Y EVENTS CALENDAR

February 2015

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WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

MAGAZINE

IN ThE fLOw ON ThE yUKON

SAVOR THE SAGE HILLS

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

May 2015 n Cover price: $3

BEING LINCOLN

fickle days, velvet nights

ICONIC WENATCHEE TRAIL SYSTEM OPENS FOR EXPLORING

Passion for 16th president turns into a teaching tool

Skydiving Back to the Old Sod in search of roots

Open the door and fall — a very long way

RUNNiNg wiTh DOgS AGILITY COURSE PUTS OWNERS AND THEIR BEST FRIENDS TO THE TEST

Boating the historic coast of Turkey

Travel Planner Cary Ordway features great NCW getaways

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