February 2020 The Good Life by The Good Life

ENJOY A BETTER MARRIAGE Y EVENTS CALENDAR

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

February 2020

OPEN FOR FUN AND ADVENTURE

Canoeing the vanishing Arctic plus WHEN HOLLYWOOD COMES EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS LEO MILLER’S LAKE CHELAN AUTO MUSEUM

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Contents

12 THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE

Discovering the weird and amazing — and sometimes tragic — stories of ancestors

14 Canoeing the vanishing arctic

For these aging adventurers, the call of traversing Hood River in the fabled north couldn’t be put off much longer

17 inspiring days

Jennifer Curtin might still suffer from a terrible traffic accident 10 years ago, but her business and customers inspire her to make a new day

24 NEW OPTIONS IN EARLY AMERICAN CASHMERE

page 10

Builders create a subdivision in easy-walking small town

AUTOMObile LOVE ON DISPLAY IN CHELAN

Art sketches n Painter Sharratt DeLong, page 26 n Dance studio owner Becca Allen, page 28

Features

hollywood calls

The stars come to an Entiat orchard, in a touching story of service and suffering

10 Chelan auto museum

Leo Miller shares his love of cars and automotive accessories with the public at his museum

Columns & Departments 6 A bird in the lens: Wise to take second look at an owl 22 June Darling: How to have a happier marriage 24 Pet Tales: An ode to Jackson 25 The traveling doctor: What’s in your bed? 26-31 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 32 History: Drifting in and out of NCW

Moving?

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NUMBEE VALLEY’S R ONE MAGA ZIN E

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THE M OF A AKING

Price: $3

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GRATEFUL. For Our Patients. For The Communities We Serve. Grateful for the Opportunity to Serve.

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We are Grateful for the trust our community puts in us with the things that matter most in life—family and friends. We are Grateful each day for the opportunity to improve the health and quality of life of our friends and neighbors. It’s the daily encounters with members of our community that mean the most.

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OPENING SHOT

A snowy owl? No, a barred owl

Year 14, Number 2 February 2020 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life PO Box 2142 Wenatchee, WA 98807

Jan Theriault

his morning, we woke up to an owl sitting in our tree next to the house. It appeared to be warming itself on a Christmas light. (The Good Life bird columnist) Bruce McCammon said it was a Barred owl. At the same time a large hawk came and flitted from one branch to the next as if waiting for breakfast. For this reason, we never let our toy Shih Tzu out by herself. Our experiences with birds has been most rewarding this year as an immature bald eagle landed 20 feet from our deck on July 19, the day before the 50th anniversary of the moon landing — “the Eagle has landed.”

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, Jan Theriault, Dale Foreman, Lief Carlsen, Vicki Olson Carr, Dennis Rahm, Andy Dappen, Jaana Hatton, Mike Irwin, Travis Knoop, Bruce McCammon, Donna Cassidy, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin and Rod Molzahn Advertising: Lianne Taylor Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth Video editor, Aaron Cassidy 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 PO Box 2142 Wenatchee, WA 98807

For more about the wonders of owls, see Bruce McCammon’s column on page 6.

On the cover

Paul Hessburg, front, and Gordon Congdon portage their canoe around Hepburn Rapid, a Class IV drop on the Hood River in Nunavut, Canada’s northernmost territory. Paul and Gordon were part of a four-man team who paddled the river in July of 2019 and saw for themselves how climate change is forever altering the Arctic. See Andy Dappen’s story beginning on page 14.

For circulation questions, email: donna@ncwgoodlife.com EVENTS: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Safeway stores, Mike’s Meats at Pybus, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and Dan’s Food Market (Leavenworth) ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact Lianne Taylor at (509) 6696556 or lianne@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

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February 2020

editor’s notes

MIKE CASSIDY

Car stories: There was this time... Reading Vicki Olson Carr’s

story this month about Leo Miller and his car museum in Chelan turned my thoughts to some of my cars, especially, my first car. It wasn’t even my car, it was my dad’s car. He bought a brand new VW Bug in 1967 for just under $2,000, and he was quite proud of it, as it was both his first new car, and, as he drove a rugged American-made dump truck on his job, he thought driving a tiny German car kind of funny. Somehow, I convinced him to let a buddy and me drive it to California one year after the “summer of love.” And, to be especially cool and maybe attract the attention of hippie girls, we bought plastic flower decals about the size of dinner plates at the local dime store and attached them to the car in a random fashion. Oh, we were colorful… but those California girls looked

right past the flowers, saw the two geeky guys inside, and ignored us. Just before arriving back home, we stripped the plastic flowers from the car … but, each one left an adhesive outline. When my dad drove his new car to work, his truck-driving buddies quickly saw the flower outlines, and well, that being the 1960s with the generation divide and all, my dad was the butt of a lot of jokes and I didn’t get to take the car on long trips anymore. I was curious about other early car stories, so asked some of our contributors this month for their stories. Andy Dappen replied first, with a story that very much fits his personality. Wrote Andy: “The car we drive speaks loudly of what we value and how we perceive ourselves. “While interviewing for one of my earliest jobs in 1981, my bossto-be asked (quite astutely) what

February 2020 | The Good Life

I drove. The fact that I drove a VW beetle told him a lot about how I valued practicality and economy over flash and style. It told him that I probably knew a moderate amount about cars because beetles broke down so routinely. “And it told him I might actually accept the modest salary this particular job offered.” Next, Susan Lagsdin logged in with her story about the vehicle she and Mike Irwin at age 30 traveled in: “In 1980, Dorothy Dodge (named after our town of Twisp’s postmistress) was a faded and rumpled 10-year-old white panel van, cheaply converted for camping with a plywood backseat/bed and storage space. “It was an always-welcoming home and a sturdy mode of transportation for a great year of travel around the United States (an easy gig — she’d already been to Tierra del Fuego and back in a previous life). “Dorothy almost died of engine failure in Louisiana but was resuscitated by a quick infusion of family money.” Vicki Carr had her own story about a problem car and family money, writing: “I bought a ‘53 Ford for $150 when I returned to college to get my teaching degree. I later bought a used VW with no gas

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“I ran out of gas on the summit of Blewett Pass... I coasted all the way down to the first gas station...” gauge. “I ran out of gas on the summit of Blewett Pass while returning to Chelan for a weekend with family. I coasted all the way down to the first gas station on the right (where The Rock is now). I needed to run alongside and push it through a couple of spots. “I put 78 cents of gas in and made it home to Chelan. My loving grandma put a $10 bill in my jeans pocket so I could get back to E-burg and Central.” Ah, those were the days: When you could happily sleep in the back of a van with your sweetie, when 78 cents of gas got you home and if you opened the hood on the engine of a car, you could actually make repairs yourself. Sweet motoring. Enjoy The Good Life. — Mike

column a bird in the lens

Be wise, take a perceptive look at an owl I

By Bruce McCammon

believe that owls are rather special birds. They have a reputation for being wise and are frequently used in modern commercials to represent a figure of knowledge. Beyond their symbolic nature, owls have distinctive physical characteristics. For example, many owl species have ears that are Bruce McCammon not placed is retired, colorsymmetriblind and enjoys cally on their photographing the birds in north cenhead. Being tral Washington. offset allows the owl to find prey more easily using multiple sound orientations. It’s like an enhanced stereo reception. Owls also can’t move their eyes, which provides them with astonishing depth perception. It also explains why owls evolved to be able to rotate their necks 270 degrees. Owls will also move their heads up and down as they swivel their heads. This allows the owl to “range find”

The Northern Saw-whet Owl — what an adorable bird.

and determine a precise location for their prey. If you have an opportunity to see an owl in the wild, take some time and study it. It is time well spent. If you want to find an owl in nature, start by walking to a dense tree or group of trees and then look down. That’s right, look at the ground under the tree. You’re looking for signs of an owl, not the owl itself.

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They can, and do, find the deepest, darkest recesses of a tree in which to perch. Owls will frequently perch in the depths of dense vegetation. They create a whitewash trail of poop over time. If your tree has an owl, you will see a collection of whitewash on the ground below the perching area. When you find this, look up. You may be able to follow whitewash up through the limbs until you finally find the owl. You will also see owl “pellets” on the ground. They don’t digest all the bones and parts of their prey. Owls will concentrate the debris into a mass and then regurgitate it. It is a common grade-school exercise to dissect a pellet to

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February 2020

find all the micro bits of nondigested prey. One pellet can produce a large collection of very small bones. Northern Saw-whet Owls are quickly placed into the category of “adorable bird.” There’s something about their yellow eyes, white eyebrows against a brown facial mask, and their white spots. They are small (5-9 inches, tip to tail) — about the size of a man’s fist or a mango. They can, and do, find the deepest, darkest recesses of a tree in which to perch. Even with a good whitewash trail to the perch, these small owls can be hard to find. That’s not a bad thing, really. Survival is key. Habitat and food availability are critical for these small birds and others. I’ve found them at roadside rest stops and in various parks around Washington and Oregon. I’m sure people wonder about the man who is randomly wandering about the park, looking at the ground and then craning his head to look up. He’ll make small movements to refine his view. Sometimes he’ll shake his head and wander on to another tree. A few times he’ll stop and stare up for an extended time. In this case he usually brings his camera up to take a photo. I’m sure some think I’m nuts. Winter is a great time to find them. If you find yourself in a local park, a rest stop along your way to somewhere or out for a forest hike, look down at the base of trees for the concentrated whitewash and pellet collection. Then you can join me in the fun of following the trail up to see a Northern Saw-whet Owl. You’ll be happy you did. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars. Good luck.

When Hollywood came

East of the Mountains T

By Dale Foreman

he phone rang, it was my son James. “Hey Dad, I just had a call from the Apple Commission, there are some movie guys who are looking for good locations to shoot a film up here. Is it okay with you if we let them visit the Keystone (our family orchard in Entiat) and take some pictures?” This was in October 2018. Location scouts? A movie, what kind of a movie, what is it all about? Do we want a cast and crew wandering all over the orchard? We have a business to run. What is it called? East of the Mountains. What is it about? Some medical doctor from Seattle who grew up in Chelan County, gets cancer and wants to come home for one last bird hunting trip before he dies. So who are the stars? Tom Skerritt and Mia Sorvino. Sounds interesting, let them come look at our property and see where it leads. The author of the book, David Guterson, had already had one very successful novel that was made into a movie, Snow Falling on Cedars. I remember my wife Gail read that in her book club and loved it. We decided to let the scouts visit the orchard and see if it was what they were looking for. Meanwhile I bought the book and read it. The story is sad, a well respected heart surgeon in Seattle suffers the twin tragedies of losing his wife and being diagnosed with

}}} Continued on next page

Tom Skerritt, Gail and Dale Foreman pose for a photo on set of East of the Mountains.

Don’t Be Afraid of a Little

HARD WORK

T HEAR 14 DAYS FOR $14 TRIAL

The

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When Hollywood came East of the Mountains }}} Continued from previous page cancer himself. He is depressed and not sure he can go on living in pain. He decides to take a trip back home, to his roots in NCW and go bird hunting with his beloved dog. That is when the trouble begins. A few days later a van pulled into the orchard in Entiat and out jumped the author, the executive producer, the producer Jane Charles, the director SJ Chiro and a couple of photographers. They wandered around, took lots of photos and some movies and we chatted about the process. They were going to look at a few other orchards in Cashmere, Malaga and Quincy and then decide which ones to use for the movie. Of course if we made the cut they would send us a contract. And they did come back a couple weeks later when there were still Red Delicious apples hanging from the trees to take more film clips. We had no idea how many people it takes to film a big time movie. But in June of 2019 we experienced it. The entire movie was scheduled for 21 days of shooting. For a week the prop people were in our old farmhouse, and in the old fruit warehouse setting up furniture, artwork, even dishes cups and saucers to recreate the 1950s setting. Friday, June 14 was the main shoot at Keystone, it was day 10 of 21. The huge trucks and vans began to arrive at dawn. Dozens of people driving the vans, hauling the lights, cameras, the cos-

Mari Groff and cast extras at 4th of July picnic, dressed for the 1950s.

tumes, make up artists to make the actors look perfect, security guards with walkie talkies and even stunt doubles. They recruited local folks, dozens of men, women and children of all ages, to dance and perform in the 4th of July party scenes. All of those folks had to get their costumes on in our old pickers housing and sign â&#x20AC;&#x153;extraâ&#x20AC;? actors contracts with confidentiality agreements. They will be able to tell you about their experience in a really big show as soon as the film is released. A Seattle caterer with a huge mobile kitchen brought food for the cast and crew. (In fact they cater most of the Hollywood movies filmed in the Northwest and they liked our Keystone Cellars wine so much they are now buying our Keystone Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay by the case to serve their customers.) Tom Skerritt arrived in a mo-

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Sharva Maynard, who plays Bea Harden in the film, sits with SJ Chiro, the director, on the back porch at Keystone.

tor home. We watched him as a wounded Dr. Ben Givens act/ talking with Bea Harden (Sharva Maynard) in our kitchen, and saw him come walking across our bridge over the Entiat River. After the morning shooting, he ate lunch with us and he was a very gracious gentleman. I told him how much I loved his per-

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February 2020

formance in Top Gun and also as a Presbyterian minister in A River Runs Through It. He told us his life story. He was born in Detroit and said he has had a charmed life; he feels so lucky to have gotten into the movie business. He posed for a photo with us and autographed the printed shooting schedule.

The crew filming Ben Givens (Tom Skerritt) as he comes walking across the Entiat River on the Keystone Bridge.

The crew in the dining room films a scene with Bea Harden (Sharva Maynard) and Ben Givens (Tom Skerritt).

Then everyone went back to work. After lunch the crew moved everyone up to the Keystone Canyon where they had created an old fashioned 4th of July picnic setting. The main character Ben Givens has a flashback to the 1950s when he fell in love with his

beautiful young bride, Victoria Summer Felix. It was a sweet scene, a party to remember. My daughter Mari, her husband Alan Groff, and Lulu Solis are all dancing in the scene. Two of our grandchildren, Clara and Johnny Groff, were “extras” in that scene. Jeff and Susan Heminger and Bill Dobbins are February 2020 | The Good Life

playing musical instruments. Lots of local folks are in the film, having a blast, literally, as the fireworks explode all around them. The filming took all day and ended about 11 p.m. when the crew began loading up the trucks and vans. The producers and directors and the stars looked exhausted and I suggested they were invited to come down to our wine cellar and do some barrel tasting before they headed out. We had a wonderful time until 2 a.m. sipping and laughing as we relived the ups and downs of the day. They went back to their hotel in Wenatchee and the next week were filming with Mia Sorvino in Seattle. Just this past October a small crew came back again to take some shots from the back of our manager Epi Ayala’s pickup truck, driving up and down the Entiat River Road, showing the river and the trees laden with www.ncwgoodlife.com

apples. It does take a village to make a movie. Now the film is “in the can” the editing is nearly done. We expect the film to be released this spring. I asked the author, David Guterson, to summarize his book for me. He wrote, “My novel is about a good man who, in the face of mortality and loss, has forgotten who he is, has lost track of the life of service and compassion that long sustained him, and who now finds, in the course of his journey, that he still has much to give and that he can continue to address the suffering of others — to the very end — by dint of his experience and skill.” I don’t want to spoil your enjoyment, there are lots of great scenes in orchards in Cashmere and Entiat, in Quincy and on a Greyhound bus with a sick young man, an illegal farm worker the doctor tries to help. But there is one story in particular in the book that brought tears to my eyes. Dr. Givens is up on Stemilt Hill at a pickers cabin and a young woman is about to give birth. The doctor, himself in pain, suffering and dying, gives the young mother the most loving care and delivers her child. What a great book, what a sensitive portrayal of the people who grow and pick our fruit and make north central Washington such a fabulous place to live. We are excited to see the magic of the story of a good man who in the face of death and cancer chooses a life of service and love. You know the old question: Saw the movie, read the book, which one was better? We loved meeting the people behind the film and respect their talent. We have not seen the movie yet but will as soon as it is released. We hope the film does justice to the beauty of the book. But just in case, read the book. It is wonderful.

Love on wheels A long life of admiring and collecting cars and their memorabilia is displayed at Leo Miller’s Lake Chelan Auto Museum

by Vicki Olson Carr

ike many Chelan County pioneers, Merlen and Grace Miller piled their family and a few belongings into a car and fled Kansas during the Dust Bowl days and the Great Depression. Driving west, they settled down in Deming near Bellingham in 1935. However, their youngest son, Leo Stanley Miller, developed painful arthritis and rheumatic fever. In and out of the hospital, Leo missed most of the third grade. Hearing that eastern Washington had a dry, sunny and maybe healthier climate, the Miller family loaded up one more time, drove east to Carlton. Chelan, however, became their final destination and Leo quickly returned to full health. Leo Miller loved his FFA activities in high school and was unit president. He also played basketball. The Chelan high school team made it all the way to the state tournament in 1954 with Leo as team captain. He was also named most inspirational player twice. In high school, he drove a 1940 Mercury coupe. “It was gray, had spinners and skirts, and was lowered,” he recalled with a grin. But his most important high school memory was receiving a $50 bill one Christmas from the apple grower he worked for during harvest and summer vacations. His work ethic had value. After graduation, Leo Miller drove his 1950 Ford up the Alcan Highway to work that summer in a gold mining operation near Fox, just outside Fairbanks. “Back in Chelan, I went to work at one of the apple warehouses for $1.25 an hour,” Leo said, chuckling and shaking his head as he recalled the minimal

Leo and Polly Miller in their 1968 Chevy pickup stop to talk to a friend a few years ago.

This neon green 1946 Chevy van was restored by Juan Patino of Chelan and was used to promote another Miller family enterprise, Zippy Disposal.

Included in this shot are a red 1951 Mercury and a black 1967 Pontiac GTO, just a few of the 60-plus classic and antique cars on display at Miller’s auto museum.

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February 2020

wages. Later he worked for the Lake Chelan Boat Company for five years helping to haul passengers, mail and freight up and down Lake Chelan. Then Leo worked for Chelan Box & Manufacturing towing log booms down lake to the saw mill. In the meantime, Leo Miller and Polly Austin of Omak were married and daughter Jana and son Wade soon joined the family. Putting their heads together with a shared sense of business savvy, the Chelan couple bought an apple orchard and eventually launched their own businesses in Chelan. Leo’s fascination with cars and the auto industry followed him wherever he went. “I had a red and white 1955 Pontiac Phoenix when I married Polly. I bought it new for $2,900. The one I have now here at the museum cost me $25,000,” Leo said, gazing around at his collection of memorabilia. “In the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s I collected Corvettes. I had about 15 to 18, which I later sold. Some of them ran. Some didn’t. Some I bought for parts.” Leo said. About this time Leo and Polly began spending winter months in Yuma, Arizona going to the annual January car auctions in Phoenix. “I bought three or four cars every year. That’s when I put up a Quonset-hut type warehouse to keep ’em in,” Leo explained. “And things just grew from there. . .” Leo’s interest in the auto industry includes auto memorabilia — gas pumps, neon signs, toy cars for toddlers and recently a rash of heavy, detailed Franklin mint cars. He bought many items at various car shows in the Arizona and other Southwest states, as

“You know, I’m 84 now. You’ve got to stay active. You’ve got to stay involved. And that’s just what I’m doing.”

Leo Miller was proud to locate and purchase a red and white Pontiac just like the one he owned when he and Polly were married 61 years ago.

CocaCola memorabilia and promotional items are a feature of the Miller’s Auto Museum and Event Center.

well as locally. Some memorabilia has been donated to the Miller’s Lake Chelan Auto Museum and Event Center, which the Miller’s opened in 2017, located on Blue Water Lane off State Route 150, 1.5 miles southwest of Chelan. “We have the museum open

three hours a day, three days a week, and open up around June 1. The first year we had 700 visitors. Last year we had 1,300 visitors. We hope to have 1,500 to 2,000 visitors this year,” Leo said during a recent conversation. “Several car clubs have been to see our 65 classic and antique February 2020 | The Good Life

cars, plus motorcycles and boats. It’s really kind of exciting! “And the Chelan Cruze car show people have decided to let me organize the June car show downtown. I have two other guys helping me. . . We’re going to add antique tractors this year. I think it’ll be interesting.” www.ncwgoodlife.com

Since the museum also has an event center, Leo is thinking of adding a wine-tasting venue to go along with a food vendor. “That might bring more people in too,” Leo explained. And where does Polly fit in with all of this? “Well, she’s the one who has let me do it all,” Leo answers. “She managed our motel for 20 years. When we sold it, some of that money was used for this museum. I’m still trying to organize all the memorabilia I just bought from a collector up on Wenatchee Heights,” Leo adds. “You know, I’m 84 now. You’ve got to stay active. You’ve got to stay involved. And that’s just what I’m doing.” Leo thumps the table to emphasize the importance of his last two remarks. “If you don’t, you’ll just fade away.” Well, Leo Miller might be a senior citizen now. He might be required to spend some time and energy to care for and comfort Polly, his wife of 61 years. But he’s not going to spend his time dozing in a comfy recliner or gazing out the windows of their lakefront home near downtown Chelan — or their shabby chic cabin nestled in the trees near the Methow River. Or you might find Leo cruising around town in one of his favorites from the extensive collection of beautiful classic and antique cars from the Miller’s auto museum. Vicki Carr is a Chelan writer who has enjoyed several visits to the Miller’s auto museum where she saw two examples of the first automobiles that her family owned on display as classic cars.

An axe murder, a captain lost at sea, a Puritan who arrived in 1631, an accused witch — oh the stories revealed in genealogy research

Those I

who went before man. Had I stumbled onto a kind of destiny? Genealogy was a much more cumbersome pursuit in 1996 than it is today. After encountering several dead ends in my search and having enough information to make what I considered an adequate family history, I photocopied the information, boxed up my papers and forgot all about the subject. Fast forward to 2019 when I found myself with some spare time and I signed on to ancestry.com, a website designed to aid those with curiosity about their forebears. What a difference 23 years makes! What had taken me months of research in 1996 was available in a few minutes in 2019. The digitalization of records — census, death certificates, marriage certificates, newspapers, etc. — has made easily and instantly accessible what had been hidden in dusty archives and library microfilm in 1996. Whereas my research in 1996 had required months of letter writing and visits to the library, I could now accomplish much more quickly on my iPhone, all the while sitting in my easy chair. A plan was forming in my brain: I would put together, in book form, all the information I was gathering. That way, when my children or grandchildren someday get the bug and get curious about their ancestry, the information will all be available. So why not let them discover the information for themselves you might ask? Surely future technology advances will have streamlined genealogical research even further than it is today. The answer is that much of that information will never be available on the internet. It lies in family photographs that will be lost to house cleaning and in the memories of individuals who will be long dead by that time. Already I have regretted that I didn’t pay closer attention to my grandmother

By Lief Carlsen

vividly remember the moment I saw the words “stone mason” written in the occupation column of the 1880 census form. I was in the basement of the Wenatchee library, poring over what seemed like an endless spool of microfilm, looking for some mention of John Stofer, my great-greatgrandfather, when suddenly there it was, in black and white, a record of a man I had never known and knew nothing about except his name. And he had been a stone mason! I struggle to explain why those words had such an effect on me. Of course I had known that I had a great-great-grandfather. We all, of necessity, have eight of them. But for most of my life, I gave the matter little, if any thought. As a boy, I had known three of my grandparents and heard a few stories about greatgrandparents but that was as far as my interest in genealogy had gone. When I decided, in 1996, to put together a little family history for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, I started poking around and digging up what I could from various sources. Mostly what I uncovered were names and dates but very little about the character and accomplishments of the ancestors themselves. So when I saw that census form that had been filled out in impeccable handwriting by someone named Asbury H. Neel on the 9th day of June, 1880, in Monroe Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, it was almost as if I were standing in the presence of John Stofer, talking to my great-great-grandfather — like I knew him, even if just a little. Add to that the fact that I had chosen the same line of work as John Stofer even though I had never heard of the

A quarrel at the site of a moonshine still left James Hattmaker, at right, dead from an axe blow. Below: Two pages from Lief’s book — Today’s on-demand publishing offers the do-it-yourselfer an affordable way to preserve photos and text for future generations in book form.

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February 2020

when she talked about her grandmother, the talented artist who painted the beautiful picture of a sailboat that hangs on my mother’s wall. And what about her stepgrandfather who captained that boat and was lost at sea? There is no record that I can find of either of these people and their accomplishments. Those facts died with my grandmother. They are probably lost forever. Genealogy websites like ancestry.com offer bookmaking services for those who want a hardcopy of their research but they were not flexible enough to accommodate the type of book I had in mind. I discovered a website called Blurb which offers free software that enabled me to combine photos and text to provide a much more complete description of my and my wife’s ancestors. And what stories there are to be found. I learned that I have an ancestor (Elizabeth Austin) who was one of the accused witches of the Salem witch trials in 1692. Another ancestor (Jabez Tarr) fought at the battle of Bunker Hill in the American Revolution. Mary (my wife) has an ancestor who was a moonshiner who was robbed and murdered with an axe to the head. These disclosures led to a good-natured rivalry between my wife and me. Initially, I appeared to be the clear winner of this rivalry with a long list of distinguished New England families compared to her moonshining hillbilly ancestors. And then a crack appeared in my winning slate. Among her nearly pure German ancestry, most of them recent immigrants, was a marriage of her great-grandfather to an Irish woman. Following this woman’s ancestry back I found one English ancestor after another until

I arrived at an English Puritan named John Furman who had sailed with Governor John Winthrop in 1631 to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony. That date trumped my earliest ancestors by several years. I immediately de-emphasized the importance “first to arrive.” After all, I explained to Mary, such a distant ancestor comprises a minuscule fraction of one’s DNA. Even though the digitalization of records has made ancestry research much easier, it is still a time-consuming endeavor. I presently have 672 unexplored “hints” that have turned up on my family tree. Whether I will ever deal with all of them is doubtful. The more of them I look into, the more paths of inquiry seem to arise. But recent discoveries regarding my maternal grandmother’s parents have whetted my appetite. Grandma Reenie never talked much about her childhood and I now know why. Records show that her father, Edward Shull, a handsome man who had a thriving construction business, died suddenly at age 34 of typhoid fever. Her mother, Alverda Shull, a tall, thin, stately woman, was left with five children and no income. She soon lost her house. She had to move in with her sister where she took in other people’s dirty laundry in an attempt to pay her bills. Within four years, she, too, died — of tuberculosis. Reenie and her brothers were separated and sent to live with various families. It’s a heartbreaking tale and it makes me wonder what other stories, both tragic and uplifting, lie undiscovered in the existing records. It is my hope that the book I am putting together will capture some of these stories for my descendants.

Finding the significance of a long hung painting.

Edward Shull died at 34 of typhoid fever. His widow, Alverda Shull, was also dead within four years, leaving five orphans.

February 2020 | The Good Life

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Canoeing the vanishing Arctic A sandbar just upstream of the Arctic Sound was a nice place for the canoe travelers to pitch their final camp.

Story and photos By Andy Dappen

hich wilderness river will we paddle next? Every few years when our small group of local canoeists comes together to plan a multiweek paddling adventure, this is always the thorniest question. Over the years, a trip that has consistently made the A-list but would eventually fall out of the running was the 400-kilometerlong watercourse of the Hood River, a system of lakes and rivers flowing northeasterly through the Canadian territory of Nunavut into the Arctic Sound. In the late-1840s, the Hood was the drainage where several members of the doomed Frank-

lin Expedition met their end as they attempted to travel overland from their icebound ship in the Arctic Ocean to the settlement of Yellowknife, Canada. In modern times, the Hood’s abundant wildlife, challenging rapids, scenic canyons, spectacular waterfalls, and Arctic landscape have all made it one of the premier northern rivers to canoe. Yet, despite its appeal, its remoteness, rigors, and the cost of accessing it mean only a few groups visit the river each year. These very issues had us passing on the Hood River trip after trip. At our meeting in January 2019, however, our group, whose middling age was now over 65, came to a sobering conclusion: If we kept delaying we would soon

| The Good Life

be too feeble to handle the river’s about this trip runnable whitewill be given this spring by the trip participants. water or portage Through discussion, the images of Gordon its many Class V Congdon, and the ballad poetry of Paul Hessand Class VI casburg, the presentation captures the essence of cades. If we were the adventure while describing the scope, scale, going to do the and importance of what’s being lost in the vanHood in this lifeishing Arctic. time, we needed The presentation will be given at the to get on it. Wenatchee River Institute in Leavenworth (Feb. In summer of 12, 7 p.m.) and at the Wenatchee Valley Mu2019, Gordon seum and Cultural Center (March 24, 7 p.m.). Congdon, Paul Hessburg, Gary Womeldorff and I Despite the early July date, flew to Yellowknife, Canada with these lakes were just begintwo Pakboats (folding canoes), ning to thaw. Ice covering the camping gear, and 26 days of very highest lake in the system dried food. Here we chartered meant our plane disgorged us on a flight to land us on one of the one of the lower lakes feeding headwater lakes of the waterthe river. Even then, our first few shed. }}} Continued on page 16

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Two presentations

February 2020

Gordon Congdon looks over the canyon carved by Wilberforce Falls.

Drop off point for the trip was several hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flight north and east of Yellowknife on Lake 373, a lake feeding the Hood River. From left are Andy Dappen, Gordon Congdon, Gary Womeldorff and Paul Hessburg. February 2020 | The Good Life

The first camp was close to a fox den where campers could watch two pups (kits). The adults were usually out hunting but occasionally on view when returning to the den as well.

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Canoeing the vanishing Arctic }}} Continued from previous page days of paddling were obstructed frequently by ice impasses that had us hauling canoes and gear overland before we re-encountered ice-free water. After a week, we were beyond the headwater lakes, beyond the ice, and on the free-flowing river. Here we settled into a rhythm of contending with the basics of life. We dealt primarily with the simple lifestyle of making miles, staying warm and dry, scouting rapids, shooting manageable whitewater, portaging unrunnable cascades, pitching camp, escaping bugs, fishing for food, hiking surrounding peaks, viewing wildlife, and keeping that wildlife away from our food. The basics of river travel and keeping ourselves warm in this cool, exposed, and windy environment preoccupied mind and body to the extent that there was little time to think about the past, the future, or the world we came from. Such a switch of gears is cleansing, fortifying, and even a little addicting. On such trips there are also unique experiences and encounters that etch themselves to memory. We watched a grizzly sow with her two cubs cover a mile’s distance — uphill and away from us — in minutes when she caught wind of our rancid smell. Twice on hikes we watched and heard wolves working to lure us away from their dens (and their cubs) with yips and howls. We all felt the frigid slap of whitewater to the face as waves and holes tried to swallow our canoes. We all knew the unpleasant pricks of mosquitoes and biting flies gnawing on bare skin

Canoeists portaged around many rapids that were too rough to run. The longest portage was the 2.25-mile carry (one way) around the impressive 200-foot-drop of Wilberforce Falls.

during our morning rush to vacate bowels before putting on the water. And occasionally we could detect the musky odor of caribou feeding near water’s edge as our canoes floated silently past. The barren-ground caribou were actually another draw of this river. In the mid-1980s, the Bathurst herd, composed of over 470,000 caribou, would migrate north through this watershed each summer to feed on the nutrientrich foliage and lichens near the Arctic Sound. In late summer, the herd moved through the watershed again as it returned to the more sheltered wintering grounds of the boreal forest to the south. A variety of environmental challenges connected to climate change has seen the herd crash. In 2018, the herd had diminished to about 8,000 animals. When a keystone species like the caribou crashes, everything dependent on it — mosquitoes

| The Good Life

We all felt the frigid slap of whitewater to the face as waves and holes tried to swallow our canoes. We all knew the unpleasant pricks of mosquitoes and biting flies gnawing on bare skin... in need of a blood meal, birds dependent mosquitoes, wolves predating on old or weak animals, bears dependent on carrion, dung beetles dependent on scat, soil dependent on dung beetles, vegetation that thrives when pruned by browsing animals — implodes with it. The Arctic we experienced was

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February 2020

really not the Arctic of old. After 23 days on the river, hundreds of miles paddled, five ice portages, 13 river portages, five wolf spottings, five grizzly bear sitings, dozens of caribou and muskox spottings, the Hood River entered the Arctic Sound. On a sand beach near the river’s delta we deconstructed our foldable canoes and waited for the float plane that would retrieve us. On most levels our trip had been a huge success. Nonetheless the four of us who made this journey also felt a profound sadness. The Arctic — its flora and fauna, permafrost, surface ice, weather patterns — are all changing so fast that what we experienced was really only a romanticized concept of the Arctic. The region is transforming into something new at an alarming rate and, quite probably, with alarming losses and yet-tobe-understood consequences.

Every day is an inspiration By Jaana Hatton The little yellow house at 400 Ninth Street in Wenatchee is like sunshine even on the outside. Once you step inside, the feeling remains as you are likely to meet the owner, Jennifer Curtin, greeting you with a bright smile. The cozy, home-like Inspirations Ceramic & Art Café is where customers can create ceramic pieces of their own liking. Maybe a new coffee mug or a platter for appetizers? Or how about trying out fused glass — the results can be amazing. “I never thought of myself as a creative person,” Jennifer said, “but I keep finding new ideas to share.” There is something she does not easily share: memories of her near-fatal accident 10 years ago. The night of the horrific event on Dec. 9, 2009 was as dark as winter gets when Jennifer was crossing Grant Road with three of her friends. There were no lights, no crosswalk, at the spot. Three cars had stopped to allow them to get onto the other side – the fourth one did not. It hit Jennifer, who was the last one in the group, and sent her flying into the air and then landing on top of the hood of the car. The driver slammed on his breaks, causing Jennifer to crash onto the road. Currently the location on Grant Road, by the community park, is easily identifiable with the crosswalk and lights that provide safety to pedestrians. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and into emergency surgery to deal with the epidural hematomas the col-

Jennifer Curtin is happy to lead customers in adventures at her cafe.

lision had caused. In the meantime, her parents and brother were making the long drive in the night over Blewett Pass to be by Jennifer’s side. “(The drive over) felt like an eternity,” Jennifer’s mother, Becky, said. They had another eternity ahead of them as they waited for Jennifer to be woken up from the medically induced come which lasted for six days. She was transferred to Seattle Children’s Hospital for speech and physical therapy — Jennifer had to learn to do things all over again due to the brain trauma. On Christmas Eve, she was released from the hospital. To say she recovered does not mean she was back to normal — and still isn’t. The headaches, stabbing chest pains, scoliosis, the crooked right knee and other aches and pains accompany her every day. But, she smiles easily, despite it all. “We celebrate my survival every year by going to Leavenworth on Dec. 9, just because it’s one of my favorite places,” Jennifer explained. At the time of the accident she was 14 years old. While most of her classmates were supportive afterwards, there were those who made mean remarks about “the girl who got hit by a car.” She found it hard to smile February 2020 | The Good Life

through such hurtful words. After graduation Jennifer continued her studies at Wenatchee Valley College and worked part-time at the newly-opened Inspirations Ceramic Art & Café. “I liked the place right away” Jennifer recalled. “There was nothing like it in Wenatchee at the time, but it felt comfortable to me.” She soon found herself not just liking, but in love with the art studio. It inspired Jennifer to focus her studies on business and to think in terms of applying the college skills at the café. Her friend, Nicole, worked at the studio and had initially asked Jennifer to come and help on a part-time basis. One thing led to another, and Jennifer ended up dropping her studies and running the art café together with Nicole. “I did the social media and marketing. I just loved the business,” Jennifer said. One thing she did not love was driving, and driving on Grant Road especially. The bad memories of the accident haunted her. They are on the back of her mind to this day. She did start driving after she started working at the café fulltime, though. “Some words just trigger those memories, like ‘accident’ or ‘injury’,” Jennifer said. She often wakes up to a headwww.ncwgoodlife.com

ache or other severe pain, but it doesn’t stop her from going to the café, to a job she loves. There are people to teach, items to order, designs to plan. Those are the good things that balance out the bad ones. One of the best things so far in her 24-year life is becoming the owner of the Inspirations Café. It happened a year ago, on Dec. 15. “It seems that 15 is my number,” Jennifer said. “I woke up from the coma on December 15, became the owner of the inspirations café on December 15 and there is a family event that also took place on the 15th.” Not only does Jennifer run the business but also participates in the community; such as the annual Empty Bowls event. The Inspirations Café orders the supplies and fires the painted bowls afterwards so the soup evening in March can be a success. If you go visit the Inspirations Café, take friends and have a great time. Give Jennifer a hug, for she may be having the worst headache day despite her sunny smile. Jaana Hatton is a Wenatchee resident, a soul of the outdoors, the arts and people of all walks of life. She believes in talking to strangers and looking past outward appearances. Many wonderful stories await there.

This view of the neighborhood looking toward hills across the river shows respect for tradition in the roof lines and porches and respect for privacy in the careful juxtaposition of small-lot homes.

New home options in walkable Early American Cashmere E

Story by Susan Lagsdin Photos by Mike Irwin

ven if your current home is comfortable and nicely situated and you’ve become accustomed to its individual quirks, you probably experience “house lust” occasionally. Maybe it’s reading about movie-star mansions (“dropped to $3.5 million!”) or driving down a favorite street with sidewalks, trees and history in your own town that does it. A high-up view lot sets your mind to blueprints. Or, for retir-

ees, it may be the region’s bloom of easy-care condominium or patio homes to match turn-key travel. No one can predict who will want to live where, but buyers are looking closely at houses in a new-built, old-look neighborhood in Cashmere. Riverside Meadow consists of 10 two-level homes on short cul-de-sacs bordered by the city park and tucked away between Cottage Avenue and the Wenatchee River. Three local individuals have poured their efforts into it.

| The Good Life

The detached single-family homes are each on small (around .15 acre) lots, which, with built-in sprinklers as well as drought-resistant landscaping, offer a condo’s ease without the fees.

Developer Flint Hartwig and realtor Chris Silver believe the homes on small lots at Riverside Meadow can appeal to both families and people looking for second homes in a recreational area.

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February 2020

Spacious and with well-thought-out counters and cabinetry, this first-floor kitchen in of one of the larger homes opens on to a living and dining area and deck.

Initially, landowner Craig Hess platted and permitted the acreage, then developer Flint Hartwig employed LexarHomes as builder, and now Chris Silver with RE/MAX Landmark is the listing broker. A unique feature they are proud of is the location… location… location. Riverside Meadow is a level stroll to shops and restaurants, library and community center through Cashmere’s historic residential district, or “cross-country” on the wide asphalt walking trail along the bank of the Wenatchee River. A playground, a skate park and wide playing fields adjoin the fenced neighborhood. Chris and Flint, both with family roots here and years of experience in the building trades, are enthusiastic about the development’s wide appeal. Listening to them talk about

Riverside Meadow is a happy version of “the blind men and the elephant.” Each brings a personal perspective. Chris has five kids and played in the Cashmere park as a child. Standing at one of the kitchen islands, he said, “I think families are going to love this… look straight out there — you can be standing here cooking and the kids are right outside across the fence, with the whole park

to play in ’til dark. You can call them in with a whistle.” Flint, married without children and consequently a little more footloose, said, “It’d be a great vacation place. This spot is only two and a half hours from the Seattle area. You could be here by dark on a Friday, walk to town for dinner and spend the next two days skiing, hiking, kayaking, whatever you want.

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New options in Early American Cashmere }}} Continued from previous page Then you just lock it up and go.” Turns out they’re both right. Built in 2019, the detached single-family homes are each on small (around .15 acre) lots, which, with built-in sprinklers as well as drought-resistant landscaping, offer a condo’s ease without the fees. The traditional look — peaked roof lines, front porches, two stories on narrow streets — contributes a first impression of comfortable permanence. No rentals are allowed; it’s in the covenants. Four of the homes are already occupied. There are two options among the six that are still available. Each one features three bedrooms and 2.5 baths, but they are distinctly different. Option one, at 2,283 square feet, offers a full master suite and office on the entry floor leading to a spacious living room, kitchen/dining area and deck. Upstairs, a second family area, a big carpeted multi-use loft space, leads to two bedrooms with a hallway bath. The second option is more compact, at only 1,733 square feet, with a functional twist on the floorplan. The front porch, and the garage entry, open to a carpeted first-level hallway leading directly back to two bedrooms and a bathroom. Wide stairs lead up to the second floor living area, bright white kitchen and master suite. The top floor is the size of a spacious apartment, and the position of the two downstairs rooms suggests either bedrooms or other expanded craft, TV or

A feature of some of the homes is a sheltered, all season deck, this one facing the park and the mountains. Direct park access is just a few steps up from the private street. Photo by Travis Knoop

The master sinks are a full bathroom size for two, a friendly amenity. This new-look soaking tub has a companion walk-in shower, glassed and in woodgrain tile. Photo by the Multiple Listing Service

office space. Colors are earth tone, double

| The Good Life

garages and laundry rooms are standard, fencing is in, and rows

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February 2020

of street side trees will soon complete the neighborhood.

A few of the homes, recently fenced for privacy but with views intact, are a stroll away from the playground and skateboard facility at the south end of Cashmere’s city park.

Materials and fixtures, Flint said, are conscientiously upscaled from builder grade including flooring, soft-close cabinetry, Whirlpool appliances, LED pulse lights, quartz counters and high efficiency HVAC systems. The Riverside Meadow team hopes to accommodate kids playing near the house, locals downsizing, couples easily driving to work, weekenders enjoying respite from westside weather and traffic and anything else you might want — in a downtown neighborhood with a mix of view, price, size and design. Out there somewhere is your next best house. Maybe it’s on a view ridge, maybe it’s a city-buzz apartment, or maybe it’s simple

with a sense of place, close in but peaceful. A good choice of real estate can’t guarantee happiness, but it could certainly give you a dandy place in which to be happy. >> RANDOM QUOTE

Calamity and death happen as well to those who hide from life as to those who squeeze every drop of zest from it.

Jonathan Lockwood Huie February 2020 | The Good Life

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column moving up to the good life

june darling

Do you want a better marriage? For starters, as June learned, try being a little less mean Our children have asked my husband and me what we are most proud of. We both answer, “Our marriage.” Let me start by reminding you that this story is told from my perspective. When I’ve heard people ask my husband the story of our courtship and love it sounds to me that it goes something like this, “We met in Germany, fell in love, and lived happily ever after.” That’s far different from the story I tell which is more like, “I met him in Germany. He was my dentist. My heart went pitterpatter. We argued over this and that. Got married. Continued to argue with more intensity over this and that and also nothing. I packed my bags to leave several times. He assured me that he loved me. I had a hard time believing it. After 46 years of work, we got it together, mostly. I say he is my rock. He says I am his angel.” Flash back. My childhood friends and many of my family members were surprised that I ever got married. My 20s were filled with admiration for phrases like, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” It’s difficult to start a good relationship with that sort of attitude. I had to learn things the hard way, which included a LOT of reading. I spent several useless years reading books that would help me figure out what was wrong with marriage, several equally futile years reading books to figure what was wrong with my husband.

June and John Darling note their 46th anniversary — attitude changes have lead to marriage longevity.

Then I spent many more years reading books to figure out what was wrong with me. For the sake of the greater good, during this month of love, I share two biggies I learned from reading and listening to top marriage researchers. The application is wider than marriage, by the way. I stopped being so mean. At least I stopped being so mean when my husband first walked in the door. That’s the first step if you want to have a better marriage or any relationship for that matter. If you must be mean, work up to it. Start off with a little small talk. Give a sincere compliment. Get to better know the person you plan to later harass. This may sound funny but re-

| The Good Life

For the sake of the greater good, during this month of love, I share two biggies I learned from reading and listening to top marriage researchers. The application is wider than marriage, by the way. searchers like John Gottman will back me up. Start up any complaint session gently. And it is extremely helpful to have a big reservoir of positivity going for

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February 2020

you. Gottman claims the better marriages have at least a ratio of three positives to every one negative interaction. Here is something women should really pay attention to. In general, women enjoy expressing their emotions including their negative emotions. Men not so much. Men also get emotionally flooded, over aroused (heart rates are often hitting over a hundred according to monitors researchers attach to them) when women are having what feels like a good talk about what’s bothering us. I was once partnering with a client about achieving some goals. But then he wanted to also talk about some trouble he was having with his fiancé. “She always wants to talk about what’s bothering her. I try to listen.” “That sounds good,” I say. “But then she just keeps going! The more I listen, the more she says. I just want to put my hands over my ears.” What do people do when they get emotionally flooded? Fight, freeze, or flight. So couples have these typical fights. Marriage therapists call them “dances.” The most recognizable ones are the attackattack step and the attack-withdraw (put my hands over my ears) step. John and I mostly did the attack-withdraw step. Here’s where it gets interesting. When I attacked, he shut me out by doing things like …going to sleep! Clearly I needed to attack a bit harder to get his attention next time. Not. I finally got more savvy (after reading Gottman) and stopped thinking I needed to be

Dr. Johnson says that many of the fights we have are really not about what we think they are about. mean to get his attention. So, hang on to that first big idea and all those little subplots. If you want to have a good marriage (and relationships), don’t be so mean — have a reservoir of positivity, start the complaint session up gently. Watch out for the dance you may get caught up in and be aware that men and women are different when it comes to expressing emotions. Here’s idea number two. Be there. Make sure your partner (friend) knows you have their back. This idea mostly comes from the work of Dr. Sue Johnson who learned from John Bowlby. Bowlby is the one who put the concept of “secure attachment” on the psychological map. The very basic idea is that kids who know their parents are there for them are more well-adjusted and happy. Dr. Johnson says that many of the fights we have are really not about what we think they are about. They are not about me not wanting to go fishing when you do. Not about me not wanting to have sex when you do. Not about you not cleaning up your mess. Rather the fights are, at their deepest level, about this basic question. Are you there for me — can I trust you, do you honestly care about me? We are socially bonding mammals. Forget that stuff about needing each other like a fish needs a bike. We DO need each other … desperately. We need to know we can count on each other. Some of us had early childhoods where we were not se-

curely attached to our parents. We developed ways of dealing with that sad situation by becoming more clingy or acting like we don’t give a darn. Neither of those are sound strategies for having good relationships. During a conflict, we may need to just take a break, remember that we are mammals who need reassurance. Touch can be a wonderful way to reassure. I thank my lucky stars that my husband is an A-1 cuddler and hugger. That gave our marriage a healthy dose of bonding chemicals like oxytocin. We ARE proud of our 46 years of marriage. Still we continue to step on each others’ toes — that’s to be expected. But there’s much less of those nasty tangos. Good relationships make life worth living AND they aren’t easy. Some things can’t be worked out. But the research available today is helping many. February is the perfect time to up your relationship intelligence. Check out one or two of the fantastic books, blogs, articles, podcasts, or YouTube talks by people like doctors John and Julie Gottman and Dr. Sue Johnson. How might you move up to The Good Life by learning more about love and relationships?

Food & Drink Guide St 1st

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June Darling, Ph.D. can be contacted at drjunedarling1@gmail.com; website: www.summitgroupresources. com. Her bio and many of her books can be found at amazon.com/author/ junedarling.

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.

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After 15 years of oohs and ahhs from family and friends I realized the best way to share my recipes was to create a YouTube Channel! Check out my videos for finger-licking, mouth-watering recipes and techniques.

PET tales

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

hen Dan and I started thinking about adding another cat to our family, we decided pretty quickly that we wanted an adult cat, not a kitten. We wanted a cat old enough that we could tell what their personality was like, and also hoped to be able to help an adult cat that might have a harder time getting adopted than most kittens do. We could tell right away that Purrcy at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society was just the sweetest, most loving cat we could hope for, and he has become even more friendly every day he’s been home. We are so glad to have him as part of our family! — Rachel Findlay

Jackson I wish I were, more like Jackson, Never complaining, always smiling when near me, You might know, dogs smile with their tails. He wags whenever he sees me. Two meals a day, Of dried dog food, Seems to satisfy. His daily walk The most exciting part of his day. Never complaining , Oblivious to the world’s mess, Swirling about us. Content to nap on the carpet or chair as long as he is near me. Dogs are special, Nonjudgmental, never complaining. Happy as long as we are to-

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February 2020

gether. I wish I were more like Jackson. — Jim Brown

column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

What’s in your bed? In the past decade there

seems to have been a resurgence in bed bug issues. Some have suggested it is an epidemic. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that live on human blood. They are small, round, reddish brown insects that live on the blood of animals and humans. They do not fly but move quickly over floors, walls and ceilings. Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs about the size of a speck of dust. Although they are a nuisance, they are not thought to cause or spread disease. Yet they are both a public health and economic issue. Bed bugs are a worldwide problem and are found in crowded conditions and in hotels, both budget and expensive ones. They have been found in thrift stores, cruise ships, dormitories, trains and buses and anywhere there is a high turnover of occupants. They enter our homes in luggage, clothing, used beds, couches and other items even including library books. Not long ago in a Midwestern city bed bugs were found in books returned to a library. As a result the librarians now

annually inspect the 2.7 million returned books in their eight branches looking for bed bugs. If found the books are bagged in garbage bags and frozen for four days at zero degrees. Every three months, certified K2 bed bug detection dogs patrol the aisles at all eight library branches. These specialized dogs are also being used in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations and city buses. Bed bugs are not a sign of dirtiness. They are not lured by dirty sheets or pillowcases. They are lured by warm beds, sweat, and moisture. Once in our beds, the insects wait until the hours before dawn to start feeding on our blood, mainly on our backs. They poke their snout into our skin, inject a form of anesthetic and fill their bellies. In the AM we might feel some itchiness with our body’s inflammatory reaction to these bites. The bites show as red spots, frequently in a cluster or a row. Some might wonder if they are fleabites, but fleas typically bite the lower extremities and behind knees not on backs. So how do we deal with these bed bugs? First of all we attack where

they spend most of their time, our beds. Bed linens, especially pillowcases, should be changed every three days. In a study, swabs of pillowcases unwashed for a week carried 17,000 more colonies of bacteria than from toilet seats — just a reminder to change those pillowcases frequently. When we wake up, often we quickly make our beds. It has been suggested to pull back the blankets and give your sheets time to get dried out. Many sweat while sleeping at night which is attractive to bed bugs. Sleeping in the nude exposes you even more to these critters. Also sleeping with your dog or cat in your bed is risky from a health standpoint. We should wash and change our sheets every week. A survey of Americans suggests that on average most people go 25 days between sheet washings. The sheets should be washed in the hottest water allowed by the label and use germ killing bleach. Your mattress pad should be washed every three to six months and the mattress itself vacuumed at the same time. Another disgusting thing in our beds are dust mites. We spend a third of our lives in bed on average. We humans each

shed 500 million skin cells a day (not a typo). These skin cells pile up on our sheets and provide a gourmet meal for dust mites. They live in our pillows and beds in the millions, eating dead skin and hair. Fortunately, they don’t cause disease, bite or sting, but four out of five homes in the U.S. have dust mites. Unfortunately their excrements contain proteins that are allergens that can cause or aggravate allergies, worsening asthma, particularly in children and the elderly. Ten per cent of us are allergic to dust mites. The 500 million skin cells we shed can support a million dust mites. Since we can’t see them, we can try to avoid them. There are commercially available mattress and pillow covers that are impervious to dust mites and bed bugs. These might be a good idea to consider. After proofreading this article, my wife, Lynn, immediately bought them on Amazon. They arrived two days later. 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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Sharratt DeLong poses in front of three recent paintings that demonstrate his affection for Wenatchee’s dramatic skies and streetscapes. Photo by Mike Irwin

Wenatchee artist roams and returns Sometimes, you have to go away just so you can come back home

By Susan Lagsdin

mall towns and even small cities have their share of high school graduates who ache to light out on their own, to leave home and seek their fortunes. Some stay put, some stay away, and a fortunate few have the distinct pleasure of both experiencing the big world and returning to their hometown on their own terms and in their own sweet time. Wenatchee artist Sharratt DeLong is one of those few. And, as his current oil paintings dem-

onstrate, after a decade away he is unabashedly head over heels in love again with his town. As a child, he played freely with his mom’s art school notebooks and paint box, but by his teens he’d involved himself wholeheartedly in the theater community. After graduation from Wenatchee High School, Sharratt said, “I realized I was full of other people’s opinions and I had none of my own. I had to get out of town, have my own experiences.” At 20, he set out to immerse himself in the New York art

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scene, which became an “excruciating and exciting” urban fantasy of odd jobs, skimping and sharing to stay solvent, broken hearts, glutting on galleries, rooftop parties, arguing late into the night about serious art. His roommates at one point were a painter, a stand-up comic and a philosopher. “You end up finding the people who care about what you care about,” Sharratt said. Ironically, high school theater friends who thrived in New York: Heidi Schreck, Clare Barron and Paul Hardy, became

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February 2020

playwrights, but he found his place in visual art, experimenting first with photography. (He said, showing no regret, “All those photos I took were lost on the computer.”) New York served its purpose, but after a sojourn back in Washington and a breakup with his girlfriend that propelled him to independence, Sharratt yearned again for action, mystery and buzz and headed straight down to Los Angeles. By then he’d produced enough of a portfolio to qualify for acceptance into a colony/studio nick-

Sharratt said, “I like capturing spaces that convey light and feeling and perhaps a bit of loneliness. “ Examples are the window he painted when he first moved into his apartment (above) and the sunshade next to a Moses Lake taco stand (below).

named The Pound in the gritty south bay industrial area. Sharratt said of those four years, “There was a sense of freedom I’d never felt before, and that’s when I started painting and selling my first works.” He still rhapsodizes about L.A.’s fog, the warmth, the flowers, the sunsets. “There’s still an old-time ’30s Hollywood feel to the city,” he said, and describes the wealth of art galleries and restaurants. Again, the city’s glamour and glitz ran its course for him, and so in 2015, the self-taught and confident artist returned to Wenatchee. He rents a tiny apartment in an old downtown building, a kind of homage to his out-of-town adventures, with a squeeze-in living room/studio space that can fit a few friends and many large oil canvases. Now, he said, he’s committed to enjoying the relative quiet of life here and listening to his own thoughts. “The most important thing is the work,” Sharratt said, “and you can do the work wherFebruary 2020 | The Good Life

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ever you are. I am very grateful to be where I am.” Sharratt said, “When I returned, I saw this place with a new vibrancy I hadn’t experienced before, and those fresh impressions still provide strong inspiration.” He enrolled at WVC for a college transfer degree and to hone his art, and he learned truck driving as a living-wage skill. (“Artists don’t really work at their best when they’re starving,” he said.) And he began to paint solo and unrestrained every day. “I strive for four hours at a time,” he said. “If I’m stuck, I force myself to sit in front of the painting. I’m allowed to do nothing, but I can’t do anything else.” Even his choice of medium matches his mission. “I want to be in control of my own artistic expression,” he said, “and the restriction of the simple flat surface of the canvas is actually liberating.” Sharratt, at 32, feels he’s on the verge of supporting himself with his art. The success of two major exhibits last year, at Wenatchee Valley College’s MAC gallery and at Collapse gallery downtown, lead to private commissions. His plans involve an art-related engineering career and as well as dozens of possible painting projects, but for now he’s focusing on what he knows and loves. It’s Wenatchee’s special beauty beyond orchard, cliff and mountain majesty. With the expressive sky as a backdrop, his paintings highlight the drama of scenes we look at daily but may not see: an alleyway, a storefront, a taco truck, a stretch of lonely road ribbed with telephone wires. Sharratt is seeing and sharing our many-faceted, moody urban environment. Ten years away from home — immersed in the rumble and hum of the biggest cities bracketing America — can do that for an artist.

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fun stuff what to do around here for the next month Homegrown Oldies Jam, every first and third Monday, 7 to 10 p.m. Riverside Pub. Cost: free. NCW BLUES JAM, every second and fourth Monday. 7 – 10 p.m. Riverside Pub. Cost: free. Wenatchee Paddle Club, every Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. open paddle, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. novice kayak paddle group, Saturdays, 7 a.m. masters crew rowing. Info: wenatcheepaddle.org. Upper Valley Running Club, every Tuesday, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Check-in at the gravel lot across from O’Grady’s Pantry. Maps will be available for a marked 3-mile trail route, partly along Icicle Creek. Run or walk, by yourself, with a friend or with your family. Participate 10 or more times and earn an Upper Valley Running Club tech tee. Info: sleepinglady.com. 1 million cups, every first Wednesday of the month. 7:45 a.m. sharp. Entrepreneurs discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. Come join this supportive, dynamic community and hear from two businesses that are between 1 – 5 years old. Discover how we can help move them forward in a positive environment, fueled by caffeine. Coffee provided by Mela Coffee Roasting. Wenatchee Valley Chamber office, 137 N. Wenatchee Ave. Conversations around death/ death conversations group, meets every third Wednesday, 9 – 10:30 p.m. Does your family really know what you want? Do you have a current will? Who gets what? This is a an information group that is looking at what we or our family should expect upon our passing. Chelan Senior Center. Cost: free. Info: Concie Luna 630-2972. Shrub-steppe poetry podium, every last Wednesday, 5 – 6:30 p.m. A free, poetry-only public reading. Read your own poems or the work of a favorite poet. Riverside Pub, 538 Riverside Dr, Wenatchee. Info: sfblair61@gmail. com. Weekly Club Runs, every Thursday check in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Pybus Public Market south entrance. Either a 5k or 10k walk or run on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. Complete 10 weekly

runs and receive a free shirt. Cost: free (other than a smile). Leavenworth Waterfront Park Trail Snowshoe Tours, every Thursday in February, 10 a.m. – noon. Join local naturalist guides for a free snowshoe stroll on the Waterfront Park Trail along the Wenatchee River. Enjoy the feeling of being in the wilderness while remaining in close proximity to the bustling downtown area. All ages and experience levels welcome. Snowshoes provided. Dress for cold weather and bring a snack and warm beverage. Cost: free. Wenatchee River Institute. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org or call Rachel 548-0181 ext. 5. Thursday Night Drags, 6:30 p.m. sharp every Thursday. Four person teams with up to 3 additional racers for alternates. Participate on skis or snowboard. Race venue is Elip. Skill levels from intermediate to expert. Racers must be 16 or older. Mission Ridge. Info: Lindsay Davisson, 421-2425 or mrst.us/ Thursday-night-drags. Game Night, every 4th Friday. Board games, card games or any games you bring. Open to families and all ages. Hosted by Pacific Crest Church. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket. org. Jam at the Crow, 7 – 10 p.m. Every first Sunday. The Club Crow in Cashmere, 108 1/2 Cottage Ave. Cost: free. Live at the met: porgy and Bess, 2/1, 9:55 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $22 advance or $24 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Winter Art Exhibit, 2/1 through 3/27. The Lake Chelan Arts Council presents a special art exhibit with the theme “Lake Chelan in Winter.” Lake Chelan Public Library, 216 N Emerson. Cost: free. Info: artinchelan.com. Snowshoe Tour at Fish Hatchery, 2/1, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Start from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, joined by area naturalist guides on a one mile snowshoe trail along Icicle Creek and learn about native wildlife and ecology along the Way. All skill levels are welcome, with snowshoes, gaiters and poles provided. Leavenworth

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National Fish Hatchery, 12790 Fish Hatchery Rd. Cost: $12. Info: 5480181. Guided Snowshoe hikes for families, 2/1, 10 a.m. – noon. Learn the basics of walking with snowshoes then go on an easy snowshoe walk. We’ll stop and read a snow-themed book and learn about winter animals. Enjoy hot chocolate back at the trailhead. Bring water and snacks, dress warmly and wear sturdy, waterproof shoes. Saddle Rock Trailhead. Cost: $8 adults, children 12 and under $6. Info: cdlandtrust.org. Ranger-guided Snowshoe trail hike at Lake Wenatchee, 2/1, 1 p.m. and every Saturday in February. Sno-Park pass required. Info: www.parks.wa.gov. Have a heart Auction, 2/1, 5 9:30 p.m. Dinner, silent and live auction. Annual fundraiser for the school. St. Joseph Catholic Church. Info: stjosephwen.org. Adult Walking Program, 2/3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 7 – 9 a.m. The city of Leavenworth invites residents to participate in a winter walking program. Leavenworth Festhalle. Cost: free. Info: Leavenworth.com. Environmental Film series: The true cost, 2/4, 7 – 9 p.m. A documentary about the clothes we wear, the people who make them and the impact the industry is having in our world. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. Harlem Globetrotters, 2/4, 7 – 9 p.m. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $24 - $243. Info: towntoyotacenter. com. Pybus University: DIY Felt Flower Valentine Wreath, 2/4, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Learn how to create your own plastic yarn by reusing your grocery shopping bags, form a foam wreath frame from old pool noodles, make flowers out of left over felt and paper. Bring two plastic grocery bags the same color and a pair of scissors. Pybus Public Market. Cost: $10 must register. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Get lit! Jewelry, 2/5, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Learn how to use soldering,

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February 2020

Dance to a dream ‘I’ve known since middle school that I wanted to run my own dance studio’ By Susan Lagsdin

When Becca Allen opened

Next Step dance studio in 2008, she realized her own life was a series of judiciously calculated moves — and a few unexpected ones — that culminated in a dream. So the name “Next Step” wasn’t chosen only for its dancerly connotation. “It sounds crazy, but I’ve known since middle school that I wanted to run my own dance studio,” Becca said. She’s danced since the age of four with many instructors, and through lessons and competitions learned to love not just the art but the strong sense of community and shared passion that’s palpable in a studio setting. Many of her students feel that same draw, including a few who for 12 years have learned from her and now teach alongside her. “There’s a real sense of family,” Becca said, “and some of the girls — especially in the competition groups that practice 10-15 hours a week — are here for more hours than they may see their parents.” They may not all envision a

SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

“When I started the studio, it was my ‘baby;’ I slept upstairs and worked all the time.”

Becca Allen at the barre: “There’s a real sense of family.” Photo by Mike Irwin

dance career, but they love the friendships and the teamwork. Becca’s own young life (as Rebecca Romero) was a full program of multi-art experiences: in addition to cheerleading she competed in regional and national dance competitions, was an award-winning vocalist and acted and danced with Leavenworth Summer Theater. She was on stage under the lights for most of her teen years and now figures her life list of involvement in theatrical productions is at 50. The next step was professional performance, Hollywood style. Shortly after graduating from Cashmere High School and enthusiastically supported by her family, Becca headed south for three years of rigor and expectation, auditioning for bit parts and big parts, often getting the gig. She signed with the prestigious John Robert Powers Agency, took master classes and trained with top TV choreographers. The life of a dancer/

singer/actress was good. Next step, from frenetic to a little more relaxed. Time to take a breath. For a few good reasons (including a crush and steadier work) she returned home to Wenatchee. “I think I could have stayed working in Hollywood for a few more years,” she speculated, but with no regret for the change-of-pace move or the untenable crush. “I truly believe that things happen for a reason. I needed to be here.” Three years after Becca re-established herself in Wenatchee by teaching dance and choreographing musicals, a local ballet teacher contemplating retirement called, offering to sell her a dance studio in the old Cascadian Hotel ballroom complex. Becca was 26, single, respected in her field, world-wise and totally ready to make her next big move. A leap. The answer was yes. “I knew absolutely nothing about business, but I’d been in studios for years, so I figured February 2020 | The Good Life

it out for myself,” Becca said: finances, facility, contracts, scheduling, staffing, promotion. “When I started the studio, it was my ‘baby;’ I slept upstairs and worked all the time.” Now there’s a long wall of shiny competition trophies and a jam-packed week (daily from 3 to 8) offering dozens of dance opportunities from ballet to Broadway, jazz to hip hop. “Being an artist and then switching gears to being a business owner required a balance,” she said. “I’ve learned by trial and error.” Learning to flex with unanticipated changes and learning to delegate were tough but have become second nature. Another wise step? Corralling chaos. “For the first four years Next Step produced three ‘grand scale’ dance productions a year. Then for years we did it twice. Now we do just one a year in June, and it’s much better for the performers.” Stress level is down, quality is up, everyone’s breathing easier. www.ncwgoodlife.com

It’s not all dance and studio management. Becca loves the timing of another big move: she first met her husband-to-be Rick amid renovating the studio that summer of 2008. Their next big step was marriage, and a few years after that one, starting a family. Since her two children, now ages 3 and 6, were born she’s learned yet another kind of tricky footwork. With her parents’ help and her teaching compacted into two long days a week, she’s balanced responsibilities so she can dedicate herself fully to both business and home. “I change hats when I walk in the house. I love having time with my kids… my own family brings me back to another kind of reality.” After 12 years in the business, Becca’s pleasure in her dance family grows exponentially: planning classes with a colleague who was once her student, watching a toddler… toddle and knowing from experience how strong and graceful she can grow to be, getting a phone call from an alum excited to be cast in a New York show — she delights in seeing the people she cares for taking their next big step.

WHAT TO DO

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

}}} Continued from page 28 circuitry and basic jewelry making to create a brass and LED pendant or earrings for your Valentine – or yourself. Adults only. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: $35 includes supplies and a glass of wine. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. Professional Development summit: John Norlin, 2/6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Keynote morning speaker Brian Higgins, teacher, comedian, puppeteer and strategic thinker. Lunch keynote speaker John Norlin, curriculum developer, teacher and Program Administrator for the Whole Child K-12 in Washington State, cofounder of CharacterStrong a curriculum and training that transforms the way schools and organizations teach social-emotional learning, character development and puts a focus on relationships first. Afternoon keynote speaker Brian Higgins. Wenatchee Convention Center. Cost: $55. Info: Wenatchee.org/ event/calendar. Book turned movie night, 2/6, 5:30 p.m. Join us for a showing of a popular book-turned movie and discuss how the two formats compare. Chelan Library. Cost: free. Info: ncrl.org/chelan. Rails and Ales, 2/7, 5:30 – 8 p.m. An evening of skiing, snowboarding, music, fun and an outdoor beer garden featuring local craft beer. South end of Orondo St. downtown Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Friday night music – the Nate Weakely Project, 2/7, 6 – 8 p.m. Live music on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pubuspublicmarket.org. First Friday Events Include: *Class with a Glass, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. 10 S Columbia St. *Collapse, 2/7, 4 – 9 p.m. 115 S Wenatchee Ave. *Gypsy Lotus, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. 1 S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. *Lemolo Café and Deli, 2/7, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 114 N Wenatchee Ave. *MAC Gallery, 2/7, 5 – 7 p.m. Wenatchee Valley College Music and Art Center, 1300 Fifth St.

*Mela, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. Nosh provided. Cost: free. 17 N. Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. *Mission Street Commons, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. 218 S Mission St. *Pans Grotto, 2/7, 4 – 9 p.m. 3 N Wenatchee Ave. Ste 2. * Robert Graves Gallery, 2/7, 5 – 7 p.m. Drawing and prints from the collection of Dr. Donald S Smith. This exquisite collection of midcentury art is by well-respected California artist. Gallery hours Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Sexton Hall at Wenatchee Valley College, Ninth St entrance. *Tumbleweed Bead Co., 2/7, 5-7 p.m. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com. *Two Rivers Art Gallery, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. Featuring artist photographer Jean O’Keefe. Jean uses a Canon 5DSR camera to shoot and create a picture using digital darkroom software that help her develop creative expressions of her photographs. Her presentations are unique in color and clarity. Music by guitarist Lance Tigner. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery.com. *Wells House, 2/7, 5 – 7 p.m. Come view pictures of weddings that have taken place at the Wells House through the years. Tours will be given on the first and second floors with insider information including history about the house and the original owners, fun facts about its college days, and interesting details uncovered in the renovation. Light refreshments. Off 9th St at the end of Nelson on the Wenatchee Valley college campus. *Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. 137 N Wenatchee Ave. *Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 2/7, 5. – 8 p.m. This month come and see the Hartsfield Family Quilt Collection. An exhibit showcasing a quilt collection that represents one family’s craft practice from the time of slavery through the mid -20th century. The earliest quilt dates back to Tennessee in the 1850s. Light refreshments. Cost: free. Info: Wenatchee.org. *Ye Olde Bookshoppe, 2/7, 5 – 8 p.m. 11 Palouse St. Active Listening Workshop, 2/8, 9 a.m. – noon. Learn to listen

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– listen to learn: an active listening workshop is a community education class presented by Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center. Learning how to listen improves relationships, conversations and comprehension. Participants seeking professional or personal growth and development will gain practical experience learning invaluable communication skills. Wenatchee Community Center Veteran’s Hall. Cost: $45. Info: wvdrc.org or info@ wvdrc.org or 888-0957. Cascades Wildlife Tracking Certification Class, 2/8, 9, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. each day. Learn to recognize area mammal, bird, reptile and invertebrate tracks and to interpret animal movement and behavior. A hidden world of wildlife sign is revealed, the ability to find subtle evidence of animal presence is developed. David Moskowitz, professional wildlife tracker, naturalist, educator and author will lead the class. Wenatchee River Institute, 347 Division St Leavenworth. Cost: $290. Info: Rachel Bishop 548-1081 ext 5or rbishop@ wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Washington Nordic Cup Race, 2/8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come cheer on young Plain Valley Nordic Team skiers. Plain Hardware and Plain Valley Ski Trails. Cost: free. Info: wncup.org. Coyote’s corner Drop in art

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February 2020

class, 2/8, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. ages 4 to 11 and their guardians can join Maria Gonzalez for an art class. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. Family movie at the library, 2/8, 2 p.m. Bring your popcorn and a beverage and watch a family friendly movie. Chelan Library. Cost: free. Skirennen Nordic Race, 2/9, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Classic Cross Races for all ages and abilities. Leavenworth Ski Hill. Cost: free. Info: skileavenworth.com. Fly Tying with Bruce Merighi, 2/11 and every Tuesday until 3/10, 6 – 8 p.m. Learn about fly-fishing equipment, philosophy and the basic entomological connections between aquatic food sources and local fish – with minimal Latin. Learn and understand the beginning fly tying techniques, including the use of tools and various fly tying materials enabling the independent tying of diverse patterns. Wenatchee River Institute Red Barn, 347 Division St, Leavenworth. Cost: $70, includes five evenings with materials and tools provided. Info: Rachel Bishop 548-0181 ext 5 or rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Pybus University: Salmon in our streams, 2/11, 7 – 8:15 p.m.

WHAT TO DO

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

the over 5,000 animals they shelter each year. Wenatchee Valley Convention Center. Cost: $65. Info: wenatcheehumane.org.

Learn about this iconic species and its importance to our streams, forest, and communities. Speaker Greer Maier. Pybus Public Market. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org.

Cold Winter nights comedy series: Amy Miller, 2/15, 7:30 p.m. Amy has won Portland’s Funniest in Helium’s 2015 contest, as well as being voted Portland’s Funniest Comedian for 2013 and 2015 in the Willamette Week. She was the first woman to win each position and the only one to win all three. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $22. Info: numericapac.org.

Janice Franz Talent Show, 2/12, 13, 14. 7 p.m. This year’s proceeds go to Hannah Johnson who suffers from papillary thyroid cancer. Wenatchee High School. Cost: $8. Tickets at the door. Canoeing the Hood River-An adventure to the vanishing arctic, 2/12, 7 p.m. Gordon Congdon, Paul Hessburg, Gary Womeldorff and Andy Dappen spent 23 days canoeing the Hood River, an Arctic river flowing northeasterly from the lakes of Nunavut (northern Canada) to the Arctic Sound. This presentation – part discussion part slideshow set to ballad poetry written by Paul during the journey – captures the essence of the adventure while describing the scope, scale and importance of what’s being lost in the vanishing Arctic. Red Barn at Wenatchee River Institute. Cost: free. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Monthly movie on the big screen: Casablanca, 2/13, 6:30 p.m. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $3. Info: numericapac.org. Matters of the heart, 2/15, 10 – 11 a.m. A team of local medical professionals work with students (9 years old an up) to conduct an exploration of hearts in a dissection lab setting. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: $35. Registration required. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org.

Empty Bowls, 2/16, 1 – 6 p.m. Inspire creativity, build community and raise awareness about food insecurity and hunger. Pybus Public Market. Cost: $10 donation per bowl, includes soup and bread meal on 3/14. Info: pybuspublicmarket. org. Winter Break Snow Camp, 2/18 – 21, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Spend four, fun filled days playing outside and learning new things. For kindergarten through 3rd grade. Barn Beach Reserve. Cost $200. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Adult Creative Arts Club, 2/20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Whatever your creative passion is come and create, learn and share. A small project will be provided. Chelan Public Library. Register at ncrl.org/chelan. AAA Wenatchee Holland Line and Seabourn, 2/20, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Discover the joy of cruising. AAA Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: aaawa.com/stores/storelocations/ Wenatchee. Friday night music – Well Strung, 2/21, 6 – 8 p.m. Live music on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pubuspublicmarket.org.

Kiwanis Kids Carnival, 2/15, 1 – 4 p.m. There will be 20- plus games and activities of fun to test children’s skills and talents, plus lots of prizes. For children kindergarten through 5th grade accompanied by adult. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org.

Wenatchee Valley Sportsmen Show, 2/21, noon – 7 p.m. 2/22, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., 2/24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The latest in outdoor gear, the newest in fishing boats, motors and accessories, plus guides and lodges from all over the Northwest seminars and more. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $9, kids $5 under 6 free. Info: towntoyotacenter.com.

Pawscars Gala, 2/15, 5:30 – 9 p.m. This star-studded awards gala features a no-host champagne cocktail hour (or whatever tickles your fancy), magnificent silent action, raffle items, dinner and awards presented by a very entertaining Master of Ceremonies. Fund raiser for Wenatchee Valley Humane Society to help support

Moonlight Snowshoe stroll, 2/21, 5 p.m. Take a guided snowshoe stroll along the whispering Wenatchee River on Leavenworth’s Riverfront Park Trail and Barn Beach Reserve property. Experience the natural world at dusk and then ambient-let darkness, while on snowshoes. Talk about the night February 2020 | The Good Life

sky constellation and waterscape along the way. Snowshoes provided. Stroll ends by 7 p.m. with hot cocoa. The tour will start at the Wenatchee River Institute, 347 Division St, Leavenworth. Cost: $20. Info: Rachel Bishop 548-0181 ext 5 or rbishop@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Columbia Chorale presents Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness, 2/21, 7:30 p.m. Live performance. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Costs: $20 - $25. Info: numericapac.org. Heart 5k breaker, 2/22, all day. RunWenatchee, Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group are putting on this race to raise awareness about heart disease and about ways to commit to a healthy lifestyle. Race starts and ends at Pybus Public Market. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Beatles vs Stones, 2/22, 7:30p.m. A musical showdown. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $27$35. Info: numericapac.org. Murder mystery dinner, 2/25, 6 p.m. You have been invited to a Mardi Gras masquerade hosted by Marshall Inglewood, the Governor of Louisiana. The party will be held at the governor’s posh New Orleans mansion. You will arrive at an elegant evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks and dancing, but as it turns out, something mysterious is afoot. Wells House. Cost: $55. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. Pybus University: working towards zero waste, 2/25, 7 – 8:15 p.m. Join Jana Fischback, executive director of Sustainable Wenatchee, in a discussion about ways to produce less garbage. What can be recycled and how can you avoid it entirely. Pybus Public Market. Must register. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Four Minutes of Fame, 2/27, 6:30 p.m. Want to try out a few pages of your recent inspiration? Eager to read from your just-published memoir? Got poems? Join local writers for a fun and casual evening sharing original work at Write On The River’s winter open mic event at Milepost 111 in Cashmere. Sign up to read at marlene@team-farrell.com. Free. Wenatchee Downtown Association Annual Banquet, 2/26, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Info: wendowntown. org. Special Olympics Winter Games, 2/27 – 3/1. Sports and

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Shrub-Steppe Poetry Journal seeks local writers T

he Shrub-Steppe Poetry Journal is now accepting submissions for its 2020 edition. The deadline is March 15. Poets living in Central Washington (Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton or Klickitat County) are eligible. “Based on our success with the inaugural edition last year, ArtsWa has again awarded us a grant,” said Susan Blair, editor, “and we are very pleased to have this support.” Submission guidelines are at www.shrubsteppepoetry.org. Susan encourages writers to “send us your most polished poetry on any theme, the way you want it to appear in print. As this Journal represents and reflects the residents of Central Washington, we look forward to reading your best work.” competition. Locations vary. Info: skileavenworth.com. Soulsha, 2/28, 7 – 9 p.m. Soulsha is a party, a revolution and an adventure through different traditions. It brings together some of Boston’s top musicians in Scottish, West African and Fun music to create a sound you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $22. Info: icicle.org. The met live: Agrippina, 2/29, 9:55 a.m. – 2 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $22. Info: icicle.org. Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra presents Fiesta, 2/29, 7 p.m. Featuring Mexican tenor, Jose Iniguez. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $21-$40. Info: numericapac.org. Festival of Choirs, 3/21, 6:30 p.m. Six choirs will perform at Wenatchee High School. Two choirs from Yakima, one from Leavenworth and two from Wenatchee. The concert will finish with three mass choir numbers. Cost: $15.

column those were the days

rod molzahn

‘On the drift’ — Searching for a home Lewis Detwiler began his

migration west in 1866 when, at age 16, he left his home in Pennsylvania. He set off to find relatives in Wisconsin and Illinois. The trip took about a year as he stopped for a time whenever he found work. He stayed in Wisconsin working for two-and-a-half years before heading out for Kansas in the fall of 1869. Detwiler fell ill while working on a ranch near Lawrence, Kansas and for a year suffered with worsening chills and fever before he returned to Pennsylvania for three years of recovery. In the spring of 1874, Detwiler’s brother, John, joined him on a move to Iowa. They found employment on a ranch near Des Moines but Lewis tired of the work quickly and by fall he was off again, this time to Cheyenne, Wyoming. There, he drove freight wagons for the Red Cloud and Spotted Tail Indian Agencies until the spring of 1875 when gold was discovered in the Black Hills on Indian Reservation land. Recounting those times in a letter, Detwiler said, “I, of course, had to go there.” He stayed only a few months until the army forced the miners off the Indian lands. Then it was back to Cheyenne for three years of freight wagons and ranch work. Detwiler spent the winter of 1879 near Deer Lodge, Montana moving on to Missoula in the spring. There, he drove freight wagons for the government and worked on the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad line through Hellgate Canyon. In 1883 Detwiler packed his wagon, hitched up his team and made a 20-day journey to Badger Mountain in the Big Bend.

No one ever woke up on a Missouri morning in the 1880s, looked at their family and said, “We’re going to north central Washington.” However, between the spring of 1888 and June of the following year, four related Missouri families settled in the Entiat Valley. He spent the winter at Steven’s sawmill on Platt Corbaly’s ranch. In the spring, with the loaded wagon box tied to the rear axle as a break, he made his way down the steep hillside to the Columbia River and claimed a homestead eight miles below Orondo. He was joined there by his brother, John, now a carpenter, and John’s wife and 2-year-old daughter, Annie. A year later Lewis sold his homestead and with John built a large rowboat to take the family and their belongings across the Columbia to the Entiat Valley. John claimed a homestead near the mouth of the Entiat River. Lewis Detwiler took his wagon and team up eight miles of road-less terrain to locate his homestead along the river. They were the first white settlers in the valley. A few years later, Lewis traded his homestead to Frank Knapp for Knapp’s Entiat ferry. Eventually Detwiler sold the ferry and set off for California where, it

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seems, he lived the remainder of his years, probably not all in the same place. No one ever woke up on a Missouri morning in the 1880s, looked at their family and said, “We’re going to north central Washington.” However, between the spring of 1888 and June of the following year, four related Missouri families settled in the Entiat Valley. Before reaching the Entiat, they had transplanted themselves, by about 1880, from Missouri to Nebraska. When C.A. Harris reached Nebraska he found three Cannon families; brothers T.J., W.F. and Samuel P. Cannon. T.J. and W.F. had both graduated from a Church of Christ Seminary in Bainbridge, Nebraska and brother Samuel also lived in the area. It’s not clear whether Harris knew the Cannons from Missouri but he soon joined the family, marrying Samuel’s daughter, Jennie. C.A. and Jennie were the first of the group to reach the Entiat arriving in the spring of 1888. After locating their homestead, C.A. built the valley’s first sawmill on the river. In the fall of that year he built another sawmill on Badger Mountain during the timber boom there. T.J. Cannon, after entering the ministry in Nebraska, worked six years in eastern Washington around Spangle ministering to Native people. While there, he married Sarah and started a family. They spent 1887 farming in the Big Bend and listening to C.A. and Jennie extol the virtues of the Entiat Valley. The following year, in July, they moved. In the spring of 1889 T.J. Cannon built the Entiat Valley’s second sawmill. W.F. Cannon with his wife and six children took the train

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February 2020

from Nebraska to Ellensburg in November of 1888. They crossed Colockum Pass to Rock Island in a freight wagon then booked passage to Entiat on one of The City of Ellensburg’s first steamship runs up the Columbia. Samuel Cannon and family also traveled from Nebraska by train but they rode to Davenport, Washington where they bought a wagon and team. They loaded up the belongings that had come with them on the train and traveled across the Big Bend to the Entiat Valley. Arriving in June of 1889, they completed the Nebraska takeover of the Entiat Valley. At about the same time, Texans were doing the same thing in the Methow Valley. Four families — the Thurlows, Nickells, Stones and Prewitts — were farming adjoining homesteads in Wise County Texas, north of Dallas near the Oklahoma border. The Civil War had ended more than 10 years earlier but the neighbors in Wise County felt that it wasn’t over in Texas and they wanted to leave it behind. They weren’t set on getting to the Methow Valley, they’d never heard of the place. They were set on getting out of Texas. They sold their farms, packed their things and became a wagon train heading north. They rumbled to Pendleton, Oregon and claimed new homesteads there. They farmed near Pendleton four years, raised and sold crops and used the profits to finance another move, this time to Ellensburg, Washington. New homesteads were claimed and farming began again. Then, in 1886, they heard an old trapper tell tales of a valley of plenty

...when they relocated to the Okanogan Valley because, as granddaughter, Alice Davis Phillips later recalled, ”Grandfather could hear the neighbor’s roosters, he was looking for new area to farm.” that the Indians called Methow. In the spring of 1887, Mason Thurlow, Harvey Nickell and Napoleon Stone, with loaded pack horses including a plow, crossed the Chilliwist Trail from the Okanogan River to the Methow River. They located homesteads, plowed fields and built a better road from the Chilliwist summit down Benson Creek to the Methow River. In 1888 they returned to Ellensburg to, once again, sell farms, load wagons and move families to their new homes. Other Wise County farmers followed them in the next year finishing up the Texas takeover

of the Methow Valley. John East was 16 when he left his native Finland, traveled through Sweden to England where he crewed on sailing ships out of London and Liverpool. From there he booked passage to New York where he went sailing again. He spent part of a year in Florida but didn’t like it there and went on to the Wyoming coal mines where he saved $750, enough, he said, “to buy out some town.” Montana called and he worked on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He drifted on to Rosyln, Washington where he claimed

Pat Riley

Lewis Detwiler, in a 1926 letter explained it all clearly. “In the first place what started me off west was curiosity to see the other side of the hill, also hearing people talk about the countries and bragging them up. I guess that’s what sends most people on the drift.” Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake. speak@nwi.net. 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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a homestead and worked in the coal mines. There he heard stories of the Big Bend country and the newly opened homesteads in the Okanogan Valley. After crossing Colockum Pass, he made his way to the Okanogan where he paid $300 for a farm on Johnson Creek. There he found a home for life. The W.L. Davis family farmed in California until 1888 when they relocated to the Okanogan Valley because, as granddaughter, Alice Davis Phillips later recalled, ”Grandfather could hear the neighbor’s roosters, he was looking for new area to farm.”

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