CRR March 2022

CRREADER.COM Vol. XVIII, No. 204 •March 15 2022 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road

People+ Place

DEPOT DUDE DUSTIN FIKE

All aboard! page 26

COLUMBIA RIVER

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HAIKUFEST FINALS • ME & MY MOOG • YOUR PATIO BERRY PATCH

COLUMBIA RIVER READER COLLECTORS CLUB

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• COMPLIMENTARY 176 • March 15 – April 15, 2020 CRREADER.COM • Vol. XVI, No. road River region at home and on the the good life in the Columbia

Helping you discover and enjoy

What really — truly — happened during those final wind-blown, rain-soaked thirty days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s trek to the Pacific? Southwest Washington author and explorer Rex Ziak revolutionized historical scholarship by providing the answers: day by day and week by week. We’re delighted to offer In Full View, and Rex’s other two books, one with an extraordinary fold-out map, as our inaugural offerings from CRR Collectors Club.

MOSS IN YOUR LAWN? What to do page 15

ONE RIVER, MANY VOICES WASHINGTON’S POET LAUREATE COMES TO WAHKIAKUM COUNTY page 14

People+Place

Cutting Edge The art of the woodcut

page 19

page 28

IN FULL VIEW Rex Ziak

COLUMBIA RIVER

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$29.95

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A true and accurate account of Lewis and Clark’s arrival at the Pacific Ocean, and their search for a winter camp along the lower Columbia River.

THE TIDEWATER REACH

Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures

By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten. In three editions:

The

EYEWITNESS TO ASTORIA Gabriel Franchére

Tidewater Reach

$21.95

Field Guide to the

Lower Columbia River in

Poems and Pictures

The newly edited and annotated by Rex Ziak version of Franchére’s 1820 journal, Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America in the Years 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, or The First American Settlement on the Pacific.

to the in

Poems and Pictures Robert Michael Pyle Judy VanderMaten

In thIs engagIng new book author Michael Perry takes a fresh look at the Lewis and Clark Expedition — what they set out to do, what they experienced, and where they failed and succeeded — from the layman’s point of view. Compiled from a popular monthly magazine series, and adding new notes and commentary, Perry’s Dispatches adds to the lore and legacy of the famous Expedition the insights, quirks, and wry observations of a gifted amateur historian.

MIchael o. Perry is a retired environmental technician, avid collector and conservator, and student of Pacific Northwest history. He lives in Kelso, Washington.

“Michael Perry gets it right!

Good storytelling is key to meaningful learning for all ages, and ‘Dispatches’ informs us in a relaxed, enjoyable way, perfect for anyone wishing to explore with the explorers.”

— DANIELLE ROBBINS Education & Public Programs Coordinator, Cowlitz County Historical Museum

dispatches

M I C H A E L O. P E R R Y

dispatches Featuring the work of

woodcut artist Debby Neely

from the

Discovery Trail with

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Discovery Trail with

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A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

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“‘Dispatches’ is a great read, well researched and documented, and presented in an appealing format.

The perfect place to start learning more about the Corps of Discovery.” — ALLEN BENNETT President, Lower Columbia Chapter Traditional Small Craft Association

DEBBY NEELY

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A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

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A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

$35.00 ISBN 978-1-7346725-6-5

www.crreader.com/crrpress

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

dispatches from the discovery trail

Michael Perry has a collector’s eye, a scientist’s curiosity, and the Pacific Northwest in his heart.

DOWN AND UP Rex Ziak $18.95 A unique fold-out guide mapping dayby-day Lewis and Clark’s journey from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean and back.

• Boxed Signature Edition Color and BW $50; • Collectors Edition,Trade paperback. Color and B/W $35 • Trade paperback B/W $25

Field Guide Lower Columbia River

Robert Michael Pyle Judy VanderMaten

CRR PRESS

Collectors Edition

ISBN 978-1-7346725-4-1

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A Layman’s Lewis & Clark

By Michael O. Perry.

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Sue’s Views 10 Reasons for the Season

one of the Kelso-Longview Depot Volunteers who welcomes us and bids us adieu (pg 19).

Reason #5 Wine

Need I say more? If you need more, Marc Roland has ample resources of wisdom, as well as the nectar of the grape. And March is Washington Wine Month! (pg 27).

Reason #4 Music On, TV Off

I

t’s a bewildering time — do I dare take my mask OFF? My constant companion? Dare a handshake, a hug?

Voice optimistic thoughts for spring?

Who knows? But, then, why not?

Here are 10 reasons for approaching the season with optimism (with a little help from this month’s Reader).

Reason #10 Daylight Savings Time

We n o w c a n v e n t u r e o u t f o r neighborhood walks after work, in the daylight and without long underwear.

Reason #9 Making Your Own Music

Time to play! Who cares what it sounds like? It’s yours, and making music lifts the mood. As a celebration of strumming, pounding, tickling, blowing and beating, we have two “Me and My Piano” features this month (pp 17, 25).

I love that Joseph and his team at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum are hosting an art show (pg 17). Kudos to CCHM for embracing the present, not just the past, and creating a vibrant community venue and destination.

I don’t know about you, but “Alexa,” (actually known as an Amazon Echo but she’s become a close family friend) has opened up all kinds of opportunities to share music. After dinner ask each guest, in turn, to call out a favorite piece of music. This is fun and revealing! Then sit back and share, reminisce, and enjoy.

Reason #7 Hands in the Dirt

Reason #3 Look Up, Look Out

Reason #8 Galleries and Art Shows

Nancy Chennault, Alice’s predecessor as CRR’s Northwest Gardening columnist, told me once that the higher tech we get, the more we need a connection to the Earth, to the “real stuff.” A patio berry patch might be just the ticket (pg 35).

Reason #6 Riding the Rails

Celebrate not only getting out of your house, but also out of your car. We have a contemporary look at running the Amtrak Cascades and, even more special, meeting Dustin Fike,

The author Tom Robbins once said that we all should spend at least a half hour a day looking at the sky. In the daytime, the endless variety of the clouds and the sun’s shadows, at night, of course, following the vision and constellation-renaming imagination of CRR’s House Astronomer Greg Smith (pg 37).

Reason #2 Take a Flower Walk

It’s not too early. Tenacious tulips and daring daffodils are already pushing up ... the payback for the drizzle and downpour of rain all winter is the glorious flowering of our springs.

And first, but not least…

Reason #1 Haiku Time

Savor the elegance of those ornately arranged 17 syllables, either of your own creation or perusing the winners of our annual Haiku Fest (pg 4).

Grand Haiku Master Gary Meyers and his team of judges have outdone themselves this year, with a smart theme, careful evaluation, and eager ears.

Spring is near. You can see it, hear it, even smell it. I feel in my heart of hearts it’s just what we need after this long, long dark time.

And I’ve got at least 10 good reasons why. May we all keep adding to the list. Happy Spring!

Sue Piper

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

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper

ON THE COVER

Columnists and contributors: Tracy Beard Hal Calbom Alice Dietz Brian Fleming Joseph Govednik Leon Lowman Neil Martello James MacLeod Gary Meyers Michael Perry Ned Piper Robert Michael Pyle Krysten Ralston Marc Roland Alan Rose Alice Slusher Greg Smith Debra Tweedy Judy VanderMaten

Station volunteer Dustin Fike outside the Kelso Train Depot.

In this Issue

Photo by Hal Calbom

2

CRR Collectors Club

4

HaikkuFest 2022

5

Civilized Living: Miss Manners

7

Dispatches from the Discovery Trail ~ Episode 11

9

Remembering Amber King / Type 1 Diabetes Warning Signs

Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry, Tiffany Dickinson, Debra Tweedy

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 15,000 copies distributed in the Lower Columbia region. Entire contents copyrighted; No reproduction of any kind allowed without express written permission of Columbia River Reader, LLC. Opinions expressed herein, whether in editorial content or paid ad space, belong to the writers and advertisers and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Reader.

Submission guidelines: page 33.

General Ad info: page 32.

Ad Manager: Ned Piper 360-749-2632.

Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632 Columbia River Reader, llc 1333 14th Ave Longview, WA 98632 P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048 Office Hours: M-W-F • 11–3* *Other times by chance or appointment E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021

11

Wings on the Water ~ The World: My Oyster

13

A Different Way of Seeing ~ The Right Words / How Dare You?

14

Out & About ~ Coastal Engagement: Depoe Bay

17

Me & My Piano: His Accordion Saved Uncle Frank’s Life

17

Museum Magic: Art Show at the Museum

18

Quips & Quotes

19-22 25

Where Do You Read the Reader?

25

Me & My Piano: In the Moog (Blame Emerson, Lake and Palmer)

26

Lower Columbia Dining Guide

27

Marc Roland on Wine: Washington Wine Month

27

Where to Find the Reader (Pick-up locations)

28

Besides CRR What Else Are You Reading?

29

Cover to Cover ~ Book Review / Bestsellers List

32-33

CRREADER.COM

Visit our website for the current issue and archive of past issues from 2013.

People + Place ~ Depot Dude Dustin Fike

Submissions Guidelines / Outings & Events

35

Northwest Gardening: Your Patio Berry Patch

37

Astronomy / Looking Up / The Sky Report: March 15–April 20

38

Plugged In to Cowlitz PUD: Tree Line Utility Recognition Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 3

CRR’s Annual Literary Event

HaikuFest Celebrates the Chinese Zodiac!

By Gary Meyers, HaikuFest Founder and Chief Judge

H

aikuFest 2022 closed on February 25th with the usual flurry of late entries. Poets perhaps feel, mistakenly, that the last haiku to arrive will be the first seen by the judges and not be buried in the heap. NOT SO! The judges give each entry the same attention regardless of when it appears on our desk.

For this year’s theme, we chose the animals of the Chinese Zodiac with emphasis on the tiger, 2022 being the Year of the Tiger. But we also accepted nature-based and “light” haiku for the traditionalists. The results were satisfying. At the closing gong, 182 entries had been received, almost equally divided between the Zodiacers and the Bashoites (spare me your wrath for my flippancy, O’ Lord Basho!).

Our haikufests are intended to be fun events. The five judges are my

HAIKUFEST 2022 •

generous friends, all accomplished in their chosen fields and all haiku aficionados. Our objective is to introduce readers to a poetry form that demands succinctness, and to provide poets the opportunity to share their work with CRR readers.

Our publisher had a new idea for judging this year, intended to promote confidence and positive reinforcement among all entrants and perhaps new insights into the judges’ priorities. In the past, personal recognition and honors were limited. Most poets remained anonymous, knowing only that their haiku did not make the final cut.

This year, Sue suggested that we evaluate each person’s submissions separately and select individual bests for publication. Entrants might thereby gather hints that could assist them in honing their haiku skills.

EVERY ENTRANT’S BEST HAIKU

We have posted the results below. (Each haiku identified with an asterisk received a majority of the judges’ votes.)

An additional note: Being ever discerning and alert to the esoteric and arcane, one judge highlighted a haiku he considered worthy of special recognition; we agreed.

Mike Ryan suggested a “Fred Flintstone Yabba Dabba Doo Award” for Jim MacLeod’s “Do Hindu haiku/subdue moo ballyhoo thru / Kathmandu review?”

Cerebral? Deep meaning? Nonsensical?

Meant to woo out of the blue? No clue.

We only report; the reader must decide.

We also want to recognize Keith Simmonds, one of our most loyal foreign contributors. Keith spends his time between Rodez, France; England; and the Caribbean. He participates each year from wherever he is at the time. Keith has been awarded numerous honors in Asian and European competitions, as well as in CRR’s HaikuFests.

•

Aloha.

••• Gary Meyers is CRR’s HaikuFest founder, friend and frequent contributor. He grew up in Longview, Wash., and now retired after careers with the US Marine Corps and Northwest Airlines, enjoys an active life in Honolulu and traveling the world.

He frequently visits CRR territory.

JUDGES’ FAVORITES MARKED WITH ASKERISK

* Choose what to believe But don’t deride believers When in the Far East.

J. Ansley

*Wild strawberry blooms Morels playing hide and seek.

Fiddleheads note spring.

M. Caron

*Envision a place of tranquility and love.

Find it in your heart.

P. Conley

*Great Wall of China Journey of a thousand stairs Not steps Lao Tzu S. Berger

*Springtime Montana?

A question left unanswered Till flowers burst forth.

P. Cenis

*Preaching to the sheep Transfixed by all his stories Led us to slaughter.

D. D’Amario

*Water vapor dreams Sparkle, shine, squint, and shimmer Summer sunny beach.

K. Blackburn

“Nature’s special child; Creative; loving; trusting.”

Nice words for a goat.

T. Charbonneau

Gray Columbia Bleak on a winter’s morning.

Dashed with daybreak sun.

M. Daugherty

*The moon’s pale visage reminds me of how we are alone together.

A. Brown

Salmon leaps rapids, Toward birth-gravel, river death.

Return – song of life.

J. Ciminello

*My year is the Ram. The book says “wishy washy.”

May be, maybe not.

J. Dunn

*Water drops on trees Sparkling in the bright sunshine Brighten our winter.

L. Brudi-Conrod

*Two hearts together In quantum entanglement.

Forever in love.

C. Cleghorn

*A haiku for mom To share the lunar year fun A strong Ox indeed!

L. Eastman

*Powdered sugar snow’s Frosty kiss dusts everything; morning novelty.

V. Burch

Rats! I am a snake!

So much for the Zodiac.

Can I edit “traits?”

L. Collins

*Stealthy and lethal.

At night it stalks the jungle.

In the day it sleeps.

J. Hanna

4 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Congratulations and thank you to all our CRR readers and the poets who participated in Haikufest 2022. Basho would have given two thumbs up. We trust that the Year of the Tiger will bring us all good health, happiness, and some increasing relief from the Covid curse! We look forward to seeing you at next year’s HaikuFest.

*Yesterday, naïve I wanted to change the world Today, changed myself.

D. Imamoto cont page 5

We’ve moved.

Come see us at the address below.

Nick Lemiere CFP® 1332 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 360-425-0037

Member SIPC

Civilized Living HAIKUFEST

cont from page 4

*Shy full moon peeks out Behind dragons wearing clouds Racing through the sky.

M. Imlay

*Confident roosters Foster open discussion Amusing the coop.

Judy MacLeod

Hear the wolves howling The forest stops to listen To this ancient song.

R. Iwamoto

*Do Hindu haiku subdue moo ballyhoo thru Kathmandu preview Jim MacLeod

*Goat people gentle, Mild mannered, shy, kind-hearted.

But beware the horns.

M. Iwata

* Squirrels stripping bark Carry the load to their nests Then snuggle and rest.

K. Mead

The slight breeze rustles Fireflies flit; stars are falling Youngsters rush to catch.

V. Jaskowiak

In blossom today, then scattered. Life like flowers.

Fragrance is fleeting.

P. Nolan

*Winter in Portland: Today cloudy, rain likely.

Tomorrow, repeat.

E. Johnson

Charming; deceitful The Tiger hides his ace cards.

This game will be his.

P. Peterson

Streaks of brilliant hues Color the low western sky.

Gold sun kisses sea.

K. Kaczmarek

*Dragons chase the storm Ride the mist and churn sea waves.

Fortune on their side.

A. Shepard

*Pink blossoms peeking Soon emerge from winter’s sleep Promises of Spring.

A. Kastberg

*The Alzheimer ward Bouquets of forget-me-nots On mom’s empty bed.

K. Simmonds

*Chester Bester Boy Is a long-haired, lovely cat Who eats fried tofu.

J. Kirk

White foam, thunder spray Rocks encased in pale satin Shimmering smoothly.

A. Stiles

O toothless Tiger Stripes run down the bathroom drain Rock, scissors; …paper

G. Kirk

*The Tiger is here Lead us into a new year Adventures await.

I. Studebaker

Super Bowl Bengals Never thought I’d see the day Where are the Seahawks?

S. Klein *Slowly plodding Ox Pulling the plow for planting Dependable; strong.

S. Langlais Nature’s orchestra Led by frogs and cicada The portent of spring.

E. Lawrence Rooster people deep, eccentric; like to be seen But avoid crowing.

R. Lee

Zodiac skeptic— Just because a thought is old doesn’t make it true.

T. Tack

By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother-in-law has a habit of inviting me to expensive outings when we visit her, and then leaving me the bill.

She has taken me to her exclusive salon to have her hairdresser trim and style my hair, which cost well over $100.

She’s also “given me” (by setting up the appointment) a massage, which cost me another hundred and tip. Then she wanted to take me bra shopping, to which I passed, because I knew it’d be $200+ to get out of there.

I really enjoyed the trip to her salon, but would never go there on my own (same for the massage). She insisted on bringing me there, so shouldn’t she pay the bill? Whenever I have invited her to my salon, I have paid for both of us.

I really can’t afford her type of outings.

GENTLE READER: Then do not accept. Now that you know the game, Miss Manners suggests that you avoid such outings, countering with a more reasonable one of your own, or offering to meet up afterwards.

“Oh, you know, I just went for a haircut/massage/manicure/brashopping/wrinkle-reducing excursion back at home. But you go ahead and enjoy yourself, and perhaps we can meet up later for lunch.” Suggesting the restaurant and making it clear that you will pay would also be a good idea -- just so that you do not receive any further expensive, confusing or misleading invitations.

GENTLE READER: Sure, but the many others involved don’t know what to do with their fragments of leisure while waiting for the next round. Snapping back, however cleverly, is only going to make you seem like more of a nuisance.

However, Miss Manners suspects that modified pathos would work: “I do seem to need some extra time, and I’m sorry to hold everyone up. Is it all right if I still play?”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When squeezing into a theater row, is it better to put your butt towards the people you are squeezing past, or to awkwardly look them in the eye?

GENTLE READER: That’s the problem -- you would be looking them too closely in the eyes. Miss Manners agrees that the backward approach seems unseemly, even though you will turn your head occasionally to say “Excuse me.” So think of it as facing the stage.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you please share your opinion on an issue where new times may possibly call for new protocols?

When sitting at a shared table with others in a coffee shop, restaurant or classroom, invariably some people plop their used mask on the shared table in front of everyone, often quite close to the food and/or coffee of other guests.

Wouldn’t it be more polite to put used masks out of sight in a purse or pocket?

*Powerful words hurt They influence. They destroy.

Be prudent. Use love.

E. Tamayo-Brown

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I frequently play duplicate bridge with other members of the local senior center. At such games, we frequently get the exhortation from other players, or from the “director” of the game, to “play faster.”

*Blind Rabbit pauses His unseen shadow quivers.

Which way to go now?

J. Tejcka

When I hear such comments, I usually respond with something like, “I want to ask if you have a plane to catch or something, but that would be rude, so I won’t.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband of 30 years has a stepmother who thinks she can educate people about manners.

Twenty-twenty-two Unpredictable Tiger As is Covid too.

S. Zerr

Is there some other way I can express my lack of appreciation for the original command? “I didn’t know we were in a hurry” occurs to me. This is supposed to be a leisure-time activity, after all.

She has come to my house for my Easter meal every year since we were married. Every year, she begins plating her food while I am still cooking and while other guests are visiting.

GENTLE READER: New protocols can often be deduced from old ones.

Placing a mask on the table would be like parking a handkerchief there after blowing one’s nose, and should never be done.

cont page 6

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 5

Miss Manners

from page 5

They live an hour from us, and we have been to their home maybe four times.

One time was for dinner near Christmas.

I had drunk a pop in the car, and had the bottle with me when we entered their house, planning to put it in her recycling.

She told me how rude it was to bring a drink into her home. Then she served us the leftovers from her side of the family’s celebration from days before.

More than once, she has embarrassed me by calling out my failings in her eyes.

One time, she took me as a guest to a charity event. I ate my food with the correct silverware, napkin on my lap -but then in front of her friends, she told me I wasn’t supposed to eat the entire broccoli spear, just the stalk. Another time, my father-in-law told me that I hurt her feelings because I would not allow my 3-year-old son to play with an inflatable plastic beer bottle.

But I’m truly angry that my husband will not stand up for me. He would never speak up on my behalf because he does not want to be in opposition to her.

I avoid her now, and I don’t go to his family functions. But I’m stuck on Easter: How do I avoid her “lessons” given to me in front of others?

$

GENTLE READER: While she cannot solve your deeper marital problems, Miss Manners can at least tell you how to deal with those public corrections.

Smile blandly after she delivers one of those diatribes, and then turn the smile toward the witnesses. “I’m so fortunate,” you should say, “to have a stepmother-in-law who cares enough to point out my every fault.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a general rule, are men’s jeans and men’s cargo pants considered to have the same level of “dressing down”?

GENTLE READER: While Miss Manners does not subscribe to the popular idea that there is such a thing as “good jeans,” she does acknowledge that clean, dark, untorn jeans worn with a button-down shirt are marginally more dressy than cargo pants — if only for the reason that cargo pants are so often stuffed with garden tools and bottles of beer. They are also prone to being accompanied by “man sandals” — something that she will never concede are socially acceptable outside of beaches and one’s own dimly lit home. cont page 12

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Lewis & Clark

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL EPISODE 11

Just the Grizzly Facts, Ma’am

... covered with herds ...

By Michael O. Perry

In his book The Natural

The Corps of Discovery hunted for their livelihood.

History of the Lewis and

I

n the spring of 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was preparing to resume their trek to the Pacific Ocean after spending the winter near the Mandan and Hidatsu Indian villages. Fort Mandan was located 45 miles upstream from present-day Bismark, North Dakota.

After the Corps of Discovery left St. Louis a year earlier, in May 1804, their progress up the Missouri River had been very slow. Due to the heavily laden boats and fast current, they averaged only seven miles per day until reaching the Mandan Villages where they spent the winter. When they continued their westward journey on April 7, 1805, they did so with fewer men and supplies, and without the heavy keelboat. They had two pirogues from the previous year plus six dugout canoes they carved from cottonwood logs.

The smaller boats and lighter load made it possible to cover upwards of 25 miles per day. Headwinds were a problem, but strong tailwinds allowed the crews to raise the sails and cover great distances on several days. On April 24th, Clark wrote, “The wind blew so hard during the whole of this day, that we were unable to move.” Clark later wrote “The party complain much of the Sand in their eyes, the Sand is verry fine and rises in clouds from the Points and bars of the river, I may Say during those winds we eat Drink & breeth a prepotion of Sand.” Fine alkali dust and constant glare of the sun on the water probably caused the sore eyes.

The land was mostly open grasslands, with a few trees growing along the river. The further west they went, the more wildlife they saw. On April 25th, Lewis wrote, “the whol face of the country was covered with herds of Buffaloe, Elk & Antelopes; deer are also abundant… the buffaloe Elk and Antelope are so gentle that we pass near them while feeding, without appearing to excite any alarm among them, and when we attract their attention, they frequently approach us more nearly to discover what we are.”

On April 26th, they reached the mouth of the Yellowstone River, five miles from present-day Montana. An extra ration of whiskey was served; the fiddles came out, and the men sang and danced in celebration. By mid-May, they had covered about 350 miles, reaching an area now covered by Fort Peck Lake, near Glasgow, Montana.

Clark Expedition, Raymond Darwin Burroughs tallied the game consumed during the course of the Expedition: Deer 1,001; Elk 375; Bison 227; Antelope 62; Big Horn Sheep 35; Grizzly Bears 43; Black Bears 23; Beaver (shot or trapped) 113; Otter 16; Geese and Brant 104; Grouse 46; Turkeys 9; Plovers 48; Wolves (only one eaten) 18;

Grizzly Claw

Indian Dogs (purchased and consumed) 190; Horses, 12.

Grin and bear it

wounded that he was unable to pursue so closely as to prevent my charging my gun; we again repeated our fir and killed him. It was a male not fully grown, we estimated his weight at 300 lbs...It is astonishing to see the wounds they will bear before they can be put to death.”

While Lewis and Clark spent the winter at Fort Mandan, Indians told them of a ferocious bear they would encounter. On April 17th Lewis wrote, “tho’ we continue to see many tracks of the bear we have seen but very few of them, and those are at a great distance generally running from us; I thefore presume that they are extremely wary and shy; the Indian account of them dose not corrispond with our experience so far.”

Despite these encounters, Lewis still felt the bears were over-rated. On April 29th he wrote, “the Indians may well fear this anamal equiped as they generally are with their bows and arrows or indifferent fuzees [inferior muskets], but in the hands of skillfull riflemen they are by no means as formidable or dangerous as they have been represented.”

However, his assessment would soon be revised.

Two weeks later, after trying to kill two Grizzly bears, Lewis wrote, “one of them made his escape, the other after my firing on him pursued me seventy or eighty yards, but fortunately had been so badly

Later that week Clark wrote, “In the evening we Saw a Brown or grisley beare on a Sand beech, I went out with one man Geo. Drewyer & Killed the bear, which was verry large and a terrible looking animal, which we found verry hard to kill. We Shot ten balls into him before we killed him, & 5 of those Balls through his lights [lungs]. We had nothing that could way him, I think his weight may be Stated at 500 pounds, he measured 8 feet 7-1/2 In. from his nose to the extremity of the Toe… 3 feet 11 Ins. arround the neck. His talents

Michael Perry enjoys local history and travel. His popular 33-installment Lewis & Clark series appeared in Columbia River Reader’s early years and helped shape its identity and zeitgeist. After two encores, the series has been expanded and published in a book. Details, page 2.

from the

Discovery Trail with

HAL CALBOM DEBBY NEELY

by woodcut art

A LAYMAN’S

Another Grizzly proved hard to kill when Lewis reported a man “had shot a brown bear which immediately turned on him and pursued him a considerable distance but he had wounded it so badly that it could not overtake him.

I immediately turned out with seven of the party in quest of this monster, we at length found his trale and persued him about a mile by the blood through very thick brush… and shot him through the skull with two balls.”

After that adventure, Lewis changed his mind about the Grizzly when he wrote, “I must confess that I do not like the gentlemen and had rather fight two Indians than one bear.” It was next to impossible to kill a Grizzly with one shot; a direct shot to the head or lungs was not enough. And, since it took a minute or more to reload their guns, a second shot was often not possible.

While Clark referred to it as a “grisly beare,” he was not responsible for the scientific name Ursus arctos horribilis.

However, I’m sure he would have approved!

•••

O. P E R R Y

dispatches MICHAEL

[talon, or claw] was 4 Inches & 3/8 long.

Captain Lewis thought the Grizzly weighted 600 pounds.”

K

LEWIS & CLAR

In April 2021 we introduced a revised and expanded version of Michael Perry’s popular series which was expanded In the new book, Dispatches from the Discovery Trail, edited by Hal Calbom and published

by CRRPress. It includes an in-depth author interview and new illustrations and commentary.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 7

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Remembering Amber King

Family means to turn personal tragedy into increased public awareness

from dealing with what we dealt with, it will all be worth it.” The sisters emphasize that they don’t wish to blame or disrespect anyone, but that there are ways to improve the systems in place, whether that’s within our schools or our medical facilities.

By Krysten Ralston

A

mber King was just 19 when she passed away due to complications of Type 1 Diabetes that had gone undiagnosed.

Amber’s family believe that if they had recognized the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, her death could have been avoided.

According to Tina King, Amber’s mother, Amber had begun feeling “off” in her junior year of high school.

She would frequently mention feeling exhausted and at times nauseated, dizzy, and frequently thirsty. Because these symptoms often overlap with non-serious issues and because Amber seemed healthy, the few doctor’s visits she made ended with a diagnosis of the flu and dehydration. A blood test would have proven otherwise.

seek medical help. She passed away December 1, 2020, shortly after being admitted to the emergency room.

In light of the diagnosis, Amber’s family and friends were finally able to make sense of the varying symptoms Amber had experienced over the previous year and are certain that if any one of them had learned the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, Amber would still be with them.

Rather than dwell on what could have been, or place blame, the King sisters, Tina and Leslie, have grown closer and aspire to spread awareness.

Leslie King, Amber’s aunt, noted that it is not uncommon for the disease to go unnoticed and for it to be disguised by “a woman’s menstrual cycle, hormone changes, growth spurts, and stomach viruses,” but King stressed the importance of seeking answers from one’s medical providers if symptoms and issues persist. Between worrying about how much it would cost and believing she would again be dismissed, Amber was hesitant to

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes • Excessive thirst • Frequent urination • Unexplained weight loss • Exhaustion • Fruity smelling breath • Stomach pain and nausea • Rapid breathing • Confusion Untreated Type 1 Diabetes can be life-threatening. If you have these symptoms, ask your healthcare provider for a blood sugar or urine test. from www.beyondtype1.org

Leslie King added, “At the very least we want to educate parents and children.”

Amber King, photo courtesy of Tina King

Together, they regularly pass out informative fliers and pamphlets whenever they have an opportunity.

“We’ve really just started,” Leslie King said, “but we’ll go anywhere they’ll listen.” Mother and aunt view their efforts as a way to honor Amber’s memory and know it will bring some semblance of healing.

“I just don’t want any other parent to have to go through this,” Tina King said, “Prevention is huge. Huge…If we can prevent one family

Reflecting on who Amber was as a person, Tina King shared that her daughter was full of life, she was “simple and beautiful.” She loved her small hometown and found happiness in the little joys, such as trips to Dibblee Beach, fishing, hiking, and campfires with family and friends. She had just graduated from Rainier High School and was attending Lower Columbia College to earn a business degree, with the hope of someday opening her own restaurant.

We all want to enjoy the good life, and part of that good life is taking care of our health. It is learning to listen to our bodies, our instincts, learning to advocate for ourselves, and teaching our children and loved ones to do the same.

•••

Longview resident Krysten Ralston, earned her bachelor’s degree in English/Creative Writing at WSU Vancouver. She has just published her first book of contemporary poems, Ink Blots to be released in April.

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Wings on the Water

The World: My Oyster

By Brian Fleming

I

t’s nearly noon in Scappoose and the fog begins, in wispy strings, to release its grip from the water’s surfaace. “Poppy,” my beloved Cessna 195 float plane, idles at the dock, the engine warming seven gallons of molasses-thick, 60-weight oil. My adventuring companion, Kelsey, and I have spent the prior hour fueling, servicing, inspecting, making sure everything is in ship shape for this long-dreamed-of adventure. We are off to South Bend, Washington, the oyster capital of the world!

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I untie the line tethering Poppy to the dock, and we are underway. One sharp right turn takes us out into the middle of the Multnomah Channel. Here, I complete the pre-flight engine run-up. Poppy is now pointed north.

With the water rudders stowed in the “up” position, I advance the throttle to full power, the control yoke pulled all the way back, until the second rise of the floats. Control pressure is relaxed, allowing the floats to settle onto “step,” that point at which we achieve hydrodynamic lift, planing across the surface like a speed boat. Seconds later, we’re airborne and head downriver.

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We pass the Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge between Cathlamet and Skamokawa, and then the east end of the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge. Now turning north across Gray’s Bay, I follow Deep River, fly over the hill toward the Naselle River. I am awestruck by the majestic grandeur where the Naselle empties into Willapa Bay, and the start of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. How lucky we are to have these protected lands, bays, and estuaries in our own backyard!

West of the refuge, I begin to descend and fly around Bay Center to see what kind of docking possibilities await.

There aren’t any! Now coming into sight to the northwest is Tokeland and, to the east, our destination w a t e r w a y, t h e Willapa River, lazily flowing into the bay.

Flying low up the River, I inspect the water for anything

that might cause me grief, and identify where I would like to land. I circle, line up my approach, pull back the power, and Poppy skims effortlessly onto the surface. Docking, on the other hand, at this piling-infested downtown dock is more challenging.

On the plane’s float, my light-footed scurrying around — necessary to avoid hitting a docked boat — probably amuses the onlookers, but nothing gets damaged and no one gets wet.

About 100 yards from the wharf, we walk through the front door of the Chester’s Club and Oyster Bar, our destination. Chester’s has it — a coastal, funky, slightly grungy tavern atmosphere that’s taken years to develop, highlighted by a giant old refrigerator, its four glass doors covered in salty bumper stickers. Although the tables in the back have great views of the Willapa River, we decide to sit at the bar and soak up the local ambience.

I devour a couple of oyster shooters, along with a half-dozen fried, and Kelsey enjoys fish and chips — all expertly prepared. I highly recommend making the pilgrimage to South Bend and experiencing this regional gem.

Exiting the dock as “gracefully” as we arrived, we depart north toward Hood Canal. Flying over this smoothas-glass fjord crisscrossed by paddling kayakers, we can’t stop marveling at the beauty around us. Turning south, we fly a straight line back toward Stella, the Columbia River, and finally, Scappoose. What an amazing day of adventure in the great Pacific Northwest, the place we call home!

IF YOU GO Chester’s Club and Oyster Bar Open daily 10am–2am • Ages 21+ 1005 Robert Bush Drive West South Bend, WA 98586 360-875-5599 Driving directions: Drive west on SR-4, through Naselle toward Long Beach.

Turn north onto US101, follow signs to South Bend.

••• Brian Fleming, an avid gear-head from an early age with a keen interest in anything mechanical, started taking flying lessons at age 19. He is restoring an historic railroad freighthouse in downtown Longview.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 11

Miss Manners

from page 6

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love candid photographs. I also appreciate posed, portrait-like photos. I believe the subjects of these photographs, whether candid or posed, should be given the opportunity to share the images — or not — at their sole, unquestioned discretion.

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Apparently, however, my version of photography etiquette is not shared by many people.

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Due to the plethora of cellphones with cameras, almost every social function is now plagued by celebrants insisting on group photos. Stop everything, huddle, and freeze a smile while someone takes a wide-angle photo of you looking terrible that they can share with the world through social media.

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I have made every polite effort to avoid being in these pictures. I quietly leave the room; I drop my napkin and duck below the table; I step behind a taller person (difficult because I am also tall).

These tactics often fail. At my wits’ end, lately I have resorted to honesty. I regret to tell you that even brutal candor is ineffective on relentless photo-takers insistent on ghastly pictures.

This concept may be difficult for our “selfie society” to grasp, but there are people who do not want to be in every photo. We do not enjoy seeing ourselves caught in a blink or a sneeze, frozen in a picture that is then posted online and seen by every person we ever met — including old boyfriends and archrivals from high school.

Please tell these people that “no” means “no” for a photo, just as it does for a plate of anaphylactic shock-inducing catfish.

GENTLE READER: The ubiquitous photographer is one of the great nuisances of our time. Being pressured to pose is indeed a violation of etiquette, even among friends and relatives. So is being photographed unaware and having one’s likeness posted without permission.

For that matter, it is also tedious to feel obliged to admire countless photographs that one is sent or shown, whether or not the subject is of any interest.

“No” should mean “no” under any circumstances, trivial as well as serious. Miss Manners has always declared it rude to bully people into doing something they clearly don’t want to do, under the insulting presumption that they are just being coy. cont page 31

A Different Way of Seeing How Dare You? Standing at the corner its top like a little capitol dome with a five-sided nut for a lantern.

Below, the stubby tower planted in the ground spigots on either side for hoses, a bigger one in front, where the tanker might hook on.

Running ‘round the rim, the raised motto: “WH Fittings and Valves Anniston, Alabama: 1965” the whole of it freshly painted in bright, canary yellow.

Who would dare to write of daffodils these days (like Wordsworth, like Larkin)

THE RIGHT WORDS It’s a somber spring so far.

We remain cautious, bewildered and exhausted.

The rituals of life — births, deaths, partings, reunions — continue either without us or with us tentative, masked and distanced.

We share a sense of impotence and inadequacy.

Even our means of conciliation and complaint are tired and ill-fitting: “This is all simply too much. I can’t even begin to put it into words.”

Besides a national emergency and collective angst, we grow inarticulate, sputtering, mute.

The only solace for those who write and edit for a living is that to some extent we already know this frustration. We struggle constantly for the right word, the precise expression, that perfect turn of phrase. This doesn’t relieve our contemporary sense of not knowing what to say or how to say it, but it’s not unfamiliar.

In times such as these we press the limits of language. As T.S. Eliot laments in his Four Quartets: Words strain, Crack and sometimes break, under the burden, Under the tension, slip, slide, perish,

Photo by Judy VanderMaten

By Hal Calbom

and glaciers on the melt everywhere?

This week, among all the clamor, came the timely arrival of a couple of e-mailed poems from my esteemed colleague and collaborator Bob Pyle. Bob’s verses quickened a thought I’d been toying with: Maybe it’s time we “doubled down” on those most ancient of antidotes: poetry and song.

I do, because Mike, who feeds the pigeons on the corner,

After two plague years, nothing springs from the soil so sweetly as a song. So let’s cultivate it.

and in the late afternoon sun, they blaze.

For millennia we’ve turned to the bards, the troubadours, the poets, the singers to help us explain the unexplainable, to soothe the heart, ease the pain, sustain the soul. The preachers, evangelists and, yes, snake oil salesmen have all employed rhetoric — the power of voice — to save us and sell us.

beside the hydrant in his yard.

They are blooming now, along with one random dandelion, all the same yellow as the fire plug,

~ Robert M. Pyle March 2022 Used with the author’s permission.

And the curative powers of a simple song.

••• Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten

Will not stay still.

Today as our sources of information proliferate they seem only to contradict themselves.

Competing voices clamor for our attention, shouting and bullying. Events spin out of control with little evidence of “rhyme nor reason.”

planted six daffodils in a clump

Thank you, Bob Pyle, for the gift of two poems this week. Thank you, readers, for letting serendipity and song lead me to these meditations this month. These difficult times require heroic measures.

Decay with imprecision, will not stay in place, Surely no one knows the slipperiness and the fickleness of words better than a poet. But the poets and songwriters also share a secret that commits them to their craft: poetry exists in large part to describe the indescribable. Or try to as best it can. As the poet Billy Collins says, “Poetry is the deepest history of human emotions that we have.”

when tanks are on the move in Kyiv

This month, this page departs from our usual practice of excerpting poems, pictures and field notes from The Tidewater Reach, by Gray’s River resident and renowned naturalist Robert Michael Pyle, and Cathlamet photographer Judy VanderMaten, with field notes by CRRPress editor Hal Calbom.

Field Guide to the

Lower Columbia River

Pyle and VanderMaten had dreamed for years of a collaborative project, finally realized when Columbia River Reader Press published color and black and white editions of The Tidewater Reach in 2020, and a third, hybrid edition in 2021, all presenting “a different way of seeing” our beloved Columbia River.

in

Poems and Pictures

Robert Michael Pyle

For information on ordering, as well as our partner bookshops and galleries, see pages 2 and 39.

Judy VanderMaten

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 13

OUT•AND•ABOUT

Total Engagement in Depoe Bay Plenty to capture your interest and senses on the Oregon Coast

Story & photos by Tracy Beard

A

long weekend getaway to the beach is always a good idea, and the time of year is insignificant. Whether you wish to bask in the sun during the summer or watch a winter storm roll in while you relax by the fire, the roar of the ocean waves, the whistling wind and the silky sand beneath your feet will lighten your spirit. The Pacific Northwest boasts numerous beautiful beaches. Last month, my daughter Brittney, her boyfriend Jordan and I headed to Depoe Bay on the Oregon Coast for three nights.

This stunning area offers eclectic dining, a variety of hikes and a long beach perfect for walking alone, playing with a pet or even proposing to that special someone.

The Main Event I must admit that I was “in the know” regarding the proposal.

Jordan and I discussed the matter before the trip, and the plan was for me to take some photographs of the special event. After checking the weather, we determined that our first night would be the best for pictures. The couple went for a beach walk, and I situated myself on a perch to take the shots. The sunset was lovely and after the main event we went upstairs to the balcony of our unit at the Cavalier Oceanfront Condominiums. We whipped up some of Brittney’s limoncello martinis and took more photos while the sky displayed a range of reds, oranges and yellows.

Out and About The following morning, we awoke to a gloriously sunny day. We drove 15 miles outside Depoe Bay to Drift Creek Falls trailhead. From US Highway 101, just south of Lincoln City, turn east onto Drift Creek Road and then south onto South Drift Creek Road. Turn east onto Forest Road 17 and drive for 10 miles on the paved road to the trailhead. The three-mile, round-trip hike affords a gentle ascent with only 380 feet gain in elevation.

There is a clean outhouse located at the trailhead. This spectacular hike is terrific for adults and children.

The trail is open year-round and although the path was clear during our hike, snow decorated the sides of the route. Various trees bordered the course, and many sword ferns blanketed the forest floor. We crossed two small bridges along the way; and at the end of one and a half miles, we traversed the long suspension bridge.

We stopped in the middle of the bridge

Vancouver, Wash. resident Tracy Beard writes about luxury and adventure travel, traditional and trendy fine dining and libations for regional, national and international magazines. She is in her seventh year as CRR’s “Out & About” columnist.

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and took in the dramatic view of the 75-foot-high waterfall cascading over the mossy cliff.

After returning to the car, we drove back to town. No matter your reason for visiting the beach, it is vital to enjoy some classic dishes like clam chowder, fish and chips and coleslaw during your stay. Depoe Bay and Lincoln City offer numerous options for these seaside delights. We dined at Mo’s Restaurant in Lincoln City.

The ocean views were noteworthy, and the food was good.

The weather continued to hold, so we drove down to check out some of the area’s natural sights. The Devil’s Punch Bowl is a large bowl carved in the rock headland. The waves from the Pacific Ocean rush into the bowl. The powerful water whips around creating violent sprays of water and large amounts of foam.

Check the tides before you go so that you can experience the full thrill of this natural landmark. Our timing was off, and we missed the show.

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We traveled further south to Thor’s Well in Yachats, Oregon. This stunning water feature rests on the precipice of the Oregon Coast near Cape Perpetua and appears as a bottomless sinkhole engulfing the surrounding water. cont page 15

OUT•AND•ABOUT from page 14

Seaside Dining Tidal Raves Seafood Grill in Depoe Bay offers one of the best sunset ocean views and tasty food to boot. This destination is famous for whale watching during the migration season from mid-December through mid-January and from late March to the end of May. The restaurant does not take reservations, but you can order a drink while waiting for your table. Seafood is king at this establishment. However, my favorite dish was the five spice pork belly lettuce wraps with spicy Saigon slaw as an appetizer, simply delicious.

Another fantastic dining option is the Bay View Thai Kitchen.

Although not your traditional US coastal cuisine, they make exceptional Thai food well worth a visit. We stopped by for lunch on our third day. Brittney ordered the raw coconut, and both Jordan and I had the Thai iced tea. The drinks were delicious.

We shared pad Thai, yellow curry with chicken and an order of chicken satay with peanut sauce. Every dish was scrumptious, but I was particularly delighted with the satay. A cucumber relish in a sweet liquid accompanied the peanut sauce. I didn’t ask, but I would guess it was a rice wine vinegar concoction. Our host recommended putting both the peanut sauce and cucumber on the satay. The flavors and textures were incredible!

Depoe Bay is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, located on U.S. Route 101 on the Pacific Ocean. The bay of the same name is a 6-acre harbor that the city promotes as the world’s smallest navigable harbor.

Photos, from left: A coastal view, the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Thor’s Well, and a suspension bridge and waterfall along the Drift Creek Falls Trail.

There is so much to do and see on the Oregon Coast. Book a trip now to watch the whales, savor tasty culinary bites and breathe in the refreshing ocean air.

Try out some of my favorite recipes (below) and relive those beach memories at home.

•••

By Tracy Beard

PROVISIONS ALONG THE TRAIL, IN THE PARK OR IN FRONT OF THE FIRE! Tracy’s Clam Chowder

6 slices bacon - chopped 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced 2 large carrots, peeled and diced 1 large onion - chopped 1 tsp. garlic - minced 2 tsp. dried thyme 1 cup fresh razor clams or another canned variety, chopped 1 8-oz bottle clam juice 1 Tbl. flour ½ cup chicken broth 2 cups heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste 4 individual round French bread bowls 6 Tbl. butter ½ tsp. garlic salt

Fry up the bacon until golden brown and set aside. Place the carrots, potatoes and one teaspoon of thyme in water. Bring to a boil and simmer until vegetables are forktender. Drain off water and set aside. Place two tablespoons of butter in a soup pot. Add the flour and cook for two more minutes until light brown. Pour in the chicken stock and clam juice. Stir to mix with the roux.

Add in clams, cooked vegetables, remaining dried thyme, bacon and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, but do not boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

While the chowder is cooking, place bread bowls on a sheet pan. Cut off the top and dig out a hole for the chowder. Butter the inside of the hole, sprinkle on garlic salt and place under the broiler until golden brown.

Serve the chowder in the bowl.

After he pops the question, Jordan and Brittney celebrate their engagement with Limoncello martinis

Brittney’s Limoncello Martini 2 oz limoncello 1 ½ oz domestic vanilla vodka 2/3 oz fresh lemon juice ½ oz triple sec

Pour over ice in a cocktail shaker, shake and serve in a glass with a sugared rim.

Tracy’s Creamy Coleslaw ½ cup mayonnaise 2 Tbl. rice wine vinegar 1 tsp. sugar ½ tsp. celery seeds A good pinch of salt 4 cups shredded cabbage 1 cup shredded carrot

Whisk all the ingredients through the salt in a large bowl. Add cabbage and carrot. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to marry the flavors.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 15

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16 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

503-397-3211

Local Culture

ME AND MY

MUSEUM MAGIC

This story was told to Kelso, Wash. resident Neil Martello by his uncle, Frank Pinter, in June 1966. At the time, they both lived in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

PIANO* *or other instrument

Different strokes Museum hosts Columbian Artists’ Spring Art Show

Accordion Saved Sailor’s Life “I know you’re going into the service soon, so before you leave, I want to tell you this story about how my accordion saved my life during the invasion of Saipan during World War II.

when I was 18 years old, I signed up for the Navy, even though I couldn’t swim. I took my accordion and played for the sailors as we sailed with the Pacific Fleet.

My mother told me I would have to learn to play an instrument as a young boy, so I picked the accordion because my best friend, Johnny Martello, played one. In the summer, we would play on the street corners of downtown Baltimore for money, and all the money I made I gave to my mother. This was during the Depression, so times were tough. After Pearl Harbor,

On June 15, 1944, we landed in Saipan. We were making the first Marianas attack. As I walked in kneedeep water toward the island with my accordion in front of me, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. An enemy bullet hit me. I fell backward, holding my chest as I looked up at the blue sky. I can only think I didn’t want to die thousands of miles from home.

E

xciting activities are happening at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum (CCHM) this spring! The museum is partnering with the Columbian Artists Association (CAA) to host their annual Spring Art Show. Intake day is March 22, with the show opening on Friday, March 25 and concluding Saturday, April 16.

A reception is open to the public from 2-4pm on Saturday, March 26.

Submissions to the art show will be judged and awards given to winning pieces.

A sailor grabbed my arm, helped me up, and asked if I had been hit. I said “Yes.” He couldn’t believe his eyes when he couldn’t locate the wound. He told me my accordion took the bullet for me and saved my life.

This year’s featured artist Barn abstract watercolor by Alan Brunk is Alan C. Brunk, who was a technical illustrator and graphic artist employed by Boeing. Born in Corning, California, Alan received his BA from the University of Oregon and, later, a Master’s in Fine Arts from UW. He taught at four different school districts in the greater Portland area before retiring in 1998.

When the cleanup was completed in three weeks, the guys wanted to see the bullet hole in my accordion. I was told how lucky I was, but I believe my mom was praying extra hard for me. I could still play that accordion somewhat, and I carried it throughout the war. I kept it for years afterwards, and told many stories about my accordion and how it saved my life.”

This is a first-time partnership with the museum hosting the CAA Spring Art Show, and we hope you come to see all of the pieces entered into the exhibition from our local artisan community.

Neil Martello served four years in the Air Force in the Middle East. His Uncle Frank (pictured above at an earlier age) passed away in June 2013, at 86.

To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle

Raymond/ South Bend

Oysterville •

Columbia River

101

Chinook

•

Grays River

101

Pacific Ocean

• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitor Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058 • Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552

Astoria Birkenfeld

Mount St. Helens

Skamokawa Cathlamet 4

Warrenton •

Seaside

Washington

Castle Rock

• Naselle

WestportPuget Island FERRYk

Ilwaco

VISITOR CENTERS

FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information

504

Long Beach

Vernonia

Longview

Ape Cave •

Kelso

Clatskanie Rainier

Woodland

rnelius NW Co ad o R s s a P

To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland

Local in

• Naselle, WA Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4, Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103.

for

Points o mation f In Recre terest Special ation Dinin Events Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain ment

• Pacific County Museum & Visitor Center Hwy 101, South Bend, WA 360-875-5224 • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542

• Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

97

Goldendale

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

•Yacolt

St Helens

• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 • Castle Rock Visitor Center Exit 49, west side of I-5, 890 Huntington Ave. N. Open M-F 11–3.

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

503

Columbia City

Maryhill Museum

• Ridgefield

Scappoose•

Oregon

Cougar •

Kalama

cont page 18

Alan C. Brunk

Vader

Ocean Park •

By Joseph Govednik, Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director

Sauvie Island

Skamania Lodge

Vancouver Col. Gorge Interp.Ctr as m a C • Bonneville 12

Portland

Dam

Troutdale Crown Point

n Stevenso Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods

Hood River The Dalles

To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID

Map suggests only approximate positions and relative distances. Consult a real map for more precise details. We are not cartographers.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 17

Museum Magic

STARTING THIS SUMMER!

from page 15

Eileen Thompson, President of CAA will be the featured speaker at the museum’s next “First Thursday” event, which , due to staff scheduling, will instead occur on the “Last Thursday” this month, March 31.

The CAA has been proudly working with the community to create an innovative means to support and promote the arts, and the CCHM is excited about this “Cliffs at the Coast,” by Alan Brunk partnering opportunity to share cultural enrichment through the combination of the museum’s heritage exhibits and local artist works — all under one roof.

For more information about the art show, or to inquire about submitting artwork, please contact Columbian Artist Association President, Eileen Thompson, 206-949-9811, or the museum at 360-5773119. The museum is located at 405 Allen Street in Kelso and is open Tues-Sat, 10am4pm.

Barn watercolor by Alan Brunk

Q

UIPS & QUOTES

Selected by Debra Tweedy An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day. ~ Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist, poet, philosopher, 1817-1862

There is nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend. ~ Bob Ross, American painter, teacher and television host, 1942-1995 To cook for the pleasure of it, to devote a portion of our leisure to it, is to declare our independence from the corporations seeking to organize our every waking moment into yet another occasion for consumption ~ Michael Pollan, American author and journalist, 1955The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back. ~ Abigail Van Buren (pen name of Pauline Phillips), American advice columnist. 1918-2013

Long View THE

For information about sponsorship opportunities: publisher@crreader.com or Ned Piper, 360-740-2632.

A Century on the Lower Columbia

PEOPLE+PLACE ~ THEN AND NOW A Year of Journalism in Columbia River Reader • June 2022 through June 2023 A Commemorative Book • Multiple-media Gala Variety Show at Columbia Theatre

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perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose. ~ Arnold Bennett, 1867-1931 It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any. ~ Hugh Laurie, English actor, author, musician, 1959For marriage to be a success, every woman and every man should have her and his own bathroom. The end. ~ Catherine Zeta-Jones, Welsh actress, 1969– In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. ~ John Adams, 2nd President of the United States, 1735-1826

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

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as 18 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Longview native Debra Tweedy has lived on four continents. She and her husband decided to return to her hometown and bought a house facing Lake Sacajawea.“We came back because of the Lake and the Longview Public Library,” she says.

“Tracker”

painting 16x20 inches acrylic on canvas

by Joe Fischer

Honoring the Successful Lives and Legacy of Alona & Carl Forsberg

JOE FISCHER Proud Sponsor of People+Place

People + Place A monthly feature written and photographed

by Southwest Washington native and Emmy Award-winning journalist

Hal Calbom

Production Notes

Icarus, Bugs Bunny, and a Futon As a high-functioning autistic adult, Dustin Fike spends much of his life defying stereotypes.

When I asked him about his Bugs Bunny shirt he revealed about all you really need to know about the essential Dustin.

“Well, I really, really, love those old cartoon characters — Bugs and Mickey and Donald.

And I also have a terrible time finding clothes that fit. Because I’m basically built like a futon. Or Winnie the Pooh.”

He will eagerly share with you the life lessons of those we refer to, in our kinder moments, as “mentally disabled.” Some prefer the term “differently-abled,” and I’d always felt it smacked of political correctness. But after spending a couple of hours with Dustin, I’ll vote to emphasize the “abled” side of his story. To wit: He prepared for our interview (a rarity) by reading past issues. As we began, he kidded me for my lack of technical expertise setting up my tape recorder. “I thought you were an Emmy Award-winner!”

people+ place Depot Dude: Dustin Fike These old railroad stations can be both fine and forlorn. Kelso-Longview Station wears its 110 years well, thanks to a major remodeling in the 1990s.

Since its founding in 1971, our quasi-public corporation, Amtrak, has struggled to run the railroads right. A gargantuan system with thousands of miles of track, infrastructure in various levels of decay, and persistent labor problems, Amtrak must also provide that essential and elusive modern-day amenity — the “quality customer experience.”

NICE TO MEET YOU Dustin Fike

Kelso-Longview entrusts this entirely to a group of volunteers. Diverse in age and appearance, working for no pay or benefits, they bring individuality, humanity and dedication to their customer service, one departure and arrival at a time.

RESIDES Kelso, Washington

And a smiling face bidding us, “All aboard!”

OCCUPATION Volunteer/Secretary, Train Depot Volunteers

HC: Why volunteer?

DF: I do this because I just love being able to help people.

HC: Are you a train buff?

DF: Not really. It’s about the people.

And giving the best customer service I can. I love being able to have something in my life where I feel like I’m doing something really important.

HC: And you help your fellow volunteers, too?

DF: I try to. I’m the secretary of the Kelso-Longview Train Depot Volunteers. It’s been tough to get people to volunteer during COVID, and the travel schedules have been erratic.

HC: Have you yourself had difficulty getting paid work?

FROM Longview, Washington

KNOWN FOR Being the friendliest guy around READING

2022 Road Atlas by Rand McNally FOR FUN Watching television, surfing the Internet, playing video games RECOMMENDS Reading the books that make you feel good

cont page 20

He spoke movingly of good and bad times growing up, time institutionalized, time falling through the cracks, time doing amazing things — including his remarkable first-place finishes in Iowa’s annual Academic Decathlon. He owned up to being a wimp. And to needing a secure place to shelter after a demanding day.

And then he mentioned Icarus, the boy of Greek myth who, cast aloft on waxen wings, flew too close to the sun, melted the wax, and drowned. “I’m at a point where I’m very happy where I am. And I don’t want to go very far outside this box, this box of my own making. I might end up like Icarus, you know.”

It would seem difficult — looking at Dustin, this larger-than-life, crew-cut man — to conjure up that fair-haired Greek boy. But under the spell of his eloquence, and the poignancy of his story, I can visualize his cautious, measured flight. Neither too close to the ocean nor to the sun, making his middle way, day by day.

••• Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 19

People +

“ We serve as a gateway to Kelso-Longview.

Our job is to make people feel welcome.”

~ Dustin Fike

mental disability — being called “dumb” — well, I happen to fall into one of those categories. It’s just hard to change those stereotypes. And then I’m fat, which brings another category into play. People say weight can’t be a factor in hiring, but of course it is an issue. And that can cause even more stress.

HC: So you still struggle with these stereotypes?

DF: Yes. But that’s why I love dealing with people in person. It’s ignorance, not hate. I really believe that. Lack of knowledge about a person’s situation. So when I’m interacting with the public, it’s proving a couple of stereotypes wrong, I hope. And it’s the camaraderie with the other volunteers, too. I get calls from other volunteers to help with questions all the time. There can be some real challenges. There is a homeless problem here in town, at the station, people who are taking refuge here, and really are not legally allowed to.

So that can stress any of us out.

HC: Is there medication that helps you?

DF: I take a drug for my anxiety, my anxiety and depression.

There are times I get nervous and the depression comes on.

But that’s why I come to work. Being with people helps me, my self-esteem.

Depot Dude

HC: Are passengers appreciative? Gracious? from page 19

DF: Most of my life, really. When I came back to Longview — I was born here — in 2013, there wasn’t any work for me. I am high functioning autistic. So, unfortunately, I fall through the cracks sometimes — I’m not dumb enough to be able to qualify for some of the help that they have. But I also need that little bit of help now and then to get me going.

HC: From your disability and its consequences?

The way you’re treated?

DF: Both, I guess. I have moments. Like everybody does, I suppose. Sometimes I have moments where it’s just hard for me to stay on track. So I need a little extra help sometimes.

DF: Nine out of 10, yes. One out of 10 you just can’t please no matter what you do. And our trains have been known to run late once in awhile! But we get a lot of support here in town. We are providing an essential service not only for the community, the people of Kelso-Longview, but for the entire Columbia River region. We are basically the first people those getting off the train will see when they come here. And if our volunteers give them good service, they will remember that.

HC: Sounds like you do some public relations work, too?

HC: You just uttered a terrible word: “dumb.”

DF: Oh, I know. There are certain stereotypes that defy logic and the evidence. And someone with a

People+ Place goes station to station.

cont page 22

“

As a Christian athlete I glorify God by following him with all that I am. My goal is to guide my teammates to pursue an everlasting relationship with God. I strive to lead them closer to God’s word, so they can be the best versions of themselves.”

Please join us in supporting the important work of the • Pet Adoptions. Be on the lookout for our adoptable pets on Petfinder.com • Spay/ Neuter and Vaccine Clinics Please call to schedule (instead of regular walk-in clinics). Limit of one person per appointment due to Covid-19.

• Donations and Volunteers needed and appreciated!

Weatherguard supports the FCA vision: To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

Eddie Gould

Baseball Player Toutle Lake High School

• cowlitzhumane.com • 360-577-0151

Proud Sponsor of People+Place 20 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Proud sponsor of People+Place

360-577-7200

+ Place

Train Tripping Hal rides the rails

will be reversed on the ride home, with 90% occupancy on a Friday afternoon).

We crawl out under the looming sports stadiums, graffiti shouting from every concrete surface, through the seemingly infinite detritus of industry — decaying machinery, acres of stacked pipe,derelict buildings, plain junk.

M

Because so many buildings and businesses “back up” against the rails, there seems to be little consideration given to all this waste and mess, especially from the passengers’ perspective. To me it seems both sides, at least in this first 10 miles getting out of Seattle, look like the proverbial “other side” of these tracks.

y confession: It’s been a couple of years since I rode the train. Like 20. And that was in England, where stepping on and off a train is all in a day’s walk. I realized if I were intending to write this month about train travel, and more particularly about these historic stations connecting our towns and tracks, I better hop on board and experience the rail thing.

Bear in mind I am forsaking my trusty automobile — something I find difficult and somehow unmanly. I recall joking that the only way my dad would ever go to Europe is if he could ship the family station wagon over with him. Trundling my own (surprisingly heavy) kit full of essentials, I strike out by train — Seattle to Kelso, and back, over the next 48 hours.

Easy access

Amtrak does a good job helping you organize your trip: easy computer access to schedules and fares, online payment, and the now-ubiquitous QR code to be presented to the conductor on board. I had the choice of three trains, in Coach Class ($23 each way, Seattle to Longview), or Business Class ($46 each way).

Since the train was less than 25 percent booked, I chose Coach and printed out my two boarding passes at home.

Freight rules

We ship about a third of all U.S. goods by rail, and the long, long freight trains have priority on the rights of way. Amtrak’s passenger side serves 500 destinations around the country, with more than 21,000 miles of track. Before the pandemic, ridership had been creeping up, to a little over 12 milllion passengers served annually. Then came COVID.

Even before dawn, Seattle’s King Street Station is imposing — vaulted ceilings and old chandeliers, dim gaslight-style sconces and neon electric reader boards. Passengers milling around in masks and socially distant, then trooping out onto the platforms where, purring and powerful, waits the Amtrak Cascades, sleek-looking in her cloak of silver, burgundy, and forest green paint.

Having given up on the scenery, I enjoy the freedom and ease that comes from surrendering the wheel.

The conductors are pleasant, good- humored and efficient. For some reason I’m especially pleased that you’re not allowed to take off your shoes, something that always bothers me on planes. Mask rules are tightly enforced. The Bistro Car seems pretty basic and can’t compete with a real coffee shop.

The interior is utilitarian, spacious and clean. I grab a deskette and claim some territory, one of only 10 people in the huge cabin (this

Scenic section

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The first really appealing scenery comes around Nisqually, and the Olympia to Kelso leg is decidedly more rural and attractive. The views of the Cowlitz River, and the classically-architectured Kelso-Longview station, are welcoming, after a pretty brisk two hours and 20 minutes on the tracks.

Two days later, the leg back to Seattle feels more like flying than riding, airplane style seats and a sizable crowd. Though I savor the sunshine and occasional views, I continue to be discouraged by the chronic wastefulness and sheer amount of “stuff” littered around the houses, businesses and small farms.

I’m impressed by the sheer magnitude of the system and the power of its parts. There was vision and substantial ego at work when these stations were built in the form of monuments or mausoleums.

And, finally, the-all important “quality customer experience?” A definite yes. We’ll see you next time!

•••

Proud sponsor of People+Place Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 21

DF: We did not win. But I did finish first place in a couple of individual categories. I finished first in history, ancient Rome and all that. And music. Now, you want to take a guess what my musical specialty was?

HC: Country and western?

DF: Opera. I love opera.

HC: It seems to me the more I read about and try to understand something like autism the more complicated it gets.

I mean one size fits all — just isn’t true?

DF: I think that’s a fair assessment, Hal. The spectrum has grown so large, over time, that the autism I was diagnosed with in the 80s is way out of focus. People just didn’t have a lot of knowledge at the time. So part of their thought process was putting people like me in a padded room like you would do with a crazy person.

HC: My goodness.

DF: Nowadays one doctor may say it’s Asperger’s, another may say something else altogether. So it’s really hard to pin down, still. And, honestly, I mostly see myself as a normal person or close to normal as I could ever get.

HC: What do you still have trouble with? You seem very comfortable in this conversation, at least.

DF: I appreciate that. But I have to work very, very hard at it.

I really have to stick to the grind, play it by the book. Because I might do this job for a large part of my day, a lot of times after I get home, I go back into my little cocoon. And stay there.

Because it’s safer. For me, sometimes, it’s a safety thing to go hide in a safe space.

HC: Is that a kind of extreme introversion?

DF: Yes. With high functioning autism, I’m a huge introvert a lot of the time. Especially after a day that’s been really, really rough. I admit I build a box for myself, not a huge box, but it’s a place where I can feel comfortable, take refuge.

HC: Do you dream and see outside the box?

DF: You know, I don’t think I need that. I’m at a point where I’m very happy where I am. And I don’t want to go very far outside this box, this box of my own making. I might end up like Icarus, you know.

from page 20

HC: Well said. I think I better end this — you give me opera and a perfect classical allusion in one interview. What a wonderful conversation. Thank you!

DF: I think we do. People will come here and spend money in this town. We serve as a gateway to KelsoLongview. Our job is to make people feel welcome.

DF: You’re welcome.

HC:: I assume the most popular question you get is “Where did you play football?”

•••

DF: Well, that’s a good conversation starter. I did not play football, ever, because I’m too much of a wimp. I am way too wimpy. I actually did try out for basketball my junior year of high school and didn’t last one day.

WANTED!

HC:: How was the rest of your school experience?

Volunteer staff photos displayed at the KelsoLongview Depot. More Depot Volunteers are needed. Anyone age 21 or older comfortable greeting the public and answering questions from a wide range of travelers in a friendly, knowledgeable and respectful manner, is encouraged to apply. Application forms, and a review copy of the Depot Volunteer’s Handbook, are available at the station.

Applicants attend three training sessions and are screened by the City of Kelso.

DF: Generally good. We were living back in Iowa then, and I fit in pretty well. Even very well. Made a lot of good friends and even did some extracurricular activities. One of my favorites was the Academic Decathlon, which is held there every year. I was the first freshman ever to make that team. Competition from all over the state of Iowa, with a chance to go to the nationals in San Antonio.

HC: How did you do?

Editor’s note: Interviews are edited for length and clarity.

people+ place Brain Droppings

by George Carlin. In a world where humor feels scary, along comes one of the best to ever do it.

Siddhartha By Herman Hesse. A book I read for Academic Decathlon. A story many people can understand — the quest for wisdom and fulfillment.

Dustin Fike’s Top 5 Books

The Darwin Awards: 10-book series including Countdown to Extinction

by Wendy Northcutt.

Common sense is also very scarce. This book shows when it goes all wrong.

22 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Hal Calbom grew up in Longview and attended R.A.Long High School.

He is editor for CRRPress and producer of CRR’s “People+Place” monthly feature and author of the upcoming The Long View: A Century on the Lower Columbia.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A book I read in high school, it’s a great example of how life in the 1920s was and how certain things are always out of reach.

The Remains of the Day

by Katzuo Ishiguro. The second book I read for Academic Decathlon.

It shows that even the best of certain people can be the worst.

FROM THE PET DEPT.

SPRING APPROACHETH Old publishers never die, they just face eternallyextended deadlines.

Even till I shrink with cold, I smile... ~ William Shakespeare From “As You Like It”

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Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 23

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ME AND MY

Where do you read

PIANO* *or other instrument

In the Moog

By Leon Lowman

THE READER?

Blame Emerson, Lake & Palmer

I

began plunking on the piano at age 10, when my parent bought an upright. I took lessons for a few months, but gave up as I could not understand how to make sense of music notation. It was just far easier for me to play by ear, and so I never did learn to read music.

My fascination with playing the piano was how I could change the sound by using the sustain pedal, by playing soft, playing loud, and experimenting by putting tinfoil between the strings and hammers, and by sticking tacks in the hammers.

Sound fascinated me.

I remember one day my fourth grade teacher asked us all to take our seats, close our eyes, and envision what we were about to hear as she put a record on the turntable. First, I heard footsteps heading down a sidewalk, then a dog barking, the sound of a mailbox opening, the shuffle of letters, and a man saying, “Good morning, Mrs. Smith.” Well, I could certainly envision that postman, and it was at that moment I became hooked on the mystery of sound.

Around that time, a neighbor down the street bought a tape recorder and recorded us kids playing. Upon playback, I was amazed to hear my voice. Sound was becoming magical!

Years later, in 1971, I happened to hear Emerson, Lake, & Palmer’s “Lucky Man.” When Keith Emerson played his iconic Moog 55 synthesizer solo, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

What was that incredible sound!? It was the first time I had ever heard a synthesizer, and I just knew then and theer: Someday I would own one!

Three years later, affordable synthesizers finally started hitting the consumer market. I had just

Leon Lowman makes music in Kelso, Wash.

landed my first decent-paying job, so I decided to go to the local music store and see if they had any synthesizers.

The music owner looked at me in total disbelief when I asked if he might happen to have an ARP 2600 in stock. He had just received one of the very first ARP 2600s! It was actually still set up in his living room, as he was trying to figure out how it worked before bringing it to the showroom. He was heading home for lunch and offered to show it to me, and I consequently ended up buying it on the spot. I stayed up into the wee hours of the night playing it, in total awe.

The beauty of the 2600 is it has all the parameters of sound, thus enabling one to create pretty much any kind of sound from scratch — sounds so high only a dog can hear, sounds so low they are individual clicks, instruments, wind, helicopters...you name it.

With my ARP 2600, other keyboards, and a multi-track recorder I have composed music for more than 40 years. I use my 2600 all the time, and after all these years it continues to be my favorite musical instrument.

•••

Share the story of your relationship with a musical instrument in 500 words or less and mail to CRR, 1333 14th Ave., Longview, WA 98632, or email to publisher@ crreader.com. If possible attach/include a current mugshot and/or a photo of you with your instrument, then or now. Don’t worry about perfect spelling or syntax. If your story is chosen, we will provide editing services and will contact you for additional details or embellishments as needed.

The whistle’s about to blow ... All aboard!

Back row: Vacation Bible School teacher Val Valpiani, with teen helper Wyatt; front row: First-graders Finley, Ellie, Elijah, and Elizabeth. The group was taking a break during the summer 2022 session”Railroad Rocky” themed summer session at Columbia River Four Square Church, St. Helens, Oregon. Photo by Gab.

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER? Send your photo reading the Reader (high-res JPEG) to Publisher@CRReader. com. Include names and cities of residence. We make it a practice to promptly acknowledge photos received; if you don’t hear from us within 5 days, please resend. For cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB.

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Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 25

COLUMBIA RIVER

Clatskanie, Ore. Fultano’s Pizza 770 E. Columbia River Hwy Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

Dine-in,Take-out and Home Delivery.

Visit Fultanos.com for streamlined menu. 503-728-2922

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant 640 E. Columbia River Hwy Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials.

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

dining guide

Longview, Wash.

1335 14th Avenue 18 rotating craft brews, pub fare.

M-Th 11am–8pm. Fri-Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm. Local music coming soon.

360-232-8283. Inside dining See ad, page 34. Follow us on Untappd.

Broadway Barrel Room

Rainier. Ore.

1133 Broadway Family friendly tap house and eatery. 18 taps local craft beverages, hand-crafted soups, sandwiches, flatbread and desserts. Live music on Thursdays. Hours: Tues-Thur 11-9; Fri-Sat 11–10. 360-353-4295. See ad, page 8.

Alston Pub & Grub

The Carriage

25196 Alston Rd., Rainier 503-556-9753 11 beers on tap, cocktails.

Open daily 11–11. Inside dining.

Conestoga Pub Cornerstone Café 102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits 7am–8pm Daily. Inside dining.

Restaurant & Lounge

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge 1334 12th Ave. Open 8am–9pm (sometimes closes later, call to check). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar, banquet room available for groups, parties, family reunions, etc. no charge with min. $250 food/drink purchases. Happy hours daily (9–11am, 5–7pm). 360-425-8545.

Eclipse Coffee & Tea

Evergreen Pub & Café

115-117 East 1st Street 503-556-9935 Burgers, halibut, appetizers, full bar.

11–11 Daily. Inside dining.

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

Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine.

11–9, Mon-Thurs, Sun; 11–10 Fri-Sat

Restaurant operators: To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call 360-749-2632

614 Commerce Ave., Longview. 18 varieties of pizza, prepared salads. Beer & wine. Open 11am every day. Inside seating, outdoor dining.

360-353-3512. Inside dining, Take-out, some local delivery.

Roland Wines

1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, and beer.

Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Fri, Sat. 11–3. Call for status. 360-846-7304.

Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine. Limited inside seating, curbside pickup and delivery.

503-397-3211 See ad, page 16 Big River Tap Room 313 Strand Street on the Riverfront.

Lunch/Dinner Tu-Thurs 12–8pm; Fri-Sat 12–9pm. Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, pastrami. Weekend Burrito Breakfast, Sat 8-11, Sun 8am-3pm. See ad, page 16.

Molly’s Market

290 S. 1st St. Lunch delivery, event space. 503-396-5479 See ad, page 16.

Plymouth Pub

298 S. 1st St. Family friendly, food, 14 tap handles. Open daily 11am-10pm. See ad, pg 16.

Scappoose, Ore. Teri’s, 3225 Ocean Beach

Hwy, Longview. Lunch and dinner.

Burgers, steak, seafood, pasta, specials, fresh NW cuisine. Full bar. Tues–Sat 12Noon–8pm. Sat 5:30–8:30pm..

Curbside pickup. Inside dining.

360-577-0717.

Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

“Best pizza around!” Sun–Th 11am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11am–10pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose.

503-543-5100. Inside Dining.

Castle Rock, Wash Luckman’s Coffee Company

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine.

Daily specials. The best margarita in town.

Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017

Warren, Ore.

Freddy’s Just for the Halibut.

Cod, Alaskan halibut fish and chips, award-winning clam chowder. Burgers, steaks, pasta. Beer and wine. M-Sat 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–8pm. Inside dining, Drive-thru, outdoor seating.

1110 Commerce 360-414-3288.

See ad, page 12.

Luigi’s Pizza

117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Inside dining, Take-out & Delivery

The Original Pietrio’s Pizzeria

239 Huntington Ave. North, Drive-thru. Pastries, sandwiches, salads, quiche. See ad, page 31.

Goble Tavern

70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live entertainment 11–11 Daily. Inside dining.

503-556-4090

MERKANTILE CAFE In The Merk (1339 Commerce Ave., #111). Heart-healthy food; Rice bowls, smoothie bowls, soups, curries, salads.

Open Tues–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am– 3pm. See ad, page 8.

St. Helens, Ore.

Hop N Grape

924 15th Ave., Longview Tues–Thurs 11am–7pm; Fri & Sat 11am– 8pm. BBQ meat slow-cooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon.

World-famous mac & cheese. 360-577-1541.

Grant’s at the Monticello Hotel on Longview’s

historic Civic Circle. Casual upscale inside dining, patio dining. Seafood, steaks, pasta, burgers. Happy Hour specials 3pm. Lunch & dinner. M-Th 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10.

26 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Parker’s Steak House & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. I-5 Exit 49.

Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant opens 11am, Lounge 12 Noon. Closed Monday.

360-967-2333. Call for status/options.

Vault Books & Brew 20 Cowlitz Street West, Castle RockCoffee and specialty drinks, quick eats & sweet treats. See ad, page 28.

Kalama, Wash.

Warren Country Inn 56575 Columbia River Hwy. Fine family dining. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Full bar. Call for hours.503-410-5479.

Check Facebook for updates. Dine-in.

Toutle, Wash.

DREW’S GROCERY & SERVICE

5304 Spirit Lake Hwy (10 mi. fr Exit 49) Picnic table, or to go, full deli, fried chicken, chowder, fish, shrimp. See ad, page 34.

Woodland, Wash.

“SoCo”

215 N. Hendrickson Dr., Port of Kalama.

A Northwest pub and unique bars serving breakfast, lunch & dinner daily.

Info & reservations, bar hours at mcmenamins.com. 8am–midnight daily.

360- 673-9210. Indoor dining, covered outdoor seating, curbside take-out.

1350 Atlantic Ave. Rotating craft brews, pub fare. Open M-Th 11am–6pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm.

360-841-8941. See ad, page 34.

L

uckman

Coffee Company 1230 Lewis River Rd. Small batch on-site roasted coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside seating. M-F 5:30am–6pm, Sat 6am–5pm, Sun 7am–3pm. See ad, page 31.

Roland on Wine

MARCH: WASHINGTON WINE MONTH

As the corkscrew turns...

By Marc Roland

L

et’s celebrate Washington Wine Month! Yes, March is here and the Washington Wine Commission campaign will be showing up in media outlets everywhere — and be prepared for another blitz in August.

I’m all for it because one of the biggest drivers of agricultural revenue in Washington is the wine industry. Not because Washingtonians buy lots of Washington wine, but because lots of grapes get bought throughout the country to be turned into wine.

“For a prophet has no honor in his own country” (John 4:44). In fact only 36 percent of Washington wine sales are within the state; in Oregon it’s 55 percent. Some smaller producing states drink more than 80 percent of their own wine. This doesn’t look good for local sales. One thing we must keep in mind is that a large percentage of Washington wineries produce less than 5000 cases and, of those wineries, many sell directly to their local customers.

Wholesale and retail channels are out of the their reach because the low production does not create the volume to sell at such discounts.

The two biggest wineries in Washington, Columbia Crest (owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle) and Waterbrook in Walla Walla (owned by Precept Brands), sell most of the wine under their brands.

One thing I love about Washington Wine Month is the opportunity to consider the history of the grape story here in Washington. It can be traced back to 1825, near here at Fort Vancouver, where the Hudson’s Bay Company set up a fur trading post. This marks the site where grapes were first planted in Washington State. When homesteaders began coming from the East on the Oregon Trail in the Longview resident and former Kelso teacher Marc Roland started making wine in 2008 in his garage. He and his wife, Nancy, now operate Roland Wines at 1106 Florida Street in Longview’s new “barrel district.” For wine tasting hours, call 360846-7304.

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1850s, they brought grape cuttings so they would be able to make wine for themselves.

The Puget Sound region also saw early plantings as it became more populated.

I’m proud of the fact that Southwest Washington is a part of that history and that there is a resurgence and rediscovery of some of those vineyards right in our backyard. As a side note, I would encourage you to attend the Savor Southwest Washington Wines event coming up on April 23rd at the Groove Nation Performing Arts Center in Vancouver. You will hear the unique stories of more than 20 vineyards and wineries. You will taste the wines and foods from numerous local boutique restaurants for one all-inclusive price.

Maybe I’ll see you there!

In 2011, Washington State privatized liquor sales. In some ways it was a good thing to break up the monopoly and let private business take over. The idea was to increase competition and lower prices and save the state money. In some places prices have indeed gone down, but state alcohol taxes have gone up for not much of an advantage to the consumer. Big box stores like Costco, with their ability to buy huge quantities, sometimes have great values. However, the real loser is selection.

Prior to 2011, during Washington Wine Month state-owned stores offered huge selections of Washington wine for sale.

The state had the power to buy quality Washington wine and offer it to us for a great price. I discovered many great value wines made right here. Not anymore. It’s Washington Wine Month, but unless you want to drive to a big city where there may be a large selection of Washington wines in a huge outlet, or find a specialty wine shop that features Washington wines, you will be hard-pressed to find more than a spattering of Washington made wines in your local grocery store, mostly brands owned by four corporate wineries. The best thing we can do is get out and visit the our local wineries and tasting rooms to taste the amazing variety of Washington wine right in our own backyard. For a list go to http:swwawine. com or download the Washington wine app at washingtonwine.org •••

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Where to find the new Reader

It’s delivered all around the River by the 15th of each month. Here’s the list of handy, regularly-refilled sidewalk box and rack locations where you can pick up a copy any time of day and even in your bathrobe: CLATSKANIE LONGVIEW Post Office U.S. Bank Chevron / MiniPost Office Mart Bob’s (rack, main check-out) Fultano’s Pizza In front of 1232 Commerce Ave In front of 1323 Commerce Ave WESTPORT Berry Patch YMCA Wauna mill (parking lot) Fred Meyer (rack, service desk) RAINIER Teri’s Post Office Grocery Outlet Fibre Fed’l CU - Commerce Ave Cornerstone Café Rainier Hardware (rack, entry) Monticello Hotel (front entrance) Earth ‘n’ Sun (on Hwy 30) Kaiser Permanente El Tapatio (entry rack) St. John Medical Center Grocery Outlet (rack, Park Lake Café) Senior Center (rack at front door) LCC Student Center Indie Way Diner DEER ISLAND Columbia River Reader Office Deer Island Store 1333 14th Ave. (box at door) COLUMBIA CITY - Post Office Omelettes & More (entry rack) Stuffy’s II (entry rack) WARREN Warren Country Inn KELSO Visitors’ Center / Kelso-Longview ST HELENS Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Sunshine Pizza KALAMA St. Helens Market Fresh Fibre Fed’l CU Olde Town: Kalama Shopping Center Wild Currant, Tap into Wine corner of First & Fir Safeway McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge SCAPPOOSE WOODLAND Post Office Visitors’ Center Road Runner Grocery Outlet Fultano’s Luckman Coffee Ace Hardware Antidote (rack) WARRENTON, OR CASTLE ROCK Lacie Rha’s Cafe (32 Cowlitz W.) Fred Meyer Parker’s Restaurant (box, entry) CATHLAMET Visitors’ Center 890 Huntington Ave. Cathlamet Pharmacy N., Exit 49, west side of I-5 Tsuga Gallery Cascade Select Market Cathlamet Realty West Puget Island Ferry Landing RYDERWOOD Café porch SKAMOKAWA Skamokawa General Store TOUTLE Drew’s Grocery & Service NASELLE Appelo Archives & Café Johnson’s One-Stop Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 27

BESIDES COLUMBIA RIVER READER...

What are you reading?

Monthly feature coordinated by Alan Rose

By Jim MacLeod COVID-19 appeared seemingly out of nowhere in 2020, shocking our senses, shutting down the economy, and overwhelming our vaunted healthcare institutions. Ancient Greeks believed such events were capricious acts of gods like Apollo, the bringer of healing and disease. In The Iliad, Homer depicts Apollo laying waste to armies with an arrow-borne plague. However, Yale University

sociologist and physician Nicholas Christakis helps us understand that the pandemic is a natural, predictable, and far more controllable consequence of our own actions.

A p o l l o ’s A r r o w p l a c e s COVID-19 in historical context with earlier plagues dating back to 430 BCE. As Camus observed, “There have been as many plagues as wars in history, yet always plagues and wars take people equally by surprise.”

Much is known ATTENTION, READERS about their evolution Read a good book lately? To be mini-interviewed and previous

by CRR Book Reviewer Alan Rose for a future interventions, “What Are You Reading?”spotlight, please but our national contact him at alan@alan-rose.com or the preparedness and publisher/editor at publisher@crreader.com.

Mt. St. Helens Gifts

response has been p o o r. I n d i v i d u a l actions like hand washing, masking, distancing, and selfisolation slowed the progression of disease for centuries.

Closing borders, disinfecting public spaces, quarantines, banning large gatherings, and closing public schools were marginally effective but were soon outweighed by other costs. Delays, false starts, mixed

Dr. Christakis includes textbook details to support his contentions, yet his narrative is very readable and most adults will find the story compelling.

Despite the book being finished before vaccines were approved for general distribution, his observations and conclusions are still prescient. Viruses inhabit the natural world and transfer through human interaction. There will be a next time, and we can only hope to be better prepared as a nation.

•••

Jim MacLeod writes as JJ MacLeod, author of seven e-books in the Harry & Company Mystery series available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.com. He and his wife of more than 50 years enjoy waking up to scenic views of life along the Columbia River.

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Cover to Cover

Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

1.The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid, Washington Square Press, $17 2.The Song of Achilles Madeline Miller, Ecco, $16.99 3.Verity Colleen Hoover, Grand Central, $16.99 4.The Vanishing Half Brit Bennett, Riverhead Books, $18 5. It Ends with Us Colleen Hoover, Atria, $16.99 6.The Lost Apothecary Sarah Penner, Park Row, $17.99 7. Circe Madeline Miller, Back Bay, $16.99 8.The Love Hypothesis Ali Hazelwood, Berkley, $16 9. People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry, Berkley, $16 10.The House in the Cerulean Sea TJ Klune, Tor, $18.99

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BOOK REVIEW Thunder in the Mountains: Chief Joseph, Oliver Otis Howard, and the Nez Perce War Daniel Sharfstein W.W. Norton & Company $18.95 (Paperback)

M

ark Twain once noted that all history is written in prejudiced ink. It’s all about Point of View—who’s telling the story, and why—and raises questions of the storyteller’s background and biases, sensibilities and values, as well as the period and its attitudes in which the storyteller lives.

One longs for a 360-degree history, a God’s-eye view of what happened and which takes all participant’s lives into account. Such omniscient Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award ( LGBT category.) He can be reached at www. alan-rose.com.

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History in 360 degrees objectivity is unlikely, but Daniel Sharfstein, professor of law and history at Vanderbilt University, makes a worthy attempt, telling the story of the Nez Perce war from many angles: Chief Joseph and his people, Howard and his soldiers, as well as the Indian agents and the settlers.

This is primarily a dual biography of two extraordinary and admirable men who the currents of history brought together in a tragic confrontation neither wanted. The Nez Perce leader already stands tall in US history, a man known for his sagacity, his eloquence, and his commitment to defend his people and their culture.

Sharfstein also shows Joseph to be a shrewd politician, using the White Man’s laws, arcane political ways, and the media of the day to make his people’s case.

His Christian name wasn’t actually Joseph. He was baptized “Ephraim.” (“Joseph” is what his father had been christened by the missionary Henry Spalding, and he was mistakenly called Young Joseph by the Whites.)

His name in his own language was Heinmot Toolyalakekt, or “Thunder in the Mountains.”

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By Alan Rose he would be reviled and attacked as President Andrew Johnson reneged on that promise. Eventually defeated by his political enemies, Howard left Washington DC to assume command of the Army’s Department of the Columbia, with responsibilities for Oregon, the Washington Territory, Idaho Territory, and Alaska.

Joseph explained the treaty as the equivalent of a white man approaching him and saying, “Joseph, I like your horses, and I want to buy them,” and then upon being told, “No, my horses suit me, I will not sell them,” turning to the chief’s neighbor and paying him for Joseph’s horses. “The white man returns to me and says, ‘Joseph, I have bought your horses, and you must let me have them,’” the chief would say. “If we sold our lands to the Government, this is the way they were bought.” ~ from Thunder in the Mountains

But here again Howard’s good intentions were pitted against the changing tides of history. Gold had been discovered on cont page 31

Also admirable was the man who became his adversary. The “Christian general” Oliver Otis Howard was destined to be at the center of two of this nation’s great tragedies: Reconstruction and the Nez Perce war. Following the Civil War, Howard was placed in charge of the Freedmen’s Bureau to oversee and fulfill Lincoln’s promise for the liberation of the enslaved peoples. Ardent advocate for equality and the freed slaves,

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APRIL 12

SECOND

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 29

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26 W. Pine Lane, Longview 28 W. Pine Lane, Longview

Adult Family Home Advantages: P In Home Doctor Visits 2304 W. Castleman St., Longview 2406 W. Castleman St., Longview

P Home Cooked Meals P Locally Owned P 6 to 1 Caregiver Ratio P Small Homelike Setting P 24-Hour Registered Nurses Support P Memory Care Experts P Therapies in Home P Licensed facilities that exceed state standards

PREMIER SENIOR CARE

The Havens is a group of 11 premier, independently owned and operated homes.

Drop in for a tour any time!

www.thehavenslongview.com

Openings NOW!

The Havens are now hiring Licensed Caregivers 360-442-0758 30 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

205 Pelican Drive, Kelso

154 Niblett Way, Longview

3542 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview

Book Review from page 29

Nez Perce land in 1860, and within a year 15,000 Whites had rushed into the area, Oregon doubling its population by 1870, and was on target to do so again by 1880.

It is to Sharfstein’s credit that along with the Nez Perce’s side of the story, he also describes Howard’s efforts to find some fair resolution and compromise between the Indians’ ancestral claim to the land and the burgeoning White population of settlers and miners moving in under the banner of Manifest Destiny. We learn the settlers’ stories, the Danish immigrants

seeking a new life; about Alfred Meacham, the superintendent of Indian Affairs in Oregon, and Indian agent John Monteith, both of whom advocated strongly though futilely on behalf of the Nez Perce.

Miss Manners

Like much of history, this is a sad story, about complex issues and competing interests, and the conflicting dreams of different peoples, where there are few winners and many losers. But the story is also ennobled by remarkable people who struggled for justice in unjust circumstances.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For many years, I have noticed that invitations ­— both print and electronic — include the ZIP code along with the venue’s street address, city and state.

This could be useful when writing a thank-you note after the party, but is it correct to include on the invitation?

It is especially odd to see it when the event is not at the host’s home.

•••

from page 12

Here is a new use for a mask: Turned sideways, it can be used to cover your identifying features.

Things to do, places to go Good food, good wine Good books • Good cheer Good ads!

7 am - 9 pm 7 pm

Miss Manners on the payroll Nice crinkly paper Thanks for reading.

GENTLE READER: The general rule is to omit cluttering invitations with information that anyone of sense would already know. An example is that the year is omitted, because one would not issue an invitation for a year in advance; whether it is for morning or evening is likewise omitted, because parties do not normally begin between midnight and 6 in the morning.

But Miss Manners does not know your crowd; perhaps their parties do, in which case the distinction would be necessary.

She sees your point about the ZIP code. It is a bit unsubtle for those who issue invitations to appear super-aware of directing where presents should be sent. They could nevertheless handle that by putting the ZIP code on the envelope, where it belongs.

••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www. missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

ts! o p s e e f f o local c e t i r o v a f fee f o c d e t s a Everyone’s rt of ro a e h t o t d Dedicate

Drive Up or Dro p In Pick up drinks, fast, or a bag o breakf coffee Coffee roasted batches in-hou in small se!

1230 Lewis River Road, WOODLAND, WA 239 Huntington Ave. North, CASTLE ROCK

luckmancoffee.com

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 31

cowlitz community farmers market

opens April 16

• Fresh local produce & plants • Handcrafts • Live music • Food vendors • We welcome SNAP, WIC, SENIORWIC, Market Match EXPANDED PARKING FOR YOUR SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE

Watch for directional signs

Located opposite Cowlitz County Event Center 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, Wash.

Saturdays 9am–2pm

Tuesdays in May

Market info CowlitzFarmersmarket.com • Vendor info 360-957-7023

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE! Call an ad rep:

Ad Manager: Ned Piper 360-749-2632 All areas Sue Lane 360-261-0658 Downtown Longview & all areas Krysten Ralston 360-703-7799 Downtown Longview & all areas

Ron Baldwin 503-791-7985 Wahkiakum, Pacific, Clatsop Counties, Mouth of the Columbia.

AD DEADLINES. April 15 issue: Mar 25 May 15 issue: April 25 Submission Guidelines, page 33.

Aaaaaaand, WE'RE OFF! Tired of all the hopeless complaining on Social Media?

Fed up with the Organized Crime that is today's Political Class?

Disillusioned, having realized that Partisan Politics will NEVER solve our "Constitution Enforcement" dilemma?

We are excited about NOW launching the Cowlitz County Chapter of TACTICAL CIVICS™!

We invite Cowlitz County to join us LIVE via ZOOM for a One-Hour

Introduction to TACTICAL CIVICS™ You'll LOVE being informed about the only full-spectrum, constitutional, detailed solution in existence for lawfully, peacefully and permanently restoring our Republic.

Please, invite a curious friend, come for ONE HOUR and leave, on time with wallet intact.

This is a We the People ACTION plan!

Trust me, Folks, you WILL NOT be disappointed!

To access the meeting, simply go to this web address and click Open Zoom Meetings.

ZoomCowlitz.com

If your smartphone Zoom app asks, Meeting ID is 864 1756 5188

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2022, from 5:55 SHARP to 7:00 p.m.

Jacqueline O’Riley – jackie.firefly63@gmail.com Brad Boardman – brboardman@outlook.com, (425) 344-9151

32 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Outings & Events

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR Send your non-commercial community event info (name of event, beneficiary, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to: Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632

Submission Deadlines Events occurring: April 15 – May 20

by Mar 25 for April 15 issue.

May 15 – June 20

by April 25 for May 15 issue.

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

Rainier Senior Center reopens Mar. 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Reservations for limited lunch seating will be taken up to the day before each day after the 17th. 503-556-3889. 9am–2pm , Mon– Fri. 48 W. 7th, Rainier, Ore.

A Call to Artists - Columbian Artists 44th Spring Art Show Mar 22 at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, Kelso, Wash. Judges to award cash, ribbons, sponsor prizes. Open to artists,

See ad, page 12

Find a unique gift! We have beautiful artisan cards, masks, jewelry, books by local authors, wearable art, original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photographs and so much more at your local Co-operative Fine Arts & Crafts Gallery.

BROADWAY GALLERY

1418 Commerce Avenue, Longview • T-W-F-Sat 11–4, Thurs 11–6 Visit the Gallery to see new work.

For event updates visit our website: the-broadway-gallery. com, at Broadway Gallery on Facebook, and broadway gallery_longview on Instagram.

Featured artists: February: Gallery Member Scott McRae (new paintings and drawings);Guest Artist Tonie Knutz (cement sculpture and jewelry)

First Thursdays temporarily suspended due to pandemic.

Updates on our website: the-broadway-gallery.com

March: Joan Hitchcock (silk and acrylic paintings) Voted one of top 3 Galleries in Southwest Washington. Free Gift wrapping plus Layaway!

Shop Local Saturday (4th Saturday each month)

to receive a free gift!

Upcoming Shows

GET YOUR TICKETS!

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

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

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

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended.

Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority.

Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization.

Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

CLATSKANIE ARTS COMMISSION Sundae and Mr. Goessl Sun, March 20, 3pm. www.sundaeandmrgoessl.com Washington state-based duo that has been storming the country with their delightful brand of countrified jazz, melding the likability of Americana, pop and country music, making a hybrid of jazz rhythms Karen Carpenter Tribute Band Sun, April 3, 3pm.

Sarha Hagen, Pianist Sun, May 22, 3pm.

Performances at Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S Nehalem St, Clatskanie, Ore. Details and Covid-related info: clatskaniearts.org Michael Allen Harrison with Julianne Johnson April 2, 7:30pm Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll May 13, 7:30pm Stage Door Concert Series Enter through the stage door. Cafe-style seating on stage. hors d’oeuvres provided and a no host bar. Each concert is an intimate, magical evening!

Siren Songs, Mar 19 • $70.50 per person Fibre Federal Credit Union’s Rainy Month Series.

The Merry Tales of Robin Hood • Sunday, March 20, 2pm–3pm The Fantastick Patrick • Sunday, April 10, 2pm–3pm For tickets or more information contact the Columbia Theatre Box Office at 360-575-8499, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Online, visit www.columbiatheatre.com. See ad, page 32.

The Harder Courage March 11–27

by Leslie Slape

Arsenic and Old Lace May 13–29.

Tickets and info, stageworksnorthwest.com. Box office open W-F, 3-6pm and 1 hour before showtime. 1433 Commerce Ave., Longview. Wash.

360-636-4488

Astoria Ukulele Orchestra Mar. 27, 4pm. Admission $12, students 18 and under Free. Proceeds to Arts Council of Clatsop County. Charlene Larsen Center for the Performing Arts, 588 16th St., Astoria, Ore. Tickets online: partnersforthepac.org or call 503-3389132. Proof of vaccination, masks required.

Kids’ Fish-In at Lake Sacajawea April 30. Ages 5–14. Sign up ASAP with Longview Parks & Recreation.

Annual event fills up quickly.

Pre-registration required, mylongview. com/recreation or call 360-4425400. Ten 45-minute sessions of 40 participants each start at 8:00am, last session ends 5:45pm. Registration fee $10 for each participant; masks required for everyone in dock area; only 1 adult allowed with each participant. Please arrive 10–15 minutes before session you are registered to attend. All equipment and bait will be provided; please don’t bring personal equipment to dock area. Sponsored by Longview Early Edition Rotary.

ARTrails Spring Indoor Art Expo April 22,23,24. 10am-6pm. Fort Borst Park Kitchen #2 Centralia,Wash. Free to the public. Art demonstrations, art show and sale. Works include paintings, sculpture, glass, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, fiber art, carved wood, basketry, enameling, collage, photography and much more! See ad, page 32.

COLUMBIA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

STAGEWORKS NORTHWEST

age 18+ from Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Lewis, Pacific, Clatsop and Columbia Counties. Show will be open to the public Mar 26–April 16. More details, entry forms and prospectus at columbiaartists.org.

Town Yard Sale April 22-23.

Organized by Ryderwood Women’s Club, 201 Morse St., Ryderwood, Wash . Many residential sales.

Clothes, kitchen items, furniture, tools, appliances, electronics, and more. Budget-priced. Info: Bridgette Bagoy, 541-290-2591.

Wahkiakum County Fair 3rd Annual Cruizin to the Fair Car Show Sat, June 4, fairgrounds in Skamokawa, Wash.

Wahkiakum County Fair fundraiser.

Pre-register by May 27. $20, with a shirt $35; day of show $25. T-shirts and lunch available. More info: Kay 360-795-3937 or Patty 360-795-3480.

Registration form will be available at wahkiakumfair.org.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 33

Music lasts a lifetime.

Piano Lessons A great investment in yourself or as a gift

Martin E. Kauble Longview, WA

360-423-3072 www.kaublepianostudio.com

technique • theory • performance

TRUSTED

FOR OVER 39 YEARS Accurate • Reliable • Timely • Locally Owned

Service is the difference!

THE MOST IN-DEPTH TITLE PLANT IN THE COUNTY Glenda Beam Escrow Officer

Amy Hoyer

Escrow Officer

Leah White

Escrow Assistant

Carrie Staggs

Escrow Assistant

Brittney Rexford Escrow Assistant

Title Insurance • Escrow Services • Residential & Commercial • 1031 Exchange

1159 14th Ave, Longview • 360.423.5330 • www.cowlitztitle.com

We take the long view with your tires and auto care!

655 Commerce Ave., Longview, WA 98632 www.longviewautotire.com

360-425-3933 1111 3rd Ave., Longview, WA 98632 www.northwestautospecialist.com

360-577-6444

34 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Northwest Gardening

JUST OUT THE BACK DOOR

Proper pruning and thinning are essential to managing the size and getting two raspberry harvests.

Consult the OSU publication for the correct way to do it.

Within Reach...

L

ast month I shared hints on growing patio apple trees. My hubby bought me two bare-root columnar apple trees for my birthday, and they are snuggled in my raised beds until this cold snap is over and I can get them in their pots. I’m so excited! I’ve decided to add a berry patch to my sunny deck orchard, and I just ordered a couple of Miniblue blueberries and would love to try the sweet golden Anna raspberry.

Any fruit you grow in a pot needs adequate room, a good potting mix, excellent drainage, and at least 8 hours of sun.

You’ll also need to fertilize, irrigate, and prune them. Choose 10-12 gallon containers with drainage holes and provide good drainage below—set them on slatted rollers or bricks. Another cool option might be a 2 x 4 oval galvinized stock tank—I like that idea — you could put two berry bushes in each. Don’t plant blueberries in the same container as raspberries, though.

Always water at the plant’s base, preferably with drip irrigation, and avoid getting the leaves wet. During the growing season, water the soil until it just begins to drip from the bottom. Dig down with your finger to ensure the soil is moist—not wet—and adjust your watering accordingly. Neither blueberries nor raspberries tolerate soggy soil. Mulching with landscape fabric or a 2-inch layer of bark mulch will help to keep it moist.

Blueberries are a bit trickier because they must have acidic soil (4.5-5.5 pH) and ammonium-based nitrogen fertilizer. Visit your local farm store, such as Wilco in Kelso — they have a soil mix formulated for acid-loving plants. I would recommend that you get a small bag of peat moss and incorporate it, as well. Plant your blueberry in a 12-25 gallon container, preferably one that is wider than tall, like a half-barrel planter.

Your Patio Berry Patch

Raspberries are less finicky than blueberries, and you can harvest fruit this year. Can you imagine sitting on your deck and grabbing a handful of succulent, sweet ripe berries on a warm summer afternoon? Yum—I sure can!

There are two types of raspberries, summerbearing and everbearing, and the latter is the better choice for a patio. If you prune the everbearing cultivars correctly, you can have two plentiful harvests—one in late June and another beginning in late August. Heritage and Vintage, red-berried cultivars, are excellent choices.

To plant them, fill the container with well-draining commercial potting soil mixed with perlite and finely ground bark. Raspberries have long fibrous roots, and they should be spread out like a veil and planted flat—horizontal to the soil surface—then covered with 2 inches of soil. Water thoroughly, and don’t let the roots dry out. Once they start growing, they’ll need a trellis for support.

By Alice Slusher Your raspberries depend on you for food.

The amount you need depends on the age of the plant and the concentration of nitrogen in the product you choose, such as 16-16-16 (N-P-K). Luckily for us, a free downloadable reference from OSU (Growing Raspberries in Home Gardens) tells exactly how much to use and when to apply it. You can also use organic fertilizers like cottonseed, feather, and bone meal. Organic options should be added to the soil at least a month before planting so the nitrogen will be available to the plant. All options have very different amounts of nitrogen, so consult the OSU publication to calculate the amount needed.

Extension Programs OSU – Columbia County 503-397-3462

Gardening Spot on KOHI (1600 am) radio: Every Saturday 8:05–8:15am Mar 16, 6:30pm, Scappoose Library Foraging Wild Foods

Fertilization is a bit tricky because blueberries can only use the ammonium form of nitrogen, but if you use a Rhododendron fertilizer, you’ll be safe. Make three applications, the first in late April, another four weeks later, and six weeks after that.

Most blueberries don’t require another plant for pollination, but you’ll get more and bigger berries if you plant two different cultivars.

One suggestion (I just bought two of them!) is Miniblue—it produces lots of sweet and tasty berries.

Tip for success: you will have a healthier, more robust plant if you cut off the branch tips that have fat flower buds at planting time. You won’t have blueberries the first year, but your plant will be more productive in the following years. Another tip: If you start seeing yellowing leaves with green leaf veins, your pH is too high.

Get an inexpensive color-coded soil test kit to measure and correct your soil’s pH. Proper pruning is essential for abundant production, too. OSU provides another excellent free publication to download that gives all the details for pruning and fertilizing: Growing Blueberries in Home Gardens.

If you run into any gardening problems this summer, we’ll help you solve them at the Master Gardener Plant and Insect Clinic.

WSU – Cowlitz County

•••

304 Cowlitz Way, Kelso, WA 98626

Free Workshops. Visit cowlitzcomg. com/public-events for details.

360-577-3014 X3.

Mar 15 Noon - Raspberries Mar 22 Noon - Rose Care Mar 24 Noon Who Gets Grandma’s

Yellow Plate Mat 29 Noon - Strawberries April 5 Noon - Soils and Fertilizers April 12 Noon - Container gardening

Kalama resident Alice Slusher volunteers with WSU Extension Service Plant & Insect Clinic.

Call 360-577-3014, ext.

8, or send question via cowlitzmastergardener@ gmail.com.

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 35

DIY-ers • Contractors • Homeowners

Your Box Store Alternative!

•Real people to serve you •Low-tech •Old-school wholesale supply company

PLUMBING SUPPLIES • APPLIANCES FLOORING - Carpet, Laminate, Vinyl

Call or come in Monday-Friday • 8-5 1170 -12th Avenue, Longview

360-423-8666

36 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

Astronomy

SKY REPORT

Looking UP Mar – April 20

Klingons in our sky Star Trek bird of prey appears at Oregon coast By Greg Smith

By Greg Smith

W

e are now at the beginning of Spring and should be getting more clear nights to enjoy the evening skies. It will not be so cold that we cannot stay outside longer to enjoy these clearer evenings.

The Evening Sky

There are still no planets in the evening skies. All the planets appear in the morning.

On Sunday March 13th, The sun rises one hour earlier than it did the day before as Daylight Savings Time begins at 2am on Sunday the 13th.

Orion still maintains its command of the sky. In the early evening it is high in the south-southwest with all of its companion constellations surrounding it. In the east, Leo the lion is beginning to take its command of the night sky in the early evening.

By midnight it dominates the southern sky with Virgo following immediately behind. The bright stars of Regulus and Spica mark the constellations of Leo (Regulus) and Virgo (Spica).

I see Spica as the shiny diamond on the hand of Virgo. All the galaxies lie up from here.

Night Sky Spectacle: For those of you with telescope with three-inch or larger opening, the galaxies of the Virgo Cluster are a treat. Here are a number of

faint fuzzies. These are the “swarm” of Galaxies that lie to the north (towards the north star, Polaris) that were tossed away by the princess Virgo. Charles Messier catalogued 15 of his objects in this one area of the night sky. You may be able to see some of them with big binoculars on a very clear and dark sky, especially around the times of the new moon — March 31st and April 23rd. They are dim and light pollution very easily overcomes them.

Moon Phases

1st Quarter

Thur, Mar. 10

Fri, April 8

Full

Fri, Mar. 18

Sat, April 16

3rd Quarter Thur, Mar. 24 Thur, Apr 24 New

Thu Mar. 31

Sat, Apr 30

End of twilight when the stars start to come out

March 16, Wed. 7:48pm March 31, Thurs 8:09pm April 13, Wed. 8:27pm •••

O

n a clear night a few weeks ago on the Oregon coast, I looked to the west with my binoculars and came across a configuration of stars both dim and bright that reminded me of a spaceship from the television show “Star Trek the Next Generation.” It was a Klingon bird of prey. When I looked at my star chart, I realized that I was seeing the constellation Perseus. The way the arms and the body aligned in the sky that night reflected the profile of the Bird of Prey as seen from the front. As I have mentioned before, look at the constellations with a different view.

This time I did not realize what I was seeing, and my mind made up a new diagram for the stars that I was looking at. I have to be honest; I have had trouble finding Perseus in the night sky before. This time I was looking right at it and still did not recognize it. The bright star Mirfak was the gun port of the Klingon war vessel. The arms of Perseus were the wings of the ship. I had fun drawing my own constellation and naming it.

Go ahead and look at the sky, if you don’t know what the constellation’s name is, make up your own. Connect the stars any way you want to and draw your own pictures in the sky.

Even knowing that what I was seeing was Perseus, I could not see the figure

of a man holding the head of Medusa.

The variable star Algol, which is supposed to hang from Perseus’s hand, hangs toward the horizon at this time of year, is supposed to be one of Medusa’s eyes. The ancients noticed the changing brightness of the star and associated it with evil.

I saw it as a medium bright white star, though it is supposed to glow in a reddish color from which its evilness is implied.

Has anyone else looked at the constellation Cassiopeia and seen a chair? More like a throne for a royal personage. Cepheus the King or Cassiopeia the Queen.

Virgo the “lazy” princess is rising in the east along with her castaway jewels of galaxies, being thrown to the northeast.

Have some fun this spring looking for the constellations and renaming them. Play connect the dots with the stars and make your own constellations. OR, if you are more serious minded, try to find as many of the 100-plus Messier objects in your own Messier Marathon. You don’t have to do it in one night; take several nights to do it.

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

Clatskanie Mini-Storage Temperature conditioned units -15 sizes!

RV Storage • Boat Moorage Quality since 1976

Resident Manager

503-728-2051 503-369-6503

Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 37

the spectator

PLUGGED IN TO

by ned piper “I heard Ned was granted a Bye this month so he could walk the neighborhood, plant a patio berry patch, see “The Harder Courage,” catch up on his reading, and spend time with his son, Perry, who is resuming his world travels, starting in Portugal.”

Longview resident Ned Piper coordinates advertising and distribution of CRR, all the while enjoying meeting and greeting old friends and new. His column will return next issue.

COWLITZ PUD

By Alice Dietz

PUD earns recognition as Tree Line Utility three years running

C

owlitz PUD was named a 2022 Tree Line USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize our dedication of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests. We will continue to strive to maintain this title by meeting the following program standards: •Quality Tree Care Practices.

Spring projects? Plan ahead!

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

• Call 811 before you dig • Trees and shrubs can be a problem for overhead and underground facilities.

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

•Annual employee training.

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

•Participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

In celebration of Arbor Day on April 13th we are giving away 20 power line safe trees, which have a mature height of less than 25 feet. In partnership with Tsugawa’s Nursery, the 20 winners will go to the nursery to select their trees.

Enter at cowlitzpud.org by 5pm April 14, 2022.

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

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

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

•Trees that mature to 25 – 45 feet should be planted 20 – 50 feet away • Trees greater than 45 feet at maturity should be planted more than 50 feet away • Look around to see if there are green metal or fiberglass boxes that should not be planted near, due to underground facilities.

Who do I contact if I have tree pruning questions or issues?

Submit an online tree trimming form at https://www.cowlitzpud.org/ outages/tree-trimming-request/ or call 360-501-9367.

Alice Dietz is Cowlitz PUD’s Communications/Public Relations Manager. Reach her at adietz@ cowlitzpud.org, or 360-501-9146.

Fashion Jewelry • Diamonds • Wedding Sets • Swarovski Optics

Jewelry, Watch, and Clock Repair!

37 years experience, including 17 as goldsmith for Gallery of Diamonds, Longview.

38 / Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022

John Edmunds 711 Vandercook Way, Suite 122 Longview Tuesday - Saturday • 9:30–5:30

You asked for it... you’ve got it!

NEW! COLLECTORS EDITION THE TIDEWATER REACH

Both books Include Hal Calbom’s author Interviews

Trade paperback with B/W and color photography, woodcut art & illustrations $35

Field Guide to the Lower Columbia in Poems and Pictures

By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten

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

Also available at: • Columbia Gorge Interpretive Museum Stevenson • North Bank Books Stevenson

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

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A Different Way of Seeing...

Get Yours Now! At 1333 14th AVE, LONGVIEW, Wash. or locations throughout the region Both titles available in • Boxed Signature Edition Color / BW $50 • Trade Paperback in BW $25 • Trade Paperback in Color/BW $35 Online: CRREADER.COM/CRRPRESS INFO: 360-749-1021 Order Form, page 2

• Vault Books & Brew Castle Rock • Morgan Arts Center Toledo • Mount St. Helens Gift Shop Castle Rock, I-5 Exit 49 • Tsuga Gallery Cathlamet • Wahkiakum Eagle Cathlamet • Redmen Hall Skamokawa • Skamokawa Store Skamokawa • Appelo Archives Naselle • Time Enough Books Ilwaco • Beach Books Seaside, Ore. • Fort Clatsop Bookstore Astoria, Ore. • Godfathers Books Astoria, Ore. • RiverSea Gallery Astoria,Ore. • Columbia River Maritime Museum Store Astoria, Ore. • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum The Dalles, Ore.

Please support our local booksellers & galleries Columbia River Reader / March 15, 2022 / 39

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Who do I contact if I have tree pruning questions or issues?

Submit an online tree trimming form at www.cowlitzpud.org/ outages/tree-trimming-request or call 360-501-9518.

961 12th Ave., PO BOX 3007, Longview, WA 98632 360.423.2210 Toll Free 800.631.1131 mail: mailbox@cowlitzpud.org find us on the web at www.cowlitzpud.org ·https:// www.facebook.com/#!/CowlitzPUD/

40 / Columbia River Reader / March October 2020 15,15, 2022