Planters Days
92ND ANNUAL
JUNE 19TH–22ND, 2014
These two men engineered dikes 5 and 2 at Woodland. On the left is Mr. a. bystrom and on the right is Mr. Fred M. lone. The date written on the photo was 1890.
Christmas 1933—what a time for a flood! This intersection of the railroad tracks and West Scott avenue is just a little ways behind Safeway. photos courtesy of osa May taggart
The 1948 Flood as seen from the air. davidson avenue is the main straight road nearly in the center of the picture. photo courtesy of the hulDa Klager lilac garDens society
above: Water pours through the dike onto what was the Kate blum property. in present day, the property is just south of the old Fleetwood (now portco packaging) manufacturing plant, in the vicinity of the hulda Klager lilac gardens and what is now the raspberry park subdivision. The force of the water made a large cut in the ground and scars could still be seen in the fields on the west side of South pekin on property which was later owned by george Tsugawa. The photo was taken on december 23, 1933, approximately 11:15 a.m. photo courtesy of the hulDa Klager lilac garDens society
right:
dikes in the downtown core of Woodland were breached in the 1933 flood also. This photo was taken a few days after that awful time, when waters had already receeded some. in 1933, horseshoe lake was still just a bend in the lewis river (north Fork). it did not become a lake until the ’60s when i-5 freeway was put through. engineers blocked the bend off, creating an island with a horseshoe bend lake, thus the name.
V I S I T O R ’S
G U I D E
&
S C H E D U L E
O F
E V E N T S
Welcome to Planters Days! Mayor of Woodland, Mr. Grover Laseke
Planters Days President John “JJ” Burke
elcome to Planter’s Days! Woodland has several exciting annual community events, but Planters Days is our largest. From the coronation of the Queen, fireworks display, parade, carnival, classic car show, boat races on the lake, great food and many other exciting events, there is something for just about everyone in your family. The excitement is building, and I personally can’t wait for the festivities to begin. Woodland’s Planters Days is the oldest continuous community celebration in the state. The celebration honors the establishment of flood dikes built to protect the Woodland Bottoms farmland from the Lewis and Columbia Rivers. The original celebration in 1922 has grown along with our community. The excitement in the eyes of the children is the same today as it was at the first celebration. This year’s theme is “Small Town—Big Spirit.” We welcome you to be part of our “spirited” community whether you are an old timer, recently moved here, or are just passing through Woodland. I look forward to visiting with each of you during the many events throughout the weekend. So grab a friend and join us for Planters Days, and experience old-fashioned fun, friends and community!
id you know that Planters Days is the longest continuously running event in the state of Washington ? 2014 brings the 92nd Planters Days event to Woodland and I am proud to have a fantastic team to help make it happen. I have been asked many times what makes this an event into which I keep putting my time? It’s just so nice to see the community come out and meet friends from all over! This year our representatives, the Planters Days Princesses, are Samantha, Alesha, and Mckenzie nd have they done a great job! Their Moms and Dads also have helped out at several events and I am sure Chaperone April Chunn really appreciated it. Come to Horseshoe Lake Park at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 19th, and enjoy the coronation to see which of our Princesses is selected as Miss Woodland 2014! There are events all weekend long and a list of the Planters Days schedule of events is on the website “www.Planters-Days.com” There is so much to get done, and our goal is to see it happen without a hitch. So how does it all get done? There is a pool of about 20 members of different organizations that meet every month to plan this event. Although we have the regularly scheduled events, there are many people that have just learned about Planters Days and would like to be part of it, so we often have to juggle the schedule. I have heard that this year will be the last year for the fireman’s BBQ beef sandwiches, so stop on by the covered area in the park where they are selling them and let them know how much those delicious sandwiches would be missed. Enjoy the new carnival as it is better than ever! This year we may have to arrange it a little differently as we now have a walking path in the park. Make sure you check out the walking path, as it can be used all year long! We are still trying to coordinate fireworks, but haven’t heard back from the company as of yet, we are hoping that they will still happen. Once again we would like to thank Fibre Federal Credit Union for the Thursday night carriage rides, and 40et8 Bingo parlor from Vancouver, for their generous donations. We also thank all the merchants who donated prizes for the raffle. The three main prizes for the Planters Days raffle are 1st prize: $5000, 2nd prize: Traeger Big Tex Grill, and 3rd prize: Apple Air IPAD. Make sure you don’t miss this great community event and buy some Planters Days raffle tickets that make this event happen!
W
—Grover Laseke
Mayor, City of Woodland
1946 planters days Court and Queen photo
courtesy of WooDlanD fire DepartMent archives
D
—John “JJ” Burke President, Planters Days Committee
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Welcome to the 2014 Planters Days Court! T
he Woodland 2014 Planters Days Court began their new journey the night they were chosen. The all-new schedule and its responsibilities will be overwhelming at times so be sure to show them your encouragement when you see them next. Buying a ticket from your favorite Princess not only supports her efforts and gives you a chance at a fabulous prize, it also supports the community and keeps alive an important Woodland tradition!
Community projects in which Alesha’s been involved include bell ringing for the Salvation Army, sorting cans for the Woodland Community Service Center, and has worked with Interact buying/wrapping/ delivering presents for less fortunate families in the community. She’s also worked during Make A Difference Day, helped out during the Rotary Golf Tournament, participated in Fall Fest (a Rotary event), helped with blanket and coat drives, assisted with the Lewis River Little League’s concession, tryouts, and firework stands, and helped with the Scott Hill Park & Sports Complex fundraisers. Alesha says that the Woodland Community means the world to her. Be being part of a small community, she has been taught that when someone needs help, you help them. She grew up in a family where caring about other people and iving back to the community is just something you do. She says that it is your duty to make time for others, especially when they need help. Good luck Alesha!
Princess Alesha Beuscher
PRINCESS ALESHA BEUSCHER attends WHS and supports a 3.627 GPA. Her parents are Lesa and Richard Beuscher. Alesha says her interests and hobbies are shooting, dancing, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. She’s played the The 2014 planters days princess Court consists of (left to right) princess Samantha ikerd, flute since princess alesha beuscher and princess McKenzi Collins. photo by scott shoeMaKer, hilltop 5th grade photography—WWW.hilltopphoto.coM and has since taken up the tenor saxophone. And with her shooting skills, she earned a third place medal in sporting clays in the Washington State Trap Competition. Alesha’s been involved with Interact for three years (secretary for two years), the FFA for three years and Academic Scholars for three years. She’s been a member of the National Honor Society for one year and on the Trap Team for two years. she also has been in Concert PRINCESS McKENZI COLLINS attends WHS and supBand for six years, Jazz Band for five years, Pep Band for three years,, and Dance for ports a 3.74 GPA. Her parents are Ann and Dave Collins. McKenzi is an outdoor kind of lady! She says that one year. And as if that’s not enough, she has participated in softball for nine years, some of her favorite things to do with family and friends are going hiking, camping, cross country for two years and Junior Honor Society for one year.
Princess McKenzi Collins PrinCEssEs—cont’d on page 4
Columbia Bank Joy Snead
Woodland Branch 782 Goerig Street PO Box 880 Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-9421 Fax (360_225-8146 E-mail: jsnead@columbiabank.com
AVP • Branch Manager
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Welcome to the 2014 Planters Days Court! PrinCEssEs—cont’d from page 3
boating, swimming, and snowmobiling. She says the only thing she enjoys doing inside are reading books—specifically adventure and mystery books. She also is a very proud member of her church and takes the time to participate in many church activities and service projects. One of McKenzi’s natural talents, she says, is her innate ability to have conversations with complete strangers. It’s where her outgoing and caring personality really shines. She also has talent with her alto saxophone and gets a chance to use that talent in the Woodland High School Jazz Band. She also really enjoys singing and even was asked to join the church choir! She also says that another talent she’s acquired through many years of hard work is her athletic ability. She credits her parents with pushing her to pursue these many talents and to work to attain even more. McKenzi is very involved in her school, too, having participated in soccer for two years, basketball for three years, and golf for one year. Her Jazz Band participation has now reached five years while participating in Free the Children encompasses three years and Honors Society gets two years. Busy lady! And McKenzi remembers her community, too, by being involved in Make A Difference Day, Day of Service, the Coat and Blanket Drive, and the Penny Drive (both Free the Children projects). She also has participated in Food Drives put on by her church, not to mention her participation in the many service projects originated by her church as well. McKenzi says that Woodland to her is a synonym for “home”. Every activity or community celebration has helped her grow into the person she is today. She has been a member of the community her entire life and feels she would not know who she was without it. This small, close-knit community has given her life-long friends and the community celebrations have given her unforgettable memories. The community means the world to McKenzi because it is her entire world and always has been. Good luck McKenzi!
to complete a confirmation class at her church. And for sports, she’s spent five years as part of the volleyball team and works out in her spare time. She’s been participating in track & field for three years, is part of the group in Jazz Choir and Concert Choir (two years) and fits in “W” club and Interact as well (two years, too). She’s also part of the team that puts together the yearbook! Samantha lists her talents as including singing, acting and theater. She also feels she got talent in sports in general and in working with small children. She tops things off with a great feel for photography as well. Samantha’s community projects include volunteering for the vacation Bible school program through her church, assisting with the Clark County Food Bank, helping with the Lewis River Mobile Food Bank, participating in Make A Difference Day, and volunteering at Christmas Roundup. She also participates in Little League fundraising efforts including helping at the fireworks stand. Growing up here and having her parents also graduate from Woodland High School has given Samantha a chance to get to know many people of all ages in this amazing town. Attending a hunter’s safety course in the Commons (at the school) or taking traffic safety classes from Full Circle Driving School here in Woodland lets her continue to interact with the people she enjoys and loves the most: her friends and family. She enjoys walking around town, being able to see people she’s known all her life. Attending football games, cheering on the Little League teams and participating in car washes…enjoying the Planters Days actvities, Trick-or-Treating downtown (when she was young enough!), showing up for Make A Difference Day, wandering through the tulip fields during the tulip festival—this and so much more is why Woodland means so much to Samantha. She just loves the feeling she gets when she comes home from vacation and feels that wonderful feeling when you can tell you’re back in Woodland because it feels just like home. Good luck Samantha!
Princess Samantha Ikerd
‘rain or Shine’, the coronation must go on! princess Jamie Olsen, one of the 2005 planters days princess court members, arrives at the Coronation Ceremony held in the WhS auditorium due to the inclement weather.
PRINCESS SAMANTHA IKERD attends WHS and supports a 3.0 GPA. Her parents are Mark and Jennifer Ikerd. Samantha says that her hobbies include 4H and the Christian Youth Theater program, mainly, but she also loves to spend time with and go shopping with her friends and family. She takes time to try out cooking (including new recipes!), scrapbooking, knitting, and making gifts for others. She also worked for two years
photo by gloria loughry
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Cars and More Cars! Rose City Classic Cars! Lake, attend the raffle drawing 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.., and round out the day with the car show awards at 4 p.m.. Most downtown businesses will be open (see the schedule for complete listings of events). Rose City Classics is a 1955 -1957 Chevrolet Club established for the purpose of encouraging restoration and/ or preservation of the ’55-’57 Chevrolet automobile, truck and Corvette. The club hosts two major open-event cruiseins each year and each year a different charity is selected to benefit from the charity cruise. The club has a rich history of community activism and since 1999 has donated more than $41,000 to local charitable organizations. In addition to helping these organizations, the club also donates money to assist club members and other community organizations.
by Cheryl K Spaulding
C
alling all car enthusiasts! If you like classic cars, hot rods, customs, bikes, and special interest vehicles; be sure to attend the Rose City Classic car show during the 2014 Woodland Planters Days Celebration and Community Festival in Woodland Washington. The cars will be located in downtown/old town Woodland. When it comes to cars you can’t beat the individual styles of the cars of the 1950’s. Rose City Classics, host of the 23rd Annual Charity Car Show, June 22, 2014, in Woodland Washington, is a non-profit car club dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the 1955 thru 1957 with an interest in Chevrolet cars, trucks and Corvettes as well as the entire automobile genre. They have been active in the Portland Oregon- Vancouver, Washington area for over 30 years and have donated over $185,000 to different charities since 2004. The Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland Oregon has been selected as the recipient all proceeds of the 2014 Rose City Classic Car Show( minus cost) held during the Woodland Planters Days Celebration and Community Festival. Rose City Classics puts on numerous events annually and expects 300 or more vehicles, all buffed, polished and perfected, will attend during 2014 Planters Days Celebration and Community Festival. Cars will begin arriving on Saturday June 21, the Cruise In will be held Saturday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.. and cars will be on display Sunday, June 22. Also on Saturday from 7-11 a.m. a breakfast buffet held at the Moose Lodge, 133 Davidson Ave in downtown Woodland, Saturday Market, U.S. Bank parking lot and lots of other fun things including the parade beginning at 11 am, and DJ Music on Saturday evening. (See the schedule for a complete listing of events) Sunday, start the day off right in downtown Woodland with breakfast at either the Moose Lodge or the VFW Hall, 434 Davidson, visit the all day Show and Shine car show, watch the talent contest, 12 p.m. thru 2 p.m. in Hoffman Plaza, visit the Carnival at Horseshoe
Just a few of the entries in the 2007 Planters Days Car Show photos by gloria loughry
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This tractor is another of the type that makes up a part of the collection put on display for your enjoyment. look for the Farm equipment display in the field north of horseshoe lake park. Totally worth seeing!
The hot summer days of the festival make an opportunity to play in the water of the Firemen’s Fireball Contest a total no-brainer. photo by gloria loughry
loughry photo by gloria
The rose City Classic Car Club gems that brightens a Sunday, last day of pl downtown Woodland. photo by gloria lou
Woodland Auto Supply 360225-6529
Celebrating 92 Years o
Woodland Planters Days Sched
This is a tentative schedule of events and tim
Thursday, June 19th:
Sale ends 1015 Pacific Avenue • Woodland • M-F, 7–7, Sat, 8-5, Sun, 9-5 6/30/14!
Time: 3:00 pm–10:00 pm 3:45 pm 4:45 pm 5 pm 6 pm–9:30 pm 7 pm–10 pm 7 pm–10 pm 10 pm–10:26 pm
Event: Carnival Begins Children’s Chalk Art Children’s Parade Formation Children’s Parade Starts Free Carriage Rides Strawberry Shortcake Queen’s Coronation Fireworks Show
Location: Horseshoe Lake Park Davidson Avenue Davidson Avenue Davidson Avenue Davidson Avenue Horseshoe Lake Park High School Auditorium Horseshoe Lake Park
Sponsor: Fire Dept. WOTM WOTM WOTM Fibre Federal Class of 2015 PDC PDC
Friday, June 20th: Time: 9 am–4 pm 10 am–6 pm 1 pm–11 pm Dusk 7:00 pm–9 pm 6:30 pm
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Time: 7 am–11 am 7 am–11 am 8 am 9 am 10 am–4 pm All Day
Event: Location: Pancake Breakfast Veteran’s Hall Breakfast Buffet Moose Lodge Parade Formation 5th St., S. of Davidson Parade Judging 5th St., S. of Davidson Community Book Sale Community Center RC Boat Races “Diamond Cup” Horseshoe Lake Park
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149 17999
$ $
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Special thanks to Columbia River Carbonates for graphic support.To learn more about Woodland, Plan
Sponsor Abbreviation Key: 40Et8: 40Et8 Bingo Parlor; AAIDC: AllRick Auto Insurance Diamond Cup; CC1F&R: Cowlitz County 1 Fire & Rescue; FOTL: PDC: Planters Days Committee; RCC: Rose City Classics; VFW: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1927; WCOC: Woodland Chamber of Commerce; WFD:
5999
Giant Sedona DX Gary Fisher Wahoo Series 61
Sponsor: VFW Moose CC1F&R PDC & CC1F&R FOTL AAIDC
1st PRIZE: $5000 CASH 2nd PRIZE: Traeger “TEXAS GRILL” ($1, Thanks to the businesses who donated the many other
See Our Huge Selection! Here are just a few… Kona Hahanna Giant Yukon
Sponsor: WLF FOTL WFD WOTM WHMS Lions
Saturday, June 21st:
COUPON!
25%
Event: Location: Antique/New Farm Equip. Show Park Plaza Field Community Book Sale Community Center Carnival Horseshoe Lake Park Kielbasa & Corn on the Cob Woodland Moose Lodge Bingo (Doors open at 6:30) High School Commons Saturday Market Set-Up U.S. Bank Parking Lot
24999
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bed race insanity! The contestants really put their hearts into the races and the spectators are ready and willing to cheer them on!
a beautiful evening is the perfect setting for enjoying the many rides at the Carnival.
photo by gloria loughry
photo by glo ria loughry
s provide the “bling” lanters days, stroll in
ughry
of Community Spirit!
dule of Events — June 19th–22nd
mes may vary. Thank you for your patience !!
Saturday, June 16th, cont’d. Time: Event: All Day Antique Farm Equipment All Day Saturday Market All Day Kielbasa & Corn on the Cob 11 am–11 pm Carnival 11 am–1 pm Parade 12 pm–3 pm Firemen’s Bar-B-Que 12:30 pm–3:30 pm Military Vehicles Show 1:30 pm–2:30 pm 47th Annual Frog Jump 3 pm Penny Scramble 3:30 pm Firemen’s Muster 4 pm 12th Annual Bed Races 7 pm– 8 pm Cruise in 7 pm–11 pm DJ Glenn
Location: Sponsor: Across from HS Lake Park WLF U.S. Bank Parking Lot Lions Woodland Moose Lodge WOTM Horseshoe Lake Park WFD Davidson/Buckeye/Park St PDC Horseshoe Lake Park Fire Dept Horseshoe Lake Park MVCCO Horseshoe Lake Park Hansen Family Front of City Hall WFD Front of U.S. Bank CC1F&R Davidson Avenue Wdld True Value Davidson Avenue RCC Stage Area PDC/RCC
Sunday, June 22nd: Time: All Day All Day All Day 7 am–11 am 8 am–11 am 9 am–3 pm 12 pm–2 pm 12 pm–5 pm 3 pm– 4 pm 4 pm
Event: Saturday Market Car Show Antique Farm Equipment Breakfast Buffet Biscuits & Gravy 4x4 Show & Shine Talent Contest Carnival Raffle Drawing Car Show Awards
Location: Sponsor: U.S. Bank Parking Lot Lions Downtown RCC Across from HS Lake Park WLF Moose Lodge Moose Veteran’s Hall VFW Park Plaza Field Lions Hoffman Plaza PDC Horseshoe Lake Park WFD Stage in Front of City Hall PDC Davidson Avenue RCC
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nters Days and the Lewis River Valley, pick up a copy of The Review or visit http://www.plantersdays.com
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History Lessons: The Importance of the Dikes A Rich Land, Beset by Flooding
Life for the bottomland farmers went along better than ever. Because of the dike, they could get their crops in early, allowing them to make a better profit off their land. he pioneer farmers who settled in Woodland knew good land when they saw it. The feeling of safety created by the dike allowed them to forget the ten year flood The rich bottom land located just outside of town was perfect for growing crops and cattle. In the mid-1800s, there were no dikes keeping the Columbia River at cycle. In 1933, the winter weather was severe. Continuous heavy rains during the month of December brought destruction to the Woodland and Cowlitz County. bay, so the farmers and their families learned to live with the river’s many moods. “The flood situation became of major importance on December 10th, when the riv“It is well known that the early settlers of the lowlands came to regard the regular ers of southwestern Washington and their tributaries overflowed their banks. In addiflooding of their lands as an acceptable and not unbenevolent act of nature,” said lifetion to the heavy local rains, mild long Woodland resident and dairy temperatures and rains at high elevafarmer, Byron Ferguson. “They regutions releasing tremendous quantities larly moved their cattle to higher of water from the melting mountain ground and built their houses accordsnows,” stated Richard T. Zoch in the ing to the demands of the elements. 1934 Monthly Weather Review. “On There was always a gamble that the the 21st, a dyke gave way on the Lewis big floods of 1867, 1876, and 1894 River and the waters flooded Kelso would not occur more frequently than and Woodland, Washington. Woodland every ten years.” was almost completely evacuated as In 1919, the farmers living on the water 8 feet deep covered the main bottomlands decided that they needed section of the town.” to build a dike to help control the flood Eyewitness to the flood, Byron waters. As individuals, the farmers did Ferguson takes up the story. “On not have the money to finance this December 21st, the continual rains undertaking, but collectively they caused a natural earth dam at the headcould bond their farms, create a Diking waters of the Lewis River to break. District, and build dikes to protect When it gave way, the column of their farmlands and the town of water hit the newly constructed Woodland. Merwin Dam with such force that By 1920, the dike was built. Unfor there was trouble opening the gates. tunately, the water produced by the When they did open, they could not be heavy winter rains ruptured the dike closed. The pent up water, so suddenly and the land flooded once again. Not released, flooded the town and the being ones to give up, the farmers countryside, causing much loss of repaired the dike and waited for the livestock, chickens, and other damage. winter rains of 1921. The flooding lasted only three days.” The farmers living on bottomlands By spring, the community of were an optimistic lot. The winter above: Dikes in the downtown core of Woodland were breached in the 1933 flood also. This Woodland breathed a sigh of relief and rains of 1921 did not change the integphoto was taken a few days after that awful time, when waters had already receeded some. In celebrated Planters Day in June. Planters 1933, Horseshoe Lake was still just a bend in the Lewis River (North Fork). It did not become a rity of the dike and it held strong Day was now a three-day event. lake until the ’60s when I-5 freeway was put through. Engineers blocked the bend off, creating throughout the winter. It held its own, an island with a horseshoe bend lake, thus the name. The tour of the dike had been too, against the winter weather of replaced with a parade, and the man1922. Proud of themselves and of their dike for holding out for one whole year, they decided to have a celebration. On June agement of the celebration had been taken over by the Woodland Volunteer Fire 30, 1922, the first Planter Day (as it was known then) was held. Everyone had such a Department. While Woodland was fighting the elements, the world was once again heading for war. good time that the community decided to make it a yearly event. In 1919, the farmers had put their property up for a bond to build the dike. As the depression of the ’30s began to deepen, the farmers were not able to pay the bond. Some of the farmers lost their land to the bonding company when they could not make the bond payments. The ‘lost’ land was sold by the bonding company on the steps of the county court house for pennies on the dollar. Planters Day was held until 1943. That year, the United States was involved in World War II. The young men of Woodland would not go untouched by the war. A hard decision was made by the managers of the Planter’s Day celebration. “The Woodland Fire Department regrets to announce that the annual Planter’s Day celebration will not be held this year due to war time conditions and obtaining proper equipment. The celebration will probably be discontinued throughout the duration of the war, but after the victory, the Fire Department hopes to have a bigger and better Planter’s Day in the future.” Planter’s Day was resumed when World War II ended in 1946. By 1948, life had returned to relative normalcy in Woodland. The war was over and people had dealt with their losses as best as they could. Returning soldiers were using the G.I. Bill to purchase houses These two men engineered dikes 5 and 2 at 360 36 602 and to attend college. The coun- Woodland. On the left is Mr. A. Bystrom and on the 225-7961 2 5 7 9 61 • WWW.WOODLANDSAWANDCYCLE.COM W WW WWW WW W WOODLANDS WOODLANDSA SAWA S AWA WANDCYCLE COM try as a whole was beginning to right is Mr. Fred M. Lone. The date written on the 302 E SCOTT AVE • WOODLAND, WA photo was 1890. feel a degree of prosperity.
photo courtesy of byron ferguson
photo courtesy of byron ferguson
T
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photo courtesy of byron ferguson
History Lessons: The Importance of the Dikes
above:
Water pours through the dike onto what was the Kate Blum property. In present day, the property is just south of the old Fleetwood (now Portco Packaging) manufacturing plant, in the vicinity of the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens and what is now the Raspberry Park subdivision. The force of the water made a large cut in the ground and scars could still be seen in the fields on the west side of South Pekin on property which was later owned by George Tsugawa. The photo was taken on December 23, 1933, approximately 11:15 a.m. above: The dredge WOODLAND was one of those which built the original dikes surrounding the city.
The winter rains of 1948 had deposited a lot of snow in the Coast Range and Cascade Mountains. Memorial Day weekend was particularly warm, causing early snow melt in the mountains. Byron Ferguson was living on his dairy farm located on the bottomlands outside of Woodland on that unforgettable weekend. “Excessive snow in the mountains and extremely warm weather brought the snow melt down very fast. The Chinook winds came up in the Rockies and helped to melt the snow too fast. Most of Woodland was underwater by noon on May 31, 1948, a date that we who were there remember. “The Vanport, Oregon dike broke on May 30th. Most of the residents had moved their belongings to higher ground or upstairs. People on the hills made room for extra
people and some even let friends bring their cows, which were turned out onto the growing fields. We drove down on the bottoms after the water subsided. All the fences were down and the posts were sucked out of the ground. Some of the posts were in the fruit trees and some on the roofs of houses. Many houses were washed from their foundations and some floated away.” In 2008, the dike between the Columbia River and the Woodland bottomlands still keeps the mighty river out of the bottomlands. Changes have been made over the years to strengthen the dike. Today, instead of the farmers having to pay for the dike by themselves, the whole community chips in to pay the dike tax. Farmers still grow crops, raise cattle, and accept the possibility of bottomland flooding as part of their way of life. The people of Woodland appreciate what the farmers bring to the community— food, businesses, schools, economic development, social life—and they, in turn, choose to celebrate this contribution with the yearly Planters Days festivities.
On the left is Grandpa Grank Empatiz with Grandma Mary Empatiz on the right. In the center is (Dad) Ferguson with the boys, left to right Wayne, Byron, Charles, and Albert (1 year old). This was from their homestead. photo courtesy of byron ferguson
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211 Davidson Avenue • Woodland, WA June Jones 907-0162 • Steve Jones 225-9623 Erica Rodman 281-0768 • Scott Perry 921-2306 • Mary Meeker 936-5797
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Who’s in the Parade? Who’s in ThE PArADE—cont’d from page 12
bers first opened the doors to America’s Family Diner in late 2010. And the rest, as they say, is history. From the beginning America’s Family Diner has provided quality, affordable food and excellent service to their customers. As soon as America’s Family Diner opened their doors they were an instant success. Diner-style menu items include daily specials, omelets, crepes, pancakes-of-the-month and homemade soups. Current owner Nate Chumley says “nothing goes from a can to the pan.’ And, a microwave doesn’t even exist in this restaurant. While America’s Family Diner is well known for its welcoming atmosphere and excellent food, the pictures lining the walls of the restaurant are equally unforgettable. Pictures of local veterans grace these walls and every day there seems to be more added to the gallery. America’s Family Diner offers a discount to these heroes as well as collecting donations for and giving generously to The Wounded Warrior Foundation. They also support and provide meals for Woodland Meals on Wheels, as well as donating to local schools and other community needs. Located just east of the I-5 freeway at 1447 Goerig St., Woodland, Washington, this local phenomenon is staffed by Chumley parents, children and extended family members as well as good friends who all share the same commitment to excellence. The next time you are in Woodland, Washington stop by and experience some of the best food in S. W. Washington. For simple, straight-forward great American food, this small restaurant is way ahead of the curve.
Making history in Woodland— The Citizens of the Year George Tsugawa
W
oodland, Washington, recently honored two of its most prominent citizens as Citizens of the Year for 2013. From early on in their respective lives both George Tusgawa and Walter Hansen knew they had to work to get what they wanted. Of course, at such a young age both men surely had no idea they would
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george Tsugawa with his Citizen of the year award. photo courtesy of woodland chamber of commerce
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one day be so respected for their longevity, business acumen and wisdom. George Tsugawa was born June 20, 1921, in Homeacre, Washington. His parents, who were originally from Tokushima Ken, Japan, moved the family to Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1926. There the Tsugawa Family opened a fruit stand where George worked all through his childhood. Meanwhile George graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1939. By 1942 the Second World War was in full swing and Japanese living in the United States were ordered to evacuate to detention centers located around the United States by order of U.S. President Roosevelt. George and his family, with one duffle bag each and one suitcase for the entire family were transported to the Portland Expo Center in Portland, Oregon. All their family possessions and the family business were seized and never returned. The Portland Expo center (at the time) was designed to house livestock. The government cleaned it out, and assigned each family to a former animal pen sometimes as small as 225 square feet (15 ft x15 ft). The Expo center served as a hub to transport Japanese Americans to different internment camps. The entire Tsugawa family lived in the one cramped area for two months before being shipped out to yet an another internment camp in Minidoka, Idaho. The Tsugawa family, and others like them, rode in a train with blacked out windows so the internees could not know the location of their destination. George recalls “we were packed in there so tight and rode for days in miserable conditions. After a long miserable journey the Tsugawa family arrived at the Minidoka, Idaho Interment Camp. George recalls the first sight being “very intimidating, large fences with barbed wire at the top and armed soldiers in watch towers.” Each internee stayed in barracks and had jobs within the camp. Later George and his family were allowed to leave the camp because of his mother’s illness. They relocated to Boise, Idaho, where his mother later died [of cancer]. Afterwards, he worked as a bellhop to support his family. By 1946 George and his family had moved to Beaverton, Oregon, where they began farming again. Soon George met Mabel Taniguchi and they were married April 1, 1950. Three children later, George moved his growing family into an apartment in Portland, Oregon, and went to work selling cars for A.B. Smith. In 1956 George’s brother, Henry, suggested Woodland was just right for growing berries. George Tsugawa moved his family to Woodland, but told Mable, “Don’t get too comfortable. We’re not going to be here very long.” That was 58 years ago! In 1956 they started the Tsugawa Farms where George recalls working 16 to 17 hour days. The Tsugawa family worked hard together to make their farm successful, initially growing strawberries. The Tsugawa family farm benefited the Woodland and surrounding communities over the years by provided berry picking jobs for thousands of students from Battle Ground, Yacolt, Amboy, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock, and Woodland, areas. Buses driven by local school teachers loaded with sleepy kids arrived early at the berry fields every morning and returned the same tired kids home every evening. In January 1981, George and Mabel purchased a small nursery in Woodland. “Let’s open a nursery,” Mabel said, but, according to George, her idea of a nursery was a few plants here, a few plants there. They opened Tsugawa’s Nursery in March of 1981 with big dreams but with little in the way of nursery stock. Today Tsugawa’s Nursery has grown and become the area’s best place to shop for garden and landscape plants and supplies. Over the years George also helped with school projects by providing hay rides for primary school students, by growing and selling pumpkins (all profits went to the swimming pool fund) and by playing a role in the Woodland Skate Park and the Kids Club. Years of hard work have paid off for George Tsugawa, patriarch of the Tsugawa family. And even though Mabel Tsugawa passed in 2011, their oldest son Martin in 2000 and son Dan in 2013, George Tsugawa lives on as a treasured and respected member of the Woodland business community.
Water Hansen
As a child, Walter Hansen, Sr. began his interest in community services by organizing scrap drives during WWII. At the age of 12 or 13 he worked in the grain industry. He still has a sack holder invented by a man from Ridgefield to help with the filling of sacks of grain. He formed the first Cub Scout Pack OODLAND S OME OWN EED TORE (#471) and did paper drives for 20 years with them. From 1964 through 1991, he owned and operated insurance offices with 300 agents in five states. He now owns North Fork Motors here in Woodland. He and his wife Donna, who has since passed away, were married for 57 years. They raised 8 children and have 16 grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren. Walter has a passion for history and built an office 30 years ago to house his 1501 Guild Road • Hours: M-Sat., 10-6; Sun., Closed history treasures on the farm his grandfaCHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.REMNANTFARMS.COM ther started in 1897. His family originally
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• the review—planters days edition • June 2014 •
Whos in ThE PArADE—cont’d on page 11
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The squeals and laughter are infectious during the penny Scramble! photo by gloria loughry
planters days 2007 Court at the Tulip Festival photo by
planters days Floats (year unknown) cruises through downtown Woodland. photo courtesy of WooDlanD fire DepartMent archives
gloria loughry
Who’s in ThE PArADE—cont’d from page 10
came from Norway, Denmark, and Finland (Swedish colony). He has written many articles about the history of Woodland, Washington, as well as surrounding areas and has worked to preserve historical houses, schools, and cemeteries. He has also chaired the centennial and bi-centennial committees for Woodland and the State of Washington. Walter lobbied for and received approval for historical markers at Finn Hall, Lilac Gardens and the Grist Mill. Walter belongs to the Woodland Historical Museum Society, Downtown Revitalization Committee, Lilac Gardens and Friends of Horseshoe Lake. His passion for history and preservation is almost overwhelming. He views his activism as a duty. He says he has been involved in the history of this area since he was a senior in high school. Walt is very active in community affairs. He seldom misses a Woodland City Council meeting. He is quoted as saying during an Oregon Live interview in 2011, “In the last 15 years, I’ve been to more city council meetings than the councilmen.” His services include Board of Directors for the Downtown Woodland Revitalization Committee, Treasurer for Woodland Planter’s Days and service in many other organizations. Walt has a photographic memory and has built a well-deserved reputation as an unofficial local historian. He is a great asset to the community of Woodland. He and his family have also been involved in Planters Days for over 60 years. Hansen, founder of the popular frog-jumping contest that’s part of the annual Planters Days Festival, has The hansen Family has put on the Frog also served as parade chairman, chaperone for Jumping Contest for area children for the royal court, MC for the parade, and treaover 40 years. phOTO by KriSTen hJOrTh. phOTO FrOM The 2008 COnTeST. surer for the committee.
The following is the creed by which he lives: I do not choose to be The thrill of fulfillment a common man or woman, To the stale calm of Utopia. It is my right to be uncommon … I will not trade freedom for beneficence if I can, Nor my dignity for a handout I seek opportunity… not security. I will never cower before any master I do not wish to be a kept citizen. Nor bend to any threat. Humbled and dulled by having the It is my heritage to stand erect. State look after me. Proud and unafraid; I want to take the calculated risk; To think and act for myself, To dream and to build. To enjoy the benefit of my creations To fail and to succeed. And to face the world boldly and say: I refuse to barter incentive for a dole; This, with God’s help, I have done I prefer the challenges of life All this is what it means To the guaranteed existence; To be an American.”
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Who’s in the Parade? without it being in their job description? She’s quite a lady and will go out of her natural part of the parade are the way to help not only those who call the bands, floats, princesses, queens, and center, but also the elderly, children and dignitaries from other cities but this year’s those who are sick and in need of assisparade also includes dignitaries selected tance. She says her job at the visitor center as an exemplary sample of Woodland’s and working at the Woodland Museum, citizenry. When you’re enjoying the Rose are her greatest activaties, plus all of her City Classic Cars as they glide by, think, family events, of course. too, about the dignitary who just might be All this urbanism and charm cloaks a riding along in the back. Below are four committed horsewoman as well. She and categories ably filled this year and a little her husband, Odie Wilkerson raised horses about each of those who “filled the bill”. and for a large portion of their lives were It’s just a sample of the great citizens that dedicated to gaming, trail-riding, and ropcall this place their home. ing as well as camping and riding in wilGrover Laseke, Mayor of Woodland, waves to the crowd from the back of a historic car derness areas. “These,” she said, “were provided by the Rose City Classic Car Club. photo by gloria loughry some of our greatest joys.” Wilkerson is a Virginia Wilkerson— member of the Columbia River Long Ears 2013 Employee of the Year [Mule Club], Back Country Horsemen [of Washington], and a life-time member of the irginia Wilkerson, a child of the Great Depression era, is a gentle lady of short stature Clark County Saddle Club. Wilkerson has lived in the Woodland area for fifty-nine years. In 1954 she and he famand mature years with a calm smiling demeanor. She is a Tourism Specialist for the ily moved to Woodland and settled in at the Woodland, Washington, Chamber of Commerce and as such is the first person, generally, old Ferguson Family Farm, later moving to to greet visitors to Woodland when they come looking for information. Always ready with her signature smile, Wilkerson, a 14-year employee of The Ariel where her mother taught school. Woodland Chamber of Commerce, hands out Wilkerson attended school in the Woodland brochures and points out areas of interest to area and later graduated from Clark College tourists and other visitors to Woodland She where she also met her future husband. She also attends tourism conferences, (often on and Odie were married in 1952. She has one her own time) to gather more tourism infor- son, Wayne Wilkerson, two grandsons and seven great grandchildren. mation. “It’s been a treasure [to me] to help with Wilkerson is also well known for her “green thumb” and often purchases indoor their activities and be part of their lives,” and outdoor plants (usually out of her own Wilkerson said. “But my greatest joy has pocket) to help decorate the visitor’s center. been the many friends I have made through While at home her garden abounds with dahl- the years.” ias of all sizes and descriptions, Asiatic Lilies, Trumpet lilies Daylilies and Iris. America’s Family Diner— This dedicated lady drives to the visitor center every Sunday night to set out the gar- 2013 Business of The Year bage cans for early Monday morning pick-up. ernie and Ray Chumley along with their Ray Chumley of America’s Family Diner And THAT IS NOT IN HER JOB son Nate and several other family mem- photo courtesy of woodland chamber of commerce DESCRIPTION. How many employees Virginia Wilkerson photo courtesy of would do this every week for their employer Who’s in the Parade—cont’d on page 12 woodland chamber of commerce by Cheryl K Spaulding
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“I love my new home. You couldn’t find a better place.” —Resident, Joe Stokes
Woodland
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• the review—Planters Days edition • June 2014 •
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