Senior Times - February 2023

Meals on Wheels adds breakfast, extended cafe hours

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Kristin Thien is retiring on a high note as nutrition services director for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, the free senior meals program.

In January, Senior Life Resources, which operates the nonprofit, fulfilled two of her wishes when it began offering a weekly breakfast and extended services at its cafe at the Richland Wye, in the Columbia Center area.

By its second week, the Wednesday morning breakfast attracted 19 diners without significant publicity.

Thien brought a lengthy list of dreams when she joined Meals on Wheels in 2009 and just kept adding to it when she succeeded Marcee Woffinden as nutrition services director in 2018. She announced she

would retire in 2022, which gave the nonprofit time to hire Cara Hernandez, an Eastern Washington Uni-

versity alumna who has served as deputy director for seven months.

Thien’s last day was Feb. 3, coin-

ciding with her 59th birthday in late January.

She looks forward to volunteering, hiking, gardening and helping her aging mother and in-laws. But she’s ready for her next chapter and is eager to turn the reins over to Hernandez.

“It’s time for someone else to have the privilege I’ve had,” she said.

She called Meals on Wheels the best and most rewarding job she ever had, in a career full of rewarding jobs. She once worked in recreation and noted she got to wear shorts to work.

She relishes the little things about serving seniors, like the joy of welcoming people to the cafe.

“It’s just so fun to hold the door open,” she said. The monthly roast

Richland Knights are tops in nation for helping Ukrainian refugees

By Kristina Lord kristina@tcjournal.biz

When the Richland Knights of Columbus launched its fundraiser to help Ukrainian refugees nearly a year ago, it didn’t expect to get nationwide attention for its efforts.

But it recently reached an important milestone in its campaign.

Council 3307 raised the most money of any Knights group in the country – more than $72,000.

“Of all the councils across the U.S., we have been identified as the No. 1 fundraiser. It put the Tri-Cities, so to speak, on the map, and let the Richland council be known a bit across the other councils,” said Bob Zinsli, a member of the fundraising committee.

The Richland Knights are inching closer to their goal of raising $100,000, thanks to a $25,000 matching fund program.

About 285 men make up the Catholic fraternal organization, a nonprofit located off the bypass highway at Van Giesen Street.

Zinsli, a retired engineer manager, has been a Knight since 1961 and is the second oldest member of the Richland council. He has lived in the Tri-Cities for “crowding on 70 years.”

He said local donations go to the Knights council in Poland and then directly to help refugees. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, sending millions of Ukrainian refu-

Photo by Wendy Culverwell

Kristi Thien, nutrition services director for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, visits with diners at the nonprofit’s Richland cafe shortly before she retired in early February.

Photo by Kristina Lord Grand Knight Bill Murray, left, and Bob Zinsli, a past Grand Knight, seek to reach their goal of raising $100,000 in a yearlong effort to help Ukrainian refugees. They are members of the Richland Knights of Columbus Council 3307, which has raised the most in the national campaign.

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Mailing address: 8524 W. Gage Blvd., #A1-300 Kennewick, WA 99336 srtimes.com

STAFF

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Senior Times, a publication of Mid-Columbia Media Inc., is published monthly. Subscriptions are $21.69 per year, prepayment required, no refunds. Contents of this publication are the sole property of Mid-Columbia Media Inc. and can not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent. Opinions expressed by guest columnists and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Senior Times staff, other guest columnists or other advertisers, nor do they imply endorsement by Senior Times staff, other guest columnists or advertisers. Every effort will be made to assure information published is correct; however, we are not liable for any errors or omissions made despite these efforts.

beef lunch, which honors birthdays, is a particular favorite and always crowded.

She joined Meals on Wheels almost by accident. As her children grew older, she mentioned to a friend she was looking for a job with flexibility. The friend was a dietician for Meals on Wheels and it was hiring.

She joined as a home assessor, which entailed visiting homebound seniors to get them signed up for services. The job was later renamed “service coordinator” to make it sound less threatening.

For the past five years, she’s been nutrition services director, marshaling a team of paid staff and volunteers to keep food flowing to clients age 60 and over. She emphasized the focus on teamwork: “Not a single accomplishment is mine.”

She was less than two years into the top job when the Covid-19 pandemic began its worrying march across Washington state and the U.S. Concerned about senior clients, senior volunteers and their families, she decided on March 3 to cancel a March 10 breakfast.

Gov. Jay Inslee would issue the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order on March 23, but for a few weeks, Meals on Wheels was a standout. Not everyone agreed with her decision.

“I got hate mail,” she recalled.

The shutdown was a difficult time

gees fleeing for safety across the border.

The money is used to buy food, medical supplies, clothing, religious goods – “whatever the basics needs are for refugees,” Zinsli said.

“It’s getting into the root level of where charity takes place,” he said.

for Meals on Wheels, which closed its cafes and worked to keep the food going by delivering frozen meals.

It stood up a delivery service and established a phone buddy system, but she fretted about the missed connections. For some homebound clients, the Meals on Wheels driver is often a lifeline.

“It was nerve wracking to know vulnerable seniors were only being contacted once a week,” she said.

While her wish list is unfinished, she is pleased with what has been accomplished.

That includes establishing a pet food program and offering low-sodium meals. She hopes to see Meals on Wheels offer renal-friendly meals and to give its clients more choices in the meals they get.

It prepares 30 different meals in its kitchen and freezing facilities, but recipients are limited to what is put in their bag.

“I’d like them to get what they want,” she said.

She credits 3 Rivers Community Foundation with funding pilot projects that sometimes work and sometimes don’t. It had to halt its “memory cafe” program during the pandemic. But it is likely to make a return. The cafe offers a semi-private dining space for people who want to eat in a cafe but are self-conscious about being in public, possible because of Parkinson’s-related shaking or dementia.

names.

The money raised at local Knights councils will be matched by the national Knights group, up to $500,000.

It is working to replace a broken TV in the cafe. Thien sees an opportunity to establish movie nights when the new one is in place.

As Meals on Wheels and the community recover from the pandemic, she spent her final months working to rebuild in-person dining.

It reopened its dining centers on May 2, 2022. She looks at the facilities and yearns for more activity.

“These expanded hours, what a shame to have this beautiful facility empty,” she said.

The expanded service includes a traditional breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday. Cafe hours are now 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

The expansion is supported by grants from the 3 Rivers Community Foundation and Hanford Mission Integration Solutions.

Meals on Wheels is a free service though it accepts donations. Nearly 500 local volunteers support the program.

It delivers hot and frozen meals to homebound seniors Mondays through Thursdays and serves meals at eight dining centers in Benton and Franklin counties.

Senior Times publishes the monthly menu, location and meal service hours. See page 6.

For more information, call 509735-1911 or go to seniorliferesources.org.

How to donate to Ukraine Solidarity Fund

desktop Online: donate.kofccharities.org/ team/429132

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The Knights’ campaign kicked off in spring 2022. One member offered $25,000 to create a matching fund to jumpstart donations.

To get the word out, the Knights handed out brochures at church services, posted the information on social media and talked it up across town.

“That started our campaign of fundraising,” Zinsli said.

Donations have ranged from small amounts – coins from children, to $50 and up, to a few $1,000 donations. A few companies contributed.

One donor donated a day’s pay, an homage to the 51,000 or so employees from Hanford Engineer Works who donated a day’s pay toward the purchase of a B-17 bomber in 1944.

Zinsli declined to share donors’

“This is in response to a massive need. It’s in the millions now, the number of refugees,” said Bill Murray, Grand Knight of the Richland council. “We’re trying to do our part.”

The United Nations reported there are nearly 8 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe, including 1.6 million in Poland, on Jan. 24. The refugees seek safety, protection and assistance as the war approaches its one-year anniversary this month.

Catholics were persecuted in Ukraine when the country was part of the Soviet Union, according to the Catholic News Agency. About 9% of Ukrainians are Catholics.

Every dollar donated has an immediate effect, and 100% of every donation goes directly to those in need, Murray said.

“Not one penny is there in transfer fees or management fees. It will all go to Ukrainian refugees,” said Murray, a Knight for about 20 years who

Envelope By mail: Make checks payable to: “Knights of Columbus Charities.” In the notes/memo field, write: “Ukraine Fund Council 3307” and send to: Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc. c/o Council 3307 2500 Chester Road Richland, WA 99352

All donations are tax-deductible.

is a retired Richland School District band director.

The Richland Knights will suspend their local fundraising campaign once they’ve raised $100,000, but Zinsli said the national Knights effort will continue as long as there’s a need in Ukraine.

UKRAINE FUND, From page 1

Prevent falls to avoid injury or even death

It was a fun afternoon. I had been playing with my young granddaughters at a nearby park.

I was walking home and about to cross a side street when I noticed a car about to turn toward me. I motioned for him to go first.

But he motioned me to cross first. Not wanting to delay traffic I doubled my pace heading for the opposite curb. I was almost there when I stumbled, fell forward and couldn’t do anything to stop it.

I landed on the curb on my bare forearms. I was able to stand and assess that there appeared to be no broken bones. But I was bleeding from multiple wounds. I hastened home where my wife applied multiple bandages.

Coincidentally, a senior retirement community had asked me to give a talk on preventing falls, which were a common occurrence there. I accepted and in doing research found that there is an abundance of information from government sources, as falls are frequent, painful and costly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the costs for falls totaled more than $50 billion in a recent year with

67 seniors flee Richland apartment fire, arson suspected

Seniors living at a Richland apartment complex were evacuated when their building caught fire early Jan. 24. One resident was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Residents of Tri-Cities Terrace Apartments, an apartment community for seniors at 1770 Leslie Road, reported seeing smoke and flames and raised the alarm at 2:31 a.m.

Sixty-seven residents were either evacuated or were able to shelter in place at one of the nearby buildings. The facility’s fire suppression system held the fire in check until fire crews could fully extinguish the fire. The building sustained fire and smoke damage along with water damage from the fire sprinkler system.

Richland fire and police arson investigators are working to determine the cause. Multiple suspicious fires appear to have been set within the building and no suspects have yet been identified, according to a press release from the Richland Police Department posted on social media.

“We are so very fortunate and

Medicare and Medicaid bearing 75% of the costs.

One in four seniors falls every year which doubles their risk of falling again. And one in five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury. When older men fall, they are inclined to fracture their hips. Women often suffer head injuries.

If you know you are going to fall, experts suggest you try to land on your bum or your thigh as these are the meatiest parts of your body and will help cushion the impact. And, if you are falling backward, immediately tuck your chin against your chest to lessen the impact to your head.

Your home is where 50% to 70% of falls occur, especially against hard surfaces such as in the bathroom or on stairs.

Having grab bars installed near the bath, shower and toilet lessens falls. Keep abundant night lights.

grateful that only one resident was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. The Richland Fire Department is diligently coordinating with the Red Cross for temporary housing and making the facility safe so the residents can return to their homes,” the department said in the release.

Anyone with information about the fires, should call dispatch at 509-628-0333 or Richland police arson investigator Detective Cameron Fancher at 509-942-7356.

Dancers invited to senior group’s Feb. 17 event

The Richland Senior Association’s third Friday dance is Feb. 17 at the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland.

A five-piece band led by Clark Hodge will play a medley of music, including waltz, foxtrot, easy swing, cha cha, rumba and even an occasional polka in the Riverview Room, which has a large floor for dancing.

The event is open to the public.

Cost is $10 per person at the door. Dancing starts at 1 p.m. with a break at about 2:15 p.m. at which time a light snack is served. The dance ends about 3:45 p.m.

Recently a friend got up during the night in her upstairs bedroom, became disoriented and fell down her stairs causing multiple spinal fractures that will impede her mobility for many months.

Have handrails on both sides of stairways. I live in a condo where parking is on a separate floor.

There are stairs but I decided that at my age it is safer to take the elevator.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, 19,866 Washington seniors 65 and older were hospitalized for a fall-related injury in 2020. And fall-related injuries accounted for 57% of all injury related deaths in adults aged 65+.

Dementia increases the risk.

There are abundant resources to help minimize the risk of a fall at home.

Securing electrical cords next to the wall and removing throw rugs is another easy fix. The CDC, the National Institutes of Health and the Washington State Department of Health are excellent resources as well.

AARP offers a free “HomeFit Guide,” which can be downloaded

Singles are welcome and the group’s regular dancers are very good about seeing to it that everyone gets to dance, said Fred Shaffner, the third Friday dance coordinator. “Even if not a dancer, consider it a concert and come enjoy the music. While our dance is not formal, dancers usually dress nicely,” he noted.

Neptune Society opening Kennewick office

The Neptune Society, which provides low-cost cremation services, is opening a new sales office in the

online or requested by mail. Go to: aarp.org/homefit.

The publication is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese and provides a room-by-room list with photos and suggestions on how to make your home both comfortable and safe.

Also go online to read AARP’s “Striking a Balance to Avoid Dangerous Falls,” available online at bit.ly/AARPStrikingBalance. Have your vision and hearing tested as these affect balance.

Of course, it helps to keep physically fit. Senior and community centers have multiple programs such as tai chi and yoga to increase balance and stability.

No one thinks they will fall. But every year 3 million are treated in emergency rooms because of falling. And it can cause death or leave one permanently disabled. Act today to learn more and fix your home.

And, be careful crossing streets.

 John Barnett is a volunteer for AARP in Washington.

Tri-Cities.

Neptune Society leased a 1,634-square-foot space at the Cynergy building, 4309 W. 27th Place, in the Southridge area. Kiemle Hagood, which represented the landlord, announced the lease.

The Neptune Society operates with a focus on advanced planning to aid survivors and help avoid overspending on funerals. Its national network includes three locations in Washington: Lynnwood, Tacoma and Spokane. Go to: neptunesociety.com.

GUEST COLUMN

John Barnett AARP

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEB. 5

• Mid-Columbia Symphony Concert “What’s Old is New”: 3-5 p.m., Art Fuller Auditorium, 500 S. Dayton St. Kennewick. Tickets: midcolumbiasymphony.org.

• Judy Carmichael, jazz piano concert: 4-6 p.m., Faith Tri-Cities Auditorium, 1800 N. Road 72, Pasco. Details at communityconcertstc.org.

FEB. 7

• Former Hanford Workers Atomic Heroes Breakfast: 9:30-11 a.m., CG Public House, 9221 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite A, Kennewick. Nelly De La Mora, benefits specialist with Nuclear Care Partners, will be answering questions about EEOICPA, or Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, benefits. Call 509-420-5224 to reserve a seat.

FEB. 11

• 8th annual Three Rivers Craft Brew & Bacon Festival: 6-10 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Microbrew tasting, live entertainment, food samples provided by area restaurants and caterers

who are competing for the best bacon dish of the night. Wines and cider also available. Cost: $45 in advance, $50 at door. Tickets at Ticketmaster.com.

• Valentines for Seniors: 11 a.m.2 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland. Decorate Valentine’s Day cards to be distributed to the community through MidColumbia Meals on Wheels. Paper, markers and glitter will be provided.

FEB. 14

• Alzheimer’s Program: Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia: 1-2 p.m., virtual event. Call 509-943-8455 or register online at kadlec.org/KNRC.

• Bluey’s Big Play: 6 p.m., Toyota Center, 7000 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Tickets: yourtoyotacenter.com.

• WindSong’s Mylar Balloon Pet Adoption: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 4000 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick. 20+ pets to choose from, $5 each.

• Election Day: Benton and Franklin county ballots are due today for the special election.

FEB. 16

• Five Wishes Advance Care Planning with Chaplaincy Health

Care: 3-4 p.m., 1480 Fowler St., Richland. Free educational seminar designed to provide information and tools to plan for the future. Call 509783-7416.

FEB. 17

• Richland Senior Association dance: 1 p.m., Riverview Room, Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland. Cost: $10. Dance to a five-piece band led by Clark Hodge.

FEB. 18

• Heart for the Arts Gala: 6 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Fundraiser to support Academy of Children’s Theatre. Tickets: academyofchildrenstheatre. org.

FEB. 22

• MTHFR genetic default lecture with Dr. Rawlins: 4-5:30 p.m. Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland. Dr. Neil Rawlins will discuss how nutrition and environmental factors can impact your life and steps you can take to protect your brain. MTHFR is a gene that provides instructions for making an enzyme called methy-

lenetetrahydrofolate reductase, which plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Call 509-943-8455 or register online at kadlec.org/KNRC.

FEB. 23

• Healthy Ages Virtual February 2023 Wellness Program - Hanford Reach Museum: 1-2 p.m., virtual event. Learn more about the natural and human history of the Tri-Cities and the surrounding area through the Reach museum. Call 509-9438455 or register online at kadlec.org/ KNRC.

FEB. 25

• Camerata Musica: 7:30 p.m., Columbia Basin College, Performing Arts Theatre, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Suite P-100, Pasco. Tickets: cbcartscenter.com.

FEB. 28

• Heart to Heart about Heart Health: 1-2 p.m. Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland. Discussion on steps that can benefit your heart and offer suggestions on how to reduce heart disease. Call 509-943-8455 or register online at kadlec.org/KNRC.

Learn about all the financial and family benefits when you pre-plan with us.

What is funeral preplanning? Pre-planning is determining the details of your funeral and cemetery services in advance.

To some, this may sound like a difficult conversation. But putting a plan in place is actually a smart and caring thing to do. With a plan, you’ll reduce stress for grieving loved ones – and simply let them honor and celebrate your life, knowing things are happening just as you wanted. All your wishes. All with ease.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more. We make it easy to talk about and easy to take care of.

(509) 943-1114

Home generators can be lifesavers, but only when used properly

When the power fails on a wintry night, it’s comforting to have a home generator to fall back on, provided you know how to operate the device safely.

If you use a generator the way it should be used, it can restore heat and light when storms knock out the power grid. For seniors, a generator can be a lifesaver, keeping up the flow of electricity to such powered medical devices as an oxygen concentrator, or a CPAP machine, or breathing mask.

Yet as useful as a generator can be, it can quickly turn into a killer if you don’t know how to install and operate it safely. If you have a generator or are thinking of buying one, you should know about the hazards using one can present.

Here are the three areas where trouble is most likely to occur:

• Operating a generator without proper ventilation can lead to death by carbon monoxide poisoning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators kills an average 70 people a year. Using a generator indoors can kill in minutes, it says.

• Generators are high-powered devices, using highly volatile fuels. They are a fire hazard every moment they are in use. In a single weekend recently, generators triggered two home fires on Whidbey Island.

• Generators crank out potentially lethal flows of electric current, raising the risk of shock and electrocution. That’s especially true in wet conditions,” the CPSC said.

Once the generator is turned on, electric lines that were once dead may now be charged and deadly.

What size do I need?

By all means, buy a back-up generator for your home. But before you buy, be certain you know what size generator to buy, how to install it and how to operate it safely.

The American Red Cross offers a four-step guide to determine what size generator you will need:

• Add up the power requirements of all the appliances and devices you will want the generator to power. (Check the back and sides of the device for labels containing this information.)

• Add up the wattage of all the light bulbs you will want to use.

• Find the total amps you will need by dividing watts by volts.

• Choose a generator that produces more amps than you will need because some machines draw up to three times as much power when starting up and others lose efficiency over time.

To help you with your calculations, most household devices draw 120 volts while most major appliances draw 240 volts.

At first glance, most generators appear pretty easy to set up.

Find a convenient location not far from your home, lay in a supply of extension cords and you are good to go.

Get help from a pro

To be truly safe, have a professional electrician supervise the installation. This reduces the risk of danger from a poorly installed generator and compliance with local building codes.

The electrician will make sure your installation includes a power transfer switch which automatically switches the power source from utility lines to the generator when necessary. Most installations will include ground fault circuit interrupters which automatically shut off power when it is flowing over something other than the normal path.

An electrician also will make sure the power cords you will use to feed power from the generator are sturdy enough to do the job. Finally, an electrician will make sure that anything that should be grounded is grounded.

When it comes to where to install the generator, there are two issues to consider: where to site the generator and where to store the fuel you will use to power it.

The Red Cross recommends placing the generator on a flat, dry surface, out of the weather in a shed or under a canopy. Operating a generator in rain or snow raises the risk of shock or electrocution.

Never touch a generator with wet hands.

Install CO alarms

The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is ever-present while using the generator.

Never operate the generator in an enclosed area: inside your home, in a crawl space or an attached garage. Operate them away from doors, open windows or vents that could let carbon monoxide into the house.

Install CO alarms throughout your house – at least one on every level of the house and outside every sleeping area. You can’t smell CO. If the alarm sounds, or you become weak or dizzy while operating the generator, get to fresh air immediately. “Do not delay,” says the Red Cross.

The rules about storing fuel from the generator are as strict as the rules for avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning, Store fuel for the generator far away from the generator or family living quarters. Store it in a locked building or shed, safely away from children or anyone untrained in using the device.

Use an approved safety can (your fire department can help direct you to the right container). Only use the fuel recommended by the manufacturer of your generator.

Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling to avoid igniting spilled fuel, which should be stored away from the device.

Know how to use them

Finally, make sure you know how to use your generator safely. Never forget that you are dealing with levels of electric current that can kill.

One of the deadliest and leastunderstood risks is what is known as “back-feeding.” You back-feed when you attach the generator directly to the home electric system. That doesn’t sound like a problem since you are merely restoring power to the home.

What can make back-feeding deadly is that the power lines that are supposed to be dead are, in fact, fully charged with juice. Anyone touching a hot line is at risk of electrocution.

Avoid danger by making sure a qualified electrician has installed a transfer switch. OSHA says that “attaching a generator directly to a building electrical system without a properly installed transfer switch can energize wiring systems for great distances.”

To be safe, run power lines from the generator to the appliances you want to power.

Or plug power strips into the generator and run extension cords to the outlets you want to power. Use power cords supplied by the maker of your generator or have your electrician make sure every power cord you use is in good shape and able to handle the load you will be putting it under.

Only use cords rated for the watts and amps your generator will be generating.

 Gordon Williams is a volunteer with the American Red Cross’ Northwest Region Communications Team.

Gordon Williams American Red Cross

MEALS ON WHEELS MENU

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels senior dining sites serve hot meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday (Tuesday through Friday in Connell). Meals are free for seniors age 60 and older.

Seniors must make reservations 24 business hours in advance by calling 509-735-1911.

Wednesday, Feb. 1: Beef lasagna, Italian vegetables, tossed salad, garlic bread.

Thursday, Feb. 2: Chicken fajitas, rice and beans, flour tortilla.

Friday, Feb. 3: Sloppy Joes, mixed vegetables, coleslaw.

Monday, Feb. 6: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, broccoli.

Tuesday, Feb. 7: Dijon chicken, sweet potato mash, seasoned beets.

Wednesday, Feb. 8: Sweet and sour pork, fluffy rice, Asian vegetables, poke cake.

Thursday, Feb. 9: Hamburger, baked beans, apple cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato, onion.

Friday, Feb. 10: Turkey tetrazzini, squash medley, tossed salad.

Monday, Feb. 13: Chicken pot pie, green peas, tossed salad.

Tuesday, Feb. 14: Beef stroganoff, garlic noodles, green beans.

Wednesday, Feb. 15: Breaded chicken sandwich and fixings, corn chowder, broccoli salad.

Thursday, Feb. 16: Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, Italian vege-

tables, wheat roll, ice cream.

Friday, Feb. 17: Scrambled eggs with peppers, sausage patty, chuck wagon potatoes, bran muffin.

Monday, Feb. 20: Closed for Presidents Day.

Tuesday, Feb. 21: Apple pork chop, mashed sweet potatoes, seasoned beets.

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Chili, mixed vegetables, cornbread.

Thursday, Feb. 23: Chicken and rice casserole, green beans.

Friday, Feb. 24: Tuna noodle casserole, lyonnaise carrots.

Monday, Feb. 27: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, garden vegetables.

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Cranberry chicken, confetti rice, peas and onion.

Dining site locations:

• Kennewick Community Center, 500 S. Auburn St.

• Pasco First Avenue Center, 505 N. First Ave.

• Pasco Ray Pfleuger Center, 253 W. Margaret St.

• Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Road North.

• Benton City Desert Rose Facility, 510 14th St.

• Prosser Senior Center, 1231 Dudley Ave.

• Connell Community Center, 211 E. Elm St.

• Meals on Wheels Cafe, 1834 Fowler St., Richland. No reservations required at this site.

Hanford boom birthed busy school that’s now long gone

By Gale Metcalf for Senior Times

The Quonset huts along the Columbia River could have passed for an army camp.

It was not.

It was John Ball School in north Richland.

The school lasted from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s. Though long closed, its memories have lasted lifetimes for the young students who attended one of Richland’s most historical and identifiable schools.

The school began with a Hanford boom in 1948 and 12 Quonset huts. It ended with a Hanford bust, in 1955, when youngsters disappeared as their families moved away for other employment.

The school went up in the winter of 1948 three miles north of Richland. Families were arriving in near caravan consistency to work at Hanford during its post-World War II boom.

They moved into north Richland’s trailer encampment, which peaked at 2,000 homes. Most had children needing to be schooled. The Sherman Hellerud family was one of the first to move in.

“By February (1948) the first original hutments had been erected and it began to look like the old desert might develop into a habitable spot for living and education,” noted a history of the old school.

The school was named for the man said to have organized and taught in the Pacific Northwest’s first western school.

John Ball was a member of John McLoughlin’s party when he founded Fort Vancouver. He established a school in 1833.

The Richland school bearing his name opened Feb. 16, 1948, with 60 pupils. Each day new students enrolled as families rolled into town. It peaked at 921 students, and once was served by 35 teachers.

For a time in John Ball’s history, to accommodate the school’s overflow of students, it conducted morning and afternoon shifts.

Built to serve elementary grade schoolers through the sixth grade, for a time it also served seventh- and eighth-graders until they began attending classes in Richland’s Chief Joseph and Carmichael junior high schools.

The first student to enroll was Sharon Johnson, who became Sharon Johnson Heisel and went on to become a writer living in the Rogue Valley community of Central Point, Oregon.

Four principals would serve the

school during its tenure: Raymond Lamb, James LeClair, Winfield Fountain and Erick Soderberg.

The school’s 31 Quonset huts at peak varied in length. Most were 20 feet wide, according to General Electric, then prime contractor at Hanford.

A 41-foot-wide hut combined as a cafeteria and kitchen, and two were subdivided into girls and boys restrooms. Of the huts, 24 were used for classes, one for a library, two became offices and two stored supplies and janitorial equipment.

A corridor running one-eighth of a mile linked the classrooms and other school buildings.

John Ball School was built for $550,000, with rooms equipped with radiators and air conditioning, but bulletin board space was restricted by the huts’ curved shape.

The school’s final year began in September 1954 with 800 students and 26 teachers. But Hanford jobs were disappearing, prompting families to leave, taking students with them.

After Christmas 1954, they were leaving daily.

Teachers started the year hired through Christmas, and then they were contracted on a monthly basis through the remainder of the school year.

“From then on it was touch and go,” said Erick Soderberg, the school’s last principal.

By spring, John Ball was down to 350 students and two teachers per grade.

Thirty-four years ago in 1988, a reunion of pupils, teachers, administrators and PTA members associated with the school returned for a reunion at Richland’s Shilo Inn. Many left their memories for the record.

One was Mary Anderson, a substitute teacher at John Ball all its seven years, and later a teacher at Marcus Whitman and Jefferson elementary schools in Richland.

“We worked six weeks without books, without anything,” Anderson reflected.

Overcrowding forced her to teach for a time in a storeroom at the back of one of the rooms. She had only a teacher’s manual for use at the time. When her class was ready to leave, the students had to walk through the other class to get outside.

Vera Edward, another teacher who taught physical education for all the students, even to the peak of 900plus, said John Ball was one of the most unique experiences a teacher

could have. She went on to spend nearly 28 years in Richland schools.

Every day was a “geography lesson” because the youngsters came from throughout the United States, she said.

“It was the most educational experience I’ve ever had,” she noted. “The kids came from all over, everybody knew about some section of the country, and it made it so exciting. It was like a giant geography session.

“I have never seen in all my teaching such happy people, nobody ever griped about anything,” she added.

The kids even came up with a fight song for their school:

“Cheer, cheer for John Ball School

Among the schools here, she is the best;

By her we will always stand, Our school in the heart of north Richland;

Our faith to her, we loyally give, down through the ages her spirit will live;

John Ball we stand by you forever and always true; Rah-rah.”

When the school closed, the Quonset huts came down, leaving foundations still in place decades later.

Gale Metcalf of Kennewick is a lifelong Tri-Citian, retired Tri-City Herald employee and volunteer for the East Benton County History Museum. He writes the monthly history column.

Courtesy of the Hanford History Project at Washington State University Tri-Cities

Sixth-graders smile for the camera outside the John Ball School in 1949.

Pasco First Avenue Center

505 N. First Ave., Pasco 509-545-3459 pascoparksandrec.com

• Billiards: 9 a.m.-noon. Mondays; 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m.-noon, 1:30-4 p.m. Fridays.

• Mexican train dominoes: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays.

• Pinochle: 1:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

• China painting: 9 a.m.-noon. Wednesdays.

Keewaydin Community Center

500 S. Auburn St., Kennewick 509-585-4303 go2kennewick.com

• Bunco: 1-3 p.m. Fridays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Bridge: 12:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Mahjong: 12:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Dominoes: 12:30-2 p.m. Tues-

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

days and Fridays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Pinochle: 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Creative palette art: 9 a.m.noon Tuesdays.

• Sewing: 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

• Woodcarving: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day. 9 a.m.-noon Fridays. Bring supplies or borrow from the class.

• Billiards: Daily. $2 per day or $20 monthly pass.

Richland Community Center

500 Amon Park Drive, Richland 509-942-7529 ci.richland.wa.us

• Fitness room: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; noon-4 p.m. Sundays. Location: Fitness room. Cost: $2 per day or $8 per month.

• Billiards: Daily. $2 per day.

• Greeting card recycling: 1-3 a.m. Tuesdays. Cost: free.

• Pinochle players: 6-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Location: game room.

Cost: $1.

• Party bridge: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays. Location: game room. Cost: $1.

• Senior duplicate bridge: 12:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Location: game room.

• Table tennis: 6:30-8:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:303:45 p.m. Sundays.

Prosser Senior Community Center

1231 Dudley Ave., Prosser 509-786-2915 cityofprosser.com

• Pool: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MondaysFridays. Cost: free. Location: pool room, membership is required.

• Mahjong: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays Location: living room, membership is required.

• Daytime bingo: 9 a.m. Wednesdays. Location: dining room Cost: 3 cards/$1.

• Evening bingo: First Friday of every month. 6 p.m. Cost: $10. Location: dining room.

• Foot care: Second Wednesday of each month: Appointments can be made by calling 509-790-1905.

• Pinochle: 1 p.m. Thursdays. Location: living room, membership is required.

• Crafts: 10 a.m. Tuesdays. Register by calling 509-786-2915.

• Bunco: Third Friday of month. 6 p.m. Cost is $2 per person. Location: dining room.

• Tai chi quan: 6 p.m. Mondays. Contact Kraig Stephens at 509-4301304.

• All you can eat community breakfast: Last Sunday every month, 8-11:30 a.m. Location: dining room. Cost: Suggested donation $7 per person and $4 per child, 8 and under.

West Richland Senior Center

616 N. 60th, West Richland 509-967-2847

• Bunco potluck: noon, first Wednesday and third Friday of the month.

Just for Fun

Word search - Valentine’s Day

Sudoku

How to beat Str8ts –

How to beat Str8ts –

Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments

Each compartment must form a straighta set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’

Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments Each compartment must form a straighta set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

Medium

How to beat Str8ts: No single number, 1 to 9, can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a straight, a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg: 7, 6, 8, 9. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

Rules of Sudoku - To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains ever number uniquely. For more strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org and www.str8ts.com.

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

Feb. 3: “Crocodile Rock”reached the top of the U.S. charts, giving Elton John his first U.S. No. 1 single.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

Feb. 7: The United States Senate voted unanimously, 77-0, to approve U.S. Senate Resolution 60 and establish a select bipartisan committee to investigate the Watergate scandal. Feb.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

Find the words in the grid. When you are done, the unused letters in the grid will spell out a hidden message. Pick them out from left to right, top line to bottom line. Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions.

Senior Times gets new owner, mission remains the same

By Senior Times staff

The Senior Times began the new year with new ownership.

Tri Comp Inc., which published the Senior Times and Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, and Cowles Company, a fourth-generation Spokane business with holdings in the news, broadcasting, real estate, printing and other industries, reached an agreement in which a subsidiary of Cowles acquired the non-cash assets of Tri Comp.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Both the Senior Times and Journal will continue independently under a new subsidiary of Cowles Company, Mid-Columbia Media Inc.

Senior Times president and founder Melanie Hoefer of Richland is exiting the publishing field after a 27-year career to focus on a consulting practice.

No immediate changes are planned at either publication, said Paul Read, the longtime publisher of the biweekly Spokane Journal of Business, operating under a separate subsidiary of Cowles Company.

“They have built a great local

product and our intent is that it remains integral to and focused on the market it so capably serves,” Read said.

Two title changes come with the ownership change: Kristina Lord was named executive editor, and Tiffany Lundstrom, associate publisher for sales. The pair will head day-to-day operations in the Tri-Cities.

Humble beginnings

Hoefer founded the Journal in late 2001 with the mission of uniting the local business community and increasing enterprise in Benton and Franklin counties.

“I am humbled how our readers and advertisers have supported the growth of the Journal, and along with talented staff, helped it grow to the essential business resource it is today,” she said.

In 2013, she purchased the rights to Senior Times, a monthly publication focusing on news of interest to retirees. Its biannual Senior Times

Expo attracts hundreds of visitors each spring and fall.

In becoming a subsidiary of Cowles Company, the Senior Times and the Journal join a stable of other news organizations that includes The Spokesman-Review newspaper of Spokane, the Spokane Journal of Business and several Fox and NBC stations, including Tri-Cities’ KNDU-TV.

Cowles, pronounced “Coles,” formed in 1890 when William H. Cowles moved to Spokane to be the business manager of The Spokesman, which he later acquired and merged with a rival, The Review.

Today, it is led by the sister-brother team of Betsy Cowles, chairman, who leads the broadcasting and real estate divisions, and Stacey Cowles, president, who oversees the print division.

The company carries out civic, arts, cultural and educational philanthropy through the Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation, established in

1944 to honor the memory of the founder’s wife.

Next steps

Hoefer plans to leave the media industry, but her passion for serving will continue. She launched a new company, Pathways Coaching & Consulting LLC, through which she will help families find appropriate treatment options for their children in need of therapeutic intervention for myriad behavioral and mental health challenges.

She will donate a percentage of every consulting fee to nonprofits in the field that assist families in need, as insurance doesn’t often cover the cost of treatment programs. She plans to add personal and business coaching services in the future.

“God has been lining things up for me to transition into my next calling for a while now, so I fully trust this timing is the right timing,” Hoefer said. “I am confident the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business and Senior Times are in experienced hands, and I know the staff care deeply about their mission of providing our community with quality content and news.”

Melanie Hoefer

Paul Read

Barnard Griffin’s new Woodinville tasting room features a bar front, chandeliers and fused-glass installations designed and produced by winery co-owner Deborah Barnard. It’s located at 17401 133rd Ave., Suite 1008, in The Schoolhouse District’s wine row area.

Richland winery opens second satellite tasting room

By Senior Times

About a year after opening its first satellite tasting room in Vancouver, Washington, Barnard Griffin has opened a second one in Woodinville. The grand opening for the 1,405-square-foot tasting room at 17401 133rd Ave., Suite 1008, was Dec. 16.

“These satellite tasting rooms expose customers to our top tier wines that are also available in Richland but were not readily available on the west side,” said Deborah Barnard, co-owner of the winery.

She also noted that the tasting rooms bring visitors to Richland for

uBRIEFS

Atomic Heroes breakfast is Feb. 7

Nuclear Care Partners hosts a free Atomic Heroes Breakfast for former Hanford workers and U.S. Department of Energy retirees.

The breakfast is from 9:30-11 a.m. Feb. 7 at CG Public House and Catering, 9221 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite A.

Nelly De La Mora, a benefits specialist with Nuclear Care Partners, will be available to answer questions regarding benefits, including financial compensation and medical benefits. Reservations are required. Call 509-420-5224.

Senior prom set for March 23 in Richland

A “Great Gatsby” themed Senior Prom, presented by Active4Life, is set for 4-6:30 p.m. March 23 at the

wine club events so customers can explore and enjoy other Tri-City activities and stay in area hotels.

The Woodinville tasting room features a bar front, chandeliers and fused-glass installations designed and produced by Barnard, as well as materials beginning their second life such as patio furniture fashioned from single-use plastics.

It’s located in Kirkland-based MainStreet Property Group’s wine walk row section of its mixed-use development called The Schoolhouse District, which completed its initial phase of completion in the fall 2021.

Barnard Griffin celebrates its 40th year in business this year.

Uptown Theater, 1300 Jadwin Ave., Richland.

Thematic dress for the inaugural event is not required but encouraged.

Attendees will arrive for a red-carpet entrance to the lobby area to play non-gambling casino games with prizes and get their photo taken.

A walk down the hallway to the main dinner and dance area will be accented with live music. In addition to music, there will be sing-a-longs to period tunes. A table team trivia game will be offered for prizes.

A family-style dinner prepared by the Meals on Wheels kitchen will be served.

The event is limited to 150 people, so early registration is important. Admission is $10 per person.

Register online at bit.ly/ RichlandSeniorProm or by phone at 1-800-595-4070. Leave your contact information to confirm your participation.

TRI-CITY BOOK CLUBS

• 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, THE THINGS WE CANNOT SAY by Kelly Rimmer. NOWHERE MAN: THE FINAL DAYS OF JOHN LENNON by Robert Rosen is the March 20 book.

The group typically meets the third Monday of the month. Contact: Sue Spencer, sue_ spencer_england@hotmail.com or 509-572-4295.

• 1 p.m. Feb. 15, Mid-Columbia Libraries, Pasco branch, 1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco, CLOUD CUCKOO LAND by Anthony Doerr.

THE GIRL WITH SEVEN NAMES by Hyeonseo Lee is the March 15 book.

The group typically meets the third Wednesday of the month. Contact Susan Koenig at 509302-9878 or SMKoenig@ymail. com.

• 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, THE LAGER QUEEN OF

MINNESOTA by J. Ryan Stradal.

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is the March 16 book.

The group meets the third Thursday of the month but takes summers off.

Contact: Evelyn Painter, ec_ painter@yahoo.com or 509420-4811.

• 6 p.m. Feb. 28, Mid-Columbia Libraries, Benton City branch, 810 Horne Drive. Choose your own title to read and then come and share what you loved or maybe didn’t love. Sharing is always optional.

• 7 p.m. the first Friday of the month, Caterpillar Café at Adventures Underground, 227 Symons St., Richland. Contact Sarah at 509-946-9893 for upcoming titles.

To add your book club to this list, email details to info@tcjournal.biz.

Courtesy Barnard Griffin

staff

Hidden message: Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.

Ballot box added at Finley Middle School

The Benton County Auditor’s Office has installed a drive-up ballot drop box at Finley Middle School, 37208 S. Finley Road.

For a complete list of ballot drop boxes, go to bentonelections.com.

The auditors of both Benton and Franklin counties mailed ballots for the February Special Election in late January. Ballots must be postmarked or returned by Election Day, Feb. 14.

Ballots may be returned by U.S. mail. No postage is required.

Kennewick holds open house about road work

The Kennewick Public Works Department will hold an open house from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23 to explain road work with potential to disrupt traffic around Columbia Center this summer and fall.

The open house will be held in the Sunset View Elementary School Library, 711 N. Center Parkway, Kennewick.

The city is preparing to begin work on a project to improve Deschutes Avenue from west of Columbia Center to North Young Street. Upgrades include new

asphalt, islands and installation of a mini roundabout at Young Street.

The project is funded with a planning grant through the BentonFranklin Council of Governments and the Federal Highway Administration and a construction grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board.

The city expects to advertise for contractors and break ground in the summer, with the project set to wrap up by fall.

Go to: bit.ly/DeschutesColumbia.

Deadline coming for fair, rodeo scholarships

March 1 is the deadline for local high school students to apply for scholarships awarded by the Benton Franklin Fair.

In honor of the event’s 75th anniversary, the fair board raised the award amount to $7,500.

It will award two $2,500 scholarships to high school students who have participated in the fair and one $2,500 one to a high school rodeo participant.

To qualify, applicants must be graduating seniors who exhibited at the 2022 Benton Franklin Fair as a 4-H or FFA exhibitor.

The Horse Heaven Round-Up Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior in the

Washington State High School Rodeo Association. Applicants must reside in Benton or Franklin counties or be enrolled in the Columbia (Burbank) School District.

Go to: bentonfranklinfair.com.

Four Feathers adds sparkling wine to lineup

Prosser’s Fourth Feathers Wine Services has expanded its product line to include custom sparkling wines, which it produces using the traditional méthose champenois.

Four Feathers, a bulk wine producer, said it is sourcing fruit for its sparkling wines from dedicated blocks in its Columbia Valley vineyards.

Rebecca De Kleine, general manager and director of winemaking at Four Feathers Wine Services, said the demand for sparkling wines from Four Feathers’ customers parallels the growth of sparkling products in the U.S. wine markets. Sparkling wine is one of the hottest industry categories, growing more than 13% in 2021. It’s expected to grow an additional 15% by 2026.

To support this new initiative, Four Feathers invested in one of the most sophisticated sparkling production lines in the United States, De Kleine said. The line includes state-of-the-art equipment from Bertolaso, Oeno Concept, Champagel, Perrier and Robino & Galandrino, among others.

Four Feathers Wine Services is a vertically integrated, family-owned winemaking company that farms 3,500 acres of wine grapes and

makes and packages custom premium wines for nearly 300 clients nationwide.

Charge EVs faster in Walla Walla

Motoring to Walla Walla in an electric vehicle?

Energy Northwest has installed a high-speed electric vehicle (EV) charging station at the Columbia Rural Electric Association at 2929 Melrose St.

The new station includes a 100kW direct current fast charger (Level 3 DCFC) and two 7.2kW Level 2 chargers.

This is the first Level 3 charger for Walla Walla. Level 3 fast chargers can charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) from empty to 80% in 20-60 minutes.

There are about 25 other Level 2 chargers in the city and surrounding area.

The Walla Walla station was supported by a $20,000 grant from Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF).

This is Energy Northwest’s 12th charging location in the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Transportation Alliance (EVITA) network. The new station links Walla Walla with other EVITA stations located in Dayton (32 miles away) and Pasco (49 miles).

There are more than 112,000 EVs registered in the state, including more than 22,000 new registrations for EVs in 2022, according to the state Department of Transportation.

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Neil and Billie Jane Lampson didn’t have to look far for inspiration when they decided their growing crane company needed a headquarters building.

Neil Lampson enlisted Walt Trask, his head engineer and co-inventor on patented crane technology, and sketched out a building that looked like the boom of one of the company’s heavy lift cranes.

The result is one of the more striking company-owned and occupied office buildings in the Tri-Cities, a glassy, angled structure perched aside the Columbia River on the Kennewick side of the cable bridge at 607 E. Columbia Drive.

“For someone who may not be familiar with the crane industry, this may seem like an odd design, but for an avid crane enthusiast, it is a rather innovative and interesting design,” said Kate Lampson, director of strategic communication and the third generation of the family to work in the business.

Neil F. Lampson Inc., now Lampson International Co., moved into the four-story building in September 1980 after a year or so of construction. Fortythree years later, the unique building still serves the company well and has required little more than new carpeting.

Kate Lampson said there was little debate about the form back in the late 1970s, when her grandfather decided to build. Neil and Billie Jane incorporated in 1946 as a small drayage company.

Today, Lampson is among the largest crane-owning companies in the world with offices in Kennewick, Pasco, Seattle, Denver, Houston and Laveen, Arizona, as well as in Canada and Australia.

In the early years, the Lampsons ran their company from a Quonset hut at Gum Street and Columbia Drive.

Building innovations

The team knew the site existed and that they wanted a building that spoke

to the world of construction cranes.

Kate Lampson said that once designed, construction was relatively straightforward and carried out mostly by the company itself.

The superstructure was prefabricated as were the concrete foundation walls. Three cranes – all Lampson models, naturally – lifted the former onto the latter.

The design was one innovation. The all-glass facade was another. The wall of glass means every office has an outside view.

To the north, a massive Lampsonbuilt crane positioned at Big Pasco Industrial Park is visible across the river.

Another innovation is the Lampson Blue Room, a first-floor suite with a kitchen, auditorium and piano bar fashioned from a piano once owned by the founders. The space accommodates employees and community events and has been used for special events.

But it is the fourth floor that takes

“innovative design” to the next level.

The floor where Bill Lampson oversees the company as CEO doubles as a gallery for models of the company’s various cranes and inventions. The floor itself is suspended from the building frame by 1 ½-inch stainless steel wire

rope, each consisting of seven braids.

“This is the same type of wire rope that we use on our cranes, so we know that it’s sturdy and reliable,” Kate Lampson said.

Company leaders relish sharing the “hanging floor” detail with guests.

“It’s always interesting to see the reactions on people’s faces when the topic comes up in a meeting and it is their first time in our building,” she said.

Lampson executives share the top floor with the safety and purchasing departments, accounts payable, receivables and payroll departments and with the marketing and information technology teams.

Engineering occupies the third floor and the second is used for operations and training.

While the building serves the global crane company well, Kate Lampson acknowledged the future could bring updates.

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“Right now we don’t have any plans for expansion although I am sure that with any older building, there will be repairs and replacements in the future. For now, it stands tall and continues to carry on the legacy that my grandparents started so many years ago,” she said. MuellersFuneralHomes.com

Lampson’s unique office is nod to company’s business

Ethos’ evolution includes return to Queensgate area later this year

By Robin Wojtanik for Senior Times

Ethos Bakery & Café wants the community to know it has not closed, even though its shop on Richland’s Keene Road is empty.

Ethos temporarily consolidated operations into its Richland Parkway location while awaiting completion of a new building intended to house all baking and milling operations under one roof.

Ethos must contract before it can expand, said Angela Kora, co-owner.

“We’re working on new and exciting things,” said Kora who is also Ethos’ bakery manager. “Come see us in the meantime so that we can make sure all those new and exciting things can happen.”

The new building at 2290 Keene Road is planned near the same Queensgate Drive and Keene Road intersection where Ethos has operated for the last six years, moving into a spot vacated by Sharehouse Coffee.

The project is being built by developer Greg Markel of Washington Securities and Investment Corp., the same entity behind the neighboring TacoTime and mixed-use building, currently home to Origami Salon and The Kozy Kup.

Markel said Hummel Construction will build the 4,000-squarefoot building, and an early February groundbreaking is planned, weather permitting.

If all goes as planned, construction will take 120 days.

Markel said he has one more lot to develop in the area to the west of

the Kozy Kup. It was originally set to be home to the Dugout Bar & Grill. Though that plan fell through, Markel said he still plans to put a neighborhood pub there.

Kora hopes to be in the new building by the summer, as the move from the Keene Road shop resulted in layoffs of part-time staff and the need to spread operations across two facilities – the location on the eastside of The Parkway near the courtyard, and a

second location, also in The Parkway, that it uses strictly for storage, baking and milling.

When Ethos moved into the central Richland location at 702 The Parkway in 2020, sharing a building with Moniker and Wine Social, it was only intended to be a small storefront, filling a need for a coffee shop in the retail strip and customers visiting the Richland Farmers Market, held weekly from spring to fall.

Kora and co-owner Scot Newell started Ethos in 2011, and opened its first shop, Ethos Trattoria, in north Richland.

Since then, Ethos has expanded its offerings, growing a portfolio to include cold-pressed juices, ice cream and whole grain flour.

Ethos has more than a dozen wholesale accounts for its bread or baked goods, including popular ham and cheese croissants, scones and macrons, which can be found at places like Barracuda Coffee Co. in Richland and Indaba Coffee in Kennewick.

You’ll also find the company’s bread at Richland’s Fiction @ J. Bookwalter and Barnard Griffin Winery and West Richland’s The Endive Eatery.

It features pop-up sales at some events, but no longer has a booth at local farmers markets due to its yearround presence in The Parkway.

Ethos also sells its stone-milled flours to smaller, cottage bakeries along with local Yoke’s Fresh Markets and through direct mail orders.

The company partners with local growers for the variety of grains used in its whole grain flour, along with other natural ingredients, like fruit.

“It’s opened up a whole new world of opportunity for different collaborators, and that’s been really fun,” Kora said. “I think that it gives us an opportunity to look at a regional focus versus just a Tri-Cities focus.”

On its website, Ethos explains how “freshly-ground flour preserves the unique flavors and aromas of each

Courtesy Ethos Bakery

Dorcas Buckley, front of the house manager for Ethos Bakery and Café, displays the proposed building planned for its new location at 2290 Keene Road in Richland. Customers can visit the store at 702 The Parkway in Richland.

Trained mediators help to find common ground when tensions rise

By Laura Kostad for Senior Times

It can be challenging to work out differences.

Sometimes it’s hard to see another’s viewpoint.

Sometimes it’s hard to look within. When disputes escalate, they can bog down the legal system.

That’s why the Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities (DRC) has been working to resolve disagreements since 1999.

The support of trained, unbiased mediators can help people work out their issues, whether it’s discord in the workplace, a business-to-business conflict, a customer having an issue with a business, or a court-referred case involving a divorce, eviction, lawsuit or other small claim.

The Tri-City center has a 75% success rate in resolving disputes.

“Over and over again, studies have shown that people are more likely to abide by agreements made in mediation than court-ordered resolutions,” said Executive Director Paul Shelp. “People are beginning to see it’s to their advantage to settle things out of court.”

The Tri-Cities center is part of a network of 21 not-for-profit centers across the state that offer professional media-

tion services.

All agreements reached in mediation are legal and binding.

“People only have to experience (this) one time to realize it’s possible. They listen to each other, not just yell and hurl accusations. Instead, they do it in such a way that retains relationships. They speak to each other as human beings, which is totally different than if someone is hauled to court.

“We live in a very litigious society. The return on investment of what is saved across the state every month and every year mediating instead of litigating is huge,” said Shelp, a trained mediator who has been with the center for 16 years.

Mediation services are provided by three main sources: attorneys, independent people in the private sector and DRC volunteers.

Because DRC mediators volunteer their time, it is able to provide services on an income-based sliding scale, with the cheapest being $50 for each threehour session.

“It’s an access to justice kind of issue. People who don’t have money can’t hire attorneys yet can still have access to courts and those processes through mediation,” Shelp said.

Franklin and Benton county district courts both require mandatory media-

tion before a small claims case can go to trial. Mediation is mandatory in superior court for divorces.

“(Washington) is not an at-fault state … the question is who determines what’s fair and equitable? The court allows people to do that for themselves if they can do that on their own, or they can come to mediation to help them decide how they’re going to do their settlement,” Shelp said.

This takes pressure off the court system, saving time, money and hassle for the courts, as well as those involved.

Family mediation is what DRC of Tri-Cities handles most, with workplace conflicts coming in second.

“It’s not at all uncommon for someone to be referred in and not be sure why they’re here because they don’t think it’s going to do any good,” Shelp said.

Eviction epidemic

In the wake of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Covid-19 pandemic rent freeze and eviction moratorium, mediation has become even more important.

“All across the state, there are people months and years behind in rent,” Shelp said. “When this was all lifted, (legislators) realized that the courts were going to be flooded with eviction cases.”

The state Legislature passed Senate Bill 5160, the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERPP), which stipulates that landlords must attempt to engage delinquent tenants in professional mediation before they can take them to court to evict them.

As a state-funded and -sponsored program, it costs neither landlords nor tenants anything to pursue mediation.

“It has been very successful from the standpoint of far less evictions in court than there would have been otherwise,” Shelp said.

uDISPUTE RESOLUTION, Page 16

Photo by Laura Kostad

Paul Shelp, executive director of the Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities.

Army JROTC coming to Hanford High School

Hanford High School in Richland will gain a U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) unit when the 2023-24 school year begins in August.

School and district leaders along with community members have worked for nearly a decade to bring a JROTC program to the district. JROTC prepares students for a future as an Army officer, the program’s focus on leadership skills, character development and self-discipline.

“Richland School District has looked forward to partnering with the Army JROTC as we have been on a wait list for a decade. We will begin immediately working through

grain and helps us make more complex and delicious baked goods.” It also says the stone-milling process preserves the nutrients more completely.

It’s still a method Kora finds people in the Tri-Cities aren’t as familiar with. “They haven’t drank the KoolAid yet, right?” she joked. “When we’re talking to bakeries, and even Spokane or Yakima, it’s people who are excited about it, and it’s less of a sell than talking to our retail customers here; it’s a whole new thing for them so there’s a lot more education that goes into it.”

The new Keene Road location will include a larger stone mill, along with the addition of a sifter, thanks to a $122,500 grant from the state Department of Agriculture as part of Covid-19 recovery funding to support local food system infrastructure.

The state said small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities, were affected by food supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and the grants are intended

DISPUTE RESOLUTION, From page 15

It hasn’t been without controversy, however.

The program is set to end June 30.

Shelp speculated that based on its success, lawmakers may push to make it permanent, much like mandatory mediation for divorces and small claims.

Shelp said some attorneys locally and statewide have objected to the ERPP, claiming it deprives landlords of their constitutional rights.

The Tri-Cities’ DRC had successfully mediated over 3,000 cases since its establishment in 1999. Shelp said that for the month of December 2022, at press time, its case count was over 600.

logistics to prepare an excellent program for our students,” says Assistant Superintendent Todd Baddley.

JROTC operates in more than 1,700 public and private schools as well as military institutions and correctional centers.

The curriculum is taught by retired military personnel jointly hired and paid for by the Army and the school district. JROTC units frequently support co-curricular activities such as drill competitions, the physical fitness-focused JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge and air rifle competitions.

“Beyond its ability to prepare students for future careers, JROTC has been shown to increase student attendance, boost graduation rates, reduce discipline issues and so much more,” says Ryan Beard,

to increase resiliency by increasing access to locally-produced food products.

Ethos Holdings was one of 137 businesses receiving grants out of more than 700 who applied for a portion of the $17 million pot.

Along with housing the new mill and sifter, Ethos expects the new building, designed by Archibald & Company Architects, to have space for its single-origin espresso program, by Coava Coffee, along with a drivethru and room for indoor and outdoor seating.

The excitement of the planned expansion is tempered with the current challenges faced, including a punishing winter that has kept people from venturing out on some days and the perception of access issues in The Parkway.

“Parking is not as much of a problem in the morning, when we hope our customers can come by, but it’s not as directly accessible as the Keene spot was for us, and for a lot of people, that drive-thru is really a key for being able to stop in,” Kora said. “I’ve actually heard a lot of people say they

Over the past 18 months, he said his office has worked on about 5,000 ERPP cases, though not all went to formal sitdown mediation.

He said he has three full-time staff members dedicated to ERPP – and it’s still not enough.

Hope is on the horizon because for this biennium the state Legislature has funded the $17 million the 21 DRCs collectively requested after years of operating on the margins with the help of donor assistance.

“We took the RCW and said, ‘If DRCs were fulfilling everything we’re supposed to do, what would it take to fund them and we came up with … $17

RSD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) director.

The Army JROTC unit at Walla Walla High School will help spread word of the new program at upcoming CTE fairs for students in the Richland School District. They will be able to learn how to enroll when selecting fall courses this spring.

New board members elected to Richland Seniors Association

The Richland Seniors Association has elected new board members to two-year terms and officers for 2023 as it moves forward in its mission to improve the quality of life for all Tri-City seniors, not just those in Richland.

Betty Norton, Polly Parton, Fred Shaffner and Steve Shoemaker were

didn’t even know we had parking, and it’s just a reflection of the fact that if you’re not visible to folks, or it’s not on their typical route, it can be hard to get awareness out there.”

Kora said she has heard about more small businesses who survived the pandemic, possibly thanks to Paycheck Protection Program loans from the federal government, who are now facing closure due to inflation and other issues.

“I think it’s just such a complex time coming off the pandemic, and then for us, in particular, having a lot of changes happening right now, while also grappling with significant challenges in terms of increased costs. We’re still trying to figure out what a new normal looks like and the hospitality industry is historically already a tough worklife balance,” she said.

Most of the current Ethos staff is full time, working across the two retail and production locations, with a few employees who have been with the company for more than five years.

The move was burdensome enough, occurring just after Thanksgiving, and the team spent most of December set-

million per biennium,’ ” Shelp said.

This will help the Tri-City branch fund a larger staff to manage the burgeoning caseload, among other things.

To become a DRC mediator, volunteers must complete a weeklong 40-hour basic training which prepares them to mediate any kind of conflict except divorce, i.e., neighbor-to-neighbor, workplace, business and other family conflicts.

At the conclusion, trainees must pass a final exam.

Trainees then become interns who observe a series of four real mediations, then actively mediate four cases alongside an experienced mediator.

elected to fill two-year terms on the board of directors.

Norton is a longtime RSA member who joined in 2004 and served as president from 2008-18. She has continued to serve as a director since that time.

Parton was previously appointed to fill a vacancy ending in 2022 and stepped in to serve as interim president. She was elected president.

Shaffner was previously appointed to fill a vacancy ending in 2022. He is the third Friday dance chairperson.

Shoemaker is a newcomer to the RSA. He is a 30-year resident of the Tri-Cities.

The balance of the board consists of Carol Combs, vice president; Christy Hendricks, treasurer; David Everett, secretary; and directors, Sharon Feser and Marcia Maloney.

tling into a smaller space while still trying to capitalize on holiday shoppers.

A plan to offer expanded options, like pizza or lunches, hasn’t happened as quickly as Kora hoped, but it’s still on the agenda.

“Unexpected barriers with the move got us more behind schedule than we anticipated, and we need to get our logistics in line first. At the end of the day, we have a lot more energy in that space because we have more activity now that it’s the one place people can get our products. We also have a lot more on the shelves and are stocking as much as we can,” she said.

Ethos holds a lease for its Parkway location for at least another two years and hasn’t made any final decisions on whether to keep both locations when it expires.

For now, Kora is focused on getting back to the Queensgate area as quickly as possible.

“It’s a great neighborhood and we’ve gotten to know a lot of the customers in that area, so we’re looking forward to it. Come find us in The Parkway in the meantime,” she said.

A second 20-hour training course is available specifically for family mediation involving divorce.

Shelp said DRC volunteers come from all walks of life, with most having some professional background. They volunteer based on their availability. Volunteer trainings are held every six months. The last session, scheduled for October 2022, was canceled due to no signups. The cost for the training is $350. The next session runs April 14, 15, 16, 29 and 30.

search Dispute Resolution Center of TriCities: 5219 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 11, Kennewick; 509-783-3325; drctc. org.

ETHOS, From page 14