Senior Times - April 2021

DELIVERING NEWS TO MID-COLUMBIA SENIORS SINCE 1982

APRIL 2021

Vol. 9 | Issue 4

Kennewick woman to turn 104 after surviving cancer, heart surgery, pandemic

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

Maxine Reed worried that her wristwatch wasn’t keeping time, saying it was running about 15 minutes behind.

The Kennewick centenarian has every reason to be keep a watchful eye on time’s passing. She’s turning 104 on April 14.

On a recent March day, Reed visited with her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sally Reed of West Richland, in person for the first time in a year marked by Covid-19 separations.

The three seniors are fully vaccinated and it was time to finally get together.

Reed, who has lived at Parkview Estates Senior Living Community in Kennewick for about two years, said she hasn’t felt too isolated in the past year.

“A little bit but it wasn’t too bad – but I’ve missed the kids coming in,” she said.

Maxine has four children, 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Tri-City club seeks new members for friendly fun

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

Is a pandemic a good time to join a new club?

The women who make up the Tri-Cities Newcomers Club think so.

Don’t let the club’s name throw you off. It isn’t strictly for newcomers. It’s a group designed to help women meet one another through social activities and special interest groups. uNEWCOMERS, Page A2

Photo by Kristina Lord Maxine Reed holds a 1980 photo of herself and her late husband, Don, at Parkview Estates Senior Living Community in Kennewick after reminiscing over family photos with her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sally Reed of West Richland. Reed celebrates her 104th birthday on April 14.

Jim said “we were fortunate to have her room next to the window so you could talk to her (from outside). The place before, it was one-story high.”

To celebrate her coming birthday, Jim and Sally hope to have her over

for a small dinner celebration at their home.

Secret to a long life

It’s a common question to ask anyone over 100: what is your secret to a

long life?

Maxine’s answer? “Good clean living will get you a long ways.”

Maxine said when she was younger, “we didn’t even care to smoke,” even though “everybody else did.”

Her son said she’s partial to doughnuts. “She lives off them,” he said.

Throughout her life she’s faced down significant health issues, including breast cancer and heart surgery.

“I’ve had a lot but I’m still alive,” she said.

When she was 95 or so, she had open heart surgery for a valve replacement.

“I had a pacemaker put in. Boy, I’m telling you, I’m all beat up,” she said.

Maxine said she doesn’t have any significant health issues today, other than knee pain on her left side.

“This knee keeps me awake half the night. … I don’t get my rest very good. I sit up half night. That’s the only thing that hurts,” she said.

Family history

Both sets of Maxine’s grandparents uMAXINE, Page A6

Kennewick’s retiring police chief seeks spot on port commission

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Kennewick police Chief Ken Hohenberg is running for the Kennewick Port Commission seat held by Don Barnes in the 2021 election.

Hohenberg registered his campaign with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission on Feb. 27.

He announced his retirement from the city, effective February 2022, at the March 2 city council meeting.

Financial documents show Hohenberg had raised $20,600 as of March 24. His campaign is managed by Al Wehner, a retired Rich-

land police captain, with Forrest Mueggler serving as treasurer.

As police chief, Hohenberg has a Ken Hohenberg long history of working with the port. In 2020, his department was named one of Kennewick’s “Friends of the Port.”

Filing week for candidates is May 17-21. The 2021 primary is Aug. 3.

The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 2 general election.

Hohenberg said he wants to continue to serve the community in retirement.

He began his police career patrolling eastern Kennewick, including Clover Island, where the port is headquartered. He’s watched the port develop the area and its larger territory, which extends to the Benton City area.

Its focus on economic development and jobs resonated with Hohenberg. As both chief and more recently in his secondary role as Kennewick’s deputy city manager uHOHENBERG, Page A5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MONTHLY QUIZ What three buildings in Franklin County are listed on the National Historic Registry?

Covid-19 cleanouts prompt expansion at KC Help

Page A3

When opening day of trout season was a headline affair

Page A9

ANSWER, PAGE A11

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SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021 NEWCOMERS, From page A1

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And there are oodles of activities to choose from: coffee dates, wine and dine events, a monthly luncheon, bunko groups, needlework, pinochle, golf, cooking, gardening, book clubs and bridge.

Of course the past year’s Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns meant many of the group’s activities moved online or were postponed, but the members hope this changes soon as more people are vaccinated and infection rates drop.

The club’s six-page March newsletter announced that the Chick Flicks group wanted to plan an outing to FairPhoto by Kristina Lord child Cinemas. “I am ready to try a The Tri-Cities Newcomers Club’s book club group meets monthly to new movie release,” wrote Patty Kroy, discuss books. Their March selection was “The Silent Patient” by Alex chairwoman of the group, in the news- Michaelides. letter.

“When I got here, I didn’t know from Idaho.

Trudie Walsh of Kennewick, the “This is a very close-knit group that group’s president, said the club will where to turn. I went to the Atomic Bowl (now Fiesta) because I had been follow all the state’s phase guidelines. cares about its members. I am sure our “No exception. We’ve asked each of on bowling leagues before. The man at Zoom meetings have kept us connectthe activity chairs to talk to their people the desk gave me the name of the sec- ed and helped members who might be and get back to us to let us know how retary of one of their daytime leagues. feeling a little isolated at this time,” she they feel. So far, there’s almost a con- But, he said, they have some funny rule said. sensus about this. People are OK with about joining them. I called the secremeeting outside and staying apart and tary and she laughed and said the funny A diverse group rule was that I had to join Newcomers. bringing your own food,” she said.

Tri-Citians who have lived in the That was my lifeline and I have made Reader meetups many friends over the years and held area for a long time also are welcome Walsh said the group’s book clubs, most of the offices at one time or an- to join Newcomers. “There are people held online via Zoom, have thrived in other,” she said. who are members who have lived here the past year.

When Carole Davis moved to the for years,” said Jane Rickel, publicity During a recent meeting, the nine Tri-Cities in 2019, the only person she chairwoman. in attendance talked about why they knew was her daughter.

The club is a member of Visit Trijoined the 119-member club.

“I knew from my move to CaliforNancy Kaushal of Richland joined nia 50 years ago that Newcomers Club Cities, which Rickel said has been the group when she moved to the area was a wonderful way to meet wonder- great for attracting new members.

Only women are allowed, although in 1999. ful people. And I was not disappointed.

“I did not plan to look for a job, and I went to every event I heard of and met the club does organize mixers that insince my children were grown and wonderful people,” she said. clude men. gone, I needed a way to meet people.

Keeping the club going during the Walsh said it’s a diverse group with a I have made many lifelong Newcomer lockdown of the 2020 pandemic was lot of members who have lived all over friends here and have learned to play vital, she said. the U.S. “That gives us a better mix of golf and pinochle in the process. As a “I don’t know what I would have former English teacher, books have al- done without Newcomers. I would ideas,” she said.

Most members are seniors who are ways been a part of my life. The book have been totally isolated and comclub Zoom meetings were a godsend pletely dependent on my daughter. retired but that’s not a requirement to during the pandemic,” she said.

Thank goodness for Newcomers and join.

Nancy Barnum of Richland, who Zoom,” she said.

“I’m 60 and I’m one of the younger joined the group in 1991, was used to Diane Hall-Fausz joined the New- people,” Walsh laughed. military life providing a social lifeline comers Club’s book club seven years “We welcome everybody and there’s as a Navy wife. ago when she moved to Kennewick so many different things to do, and we’re trying to get more things going like board game nights,” she said.

Annual membership has been reduced to $10 due to due to pandemic.

It will return to $20 annually in 2022, Walsh said.

No one knows exactly when the group started but it goes back to at least in 1968 when there were separate newcomer clubs in Richland and Kennewick. The two groups merged in 2005.

Lawn and garden maintenance To learn more about the club, find it on Facebook, email tricitiesnewcomHedge and tree pruning ersclub@gmail.com or send a note to Landscaping installation and restoration Tri-Cities Newcomers, PO Box 1001, Richland, WA 99352-1001.

Finest Groundskeeper LLC (509) 851-7700

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

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Covid-19 cleanouts prompt expansion at KC Help

By Senior Times staff

A Pasco nonprofit that provides home health equipment such as beds and wheelchairs added 400 square feet of storage space in part to keep up with donations as area residents clean out storage units during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Premera Blue Cross donated $5,000 to the Knights Community Hospital Equipment Lend Program, or KC Help, for the project. KC Help has a warehouse and office at 324 W. Margaret St. near Pasco City Hall.

“During this last year, the community has donated a significant amount of gently used medical equipment as people have emptied their storage lockers and garages,” said Jerry Rhoads, president of KC Help.

Hank Ogryzek, vice president, led the volunteers who completed most of the work.

The second-floor addition includes a hoist to lift heavy equipment.

West Richland-based Metalfab and

uBRIEFS Ben Franklin Transit offers service to vaccination sites

Ben Franklin Transit serving Benton and Franklin counties has adjusted its services to help residents reach local Covid-19 vaccination sites.

BFT expanded access to reserved rides regardless of their eligibility for Dial-A-Ride services. Call 509-7350160 to schedule trips to and from vaccine sites.

Pacific Steel of Kennewick donated their services to complete the project, which included installing a trolley beam.

KC Help loans medical equipment to people who cannot afford them or whose insurance or Medicare won’t cover doctor-prescribed equipment.

KC Help spun out of the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy House in the mid-1990s after beginning as a group of volunteers who refitted homes to accommodate ill residents and their medical gear. It branched into providing durable medical equipment when leaders realized there were people who needed equipment they couldn’t get through insurance or Medicare.

David Condon, left, of Premera Blue Cross, presents a $5,000 donation to fund a small expansion at KC Help, a Pasco nonprofit that provides durable medical equipment to needy residents, to Jerry Rhoads, KC Help president.

George Mackie, center, of the KC Help board, looks on.

Also, BFT Connect, the on-demand service, offers expanded destination options to local vaccination sites. Call 509-204-4189 to request a ride.

Go to bft.org/vaccinetransportation for more information about using public transportation to get to vaccination clinics at local pharmacies and other locations.

BFT buses do not serve the mass vaccination center at the BentonFranklin Fairgrounds because of waitin-vehicle requirements.

Courtesy Jerry Rhoads/KC Help

AARP’s Tax-Aide program offers free filing help

The AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program is offering free assistance.

The tax filing deadline is May 17.

Appointments are required and clients must complete Covid-19 screening. Social distancing and face covering will be required.

Appointments may be made at the following locations: • Keewaydin Community Center, 500 S. Auburn St.: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays and Fridays.

• Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• Pasco Police Department, 215 W. Sylvester St.: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays; 1-4 p.m.

Wednesdays.

• Burbank Public Library, 875 Lake Road: 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays.

To schedule, call 509-942-7960 or go to aarpfoundation.org/taxaide.

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SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

Fires pose special threat to senior safety Fires in the home are a threat to everyone’s health and safety – and even to our very survival. But they are a special threat to seniors.

The death toll from home fires is several times higher for those 65 or older than for younger people.

Everyone – but seniors especially – should know about the American Red Cross Home Fire campaign, which aims to save lives by teaching fire safety rules and working with residents to install smoke alarms in homes that don’t have them.

The 2021 version of the campaign will help more than 1,300 households in the Red Cross Northwest region (Washington and north Idaho) bolster their defenses against fire.

The campaign runs until June 30, with an emphasis on the weeks between April 8 and May 9.

In years past, Red Cross teams would visit homes to install smoke alarms and teach fire safety.

Because of Covid-19, the 2021 campaign will be virtual, not face-toface.

You’ll spend 20 to 30 minutes online with a trained Red Cross presenter, learning tips and tricks.

Among them are: • The ins and outs of smoke

alarms: what type to buy, how to install them and where to install them.

• Which rooms in your home require special fire protection.

• How to use home heating devices safely.

• How to survive a home fire.

• How to escape a fire given whatever special limitations you experience as a senior. Can you make it down stairs unassisted? Would hearing loss make it hard for you to hear a conventional smoke alarm?

• Are there must-have medications or medical devices you need to carry with you as you escape a home fire?

Figures from the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, show that U.S. fire departments respond to more than 350,000 home fires a year. Those fires kill an average 2,620 people a year, injure another 11,000 people and cause more than $7 billion in damage a year.

Put another way, there is a home fire somewhere in the U.S. every eight minutes.

Not only are there a lot of home fires, but when they do occur, they can be deadly.

Home fires account for just 27%

of all reported fires in the United States, but they account for 77% of all civilian fire deaths and Gordon Williams 73% of all American Red Cross civilian fire GUEST COLUMN injuries.

That’s for the U.S. population as a whole.

Seniors at greatest risk

The news is much worse for older people.

A study by the federal National Institutes of Standards and Technology, or NIST, showed that those 65 and older, while making up just 13% of the U.S. population, accounted for 32% of all home fire deaths.

Everyone is at risk of death or injury from a fire in the home, but those 65 or older are 2.6 times more likely to die in a fire than someone younger. Those 85 and older are 3.8 times more likely to die in a fire.

Those figures come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It is pretty obvious why the death toll from fire worsens as we get older.

The secret to surviving a home fire is escaping the flames while you can.

The problem is that when fire does break out, you must escape very quickly or you may not escape at all.

A fire can double in size every 30 seconds.

That gives you about two minutes to escape a burning home and reach safety.

The challenge becomes greater for an older person who may have trouble hearing a conventional smoke alarm and have physical limitations.

One conclusion of the NIST study is that “frailty, especially in older populations, hinders the ability to escape and should be recognized as a factor in home fire deaths.”

Fire alarms save lives

The quicker you are warned that there is a fire, the sooner you can begin the process of escaping.

Smoke alarms can make a lifesaving difference, which is why installing alarms in homes that don’t have them is at the heart of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.

“Almost three out of five home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that failed to operate.

The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55% lower in homes

with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked,” a NFPA study concluded.

Since it began the Home Fire campaign, the Red Cross has installed more than 1.5 million smoke alarms.

Those alarms have saved more than 840 lives. Those would be people who survived a fire because hearing the alarm enabled them to get out safely.

Your Red Cross presenter will help you pick the right smoke alarms and make sure you know where to install them.

If you have hearing loss, you may need an alarm that flashes a dazzling light to awaken you. There are alarms that can jiggle the bed to awaken you if you have both hearing and vision issues.

Learn to avoid fires

Next, you will learn vital lessons on how to avoid a fire. The No. 1 room for deaths and injuries from fire is the kitchen, often because a pan left unattended on a stove catches fire.

The Red Cross rule is “keep an eye on what you fry.” In other words, never leave the kitchen when frying, grilling, or using an open flame.

There is another rule about anything that gives off heat – a stove or space or baseboard heaters. That Red Cross rule is “3 feet from the heat.”

If it can catch fire, keep it at least that far from the heat source, Still another rule has to do with using electrical appliances safely.

The Red Cross advises you to plug appliances directly into a wall outlet rather into an extension cord. Power demands of an appliance can overload an extension cord and set off a fire.

You certainly know about never smoking in bed, but do you remember to keep the bedroom door closed when you are sleeping? The closed door can keep out flames and toxic smoke, greatly enhancing your ability to escape. Have a telephone near to where you sleep in case of an emergency.

Escape plan

Finally, you will learn how to create a fire escape plan – a well thought-out strategy for making it to safety within the two-minute window you have to reach safety. You will use a graph to draw a floor plan of your home to design an escape route, Everyone in the home should know that escape route – one that will get you to safety inside of two minutes – and practice it until it becomes second nature. Another bit uRED CROSS, Page A10

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021 HOHENBERG, From page A1

Courtesy WSU Tri-Cities Bob Ferguson, a longtime Tri-Citian and former Energy Northwest and Department of Energy executive, donated $500,000 to endow a chair in energy at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

WSU Tri-Cities launches energy institute with $500K gift

By Senior Times staff

A longtime Tri-Citian has made a $500,000 gift to support Washington State University Tri-Cities’ first endowed faculty position in energy and the environment.

Bob Ferguson, whose career took him from reactor physicist at Hanford’s B Reactor to the U.S. Department of Energy to CEO of the Washington Public Power Supply System (now Energy Northwest), made the gift to help solidify the Tri-Cities as a hub for energy development, according to the announcement issued March 23 in Pullman.

His donation sets the stage for WSU to develop an energy institute at its Richland campus.

The gift continues Ferguson’s longstanding interest in the school, which began 70 years ago as the General Electric School of Nuclear Engineering. Ferguson, according to WSU, played a key role in expanding it into a full-fledged WSU campus.

With the gift, he challenged the TriCities to take the lead in energy development in Washington and the region.

“Energy is the source of all economic development,” he said in a prepared statement. “We need a curriculum. We need a workforce for the future. WSU Tri-Cities is uniquely positioned to integrate all these areas.

WSU could lead this effort for the state and the nation.”

Ferguson encouraged others to make contributions to support the new institute.

WSU said it will focus on shaping the Northwest’s energy recourses and will build on WSU research strengths in water resources, the environment, agriculture, policy and economics.

“We are incredibly grateful to Bob for his generous gift and its vast potential impacts for the Tri-Cities region and Washington state as a whole,” said WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes.

Haynes announced the gift locally March 24 during the monthly Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon, held via Zoom.

The gift to WSU is the latest act of philanthropy from the Ferguson family.

Ferguson and his family supported construction of the Ferguson Education Montessori facility at Richland’s Christ the King Catholic School in 2020. The preschool education center is named to honor his late wife, Katie, who died in 2018. She taught at Christ the King and was its first lay principal.

he shares those quality-of-life goals for Kennewick.

The idea to run for port commission came during a run past the port’s office. It looked like an exciting way to stay involved in the community, but on a part-time rather than full-time-plus basis.

“You can’t go from 100 mph to zero,” he said.

Hohenberg notified the port’s commissioners, including his potential opponent, about his plan to run for office. Barnes has not indicated if he will seek an additional term.

Barnes, the commission’s current chairman, has had a rocky tenure since 2019, when the port’s leaders sparred over the sale of private land near its Vista Field redevelopment.

The private sale by an owner unrelated to the port went through. The site is being developed as Miramar Clinic by Yakima Valley Farm Workers.

The debate led to an anonymous complaint against Barnes and fellow commissioner Tom Moak, alleging they violated port policies and abused the port’s executive director. Commissioner Skip Novakovich later acknowledged filing the complaint.

An independent investigation

concluded some charges were accurate.

Moak accepted punishment but Barnes maintained he did nothing wrong and challenged the findings.

An independent judge exonerated him in December. The port said the complaint has cost $400,000 to date in investigation fees, the hearing fees and resolving public records requests by Barnes.

Barnes is seeking reimbursement for his $50,000 legal bill. The request was pending at the time this paper went to press.

Hohenberg said he has good relationships with the three commissioners, including Barnes. But he wants port resources to support important projects.

“As a port commissioner, I think I could bring some better stewardship to taxpayer dollars,” he said.

Hohenberg grew up in Richland and graduated from Columbia, now Richland, High School in 1974. He began as a Richland police cadet but joined Kennewick because, he said, they tested first.

Hohenberg and his wife, Trish, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They have two grown daughters.

You’ve loved them like family in life, let us help you care for them like family in passing.

Call (509) 627-7297 (PAWS) for more information.

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If you are planning to move, please let us know in advance so you don’t miss one issue.

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SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021 MAXINE, From page A1

– her dad was about 7, she said – traveled to the Northwest in a wagon train and homesteaded the land, growing wheat.

“Grandma used to make biscuits for the (Native Americans) and they just loved them,” Maxine said.

Born in Walla Walla, Maxine remembers playing as a child on the land that’s now the Whitman Mission National Historic Site.

“She used to play on Narcissa and Marcus’ graves before the government took it over,” Sally said.

Narcissa and Marcus Whitman were missionaries to the Cayuse Nation in the early nineteenth century, bringing with them diseases that devastated the native population. The Whitmans and 12 others were attacked and killed by the Cayuse in 1847.

“Us kids used to climb that hill where they buried that doctor and his wife and look at the grave. There was a little fence around it, and it was on top of the ground. We’d just stand there and look at it and go home,” Maxine said.

Sally said Maxine’s sister married the man who owned and farmed the mission land until the federal government bought it from them.

During the Depression, Maxine’s family moved to California when she was about 13 for a couple of years and

then to Yakima.

There, she met her husband Don, who spent his working life working on railroads. They moved to Hermiston and eventually settled in Burbank. He died in 1986.

A day in the life

The longtime widow celebrated her centennial birthday with family.

“All the family from Walla Walla got together at Granny’s Buffet,” Sally said.

Maxine lives a quiet life. Her neat, well-lit Parkview room features framed embroidery and photos on the walls, a stack of magazines to read, a bowlful of jellybeans (they’re her favorite candy) to share with visitors and a TV typically tuned to a western program.

She’s up at 5 a.m. for breakfast at 7 a.m.

She doesn’t need help to dress or shower but she does use a walker to get around.

Lunch is at 11 a.m. She takes a daily nap.

“Sometimes I’ll sit down there with the ladies. That’s about my life,” she said. “These old people I don’t know what they do. I go to bed about 9 o’clock.”

At the end of Sally and Jim’s recent visit, it appeared her “goofed up” watch was keeping time again – and this made her happy.

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

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National Guard digs in on $15M Richland readiness center

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

It took 10 years of meticulous planning, but a modern take on a military armory is taking shape in north Richland.

The Washington Army National Guard is building a $15 million, 40,000-square-foot readiness center at Horn Rapids Industrial Park to serve a 150-member Stryker Infantry Unit.

It will be ready by spring or summer 2022, with classrooms and conference rooms available for public use at 2655 First St. “We’re looking forward to being in the area,” said Col. Adam Iwaszuk, director of the Washington Military Department’s construction and facilities management office in Olympia.

The readiness center serves a similar function to armories, but has more communal facilities than its forebearer, including a fitness center and kitchen.

A decade in making

It took a decade to bring the readiness center to the starting line. The process began in 2011 when the guard identified the need. The concept had to be shepherded through the National Guard Bureau and ap-

Courtesy Washington Army National Guard The Washington Army National Guard has started construction of a $15 million readiness center in Richland’s Horn Rapids Industrial Park at 2655 First St. Richland-based Fowler Construction is the general contractor.

proved for federal and state funding.

Every year, the 54 states and U.S. territories compete for approval for projects 10 years out. Between 12 and 16 get the go ahead, Iwaszuk said.

The Richland project was approved in 2012 for a construction bid in 2020, one of 16 approved that year.

Funding is split 75%-25% between the U.S. and state govern-

ments, with $11.4 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Defense and $3.8 million from the Washington state capital projects budget, approved by lawmakers in 2019.

Iwaszuk said the Tri-Cities was identified a decade ago based on its growing population as well as its aging armory in Pasco. The readiness center will not replace the armory, but if the older building is retired, the

new one maintains a local presence.

“It gives us a good foothold in the area,” he said.

Stryker home base

The center will serve as home base for a Stryker unit associated with the National Guard’s 81st Brigade Combat Team, whose members will travel to Richland to fulfill their commitment to drill one weekend a month uNATIONAL GUARD, Page A10

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SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

Local Pumpkin thrives as Covid-19 propels demand for food delivery

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Cathy and John Franklin were vacationing with family in Arizona one year ago and watching television when former President Donald Trump advised citizens to avoid groups of more than 10.

As the couple watched the president and Dr. Anthony Fauci address the Covid-19 threat, they felt the weight of the coming shutdowns.

Back home in Pasco, the Franklins ran the Local Pumpkin, a community supported agriculture (CSA) business delivering weekly boxes of locallygrown produce and food to about 600 customers in the greater Tri-City area.

Food shortage fears triggered an almost instant surge for Local Pumpkin. Two hundred people signed up the next day. Within a week, its customer base doubled to about 1,200.

“We’re in Arizona going, ‘Oh crap,’ ” John Franklin recalled. “We had to figure out a waiting list. We couldn’t quite ramp up fast enough.”

Responding to demand

The Franklins adapted quickly, adding a third delivery day and a third packing day to their weekly schedule. They delivered more than 25,000 boxes in 2020 and saw revenue double to more than $1 million.

The company has 20 full- and parttime employees.

“It was kind of a wild ride,” John said. “From a business standpoint, we were the opposite of shut down.”

He credits a thoughtful approach to growing the business with helping meet the explosive growth.

“We had the infrastructure more or less to handle it. By God’s grace, we were set up to do it. It kind of fell in our laps.”

The Franklins started Local Pumpkin in 2014. John had a business background, including owning software companies and working as a manager for Basin Disposal. Cathy is a counselor who stayed home and raised their five children, including home-schooling. She had a long-standing interest in healthy eating.

The couple both enjoyed farmers markets but family life kept them from going as often as they wanted. When they could, they had to visit multiple markets to find all the produce grown in the Mid-Columbia.

They were familiar with CSAs, which typically entail a farmer delivering a box to subscribers each week.

The Tri-Cities needed one that could leverage the bounty of the region without being a side business for a busy farmer.

They started with what John called “awkward” conversations with vendors at the Pasco Farmers Market.

Most gave him odd looks, but a few were interested enough to do business with him.

A notice on Facebook produced the first 25 customers.

For the first summer, the Franklins bought produce at the farmers market and boxed it for customers at their kitchen table, with help from their kids. They spent more than they charged, but it served as a good pilot for the business.

By the second year, Local Pumpkin had doubled to 120 customers. The kitchen table wasn’t big enough anymore. Local Pumpkin rented a grange hall in Pasco one day a week where family and friends helped them pack boxes. They paid supporters in produce.

When the customer base grew to 300, the couple eyed the old barn be-

Photo by Wendy Culverwell A custom packed box of produce is ready for delivery for customers of Local Pumpkin, a grocery service with roots in community-supported agriculture, run by Cathy and John Franklin in unincorporated Franklin County.

hind their home in unincorporated Franklin County.

They took out a home equity loan to fix it up with a concrete floor, insulation and air conditioning.

In the first years, customers received boxes with whatever produce Local Pumpkin sourced that week.

The Franklins tried to select items with broad appeal and even surveyed members about their preferences, but the results were all over the place.

“Some people love beets, some people hate beets,” John said.

Year-round deliveries

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Cathy and John Franklin run Local Pumpkin, a local and organic boxed food delivery service, from the barn behind their home in unincorporated Franklin County.

As it added more vendors, including prepared foods and meats, customers got more choice in what came in their boxes. But one message was clear: Customers wanted year-round deliveries, not just seasonal one.

It partnered with Organically Grown, an Oregon company, to keep it provisioned with organic products

throughout the year.

Software lets customers treat Local Pumpkin as a store, choosing what they want from its website. And they’re no longer confined to produce.

Local Pumpkin offers dry goods, soup mixes, bakery and fresh dairy and meats. In March, it added PruduLOCAL PUMPKIN, Page A10

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

A9

When opening day of trout season was a headline affair

By East Benton County Historical Society

Washington state’s biggest outdoor event once was a single Sunday morning each spring – the statewide opening of trout fishing.

Fishermen by the thousands descended upon Washington’s lowland lakes to wet their lines.

Today, the event doesn’t compare to the attention opening day once received.

Back then, banner headlines about opening day dominated sports pages.

Outdoor columnists and beat writers pegged their stories to the prospects of opening day.

“Migration Starting for Sunday Fish Opener,” ran the sports page banner headline in the Tri-City Herald 65 years ago, on April 20, 1956. Opening day was to be April 22.

The article described the early exodus of anglers from the Tri-Cities for favorite lakes, further noting caravans of campers, pickups, cars and boats in tow would only intensify as the weekend unfolded.

Prospects for anglers, primarily in Eastern Washington’s lowland lakes, were expressed. They were told to stay away from popular and usually productive lakes in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, which were still iced over.

Such accounts have become a thing of the past.

So has the state’s “opening day” in a way.

Some areas still have one, but not necessarily simultaneous. Others, like Benton and Franklin counties, can drop a line in their trout lakes year around. With rule changes through the years, the excitement of anticipation, accordingly, has diminished.

But the excitement of opening day has been lost.

Where voices of coyotes pierced the clear night sky during the week, and jackrabbits dodged freely through

Courtesy East Benton County Historical Society Rilda Owens stands by log home with string of trout in this undated photo. The opening day of trout fishing made big news 65 years ago. In Kahlotus, anglers hooked 3,487 trout.

high sage, weekend “cities” spawned at lakes in a mass of anglers anticipating the first day of trout fishing.

Voices from campsites up and down shorelines created comforting lullabies for children to sleep by as families, friends, and newfound acquaintances conversed.

When midnight struck on April 22, 1956, trout fishing opened.

Some anxious fishermen already were trekking down darkened paths to the shoreline, carrying lanterns dancing like a swarm of fireflies.

By first light, fresh-caught trout sizzled in frying pans on a campfire or on Coleman camp stoves.

The sweet scent of crackling sagebrush limbs or fruit wood burning in campfires filled the morning air.

Complementing the fresh fried breakfast trout were perhaps green onions, other condiments, and lots of butter. A side of flapjacks might accompany the tender taste of breakfast trout, while coffee pots perked away.

Boats glided across lakes, some taking up anchored positions, and others in a quiet, slow troll breaking glasssmooth surfaces.

Lures and spinners and strings of

flashers attracted trout in one way.

Fresh bait, like worms and fish eggs, richly colored in their transparent bottles, drew them in another direction.

In 1956, one of the most popular opening day destinations was Kahlotus Lake, near the tiny northeastern Franklin County town of Kahlotus.

That year fishermen were warned silt might muddy the waters and, indeed, the riled waters were suspected of hurting the catch of 1,127 opening day anglers.

They hooked 3,487 trout, averaging 12 inches on a 15 per day, per angler or 7½-pound single catch limit.

Above the north shore, a tackleand-bait shop helped stock anglers’ gear. Accommodations were offered in cabins above railroad tracks that passed nearby.

Today, all that is gone, as are the

independent railroad tracks on both the north and south shores. Kahlotus Lake dried up and its bottom was turned into farmland.

But, on April 22, 1956, outboards like the Mary Lou, powered by a 5-horsepower Johnson motor, cruised to a large butte surrounded by lake waters, dropped anchor and two Kennewick brothers and their three sons fished their hearts out.

The next day in the Tri-City Herald and the now-defunct Columbia Basin News trumpeted the success of the fishermen.

Huge black leaders blared from the sports page of the Columbia Basin News, extolling how 7,532 anglers on 540-acre Blue Lake in Sun Lakes State Park had caught 90,000 trout, 90% of which were rainbow and 10% silvers.

The Tri-City Herald broke down every lake by numbers of anglers, fish caught and average length of the catch.

A 4-pounder had come out of Hampton in the Potholes in the Columbia Basin, and even though Camp Lake, rugged in and rugged out, had only 602 anglers, they surpassed Kahlotus Lake’s larger number of fishermen with a catch of 4,811.

The two Teal lakes in the Potholes, North and South, combined with 970 anglers and a catch of 7,325.

All this and more added up to the exclamation as the Herald’s sports page banner headline on April 23, 1956: “Most Happy Who Fished Columbia Basin Lakes.”

A10

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

NATIONAL GUARD, From page A7 will be posted to Richland as well.

Richland-based Fowler Construction won the design-build contract in September.

Of the 16 projects authorized in the 2020 federal budget, Richland was one of nine that met a Sept. 30 deadline to award construction bids.

It is an accomplishment to be proud of, Iwaszuk said.

“It shows that the Washington

Army National Guard is very organized.”

The project was competitive in part because the National Guard bought the 40-acre site in Richland in 2017. It paid the city of Richland $1.7 million for the land at First Street and Polar Way. “That’s why we buy land years in advance. We can compete because we own the land,” he said.

As work gets started in Richland, Iwaszuk is busy planning for new

projects a decade in the future.

For 2021, Iwaszuk is putting forth a request to build a field maintenance shop at the Tumwater readiness center. Tumwater’s nearly complete 80,000-square-foot readiness center is similar to Richland’s, but larger. Adding a maintenance shop will transform it into a regional military anchor.

He also is preparing plans for a Richland-style readiness center in Ellensburg, he said.

LOCAL PUMPKIN, From page A8

new feature. Customers shop for items using a point system.

Local Pumpkin is still a CSA and emphasizes its connection to the 30 farmers and 15 other vendors that supply it. But today, the Franklins said customers can use it for more

than produce.

“Some customers use it so much I don’t think they go to the store very often,” John said.

After the wild ride of 2020, the couple is grateful to see the business that started as a labor of love grow.

They want to move out of the barn, add deliveries to Prosser and implement a healthy food line up.

“We decided for 2021 to keep doing what we’re doing and expand where we can. But we’re staying put on the property,” John said.

RED CROSS, From page A4

Running an escape drill will show you whether you can escape within two minutes, or whether you will need special help in a fire. The Red Cross presenter can talk about what assistance someone with special needs might need. You also can discuss your situation with your local fire department. Let them know about your special needs before there is a fire. The fire dispatcher can pass that information to responding units in case of an actual fire.

Some solutions are fairly obvious.

If you would have trouble making it down a staircase, consider moving your bedroom to a ground floor.

Keep must-have medical devices, medications and vital papers where they can be grabbed quickly as you flee the fire.

If you think the campaign makes sense for you, sign up at redcross. org/nwhomefire.

The Central and Southeastern Chapter of the Red Cross is at 7202 W. Deschutes Ave. in Kennewick.

The phone is 509-783-6195.

How to sign up

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

and two weeks a year.

Reservists report to centers for briefings and equipment, then head out for field training. For the National Guard, that is typically the Yakima Firing Range or Joint Base LewisMcChord. Reservists will report to Richland for deployments to local, state or federal assignments as well.

In addition to the part-time reservists, three or four full-time reservists

hoe Bay-caught salmon from Alaska. The Walla Walla vendor needed a new outlet to sell after its regular roster of restaurant customers dried up.

In January, it added yet another

of Red Cross advice is to “go low and go.” Smoke is every bit as dangerous as fire. Since smoke rises, staying low as you escape will keep you from the worst of it.

Don’t linger inside to call for help.

Get everyone safely outside and then call 911. Finally, the Red Cross warns that once you have made it to safety, stay outside: Never go back inside for people, pets or things.

Competitive project

The time to accept your limitations and plan around them is before your home catches fire

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

Just for Fun

Crossword

Across 1 Start of Operation Overlord 5 Banned pollutants 9 Former Soviet ruler --Andropov 10 Acute 11 Watch 14 When one is supposed to get there 15 Metal container 16 Period of history 17 Judicial restraint 19 Variable 22 Old-fashioned 23 Hung around 25 First of her kind 26 The whole race, or a member of half of it

27 30 33 34 35 36

A11

Solutions on page A13

Put down in the street Journey’s end Yearned The power to reject Playthings Thrust with a knife

Down 1 Embankment 2 Musical composition for two 3 Extent of space 4 Pup’s cry 5 Remarkable events 6 Reef 7 Cattle classifications 8 Puffball emissions 10 Obstacle 12 Scholarly centers

13 17 18 19 20 21 24 27 28 29 31 32

Not any Light rowboat Slender bar Ran away Occupy Worldwide cultural org.

South African monetary unit Tokyo legislature Small thing Nose-in-the-air sort Your, old style Domestic channels for news, education, entertainment and rubbish

Word search - Herbs and spices Senna

Basil

Ginger

Sesame

Bay

Hyssop

Sorrel

Camomile

Lettuce

Tansy

Capers

Mace

Thyme

Caraway

Mint

Woad

Chervil

Myrrh

Chive

Rue

Cress

SUDOKU SUDOKU

4 6 6 7 7 2 32 53 5 8 8 9 9 2 2 7 7 5 5 6 6 9 7 47 24 2 3 43 48 1 1 3 3 4

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

Sudoku - Tough

Medium Medium

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

Str8ts - Easy

Sage STR8TS STR8TS

Very Hard Very Hard

74 94 9 1 8 8 1 2 52 5 8 8 3 7 3 7 5 5 3 23 6 2 6 7

4 84 9 8 9 5 5 69 6 8 8 5 1 5 1 4 4 8 7 17 1 6 6

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

Dill

© 2021 Syndicated Puzzles

Anise

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.

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3 6 2 1 5 remove that number as an option in that row 4 3 6 2expiration 1 5 date be placed on packages of remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our 3 5 2 1 4 and column, and are not part of any straight.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our 3 5 2 1 4 perishable foods. Apps and much Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ books, iPhone/iPad more on our store.

2 1 3 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. are formed.

2 1 3 Apr. 27: Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves baseball are formed.

Turn Back the Clock...

1971

Str8ts example

team became only the third player in U.S. Major League Baseball to hit 600 home runs in his career.

ANSWER Quiz answer from Page A1

The Franklin County Courthouse, the Moore Mansion and the Carnegie Library, home of the Franklin County Museum.

— Source: Franklin County Museum

A12

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

Entrepreneurial teacher opens gourmet cookie shop in Richland

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

A Richland elementary school teacher who runs a festive wintertime side hustle is adding another one – this one catering to the Tri-City sweet tooth.

Kevin Hatch, 39, opened Crumbl Cookie in late March. The cookie shop franchise features a weekly rotating menu of more than 120 specialty flavors.

The new store at 2665 Queensgate Blvd. in Vintner Square shares a strip mall anchored by Five Guys and Maurices, near Target.

Hatch said that’s intentional.

“When we were searching for locations, we looked all over the Tri-Cities. Crumbl likes to be next to Target.

That’s their demographic: The Target mom,” he said, referring to the Orem, Utah-based company.

The pandemic delayed their opening plans slightly, mainly due to supply chain issues, but waiting for the previous tenant’s lease to expire for their coveted neighbor-to-Target location took longer.

Why Crumbl?

Hatch and his business partner, Ian Taylor of Provo, Utah, a friend for over 20 years, began planning in earnest to open the 1,700-square-foot store in August 2019.

Taylor and Hatch served together during a two-year Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission in New Mexico. They’ve been friends ever since.

Taylor pitched the Crumbl franchise idea to Hatch.

“I fell in love with the cookie and then the Crumbl brand and what it offers customers. He said, ‘We’ve got to bring this to the Tri-Cities,’ ” Hatch said.

Hatch said the franchise is “just growing like crazy across the nation.”

Two cousins opened the first Crumbl in Logan, Utah, in 2017, and the franchise has expanded to more than

75 locations in 11 states.

The Richland store will be the first on the east side of the state, with stores already open in Covington and Puyallup. A new store in Marysville is opening in March.

“I grew up here, and it seems like we’ve always been the last to get things. We’re still waiting on things that some bigger cities have. Crumbl is one of those things that bigger cities have. We’re excited to bring it here.

We have great faith in our community and know they will support it,” Hatch said.

Crumbl customers can order takeout, curbside pickup, delivery or nationwide shipping via the app.

Fancy flavors galore

Among the shop’s unique cookie flavors are cinnamon swirl, caramel popcorn, peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate fudge frosting, red velvet white chip and molten lava cookies with a gooey center.

“There’s no end in sight to the new cookie flavors they’re bringing out,” said Taylor, whose day job for the past 13 years is vice president of sales for a software company.

The most popular cookie flavors include Nutella, raspberry cheesecake and lemon poppyseed, Hatch said.

“Some of them do have a cult following,” he said.

Those who prefer the familiar comforts of traditional flavors can enjoy Crumbl’s warm milk chocolate chip and chilled sugar cookies as they’re always on the menu.

“They really just perfected it.

They’ve perfected the chocolate chip cookie but the chilled sugar cookie is my favorite. They use almond extract and that takes it over the top for me,” he said.

Many of Crumbl’s cookies are served warmed. After baking, they’re placed in a warmer to maintain that “just out of the oven” temperature.

“Even if delivered, they’ll be served

warm,” Hatch said.

All the cookies are from scratch, Hatch said. “Nothing is premade. We have an open concept kitchen. Customers will be able to see us making cookies.”

But don’t expect to try each of their flavors when you visit the store.

C r u m b l pushes out four Photo by Kristina Lord new weekly flavors every Sun- Longtime friends Kevin Hatch of Richland and Ian Taylor of Utah decided to become business partners and day. “ T h e y ’ r e open a Crumbl Cookie store at 2665 Queensgate Blvd. trying to keep in Vintner Square in Richland. the element of program and delivery, using its own surprise and anticipation by only re- drivers and DoorDash. leasing the cookie flavors the Sunday before so people are always looking Teacher & entrepreneur Hatch is a teacher with an entrepreand always coming back,” Hatch said. neurial heart.

The Richland store’s cookie prices The Richland father of four, ages are $3.98 for one cookie, $13.48 for a 2, 4, 6 and 8, is in his second year of four-pack and $34.88 for a dozen.

Their ice cream sells for the same teaching. He worked as a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary in price – $3.98 a pint.

Wait, what? They sell cookies and Richland his first year. This year, he’s teaching first-graders at the Richland ice cream?

Yes, the store sells half pints of ice Virtual School, the school district’s cream in a variety of cookie-inspired new online-only school.

The virtual school means he can flavors: cookies & cream, salted carastructure some of his day on his own mel, s’mores, chocolate cake, vanilla, schedule. The class meets live Tueschurro and muddy buddy.

Six ice cream flavors will rotate day, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. He prepares video lessons and quarterly, Hatch said.

Crumbl doesn’t offer indoor seat- other assignments for students for the ing, but will have a couple tables out- rest of the week.

“I don’t have a traditional schedule side. like a teacher does in a classroom,” he To wash down the cookie goodness, said. customers can buy milk, chocolate While he’s teaching, he plans to milk and water in an aluminum bottle. rely on his Crumbl crew – more than The store offers catering, a rewards 40 bakers, delivery drivers and shift leads – to run the shop.

While most are part-timers, about six to eight will be shift leads.

“I’m surrounded by great people.

It’s not a one-man show. I have excellent family support, a great business partner and a great team of people around me,” he said.

An early start

Hatch began his entrepreneurial career early.

The Kennewick High graduate used to buy bags of candies at Costco and sell them his siblings’ friends who came over to their house. He ran a shaved ice business and mowed lawns. uCRUMBL, Page A14

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021 BRIEFS Report: Covid-19 rates dropping in nursing homes

New Covid-19 cases in nursing homes dropped 82% from their pandemic high, according to a report citing figures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Nursing homes saw a steep decline compared to the peak of 30,000 the week of Dec. 20, 2020, according to a report from the American Heath Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.

The report cites the impact of Covid-19 vaccination efforts in facilities catering to seniors for helping lower infection rates.

Mid-Columbia Libraries offer in-person browsing

Mid-Columbia Libraries branches are offering limited in-person activities for patrons.

The library system offers curbside pickup as well as limited browsing inside branches and use of computers.

Online print drop and pickup and in-person copying, printing and scanning are available as well.

The Kennewick branch welcomes walk-ins from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. High risk customers are welcome from 1030-11:30 a.m.

Thursday.

The branches in Basin City, Connell, Kahlotus, Merrill’s Corner and Pasco offer in-branch services during regular branch hours.

Face masks and social distancing are required and occupancy is limited. Computer stations and hightouch areas are sanitized frequently.

Returned items are held for 72 hours in quarantine. There are no in-person programs and study, and meeting rooms are still closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Go to midcolumbialibraries.org.

Washington retains ‘best state’ status

Washington is the best state in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual assessment of states.

Rankings are based on health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and the natural environment.

The magazine cited the strength of the state’s tech sector, its low-carbon energy system and its “robust” higher education system for its strong showing in an article that generally highlighted west side politics and businesses.

Rounding out the Top 10 were No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Utah, No. 4 New Hampshire, No. 5 Idaho, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 9 Massachusetts and No. 10 Florida.

The bottom 10 were No. 41 Kentucky, No. 42 South Carolina, No. 43 Oklahoma, No. 44 Arkansas, No. 45 Alaska, No. 46 Alabama, No. 47 West Virginia, No. 48 New Mexico, No. 49 Mississippi and No. 50 Louisiana.

Oregon was No. 22.

Go to: usnews.com/news/best-states/ rankings.

Visit Tri-Cities offering free wine passport

Visit Tri-Cities is offering a free wine passport filled with deals to encourage visitors to check out the region’s wineries.

Deals include being a wine club member for a day and discounts on wine purchases, wine tastings and food at 20 different wineries from Pasco to Prosser.

The Tri-Cities Wine Passport is delivered via text and email – there’s no app to download.

When visiting a participating winery, passholders simply present their phone to redeem the special offer.

If passholders also “check in” at a specific number of locations, they also are eligible to win one of four $50 gift cards.

To download the passport, go to bit. ly/TCWinePassport.

A13

Bookmobile retires after 72 years

Courtesy Mid-Columbia Libraries Mid-Columbia Libraries retired its Bookmobile in early 2021 after 72 years of service. The Bookmobile served farming communities in rural, unincorporated parts of Benton and Franklin counties since 1949. The library system launched a new program called Rural Services to serve the Mesa, Plymouth and Paterson communities, as well as other rural areas of the Mid-Columbia region. Questions about how it works? Call 509-737-6375 or email ruralservices@midcolumbialibraries.org.

Puzzle answers from page A11

Crossword

Str8ts

Str8ts Solution

1 2 2 3 3 4 1 8 7 9 8 7 6 6 5

1 2 2 3 3 4 1 8 7 9 8 7 6 6 5

4 6 5 7 1 2 3

8 7 8 7 5 7 9 9 6 8 6 5 4 5 4 2 3 6 2 1 3 4 2 1

4 6 5 7 1 2 3

8 7 8 7 5 7 9 9 6 8 6 5 4 5 4 2 3 6 2 1 3 4 2 1

8 7 6 5 4

Sudoku

Word search

Str8ts Solution

4 5 6 5 2 1 3 2 3 7 4 8

4 5 6 5 2 1 3 2 3 7 4 8

Sudo

Sudoku Solution

8 7 6 5 4

5 7 1 4 2 6 9 8 3

3 8 4 5 9 1 6 2 7

6 9 2 8 3 7 4 5 1

1 6 5 3 7 4 8 9 2

7 4 9 2 5 8 3 1 6

2 3 8 6 1 9 5 7 4

For more strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org and www.str8ts.com.

4 5 6 7 8 2 1 3 9

9 2 3 1 6 5 7 4 8

8 1 7 9 4 3 2 6 5

5 7 1 4 2 6 9 8 3

3 8 4 5 9 1 6 2 7

A14

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

CRUMBL, From page A12

“I guess it’s being your own boss is part of it,” he said. “Working for the man has its benefits too. There’s benefits on both sides.”

Another aspect of being his own boss that he enjoys is identifying problems and solving them.

Fourteen years ago, he launched a holiday lighting service business, Deck the Hall, which hangs, maintains and takes down Christmas lights for commercial and residential customers.

BRIEFS Dean Strawn, business and civic leader, dies

Dean Strawn, a Tri-City businessman and devoted civic leader, died March 5 following a long illness. He was 77.

Strawn was a longtime member of Columbia Center Rotary and was named Tri-Citian of the Year in 1997 and Kennewick Man of the Year in 1998.

Originally from Fruitland, Idaho, he spent his adult life in the TriCities, where he worked for and then became owner and president of Dependable Janitor Service.

He served on a dizzying array of civic groups, including the

Courtesy Crumbl

His nephew Landon Willard bought into the business in 2020. They employ up to eight people seasonally.

Kennewick Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-City Development Council, the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Private Industry Council and many more.

He and wife Sandi, former Benton County commissioner, celebrated their golden anniversary on June 8, 2013, with their children, Diona and Steve, and grandchildren.

Richland Cash & Carry is now a CHEF’STORE

The Richland Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice store has been rebranded as a US Foods CHEF’STORE, effective March 1.

US Foods acquired Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores in April 2020 to accelerate growth in the

Parkview is happy to announce new guidelines for the community!

• Indoor visits for residents and their families • Restaurant style dining is back in the dining rooms • In person activities have been expanded • Onsite tours To schedule a tour call

(509) 734-9773 7820 W. 6th Avenue • Kennewick, WA

www.Parkviewslc.com Independent/Assisted Living and Respite Care

It originally started when Hatch and his buddy were doing landscaping work. They started it and each made $24. “We thought we were doing great,” he said.

Today, the business has more than 300 customers.

Hatch said he makes as much from Deck the Hall as teaching, “if not more,” he said.

So why would a busy father of four, a full-time teacher and owner of another business want to launch a new franchise like Crumbl, Hatch laughed

and said, “I wonder myself why I’m doing this.”

“I was sold on the product and the process and the people. They’ve perfected the cookie and their branding is spot on. I just want to be a part of it.

They have a proven, successful model,” he said.

Store hours are 8-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; and closed on Sundays. More information: crumblcookies.com.

cash and carry market. This change combines the US Foods brand with the assortment, pricing and customer service of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores, paving the way for an enhanced customer experience, according to US Foods.

As part of the rebranding, all 72 Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores, including the one in Richland at 1939 Fowler St., updated store signage, marketing and promotional materials, associate uniforms and other elements in and around the stores.

Shoppers can still expect the same service and products at the whole foods and restaurant supplier. Over time, stores will begin to introduce US Foods Exclusive Brands to expand product assortment.

US Foods operates 33 stores in the state, including a new one in Clarkston.

US Foods, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, is a foodservice distributor, partnering with about 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators.

Covid-19 vaccinations don’t affect life insurance policies

Getting a Covid-19 vaccination will not affect current or future life insurance policies, contrary to misinformation circulating online.

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a clarification over lingering concerns that getting a vaccination could affect insurance coverage.

“A person’s vaccine status is not part of policy language nor is it a consideration when applying for a new policy,” he said, while encouraging Washington residents to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

“It is a life-saving measure for yourself and your loved ones. Rest assured that doing so will not affect your ability to qualify for life insurance or adversely affect your premiums or benefits,” he said.

Direct questions about life and other insurance products to the insurance commissioner’s office, 800562-6900.

SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021 uBRIEFS Trios Health opens spine and pain clinic

Trios Health opened a spine and interventional pain clinic at Trios Care Center at Southridge, 3730 Plaza Way, Kennewick.

The clinic opened Feb. 22 in the former Pinnacle Pain space in suite 6100.

The medical team is led by neurosurgeon Dr. Matthew Fewel and intervention pain management specialist Dr. Michael Kolczynski.

Fewel joined Trios in 2019 and Kolczynski in 2020.

Meadow Springs is U.S. Open final qualifying site

Meadow Springs Country Club is one of 11 final qualifying sites for the U.S. Open golf tournament.

The U.S. Golf Association identified 109 local sites and 11 final sites to serve as the lead-up for the tournament, which will be held June 17-20 at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

Players who advance from the local qualifying process in 43 states and Canada advance to the finals.

In addition to Richland, finals will be held in Texas, Ohio, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New York and in Japan and Canada. Meadow Springs will host a U.S. Open final on June 7, according to Golf Week magazine.

Aplets & Cotlets maker closing after 101 years

Liberty Orchards Co., the Cashmere-based maker of Aplets & Cotlets candies, announced it will close operations by June after 101 years of business.

The company said it would continue to seek a buyer for its assets, including its brands, production equipment, factory and warehouses. The company did not cite a reason but noted it continued to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic under strict

pandemic controls.

Two Armenian immigrants established Liberty after they bought an apple orchard and used surplus fruit to create Aplets by mixing them with walnuts. Cotlets, made with apricots, arrived a few years later. The company was operated by three generations of the family, according to a company history.

Greg Taylor, grandson of one of the founders, is the company’s current president.

Go to libertyorchards.com/goodbye.

Cruising to Alaska? Holland cancels June sailings

Holland America Line canceled its roundtrip sailings between Seattle and Alaska for June, extending a “pause” of operations that began with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Six cruises on Eurodam and Oosterdam with calls at Victoria, B.C., are affected.

The line is expected to resume cruising in July although discussions with Canadian and U.S. officials continue. Holland America Line previously canceled all its 2021 Alaska cruises to or from Vancouver, B.C. Passengers will be rebooked onto comparable 2022 cruises. Guests can request refunds. Go to hollandamerica. com.

Ben Franklin Transit opens public comment period

The Ben Franklin Transit Board of Directors approved the agency’s 2021 modified annual service plan and accompanying Title VI service equity analysis for release for public comment at the regular monthly Board meeting in March.

The plan seeks to improve connectivity and meet rider demand within BFT’s service area.

The phased plans are scheduled for implementation between June and August of 2021 and include: • Frequent Service Corridors (FSC).

The goals of the program are to reduce travel time, transfers, and passenger wait times with increased frequency on select bus routes with high weekday ridership and on several Saturday bus routes.

• Sunday Service. The plan represents a significant operational transition from six to seven days a week.

Services would be available on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including select bus routes operating every 30 minutes; full Dial-A-Ride service; and full BFT CONNECT service.

A public hearing is set for April 8 during the regular board meeting.

The 30-day comment period ends April 12. Email input to contact@bft. org, or call the Customer Comment

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line at 509-734-5201.

The 2021 Modified Annual Service Plan in its entirety and links to the virtual open houses are available at bft. org/NewPlaces.

Heartlinks to open second thrift store in Zillah

Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care recently announced plans to open a second thrift store in Zillah for their charity thrift store, Hobs Hospice Benefit Shop, at the end of April.

The second location will be at 907 Vintage Valley Parkway. Hobs Hospice Benefit Shop sells gently used items in support of hospice care in the community.

Heartlinks has been eager about the possibility of opening another store for a long time, but credits its ability to open a second location to success in Prosser and the entire Prosser-location staff, predominantly volunteers. More than 45 volunteers help sort, clean, organize, stock and sell the store’s inventory.

Hobs was founded in 1998 by Prosser resident, Jan Nilsson, in conjunction with 12 volunteers, in memory of her mother-in-law, Anne O. Witcraft.

Hobs in Zillah will open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Friday. To learn more, call 509-837-1676. Volunteers are needed for the Zillah store.

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SENIOR TIMES • APRIL 2021

!

S U JOIN

2021

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FREE Drive-thru

Southridge Sports & Events Complex 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick

The 2021 Senior Times Spring Expo is a drive-thru-only event because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Get a goody bag filled with vendor products and information in our drive-thru lane.

We’ll be masked and glove up with your safety in mind.

Brought to you by:

Limited to first 1,000 people.

For more information, call (509) 737-8778.