Progress Edition. 2022

Progress Edition Thursday, February 24, 2022

Making a difference

Including NCW Community Impact Award Winners

wenatcheeworld.com/progress

2 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

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Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 3

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

Progress Edition 2022

The Wenatchee World

North Central Washington Community Impact Awards

Publisher SEAN FLAHERTY flaherty@wenatcheeworld.com (509) 664-7136 Editor RUSS HEMPHILL hemphill@wenatcheeworld.com (509) 665-1161 Contributing writers and photographers Mike Bonnicksen, Ian Dunn, Jordan Gonzalez, Sydnee Gonzalez, Luke Hollister, Pete O’Cain, Oscar Rodriguez, Mitchell Roland, and Don Seabrook Contact us THE WENATCHEE WORLD 14 N. Mission St., Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-663-5161

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THE COVER

Health care workers

Progress Edition Thursday, February 24, 2022

Making a difference

wenatcheeworld.com/progress

2022 Local Hero Award: In recognition of demonstrating courage to help out in a crisis Central Washington Hospital health care workers

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Garn Christensen Eastmont School District 2022 Public Life and Leadership Award: Public official who demonstrated exceptional leadership serving the community “We need to talk about more of what we are for, and not what we are against.”

Norma Gallegos Hand in Hand Immigration Services 2022 Community Connection Award: In recognition of bringing people together “Volunteerism means: choose your battles — where can you make a difference?”

Including NCW Community Impact Award Winners

Washington State National Guard members lift a tent into place at the COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Town Toyota Center in January 2021.

Eder Segundo, 7, Malaga, is congratulated at home plate by his team’s coach Joe Cox, East Wenatchee, during the Bambino Buddy baseball game in May. Eder’s helper is Sakata Gallagher, left, from Wenatchee High School.

After a hard morning of work clearing a fire line in the cliffs above Highway 97A, U.S. Forest Service firefighter Cody Amsden watches a water drop while fighting the Red Apple Fire in July.

Consuelo Luna, Marisela Valencia, and Jacquie Luna, in October walk to houses along Cashmere and Chelan streets looking for registered voters to encourage them to vote. They volunteered through the Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFÉ).

World photos/Don Seabrook

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Randy Lewis 2022 Progress Award: In recognition of moving our community forward His work is in part inspired by his mother’s bucket list. “She (Mary Marchand) wanted so much to put a Wenatchi (P’squosa) face on Wenatchee, to bring our people back.”

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Jenny Rojanasthien NCWTech Alliance 2022 Business Impact Award: In recognition of demonstrating leadership that makes the community better “We’re passionate about ensuring rural Washington doesn’t get left behind as technology accelerates.”

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 5

Our heartfelt Our heartfeltcongratulations congratulations to:to: GARN CHRISTENSEN - Public Life and Leadership Award, GARN CHRISTENSEN Life and Leadership Award, NORMA GALLEGOS--Public Community Connection Award NORMA GALLEGOS - Community Connection Award RANDY LEWIS - Progress Award RANDY LEWIS- Business - Progress JENNY ROJANASTHIEN ImpactAward Award JENNY ROJANASTHIEN - Business Impact Award

When we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot!

When we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot!

www.servewenatchee.org www.servewenatchee.org

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Contributing writers and photographers

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Ian Dunn Writer

Ian Dunn is a Washington State University grad whose duties include coordinating coverage in the Douglas County Empire-Press, wrangling the Sports wire and writing for Go! in The Wenatchee World. He wrote: Page 34: AÏda Bound, Wenatchee’s ‘Hat lady,’ sparked a national movement Page 38: Marlin Peterson and his students always on the lookout for another blank wall

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Sydnee Gonzalez Writer Sydnee Gonzalez is a graduate of Brigham Young University and covers Wenatchee and East Wenatchee city halls, affordable housing and homelessness. She is also The Wenatchee World’s digital editor, guiding publication of news on our homepage and newsletters.

She wrote: Page 18: Teresa Bendito-Zepeda reflects on Parque Padrinos and progress Page 32: Wenatchi Wear owner establishes foundation for Indigenous recognition Page 36: Randy Lewis: A lifetime of dedication and service to Native visibility and rights

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Luke Hollister Writer

Luke Hollister is a graduate of Washington State University and worked as a reporter, videographer and photographer over nearly two years at The Wenatchee World. He wrote: Page 12: Linda Haglund: Taking on big challenges for small downtown businesses Page 14: Here’s how Laurie Flarity-White is ‘paying it back to the community’

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Jordan Gonzalez Writer Jordan Gonzalez is a graduate of Gonzaga and Wenatchee High School and is the Community Manager for NABUR, The Wenatchee World’s social media platform where she moderates and encourages conversations with readers and our journalists.

She is also The World’s social media manager overseeing social media posts. She wrote: Page 44: A responsibility to help the community find their voice: Karina Vega-Villa navigates the pandemic as an educator and advocate Page 42: Jenny Rojanasthien: NCWTech Alliance finds a virtual silver lining to the dark days of the pandemic

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Oscar Rodriguez Writer Oscar Rodriguez is a graduate of the University of Washington and is The Wenatchee World’s lead reporter in coverage of the pandemic, the Chelan-Douglas Health District and Chelan and Douglas county government. He wrote: Page 20: Dr. Peter Rutherford leads Confluence and its frontline role in confronting COVID-19 Page 24: Luke Davies: On becoming leader of the Chelan-Douglas Health District during the pandemic

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Pete O’Cain Writer Pete O’Cain is a graduate of Central Washington University, served in the Marines and covers police and fire agencies and courts in Chelan and Douglas counties. He is also leads our wildfire coverage. He wrote: Page 30: ‘I realized I needed to step up’ | Norma Gallegos leads immigration services

Mitchell Roland Writer Mitchell Roland is a graduate of Central Washington University and covers education and business He wrote: Page 16: Through turmoil, Superintendent Garn Christensen strives for stability Page 28: Pinnacles Prep launches and looks to grow

Don Seabrook Photographer Don Seabrook is a University of Washington graduate and is the Photo Editor of The Wenatchee World. He took most of photographs in the Progress Edition 2022.

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

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World photo / Don Seabrook Central Washington Hospital nurse Steve Williams walks down the hallway of the Intensive Care Unit in September. Monitors and racks of I.V. solutions hang outside COVID patients rooms so personnel can make adjustments without gowning up. “It just feels like no matter what you do it won’t be enough for them,” Williams said.

“There is no solution, and everything just kind of sucks.”

2022 Local Hero Award | Health care workers In recognition of demonstrating courage to help out in a crisis

W

ENATCHEE — Nurses, medical assistants and respiratory therapists at Central Washington Hospital, the largest hospital in North Central Washington, have been working tirelessly

to keep people alive through the worst of COVID-19. And now they're working into their third year of the pandemic.

The Wenatchee World asked several nurses, nursing directors, and other

COVID-19-related staff to share their experiences working on the frontlines of this pandemic.

The responses were received by email and have been edited for clarity.

What are your

thoughts on the work you do? What are you most proud of?

I've held the hand of patients as they are intubated. I’ve written a patient's last wishes on paper towels. I've updated concerned family members and

talked with them as we are intubating their loved one. I’ve cried and prayed with family members as we work together to give their loved one a comfortable end of life experience. And I've celebrated with patients

when they have come off high-flow oxygen and are getting better.

COVID has taught me to be in the moment because I cannot predict who will live or who will die.

— Beckett Matylinski, Nurse in the

The Wenatchee World Progressive Care Unit at Central Washington Hospital Being the manager of Respiratory Therapy in a respiratory pandemic is very challenging. We have had so many changes to standard work, staffing, staff to patient ratios, scope of work, equipment, morale. I can't even describe what we have been through as

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 9 a team. Literally what we did yesterday is not what we are doing today. It's been this way since March of 2020.

Personally being in charge of all this on this level is not what I signed up for. My opinion on what I do changes week to week.

Sometimes I feel like I make a difference, sometimes it's hopeless. At the beginning

I was scared. Now it's more "what's next, and how are we going to do it?"

— Patty Commandeur, Confluence Health respiratory clinical manager I am a charge nurse in the ICU, and the thing I am most proud of is the amazing staff I work with every day.

They have been doing an exhausting job since

the beginning of this pandemic and have never stopped. They do their best for every single patient they take care of, and do it amidst changing information and challenges.

I consider myself very lucky to work with this group and can't imagine doing this anywhere else.

— Janet Wilde, Central Washington

Hospital Intensive Care Unit nurse What are your hopes for 2022?

I hope we can stop having to wear masks at some point so we can see each other’s faces! I hope that people continue to get vaccinated and boosted.

— Jackie Whited, Confluence Health director of the ICU and progressive care unit

It is my greatest hope that the political divides that separate us can be used as bridges for understanding and working together for safer and healthier communities. I want to simply do my job and be present for those who are sick and suffering.

— Beckett Matylinski, Nurse in the progressive care unit

World photo / Don Seabrook Hospital personnel — some nurses, some not — prone (turn) a COVID patient in Central Washington’s Intensive Care Unit in September. A patient spends most of their time on their stomach but needs to be turned as needed, a task that requires at least eight people. A nurse at right reads out instructions to the group including the anesthesiologist at the head of the bed, at left.

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

at Central Washington Hospital I hope we see a decline in ICU level of care patients. I hope more people come to work at the hospital because it's a calling.

Even if you don't do patient care. I hope for the community to heal from the psychological, and economical effects of the pandemic.

— Patty Commandeur, Confluence Health respiratory clinical manager To have the pandemic slow — which requires the participation of the public. To continue to work to find new inpatient care models so that we can deliver safe, quality care in a different manner.

— Julie McAllister, Confluence Health vice president of nursing

World photo / Don Seabrook After proning a COVID patient earlier this week, the hospital personnel remove their gloves and disinfect their hands before leaving the room and moving on to the next patient.

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Omicron taking a toll on NCW long-term care, hospital staff

Slugging it out

By Oscar rOdriguez World staff writer WENATCHEE — Staffing shortages brought on by the latest wave of COVID-19 cases have several health care providers and long-term care facilities concerned as cases continue to rise.

About 211 Confluence Health employees have tested positive with COVID-19 as of Friday, said Kelly Allen, Confluence Health director of urgent/ emergent services, on a weekly Luke Davies health care provider Zoom call. Chelan-Douglas Health District Columbia Valley Commuadministrator nity Health and Family Health Centers also reported on the provider Zoom call difficulties with significant portions of staff being out due to COVID-19.

Clinic staff numbers are down about 30% Please see TOLL, Page A7

COVID-19 testing supplies running dry in NCW

By Oscar rOdriguez World staff writer

World photos/Don Seabrook

Rivaldo Penado, 10, and Mia Armas, 11, spar near the end of practice at Lightsout Boxing Gym in the basement of the Cascadian Mini Storage building Monday. About 10 youth participate in the competitive boxing workouts offered. ABOVE, LEFT: Group workouts comprise a major portion of competitive boxing practice at Lightsout Boxing Gym. ABOVE, RIGHT: Mia has new gloves put on her hands before boxing practice.

Wenatchee’s Lightsout Boxing Gym packs a punch

WENATCHEE — COVID-19 testings supplies are in short supply, even for the Chelan-Douglas Health District.

The Chelan-Douglas Health District has been seeing major disruptions and delays to its orders of at-home COVID-19 test kits, said Luke Davies, Chelan-Douglas Health District administrator, at a weekly Dr. James Zoom call with other local Wallace Okanogan County health care providers.

Public Health An initial order of 30,000 health officer and testing kits eventually came Chelan-Douglas back with only about 6,000 to Health interim 7,000 kits, he said. The health health officer district has since ordered another 20,000 testing kits but expects to receive about half that amount in the next couple of weeks.

For Print and Digital Subscription Information,

By Pete O’cain World staff writer

WENATCHEE — It’s a familiar story with similar versions scattered throughout pop culture:

Grisled cop takes troubled youth under his wing, offers boxing as a way off the wrong path.

That’s how Dan Reierson came to know Maira Williams more than 15 years ago. At the time,

Williams was a high school senior with gang affiliations and Reierson was an East Wenatchee police officer.

“We met when I arrested her,” Reierson said.

Reierson had a small boxing team that he trained out of his garage and often saw potential fighters while on patrol.

Please see BOXING, Page A9

Please see SUPPLIES, Page A7

Walgreens pharmacist fired after allegedly forging COVID-19 vaccination cards

Call 509-663-5161 or visit wenatcheeworld.com/subscribe.

WENATCHEE — A pharmacist has been fired from a Walgreens pharmacy for allegedly issuing fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards.

The action was taken after it was reported to the company by the Chelan-Douglas Health District.

The health district was

informed by Douglas County Fire District 2 about the pharmacist’s alleged actions in mid- to late-October, Health District Administrator Luke Davies said Wednesday.

Davies said he followed up and communicated with the fire district about the situation. The health district also notified a Walgreens district manager about the pharmacist’s alleged actions,

and made a report to the state Department of Health, the attorney general’s office and local law enforcement.

Walgreens cooperated with state authorities and conducted its own internal investigation which resulted in the pharmacist’s firing, said Fraser Engerman, Walgreens’ senior director of external relations, in an email to The Wenatchee World.

ance with all state vaccination mandates and CDC guidelines.

We are unable to provide further comment as this is a personnel matter.”

The Wenatchee World has requested records from the Douglas County Fire District 2 regarding the resignations.

The Wenatchee World has also requested records from

Please see FIRED, Page A7

What’s next 6

Inside

When asked about the allegations of the use of fraudulent vaccine cards by its employees, Brett provided the following statement: “Following completion of an internal investigation conducted by the district regarding vaccination status, two members of the district chose to resign from Douglas County Fire District 2. The district and all personnel are in compli-

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World photo / Don Seabrook Central Washington Hospital Intensive Care Unit workers care for a COVID patient.

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Linda Haglund: Taking on big challenges for small downtown businesses W ENATCHEE — Linda Haglund has deep roots in the Wenatchee Valley.

Local businesses are what Haglund sees as the heart of Wenatchee’s community, which is why she has been working for over a decade to support those businesses.

Her job as executive director at the Wenatchee Downtown Association started in 2011.

Haglund’s role has ranged from helping businesses navigate changing COVID-19 mandates to offering support and encouragement for those struggling.

A lot of Haglund’s day-to-day work in the past year involved being what she calls a “connector.” That means finding how, who or where business owners need to go to get their questions answered.

The Wenatchee world asked Haglund what led her to this line of work and how she has helped community members in the past year.

The interview was lightly edited for clarity and length.

What brought you to be a part of the Downtown Association?

This downtown is the downtown of my childhood. I [was] born and raised, grew up here. When this opened up, it was a nonprofit job, which was really fun and interesting for me. I had never led a nonprofit.

The fact that it connected community to this downtown was really, really interesting for me. Over the 10 and a half years that that has evolved.

How have you helped to revive the Wenatchee economy in the past year?

Linda Haglund Wenatchee Downtown Association executive director

We made a determination early on that we were going to stand strong. So I'm in the office, I'm here, I am available. We were able to buy bags when they transitioned into a plastic bag ban, we're able to do this Keep it Local campaign, we've been able to do some initiative[s].

When someone calls you on the phone asking you for help, what’s the first thing you do?

Haglund: What do you need?

What can we do? We're here for you.

Sometimes their problem or question doesn't get resolved. But just to know that someone listened and that we're here, we care.

What is the most special part about working at the Downtown Association? Is there anything that has stuck out to you?

If I could pick one thing in my 10 and a half years that I'm really, really proud of was the (Veterans) banner project. The stories and the lives

World photo / Don Seabrook Jordan Conley with the East Wenatchee Street Department hangs a Hero Banner honoring a veteran on Northeast 8th Street in November 2020. The banner honors A.A. Stevens, a Civil War veteran with the Minnesota Militia. They are purchased with donations through the Wenatchee Downtown Association and Vets Serving Vets.

that that project has touched. We're a small nonprofit and I think that made a big difference in the lives of our heroes locally. That one's truly special to me.

What challenges have you overcome in the past year?

If I can be brutally honest, the biggest challenge for me has been a divide in our community that I have never seen in my whole life here. It's really indicative of a divided nation and divided state and divided everything. It's a challenge for businesses.

It's a challenge for (the) community.

You know, we need to pull together now more than ever as a community.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the Wenatchee community?

My parents immigrated from other parts of the United States to here.

They said that if you love the place you live, you give back, you support it and you be a part of it. My parents were never people who said, "What does this community owe me," it’s "What can I give to my community to keep this place we love?" That's what it means for me to live here. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 13

Here’s how Laurie FlarityWhite is ‘paying it back to the community’ W Laurie Flarity-White

ENATCHEE — When the pandemic came to Wenatchee, Laurie Flarity-White saw a need and looked for a cupboard-sized solution. She found one.

Flarity-White opened a small food pantry in June of 2020, one of several small pantries across the city.

Today, she runs the pantry with Tracy Faulkner as a part of several services Wenatchee’s First United Methodist Church provides to the community.

The Wenatchee World asked Flarity-White to share more about her work. The interview was lightly edited for clarity and length.

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World photo / Don Seabrook Laurie Flarity-White pushes a cart of food and supplies to the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church’s food pantry on Jan. 12. She says about 17 volunteers keep the pantry, located in the church parking lot, going through the week.

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14 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

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In the basement of the First Wenatchee United Methodist Church, Laurie Flarity-White loads a cart with food and supplies.

Wenatchee World: How long have you helped out at the food pantry?

I contacted my church in March (of 2020), when we first locked down. And I said, you know, people are going to be hurting, and they're going to go hungry, I really would like to do more, because not everybody

can make it to the food bank.

Our whole idea is, we wouldn't be able to feed that many people because it would be small. So we wanted people to do it at their church or their organization, community center, library, apartment complex. We wanted it to spread. Now we're in three counties, Doug-

las, Chelan and Okanogan.

What's a normal day of setting up the food pantry, what does that entail? What do you do?

At the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church, we stock it four times a day. And we get that many people. I saw five people come in 15

minutes today when I was there. We could not do it without all the donations we get. I have about 16 to 17 volunteers at First United Methodist Church, they've helped me keep it going.

What are some of the challenges you have faced this year?

The challenges for us have been to keep

it stocked. There's been a great need and it just doesn’t seem to be going away.

I do have trouble with keeping enough healthy foods and pop top cans. People are kind of desperate.

That concerns me.

At the food pantry, what's the most special part of the work for you?

World photo / Don Seabrook

Feeling like I'm making a difference in the community. I was a food-insecure child.

And I feel like I got a lot of food donated to my family. I'm paying it back to the community by helping get food, clothes, coats and whatever I get asked for. Just being able to help, even if it's just one family at a time, is very rewarding.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 15

World photo / Don Seabrook While a person in their car waits to get supplies, Laurie Flarity-White stocks the food pantry.

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16 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

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World photo / Don Seabrook Eastmont High School students walk between classes separated by barricades and directed by arrows in the hallways, all COVID-19 precautions, in February 2021.

2022 Public Life and Leadership Award | Garn Christensen, Eastmont Schools Public official who demonstrated exceptional leadership serving the community

E Garn Christensen

AST WENATCHEE — Just months from retirement, 2021 tested Eastmont Superintendent Garn Christensen like no other time.

“It would be the most challenging year that I have seen in our profession,” he said.

While unexpected events can be expected in education, last year consisted of guiding the district through a pandemic while parents scrutinized school curriculums like never before.

Christensen said he tried to “be a Switzerland,” keeping the the district as neutral as possible.

“Our goal is our students' safety, student learning and getting every student to graduation. And those haven’t changed,” he said. “I just saw so many people wanting to talk this year about what they thought we should be against. And that’s really not our role.”

Christensen said the role of the district is to teach the basics, or as he

describes it, "the things that can be found in an encyclopedia."

"I've just seen sometimes people misunderstand," he said. "Perhaps wanting to change the role of K-12.

It may change over time, but children and teens are pretty concrete, sequential learners. And they're just beginning to move into abstract thought."

Christensen said there's both a science and an art to education.

The science of education is how the

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

17

Provided photo Garn Christensen in Malawi in 2015 after flooding as part of a volunteer relief effort sponsored by Shelterbox, an affiliate of Rotary Club International.

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information is organized and lessons are planned.

"But the art of teaching is how you interact with students," he said.

"How do you relate to the different personalities?"

Eastmont has long focused on forming relationships through staff and students, which was a challenge through remote learning. The return to in-person classes was deliberate, with at-risk and young students coming back first.

"Even though I could only see people's eyes because of their masks,

you can tell by looking at somebody's eyes if they're smiling or not," Christensen said. "I saw a lot of smiles from students, staff and teachers."

Eventually, Christensen hopes the even-keeled setting schools strive for can be used as a model for the country.

"Among schools now, we're really trying to refocus to 'What are we for?'," he said. "As communities, as a region, as a state, and as a country, we need to talk about more of what we are for, and not what we are against."

18 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Teresa Bendito-Zepeda reflects on Parque Padrinos and progress

T Teresa Bendito Parque Padrinos co-founder

eresa Bendito-Zepeda is a Wenatchee native and a co-founder of non-profit Parque Padrinos. In 2020, she also founded her own business, Teresita's Consulting, to provide services like interpretation and translation to local organizations, including Confluence Health.

The interview with Bendito-Zepeda has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Were there any positives for Parque Padrinos that came out of

COVID? Our Facebook group grew from having 12 members in 2018 to now having about 630 members.

It's been beautiful to see different ways of celebrating. Now I have a new understanding and way of describing a celebration. It doesn't mean that we all have to be there. We can celebrate victories in our own ways, at different times — but as long as we're connected through the story or collective work, then it's still a celebration.

What were some of Parque Padrinos biggest accomplishments in 2021?

One of our biggest accomplishments was to partner with the Mexican Consulate and Pinnacles Prep to host a mobile visit from the consulate to provide services (like passports) to the Mexican people in our community. Also partnering with other organizations like Columbia Valley Community Health to provide essential services like flu vaccines at that visit.

World photo / Don Seabrook Beatriz Mata photographs the altar she set up in the front of her house on Methow Street in Wenatchee with her daughter Enedina, in the silver coat. Their display was one of 17 visited by people on a Day of the Dead walking tour presented by Parque Padrinos in November.

The Wenatchee World What’s a personal accomplishment from 2021 that you’re proud of?

I was a college student throughout the past six years. Little by little, I was working towards my accounting degree. I finally graduated in December. I’m really proud of myself for finally finishing and bringing this win to my family, and the way I see it, to the community.

I'm a first-generation college student. My brother graduated with an accounting degree as well, but I am the first first female in my household to receive that.

There were many times where it was just getting really tough to finish, but I went ahead and powered through.

What have been some of the biggest wins for your community this year? What about losses?

I always said during the past two years that I didn't

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 want to go back to normal or the way things were because I saw how COVID-19 affected the Latinx community.

I think one of the wins was that we saw more more investment into equitable programs and initiatives and we're hearing about more groups and organizations that are putting a bigger focus on these types of issues.

The losses really came from the pandemic overall.

At many times, what was being communicated about the situation of COVID wasn’t the same as what was happening with a lot of the community that was disproportionately affected by it.

That's something that's improved, but it caused a loss in the past and will continue to cause losses if we don't address it. I really hope the momentum keeps going forward and doesn't just end here with our recovery out of the pandemic.

Provided photo Teresa Bendito in August walks through medical and vaccine information with José Concepción Lozada González at a pop-up clinic for migrant workers by Medical Teams International in Malaga.

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2021 was filled with uncertainty as the community remained resilient through new mandates, new protocols, and finding our new “normal”. One thing that didn’t change however, is our Valley’s continual rally and perseverance during these struggles. We are incredibly thankful for our guests and community that supported us through this last year! We love you! May 2022 bring us the same resilience as we push forward in hope and unity. Cheers, Regards, Marisa Barclay E. Wen General Manager

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20 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo / Don Seabrook In Central Washington Hospital’s cafeteria turned waiting room, Jonathan Camacho receives instructions on what to expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine in April.

Camacho is an H2A worker for Stemilt.

Dr. Peter Rutherford leads Confluence in its frontline role confronting COVID-19

W

ENATCHEE — Dr. Peter Rutherford is the CEO of North Central Washington's largest medical provider, Confluence Health. Confluence Health has been a key part of the region's COVID-19 response in its care of the sickest COVID-19 patients at Central Washington Hospital along with its testing and vaccination efforts.

The answers in this Q&A were received by email and have been edited for clarity.

What was your proudest accomplishment in 2021?

I am most proud of is that Confluence Health has been able to significantly help with our region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to care for our patients.

Over the course of the year, Confluence performed over 162,000 COVID tests, over 50,000 COVID vaccinations, and provided inpatient care to over 1,300 patients with

COVID-19 with an average length of stay of 10 days.

Of those we provided inpatient care for, 245 patients required ventilator therapy, with frequently much longer lengths of stay. This was all done while our teams continued to strive to meet the “usual care needs” for our patients throughout the region.

Confluence Health implemented a controversial vaccination policy which was met with criticism in the community, including Confluence

staff. How do you feel Confluence Health handled the state's vaccine mandate for health care workers?

Meeting the requirement of the vaccination mandate from the governor was probably one of the most difficult and painful events of my career. Though I believe the mandate was the correct step by the governor, it created heartache across our organization and in our community.

That said, part of the Confluence Health mission statement speaks to

The Wenatchee World our commitment to providing "safe care" to all who ask for our help. I do not think we can say we are doing all we can to provide "safe care" if we do not expect our staff to be vaccinated.

Though the approach taken by Confluence Health to not permit employees or physician medical staff members to work unless they were vaccinated was perceived as more restrictive than other health care organizations, it has allowed us to put our full efforts into patient care instead of tracking employee testing results, and be assured that we were doing our best for the safety of everyone.

Central Washington Hospital experienced the largest wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations this year. What is the biggest lesson

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 21

Dr. Peter Rutherford Confluence Health CEO

Confluence Health learned through this most recent wave?

One of the largest lessons learned through the last COVID-19 wave was not a new lesson, but one we have known all along, and that is that our people continue to be our most critical asset.

People go into health care because they want to help people improve their health, and there is a significant intrinsic

reward from seeing people get better when they are ill. COVID is an atypical disease in that many people who get severely ill do not get better despite everyone’s best efforts. This takes a huge emotional toll on all those providing care.

We need to keep infection-related pandemic planning on our minds as we move into the future. Again, this is not really a lesson, but a confirmation of a long-time fact.

Health care is a people business. We can’t do anything for anybody without committed, passionate, skilled people.

I am most proud of is that Confluence Health has been able to significantly help with our region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to care for our patients.

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen East Wenatchee residents, Mayte Bielmas, at left, helps her mom Maria Bielmas as they go back to their car after getting COVID-19 vaccinations at a Central Washington Hospital clinic. Confluence worked to make sure all in the community knew about and had access to COVID-19 vaccinations.

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22 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Helping keep food on the table | Britany Meiklen, ChelanDouglas Community Action Council World photo / Don Seabrook Britany Meiklen, Food Distribution Center Program Director for the Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council, throws a tie-down over palettes of food on a truck before heading to an Orondo food distribution in November. At left is Berta Rickards, and at right is her grandson Caidan Newman, both with AmeriCorps.

Serving those experiencing homelessness | Jorge Castañeda World photo / Don Seabrook Jorge Castañeda, who has been volunteering to serve those experiencing homelessness in the area for more than a year, meets with residents of a large homeless camp on South Columbia Street in Wenatchee twice a week. Castañeda collects donations and distributes them on his visits.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 23

La Salud No Tiene Fronteras

Health Has No Borders

En Planned Parenthood de Greater Washington y North Idaho estamos orgullosos de ver a todos los pacientes — no importa su estado migratorio. Establecer un acceso equitativo a la atención de la salud reproductiva para los inmigrantes es importante para nosotros: a muchas personas en Washington se les niega categóricamente la cobertura de salud debido a su estado migratorio y se ven obligados a pasar sin servicios críticos de planificación familiar.

Establishing equal access to reproductive health care for immigrants is important to us — many people in Washington are categorically denied health coverage because of their immigration status and are forced to go without critical family planning services.

Estamos comprometidos a ayudar a los inmigrantes a obtener la atención que necesitan — pase lo que pase. No importa quién eres o de dónde eres. Todos merecen acceso a una atención médica de calidad.

Wenatchee Health Center 900 Ferry Street Wenatchee, WA 98801

We are committed to helping immigrants get the care they need — no matter what. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from.

Everyone deserves access to quality health care.

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24 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo / Don Seabrook George Ruddell, East Wenatchee, receives an inoculation of COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 26, on the first day of the drive-thru event at Town Toyota Center. He and his wife Donna were two of the 100 people scheduled for vaccination at the site on the opening day.

Luke Davies: On becoming leader of the ChelanDouglas Health District during the pandemic

W

ENATCHEE — "You take over any organization in the middle of crisis let alone the worst pandemic we've had in about 100 years there's always something new every day to learn," said Luke Davies.

Davies was offered the position for Chelan-Douglas Health administrator in December 2020, amidst the largest wave of COVID-19 hospital-

izations and cases at the time.

COVID-19 vaccines became available a couple months later when the Town Toyota Center was selected as one of four mass vaccination sites run by the state.

At first managed by the National Guard, the Chelan-Douglas Health District took control of the site for a couple of months.

Now, the Chelan-Douglas county

area has among the highest vaccination rates in Eastern Washington with Chelan County alone in the top four counties in terms of firstdose vaccinations, according to state Department of Health data.

Davies said in an interview with The Wenatchee World that this is one of his proudest accomplishments as administrator, but he could not have done it on his own.

"It wasn't me doing it," Davies said. "It was all of our providers banding together, and my staff working really, really hard."

Another moment of pride for Davies is when several health administrators and providers in Central Washington were able to to move up the release of COVID-19 vaccinations for agricultural workers by several days back in March.

The Wenatchee World

Luke Davies Chelan-Douglas Health District administrator

"Being able to have to the ear of the Department of Health and the governor's office to be able to move some of these things forward has been really eye-opening part of my job," Davies said. "I've appreciated being able to do that. And sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't."

The Chelan-Douglas Health Dis-

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 25 trict has undergone an intense amount of pressure during the pandemic, seeing a lot of burnout and turnover for staff in the health district.

"We've had to make a lot changes," Davies said. "I don't recommend rebuilding a health jurisdiction in the middle of a pandemic. It's not fun. But the people here, the staff here and the board I'm working with make it worth it."

The health district is still recruiting and hiring new staff but has since gained more stability and is looking forward to getting back to improving the other services at the health district.

"Once we get out of COVID, we're going to be really focused on listening to the community, working with the community and different stakeholders to figure out not only what their perceived needs are, but what other needs we can identify and how we partner with everyone to move towards a healthier Valley," he said.

Listen to Your

• Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.

• Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year...approximately one woman every minute.

Heart

• An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.

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• While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.

Know the Signs.

Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. Other Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or pain your chest. signs •such as breaking out in squeezing, a cold sweat, nausea orinlightheadedness.

• Pain or discomfort in one heart or bothattack arms,system the back,isneck or pain. jaw.

Women’s most common chest But women are more likelywith to experience shortness of breath, • Shortness of breath or without chest discomfort. nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

• Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Know what your heart may be telling you.

If you experience these symptoms, don’t take a chance.

Be aware, be prepared and be knowledgeable.

If you experience these symptoms, take a chance.

Seek immediate medicaldon’t attention.

Seek immediate medical attention.

World photo / Don Seabrook Mikah Korfiatis, 8, gets a children's dose of COVID-19 vaccine from Ray Eickmeyer at a drive-thru site in East Wenatchee in November.

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28 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Pinnacles Prep launches and looks to grow

W Rick Wray

ENATCHEE — When announcing plans for the valley’s first charter school in 2018, few could have predicted Pinnacles Prep opening would be amid a pandemic.

“We showed up on the first day of school and watched the kids getting off the buses and definitely got a little emotional over that,” said Sara Rolfs, a co-founder of the school. “What’s really rewarding is to see students who have been struggling begin to thrive.”

Rick Wray, another co-founder, said he was similarly emotional.

“To finally see our founding families walk through the door, it’s just really validating,” Wray said, “it’s so fun to see the vision actualized.

Part of the success, Rolfs said, is the small school environment the school offers. It also allows the school to adapt and make changes on a dime.

Some of issues faced in the first issue are not unique to Pinnacles.

The enrolled seventh graders were in

the fourth grade during their last uninterrupted school year. Staff members are also adjusting to returning to in-person instruction.

“Like with any new endeavor, there seems to be a new wrinkle every week that we try to iron out,” Wray said. “For the most part, it’s been a great success.”

Even scheduling needed to be scaled back to ensure the school laid a solid foundation with core principals.

“We want to be able to do everything we envision, and that’s just not

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen People, including community members and Pinnacles Prep students, paint the Pedestrian Pathways Mural at Pinnacles Prep school on Make a Difference Day last October.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 29

Sara Rolfs

possible the first year,” Rolfs said.

Part of this, Rolfs said, is building relationships with the community and with the school’s scholars.

In addition to welcoming the school’s first kids, the year included hiring staff and a $550,000 renovation of the school’s campus. After taking over the campus in January, the school had eight months to prepare it for when students arrived in August.

When building a staff the school hired several teachers from nearby districts. For instance, Jill

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen Made up of some Pinnacles Prep students, volunteers make their way back to Pinnacles Prep/Wenatchee Community Center after cleaning up Kiwanis Methow Park in October.

Fineis, a science coordinator in the Wenatchee School district, was hired as the school’s principal in 2019.

Wray said an emphasis during the school’s first month was establishing “the culture we’ve been designing for

so many years.”

The school will continue to grow and will add a new grade level each school year until it offers grades six through 12. Wray said Pinnacles is committed to serving the community.

• • • • • •

“We had an initial vision of creating a real community learning center,” he said. “And as time goes on, we’ll be able to continue to strengthen our community partnerships.”

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30 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Norma Gallegos organizes books and citizenship material at the front desk of Hand in Hand Immigration Services in Wenatchee.

World photo/Luke Hollister

2022 Community Connection Award | Norma Gallegos, Hand in Hand Immigration Services

W

In recognition of bringing people together

ENATCHEE — In 2010, immigration officials asked Norma Gallegos for help reaching immigrants who qualified for citizenship. Twelve years later, she’s shepherded a few thousand through naturalization.

But that figure only tells a chapter of her time with Hand in Hand Immigration Services. All told, she estimates at least 20,000 have contacted the Wenatchee program for some type of aid.

“People are walking in that we

actually helped years ago and now they’re remembering — you know, certain agencies are closed — then we go to Norma, we go to Hand in Hand because they’ll give me a hand even though my case is closed,” Gallegos said.

Gallegos, born in Mexico and raised in Kansas, came to Wenatchee more than 30 years ago. She worked for the family services program Head Start for 23 years, first as a bus driver and ultimately as a family community involvement director. She still has

The Wenatchee World her commercial driver license.

When she was first approached by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, they said they were looking for a community leader they could trust. They had three names, including Gallegos.

“And I said, ‘Well, why should I help you?’” Gallegos said.

At the time, and still today, Gallegos said, there were 160,000 to 170,000 residents in Washington eligible to become citizens. Immigration Services was tasked with learning why so many weren’t completing the naturalization process.

“I said, ‘Well, nobody’s coming to you because you’re immigration, you’re known for deportation, you’re known for separating people,’” Gallegos said.

She attributes that to a lack of information.

“So when I realized what was really going on and (that I could) facilitate and provide all the materials and educate people then I realized,

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 wait a minute, nobody was teaching in Wenatchee,” Gallegos said. She added, “Then I realized I need to step up.”

She was a volunteer for five years before she was endorsed and accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice. Started under World Relief in Spokane, Hand in Hand was ready to become independent.

Pre-pandemic, Hand in Hand guided as many as 300 people to citizenship each year; that figure has since dwindled to about 100, she said.

Gallegos and Hand in Hand is often seen as an avenue for help. Help with anything.

Two or three years ago, Hand in Hand did the math and found they’d helped 19,000 to 20,000 people directly or indirectly. “Helped” could mean a short phone to point someone in the right direction or hours of work that ends with a new U.S. citizen.

She recalled her first bus route with Head Start, which took her to

Stemilt Hill, often to provide rides to families of migrant workers. People would come and go: a few months in Wenatchee, back to their home county.

“And all of a sudden people started staying,” Gallegos said.

That’s what keeps her going with her work.

“I think that the joy of seeing improvement, I see a big difference not just because I've been doing this for 10 years, but because I've been here 30 plus years,” Gallegos said.

For her, it’s important to give back — and important to encourage others to do the same.

“When we talk about volunteerism, start at home, start with your neighbors, start with your family, then you go down the street, you get to know your neighbors, then you get to know your city, your county, your state,” Gallegos said. “So volunteerism means: choose your battles — where can you make a difference?”

World photo/Luke Hollister Norma Gallegos is the program director for Hand in Hand Immigration Services, which offers citizenship and civic education classes.

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32 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchi Wear owner establishes foundation for Indigenous recognition

W

ENATCHEE — Mary Big Bull-Lewis always felt like something was missing, but it wasn’t until her 30s that she started digging into how to change that.

Big Bull-Lewis is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes of the Moses, Entiat, and Wenatchi bands, and a descendant of the Blackfoot Tribe. Although she was born and raised in a town that takes its name from the Wenatchi people (known as P'Squosa in their own language) and sits on part of their homeland, she saw an extreme lack of Indigenous history and representation growing up.

“I just yearned for something else, and that was culture and traditional teachings,” she said. “I always wanted to connect with somebody that was like me, that looked like me, that

could teach me things. It was difficult looking back at it.”

Big Bull-Lewis says it’s taken a lot of healing and processing to recognize the oppression and forced assimilation her people have survived, and to be proud of her culture. But in doing so, she’s become the person her younger self craved a connection with.

Part of that journey was founding Wenatchi Wear, and apparel company that highlights Indigenous stories and art. Big Bull-Lewis has used the company’s platform to blog local Indigenous history and to fundraise over $25,000 for as part of the Land Back project with the goal of buying back Native lands.

At the beginning of 2021, she formed the Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF),

which has continued the Land Back project and advocates for Indigenous culture and traditions. The group was an idea Big Bull-Lewis previously tried and failed to push by meeting with different local governments and organizations.

“I'm the type of person that if it's not there, let's make it happen,” she said. “After a year and a half of meeting with people and getting nowhere, it's like okay, let's just do it.”

The year 2021 was mostly an organizing period for the group: it formed a 10-person board, established bylaws and received official non-profit status. In October, the IRRF also successfully petitioned the city of Wenatchee to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Big Bull-Lewis said IRRF’s future

plans include working toward establishing a community center, fundraising for the Land Back project, and organizing events that highlight Indigenous traditions and culture.

She said she hopes that support for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) that increased in 2020 but then tapered off in 2021 can pick up again this year.

“It's important to remind people that it still matters, and that history keeps repeating itself if we don't change,” she said. “It's really hard to keep reminding people that it's not equality; we don't have that yet. It's hard for the people that are on top to see that, because I've never had to face that. So I do think that there's opportunity for change though. And then if we keep having the same support, then we can accomplish that.”

World photo/Sydnee Gonzalez Wenatchi Wear co-founder Mary Big Bull-Lewis at her storefront at 600 S Mission St. The location doubles as a space for her and her husband’s graphic design business, R Digital Design. In 2021, Big Bull-Lewis founded the Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF).

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 33

World photo / Don Seabrook Sharon Jurgens, East Wenatchee, dances with Wenatchee Applearian Bryan Campbell as the Apple Blossom float drives by at the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival Stemilt and Keyes Fibre Community Parade in June. “I love dancing,” said Jurgens. Campbell continued his dance moves down Orondo Street while escorting the float.

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34 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Provided photo

Aïda Bound with a group of students and their new hats.

AÏda Bound, Wenatchee’s 'Hat lady,' sparked a national movement

W

ENATCHEE — Nothing like having a warm hat on a cold day. Thanks to Aїda Bound, a lot more people in the local area have those warm hats through her Hat Project.

Bound moved to Wenatchee from

Washington, D.C., in 2006 to work as a social worker. She did a lot of social work with the elderly. Bound noticed a lot of yarn and people sitting around feeling useless.

“Aware of poverty in the valley, I started by running hat making

groups at the Senior Center and senior living facilities in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, like Blossom Valley, RiverWest, Columbia Heights, Garden Terrace and more.

We used donated yarn,” Bound said.

In 2011, Katie Couric at CBS did

a report and Hat Projects sprung up all over the U.S. and Canada. Lately, the Hat Project has been impacted by the pandemic and the deaths of many hatmakers.

But it's still going strong. Bound said individuals get the yarn from

The Wenatchee World her and make hats. The hats/afghans are picked up by the organization or she delivers People leave free yarn on her deck, she said. Once in a while, there is a money donation. Bound does it all through email and years of knowing who needs what.

“Right now, we are making and donating to Jorge Castaneda. I met him through Victor Varga at the Women's Resource Center. They work with hardcore homeless on the street,” she said. “Most of our work has already been done for this winter.”

Bound said she is ready to meet requests. Right now, she has 10 hatmakers, plus the AVID Freshmen/ women at Wenatchee High School who she works with once a week.

Due to the pandemic, she sits outside the classroom/portable and the students come out one at a time. All are masked.

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 Bound is a retired social worker/ family therapist. She was born in New York City, and lived in Washington, D.C. mostly working with teens and their families.

She taught at the Howard University School of Social Work for 10 years before moving to Wenatchee. Bound has three daughters and five grandchildren.

In fact, she said everyone in the Wenatchee School District calls her, grandma.

Aside from the Hat Project, she has been teaching free ELL (English Language Learners) Conversation Classes since moving here.

“It is collaborated with Literacy and WVC. I teach on Zoom now with students here, in Africa and Mexico and Columbia, South America. Over the years I have had students from every continent,” she said, even though she only speaks English.

Provided photo Aïda Bound with a AVID volunteers from Wenatchee High School.

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36 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

2022 Progress Award | Randy Lewis, historian In recognition of moving our community forward

R Randy Lewis

andy Lewis remembers helping his grandmother sort through her collection of Swarovski crystal beads as a child.

When she asked which was his favorite, Lewis held up a type of iridescent bead, called Aurora Borealis, that reflected a variety of colors.

“Do you know why?” Lewis remembers his grandmother asking.

“There’s many different sides to it, but everywhere you turn it, it gives you a beautiful reflection of the world. It’s kind of like you. There’s many sides and many facets that you have.”

That early observation held true.

Lewis — a respected elder of the Colville Confederated Tribes — has had a life akin to a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book where every single adventure is selected.

His many pursuits include joining the Indian Youth Council at just 16 and organizing the national “Right To Be Indian” conference for student activists; occupying Fort Lawton in Seattle, which lead to a 20-acre site that includes the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center; successfully fighting the termina-

tion of the Colville Reservation; working with Indigenous peoples on AIDs awareness in over 80 countries with the World Health Organization; becoming a foster parent; owning an art gallery and multiple framing shops; joining a theater company, serving on the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s board and co-teaching Indian studies at Gonzaga University.

In 2018, Lewis decided it was time to return home to Wenatchee and continue his mother's “bucket list."

Provided photo Randy Lewis, a Colville tribe member, talks about how he used to play around the Stemilt Spires as a child, in a video recorded by Central Washington University geology professor Nick Zentner last August.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

“She (Mary Marchand) wanted so much to put a Wenatchi (P’squosa) face on Wenatchee, to bring our people back,” Lewis said. “She was my inspiration. She inspired a lot of us a lot.”

Lewis has since worked closely with the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, including organizing cultural tours and events; co-authoring two books on local Native history; and participating in a film project, “Winter’s Tale,” to preserve oral traditions.

Regardless of the myriad of paths Lewis has traveled, his dedication to promoting Native rights, language and culture has been constant. His family, and the values and traditions they taught him, has been vital to that life-long devotion.

Advice from his mother years ago is something that's guided him and that he believes is still relevant today: "You're standing on the threshold of a real great society, but if you don't speak no one will listen"

Provided photo

Randy Lewis

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38 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo / Don Seabrook Students in Marlin Peterson’s mural class work on their artwork at Wenatchee Valley College’s former dorm rooms. The buildings are on the northwest corner of campus.

Marlin Peterson and his students always on the lookout for another blank wall

W

ENATCHEE — A stroll around the Wenatchee Valley College campus will reveal a variety of colorful murals by students in Marlin Peterson’s mural painting class.

Peterson started the mural class in spring of 2018 when he received permission to do murals on the in-

terior and exterior of the soon to be demolished Wells Hall.

“We were painting without boundaries on walls, bricks, windows, and drywall. In the class, we had many motivated students that had the drive and invested the time to paint large murals using scaffolding and the college's scissor lift,”

Peterson said.

Peterson said the mural painting effort had an impact on the students and faculty because so many could appreciate the murals but feel frustrated they were being torn down. He felt like that first quarter's positive feedback from everyone on campus has led to the ongoing ad-

ministrative support for the campus murals.

The WVC instructor got his start mural painting as part of a program with the city of Tacoma.

“We were given some guidance and ultimately some blank walls to paint on. It was an amazing program that allowed visual artists to get a

The Wenatchee World

Marlin Peterson WVC Instructor

chance to paint large on walls that had been prepped,” he said.

As the popularity of the mural class has grown, many people have become aware of the class. Peterson said he has been contacted by many in the Wenatchee community hoping to have a student paint on a special wall or site that could use some art.

Plus, he has done a lot of cold-calling to people who have great large walls, ideal for mural painting.

“Wenatchee has a ton of perfect,

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 large walls that need artwork, so I hope to be able to find ways for artists to connect with those who have walls to cover walls in town,” he said.

“I can't emphasize how positive the impact would be for there to be real funding for several large murals to be painted downtown.”

There have been some memorable murals. Just strolling through the WVC campus you’ll find some.

Over the summer, Peterson and two former students painted a mural featuring people fighting for social justice on the fabric panels in Van Tassell Hall. Last spring quarter, his class started practicing and painting in the so-called "Knight's Hall" area of white buildings beyond the baseball diamonds up Ninth Street. Of course, Peterson has his favorites.

“Cat Woodworth's purple and pink mural of a person reaching out to a jellyfish on Batjer Hall is an amazing work of art that rightfully dominates the main fountain plaza. Jack Burke's ‘zoo scene’ that was painted on Wells Hall that was demolished was an incredible work of mural craft,” Peterson said.

It all started with an Aplet...

Around the turn of the century two Armenian immigrants, Mark Balaban and Armen Tertsagian, settled in the Cashmere Valley. Here they purchased an apple farm they named Liberty Orchards in honor of the ideals which brought them to America. Soon they were growing more fruit than they could sell, so they invented a candy based on locoum, a treat they enjoyed as children. Crafted from apples and walnuts, they dubbed their tempting creation Aplets. Soon after they came up with Cotlets, made from apricots and walnuts.

Before long, the whole state was clamoring for these “Confections of the Fairies” and a new candy business was born!

Over the years, Aplets & Cotlets has been firmly planted by our Cashmere Valley roots.

From our famous billboards, local advertisements, and fruit stand displays... to our award-winning Apple Blossom parade floats... we’ve been proud to call Central Washington our home from the very start.

So come visit us in downtown Cashmere and sample a taste of our 101 year history... which we’ve conveniently compacted into bite-sized pieces.

Our dedication to quality is the same today as it was when Mark & Armen first began in 1920!

Provided photo Marlin Peterson’s students created a mural at Garden Terrace Apartments on Fifth and Emerson streets in Wenatchee in 2020. Donna DeLancy walks by the mural during an afternoon walk with her dog. Wenatchee Valley College student Danielle Johnston created the mural with four other students.

Aplets & Cotlets Gift Shop & Tour Hours January-March, Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.

April-December, Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm, Weekends 10:00am-4:000pm Just off Hwy 2 in Cashmere Telephone: 509-782-2191 Web: LibertyOrchards.com Production and tour hours do not always coincide, therefore the factory may not be producing for all tours.

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

North Central Washington educators | Teaching through the pandemic World photo / Don Seabrook Educators across North Central Washington kept classes going through the COVID-19 pandemic, sometimes in person and sometimes in virtual classrooms.

World photo / Don Seabrook Wendi Clayson, a second-grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, puts students’ names on a welcome board outside her classroom in August.

merry maids

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The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022 41

World photo / Don Seabrook Tina Nicpan Brown, Wenatchee, teaches science from her home overlooking the Squilchuck Valley in late February. She was one of three elementary science teacher finalists selected for the state Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

World photo / Don Seabrook St. Joseph School teacher Lisa Martinez talks to a fifth-grade student in her classroom in May about a research project.

42 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo Mike Endsley and Scott Ptolemy check out the new websites developed by the first group of business owners to complete the NCW Tech Alliance’s Digital Presence Website Program in July.

2022 Business Impact Award | Jenny Rojanasthien, NCW Tech Alliance In recognition of demonstrating leadership that makes the community better

W

ENATCHEE — Jenny Rojanasthien is the executive director of the NCWTech Alliance, a nonprofit that in 2021 successfully rebranded to be more inclusive of the six counties they serve.

The interview with Rojanasthien has been edited for clarity.

What did 2021 look like for the NCWTech Alliance, formerly the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance?

We started 2021 with a staff of

just myself, so during the pandemic our board made the strategic choice to not fill positions as people migrated out of the nonprofit for other opportunities and to really try to do what we could in a virtual format and focus on rebuilding after the

pandemic.

We spent this year rebuilding programs and resources and we’re launching into 2022 with more community programming than we ever have before. I’m really grateful to the partners and supporters of

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

our nonprofit who have generously given us financial resources so that we could not only continue to exist during a really challenging time in our community, but that we could rebuild in a way where we served more people.

In your own words, can you describe what the NCWTech Alliance does?

The NCWTech Alliance connects people and technology resources.

We’re passionate about ensuring rural Washington doesn’t get left behind as technology accelerates and the way that we serve the community is through educational events, programs, and resources. We have three pillars of work under our mission which are technology, entrepreneurship, and STEM education and in leading those three pillars we have a variety of events and programs and resources.

There’s a place for everyone at NCWTech. We are the technology alliance for the region but we bring

together techies, community members, educators, students, and we have a robust slate of programs and we’d love for the community to get involved.

What challenges did you see and how did you overcome them?

The Tech Alliance has always been really strong at being a connector and fostering being kind of the hub where people could go to make connections so how we do that in a virtual format was definitely a learning experience.

I think we’re really excited about safely engaging in in-person settings through having COVID safety protocols and also creating hybrid events where there’s both that online and in-person experience so we can offer both options for our community members.

I think there were some silver linings in going to a virtual format.

In some ways we were able to reach new people or bring accessibility in a way that we hadn’t before.

Provided photo Jenny Rojanasthien is the executive director of the NCWTech Alliance that serves Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan, Adams, and Ferry counties.

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44 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

A responsibility to help the community find their voice: Karina Vega-Villa navigates the pandemic as an educator and advocate

W

enatchee Valley College Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) director Karina Vega-Villa began her work helping the community doing community outreach for Lewis and Clark Elementary School, where her son was choiced in for the

dual language program.

After attending private school in Ecuador, where there was hardly any parent involvement in school, Vega-Villa got involved with the Lewis and Clark PTSA to better understand the educational system. There, she helped provide

information to parents who are immigrants like her.

Vega-Villa started at WVC teaching biology and chemistry instructor.

The MESA program supports underrepresented, low income, and first generation students who want to go into STEM fields. Vega-Villa became

part of the writing team to begin the program and became the director in 2018.

Doing community outreach for her son’s school began her journey helping the community, but COVID-19 accelerated it.

“I think we educators have that

Provided photo Karina Vega-Villa (left) stands with students who helped survey the Latino population in Wenatchee Valley College’s service area to understand their educational needs to help define WVC priorities.

The Wenatchee World responsibility to help the community find their voice and the pathway to get their goals,” she said.

Vega-Villa is also a member of the Immigrant and Latinx Solidarity Group, a board member of NCW Equity Alliance and Board of Education Northwest, and was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the STEM Innovation Alliance.

Becoming a part of groups like these helped her navigate the pandemic for the community, but also for her students.

“Our students, like me, will put priority in their family, so if their parents lose their jobs that means they can’t go to school because the students will take priority and help the family,” she said. “It was a lot of connecting them with resources so that they can continue with their education. That worked in a lot of cases and that didn’t work in some cases.”

Being a STEM professional during the pandemic made Vega-Villa realize the importance of taking science communication directly to the public. Vega-Villa found success in creating videos explaining COVID-19 and speaking directly to

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

Karina Vega-Villa

Congratulations to this year’s community impact award winners!

people about vaccines.

"Those three minutes of time with the community and helping them understand the science behind vaccine development is what we should all be doing as scientists," she said.

Looking into 2022, Vega-Villa wants to see the youth in Wenatchee to use their voice to “find the change that they want to see.”

“The more opportunities we give our youth to find their voices and the more we get behind their ideas, the better we’re going to be as a community, so that’s what I hope we will do,” Vega-Villa said.

FIVE WILL BE HONORED The Wenatchee World’s North Central Washington Community Impact Awards

Quarter page house ad Presented by Confluence Health

Join our Virtual Awards Ceremony 5:30pm - 6:30pm, Thursday, February 24 5:30pm -6:30pm wwrld.us/2022Awards

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46 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

Finding many ways to help | Making a difference World photo / Don Seabrook Wenatchee Valley residents found many ways to make a difference in 2021, including honoring veterans, getting meals to people, helping nature recover from wildfires and keeping the lights on at a park.

World photo / Don Seabrook Cheri Rayburn and her granddaughter Hailey Shaw share a laugh while they volunteer for the Okanogan County Transportation & Nutrition meal service in the East Wenatchee office in November.

World photo / Don Seabrook Aldo Deliyiannis, left, and Skip Atkerson, Wenatchee, put flags at the head of veterans’ grave markers at the Wenatchee cemetery for Memorial Day weekend. They joined about 30 other volunteers to find veterans graves throughout the cemetery — over 2,500 of them. American Legion Post No. 10 helped with the annual effort.

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

World photo / Don Seabrook Jordan Contreras, left, and Ana Dickey, both students of WestSide High School’s 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program, work to plant seedling sagebrush in an area devastated by recent wildfires south of the Broadview neighborhood in November.

Classic and modern apparel for babies and children of all ages since 1952

4 S Wenatchee Ave,

(509) 888-0973 theoriginalchildrensshop.com

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World photo / Don Seabrook Tina Wagner says she, her son Sam, 13, and others like Casey Cooper, Wenatchee, in the background, use the Hale skatepark park in Wenatchee almost every day. Sam convinced the Wenatchee City Council to keep lights on at the park so skateboarders could use the skatepark after dark.

48 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo / Luke Hollister

Larry Hibbard, owner of Ruby Theatre, raises his photoplayer up on the theater’s stage platform.

Larry Hibbard: Bringing back a piece of musical history

L A roll of music is played on the restored photoplayer.

World photo / Don Seabrook

arry Hibbard doesn’t spend as much time with his wife as he used to; someone a little older has been keeping him out late — her name is Valentina, a 100-yearold self-playing instrument.

“She’s definitely a prima donna; she takes a lot of attention,” said Hibbard while

sitting in an empty theater. Hibbard, the owner of Ruby Theatre in Chelan, has been restoring an antique music device known as a photoplayer.

Valentina spends most of her time hidden behind long, red curtains, graced by rows of empty seats inside of the Ruby. It’s a fitting aesthetic for

The Wenatchee World

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

World photo / Luke Hollister The photoplayer got its name, Valentina, because Hibbard decided naming the player after its manufacturer “Wurlizter” just did not have enough character.

AN INVITATION FOR PROJECTS

WE VOLUNTEER Every year since the summer of 1988 our firm has closed its doors and paid its employees for a whole day with one goal: we want to do something great for our community. We call this our annual Community Service Day and this year we are looking for your ideas.

World photo / Luke Hollister Hibbard explains the instruments his photoplayer has connected to it. Bells, whistles and drums are all a part of the machine.

the decades-old music machine, which grew up playing music to silent films.

“Now I have a big excuse when I come home, if I’m late.,” he said. “I tell my wife, ‘I’ve been with Valentina this afternoon.’”

Valentina is a multi-talented electric and pneumatic instrument with organ characters in her gene pool. She is quite a bit bigger than the average household piano and includes a drum set, bells, bellows, a bird whistle, pipes and several foot pedals all built-in. One of her most unique features is the ability to play music on her own using special rolls of paper.

Right now, it’s a passion project, he said. If others want to share in hearing this instrument, then great.

It will probably be giving some con-

Require enough work to keep 30-40 individuals busy for 6-8 hours Project should include a variety of work for varying levels of skill and physical ability Project location must be within 60 minutes of downtown Wenatchee

World photo / Luke Hollister A collection of old player rolls are stored under the Ruby Theatre. Each roll is a song that can be played on a photoplayer.

certs in the future.

The plan for what to do with Valentina has not been fully determined yet, he said. Hibbard is going to wait until theaters in Washington can open up again before making any big decisions.

Selected project to be completed on Thursday, May 19, 2022

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Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

World photo/Luke Hollister Snowboarders and skiers enjoyed a sunny opening day of the long-awaited Wenatchee Express chairlift on Feb. 18, 2021, at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort.

All aviation services, pilots and mechanics are provided

The Wenatchee World

by Air Methods Corporation and Aero Air, LLC.

Wenatchee Progress Edition | Thursday, February 24, 2022

Life’s an adventure – be prepared Whether you’re out backpacking, rock climbing or just want peace of mind, Airlift Northwest offers a lifesaving medical transport membership that is ready to help if an illness or accident happens.

Signing up is fast, inexpensive and might save your life. $60 covers your household for a year.

EMS and hospital staff discounts available.

Visit our website to learn more: airliftnw.org/membership

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52 Thursday, February 24, 2022 | Wenatchee Progress Edition

The Wenatchee World

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