From MediaRites:

By Dmae Lo Roberts

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 23, 2025 — Stories have the power to heal. Personal stories especially have the power to change lives. In an effort to find more common ground between artists and community members, MediaRites presents The -Ism Storytellers Project, an afternoon of personal stories from the heart, hosted and curated by Larry Toda, MediaRites’ Board Member, who has a family history in The Dalles.

Four storytellers will include artist Melissa Chavez, educators Dr. Linda Tamura and Gabriella Pacheco Rosales, and Emily Whitefield, Deputy Director of The Dalles Art Center, all community members from The Dalles area. They will meet in the small event space of The Dalles Civic Auditorium to tell 10-minute stories based on the theme of Courage, Grace, and Grit to a small audience who will share in the moving experiences of the storytellers. Audience members will be invited to stay afterward to share their stories with the storytellers after the event.

MediaRites’The -Ism Storytellers Project is an evolution from the original Ism Project of touring monologues in 2018 that addressed issues of race, gender, orientation, and national origin. It also draws inspiration from the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project in which MediaRites’ executive producer, Dmae Lo Roberts, worked as a conversation leader for over two years in rural Oregon communities. The -Ism Storytellers Project combines a parlor theater storytelling experience with personal stories.

This event concludes MediaRites’ season of this project. We’ve produced events around Portland, Astoria, Eugene and now The Dalles with funding by Ronni S. Lacroute through the Oregon Community Foundation and Portland Arts & Culture Access Fund.

MediaRites is a Peabody award-winning nonprofit production organization dedicated to telling the stories of diverse cultures and giving voice to the unheard through the arts, education and media projects. Find out more at mediarites.org. See videos of previous storytelling events on MediaRites’ YouTube Channel at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQEtb53nQwl2FzntwnLw7JtjDpSPT-Rxs

“One small pebble can make a thousand ripples.” - Dalai Lama

The Dalles Event Bios:

Melissa Chavez, a self-taught painter and jewelry designer from a family of migrant workers in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, has called Oregon home for 20 years. Inspired by her grandfather, a folk artist, and her brother, late acrylic painter Nate Chavez, her artistic path is deeply rooted in family and heritage.

Gabriela Pacheco Rosales is an instructional assistant at Mid Valley Elementary School for 25 years. She works closely with students and families affected by living illegally in the United States. As an illegal student herself, Gabriela’s skills and experiences provide the support to help such families in need.

Linda Tamura, born and raised on an apple and pear orchard in the Columbia River Gorge, is Professor Emerita of Education at Willamette University. She’s the author of two books, The Hood River Issei and Nisei Soldiers Break Their Silence, and is a Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Oregon Encyclopedia (oregonencyclopedia.org).

Larry Toda (host/curator) is a MediaRites board member and board secretary and a member of Theatre Diaspora, Oregon’s only AAPI theater company, where he has performed in several productions. He previously served on boards for JACL and Portland Ad Federation. Larry is the global content creation manager for Siemens Software.

Emily Whitfield, Deputy Director of The Dalles Art Center, has prioritized including communities of color in the center’s programming. A mixed-race woman raised in The Dalles with family roots in the area since the 1890s, Emily studied political science and is passionate about connecting people to everyday impacts of policy. She’s an active volunteer and artist, focused on pottery after returning from two years in Mexico City.

Dmae Lo Roberts (producer) has been the executive producer of MediaRites since 1991. Her Peabody- winning documentary Mei Mei, a Daughter's Song is a harrowing account of her mother's childhood in Taiwan during WWII. Roberts and MediaRites won another Peabody-award for Crossing East, the first Asian American history series on public radio. She received the Dr. Suzanne Ahn Civil Rights and Social Justice award from the Asian American Journalists Association and is a United States Artists Fellow. She co-founded Theatre Diaspora, Oregon’s first Asian American theatre company as project of MediaRites.

By Nancy Turner

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 23, 2025 — Earlier this month, Tom Peterson posted what the Walldogs are up to now. It’s titled “Little Art City Strikes Again with Umatilla House Restoration.” Simultaneously, I was organizing a dozen friends to do a walking tour of murals in the east end of The Dalles. A moment of synchronicity.

Mural madness!

We don't have to fly to Europe to see walls adorned with iconic paintings or go to an art museum to enjoy art. We can just park our cars and walk around town.

Many dull walls around The Dalles provided a canvas where people added color and images that reflect our local heritage. There are now about forty in and around our downtown area.

These paintings bring vibrancy and interest to what would otherwise be a lackluster area. They encourage pride in our small town. Some of the painters are local volunteers. Others, called Walldogs, travel a long distance to be part of these amazing projects. They make it look easy, but they put in many hours of hard work.

During the summer, tourists arrive at The Dalles dock by ship on the Columbia River. Sightseers disembark and do a walking tour of downtown. One of the highlights for these folks is viewing the murals. A friend of mine, Lise, leads these tours as well as gangs of students from the middle school. She offered to guide a group of my friends on a Saturday morning earlier this month. I figured if she could herd an entire class of eighth graders, she could keep a collection of elders in line.

A dozen of us met at Sawyer’s Hardware Store on East Third.. On the back of their building, a mural covers the entire wall. From there we leisurely walked around the east end of town with Lise leading the way. We didn’t hurry. We paused to appreciate the skilled artistry and learn the story behind each painting.

We felt clever finding “easter eggs,” referring to figures painted in weird places, having nothing to do with the theme of that particular painting. One had to look closely. In one painting a Sasquatch, three inches tall—which is small when the painting covers the whole wall of a building—sauntered along a road toward the river. In another, we spotted a menacing serpent in the Columbia River that looked as if it had swum here from China. What was a faint angular image of a two-foot mosquito doing on a wall depicting pioneer life? It reminded me of the Nazca Lines in northern Peru. Art can be informative, provoke feelings and expand awareness, and also be downright playful.

In two hours we only covered the east end of town. We’ll go back to see the rest another time.

Those beautiful wall paintings aren’t going anywhere. We can go see them any time we want. If you’d like to know more, check out the link provided in the CCCNews article. There are maps available at The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles Art Center, or you can ask AI to find a PDF of the mural map to download or print. Don’t wait until you have guests from out-of-town. Go any day you want. It’s free art for everyone to enjoy, and it’s fun.

Click here to learn about murals in The Dalles.

From Columbia Gorge STEM Hub:

By Nicole Tolmie

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 23, 2025 — Thanks to generous support from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Columbia Gorge STEM Hub - a department within Columbia Gorge Education Service District - has opened its Microgrant program for the 2025–2026 school year.

The grants are designed to fund field trips that foster student curiosity and deepen their understanding of diverse career pathways, particularly in STEM fields.

Grant Details and Eligibility

The microgrants ($400+) are available to PreK-12th-grade educators in Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler counties. Larger proposals impacting multiple students or classrooms will be considered above the cap.

Educators can apply for one of two options:

1. Educator-Led Experience: Teachers plan and lead the entire experience, designing activities and a field trip that supports career exploration & awareness. Funds can cover transportation, fees, educational materials, and substitute coverage.

2. Partner-Led Experience: These pre-organized opportunities (including the Central Oregon Skills Trade Fair and visits to Columbia Gorge Community College), have all logistics handled by partner organizations. 

Educators can find application links for both grant types on the STEM Hub's website www.gorgestem.org/microgrants. To learn more about Columbia Gorge Education Service District, visit: www.cgesd.k12.or.us.

From Washington Gorge Action Programs:

By Tamara Kaufman

White Salmon, Wash., Oct. 22, 2025 — Klickitat County Childcare Committee (KCCC) has supported the development of a new childcare business in the White Salmon area. It is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen local infrastructure, providing families with more options.

Country Critters is now officially licensed with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and doors are open. Candyce Johnson operates the business from her home and received support from the KCCC project coordinator and grant writer, Johanna Roe. 

Johnson grew up in White Salmon and attended Columbia High School. She moved to California with her husband and operated a daycare for thirteen years while her children were young. After their children grew up, she and her husband moved back to White Salmon.

When their grandson Jordon was born, the couple stepped up to help and took him into their home. “Jordan was the motivation to start the daycare. I was working at the school as a cook when we took guardianship of him, and we needed daycare.” Johnson said. She said she loves working from home and wanted to be home with him, so she decided to get licensed in Washington.

Johnson was grateful to have been introduced to KCCC through another provider who introduced her to Roe. She faced challenges and received assistance from the group, which provides necessary equipment and supplies to help new providers meet licensing requirements. “I started the (licensing) process, and it took about seven months to do it all,” Johnson said. 

“Jill McNeally, one of our liaisons, was instrumental in helping Candyce,” Roe said. The team provided information and starter kit supplies, including sleeping mats, toy bins, child-sized spoons and plates, diapers, and a medicine cabinet. “We also helped with the purchase of wood chips and an outdoor play structure,” Roe added.

“Country Critters is the sixth childcare business that has completed licensing with the support of our team at KCCC. We have helped one in Bingen, one in Dallesport, one in Goldendale, two in White Salmon, and one in BZ Corner. There are now an additional 48 licensed childcare slots in Klickitat County,” Roe said, and explained that this results in full-time pre-tax earnings for 48 parents of approximately $1,661,334 calculated at 40 hours x $16.66 minimum wage x 52 weeks. 

Roe added that the impact can be even more significant. “If having childcare provides for two parents to be in the workforce, that number doubles,” Roe said. “If higher wage earners have childcare available, that number is also going to increase.

Johnson’s new business is licensed for six spots, and her grandson is currently occupying the infant slot. So she can add five other children aged one to thirteen at their location, which is just seven minutes from downtown White Salmon. She loves to bake with the children, plans to add a preschool curriculum, has a large playground, and will add a garden in the spring. The site has seven acres, and Johnson hopes to create policies for her license that will allow her to add nature trails in the future.

Country Critter is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility in hours. Parents interested in learning more can email CountryCritters2025@gmail.com or call Johnson directly at 707-357-5437.

Roe said KCCC continues its mission to support those interested in becoming professional childcare providers and to educate on the need for childcare services. “We also remain committed to helping our business community understand the critical need for childcare and how it plays a vital role in strengthening our local economy.”

She explained that understanding the need for childcare is essential for developing legislation and policies that support family-friendly workplaces. “Childcare also helps our families with health care needs,” Roe said. “Parents can go to doctor and dentist appointments and health screenings as needed instead of having to postpone or cancel due to lack of childcare.”

Angelina Heredia, a new Spanish-speaking liaison, has recently been added to the KCCC team. Roe said Heredia is bilingual, has a strong background in early childhood education, and understands the challenges and advantages of navigating multiple cultures and languages.  “Her work as the Family Coordinator with the White Salmon Valley School District has helped her make strong connections with local families,” Roe said. “She is seen as a trusted and reliable source of information and knowledge.”

Learn more about the Klickitat County Childcare Committee at http://www.gorgeearlylearning.com/kccc.html. The site includes helpful links and a quick resource guide for someone starting their journey to become a licensed childcare provider.

#  #  #

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.

THE DALLES, Ore., Oct. 21, 2025 — A local man arrested two weeks ago for firing multiple shots near the Fourth Street grade in The Dalles was taken into custody again Monday evening after allegedly crashing his vehicle into a porch, a boat and another car just a block from his own home.

Travis Stubbs, 43, was driving a dark blue Mazda shortly after 6 p.m. Oct. 20 when he lost control on East Fourth Street, striking a porch at 602 Fourth Street and then a parked boat at 606 Fourth Street, which was pushed into another vehicle at the same home before coming to a stop, according to reports from one neighbor and The Dalles Police. No one was injured.

However, homeowner and neighbor to Stubbs, David Polehn said it was a close call, noting his son had placed the recycle bin in the path of where the crash occurred only minutes before the collision.

Stubbs, who lives about 100 feet up the hill at 700 East Fourth Street, was booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility in The Dalles on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless endangering, hit-and-run, and reckless driving, according to police. Alcohol is suspected, and a blood draw was taken, though results are pending.

Stubbs remained in custody as of Tuesday morning but had apparently been released later that day, Polehn said, noting he had seen Stubbs. He was expected to appear in court later Tuesday. Police said the case remains under investigation and emphasized that Stubbs is innocent until proven guilty in court.

Polehn said the crash occurred not long after he went to the police station and the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office seeking help regarding Stubbs’ erratic behavior.

He said he had walked his daughter home from school earlier on Monday to gauge the safety of the neighborhood when he saw Stubbs standing outside his house acting oddly.

“I thought to myself, ‘Is this guy an actual threat?’” Polehn said. “I was already thinking about what our avenues of exit would be if we had to run.”

“An hour later, this happened,” he said.

He suspects Stubbs struggles with mental-health issues and criticized what could be summed up as a lack of laws and treatment options to intervene before someone gets hurt. “It’s a whole runaround. I just want to keep my family safe,” Polehn said. “I hope he gets help, but meanwhile, we have to live like this. I hope he gets the help he needs so he doesn’t have to live his life like this.”

Stubbs arrested two weeks ago

Stubbs was previously arrested Oct. 7 after witnesses reported a man firing “six or seven rounds” from behind a rock retaining wall near the same hillside neighborhood. Detectives later recovered several firearms from his home, police said.

Polehn said the repeated incidents have left his family anxious and frustrated. “It feels like the state is failing us in this area,” he said.

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 21, 2025 — The Mid-Columbia is stirring with Halloween spirit this week. Events from The Dalles to Hood River and beyond offer tricks, treats, and tunes for all ages leading into the haunted weekend.

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Halloween lovers can head to Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks for a Fall & Halloween Night Market running 6–9 p.m., featuring local artists, vendors, and live music by Aram Arslanian.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Bingen Theater hosts a 50th Anniversary screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 7:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, props are welcome, and audience participation is all part of the fun. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door.

Friday, Oct. 24

Teens can celebrate safely at the Hood River County Library’s Teen Halloween Party from 6 to 9 p.m.
Those staying downtown can enjoy County Line, an Americana group playing The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25

The weekend’s biggest blowout, Haunt the Heights, takes over Pine Street in Hood River with a full day of live music, food vendors, cider and wine, a bounce house, and both pet and human costume contests. Local favorites Early Morning Ramblers and Groove Cabin headline before an after-party featuring Supernova at The Underground.

Other Saturday thrills include Funkship’s Halloween Costume Dance Party at Bingen Theater (7:30 p.m.)

Spooktober Film Festival at The Granada Theater in The Dalles—showing Halloweentown at 2 p.m. and Nosferatu at 7 p.m. with live organ accompaniment

Carved Pumpkin Contest at Hood River Elks Lodge from 4 to 8 p.m.

Whether it’s dancing, markets, or monster movies, the Gorge is alive with eerie energy this week. Many events are free or low-cost, offering accessible fun for families, music lovers, and mischief-makers alike.

Tuesday, Oct. 21

Little Music City has your Tuesday covered this week with a couple of gigs in The Dalles:

Dave Tallman at Last Stop Saloon, 7 p.m.

Reddy Black Trio at Zim’s Sports Bar, 7 p.m.

Little Music City was founded in The Dalles, Oregon by a group of individuals passionate about music and their community. www.littlemusiccity.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Hood River Brewing Co. in Hood River, Open Stage, 5:30-8 p.m.

The Secret Salsa Society is your place for Salsa Dancing in the Gorge! Wednesday, Oct. 22, Crush Cider Cafe (Hood River), 7-9 p.m. Join the weekly dance at a fun, local venue. Expect to hear Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Timba, Cumbia, and more. Suggested donation $3 per person. All Ages event and Beginners are welcome! Beginner lessons at 6:30 p.m.

Thunder Island Events

Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks presents the Fall and Halloween Night Market

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 6-9 p.m. (in the Tent)

Featuring local artists and live music from Aram Arslanian

Shop local art including knits, reclaimed wood art, gift wrap, cards, jewelry, stickers, home goods, paintings, photography and so much more!

Aram will be on stage from 6:30-8:30 p.m. With a dynamic tenor voice on both guitar and piano, he brings a warm and familial vibe.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River, Dumpster Joe (Country Blues), 6:30 p.m.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary at Bingen Theater

Let’s Do the Time Warp… Again!

We hear you, creatures of the night — you’re mourning the absence of our annual live Rocky Horror Show. But our actors need a break. (Trust us, fishnets aren’t as breathable as they look.)

But! Because it's the 50th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, we’re trading the stage for the silver screen! Join us for two nights only as we celebrate the cult classic that started it all — the outrageous, glitter-soaked, time-warping movie version.

Costumes are highly encouraged So fish out the fishnets and sharpen those stilettos for the rockiest ride of your life! Don’t dream it — be it.

Audience Callbacks: Throughout the film, audience members shout out witty and often risqué responses to the dialogue on screen.

Prop Use: Audience members often bring various props to the screening, such as playing cards, toilet paper, and rubber gloves. These props are used at specific moments during the film to mimic actions on screen or enhance certain scenes. We kindly ask that you leave food props at home to discourage small furry creatures of the night from entering our theater.

Tickets are $17 if you buy in advance, but they'll be $20 at the door! Get 'em now!

Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. www.bigbritches.org/the-rocky-horror-picture-show-tickets

Friday, Oct. 24

The Trout Lake Hall in Trout Lake, Washington brings live music and community events to its historic venue. www.troutlakehall.com/

Bodhi Mojo / Whalien

Psychedelic, jamband rooted in the good feels

Trout Lake Hall

$15 Advance // $15 Day Of Show
6 p.m. Doors / 7 p.m. Show
All Ages

Hood River County Library, Teen Halloween Party, 6-9 p.m.

The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River hosts live music featuring County Line (Americana), 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Haunt the Heights returns Saturday, Oct. 25, shutting down Pine Street for Hood River’s ultimate Halloween bash. Enjoy live music from Early Morning Ramblers and Groove Cabin, costume contests for pets and humans, food vendors, face painting, a bounce house, and plenty of beer, cider, and wine. Don’t miss the stein-hoist showdown or the after-party with Supernova at The Underground. Rain or shine—come ready to haunt!

Funkship's Halloween Costume Dance Party

Bingen Theater, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Funkship's annual Halloween costume dance party and fundraiser for the Bingen Theater! With special guests Jori Apedaile and Taylor Spliff. Tickets at:

www.bigbritches.org/funkship-halloween-dance-party-tickets

Spooktober Film Festival at The Granada Theater

Saturday, Oct 25

Movies:

Halloweentown - Free - Show 2 p.m.

Nosferatu (1922) - Free - Show 7 p.m.

This performance will include a live organist.

Daily tickets will be $10, except for two family friendly films that will be free to the public. A full festival ticket is available for $65 that will grant access to all events.

Events at Hood River Elks Lodge

The Hood River Elks Lodge hosts live music, comedy and other community events.

Saturday, Oct. 25, Carved Pumpkin Contest, 4-8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Little Music City Live Music Lineup — The Dalles

Rich & Blonde at Last Stop Saloon, 7 p.m.

Gunshy at Zim’s Sports Bar, 7 p.m.

Phelps Creek Vineyard in Hood River, Music with Heart & Hammer, 5-7 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 27

Al Hare at Last Stop Saloon, 7 p.m.

Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon, Bootleg Barney and the Strays (Country Rock, Folk and Blues), 6-8 p.m.

Want to get your event onboard? Send the details to Entertainment Guru Jim Drake gorgeentertainment@gmail.com
and make it a Great Show!
‘Cause they can’t go if they don’t know.

Thanks for Reading! If you enjoyed Gorge Giggin’ Guide Highlights please check out our Local Calendar for a deeper dive into what’s happening in The Gorge! You can even Upload your own event - Subscribe to Stay in the Know!

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 20, 2025 — The Dalles cast its spell this weekend as witches, warlocks, and masked revelers filled both the Sunshine Mill and downtown streets for a pair of enchanting events — the 10th Annual Witches Walk and the inaugural Witches Masquerade Ball.

A Night of Magic at the Sunshine Mill

The Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery was nearly unrecognizable Saturday night, transformed into a candlelit lair of music, mystery, and masquerade for the First Annual Witches Masquerade Ball.

Hosted by The Dalles Witches Walk organizers, the 21-and-over event shimmered with gothic elegance. Guests arrived in elaborate gowns, cloaks, and horned masks, some resembling shadowy spirits, others glittering like forest queens. Beneath the industrial arches of the old mill, laughter echoed between the pillars as live music filled the air and couples took to the dance floor.

Local food trucks and bartenders kept the cauldrons bubbling with wine, cocktails, and beer, while the night unfolded like a spell well-cast — sophisticated, spirited, and brimming with community magic. Organizers said the ball’s debut exceeded expectations and promised it will return next year, even bigger and more bewitching.

Witches Take Flight Downtown

On Saturday, downtown The Dalles transformed into a lively coven as hundreds of witches paraded down East Second Street for the 10th Annual Witches Walk.

The celebration began with the traditional broomstick parade in front of Route 30, where costumed participants marched, cackled, and waved to cheering onlookers. From there, the witches roamed from shop to shop, collecting stamps on their “Witches Walk” passports while local businesses joined in with candy, discounts, and decorations.

Each hour brought a new round of broomstick dancing — a spirited routine that’s become a highlight of the event — with performers dressed in black lace, striped stockings, and pointed hats. The rhythmic stomps and swirling skirts brought cheers from the crowd, adding to the atmosphere that lasted well into the night.

A Town Under a Happy Hex

By the end of the weekend, The Dalles had fully embraced its witchy side. From the elegance of the Masquerade Ball to the joyful chaos of the Walk, the events wove together like twin spells — one whispered, one shouted — celebrating community, creativity, and the season’s mischievous charm.

As twilight settled over the Columbia River Gorge, it was clear the town wasn’t just visited by witches — it became one.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 16, 2025 — Air flowing over the airframe of the ASK-21 glider sounded like winding-up wind as Anastasia Mitsky of The Dalles heard the beeping increase.

She was 4,000 feet above Odell and lifting higher on her second solo flight on Aug. 7. And her lift instrument was beginning to speak in high volume.

The 17-year-old was headed up — but she had no clue how far.

Her plane was climbing, and the rate of ascent was increasing, causing the beeping in her variometer to rise like her heart rate. She was using ridge lift off an area called the Dog Bowl to fly higher — wind pushed upward into the sky by the ridge.

“I hit a mountain wave,” she said. It’s a strong wind that came over Mount Hood, bounced into the ground, and rebounded into the air, creating lift for her glider. “I got into the sweet spot — high enough to hit that wave.”

Her plane pitched and went higher — higher than when it was released from the tow plane after taking off from the Hood River Airport.

Her adrenaline was flowing. “I did not expect I would do that,” she said.

“Soon I was riding a powerful lift line beneath a wide cloud street. The altimeter ticked past 5,000 feet, then 5,700, 6,200… and finally 7,400,” she said.

A cloud street is a long line of cumulus clouds formed by rising air currents, creating “highways” in the sky that let glider pilots travel miles in lift without circling.

“Mixed in with the growing anticipation of getting higher, I grew more and more cautious,” she continued. “I didn’t want to be pulled into the cloud base, yet I still wanted more altitude. That’s when I remembered a technique I’d seen Jonathan use on a flight: working lift along the side of the cloud while staying clear of its base. I shifted into position, and the vario (or lift indicator) kept singing without pulling me any closer to the white wall above.”

“The next thing I knew I was already soaring over the sea of clouds with Mt. Hood in its prime beauty at 9,500 feet, with my peak altitude just shy of 9,800.”

That’s about two miles above sea level. Mitsky maintained her altitude and took in the incredible sights of Mount Hood and the airport below.

After about 15 minutes, it also became a bit unnerving — flying so high, so fast, all alone. “Maybe I should go back now,” she thought.

Her flight instructor, Brian Hart, who had trained Anastasia over the past several months to prepare her for this flight, radioed her from the ground every 10 minutes, checking her altitude.

“You still there?” he asked.

He kept it professional, she said, maintaining calm communication, but his heart was likely soaring like hers as his pupil made this rare and enviable flight — utilizing her skills to draft higher and higher as she managed to put her plane in the right place at the right time.

It took Anastasia 25 minutes to descend from the high altitude, and when she landed, she realized she had been aloft for an hour and 48 minutes.

“It was really, really memorable,” she said. “I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

“The sound, the feel of the controls, the feel of buffet and turning,” she said.

Is it a superpower?

“Yes. I never assumed it. But being alone above a sea of clouds… it is just something,” she said.

The fledgling flew above all others that day, even getting a radio call from a seasoned pilot asking where she caught her lifts.

Reaching 9,800 feet on a third solo glider flight is well outside the standard expectations for a new solo student and requires exceptional weather conditions and advanced thermal-soaring skills that pilots typically develop with much more experience.

Anastasia had soared so high, so soon.

“I knew right then this was the kind of flight I’d be chasing again,” she said.

Read more about Anastasia and her road less traveled here.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 20, 2025 — When 17-year-old Anastasia Mitsky lifted her glider almost eye-level wit the top of Mt. Hood this summer, it marked more than a personal milestone. It was the culmination of an upbringing built on self-reliance, curiosity, and an education that favored experience over convention.

Born in St. Martin in the Caribbean, Mitsky moved with her parents, Anton and Katrin, to the United States in 2014 after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. Her father, a medical practitioner from Novosibirsk, and her mother, a native of Crimea, left behind their professions and began again. Anton became a long-haul truck driver. His work brought him through the Columbia Gorge, where he discovered The Dalles.

“He called my mom and said, ‘We’re moving,’” Anastasia said. “He loved how calm and friendly the town felt.”

The family rented a house from longtime residents Ann Marie and Sam Woolsey, who welcomed them with small-town generosity. From there, they began building a new life one project at a time.

Learning by Doing

Mitsky has been homeschooled for several years through a curriculum shaped by her father. Lessons extended beyond textbooks to projects and shared family work. Together with her mother, Anastasia operates The Gorge Bakery by KA, using the Columbia Gorge Community College commercial kitchen to produce breads and pastries for local markets.

You have likely seen their goods at the The Dalles Farmer’s Market.

Her education also included hands-on mechanical work. The family purchased and restored several sailboats, including a 27-foot Newport and later a 30-foot Hunter capable of sleeping eight. Weekends were spent repairing, sanding, and learning the systems needed to make them seaworthy.

Each project, she said, taught patience, planning, and precision — qualities that would later carry over into flying.

Finding Flight

Mitsky’s interest in aviation began when her parents bought her a flight in a Cessna at age 11. “It was really fun,” she said. “The pilot let me grab the yoke and steer for a little bit.”

Two years later, she joined the Hood River Soaring Club, attending meetings and learning about gliding. Her early enthusiasm slowed as the family focused shifted to sailboat projects, but she returned to flying seriously this summer.

She spent more than two months at the airfield training daily from early morning to late evening under instructor Brian Hart. Her goal: solo and earn her glider pilot’s license.

That process required passing a written test, completing the club’s pre-solo evaluation, and passing an FAA check ride with both an oral and flight exam.

“Nerve-wracking? Yes,” she said of the testing process. The FAA examiner, she recalled, added new challenges, forcing her to think through navigation and safety planning on the spot. “It was tough.”

Lift Born of Work

This summer, Mitsky completed her solo flights and secured her glider license, culminating in the remarkable August flight that carried her above 9,800 feet.

The result it seems was not luck but the product of a steady accumulation of skills — learned in the bakery, at the boatyard, and in the air.

Her path has been anything but ordinary: a family rebuilding from scratch, a homeschool curriculum built around work and curiosity, and a teenager who learned that mastery comes through repetition and patience.

From The Next Door:

By
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 20, 2025 — Each year, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) honors individuals, businesses, and organizations whose collaboration and partnership make a lasting impact on our work and the people we serve. The Community Partner of the Year award highlights those who champion our mission and initiatives, going above and beyond to support and advocate for our programs, clients, and TNDI as a whole.

We are delighted to recognize Azariah Ozias as TNDI’s 2024 Community Partner of the Year for her unwavering commitment to Native youth, families, and cultural preservation throughout the Gorge!   

As the Title VI Native American Home School Liaison for the Columbia Gorge Education School District, Azariah supports 17 schools across Hood River and Wasco Counties. In her role, she works tirelessly to connect Native youth and families to educational resources and culturally grounded programs, partnering closely with teams like TNDI's Native Supports team.  

"It is clear to see how passionate Azariah is about this work,” says Kayla Berish, a Native American Youth Outreach Worker at TNDI. “She listens deeply to the community and then takes immediate action to start researching, planning, and collaborating to turn these ideas and goals into reality. It is truly an honor to collaborate with her on all kinds of projects.”  

Azariah works under the guidance of the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) Indian Parent Committee to provide the services they request for their students who are enrolled in the 506/Title VI Indian Education program. She hosts committee meetings, offers support in their structure and understanding of the by-laws, and ensures priorities are heard and acted upon.  

One of JOM’s main goals has been to restart a group for Native youth to engage in cultural activities and, thanks to Azariah’s leadership, that goal is becoming a reality through Eagle Quest, an after-school club for Native American youth to participate in weekly cultural activities, connect with Native peers, receive academic support, and gain more trusted adults in their lives. Participation in Eagle Quest has grown significantly among both Native youth and their parents, with new youth joining regularly.  

But Azariah’s vision doesn’t stop there. She's now laying the groundwork to establish a new club for younger students in elementary schools called “Eagle’s Nest.” Working alongside Kayla and TNDI’s Native Supports team, Azariah has been collaborating to bring the club to fruition by meeting with school staff, planning activities, preparing permission slips, and more with the hopes of launching the club in the 2025-26 school year. 

In addition to her work with younger youth, Azariah meets monthly with a group of high school students throughout the Gorge called the Columbia River Gorge Native American Youth Advisory Council (NAYAC). She provides a safe space for students to voice their concerns about issues they see in their community, as well as identifying opportunities for personal growth, learning, and leadership development. In March, Dufur School students asked Azariah for her help in educating their non-Native peers to better understand Native culture and powwows. She worked with students, parents, and staff to plan an assembly that explained powwow traditions and was followed by a powwow that evening, attended by students, families, and community members, and livestreamed on social media.  

“I hope to play a bigger role in planning next year,” says Kayla. “The event was inspiring, healing, and is expected to become an annual tradition.” 

Later in the spring, Azariah partnered with two of TNDI's Native American Youth Outreach Workers to organize a transformative trip to Washington, D.C. for 11 NAYAC youth from 5 different schools. In the months leading up, Azariah and Kayla recruited cultural teachers to support the youth in making their own ribbon skirts and shirts. For nearly an entire week, students visited various historical monuments and museums, connected with Native youth from 7 other states, and learned how to present issues and policies important to them. Throughout the Summit, youth were split into different workgroups to put together a policy proposal, which they presented to legislators on Capitol Hill.   

During the summer months, Azariah also supports the JOM Indian Parent Committee in planning and executing a 2-week culture camp for Native American youth of all ages, now called Eagle Quest Culture Camp. TNDI's Native Supports team and Azariah provide support in this all-hands-on-deck project, heavily with planning, execution, and financial support. 

Through every initiative, Azariah’s deep commitment to Native youth, families, and cultural preservation has made her an outstanding community partner, and we are so grateful for her support of The Next Door and our mission! 

Thoughts from the Tractor Seat by Ken Polehn

“Tariffs aimed at foreign powers are breaking the backs of America’s farmers — and most consumers don’t even see it happening.”

When politicians promise to “make China pay,” it sounds tough. It sounds patriotic. But here’s the truth no one likes to admit: China doesn’t pay these tariffs. America does. And for those of us who farm for a living, that bill lands squarely in our mailbox.

The latest example is a set of new port and ship fees on foreign-built vessels. They’re being sold as a way to “level the playing field” — to make foreign shippers shoulder more of the cost of using American ports. In reality, those fees don’t stop at the dock. They roll downhill until they hit the farmer at the bottom.

Here’s how it plays out: shipping companies raise freight rates to cover the new fees. Exporters, in turn, lower the price they pay for cherries, pears, wheat, and other crops to make up the difference. Farmers can’t simply raise prices — the global market sets that. If we try, buyers just turn to Brazil, Argentina, or Europe.

That’s how a tariff becomes a boomerang. The target is overseas, but the blow lands on American soil.

We’ve seen this before. During the 2018–2020 trade war, China retaliated against U.S. farm exports. Overnight, American soybeans, cherries, and pork lost their biggest markets. Prices collapsed, farms struggled, and Washington sent out $28 billion in emergency “relief payments.” But let’s be honest — that wasn’t compensation. It was triage. Farmers paid once through lost income, and again as taxpayers funding the bailout.

These new port fees are just a quieter version of the same mistake. Every time we politicize trade, family farms become collateral damage.

Most consumers never see it. Grocery prices might rise, and people assume the farmer is getting rich. The truth is, most of us are selling below our cost of production. We’re getting squeezed from both ends — global buyers on one side, government policy on the other.

Agriculture doesn’t need handouts. It needs respect — real respect that comes from fair trade, stable markets, and smart policy.

If leaders want to strengthen America’s food system, they should start by protecting the producers who make it possible, not by waging trade wars that drive them out of business.

Because in the end, every tariff that backfires, every fee that raises costs, every lost export contract doesn’t just hurt farmers — it weakens the food security of the entire nation.

We don’t need another bailout.

We need a government that knows who’s really paying the bill.

About the author.

I was born in 1961 into a second-generation farm family in The Dalles. I grew up on a tractor seat, moving irrigation pipe with my sisters before school, and spent my summers picking cherries alongside the children of migrant families who returned year after year. My wife, children, and parents have all worked the same land. I’ve served as county Farm Bureau president, sat on the county fair board, and continue to support 4-H and FFA. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when farmers are squeezed out—not just of business, but of the conversation.

From the Editor - Happy Sunday to you all, and here is a little treat from Mastergardner Dana Greyson who takes on a deep festoon on the people, places and flowers that make The Dalles great. Thank you Dana! Also read Greyson column about her battle for the roses here.

By Dana Greyson

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 19, 2025 — With a population of 16,000, The Dalles can claim more roses per person in our rose garden than “the city of roses,” Portland, Oregon. The Dalles Sorosis Park Veterans Memorial Rose Garden is home to nearly 400 roses. That doesn’t count Seufert Heritage Rose Garden at The Dalles Dam Visitor Center, or Pioneer Park.

On a bluff atop the aptly named Scenic Drive, Sorosis Park Veterans Memorial Rose Garden offers one of the best views in town. A black wrought-iron fence encloses the circular garden. Mount Adams and the Columbia frame the northern sweep. Across the garden to the south, majestic Mt. Hood floats along the southern horizon.

The Vogt Fountain at the garden’s south entrance came about through a $5000 donation in 1911—that would be in over $170,000 in today’s dollars—from Maxmillian Vogt. A business entrepreneur who liked to give back, Vogt intended the fountain “to serve man and beast.” As the town grew, the fountain was relocated to the garden.

Over sixty regal red Veterans Honor roses flank the two northern outer rows. Reaching above six feet in height, the roses pay commanding homage to our veterans. In addition to the Veterans’ roses, 172 memorial roses were planted. Grandifloras roses, floribunda, hybrid tea and a smattering of old-fashioned roses bloom in a dazzling array of colors…pink, salmon, peach, orange, yellow, plum, white, and of course, red. The heady rose scent is even more breathtaking than the view.

Current Stewardship—A Budding Partnership

The garden got its start in1953. Wasco County Master Gardeners partnered with Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation in 2023 to take care of it. Then in 2024, The Dalles experienced its worst winter in fifty years— two straight weeks of near zero-degree weather. Fully exposed on an unprotected hilltop, the garden took a battering. Many roses died and some survivors were no longer worth saving.

Last fall, Master Gardeners flagged twenty-three rose bushes for removal by Parks and Recreation. This spring, Parks and Recreation and Master Gardeners worked together, planting thirty new rose plants. A generous anonymous community donor contributed toward the purchase of the new rose bushes; Master Gardeners and Parks and Recreation split the remaining cost. Shortly after planning the new roses, Parks and Recreation surprised and delighted Master Gardeners by buying and laying down a fresh blanket of bark mulch.

Thanks to the thriving partnership between Parks and Recreation and Wasco County Master Gardeners, the garden is rebounding. Parks and Recreation owns the land, manages the irrigation, contributes to garden expenses, helps with planting, removes the yard debris from pruning* and weeding. Master Gardeners decides what maintenances is needed—watering, weeding—including rose-choking acorn “sprouts” with three-foot-long roots!—and pruning. Master Gardeners also decides which roses need to be removed for replacement, what the replacements will be and where they go. Every year, Master Gardeners plans to refresh the garden with more rose bushes.

* Rose lovers are encouraged to take photos, not bouquets.

Adopt a Rose

If you want to remember your loved ones with a rosebush in the garden, Master Gardeners is offering a rose “adoption” at $100/rosebush. Email wascoextmg@oregonstate.edu or call (541) 296-5494 if you’re interested,

A Rose By Any Other Name

What’s your favorite rose in the garden? Over 150 of the roses in the garden will be identified with easy-to-read plaques, with more identification markers on the way.

Blossoming Community Pride

The Dalles most enduring beauty is our community’s determination to celebrate and cherish our history. The Cherry Festival, St. Peters Landmark Church, The Dalles Art Center, The Discovery Center, The Antique Car Show, Sunshine Mills, The Old Courthouse, The Dalles Civic Auditorium, Fort Dalles Museum—we treasure and care for our local gems. Our rose garden thrives because The Dalles is a community where we roll up our sleeves, open our wallets along with our hearts, and work together restore what we love.

Master Gardeners would love your help. If you’re interested, contact Wasco County Master Gardeners the OSU Extension Service, at (541) 296-5494 or email wascoextmg@oregonstate.edu.

As for the roses…come visit while they still are in bloom.

Rosy Remembrances?

Do you have a personal story or bit of history about The Veteran’s Memorial Rose Garden to share? A special kiss? A grandparent who helped plant or maintain the garden, or whose memorial rose you visit? Wedding photos? We’d love to hear from you. Call Wasco County Master Gardeners at (541) 296-5494 or email wascoextmg@oregonstate.edu

The Rose Seduction by Dana Greyson

You can complain because roses have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses—Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr

I used to believe the only good rose was a cut rose, a bouquet precut for me by someone else. My ex-husband never gave me roses because his mother convinced him you only gave your lover roses when you’d done something wrong. I admired public rose gardens but cursed the thorny flesh-tearing monsters left in my yard by prior owners. What possessed them to plant those fussy things that asked for far more than I was willing to give? Those beasts were stubborn as heck to remove. Despite my repeated murderous efforts to dig them out and hack them away, they kept coming back, uglier each time.

Winter freeze killed the grafts that used to blossom beautifully on the roses in my yard. What remained was the root stock, with shoots that sprang out every which way with abundance yet nary a bloom. This year, I paid someone to remove the roses.

In our annual, hands-on rose pruning class, we removed all the dead wood from the great 2024 freeze. We cut many of the rose bushes nearly down to the ground. Marilyn Richardson convinced Wasco County Master Gardeners (WCMG) to take on the Veterans Memorial Rose Garden’s care. This year, several other master gardeners who share my lack of rose expertise banded together to tend the rose garden with Marilyn because we like working together.

And work we did…beyond the basic pruning, fertilizing, spraying and weeding, we did battle with the buggies—ravenous European sawfly larvae and pesky aphids. We struggled with powdery mildew, finicky irrigation, and hungry deer. Then there’s the challenge of talking to visitors with scissors who believe this is their personal cutting garden. It is not.

As we worked, we often caught snatches of polarizing political conversation from the passersby. Regardless of whether we shared the same political beliefs or not, nearly everyone stopped to thank us, and commented on how lovely the roses looked. This gives me hope that while we may not agree on politics, we can at least agree that we love roses. Over thirty peace roses flourish in our rose garden. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that during the World Wars, European rose growers feared the roses’ destruction in a war-torn land and sent them to the United States.

Back on the home front, the lovely man I am now married to gave me a rose blossom that never fades in its liquid-filled glass globe. He didn’t do it as a peace offering, or because he did anything wrong. He did it simply because he knew I would love it. The blossom sits on my office desk, where I admire it every day.

For the first time ever this spring, I bought a pair of rose bushes for our yard. My husband enjoys his view of the roses from his man cave. They serve as a reminder that I will care as lovingly for him as I do them.

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 19, 2025 — As autumn deepens and shadows grow long, The Dalles Public Library invites you to embrace the spirit of the season. From crafting ghostly families to unraveling a murder mystery in Sleepy Hollow, this week offers something spooky, cozy, and creative for all ages.

Family Craft Night: Ghost Families
Monday, Oct. 20, 6–7 p.m., Children’s Wing
Bring your family to craft your very own “ghost family” portraits inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Each family member creates a ghostly version of themselves to take home. A Sleepy Hollow community read event.

Fall Crafts & Treats
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 3–5 p.m., Meeting Room
Teens and adults can celebrate autumn with five themed craft stations, including sweater garlands, spackled ghost art, and scented candles. Warm drinks, doughnuts, and cozy fall vibes included.

Virtual Event: Finding My Way with Malala Yousafzai
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4–5:30 p.m., Online
Join Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai as she discusses her new memoir Finding My Way—a candid look at resilience, identity, and the journey to self-acceptance. Registration required.

Draw-A-Monster!
Thursday, Oct. 23, 4–7 p.m., Children’s Wing
Let your imagination loose and design your own creepy (or silly) monsters. Artwork will be displayed in the library all month long. All ages welcome.

Murder Mystery Party: The Hollow’s Last Secret
Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m., Meeting Room
Step into the eerie world of Sleepy Hollow in this interactive mystery where guests become suspects. Costumes encouraged. Teens and adults only. Registration required.

Fun Fridays: Autumn Leaves
Friday, Oct. 24, 3–4:30 p.m., Children’s Wing
Learn about why leaves change color through hands-on STEAM activities, including leaf rubbings and rainbow experiments. Designed for ages 5–10.

Fun Fridays for Teens: Sleepy Hollow Escape Room
Friday, Oct. 24, 3:15–4:30 p.m., Teen Room
Work together to solve clues and escape the legend of Sleepy Hollow. Snacks provided; ages 11+.

Movie Night at the Granada: Sleepy Hollow
Friday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m., Granada Theater
Enjoy a haunting movie night with Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow at The Dalles’ historic theater. Admission is free with a library card; concessions available for purchase. Rated R.

Creature Feature: Muckley, the Witch’s Familiar Kitty
Saturday, Oct. 25, 1–2 p.m., Children’s Wing
Meet Muckley, the library’s friendly feline guest, for a special Sleepy Hollow-themed storytime. Ideal for preschool and school-age children.

Ceramic Painting with Heather: The Hessian’s Head
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2–4 p.m., Meeting Room
Paint your own jack-o’-lantern with artist Heather. Supplies are first come, first served. A Sleepy Hollow community read event.

By Tom Peterson and Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 18, 2025 — As the federal government shutdown stretched into its third week and President Trump’s stalled effort to deploy the National Guard to Portland and Chicago drew national scrutiny, rallies across the Gorge swelled with demonstrators denouncing what they called creeping authoritarianism. From The Dalles to Hood River and White Salmon, participants in the “No Kings” protests said they were standing up for democracy, civil rights, and decency — and against what one called “a war-ravaged narrative” used to justify military intervention in American cities.

Deb Rowden – Goldendale, Wash. – White Salmon Rally

Deb Rowden stood among the flags and signs in White Salmon, her voice steady. “I have always considered myself an independent, not Republican or Democrat,” she said. “But what is happening in our country is atrocious, atrocious, and I’m afraid that we’re losing the battle.” A former school counselor and veteran, she added, “There’s so many issues — women’s rights, DEI, kids losing the help they need, closing the national parks, selling the land that is sacred.” Rowden said she wanted the military to remember, “They also have the right to not follow illegal orders.”

Hundreds turned out in both Hood River and The Dalles, joining a wave of Oregon rallies that stretched from the metro core to the high desert. Confirmed sites included Portland, Eugene and Salem in the Willamette Valley; Hood River and The Dalles in the Gorge; Hermiston and Pendleton in Eastern Oregon; and Bend/Redmond, and Medford further south and in Central Oregon.

Nationally, news organizations tallied thousands to millions across 2,600–2,700 events, with major demonstrations in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle and beyond. Outlets noted especially large Pacific Northwest crowds, including Seattle, alongside packed marches on both coasts.

Policies fueling frustration

Across interviews, protesters cited a broad mix of grievances:

• Inflation and tariffs continue to raise prices for basic goods and create economic uncertainty, especially for smaller mom and pop stores who work on a much smaller margin.

• Immigration enforcement and detentions are viewed by many as cruel and economically destabilizing.

• The federal shutdown, now in its third week, is being blamed for stopping paychecks to federal employees and limiting services.

• Cuts and uncertainty surrounding health care access and Medicaid are also being cited as threats to the vulnerable.

Broader Impacts on All Americans

Americans continue to feel the pinch as everyday economic relief has failed to arrive. The annual inflation rate stands at 2.9 percent as of August 2025 — modest compared to the double-digit spikes of 2022 during the COVID-19 epidemic accompanies by huge federal spending, but still above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. By comparison, toward the end of Biden’s term, inflation was about 2.5 percent in August 2024. While prices are no longer surging, they remain stubbornly high.

Tariffs and trade disruptions have further driven up costs for imported goods and raw materials, pushing higher prices through the supply chain. Many households report spending more each month just to keep up, with grocery, utility, and medical costs showing little relief. Wages have not kept pace, leaving purchasing power under strain. As one demonstrator put it, the frustration crosses party lines — it’s about “seeing costs creep up while relief remains distant.”

What Protestors Said

June Hansen – Denver, Colo. – Hood River Rally

June Hansen came to Oregon for a half-marathon but found herself standing in solidarity at the Hood River rally. “Trump seems to think that he’s, like, the end all be all,” she said. “He’s got the last word on everything, and that shouldn’t be. This is a democracy. This isn’t a king.” Hansen said she was there “to protect the rights of people coming up after me,” especially those often targeted. “Transgender, Latinos — I mean everybody,” she said. “That’s why I’m here.”

Robert and Patty Powers – Goldendale, Wash. – White Salmon Rally

Standing side by side on Highway 14 in White Salmon, Robert and Patty Powers said they were driven by fear for the nation’s direction. “I’m very concerned with the direction our country is taking as far as the authoritarian leanings of our president,” Robert said. He spoke of his parents — both World War II veterans — who fought “to prevent what’s happening in our country now.” Patty shared her own worries about the next generation. “I have two daughters that live here in Washington and a granddaughter,” she said. “I don’t want them to grow up where they don’t have the freedom that we fought for.”

Kathy Clark – The Dalles, Ore. – The Dalles Rally

Kathy Clark smiled as she looked over the crowd in The Dalles. “Today is a celebration of our democracy,” she said. “All these people came out today to defend that democracy.” Clark, 69, said she was “super proud of our community because not only did they come out and show up, but they’re doing so peacefully and with love for their community.”

Scott Rankin – Seattle, Wash. – Hood River Rally

From Seattle, Scott Rankin came to Hood River to see family and “show my support and be part of my community no matter where I was today.” He said, “I love my country. I care deeply about keeping opportunities for my kids, the same opportunities that I have.” For Rankin, respect was central. “We have to have a common set of rules we play by,” he said. “Decency and community is the only way out of this.”

Andrea Nagreen – Hood River, Ore. – Hood River Rally

Andrea Nagreen said she attended so she could tell her nieces and nephews “that I did not stay silent.” “No Kings in America since 1776,” she said. “Some people say there aren’t any kings now, but our president seems to think otherwise, and I don’t want any more of it.” She was most disturbed by the erosion of rights. “It’s hard not to say absolutely all of them,” she said. “ICE behavior towards Americans, citizens, non-citizens… the fact that we’re no longer acknowledging that all humans are human beings.” Nagreen added, “I don’t wanna be a part of that nation, and I’m gonna raise my voice and try to stop it.”

Stacey Holeman – The Dalles, Ore. – The Dalles Rally

At the steps in The Dalles, longtime resident Stacey Holeman spoke quietly but firmly. “It’s just our opportunity to say that we love our country, and we love our democracy,” she said. “Troubling things are happening in our country. We’re afraid of the fall into authoritarianism we’re seeing.” Holman thanked the group Protect Oregon’s Progress — known as POP — for organizing. “We are just a group of bipartisan people working to support our democracy,” she said.

Debi Ferrer – The Dalles, Ore. – The Dalles Rally

Debi Ferrer helped organize what she called “the second No Kings rally.” “We had one earlier in June and had a turnout of about 400,” she said. “We’ve got a lot more than that here today.” Ferrerra said the event was about “protesting the growing authoritarianism we see in the Trump administration — violations of people’s civil rights and human rights.” She added, “Everyone out here loves America, and we like it the way it is. We don’t want it to become an authoritarian regime, and that’s why we’re out here today.”

From Columbia Gorge STEM Hub:

By Nicole Tolmie

Hood River, Ore., Oct. 17, 2025 — Educators, industry leaders, and community partners from across the Columbia Gorge came together at Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) for the second Career and Technical Education (CTE) Regional Advisory Committee meeting. Hosted by Columbia Gorge STEM Hub and Columbia Gorge Education Service District in partnership with High Desert ESD, the convening strengthened cross-sector collaboration and advanced shared goals for expanding career-connected learning.

The evening began with rolling tours of CTE classrooms led by HRVHS students and teachers, showcasing hands-on programs in areas like advanced manufacturing and health sciences. Guests then gathered in the library for a networking dinner and opening remarks from Brent Emmons (HRVHS Assistant Principal), Brook Rich (High Desert ESD), Kate Wurster (Columbia Gorge STEM Hub), and Mauree Donahue Revier (Columbia Gorge ESD). Presenters highlighted progress since the inaugural spring meeting, shared regional CTE data snapshots, and reaffirmed the goals of this committee: creating a platform for bi-annual convenings, strengthening partnerships to expand work-based learning, improving communication and efficiency, and addressing future workforce needs.

“This emphasis on relationship and community-building is what makes the CTE Advisory Committee so powerful”, shared Jorma Henson, CTE Manufacturing Teacher from South Wasco County High School. He adds, “It’s important because when educators and industry professionals come together, they’re aligning classroom instruction with real-world relevance. These partnerships foster mutual understanding, spark innovation, and ensure that both education and industry are growing together, not apart. It’s a model that strengthens student outcomes and builds a more connected, future-ready workforce.”

Industry–Educator Panel

A highlight of the evening was the Industry–Educator Panel, which sparked an engaging conversation on the professional skills employers most need from graduates, strategies for building strong partnerships, and practical solutions to barriers like scheduling, communication, and transportation. Panelists emphasized the importance of problem-solving, communication, and adaptability—findings echoed in a live audience poll that reinforced these as top employability skills.

Small-Group Action Planning

Following the panel, participants engaged in small-group action planning to chart concrete next steps for strengthening CTE across the region. Discussions emphasized the need to simplify processes that connect students with local employers, amplify student voice by including youth in advisory work, and expand culturally relevant opportunities such as restoration projects along the Columbia River. Participants also highlighted the importance of better communication with families—particularly at the middle school level—to showcase the value of CTE, and stressed integrating professional skills into real-world projects so students gain experience in authentic workplace settings.

Looking Ahead

The evening concluded with commitments to action and a save-the-date for the next convening in Spring 2026 at Columbia Gorge Community College (The Dalles Campus).

Thad Iremonger, Regional Manager at Curtis Homes, who participated in the Industry- Educator Panel shared, “I believe it’s essential for educators and industry professionals to come together because it allows us to prepare the next generation of workforce with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the construction industry, particularly in the trades. By collaborating, we can identify the skills gap, develop targeted solutions, processes, and curriculums that meet industry needs, and create a pipeline of talented individuals who can drive our industry forward, ultimately strengthening our community and economy.”

Get Involved

Educators interested in engaging with regional employers can explore the Educator–Industry Matchmaking Dashboard: www.gorgestem.org/matchmaking.

The Columbia Gorge STEM Hub is also actively recruiting more regional industry professionals to complete the Industry Engagement Form: www.gorgestem.org/matchmaking-registration. Industry partners who sign up will help bring real-world relevance to classrooms and expand opportunities for career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation & training for local students.

For more information, please contact Kate Wurster, Columbia Gorge STEM Hub at kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us.

Columbia Gorge STEM Hub is a department of Columbia Gorge Education Service District. Learn more about the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub’s work: www.gorgestem.org

From Visit Hood River:
By Katie Kadlub

Hood River, Ore., Oct. 17, 2025 — Visit Hood River has awarded $26,800 in matching funds to three local organizations through its annual Community Investment Grant Program. Designed to support small businesses and promote long-term economic vitality in the greater Hood River area, the program provides matching grants to projects that enhance, promote, and sustain Hood River as a vibrant destination, contributing to the community's growth and well-being.

 “Visit Hood River is proud to continue supporting impactful projects that strengthen our economy and enhance livability through the Community Investment Grant Program,” said Katie Kadlub, CEO of Visit Hood River. “Over the past four years, this program has helped bring new events, programs, and initiatives to life—ensuring a vibrant and thriving future for Hood River by reinvesting in the community and organizations that make it so special.”

 The recipients of this year's Community Investment Grant Program funds include:

 Pedal and Paddle Hood River ($17,500): Funds will support the purchase of a passenger van to expand guided eBike tours.

Wylde, Wind & Water ($3,300): Funds will support inclusive watersports programming (free women’s clinics, youth events, safety videos, and public amenities).

Cari Jewelry Boutique ($6,000): Funds will support the expansion of an interactive visitor experience with a second welding station and new marketing campaigns.

“Pedal & Paddle Hood River is incredibly grateful for the support from the Visit Hood River Community Investment Grant Program, which is helping us expand both accessibility and capacity for Hood River E-Bike Tours,” said Todd Anderson, owner and guide at Pedal & Paddle Hood River. “The new van made possible through this grant will allow us to offer even greater access to tours that combine adventure, storytelling, and the breathtaking landscapes of our one-of-a-kind region. This program not only enhances the experience we’re able to provide our guests, but also supports our efforts to continue sharing and celebrating the place we’re proud to call home.”

Visit Hood River's mission is to inspire and sustain economic vitality and responsible destination development as stewards of community resources in partnership with local leaders. Entrusted with public and private funds, Visit Hood River is committed to developing, executing, measuring, communicating, and providing ongoing accountability for programs designed to support a robust and enduring economy for businesses, residents, and guests.

 For more information on Visit Hood River and Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.visithoodriver.com.

 About the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hood River:

Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River offers outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named a Best Adventure and Explorations Town by the 2023 Sunset Travel Awards and Nature Lovers Destination in the 2022 Sunset Travel Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and 2015 Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit www.visithoodriver.com.

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 16, 2025 — Imagine trying to button a shirt while your hands don’t quite do what you tell them to. Voices echo. Lights blur. Simple directions slip away. For millions living with dementia, that’s everyday life.

Next week, local residents will have the rare chance to step into that world through the Virtual Dementia Tour, a free community event at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota St. in The Dalles. The experience runs Oct. 22–23, with sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Using sensory tools that mimic the physical and cognitive challenges of dementia, participants spend six minutes navigating daily tasks—an exercise that often leaves a lasting impact.

As life expectancy continues to rise, so do dementia diagnoses. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6.9 million Americans over age 65 are currently living with Alzheimer’s or related forms of dementia—a number expected to nearly double by 2050 as the population ages. Events like the Virtual Dementia Tour aim to help communities prepare with greater empathy and awareness.

Developed through the Second Wind Dreams program, the tour seeks to deepen understanding of what it means to live with memory loss. Organizers say the experience benefits not only caregivers, but anyone who encounters people with dementia in daily life—whether in healthcare, customer service, or the grocery store.

Each session takes about 30 minutes, including time to debrief and learn about local support resources. Space is limited, and registration is required.

To register, email Jennifer.Williams6@providence.org or call 541-387-6370.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 16, 2025 — Local residents in the Columbia River Gorge will join “millions” of Americans nationwide in a coordinated day of nonviolent protest for the second No Kings Day of Action on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Protests are planned for The Dalles, Hood River, White Salmon, Stevenson, Hermiston, and Pendleton.

According to Dean Myerson, treasurer of the Wasco County Democratic Central Committee, more than 2,500 events are planned across the country.

The national movement, known as “No Kings,” was launched by the grassroots organization Indivisible and its partner groups to express opposition to what they describe as authoritarian overreach in government and to reaffirm the principle that power in the United States rests with the people.

Indivisible, founded in 2016, describes its mission as empowering local activism and promoting government accountability. According to its website, the organization coordinates nationwide rallies, including the No Kings events, to emphasize democratic values and encourage civic participation.

The No Kings rally in The Dalles will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 2 p.m., on West Sixth Street between Cherry Heights and Webber streets. Protestors will meet on west Eighth Street at noon before moving to Sixth Street.

The local event is being hosted by Protect Oregon’s Progress, the local chapter of Indivisible.

Similar rallies are planned across the Columbia River Gorge. In Hood River, participants will gather at the Downtown Salmon Fountain from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while in White Salmon, a rally will be held on Willow Street from noon to 2 p.m. A separate demonstration is scheduled in Stevenson, Wash., from noon to 1:30 p.m.

“As President Trump continues to send troops to our cities against the wishes of the local people and force a drastic increase in health insurance premiums, triggering a government closure, residents of The Dalles are saying no,” said Myerson, a member of the local Indivisible group steering committee. “Our peaceful day of action is going to bring together local residents from all walks of life who share a simple message: We don’t do kings in America.” 

The protest is the latest in a string of local displays of disapproval from some voters throughout the Gorge since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025.

On June 14, more than five million people across all 50 states joined No Kings in the largest single-day protest yet against President Trump’s authoritarianism, Myerson said. The October 18 day of action is the next step in this growing movement, channeling that energy into yet another coordinated, peaceful mobilization.

We’re excited to join with other groups organizing the No Kings peaceful protests across the country including ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, among others, he said in a press release.

“As President Trump continues to send troops to our cities against the wishes of the local people and force a drastic increase in health insurance premiums, triggering a government closure, residents of The Dalles are saying no,” said Dean Myerson, a member of the local Indivisible steering committee. “Our peaceful day of action is going to bring together local residents from all walks of life who share a simple message: We don’t do kings in America.”