Columbia River Reader Holiday 2022

LEWIS AND CLARK REVOLUTIONIZED

What really — truly — happened during those final wind-blown, rain-soaked thirty days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s trek to the Pacific? Southwest Washington author and explorer Rex Ziak revolutionized historical scholarship by providing the answers: day by day and week by week. We’re delighted to offer In Full View, and Rex’s other two books, one with an extraordinary fold-out map, as our inaugural offerings from CRR Collectors Club.

IN FULL VIEW

Rex Ziak $29.95

A true and accurate account of Lewis and Clark’s arrival at the Pacific Ocean, and their search for a winter camp along the lower Columbia River.

EYEWITNESS TO ASTORIA

Gabriel Franchére $21.95

The newly edited and annotated by Rex Ziak version of Franchére’s 1820 journal, Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America in the Years 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, or The First American Settlement on the Pacific.

DOWN AND UP

Rex Ziak $18.95

A unique fold-out guide mapping dayby-day Lewis and Clark’s journey from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean and back.

11 issues $55.

SUBSCRIPTIONS MAKE THOUGHTFUL GIFTS... FOR YOURSELF

THE TIDEWATER REACH

Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures

By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten. In three editions:

• Boxed Signature Edition Color and BW $50;

• Collectors Edition,Trade paperback. Color and B/W $35

• Trade paperback B/W $25

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

A Layman’s Lewis & Clark

By Michael O. Perry.

In two editions:

• Boxed Signature Edition, Color and BW with Souvenir Bookmark $50

• Collectors Edition,Trade paperback. Color and B/W $35

charge. All book and subscription orders to include, if applicable, Washington State sales tax.

All

At this time of year, I love the magic and moments of celebration — feast-like dinners, presents under the Christmas tree, a crackling fire, re-visiting favorite music and memories, and enjoying champagne toasts and candlelight. I also love the transition from one season to the next — replacing porch pumpkins with evergreen boughs and festive lights — then leaving one year behind, as we anticipate the new one (with pristine datebooks and ambitious resolutions). A fresh hopefulness follows that darkest date of the year, the Winter Solstice, when our days and seasons begin to, literally, lighten up. Holidays can serve both as milestones on a journey, and as destinations. Welcome, winter whirlwind!

This year has seemed especially arduous. And long… with the tedious strain and trauma of COVID, the loss of loved ones and postponements of common rites and rituals, the bitterlycontested election and continuous clamor of the media. Enough already!

But, excited about two celebratory destinations that lie ahead in 2023, I’m looking forward to the new year’s journey and a transition to times with a little less coping and a lot more celebrating.

Sue’s Views

In 2023, the stars and planets will align as we celebrate not only Longview’s 100th birthday, but also a more personal celebration, which is happening thanks to and along with CRR’s contributors, production crew, advertisers, friends and loyal readers.

Nineteen years ago, I took a New Year’s plunge and bought from Randy Sanders the Columbia River Reader , then headquartered in St. Helens. Today, we still keep a post office box in Rainier, the geographical “epicenter” of CRR territory, to reflect our connection to both sides of the River. In 2023, “Celebrating 20 Years” will begin finding its way into print, even amidst our grander Longview Centennial celebrations.

supporting these businesses, organizations, and individuals who make CRR possible, financially.

And we embrace change and transition, too. I’m proud of our extensive coverage marking Longview’s Centennial — this month’s People+Place Then and Now feature completes the first half of the series — and we’re looking forward to the book Hal Calbom and CRRPress will compile and publish in June.

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper

Columnists and contributors:

Tracy Beard

Jack Bowers

Hal Calbom

Dave & Floreen Clark

Alice Dietz

Joseph Govednik

Michael Perry Ned Piper

Robert Michael Pyle Marc Roland Alan Rose Alice Slusher

Greg Smith

Debra Tweedy

Judy VanderMaten

Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry, Tiffany Dickinson, Debra Tweedy

Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632

Columbia River Reader, LLc 1333 14th Ave, Longview, WA 98632

P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048

Regular Office Hours: M-W-F, 11-3

*Other times by chance or appointment

Holiday Hours December Only Fri, Dec 2, 9, 16

M-W-F Dec 19-30, 11–3

E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021

The Holidays: Times of Tradition and Transition

The Reader embraces tradition and I hope you enjoy our “usual subjects,” from astronomy, Miss Manners, gardening, food, wine and travel ideas, to book reviews, local history, editorial musings, and, of course, the rich and varied advertisements from our local underwriters. Thank you for

We’ve expanded this role of book publisher, with two phenomenal titles of our own already in print, and a Collector’s Club of subscribers who appreciate the staying power of our journalism and reportage. May tradition and transition intersect in fulfilling our stated mission: Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River Region at home and on the road.

Anticipating 2023, I feel both grateful and optimistic. Get ready to join the celebration! Meanwhile, Happy Holiday wishes to you all! ON THE COVER

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 14,000 copies distributed in the Lower Columbia region. Entire contents copyrighted; No reproduction of any kind allowed without express written permission of Columbia River Reader, LLC. Opinions expressed herein, whether in editorial content or paid ad space, belong to the writers and advertisers and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Reader.

Submission guidelines: page 40. General Ad info: page 47.

Ad Manager: Ned Piper 360-749-2632.

Sue Piper

CRREADER.COM

Visit our website for the current issue and archive of past issues from 2013.

John

owner of three radio stations at his Kelso studio. Photo by hal Calbom

Civilized Living

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When notified of someone’s unexpected passing, is it better not to ask about the cause of death, in deference to the family’s privacy? It was not mentioned in the obituary.

GENTLE READER: The objection to such an inquiry is not privacy, but compassion. Miss Manners assumes

By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

the purpose of your communication with the bereaved was to convey sympathy and comfort -- a difficult thing to do when you just made the widow cry by having to rehash unpleasant details.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the polite way to tend to necessary household chores (vacuuming, floor mopping, bathroom cleaning, etc.) when you are hosting guests for several days, and they refuse your suggestions of a lovely walk, a good movie or a visit to a cute shop so that you could take care of things in their brief absence? It seems impolite to clean around guests, but equally impolite not to keep things tidy during their stay.

GENTLE READER: After suggestions for an outside activity or relocating to another room have been ignored, you may vacuum around them -- so long as you do not intentionally run over any toes.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After a phone call with a longtime friend, she neglected to hang up her phone. As I went to end the call, I heard her start ranting about me to someone else in the room.

In hindsight, I do regret listening on, but my reaction in the moment was, “I need to hear this.”

I am devastated. This was a friend who helped me through a terrible tragedy in my

family, and we have known each other for many years. I’ve helped her through some difficult times, too, and just assumed we’d be friends forever.

I try not to dominate our chats, and always ask what is going on in her world because I honestly want to know. This time, she had called me to check in.

My family members want me to clear the air. I’m really struggling with this, because I don’t think our friendship will ever be one of trust again.

I’ve noticed that she has become forgetful recently, so I’m not sure if she would even remember this event, though I did hear her gasp when she realized her phone was still connected. If there is a health issue at the root of this outburst, adding to her distress feels cruel.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who has encountered this issue. I did ask a family member who specializes in conflict resolution, and his response was that I was partly responsible because I listened to a private conversation, and I should have ended the call on my end quickly.

I accept this, but it doesn’t lessen the pain of losing a best friend. And had I not heard the hate she is harboring, I would have continued our friendship believing in a trust that is not truly there.

Can you offer some guidance on what is most appropriate for all involved?

GENTLE READER: It is just as well that most of us never hear what our friends have to say about us out of our hearing. Even really fond friends may sometimes be exasperated -- yet tolerant enough not to criticize us directly.

So Miss Manners is sorry you had to hear this, but not convinced that it means that your friend is harboring hidden hatred. She also understands that you need to find out. One way would be to say, in a neutral voice, “You should be careful to hang up your phone after we talk.”

Your friend will blanch; give her time to realize what you might have heard. If she says she was just letting off steam and didn’t mean it, accept that.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that when I approach the counter at a coffee shop or takeaway restaurant, instead of asking “How may I help you?,” “Would you like to place an order?” or something of that nature, the staff person simply stares at me expectantly.

Though it is obvious what our roles are, it feels demanding to start asking for items without an entry from the staff. What is the best way to handle this?

GENTLE READER: By stating your order, or whatever question you might have before doing so. As you point out, the roles are understood, and Miss Manners sees no reason to require an invitation.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I receive more thank-you notes (for wedding, baby and birthday gifts) via texting than I do through the mail. Is this the new norm? I suppose I should be delighted at any acknowledgment of my gift-giving.

EPISODE 19 Ocian in View!

When the Corps of Discovery camped near Cape Horn, east of Cathlamet, on November 6, 1805, they knew they were getting close to the ocean. The next morning the fog was so thick they couldn’t see across the river, but they set out with great hopes of soon arriving at their destination. After they passed an Indian village west of Skamokawa, the fog lifted and they heard the roar of the ocean. That night at Pillar Rock, Clark wrote, “we are in view of the opening of the ocian, which Creates great joy.” In a second notebook, Clark wrote, “Great joy in camp we are in View of the Ocian, this great Pacific Octean which we have been So long anxious to See.”

So near and yet so far

When Clark wrote “ocian in view” on November 7, 1805, they were still 20 miles from the actual coastline. The Corps thought they would reach the coast the next afternoon since 35-mile days had been typical as they traveled down the mighty Columbia the previous three weeks. However, these last 20 miles would prove to be the most miserable part of the entire journey.

The next day, a severe storm halted all progress and Clark wrote, “we are all wet and disagreeable, as we have been for

By Michael O. Perry

Several days past, and our present Situation a verry disagreeable one in as much; as we have not leavel land Sufficient for an encampment and for our baggage to lie Cleare of the tide, the High hills jutting in So Close and Steep that we cannot retreat back, and the water of the river too Salt to be used, added to this the waves are increasing to Such a hight that we cannot move from this place, in this Situation we are compelled to form our Camp between the hite of the Ebb and flood tides, and rase our baggage on logs.”

The shoreline was covered with large drift logs. Clark wrote that some were upwards of 200 feet long and 7 feet in diameter. The waves and high tides tossed the logs, threatening to crush the men and their canoes. In an effort to save their canoes, they used large rocks to submerge them. It was impossible to proceed until the storms let up.

This map showing the mouth of the Columbia was created for the National Park Service in 2005 as part of an informational display at the Megler rest stop.

… two hours in a row without rain …

If you read the journals, there’s about four or five days in a row where he’s trying to say the same thing in different words. It is really a desperate time; they’re up against this steep cliff and the rocks are coming down on them and the tides are bringing these big logs in. They’re soaked and they’ve got nothing. They have no food. The best they can do is shoot a duck or catch a fish or something — but you’ve got 33 men that are dying of cold and starvation. And I think that Clark, what he was writing there was desperate, and truly from the heart.”

“

book. Details, pages 2, 43.

When it rains it pours Journal entries for the next two weeks reinforced how miserable their situation was. A series of winter storms had them pinned down east of the present-day Astoria-Megler bridge at what Clark called “this dismal nitich.” Every time they tried to round Point Distress (today’s Point Ellice), huge waves turned them back. The men were trapped for six days along the narrow shore as rocks pelted down from the steep bank above. Clark wrote “every man as wet as water could make them.”

In 11 days, they experienced no more than two hours in a row without rain. Their buffalo, elk and deer skin clothing was soaked and rotting away, leaving some men nearly naked. Efforts to find

“

elk or deer failed. They supplemented the few birds they shot with pounded fish purchased at Celilo Falls and with fresh fish they caught. During one stormy day, a boat of “War-ci-a-cum” Indians stopped by to trade with them. After buying some fish, Clark wrote, “the Indians left us and Crossed the river which is about 5 miles wide through the highest Sees I ever Saw a Small vestle ride… Certain it is they are the best canoe navigators I ever Saw.” The Indians had learned to make exceptional boats, whereas Lewis and Clark’s dugout canoes bobbed around like corks.

… a missed opportunity…

These guys had to really have had it. To be totally done in. It was a cakewalk to go down and see the ocean. And the ones that never saw the ocean at Long Beach and never went down to Cannon Beach to see the whale, never saw the Pacific coast at all. I mean, what an empty feeling that would be. Or, how tired and sick of it all you really might have been.”

Michael Perry enjoys local history and travel. His popular 33-installment Lewis & Clark series appeared in Columbia River Reader’s early years and helped shape its identity and zeitgeist. After two encores, the series has been expanded and published in a

A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

in april 2021 we introDuceD a reviseD version of Michael Perry’s popular series which was expanded In the new book, Dispatches from the Discovery Trail, edited by Hal Calbom and published by CRRPress. It includes an in-depth author interview and new illustrations and commentary.

Desperate times

On November 12th, Clark wrote, “It would be distressing to a feeling person to See our Situation at this time” and, “our Situation is dangerous.” Two days later, in desperation, Lewis decided to set out by land to try to get around Point Distress and see if there were any trading ships there. But the river became calm during a slack tide and he was able to get a canoe around the point. The next day, Clark was able to take the rest of the men around Point Distress where they camped on a sandy beach. They were now in plain view of the ocean and could see the waves and surf crashing across the Columbia bar. Lewis returned two days later and reported there were no ships or white men in the area.

Just a little farther

On November 17th, Clark invited “all the men who wished to See more of the main Ocean to… Set out with me.” Only 11 men took him up on his offer. Surprisingly, over half the men who had just traveled more than 4,000 miles had no desire to go the last few miles to see the ocean! At Cape Disappointment, Clark wrote they looked “with estonishment the high waves dashing against the rocks & the emence ocian.” Today’s north jetty has allowed sand to accrete in that area, so you will not see what Clark saw when you go there.

During their three-day journey to Cape Disappointment and the 9-mile walk along the beach to present-day Long Beach, the men saw a dolphin, a flounder, and a 10-foot sturgeon washed up on the shore. They also saw whale bones. And, Sgt. Ordway wrote they saw “a verry large turkey buzzard” which was shot in the name of science so Clark could better examine it. That “buzzard” was a California condor – one of many the expedition would see on their journey. It had a 9-foot wing span and was almost 4 feet in length.

It had been two weeks since Clark first saw the ocean. And while they had made it around Point Distress and established Station Camp near an abandoned Chinook Indian village, the weather was still miserable. On November 22, Clark wrote “waves brakeing with great violence against the Shore throwing the water into our Camp &c. all wet and Confind to our Shelters.” On November 23, 1805, Clark wrote, “I marked my name the Day of the month & year on a Beech [alder] trees… Capt Lewis Branded his and the men all marked their names on trees about the Camp.” They had seen names of sailors from trading ships carved on other trees.

All in favor say ‘Aye’

On November 24th, each member of the expedition, including Sacajawea and Clark’s slave, York, was asked for their opinion of where to spend the winter. The north shore was out of the question due to the constant storms and lack of elk. A few deer had been shot, but the men needed elk to replenish their clothing. The Clatsop Indians told them there were lots of elk on the south side of the river. So the choice was whether to cross the river or go back upriver to spend the winter near The Dalles.

Wintering near the mouth of the Columbia had advantages — the weather would be milder, there was elk to eat, they could boil seawater to make salt to preserve the elk meat, and if a trading ship arrived they would be able to replenish their supplies. Everyone except Sacajawea’s husband, Charbonneau, voted, and all but one person voted to cross over to the Oregon shore to spend the winter. The next day they headed back upriver to cross at Pillar Rock where the river is narrower. Nobody was interested in crossing the five miles of open water at Station Camp! Lewis went ahead,

… the local Indians …

Historians estimate that Lewis and Clark interacted with between 50 and 70 Native American tribes, including the Nez Perce, Mandans, Shoshones, and the Sioux. The captains followed Jefferson’s instructions to gather all the information they could — their cultures, military strength, lifestyles, social codes, and customs. Interactions with the Clatsop and Chinook Indians were especially important to their stay at the mouth of the Columbia. In 1805 they found some 400 Clatsops living in several villages on the southern side of the Columbia River and south down the Pacific Coast to Tillamook Head. The Chinooks lived on the northern banks of the Columbia and on the Pacific Coast, while the Nehalem, the northernmost band of the Tillamook, lived on the Oregon coast at Tillamook Head south to Kilchis Point. They are described by historians as shrewd traders and masterful canoe builders. Despite complaints of pilfering and other nuisances, the captains felt they had been treated with "extrodeanary friendship."

seeking a place to spend the winter. Meanwhile, storms returned and pinned Clark’s party down near Tongue Point. Clark wrote, “O how Tremendious is the day.” The wind “blew with Such violence that I expected every moment to See trees taken up by the roots, maney were blown down. O! how disagreeable is our situation dureing this dreadfull weather.” Clark carved his name on a tree, “Capt. William Clark December 3rd 1805. By Land. U. States in 1804 & 1805.”

Hunters managed to shoot some elk, the first since crossing the Rocky mountains. Clark became worried about Lewis and his detachment since they had been gone for five days; Clark feared they’d had an accident. A day later, Lewis returned and said he had found a good place to spend the winter. Two days later, after the storms passed, everyone traveled to the site where Fort Clatsop would be built –Clark wrote it was a “most eligible situation.” It was located on a bluff above the Netal River, about 7 miles inland from the ocean. Plans were drawn up for a log fort and construction began on December 10. The men moved into their new winter quarters on Christmas Day in 1805.

Clark’s Controversial Words

NothiNg writteN by Lewis aNd CLark has caused as much controversy as Clark’s famous words, “Ocian in view! O! the joy.” Virtually all historians believe Clark was mistaken, and that what he actually saw was just Grays Bay and the Columbia River estuary. After all, when he wrote those famous words at Pillar Rock, they were still 20 miles from the ocean. But, how could Clark have made such a big mistake and not correct it later? And, just how did so many people come to doubt what Clark wrote?

It wasn’t until 1904, almost a hundred years after Lewis and Clark completed their journey, that the first complete edition of their journals was edited and published by Reuben Thwaites. Thwaites, who never visited the mouth of the Columbia, wrote a footnote stating “The ocean could not possibly be seen from this point.” This statement was based on information from a friend who had gone to Pillar Rock and reported back that the view of the ocean was blocked by Point Adams west of Astoria. Historians reading that footnote assumed Thwaites was correct, and repeated it in their own books.

It is doubtful if Thwaites took into consideration the South Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia that was completed in 1895. This four-mile long jetty extended northwest out into the ocean from Point Adams. Sand immediately began to accumulate around the jetty as it was built, and by 1900 there was a forest growing on the hundreds of acres of newly accreted land at the northwest tip of Oregon, blocking the view where the ocean had been just 15 years earlier. While it was indeed impossible to see the ocean from Pillar

Diane Kenneway

Celinda Northrup

From your friends at Commerce Corner Collectibles: HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 4pm 1300 Broadway • Longview, WA 360-425-0927

7 pm 7 am - 9 pm

Where to find the new Reader

It’s delivered all around the River by the 15th of each month. Here’s the list of handy, regularly-refilled sidewalk box and rack locations where you can pick up a copy any time of day and even in your bathrobe:

LONGVIEW

U.S. Bank

Post Office

Bob’s (rack, main check-out)

In front of 1232 Commerce Ave

In front of 1323 Commerce Ave

YMCA

Fred Meyer (rack, service desk)

Teri’s Grocery Outlet

Gifted Kitchen (711 Vandercook Way) Fibre Fed’l CU - Commerce Ave Monticello Hotel (front entrance)

Kaiser Permanente St. John Medical Center - Café LCC Student Center Indy Way Diner

Columbia River Reader Office 1333 14th Ave. (box at door) Omelettes & More (entry rack) Stuffy’s II (entry rack)

KELSO Visitors’ Center / Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

KALAMA

Fibre Fed’l CU Kalama Shopping Center corner of First & Fir McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge (rack)

WOODLAND

The Oak Tree

Visitors’ Center

Grocery Outlet Luckman Coffee Antidote (rack)

River’s Edge Coffee (rack)

CASTLE ROCK

Lacie Rha’s Cafe (32 Cowlitz W.)

Parker’s Restaurant (box, entry)

Visitors’ Center 890 Huntington Ave. N., Exit 49, west side of I-5

Cascade Select Market Luckman Coffee

RYDERWOOD Café porch

TOUTLE Drew’s Grocery & Service

CLATSKANIE

Post Office Mobil / Mini-Mart

Fultano’s Pizza

WESTPORT Berry Patch

RAINIER Post Office Cornerstone Café Rainier Hardware (rack, entry) Earth ‘n’ Sun (on Hwy 30) El Tapatio (entry rack)

Grocery Outlet Senior Center (rack at front door)

DEER ISLAND Deer Island Store

COLUMBIA CITY - Post Office

WARREN Warren Country Inn

ST HELENS Chamber of Commerce Sunshine Pizza St. Helens Market Fresh Olde Town: Wild Currant, Tap into Wine, Safeway

SCAPPOOSE

Post Office Road Runner Fultano’s Ace Hardware

WARRENTON, OR Fred Meyer

CATHLAMET

Cathlamet Pharmacy Tsuga Gallery

Cathlamet Realty West Puget Island Ferry Landing

SKAMOKAWA

Skamokawa General Store

NASELLE

Appelo Archives & Café Johnson’s One-Stop

Rock in 1904, in 1805 there had been a view of 6 degrees between Point Adams and Cape Disappointment. Thus, it is quite likely Clark saw where the sky met the water – but was it the ocean?

The curvature of the earth is about 8-inches per mile. Thus, the surface of the flat ocean is 13-feet below the horizon when looking west along the surface of Columbia River from Pillar Rock. Surface water elevations at Pillar Rock vary from three to six feet above sea level. If Clark was sitting in his canoe, his eyes would have been another three feet higher. And, if he stood to look at the mouth of the river through his telescope, he would have been six feet above the water. Thus, in theory, Clark could have seen the tops of waves and swells in the ocean. The Expedition experienced a series of winter storms that November, with storm swells likely upwards of 10 feet high. Also, since the ocean’s waves came further into the mouth of the Columbia before the jetties changed things, it seems likely Clark did see the ocean’s waves from Pillar Rock.

It is interesting to note that none of the Corps’ other journal writers mentioned seeing the ocean on November 7th. Many historians cite this as evidence that Clark was mistaken. However, Clark had made other mistakes in his journal entries, but he always corrected them at a later date when he realized he’d been wrong. In this case, he had several opportunities to correct the record when they returned to Pillar Rock at a later date. But no such correction was made.

In fact, on December 1st, after going back upstream to Pillar Rock to cross over to Tongue Point on the Oregon side, Clark wrote, “The Sea which is imedeately

in front roars like a repeeted roling thunder and have rored in that way ever Since our arrival in its borders which is now 24 Days Since we arrived in Sight of the Great Western Ocian.” Clark had to do some calculating to be able to say it had been 24 days since he had first seen the ocean; 24 days earlier had been November 7th. Thus, even after he had been to the ocean and back to Pillar Rock, Clark made no corrections –in fact, he affirmed his original statements of November 7th.

In 2002, Rex Ziak of Naselle wrote an outstanding book that local history buffs will enjoy. His book, In Full View, focuses on just one month of the Corps’ journey and is the most insightful work about the Lewis and Clark Expedition I have found. It is likely no other living person knows as much as Mr. Ziak about what the Corps of Discovery experienced between November 7 and December 7, 1805.

Ziak was the first writer to challenge the belief that Clark had been wrong about seeing the ocean on November 7. After reading his book, I find it hard to imagine anyone not agreeing with him. Rex grew up in the Naselle area and spent 10 years researching his book, retracing their footsteps during the same nasty weather the Corps experienced.

Ziak used an extremely detailed navigation chart, showing the mouth of the Columbia River 20 years before the south jetty was built, to help the reader understand the daily events. The map shows that when Captain Clark was at Pillar Rock, he had a clear view of the opening where the Columbia River flows into the Pacific Ocean.

“… the first writer to challenge the belief …

As far as the mouth of the river goes,there wasn’t anything in the journals to speak of, just these things that Rex quotes. That’s why all the other interpretive books, they just kind of glossed over it, didn’t even have them come down the Washington side. So, it was really a wake-up moment when I got to this point in the story. If I hadn’t read Rex’s book, I would be very disappointed in how little was here. Rex captures what is the most dismal, miserable, challenging time of the whole journey. And it was right here at the mouth of the Columbia.”

After publishing his landmark book, “In Full View,” in 2002, Ziak led tours of key sites near the mouth of the Columbia River. As the bus unloaded near Dismal Nictch, Ziak busied himself, using chalk to draw a long map on the sidewalk. The map, showing the Columbia River drainage from Idaho to the Pacific, was the basis of his talk. He described the Corps making their way from the Bitterroot Mountains to within five miles of the Pacific Ocean in a month, then taking another full month to reach the ocean and crossing the Columbia to where Fort Clatsop was built. That chalk-drawn map

Rex Ziak’s first book, “In Full View,” published in 2002, revolutionized Lewis and Clark scholarship.

Lewis

& Clark

ME AND MY PIANO*

*or other instrument

Hand Made – Heart Played

By Jack Bowers

Iam mid-way through my seventh decade, the name is John, call me Jack. My wife and life partner and I have been carving out a living for almost 54 years. She is wonderful. I am working on it.

Putting a long life in a small nutshell is rather difficult, but music takes up a lot of that room. It is the “reset” when things get cluttered, confused, and crowded. Since my early days in high school I have played a guitar, at least until some 50 years ago when a machine bit off the tips of the two middle fingers of my left hand. This left me two notes short of a full chord, and it stopped my guitar pickin’.

I had a living to make, a family to raise, and life to live, so time to feel sorry for myself was at a premium, although from time to time I indulge that privilege, even now.

Somewhere along the line a friend gifted me with an Auto-Harp, which restarted my music interests. Early folk songs have always been my thing, so this was a near perfect platform to build on. The story, the message, and the more simple melodies worked well for me. If I can’t hear the words clearly, or the music gets tangled up, the whole of it, why bother. Poetry and song composition run down the same road so, for me, this was a natural genre.

We built an off-grid home this side of Packwood and pioneered for 21 years. During this time we would often frequent the twice yearly flea market. I came away one year with an instrument called a ‘Strumstick.’

A ‘Strumstick’ is simple, open-tuned to one chord group. It was missing certain frets, and the salesman assured me it could be played by anyone, even me with my “stubs.” I bought his line, he was right, we even became friends.

I quickly got the hang of things, started composing — hunting songs, ballads, hymns, and so forth. In time it occurred to me I could build one myself, if I wanted. And I did! I learned what it took and soon was building for interested parties. To date almost 900 have made noise as a result. If you

are interested in how they look and play, two songs were recorded on YouTube, “Freedom” and “Ashes and Roses,” by Jack Bowers.

I no longer build, although from time to time I have to create sawdust, and I will succumb to the “shop itch.” Still, the first notes from a new instrument have magic, and it drives me onward.

I got to a point where what I was doing sort of morphed into a self-published booklet of 62 original hymns and related stories that even now I draw from to present to appropriate settings. An earlier work captured songs about bow hunting adventures, titled, “Bad Ballads for Bow Hunters” featuring the lyric, “The eagle flies high, the skies are his playground, he knows of places that will never have names.”

For me the story is still being written, and the notes to the next song and words expressing the language of my heart are an important part of that story. While I play a lot of the songs most folks recognize, expressing what I see and hear on my own life’s path in song and poem are what make me...me!

Share the unique story

of you and your musical instrument in 500 words or less and mail to CRR, 1333 14th Ave., Longview, WA 98632, or email to publisher@crreader. com. Note “Me and My Piano” in the subject line and if possible attach/include a current mugshot and/or a photo of you with your instrument, then or now.

Don’t worry about perfect spelling or syntax. If your story is chosen, we will provide editing services and will contact you for additional details or embellishments as needed.

Jack Bowers has hand made more than 900 instruments, today known in folklore as “cigar box” instruments, including Strumsticks in the style of his original purchase. Two of his original songs may be heard on YouTube:” Freedom,” and “Ashes and Roses.

A Different Way of Seeing

THE TIDEWATER REACH

Poem by Robert Michael Pyle • Photograph by Judy VanderMaten Field Note by Hal Calbom

I Cross the Columbia

How many times have I crossed this river? Five hundred? A thousand? First time, 1964, with my mother, bringing me by rail from Colorado to see her beloved Northwest. It took. So there were many crossings to come on the Portland Rose, the City of Portland, and eventually Amtrak, or sometimes Greyhound, Seattle to Denver and back again. Later, in a dynasty of Volkswagens, it was I-5 and 205, the Bridge of the Gods, Hood River, The Dalles, Biggs, Umatilla, Vernita, and Vantage: for jobs, field trips, family, all the reasons one has for changing states of being. When I moved downstream to a lower trib, crossings shifted to the Lewis & Clark in Longview, the ferry at Westport, in Honda, Toyota, Subaru. Now I cross the river more than ever before — at Megler, the last bridge before the bar, And gladly so! For when I cross the Columbia now, I am crossing it to you.

RIVER BUOYS

River buoys aid ship navigation and are maintained by the United States Coast Guard. Solid green buoys are odd-numbered; solid red even-numbered. Buoys are moored to the river bottom and their numbers increase sequentially from the sea upriver. They denote key navigation features, not river miles.

On this page we excerpt poems, pictures and field notes from our own “Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures,” The Tidewater Reach, by Gray’s River resident and renowned naturalist Robert Michael Pyle, and Cathlamet photographer Judy VanderMaten. The two dreamed for years of a collaborative project, finally realized when Columbia River Reader Press published color and black and white editions of The Tidewater Reach in 2020, and a third, hybrid edition in 2021, all presenting “a different way of seeing” our beloved Columbia River.

For information on ordering, as well as our partner bookshops and galleries, see pages 2 and 43.

Holiday Dinner & Wines 101

As a foodie, wine aficionado, writer, and photographer, I am often invited to unique, educational, and fun events. While working on a story at Schramsberg Vineyard in Calistoga, California, Matt Levy, Schramsberg’s marketing and e-commerce manager, invited me to Camp Davies. The following month I attended the camp and expanded my knowledge of how particular wine elements interact with various food flavors. With this new information, I hope to assist you in successfully pairing your upcoming holiday foods with tasty wines.

Davies Vineyards is the sister to Schramsberg Vineyards, and every year (excluding 2020 and 2021), Matt has run a camp twice a year for the past 25 years. The next Camp Davies is March 2023. Camp Schramsberg will be open in the fall of 2023 and the spring of 2024.

At camp I learned about viticultural and winemaking practices, professional tasting, evaluation techniques, and the art of melding fine cuisine with fine wines. The

attendees included tradespeople and wine lovers, and although many camp activities occur in the vineyards, others happen in a classroom setting.

This year the classes were at Brasswood Cellars. Chef Holly Peterson, the camp food-pairing instructor, has worked worldwide in every aspect of the food and wine industry, including teaching at the Culinary Institute of America in California. At camp we spent hours tasting good and bad combinations and discussing why some worked and some did not.

Wine pairing can be easy or overwhelming. The old philosophy is that fish and light meats go with white wines and red meats and strong sauces go with red wines. Although this works fine in lots of situations, many of today’s home cooks are experimenting with more complex dishes. During Covid many people spent hours watching

mother’s

If you are one of those people, maybe you learned about new herbs, spices, sauces, flavorings, or cooking techniques. Those variables can influence how your dish plays with wine. For instance, consider the average chicken breast; poach, broil, or roast, and you can pair it with almost anything. If you use a blackening method or top it with sweet chili sauce, you must consider your wine choices carefully.

Here are a few things to consider when pairing your dishes with wines.

•Taste your wines before serving them. Make any flavor adjustments before serving the meal.

•Try to complement or contrast your food and wine. Example: The potage below features one prominent yet subtle spice, anise. Find a wine that showcases the same spice or complements it.

•Rethink using processed salt which can make certain wines taste metallic. Use kosher or sea salts.

•Remember that if you choose a wine with a spicy element, it will make spicy foods hotter. Add a bit of cream or butter to the dish to counteract or mellow the reaction. The other option is to serve spicy food with sweeter wines. Example: Serve spicy Thai food with a sweet Riesling or a Gewürztraminer.

Story & photos by Tracy Beard

cooking shows to improve their culinary skills and branched out and tried new wines.

•Understand that a super-sweet wine will make sweet foods taste less sweet. Consider pairing sweet foods with a wine exhibiting more tannins or acidity and less sugar. Other options include serving sweet dishes with dry bubbles or a tawny port that is sweet but not cloying.

•Understand that soy and umami flavors go well with earthy wines.

•Adding mushrooms or truffles to a dish makes it scream for a pinot noir pairing.

•Combining bitter and bitter makes overwhelming bitter. Beware of those bitter notes found in some cabernets. You do not want to serve them with something bitter like radicchio. Olive oil is also something that can have noticeably bitter notes. Be cautious when using potent extra virgin olive oils. •••

A Dinner to Remember

Corn potage Serves 4

1 tablespoon butter

2 shallots – thinly sliced

2 ribs celery – chopped

½ bay leaf

4 cups fresh corn kernels or frozen corn

1 sprig fresh thyme

2 cups chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/16 teaspoon star anise powder

In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add shallots and celery and cook until soft. Stir in 2 cups corn, bay leaf, broth, and lightly salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Place the remaining 2 cups of corn and milk into a food processor and puree. Stir the puree into the soup along with the anise and some black pepper to taste. Simmer until the soup slightly thickens and remove the bay leaf.

Serve with croutons and micro greens. Typically, I would serve this potage with a viognier or sauvignon blanc. We enjoyed it with Davies 2019 St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon. The subtle anise flavors brought the wine and food together beautifully. Have some fun with your pairings but try them first to make sure they work well together.

Honey Glazed Duck

4 duck breasts

4 tablespoons juniper powder

4 tablespoons salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons black pepper

2 cups honey

Season the duck with the dry seasoning, putting most of the salt on the skin side. Cure it for 1 hour. This curing should render some of the fat. Brush off excess seasoning and then sear, skin side down, on low heat for 45 minutes to render fat completely.

Once all skin sides are seared, increase heat to medium and brown skin for about 1 minute if needed before flipping and cooking the flesh side. For medium-rare meat, cook until the internal temperature is 140 degrees.

Glaze duck in the oven with honey for 3-4 minutes at 400 degrees.

Sangria Jus

½ medium apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped into small pieces

½ medium orange – remove seeds and chop into small pieces (leave on the rind)

¾ cup brown sugar

1/3-cup orange juice

½ teaspoon brandy

750 ml dry Spanish red wine

12-½ cups beef stock

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer and reduce by 3/4. This process should take about 1 hour. Strain and serve. You’ll have plenty of sauce, about 2 quarts.

Festive Brussel Sprouts

1 pound fresh brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut in half lengthwise

4 pieces of bacon or pancetta

2 parsnips

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup whole milk

4 cloves roasted garlic

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in frying pan til crisp; set aside.

Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour. Whisk until light brown. Add the milk and whisk. Add the roasted garlic. Cook until thickened. Place in a blender and blend until smooth or use an immersion blender. Salt and pepper to taste.

Clean parsnips, cut lengthwise. Toss parsnips and Brussels sprouts in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Roast at 400 degrees until crisp and tender. Depending on the size of the veggies, it should take 20–30 minutes. Plate decoratively for 4 people.

The sprouts pair deliciously with 2019 Davies Vineyards Three Amigos Pinot Noir. This wine has aromas of black raspberry, strawberry, and dark chocolate combined with touches of black pepper and coriander. The flavor notes include bright cranberry, rhubarb, and hints of ginger. It is delicate and elegant with zippy acidity.

Pinot noirs are a traditional favorite for all bird dishes. Just be conscientious of your sauces.

Tracy Beard writes about luxury and adventure travel, traditional and trendy fine dining and libations for regional, national and international magazines. With this column, she completes her seventh year as CRR’s “Out & About” columnist. She lives in Longview, Wash.

During my time at Camp Davies, Chef John Vega from the Brasswood Bar + Kitchen made these delicious recipes.

Winter Festival

Happy Holidays at the Cowlitz County Museum

Winter Festival is back at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum! All are welcome to attend the first Winter Festival since 2019, a free and fun event for the whole family.

The event is on Sunday, December 4, from 12 noon – 4pm at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, located at 405 Allen Street in Kelso. The last two years we had successful children’s holiday activity bag giveaways from the museum parking lot as a socially distanced option to connect with local kids. We are thankful to our partners during the activity bag events, the Children’s Discovery Museum and YMCA for participating with us in the activity bag giveaway. But this year, we’re back to normal. This year, our signature holiday event is back, better than ever!

Come and see how the winter holidays are celebrated in Cowlitz County through the years. You can experience everything from pioneer thaumatropes (come to the museum to learn what these are!) and hippie tie-dye activities, to modern toy crazes, with different activities and crafts from many eras in our history. Participants may go from table to table playing games and making craft projects to take home for the holidays.

Joining us again is the ever-popular Storyteller’s Network who will share holiday tales with the young, and young at heart. The Lower Columbia Woodcarvers will join in the celebration by demonstrating their wonderful woodcarving skills. The museum will be decorated in holiday cheer to welcome the public for this free event, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Come one, come all, to see what we all were missing the last two years at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum.

For additional information, please contact Danielle Robbins, Museum Program Manager, 360-577-3119.

• Pacific County Museum & Visitor Center Hwy 101, South Bend, WA 360-875-5224 • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau

Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542

• South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685

• Seaside, OR 989 Broadway, 503-738-3097; 888-306-2326

• Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

Story and photos by Joseph Govednik, Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director

Kids and volunteers having fun at previous years’ Winter Fest at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum.

QUIPS & QUOTES

Selected by Debra Tweedy

O! Winter, ruler of the inverted year… I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fire-side enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturbed retirement, and the hours Of long, uninterrupted evening, know.

--William Cowper, English poet and hymn writer, 1731-1800

Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

--Charles Dickens, English writer and social critic, 1812-1870

I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.

--Henry David Thoreau, American naturalist, writer, and poet, 1817-1862

Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.

--Gladys Taber, American author and magazine columnist, 1899-1980

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

--Jim Davis, American cartoonist, TV writer and producer, 1945What a marvelous resource soup is for the thrifty cook—it solves the hambone and lamb-bone problems, the everlasting Thanksgiving turkey, the extra vegetables.

--Julia Child, American cooking teacher and author, 1912-2004

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something besides ourselves.

--Eric Sevareid, American author and CBS news journalist, 1912-1992

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man.

--Ben Franklin, American statesman, writer, inventor, 1706-1790

Longview native Debra Tweedy has lived on four continents.

She and her husband decided to return to her hometown and bought a house facing Lake Sacajawea.“We came back because of the Lake and the Longview Public Library,” she says.

As a Christian athlete I glorify

Samantha Farland Castle Rock High School Volleyball

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LEGACY PARTNERS

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A year-long feature series written and photographed by Southwest Washington native and Emmy Award-winning journalist Hal Calbom

proDuction notes

The Social Media

We’ve alWays had social media.

Researching the early days of Longview and its newspaper, The Daily News , I was struck by how much people relied on the paper simply to talk to one another — what we today call connectivity.

There’s nothing especially new, it turns out, about using public media to socialize, publicize, gossip and even accuse. Newspapers began as message boards. They were portable, timely, ephemeral. Their sense of what was “news” featured the comings and goings of people and groups, civic events and governing, the building and maintaining of businesses, as well as entertainment, schedules and public debate. They were at the center of the community’s social life.

people + place

then: making news now: the power of voice

The public joined in the dialogue. Letter writers, classified ad placers and advertisers all made their own views and opinions public. They could be especially candid, nasty and contentious.

The competition among newspapers was cutthroat. The term “yellow journalism” originated around the turn of the century as circulation battles between Pulitzer’s New York World and Hearst’s New York Journal grew heated and coarse. The term originated from the yellow ink used to print a popular Hearst comic strip, “The Yellow Kid,” referring to journalism that exploited, distorted, or exaggerated the news to create sensations and attract readers.

Today’s social media aren’t really much different. They are subject to the tyranny of real time. Emotion and spontaneity preclude any thoughtful

where we’ve Been • where we’re GoinG

The Long View project pairs history with modern context. To celebrate Longview’s 100th

birthday, Columbia River Reader is expanding its monthly “People+Place” feature to contrast the historical “Then” with the contemporary “Now.”

“It’s important to look back and celebrate the past,” said publisher Susan Piper, “but equally important to track the changes that make us what we are today. How close are we to the founders’ vision? What remains? What’s entirely new?”

Thanks to tremendous community support (see Partner Spotlights, page 28), the Reader will present 12 months of “People+Place Then and Now” reportage, then combine and expand these features into a commemorative book. The Long View: A Planned City and

and editorial balancing or review. It’s yellow journalism as self-revelation dished out one post at a time.

And, for better of worse, it’s turned us all into writers. Pundits despair that no one reads anymore. We’re all too busy rattling away at our computers and phones, posting anything that comes to heart or mind, instantly.

Whether public or private, today’s media compete for our attention and content often suffers. It’s largely a social, not an intellectual endeavor.

TV anchors spend half their time begging us to stick around: Stay with us, Don’t go away, endlessly teasing the next segment in hopes of holding our eyes and ears, like a bad comic, “Don’t worry, it gets better.”

“Extra, Extra, read all about it!” “Don’t miss the latest!” “Man bites dog!” It’s all social media.

America’s Last Frontier written by Hal Calbom, with a foreword by John M. McClelland, III.

The Reader is coordinating with the Longview Centennial Committee, led by Reed Hadley, to publicize civic activities and celebrations (see Centennial Countdown, page 29) and will host a Book Launch Gala June 30, 2023.

THEN AND NOW

Telling Stories

THEN

Longview is isolated. Communication is slow, unreliable and infrequent. The town needs a newspaper.

NOW

News and information have gone global. Communities revere their roots.

people+place then

Making News

Even under-populated, over-planned, debt-ridden and struggling for investment, fatigued from its monumental labors, Longview maintained its characteristic immodesty: Measured in the scope of national importance, in gigantic financing, in human vision, human courage, human daring and adventure into an almost entirely new field of American endeavor — the Highest Peak, towering above all the structures we have surveyed, is the building of the wonder-city, Longview, Washington.

J.C. Nichols Speech, 1925

In the mid-twenties the “wonder-city” hung on thanks to two critical resources: cash and communication. Cash to keep the piles driving, the dredgers sucking and spewing, the great mills rising from the swamps. Communication to plan and produce efficiently, to advertise and market its vision aggressively, and ultimately to create a true body politic — a sovereign, independent city — no mere Company Town.

Just like horse-drawn scrapers and back-breaking pick axes, sharing information was primitive and slow. It took time. It easily became convoluted and confused. By definition, civil engineers and real estate salesmen would be strange bedfellows, and they would clash continually as the Planned City figured out what to say for itself.

In the 1920s construction was a hands-on business. It relied on physics and geometry and chemistry but was overwhelmingly tactile — setting a line, digging a foundation, pounding a nail.

Planners and builders shared an efficient, common language based on years of practice and experience. The left hand generally knew what the right hand was doing.

At a Distance: Planners vs. Builders

The Longview founders faced — and failed to adequately address — a more challenging communications problem. Their planners and their builders were separated by 1,800 miles of prairie, connected mainly by telegraph and the sketchy U.S. Mail. The ease and ubiquity of longdistance telephone service were still many years to come.

For the first year the site resembled a scene in a silent movie when the reel speeded up and then played backward and forward: surveyors staking out streets here, excavation there, grading in one section, digging for sewers and water lines in another. The pace was so hectic that the left hand hardly knew what the right hand was doing. Vandercook who oversaw general construction and Samuel Mark Morris who headed the new enterprise, many times were confused.

Lenore Bradley Robert Alexander Long

Longview began and remained an isolated outpost both geographically and psychologically. Every day the builders, the people with their boots on the ground, were asked to make thousands of

Photos: Facing page: “Sketch R.A. Long’s Dream,” mural showing the home and first lumber yard of R. A. Long at Columbus, Kansas, featured on back cover of Long-Bell Log, August 1928.

consequential decisions in real time. Yet they remained perpetually out of touch and out of tune with the visionaries, the planners and developers in Kansas City. The bosses.

The result was often friction and enmity. “What we have here,” as a famous movie line had it, “is a failure to communicate.”

Communicating Before Real Time

Invention and innovation were flourishing in the 1920s: the automobile, the airplane, the washing machine, the radio, the assembly line, refrigerator, electric razor, the camera, the television.

Unfortunately, person-to-person communications did not keep pace.

Sticking to the Plan

“I note that you folks are certainly running in high and not letting any grass grow under your feet,” wrote S.M. Morris to Long-Bell President Frederick Bannister:

Which is all well and good, but I’m just a little afraid that you are traveling too fast, this for the reason that we are not prepared to take care of such rapid construction work as we have no streets laid out except on the township map.

J.M. McClelland, Jr. R.A. Long’s Planned City

Wesley Vandercook was less diplomatic. He expressed profound concerns over the founding plan’s expense, layout and strategy, both among colleagues in Longview and in a long letter to Mr. Long himself:

He had voiced his concern to Morris that the planners had laid out far too large a space for the residential and commercial districts, arguing that they “might be about right for a city of several million people.”

Abraham Ott

“Boulevards in the Forest” University of Nevada Las Vegas Master’s Thesis, 2008

Frustrations, big and small, go with most any construction project. But the magnitude, the investment, and the furious hurry raising Longview up from nothing were almost unprecedented, and exacerbated by distance and disagreement.

It wasn’t a Communications Stone Age, but it had an almost leisurely lack of urgency to it. The frustrations and fulminations of Vandercook and Morris were tempered and cooled down by the media themselves — long letters, occasional terse telegrams. Business correspondence was an extension of polite conversation, observing corporate decorum; telegrams a quicker but still serial medium usually used to make a single point, or decision, at a time.

Effective communication required proximity. Working from a “remote location” and making decisions in “real time” were largely unknown. To effectively present a new idea, drive a point home, argue one’s opinion, often required getting on a train and riding two or three days to show up in person and address one’s colleagues faceto-face.

Messages and their import decayed in transit. Passion gave way to patience. Time ticked.

The founders and the builders never really solved their day-to-day communication problems. Many of their compromises, inspirations and errors remain on display in their handwork a hundred years later. Certainly the exorbitant costs of it all lay principally in their inability to establish and exploit a system of notifications and competitive bidding. There simply were no networks, no conduits, no easy ways to disseminate messages.

Silences and Screams

Meanwhile the counterpoint — and counterpart — to all those polite letters shuttling back and forth between Kansas City and Longview was the relentless clamor of advertising and salesmanship. The daily deluge of bombast and sales hype dominated the routine dialogue and decision-making .

The circus master of sales for Longview was one Letcher Lambuth, a 31 year-old protege of J.C. Nichols and Seattlebased real estate developer.

Michael & Marilyn Perry Proud Sponsor of People+Place Then and Now

From Michael Perry’s private postcard collection

YMCA, at south end of Lake Sacajawea circa 1925

Photo Credits: Historical photos from Longview Public Library digital archive.

MESSAGES AND THEIR IMPORT DECAYED IN TRANSIT. PASSION GAVE WAY TO PATIENCE. TIME TICKED.

While both Long and Nichols seemed enamored by Lambuth’s optimistic projections about the city’s growth, Morris was unconvinced. He argued that Lambuth was “way up in the clouds most of the time,” and that he should “get down to real business getting in some money and lay off of so much hot air work and fancy planning.”

Abraham Ott

“Boulevards in the Forest” UNLV Master’s Thesis, 2008

It jumps out in virtually every company conversation over Longview’s progress: The builder’s — and ultimately the founders’ — greatest fear and worry was simply that they might fail to deliver what they were promising. And publicizing. Abraham Ott:

GET DOWN TO REAL BUSINESS... AND LAY OFF SO MUCH HOT AIR AND FANCY PLANNING

This appearance of readiness was quickly becoming necessary, as already by August of 1923, the company was advertising in thirty-two regional publications, several national publications, and twenty-eight newspapers.

This conundrum of communications — both internal and external — had a predictable effect.

The pressure mounted. The gap between what was expected, and what might be delivered, grew wider and wider. And all the time the cash flowed out like freshets on the Columbia.

What’s News?

In the 1920s the most influential business communications media, ironically, were public: newspapers, magazines, and their financial driver, advertising. A remarkable amount of private business was conducted and communicated over these shared channels: labor and job solicitations, meeting schedules and records, governmental decrees, Board of Directors’ minutes, “leaked” documents. And of course, most of a town’s community life, from weddings to church socials.

Newspapers were rarely the supposedly neutral, unbiased “journals” we expect today (though we still nurture our sense of their biases, of course). Early news rags had a transparent point of view, and they trumpeted it: both editorially and through the medium that paid the freight, advertising. It took barely a glance at a 1920s paper or magazine to gain a sense of its politics and its promotions.

The public participated. Letters to the Editor became a regular way to share one’s opinions or those of one’s business or political faction. The Classifieds provided yet another forum for conducting personal business via this public platform. And, if you could pay for it, chances are you could always advertise it.

The journalism could be inflamatory, often fickle, and rarely without bias. Even with wire service connections, the “news” was never simply a compilation of what actually happened, but an edited creative document. That day’s “news” was an often sordid stew of what contributors and editors and advertisers — and above all, owners — chose to publish and publicize.

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S.M. Morris hands promotional scrolls to soon-to-be airborne A.L. Gibbs to drop by parachute onto neighboring communities. The Longview News building under construction, 1923.

Facing page: J.M. McClelland, Sr., at work, 1924. Newsprint rolls. Longview Daily News front page, Feb. 25, 1924.

No wonder then that in the mid 1920s Long-Bell’s managers decided that the most important communications tool they might come up with was not a long distance phone system, not telegraphs in every office, not express mail. They needed their own newspaper.

As with most of Longview’s development, the planners had the lead on the builders, and left execution of their plans to hard work, money, influence and chance. Once the founders recognized the power of a newspaper to publicize, persuade and advertise, they fast-tracked it, just as they had the Hotel Monticello and other key components of their plan.

Membership Has Its Privileges

The most difficult area of disentanglement between Long-Bell and one of its creations involved the newspaper. The lumbermen on the scene took it for granted that the company newspaper would be the voice of Longview, painting only what was good and favorable about the new city. That meant it needed to be also the voice of Long-Bell.

John M. McClelland, Jr. R.A. Long’s Planned City

To establish itself, and to compete with existing papers in Rainier and Kelso, the fledgling Longview newspaper enterprise set to work immediately. At stake was a key credential — membership in the Associated Press — which was awarded every year in January. Longview became desperate to have something on the street in time.

They immediately leased a press — a drum cylinder, sheet-fed affair — that could print two pages, one side at a time. They bought a Linotype for $5,000. Along with some other equipment, their initial investment was $12,500. It was pioneer publishing for sure.

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The Linotype, being unloaded from the steamer Greyhound, moored to the bank of the Cowlitz, was dropped in the mud, but wasn’t badly damaged. Temporary quarters were erected on Baltimore Street adjacent to the temporary Community House. It was a frame building, 30 by 80 feet, with a tarpaper roof, two stoves for heat and no paint inside or out.

John M. McClelland, Jr. R.A. Long’s Planned City

With characteristic singleness of purpose, the coalition putting the paper together lobbied the AP relentlessly and ended up on the agenda when their Board met January 24th, 1923, in New York. Though they had little more than promises to work on, and the influence of key business favors called in throughout the Long-Bell empire, the directors voted for The Longview News and gave it full membership in their exclusive club.

It was a slick move not unappreciated by Longview’s chief historian, who himself would edit and publish the selfsame paper to maturity and success. McClelland continues:

This gave The Longview News the distinction of being probably the only newspaper ever to be granted an AP membership before it began publication. The first issue of The Longview News, served by the prestigious AP, was published on January 27. Trial subscriptions were 25 cents.

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from

Whose News Is It, Anyway?

“The importance of a newspaper to the town of Longview,” said R.A. Long “ ranks in our opinion with that of the churches and the schools.” Expressing hope that this might eventually become an independent voice in the community, Mr. Long went on to anticipate critical issues: We expect to establish the newspaper and, if necessary, finance it as far as need be. However, would have you understand we have no intention whatever of retaining permanent ownership; in fact we realize that the newspaper, to be of proper service in the community, must be under ownership entirely separate from our corporation.

R.A. Long

October 1922 letter to Frederick Martin, General Manager of Associated Press But what McClelland Jr. later called “the most difficult area of disentanglement between Longview and one of its creations” was, like so much of the other rites of separation and empowerment, impossibly mired in the stillmuddy streets of The Company Town. Though steady progress was made in self-management, and especially

SHOOTING THE MESSENGER WAS SPORT FOR BOTH SIDES

The Longview Daily News, through all of its first 15 years of existence, was enmeshed in an uncomfortable predicament. Long-Bell’s competitors in the retail field, and especially the Kelso business community, regard it as a “Long-Bell paper.” Meanwhile the Long-Bell community was resentful because it was not a Long-Bell paper. The paper was condemned for favoring Long-Bell and for not favoring it.

John M. McClelland, Jr.

R.A. Long’s Planned City

A Longview First Family: The McClellands

Among the first Longview influencers and founders from outside the immediate Long-Bell orbit (though he was in fact the brother-in-law of S.M. Morris) was John McClelland, Sr., who came out from Arkansas in 1923 to take over the new paper. The 39 year-old McClelland had newspapering experience, and had been managing a printing plant in Little Rock.

He also represented an independent, high-minded commitment to journalism.

Bottom

At the playground near Martin’s Dock, Lake Sacajawea.

“

The Lee Family

FREE Public Viewing/Preview Monticello Hotel, December 1st from 4:30-7:30pm. Warm winter drinks, holiday treats, photo opportunities,Santa’s greetings.

Online Auction (excludes full-sized trees) Nov 30, 9am – Dec. 2, 8:30pm.

Cocktail Party $75 per person Dec 2, Monticello Hotel, 6pm

The Evans Kelly Family

one oF longView’s pioneer FAmilies

paying down debt and establishing revenue streams, The newspaper struggled mightily with a conflicted identity, even well into the 1930s.

Photos:

This page, left: First press in new Longview Daily News building, 1924; above: front office, Longview Daily News. Facing page, top: J.M.McClelland, Sr., with David Boice and Arthur Brisbane at Monticello Hotel. Brisbane was a Hearest newspaper columnist; Boice represented Longview Chamber of Commerce.

photo: J.M. McClelland, Jr. (courtesy photo).

Sponsor of People+Place Then and Now

Life is only froth and bubble, Two things stand as stone: Friendship in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.”

Words of wisdom from Winston’s solid new friend

Vince and Susi; Tom and Joanna

Sculpture “Best Friends,” by Georgia Gerber, given to the City of Longview in memory of Violet and Harvey Hart, by their families.

THE PAPER SERVED AS FORUM, BATLEGROUND, EVEN GLADITORIAL ARENA

McClelland’s early days at the paper read like a mash up of Andy Hardy and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Conditions, buildings and equipment are wretched; Kelso and Rainier papers accuse him of mooching advertisers and subscribers; he’s called on the carpet by Long-Bell ownership (and repeatedly given votes of confidence by Mr. Long). Far from being regarded as a trusted arbiter of truth and champion of the public interest, the paper is lambasted as either Long-Bell’s mouthpiece or its mortal nemesis.

A crucial condition of McClelland’s employment was the option to purchase the entire enterprise after a tenure of between two and three years. In the fall of 1925 he exercised the option. His son and future successor writes: This created no little consternation in the Long-Bell offices in Longview. Considering all the trouble they had had with this independent editor when he was working for the company, they could well imagine how difficult he would be to deal with if he were entirely on his own.

John M. McClelland, Jr.

ELECTRIC MACHINES

Any computer machine that interacts with the physical world can be called a robot.

Most of us think of robots in the human form like from the Jetsons, or possibly a circular vacuum on wheels, but even something like a dishwasher can be a robot, where the mechanisms surround and clean up after us in a more controlled environment.

Robots in this category from industry to the home came about in the 20th century, though most remain behind closed doors. Perhaps in another 10–30 years we’ll finally see a compelling and affordable robot that can do anything.

Proud Sponsor of People+Place Then and Now

the Lower Columbia

Informer

Perry E. Piper

Shooting the Messenger

From its very outset the paper and the town seemed to have a special symbiosis. Many of the criticisms leveled at The Longview Daily News reflected deeper-seeded resentments of paternal Long-Bell control. Shooting the messenger was sport for both sides. Anything appearing less than loyal to the company — and these were the days of overtly opinionated, biased “news” reports — was dubbed by news reports carping and faultfinding, or outright anti-company hostility.

With all this drama — Long-Bell looking sometimes to exert its control and at others to surrender it — the paper served as forum, battleground, even gladiatorial arena. Lawsuits and accusations played out in its pages. Every nuance of the coverage was scrutinized, word by word. Many editions reflected this role as microcosm, amplifier, conscience, as the pioneer city acted out its growing pains in print.

Mr. Long even commented that he often saw reports in the Longview paper that “he wished were not there:”

Yet, on reflection recognizing the obligation of The News to the community, I concluded that I was wrong in even passingly taking exceptions to what Mr. McClelland may have printed regarding the company.

R.A. Long

Tough Times and Independence

The 30s brought the cataclysm of the Great Depression, the crippling of Long-Bell’s business, and finally, the death of the beloved founder himself, in 1934. By this time the paper was established and victim of fewer potshots and arrows in its back.

Was Longview still a company town? Probably in some estimates, yes, but dramatically more independent, diverse and, in the crashed-out 1930s, preoccupied with fighting for its economic life. After a difficult birth and adolescence, the town and the paper were in this fight together.

And there would be better days to come. John McClelland Jr. would take over from his father as editor in 1940 and publisher in 1950. The Longview Daily News would experience decades of success, influence, and even a Pulitzer Prize in its future.

Proud Sponsor of People+Place Then and Now

art commissioNEd by PErry PiPEr, crEatEd by thE daLL E2 ai

Telling Stories

people+place now

THEN

Longview is isolated. Communication is slow, unreliable and infrequent. The town needs a newspaper.

NOW

News and information have gone global. Communities revere their roots.

The Power of Voice

It’s still the Golden Age of Radio. It never went away.

So says Longview media mogul John Paul. While newspapers and even commercial television have fallen on hard times — thanks mostly to the Internet, phones and screens — the voice of radio survives and in many markets actually flourishes.

Paul credits his emphasis on local programming, intimate involvement with the community and its good causes, and the timeless magic of the human voice as his recipe for success.

“I am 100 percent committed to being locally programmed and operated,” said Paul from his West Kelso office and studio. Paul and his wife Nicki recently bought the KLOG radio franchise — three broadcasting stations — from Longview’s Hanson family who had owned them over 50 years. “There are not many locally, familyowned radio stations left anymore. That’s our recipe for success.”

COUNTRY KUKN

DESERT ISLAND DISCS

With the chance to quiz someone who’s programmed popular music half his life, who can resist the proverbial question: “Give me your five desert island discs.”

For those for whom this is NOT a proverbial question: If you were marooned on a desert island with nothing at all to your name (except, of course a solar-powered state-of-the-art stereo system) what would be the five records you’d simply HAVE to have?

John Paul’s discs, in no particular order:

Glen Miller Orchestra •Essential Glenn Miller

James Taylor • Greatest Hits

Billy Joel • The Stranger

Warren Zevon • Excitable Boy

John Mayer • Any Given Thursday

Let the debate begin!

John Paul avoids the digitally programmed, nationally syndicated approach which has powered most of the radio world for decades. Instead, he serves up home cookin’ —- that’s KUKN / Cookin’ Country at 105.5 FM to be precise — as well as the venerable KLOG at 100.7 FM and 1490 AM, and 101.5 The Blitz.

Still

“Country stations have superloyal audiences, birth to death,” he said, but all three of his audiences seem to appreciate the homemade programming and its relentlessly local emphasis. Paul employs a staff of fifteen, remarkable in these days of digital dominance and pre-packaged audio streams. “We do local news every hour. And our advertisers are aware that we’re delivering local content to their local customers.”

Paul’s is an inspiring hometown story, despite years spent working around the country for large market broadcasters. “It’s pretty rare to have somebody who worked here at age 13 come back and buy the place!” he said. Once he’d been in the audio booth as a teenager recording the “Monticello Mustang Minute” on KLOG, the Longview native was hooked. “Right then I went in and asked Steve (Hanson) to hire me, and I started out as a janitor hanging around the place.”

This is still Golden Age radio but certainly not old-fashioned. Paul augments his home KUKN with state-of-the- art dot.com streams and a podcasting business, plus production services for advertisers. “I’m not necessarily bullish on radio country-wide, but I am bullish on the way we do it here — local-connected radio.”

Owner John Paul at his desk in the offices of KLOG/KUKN radio

STATE OF THE NEWS PART 1

TDN general manager Dave Cuddihy is quick to remind us that there is another one hundredth anniversary in the works next summer: “The city’s centennial is ours, too. And The Daily News takes that very seriously.”

Cuddihy and his team from Lee Enterprises, a national chain of newspaper and media companies, face the unenviable task of keeping a legend alive, in times that haven’t been kind to the newspapering world. Their offices may be less teeming than years previous, their printing done somewhere else, and their reliance on the web and electronic media their main source of revenue, but their pride and sense of mission seems unaltered.

“We’ve told this city’s stories for a hundred years,” he said. “We’ve helped these advertisers for a hundred years. And we’re proud also to have a regional following beyond just the Longview city limits.”

Now better known simply as TDN, The Daily News faces the challenge of creating brand new sources of readers and subscriptions. Meanwhile, they must retain the loyalty of those for whom folded sheets of newsprint are still the only form a “true newspaper” will ever take.

“The web presence is actually a huge benefit for advertisers,”said Cuddihy, a genial native of Ohio who now calls Longview home, and loves it. “We are basically a full-service ad agency that can connect advertisers to all kinds of audiences in many different ways, from Amazon to across the street.”

Cuddihy voices his appreciation to the community for its response to the morphing of TDN from what it was previously. “People come here, including the reporters we hire — I would call them ‘adventural.’ Is that a word? A combination of adventurous and entrepreneurial?”

And that’s the spirit of this paper.”

Cuddihy President, The Daily News Regional President,Community Northwest Lee Enterprises

HOME COMPANION

The so-called Golden Age of Radio spans the 1920s to 1950s. In 1925, RCA claimed that 20 percent of American homes owned a radio. Five years later that number doubled to 40 percent. Longview was probably behind this trend, since smaller markets were less likely within range of strong broadcast signals. Longview’s relative isolation inhibited radio’s growth somewhat, even as the cities and suburbs thrived.

In the 1930s, the home radio would become an indispensable companion as the Great Depression ravaged the country and disposable income disappeared. Entrepreneurs built ever larger and more powerful broadcast networks, and radio extended its reach even to the hinterlands.

The Longview Daily News even made a couple of ventures into radio, in an attempt to diversify in the 20s and 30s, but eventually sold the properties to concentrate on its core newspaper business.

By 1940, and later during World War II, radio reigned at the very center of American media life. 83 percent of American homes listened in for their news, entertainment, and “Fireside Chats” from their president.

STATE OF THE NEWS PART 2

“I don’t

had any idea what the Internet would do to the advertising base, especially the classified ads,” said John McClelland III, scion of Longview’s first family of newspapering. “And Craig’s List, and all these other sources.”

The Daily News was sold well before the Internet’s disruption reached full scale. But JMMIII recalls it as never an easy business. “There was always new technology — going to offset printing, for instance. And there were job and union issues. The pressmen and the printers did not get along very well.”

McClelland is proud of the role his forebears played in the founding and shaping of Longview, despite the battles for editorial independence. “My grandfather was certain that he wanted his own voice and editorial control without any pressure from Long-Bell,” he said. “Nowadays newspapers are fighting for their lives, independent of not. And you rarely see a home-grown editorial.”

In the 1950s came the advent of television, dubbed the “radio killer.” But like a voice-over playing perpetually to our hearts and minds and memories — from oldies rock to modern talk — the companionable voice of radio just kept playing. And it plays on still.

Hal Calbom is a third generation Longview native who works in public affairs television and educational publishing. This is his fifth year photographing and writing Columbia River Reader’s People+Place feature. Reach him at hal@halcalbom.com.

think we

John McClelland III

Dave

John Paul believes in the human factor and employs a staff of 15.

the lonG view partner spotliGhts

Legacy Sponsor

Nick Lemiere / Edward Jones

His sponsorship honors his ancestors with thanks for all who have gone before him to bring his family to Longview.

People+Place Then and Now Sponsor Busack Electric

Keeping it in the Family

The Busack Family founded Busack Electric more than 50 years ago with $15,000 and two pickup trucks.

Though my family wasn’t here for the founding of Longview in 1923, we feel fortunate to have roots here since 1925. I’m grateful to live in this community, operate a business, and raise a family in Longview. I’m thankful for all those who have gone before me to bring us to this little corner of Southwest Washington, and look with hope to what this city will be like in the next 100 years. What would Robert A. Long say if he could see this city today? What would we say if we could see this city 100 years from now? May we all be agents of the good and just to see this city thrive for the next 100 years!

I am fortunate to have four wonderful grandparents, Duane and Gloria Nordstrom, and Oscar and Doris Lemiere. Each have unique and interesting stories of our ancestors coming to America, and eventually settling in Longview. The Nordstroms have great grandparents who came from Norway and Sweden in the 1860s. The Lemieres are more recent settlers, whom I’d like to share about here..

Cyrille and Palmyre LaMiere boarded the White Star Line in 1920 leaving Antwerp, Belgium, heading across the Atlantic for the United States. Palmyre had a sister who had already settled in the distant state of Washington, and she encouraged them to come to her small town of Elk (north of Spokane), where a lumber mill had plenty of jobs. As a humble shoe cobbler in post-World War I Belgium, Cyrille was looking for steady income. When they arrived in Ellis Island, their last name was changed to “Lemiere,” and they were given a small silk American flag, which we still proudly display. They continued the long journey across the United States to Elk and joined Palmyre’s sister. After working here for a short time, the mill unfortunately shut down, but another lumber mill in Longview was hiring. Cyrille moved again, to this new “planned city” in 1925, finding work at the Long-Bell Lumber Co.

The last of Cyrille and Palmyre’s four children, Oscar Lemiere , was born in September 1925 here in Longview, being the only member of the family born in the United States. He was the first child baptized in St. Rose Catholic Church. He left RA Long High School early to join the Marine Corps in 1944 to fight in World War II, serving much of his time in Guadalcanal. When he returned, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris Shepard, and got his degree from the University of Oregon. He played football for the Ducks, and spent most of his career teaching and coaching at Lower Columbia College. •••

They had lived in Rainier before moving to Longview and settling on 40 acres on Robertson Road, in the Mill Creek area west of town. At first, Larry Busack used the big kitchen counter at home to roll out the plans and paperwork. Within five years, they’d established an office in downtown Longview (on the present site of Fibre Federal Credit Union), with 20 employees working off site on electrical jobs. Of their electrical work, which also included some residential and commercial, “Industrial was my favorite,” Larry recalled. In later years, the company moved its office to Industrial Way and Columbia Boulevard and by the late 1990s, had grown the company to 90 employees.

“You still feel like family when you work for this company,” said Andy Busack. “You can walk into the boss’s office and talk about anything that’s on your mind. We look out for each other.”

Over the years, Busack Electric has done work for Weyerhaeuser, NORPAC, Longview Fibre Company, Triangle Shopping Center, Fibre Federal Credit Union, Red Canoe Credit Union, and Foster Farms, among others. Whether it’s original construction, remodels, or simply supplying maintenance and upgrading services, the company enjoys a strong regional, and even national reputation.

“We’re proud of the fact that we do it right, and safely,” said Andy, “We’ve been recognized for sixteen straight years by the National Electrical Contractor’s Association for having an accident-free workplace.”

Larry retired in 1999 and Busack Electric has since transitioned from one generation to another, presently operated by son Andy and his wife Kelli. “He’s like the big cheese,” Kelli joked about her father-in-law. “Comes in, sees what’s going on.” Thursday is family dinner night for the Busacks at Antidote Tap House, Kelli and Andy’s “other business,” which started as a hobby and now thrives in its downtown Longview and Woodland locations.

Integrity, kindness, and truth are their company’s stated values. “Even if you’re not going to make a dime on a job, “ Kelli said, “you have to be honest. Longview is a great community,” she said. “It has a core community of people who take care of each other.”

“That’s missing from a lot of corporate America… where you’re just an employee number,” said Andy. “It’s why we’ve been here for those four generations.” Electricians still abound within the Busack Family.

“I think you’d be hard pressed to find twelve members of one local family all in one trade,” said Andy. “And that represents four generations.”

The Long View Project would be impossible without the financial and creative support of our sponsor partners. During the coming year the Reader will feature brief profiles of these partners — highlighting their relationship to Longview and interest in its history.

Andy Busack and his dad, Larry Busack in 1998. Logos: Busack Electric’s original sign (top); its current logo. Below: Logo for Antidote Taphouse, which began as Andy and Kelli’s hobby.

Oscar and Doris Lemiere at R.A. Long High School

Nick Lemiere is an Edward Jones financial advisor in Longview.

Longview Centennial Countdown of Events

Friday Centennial Kickoff Community Open House

Jan

Feb. 5

Southwest

Washington Symphony Family Concert

3pm Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

Mar 24-25 “A Night to Remember,” by Cabaret Follies of Lower Columbia

June 24 Centennial Car Show - Vintage 1920s-30s-40-50s Reg. fee $25

June 30 CRR’s “The Long View* Book Launch & Gala Variety Show

Rose Center, Lower Columbia College

Sept 8-9 Centennial Celebration: Banquet, Drone Shows, Parade

To volunteer:

Please contact: Reed Hadley longviewcentury@gmail.com or Arleen Hubble ahubble61@gmail.com

Students: For ways to earn volunteer hours for school, contact Danielle Robbins.

Email: RobbinsD@co.cowlitz.wa.us

U.S. MAIL: P.O. Box 1035, Longview, WA 98632

Info • Upcoming Events • Merchandise

Historic Calendars $5, Centennial Lapel Pins $3

Official Centennial Coins $10, T-shirts $15-18, Pens $1, Tumblers, etc now available at Kelso Longview Chamber Visitor Center next to I-5 in Kelso, and Longview YMCA.

* The Long View is an independent Columbia River Reader project. CRR also collaborates with and supports the goals and events organized by the Longview Centennial Committee, headed by Reed Hadley.

Miss Manners

from page 4

I’m teaching my children to write out thankyou notes and address the envelopes, yet all we receive are texted thank-yous. I have accepted that a text is better than nothing at all in this modern world.

GENTLE READER: Judging from the complaints Miss Manners receives from those whose generosity goes unacknowledged, the new norm is to ignore receiving presents while expecting them to continue to be given. Indeed, many would consider you lucky to have gotten any reaction other than the bank’s confirmation that the celebratory check was cashed.

It will not surprise you that Miss Manners does not endorse “new norms” as proper behavior if they are hurtful. And that she, like you, is still in favor of handwritten letters of thanks. Why -- when texting is so easy and instant?

Well, that is the problem. The entire custom of giving and accepting presents is being gutted to remove from it the bother of thought and effort. Wouldbe donors are spared the necessity of thinking about what would be appreciated, as they are issued lists of

requests. And the recipients key their responses, or lack of them, to that minimal (if sometimes costly) effort. What Miss Manners wonders is: What is left? What is the point?

The point in the ancient, noble tradition of exchanging presents was that it made people take close notice of those about whom they cared. The idea was to put thought into what might please someone.

It didn’t always work. Inevitably there were disappointing presents, which would be quietly stashed, secretly regifted or tolerated as a source of humor.

But when it did work, it was wonderful. The recipient’s delight was not only in getting something desirable, but in being so well understood, and having a keepsake as a reminder of that thoughtfulness. In turn, the donor was thrilled when told just how much of a success the gift was.

Too bad that all of that is being lost. But good for you to teach your children to express gratitude: It will be all the more appreciated now that it is becoming rare.

Calendars also available at Paperbacks Galore and Cowlitz County Historical Museum

Clatskanie, Ore.

Fultano’s Pizza

770 E. Columbia River Hwy

Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

Dine-in,Take-out and Home Delivery. Visit Fultanos.com for streamlined menu. 503-728-2922

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

640 E. Columbia River Hwy

Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Dine-in, curbside pickup. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344

Rainier. Ore.

102 East “A” Street

Microbrews, wines & spirits 7am–8pm Daily. Inside dining.

Interstate Tavern

119 E. “B” St., (Hwy 30)

Crab Louie/Crab cocktails, crab-stuffed avocados. 17 hot and cold sandwiches. Amazing crab sandwiches. Full bar service. Catering for groups. 503-556-5023. interstatetavern@yahoo. com 503-556-5023

El Tapatio

117 W. ‘A’ Street

Mexican Family Restaurant. Open Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, rest of week 11am-10pm. Full bar. Karaoke Fri-Sat 8-11pm. Patio seating. 503-556-8323.

Longview, Wash.

1335 14th Avenue

18 rotating craft brews, pub fare.

M-Th 11am–8pm. Fri-Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm. Local music coming soon. 360-232-8283. Inside dining See ad, page 32. Follow us on Untappd.

Broadway Barrel Room

1133 Broadway

Family friendly tap house and eatery. 18 taps local craft beverages, hand-crafted soups, sandwiches, flatbread and desserts. Live music on Thursdays. Hours: Tues-Sat 11am–10pm. 360-353-4295.

Sun & Mon available for special events.

Bruno’s Pizza 1108

Washington Way. Pizza, breadsticks, wings, salads, fish & chips. WE DELIVER. Four beers on tap. 360-6364970 or 360-425-5220,

The Carriage

Restaurant & Lounge

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge 1334 12th Ave. Open 8am–9pm (sometimes later, call to check). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar, banquet room available for groups, special events. Happy hours daily 9–11am, 5–7pm. 360425-8545.

COLUMBIA RIVER dining guide

The Corner Cafe

796 Commerce Ave.

Breakfast & Lunch. Daily Soup & Sandwich, breakfast specials. Tues-Sat 7am-3pm. Closed Sun-Mon. 360-353-5420.

Email: sndcoffeeshop@comcast.net

Eclipse Coffee & Tea

In the Merk (1339 Commerce Ave., #113)

360-998-2139. Mon-Fri 8am–4pm. Specialty coffees, teas, bubble teas and pastries....drinks with a smile. Takeout and on-site.

Freddy’s Just for the Halibut

1110 Commerce Ave. Cod, Alaskan halibut fish and chips, award-winning clam chowder. Burgers, steaks, pasta. Beer and wine. M-Sat 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–8pm. Inside dining, Drive-thru, outdoor seating. 360-414-3288. See ad, page 14.

The Gifted Kitchen

711 Vandercook Way, Longview “Celebrate, create, inspire.” Soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, entrees, sides, pot pies, quiche, grazing boxes & more. M-F 11–6; Sat special events only; Sun closed. 360-261-7697.

Hop N Grape 924 15th Ave., Longview Tues–Thurs 11am–7pm; Fri & Sat 11am–8pm. BBQ meat slow-cooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon. Worldfamous mac & cheese. 360-577-1541.

Kyoto Sushi Steakhouse 760 Ocean Beach Hwy, Suite J 360-425-9696.

Japanese food, i.e. hibachi, Bento boxes, Teppanyaki; Sushi (half-price Wednesdays); Kids Meal 50% Off Sundays. Mon-Th 11-2:30, 4:30-9:30. Fri-Sat 11am10pm. Sun 11am-9pm.

Lynn’s Deli & Catering 1133 14th Ave.

Soups & sandwiches, specializing in paninis, box lunches, deli sandwiches and party platters. Mon-Fri 8-3, Saturday 10-2. 360-577-5656

Roland Wines 1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, and beer. Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Fri, Sat. 1–9. 360-8467304. See ad, page 30.

Scythe Brewing Company 1217 3rd Avenue #150 360-353-3851

Sun, Tue,Wed, Th 12noon -8pm; Fri-Sat 12noon -10pm

Closed Mondays Family-friendly brewery/restaurant with upscale, casual dining, lunch and dinner.

Stuffy’s

804 Ocean Beach Hwy 360-423-6356 8am–8pm. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. American style food. Free giant cinnamon roll with meal purchase on your birthday with proof of ID. Facebook: Stuffy’s II Restaurant, or Instagram @ stuffys2.

Teri’s, 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Lunch and dinner. Burgers, steak, seafood, pasta, specials, fresh NW cuisine. Full bar. Tues–Fri, 12Noon–8pm. Sat 5:30–8:30pm.. Curbside pickup. Inside dining. 360-577-0717.

Castle Rock, Wash

Luckman’s Coffee Company

239 Huntington Ave. North, Drive-thru. Pastries, sandwich es, salads, quiche. See ad, page 32.

Parker’s Steak House & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. I-5 Exit 49. Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant open 1-8pm Tue-Th, 1-9pm, F-Sat. Lounge Happy Hours 4pm. 360-967-2333. Call for status/options.

Vault Books & Brew 20 Cowlitz Street West, Castle Rock. Coffee and specialty drinks, quick eats & sweet treats. See ad, page 36

Kalama, Wash.

Scappoose, Ore.

Fultano’s Pizza

51511 SE 2nd. Family style with

piz

& more! “Best pizza around!” Sun–Th 11am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11am–10pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-543-5100. Inside Dining.

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017

Warren, Ore.

Warren Country Inn

56575 Columbia River Hwy.

Fine family dining. Breakfast, lunch & din ner. Full bar. Call for hours.503-410-5479. Check Facebook for updates. Dine-in.

Toutle, Wash.

DREW’S GROCERY & SERVICE

5304 Spirit Lake Hwy (10 mi. fr Exit 49) 24-hour fueling (gas & diesel, card at pump, cash at Jule’s Snack Shack (when open). Red Leaf Organic Coffee. See ad, page 47.

Woodland, Wash.

215 N. Hendrickson Dr., Port of

1350 Atlantic Ave. Rotating craft brews, pub fare. Open M-Th 11am–6pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm. 360-841-8941. See ad, page 32.

St. Helens, Ore.

Luckman

Coffee Company

1230 Lewis River Rd. Small batch on-site roasted coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside seating. M-F 5:30am–6pm, Sat 6am–5pm, Sun 7am–3pm. See ad, page 32.

THE OAK TREE

Big River Tap Room

313 Strand Street on the Riverfront. Lunch/Dinner

1020 Atlantic Ave. Break fast served all day. Famous Bankruptcy Stew, Oak Tree Salad, giant cinnamon rolls are back! (original recipe), desserts baked in-house. Full bar. Happy Hours 1-3, 7-9pm. Live music. 360--841-5292. See ad, page 34

Restaurant operators: To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call 360-749-2632

Castles in the Air

Where do you read THE READER?

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER?

Send your photo reading the Reader to Publisher@ CRReader.com. Include names and cities of residence. We strive to promptly acknowledge photos received; if you don’t hear from us within 5 days, please re-send. For cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Please pose people near the camera; the background scene will still show in the frame behind.

Overseas Brats

Forever Left to right: Longview residents Fax Koontz and Sue Lane-Koontz, Bill & Jan Sims and Bart & Barbara Bartlett at a recent gathering in Herndon, Virginia. The organization, which gets together annually in various U.S. locations, is for those who attended Department of Defense schools overseas while their parents served our country in the military. By coincidence, it turns out that the Bartletts’s daughter, Beth, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is married to former Longview resident Scott Dennis, son of Bill and Karen Dennis.

Webbed Feet

A family ducked in to pick up the latest issue of Columbia River Reader last spring from the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Kelso. It is unknown whether they read it or used it for nesting purposes.

Working on their tans

“Thank You, Ma’am”

Dorothy Hanson, Joan Nelson and Janet Heitz, residents at Canterbury Park, Longview visiting at Canterbury Park in Surprise, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. The trio traveled south last winter to get some sun.

Sally Irvine, of Vancouver, Wash., reading the Reader in Salzburg, Austria in September.

Gavin Mills, of Castle Rock, Wash., Chris Roalsvig and Michele Waite, both of Longview, Wash., reading CRR and the local newspaper at London’s Buckingham Palace two days after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

Looking UP

Late Fall - Early Winter

By Greg Smith

Fall is here. The summer constellations are moving out to the southwest. The summer triangle is leaving its overhead dominance. The Constellation of Pegasus has taken prominence in the Autumn sky and is in full command in the evening.

The Evening Sky

November continues to be prime time to view the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which will be almost overhead.

November 25th, Mars is located between the far left end stars of the horns of Taurus the Bull. By Nov. 30th, Orion will have fully risen by 9:45pm. It will dominate the sky all winter long. The Pleiades are mid-way up in the eastern sky. Again the Pleiades are a wonderful sight to see in binoculars.

The Morning Sky

Moon Phases:

New: Wed, Nov 23rd

1st Quarter: Mon, Nov. 30th

Full: Wed, Dec 7th

3rd Quarter: Fri, Dec 16th

New: Fri, Dec 23

1st Quarter, Dec. 29

Full: Fri, Jan 6

3rd Quarter: Sat, Jan 14

End of twilight - when the stars start to come out:

Thurs., Nov 24, 5:05pm Wed., Nov. 30th 5:02pm Wed, Dec 7, 5:00pm Wed, Dec 14th, 5:00pm

Wed, Dec. 21, 5:03pm

Sat, Dec 31, 5:10pm

Rues, Jan 10, 5:20pm Fri, Jan 20, 5:32pm

(cloudless western horizon sky required)

The morning sky of November 30th will have the Milky Way in the southwest with its many open clusters of stars, there are hundreds of them. Constellation Leo riding high in the southeastern sky. The faint constellation Cancer is just to the right of Leo and to the left of the constellation of Gemini. At Cancer’s heart is a star cluster popularly known as the Beehive Cluster, just visible by the naked eye in a very dark sky; otherwise binoculars will be needed.

NIGHT SKY SPECTACLES

Ursa

Major

Ursa Major is the third largest constellation. Have you ever made out the whole constellation of Ursa Major (The Great Bear)? The Big Dipper is only the hind end of the Bear. Find a star chart and trace, in the sky, the legs and head of the Great Bear. It will amaze you at how big it really is. Once you are able to see it, you’ll be able to see it all the time (although some of the stars are a bit dim). In mid-autumn it is low in the Northern sky, so you may not be able to see the actual feet of the Bear. By the end of December it will have rotated enough into the northeast that you can see its feet. As I said, it is a large constellation.

•••

Longview resident Greg Smith is past president of Friends of Galileo. Meet him and other club members at monthly meetings in Longview. For more info about FOG, visit friendsofgalileo.com.

Spooky fingers and a pub game.

By Greg Smith

Well, the big new James Webb telescope has done it again. It has given us a new look at a familiar part of the sky. Remember way back when the Hubble telescope was just new and it gave us that magnificent picture called the Pillars of Creation? The towers of dust glowed with light from large nearby stars. The James Webb telescope has just taken a picture of the Pillars of Creation. This time in infrared light which is able to see through the dust that made up the pillars. This new picture sees the stars inside those pillars. It sees the dust, too. But now the Pillars look like they are coming from a wrist. They are being nicknamed the hand of God. To me they look like a three clawed appendage grasping into the sky. The picture is amazing! The detail is incredible! Hundreds of more stars are visible in this new view.

The Hubble’s view had the dust pillars looking much more substantial, with denser pillars. This new infrared view shows a more delicate structure to the pillars. Every picture the Webb Telescope sends back provides so much information that astronomers could spend years trying to pick out the new information that resides in these objects.

What pub game has anything to do with astronomy? Well, how about the game of darts?

It was the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission to collide with the tiny moon (Dimorphos) at a speed of approximately 14,000 mph into the binary asteroid (Didymos).

The plan of the mission was to see if an object the size of a refrigerator crashing into an asteroid 170 meters (560 feet) in diameter would slow it down any. It was hoped to slow it down by 10 seconds or so, but what happened so totally surprised those in charge of the mission that they thought their data was messed up.

What they found was that the moonlet was slowed down by 32 seconds. This also showed that the moonlet was made up of a bunch of “loose” small boulders and gravel. The “splash” of rock from the crash created a tens-of-thousands-of-kilometerslong tail in space. The crash was so good that it was only 17 meters off of dead center of the planned impact point — 17 meters out of millions of kilometers distance is quite the shot!

Now we know that we may be able to dislodge a larger asteroid off its course, enough to make it miss the Earth, if it was on a true collision path. Of course, we would have to see it early enough and far enough away to make sure the dislodgement really was big enough to miss the Earth. Sorry, Bruce Willis, but blowing it up is not the answer. Blasting an asteroid would only make for lots of pieces colliding with Earth. A great meteor show, but very dangerous for us on the ground.

”Pillars of Creation,” images by Hubble (left) and James Web Telescopes. NASA.

Longview Eagles for hosting,

Nancy just put on the “December” album by George Winston, a classic in our household. I’m sure you have an album that just automatically starts playing at a certain time every year. The kids cringe that we would start playing Christmas music so early. But “December” isn’t technically a Christmas album!

A “magical” red wine unfamiliar to most

Three-grape blend perfect with holiday fare

By Marc Roland

Some things just never get old for me. The memories contained in the notes of the songs are what bring meaning. Family gatherings, holiday parties, important life events that happen in the winter time. To think it was 40 years ago —1982 — when this album was released. A lot of life has taken place to this soundtrack. In 1982, I didn’t even drink wine, let alone think I would ever become passionate about it. That was a long time ago. What things in your life set the soundtrack? It could be meaningful traditions or precious keepsakes that are probably worthless in value but priceless in memories.

I discovered “December” in 1982, and it has been with me ever since. I’m glad I discovered it. I took a risk that I would

love the music; I bought the record, I played it over and over again and it grew on me. When I started drinking wine, it too, was a discovery of what I liked and didn’t like. Now, I have the opportunity to help you in your wine journey by recommending the red blend you don’t know about, but should...Rhône GSM.

It’s magical just like this time of year, a blend of three grape varieties grown in France’s Rhône Valley: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The Cote du Rhône is an area near Avignon where the popes once ruled, where lavender permeates the air and sunshine tranquilizes the soul. Many other grape varieties grow there, too, but GSM dominates. I would venture that no other blend has the storied history of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the celebrated appellation where the best wine is made. We could say it is a holy union between grapes that just

happened to grow well together with the meticulous and meditative blending of monks over centuries of compline (final prayer service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours), and hard work during the day.

The three grape varieties are vastly different. Grenache is light and fruity. Made alone, it is fresh and floral, and often ends up as the grape of choice for provincial rosé. My son Zak, is a huge fan of Grenache because it is well balanced with soft tannins, and pairs with food well. It is also a favorite with sommeliers who find it pleasing after drinking and recommending bolder wines all day.

Then, there is syrah. This is the finesse source for the blend; syrah grown in warmer climates ripens quickly, so the wines will typically present riper fruit flavors, like dark blackberry and plum, with a full mouth-feel.

Finishing out the blend is the less familiar Mourvèdre. The most prominent flavors found in Mourvèdre are dark fruits, like blueberries, but it is the different nuances — like black pepper, smoke, earth, and roses — that make it unique. It is what I call a rustic and wild grape, like wild game. It’s savory. Alone it can be tannic. Blended it is glorious.

GSM is a wine that perfectly pairs with traditional holiday fare: savory foods of any kind, like a crown roast of pork, prime rib, beef Wellington; mushroom dishes, roasted root vegetables. And don’t forget the cheese.

Please drink responsibly, which means don’t drink and drive. But do try a Rhône blend, with your holiday meal or anytime.

Longview resident and former Kelso teacher Marc Roland started making wine in 2008 in his garage. He and his wife, Nancy, now operate Roland Wines at 1106 Florida Street in Longview’s new “barrel district.” For wine tasting hours, call 360-846-7304.

Alan Rose

By Dave and Floreen Clark

In November 1967, John “Chick” Donohue, a Marine Corps veteran working as a merchant seaman, was in Doc Fiddler’s bar in Manhattan, New York, when the conversation turned to Vietnam and the loss of 26 local boys. The bartender knew of 4 boys who were still there, saying, “I would like to buy those boys a beer.” Chick thinks about it and says “I can do that.”  Over the next couple of days he fills a duffle bag with local beer and signs onto a ship heading to Vietnam.

On January 19, 1968, his ship dropped anchor in Qui Nhon, Vietnam.  Chick convinced the captain to allow him off ship to find a step brother (which he did not have). With a 3-day pass and duffle bag of beer, he began an odyssey that would change his life. After 2 days, the ship became a target for attacks, so the captain finished unloading and left Vietnam, listing Chick as missing. In the meantime, Chick had found his friends and gave them the beer from home. On January 31, he was in Saigon, unable to catch up with his ship or leave because he had no passport or visa. As Vietnam was celebrating its new year, the Viet Cong broke the holiday truce, launching the “Tet Offensive” with massive fighting throughout the country. Saigon was invaded and Chick had to survive the death and destruction around him.  Eventually, he got his passport and visa and a job on another ship. After his 4-month beer run, he was finally heading home. The soldiers who received the beer all survived. As he reflected on his experience, he had no regrets.  But his views about Vietnam and the protests changed. “Only 0.5 percent of Americans serve in the military but 100 percent of us benefit.”

Book published of Thea Pyle’s writings

New Riverside Press of Gray’s River, Washington, announces publication of Part of Me: Poems and Other Writings by Thea Linnaea Pyle.

Thea Linnaea Pyle, who died in 2013. was a long-time and much-loved resident of Wahkiakum County, Washington. While widely known and admired as a botanical artist, she was also a fine writer, though few knew this side of her.

This new book, years in the making, presents and celebrates Thea’s poetry, short stories, vignettes, letters, and some favorite recipes, along with two of her acclaimed wildflower prints. These writings span the time from her youth on Mercer Island to her final years in the Gray’s River Valley, and range from her whimsy, wit, and love of nature to her personal concerns of mind, body, and community. Her friends and admirers, who were many, will take great pleasure discovering Thea’s inner life through her words, and those who never got to know her will wish they had. The book was compiled and introduced by Robert Michael Pyle, Thea’s husband.

Part of Me is available through Tsuga Gallery in Cathlamet, Redmen Hall/ Riverlife Interpretive Center in Skamokawa, the Appelo Archive Center in Naselle, Columbia River Reader (1333 14th, Longview), and several local bookshops.

ATTENTION, READERS

Read a good book lately? To be mini-interviewed by CRR Book Reviewer Alan Rose for a future “What Are You Reading?” spotlight, please contact him at alan@alan-rose.com or the publisher/editor at publisher@ crreader.com.

Dave Clark was USAF 1967 – 1975, then became an Emergency room RN. Floreen Clark has been a certified MRI tech and PET CT tech. Both are life members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Distinguished Flying Cross Society, and Air Commando Association. Now retired, they live in Vancouver where they volunteer for the VFW, local hospital, and several other community programs.

Thea Linnaea Pyle

Thea Linnaea Pyle courtesy photo

Top 10 Bestsellers

PAPERBACK FICTION

1. It Ends with Us

Colleen Hoover, Atria, $16.99

2. Cloud Cuckoo Land

Anthony Doerr, Scribner, $20

3. It Starts with Us

Colleen Hoover, Atria, $17.99

4. Project Hail Mary Andy Weir, Ballantine, $20

5. The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida Shehan Karunatilaka, Norton, $18.95

6. A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury Publishing, $18

7. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid, Washington Square Press, $17

8. The Silent Patient

Alex Michaelides, Celadon Books, $17.99

9. Circe Madeline Miller, Back Bay, $16.99

10. Where the Crawdads

Sing Delia Owens, Putnam, $18

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

1. Braiding Sweetgrass

RobinWall Kimmerer, Milkweed Editions, $20

2.The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Penguin, $19

3.All That the Rain Promises and More David Arora, Ten Speed Press, $17.99

4. All About Love bell hooks, Morrow, $16.99

5.These Precious Days Ann Patchett, Harper Perennial, $18

6.Tiny Beautiful Things (10th Anniversary Edition)

Cheryl Strayed, Vintage, $17

7.Attached Amir Levine, Rachel Heller, TarcherPerigee, $17

8. Finding the MotherTree

Suzanne Simard, Vintage, $17

9. Ottolenghi Test Kitchen

Noor Murad, Yotam Ottolenghi, Clarkson Potter, $32

10. Beer Hiking Pacific

Northwest 2nd Edition

RachelWood, Brandon Fralic, Helvetiq, $19.99

BOOK REVIEW

Blurb Your Enthusiasm: An A–Z of Literary Persuasion by Louise Willder Oneworld $24.95

Earlier this year I read a bestseller that has been wildly hyped (“Pitch perfect!” “Thoroughly enjoyable, thought provoking”) and found myself appalled—by its purple prose, by its cardboard-thin characters and their clichéd dialogues, by its sheer implausibility (granted, it was a modern gothic horror novel, but still…) I re-read the blurbs that had enticed me to buy the book, thinking, Seriously? I suspect some of the reviewers had not actually read it.

Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award (LGBT category.) He can be reached at www.alan-rose.com.

Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn, for week ending Nov. 6, 2022, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com

HARDCOVER FICTION HARDCOVER NON-FICTION CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED EARLY & MIDDLE GRADE READERS

1. The Passenger

Cormac McCarthy, Knopf, $30,

2. The World We Make N. K. Jemisin, Orbit, $30

3. Demon Copperhead Barbara Kingsolver, Harper, $32.50

4. Our Missing Hearts Celeste Ng, Penguin Press, $29

5. Liberation Day George Saunders, Random House, $28

6. Babel R. F. Kuang, Harper Voyager, $27.99

7. Shuna’s Journey

Hayao Miyazaki, Alex Dudok de Wit (Transl.), First Second, $27.99

8. The Last Chairlift

John Irving, Simon & Schuster, $38

9. Fairy Tale Stephen King, Scribner, $32.50

10. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Gabrielle Zevin, Knopf, $28

1. I’m Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy, Simon & Schuster, $27.99

2. The Philosophy of Modern Song Bob Dylan, Simon & Schuster, $45

3. And There Was Light Jon Meacham, Random House, $40

4. Go-To Dinners

Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter, $35

5. Inciting Joy Ross Gay, Algonquin Books, $27

6. Surrender

Bono, Knopf, $34

7. What If? 2

Randall Munroe, Riverhead Books, $30,

8. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Matthew Perry, Flatiron Books, $29.99

9. How We Live Is How We Die Pema Chödrön, Shambhala, $24.95

10. Atlas of the Heart Brené Brown, Random House, $30

1. The Sour Grape Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illus.), Harper, $19.99

2. The Three Billy Goats Gruff Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen (Illus.), Orchard Books, $18.99

3. The Mitten Jan Brett, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, $9.99

4. Pookie’s Thanksgiving Sandra Boynton, Boynton Bookworks, $6.99

5. Goodnight Moon MargaretWise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99

6. Creepy Crayon! Aaron Reynolds, Peter Brown (Illus.), Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $18.99

7. Moo, Baa, La La La! Sandra Boynton, Boynton Bookworks, $6.99

8. This Story Is Not About a Kitten Randall de Sève, Carson Ellis (Illus.), Random House Studio, $18.99

9. The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!

MoWillems, Union Square Kids, $17.99

10. Keepunumuk:Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry,Alexis Bunten, Garry Meeches Sr. (Illus.), Charlesbridge, $16.99

When the blurb is better than the book

There should be a truth-in-advertising clause for those who blurb a book, requiring a full disclosure; for example, “An amazing read!” —best friend since kindergarten. “An outstanding achievement!”— am repaying a blurb for my book which truly is outstanding.

“Unputdownable!” —author’s husband who wishes to maintain matrimonial harmony and keep conjugal relations conjugaling. An author friend of Jeffrey Archer once squirmed around blurbing an Archer book he didn’t like with “Fans of Jeffrey Archer will not be disappointed.”

My suspicions were confirmed as I read Louise Willder’s entertaining insider’s account of the book marketing world. She herself has written book jacket copy for over 5000 books and admits there is an element of deceit involved as she launches into an informative and fun history of “the dark arts of marketing.” She looks at all aspects of marketing a book: finding the right title, the right cover art (“pocketsize billboards” for the book), the book’s design, and especially how it’s represented to potential buyers, employing the familiar clichés of what she calls reviewese and “climbing aboard the merry-go-round of superlatives.”

We overuse adjectives such as luminous, dazzling, incandescent, stunning, shimmering, sparkling, glittering— always the light references! Or there are what I like to call “the natural disaster adjectives:” devastating, searing, powerful, shattering, explosive, epic, electrifying…One wag on social media recently compiled a “glossary of terms” for book blurbs, including “Enchanting: there’s a dog in it. Heartwarming: a dog and a child. Moving: child dies. Heartrending: dog dies.” We laugh because we know it’s true…that these words act as a code of sorts.

-- from Blurb Your Enthusiasm

Along the way, she notes how some writers were so effective at reaching their readerships (Dickens especially was ahead of his time at marketing his books.) It’s also a practical writing resource, showing how words work, and sometimes don’t, and includes a hilarious offering of “fabulously bad blurbs.”

Fantasy writer D. W. Vogel compares well-written jacket copy to a burlesque show: It should entice and excite and create suspense in the buyer. “We should be left wondering, ‘What’s under that feather.’”

1.Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercraft Tom Crestodina, Little Bigfoot, $19.99

2. The Stars Did Wander Darkling Colin Meloy, Balzer + Bray, $17.99

3. The Tryout: A Graphic Novel

Christina Soontornvat, Joanna Cacao (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

4. Odder Katherine Applegate, Charles Santoso (Illus.), Feiwel & Friends, $16.99

5. Two Degrees

Alan Gratz, Scholastic Press, $17.99

6. The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza Mac Barnett, Shawn Harris (Illus.), Katherine Tegen Books, $15.99

7.AWolf Called Wander Rosanne Parry, Greenwillow Books, $7.99

8. Snapdragon

Kat Leyh, First Second, $12.99

9. Measuring Up

Lily LaMotte,Ann Xu (Illus.), HarperAlley, $12.99

10. Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy

Jonathan Hill, Jonathan Hill (Illus.),Walker Books US, $14.99

By Alan Rose

Finally, it’s all advertising, whether one is selling soap or the latest Stephen King thriller. The buyer wants to be beguiled and seduced by the flashy cover, by the title, by the effusive endorsement, complete with triple exclamation marks!!! Still, I long for the wit, style, and honesty of Groucho Marx after receiving a book from humorist S. J. Perelman: “From the moment I picked up your book until I put it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.”

At St. Stephen’s Church 1428 22nd Ave., Longview Jan 10, 2023

www.alan-rose.com

HOLIDAY 2022 / November, 25, 2022 / / Columbia River

CHAMBER Happenings

November Update

SHOP SMALL

Saturday, November 26

Kick off your holiday season while you support local Businesses & Restaurants!

New Members

Clear Bookkeeping Solutions, LLC

537 20th Ave. Longview, WA 98632 360-703-9080

Fran Gehrman

116 City View Blvd. Longview, WA 98632 360-827-1236

Upcoming Events

November 26 - Small Business Saturday

Make a BIG impact and shop small on Saturday, November 26! Support our local shops and businesses and get a jump on your holiday shopping! You’ll find something for everyone while support ing local retailers. Don’t forget to grab a snack or meal at a local restaurant and spread the cheer!

Dec. 9 6:00 pm Jingle All the Way 5K Run/Walk

at The Civic Circle in Longview

Come out for a Merry Run or walk in downtown Longview! $10 to register by November 23 (w/o shirt).

Packet Pickup: Thursday, Dec. 8, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel

Late Registration: Day of Race: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Costume Contest: Friday, 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel Come join the fun! Register today at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Dec. 13 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 2022 Holiday Mixer

Kelso Longview Elks #1482, 900 Ash St., Kelso

Come celebrate the holiday season with us at our annual Holiday Mixer! Included with your ticket are two beverages, delicious food and entry into some great raffle prizes! Ticket are $25 in advance or $35 at the door and are available at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org or call 360-423-8400.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one properly express condolences when you are told that a distant family member, who abused you and whom you loathe, has died?

“I’m sorry for your loss” seems wrong. I’m not.

“I hope he didn’t suffer.” That wouldn’t be sincere; I kinda hope he did, a little. “Is there anything I can do?” Nope, the family was complicit in their denial of the abuse. I don’t want to help them at all.

Silence isn’t an option. It would be noticed and questioned and I would end up looking like an insensitive jerk. What to do?

GENTLE READER: Although she can help you, Miss Manners cautions against too much self-congratulation over your intention to be sincere. You want the words you speak to be true, but the impression you leave to be false -- namely that you are sensitive to their loss.

Very well: “Thank you for letting me know. I can only imagine how hard this must be for you. My condolences.” Perhaps it would compromise you too much to offer your “deepest condolences.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I were waiting in an airport lounge before an early morning flight. It was a quiet crowd. A man in his 40s answered a call from his lawyer on his cellphone, then proceeded to loudly rant and rave about his ex-wife and their custody battle.

Five of us around him got up and moved after 10 minutes. My husband stayed for a few more minutes and politely told the gentleman that taking a private call interrupted everyone’s calm, and maybe next time he could take the call away from others. The man sneered at my husband and continued the call. What else could we have done?

GENTLE READER: Stronger measures are necessary when communicating with someone who has just learned that the ex-wife is demanding the sports car as well as the children: “Sir, excuse me for interrupting, but you might not want everyone in the lounge to hear that you are hiding money in your Aruba account.”

Miss Manners is borrowing the Caribbean island for an example, not a metaphor: The effect you are going for is fear, so you will want to include something you actually overheard.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a widow who remarried a few years ago. My husband is a tall, handsome professional. My brother’s wife, who is slightly younger than I, likes to get attention from any men around and, it seems, has set her sights on my new husband.

On several occasions, when she is annoyed at my brother, my sister-in-law has remarked that she will “go sit with,” “go be with” or “ride home with” my husband because “he will have me.” It makes it very awkward for my husband, my brother and me.

Jan. 27

& 28 2023 sQuatch Fest

Cowlitz County Event Center, Longview

sQuatch Fest returns to Longview featuring world renowned speakers, Brew Mountain beer garden, themed merchandise vendors, food carts, Kids’ Cave and more! Tickets on sale now at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org or call the chamber at 360-423-8400

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org 360-423-8400

I am insulted both on my brother’s behalf and at her insinuation that my husband is somehow available. Could you suggest a humorous but pointed remark that will quash this behavior and not cause too much embarrassment all around?

GENTLE READER: “Oh, ha ha, he’s not getting in the middle of this. Come, dear, let me recuse you and let these two work things out on their own.”

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail. com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

The Friends of Galileo astronomy club invites you to come and celebrate the returning of longer days and shorter nights at their annual Solstice Solar Walk on the night of December 17, 4–6pm (editor’s note: the Winter Solstice occurs on Dec. 21). The walk starts at the south end of Lake Sacajawea Park, near 15th Avenue and Nichols Blvd. (the area near St. John Medical Center, the YMCA and Burger King). This is where the Sun marker is located.

At the Sun, you’ll get a Planetary Passport to log your walk past the planets from Mercury, Venus, and Earth, all the way to Pluto on the north (Ocean Beach Highway) end of the Lake, with a few “surprise” celestial attractions en route. Take a return stroll along the path back to the starting point, or use the complimentary “space shuttle” for your return trip.

Along the path, representatives of local service groups and organizations will be stationed at each stop to stamp your passport. Park restrooms should be open through the event (south end, Nichols side) and Kessler side, over the footbridge to Hemlock north of the playground.

Everyone is welcome at this free, family-friendly, festive event. Come and join the fun — under clear skies, rain or snow. Bring headlamps, lanterns and flashlights and bundle up for the weather. For updates, check the clubs’ Facebook page. For more information, visit friendsofgalileo.com/solstice.

CRR WELCOMES SPACE TRAVELERS!

Solstice Walk

Don’t miss the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk at the Lake, the most ingenious and unique event of the year!

At CRR’s Comet Swift-Tuttle and Perseid Meteor Shower Station, we’ll be celebrating the annual “shooting stars,” which appear in August when Earth passes through the debris trail laid down by the comet Swift-Tuttle. The comet has a 133-year orbit and last passed by the vicinity of Earth in 1992.

To aid in your solar trek, CRR will provide free pocket warmers, snacks and other goodies (while supplies last).

You’ll find CRR’s Comet Station located halfway between Neptune and Pluto, next to the path by the lamp post directly in line with the intersection of Maple Street and Nichols Blvd. See map, above.

CRR ‘s crew will be ready to greet you and point you in the right direction! Dock up and say Hello!

About the Solar System Walk at the Lake

In 2001, Friends of Galileo Astronomy Club designed and presented — with financial help from Gibbs & Olson engineering firm and other generous donors — a gift to the City of Longview: A model solar system, with10 granite markers along 1.64 miles on the west side of Lake Sacajawea.

The markers show the relative sizes and distances of the Sun and planets. It’s a great way for residents and visitors to enjoy Lake Sacajawea Park while experiencing the astonishing scale of our solar system ... they can begin to grasp (and gasp at) its magnitude, walking along and realizing how far apart the planets are, based on the solar system scaled to the length of the Lake.

CRR to host Comet SwiftTuttle-Perseid Meteor Showers station at Dec. 17

LAKE SACAJAWEA PARK

Ocean Beach Hwy

Pluto (KBO1)

Saturn

Jupiter

Louisiana Street Bridge Hemlock Street Footbridge Washington Way Bridge

20th Ave. Bridge NicholsBlvd.

START The Sun

Comet SwiftTuttle

Mercury Earth Venus Mars

15thAve KesslerBlvd.

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR

Send your non-commercial community event info (name of event, beneficiary, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to:

Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632

Submission Deadlines

Events occurring: Jan 15 - Feb 20 by Dec 26 for Jan 15 issue. Feb 15 – March 20 by Jan 25 for Feb 15 issue. Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, relevance to readers, and space limitations. See Submission Guidelines below.

Submission Guidelines

Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations.

Items sent to CRR will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising

Nov 30 - Wednesday

Whipple Creek Park (E) Drive 66 miles RT to North Vancouver. Hike a 4-mile loop with 190-ft e.g. through forest and farmland. Leader: John 360-431-1122.

Dec

3 - Saturday

Chehalem Ridge (M) Drive 120 miles RT. In-and-out Hike 8 miles with 1000-ft e.g. in the new Portland Metro Chehalem Ridge Nature Park. Douglas fir forest and Tualatine Valley views.

Leader: George W. 360-430-4157

Dec.

7 - Wednesday

Lake Sacajawea, Longview (E)

Walk 4 miles around the Lake, or walk half the Lake, 1.5 miles+.Leader: Chere 360-200-3715, Linda 360-431-3321.

Dec. 10 - Saturday

Stub Stewart State Park (M)

Drive 90 miles RT. Hike 5-mile loop with 200’ e.g. on Hares Canyon Trail. Enjoy a quiet hike inside one of Oregon’s premier multi-use parks.

Leader: Bruce 360-425-0256.

Outings & Events

Winter Festival Dec. 4, 12–4pm. Family-friendly activities and exhibits. Free. Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St., Kelso, Wash. Info, page 17.

Handcrafted Holiday Bazaar Dec. 3, 9am-3pm. McClelland Center,, 951 Delaware St., Longview, Wash. Sponsored by Longivew Parks and Recreation to benefit its programs.

Holiday Market Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 9am–1pm. Sons of Norway Lodge, 224 Catlin St, Kelso, Wash. Sponsored by the Lodge to benefit Lower Columbia School Gardens. Food available: Lefse, Swedish pancakes, lingonberries, Swedish meatballs, almond cakes, Norwegian cookies and waffles, split pea soup, lutefisk and herring.

Michael Allen Harrison Holiday Concert Monday, Dec. 5, Columbia City Community Hall, 1850 Second Street, Columbia City, OR 97018. Tickets $20 available by phone or in person at City Hall, 1840 Second St., Col. City, Ore., Mon-Fri 8-12, 1-5. Phone 503-397-4010. Proceeds go to “Play It Forward” program, providing instruments and instruction to deserving children.

Holiday Book Sale Friday, Dec. 9, Sat., Dec. 10, 10am-4pm. Christmas and gift selections. High quality books. Kalama Public Library, 312 N. 1st, Kalama, Wash. Sponsored by Friends of the Library at Kalama.

Solstice Lantern Walk Visit stations along the Solar System Walk, west side of Lake Sacajawea, Sat., Dec. 17, 4–6pm. Get passport at south end of Lake, near Sun (near YMCA, opposite Burger King.) Presented by Friends of Galileo. See story, page 39.

Minthorn Collection of Chinese Art Tues-Thurs, 10-3, Rose Center for the Arts, upstairs art gallery, Lower Columbia College.

Mount St. Helens Hiking Club

(E) - Easier: Usually on relatively flat ground (up to 5 miles and/or less than 500 ft. e.g.) (M) - Moderate: Longer and more elevation gain (over 5 miles and/or over 500 ft. e.g.) (S) - Strenuous: Long hikes and/or elevation gain (over 8 miles and/or over 1200 ft. e.g.)

Call leader to join outing or for more info. Non-members welcome.

Dec.

14 - Wednesday

Kalama Marina and Riverwalk (E) Drive 20 miles RT. Walk through town and over to waterfront for 3+ miles RT on level path along the Columbia River. 26-ft e.g. Leader: Barbara 360-431-1131

Dec.

17 - Saturday

Winter Solstice Walk (E) Walk 4 miles around Lake Sacajawea past displays of planets in our solar system Sponsored by Friends of Galileo. Leader: Joe H. 360-430-8447

Dec.21

- Wednesday

Lacamas Lake Camas (E) Drive100 miles RT. Hike 6.5 miles out and back on mostly flast, paved path along Lacamas Lake. Leader: Art 360-270-9991.

Dec.

28 - Wednesday

Burnt Bridge Creek Trail (E) Drive 92 miles RT. Hike 4.5 miles with 200-ft e.g. Leader: John 360-431-1122.

Jan. 4 - Wednesday

Castle Rock Dike Trail (E) Drive 20 miles RT. Hike 4.5miles up and back along the Cowlitz River, cross the river and hike aroumnd the ball field and back. Leader: Art 360-270-9991.

Jan.

7 - Saturday

Hummocks Loop Snowshoe (E/M) (SS)

Drive 120 miles RT. Snowshoe 5 miles with 300-ft e.g. in open terrain wirth views of Mt. St. Helens. Good for those new to snowshoeing. Leader: George W. 360-430-4157.

Jan. 11- Wednesday

Lucia/Moulton

Falls (E)

Drive 100 miles RT. Hike 5.5 miles on level path with views of the river and waterfalls. Leader: Barbara 360-431-1131.

Jan. 14 - Saturday

Chocolate Falls and Beyond (M) (SS)

Drive 120 miles RT. Snowshoe in and out 7 miles with 1000-ft e.g. on southern slopes of Mt. St. Helens. Forest and open terrain, great views of Mt. St. Helens. Leader: Pat R. 360-560-9554.

Jan. 18 - Wednesday

Camp Wilderson (E)

Drive 20 miles RT. Hike 3.6--mile loop with 720-ft e.g. on the Liahona Trail. A quiet hike through large trees and meadows. Leader: Bruce 360-425-0256.

Jan.

21- Saturday

South Coldwater Ridge Snowshoe (M) (SS)

Drive 120 miles RT. Snowshoe in and out 7 miles with 1200-ft e.g. in mostly open terrain. Great views of Mt. St. Helens crater and abandoned logging equipment. Leader: Pat R. 360-560-9554

Above: watercolorized sketch by the late Deena Martinson

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Public Zoom meetings 2nd Thurs. 6pm welcome to visitors, instructions, announcements. Program with guest speaker 7pm. For a Zoom link: lcgsgen@ yahoo.com.

Community Yoga In-person M-W-F, 7:45–9am, St. Stephen’s Church,1428

22nd Ave, Longview, Wash. (enter via alley). Led by volunteers. Suggested donation $2 per session; donated to the church. More info: Ruth, 360-430-0420.

Stella Historical Society Museum is officially CLOSED for the season, to reopen the weekend after July 4, 2023. Hours will be 11–4. Watch for news about annual “Kid’s Day” celebration. Located at 8530 Ocean Beach Highway (10 miles west of Longview), the museum

Outings & Events

is free; donations always welcome. For museum tours in the off season, call 360-423-3860 or 360-423-8663. Also available for Scouting tours, Eagle Scout projects and high school “community service” hours. For more info check Facebook.

In Longview • 9th

Annual Event Sat-Sun, Dec.

3–4, 3–9pm

View hundreds of nativities from around the world displayed in an authentic market setting, Family-friendly event features a Live Nativity and hourly musical performances from the community.. Free admission.

Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held at 900 11th Ave, Longview. www.facebook.com/ CommunityFestivalNativities

Sunday, Dec. 4 • 3pm

Tickets: clatskaniearts.org, or at the door Adults $20, Senior & Student $18. Child $15 PERFORMANCE AT BIRKENFELD THEATRE, 75 S.NEHALEM ST., CLATSKANIE, ORE.

BROADWAY GALLERY

1418 Commerce Avenue, Longview Mon thru Sat, 11–4. Visit the Gallery to see new work. For event updates check our website: the-broadwaygallery.com, at Broadway Gallery on Facebook, and broadway gallery longview on Instagram.

Featured artists: November: Gallery member Debby Neely (Wildlife print-maker). December: Gallery member Trudy Woods (functional pottery) and Eileen Webster Thompson (watercolor). January: Kory & Rachel Dollar (mosaics & stained glass)

Join

Us for First Thursday

Dec. 1 and Jan. 5 • 5:30–7pm

Enjoy new art, refreshments & live music

NEW HOURS Mon - Sat 11–4

SANTA’S WORKSHOP: Original Holiday ornaments, cards & MORE for the Season made by our artists thru Dec. 24.

Workshop/Class: Painting Holiday Cards in watercolor Sat, Dec 3, 1-3pm $30 preregistration ensures you spot.

Paint a small acrylic painting, 5:30–7pm. Tues, Dec 6 & 13. $50. Call or visit gallery to pre-register.

JANUARY CLEARANCE SALE Jan 10-24

Voted one of top 3 Galleries in SW Washington. Free Gift wrapping plus Layaway!

Find a unique gift! We have beautiful artisan cards, jewelry, books by local authors, wearable art, original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photographs and so much more

Upcoming Shows

CLATSKANIE ARTS COMMISSION

Never Come Down Sun, Dec. 4, 3pm. Performances at Birkenfeld Theatre, 75 S Nehalem St, Clatskanie, Ore. More info: clatskaniearts.org

COLUMBIA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Finnegan Blue’s Irish Christmas Sat., Dec. 17th, 7:30pm

Peking Acrobats Fri., Jan. 20th, 7:30pm

For tickets or more information contact the Columbia Theatre Box Office at 360-575-8499, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Online, visit www. columbiatheatre.com. See ad, this page.

STAGEWORKS NORTHWEST

The Game’s Afoot Dec. 2–18 (“Holmes for the Holidays”)

Calendar Girls Jan. 20–Feb. 5 Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2pm. Tickets online, stageworksnorthwest.com or at box office W-F 3–6pm and 1 hours prior to showtime. 1433 Commerce Ave., Longview. Wash. 360-636-4488

Green Thumbs Up!

Gift ideas for the gardeners on your list

Oh my—where did the year go?

Last winter lasted so long, spring barely appeared before it turned into a long, hot, dry summer, and now it’s time to think about the holidays! All year I’ve been saving Christmas gift ideas for gardeners. All of these are on my wish list, and I must admit I’ve already bought some of them because delayed gratification and uncertainty frustrate me!

Here’s my short list:

Weekend pot watering

Nancy Chennault in Castle Rock turned me on to the secret of how to keep flower baskets from drying out. She recommends the Weekender® Self Watering Hanging Baskets. These planters have a one-gallon

reservoir, and the water wicks up to the roots as the plant needs it. Much less active watering, and you’ll feel more comfortable leaving for the weekend and have living plants when you come back.

Get the gardener on your list a soil monitor probe and pH testing strips. I told you about my portable porch orchard this past spring. It was a real challenge knowing when to water my apples, raspberries, blueberries, and hydrangeas. Sticking my finger in the soil didn’t give me good results, so I’ve decided to try a good quality soil moisture probe.

CAP volunteer drivers provide crucial transportation for individuals to out-of-town medical appointments. Volunteer drivers receive tax-exempt mileage reimbursement, currently $.625 per mile, and paid trainings.

If you’re interested and have a reliable vehicle and clean driving record, please call: 360- 261-6236 or 360-200-4911

Remember, more plants are killed by overwatering than underwatering. Unless the probe tells you the soil is dry, don’t add water unless your plant is showing signs of thirst. Each of the plants on my deck have different soil acidity needs, and I need to find a way to easily test the pH so I can amend the soil if necessary. Those stick-inthe-ground pH probes don’t work

well, but pH strips do, and they are super easy to use. Your gardener will thank you for making it so easy!

Starting seeds

If you or your gardener (and little ‘uns) are planning on starting seeds indoors this spring, why not try something new? There are a lot of small hydroponic (soil-less) gardening options available. The most well known is Aerogarden. Those are great, but they are pricey, and you can’t start too many seeds at once.

Kalama resident Alice Slusher volunteers with WSU Extension Service Plant & Insect Clinic. Call 360-577-3014, ext. 1, or send question via cowlitzmastergardener@gmail.com.

I’m trying something different. It’s called the Bio Dome, it can start a lot of seeds, and doesn’t require electricity except for lighting. It can be used over and over again, and it’s really easy to transfer your little starts into soil pots.

And then what to do with your 30 or so plants? It’s still too cold to put them in the garden. How about one of those inexpensive plastic frame greenhouses on your porch or deck? Because it’s close to the house, it will stay reasonably warm and should get a lot of light. This is a good alternative to having every surface of your living quarters covered with baby plants during April and May. It would be a great gift for your gardener.

Stocking Stuffers, Kid-friendly

Here are a few stocking stuffer activities that might be fun with the kids. Decorate bamboo plant stakes for next year’s garden. Remember the flowers you saved in your diary? A flower press would be a quiet winter activity for aspiring little gardeners. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at flower arranging but have no idea how to start? The Flower Recipe Book by Rizzo and Harampolis assumes you know nothing and moves forward from there. I can’t wait to try it!

Yep—winter is coming, and for me it’s a time to take a look at how well I’m moving along with all of life’s inevitable changes and taking stock of blessings, hopes, and dreams. Think green thoughts and spring will be here before we know it! •••

Your coLumbia rivEr rEadEr Read it • Enjoy it • Share it • Recycle it

Columbia River Reader is printed with environmentally-sensitive soy-based inks on paper manufactured in the Pacific Northwest utilizing the highest percentage of “post-consumer waste” recycled content available on the market.

Story by Alice Slusher

Hoping for a flower press in my stocking!

Enjoy driving and being with people? YOU can help!

Longview Ortho Earns Positive Patient Reviews

“I had my left hip replaced, so now I have a matching set of titanium hips! I expect to be leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Shout-out to Dr. Turner at Longview Orthopedic Associates and everyone at Pacific Surgical Center.”

~ Craig Cottle

“Dr. Kretzler did a great job of putting our daughter’s ankle together. We could not have found a better doctor for her.”

~ Carol Mellis

“A shout to Dr. Kung. He replaced my knee over a year ago, and I’m pain free!”

~ Mike Vorse

“Dr. Lauder is a kind, caring, and compassionate doctor. I highly rec ommend him if you need surgery for a hand or wrist.”

~ Brenda Noble

“I had foot surgery to correct a defect in the large bone that connects the big toe and ankle. The surgery went extremely well. Dr. McLeod was kind, patient, and professional. I would recommend him to anyone needing foot surgery.”

~ Patricia Britcher

“Dr. Tony Lin gave me the use of my left shoulder. He is awesome.”

~ Gail Gerry

Dr. Kretzler, MD Dr. Kung, MD

Dr. Lauder, MD

Dr. Lin, MD

Dr. Turner, MD Dr. McLeod, DPM

1541 11th Ave., Suite A Longview, WA NMLS#1164433

Things to do, places to go

Good food, good wine Good books • Good cheer

CRR readers are life-long learners

Organic: Made from trees Thanks for reading.

the spectator by ned piper

The house we moved into four years ago was built in the 1920s, not many years after Longview was founded. One of the features we enjoy is a small greenhouse which stands between the garage and the house. Imagine how sad we were, two years ago, to discover an eight-inch snowfall had crushed the aging structure. Sue went online to search for a greenhouse supplier. “I found a Portland company called Sturdi Bilt Greenhouses,” she told me. “Why don’t you give them a call?”

The pleasant sounding receptionist transferred me to a man named Mark. I asked him if they construct greenhouses outside of Portland. “Yes,” he said, “we send greenhouse kits around the country. Where do you folks live?” I told him we live in Longview and gave the address. After a brief pause, he said, “We installed that greenhouse for Dr. H. H. Minthorn in 1974.”

We’d purchased the house from the Minthorn Estate. What a small world we live in! I asked if the greenhouse was still under warranty. Mark laughed and said it wasn’t. No surprise.

He recommended a contractor with experience assembling Sturdi Bilt greenhouse kits. We ordered the same model the Minthorns had installed originally. As a money-saving measure, I removed the old structure.

Work began. We gave up our twocar garage to accommodate the construction which took a little over a month. We are satisfied. Plants thrive in it. Sue uses it as a halfway house for her six Boston ferns, rotating two at a time in and out from the house to the greenhouse on a weekly rotation.

Two weeks ago, on my way to the garage, I noticed broken glass scattered on the concrete walkway. Oh, no. A tenfoot long branch, three inches in diameter, had broken off from our huge backyard oak tree and crashed through one of the glass plates in the greenhouse roof.

It could have been worse. A branch that size might well have destroyed a number of glass panes.

I called Mark at Sturdi-Built about sending someone to repair the

damage. He said he’d ask an employee if he wanted to freelance the job. The next day I received an email from a man named Connor, who was willing to help. “How about 2:30 on Saturday?”

Two days later, my phone rang at 5pm. “Mr. Piper,” Connor said, “I think I’m in front of your house.”

He thought he was on Washington Street.

I looked out the window. “I don’t see a car out there. Do you see a church?

A big lake?” He didn’t. I asked him what landmarks he saw.

“Well,” he said, “I see Corral Drivein a block away.”

“What town are you in?”

“Long Beach.”

“We live in LongVIEW, Connor.”

He arrived at our house an hour and a half later. We felt bad about the extra hours Connor spent driving, but he assured us he’d enjoyed his trip to the beach. We had ordered two large take-and-bake pizzas and invited Connor to join us for dinner. He wanted to repair the damage first.

Sue packaged up several slices of pizza for Connor to take home to Hillsboro to enjoy with his girlfriend later, when she got home from work. After we finished our own meal, I thanked Connor and asked, “What is your girlfriend’s employment?”

“She works at a pizza parlor,” he said, smiling.

PLUGGED IN TO

COWLITZ PUD

By Alice Dietz

Holiday Festivities

Kelso Rotary will be busy bringing back an exciting event to our neck of the woods. The second annual Lights in the Park will open at 5pm nightly from December 16th through December 23rd.

Beautiful LED lights will be displayed throughout Tam O’Shanter Park for the public to drive through and view from the comfort of your vehicle.

Kelso Rotary has been busy building new displays to add to last years, this will be a wonderful event for the whole family! There will be a Christmas station dedicated to the event so you can tune in and sing along with your favorite holiday songs. A suggested donation of $5 per car will go to the Warm Neighbor Fund, which benefits local families who need assistance with their electricity bills and to The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a free program that promotes literacy by mailing free books each month to children up to age 5.

Parade !

Another event that Cowlitz PUD helps organize is back this year for its 41st Anniversary! We are so excited to be planning the Downtown Longview Parade scheduled for December 3rd at 5pm. The Parade proceeds down Commerce, takes a left at Maple, a left on 14th, a right on Broadway, around the Civic Circle and finishes up in front of the Monticello Hotel. Be sure and stay for Santa who will help countdown the lighting of the Civic Circle holiday lights.

Alice Dietz is Cowlitz PUD’s Communications/ Public Relations Manager. Reach her at adietz@cowlitzpud.org, or 360-501-9146.

Pizza and broken glass, and miles to go before he sleeps

-- Cate Gable, “Coast Chronicles,” Chinook Observer, Long Beach, Wash.

• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Museum Stevenson

• Vintage Books

6613 E. Mill Plain, Vancouver

• Broadway Gallery Longview

• Cowlitz County Historical Museum Shop Kelso

• Vault Books & Brew Castle Rock

• Morgan Arts Center Toledo

• Mount St. Helens Gift Shop Castle Rock, I-5 Exit 49

• Tsuga Gallery Cathlamet

• Wahkiakum Eagle Cathlamet

• Redmen Hall Skamokawa

• Skamokawa Store Skamokawa

• Appelo Archives Naselle

• Time Enough Books Ilwaco

• Beach Books Seaside, Ore.

• Fort Clatsop Astoria, Ore.

• Godfathers Books Astoria, Ore.

• RiverSea Gallery Astoria,Ore.

• Columbia River Maritime Museum Store Astoria, Ore.

• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

& Museum The Dalles, Ore.

“Tidewater Reach is a pleasure to hold; it provokes delights, both intellectual and emotional. I commend all who were involved in bringing us this treasure. It deserves a place on your bookshelf and in your heart.”