Many of us living in the Pacific Northwest share a common passion: the love of the great outdoors!
Lush greenery, majestic mountains, crystalline rivers: the gorgeous views, even from some of our homes, are truly awe-inspiring. Now imagine having the ability to enjoy those views year-round, not from the confines of your stuffy living room, but from your beautifullydesigned, custom-built outdoor living space. Pioneer Patio Covers & Decks turns that dream into a reality!
With almost 30 years of experience and expertise in the industry, owners Robert and Jennifer Holbrook are quite simply the best in the business. It’s a point of pride, having both been born and raised in Vancouver, that they can stand behind their products and craftsmanship while servicing friends and neighbors. Their impeccable reputation in the industry has been hard won, and is a reflection of their absolute commitment and dedication to excellence.
Combining their strengths to form quite the dynamic duo, Jennifer comes from a business and marketing background while Robert grew up in construction. In fact, his father, Bob, co-owned and operated a local company, Spacemaster Construction, and that’s where Robert gained his passion for this kind of work. Robert went on to spend time in the Army
and as a practical nurse, but nothing provided the level of gratification he received from working outdoors with his hands. After purchasing their first new home, he built a deck, patio cover, and fence, and his neighbors were so impressed they hired him to do theirs. That planted the seed and word spread quickly.
Pioneer Patio Covers & Decks was born!
Now, all these years later, they couldn’t be happier with the business they’ve built. They can design and construct everything from the simplest of decks, to the most innovative, elaborate, and expansive deck and patio cover systems, transforming any outdoor space into a beautifully-integrated, comfortable, year-round sanctuary. These systems both match and enhance the look of your home, and add great value. In particular, their Acrylite Patio Covers are boasted as the only system available which keeps the weather out while still allowing the light to pass through.
Of course, no business can succeed without the support of a dedicated staff, and Robert and Jennifer are truly grateful for theirs. Their six craftsmen: Rikki, Charley, John, Patrick, Matt and Josh are the gears that keep the machine rolling. These guys have been with them for an average of 15 years each — a true rarity in this business, and Robert and Jennifer recognize they couldn’t do it without them.
Specializing in Acrylite Patio Cover Systems, custom patio covers and custom decks, they do the best work in town. Don’t go another season looking dejectedly out your living room windows! Call Pioneer Patio Covers & Decks today at 360-574-9085, and let them help you to create the outdoor living space you’ve always dreamed of!
Pioneer Patio Covers & Decks is located at 11318 NE Highway 99 in Vancouver. Give them a ring at 360-5749085, or visit their website at pioneerpatiocovers.com.
By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer
Long ago in a small Irish town, a drunkard named Stingy Jack earned his nickname after tricking the Devil himself. Jack was notorious in his little town, and Satan had heard of his mischievous deeds. Jack may have been known for being a drunken scoundrel — “scuttered and bollocksed,” so to speak — but he was also a clever lad, so he convinced the Devil to take him to his favorite pub as a last request and to pay for the bill. When the tab came due, Jack convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin so Jack could pay for the drinks, then they could leave for the underworld.
The Devil was fooled. And instead of paying up, Jack dropped the coin into his pocket alongside a silver crucifix, trapping the fiery foe in the form of a coin. The Devil begged Stingy Jack to release him. And so Jack released him, but only on the condition that the Devil would not bother him for another year, and should Jack die, Satan could not claim his soul.
True to his word, the Devil didn’t return for a whole year. When the Devil finally reappeared to claim his soul, Jack tricked the Devil into climbing a fruit tree and picking him a last meal to eat before traveling to Hell. Once the Devil reached the top of the tree, Jack carved a cross into the bark of the tree trunk, trapping the Devil high among the branches. Again, Satan begged Jack for freedom, but this time Jack made the Devil promise to not bother him for another 10 years. Of course, the Devil agreed to his terms and was freed.
Jack died soon thereafter. Because of his mischief and sins, he was denied entrance to Heaven. Upset by the trickery and scheming, and true to his word of not claiming his soul, Satan denied Jack entrance into Hell, too. As a parting gift, the Devil gifted Jack a lump of burning coal to light his way and sent him off wandering in the night. Jack placed the burning coal in a hollowed out turnip, and he has roamed the earth ever since. The Irish began calling this eerie creature “Jack of the Lantern,” or “Jack O’Lantern” for short.
In Ireland and Scotland, people began carving their own unique versions of Jack-o’-lanterns, cutting terrifying faces into turnips, potatoes, beets or rutabagas, and lighting and displaying them near doors or windows to frighten away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. In the
mid-1800s, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the jack-o’lantern tradition with them when they moved to the United States. And they soon found that pumpkins, a large fruit native to America, made for perfect jack-o’-lanterns.
Since then, there have been many attempts in popular culture to revive this long-forgotten tradition of carving jack o’lanterns from turnips. In 2015, due to a severe pumpkin shortage caused by severe rain, the charity English Heritage called for the British people to rekindle their love for turnip carving and return to the original tradition of turnip jack-o’lanterns. English Heritage even went so far as to install many ghoulish turnip jack-o’-lanterns at Dover Castle to inspire others to do the same.
Whether turnip carving will become popular again is still unknown. But for now, Americans, Irish, Scottish and others keep carving pumpkins to frighten away the lost soul of Stingy Jack.
Play ball! During the 1970s, umpires called out the famous phrase to launch Portland Mavericks baseball games at Civic Stadium (Providence Park) in one of the most colorful chapters in the history of Portland baseball.
Although the renegade Portland Mavericks existed for only five summers, this uniquely memorable team will forever be etched in the history of minor league baseball. The Mavericks emerged onto the Portland baseball scene in 1973 with the departure of the Portland Beavers — the city’s long-time triple-A club — moving to Spokane. The Mavericks were owned by ex-minor league baseball player and former actor, Bing Russell, best known for his role as Deputy Clem Foster on the TV Western Bonanza. Bing was the father of well-known actor Kurt Russell, who unbeknownst to many, played for the Portland Mavericks their inaugural season — batting .229 in 23 games.
Initially, trading the triple-A Beavers for the single-A Mavericks seemed like a raw deal for Portland baseball fans; however, the Portland Mavericks became a surprise success. Bing Russell’s motto for the Mavericks — that it should be “fun” — rendered the game-time atmosphere at Civic Stadium circus-like and light-hearted. Russell was a trendsetter, being one of the first to promote minor league baseball with a focus on fun and entertainment.
As an independent team, unaffiliated with a major league franchise, the Mavericks recruited ex-minor leaguers and ex-big leaguers who were looking for an opportunity to revive fading careers. At the time, Mavericks were the only independent professional baseball team in the country, and despite the fact that they could pay players only $300 a month, hopefuls continued to arrive from across the United States each June to participate in Bing Russell’s tryouts.
Unlike many independent teams, the Mavericks were competitive in their single-A Northwest League. For five seasons straight, the Mavericks were not only competitive, but won a number of league titles. In 1973, this rag-tag collection of baseball castoffs ended the season with a 45-35 record, and won the NWL south division title.
year, the Mavericks went 50-34, finishing second place in the newly formatted NWL west division. In 1975 and 1976, the Mavericks won the NWL title, but in 1977 (their last year), despite earning the best record in franchise history (44-22), they lost in the championship game to Bellingham. It was a remarkable run for an independent team of baseball rejects and has-beens who, during the course of their short but memorable existence, faced major league prospects such as Ozzie Smith, Dave Steward, Rickey Henderson, Mike Scioscia, Pedro Guerrero, and Dave Henderson—all of whom went on to become big-time stars in the MLB.
Contrary to the Portland Beavers who struggled with attendance in the early 1970s, the Mavericks packed the stands. In three out of five seasons, the Mavericks’ attendance exceeded 100,000 fans. In 1977, the Mavericks attracted 125,300 fans in only 33 games, which remains the attendance record in the minor leagues for short-season single-A level.
By Robert Matsumura, Contributing WriterDespite the Portland Mavericks’ short existence, their seasons were distinguished by crazy hijinks, creativity, and historic firsts. Among the memorable moments in Mavericks history was the banning of manager Hank Robinson from the NWL for assaulting an umpire. Another was the 1975 game in which player/manager Frank Peters rotated all nine players in the Mavs lineup to a new position each inning. Also, when Peters wasn’t playing or managing the Mavs, he was busy operating several local nightclubs.
off field while playing for the Seattle Pilots (a former MLB team who eventually became the Milwaukee Brewers). Despite negative reaction from the MLB commissioner who felt the book painted a picture detrimental to the sport, Ball Four was a massive commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide. As a Maverick, Bouton, along with the Mavericks pitching coach Rob Nelson, came up with the idea of Big League Chew — a shredded bubble gum alternative to chewing tobacco—that was initially picked up and produced by Wrigley gum.
The Portland Mavericks came to an end in 1977 when the Pacific Coast League decided to return to Portland. Organized baseball at the time operated under the authority of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. In order for the PCL to return to Portland, a deal had to be negotiated between Bing Russell and the PCL for rights to the Portland market. After months of hard bargaining, Russell ended up receiving his asking price of $206,000 — far more than the standard $25,000 compensation rate to relinquish rights to a city.
So remarkable were the Portland Mavericks during their colorful five-year run that Netflix produced the documentary The Battered Bastards of Baseball, which not only recounted their amazing history, but also the Mavericks’ influence on independent baseball in the ensuing years.
consisting of the Volcanoes, Mavericks, Salem Senators, and the Campesinos de Salem-Keizer.
So, when you’re driving down I-5 near Keizer, you may notice a baseball game in progress at Volcanoes Stadium, and it just might be the newly revived Portland Mavericks. And if you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned entertainment, stop by for a game and cheer on the storied Portland Mavericks!
The Mavericks also made history by hiring Lanny Moss and Jon Yoshiwara as General Managers. Moss, hired in 1975, was the first woman to hold the GM position in professional baseball. Yoshiwara, hired in 1977, was the first Asian-American GM in baseball at the professional level. At the same time, the 22-year old Yoshiwara was an active player on the roster as well.
Jim Bouton, ex-New York Yankee pitcher who played for the Mavericks twice, may have been the most notorious of all the team’s players. His famous book Ball Four detailed Burton’s wild experiences on and
After a forty-five year hiatus, Portland Mavericks emerged again as a member of the four-team Mavericks Independent Baseball League of the Salem Metro Area, which plays at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer. The league was formed by the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, a previous minor league team in the San Francisco Giants’ system. After the Giants chose to sever their relationship with the Volcanoes, the latter chose to form an independent league of their own. The Volcanoes organization bought rights to the former Portland Mavericks and made them one of the four teams in their new league,
Let’s not forget the Mavericks’ bat girl, Penny Clemo, hired in 1975. The 12-year-old sixth grader from Portland was among some of the first girls to participate in Little League, as a lawsuit in June 1974 (for Maria Pepe and Kim Green) forced them to accept girls into their ranks. She played with fellow seventh and eighth graders and gained a reputation for being the toughest pitcher in the South Powell Little League, as well as hitting three grand slams in 1975. This set a precedent and proved that women belonged on the baseball field, not just in the stands.
One of my favorite things to do is help people connect, and being in the Clark County business community since college, I’ve made a ton of fantastic connections. I’m proud to work for an organization that’s been “Making Life Better” since 1952. As Columbia Credit Union’s Business Outreach/Development Representative, I want to learn all I can about your business to recommend products and services specific to your needs. CCU is anything but your average credit union — we’ve been voted “Best Credit Union,” “Best of Clark County,” “Best Investment Firm,” “Top Workplace” and more accolades for many years. My entire career has been in banking, and I’m deeply involved in the communities Columbia Credit Union serves. I would be honored to meet, learn about your business and find out if there is an opportunity to earn your relationship.
I co-own Venture Commercial Real Estate with my business partner, Lyle Stratton. Lyle and I began our business partnership in March 2020, and, in conjunction with purchasing an office building in February 2023, we opened Venture Commercial Real Estate. As a commercial real estate broker, I help my clients buy, sell, lease, invest and develop commercial real estate in Oregon and Washington. While my day job is commercial real estate, I can often be seen around town volunteering with Evergreen Habitat for Humanity (2017–present), Rotary Club of Three Creeks (club president 2022–2023), Hazel Dell Salmon Creek Business Association (board member 2023), Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce’s Blue Crew, as well as kayaking and hiking.
I’ve been blessed to own and operate my own businesses for most of my life. As a businesswoman and mother, I’m most proud of how we take care of people and how we serve the many businesses referred to our company. TMC is so much more than a company that provides credit card processing. We are one of the “Top Workplace Cultures in America” (Inc. Magazine), one of the “Top Businesses” to work for in the state of Washington (Seattle’s Best Magazine) and one of the best places to interact with if you want to grow personally and professionally. As an author, speaker and business coach, I truly do love working with and encouraging other businesswomen and leaders in our community!
1113 SE Rasmussen Blvd. Battle Ground 360.513.2448
mar.meyerhoefer@gmail.com emanarcellars.com
Detroit Pizza
308 East Main Street, Battle Ground 360.687.4778
detroitpizza1994@gmail.com
detroitpizzabg.com
I started MQMS in 1998 and have helped hundreds of companies to comply with and register to various quality management system standards in automotive, aerospace and other industries (IATF 16949, AS 9100 and ISO 9001). I have a Bachelor of Science in manufacturing engineering technology and an Associate of Science degree in computer information systems from Weber State University. I’m also a Six Sigma Black Belt. My husband, Richard, and I opened Emanar Cellars 10 years ago. Being from Spain, I wanted to share my culture and our love of Spanish wine and food with the community. Emanar perfectly emulates what you’d experience by going to a wine and tapas restaurant in Spain. I currently run both Emanar Cellars and MQMS.
I started at Detroit Pizza six years ago when I was 16; the company made an immediate impression on me. Working my way up, I made it a goal to always bring joy to every customer and to my team. During my time at Detroit Pizza, Tony Domine has instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community. This passion for helping people has influenced me to become a Rotarian in the Battle Ground Rotary Club. We partner with Rocksolid Teen Center, Camp Hope and other groups. I also volunteer at Daybreak Elementary, helping teach kids how to read. Detroit Pizza is always putting the community first and showing people what community is really about. Now, as co-owner, I continue giving back and spreading happiness throughout the community, and it is a mission we hope to spread to Camas as we open our second location.
When I made the decision to acquire A Dog’s Best Friend with my friend, Jaime Ross, almost 12 years ago, the purpose was to prevent the dissolution of a business and the associated jobs of the team members. It has now become a passion for service. That passion and the excellence of our team members has allowed us to now develop Mutts & Misfits, a rescue specifically aimed at dogs with complex medical needs or behavioral challenges. Our mission is to support these animals, from rescue to adoption, through community, connection, education, transparency and a passion for helping those who need it.
Bob Hackney is a seasoned artist and a treasured part of the local community. With his wealth of experience and unique perspective on art, he offers invaluable guidance to many aspiring artists. Interacting with Bob, whether in an informal chat or a more formal class environment, enhances the artistic journey of his students.
As a child living in Wisconsin, Bob always found joy in creating beautiful works of art. When he was a sophomore in high school, his passion translated into one of the greatest gifts — a full scholarship from the local women’s club to attend an Art Camp at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Though his original intention was to study painting, something about ceramics spoke to Bob, which led him to choose that course instead — which ultimately changed the entire trajectory of his future. In his junior year in high school, he discovered his passion for pottery and practically lived in the studio. He graduated high school a year early and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and River Falls, where he studied under some of the best in the field, such as Don Reitz, Paula Rice, Kurt Wild.
After graduation, Bob worked as a landscape gardener and
stone mason for over twenty years. He always loved horses, and when his last horse died, he was forced to confront who he was as an adult without his beloved companion. That is when he returned to pottery and enrolled in a continuing education class at PCC. Eventually, his interest and efforts led to a position as an instructor and manager of the pottery studio at Valley Art.
Bob’s dedication to his craft is evident in his meticulous preparation for each class he teaches. Recognizing the unique mentality of each artist, he encourages them to observe other potters, identify techniques that resonate with them. He then provides guidance on how to implement those methods. Bob also encourages artists to focus on what brings them joy, as this will reflect in their work.
When the rainy days come, Bob joins a dedicated crew that engages in wood firing at East Creek Art. This unique technique, revered by fellow potters, involves carefully stoking a wood kiln around the clock for over five days to create beautiful and unpredictable designs on the pottery pieces. The flames and ash interact with the glazes in such a way that each piece is essentially a unique canvas for the flame work. Opening the kiln post-firing is akin to unwrapping Christmas presents — the anticipation and excitement are palpable, and each revealed pottery piece is a delightful surprise. It is also a chance to engage with a community of friends who share a common passion for the art as they create memories and bonds that last a lifetime.
Bob teaches about 50 students of all ability levels at Valley Art. Being part of Valley Art is not just about supporting the local art scene: it’s about nourishing a community hub that has been extraordinary for Forest Grove. If you want to see some of his work or your artistic side is calling, visit Valley Art. And who knows? Your journey may lead you to
By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer
Marilyn Schweizer Moeser knew from childhood she wanted to spend her life working with flowers. Raised on a small family farm in Molalla with five siblings and parents who loved growing things, she says the family cultivated everything they needed to sustain them.
Her accountant father and stay-at-home mom called the farm Wayward Acres and were constantly taking in other neighborhood kids who, for a time, weren’t doing so well at home. Marilyn admits she struggled in school because she was bored. However, she loved horses and preferred to be with them, dreaming of the time she could go to work.
Attending an alternative school in Oregon City helped her complete high school early so she could take her first job at a wholesale nursery specializing in commercial landscaping. She then worked at Famous Amos Cookies, becoming manager within the year. There, she discovered her love of customer service. As a teen in 1989 working in a mall, Marilyn felt her life was “pretty cool.”
She then received a rare opportunity to work at a flower shop in downtown Portland where, as an apprentice, Marilyn learned every aspect of the business. Since several friends worked there, too, they carpooled. Her intuition that flowers meant everything to her was confirmed.
After moving to Battle Ground, she started her own business, working out of her home, on her own terms. Although she loved the work, she still felt she was searching for something. When a family tragedy hit, she spiraled into a deep hole and struggled to sort out her life. One day, a dear friend came by and forced her out of the house, taking her to a craft store to buy some beads to make jewelry. That simple shift made Marilyn realize how creative she was. It worked therapeutically to help put things back together for her.
In 2008, she opened Main Street Floral and found her joy again, acknowledging, “I won’t know if I’ve failed if I don’t try.” From the start, Marilyn committed to reaching out to nonprofits, providing both goods and support, while recognizing she still had to attend to her bottom line. Her mom advised her to “pick what you care about.” So she chose service clubs, her first being Rotary. As relationships and the business grew, she became involved with more nonprofits like Rocksolid, as well as senior centers, organizations concerned with animal rescue, pet food drives during the wildfires and holiday toy drives.
Today, along with all of those, Marilyn serves on the planning committee for Harvest Days, an annual festival that took place this year on July 14 and 15, featuring a classic car cruise, parade and vendor fair.
For more information about Harvest Days or Main Street Floral, please call Marilyn at 360-723-5365 or check out www.mainstreetfloralcompany.net.
Behind the success story of Your Insurance Gal is the heart and soul of the operation, Stacey Johnson, a champion for senior care. Stacey’s own experiences as a caregiver to her elderly grandmother ignited a passion within her. Witnessing first-hand the challenges seniors face when navigating the complex healthcare system, she felt compelled to make a difference. She understood seniors needing more than just an insurance policy; they needed an advocate, a confidant and someone who genuinely cared.
With this vision in mind, Stacey immersed herself in the intricacies of the Medicare program, dedicating countless hours to studying policies, attending seminars and becoming certified. But her journey was not solely about acquiring knowledge: It was about gaining a deeper understanding of the unique needs and concerns of seniors.
Stacey’s deeply personal approach means she views her clients as individuals with stories, families and aspirations. She takes the time to listen, empathize and provide support when the complexities of health care seem overwhelming.
When you step into Your Insurance Gal, you’re not met with a sterile, corporate atmosphere, but instead a warm, inviting space where you’re treated like family. Stacey’s genuine care for her clients is palpable, and it’s this authenticity that forms the foundation of her agency.
Stacey’s commitment to senior care extends far beyond the walls of her agency. She is involved in advocacy and community
service. Through her member association, she lobbies in Olympia and Washington, D.C., where she tirelessly advocates for health care reforms that benefit seniors. Stacey firmly believes that seniors should have a voice in shaping health care policies that affect their lives, and she’s not afraid to stand up and be that voice.
Stacey’s dedication to the community is exemplified by her active role in organizations like the Battle Ground Rotary Club and the Battle Ground Senior Citizens Association. These involvements underscore her commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.
Your Insurance Gal brings back the personal touch. Seniors in Vancouver don’t just get an insurance plan, they gain a friend, an ally and a lifelong guide. It’s not business; it’s personal.
Your Insurance Gal agents are more than just brokers, they are educators. Each client is an opportunity to inform, guide and genuinely care. With a team that’s grown to 15 dedicated professionals, they also offer a broad spectrum of services, from family plans to life insurance.
Working with Stacey at Your Insurance Gal, seniors have found more than just an insurance agency. They have found a passionate advocate, a caring friend and a dedicated guide on their journey through the complexities of Medicare. Stacey’s personal touch and unwavering commitment to senior care elevates Your Insurance Gal from a business to a beacon of hope, ensuring that seniors can navigate their Medicare choices with confidence and dignity. Stacey’s mission, her heart and the entire team at Your Insurance Gal are dedicated to elevating
