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FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021
VOL. 129, NO. 43 Serving the Lower Columbia Region since 1891
Event organizers hopeful, not yet committed requirements for anyone using the park (where the fireworks are usually held). It is pretty restrictive, and it would be hard to implement.” Seidl said the chamber is moving forward with its annual Bulk Waste Clean-Up on April 10, and a bark dust fundraiser sale is set for May. The proceeds from the event will go toward funding Heritage Days, she said.
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted popular 2020 summer community celebrations, such as the Clatskanie Heritage Days and Rainier Days in the Park. Now, organizers of the events say there is hope but they have yet to commit to specific plans for the celebrations for this coming summer.
Rainier Days
Heritage Days Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce President Monica Seidl said the organization is working to host the Heritage Days this year, after having to cancel it last summer. “It is our hope and intention to offer our community an event that will be well thought out with protecting the community in mind, and also to be creative on how to host this event whether the state continues to open up or stay in a phase that restricts certain gathering sizes,” Seidl said. A citizen committee has been looking closely at how Heritage Days could return under any pandemic-relate restrictions. “We are continuing to meet to discuss what options we may do in the current pandemic, but we have not decided what events, if any, can be held at this point,” Heritage Days Committee Chair Debi Smiley said. History Heritage Days has been a long-standing Clatskanie celebration involving families, businesses, nonprofits and others. The events include a city parade, fireworks, a community gathering at the main
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
A city parade that moves from Clatskanie Elementary School, down Nehalem Street to Clatskanie Park has been part of the Heritage Days tradition.
city park with food and craft vendors and a classic car show. Heritage Days is Clatskanie’s signature event that brings thousands to the city each summer. “People want to return to somewhat normal,” Smiley said. “We know Heritage Days is something that has been dear to many people and most would like to be able to do something. They want to have things back to normal, but I don’t know that we’ll be able to do that.” Smiley said the committee members have been reviewing what
other cities are doing for events under the COVID restrictions and how Clatskanie might adapt similar efforts. The group is scheduled to meet again March 30 and could possibly make decisions about Heritage Days during that meeting. “We are looking at all the options, but we don’t want to put something on that would not be favorable to the community,” she said. “We are definitely bound by guidelines. We have thousands of people that come to our event and that changes what we can do. We
feel it is important to abide by the pandemic health and safety guidelines, so the committee is looking out for everybody’s best interest as well.” One of the main attractions of Heritage Days is the fireworks demonstration. But because of the lengthy preparations for such an event, Smiley said that part of the city celebration is still questionable. “The fireworks preparations take time, and we may not be able to make it happen,” she said. “The city’s park and rec faces specific
According to the Rainier Days in the Park information Facebook page, the citywide celebration will be held this summer, though the format might stray from past years. According to an update post, it is uncertain what the event will look like. In past years the weekend festivities have included a parade, carnival, music performances, vendors, fireworks and other celebrations. The hope is that vendors can return, but the post asked that vendors hold off on contacting organizers until they find out more about what will be allowed. “If we get the go ahead, we anticipate it being a last-minute announcement,” the post said. The same goes for food vendors. As for entertainment, a slightly scaled-back lineup is expected as the organizers usually book entertainment 10 months in advance and that is not possible when there is so much uncertainty. “We will do our best to provide some great entertainment if possible,” the post said. Last year the event was able to still host a parade amid pandemic restrictions, and a parade is expected See EVENTS Page A6
City library reopens
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
The Clatskanie Library District is located at 11 Lillich Street and can be reached at 503-728-3732. The library is open by appointment only. STAFF REPORT chiefnews@countrymedia.net
With Columbia County dropping from Extreme to High-Risk status on the governor’s COVID-19 scale for two cycles in a row, the Clatskanie Library is now allowing patrons back inside the building by appointment. The library had previously been open by appointment from October 15 to November 16 but closed its doors again during the governor’s
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“two-week freeze,” and kept them closed while Columbia County remained in the Extreme Risk category. Since November, the library has operated using a curbside service model that will continue for those who wish to utilize it. Patrons can now also make appointments to use the public computer, make copies, send faxes, and browse the stacks. For the convenience of those who are now back to work and school, the library will also resume evening hours Tuesday and Wednesday until 7 p.m. and from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, according to a release from the library. To ensure public safety, all patrons aged 5 and older will be required to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth and to practice social distancing inside the building. The library has disposable masks available for adults and children free of charge. Numbers inside the building will also be limited. The library reopened by appointment only on March 1. Patrons may call 503-728-3732 to make an appointment. Library Director Naomi Fisher, who took the post in December, has submitted her resignation and left, according to library officials. The Chief has reached out to the library board for details and to find out what happens next. We had not received a response as of press time Thursday. Fisher was hired following the retirement of Clatskanie Library District Director Elizabeth Kruse who retired June 30 after more than 30 years on the job. Kruse started working at the library in November of 1987 and became the library director in December of 1995. Becky White, who had been the interim library following Kruse’s retirement and the search for a new librarian has resumed the role as interim library director. White also has been instrumental in creating crafts and story time sessions for children when the library is open. In an interview in February 2020, White said she enjoyed providing such an opportunity to children. “This is a really important project to our children in the community and also to our home-school kids, not only gives them a chance to hear a fun story and do a craft, but also to interact with their peers,” she said. “This is one of my favorite parts about working at the library is working with the kids and seeing them get excited about books.”
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chief
Columbia County Fair Board President Jamie Carr said the annual summer fair and rodeo helps fuel the local economy and builds community relations.
Fair, rodeo local tradition returns The Columbia County Fair and Rodeo, a rich, long-established local tradition that was canceled last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled to be held in mid July. The seven member Columbia County fair board has approved restarting the popular event based on pandemic state and local health and safety requirements at the time of the event, July 12-18. Columbia County Fair Board President Jamie Carr said this summers event will be longer than what has been held in the past in an effort to offer the public as much of the events as possible and still closely follow social distancing requirements.
forming stage, live music, 4H events and the other typical offerings found at the popular summertime venue. “It will be much like normal but we will have social distancing protocols,” Carr said. “Due to COVID restrictions, the more square footage that can be separated into areas means more people can attend. It isn’t what we we want to do but it is what we have to plan due to the pandemic. We are optimistic that the pandemic restrictions will be a lot looser and more people will be allowed by July, but we are planning a fair with extra social gathering restrictions.” According to Carr, admission prices will be the same as 2020, which will include entrance to the rodeo and the on-stage music entertainment.
Work in progress
Fair renovations
Carr said the current plans for the fair and rodeo are subject to change. “Right now we planing to have a fair and we are working with vendors, businesses and entertainment,” he said. “It’s not all 100 percent planned. We have lost a few vendors and the events will be based on COVID restrictions in July.” Carr said he is hopeful fairgoers will see different entertainers, a per-
Carr said fairgrounds renovations, such as gutters for the event buildings and a new roof for the fairgrounds office will depend on funding. The fair board is working with the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to see if grants or other money is available to fund the projects. The fair board faced a $37,000 debt following efforts to house
JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
victims and livestock at the county facility on Saulser Road following Oregon wildfires in late August and September. During that project, the fair supported 40 wildfire evacuees and cared for more than 400 animals. In late February, the fair board held a community drive-through dinner and virtual auction to help raise money to clear the debt. Carr said that event brought in approximately $5,000. Another such drive-through fundraiser with limited in-person dining, a spaghetti feed, is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. March 13, at the fair pavilion. “If we put on a few more of these dinners, we could pay off the debt,” Carr said. “That is what we are working toward.” Carr said the popular family egg hunt held each Easter at the fairgrounds, also cancelled last spring due to the pandemic, is planned as a drive through event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3. Looking back According to Carr, cancelling the traditional fair and rodeo and the numerous rental projects held at See FAIR Page A3