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Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Who We Are
Local woman still inspiring at 101 Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 140 May 11, 2022 JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A Scappoose woman is marking her 101 years just enjoying her days. Friends and family celebrated with Millie Gobel on her 101st birthday on May 3. Gobel lives at the Brookdale Rose Valley Scappoose Assisted Living Center and said this when asked by The Chronicle what has kept her going for 101 years: “I’ve just been living the life that I lived as a child” “I just kept going day after day doing what has to be done.” Gobel said the most rewarding time in her life has been with her family. “Just having family and people that you love and that love you and that you know, and they know you,” she said. “The simple get togethers are important as
well. Let life be and enjoy life as it is. Live it.” “Grandma has probably been the strongest woman I have ever met in my life,” granddaughter Rachael Bennett said. “She is just resilient beyond any belief and she does just everything.”
Let life be and enjoy life as it is. Live it. ~ Millie Gobel
Gobel’s mother passed away when she was young, according to Bennett, and she took care of all her siblings. “She has had multiple children of her own and doing multiple jobs over her life, it just amazes me all that she has accomplished in her life. It is very inspiring,” Bennett said. “She’s told me that the secret to
life is to keep active, keep moving.” Bennett said the one most important life lesson that she has learned from her grandmother is, “to not sweat the small things.” “That’s something she has always said, and it has definitely carried with me,” Bennett said. Gobel has been a resident at the assisted living center since 2015. She spent some time back at her family’s home during the pandemic and returned to the center the day after Christmas in 2021. She says her favorite activity is church. “Going to church and worshipping with all the congregation is probably my favorite thing to do,” she said. “Millie is quite the woman – still sharp as a tack,” Brookdale Rose Valley Scappoose coordinator Sash Tinning said. “The staff asked her what her secret to a long life is. Her answer: ‘Keep things simple.’”
Jeremy C. Ruark / The Chronicle
A young child shares a moment with Millie Gobel during her 101st birthday celebration at the Brookdale Rose Valley Assisted Living in Scappoose.
Bridge Up! Final phase of Riverfront Trail Project
A construction worker helps guide the bridge into its resting place.
Originally published in The Chief Vol. 131 May 13, 2022 JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
A bridge over the creek at Rainier City Park is the latest addition to Rainier’s Riverfront Trail project. Rainier City Administrator Scott Jorgensen said the structure wasn’t moved far from its original location. “It has been in the park
for the longest time and they just took it and pivoted it and placed it over the creek,” he said. “They had to build abutments on both sides to hold the bridge.” Placing the bridge is the final step in the Riverfront Trail’s three phase project. The park pathway is scheduled to be paved May 23, according to Jorgensen. Once the Riverfront Path project is completed, it will offer a much more convenient and easily accessible route from the Rainier Senior Center, along the Columbia River,
Courtesy from the City of Rainier
to the city center. “That means you can take a wheel chair from the senior center all the way to downtown,” Jorgensen said. “It will be one big long coherent path, ideal for bicycles and for handicapped accessibility.” The bridge work was funded through a grant from the Cowlitz--Wahkiakum Council of Governments. In a published interview with The Chief in August 2020, Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole said he dreams of having such a trail connect
The bridge placement is the final phase of the Rainier Riverfront Trail.
communities to the north of Rainier. “If we could get this trail to go all the way to Clatskanie and to Astoria that would be something,” Cole said. “These trails add enjoyment to people’s lives and helps their health. People love that kind of stuff. They enjoy the outdoors and the river, so it’s not as crazy as it sounds.” The City of Rainier will hold a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the completion of the final phase of its Riverfront Trail project from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May
29 at the city’s main park. Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder, Oregon State Representative Suzanne Weber and Oregon State Senator Rachel Armitage are scheduled guest speakers for the event. The event includes three fun runs for participants of all ages, a bike and trike parade and a coloring contest. Prizes will be awarded for Most Creative, Most Original and the Rainier Spirit Award for the bike parade. Winners will be announced for the coloring contest for the catego-
Courtesy from the City of Rainier
ries of ages five and under, ages 6 to 12 and teens and adults. Entries for the coloring contest may be submitted at Rainier City Hall, located at 106 West B Street, until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 23. Event partners Grocery Outlet, the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum and Country Financial will also have tables with displays, candy and other features. Fun run participants will be given ribbons and there will be a limited number of commemorative coins available for attendees.
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