The 115th Annual Goldendale Sentinel's Children's Letters to Santa
Bickleton Kindergarten
Dear Santa,
I want a dino. I am in Kinder grade. I want orange and red books. I love Skittles-red and orange. Dino stickers. I’ve been in Kinder in my play group. Can I have a bunch of dino stickers please? I hope your reindeer get better!
Love, Jack
Dear Santa,
I hope you can come to my house when I am sleeping in the night time. For Christmas I would like a little puppy, toys and that’s all. I have been good. I hope you give me presents in my stocking. Merry Christmas and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Love, Summer
Dear Santa,
I hope you feed your reindeer. I hope you eat healthy and I want a gingerbread man in my stocking. And that’s it. I like you!
Love, Poppy
Dear Santa,
I hope you can bring your reindeer and I hope you can bring your reindeer and one elf. I hope you can bring me blocks. I hope you can bring me pieces of trains. I like your hair!
Love, Angel
Dear Santa,
Can you bring me a toy pterodactyl? I like you and don’t forget to bring Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I like your beard!
Love, Kash
Dear Santa, I hope your reindeer get fed every day and that you give them carrots and they stay healthy. I want a horse for Christmas. I
like taking pictures with you!
Love, Kay
Dear Santa, I hope your reindeer are okay. I really want a dirt bike, but my dad won’t let me get one. I also want some more Lincoln Logs and I want trains. I hope you have a good Christmas!
Love, Callen
Dear Santa, I hope your reindeer get better every day and I hope you don’t get too fat. And now my types of presents. I would like a chainsaw, a saw, a punching bag, a toy snake, a toy monster truck and a toy zombie monster truck. I hope your reindeer stay healthy!
Love, Hunter
Dear Santa, I hope you have a good evening. I hope I get an axolotl. I hope I get another quad so I can give it to Jaelyn. I hope I get my own big trampoline and a cat. I hope you have a good evening!
Love, Laney
Bickleton 1st Grade
Dear Santa, I am Ridge. I hope you get me some cool presents on Christmas Day, even Christmas Eve. I want a Hot Wheel Race Track for Christmas.
Thank you, Ridge
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Dear Santa, I hope you had a great fall. I would like a Barbie Camper for Christmas don’t forget the Barbies with it.
Love, Lenora
Regional Airport gets more millions
RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL
The December 17 meeting of the Klickitat County Commissioners was unusual in several respects. For one, the camera equipment in the commissioners meeting room was not working, so there was no live video from the event, just a static card and the audio. Without video ID, those watching by Zoom were not able to definitively identify the person who told commissioners that the county had just received a letter that morning, notifying them that the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport had been awarded an additional $2.2 million.
The additional funding goes towards a major upgrade to facilities at the airport in Dallesport. It includes construction of a hangar that will also serve as teaching space for a new aircraft mechanic training program through Columbia Gorge Community College.
The project got stalled in delays during Covid, and the construction costs, including material prices, went beyond the amount of the original grant. This $2.2 million is intended to cover the cost inflation on this $7.5 million project.
The airport is owned jointly by Klickitat County and the City of The Dalles. And this meeting was again a two-person show, due to the continued absence of Commissioner Dan Christopher. He last attended a meeting in person on October 26. In the seven regular commission meetings since that time, he has been absent five times, attending by Zoom on November 12 and December 3. In his absence, motions are made by Commissioner Jacob Anderson and seconded by Chair Lori Zoller, who steps down to do so. The two major issues before the Klickitat County Commission
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Dear Santa, Can I have a Polaroid Camera and a Pogo Stick that is red and blue? Can I also have a pocket knife and a metal detector? Can I have a Spy Science Kit?
Love, Isaac
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Dear Santa, I would like a new car track, a new stuffy, a new blanket, and a new pillow.
Love you Santa and Mrs. Claus Stone
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Dear Santa,
What I would like is a Barbie. I would also like a play kitchen that has a set of spoons, a book to read, a reindeer light, and colored pens.
I love you Santa, Melania
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Dear Santa, Kolton
1st Grade
Bickleton Elementary School
Bickleton 2nd Grade
Dear Santa,
I hope you’re having a good time in the North Pole. I would like an axolotl plushie, an elf on the shelf, a Santa hat, scented erasers and glue, a crayon sharpener, christmas clothes, dog toys, and a coloring book with colored pencils.
Love, Itzell
Dear Santa, I’m going to leave you so many cookies and carrots for your reindeer! I would like a toy
Holcomb’s Market sold
ZACHARY
VILLAR FOR THE SENTINEL
After 48 years of being owned by the Holcomb’s family, Holcomb’s Market in Goldendale has been sold. The store will maintain the Holcomb name but will be owned by Akins Fresh Market. Holcomb’s Market was opened by Rex and Mary Holcomb in 1977 after they moved to Goldendale and purchased what was then the Hi-Way Market. The transition of ownership will occur on January 2 of 2025, and all current employees will be rehired to the new company. Akins Fresh Market is a family owned and operated business started in 1963 in Quincy, Washington. They have five locations through central Wash-
snake with a controller, a firefighter lego set with a boat or a jet, a wildfire truck, and maybe a firefighter game for my nintendo switch.
Love, Reed
Dear Santa, I hope you’re having a good Christmas so far! I would love a VR headset, an indominus rex toy, a board game called “Little Green Men”, and maybe a t-rex toy. I’m going to leave so many carrots for your reindeer (especially Rudolph).
Love, Conley
Dear Santa, I like your hat. Could I please have a blue camera, an axolotl plushie, a Nintendo switch, charger, and headphones. Maybe also a cat blanket and pillow. I’ll make sure to leave carrots out for your reindeer.
Love, Marlee
Dear Santa, I hope your reindeer are having a good time in the North Pole. I would like a nintendo switch, a new tablet, an axolotl squishmallow, a desk organizer, and a good Christmas with my family.
Love, Dakota
Dear Santa, I hope you wear your sunglasses and wear a cowboy hat when you visit my house. I really like your beard and reindeer. I hope you bring Mrs. Claus with you! I would like a saddle, a long sleeve Hooey shirt, red rope, a cow dog, and a white felt cowboy hat. I might leave cookies out for you, I’m not too sure yet.
Love, Kade
Dear Santa, I like your beard. I hope you bring a quarter horse with you. I also hope you bring me a white felt cowboy hat, a roping dummy, a helix rope, and a four wheeler.
Love, Tegan
Dear Santa, I like your red suit and shiny beard (I think it’s shiny). I also like your glasses so you can see. I would like an LOL doll, Jack Skellington pants, a dog toy for my dog, a phone case for my Dad, and some flowers to give to my Mom.
Love, Alyssa
Dear Santa, I love you, Santa! You’re the best. I would like a dog bed for my dog, a dog blanket, a wolf pillow, wolf toys, Nightmare Before Christmas toys, and a fuzzy blanket. I’ll make sure to leave out cookies and carrots, mostly for Comet. He’s the best.
Love, Faelan
Dear Santa, I like your big boots and your big fluffy beard. I would like an elf on the shelf, a VR headset, a baby pig, a baby kitten, a nintendo switch, and a gigantic stuffed animal, and maybe a big bag of candy.
Love,
Quinn
Goldendale 1st Grade
Dear Santa, Can I please have a pet shark and fish? Can you also please bring one thing my whole family would like? How is Rudolf the red nosed reindeer doing Santa Claus?
Love Tucker 1st Grade Mrs. Fahlenkamp
Continued on page B5
G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC
This week’s Goldendale’s Attic Mystery Picture
We’re going to go out on a limb here and surmise that this picture is of Miss Rodeo 1993. It’s a gift. But what rodeo? Did they not
differentiate rodeos back then? And who is this lady? We don’t know. Do you? All we know is this picture ran in The Sentinel sometime,
lost in the annals of yesteryear. If you know anything about it, please send us an email (info@goldendalesentinel.com), or give
us a call (509-773-3777), or drop in at the office—and remember, you’re welcome to come in and take a look at the original photograph.
L OOKING BACK
December 20, 1984 – 140 years ago
After 72 years of around the clock operation, The Beanery in Wishram has become a piece of trivia for railroad buffs. The end for the little trackside café, which sits just 50 feet away from the railroad tracks, came December 11, at 10 p. m., recounted Millie Nagel, a Beanery cook for the past 16 years. Waitress Darlene Hill severed the last meal – a bowl of tomato rice soup to Del Eldridge, a Burlington Northern Railroad crewman from Pasco. – at 9:50 p.m. Without any hoopla or fanfare, The Beanery shut its door to business for the last time 10 minutes later. The eatery, through its 72-year history, has been known variously as the Wishram Lunch, the Wishram Café and the Beanery. The name is derived from an old railroad saying for going to dinner – “going to beans.” The Beanery is thought to be one of the last railroad-owned cafes in the west.
December 26, 1924 – 100 years ago
Peter Klickitat, who claimed to be 103 years old and whose withered appearance bore out his contention that he was born in the “aucutta” days of 1821, died at his home in the Ahtanum last Tuesday. Klickitat County was named after the tribe of Indians led by Peter’s father in the days when white men fi rst came into this section. During the weeks that Klickitat has been seeking to avoid the fi nal imperial summons of the Great Spirit, Indian tribesmen from all over the Yakima and Klickitat valleys have called to make their last peace with the dying leader. Peter was an adherent of the Methodist faith and funeral services for him were held at Father” Wilber’s old church at White Swan, yet he appealed to the tribal medicine men for relief during his illness.
December 25, 1924 – 100 years ago
The jingle of sleigh bells is absent, and the cutter sleigh and bobsled are not in evidence – for the Tin Lizzie still predominates.
December 25, 1924 – 100 years ago
Jars of fruit are being rapidly collected at the McKee Drug store for shipment to the veteran’s hospital at Walla Walla when the weather warms up. The move is being sponsored by the local Legion Auxiliary.
December 27, 1934 – 90 Years Ago
Porter Lainhart, former Goldendale boy, has been selected by the Oregon-Washington football committee to coach the Washington All-Stars in the New Years eve charity football game at Multnomah civic stadium in Portland next Monday.
Points to ponder:
I saw the most useless guide dog yesterday. He didn’t know a thing about the history of the town.
I always thought it was irresponsible of newspapers not to warn readers when their Sunday comics contained Peanuts.
A man calls a lawyer’s office. A voice answers, “Schwartz, Schwartz, Schwartz, and Schwartz.” The man says, “Let me speak to Mr. Schwartz.” “Im sorry, he’s on vacation.” “Then let me speak to Mr. Schwartz.” “He’s on a big case, not available for a week.” “Then let me speak to Mr. Schwartz.” “He’s playing golf today.” “Okay, then, let me speak to Mr. Schwartz.” “Speaking.”
I fi nally confused my GPS device. It said: “In 200 yards, stop and ask for directions.”
Answer to last week´s Mystery Picture
been
not 100% certain, it was the only guess we received last week.
NOT A HOLIDAY LIKE OTHERS
Signi cance of Christmas is Not Lost; Its Spirit Enters Into Life of World
The Goldendale Sentinel, December 7, 1922
It is not likely that all of the multitude of people who eagerly and anxiously prepare to celebrate Christmas day are conscious of its sacred character. They know of course that it stands for the anniversary of the birth of the Founder of the Christian religion, but that thought is not uppermost in their minds. To such, for the moment, it is merely a holiday in which they wish to give gifts to persons they care for and whom they wish to please. It is a period in which they forget themselves in order to give joy to others.
—Richard Lefever Klickitat
County Historical Society
In this one thing, though they may not be aware of it, they demonstrate the teaching of the One whose day they observe, for unselfi sh thought for others is one of the great lessons taught by the Teacher of teachers who was born in Bethlehem of Judea centuries ago. There are Christmas givers today who make no sacrifice when they purchase rich gifts for family or friends; they know no self-denial, though it does not follow that they do not give all their hearts. But with the great mass of givers there is a setting aside of personal wishes and even urgent needs in order that those they love may be glad on that day of the year when all the Christian world rejoices. The selfsacrifice is as nothing compared to the end to be attained. On the other hand, a multitude of men and women are spiritually aware of the character of the day. They look back across the centuries to the Child in the manger and see in it the dawn of a new hope for mankind, a revelation of a new life, a bond between mortal existence and the hereafter that has given comfort to myriads and a light to the world that grows brighter with the passing of the ages. The gifts that they bestow and those they receive typify to them the greatest of all gifts to the world—the One who came to point the way to eternal life. No, Christmas for all its seeming frivolity and thoughtlessness is not a mere holiday like others. Even the light-minded and heedless ones realize a difference, and if pushed to explain would do so reverently. Under all the hurry and confusion and gaiety of the preparations and the celebration, the significance of Christmas is not lost. The meaning of the Great Event whose anniversary we observe cannot be escaped. Its spirit has entered into the life of the civilized world.
This picture has
colorized. Our lone IDer from this week, Dale Cameron, thought that this looked a whole lot like his brother-in-law, Bob
Curtis, who graduated in 1955. While Dale was
There is an antidote to secularism provided by a New Yorker who “looked at things poetically rather than politically” and “revered the past and the stability that a sense of the past provides.” No, I am not referring to Donald Trump, but another knickerbocker—Washington Irving.
Born in 1783, the year of victory over the British, Irving’s life would span the entire antebellum period of American history. Fittingly named after the father of his country, Irving would go on to establish himself as the Father of American Literature. He believed that America’s puritanical impulses stunted healthy cultural development, a belief developed in rebellion against a puritanical upbringing under Irving’s strict Presbyterian father.
“I have no relish for puritans either in religion or politics, who are pushing for principles to an extreme, and overturning everything that stands in the way of their own zealous career,” wrote Irving. Instead, Irving had faith in tradition where “population, manners, and customs remained fixed.” And nowhere is Irving’s impact on American traditions greater than in way we celebrate Christmas.
Long before Bill O’Reilly gave it annual attention on cable news, “The War on Christmas” was waged by Puritans who successfully outlawed the observation of Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic for a time during the 1600s. New Year’s Day was the only winter public holiday in New York when Irving’s A History of New York was published on December 6, 1809. The date was significant as it was the Feast of St. Nicholas, and the good saint’s name appeared more than two dozen times in what was ostensibly a history of the Dutch civilization along the Hudson River but really was an esoteric satire of contemporary New York society. A subsequent edition of A History of New York contained a dream sequence in which a pipe-smoking St. Nicholas enters and exits over the treetops via a flying wagon. The custom of leaving out stockings to be filled with gifts by St. Nicholas was also described by Irving.
But Irving’s impact on Christmas did not end there. During a lengthy stay in England, Irving published his most famous opus, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819-1820), a collection of short stories made available to the public in installments. One such installment contained five stories describing a visit to the country estate of one Squire Bracebridge during Christmas. The reader is introduced to a panoply of ancient rituals that would eventually become familiar to revelers across the Anglophone world, such as the concept of the 12 Days of Christmas, the singing of carols, the burning of the Yule log, and the hanging of mistletoe.
Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.” The Christmas that we recognize today is an amalgamation in the popu-
THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL
Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington
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lar imagination of the Dutch devotion to St. Nicholas and the old English Christmas. Both traditions were plucked from obscurity and made available for mass consumption by Irving. By doing so, Irving demolished the Protestant reluctance to embrace Christmas as a major public holiday. Both Clement Moore’s The Night Before Christmas and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are derivative of Irving’s work.
Saving Christmas was a product of Irving’s greater social project which, in the words of Irving’s biographer Andrew Burstein, could be described as “cultural regeneration through nostalgia.” The popularization of common customs and history creates a shared humanity that does much to further social cohesion. Irving’s immensely popular biographies of Christopher Columbus and George Washington served the same goal.
May the wisdom of Washington Irving be not forgotten.
Burn-out has got to go
The Festival of Wheels gave it another try this year. It seems the attendance has dwindled to much lower levels than when the event was new, 10 years ago. There are a lot of competing car shows this time of year, so it doesn’t surprise me .
This year Goldendale Motorsports Association and ABATE brought back the burn-out, which was tried several times in the past with questionable benefits to the town. This year someone had the brilliant idea to use the old skateboard park as a place to stage the return of the burnout. It was held on the concrete slab, a tempting medium for anyone inclined to bum rubber. Rednecks of many degrees, punk kids or maybe the little old lady from Pasadena. I personally was left with a bad taste in my mouth and lungs. Even though I made it a point to stay away from the burn-out and was at my home where I thought I would escape the noise and smoke, when the toxic cloud rose from the park and drifted over the Little Klickitat River Park (the swimming pool) on to the kids and families at the pool and on to me while I was sitting on my property. We were contaminated by the toxins in the smoke, and my eyes and throat were imitated, and my lungs filled with carbon monoxide and other cancer causing toxic compounds
for three hours.
I think the city of Goldendale needs to rethink supporting burnouts in our park. Next year don’t issue a permit to any group that wants to burn-out. There are places in the county where it could be held, just not in the city please. I hate toxic smoke, and you should too.
On Sept 4 I will be asking the mayor and his administration to make an ordinance forbidding anyone from reckless unsafe burnouts in any ones neighborhood or any street in the Goldendale city limits. I would appreciate some support from like-minded citizens at the council meeting. Let them know how you feel.
Letters from the community
A Star of Hope
Every Thanksgiving evening, the small town of Goldendale comes alive with the soft glow of a giant Christmas star perched high on a hill. For over two decades, this 40-foot-tall beacon has illuminated the community and warmed the hearts of its residents. But behind the breathtaking display lies a touching love story and a tradition born out of one heartfelt anniversary request.
Ken McKune Goldendale
I recently received an updated “Terms for Business and Deposit Account Agreement” from Columbia Bank. I am not in the habit of reading the fine print but for some reason this time I did. I came across an “added” line that I found very concerning. Again, this line is both for personal and business accounts. It reads: “We may refuse to open and account and may close your account at any time for any reason or for no reason at all.”
In November more than 20 years ago, Ty Ross asked his wife Barbara what she wanted for their wedding anniversary, which falls on November 16. Her response was simple but extraordinary: “A star on the hill overlooking Goldendale.” Determined to make her wish come true, Ty set to work crafting a massive star to fulfill Barbara’s dream. Little did they know their project would become a beloved symbol of hope and togetherness for the entire town.
lit, the couple received a phone call from an elderly woman in the community. Through tears, she told them, “The star gives me hope.” That moment confirmed to Ty and Barbara that their creation was more than a decoration—it was a gift to the people of Goldendale.
I contacted the bank for an explanation. The answer was essentially that “we wouldn’t do that.” Then why is it in your documents, I asked. The answer was to send me up the chain of command. The second person gave the same answer as the first and then was to have me contacted by some-one higher up. That person has not contacted me after more than a week so I am following through on what I told the bank contacts I was going to do—write a letter to the editor to be sure local folks are aware of how Columbia Bank is choosing to deal with its account holders. My concern is that a comment as broad as this opens the door for abuse. I have had no difficulties with our local branch and am sorry that the headquarters has decided to take such a hard line. It ap-pears I will need to look for a bank that does not behave in this manner.
Ken Margraf Goldendale
Since then, the lighting of the star has become an annual tradition.
“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.
Every Thanksgiving, family and friends gather in the couple’s backyard beneath the star. Together, they sing carols and celebrate the start of the holiday season. The star’s radiant light, visible from miles around, serves as a reminder of love, community, and the magic of Christmas.
For many, including Ty and Barb, the star also reflects the deeper religious meaning of Christmas— a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the “Light of the world.” The star atop the hill is reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the wise men to the manger where Christ was born. This connection
fills the tradition with spiritual significance, reminding viewers of the hope, peace, and joy that Christmas represents.
Over the years, residents of Goldendale have shared countless stories of how the star has touched their lives. Many see it as a beacon of hope during tough times, a symbol of unity, or simply a beautiful tradition that makes their town special. For Ty and Barbara, the joy it brings to others is the greatest reward. “It’s our gift to the beautiful people of Goldendale,” they say. As another holiday season approaches, the giant star will once again light up the night, continuing its legacy as a cherished tradition and a testament to the power of one small act of love to illuminate an entire community.
Kim Michael Goldendale
The very first year the star was
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A precious and mysterious Christmas gift
The Glenwood elementary students presented a very fun and joyous holiday concert last Tuesday evening. The bleachers were packed with families and friends as Superintendent Bob Rogers welcomed everyone. We all thoroughly enjoyed the excellent job all the kids, from preschool through 5th grade, did on their songs.
The fourth-fifth grade classes, under the guidance of Mr. Crowder, played four Christmas songs, with all the musicians keeping perfect time and perfect pitch all the way through. Mr. Demchuck accompanied the kindergarten through third grade classes in three great songs, then again when all the elementary kids joined together to sing the finale, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Wow, you can tell they have really practiced a lot and love playing those recorders. Two high schoolers, Blaine Arnold and Giana Jackson, read Christmas poems.
After the program, the Glenwood Homemakers served homemade cookies and cocoa in the multipurpose room and the line was long for children to meet Santa and get their photos taken with him. Thank you, Glenwood students, for such a wonderful evening of joyful music.
The School Christmas dinner was a delicious and festive occasion last Friday, December 20. Cook Catie Kielman and her helpers prepared a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Superintendent Bob Rogers welcomed all the guests and started getting the guests in line for their dinner.
Mrs. Troh, the ASB Advisor, led the announcements of the court for the upcoming Glenwood Homecoming. Those selected by their
fellow students are Prince Anthony Avila and Prince Ari Berge, Prince Wyatt Patterson and Princess Jocee Hoctor, Prince Blaine Arnold and Princess Jayla Avila, Prince Devin Gimlin, and Princess Giana Jackson. The Glenwood Homecoming game will take place in January and the king and queen will be announced at halftime of that game. It’s going to be a great Homecoming celebration for our Glenwood High School students.
After the Homecoming court was presented, Mr. Rogers introduced the Glenwood/Klickitat – Klickwood Assistant Basketball Coach Billie Patterson and the Glenwood members of the Klickwood team. Billie was pleased to let us all know that Klickwood is having a great season and is ranked 14th in the State out of 72 teams. That brought cheers and lots of applause from the audience. They had to depart right after that to head to Helix for the annual Helix tournament. I know several Glenwood parents and friends are heading that way, too. Good luck over there, Klickwood! I’ll share results next week.
The 3rd through 5th graders sang a rousing Christmas song and then “Take Me Home Country Roads” while Mr. Demchuk accompanied them on his guitar while previous Mr. D students joined in, including Ally McFall, a sophomore at WSU.
For those interested in some fun part-time employment, the Glenwood School is seeking substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cooks, and custodians. Contact jaecee.hoctor@ glenwoodsd.org or call (509) 364-3438.
Our Klickwood basketball
team, along with coaches Dion and Billie, traveled to Helix, OR immediately after the school dinner to participate in the annual Helix tournament. This news had to be submitted before the tournament, so I’ll share results next week. The Trout Lake Mustangs girls, including Glenwood high school senior Jayla Avila and Trout Lake junior Emma Patterson, are also participating in the tournament.
I love reporting on great news about our current and past Glenwood kids and it always pleases me to share the latest updates from Dr. Corbin (CJ) Schuster. CJ is the son of Regina Eldred and a former Glenwood High School student. I could tell from our visits when he was still in high school that he was very focused on the path he wanted to take once he finished high school and he has not only achieved his earlier goals but continues to surpass them. I heard from CJ recently and it’s best to share his words rather than try to write it myself.
From Dr. Schuster:
“I accepted a tenure track position as a professor in microbiology at OSU. My research will be in disease surveillance of both wildlife and human diseases. A small focus of my research is in environmental health hazards (public health), as I am working on wrapping up my Masters in Public Health from USC Keck School of Medicine, where my concentration is infectious disease epidemiology and biostatistics. I will also be teaching parasitology at both the undergraduate and graduate level.”
This young man never ceases to amaze me with his drive and his desire to do all
he can to help improve the health and life of people everywhere. I’ve said before, I’m not his grandma but I feel like such a proud grandma, watching he reaches and exceeds every goal he has ever set over the years. I’m sure all his family in Glenwood and elsewhere and all of us here in this little community are very, very proud. Our winter weather can be very unpredictable. We recently had snow, but now our roads are bare and we may have nice travel conditions in our area for the holidays. We can just hope everyone driving around close to home and traveling are safe. Some newer residents with long driveways have asked if I could compile a list of people in our community with the right equipment to clear snow who are willing to clear driveways for what-
FFA teaches GPS students about wheat
Natalee BeNNett GMS aG literacy co-chair
For the months of November and December, 58 Goldendale FFA members went to the primary school to teach the students in grades kindergarten through fourth about Washington State’s sixth top ag commodity: wheat.
The FFA members read the book “The Little Red Hen” with the primary students and did an art project. After reading the book, the FFA members helped elementary students fill out a graphic organizer related to the story. The primary students wrote down all the steps of processing wheat based on the steps in the book. “I enjoyed that the primary kids were even more excited to see us than last time we came. Some of the students even read the story to us,” said Natalee Garcia, GMS FFA member. After filling out the graphic organizer, the students created their own wheat through an art project. “I liked how they were so creative with their art. Each kid’s art looked a little different; they turned out
great,” commented Brycen Salas, GMS FFA member. In the project, the members taught in 12 classrooms about wheat and how it was processed. The FFA members were able to work with a total of 281 primary students through their wheat-themed lesson. For more information about the project and pictures, please see the Goldendale FFA Facebook Page and Instagram.
ever the going rate is. Please contact me if you would like to be put on the list so people know who to call. It would be a greatly appreciated service to many here. Thank you. As I wish you all a most joyous Christmas, filled with the love of family and friends, I want to share a story about what Christmas means to Glenn and me. Recently, when getting Christmas tree ornaments out of storage to decorate our tree here at Shady Nook Farm, I was carrying a very treasured ornament, a beautiful, fragile glass red barn ornament that looks like our red barn here at Shady Nook Farm. As I was turning it over in my hands, I dropped it on the garage floor, and it shattered into too many pieces to put back together. My heart was sad for that moment because that orna-
ment was given to us with such love a few years ago. On Monday, December 16, we received a package in the mail, with no return address except the name Santa. When I opened it, there was a beautiful little box inside with the word “Believe” on the lid. Inside the box was a beautiful red barn ornament just like the one that was shattered. Oh my gosh, my heart was so full, and tears came down. That gesture embodied the true love and spirit of the Christmas season. We have no idea who sent it, but we want them to know that gift means more to us than words can express and will always symbolize what Christmas means to us. And, yes. I do believe. We wish you all a very joyous Christmas filled with very special moments just like ours.
Contributed: Mary Pierce
HOMECOMING: The Glenwood High School Homecoming Court: Left to right, Giana Jackson, Devin Gimlin, Jayla Avila, Blaine Arnold, Wyatt Patterson, Jocee Hoctor, Anthony Avila, and Ari Berge.
This Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@ goldendalesentinel.com or call 509-773-3777.
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WEEKLY AND MONTHLY
Every Wednesday,Monday, and Friday
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m.
Monday
• Lyle Lions Meeting 6 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. –2 p.m. Lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• The Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) 4 p.m. every 2nd Monday via Zoom. 509-7733776 or CPAKC on Facebook.
• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month except on holidays.
• Book Discussion Group meets every third Monday at 11 a.m. – Goldendale Library
• One on One Tech Help 1st Monday of the month 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Library, call to set up an appointment 509-773-4487
• Goldendale School Board Work Session: 2nd Monday of the month at the Primary School Library.
• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.
Tuesday
• EPIC Youth Center
Games: 3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Wellness Warriors 3 – 4 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Goldendale Library on Burgen Street. Join us as our local health department nurses teach us about different wellness topics to keep ourselves safe an healthy. Topics include: Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Emotional Health, & Safety/Injury Prevention. All ages are welcome, topics will be covered at an elementary school level.
• Board of County Commissioners meeting every Tuesday Klickitat County Courthouse, 205 S Columbus Goldendale. Visit www.klick-
Community Events
itatcounty.org/643/Board-ofCounty-Commissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.
• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds off Sensibly 10 a.m. the Nazarene Church on Grant and Allyn. Questions? Sally/ojala@gmail.com.
• Goldendale Junior Community Chamber 7 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of every month at Umpqua Bank. Call 509-2500625
• KC Fair Board Meetings 1st Tuesday of the month is a Workshop, 3rd Tuesday of the month is a Board Meeting.
• Soroptimist International of Goldendale, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Dedicated to helping women and youth in our community and worldwide. All welcome. Contact Betty 509-250-3746.
• BINGO night: 3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the High Prairie Community Center on Struck Rd. Meals and cards for purchase (discounted kids’ meals) Come meet your neighbours and enjoy some family fun!
Wednesday
• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. Song in healing for our hearts, our communities, and our world. Please come join us for this monthly community offering. We will be hosting and inviting many songwriters to share their songs too! Super excited to see you there! By donation $10-20, no one turned away. RSVP at laurarosedoctor@ gmail.com, 509-637-9425.
• Family Storytime: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Goldendale Community Library.
• Learn and Play! – 2 – 3 p.m. every 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Goldendale Primary School. Fun and learning for you and your little ones up to 5 years!
• Family Fun Night at the Goldendale American Legion on Broadway St. 4th Wednesday of every month at 6:30
• Free Youth Cooking Classes: 4-6 p.m. every other Wednesday, beginning Sept. 20th, 2023 – June 2024 at The Harbour 125 W. Main St. Goldendale. Children 13+, come join us at the Youth Drop-In Center for free cooking classes. 509-281-0288 or email cassidy@wagap.org
• Snowden Community Council Meetings – 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at the Cherry Lane Fire Station
• Kiwanis 7 a.m. Simcoe Café 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
• Trivia at the American Legion every week 6:30 p.m.
• Family Story Time at 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Goldendale Library
• Popup Café – 10 a.m. –2 p.m. lunch and support group at the Masonic Lodge on Columbus until further notice. Café is open weekly on Monday and Wednesday.
• Lyle Community Council Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30, Lyle Activity Center (308 Klickitat). Meetings also available via Zoom https:// lylewa.com/about-us.
Thursday
• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every Thursday. All ages welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Youth under the age of 8 must be checked in by a parent. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.
• Rosary every Thursday evening at 6p.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church 307 Schuster in Goldendale.
• Drinking Democratically 6 - 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Food and drink available for purchase. Call Carol for location 971404-1935
• Al Anon Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Nazarene Church 124 W Allyn in Goldendale. Call 509-310-3377 with questions.
• Learn and Play! 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the White Salmon Library. Stories, songs, puppets, crafts and more for young children (birth through 5yrs) and their parents or caregivers presented by White Salmon Valley Community Library Staff. Free book for each participant provided by the FVRL Foundation.
• Goldendale Grange #49 Meeting – 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 228 E Darland in Goldendale
• Parent Support Group –10 a.m. weekly 166 E Jewett Blvd in White Salmon. Join us for community support at our weekly meeting at! Children are welcome & encouraged. There is a small play area to keep little hands busy. We’d love to see you there!
• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdays - card packets go on sale 6:30 p.m. game starts 7 p.m. Food available
• Bingo - High Prairie Community Center, 2nd Thursday of every month, doors open at 6, starts at 6:30. Questions contact Lori Sweeney 503-260-7129
• WAGAP Mobile Food Bank – 1st Thursday of the month: 9-10:30 a.m. Wishram school, 10:45 - 11:30 Wishram Heights Housing, 12–2 p.m. Dallesport Community Center, 3-5 p.m. Lyle Lions Club. 3rd Thursday of the month: 9-11 a.m. Trout Lake Baptist Church, 12-2 p.m. BZ Corner Community Building. Call 509-493-2662 ext 208 for more information.
• Narcotics Anonymous, 7 - 8 p.m. weekly at the United Methodist Church, 109 E Broadway Goldendale.
Friday
• Open sewing, knitting, or whatever you do every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m. at Wild Daffodil and 3C’s Fabric in their new location $10.
• Lyle Community Game Day 1 p.m. the third Friday of every month at the Lyle Lions Community Center.
• Bingo – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, Mt Adams Elks Lodge 124 NE Church Ave, White Salmon. Doors open at 5:30, Bingo at 6 and the Salmon Run Grill is open from 5:30 – 7:30
• Knitting and Stitching Circle 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. White Salmon Community Library
• GamerNoon for teens 3 – 5 p.m. at the Goldendale Library. Come play tabletop and board games.
• Crafternoons at the Library – every 4th Friday 2:30 – 4 p.m. for ages 7-10 (all ages welcome at the Goldendale Library).
Saturday
• Hope Neighborhood 45:30 p.m. (winter hours) 115 E Main Street, Goldendale at the Goldendale Senior Center. A time of fellowship, bible reading, and discussion for those seeking to learn and grow in God’s word.
• Art Club: Saturday at 1 p.m. at Apollonia Book Store in Goldendale
• Lyle Lions Pancake Breakfast 1st Saturday of every month 7 a.m. -10 a.m. Omelettes and ham and eggs
cooked to order. Endless Pancakes. Location: Lyle Lions Community Center 5th & State Street (Hwy 14).
• Columbia Grange meets the 2nd Saturday of every month.
• Goldendale Aglow Lighthouse meets from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Senior Center 3rd Saturday of every month –, 115 E. Main St. Goldendale
• Family Storytimes 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 1st Saturday of the month @ the Goldendale Library
COMMUNITY EVENTS
December 26, 2024, Last Thursday’s Laughs: 7 p.m. at the Tarwater Tavern 130 E Jewett in White Salmon. Hour long comedy experience. Don’t miss this fun. $10. 7:00. 21+
December 29, 2024, The Alchemy of Ink - A natural painting class with Molly Holmlund: 4 p.m. at the Trout Lake Hall, 15 Guller Rd in Trout Lake. L earn to make colors from plants, mushrooms, and minerals. From the kitchen to the forest, many colors are waiting to be coaxed out. Join artist Molly Holmlund for an evening of making and painting with natural inks.
Molly Holmlund is an artist based in the Columbia River Gorge. Her love for nature, watercolor, plants, and cooking inspired her to explore the magical world of creating inks for painting and dyeing. Fascinated by the subtle nuances and language of color, she enjoys teaching and sharing art practices to keep curiosity alive. To purcahse tickets visit https:// troutlakehall.eventcalendarapp. com/u/37601/344899. $55 Advance // $55 Day Of Show
*Limited Capacity*
December 31, 2024, Midnight Meditation and Ring the Great Bell 108 times 2024/5: 11:30 p.m. at the Mt Adams Buddhist Temple, 46 Stoller Rd, Trout Lake Ring in the new year with us, literally! We will ring the bell 108 times to finish the old year and welcome the new one. Each ring represents one of 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve awakening.
This will be preceded by one or more of the following: check-in (sharing), meditation, Dharma talk, chanting, and/or
recitations of Sutras.
December 31, 2024 , NYE Dance for Swing Dancers: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. at the Mt View Grange, 1085 North Main Ave in White Salmon. Live Swing Band for our Swing dancing enjoyment, and I’ll DJ requests during the band breaks. See you on The Dance Floor!
December 31, 2024, Starcade Pizza New Years Eve Party: noon - midnight 340East Collins in Goldendale. Starcade invites the entire community to join us anytime New Years Eve to celebrate making it through 2024 and into 2025. We will have lots of free games to play the entire day (not all games will be free, but many will be), hot chocolate and hot cider (while supplies last), and raffles (free raffle ticket for anyone who comes) for prizes throughout the day. In addition, we will have the following activities with prizes given to the winners:
- Chess Challenge ($25 Cash to the winner)
- Galaga Challenge ($100 Cash to the winner)
- Air Hockey Tournament ($25 Cash to winner)
Free hors d’oeuvres will be passed around between 9pm and midnight (suggested donation of $5 or more per person during this period, but ALL are welcome with no obligation to pay money). A free sparkling cider toast at midnight for all who sign up by Sunday, 12/29. We hope as part of your New Years Eve celebrations, you’ll stop by and enjoy some fun time with your friends or family as we say goodbye to another year. And if you don’t have friends or family to celebrate with, then come by and have a free cup of cheer with us. We’d love to see you.
January 1, 2025, New Year’s Day Polar Plunge: 10 a.m. sharp at the Maryhill State Park. Come start the year off right with a cool refreshing plunge in the Columbia River! Join the Central Klickitat County Park & Recreation District along with Washington State Parks for our Annual Polar Plunge. You can register online at https://centralklickitatparksandrecreation. com/ or just show up and register that morning. Just don’t be late, the plunge is over within a minute! Questions, text 509 250 0981!
January 14, 2024, Goldendale Archery Sharpshooters Archery Swap Meet: 7 - 8 p.m. at
the Goldendale Primary School. 820 S Schuster Ave. Bring your old equipment, bows, arrows, releases, arm guards, etc. please price to move! The idea is to provide a place to see what’s available before spending a pile of money on new equipment.
January 16,2025, Canva 101 Workshop: 8: 30 - 10 a.m. at the Goldendale Chamber office on East Broadway. Join us for a comprehensive Canva 101 Workshop, where you’ll unlock the full potential of this powerful design tool! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this workshop is perfect for you. What You’ll LearnCanva Basics: Get started with Canva’s intuitive interface and learn how to create stunning designs from scratch. - Branding Set-Up Assistance: Discover how to set up and maintain consistent branding across all your projects. - Time-Saving Tricks: Learn valuable shortcuts and tips to streamline your design process and save time. Cost: - $25 for non-chamber members, free for chamber members. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your design skills and take your projects to the next level. Reserve your spot today!
January 25, 2025; 5Point Film Festival: 6 p.m. at the Trout Lake Hall, 15 Gi;er Rd, Trout Lake. To fund weekly programming and events for the Columbia Gorge Junior Kayak Club 2025 season, we are hosting a special showing of the 5Point Film Festival. The film festival will feature a variety of short outdoor films. $20 Advance / $20 Day of 6pm Doors / 7pm Film Showing. All Ages. To purchase tickets visit https:// troutlakehall.eventcalendarapp. com/u/37601/331224 May 2 - 4, 2025 Home and Garden Show: Join us for the annual Goldendale Home and Garden Show, where we celebrate the best of home improvement, gardening, and community spirit in Klickitat County! This year, we’re working harder than ever to bring you an unforgettable experience with exciting new features and activities. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize our plans. We can’t wait to see you there and make this year’s Goldendale Home and Garden Show the best one yet!
County Christmas church services
December 24 – Candlelight Service, 4:30 p.m., Community Grace Brethren Church
December 24 – Candlelight Service, 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene
December 24 – Candlelight Service, 7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church
December 24 – Christmas Eve Sing: The Hymns of Christmas, 6 p.m., Klickitat Valley Baptist Church, Klickitat
December 24 – Special Christmas Eve Service, 4 p.m., Bickleton Evangelical Community Church
December 29 – Community Candlelight 5th Sunday Service, 6 p.m., New Life Assembly of God Church
School board notes
Alex Gorrod attends meetings of the Goldendale School District and shares his notes on them. These are not official minutes. I was able to attend the Goldendale School District Board Meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024. Here are some of the highlights, check out the full agenda online at: https://meetings.boardbook. org/Public/ Agenda/ 780?meeting =665670.
1. The meeting started with the annual reorganization of the Board. The following were elected: Betty Richards (Board Chair); John Hoctor (Board Vice Chair); Deborah Heart (Legislative Representative); Christ Twohy (WIAA Representative)
2. Chris Visser (GHS Asst. Wrestling Coach), Heather Davis (Bus Aide), and Kristy Posey (GMS Asst. Head Cook) were hired.
3. Dean Schlenker (Business Manager) reported that the general fund was at $1,337,846 million in November (down from $1,960,444 in October and slightly up from November 2023, $1,309,261).
4. Mr. Schlenker also reported on enrollment. FTE stands for Full Time Equivalent, every FTE is worth $10,000 in funding. GPS had a 301.4 FTE (last year it was 296). GMS had a 256.76 FTE (Last year it was 252.51). GHS had a 301.73 FTE (last year it was 303.86). The total is 859.89 (last year it was 855.67). Online had a 2160.67 FTE (Last year it was 2082.65).
5. Mr. Schlenker also gave an update on facilities. The new stadium is still in motion. They are hoping for a final designs presentation and discussion in January or February to the Board and then bidding should follow that. The GHS kitchen project needs to be and will be completed by June 30th. The school just finished Phase 3 which was about $7 million to upgrade HVAC, lighting, etc… at GHS. Phase 4 will put in a new control system and individual air handlers for rooms at GHS. This phase will begin if the school gets a $6 million dollar grant that they have submitted for.
6. There was discussion about an MOU (memorandum of understanding), a nonbinding agreement between GSD and WGAP to look further into placing a WGAP ran childcare facility on school property. They looked at 3 locations for this and WGAP wants to look first at the area behind the softball field (which is currently being used as an FFA project field). There was a question if there are dry wells there which would prevent building from being done there. Another option that was looked at was the unused 4 acres to the west of the GHS baseball field, near the grange property. But currently the first location was the most preferred. They will continue to look into this and talk more about it.
7. It was announced that GSD is currently in negotiations with WACA (online school) for another 5 year contract. They hope to get a final contract done in January or February. Both SPEd and the ESD are being included in the process.
8. GSD is having a Strategic plan listening session on January 13th at 6:30pm during their regular worksession. Board members were asked to compile lists of individuals from the town who they felt could contribute. These individuals will then receive a message from the school inviting them to the listening session to share their thoughts on various issues. I will attach the Strategic Plan flier that they said will be
a focus for this session.
9. Ms. Hedges (Principal at GPS) was not present but gave a written report. They currently have 304 students enrolled and are in the midst of Christmas celebrations. There are Christmas programs on December 19th (2nd-4th Grade) at 6:30pm and December 20th (K-1st Grade) at 9:30am. They also have different themes to dress up for, for each day of this final week before Christmas break.
10. Ms. Lummio (Principal at GMS) reported that they have been having dress up days with the teachers following one set of things to dress up as and the students with another. The recently hosted a girl’s wrestling tournament and they had over 120 participants for it. They also recently had their Christmas concert with the 5th graders also participating by playing ukuleles.
11. Ms. Reddinger (Principal at GHS) and Mr. Humphrey (Asst. Principal) reported that they too are having a spirit week with different themes. There are 17 days left in the semester and then they will be going about changing up student class schedules for the next term. The GHS boys basketball team won 2nd place at the recent Umatilla Tournament. And the wrestling team leaves Thursday for a huge invite tournament. They are now flying rather than driving to this due to concerns with weather on the passes.
12. During the WIAA report Mr. Twohy talked about upcoming proposals
that will be voted on in January that could affect our district. In order for these proposals to be accepted 31 members would need to okay them. 1. A 25% increase in membership cost. 2. A rural schools position on the council. 3. Flag football as a sport for girls. 4. Creating 3 divisions for sports: Girls, Boys, and Trans (the girls and boys divisions would be only for those who are assigned that gender at birth to play in).
13. Dr. Perconti (Superintendent) shared that WASA (a superintendent association) has been looking at how to leverage current technology (AI, online academies, etc…) to help with education by looking at what is possible and reasonable.
14. The Board approved Architects West for a study and survey. This would involve them coming and inspecting all the systems and structures (windows, floors, doors, roof, electrical, etc…) and then giving that report to OSPI. This would help in grant procurement for facility upgrades. OSPI agreed to a grant for this survey to be done.
15. The Board approved the first reading of policies and procedures 3241/3241P, 3241F which all have to do with student discipline. These were delayed as they had legal council help them to shape them to what was needed to follow the law rather than just using the WASDA suggestions. Check out the previous minutes for meetings on the district website.
(StatePoint) On the first day of Christmas, holiday gift giving begins with the traditional gift of a Partridge in a Pear Tree. By the first day of January, True Love pays the bill.
Each holiday season, the PNC’s Christmas Price Index tabulates the price to gift all the items in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and this year, that figure amounts to $49,263.47, a 5.4% increase from 2023.
PNC’s Christmas Price Index mimics the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices consumers pay for goods and services over time.
“Believe it or not, we’re still seeing the cause and effect of the pandemicinflation hangover, even nearly five years later,” says Amanda Agati, chief investment officer of PNC’s Asset Management Group. “With years of steep price increases, we’d think inflation has nowhere to go, but we’d be wrong.”
The service-based economy is represented by the last four gifts in the index—the Ladies Dancing, Lords-a-Leaping, Pipers Piping and Drummers Drumming. They’re traditionally priced based on the cost to hire various performers and musicians.
The Ten-Lords-A-Leaping, at $14,539.20, is the highest priced gift in the index for the third straight year. Overall, the service-sector gifts rose in price by 7.9%
in 2024. Many of the gifts in the index representing goods remained unchanged in price in 2024—the Turtle Doves, Calling Birds, Gold Rings and Swans all stayed flat, though still expensive year over year. The French Hens and Geese were the avian exceptions, with the latter representing one of the most volatile gifts in this year’s index, growing by more than 15%.
The most volatile gift in the 2024 index is the first one—the Partridge in a Pear Tree—which rose in price by 17.1%. The least volatile gift, the EightMaids-a-Milking, has remained unchanged since
2009. The Christmas Price Index also calculates the “True Cost of Christmas,” which is the cost of purchasing all of the gifts as they repeat in the verses of the song. That cost increased by 3.6% to $209,272 in 2024, crossing the $200K threshold for the second year in a row. If you prefer to shop online, you’ll pay nearly $5K more for the convenience, and of course the packaging and shipping that gifts of birds require.
PNC’s online Christmas Price Index cost rose by 3.9% in 2024 to a total of $54,073.69.
2025 REPUBLIC SERVICES
COUNTY from page A1
E xtra
HOLCOMB from page A1 that day were thoroughly aired but not decided.
The public hearing on a franchise agreement with Carriger Solar, LLC and the public meeting on an aggregate resource zone overlay for James Dean Construction were both continued to the next meeting on December 24. While oral testimony was closed, commissioners left the written record open until Monday. December 23, at 5 p.m. Under the consent agenda, commissioners approved:
• The appointment of the City of Vancouver’s designee Megan Dugan to serve as the trustee of the
Fort Vancouver Regional Library.
• A communications site lease with Blue Mountain Networks, LLC to use a portion of the Juniper Point Public Safety Communications Site.
• A contract amendment with Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW Washington allocating funds for Senior Nutrition Services.
• A contract amendment with Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW Washington allocating funds for Senior Transportation Services.
• An agreement with WAGAP to provide funding for Klickitat and Skamania Counties emergency food purchases.
• A lease with the Goldendale Senior Center for the use of the Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the senior nutrition program, congregate meal program, and other senior programs/events.
• Re-appointing Shelley Baxter to the Klickitat County Senior Service Advisory Board for a three-year term, representing Commissioner District No. 1.
Bill to improve fentanyl overdose tracking passes Senate
Last Wednesday, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, which would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states, units of local government, law enforcement task forces, and tribes to adopt and implement an overdose data collection program, including the Overdose Data Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).
The bill was drafted by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and introduced by Sen. Cantwell in September alongside Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX).
“When responding to fentanyl overdoses, an extra minute can save a life,” said Sen Cantwell. “Tracking fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses will help our first responders, law enforcement, and public health professionals better target and prevent OD spikes and surge resources to communities that need them the most.”
“By expanding access to overdose data collection programs, Congress empowers local communities to face drug abuse trends head on and prevent future fatalities,”
Sen. Grassley said. “I’m proud to see the Senate unanimously pass our bipartisan legislation to identify and quickly respond to overdoses and urge the House to swiftly follow suit.”
The bill now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives.
During Cantwell’s 10-city fentanyl roundtable tour across Washington state, she heard from multiple officials on the front lines of the epidemic that expanding ODMAP could help prevent overdoses and save lives. Expanding ODMAP would provide near real-time awareness of known or suspected overdose incidents across the United States, supporting public safety and public health efforts to coordinate immediate responses to sudden spikes in overdoses.
“By leveraging improved data and mapping technology made possible through this bill, Spokane’s first responders will be able to deploy resources more swiftly and effectively, ultimately saving more lives during critical overdose emergencies,” said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.
“ODMAP creates a unified, real-time system to track and respond to overdoses, enabling first responders, health departments, and law enforcement to allocate resources more effectively. By identifying overdose hotspots and trends as they happen, we can deploy targeted interventions and engage communities in prevention efforts,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete.
“Yakima County, like much of the nation, has experienced a drastic
uptick in the number of illicit drug overdoses. We need solutions, and we quickly identified a tactic that would help guide us to solutions: ODMAP.
Accurate information about all overdoses will allow us to know exactly the scope of the problem, giving us direction on where and how to direct resources. The solution to this crisis cannot be found without real and accurate information on what is really happening,” said Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell.
“Having a single platform to share overdose data is essential to saving lives, guiding decisions, and preventing overdoses. ODMAP (Overdose Mapping) is the platform. ODMAP allows for the collaboration and real-time data sharing between law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, hospitals, and health departments,” said Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero.
“ODMAP is a gamechanger in fighting the overdose epidemic! With the real-time data from ODMAP, responders and communities can monitor overdose events, identify patterns, deploy resources where needed, and ultimately save lives!
In the State of Washington, we currently only track overdose deaths which grossly underestimates the true magnitude of the overdose epidemic (by 6200%),” said Alicia Stromme Tobin, Executive Director of Safe Yakima Valley. “ODMAP provides agencies with a tool to track fatal and nonfatal overdoses. By providing a comprehensive view of overdose trends, ODMAP fosters collaboration across public health, law enforcement and EMS, allowing for more targeted interventions and prevention efforts. I applaud Senator Cantwell for recognizing the tremendous positive impact ODMAP will have on saving lives! Congratulations and well done!”
“Solutions start with a hope, hope is the gateway for innovation and collaboration, and efforts like ODMAP are the tools that communities need to impact the fentanyl crisis and save lives,” said Yakima Police Department Lt. Chad Janis.
“Using ODMAP locally throughout our county has already proven invaluable in identifying overdose hotspots and enabling rapid, targeted responses. Expanding its use statewide has the potential to transform how we address the fentanyl crisis in Washington. By standardizing overdose tracking across the state, we can pinpoint trends, respond more effectively, and deploy life-saving resources faster than ever. This tool is more than just data—it empowers us to act decisively and collaboratively to save lives and combat this devastating epidemic,” said Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control at the
ington State, now including Goldendale. According to the Akins Fresh Market website, the store considers itself to be an “active member of each of its communities” and carries on the legacy of founder Arlis Akins, who “believed in family and community.”
Current store owner Connie Holcomb called her decision to sell the store that’s been in her family for so long one of the hardest decisions she’s ever made. She said she was proud of her parents for taking a chance on opening Holcomb’s Market.
When it came time to sell, Holcomb said there were several people interested in purchasing the business and that she put careful consideration into her choice.
“We wanted to have somebody with grocery experience, and I also felt it was important that it was a family and somewhat local. That was a big deal. I wanted my employees to be happy, and I wanted the community to be happy and respect my choice.”
change is always good.”
“It’s a big change,” said Holcomb’s Market employee Wendy Hancock. “I believe that it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a good change. I’m going to miss Connie like heck. It’s not going to be the same without her because this is my family, and now I’m changing families.”
Yakima Health District.
“In order to make the most appropriate moves to facilitate change, we must have good, accurate data. Otherwise we are blindly throwing darts at a board. ODMAP will allow for the most appropriate distribution of resources to help combat the nationwide opioid epidemic. Without it, we will continue to potentially ignore high impacted areas that may desperately the assistance,” said Cameron Haubrich, Chief of the Sunnyside Fire Department.
“The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act will provide key data in a timely manner to help drive effective policy and action in addressing the opioid crisis. Information gathered and made available to the various components of the system that is responding to address this critical need, including Fire Districts will help us make informed decisions to best deploy our resources in the most effective way possible,” said John Nohr, Fire Chief of Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.
“Access to accurate, timely data around opioid overdoses is critical to responding effectively to the opioid crisis. With the right tools, we can save lives. We are thankful for the dedicated work of our legislators to elevate this issue and support evidence-based solutions,” said Allison Berry, Health Officer for Clallam County & Jefferson County.
“Over the past two years, the City of Seattle has learned firsthand how critical timely, accurate, and detailed overdose data can be. Knowing when and where overdoses happen and granular details such as Naloxone use has helped us design and deploy targeted overdose prevention and response teams. Our recent adoption of ODMAP has enhanced these capabilities. We strongly endorse legislation that will bring these vital tools to other communities,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins upon the bill’s introduction in September.
“This bill would help Everett and communities across the country address the fentanyl and opioid crisis by implementing proven cutting-edge data tools to track overdoses,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin upon the bill’s introduction in September. “The City of Everett supports all efforts to implement data-driven methods to address this critical issue and is proud to support the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.”
“The opioid epidemic affects all corners of our community,” said King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall upon the bill’s introduction in September. “I welcome Senator Cantwell’s efforts to help address this by building on the programs we have in place. Bringing more resources to fight this crisis is an essential step in saving lives.”
“They put their whole life into this and moved up here and took the chance and made something really beautiful out of it,” said Holcomb. After moving to Goldendale 11 years ago to help care for her parents, she had the opportunity to sell the business in 2020 but decided to take over as owner and continue running it.
“I pushed forward and wanted to make it the best I could. But there comes a time when you have to say, ‘It’s over, it’s time.”
Jennifer Diettrich, who works as a check stand attendant at Holcomb’s, said she was excited for the change but that she would miss working for Holcomb.
“She’s one of the better people I’ve ever worked for,” said Diettrich “But
In reflection over the years her family has owned the store, Holcomb said thank you to the community.
“It’s been wonderful getting to meet so many wonderful people and to appreciate all their business and laughter and caring.”
Goldendale 3rd Grade
Dear Santa, I love Christmas and I’ve been good. I want a Cat Nap Doll and a Baba Chops Doll and Mommy Long Legs and a Bunzo Bunny Doll. Is the North Pole cold?
From Jasmine
3rd Grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How old are you? How long does it take you to deliver all of the presents? How old are the reindeer? I would like Call of Duty 6, Xbox controllers, and new play doh please.
From Elijah
3rd grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, How is Mrs. Claus doing? This year for Christmas I want an iPhone and a laptop. Have you ever seen my Dad?
By Wren
3rd Grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, Is there a lot of snow in the North pole? I’m leaving cookies and Milk for you on Christmas Day. For Christmas this year could you get me a Squishmellow, and a DVD. I’ll leave carrots out for the reindeer. How is Mrs.Claus doing?
From Gage 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Hi Santa, How are the reindeers? I’m writing this letter for you. This year I want an electric scooter and Barbie dolls. I also want my mom not to be grumpy and I want her to have the best life ever. I will make you cookies and milk and I will make sure to leave some carrots for the reindeer on
Christmas Eve. From Julia 3rd grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How are the elves doing? I would love an electric piano and some new clothes and a new electric blanket and how are the reindeer doing? I hope they’re doing good and I’m making sure I remember the carrots and cookies for you and the reindeer.
Love Stormy Goldendale Primary School
3rd Grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class
Dear Santa Have you ever been to the Desert? Can I have an iphone 16 and a RC snow plow for Christmas. I would also like some Pokemon cards. I will also leave cookies and milk and maybe some carrots for the reindeer.
From Connor 3rd Grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, How are you and the elves? I want Legos and Lego figures. Also a Lego car, church, jet ski and airplane. I will leave you Gingerbread men and milk on Christmas Eve.
Love Kolt, 3rd Grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, Do the reindeer like their carrots? This year I would like a tablet, a watch and could you get Kaeleb monster trucks please? I will leave you cookies and milk!
Love, Quinn 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Hi Santa, How are the elves doing? How is your Christmas
tree looking? Do you take a vacation in the summer? How is Mrs. Claus doing? How many kids are on the naughty list and how many are on the nice list? This year could you give my sister some make-up she has been wanting some.
From Ky’Onna 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, How are your elves? I would like an ipad and an apple pen and a dirt bike. How is Mrs. Claus doing?
Love Ireland
3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, How many elves do you have? I would like to have a dirtbike, a Computer and an iPad. I have been good this year.
Love, Wyatt 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, I hope you are staying warm. Can I have a slugterra blaster & I would like a POKEMON infinite fusion game & shark puppet. Why do you like cookies and milk so much?
From Jakson 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, How many Elves are there? Are the Elves doing good? For Christmas can I have an iPad, mood Ring and Magnets. Can you leave me a note?
Love Ethan, 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa,
How are the elves doing? Could you get me a Skateboard? I’m leaving cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve.
From Blayne 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How many elves do you have? Is it cold in the North pole? I would like these three things for Christmas. 1 can I please get a kitten or a puppy 2, can I get fluffy black or brown bearpaw boots 3, can I get more film for my camera? Are your elves naughty? Am I on the naughty list? I would love to be an elf in the North pole. I would love to go to the North Pole and see you and Mrs.Claus.
Love your friend, Emberly Cleary 3rd grade
Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How are the reindeer doing? I want board games. How many reindeer do you have?
From Carter, 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How is Mrs. Claus doing? I want a big L.O.L disco ball, a bunk bed but the bottom is a desk, ravenclaw mittens oh and please get a hufflepuff cloak from Harry Potter for my sister Evelyn. I will put cookies and milk on the table for you. How is the North Pole?
Love, Arighya 3rd grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How are Mrs. Claus’ cookies? May I please have an American Girl Doll and some food sets for her? And a My Little Pony set. Please and thank you. I hope you like the milk and cookies that I will put out for you
on Christmas Eve.
Sincerely Lilly, 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa, Do you have a lot of snow at the North Pole? Could you get me a toy makeup set and I want a little life pet puppy playset and a toy truck for my brother, please? I’m leaving cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve.
From Chelsea 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, I would like Barbies for Christmas. Also, I would like a Bluey stuffy. I would also like a cookbook. Can I pet the reindeer!? How is Mrs. Claus?
Love Zariah, 3rd Grade Mrs. Gilliam’s Class Goldendale Primary School
Dear Santa My elf is having a great time at our house. For
Christmas, I would like Rian toys and hot wheels and to have a great time with my family.
Love Gio
Dear Santa I hope you get here in time. I hope you come this year. I don’t know what I want yet.
Love Gage bye bye
Dear Santa Is Rudolph okay? Can I please have a set of copic markers? And a new phone? And a big notebook?
Love Abby
Dear Santa I hope I get a Spiderman PS5 for Christmas please. I would also like a Spiderman action figure please. From, Nahpasis
Dear Santa Can you tell the elves and Mrs. Claus to come to school with me and say hi for me? What I want for
Continued on page B8
cookies!
love cookies?
Cookies may be one of the most favorite snacks in the world. They come in all shapes and sizes and people have been baking them for a very long time. Cookies also come in many different flavors. The most popular cookie in the world is the Oreo, but in the United States the favorite is the chocolate chip cookie. Cookies may have different names in different countries like biscuits, koekje, galletas or crisps. Whatever you call them, these baked, sweet treats make us smile.
Did you know that the chocolate chip cookie was a mistake? In the 1930s, a lady named Ruth Graves Wakefield was trying to make her popular butter drop cookies. She thought, “What if I make some chocolate cookies?” Ruth didn’t have any baking chocolate but she did have a chocolate candy bar. She chopped the candy bar up into tiny chips and mixed it in with the cookie dough. She thought the bits of candy bar would melt into the dough when the cookies baked, but her experiment didn’t quite work like she thought it would. People loved the new butter cookies with little morsels of chocolate, and the rest is history.
NO BAKE COOKIES
Ingredients:
• 1/2 C Butter
• 2 C Sugar
• 1/2 C Milk
• 4 Tbsp Cocoa
• 1/2 C Peanut Butter
• 3 1/2 C Quick Cooking Oats
• 2 tsp. Vanilla
Instructions:
Add the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, and boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. Let cool until set.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 sticks butter softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
2. Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) in a separate bowl. Set aside.
3 .In a separate bowl, soften the butter in a mixer and blend well with the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
4. Add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix.
5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet and mix well.
6. Add chocolate chips.
7. Form about 20 balls equally spaced out onto two baking sheets.
9. ENJOY!!
8. Bake for about 9-12 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.
Ruth Graves Wakefield The inventor of the Chocolate Chip Cookie
Christmas is a phone, a real wizard wand, a tablet, and some little clothes for my little bear so she can come to school with me.
Love Tobi Mae
Dear Santa This Christmas I would like a Mercedes F-1 W-11 remote control car please. I would also like a virtual reality set, an iphone 16, a PS5, a new pillow, and a tablet too... ...please!
Jaxson
Dear Santa: a ps2 & ps3 please.
Love, Terrence
Dear Santa Please, can I have a big pat and curls set?
Love, Felicity
P. S. I hope you are warm!
Dear Santa I hope you are safe. I want Sqwishmallows, fidgets, and slime please. I would also like a phone, Stitch bedroom, makeup, and Barbie please.
Love, Coraline
Dear Santa, How are you and the elves doing this Christmas season? I would like a VR headset, Stitch stuffy, adult makeup and adult lipsticks, a Stitch sweatshirt and stitch backpack and Stitch glue on nails this year please.
Brielle
Dear Santa I was hoping and wondering if I could please have a lot of Stitch stuff under my tree on Christmas morning? Here are some ideas: plushies, clock, Nikes, blue crocs with Stitch croc charms, Stanley thermos, poster, carpets, stickers, sketchbook, phone case, socks, keychain, night light, curtains, BFF necklaces, bag, calendar, backpack, make-up, skincare, earrings, PJs, books, PS5, water bottle, blanket sweatshirt, and sweatpants. I hope you’re staying warm! Thank you Santa!!!!!!!
Love, Alexis
Dear Santa Do you think I could please get a Stitch cup, coffee mug, and Stanley thermos for Christmas this year? Could I also please get an Angel and Stitch hoodie and earrings? I promise to leave carrots out for your reindeer on Christmas eve. Finally, could your elves maybe make me a new art set? Thank you!
Love, Tyson
Dear Santa I want a phone case, makeup, pencil case, phone case, clothes markers, bike, color pencils, coloring book, and 8 blankets and pillows for Christmas this year please. Sorry to ask for so much!
P. S. I want a ps5, shoes, ipad with pen, and LOL dolls too please.
Love, Natalee
Dear Santa, Rudolph is a reindeer who knows how to fly and is a good boy. He is one of the best reindeer at your workshop and is the best boy ” I would like a PS5 and sans plushie ppppllllzzzz; and aaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll llllll the candy in the world!
Sincerely, Celyn
Dear Santa Ihope you are very good. I want a Tech Deck set for Christmas please. I was very good this year. Thank you!
Everlee
Dear Santa I hope you find this letter. I have been waiting for my dad to buy my roller blades, but he said maybe Santa can bring them . So can you please bring me rollerblades and roller blading gear? Knee pads, helmet, wrestpads, elbow pads.
Love, Skyler
Dear Santa, For Christmas, I would
like a drone, a real Ferrari, three new pairs of jeans, a mini excavator, and an Xbox please. I hope you can make it.
From K.M.D
Dear Santa, How are you doing today? Well I am doing good. Well, I do dance. This is what I wish for a vinyl player. Love spell body mist, Nike shoes, mini frige, Dr pepper.
Love, Joslynn 3rd Grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santaa, I like your elves, you Are nice and kind, i wish for doll elf Control air Plane and A drone.
Love, James Floyd 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santa, How was your day l wish i had a Ps5 and a vr set. And a switn
Love, Axel miland 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa
How are you doing good or bad? I’m good at basketball. I have a sister she is 7 years old. Her name is Taylynn.l wish for a cat. I wish for a dog. I wish for some shoes. I wish for american dolls.
Love Libby bomberger 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How is mrs.claws? Is she making cookies for you? I am 9 now! I Got to hold my baby niece Valintna. I am maybe going to get a new house! I am so excited! What I want for Christmas is a new bike,a baby brother, a new phone, slime, and squishies.
Dear Santa How is Mrs. claus! Is she making cookies? How is Rudolf ? I was having a fun time this year. I hope I am on the nice list. For thanksgiving I got to go to my cousins because I don’t really get to go to my cousins house often. This year may I get a new left hand calf rope. Then may I get a new rc car. Then may I get a new xbox. AND I LOVE MY ELFS!!!!!
Love Michael.Monoian 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santa, How is Mrs.claus? Is the randree ready for chirsams? I would hope so. I’ve been really good this year I think. This year I want a robot, slime,beanbag, and a watch. I hope you have a good Christmas!
Love Kyla sheridan 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa, How have you and mrs. Claus been? I am really good at volleyball. I Live in goldendale. It is a small town. I wish for a phone. Love, Cheyenne Belvedere 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa, Hey this is Lainey Binns and i was wanting to know how is rudolf? I’m really good at art and I Might make you art picture and the elfs are gonna give it to you! It’s candy and cane! I’ve been wanting a elephant plushy! And a New pillow for my bed cause my pillows are flat so yea please!
From, Lainey Sue binns 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa How have you been and how is Mrs claus? How are the Reindeers.Is it warm there? I have two sisters and one brother and this Thanksgiving I ate mac cheese and ham and I am on a basketball team and
a soccer team.I wish for a phone and a brown shirt and earrings and a brown sweater.
From Ana-maria najar 3rd grade
Goldendale primary
Dear santa
How are you doing? I got to go to the new bakery in townll wish I had more fun. I wish I had more fun with my Mom and Dad!How is mrs.claus?
From, Ryker callahan Goldendale Primary
Dear santa
Hi my name is Ori and how is Mrs.claus? Is she making cookies? I love art.I like to paint and drow. I love My family and I have two sister’s. I live In Goldendale and I hope you come to my house and it’s a small town.I wish for two rainbow high’s one yellow and the other one blue, a princess peach doll and a super mario party.
love, Ori howard 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa,
I hope you have a good time giving kids gifts. I’m really good at board games and video games. I’m bad at soccer, football and basketball. I wish I had a new pair of shoes a new jacket a new hat the third wild robot book the first harry potter book and a vr headset
Sincerely Oliver Zeiler 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santa
How are you doing santa claus and mrs claus I ate a lot of turkey and mash paedos I wish For stich cloths and stitch decorations I hop You are having a good time from, Rylee stine 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear Santa How are you doing at the north pole? I had Thanksgiving the food I ate was mash Potatoes,turkey and rice.What I want for Christmas is an R.C car,flying orb,legos and A toy bow and arrow.
From, Christopher Bento 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santa, Hello,my name is Ruby. I like to draw and make books. I would like a new controller for my nintendo switch. I hope Rudolph is doing good. I love Christmas songs. I like to eat chicken. I hope you are doing good. It’s probably exhausting giving presents to kids every Christmas. Thanksgiving went well for me.I hope Christmas goes well for you.
From Ruby smart 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Dear santa
Hows mrs claus? My name is Ben. I have a brother and a sister. I wish to see my mom. and Hows the reindeer especially rudolf ?
love, Ben wells 3rd grade goldendale primary
Dear santa
How are your reindeer? Did mrs.claus make good cookies? I have four brothers and two sisters. I live in Goldendale. I wish for my family to be healthy and to see my cousin again
Love
Liam Mickelson 3rd grade Goldendale Primary
Dear santa, I hope you are staying warm in the north pole.I went to my neighbors plase for thanksgiving.I wish for a Anerican doll.I wish for my papa to be sely.
From Aria Kale 3 grade Goldendale Primary
Dear Santa, How many toys do you produce for the holiday this year found Sonic I ego set. May I please have some Sonic Lego set, a Nerf auto blaster, a Super Sonic ac-
tion figure, and a Nintendo Gift cord for $35.00 for Christmas. Thank You Rom
Dear santa
How are you what I want for Christmas Is a hoverboard and a chocolate bear The rest of the presents I want you to Choose.
Love Enya lehner 3rd grade Goldendale primary
Deer santa
How are you? How is mrs claws? How is Rudolf? I played games at ms. Debby.s to eat. What I wish for I won’t v Bucks I wish for a pc I wish for a phone
Love, Izzack
3rd grade
Goldendale primary
Dear santa, How is your reindeer?! have 2 brothers and I live in goldendale Washington.! want a phone,a tablet and a dog.
From, Isabella Keith
3rd grade
Goldendale Primary
Dear santa,
What i want for christmas is a toy barbie, i want it to be a doctor barbie or a farmer barbie. I’ve been really good this year, so i hope you bring me good gifts! It has been so much fun to wake up and look for my elf that you sent to watch me. Another gift i was thinking about is a real life horse! Maybe like a patterned horse, i can’t wait for christmas morning to see all the gifts you brought me! Thank you for the gifts that you’re going to bring me, i hope you have a merry christmas and all the elfs too!
Love, Journey JoJean Willett
Dear Santa, Could you please bring me a watch and a pocket knife? I would also like a light saber toy. Santa, how did you get that Christmas magic?
Love, Easton J.H.
Klickitat Elementary
Mrs. Thiemann’s Class (Grades 4 and 5)
Dear Santa Claus, I would like a Nintendo switch system for me this Christmas. Also, it would be awesome if it came with a pro controller as well. p.s.: If you get those I might owe you something like a cookie, ummm no…. or a candy cane!
From Curtis Grade 5
Dear Santa, There aren’t many things I want for Christmas but here are a few things I do want. First, I want a cloud slim kit. Next violet crocs. Croc charms. A turtle and a pug.
From: Roxy Grade 5
Dear Santa, I would like to have a phone, lizard, lego, new basketball, another class set, a air soft gun, car mobile, recar, a pellet gun, and a hot wheels track.
From Matthias Grade 5
Dear Santa, I would like a 60 percent keyboard because it is one of the best keyboard in the world “in my opinion” I would like a light gear
mouse because people all of YouTube say it’s the best. I would like a gaming pc. I love gaming pcs. I played on my mom’s laptop. It can’t even play fortnite. It is really good at watching YouTube. I watch YouTube a lot. I would like a skatepark so I can ride my skateboard. I love riding my skateboard all around town with my friends. I love going to skateparks. I am getting really good at it.
From James Brewer 5th Grade
Dear Santa, I would like lots of things I want for Christmas this holiday is my favorite so the things I want I would like:
• A tomy simiyautomatic arsoftgun
• A cult 1911 arsoftgun
• A party the next day
• A pump that you can pore stuff in
• A new pair of J’s
• the I Survived series of books
From Ryker Grade 5
Dear Santa, 1. I want slime for Christmas. 2. I want a croc charms. 3. I want a new volleyball. 4. Hand clapper. 5. A pug toy. XOXO Marley, Grade 4
Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is…1. Water bottle (light purple) 2. Sweatpants 3. Hoodie 4. Book kit 5. Siri 6. 3D lights 7. Desk and chair 8. Things to decorate 9. Sink 10. Vanity 11. Bunkbed 12. Beanbags 13. Confyblankets 14. Art suplys 15. Heater/fan 16. Mini fridge 17. Shelves 18. Paint to paint room From Ryann Grade 5
Dear Santa, I would like possibly a kitten of my own. Also, Can I get a dark blue with white pink pulm puff hoodie because to get one on youtube you have to get 5,000 likes but I can’t get that many likes because I don’t have any fans. I’m also okay with a normal size hoodie well just a bit bigger, I like baggy sweaters. I would also like baggy sweaters. I would also really like some jeans. I love jeans, but I don’t have that many pairs. Could I get a 50 dollar robux card, I really want robux but I normally don’t get that much robux but if you get me coal or just a few things it’s okay; I don’t need a bunch of stuff. I just want it. Although the thing I really really REALLY want is a fidget box, slime, special art supplies, head phones, and finally snow to come on Christmas, the most I want is snow on Christmas because I miss having snow and I love snow. Thank you for reading this, have a good Christmas.
From Isis Sky 10 years old Grade 5
Dear Santa, What I want for Christmas is a dog, cat, bearded dragon, book, water bottle, stuffys, elf on the shelf, fish, basketball hoop, lots and lots of paper, copy machine, new room, bunkbed, toys, hotwheels, chars, huge white board, phone, tablet, computer, book kit, adidas (3’s), bunch of lights (3D), 3 desks, 4 chairs, staireow, tic tactoe, decorations, fake Christmas tree, sink, huge smartboard, beenbags, pc360, 20 controllers,
a sign that says do not enter, art supplies, heater/ fan, new windows, shelves, new binder, time out table with a chair, serie, rocking chairs, mini fridge, freezer.
From Sarah Grade 4
Dear Santa, I have been good this year, so I want a pocket knife or a bebe gun or a multiplication table.
Sincerely, Samantha Grade 4
Lyle 1st Grade Dear Santa, Hi can I have a dirt bikc please? Can I have a stufey and a Dr. Doom costum please? I have been good. Pleas prety please Santa. So just by just kiding no that’s it. By by and I love my mom and dad and family byyyyyyyyyyyy. Love, Colt
Dear Santa, How are you? I love Christmas cus you mac it fun! and I wot a gymnastiks stuf for Christmas. and I wot a pet caw. Plees. Love Matty
Dear Santa, How is the reindeer Could I have a hooloohoop? Love, Cora
Dear Santa, How is your day on the North Pole? I am good this week. Santa I want a goldfish pleas? Can I olso have a xbox plees! I love you Santa love Dominick
Dear Santa, Hi! How are you? I love unraping the presents and I was sore for kiking the kid from, Jack
Dear Santa, Hi! Haw are you” Haw is Misiscloos I woob like: to have a Hors and a laptop and sum mor dresup clos? love Zanna
Dear Santa, I love Chrismais! I rileey want a camru. I love you. From Damien
Dear Santa, I mis you! How are you? I want a go crt for Christmas and a scl (skull) hlmit. I wot a camra, glden Pocemon crds, and glden chans and glden braslets. Love, Kase
