Goldendale Sentinel October 1, 2025 by Goldendale Sentinel

HEADLINES & HISTORY SINCE 1879

Mural ribbon cutting coming to Little League ﬁeld

MELISSA UHLES FOR THE SENTINEL

On October 13 there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration of the new mural painted on the shipping container at the Little League field. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include a meet-and-greet with artist Scott Gray. Attendees are welcome to take pictures.

This project was instigated by the Chamber of Commerce’s Art at the Heart Committee who sent out a Call to Artists to bid on the project. Local art instructor

The secret life of heirloom apples

LORRIE FOX FOR THE SENTINEL

Scattered across homesteads and backyards throughout Klickitat County, heirloom apple trees may still harbor varieties planted by pioneers more than a century ago—apples whose true identities have faded into mystery. Among them is a Yellow Transparent tree growing on the homestead where this reporter lives. Imported from Russia and introduced by the USDA in 1870, this early, cold-hardy, floral-flavored fruit offers a living connection to the region’s pioneer orchards and agricultural heritage.

Scott Gray had the winning bid.

The hope is to do similar beautification projects in the future through the Creative District Committee and the Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce. For more information, I interviewed Sandra Choate, a member of Art at the Heart.

Sentinel: How were the funds obtained to pay the artist to create the mural?

Sandra: They were obtained through the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce’s fund used for the Art at the Heart committee projects. Money was

raised through a combination of donations and some grant money from the City of Goldendale.

Sentinel: How many artists applied to create the mural?

Sandra: We had two artists submit bids. The submissions were juried by a member of the Chamber, a Little League representative, and a citizen-at-large.

Sentinel: What is Scott Gray’s background as an artist?

Sandra: He is a professional artist and teaches art at the Middle School and High School.

Sentinel: Why do you think community art like this is im-

portant?

Sandra: At a very practical level, community art projects like this one improve the appearance of places and act as identification and branding for activities there. In this instance, the mural was painted on a 40-foot cargo container that had a history of graffiti abuse. Now it’s a beautiful beacon for our ball field. In a broader view, public art is essential. Even for folks who may think they don’t care about art, or feel it’s somehow inaccessible to them, or maybe don’t think they notice art, it’s nonetheless

all around us. It’s in the graphics used for signage, in our architecture, the designs of our cars, the music we hear—everywhere. And it influences us on very deep levels. Public art can make regular daily life more beautiful, more meaningful. It instills a sense of civic pride. It attracts visitors, which improves the local economy. It’s a good thing.

Sentinel: Tell me more about the Creative District Committee and how they plan to fund similar projects in Goldendale.

Sandra: The Creative District

Sheriff steps up calls for more funds

RODGER NICHOLS FOR THE SENTINEL

As Klickitat County heads deeper into budget season, Klickitat County Sheriff Bob Songer has stepped up his campaign for more funding for his department.

ABOVE: THESCIENCEWRITER.ORG. RIGHT: CONTRIBUTED.

RARE APPLES: Once there were more than 14,000 apple varieties; today only about 4,500 remain.

Some rare heirloom trees are here in Klickitat County. Above: a poster from 1917. Right: the Klickitat County booth at the Yakima Agricultural Fair in 1909. The sign in the back reads, “The Land Where the Rain and the Sunshine Meet.”

Identifying a historic apple tree often begins with knowing some of the history of the land. The homestead where this reporter

Biting into a Yellow Transparent apple is like tasting a century-old flower—juicy, delicate, and unlike anything commercially produced today. Its soft texture makes it ideal for cooking, baking, and especially applesauce. Small to medium in size, the fruit ripens from late July to early August, shifting from tart green to pale yellow with a rosy blush and a lingering floral sweetness. According to the Western Agricultural Research Center, the Yellow Transparent was one of several apples imported by the USDA in 1870 to provide northern settlers with early-ripening, cold-hardy fruit for drying and cooking. Also known as White Transparent, Glass Apple, Russian Transparent, and Swoksnoi schtosi, it was prized by homesteaders for its adaptability, disease resistance, and dependable harvests. Its short shelf life, however, meant it was best suited for drying, baking, and applesauce. (agresearch.montana.edu)

lives, for example, was built in 1889 in a small farming community. The Yellow Transparent tree here has an unusually large trunk and tangled old and broken branches that make it look like it

needs a haircut. Abandoned trees typically bear fruit only every other year; this one failed to produce last season, but this year’s crop proved both tasty and a prob-

New sales tax on services takes effect

JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET

WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD

A contentious new sales tax on services that Democratic state lawmakers relied on to pay for Washington’s latest budget takes effect today.

A significant component of the bill is its tax on advertising services. The tax does not apply to advertising in newspapers, which are exempt from collecting or paying sales taxes. Senate Bill 5814 is one of the biggest moneymakers used to

bring in an estimated $3.6 billion over the next two years to fill a shortfall in the operating budget. This law is expected to fuel $1.1 billion in the two-year budget that began July 1, and $2.6 billion over four years. Hundreds of millions of dollars will also flow to local governments, as they get a share of state sales tax proceeds.

a key piece of the

is in question.

Comcast be-

services is illegal and is suing

overturned. The state attorney general’s office is expected to respond to the lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court in the coming weeks. It could be months before a judge weighs in on the provision’s future. The tax on advertising services is specifically expected to bring in roughly $475 million over the next four years. It’s unclear what would happen to collections made under the new tax if the law is later ruled invalid, a state Department of Revenue spokesperson said.

A block on the tax would throw a major kink into the $77.8 billion budget passed after months of negotiations in the Legislature. The next 60-day legislative session begins in January. The law earns the state money by applying the retail sales tax to more services. Beyond advertising, it covers temporary staffing ($833 million over four years), security ($127 million), live presentations ($360 million) and information technology ($189 million), among others. Temporary

“For over 20 years, the Board of County Commissioners have not hired one additional deputy,” he told them at their September 23 meeting. “During that same time period, the population of Klickitat County has doubled, and so has the crime rate. Bottom line is we need additional deputies hired to improve public safety.”

The growth in population of Klickitat County from 19,161 in 2000 (according to the census that year) and 24,568 in 2025 actually is just over 28 percent.

Crime statistics for the county from 2005 are hard to come by. The FBI figure for that year is 288, but that only counts a half-dozen crime categories. Songer acknowledged that other agencies need help as well. “I’m not denying that,” he said. “What the problem is, all these agencies, if they’re short of staff, they’re not going to get injured or killed. That’s the reality of it.”

Failure to fund his department to the level he considers adequate, he said, could have consequences.

“We are looking right now— and I don’t want to do this, God forbid—we are looking at cutting services for our citizens,” he said, “to only respond to in-progress crimes. Now there’s going to be a lot of pushback on that, but I don’t have a choice. I have to maintain a balanced budget, and I have to maintain safety for our citizen and our officers.”

Later, asked what was the one takeaway she most wanted the public to get from the meeting regarding the budget, Commissioner Lori Zoller responded, “The sheriff’s budget. And it’s very clear, following

MELISSA UHLES

FINE ART: Scott Gray’s artwork is seen on this mural at the Goldendale Little

WAGAP Energy Assistance phone lines open November 3

Tamara Kaufman For The SenTinel

Beginning Monday, November 3, at 8 a.m., Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will begin taking calls to schedule appointments for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for low-income residents in Klickitat and Skamania counties who need assistance paying their heating bills.

Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto said the process was delayed by a month due to unexpected contract delays.

LIHEAP is provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce. It covers all types of heating, including propane, electric, gas, oil, coal, and wood. To qualify for this program, a participant household’s average monthly income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

For those needing energy assistance in Skamania County, call (509) 493-2662 extension 315 to put your name on the appointment waiting list. For those in Klickitat County, contact the Energy Assistance Program at (509) 493-2662 extension

202. A toll-free line is available to those in either county by calling (800) 755-1192 extension 202. The phone lines begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. on November 3. Any calls received before that time will not be accepted for the appointment waiting list.

Callers will be prompted to leave their name, phone number, and the town they live in and should indicate whether they are seniors (age 60 plus). They will be added to a waiting list, with seniors receiving priority. Callers are asked to leave only one message unless there is a change in their contact information. Staff will then contact callers directly in the order messages were received to schedule a fall appointment.

Even if a caller has applied for energy assistance in the past, each applicant must put together a complete packet of information for their appointment, including:

• ID for all adults in the household.

• Social Security cards for all household members (adults and children).

• Income received in the prior month for all household members.

Prescribed burns to occur

Columbia Land Trust is planning to implement a series of prescribed burns at Bowman Creek Natural Area (near Zelinski Road west of the Glenwood-Goldendale Highway).

Burn dates are scheduled for October 1 through 3, weather permitting. Expect to see fire personnel and smoke in the area on these days. Do not report the smoke, as it jams up emergency dispatch lines, and the fire will be closely monitored.

This burn will reduce accumulated fuels on the forest floor and lower the risk of future high severity wildfire, in addition to improving forest health and forage for wildlife. The county burn ban may still

be in effect, but this is a permitted broadcast burn with a comprehensive burn plan that has been reviewed and permitted by Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Broadcast burns, unlike typical backyard burns, are conducted by trained personnel and utilize specialized equipment, including hundreds of gallons of onsite water and fire engines. Smoke may linger in the area for a few days before fully dissipating, so you are encouraged to close your windows if you live nearby to reduce smoke exposure. For more information, email connect@columbialandtrust.org.

• Proof of their physical address.

• A copy of their heating bill. This complete documentation packet must be brought to the scheduled appointment to apply for energy assistance. Staff cannot hold incomplete applications and must reschedule an appointment if anything is missing. This is not an emergency program. Scheduling will be done on a first-come, firstserved basis. If a caller has been issued a disconnect notice from their energy provider, they must continue to work with that vendor to resolve the issue.

Energy Assistance application events for seniors aged 60 and over will be held at local senior centers and are scheduled at the following locations and times:

• Goldendale PUD, 1313 S Columbus Ave., Goldendale - Thursday, October 23, and Thursday, October 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Lyle Lions Community Center, 503 Lewis and Clark Hwy, Lyle - Tuesday, November 4, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• White Salmon Pioneer Center, 501 NE Washing-

ton Street, White Salmon - Monday, November 17, and Tuesday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Stevenson Hegewald Center, 710 SW Rock Creek Dr., Stevenson - Wednesday, November 5, and Wednesday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The senior center events are only for seniors. Those aged 59 and younger must go through the phone application process listed at the beginning of the article.

For all qualified participants, the benefit amount will be based on their household income and records of the past twelve months of heating costs. If approved, the participant would receive a one-time credit to their energy account, and the credit would continue to be applied until the entire amount has been used. Those using wood sources receive a vendor voucher, and the vendor would be reimbursed through WAGAP.

To learn more about Energy Assistance and other WAGAP programs, visit www.wagap.org/programs.

DE-STRESS

Last Friday, September 19, a felony sex offender wanted for the rape of a child and incest was apprehended debarking from a boat on the Columbia River.

That day Klickitat County Sheriff’s Sergeant Adam Dyment was contacted by the U.S. Marshal Service asking for assistance in locating a subject believed to be in Klickitat County for an existing felony arrest warrant. The subject was Pedro Cruz-Guzman, 42, from Toppenish, Washington. The felony arrest warrant for Pedro Cruz-Guzman was for Rape of a Child 1 Domestic Violence and Incest 1 Domestic Violence.

The U.S. Marshals further informed Dyment that Cruz-Guzman has a history of violent tendencies, fleeing, eluding, and that he was an illegal immigrant. They added that they located Pedro’s vehicle in Klickitat County at the Pine Creek Treaty Fishing Site, east of Roosevelt, and that he was in a boat fishing on the Columbia River. Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) officer Sergeant Randy Wells was called out to use a KCSO boat in an attempt to locate Cruz-Guzman on the river. Deputies Chance Leroue, Brian Nicholson, Deputy Zack McBride, and K-9 Officer Zeus also assisted. McBride and K-9 Zeus, along with a couple of U.S. Marshals, were on land watching Pedro’s vehicle while Wells was locating Cruz-Guzman on the river. McBride and the Marshals observed a boat with Cruz-Guzman on board pull up to the dock. They observed the suspect leave the boat and get into his vehicle, at which point they took Cruz-Guzman into custody on the felony warrant. He was transported to the Klickitat County Jail.

G OLDENDALE ’ S A TTIC

This week’s Goldendale’s Attic

This picture is a charming image of someone checking her image. No, wait! Actually, these are two different women–look

at the eyes and mouth on each. Anyone have any idea who they are? We don’t. All we know is this picture ran in The Sentinel sometime,

L OOKING BACK

September 25, 1890 – 135 Years Ago

The following gentlemen have commenced the construction of new houses in Hopkins in addition to Goldendale the past week: Charles H. Newell (the Red House), Hiram Dustin, C. M. Duvall and John Bennett.

September 29, 1955 – 70 Years Ago

Hazel Anthon of Underwood won first place in oil painting exhibits at the Central Washington Fair at Yakima last week with her painting of “The Old Red House” in Goldendale. The old three-story house behind Tol’s Café has been the subject of innumerable pictures, sketches, and paintings over the years and never fails to strike the fancy of passersby on busy Highway 97, just a stone’s throw away. Mrs. Anthon was also intrigued by the novel dwelling, patterned after a Swiss chalet, and made it the subject of a fine work of art.

September 29, 1955 – 70 Years Ago

Higher rates will be in effect for water and sewer service in Goldendale starting October 1. After that date the monthly water rental will be $3.13 for residences, rather than $3.10. The monthly sewer rental will be raised from 75 cents to $1.50 for residences, to pay off the $80,000 bond issue for extending the city’s sewer systems, The three cents was added to the monthly water bill when city officials discovered that they had not been charging enough according to standard rate structures.

September 27, 1990 – 35 Years Ago

When Goldendale Primary Principal Sue Thrasher drew the names of Noma Ferguson and Carla Wilkins out of a hat, the two teachers were not optimistic. They would now be sharing a classroom—the middle school band room, actually—with each other. ” We kind of had some anxieties, wondering if we would have to team teach.” “The Wilfer Room,” as the Wilkins-Ferguson room became known, now houses close to 50 kids. The desks are arranged in a semi-circle—coincidentally like a band or orchestra would be arranged in the room, with steps leading up to all the seats.

September 22, 2005 – 20 Years Ago

Liquidation Auction: After 20 years in business Delos and Melinda are retiring and liquidating their complete line of full-service restaurant, pizza, and ice cream shop equipment. Liquidation is Saturday September 23, at Reno’s Pizza.

September 29, 2005 – 20 Years Ago

Victims of Hurricane Katrina rampage can be found all over the United States. Even Goldendale is harboring an evacuee: Becky Tasto Martin, who graduated from Goldendale High school in 1997, lives in Gulfport, Miss., one of the areas hardest hit by Katerina. After leaving the area, she came home to stay with parents Tom and Mary Tasto in Goldendale. When she returned to assess the damage to her apartment, she found the amount of destruction hard to understand. There are all the elements of everyday life strewn around the streets. “I live a mile away from the coast, and up to a half mile from the coast is just flattened,” she observed.

—Richard Lefever Klickitat County Historical Society

Answer to last week´s Mystery Picture

The year, we’re told, was either 2014 or 2015—and the picture wasn’t taken in Goldendale. Several people recognized Mel Robseron, Semily, Snell, and Linda

Dugan. Regarding last week’s photo, we’re informed that Dr. Timmer’s first name was Gerald.

Mystery Picture

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.

Lyle Man Whittles Out Boats; Recalls Days Spent As Seaman

September 29, 1938

Once a sailor, always a sailor describes Jake Tol, 60-year-old Holland born seaman, who for the past 25 years has lived quietly at Lyle reminiscing over the days he spent roving the seven seas as an A. B. in the Dutch and British merchant marine.

In his spare moments Jake Tol has continued his hobby of carving out sailing ships, three masted brigantines and barks and skooners like the ships he sailed in around the world.

During the past week an exhibit of these model ships, some of them mounted inside bottles in the time honored manner of the sea and some mounted inside elaborately carved pine frames and painted glass covers, have been on display in The Sentinel ofﬁce.

Went Around World

The ships exhibited by Tol were carved out entirely by hand. The frames of the three ornate ship mountings shown in The Sentinel window were carved by Tol with an ordinary pocket knife from pine wood.

Born on a small Dutch farm near Rotterdam, Holland, Tol, like so many of the hardy men of his race, went to sea as a boy of 15.

Points to ponder:

By the time he was 17 Tol was an able bodied seaman and was on the British bark Nibsdale bound around the world. Has Keepsake Sailing ships traveled slowly in those days in the early 1890’s and Tol’s ship did not again reach the home port of Glasgow for three years. During the trip around the globe Tol’s ship rounded Cape of Good Hope, touched Cape Town, Madagascar, several points in India, the East Indies, Australia, Chile went around the Horn and back to Scotland. Fifteen dollars a month was sailor’s pay in those days and considered good at that, Tol recalls.

As a keepsake of that trip, Tol has a small model of the ship Nibsdale under full sale mounted inside a small whiskey bottle. This ship model was made by Tol more than 40 years ago while he was bound round the world.

Today Tol operates the Holland café in Lyle and in his spare time carves ships, mounts them inside bottles, whose openings seem altogether too small for the model sailing ships inside them, and spins yarns about the sea.

The economy is so bad, I got a pre-declined credit card offer in the mail.

A seminar on Time Travel will be held two weeks ago. People laughed at me when I told them I wanted to be a comedian. Well, they’re not laughing now.

I was staying at a motel and asked for a wake-up call. The receptionist said, “You’re in your mid-40s, living with your mother, and you’ve achieved nothing in life.”

(Roberson)

OpiniOn

Find a good word to say about others or don’t say anything. What have you gained when you make a bad comment about someone? Pray for those you are tempted to hate and be kind to them when you have an opportunity. People reap what they sow, and it’s not up to you or me to enact judgement. God is in charge of the universe, and as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “The wheels of God’s justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”

Of course, you call the police if there is a villain in the community. You call 911 if you fear someone is about to carry out evil. See something, say something—that’s a call to civil action. The consequences of ignoring danger or mental illness have ramifications that often end in death. In our society, we see what one crazy person can do to a school, a college campus, a church, or a city. These acts impact our towns and our world.

Unfortunately, we cannot save everyone, but it’s worth a try. Churches used to have a mission to evangelize everyone in the city to the message of the Bible. Today many churches are satisfied if a few people show up and keep the church’s bills paid. The highlight of their work is when they can all get together and eat dinner. Dinner is always nice, but our society has too many people totally disconnected from reality and are living in isolated depression. These people need to be saved—from their despair, their loneliness, and from becoming resentful toward others who are making a positive impact in the world.

What gets into the mind of a 22-year-old young man that causes him to kill another young man who is dynamic, intelligent, and trying to contribute to society as he sees fit? What happens to a young guy who hates his life so much that he decides to end it by killing children at an elementary school or at a church? Sitting at home, staring at a cell phone all day and fostering a deep resentment toward others is poisonous to the person and to society when the poison is unleashed.

More than ever schools must encourage participation in activities that are geared toward helping youth to be affirmed, encouraged, and to develop into contributing citizens. Every kid should be required to participate in something. Some schools and churches offer more than others, but we all need to step it up some.

When I was a kid, all we had was basketball. For nine years, it was a life-saving routine for me. I had lots of exercise, coaching, and a core of activity that was meaningful and fulfilling to me. I also found inclusion and affirmation at church. My local church reached out to me and was very supportive as a teenager. Any kind of sports involvement or church participation for America’s youth is generally lifebuilding during a critical period of formation. Obviously, it can’t be only sports. Many churches no longer offer much for today’s youth, so it may be music groups, physical education groups, academic societies, home making, gardening, fishing, and more.

THE GOLDENDALE SENTINEL

Official newspaper of Klickitat County, Washington

Established 1879 • Published every Wednesday from offices at 117 W. Main Street • Goldendale, WA 98620 • Telephone: (509) 773-3777

Emails: news@goldendalesentinel.com (News, editorial, Letters)

Obits@goldendalesentinel.com (Obituaries)

Classifieds @goldendalesentinel.com (Classified ads and inquiries) Ads @goldendalesentinel.com

(Display advertising information and inquiries)

Legals @goldendalesentinel.com (Legal and public notices)

Payables@goldendalesentinel.com

Receivables@goldendalesentinel.com

Events @goldendalesentinel.com (Events and activities)

Editorial:

Lou Marzeles, Editor & Publisher

Business and office staff:

Owned by Tartan Publications, Inc.

Leslie Geatches, President, Financial management, Special Section production, Ad Design Naomi James, Bookkeeping

Anything that gives our young people a positive place to be besides locked up in their rooms staring at their phones.

It’s also going to take more than schools and churches. It’s going to take local civic groups and county/city government involvement. Most importantly and above all, families must work to keep their children out of isolation and despair by helping them find and discover life-building activities that enable them to develop a positive life and contribute to a positive society. The school, the church, cities, and government are depending on you and your family to orchestrate and implement this dire initiative.

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.

Ken McKune Goldendale C

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.”

“For No Reason At All” I particularly found offensive.

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

Guidelines for Letters

Letters to the editor should be original and comment on an issue. Deadline for letters is noon Monday for the same week’s paper.

Requests to keep letters exactly as written when published cannot be honored. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, spelling, clarity, and/or brevity.

There is a suggested length limit of about 300 words.

Unsigned letters (including anonymity requests), letters with fictitious signatures, letters with multiple signatures, or letters to public officials are not accepted.

Please keep the tone of letters free of rants, wild speculation, unsubstantiated claims, or pointedly personal comments. Letters that go overboard in these directions will be refused publication.

Writers must include name, city/town of residence, and phone number for verification purposes. (Street address is not required, only city or town.)

As in every community, our little Glenwood community celebrates lives of the new arrivals, those who have reached that golden age of retirement, and those we have lost. All three of those life events took place here last weekend.

Many family and friends gathered at the Millers’ Quarter Moon Ranch last Saturday to shower Aubrey Stephens with gifts and best wishes as she and Johnny and little Pacen prepare for the arrival of their daughter Paisley, who will join the Stephens family in just a couple months. We are all eager to meet Glenwood’s newest little cowgirl soon.

Later Saturday evening the Glenwood Rodeo dance hall was filled with lots of family and friends to wish Emma Jane LaVallie a very happy and well-deserved retirement. Emma Jane was a paraeducator and served the Glenwood School for 42 years as a valuable member of the Glenwood staff. I had many opportunities to watch Emma Jane in action, gently working with the students, keeping her cool no matter what came her way. Her gentle manner and genuine love for the students spoke much louder than her soft voice. She will be greatly missed in the school, but I’m betting she shows up to help the current public school employees (PSE) when they run the concessions or hold other events at the school. Thank you, Emma Jane, for giving so many years to the students of Glenwood. They are all richer for having you. Finally, the Glenwood gym was filled almost to standing room on Sunday to celebrate the well-lived life of Duane Dewey who passed at the age of 81. Duane and the love of his life, his wife Marlene, moved to Glenwood in 1998 and built a beautiful little home that soon became

H ometown

a very popular gathering place for their many friends and extended family. Duane served in the Vancouver Police Department for 25 years. Later, here in Klickitat County, he was an original member and captain in the Sheriff’s Posse. He was a long-time member of the Glenwood Rodeo Association and Back Country Horsemen. An honor guard from the Vancouver Police Department took part in the great tribute to Duane. Our deepest condolences go to Marlene and all their family and friends. Duane stories will be told here for many, many years to come. And, as always, life goes on here in Glenwood with school and community activities. After a win in a game with Lyle/Wishram/ Klickitat last Thursday and a tough loss in five very close games against Damascus Christian in Trout Lake last Friday, the Glenwood/Trout Lake (Lakewood) volleyball team has back-to-back games this week. On Thursday, October 2, they have a game with Ione/ Arlington in the Glenwood gym. Game time is 5 p.m. The next evening Lakewood plays in Trout Lake against Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler. That game will also begin at 5 p.m. Both are very important league games. Please come out and watch these outstanding athletes and let them know you support them. Good luck, Lakewood.

Don’t forget the Glenwood Homemakers Fall Bazaar at the school on Saturday, October 5. Sunday the 5th will be the fall meeting of the Camas Prairie and Vicinity Pioneers Association meeting. This will be a chance to learn more fascinating Glenwood history and enjoy a nice potluck dinner beginning at 1 p.m. in the school multi-purpose room. All are welcome to attend.

What’s in the Sky

Jim White For the Sentinel

Welcome to October, the first full month of Autumn. Nights grow significantly longer this month. By the end of October, sunset comes before 6 p.m.! Earlier darkness makes for good evening stargazing when skies are clear. Nights are colder but not as frigid as in winter.

October will be an excellent month in which to view Saturn. The ringed planet made its closest approach to Earth in September but is still close to Earth this month. And it will be in better position for evening viewing. At its September 21 opposition, Saturn rose at sunset and was at its highest in the night sky (and easiest to see) at about midnight. In mid-October, Saturn will be about 30 degrees above the horizon at 9 p.m. Look for Saturn as the bright “star” in the southeastern sky, below the great square of Pegasus.

The bright planets, Jupiter and Venus, are still early morning objects in October. Bright Venus will be prominent, low in the east before

sunrise. Jupiter will be high in the southeastern morning sky. Both will be very bright, outshining everything except the Moon in October night skies.

Mars and Mercury will be low in the west after sunset and difficult to see unless you have a clear view of the western horizon. In mid-October, the two planets will be very close to each other. Look low in the southwest after sunset. Mercury will be brighter, with dimmer Mars directly above it on the 18th.

The Moon begins October low in the south in Capricornus. It will be just past its first quarter stage. On the 5th the almost full Moon will lie just above Saturn and just above faint

Neptune. October’s full Moon (harvest Moon) will come on the 6th. It will be a “super moon”, about 13% brighter than average. On the 9th, the waning gibbous Moon will cross in front of the bright star cluster Pleiades. Check it out with a pair of binoculars. On the 16th in the early morning sky, look for the Moon above the bright star Regulus high in the southeast.

On the night of October 22-23, the Orionid meteor shower will be at its peak.

The Orionids originate from the famous comet Halley, which enters the inner solar system every 76 years.

The comet is named after Edmund Halley, who first theorized that comets orbit the Sun and periodically

FFA Ag Ed Olympics

return to the inner solar system. In 1682 he observed the comet that later carried his name and calculated it would return in 1758. Its return in that year proved Halley’s theory.

Though not as prolific as the Perseid shower, the Orionid peak this year will occur just after new Moon with no interference from moonlight.

As mentioned earlier, on October 9 you can check out the Moon crossing in front of the bright star cluster Pleiades. While that will be an interesting view, you can get a better impression of the star cluster on dark nights, when the moonlight does not interfere. While you are doing that, see if you can find another pretty pair of star clusters, the double-cluster in Perseus.

Check out the picture with this article for the location of these two gems.

What about Halloween? On the 31st, the waxing gibbous Moon will be about 75% illuminated, providing a nice amount of light for treat-seeking youngsters.

Enjoy the night skies of October!

our FFA said, “My favorite station was the food science aromas because I noticed that when people say that it smells like mint, the sample starts to smell like mint. I think it’s interesting how our senses can be swayed by our thinking.”

For more information see www.ffa.org or the Goldendale FFA Facebook and Instagram.

GaGe halm GmS FFa reporter

On September 18, 2025, 41 Goldendale Middle and High School FFA members went to Ki-Be High School for the Ag Ed Olympics. It was part of National Teach Ag Day, and schools from all over the Yakima Valley and Tri-Cities came, too. There were 88 FFA members in total.

The point of the day was

to learn more about what it’s like to be an agriculture teacher and be involved in other agricultural courses. We got to try out seven different stations, each run by actual ag teachers, student teachers, or CTE paraprofessionals. Every station showed off something they do in their job that they find fun.

Stations provided were:

• Make a boutonniere (fancy flower thing)

• Sniff mystery scents in a food science challenge

• Do a mini tractor pull (yes, really!)

• Figure out which leaves are from Washington

• Trim a dog’s toenails (kind of wild)

• Match up livestock body parts

• Tag a cow’s ear (not a real cow, don’t worry) At the end we had to pick our favorite station and say why. Autumn Dudley from

C WHAT’S IT LIKE?: Goldendale Middle and High School FFA members attended the Ag Ed Olympics recently.

This Calendar of Events listing is FREE! Email your event to events@goldendalesentinel.com or call 509-773-3777.

Are you in need of an eyecatching display ad to highlight your event? Email us at ads@ goldendalesentinel.com. Our friendly, helpful staff would love to help you find an advertising package that works for your needs and fits your budget! We offer online ads as well—with roughly 22,000 unique hits on our website each month, this is a great way to reach even more people.

October 4, 2025 Concours de Maryhill: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m at the Maryhill Loops. Concours de Maryhill is an open automobile show and anyone with a special car may enter. The day concludes with an awards presentation. This event is organized by Concours de Maryhill and is free on museum grounds for spectators. Enter A Car Want to enter your car? Go to the Concours de Maryhill website for more information. Drive the Maryhill Loops Road The historic Maryhill Loops Road is opened for automobiles only twice a year. This is your chance to take a spin past the beautiful scenery and through the road’s eight hairpin curves. Free on the historic Maryhill Loops Road, located just east of US 97 off of State Route 14. Maryhill Loops Hillclimb: 9 am-5 pm Only approved, pre-registered automobiles and drivers can compete in this race. Spectators viewing the race from the Highway 97 Overlook and from designated viewpoints along the route may watch for free. Organized by the Maryhill Loops Vintage Hill Climb Association. For Entry Form or Information contact Starke Shelby at 206-230-0203 or Starke@Nwinsctr-Mi.Com.

October 4, Fair Appreiation Dinner: 5 p.m.at the Fairgriund Let’s celebrate the amazing volunteers, sponsors, and community members who make the fair possible—and welcome in our brand-new 2026 Fair & Rodeo Queen!

�� Come for the food stay for the memories, and help us kick off another incredible year of tradition and rodeo spirit! Dinner will be catered by Sister Wives Catering! Menu includes…. Roast beef, au gratin pota-

Regular Happenings

• Free Community Kitchen

To-Go Meals: the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month and every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 5 or 5:30 until the food runs out. Methodist Church on the corner of Columbus and Broadway.

• Alcoholics Anonymous, Goldendale United Methodist Church, 7-8 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday

• To Your Health, Plant based Food Matters seminars on the physiology of nutrition, Join us the 1st monday of the month from 5:30 - 87 p.m. for a potluck dinner, sharing recipes and ideas, as well as a chance to learn.

The Better Livin Center, 59 Bicleton Rd 509-250-1354 Faye.

• Dr. Ogden’s Street Jam every Monday at 7 p.m. in front of the Goldendale Senior Center

• 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. 509-773-3776 or CPAKC on Facebook.

• Goldendale City Council meetings 6 p.m. 1103 S Columbus 1st and 3rd Monday of every month (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) https://www.

ci.goldendale.wa.us/

• Adult Book Discussion Group meets every third Monday at 11 a.m. – Goldendale

Community Events

toes, salad, roll. $20 per person, tickets available at the door! 5 & under are free. Tickets include 2 drink tokens for 21 and over! Visiting royalty $15 per person. October 4, October 4 - 26 Horseshoe & Sprout Pumpkin Patch: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October at 774 Garner Rd, Centerville. Hay mazes, pumpkin chucking, and a petting zoo—fall fun for the whole family! Fall fun awaits at the Pumpkin Patch! Explore the hay maze, visit the petting zoo, try your hand at pumpkin chucking, snap festive photos, shop unique gifts, enjoy tasty concessions, and more. A perfect autumn adventure for all ages!

October 4, Harvest Dinner: 3 - 6 p.m. at The Lodge on South Columbus across from the Courthouse in Goldendale. Join us for a community harvest dinner, sponsored by CPAKC. October 5, 2025 Koroga 2025! : 3 p.m. at 415 NW Strawberry Mountain Lane, White Salmon. A White Salmon Bingen Rotary Club Foundation Fundraiser:” Our 2025 Koroga fundraiser is designed for an afternoon of community! Enjoy international foods, wines, music by Jamba Marimba, storytelling, and see how Rotary projects impact lives. Let’s come together and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

DOUBLE your DONATION - 2X the IMPACT with our donor match! Register and donate at https://www. zeffy.com/ticketing/ koroga

October 11, 1st annual Goldend Pumpkin 5k Fun Run/Walk: 10:30 - 1 p.m. 774 Garner Rd Horseshoe and Pumpkin Sprout farm wants you to j oin us for our first 5k run/ walk before heading into the pumpkin patch for a day of fun fall activities. In support of October breast cancer awareness month, all proceeds less cost to be donated to Celilo

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. goldendaleschools.org/ about/school-board

• Goldendale School Board Meeting: 4th Monday of the month at the High School Cafeteria.

Tuesday

• White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Meeting every Tuesday at 301 Dewalt Dr, White Salmon.

• Adult Fiber Art Social Circle: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Goldendale Community Library

• EPIC Youth Center Games: 3 - 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday. All students (1st grade and up) welcome to come meet new friends and play a variety of games. A release of liabilities and a parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Youth under 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 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.

Cancer Center. Visit https:// www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ goldenpumpkin/2025-goldenpumpkin-5k-run-walk for more info.

October 12, Fall Hunter’s Dinner: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Bickleton Alder Creek Grange Hall.

October 13, Little League Fields Mural Unveiling: 10:30 a.m. at the Little League Fields. Join us for the grand reveal of the new mural. This beautiful artwork has been funded by the Chamber’s Art at the Heart committee and erected by local artist Scott Gray.

Eventbrite.com - OR • Drop off a check at either the Hospital or Family Medicine Registration Desk Attention: KVH Memorial Foundation (please include your phone number) - OR • Mail a check to KVH Memorial Foundation, 310 S. Roosevelt, Goldendale, WA 98620 – Attention: KVH Memorial Foundation (please include your phone number) Tickets are $50 per person. Extra buy-in for Tournaments / $20 Blackjack / $40 Texas Hold’em Make checks to: KVH

in Goldendale. Celebrate the spirit of fall at the Klickitat County Harvest Festival! This all-day, family-friendly event is packed with festive fun for all ages: Trunk or Treat – Safe, spooky fun with decorated trunks and plenty of candy Local Vendors – Handmade crafts, fall goods, and small business treasures Live Performances – Music, dance, and entertainment all day long Kids’ Activities – Face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, and more Delicious Food – Seasonal eats, sweet treats, and cozy comfort food Petting Zoo – Meet adorable farm animals up close Bounce Houses – Burn off that candy energy with inflatable fun Hay Rides – Take a ride through the crisp autumn countryside Parade – Floats, costumes, community pride, and classic smalltown charm And More! – Photo ops, raffles, contests, and fall fun at every corner. Come out and enjoy a day full of community, creativity, and classic harvest traditions. Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s something magical waiting for you at the 2025 Klickitat County Harvest Festival!

October23, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: 7:30 p.m. at the Bingen Theater 210 Oak St. Let’s Do the Time Warp… Again! We hear you, creatures of the night! You’re mourning the absence of our annual live Rocky Horror Show. But our actors need a break. (Trust us, fishnets aren’t as breathable as they look.)

warping movie version.

October 25, National Take Back Day: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Goldendale Courthouse Parking Lot. In Person, take back site. Drop off unwanted or unused medicaiton, no questions asked. November 8, Fall Fest Craft Show: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m at the Goldendale American Legion on Broadway., Crafts, food, and Fun! Vendors call Tina at 509951-2159

November 8, Columbia Grange 87’s 136th Birthday Party: 1 - 4 p.m. Come help us celebrate our 136th birthday! It is the oldest grange hall in the state of Washington still in its original building. It will be held in the Grange Hall on Columbia Grange Rd off Old Hwy 8 near the Canyon Rd turnoff. Program starts at 1pm followed by a (bring a pie, buy a pie) pie auction fundraiser and cake and ice cream. Help us keep this historic building in our community.

Novembr 11, Goldendale Veterans Day Parade: 11 a.m.

November 14 - 16, Winter Wonderland Bazaar: Friday 4 - 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Masonic Building in White Salmon, 146 W. Jewett. November 15, Bickleton Holiday Market: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the School. Vendors wanted, call 509-896-2113 or 509-8962781

October 18, Casino Night: TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS! THEY’RE GOING, GOING QUICKLY! Three ways to purchase• Go to KVHCasinoNight@

Visit www.klickitatcounty. org/643/Board-of-CountyCommissioners for information, agenda, and link for Zoom meeting.

• TOPS Club Inc. – Taking Pounds off Sensibly 10 a.m. at he American Legion on Broadway. Questions? Sally/ojala@gmail. com.

• 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 509250-3746.

• 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

• PARENTS of Murdered Children group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the American Legion at 6 p.m.

• GAMES! Pinochle, cards, dominoes, and more every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Goldendale Senior Center on East Main. All are welcome!

• Healing Song Circle: 6:30 –7:30 p.m. every 4th Wednesday of the month, Missing Corner in BZ Corner. By donation $1020, 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.

Memorial Foundation

Please join us for a fun filled night!

October 18, Klickitat County Harvest Festival: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. at the Courthouse

• 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!

• 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.

• 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

• Dog Obedience and Agility Classes Fundraiser for the 4H Dog Project. Every Thursday at .6 p.m. all summer at Father’s House Fellowship Hall. Proof of vaccinations required Kids and Adults welcome Puppies need 1st series of shots completed 509 -250-1623 for more info

• EPIC Youth Center Games: 6:30 - 8 p.m. every Thursday. 5th grade and older welcome though a release of liabilities and parent agreement of conduct must be on file. Visit epicyouthcenter.org for forms.

• Rosary every Thursday evening at 6 p.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

But! Because it’s the 50th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, we’re trading the stage for the silver screen! Join us for two nights only as we celebrate the cult classic that started it all - the outrageous, glitter-soaked, time-

Carol for location 971-404-1935

• 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 5 yrs) 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

• Bingo at the Goldendale American Legion Thursdayscard 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 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.

November 16, Christmas Craft Fair: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 210 South Columbus at The Lodge. Join the Seventh-Day Adventisc School for a Christmas Craft Fair fundraising event. December 5 - 7, Winter Wonderland Bazaar: Friday 48 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Bingen November13, Goldendale Farmer’s Market Annual Holiday Bazaar: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Goldendale Grange Hall on East Darland. Kick off the holiday season at this annual community favorite! The Holiday Bazaar features local vendors offering handmade gifts, seasonal décor, baked goods, crafts, and more— all perfect for holiday shopping. Enjoy a festive atmosphere while supporting small businesses and artisans from the Goldendale area.

• 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 Saturday

• Goldendale Farmers Market May thru October at the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce on Broadway every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• High Prairie Farmers Market 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month. Vendors please call Bea 509637-0584

• Hope Neighborhood 4:306:00 p.m. 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.

• 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 10 a.m. - 1 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 Sunday

• Trout Lake Farmers Market: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Grange Hall.

the money, that there was an amount that was funded in the budget for 2025 that needed to be realigned. It was there, it was available, but it just needed to be moved officially from one BARS [Budgetary Accounting and Reporting System] number to another, and these commissioners did that. And along with that, they gave an extra $80,000 towards payroll.” Commissioner Ron Ihrig said the important thing he wanted the public to know is that the board has agreed to disagree and whether the public agrees with the board or not, they are trying to move forward.

staffing services hospitals use are exempt.

Over the summer, the Department of Revenue hosted listening sessions with affected businesses.

Over 90,000 businesses are expected to pay under the law. Companies complained of a lack of clarity on how the taxes would be implemented and the adverse effects this will have on their bottom line.

The law also adds taxes on emerging nicotine products, like Zyn pouches, which don’t kick in until Jan. 1. Some other tax increases Democrats approved this year, including to Washington’s primary business and occupation taxes, also take effect on New Year’s.

Also starting Wednesday, ﬁnancial institutions with an annual net income above $1 billion will have a business and occupation tax they pay raised from 1.2% to 1.5%. During the session, Democrats estimated this would impact

The afternoon regular session included authorizations to purchase two ballistic vests and two radars for the Sheriff’s Department under the consent agenda.

Jail administrator Bill Frantz reported that, “Overall, general operations have been good.” He said that they were continuing efforts to clean and paint the jail, to cover up grafﬁti, and resurface dining tables. “The actual work is being done by people who are incarcerated,” he said, “and it’s kind of a beneﬁt to them in many cases; they can earn good conduct time.”

There was also a bid opening for installation of new/

about 200 ﬁrms.

The business and occupation rate for service businesses with a gross income over $5 million is increasing from 1.75% to 2.1%.

Republicans universally opposed this Democraticbacked package of new and increased taxes and fees.

All of these proceeds go into the state’s operating budget, which funds the bulk of Washington’s state government programs and services.

The budget for transportation is separate.

The $15.5 billion twoyear transportation budget approved this year also relies on a slate of new and increased taxes and fees, namely a rare gas tax hike implemented in July.

These transportation funding streams are estimated to bring in $3.2 billion over the next six years to fund Washington State Ferries, highway megaprojects, maintenance of state roads and bridges,

upgraded warning signs and installation of ﬂexible guideposts on Alderdale Road, East Road, Pine Forest Road, Six Prong Road, Dot Road, Sandridge Road, and Hale Road. Nine bids were received ranging from $359,188 to $750,000. The public works department will check them to see that all conditions are properly met and the bidders qualify and bring back a recommendation for commissioner approval. In the consent agenda, commissioners approved: • Increased compensation for English/Spanish interpretations of program services for the Adult Proba-

Washington State Patrol and public transportation.

A few transportation-centric fee hikes also begin today.

The $9 annual fee for driver’s licenses and IDs is going up a dollar, a move expected to bring in $74 million over the next three budget cycles.

The 50-cent capital vessel surcharge paid by state ferry riders is also increasing. This is projected to raise $47 million.

And the latest transportation budget removes an exemption from tolls for public and private transit buses, vans, and rideshare vehicles on bridges. That’s worth $6 million over six years.

Further transportation revenue measures take effect throughout 2026. The taxes and fees respond to a gaping shortfall caused by diminishing gas tax receipts and ballooning costs for the state’s already-expensive road projects.

tion Case Manager.

• A small works contract with Inland Fire Extinguisher, Inc. for 2025-2026”.

• Local agency A&E professional services supplemental consultant agreement No. 2 for Goldendale Fuel Station.

• Advertising to fill an accounting administrative assistant in the Treasurer’s Ofﬁce.

• Klickitat County Health Department 25-27 Consolidated Contract Amendment 8.

• Sheriff authorization to purchase radars

• Resolution amending the 2025 annual budget for various funds.

APPLES from page A2

able match to the Yellow Transparent described by the Western Agricultural Research Center. If you have a Yellow Transparent or another historic apple tree on your property, the Lost Apple Project may be able to help identify it. Founded by E.J. Brandt and David Benscoter, this nonproﬁt searches old farms and orchards across Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Eastern Oregon for apple varieties once thought extinct. Of the 17,000 named apple varieties that once existed, only about 4,500 remain today, many lost because they were replaced by longer storing or more commercially vigorous types. To learn how to send apple samples to be tested and identified, contact Benscoter at dbens23@ gmail.com. (lostappleproject.

weebly.com)

The Lost Apple Project works closely with Oregon’s Temperate Orchard Conservancy, which verifies identities of the specimens they collect. By May 2021, the project had rediscovered 29 lost varieties in Washington and Idaho, including the Streaked Pippin, Sary Sinap, and Nero. Their search relies on community tips, historical records, and nursery ledgers. In the fall they gather apple samples, returning in winter to collect wood cuttings—called scions—for grafting. (Wikipedia) [Scions with buds are taken from the parent tree and grafted onto rootstock since apple trees grown from seed do not produce fruit true to variety.] In partnership with the Whitman County Historical Society, the project also sells newly grafted trees of both

Community input is needed for future art projects and ideas for a possible Creative District designation. If you’d like to make your voice heard on this topic, pick up a survey at at Sandra’s Monkeyshines shop on Columbus Avenue, or you can ﬁ nd the survey link at www.goldendalechamber.org.

program is a project of the Washington State Arts Commission (artsWA). It’s an economic development program that helps communities build and enhance their cultural identity, providing grant opportunities and some mentorship. There are currently about 20 designated Creative Districts in Washington in many rural communities, a lot like ours. It takes about a year to go through all the hoops and get certiﬁed. If our committee stays on top of it, we’re slated for certiﬁcation in 2027. In the meantime, we hope to do smaller projects for beautification and community engagement. We will start exploring fundraising ideas as well as grant funding as we go along. For more information, people can check out www. arts.wa.gov. They can also reach out to Sandra via email at sandra.choate@ gmail.com.

heritage and rediscovered varieties, along with grafting wood. Pre-orders are available through whitmancountyhistoricalsociety.org and lostappleproject.weebly.com.

The story of the project is told in Lost Apples: The Search for Rare and Heritage Apples in the Paciﬁc Northwest, a book by Benscoter and co-author Linda Hackbarth, published in September 2024 by Keokee Books of Sandpoint, Idaho (keokeebooks.com).

Heirloom apple trees are more than fruit—they are living links to Klickitat County’s pioneer orchards. Documenting and preserving them ensures this agricultural history endures for future generations, here in the land where the rain and sunshine meet.

Goldendale School Board meeting notes

Alex Gorrod attends meetings of the Goldendale School Board and reports on them. These are not ofﬁcial minutes of the meetings.

I was able to attend the Goldendale School District Board Meeting on Monday, September 22, 2025. Here are some of the highlights, check out the full agenda online at: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/ Agenda/ 780?meeting=706582.

1. The meeting started with a presentation from the WACA Board (online school) followed by a presentation for the CTE program in the district.

2. During public comments there were 5 different people sharing comments or asking questions. Veronica Clevidence started the comment time by saying she had heard a rumor that the Board had taken 3211/3211P off the table and passed it without telling the public. She felt if that was the case, the board should be brought up on ethical misconduct charges. Typically the board doesn’t respond to public comments or answer questions, but Mr. Twohy did conﬁrm that the policies and procedures had not been passed and were still tabled from the June 2025 meeting. Dr. Perconti added that updates were made last in 2021 and that those updates still stand as policy and procedure until the Board updates the polices.

Cheryl Peterson wanted to speak on the same rumor, but it had already been addressed so she instead asked what the 2021 update was and asked that the board be more transparent in their actions. Dr. Perconti let her know that the polices and procedures are all publically viewable, including the ones in question, on the school district website: www.goldendaleschools.org/about/policies-procedures. Ms. Heart asked a clarifying question about where this rumor had come from but the answer to that was refused to be given.

Barry Murray talked to the Board about policies and procedures that the Board was looking to pass that went against current federal guidelines on Title IX, which deﬁnes female by their biological sex. The Washington State guidelines contradict this, and he felt that they needed to address the difference and follow federal guidelines.

Rachel Murray talked to the Board about her desire to see the school as a safe place for all, thanked them for their hard work behind the scenes, and asked that someone address a question she had after the meeting (which I witnessed a Board member doing after the meeting had concluded).

Sandra Starr talked to the Board about core instructional materials in Washington State needing to have LGBTQ and gender identity representation in them and that parents in Seattle school districts were told that they could not opt out their children from those materials. She claimed that she had ﬁrst-hand information that Goldendale School District was already using such materials to teach from. She urged that they remove materials like that from the instructional materials and that they don’t update policy 2161. It was clarified from someone that sex education was not being taught to K-4th grade and that parents could still opt kids out of sexual education classes. It was never addressed whether these things are being taught as part of core instructional materials at the district or if parents could opt their kids out of those speciﬁc teaching times or materials.

3. Jesslyn Huffman (GMS Assistant Volleyball Coach) was hired.

4. James Tuning (GMS/ GHS Football), Steven Root (GMS Football), Devon Jenkins (GHS Volleyball), Mike Kenny (GHS Football), Robbie Hinckley (GHS Football), Sam Wilder (GHS Football), Juli Rising (GHS CrossCountry), Hector Sanchez (GHS Girls Soccer), and Eric Olson (GHS Girls Soccer) were all approved as volunteer coaches.

5. Mr. Schlenker reported that the general fund was at $2,192,700 in August (down from $2,728,529 in July and up from August 2024, $1.98 million).

6. Mr. Schlenker also reported on enrollment. FTE stands for Full Time Equivalent, every FTE provides $10,000 in funding. GPS had a 287.00 FTE (last year it was 297.4). GMS had a 245.29 FTE (Last year it was 251.99). GHS had a 296.57 FTE (last year it was 313.7). The total is 828.86 (last year it was 845). Online had a 1772.00 FTE (Last year it was 1756.93).

7. Mr. Schlenker also gave

an update on the new stadium. The construction is on schedule. The underlayment tarp for the drain system is currently going in. The hope is that in the next two weeks the turf will go in.

8. Ms. Hedges (Principal at GPS) reported that they have 286 students. They had 63 students move up to the middle school and 56 come in as kindergarteners. 21 students have moved but they have 17 new students and 2 that returned after being gone (not counting kindergarteners). They had 95.2% attend family connection times.

9. Ms. Lummio (Principal at GMS) reported that participation in family connection time was between 84% and 100% depending on the class level.

10. Ms. Reddinger (Principal at GHS) reported that they have 3 new teachers (2 in math and one that is the new business education teacher/FBLA advisor). She also stated that Family Connection attendance was around 89%. The high school has 21 clubs for students to join and each student joins at least one club or stays in their navigation class, which means they are in the club of whatever that Nav. Teacher is advising.

11. Ms. Swanson (Vice Principal at GHS/Activities Director) reported that fall sports are underway with 113 athletes participating. She also said that the GHS chess team had an event this past week. Wyatt Bolton placed third and Riley Hyer placed ﬁrst in the under 400 category. Colby Large placed third in the 700 category.

12. Jon Morris (SpEd Director) reported that there are 131 students receiving help through the SpEd department (about 15% of the student population, the state wants it to be under 16%. This is slightly down from last year when it was at 16.5%). He stated that there are 11 students currently getting support outside of the district. SpEd currently has two paraprofessional positions open (one in the high school and one in the middle school).

13. During board comments Ms. Richards talked about wanting more positive things about the school in the local paper. She encouraged teachers and staff that the Sentinel said they would print things and all they needed to do was write them

and submit them to Dr. Perconti for approval. She welcomed the student rep and stated she looked forward to hearing comments that the students sent through her to them. She thanked Mr. Schlenker and Dr. Perconti for all their hard work. Mr. Hoctor thanked everyone for all their hard work. Mr. Twohy thanked the cooks, cleaning crews, and maintenance for all their hard work. He also thanked the student representative for being willing to serve. He then addressed those in attendance and thanked them for being there. He stated that he wanted to let them know that each member of the board as well as the district ofﬁce has an email or phone listed that they can get a hold of them about questions, concerns, or rumors so that they don’t have to wait until a Board meeting to get the answers they are seeking. Mr. Siebert said that he was easy to get a hold of and would prefer that over being lambasted at a meeting over a rumor. He made the point that we are a small community and that we needed to band together in order to thrive. He asked that people reach out, as board members are humans and would like to work together not fight against each other. Ms. Heart thanked the groundskeepers for all their hard work. She welcomed the student rep and congratulated the chess club for their success.

14. Izzy Doll-Torres is the new Student Representative. During her time to make comment, she shared about the upcoming Homecoming

week (October 13th-18th). Each day will have a different dress up theme, students at GHS will be decorating their halls. There is the annual Pep Assembly and Coronation on Wednesday, October 15th at 6:30pm. There is a home volleyball Match on Thursday, a home football game on Friday, and a home soccer match on Saturday. Friday, October 17th will be the annual noise parade and the Freshman class is doing a BBQ fundraiser from 5:308:30pm on Friday as part of the Homecoming Football Game festivities. The dance will be Saturday night.

15. Dr. Perconti gave an overview of the interconnected teams for the district as well as shared about adding roles for the community as part of the district’s Strategic Planning as it had been suggested by several people. She also showed a letter from the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation that provides a Tribal Language grant for GSD to teach Ichishkiin language. GSD is one of 6 school districts that has been approved to take part in this program.

16. The Board heard the annual report about students from the area attending other schools or homeschooling. 95 have chosen to attend a different school (down from 122 last year). Of these 31 attend Centerville, 26 at Columbia Virtual, 10 at Washington Virtual, 6 to Insight Virtual, 6 to Boisfort Online, 5 to Red Comet Virtual, 5 to Klickitat, 2 to Washington Digital, 1 to Glenwood, and 1 to WACA MMK. 75 are being homeschooled (down from 82 last

year). And 18 students have chosen to use WACA Goldendale (down from 28 last year).

17. The board approved TBIP (Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program) Grant to be submitted.

18. The Board passed the second reading and adopted policy and procedures: 1111, 1310, 1815, 2020/2020P, 2161P, 2420, 3205P, 3210, 3226/3226P, 3421P, 4060P, 4260, 5010, 5011/5011P, 5012/5012P, and 5260/5260P. The proposed changes of these can be found online in the meeting notes using the link at the top of this report.

19. The Board passed the first reading, second reading, and adoption of policy and procedures: 3241 (Student Discipline), 3241F1 (District Discipline Matrix), and 3241F (District Continuum of Discipline)

20. The Board agreed to a MOU (memorandum of understanding) with KVH to help support in the case of a declared emergency situation (natural disasters, public health crisis, supply shortages, etc.). The school is willing to help with transportation needs, space for patients and services, and the use of the kitchen. Check out the previous minutes for meetings on the district website. I encourage anyone interested in what is going on at the school district to make it to an upcoming meeting.

The next Board Worksession will be on Monday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the GPS library. The next regular meeting will be Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the GHS cafeteria.

Fun fall Goldendale Library events with free food

MELISSA UHLES FOR THE SENTINEL

The Goldendale Community Library in partnership with the Coalition for Preventing Abuse in Klickitat County (CPAKC) is hosting a free Harvest Dinner at the Lodge. CPAKC’s mission, according to their website, is to reduce the risks and harm caused by substances of abuse.

The dinner is Saturday, October 4, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is a chance for residents to enjoy a free meal with their community and learn about preserving and storing food.

Terra McLeod, Library branch manager, said, “The ﬁ nal program of the Growing Through the Seasons series is a Harvest Dinner where we will be providing a variety of soups based on what you can ﬁ nd in your garden this time of

year. Chicken from Market Fresh and rolls from Dad’s Sourdough will complete the meal.”

McLeod added “The Growing Through the Seasons series began due to feedback from patrons wishing for workshops on how to grow their own food. The various programs throughout the year matched what would need to be done during that season, such as garden planning in January, seed starting in February, and so on. We decided to end the series with a Harvest Dinner, so we partnered with CPAKC for their monthly family activity. We will also be providing information on food preservation, just in time for winter. We’ll be continuing the series next year, with new information, so we look forward to seeing more people starting in January.”

The Lodge address where

the dinner will be served is 219 S. Columbus. Another educational event with complimentary food will be held on October 7. The library is hosting a Taquitos & Telescopes event from 6 to 8 p.m. Are you curious about what helps fund an event like this? A small grant from NASA@My Library was received by the Goldendale Community Library a few years ago. This grant was given in celebration of the launch of the James Webb Telescope. In addition to the grant funding programs, the library was also able to purchase a regular telescope and received a few tabletop telescopes as well. This year’s Taquitos & Telescopes event is an opportunity for the community to try out the telescope and view the night sky. The objective is to teach people something new about tel-

escopes. Another perk of the evening is that taquitos will be served. The night is meant to provide a chance to socialize with other astronomy enthusiasts. Though a similar event was hosted at the library a few years ago, this year the library is partnering with the Friends of the Gorge Area Parks (FOGAP). Members will be sharing their astronomy and telescope knowledge with attendees. People are encouraged to take advantage of the experts’ knowledge and bring along any questions they might have.

That event will be held at the library located at 131 W. Burgen St.

Note: All library-sponsored programs are free to the public. Both events are “open-house” style, so people can drop in anytime during the two- to three-hour time period.

Restaurant Review: Two Barrels Taps + Grill

MELISSA UHLES FOR THE SENTINEL

To celebrate our anniversary, my husband and I planned a one-night getaway to Boardman, Oregon. I like being near water and being able to walk to a restaurant. This place ﬁt the bill.

Two Barrels Taps + Grill is located within River Lodge & Cabins Hotel in Boardman. From Goldendale, head east on I-84 for an hour and ﬁfteen minutes, and you’re there. Their website boasts:

“We serve up hearty, nononsense eats that hit the spot—think elk burgers, hickory bacon burgers, fish tacos, and buffalo cauliflower bites. Wash it down with a local brew while soaking in killer Columbia River views.”

The best things about this restaurant were indeed the beautiful views of the Columbia River right outside the wallto-wall windows and the friendly, attentive service. Since we were there on a Friday, it also wasn’t too busy.

I ordered a ﬂatbread pepperoni pizza and a glass of Château St. Michele Riesling. The slightly sweet white wine was nice and affordable at $6 a glass. Unfortunately, the flatbread pizza was overloaded with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.

The ﬂatbread crust had a hard time supporting the toppings and required a knife and fork in order to eat it. Although it wasn’t bad overall, I’ve had better pizza locally at Uncle Tony’s.

My husband ordered the ﬁsh tacos with fries and an Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade). The fries were crispy and tasty. The tacos were small tortillas that held one giant piece of breaded fish and not much else. He is someone who orders ﬁsh tacos at a variety of places and said they were underwhelming.

I think he prefers the ﬁsh tacos from Ayulta’s here in Goldendale.

All that said, this place was redeemed when we ordered dessert. We shared a caramel-drenched mini bundt cake à la mode. It was warm, gooey, saltysweet, and delicious. Next time we might try their chocolate lava cake or their cheesecake, which were on the menu, but they were sold out of these.

We stayed at the River Lodge Cabins on the same property as the restaurant,

and decided to try the Two Barrels restaurant again at breakfast time. There is something to be said for not having to drive anywhere. Also, Boardman only has a few restaurants in town, so there weren’t a lot of options.

For breakfast, we shared an order of coconut almond French Toast, and my husband had the Denver Omelette.

The French toast was delicious. I’d give it five stars for not being soggy like it is at some restaurants. I was skeptical about the coconut and almond crust, but it added a nice texture. I washed it down with a cup of coffee, which was typical diner coffee. There were no fancier caffeine options like lattes or cappuccinos, just coffee and cream.

My husband said the omelette was good, but the hash browns were a little underdone.

Including tip, each meal for the two of us was between $50 to $60, so not cheap. However, sometimes it’s worth paying for a view on a special occa-

sion. Next time we will just go in for dessert, which was top-notch. The cabin accommodations were modern, clean, and spacious. They have a mini kitchen, a view of the water, which at sunset was stunning. Two Adirondack chairs were placed out front, and we sat and watched the seagulls skimming across the water. They also have a few bikes they will loan out. No helmets are available, so bring your own. Regular, standard hotel rooms are also available in the lodge. Though we didn’t bring a pet, they are a dog-friendly establishment.

While Boardman isn’t a bustling metropolis or typical tourist destination, there are a few things to do after you have breakfast. You can take a scenic walk along the Columbia River. There is a three-mile paved trail that meanders past the hotel and restaurant and into a green wooded area near the water.

If you have an extra hour to spare before heading home, check out the Sage Center. It’s a fam-

ily-friendly agricultural museum that explores what’s grown in the area.

Overall, it was a nice, short getaway. We are up for trying the restaurant again if we return to Boardman.

Two Barrels Taps + Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 6 Marine Drive, Boardman, OR 97818.

The Icons of Goldendale

Agriculture

Headlines & History for Klickitat County since 1879

Photos by local photographers Neil Thompson (top & center) and Steve Nygaard (bottom)

Check It Out

Beth Wood, Collection Librarian

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District

You can email Beth at readingforfun@fvrl.org

All

the Family Nature vs. nurture is a longstanding debate in biology and human behavior. Does our environment control

who become successful authors. We all learn the mechanics of good writing in school - but there’s a huge difference between an acceptable essay on Animal Farm and, well, Animal Farm. Let’s take a look at some authors

and their writing progeny. Perhaps you will discover someone new!

Stephen King is a proli c author whose most popular book is “The Shining”; he is married to author Tabitha King. Two of their three children are authors:

• Joe Hill - “NOS4A2” (2013)

• Owen King - “The Curator” (2023) Frank Herbert was born in Tacoma, Washington, and worked in newspapers before turning to writing full-time. His most famous book is “Dune,” a book—and then lm series—which has been carried on by his son, Brian Herbert (with co-writer Kevin J. Anderson). Brian, who makes his home in Seattle, has many other series and novels, and like his father, writes mainly science ction.

• Brian Herbert - “Princess of Dune” (2023) Anne Rice, the author of “Interview with the Vampire” among dozens of other books, spent most of her life in New Orleans. Her son, Christopher, is also a bestselling writer. Anne wrote mainly horror but branched out later in

her career; Christopher’s main titles are thrillers.

• Christopher Rice - “Blood Victory” (2020)

Peter Straub was the winner of many awards including the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010.

His most popular work is “Ghost Story,” and he wrote mainly horror, but also wrote literary ction. His daughter, Emma Straub, writes literary and general ction, as well as children’s books.

• Emma Straub - “This Time Tomorrow” (2022)

There are many other families of writers out in the book universe: Anne Hillerman has continued her late father Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee series; Todd McCaffrey collaborated on several Dragonriders of Pern series novels with his late mother Anne McCaffrey, as well as his own work; Dirk Cussler co-wrote books in the Dirk Pitt Adventure series with his father Clive Cussler and continues now that his father is gone.

Beth Wood is a senior collection development librarian for Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Email her at readingforfun@fvrl.org.

New at the Library

FICTION

“Sunward” by William Alexander

“The Book of Guilt” by Catherine Chidgey

“Gray Dawn” by Walter Mosley

NONFICTION

“The Protein Advantage Cookbook” by Carolyn Ketchum

“Buddha, Socrates and Us” by Stephen Batchelor “50 States of Murder: An Atlas of American Crime” by Harold Schechter

CHILDREN

“Little Bad Wolf” by Abie Longstaff

“This is How You Know” by Kirsten W. Larson

“The Zuzu Secret” by Miriam Chernick This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or nd additional listings.

(Family Features) When September arrives, it’s finally time to dust off those fall recipes. This Zucchini Chicken Bake is a perfect blend of summer veggies and warm, fall flavor, ideal for those hot days that turn into chilly evenings. Visit Culinary.net to find more family recipe inspiration. Zucchini Chicken Bake Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.

I am going to New York.

I have not been to New York since before the pandemic when I bought a half-price ticket to see a show on Broadway before catching my flight home. I was very glad I went, since it was such a long time before I could see another play.

But now I am going back because the publisher of my book is having an open house for the authors with books coming out in 2025 and 2026, and I think that sounds like a lot of fun. They are serving snacks and beverages, and all the editors will be there. I’ve Googled where their office is, and it appears to be right in the center of things, and—if I’m going to New York—that’s where I want to be.

I think it will be great fun to meet these other authors and meet all the editors who make the books possible. The only thing that truly worries me is what to wear.

Maybe you think I’m kidding. I’m not.

Knowing what I will wear is a great comfort to me. Once I know what I will wear, I can picture myself in a place, and this is hugely reassuring. If I can’t imagine myself, I start to get anxious. You might think I’d be more worried about what I will say to all these important writers and editors, but somehow, this does not feel like nearly as big a problem.

“What is your book about?” would be appropriate to say to anyone who’s written a book. “When did it come out?” sounds like a great follow-up. I could ask how many books they had written and if they’re working on anything else and, if so, what that was about. Before you know it, the party is breaking up, and I’ve only talked

to one person. If I’m talking to an editor, I’d ask, “How many books do you work on at a time?” I’d like to know what they did before they started this job and what their favorite part of the job is. Again, I can easily see how the evening would pass before I know it—what with eating and drinking all the promised snacks and beverages. No, the talking part does not feel like a problem. It’s getting dressed that is hard. I think this is because going to New York, for many of us who grew up in the Midwest, seems like a very big deal. New York does not seem quite real. It seems like the sort of place where a person would need to get things right. This is where my anxiety kicks in. What does “getting things right” look like?

I dig through my closet. I dig through my drawers. I try things on. I discard things. I start to feel emotional, wondering if I am a person who belongs in New York at all—a person who is incapable of dressing herself.

Until I remember that no one—absolutely no one—is expecting me to get anything right. Anyone who has read my writing will know that sophistication is not my brand. Instead, I try to imagine how I would dress if I simply wore the kind of thing I write. Instead of wearing black, I pull out a pink blazer. It is a little loud and very cheerful and not particularly sophisticated. If it says anything at all, it says that I like bright colors and warm feelings, and I am not afraid to show it. I’m wearing the jacket. And I feel better now. To see photos,check out CarrieClassonAuthor on Facebook or visit CarrieClasson.com.

Long before interstate highways, the United States of America was connected by railroads. If you wanted to travel long distances, but did not own a horse and wagon, the trains offered a more comfortable and faster way to get from one place to another. As automobiles became more popular in the early 1900s, Americans wanted roads built to explore places they would never see otherwise.

A man named Cyrus Avery from Tulsa, Oklahoma, had a vision for a highway that would connect Chicago, Illinois, all the way to Santa Monica, California. He worked hard to make sure the road passed through Tulsa, which gave Oklahoma a central role in America’s new highway system. In 1926, Route 66 officially opened, stretching 2,448 miles and crossing eight states.

Building Route 66 was not easy. In the 1920s and 1930s orange cones and huge machines were not a thing in most places. Road crews used picks, shovels, and even mules to carve the road. During the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl many people lost their jobs, their homes, their farms and they even lost hope. The US Government put a lot of men to work through the New Deal programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). These programs helped struggling Americans find work, and left behind lasting landmarks like bridges, parks, and roads such as Route 66. Route 66 led a lot of people to California. California became a symbol of hope. Posters and word-of-mouth stories made it sound like there were endless jobs picking fruit, harvesting vegetables, and working in the fertile fields of the Central Valley. Families piled everything they owned into old cars or trucks and traveled west on the new highway.

After World War II, the highway entered what is called its golden age. More people owned cars, and Route 66 became the road of family vacations and adventure. Neon signs lit up the nights along the roadside, advertising motels, diners, and gas stations. Travelers could see quirky attractions like the Wigwam Motel in Arizona, where guests slept in giant teepees, or the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma. In Texas, the Cadillac Ranch became a famous stop with colorful cars half-buried in the ground. Places like Tucumcari, New Mexico thrived and became a popular place to stop with over 30 motels and dozens of restaurants and gas stations. At the end of the road, families could walk the Santa Monica Pier and look out at the Pacific Ocean.

Over time, the Interstate Highway System pushed Route 66 into a memory kept alive by word of mouth and museums along the way. Disney was able to show what happened to the towns in the movie Cars. Route 66 has never been forgotten. Today, travelers from around the world come to the United States just to drive along what is left of this historic road. They want to experience the history, neon signs, and historic roadside attractions like The Big Texan, Cadillac Ranch, The Blue Swallow Motel and the Blue Whale. Route 66 represents freedom, migration, and adventure. It tells the story of America’s struggles during the Great Depression, its dreams during the Dust Bowl, and its joy in the open road after the war. Someday maybe you can travel what is called “The Mother Road.” To drive the road in any car is fantastic, but the wind in your hair and the fresh air of a convertible adds to the adventure. For more about the road please scan the Videeos QR code to watch some videos about the road, then and now.

Chess Tournament draws Goldendale participants

Jordan Mayberry

For The SenTinel

On Saturday, September 20, Sherman County School hosted its second Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament. The event followed the district’s inaugural competition earlier this year, this time held across the Columbia River. Competitors traveled from both sides of the border, with participants ranging from Goldendale to Beaverton, Oregon.

After the success of the first tournament, the Maryhill Museum of Art opened its M.J. Murdock Education Center as the venue.

Forty-two players competed, matching the strong turnout of the debut event. The format was unchanged, played as a U.S. Chess Federation (USCF)-rated Swiss-style tournament. Contestants were divided according to age and skill level, with each section awarding trophies and medals.

The final results reflected both wide participation and strong performances from Goldendale students. In the K–12 Open (Advanced) section, Eevie Tare from Beaverton placed first, Gage Simpson of Sherman took second, and Colby Large from Goldendale High School earned third. Riley Darcy of Hermiston was awarded an Evens Medal for winning half of his games. In the U700 Middle and High School section, Stephen Orendorff of Sherman took first place, Olivia Burbank of Sherman sec -

ond, and Wyatt Bolton of Goldendale High School third. Colin Watts of Goldendale and Arian Burnett of Sherman earned Plus Medals for winning more than half their games, while Ivan Miner, homeschooled in Goldendale, earned an Evens Medal.

In the U700 Elementary section, Xavier Harmening, a Goldendale homeschool student, claimed first place in a blitz playoff with Gibbs Miner, also of Goldendale homeschool, who took second. Kennan Cranston of Sherman finished third.

The U300 Middle and High School section saw Riley Hyer of Goldendale High School win first place, followed by Trapper Malcolm of Sherman in second and Sebastian Burbank of Sherman in third. Plus Medals were awarded to Sherman students Xander Spadt, Trysten Lofthouse, Mark Susi, Aiden Devlaeminck, Evan Lancaster, and Zane Moore, while Evens Medals went to Luke Holliday and William Phelps, both from Sherman, and Elli Wood of Goldendale homeschool.

Finally, in the U300 Elementary section, Micah Earl of Sherman took first, Simon Burbank of Sherman placed second, and Joey Batastini of Goldendale homeschool came third. Joyce Orendorff of Sherman earned a Plus Medal.

The Maryhill Museum provided a striking backdrop for the event. Tournament Director Phil Shapker Mendez, President of the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation (OSCF), praised

the location as “the most amazing environment for a chess tournament I have ever seen.” A release from the OSCF described the setting in vivid detail: “Views of the Columbia River, a warm, sunny day with a moderate breeze, and world-class art all around.”

The museum also contributed artisanal chess boards (high quality chess boards hand-crafted by artisans) and offered free admission to families, allowing many players and spectators to explore the galleries between rounds.

Swiss-style formats, while less familiar outside the chess community, were chosen with intention. OSCF board member and coach Kevin Stuart explained, “It is by far the most fair out of any other system.” In Swiss pairings, students are consistently matched against players with similar records, ensuring balanced competition throughout the day. Winners face stronger opponents, while those who lose early rounds meet others in the same position. Stuart emphasized that this format not only gives every participant a fair chance to improve but also aligns with international standards, meaning that scholastic players can earn rankings recognized beyond the region.

For the organizers, however, chess is about more than rankings. Stuart highlighted its educational value: “What I love most about it is how it teaches kids to think.” Students

Goldendale Volleyball

leaders: Dilynn Herrington with 18 kills, 7 blocks, and 9 digs

are taught to record their moves, reflect on their games, and analyze both successes and mistakes. “They can learn more from the games they lose,” he added, underscoring how chess encourages resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that extend beyond the board.

In closing remarks, Sherman County Chess expressed gratitude to the Maryhill Museum of Art for its hospitality, the James Weir Fund for financial support, and the OSCF for covering transportation and USCF membership costs for new and renewing players. With the success of this second major event, organizers have already announced plans for a third Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament later this year, inviting schools and families across the region to take part.

Ella Riley with 9 kills, 2 blocks, and 18 digs Maggie Gutierrez with 38 assists and 13 digs Olivia Myers with 26 digs

OCT 2025 Republic Services Recycling Schedule

Jordan Mayberry

CHESSMATES: Forty-two competitors, including Goldendale students, met at the Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament at Maryhill Museum.