Columbia River Reader Holiday 2023

CRREADER.COM Vol. XX, No. 226 • November 25, 2023 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road

O! the “Snipe,” by Debby Neely

Joy! Capt. William Clark, 1804

HOLIDAY READING • NEW MARLANTES • WALK TO PLUTO APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS • WORDS AND WOOD

COLUMBIA RIVER READER PRESS PRESENTS

OUR WORLD IN WORDS

Holiday Extravaganza!

MONDAY, DEC 11, 4 – 7:30pm • COWLITZ COUNTY MUSEUM 405 ALLEN STREET, KELSO 4 – 5:45pm 5:45pm MEET THE AUTHORS BOOK SALE & SIGNING BROWNSMEAD FLATS PERFORMANCE ENJOY THE MUSIC OF BROWNSMEAD FLATS AUTHOR INTRODUCTIONS & SELECTED READINGS

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Browse the Museum Exhibits • FREE Admission 2 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

H

ere they come again — the magical holidays! So much is already happening...the whirl has begun, and we have lots more to look forward to!

Cold Victory

As a special holiday treat, CRR is pleased to present for readers a “sneak preview” excerpt from Karl Marlantes’s new book, Cold Victory. Please read Hal Calbom’s People+Place follow-up story, page 17. Karl’s book will be available after Jan. 9 everywhere, including the Vault Books & Brew in Castle Rock, Paperbacks Galore in Longview, and Time Enough Books in Ilwaco. Please support our local booksellers.

Debby Neely’s new book

And we are utterly delighted to be launching Debby Neely’s new book, Words and Woodcuts: Pacific Northwest Woodcuts and Haiku.” You’re going to love it.

Books! Books! Books!

We invite everyone to our Holiday Book Extravaganza at the Cowlitz Museum on Monday, Dec. 11 (see facing page). We’ll have goodies and gifts, live music by Brownsmead Flats, sweet treats and bubbly! And, of course, BOOKS! CRRPress has now published FOUR! Come enjoy the festivities,

Sue’s Views Holiday excitement on the horizon

meet our authors, exchange holiday greetings with the Reader staff and mix and mingle with old and new friends.

You might even pick up a few gifts!

Talk a space walk

Later that week, on Saturday Dec. 16, grab your kids or grandkids, friends and neighbors for a walk through our solar Stand By. system. It’s not technically the Winter Solstice, but close enough — we will celebrate the longest night of the year and light it up! CRR will again sponsor its Comet station.. . Bundle up and

join the fun from 4-6pm. The luminarias will be aglow and looking lovely See page 37.

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk Visit CRR’s Comet Station!

On behalf or our writers, adver tisers, distributors, advertising reps, proofreaders, and everyone else who contributes to and/or adds inspiration (including Miss Manners), I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.

Columbia River Reader continues to be the best “job” I’ve ever had, or could possibly hope for, and I appreciate everyone who helps keep it going.

Warm wishes

May you all enjoy peaceful, relaxing, invigorating, joyous, meaningful times — in whatever setting and style is pleasing to you — during this special season. And let us all count our blessings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sue Piper

Columbia River Reader ... Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River Region, at home and on the road.

In this Issue

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper Columnists and contributors: Hal Calbom Alice Dietz Joseph Govednik Tom Larsen Michael Perry Ned Piper Dan Polacek Robert Michael Pyle Marc Roland Alan Rose Alice Slusher Greg Smith Andre Stepankowsky Debra Tweedy Judy VanderMaten Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry, Tiffany Dickinson, Debra Tweedy Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632 Columbia River Reader, llc 1333 14th Ave, Longview, WA 98632

ON THE COVER “Snipe,” original woodcut by artist Debby Neely, author of “Words and Wood: Pacific Northwest Woodcuts and Haiku,” published

by CRRPress, Dec 2023. See center section Book Boutique pull-out.

CRRRess Holiday Book Extravaganza

5

Dispatches from the Discovery Trail ~ Episode 29

8

Civilized Living: Miss Manners

8

Me & My Piano

11

Biz Buzz

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 14,000 copies distributed in the Lower Columbia region. Entire contents copyrighted; No reproduction of any kind allowed without express written permission of Columbia River Reader, LLC. Opinions expressed herein, whether in editorial content or paid ad space, belong to the writers and advertisers and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Reader.

14

Museum Magic: The Watts House in Scappoose

15

Columbia River Dining Guide

17

People+Place: The Gift of Sisu — Karla Marlantes Part 2

17

Cold Victory Excerpt

19

CRRPress Winter 2024 Book Catalogue

23

Where Do You Read the Reader?

24

A Different Way of Seeing ~ The Tidewater Reach

25

Holiday Music: An Appalachian Christmas

Submission guidelines: page 36.

General Ad info: page 8.

Ad Manager: Ned Piper 360-7492632.

26

Astronomy / The Sky Report / Five Gifts for the Starry-eyed

28

Where to Find the Reader (24/7 and even in your bathrobe)

29

Pacific Northwest Gardener

30

Hikes

33

Notes from My Lives, by Andre Stepankowsky

33

Roland on Wine

34

Quips & Quotes / Besides CRR What Else Are You Reading?

35

Cover to Cover / Bestsellers List / Book Review

P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048 Office Hours: M-W-F • 11–3* *Other times by chance or appointment E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021

2

36-37

CRREADER.COM Visit our website for the current issue and archive of past issues from 2013.

Submissions Guidelines / Performing Arts / Outings & Events

38

The Spectator: A Posie Puzzle

38

Plugged In to Cowlitz PUD: Discounted Rate Program

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 3

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Lewis & Clark

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

Detour to Nashville

Lewis originally planned to take a ship from New Orleans to reach Washington, D.C., but the presence of British war ships in the Gulf of Mexico worried him. In a letter to President Madison, he wrote, “my fear of the original papers relative to my voyage to the Pacific ocean falling into the hands of the British has induced me to change my rout and proceed by land through the state of Tennisee to the City of washington.”

EPISODE 30

The End of the Journey for Meriwether Lewis

By Michael O. Perry

A

The Natchez Trace was a 450-mile long trail from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee.

James Neelly, an Indian agent, accompanied Lewis since robberies were common along the path. They left Fort Pickering with their two A new job and life’s a mess servants on September 29. During the night Upon their return to St. Louis in 1806, Lewis and Clark, of October 10, two packhorses wandered off along with Big White, a Mandan Indian chief, headed east (one carried a trunk containing Lewis’s Corps to meet with Thomas Jefferson. In 1807, President Jefferson of Discovery journals). Major Neelly stayed made Captain Lewis governor of the Upper Louisiana behind to look for the horses while Lewis, who Territory and gave him 1,400 acres of land. It took a year for was very sick, rode ahead to a tavern, or inn, Lewis to report to his new position in St. Louis, and he soon called Grinder’s Stand (the two servants followed realized he was not suited for the job. Piles of paperwork Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809), by Charles Willson Peale behind him). That night, Lewis was shot and relating to land claims, quarrels and feuds among Indian died. No completely satisfactory explanation for trading companies, and partisan politics made Lewis wish decided he had to go to Washington to plead his his death has ever been found. he had never accepted the appointment. case in person. Part of his reason for going may He said…

His personal life had begun to fall apart, as well. While Lewis have been to deliver the original Lewis and Clark A week later, on October 18, Neelly wrote a letter courted several women, none would agree to marry him. He expedition journals to a publisher in Philadelphia. to Jefferson saying that Robert Grinder had not drank too much and was taking opium to help him sleep. When Lewis met with Clark in St. Louis to explain been home when Lewis arrived, and that Mrs. Both William Clark and President Jefferson were concerned his problems, he turned over deeds to his land to Grinder, “discovering the governor to be deranged, about the lack of progress on the three-volume set of books Clark to be used to pay his debts. Clark could see gave him up the house & slept herself in one near it.”

Lewis had promised to write about the Corps of Discovery. Lewis was in poor health, both physically and Neelly went on to say, “His servant and mine slept After his initial efforts in 1806 to obtain help in publishing mentally. He tried to talk him out of the trip, but in the stable loft some distance from the other houses. the proposed book, Lewis apparently never wrote a single Lewis insisted on going. On September 4, Lewis The woman reports that three o’Clock she heard two page of the manuscript. and John Pernier, his free mulatto servant, along pistols fire off in the Governors room; the servants with Lewis’s Newfoundland dog named Seaman, being awakened by her, came in but too late to save After losing money in land speculation, he grew more boarded a keel boat going from St. Louis to New him. He had shot himself in the head with one pistol depressed as debts mounted up. Worst of all, Lewis felt his Orleans. & a little below the Breast with the other - when his honor had been tarnished when he was formally rebuked in servant came in he says; ‘I have done the business my July 1809 for unauthorized expenditures, and the government Journey to the Big Easy: not so easy! good Servant, give me water.’ He gave him some, he refused to pay some of his vouchers. A month later, Lewis Lewis became ill during the trip, possibly from survived but a short time.” Neelly said he didn’t malaria he contracted in arrive until “some time after” Lewis had died 1803. His journal contained from the two .69 caliper (5/8” diameter) pistol In April 2021 we introduced a revised version of Michael Perry’s several references to “bilious balls. Neelly had Lewis’ two trunks forwarded popular series which was expanded In the new book, Dispatches from fever” and “pills of opium to Washington, and told Jefferson two more the Discovery Trail, edited by Hal Calbom and published by CRRPress. and tartar.” Lewis wrote a trunks had been left at Fort Pickering. But Neelly It includes an in-depth author interview and new illustrations and will on September 11th stole Lewis’ horse, his silver watch, his rifle and commentary. designating his mother both pistols. The money Lewis was carrying as his sole beneficiary. disappeared, too.

The boat arrived at Fort Pickering (near present-day She said…

Memphis) on September 15.

Eighteen months later, in May 1811, Mrs. Grinder Gilbert Russell, the Fort’s told Alexander Wilson a story containing more commander, later wrote that details than found in Neelly’s 1809 letter. “In Lewis had been drinking the same room where he expired,” Wilson wrote, heavily and was in “a state “I took down from Mrs. Grinder the particulars of of mental derangement.” The that melancholy event.” She said Lewis “came there Michael Perry enjoys local history and keelboat’s crew told him about sunset, alone, and inquired if he could stay for travel. His popular 33-installment Lewis had “made two attempts the night.” When asked if he was traveling alone, Lewis & Clark series appeared in to Kill himself, in one of which he said two servants would arrive soon.

Columbia River Reader’s early years he had nearly succeeded.” and helped shape its identity and When Mrs. Grinder called Lewis to supper, he Lewis was put on a 24rail zeitgeist. After two encores, the iscovery T from the D only ate a little before jumping up, “speaking to hour suicide watch “until he series has been expanded and himself in a violent manner” with his face flushed, recovered” a week later. published in a book. Details, page ranting about his enemies in Washington.

K LEWIS & CLAR 2, 39.

A LAYMAN’S fter the triumphant return of the Corps of Discovery, Meriwether Lewis’s life spiraled downward until, on October 11, 1809, the 35-year old lay dead in a pool of blood. What happened? How could this be?

MICHAEL

O. P E R R Y

dispatches with HAL

CALBOM NEELY

by DEBBY

woodcut art

cont page 6 Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 5

Lewis & Clark

from page 5

Lewis suddenly calmed down, lit his pipe and remarked in a kind voice, “Madam this is a very pleasant evening.”

Even though Mrs. Grinder had prepared a bed for Lewis, he told her he wanted to sleep on the floor and had his servant bring his bear and buffalo skins. Mrs. Grinder went to the kitchen by the main cabin to be with her four young children and a 13-year old slave girl. Unable to sleep, Mrs. Grinder heard Lewis walking back and forth and talking to himself “like a lawyer.” Around 3am she heard a pistol shot and something falling on the floor, followed by “O Lord!” Then she heard a second pistol shot.

In the light of the moon?

A few minutes later Lewis was at her door, calling out: “O madam! Give me some water, and heal my wounds.”

Through cracks between the logs, Mrs. Grinder said she saw “Lewis stagger back and fall against a stump that stands between the kitchen and the room. He crawled for some distance, raised himself by the side of a tree where he sat for a minute” before crawling back to his room. She said Lewis later returned to her door seeking water.

How she saw all this is a mystery, since there had been a new moon just the night before. And with the waxing crescent moon setting at 6:21 pm the night Lewis died, the sky would have been pitch black!

Wilson wrote that after Mrs. Grinder “permitted him to remain for two hours in this most deplorable situation, she sent two of her children to the barn, her husband not being home, to bring the servants.” She said they found Lewis lying on the bed in his cabin, still conscious. Lewis “uncovered his side and showed them where the bullet had entered; a piece of his forehead was blown off… He begged they would take his rifle and blow out his brains,” in return for which “he would give them all the money he had in his trunk.” He told them, “I am no coward, but I am so strong, so hard to die.” He finally died around 7 am, “just as the sun rose above the trees.” After Lewis was buried on the Grinder’s property, his dog Seaman kept a vigil at the grave, refusing to eat, and soon died with grief.

Digging for the truth

Lewis’s grave was opened in 1848 prior to Tennessee’s construction of a 20-foot tall stone monument. A doctor examined Lewis’s remains to

…Lewis was shot and died…

The controversy over Lewis’s death has continued to follow the Expedition and preoccupy subsequent historians. One certain and tragic fact is that Lewis suffered severely from depression and lived an unhappy few years following his great feat of exploration.

“At the end of his life he was a horrible drunk, terribly depressed, who could never even finish his journals,” says Paul Douglas Newman, a professor of history who teaches “Lewis and Clark and The Early American Republic” at the University of Pittsburgh. In an article in Smithsonian Magazine, Newman concludes that, “He came back and he just could not readjust. On the mission it was ‘how do we stay alive and collect information?’ Then suddenly you’re heroes. There’s a certain amount of stress to reentering the world. It was like coming back from the moon.”

Meriwether Lewis monument and grave, on Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee.

Controversy over Lewis’s death has both his descendants and many scholars lobbying to exhume his body.

verify they built it in the right place and, without any explanation, the committee wrote: “The impression has long prevailed that under the influence of disease of body and mind Governor Lewis perished by his own hands. It seems to be more probable that he died by the hands of an assassin.” That was the first official mention of murder – and was the beginning of the many conspiracy theories that continue to this day!

Whether these discrepancies were due to a blurred memory on the part of Mrs. Grinder or lies she had previously told, no one knows. However, Robert Smith, a post rider carrying mail along the Natchez Trace on the morning of October 11, 1809, reportedly came upon Lewis lying against a tree outside Grinder’s Stand with a bullet wound in his head. These and other conflicting stories have fueled murder conspiracy theories for 175 years.

Alternative facts?

History repeats itself

In 1838, almost 30-years after Lewis died, an Arkansas schoolteacher visited Lewis’s grave. He was able to locate and interview Priscilla Grinder in her home 25 miles north of the old tavern (it had burned to the ground). Mrs. Grinder, then a 68-year old widow, had revised her story. She said three men had arrived after Lewis and the two servants.

They left when Lewis drew a pair of pistols and challenged them to a duel. Mrs. Grinder said she heard three shots that night and saw Lewis crawling across the road on his hands and knees. She was surprised to see the servants coming from the stables, because she thought they had shared the house with Lewis. She noticed Lewis’s servant was wearing the clothing Lewis had arrived in. After searching for Lewis, the servants found him across the road, badly wounded and wearing old tattered clothes. They brought him back to the cabin where he soon died.

6 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

After Lewis’s death, his servant, John Pernier, traveled from Grinder’s Stand to Virginia. Pernier had worked for President Jefferson from 1804 to 1807 before he became Lewis’s servant. Pernier met with Jefferson on November 26, 1809, and told him Lewis had committed suicide.

Jefferson accepted Pernier’s judgment and later wrote Lewis “had from early youth suffered from hypochondriac affections... inherited by him from his father.” Pernier also visited Lewis’s family seeking $240 Lewis owed him for back wages.

Lewis’s mother refused to accept the story of suicide.

Then, seven months after Lewis’s death, the servant was dead. Pernier was described as “wretchedly poor and destitute” when

he killed himself with an overdose of laudanum (tincture of opium) on April 29, 1810.

While it seems almost certain Lewis killed himself, some people feel he might have been the victim of a random murder, since he was a distinguished traveler with money and goods. Maybe the two servants killed Lewis for his money? Or, maybe Neelly was part of a political conspiracy that wanted him dead. Local legend holds that, a year after Lewis’s death, Robert Grinder was brought before a grand jury on a warrant for Lewis’s murder, but no records exist. So, yes, murder is a possibility. But if Lewis was shot by someone else, why didn’t he tell Mrs. Grinder or John Pernier or Major Neelly’s servant before he died? The debate will likely continue forever.

Next episode we will examine what Captain Clark did after he returned.

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Civilized Living

ME AND MY

PIANO* *or other instrument

I know it’s rude to reply with “Not with that attitude” or “You could if you practiced,” but I’m wondering what a polite response would be.

While it is often meant as a compliment, I feel that the “I could never” response implies that my abilities are innate rather than a skill set developed over years of work, so it makes me defensive and more likely to respond rudely or snarkily.

Is there a way to graciously accept this as a compliment while also reminding people that I am good at what I do because I’ve worked hard at it?

GENTLE READER: “Well, at one point, I couldn’t either.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I separated 17 years ago. We never got divorced and probably never will.

He lives in the Midwest and I live on the West Coast.

Over the years, we have maintained a decent relationship. He stays with me when he visits his sons and family nearby, and his visits now are several months at a time.

My dilemma is how to introduce him to people. Other than close friends and family, everyone thinks I am divorced.

I cannot use “ex-husband” because he’s not (and also because he doesn’t like that title). I don’t want to use “friend” because that is misleading. What is the proper term to use?

GENTLE READER: How about the vague “former husband,” as referencing your formerly having lived together as husband and wife?

Miss Manners cautions you, however, that any future husbands will no doubt prefer you change his status to “ex.”

By Susan Piper

For my own enjoyment...someday

By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a small fiber arts business, and am a generally crafty person. I embroider, sew, crochet and knit, and also do a variety of other crafts. I like to wear, display and talk about what I make, as I’m proud of it. However, this is often met with a response along the lines of, “I could never do that.”

Photos highlights, facing page

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter’s mother-in-law graciously extends invitations to me to family celebrations. When I ask, ever so gently, if I might help in any aspect of preparation or cleanup, I am thanked, but my offer is usually declined.

I feel a distinct boundary that suggests family may enjoy working together, but guests are outsiders. Please help me to see this rationally.

GENTLE READER: You may be surprised to hear that yours is not a usual complaint. Miss Manners will venture to state that most people do not consider cleaning up in other people’s homes to be a privilege.

Please accept this as a courtesy, not a form of exclusion.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What would be an appropriate response to, “What do you do during the day?”

This has happened more than once, and I don’t want to insult anyone.

I’m 75 and retired. Due to health issues and a lack of friends, I don’t do much at all. But I can’t say that, so I almost always make something up.

That doesn’t feel right, either.

W

hen I was young my parents bought a brand new piano and started me on lessons. Their express purpose was my learning to play for my own enjoyment,”someday.” (What? They didn’t expect me to perform at Carnege Hall?!)

linen closet and even on the porch) is for kids during the summer, and for adults at all skill levels in spring and fall. The range of our group of 14 “campers” was about 40 to 85 years old.

I loved it, but didn’t advance much beyond a certain point (bad practice habits). I always thought I’d get back to it, someday.

When guests in my home would admire my polished ebony baby grand, asking “Who plays?” I’d offer apologetic excuses why I wasn’t up to playing a tune... too rusty, not prepared, out of practice, etc. But now, I have a piece I am happy to play! I brought it back from piano camp.

And it was great! Friendly people (photo below), happy hours every evening, excellent food, scheduled practice sessions, gentle lessons, and master classes (informal mini-lesson with coaching in front of the group).

This fall, my longtime friend Karla Dudley and I enjoyed a week-long adventure: a road trip from Boston to quaint Old Bennington, Vermont, and back again. We had enrolled in Sonatina Piano Camp’s 4-day “Intermezzo” session for adults.

This had been on Karla’s bucket list for a while. I went along, partly just to sightsee and catch New England’s fall foliage at its peak (we were too early), and also to end my long lapse and get back to playing the piano. “Someday” had arrived.

Sonatina Piano Camp (set in a rambling, historic house with 35 pianos — one in every bedroom, under the stairs, in the

And I came home with a piece I can (almost) play!

Share the unique story

of you and your musical instrument in 500 words or less and mail to CRR, 1333 14th Ave., Longview, WA 98632, or email to publisher@ crreader.com. Note “Me and My Piano” in the subject line and if possible attach/include a current mugshot and/or a photo of you with your instrument, then or now.

Don’t worry about perfect spelling or syntax. If your story is chosen, we will provide editing services and will contact you for additional details or embellishments as needed.

Any advice on what to say when they ask this?

GENTLE READER: “My best.”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it OK to sit down at a cocktail party? To sit in a chair, on a couch or at a table to eat?

GENTLE READER: Yes, and Miss Manners would go so far as to say that it is not OK to give a cocktail party where there is no place for the infirm, the weary and the over-cocktailed to sit down.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What does one do with sprigs of mint that have been used as garnish in a beverage?

GENTLE READER: Do not put them in your hair, however great the temptation or strong the drink. If they cannot be left in place without trying to cling to your nose as you drink, Miss Manners suggests putting them on any available china or asking anyone with an interest in keeping the tablecloth clean for someplace to do so. cont page 26

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8 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

Highlights of Karla and Sue’s piano camp adventure/sightseeing in New England at Bennington Battle Monument (with Karla’s new boyfriend), at Old First Church Robert Frost’s family plot.

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Biz Buzz What’s Happening Around the River Biz Buzz notes news in local business and professional circles. As space allows, we will include news of innovations, improvements, new ventures and significant employee milestones of interest to readers. Please email publisher@crreader.com to share the local buzz.

Castle Rock proves a perennial winner in America in Bloom program Castle Rock did very well in many categories again this year, said Nancy Chennault, who has spearheaded Castle Rock’s embracing of the America in Bloom program and provided vision and leadership over the last several years.

Castle Rock was the winner of the Youth Involvement Award and Digital & Social Media Communications Award. Additionally, Castle Rock was the winner of the Under 3,500 Population Category Award. The group of attendees at the National America in Bloom Symposium in Spartanburg-Greenwood, South Carolina, was proud to represent the city. Also this fall, Nancy Chennault was awarded the Woman of Excellence Award by United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties.

Real World Learning Port of Kalama partners with Kalama High School at Mountain Timber Market

By Dan Polacek, Legislative/Public Relations Administrator, Port of Kalama

When classes began this fall at Kalama High School, students started working on a large-scale project designed to provide real world business experience in a way the school had never attempted. This was no ordinary classroom with a standardissue textbook, but an exciting collaboration between the marketing, digital communications and engineering classes to build, operate and market a student store at the Port’s Mountain Timber Market.

The idea for the store came about during talks with the Port, as both entities had been exploring ways to provide learning opportunities for local students. After settling on this new approach, the school district sought to hire a new Career Connected Learning Specialist and found the perfect candidate in Stacy Jones. In her new role, Stacy is tasked with overseeing the student store program from start to finish, working with Kalama High School’s CTE (Career Technical Education) Director, Cory Torppa.

Left to right: Jim Chennault, Castle Rock Blooms, Nancy Chennault, Castle Rock Blooms/ CRCDA, CRPW Tyler Stone, Ginger Vorse and CRPW Director Dave Vorse.

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“In my opinion, realistic hands-on experience leaves more of a lasting impression for high school students,” said Jones, who will also facilitate student job shadowing and internship opportunities at the Port and other industries.

Among the many challenges facing students was the design of the actual store, which will be in the middle of the market’s first floor vendor hall. The 19x14’ space is being built by construction students, who are incorporating barn doors and other rustic features and finishes into its final design.

Students from engineering classes are also working alongside marketing and graphic communications students to manufacture products using laser engravers, vinyl plotter/cutters, UV printers, 3D printers, CNC plasma tables and heat presses. Some are even creating prototypes for 3D jigs to speed up production of smaller items.

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Much of the equipment is new to the school, having been purchased with grant money over the past few years.

The variety of machines has allowed students to produce a range of products, including Kalama High School and Mountain Timber Market branded coffee mugs, t-shirts, postcards, key chains and other tourist-friendly items.

“Our students will learn the importance of communication and teamwork, along with quality control and work ethic,” said Cory Torppa, who teaches

cont page 11

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 11

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1541 11th Ave., Suite A Longview, WA NMLS#1164433

D

TAKE TIME TO VISIT DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW!

owntown Longview had a great time during Harvest Festival. We had thousands of people show up and shop in downtown.

Our restaurants were packed, our vendors were busy and the stage featured music from The Boomtown Saints.

Shop, Dine, Relax ... Thank you for buying local and supporting small business!

DOWNTOWN EATERIES

by Josh Carter

Thank you if you made the choice to come visit. Bigger thank you if you heeded the call of sponsorship to help us pay the bills that come along with a great time.

Antidote Tap THE House once ROAMING again came DOWNTOWNER in clutch by bringing the beer garden to life, and they brought their own covers! There is nothing better than coming together so we can have a great time.

We’re doing it again, too. Small Business Saturday is the next big day in downtown.

It’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we’re hoping to see you Downtown.

The stores order a little extra, you’ll save extra and you know you’re supporting our wonderful little town, all in one fell swoop.

That’s worth something.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW NOV 25 Josh Carter serves as president of Longview Downtowners, a 501c(3) non-profit, membershipbased business and community association.

The Downtowners are dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and development of Downtown Longview.

Initiatives include revitalization through beautification, tourism, event creation, business assistance, and investment recruitment. For more info, visit downtownlongview.com

See ad, page 23

The Broadway Gallery See ad, page 29, 36

Details, Dining Guide, page 15

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge

See ad, page 23

See ad, page 9

EXPLORE

Longview Outdoor Gallery Unique sculptures along the sidewalks of Downtown Longview, both sides of Commerce Ave.

Columbia River Reader

BOOK BOUTIQUE

Gift Books Lewis & Clark, Longview’s Centennial, Columbia River

poetry, art, history, see pg 2

Gift Subscriptions for yourself or a friend!

Mon-Wed-Fri • 11am–3pm Other times by chance or appointment 1333 14th Ave, Longview Free local delivery of books

360-749-1021

CRR readers are:

Community-spirited Curious • Generous Appreciative Gracious Thank you for reading the Reader!

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 13

Local Culture

MUSEUM MAGIC

The Watts House Brings Who-ville to Scappoose this Holiday Season!

Story and photos by Joseph Govednik, Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director

S

ome big changes and events are going on at the Watts House Pioneer Museum in Scappoose, Oregon, this holiday season and beyond.

The museum is in a beautiful 1902 constructed home of J.G. Watts, one of the City of Scappoose’s pioneers. The house served as a family home until 1976, when it was given to the city and used as City Hall until the mid-1990s.

Since then, the Scappoose Historical Society has operated a museum and is taking this beautifully crafted home to the next level with the installation of new and improved exhibits in the renovated basement. The basement gallery space is scheduled to be ready next year, adding a deepened level of interpretation into the history of the greater Scappoose region.

This holiday season the Scappoose Historical Society is pleased to bring its first Dr. Seuss-themed event, bringing Who-ville to the Watts House. The Grinch will be up to his mischievous tricks throughout the house, along with characters from the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

and costume competition. Tours this December are 5-8pm on weekends, and Wednesdays, 3-7pm. The Watts house will be lit up in all its holiday glory for these special events.

The grand opening is Saturday, December 2nd from 6-9pm. On December 9th visitors will be able to meet the Grinch himself from 5-8pm.

December 16th is a Who-ville hair

For more information please visit www. scappoosehistoricalsociety.org or call the museum at 971-645-3320.

•••

Exhibits include items such as a cash register from the Watts and Price Store of the 1920ºs, logging equipment, local sports ephemera, and farm equipment.

The new exhibits and upgraded fixtures were funded in part by an economic development grant and the Sam Johnson Foundation.

Raymond/ South Bend

Oysterville •

To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle

Ocean Park •

Vader

101

Warrenton • Astoria

101

Seaside

Pacific Ocean

Cathlamet 4

• Castle Rock Visitor Center Exit 49, west side of I-5, 890 Huntington Ave. N. Open M-F 11–3.

Longview

Vernonia

Oregon

Ape Cave •

Kelso

Clatskanie

Birkenfeld

Woodland

Columbia City

• Ridgefield

Scappoose•

To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland

503

Sauvie Island

Portland

Local in

• Naselle, WA Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4, Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103.

for

Points o mation f In Recre terest Special ation Dinin Events Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain ment

• Pacific County Museum & Visitor Center Hwy 101, South Bend, WA 360-875-5224 • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542 • South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685 • Seaside, OR 989 Broadway, 503-738-3097; 888-306-2326

•Yacolt

St Helens

NW lius Corne oad Pass R

Cougar •

Kalama

Rainier

14 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitor Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058

• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Mount St. Helens Cathlamet • 360-795-9996

Skamokawa

WestportPuget Island FERRYk

Grays • River Chinook

FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information

• Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552

504

Castle Rock

• Naselle

Long Beach Ilwaco

Columbia River

Washington

VISITOR CENTERS

• Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

Skamania Lodge

Vancouver Col. Gorge Interp.Ctr as •Cam Bonneville 12 Dam Crown Troutdale Point

son Steven Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods

Hood River

Goldendale Maryhill Museum

The Dalles

To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID

Map suggests only approximate positions and relative distances. Consult a real map for more precise details.

We are not cartographers.

Clatskanie, Ore. Fultano’s Pizza 770 E. Columbia River Hwy Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

Dine-in,Take-out and Home Delivery.

Visit Fultanos.com for streamlined menu.

503-728-2922

COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide

The Corner Cafe

796 Commerce Ave. Breakfast & Lunch. Daily Soup & Sandwich, breakfast specials. Tues-Sat 7am-3pm. Closed Sun-Mon. 360-353-5420.

Email: sndcoffeeshop@comcast.net

Eclipse Coffee & Tea

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant 640 E. Columbia River Hwy

Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials.

The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Dine-in, curbside pickup. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344

Rainier. Ore. 102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits 7am–8pm Daily. Inside dining.

Interstate Tavern

119 E. “B” St., (Hwy 30) Crab Louie/Crab cocktails, crab-stuffed avocados. 17 hot and cold sandwiches. Amazing crab sandwiches. Full bar service.

Catering for groups.

503-556-5023. interstatetavern@yahoo.com 503-556-5023

El Tapatio

117 W. ‘A’ Street Mexican Family Restaurant.

Open Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, rest of week 11am-10pm.

Full bar. Karaoke Fri-Sat 8-11pm. Patio seating. 503556-8323.

Longview, Wash.

1335 14th Avenue 18 rotating craft brews, pub fare.

M-Th 11am–8pm. Fri-Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm. Local music coming soon. 360-232-8283. Inside dining See ad, page 39. Follow us on Untappd.

Bruno’s Pizza 1108 Washington Way. Pizza, breadsticks, wings, salads, fish & chips. WE DELIVER. Four beers on tap.

360-636-4970 or 360-425-5220,

The Carriage

Restaurant & Lounge

The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge 1334 12th Ave. Open 8am–9pm (sometimes later, call to check). Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar, banquet room available for groups, special events. Happy hours daily 9–11am, 5–7pm. 360-425-8545.

Scappoose, Ore.

In the Merk (1339 Commerce Ave., #113) 360-998-2139. Mon-Fri 8am– 4pm. Specialty coffees, teas, bubble teas and pastries....drinks with a smile.

Takeout and on-site.

Freddy’s Just for the Halibut

1110 Commerce Ave. Cod, Alaskan halibut fish and chips, award-winning clam chowder.

Burgers, steaks, pasta. Beer and wine. M-Sat 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–8pm. Inside dining, Drive-thru, outdoor seating. 360-414-3288. See ad, page 7

Hop N Grape

924 15th Ave., Longview Tues–Thurs 11am–7pm; Fri & Sat 11am–8pm. BBQ meat slow-cooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken, brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon. World-famous mac & cheese. 360577-1541.

Kyoto Sushi Steakhouse 760 Ocean Beach Hwy, Suite J 360-425-9696.

Japanese food, i.e. hibachi, Bento boxes, Teppanyaki; Sushi (half-price Wednesdays); Kids Meal 50% Off Sundays.

Mon-Th 11-2:30, 4:30-9:30. Fri-Sat 11am10pm. Sun 11am-9pm.

Lynn’s Deli & Catering 1133 14th Ave.

Soups & sandwiches, specializing in paninis, box lunches, deli sandwiches and party platters. Mon-Fri 8-3, Saturday 10-2.

360-577-5656

Roland Wines

1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, and beer. Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Fri, Sat. 1–9. 360-846-7304. See ad, page 27.

Scythe Brewing Company 1217 3rd Avenue #150 360-353-3851 Sun-Thurs 11:30am -8pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am -10pm.

Family-friendly brewery/ restaurant with upscale, casual dining, lunch and dinner.

Stuffy’s 804 Ocean Beach Hwy 360-423-6356 8am–8pm. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. American style food.

Free giant cinnamon roll with meal purchase on your birthday with proof of ID. Facebook: Stuffy’s II Restaurant, or Instagram @stuffys2.

Castle Rock, Wash Luckman’s Coffee Company 239 Huntington Ave. North, Drive-thru.

Pastries, sandwiches, salads, quiche.

See ad, page 39.

Parker’s Steak House & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. I-5 Exit 49.

Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant open 1-8pm Tue-Th, 1-9pm, F-Sat. Lounge Happy Hours 4pm. 360-967-2333. Call for status/options.

Vault Books & Brew 20 Cowlitz Street West, Castle Rock. Coffee and specialty drinks, quick eats & sweet treats. See ad, page 34.

Kalama, Wash.

Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” Sun–Th 11am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11am–10pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose.

503-543-5100. Inside Dining.

Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant

33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine.

Daily specials. The best margarita in town.

Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017

Warren, Ore. Warren Country Inn 56575 Columbia River Hwy. Fine family dining. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Full bar. Call for hours.503-410-5479. Check Facebook for updates. Dine-in.

Toutle, Wash.

DREW’S GROCERY & SERVICE

5304 Spirit Lake Hwy (10 mi. fr Exit 49) 24-hour fueling (gas & diesel, card at pump, cash at Jule’s Snack Shack (when open). Red Leaf Organic Coffee. See ad, page 32.

215 N. Hendrickson Dr., Port of Kalama.

A Northwest pub and unique bars serving breakfast, lunch & dinner daily.

Info & reservations, bar hours at mcmenamins.com. 8am–midnight daily.

360- 673-9210. Indoor dining, covered outdoor seating, curbside take-out.

St. Helens, Ore. Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine.

Limited inside seating, curbside pickup and delivery.

503-397-3211 See ad, page 17.

Big River Tap Room 313 Strand Street on the Riverfront.

Lunch/Dinner Tue-Thurs 12–8pm; Fri-Sat 12–9pm. Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, pastrami. Weekend Burrito Breakfast, Sat 8-11, Sun 8am-3pm.

Woodland, Wash.

“SoCo” 1350 Atlantic Ave. Rotating craft brews, pub fare. Open M-Th 11am–6pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–6pm.

360-841-8941. See ad, page 39.

L

uckman

Coffee Company 1230 Lewis River Rd. Small batch on-site roasted coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside seating.

M-F 5:30am–6pm, Sat 6am–5pm, Sun 7am–3pm. See ad, page 39.

THE OAK TREE

1020 Atlantic Ave. Breakfast served all day.

Famous Bankruptcy Stew, Oak Tree Salad, desserts baked in-house. Full bar.

Happy Hours 1-3, 7-9pm.

Live music. 360--841-5292. See ad, page 8.

Restaurant operators: To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call 360-749-2632

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 15

people+ place

thank you IAN THOMPSON

Cultivating the values of lifelong learning, sustainability, health, and community.

for all you do as a founder and leader of this fine program!

Celebrating life in the Columbia River region, supporting local journalism, and spotlighting community causes

Thanks to our sponsors: Weatherguard • Cutright Supply • NORPAC The Evans Kelly Family • Joe Fischer • Cowlitz PUD For information about becoming a sponsor, please contact publisher@crreader.com or call 360-749-1021.

Brian Fleming

Proud Sponsor of

People+Place

“

I worship God through sports by making it a priority to pray before every game. When I focus on prayer, it creates a positive mindset within me and reminds me why I am on the court. As a Christian athlete I’m not competing for my coach, my teammates, my parents, or even myself, I am competing solely for Christ.”

Weatherguard supports the FCA vision: To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

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People+Place

FREE PUBLIC VIEWING Thurs., Nov 30, 4:30-7:30pm No-host bar, prizes, music, Santa

DINNER PARTY & AUCTION Friday, Dec. 1 • Doors open 5:30pm Cowlitz County Event Center 1900 7th Ave., Longview, WA Full Size Trees will be bid on during a live auction at the dinner party. For a chance to purchase an exquisitely and uniquely decorated full size tree, purchase tickets to attend the party, or plan to bid by proxy.

Proceeds to benefit local charities supporting Women & Children Junior League of Lower CoLumbia

TICKETS: Single $80 Couple $150, Table of 8 $560 longviewjuniorserviceleague.ejoinme.org

Join us in celebrating our community with JOY and GIVING during the Festival of Trees!

The Evans Kelly Family One Of LOngview’s piOneer famiLies.

Proud Sponsor of People+Place

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Longview is Alive with Art!

Northwest hydropower produces no carbon emissions, thereby significantly reducing the total carbon footprint of the region’s energy production.

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painting16x20 inches acrylic paint on canvas

by Joe Fischer

Providing Clean Power Since 1936

JOE FISCHER Proud Sponsor of

People+Place 16 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

PROVIDING CLEAN HYDRO POWER SINCE 1936

Proud Sponsor of

People+Place

A monthly feature written and photographed

by Southwest Washington native and

people+ place

Emmy Award-winning journalist

Hal Calbom

Production Notes Humbling and Heartening: A Hero’s Return “I felt like Rip Van Winkle,” said Karl Marlantes, just home from a trip to Vietnam. “During my tour there I never met a single Vietnamese as anything other than a blood enemy.

This was amazing.”

“I remember Dong Ha City, that’s right near the DMZ where a lot of us were deployed, as this town of one-story thatched roofs,” he recalled. “And now there are McDonalds and Burger Kings and there’s even a Volvo dealership!”

Marlantes is perhaps his generation’s most renowned survivor and chonicler of our nation’s Vietnam tragedy.

He went back to Quang Tri not only to relive and revisit, but also affiliated with Peace Trees Vietnam, to clear unexploded ordnance, replant vegetation, and support community development projects like school building.

Karl Marlantes: The Gift of Sisu

H

e i s a m o n g t h e Pa c i f i c Northwest’s most celebrated writers, publishing his new novel, Cold Victory, this January. We at the Reader are especially delighted to kick off our Holiday Reading Issue with a special gift — the exclusive preview of Cold Victory that follows.

“According to my Grandma, my Finnish Grandma, it was sisu that beat the Russians in World War Two,” he said, chuckling, “But of course the Finns didn’t beat the Russians in the war, they got crushed. But they put up a great fight, and that’s what lasts in their memory.”

You read it here first.

Marlantes builds his new tale around the return of an Americanized Finn, Arnie Koski (perhaps a descendant of the Koskis who populated Deep River) and Louise, his wife, to Helsinki in 1946. A military attache in the American Army, Lt. Colonel Koski is an early player in what was already shaping up to be — quite literally in the frozen north — a fierce Cold War.

Karl Marlantes is clearly not a “genre” writer: his two previous novels, and his upcoming third, are set in entirely different parts of the world, different periods of history, different cultures.

They’re even told in different styles.

So, why produce as follow-up to the Viet Nam-defining Matterhorn and the sprawling settlement tale Deep River, his new release, “Cold Victory,” a seemingly more conventional tale set in Finland after the end of World War II? “Well, one consistent theme is my Finnish background,” he told me in a recent phone conversation, “that’s present in all three books.” And there are other clues to the genesis of “Cold Victory” in that background, including the presence of “sisu” — that curiously Finnish blend of chutzpah, stoicism, determination and grit.

“I was part of one of the de-mining teams. Probably stuff I shot in there in the first place.” Memories are bittersweet, of course. He lost 98 of his Charlie Company brothers, out of 225, in the conflict.

“Really uncanny similarity to Ukraine,” said Marlantes, “Here I’ve just written this book and I see the headlines and it’s ‘holy shit, here we go again.’

Another small country swallowed up by the Russian bear.”

It’s a war waged without bullets or explosives, and the drama in Cold Victory — diplomacy, fear, spy craft, and intimidation — begins early, even as the Koskis disembark on their frozen shore.

The stakes in this new war are the smaller countries caught in the middle, fiercely proud and nationalistic, who

resent being pawns in the game, but live in a world of ruin and post-war uncertainty themselves.

Koski tells Louise that a third of the Finns they encounter may actually favor Russian occupation and influence.

“The Soviet Union is here to make that happen,” he says, “and we, my dear, are here to help make it not happen.”

Marlantes sets this big drama on an intimate stage, and artfully uses his female characters to plumb nuances not always present in hot wars and battle zones. “Things haven’t changed that much,” he told me, “We’re still threatened by people who would take away our privacy, freedom of speech, our very way of life. The aims of Russia and China today haven’t changed that much over the last 80 years. The methods may be more subtle. But the question still remains: Do we have the fortitude to resist?”

EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: COLD VICTORY Tuesday, December 10, 1946 Ferry Terminal, Turku, Finland

S

He remains gripped by PTSD and beholden to therapy and empathy.

“Today I guess I realized that all of us are human. Human is human. And planting trees, and McDonalds, and all of it, emphasizes how similar we all are.”

“There was no way I ever wanted to go back. I’m glad I did.”

••• Karl Marlantes was featured in the CRR September issue’s People+Place, available in archival form at crreader.com. “Past Issues.”

Cold Victory will be pulbished

by Grove Atlantic Press, January, 2024.

he’d followed Arnie Koski a long way from Edmond, Oklahoma.

Louise Koski was now standing on the open passenger deck of the Stockholm-Turku ferry as it formed a channel through the thin, early December ice leaving floating shards reflecting the wan sunlight in its wake.

The angle of the somber sun in a clear comfortless sky was only a held-out fist above the southern horizon.

Arnie came up from behind and hugged her. She snuggled into his chest, shielding herself against the slight but icy wind. Arnie was wearing civilian clothes under a heavy wool army greatcoat. He kissed her hair, and she turned to look up at him. His eyes shone with the excitement that he wouldn’t allow himself to show on the rest of his face. “Is it like coming home, somehow?” she asked.

Wrapping herself against the cold in her stylish but inadequate coat, Louise watched the low snow-covered shoreline slowly pass behind on both sides as the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings of Turku grew into distinct shapes, interspersed with occasional gaps where a now-bombed-out building had stood before the war.

“In a way.”

Three words made an average sentence for Arnie.

They entered the open water of the harbor and the icebreaker that had been preceding them moved aside to let the ferry nose into the terminal. cont page 18

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 17

Cold Victory from page 17

The line going through customs wasn’t long. Travel between Finland and Sweden was only just beginning to revive so soon after the war. A Finnish customs official examined their passports and Arnie’s diplomatic papers. The customs official looked up at them. “Is this all of you?” he asked in accented English.

“Just two,” Arnie replied.

Louise felt a twinge. She was thirty and despite several army doctors declaring that she was perfectly healthy, she’d already suffered two miscarriages in five years of trying. She desperately wanted children, and the clock was ticking. The family remained, as Arnie said, just two.

When they emerged from the terminal, a young man in his early twenties with thick blond hair walked up to them, his breath showing a bright white cloud.

He asked in English, “Lieutenant Colonel Koski?”

Arnie nodded and answered yes in Finnish.

“Pulkkinen,” the man said and grabbed both of their suitcases. Pulkkinen silently led them to a khaki 1942 Chevy Fleetmaster sedan with diplomatic plates. The white star of the US Army was still on the driver’s door.

Louise pulled herself closer to Arnie’s ear. “Loquacious,” she whispered.

“If you think Dad was taciturn . . .” he whispered back. He left the rest unsaid, which made her smile. Like father like son.

Pulkkinen stowed the luggage in the trunk and held a rear door open for her. Louise expected to be in the back seat; Arnie would want to pump the driver for as much information as he could. The leather of the rear seat was cold. She didn’t look forward to the three-hour drive to Helsinki.

Constantly clearing the window condensation with her coat sleeve, Louise watched the bleak landscape of farms interspersed with tracts of

snow-dusted trees slide by. It was only three in the afternoon and already the sun was setting.

so they were spared the details. Their husbands could fill them in if they really wanted to know.

Arnie was talking in his fluent Finnish with Pulkkinen. She could feel Arnie’s excitement for his new posting, military attaché to the American legation in Helsinki, Finland. It wasn’t just his new posting; it was hers as well.

Every woman knew that all high-level diplomatic jobs took two people—and this was their first one. His end was gathering military intelligence. Her end was providing the social lubricant and connections that made his job easier.

That meant what her mother called socializing. Just months before, she’d been an ordinary army wife. Could she do the job?

That attitude on the part of State and the army, however, did not ease any of the pressure. If this assignment went well, Arnie could make full colonel, paving the way to general. If not, she remembered the wife of another military attaché, half-sloshed at a cocktail party in Washington before they left, offering “helpful” advice.

“Screw this up and your husband’s career is over.”

She was immensely proud of Arnie.

It was a real coup, a position like this as a light colonel. But she worried that she would let him down. Several of the wives at the State Department briefing had gone to East Coast colleges like Vassar and Sweet Briar. She’d gone to the University of Oklahoma.

Many had been to Europe before the war. She’d never ventured east of the Mississippi River. They came to the briefings dressed exactly right, seemingly without much thought or effort. Her Emily Post was getting dog-eared. Then there was the actual job, essentially being a secondary and subtle channel for any information that Arnie might find useful — or want to communicate — picking up on slight changes in tone, nuances of conversation, and cultivating the contacts that would help Arnie do his job. Her problem, however, was knowing what useful information was.

The State Department briefings had been long on protocol: who got seated where at parties, how to address the wife of an ambassador versus the wife of a career diplomat, when not to shake hands, what to wear when. But the single brief lecture on what was actually happening in Finland, what America wanted—what the Soviet Union and Finland wanted—had been cursory. To her disappointment, she found that State was no different than the army.

There was an unspoken assumption that the wives wouldn’t be interested,

18 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

Louise was all too aware that many a promising army career had been cut short by an awkward wife who lacked social skills. The French, whose

They passed a crossroads in the dark and Pulkkinen pointed to the road on the right. “Porkkala.” A single word.

No emotion.

“Porkkala?” she asked.

Arnie turned to look back at her. “The Russian navy base.”

“A Russian navy base? Here? We’re no more than twenty miles from Helsinki. No one said anything about it in our briefings.”

“With another base in Estonia they control the sea approaches to Leningrad,” Arnie said. “Part of the deal.”

The “deal” referred to the Moscow Armistice, which was signed on September 19, 1944, ending the fighting between Finland and the Soviet Union. She had heard of the agreement in the briefings, but Arnie had had to explain its consequences in more detail on the ferry. The deal had been very bad for the Finns. ___

literature she had studied in college, had a single word for it that she hoped would never be applied to her: gauche.

But the French spent their entire childhoods learning how to be French.

She only knew how to be polite in Oklahoma, and trying to learn diplomatic protocol in a couple of weeks of lectures was like trying to learn a foreign language without ever being able to practice speaking. She would never be fluent.

Right now, however, her free-floating anxiety about whether she was up to the job of making this assignment work was ambient background for a related and more specific worry. Would their household items, which they’d shipped over a month ago, especially her clothes, be waiting in Helsinki? If not, that would mean buying several dresses, and it would be with their own money. What would they think of her— and Arnie—if she had to go to a fancy embassy party in—she looked down at her sensible wool skirt—this. Were there even dress shops in Helsinki?

In November 1939, the Soviet Union, then an ally of Hitler’s Germany, had invaded Finland. The Finns fought bravely and alone against enormous odds in what became known as the Winter War, inflicting massive casualties on the Soviet juggernaut, stopping it cold, and earning the accolades of the entire free world.

Accolades, however, were all they got. With no help from the West, exhausted and out of hope, they signed the first armistice with the Soviet Union in the spring of 1940, giving up over 10 percent of their land.

Fearing the Soviets wanted even more, they again sought help from neutral Sweden and the Western Allies to shore up their defenses. Again, they got none. So, when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June of 1941, the Finns joined with Germany to take back the territory they’d lost.

They regained all of it. They however continued, some would say foolishly, to help their German ally lay siege to Leningrad. Leningrad never fell, and Stalin never forgot.

In June 1944, when the Germans were falling back on Berlin and facing the Allied landings in Normandy, Stalin took his revenge.

With overwhelming superiority in men and equipment, fueled with massive matériel support from the United States, the Red Army drove cont page 30

WINTER • 2024

A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING our world in words

This work is astonishing. The variety of moods and nuances Debby evokes in simple black and white — delicacy writ with a knife and gouge — testifies to her craftsmanship and to her love for her subjects.

Adding haiku to these dramatic images pins them in moments and memories and heightens our attention and interest.

We’re proud to present Debby’s Words and Wood to the people of the Pacific Northwest and to lovers of art and the natural world everywhere.

M I C H A E L O. P E R R Y

dispatches

– The Editors

from the Discovery Trail with HAL CALBOM

woodcut art by DEBBY NEELY

A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

Photo by hal Calbom

I sign my name with the red chops. The top chop is my name in Chinese. The bottom chop says, “I draw birds and animals.”

words and wood • debby neely

Debby Neely is a Northwest artist and poet. This is her first book combining words and woodcuts.

words and wood

pacific northwest woodcuts and haiku

Construction of the new 911 center was completed in May 2023. debby neely Technology was installed and went live July 4, 2023.

Debby Neely From Words and Wood

COLUMBIA RIVER READER PRESS

CRR PRESS

BOOKS • BOOKS • BOOKS • BOOKS • BOOKS • BOOKS River/ Reader Press • WINTER Nov-DecColumbia Holiday 2023 Columbia River Reader 2024 / 19

Book Boutique

A MASTER WOODCUTTER IN HER OWN WORDS Words and Wood: Pacific Northwest Woodcuts and Haiku

by Debby Neely

k is astonishing. The variety and nuances Debby evokes in ack and white — delicacy writ nife and gouge — testifies to smanship and to her love ubjects.

haiku to these dramatic images m in moments and memories htens our attention and interest.

oud to present Debby’s Words od to the people of the Pacific

st and to lovers of art and the world everywhere.

– The Editors

• 70 original woodcuts and haiku

words and wood • debby neely

eely is a Northwest artist . This is her first book ng words and woodcuts.

• Author foreword and commentary • Gift-boxed with tasseled bookmark: $35

words and wood

I sign my name with the red chops. The top chop is my name in Chinese. The bottom chop says, “I draw birds and animals.”

pacific northwest woodcuts and haiku

Debby Neely From Words and Wood

debby neely

ER READER PRESS

An astonishing book debut. The variety of moods and nuances Debby evokes in simple black and white — delicacy writ with a knife and gouge — testifies to her craftsmanship and to her love for her subjects.

Adding haiku to these dramatic images pins them in moments and memories and heightens our attention and interest.

AMERICA’S PLANNED CITY AND THE LAST FRONTIER Empire of Trees by Hal Calbom

H

owever isolated Longview was, thanks to its huge ambitions and aggressive promotion, the whole world

would watch its birth and development.

In 1920 the nation’s largest lumber company rolled the dice. They would build the world’s largest sawmills, and a planned city to house them, in the far Pacific Northwest. From a reclaimed swamp on the Columbia River, they produced a million board feet a day, shipped their lumber around the world, and built a model city called Longview.

• 220 historic photographs • Journalistic format, Then and Now • Author interview • Gift-boxed and signed: $50 WINTER 2024 •River Columbia River Reader Holiday Press 20 / Columbia Reader / Nov-Dec 2023

This is history not just of a region, but of a daring spirit, relentless idealism, and colossal ambition. By the midthirties, the Depression had broken their empire. But the model city they built still stood, and stands today.

Book Boutique

A LAYMAN’S LEWIS AND CLARK Dispatches from the Discovery Trail

by Michael Perry Lewis and Clark for the rest of us. Author Michael Perry takes a fresh look at the Expedition from the layman’s point of view, adding new notes and commentary to this third edition of the popular book based on the 33-part series debuted ­— and still featured — in Columbia River Reader.

Dispatches adds to the Expedition lore the insights and observations of a gifted amateur historian.

• Month-by-month following the Expedition • Author commentary and illustrations • Gift-boxed, tasseled bookmark: $50 M I C H A E L O. P E R R Y

dispatches

• Standard edition: $35

from the Discovery Trail with HAL CALBOM

woodcut art by DEBBY NEELY

A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

FIELD GUIDE TO THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER IN POEMS AND PICTURES The Tidewater Reach by Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten

• Original photographs by Judy VanderMaten •

Author interview

•

Field notes and commentary

•

Signature edition: $50

•

Collector’s edition: $35

•

Standard edition $25

•

Audio book $15

read by Hal Calbom (online only)

The Northwest’s premier naturalist and writer turns his eyes and art to verse, picturing the tidewater reach — where the salt water and fresh water meet in the Columbia — in beautifully crafted, whimsical and profound stanzas. More than your conventional field guide — a different way of seeing.

River/ Reader Press • WINTER Nov-DecColumbia Holiday 2023 Columbia River Reader2024 / 21

COLUMBIA RIVER READER PRESS BOOK BOUTIQUE LEWIS AND CLARK REVOLUTIONIZED

COLLECTORS CLUB ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION THOUGHTFUL GIFTS...

FOR YOURSELF OR FOR A FRIEND!

• COMPLIMENTARY 176 • March 15 – April 15, 2020 CRREADER.COM • Vol. XVI, No. road River region at home and on the the good life in the Columbia

Helping you discover and enjoy

What really — truly — happened during those final wind-blown, rain-soaked thirty days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s trek to the Pacific? Southwest Washington author and explorer Rex Ziak revolutionized historical scholarship by providing the answers: day by day and week by week.

MOSS IN YOUR LAWN? What to do page 15

ONE RIVER, MANY VOICES WASHINGTON’S POET LAUREATE COMES TO WAHKIAKUM COUNTY page 14

People+Place

IN FULL VIEW Rex Ziak $29.95 A true and accurate account of Lewis and Clark’s arrival at the Pacific Ocean, and their search for a winter camp along the lower Columbia River.

The art of the woodcut

page 19

dining guide

ESCAPE TO BARCELONA • “FEATURED

11 issues $55

CHEF” RETURNS

We’ll send your recipient a printed gift notification card.

NEW!

Debby Neely is a Northwest artist and poet. This is her first book combining words and woodcuts.

words and wood • debby neely

EYEWITNESS TO ASTORIA Gabriel Franchére $21.95 The newly edited and annotated by Rex Ziak version of Franchére’s 1820 journal, Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America in the Years 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, or The First American Settlement on the Pacific.

Cutting Edge page 28

COLUMBIA RIVER

This work is astonishing. The variety of moods and nuances Debby evokes in simple black and white — delicacy writ with a knife and gouge — testifies to her craftsmanship and to her love for her subjects.

WORDS AND WOOD

Adding haiku to these dramatic images pins them in moments and memories and heightens our attention and interest.

Pacific Northwest Woodcuts and Haiku by Debby Neely •Boxed, Gift Edition with tasseled bookmark $35 We’re proud to present Debby’s Words and Wood to the people of the Pacific Northwest and to lovers of art and the natural world everywhere.

– The Editors

words and wood

I sign my name with the red chops. The top chop is my name in Chinese. The bottom chop says, “I draw birds and animals.”

Photo by hal Calbom

pacific northwest woodcuts and haiku

Debby Neely From Words and Wood

THE TIDEWATER REACH Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures By Robert Michael Pyle and Judy VanderMaten.

The

Tidewater Reach Field Guide

• Boxed Signature Edition, with color $50 • Collectors Edition, with color $35 • Trade paperback B/W $25 • Audiobook $15

MIchael o. Perry is a retired environmental technician, avid collector and conservator, and student of Pacific Northwest history. He lives in Kelso, Washington.

“Michael Perry gets it right!

Good storytelling is key to meaningful learning for all ages, and ‘Dispatches’ informs us in a relaxed, enjoyable way, perfect for anyone wishing to explore with the explorers.”

“‘Dispatches’ is a great read, well researched and documented, and presented in an appealing format.

The perfect place to start learning more about the Corps of Discovery.” — ALLEN BENNETT President, Lower Columbia Chapter Traditional Small Craft Association

— DANIELLE ROBBINS Education & Public Programs Coordinator, Cowlitz County Historical Museum

to the

Lower Columbia River in

Field Guide to the

Lower Columbia River in

Poems and Pictures Robert Michael Pyle Judy VanderMaten

M I C H A E L O. P E R R Y

Poems and Pictures

Robert Michael Pyle Judy VanderMaten

Michael Perry has a collector’s eye, a scientist’s curiosity, and the Pacific Northwest in his heart.

In thIs engagIng new book author Michael Perry takes a fresh look at the Lewis and Clark Expedition — what they set out to do, what they experienced, and where they failed and succeeded — from the layman’s point of view. Compiled from a popular monthly magazine series, and adding new notes and commentary, Perry’s Dispatches adds to the lore and legacy of the famous Expedition the insights, quirks, and wry observations of a gifted amateur historian.

Featuring the work of

woodcut artist Debby Neely “Meadowlark” On the cover: “Whispering”

DISPATCHES FROM THE DISCOVERY TRAIL

dispatches from the discovery trail

In three editions:

M I C H A E L O. P E R R Y

dispatches from the Discovery trail with HAL CALBOM woodcut art by dEbby NEELy

A LAYMAN’S LEWIS & CLARK

$35.00 ISBN 978-1-7346725-6-5

53500>

www.crreader.com/crrpress

CRR PRESS

Collectors Edition

ISBN 978-1-7346725-4-1

9 781734 672565

read by Hal Calbom (online only)

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BOOKS: A PERFECT GIFT ALSO AVAILABLE FOR IN-PERSON PICK-UP At 1333 14th Ave. Cash, checks, credit card

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debby neely

COLUMBIA RIVER READER PRESS

A Layman’s Lewis & Clark

by Michael O. Perry.

•BW Edition $35 •Signature Edition.

Boxed, tasseled bookmark, Color and B/W $50

EMPIRE OF TREES

America’s Planned City and the Last Frontier by Hal Calbom Longview Centennial Edition.

•Boxed, signed. $50.

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Where do you read

THE READER?

Ocian in view! O, the joy! Cousins Cash G. and Gwen T., who hadn’t hung out since 2011. Cash lives in Iowa, and flew here to visit and see the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach for the first time! The two, posed at the Astoria Column, are the nephew and granddaughter of Melody Kranz, of Ridgefield, Wash.

THEIR FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE! A long-time dream of Longview resident John Reynolds, was to visit Ireland. Barb Reynolds was more than happy to accommodate her husband for his 70th birthday in June 2023, so off they flew to London for two nights, followed by a 10-night cruise around the British Isles, ending in Copenhagen.

Tell Santa you want the gift that keeps on giving.

Permanent Eyebrows Eyeliner • Lips

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Music to everyones ears!

(Please pass the butter) Musicians of the Brownsmead Flats at the Brownsmead Grange Hall in Brownsmead, Oregon, reading the Columbia River Reader. Left to right: Ray Raihala, Dan Sutherland, Ned Heavenrich, John Fenton, Larry Moore.

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER? Send your photo reading the Reader (high-resolution JPEG) to publisher@crreader.com.For cell phone photos, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Include names and cities of residence. Thank you for your participation and patience, as we usually have a small backlog!

Text me at 360-749-7465 1311 Hudson Street • Longview

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 23

A Different Way of Seeing

THE TIDEWATER REACH

Poem by Robert Michael Pyle Photograph by Judy VanderMaten

The Big Wave (after Robinson Jeffers, "November Surf")

When the autumn tides arrive each year, big waves come ashore and wash the beach

Field Note by Hal Calbom

Neap Tide

Tides are products of gravitational interaction among the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon.

like a giant sponge. Come winter, the storms hit

Because the Moon is so much closer, it exerts

harder yet, and scrape the shoreline clean.

a greater effect on the tides. Tidal range is the result of juxtapositions of the three bodies.

When the big wave comes

When they align, and the Moon is either a new

When the big wave comes

moon or a full moon, the tidal range is most extreme. On the other hand, tidal range is least

The valleys beyond and the hills above

during the two “half” moons each month, when

are jealous of that seaside purging. They abide,

the orbs are out of alignment, and counteract

and imagine such a bath as would scour

each other. The result is a Neap Tide, from

the cumbered continent free of its dirty old blot.

the Anglo-Saxon, meaning without the power.

When the big wave comes When the big wave comes But when the plates finally slip, as plates will do, and the big wave comes ashore, all insults will be washed away and the land again come clean.

When the big wave comes When the big old mama wave comes When the big wave comes on down, And after that wave, as Robinson Jeffers wrote, the humans will be fewer, the hawks more common, the rivers pure from mouth to source — and we’ll know again at last what it’s like to live on a coast made fresh once more.

When the Big Wave Comes When the Big Wave Comes When the Big...Wave...

•••

Field Guide to the

Lower Columbia River in

Poems and Pictures

Robert Michael Pyle Judy VanderMaten

24 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

On this page we excerpt poems, pictures and field notes from our own “Field Guide to the Lower Columbia River in Poems and Pictures,” The Tidewater Reach, by Gray’s River resident and renowned naturalist Robert Michael Pyle, and Cathlamet photographer Judy VanderMaten. The two dreamed for years of a collaborative project, finally realized when Columbia River Reader Press published color and black and white editions of The Tidewater Reach in 2020, and a third, hybrid edition in 2021, all presenting “a different way of seeing” our beloved Columbia River.

Holiday Music

Americana Christmas

O’Connors bring Appalachian holiday magic to Story by Hal Calbom • Longview’s Columbia Theatre

Courtesy photos

T

he two master musicians taking the Columbia Theatre stage December 14th dub themselves merely “fiddle players,” a seemingly humble avocation.

In fact, Maggie O’Connor, one half the duo, is a classical violin prodigy with worldwide renown. And her husband, Mark O’Connor, has been termed, by people who should know, “simply the greatest musician on the planet.”

The young Mark O’Connor with teacher and mentor Benny Thomasson, famous for developing a “Texas Style of fiddling.” Later in his life, he lived in Kalama.

Local Knowledge

“We call the show ‘Appalachian Christmas,’” the O’Connors told me in a phone conversation from their home in North Carolina, “We got the idea of combining traditional Christmas music with some of the feel of Mark’s own compositions and other homegrown music,” said Maggie.

Mark O’Connor lovingly remembers his apprenticeship with fiddle legend Benny Thomasson. After our interview, Mark sent me this further recollection by email:

“We’re excited to come to Longview, too.” said Mark. “The theater had been recommended to us by an audience member up in Seattle as a great venue. And I’ve got IF YOU GO some history around here, too.”

Mark O’Connor’s

“An Appalachian Christmas” featuring Maggie O’Connor Thurs., Dec. 14, 7:30pm Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, Longview, Wash. see ad, pg 36 TIckets: Adults $50-55; Seniors $50; 17 and under $20 BOX OFFICE: 1231 Vandercoook Way 360.575.8499 or www.columbiatheatre.com

MORE MARK ...

Mark and Maggie’s new single, “Ride Towards Home,” is now available on their YouTube channel.

Crossing Bridges, and a companion book, A Musical Childhood in Pictures, as well as the companion CD Early Childhood Recordings, were all released in February this year.

O’Connor’s Grammy-winning “Appalachian Journey,” album (one of 45 released so far in his remarkable career) is a collaboration with classical musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. “Journey” and its predecessor, “Appalachian Waltz,” won international acclaim and set the standard for “crossover” classical — music infused with folk, blues, and Americana influences.

“We thought, why not bring that same spirit to some of our greatest traditional music,” said Mark, “our Christmas songs and carols. And have a little fun with it, too.” Expect surprises galore, the duo told me, “Why not add a few hoedowns and breakdowns, too?”

Both O’Connors seem to have overcome the pressure on someone branded early on as a “prodigy.”

Growing up in Mountlake Terrace, near Seattle, Mark as a teenager won competitions as best guitar player, fiddle player, and mandolin player — nationally — all in one year. He credits various mentors, including Benny Thomasson (see sidebar), with inspiring creativity beyond technical virtuosity: “The creativity has enabled me to have an enjoyable life in music where I would have been just another child prodigy, washed up by the time they were 16 or 17 and burnt out because it was all about technical issues.”

Dolly Parton visited Washington in August 2023 to celebrate statewide coverage and thank those who helped provide this to our children.

Dolly Parton’s early literacy program ranks #1 nationally for enrollment DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY • This program inspires a love of reading, helps prepare our children for Kindergarten, develops early literacy skills, as well as enhancing family connections • Locally, 3,336 children are enrolled in the Imagination Library program (about 50% of the early learner population)

MORE INFO: LONGVIEWROTARY.COM

People of Action

• To register your child, contact www.imaginationlibrary.com

Rotary Club of Longview strongly supports early literacy via Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program for children ages birth to 5 years, managed by United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF LONGVIEW

Longview was the site of an early fiddle contest I attended as a beginner when I was 11, and the legendary Texas fiddler attended this contest, Benny Thomasson. He had just moved to the area from Texas, living in Kalama.

Shortly after that, my mother drove me down to that area right off the Columbia River every other week for fiddle lessons from Benny at his trailer — for two years, from age 11–13.

These stories are in my memoir, Crossing Bridges. I will likely read an excerpt from the memoir about the gift of music at Christmas time, and in this case the gift of a fiddle he gave me that went on to become the fiddle I won all of the national championships on.

Benny gave me that first good fiddle at the trailer in Kalama, right on the Kalama River, near Longview.

His partnership with Maggie, his spouse of 10 years, has also allowed him to explore vocalizing, arranging, and a prolific career as a writer and adapter. “Mark can play so many instruments,” said Maggie, “and create so many voices, and we’re bringing those voices to the stage.”

“We want people in Longview to feel like they’re in our living room, on Christmas Eve,” said Mark. “And we have all these presents — in the form of these stringed instruments and their different sounds and arrangements — wrapped up and ready to open.”

“This is deeply felt music,” said Maggie, “and two of our great traditions melded together, Americana — blues and bluegrass and folk music — with Christmas. We can’t wait to play them. Every night is a gift.”

••• Hal Calbom writes CRR’s “People+Place” feature. See page 19.

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 25

SKY REPORT

Miss Manners from page 8

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A woman of my acquaintance whom I see socially from time to time (not a close friend) is hosting a belated wedding celebration for her daughter. She has asked me if three out-of-town guests might stay in my house, pointing out that I could charge them for their stay.

I am not in need of money and have no interest in sharing my home with complete strangers, even for a few days.

What is the least awkward way to tell this woman that I’m declining to host her guests?

GENTLE READER: The most polite answer is, “I’m so sorry, but I can’t.”

Miss Manners is unable to say what will be least awkward with someone whose idea of social grace is to billet her friends on a stranger -- and then suggest bilking those friends.

••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

hat can I say, this past month left us on tenterhooks. Were we going to see it or not? Well, some of us did see it.

Nov 2023 – Mid-Jan 2024

By Greg Smith The Evening Sky (a clear open low Eastern horizon is needed.)

All times are Pacific Standard Time Moon Phases:

Full: Mon, Nov 27 Last Quarter: Mon, Dec 4 New: Tues, Dec. 12 1st Quarter: Tues, Dec 19 Full: Wed., Dec 27

Jupiter is nearing opposition, meaning that we are between the Sun and Jupiter so at midnight Jupiter is due south in End of twilight - when the the night sky. In late December brightest stars start to come by 7pm, Jupiter will be high out. It takes about another hour to see a lot of stars.: in the Southeast. Jupiter is the Thurs, Nov 23, 5:05pm brightest star-like object in the Sun, Dec 7, 5:00pm evening sky. So it will be easy Fri, Dec 15, 5:01pm to identify. In late November (Thanksgiving) at midnight Jupiter is at its high point in the southern sky and will be at opposition. Nov 25th the Moon and Jupiter will be side by side, only 1° apart. Saturn sets in the west around 11:30pm.

M45 (the Pleiades) will be north of Jupiter almost even above the horizon. Also at this time, the outer planets of Neptune and Uranus are in this section of the sky. Uranus is located halfway between the Pleaides and Jupiter. It will be hard to find, but if you spot a blue dot, you have found this funny-named planet.

Night Sky Spectacle

“I make house calls”

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Vincent L. (Vince) Penta, P.S. 1561 11th Ave. Longview

360-423-7175

A cloud- free morning is a must

By Christmas Day around 8pm, the constellation Orion will have risen fully in the eastern sky, and the Belt of the Hunter (the three stars that cross the middle of the constellation) will glow with the M42 star-forming region of the Orion Nebula (which hangs down from the middle star of the belt), known as the sword of Orion. This is seen with the naked eye as a fuzzy glowing patch. Any star chart will show you this area quite well. A small telescope will show that M42 has many stars located in this glowing region and a small tight group of stars are giving the light that makes this area glow. If the Moon is full or almost full it may tend to wash out all but the brightest of the stars, but M42 will still be visible. You may see up to 14 stars. If you have noticed the emblem on the front of Subaru cars, it is a depiction of this asterism, as Subaru is the Japanese name for this group of stars.

•••

Longview resident Greg Smith is past president of Friends of Galileo. Meet him and other club members at monthly meetings in Longview.

For more info about FOG, visit friendsofgalileo.com.

26 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

ECLIPSES

W

The Morning Sky A cloudless eastern horizon sky required Venus is up and very brilliant in the Eastern sky by about 5am. It is the bright Morning Star. The constellation of Leo the Lion is well up in the southeastern sky just above Venus.

Call before you go !

Bring Joy Back to the Future…

Plan your Estate Today!

Looking UP

Astronomy

At about 9am the clouds thinned just enough so that we could get a peek of the moon passing in front of the sun here in Longview. It covered the sun by 85+ percent. There was a bit of dimming at the peak of coverage. If you had the proper solar filters, you could make out the two large sunspots that were on the face of the sun that morning.

When will the next total solar eclipse be seen in the Pacific Northwest? Probably not until sometime in the 2100s.

In looking up solar eclipses I found the next one seen in America after next year’s (April 8, 2024) total eclipse (seen in the Eastern U.S.) is in 2044, coming from Canada and ending in Montana. But the following year, on August 12, 2045, will see the next Great American Eclipse, running from Northern California, on through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and ending in South America. Can someone say, ‘See you in Disney World?’ Check this website: nationaleclipse.com/maps/usa_21st_ century.html.

BETTER EVENING VIEWING I noticed that the long-range forecast is for slightly warmer temperatures and a dryer winter. That does not mean we will not have chilly weather (just look at the days before Halloween). It just means we may not have as many of them. That may mean a few more clear evenings.

This should make for great sky watching and some astrophotography. With my new digital telescope I can capture some great winter sky wonders on my laptop. I have already taken some photos of the Galaxy in Andromeda, the pinwheel galaxy, and the whirlpool Galaxy from my backyard in Longview near the Hotel Monticello. I am also looking forward to next spring when comet 12P/Pons-Brooks comes by. It will be best seen just days after the big eclipse on April 8, 2024. I hope to get a photo of the comet with my digital scope. This comet won’t be back for another 71 years.

Meteor season

Also in December are the Geminids December 13-14. They are known to be quite prolific and are believed to come from a stony asteroid giving the meteors a very bright streak in the sky. They move slower than most meteors. The Ursids December 21-22 will be seen coming from the constellation Little Dipper near the cont page 27

from page 26

Garages were built for cars... store your stuff with us!

North Pole. Meteor showers are all best seen after midnight, but they can be seen during the mid evening hours from darkness on through midnight when the number of visible meteors increase. Remember, darkness occurs early this time of year.

•••

FIVE GREAT ASTRONOMY GIFTS

(360) 430-4532

5800 Ocean Beach Highway Longview, WA

Recommended

by Greg

Planisphere The Night Sky 40°- 50° (Large; North Latitude). Here is your map to the night sky. This is the absolute, most basic thing a star gazer MUST have. You can’t be without this. $15 on Amazon. A smaller version for $10.

Binoculars The best way to start learning the objects of the night sky.

You probably already have a pair, so use those. 7X35 and 7X50 are great. 10X50 is probably best, but you will have to brace yourself to stop the shaking of your hands when holding them. Anything bigger will need a tripod to hold them steady

Star Gazing for Everyone with Binoculars by Greg Babcock, who does most of his viewing here in Washington and Oregon, so he knows the problems with local viewing. This book is clear and easy to read and follow, with three uncluttered sky maps for each season. One looking south, one overhead and one looking north. He does recommend 10 X 50 binoculars, but lower sizes can also be used. Use the binoculars that you have. $20 at cloudbreakoptics.com.

Sky & Telescopes Binocular Highlights: 99 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users by Gary Seronik. Published by Sky and Telescope Magazine, this is an easy way to see some very interesting deeper sky objects that a telescope might overpower. If you already have binoculars, this is the book to start your journey to the stars. Check Amazon or Sky and Telescope for current prices.

We Wish you a Safe & Happy Holiday Season!

Sky & Telescopes Pocket Sky Atlas by Roger W Sinnott. Published by Sky and Telescope Magazine. This is an excellent and handy star atlas at 6.5 X 9 inches. There is also a jumbo edition some say is extremely useful for serious star gazing with a 4-inch-plus size telescope. They both are spiral bound, so the pages lie flat. Check Amazon for current prices.

Experience the Best.

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203 NW Kerron Street, Winlock, Washington 360-785-3881 cattermolefuneralhome@aol.com • cattermolefh.com Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 27

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Low-impact

Where to find the new Reader

Exercise Classes

It’s delivered all around the River by the 15th of each month. Here’s the list of handy, regularly-refilled sidewalk box and rack locations where you can pick up a copy any time of day and even in your bathrobe:

Tues and Thurs – 10 AM

TOUTLE LONGVIEW Drew’s Grocery & U.S. Bank Service Post Office Bob’s (rack, main check-out) CLATSKANIE In front of 1232 Commerce Ave Post Office In front of 1323 Commerce Ave Mobil / Mini-Mart In front of Elam’s 1413 Commerce Fultano’s Pizza In front of Freddy’s 1110 Comm.

WESTPORT YMCA Berry Patch (entry rack) Fred Meyer (rack, service desk) Teri’s (Ocean Beach Hwy) RAINIER Grocery Outlet Post Office The Gifted Kitchen Cornerstone Café (711 Vandercook Way) Rainier Hardware (rack, entry) Fibre Fed’l CU - Commerce Ave Earth ‘n’ Sun (on Hwy 30) Monticello Hotel (front entrance) El Tapatio (entry rack) Kaiser Permanente Grocery Outlet St. John Medical Center Senior Center (rack at front door) (rack, Park Lake Café) DEER ISLAND LCC Student Center Deer Island Store Indy Way Diner Columbia River Reader Office COLUMBIA CITY Post Office 1333 14th Ave. (box at door) WARREN Omelettes & More (entry rack) Warren Country Inn Stuffy’s II (entry rack) ST HELENS KELSO Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center / Kelso-Longview Sunshine Pizza Chamber of Commerce St. Helens Market Fresh KALAMA Olde Town: Wild Currant, Tap into Wine Fibre Fed’l CU Safeway Kalama Shopping Center SCAPPOOSE corner of First & Fir Post Office McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge (rack) Road Runner Fultano’s WOODLAND Ace Hardware The Oak Tree Visitors’ Center WARRENTON, OR Grocery Outlet Fred Meyer Luckman Coffee CATHLAMET CASTLE ROCK Cathlamet Pharmacy Lacie Rha’s Cafe (32 Cowlitz W.) Tsuga Gallery Parker’s Restaurant (box, entry) Realty West Visitors’ Ctr 890 Huntington Ave. Puget Island Ferry Landing N., Exit 49, west side of I-5 SKAMOKAWA Cascade Select Market Skamokawa General Store VADER NASELLE Little Crane Café Appelo Archives & Café RYDERWOOD Johnson’s One-Stop Café porch 28 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

NASM Certified Senior Fitness

Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr / Tai Chi for Beginners Instructor

Register through Longview Parks & Rec

360 442-5400

LaNay Eastman

Tai Chi for Health and Senior Fitness Instructor TCHI Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention (Standing/Seated) Tai Chi & Qigong for Health and Wellness (Standing/Seated)

The Administration on Aging (AoA) has rated the TCHI Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevent (TCA) program as the highest evidence-based program for older adults and wellness. More information at www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org.

Visit Historic Riverfront St. Helens!

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503-397-3211

Northwest Gardening

TWIGS, LEAVES, & CONES

It’s the holiday season...naturally!

Story by Alice Slusher

I

t’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. It’s a time to cherish the moments with our loved ones and create memories.

While resting from all the outside projects is a nice change, the kids are indoors, too. Finding fun activities that will distract them from their screens can be a challenge. Here are some nature-inspired activities that can spark their curiosity and imagination.

Some of my fondest memories are sitting at our dining room table with a variety of plant materials and creating winter scenes with them. Mom had a large mirrored tray, and we would paint and glue acorns and sycamore seed pods to make snowmen. We used small sticks we found (cut to relatively uniform lengths by Mom) to build a winter village, complete with a wooden fence. With the help of pipe cleaners, they were also used to fashion reindeer, sleds, and skis. We painted overlapping leaves white for snow, and our tiny pebbles were fences, roads, or walkways.

Of course, there were tiny trees from branch sprigs, painted white and flocked with glitter. My favorites were the petite hemlock cones. They were so versatile.

We made small, silly bunnies, bears, dogs, and piles of snow. We would paint them green, blue or any other color we wanted and glue them onto cardboard cones to fashion festive, colorful Christmas trees.

We’d decorate them with seeds or berries we’d found. Everything was embellished with glitter, including us kids! Some people make gingerbread villages; we made winter wonderlands from nature foraging!

Consider taking a walk in your sleeping garden, neighborhood, or nearby park. Or better yet, organize a scavenger hunt in a local park or forest where the children can search for natural materials like pine cones, twigs, leaves, colorful seed pods, pretty pebbles, and dried flowers. Add a few craft supplies like ribbons, yarn, glue, and paint, and they—and you — can transform these gifts from nature into beautiful decorations for your own tree, or as gifts. Or you can find a special neighborhood tree and decorate it with them.

FAREWELL TO ALICE!

Master Gardener and Kalama resident Alice Slusher volunteers with WSU Extension Service Plant & Insect Clinic. This is her final “Northwest Gardening” column in CRR. We’ve enjoyed and appreciated her columns over several years, and wish her the best!

Really, you and your kids’ imaginations are the only limit to what you can do with these bits of nature. Create a unique and nature-inspired Christmas centerpiece. Create wreaths using evergreen branches, make reindeer ornaments using twigs, or construct pine cone Christmas trees. Encourage children to decorate gift packages with natural materials like leaves, twigs, or dried flowers. They can create personalized gift tags using pressed flowers or write heartfelt messages on recycled paper. This activity adds a special touch of nature to gift-giving.

Gift Certificates Available Jo

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First Thursday

Dec. 7 and Jan. 4, 5:307pm. New Art, Nibbles & Music. Holiday Artisan Cards & Treasures.

Ed

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Ye a

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360-423-7252

Classes are back!

Check website or come in for details

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Help children decorate bird feeders with festive elements like cranberries, popcorn strings, or dried fruit slices. Hang these decorated feeders in the garden or on trees to feed birds during the winter season. Children can observe the birds that visit and enjoy the Christmas feast they have prepared.

rie

nc

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Go

Open Tuesday – Friday 9:30–5, Saturday 9:30–3

lds

mi

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DECEMBER FEATURED ART All -Gallery Member Holiday Show JANUARY: BWG 3D Member Show Jan 16-27 STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE Select art at huge discounts!

1418 Commerce

360-577-0544

In Historic Downtown Longview

OPEN Monday thru Sat 11-4

Your Local SW Washington Artist Co-op since 1982

the-broadway-gallery.com

Happy Holidays!

Crafting Christmas cards can also be a wonderful activity, where handprints become Christmas trees, or pressed flowers and leaves embellish the cards.

These crafts not only capture the holiday spirit but also deepen your connection to nature. It’s a perfect way to spend quality time with children during the chilly winter days when outdoor adventures may not be as inviting.

As the year draws to a close, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my garden observations with you. May your days be filled with warmth, comfort, reflection, gratitude, and joy as we celebrate the blessings in our lives. I eagerly look forward to our explorations in the coming year!

••• Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 29

Cold Victory from page 18 the Finns back toward Helsinki. But

by September 1944, the campaign had cost the Soviet Union close to a million casualties. For every dead Finn and German, there were four dead Russians.

Stalin decided it would be better for the Soviet Union to make peace than to continue to pay the enormous price of conquering Finland by force. The Finns, spent and starving, their German allies facing sure defeat, signed a terribly punitive second armistice. This one cost Finland even more land than the previous one in 1940 and, in addition, the entire Porkkala peninsula just west of Helsinki, along with its large naval base. It further imposed brutal “reparation” payments that amounted to 60 percent of Finland’s prewar GDP. Bad as this deal looked, however, because of Finland’s fierce resistance, it was still independent, the only Eastern European country that hadn’t succumbed to the Red Army. Yet.

Stalin was still set on establishing a Communist government friendly to the Soviet Union but for the moment sought to do so from within. His weapon was the Communist Party of Finland, which until the 1944 treaty had been outlawed. But with Soviet support, it now held about a third of the seats in the parliament. It was Stalin’s velvet glove. The iron fist in that glove was the threat of invasion from a massive army in Finland’s lost territory in the east and the First Mozyr Red Banner Naval Infantry Division based on the Russianoccupied Porkkala peninsula just twenty miles west of Helsinki.

If any political or foreign policy decision offended Joseph Stalin, he could cut the thread holding the Damocles sword of war that hung over Finland’s head.

Driving in the cold twilight, Louise knew that she and Arnie were heading right under that sword. ___ They reached Helsinki around five, well after dark. Too few inadequate streetlights, composed of single electric bulbs, struggled to cast light on the nearly empty streets. Louise unconsciously expected the city to be lit up for Christmas like American cities.

Helsinki emanated cheerless austerity.

Pulkkinen helped check them into a hotel near the American legation office.

Louise guessed the hotel had probably been built in the last century. The small lobby smelled of decades-old carpet.

There were no bellhops, and Pulkkinen helped Arnie haul their bags into the lobby.

Mount St. Helens Hiking Club Call leader to join outing or for more info. Non-members welcome.

(E) - Easier: Usually on relatively flat ground (up to 5 miles and/or less than 500 ft. e.g.)

(M) - Moderate: Longer and more elevation gain (over 5 miles and/or over 500 ft. e.g.)

(S) - Strenuous: Long hikes and/or elevation gain (over 8 miles and/or over 1200 ft. e.g.)

A bit flustered, Louise whispered, “Do we tip him?”

Arnie smiled. “I assure you he’s well paid. Way better than most.”

She gave Pulkkinen a big smile and said, “Kiitos paljon!” Thank you very much, one of her few Finnish phrases.

Pulkkinen merely looked at her.

Then he nodded his head slightly, coming back to what Louise could only graciously describe as a reserved stare. Then, Pulkkinen said, in what sounded to her like an upper-crust British accent, “It has been a pleasure, Mrs. Koski.”

Louise looked at Arnie, who was suppressing a grin. Arnie reached out a hand to Pulkkinen, saying thank you and a few other words. Watching Pulkkinen return to the car, Louise said quietly, “How wonderful he speaks English! At least when he speaks. Do you think we’ll be able to use him to help us get settled?”

“We can ask. He works for Max Hamilton, the charge d’affaires of the legation.” He paused. “We pay him, but we may not be the only ones. Just be careful what you say around him.”

“Oh, Arnie. I’m sure he’s on our side.

He seems really friendly.”

“I hope you’re right. But the Finns fought a civil war in 1918 as bloody as our own. The Communists lost, but I’d guess at least a third of this country still wants the Communists to take over. The Soviet Union is here to make that happen. And we, my dear, are here to help make it not happen.”

•••

An excerpt from the book COLD VICTORY © 2024 by Karl Marlantes, to be published by Grove/ Atlantic on January 9, 2024.

Karl Marlantes graduated from Yale University and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, before serving as a Marine in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and ten air medals. He is the bestselling author of Matterhorn, What It Is Like to Go to War, and Deep River. He lives in rural Washington and on the Oregon Coast.

30 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

Watercolorized sketch by the late Deena Martinson.

Nov 25 - Sat. Stub Stewart State Park (M) Drive 90 miles RT. Hike a 7 mile loop on Bumping Knot–Williams Creek with 700’ e.g. Scenic trails wind their way through moss covered forest.

Leader: Bruce M. 360-425-0256 Nov 29 - Wed. Whipple Creek (E) Drive 66 miles RT. Hike a 4-mile loop through forested farm land.

Leader: John R. 360-431-1122 Dec 2 - Sat. Lake Sacajawea (E) Walk 4 miles on flat ground around the whole lake or any portion for a shorter walk. *This walk is designed for super seniors and/or people with physical limitations at a slow pace.

Leader: Susan S. 360-430-9914 Dec 6 - Wed. Castle Rock River Walk (E) Drive 24 miles RT. Hike 4.1 miles along dike path. Views of Cowlitz River.

Leaders: Mary Jane M. 360-508-0878 Dec 13 - Wed. Trojan Park Loop (E) Drive 20 miles RT. Walk paved trail around Trojan Recreation Lake and side trails for 3-4 miles with no e.g. You can typically spot a large variety of birds and amphibians in this area. Leader: Dory N. 213-820-1014 Dec 16 - Sat. Winter Solstice Walk (E) Walk 4 miles around Lake Sacajawea, past displays of planets in our solar system.

Event sponsored by the Friends of Galileo.

Leader: Barbara R. 360-431-1131

Port of Kalama

Dec 20 - Wed. Sternwheeler Heritage Loop (E) Drive 52 miles RT. Walk a 4-mile loop with 310’ e.g. starting at Sternwheeler Park, continuing through town up to heritage park path, then down the Breeze Creek Trail to LaCenter Bottoms and back to Sternwheeler Park. Nice views of east fork Lewis River and aquatic wildlife. Leader: Bruce M. 360-425-0256 Dec 27 - Wed. Burnt Bridge Creek Trail (E) Drive 85 miles RT. Hike 6 miles on this suburban- style hike along the creek, out and back, with 250 e.g.

Leader: John R. 360-431-1122 Dec 31 - Sun. New Year’s Eve Walk at Lake Sacajawea Walk the entire lake for 4 miles or any portion of the lake for a lesser distance as we welcome in the new year. There is very little e.g.

Leader: Barbara R. 360-431-1131 Jan 6 - Sat. Lake Sacajawea (E) Walk 4 miles around the whole lake or any portion for a shorter walk. *This walk is designed for super seniors and/or people with physical limitations at a slow pace.

Leader: Susan S. 360-430-9914 Jan 10 - Wed. Longview Statue Walk (E) Walk 3 miles through downtown Longview past numerous statues in Longview’s Outdoor Gallery.

Leader: Bruce M. 360-425-0256 Jan 17 - Wed. Kalama Waterfront (E) Drive 20 miles RT. Walk through town and over to the marina and waterfront for 3+ miles RT. on level paved path along the Columbia River.

Leader: Barbara R. 360-431-1131 Jan 20 - Sat. North Head Discovery Trail (E) (B) Drive 120 miles RT. Bike out and back for 12 flat miles on well-maintained, paved path. Interesting sculptures and pathways to the beach. If the day is rainy we will hike instead. Leaders: Jackie D. 360- 430-1111, Dory N. 213-820-1014 .

from page 11

the application of all tools and implements, and ensures courses dovetail together.

“The Port’s new market space is setting the stage for students to learn at a different level than any worksheet or textbook could.”

For now, the school will use revenues from the student store to fund the current program and its materials. Future earnings could potentially be used to purchase new equipment and materials to enhance the overall CTE program.

And like their fellow market vendors, the students hope their store—called the Chinook Shoppe—grows in popularity, ensuring the program remains available for future generations at Kalama High School.

“Every kid should have some t y p e o f re a l - wo r l d j o b experience, but it can be challenging for those u n d e r a g e to f i n d opportunities,” said Po r t C o m m i s sioner Randy Sweet. “Our partnership with Kalama Schools at Mountain Timber Market will give local students a strong foundation for success before heading out into the real world.”

•••

A

Longview Ortho Provides Arthritis Treatment

rthritis isn’t just an inconvenience. It is a painful, debilitating condition caused by joint inflammation. It most commonly affects the hands, lower back, knees, hips, feet, and neck. Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from arthritis, with the economic impact of medical care and lost earnings totalling more than $300 billion annually.

Arthritis will not go away on its own. If joint pain is affecting your mobility and limiting your quality of life, the experienced team at Longview Orthopedic Associates can provide the help you need. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Turner, MD

Dr. Lauder, MD

Dr. Kung, MD

Dr. McLeod, DPM

Dr. Lin, MD

We welcome Kaiser patients with a referral!

www.longvieworthopedics.com

360.501.3400

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 31

ROLAND ON WINE

RE-OPENED gas & diesel pumps for 24-hour fueling pay card at the pump, or by cash inside the Snack Shack when open

By Marc Roland

CHEERS!

Visit

Jules Snack Shack and

NOW OPEN!!

OPEN

Your convenient last stop on the way to the Mountain!

FREE WI-FI Open 7am–7pm 7 Days a Week

Serving the local community for 85 Years!

DREW ’S GROCERY & SERVICE, INC

Just 10 miles from I-5 Exit 49

5304 Spirit Lake Hwy • Toutle, WA

360-274-8920

32 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

Don’t forget to look directly into the eyes of those you toast!

ROLAND ON WINE

To friendship and the season!

Don’t forget to invite friends over

I

love the holiday edition of the Reader. It is such a pleasant read with articles that give you a sense of community, written mostly by our neighbors across our beautiful region. I also love the creative ads that remind me to shop here, and support local businesses. As I write, I think about what a privilege it is to express my views on wine and the wine lifestyle. I hope my heart comes out from time to time. There is nothing like holidays in the Pacific Northwest.

For me, the joy of the season come from the opportunities to create cherished memories with friends and loved ones. It is also a time of joy and celebration of our faith and hope in our shared values.

One of the many ways people come together during this festive season is through the shared experience of holiday drinks. This brings to mind images of toasts and clicking glasses. I know you can picture it — a cozy living room adorned with twinkling lights and the aromas of holiday cooking in the air. Friends gathered around a crackling fire, drinking the final savory sips of fine wine, the warmth of the flickering flames, and reflecting on the friendships and memories being made that will last a lifetime.

The holidays can be exhausting, so nothing will be as soothing as some laughter and light-hearted banter that can be lubricated by festive imbibing. Don’t forget to invite friends over. Add a friends gift exchange to these occasions, with small personal gifts that are not expensive but funny and meaningful. Something to show that we really do know and listen to each other. But it doesn’t end there.

This is a time to break out the festive drinks concocted with some creativity beyond the classic eggnog and rum. My suggestions are just ideas for you to experiment with in the next few weeks to get the perfect mix.

Holiday Sangria with Cranberries

One bottle of white wine One cup cranberry juice Orange liqueur-more or less, to taste Quarter cup brandy Fresh cranberries as garnish Orange slices Apple slices Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate for four hours, serve in a wine glass.

God knows I love eggnog. Thank you Red Leaf for picking up where Starbucks left off. Nothing like an eggnog latte. Here is a drink to warm your tummy and put a punch in your eggnog: Martini a la Eggnog

2 oz of vanilla vodka 1 oz amaretto liqueur 2 oz eggnog Ground nutmeg garnish Shake with ice and serve in a martini glass

Cheers to the joy of the season and the endearing bond of friendship. Don’t forget to look directly into the eyes of those you toast!

•••

Sparkling wine is a must for the holidays. It’s just wrong to invite guests and not throw them a glass of bubbly.

Try this: Pomegranate Sparkler

1oz pomegranate juice 1 oz elderberry liqueur or cherry/ blueberry syrup Add Prosecco or any sparkling wine to fill a wine glass Garnish with mint and pomegranate seeds.

Longview resident and former Kelso teacher Marc Roland started making wine in 2008 in his garage.

He and his wife, Nancy, now operate Roland Wines at 1106 Florida Street in Longview’s new “barrel district.” For wine tasting hours, call 360-846-7304.

NOTES FROM MY LIVES

by Andre Stepankowsky

Don’t let curse of familiarity ruin your masterpieces Labelling a work of art a masterpiece can lay a curse upon it.

I was reminded of this last month while catching Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor on the radio.

Most people surely recognize the opening bars of this work: the ominous, four-note motif in descending minor thirds — da-da-da-DUM.It pervades the entirety of the symphony, and the theme is the origin of the moniker “The Symphony of Fate.”

The composer supposedly told an early biographer the theme is “the sound of fate knocking at the door.” Many musicologists question the authenticity of that report, but the motif’s dark and propulsive nature does suggest something portentous.

The Fifth is Everyman’s symphony, portraying an existential struggle in which laughter, anguish, joy and triumph overlie a recognization that life is transitory and that ultimate meaning is hard to achieve. It is indeed a masterpiece. That Beethoven could use four simple notes as a basis to reflect this human drama is a breathtaking achievement.

As a serious student of music, I had heard the symphony many times, but in the car that day I realized I had missed or forgotten so much of what it has to say.

The curse of familiarity was in play.

The Fifth has frequently been hackneyed and abused for commercial purposes.

My first encounter with it was in a childhood cartoon, in which the famous theme was used to show smokestacks belching smoke in rhythm with the music.

Another hex, so speak, is that listeners are told that it is great, a term that can make any creation of art intimidating and unapproachable.

In addition, our “devices” make music and other art forms so available that we often forget to really listen or look. Great art is not meant just for easy listening or casual inspection in a museum. One should tune in to what the creator has to say.

Beethoven’s Fifth affirms that life is worth living, that there are triumphs amid the struggles. It is worth wrestling with the fates. But you must really listen and engage to get that message — as I was reminded a month ago.

I’ve had other similar experiences. I used to dislike Richard Wagner’s “Here Comes the Bride” from the opera Lohengrin. It has become a plodding, bombastic and overplayed work. But a few years ago I heard it as Wagner intended: with a chorus and minimal orchestra. It is so joyous, transporting and sonorously beautiful. Now I cry as I listen — instead of cringing. Treat yourself to a listening.

In fact, treat yourself to a true, immersive experience into whatever “masterful” art, cultural or sporting experience grooves you.

What were Rembrandt’s portrait subjects really thinking about? What makes The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” a rock music immortal?

Why is “Gone with the Wind”still loved today despite its sympathetic view of the pre-Civil War Southern culture? What made Nolan Ryan a Hall of Famer — his fastball or determination to strike out every hitter?

In other words, yank away the veil of greatness so you can truly appreciate what makes a masterpiece great.

••• Award winning journalist Andre Stepankowsky is a former reporter and editor for The Daily News. His CRR columns spring from his many interests, including hiking, rose gardening, music, and woodworking. More of his writing is available through his online newsletter on substack.com by searching for “Lower Columbia Currents.”

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 33

Q

Cover to Cover

UIPS & QUOTES

BESIDES COLUMBIA RIVER READER...

What are you reading?

Monthly feature coordinated by Alan Rose

Selected by Debra Tweedy

Loneliness is only an opportunity to cut adrift and find yourself.

--Bruce Lee, Hong Kong-American martial artist and actor, 1940-1973 All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure. --Mark Twain, American writer and humorist, 1835-1910 Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important. --T. S. Eliot, American-English poet and writer, 1888-1965 I think books are like people, in the sense that they’ll turn up in your life when you most need them.

--Emma Thompson, British actress and screenwriter, 1959All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.-Saint Francis of Assisi, Italian mystic and Catholic friar, 1181-1226

by Tom Larsen

T

here is an inherent problem in writing a mystery series featuring an iconic character.

What to do when they get old?

Different writers have used differing approaches to this problem. Connoly’s Harry Bosch has been retired, obtains his P.I. license, un-retires, and works cold cases. Ian Rankin’s John Rebus has retired but still manages to keep his hand—or his nose—in the game, with the aid of a pair of younger active-duty cops.

In Independence Square, Martin Cruz Smith has taken a different approach with his character Arkady Renko, the brilliant but fatalistic Moscow police

inspector. In a case of art imitating life, in this latest novel, Renko is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, as was Smith himself in 2013.

In this tenth installment, Arkady goes to Ukraine in search of the daughter of a criminal overlord as Russian forces gather at the border. Independence Square adds an additional layer of poignancy with the agonizingly accurate portrayal of a man coming to grips with a debilitating disease. Smith captures the crippling

Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm.

--Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist and poet, 1850-1894

uncertainty and the gut-wrenching terror as only one who has experienced them firsthand could.

All the usual suspects appear in this novel: Zhenya, the orphaned teenage chess whiz who has become Arkady’s surrogate son; Victor Orlov, a hell of a detective—when he is sober; Prosecutor Zurin whose main goal in life seems to be Arkady’s destruction.

There is mystery and intrigue in these pages, but read this novel for the humanity of one man’s struggle to adapt when faced with an uncertain but terrifying future.

••• Shamus Award Finalist Tom Larsen is the author of four crime novels. His work has appeared in “Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine”, “Mystery Tribune”, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine”, “Black Cat Mystery Magazine,” and in the anthology series; “Best New True Crime Stories.”

H i s s h o r t st o r y, “El Cuerpo En El Barrill” (The Body in the Barrel) received th e 2 0 2 0 B l a ck Orchid Novella

If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead.

--Erma Bombeck, American humorist and writer, 1927-1996 Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.

--Eric Sevareid, American author and news journalist, 1912-1992 One only leaf upon the top of a tree—the sole remaining leaf—danced round and round like a rag blown by the wind.

--Dorothy Wordsworth, English author, poet, sister of William Wordsworth, 1771-1855 The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. --Thomas Paine, English-born American Founding Father, political activist, 1737-1809

7 am - 9 pm 7 pm

LOWER COLUMBIA CURRENTS Commentary by

SECOND

For information visit

www.alan-rose.com

Andre Stepankowsky

Many merry Christmases, many happy New Years. Unbroken friendships, great accumulations of cheerful recollections and affections on earth, and Heaven for us all. --Charles Dickens, English novelist and social critic, 1812-1870

Longview native Debra Tweedy has lived on four continents. She and her husband decided to return to her hometown and bought a house facing Lake Sacajawea.“We came back because of the Lake and the Longview Public Library,” she says.

At St. Stephen’s Church 1428 22nd Ave., Longview Jan. 9, 2024

Former longterm reporter and editor for The Daily News invites you to explore the issues of the day through his free online newsletter.

Find it on substack.com Search for “Lower Columbia Currents”

34 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

Drink Good Coffee, Read Good Books Located in the historic Castle Rock Bank Building 20 Cowlitz Street West Mon-Sat • 8:30–5 360-967-2299

Cover to Cover

Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION

1. A Court of Thorns and Roses

Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury Publishing, $19 2. Trust Hernan Diaz, Riverhead Books, $17

3. Mad Honey

Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Ballantine, $18

4. The Midnight Library

Matt Haig, Penguin, $18

5. A Court of Mist and Fury

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Killers of the Flower Moon

1. Tom Lake

David Grann, Vintage, $17

2. Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer, Milkweed Editions, $20

3. Crying in H Mart

Michelle Zauner, Vintage, $17

4. The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., Penguin, $19

5. An Immense World

6. The Thursday Murder Club Richard Osman,

6. Dopamine Nation

Penguin, $18

Dr. Anna Lembke, Dutton, $18

7. Legends & Lattes

7. Indigenous Continent

8. This Is How You Lose the Time War

Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone, Gallery/Saga Press,$16.99

9. Babel

R. F. Kuang, Harper Voyager, $20

10. The Passenger

Cormac McCarthy, Vintage, $18

Pekka Hämäläinen, Liveright, $22

8. All About Love

bell hooks, Morrow, $16.99

9. This Is What It Sounds Like Susan Rogers, Ogi Ogas, Norton, $17.95

10. Solito

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED

EARLY & MIDDLE GRADE READERS

1. Democracy Awakening 1. Something, Someday Heather Cox Richardson, Amanda Gorman, Christian Viking, $30 2. Fourth Wing Robinson (Illus.), Viking 2. Enough Rebecca Yarros, Books for Young Readers, $18.99 Cassidy Hutchinson, Simon Entangled: Red Tower 2. Boo! Bluey’s Halloween & Schuster, $30 Books, $29.99 Penguin Young Readers, $14.99 3. The Wager 3. Demon Copperhead 3. Room on the Broom Barbara Kingsolver, Harper, David Grann, Doubleday, $30 $32.50 Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler 4. The Creative Act 4. The Running Grave (Illus.), Dial Books, $8.99 Rick Rubin, Penguin Press, Robert Galbraith, 4. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween $32 Mulholland Books, $32.50 Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry (Illus.), 5. Doppelganger 5. Lessons in Chemistry HMH Books for Young Readers, Naomi Klein, Farrar, Straus Bonnie Garmus, $13.99 and Giroux, $30 Doubleday, $29 5. Spooky Pookie Sandra Boynton, 6. Elon Musk 6. The Iliad Boynton Bookworks, $6.99 Walter Isaacson, Simon & Homer, Emily Wilson 6. Just Because Matthew Schuster, $35 (Transl.), W. W. Norton & Company, $39.95 McConaughey, Renée Kurilla 7. The Book of (More) (Illus.), Viking Books for Young 7. The Fragile Threads of Delights Power Ross Gay, Algonquin Books, Readers, $19.99 $28 V. E. Schwab, Tor Books, 7. Goodnight Moon $29.99 8. A Fever in the Heartland Margaret Wise Brown, Clement 8. The Covenant of Water Timothy Egan, Viking, $30 Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99 Abraham Verghese, Grove 9. Outlive 8. Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Press, $32 Peter Attia, M.D., Bill Gifford, Biography Wendy Loggia, Elisa Harmony, $32 9. The Last Devil to Die Chavarri (Illus.), Golden Books, Richard Osman, Pamela 10. Build the Life You Want $5.99 Dorman Books, $29 Arthur C. Brooks, Oprah 9. Construction Site: Taking Flight!

Winfrey, Portfolio, 10. The Heaven & Earth Sherri Duskey Rinker, AG Ford (Illus.), $30HarperOne, $22.99 Grocery Store Chronicle Books, $17.99 James McBride, Riverhead 10. Eek! Halloween! Sandra Books, $28 Ann Patchett, Harper, $30

Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury Ed Yong, Random House, Publishing, $19 $20

Travis Baldree, Tor, $17.99

HARDCOVER NON-FICTION

Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, for week ending Nov. 5, 2023, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com

Javier Zamora, Hogarth, $18

1. A Wolf Called Wander

Rosanne Parry, Monica Armiño (Illus.), Greenwillow Books, $7.99,

2. Allergic

Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

3. A Guide to the Dragon World

Tui T. Sutherland, Joy Ang (Illus.), Scholastic Press, $24.99

4. The Puppets of Spelhorst

Kate DiCamillo, Julie Morstad (Illus.), Candlewick, $17.99

5. When You Trap a Tiger Tae Keller, Yearling, $8.99

6. A Horse Named Sky

Rosanne Parry, Kirbi Fagan (Illus.), Greenwillow Books, 18.99

7. The Lion of Mars

Jennifer L. Holm, Yearling, $8.99

8. The Skull

Jon Klassen, Candlewick, $19.99

9. Rez Dogs

Joseph Bruchac, Dial Books, $7.99

10. Swim Team

Johnnie Christmas, HarperAlley, $15.99(Illus.), Greenwillow Books, $7.99

Boynton, Boynton Bookworks, $7.99

BOOK REVIEW Sun House by David James Duncan Little, Brown & Company $35

I

t occurred to me halfway through this book that I still didn’t know what it was “about”— a major clue one’s reading literary fiction.

It’s been thirty years since David James Duncan brought out a novel. Devoted fans of The Brothers K (1992) and The River Why (1983) have been eagerly awaiting this book.

Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Fo rewo rd I N D I E S Book of the Year Award ( LG B T c a t e g o r y. ) He can be reached at www.alan-rose.com.

A glimpse through the mystic’s eyes The summer before his graduate program started, Dave landed a decent-paying job at a Portland, Oregon, branch of the Pioneer Trail Bank chain. And there, at a college pal’s wedding, he met the sexy, hard-partying Irish American Moira O’Reilly. A loyal product of parochial schools, Moira was thrilled by the long-haired liberal priests of the era who held that while birth control is a mortal sin, the “rhythm method” was not a sin if confession absolved the rhythmic sinners.

– from Sun House There is a story of sorts: A group of people living their conventionally messy lives are all seeking [FILL IN THE BLANK ] — it’s hard to put into words: meaning? Connection?

Transcendence? God? They will each find their own answers in their own ways: some through the Vedic scriptures of ancient India, some

through the writings of medieval mystics like Meister Eckhart, some in deep encounters with mountains, others through music and poetry, even cooking.

Duncan doesn’t offer a story so much as a sensibility, examining the emptiness at the heart of people’s lives and the many different ways we try to fill it, through work or relationships, both those functional and dysfunctional, or with alcohol and drugs, both legal and illegal, or with religion, sex, politics, video games—really, anything to distract us from the ache of the spiritual vacuum.

Through these rambling, twisting stories of contemporary seekers, he also gives us a glimpse of the mystic’s vision, how the world might have appeared to St. Francis of Assisi or St. John of the Cross, and how different it is from the way most of us see life most of the time—the un-mystic vision—lacking mystery, lacking wonder, generally oblivious to the beauty that is always before us. But then, to be fair, St. Francis never got to enjoy video games or “America’s Got Talent” either.

By Alan Rose

Some sections are inspired rants—on the commodification of the American dream, or the cruel raising and killing of animals so we can enjoy our meat (Fran Leibowitz: “My favorite animal is steak.”), or against the dehumanizing effect of capitalism that turns people themselves into commodities, or the slow, long-term killing of the planet for short-term profits.

Duncan is a “writer’s writer.” He delights in wordplay and pens gorgeous phrases that gleam and glisten on the page, such as describing those times when “we feel blessed whether we believe in a Blesser or not.”

Reading Sun House (admittedly, not an easy read) you may come away with a vision more than a story, a glimpse of what mystics through the ages saw.

Hopefully, most of us at some point amid our busy lives have been granted such a glimpse, moments of grace, of transcendence and awe, where we were able like William Blake “To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.”

•••

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 35

Outings & Events Deck the Hall Holiday Open House Nov. 24 thru Dec. 10, Sat

Submission Guidelines Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations.

Items sent to CRR will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Commercial projects, businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR

Send your non-commercial community event info (name of event, beneficiary, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to:

Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632 Submission Deadlines Events occurring: Jan 15- Feb 20

by Dec 26 for Jan 15 issue.

Feb 15–March 20

by Jan. 25 for Feb 15 issue.

Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, relevance to readers, and space limitations.

See Submission Guidelines at left.

10–4, Sun 12–4. Redmen Hall, 1394 W. SR-4.Shop for gifts, books & more, while enjoying refreshments, displays, art, and the company of friends. Proceeds help to maintain the property and provide community programs through Friends of Skamokawa/River of Life Interpretive Center. 360-795-3007. www.friendsofskamokawa.org,

BROADWAY GALLERY 1418 Commerce Avenue, Longview Tues thru Sat, 11–4. Visit the Gallery to see new work. For event updates check our website: the-broadwaygallery.com, at Broadway Gallery on Facebook, and broadway gallery longview on Instagram.

FEATURED ARTISTS Dec Gallery Broadway Gallery Artists/Members Jan: Gallery 3D Artists/Members

Festival of Nativities Sat-Sun, Dec. 2-3. See

ad, opposite page.

Holiday Bazaar Sat., Dec. 2, 292 21st Ave.,

Longview, Wash. Vendors, handmade items, raffle. Longview Highlands Neighborhood Assoc. 360-200-7359.

Holiday Book Extravaganza Mon, Dec 11, presented by CRRPress at Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St., Kelso, Wash. Live music by Brownsmead Flats; author introductions, book sales & signing.

Join Us on First Thursday!

Dec 7 and Jan 4 • 5:30–7pm New Art, Nibbles & Music

HOURS Tues - Sat 11–4 We are a great place to buy gifts and take classes! Check our website or come into the Gallery.

Free Gift Wrap on request. Gift Cards Studio Clearance Sale Jan 16-27 Find a unique gift! We have beautiful artisan cards, jewelry, books by local authors, wearable art, original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photographs and so much more.

COWLITZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM EXHIBIT 1923: The Year that Changed Cowlitz County History 405 Allen St., Kelso • Museum hours Tues-Sat 10–4

THE MINTHORN COLLECTION OF CHINESE ART

CLATSKANIE ARTS COMMISSION Per formances at Birkenfeld Thetre, 75 S. Nehalem, Clatskanie, Ore.

Tickets/Info: www.clatskaniearts.org

A gift from Dr. and Mrs. H. Minthorn to the community via Lower Columbia College Foundation, The Minthorn Collection of Chinese Art encompasses a wide range of styles and is displayed in the upper level of the art gallery in LCC’s Rose Center, open M-Th 10–3 during current Forsberg Exhibition only. Free.

36 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

HIKES see page 30 Watercolorized sketch by the late

Deena Martinsen,

Outings & Events from page 36

Holiday Prime Rib Dinner Sat., Dec CRRP mugs $15 ea, free with $100 16, 2pm, Rainier Senior Center. $25 purchase. See pp 2, and centerfold after Call by Dec. 12 to reserve your seat or page 19, this issue. table for up to 8. 503-556-3889. Or Lights in the Park Dec 16-23. Drive-thru stop in 48 W 7th St., Rainier, Ore., light show. Tam O’Shanter Park, Kelso, 9:30am – 2pm, M-F..

Wash. . Presented by Kelso Rotary and Winter Solstice Lantern Walk Sat, Cowlitz PUD. See ad, page 40.

Dec. 16, 4–6pm. See below.

Help light up the longest night of the year!

INFO: FRIENDSOFGALILEO.COM

VISIT CRR’S COMET SWIFT-TUTTLE STATION AT THE SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK ALWAYS A FUN EVENING.

About the Solar System Walk The markers show the relative sizes and at Lake Sacajawea distances of the Sun and planets. It’s I n 2 0 01, F r i e n d s o f G a l i l e o Astronomy Club designed and presented — with financial help from Gibbs & Olson engineering firm and other generous donors — a gift to the City of Longview: A model solar system.

It includes10 granite markers along 1.64 miles on the west side of Lake Sacajawea.

a great way for residents and visitors to enjoy Lake Sacajawea Park while experiencing the astonishing scale of our solar system ... they can begin to grasp (and gasp at) its magnitude, walking along and realizing how far apart the planets are, even if our solar system is scaled to the length of the Lake.

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HOLIDAY FUN: TAKE A SPACE WALK! RK LAKE SACAJAWEA PA Louisiana Street Bridge

Hemlock Street Footbridge

20th Ave. Bridge

Comet Swift-Tuttle

Neptune

Sacajawea statue

Mercury Venus Earth Mars

Saturn ols

(KBO1)

Sun

Jupiter

Washington Way Bridge

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Pluto

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Uranus LAKE SACAJAWEA PARK LONGVIEW, WA

Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 37

the spectator by ned piper A Posie Puzzle

J

igsaw puzzles have attracted me since childhood.

The first pictured Mickey Mouse, Yosemite Sam or Peter Pan. There might have been only ten or twelve big pieces, often printed on wood or heavy cardboard. As I grew older, however, the designs became more and more complex. Village scenes, photos of nature, colorful butterflies or wild horses kicking up dust as they raced across the open plain.

Also the number of pieces grew in number and shrunk in size.

The Piper home nearly always had a card table set up in a corner of the family room with a 500- piece puzzle in progress, often at Christmastime.

The Canterbury Inn assisted living facility is on my Reader paper route. Before his passing, former Longview City Manager Walt Barham lived there. He was always working on a complicated jigsaw puzzle, in what I called the reading room.

Longview resident Ned Piper coordinates CRR’s advertising and distribution, and enjoys meeting/ greeting friends, both old and new.

PLUGGED IN TO COWLITZ

“How’s it going Walter?” I asked, a copy of the Reader in hand.

His reply was always, “One piece at a time.”

It was tempting to take a break from the route and see if I could spot a piece or two that would help him, but I knew if I did, I’d waste at least an hour.

PUD

By Alice Dietz, Cowlitz PUD Communications/ Public Relations Manager GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

FREE Home Energy Audits by Cowlitz PUD

Jigsaws are definitely addictive.

If you’re at all like me, you will hover over the table for a ridiculous amount of time searching for the piece that fits in that spot…right…there!

H

At this moment in time, I am working on one of the most difficult jigsaws ever.. It’s a 1,000-piece puzzle with way too many solid white pieces.

The design is 28 delicate f lowers, many resembling other flowers in shape and color.

It’s going to be a matter of try and fail, try and fail, until I — or others stopping by to assist — get lucky and find a piece that fits. I’m thinking it would almost be as easy to put this puzzle together upside down, with the flowers face down on the table!

ome Energy Audits can help you understand how electricity is used in your home and what opportunities are available for efficiency upgrades. A home energy audit is an important first step in developing a roadmap to lower energy consumption.

By David Pettit, PUD Energy Efficiency Specialist

During a home energy audit, we evaluate homes for two primary methods of reducing energy consumption in a home: conservation and energy efficiency.

This particular puzzle came exquisitely packaged in a can (of all things!), and would make a great gift for a puzzle lover.

Conservation includes actions to reduce the amount of energy end use, which is achieved through upgrades to insulation, windows, doors, and air sealing. Energy efficiency pertains to increasing the efficiency of energy consuming devices, which is achieved though upgrades to HVAC systems, water heating, and appliances.

•••

Insulation is by far the most cost-effective conservation measure used to reduce household electrical consumption.

Insulation indirectly affects heating and cooling loads, which can reduce the energy consumed by your HVAC system by up to 20 percent. Cowlitz PUD offers an excellent rebate program for insulation up to $2/sq. ft., which can cover as much as 70 percent of project costs.

Editor’s note: It would, and did. It was actually a gift to me... until Ned appropriated it ­— with my blessing, of course. Similar puzzles are available at Dapper Dandelion in Downtown Longview.

While your home’s energy consumption can be influenced by a variety of factors, energy efficiency upgrades including heat pumps can deliver significant energy savings. Technologies such as ductless heat pumps can reduce the cost of heating your home by up to 50 percent compared to electric resistance heat.

Cowlitz PUD and Fibre Federal Credit Union formed a partnership focused on making energy efficiency more affordable to everyone. In the Home Energy Loan Program, rebates available for completed conservation projects can be applied to home energy loans reducing overall interest rates We have ­— lowering to zero or near zero in most openings! cases. Cowlitz PUD customers can apply for loans for qualified energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, heat pumps, water heaters, and windows.

Get the best care for your loved one.

Adult Family Home Advantages

360-703-5830

P In Home Doctor Visits P Home Cooked Meals P Locally Owned P 6 to 1 Caregiver Ratio P Small Homelike Setting P 24-Hour Registered Nurses Support P Memory Care Experts P Therapies in Home P Licensed facilities that exceed state standards

www.thehavenslongview.com The Havens are now hiring Licensed Caregivers 360-442-0758

38 / Columbia River Reader / Nov-Dec Holiday 2023

PREMIE

R SENIO

R CARE

The Havens is a group of 11 premier, independently owned and operated homes.

Drop in for a tour any time!

The recommendations by Cowlitz PUD auditors can help decrease energy consumption and increase comfort in your home. Please contact Cowlitz PUD Energy Efficiency Services today to schedule your free home energy audit: eeservices@cowlitzpud.org or phone 360-501-9514 .••• Alice Dietz is Cowlitz PUD’s Communications/ Public Relations Manager. Reach her at adietz@cowlitzpud.org, or 360-501-9146.

ts! o p s e e f f o local c e t i r o v a f fee f o c d e t s a Everyone’s rt of ro a e h t o t d Dedicate

Drive Up or Drop In Pick up drinks, breakfast, or a bag of coffee Coffee roasted in small batches in-house!

Fall/Winter Hours of Operation Longview: M-Th 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Closed Sun Woodland: M-Th 12pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm, Closed Sun

1230 Lewis River Road, WOODLAND, WA 239 Huntington Ave. North, CASTLE ROCK

Greetings of the Season Happy Holidays to our friends and customers!

1111 Washington Way, Longview • 360-423-3350 • WWW.STIRLINGHONDA.COM Nov-Dec Holiday 2023 / Columbia River Reader / 39

ColumbiaRiver RiverReader Reader/•October October15, 15,2020 2023 40 / Columbia