Sue’s

Still enjoying the afterglow of a wonderful evening on June 30, I want to again thank everyone who supported and read our “People+Place Then and Now” year-long series, which led to Hal Calbom’s new book, Empire of Trees: America’s Planned City and the Last Frontier, and who joined the fun at the Gala.

“From Page to Stage” was all I could have hoped for (see a few highlight photos, page 15) . The book is now officially launched and available for purchase at several locations, including the Cowlitz County Historical Museum, Broadway Gallery, and CRR’s office, or online at crreader.com.

The only sad part of the Gala was my announcing the news of the passing of Gary Meyers, our HaikuFest founder and chief judge. Gary poured his heart and soul into this annual event, embellishing it from year to year with various medallions and handcrafted award certificates he presented to participants. We will remember Gary warmly and with gratitude for all he brought to the Reader. And in 2024, we will carry on with the Gary G. Meyers Memorial HaifuFest.

By way of sharing a glimpse of Gary’s quirky interests, over the years he wrote stories for CRR on truck stops, wooden nickels, the player piano, and a “delicacy coffee” called kopi luwak, about which you probably don’t want to hear details. He even bought a pound of it (very expensive) and conducted a tasting in CRR’s office, with limited registration on a first-come, first-served basis. And we filled the room!

My first encounter with Gary was back in the very early days

of CRR. A Longview native, he had retired to Hawaii but was in town visiting his mother, Thelma Meyer. He’d picked up a copy of CRR at a local grocery store and called to say he had a gift for us.

It was a bottle of wine, probably what was then known as Three Buck Chuck, its original label replaced by one of Gary’s own making. “Deadline,” he named it.

On the back label: “This private cru was commissioned by an appreciative reader for the publisher/editor and staff of the Columbia River Reader in recognition of their tireless devotion and sustained excellence. ... We have long recognized that Deadline possesses a je nais sais quoi quality that appeals to journalists who are under the gun. When drunk in Homeric quantity, our merlot can create a warm, fuzzy-edged serenity that is impervious to such maddening inconveniences as deadlines and rewrites. In the addled mind, creativity is enhanced. IQ’s soar. Vocabulary is expanded.... Gary was a clever wordsmith. And became a dear friend. And now I’m turning the tables, toasting Gary in appreciation of his tireless devotion and sustained excellence, and his generosity as a friend of the Reader. Rest in peace, Gary. We will miss you!

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper

Columnists and contributors:

Tracy Beard

Hal Calbom

Karla Dudley Bell

Alice Dietz

Roy Gawlick

Joseph Govednik

Laurel Murphy

Dayle Olson

Michael Perry

Ned Piper

Robert Michael Pyle

Norma Peters

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

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E-mail: publisher@crreader.com

Phone: 360-749-1021

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.

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General Ad info: page 5.

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

The idea for a public sculpture project germinated at a Holiday Party in 2009. Hans Schaufus, a frequent traveler to Germany, noted how much public art one could view in that country. My personal interest in outdoor art was inspired by the “Art on the Corner” program in Grand Junction, Colorado. Thus, a small group gathered in early 2010, with a mission to provide a rotating exhibit of outdoor sculptures and acquire new pieces for the City of Longview’s permanent art collection.

By Laurel Murphy, LOG Board Member

The goal was to enhance the beauty of the historic downtown to attract more visitors. We hoped to raise enough money every two years to buy the most popular sculpture via People’s Voice balloting.

Every group needs doers — not talkers — and Jeanene LeRae quickly took command as our “champion.” Jeanene was both chairperson and secretary. She created the name, budget, brochures, website, grant requests, met with appropriate Longview city officials and potential sponsors, and made presentations to dozens of local groups. Longview Outdoor Gallery installed its first exhibit of 11 sculptures on September 10, 2011. By the end of 2013, LOG had donated five sculptures.

In 2015, LOG signed up for GiveMore24!, an online fundraiser hosted by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington. Participation meant entry into a whole new world of digital fundraising. The GiveMore24! fundraiser became a welcome source of revenue.

By 2018, LOG had donated 13 sculptures and adopted a new goal: “23 by 23” – acquiring 23 pieces in time for Longview’s centennial anniversary. Much to our amazement,

2020 and 2021 were spectacularlyproductive years. Why? Because the sculptures were suited to the COVID-19 environment — available for outside viewing day and night. We developed a walking tour podcast that tells a wonderful story about each art piece.

LOG has met that “23 by 23” goal and more. As of this writing, it has donated 25 sculptures with four more in the works. Our last installation will take place on August 17th and the Longview Outdoor Gallery, as an organization, will disband. But LOG leaves an important legacy. Every sculpture is a testament to the generosity of our community and to a dedicated, hardworking board. Watch for the new sculptures, and enjoy Downtown Longview!

Jeanene LaRae, standing by a sculpture “Miracle Grow with Bluebirds,” displayed in LOG’s first exhibit. “We really liked the sculpture,” recalled Laurel Murphy, “but did not have enough money to buy it. But we have tracked it down and it will be among the last 4 sculptures we will install on August 17.