A2 Wednesday, April 1, 2020
HOOD RIVER NEWS | Hood River, Ore.
ROOTS &
Branches
‘A time capsule that makes
this community special’
By MAIJA YASUI
I knew from the break in his
voice that the news was not
good even before Kirby deliv-
ered the headline; the Hood
River News was no more.
This was not a surprise.
The signs of its demise were
incontrovertible. Over the last
two generations, readers had
become proficient techies,
demanding information in
soundbites, within seconds of
CASCADE
Observations
Keep close in stories
anything that struck me as in-
teresting or important. His only
By PEGGY DILLS KELTER
requirements — 800 to 1,000
Nearly 20 years ago, my dear words, to be published every
friend Mary Schlick, known second Tuesday of the month.
throughout the Hood River
“Write about what you
Valley and beyond for her skills know” has been my subject
as a fibers artist, teacher and matter. I’ve shared with readers
writer, asked me if I would the momentous — my breast
like to share in the duties of
writing a regular column for
the Hood River News. For
years, Mary had written weekly
columns for this paper; her
delightful pieces covered ev-
erything from stories of the
Warm Springs Reservation to
during crisis
her quest in search of the best
cinnamon roll in the country.
Crab cakes, grilled goat
Initially, my monthly col-
cheese and roasted garlic,
umn centered on books and
buffalo prawns, organic green
my job at Waucoma Bookstore,
salad, Caesar salad.
but soon, “Words Worth Read-
ENTREES:
ing” morphed into “Cascade
ricotta and mushroom ravioli,
pork scallopini with lemon
Observations.” My editor, Kirby
butter, blackened sirloin,
Neumann-Rea, allowed and
filet mignon, scampi,
encouraged me to write about
spaghetti and meatballs, &
seared ahi tuna.
Ask about desserts & specials!
Available Tues-Sun 5-7pm
Gourmet
takeout
available
Designated safe pickup area -
no human contact.
Stonehedge
Gardens
Gardens
3405 WINE
COUNTRY AVENUE
HOOD
RIVER
HOOD RIVER
541-386-3940
hoodrivernews.com
when the story was breaking.
They accessed their news on
their watch, phone, or com-
puter. Like the Wicked Witch of
the West, the newspaper began
shrinking, less subscribers,
fewer pages, diminished staff.
And in an instant, it was gone.
I have been writing for the
local newspaper since 1992.
First as a guest writer, then
as the Odell correspondent
and for the last 20 years as a
columnist under the byline
Roots and Branches. I was
given the opportunity to write,
not as a traditional reporter,
but with the freedom to share
my personal perspective as
a Hood River native. What
a gift! I shared the history of
our family, our neighborhood,
our community. I was blessed
with the power of the press
to move people, emotionally,
spiritually, factually. I am most
indebted to Kirby for being en-
couraged to mobilize the com-
munity around social justice
issues, reinforcing the values of
the people who came before us
and those who will come after.
I mourn the loss of the focus
on our youth. The academ-
ic, scientific, athletic, artistic
and performing accolades that
covered page after page of our
local newspaper. It has been
one of the most significant
components of our youth’s
success. As grandparents, we
post pictures and boast of our
children’s virtues and accom-
plishments on Facebook or In-
stagram. But when the sports-
writer, reporter or columnist
writes an article, the boasting
becomes newsworthy.
The Hood River News cov-
ered the robotics teams, the
pitcher’s perfect game, the FFA
Champion steer, speech and
debate. These youth inspire us
by with their talent and service.
They push us to do more, give
more, care more. Our spirits
soar when they fill the food or
blood bank, take on hard is-
sues like immigration, racism,
gun and climate control.
I mourn the loss of the his-
torical significance that the
local news provides. It is a
time capsule of what makes
this community such a special
place to visit, live and raise our
families. It provides a record of
what issues we are addressing
at any given time, and docu-
ments the change. It provides
a forum through Letters to the
Editor to address social justice
and political issues, or day to
day concerns.
Finally, I mourn the loss
of enthusiasm I have always
heard in Kirby’s voice when I
submit a column for publica-
tion. That break in his voice
tore a hole in my heart.
cancer journey; dinner with
Julia Child; and the mundane
— cleaning the basement. In
October 2001, I wrote “When
the world stops making sense,
start canning tomatoes. Or
pick plums. Dehydrate pears.
Pull up some beets. Rejoice in
the cooperative effort of farmer
and earth to bring us, year after
year, the bounty of harvest ...
The weekend after Sept. 11 I
plucked pounds of gorgeous
tomatoes from my husband’s
vines, and used the alchemy
of cooking to turn them into
delicious tomato sauce ... Mak-
ing the sauce seemed like an
affirmation of life. Storing food
away for the future implies that
a future will exist.”
■
Kirby called me yesterday
to share the heart wrenching
news about the demise of the
Hood River News. I had already
been weeping buckets of tears
about the pandemic. More
tears fell after receiving his
message. I called Kirby back to
ask if I could write something
for this final issue. As always,
he was encouraging. Mary
Schlick passed away on March
17 of this year; she was 94 years
old. She was an extraordinary
storyteller who not only wrote
for many publications, but also
published a memoir, for which
she received many accolades.
In March 2000, I wrote my first
column about storytelling, and
over time I’ve frequently re-
turned to the subject of stories
and the importance of sharing
them with each other.
And now I grieve. There
won’t be any more stories
coming from Mary, or from the
Hood River News. Thanks to all
who have enjoyed my stories
and responded to them with
cards in the mail, telephone
messages and chats in the gro-
cery store. Today, we may have
to stand 6-feet away from each
other, but sharing stories can
keep us close.
SUDOKU
This week’s Sudoku is presented by:
Your Business Name
MARGIE’S
1
POT SHOP
2
5
is open
We are asking customers to use social distancing in the
store and in the parking lot. We only have 3 people in
the store at a time, one at each counter.
9
We also have curbside delivery and we can bring your
purchase to the car. You can call the store 509-493-0441
to make an order. or you can see what we have by going
to Leafly.com or margiespot.com.
Bring cash, or we have an ATM in Binge-mart and in
Margie’s. There is a 2.50 charge from our machine for the ATM.
Find us on:
2
1
3
4
7
9
Margie Lemberger
405 E. Steuben St, Bingen, WA
509-493-0441 margiespot.com
Our products have intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and
judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with
consumption of these prod-ucts. For use by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Always enjoy cannabis
3 4
2
3
6
7
8
3 8 9
1
5
1
3
6 7
5
9
8
3
2
6
© 200 Hometown Content
Fill in all 81 squares on the puzzle with numbers 1 to 9. You can
use each number 1-9 only once in each nine square section, in each
horizontal line of nine squares, and in each vertical column of nine
squares. The puzzle is completed when you correctly fi ll every square.
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