Washougal, WA — Washougal Mayor David Stuebe recently declared his candidacy for State Representative (LD-17) to succeed Paul Harris. With a distinguished career in public service and a commitment to community, Stuebe is bringing a wealth of public service experience and a local perspective to the race.
A retired Marine Colonel, Stuebe pledges to champion critical issues such as public safety, affordable housing, and the development of stronger communities in Southwest Washington.
“Having served our nation in the Marine Corps for decades, I understand the importance of safety, security, and unity,” Stuebe said. “As Washougal’s Mayor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges facing our community. Now, I’m ready to take that experience to Olympia and work tirelessly to address these issues at the state level. I have always finished what I started and intend to remain Mayor of Washougal.”
Throughout his tenure as Mayor, Stuebe has demonstrated a commitment to an environment where families can thrive, businesses can prosper, and everyone can feel safe. His platform prioritizes public safety initiatives that aim to bolster law enforcement resources, promote community policing efforts, and enhance emergency response capabilities.
Stuebe said he is dedicated to tackling the pressing issue of affordable housing and recognizes the strain it places on families across the state. He plans to advocate for policies that promote access to affordable options, address the homelessness crisis, and alleviate the burden of skyrocketing housing costs.
Stuebe emphasizes the importance of building stronger communities through investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. With a vision of collaboration, he seeks to bridge divides and promote unity among Washingtonians from all walks of life.
For more information about David Stuebe’s campaign call 503-504-3099.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/07155247/Image-33.jpg4791030Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2024-05-07 16:01:362024-05-07 16:01:43Washougal Mayor David Stuebe Running for State Representative
Camas-Washougal, WA – Two Rivers Heritage Museum (TRHM) and Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) partnered to create an historical outdoor timeline exhibit that represents Camas and Washougal history and highlights the artifacts cared for at TRHM. “Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline,” is filled with stories and images recounting monumental moments and everyday events in these neighboring communities. The timeline can be viewed at the TRHM at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, Saturdays from 11am-3pm.
CCHM Public Historian, Katie Bush, served as the project manager for this work. She collaborated with TRHM Display Committee members Karen and Richard Johnson and Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen, to research and select important historic information to be featured.
“Katie provided a long list of items and dates she identified from our collection and had us rate their importance to the timeline,” Karen Johnson explained. “We whittled that list down over and over again. It was a difficult process to narrow the information with so many fascinating stories to tell.”
After repeated and thoughtful analysis, the final historic events and dates were decided. The team then worked to identify exactly what object from TRHM archives would represent the timeline captions. “Selected events are memorable, personal and unique to the local community and represent major, minor, and micro moments in our history,” Karen Johnson explained.
Local photographer, Missy Fant, captured images of each object and Vancouver graphic designer, Masako Brachmann married together these elements into the sprawling timeline that stands 34-feet long along the back fence of the museum. “The panel design and style match the historic street panels in Historic Downtown Camas,” said Karen Johnson. “We are trying to stay consistent with historical signage for our cities.”
“I’m excited to be a part of this collaborative timeline for the Two Rivers Heritage Museum,” said Bush. “Community centered projects, such as this, offer great opportunities for heritage institutions to share local stories in engaging ways. I look forward to collaborating with Two Rivers and the Camas-Washougal community on future projects.”
While the building is in Washougal, TRHM represents two cities. “I would say our museum collection is divided pretty evenly between Camas and Washougal artifacts, photos, research, and archives,” said Karen Johnson. “Our two towns, with totally different beginnings, melded into one awesome community.”
When asked which featured timeline events were most significant to the growth of the community the answers varied. Gayle Godtlibsen feels it was the year 1905 when the SP&S Railroad began operation on the north bank of the Columbia River. “We hope that visitors come away from the timeline inspired to share their experience with others and, hopefully, that will help create more traffic to the museum,” she said.
Richard Johnson identified 1886 and the start of the Camas papermill as the most impactful year. “I feel interacting with the timeline exhibit is the grand finale to a visit to the museum,” he said. “I want people to feel they had a ‘complete’ experience here.”
The timeline creation and installation were completed by a team of dedicated people. TRHM Display Committee members Karen and Richard Johnson and Gayle and Ivar Godtlibsen; Masako Brachmann, graphic design; Katie Bush, CCHM public historian; Kevin and Curtis Barber of Core Powersports; Missy Fant Photography; J2 Blueprinting printed the panels; local historian Pepper Kim was editor and proofreader for the timeline narrative; John Kimbrough designed and fabricated timeline stand and helped with installation; Tommy Miller of Pomeroy Living History Farm helped with installation; and Bradley Richardson, Executive Director of CCHM helped on many aspects of the project.
“Over the past six years, Two Rivers and the Clark County Historical Museum have fostered a deep and mutually beneficial relationship,” Richardson, a Camas-Washougal area native, said. “Through this project and other collaborative work, our organizations are demonstrating how communities are better served and more history is shared and saved when we come together.”
Funding for the timeline came from generous donations from the Tidland Family, Beales Foundation, and the Smead Family, who made their gift in memory of longtime teacher and historian Bernice Pluchos.
The new exhibit will be dedicated at a ceremony on Friday, May 31 at 5 pm at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum. City leaders, museum volunteers, staff, historical society members and community history lovers are invited to attend. It can also be viewed any Saturday during regular museum hours from 11 am-3 pm.
“We are extremely proud of what we have created at Two Rivers,” said Dick Lindstrom, CWHS president. “Its purpose is to collect, research and preserve the history that tells the story of the development of the Camas/Washougal area. We invite our community to take the time to experience what a treasure this place is. And if people like what they see, we hope they become a member of CWHS or a volunteer to help us continue to tell the stories of our communities.”
Ponderosa Garage Doors
Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏
Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community.
Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected.
Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.
Washougal, WA — The Washougal School Board of Directors has named Aaron Hansen as the interim superintendent for the 2024-2025 school year. Hansen, who has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services for the last five years, will begin in the new role on July 1, when current Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton starts her new role with the Lake Stevens School District.
Hansen has worked for Washougal School District for 23 years. He has 31 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Prior to his current role, Hansen served as the WHS Principal from 2011 to 2019. He began his teaching experiences with Washougal at Washougal High School and at the former Excelsior High School, where he was a Math and Science teacher providing alternative learning experiences and customized learning opportunities for students. Prior to joining the Washougal School District he was a Math and Science teacher at Rogers High School in Spokane for eight years. Hansen also taught English for one year in Taiwan.
“Aaron has a demonstrated track record of service to Washougal’s students through his various roles,” Board president Angela Hancock. “Aaron brings experience with nearly every aspect of the district’s work to this role, and the strong relationships he has built with students, parents, teacher, staff, and community members will help him be successful in the interim role. The board is confident in his ability to continue the great progress the district has made to increase student achievement and the graduation rate.”
Templeton praised the selection, saying, “Aaron is an exceptional leader and educator with a passion for ensuring each student is on a bright pathway to the future. He has leveraged community partnerships and the energy and excitement students have to help the district rise.”
Hansen said, “As I step into the role of Interim Superintendent for the Washougal School District, I am filled with both excitement and humility. Washougal is a community that stands out for its strong tradition of supporting education, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to lead in such an amazing environment.”
He added, “Our district is home to outstanding teachers and staff who dedicate themselves daily to creating enriching and powerful learning experiences for our students. I am eager to engage directly with classrooms, collaborating with students, families, and educators. Together, we will continue to advance towards our shared vision, building on the solid foundation of support and commitment that characterizes the Washougal community. It is a privilege to continue to be a part of the WSD community, and I am committed to ensuring that we keep moving forward, making a positive impact on every student’s life.”
Hansen has an undergraduate and master’s degree from Eastern Washington University. He holds a superintendent credential from Washington State University.
The board took action to appoint Hansen during the April 30, 2024 special board meeting, and noted that it will be gathering community input into a permanent replacement for Dr. Templeton in the fall. As part of the cost saving measures needed in school year 2024-2025, the Assistant Superintendent position is being eliminated to help solve the district’s $3 million budget shortfall.
Ponderosa Garage Doors
Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏
Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community.
Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected.
Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.
The Camas-Washougal Community Chest and its partners, the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation and the Camas Lions Foundation, are pleased to announce the award of 34 grants totaling $134,000 to non-profit organizations delivering services, exclusively, to children and families in Camas and Washougal. The Rotary commitment to Service above Self also adds volunteers to the mix as they work to make a difference in our community.
The grants will fund such diverse services as emergency food assistance, aid to families in crisis or needing emergency services, safe temporary shelter for at-risk youth, a Safe Stay overnight car park program at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and water quality monitoring in the Lacamas Creek watershed. New organizations
receiving grants for the first time will offer services such as a Community Arts Night program – a free opportunity to experience the benefits of creativity and artistic expression, bringing songwriters to the Washougal Arts fair and staffing and equipping for three litter cleanups at Cottonwood Beach.
Ponderosa Garage Doors
Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏
Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community.
Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected.
Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.
Some of the non-profit organizations being funded in 2024 include the Inter-Faith Treasure House, Akin (formerly the Children’s Home Society) at the East County Family Resource Center, Janus Youth Programs, Pink Lemonade Project, Family Promise of Clark County, and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. First-time grantees include Enspire Arts, Washougal Songcraft Festival and Watershed Alliance of SW Washington. For a complete listing of the grant awards see the grant summary below.
Thanks to CWRF, CLF and major donations from the GP Foundation, GP employees, Camas School District employees, City of Camas and City of Washougal employees, Port of Camas-Washougal employees, Windermere Foundation, and Watercare Industrial Services, CWCC is well on the way to funding these grants. To reach its 2024 fundraising goal, however, the CWCC needs additional donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at www.CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org. The CWCC, CWRF and CLF are registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations for federal charitable tax deduction purposes.
Total number of grants awarded – 34
Total value of grants awarded – $134,000
Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 30,000
Akin (formerly Children’s Home Society) – East County Family Resource Center
Helps fund operations at Resource Center. Helps fund parent education groups, youth support groups, emergency basic assistance, behavioral health services and health care services provided by ECFRC or by a partner agency.
Boy Scouts of America – Cascade Pacific Council
Girl Scouts Troop 45703
Helps fund Campership Awards so that Camas and Washougal families in need can send their Boy Scouts to summer camp. Helps fund the Girl Scout troop’s planned visit to the birthplace and home of Girl Scout founder – Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia.
Camas School District – Principal’s Checkbook
(aka Camas Family Community Resource Center)
Funds will assist students and their families who are living in situational instability with their essential needs, particularly those that assist directly in the furthering of a student’s education or their physical/emotional well-being. These requests most often come directly from school building counselors, which also relieves their anxiety when students are in need of additional support for their best learning.
Camas Farmers Market
Helps fund “Produce Pals”, a weekly activities program to educate children about where and how food is produced. Kids completing the weekly program receive a $2 token to spend at Camas Farmers Market for locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Camas Robotics Booster Club
Helps fund registration and transportation costs for students in financial need to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes and activities. Will also help fund STEM education and outreach activities in the Camas and Washougal area.
Camas Washougal Historical Society
Helps fund the commissioning of artist Adam McIsaac to create a fish carving display (12 feet by 4 feet) for the Gathering Place located at Two Rivers Heritage Museum. The purpose of CWHS is to preserve and make available to the public, both present and future artifacts that tell the story of the history of the Camas and Washougal area.
Camas Washougal Parent Co-op Preschool
Helps fund operating budget, including buying classroom supplies and helps with maintaining and upkeeping the preschool in order to provide a safe place for the preschoolers to learn and play.
Dance Evolution
Helps fund a scholarship program to support individuals and families with financial constraints, allowing them to pursue their passions without financial barriers. Help fund our dance outreach program to underserved communities by providing free or subsidized dance classes to individuals who may not have access to such opportunities. Help fund our inclusive dance initiative by enhancing our studio’s accessibility, ensuring all individuals of all abilities can participate in and benefit from our dance programs.
Enspire Arts
Helps fund a bi-monthly Community Arts Night program offered as a free opportunity for the greater Camas – Washougal area to experience the benefits of creativity and artistic exploration. Enspire Arts uses music, poetry, visual arts, theater, games, writing and more as a catalyst for conversation, community building, emotional expression, relaxation and fun.
Family Promise of Clark County
Helps fund an expansion of the FPCares program that proactively assists families with services that will prevent them from losing their homes and entering the shelter system. Services may include rental assistance, payments for rent in arrears, security deposits, landlord mediation, locating housing and filling out applications.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation – Washougal Branch
Supports the Washougal Community Library’s summer reading program for kids and adults. By providing free literacy related programs and incentive prizes for the amount of time spent reading, Washougal Community Library hopes to elevate the reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills of Washougal area children and teens before they return to school in the fall.
Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library
Helps fund the Camas Public Library’s plan to implement its proposed Nature-Smart Library to move learning and enrichment from beyond the library building and into nature with workshops, classes, self- guided activities and fun activities for every age. The library will purchase outdoor games, picnic baskets, nature kits and programs for adults, teens, and children and self-directed programs for all ages. The circulating Nature-Smart Library collection would be open to anyone with a Camas Public Library card.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Helps fund the Explore the Gorge classroom lessons and outdoor environmental education program for sixth graders in Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle schools in Washougal School District.
General Federation of Women’s Clubs Camas – Washougal
Helps fund the purchase of age-appropriate books and other educational materials for all children in Pre-K and elementary classrooms in the Camas and Washougal School Districts. The program is aimed at all Pre-K and elementary schoolchildren to improve their reading skills.
Impact CW – St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Helps buy food and grocery gift cards for families in need in the Camas and Washougal School Districts.
Inter-Faith Treasure House
Helps buy nutritional food items for the Treasure House’s Camas School District backpack program and gas for the food delivery vans.
Janus Youth Programs
Provides funding for outreach efforts and overnight facility stays for Camas and Washougal runaway youth at risk for abuse and neglect. Re-introduces kids to safe housing. Provide case managers to help youth access community services to help them achieve stability.
JD Currie Youth Camp
Helps fund repairs to outhouse “A” that serves the lodge area of the camp. Clark County, owner of the property, has determined that outhouse “A” is non-habitable in its current condition.
Journey Theater Arts Group
Helps fund a portion of the Washburn Performing Arts Center rental fee to present the winter production of The Spongebob Squarepants Musical. Helps fund scholarships for students in financial need and who find it difficult to participate in theater classes and camps.
Kawanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki
Helps fund their Outdoor Environmental Education Program by offering campers meaningful outdoor activities that support fun, healthy living, nurturing personal growth plus leadership and nature-based skills. Goals include better physical and mental health, increased self-esteem, respect and kindness for others, ability to lead, community participation and stewardship of natural resources.
Lacamas Watershed Council
Helps pay for volunteer training and buying water quality monitoring equipment and testing supplies. Water quality samples will be collected in the Lacamas watershed, including Lacamas, Round and Fallen Leaf lakes and Lacamas Creek.
Lifeline Connections
Helps fund youth activities, field trips and transportation costs to Camp Mariposa (they use Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki’s facility) for children of families in need or suffering from substance abuse.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Helps fund the Students Outdoor Science program that provides classroom lessons and outdoor applied learning programs for youth, including habitat enhancement projects adjacent to Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Campen Creek in Mable Kerr Park and Lacamas Creek Trail and Park.
Pathways Clinic
Helps fund the purchase of medical supplies to be able to offer obstetric ultrasound tests, pregnancy tests and STI/STD tests for men and women.
Pink Lemonade Project
Helps fund Treatment Access Program/Pink Practicalities/Holiday Glow, three financial aid and assistance programs. Covers costs that health insurance doesn’t, such as groceries, transportation services, lymphedema sleeves, lost wages, rent/mortgage payments, etc.
REACH Community Development
Helps buy groceries, baby essentials, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and similar basic household needs. Buys school supplies and holiday food baskets. Serves Gateway Gardens and Towne Square communities in Washougal.
ReFuel Washougal
Helps buy supplies such as sturdy clamshells, lidded bowls and heavy duty plastic forks and spoons to provide to-go meals during Friday meal nights. Helps buy winter waterproof sleeping bags. Helps buy bus passes for clients traveling to services only offered in Vancouver. Helps buy professional services to maintain and update the website to be able to reach out digitally to donors and service providers.
Silver Star Search and Rescue (SSSAR)
Helps fund a replacement heavy-duty Terra Tamer titanium frame/fork/wheel for a Stokes litter carrier which will allow rescue teams to work more effectively over long distances and tough terrain.
St. Anne’s (Episcopal Church) Safe Stay Program
Helps fund a portion of St. Anne’s Safe Stay program including cleaning of the port-a-potty, use of outdoor electrical outlets, use of the Internet WiFi and use of showers, laundry, and church kitchen.
Unite! Washougal Community Coalition
Helps fund Sources of Strength Suicide Prevention Program at Washougal High School; Positive Community Norms Campaign “Love Your Life” in the Washougal Community; the Support OurGuiding Good Choices Parenting classes and the Support our Ambassador Youth Program.
Washougal School District – Principal’s Checkbook
Helps Washougal school principals provide for basic student needs to give low income or homeless students equal opportunities at school. Funds a portion of an Adult Transition Program which trains students with disabilities for transition into appropriate work placement. Funds supplies such as shoes, clothes, hygiene products and food for Panther Den. Funds a mobile laptop cart for families without access to technology and internet services. Funds Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative activities on all Washougal School District campuses.
Washougal Songcraft Festival 2024
Helps fund local songwriter’s fees to perform during a summer festival that is offered free to the public of all ages.
Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington
(aka Vancouver Watershed Council)
Helps fund three litter cleanups at Cottonwood Beach and Trail in June, July and August 2024.
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society
Helps fund the following programs and services designed to keep pets and people together during hardship, crisis or emergency: pet food pantry, temporary pet boarding, impound/owner surrender fee relief and veterinary assistance. Also funds a portion of the cost to supply ReFuel Washougal with pet food to distribute to the pets of homeless and low-income people using ReFuel’s other services.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/11155528/IMPACT-CW-2023-Pic3-1.jpg11522048Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2024-03-11 16:02:212024-03-19 12:43:27CW Community Chest, Rotary, Lions Club Announce 2024 Grant Awards
The Black & Red Rendezvous event, organized by the Camas Athletics Boosters Club, is coming on Saturday, March 9 at the Black Pearl on the Columbia in Washougal. Doors open at 5:30 pm with dinner and the live auction beginning at 7:30 pm.
Deb Perry, a Camas Athletics Boosters Club volunteer, answered several questions:
What is the Black & Red Rendezvous event all about?
The Rendezvous is all about the kids – the student-athletes. For many young people, being part of an athletics team really rounds out their high school experience. Athletics are part of the Camas culture and our community, and many kids are excited and motivated by sports. We want to foster and support those efforts. Lots of life lessons are learned on the field or court too.
How does the money help Camas athletes?
Each year, the Camas Athletics Boosters give back approximately $100,000 touching every sport. Last year, the Rendezvous raised $62,000 and it was almost immediately donated back to programs, equipment and scholarships. A 16-foot LED scorer’s table used for boys’ and girls’ basketball, wrestling, and girls’ volleyball is an excellent example of a recent purchase that affected numerous student-athletes across several sports. New dumbbells and benches in the weight room, team bags for girls bowling, and a sideline pop up tent for both boys and girls soccer are other examples. The list goes on and on.
The entire Camas community – parents, teams, coaches, school officials and administrators, businesses and business owners – have been super supportive of the Boosters and the Black & Red Rendezvous. We are very appreciative of their continued generosity in the time that they give us and donations they make.
Ponderosa Garage Doors
Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏
Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community.
Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected.
Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.
What should guests expect at the event?
Guests will have a great time at the beautiful Black Pearl on the Columbia River! If you haven’t been there, you really should see it. It is a fabulous facility! In addition to dinner and drinks, there will be casino gambling – with play money, of course! Booster Secretary and Board Member Amy Stoller has pulled together a top-notch silent and live auction. There are some smokin’ packages many will want to get their hands on. We’ve got an expanded wine wall, 3D photo booth, and Elida Fields, a local camas artist and mom of several former Papermaker athletes, will be painting live for us that night. Her finished product will also be auctioned off. Runyan’s Jewelers has generously donated “Glitz in a Glass.” Owner Erin Moller has 99 cubic zirconia’s and one .57 carat round diamond. There’s definitely a little something for everyone!
Camas, WA — The March Downtown Camas First Friday — coming March 1 — features a chance to win an epic prize! Complete the Jurassic Camas Quest passport for your chance to win a 2 night stay at the Jurassic Retreat! You can step back in time at this vacation rental! It will take you on a captivating journey back 65 million years. Nestled near the Columbia River Gorge in Washougal, Washington, your every need will be met at this uniquely themed Jurassic Retreat home.
The prehistoric adventure begins as you step inside, greeted by life-sized T-rex, velociraptor, and triceratops companions. Immerse yourself in the one-of-a-kind world of these ancient giants, where every moment becomes an exploration of history. Terms and restrictions apply.
If you’re interested in booking your own historic vacation, Click Here to see the listing on Air BnB. Host your next birthday party, family reunion, or special event with surprises for guests from young and old! Jurassic Retreat has it all!
Ponderosa Garage Doors
Who said your garage door has to look boring😏😏
Contact Ponderosa Garage Doors today and see what they can do for you. They also give back to the community.
Plus, their team has a special! Just mention “Camas Athletics” when you place your order and the team at Ponderosa will donate 5% of the order to Camas Athletics Boosters Club, and it’s a good idea to have your garage doors inspected.
Call 360.684.1933. They have a $100 coupon, too. Learn all about it.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/28105732/kleAPdFa-e1709146928832.jpeg8011786Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2024-02-28 11:03:002024-03-19 12:47:53Jurassic Camas First Friday Features Chance to Win 2-Night Stay at Jurassic Retreat!
Washougal, WA – The Two Rivers Heritage Museum will reopen their doors on Saturday, March 2, 2024, after their annual winter maintenance closure. Open each Saturday through October from 11 am to 3 pm, volunteer guides accompany visitors through the museum to offer interesting extra information and stories as well as answer questions.
The museum, located at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, is operated by Camas-Washougal Historical Society volunteers and features a wealth of photos, artifacts and information about the people, places, and businesses prominent in the early years of Camas and Washougal.
“Our goals this year are for more members and volunteers, and to spread the word about why people should visit our museum,” said CWHS president, Dick Lindstrom. “We are the ‘best kept secret’ in the area and actually get more visitors from out of town than from our own community. We hope more locals will come in and see all the artifacts we have on display that are sure to stir up some memories!”
During the maintenance shut down volunteers carefully cleaned and cared for the museum’s extensive Native American basket collection.
“Our objective is to use best practices when working with these precious artifacts,” said Richard Johnson, a volunteer. “This means proper cleaning, updating our display using non-damaging plexiglass stands, and careful storage to give some baskets a resting period. All these steps will help preserve the collection.”
Recently museum leadership prepared for reopening with a volunteer training session and a clean-up day to make sure the space shines. Popular displays include artifacts and information on Native American baskets and stone tools, early physicians, fishing, lumber and farming industries, a 30s style kitchen, woodworking tools, early mining, military uniforms and artifacts, teddy bears, Camas and Washougal High Schools, beautiful depression era glass bowls and vases, musical instruments and more.
The museum gift shop offers a new selection of postcards featuring historic photos of Camas and Washougal and images of artifacts in the museum, beautiful rugs woven onsite with Pendleton wool fabric trimmings, a variety of surplus antiques as well as many books about local history by local authors.
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours are available any day of the week (by appointment only). Leave a message at 360-835-8742 for scheduling.
CWHS is always looking for volunteers and new members to join and help support the preservation of local history. More information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum can be found on their website at www.2rhm.com.
Washougal, WA — Elementary students at Washougal School District benefit from a flurry of early literacy programs this winter. Recent book donations and literacy grants at Washougal schools help to provide young learners with early reading materials. Early literacy lays the foundation for future learning by strengthening critical thinking skills, creativity, and comprehension.
“I like to read because if I’m having a stressful day, it calms me down,” said Nora Persons, 5th grade student at Gause Elementary.
Literacy is also an early indicator of academic success. Washougal School District students outperformed the state overall in English Language Arts on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) standardized test last year. “When kids discover an early passion for reading, it immerses them in their areas of interest and introduces them to new avenues for discovery,” said Hillary Chapman, Librarian TOSA at Washougal School District.
Read Northwest Hosts Free Book Giveaways
Read Northwest hosted book giveaway events for first through third grade students at Hathaway Elementary, Columbia River Gorge Elementary, and Gause Elementary School this winter. This program is made possible thanks to donations of books from the Molina Foundation via the Children’s Literacy Project. Every student was able to choose one free book to take home from the hundreds of options set up in a book fair-style display at the event.
“Our goal is to not only foster a love for reading among children but also to ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to build their literacy skills. We want every student to have the chance to own a book they’re excited about,” said Anna Paul, Washougal Schools Volunteer Coordinator with Read Northwest.
Gause Booster Volunteers Fundraise to Replace Library Books
Volunteers with the Gause Boosters organized a fundraiser to replace lost, stolen or damaged books from the Gause Elementary library this year. The initiative reflects the community’s investment in childhood literacy and commitment to ensuring that students have access to a wide range of reading materials.
“Reading is important because it makes you smarter,” said Avery Williams, kindergarten student at Gause Elementary.
Booster groups support Washougal schools to help meet a wide range of needs. Learn more about volunteering at Washougal School District: Volunteer – WSD (washougal.k12.wa.us)
Camas-Washougal Rotary Donates New Books to Third Grade Classrooms
In December, the Camas-Washougal Rotary donated books to third grade classrooms across Camas and Washougal elementary schools. Over 30 classrooms received a basket of 25 reading level books and a dictionary. This initiative, funded primarily through the annual Ducky Derby and supplemented by ongoing rotary donations, fosters a culture of reading among early learners. This donation helps to provide Washougal kids with a greater variety of reading materials, encouraging students to find new passions and interests through reading.
Washougal, WA — New and returning Washougal School District School Board members were sworn in to service at the December 12, 2023 board meeting after winning in the general election on November 7. Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton administered the oath of office.
Ida Royer was elected as the newest member to the WSD Board to represent District 4. Royer is a parent of a current Washougal student.
“I’m honored to serve my fellow Washougal families, and am very grateful to the current board members who have welcomed me, volunteered to get me up to speed, and answer any questions I might have,” said Royer.
Board members Jim Cooper (District 1) and Angela Hancock (District 2) were also reelected to their seats in the November general election. Both will serve 4-year term that expires in 2027.
During the same meeting, board members voted to elect their officers for the year. Angela Hancock was elected as the board president. Jim Cooper was elected as the board vice-president. Chuck Carpenter will continue to serve as the legislative representative, which is a two-year position.
Dr. Mary Templeton welcomed Royer: “We’re excited to welcome Ida to the board. Her perspective as a parent will be important as the board establishes priorities for student learning and continuing the excellent academic progress made over the last year.”
Royer added that, “I ran for school director because as a parent I’d want someone balanced and practical to be at the table making decisions that could impact my child, and I feel I can be that for other families. At the end of the day I want all our kids to be prepared for life after school, in whatever form that takes.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/14101414/Jim_Cooper_Angela_Hancock_Ida_Royer_sworn_in_by_Mary_Templeton_12-12-2023-e1702577691656.png294640Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-12-14 10:20:512023-12-14 10:21:01New, Returning Washougal School Board Members Sworn Into Service
The Camas-Washougal Rotary Club is donating books to third grade classrooms across both Camas and Washougal elementary schools. The Rotary Club believes that readers are leaders, in their classrooms, in their communities, and eventually in the world. Each classroom will receive a set of 25 books chosen to support a wide range of reading levels.
Members gathered in early December to assemble the book baskets for the more than 30 classrooms which will receive the donations. Each basket includes about $240 worth of reading materials along with a dictionary. Much of the funding for this project was raised through the annual Ducky Derby, but Rotarians are still welcoming additional donations to support the project through tax-deductible donations to the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation.
Book baskets will be presented to teachers and students over the next month, with Rotary members speaking to students about literacy and the importance of reading.
Project organizer Kathy Bussman shared excitement about the project, saying that “Rotary supports literacy as one way to help the world.”
Rotary supports projects to provide access to quality education as a way of investing in local communities.
“Tomorrow’s leaders are today’s readers,” said Bussman.
Washougal School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton welcomed the donation, noting that, “The generous donation by the Rotary will help cultivate a love of reading in our students. Having additional reading materials with a variety of subjects and reading levels will help make sure that every student finds something to read they’re excited about, which we know is important as they’re developing their literacy skills.”
Gause teacher Heather Hopkins said, “Our students are always thrilled for extra books in the classroom library, and as teachers we love when kids are excited about reading! Thank you so much to the Rotary for their generous donation to ensure our students continue to be excited about reading!”
Students receive new books from the CW Rotary Club.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/12122158/IMG_7849-scaled-e1702413321603.jpeg10412560Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-12-12 12:37:152023-12-12 12:37:26Camas-Washougal Rotary Club Donating Books to Local Elementary Schools
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