Washougal, WA — Three generations of the Van Vleet family lived at Parkersville, a township established in 1854 by David C. Parker along the shores of the Columbia River and now a national, state and county registered historic site.
The second annual Parkersville Day June 3, 2023, from 12 pm to 3 pm at Parker’s Landing Historical Park, at the Port of Camas-Washougal will celebrate the rich history of the site and families such as the Van Fleet’s who helped shape the communities of Camas and Washougal.
In 1855, Lewis Van Vleet, Sr. traveled the treacherous Oregon Trail from Missouri and took up a residence on a donation land claim in Fern Prairie three miles north of Camas. A dairy farmer, he later brought milk to Parker’s Landing where it traveled by steamship to Portland. On January 16, 1877, the editor of The Independent wrote in a column title Parkersville, “Parkersville is situated on the Columbia River, about sixteen miles from Vancouver. We have at present two steamboats running opposites – the Gazelle and Caliope. They make two trips per week — Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”
In 1858, when Parker died, Lewis Van Vleet, Sr. accepted part of the Parkersville property for his services as the estate administrator. Lewis Van Vleet, Sr. and lived there briefly. Parker’s widow, Ann, retained ownership and lived on the west side of the 581.97-acre donation land claim with her married daughter Mrs. Eliza Wiley.
Louisa, “Lutie”, daughter of Lewis and Ann Van Vleet, became one of the first woman doctors in the Camas and Washougal area, and in Washington State to hold both a medical degree and a license to practice. She treated settlers and indigenous people, covering miles riding side saddle or traveling by horse and buggy. Louisa married William Spicer, a pharmacist and had three children, Cecil, Lewis, and Edith, before the marriage ended.
In July 1880, Louisa purchased 10 acres in Parkersville from her parents that her son, Cecil, would eventually inherit. In 1901, she married James W. Wright, son of Washougal pioneers Emily Durgan and Stephen Wright, Sr. She continued her medical practice, served on the Camas School Board for 12 years, and reluctantly ran for mayor. Without campaigning she lost by one vote. In February 1904, she bought 35 acres in Parkersville and retired to a quiet and mostly deserted Parkersville.
Dr. Louisa Wright died instantly on May 30, 1913, from a horse kick to the chin while hooking up a buggy. Her funeral, held at her home, was well attended by many, some arriving by boat and others by Chinookan canoes.
On June 18, 1917, Cecil changed his name by petition from Spicer to Cecil Van Vleet in admiration of his mother and grandfather. On July 21, 1917, he married Elsie Virginia Moore. They were both teachers. Cecil and Elsie lived at Parker’s Landing during the 1920s. After Elsie died on January 2, 1950, Cecil met his second wife, Mary Roberts, while playing bridge. They lived at Parker’s Landing until he died on December 4, 1977. Cecil was the last of the three generations of Van Vleet families to live there.
The VanVleet home stood in Section B of today’s Parker’s Landing Historical Park until 1978 when it was burned to the ground by an arsonist. The following Monday, a Camas-Washougal Historical Society was formed and pledged a $1000 reward to anyone uncovering the culprit. The society was formed by promoters of the house becoming a museum. The house was thought to have been built in 1878 in Fern Prairie and moved to its waterfront site and had been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The new historical society named interim officers and historical advisors designating a Monday night meeting at 7 pm in the home of Mrs. Bernice Pluchos to discuss bylaws. Membership in the society was $4 per year for individuals and $7 for a family.
Meet members of today’s Camas-Washougal Historical Society, Washougal’s Two Rivers Heritage Museum, Clark County Museum, and Parkersville Heritage Foundation at the second Annual Parkersville Day at Parker’s Landing Historical Park at the Camas-Washougal Port. Learn about our rich local history in a fun, free, educational experience for all ages, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 12 pm to 3 pm.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/22100425/Parkers-Landing-drawing-scaled.jpg18932560Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-03-27 14:49:092023-03-27 14:49:19Local History: Three Generations of Van Vleet Family Lived at Parkersville
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 31 grants totaling $140,000 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 for many families.
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, a homeless family day center located at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Camas and water quality monitoring in the Lacamas Creek watershed.
New organizations receiving grants for the first time are offering services such as financial help to cover registration and transportation costs for members of the Camas robotics team, help purchase supplies and maintain equipment for local children attending preschool, help purchase supplies and uniforms for students attending local technical academy, help fund planting of pollinator habitat and beautification along SR14 near Washougal, help fund basic living expenses for individuals in need who are transitioning out of foster care and help fund emergency financial assistance to normally self-supporting people who are unable to work and pay all their bills during cancer treatments.
Some of the non-profit organizations being funded in 2023 include Inter-Faith Treasure House, Children Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center, Janus Youth Program, Pink Lemonade, Family Promise of Clark County and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. First-time grantees include Camas Robotics Booster Club, Camas – Washougal Parents Co-op Preschool, Cascadia Technical Academy.
Journey Theatre.
Foundation, East County Citizens’ Alliance, Komak and YWCA Clark County. 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 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 2023 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.
2023 Grant Program Summary
Total number of grants awarded – 31 Total value of grants awarded – $140,000 Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 30,500
Community Programs/Projects Funded in 2023
Boy Scouts of America – Cascade Pacific Council
Helps fund Campership Awards so that Camas and Washougal families in need can send their scouts to summer camp.
Camas Farmers Market
Helps fund “Produce Pals”, a weekly activities program to educate children about where and how food is produced. Kids completing 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 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.
Cascadia Technical Academy Foundation (aka Clark County Vocational Skills Foundation)
Helps students to purchase required uniforms and supplies such as chef jacket for Culinary, scrubs for Applied Medical Science, tools and tool bag for Construction and textbooks. Also helps student’s family to meet emergency needs such as a gas card so parents can get to work, paying for a few nights lodging while temporary housing is found and buying food from CTA’s food pantry.
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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.
East County Citizens’ Alliance
Helps fund a native pollinator habitat by planting native wildflowers in a state highway plot 200 feet long and twenty feet wide east of the Washougal River Road / SR – 14 roundabout. This is a first of its kind project in Washington and WSDOT is providing a landscape designer as a coordinator/ advisor.
Family Promise of Clark County
Helps fund an expansion of 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.
Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library
Helps fund several 100-year centennial projects including four special exhibit displays in the Second Story Gallery, six speaking engagements in a History Speaks! speaker series and the library will be collecting oral histories throughout the year and posting those stories to a hosted website.
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
Helps General Federation of Woman’s Clubs with purchasing books for all children in Pre-K programs in the Camas and Washougal School Districts. The program is aimed at all Pre-schoolers to grow 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 pay utilities (electricity, water, sewer, garbage and natural gas) so IFTH can continue to operate the east county food bank.
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.
Journey Theater Arts Group
Helps fund a portion of the Washburn Performing Arts Center rental fee to present the March production of Junie B. Jones, the Musical.
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.
Komak
Helps fund emergency financial assistance to normally self-supporting people who are unable to work and pay all their bills during cancer treatments.
Lacamas Watershed Council
Helps pay for volunteer training and buying water quality monitoring equipment and 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
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 and Campen Creek in Mable Kerr Park.
Meals on Wheels People
Helps fund an expansion of the Medically Tailored Meals Program, an evidenced-based nutritional intervention tailored to clients needs. These meals include higher quality food and provide more diversity and variety of foods.
Pink Lemonade Project
Helps fund Pink Practicalities, a financial aid and assistance program. 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. Also helps buy heavy duty raincoats for homeless or low income people in need.
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.
TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center
Helps fund a ductless wall heater and the electrical wiring to complete its installation in the recently completed 30-foot yurt.
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 Our Guiding 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 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 mobile laptop cart for families without access to technology and internet services. Funds Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative activities on all Washougal District school campuses.
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.
YWCA Clark County
Helps fund a portion of the YWCA’s Independent Living Skills Program. The ILS program helps youth transition out of foster care to independent living by providing physical things such as clothes for job interviews, rental assistance, and furniture for new living spaces. The ILS program also provides education and training opportunities to help participants with their transition to independence.
Washougal, WA — Citing low voter turnout on the February 14 special election, and with 100 positions at risk, the Washougal Board of Directors has proposed re-balloting two failed levies — the replacement EP&O, and Capital — for a special April 25 election.
Levies fill a 20 percent funding gap in the Washougal School District (WSD) budget.
The replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EPO) levy, or Proposition 10, failed 51%-48% (more “no” votes) while Proposition 11, the replacement capital facilities and technology levy, failed 51.5%-48.4% (more “no” votes).
For the second special election, the levies are known as Propositions 11 and 12.
“Schools would not look the same without levy funds,” said Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton. “Without this levy funding, Washougal School District would be unable to fund school extracurriculars, athletics, performing arts, classroom teachers to maintain smaller class sizes, technology devices, and more.
“Levies pay the people on the ground at schools, teaching and supporting Washougal youth. The reality is that without levy funding, significant cuts would need to be made to school staffing, which is 85 percent of the budget. A list of cuts that would be needed in the event of a double levy failure was reviewed with the board at their February 28, 2023 meeting. The list is available on the district website, and includes 40 teaching positions, 44 classified staff positions, five administrative positions, and 155 coaches and club advisors.”
Templeton added that “levies are important to strong schools and a strong community.”
The Washougal School Board has scheduled listening tours to gather feedback from voters about the recent levy results, and has shared a survey with district parents, staff, and community members.
WSD said “reintroducing the measures on the April ballot provides opportunities for the district to correct misconceptions and misunderstandings of the proposed levies that have surfaced in conversations with voters and in the survey results.”
The cost to run a special election varies by the size of the jurisdiction, but according Washington state RCW 29A.04.410: “Every city, town, and district is liable for its proportionate share of the costs. Special election costs must be borne by the city, town, or district concerned.”
February 2020’s special election cost $44,000, as a reference point.
In their statement, WSD said The board has highlighted the need to clearly communicate that the levies are not new taxes, and plans talk directly about the impact on student programs should the levies fail again, and ensure voters understand value of the programs and staff supported directly by the levies.
“Our youth need opportunities to engage in positive after-school activities,” said Jim Cooper, WSD Board Member. “The local levy is the way school districts in Washington state fund the sports and clubs that engage kids .Can you imagine what the Washougal community would be like with 1,000 teenagers hanging out after school with nothing positive to do?”
WSD said these levies are not new taxes, but rather they replace the EP&O Levy and Tech Levy expiring at the end of 2023. Combined, the proposed EP&O and Capital levy rates are lower than school levy rates approved by Washougal voters in 2020. The EP&O levy is proposed at a rate of $1.99 per thousand of assessed valuation, which is lower than the previously approved $2.14 rate. The EP&O and Capital levies work in tandem to fund student programs, staffing, and keep schools in good repair.
Voters are invited to Listening Tours hosted by the Washougal School Board to gather feedback from voters about the recent levy results. At these events, citizens may sit and chat with a board member, ask questions, and share ideas about Washougal schools.
The public may also provide feedback to the school board via a survey. Listening tours are scheduled for March 16 & 28, and April 11 and 21. Time and location information is available on the Washougal School District website.
If the second levy fails, the school board would need to take action to determine next steps. Most reductions would occur after the end of the current school year. The impacts of these significant cuts would be visible starting in the 2023-24 school year.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/07182914/FD4176F2-CF1C-4749-9240-50CBA2982512-1030x714-1.jpeg7141030Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-03-07 18:39:112023-03-07 19:02:58Washougal’s Failed Levies Head Back to Voters in April Special Elections
Washougal, WA — The Washougal Art Festival is pleased to announce a call for artists for its annual event, August 12, 2023. The festival will take place in beautiful Reflection Plaza, nestled in the heart of historic downtown Washougal.
The Washougal Art Festival is seeking artists of all mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, and photography. The festival is open to both emerging and established artists, and applications will be accepted through May 1, 2023.
All entries will be juried based on originality, creativity, craftsmanship, and professionalism. Judging will also consider the expression of a unique vision and style, and the mastery over the artist’s chosen medium. Artists are selected for festival participation by a jury of local artists and gallery owners.
“We are thrilled to invite artists from all over the Pacific Northwest to showcase their talent at the Washougal Art Festival,” said festival organizer, Janice Ferguson. “This is a wonderful opportunity to share your work with art enthusiasts, make connections with fellow artists, and enjoy the vibrant arts community of Washougal.”
In addition, the Washougal Art Festival will collaborate with the Washougal Songcraft Festival, featuring regional songwriters. There will be performances in Reflection Plaza during the Washougal Art Festival, concerts at 54-40 Brewing on Friday and Saturday evenings, and workshops with an open mic on Sunday.
Please visit their website for more information and the Artist Entry Form at https://washougalarts.org/ . Entries must be received by Monday, May 1, 2023.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/07090935/WACA-Festival-2022-e1678209135404.jpg10702048Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-03-07 09:34:432023-03-07 09:34:52Events: Call for Artists for the Washougal Art Festival Coming August 12
Washougal, WA — According to the Clark County Elections Office, Washougal School District voters are rejecting the district’s two replacement levies that were placed on the February 14 special election ballot.
The latest results show WSD’s replacement educational programs and operations (EPO) levy, or Proposition 10, had received 2,433 “no” votes (52%) and 2,331 “yes” votes (47.8%), while Proposition 11, the WSD’s replacement capital facilities and technology levy, had received 2,322 “no” votes (51.7%) and 2,172 “yes” votes (48.2%).
ENHANCED PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS LEVY
Washougal voters were asked to consider a replacement Enhanced Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O) to fund services and operations not funded by the state or federal government.
These services include:
Instructional Support: Librarians, secretaries, para-educators, textbooks, curriculum, food service, AVID program, community programs including Spanish Speaking Family Nights, preschool, and the Drug Free Communities grant match
Student Learning & Staffing: Art & music, Advanced Placement, Highly Capable Program, professional development & training, substitute teachers, classified staff substitutes, special education teachers and support staff, English Language Learner support, teachers above state funded levels to keep class sizes lower.
Athletics & Activities: School athletics, coaches, advisors, performing arts programs, extra-curricular activities, transportation
Health & Safety: Security staff, counselors, nurses, Family Community Resource Coordinators
The EP&O Levy will be assessed at $1.99 per thousand of assessed value for tax years 2024, 2025, and 2026. The levy is projected to generate $9,500,000 in 2024, $10,500,000 in 2025, and $11,500,000 in 2026.
CAPITAL LEVY FOR TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
According to WSD, the Technology Levy dollars pay for the district’s 1:1 initiative, up-to-date computers and devices, classroom instructional technology, professional development and coaching, technology infrastructure and staffing, and digital curriculum and software.
Starting in 2025, as bond collections decrease, the proposed Capital Levy would increase by a corresponding amount to fund some additional projects.
If approved, the Capital levy would be assessed at $0.21 per thousand of assessed value for tax year 2024, $0.84 per thousand in 2025, and $0.85 in tax year 2026. The levy would collect $950,000 in 2024, $3,950,000 in 2025, and $4,150,000 in tax year 2026.
The additional funds would be used to replace the roof at Washougal High School, improve security at our schools, improve ADA access for main entrances, update carpet and vinyl flooring in schools, and install more efficient heating systems and controls.
Camas, WA — The Camas Washougal Businessperson and Citizen of the year applications for nomination are now available. Your participation in the nomination process is necessary in order to honor individuals who truly deserve this honor within our community, said Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce today.
Here are the specifics:
Who: Citizen of the Year must live in the 98607 or 98671 area codes and have performed volunteer services in the community, which have contributed to an overall positive impact on Camas and/or Washougal. Business Person of the year must work in the 98607 or 98671 area codes and have shown a positive business influence on the Camas-Washougal area. Also, the businessperson must promote the community through any combination of the following: length of service, image, reputation, activities, promotions, growth, or participation in the business organizations.
When: Application deadline is May 1st at 5 pm in the CW Chamber office at 422 NE 4th Avenue. Email to info@cwchamber.com A banquet to honor the recipients will be held the first week in June. Date and Location to be announced.
Where: You can pick up applications at either the Camas or Washougal Riverview Community Bank branches, or at the Chamber Office. They are also available for download at www.cwchamber.com
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/09113435/Mariliyn-Reed.jpeg5121030Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2023-02-09 11:41:382023-02-09 11:41:48CW Chamber Accepting Application for Business Person, Citizen of the Year
David Stuebe was sworn in as Mayor of Washougal Monday, September 26, 2022, after a unanimous vote by Washougal City Council. He will serve in Council Position #1 until late November 2023. Rochelle Ramos stepped down from the role on September 17 to pursue a career growth opportunity in Utah.
“I’m honored and humbled to accept the Council’s vote of confidence to fill the role of mayor,” commented Stuebe. “I’ll continue providing leadership and sound judgement as we help grow and serve our community.”
As a resident of Washougal since 2007, he was appointed to the City Council March 29, 2021. Stuebe is committed to helping Washougal provide intelligent and responsible growth, resident safety and youth/adult resources and activities. He serves on many city and county boards and commissions and is also a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) lifetime member, Back a Hero committee member and sits on the All-Service Academy Interview Committee for Congressional Appointments.
“I think this decision makes sense,” said Councilmember Molly Coston. “As Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember Stuebe has become very adept at understanding the role as extending beyond the chair of the council. He is very engaged in almost all of our activities.”
Stuebe served over 30 years in the United States Marine Corps (active duty and reserves), retiring as a Colonel in 2016. As a Marine, he managed multiple humanitarian projects, coalition trainings and combat operations around the world, in addition to leading several large commands. Stuebe has also held senior management positions in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries for over 20 years. Stuebe is a graduate of the University of Redlands with a degree in Political Science.
“I have served around the world in many different roles and have made Washougal my home,” remarked Stuebe. “I’m committed to making this a great place for all.”
Council Position #1 will be on the ballot in November 2023, with the elected individual serving the remainder of the four-year term through the end of 2025.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/28121331/Stuebe-Headshot-e1664392493852.jpg345480Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2022-09-28 12:21:242022-09-28 12:21:32City of Washougal Appoints New Mayor, David Stuebe
Washougal, WA — Rochelle Ramos is resigning as Washougal Mayor (City Council Position #1) effective at midnight on September 17. She is pursuing a career growth opportunity in another state. Mayor Pro Tem David Stuebe will fulfill the Mayoral function until the Council appoints someone to fill the vacant Council Position #1 seat.
“It has been an honor to serve as Mayor. It was not my plan when I ran for office to only serve 10 months. I was also not actively seeking a new position. I was approached with an opportunity that is very positive for my family, and although it was a very difficult decision, I just couldn’t turn it down,” said Mayor Ramos.
In November of 2021 Mayor Ramos was elected to a four-year term to Council Position #1, which is designated as Mayor, taking office on November 23 of that year. Her election as Mayor was the culmination of years of volunteerism, service and support in the Washougal community.
“We are grateful for Rochelle’s long history of service in our community. We as a City have been very fortunate to have had such a passionate and engaged community member who has done an outstanding job in all her roles, including her current position as Mayor. She will be greatly missed,” said Mayor Pro Tem Stuebe.
The Council will be discussing the vacancy and appointment process during its September 12, 2022 worksession. The appointed individual will serve as Mayor until late November 2023. Council Position #1 will then be on the ballot in November 2023, with the elected individual serving the remainder of the four-year term through the end of 2025.
“I am excited for Washougal’s future. We are in the middle of updating our Strategic Plan, which will guide the community into the future, and there are several exciting projects in the works. I encourage Washougal citizens to get involved by volunteering to serve the community through the many opportunities available,” said Ramos. “It is with mixed emotions that I move into this next phase in life and I will miss Washougal.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/29180914/IMG_5560.jpeg343514Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2022-08-29 18:11:242022-08-29 18:11:30Washougal Mayor Resigns, Will Relocate For New Career Opportunity
Washougal, WA — 2 Rivers Bar and Grill has completely revamped their summer menu, which includes some amazing small plates, pastas, entrees and greens. Chef Max Whitmore, under the director of owner Michelle Ford, has worked with his team to create some delicious dining options that will please your palate, and ensure many returns.
“I shut down the restaurant for a month to rethink how we did everything; we shook things up,” said Ford. “We’re committed to being part of this great community.”
Whitmore was the chef at 360 Pizzeria and he brought several new ideas to 2 Rivers.
Lacamas Magazine sampled several dishes, all of which had new twists on traditional cuisine, along with some pleasant surprises.
Small Plates
2 Rivers offers 10 appetizers that are great to eat alone or share. You could even order several and make a fun night with small plates. I sampled the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Clam Chowder, and Charred Carrots.
The shrimp plate is served in a bowl, can almost be eaten like a soup, and has a little bite to it. After you’re done eating the delicious shrimp, you can soak up the sauce-like broth with the toasted baguette that complements the plate.
The Clam Chowder comes with fresh clams, bacon lardon, and jalapeño, and it was a surprising and different take on a traditional soup. We’ll go back and have that again for sure.
One to love vegetables, I had to have the Charred Carrots, which comes with whipped cream, spiced green sauce, and walnuts. Delicious!
Pastas
2 Rivers offers five pasta options, of which I sampled the Fennel Sausage Ragu.
The Fennel Sausage Ragu is presented quite nicely with housemade fennel sausage, roasted red peppers, fettuccini, oregano and parmesan. There’s enough yummies on this plate to share.
Ragu and Fried Chicken.
Entrees
Six new entree options are available, and I sampled the Fried Chicken, which is served with housemate jalapeño cheddar cornbread, along with collard greens and guajilo honey. It’s total comfort food.
I also sampled the Cast Iron Flank Steak, which comes with horseradish yogurt, roasted beets, fresh herbs and olive oil. The meat is prepared to perfection.
They also offer a full bar with an assortment of wines, beer and speciality cocktails.
Located at 1700 Main Street in the heart of downtown Washougal at Washougal Town Square, 2 Rivers opens at 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. They close at 8 pm Tuesday through Thursday and at 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Camas-Washougal, Washington – Do you have pride in your city or family heritage? Do you enjoy learning about local history? Whether you are new to the area or have deep family roots in Washougal, Camas, or Vancouver, here is your chance to enjoy and preserve local history.
A new event, Parkersville Day, on Saturday, June 4, from noon to 3 pm at Parker’s Landing Historical Park near the Port of Camas-Washougal, will celebrate the area’s rich history. A Chinookan blessing, storytellers in period clothing, the playing of historic family games, a display of student art, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, display booths, and even a high school brass band performance will round out the day’s activities.
Parkersville Heritage Foundation is sponsoring the event. Two Rivers Heritage Museum, Clark County Historical Museum, Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance and park partners will have display booths. Park partners donate time and materials to help preserve and beautify the park. This year’s partners are the Soroptimist Club of Camas-Washougal, Cascade Tree Works, LLC, ColumbiaOutdoor.com, Camas Lions Club, AllPhaseConstruction-remodeling.com, JTR Artworks & Construction, and Affordable Ponds.
“Even the event’s location holds special significance to the area,” said Susan Tripp, the event coordinator with family history in Washougal. “Parker’s Landing Historical Park at Parkersville National Historic Site commemorates the Chinook tribes who lived and visited there and early milestones in Washington’s history.”
“We are inviting the community to be a part of history by purchasing a legacy brick for engraving and placement at Parker’s Landing Historical Park,” Tripp added. “But hurry, only a limited number of bricks are still available!”
Bricks are a $75 tax-deductible donation and support the nonprofit Parkersville Heritage Foundation, which oversees park history preservation. Receive a brick order form email phfbrickorders@gmail.com.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/26103816/Brick-Engraving-at-Parkersville-Park.jpg20161504Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2022-04-26 10:56:262022-04-26 10:56:32Celebrate, Preserve Local History: Attend First Annual Parkersville Day
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