Big thanks to all from Stonehedge!

Wow, what a great town. We live here for this very reason. When the flames were coming up to the gardens and we were scrambling to evacuate and set up a wedding off-site with no prep-time, help came from all directions!

Randy Olmstead, our neighbor at the bottom of the hill, opened up his offices and let the bride relax and the guests tailgate in his parking lot; meanwhile, Maui Meyer’s loading up the wedding flowers and cake and setting them up on the lawn of the beautiful Columbia Gorge Hotel, who stepped in to offer their amazing setting to a heartbroken bride.

What a show — many of their guests said it was the best event of their lives! We can’t say enough great things about the firefighters, who dragged heavy hoses through head-high poison oak and numerous bees’ nests, to cut the perfect fire-line in the nick of time, saving our canopy of old-growth forest, not to mention the building.

And many thanks to the staffs at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and here at Stonehedge, who used their own vehicles and made countless trips into the smoke to get more of everything to make sure it was a great wedding.

Job well done, people! Thank you to all. God Bless.

‘Tavern’ service

I am writing to thank Lynda Dallman and the cast and crew of “The Tavern” for their efforts on behalf of local nonprofit agencies.

“The Tavern’ is part of Play For Non Profits. Proceeds from tickets sales benefit Helping Hands, The Next Door, the SMART reading program and the Sunrise Foundation.

I was at the play all weekend, selling refreshments as a fund-raising activity for Helping Hands. Audience members truly enjoyed the show; it is not one to miss. Helping Hands was able to raise $200, all of which will benefit survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Proceeds from the Aug. 31 performance will also benefit Helping Hands.

I am impressed with the cast and crew for donating such a huge amount of time, all to benefit local nonprofit agencies. Helping Hands is honored to be a recipient of this generous good will.

A great big thanks to all involved; I can’t encourage people enough to see this great play.

Losing a pet is sad

In response to Jeremy regarding his letter cheering for the coyotes, pumas, etc., who kill cats; I had to respond. I am a lover of all living things and not just cats. My husband can attest to the fact that I am the last person to be able to sit and watch an animal on TV be attacked by another animal or human.

In the same sense, I do realize that this is a fact of life. I understand that birds will be captured and eaten by cats or that cats and dogs will be eaten by other wild animals. The difference is that these cats and dogs are domesticated and many times family members.

We lost a cat to a coyote two months ago in our own back yard. Murphy was our “rags to riches” cat that had survived after multiple trips back and forth across Cascade Street to our business. He was starving and needed lots of love, attention and medical care. He got that when we brought him home and he gave a lot more. He was one of the sweetest animals I have ever known.

To have his life taken by a coyote is not something to be cheered. It was sad and we still grieve to this day. We are all fortunate to live in an area that gives us the opportunity to live so close to nature but being so close can have its consequences.

I guess I would ask that next time you see a sign of someone with a missing cat, think about Murphy and all the families that no longer have a “family member” to cherish and enjoy.

It’s a cycle of life

Was Jeremy Spray really cheering on attacks by coyotes, pumas, etc., or just that fact that they exist? (Our Readers Write, Aug. 25)

It is nature itself that determines what eats what. There is a food chain and unfortunately birds seem to be near the bottom. But cats are not the only creatures that eat birds.

Just ask the orchardist behind me. Coyotes have cleaned out his pheasant and quail coveys. Don’t condemn one species for doing what comes naturally to them. If you do, then we are to be condemned since humans are the only species that CHOOSES flesh over other forms of nourishment. I am not a vegetarian by any means, but I am an animal lover and believe that we should “live and let live.”

Therefore, I DON’T feed the birds at my house. That would give my cats an unfair advantage. Neither do I curse the coyotes that eat my cats, but I do mourn the loss of my family pets.

By the way, what species eats the pretty butterflies? Birds!

Sovereignty first

I want to personally thank U.S. Rep. Greg Walden for signing the congressional resolution that denounces any effort by the U.S. to enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada. H. CON. RES. 487 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That: (1) the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System; (2) the United States should not enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada; and (3) the President should indicate strong opposition to these or any other proposals that threaten the sovereignty of the United States. Thanks.

A great town

What a great town this is. I had a great summer here in Hood River with my family.

In June, there was the visit from the famous Thomas the Tank Engine. On the Fourth, there was the parade followed by the amazing tradition of fireworks after dark. Late July brought the Hood River County Fair, complete with farm animals, amusement rides AND reptiles.

What more could a young child ask for? All through the summer our amazing community education program provided endless activity for my oldest child: Week-long summer day camp, brimming with age-appropriate activities; two weeks of language learning with Spanish Day Camp; one day of scientific fun with the Dinosaur Dig; a month of chasin’ a ball with Community Education Soccer.

There were also swimming lessons provided by a skilled instructor at the Hood River Aquatic Center. This came in handy for safe fishing while camping at Lost Lake and playing down at our local beach. My children have a stellar stylist who patiently “does” all their hair with skill and tolerance.

The local library provides not only great literature, but kid-friendly entertainment.

Our church is an amazing, loving place that is an integral part of our community. My children’s care providers are longtime members of this community. They are trusted and respected, but most of all loving to my children.

There are many other examples of people, places and activities that make Hood River a place where I feel truly blessed to live. Recently, while corresponding with a woman who lives in Portland who is considering a move to Hood River, I was asked “What is there to do in Hood River for children?” I rattled on for several minutes and then referred her to our Community Education Web site. I also reminded her of something I’ve always truly believed.

People rarely regret raising a child in a small town but often wished they had after their child has been raised otherwise. I just feel so fortunate to be able to choose this place for my kids to grow up. Thanks to all of you who make this an amazing place for all of us!

One-sided article

I am writing in response to Raelynn Ricarte’s article about Measure 49 on the front page of this last Saturday’s paper. I would like to ask why no one who is in favor of Measure 49 was quoted in the article. After reading the article the gentlemen from Oregonians in Action was quoted quite often. I did not see a single quote from 1000 Friends of Oregon or the Hood River Valley Residents Committee.

I have no issue with Dave Hunicutt expressing his views and positions, but what bothers me is the one-sided reporting of the Hood River News staff. Maybe this article should have been on the editorial page. Our journalists and newspapers have a responsibility to report fairly and accurately to their public.

Bravo, ‘Tavern’

Don’t miss this one! An evening of enchantment and mystery, “The Tavern” at CAST Theatre, Columbia Center for the Arts! Bravo!