Hood River News

September 7, 2005

Good grief … did the summer seem to fly by for anyone else? I woke up at 7 a.m. Tuesday, walked outside with my morning coffee and took in a nice deep chest of mountain air. Exhaling, I saw my breath for the first time in months.

Yup… it flew by.

I guess I’m always saying that about this time of year though. For the first time since I started kindergarten, the end of summer for me does not mean packing up and skipping town or going back to school.

I say this with mixed emotions, because although I am happy to settle down in my home-town, I remember the thrill of shoving off on exciting new adventures in exciting new places. For me the sacrifice feels well worth it.

Being a sports reporter in Hood River was always a fantasy job for me. Watching Jim Semlor on the sidelines of my high school games and mat-side at my matches, I remember thinking: that would be the coolest job in town.

In short, my expectations have not been let down, and prep sports just started. I am eager to be there — field-side, court-side, mat-side, pool-side, slope-side and on all other sides — supporting the next batch of local athletes, showcasing them for the community, and helping motivate them like the sports reporter did for the teams I was on.

I was away from Hood River long enough to have lost touch with basically all the teams, coaches, and athletes in town. I am catching up as fast as I can, but for some I have not been fast enough.

I realize I have provided little coverage on former HRV athletes and their plans for and participation in college sports. I am sorry to say, I don’t know who many of you are right now.

This is my call for help: To all the moms and dads, grandmothers, fans, coaches and especially former Hood River athletes — keep in touch. Help me catch up with five years of being out of town by understanding that without your help, I will not be able to provide the recognition everyone deserves.

Drop me an e-mail, call me anytime, send me a letter or fax. Let me know what’s up. Don’t hesitate, I promise I’m easy to talk to and I will publish everything I can, with the space I have available.

Sports department contact:

Adam Lapierre, Sports Editor

E-mail: alapierre@eaglenewspapers.com

Phone: 386-1234, ext. 214

Cell: (541) 380-0852

Mail: 419 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031