Excited, boisterous voices filled the air as potential buyers haggled with sellers during Ancient Market Day at Liberty Middle School. Blankets, filled with handmade goods ranging from perfume to pottery, took up every inch of available ground space. Sellers, eager to earn money for their goods, encouraged potential buyers to have a look.
Determining whether a middle schooler appreciates something can pose a challenge for adults at times. However, local outdoor school organizers are convinced that the program makes a big impact with the students, even if they don't display it outwardly. "You may not see it now, but we're hoping that in the future, they can draw from this experience and the memories," said Maegan Jossy, outreach coordinator for the Friends of the Columbia Gorge. "There's something special about this experience, something you can't get in a classroom."
A substitute bus driver for the Washougal School District has been fired after he got into a verbal altercation with students on the afternoon of May 23. The district reported the incident and the driver to the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which oversees standards for the state's bus drivers.
Brian Christopher has always been able to blend in with his surroundings. At more than six feet tall, that is no easy accomplishment. But it isn't something he tried to do, it's instinctive, which helps the photojournalist capture scenes as they unfold. "I was born a documentary photographer," Christopher, 53, said. "Despite my size, I can blend in and seem invisible."
Every Wednesday, a myriad of tantalizing aromas, music and conversation floats through downtown Camas when the Farmer's Market opens. Located between the library and City Hall, this local market includes fresh fruit, produce, cooking demonstrations, wine and food vendors, beverages, kids activities and much more. "I really like to see the spirit of community come alive every Wednesday when the market is just bustling with energy and happiness," said Marilyn Goodman, program coordinator, who began her job with the market two years ago. "It has been so exciting to see how much people love this small town market," she said. "I enjoy talking with customers about what brings them back each week and hearing their stories. We are so fortunate in having an excellent crew of volunteers who set up the market each week and help us tear down and our board members, some who have been with the market since it started out seven years ago." On a typical Wednesday evening at the market, families can be found eating dinner together and children are often running around on the lawn of the library, a book in one hand and a treat in the other."
A special education teacher with a passion for his craft, along with a fifth-grade teacher who supports both students and colleagues, are being recognized for their efforts. Mike Brasch and Marie Klemmer are being recognized as Teachers of the Year by the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce. They will be honored at a banquet on June 4. Brash is a special education teacher at Hayes Freedom High School in Camas, while Klemmer teaches fifth-grade at Gause Elementary School in Washougal.
The Camas-Washougal Rotary Club motto is "service above self." So, it makes sense that the 57 member group has earned the title of "Citizen of the Year" by the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce. "It's great that they can be recognized as a whole for what they all do for the local community," said Chamber Director Brent Erickson. "They're a real well-rounded group."
Driving a school bus can be a tough job, but also incredibly rewarding. Just ask Connie Allred. After a few weeks driving a bus for the Washougal School District, the driver was ready to quit. "I came to the office in tears, thinking, 'I'm too slow and too short and too stupid to figure out how to do this right.'"
Hathaway Elementary School has lost a beloved teacher. Susan Champion, 59, passed away from cancer on Friday, May 9. Principal Laura Bolt describes the third-grade teacher as "vibrant and energetic," even in her final months. She was in the classroom until winter break.
Math teacher Jay Jenkins has resigned from Washougal High School. The School Board accepted his resignation, effective at the end of the school year, at a special meeting on Thursday. This came about after a flurry of publicity about Jenkins' allegedly touching students inappropriately during instructional time. The reported incidents dated back to 2008.
danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com
