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Stories by Danielle Frost

email icon danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com

December 4, 2013
Edie Hagstrom, social worker at Helen Baller Elementary School, prepares bags of food for the school's weekend backpack program, which provides easy to prepare meals and snacks for children in need.

Bridging the gap

What do you do when you're hungry? For most of us, it's a simple matter of deciding what to make or buy.But imagine how it would feel to have your stomach growling, not enough to satisfy it and being unsure of when or what you would have for your next meal. Then, consider how it would feel to be expected to sit still and focus all day when you hadn't had a full meal for more than 48 hours? This "food insecurity" is a reality for many children in single-parent families, of the working poor or unemployed. However, there are programs in place at several local schools in Camas and Washougal, to help bridge the gap between Friday afternoon and Monday morning.

December 3, 2013
Students work on improving their math skills with hands-on activities. Grass Valley Elementary was selected as a statewide "School of Distinction" for achievement in reading and math.

School honored for achievement

A local elementary school has made the prestigious statewide, "Schools of Distinction" list for the second year in a row. Grass Valley Elementary in Camas was one of six schools in southwest Washington to receive this honor, by being among the top 5 percent in the state posting improved student achievement in reading and math over a 5 year period. "The School of Distinction is a great honor," said Sean McMillan, principal. "Grass Valley has now won this award two years in a row. I am very honored to be joining this wonderful school and community."

November 26, 2013
A church in the Palouse area of Eastern Washington sits among the endless wheat fields on a summer day.

‘Within a day’s drive’

What is there to see in the Northwest? Plenty, according to Washougal photographer Mark Forbes. His upcoming exhibit, "Within a Day's Drive," showcases the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest in a series of pictures. The show will begin Friday, Dec. 6, at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Library. Forbes, who is also a travel enthusiast, considers a day's drive to be 12 hours or less, and includes places ranging from the Columbia River Gorge to northern California. "This exhibit focuses on what we often ignore, our own back yard," he said. "The variety of geology and scenery within that day's drive radius is stunning."

November 26, 2013
Post-Record file photo Students at Camas and Washougal high schools will work toward a common goal of collecting 85,000 pounds of food during the sixth annual Stuff the Bus food drive. Donations can be dropped off at either high school from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Helping feed those in need

Since 2008, the Stuff the Bus food drive has raised more than 339,000 pounds of food for people in need.It began as a friendly competition between Camas and Washougal high schools to support The Children's Home Society of Washougal and the Christmas Activities Relief Organization Limited. The event, created by the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance, designated those two organizations in an effort to keep all donations in the local community. As Stuff the Bus enters its sixth year, there are changes in store. The biggest one is that the two high schools, in conjunction with elementary and middle schools, will work together toward a common goal of 85,000 pounds of food and personal care items.

November 26, 2013

School campus vandalized

Police are investigating an incident at the Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle School campus after a firearm was used to shoot out several exterior lights. Maintenance staff were repairing lights around the building last week when they noticed the vandalism. Bullet casings were found nearby. The schools are located on rural Washougal River Road and share a campus. The Skamania County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, which is estimated to have occurred prior to Nov. 14. "The district is very concerned and we will work with the sheriff's office to hold accountable the person or persons responsible," stated a letter, which was sent home to parents on Nov. 21. "To the best of our knowledge, no students or staff were on campus when this occurred."

November 19, 2013
Allen and Cassie Gabriel founded the Pink Lemonade Project in 2010. The Camas doctors saw there was a lack of information and emotional support for women impacted by breast cancer, and sought to address that need.

Education, empowerment, support

"When life throws you lemons, make lemonade."Almost everyone has heard this popular quote at one time or another in life. In 2010, two Camas doctors took it to heart and created the Pink Lemonade Project, which provides "critical support" to women impacted by breast cancer. Dr. Allen Gabriel, a plastic surgeon with PeaceHealth Medical Group, and his wife, Cassie, with Columbia Anesthesia Group, saw there was a noticeable lack of information regarding breast cancer and women's rights. In addition, Allen Gabriel noticed that many of his patients struggled with the emotional and psychological aspects of diagnosis and recovery. "I have always had an interest in working with breast cancer patients and helping them," he said. "During my residency, training and fellowship I noticed there was a real lack of emotional support. They needed help, but that which had nothing to do with family or a doctor."

November 19, 2013
Tanner Howington (left) and Eli Crabtree (right) were honored by the American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 for their substantial donation to its holiday food basket program.

An opportunity to help others

When it came time to pick an eighth-grade project, Canyon Creek Middle Schoolers Eli Crabtree and Tanner Howington wanted to do something to make a difference."It seemed like most everyone was doing easy stuff, and we wanted to do something unique and help people who really needed it," Howington said. The two, who are now ninth-graders at Washougal High School, decided to raise money for the American Legion Cape Horn Post 122 holiday food basket program. Crabtree's dad, Vince, a Navy veteran, is the finance officer for Post 122. "They really needed funds for the food basket program," Crabtree said. "So we decided to ask businesses for donations and have a raffle."

November 12, 2013
Horace Vandergelder (Jacob Lively) refuses to give his niece Ermengarde (Tabitha Hearn) permission to marry the man of her dreams.

An old fashioned farce

Students in Kelly Gregersen's dramatic literature class have been begging him to select Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker" as an upcoming play.After a year spent rallying fellow classmates, the student-led production will open this weekend. "A lot of the senior drama students asked for the show," Gregersen said. "When the kids keep requesting something, it really brings a nice energy to the piece." The musical is set in 1880s New York City and Yonkers, where grouchy store owner Horace Vandergelder refuses to let his niece marry the poor artist she loves. Meanwhile, he himself is tired of being lonely and plans to re-marry, using the talents of local matchmaker Dolly Levi, who is scheming to wed Vandergelder at the same time she pretends to find him a suitable bride. The story is the basis for the musical, "Hello, Dolly!" which ran for years on Broadway and is still one of its longest-ever running shows. "It's a really cute story," said Gregersen. "If people like, 'Hello, Dolly!' they will know the characters, and the story will be very familiar."

November 12, 2013
Michelle's Coffee Corner in Washougal is auctioning off decorated cups as a fundraiser for the arts program at Excelsior High School.

Cups for a cause

A Washougal business is offering the opportunity to own a unique, hand-designed coffee cup while supporting a local school. Michelle McKnight, owner of Michelle's Coffee Corner, is auctioning off reusable cups designed by community members. All styles and ages are represented. "I was wanting to do something fun and thought that taking cups and letting my customers draw, paint and color them was a good idea," she said. "Then I decided to auction off some of the better ones and donate all proceeds to Excelsior High's art program."

November 12, 2013
Students, parents, teachers and veterans attended a special assembly at Hathaway Elementary School in Washougal on Friday. It was one of several school events in the area, aimed at thanking veterans for their service.

Students honor those who served

With this past Monday being Veteran's Day, several schools in Camas and Washougal marked the occasion with assemblies, brunches, patriotic singing and guest speakers. This year, the Post-Record will focus on Hathaway Elementary School's efforts. Next year, another local school will be selected. Hathaway fifth-graders had the opportunity to hear first-hand from World War II veteran and Washougal resident, Duncan MacDonald. MacDonald, 86, told the students about running away from his home on Mount Pleasant at age 16 to join the Navy. With his keen eyesight, he was given the assignment of range finder, and would help shoot down enemy planes that were threatening his ship.