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December 13, 2011
Creating holiday cheer
From the Oregon Ducks to origami, the themes of 16 fully decorated Christmas trees varied as much as the designers' imaginations.
From the Oregon Ducks to origami, the themes of 16 fully decorated Christmas trees varied as much as the designers' imaginations.
You're wasting your time getting art degrees and may as well put signs up to exhibit next to your washing machine like all the other girls." Almost 60 years later, Susan Smith still remembers that comment from a professor. "It spurred me on to be a success," she said. "And I never liked that guy anyway." And successful she became. Smith went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in fine art from the University of Wisconsin, and has had a career spanning six decades. The artist, who lives in Skamania County, has had her work displayed at shows throughout the Columbia Gorge, where she has lived since 1990. This month, she is the featured artist at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library.
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As people begin decking out their homes for the holidays, they'll have the opportunity to glean ideas from four elaborately decorated residences in the Camas area.
Classic home in Formal Federal style: This home was custom designed by Stephen and Kerry Richards. The home and grounds reflect the couples' interests and houses a collection of art and antiques that have been added during 46 years of marriage.
Although it's not quite Thanksgiving, at local tree farms, the Christmas spirit is in full swing.
Washougal River Christmas Trees
Some people look forward to making Thanksgiving dinner like others enjoy watching the Superbowl. For days they plan menus and spend hours in the kitchen, preparing the big meal. But for the more kitchen phobic or time strapped, sometimes having dinner out can be a huge burden taken off their shoulders.
It's that time of year again. November typically kicks off a flurry of holidays bazaars, where those looking for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts are sure to find them. During the next month, several bazaars are coming to churches, schools and civic centers. Eager shoppers will have the chance to support the local economy, buy handcrafted items and avoid big box stores.
"I shall be telling this with a sigh. Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."
People have been known to do some unusual things in preparation for a high school reunion. Crazy diets, plastic surgery, and showing up in new sports cars are just a few. But David Blair, 47, took it a step further. Or more like several miles. As in, about 2,581 of them. Blair, a health and fitness teacher at Skyridge Middle School, rode from Everett, Wash., to Washington, D.C. in a "big reunion ride," to celebrate his 30th high school reunion. "I'd never been to one and thought it would be a fun way to show up," he said. "Oddly enough, the reunion organizers ended up having it in October so I missed it, But I still did the ride."