Thank you, fans
On behalf of Hood River County Little League, we would like to thank everyone who came out and watched the games and supported our players, coaches and managers during the District 5 Baseball/Softball Tournament in The Dalles. It was greatly appreciated.
Angela Hunter, President
Hood River County
Little League Board of Directors
Hood River
Awesome anthem
We hear all this about this group complaining about another group, this politican on his soap box against another politican. We listen to the pros and cons of our involvement in the conflicts abroad. Seems it is always negative against negative, depending on which side of the fence you are on.
Last night I went to the Fort Dalles Days Rodeo and heard something that made me very proud to be an American. A local, Hood River, talent did his flawless rendition of our National Anthem.
Dave Tallman was the privileged one to present the National Anthem to the rodeo goers. I know I for one had goose bumps as he held back nothing in that song.
I know that his talent is God given and it is too bad that more such individuals aren’t allowed this wonderful quality. But at least we are able to enjoy it when he sings — giving us renewed pride that we are Americans living in our freedom to disagree on all issues.
Good job Dave — Hope many others get the opportunity to hear your “National Anthem.”
Charlott Wells Jones
Odell
Landowners beware
Last year it was Hood River Riparian Growth Ordinance with a 50- to 75-foot setback from rivers and streams. Now the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation announced its top priorities, one of which is to establish district-wide trails. Those who don’t mind daily pedestrian traffic across their property should continue to just keep quiet and hope for the best.
All others might want to consider a citizens’ initiative to change Hood River’s County Charter to prohibit trails across private property. District-wide trails will have to pass through orchards, pasture and back yards to get to rivers and streams.
Richard D. Kenward
Hood River
Keeping in touch
I often read the Hood River News via the Internet and today learned of Lee Foster’s selection to the 4-H Hall of Fame.
Having been employed by the Hood River County Extension Service for 21 years (16 of which Lee Foster was the County Agent Chairman), I was very interested in this article.
In my opinion, he remains the very best boss and county agent anyone could have — always taking equal interest in the person with a small backyard orchard and one who owned a commercial farm. He was courteous, fair and honest, always willing to take the time to listen to a problem and help do someting about it.
My husband, Ernest, and I moved to the Hood River Valley in 1956 and in 1957 I began working at the Extension Office during the week of County Fair. Having survived that experience, I enjoyed 21 years as secretary in the office which was then located in the county courthouse.
Three of our children — daughter, Toni, and sons, Mike, and Philip May were students in Hood River County schools. Toni and Mike graduated from Wy’east High School .
Philip was a student in the first class to graduate from Hood River Valley High. Through those years, your paper (Wally Eakin, editor) printed some fine articles on the activities of all three.
My husband and I retired in 1978, traveled about the country for a year or more and finally moved back to Texas.
This e-mail is written to say how much I appreciate having been a part of the Hood River Valley and to thank you for making it possible, through your Web site, for me to keep in touch with issues and activities and to view some of the scenery of that beautiful place I still call my other home.
Wanda May
Brownwood, Texas
(Wanda added: “Since coming back to Texas, I have continued to work. I was fortunate to secure a bookkeeping position at the Texas 4-H Center located on Lake Brownwood, where I worked for about 10 years before “retiring” again for a short time. At present I am secretary/bookkeeper of Rocky Creek Baptist Church and enjoy keeping busy and active. I hope to visit Hood River this summer when son Mike goes out (from Illinois) for his high school reunion — Class of ’64.)
A cannon return
When I wrote my letter about the cannon fire on Collin’s Field this past Fourth of July, I really didn’t think it would deem a rebuttal. I was just venting my frustrations. I know the park will always be used for whatever event no matter how intrusive it may end up being to the hospital and surrounding residences. Those of us who live next to the park area have to take that chance and hope that those responsible for arranging these events have enough common sense and consideration for others.
In response to Carol Goter’s letter (July 16), for your sake, I hope you have another event like you had. I’m all for it. Just do it somewhere else. Apparently, you missed the point of my letter. When the concussion of the cannon fire knocks household items from the shelves in your home, I think those who are responsible should know what they are doing. Maybe next time you should set up the cannons right outside your house but before you do, make sure you have your aged, ailing mother inside as well as your pets and see what happens to them.
Dale Peck
Hood River
A view of a forest
Tom Webb’s letter of June 22 excuses current forestry practices partly because of the importance of forestry products. I can agree with him to a point. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs, or have wood without cutting trees.
The question needs to be: Is there a better way to “harvest” trees than by clear-cutting? I think Mr. Webb is right to say ... not all forests should be harvested. To take it a step further, if a partial cut isn’t possible, maybe we shouldn’t be cutting at all.
The word “harvest” itself is a bit misleading. I grew up on a wheat ranch and then farmed alfalfa hay with my family for 15 years. Harvest meant cutting a crop that could be seeded back and harvested again in a year or two.
However, forests are more than trees. The view of a forest as just another “crop” doesn’t do justice to the complexities of forest health.
Clear-cutting destroys the forest canopy. When that is lost, shade and shelter for young trees is also lost. Meanwhile, light-loving, tinder-able brush and weeds compete for available water and nutrients. Soil erodes and pollutes the waterways.
It may seem efficient to clear-cut, but it is not. Regeneration of forests is costly in time and money.
We have now cut nearly all of the forests in this country, and they have not regenerated. What we have left is all we may ever have. Meanwhile, our need for wood continues to outstrip our supply.
We desperately need to implement new models of forestry practice, especially on the public lands. The work of Dr. Jerry Franklin on the Wind River Canopy Crane and others can provide these new models, but we have to stop thinking about forests as just another form of agriculture.
Mark S. Reynolds
Hood River
Remembering Paul
Nearly 50 years ago the City of Hood River was no man’s land. They barred the Japanese residents from shopping for the necessities of life. They were born here and many served in the military.
Almost all the stores had “White traded only” or “No Jap trade.”
The late Paul Sanstrum was one of the few that stood up against the City and American Legion and other organizations.
He was a great man for humanity.
Mits Tamiyasu
Hood River
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