HOOD RIVER — Born in Madison, Wisconsin, the Midwest’s unofficial cycling capital, Megan Ramey had biking infused in her DNA before she could walk. Now at the helm of several bike-forward initiatives, including Hood River County School District’s Safe Routes to School program, the all-star advocate is charting a new, more sustainable path for Gorge youth rooted in soft mobility.

ODELL — For the Columbia River Gorge’s 150-plus community health workers (CHWs), helping people isn’t a job, but a necessity. Every client, every mission, is part of a broad, decades-long movement to bridge the divide between underserved communities and institutionalized health care. 

I am a firm believer that everyone is an expert in something. It might be changing a tire, Olympic curling stats, or alpine tree species. This is a new column where I find community members to teach me about their expertise.

Another year has met its end, and with it, 12 months of cinematic excellence. Check out Columbia Gorge News reporter Sean Avery's top 10 films of 2025.

WHITE SALMON — In collaboration with StoveTeam International and nine other groups throughout Rotary District 5100, the White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club helped fund the construction of 74 safe and efficient cookstoves in Retalhuleu, Guatemala.

UNDERWOOD — The Skamania Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has yet to decide whether to allow housing development within the county’s remaining crop of unzoned property, opting to table its ruling for Dec. 9.

MOSIER — Situated along Mosier’s main drag, Roughcuts Rustic Furniture/Rods & Trikes boasts an impressive assemblage of scraps. But don’t get it twisted — this metal heap is no junkyard. For owner and award-winning craftsman Jim Wilson, it’s an ever-rotating treasury of functional materials used to convert motorcycles into custom, specialized trikes for riders with disabilities.

WHITE SALMON — Local health industry leaders assembled at Skyline Health on Nov. 17 for the second annual Better Together Rural Health Retreat — a convening of prominent organizations and individuals from across the Gorge to strategize, align workforce priorities and plan for the future.

THE DALLES — Community members gathered at the Granada Theater on Nov. 6 for a free film screening hosted by The Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative (MCHC), “No Place to Grow Old.”

DUFUR — Tucked into the arid, rolling hills east of Mt. Hood, ShadowBuck Winery recognizes responsible stewardship, sustainability and family as keys to a fruitful future in Oregon’s agritourism scene.

WHITE SALMON — Gorge native and former Army medevac pilot Lacey Szekely was appointed Secretary of the Board of Directors for Nation’s Finest last month, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans across California, Arizona and Nevada.

STEVENSON — A&J Market business owners Andra and John Mobley received the “Leadership on Main” Award at the Washington State Main Street Program’s annual Excellence on Main ceremony in Tacoma last month, recognized for their long-standing commitment to communication, dedication to employees and quiet but powerful leadership.