I’d like to share a beautiful story. Although this is about Trout Lake, it’s meaningful to so many of us here in Glenwood because we love and care about the Anderson family in Trout Lake. Micah Anderson has been in Arizona, battling late-stage cancer, giving it all he’s got and fighting hard. This is his second go-around with cancer. He and his wife Carissa, high school sweethearts from way back when, are raising their beautiful family of four girls in their hometown of Trout Lake.
The amazing community of Trout Lake, with others who don’t live in Trout Lake but care about the family, worked hard to raise funds to help with Micah’s journey to Arizona for his latest, very intense treatment. Carissa was able to be with him for the first month or so. Meanwhile, those wonderful friends started working to give Carissa’s Studio and refreshing update with new flooring, paint, and so much more. I saw younger kids there working with adults, including at least one college kid home on break at Christmas. The end results were stunning and a wonderful surprise for Carissa when they did the reveal.
Someone in that community donated airline fare so the Anderson girls could travel to be with Micah and Carissa at Christmas. Back home, the girls were busy with sports activities and school. Violette, a junior, and Eden, a freshman, are standout players on the Trout Lake Mustangs league-leading basketball team. Last week, Violette was named Athlete of the Week by the Oregon Schools Athletic Association.
Carissa returned home to be with her girls and get back to work. I must say, there’s a waiting list for appointments because her customers, including me, have been waiting patiently for her return. Meanwhile, the community just keeps on giving of their time, love, and generosity.
February 9th was the most heart-warming homecoming evening I’ve ever seen at the Trout Lake School. When we arrived at the school for the game, a friend said, with a twinkle in her eyes, that, besides the fun dance/lip sync competitions among the middle and high school classes, a very special guest would be there. Just before the girls’ game began, that special guest was announced as Micah entered the gym with roses for Violette and Eden, as well as their oldest daughter Nevaeh and youngest daughter Trinity. I don’t think there was a dry eye in that gym. The girls were overcome with emotion and joy to get to hug their dad and have him there for this special night.
When the game began, the Trout Lake girls got down to business and played an excellent game against Lyle. During play, a timeout was called and it was announced that Violette had just scored the 1000th point of her high school basketball career. And she’s only a junior. The crowd went wild and there were a lot more tears.
Between the girls’ and boys’ games, the classes put on a really fun and show with their lip sync and dancing routines. It’s always a lot of fun to see what they come up with each year. The boys played a really hard, close game against Lyle. They ended up losing the game in overtime, but never gave up throughout it all. Those Mustangs boys should hold their heads high and be proud of the game they played.
At halftime of the boys’ game, the 2024 Homecoming court was presented. The king and queen from the year 2020 came in to crown the royalty. Yes, you might have guessed. The king and queen from 24 years ago were Micah and Carissa. The royalty was chosen by vote of all the high school students and when the results were announced, instead of a king and queen, they chose Violette and Eden to preside over the 2024 Homecoming. Oh yes, there were even more tears as Micah and Carissa put the sashes and crowns on their daughters. I’m so glad we were there along with the very large crowd for the most emotional, heartwarming school basketball/Homecoming night ever.
We are so fortunate to live in these small, caring communities. I’m proud to say our Glenwood community does the same thing. We rally around our friends in their times of need. What great little communities we get to call home.
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Bailey Rickman, 4-H reporter, sent the following update. “The Mt Adams Community 4-H Club kicked off its new year with their first meeting being held at the Glenwood school on February 4th. We are starting this year with a new high of 45 members participating in the following projects: horse, beef, swine, goat, poultry, sheep, sewing, and cooking. Introductions took place and then we did a team-building exercise. For education, we learned about Robert’s Rules by Jim Mclean. After learning the rules, we made trail mix by utilizing what we just learned. We discussed upcoming fruit sale dates, so be ready to buy some fruit from your 4-H’ers. The money we earn goes to education, fair decorations, club needs, and community projects. The next meeting will be held February 25th.” The fruit is always fresh and delicious and is the club’s big fundraiser for the year. If you know a member of the Mt. Adams Community 4-H club, place an order and help support these great kids.
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A really fun event coming is the first ever Mom Prom in Glenwood. Glenwood classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 will put on a dazzling evening on Marth 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for this Mom Prom fundraiser. One of the classes will be serving a spaghetti dinner prior to the dance and there will be lots of other fun surprises throughout the evening.
All moms, aunts, grandmas, adopted moms, and every incredible mom figure out there are warmly welcome to come together, get dressed up, and enjoy a night filled with laughter and dancing. Help the kids make this Mom Prom a night to remember. Get your tickets, put on your finest attire, and come dance the night away in the spirit of community and camaraderie. Contact the class advisors Jaecee Hoctor or Lori Wellenbrock-Avila at 364-3438 if you would like more information about this fun, exciting event.
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Meanwhile, our Klickwood boys have been fighting hard to the end of their season. On February 6th, they lost a tough game against Dufur on the Klickitat home court. On Feb. 9th there was a better outcome, as Klickwood defeated South Wasco, again on their home court. It was homecoming night for Klickitat so that win made the evening more special. The next day, their last game of the regular season, they lost another tough one to Arlington on the Arlington court. With that loss, Klickwood did not advance to playoffs, but they should hold their heads high for working so hard, attending every practice and giving their all in every game. Next year, Klickwood!
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Mary Pierce writes about the community of Glenwood every other week in Columbia Gorge News. Please send any news items to gmpierce09@gmail.com.
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