Two Duckwall employees run Boston marathon

The idea was Valdez’s. “(Boston) was just something in my head,” she said. “One day I was running on the trails with my friends, and I said it would be fun to run in Boston. Sara said, ‘Let’s do it.’ We had a little over a year to train.”

“I qualified for Boston pre-kids, but never actually ran it,” said Snyder. “It’s always been a goal of mine to get back there, and Asalia was instrumental for getting me there.”

To qualify, they ran the Eugene Marathon in April 2013. They also trained together.

What impressed them most about Boston was the number of spectators. “Literally spectators were rows deep the entire race,” said Snyder. “It was so cool having that many people out there. ‘Boston Strong’ is a motto that they really do follow.”

Valdez works as a production assistant at Duckwall, and Snyder in finance. “They’re such a wonderful supporter of their employees,” said Snyder. “We felt the company’s support from all the way across the country, watching for us, rooting for us, supporting us during training and runs. It felt like they were there with us.”

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Mid Valley Elementary School’s annual carnival will be May 9 from 5-7:30 p.m. Davis Drive will be closed in front of the school for food, games, music and raffle drawings.

Raffle tickets are still on sale and may be purchased from any student; there will also be tickets available during the carnival. Money raised goes to the PTO.

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Wy’east Middle School drama students are presenting Disney’s “Peter Pan Jr.” in the school’s Performing Arts Center May 8-11 at 7 p.m. under the direction of teacher Jennifer Graves. There will also be 2 p.m. matinee performances May 10-11. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children, and all are invited to attend.

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Wy’east Middle School sixth graders will be off to Outdoor School at the Brooks Environmental Learning Center north of Goldendale May 12-16.

“This is our sixth year in this program, and it’s been the school’s fortune to implement a cabin counselor program with Hood River Valley High School students, as well as a number of students doing their Extended Applications project in instruction,” said school representative Teri Adams.

Community contributors include Walmart, Rosauers, Safeway, Nelson Tires, Juanita’s Fine Foods, Columbia Gorge Organics, Papa Murphy’s Pizza and Franz Bakery.

Parents needing additional information are asked to contact the school.

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Parkdale Garden Club hosted the Mt. Hood District Garden Club spring meeting on April 26 at the Parkdale Grange. Clubs from Odell, Parkdale, Dufur, Maupin and Hood River were in attendance. In accordance with the theme “Hats Off to Spring,” the ladies all wore hats.

Several certificates of appreciation were awarded, said Odell Garden Club president Norma Curtis.

Send mid valley news items to twalker@hoodrivernews.com.