The Glenwood community is gearing up for rodeo weekend, now just a little over two weeks away. It’s always an exciting time here as the rodeo association members are busy making adjustments, repairs, and clean-up to the arena, chutes, and grounds.
It does almost take a village to put on this wonderful community tradition decade after decade. This 90th Glenwood Ketchum Kalf Rodeo just feels to me like it’s going to be extra special this year. I think about all the old timers who are no longer with us who worked for so many years to make this rodeo so successful and popular. I think they would be proud of those following in their footsteps. Come on out and enjoy our outstanding Northwest Pro Rodeo Association rodeo on Father’s Day weekend.
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Our high school track team competed in district competition last Thursday and Friday. I didn’t have any results before this news had to be submitted. For those who qualified for State competition after districts, that will take place on May 29-30. I’ll share that news as I get it.
On a related note, I’m pleased to share the exciting news of an achievement of one of our Glenwood high school students, Christian Tomeo. Christian, a Glenwood senior, has always loved running. He has participated in middle and high school track and cross country every year and has done very well. On May 18, Christian traveled to Spokane to run in the Windermere Marathon. He completed that marathon and we in Glenwood are very proud of this achievement. I’m not sure any other Glenwood high school students have ever competed in a marathon, but I might be mistaken. In fact, I suspect not many adults here in Glenwood have completed a marathon, either. I have a feeling this won’t be Christian’s last.
I used to like to say I also ran a marathon. It wasn’t exactly a fib, it was how a person defines “ran.” But it was hard to tell the tale with a straight face. I was one of the original organizers of the first annual Prince of Wales Island Alaska Marathon in the year 2000. It was an exciting time and took a lot of planning and pre-work, and a lot of work during the race itself. I did not physically run in the marathon, I just ran some of the production behind the scenes and served as one of the officers for the first three years until transferring to the Lower 48 for work. I’m pleased to say, that POWI marathon is still going strong and attracts runners from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries.
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I didn’t receive this little news item in time to share it in the last column but wanted to mention that Glenwood high school seniors Jayla Avila and Gavin Bensel were crowned the Glenwood queen and king of this year’s prom. I’ve heard from so many that the prom, with Lyle, Klickitat, and Wishram, was a great success and loads of fun.
Middle School promotion is scheduled for 6 p.m. (changed from 7 p.m.) on Friday, June 6. All are invited to attend and celebrate promotion to high school for Brooklyn Branson and Tyler Webster. The Glenwood Women’s Club will be serving refreshments. High school graduation will take place the following afternoon at 4 p.m. in the school gym. Everyone is also invited to that special occasion and the Homemakers will be serving refreshments at a reception following graduation.
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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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