Glenwood News: Community support amid natural disasters

Carl and Jody told me, “We would like to thank our wonderful community for their support and true friendship.” They are now waiting on the insurance adjuster so they can work toward getting into a home and back to their normal lives. They went on to say, “We are both humbled and grateful that nobody else had any damage. This has been a devastating event for us but we are managing to look for the positive and are going to continue to move forward.”

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Another big story is in regards to the Burdoin and Snyder Canyon Fires and their effects on ranchers and homes near Glenwood. Several ranchers from Glenwood have made more than one trip with trucks, horses, and stock trailers to help the ranchers over that way gather and move their cattle away from danger or bring their own cattle back down to Glenwood from summer pastures. Some ranches here are pasturing horses from other ranches that needed to be brought to safety. I’m thankful for the “brotherhood” of ranchers who drop whatever they’re doing, whether it’s haying or other work, to help friends in need.

We also appreciate all those who have been mobilized to operate heavy equipment in the fire zones to help with suppression. They have been working long days, get a little bit of rest and a meal and head right back out the next morning. Thank you to everyone from our community who changed summer plans or work schedules to help with fire suppression efforts.

I also know of generous community members here who have taken items to drop off sites to help answer the needs of those who lost their homes and have had to evacuate and stay in emergency shelters or with other family. Others have given monetary donations to help the Red Cross volunteers purchase needed items. And still others have spent hours at their church or at Murphy’s Watering Hole in Bingen, helping to sort and organize donations. It does take a village, especially in times of need, and I’m always very proud to see our little community step up to help.

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The Klickitat County Fair is just around the corner. Members of the Mt. Adams 4-H club have been busy with their projects and working with their livestock and other animals. The activities start on Tuesday, Aug. 12 with some exhibit check-ins and then Western Games that evening. Wednesday is check-in day for livestock and other animals. The Ranch Sorting will take place that evening. Thursday the 14th is the actual day the fair is open to the public to view all the exhibits and watch the livestock classes, and county games in the evenings. The fair continues through Sunday, Aug. 17. Good luck to all our 4-H club members. May your hard work and efforts be rewarded well at the fair.

A huge thanks goes to our community members who willingly give their time to plan, attend meetings, and help make our fair great. Those involved include Fair Board President Debbie Woodward, 4-H leaders Mike Woodward, Bo Arnold, Shayne Rickman, Still Life exhibit hall Superintendent Laurie O’Leary, and Market Stock sale donations team Kelly, Travis and Chris Miller. I apologize if I have left anyone off this list. We here in our community appreciate all you do to make the fair a success for our 4-H kids and all of those who attend.

Having mentioned the Market Stock sale, you may contact Kelly, Travis, or Chris Miller to donate to the sale fund. This fund helps ensure that the efforts of our Mt. Adams 4-H club members are rewarded with successful sales. Your donations will be greatly appreciated. Let’s support our local kids in this endeavor. Thank you.

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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.