I would like to share a sweet story about the wonderful, caring hearts of children. When our oldest cowgirl was very little, she saw an ASPCA fundraising commercial on TV, the kind that shows poor animals that have been abused or are in distress. Jocee wrote down the phone number shown on the ad and told me she wanted to save her money to send it to help the animals. I told her that was a very sweet, thoughtful idea and suggested helping a shelter in our area instead, so we chose Home At Last in The Dalles. I got a big jar and Jocee and her little sister, Jentry, starting putting any coins they earned or found in that jar. In 2018, when the jar was full, I took the girls to donate their jar of coins in person. The woman at the office thanked the girls and asked if they would like to take a tour of the shelter.
We walked through and saw all the dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes. Oh my goodness, that really tugged at our heartstrings. We wanted to bring all of them home with us but the girls already had several ranch dogs at their place and we had three indoor-outdoor cats plus seven barn cats that had all been spayed and lived comfortably and well fed here for years. We could see that all the cat and dog kennels were clean and the animals were well cared for.
One chocolate lab especially stole our hearts and it was so hard to leave him behind that day. We later learned that a dear friend here, who had recently lost her husband, adopted that wonderful chocolate lab and named him Riley. He was a sweet, gentle companion who helped ease her heartache and loneliness. Because Riley finally found his forever home, he was able to live the rest of his life in the comfort of a loving home until he passed peacefully from old age. I have two other friends who have also adopted sweet canine companions from the shelter.
When we returned home that afternoon, the girls began saving coins again. They each had their own, smaller jar and added coins here and there. Somehow, those jars, kept in my writing desk, got buried under office supplies, files etc. Last week I thoroughly sorted that writing desk and found the jars. The girls weren’t able to go with me this time, but I let them know I took them to Home At Last, which is now Columbia Gorge Humane Society. Their jars had $44 total so Glenn and I added a bit more and took the donation in last Monday.
When we drove up, we saw volunteers out playing with the larger dogs in their yards, or taking them for walks. Once again, the shelter was clean and the animals were being well cared for. I just want to let those who read this column know that Columbia Gorge Humane Society exists because of donations from caring people. It’s such a worthwhile cause so I’m asking that, if you can, drop off monetary donations or go to their website at columbiagorgehs.org to donate via credit card. They also welcome those who want to volunteer to help care for or play with the animals that are waiting for those forever homes. I hope you’ll give this a lot of consideration.
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The rainy weather on May 4 could not dampen the joy of the beautiful, outdoor wedding of Cheyanne Dove, daughter of Rose and Mike Dove, and Dustin Jones, son of Elizabeth and Darren Jones. The wedding was held in the yard of Jerry and Mary Dean. Community came together to loan them many canopies and the family got them all set up Friday afternoon so the wedding party and guests could stay dry. Congratulations, Dustin and Cheyanne.
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One of our Glenwood rodeo athletes, Joslyn Arnold, had great success at the first High School Rodeo of the spring season in Coulee City. Joslyn soared in the breakaway roping, winning both days with times of 2.29 and 2.24 seconds and took the overall average for the weekend. She also excelled in goat tying, securing first place on Sunday with an 8.3 second run. What a great start to Joslyn’s final high school rodeo season. The second rodeo, in Othello, took place last weekend. At her next rodeo, in Othello, on May 4-5, placing fourth and third in goat tying on Saturday and Sunday, and fifth and first in breakaway roping on those days. Once again, she won the breakaway average for the weekend. Congratulations, Joslyn.
Joslyn will attend Walla Walla Community College this fall, and will be a member of the college rodeo team. We are going to enjoy watching her successes through this spring season and maybe some post-season competition, as well as when she competes in college rodeo.
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Glenwood recently lost another lifelong Glenwood “kid,” Derrel Montgomery. Derrel graduated with the class of 1965 and was a skilled athlete in school, and later coached teams here in Glenwood. Our deepest condolences go to his wife, Marlene, his Montgomery and Jones children and all his grandchildren, and his sisters, Karen Hansen and Shirley Clift.
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Here’s another reminder of the upcoming woodcutting fundraiser. The Glenwood School classes of 2027 and 2028 are sponsoring a spring woodcutting day on May 19. This is a great chance to get firewood now so it will be dry and ready for use this fall and winter. Donations will be accepted and appreciated. You can cut firewood from slash piles along the roads in a designated area. Maps of the firewood cutting area are available at the school.
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The Glenwood Fall Bazaar date has been set for Saturday Oct. 5, hosted by the Glenwood Homemakers. If anyone is interested in renting a Vendor Table you can contact Marlis Dewey at tmdewey@msn.com. The money raised goes towards a continuing education scholarship for a GHS graduate who is presently attending college, and many other community service projects.
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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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