Hood River Valley Adult Center Executive Director Amy Mallett reports 150 people attended the center’s first ever Mardi Gras celebration in February, with $7,500 collected for Meals on Wheels — and counting. Mallett “narrowly won” the Gumbo Throw Down competition, with Tom Atkisson taking a close second.

“We are excited about next year’s event and have already started getting together a committee,” she said.