Publisher’s Note: Find the perfect gift in our annual Gift Guide

For many, it was uncommon and something most households had been without. The first vacuum cleaner suction machine was invented in 1901 using a horse drawn buggy that pulled the oil powered engine. It had hoses they pulled into windows from the outside to reach the home’s carpet. The machine catered primarily to the wealthy in England. Before 1915, smaller more portable cleaners were invented. It was the electric broomstick invention, sold to Hoover in 1908, that changed how we do housework, although the cost for most families made it inaccessible until well after the first World War. The drudgery of housework was the selling point of the convenience of a vacuum. Today, we don’t even have to push our vacuums with the newest robotic inventions.

In this issue, Columbia Gorge News has included our annual Gift Guide, stocked full of more than 150 gift items. This is a big project and although we have included some amazing gifts, we didn’t include a vacuum. (Non-subscribers can pick up a free copy at our office in Hood River or The Dalles.)

We do have many items, all available in the Gorge area. The idea of encouraging local shopping in our area instead of shopping out of town, or on the internet, keeps more of the dollar’s value in our communities. When we shop at our local retailers, we support our neighborhoods in which we live. We strive to include a gorge-wide presentation of gift options. We hope you enjoy this year’s Gift Guide and find something unique for your gift giving. Happy Holidays!

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Give the gift of local news by emailing subscribe@gorgenews.com. Be sure to include your address and the address of the person receiving the gift subscription. We’ll even send them a card!