Underwood Community Council President Keith Fredrickson (left), Ed Dilkes, Ed’s sister-in-law, Kathy, and her husband Greg Dilkes pose with the Underwood park’s new bench. Ed lives in Salem and Greg and Kathy live in Portland. Not pictured are Ed and Greg’s sisters Jan Hatcher (Bend, Ore.) and Shari Miller (Dallas, Ore.), who also contributed to the bench project. (Submitted photo)
Underwood Community Council President Keith Fredrickson (left), Ed Dilkes, Ed’s sister-in-law, Kathy, and her husband Greg Dilkes pose with the Underwood park’s new bench. Ed lives in Salem and Greg and Kathy live in Portland. Not pictured are Ed and Greg’s sisters Jan Hatcher (Bend, Ore.) and Shari Miller (Dallas, Ore.), who also contributed to the bench project. (Submitted photo)
Underwood Community Park has a beautiful new park bench, thanks to the generosity of the family of Sharon Harmsen, former resident and Relief Postmistress for the Underwood Post Office.
In addition to being a fixture at the post office for many years, area residents will remember Sharon as “Grandma Bear,” because of her tireless work refurbishing teddy bears for use by local police and other emergency responders, hospitals and schools in situations when youngsters needed the comfort of a nice, soft “friend.”
Sharon’s family felt that because she had a drinking fountain built at the park in memory of her late husband, Bob, Sharon would appreciate having the memorial bench placed there in her honor.
“Mom always loved people, but when she came to Underwood, she came home,” said her son Ed Dilkes, who lives in Salem. “She really loved it here, and lived here for over 30 years.”
Sharon’s love of children led the family to think that placing the bench near a shade tree facing the playground would be most appropriate.
Underwood contractor Kelly Cooper poured a concrete base, and Sharon’s sons, Ed and Greg Dilkes of Portland, secured the lovely “purple heart” wood bench in place. Daughters Jan Hatcher of Bend and Shari Miller of Dallas contributed to the project as well.
“It’s great,” said Underwood father Daniel Allen. “I can sit in the shade while the kids play and get some work done using the Underwood Community Center’s Wi-Fi. It’s a major improvement!”
Underwood Park and Community Center have been operated by community volunteers this year because Skamania County was going to mothball or sell the facility due to budget shortfalls. These volunteers have logged thousands of hours, and with the help of some cash donations they’ve done a lot.
An anonymous Underwood donor enabled initial grounds cleanup, and another anonymous grant made renovation of the bathrooms possible and put fresh paint on some walls. Broughton Lumber Company donated chips for the playground, the Robert Miller family sponsored a new roof for the park’s gazebo and Wi-Fi access has been added through the generosity of Gorge.net.
Rumor has it that a major musical event will happen in the community center on Oct. 24. Save the date – details to follow.
The Underwood Community Center is the former gymnasium, kitchen and lunchroom for the old Underwood School, and is available for event rentals. See www.underwoodcommunity.org or call 509-972-6400 for information.
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