Question of the Week: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
By Cole Goodwin
Welcome to Question of the Week, a weekly news column that poses timely questions about life, politics, culture, economics, health, and more to people out and about in our communities. Our hope at CCC News is that having this space dedicated to being curious about other people’s experiences can help us to deepen our understanding of people from all walks of life.
This week’s question of the week asks people in our community to open up and share something about themselves that others in our community might not know about them.
This week's Question is: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Travis Elton, of The Dalles City Police out on patrol in The Dalles.
Travis Elton, 52, The Dalles
TE: I don’t know honestly. I really can’t think of anything that people don’t know about me. I mean I grew up here. I’ve been a cop for over 13 years. It’s kind of a difficult question.
CG: I’ll just throw some silly prompts out. Umm, maybe you hate the taste of eggplant?
TE: I love eggplant parmesan. Hold on. I’m trying to think of the name of those movies… there are like three of them now and they’re all about these singing groups.
CG: The one with Anna Kendrick? Pitch Perfect?
TE: Yes! I love those movies. Well, I enjoyed them. I thought the Pitch Perfect movies were actually entertaining.
Maria Hernandez and her son enjoying a day at the park.
Maria Hernandez, 36, The Dalles
I am studying to work daycare for kids. I have four more classes to attend.
Leikin Patrick and Amy Johnson enjoying a picnic in the park.
Leikin Patrick, 35, Walla Walla, WA
I’m from Walla Walla.
CG: Awesome. Land of the onion.
LP: Yeah. My name comes from a Soap Opera.
CG: What Soap Opera?
LP: Santa Barbara it was on in the 80’s it had Robin Wright in it.
Amy Johnson, 36, Walla Walla, WA
I’ve played the piano for twenty years.
CG: And what are you two doing in The Dalles on this sunny day?
AJ: We’re on our way to the beach!
Kip Carr poses in front of his seventy-five year old truck.
Kip Carr, 55, The Dalles
Everyone around here knows this, (I’ve worked at Point S for 25 years) but I’m a caveman.
See this cell phone? I’m 55 and this is my first cell phone, and I got it this year. I’m a caveman. I like it that way. I think phones are invasive. And when I’m out on a bike ride, I don’t want to be bothered.
CG: And what was your name again Kip right?
KC: My name is Kip.
Clifford is my legal name but Kip is my nickname. My mother gave it to me cause my father’s name is Clifford. She gave me the nickname to differentiate between the two of us when she would call us, instead of having two guys going “What?” every time she called. That’s the way it worked out. I miss my Mama, she lived to be eighty though, so that’s not so bad.
Candice Newman waiting for a ride while their truck is being repaired.
Candice Newman, 51, The Dalles
I grew up here in the Gorge. I’m sure people know I’m a master gardener... hmm, what don’t people know about me. Probably that I would make a great fashion consultant.
Like it’s my inner Mister Sister. (Candice laughs.)
So yeah, I could be a fashion consultant for men or women and say, don’t wear that! Ha, you know what I mean?
Taylor Ovland taking a pause for a photo while rounding up the shopping carts in the Safeway parking lot.
Taylor Ovland, 27, The Dalles
My strong faith in God I guess, the Lord. I have a strong connection to the Lord.
Kateel Muhs taking a pause between massage appointments to chat with CCC News.
Kateel Muhs, 30, The Dalles
I am a newly licensed massage therapist!
My practice is called Kateel Muhs Therapeutic Massage and it is located at 409 Lincoln Street in the same building as CCC News.
I am primarily trained in Swedish relaxation massage, but I also have a desire to perform accessible trauma-informed bodywork.
I’ve been a social worker for almost a decade now working with children and families, and I’ve seen the need for everyone to have access to safe bodywork and to be able to experience safe comforting touch, especially after traumatic events. And for some people, massage can be the first time they experience that safety. So, I’m really hoping to provide our communities with a safe space to be able to experience massage, maybe for the first time, and to be able to provide that experience in whatever form they are looking for.
And I’m open to working with all populations, and I do have a sliding scale. Massage is so often seen as a luxury. But really it can be a part of everybody’s self-care routine if they’re able to find a therapist they’re comfortable with.
Oh and one other thing, that people might not know about me…
I’m named after a river in Alaska.
Everyone’s always asking me, like what is that name? Or says oh that’s such a unique name.
So yeah, it’s a river in Alaska where my parents met and spent several years working and living. Although I haven’t spent a lot of time in Alaska, I feel a strong connection there, and I hope to spend more time there in the future.
CG: Have you been to see the Kateel river?
KM: No I haven’t! I have to do that at some point. I want to be able to feel and touch the river.
CG: I’m imagining you just walking up to the River and being like “What’s up Kateel?” (laughs)
Kateel laughs too.
