Question of the week: What was your best maskless experience this week?

By Tom Peterson

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 is: What was your best maskless experience this week?

Julie Patchett, 52, The Dalles

“Going grocery shopping and not having to put one on,” she said. “And seeing everyone’s smiling faces at Safeway.”

Edwin Garcia, 29, The Dalles and son Lucas

“I’m a big country fan,” he said. “I can’t wait to go see Blake Shelton at the Washington State Fair. I have been planning to go for a couple of months.”   

Rachel. Knight, 36, The Dalles, Boss the puppy, and Erik Robertson

“I don’t wear masks,” she said. “I don’t believe in them. I think this whole thing was comical to watch.”

Joseph Lehner, 48, and Rachel Lehner, 44, Goldendale

“We never wore masks,” Joseph said. 

“We had lots of friends at the grocery store in Goldendale and its great just getting to see their faces,” Rachel said. 

“Without masks you don’t know who to hate,” Joseph said jokingly. “We got a lot of mean comments, now they don’t know they need to hate me.”

Zach Taylor, 30, The Dalles 

“It’s just being able to see people 100 percent,” Zach said, noting he is a clerk at The Dalles Liquor Store and hundreds of people come through daily. “And it’s just nice to breathe a little easier. 

“It’s nice to go to the grocery store,” he added, noting he did not shy away from big crowds. “I have no fear mentally of the thing. Thankfully, I have managed to stay out of the danger zone of getting COVID.”

Kerry Hyde, 59, The Dalles

We caught Kerry playing Journey laced with some of The Doors on his piano near Petco.

“I’d rather talk about t music and sunshine,” he said, then added, “Seeing people smile. I want to share music.”

Billy Speakthunder, 57, Lone Pine

“You don’t have to smell your own stinky breath,” he said. “It’s a good thing to still be alive. People like me don’t go anywhere. I am down by the river most of the time. I think it - COVID was a silent bomb you can not see. It was a silent war.”

Steve Nelson, 51, Wishram

“For me, it was not having to wear one - a mask-  at work. It was easier to communicate and seeing people’s faces is nice. No, I don’t have any concerts planned right now.” 

Right on Steve! Ride to meet life, don't wait for it.

My best experience was a little Irish concert put on by Victor Johnson at the Historic Herbring House on St. Patrick’s Day. I got to see so many friends, full faces, dancing, music. I threw in a couple of nice IPAs for good measure.

Then they played Galway Girl.  

And I ask you, friend, what’s a feller to do? 

When her hair is black and her eyes are blue.

Sometimes, the world is just right. 

-Tom Peterson 

See you next week. Be careful or you may end up in this column;)