Columbia Community Connection 10/23/26 Columbia Community Connection 10/23/26

Helping Hands Welcomes New Executive Director, Honors 12 Years of Leadership in Hood River

This fall marks an exciting new chapter for Helping Hands as we welcome Kelsey Strand as our new Executive Director. Kelsey brings a background in engineering, leadership, and community service, along with a deep love for the Hood River community, which she has called home for the past ten years.

Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25 Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25

MediaRites presents The -Ism Storytellers Project in The Dalles

Stories have the power to heal. Personal stories especially have the power to change lives. In an effort to find more common ground between artists and community members, MediaRites presents The -Ism Storytellers Project, an afternoon of personal stories from the heart, hosted and curated by Larry Toda, MediaRites’ Board Member, who has a family history in The Dalles.

Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25 Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25

History on the Wall, Fun in the Walk: TD’s Murals Just a Step Away

Earlier this month, Tom Peterson posted what the Walldogs are up to now. It’s titled “Little Art City Strikes Again with Umatilla House Restoration.” Simultaneously I was organizing a dozen friends to do a walking tour of murals in the east end of The Dalles. A moment of synchronicity.

Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25 Columbia Community Connection 10/23/25

Columbia Gorge STEM Hub Opens 2025–2026 Microgrant Applications for Career-Connected Field Trips

Thanks to generous support from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Columbia Gorge STEM Hub - a department within Columbia Gorge Education Service District - has opened its Microgrant program for the 2025–2026 school year.