Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue Chief set to retire in December. Bob Palmer started with The Dalles Fire Department in 1980 and was an integral player in merging two districts into the fire service we have today that serves 120 square miles and takes some 3,500 calls for help annually.

For nearly 25 years, Jan Pearo has been on a journey to support her community, making her the longest-running employee at Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).  In January 2000, Pearo began helping people in Skamania and Klickitat counties. She had recently moved to Stevenson, Washington, from Portland, Oregon.

Sherry Munro first came to the Board of Directors of the Civic Auditorium in 2006 when she was invited to attend meetings, meet the board members, and decide if it was a good fit for her. She was then elected to the Board on January 10, 2007.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Debra Klaviter hugged her clients and thanked them as they came into her Farmers Insurance agency at the corner of Fourth and Washington Streets. Farmers took a chance on her 22 years after she worked for years with Steve Hudson at State Farm. “They said they were going to make me a star. I jumped in a fast-running river running and I had to swim to shore,” she said of her first few years in business. 

“The last 15 years as executive director of the Mid-Columbia Senior Center has been an incredible journey,” said McKay. “When I look back at the good work the Center has accomplished because of the volunteers and community support, what I will remember most are the wonderful people I have met: sharing stories, laughing together, and particularly talking about the joys and challenges of growing older.