Gorge Youth Mentoring provides youth ages 6 to 21 with one-to-one mentoring relationships with adult volunteers in Wasco, Hood River, and Klickitat Counties. Mentors and youth plan their own activities, meeting at least twice a month for a year or more. Program staff provide consistent support for the youth and mentors, organize match events, and are available for ongoing guidance.

On Monday June 13th, Mayor Rich Mays and The Dalles City Council honored six of the Riverhawk Track squad, in recognition of their high achievement at the State meet and their season- or two- of hard work.

Andrew Stanek of Spooky’s Pizza got quite a shock on Thursday morning, June 8, at about 9 a.m. when an employee showed up for work and said there was a man slumped over in a vehicle outside the restaurant.

Check out Maiden NW and this week’s roundup of shows and entertainment, including Zim’s, Granada, Route 30, Working Hands Beer, River City Saloon, Taphouse 64, Tabby’s Hole, Ruins, TD Arts Center, St. Peter’s Landmark, White Salmon Library, Grateful Vineyard, Jackson Park, The Dalles Library.

We’ve all been young and made poor decisions, no doubt, but children and youths might not understand the levity of what seems like a harmless action. So, it is important to talk it through with kids so they understand that their idea of fun might land them in pretty hot water. With the last day of school set for Friday, June 10, parents might do well by having a quick discussion with their children about when jokes turn bad.

Fourth-graders hit the trail Tuesday morning, June 7, at Dry Hollow Elementary as the classes re-enacted the Oregon Trail historical journey from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City.

North Wasco County School District is pleased to announce two new Principals joining the district for the 2022-2023 school year. The new principals will be filling open positions at Dry Hollow and Colonel Wright Elementary schools, replacing retiring principals Theresa Peters and Carol Dowsett.

Activities include a color run/walk, pronoun button-making and “Let’s taco ‘bout it,” which will feature tacos, an informational discussion of LGBTQ+ issues and a viewing of the documentary Texas Strong. Interested people may RSVP for the events, request accessibility accommodations, and get the Zoom links by emailing EQUAL@cgcc.edu.

North Wasco County School District 21 held its first Community Advisory Committee School Bond Planning meeting on June 1st at 6 p.m. at The Dalles Middle School.

“We had a great first meeting,” said Stephanie Bowen, Director of Communications and Community Involvement.

The Dalles High School graduating seniors returned to their former grade schools this morning, June 3, to do the walk of fame as school children cheered their accomplishments. It is all part of the activities as they prepare for their final TDHS function, graduation on June 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Amaton Field behind the high school, 220 E. 10th Street.

First Book, a non-profit organization that has distributed 64,315 books to kids in need in Wasco and Hood River Counties, is seeking donations to help fund their 2023 season.

Richard Murrow is just one of the dozens of shows to see during the weekend as warm weather has venues popping like bubble wrap. Venues include Bargeway Pub, Maupin, Ruins, Granada, MoCo, Route 30, Double Mountain, Everybody’s Brewing, Grateful Vineyard, St. Peter’s Landmark, Zim’s, TD Library, Thunder Island, HR Library, The Pines, Jackson Park, 64 Taphouse, TD Eagles, White Salmon, Red Carpet Karaoke and Tabby’s Hole.

Summer Solstice Celebration at Goldendale Observatory State Park will be on Tuesday, June 21, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. This unique fundraiser combines art and astronomy and will feature solar viewing through the Observatory telescope, a presentation on the history of the Observatory, food, beverages, raffles, and a display of prize-winning solar-themed artworks from the Chamber’s recent art contest.

It can be easy to overlook some of these signs, and this month, and the annual day of recognition, reminds us how important it is to look out for elders and vulnerable adults in our communities. Respect, compassion, and attention are what our seniors deserve every day of the year. If you see something of concern, contact Adult Protective Services at 1-877-734-6277.

Poet Lydia Valentine is the 2021-2023 City of Tacoma Poet Laureate and author of Brief Black Candles. Poet Christina Vega is the publisher at Blue Cactus Press and author of a poetry collection, Still Clutching Maps. Christina believes we have the power to reshape our communities with principles of Emergent Strategy, transformative justice, and collective laboring of love.

The Cemetery Tales video was one of two videos to win the silver award in the category “non-broadcast biography.” Director/ producer Joe Garoutte said, “The gold award in that category went to a series about Randy Travis, funded by Warner Music Nashville. It’s pretty tough to outdo that kind of money!”

Find out what is happening at the libraries in Wasco County with this newsletter, which is packed full of events and activities.

Kiwanis meetings are held every Thursday at noon at Spooky’s and visitors are welcome. This month’s events include several presentations on the foster care program from varying points of view.

Eli Howard and the Greater Good will play a free outside concert at The Dalles Art Center this Friday, May 27, with festivities starting at 5 p.m. and music at 6 p.m. They are taking over the block - streets closed on Fourth outside TDAC - for the second time in two months.

Not one but two perpetrators were caught on video cameras stealing aluminum cans and bottles at Home At Last humane society on May 25, and the tapes have been handed over to The Dalles Police Department, according to police reports.