Kenny Haener of The Dalles gives the power sled a concerted push this morning, Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Gorge Athletic Club on Pamona Street in West The Dalles. The 26-year-old said he had been working out at the gym for the past three years and had dropped from 280 pounds to 225. Columbia Community Connection serving Wasco, Gilliam and Sherman Counties, The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Maupin, Goldendale, Wishram, Dallesport, Lyle, White Salmon, Hood River

Starting to exercise or beginning a healthy meal plan can be challenging. It’s easy to slip up and go back to your old ways if you don’t have people to hold you accountable. The best way to get started is to have someone, or a group of people, who are ready and excited to start on their health journey with you.

The Dalles Wasco County Public Library is raffling off Book Boxes for Latinx Heritage month.

Larry Clark and Bill Mauldin enjoyed a donut together outside of the Bakitchen Bakery on Court Street this morning, Tues., Sept. 15.

Pete Meyers of Eugene came to The Dalles to try and escape the smoke and see his twin brother, Mark. He did alright on the brother. The smoke, no dice. But that did not deter the family reunion, which brought out a competitive game of Cornhole on Monday, Sept. 14.

Despite the many difficulties that have already faced teachers due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, Erin Peter’s says her teaching team is doing their best to make the best of it for their students.

“Even though this year looks completely different, I love getting to ‘see’ my students get excited about learning on Zoom.”

Justify, a German Shepherd mix, leads the pack here, while Janet Dewitt rides her Warlinder horse, Remington, on Crawford Oaks trail just east of Dallesport off State Route 14 at Columbia Hills State Park. She and Cynder McLoud ride the trail once a week. Dewitt said they could see a lot of smoke looking north into Oregon.

“GRD is a family.”

Gorge Roller Derby is more than just a roller derby league, it’s a family. So when their very own Kung Fu Lu (known off the track as Jen Hart) and Pitbull (Sarah Breeze) lost their homes in the Mosier Creek Fire- GRD didn’t waste time springing into action to support their team mates.

Columbia Gorge Motors and The Dalles beautification Committee have teamed up in efforts of organizing cleanup events within the community of The Dalles. Volunteers will have their first opportunity to join in the effort this Saturday at Thompson Park, at 10 a.m.

The Dalles’ Terry Turner likely buys a fair amount of shoes. The 67-year-old could never sit still. And he is proving it more than ever now. He took a nice little run on Thursday morning, Sept. 3, 2020 along Riverfront Trail. Turner is putting in 15 miles every other day, he said. Before lacing up the shoes, Turner was the Hattenhaur Distrubting sales development guru.

Here’s a film capture of a scene from In France Michelle is a Man’s Name, directed by Em Weinstein of The Dalles and New York. The film, shot in Tygh Valley, The Dalles and Goldendale, recently earned the Grand Jury Prize at Outfest in Los Angeles. It will be entered in the Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short Film.

When you’re looking to eat healthier and be more intentional, stay away from diets that will dictate and restrict what you eat. Find ways to modify eating what you already enjoy, and create a plan that you can stick to and feel good about!

Xander and Vincent Neely are looking to wash some windows. The two lads, ages 12 and 7, from The Dalles, also like to grow and sell their own citrus trees. And if you call them, don’t forget to ask for their lemonade recipe.

Jonathon and Shannon Zilka are opening an ice cream shop at 318 E. Fourth St., The Dalles, as soon as renovations to the property are complete. They are partnered with Jonathon’s brother, Tony Zilka. They intend to have the business open in October. The Zilkas like the slower pace on Fourth Street and also hope to garner traffic from the Civic Auditorium, once it is back to staging community events and concerts.

Community clean-ups have been announced. Events will be held on the second Saturday of each month in The Dalles.

With a decrease in COVID-19 cases during the past several weeks, Wasco County is stepping closer to being able to open some schools if trends continue. Of course, each school district will ultimately make their own decision on when they can open up safely. But, recent health news is a good sign we are moving in the right direction.

Dufur School is nearing completion on upgrades on school buildings, the football field, parking and sidewalks. An $8-million bond approved by 68 percent of voters in 2018 made it possible. Check out the photos and progress here.

Pictured: A rainbow, accompanied by summer storm clouds and blue skies spotted above Mosier on August 20th, 2020. Want to have your photo featured on CCC NEWS? Email photo submissions to news@columbiacommunityconnection.com

So when she arrived on Monday, Aug. 17, to climb Adams at 12,276 feet with friend David, well, it gave me hope - that we can all fall and get back up, maybe a little stronger.