Cycling through history

“I’m going to get paid to ride my bike!” That was the first thought when my editor suggested profiling local history rides for a feature article.Anyone who knows me well understands I have a passion for exercise, and I’m also intrigued by most anything historical.

Anyone who knows me well understands I have a passion for exercise, and I'm also intrigued by most anything historical.

Although I'm new to cycling, I was pretty certain I could keep up with the other riders on the 15 to 20 mile jaunt, which includes several stops to visit local areas of interest.

The Camas History Stroll, as its called, is led by Joseph Blanco. Given the amount of information he knows about the area, you'd think he'd lived here for several years.

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 21, 2013

Committee members planning for the future of Camas High School

Traditionally, when a high school becomes too crowded, a new building or addition is constructed and the educational programs to fit in that space are determined.

A committee of teachers, administrators and community members are seeking to change that, by having the instructional models drive the future expansion of Camas High School.

"The CHS Futures Committee believes our new culture and programs should drive our future facility decisions," said Nan Henriksen, former mayor of Camas and committee member. "We need to develop a CHS vision of our preferred future, complete with language, culture and instructional programs that support it."

For more information about the Futures Committee, contact Steven Marshall at steven.marshall@camas.wednet.edu.

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 21, 2013

Cruising the country

Elton and Madeline Richardson shared a lot of memories in their 62 years of marriage: Raising a family, working in the state Capitol in Olympia, and delving into real estate were just a few.They also shared a passion for history and travel, which culminated in a two-year trip to see every state capitol in the continental United States.

“I worked security in Olympia, and Madeline was a tour guide,” he said. “After being at the capitol, we decided it was a goal to visit all 48 of them.”

The two also visited several historical sites, including all the battlefields of the Revolutionary and Civil wars.

In addition, their tour included national parks and monuments, such as Niagara Falls, Yellowstone, Branson, Miss., the St. Louis Arch, Mount Rushmore, the Florida Everglades, Key West, space centers in Florida and Texas, the Statue of Liberty, the top of the World Trade Center and the Alamo, to name a few.

Other highlights of the trip, which lasted from 1991 to 1993, included visiting the Connecticut state capitol and an unusual tour guide in Oklahoma.

"They were remodeling the capitol there at the time, so there was no guided tour," he said. "So, we conducted our own. A gentleman came up and asked us what we were doing, and if we needed help. Then, he took us all around and gave us a great tour. Afterward, he introduced himself as a state senator. We had no idea."

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 14, 2013

Washougal School District surveys grads

Math instruction and money management skills are two areas graduates of Washougal High School cite as needing improvement.

Students in the classes of 2000 through 2012 were recently surveyed as part of a district outreach focus to past WHS graduates.

The School Board regularly holds linkage activities, such as meetings in local schools, to encourage staff, parents, volunteers community agencies and others to give input and feedback about the effectiveness of district programs and educational opportunities.

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 14, 2013

In search of summer fun

Summer. It’s a time for kids to kick back, relax and enjoy themselves. There are several camps in Clark County that offer options to do that, ranging from a few hours to several days.

Camps include everything from how to improve sports skills to how to improve outdoor skills. Best of all, there are choices for all ages, stages and price ranges.

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 7, 2013

Helping save sensory camp

Raise $27,000 in just a few months.That’s a daunting task for anyone to undertake, but for a group of local moms, it was worth all the efforts.

In 2012, April Sutherland, a nurse in the Camas School District and mother to a special needs child, found out that the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation summer sensory program would be shut down due to a $1.2 million budget reduction.

Her son, who has autism, had attended the camp for several summers, and looked forward to it every year.

For more information, visit www.savesensorycamp.brownpapertickets.com.

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• by Danielle Frost
• May 7, 2013

Skamania Lodge opens new zip line tour

I am deathly afraid of heights. Until recently, even driving on winding roads with a drop-off was enough to nearly induce a panic attack.

So it stands to reason that I would not be standing on a wobbly, though secure, wooden platform 22 feet off the ground, preparing to jump into mid-air.

But here I am, with six other journalists from various publications in Southwest Washington. It's a fun group, with a few of the more experienced, “zippers” cracking jokes about past experiences.

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• by Danielle Frost
• April 30, 2013

Ron Wright, CHS teacher, inspires others with his passion and dedication

If you ask several different people at Camas High School to describe teacher Ron Wright, chances are their responses will be similar. Passionate. Dedicated. Patient. Sincere. A visionary. Kind.

These are just a few of the things that colleagues, administrators and students had to say about Wright, who serves as a Math, Science and Technology Magnet Program teacher.

Wright, 63, also coordinates student internships at local businesses, serves as research project advisor and mentors students in several extracurricular programs.

"He connects students with opportunities," said Steven Marshall, CHS principal. "Whether it is Science Olympiad, the State Science and Engineering Fair, or internships, students get excited and their excitement inspires Ron. He does not just tell them about these events, he motivates them, supports them, and prepares them for success. He is truly a mentor. What amazes me is that he mentors so many students."

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• by Danielle Frost
• April 23, 2013

Fishback stadium will get new turf

Fishback Stadium is finally getting a facelift.

After more than two years of discussion, research, and fund-raising, the $449,000 project will start June 24 at Washougal High School.

Fieldturf USA, Inc., in conjunction with Beynon Sports Surfaces, has been selected for the turf field replacement project.

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• by Danielle Frost
• April 16, 2013

Meghal Sheth and Sophie Shoemaker are making school history

Meghal Sheth and Sophie Shoemaker are making Papermaker history. They are the first Camas High School students to qualify for the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz.

In addition, they are just sophomores and only 10 students across the state of Washington were selected for the prestigious event.

"At first, I was in shock," Shoemaker said. "I wasn't really expecting it, but it was great to know something I worked on was rewarded."

Added Sheth, "It was surprising, but I was really happy because I put a lot of effort into my project. It was nice to see the hard work pay off."

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• by Danielle Frost
• April 16, 2013