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October 11, 2011
One step at a time
Every recovering drug, alcohol or food addict has hit a "rock bottom." It is the place where they finally decide enough is enough, and it is time to take control of their lives.
Every recovering drug, alcohol or food addict has hit a "rock bottom." It is the place where they finally decide enough is enough, and it is time to take control of their lives.
Carol Englund of Washougal has lost 52 pounds in the past year. Below is the 47-year-old woman's story in a question-and-answer format.
It's that time of year again. Now that fall has officially made its entrance, pumpkins have come right along with it. Area pumpkin patches are open now through Halloween, and most offer a lot more than just a place to pick out a gourd or two. Many include hay rides, apple cider, corn mazes, petting zoos, local produce and crafts. Jeff Walton, owner of Walton Farms, is looking forward to his sixth year of hosting a pumpkin patch.
They may have put away their racing gear years ago, but last Saturday, members of the Twisters Motorcycle Club relived their glory days at a reunion. "Motorcycles create a bond," organizer Bob Meredith said. "I believe it is a closer bond than any other type of racing." This theory certainly seemed to prove true, as bikers from several states made the trek to Meredith's Fern Prairie home to attend the event. Laughter, tall tales, food and of course, motorcycles, were a big topic of conversation at the reunion for the more than 30 club members and their wives, the "Twisters Sisters."
From Grateful Dead themed "hippie vans" to a 1938 Ford Roadster, the Braggers Rights Classic Car Show Cruise-In had a little something for everyone. Take George Boeckel, for example. The Milwaukie, Ore., resident enjoyed showing his 1970 Pontiac Judge and chatting with onlookers at the same time. "This was a 15-year project," he said. "It began when my son wanted to get a car and bought a 1972 Pontiac LeMans." Boeckel went to a dragstrip in Central Oregon with his son, and never has been the same since. He and wife, Terry, have spent many hours of their free time in the last 15 years restoring the "Judge" to mint condition and attending several car shows along the way.
More than 115 cars, trucks and motorcycles were entered into the car show. The event raised $3,020 for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, along with approximately 50 pounds of canned goods for the Inter-faith Treasure House.
Usually after school is back in session, people are thinking about football, pumpkins, brisk weather and wintering their gardens. But with the hottest weather of the year hitting Camas and Washougal, many are still in full summer mode. During the last week, the Northwest has welcomed several 90-plus degree days, for the first time since last summer. Ironically, right before the heat wave began Labor Day weekend, weather forecasters had argued that perhaps the Northwest wouldn't see temperatures more than 90 degrees until 2012.
Friday may have been a warm night, but in downtown Camas, merchants were getting chili. Or, more correctly, serving chili and soup that either they had made themselves, or had a local restaurant concoct for them. The idea for a soup and chili cook-off First Friday event came from Carrie Schulstad and other members of the Downtown Camas Association. First Friday happens each month and there is a different theme every time, with the goal of promoting downtown Camas. "We thought this would be a great idea to cross promote local restaurants, merchants and the Camas Farmer's Market," said Schulstad, vice-president of the DCA.
While most kids his age spent the summer ringing up retail purchases or serving food, 16-year-old Luis Iniguez was learning the ins and outs of the film production business. He served as an intern to Nikia Furman of Furman Pictures, a company based in Camas. "It's been a good experience," Iniguez said. "It's been fun going out to the field where we did a shoot. That was a new experience."
Those who enjoy finding unique home furnishings, garden art or a one-of-a-kind necklace should clear their calendars for Saturday. The third-annual Vintage Street Faire is coming to downtown Camas. With approximately 30 vendors offering everything from 1890s collectibles to handmade linens, there will be plenty of choices. Items range in price from just a few dollars to higher end, older finds. The Street Faire is sponsored by Camas Antiques and the Downtown Camas Association, and is presented by Worthy Goods.