About Hood River County, OR

Speechless Sunday - Mt. Hood's Snowy Grandeur

Mel took this lovely photo of Mt. Hood covered with winter snow and framed by a delicate branch. Neither of us ever seem to tire of photographing our volcano which seems so different in every season and from so many varying angles. He took this photo just a couple miles from our house in Parkdale, Oregon, but zoomed in on the mountain.

Hood River Middle School Presents... "Princess Slob", A Musical

Next week Hood River Middle School premiers its very first attempt at a musical with "Princess Slob". The muscial was written and scored by Mr. Mark Steighner and is directed by Ms. Rebecca Nederhiser, Hood River Middle School's music teacher and stars a very talented cast of the school's staff and students. The production promises to be a great event for families of all ages and is a great example of the arts being alive and well in the Hood River Valley.

Experience the musical Feb. 17th & 18th, and the 24th & 25, at 7 p.m., with matinees on the 18th and 25th at 2 p.m. Hood River Middle School's Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children, available at the door.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids' Sake! Columbia Gorge Teams Forming Now

Bowl For Kids' Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters biggest fundraiser and is coming soon to Orchard Lanes in Hood River. The event will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012, but teams are forming now and captains will be accepting pledges.

Currently, in the Columbia Gorge, there are 69 youngsters who have a Big Brother or Big Sister and there are 28 more waiting for one. With your help, BBBS of the Gorge hopes to help 85 kids in 2012. I (Gretchen) personally know and work with four children who have Big Brothers and know what a huge difference the program has made in their lives. It's a cause that is well worth supporting.

How can you participate?

1. Become a team captain, recruit a team then gather pledges. Team Captain Info and Pledge Sheet

2. Become a local business sponsor. Call Kristin Reese at 541-436-0305

3. Challenge your team to support a match for 3 months=$325, 6 months=$650, or 12 months=$1,300

4. Make a pledge to a team

Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at bbbs@nextdoorinc.org or 541-436-0305.

A Real Little Lady Looking For Love... Meet Emmie!

Little Emmie is just about as sweet as they come. This tiny little bundle of fun is a chihuahua mix who is about three years old and just can't seem to get enough attention. She can be a bit shy at first, but warms up quickly and ends up loving everyone around her. She's even great with kids, who she lets dress her up and she loves to get her long hair brushed. She's good on a leash and loves car rides. Squeaky toys are one of her favorite things and she gets so excited to get yummy treats.

Emmie has all her shots, is spayed, microchipped, housetrained and crate trained. You can't beat that. This girl has it all and will go fast! The fee to adopt her is $180, cash or check only, please. She's in a foster home, so please call ahead to meet Emmie in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River OR 97031. Call the shelter for more information 541-354-1083. Adoption hours are Wed 5-7 & Sat 9-11. You can download an application at: www.hoodriveradoptadog.org. You can fax your application to 1-877-833-7166.

Wordless Wednesday - Pinned!

This is our son, Sam, at Monday's middle school wrestling match at Cedar Ridge Middle School in Sandy, Oregon. Sam wrestles for Wy'East Middle School and is having a killer season, pinning both his opponents at this match and two opponents at last week's competition. He wrestles again tomorrow at Wy'East. The wrestling program in the Hood River Valley is huge and a program to be proud of. The Hood River Wrestling Club starts kids out at the tender age of 5, grooming them through elementary school then into middle and high school. Sam's in blue.