Articles written by Karen Bertroch
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Downriver Dispatches
It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here, have, thus far, so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead...
Young entrepreneur stakes her culinary claim in the westend
Johnson Park in Rosburg has a new business. Since acquiring the various permits and licenses needed to run a food business in the county, Kat See has opened My Infinity Foods, a new freeze-dried food...
Downriver Dispatches
ISN’T LIFE MIRACULOUS? It’s February, and that means it’s not only a time for pruning roses and trees (at least in my calendar), but also time to watch for Hank Nelson’s calves to appear in his field. With sixty acres on the Grays River, he and his...
nPower Girls provides STEM experience for students
When the first year of the Career Connect Washington grant came through for the Washington State University Wahkiakum County 4-H Extension Program, the Wahkiakum Schools programs had already begun with Jessica Vik, but it took some time before the...
Downriver Dispatches
When I think of last week, I just see Bendog, bare of all hair and so embarrassed. I took him to be groomed last Friday. They said he had to be shaved because his fur was matted. I have been watching...
Downriver Dispatches
Suddenly it dawned on me, spring is here. Daffodils are up in my hydrangea barrel and the daffodils are starting to bloom at Naselle Coffee and yes, Bendog is snoring in the sun on the porch. Life is...
Downriver Dispatches
This time of year is usually a slow time for news out this way. We are used to cancellations from storms and flooding, but today, there seems to be a lot happening. School There has been news at the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District almost...
Naselle-GRV School Board Transitions into new year
In December the Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board made changes with new members coming aboard. Members voted to elect Robert Torppa as chair and Amy Hunt as vice-chair. At that meeting, the new chair announced he wanted to put into place two...
Downriver Dispatches
Bob Torppa called this morning to report on a major waterline break during the night below Paul and Nikki Footh's home on Loop Road in Grays River. The line was likely a 4" pipe that had broken in...
Downriver Dispatches
Holiday Trauma. After the holidays, January can bring a pall onto our days. Death seems to land on holidays harder than the rest of the year. Rain, clouds and chills weigh heavily on us, bringing on...
Downriver Dispatches
I have some fun news. A couple years ago Ken Johnson asked me to do some interviews of local folks, so I have done quite a few. I hope to do more this year because it would be great to have more...
Downriver Dispatches
School board news At the last Naselle/Grays River school board meeting, Bob Torppa was elected Chair, and Amy Hunt, Vice-Chair. Both have had years of experience serving on the School Board. Deep...
Downriver Dispatches
Last evening many of us were on the roadside in Naselle watching the Christmas Light Parade. Disneyland could hardly provide more entertainment! We had horses, the high school band on a float playing...
Downriver Dispatches
Photo of the Week: Darlene Warra Bjornsgard. Just a few days ago, we lost a woman whose life impacted many. Darlene was hospitable, generous, and always family first. Here is a quote from Scott...
Downriver Dispatches
Thought for the week: "The smallest stone can make a ripple on the water." As we get closer to Christmas Day, please take time to ponder these words. Your gifts aren't as important as you yourself...
School board swears in two new members
The Naselle/Grays River Valley school board added Robert Torppa and Natasha Crater to the board at their most recent meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Even though Torppa won the election, he applied for appointment and could therefore start in November...
Downriver Dispatches
The holidays can be difficult due to sudden deaths, especially around Christmas. One unexpected death was the recent loss of Dale Dutcher from the Altoona Pillar Rock area, not too far from the end of...
Downriver Dispatches
A Veteran's Navy Reunion Joel and Noreen Fitts of Grays River recently returned from a trip to Sparks, Nevada where a Naval Reunion was held at the Nugget Casino. All the sailors from the USS Hancock...
Downriver Dispatches
While we live in what some might call a "backwater" area of southwest Washington, we are privileged to harbor artists and writers. One unique artist is Darbury Novoselic from Deep River. She is well...
Downriver Dispatches
I've saved the following quote for many years. I don't remember where it came from, but we can use reminders like this often. I suspect it has some cowboy in it. My husband was a true horseman, the...
Robotics seniors have big dreams
Interviewing three Naselle Grays River Valley seniors was a reminder of what can happen when students find their niche and run with it. Derek Suomela, Lewis Hoff and Alia Lebovitz are exceptional...
Downriver Dispatches
Looking at the Letters to the Editor, I see that I've created a hornet's nest. The two last articles about school board meetings have been my own opinion more than a report. The second one was not...
A Wahkiakum classic, refreshed
Looking at a map of Washington, the southwest corner is easy to overlook. For history buffs, it is an intriguing study because of the Indians, the immigrants, and the land itself. Irene Martin knows our history in an intimate way. She has...
Downriver Dispatches
Good Morning, Neighbors! I just listened to the Ship Report on KMUN. Joanne Rideout and Gordon McCraw are my coffee friends every morning, and I plan my days around their weather forecasts. They are...
Change is coming to the school board
In recent years, our national political culture has moved into a state of mistrust. And over the past months, it has become clear that even in our small school district, board meetings reflect mistrust. At the last meeting of the Naselle Grays River...
