Support Young Leaders this holiday season

The Leaders for Tomorrow program is funded SOLELY through generous contributions from numerous individuals, organizations and businesses. Many have been sponsors of or contributors to the program for 15 years! We thank you ALL for your ongoing support... it is what has made this program such a great success and a model for other rural communities across Oregon.

As with many things, the economy has had an impact on the LFT budget this year. We have been looking for new, innovative ways for YOU to help us continue making a difference for our young leaders and so far, this is what we have come up with...

Don Nunamaker Realtors’: “A Collection of Recipes” Available at Waucoma Bookstore:

Don Nunamaker Realtors has generously donated a case of these fabulous cookbooks loaded with delicious local recipes for Leaders for Tomorrow to sell as a fundraiser! They make the quintessential Northwest gift and are available at Waucoma Bookstore (212 Oak St., Hood River) for just $20. All proceeds will be used to fund activities for the Leaders for Tomorrow program!

Common Good Thursday, December 3^rd at Small Planet Trading Company:

The community minded women at Small Planet Trading (202 Cascade Ave) are always looking for ways to support a great cause. Each Thursday Small Planet Trading lends its support to a group or good cause by donating a portion of the day’s sales. On Thursday, December 3^rd, they will contribute 25% of their total daily sales to the Leaders for Tomorrow program. What a great way to make a difference... Shop for fair trade items and support local students!

Agriculture in Hood River

We started our day at the MidColumbia Agriculture Research and Extension Center (MCAREC), an Oregon State University research facility focussing on tree fruit. The students got to see the plant pathology lab and learn about gray mold, bullseye mold and other diseases that effect fruit production in the Valley. In addition to plan pathology, we were introduced to horticulture and a new, unnamed variety of pear (called O184) It was DELICIOUS! We learned about different growing methods and the experimentation MCAREC is doing to develop high yields, good size and get the growers the best "bang for their buck".

Our next stop was Good Fortune Farms Alpacas. The folks at Good Fortune Farms are affiliated with a charitable organization, Quechua Benefit, that provide basic dental and medical services for children in a village in Peru. A portion of the proceeds from the farm and the shop (good*ness alpaca boutique) are donated to Quechua Benefit for ongoing work. The organization was able to purchase land and to begin the process of building an orphanage. We were all inspired by the work that they are doing and the difference they are making in the lives of the children of Peru. AND we all loved the baby alpacas (cria). They're so cute and SO soft...

Kiyokawa Orchards was amazing! They grow 75 varieties of apples as well as pears, asian pears, and "kiwi" - not like you buy in the store. These are little, grape-sized, hairless kiwis grown on an arbor... they provided shade and a tasty little treat! Randy Kiyokawa, a third-generation orchardist in Parkdale, took us on a hayride through the orchard where everybody got to pick an apple. We talked about the challenges of farming in a global economy and discovered a lot about direct sales. We ate a wonderful lunch, provided by Subways of the Gorge, and enjoyed our perfect day!

But it wasn't over yet! Our final destination was Apple Valley Country Store where we learned about "value added" products. Apple Valley makes, jams, jellies, pies, milkshakes (and more) with local fruit, some from their own orchard! They ship products all over the world, literally sharing the fruits of the Hood River Valley with a global market. They made a spectacular nectarine cobbler for us... because no day is complete without dessert!?

Thanks to all the businesses that hosted us for our Agriculture day! It was a great experience and we all learned a LOT!

Frequent updates - Coming Soon!

I noticed that the last time I actually added a post to this blog was almost a year ago!? I KNOW! So I am dedicating myself to the proposition that in order to get more eyes on this blog I need to keep it fresh, new and fun to read... and so I endeavor to do my best to make this blog something of which "my kids" can be proud.

I am feeling a little bit of pressure to perform well... as I am asking the students to look at it and comment on it. Maybe you know how it is with a new group of students. You always try to make a good impression - I have much to offer/teach them, I'm not an old lady, I enjoy my work and know what I'm talking about, etc. But, honestly it's not about me -- it's about the kids and connecting them to their community.

And so, we go on to our 15th year of developing young leaders in Hood River County. I see graduates of the program everywhere... and still recognize them (and remember MOST of their names)! They are business owners, orchardists, volunteers, parents (YIKES! do I feel old!), teachers... but they are back in the community in which they grew up... contributing in whatever way they can. That's what keeps me engaged... knowing that this program is making a difference in their lives!

First Day Field Trip... Here we go!

We started early this year. Our first class trip (Introduction/Motivation) started out a little chilly... and a little drizzley! I had hoped that August would have perfect weather for our trip... on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge! Alas, we don't always get what we want... more on that later!

We went to the Waucoma Center - Home of Embarq. While we were there we also took some time to get to know each other... it's a new class, after all! On the bus trip to Embarq, everyone sat with someone they didn't know very well with the goal of becoming familiar enough with "our Partner' to introduce them to the entire group! Since it was then end of summer, we found out what everybody had done over the break. It was interesting to hear about all the fun activities that summer affords us in this beautiful part of the country. Fortunately, this class activity day was just an extension of summer with a little educational component thrown in... kinda like a warm-up for school! Then, we played Cultural Bingo and learned even more... who likes to cook Italian food, write poetry, dance, etc. Kids are so resourceful... they worked together to help each other fill their Bingo cards. It wasn't about winning (or losing) - it was about getting to know each other!

On to the Dean Building which, among other things, houses the Embarq Central office. It was like being inside a huge computer! Wires, cables, connectors everywhere. Two of the Central Office Technicians toured us around the battery array, the cable vault and showed us where voice mail "lives". It was pretty cool but, we had to cut it short... we had a boat to catch!

Ah, yes! The boat! Here is where we learn about the importance of clear communication. (reference "we can't always get what we want") Apparently, there had been a change in the cruise schedule between the time the arrangements were made and the actual day of our trip... suffice it to say we didn't MISS the boat, it missed us?! Have no fear - all was not lost - One of the kids works on the Sternwheeler so he took us on a tour of the boat - Levi, our hero!

We still had some small group activities to complete so we went back in to the Port building, divided into groups of 4 and proceeded to create our Leadership Crests, showcasing the qualities of a good leader. What a creative group! These are not your typical Leadership Crests... these have a certain feeling, dare I say passion, about them! And even though we didn't get to cruise, the kids were great, flexible and responsive... It's going to be a great year!

Leaders Banquet - The End or The Beginning

As with most things, the Leaders for Tomorrow program runs in cycles. Each year a group of students graduate, a group moves on to the Service Learning class, and a group gets selected for the Community Introduction class. It's always hard to see them go -- the graduates! They work so hard and we become pretty close... and sometimes we even stay in touch (although not as often as I'd like... Why don't you ever call/write/visit?!) ; )

In any case, they move on to their next fabulous adventure... and it's always nice to hear that, in some small way, the Leaders for Tomorrow program made a difference for them. Most of the time that recognition doesn't come until some time later but, when people stop me on the street and tell me that their daughter or son has made a life changing decision based on something they learned through the program, it reminds me why I do this work!

The kids are ALL so different and each one takes something different away from the experience. It's good to know that this program has provided them with some insight that they can apply wherever they go. The acknowledgment that they derive tangible benefits from the experience is my big payoff! Most of all, I love "my kids" and want more than anything for them to succeed-- whatever I can do to facilitate their success (however one chooses to define it) is what makes my life complete!

Thanks, class of 2008! You guys rock... Make good choices and stay in touch... I can't wait to see the futures you create for yourselves! I'm gonna miss you!

LFT2 - Work days (and nights)

Last weekend was prom at Hood River Valley High School... which might have put a stop to any project work but, not for the group of hard-working, dedicated Leaders like the LFT2 class! Friday night (5/2) was spent preparing the rooms at The Next Door, Inc for painting, decorating and a thorough cleaning. We discovered a lot about each other... for example, Jenna is good at cleaning but, not so much masking! And Kent U. has "mad" masking skills... perhaps he will demonstrate them at some point. Elise is pretty expert at a variety of aspects related to painting including masking and cutting in, etc. AND there are few among us who really enjoy cleaning the paint out of rollers! After all the work was done, we had some pizza and went home... it was a long day!

Saturday was prom so participation was little slim. Hannah had rounded up some willing volunteers from Horizon Christian School to help out! We painted the kitchen/break room - the ceilings must be 15 feet high so, Rachael got to do all the cutting in around the ceiling. She's very tall and when you get her on a ladder, she almost reaches the sky! Everyone agreed that there was more to this project than originally thought... especially if you want it done right!

We finished the kitchen (with the exception of the cabinets) and the lobby area. Next weekend, we'll finish the cabinets, paint the hallway and the conference room and hopefully, get the artwork on the walls. It's looking pretty good! It's amazing what a little color will do! We're all looking forward to the successful completion of the project... as is the staff of The Next Door, Inc.

Wrapping it up!

As we approach the end of the school year, there is still much for the Leaders for Tomorrow to do! Next week is the last LFT1 class day - scrapbooking and preparing for the Annual Dessert Banquet. I have some special surprises in store as well... FINALLY! We have had an interesting year. Two of the guys in the class moved away - Matt moved to Tennessee and Mike moved to Gresham. The class is now at 17 students which includes the alternates who were invited to join the class in February. It's a great diverse group... only wish we had a couple more males to give some gender balance.

The selection process for next year's LFT1 class is moving forward. Application deadline is Friday, May 9 and so far... well, let's just say there are a lot of kids that like to wait to the last minute... apparently, they work better under pressure! With the number of applications that I handed out, there should be plenty of applicants from which to choose! It's always fun to meet next year's "crop" of kids!

Manufacturing works!! in Hood River

You aren't going to believe how much fun we had on Manufacturing Day! We started out with a visit to Chinook Sailing Products in Cascade Locks. What a cool place! They make EVERYTHING related to and including carbon fiber booms for windsurfing! They invented and built the specialized machines that make the little metal pins and the plastic caps and fittings for attaching the booms! And they made a "fire hose" press for molding and compressing the carbon fiber booms... there are actual fire hoses that fill with air to push the molds together while they are being heated! It's hard to explain but, trust me... it was awesome! Dan Van Hoose, General Manager, lead the tour and even had the foresight to hook us up with some yummy doughnuts!... a great way to start the day!

Next was Cardinal IG where they fabricate insulated glass for windows, doors and anything that might call for insulated glass. Dave Windsor, Plant Manager toured us through their 335,000 sq. ft. facility. (it's REALLY big!) There is so much going on there... and the machines that move the huge panes of glass from "in stock" to the cutting table are amazing. It's all completely automated. The people who work there were extremely friendly and obviously enjoyed being part of the team. They were all so well versed about the equipment they use and how each part of the process is integrated to achieve the highest standard of quality! We all noticed that Dave knew all the names of his employees... and they all really like him. At the end of the tour, he gave all the kids Nike golf hats and posed for a picture with the LFT posse.

Lunch at Pietro's Pizza was very good and filling... then came dessert. When you walk in to Blissful Brownies, all you can smell is CHOCOLATE.... yummy! Ambler Fitzsimmons told us all about how she got started and why she decided to bake for a living instead of using her law degree to practice law. If you've ever had a Blissful Brownie you know why! Baking is less stressful and baking brownies is a labor of LOVE! We got to sample some of the more popular flavors - classic, coconut, pumpkin spice, German chocolate... delicious! She doesn't have a store front and only distributes her delectable treats through William Sonoma and a few specialty shops in Hood River and Chicago, IL. She also takes orders over their website and the phone. They make wonderful gifts!! ; )

Last stop of the day was Turtle Island Foods -- the home of Tofurky! We all got to sample the Tofurky Jerky, which I personally love but, some of the kids had a hard time fully enjoying it! (more for me!) The most interesting part of this visit was the fact that Seth Tibbett the founder/owner started this company with a little more than $2500 and now it's a multimillion dollar endeavor! They make all kinds of deli slices and "sausages" as well as tempeh (fermented soy) and jerky. We watched a video of clips from various TV show that mention Tofurky... obviously the Thanksgiving episodes with the obligatory vegetarian perspective! Long live the tofurky!

Into the Forest... and beyond

Forestry and Wood products day is almost always cold and wet! At least it didn't snow (too much) this year. We went with Dennis Carlson (Hood River County Forestry Dept.) to some county land that had been clear cut several years ago. We talked about how the county manages its land. Most of the money from timber sales goes into the county's general fund to pay for things like roads, schools, and other infrastructure needs. Dennis explained the way the county "harvests" trees on an 80-year cycle. After an area is clear cut, they plant seedlings so that in 80 years they can come back and harvest again!

We used an increment borer to determine the age of a tree without cutting it down! We also discussed the diversity of the forest... grand fir, noble, fir, douglas fir, cedar, ponderosa pines and a variety of deciduous trees make for an healthier ecosystem than a proliferation of a single type of tree. The HRC Forestry Dept.'s biggest challenge is managing the lands for "mixed use" - hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking, horse back riding and other human activities in addition to timber harvesting raise very interesting issues and often intense discussions.

After our trip into the forest, we went to Krieg Millworks to see what happens to the trees after they're cut and milled. Krieg's sells dimensional lumber and other wood products for home construction. We learned all about plywood, chipboard and oriented strand board (OSB) and their various uses. It was raining pretty hard at this point so we tried to stay undercover... and everywhere we went smelled like forest - fresh, piney and a little wet!

Lunch was provided by Quizno's Subs (which was a huge hit) and we got it delivered to Don Nunamaker Realtors where we learned about real estate markets. More than that we learned about the importance of having and maintaining good credit! Don Lariza, of Financial Center Mortgage, gave a presentation on the current sub-prime lending crisis and explained how and what happened to create such a mess! We asked some pretty tough questions but, he answered them all with expertise.

On our way back to HRVHS, we stopped a several new homes in various states of completion. A few of the places where built with "green" building standards - using solar water heaters, energy efficient appliances, etc. That was pretty interesting due to the fact that some of the students are studying the impacts of human development on the planet! A BIG thanks to Risa Wonsyld, of Don Nunamaker Realtors for setting up the day and for driving with us! By the time we got back to school it was sunny and beautiful -- Aaaah, Hood River!

Local Leadership in Action

Our February class day was very cool! We started out at the Hood River County School District office where Dr. Pat Evenson-Brady gave us an education about (among other things) how schools are funded. We looked at how Hood River measures up to other schools across the state in various categories - drop out rates, academic achievement, etc. With the Bond Measure on the May 20 ballot, we talked about why the moneys are needed and how rapidly the school age population in our area is growing.

The next stop was the Hood River Fire Station... also very cool! We got to see all the equipment, walk through the ambulance, and have our picture taken on the old fire engine... with a hand-crank siren! The firefighters are constantly training and honing their skills. All the paid guys are paramedics and most of the calls that come in are medical. The fire season (summer) changes that a little but, for the most part, they are responding to car accidents and medical emergencies. They are a very skilled and dedicated group and are invaluable to the health and safety of our community!

After lunch at Taco del Mar (always the favorite part of the day), we hit the City of Hood River Police station. We toured the new place and got to see where they keep all the paperwork - and there is a LOT of that! Since we don't have a city jail (they all go to NORCOR), we ended up asking the officer practical questions like "how many mph over the speed limit can I go without getting pulled over?" and "what's the scariest arrest you've ever made?" Apparently, these things are critical to the survival of our youth?! ... I guess?!

Last stop - Port of Hood River! Mike Doke told us about the role of the Port and the various properties they manage. The big news was the "Breeze By" system on the Hood River Bridge. It uses a sticker with an electronic chip that signals a receiver to allow quick passage through the toll gate. Breeze-By subscribers put money into an account and with every trip across the bridge, the appropriate toll is automatically deducted from their account. It's very high tech and the first one of it's kind in Oregon! We are SO cutting edge!

Our Trip to NORCOR and More!

In January, for our Health and Human Services day, we started out with a trip to NORCOR - Northern Oregon Correctional Facility in The Dalles! WOW! What an experience! We got to be treated like "inmates"... no fancy hair styles, no hats/caps, hands at sides, "Excuse me, sir/ma'am", etc. It was pretty intense! We all learned a lot -- "it ain't no picnic"... but of course, it's not supposed to be... it's jail!!!

Back home, in Hood River, we went to La Clinica del Carino Family Health Center to learn about a non-profit community health facility. We had presentations from various staff members discussing their roles at the clinic. They offer a number of programs to educate clients with a focus on prevention. Nutrition, exercise, self examination, etc. all contribute to better overall health, lower health care costs and early diagnoses. It's a great resource for everyone in our community especially lower income and/or uninsured members of our community.

Our last stop of the day was Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. They fed us a wonderful lunch and talked about the variety of jobs in health care. We went on an amazing tour through the lab, surgery, and radiology. Everybody's favorite part was putting on the surgical caps/gowns/booties to do a quick walk through the O.R. (There was some disappointment that we didn't get to see any blood... but, I guess that's to be expected??!?)

Entrepreneurial Spirit is alive and well in Hood River!

December is one of MY favorite class days. We go into downtown Hood River and meet with small business owners! Everything from Summit Projects (webdesign) to Made in the Gorge Artists' Cooperative (ceramic, watercolor and metal artisits), G. Williker's Toy Shoppe (yes, it's a toy shop) to Andrew's Pizza (lunch!) and Lucy's Informal Flowers (my personal favorite)! The owners of these fine establishments talked about where they came from, why they went into business for themselves and how important it is to be actively involved in the community. The kids LOVED it. The last stop of the day was at Sage's Cafe and Coffeehouse where we signed holiday cards and sipped delicious hot chocolate!
A great time was had by all... and they learned something about how much work it is to be in business for yourself... but, the work is always outweighed by the rewards!

I've got to do better!

I'm not sure how many people are actually looking at this but, if you're wondering where I've been... I've been here but, apparently too busy to keep up with the blog! So let's recap!
In November the Leaders for Tomorrow class invited a number of local non-profit organizations to talk about the work they do in the community and provide some ways for the students to get involved. United Way of Hood River County, American Red Cross, The Next Door, Inc. Helping Hands against Violence, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Hood River Elks, Hood River Lions, Gorge Ecology Institute, Housing for People, FISH Food Bank each sent representatives to share their respective roles in the community. They provided valuable insight to the students and presented opportunities for them to get involved. Many of the kids actually signed up to help out with various programs. All the kids were impressed at the number of organizations run strictly by volunteers!

Where does the time go?

It's hard to believe nearly a month has gone by since we last "blogged". The Leaders for Tomorrow students were intended to use this to post comments but, apparently they are WAY too busy to find the time to keep you posted. So, alas... it's on me! The Leaders for Tomorrow's Community Introduction class spent a wet day learning about the agricultural industry in the Hood River Valley. We spent time with the folks at the Mid-Columbia Agriculture Research and Education Center learning about trees and the fruit they bear. We talked about mold, disease and pests and got to check out some fairly cool insects that are used to control all kinds of "bad guys" in the orchards.

We also got to bond with alpacas - moms and cria (the babies). Good Fortune Farms Alpacas hosted us for feeding time. We learned a lot about alpaca fleece/wool/fiber... it's incredibly soft, warm and resilient. It's used for all kinds of clothing AND it's a renewable resource... one thing alpacas have is lots of fleece!

We went on a mini-hayride because it was rainy and kinda cold! Kiyokawa Orchards hooked us up with apples and pears for an awesome healthy snack and talked with us about why he (Randy Kiyokawa) decided to open his fruit stand rather than marketing through one of the major packinghouses. He has the largest variety of Asian pears in the valley and more than 80 different kinds of pears and apples!

After a quick trip through Pumpkin Funland and the famous Rasmussen Farms Corn Maze, we headed to the Apple Valley Country Store for some DELICIOUS,hot and fresh pear dumplings! It was a special treat and much appreciated after a chilly day out! Stay tuned for photos and (hopefully) some comments from the kids!

Back to School... more fun than we thought!

Leaders for Tomorrow's first year class started the school year with Motivation and Introduction day... We went to Embarq and played Cultural Bingo to get more familiar with each other. Most of the kids know each other but, the point of the activity is get them to find out about the people they don't know! Everyone seemed to enjoy it until I asked Ashley to sing the songs she knows in 2 different languages... she was unwilling to share!
The Portland Spirit hosted us on the sternwheeler Columbia Gorge... we got box lunches from Charburger in Cascade Locks, courtesy of the Best Western Columbia River Inn. After lunch, while on board the sternwheeler, the class was divided into small groups where we discussed the attributes of a good leader. Each goup then created a "Leadership Crest" illustrating the characteristics needed to succeed in a leadership role. I am looking forward to hearing from the students on this so, please stay tuned and watch the Comments section - where the students will post their "journal entries"...

Volunteer Opportunities Abound

Leaders for Tomorrow were among a number of groups asked to help out with this year's Hood River Fly-In and the grand opening of the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. Hood River's Lions Eye-Openers served breakfast from 7 to 11AM on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 8 & 9) and LFT student were right there to help out! It wasn't a fundraiser but it was definitely fun. Thanks to Hannah, Bailie, Ellen and Jenna for participating!

Since everybody needs community service hours, now's the time to volunteer... before school starts to get in the way! In any case, the Hood River County Historical Museum is looking for some young individuals to help out with their upcoming Vintage Car Show and Mosier Twin Tunnels Motor Tour, Saturday, September 22. The volunteers will be assisting some of the older folks at registration and in and out of vehicles. Contact me if you're interested!

That was refreshing...

Just before dawn on Monday the Leaders for Tomorrow second year class was gearing up for yet another fabulous fundraiser. Mary Beth, Ellen, Elise and Jennifer were offering hot coffee to the swimmers and their supporters at this year's Columbia River Cross Channel Swim. They were working for tips... and they were all smiles (at 5:30AM) so the $50 in tips was well earned! 

The next crew showed up at 7:15AM to help take down tables and lights, clean-up garbage cans and load all the various mechanisms necessary for "The Swim" to be returned to the Expo Center. Jessica, Bailie and Rachael did a great job assisting with the clean-up and it was much appreciated since most of the staff and volunteers had been "on the job" since 4AM. That raised an additional $100 to go toward the class' project... we don't know what it is yet but, I'm betting it'll be a good one! Peace!

LFT 2 "cashing in" at the Cross Channel Swim

Leaders for Tomorrow's Service Learning class is gearing up for another fundraiser. On Monday, September 3rd, we will be serving coffee to more than 500 swimmers at the Roy Webster Columbia River Cross Channel Swim event.  Any tips we get will be matched by the Chamber of Commerce!

Another group of students will help with cleaning up the site AFTER the swimmers are on the Sternwheeler...The change of location has made everything a little more challenging this year so the extra help is greatly needed and appreciated!
The biggest variable to the overall success of the event -- THE WEATHER!

Here's to a safe swim, a glassy river and a glorious sunrise! Come check it out...

What's up with that?!

Thinking BEFORE you have to!?... a novel concept, I know but, "chance favors the prepared mind" is one of the best things Louis Pasteur ever said (as far as I know...). School is just about to start and the Leaders for Tomorrow 2 class is already thinking... or should be... about fundraising, about projects and about making their mark on our/their community. There are so many opportunities to do something great for Hood River County - some are clear, visible/tangible... and some we wouldn't think of if we had a year to cogitate on it!

AND SO, members of the community, we look to you for ideas. The students will, of course, make the final decision and we have things like budgetary constraints, time constraints and our project goals to consider... but, if you have an idea for a project that could really make a difference for our community, Let us know! You can post comments here or call Kristin (541.386.2000, ext.16) with your suggestions!

One down...

There! In spite of a rather questionable forecast, (and the "Fill the Boot" campaign) the Leaders for Tomorrow 2 class raised $213 to put toward our Service Learning project! Now that we have the first fundraiser behind us, we can start planning for the Halloween event. There are a lot of options so, we really have some thinking to do!

Once school starts, the second year class will meet every 2-3 weeks to develop a list of goals for the class project. From there, we'll start brainstorming ideas for a project that will really have a positive impact in our community! Suggestions are appreciated... so feel free to post a comment if you have recommendations. Stay tuned! Peace!