Helping Homestream
Dear Editor:
A grateful shout-out to all the people who volunteered to help us clean up Homestream Park in Winthrop last weekend. Special thanks to Johnnie and Daniel from the Methow Conservancy for their organization and enthusiasm; Betsy from Methow Recycles for getting us sorted out; Casey and crew from WasteWise for hauling a whole lot of material; Flash from Tall Timber for advising on reuse of building materials; Jerry from Palm Construction for moving the big stuff; Jamie Petitto for documenting the progress; and Okanogan County Fire District 6 for dealing with an errant ember. Mostly, thank you to our generous community for showing up and preparing the site for Homestream Park.
Cathy and Phil Davis, Winthrop
Wonderful adventure
Dear Editor:
I am one of your many reader-fans. After reading Joanna Bastian’s April 10 Lower Valley column on the Golden Doe walk in the Wells Wildlife Area, my husband, Bruce, and I drove there on Sunday for a walk and drive even though it was a chilly and gray day. We followed her clear directions and parked at the third parking area near the tree line. It was so cloudy and windy that no flowers were in bloom, but we heard numerous meadowlarks and spotted towhees.
We walked up to the green gate where private property and wheat fields start. We stopped many times to admire the wildly expansive views. Truly breathtaking! Then, back in our truck, we continued on the Central Ferry Canyon Road and turned into the historical Packwood Cemetery — what a fantastic resting place for so many longtime family members! I am honored to know some of the living family members who are not yet enjoying the eternal beauty of this serene and sacred place. We were sadly touched by the numerous “crib-sized” and beautifully decorated children’s graves — many had not made it to their first year.
Since it was so cold we chose to continue driving “up the hill” and ended up on the always-beautiful Waterville plateau where skies and fields are part of the stark beauty. We ate lunch in our truck while watching 10 far-away dear grazing in a stubbly field near a small pond. Then we cruised along the packed-dirt roads (which eventually became paved) until we’d driven full circle back to Chelan. Thank you for writing about this lovely area. It will be high on our list for guests who prefer a short and awesome walk while enjoying a long and lovely drive.
Best regards,
Gaylen Willett, Chelan
Overpopulation threat
Dear Editor:
Your front-page article last week warned that “State’s wolf population growth continues,” as though one of the 126 wolves we might ever be lucky enough to ever see might constitute a menace to our way of life. Meanwhile, a quick head count of humans could be more illustrative of potential problems. As of April 1, 2018, Washington’s population of people was estimated at 7,536,570. This represents an increase of 117,270 since last year.
Society seems to have conveniently forgotten what a realistic threat overpopulation represents for everything from endangered species’ habitat to the climate we’ve all long-since adapted.
And while I appreciated the nice photo of the snow-covered wolf that accompanied your article, the shot just above it of some of the 170 sheep being sheared (on just one farm) pretty much ruined it for me.
Jim Robertson, Twisp
