Help the library
Dear Editor:
How many times in this two-and -half-month “shutdown” have you missed going to the library? Or have you said, “I need a good book.”
In normal times, perhaps you have read an “out of town” newspaper while your youngsters listened to a volunteer read them a story. These are just a few of the services provided even in small communities like the Methow Valley. There is more to a library than a good book.
After the Los Angeles Central Library burned in 1983, several major surveys were conducted throughout the nation. The information gathered was similar in every area: the order of importance was law enforcement, hospitals, schools, libraries, churches, and city hall.
Now is the time for valley residents to help with a tax-deductible contribution to the new Winthrop library. Granted, this is a trying time but any contribution would be appreciated. Send to Friends of the Winthrop Library, P.O. Box 592, Winthrop, WA 98862.
Berniece Westendorf, Winthrop
Thanks to all
Dear Editor:
After 52 years of living in and loving the Methow Valley, I want to share my gratitude for fine valley-style collaboration.
On April 29 I was injured in a horse accident up Elbow Coulee. Through the work of Aero Methow Rescue Service, Okanogan Search and Rescue, Life Flight, and the attentions of a few angelic civilians; plus my dear friends Carolyn, Terry and Steve and my mate Mike, I was swiftly comforted, stabilized, transported and airlifted to Confluence Hospital in Wenatchee. Horse, trailer, and house issues were all taken care of.
Here I’m near our home, thriving after surgeries and anticipating my full-time “summer job,” rehabilitation at Regence, a caring and stringently COVID-safe place to be.
A hidden blessing has been the warm and inspiring condolences from a dozen mostly-women members of Methow Valley Back Country Horsemen.
A thousand thank yous. I can do this because of you all.
Susan Lagsdin, East Wenatchee
Another threat
Dear Editor:
A shout out to Shelley Smith Jones for her May 13 article and her update on the Methow Valley Fly Fishing Club (MVFFC) providing aerators for Twin Lakes. As a member of the MVFCC, Washington Fly Fishing Club (WFFC), and Fly Fishers International, I was able to secure a $500 donation from WFFC to assist with that effort. We all collaborated together on preventing a copper mine in the Methow Valley.
A new threat to Washington fisheries and wildlife is the Chehalis River dam proposal. The Washington State Department of Ecology is taking public comment until May 27. Please encourage Methow Valley individuals and organizations to weigh in on how destructive this would be to the upper Chehalis River.
Robert Thorpe, Winthrop
Community Center report
Dear Editor:
To our community members: You will receive the Methow Valley Community Center annual report in your mailbox this week. We had been so excited to share our accomplishments from 2019 with our past members. Then, we stalled due to the coronavirus outbreak. I urge you to not throw it away. Open it, read it! We spent time, thought and money to send this information to you. We are here to serve all of you, through thick and thin.
If you are new to the community or would like more information about the Methow Valley Community Center and tenants go to http://www.methowcommunity.org. We will post our newsletter there.
As we move forward together, we just signed a 10-year lease with the Methow Valley School District to secure this facility for you, the Methow Valley community. As you open and read our annual report, I hope you will be moved to become a current member. I also hope that you will be inspired to become involved in this organization. We are so much more together, than we are apart. Thank you for all that you do.
Kirsten Ostlie, Director, Methow Valley Community Center, Twisp
Get a free mask
Dear Editor:
Re Kathleen Miller Jardin’s recent letter. What a wonderful story to be a part of! It’s exactly why we started our business in this tiny little town. I was confident our design and manufacturing shop would be an important part of the valley, but had no idea how important. We would be happy to mail your daughter (and you – because we all have a Mom that we love!) the mask of your choice. In the next few days we will be making a community announcement on how to order your DailyMask. If you need something sooner, look for the mesh baskets of “free cloth surgical masks” made by eqpd and community volunteers at our local grocery stores and markets. Stay healthy, stay eqpd, and thanks for your support!
Jonathan Baker and the eqpd team, Twisp
