Greater Tuna November 24, 2010

Huh?  What is Greater Tuna?  When my co-worker and theater director extraordinaire, Lynda Dallman, told me that she was going to direct “Greater Tuna” as a benefit for The Next Door’s Capital Campaign, that was my first question.  Turns out, Greater Tuna is the name of a very funny play about small town Texas. 

Tickets to the show cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children (play is suitable for children 12 and older).  It is being performed at the brand new Wy’east Middle School Performing Arts Center in Odell.  Tickets are available at Waucoma Bookstore for:

• Friday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2:00 pm
• Saturday, Nov 27 at 7:30 pm
• Friday, Dec 3 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Dec 4 at 2:00 pm
• Saturday, Dec 4 at 7:30 pm

All proceeds go to The Next Door and the Hood River Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.  Great causes!  So, be sure to go and laugh for us.  It’s a great way to work off some of those Thanksgiving dinner calories.  I’ll be there on Dec 4th in the evening to welcome everyone.  Can’t wait!

The Next Door’s 2011 Calendar available now! November 22, 2010

Just one of the beautiful photos in our newest calendar

It’s hard to believe that 2010 has almost gone by.  I know this because The Next Door has another calendar for sale!  Gary Fields, a local photographer, has once again outdone himself.  His photos of bodies of water throughout the Gorge are spectacular.

The “Waterways of the Columbia Gorge” 2011 calendar to benefit The Next Door is available now for $10 (makes a great gift!).  It can be purchased at the following locations:

1. NDI office in Hood River: 212 2nd Street
2. NDI office in The Dalles: 1005 W. 6th Street
3. Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River
4. Rosauers in Hood River

We are very grateful to our sponsors for helping to offset the cost of printing:

• Colt Listing Service
• Gary McGee & Co., CPA
• Hood River Construction Co.
• Hood River Dental
• Hood River Rotary
• Insitu
• JD Fulwiler & Co. Insurance
• Kirchhofer Financial
• Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital
• Strategic Planning & Insurance
• Soroptimist International of Hood River
• Waste Connections Inc.

It’s a “Season of Sharing” once again! November 16, 2010

This year, The Oregonian has again chosen one of The Next Door’s programs to highlight in its “Season of Sharing” special feature. 

Last year, a family involved with Families First Healthy Start program in The Dalles was helped tremendously by generous Oregonian readers who donated more than $5000 and many products to the family.

This year it’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Columbia Gorge that is showcased.  And, a family that is in need of so many things–a single father and his daughter, whose Big Sister has been a true friend.

You can read the story on the website of the Oregonian’s Season of Sharing.



Thank you, Oregonian!

One Man’s Trash… November 9, 2010

is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ treasure!  This past weekend, Beneventi’s in Bingen and Carl of Canyon Market in Klickitat hosted their 5th Annual Garage Sale in White Salmon, Washington.  The generous donations of goods by dozens of local people and the bargain hunting by community residents helped raise $3,000 that will go directly to helping support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ matches.

We are grateful for the help of volunteers: BBBS Advisory Board Members, Don Benton and Adrian Chaton, BBBS employees Monte Dickinson, Kristin Reese and Beth McCollough, Big Sister Laurel Roos and her Little Yareli and dedicated volunteer Bonnie Benton.

And, of course, what would we do without the Beneventi Family?  Besides this garage sale, they host a delicious Lasagna Feed every winter and then sponsor a team for BBBS’ Bowl for Kids Sake every March.  I was happy to see them as Grand Marshalls in the Huckleberry Festival Parade in Bingen in September, celebrated for their incredible generosity.

Here is Lynne Bertschi of the Beneventi family, helping with the garage sale that benefits BBBS

Sledgehammers and Generosity November 5, 2010

Sometimes I love thinking up the titles to my blog posts!   The Next Door hosted a Capital Campaign Breakfast and Groundbreaking this morning.  We had 80 people attend to eat a wonderful breakfast from D’Lish Delivered (owned by NDI Board Member, Michele Sliwa) and listen to some stories about what The Next Door has meant to people with whom we work.  I was nearly brought to tears a few times hearing the stories from young mothers, Latino leaders and a devoted Big Brother.

NDI's Board Chairman, Kelly Beard

After the stories, Kelly Beard, our Chairman of the Board, asked people to donate money for our new building.  People were so generous!  I’m forever thankful to live in such a community.

Then, we went over to our new building at 965 Tucker Road for the official groundbreaking.  Since there is a building there already, we had sledgehammers and got to help demolish a wall!

Kelly and Glenn Taylor, long time member of NDI's Facilities Committee, helping to demolish a wall

Renovation construction should begin in the next few weeks, and boy, am I excited!

Dressing Up and Getting Fit September 28, 2010

I want to tell you about two other FUN fundraisers for programs of The Next Door.  One has already happened, but it’s too good not to share.  In August, volunteers hosted an Adult Prom as a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters.  It was a great evening of music, dancing and dressing up that raised over $1,200 for BBBS.

Our great BBBS Advisory Board Members, Bob and Don. Bob really got into the dressing up and Don commented, "I can only stay to take tickets, one of my favorite jobs!"

Emma was one of the fabulous organizers of the event.

Coming up on October 2 is a benefit for Klahre House, as part of the 4e collaborative that I wrote about before.  CrossFit Hood River and Second Wind Sports is organizing The Gorge Challenge, an obstacle course style challenge that includes a Beginner (1 hour) and Advanced Course (2 hours).  Some events that can be expected will be: Carrying heavy/awkward implements such as empty kegs, Flipping/running through tires, Pushing weighted sleds, Climbing over walls, Digging/filling holes, Carrying another person. The advanced category will include movements with barbells, handstands, running, jumping, and some optional swimming events.  I’m sure to get some good photos from this fundraiser!

Music for a cause August 4, 2010

This outdoor setting for the benefit concert is beautiful!

Last weekend, the Gorge Sustainability Collaborative hosted the first of two summer concerts.  This one was outside Springhouse Cellars and I heard it was amazing.  I really wanted to go but so did my husband.  Since we were too late to get a sitter, I let him go.  Wasn’t that nice of me?  He said the bands he heard were great.

According to the concert’s flyer, “the Gorge e4 Collaborative [is] the convergence of 5 organizations working to cultivate the long term sustainability of the Gorge–Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute, Columbia Gorge Earth Center, Gorge Grown Food Network, Hood River Valley Residents’ Committee and Klahre House, a program of The Next Door.

That’s quite a line up of impressive organizations and we’re proud to be a part.  The students at the Klahre House, under the guidance of School Administrator Kieran Connolly, are engaged in a series of projects that help foster sustainability.  Last year, I blogged about their garden and earlier this year, their work restoring a popular trail.

The Collaborative has another concert planned for August 31 at the Klickitat Canyon Winery in Lyle.  Another gorgeous location to hear music for a great cause.

Another Successful Fair August 2, 2010

Can you get any cuter than this prize winning bunny?

This year I had the best time I’ve ever had at the Hood River County Fair.  My daughters are the perfect age to enjoy the little kids’ rides, which they did about three times each!  Also, the animals were a big hit.

The weather was perfect as well–usually it is very hot, but this year it stayed in the 80s with just enough wind to cool things down.

I also love the diversity at the Fair–all ages are present and all of the cultures of our county are represented, from windsurfers to cowboys to farm workers.  It’s awesome.

Toña Sanchez and Liliana Farris staffed the NCS booth this year

This year’s Nuestra Comunidad Sana tent was decorated to the hilt with greenery.  The starter plants from the Raices’ greenhouse were for sale as well as the Smooth Mover, an ingenious invention by Dave Martin, who has given The Next Door permission to sell them and keep the profits.  The Smooth Mover is a rake attachment that enables the rake to move much more soil, leaves or bark chips–just about anything that needs to be moved–it’s a cross between a rake and shovel.  We are selling one package of two attachments for $15, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting NDI.  Very cool!  Stay tuned for more information about the Smooth Mover.

Here’s a typical view of the fair–already I’m excited about next year’s!

¡Baile! July 22, 2010

I’m always so thankful whenever someone comes to us and asks if they can do a fundraiser for us.  This year, that has happened a lot!  Fashionation was in March, Kiteboarding 4 Cancer was two weekends ago, an Adult Prom for Big Brothers Big Sisters is in mid-August.

But, this weekend, on July 24, Curio Dance will be performing to benefit Nuestra Comunidad Sana (NCS).  This is a special fundraiser because it is organized not by just anyone, but by one of our very own employees, Nicole Mejia.  She has worked at NCS now for two years and has been a huge asset to the program.  Imagine our surprise when she came to tell us that not only will she work for us, but she will also raise money for us.  I love that.

Here is more information about the Dance.  Hope you can come out.  I’ll be working the ticket counter!

Capital Campaign July 21, 2010

100 people showed up to help us celebrate the purchase of our new building

Well, what an amazing turn out at our new building Open House last Wednesday, July 14!  I was so happy to see not only our community partners and supporters, but also so many employees, clients and foster parents. 

On May 21, The Next Door purchased a building after a 12 year search.  With some money saved from the sale of Klahre House years ago, we were able to pay the down payment.  We now need to raise $703,000 to pay for renovation of the retail space into offices, program rooms, a conference room and kitchen. 

We have a great group of people assembled for our Capital Campaign Committee that will help us raise money.  Sixteen people said, “Yes, no problem, I’d love to help you with that,” when I called them.  Can you believe that?!  I still can’t.  We are truly lucky to live in a community that is bursting at the seams with volunteer energy.

So, with the Committee members out there pounding the pavement looking for money, we hired an architect.  I got the preliminary design from them two days ago, showed it to NDI’s managers and now it feels real.  I hope the construction can start in September.

Stay tuned for a lot more postings on the progress!

One of the highlights of the Open House was having Sylvia Klahre and Dana Lance there. They are two long-time supporters of The Next Door.