COMMUNITY NEWS

March 2002

March 29, 2002
The Klickitat County Monitor published its first issue on August 14, 2001 in Goldendale, Washington.  Becky Blanton was The Monitor's Publisher and Editor.

The paper has now moved to Lyle, Washington under new ownership.  It is now owned and operated by a regional group of your neighbors.  The new office is located at 502 Highway 14 in downtown Lyle.  Becky will continue as The Monitors’ Editor.  The office manager is Eva France from Goldendale.  Sales personnel are Lori Zoller from Klickitat and Bill Scholl from The Dalles.  The new phone number is 365-6804.

The Annual Lyle Spring Clean-Up is Friday, April 12th and Saturday, April 13th.  The dumpsters will be at the bus garage all day Friday and Saturday.  The hours are 9 to 5 both days.  We will remind you again next week of the items that we will be able to accept.  High school students will deliver a flyer and plastic bags to your door in the week before the clean-up.

Criticism is important but contributions are too.  We do our best to write an article that is interesting and factual information.  We attend many meetings and try to relay what we see and hear in this column.  Lyle is a divided community.  The old-timers, those who have lived here most of their lives, and the newcomers, and the distance between these two factions is astronomical. When a person’s life is controlled by an outside entity such as The Columbia River Gorge Commission, the emotions are bound to show through.  Those who live outside of the Scenic Area boundaries should have to suffer the same consequences as those who are directly affected before offering criticism. 

The Chip Site is now open for Spring. 

Lyle History: As published in the Ruralite September 1974.   

"Things (in Lyle) ain't like they used to be," says Tim Wall.

“I oughta know, cause I’ve been ‘round here since 1901, and it’s a fact ‘Things ain’t like they used to be,’ admitted old-timer Tim Wall of Lyle.

“This place where I’m living now (on the big curve of land that juts out into the Columbia) was the main street of Lyle in those days, with boats docking near by.  There were two livery stables, two hotels, three merchandise stores, a barber shop, tobacco store, drug store, restaurant, the school house, and of course, the saloons which, according, we all do without.  And we had a fire-bug, who, every now and then set some of these buildings on fire.  So, when the Land Development companies came in and opened up lots to the north, businesses began to move over to where Lyle now is.” 

May your sorrows be patched and your joys be quilted. 

March 24, 2002

The play “Kilroy was Here” was performed this past weekend by the Dallesport Elementary Drama group.  They played to a packed house of proud parents, grandparents and friends.  These students and staff do a remarkable job. They have been asked to perform the play at the Granada Theater later in April during the Cherry Blossom Festival.  If you missed it this time, here’s your chance to see it. 

You are invited to join us for services at the Lyle United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and starting Wednesday the 27^th for a Bible study at 7:00 in the evening.  Easter Sunrise Service will be held at 7:30 a.m. at 515 Johnson Ave.  Breakfast will follow at the church. 

EDA grant funds are again at work in Lyle.  Lyle Fire Department has begun construction on their much-needed building to house fire equipment.  This is the first stage of a three- year building plan. 

This month's birthday luncheon was held at the Elkhorn in White Salmon.  Thirty-three ladies helped Gertrude McCoy and Pam Essley celebrate their March birthdays. 

Just a Reminder:  The Chip Site is open for Spring.

The Annual Lyle Clean-Up is the 12^th and 13^th of April. 

Lyle History: From a book titled “History of Klickitat County” 1982, published by Klickitat Historical Society.   Hank and Vesta Leis 

Henry and Vesta loved the outdoors, they enjoy trips to the mountains, rock hounding, and gathering Indian artifacts.  They are both interested in farming and gardening, spend many enjoyable hours on their 35 acres.  Antiques and unusual items are other interests. 

Tearing down the old house, they found one of their prize possessions, a newspaper “The Klickitat County Agriculturist” published in Goldendale in 1898 and addressed to J.O. Lyle. 

Henry retired from Klickitat County Road Department October 1, 1980.  Henry and Vesta celebrated their 42^nd wedding anniversary September 20, 1981, a wonderful 42 years. 

Remember the teakettle – though up to its’ neck in hot water, it continues to sing.

March 1, 2002

If you missed the Disaster Preparedness meeting held at the Lyle Lions Community Center last Monday, you missed out on a lot of good information.

There were over 65 in attendance. The key note speaker, Cheri Lovre, spoke on her experiences as a crisis interventionist at Thurston High School, Columbine, and New York City. Her presentation set the stage for other speakers to discuss their roles in disaster and emergencies at local levels. Jeff Parsons, Washington State Emergency Management Division Supervisor spoke and shared a video on how to form a community disaster plan. Representatives from thirteen Oregon and Washington agencies including law enforcement, emergency management, hospitals, fire departments, Red Cross, schools, Department of Health, and Sprint addressed their disaster plans and how they would relate to our community in the event of a disaster. A sincere Thank You to all who participated and made this first meeting a success.

A committee has been formed and will work with state and local agencies to continue to plan, develop procedures, exercise our county emergency plan and supporting documents. Volunteers are needed for this committee. Contact Peyt Turner at 509-365-2333 if you can help.

The Lyle Community Action Council has postponed the 1^st Annual Chili Cook-off till the fall. We’ll let you know the date at a later time.

The Lyle Fire Department will receive $30,000.00 towards a new building from the Economic Development Association. Congratulations!

The next regular Lyle Community Action Council meeting is the 25^th of March. Please show your support by attending these meetings and becoming involved in your community.

Just a reminder: The Chip Site is open for Spring .

Dates for the Dallesport Elementary Student Play, "Kilroy was Here" are March 22^nd and 23^rd.

Lyle History: From a book titled "History of Klickitat County" 1982, published by Klickitat Historical Society. Hank and Vesta Leis

Henry Fredrick Leis was born September 14, 1918 in Salina, Kansas. His parents were Henry and Florence Leis. In 1920 the family moved to Oregon. Henry and his mother moved to High Prairie in 1933, later moving to Lyle where he graduated from high school in 1937. Henry attended Adcox Diesel School in Portland, then returned to work in the lumber and logging industry.

September 20, 1939, Henry married Vesta Elizabeth at the home of her parents, Leonard and Ora Cimmiyotti. Vesta was born June 14, 1918 at Hood River and grew up on her parents’ farm on Klickitat Heights. She graduated from Columbia Union High in White Salmon in June 1936.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

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