Sound of music returns to Klickitat school system
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
To the sounds of rhythmic foot-stomping and clapping hands, music was reintroduced to the Klickitat School, last week.
Into the gym marched kindergarten through second grade students, taking their positions in a semi-circle behind drums and percussion instruments as they opened the evening program with songs titled Double Double and Boom Boom.
It was an introduction to the real program, but a fitting message about the future of music in Klickitat. Music had been a casualty of budget, lost to the school about 20 years ago. The focus on reading, writing and arithmetic left no room for things such as the arts, which are often considered non-essential. Klickitat loaned its school-owned musical instruments to Lyle school district some years back, because a band didn’t appear to be in the cards in the near future.
About three years ago, a fortuitous and coincidental string of events occurred at Klickitat. The school gained a new superintendent, Jerry Lynch, and a fledgling Parent Teacher Organization was beginning to grow under the push of its leader, Debbie Pyle.
The PTO set reintroduction of the arts into Klickitat School as a goal. Superintendent Lynch had much sympathy for the idea.
Lynch also saw the potential for supplementing the school curriculum through a partnership with the outside community. “My vision is to continue to grow the community and school program. It is the best chance of surviving budget uncertainties,” said Lynch.
He had complete support of the school board. Board president, Andy Schlangen said the school has a “history of great music programs.” “Music in the curriculum has been shown to result in higher math, science, and reading performance.”
Ultimately, a connection was made with Dan Rasmussen, music teacher at Mosier Community School. Rasmussen says he had an “epiphany” some years back, related to music and education using the method of Maria VonTrapp, of The Sound of Music fame. That method utilizes an instrument called a recorder, or sweet flute.
With a concept of training parents how to teach music using this flute, Lynch went looking for financial support and hit upon the Skamania Klickitat Community Network. The Network offers grants to encourage communities to engage in healthy activities. Lynch’s application was approved, and Rasmussen was contracted to train the trainers.
Pyle and the PTO were the natural connection to find the parents who would become the trainers.
Training began on Feb. 27, and parents were in the classrooms before the end of March. The list of parent trainers includes Pyle and Amy Wenz, Rebecca Bashara, Lisa White, Peggy Knott, Jan Leytham, and Jaci Fink.
Last week, the fruits of their labor were presented to the public as a prelude to the elementary school awards program. Following the k-2 introductory program, led by Wenz, Bashara and White, the crowd was entertained with songs on the recorder flute by grades 3-4, including a solo by Chad Pyle, directed by parent trainers Knott and White.
Grade five was directed by Pyle, who acknowledged her co-instructor, Leytham, and sixth graders were directed by Fink. The performance was capped with a sextet of parent teachers and Rasmussen playing Peasant and the Bear.
Where does the program go from here? Much credit is given to Pyle, who is the energetic pusher behind the scenes. The music program is just the second item on the PTO agenda. First was a school play, back in March; next up, the school and PTO hope to bring the Missoula Children’s Theatre to town.
According to Lynch, “we have a lot of energy in this town and interest in enhancing the arts. What we saw tonight is remarkable. It gives us something to build on.”
Rasmussen’s concluding remarks summarized it all. “Let the message go forth from this time and place, that something is happening in this beautiful valley, that culture, art, music, learning, and joy are alive and well.”
Dog rescued from ledge
A wayward Border Collie found itself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place this week. A passerby spotted the dog sitting in a precarious spot, overlooking Highway 97 at Hanging Rock Road, north of Goldendale. Fearing the dog would fall into the path of traffic and cause an accident, Rural 7 Fire Department was called to the rescue.
The grateful dog was rescued with the help of a ladder and is at the Goldendale animal shelter, waiting to be claimed. According to animal control officer, Tom Fitzgibbons, the dog had apparently encountered a skunk. The dog was hungry, but otherwise in good condition.
If the dog isn’t claimed by week’s end it will be turned over to Dogs of the Gorge shelter for adoption. The owner should contact 773-3780 to arrange to reunite with their dog.
Second Thursday merges arts with downtown markets
Goldendale art enthusiasts have launched a monthly celebration they hope to make a long-standing tradition.
The Golden Art Gallery has joined forces with the Goldendale Saturday Market to create Second Thursday, a festival featuring food, art, and local crafts.
The gallery part of the event, which kicks off June 12, will feature a red and white Americana theme in honor of the upcoming Flag Day and Fourth of July.
Market items will include homemade foods, arts, crafts, fresh produce and music by the Singin’ Chef. Hot dogs, German sausages, hamburgers and sticky chicken will be featured fare.
The idea is part of an ongoing effort to promote Goldendale and local businesses, sponsored in part by the Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, to create a “festive, family-oriented, fun, shopping experience.”
The concept reinvents an old tradition.
“The family summer evening night out offered regular entertainment during pre-television years,” said organizer Earlene Sullivan. “Today there is a growing renewal of this American summer time in communities all over the country. There are art walks, concerts in the park, evening shopping specials, sidewalk cafés sidewalk artists and more.
The event will take place the second Thursday of each month and is open to all Goldendale retail shops and vendors.
“Bring your family, bring your friends, and come to town for a bit of old time, small town, fun and nostalgia,” said Mindy Blomquist, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce.
Hosted by the gallery, Saturday market, and the Chamber, other participants include Aimee’s Attic Consignment Shop, Scott Gray Pottery, Pat’s Place, Beth’s Weaving Shop, and Arts, Frames & Crafts.
Activities run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Goldendale Senior Center parking lot. For more information call 773-3400.
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