Hoodland Fire earns citation for big night
The Hoodland Fire Dept was presented with a Unit Citation by The Oregon Fire
Chiefs Association for service above and beyond their normal responsibilities
to their community.

The honor was bestowed on the unit for the heroic rescues and aid given to
the community on the never-to-be-forgotten night of Jan. 2, 2009, referred to
as the “big night,” when torrential rain, accompanied by high water and rapid
snow melt caused the Sandy and Salmon Rivers to overflow their banks,
resulting in devastating flooding in the community. It was considered a 100-
year flood event.

Hoodland Fire, which normally responds to one or two calls a day received 21
calls in 24 hours on the first night. State Fire Marshall Randy Simpson and
OFCA President Mark Prince handed out the well-earned citation, and Explorer
scouts were also given district citations for their volunteer work with
sandbagging.

Mt Hood Museum
The Mt Hood Cultural Center & Museum landed a $25,000 contract from
Clackamas County Tourism Development and Cultural Affairs after it turned in
the top request for proposal for providing tourism information services in the
Mount Hood corridor.

“I'm pleased, especially that they approved the amount we asked for,” said
Lloyd Musser, curator of the museum.
The three other applicants were The Mt. Hood Adventure Park in Gov't Camp,
Wy'east Book Shoppe and Gallery in Welches and the Sandy Chamber of
Commerce.

Diana's Trading post
Diana Jones, a member of the Portland Rain of Glass, opened Diana's Trading
Post in the Rendezvous Center in Welches for business and gave residents a
blast from the past with her unusual wares. Jones offered antiques, curious
oddities and collectibles, estate sales, gently used and vintage clothing, and
promoted Native American and western art and artists in her store. The grand

opening featured glassblower Joshua Marc Kehrberg of Portland, and the store
often hosted free classes with guest historical speakers.

Native Plants
The fifth in the series of native plants to the mountain in the Mountain Times
featured the invasion of the garlic mustards. The nasty, persistent plant had
been spotted on the Salmon River in Welches.

“Garlic mustard produces chemical compounds that inhibit the growth of
nearby plants,” said Russ Plaeger, then with the Sandy River Basin Watershed
Council. “It's a threat to our native wildflowers.” This shady character can be
found in moist areas in the forest and along streams, roads and hiking trails
where the seeds have hitched a ride on people or deer. When found, pull the
plants by hand, put them in bags and dispose of in the trash because the
plants can still produce seeds after pulling. To avoid confusion with native
fringecup and piggy-back plants, crush a few leaves and the garlic mustard
will give off a strong garlic odor.

And in other news...
The Oregon Trail School District took its third shot at securing a principal for
Welches Schools, after a 10-year hiatus Jason Stoller returned to Timberline
Lodge as its chef and it was reported The Bite was a huge success raising
more than $8,000 for local businesses with The Hoodland Senior Center
netting a $600 donation.