zachary van brunt feature writer of the year portfolio 2012

TONASKET – Despite a 20-minute rain and hail stormSaturday evening and atemporary electrical glitch, thesecond Conscious CultureFestival rocked last weekendwith an increased number ofattendees from last year.

“Other than the storm, it’sbeen amazing,” festivalorganizer Blue Jay said. “We’resure that we have at least morepeople than last year.”

The festival promotessustainability, healthy livingand all-around consciousliving. It drew thousands to theOkanogan Family Faire site, 72Cayuse Mountain Road.

“The whole concept of zero-waste management is a bigdeal,” said volunteer DeweyRain, Havillah. “People talkabout going green, but this isbeyond going green.”

Everything tossed out at thesite either was recycled orcomposted, he said.

“One of our goals is toincorporate companies to stepup into composting projects.”

“The idea of consciousculture is rightful living, peacewith your neighbors andgentleness on theenvironment,” Rain said. “Ifyou’re conscious and yourneighbor has an organic farm,when the wind blows awayfrom it, that’s when you spray.It’s just respectful.”

Festival volunteer Max, nolast name given, Havillah,described the weekend vibe asmellow, but very different from

the family faire.“The mountain has an

undeserved reputation,” hesaid, adding that a lot more ofthose attending were interestedin the music.

There were no reports offights, problems or injuries,Max said.

Okanogan CountyUndersheriff Joe Somday agreed,saying he rarely sees a markedincrease in crime with eventsheld at the barter faire site.

“It’s not an issue,” he said.“It’s just the norm.”

Several area businesses sawan uptick in traffic over theweekend, which many ownerscredit to the festival.

“For the regular barter faire,I usually do two to three timesmore business,” said KatShank, assistant manager ofExxon, 606 S. Whitcomb Ave.“This weekend I got abouttwice the business.”

More than 50 singers, bandsand DJs performed over theweekend on four stages,including a solar-poweredstage sponsored by Solar Shop,306 W. Fourth St.

Though many people cameto the event because of ashared belief in consciousculture, a lot of folks came forentirely different reasons.

Ryan Cutright, Wenatchee,said he attended with friendsjust to experience somethingdifferent.

Josh Scharmann,Wenatchee, said he showed upfor the live music.

“The best thing about thisplace is it’s completely differentfrom where we’re from,”Scharmann said.

Amanda Pile, Bellingham,said she came to help overcomepersonal demons.

“When I was young andgoing through high school, Iwas dorky and full ofinsecurities,” she said.

She traveled over themountains by herself to use the

event as forced community, shesaid.

There were more than 40vendors on hand, Blue Jaysaid, including Jill Appleton ofSweet River Bakery, 203Pateros Mall, Pateros.

“This is only our secondevent, and it just sort of cameup,” Appleton said. “I’m havinggreat time, and there was goodmusic late last night.”

Twisp River Pub, 201 N.

state Highway 20, Twisp, wasthere pouring wine and beer.The brewery created a festivalale specifically for the event.

Justin MacDonald of theSeattle-based band EclecticApproach, said that while hewas in town mainly for the gig,he personally feels connectedto the community.

“I’m a vegan and I think I’mconscious of what’shappening,” he said. “There’s

definitely something cool aboutthis area.”

“I really feel like thecommunity needs somethinglike this,” said Silas Goggiel,Seattle.

Goggiel, an Omak HighSchool graduate, said he viewsthe festival as an alternative todrugs and alcohol.

“Music is a substance initself,” he said, and the festivalgives him his fix.

www.omakchronicle.com The Chronicle • June 15, 2011 • News • B5

consciousness

A culture of

Weekend festivaldraws thousandsto family faire site

Megan Clampett, from left, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Chelsea Larsen, Nampa, Idaho and Ky Enger, Boise, Idaho, head toward the stage.

Story and photos by Zachary Van BruntSpecial to The Chronicle

From left: Virna Ingrin and James Enriquez, Renton, show offtheir homemade jewelry. Concert goers enjoy the view from thetop of a bus. Tenor sax player Art Brown, of the Seattle-basedPolyrhythmics, concentrates during a music set.

Clockwise, from above, Echo Dunwoody, Bellingham, plays in the children’s area.Concert goers gather around a lit metal pegasus, fueled by propane. MiaDunwoody, left, and Stella Moore, both Bellingham, play in the children’s area.Stella Har-Nori, Milton-Freewater, Ore., and Talia Skelly, Seattle, splash in one ofthe many mud puddles left after a brief Saturday evening storm.

CARLTON – Almost 300humans gathered outside townlast weekend to commune withfairies.

“People widely believe inangels and ghosts, and fairiesare in the same genre,”Bellingham resident SaphirLewis said. “People also believein the power of prayer, and thisis more of just the same.”

The June 24-26 Fairy andHuman Relations Congress, inits 11th year, sought to educatepeople about how humanity isinterconnected with the Earth,nature and the universe.

“If Earth is being harmed byus, we’re trying, in a sense, toapologize,” congress founderMichael “Skeeter” Pilarski said.

“We seek to bridge the gapbetween humans and nature sowe can help make the world abetter place. We don’t want topass the world off to our nextgeneration in a bad state.”

Pilarski, Tonasket, said hebelieves nature is bound tofairy realms.

“If people can haveguardian angels, the fairies arethe guardian angels to theplants and animals,” he said.“We’re green-kind of folks, andwe think of ourselves ascaretakers of the Earth.

“There’s a lot of diversityhere,” he said. “There’s notnecessarily a common belief,other than that there isintelligence within nature andcommunication that is beneficialfor the planet and humanity.That’s the reason why we cometogether: To pursue and explorethat theme.”

For the ninth time, thecongress met at Skalitude, aretreat at 302 Smith CanyonRoad. For the first two years, thecongress was in Oregon.

A collection of manuscriptsPilarski inherited in 1991 inspiredthe idea for the congress. Hislongtime pen pal, DaphneCharters, wrote of her adventureswith fairies that spanned morethan four decades.

This year, attendees camefrom all over the Northwestand as far away as Ohio,Hawaii and Australia.

As many of them said,there’s not much differencebetween their beliefs andothers’ views.

“We’re just up herecommuning with the spirit realmand it’s different for everybody,”said Larry “Turtle” Kulick,Spokane. Kulick, professionallytrained in acupuncture andChinese medicine, said fairyhealing isn’t much different thanhis specialties.

“It’s gone from the spiritrealm to science, and back nowto encompassing both,” he said,noting Eastern treatments havegained a legitimate name inWestern medicine in the pastfew decades.

“These treatments are alljust variations on working withenergy, chi or emotion,” hesaid. “We’re all just spiritbeings having a physicalexperience.”

Shannon Svensson,Snohomish, said she attended

to be with nature.“It changes your life every

time you’re here, so I came forinspiration, to be renewed andto find myself,” she said.

Many workshops focused onbeing one with the universe,Svensson said. Humans oftenfall into a trap where theybelieve they are the mostimportant being when, inactuality, they share the planetwith millions of other lifeforms, she said.

Take flowers, for example.“If you talk to the flowers,

they are sometimes surprisedand delighted,” she said. “They

perk up and respond to yourlove as well. Imagine if youwere ignored, and thensomeone came up to you andsaid you were beautiful. Howwould you respond?”

“When we connect withthese plants and trees, we healourselves from our perceivedisolation from this world,” saidKeith Fredrickson, Bellingham.

“All those fairy tales arereally folk tales,” Svenssonsaid. “And we’re living the realfairy tale.”

Leaf Lovetree, Bellingham,biked solo over state Highway20 to attend his first congress.

“It’s like a family reunion,”he said. “Even though it’s myfirst time actually here, I feellike I belong.”

He said he understands howpeople from the outside mightsee the event as a littleintimidating, but everyone hemet was warm, caring andinviting.

Lovetree, a Kansas native,said he hasn’t spent much timeeast of the Cascades sincemoving to Bellingham, but thecommunity and terrain hefound at the congress makeshim think he should exploreEastern Washington more.

In addition to spendingtime in nature and attendingworkshops, congress goerssang, dance and ate organicmeals prepared on site.

“We’re a pretty organicbunch, so fresh local food is bighere,” Pilarski said.

Skalitude runs completelyon solar panels, so no lines goin or out, said site ownerLindsey Swope, Carlton.

A circle of 40 peace flags,flapping with the breeze, was aprominent sight on the retreatgrounds.

“I feel happiness to hear thewinds coming up to play a songfor us,” said J. Scott, Victoria,B.C. “It’s almost percussive,like drums.”

Scott laid down in themiddle of the circle, spread herarms and closed her eyes.

“Just breathe, and look, andbe,” she said. “It’s the simplepleasures — lying in the grasswith the sun on your face.”

“When we’re here, we’re allsoaking up the atmosphere andits blessings,” Pilarski said. “Ina sense, what we’re doing ispracticing becoming one withmore diverse beings.”

www.omakchronicle.com The Chronicle • June 29, 2011 • Arts & Entertainment• B5

Amara Wentz, left, an adult identified only as ‘Fae Queen’ and Aurora Wentz, right, sit inside the peace flag circle on Friday afternoon. The girls are from Curlew.

Fairy landHumanity interconnects with the Earth in Carlton’s

Story and photos by Zachary Van BruntSpecial to The Chronicle

Congress attendees arewelcomed to the fairy realm.

Carter Swartout, Port Townsend, dances in the group circle.

Michael Pilarski, right, dances with another Fairy and Human Relations Congress attendee during the Friday afternoon session.

Leaf Lovetree strums his ukulele during the annual event. Congress participants do the “Hokey Pokey” in the group circle.

By Zachary Van BruntThe Chronicle

OMAK – The Omak andOkanogan school districts arelosing longtime districtpsychologists when husband-and-wife team Greg and VickiSchwichtenberg retire at theend of the school year.

Vicki is the Omak district’spsychologist and Greg isOkanogan’s psychologist andthe district’s director of specialeducation. Through the NorthCentral Education ServiceDistrict, the two have worked inevery school district inOkanogan County.

They married in 1976 andmoved to the area three yearslater.

“You can’t help but fall inlove with the valley,” Vicki said.

“It’s like we had died andgone to heaven,” Greg said ofhis first memories of themountains.

And while Vicki specializesin early childhood, Greg hasfound his duties drifting tospecial education students.

Whichever path thepsychologist took, it was metwith great success andsubsequent praise from theirpeers.

“Greg did a great jobrepresenting those who hadspecial conditions,” OkanoganSuperintendent RichardJohnson said. “Greg’s strongcommitment to all children, butespecially to the disadvantaged,will be greatly missed.”

“He’s going to be verydifficult to replace,” VirginiaGrainger Elementary SchoolPrincipal Dean Radke said. “Ithink we’re all going to soonrealize that sometimes we takehim and the job he does forgranted because I think he hasit running so smoothly that wedon’t understand all thedifficulties that go along withhis position.”

Greg never left his work at

the job site, but carried itaround with him, always tryingto figure out how to helpstudents more, Johnson said.

“He always puts what’s bestfor the child first, and he’ssensitive to the child’s needs,”Radke said. “His level-headedness and calm demeanorwork through a lot of difficultsituations. We’re going to missthe steadiness that he brings tothe whole system.”

Omak School Board memberKathie Brown said the loss ofsomeone of Vicki’s caliber ishuge to the district.

“She’s been connected to somany families and studentsover the years,” she said. “Ireally hate to lose her, but Ireally am thrilled for her to beable to retire and go on to thatnext chapter.”

“The loss of 35 years ofwisdom will not be easily orquickly replaced,” North OmakElementary Principal JackSchneider said. “Vicki has awhole district perspectivebecause she’s worked in everybuilding. She sees the bigpicture as well as the smalldetails.”

“Her broad knowledge baseof the families she’s workedwith is really a positiveinfluence on our kids,” PaschalSherman Indian SchoolDirector of Special EducationMary LaVelle said. “It’s hard toreplace somebody who has that

broadbackgroundofexperience,and she willdefinitely bemissed. Shehas been areal asset toourprogram.”

TheOmakdistrict andPaschalShermanshare someprogramsandservices.

“Vicki isa checklistfor theperfectemployee,”Omak

SchoolDistrict Director of SpecialEducation Sheila Crowder said.“She is a classic too-good-to-be-true person.

“She’s always involving thepeople that are working with achild, and is a very sensitive andconfident employee. She’s goingto be a huge loss to the district.”

Crowder said Greg hasalways been an ally with thedistrict when working withschool children.

“He’s always willing to say,‘Well, let’s see what we canwork out together’ on anyissue,” she said. “He’s been verysupportive in wanting to dowhat’s best for the student andmake life as easy as possible.”

And over the decades, bothpsychologists have worked withmultiple generations.

“The people you rememberworking with as kids now havegray hair,” Greg said.

“But it’s so nice to see thatthey all grew up so well,” Vickisaid.

“And that’s one of the nicethings of staying in the sameplace long enough,” Greg said.

The couple said they’relooking forward to beinggrandparents in Las Vegas,where their daughter, Katie,also works as a school

psychologist.Their other daughter, Mary,

lives and works in Portland,Ore.

“Everybody has a bucket list,in some sense,” Greg said.“There’re certain things thateverybody ought to do in theirlife.”

Vicki plans to volunteer orwork part time, while Greg islooking forward to relaxing andgolfing.

Still, both Schwichtenbergssaid they’ll miss the OkanoganValley.

“I’ve traveled a lot, and thereis no finer place to be in thesummertime but here,” Gregsaid. “It’s a great place to raisekids. When they were little, theycould wake up on a Saturdaymorning, go outside, and wewouldn’t have to worry aboutthem.

“Small towns have thingsthey can’t offer, but they makeup for it with the things thatthey can.”

Homer CarterOMAK – Longtime Omak

resident and Okanogan CountySheriff’s Posse and OmakStampede volunteer HomerCarter, 91, died Jan. 27, 2012.

A memorial service andcelebration of life will beannounced at a later date.Memorials are suggested to anylocal animal shelter or charityof choice.

Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel andthe Okanogan CountyCrematory, both Okanogan.

Marjorie Eileen McGahaMALOTT — Marjorie Eileen

“Marge” McGaha, 70, died Jan.25, 2012, at her Malott home.

Memorials are suggested toAmedisys Hospice Services,American Cancer Society, Lake

Woods Golf Course or anycharity.

A memorial service was Feb.3 at the New Life Centre,Okanogan, with a dinnerafterward.

Arrangements were byPrecht-Harrison-NearentsChapel, Okanogan.

Shirley Ann BereiterTACOMA – Omak native

Shirley Ann Bereiter, 59,Tacoma, died Nov. 9, 2011.

Services are pending.Arrangements were by Yahn

and Son Funeral Home,Auburn.

www.omakchronicle.com The Chronicle • Feb. 5, 2012 • Community • 3

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Death Notices

Omak students brew a business


OMAK – Double-shot no-foam latte with a side ofaccounting skills?

Not a problem for thestudents who operate OmakHigh School’s coffee shop, OPPlaza.

“We wanted to offer the kidsa little bit of an opportunity of achance to learn about business,”Xtreme Challenge coordinatorand “boss” Wendy Henserlingsaid. “It was the perfectopportunity for these kids.”

“It helps you transition fromhigh school silliness to a hard,crack-down job,” seniorShyleah Picard said.

Under Henserling’sguidance, students have had apart in creating the businessfrom the ground up, includingwriting the business manual.

“They actually went throughthe application and hiringprocess,” she said. “Now they’redoing some marketingstrategies and looking at marketexpansion, as with anybusiness.”

The store, located in the highschool commons, is open beforeschool, lunchtime and afterschool.

The students control theinventory, cash management

and have branched into profitsharing, as much as $200 forlast year’s student employees.

“It all goes through theproper sources,” Henserlingsaid. “They have their I-9s andW-4s. And that’s part of thelearning process, too. Theylearn which forms they need tofill out.”

“It’s a great opportunity forthem,” interim Principal DavidKirk said. “It teaches thembusiness skills, accounting andeverything applicable for long-term employment outside of thebuilding.”

The shop employs ninestudents this semester, whohold weekly employeemeetings.

“They sit down andtroubleshoot, look at any

questions or concerns, andcontinue to develop theirstrategies,” Henserling said.

During such meetings,students discuss business issuessuch as cash control orinventory shrink.

“Those are life skills that

they can use to go out and get ajob, not only in a coffee shop,but any retail establishment,”she said. “It’s good for them tohave those experiences thatthey can go out in the world.Some of these kids are going tobe in the job market in four

months. It’s something thatmight give them a little bit of anedge.”

The shop serves coffee,microwavable food, snacks andschool supplies. Studentemployees have started runningmonthly specials and punch

cards as well.“They’ve taken all of those

things that they’ve seen outsidein the regular retail world andthey’ve put them in the schools.And it’s working,” Henserlingsaid. “They have ownership inthis thing, and it’s wonderful.”

Two psychologists retire

GregSchwichtenberg

VickiSchwichtenberg

Schwichtenbergs

plan to join family

in Las Vegas

Xtreme Challenge

program provides

business experience

Zachary Van Brunt/The Chronicle

Omak High School student My Phung, center, makes a purchase from Shyleah Picard, left, at the school’s coffee shop, OP Plaza.

“It helps you

transition from

high school

silliness to a

hard,

crack-down job.Senior Shyleah Picard

”

“The loss of 35

years of wisdom

will not be easily

or quickly

replaced.Principal Jack

Schneider

”


OMAK – Sixth-graders’parents and Omak alumniplan a Feb. 7 meeting todiscuss Camp Disautel’sfuture.

Because of state andfederal budget cuts, the five-day camp could bediscontinued.

The meeting is scheduledfor 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in theOmak Middle School library,14 S. Cedar St. Parents,students and others willdiscuss the nearly $9,000deficit in camp funding.

“Camp Disautel is a bit ofsurvival camp,” OmakMiddle School PrincipalKathleen Miller said. “Thestudents learn survival skills,like how to build a shelter.

The camp experience –

something that Okanogan,Oroville and Tonasketschools also provide – hasbecome an annual traditionfor sixth-graders.

The School Boardrecently doubled the studentrate to $100 in order to fundthe camp, and fundraisingefforts have been happeningthroughout the community.

Miller said the Disautelexperience is valuable for thestudents for the bondingexperience, as well asforestry and environmentaleducation.

High school students alsohave the opportunity tovolunteer as campcounselors, which interimOmak High School PrincipalDavid Kirk said aids theolder students.

“It’s an opportunity forour students to both earncommunity service, but stillgive back to a program thatthey felt enriched by,” hesaid.

Camp funding is topicDisautel deficit

nears $9,000


OMAK – Seven words thanwould make almost anyperson’s mouth salivate:Chocolate cheesecake trufflesrolled in crushed Oreos.

That’s only one of thespecialties made by localconfectioner Traci Clark, wholives on the flats above town.

Along with the cheesecaketruffle, Clark offers 12 othervarieties on a regular basis –plus fudge, bread and divinity –and takes special orders,particularly around Valentine’sDay.

Clark is in her sixth yearselling her delectable morsels atfarmers markets throughout thearea. She found her niche aftermoving to the area, visiting themarkets and realizing that noone is selling handmadechocolates.

“I’ve baked my whole life,”

the Seattle native said. “In2006, I decided to go back toschool and get a pastry degree,and I’ve been doing that since.”

Clark, a former nurse, spent18 years in San Diego, includinga stint at a large area casino.

“I did all of their desserts forthree restaurants, plus I madeabout 5,000 truffles a week,”she said. “I’ve made so manytruffles that it’s now a quickprocess for me. I just hammerthem out at this point.”

That type of baking velocityprepared her for owning herown business, Heavenly Bites,78 Woods Road.

With her stepmother,Connie Palmer, the two run thebusiness out of their home’skitchen.

Palmer, who helps herstepdaughter by answeringphones, taking orders andassisting at farmers markets,said her favorite truffle ispumpkin.

“Oh my gosh,” she said. “It’slike a bite of pumpkin piepersonified.”

“I just go with what I thinksounds good, and if it sells well,I keep making it,” Clark said. “Ifit doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

She’s made truffles rangingfrom the popular – mocha,Grand Marnier and rum – tothe unpopular: Eggnog,surprisingly. She’s also

incorporated RockWall Cellars’port wine into truffles.

“Everything is hand rolledand hand dipped,” Clark said. “Iroll them into balls, dip theminto chocolate, dip them intotopping, and then they’re goodto go.”

Aside from special orders,she generally makes 15,000

See Sweets Page 2


Traci Clark arranges dozens of sweet, chocolate-covered truffles on a tray.

Sweet life

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Ride the town

Senate takes up Kehne appointment


OLYMPIA – Gov. ChrisGregoire’s appointment ofOmak resident Jay Kehne to thestate’s Fish and WildlifeCommission will be put to thetest this week when a stateSenate committee is expected to

discuss hisconfirmation.

The SenateEnergy,NaturalResourcesand MarineWatersCommitteeplans a publichearing at1:30 p.m.Thursday,Feb. 16, on both Kehne andTwisp property owner TedWillhite’s appointments to state

posts.The

meeting willbe in SenateHearingRoom 2 in theJ.A. CherbergBuilding, 30415th Ave.S.W.,Olympia.

Willhite, aSeattle

attorney who owns homes inboth Seattle and Twisp, wasappointed to the state

Recreation and ConservationFunding Board.

Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient,has asked the governor torescind Willhite’s appointment.

“Although this meeting isopen to the public, there willnot be an opportunity for publictestimony,” Morton said.“Therefore, I will be presentingletters and emails supportingand opposing theseconfirmations.”

“I’m all for the community,”Kehne said. “As wolves comeback into Washington and

Okanogan County, I want tomake sure that ranchers are atthe top of the list that we’retalking about.”

Local Republicans have notminced words regardingKehne’s appointment, becausehe works for the Bellingham-based Conservation Northwest.The group has butted headswith conservatives onenvironmental issues such asthe spotted owl and graywolves.

“The biggest reason is thathe just can’t possibly serve as an

unbiased opinion on the panel,”Okanogan Republican NicoleKuchenbuch said. “The ties toConservation Northwest runvery deep. There’s no way hecan be an objective opinion onthat panel.”

“My point has always beenthat Jay’s a good guy, and he’sgot some qualifications to serveon the board,” state Rep. JoelKretz, R-Wauconda, said. “Therub for me is that he’s serving asan Eastern Washington

See Senate Page 2

Kehne Morton

Willhite also will

be subject of

legislators’ scrutiny

Hundreds callin to town hall


OLYMPIA – Staterepresentatives from the 7thDistrict fielded questions from22 of the nearly 1,000constituents throughout EasternWashington who called in Feb. 9during a telephone town hallconference call.

“This particular tele-forumwas the largest attended by far,”state House spokesman BrendonWold said. “It shattered everyrecord, by not even close.”

“What’s really nice about thetown halls are the questions thatcome in. You always wonder as alegislator if I have a pulse on thedistrict and whether we’reworking on the right issues,”state Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy,said. “It gives a good idea if weare or not.”

State Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, was also on hand tofield questions from voters.

“We get more support fromhome than any other district,” hesaid. “It takes a lot of communityeffort to get that.”

The hour-long call broughtseveral questions from peoplearound the district, who discussedtopics from rural hospital supportto same-sex marriage and levyequalization funding.

State House RepublicanPublic Information Officer JohnSattgast, who was emcee, tookthree informal polls ofparticipants.

During those polls, district

residents widely voted againstGov. Chris Gregoire’s proposedhalf-percent increase in sales tax,the Legislature’s passage of same-sex marriage, and approved the

proposedFundEducationFirst bill by alarge margin.

“The onlyfrustration I’vegot is thatwe’ve only had900 people onthe call, andonly getthrough somanyquestions,”Kretz said.“People in the7th are moreengaged andmore educatedon the issues.If we’re notengaged, we’regoing to loseour way oflife.”

“Our district is tremendouslyactive, and the folks carepassionately,” Short said.

Constituents whose questionswere not taken had theopportunity to leave voicemessages – 60 of them did – andspokespeople for therepresentatives assured the twowould provide answers.

One caller asked aboutfunding for county fairs.

“Our family takes part of all ofour community fairs,” Kretz said.“What we’re trying to do iseducate urban legislators, but it’snot part of their upbringing.”


Omak City Councilwoman Nattalie Cariker views historic photos during the city’s Centennial Soiree on Feb. 10 at the Breadline Cafe.The event wrapped up the city’s year-long 100th anniversary celebration.

Truffle maker crafts chocolatey delights

Kretz

Constituents weigh

in on the issues

Short

“I’ve made so many

truffles that it’s now a

quick process for me. I

just hammer them out at

this point.Traci Clark

”

Valentine’s Day

brings plenty

of special orders

2 • news • The Chronicle • feb. 12, 2012 www.omakchronicle.com

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SErvicES• Back Issues• Photo reprints — (Not all photostaken by The Chronicle are available forreprints.)• Obituaries — The Chronicle printsobituaries for a fee and death noticesfree of charge.

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WEDnESDAYFor more news, look to theWednesday issue of The Chronicle:• Weekend sports results• Pareents charged with causing theirson’s death• Appeals court lets Monaghan murderconviction stand• Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber ofCommerce announces award winners

For updates and breaking news:www.omakchronicle.com

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Happy Valentine’s Day

One of the enjoyable parts ofthe legislative session is meetingwith constituents from the 12thDistrict and the surroundingregion who make the trek toOlympia.

There are always concerns andcomments raised about thelegislation before us and what ishappening in our state, but thisyear seems to have a different tonefrom years past. There is a strongsense of worry, almost fear.

I have had small businessowners, bankers, contractors,restaurateurs, lenders, retailersand many other groups in myoffice this session. The one similarmessage they have shared is adeep concern for their ownlivelihood and the direction of ourstate’s economy and businessclimate.

Reports seem to indicate theeconomy is on the rebound andthe unemployment rate hassteadily declined. While ourstate’s larger businesses haveweathered the downturn, oursmall employers are not asfortunate.

Look around you. Talk to oursmall, private business owners.Have you driven throughWenatchee lately or walkedthrough the malls in our region?

We are halfway through thesession and there has been verylittle discussion about the budget,and our proposals to provideneeded momentum for economicrecovery, private-sector jobcreation, and enhanced revenuegrowth for Washington havestalled.

How important are smallemployers in Washington? About96 percent of the state’s 235,230firms are small businesses, oremployee less than 50 people.Approximately 1.1 million peoplework for small businesses in

Washington. The U.S. Chamber of

Commerce recently released itsannual 50-state review ofregulations and employmentlaws. The report states with animproved regulatory climate18,000 jobs could be added inWashington. Unfortunately, ourstate ranked “poor” for labor andemployment laws and regulations– the lowest rating in the report.

Our state agencies continuallyask our small employers to payadditional fees, which areincreasing dramatically year afteryear. Increasing fees onbusinesses is not the way tostimulate economic recovery.

We need to free our employersfrom unnecessary, bureaucraticroadblocks so they can makebetter decisions that create jobsand economic opportunity.

Not only are we running out oftime, so are they.

Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee,is the ranking Republican on HouseLabor and Workforce Development

Committee.

truffles between September andDecember for area farmersmarkets.

“It’s quite a social event, too,the farmers markets,” she said.“I love this area, and the peopleare just wonderful.”

And her customers raveabout her little pockets ofchocolate.

“They’re absolutely

wonderful,” Omak residentDiane Doust said. “There are somany different flavors and youcan get all kinds of goodies andgifts for your sweetheart.”

Doust said that whenevershe has them sitting out at herhome, people can’t helpthemselves from eating them.

“You go into a store, you’regoing to get what they’ve got,”Conconully resident MarilynChurch said. “You get to becreative with Traci, though.”

Sweets from Page 1

representative. I don’t believethat his values match up withmost peoplein EasternWashington.”

“Thewholeconcept that Idon’t havetheir values, Ithink that’sreallystretching it,”Kehne said.“Why aretheir valuesthe same values of all people in

Eastern Washington?“Just because you don’t

think like a certain group ofpeople in Okanogan County,doesn’t mean that you can’trepresent the area.”

Okanogan CountyRepublican Chair TeriMitschelen disagrees, and urgespeople to writes to their senator– either Morton or state Sen.Linda Evans Parlette –speaking out against bothappointments.

“The time to act on this isnow,” she said. “I believe that ifwe all pull together and voiceour concerns over thisappointment, we will be able toblock it.”

Senate from Page 1

Kuchenbuch

Message

froM

olyMpiaRep. Cary

Condotta

Time is running out

Year 102 No. 61

www.omakchronicle.com

772266 OOkkoommaa DDrriivvee,, OOmmaakk •• 550099--882266--11000000 oorr 880000--662222--99443344CChheecckk UUss OOuutt OOnnlliinnee aatt wwwwww..ssuunnrriisseecchheevvyy..nneett

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Essential Reading in Okanogan and Ferry counties.December 14, 2011 75 cents

A6A9

B1

State Auditor’sOffice finds faultwith hospital

Tunk Valleycelebrates Christmaswith Santa, potluck

The Omak-OkanOgan COunTy

Omak man named to state Fish and Wildlife Commission


Cyrus Kruse, 1, Okanogan, objects to a visit with Santa at the Conconully Santa Days celebration Dec. 10.

After death, girl helps others live


TONASKET — PaytenBennett was more than a 3-year-old, blue-eyed girl whoknew her colors, the alphabet,and loved both the outdoorsand “Thomas the Tank Engine.”

In the last act of her shortlife, she helped save the lives ofthree other children throughorgan donation.

“Payten was the mostprecious gift any parent couldask for,” mother Ashley Fox, 21,Tonasket, said. “Her bright blueeyes and smile could warm yourheart from a mile away.”

“She never looked for thebad,” father Jared Bennett, 25,Moses Lake, said. “She wasalways happy, always good,always smiling. If you werehaving a bad day, just her beingaround would make you forgeteverything.”

“She was the most joyouschild,” grandmother MargaretLange, Tonasket, said. “She hadthis remarkable ability to adaptand bring joy into every

situation. When I try to explainthat to people, they go, ‘Yeah,yeah,’ but she really wasremarkable. She was just one ofa kind.”

Payten was declared braindead at Providence SacredHeart Medical Center, Spokane,on Dec. 3 after an accidentaldrowning the day before.

She was born Sept. 20,2008; her life will continue inother children. Her heart nowbeats in a 4-year-old Utah boy’schest, and her liver was donatedto a 1-year-old Seattle girl. Herkidneys are expected to go to athird child.

Fox said that knowing her

daughter will live on in othersgives her some comfort.

“It makes me feel really goodthat somebody else’s child couldhave a chance, because minedid not,” Jared Bennett said.“We know how hard it is to losea child, but it’s probably morehard to watch a child slowlydie.”

Payten’s memorial servicewas Dec. 10 in the TonasketHigh School Commons.Hundreds of people came to paytheir respects.

“The community support iswhat brings you through: Yourfriends, your family and yourcommunity,” Lange said. “They

just stand by you, and you knowthey’re there.”

“I think of the joy shebrought me and my family,” Foxsaid. “It’s really hard. I neverimagined my life without her.”

“Payten was a typical butcustom-made little girl whobrought light and laughter,” theRev. Randy McAllister,Oroville, said at her service.“She was well on her way tomaking a mark on this planet.”

But God’s plan for her was togrow up in heaven, he said,because “He loved Payten morethan anyone in the room.”

See Payten A5

Hensarling takes Stampede helm

By Roger HarnackThe Chronicle

OMAK – The OmakStampede’s new top officers for2012 say they are lookingforward to the challenge.

During a contentiouselection of officers Mondaynight, Dec. 12, the boardselected Jim Hensarling toretake the reins from outgoing

president George Dunckel.“I’m looking forward to what

lies ahead,” Hensarling said.Hensarling was the Omak

Stampede president for fouryears – 2004 through 2008 —immediately prior to Dunckel’selection.

In addition to Hensarling,the 2012 Omak Stampedeleadership team includes VicePresident Leon Hoover, secondVice President Dan Salkawske,Secretary Jackie Richter,Treasurer Connie Thomas andMember-at-Large Mike Ables.

Hoover, who has beeninvolved with the board aboutthree years, also is ready for hisnew leadership role.

See Stampede A5

Man admitskilling hisco-worker

By Dee CampThe Chronicle

OKANOGAN – A 31-year-old manpleaded guiltyDec. 8 tobeating afelloworchardworker todeath lastJuly.

NicolasPatistanPerez, 31,pleaded guiltyto second-degree murder for the July 17death of Carlos Porras-Trujillo,37.

Superior Court Judge ChrisCulp sentenced Patistan Perezto 123 months – 10.25 years - inprison.

Patistan Perez was arrested

Sept. 10 in Fresno, Calif., by theU.S. Marshal’s Service andFresno Police Department. Hehad fled after Porras-Trujillo’sbody was found in an orchardnear Brewster.

According to a statement byOkanogan County Sheriff’sOffice Detective Kreg Sloan, amissing person complaint wasfiled July 20 by Maria Vega,who was concerned about herfriend, Porras-Trujillo.

The missing man hadn’t beenseen since July 17, when he wentdrinking with friends at cabinson Red Apple Road. Vega tolddeputies she’d heard Porras-Trujillo had been in a fight.

Deputy Gisberth Gonzalezcontacted several people at anorchard camp on Red AppleRoad and was told Porras-Trujillo had been in a fight andreceived a head injury. Theother workers cleaned hiswound and fixed a bed for himon cardboard, pallets and wood,Sloan’s report said.

Another man, known as

See Guilty A5

Patistan Perez

sentenced to more

than 10 years

Former president

selected during

contentious election

Family remembers

3-year-old in wake

of drowning

Patistan Perez

By Sheila CorsonThe Chronicle

WENATCHEE – One-daydelivery might be a thing of thepast if proposed U.S. PostalService closures go through inthe new year.

The Wenatchee processingcenter is on the list for possibleclosure, which would move mailprocessing to Spokane.According to U.S. Postal Servicespokesman Ernie Swanson, theclosure would save the postalservice $1.4 million per year.

Wenatchee is just one ofmany plants slated for closurenationwide with major budgetcuts needed to keep the postalservice in the black.

American Postal WorkersUnion President Ryan Harris ofthe Wenatchee area said itdoesn’t have to be that way –changes in legislationregulating the agency’s

business practices couldeliminate the budget problems.

Meanwhile, with theWenatchee closure would comea delay in services. Swansonsaid processing would bedelayed a full day.

Harris said the changewould mean a letter mailedfrom one Okanogan Countydestination to another wouldtravel to Wenatchee, thenSpokane, then Wenatchee andback to the local area. It nowwould go to Wenatchee andback.

That could mean some mailwould take three days todeliver.

All mail in the 988- ZIP codearea would go throughSpokane. Many of the peoplelaid off at other closed plants,such as the 20 in Wenatchee,would be offered the option totransfer to Spokane, Swansonsaid.

Harris said he can’t imagineall that extra transportation willreally save the post office anymoney in the long run. And

See Postal A5

Center closurecould slowmail even moreLoomis, Wauconda

post offices still on

the closure list

“I want the best for our

rodeo’s future.

Outgoing Omak Stampede

President George Dunckel

”

The Chronicle

OMAK – Santa Claus ismidway through his tour ofOmak and Okanoganneighborhoods.

Elves from thecommunities’ chambers ofcommerce are chauffeuring thejolly ol’ elf as he visitsneighborhoods, handing out

candy canes and hearingChristmas wishes.

Santa and his helpers hit thestreets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.13, and will continue nightlythrough Friday, Dec. 16. Santa’stour will end about 8 p.m.

Santa, accompanied byLittle Miss Rodeo WashingtonRiata Marchant, startedTuesday on the north end of

Omak. On Wednesday, he andTonasket Founders Day RodeoQueen Cortney Ingle will moveinto central Omak; andThursday he and OkanoganCounty Junior Rodeo QueenTaylor Kramer will visit thesouthern part of the city. Lookfor him and Stampede QueenKatie Fergus in Okanogan onFriday.

Santa will take time to talkto youngsters along the routeeach night.

Omak Mayor Cindy Gagneand Okanogan Mayor MichaelBlake also plan to accompanySanta.

Residents wishing to donatenon-perishable items to areafood banks can do so whenSanta comes through.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Bennett family

Payten Bennett loved theoutdoors and knew her colors.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

The services includedAmerican Indian chanting,several heartfelt speeches, aslide show celebrating the girl’slife and a balloon releaseafterward.

“My daughter touched a lotof people,” Bennett said. “Don’tever pass up the chance to tellyour kids that you love them,because you don’t know thenext chance you can do it.”

McAllister called the familycourageous. “My relationship

with this family is young and it’snew, but after today, I willnever forget it,” he said.

Grandfather John Bennettof Springerville, Ariz., said thatbecause of the distance betweenthe two, he didn’t know Paytenas well as he would have liked.

“That doesn’t lessen theblow any,” he said. “In someways it’s worse because I didn’tknow her.”

Bennett remembered hisdaughter as a very happy girlwho rarely had a bad day.

“She was the prettiest babythat we had ever laid eyes on,”

Ashley said. “It’s sounbelievable to think that my 3-year-old will never get to seehow much she means to me, norwill I get to see her pretty blueeyes.”

Payten is survived by hermother, Ashley Fox; fatherJared Bennett; andgrandparents Lori Sawyer, J.W.Fox and Margaret Lange, allTonasket; and John Bennett,Springerville, Ariz.

“I’m excited to face the newyear,” he said.

Hensarling said he looksforward “to a world-class 2012rodeo with the partnershipbetween the Stampede board,city and the (Colville) tribe, andI welcome and encouragecomments and input from thecommunity.”

He said he wants toencourage younger people andother new volunteers to becomeinvolved in the rodeo.

Following the election ofofficers, Dunckel said he’s gladto hear the organization’s nextleadership team is ready to go.

He also said he’s not goingaway and will be on hand tohelp out.

“I want the best for ourrodeo’s future,” he said, addinghe enjoyed being a part of the75th anniversary rodeo, theopening of the new arena andmany other facets of one of the

premiere rodeos on the WestCoast.

“It’s all been a highlight,” hesaid. “And I think we’ve come along way.”

In other business Monday,the Stampede Board ofDirectors:

• Heard a report fromDunckel and outgoingTreasurer Ed Thiele on theperformance evaluation ofoffice manager Sarah Grooms.

“She has done an excellent,excellent job,” Dunckel said,noting she handles managerduties, sponsorships, publicrelations and much more.

Following the report, theboard voted to give her a raise.

• Discussed the successesand challenges of the beer andwhiskey gardens at the 2011rodeo. According to RotarianTim Patrick, the organizationwas happy with the setup, but afew bugs need to be worked out.

Dunckel congratulatedRotarians on a job well doneoperating the beer and whiskey

gardens.“The Rotary Club is

committed to being your beerserver long into the future,”Patrick said.

• Reviewed bids frombusinesses interested incontracting for “big screen”broadcast services during the2012 show. The boardpostponed debate on the bidsuntil the Dec. 26 meeting.

• Approved using rodeopick-up man artwork forposters, T-shirts and othermemorabilia for the 2012 OmakStampede. The approval iscontingent upon reaching anagreement with local artistAmber Redman.

Redman was the 2002Stampede queen.

• Set June 10 as the day fortry outs for the national anthemfor singers wishing to performthe song during the 2012 rodeo.

• Planned a budget meetingfor 11 a.m. Dec. 18 at the OmakStampede office, 421 StampedeDrive E., in East Side Park.

www.omakchronicle.com The Chronicle • Dec. 14, 2011 • News • A5

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A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to our many sponsors and their generous donations of time, talent andauction items. Thanks to them and to the people who came to eat, the Crab Feed benefitting our

Okanogan County Fair was a success!Gene’s Harvest FoodsKentucky Fried ChickenBlueberry Hills FarmsRoger & Linda SorensenKari SorensenPepsi-ColaCaso’s Country FoodsCulligan Water ConditioningWalmartPapa Murphy’sCramer’s Home FurnishingsAmerigasSilver Sage SpaHometown PizzaTom’s Shoe & Saddle RepairRancho ChicoOmak-Okanogan County ChroniclePumphouse Coffee CompanyExxon Food MartCountry Rock & BarkBrody BlackburnPaul Steuermann

Valley LanesFrank’s Barber ShopOkanogan Valley Vet – Gary LesamizOkanogan Valley ConcreteTequilasFletcher’s Auto RepairAlpine Vet ClinicHeavenly BitesYusuf QuidwaiD & R Glass WorksOmak Feed & SupplyLes Schwab Tires Rachael McClureSearsOmak Ace HardwareOmak NapaCovey’sOmak Marine – Frank LayKOMW/KNCW RadioOkanogan County FFABlue Star Coffee CompanyLarry & Penny Neely

Heather NeelyValley LumberBrent TannehillJerry AsmussenEli SmithOmak StampedeTarrie DarwoodBill and Suellen WhiteMethow Valley Cascaders 4-HWinthrop KOA CampgroundArdis BynumExpressionsRebecca LewisAs a Child GrowsCathie LewisNorth Cascades Athletic ClubRichard & Helen AmesGwen & David WhitleyJeff BrenderArdell HedingtonHank’s Harvest Foods

with employees simply beingtransferred to Spokane, thereare no savings there either.

“There’s a lot of stuff thatdoesn’t make sense,” Harrissaid.

Local residents would haveto plan to mail bills earlier, waitan extra day for Netflix orBlockbuster mail movie servicesand library orders, send ballotsa day earlier and more. Mailedmedications and othernecessities would also have tobe ordered sooner.

For those in Loomis andWauconda, the process couldget harder. Both post offices areslated to close, and both are farfrom the next post office.

Harris said no policy isfirmly in place as to what to do

with boxholders if their boxesare eliminated. It could mean a“village post office,” where alocal business or civic buildinghosts the boxes, or that peoplewould have to go to the nexttown or set up a box at theirhomes.

Swanson said if the closuresgo through, local residentscould apply for the village postoffice or the postal servicemight contact those it knowsmight be interested.

Postmaster Carol Price saidthe Laurier post office receivedgood news – it has beenremoved from the list forpossible closures.

“That’s good news for thecommunity and the office,”Price said.

Loomis Postmaster ReliefHolly Barns said communitymembers are still writing letters

and sending comments to thepostal service to keep that officeopen.

A community meeting is setfor 6 tonight, Dec. 14, at theLoomis Community Club.

Swanson said the Loomisclosure is expected to save$73,000 and the Waucondaclosure $70,000.

Wauconda’s commentperiod closed Nov. 27; Loomis’comment period ends Jan. 10.

Swanson said he expects theWauconda decision after thefirst of the year, and the Loomisdecision four to six weeks afterthe comment deadline. Officialsin Washington, D.C., will makethe final call.

Comments can be sent to:Manager, Consumer andIndustry Contact, SeattleDistrict, P.O. Box 90306,Seattle 98109.

Postal from A1

Nica, apparently had a bar orstick in his hands, butdisappeared from the areawhen Porras-Trujillo wasplaced on the cardboard, thereport said.

Nica, later identified asPatistan Perez, apparently wasfound trespassing at a Brewsterhome that night and was takenby ambulance to the Brewsterhospital for treatment ofintoxication. He did not show upfor work the next day, July 18.

That same day, workersdiscovered Porras-Trujillo wasno longer on the makeshift bed,the report said.

Cesar Perez-Hernandez,who was acquainted with bothmen, said Patistan Perez hadcalled him and told him he wasreturning to California at his

wife’s request.Perez-Hernandez later

pointed Deputy Gonzaleztoward the orchard, wherePorras-Trujillo’s body wasfound, said the report, whichwas filed with the court. Thereport does not indicate howPerez-Hernandez knew thebody was in the orchard.

An autopsy conducted byDr. Gina Fino in Wenatcheeconcluded Porras-Trujillo diedof blunt force impact to thehead. The victim had a skullfracture above the temple onthe right side and a lacerationon the upper left side of thehead.

Evidence suggests Porras-Trujillo was robbed. Both heand the suspect had previouslylived in the Fresno area, SheriffFrank Rogers said.

The victim’s wife andchildren live in Mexico.

Guilty from A1

Stampede from A1

Payten from A1

The Chronicle

The Omak Centennial Committee’s Happy Holiday Home and Business Decorating Contest isunder way, and community members are encouraged to visit the entered properties and vote fortheir favorite. If you don’t already have a voting form, you can email The Chronicle [email protected]. Please include the address and a description of your favorite. Therewill be prizes for winners.

OmakCentennialHappy HolidayHome andBusinessDecoratingContestentries:

1. 912 KoalaDrive, Omak Inn.

2. 560 RiversideDrive, Covey’s.

3. 104 E. HaleAve., Jim Christie.

4. 605 PinyonPlace, Ken and SueRadek.

5. 130 N. MainSt., ExpressionsSalon.

6. 123 N. BirchSt., Laura Flagg.

7. 11 N. CedarSt., Bill Rickel.

8. 310 S. DouglasSt., Joe Turk.

9. 622 Index St.,Evellen M. Louis,Roberto Balbuenaand Shannon Cooper.

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zachary van brunt feature writer of the year portfolio 2012

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