Friday, April 24, 2015

Congratulations to the new Executive Director of the Gresham Barlow Education Foundation

Vicki Moen
We’d like to take a moment to recognize a “changing of the guard”, so to speak!  Vicky Moen, as of April 1st, has taken the position of Executive Director for the Gresham Barlow Education Foundation.  Having been on the board of directors for the foundation for the past 10 years, she is aptly qualified.  She held positions on the board as secretary and president.  And being one of four generations in her family to graduate from Gresham High, she is very connected to the foundation and this community on a grass roots level.  She and her husband, Greg Moen are owners of Moen Machinery on Hogan right here in Gresham so they understand the strength of community ties and buying, shopping and participating locally.  We, as fellow partners in a sustainable Gresham community, welcome Vicky and look forward to her insight and direction creating a foundational springboard for our future generations.



That being said, the saying “it takes a village….” was never truer than it is today.  It takes all of us pulling together to sustain our economy for the next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners. Organizations like the Gresham Barlow Educational Foundation need our support.  If you’re so inclined, go to www.gbefkids.org and make a donation today.  Or, if you come to Gresham Ford, 10% of your service bill, up to $100, or $100 per vehicle purchase can be donated to the GBEF on your behalf.  All you have to do is ask!  Every little bit helps!
 

To put it in perspective, if every family in the U.S. spent an extra $10 a month at a locally owned,
independent business, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy.  It doesn’t take
much, but it does take all of us!



Wednesday, April 15, 2015

King of Roads ~ Byway of the People

2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Historic Columbia River Highway and to celebrate this incredible “mile” stone in our local history, a new exhibit by Troutdale Historical Society will be opening on July 18th, 2015.


With over 150 historic photos, maps and documents from private and public collections, text contributed by road historians and experts on early road building. Telling in words, pictures and artifacts the story of the dreamers and the men with picks and shovels who built the nation’s first paved scenic highway. Our own Henry Ford was a great proponent of this project and the Ford vehicles were the first to travel its finished surfaces.

A one of a kind introduction to the people who built the Historic Columbia River Highway, the people who saved it, and the people who have restored large sections to its original glory await at this grand unveiling.  A twenty foot long basalt wall mirroring the guardrails along the highway, complete with arches is being constructed as well.

The Center for Advanced Learning in Gresham, Oregon, has partnered with the Troutdale Historical 
Society to create a website and stunning promotional materials; www.troutdalehistory.org and www.kingofroads.org.  Donations are still being accepted at these sites as well and your contributions to this historic event are most appreciated.

So, mark your calendars for July 18th at Troutdale Historical Society’s Barn Exhibit Hall, 726 E Historic Columbia River Highway and take a trip back in time.  Also, plan to visit the Gresham Art Festival, downtown Gresham on that day as well. It’s a happenin’ day here in East County!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Jane Kirkpatrick, Best Selling Author for Education Event presented by Gresham Barlow Education Foundation

“Like a weaver, I look to the landscape, relationships, spirituality and work to find the threads…”, as penned by Jane Kirkpatrick.  Writer and rattlesnake fighter, Jane has produced 27 bestselling and award-winning books.  Reviewers and readers alike acclaim Jane’s work as unique in a world of storytellers.

“Kirkpatrick’s books enfold the reader.  They find a secret place in each of us and bring it gently to the surface.”  The Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon.Creating stories from the lives of actual historical women or events, Jane’s focus is on telling stories that inspire as she helps people from the distant past to step from their generation into our own to teach us and touch us with their lives.  Her goal is to weave a story to help readers reach within and find peace, love and grace and to look at their lives with new eyes, no matter how messy it might be.

For an inspirational evening filled with tears, laughter and everything in between, join us at Greater Gresham Baptist Church, 3848 NE Division St, April 23rd at 7pm.  Enjoy a great lecture with dessert, book signing and sales and an opportunity to bid on becoming a character in an upcoming book of Jane’s.

Jane Kirkpatrick Author

Space is limited so reserve your space today by calling 503-766-0008 or go online at www.gbefkids.org.  After all, “It’s the obstacles in life that carve out our character,”  and things always get messy along the way.  We could all use a little help finding that thread to unravel our mess and see the beautiful story that is in each of us.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Automotive News March 2nd Edition - Gresham Ford

Appeared in the March 2nd Edition of Automotive News - Gresham Ford
Bess Wills and her team at Gresham Ford believe that helping others in their community is just part of doing business.  With the many charity events they hold each year, Wills is most passionate about helping children.  "In our world today, the reality is that nearly half of the homeless community are children.  The Fill-A-Bag program was started to help these kids and struggling families by providing food or clothing throughout the year," Wills said.  "We're really proud of this initiative; it's become a tradition for everyone in the community."  Wills and her team not only are involved in raising funds and providing goods for nonprofits, but they also have dedicated approximately a third of their radio advertising time to promoting charities and helping them raise even more money - over a million dollars in the past seven years.  "I can't even tell you what great employees I have and the ways they truly care about their community.  We help others because it helps us feel that we're part of something bigger than ourselves." Find out more at social.ford.com.