Ice Buckets on Wheels...

So, everyone, I’m sure, has seen the millions of videos of people drowning themselves with ice water and challenging others to do the same, right? It has been amazing to see this epidemic circle the whole country and how everyone has come together to promote research for those suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Well, Gresham Ford has accepted this challenge as well, but we decided to do things a little differently. Trying to keep things local, we’re giving and accepting donations that will go directly to people in our area that are suffering from this disease in the form of wheel chairs. So far, we’ve collected $200, which at our discounted rate of $150 per chair; we’ve purchased 1 and 1⁄4 chairs! Through our good friends at Adventist Hospice, we are targeting people right here so if you’ve seen all the icing going on but not really sure how you can help, here’s how! Come on down to Gresham Ford, make your check payable to “Adventist Hospice” and partner with us, keeping it local once again, helping the ALS sufferers right in our own back yard.

On another note, the first day of school is right around the corner. Don’t forget our Reynolds High students that are returning for the first time since the shooting. Sending that Happy Thought to give them encouragement and hope, will make the best of a bad situation possible. Write just a word or phrase on an envelope, or come by Gresham Ford and pick up a card that we’ve made especially for this, and send to; HOPE, P.O. Box 9, Troutdale, OR 97060, or go online to; http://www.prayersforreynolds.com/.

Remember as Peter Pan says, “Happy Thoughts make you fly”!!

Coffee Fair at Origins Coffee House in Gresham

Just noticed that the “Try Local Tuesday” is going to be at “Origin’s Coffee House” (Located in the Gresham Town Fair Shopping Center/Eastman Parkway & Division) - as we all know “Try Local Tuesday” promotes shopping and dining at local businesses. There are lots of reasons for this but the location of the Tuesday -September 2nd who has taken the time to give back to the Community in a way that will benefit and inform all those who visit this establishment.

Adam Reid and his wife Maria have done lots of research with the help of the Gresham Historical Society to locate pictures of the Fairgrounds that were located on the current “Fair” Shopping Center. They have them beautifully displayed in their establishment and even if the coffee, tea, chocolates and gelato were not some of the best in town, these historical photographs in themselves, would truly be a reason to visit this business. Adam and staff are happy to describe a few interesting facts about each display.

For you old-timers, a great chance to reminisce and for those a little not so old, a chance to glance back in history!  In addition, there is a large map of the world on the wall and pictures in conjunction with it describing where the coffee’s served “originated”! Thus, “Origins”!! Origins of the history of our colorful and unique community and origins of unique and specialized products carefully raised to ensure fair-wages, sustainable practices, educational opportunities, healthcare, and business development.

Bring a friend and stop by “Origins” anytime but would love to see you on “Try Local Tuesday”!  4:30—6:00 p.m. is a grand example of a small business owner

You are in our “Happy Thoughts!” Reynolds High School Staff and Students

Puppies, smiles, cookies, laughter, babies, mom, dad, son, sunshine, flowers, music, fresh baked bread, joy, peace, peaches, kisses, hugs, freedom, church, friends, family, brother, sister, teacher, birds, singing, rain, dancing, fishing, bowling, tennis, golf, pie, Christmas, grand-daughter, cousin, sailboats, cheerful , apple, games, blue, Ford, chocolate, Santa, birthday, Smurfs, Thanksgiving, poems, jokes, good, raspberries, faith, Easter, swing set, yellow, butterfly, husband, jokes, swim, driving, letters, pink, daughter, grand-son, aunt, uncle, hearts, bubbles, hula hoops, records, Elvis, running, walking, balloons, jewels, piano, grandmother, grandfather, breakfast, horse, football, basketball, train, bicycle, charms, notes, tea, Valentines, gifts, garden, lawn, house, home, pets, caretaker, goodwill, angels, miracles, marshmallows, flying, wind, giving, sharing, snow, waterfall, Mt. Hood, sushi, velvet, glitter, Pepsi, vacation, Hawaii, purple, Sesame Street, ........

Susan Bowker AKA Nana

Those are a hundred or so of my happy thoughts....my dear friend Susan Bowker a.k.a. Nana has come up with a great “happy” idea. The Students at Reynolds High School will soon be returning to classes and we would like to encourage you to share a happy thought with them. It’s simple. Write a “Happy Thought” on a postcard (or if you do not have one just write it on the back of an envelope) and mail it to HOPE, P.O. Box 9, Troutdale, OR 97060. We have lots of postcards at Gresham Ford so stop by and pick some up - we will even mail them for you. While we can’t change what happened – we can make every student, teacher and support staff know they are valued and that they are in our “happy thoughts”.

Click Here to read Susan's article that was published in the Gresham Outlook.

Something to Sink Your Teeth Into

Are you hungry yet? Well’ here’s something to “Bite” into!! The 2nd

Saturday, July 26th

OR). The Bite of East County is a fun celebration of East County, its culture, its food, its people and its

extraordinary quality of life. There will be seating and tables, but you are welcome to bring a blanket to

spread on the ground if you wish.

A vast variety of food vendors this year featuring, Alexander, Bumper’s Bar & Grill, Corbett Country

Market, G Goodies, Joy Teriyaki, La Mixteca Taqueria and Nicholas. With desserts by J Gelati Italian

Ice and Frozen Custard and Liberated Bakery, just to name a few!! And of course Skyland Pub will

managing the Beer Garden serving Coors Light, Raspberry Wheat and Blue Moon for the unfiltered

wheat beers....Mirror Pond and RPM IPA or Hop Venom (from Boneyard) for the microbrews.

This year Bite of East County will feature Midlyfe Crisis and several local bands.

The best part is that the Bite of East County is a fund raiser for Zarephath Kitchen & Pantry. Zarephath

serves hot meals 6 days a week and provides food boxes for families in need in East County. Last year

the Pantry and Kitchen served over 180,000 meals.

So, come on down to Gresham Ford tonight (and we’re open until midnight), bring a jar of peanut

butter, non-perishable food item, or cash donation and you’ll receive two, that’s right, TWO tickets ($10

value) to this family friendly, summertime fun. It’s tomorrow! Bring family, friends, neighbors, even co-
workers for a fabulous evening in the park. Together we can help feed the hungry here in East County!

 Annual Bite of East County is this

 from 11:00am to 7:30pm at Columbia Park (1900 SW Cherry Park Rd, Troutdale,

Gresham Ford Logo

1999 East Powell Blvd. Gresham, OR 97080  |   503-665-0101  |   GreshamFord.com

Feed It Forward – Peanut Butter!

Next Saturday is the Gresham Arts Festival and it should be bigger and better than ever.  A great place and time to purchase from local artisans and also an opportunity to shop in Historic Downtown Gresham.   As someone who tries to go often to the Downtown Farmer’s Market, it seems like there is something new on Main Street weekly.  Billy Bob’s and Frenzi Yogurt now have new outdoor eating areas.  There is a new Pita Shop and a great new Mexican restaurant on 4^th Street.  We had a great breakfast last week at Wildwood Café.  And who can live without the Carmel Corn at I-Candy!

Ok, so how does Peanut Butter pay it forward?  Well, you bring Peanut Butter or any food/monetary donation to our booth at the Gresham Arts Festival (we will be located at the corner of 3^rd & Miller) and it will be given and matched to Snow Cap.  Then you will also be given a ticket to enter the “Bite of East County” on July 26^th FREE ($5 value) – when you turn your ticket in at the “Bite” Gresham Ford will donate $5 to Zarapath Kitchen who has been graciously feeding kids this summer who are without the school lunch program.

So, come celebrate the Gresham Arts Festival next Saturday and take a run thru the new fountain (I have not done this yet and can’t wait) – of course do not forget to “Feed It Forward!”  

Bless America this 4th of July

In 1922, Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take veterans to the annual DAV convention in San Francisco and began a relationship with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization that continues to this day.

Ford’s philosophy of inclusion was shared by his grandson, Henry Ford II. Near the end of World War II, and especially in its aftermath, numerous wounded and disabled veterans were flooding back into the workforce. Henry Ford II understood that persons with disabilities, including returning veterans, wanted and deserved an equal chance to work and provided it. In fact, Henry Ford II was a founding member of the National Business and Disability Council, long before the U.S. government enacted laws requiring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. 

With the upcoming 4^th of July celebration I am reminded to be appreciative and give thanks to the service men and women of our great country.   The 4^th of July should not be about sales, barbeques or the three day weekend but rather the heroes whose lives were sacrificed so that we may enjoy your loves, our liberty and the freedom to pursue our dreams.  While you spend this 4^th of July weekend with your family please remember those families who have lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers and fathers while defending America.  Were it not for our brave veterans, there would be no land of the free.  Happy 4^th of July from Gresham Ford!