Former resident is hotel's first customer

A former Cathlamet resident found himself in the right place at the right time last week.

Mark Clutter, who moved away in 1962 when he was 11 years old, brought his wife, Peggy, to visit last week. Looking for a place to stay, they poked their heads in the Hotel Cathlamet Sunday evening and booked a room.

It turned out that the hotel had just opened--owners Stephanie and Kevin Prestegard and Wayne and Kay Cochran celebrated their grand opening last Friday, and the Clutters were the first customers.

"We had other reservations, but they fell through," Clutter said Monday. "We had a lovely stay. Stephanie and Kay were very gracious, and Wayne and Kevin were, too."

Clutter's father, Charles, was the school district's music teacher when he lived here 1959-62; he also taught English.

"Has the town changed," he said. "Yes and no. But my wife has remarked how friendly everyone is."