Linda Hartung headed to national gathering

Linda Hartung of the Cathlamet Woman's Club is headed to Baltimore this June for leadership training at the General Federation of Women's Clubs Annual Convention.

Each year, one officer from a Women's Club in each state is invited to be a state representative for the convention.

"I was in the right place at the right time," Hartung said. "The Woman's Club has wonderful opportunities."

Hartung is co-president of the local chapter with JoAnn Prestegard. When Prestegard, who is also active at the district level asked her if she wanted to go to the convention, her first reaction was no. But Hartung, who studied Education in college and went on to study Public Health at a graduate school in Hawaii, reconsidered.

"How can I use this training?" she wondered.

After working with youth for years, she realized that she wanted to learn how to work with adults. Suddenly this opportunity was too good to pass up.

Hartung showed her true heart for service in Tuesday's interview, simply wanting to talk more about the Woman's Club than about herself.

She talked about how she used products from local businesses to fill a basket that was sold to raise funds at a recent event. She talked about accommodations that Women's Clubs had provided for servicemen and their families at airports in the northwest. She spoke about how the local club raises money to provide scholarships for local children to take swimming lessons at the pool in Cathlamet; how they support the Reading is Fundamental program, and reading programs at St. James Family Center; the gift certificates and coin purses for visitors to the domestic shelter; or the Angel's Wish List for families leaving the shelter and setting up house.

They also support the community garden and local food banks. They've even volunteered to clean up along SR 4 in the Elochoman Valley area.

Then there are pie socials and the annual Tour of Homes.

The Cathlamet Woman's Club currently has 14 members.

"They're just a hoot," Hartung said, laughing.

The local chapter has been active for 75 years. They meet at the Hotel Cathlamet the first Tuesday of every month at noon.