Preparations start for salmon derby

Preparations for the second annual Warriors and Widows Salmon Derby are going well, according to this year's chairman for the event, Bob Roche.

The event, which is scheduled for August 29-30, teams veterans and the widows and children of veterans with local volunteers who will take them out on their boats to do a little fishing on the Columbia River.

"We're bringing down 55 people," Roche said. "The number of widows in that group is unknown at this time. Housing has already been arranged for them and Nancy McCoy, my chairperson for food, is well into that as well. We're really excited about it."

Apparently, so are last year's participants.

"After they got home and got off the van," Roche said, "they were asking where they could sign up for next year."

A Blackhawk helicopter is expected to buzz the boats that morning before heading up to the baseball field at the school, according to Roche. People are welcome to come and take a look.

Prizes are going to be significant this year," Roche said. "Last year they all went home with poles. This year our intent is to send them all home with reels, as well as some other things. There will be a grand prize for the veteran or widow and their boat captain for the biggest catch."

Planning started in January and Roche said there has been a lot of local support, including 29 boats and captains.

"I'm really tickled with that," he said, "because this is a community event, not a VFW event or a bank event. It's a community event and I want to keep it that way."

The VFW has received several donations, including three donations of $500 from the Bank of the Cascades, Bank of the Pacific and The Campbell Group.

The Bank of the Cascade donation will be used to purchase a large welcome banner that will be in the marina. Smaller ones will be placed around town and on SR 4 to welcome the Warriors and Widows. The donations from the Bank of the Pacific and The Campbell Group will be used for other derby expenses.