- Kindergarten Class Publishes Yearly Books
- Today: TES PTO Board Elections
- Thursday: LewCo EDC Smart Tank
- Guest Post: When My Old Dog Dies - A Letter To Myself
- Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Forms, Fun & More

Mrs. Schaplow's Kindergarten class publishes a book each year. This year's volume is about family pets. Students write and illustrate their page and then it is bound into a hardcover book. Excellent keepsake for beginning writers, readers and illustrators.
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Visit Lewis County Tribune for local and county-wide news.
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Today: Mandy Lutze Kruger wrote in TES PTO:
BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 6, 2018 at 6pm in the TES Library. We need YOU! If you are interested in volunteering for one of the board positions please “throw your hat in the ring”.
You do NOT need to be present at the meeting to be elected; let us know prior to the meeting and we will put your name on the ballot.
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Thursday: Lewis County Economic Development Council is hosting Smart Tank, a start-up pitch competition June 7 - 9 at Centralia College. $6,500 in cash & prizes on the line.
Event is FREE. Registration required. Details in link above.
Official Event Details:
- June 7: Kickoff networking event 5:00pm (optional)
- June 8: Participant workshops and expert instruction 9:00am-4:00pm
- June 9: Event competition 1:00-3:00pm (open to the public)
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Toledo Thursday Market: open 3 - 7 PM Thursdays
The best in handmade & homegrown.
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Looking Ahead:
Toledo School District Board of Directors
will conduct a
Special Board Meeting - Board Planning & Goal Setting
5:00 p.m. Wednesday June 13, 2018
in the
Toledo Middle School Library.
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Guest Post: A Letter To Myself: ‘When My Old Dog Dies’
A Letter to Myself: ‘When My Old Dog Dies’by Lindsay Stordahl
In January 2016 I thought I was going to lose my senior dog Ace. So sure, that I said to our vet, “I’m ready to give up.”
We had paid a deposit on a puppy who wasn’t even born yet; I hoped he’d still get the chance to grow up with Ace.
Lying on the floor with my dog, I decided to write a letter to my future self. As a way to cope with the upcoming loss. I knew that doing so, with Ace at my side, would help my future self get through that pain.
So I wrote myself a letter, then tucked it away.
And I was right. The letter did help me, tremendously. But I was wrong on time.
We got over two more years.
I’m one of the lucky ones. I got two extra years with my best buddy. More trips to the park than I can count. Kisses every day. Road trips. Adventures to the very end.
My dog lived a good, long life, and for that I am so, so lucky.
So while this letter wasn’t intended for anyone but me, I decided to publish it here, unedited. It’s not that my letter will necessarily help other dog owners, but I hope it encourages others to write their own letters. And of course, to enjoy every moment. We all know life is a gift, yet we so easily forget.
A letter to myself, “When My Old Dog Dies.” Jan. 26, 2016
Dear Lindsay,
I know you are literally collapsed on the ground. Lost in that sadness only a dog lover understands.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Remember that no one could’ve given Ace a more fulfilled or loving life. He was a treasure, but so are you.
You did your best, and your best was more than good enough. Ace thrived. He knew he was loved every single day of his loving life.
Remember to allow yourself to feel sad. It’s OK. I hope you remember to allow yourself to wallow in that deep sadness. At least for today. Make sure you take a day off from work and everything.
Remember that Josh might do or say the wrong things. That’s OK. How could anyone know what to do? Remember he is grieving too, in his own way. Remember all the things he did to support you and Ace over the years.
Other people will also say the wrong things. They mean well, and they care.
Allow those cats to curl up with you and offer comfort. They don’t understand but they do provide comfort. Let them.
You probably have your new dog now, which means Ace got to help shape this next dog, which is what you wanted.
Don’t compare the new guy to Ace. He already has a very difficult job ahead of being your new companion. Let him be himself. He might be confused, looking for Ace. Or he might act as if Ace never existed. Either way, don’t hold it against him.
Imagine all the adventures the two of you will have in the coming decade, much of it because of Ace and now he helped you on your way in life.
Imagine all the dogs you can foster because Ace has helped to teach this new pup calmness, acceptance.
There is also that chance you don’t have your puppy yet, that their lives didn’t overlap with you together after all. That’s OK too. You can’t plan everything in life.
You will always honor Ace, such a great dog.
Remember all those hikes, camping adventures, walks and just lounging by the TV. Remember how he’s impacted thousands of lives because, in part, of you.
Hold Ace in your heart forever.
Never forget those soft ears or how he loved with his entire soul and never once thought badly of anyone.
Always tell stories.
Lindsay
January 2016
*Special thanks to Lindsay Stordahl of ThatMutt.com for graciously allowing me to share her heartfelt message with readers. Original blog post here: https://www.thatmutt.com/2018/05/31/a-letter-to-myself-when-my-old-dog-dies/
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Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Fun & More
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- June 7: Baccalaureate 7:00 pm @ Toledo First Baptist Church
- June 9: Toledo Youth Soccer Signups @ TES
- June 13: Culture Fair @ Toledo High School
- June 25-29: Vacation Bible School @ Toledo First Baptist
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Update: Toledo’s favorite event has its own FB page! Cheese Days Toledo links sign up forms for (2018) Cheese Days parade and vendor booths. Information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/CheesedaysToledo/
Check out The Legend Of Bigfoot in seven weekly episodes. Episode 1: The Journey Begins.
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Morgan Arts Centre Summer Camps update: Picasso week #1 has filled, Picasso week #2 & the Children's Theater Workshop still have a few spots open.
For more information: www.morganartscentre.com
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For The Summer: Seasonal Maintenance Worker 25-30 HRS/WK.
Contact cityoftoledo@toledotel.com.
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June 29 - July 1: Resonance Restival @ Camp Singing Wind
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August 25-26: Cowlitz Prairie Grange 54th Annual Gas Show & Threshing Bee with Tractor Parade August 24.
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September 22: Esther Borte’s 3rd Annual Walk in the Park
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September 28-30: Camp Singing Wind Hosts 11th Permaculture Convergence
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Fundraiser: Gracie The Pug Kicks Cancer Fundraiser for local celebrity mascot Gracie Whiteside
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Fundraiser: To help Toledo’s Neumann family with expenses not covered by insurance in the loss of their house, visit their GoFundMe page: contact person Jadee Landry.
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For Pickers:
Toledo Community Library offers free Ukulele lessons Thursdays beginning in April. Sign up in person.
LIBRARY HOURS: Wednesdays 10-7, Thursdays & Saturdays 10-5. Phone 360-864-4247.
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For The Kids: Brooke Sellards Acosta asks “Does your business or family want to support Toledo Youth Baseball? There are a couple ways to show your pride. I have attached forms to become a signboard and/or team sponsor. Family signboards are $200 the first year and $100 each year after that to renew. Message me if you are interested.”
Signboard Form 2018.pdf
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For The Future: TES PTO Kids Garden is looking for garden sponsors, which ensures the continuation and improvement of this awesome program. If your family or business is interested, the form is below.
* Garden Sponsor Form 2017-18.docx
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For The Future: Toledo Middle School PTO's posted: If you would like to help support our efforts to bring more laptops to Toledo Middle School please read this and spread the word. You can donate here. Thank you for your support of our kids.
https://www.gofundme.com/toledo-middle-school-laptops
Full details posted in 02.23.2018 Friday Column.
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Foundations: Steamboat Alley Paver Forms
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Farmer’s Market: Toledo Thursday Market vendor forms available now.
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Update: Cheese Days Toledo links sign up forms for (2018) Cheese Days parade and vendor booths. Information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/CheesedaysToledo/
Check out The Legend Of Bigfoot in seven weekly episodes. Episode 1: The Journey Begins.
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Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com Photos .jpeg or .png format please.
The Other Toledo is on Facebook.