How to get lost (no wrong turns)

By Liv Stecker

I would assume that growing up, the idea crossed every kid's mind at least once that they must be adopted. For me, it was usually once a day. Even though my walk is unmistakably my dad's, and my mouth is without question my mother's, but still... something about me just didn't fit. Lately it's been occurring to me that maybe I wasn't adopted, but maybe I wasn't actually SUPPOSED to be here at all. Maybe I snuck my way into the universe like some cosmic accidental joke that God played on my parents. And then all three of them were like "well, Jeez. What are we gonna do with this one?" Nothing has ever quite worked out the way it "should have" for me. I have been coming to terms with the fact that I won't ever have a 60th wedding anniversary, or a burial plot next to someone. And that's ok I guess, since I really want my ashes scattered somewhere really fun, so people can remember me every time they hang out there. But I still think that maybe I just don't fit into this life quite right. I am a square peg in a round universe. Maybe, just maybe, I am SO accident prone that I have unintentionally missed every rendezvous with death that has been appointed to me. I showed up late, true to form, for all of the stellar alignments that would return me to my rightful place in the Order of Things.

 All of this crossed my mind as I was leaving Walla Walla yesterday. Walla Walla is the epicenter of my existence. The place that destined me to birth, if such a destiny was in the first place. The beginning of it all. I was there for the memorial service of a great Uncle/Cousin named Solomon Frank, whom I remember meeting as a little girl, probably between Easter Egg Hunts and visits from The Real Santa Claus, who apparently lived across the street from Grandma Schiffman in 1983. Solomon Frank was triple related to me, since at least three Schiffmans married at least three Franks, and both lines crisscrossed repeatedly in a somewhat Appalachian fashion.

 Volga Germans, the Franks immigrated INTO Russia (I know, right?) under the reign of Catherine The Great and set up German colonies along the Volga river, and then crossed over to the US when Russia started thinking maybe German-Russians shouldn't be a thing after all. Staunch Lutheran Reformationists, this family, getting all mixed up with the ever-imbibing Schiffmans, hard drinking Germans with a penchant for all sorts of vices. I was there with my parents and my Aunt and Uncle and clone-cousin, and we had some interesting conversations about what made us the person(s) that we are, which is quite nearly the same, and a repetition for all intents and purposes of our great grandmother Francis Hawk.

 Francis was neither Frank nor Schiffman, but threw in her own dash of awesome for the perfect mix. She was a woman ahead of her time. An amatuer performer on stage with Adam West (the actor who first portrayed Batman on the big screen), she also helped excavate and curate the historical site of the Whitman Mission, a novice archaeologist after my own heart. She was a photographer, an artist, a mountaineer, a mother, and a journalist for the Associated Press back when they were worth their mettle in World War II. My cousin Hannah and I have (often unintentionally) pursued almost the exact same exploits. It's a little bit eery.

 Anyway, I left Walla Walla and foolishly followed SIRI's directions off into the wheat covered hills of the lower Palouse. I was lost in thought as I travelled a couple of different two lane, winding highways dutifully, disregarding a curious note that they were oddly named roads, but trusting the painted double yellow to not be destination-less. After about 45 minutes SIRI told me to turn onto a gravel road. Sensing immediately that this was it, her final play to do me in, I disobeyed. As far as I knew, I didn't need to take a gravel road ANYWHERE between Walla Walla and Northport, and it was obviously nothing more than an attempt to shake me. Nice try, SIRI. I continued on the two lane for another 20 minutes or so and then it ended. Well really, it turned into a gravel road. Which was disconcerting. The gravel road was well maintained and pointed in the general direction of the Columbia River which gave me some peace. I reassured myself that I wasn't in a hurry, and since I was already looking at backtracking at least 20 miles I might as well try it. SIRI started sputtering about having no service and Proceeding To the Route, which apparently now was off in the middle of a wheat field somewhere.

 I followed the gravel for 18 miles and at last there was a tiny little farm town. I knew a highway had to be nearby. Until I got close and realized that the tiny farm town was actually just a huge farm. With lots of campers. and no highway. I tried taking the road through the farm and it was fenced off  in the direction that SIRI insisted was the way to Northport. South facing, interestingly. She's vicious. I took the only road out and started thinking about that family that got lost on the forest road in Oregon and the dad starved to death. I figured my odds were slightly better because there was lots of wheat around, plus all the fire snacks I brought home, and if I ever overcame my pride and the hint of terror that the farmhouse might be the den of a serial killer, I could always ask for directions. Fortunately, after another 20 minutes of driving too fast on a gravel road, with no cell service and no radio reception, so basically, running for my life, I ran into WA State HWY 261, which I didn't even know existed.

 For the record, it is my personal belief that HWY 261 is actually a roller coaster. hiding in a witness protection program after a few too many suspicious theme park deaths. I survived that road/ride with only a touch of carsickness and then raced my gas light to the nearest gas station, which it turns out was NOT in Washtucna. I met a nice family of healthy black widow spiders living in a public restroom provided by the Washtucna Lions Club. (Note to Lion's Club - get in there with some big boots and a shop-vac STAT!) Once again, narrowly escaping the death that has been pursuing me since my unintentional inception. Somehow I got to Ritzville alive, and remarkably, ahead of schedule.

 All of that near-death-defying experience made me think about accidents, the unfortunate ones, and the serendipitous ones, and how a wrong turn can be the thing that makes your life what it is. The extra bends and turns and the little bit of uncertainty that makes your heart beat a little bit faster. Knowing for certain that there are a LOT of wheat fields out there that you can't see from the highway. A lot of stuff to see and know, that you can't reach from a direct route. It's ok sometimes to get off course, both to see the sights, and to know that you won't die. Not at the hands of a serial killer or a black widow or starvation. And that it's ok to go with your gut - sometimes you wind up on a questionable gravel road, but in the end, it all works out.

Storied past leads to new chapter for Fogle Pump

Rod and Sue Fogle

By Don Birch

Open house May 12-13

for new headquarters

Fogle Pump & Supply, Inc. is celebrating their 36th anniversary during the month of May at their new 10,000 sq. ft. building located one mile northwest of Colville along Highway 395.

"It's with great pride and sense of accomplishment that we show off our new facility to our customers with a special month-long sale," stated Rod Fogle, owner. "We are offering tours of our new building which includes a working display highlighting some of our products."

A variety of prizes will be given away during the open house, including a flat screen television, a Bluetooth radio shower head, outdoor barbecue, $100 gift card, and the grand prize, a Softmax #JM920-TM water conditioner valued at $1,895. Hot dogs and hamburgers, chips and drinks will be offered both days between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Factory representatives will also be on hand during the event.

The era of Fogle Pump & Supply began in 1981 when Rod and Sue Fogle purchased Bargain Warehouse from Harold Rotter.  Rotter's business featured plumbing products, pumps and logging supplies.  Rotter took over the business from Bill Parrott, his former father-in-law.  Parrott was known in the community as "Bargain Bill", and carried that title throughout his career when he purchased a similar business in Spokane.  Bargain Warehouse had served this area since 1946.

Fogle decided his career to be in the well drilling industry, but not before struggling with life at an early age.  "I was like a lost child--I didn't know what I wanted to do," Fogle remembered. Rod tried college to find his way. "It took me two years, and five different colleges, before I figured out college wasn't meant to be for me."

Rod's life changed drastically in 1974 when his parents, Bob and June Fogle died in an airplane accident on June 3 near Castle Rock, WA. They were with Jerry McMillan and wife Emiko. McMillan was creator and president of Colmac Industries.

"There were the four of us who all of a sudden had to learn how to deal with the loss of our parents, and how to go on with life and become successful," Rod continued. "My sister Julie was the oldest, just graduating from high school. I was in my junior year. Steve and Wendy were youngest in the family."

Family was in the car industry  

The Fogle family was well-known and respected in the Colville community. Ott Fogle, Rod's grandfather, was owner of Fogle Motor Company. Rod's father had joined the business and took over ownership of the dealership when Ott retired.

"I grew up always wanting to follow in my father's and grandfather's footprints. But I was too young when my parents were killed. My grandfather was too old to assume the chores of keeping the business going," Rod explained. "So Rainier Bank took over the running the dealership. The bank made the decision to sell the dealership which had just moved to the present location (now Country Chevrolet). The Ford dealership was purchased by Al Sherman of Spokane".

The new Colville building

It's history, but hard to believe

The Fogle dealership was just one of several car dealerships in Colville early on. It's hard to imagine that a town with less than 3,000 people could support 12 different car dealers, but during the 1950's, that was the case.

For history buffs, the list of dealers, including Fogle Motors, who sold Fords, Cadillacs, Pontiacs, Studebakers and Packards, were: Harms Motor Co. (Buick); White & Blessing Motor Co. (Oldsmobile); Laird Chevrolet Co. (Chevrolet); Cole Motors (DeSoto, Plymouth); Dallas Garage (Dodge, Plymouth); Wendle Bros. Motor Co. (Ford); Eldon Carter Motors (Nash Rambler, Metropolitan); Bronsons Implement (Parkard); Dominion Motors (Hudson); Jefferson-Thompson Motors (Mercury); and Lynn Farm Supply (Kaiser Frazer, Willys).

There were also 27 different service stations where customers could purchase gas and get vehicles serviced.

"After giving college a try, I found a job during the summer months managing the Northport Race Track," Fogle stated. "A short time later, I got my start in well drilling when I was hired by K.C. Kane, owner of K.C. Kane Well Drilling. K.C. taught me the business."

Rod and Sue were married in 1978. At the time, Sue was employed at Mount Carmel Hospital. "I was on maternity leave when we purchased Bargain Warehouse in 1981," Sue related. "All at once we had a new baby and a new business."

Tasha was the first born. Three more children joined the family including Alaina, Elizabeth and Robert.  Robert is presently employed at Fogle Pump, Spokane branch (Airway Heights purchased in 1995). There is a third store in Republic.

Rod and Sue have always agreed on one thing raising their children. "When they were old enough, we always encouraged our kids to move away from Colville; then if they wanted to come back, it would be because they wanted to come back," Sue explained. Tasha and Elizabeth live in Colorado Springs; Alaina in Tacoma, and Robert in Spokane. The Fogle's have five grandchildren, "and two grand dogs and one grand cat," Sue chuckled.

Rod decided to get back into the car business in June 1990. "I was always a Ford man because my father and grandfather were Ford men," Fogle said. "But I got a call from General Motors asking me to take on the Chevy line. I decided to give it a try, but not before approaching Dave LaDuke to become my partner.  Together, we opened LaDuke & Fogle Motors. We also went into partnership at LaDuke and Fogle Equipment," he added. Fogle has since sold his interest in the dealership to Tony Booth. The store is now under the name of Country Chevrolet-Buick.

Community involvement

Owning two major businesses in four different locations, doesn't mean the Fogles spend all their time worrying about the day-to-day grind. "We have always said if you are going to own a business, you should get involved with the community in which you serve," Fogle stated. That's exactly what Rod and Sue have done.

"I have several civic projects near and dear to my heart," Rod related. Probably the one Rod cared most about was the re-location of the cross on Colville Mountain. The cross is the most iconic symbol which overlooks the Colville Valley.

It was when two individuals contacted the ACLU to complain that the Colville cross was located on city land, a violation of church and state. The ACLU sent the city of Colville a letter suggesting they remove or move the cross to another location, or face a lawsuit.

"I did some research and found that an individual owned property adjacent to the city property," Fogle said.  "I contacted the owner of the property to see if I could purchase the property--and I did."  

Ken Macomber headed the project with a group of local businesses and individuals to re-construct a bigger and stronger cross just a short distance from its original location.

"I remember most the candlelight vigil held at the cross after 9-11. Everyone could see the illumination--it was so cool," Sue added.

Another project Rod played a major role in was "Colville 2000", which he chaired. The project included the construction of the two round-abouts, one at each end of town. Colville 2000 was accomplished through the hard work and determination of a group of many, including the late John Acorn. "John worked hard, and I feel good about how these round-abouts have turned out to be. I feel they have helped the traffic flow in Colville. At first I was worried it might hurt the business community on Main Street, but I think everything has turned out okay," Fogle said.

Fogle was also involved in the clock project located at Main and Astor in downtown Colville.  The clock and sculptures were created by Chris Anderson. Fogle, Macomber and Acorn did the major fund-raising for the project.

Sue has also donated her time to the community. She served on the Colville School Board for 11 years, served as a director for the Mount Carmel Hospital Foundation Board and has been a volunteer Red Cross worker for many years.  

The Fogles are also big supporters of conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Safari Club, and Wild Turkey Foundation. They are also avid hunters. "I am a better shot the he is," Sue bragged humorously.

EOD fundraiser

Sadly, but honorably, the Fogle's are involved with a more meaningful project: the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Warrior Foundation. It was created by a small group of individuals who support each other after the loss of a loved one, or one who was injured in the fight against Alejada, the Taliban and ISIS.

Tasha's husband, Nick Sprovtsoff  was an EOD technician. He was killed in Afghanistan by an explosive device while serving with the Marines. She has become a board director for EOD Warrior Foundation which carries the commitment of raising funds for the organization to benefit families affected by the war.

Each director is responsible for raising at least $5,000 for the foundation. Last September, Tasha, with the support from her family, held a golf tournament and auction at the Chewelah Country Club. With the backing of her parents, Tasha was able to raise over $60,000 during the event, which the family said was a tribute to the commitment by northeast Washingtonians to the EOD cause.

"Tasha's family has truly also benefitted from being a part of the organization," Sue noted.

One of the featured items auctioned at the Chewelah event last year was a sculpture of an EOD warrior created by well-known sculpturist Jerry McKellar, a former Colville dentist. The Fogle family still has several McKellar sculptures planned for future events. McKellar will have some of his work on display at the Fogle Pump open house.

Another feature at the open house will be the work of artist Webb Keller, a former Army EOD survivor.  He will have handmade pictures on display during the two-day event. The EOD Warrior Foundation will continue to have fund-raising events across the country to support families affected. "It is my feeling that our own government could do more to support the EOD cause," Fogle added.

Fogle Pump & Supply has a special parking lane in front of their store specifically for veterans. They also fly an "Honor and Remember flag" in front of their Colville store.    

Rod and Sue Fogle display sculptures created by Jerry McKeller. The sculptures will be donated to fund-raising events to help the EOD Warrior Foundation.

The Spokane location

Ducks in a row: Kettle Falls second grade pitch in with Ducks Unlimited

By Liv Stecker

 Everything is under a-quack in the second grade at Kettle Falls Elementary School. Students have ducked into a big project, and it’s ruffling feathers in major fowl circles! Under the guidance of second grade teachers Lari Kay Smith, Liz Braden and Emily Cooper, students have been fully submerged in learning about ducks this year as part of their science curriculum. “Our program is called an expedition.” explains Lari Kay, “and our expedition's guiding question is: What does it take for a wood duck to survive in the Colville River ecosystem?” And the kids have all dived in head-first.

 This year is the 5th year that Kettle Falls second graders have hatched a project to play into the local Ducks Unlimited annual banquet. The idea began when local representative Jamie Baskin, a long time teacher, realized how well the second grade expeditions would tie into the conservation work that Ducks Unlimited has been undertaking for years.

 In addition to undertaking environmental projects cleaning wooden duck houses that high school students constructed the first year of the program, they have learned every stage of the life cycle of a wood duck, even committing the process to song with the help of music teacher, Mrs. Olson. In “crew club”, the music and art program that the second graders participate in twice a week, they helped to write the song and are practicing it for performance at the Ducks Unlimited banquet which took place at the Ag-trade center in Colville on April 22.

 In addition to performing  their original musical piece, the students provided artfully crafted drawings in the form of placemats for the banquet, each depicting a specific duck and describing either physical or behavioral characteristics of the wood duck. One of the wooden duck habitats crafted by students was donated and auctioned off at the banquet.

 The event on April 22 was a great success. Along with the student’s song and presentations about wood ducks, there was a raffle and several games and great prizes donated by local businesses and individuals.

 Baskin says that the program and projects that the students are working on has grabbed the attention of Ducks Unlimited organizers on a larger regional level, who have requested any left over placemats for the regional banquet which will be held in Spokane this year.

 Next year the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host the annual banquet fundraiser on April 21st with the help of local students and individuals interested in wetlands conservations. For more information, contact Jamie Baskin at 509-685-2256 or email: jlbconsulting20@yahoo.com. You can visit the Ducks unlimited website at ducksunlimited.org.