By Hazel Broughton
I am just now feeling the spirit of the season!  Better late than never I say. You all pretty much know I really don’t like the white stuff (snow) falling from the sky. Sure - it’s pretty but I just don’t like to drive in it.  If I didn’t have to drive to work I would really enjoy it more. Appropriately enough as I write this snow (yes I said it) is falling and making the season feel so right and I know it will be here before I am ready for it and am looking forward to family coming home for Christmas.
Stacy got a call and went to go to the party for the foster kids and said it was wonderful, they were playing games and having a great time waiting to visit with Santa Claus. No pictures because they are foster kids but she told me it was nice to see them all having a great time.

The frost in the lower valley this week not only makes the trees and plants look beautiful but also this cute buffalo calf. Hazel Broughton saw this curious creature behind the fenceline on her way to work Friday. All the buffalo in this Satus area herd had some degree of frosting. Hazel Broughton photo

Thinking Outloud by Hazel Broughton

Allen Walker

Review:  Where were you born and raised? I was born in Toppenish and went to Granger schools; graduated in 1972. Yakima Valley Community College and Big Bend Community College, I was training to be a pilot. Other schooling, fire school and training through Yakima County Fire District #5.
 
Review:  What is your occupation? I am one of two Deputy Chiefs with Yakima County Fire District #5; I am in charge of trainings and special operations, also specialized operational equipment training such as dozer, watercraft, and military track vehicle. Also, I am second in charge at this district, so when the chief is gone I fill in for him.

Don Jensen

Review: Where were you born and raised and what is your occupation?

I was born in Toppenish, raised in the country between Toppenish, Granger and Mabton, the Satus area. I graduated from Granger School District. I continued my education at YVCC for diesel mechanics in Grandview.

Shawnee Olson

We know you do a column in the Review monthly, we, who work here, know you do ad sales for Yakima Valley Newspapers but we want to know more about you.
Review:  Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Kennewick but at the time we lived in a small coastal town called Olalla.  When I was in the 7th grade we moved to White Swan, where I finished school and graduated in 1993.  After high school I went to Business Computer Technical Institute in Tacoma and earned my certificate in information processing.
 Review:  How long have you lived in the valley?
My mom (Ann) and my little sister Teddy and I moved here in 1998.  My mom loves the area and wanted to be closer to her friends.  She used to help my best friends grandpa on his horse ranch in Harrah.  She also thought the smaller schools would be better for Teddy and me.

There is one thing you need to know about my family….It is HUGE! I have many brothers and sisters but I am an only child. Can you figure that one out? Yes it can be confusing, I will attempt to explain.

Wow has Mother Nature had fun with our weather these past few weeks! 

Gaileen Jill Bill "Imawithla"

Merritt Funeral Home

WAPATO - Gaileen Jill Bill (Imawithla) went to the Creator on Sunday February 13, 2011.
She was born April 24, 1971 to Lucinda Columbus Talpocken Bill and the Late Johnny Bill Jr. in Toppenish, WA
Imawithla in her 39 years of life traveled to pow-wows enjoying the many drum groups, dancers and excitement of native lifestyle. She also drummed with Native Horse drum group on her travels meeting new friends. She had been an active committee member for Tiinowit International Pow-Wow and White Swan Indian Summer Celebration.
Gaileen graduated from Wapato High School 1989. She attended Yakima Valley Community College and was a member of the Y.V.C.C Tiinma Club.
Gaileen was employed by Yakama Nation Tribal Council as a secretary in the early 1990's. March 1998 to January 2008 she was employed at Yakama Nation Housing Authority as a Construction Manager Assistant in Wapato, WA.
Gaileen was a food gatherer for her family. She loved scary movies, Papa Roach was a favorite group but she enjoyed a variety of music, she was fond of fishing, playing softball, bowling and playing board games, her favorite love of all were her nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her mother Lucinda Bill, four brothers - Carl Bill, Eugene Harris (Regina Heemsah), Ira Yallup (Athena Sanchey), Gaston Bill, two sisters Bessie (Bill) Wilson (Maurice Wilson), and Valetta Bill (Frank James-Teeias Sr.) Four nephews - Lawrence Bill, Darrel Ward, Dexter Harris, Frank James-Teeias Jr., Leo John. Five nieces - Emily Bill, Nicole Heemsah ,Shelby Harris, Shaleah Harris, Serrilah James-Teeias, and Cheyenne Speedis. Two great nephews - Xailius Bill and Zentry Bill. Imawithla was preceded in death by her maternal great grandparents Jim and Eliza Sohappy, maternal grandparents Walter J. Speedis and Esther Sohappy Speedis, paternal grandparents Johnny Bill, Sr. and Bessie Popkiawanee, and her father Johnny Bill, Jr.
Dressing services will be held Tuesday at 2 PM at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato. Overnight services will be held Tuesday at the Toppenish Creek Longhouse in White Swan. She will be laid to rest at Black wolf Cemetery in Rock Creek.
The family wishes to thank the Emerald Care in Wapato, WA and her special roommate Emma, and for all the family and friends who offered their prayers and support.
Merritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.merrittsfuneralhome.com.

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