Stories by Erin Middlewood

Columbian Features Editor

@col_life

(360) 735-4457

erin.middlewood@columbian.com

Tana Hart is the longest serving member of Single Seniors. She joined shortly after the group formed in 1993 as a recent widow.

Companionship club: Single Seniors celebrates 30 years of fun gatherings, activities

March 12, 2023, 6:03am Clark County Life

The Vancouver club now known as Senior Singles, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, originally served a younger crowd. Read story

Sonya Zalubowski had this Warsaw bus pass but not official correspondent credentials while in Poland.

Vancouver author, retired journalist looks back at time in Poland in 1980s

March 9, 2023, 6:04am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

In her new book, retired journalist Sonya Zalubowski of Vancouver recounts her time in an Eastern European nation struggling to break free of Russia’s orbit — not present day Ukraine, but Poland in the 1980s. Read story

Instructor Dani Synarski, lefts, directs Jesse Braman during their dance practice at LA Fitness in Hazel Dell. Braman is among the "local stars" who will compete at ilani on March 4 in the Rotary Club of Three Creeks' community fundraiser Dancing with the Local Stars.

Dancing with Local Stars is March 4 at ilani

February 16, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

Jesse Braman said his wife, Amanda, volunteered him to dance in front of hundreds of people as part of Rotary Club of Three Creeks’ big annual fundraiser. Read story

Volunteer Bruce Eavey of Villages Clark County, left, escorts Frankie Shetterly to the car while picking her up for a medical appointment. Villages Clark County helps older people stay in their homes by providing volunteers for small household tasks and errands.

Volunteer network Villages lends a hand to seniors in Clark County

February 12, 2023, 6:03am Clark County Life

While new assisted living centers are planned for Clark County’s aging population, most older adults say they want to “age in place” — that is, live out their last years in their own home. Read story

Retired educator Lisa Emmerich sorts through her collection of books to decide which she will take when she and her husband relocate from the Vancouver area to Santa Fe, N.M.

Book collections weigh heavy on Clark County baby boomers

February 5, 2023, 6:05am Clark County Life

Lisa Emmerich and her husband, Frank, are planning to move from their home near Vancouver to a smaller place in Santa Fe, N.M., now that they have both retired. To do that, they must pare down their possessions — especially their books. Read story