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Wednesday,  May 21 , 2025
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Photo of Monika Spykerman

Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff reporter

It’s like a fruit cobbler in cookie form! These Frosted Jam Bars have a sweet layer of jam between two layers of soft shortbread, topped with a drizzle of icing.

Jam session: Columbian’s 1993 cookbook features delicious, easy-to-make Frosted Jam Bars

It’s like a fruit cobbler in cookie form! These Frosted Jam Bars have a sweet layer of jam between two layers of soft shortbread, topped with a drizzle of icing.

May 21, 2025, 6:08am Clark County Life

We’re right on the cusp of berry season, and that means jam. I’ve made my own freezer jam every year for the last 15 years or so, ever since I realized I could use strawberry Jell-O in place of pectin (and, ahem, strawberries) to make strawberry-rhubarb jam. Read story

Scouts gather together to help with the raising of the American flag during the beginning of the annual Memorial Day service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on May 27, 2024.

Five ceremonies in Clark County will mark Memorial Day

Scouts gather together to help with the raising of the American flag during the beginning of the annual Memorial Day service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on May 27, 2024.

May 20, 2025, 6:07am Clark County Life

Four Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday in Clark County will honor members of all branches of the military who have given their lives in service to our country. Read story

Gardeners love native mason bees, which are solitary and nonaggressive.

Shoo fly: Invasive Houdini flies have found their way to Clark County, threatening mason bees

Gardeners love native mason bees, which are solitary and nonaggressive.

May 17, 2025, 6:12am Clark County Life

Gardeners love mason bees, the nonaggressive, super-pollinator cousins of the honey bee. It’s easy to find adorable mason bee “hotels” with stacked, bee-sized nesting tubes hanging in yards around Clark County, where busy mason bees can lay their eggs for next spring’s generation. Read story

Members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra string section perform for students at Skyview High School in February 2022. Arts and concert programming is on the rebound locally, leading to more jobs being added in the sector.
Evergreen High School marches in the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands on May 21, 2022.

Band together at annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands

Evergreen High School marches in the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands on May 21, 2022.

May 15, 2025, 6:05am Clark County Life

The 59th annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands will feature 120 entries, including 24 high school and middle school bands marching together in support of this year’s theme, “Band Together for a Better Tomorrow.” Read story

Dip chicken breast filets in butter and garlic, dredge them in Parmesan and fresh rosemary, bake until crispy, and enjoy.

Easy-breezy Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Chicken doesn’t require any frying

Dip chicken breast filets in butter and garlic, dredge them in Parmesan and fresh rosemary, bake until crispy, and enjoy.

May 14, 2025, 6:01am Clark County Life

I’ve had a hard time concentrating for the past six months or so and haven’t been able to keep up with my usual regimen of reading a novel every three or four weeks — that is, until someone gave me a copy of Ruth Reichl’s “Garlic and Sapphires.” Read story

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District patrons voted for this library card design in 2005. The district is accepting submissions for a new, limited-edition design until June 30.

FVRLibraries wants a new look for library cards — and wants the public to be the designer

Fort Vancouver Regional Library District patrons voted for this library card design in 2005. The district is accepting submissions for a new, limited-edition design until June 30.

May 9, 2025, 6:05am Clark County Life

As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District is inviting both children and adults to submit designs for new library cards. The theme is “Our Stories, Our Communities” and designs will be accepted in four age categories: 8 and under; 9-12; 13-19; and 20 and… Read story

One person was killed in a two-alarm fire at Evergreen Pointe Apartments in central Vancouver early Friday morning.

Victim in fatal apartment fire in Vancouver identified

One person was killed in a two-alarm fire at Evergreen Pointe Apartments in central Vancouver early Friday morning.

May 8, 2025, 12:03pm Clark County News

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim of a May 2 apartment fire in central Vancouver as Megan Peterkin, 38. Read story

Lush trees and other foliage line Burnt Bridge Creek in central Vancouver.
This rhubarb sour cream cake has a buttery, crunchy brown sugar streusel topping.

In the pink: Fresh, seasonal rhubarb heart of moist, tasty cake that gets sweet kick from streusel topping

This rhubarb sour cream cake has a buttery, crunchy brown sugar streusel topping.

May 7, 2025, 6:07am Clark County Life

I love rhubarb. I love the pretty pink-and-green color, I love the scent, and I love the sharp flavor of this herbaceous, perennial vegetable. I’ve gone kind of nuts for rhubarb this year — not just as a flavor but also as a concept. I recently painted my nails a… Read story