Rich Wandschneider

Rich Wandschneider directs the Josephy Library of Western History and Culture in Joseph, Oregon. He's written a column for the local paper for over 30 years, and been involved with local Nez Perce return activities for as long.

Have we Overlooked Trailer Parks as a Solution to Affordable Housing?

There’s a pattern here. People using what we once thought of as temporary housing or vacation housing as full-time housing.

In 1968 we were Divided; Today we have Chaos

In 1968 the thing we all shared was the belief that we were right in our convictions and positions. Now we have chaos.

Remembering Barbara Bailey, Seattle Bookseller and Civil Rights Champion

When she died, she was lauded as a champion of the Civil Rights movement and the LGBTQ community by scores of friends and customers of Bailey-Coy books on Capitol Hill, her long-time perch at Seattle’s center point.

Pasapalloynin: Chief Joseph’s July Fourth Celebration

Years ago, Albert Red Star Andrews of the Joseph Band of Nez Perce on the Colville Reservation in north central Washington, told me about a unique Fourth of July event on his reservation.

Back When Everyone had Shacks, Houses or Big Houses

One of the privileges of living past 80 is that we can remember a time when housing was not seen as a problem, and “homelessness” was not a word.

The Glue that Bonds: Civic Groups that Make Communities Work

I know you have plenty of community groups that look after people and places on the wet side of the mountains, but thought I would chronicle a few of ours, if nothing else to encourage you to join in and/or thank your own doers of good community deeds.

Lebanon Memories: Decay of the Middle East

Beirut was once the Paris of the Middle East.. Now Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Iran have all dissolved into chaos.

A Rural Oregon Newspaper says Goodbye to Print

The rooms above Homan’s, with a shaving sink in each one and the bathroom down the hall, have been converted into luxury hotel rentals.

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