Methow Valley Strong
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2025 12:29 am
Dear Methow Valley Residents,
As many of you are aware, there is a big ol’ hullabaloo on the other side of this continent, that is directly and indirectly impacting our community. Many of our community members who are employed by the federal government are furloughed without pay. The longer the government shutdown occurs, the longer many of our federally employed neighbors, friends and family, go without a paycheck. Some of these folk are considered “essential” and must continue to work without pay, which I can only imagine, over time, really diminishes one’s zeal to serve our community and our nation.
In less than 24 hours, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (ebt, “food stamps”) will no longer be funded by the federal government. This will inevitably cause even further financial and social distress amongst the most vulnerable in our community, especially children, who are without any agency in this convoluted political debacle. Despite the ominous cloud descending upon us, I have faith in this community and it's prosperity, because this is nothing compared to what the people of Methow have overcome. I have not lived here for long, only 5 years, a pittance compared to many of you. However, in that time, I have seen the north of the valley burn over, yet we are still here. We endured the pandemic, yet we are still here. The old timers share the stories of flood, fire and famine, “back before the highway”, and yet they remained, never alone, but as a community.
It is in our community that we survive and thrive here in a place so beautiful, yet inhospitable. In this place, our community provides a haven where we want to raise our families and grow together. A place where we may not know each other’s names, but we recognize each other from the checkout at Hank’s and we stop highway traffic, so random people can cross the street. My point is that this place is special, because our community is tightly woven. I have faith that our community will thrive, despite the ineffectual nature of our federal government, because we simply do not need their permission to take care of one another, as we always have. I say again, WE DO NOT NEED PERMISSION to feed, clothe, and care for each other.
Please consider donating to the Cove Food Bank, and the Methow Valley Senior Center this month and any other applicable charities. If donating isn’t your thing, invite someone over for a shared meal. Call it a Pre-Thanksgiving. Hang in there Methow Valley.
Sincerely, Joe Weirich
East County Road
As many of you are aware, there is a big ol’ hullabaloo on the other side of this continent, that is directly and indirectly impacting our community. Many of our community members who are employed by the federal government are furloughed without pay. The longer the government shutdown occurs, the longer many of our federally employed neighbors, friends and family, go without a paycheck. Some of these folk are considered “essential” and must continue to work without pay, which I can only imagine, over time, really diminishes one’s zeal to serve our community and our nation.
In less than 24 hours, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP (ebt, “food stamps”) will no longer be funded by the federal government. This will inevitably cause even further financial and social distress amongst the most vulnerable in our community, especially children, who are without any agency in this convoluted political debacle. Despite the ominous cloud descending upon us, I have faith in this community and it's prosperity, because this is nothing compared to what the people of Methow have overcome. I have not lived here for long, only 5 years, a pittance compared to many of you. However, in that time, I have seen the north of the valley burn over, yet we are still here. We endured the pandemic, yet we are still here. The old timers share the stories of flood, fire and famine, “back before the highway”, and yet they remained, never alone, but as a community.
It is in our community that we survive and thrive here in a place so beautiful, yet inhospitable. In this place, our community provides a haven where we want to raise our families and grow together. A place where we may not know each other’s names, but we recognize each other from the checkout at Hank’s and we stop highway traffic, so random people can cross the street. My point is that this place is special, because our community is tightly woven. I have faith that our community will thrive, despite the ineffectual nature of our federal government, because we simply do not need their permission to take care of one another, as we always have. I say again, WE DO NOT NEED PERMISSION to feed, clothe, and care for each other.
Please consider donating to the Cove Food Bank, and the Methow Valley Senior Center this month and any other applicable charities. If donating isn’t your thing, invite someone over for a shared meal. Call it a Pre-Thanksgiving. Hang in there Methow Valley.
Sincerely, Joe Weirich
East County Road