Ways To Help

Dance Instruction

Mission Statement: To bring professional instruction into the gorge dance community, starting with Tango.

Back Story: I'm John Hadley, Laura's husband. Laura and I have worked over 18 years to grow the dance community in the Columbia River Gorge. It has always been a grass root organization. Our web site is called www.gorgedance.com. It has been instrumental in supporting businesses, musicians, and dancers. Perhaps 12 ago Pat and Harvey Wixman started an open tango dance opportunity at the Hood River Elks. Since then we have worked to foster this exciting dance. Our upcoming goal is to add a Monday night lesson in Hood River with a professional instructor. Both a beginning and an advanced class back to back in one evening. Other needs exist for instruction of both swing and salsa. That is why I have chosen dance instructors, Johnny Griffith and Hannah Griffith to oversee expenditures. We will also do a yearly fund raiser on the Saturday closest to Laura's birthday (October 12 ). The work of dance is to bring joy and life change to those who participate. Dance is powerful medicine for the soul.

Memorial Benches at wind sites around the gorge

Mission Statement: Laura strongly believed in blurring the lines between Windsurfers and Kitesurfers. We are of one wind. Her family is also supporting this donation to support with supplies to create a number of rustic, artistic, durable, benches around the gorge with inscriptions on them. Also thank you to those artists that have offered great artistic inclusions for these benches.