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The Stories We Shared: Vancouver Family Magazine’s 2022 Year in Review

A collage of Vancouver Family Magazine 2022 issue covers

The Stories We Shared: Vancouver Family Magazine’s 2022 Year in Review

Celebrity drama, American politics and even wars in eastern Europe dominated the national and international news in 2022. From the televised Amber Heard/Johnny Depp defamation trial, to the overturning of Roe v Wade to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the death of Queen Elizabeth—the implications and consequences of each of these top news stories are far reaching, even into our little corner of the Pacific Northwest. But even through the very real challenges posed by these monumental events, families and organizations throughout Southwest Washington continue to persevere and thrive. And we at Vancouver Family Magazine were proud to share the stories that shaped our community through it all. This year, we reported on serious issues such as suicide prevention, housing vulnerability, women and alcohol addiction and Cascade AIDS Project’s work with HIV-positive patients. We also covered the heartwarming efforts of NICU nurses and organizations who run local toy drives. And of course, we loved highlighting local entertainment, from Heritage High School’s principal who wrote a full scale musical play, to Clark County’s hometown sports teams, the Vancouver Volcanoes and the Ridgefield Raptors. Plus, we showcased amazing vacation spots around the Pacific Northwest. Take a look at our favorite stories of 2022, and click on each story’s link to read the full digital article.

JANUARY 2022

College or Career? Both! Discover how local high school programs are preparing students for the world of work through training in the trades.

FEBRUARY 2022

A man with gray/white hair and glasses operates a radio in his home
Don Mitchell operates one of his radios from his home. Photo by Renee Watts.

The Man Behind the Voice: A prominent player in Clark County’s amateur radio community, Don Mitchell shares decades of experience connecting people all over the world. Part 1 of a 2-part series on local radio.

Lend Me Your Ear: Discover how Re-Imagined Radio captures listeners’ imaginations with compelling audio stories. Part 2 of a 2-part series on local radio.

Confluence in the Classroom: Check out how a local organization committed to preserving the history, living cultures, and ecology of the Columbia River system is connecting young students with living Indigenous history.

MARCH 2022

Is HypnoBirthing for You?: What is HypnoBirthing, and is it right for you and your upcoming birth? All your questions answered by local practitioners and educators.

APRIL 2022

A woman wearing a mask sits in a racing wheelchair on a red track at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
Evergreen High School graduate and elite athlete Yen Hoang competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Photo courtesy Yen Hoang.

A Farm Fresh Start: Thiselle Creek Farm: After losing their California farm to a fire, MacKenzie and Sean Krumhauer moved north and made a fresh start in Yacolt. Find out how they are inviting visitors to experience farm life in a wholly unique way.

Local Sports: Vancouver Dragons Shoot for Success: Check out how a local basketball team is launching teamwork, hard work and dreams.

MAY 2022

Life Without Limits: Our exclusive interview with Vancouver-raised Paralympian, Yen Hoang

Local Sports: Vancouver Volcanoes basketball team builds community on and off the court.

JUNE 2022

Buffalo Soldiers: Our exclusive interview with local filmmaker Dru Holley on bringing little known history to life.

A Black man wearing a cowboy hat sits outside
Vancouver filmmaker, Dru Holley’s latest documentary highlights the little known history of Buffalo Soldiers who fought for the U.S. military from the Civil War up through the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy Dru Holley.

Ridgefield Raptors: The hometown team is back in action this summer with a new field, new fans, and fun for the whole family.

JULY 2022

Bulldogs at the Barbell: Clark County’s Special Olympics Powerlifting Team is ready to compete

NW Getaway: Walla Walla’s distinct flavor invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the subtleties of the senses.

AUGUST 2022

NW Getaway: Summertime in Leavenworth: Beyond a Winter Wonderland, Leavenworth offers year-round family fun. Check out the Bavarian summertime sights!

On the Brink: Housing Vulnerability in Vancouver: Read about one local family’s unexpected housing crisis and how the City of Vancouver is responding to a rise in shelter vulnerability.

SEPTEMBER 2022

A man smiles while holding a dollar bill out in front of him
Jared Walker founded Dollar For, an organization that helps individuals and families eliminate medical debt. Photo courtesy Dollar For.

NW Getaway: Seattle NorthCountry: Discover how coastal waters, noble forests, rolling farmland, small town America and sophisticated technology cohesively welcome visitors to experience the Pacific Northwest.

It Takes a City That Cares: For Suicide Prevention Month, read how a Camas couple turned their personal tragedy into a force for hope–and how you can get involved.

NICU Nurses: Take a peek into a day in the life of a NICU nurse, and learn how they help and heal babies and families.

OCTOBER 2022

Dollar For: After a TikTok video went viral, read how one local nonprofit is now crushing millions of dollars of medical bills nationwide.

Cascade AIDS Project: Combining compassion with community, Cascade AIDS Project connects HIV-positive patients with the right care and services to help them live life to the fullest.

Jae'lynn Chaney and her fiance Jake hold drinks in a pool in Hawaii
Jae’lynn Chaney advocates for better travel experiences for plus-size and disabled individuals through her popular social media channels. Photo courtesy Jae’lynn Chaney.

M.E.Ch.A. Clubs & National Hispanic Heritage Month: From ofrendas to traditional dances, Hispanic and Latinx high schoolers invite all to celebrate their heritage year round.

NOVEMBER 2022

The Principal/The Playwright: Heritage High School’s principal can now add “playwright” to his resume. Read how students and staff are coming together to debut the high school theater show he wrote.

Mobility Matters: Two local travel enthusiasts with disabilities sound off on creating more accessible spaces, at home and abroad.

Delivering Joy: Take a look behind the scenes of community toy drives that spark connection and the magic of the giving season.

DECEMBER 2022

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Moves Forward with Fortitude and a New CEO: With a brand new CEO and a bright future, The Murdock Trust’s impact extends across the Pacific Northwest. Meet CEO Romanita Hairston and a few of the local nonprofits the Trust supports.

Day Trip: Olympia: Explore the family-friendly sights of Washington’s capital city.

Unpaid & Unseen: Learn how volunteers are successfully working together across different faith groups to expand their reach and help others in need.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES:

Celebrating Diversity: Discover local organizations who are working hard to support and celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Every Day is Earth Day for These Local Businesses Who Are Making an Impact

SOCIAL MEDIA

OUR MOST LIKED INSTAGRAM PHOTO POST OF 2022:

OUR MOST POPULAR TWEET OF 2022:

OUR MOST POPULAR FACEBOOK POST OF 2022:

WHICH STORIES INSPIRED YOU THIS YEAR? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Nikki Klock became co-owner and editor of Vancouver Family Magazine in 2006. She grew up mainly in the Northwest and graduated from Utah Valley University. She is an avid reader and insists that a book is (almost) always better than a movie. She has lived in Vancouver with her husband, JR, and two daughters since 2003. Check out Nikki's Editor’s Picks here.

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