A reminder: school starts

Pat Arnold, 395-2233

greenpastures@gorge.net

Maxine Bulick, 395-2101

Maxine@gorge.net

Sarah Burr Arnold, 395-2669

sba_352@gorge.net

Wow, what a lot of news has come in this week. First a reminder. School starts this week, so while driving be alert for students walking or riding bikes, cars turning in and out of the school, and the buses making their rounds. Trout Lake School may be an option for parents who are removing their children from Whitson Elementary in White Salmon, so we may be seeing some new faces at school. Here's to a good school year, and here's wishing the 2009-2010 Village Voice editor and staff a year just as good as last year.

This is the big weekend of the rummage sale, which is the main fundraiser for the Community Foundation which does such a terrific job of providing financial support to graduating seniors and to students continuing their education. Your money is well spent at the sale. Spend lots, and support our Trout Lake students. The sale runs for four days, from Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept 7. Sale hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The sale opens at 8 a.m. sharp on Friday. There are no early sales. Sunday and Monday are discount days.

The Community Foundation has sent out an emergency request for large paper grocery bags for the rummage sale. They have plenty of plastic bags, but need the large brown (or white, pink, blue, whatever) paper ones for the clothing and stuff a bag days.

The Community Garden is starting U-pick Saturdays. The garden has such an abundance that they need help picking, so on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and noon you can pick all you want for one dollar per pound. They have squash, corn, a variety of other vegetables and herbs and beautiful pumpkins.

Fair news continues to roll in. Jane Wetzel of Washougal won the quilt, Betty Jolley the gravel, and Andy VanLaar the fire wood. It's great to have two local winners, though of course I think it should have been me. I've been after the gravel for years. Then, the baking contest grand prize winners are: adult, Sandi Tucker; junior, Maggie Baker; children, Sean McMahon. Thanks to the intrepid organizers and judges.

The Fair Board will be holding the annual meeting on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., at the Trout Lake School Library. Agenda items include a discussion of how the fair went and how to make it better. There will also be consideration of directors and officers. The fair board finished this year short two directors, and three directors' terms expire at the meeting. Everyone is welcome, and Ray Thygesen and the board are hoping for a good turnout. This is everyone's fair.

Lunch at Saturday Market continues to offer pleasant surprises each week. Remember that the market goes to Oct. 10 this year.

Seth Tibbott and his son Luke are selling Tofurky metal lunchboxes for $10 each to raise money for Trout Lake School's online learning curriculum. All of the money goes to Trout Lake School, not just the profits. The Online learning program is a key part of the high school curriculum that helps "level the playing field" with larger school districts. Last year 45 online courses were taken by Trout Lakers. Some were for advanced placement, some for credit recovery and some just because students were interested in a subject that was not offered by our small rural district. Due to the sluggish economy, these courses are now threatened by budget cuts. Seth and Luke are currently selling the lunch boxes at Dave Wampler's Simple Living store across from the store and will be selling them outside the rummage sale this weekend.

Also, on Sunday, Sept. 13, Seth's company Turtle Island will be hosting a golf tournament at Husum Hills Golf Course starting at 1 p.m. Cost is $40 per person which includes 18 holes of golf, snacks and prizes. All proceeds go to Trout Lake School. To sign up call Seth at 395-2845 or email seth@tofurky.com. Pat Arnold, newswriter.