Methodist Church to close doors

Mildred Lykens, 365-0060

lykensme@embarqmail.com

http://lyle-wa.blogspot.com/

Well, folks I've got good news and I've got bad news. The BAD news first. The beautiful "Little White Church on the Hill," that has accommodated over a 100 years of service to the Lyle community, is ceasing to exist. The United Methodist congregation met with Vancouver District Superintendent David Nieda on Tuesday, Feb. 21, for the "Discontinuation" of its service. The church has suffered with a dwindling of membership over the past years until there is but a handful in attendance. The Church Bell that called so many residents to the service each Sunday will toll no more, the pews and the hymnals will find new homes, the flame and cross (Methodist's logo) on the steeple will come down and its present parishioners will, in the most part, join the White Salmon Congregation.

The GOOD news is that Darrell Johnson and Bruce Smith, two members of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, joined for a second meeting with the same congregation and after a lengthy deliberation gave the ultimate decision to officially deed the building and property to the Historic Twin Bridges Museum!

The museum has resided in a classroom of the old elementary school building at the corner of 3rd and Klickitat Streets with no chance for expansion. So the old adage "Behind every cloud there is a silver lining" fits well here.

The Lions Club International annually honors deserving members with a plaque named after its founder. On Feb. 18, family and friends were present as Rick Denis was awarded this "Melvin Jones Fellowship" plaque for his outstanding performance not only in the Club but the community as well. Besides his secretary duties he maintains repairs on the center, cleans the parking lot, washes dishes, mops floors and cashiers at the Saturday Breakfasts. He is a man of many talents, a willing heart and very deserving of this award, which will join the other prestigious recipient's plaques displayed at the Center.

Speaking of breakfasts; the Lions Club would also like to announce that it will be serving its 40,000th breakfast next Saturday, March 3, and would like to celebrate this event by giving the 40,000th breakfast supporter "Free Breakfast for Two" for a year! Proceeds help fund eyeglasses, hearing aids, award scholarships, provide food baskets and bring disaster relief to those in need.

Due to the inclement weather in January, the Lyle School District will make up three schools -- March 1, 2 and May 11.