By the
Trout Lake Newswriters
Pat Arnold, 395-2233
Bonnie Reynolds, 395-2527
Maxine Bulick, 395-2101
It's been years since I've had a mouse in my house, but a couple of weeks ago one had the unmitigated nerve to wander out on my kitchen counter in broad daylight, threw down the gauntlet and declared war. It was him, in my nice cozy dry house, not in the cold wet outside, and me and the cat be damned. I immediately went to the store and stocked up on weapons of mass, er mouse, destruction. These included the standard wooden traps with very strong springs to smack said mouse into cheese heaven, plus a newer model that is a tray covered with a very sticky substance. I decided to try the old standard first and soon discovered that the new "improved" model now sports a slick plastic slice of "cheese" on which you place the bait (peanut butter, of course) and then cock the spring and place the trigger under the "cheese."
Did I mention that the "cheese" is plastic. Slick, smooth plastic. Well, the trigger does NOT hold on this plastic. After many tripped traps flipping peanut butter all over the counter, I gave up. I did note however, that the remaining peanut butter disappeared, giving evidence that Mr. Mouse was still alive and fatter. So, I moved on to the sticky stuff and sure enough, the next day, I heard a strange sound coming from the kitchen. I grabbed the cat from his napping spot and placed him up on the counter near the stuck mouse. Cat gave a couple of sniffs, grabbed the mouse and jumped down to the floor with mouse, sticky tray and now his paw all stuck together. This did not appeal to the cat, who pulled his paw loose, gave me a disgusted look and stalked out of the kitchen.
Not to be outdone by this finicky cat, I tossed the whole outfit out the door for the outside cat to play with. Ha -- he was too smart to be stuck by this trap and calmly settled in to wait out the mouse, who was struggling to get out of the goo, but looked like he was fading fast. A few minutes later, I looked out and the cat, the sticky tray and the mouse were all gone, but a dog was leaving the driveway with a strange looking flat thing attached to his nose. The current score is Cats-0, Humans-1, Dogs-sticky nose and maybe a mouse, plus trap.
Brilliant yellow vine maple, bright red burning bush, amber ferns, orange dogwood, all mixed with beautiful evergreens. Once again a gorgeous autumn season in our valley and in the Gorge. We've had a lovely Indian Summer and a very nice warm and dry Halloween evening; thank you Mother Nature!
Speaking of Halloween, our admiration and congratulations to the artists that carved the fantastic pumpkin and gourd people that graced the porch of the Trout Lake Grocery. What imaginations they have -- super!
The Holiday Season is creeping up on us and thoughts of turkey, dressing, pies and other goodies are beginning to crowd into my brain. Not to mention lists of folks to send cards to and buy gifts for. This year we can shop locally on Saturday, Dec. 6, as our very own Trout Lake Holiday Market is back, thanks to Harmony Allaway's Ribbon Basket, Laurie Sherburn, the Trout Lake School Advanced Science Club and the National Honor Society. The Holiday Market will be held in two locations: the school multipurpose room and the Grange Community Building and will feature local arts, crafts and home made goodies. Call Harmony at 395-2222 for additional information.
AARP Driver Safety Classes have begun again. These classes are taught by our own Jim Bull, who has offered to teach one here in Trout Lake if enough folks sign up. The classes run for two consecutive days, four hours each day and the cost is $10. Once you have completed the class, you may get a discount on your auto insurance premium by presenting proof to your insurance agent. Call Jim Bull at 395-2289 to sign up for the Trout Lake class.
Trout Lake Grange Community Building is now sporting a spanking new foundation, completed new roof and amazing structural improvements in the attic, thanks to Bob Jolley Construction and an EDA Grant from Klickitat County. These repairs have made the building stronger and safer for all to enjoy. Next on the list of improvements will be a new refrigerator and stoves for the kitchen, thanks to a grant from the Horizons Project.
What's your vision for the Grange? Come to our meetings and share your ideas -- it can't happen without you. The November and December meetings, will be held on the third Thursday of those months, due to the holidays. The November meeting will be on Nov. 20 and nominations for the 2009 officers will be held in addition to other business. The December meeting will be on Dec, 18 and elections of officers will be held at that time, in addition to wrapping up old business from 2008. Check on Trout Lake.org and click on Grange to get the latest news and events scheduled for the Grange.
Maxine Bulick, news writer
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