By the
Trout Lake Newswriters
Pat Arnold, 395-2233
Bonnie Reynolds, 395-2527
Laurie West, 395-9330
As most readers now know, the column published last week was actually written for Aug. 14, 2000, six years ago. Closing the barn door after the horses have gotten out, I have now moved my old columns to a different folder on the computer, so my midnight eyes can't confuse years.
The mistake was mine, and I apologize to anyone who might have been affected by the mistake. Here is the column that should have been published last week, with an addition or two. I've left everything in, even though some events are in the past. It's still news.
Folks, this is really getting serious. We need two more newswriters. No experience needed. You write about what you know and what's important. You write every fourth week. The rules are that you can't publicize your own business or any one individual business, and that you can't take controversial political positions. Otherwise, you go with your heart. So call us up -- Pat Arnold at 395-2233 or Bonnie Reynolds at 395-2527. We'll get you going.
The Community Foundation Labor Day Weekend sale is coming up fast. Donations are still being accepted. Bring them to Coralee's office right now.
Thanks to Ray Thygesen and all the Fair committee for putting on a terrific fair. Ray -- you do a great job. I'm recognizing people who won awards and raffles farther down in the column, but the real news about the Fair is how many people are involved in putting it on, exhibiting, selling food, playing games, running races, and generally enjoying themselves.
I hope you all saw Ray's new exhibit this year, called Community Partners. I don't know how many different groups were represented on that table, but it seemed like there was at least one group for every resident. Trout Lake is an amazing place in our community spirit and participation.
The Northwest Service Academy continues to find new and interesting things to do. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to the open house last week, but like many others, I did see the article in The Enterprise about the Forest Explorers Summer Camp. This was a residential camp for youth ages 9-14, with two sessions that served 70 campers from Skamania County.
The Service Academy's Educational Garden Project will be showing three films, on Aug. 25-27, as a fundraiser. The first film is "Broken Limbs," about a Wenatchee orchardist struggling to make a living. His son made the film. The second is "The Real Dirt on Farmer John," another true story of a third-generation farmer who finds his way to success, and the third film is "The Future of Food," an investigation of the patented and genetically engineered foods that are filling the shelves of grocery stores.
I've seen "Broken Limbs" and call tell you that it is well worth seeing. The films will show at the Columbia Center for the Arts, in Hood River. Tickets are available at Waucoma Books and at the box office. Call Kji McIntyre at 395-2706 or send an email to kji.mcintyre@esd112.org for tickets or information.
You are invited to the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, Aug. 22, for a potluck at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation by David Adams, a defendant's advocate in California capital punishment cases. Hear and discuss one educated and thoughtful person's conclusions on this difficult and controversial subject. Discussion starts at 7 p.m. Call Bonnie Reynolds, 395-2527, for more information.
On Sept. 25 (I know it's a long way off, but plan ahead), Tilth Producers of Washington will be visiting Mountain Laurel Jersey Dairy, the Pearson dairy here in town. This will be the fifth and last event in Tilth Producers' annual "Organic Farm Walks" series. Earlier walks this year have included an organic lavender farm in Twisp, stone fruit production in Rock Island, grains in Winthrop, and a mixed product CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Shelton. Cost is $15 for non-members. More information is available from Monte Pearson 392-2421 or from Tilth at (206) 442-7620.
Along these lines, how many valley residents have seen the Organic Valley 18-wheeler with the bigger than life picture of Mark and Kristie Schmid on the side? Mark and Kristie haven't seen it yet, but I have and so have some others. Keep your eyes open. It's Mark, Kristie, and a calf, all smiling.
OK, here are the winners. Jeff Baker's dad, Gene, won the quilt. Jeff swears that his Dad only bought $10 worth of tickets and didn't even put all of them in the quilt raffle. When Jeff and Wendy packed the quilt up in a protective plastic bag for the trip back to Arizona, they inadvertently managed to pack an old pocket knife in the bag, too. Airport security was about ready to start ripping seams, when someone finally thought to re-examine the bag, and there was the problem. So the quilt got to its new home in one piece. I can't remember seeing a prettier quilt, and the Baker family is pretty lucky to have it.
Unusually, the other three raffle winners were Trout Lake people. Sundee Yarnell won the firewood (and with envy I saw the empty truck going south after unloading), Ron Baumsteiger won the gravel, and Nina Pochna won the hay.
The Dennis Anderson family must eat well. Stephanie, a 16-year old junior in high school, won the grand prize in adult baking. Her sister Megan brought lots of beautiful vegetables and won the Grand Prize, junior division, in the veggie patch contest.
Other adult bake-off winners were Jeanne Knowles, second and Dana Richardson, third. Junior winners were Grace Anton, first, and Anna Schmid, second.
Following the best Trout Lake tradition, Anna also entered a good many beautiful things in the sewing contest, and she entered something in the veggie contest.
Grand Prize winner in the adult veggie was Jon Nakae, who just barely edged out Betsy Scott (of the giant, People's Choice cabbage) for the award. The Best of Show still has Kathy White's name on it, I think for the third year running. Entry raffle winner was Tereso and Wanda Avila.
The flower show was the best ever, with many beautiful and interesting entries, including a flower arrangement stuck into a zucchini. The Grand Prize Adult tied between veterans Betty Schmid and Diana Sanders. One of Betty's entries was a potted plant grown from a cutting of a plant given to her 30 years ago by a friend. Diana won best of show, and in very close voting, Jeff Baker and Betty Schmid tied for People's Choice. Maggie Baker beat out her brother James for Grand Prize Junior. So if we get the Baker and the Anderson households together, they can all eat delicious food surrounded by beautiful table decorations.
The children's art show had People's Choice awards in four categories, and the winners were Micaiah Snyder for his painting "Roselips" in the 5-6 year old group, Corbin Steffy, for his mixed media chalk drawing "Fishy" in the 7-9 group, and Chelsea Cox for her crayon drawing "Purple Flower" in the ages 10-12.
Next time I hope to cover the timber, photo, sewing groups and the race, which was well-attended. That is, if the organizers of those events report in. The timber contest certainly drew a crowd, and enough competitors, to make it lots of fun, apparently.
And one final Fair note. Coralee, next year when you pay someone to dunk your daughter during her turn at the dunk tank, pay them some extra to keep their mouth shut. Your daughter will be speaking to you sooner that way.
You all have your school calendar. High school soccer and volleyball started on Aug. 21, and the first day of classes is Aug. 31. Two days of school, then three days off for Labor Day and then classes get serious. So it's almost time to start watching for those students walking and biking, and for the big yellow buses.
Pat Arnold, newswriter
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