By the
Trout Lake Newswriters
Sandi Thygesen, 395-2318
Pat Arnold, 395-2233
Bonnie Reynolds, 395-2527
Laurie West, 395-9330
Congratulations to Natasha Ball who will be sworn in as a United States citizen on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Thanks, Lon, for calling with this news.
Harmony Allaway announced that rehearsals will start on Jan. 10, this Tuesday, for the school's spring musical, "How Does Your Garden Grow -- a musical for young voices." Kindergarteners through 4th graders are encouraged to perform. Fifth through eighth graders can perform and also help with other aspects of the performance, such as stage manager, set crew, and lighting crew. High school students are needed as well, for the crews and for positions as assistant drama, musical, and choreography directors. Parents and community members are needed as well to help with rehearsals, publicity, a cast party, picture taking, and many other tasks. Sign up at the school -- you can call or go to the office -- and let Harmony know what you would like to do. Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:05 to 4:30 p.m. at the school. The performance is May 23.
Here is a paraphrase of a comment sent to me before Christmas, which still might be of interest: "It would be great if people could get an update on the black powder elk hunting this year. There were reports of shooting dangerously close to houses, and there was also talk of a petition stating that there is now too high a density of houses in the valley to allow hunting on the valley floor. On the other hand, the elk herds have grown large and are doing a lot of damage to crops and fields." I did hear a lot of discussion myself of hunter actions this year, and I heard of one complaint to the county about taken elk being hung uncovered in the park. Maybe the snow drove the hunting action down to lower elevations or something. Comments? Contributions?
My correspondent went on. "Also, could we please post a reminder to people who use snowmobiles, or lodge people who do, that they legally are bound to get permission before running their snow machines on private property? They can be convicted of criminal trespassing if they damage property, including crops. It has been really nice to have this valley largely without obnoxious postings, and land open for general enjoyment, but it seems that now signs may have to go up. Too bad."
It's possible that non-residents, or even residents, see open fields and think they won't do any harm riding across them, but this may not be true, and even if it is, the property owner may not want snowmobiles crossing or playing. On the other hand, the snowmobile issue goes with snow, and mine is washing away at the moment.
As more houses are built out in the woods, residents are finding gates or other not welcome signs across roads they have used for hunting but also hiking, running, snowmobiling, skiing, and I suppose partying. Maybe it's time to start planning for accessible places on or near the valley floor specified for at least the activities people might want to encourage.
Pat Arnold, newswriter.
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