Blue Mountain News July/August

Blue Mountain NEWS July/August 2011

Table of Contents

Special Feature12-13

On the Cover

More 4-6 Have You Heard? 10 Home & Garden 11 People 14 Recreation16-19 Calendar of Events 20 Reviews 21 Arts 23 One More Thing...

Anne Dowdy is studying to be a falconer. She’d been a passionate birder for many years, but her enthusiasm was fanned into flames when she began working with the raptor club at WSU. There she met a falconer, and thought, “That is so cool. I want to do that.”

Lady Hawk Meets the Hawk Lady

Dayton falconer-in-training Anne Dowdy poses with Hera the red-tailed hawk. (Photo by Scott Kirk.) Liz Quiqq plays "mama" for an orphaned raccoon. (Photo by Dian McClurg. Cover design by Vanessa Heim)

(509) 540-2752www.bluemtnnews.com

Blue Mountain News is mailed FREE to every home and business in Dayton,

Waitsburg, Starbuck and Prescott.

Also available at fine retailers throughout the area.Subscriptions out of the area are $12 per year.

Blue Mountain News is published 10 times per year by:Back of the Moon Press, 242 E. Main St., Dayton, WA 99328

Ken GrahamPublisher(509) 540-2752 | [email protected]

Dian McClurgEditor(509) 956-8312 | [email protected]

Tanya PattonAssoc. Editor & Advertising(509) 382-4458/(509) [email protected]

Vanessa HeimGraphic Designer

Letters Invited Blue Mountain News welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our overall readership. Letters should be 400 words or less and should be submitted by the 20th of the month. We reserve the right to edit or decline letters.

Please send to:

[email protected] or 242 E. Main St., Dayton, WA 99328

Features

7 DHS Alumni Reunions 8 Elections: One Primary Race 9 Ace Landscaping Zoning Issues15 Fundraiser for Dennis Nostrant

Editor's Note

Copyright © 2011 by Back of the Moon PressNo part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

I love this issue of the Blue Mountain News. Not only did I get to take my kiddos on a super fun field trip to Little Goose Dam (and afterward Lyon's

Ferry, which is where my 12-year-old daughter, Wren, took this picture of me and the twins -- who did not want their picture taken), but I got to write about and photograph birds.

Happy day! I drove all the way to Pendleton on a whim on deadline

day--I've never been--just to meet Lynn Tompkins, who runs Blue Mountain Wildlife. What an amazing bird rescue operation. I spent over an hour with eagles, falcons, an adorable kestrel named Angus, tiny saw-whet owls I wanted to take home with me, and a saucy black-billed magpie called Maggie. The trip was well worth the drive.

Later on the same day, I stopped by the Quigg residence in Dayton to meet the orphaned raccoons they're rehabilitating. My children were jealous when they heard I was able to hold the little darlings.

This month I got to meet the Williams family. The Williams have six rambunctious and adorable kids. It was a pleasure, and I appreciate the way they graciously hosted me for close to half an hour at bedtime so I could take a family photo unexpectedly and then bombard them with questions.

And finally, I was able to get Dayton's renowned photographer Scott Kirk to let me use some of his beautiful photos of falconer Anne Dowdy and her red-tail hawk, Hera.

Scott, the photos are gorgeous. Thank you so much! And thanks to everyone who made putting together

this issue of the Blue Mountain News such fun. Enjoy the rest of your summer, folks!

-- Dian McClurg

July/August 2011 Blue Mountain NEWS


Have You Heard?

News From Your Neighborhoods:

To submit your own news briefs, local photos or information about Starbuck, Dayton, Waitsburg or Prescott, email:

news@bluemtnnews

Or call: (509) 956-8312

Mace Mead Works Opening Aug. 19Downtown Dayton’s newest Main Street business, Mace

Mead Works, will present its grand opening on August 19.

Located at 250 E. Main, Mace Mead Works will operate in the building formerly occupied by Bear Paw Trading Post. Winemaker Reggie Mace envisions a small, intimate wine bar serving mead, red wine, sparking wine and simple tapas – olives, cheese and cured meats.

Nearly one-third of the interior space will be a glass enclosed production area so guests can get an up-close look at the process for making the world’s oldest known fermented beverage – mead.

“Mead is simply honey and water fermented with yeast,” says Mace. “Variations in flavor, sweetness and alcohol content are achieved by using different honeys, barrels (wood or stainless steel) and aging processes.”

Mace plans to host a wide variety of live music in keeping with his own eclectic musical tastes. And seating will be casual and moveable to encourage guests to mix and mingle.

“I want to create a cultural center that can set the tone for the next generation of business owners in town,” says Mace.

The wine bar, which will be open Friday – Sunday, is just one prong of Mace’s business plan. A wine club is in the works, aptly named The Buzz Club. Members will have products

delivered right to their door and will enjoy exclusive access to special bottlings.

For more information visit www.macemeadworks.com.

Annual Benefit at Depot Aug. 6The Dayton Historical Depot Society will hold its annual

“Evening at the Depot Benefit Auction” on Saturday, August 6, from 6-9 p.m. in the Depot Courtyard at North Second at Commercial Street.

“Everyone (age 21 and over) is welcome to attend,” says event chairperson Dianne McKinley. “We want people in the community to come out, have a fun evening and celebrate the Depot as an important part of our heritage.”

The evening will feature wine and micro-brew tasting and a live auction of framed art by local artists and many unique packages featuring local wines, gourmet dinners, and fun get-a-ways.

The yearly event is the Depot Society’s primary fundraiser to cover operating costs for the Dayton Historic Depot Museum, the oldest standing train depot in Washington State.

Admission is free. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres catered by Country Cupboard and sponsored by Shaun Borth of McDonald Zaring Insurance will be served. Beverages will be available for purchase with cash or checks.

Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted for auction purchases. For more information, contact the Depot at (509)


New Waitsburg Business Opens: Solar Gardens & Sharpening

Travis Richardson likes to grow things, so much so that he has planted a three and one-half acre garden. Travis, together with his fiancé, Loretta Bradley, plan to open Solar Gardens & Sharpening the first week of July to provide an outlet for all that garden bounty.

Located behind the three solar panels just east of Waitsburg on property owned by his parents, Les and Laurie Richardson, Solar Gardens and Sharpening will not only offer retail sales of local fruits and vegetables but sharpening services as well.

“Loretta can sharpen just about anything that has a blade,” says Richardson. “Scissors, chainsaws, axes, knives, lawnmower blades – you name it.”

Richardson plans to place a few convenient drop boxes in businesses around the Touchet Valley, and customers will be able to drop off items to be sharpened during the Garden’s regular business hours – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Richardson “inherited” a 20’ by 50’ greenhouse and a small, air-conditioned retail building left behind after another business, Harmony Gardens, closed several years ago. The solar panels generate more than enough electricity to operate the greenhouse’s grow lights and fans, irrigation pumps and utilities in the retail building.

Richardson will sell produce from his own garden as well as other gardens and orchards east of the Cascades. “I want to provide a convenient place for customers to one-stop shop for quality, farm-fresh produce,” says Richardson. “If I can’t grow it, I’ll find someone who is and bring it to my store”.

Richardson and Bradley can also be found every Friday and Saturday at the Dayton Farmers’ Market selling plants and produce. For more information about Solar Gardens and Sharpening or the Dayton Farmers' Market (Richardson is president of the Board) call (509) 386-6431.

382-2026 or Dianne McKinley at (509) 382-4589.

Playground Fundraiser July 16A Hot Dog Feed fundraiser to benefit the new Downtown

Dayton Kiwanis Playground will take place at the playground site on Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The playground will be located in the parking lot at the southeast corner of First and Commercial streets, near the Union Pacific Caboose.

The event is happening in conjunction with the Alumni and Mule Mania Parade, the Saturday Market and Dayton Farmers’ Market, and the Alumni General Meeting at the Dayton Historic Depot.

Members of Dayton’s Kiwanis Club plan to be on hand to sell hot dogs and other food items, with proceeds going to the playground fundraising campaign. At press time, food service hours had not yet been established.

Members of the playground committee of the Dayton Development Task Force – the group developing the playground – will provide detailed information and illustrations of the playground equipment and fence. As part of this fundraising event, fence pickets will be available for sale. These pickets – with names of the donor’s choice engraved on them – can be purchased with a $35 donation. Engraved gates and benches are available with larger donations.

The playground will include a large play structure, a swing set and a climbing web. It will be surrounded by a three-foot high wood fence. The east edge of the playground will be adjacent to the lawn at the Dayton Historic Depot.

For more information on the new downtown Dayton playground, go to www.daytonplayground.org.

Live Theater Kicks Off with Kids' DramaAnother season of live theater begins this summer at

Dayton’s downtown Liberty Theater. Kids’ drama kicks things off with a Missoula Children’s Theatre rendition of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs in early August.

Pre-registration for this free program takes place Tuesday, July 26, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday, July 29, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the theater.

Children must pre-register on one of these dates. No registration will be allowed on the day of auditions.

Auditions are Monday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to noon in the theater. Rehearsals will be Monday, August 1, through Friday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Performances will be Friday, August 5, and Saturday, August 6, at 7 p.m.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre program is designed for children who have completed kindergarten through those entering 12th grade. No advance preparation is necessary for auditions. Approximately 50-55 students will be cast in the show.

The Touchet Valley Arts Council’s big show of the year for 2011 will be A Christmas Carol, adapted by locals Mike Ferrians and Brenda Chapman, set to arrive on stage at the Liberty Theater this November and December.

Auditions for A Christmas Carol will be July 6 at the theater.

This adaptation of Charles Dickens masterpiece, which was published in 1843, remains “faithful to the tone and spirit of the original story, with plenty of period Old World carols interspersed throughout the drama itself,” writes Ferrians.

“To my knowledge, ours is the only adaptation of this kind that exists.”


Have You Heard?

Dayton's 1st Mule Mania: Free Family Fun, Coming in July

Dayton mules Kate and Belle are ready to attend Dayton's first

Mule Mania event this July. The two animals are pictured here

(above) with event coordinator and Columbia REA CEO Les Teel

at their head and owner Doug Krueger adjusting the reins. To the

left, Kate and Belle pull Krueger around a field in a training chariot.

Photos by Dian McClurg.

July 14-17 are the dates for the much-anticipated Mule Mania events, happening in Dayton this year for the first time ever.

"Our goal is to get families to come, have fun, and want to come back again," said Dayton mule-owner Doug Krueger. Krueger was instrumental in bringing Mule Mania to Dayton.

Columbia Rural Electric Association's CEO Les Teel, who is also a mule owner, has been coordinating the event planning. He's getting excited as the dates draw near.

"We've seen just an outpouring of support from the community," Teel said. "I think this is going to bring a lot

of people to Dayton who've never been here before, and my expectation is that they will be back. Dayton will be on their list of places to return to."

Admission to the Columbia County Fairgrounds, where the event will take place, is going to be free. Visitors can expect to see the mule mania participants join in the Alumni Parade through town and take part in a golf tournament, listen to live music, attend cowboy church, witness (and sample from) an authentic chuck wagon feed, shop the many vendors and be part of the various mule riding and driving competitions.

For more information, see the ad on page 17.

Now Taking Applications

509-520-1397

A peaceful place beside the Touchet River on North Touchet Road…just outside the small town of Dayton, WA


DHS Alumni

Starting with front row, left to right: Carol Laib, Arlene Epperson, Peggy Kayser, Kay Erbes, Linda Alcorn, Beth Hatfield, Wilbur Fletcher, Blaine Harting, Jerald Hall, Duane Dunlap, Emory Clapp, Ronnie Klingenstein, Vernie Coverdale, Keith Lindaas, Becky Broughton, Shirley Black, Beth Breedlove, Joanne Iles, Zella Fuller, Donna Krause, Patty Crossler, Louise Hobson, Ila Koschmeder, Sharon Beckley, Mr. McNair, Maurice Eaton, Dwight Fullerton, John Hinchliff, Don Keen, Conrad Hoskins, Franklin Carver, Paul Greiner, Stephen Hunt.

Starting with front row, left to right: Robert Stedman, John Rogg, Roger Sanders, Robert Owens, Paul Zeman, Bill Scott, Carol Schiek, Lorna Neal, Joyce Startin, Marjorie Stansberry, Elaine Sanders, Sharon Miller, Ileynne Winn, Lois Jean McCasland, Darla Neal, Virginia Whalen, Delores Russell, Clettis Mathes, Jane Van Patten, Karen Spalinger, Marilyn Williams, Joann Woods, Karen Thronson, Mr. Floyd Bafus, Greg Smith, Jim Scott, John McFarland, Bob Lingow, Ezra Van Patten, Douglas Quigg, Elson Werhan, Frank Rose, Jerald Rayburn.

Members of the Class of 1956 who were not part of the class in 7th grade: Jerry Breneman, Merald Brodhead, Joan Bown, Alice Butts, Marilyn Dale, Jack Ebert, Zelda Epperson, Jeanette Melton, Shirley Power, Jim Reser, Dick Rubenser, Hertha Leseman, Duane Lowe, Mike Maynard, Dorothy Nelson, Judy Smith, Eleanor Strode, Warren Talbott, Bessie Tate and Charles Turner.

[A big "thank you" goes out to Zella Fuller Powers for providing these photos from her "Bullpup Parade 1951" yearbook.}

The members of the DHS Class of ’56 were just lowly 7th graders in 1951 when these pictures were taken. They will celebrate their 55th class reunion during Dayton’s Alumni weekend – July 16-17. What makes this DHS class unusual is that they’ve been getting together every year since 1996. “We lost several members of our class between our 35th and 40th reunion,” says Zella Fuller Powers. “We decided to meet every year

after that because you just never know what will happen in five years.”

Alumni Association President and class of ’56 member Don Keene says, “Every reunion is like coming home.” The class graduated 64 students and averages at least 30 to 35 attendees at each annual get together including Darla Neal Cooper who travels from Mobile, Alabama every year to visit her children who reside in Vancouver,

WA and attend the class reunion. Every five years the class decorates a float and participates in the Alumni Parade down Dayton’s Main Street. “This year the parade has to really be on time because we’ve got scads of mules (participants in Mule Mania) coming up behind us.” The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and is followed by an Alumni Association meeting in the Depot courtyard.

Class of '56 Celebrates 55th Reunion in July


Elections

COLUMBIA COUNTY PORT DIST:COMMISSIONER #2Earle Marvin, Dayton(6-year term, Nonpartisan)

CITY OF DAYTON:COUNCIL MEMBER #2Kathleen A. Berg, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #7Christine Broughton, Dayton (i) (2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #1V. Delphine Bailey, Dayton(2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #4Terry Herrin, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #6Jim Cooper, Dayton (i)(4-year short and full term, Nonpartisan)

MAYORCraig George, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

TOWN OF STARBUCK:COUNCIL MEMBER #01Keith Wharton, Starbuck (i)(2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #03Suzanne M. Wharton, Starbuck(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #04Ronica McCoy, Starbuck (i)(2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COUNCIL MEMBER #05John Wood, Starbuck(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

CLERK/TREASURERCandice J. Harrison, Starbuck (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

DAYTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2:DIRECTOR #2Steven W. Martin, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)DIRECTOR #3

Marchand Hovrud, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

DIRECTOR #4Joe Huether, Dayton (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

STARBUCK SCHOOL DIST 35:DIRECTOR #1Leo C. Janes, Starbuck (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

DIRECTOR #2Jill Wood, Starbuck (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

SCHOOL DIRECTOR 5 ALCarol Wildman, Starbuck (i)Tony Wooldridge, Starbuck (4-year term, Nonpartisan)

PRESCOTT SCHOOL DIST 402-37:SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 2Pamela Stueckle, Prescott (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 3Karen S. Tonne, Prescott (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 4Eva Madrigal, Prescott (i) (4-year term, Nonpartisan)

WAITSBURG SCHOOL DIST 401-100:SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 1Marilyn Johnson, Waitsburg (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 2Walt Gobel, WaitsburgChristy House, Waitsburg (4-year term, Nonpartisan)

SCHOOL DIRECTOR DIST 5Greg Zuger, Waitsburg (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

COLUMBIA CO FIRE DISTRICT 1:COMMISSIONER #1Harvey Fletcher, Dayton (i)(6-year term, Nonpartisan)

COLUMBIA CO FIRE DISTRICT 2:COMMISSIONER #2Unfiled (4-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COMMISSIONER #3Jim Hickam, Dayton (i)(6-year term, Nonpartisan)

COLUMBIA CO FIRE DISTRICT 3:COMMISSIONER #2Patrick J. Barker, Dayton(6-year term, Nonpartisan)

COMMISSIONER #3Steven A. Carlson, Dayton (i)(2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT:COMMISSIONER #2Blaine Bickelhaupt, Dayton (i)Garry Snyder, DaytonColleen Sproul, Dayton(6-year term, Nonpartisan)

COMMISSIONER #5Jack K. Otterson, Waitsburg, (i)Jeff Monyak, Dayton (6-year term, Nonpartisan)

PRESCOTT JOINT PRK & REC DIST:COMMISSIONER 1Ken Buley, Prescott (i)(2-year unexpired term, Nonpartisan)

COMMISSIONER 4Jerry C. Tonne, Prescott (i)(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

COMMISSIONER 5Chuck Carruthers, Prescott(4-year term, Nonpartisan)

2011 Special Elections OfficesPrimary Election: August 16, 2011

General Election: November 8, 2011 http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/columbia/Elections/CurrentElection/Pages/OfficesOpenForElection.aspx

In June, candidate filing was held for 2011 fall elections in Columbia County. Only three positions received two or more filers. The box on this page lists the candidates’ names.

One position, Columbia County Public Hospital District, Position #2, received filings from three candidates. Therefore, that position will appear on the primary ballot this summer.

Incumbent Blaine Bickelhaupt will face challengers Garry Snyder and Colleen Sproul. According to the Columbia County Auditor’s Office, ballots for the August 16th primary election will be mailed to voters on July 29th. The two candidates receiving the highest vote totals will move on to the November general election.

The only other contested local races will be Hospital District position #5, with incumbent Jack Otterson, of Waitsburg, facing challenger Jeff Monyak, of Dayton, and Starbuck School Board, Position #5, with Carol Hall-Wildman facing Tony Wooldridge. Those and all of the other open positions will appear on the ballot for the November 8th general election.

One Race to Appear on August Primary Election Ballot


Business

John Palmer has been a landscaper his entire adult life, and has owned and operated Ace Landscaping

Services in Walla Walla for seven years. Four years ago, Palmer purchased 23 acres of land along the south side of Highway 12 in Columbia County near Huntsville, with the intention of growing nursery stock there. “This property has a very senior water right,” says Palmer. “It’s an ideal location for horticulture, with the ability to provide irrigation.”

When he purchased the land, Palmer planned not only to grow plants for his landscaping business, but also to have plants to sell to customers. He prepared approximately three acres of his land, near the corner of Highway 12 and Gallaher Road, for display and sale of plants to the public. The sales area is fenced and covered with black weed cloth. A complete irrigation system was installed and a small building was brought in.

This year, Palmer decided to get his retail nursery up and running before his growing operation was in place. So in April, he purchased a large inventory of nursery stock from a wholesaler and set it out for display and sale on his property. He also mounted four large signs on the fence along the highway to attract customers. Unfortunately, according the Columbia County Planning Department, these two actions were in clear violation of the county’s zoning ordinance. Palmer’s property is zoned A1, which is reserved primarily for agricultural production.

Shortly after Palmer opened his retail operation, Columbia County Planning Director Richard Hendricksen received a complaint about the business

from a neighboring property owner. Hendricksen then sent a letter to Palmer notifying him of the zoning violation and asking him to cease his retail sales. After 30 days, Palmer had not complied with the request. Hendricksen sent him a second letter, again stating that he was in violation of the zoning ordinance and advising him of the maximum penalty, which includes jail time, if he were found guilty in court of violating the ordinance, which is a misdemeanor.

Hendricksen sent a total of three letters to Palmer between April and June. Hendricksen says he strictly followed county policies in his enforcement actions against Palmer. After Palmer continued to refuse to comply, the matter was turned over to the office of Columbia County Prosecutor Rea Culwell.

When Blue Mountain News first spoke with Palmer about the zoning issue on June 22, he listed a number of reasons why he feels it’s important that his business be allowed to remain open. “This is a business that will provide jobs and economic development in the county,” he said. “We’re generating sales tax revenue and providing products that aren’t available in the area otherwise.” Palmer also noted that his intent has always been to sell primarily products grown at the site. He purchased the initial inventory from a wholesaler simply to get a head start in establishing his retail business.

The day after we first talked to Palmer, he informed us that, after our initial conversation, he had consulted an attorney, who reviewed the zoning ordinance carefully with him. Palmer said he also spoke with the prosecutor’s

office and was informed that he definitely faces the possibility of misdemeanor charges being filed against him in Columbia County District Court. We spoke with Prosecutor Culwell shortly before press time, and she informed us that no decision had yet been made by her office on whether and when charges would be brought.

Palmer told us that, after gaining a clearer understanding of the law, he now intends to make necessary changes to bring his business into compliance. “In the future, I’m prepared to sell only plants grown on the site,” he said. By June 27, Palmer had removed two of the large signs from the property. Two remain. The ordinance allows up to two signs no greater than 32 square feet each, and Palmer believes he is now in compliance with the sign limitations in the ordinance.

When we spoke with Hendricksen, he told us that he encouraged Palmer to meet with the County Planning Commission as soon as possible, to determine what level of sales to the public the county will allow on his property. “The ordinance allows some level of sales to customers in the A1 zone,” he says. But while the ordinance is unclear as to the level of sales allowed, Hendricksen says that running a full-on retail operation is clearly not allowed. “Mr. Palmer needs to make his case to the Planning Commission, and they will decide what the limitations will be,” he said

When we spoke with Palmer, he said he welcomes the opportunity to meet with the County Planning Commission and he fully intends to bring his business into compliance with the law.

Ace Landscaping Takes Steps to Comply with

Zoning OrdinanceThe Columbia County Planning Department claims Ace Landscaping’s

retail operation near Huntsville violates the County’s zoning ordinance, but the firm’s owner says he plans to make changes to stay within the law.

By Ken Graham

Saturday Market Debuts in Dayton: Elvis made a rare appearance in Downtown Dayton on Saturday morning, June 25. He was the headliner for the new Saturday Market, which will take place each Saturday morning this summer on North First Street between Main and Commercial streets.The first Saturday Market happened in conjunction with the Dayton Farmers’ Market. More than a dozen vendors from both groups had products and produce available for sale. Saturday Market organizer Jacci Wooten (pictured above) has lots more live entertainment in store for future markets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos by Ken Graham.

The Manila Bay Café in downtown Dayton is now offering stone-fired pizza as part of its regular menu.

Chef Roger Tumbocon and his partner Justin Jaech will offer everything from traditional toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, olives and mushrooms, to more gourmet ingredients like artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp, fresh garlic and herbs along with homemade classic red and white garlic sauces.

“We wanted our menu to appeal to a broader range of diners,” says Jaech. They have also switched to serving bottled northwest microbrews instead of

Asian beers. The Café, located at 311 E. Main Street, has built its fine dining reputation

on a wide ranging menu of eclectic world cuisine. Tumbocon and Jaech have also simplified their menu and will rotate certain dishes on and off the menu as seasons change.

To view the current menu, visit www.manilabaycafe.com. For reservations call (509) 382-2520.

Manila Bay Cafe Adds Pizza To Its Eclectic Menu


Home & Garden

The weeds started out of the gate with a bang, while the vegetables huddled in the cold

wet soil. But the 11 valiant gardeners have tackled the weeds, and the carrots, onions, potatoes and many other vegetables will win out in the end.

Nearly a dozen gardeners have stepped up to participate this year in the Dayton Community Garden located on Eckler Mountain Road just below the cemetery. The committee decided last year that we would till up more ground so we could have some extra space, and when all was said and done we had to start a waiting list because so many people were interested. Fortunately we have 1.5 acres available in the area designated by the city for the Community Garden, and we currently only have .33 acres in use, so next year we will move the fence out to accommodate more garden plots.

Many groups have helped the successful growth of this year’s garden: the City of Dayton has been very supportive by setting aside the land and offering fencing to curb the deer damage, Ag-Link did soil tests and provided fertilizer to correct the deficiencies, and Bob McCauley has prepared the land and maintained the fence lines in addition to serving as the Water Master.

The Dayton Community Garden is still a small, close-knit group of gardeners who are interested not only in growing vegetables but in learning from each other and working together. We meet on the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. in the garden to discuss problems, clean out weeds, and share tidbits of information such as planting times, spacing of plants, weeding, etc. There is a lifetime of learning and enjoyment when it comes to growing plants and working with soil – we fully intend to keep learning from each other as long as we can.

As you plan for next year, consider investing in the therapy of living plants and the opportunity to get out and meet some of your neighbors at the Dayton Community Garden.

Sincerely, Neil Williams, ChairmanDayton Community Garden

How Does Our Garden Grow?

A Note from the Dayton Community Garden Chairman

Photo by Dian McClurg

Dayton Community Garden members weed the group's .33 acres. Clockwise from left are Bob McCaully, Frank Demaris, Neil Williams and Genavieve Williams.The garden is packed with plants this year. Eleven community members have plots this year, and Williams has a waiting list for people interested in gardening in the Eckler Mountain Road location next year.


People

We're always looking for great people to introduce to our readers, so if you have suggestions for future Neighbor to Neighbor personalities, please email [email protected] or call (509) 956-8312.

Neighbor To Neighbor: Peas in a Pod

BMN: How long have you lived in Dayton, and where are you from?

Neil: We most recently moved from Ankeny, Iowa, a little town just north of Des Moines. We came to Dayton in March 2010. I started my job as plant breeder/scientist with Seneca Foods in January 2010.

BMN: What does a “plant breeder/scientist” do?

Neil: Basically I’m a pea breeder. I do the early, basic testing to come up with varieties. We can’t grow green peas here well because we would have to do so much watering, but we do seeds well. So we send the seeds we produce here to the Midwest to grow.

BMN: Does your family eat

a lot of peas?Neil: Yes. And they love it!Collin (age 8): I love peas!

BMN: Neil, you are also chairman of the Dayton Community Garden. How did you get to be so excited about growing things?

Neil: I was number seven of eight kids growing up, and my mother had a huge garden. Nobody else wanted to weed the garden, so during the summers that was how I got my alone time with mom. And the interest grew from there.

BMN: Suzanne, when you get a break from raising the children, what do you like to do?

Suzanne: I have a number of creative

interests. I studied operatic performance in college, and I’ve participated in several local musical productions including the Liberty Theater’s Music Man, the Variety Show this past spring, and an Easter Cantata at the Waitsburg Presbyterian Church. I also design and make cakes.

BMN: So what does the Williams family think of Dayton?

Suzanne: I love it here. I’m content to stay here for years and years.

Neil: People here have been very good to us, and the community has so many things we enjoy. We specifically chose Dayton over Walla Walla because we were looking for a place where we could participate.

The Williams Family

Neil & Suzanne Williams with their six children:

Genavieve, 11; Tyler, 10; Collin, 8; Jacob, 6; Gabriel,

4; Noah, 9 months

Photo by Dian McClurg


Feature: Working With Wildlife

Anne Dowdy is a fisheries biologist at Little Goose Dam. She and her husband, Bill, fell in love with Dayton and moved here with their three daughters (ages 5-19) in 2001.

Bill works as a fish and wildlife biologist with the Forest Service in Pomeroy.

Anne hadn’t been aiming at fisheries work when she enrolled in classes at Pullman. She started out studying wildlife biology, “but in the Pacific Northwest, the money is in fish,” she said. So smolt monitoring is where she wound up.

Now she’s been given the opportunity to pursue a personal dream, working with more warm-blooded creatures – at least on her own time.

Anne is studying to be a falconer. She’d been a passionate birder for many years, but her enthusiasm was fanned into flames when she began working with the raptor club at WSU. There she met a falconer, and thought, “That is so cool. I want to do that.”

Falconers are licensed by the state to own certain birds of prey (hawks, kestrels, and such). They train the birds and use them for hunting small game.

Just last year, Anne finally got all her ducks in a row, built the mandated mews (raptor shelters) to Fish and Wildlife specification, and took her test.

“This is definitely not a poor man’s sport,” she said. She found a sponsor (or mentor), also as required by state. Her

mentor is a master falconer out of Walla Walla.All she needed then was a bird. And she found one through Blue

Mountain Wildlife, a nonprofit organization in Pendleton that takes in orphaned, sick or injured wildlife, primarily birds of prey, providing the treatment and care necessary to return them to their natural habitat.

She asked Lynn Tompkins at Blue Mountain Wildlife whether she happened to have a raptor that needed just a little rehab but was otherwise in good shape. Anne was hoping for a larger bird (these are easier to take care of than the smaller birds, like kestrels) that she could train with.

Lynn surprised her. She said she did have such a bird. A red-tailed hawk. Her name is Hera.

Hera was a female about a year and a half old who’d been hit by a truck and had her tail feathers broken. She would need to be cared for until those important feathers grew back in.

Anne was ecstatic, and more than a little nervous.“Initially when I brought her home, she was freaked out and I was intimidated,”

Anne said. “Every night I would offer her some food from my hand. After four or five days, she finally took it. That was a huge step.”

First Anne got Hera to snatch food from her baited fist. Then she trained the hawk to sit on her fist. She worked with Hera every day for weeks. The bird became a part of the family. During the winter, Hera would often perch on a roost in the

living room and observe the daily life of the Dowdy family.

Anne continued work with Hera, preparing her for their first hunting trip together. Finally, Hera and her human were ready.

“Finally the day came when we took her off the creance (the leather leash),” Anne said. “It was very nervewracking. You think, maybe they’re going to fool you and fly off. But she didn’t. She got a rabbit within 10 minutes of getting in the field. It was kinda anticlimactic.”

Visitors to Dayton’s parks or ball fields may have seen Anne and Hera

training over the last year. But their time together is growing short. Anne plans to release Hera back into the wild as soon as the hawk is in top form – a time fast approaching.

Anne had planned to release her at midsummer, but the bird’s tail feathers weren’t in optimal condition yet. She knows it’s just a matter of time, though.

“I could keep her, but I couldn’t do that,” she said. “She’s a wild creature.”

Lady Hawk Meets Hawk LadyStory by Dian McClurg | Photos by Scott Kirk


Feature: Working With Wildlife

living room and observe the daily life of the Dowdy family.

Anne continued work with Hera, preparing her for their first hunting trip together. Finally, Hera and her human were ready.

“Finally the day came when we took her off the creance (the leather leash),” Anne said. “It was very nervewracking. You think, maybe they’re going to fool you and fly off. But she didn’t. She got a rabbit within 10 minutes of getting in the field. It was kinda anticlimactic.”

Visitors to Dayton’s parks or ball fields may have seen Anne and Hera

training over the last year. But their time together is growing short. Anne plans to release Hera back into the wild as soon as the hawk is in top form – a time fast approaching.

Anne had planned to release her at midsummer, but the bird’s tail feathers weren’t in optimal condition yet. She knows it’s just a matter of time, though.

“I could keep her, but I couldn’t do that,” she said. “She’s a wild creature.”

When training with Hera is finished, Anne will seek out another bird to train as she continues her falconry apprenticeship, so keep your eyes peeled. You may yet see Dayton’s hawk lady out training one of her raptors these days.

FALCONRYFalconry is the art and sport of hunting with raptors. According

to The Modern Apprentice, an online site for modern falconers in Washington state, there are currently an estimated 4,000 falconers in the United States with roughly 5,000 birds.

Falconry has been practiced in many forms for thousands of years by many cultures. Some speculate that falconry dates back as far as 4000 - 6000 BC in Mongolia, Egypt, and possibly Asia, however there is no concrete evidence to support that. It is known that falcons were given as presents to Chinese princes as early as 2200 BC, but these may have been for pets and not for hunting.

Interested in falconry? Read this caveat from www.themodernapprentice.com:

1. You must be over 12 years of age in some states, and 14 in others depending on the regulations.

2. You must enjoy working with animals as there is a lot of training involved. These are animals that see you as a food source, not as a source of affection, and they do not give affection back. Working with animals is much easier when we see them desiring to be with us. Cats, dogs, and horses all have a built-in desire for relationships. Most

of these species of birds do not. This may make the experience not as rewarding to you, and is something to consider.

3. You must be able to meet the bird's needs. This means a facility to house her, quality food and medical care, as well as your time and attention.

4. You must enjoy the outdoors. You will be outdoors with your bird hunting - cold days, wet days and beautiful days.

5. You must enjoy hunting or want to hunt. The sport is for the purpose of hunting, not for the purpose of pet keeping. Exotic species may be purchased for that and without much of the legal overhead.

6. You must be willing to spend years dedicated to the sport. You will have a minimum of two years as an apprentice directly under the supervision of a general or master falconer. This is a commitment on both sides.

7. You must be able to spend a portion of each day, every day, with your bird. Some days this is just feeding, some days this is training, and on hunting days you could be spending sun up to sundown out in the field.

8. You must be patient - getting through the legal paperwork will take some effort. Manning the bird will take patience. Getting out in the field and being successful will test your patience. Can you be patient and persistent?

Find out more online. The Modern Apprentice gives information on everything from the legal to the historical, the technical to the scientific.

Lady Hawk Meets Hawk LadyStory by Dian McClurg | Photos by Scott Kirk

Photos by Dian McClurg

Wildlife Rescue: Hearts & Hands

Some people just can't help but love injured or orphaned critters. At Blue Mountain Wildlife in Pendleton, Lynn Tompkins (pictured above with Tri-Cities intern Kelsey Lotz bandaging a barn owl's wing) has created a legacy of rescuing birds. Anne Dowdy got her hawk, Hera,

from Tompkins. And Dayton woman Liz Quigg (pictured below with her newest orphans, Bandit and Roxy) often works with Tompkins. Quigg isn't a licensed rescuer, so she is able to help out the local game warden with orphaned mammals that aren't injured (injured animals go to WSU), but birds in need can be transported across states lines (unlike mammals), so Quigg typically brings rescued birds to Blue Mountain Wildlife. Quigg has successfully rescued squirrels, oppossums, robins, quail and kestrels. "The one I'm most proud of was the deer," Quigg says. Deer are notoriously difficult to rehabilitate.


Recreation: Birding the BluesHot Spot: Little Goose Dam

I took the kids out to Little Goose Dam for their first-ever visit early this summer. We had a blast. We

hit the dam just as a boat was going through the locks.

The children were awed by the sight of the water level mark high, high above their heads on the other side of the gate as it opened to allow the craft to continue its journey down the Snake River.

Their mouths hung open as we pulled into the parking lot. Water gushed white and fast through the turbines, churning the water beneath the dam into a foaming series of menacing-looking whirlpools.

We learned about fishing for lead balls from two men who wielded a strange devise with a row of hooks (with their barbs filed off ) that they dragged along the bottom of the river there at the parking lot. With it the two were able to pull up 48-ounce lead fishing weights (about the size of a billiard ball) – enough to fill a bucket. They told us they planned to melt the balls down into smaller weights they could use.

We watched gazillions of tree swallows in frenetic clouds zig and zag around the dam and other buildings, grazing for bugs. The cement overhangs were a buzzing community of loud cliff

swallow nests. But it was the fish observation room

that inspired the actual squeals of delight. By a stroke of providence, I had timed my mini field trip to coincide with the first day of the summer Chinook salmon run. Amazing! I couldn’t have planned it better if I’d actually planned the trip instead of deciding on it spur of the moment that Sunday morning.

I’m not a fisherman myself. So I’d never seen such giant fish. Their long, finned shadows would suddenly flit by close to the three viewing windows and my pulse would actually speed up. “Whoa!” the kids would shout, and all five of them would run to the window and press their faces to the cold glass.

Several of the great beasts skimmed by the glass so closely they must have run their slick bodies along the window. Whenever that happened, even I would shout and holler and point. And the small groups of smolt headed in the opposite direction were quite adorable.

Back outside in the hot and humid sun, we stopped at a small pull-out right beside the river to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with apples.

We watched the Columbia County Sheriff ’s boat buzz upriver and wondered where it might be going. It’s passing

Plans are shaping up for 2011 Columbia County Fair, celebrating Sunshine Days and Country Ways. The fair takes place from September 9th through the 11th at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Dayton.

Major events include the return of the Bull Bash on Saturday night and a Family Fun Day scheduled for Sunday afternoon in the main arena. The Friday night arena event will feature a crash ‘em up Demolition Derby. All of the traditional events, competitions, exhibits and a talented line up of entertainment on the midway are planned to offer something for everyone.

Adults and youth planning to enter exhibits in the pavilion or youth 4-H building should note a change to the entry date for all exhibits except flowers. All still-life exhibits including canning, sewing, art, crafts, photography and baked goods need to be presented to their respective buildings on Tuesday, September 6. In years past, everything except baked goods was entered on Wednesday and baked goods on Thursday morning.

The change should help streamline the administrative process behind the scenes, but more importantly provide a bit of relief for many volunteers.

“We want to give our hardworking, faithful superintendents more time to present their areas before the fair opens instead of staying up into the wee hours of the morning,” says fair manager Shane Laib. “They deserve to have more opportunity to enjoy the fair rather than spend the weekend recuperating from an all-night set up marathon.”

Floral exhibits will be due, as usual, on Friday morning. Please see the premium book for specific details and guidelines.

Adults and youth planning to enter exhibits in the pavilion or youth 4-H building should note a change to the entry date for all exhibits except flowers.

Plans Underway for 2011 Columbia County Fair

startled two huge American pelicans from the water. The kids were amazed by the huge, awkward size of the white and black birds.

My highlight of the trip – if you could possibly top the powerful feeling of giving children a brand new and awe-inspiring experience – was in watching

those ungainly pelicans settle back down on the water.

Just as their great white bulk nears the surface of the river, they thrust out the brightest yellow pair of sprawling legs and webbed feet I’ve ever seen. I burst into laughter at the sight.

By Dian McClurg

Photos by Dian & Wren McClurgPictured at top -- Dian's clan poses for a group shot in front of the Little Goose Dam (from left): Peter, Silas, Chase, Lane and Wren. Bottom left: Two American pelicans flee from the sheriff's boat as it barrels up the Snake River. Botton right: One of the smaller big fish we saw at the dam (I'm not a scientist or a fisherman -- quick! Is it a steelhead or a Chinook?)


People

Dennis Nostrant spent a year in a body cast after a motorcycle crash in 1979 broke both his legs in over 400 places. But that slow and painful recovery wasn’t the end of the nightmare for this former Dayton resident.

One of the many blood transfusions Nostrant received after the collision was contaminated. After struggling for years with a variety of symptoms and several incorrect diagnoses, Nostrant finally learned he was suffering from end-stage liver disease.

He must receive a liver transplant to survive.

Nostrant’s sister, Prescott resident Susan Skeeters, is trying to help him raise $350,000 toward the expensive procedure. She, together with other family and friends, have put together several fundraisers for the 58-year-old Nostrant.

The group sold raffle tickets for a donated half beef at a booth during All Wheel’s Weekend. On Saturday, July 23, they have organized a dinner and silent auction at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for kids 7-12, free for kids 6 and under.

Raffle tickets are still available for $5 each or five for $20. The winner will be chosen during July’s benefit meal. Ticket holders need not be present to win but must hold onto their ticket stubs.

The money goes to the NTAF Northwest Liver Transplant Fund in Nostrant’s name, so all contributions are tax deductible. This group has been instrumental in getting Nostrant’s name on the transplant waiting list. Skeeters estimates that the family has about a year to gather all the required funds.

Nostrant has two daughters, 14-year-old Kellie and 19-year-old Lola, a student at Washington State University.

He now works and resides in the Spokane area, but he still thinks of Dayton as home. He and his father moved to the town many years ago to help build the wastewater treatment plant. Nostrant loved the town, so when a tavern on Main Street came up for sale, he purchased it and opened The Sports Center Tavern, where he worked for the next 10 years.

He made many friends and volunteered with the fire department. For more information about fundraising efforts or the upcoming benefit

dinner, call Skeeters at 629-2568. To find out more about NTAF, visit ntafund.org online.

Dinner and Auction Fundraiser for Dennis Nostrant

Dennis Nostrant on his Harley Davidson. (Photo courtesy of Sue Skeeters.)


EventsFe

atur

ed E

vent

Summer Film Series

JULY 2011

The Liberty Theater kicks off its 5-week Summer Film Series on June 28. From June 28 through July 29, the theater will bring classic and recent children’s films to the screen with 3:00 matinees on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Admission to each matinee is $5.00. Passes for the entire 5-week Children’s Film Series can be purchased at the theater for $10.00. A limited number of complimentary passes will be available to low-income children, thanks to a generous donation from Grace Episcopal Church. The Summer Film Series is made possible with a grant from the Columbia County Fund.

June 28 & July 1 – Magic in the WaterJuly 5 & 8 – RangoJuly 12 & 15 – FairyTale: A True StoryJuly 19 & 22 – HookJuly 26 & 29 – Jumanji

July1-2Dayton Farmers’ MarketEvery Friday - 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Seneca Lawn 711 E. MainEvery Saturday - 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Downtown Dayton – Main & First Street.

For more information, contact Travis Richardson at (509) 386-6431.

2Saturday MarketEvery Saturday - 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Downtown Dayton – Main & First StreetFor more information, contact Jacci Wooten at (509) 382-2526 or (509) 382-8921.

1-317th Annual Wildhorse Pow WowWildhorse Resort, Umatilla Indian Reservation, Pendleton, OR

Experience the traditions of our

American Indian Culture as more than 300 dancers and 25 drum teams celebrate their heritage and compete for over $57,000 in cash and prizes.The event kicks off Friday with the Grand Entry at 7:00 p.m. Events begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Pow Wow is open to the public and admission is FREE. A variety of food, souvenirs and Native American arts and crafts vendors will be on hand around the Pow Wow dance arena, offering everything from Indian fry bread to beadwork, clothing and jewelry. For more information, please call Juliana at (541) 966-1567. Vendors call Kim at (541) 966-1587. Hotel, RV Park, and Tipi Village reservations can be made by calling (800) 654-9453.

4Fourth of July in the Park10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.Pioneer Park along Alder Street, Walla Walla

Pioneer Park will be filled with arts and crafts, food booths, activities for children of all ages and nonstop entertainment. The celebration will conclude at dark with a rousing show of the finest fireworks display in the area. For more information, visit 4thofjulyinthepark.com.

6Auditions for TVAC’s fall production, "A Christmas Carol."For more information and audition forms visit www.libertytheater.org or call (509) 382-1380.

7-9, 14-17, 21-23WWCC Foundation Summer Musical:

“Hairspray”Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater

The Walla Walla Community College Foundation is celebrating 30 continuous years of productions, by presenting the Broadway hit, “Hairspray”.All proceeds generated from the musical are designated for merit-based scholarships for Walla Walla Community College students. Tickets can be purchased at the Fort WW Museum, WWCC Bookstore (Monday – Thursday), Book and Game, Earthlight Books and Walla Walla’s Harvest Foods. Visit www.wwcc.edu/summermusical for more information.


8-9Live Music on the Patio7:00 – 10:00 p.m.Dayton Wine Works507 E. MainJoin singer/Celtic musician Heather Stearns for an evening of Celtic and Scots/Irish influenced music. In addition to vocals, Heather will showcase her talents on the concert ukulele, tinwhistle and Irish flute. For more information, call (509) 382-1200 or visit www.daytonwineworks.com.

9Karaoke Night8:00 p.m. to midnightTuxedo Bar & GrillPrescott (509) 849-2244

Starbuck Community Yard Sale9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Starbuck, WA

Nearly a dozen community members will host individual yard sales. For more information call Louann Truesdale at (509) 399-2382.

13Christian Women’s Connection:Garden Party Brunch10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Judy Jackson’s home825 Highway 261, StarbuckCost: $9.00 Catered by Louann Truesdale.

GET SOOTHED - Step into a gorgeous setting and be soothed by beautiful music from Debbie Hoilman. GET REFRESHED - Our speaker will be Anna Tracy, a Gen-Xer, who migrated from the suburbs of Los Angeles to rural Oregon. When one of her greatest fears flashed before her eyes, she was confronted with decisions and uncertain outcomes. Come hear a message about finding help, when you feel you are at the end of your rope.GET INSPIRED - Our own Betsy Nemitz will be sharing examples of

creative yard art she has made with a found objects and a little ingenuity. See how you can beautify your yard for next to nothing! Reservations are needed and babysitting is available. Please call Judy Jackson at (509) 399-2005 to reserve your lunch and to let her know if you need a babysitter for the brunch. Please honor your reservation; “gift” it to a friend, or call Judy by noon on Friday, July 8th to cancel if your plans change; otherwise, we are obligated to pay for your meal if you are unable to attend. Sponsored by Christian Women’s Connection and www.stonecroft.org

15-16Live Music – Money for Nothing9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.Woody’s Bar & Grill 214 E. Main, Dayton

The party is upstairs at Woody’s with the classic rock and country cover band, Money for Nothing. No cover. For more information, call (509) 382-2364.

15-17Mule ManiaDayton

See article on page 6 and schedule on Page 18 for more complete information.

15Live Music on the Patio7:00 – 10:00 p.m.Dayton Wine Works507 E. Main$5 Cover

Felicia Dee performs music from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Don’t miss this one night only engagement – a musical walk down memory lane. For more information, call (509) 382-1200 or visit www.daytonwineworks.com

16Dayton Playground Fundraiser9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Corner of First and Commercial Streets, Dayton.

The Kiwanis will be selling hotdogs for a good cause – the construction of a kid-friendly playground nextto the Dayton Historic Depot. You can purchase custom-engraved fence pickets too! See Page 5 for more information.

16-17Dayton Alumni Reunion WeekendAlumni parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday with a DHS Alumni meeting immediately following the parade at the Dayton Depot Courtyard where officers will be elected for the next year, awards given and an update on Alumni Association business presented. A potluck picnic will be held Sunday starting at noon at the City Park. Tables and table service will be provided. Please bring lawn chairs if possible and your own beverages.

All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast8:00 – 11:00 a.m.Prescott Lion’s Community Center

Enjoy a home cooked, hearty breakfast and help raise money for Prescott Community projects. Suggested donation just $5.99. Contact Jeanne McIntyre at (509) 849-2425 for more information.

Walla Walla Sweet Onion FestivalDowntown Walla Walla

Celebrate the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion with two full days of entertainment, music, cooking and barbeque contests and lots of family-friendly fun. A Saturday night street dance begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (509) 525-1031.

19Pioneer Kids Camp9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Fort Wall Walla Museum ParkMyra Road

Kids age 9-11 will enjoy a fun day camp filled with hands-on activities designed to help them learn about life in the days of the pioneers. Registration deadline is Wednesday July 13th. Cost is $30 per child ($25 for Museum members) including lunch and official gear. Some financial aide is available. For information call (509) 525-7703, email [email protected], visit www.fortwallawallamuseum.org or Facebook: Fortwalla Wallamuseum.

22-23Live Music on the Patio7:00 – 10:00 p.m.Dayton Wine Works507 E. Main

Jazz pianist and vocalist Kevin Selby will be performing vocal and instrumental jazz tunes as well as easy listening favorites from the 70s and 80s. Don’t miss this multi-talented musician and entertainer from the Tri-Cities. For more information, call (509) 382-1200 or visit www.daytonwineworks.com

23Fundraiser for Dennis Nostrant6:00 – 8:30 p.m.Waitsburg Lion’s BuildingWaitsburg Fairgrounds

Dennis Nostrant needs a new liver, but first he must raise $350,000 to cover his part of the cost of a transplant. Friends and family have organized this fundraiser to help out. For more information, refer to the article on page 15 or call Sue Skeeters at (509) 629-2568.

29-30Live Music on the Patio7:00 – 10:00 p.m.Dayton Wine Works507 E. MainEnjoy an evening with accomplished guitar and banjo player Mark Holt. He performs bluegrass, blues and country music. For more information, call (509) 382-1200 or visit www.daytonwineworks.com

AUGUST228th Annual National Night Out Against Crime5:00 – 8:00 p.m.Dayton City Park

Help raise awareness of crime and drug prevention and support for local anticrime efforts. FREE hamburgers, hotdogs and soft drinks will be provided. The park will be filled with fun events, activities, demonstrations and vendors. Co-sponsored locally by the Columbia County Friends of 9-1-1 and the Columbia County Sheriff ’s office. Call Tim Quigg (509) 382-0911 for more information.

5-6Missoula Children’s Theatre “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” 7:00 p.m.Liberty Theater, 344 E. Main Street,Dayton

Over 50 local kids will audition, rehearse and perform two shows all in just a week’s time! Don’t put off purchasing tickets to these charming performances. They sell out quickly! Refer to the article on page 5 for complete information about auditions and rehearsals or visit www.libertytheater.org. Sponsored by Touchet Valley Arts Council Productions, Inland Northwest Community Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Dayton and the Dayton School District.


American Legion Legion Hall, 211 E. Clay, Dayton 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Blue Mountain Artists' GuildDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library, 111 S. 3rdMeredith at 509-382-2372 Last Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Blue Mountain Heritage SocietyDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library, 111 S. 3rd Contact Elizabeth Thorn at (509) 382-48202nd Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

Columbia County CommissionersCommissioners’ Chambers 3rd Floor, County Courthouse, Dayton. Call (509) 382-45421st and 3rd Monday at 10:00 a.m. and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Columbia County Fair Board Youth Building at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, Dayton3rd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Columbia County Fire District #3 CommissionersFire District #3 Station 206 W. Main St, Dayton Call (509) 382-42812nd and 4th Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Columbia County Levee RoundtableDayton City Hall 111 S. 1st St, DaytonLast Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Columbia County Livestock AssociationColumbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building Randy James (509) 382-27601st Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Columbia County Motorcycle ClubDayton D.O.T Building Contact Bret Harting for more information. (509) 382-46022nd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m

Columbia County Planning Commission County Planning Office 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Columbia County Rural Library District BoardDayton Memorial Library 111 S 3rd St, Dayton Call (509) 382-41312nd and 4th Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton AA GroupFirst Congregational Church, 214 S. 3rd St. Tuesday & Thursday at 7:00 p.m. & Wed. at noon

Dayton City CouncilDayton City Hall 111 S. 1st St, Dayton Call (509) 382-23612nd and 4th Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton City Planning CommissionDayton City Hall 111 S 1st St, Dayton 3rd Monday at 5:15 p.m.

Dayton Development Task Force BoardThe General Store W. Main St, Dayton 4th Wednesday at noon

Dayton Historic Preservation CommissionDayton City Hall 111 S 1st St, Dayton 2nd Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Dayton High School Alumni AssociationSand Trap Restaurant 3rd ThursdayDinner at 6:00 p.m.Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton KiwanisDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library 111 S Third St, Dayton 1st & 3rd Thurs. at Noon

Dayton Lions ClubDelany Room at Dayton Memorial Library,111 S. 3rd Contact Terry Hoon (509) 386-88891st and 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

Dayton School BoardAdministration Building 609 S. 2nd St, Dayton Call (509) 382-25431st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Dayton Young Life227 N. Cherry2nd & 4th Mondays at 7:17 p.m.

Dayton WyldlifeDayton Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room 302 E. Park St, Dayton3rd Friday at 7:00 p.m.

Friends of the Dayton Memorial LibraryDayton Memorial Library 111 S 3rd St, Dayton 4th Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Port of Columbia CommissionersPort Office 1 Port Way, Dayton 2nd Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Prescott City CouncilPrescott City Hall 101 S D Street, Prescott Call (509) 849-22622nd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Prescott Community ClubPrescott Lions Hall (509) 849-2892 Second Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Prescott Fire CommissionersCall Tim Mayberry for info:(509) 849-2262

Prescott Lions ClubCall Chris Scudder (509) 849-2478

Prescott Parks & Rec. District Board Community Center of the Lion’s Hall, corner of D St. & Hwy 124, Prescott. For more information contact Joan Tatum at (509) 849-2690.2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Prescott School BoardLast Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

Starbuck City CouncilStarbuck City Hall 200 Main St, Starbuck Call (509) 399-21002nd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Starbuck School Board Starbuck School Library 717 Tucannon, Starbuck4th Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) DaytonDayton Methodist Church 110 S. 3rd St, DaytonEvery Tuesday at 8:45 a.m.

Touchet Valley Men's Golf ClubTouchet Valley Golf Course Clubhouse, Dayton Call (509) 382-40101st and 3rd Thursday 6:30 p.m.

Waitsburg City CouncilYe Towne Hall Call (509) 337-63711st and 3rd Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg Commercial ClubYe Towne Hall, Waitsburg (509) 337-65331st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Waitsburg Historical Society Call Anita Baker for more information: (509) 337-6157

Waitsburg Legion and AuxiliaryFor location information call Ike and B.A Keve at (509) 337-6546First Monday at 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg Lions ClubLions Memorial Building Scott Branson, President(509) 337-88952nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Waitsburg School BoardPreston Hall, Main St2nd and 4th Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

VFW Post 5549 Legion Hall, 211 E. Clay, Dayton Contact Jerry Berg at (509) 382-4525 3rd Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

MEETINGS


Local Author VisitThursday July 7th6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Sue Matley (aka Cimarron Sue) will read parts of her book “The Math Book” ( a modern fantasy suitable for all ages) and will discuss her writing process.

DIY GardeningFriday July 15th10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

“Putting your Garden to Bed for the Winter”

Living History – Knights of Veritas Friday July 22nd6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

The age of knights and chivalry will come alive on the library lawn. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

Summer Reading Program:

Folktale Tuesdays – Every Tuesday in July11:00 a.m. to noonAges 3 through 6th grade

Folk Art FridaysEvery Friday in July11:00 a.m. to noon/Ages 3 through 6th grade

Teen Activities Every Friday in July3:00 – 5:00 p.m.1st - Origami 8th – Movie15th – Journaling22nd – Movie29th – End of SRP Party

What's Happening atThe Dayton Memorial Library

111 S. 3rd Street(509) 382-4131

For more information about any of these activities, call the library at (509) 382-4131.

EventsWaitsburg’s “One-of-a-Kind” Classic Auto ShowFriday - Classic cars will be out cruising the town starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy an ice cream social in Preston Park Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Show & Shine - Cars will be parked in and all around Preston Park. Enjoy live music, vendors and an auto parts Swap Meet all day. For more information, contact Ken Lenhart at (509) 337-6435 or email [email protected]

6Evening at the Depot6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Dayton Historic Depot CourtyardNorth Second & Commercial Street

See Page 4 for more information.

11Folk Singer/Songwriter Adam Miller6:30 – 8:00 p.m.Dayton Memorial LibraryDelany Room

One of the premier autoharpists in the world, Adam Miller is a renowned American folksinger and natural-born storyteller. An accomplished folklorist, historian, and song-collector, he has amassed a repertoire of over 5,000 songs. He accompanies his rich, baritone voice with lively fingerpicking acoustic guitar and autoharp melodies. This entertainer never fails to get his audience singing along. Don’t miss him! Sponsored by The Friends of the Dayton Memorial Library.

13Karaoke Night8:00 p.m. to midnightTuxedo Bar & GrillPrescott (509) 849-2244

Loretta Lynn In Concert3:00 p.m.Wildhorse Resort and CasinoPendleton, OREnjoy an outdoor concert with country music legend Loretta Lynn. Tickets go on sale June 27th and are available at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino Gift Shop and at www.wildhorseresort.com.

19Dinner with Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Tuxedo Bar & GrillPrescott (509) 849-2244

This local cowboy music duo is sure to make your dining experience a real treat!

20-21All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast8:00 – 11:00 a.m.Prescott Lion’s Community Center

Enjoy a home cooked, hearty breakfast and help raise money for Prescott Community projects. Suggested donation just $5.99. Contact Jeanne McIntyre at (509) 849-2425 for more information.

27Live Music – Frog Hollow Band8:00 p.m. to midnightTuxedo Bar & GrillPrescott (509) 849-2244

Great food! Great band! Great time!


Reviews

Coop – A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting

By Michael PerryReview by Tanya Patton

This book made me laugh out loud – over and over again. Perry bounces b e t w e e n c h i l d h o o d memories of growing up on a small farm and his present-day experiences with wrestling pigs, tending a beloved flock of chickens, parenting a step-daughter and preparing for the birth of his first child after moving back to his hometown and into a ramshackle homestead. As a freelance writer, his word choice is spot on – lyrical at times and down-home real as “a pig in mud” at other times. Best of all, this book lends itself to being read and savored in short 20-30 minute intervals, kind of like eating bite-size Snickers bars. Yum!

Half Broke Horses – A True Life Novel

By Jeannette WallsRecommended by Joanna Lanning to Tanya Patton

This book is based on the true life story of the author’s grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, and written in first person from Lily’s perspective. Lily was a remarkable, hardworking, intelligent woman who faced the challenges of rural life in the early and mid 20th century with courage, determination and wit. Reading about how people overcame obstacles in life is both interesting and inspiring. You won’t want to put this book down, and you’ll root for Lily all the way!

Water for Elephants

By Sara Gruen

Review by Dian McClurg

I confess that I never intended to read this book. I’d noticed, peripherally, all the hype about it. I’d seen the newer dust jackets at Hastings, advertising the upcoming movie adaptation on the cover of the books. Is that Robert Pattinson? I look closer. Yep. I move on. Perhaps I’ll just skip, thanks so much.

And although I plan to take my children to the circus when it comes to Dayton later this week, I’m not a big clowns/elephants/noise/crowds/carnival-food fan. (Okay, I’m lying about the carnival food. I lust for it – just can’t/shouldn’t eat it.) The thought of reading a romantic drama that takes place at a circus in the 1930s held zero appeal.

But I picked it up anyway about two months ago at a garage sale in town for less than 25 cents. And several weeks ago, on a whim, I flipped open the cover (original-no Robert Pattinson).

Folks, this hasn’t happened to me in many years. I zipped my eyes across the words on page one, and then turned the page. And the next page. And the next. Until I’d read the whole thing. It was stunning.

The main character is a young man, just finishing vet school, during the Depression. Tragic circumstances upset his life plans and he finds work with a traveling circus, where he falls deeply and painfully in love.

What I adored about the story was the author’s ability to focus so intently on the characters and their relationships that it wasn’t distracting for the action to be set in a circus environment. I couldn’t stop reading.

Try it. You’ll like it. Should you see the movie? I don’t know. I haven’t – yet. I’d hate for uninspired acting to ruin it for me. Sorry Robert.


Arts

Opalescent Sea was one of 86 works chosen for the 15th National American Society of Marine Artists Exhibition. More than 450 paintings of ASMA artists were reviewed by a 20-member jury panel for the two-year traveling show, which will be featured in eight major art museums nationwide.

Slated to begin its tour October 17 in Delray Beach, Florida, Opalescent Sea is presently on display at Dayton’s Wenaha Gallery, the site of Henderson’s first solo gallery show in 2008 and in 2006 the first professional gallery to sign Henderson on as a represented artist.

With a B.F.A. in fine art from Central Washington Un i v er s i t y, El lensburg , WA, and a background as an illustrator with Coffey C o m m u n i -cations in Walla Walla, He n d e r s o n now paints full

time in his studio – a converted barn – just off the North Touchet Road south of Dayton. He also teaches art at Walla Walla Community College through the Quest program, and conducts private workshops and customized small group art classes.

“It is a rare gift to see an artist elevated to Steve’s level of success in such a short time,” says Wenaha Gallery manager Lael Lloyd. “I appreciate Steve’s talent for capturing the essence of the subject he paints, whether it is people, landscape, or wildlife. His willingness to experiment with color and texture captures the eye and draws you in to his view of the world.”

In addition to the national ASMA show, Henderson recently had works accepted into the 32nd Annual Mystic Seaport International Art Exhibition, Mystic, CT and the 18th Annual Maritime Art Exhibit, Coos Art Museum, OR.

Along with Signature Member status with the American Society of Marine Artists, Henderson also belongs to the Oil Painters of America, the Western Art Association, and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. His website is www.stevehendersonfineart.com.

Artist Steve Henderson Accepted to Three Prestigious Shows

"Opalescent Sea" is a view from the central Oregon coast - a favorite vacation area for artist Steve Henderson and his family.

"Opalescent Sea", 24" x 30", Oil


It’s tourist season once again here in the beautiful Touchet River Valley. We all love tourists, of course, because not only do they spend their money here,

but we get the opportunity to show off our wonderful historic towns and the beautiful scenery around us.

While we certainly wouldn’t want the tourists to stop coming, let’s be honest; they can be amusing sometimes. They stand in the sidewalk in front of the court house with their cameras so you have to wait until they’re done before you can pass. And they say things, like: “I thought it rained all the time here,” or they ask questions like: “Why don’t you people have a bagel shop?”

In London, England, there’s a publication called TimeOut London that provides news and information about restaurants, bars, live music and other cultural activities in that city. Both locals and visitors use it regularly. It’s like their version of Blue Mountain News.

TimeOut London also has a regular feature called “Lies to Tell Tourists”. In this section, readers (we assume they are locals) submit their favorite things to say to visitors they meet who don’t know any better. One example is: “The finest cuisine in London is served at Mister Aberdeen’s House of Steak.” And here’s my favorite: “When you’re riding the London Underground, it’s customary to introduce yourself to all the people around you.”

Since we all get a little bored around here in July and August, and we have plenty of visitors then, I thought coming up with our own list of lies to tell the tourists might be a good way to liven things up a bit. They're here, so we might as well enjoy it.

When you’re wandering around downtown Dayton or Waitsburg or Prescott or Starbuck, keep the following list handy. If someone walks up to you looking puzzled, or just fascinated with all of the old buildings, try one of these out on them. Be sure to look serious and show them how concerned you are that they get the

most out of their visit. So here goes: Top ten lies to tell tourists in the Touchet River

Valley:10. Sword fighting was popular among early settlers

in the area, which is how the Touchet River got its name.

9. Did you know that Dayton was founded by Doris Day’s great-great uncle?

8. Lewis and Clark introduced coffee to a group of natives at a spot very near what is now the town of Starbuck.

7. It’s a little-known fact that besides having the oldest court house in the state and the oldest train depot in the state, Dayton also has the oldest bicycle rack in the state.

6. Waitsburg is the only town in America that selects a new mayor and city council every week.

5. You know, the farmers around here love it when visitors walk out into their fields while they’re working and ask them what they’re doing.

4. Dayton’s actual stationmaster had a German Shepherd, but when they made the sculpture at the Depot they could only afford a Jack Russell Terrier.

3. If you stand under the big clock in front of City Hall in Waitsburg with your laptop you can get free Wi-Fi.

2. The problem with having all these wind farms nearby is that when the wind stops blowing, the power often goes out.

1. The train for Walla Walla leaves the Dayton Depot each day at three o’clock.

[Editor's note: Ken has assured us that in real life he loves tourists, and wouldn't think of uttering

a dishonest word to them.]

One More Thing . . .

Telling Lies to the TouristsBy Ken Graham

Waiting for the train to Walla Walla.

TOGETHERWESAVE.COM

IN 1752, BENJAMIN FRANKLINDISCOVEREDELECTRICITYIN A FIELD.

IN 1939, WE WERE CALLED UPON

TO GET IT THERE.Supplying electricity to rural America didn’t happen overnight. It took vision, cooperation and determination. Today, as a

member of an electric co-op, it’s your turn to influence the future by saving energy. Learn how at TogetherWeSave.com.

Blue Mountain News July/August

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Transcript of Blue Mountain News July/August