Reader's Club Meets at Valleyford, Wash., January 10, 2012

Valleyford Reader's Club will meet on January 10, 2012 at On Sacred Grounds Coffee, corner of Madison and Palouse Hwy. The program includes: "The Loop," by Nichlas Evans, 1:00 p.m., and Washington Wolf Recovery Program, presented by Larry Whitesitt, 2:00 p.m.

Albion Branch of Whitman County Library Schedule Changes

As the new year begins, the Albion Branch of Whitman County Library, located inside the Albion Community Building, 310 F Street, Albion, Wash., announced a few program changes.

Pajama story time is moving to the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  Pajama story time is a fun-filled program of stories and songs for children. Stories are always followed with a short craft project and a snack.  Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas.  Blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals are welcome, too!

The monthly after-school craft time is moving to the 3rd Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. The after-school craft is a fun, low-key activity for children of all ages.  Each month features a different type of craft project.  Children are welcome to arrive and begin the project at any time from 4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

The library would also like to remind the public of the weekly children’s story time held each Saturday at 2:00 p.m. 

All programs are held in the Albion Branch of the Whitman County Library at 310 F Street. Hours are Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m, Thursday, 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m, and Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Cafe Card Club, Tuesday Evenings at On Sacred Grounds Coffee in Valleyford, Wash.

Cafe Card Club, 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays. At On Sacred Grounds Coffee, Valleyford, Wash., at the corner of Palouse Hwy. and Madison. Come and join the fun!

Cribbage, 1st, 3rd and last Tuesdays
Pinochle, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays

Palouse City Hall Closed January 2, 2012

Palouse City Hall will be closed Monday, January 2, 2012.

Happy New Year everybody!

Richard Slover Photography Featured at On Sacred Grounds' New Year Potluck

On Sacred Grounds will ring in the New Year with a pot-luck buffet, Sunday, January 1, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m., 12212 E Palouse Hwy., Valleyford, Wash.
Relax and enjoy the new photography exhibit of Richard Slover, from Valleyford.

Espresso-drinks are on the house!

Our Fascination With Quotes

Why do people like quotes?


During the relaxed days of Christmas holidays that bring families together quotations often enliven conversations. It's also a time when folks indulge in word games that focus on quotations. Which started me thinking about this universal fascination with quotes, that spans centuries.


VisualThesaurus , in "May I Quote You?" provided answers from Scholar, Fred Shapiro, an authority on quotations and the editor of the seminal Yale Book of Quotations. The answers provide interesting insights well worth reading.


VisualThesaurus is a wonderful Subscription website people interested in words cherish because, along with other useful resources, the unique interactive dictionary and thesaurus create word maps. (14-day free trial.) Exploration and learning help users understand language in uniquely powerful ways. Visual Thesaurus® is developed and published by Thinkmap, Inc.


This website includes a number of archived (free) thoughtful blogs, plus the numerous comments they generate.

Palouse 2012 Community Calendars Available

Happy Holidays to all,

The 2012 Community Calendars are now available at Palouse, Wash.  You can pick them up this week at the Library, 120 E. Main, during their regular hours -- today from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 12: noon to 6:00 PM.

Next week the calendars are available at 120 E. Main, in either City Hall or the Library. 

Enjoy your holiday!

Christmas Vacation Fun at St. John Library

Hey families! Are you looking for something to do this Christmas vacation? The St. John Library is having two special craft times. Friday, December 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is your last chance to make a Christmas decoration. The library has projects for all ages with Christmas and winter themes. 

Friday, December 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is your chance to help Clancy and Shawna clean out the craft closet and have some creative fun as the long vacation winds down.

Come by for a fun movie or book to share with your family during the holiday season. 

The St. John Library is closed December 26, 2011 and January 2, 2012. Items normally due on those days will be due on the next Wednesday. 

Library hours are: Monday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 648-3319.

Thanks,
Clancy Pool, St John Library

Freeman High School Athletics News, December 2011

Volleyball: 5th Place at State!

X-Country: The Cross Country Team grew this year, with the largest team Freeman has had in over 10 years. Although the team was young, Senior Austin Fish made it to the State Meet. We look forward to seeing this young team grow and improve over the next few years!

Football: Tied for the best record in League, followed by a regional win and qualification for the state tournament. Loss was to Connell, who will play for the state title.

Soccer: Had its best year ever! Loss was to Cashmere in the final seconds of a double-overtime game. Cashmere went on to place 2nd in state.

Good Luck to all FHS winter athletes!

National Grange Distinguished Grange Award Given to McIntosh Grange

It's nearly impossible to get an interview with busy, involved members of organizations on the Palouse, which contribute to the richness of their communities! Everyone, it seems, is so busy! And it's no wonder, when you consider the tradition of multiple community service organizations in each town.

McIntosh Grange is a classic example. However, member Carol Evans, Lecturer and Community Service Chairman, graciously took time to provided these details (after I pleaded with her at the recent annual McIntosh Christmas potluck dinner. ;0))

McIntosh Grange, Rockford,Wash., was awarded The National Grange Distinguished Grange Award, which honors Community and State Granges that fulfill their responsibilities as part of the National Grange, while excelling in the areas of membership, fundraising, and service to their communities.

The award for McIntosh Grange (one of six in Washington State) was accepted by Washington State President, Duane Hamp, at the 2011 National Convention in November, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is the first year McIntosh has applied for the award.

The application is first reviewed at the state level, and is based on points awarded in 12 areas set by the National Grange. Certain proof of some of these criteria is required. Including:

• Sending delegate(s) to State Convention
• Sending representative to a National event, which includes Regional conferences
• Hosting at least 2 community service/educational events
• Hosting a youth/junior activity
• Sending timely reports to the State
• Hosting a legislative event, such as a candidate forum
• Donating specified amounts of money to Junior/Youth State activities.

"Our Community Service Award of 2nd place in our division (based on membership) and also 2nd place overall was received in June, at the Washington State Grange in Moses Lake. We have entered this contest on the State level for more than twenty years and have placed in the awards column annually," Carol Evans said.

"In the early years of the Community Service Award contest, McIntosh Grange placed also in a National Grange competition. Active grange members included Doris and George McPherson, Norm and Mildred Fricke when the street signs were made, painted and placed for Rockford, Wash., bleacher seats were built for the Rockford Park\Fair, and house numbers were assigned in town.

"In the early years of the Community Service Award contest, McIntosh Grange placed also in a National Grange competition. Active grange members included Doris and George McPherson, Norm and Mildred Fricke when the street signs were made, painted and placed for Rockford, Wash., bleacher seats were built for the Rockford Park\Fair, and house numbers were assigned in town.

"National Grange now gives monetary awards for the top State finishers, overall and the Grange Cooperative group provides monetary awards at State in each of 5 divisions," Carol said.

National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. My Bag is one of several CASA partners. My Bag includes school supplies, back packs, toiletries, blankets, small pillows, toys, books, mittens, gloves, warm hats, diapers, wipes, bottles, infant and toddler clothing are supplied to foster care in Spokane and surrounding counties. Many children are placed in foster care with very little notice and have nothing but the clothes they have on when they arrive.

"Members of McIntosh Grange have, over the last 10 years or more, assisted with packing backpacks, and has contributed numerous small pillows, blankets, school supplies, toiletries (including toothbrushes and toothpaste) and now some fleece footballs as well.

"We hosted the Veteran's Day program 11/11/11 at 11am with Retired Navy Chaplain and current RUMC Pastor David Lura orchestrating a moving combination of a barbershop quartet singing the various military services songs and veterans recalling their time of duty. Local VFW members presented a narrated flag folding ceremony and refreshments were provided by McIntosh Grange. Posters from Freeman School kids decorated the hall.

"You may have noticed the new entrance to McIntosh Grange Hall that appeared in early April amid cool rainy weather. What a change the remodel has made in the front. Our window replacement fund suffered a setback due to having to shift funds to make the entrance easier and safer. The original entryway dates back to 1963 as noted etched in the concrete blocks in front of the entrance steps.

"We gave financial assistance to six area kids to attend Camp NEWA Jr. Grange Camp last August. Camp fee is $150 if paid by July 1st, and $175 after. (NEWA stands for Northeast Washington.) I serve as camp director/nurse, and Kathy Creed and Bill Creed were in charge of crafts for camp.

"The Washington State Grange also has a Kimball Memorial Scholarship for first-time campers that can be applied for. McIntosh Grange had one area girl awarded $65 of her camp fee.

"2012 camp is July 29 (Sunday 2:00 p.m.) through August 4 (Saturday 10:00 a.m.), and is held at Princess Pine Camp, 20 miles northeast of Colville. Parent's night is Friday night with no overnight fee for parents who want to stay over and bring kids home on Saturday. Campers have a dance with royalty on Friday night, and I have seen many a dad out there dancing with his daughter!" Carol said.

"Last spring through summer, we met on Thursday mornings with several ladies from the community and grange working on projects. Plans are to again start sewing pillows/footballs for foster care after the holidays. We welcome help and DONATIONS OF FLEECE, BATTING (those scraps from quilts that were cut off) or polyfill stuffing that you may have left over or want to purchase (watch the sales) for this project.

"Last summer some of our pillows were sent to Support Our Troops project from State Grange convention," she said.

Carol failed to mention McIntosh Grange participated again in 2011 with the Grange nation-wide annual program of giving dictionaries to students in 3rd grades. McIntosh Grange members handed out about 50 dictionairies to students in three 3rd grade classes at Freeman Elementary recently.

Congratulations to this well-deserving Grange on their prestigious award!

(EDITOR REQUEST: Good news is always welcome! eemail your organization news for publication to newstnpw@air-pipe.com.)

Rockford Historical Society Receives Prestigious Award

The Rockford Historical Society has received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Recognition Award. The Jonas Babcock Chapter DAR nominated them for the award.

For many years, the members of the society have been working together to collect and preserve their history. The local historical society has had a litany of fundraising projects, written grants, and raised funds for their buildings in whatever way they could.

Their creativity has yielded three museums, the Rockford Military Museum, the Pioneer Museum, and The Rockford Historical Society Farm Museum. The group has spent many hours in sweat-equity, as well as donation from personal funds, and recruitment throughout the region to bring these buildings back to their former glory in as much of the original condition as possible.

Members of the society man the buildings on a volunteer basis, and work to accumulate as much history and original items from their area as possible. They also take oral histories to be stored for posterity.

The farm museum houses farm/shop item and things too heavy to put in the other buildings. It is open by appointment and at fair time when it draws a large crowd. The newest acquisition is an original turn of the century cook wagon in good condition.

These members truly have a love of history and of preservation. They also have the knack of drawing people in and awing them as they weave the stories of the past. Their members are not just members on paper; they are fully involved in the whole process.

According to Rae Anna Victor, the Washington State Society Daughters of the American Revolution History Preservation Chairperson, who presented the award to Evelyn Fricke member of the society,

“The dogged perseverance that this group has shown to the preservation of their local community is commendable. Their long-term dedication to this project is to be admired and emulated.”

　

2012 Compost Permits Available at Palouse, Washington

2012 Compost Permits are now available at Palouse, Wash., City Hall.  If you plan on using the facility at all in 2012 for your leaves, grass, and soft vegetation, a permit is required in advance.  The cost is only $15.00.  The continuance of the compost program relies on the sale of permits so please don’t share your permit; it is non-transferable.  

Chipper Facility in Palouse, Wash., Ends January 1, 2012

Effective January 1, 2012, Palouse, Wash., will no longer operate the city's chipper.

Dog's Need 2012 License in Palouse, Washington

If you are a dog owner within Palouse city limits, please come purchase your 2012 Dog License(s).  They are only $5.00 for a spayed/neutered dog and $10.00 if not. 

Freeman FBLS Hosting Child Care Day, December 17, 2011

"Freeman Cares 4 Kids!"

Need a day to get that Christmas shopping done?
Need a day to get out with the spouse?

Just need a day without kids?

Freeman High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) has the answer for you as they present their eighth annual "Freeman Cares 4 Kids" on Saturday, December 17,2011. Freeman’s FBLA chapter is hosting a day of child care so you can get a great start on your Christmas shopping.

From 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., high school students will be running activities such as basketball, whiffleball, crafts, movies, games, and other fun activities for chil-dren grades K – 6. Munchies and beverages will be provided.

Due to popular demand, we will again have our Jumping Castle! So bundle up your little elves, tell them to bring their friends, and let Freeman FBLA fill your kids with Christmas cheer while you have a whole day to get that shopping done, decorate the house in peace, or just take in a movie!

For more information, contact Scott Moore at Freeman HS, 291-3721, ext. 201 (or smoore@freemansd.org). You can reserve a spot over the phone or simply register at the door.

We are taking donations to cover the cost of this program in addition to raising funds for the FBLA Chapter at Freeman High School.

Santa Claus and his elves to Visit Palouse, Wash., December 17, 2011

Santa Claus and his elves will be at the Palouse Legion Hall (above the library on Main Street, Palouse, Wash.,) this Saturday, December 17^th, from noon to 1:00 pm.

Have your picture taken with Santa.

Volunteer Appreciation Potluck Dinner at Fairfield, Wash, December 11, 2011

A potluck dinner for people that have volunteered from the 1st of December 2010 to November 30, 2011 at Fairfield events will be held Sunday December 11, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Meat will be provided.
The meal will be served in the  upstairs of the Community Center, which remains decorated after the Old Fashioned Christmas.

KayDee, Harry and Karrie will set up, with Brian, Ed, Mary and Cheryl cleaning up.

Fairfield Old Fashioned Christmas and Dance a Big Hit

The Fairfield Old Fashioned Christmas was a success. The vendors were happy with the turn out. Live music was provided for most of the day. The Food Bank served soup, roll and pie, with the proceeds split between them and the Community Center Activities. Each group received $156 from lunch.

The Children’s Workshop was very well attended. Volunteers thought perhaps 100 kids went through and made crafts. The inexpensive crafts were simple to make.

"New people volunteered their help for the various activities. The Community Center was decorated very nicely thanks to Alene Felgenhauer and Mary Day. It added just that extra touch to the whole day," Cheryl said.

The dance had very little attendance but everyone had a good time. The band, “Spare Parts,” was excellent, and played for three hours straight with no intermission. Some of the people expressed the hope there would be a future dance, perhaps Valentine’s Day. Getting the word out to citizens is a major issue, and personally handing out flyers to people and inviting them to come may be the best way to get the word out.

Cheryl Loeffler extends a big thank you thank to everyone that helped with the Old Fashioned Christmas at Fairfield on December 3, 2011. Thanks especially to Elaine Rising, proprietor of On Sacred Grounds, for her diligenence in getting the word out about the different events happening on the Palouse December 3rd. The participation was larger than in previous years.
At a recent town council meeting, there was discussion about forming an actual committee, with planning starting perhaps in July next year. It is important to provide things for the community, and the Old Fashioned Christmas is one thing that the Town can do.

Life on the Palouse History - A Bucket of Dirt Clods, by Sue Ellis

Although A Bucket of Dirt Clods was published as Rant #521 by Poor Mojo's Almanac(k) on January 13, 2011, this bit of  'life on the Palouse' history came to my attention today when I visited the December Internet Writing Workshop Success Blog.


A Bucket of Dirt Clods was written by Sue Ellis, who drove a 92-mile rural mail route at Rockford, Wash., during 1980-1989.

Colton Library Cheery and Delightful With December Holiday Themes

     The weather outside may be frightful, but in the Colton Library it is cheery and delightful.  Librarian Holly Meyer is planning holiday themes for December Storytimes with crafts, stories and snacks for the season.  Storytime is held at 10:30 every Monday for children ages 1-6.

     Third Thursday, the after school program at the Colton Library, is on December 15.  The theme is Christmas, with a Christmas craft, worksheets, books and a snack.  Children from kindergarten to 6^th grade are invited to join in the fun at 3:15 pm.

     The 2012 Barns of Whitman County Calendars are now available at all Whitman County Libraries for $6 each.  The calendars have scenic photos of various barns throughout Whitman County and make wonderful Christmas gifts.  The Friends of Whitman County Library Cookbooks are on sale for Christmas as well – only $5 each.  Stop and pick one up before they are gone!

Freeman School Christmas Concerts, December 12th and 14th, 2011

Christmas Concerts

High School Choir Concert~ December 12th (grades 5-12) at 7:00pm in the Multi-Purpose room at the High School.

High School Band Concert~December 14th (grades 5-12) 7:00pm in the Multi~Purpose room at the High School

Santa Claus Coming to Rockford, Wash., December 10, 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011, 1:00 p.m., the Lion's Club will host its annual Christmas with Santa at the Town Park. Santa will await kids to visit and hear their wishes. 

Pictures with Santa will be taken, and will be available for pickup at the Bank of Fairfield in Rockford on Decmber 12th.

Christmas Potluck at McIntosh Grange + Decorating Town Tree, December 11, 2011

December 11, 2011, 12:30 p.m. The McIntosh Grange will be holding their annual Christmas Potluck at the Grange Hall on First St., Rockford, Wash. The Grange will provide the turkey so bring your favorite dish to share. Everyone is invited (need not be a member to attend) and if you bring a friend there will be more to play cards.

Festivities include card games, and a pilgrimage across the street to Rockford Town Park in mid-afternoon to take ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree. (Ornaments provided if you don't bring one.)

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bring your own tree decoration and meet at the tree near the sidewalk to decorate the Christmas tree in the Park. Linger to enjoy caroling, cookies and hot chocolate.

Return to the Grange for indoor games, as you wish, or enjoy festivities in the Park. The countdown begins at dusk for the tree lights to go on.

For information call: Susan Hegney (509) 995-7001 and Micki Harnois,(509) 291 3444.

Former Palouse Producers Property Cleanup Public Meeting Tonight

Thursday, December 1, 2011, 7:00 PM at the Garfield-Palouse High School Gymnasium.

Doors open at 6:30 for Open House

• Come hear about proposed plans for cleaning up historical contamination on the property
• Let us know what you think about the plans.