Click Here for a Super-Sized Enlargement of a map to the Bonfire Bash

Nordic Bonfire Bash Tonight - Feb 9th

The Nordic Club is having a meeting at 6:30 p.m. this evening followed by the Annual Bonfire Bash at Chelan Rentals Resort. It will be great fun, please make it if you can. It's fairly close to the full moon too. It should be a good night to be on the hill.

Hamburgers and hot dogs start at 5 ish.

Freshly groomed trails beckon.

Groomer Report by Wayne Machus

Date: 2/8/2012
Time: 3:00 pm
Temperature: 30 degrees
Base Snow:
New Snow: 1-2" new

The Ridge received just enough to make for some great daytime grooming.

Today I went out on the following trails with the LMC (track and 8'-10' corduroy):

Nuthatch, Windsinger, Upsy Daisy and all of the trails out of the lower parking lot.

Mark is out on the following trails with the new Skandic and 6' Tidd:

Chickadee, Grand Drop, Far East, Big Critter, Ridgeview, Morning Glory and Little Critter.

Conditions are top notch on the trails and we thank the County truck and driver for doing such a fine job of sanding the Ridge road. I'll pick up a few more trails tonight with the LMC and then again on Friday night.

Check that waning moon!

Wayne

Click Here for the Holden Village website

Holden Village Welcomes Forest Service Decision

By Holden Village Publications Coordinator Mary Koch

Directors at the popular North Cascades wilderness retreat center, Holden Village, welcomed the recent U.S. Forest Service Record of Decision (ROD), which clears the way for a major clean-up of decades-old mining wastes adjacent to the village.

Holden Village does not bear any financial responsibilities for the remediation, but the project will impact the village’s program, noted Steph and Chuck Carpenter, the village’s wife and husband co-director team.

“Since the ROD is a complex, lengthy document, we are still reviewing it,” said Chuck Carpenter, “but we are very happy that the decision has been made and the remediation process will move forward. Holden intends to fully support the mine remediation project, which addresses two of our core values – ecology and stewardship of this beautiful yet fragile alpine valley.”

Steph Carpenter noted that the village is in the midst of planning an especially celebratory 2012 summer program, observing Holden’s 50th anniversary as a Lutheran retreat center. Limited remediation work will also be underway during the summer, but major construction is not scheduled until 2013.

The Forest Service, which released the ROD Jan. 27, has described this as the largest and most complex mine cleanup project within the national forest system. Holden Village is located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. It draws up to 7,000 visitors who travel by boat up Lake Chelan annually to participate in the village’s year-around programs. That number of guests will necessarily be reduced in 2013-14, which are expected to be peak construction periods when the village will be filled with hundreds of workers.

“The Holden Village mission is to welcome all people, whether it’s our traditional guests or remediation workers,” said Steph Carpenter.

The village also intends to use this “unusual time” to make improvements to its own infrastructure and facilities, said Chuck Carpenter. This may include expansion of the village’s limited hydro-electric system, water mains and building improvements within the federally-mandated restrictions covering historic sites.

The village was originally constructed to house mine workers during mining operations from 1938 to 1957. The mine abruptly closed when profitability of copper mining declined, leaving behind 300,000 cubic yards of waste rock and about 8.5 million tons of mine tailings covering about 90 acres. Another issue is toxic water seeping from the mine cavity into Railroad Creek, which drains into Lake Chelan.

Holden Village has operated since 1962 as a non-profit Lutheran retreat center open to people of all faiths. As remediation work accelerates, Holden will offer off-site events and various ways for long-time constituents and visitors to remain in touch and involved with the village, said the Carpenters. More information is available on the village Web site at www.holdenvillage.org.

Click Here for the Boaters Education page at chelanmarinepatrol.org.

Free Boater Safety Card Class This Saturday

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol is sponsoring an "Adventures In Boating" class for Washington boaters on Saturday, February 11th starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m.

The class will be held at the Lake Chelan Boat Club in Manson (next to the Mill Bay Boat Launch).

This class is recommended for all Washington boaters who have yet to hold a Boaters Education Card.

Washington State has enacted a law that requires boaters born after January 1, 1955 to obtain a Boater Education Card. The law went into effect January 1, 2008, and the first phase required ages 12-20 to obtain their cards. The 2012 requirement is for those 40 and younger. The phase-in will continue through 2014, and on January 1, 2015 all boaters born after January 1, 1955 will be required to have their Boater Safety card.

This class is open to all boaters, regardless of age, and there is no charge.

To register log onto: www.chelanmarinepatrol.org

For more information on boating laws: www.parks.wa.gov/boating

Click Here for the runoff forecast page at the PUD website

PUD Predicts Ample Runoff for 2012 Season

From a PUD press release:

Feb. 1 Lake Chelan runoff forecast is 100 percent of average

The first runoff forecast of the season for the Lake Chelan Basin is now posted on the PUD website. The amount of runoff is forecast at 100 percent of average. Scott Buehn, PUD resource engineer/analyst, based his calculations on a range of information and analysis including automated Snotel data and snowpack measurements collected last week during a helicopter trip into the mountains above Lake Chelan.

The forecast will be updated on March 1 and April 1. Last year the actual runoff from snow melt into Lake Chelan from April 1-July 31 was 126 percent of average.

The elevation of Lake Chelan on Feb. 1, 2012, was 1087.5 feet above sea level, which is 0.4 feet higher than the expected average under the current operating license and 0.5 feet lower than last year.

Generation at the Lake Chelan Hydro Project will be managed this winter and spring with the intent of meeting operating objectives in the Lake Chelan Hydro Operating License as well as minimum lake elevation targets.

Congratulations to Cliff Courtney, Stehekin businessman and owner of the Stehekin Valley Ranch.

Cliff has been selected to participate in an 18-month "Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program.

As a member of Class 34 of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program, Courtney is attending a total of 14 seminars designed to enhance leadership skills and increase the motivation to contribute meaningfully to the natural resource industries of the State of Washington.

The seminars are jointly sponsored by institutions of higher education and agriculture and forestry related businesses.

The program is conducted under the auspices of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to improve the leadership skills of program participants by broadening their cultural, economic, social and political perspectives, thus encouraging the participation of astute and well trained leaders in their communities and organizations.

Participants study local, state, national and international public affairs issues and how they inter-relate, learn how to analyze issues in a decision-making process, improve personal skills in working with people and in communications, and study issues impacting Washington’s natural resource industries. They will also study political systems and how to influence them and broaden their understanding of cultural groups, both within the nation and abroad.

Since its inception in 1978, the program has graduated over 900 participants. The Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation is funded by more than 700 donors representing individuals and businesses in the natural resource industries.

The Wall at the Chelan Public Library is beginning to show signs of activity.

Library Receives $5,000 Donation From Spokane Foundation
By Richard Uhlhorn (from information submitted by Mary Sherer)

Don Peters, a Spokane CPA and director of the Roy and Leona Nelson Foundation, arranged a $5,000 donation to the Chelan Friends of the Library for the renovation of the former Masonic Temple, bringing the total amount raised so far to $17,585.

Peters, who grew up in Manson keeps tabs on his old home town through the local paper. He likes to keep up on local events and thought that helping expand the library was an excellent use of foundation money. The other foundation directors agreed and the $5,000 grant was added to the wall at the Chelan Library.

Peters and his brother John who lives in the old family home in Manson, are the sons of Modest Peters who built and ran the Mason Supply Company for nearly 50 years.

Roy and Leona Nelson set put their foundation to offer college scholarships to ambitious students from eastern Washington and north Idaho.

Roy was an engineering student at Washington State University, served in the U.S. Army during WWII and after the war, started his own mining brokerage firm. After retiring, Roy went back to school and attended classes on better farming methods.

Leona, a registered nurse, was an avid reader.

During their lives, the Nelsons foundation helped many students pay for a college education, which is a tradition the foundation continues to this day.

Currently, $17,585 dollars have been donated to the renovation of the Masonic Temple for a new library space.

Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $600,000 in college scholarships including some from the Lake Chelan area. The foundation has also donated over $200,000 to charities.

The Chelan Friends of the Library are in the process of raising $160,000 to help with the renovation of the old Masonic Temple that was purchased by the City as the new location for the local library.

While larger donations as described above are always welcome, it is good to remember that a dollar is a dollar is a dollar = $3 bucks. In other words, smaller donations are also needed to help make that goal of $160,000.

The Chelan Library has a large bottle out for patrons to donate change and bills. These smaller donations will make a huge difference in reaching the goal.

The new library space at the Masonic Temple will include the following new amenities:

1. A Fireside Reading Room for users to relax in a quiet comfortable place to read, use computers, listen to music or books on headsets and enjoy magazines
2. A Children’s Area designed to accommodate children and parents with children’s books, furniture to scale, activity center and access to an outside play area
3. A Teen Area with computers for teens go can get together to study and use computers after school until 9 p.m. without disturbing other patrons
4. The existing Masonic Temple stage will be kept as a community space for exhibits, story telling, poetry reading and presentations
5. Computer and Study Carrels will be located throughout the library for studying
6. There will be a Community Technology Meeting Room for groups to use for meetings with a projector, Internet access and smart boards for community use
7. A large second floor Community Meeting and Activity Room that will be available to the community for meetings and other activities
You can help by picking up an information and donation sheet at the Chelan Library or at Chelan City Hall.

Donations should be made out to the Chelan Friends of the Public Library which is a 501 (3) c non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Send your donations to:

Chelan Friends of the Public Library
P.O. Box 2460
Chelan, WA 98816

Two Notices from the Manson Parks and Recreation District

Notice concerning changes for future construction projects and the Manson Parks and Recreation District Regular Board Meeting Agenda

Keeping Lake Chelan Pristine
By Richard Uhlhorn

In October, 1999, Dr. Charles Goldman, Professor of Limnolgy at UC-Davis and the originator of Lake Tahoe’s research group, visited Lake Chelan at the behest of the Lake Chelan Water Quality Committee.

After flying over the lake and spending some time on the lake, Dr. Goldman addressed an estimated 150 residents of the Lake Chelan Valley at the Chelan Performing Arts Center. The article I wrote regarding that visit can still be read on the Chelan PUD’s website: (http://www.chelanpud.org/relicense/glance/newsclip/3307_1.pdf)

“I’ve seen most of the big lakes in the world,” said Goldman at that time. “Lake Chelan is truly spectacular.”

Today Lake Chelan still ranks as a world class, spectacular, pristine lake, and while there have been subtle changes, the work of the Lake Chelan Water Quality Committee (LCWQC) since 1991 has been instrumental in keeping Lake Chelan pristine.

On Wednesday, February 8, the Lake Chelan Planning Unit will hold a public meeting in the Stehekin Room at Campbell’s Resort from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the Lake Chelan Watershed Plan with the public.

If you have any interest in the continued environmental stability of the Lake Chelan watershed, this is a meeting where you will hear about and be able to comment on the work that has taken place since 1991 by the Water Quality Committee.

The committee is made up of representatives from Chelan County, the City of Chelan, The Lake Chelan Sewer District, the Lake Chelan Reclamation District, Chelan PUD and the U.S. Forest Service.

Since 1991, the Water Quality Committee has been involved in several water and environmental quality studies and activities in the Lake Chelan basin.

Lake Chelan has been under the scientific microscope of the Lake Chelan Water Quality Committee and the Lake Chelan Watershed Planning Unit since 1991. On Wednesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the Planning Committee will hold a public meeting at Campbell’s Resort to review the draft Watershed Plan. The public is invited to attend and to comment on the plan.

These studies and activities have included the implementation of actions within the areas of sanitary sewage collection and treatment, on-site sewage disposal standards, storm water facilities, boat pump-out stations, agricultural bet-management practices, water quality monitoring and public education programs.

In 1998, the State Legislature passed the Watershed Planning Act to set the framework for developing local solutions to watershed issues on a watershed basis.

The Lake Chelan Watershed Planning Unit was formed with members of the LCWQC and they completed Phase I organizational planning and has since, continued to work on the objectives and activities of the LCWQC under the Watershed Planning Act.

The Phase 2 Water Quantity Assessment was completed in 2009. This assessment summarized the findings of water quality studies to identify water quality conditions and issues in the watershed.

In 2010, the LCWPU completed Phase 2 Habitat Component to summarize the findings for aquatic species studies and to identify aquatic species conditions and issues in the watershed.

In 2011 a draft Phase 3 Watershed Plan was completed and the final draft has been submitted for review and comment. New comments will be addressed and incorporated into the final plan that will be approved by the Planning Unit and submitted to Chelan County for review and approval.

After the plan is approved the Planning Unit will begin to develop a Phase 4 Implementation Plan which will seek funding to support project management and continued activities of the Lake Chelan Watershed Planning Unit.

This public meeting will be an opportunity to voice your concerns or any issues you may have regarding the Planning Units work. Your comments will be recorded and added into the record.

Echo Valley Play Day is This Sunday

The Echo Valley's Annual Play Day will take place this Sunday, February 12th.

Come join the fun, race down the hill and watch kids dig in the money pit.

Wear your goofy costumes, hats, masks and whatever else you can think of that is FUN! Prizes given out by Lakeland Ski! You could also end up in the photo gallery at the Echo Valley website!

Volunteers are still needed. Contact Hill Manager Oro Starcher via email at

And check out some great photos at the Echo Valley Ski Area Facebook page !

Keep up the Snow Dance!

News From the Meeting of the Chelan County PUD Commission - February 6, 2012

From a PUD press release:

Strategic planning helps PUD improve bottom-line financial performance in 2011

By remaining disciplined in its financial policies and capitalizing on a good water year, the Chelan County PUD was able to exceed expectations in 2011 by $14.4 million on its combined financial bottom line. Combined improvement in net assets for the PUD was $17.1 million, compared with a budgeted amount of $2.7 million.

The year-end look was presented Monday to PUD commissioners by Chief Financial/Risk Officer Kelly Boyd. She said long-term financial policies in the Strategic Plan have met most objectives. The only target not quite achieved at this point is combined debt coverage, but it is projected to be in line with targets by 2013 and beyond, bringing all financial measurements within desired ranges.

In line with its Strategic Plan, which carries out what the PUD has heard from customers regarding financial priorities, the PUD is on track to build up reserves for a rainy day, continue reducing debt and maintaining low rates and reliable service by keeping PUD assets in good shape. PUD debt stands at $967 million and is forecast to drop approximately $60 million more per year on average over the next five years.

Above-average runoff from last spring's high snowpack helped the PUD's wholesale power sales exceed budget forecasts in 2011 by $10.6 million. In addition, the PUD held the line on operating expenses and came in $7.1 million below budget.

"We still want to stay the course on our long-term financial strategies," said Boyd, "remaining prudent and disciplined."

Boyd explained that specific PUD services such as water, sewer and fiber optics continue to come up short in paying for themselves, along with the retail electric system. All services rely on money from the PUD's surplus power sales to close the gaps. Thanks to a new hedging program that periodically auctions off a future slice of power production from PUD dams, the wholesale revenues are becoming more stable, minimizing the risk of large swings in electric rates. Boyd said the power hedging program helped offset low market price conditions and bring in $61.1 million for the PUD in 2011. Even with the high snowpack, she said, wholesale power sales would have been below budgeted amounts had the PUD been forced to rely on market sales without the hedging program.

As of Jan. 1, 2012, the PUD ended its 9-percent electric surcharge and replaced it with a 2.5-percent increase from where rates stood in 2008. The average residential rate now of 3.2 cents per kilowatt hour remains second lowest in the nation.

In other action Monday:

• Commissioners reviewed the proposed change in industrial rates that will allow users who are bumping up against the cap of 5 average megawatts to use one additional megawatt at predetermined market price - as long as the customer does not exceed 5 average MW for the year. A final hearing on the rate change is scheduled at 1 p.m. March 19.
• Board members scheduled a series of public meetings to present results of extensive customer research and other outside analysis that will be considered in developing an updated strategic plan for the fiber-optic network. The first meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Confluence Technology Center. The meeting, which is expected to last several hours, will also be videotaped for the PUD website and streamed live on the Internet that evening for those who may not be able to attend in person. Additional meetings in communities will be scheduled, and a fiber plan is expected to be finalized in April.
• Commissioners approved boundary changes in PUD commissioner districts 1, 2 and 3 to match the Chelan County commissioner districts as revised following the latest federal census; there are no changes to at-large districts A and B.

Chelan County Fire District 7 Commissioners Regular Meeting Agenda 2-8-12

AGENDA
Chelan County Fire District 7
Commissioners Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 08, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.
232 East Wapato, Chelan, WA

Call to order at 7:00 p.m.
* Flag Salute
* Approve Agenda
Public Comment
Consent Agenda
Revenue Report and Expenditure Report: 01/2012
Vouchers for General Account: 01/06/12 $6367.59, 01/13/12 $6138.95,
01/20/12 $9682.12, 01/27/12 $4180.80, 02/03/12 $1333.19
Vouchers for Capital Account: 01/06/12 $27,485.10, 01/20/12 $457.37,
Minutes: 01/11/12
Fire Chief Report
* Personnel
* Apparatus and Equipment
* Facilities
* Emergency Response Report
* Training
* Fire Prevention Activities
* Public Education
Firefighters Association Report
Unfinished Business
* CAC / Citizens Advisory Committee - update
New Business
* LRP / Long Range Plan
Special Event
Adjournment

Click Here for Lake Chelan Boat Company schedule page

Lady Express Filling Up for President's Day Weekend

Holden Village reports that large numbers of guests are expected on Presidents Day Weekend. Their records show arrivals on Friday Feb. 17th and departures on Monday the 20th.

If you are expecting to travel on either leg of these trips, it is recommended you reserve your tickets in advance. You can do so by calling the Boat Company at 509-682-4584 or by email at

Get Fit! Lake Chelan Starts This Month

Click Here for Get Fit! Lake Chelan info at the Hospital website

Get Fit! Lake Chelan is all about changing habits for a healthier lifestyle. It starts with recording where your weight and other physical indicators are and then tracks your progress as you improve. There are only winners and everything is provided free of charge.

Enjoy this Second interview in the series by Steve Byquist where Ben Higgins talks about taking the concept to the next level.

If you are interested in joining GET FIT! LAKE CHELAN, you can register for a free screening time at LCCH by calling 682-3300. The first screening dates are Feb. 15th-16th, followed by Feb. 22nd-23rd and Feb. 29th – March 1st. They will be held between 7-9 a.m, and participants must be fasting for 12 hours prior to screening. There will be both men and women screeners available.

Earn GET FIT! stamps by participating in these healthy events planned for this year. More events will be added. Check the Get Fit website Activity Calendar for additions.

Click Here for the GetFitLakeChelan.com website

Saturday, February 18, 10 AM – Manson
Frosty Family Fun Run 2K or 5K

March 22, 7 PM, Lake Chelan Community Hospital
Nutrition: how to eat to lose – and still stay healthy
Dr. Ty Witt

April 19, 7 PM, Lake Chelan Community Hospital
Training for Beginners – how to get fit and have fun
Dr. Lorinda Parks

Saturday, April 21 – Chelan
Earth day (visit the GET FIT! table and have your blood pressure taken)

May 10, 7 PM, Lake Chelan Community Hospital
Finding Balance – how to sustain the progress you’ve made
Dr. John Arnold, psychologist

Saturday, May 12 – Manson
Manson Apple Blossom Pig Jig 5K

Manson Hosts Knowledge Bowl Contest and Places Third

Manson Knowledge Bowl Team #1 placed 3rd on Monday, Feb. 1st at the Manson Knowledge Bowl Tournament. The schools in the Southwest Washington District that sent teams to compete were Manson, Chelan, Wenatchee, Waterville, Moses Lake, Ephrata, Cashmere and Quincy. Manson had a total of six teams competing in the bowl.

Manson’s Team #1 was Jesse Russell, Marcus Vanderholm, Alexis Rapozo, and Devin Griffith. These four students are returning members from last year who brought home the 2B Northwest Regional Champions award and now have their sights set on taking the 2B region again at State this year. Upcoming regional competitions occur in February and early March. The top 18 teams in each division (top 9 in 1B division) will then advance to the state tournament held in early April.

It takes many volunteers to facilitate the Knowledge Bowl and with this many thanks are given to Readers; Tim Bombaci, Celeste Thomas, Don Vanderholm, Dean Morehead, Ken Nelson, Jama England, Nancy Miller, Julie Russell, Ellen Picton, and Lou Picton, plus the timers (who were mostly the other team’s coach) from Moses Lake, Ephrata, Cascade, Cashmere, Quincy, Wenatchee, Waterville, and Nathan O’Halloran. Special thanks go to Wenatchee Coach, Chris Cloke who is also the NCW Knowledge Bowl coordinator. Cloke helped with timing and answering questions on organizing the event.

Below are the top ten results of meet No. 4:

Power Line Work at East End of Woodin Monday

Dan Baker of the City of Chelan Public Works informs us that on Monday, February 6, Chelan PUD crews will be working on overhead power lines across East Woodin Ave (SR97A) at the intersection with Washington Street. This is adjacent to Lake Chelan Floor Covering and the football field, and Palazzo Ponds and Apple Inn Motel.

The work will require closure of the inside lanes in each direction. Except for an occasional very short delay, the outside lanes in each direction will remain open. Flaggers and construction signage will be on scene to assist motorists' passage through the work zone.

Work will commence approximately 8 a.m. and should be complete before 5 p.m. on Monday.

Click Here for the NCW Camp Fire USA website

Camp Fire Boys and Girls Are Ready to Sell Candy

North Central Washington member s of Camp Fire USA will be selling candy including the popular chocolate-covered mint patties starting Feb. 1, 2012. The candy sale is a major fundraiser for NCW Council programs including club activities and summer programs at Camp Zanika Lache at Lake Wenatchee.

“Camp Fire helps boys and girls from preschool to high school learn to be leaders,” said Theresa Samuelson, NCW Camp Fire executive director. “Proceeds from the candy sale are vital in meeting our mission of developing caring, confident youth and future leaders.”

Youth members can support their membership in clubs and/or earn their way to Camp Zanika by selling candy. Available this year are Almond Rocha, Mint Paddies and Almond Carmel Clusters. The cost is $5 a box.

Candy is available from youth and adult members of NCW Camp Fire or by calling the council’s Wenatchee office at (509) 663-1609 (toll-free at 800-548-8884).

Click Here for the GetFitLakeChelan.com website

Ben Higgins Says 'Get Fit'

Get Fit Lake Chelan had its start about 8 years ago when Chelan businessman Ben Higgins had heart problems related to his weight of 285 pounds.

His loss of about 95 pounds came though lifestyle changes and walking but he still finds it difficult to keep the weight off. Going public added an accountability piece to the equation.

Enjoy this interview by Steve Byquist where Ben Higgins tells the story of how Get Fit Chelan has become a success in our valley.

Alice Bumgarner Was Inspiration to the Lake Chelan Community

Alice Brandon Bumgarner, 98, a longtime resident of Manson, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

From the family-submitted obituary:

As Ingpen wrote in his book, "Lifetimes", every living thing has a beginning and an end and in between is the living. For Alice Brandon Bumgarner, the beginning came January 21, 1913, and the end came January 9, 2012. For Alice, it was the living in between that was so remarkable. Countless adults and children were mothered, mentored and inspired by Alice's wisdom and generosity.

Alice took up painting as her "therapy" after cancer threatened her life. She loved to sketch and paint the beauty and history of this area and documented many of the pioneer structures, later donated to the Lake Chelan Historical Society for the Manson Collection. Alice began to share and to skillfully teach others the joys of painting and crafting. Alice never met a new idea or method of painting or a new craft idea that she didn't want to try. People were always welcome to use her basement as a studio and use her supplies as well. In that studio, lots of eyes were encouraged to see anew, advise was given (if asked for), problems were solved, tears were dried and laughter and fun reigned supreme.

Alice was politically active in defending all peoples' rights. She loved the land and the flowers and gardens that she grew. She loved her cats, birds, friends and family. Alice was deeply rooted in Manson and an enduring part of the fabric of the Art community, helping with shows and classes. We will never know the extent of her influence.

In the morning, Alice was always glad to see her face reflected in her mirror. "If I see my face, I know I am alive and it's going to be a great day!" On this day, she'll miss that image and so will we. Alice was an inspiration; aunt, friend, mentor, haven, good for "down home" advice and a "dressing down," if needed. We will always remember her enthusiastic, "Let's go paint!"

Alice Brandon Bumgarner was the daughter of Jerry and Blanche (Sheppard) Brandon. She was born on the family farm 13 miles from Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas. Alice moved to Manson permanently in 1928. She attended and graduated from Manson High School in 1932. She is survived by her nieces, Joyce Troxel of Burien and Cleo Goodnight of Monroe.

Memorials may be made to the Lake Chelan Historical Society. At her request, No Services will be held. Arrangements are by Precht Rose Chapel, Chelan.

Today, the Lake Chelan Valley has an opportunity to move the Chelan Public Library into new and, hopefully,final digs… the old Masonic Temple.

After much input from the community about the City’s needs for its over-crowed library, the City purchased the old historic Masonic Temple for the libraries new and final location.

Located on North Emerson Street, the 84-year old Masonic Temple has to be renovated before the library can move in. The total renovation is estimated to cost $650,000 of which the community needs to raise $160,000 as a match towards the total cost.

Mary Sherer, who is heading up the Friends of the Library public relations efforts said, “We had all of this thrown at us in a very short period of time.” The group will be applying for its Community Block Grant at the end of February and would like as many donations and/or pledges towards the $160,000 match as possible. This will show that the community is engaged in this effort.

While the City owns the building, it has passed a resolution that the Library will remain in the Masonic Temple for a minimum of 15 years.

The design of the new space will incorporate some user friendly elements including:

A Fireside Reading Room for users to relax in a quiet comfortable place to read, use computers, listen to music or books on headsets and enjoy magazines; A Children’s Area designed to accommodate children and parents with children’s books, furniture to scale, activity center and access to an outside play area; A Teen Area with computers for teens go can get together to study and use computers after school until 9 p.m. without disturbing other patrons; The existing Masonic Temple stage will be kept as a community space for exhibits, story telling, poetry reading and presentations; Computer and Study Carrels will be located throughout the library for studying There will be a Community Technology Meeting Room for groups to use for meetings. This room will have a projector, Internet access and smart boards for community use; and A large second floor Community Meeting and Activity Room that will be available to the community for meetings and other activities.

“It’s important for the community to buy into this,” said Sherer. “We want people to be excited.”

The Friends of the Library welcome new ideas from the community. “What do you want,” asked Sherer. “We want people to tell us so we can incorporate these ideas into the new space.”

The Friends are looking for donations and pledges. “Even small amounts are welcome,” said Sherer. At the current library there is a newly painted wall that will tally up the donations and pledges as they come in as well as a place for announcements.“We want the wall to become a focal point,” said Sherer

How do you help? Pick up your information and donation sheet at the Chelan Library or at City Hall. Donations should be made to the Chelan Friends of the Public Library. It is a 501(3)c organization; donations are tax deductable. The address is P.O. Box 2460,Chelan WA 98816. Cash, checks and credit cards are all acceptable!

All donors to the library renovation will be recognized and donations over $1,000 will have the names of the donors listed on a permanent plaque in the library. All donations are tax deductible. North Cascades National Bank has opened up a Friends of the Library bank account to handle the donations that come in.

So pick up your information and donation sheet at the Chelan Library or at City Hall.

For more information, contact City Administrator Jim Reinbold at 509-682-4037 or Mary Sherer, Friends of the Library at 509-470-1067.

“It’s Time toTurn the Page!”

Photo Above: Lupe Villasenor of Chelan - The Washington State Representative for the Society of Range Management High School Youth Forum 2012, held at the 65th SRM Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Spokane Jan 29th to Feb 2nd.

Congratulations to Lupe Villasenor
Chelan FFA Chapter Vice-President

Selected to Represent the Pacific Northwest
At Society of Range Management Forum in Spokane