Transit tax 20 year impact for Orting

A blog reader shared that she wrote the following note to Representative Jim McCune and Senator Randi Becker, and received a response from McCune.

She emailed  me..."This is the info that I received from Jim McCune, I asked him to look into getting that tax off our license tabs, but sounds like they locked it in for about 20 more years.  So again, the small communities that are cut service, will continue to pay for something they didn't have and will have less of in the future. The east county area has a lot of low income people, and that added dollars on their cars, trucks, trailers, personal and work will continue to have to pay for the city people to ride the buses. This has been a beef with me for a long time..."

She emailed Becker and  McCune June 18, 2011...

"Thank you for all of your work this session.  Hopefully we are on our way to correcting some of the problems that we have created. In regards to the RTA tax, Pierce Co is cutting back service to many areas, including mine in Graham; how do we get that tax removed from our license tabs?  They even add the tax to my living quarters horse trailer;  my horse doesn't ride the train or the bus, but I am tempted to try just to make a point of it.  We are also retired so we don't ride the commuter train or bus anywhere."

McCune responded July 19, 2011... 

"Here is the information I received: After some extensive research, we cannot find a provision in the Sound Transit code allowing cities to redraw the lines on who is included and who is not within the Sound Transit boundaries.  There was a two-year window to be excluded from the Sound Transit boundaries from 1996-98, but this no longer applies.  If a city were to exclude itself from Sound Transit going forward, they would still have the taxes applied to pay off any existing bonds so we’re looking at least 20 years before you’re free and clear."

Sam Colorossi's Transit and Tax Perspectives

City Council member Sam Colorossi shared his perspective on yesterday's blog post with me in an email and gave permission for me to share it.

"In my mind these taxes are two very different programs with two different commitments.  First, the RTA tax, if my memory serves me right, was floated to the public many years ago for creating the taxing district to fund the RTA project in the Puget Sound Area. The measure failed at the polls.  So the members of the RTA committee studied the voting results and resubmitted the plan, only this time they gerrymandered the lines throughout all areas that voted favorably for the plan.  When they resubmitted the plan for the second vote it past and the taxing district was established.

I cannot remember if Orting was included favorably for being a part of the construction plan however I do remember seeing a rail line proposed as far south as McMillin.  So those living in Orting who voted favorably for the RTA system knew full well they would not see Orting become a local benefactor of the long range plan.  One of the taxing forms for this program is the tax on any vehicles that uses the highways system.  The tax is collected yearly based upon the value of the vehicle being licensed by the Motor Vehicle Department.

    

On the other-hand, the Pierce Transit tax is a part of the sales tax package.  Many years ago, the Orting City Council felt it would be nice to have bus service to Orting.  So they petition Pierce Transit to become a part of their taxing district.  But, first, this had to go before the citizens of Orting and be voted on.  The measure passed at the ballot and we began receiving bus service.  Not, all that smoothly, but none the less, we had service.  After several years Pierce Transit was having troubles generating enough bus traffic, to and from Orting, to pay the bills.  So, Pierce Transit cut our services in the late 1990’s. As Mayor of Orting at the time I, personally, threaten deannexation.  Pierce Transit acquiesced with a service called the “Orting Loop.”  This was a very limited, “on call service”, if you will.

Now, times have changed.  The economy is in the tank and Pierce Transit has had to make some very tough decisions.  That they have done.  They have chosen to discontinue service to Orting.  With that commitment, they have broken an agreement to provide us service especially since we voted our community into their taxing district.   We will soon have no service, so should the citizens of Orting have to pay a tax for something that we are not receiving? 

In my mind, we cannot equate the Pierce Transit tax with the RTA tax, and therefore agree with Mayor Temple’s position.  These are two different types of taxing commitments that were made over the past years."

Thanks to Sam for sharing his thoughts and the background on the issue. 

If you'd like your opinion posted on this topic or some other that effects Orting, please send me an email to jrmadison@comcast.net and please express your perspectives appropriately for family readership.

Colorossi and Transit photos from Google Images.

Tempted to put horse on Sumner train

An Orting reader responded to a Google News link that ran on my blog last week with the following email note to me regarding an exert from Orting Mayor Cheryl Temple.

"...the comment from the mayor, that we won't have bus service, does that mean that we can stop paying the RTA tax that they hit us with?  Even on my horse trailer I have to pay the RTA tax, I have been tempted to take the horse to Sumner and try to put her on the train, her vehicle pays the tax so she should be able to ride!!!"

The comment she was referring to was in a recent article in the Bellingham Herald that said, "Pierce Transit will no longer serve Orting and Buckley, and Bonney Lake and Sumner will see reductions, along with other parts of the county. In Orting, “we’re frustrated” by the loss of service, said Mayor Cheryl Temple. “Our ultimate goal is to find a way to serve the people.”

To read the entire article go to:

 http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/06/25/2076511/leaders-in-east-pierce-discuss.html#ixzz1SWTSXTaY

You can email your opinions and ideas to Mayor Temple at ctemple@cityoforting.org  or if you'd like them published here in the blog,  email them to me at jrmadison@comcast.net

A peek at the past

A short trip to the corner of Calistoga and Washington Avenue ( Hwy 162) in Orting, gives you a wonderful glimpse into days gone by, hometown 4th of July celebrations. The mural painted by Linda Petchnik on the side of the Nunnally Realty building depicts July 4, 1902.

The description with the scene says:  "The parade began at 10 a.m. with eight old soldiers proudly carrying the stars and stripes and marching to the band. Afternoon activities included pole vaulting, greased pole climbing, and tug of war. There was foot, bicycle, sack, and horse racing. The evening was pandemonium with the noise of rockets and firecrackers. The band gave a dance at the opera house." *

To help you get your bearings when you're looking at the mid-left of the mural, Thompson's Store is the site of Union Bank today. On the far right, the feed store is the site of Orting Law, office of Jacqueline McMahon, and to the left of that is the home that is owned today by David and Mary Inge and houses Orting Manor events venue business.

The gazebo in the center is near where a more modern version of the gazebo stands in the park today, and continues to be a gathering place for community events.

The reference to the dance at the opera house, is the building now known as Eagle's Hall at the corner of Bridge St., Corrin St.,  and Harman Way.

Take a peek at the past with a bike ride or walk around town to view the historic murals of Orting. Shoot me an email and let's visit a bit while you're here. Old friends or new, you'll love 'Orting, the small town with the big view!'

*Reference: The History of the Town of Orting. Research by Alice Rushton and Myron Thompson.

It Will Grow On You

It all started innocently enough three decades ago with my friend Jean telling me there was a fantastic nursery that we just had to go to. We wandered what seemed like endless acres of green houses. I was ignorant in every aspect of horticulture, but Jean confidently instructed me about this plant and that shrub, admiring the tender shoots with shining eyes as if they were newborn babies.

She convinced me that I needed to grow something, so with my pauper's resources, I purchased one small potted house plant, based on her  educated recommendation. The cute little green baby asparagus fern eventually grew into a monster, trailing 6' long, with a span of at least 3', rivaling Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, whispering 'feed me' every time I passed it.

While the fern was taking over my dining room, Jean showed me how to take an avocado pit, pierce it with toothpicks and half submerge it in a glass of water, to start my very own avocado tree. My children were amazed to watch the seed slowly split, send down a delicate root into the water, followed by a shaft of green stalk sprouting with leaves. It was awesome to watch the process, and we could no longer simply throw avocado pits in the garbage.

It was after Jean hosted a 'plant party' that it became my full fledged addiction. Everyone that she invited had to bring plant cuttings and starts to trade. I left that day with the beginnings of Wandering Jew, Pathos, Purple Velvet, Prayer Plant, and Philodendron.

I potted, nurtured, clipped, propagated and shared the little new lives with any poor victim that would take them. Many met my plant enthusiasm with downcast eyes, politely saying thank you, while whispering polite protests of 'I have a brown thumb and will probably kill it.'

I realized it had become a sickness years later, when I couldn't stand seeing wilting, neglected plants on people's desks at work. 'Let me take that home and get it healthy' I would insist, and my house become a hospital emergency jungle ward for ailing greenery.

The first step was prune the ailing plant patient back severely, getting rid of the diseased and dead foliage. Second, set any viable cuttings in water to propagate. Third, nurture to make everything grow, grow, grow!

I became a plant pusher, a pathos pimp, a propagation purveyor, following steadfastly after Jean's example. I really went over the top when I became so bold as to ask total strangers and receptionists in business offices, if I could have cuttings from their beautiful plants.

I made my husband Jim crazy at least once a year when I repotted everything, giving the plants new soil, and room to grow. It was an all day project with dirt, and discarded trimmings everywhere.

After many moves, and protests from hubby, I finally pared it down to seven indoor plants, but when we moved into our new home 5 years ago to a bare dirt yard, it was like giving an artist a fresh palette and saying 'paint'. I was overwhelmed with the desire to plant, propagate, and create yard work for Jim and myself.

I filled our little parcel with dwarf fruit trees, cherry, pear, apple and plum. Blueberry bushes line the back, raspberries and strawberries the sides, and a few rhubarb plants for good measure. I put in a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees for shade and privacy year round. Roses line the front yard, along with a lilac, rhododendron, azaleas, gladiolas, hydrangeas, hens and chicks, and other things that I can't remember the names of.

Our friend Ron whacked a good size branch off his neighbors curly willow tree four years ago, and told us to stick it in the ground. To our amazement it grew into a beautiful tree. Every time a branch grows into the path to Jim's hobby shed, I prune it off and stick it into the ground, resulting in the beginnings of a curly willow forest, with nine curly willow trees lining our small yard, and many more given away to friends, neighbors and any stranger who dares compliment them.

Of course I use the word 'I' liberally when referring to all this gardening, since my poor husband is drafted into every project I create. He patiently fertilizes, mows, chops, weeds, and hauls the results of my vegetative visions, even though he proclaimed during our wedding vows that he does not garden. He appears resigned to my newest dream project of raised beds for the strawberries, since our marital arthritis is making it painful to bend or stoop to weed and pick for very long.

I was not surprised to learn later that Jean Godfrey, who is to blame for this fine and pleasant misery I enjoy, had become the Executive Director of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers Association. It is the perfect job for a Propagation Purveyor. For those of us who don't make plants a career, it is certainly a hobby that will grow on you.

In Orting, the best place to get your garden growing is Orting Floral and Green House. Kari and Mike Otis are friends to everyone that walks into the door of their business at 117 Eldredge Avenue Northwest. Everything is locally grown and you'll get good old fashioned service here. You can give them a ring and place orders at (360) 893-2924. 

Genesis 11: 27-31 So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good...

My Clay Jar Full Of Treasures

 It looks like a simple little clay jar, but this pot holds a treasure trove of special hidden memories for me.

My dear friend Jean  gave it to me as a gift, 31 years ago in 1979. Little did either of us know how vastly our lives would change over the next three decades. As she and her family moved away to California, and I took my three children back to Idaho when my marriage ended, I gave up all hope of ever seeing her again.

We lost touch over the years, but I had my jar that was full of reminders of our special times together. Originally I filled it with sugar, but at one point the lid was broken and after gluing it back together, I turned the damaged part to the back so no one else would see it, and retired it from normal kitchen service.

It held a special place of honor on the shelf, quietly reminding me of her unconditional love, care, and  vast kindness she had shown me during very difficult years. And the broken part was like me, a broken life, glued back together, never quite the same, but still full of unseen treasures, hidden from most, but those who stop to really look and learn have the opportunity to discover them.

I had tried to find her many times over the years, but discovered no clue as to her whereabouts through my searches online. Every time I passed the treasure jar, I thought of her and wondered about her well being, sometimes saying a little prayer for her.

Then a week ago I got a message on my face book page from a Jean Godfrey (formerly Helseth), asking if I was her old friend. How joyful it has been to reconnect online. I cried, she cried, we're trying to catch up, but it is going to take some time together in person, which is totally possible, because as it turns out, she now lives only a few hours away. She had been looking for me also, but my name was Rhonda Ellson back then and she was having the same problem I did in my searches.

Yes, there have been many changes over the years. Both her boys are married, have served in the Air Force and Army, and she is a grandma 4 times over.

She posted this photo of me with baby John back in 1979. She and I both  had thick manes of long dark hair back then, and now it is much paler with the platinum earned with age, sometimes camouflaged with color, but certainly earned. The bodies have changed, and the strength has waned a bit, but the sifting of time and trials has brought wisdom and left us with treasures that many  may not be able to see, but are the jewels that cannot be stolen

With great anticipation I am looking forward to new memories to store in my little jar as we set aside a little time together. As Jean so aptly put it in her email to me, "This is like opening up a really good book and you can't wait to get to the next page."

 I can't wait!





2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Skeeter Buzzed Into Town Yesterday

I've been busy doing the local preparations for the Culpepper Merriweather Circus coming to town next Friday, May 30th. Wednesday evening their advance clown, Skeeter, arrived and spent the night in our home. Then I took her to 3 school assemblies I had prearranged for her to do her act at.

Anybody who can hold the rapt attention of 500 five, six and seven year olds is pretty amazing in my book. She juggled, and joked and magic tricked her way into the hearts of the local youngsters.

It was very interesting to visit with her the evening before her school performances. I was intrigued by her nomadic lifestyle. She is a few years younger than me and has been on the road clowning for 19 years. She spends 9 months of the year going from town to town in her Dodge Caravan, which is her home on the road. Occasionally the local sponsor will invite them into their home for the evening. Otherwise she camps out in the van.

She has a small portable TV that picks up a few channels in some locations until the change to digital in June. Reading books in her downtime is one of her pleasures.

She didn't grow up in a circus family, but her father was involved in Shriners. This gave her the opportunity to start clowning in their circus when she was 9 years old in Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate of the Ringling Clown College.

Skeeter’s clown program educates people about what a day in the life of a clown is really all about. She spends time talking about the different types of clowns and the history of the circus, incorporating a variety of foreign and sign language. Her creativity was a real inspiration to me.

Speaking of clowning around -- we had a great weekend at the beach in Seaside Oregon with daughter Susie and the grandkids: Grace, Wyatt and Hannah. They found treasures in the sand and we stayed in the pool swimming and splashing until we looked like raisens. Grace really got the hang of swimming while we were there and is great doing the back float and crawl stroke.

Before the kids arrived Jim and I were swimming in the pool and met a lady named Rhonda. After visiting with her we learned that her mother had recently suffered a stroke and would love to get in the pool, but wasn't physically able to from her wheel chair. We encouraged Rhonda to bring her mother down from their room with the offer to help her get in. Jim picked her up like a baby and gently carried her into the pool. Then the two of us Rhonda's got on either side of her and she grinned from ear-to-ear as she 'walked' for the first time since her stroke, with the help of the water's buoyancy.

Later, when settling the grandchildren down for the evening, we told them about the incident and talked about watching and listening for the needs of others so we can help people. Wyatt listened intently, then commented "that's just a story isn't it? It didn't really happen did it." It was good to reassure him that in fact it did and that it was very important to not just think about what we want all the time, but to think about what other people need around us. I think it sunk in a little as they seemed particulary thoughtful with us and each other. It's great to be able to share a little of life's lessons while we're just clowning around.

Kim's On Oprah For Losing 164 LBS!

My Orting friend Kim Whitlock appeared on the Oprah show Tuesday because of her amazing 164 lb. weight loss achievement. She has kept the weight off for two years now and has found success in conquering obesity by following the principles in the book 'You On A Diet' by Drs. Oz and Roizen. Her before and after photos tell it all. The beautiful woman inside her is shining on the outside now.

We organized a viewing party at Sparpole Restaurant and Lounge for folks to gather and celebrate her great achievement. She was honored with gifts and kudos including: Flowers and balloons from her friends and former coworkers at Safeway; T shirt, water bottle and memberships to Curves from Anna Olson and Anytime Fitness from Cathy Pritchard; $115 gift certificate from Jill Gonzalez at Hair Hype; Zumba classes from Orting Mayor Cheryl Temple; a mirror disco ball from the Orting Chamber of Commerce; Arthur Murray Dance Center of Tacoma came and owner Amy Wohleb gave Kim a certificate for 12 ballroom dancing lessons. Lance, the Arthur Murray dance professional, took Kim for a spin on the dance floor to the tune of Dancing Queen.

She has been featured in newspapers, the Oprah magazine, radio, TV and websites.Congratulations Kim, on your huge achievement!

Gifts Of Hope From Uganda

We hosted two Ugandan boys this past weekend who are in the area touring with Matsiko Children's Choir a group of orphaned and at risk children. Matsiko means hope and reflects what is in their hearts and the message they are spreading. Julius and Gideon are only 9 and 12 years old, but they have joy, wisdom and love to share that belies the adversities they have faced and inspires those they meet.

When we agreed to have them in our home, I thought we were giving to them. It turns out they were a precious gift to us. Their amazement and thankfulness for the simple things left us feeling rich. Through their eyes we saw anew the magic in snow globes, music boxes, Christmas ornaments, snow flakes, snowmen, snowball fights, the wind blowing the snow, all the food they could eat, a warm house with cozy beds.

We had fun showing them our village of Orting, taking them to see Madeline Jones African Art, Northwest Trek and the Sumner pool to fulfill their request to go swimming. We bundled them up in front of the fireplace with popcorn and hot cocoa and granted their wishes to watch Home Alone 1 and 2 and listened to their giggles and commentary that the star of the show Kevin would 'do ok and survive because he is a wise boy.'

I was touched to tears as they said their bedtime prayers. Instead of asking for anything for themselves, they prayed for us, referring to us as Mum and Dad. Safety was a big topic of their petitions for us. They went something like this..."God thank you for Mum and Dad and for their home and food, and keep them safe, and keep the dog safe, and keep their children safe and keep their grandchildren safe and especially the one in the photo who is a soldier, keep him safe and help him have courage and know he is doing a good thing and protecting others and helping us have freedom."

I watched proudly as they performed in song and dance. I couldn't have been more proud than if they were my very own children. As I listened to the children voice their past adversity and future goals and determination to accomplish them, I was inspired.

If they could overcome against such incredible odds, how can we not do the same? While our economy groans and adjusts, I realize in the light of their existence, we are rich by comparison. Like Matsiko, may we have hope. We will survive.

The group will be going home to Uganda January 8th. If you'd like to see them while they are in the area, find a schedule of performances at http://www.icnchildren.net/choir/tour.php

My Patriot Heroes

Today is National Patriots Day and my mind is on the events of 9/11/2001. May we never forget those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price, not only that day, but throughout our great American history. So many have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we now enjoy.

Right here in Orting, both our police and fire departments are led by veterans. Bill Drake had a full career in the military prior to becoming Chief of Police. Randy Shelton followed his father in military service prior to being Chief of Orting Valley Fire and Rescue. Then his son Chris followed his family example of military service, served in several combat deployments and became a Purple Heart recipient.

Randy and I had many moments of sharing each other's pride and concern while both our sons were deployed. His in Afghanistan, and mine, John Ellson, in Iraq. I was so touched when taking this photo a few years ago on the anniversary of 9/11 when the local firefighters took a knee to say a prayer and remember those valiant patriots who lost their lives on that fateful day.

My niece's husband Phil stepped up to the patriot plate and re-enlisted. He just completed a deployment in Iraq as a Blackhawk pilot and is safely home with his family in Germany awaiting the birth of their third child. It was a happy day for Amy and the children when daddy came home.

For the first time in our nation's history we have a total volunteer force of men and women serving our country. The draft was in effect when my husband Jim and his friend Jim Tuggle were called to serve in Vietnam. It was a time of great national conflict. When they came home from their combat time there were no hero's welcomes, parades or confetti. Instead they were met with insults, protests and jeers. I hope the Vietnam veterans know today that their service was appreciated and they too are patriot heroes.

My Uncle Jack Witthuhn and cousin Bill Kelly also served in Vietnam in the 60's. I remember the letters we exchanged and have great admiration for both of them. Bill was my inspiration to learn the guitar, gave me folk records and taught me my first chords. Uncle Jack's letters were filled with faith and an example of trusting God in the most difficult times.

I spent my entire growing up years on military bases with my family while my father Ssgt. Joe Witthuhn served a career in the Air Force. We lived on Guam in the 60's where he worked on the airplanes flying missions to Vietnam. My Uncle Harold Witthuhn served in Germany during WWII. On the bad side, he was shot in combat. On the good side, he lived through it and brought home a beautiful German bride, Edith who was also a patriot by secretly helping American soldiers to safety and supplying them with food.

My friends Wayne and Beth Harman of Orting both served in WWII, he in the Army Air Corp and her in the Army Nurses Corp. They married after the war and when they came home from their honeymoon a letter awaited them asking if they would go to Korea. They've raised a family and continue to be active in community service and the American Legion.

Mother to mother, my heart goes out to a business client, Mary Ann Ross of Yelm, whose son, Abe Twitchell, paid the ultimate price two years ago while serving in Iraq. We spoke on the phone today and she recalled getting a reassuring phone call from him on 9/11 telling her that planes had just flown into the Trade Towers and to turn on the TV. "I was just calling to let you know I'm alright, but you won't hear from me for awhile" he said.

Today, I salute and thank our patriots and their families. I pray for peace, comfort and courage for our nation and those serving. We will never forget the sacrifices of our great American patriots!

Blackberries & Salmon

It's that time of year again here in Orting when the blackberries are ripe for the picking and the Salmon are having a world class run in the Carbon River. Fishing season opened a week ago for the Salmon and I decided to take a walk down the Foothills Trail to see how things were going.

I tried to park in the new Fisherman's Parking Lot between the Public Safety building and the Skate Park, but found it full so located a spot on the street. (This is where I took the fantastic banner photo of the mountain with the flag in the foreground.)

There is a great historic mural painted on an old mill burning silo next to the parking lot that can be enjoyed by all compliments of the Orting Historical Society. If you decide to come for a visit, be sure and check it out on your way to the river.

From there you can walk over to the trail and head to the river. I would guess it's about a mile walk and on a clear day like we've been having, you have a great view of the mountain as you walk along Schoenbachler's corn field and pasture on the way to the river.

The blackberries are prolific along the trail and families were out filling their bowls, buckets and mouths. Lacie Filkins of Sumner was picking with her nieces Ellana and Ebony who bragged to me about how many they had picked, although their bowls showed little evidence, but their darling berry stained smiles were proof enough.

People were heading back to their cars, some with a salmon and some without, but all with the happy looks that come from spending a relaxing time at the river. I got a chuckle out of all the creative modes of transportation on the trail. The salmon are big and heavy to carry out and no motorized vehicles are allowed so people were utilizing all sorts of things to help out. Some were pulling red wagons loaded with ice chests and gear. A couple of grown men on skateboards with their fishing gear in hand were the best comic scene of all. Some were breezing along on kid's scooters, speeding along on skates, and many were on bikes pedaling with the salmon's mouths hooked conveniently over the handlebars. And of course there were lots of walkers and talkers, boasting about the ones that got away as they strolled along.

A few were happy to tell me all about their catches. Teenager Drew Casey of Buckley had his 12 pound king salmon on the handlebars of his bike. A trio of men from California and Nebraska, with a beautiful silver salmon, told me they come here every year to fish the salmon run.

A young man from Graham held up his big catch and bragged that it was 40 pounds to the cajoling and catcall corrections of bystander fisherman within hearing distance who made sure I knew this was an exaggeration and it was only 20 pounds. I laughed and dismissed the dispute by telling them that "I understand when fishermen lie about the weight of their catch. We women fib about our poundage all the time too."

I was tickled at the motley assortment of fishing gear people were using. Some had nice waders, poles and tackle packs, but many were carrying plastic grocery bags with simple rod setups that seemed too small to land these weighty fighting fish, but had managed to do so anyway.

The river was lined with at least 100 people fishing in my field of vision. It is a popular place near the mouth of Voights Creek where the spawning salmon are returning. A fish biologist doing a species count, told me this area is 'world class fishing' with great returns.

I am always amazed at what looks like a finely choreographed fisherman's dance. Everyone casts upstream, then lets their bait float down with the current, reels the line in and does it over again. Not only are they watching and feeling their own line for the nibble of the big one, but they are keeping an eye and ear out for their neighbors. When the tip of a line suddenly bows done to the water and the line starts whizzing out as the salmon makes an escape attempt the fishermen yell "fish on" and everyone else reels their lines in and watch with excitement as the fight to land the fish progresses.

Sometimes the salmon leaps from the water trying to release the hook from its body. The battle is lengthy, with the fish rushing upstream, then downstream, then as both the fish and the fisherman's arms tire from the battle, it finally nears shore either to be netted, break free, be landed or be released because it wasn't hooked in the mouth or it isn't a legal keeper. If it is a keeper, the neighbors all murmur admiring comments and cast their lines back in, with renewed hope that the next fish will be theirs.

As Richard Hausherr and his girlfriend Kimberly, of Burien, were heading out with a successful catch of two on the handlebars of his bike, he told me that he has returned to Orting for 10 years, every day of the salmon season to fish. "I love Orting and would move here in a heartbeat if it wouldn't make our work commute so long" he told me. He suggested some local improvements such as outhouses and more trash cans so that people had a place to dispose of their garbage. I mentioned to him that I had seen quite a few people hauling out large bags of garbage and he told me that many of them bring bags down and pick up debris, but that the island areas were getting pretty bad. I told him that city councilman Dick Ford coordinates a river cleanup day after the season and everyone meets at Big J's store parking lot in the morning and split up in teams to cover the most ground. He said he buys all his gear at Big J's, gave me his phone number, and asked to get a call so that he and friends could come to Orting and assist in the effort. "I appreciate all the local people do so that we can come have good fishing here. I want to help out" he said.

It was a great day meeting people on the trail and hearing their fish tales. Wish you were here with to join in the fun! Check out the side bar of what's happening in town and come for a visit soon.

Summer Fun

The Jones' weren't the only ones to enjoy three young birds this summer. We've had some fantastic times with our grandchildren Hannah, Grace and Wyatt. They explored the bird nest at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma along with the other awesome animal and aquarium exhibits. It's so nice to have these great activities to visit with the kids nearby.

On another outing, the kids went with Grandpa Jim and mom Susie on a Commencement Bay sailboat outing for the afternoon. We acquired the trip at a benefit auction for Communities in Schools of Orting. It was generously donated by my friend from the Orting Chamber of Commerce, Marlene Bartram an Eqoquest International Consultant and her husband Perry Bartram a physicians assistant at McNeil Island, who own the boat.

Wyatt is still shouting 'ahoy there matey' and bragging about Captain Perry showing him how to sail the boat and how he is going sailing with him again sometime. We now hear frequently 'because Captain Perry said so' since the outing.

Then on July 4th, we drove down to Battleground for the Coplin Family Independence Day celebration. James got a chuckle watching his tomboy princess Hannah Banana on the play equipment and the creative trampoline bouncing by all the kids. We joined with family and friends for an evening barbeque followed by a night of neighborhood fireworks displays. The best way to watch the 'rockets red glare' is through the amazed eyes of children.

I remember the reason we celebrate and the sacrifices made by so many for the freedoms we now enjoy. Our patriots who are serving our country are in my thoughts and prayers, especially my son John and his family at Ft. Bragg and my niece's husband Phil and their family in Germany. May God bless and keep them.

Keeping Up With The Jones

My friends, Dale and Madeline Jones, had a front row seat at the comings and goings of life this summer. First they had a surprise birth of triplets at their place. Dale was making the rounds at their RV Storage and Trucking business here in town when he heard the cries of the new mother and went to investigate. There she was floundering around and wailing as if mortally wounded.

As he searched the gravel parking lot to see what was causing her injurious behavior, he found the source. A small hollowed out dent in the ground that held four large eggs recently laid by the mama killdeer. She was trying with all her power to detract attention from the nest by screeching her distinctive cry and acting like her wing was broken. Concerned for the egg's safety and wanting to improve on the woefully inadequate housing mom and dad killdeer had provided for their offspring, Dale plucked handfuls of grass and erected a circle of protection around the eggs.

Dale and Madeline began holding daily vigil and conducting visitor tours of the tiny drama unfolding behind their home, watching, waiting and counting the days in anticipation of the new arrival's hatching time. Amazingly, their dogs left the little bird family alone. Mama and daddy killdeer took turns sitting on the eggs, but in typical fashion of their breed, often left the nest unattended while they went about their daily business. The eggs blended in with the gravel camouflage around them and Dale worried that someone was going to drive over them so he set up bright orange safety cones with a warning sign, making an effective barricade to anyone who might accidentally run over the babies.

The solution worked well until tragedy hit when the wind came up and blew the cone sign over with a direct hit onto the nest. Dale was mortified when he went to check on the egg's progress and discovered the crash had disastrously broken one of the eggs. When Madeline gave me an update she was puzzled that by later in the day all evidence of the broken egg had disappeared. I recalled my parents telling me that chickens will often eat a broken egg so perhaps this was what killdeer do to remove smell and attraction from other predators in order to protect the remaining offspring.

Around six weeks later the newborns hatched. Dale and Madeline's hearts had really gone to the birds as they announced that Orting had a population increase of three and watched with grandparent's pride as the youngsters grew and gained independence. They worried when the clan disappeared for periods of time and excitedly heralded the news when the kids came back again for a visit.

In the middle of all the avian antics, Dale kept running their business and Madeline worked on her paintings until they learned their much loved son-in-law, David Schlumpf, was very ill. The family closed ranks, holding on, hoping, caring, spending time together and loving each other. Just as fast as the baby birds made their unexpected arrival, David's health rapidly deteriorated and he passed away by the end of August. In the midst of these unexpected turns in life, I watched and admire their great example of grace, faith, and strength. When I asked Madeline how they were doing she replied simply "I am so blessed".

It is a good reminder to me to marvel at life's little miracles and count the good things in life instead of dwelling on my problems. I am so thankful for wonderful friends, family, and a community that cares.