Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sedro-Woolley hits 100 - update

Just for those of you who are keeping score, the Whidbey Island Bank time and temp sign hit 104 degrees late this afternoon. I did not run out and take another photo - but City of Sedro-Woolley employees kept coming by in their truck, and one would jump out to take a photo of the sign with his cell phone when the degrees changed. So the occasion has been documented, and I suspect that the bank employees took photos, too. It was a singular occasion and I hope it's over!

Sedro-Woolley hits 100 - degrees, that is

The data geek in me wanted to know if the time and temp sign at Whidbey Island Bank accommodates a three-digit temperature reading. It does. See photos below.

We had a great Class of 71 coffee hour at Common Ground last night, but it was HOT!! Ten of us ordered cold drinks (exception: JB had the ice cream) and tried not to talk about how hot it was. Common Ground has no AC - they opened the doors for a breeze. But it had to be 90+ in there. I really don't want to know...

It's probably foolish to post these photos because it will likely go over 100 degrees today in S-W...but there's something irresistible about the number 100.

Also below is a photo from last December, just for counterpoint.




















Wednesday, July 22, 2009

2009 S-WHS Alumni All-Class Picnic - update

Today at the S-WHS Alumni Assn meeting they reviewed the picnic and made notes for process improvements next year. They also gave some statistics; I'll give you a few here.

First, the most important thing, is that the picnic income/expenses netted out in the black. Very good news.

There were 440+ attendees, 340 cars in the parking lot, and 394 meals purchased. 14 people paid dues on site and 2 people made monetary donations to the Assn on site.

The classes of '64, '51, '46, '48, and '67 had the most attendees per class (calculated by people, not per cent). In that order. Those class of '64 people are pretty organized.

That's just a sample of the data. The rest will come out in the S-WHS Alumni Assn's newsletter.

Everyone associated with the comittee had received many positive comments on the picnic and the food.

It's a big deal when 440 people gather in Sedro-Woolley for a single event. And the picnic is such a great way to reconnect with old friends. More people are discovering it every year!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

2009 S-WHS Alumni All-Class Picnic

Here are some photos from the SWHS Alumni All-Class Picnic on July 11th! It was held at our beautiful Riverfront Park (where the old "dump" used to be) and was well-attended by enthusiastic alums from many classes! I had a sign made last year for our class to use at events like this and this year there were several classes with a sign. So maybe I have started a trend! Some classes have so many attendees that they have their own tent!

Alas, only four members of Class of 71 were there. JB Bryson, recovering from his responsibilities at Loggerodeo, Julie Jones Anderson (seen below in a photo with JB and with her dad, Dr. Bud Jones), Pat Dow (no photo), and I (no photo). Last year we had more. Maybe next year...Oops, forgot that Mike and Janet Joy were the caterers and I didn't get a photo of them, either. So that makes five Class of 71'ers.

Bob Dow, Class of 72, did a great job as master of ceremonies. Looks like he'll be inheriting that job for a while.

The missing element this year was Spud Walley, who passed away in February but was surely a mainstay at the annual picnic. There are so many faithful alums who attend the picnic, take leadership roles, and donate door prizes. It's a great tradition. Barb Thompson, Pat Hyatt, Lola Ellestad, Bud and Judy Jones, Gene and Irene Johnson, and Ed Hoyt are but a few who work hard to make the picnic fun, profitable, and earn money for the scholarship fund.

I can't get these photos below into any kind of order, and when I mess with them and move them around, Internet Explorer gives me a fatal error and shuts down. So I'm going to let them display as they will, below, and you can match the names above with the folks in the photos. One of the photos is of Mr. Bill Stendal. Standing by the welcome sign is Vern Sims, SWHS Alum, who is always a big sponsor of the picnic.

2010 picnic - Second Saturday in July - plan now to attend! Then we'll start counting down to our 40-year reunion!














Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Looking back - thinking ahead

I had coffee with Shirley (Hooper) Knapp yesterday and we agreed that we all need to start thinking ahead to 2011 (!) when we have our 40-year reunion...and will need an entry for the Loggerodeo parade.

Is a flatbed trailer with hay bales good enough for Class of 71? Or should we plan on doing something better? Not only better than that but better than the other classes! There are usually 4-5 graduating class entries in the parade. The class years that are having a reunion, plus Class of 64, who has an entry every year. They're pretty organized.

Will we even be able to get hay bales in the traditional shape in 2011? Or will they all be round by then? Will any of us be able to lift a bale of hay?

We have some things to consider. Don't wait too long. At our age, it takes a while to rub those brain cells together.

Here are a couple of photos to close. One is the official Loggerodeo float in the parade, featuring the "bucking logging truck" chain saw sculpture. It was great.

The other is a downtown shot I took yesterday while meeting up with Shirley. Clouds have moved in to Sedro-Woolley but we love the cloud cover and a little rain this time of year. Much needed.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Chain Saw Carving - JB's event at Loggerodeo

Stopped at the Chainsaw Carving event today and there was an auction in progress! JB Bryson was the spotter for the auctioneer and also the person who wrestled out the pieces for auction. This was from the "quick carve" competition. More carving Saturday and Sunday!

Here's JB spotting those bidders:








































JB's truck but I'm not sure if this is his Harley or not.


















From the Work in Progress division - with a young boy getting a perfect view:





Remember that chain saw carving makes MOUNTAINS of sawdust:



















For these pieces, I did not get the artists' names. Sorry.


Happy eagle and friend:








And what's a good chain saw carving competition without a bear? Or two!