New Library Assistant speaks of September Events

Sarah Bowers, the new Children's library Assistant at Aberdeen Timberland Library is excited to bring you news of the September events at our public library.  The "mom" of two crazy puppies and a nature enthusiast, she works hard to make sure that our county is being taken care of and will be preserved for future generations.

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Since becoming a library assistant after moving back home to the harbor four months ago, I have discovered all of the wonderful resources that are in the library and right under our noses.  If you are looking to learn something new and meet new locals too, look no further than your public library. This month at the Aberdeen Library there is always something for everyone.

If you have a little one then Mondays: Book Babies starts September 10^th at 10:45am-11am, for ages birth - 2 years old. The program includes short stories, songs, rhymes and knee bounces. Discover the joy of early language with your baby. Each baby must be accompanied by an adult lap please!

In addition to book babies, we have Tuesdays: Story Time which starts Tuesday September 4th from 10:45am-11:15am: For ages 3-6. Enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, games, and arts and crafts! Parents are definitely encouraged to attend with their children as this will be fun for them to watch the children learn. 

Being an adult I love the upcoming groups For Adults including;

Bernie Meyer "The American Gandhi “Bringing Nonviolence to the United States” is the featured program September 11^th from 6pm-7pm. Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as one of the great men of the 20th century for introducing nonviolence as a way to oust the British Empire from India. Bernie Meyer portrays the historic Gandhi in six scenes, illuminating significant events of his life and his nonviolent teachings. Afterwards, Meyer conducts a discussion with the audience. Sponsored by the Friends of the Aberdeen Timberland Library and is part of the September project which you can read more about here. (http://theseptemberproject.org).

photo courtesy of Sarah Bowers

PageTurners Book Discussion begins 2nd Wednesdays starting September 12^th from 10am-11am. Join other community members in discussing "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" by Beth Hoffman. Call the library at 533-2360 or stop by the Information Desk to request a copy of the book. Everyone is welcome to attend even if they have not read the selected title.

PageTurners Book Discussion, also begins  3rd Saturdays  starting September 15^th from 10:30am-11:30am.  This group will be discussing "The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic Story of America’s Great Migration" by Isabel Wilkerson

So you want to know what is happening at the other Grays Harbor Libraries for the month of September. Check out the Timberland Regional Library website at www.trl.org!

 You can also download FREE music using your library card – check out Freegal.   Or check out a new book for your Kindle or I-Tablet.   If  you want to learn a new language, check out Mango on the website! 

Guest Post provided by Sarah Bowers, Children's Library Assistant for Aberdeen Timberland Library

Catfish Moon

"Catfish Moon" by Laddy Sartin is a story of three friends who, through a fishing trip at their favorite pier on the lake, try to repair their friendship. 



Curley



Curley, played by Daryl Johnson, is trying to get Frog and Gordon back on good terms while convincing them to go on one last fishing trip. 



Frog





Frog, played by Randall Tremain, recently went through a divorce from Betty, Curley's little sister, and he is having a hard time accepting her new relationship with Gordon, played by Steven Puvogel. 



Gordon



Betty



Curley and Betty, played by Monica Ewing, are caught in the middle of this broken relationship.  All this takes place at their favorite hang out spot on the lake. 

 

The show is directed by Ben Hohman and Sara Henry. 

"Catfish Moon" runs every Friday and Saturday in July at 7:30pm.
We had a great opening weekend so get your tickets soon!


Guest post provided by Sara Henry, director of "Catfish Moon" and Driftwood Player

Weekend in Review..Photo Journal

Our guest post photographer, Julie, was crazy busy last weekend out and about around the harbor.  She visited the Push Rods in the rain and even made it out to the Sand and Sawdust festival, (a true harborite plays in the rain). 

Acres of sand coupled with unlimited imagination came together this weekend at the Five Star Dealership’s Sand and Sawdust festival in Ocean Shores. Hesitant to make the drive with gray clouds hovering overhead, we noticed a break in the weather and decided to go check out the sand sculpting contest. 

Gloomy skies failed to dim the spirits of either the competitors or spectators and I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with such large crowds. From Sponge-Bob to household pets, non-descript sand was turned into fanciful creatures, designs, and shapes.  All formed from the imagination and talent of the sculptors under typical Ocean Shores skies.  You could sense the tension building in the air as the final countdown began and the final touches emerged from the sand. This was a great event for all ages filled with fun, excitement, and pride…already looking forward to next year’s event!

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When I saw that rain drops had stopped falling from the sky late Saturday morning I jumped at the opportunity to grab my camera and head over to the Pushrods event in Hoquiam. In spite of the dreary weather the cars managed to shine brightly under gray skies.

I’ve always loved how classic cars remind me of a simpler time that I missed out on and often find myself longing for. Pools of raindrops bubbling upon the freshly waxed surfaces of these old beauties made for some fun, artistic photos as I found myself drawn to the smaller details of these great showpieces. 

The culmination of the event took place outside of the D & R Theatre while The Ventures performed inside. (Another big shout-out to John Yonich for his fabulous renovation of the theatre!)  The cars showcased outside invited viewers and participants back to an era that personified a simpler, more care-free world. What an enjoyable way to end the day. 

Pictures from the event can be found under the “Events” category on my website at http://www.JulieRajcichDesigns.com/ and are available for purchase by clicking the “Client Albums” link.  We can also be found on Facebook – Julie Rajcich Designs, http://www.facebook.com/JulieRajcichDesigns
If you know of any special events coming up let us know at julierajcich@gmail.com and we’ll try to fit it into our summer tour of Grays Harbor.

Julie Rajcich Designs: Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze

After nine months of studying photography in Spokane, WA I am happy to return to my hometown of Aberdeen for the summer months. Unfortunately I have to return to Spokane in the fall to finish up my photography classes in order to receive my degree next spring but I am taking full advantage of the current opportunity to soak up Grays Harbor for all it’s worth.

As a new local business owner I intend to make it to as many local events as I can this summer with my camera to showcase the many great things the harbor has to offer.  This past weekend I began my photography adventure by attending the 10th Annual Rusty Scupper’s Pirate Daze festival in Westport.   With my younger sister by my side we had a blast!  Although I was born and raised in Aberdeen, this was the first time attending the event for both of us. I was impressed with how many people went full out with their pirate costumes and how seriously they took their roles as performing pirates.  It was a great event for all ages and it was fun to see the smiles on all of the children’s faces.

I made it out to the event for a few hours on Friday afternoon and took in the boom pirates black powder demonstrations by the viewing tower and also wandered out onto the jetty to meet some of the fisherman.  Rain played a part in the event but the weather didn’t seem to hinder the attitudes of the vendors, performers, and event attendees which kept the spirit of the event light and fun. 

Saturday evening we returned to the event to take in the fire dancers and fireworks. The performance was fantastic and went far beyond any expectations I may have had. The show lasted for about an hour and we couldn’t have asked for a better night for such a performance. After a long day of rain the clouds parted just in time for a gorgeous sunset and the fire dancers were blessed with a starry sky and almost no wind!  It was an amazing night and I feel fortunate to have been there to experience it with all of the other spectators.  For those who missed the event, make sure to mark your calendars for next year. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

Pictures from the event can be found under the “Events” category on my website at http://www.julierajcichdesigns.com/

and are available for purchase by clicking“Client Albums” link. 

We can also be found on Facebook- Julie Rajcich Designs, http://www.facebook.com/JulieRajcichDesigns.

If you know of any special events coming up let us know at julierajcich@gmail.com

and we’ll try to fit it into our summer tour of Grays Harbor!

Guest Post provided by Julie Rajcich

Julie Rajcich Designs - Photography + Graphics

Web: http://www.julierajcichdesigns.com/

Email: julierajcich@gmail.com

"Like" us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/JulieRajcichDesigns

Freedom Tails

Saving People...One Dog at a time

Freedom Tails is a non-profit organization that was started to support the local prison dog program at Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC) in Aberdeen, WA. This is an entirely volunteer organization, with all donations going directly to helping with necessary veterinary care, food/toys/crates/collars & leashes while the dogs are in residence 24/7 for 10-12 weeks.  

Stafford creek was the first male prison in Washington State to implement a shelter/rescue to prison to adopter dog program in the spring of 2009. Since the September 2009 class, this worthwhile program has saved and re-homed 137 dogs by April of 2012 and will have 151 by August of 2012. 

Stafford Creek's dogs have been adopted to families in Washington state, Canada, and Oregon.  This program is a big success due to offender handlers dedicating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 10-12 weeks, making the dogs more viable for adoption through teaching basic obedience skills, house training, and some socialization.  It has turned out to be so successful for the dogs, offenders, and communities that other prisons throughout the State have since begun their own program. 

Stafford Creek's dogs are normally adopted by the 3rd-4th week of class, however they remain in the prison until a very moving graduation ceremony at the end of class, when the dog handlers and their dogs demonstrate all of the dog's abilities for the adopters and the leash is ceremonially passed to the adopter, along with a daily journal kept by the handlers, the dog's vaccination and spay/neuter records.

Many of you might be wondering; how can I help or get involved, or would just like to know more about the program, well we have a website that can help you with most of your questions about the program. The website is Freedomtails.net and we are also on Facebook. 

We have a calendar of events tab on our home page, with one of the upcoming events on July 21st at the Westport Winery. We will be participating in a great HAVA (Harbor Association of Volunteers for Animals) adoption event, with an informational booth there, even if all of the current class dogs are adopted by then. We hope to see you at a future event or hear from you soon. 

Guest post provided by Ashlee Mitchell, board member for Freedom Tails and Deb Thomas-Blake, trainer.

Miss Grays Harbor for Dummies

The famous words are " there she is... Miss America"... that's not exactly how it goes when you become Miss Grays Harbor, let me tell ya. But you might be surprised at how close our title holder really is to being the Miss America, or at least on a good day, just feeling like her. A long time ago, I realized that many people in our community don't really know what it means to be a Miss Grays Harbor title holder. They aren't sure who she is, what she does, or even why she exists. I am here to break it down for you, or at least give you my inside interpretation and a sort of guide book that I may have wanted a few years back. This is "Miss Grays Harbor For Dummies."

In the 2012 local competition we have six, yes, six competitors on the local level. Meaning, the MAO, i.e. Miss America Organization, is a grass roots kind of gig (state and national are a whole other bag of monkeys).

The Miss Grays Harbor Organization will be doling out a total of $6,000 in scholarship at tonight's event with the theme "female empowerment." Our local ladies this year are: Meghan Anderson, Claire Brunke, Jessy Finlayson, Melissa Hornback, Shaylene Kelley, and Lacey Tacket, none of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, sadly, but all good gals my sources tell me.

These women will compete in several phases of competition to win the Miss Grays Harbor title:
Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%,
Evening Wear - 20%,
Talent - 35%,
On-Stage Question – 5%
Private Interview - 25%

It's all well and good to spell it out like that, and you may even think you see how a queen is chosen, but as my dad would say, "what the hell does anyone care about all that for?"

My dad was schooled for over 20 years in all this stuff (and all of you are getting off pretty easy by reading, or pretending to peruse this article).

Why does the MAO put clout in certain areas verses others? We'll see as we begin to break it down. Or we may become way more confused.

"Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit" means nothing of what it says. It's just Fitness in Swimsuit. Lifestyle... that makes me laugh. What exactly is your "lifestyle" in swimsuit? Ok, I get what they are trying to say... fitness is a lifestyle... or it should be, but... I was fortunate enough to win swimsuit three times in my career and, in my opinion, only once was it because of the fitness...so I am guessing the other times I won because of the "lifestyle?"

Evening Wear. It is, after all, a pageant. Although, I can tell you that during my year wearing a gown wasn't as high a priority as fending off an overzealous circus clown at Logger's Playday. That, my friends, is a priority.

Talent is really where we start to see the meat and potatoes of the program and it's worth the largest percentage of your overall score. I don't just say this because I, myself make my living as a performer. Miss Grays Harbor will be asked to perform her talent on many occasions. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I'd say the easy way is a vocalist. You may think I say this, again, because I happen to be one. However, indulge me. I'll make my point. It gets a bit trickier when you dance or play piano because floors can be slippery or your piano out of tune, but just imagine this:

You are at a fundraiser for a children's food pantry. The title holder enters the room, and of course you are taken with her because she is beautiful and smiling. She may even be wearing her crown.

Ooh, shiny.

Then you notice she is wearing some sort of costume and carrying a big...stick.

"What does she plan to do?" Ahh, you soon realize she is a baton twirler. God save the queen! And let's hope for the absence of fire. She proceeds to throw her batons and hit people in the crowd, there are gasps and shudders that no one is going to forget until tomorrow way after lunch sometime. You think, perhaps I am making this up or that I have a beef with a baton twirler. Quite the contrary, my mother was a baton twirler (a very good one.. who used fire) but my point here is that not every "talent" can be done everywhere the titleholder is doing her job, which of course, is being a spokesperson and goodwill ambassador. It can in actually impede the process. Choose wisely.

Your ability to speak is key. I know this because there were more than a few times when I found this point hit home. Being able to speak in front of a crowd is such a wonderful skill to acquire early in life because you find more often than not that you will need it in the future. Now, we can't all be Miss Teen South Carolina, and gain national recognition for our blunders, but in a small town no one forgets. This is actually one of the skills that most girls are thankful that they learned through this program.

On Stage Question ties in with what most believe, as the most influential portion of the competition: Interview. This can be a horror show for some and an incredibly enlightening experience for others. And unless you have the lucky fortune to be a stay-at-home mom/dad you will have an interview in your lifetime. Now that I think about it, maybe you're not as lucky as I thought stay at home parents. I haven't met a parent yet that say their child at one time or another isn't constantly judging them. So possibly, it's just a long drawn out interview that you are unprepared for. I digress. Title holders are always speaking with people, in every scenario. Formal or informal settings, it can run the gamut. So, when you put your beans in a basket, this is the one to throw them in.

And after all of this do we really know what Miss Grays Harbor does or who she is? I have told you some funny stories and made quips about things I have seen or heard, but no one can ever really tell you what a Miss Grays Harbor is, except for your Miss Grays Harbor. She is never really defined except for the people she serves. For the men in her life she is the smile that lights up the room... the reason they are missing opening day of hunting season... or the reason they had to iron their good shirt. (I know Grays Harbor men!) For the ladies in their life, she is the reason they are up sewing until 3:30am and searching Staples for poster board (thank God for that raise).

So, ladies, to you I wish the best of luck tonight. On another night, with another set of judges, there could be a very different outcome. Only one will win and I hope that for even a brief time you have your Miss America moment. I know that the experience alone is what matters in retrospect. Someday, if not now, I hope you will come to learn that as well. KDUX's Pat Anderson will tell you "you can't always get what you want, you get what you need." Oh, how true that is.

-Guest post provided by former Miss Grays Harbor Elise Rooker. Elise also earned the title of Miss Staten Island and currently lives in New York, working as an actor.