CURRENT ISSUE: September 2010 (To read all these articles and more, subscribe to the print or electronic editions)

Lyman buys Minkler Mansion from county. After almost three years, Lyman owns its beloved Minkler Mansion.

Pioneer Picnic honors Ovenells. The Ovenell family of Concrete was honored as Pioneer Family of the Year at the 106th Annual Skagit County Pioneer Association (SCPA) Picnic and Meeting. The meeting was held Aug. 5 at Pioneer Park in La Conner.

Can we save the Sockeye Express? A movement is under way to repair or replace Concrete’s Sockeye Express. Brought to town and rebuilt by Herb Larsen in the late 1980s, the funny little vehicle shuttled visitors around town for about two decades. Today, however, the 1950s-era trolley needs major engine and brake work to make it road-worthy once again.

Back to School Parade returns to Lyman. Behind his eyeglasses, Ray Johnson’s eyes sparkle and he grins when he says he has been around since the horse and buggy era. At age 96, Ray says the “horse and buggy” he uses these days is the golf cart he bought for $1,200 to get him around his property or down the street. He is pretty proud of it.

Ovenell family to be honored as Pioneer Family of the Year. The Ovenell family of Concrete will be honored as Pioneer Family of the Year at the 106th Annual Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and Meeting, scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 5, at Pioneer Park near the Rainbow Bridge in La Conner.

Back to School parade returns to Lyman. The sixth annual Lyman Elementary Back to School parade will be held Tues., Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. in Lyman.

Lyman Food Bank notches one year. On Aug. 6, the Lyman Food Bank celebrated one year of service to the community.

Concrete ponders Sheriff’s contract. The Town of Concrete has contracted with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) for police protection after disbanding the Concrete Police Department on August 23, 2004. The Town’s current contract with the SCSO extends till the end of 2010, at which point the 3-year contract can be extended or terminated. At issue for the Town Council is the amount of service provided and at what cost.

Poker Run aces first year. Sedro-Woolley Community Troop Support (SWCTS) hosted its first motorcycle Poker Run on Sat., July 31, and exceeded organizers’ expectations by raising $1,650, which will go toward this year’s Christmas care package campaign. Organizers were told to expect between 30–50 participants for their initial Poker Run; that number rose to 82 entrants! The Poker Run is now an annual event being held each year on the last Saturday in July.

Lawn Mower Races in Day Creek. Mark your calendar for Sept. 11, when Day Creek will bring back its popular lawn mower races for a second year. All proceeds from the event will go toward funding a levy lift, which will allow the community to keep its fire station in Day Creek. Organizers are asking for donations from anyone and everyone.

Rockport Praisefest 2010 “glorious.” Rockport’s fledgling revival delivered quality if not quantity, according to organizer Sonja Dellinger. “It went smoothly, and the people who attended want to have it again next year,” she said. “They were very blessed and felt the Lord’s presence.”

New cookbook includes east county gardeners. Lovers of local food won’t want to miss Skagit Valley’s new homegrown cookbook, Serving the Skagit Harvest. The book contains more than 100 recipes and tips from 50 contributors, including home vegetable growers, Community Supported Agriculture farms and restaurants, the chef at Skagit Valley Hospital, and Concrete’s own Mary Pat Larsen and Jason Miller.

Marblemount Salmon BBQ served 100+ The Aug. 1 salmon barbecue in Marblemount raised an impressive $1,547.14 toward the maintenance and operation of Marblemount’s beloved Community Hall. Co-organizers Connie Clark and Kathy Hunter reported about 100 people attended the event.

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