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NORTHERN KITTITAS COUNTY

TRIBUNE Since 1953

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May 7, 2010

BNC Category #333NEWSPAPER COMMUNITY SERVICE

Rising Up from the Ashes:Rebuilding the fire-destroyed Upper Kittitas County Senior Center

What would it mean to your town if the community senior center suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke?How many connected threads would be impacted? Hope you never find out.

During a steak feed on August 1, 2009, the readership of the Northern Kittitas County Tribune in Cle Elum,Washington learned firsthand what it meant to watch their Center go up in a fiery blaze when a propanetank on the grill exploded and the ensuing fire engulfed the entire building. Not only did they lose the obvi-ous social aspects like dances, Bingo and senior crafting classes, but a number of crucial community serv-ices like senior meal programs and the American Red Cross certified emergency shelter, went away whenthe Centennial Center, constructed only seven years earlier burned to the ground.

Of course a blaze decimating a major hub in a small community will make the front page of the local paper,along with follow up stories on the aftermath and rebuilding efforts. However, as many of our readers’ liveswere touched by the loss of the nearly new facility, the management and staff of the Northern KittitasCounty Tribune were moved to do more than simply cover the story, and to take more of a leadership rolein bringing the community together to help.

The volunteers of the Upper Kittitas County Senior Center, which made its home in the Centennial Center,shifted in to high gear, announcing almost immediately that they would rebuild. In spite of a shortfall inreplacement costs the insurance would cover, largely due to new requirements in the building code which,ironically, included a fire suppression system, the community was gathered for a repeat of 2002’s old-fash-ioned barn-raising less than two months later.

In addition to extra depth added to our news coverage, the Tribune staff developed a logo for the rebuild-ing efforts featuring the symbolic Phoenix bird, representing the Center’s rising from the ashes on the samescorched site.

This logo was then used in a series of advertisements pledging a that a portion of subscription sales wouldbe donated to the Centennial Center’s Rebuilding Fund. The donation amount was tallied up, and we thenchallenged local businesses and organizations to meet or beat our $405 donation amount. In return, weoffered them a free $405 ad, which would include the Phoenix logo, showing their support. The grand totalof all the donations came up to over $16,000, which goes a long way towards meeting the shortfall. Manyof the donors surprised us by signing over their advertising space back to the Senior Center for them to usefor their “thank you to the community” ad they are planning after the grand opening this July. This com-pounded generosity adds up to enough for a double truck ad at no cost to the seniors!

Due to the ramped up efforts of the volunteers, donated labor and materials, the countlesshours devoted by the UKC Senior Center Board, and contributions from people in the sur-rounding communities, the brand new Centennial Center is slated for a soft opening sometimein May, hatched nine short months after the Phoenix burst into flames and consumed the orig-inal structure. The staff and management of the Northern Kittitas County Tribune is glad tohave been in a position to play a small part in helping bring back our Centennial Center fromthe ashes.

Sincerely,Jana Stoner and Terry Hamberg, publishers

P.O. Box 308Cle Elum, WA 98922

Telephone509-674-2511

Fax509-674-5571

Thorp CommunityAppreciation Day

THORP – This Friday, Aug. 7,Kittitas County Fire District 1 willhost a community appreciationand recruitment night. A spaghettidinner will be served 6-8 p.m. atthe downtown Thorp Fire Station,10700 N. Thorp Highway. A familyfriendly movie will be shown at7:30 p.m. using the large projec-tor on the side of the station; pop-corn included. A Jaws of Lifedemonstration, water cannonchallenge event for the kids, andpresentation about KCFD1 will beheld. Recruitment information forfuture volunteers will be available.“This community get together is agood time to inform our fire dis-trict constituents about where thedistrict is now, where we camefrom, and where we’re headed,”said Fire Chief DJ Evans.

Kittitas Car Showand Burnouts

KITTITAS – The 8th AnnualKruisin' Kittitas Car Show andBurnouts take place on MainStreet this Saturday, Aug. 8. Thecar show begins at 10:00 a.m. inWilson Park. Festivities include anawards presentation at 1:30p.m., door prizes, poker walk, livemusic, drawing for a commemo-rative quilt, and lots of activitiesfor kids. The Parade of Carsstarts at 2:00 p.m., and the pop-ular Main Street Burnouts startafter the parade. For more info,visit www.kittitascarshow.com.

CommunityFundraiser events

This Friday and Saturday, Aug.7-8, at 1100 Golf Course Roadthe ARRF Animal Rescue mem-bers will hold their fourth annualyard sale from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A special dinner and auctionraising funds to help keep theCarpenter House Museum & ArtGallery open to the public, will beheld Saturday, Aug. 8, at theSpringwood Ranch Party Barn inThorp. A limited number of ticketsfor the dinner and auction areavailable at the door. Show upanytime after 2 p.m. to participatein raffle games, silent auction andother activities. Dinner is servedat 6 p.m. and live auction beginsshortly after 7 p.m. For more in-formation, call 509-607-0013.

The date has been set for thesecond annual “Rummage inRoslyn” sales event to be heldon Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. For more information, e-mailroslynrevitalization@gmail.com.

Cruise Cle Elumrolls in Aug. 15

CLE ELUM – The 13th annualCruise Cle Elum Car Show will beSaturday, Aug. 15, from 9:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. in the streets of CleElum. Chrome will flash. Paint willsparkle. Last year the show wel-comed 149 registered antique,vintage, specialty cars, hot rodsand motorcycles. The event fea-tures contests, music, andawards circle at 3:30 p.m., alongwith the cruise to follow, finishingat Suncadia’s Dawson Park. Formore info, call the Cle ElumRoslyn Chamber, 509-674-5958.

Reps. Hinkle andWarnick visiting

KITTITAS COUNTY – Nextweek, Thursday, Aug. 13, Reps.Bill Hinkle and Judy Warnick willbe hold their monthly district of-fice hours. They will both be avail-able in Cle Elum at the CottageCafe (911 E. First St.) from 10a.m. to noon. Then, Rep. Warnickwill be at the Kittitas CountyCourthouse auditorium in Ellens-burg (205 West 5th Ave.), from2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

by Jim Fossettjim@nkctribune.com

CLE ELUM – Saturdayevening, Aug. 1, the Centen-nial Center on 719 East ThirdStreet hosted its annual steakfeed. It was supposed to be afestive occasion. A tragic fireoriginating at the outdoorpropane grill used to cook thesteaks changed all that. Bynightfall the Centennial Cen-ter had burned to the ground.There were 140 dinner guestsseated inside the buildingwhen the fire broke out – allof them safely evacuated. Grilltender Bill Reagan and Cen-tennial Center president GaryKasowski sustained the onlyinjuries reported. More onthem shortly.

Tragedy IgnitesAccording to the official log-

book, volunteer firefighters gotthe call at 5:47 p.m. The samelogbook shows the first unit ar-rived on scene at 5:53 p.m., butin less than an hour, it wasclear to Fire Chief Dave Camp-bell and several volunteer fire-fighters interviewed at theheight of the blaze, the buildingwas a goner. By 8:30 p.m. theCentennial Center was nothing

more than a pile of smolderingruins: A total loss.

Fifty volunteer firefightersbattled the blaze in 90-degreeheat. Humidity the night ofthe fire reached the 20-per-cent mark. Inside firefightersuits, temperatures soaredover a hundred. Campbellsaid one volunteer requiredan IV, and three others suc-cumbed to heat exhaustion.All were treated at the scene.

“I would have felt morecomfortable outside my suitin 100-degree weather,” saidClint Dunn, South Cle Elumvolunteer firefighter.

Bystanders remarked thefire spread from the CentennialCenter’s roof. At several junc-

tures, the outline of the roof ap-peared to be trimmed withflames. After the blaze was ex-tinguished, a dozen volunteerfirefighters remained at thescene until midnight Saturday.

Campbell and eight of hiscrew stayed with the buildinguntil 9:30 a.m. Sunday morn-ing, when Campbell officiallytransferred responsibility forthe charred remains to Cen-tennial Center board mem-bers gathered in the parkinglot to remove records, com-puters, and mementoes withhistorical significance.

“It’s amazing,” Kasowskisaid. “Most of our important pa-pers survived. We knew rightwhere to look, and most every-

thing was still there. Thankfully,we had lots of our computer-ized information backed up.”

Sunday, CERS police offi-cers Ryan Potter and KirkBland (Bland is also a trainedfire investigator), were at theCenter conducting the officialinvestigation.

Centennial Center vicepresident Ken Prenslow saidMonday “the insurance agentwas waiting for a report fromfire and police officials beforevisiting the site.”

Reagan flown toHarborview via helicopter

The fire investigator’s re-port and eyewitness accountsclearly indicate the culprit of

Saturday’s firestorm was thelarge, mobile propane grillparked near the rear of thebuilding. The grill was broughtin for the express purpose ofsupporting the CentennialCenter’s annual steak feed.

Family members said Mon-day grill tender and longtimeCle Elum resident Bill Reagan,67, suffered second and thirddegree burns over 40-percent ofhis body. He was transported tothe helicopter pad in Eastonand flown to Harborview.

Monday, a Reagan familyspokesperson said, “He’s sta-ble, but it’s still a waiting gameabout how extensive Bill’s re-covery will be.”

See BLAZE DESTROYS..., A4-5

Saturdayblaze destroysCenter

Building declareda total loss

So far this year, no human infection cases in WA StateWest Nile virus (WNV), a

potentially fatal disease inequines, was confirmed onJuly 31, in one horse in Kitti-tas County by WashingtonAnimal Disease DiagnosticLaboratory and WashingtonState Department of Agricul-ture (WSDA).

The horse was one-year-oldand was not vaccinated forWNV. It resided near Ellens-burg before it was euthanized

due to the illness. The horsehad traveled to Othello to pas-ture recently, but returned toKittitas County two weeks ago.

This is the first confirmedcase of a horse contractingWest Nile virus in KittitasCounty in 2009.

Throughout the state, WestNile virus infections have beenidentified in three horses, onebird, and 126 mosquito sam-ples as of July 3. There havebeen no identified West Nilehuman infection cases inWashington State this year.

In 2008, one horse in CleElum contracted the illness

and was euthanized, and 41horses were confirmed withthe illness statewide.

Most horses do not becomeill and will show no symptoms.If symptoms are displayedthey may include loss of ap-petite, loss of coordination,confusion, fever, stiffness,muscle tremors, and musclesweakness (especially in thehindquarters). About one-thirdof all horses that become illwill die – according to WSDA.

West Nile virus may also bespread by the bite of an in-fected mosquito to people.

See VIRUS..., page A8

West Nile Virus confirmed in Kittitas County horse

CLE ELUM – On Sunday, Aug. 9, wildfireicon Smokey the Bear will turn 65 years old.

Smokey’s fire prevention message haschanged little over the years.

Originally, the message was ‘Smokey Says– Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires.’

In 1947 it was changed to ‘Remember...Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires.’

It was modified again in 2001 to ‘Only YouCan Prevent Wildfires.’ in response to a mas-sive number of wildfires occurring in areasother than forests.

Smokey’s message is as important today asit was 65 years ago. Visitors to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest need to heedSmokey’s message. “With temperatures sohigh and conditions so dry in the woods, all

forest visitors need to obey campfire andwoodcutting restrictions that have been im-plemented,” said Bobbie Scopa, fire manage-ment officer for the Okanogan-WenatcheeNational Forest. Forest visitors are never tooyoung or old to learn Smokey’s message.

“Each year escaped campfires are theleading human cause of wildfires on theOkanogan-Wenatchee Forest. If forest usersare diligent in putting out all of their firesthen our firefighters can concentrate on ex-tinguishing any other fires that may occur inthe forest,” Scopa said.

For more information about wildfire pre-vention, contact the Cle Elum Ranger Dis-trict located at 803 W. Second St. in CleElum, or call (509) 852-1100.

Smokey the Bear turns 65

OLYMPIA – Smoke from wildfires is combiningwith continuing heat and limited air circulation toworsen air quality throughout central and easternWashington. The Washington Dept. of Ecology(Ecology) and local clean air agencies monitor airpollution. Monitors are showing higher than nor-mal levels of fine particles called PM2.5 in severalcounties east of the Cascade Mountains. That'slikely due to smoke migrating from wildfires burn-ing in and around Washington. Smoke often car-ries great distances and accumulates in areas withreduced air circulation.

Fine particles in smoke are easily inhaled into

lungs. Once there, they can cause respiratory andcardiovascular problems, including prematuredeath. People with asthma and respiratory illnesses,children and the elderly are particularly at risk.

The Washington State Dept. of Health recom-mends that people who are sensitive to air pollu-tion should spend less time outdoors. Air pollutioncan trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breath-ing, and make lung and heart problems worse.

“Right now, there isn't much air movement toclean out the smoke and other pollution. It lookslike that's going to continue for a few days, withsome improved circulation starting Thursday,”

said Clint Bowman, a meteorologist with Ecology'sAir Quality Program.

What you can do to reduce air pollution inyour community:

• Drive less. Combine errands or use public transportation.• Don't use lawnmower or other small engines that emit air pollutants.• Observe bans on outdoor burning to reduce risk of fires and to protect health.• Don’t idle your engine. Turn it off while your vehicle is parked or waiting in line. • Wait for evening hours to refuel your vehicle. • Don't paint or use aerosol sprays until temperatures cool off.For more information, call Ecology Central Re-

gional Office (for Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klick-itat, and Okanogan counties) at 509-575-2490.

Smoke and heat increase breathing problems

SOUTH CLE ELUM’S JOEY STONE, a fourth grade, 9.75-year-old,he said, offers a token cupcake with birthday candles to Smokey,who turns 65 on Aug. 9. Unfortunately, Smokey blew out the match– instead of the birthday candles. Photo taken at the Cle ElumRanger District Office. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

A FIRESTORM ENGULFS THE BANQUET ROOM of the Centennial Center building in Cle Elum where 140 guests had earlier beengathered for the annual steak feed on Saturday night. Fifty volunteer firefighters battled the blaze into the night. Turn to pages A4-5in this week’s edition for more on this story. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

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WHAT’S INSIDEBulletin Board . . . . . . . .B8Classifieds . . . . . . . . . .B6-7Comics & Puzzles . . . . .B3Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . .A7

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VOL. 56, NO. 32 ◆ THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009 www.nkctribune.com (509) 674-2511

CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1

An eyewitness near Reaganwhen he was burned said “thefirst flame-up burned Bill, butthat fire was put out with ex-tinguishers wielded by steakfeed volunteers standing nearhim, but then there was a sec-ond explosion of flames.”

At least two other eyewit-nesses corroborated that state-ment, adding the “secondexplosion of flames” was ac-companied by a “loud boom,”which was, according to inves-tigators, “the sound made bythe initial ignition of a pool ofpropane.”

The grill’s propane tanks

were observed to be intactwhen investigators arrived atthe scene Sunday.

Kasowski, near Reagan atthe time of the accident, suf-fered minor burns on his leftarm. He was bandaged at thescene and released.

Jeanne Coady:‘Everyone, please, calmly

evacuate the building’Ellensburg resident and

Patsy Cline impersonatorJeanne Coady was on stage atthe Centennial Center whenthe fire broke out. She sangwhile hungry patrons awaitedtheir steaks.

“Someone opened the back

door, where the grill was lo-cated,” she said, “and whenthey did, all I could see was awall of flames. They slammedthe door shut. I had my micro-phone in my hand and I askedeveryone to calmly evacuate.”

“It was unusual,” said Kan-dis Barnum. “We were all sit-ting there at the dinner tablethinking, ‘Okay. We’ll exit thebuilding. They’ll put the fireout. Then we’ll go back in andeat. Maybe there’ll just befewer steaks.’

“Once outside, I saw flameson the roof line. Then I heardsomeone shout, ‘Get the carsout of the parking lot.’ Then Ifound myself standing on thestreet watching the flames getbigger. Then I heard someonesay, ‘Go home. There’s nothingelse to see.’ And that’s what I re-member. None of us at the steakfeed had any idea the fire wouldbe as devastating as it was.”

Million Dollar LossCERS police officers Dave

Deluca and Jennifer Rogers ar-rived with the first responseunits and quickly established aperimeter to distance the grow-ing crowd of onlookers.

Initially, there were con-cerns about the natural gas lineinto the building and the possi-bility the 7 mph westerly wind,which carried volcanic plumesof smoke and embers eastward,might serve to trigger a wildlandfire, but Campbell said crewsaddressed those possibilities atthe onset to prevent potentiallycatastrophic complications.

“We had volunteer firefight-ers patrolling the region east ofthe Center early on,” he said.“We weren’t worried about it.We had the fire containedearly on.”

According to Kasowski, the9,000-square foot building wasvalued at a million dollars.

“It was like losing a child,”said Centennial Center builder,Larry Putnam.

Seniors DeterminedFor those involved with the

Center, losing the buildingevoked a cycle of emotionsquickly overcome by an un-mistakable resilience, as char-acterized in a remark madeSunday, the day after the fire,by Center vice president KenPrenslow. “I want this in boldprint in the newspaper,” hesaid. “We will rebuild.”

By their own accounts,that’s how Centennial Centerboard members, volunteersand patrons faced the calamitythat incinerated seven years ofhopes and dreams for turningthe 600-member organizationinto a lasting legacy. To severalof them, the Centennial Centerwas, as one put it, the “centerof our world.”

The Centennial Center offi-cially opened in 2002.

“The Center gave hope andlife and meals and activity,reaching beyond just the sen-iors,” said Centennial Centermember Virginia Bell.

“Like Gary Kasowski put itto me,” said friend and Cen-tennial Center volunteer LarryKoselke, “as devastating as thisloss is, if there ever was a goodtime for something like this tohappen, it’s now. Building ma-terial prices are down. Re-con-struction of the Center willprovide much needed jobs inthe Upper County. Contractorsare struggling. Seniors are sur-vivors. We will survive.”

Sunday, while he warilyworked his way through therubble, lugging a partiallyburned computer, Kasowskisaid, “We’re planning to havethe new building framed androofed before snowfall, so wecan work inside all winter. The11 of us on the board will meetMonday to get things going. Wehave our work cut out for us.”

Responding Units:Countywide InvolvementAccording to Fire Chief

Dave Campbell, fifty volunteerfirefighters responded, some ofthem 20-ish, some of them fa-ther and son teams, some ofthem daughters and sons of lo-cals here, and some of themworking men and women of theUpper County. There was onevolunteer firefighter who foughtthe blaze eight hours and thenleft to get rested. Monday, hesaid, he had to report to a dayjob and a taxing 36-hour shift.

At one point during theheight of the blaze, a string ofanxious wives lined up across alength of waist-high police tape– hoping for a glimpse of theirhusbands.

Fire Chief Dave Campbellsaid responding volunteer fire-fighters represented depart-ments from Cle Elum, SouthCle Elum, Roslyn, and Fire Dis-tricts 6 and 7.

He said Fire Districts 8 and1 stepped up to cover the re-gion should other fires ignite,and District 7 responded withan Air Support rig to keep airtanks filled.

“Fire District 3 secured thehelipad in Easton, from whereBill Reagan was airlifted to Har-borview,” Campbell added.“CERS police, Kittitas Countydeputy sheriffs, and the Wash-ington State Patrol were all in-volved.

“At the scene,” Campbellsaid, “we had six engines, two

tenders, a Kittitas CountySearch and Rescue commandand control vehicle, four firedepartment command vehi-cles, an ambulance from Hos-pital District 2, six aid cars, onebrush vehicle, and a rehab rigfor rejuvenating firefighters.

“Calvin Beedle provided anexcavator to help tear the roofback.

“The whole communitycame together. People broughtus water they purchased them-selves, and they helped carryhoses. Sunset Café deliveredfood and coffee. Safeway deliv-ered water, ice, watermelons,and granola bars. Rent MeRentals provided nightlights.The Red Cross supplied waterand ice. Sahara’s sent us adozen boxes of pizza.

“It was a tremendous show-ing of community support. Thiscommunity is one of the reasonsI live in this town. Someoneeven brought us donuts.”

Well past the midnighthour, one of Cle Elum Fire De-partment’s eldest volunteerfirefighters, sixty-five year-oldJim Eidemiller, also Mayor ProTem, slowly unsuited at thePennsylvania Avenue fire hall

in Cle Elum – empty at thathour. He wearily stored hisgear, donned a ball cap, andwalked home.

In parting he said, “As longas I can keep doing this, I will.I’m going home to shower andrelax a bit before calling itquits. Good night.”

Reaction fromCle Elum City Hall and the County Seat in Ellensburg

Cle Elum Community De-

velopment Director Matt Mor-ton: “I’ve had the pleasure ofbeing in the Center on severaloccasions, for several events.The Center was a valuable re-source for all types of people. Ipersonally believe we need thebuilding back and this is an op-portunity to make it even bet-ter than it was. In my capacityas Community DevelopmentDirector, I will do whatever ittakes to make reconstructionof the facility a reality. I’ll bustmy butt to make sure they getthe help and energy and atten-

tion they need from myoffice to get it done.”

Kittitas County Com-missioner AlanCrankovich: “I was out oftown when I heard. This isa devastating and tragic

loss to the community.” TheCenter was a well-used facility.My hope is it can be rebuilt. I’mextremely happy to hear every-one was safely evacuated. Myhopes and prayers are with Mr.Reagan for a speedy recovery.”

Mayor Charles Glondo wasat the fire Saturday, but could-n’t be interviewed. “I’m goingto get some ice for these guys,”he said, before running off.

Monday, Glondo had this tosay: “I don’t know what the

word for this is. It’s terrible.The Center was used a lot inthe community for everything.It’s a great loss, but I’m confi-dent we’ll get it rebuilt. We prayBill will recover quickly. Ourthoughts are with his family.”

City’s finest … and theyoungest as well

At Saturday’s fire, three vol-unteer firefighters were new re-cruits who joined thedepartment just this year:Nicole Sutton, 22; JamieChambers, 19; and AmandaDavis, 20. Davis also serveswith the South Cle Elum FireDepartment. We caught upwith the three of them at theCenter around 9:30 p.m. Sat-urday night, just before theypacked up to head home.

Did you enter the buildingduring the fire?

“We all did,” Sutton said.“We’re still probationary fire-fighters, so we went in undersupervision, with CaptainAaron Barr. At this stage of ourtraining, we’re not taken inwhen it’s dangerous. They’renot going to put us in a predica-ment, but they still treat us asequals. We wore Self-Con-tained Breathing-Apparatus(SCBA) rigs. This is the secondstructure fire for us. We were atthe Craven fire in Roslyn, too.

“Inside the building, it wasodd to see tables completely in-cinerated, but chairs still stand-ing in position. Bookshelves inthe library appeared untouched,with books still in them.”

How hot was it?“Standing here now, it feels

like I just stepped out of theshower,” Chambers said.

How did it go with theSCBA’s?

“I went through my air fast atthe Craven fire,” Davis replied,“because that was my first expe-rience. This time around, I did-n’t use it up so quickly.”

Did anything unusual hap-pen while you were inside?

“We located three pursesfrom the main dining room,where steak feed guests wereseated,” Chambers replied.“Everything in the purses wasuntouched by the fire. The cellphones were even working. Thatseemed odd, considering every-thing around them burned.”

After the three recruits leftfor the night, we asked Cap-tain Barr how they performed.

“They kicked butt. They re-ally did well. They’re eager.They’re not afraid to ask ques-tions. We’re very proud of them.”

Odd things thefire missed

One wouldn’t think any-thing could have survived un-touched by the firestorm thattook out the Centennial Center.

Rhonda Wilton, a guest atSaturday’s steak feed, returnedSunday morning to see aboutthe purse she’d left behind dur-ing the evacuation.

She stood in front of thebuilding and peered through agaping hole that was once a baywindow and gasped when shesaw the roof collapsed over thetable where she had been sittingwith friends the night before.

Wilton’s cell phone was inthe purse, so on a lark, friendVirginia Bell, who was atWilton’s side, dialed Wilton’snumber, and shortly, the twoheard the phone ringing.“Maybe the purse and my phoneare retrievable,” Wilton said.

Kasowski said Monday asearch was organized forWilton’s purse, “and maybe oneother purse lost in the rubble.”

In another section of theCentennial Center parking lot,Edna Prenslow, Kandis Bar-num, Susan Klein, KathyNesse, and Wanda Coffey bentover a book they’d gently setdown on a dry spot.

“It’s the scrapbook contain-ing photos and press releasesdocumenting the Center’s con-struction almost a decade ago,”Coffey exclaimed. “I’d just putit in a Center cabinet a weekago, for safekeeping.”

In yet another section ofthe parking lot, Cle Elum vol-unteer firefighter Dave Allen-baugh and Chief Campbellstared at an aged, 12-inchsquare, black and white photo-mount drying in the sun.

“Can you believe that didn’tburn?” Allenbaugh said. “It’s apicture of the original City fire-fighters around the originalfirehouse. That photo must bea hundred years old or more.”

And then, bringing theweekend tragedy to an ironicclose just before sunset, at therear of the Centennial Center acurious resident spotted twoaluminum pans on the ground– full of steaks. “They look un-touched,” he remarked. “Theylook good enough to eat.”

Message from Centennial Center

President Gary KasowskiMonday, Aug. 3, at 3:00

p.m., Centennial Center Presi-dent Gary Kasowski called anemergency board meeting athis home on Pease Road in CleElum. In attendance were nineof the eleven board members,and Rep. Bill Hinkle. By 8:30p.m. that night, the board wasstill in session. Here below areofficial announcementsevolved from that meeting.

• Kasowski: “While we maynot have a building to operatein, we are still the Upper Kitti-tas County Senior Center. Wewill rebuild. Our job is to de-velop a reconstruction plan,and let our members and com-munities know what we aregoing to do.

“The building is insured. Itis not certain at this writinghow much of the contents areinsured.

“We are in the process ofnegotiating with the DepotCafé, 801 Milwaukee Road,South Cle Elum. We’re opti-mistic we will be in operation,in that building, by Monday,Aug. 10, and will again be serv-ing breakfast and lunch accord-

ing to the meal schedule postedin the August newsletter.

• Meals on Wheels: Mealdeliveries will continue, viaElmview's Senior Nutrition Pro-gram. Seniors getting SeniorNutrition meals from the Cen-tennial Center, who would liketo continue getting those meals,should call Elmview at 509-925-6124 and arrange delivery.Hot meals begin on Monday,Aug. 10, at the Depot Café, 801Milwaukee Avenue, in SouthCle Elum. Breakfast and lunchwill be served. All are welcome.For more information contactBruce Tabb, Elmview ExecutiveDirector, 509-925-6688, oremail bruce@elmview.org.

• Kasowski: “We will be set-ting up an office in the DepotCafé. Our phone number, 509-674-7530, will remain the same.Volunteers will staff the office, asusual, but the answering ma-chine will take messages. “Weare working together to get ouractivities schedule back in gear.”

• Want to help? Make do-nations in the name of theUpper Kittitas County Centen-nial Center Reconstruction ac-count established at the CleElum Bank of America on 103E. First Street, 509-674-4406.

A4 – THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2009 ♦ NKC TRIBUNE NKC TRIBUNE ♦ THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 2009 – A5

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PLUMES OF SMOKE RISE UP and out of the Centennial Center asvolunteer firefighters attack the backside of the building where thesteak grill was parked. Photo courtesy of Good Enough Photography

“While we may not have a building to operate in, we are still the Upper Kittitas County

Senior Center. We will rebuild.”Gary Kasowski, Centennial Center President

Thanks to the alert Tribune Reader M. Bergstromof Cle Elum who submitted a news tip online,“Your readers may want to see the videosposted,” Bergstrom told us. They were taken byHoward K. Harrison, “He was visiting his sister,who lives directly across the street from theCenter, and he took a lot of ‘film’.”

View this videoof the CentennialCenter fire onlineat www.nkctri-bune.com, withlinks to othervideos in the

series by HowardK. Harrison.

AT THE BACK OF THE BUILDING, volunteer firefighters stretchtheir hoses to reach the perimeter of the structure as smoke andflames break through the roof. Photo courtesy of Michael Carlucci

By Kimbrlee LarsenCub Reporter, Age 11

It was just last Saturdaynight our beloved Senior Cen-ter burned to the ground.When the fire started, therewas a barbeque occurring atthe time with 150 peoplethere. One elderly womansaid, “Bill Reagan was in frontof the barbeque when thishappened and another mantoo but he is still a question.”They both got burned badly

and both taken to Harborviewhospital. They will be releasedon Thursday the 6th of Au-gust. Nobody was hurt besidesthe two by the barbeque thatwas happening outside.Jeanne Coady, a local talent,who was performing her PatsyCline act, said she lost her vin-tage microphone, Patsy Clinebanner, and several otheritems valuing over $1,000.Jeanne also said, “We all knewthere was an explosion of thepropane tank because it wasleaking but we just cleaned itup and went along with theday. We hadn’t realized thatthe fire had gotten to the atticuntil the fire department told

us to evacuate immediately.”Editor’s Note: This article contains in-terviews taken on-site and may includesome speculative statements. Pleaseread related stories in this week’s Trib-une for follow-up information.

NEWS STORIES WRITTEN BY YOUTH

Burn of our beloved Senior Center

MEMORIES. Susan Klein (left) and Edna Prenslow inspect a scrapbookretrieved from the fire. It contains stories and photos documenting theCentennial Center’s construction. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

LARRY KOSELKE said Centen-nial Center president Gary Ka-sowski (shown above) saved theAmerican Flag flying in front ofthe Center, after he realized thebuilding was lost. “He took itdown in the middle of all the ac-tion. He’s a dedicated and re-spected veteran,” Koselke said.“I think it’s important for peopleto know what he did.” Kasowskishown above with a bandagedarm. He was burned whenflames from the steak grill en-gulfed grill tender Bill Reagan.

N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER

JOHN KOCH is treated for heat

exhaustion by volunteer fire-

fighter and EMT Debbie Losse.

N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

BALLROOM CHAIR FRAMES charred by flames remain in placewhere 140 guests awaited their steaks before the building wasevacuated. Crews rummaged through the remains for several daysfollowing the fire. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

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THEY VOLUNTEERED JUST THIS YEAR and entered the infernoinside the Centennial Center with Captain Aaron Barr (shownabove) equipped with SCBAs: (L-R) Jamie Chambers, 19, AmandaDavis, 20, Nicole Sutton, 22. This was their second structure fire, asix-hour ordeal in 90-degree heat. “We were at the Craven fire inRoslyn, too,” Davis said N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

A FIRE DESTROYED the SeniorCenter on Saturday, August. 1

Kimbrlee Larsen photo

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS battle the blaze at Cle Elum’s Centennial Center. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

CLE ELUM – Friday, August14, Cheryl Montgomery, a re-ceptionist for the last fouryears at Cle Elum City Hall,accepted a transfer to theCERS Police Department.City Hall officials said theywould not fill the vacancy atthis time.

“It was a great opportunityfor job longevity and advance-ment and I jumped on it,”Montgomery said last week,four days into her new job.

Montgomery fills a

Records Technician billet onPolice Chief Scott Ferguson’sstaff to be vacated by JudyReagan, when she retires atthe end of the month – after19 years of service to the city.

Another Roslyn mysteryToilet seat takes telephone’s place on pole

Kinda of impossible topose someone on the latestaddition to the pole at thecorner of 2nd and Pennsylva-nia Streets in Roslyn. Let’shope no one gets confusedabout the real location of thepublic restrooms.

by Jim FossettCLE ELUM – On Aug. 2, theday after a fire totaled ThirdStreet’s Centennial Center,seniors made a pledge to de-molish the building in twoweeks time and get on withthe business of rebuilding. Tothe astonishment of severalwho drove by the burn sitethis week: the demolition isalready done, a week ahead ofschedule.

“We started on Monday,Aug. 17, and we finished onSaturday, Aug. 22,” said Cen-tennial president Gary Ka-sowski. “Took us just six daysto do it.”

Asked what the crew of

volunteers and contractorsdid on the seventh day, Ka-sowski smiled, “We rested. Ofcourse.”

With the demolition com-plete, the Center’s fast trackreconstruction schedule en-ters the fall in good shape.

“All that’s left to do issweep, police the area fortrash, and a few odds andends – like removing subfloorinsulation,” Kasowski said.

“We’ve got a trailer parkedat the site this week – for load-ing up with trash and so forth.We’re still looking for volun-teers. Anyone who wants tohelp can call 509-674-7530 tosign up.”

Asked why the demolitionphase went so quickly, Ka-sowksi replied, “We had theright people, who knew whathad to be done. Nobody neededdirection. They just jumped inand got it done. It was team-work. We had good operatorsand good truck drivers making

trips as fast they could. Goodcontractors and good volun-teers, all the way around.”

Kasowski said soon the citywould have to get involved.

“We’ll request a city in-spection on the floor and foun-dation. If they can approvethose things, we’ll start withrepairs and – get to building.”

And on the seventh day they restedCentennial Center demolition done in six days

UPPER COUNTY - The ninthannual Life Support Din-

ner/Auction Party is on forSaturday, Sept. 12. This year’stheme is ‘Let the Good TimesRock and Roll.’ Family andfriends are welcome. Ticketsavailable in advance. Therewill be entertainment, a fullbar and wine cellar and aDutch Oven dinner cateredby Three Peaks Outfitters.

Silent and live auctions arefeatured. Once again, event or-ganizers offer a hilarious biddingon the Redneck Golf Tourna-ment, a once in a lifetime expe-rience. Place: Property of BillPeare, 1031 Wood Duck Road,Cle Elum. Start time: 3:00 p.m.,with the silent auction. Formore information or to pur-chase tickets logon to www.life-supporti90.org/Auction.html.

TUESDAY, AUG. 17, the volunteer demolition crew, ranging inage from 59 to 79, save for one youngster, wrestled with rubblein 80-degree heat, 21-percent humidity, and – a 2 mph wind,which was a good thing. They got the job done in six days. (L-Rfront) Warren Radabaugh, Johnny Cunningham, Steve Hallinan,Norm Jannsen. (L-R back) Ken Prenslow, Larry Koselke, NormCook, Wayne Blair, Paul Graham, Byron Walton, Jason Cook,Mac McByrne, Steve Lunstad, Boyce Lambe, Benny Howe, BillLloyd. Not shown: Larry Wescott and Dick McManus.

NOT A MONTH has passed and the first phase of the Centennial Center fast track reconstructionproject is complete. Demolition was done in six days, a week ahead of schedule. Looking over thesite in the ‘after’ shot above is young Blaize Reeves and his buddy Marshall Stewart (not shown).“It’s amazing how fast they cleaned it up,” he said. Jim Fossett photos

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The Centennial Center touches so many lives, of all ages, in the Upper County

Or bring it in to the Tribune Office at 807 W. Davis St. (by Safeway) in Cle Elum

❏ NEW❏ Kittitas County . . . . . . .$35.00❏ Washington . . . . . . . . .$40.00❏ Snowbird . . . . . . . . . . .$40.00❏ United States . . . . . . . .$45.00

❏ 2-YEAR RENEWAL*❏ Kittitas County . . . . . . .$70.00❏ Washington . . . . . . . . .$80.00❏ Snowbird . . . . . . . . . . .$80.00❏ United States . . . . . . . .$90.00

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credit cards accepted online

Life Support Dinner Auction Sept. 12

City Hall down one employee

UP AND AWAY. A hundred community volunteers helped raise the walls of the new Centennial Centerbuilding located at 719 E. Third St. in Cle Elum last Saturday. See more, pg. A7.N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

Teanaway subarea planningsession todayTEANAWAY – Starting at 6:00 p.m.today, Thursday, Oct. 1, Teanawaysubarea planners will meet at theSwauk Teanaway Grange to dis-cuss the subarea planning. TheGrange is located on 1361 WestBallard Hill Road, northeast of CleElum. All are welcome.

Area eventsroll in Saturday

For outdoor enthusiasts theManastash Metric Bike Ridekicks in on Saturday, Oct. 3, start-ing with a 7:30 a.m. registrationhosted by Wing Central’s Road-house Grill on 101 W. Umpta-neum Road in Ellensburg. Formore info, visit www.drier-ride.org.

Family-fun continues into theweekend at the 4th Annual Sun-cadia Harvest Festival held at thehistoric Nelson Dairy Farm; eventruns 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdayand Sunday. A giant straw maze,pumpkin patch, carnival games,assorted arts and crafts booths,wagon and pony rides, local arti-san vendors and seasonal cuisinefrom Suncadia will be featured. Formore info: www.suncadia.com.

The Roslyn Revitalizationhosts the Annual Paws on Paradestarting at noon on Saturday indowntown Roslyn. Over 80pooches showed up last year toparticipate. For more info, callJennifer at 509-649-3650.

Also on Saturday, Oct. 3, theCentennial Center hosts its an-nual Harvest Moon Dinner andAuction, starting at 5:00 p.m. atthe Cle Elum Eagles Club, 220Pennsylvania Avenue. For moreinfo call 509-674-7530.

Comp Planmeeting TuesdayELLENSBURG – Kittitas Countywill host the third ComprehensivePlan Compliance 2009 meetingTuesday, Oct. 6, at the KittitasCounty Fairgrounds - ManastashRoom, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Formore information logon towww.co.kittitas.wa.us.

West Nile VirusPrevention publicforums scheduledKITTITAS COUNTY – In responseto the increase in West Nile virusinfections seen in Kittitas Countyduring 2009, the local Board ofHealth Advisory Committee will beholding community forums to dis-cuss West Nile Virus Prevention.Two forums are planned for earlyOctober; one in Cle Elum and an-other in Ellensburg.

West Nile virus infectionshave been reported in KittitasCounty mosquitoes, horses, andbirds this year. The community fo-rums are scheduled to be onehour in each location. Three shortpresentations will be given andcommunity members will have theopportunity to ask questions. Theplanned presentations include:

Dr. Fuller of Ellensburg AnimalHospital, to talk about how to pro-tect horses by vaccination, WayneClifford of Washington State De-partment of Health, to talk aboutthe West Nile virus patterns inWashington and surroundingstates, and Dan Couture of theGrant County Mosquito Control Dis-trict, to talk about mosquito con-trol and surveillance techniques.

The forums are scheduled forEllensburg on Oct. 1 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Hal Homes Center;and in Cle Elum on Oct. 8 from6:00-7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Formore information, contact JamesRivard, Environmental Health Su-pervisor at 509-962-7515.

by Lyn Derrick | tribune@nkctribune.com

EASTON – Thirty interested partic-ipants attended this year’s first meet-ing of Easton’s PTSA. That was part ofthe good news Easton School Boardmembers heard at their meeting, Mon-day, Sept. 28.

In recent memory, this attendanceis a record for the group, which experi-enced a membership decline over thepast few years. “Isn’t that great,” saidboard president, Marilyn Fudge. Shereported an election of officers is thechief order of business at the nextPTSA meeting scheduled for 3:00 pm,Monday, Oct. 5 at the school.

In more good news, communitygenerosity has Easton School Districtcloser to establishing a new music pro-gram. Board member, Brenda Sargentreported $1,000 earned at the yard saleheld earlier this month. A $250 dona-tion from Upper Kittitas County Kiwa-nis, gives the District over ten percentof the estimated money needed to fundthe program – with the possibility of anadditional grant coming from another

civic group in the near future.Additionally, the District received

other donations in the form of musicalinstruments including a piano, fluteand guitars. As a result, principal RonWoodruff reported, “[music teacher]Anna Powell started a 3rd and 4thgrade guitar program.”

The long-term plan is to incorporatea marimba band program at the Dis-trict said superintendent, Pat Dehuff.After visiting the marimba program atCle Elum-Roslyn School District, De-huff and Sargent determined the costto be about $10,000.

In his principal’s report, Woodruffpresented the new Leadership Class tothe board, highlighting projects takenon by students. So far those projectsinclude teaching football to 3rdthrough 7th graders culminating in aflag football game during spirit week,and taking responsibility for the home-coming dance held on Saturday, Sept.26. An upcoming project has a studentorganizing the food drive traditionallyheld around Thanksgiving.

“This class is creating an opportu-nity for students to get involved andgive back to the school,” Woodruff saidabout the leadership project. (Anoverview of the program appeared inthe Sept. 24 NKC Tribune.)

Woodruff said he’s particularly excitedabout Easton School District hostingLocal Area Student Councils in May2010. Touching on some of the plannedactivities including orienteering and geo-caching, he said the event will be held atEaston State Park and will include a guestspeaker as yet to be determined.

Business Manager Tracy Plouse re-ported the District’s fund balance atover $291,000. The fund balance isthe amount of money a school districtmaintains in order to cover expensesas they arise. For example, she said,“in some months we get less moneyfrom the state than we actually needto meet the payroll.”

In the current economy, interest re-turns are down, which negatively im-pacts investments, Plouse report. She

See EASTON SCHOOL..., page A5

Record attendance for Easton School District PTSA Cle Elum and County BurnBans lifted

Cle Elum Fire Chief DaveCampbell said the fire seasonburn ban would be lifted affectiveSept. 29, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Dueto Washington State Departmentof Ecology restrictions on openburning in all incorporated cities inthe state of Washington, onlyrecreational fires 3'x3' in size andburning cured split firewood will beallowed. This means no burning ofany yard waste and any other ma-terial other than cured split fire-wood. Charcoal Briquettes areallowed anytime there is not a fireseason burn in affect. The KittitasCounty Fire Marshall has also re-scinded the burn bans in fire dis-tricts 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 51, and KittitasValley Fire and Rescue. Fire Dis-trict 8 is still under a burn ban,meaning district residents canonly burn on their own property;no slash burning is allowed andresidents should have viablesource of water on site. For moreinformation call 509-962-7000.

by Jim Fossett | jim@nkctribune.comCLE ELUM – Washington State Horse

Park officials held a sponsor-funded parkdedication and celebration Saturday at 11:00a.m., at the site of what will become thesprouting of a seed planted two decades ago.Over 600 people responded to the park’s re-quest for RSVPs. Those who did were treatedto a country-style feast provided by Sunca-dia’s Karen Porter and Chef Andrew.

“The community made this event hap-pen,” said Horse Park Foundation ExecutiveDirector Leslie Thurston. “We can’t spendstate funds on this kind of thing.”

Fox television sports anchor AaronLevine emceed the event, mostly geared torecognize everyone who helped to bring theproject this far.

“This is the time to celebrate. This is thetime to recognize and thank people. This isthe time to let the community see what we’reup to,” said Horse Park Foundation presidentSteve Busick.

A large tent served as the focus of the cer-emony, along with a dozen or more vendorbooths, which lined the path to the tent. Therewere facility-site tours, and games for kids.

Among those brought to the podium for ahandshake and a gifting were Suncadia’s PaulEisenberg, humorously sworn by friends, hesaid, to keep his remarks under the two-minute mark. He did. Eisenberg was involvedin Suncadia’s land donation, which makesthe horse park possible.

Horse park officials recognized for theircontributions included Mitch Williams,Karen Bailey, Leslie Thurston, Steve Busick,Todd Trewin, Ron Dotzauer, Wanda Hol-loway, Gail White, and Martha McCready.

Williams cautioned the crowd on theprogress the park hopes to make on the roadtoward build-out. “Construction will dependon low bids and what we need to do to gearthe park up for outdoor events, which willcarry us until the indoor arena is built.

See HORSE PARK..., page B10

by Jim Fossett | jim@nkctribune.com

CLE ELUM – One hour, 19 minutes, and 59 seconds is whatit took volunteers and seniors to raise 32 walls for what will be-come the all new Upper Kittitas County Centennial Centerand Red Cross Shelter. Each of the 65-foot walls weighed in at5,000-pounds. A hundred community volunteers, workingshoulder-to-shoulder, lifted each wall, one-by-one. Recon-struction project manager Larry Putnam, prime contractors,and a handful of volunteers fabricated and positioned walls forthe raising – in the four or five days preceding the event. Thewalls went up Saturday, Sept. 26. “I timed it,” grinned Centervice president Ken Prenslow. “The walls are up. In three weeksor so we’ll have the trusses delivered from Yakima and we’llhave the building closed in for the winter.”

“I think it’s great,” said local Bill Lowery, “though I’m sur-prised more people in the community didn’t show up to watchit all. This is fantastic.”

“The seniors,” said Kittitas County Commissioner AlanCrankovich, “instead of sitting back and feeling sorry forthemselves, took matters into their hands and did somethingabout it.”

“It’s wonderful to see all the volunteers helping,” said CleElum Mayor Charles Glondo. “I’m amazed at how fast it’s allcome together.”

Lending a hand Saturday were a host of familiar faces, in-cluding Mayor Glondo, Commissioner Crankovich, PoliceChief Ferguson, Fire Chief Dave Campbell and his crew – andthat’s just for starters.

It was 57 days ago a fire engulfed and destroyed the seven-year-old, 9,000 square-foot building. Cle Elum retiree Bill Rea-gan, seriously burned in the blaze, is back on his feet, stillrecuperating but buzzing around town. Reagan attended Sat-urday’s event. Prenslow’s opening remarks at the barn raisingwere brief, then Putnam took over to get things started. By-standers remarked, “So this is what Egyptian constructionsites must have looked like, back in the day.”

Centennial Centerbarn raising clocked at

1:19:59

A TIME TO CELEBRATE. Equine enthusiasts rode into Cle ElumSaturday, Sept. 26, to participate in the dedication celebration ofthe future site of the Washington State Horse Park. Janie McQueen photo

NORTHERN KITTITAS COUNTY

TRIBUNEServing the upper Kittitas County communities of Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ronald, South Cle Elum, Easton, Snoqualmie Pass, Suncadia and Thorp

75¢Single Copy Price

Northern Kittitas County Tribune

Single Copy Price – 75¢

VOL. 56, NO. 40 ◆ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009 www.nkctribune.com (509) 674-2511

WHAT’S INSIDEBulletin Board . . . . . . .A10Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .B9Comics & Puzzles . . . . .B5Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . .B3

Public Notices . .A5, A8-9Service Directory . . . . . .A5Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B6-8Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . .A2

INSERTS■ All Purpose Structures

■ American Profile magazine■ Liberty Farm & Lawn, Inc

■ Rite-Aid

■ Safeway

EastonHomecoming‘Rumbles’

B7

Horse Park dedication rounds up 600 RSVPs

THE DAY AFTER. In three weeks, Center officials expect to have thebuilding roofed and ready for subcontractors to move inside. Center pres-ident Gary Kasowski is pushing for a spring opening. He said he still needsto raise about $250,000. Volunteers are also needed. See page A1 for re-lated story. Jim Fossett photo

NKC TRIBUNE ♦ THURSDAY, OCT. 1, 2009 – A7

AS EASY AS 1-2-3 (and a … four-five-six). Volunteers lined the prefabri-cated walls Saturday, working like Egyptians on pyramid blocks.

Jim Fossett photo

The Centennial Center touches so many lives, of all ages, in the Upper County

Or bring it in to the Tribune Office at 807 W. Davis St. (by Safeway) in Cle Elum

❏ NEW❏ Kittitas County . .$35.00❏ Washington . . . .$40.00❏ Snowbird . . . . . .$40.00❏ United States . . .$45.00

❏ 2-YEAR RENEWAL*❏ Kittitas County . .$70.00❏ Washington . . . .$80.00❏ Snowbird . . . . . .$80.00❏ United States . . .$90.00

*Add 2 additional years to any existing subscription, regardless of due date. Bonus benefit: locks in the current rate!

Name: ____________________Mailing ___________________Address: __________________City: ______________________State: _______ Zip: __________❏ This is a gift subscriptionSend this form with check or money order payable to: N. Kittitas County Tribune, PO Box 308, Cle Elum, WA 98922

credit cards accepted online

Your Subscription Can Help Rebuild It!A portion of all NEW and 2-YEAR RENEWAL Northern Kittitas County Tribune newspaper subscriptions purchased

in the months of September and October, 2009 will be donated to the UKC Senior Center’s Rebuilding Fund.

2-Year Renewals “Lock-in” the Current Subscription RatesIt’s a Bonus Benefit - You Save By Buying Before Prices Go Up!

IF YOUR TRIBUNE SUBSCRIPTIONISN’T DUE YET, PLEASE READ HOW

YOU CAN STILL HELP:It doesn’t matter WHEN your subscription

is due - EXTEND your subscription for 2 more years added to your renewal date,

and the donation will be applied

Keep upwith theCenterRestorationCoverage

Centennial Center annual fundraiser

Cle Elum’s CentennialCenter will host their an-nual fundraiser dubbedHarvest Moon Dinner &Auction on Saturday, Oc-tober 3 from 5:00 p.m. to9:00 p.m. at the Cle ElumEagles Club on Pennsylva-

nia Avenue. The event willfeature a prime rib dinner,as well as silent and liveauctions. Tickets availableat the Depot Cafe or fromany board member. Formore information, pleasecall 509-674-7530.

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ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. highschool students and their teach-ers are invited to compete fornearly $200,000 in prize moneyby participating in the fourth an-nual Being an American EssayContest. Top prizewinners andtheir teachers will also receiveall-expenses paid trips to the na-tion’s capital.

The largest high school essaycontest in the country, awarding180 students and teachers withcash prizes and attracting morethan 31,000 essays last year, ex-plores the rights and responsibil-ities of American citizenship.

“This contest is unique in thatit gives students the opportunityto share their thoughts about howthe principles expressed in Amer-ica’s Founding Documents shapeand influence contemporaryAmerican citizenship,” said Bill ofRights Institute President VictoriaHughes. “This conversation isvital to preparing the next gener-ation of voters and civic leadersfor the challenges that are aheadof them and our country.”

Specifically, students areasked to share their thoughts onAmerican citizenship by answer-ing the following question: “Whatcivic value do you believe is mostessential to being an American?”

The top three student win-ners and their teachers fromeach of the nine geographical re-gions will be announced at a spe-cial Washington, D.C. AwardsGala in the spring of 2010 wherethey will be awarded cash prizesof $5,000 (First Place), $2,500(Second Place), and $1,250

(Third Place). The winning stu-dents will also explore the na-tion’s capital, meetcontemporary American heroesand national leaders, and visitnational landmarks.

Additionally, the contest willaward 126 honorable mentionprizes of $250 to seven studentsand their teachers from each re-gion.

“The contest not only honorsand awards sponsoring teachers,but also equips them with free les-son plans and other supplementalmaterials that meet state and na-tional academic standards so theycan easily incorporate the essaycontest into their classrooms,”said Being an American EssayContest Director Jason Wilson.

Nearly 50,000 students haveparticipated in the essay contestsince it began in 2006. Now in itsfourth year, the contest is thelargest high school essay contestin the country.

Complete contest details canbe found below. Further infor-mation, including submission cri-teria, lesson plans andbackground information on theConstitution, Bill of Rights,Founding Fathers and otherAmericans who have contributedto America’s shared civic values,are available at www.Bein-gAnAmerican.org.

The Pacific Region includes:Alaska, California, Hawaii, Ore-gon, Washington, US Territories,American Armed Forces SchoolsAbroad. Essay length is no morethan 750 words. Deadline forsubmission is Dec. 1, 2009.

Largest high school essaycontest announced

Students and their teachers compete for cash prizes up to $5,000; Nearly $200,000 and 54 all-expenses

paid trips to Nation’s capital to be awarded

ALLEY OOOOOP...

NKC TRIBUNE ♦ THURSDAY, DEC. 3, 2009 – A5

The final shingle nailed home on new Senior Center Monday

A CHILLY BREEZE Monday reminded Upper County residents that winter weather isright around the corner as work continues on the Centennial Center rebuild. Braving thepolar gusts, workers nailed down the very last pieces of roofing to shelter the remainingwork during the upcoming storm season. This landmark in the reconstruction comesonly three months after the blaze which totally destroyed the previous structure. UpperKittitas County Senior Center President Gary Kasowski noted that the next steps, run-ning wiring and pipes, will be time consuming. Kasowski said of the unseasonally mildweather which has been a boon to the construction process, “Normally by this time Iwant to get out and snowmobile, but just this year I’ll let it hold off.” Jana Stoner photo

HELPING REBUILD IT, theNorthern Kittitas CountyTribune put out a challenge toour readers to have part oftheir subscription paymentfor all new and 2-year renewalsubscriptions placed in themonths of September and Oc-tober. (The challenge was pro-moted in a campaign featuringthe Phoenix bird, famed forrising from the ashes. Thepage being held in the photo,which showcases the barn-raising of the Center walls,features one of the Phoenixbird challenge ads.) A total of81 readers accepted that chal-lenge, and on Monday, Pub-lisher Jana Stoner presenteda check for $405.00 to UpperKittitas County Senior CenterPresident, Gary Kasowski.“We are happy to be able tohelp rebuild the CentennialCenter,” Stoner said, “for somany good reasons. Our read-ers really stepped up to makethis donation possible. Nowthe next phase of the chal-lenge, for businesses, clubsand individuals to meet orbeat our $405 donation hasstarted, and we look forwardto seeing who steps up thechallenge. We already had ourfirst one, John Jensen withKittitas County Conservationgave $410.00 to the rebuild-ing fund.”

INSET: Having a little funwith the donation check, Pub-lisher Stoner, with PresidentKasowski’s help, takes a lit-eral interpretation of usingthe check to rebuild the cen-ter, hammering it to one of thestuds framing out the interiorof the building.

Terry Hamberg photos

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST2nd & Harris – Cle Elum

Dave Woodruff, Pastor • (509) 929-4006Sabbath School - 9:30 a.m.; Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday Study on the Life of Christ - 7:00 p.m.Everyone Welcome!

------------------------------------------------------CALVARY CHAPEL

115 E. Second (2nd & Harris) – Cle ElumDan Renshaw, Pastor • (509) 304-4259

Sunday Worship - 10:00 a.m.Weekday Bible Study - Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

------------------------------------------------------CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION

EPISCOPAL – Calvary Chapel2nd & Arizona – Roslyn

Rev. Andrea Bowman, 649-2283Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist - Every Sunday------------------------------------------------------

BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH415 West Fifth Street – Cle Elum

James Watkins, Pastor • 674-5936Sunday Services:

Old Fashioned All Family Sunday School 9:45 a.m.Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Youth Time - 5:00 p.m. • Prayer Time - 6:00 p.m.Evening Service - 6:30 p.m.

Community Appreciation Days (Free):Ladies Dinner - 3rd Tuesday/month - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Continuing Education Institute - 6:00 p.m.Thursday “Character Farm” Children’s Program (Ages 4-11) with Parent Bible Study - 6:30 p.m.

Friday Youth Night (Ages 11-25, unmarried) - 6:30 p.m.Men’s Breakfast - 1st Saturday/month - 8:00 a.m.Nursery & Transportation provided for all services.

------------------------------------------------------CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

2nd & Wright – Cle ElumWally Miller, Pastor • 674-2954Sunday Worship - 10:45 a.m.

Sunday Bible Study - 6:00 p.m.------------------------------------------------------

GOOD FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH7th & Washington – South Cle Elum

James Ruppel, Pastor • 925-7188Adult Bible Class 8:00 a.m.

Services - 9:00 a.m. Every SundayWELS Synod

------------------------------------------------------MT. PISGAH

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHOld Dance Hall next to the Roslyn Post Office

Rev. Worth Wilson, Pastor • 649-2237Sunday Morning Worship - 8:30 a.m.

Presbyterian Women First Wednesday - 12:30 p.m.Visit our website for activities: roslynchurch.org

------------------------------------------------------CLE ELUM COMMUNITY CHURCH

3rd & Harris – Cle ElumRev. Worth Wilson, Pastor • 674-2472

Sunday Morning WorshipTraditional Worship, 10:00 a.m.

Contemporary Worship, 11:45 a.m.Visit our website for activities: cleelumcommunitychurch.org

------------------------------------------------------

CHRISTIAN & MISSIONARY ALLIANCE

327 Madison Street – South Cle Elum509-674-2664

Sunday Bible Study 9:15 a.m.Sunday Church Service 10:30 a.m.

Nursery available for toddlers and infants.Call for Details on Weekday &

Evening Women Studies.

CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY3rd & Montgomery – Cle ElumSunday Morning Worship - 10:00 a.m.

Childrens’ Church - 10:00 a.m.Sunday Bible Study - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday - 6:30 p.m. CLAY YouthBiblically sound, culturally relevant, spirit-filled, spirit-led fellowship

For more info or Pastoral care, call 674-5249------------------------------------------------------

UPPER COUNTY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Non-denominational2821 Railroad Ave. – Easton

(Exit 71, then east at Post Office)Pastor Kent Shoop • 509-656-2414Sunday Morning Worship, 10:00 a.m.

Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.Sunday Evening Worship, 4:00 p.m.

Everyone Welcome!------------------------------------------------------

RONALD COMMUNITYBAPTIST CHURCH

SR 903 & Arctic Avenue – RonaldRon Vanlandingham, Pastor • 649-2800

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study - 6:00 p.m.Friday Night Dinner & Bible Study - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday Youth Group - 6:30 p.m. (Middle - High School)

------------------------------------------------------CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS 674-2628

4th & Columbia – Cle ElumSunday - 10:00 a.m. - Sacrament

11:15 a.m. - Sunday School12:20 p.m. - Relief Society Priesthood

YM.YW PrimaryBranch Pres., Robert Wilson • 656-2261

------------------------------------------------------IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CATHOLIC CHURCHFr. Lawrence Reilly, Pastor

Idaho & B Streets – RoslynOffice: 303 W. 2nd St., Cle Elum • 674-2531

Sunday Mass - 8:00 a.m.------------------------------------------------------

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

301 W. Second Street – Cle ElumFr. Lawrence Reilly, pastor

Office: 303 W. 2nd St., Cle Elum; 674-2531Saturday Mass - 5:00 p.m.Sunday Mass - 10:00 a.m.

------------------------------------------------------

CHURCH OF SHEKINAH GLORY506 Power Street – Cle ElumPastor Mary Ann Adams • 674-9737

Friday Service - 7:00 p.m.Sunday Service - 11:00 a.m.

Upper Kittitas County

Church Directory

For changes to this directory, please call the

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509-674-2511

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Obituaries

Eugene G. Bertino

Paid TributesIn print & online at www.nkctribune.com/obituary

In Memoriam (Complimentary)

Eugene Bertino was born February 11, 1932 in Cle Elum,WA to Giovanni Bertino and Pierina Richiardi Bertino. Hisparents had immigrated from Corio Italy in 1931. He diedpeacefully but unexpectedly on November 18, 2009. He issurvived by his wife, Coleen Bertino, Kent, children, DavidBertino (Judy), Suzanne Fortune and Cheryl Nagel (Uwe),grandchildren Anthony, Miles, Jack, Mark, Desiree, Moniqueand Shane. He is also survived by his brother, John Bertino(Sherry) and family, and by many cousins in Italy. Eugenewas a woodshop teacher for 30 years at Highline High Schoolin Burien. He enjoyed fishing the waters of Puget Sound, pho-tography all over the world and growing roses. Eugene wasloved by many and will be missed by all. A memorial servicewill be held on Saturday, Dec 19, 2009 at the Renton SeniorActivity Center, 211 Burnett Ave, Renton at 1:30 PM. Dona-tions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foun-dation, NW Chapter in Seattle or to NW Harvest in Kent.

Marjorie C.(Stevens)Woodward

January 12, 1930 - November 10, 2009

L o n g -time CleElum res-i d e n t ,M a r g eW o o d -w a r d ,p a s s e daway sur-

rounded by her loving fam-ily. A celebration of life willbe held at the end of June2010. Near that time, a fullobituary with details willappear in the Northern Kit-titas County Tribune.

Call Nick 509-674-4199

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A6 – THURSDAY, FEB. 25, 2010 ♦ NKC TRIBUNE

by Jim Fossettjim@nkctribune.com

CLE ELUM – Members ofthe Kittitas County EconomicDevelopment Group met withformer State Commissioner ofPublic Lands Doug Sutherlandlast Thursday, Feb. 18. Thegroup gathered for lunch at theSunset Cafe in Cle Elum. Themeeting provided a platform forSutherland to introduce him-self in his temporary role as di-rector of the KittitasCounty-based Innovation Part-nership Zone (IPZ) recentlysanctioned by the state anddubbed Central WashingtonResource Energy Collaborative.The IPZ encompasses about200-acres of industrial andcommercial-zoned land in thevicinity of Bowers Field Airportin Ellensburg. Sutherland’s roleis to function as a spark plug forthe IPZ engine. He will set upan office, define roles and mis-sions, develop Memorandumsof Agreement between IPZpartners, outline funding agree-ments, and then lay the foun-dation for a permanentdirector, to be named afterSutherland completes ramp-upoperations, in about a year.

Sutherland returns towork after a one-year hiatusprecipitated by a state lawthat prohibits public officialsfrom working for individualsrepresenting business net-works established while inpublic office. Sutherland en-tered the hiatus after com-pleting an eight-year term ofoffice as Washington StateCommissioner of PublicLands. Before that he servedas Pierce County’s Executive.

The Kittitas County-basedIPZ is one of 12 such zones inthe state, each one uniquelydifferent, based on variousand region-specific economicdevelopment agendas.

The IPZ here has beencharacterized by KittitasCounty Economic Develop-ment Group members assomething that could becomean epicenter for renewable en-ergy research and developmentefforts, as well as the perfectsite for green commercial or in-dustrial centers. As Sutherlandpointed out, to propel the IPZover the high bar, all the ele-ments are in place.

“Kittitas County is full ofincredible economic opportu-nities,” he said. “Forming thecollaborative hub of our IPZare five partners, among themthe right mix of public andprivate. And the zone itself isin the middle of a region fastbecoming a renewable energyMecca, with wind and solarpower.

“What we have to do isfind ways to marry greenbrainpower with green entre-preneurial power. The chal-lenge will be to take thatconcept and make it happen.”

The five members of theIPZ include eneXco, PugetSound Energy, KittitasCounty, CWU, and the KittitasCounty Economic Develop-ment Group.

Simply put, Sutherland’smission is to create an inde-pendent organization, such asa 501(c)3 or a 501(c)6 for in-stance, which would serve asa clearinghouse of sorts forproject-building between IPZpartners. Sutherland did notrule out the possibility of in-volving other interested par-ties willing to buy in.

“I’m looking at other IPZ’saround the state,” he said,“and based on the successfulmodels out there, I can seewhere research labs at CWUconceivably could be used tolaunch green industries.There are any number ofways to do that.”

One way, as was pointedout in Thursday’s meeting,would be to use CWU labs asfocal points to refine currentrenewable energy technolo-gies – to develop a smarterwind turbine or an improvedsolar panel, for example.

“It’s also possible CWUcould provide a framework forpushing the envelope, tocome up with all new tech-nologies and inventions IPZpartners could put to work lo-cally, manufacturing and mar-keting products and solutionsaround the state, the country,and the world.”

Sutherland occupies anoffice at Kittitas County Eco-nomic Development Groupheadquarters, on 221 EastFourth Avenue, in Ellensburg.He says he intends to workfour days a week through hisone-year contract.

DOUG SUTHERLAND, former Washington State Commissioner ofPublic Lands met with members of the Kittitas County EconomicDevelopment Group Thursday, Feb, 18. Sutherland has been hiredto kickstart Kittitas County’s Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ),dubbed Central Washington Resource Energy Collaborative. Suther-land is shown above with Development Group board member Jen-nifer Basterrechea. N.K.C. TRIBUNE/Jim Fossett photo

Newly namedInnovation Partnership Zone director visits Cle Elum

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~ Centennial Center ~“Rising Up From the Ashes”

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HERO/HEROINE ROLL CALL: The Northern Kittitas County Tribune would like to extend special thanks to the following businesses, organizations and

individuals who responded to our “Call or Raise Challenge”:

1. Cle Elum Kiwanis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,6252. Swauk-Teanaway Grange . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,2193. Cashmere Valley Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,0004. Cottage Cafe & Fireside Lounge . . . . . . . . .$5005. Dan Sater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5006. Redmond Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4607. Upper Kittitas County Rotary Club . . . . . .$4508. Tony Scheopner’s Plumbing, LLC . . . . . . . .$4509. Doris Petterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$40610. Kittitas County Conservation Coalition . .$40511. Inland Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$405

TRIBUNENorthern Kittitas County509-674-2511 Cle Elum, WA

A Sincere Thank Youto the Heroes & Heroines

who heeded the Tribune’s Challenge and anted up to match or beat our $405 Subscriber Challenge donation to help

rebuild the destroyed Centennial Center

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It started with Tribune Subscribers rallying around an offerto have a portion of their subscription fees donated towardsrebuilding the Center. Then a challenge to match or beat our

Subscriber-generated donation. In ad-dition to our $405, a total of $16,420

in contributions to the rebuildingfund was reported for the advertising

credit offered by the Tribune as areward for Centennial Center donor

generosity. Compounding the impact,of the $4,860 in ad space donated bythe Tribune through this

program, $2,262 of thatad credit was donatedback by the recipients

to the UKC SeniorCenter to use in their

upcoming thank you ad to the community. Thisfrees up even more of their much needed resources

for direct rebuilding efforts. GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!

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