Burn ban modified
Clallam County Fire Marshal George Bailey announced last week that a county-wide burn ban has been modified to permit campfires in established fire rings on private property and in campgrounds.
The fire danger in general for Clallam County remains high, he said, and people should be extremely careful.
This decision was made based on recommendations of the local fire districts as weather conditions have slightly eased the fire danger in Western Washington Bailey said. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.
Clallam County fair picks theme
“Celebrate The Bounty Of Our County” is the theme of the 2024 Clallam County Fair, organizers announced last week.
The theme was submitted by Christine Brehan of Port Angeles.
Lodge offers balloon rides
The Lodge at Sherwood Village hosts balloon rides with Captain-Crystal Stout’s nonprofit Dream Catcher Balloon from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Sequim Community Church, 950 N. Fifth Ave.
Rides are by reservation no later than Sept. 28 by calling the Lodge at (360) 681-3100. There is a $25 suggested donation.
The balloon program is a 501(c)3 organization that provides anyone, no matter their mobility level, the chance to ride in a hot air balloon in a seat rather than a basket. Stout typically makes rides available to seniors, veterans and people with ailments at special events around the globe.
The Dream Catcher Program won Best Nonprofit with The Global Beauty Awards in Coeur d’Alene, ID, in 2021, and Stout has won beauty pageant circuits previously, being named Ms. Senior Washington USA and then Ms. Senior United States as part of the Ms. Senior Pageant Group. She was recently named the Washington 60s representative for the 2023 World United beauty pageant.
For more about Dream Catch Balloon program, visit dreamcatcherballoon.org.
Solar eclipse station at Sequim Library
The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is hosting Solar Eclipse STEAM Stations with hands-on activities for children in kindergarten through grade 7.
Youths will learn about eclipses and space science — and take home a pair of eclipse glasses — in preparation for the solar eclipse that will cross North America on Oct. 14. Activities include drawing an eclipse cycle with chalk, sculpting planets out of clay, and building a solar system with LEGO bricks.
Drop-in to the free event on the outdoor stage from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. The event will move indoors to Sequim Middle School, 301 W. Hendrickson Road, in the case of inclement weather.
The library system will also host STEAM Stations from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Clallam Bay Library, and from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Forks Library.
For more information, visit nols.org/eclipse, call 360-683-1161 or email to discover@nols.org. This program is supported in part by local Friends of the Library groups.
Studium Generale welcome on tap
Studium Generale will open its Fall Quarter series with the traditional Welcome Celebration, a partnership among the the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Peninsula College.
The Welcome Celebration takes place at 12:35 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the Little Theater on the main campus of Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.
The presentations can also be accessed via Zoom livestream at pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/82308557946 (meeting ID 823 0855 7946).
The event will begin with a welcome from Tribal partners who co-created this annual event, followed by a collaborative presentation.
The annual Welcome was founded by Lola Moses of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in 2016, and in the past years has featured language, poetry, education and culture. It is co-sponsored with ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, PC Longhouse.
Sequim garden club sets meeting
Bob Blackett presents “Success with Succulents” at the next Sequim Prairie Garden Club meeting, set for 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, in the clubhouse at Pioneer Memorial Park, 387 E. Washington St.
As always, the presentation is free and open to the public.
Blackett is a Clallam County Master Gardener specializing in succulents at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden. He will show that some of the hardier succulent varieties, planted in properly amended soil, can make a wonderful and creative rock garden on the Olympic Peninsula.
The meeting starts with coffee and socializing, with the presentation following at 10:30 a.m.
‘Walk-About’ set at Woodcock garden
Locals and visitors are invited to a “Walk-About” starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road.
Keith Dekker and Tom del Hotal, Master Gardeners who have nurtured this orchard this summer, will be leading the tour and highlight an orchard that has 28 varieties of apples and one apple tree that is grafted with 30 varieties.
The garden is busting out with apples, pears, plums and peaches in its fruit tree orchard, Master Gardeners note. “This year has been a phenomenal year for fruit with our blue-sky summer,” they said.
Lectures and Demonstrations take place at the gardens in our “Digging Deeper” series which take place on the third Saturday of selected months starting at 10:30 a.m.
‘End of Life Ready’ event set
Volunteers from End of Life Washington will present “End of Life Ready” from noon-2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
This free program is designed to provide resources for planning ahead and reducing anxiety about one of life’s major transitions.
Participants will learn about advance directives, including new dementia directives; choosing a healthcare agent, and the Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.
The second section of the presentation will cover Medical Aid in Dying, including Washington’s Death with Dignity Act and other end of life options, such as Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED).
A question-and-answer period will follow each section.
No registration is necessary; call 206-854-4302 for more information.
CCGS schedules day-long workshop
The Clallam County Genealogical Society (CCGS) is putting on a day-long workshop that kicks off at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the CCGS Research Center, 403 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles.
Knowledgeable volunteers will help answer questions relating to methodology and more, offering help for beginners and intermediate level genealogists.
Cost is free for CCGS members, $10 for non-members. A lunch is available for $8. Attendees are asked to call in ahead, tell what questions they may have, and if they would like to include lunch.
A CCGS day-long, live seminar on Oct. 14 will feature Jill Morelli — a renowned speaker and genealogist — and be held at Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, 925 N. Sequim Ave.; the event is also available on Zoom.
The CCGS Research Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays.
For more information about the society, the upcoming events or to register for the seminar or workshop, call 360-417-5000 or visit clallamcogs.org.