The Suburban Times » Dave Sclair

New traffic light on Steilacoom-DuPont Highway

Dave Sclair — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:33:13 +0000

Steilacoom residents, as well as many traveling the Steilacoom- DuPont Highway, will be happy to learn that part of the project to repair and widen East Road at North Fort will include installation of a traffic light at the intersection of East Road and the Steilacoom - DuPont Highway, according to an announcement in the town letter from Steilacoom.

According to the newsletter, JBLM has started work to repair and widen East Road which is used by both active and retirees to enter and leave North Fort. Additionally, the project calls for installing a traffic control light where East Road intersects with the highway. The project is expected to be completed in late April.

Steilacoom Spaghetti dinner packs them in

Dave Sclair — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:23:20 +0000

A near capacity crowd jammed the Steilacoom Commuity Center for the annual Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce Spaghetti dinner and Steilacoom Indian Tribe auction.

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Lakewood Ice Arena program packs library

Dave Sclair — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:23:52 +0000

By Dave Sclair

An overflow crowd of over 100 crammed the Lakewood Library's meeting room to hear about the Lakewood Ice Arena and share memories of the former Lakewood facility.

Hosted by the Lakewood Historical Society, the audience was split almost evenly among community members who skated at the arena or whose parents visited the rink or they had heard about it. The other half was junior class students from Curtis High School in University Place. Taking an advance placement history class, they decided this would be a practical class in local history to which they could relate.

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Wetmore elected president in Steilacoom

Dave Sclair — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:45:30 +0000

Mary Lou Wetmore was elected president of the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association as a highlight of the organization's 2010 annual dinner meeting at the Steilacoom Community Center.

Named recipients of the Lee Merrill Award for volunteerism were Lana and Tony Forsyth, longtime volunteers who do everything from cleaning the bathrooms in the museum to working on the salmon bake and apple squeeze and everything in between. The presentation was made by Joan Curtis, museum director.

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Walker inspires new hairstyle

Dave Sclair — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:06:37 +0000

A number of individuals took advantage of the Marcus Walker benefit roast to get their heads shaved to match. Marcus Walker is the Artistic Managing Director of Lakewood Playhouse and is currently battling cancer.

Wind storm aftermath

Dave Sclair — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:03:34 +0000

Steilacoom's First Street saw considerable tree damage with this one landing atop a truck and trailer.

Monday night's strong winds caused many trees to come down throughout DuPont, Steilacoom, Lakewood and University Place. Did your property or trees sustain storm damage? Email us a photo so we can share it with others. (more...)

Chocolate auction raises nearly $5,000 for CPTC

Dave Sclair — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:47:24 +0000

A group of Lakewood area residents got together Monday night and auctioned off chocolate goodies to each other and in the end raised almost $5,000 for Holiday House at Clover Park Technical College.

The funds will help provide holiday toys and other needed items for children of students at Clover Park Technical College during this season.

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Woodstick 2010

Dave Sclair — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:19:24 +0000

Sunday, about 300 drummers (above) got together at the Juanita High School fieldhouse in Kirkland to help set a new Guinness record for drummers playing the same tune together at the same time. Originated by Lakewood resident Chris Kimball, a group of Lakewood Rotary Club members helped with the registration early Sunday morning. In addition to the area drummers, Kimball reported more drummers in 15 cities around the United States and Canada participated in the world record attempt. The exact number of drummers nationwide participating wasn't available Sunday evening.

A couple really young prospective drummers get in a few licks

Drummers came in all sizes, ages and sexes, from very young to more mature!

Members of Lakewood Rary Club handled registration for Woodstick. Participating re (left tor right) club president Mick Johnson, Mary Covelli-Johnson, Mary Lou Sclair, Joe Quinn, Greg Horn and club exchange student Victor Bertelson from Denmark.

Beautiful Tables Showcase runs through Sunday at Lakewold Gardens

Dave Sclair — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 22:44:39 +0000

Written by Dave Sclair, Photos by Gwen Young

Lakewold Gardens' annual Beautiful Tables Showcase is running through Nov. 7. Here are a couple of the 29 holiday tables on display. "The Great Recession" is the theme for the photo featuring the newspapers on the table. Designer Travis Valbert of Garden Sphere notes that the economy has affected just about everyone and this table display pays tribute to the less fortunate. "Christmas Eve" is the theme for the table featuring the bright red tablecloth by Beverly Mills and Linda Charneski. Members of Lakewood Women in Business took a preview tour of the table settings Thursday. The show is open 10 am to 4 pm through Sunday. The exhibit is open to all for $10, Lakewold members pay $5.

Steilacoom Candidate forum packs the hall

Dave Sclair — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:14:55 +0000

A near capacity crowd of 140 filled Steilacoom Town Hall (above) Thursday, Oct. 28, to hear candidates for Congress and the state legislature discuss issues. Hosted by the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce, all six candidates took part. In a show of hands, more than 50 percent of the attendees indicated they had not yet completed their ballots. Candidates taking part were (below, left to right) Dick Muri and Adam Smith, vying for the 9th Congressional District seat in Congress; Troy Kelley and Steve O'Ban, running for Representative from Position 1 in the 28th District and Tami Green and Paul Wagemann, after Position 2. Smith, Kelley and Green are incumbents. The Suburban Times reporter Dave Sclair was moderator for the program. Photos by Mary Lou Sclair.

Park bathroom underway

Dave Sclair — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 04:34:26 +0000

Ground preparations are underway for a long-awaited restroom facility near the Playground @ Ft. Steilacoom Park. The pre-fab concrete structure, similar to the restroom located near the baseball fields in the park, is expected to be delivered and installed sometime later in October or early November, according to Lakewood City Parks Director Mary Dodsworth. The bathroom will replace the sani-cans which have been in use near the playground for the last five years. Partners for Parks raised much of the funding for the permanent facility and the remainder of the cost was covered by the City of Lakewood.

Lakewood Historical Society to discuss cemeteries at Tuesday meeting

Dave Sclair — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:10:51 +0000

By Dave Sclair

Home of Peace, the Jewish Cemetery at Steilacoom Boulevard and Lakewood Drive, will be one of the four Lakewood cemeteries discussed during the Tuesday program of the Lakewood Historical Society. Held at the Lakewood Library, the program will get underway at 7 pm, is free and open to the public.

A panel of four spokesmen for Lakewood cemeteries will present information about their facilities on Tuesday, October 19 in a Lakewood Historical Society sponsored program at the Lakewood Library. The program will get underway at 7 pm and is open to the public.

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$900 million all that's needed to fix I-5

Dave Sclair — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:43:51 +0000

Lakewood Senior Planner Dan Penrose told a Lakewood United audience Thursday morning that a $900 million shortfall stands in the way of correcting the I-5 traffic problems through the city and into JBLM. He said over the next three years the city, state department of transportation and the military will continue studying the problems and coming up with a plan to alleviate the situation and then there will be seven years to complete the construction. The speaker said efforts are underway by all parties to solve the problems, such as opening the new gate into JBLM.

Did you know...

Dave Sclair — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:34:00 +0000

This aerial photo shows just a few of the early buildings.

Did you know that today's Lakewood Industrial Park and Clover Park Technical College once was a huge Navy depot where hundreds of tanks, trucks and other military equipment was readied for shipment during World War II?

Part of the property later became the industrial park and a portion was turned into Clover Park Tech. The industrial park property was acquired by Norton Clapp, developer of Lakewood Colonial Center, and development has continued since. The history of the property will be the topic of a Lakewood Historical Society program, Sep. 21 at the Lakewood Library. The free program starts at 7 pm and is open to the public.

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Lodging Tax

Dave Sclair — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:43:34 +0000

Stephanie Walsh (back to camera), executive director of Lakewold Gardens, addresses members of the Lakewood Lodging Tax Advisory Board. The city board meets each year with organizations that seek funding from the city's lodging tax. At the opposite end of the table is Lakewood Mayor Doug Richardson.

Concert in the park and farmers market pack them in

Dave Sclair — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:46:00 +0000

The huge crowd jammed Pioneer Park for the final Steilacoom concert of the year.

The Farmers' Market and the final Concert in Steilacoom's Pioneer Park drew a huge crowd Wednesday night to hear the Blues Brothers. This was the ninth and final concert of the year while the Farmers' Market continues each Wednesday (3-7 pm) until September 8. This was the second year for the market and all indications point to a highly successful year. (more...)

Lakewold Gardens 'Picnic with a Purpose'

Dave Sclair — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:39:38 +0000

Kiwanians prepare hotdogs in a garden setting.

New Lakewold Garden members enjoyed a "Picnic with a Purpose" Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the gardens as they toured the gardens, enjoyed a light dinner and learned more about the Lakewood facility. A major purpose was to introduce the design for an upscale entry area. A granite slab engraved with Lakewold Gardens is to be a highlight of the new entry off Gravelly Lake Drive.

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The Bair is back

Dave Sclair — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:56:28 +0000

If you live in Steilacoom or know anything about the town, you know The Bair has been a central gathering post for many, many years. Unfortunately, the place closed down a couple years ago and only recently was it reopened as The Bair Bistro.

We stopped in the other day for a late lunch and were pleasantly surprised to see the place nearly full at 1:30 pm. Actually, the inside had several full tables but the outside seating was packed except for a single table for two.

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Steilacoom Sunset from Sunday

Dave Sclair — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:53:55 +0000

Sunset from the deck of Steilacoom's Mary Lou and Dave Sclair taken Sunday, June 27.

Lakewood Rotary installs new president, honors volunteers

Dave Sclair — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:39:43 +0000

Mick Johnson (left) was installed president of the Rotary Club of Lakewood during ceremonies Saturday, June 26. He succeeds Greg Horn (right) who was honored along with his wife Mary Horn with a Paul Harris Fellow. (more...)

Lakewood SummerFEST a hit

Dave Sclair — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:39:33 +0000

Lakewood's Summerfest drew a huge crowd Saturday, June 26, at Ft. Steilacoom Park. The event included stage shows, exhibits from a wide variety of commecial businesses as well as community organizations. There were play areas for kids plus military and fire department exhibits and a huge car show. (more...)

Site nearly cleaned after fire

Dave Sclair — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Clean up is virtually complete at the site of the fire on South Tacoma Way near 84th St. The building was completely destoyed in the fire that occurred several months ago. In Steilacoom, Town Administrator reported an application to clean up the fire destroyed marina at Saltar's Point has been sent back for additional detail. No time has been set for a resubmission of the permit for demolition and cleanup.

Lakewood Lions name president, member of year

Dave Sclair — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:54:44 +0000

Fae Crabill (left) has been selected president of the Lakewood First Lions and Barb Reames (right) has been named Lion of the Year by the group. Both were recognized during recent installation ceremonies. Lakewood First Lions meets Wednesday mornings at 7 am in Burr's Restaurant. Crabill has been an active club member and community supporter for many years and Reames was recognized for her ongoing dedication to the Lions Club as well as her consistent efforts throughout the community.

Save the Date: April 9 is Lakewood Rotary dinner, auction

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:53:56 +0000

The annual Lakewood Rotary Club Sportsman Dinner & Auction has been scheduled for April 9, 2011, according to Tony Robinson, chairman. "Mark your calendar right now," the spokesman suggested, "so you contact a club member to make sure you are able to get tickets before the event sells out." The event is a major fundraiser for the club and allows the 130-member Rotary Club to provide community organizations and students with contributions and scholarships. The club has donated back into the community thousands of dollars annually.

Two Byrd School markers

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:03:22 +0000

Byrd School, the first school building north of the Columbia River, was built in 1855. Recently, developers of Lakewood's Echelon Apartments at Steilacoom Boulevard and Lakewood Drive, erected a marker recognizing the school's site inside the apartment complex. Additionally, another marker noting the school's nearby location was erected years ago on what today is the Clover Park Technical School campus. The marker is on the north side of a building at the west end of the campus behind the fence next to Steilacoom Boulevard. The new marker will be formally unveiled in the near future.

Mellom installed at CP Rotary president

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:56:57 +0000

Georgene Mellom was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Clover Park during ceremonies Wednesday evening at Tacoma Country & Golf Club. She succeeds Dee Ebsen who has served during the last year.

Other offices of the club installed by Tom Faubion are Randy Black, president-elect; Bob Edington, vice-president; Bonnie Boyle, secretary; Judy Maier, treasurer; and directors Bob Lawrence, Tom McClellan, Marilee Johnson, Ken Sharp, Ken Gunther, Jack Roffler and Maria Johnson. Ernie Heller served as master of ceremonies.

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Windermere Paragon UP car wash to benefit Playground

Dave Sclair — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:52:21 +0000

A car wash benefiting the University Place Playground by the Sound will be held Friday, June 18 at the Classy Chassis Car Wash at 6915 27th St. Windermere Paragon Real Estate office in University Place is holding the event as its Community Service Day. The car wash will be held from 1-4 pm and all proceeds will go to the Playground, according to Jeff Allen, a spokesman for the playground and Chris Barrett of Windermere. Windermere has been sponsoring a Community Service Day annually since 1984 as a way for its employees and agents to give back to the community in which they work and live.

Saunders joins Lakewood Historical Society board

Dave Sclair — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:51:52 +0000

Larry Saunders, former Lakewood Police Chief, has joined the board of directors of the Lakewood Historical Society. He is filling out the term of Gary Hess, who has resigned due to business commitments. Society President Becky Huber said she feels Saunders will be a strong addition to the growing historical society and museum. The organization recently employed a professional director on a part-time basis and is currently involved in its annual fund raising campaign.

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Help identify these people and building

Dave Sclair — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:39:10 +0000

This photo was made available to the Lakewood History Museum recently. The only identification is that which is written on the back of the picture. The writing says the building is "across from ice arena at Steilacoom Lake at old Hallam home." Directly identified are (in center of photo) "Mrs. Geehan in white apron (pinafore)" and the man at the far right is identified as Shep Kelley. The writing also names (but without any order) Bechers, Hallams, Kelleys and Dolmans. There's no indication for the photograph's occasion other than the notation "A happy group." Do you recognize the house or any of the people? Please send any information you have to Becky Huber, president, Lakewood Historical Society.

Bad Boys of McNeil Island

Dave Sclair — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:57:22 +0000

The monthly programs produced by the Lakewood Historical Society have proven a major attraction during the last year and the June 15 session will be no exception. Joan Curtis, Steilacoom historian and author, will speak about "The Bad Boys of McNeil Island."

Curtis said her program describes some of the prisoners of "fame" who spent time at the island prison when it was operated by the federal government. Among the more notable inmates were Robert Stroud, known as "The Bird Man of Alcatraz"; Roy Gardner, a notorious train robber; Alvin Karpis, gangster in league with the "Ma Barker Gang"; Frederick Emerson Peters, a notorious swindler and impersonator; Roy Olmstead, king of the Puget Sound bootleggers; Mickey Cohen, called by Time Magazine "the undisputed boss of Los Angeles gangdom"; Charles Manson, responsible for the Sharon Tate murders; and Dave Beck, Seattle labor leader.
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