How did the Apple Squeeze become a Steilacoom tradition? What does “Steilacoom” mean?

More than 200 Saltar’s Point Elementary School Fourth Grade students learned the answers to those questions and more when they toured the Steilacoom Historical Museum this past week.

The annual student class tour to visit the Museum’s properties: the Museum, the Wagon Shop and the Orr Home, took place during the last week of January and first week of February. Docents from the Museum’s Education Committee shared their knowledge about Mr. Orr’s shop, and other parts of the community’s history.

The students’ collective reaction to the displays and activities—such as making butter—“what an amazing place!”

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Steilacoom's Public Works crew has its plate very full clearing storm debris from streets and public areas, reports Councilmember Nancy Henderson, who keeps an eye (and more) on the status of local parks. Parks have been quite affected by falling branches, and in some cases, trees.

A huge THANK YOU to those who have already been out clearing trails on their own. First Street  pathway was quickly cleared by surrounding neighbors who just pitched in and made it happen.

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Looking for a way to combat Winter Cabin Fever, have an enjoyable evening this month, and support a community service organization?

Then circle Friday, Jan. 27 on the calendar. That’s the date for Kiwanis of Steilacoom’s annual Winter Winefest Fundraiser. The yearly benefit is set for 6-9 p.m. at Clover Park Technical College’s McGavick Center, Bldg. 23 on the college’s campus at 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW.

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Andrea Lopez Vann was honored during halftime at the annual Steilacoom High School Alumni Basketball game, held Dec. 30 at SHS.

Vann, Class of 1999, was unable to attend the ceremony because of business obligations, but SHEF representatives (Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation) Linda Evanson and Sharon Westman made the presentation.

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Orange and red aren't exactly holiday colors—but they are the colors worn during a popular holiday occasion in Steilacoom. The occasion?

The 18th annual Steilacoom High School alumni basketball game. The game was played on Dec. 30 at the school's gym, and halftime entertainment included presentation of the Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation's Alumni Award Presentation. (Read that story elsewhere in this issue).

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Habari gani?—What’s the News? "Kuumba!” (Creativity)

Candles, special foods, music, gift exchanges, time for reflection about the past and planning for the days to come…no matter how it’s celebrated: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa… this time of year is regarded as the Season of Good Will. At the root of this Season is a collection of customs designed to lighten the hearts of its participants as they continue the quest for Peace on Earth.

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By Nancy Covert

Prep work for the new Perkins Park picnic shelter area was done in mid-November, and the shelter for Perkins Park should arrive the week of Nov. 28. It is planned to be erected within two weeks of arrival, primarily using our Steilacoom crew.

In other Public Works-related news, the first lift of asphalt was installed on Starling St on Nov. 7. The concrete contractors will be in finishing up walls, sidewalks and stairways/landings (approx. two weeks). After that, some restoration work will take place, followed by the final lift of asphalt, according to Mark Burlingame, Steilcoom's Public Works Director.

Crispy Duck

By Nancy Covert

"What’s for Lunch?” That question was uppermost in the minds of a group of Steilacoom women recently when they dined at the recently opened Café Banana on South Tacoma Way.

Under new ownership, Tony Wen’s Asian Bistro offers a selection of Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indian cuisines, serving dishes such as Massaman Chicken Curry, Crispy Duck Salad., and Tok Tok Soup—not a soup at all. In fact, it’s served on a bed of mung bean sprouts—"very healthy,” assured Anthony, the waiter. (more...)

Winners in the 2011 Steilacoom Garden Club’s annual Scarecrow contest include: (more...)

Be sure to check out this haunting sight at the corner of Sequalichew and Main. Amazing how many spirited residents reside there! Photo by Nancy Covert.

Col. Silas Casey, one-time commander of Fort Steilacoom, returned to his former post on Oct. 16 for the organization's annual meeting.

Casey, portrayed by historian/researcher Ken Morgan, presented  a program highlighting Casey's career after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in the early 19th century.

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Topiary Teapot in University Place taken at 7:30 am Saturday by Nancy Covert.

What’s the future of economic development in the Town on the Sound? After Pierce County collected input for its 2008 Economic Stimulus Report, it identified 41 recommendations to help the local economy survive the downturn and set the stage for future prosperity.

Denise Dyer, Manager of the Economic Development Division, Pierce County Executive’s Office, presented a status report on what’s been accomplished in the past three years. The presentation was made at the Oct. 4 Steilacoom Town Council Meeting.

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Lenore Rogers (left) and Skip Lemming make the final adjustments to Scarecrow Sue

By Nancy Covert

How do you make a SCARECROW? Use plenty of straw! Old clothing. And a lot of imagination!

Scarecrow Time in Steilacoom begins Oct. 1. Scarecrow-makers still have time to finish their 2011 creations—be sure to sign up if you want your masterpiece to be judged this year. Check the sign-up sheets at the Lafayette Street Kiosk or at the Community Center.

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Steilacoom's Council members previewed a pair of agenda bills that impact the town's finances for the next biennium at the Oct. 4 meeting.

They'll take action at the Oct. 18 meeting. The mid-biennium budget amendment is required in order to address significant estimate changes, oversights, program changes, or other significant events.

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In the late 70s to early 80s, The Suburban Times, a twice-a-week newspaper, informed area residents about what was happening in the local communities. While that publication was sold in 1980, in 2005 the paper was resurrected: this time as an electronic newspaper. (Please see below for more information about that publication)

Circulation of the earlier Suburban Times, recalled former Publisher Dave Sclair,  "was free or voluntary pay, and we utilized as many as 300 youngsters as paper carriers. I still have people mention to me that they delivered the paper years ago.

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"In August, 1893, I received the telegraphic message following, from the Tacoma law firm of Doolittle & Goff.

"Balch case set for today. Please come on first boat or train. Bring newspaper files.”

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The Bair Store's "bearcrow" keeps an eye on the squeezings at Sunday's event.

By Nancy Covert

The 2011 version of an event that traces its roots back at least to 1915, took place in downtown Steilacoom this past Sunday, October 2. The event, a sort of scaled-down version of the Fourth of July celebration, minus a parade and beer garden, included plenty of apple-related activities, including cider pressing, apple pie and apple butter, plus lots of events for kids.

Thousands of people descended on the town for the Fall ritual, sponsored by the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association. The Squeeze has been held for the past 38 years. A page from Steilacoom's history tells how residents took advantage of extra produce from their gardens in 1915--using proceeds to purchase audio visual equipment for Steilacoom School.

In mid-July 1937 a new publication appeared in the area. Pledging to provide news of the Lakes District, Steilacoom and DuPont, the paper’s banner headline asked its potential subscribers: "What shall we name this paper? Send us your title and win $10 cash or Theater Tickets."

Not a bad deal, and a good circulation booster for this four-page local weekly. Editor and Publisher Charles F. Mann, a graduate of Steilacoom Grade School grabbed his reader’s attention with a headline that read: You Name It?  Lakewood…???

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By Nancy Covert

To commemorate National Newspaper Week, October 2-8, 2011, The Suburban Times presents an overview of area newspaper history from the Town on the Sound. The earliest newspaper in what eventually became Washington Territory was published in Olympia and named "The Columbian" in anticipation of the state being named "Columbia."

Shortly after that publication appeared, Capt. Lafayette Balch hired Messrs. Affleck and Gunn to publish a paper for the Port of Steilacoom.

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By Nancy Covert

The huge red apple, posted on Steilacoom's Tennis Court fence is a reminder about the upcoming annual apple squeeze. Scheduled for 1-4 on Sunday, Oct. 2, the Squeeze is an opportunity to enjoy all things apple: cider, donuts, pie, etc. and savor the sunny autumn weather.

It's a special treat for Steilacoom residents to have a slice of blackberry-topped cheesecake for dessert. Not just any cheesecake, though. Waverly Inn Cheesecake!

The story behind the dessert, according to 'the Colonel'--Col. Don Rehburg--creator of the Waverly Inn Restaurant that became E. R. Rogers--goes like this:

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By Nancy Covert

After more than a century Tacoma city officials, Chinese guests, and other interested supporters, were scheduled to gather along Ruston Way on Sept. 22 to formally dedicate a Ting. The Ting is located near the site of what was called “New Canton” where, in the late 1800s, the Chinese residents were forced to leave the area.

The Ting is part of a larger memorial site created and dedicated to redress wrongs done to  Chinese residents of Tacoma. Chinese laborers had come to the U.S. about 1849, not only to work in the gold fields, but also to help build the NP railroad line from Kalama to Tacoma.

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By Nancy Covert

Skip and Jon Lemming were busily preparing the garden site next to the Bair Store early on Tuesday morning this past week. The men planned to place a one-of-a-kind piece of sculpture in honor of the late Sue Davidson. Sue Davidson, an avid gardener, and a long-time member of the Steilacoom Garden Club, was the inspiration for the community's annual Scarecrow Contest.  The sculpture, crafted by Skip and fine-tuned by Jon, will be placed at the end of September, according to Lenore Rogers, Garden Club President.

By Nancy Covert

Steilacoom's "historic" barbershop is now open for business, and its proprietor is eager to welcome customers--and cut hair, of course.

Soocheon Jeon (pronounced "John") of University Place has leased the downtown barbershop at 1607 Lafayette St., according to owners John and Brenda Leech.

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By Nancy Covert

Almost 100 area residents took advantage of the Living History Day presentation at Historic Ft. Steilacoom on Sept. 17.

Visitors had an opportunity to look into the life of a soldier circa 1848-1869, while ladies also had their chance to see how women from the 19th century kept busy--sewing, spinning, etc.

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