Stories for Steilacoom
Steilacoom Farmers' Market meeting, May 9
Posted by | CommentsSix weeks and counting until the kick off of the 4th season of the Steilacoom Farmers' Market! If you are counting the days until June 13th, and are interested in volunteering at the market this summer, please plan on attending a market planning and volunteer meeting on Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 pm. There are a variety of tasks involved in keeping the market running smoothly, and your help and input are always appreciated. Besides, it's a fun place to be on Wednesday afternoons! The meeting will be held in the Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St. For more information, please contact Laura Johnson at 253-581-1912.
A peek inside E. R. Rogers’ mansion
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Photo by Curtis Brake
By Nancy Covert
A group of Steilacoom-area people finally had their curiosity answered during an evening program on May 1 at the Steilacoom Historical Museum. That’s the night when ER Rogers mansion owner Peggy Fraychineaud Gross, attired in a burgundy Victorian gown and wearing an elaborate picture hat, presented a virtual/visual tour of the 1891 Victorian home on Wilkes and Commercial streets, in the Town’s 40-block historic district.
Keeping Steilacoom lovely
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By Nancy Covert
Steilacoom's Parks and Trails coordinator Richard Creger discusses pruning needs with one of his crewmen (above) and displays the plans for the site (below). Earlier Tuesday morning a crew from Cedar Creek Corrections Center prepared the area for planting. The town entry landscaping is a cooperative project between the Town, the Steilacoom Garden Club, landscaper Tom Jacobson, and other community volunteers. Besides clearing the hillside and installing irrigation lines, an assortment of annual and perennials will be planted there. Expect to see a difference by the end of May. Read More→
Steilacoom, K12.com partnership ends
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom Historical School District has contracted with K12.com in a partnership to provide student online learning opportunities since April 2006. The partnership allowed the Steilacoom School District to offer a virtual public school program through the District called Washington Virtual Academy (WAVA).
Peak season ferry rates take effect May 1
Posted by | CommentsPierce County News Release
Peak season rates apply starting Tuesday, May 1, for Pierce County ferry passengers that drive a vehicle or motorcycle onto the ferry. Peak season runs from May 1 to Sept. 30. Walk-on passenger rates are the same year-round, and bicycles can be walked on at no extra cost.
Steilacoom Town Council agenda, May 1
Posted by | CommentsThe Steilacoom Town Hall will meet on Tuesday, May 1 at 6:30 pm at the Steilacoom Town Hall. Following is the agenda:
E.R. Rogers' Mansion opens for tour
Posted by | CommentsUPDATE: The May 1 lecture/tour of ER Rogers Mansion is scheduled to be held at the Steilacoom Historical Museum; not at the house. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. Regrets for any misunderstanding.
By Nancy Covert
From residence to boarding house to rock museum and restaurant... and now a law office. Now that the E.R. Rodgers building has been renovated/restored, how does it look inside? Because area residents/former restaurant patrons of the long-time Steilacoom landmark have wanted to see how it looks inside--they'll have a one-time-only opportunity on Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. That's the day when attorney/owner Peggy Fraychineaud Gross will present a lecture/tour about the work that was done on the 1891 house at Commercial and Wilkes streets. Please note that space inside the Museum's lecture hall is limited.
Steilacoom Town Administrator updates council, April 27
Posted by | CommentsBy Paul Loveless, Town Administrator
Fuel Oil Spill: On Thursday night at approximately 10 PM, Sergeant Rodriguez was notified and investigated a heavy diesel odor in the Starling Street/Union Avenue area. He discovered extensive oil sheen and notified the Public Works Director, the Town Administrator, and the Department of Ecology spill response team.
Pioneer Middle School choir earns Superior rating
Posted by | CommentsBy Joe Lindquist, Choir Director, Pioneer Middle School and Steilacoom High School
The 8th grade choir at Pioneer Middle School attended the Mountain Region Music Educators Association Large Group Choral Festival where they were given a Superior rating, the highest rating they could earn. They sang Elijah Rock arranged by Roger Emerson and All Through The Night, a Welsh lullaby arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram. Also participating in the festival were middle schools and junior highs from Curtis, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, and Bethel School districts. The contest was held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church off Canyon road and 112th St.
Steilacoom Garden Club's annual sale set for May 13
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The colorful garden at the corner of Union and Lafayette is a subtle reminder about Steilacoom Garden Club's upcoming plant sale. The annual sale takes place from 9 a.m. to "whenever" on Saturday, May 13 on Lafayette St. next to the Bair Store. Proceeds from the sale benefit club planting projects in Steilacoom such as the holiday door swags, the scarecrows in the fall, and the currently underway planting taking place at the Steilacoom Blvd. curve beneath the "Steilacoom" town sign. The sale features starts from Steilacoom gardens, herbs, flower arrangements and more.
Community Leadership Award Winners
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By Celeste Johnston
Last Friday, Pierce County Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) presented Community Leadership Awards to individuals who make significant contributions to both schools and our community. Steilacoom School District recognized Gerry and Linda Evanson. They are both retired school teachers and loyal supporters of our schools. Both Linda and Gerry volunteer at Saltar’s Point Elementary each week, teaching the game of cribbage to students. This allows students an “alternative” to outdoor recess. Gerry runs the district-wide recycling efforts that provide scholarships for 6th grade camp at Pioneer Middle School. Linda is a leader with Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation, raising money for scholarships and classroom grants. She is also instrumental in lining up church groups to do landscape work at Saltar’s Point Elementary. Join in a round of applause as we recognize the Evansons.
Kids club at Steilacoom Historical Museum
Posted by | CommentsIt’s time for Kids Club at the Steilacoom Historical Museum. The Kids Club is held last Saturdays of each month April through September, 1-3 pm. It is two hours full of fun activities held in the lower level of the Museum and in the Wagon Shop. April 28 will be the first one for the year and kids will learn about spinning, spool knitting and weaving as well as have opportunities to explore the Museum. Activities are appropriate for ages 5-10. (Younger kids than 5 should be accompanied by a parent.) Subsequent last Saturday activities are as follows: May 26, Wagon Shop project; June 30, patriotic paper crafts; July 28, aquarium theme making yarn octopus and fish painting; August 25, making ice cream; September 29, making cider in an old fashioned press. Come and enjoy a little hands on history!
Steilacoom Fireworks looks for support
Posted by | CommentsBy Michael Litt, Steilacoom
July 4 is not that far away. The Steilacoom Fourth of July Fireworks is entirely supported by your donations and now you can contribute online. For over twenty years, the citizens of Steilacoom have hosted one of the best Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks shows in the Puget Sound – entirely with volunteers and donations. Last year we raised over $25,000 and it all went to the Steilacoom Fireworks show, drawing crowds from DuPont, Lakewood, University Place and beyond.
Making gifts for Moldova visit
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By Nancy Covert
"Prebiet!" (The word means "hello,” explains a Steilacoom woman who’s learning the language as she prepares for an upcoming trip to Moldova).
On a recent April afternoon a pair of seamstresses, Carolyn Teevin and Norma Varty, were busily operating sewing machines in Oberlin Church’s social hall where they were assembling aprons and small gift bags. Their goal?
Program manager responds to sailboat query
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By Melissa Ferris, Derelict Vessel Removal Program Manager, Department of Natural Resources
The owner of this vessel had current registration but failed to put the WN numbers on the boat. He would have saved himself and a lot of other people a lot of trouble if he had just taken that one simple step. He probably could have been contacted while the vessel was still easily retrievable. (Note that in Washington vessels documented with the US Coast Guard do not need to display the WN number, only the current registration decal, but this was not a documented vessel).
Derelict sailboat on the rocks
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As we posted on Wednesday, there is some interest in the derelict sailboat washed up on the shores along Chambers Bay. Area resident Michelle Pihlman sent us the above photo and included the following note, "My kids and I trekked out to look at the sailboat. Some guys waded into the water, looked in the boat and said there was a fuel leak inside. They said the tabs were current but they couldn't easily see any information for registration for the owner." Well, Melissa Ferris from Derelict Vessel Removal Program reports she "was in touch with the owner all day Wednesday" regarding his efforts to salvage the boat.
Parks and Trails to hold work party this weekend
Posted by | CommentsBy Nancy Covert
Steilacoom Parks and Trails will host its latest work party from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22. The objective is a cleanup and related activities to enhance the Worthington Street Trail. The trail is a short one, between Galloway and Stevens streets.
Work includes: raking loose debris, spreading woodchips, removing downed limbs, placing trail marker signs at either end, removing invasive ivy and possible intrusive blackberry vines, and having fun!
