All About Town in Spring

All About Town in Spring

Some people love winter.  Some don’t.  I’m in the “don’t” column, but that’s just me.  But anyone would not like winter after near 1 ½ months of that white stuff hanging around for wwwwwaaaaaayyyyyy too long.  At first it was fun, getting dressed in coats and gloves and boots and searching for just the right hat and scarf.  Then the nice white powdery snow turned to slush, and yuk – nothing worse than being cold AND wet.  Then that froze, then it snowed again, then that melted a bit, then that froze, and on and on until one day, prayers were heard and NO MORE SNOW was seen in Index.  Piles of snow that Maintenance Man Bill Cross created have finally melted.  It was a wondrous and joyful day when the last speck was gone.  At least there is LOTS of snow on the mountains!

Then, just like someone blew a whistle, the crocuses nosed out of their slumber, the robins returned with their distinctive trill, and those of us who were convinced that the sun would never shine ever again were treated to nearly 2 ½ weeks of glorious sunlight and wonderful brilliant sun – even though the temperature required coats and hats.  The ensuing rain reminded us that this was still Washington and not to be deceived by the prolonged presence of the sun.  Town residents were actually roaming the streets, conversing with neighbors, rekindling acquaintances, and exclaiming the virtues of getting Vitamin D directly from the source.  The pale and wan color of sun-deprived skin was noticed amongst us, and promises of getting outside more, doing more and enjoying life more exclaimed.  And then, of course, we woke one morning to another two inches of snow that mercifully lasted less than 24 hours.  So, cautiously and with much respect to the weather gods, we whisper the thought that maybe winter is over and onward to spring.

In the past few weeks since this last column was published, there have been some goings on in town.  Apologies for omitting some and/or including any:

David Meier lost his father, and according to David’s stories and the wonderful obituary written about him, his father was quite the man.   Such a varied and storied past; from meager beginnings, to vagabond, to cowboy, to soldier, to cabinet maker, and a wonderful husband and father.  Our condolences on your loss, David.

Kem and Etta Hunter had quite the vacation in Japan, walking around the islands and visiting the Buddhist temples.  What a trip!  Etta returned home in time to have some heart issues attended to, and then off to Maui for enjoy the sunshine there.  Glad to have you back, and living back in town.

Jan Blanchard is in need of our kind thoughts and healing energies as we wish her strength and happiness as she mends.

Congratulations are in order to Sean “Rib” Horst as his bluegrass band is putting out their first album, recorded right here in Index at Pat Sample’s Paradise Sound recording studio.  Local artist Pat Woods is contributing art work for the cover.  Rib has played for the Heybrook Ridge fundraiser in October and recently at Steven’s Pass Ski Area and in Skykomish.

Speaking of Heybrook Ridge, all the members and especially president Louise Lindgren received a much-need boost.  An anonymous $500,000 matching grant to purchase Heybrook Ridge was received.  So, we raise $500,000 and they match the $500,000.  That makes the $1.3 million goal a little more in the sights.  So, anyone and everyone, get out those check books and make a tax-deductible donation.  Further details can be found on heybrookridge.org.

The flu shots given in the winter did not touch the flu that went around this early spring. Several residents were knocked down hard by this.  Glad to see those afflicted are up and about.  The flu of 1918 and its possible resurgence today are on people’s minds.  Just like any other emergency, make sure your home is prepared with everything to see you through for about a week – water, food, medicine, etc.  Those resources will work during a flood, earthquake, train derailment, or whatever other natural or man-made disaster that can affect us here in our little berg.

Unfortunately, in our town, someone or some people thought it was ok to take what did not belong to them.  One car was stolen, two others were attempted to be taken, and a cell phone was stolen.  Judging by items that  could have been stolen and weren’t tells us that these crimes were committed by young adults, who can still be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.  If you see anything or anyone suspicious, please call 911.  This town does not tolerate these kinds of actions.

The presidential caucus is behind us, and there were several Index people at the democratic caucus held at Monroe High.  Thanks to everyone who participated in the caucus and voted in the primary election.  The presidential election is in November and already the mud and BS is being slung.  Get your boots on and sit back and enjoy the show.

Sue Cross has come up with a great idea and has already started the paperwork and other groundwork to get a community garden going on west Avenue A near 4^th street.  It’ll be great to see how that all comes together.  And thanks to Sue for getting the ball rolling.  You can contact her on the indexwa.org website if you want any more information.

Everyone else is planning their gardens, waiting for the last frost before setting out plants and seeds.  I am looking forward to growing my own zucchini instead of spending $1.29 a pound at the store.  I always say that the only time people lock their doors is during zucchini season.

The construction of the new carport at the fire station is coming along.  It will provide more covered area to house the fire equipment.  The fire equipment that YOU could be part of if you would like to sign up to be a volunteer.  Just see Ernie at the station or stop by on a Thursday night during drill to see what a positive contribution you could give to your community.

World traveler Makena Soper is at it again.  Just back from two weeks in Costa Rica, she is getting ready to teach English in France for three months.  Then perhaps off to Finland after that, and possibly Italy will be in the mix.  Such fun for her and we wish her the best as she prepares for this wonderful assignment and also as she studies for her masters degree.

I look out my window and see the young kids running around in this still-cold weather with nothing but t shirts on and no shoes, and I know that soon enough their little heads will be bobbing in the river as we adults can barely stick a toe in.  Pickett’s Beach will call and before you know it we will be draped against a sun-warmed rock after a brisk swim.

Ah, the days of summer.  They will be here soon enough.   But, enjoy these days of spring!

Leigh Christianson

All about Town Post Turkey

All About Town

Well, here I am in kind of a déjà vu . . . . writing again for the Eagle, though this time on-line. I had the chance, while cleaning out some of my clutter, to stumble upon some back issues of the Eagle. Wow. Lots stuff, mostly good, but what a great little newsletter we had, filled with some good information and some weird and wacky stuff too, that represented a lot of work from a dedicated staff. Hats off to previous editors Sandy Gordon, Karen Sample, and Chester Shaw who brought us to where we are today. And kudos to Ed Boress for resurrecting and transforming it again. Hopefully this On Line Eagle 2.0 will provide readers with the same amount of information, amusement and love for this small mountain town called Index.

So, where to begin. First of all, the Thanksgiving dinner is in its final stages of digestion, and curses to the person who made that gawd-awful pistachio pie. Index was blessed with an absolutely stunning day – bright sun, clear skies and freezing temperature. A little ice on the road but nothing to worry about. Out of town visitors were many, including past resident Julia Gibb visiting friends and son Alex who lives here in town. Some locals made sure that those without had some “with” on this holiday, and hopefully those good feelings will tide over to everyone throughout the year. Other locals decided to venture past the bridge to visit relatives, friends or just to spend some time alone before the season officially begins. I always figured it started at Halloween for those who love to plan ahead, but it usually begins the Friday after Thanksgiving – all that food stimulating the part of the brain labeled “Shop Now.” Plus the 10 pounds of ads in the local paper might have something to do with it.

And now the race is on for “Those That Have the Most Christmas Lights/Decorations Up the Soonest.” It is a subtle competition, no midnight tampering of light sets by envious neighbors, but I imagine the electrical transformers supplying power to the town tend to hum a little louder starting this weekend. I know my daughter has caught the fever, and was searching the cupboards and sheds for “just one more strand of light.” Then the worst happened, the directions on how many sets could be plugged in together were disregarded and the line up and around the house went dark. Oh, so unjust and cruel! So, we’ll begin again. Sometimes I think this is China’s curse to us, just one little loose light or one extra (or three) strings together and the entire workforce of America comes to a halt to fix it – or tromps to the store to buy another set (or five).

The big news that everyone should sit up and take notice of, is the Forest Service’s comment period for the Index Sportsmans Trapgrounds proposed re-opening. The Sportmans had operated the shooting range for years. They would have shooting on Sundays and (I think) Thursdays for years, shooting clay pigeons beneath the beauty of the Index Wall. For years the Sportsmen supported the town in various ways, most memorably using the facilities for the Index Haunted House, Spaghetti Feed and the Index Mud Fest. But the years of shooting led to the contamination of the soil and the site was closed down citing lead and other health and environmental issues. A lengthy and costly clean up was discussed but no real action has been taken. Now the Sportsmen are asking that the shooting range be re-opened effective somewhat immediately on a special permit for a one year period. Proposed shooting would be two days a week, Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm and Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Comments can be sent to Skykomish District Ranger Barbara Busse via email at bbusse@fs.fed.us , by phone at 360-677-2414 or to PO Box 305, Skykomish, WA 98288, and the deadline for those comments has been extended to December 6, 2007. So, whichever side of the fence you are on this issue, the important thing is to grumble (or exalt) to the proper people who can determine the outcome on this issue. Click on the thumbnail at the end of this article to view more information.
All eyes are on the weather to see when the Stevens Pass Ski Area will open. The Ski Area provides employment to many Index area residents, plus a little bit of fun to many more. So it is with crossed fingers that we wish for snow, enough for some awesome skiing but not enough to overwhelm Index maintenance man Bill Cross and his deft maneuvering of the town truck with its snow blade. What an awesome job he does keeping our streets clear of snow. That is one less excuse for not being able to get to work down below on a snowing day. And Assistant Fire Chief Ernie Walters is hoping to be able to use the district’s snowmobile here in town. Hmmn, yet another reason to join the fire department would be to “train” on the snowmobile . . . .

So, while the warm glow of turkey still is in my, um, heart, I wish to all readers the peace and calm of another joyous holiday season, however you choose to celebrate.

Leigh Christianson

Click on thumbnail below to read more about Index Sportsmans Trapgrounds proposed re-opening:

Copyright © Leigh Chritianson and indexwa.org.

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November 2007 All about Town

Many thanks to Ed B. who has taken on this project of resurrecting the “Index Eagle” on-line and making it happen. The Eagle has gone through many changes. I had been associated with it for many years when Karen Sample was the editor. Then it changed hands and morphed into something else and unfortunately died a slow death. Now in this new age of blogs it will be resurrected once again (the Index “Phoenix”?). I hope this column will inform and entertain. Please post any comments whether they be good or bad!

More to come later, just thought I’d see if anyone was out there listening (reading?) and hope to report on the Heybrook Hoedown, which was a resounding success for all involved. Take a look at Heybrookridge.org for more information on this.

Leigh