The meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club was called to order at 7:10 p.m. President McArthur led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard welcomed our evening’s guests, Dan and Teresa Masters, Bob Simmons of WSU Extension Mason County, Sue Texeira of Hood Canal Coordinating Council and Liza Rodrigues from the Forest Service Research Station. Liza briefly described a project she is working on to map all of the important places in Mason County, to be determined by community members input at workshops to be held over the next five years. The next workshop will be Wednesday, September 22 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hoodsport Fire Hall. All are welcome. Sue Texeira stated that she is our contact person for the Hood Canal Coordinating Council, so any concerns we have can be directed to her. She said that both the HCCC and WSU Extension would be working together on the new plan for improving water quality in Hood Canal (the topic of tonight’s presentation.)
Gordon Personius read his poem The Heron, based upon E.A. Poe’s The Raven, as it seemed appropriate to include before our program discussing water quality in the Hood Canal area. All appreciated Gordon’s great writing!
Bob Simmons then took the floor and showed a Power Point presentation on a new program being introduced and managed by five governing agencies called “A Vision For Hood Canal”. One of the goals of the new program is to incorporate the 187 different plans into one workable one over the course of the next few years. There was quite a bit of involved discussion as Bob’s presentation proceeded, and all seemed to appreciate hearing the news of how to improve water quality in the Hood Canal watershed area. We were invited to fill out survey forms with our ideas on what is important to us and why we like living here. Bob also discussed a program of water stewardship available to everyone in the area that involves signing a stewardship agreement with WSU Extension so that important steps like appropriately disposing of pet waste, how to fertilize near a water source, how to help control storm water runoff by building a rain garden, and other steps we can all take were discussed. Those enrolling in the Stewardship Program will receive a beautiful, free sun catcher to put in their window. Bob announced two upcoming free workshops available to us: September 23rd from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Shelton on Rain Gardens, (contact Emily at 427-9670 X 682 for details and to register), and on November 15th from 6 - 8 pm at PUD 3 in Shelton, Septic System Workshop (register at 427-9670 X 680). We thank Bob, Sue and Liza for meeting with our group and explaining these important projects!
The minutes from the May meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurer’s report from May was approved as presented.
Committee Reports:
Valerie Johnson reported that the Thrill The World event had practiced monthly over the summer, but that turnout was light, and without a lot of support from area groups, the idea for a fund-raising event has had to be discontinued. The UTA (Union Tourism Association) has taken over the project and plans to include it in their Pumpkin Fest Celebration during the two weeks in October, and also the date has been changed for the Thrill The World event back to October 23rd. Carol Fuller Hepburn of the Shelton Dance Center has taken over organizing the event, and plans to hold weekly rehearsals at 1221 E. Shelton Springs Road E in Shelton (address for the Shelton Dance Center). Please check the UTA website for more details on the upcoming event or for rehearsal dates.
Old Business:
President McArthur thanked Charles and Valerie Johnson for installing the westbound Dalby Waterwheel sign on S.R. 106 over the summer. Now we have signage going both ways on the highway, which should help people find the waterwheel easier. Thanks to all who helped with this project!
In Mike Jensen’s absence, Richard reported that he has no idea if the HCIC cabinet at the NCCU office has had doors installed on it or not. We’ll have to check with Mike when he is at another meeting.
Richard also reported that the 18’ cedar log that was donated to the club has been successfully placed in the landscaping at the Dalby Waterwheel site, looks great and continues to stand straight and tall. Thank you cards were sent to North Shore Towing (signed by club members at the May meeting), and to Mark Peake for coordinating the project. Secretary Johnson will send a thank you card to Dick Johnson for his most valuable part in placing the log.
New Business: There was no new business.
President McArthur thanked our evening’s hosts Bill and Becky Russell, who decorated the tables with beautiful natural sprays of foliage and mini chocolate candies. Thanks also to Gordon and Peg Barrett who lent a hand as well and to Richard McArthur and Jolene who always arrive early to set up chairs and tables and offer assistance to the hosts. Many thanks to all! Richard received the circulated meeting host list, and there were a couple of months “spoken for”, but we still need help for the October meeting. Thanks to those willing to host a meeting for this year.
For The Good of The Order:
Val Johnson mentioned a program that Mason County is promoting, to ask for community groups to help with area parks, including the Union City Park. Sue Texeira spoke a bit more about the program and said it was due to budget cuts that the County is looking for help with the parks.
Bob Simmons told the group he would leave fliers about the upcoming workshops for all to take.
Henry Biernacki has been attending UTA meetings as the HCIC representative and reported that plans are underway for the two-week Pumpkin Fest in October.
President McArthur announced that the New Community Church of Union will be hosting their 5th annual Salmon Bake, right here at the Union Fire Hall on September 18th, from noon to four pm. It is a fund-raiser to benefit the new construction planned at the Church property.
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Johnson, Secretary
