Editor’s Best Bet
Borst Park Christmas Light Show Brightens Holidays
An annual tradition will continue this year.
The fifth annual Fort Borst Park Christmas Light Drive Through will be open nightly through Dec. 25.
The park loop will be lined with bright and colorful Christmas displays sponsored by local people and businesses. It’s open from 5 to 9 p.m.
The cost is $3 per vehicle or $2 with a donation of canned food.
Saturday, Dec. 9
Tractor Parade Coming to Centralia for Eighth Year — Followed by Fireworks
The annual Lighted Tractor Parade will hit the streets of Centralia beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The parade, which courses through downtown Centralia, has become a favorite in Lewis County. It features dozens of floats and vehicles draped in Christmas lights.
This year, the event will be followed by a special addition — a fireworks show.
The city announced last month that for the first time, thanks to a donor, there will be a fireworks show at Tiger Stadium following the parade.
As part of the new Winterfest Celebration in Centralia, the city and the Centralia Downtown Association will host what they’re billing as the largest fireworks display ever offered in Lewis County.
“We’re excited to give the people of Centralia and all the visitors who come to town for the Lighted Tractor Parade and the Borst Park Christmas Light Show a fun new way to celebrate the holiday spirit,” said Centralia Mayor Lee Coumbs in a press release. “It’s hard to believe, but this fireworks display is going to be even bigger than our great Independence Day fireworks show. Come out to Centralia for a great time during our Winterfest Celebration and enjoy all the events including the fireworks show.”
The display will be located at the athletic fields behind Tiger Stadium starting at 8:30 p.m., according to the press release. Admission is free but donations are encouraged and will help fund the bronze statue of Centralia’s founder George Washington and his wife Mary Jane.
The 20-minute display by Wolverine West Fireworks includes 100 8-inch shells with a 100-salute finale. It was donated to the city by Karl Petree in memory of his close friend Mark Solkover.
For more information, contact the Centralia Downtown Association at centraliadowntownassociation@gmail.com.
Breakfast with Santa, 9-11:30 a.m., Adna Grange #417, 123 Dieckman Road, Adna, $6, pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit and drink, kids meal includes craft and visit with Santa
Santa Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, Fords Prairie Grange, 2640 Reynolds Ave., Centralia, $7 adults, $4 children ages 5-12, free for kids 4 and under, pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, coffee, tea
Visit Santa, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Yard Birds, photo, cookie, cider and ornament off the tree
Club Mom Children’s Clothing Bank and Exchange, 1-3 p.m., Centralia Christian Church, 1215 W. Main St., 360-736-7655
Karaoke, with Lou Morales, 7:30 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, 360-748-7241
Dress for Success, Reliable Enterprises, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., New Life Thrift Store, 1757 N. National Ave., Chehalis, 360-736-9558, ext. 149
Coach Train Excursions to Milburn, 1 and 3 p.m., Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1101 SW Sylvenus St., Chehalis, steamtrainride.com, 360-748-9593
Riverview Train Excursion to Ruth, 5 p.m., Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1101 SW Sylvenus St., Chehalis, steamtrainride.com, 360-748-9593
Steam Train Ride and Museum Visit, 11 a.m., 2:15 p.m., Mt. Rainier Railroad, Elbe, 888-STEAM-11
Open garden, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 4162 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
Open Mic Gospel of song, testimony or instrument, 5 p.m., Ethel/Silvercreek Grange, 1624 Hwy. 12, Ethel, 360-791-7467
Justice League, 9 p.m., Morton Roxy, $9 adults, $8 seniors and students
Lighted Tractor Parade, 6 p.m., downtown Centralia, tractors, antique trucks several military vehicles and more will be included in the parade
Libraries
Build & Play, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for children, create with LEGO bricks, straws, blocks and other interactive toys
Home Sweet Tiny Home, 1-2:30 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for adults, Andrea Fender will share about means to live tiny and essentials about starting your own tiny home
Tech Toys @ The Library, 1-4:30 p.m., Winlock Timberland Library, for all ages, robots, circuits and construction toys
Organizations
Prairie Steppers Square and Round Dance Club, 7-8 p.m. Plus, 8-10:30 p.m. Mainstream, potluck at break, Oakview Grange, Centralia, 360-736-5172 or 360-273-4884
Gluten Intolerance Group of Lewis County, 10 a.m., Providence Centralia Hospital chapel conference room, 509 230-6394, tg728792@centurylink.net, http://goo.gl/bWXTmr
Open Mic Gospel event, 5 p.m., Ethel/Silver Creek Grange, 1624 Hwy 12, Ethel, 360-791-7467
Support Groups
Alzheimer’s caregiver support group, 10:30 a.m-noon, Centralia First United Methodist Church, 506 S. Washington Ave., Centralia, 360-628-4980
Sunday, Dec. 10
Veterans Memorial Museum to Honor All WWII Veterans at Pearl Harbor Dinner
Honoring those who fought in World War II, the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis will host its 20th annual Pearl Harbor Survivor Dinner on Sunday.
The dinner begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, at the museum. Tickets are on sale now for $25 each, and space is limited to 150 people. The Napavine Jazz Band will perform big band classics from the era. Each World War II veteran in attendance will be individually honored at the dinner.
Museum Director Chip Duncan said no Pearl Harbor survivors are expected to be at the dinner, since the last known area survivor, William Furrer, died in September. However, the dinner is to honor all who served in World War II, Duncan added.
“This is a generation that is quickly going away,” Duncan said.
The dinner is an opportunity to meet and talk to veterans who served in the conflict, he said. The veterans grew up during the Great Depression and then, when the United States entered the war, they found themselves on the other side of the globe.
This year, Duncan will give the presentation because a local veteran who wanted to talk was not found, he said. He will talk about local veterans and his grandfather, who was a B-24 Liberator pilot in the China Burma India Theatre of the war from 1942-44.
“He has an unique story,” Duncan said.
He is also working on publishing a book about his grandfather’s service.
Learn more at www.veteransmuseum.org.
Zonta, Soroptimist Club Hold Annual Gift Wrapping Booth
The Centralia-Chehalis Zonta Club along with the Centralia-Chehalis Soroptimist Club will have their annual gift wrapping booth at the Centralia Outlets from Dec. 10 until Dec. 24.
The booth will be located between Kitchen Collection and Volcom. It will be open on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Christmas Eve, it will be open until 6 p.m.
Gift wrapping will be in exchange for a monetary donation to support the Zonta’s scholarship programs and community charities, as well as Soroptimist projects.
Gift wrapping services include ribbons, boxes, name tags, and fun holiday paper.
The Kiwanis Club will be on site as well, selling See’s candy.
Volunteer gift wrappers are always welcome. Those who would like to volunteer are asked to contact Corene Jones-Litteer, 360-262-3499 or cjoneslitteer@hotmail.com.
Zonta Club of Centralia Chehalis is a chapter of the Zonta International worldwide service organization empowering women through service and advocacy.
Bingo, doors open 5 p.m., bingo starts 6:30 p.m., Forest Grange, 3397 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
Community meal, 1-3 p.m., Rotary Riverside Park, Centralia, free, sponsored by Jesus Name Pentecostal Church, Chehalis, 360-623-9438
Coach Train Excursions to Milburn, 1 and 3 p.m., Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum, 1101 SW Sylvenus St., Chehalis, steamtrainride.com, 360-748-9593
Steam Train Ride and Museum Visit, 11 a.m., 2:15 p.m., Mt. Rainier Railroad, Elbe, 888-STEAM-11
Visit Santa, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Yard Birds, photo, cookie, cider and ornament off the tree
5th Annual Borst Park Christmas Light Drive Thru Display, 5-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. $3 per car or $2 with a can food donation.
Support Groups
GriefShare, a video seminar focusing on helping people who have lost a loved one, 12:30-2 p.m., Shoestring Valley Community Church, 104 Frase Road, Onalaska, 360-870-2782, http://svcchurch.com/griefshare/
Monday, Dec. 11
Game Night, Fords Prairie Grange, 2640 Reynolds Ave., Centralia, potluck dinner 6 p.m., 360-918-1356
Pinochle, 6 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, 360-748-7241
Justice League, 9 p.m., Morton Roxy, $8 adults, $7 seniors and students
5th Annual Borst Park Christmas Light Drive Thru Display, 5-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. $3 per car or $2 with a can food donation.
Public Agencies
Lewis County Commission, 10 a.m., BOCC board room, second floor, Lewis County Courthouse, agenda available at http://goo.gl/agwWM, 360-740-1120
Chehalis City Council, 5 p.m, City Hall council chamber, 350 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, agendas available at http://ci.chehalis.wa.us/meetings, 360-345-1042
Centralia Historic Preservation Commission, 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 118 W. Maple St., Centralia, 360-330-7695
Lewis County Board of Health, 1:30 p.m., BOCC Board Room, second floor, Lewis County Courthouse, agenda available at http://goo.gl/zKXB3, 360-740-1148
Centralia Parks Board, 5 p.m., Fort Borst Park Kitchen 2, 360-330-7662
Mossyrock Fire Department, fire commissioners, noon, main station, 137 E. Main St., Mossyrock, 360-983-3456
Grays Harbor Fire District 1, 7 p.m., Oakville Fire Hall, 360-273-6541
Lewis County Cemetery District 4, 6 p.m., Randle Fire Station annex, 360-494-4031
Napavine Planning Commission, 6 p.m., 407 Birch Ave. SW, Napavine, 360-262-3547, ext. 213
Organizations
Chehalis American Legion Post 22, general meeting, 4 p.m., 555 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, 360-740-7889
Lewis County Community Network, 3-5 p.m, second floor conference room, Lewis County Public Health & Social Services Building, 360 NW North St., Chehalis, 206-719-3226
Centralia Bridge Club, noon, Unity Church, 800 S. Pearl St., Centralia, 360-748-1753, hraj@localaccess.com
Centralia-Chehalis Emblem Club, 7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1732 S. Gold St., Centralia, 360-736-5439
Support Groups
Grandparents as Parents, 6-8 p.m., 420 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia, 360-736-9391, ext. 298 or 1-877-813-2828
Lewis County Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m., Providence Regional Cancer Clinic, 2015 Cooks Hill Road, 360-304-8472
Lewis County Breast Cancer Support Group, 5-7 p.m., Providence Regional Cancer System — Centralia, 2015 Cooks Hill Road, 360-304-8472
Support for mothers, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Bethel Church, for mothers with children pregnancy through 6 years old, sponsored by Chehalis MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), 360-520-3841 or 360-864-2168, email chehalismops@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/chehalismop
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Health and Hope Medical Outreach, free medical clinic, 5:30-8 p.m., Northwest Pediatrics, 1911 Cooks Hill Road, Centralia, for those whose income is less than 200 percent of the poverty level, 360-623-1485
Greater Lewis County Community Farmers Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Boistfort Street, Chehalis
Toastmasters 1290 Club Meeting, gain confidence through public speaking and leadership development, noon-1 p.m., Hanson Building board room, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd., 360-820-2771
Rocky Mountain Christmas with Ted Vigil, John Denver Tribute Artist, 6:30 p.m., Woodland Village, 2100 SW Woodland Circle, Chehalis, no cost, donations to Senior Centers of Lewis County appreciated, beverages and hors d’oeuvres served
5th Annual Borst Park Christmas Light Drive Thru Display, 5-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. $3 per car or $2 with a can food donation.
Public Agencies
Centralia City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, 118 W. Maple St., Centralia, 360-330-7670
Lewis County Planning Commission, 6 p.m., Lewis County Courthouse, 360-740-1284, http://goo.gl/1a1Zb
Lewis County PUD Commission, 10 a.m., PUD auditorium, 345 NW Pacific Ave., Chehalis, 360-748-9261 or 1-800-562-5612
Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee meeting, 12 p.m. Public Service Building, 2025 NE Kresky, Ave., Chehalis
Libraries
Preschool Storytime and Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for children 3-6, stories, rhymes, songs and movement games, including unstructured play
Teen Writing Group, 5-6 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for teens, share writing, get feedback, and be inspired, refreshments provided
LEGO Bricks, 4-6 p.m., Winlock Timberland Library, for all ages, play with LEGO robots, Mindstorm EV3 robots and let your imagination go
Organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2200, 7 p.m., American Legion Hall, 111½ W. Main, Centralia, 360-736-6852
Rainy Daze Quilt Guild, 7 p.m., Twin Cities Senior Center, 2545 N. National Ave., Chehalis, social time beforehand at 6:30 p.m
Two Town Tuners, 7 p.m., Lewis and Clark Hotel, 117 W. Magnolia St., Centralia, tuners.groupanizer.com
Breastfeeding Coalition of Lewis County, noon-1:30 p.m., second floor, Lewis County Public Health & Social Services, 360 NW North St., Chehalis, 360-740-1234
Mount St. Helens Patchwork Quilters, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lewis County Historical Museum, 599 NW Front St., Chehalis, 360-880-5134
Cougar Squares dance club of Toledo fall square dance lesson, Salkum Fire Hall, 7 p.m.
Cribbage Class, 6:30 p.m., Moose Lodge, 1400 Grand Avenue, Centralia, WA., free 1-509-782-9059
4th Annual Legislative/Governmental Forum, 3:30-5 p.m., Cascade Mental Health Clinic, 1428 Reynolds Ave., Centralia, Community Room, 360-330-9977, wilkess@cascadementalhealth.org
Support Groups
Survivors of sexual assault/abuse, 5:30-7 p.m., 125 NW Chehalis Ave., Chehalis, sponsored by Human Response Network, 360-748-6601
Al Anon, Fellowship in Unity, 6-7 p.m., Unity Center, 800 S. Pearl St., Centralia, 360-237-4082, 360-269-2531
Second Chance/Lewis County Brain Injury Support Group, 5 p.m., call 360-864-4341 or 360-983-3166 for meeting location
East County Support Group, NAMI Lewis County, for those affected by mental illness, 10-11 a.m., Salkum Timberland Library community room, 208-476-8070
Grateful Girlfriends, support group for women experiencing cancer, 7-8:30 p.m., Centralia Nazarene Church, 1119 W. First St., 360-748-9508 or lcdrmeyers@reachone.com
GriefShare, a recovery group for those who have lost a loved one, 10 a.m.-noon, Faith Baptist Church, 436 Coal Creek Road, Chehalis, $20 for workbook, 360-264-4482, 360-785-3635, or www.griefshare.org
East County Support Group, NAMI Lewis County, for those affected by mental illness, 10-11 a.m., Salkum Timberland Library community room, 208-476-8070
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Bingo, doors open 5 p.m., bingo starts 6:30 p.m., Forest Grange, 3397 Jackson Highway, Chehalis
Young Professionals Lewis County Networking Social, 5-8 p.m., Riverside Golf Club Roof Top Bar, Chehalis, 206-293-6126
Mental Health Matters, 6-7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 10000 U.S. Highway 12, Rochester, 360-273-9884
Burger Nite, Chehalis Eagles, 5-7 p.m., 1993 S. Market Blvd., $2, Chehalis, 360-748-7241
5th Annual Borst Park Christmas Light Drive Thru Display, 5-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 25. $3 per car or $2 with a can food donation.
Public Agencies
Riverside Fire Authority Board of Commissioners, 7:30 p.m., Headquarters Station, 1818 Harrison Ave., Centralia, 360-736-3975 or sslorey@riversidefire.net
Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District meeting, 2 p.m., Board of COunty Commissioners Hearing Room, 2nd floor, Lewis County Historical Courthouse, 351 NW North St., Chehalis
Cowlitz River Basin Flood Control Zone District meeting, 2 p.m., Board of COunty Commissioners Hearing Room, 2nd floor, Lewis County Historical Courthouse, 351 NW North St., Chehalis
Libraries
Toddler Time and Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for children age 2, music, movement, unstructured play and books for toddlers and caregivers
Operating a Successful Home-Based Business, 1-3 p.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for adults, workshop addresses questions about home-based business’s
Preschool Storytime, Packwood Timberland Library, 11:30 a.m.-noon, for children ages 1-6, stories, rhymes, songs and movement games
Book Babies, 10-11 a.m., Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, for ages birth-24 months, short stories, rhymes and knee bounces and play
Organizations
Friendly Neighbors Garden Club, 11 a.m., call for meeting locations, 360-748-6189
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 10:15 a.m., Assembly of God church, 702 SE First St., Winlock
Cowlitz Prairie Grange, potluck dinner 6:30 p.m., meeting 7:30 p.m., 360-864-2023
Seniors’ Bible study, 2 p.m., Calvary Assembly of God, Centralia, 360-736-6769 or 360-324-9050
Zonta Club of Centralia-Chehalis, noon, Elks Lodge, 1732 S. Gold St., Centralia, 360-330-0564
Good Sam RV Chapter, 10 a.m., Taste of Alaska restaurant, Napavine, 360-785-4139
Elks Lodge 2435 regular meeting, dinner 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m. 216 S. Tower, Centralia, 360-669-0158
Support Groups
Domestic violence support group, 5:30-7 p.m., 125 NW Chehalis Ave., Chehalis, sponsored by Human Response Network, 360-748-6601
Emotions Anonymous, 12 Step Club, 8 p.m., Yard Birds, 360-304-9334
Bereavement support, 10-11 a.m., Morton General Hospital conference room, 360-496-3591 or 360-807-7775
