Community Calendar: Pearl Harbor Dinner at Veterans Museum; Lighted Tractor Parade

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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,” Dun 

        can 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. 

“When you finally get to hear some of the veterans’ stories you get an image of how life was back then,” Duncan said. “That is something you won’t get out of the history books.”

Some of the stories may not come from combat.

For example, Margie Lantz, Furrer’s daughter, told The Chronicle in September about one of her father’s favorite war stories from his time in the Navy. 

While Furrer was stationed on Funafuti, a tiny atoll about 3,000 miles east of Australia, the Japanese conducted an air raid right after the garrison had received a new supply shipment. 

The fresh shipment of potatoes the explosions hit was scattered throughout the airfield, Lantz said.

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.

Thursday, Dec. 7

Pinochle, 6 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, 360-748-7241

 

Libraries

Book Babies and Playgroup, 10:30- 11:30 a.m., Centralia Timberland Library, for children birth - 24 months, books, bounces, music and play for babies and their participating caregivers. Includes unstructured playtime.

Family Storytime, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Mountain View Timberland LIbrary, Randle, for all ages, music, movement, books and crafts

PageTurners, Book Discussion, noon-1:30 p.m., Vernetta Smith Timberland Library, for adults, discuss “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren

 

Organizations

Chehalis-Centralia Cribbage Club, 6:30 p.m., Chehalis Moose Lodge, 1400 Grand Ave., Centralia, 360-485-2852

S.T.O.P. and Swim, 7 p.m., Fort Borst Park, Kitchen 1, Centralia, 360-269-3827 or 360-736-4163

Cougar Squares dance club of Toledo fall square dance lesson, Napavine Elementary School, 7 p.m. 

Junior PageTurners, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Winlock Timberland Library, for grades 1-3, chat about the current book, enjoy snacks and a craft or activity

 

Support Groups

Connections, NAMI Lewis County, recovery support group for adults with mental illness, 2-3:30 p.m., Mary Room, Centralia United Methodist Church, 506 S. Washington Ave., 253-468-7435

GriefShare, a recovery group for those who have lost a loved one, 7-8:30 p.m., Mountain View Baptist Church, 1201 Belmont Ave., Centralia, $10, 360-827-2172

 

Friday, Dec. 8

Evergreen Playhouse Presents ‘Children of Eden’

“Children of Eden” is a story about family.

And the Evergreen Playhouse’s version, which opened Friday, is about families in more ways than one.

The show’s cast of 32, which ranges in age from 5 to 70, has husbands acting with their wives and mothers and fathers acting with their children. Several family units, including one three generations strong, are working together in this production.

Written by Stephen Schwartz and John Caird, the story of “Children of Eden” is based on the first nine chapters of the book of Genesis in the Bible. The story begins with Father (Mckenzie Sullivan) creating the world and introducing it to Adam (portrayed by Michael Green) and Eve (portrayed by Lucy Page) and the subsequent generations of their family and their interactions with one another.

When: Dec. 1-17, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Special artists benefit pay-what-you-can performance 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7

Cost: $15 adults, $12 students/seniors. Advanced ticket purchase recommended to reserve preferred seating

More information: www.theevergreenplayhouse.com

 

Oregon Trail music and dancing, open mic with Side Kicks Band, 7 p.m., Cowlitz Prairie Grange, 360-864-2023

Pinochle tournament, 1 p.m., Twin Cities Senior Center

Harvey Nelson and Swing Stuff Band, country/western, 7-9:30 p.m., Twin Cities Senior Center, $6, 360-350-2423

Karaoke, with Jimmy Abbott, 7:30 p.m., Chehalis Eagles, 1993 S. Market Blvd. Chehalis, 360-748-7241

Justice League, 9 p.m., Morton Roxy, $9 adults, $8 seniors and students

 

Libraries

Family Storytime, 10-10:45 a.m., Salkum Timberland Library, for all ages 6 and under, stories, rhymes, songs, movement games

Preschool Playtime, 10-11 a.m., Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, for children ages 3-6, stories, songs, activities for preschoolers and caregiver

Organizations

Skookumchuck I.O.O.F. Lodge 129, 7:30 p.m., Bucoda Odd Fellows Community Center, 101 E. Seventh St., second floor, Bucoda, 360-736-6717

Lewis County Writers Guild, 5 p.m., Station Coffee Bar & Bistro, Centralia, http://lewiscountywriters.wordpress.com/

Veterans Hospital Bingo Fundraiser, 7 p.m., Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron Ave., Winlock, $5 per card, all welcome, 6 p.m. American Legion Post 101 Annual Community Potluck Christmas dinner held beforehand, 360-785-0929

 

Support Groups

H.O.P.E., all addictions, 7:30-9 p.m., Heritage Baptist Church of Tenino, 1315 Sussex Ave. E., Tenino, 360-480-0592, hopedirector@hotmail.com

Celebrate Recovery, dinner 6 p.m., large group 7 p.m., small groups 8 p.m., Grace Foursquare Church, 3030 Borst Ave., Centralia, 360-736-0778, www.gracefoursquarechurch.com

Friday Night Live, Narcotics Anonymous, 7-9 p.m., Dayspring Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 2088 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, 360-508-6495

 

 

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

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 Hw. 12, Ethel, 360-791-7467

Justice League, 9 p.m., Morton Roxy, $9 adults, $8 seniors and students

Visit Santa, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Yard Birds, photo, cookie, cider and ornament off the tree

 

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

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

 

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

 

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