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The holidays are a busy time. Meals for families, parties for
friends and activities to celebrate the season keep us all
busy.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> With all the hustle and bustle of this weekend (we’ve compiled a complete list in today’s paper), there are two extra events worthy of your time, energy and support.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The first, on Friday night, is the re-opening of the Lewis County Historical Museum.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It’s been a month since The Chronicle broke the news that the executive board of the Lewis County Historical Society had quietly and completely spent nearly $500,000 in endowment funds.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The outcry was immediate. The general membership of the museum voted in an entirely new slate of officers. The museum was shut down for a police investigation.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Fortunately, the new leaders of the museum have devoted themselves to transparency and to a new start for the museum. They are working to rebuild trust and, eventually, the endowment that was intended as a nest egg to sustain the museum for the long term.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This Friday the museum will re-open with a huge gathering of local authors. They will sign their books, which range from histories of local towns to tales of the Cowlitz Tribe. Chronicle Former Chronicle Executive Editor Michael Wagar will on hand to sign copies of “The Flood of 2007.” A full list of the authors ran in Tuesday’s Chronicle.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This is a tremendous event and a chance to lend support to an institution that, under solid new leadership, deserves our support.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Walk-N-Knock Volunteer Leaving After 25 Years "font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The biggest food drive outreach of the year takes place Saturday as volunteers go door-to-door seeking donations. Walk-N-Knock is a crucial way of refilling the pantries of food banks throughout the area.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Brian Panush, whose now lives in Olympia but whose family has deep roots in the Boistfort area, created and has led the Walk-N-Knock effort for the past quarter century.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> After 25 years of tireless and remarkably effective work, Panush has announced that this will be his last year.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In honor of his work, and because the need is so great, we encourage everyone to set out a bag of food this Saturday by 10 a.m.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The paper bags included in Tuesday’s Chronicle have a list of the most-needed items. If you need information, call 1-800-500-6056.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This worthwhile program needs a new leader. While Panush leaves big shoes to fill, we know this community has many people who can step up.
"font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Don’t let this program falter. It is crucial, and it is time for new leaders to join the effort.
