Now We are One – Adopt-a-Highway

Say hello to our new adopted highway. As part of our community outreach, FFOFC has accepted the commitment to maintain the trash pickup on Van Giesen Street between the Richland Bypass and West Richland. The first trash day will be on Thursday July 22nd, starting at 8:30 in the morning. We will meet at the parking lot of the Brick House Pizza in West Richland to organize. Upon completion we will return to the Brick House for pizza to be provided by the Club. The State will provide trash bags, tools and rules. Dress for hot weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring a pair of gloves. I hope you can join in on this effort. This is a good way to get some exercise and do something for the community. Please contact Dave Harris at 375-4237 or at pkh.pat@verizon.net so that we can know how many to expect.

Badger Mountain Walk – Beccy Chiaramonte

Eleven early morning walkers met the heat with gusto: Gretchen Makinson, Carol Kerkow, Sue Crosser, Sharon Grant, Diana Stevens, Dyane Sheide, Ron Filkowski, Charles Rogers, Margaret McCulloch, and Beccy Chiaramonte. We met Leigh Williams on the ascent.

Happy Hour – Margery Runyon

The Barrel House was a new venue for the monthly get-together. Twenty three persons enjoyed hors de oeuvres, beverages, good company, and a moment of silence for Zoe. If you have not joined in on one of these events, come on out and give it a try. It’s a great time to meet the friendly and interesting people in our club, discuss our exploits and plan new ones. Guests are always welcome.

Happy Hour – A Different Way to Beat the Heat [mp]

Deep Lake Paddle – Dave Harris

Deep Lake is a narrow finger amid high basalt walls. The kayaks floated in the deep blue water next to cliffs several hundred feet high. There were no other boats, just us, the birds and the vegetation clinging to niches in the basalt walls. What a great way to spend a day. On the way home, Tania took us to a Russian store in Soap Lake for authentic bread, chocolate, drinks, deli and foodstuffs. The kayakers were Pat and Dave Harris, Pam Woodward, Barb LaPrath, Jaynee Levy, Tatiana Ignatova, and Margie Runyon.

How can a person not enjoy this? [dh]

--- About Us --

--- A Letter from John Roberts

I want to express my deepest heartfelt thanks to all the FFOFC members who had us in their thoughts and prayers during Zoe’s illness, and who showed their caring and generosity in various ways:

- by welcoming us at the airport when we returned from Maine a year ago as if we were coming home from the war in Iraq;

- by giving us many useful supplies at the “pound party”;

- by frequently dropping by our home to visit and show their support and lend Zoe their strength as she became weaker;

- by bringing lovely flower arrangements to brighten our days;

- by making and delivering lots of delicious food to sustain us;

- and in the end by sending us sympathy cards. The sympathy cards express just how fond people were of Zoe, and how appreciative of her unique character, and how dearly she will be remembered.

Thanks to the following people for bringing food most recently: Maryanne & Rudy Allemann, Eva & Clarence Corriveau, Marianne Feller, Sharon Grant & Steve Ghan, Ilene & Don Hogaboam, June & Dick Jaquish, Susan & HC Kayser, Carol & Rick Kerkow, Margaret McCulloch, Leslie O’Neil & Dennis Trimble, Wilma & Tom Page, Gwen Rawlings, Margery Runyon. My apologies to anyone I have forgotten.

Particular thanks to Dyane Sheide & Ron Filkowski – especially Dyane - for organizing, directing, and participating in many of the above-named activities and for being such good and faithful friends.

I will bring all the food and flower containers that people brought us to the “Celebration of Zoe’s Life” memorial service on July 30 – details of the event to be published later. If anyone needs their container sooner, please call or come by and I’ll be glad to get it back to you. – John Roberts

--- Rudy Allemann, our flyboy without engine, soared from the Richland Airport to the Omak region and returned home. This is 300 miles in straight line distance but many more miles when finding areas of uplift, vertical climbing and descending.

--- The unidentified flower is a Fairy-slipper, Calypso bulbosa. This plant, found at high altitudes in humus soil, was named after Calypso, who waylaid Odysseus. No wonder it caught our attention!

--- The next two features waylaid our kayakers at Deep Lake, the first is the “Grotto of the Ice Age”, notice the reflecting pattern on the ceiling. The second is?

Jaynee Levy at the grotto [dh]

[jl]

Upcoming Events – Check the Website Calendar for the Details

July 12th – Bike Ride on the Historic Streets of Walla Walla – Contact Dave Harris

July 13th – Walk up Badger Mountain – Dalles Road Access, show up at 7:30 am

July 13th – FFOFC Board Meeting at the Richland Library, 6:30 pm –

Members may attend if they wish

July 13th – Last day to reserve tickets for the Walla Walla Amphitheater outing.

Contact Margery Runyon

July 14th – Hike the Cash Prairie Trail – Contact Mary Cooke

July 15th – Paddle in the evening to Anthony’s – Leaves at 7pm, Contact Don Hogaboam

July 16th – Dinner and a musical at the Walla Walla Amphitheater

July 17th – Bocce Ball social at Kerkow’s house – Contact Carol Kerkow

July 19th – Start of the multi-day outing at Pearrygin Lake – Contact Dick Jaquish

Please share this update with persons who might enjoy participating in any of the activities we offer. New members bring new ideas, new places to go, and interesting fellow travelers.