Community Newsletter
Serving Jefferson County Fire District #5 No. 3 - August 2008
Chief's
Corner / CERT /
Public Power Meeting /
Garden Club/
Bunco /Cemetary Board /
Regular Happenings
/ Printable Version
The
Chief's Corner
JCFD # 5
Chief’s Newsletter July 29, 2008
Greetings,
As most of you probably already know, former District Secretary Christi Nelson plead guilty to the theft charges against her and avoided a lengthy trial. Christi has been given three years in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
I want to express our appreciation to you for the attendance at the training sessions over the six plus months. Right around twenty last night and everyone was actively engaged. Training included water shuttle, drafting, pump and hose ops!
Both the new aid units are now in service. I want to thank George, Dick, Eric, Jay and most of all Steve Monroe for the time they put into making the transition happen. We put new shocks and a front-end alignment on the 1991 Ford along with all updated radios in both the units.
We want to welcome Cathy Gahler (Quilcene FD # 2) and Jared Marlow (Discovery Bay FD # 5) to our memberships. Jared has completed the physical and has already started attending training sessions. Cathy will be up and running soon and is looking forward to the EMT class.
Hopefully everyone got plenty to eat and had a good time at the July 5th picnic. For those of you that helped with the event, I want to say thank you! Willie for his world famous chicken (great job) and Moe for knowing how to burn the hot dogs to perfection! Veda for the games and prizes again this year. Cleanup did not take long with all the help! Once again thank you for attending and making it a special event.
The JEFFCOM infrastructure build out is moving forward. This project has been in the works for several years and will probably take a couple of more years to complete. Once done we will have six to seven communications towers with microwave links to and from JEFFCOM along with a simulcast system. This will enable radio transmissions to go out on all repeaters at one time.
Hose testing was completed this month. The project took two days with a total of approx 18,000 feet of hose between the two fire districts.
Both agencies had several more of the UHF Maynard radios installed this last month. The coverage is very good on this channel. Remember to wait for the beep before talking.
We are in the process of working out a contract for medic services with Port Ludlow Fire Rescue. At this time they are our main paramedic provider and will respond upon our request. If it sounds like a really bad call or that a medic will be needed, we will call for them on the way to the incident.
Brandi Field and Tom Betteley attended an Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention Class this month. Once they get their drive time and driving rodeo in they will be good to go on driving code.
The burn ban is still at a “MODERATE” level, which means recreational campfires are still OK in lined pits. Once the level is raised to “HIGH”, campfires will only be allowed within the parks until the State declares a no-burn time period has ended.
Once again we want to wish Jay Stickney the very best as he starts his new career with Mill Creek Fire!
Sincerely,
Bob Wilson
Fire Chief
Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 12, 3:00 pm
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Elizabeth Van Dyke
EMERGENCY HAM RADIO
EMERGENCY HAM RADIO
A member of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office passed his test to become a Ham Radio Operator. A sheriff’s patrol car now has a Ham Radio installed. The Sheriff’s Department has been very supportive of the ARES/RACES group. (Emergency Ham Radio)
On July 16-17, 2008, some members of the Jefferson County ARES/RACES group (Emergency Ham Radio) assisted in a Search and Rescue operation for a missing person in the mountainous Dosewallips area south of Seal Rock and North of Brinnon. Since it is such a steep mountainous area, no cell or satellite phones; and no law enforcement, fire or park service radios could communicate out of the search area. A Ham radio operator was assigned to the search area and that person relayed messages for all reporting agencies to the Net Controller at the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (JCDEM). The Net Controller handles all communications.
I had the privilege to be a Net Controller, which includes working 5 Ham Radio frequencies, two phones in the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management and a direct line to the JeffComm 911 Center to communicate everything from a request for more search and rescue dogs to commands for outside law enforcement agencies. Messages were shared among five counties, numerous fire and police jurisdictions, Search and Rescue groups and National and State Park Services.
The end result was good. After about a 30-hour around-the-clock search, the missing person was found alive by a Bloodhound and handler from Thurston County. Thanks go to the many agencies that took part in this operation. Bob Hamlin of the JCDEM has done solid work over the years to have the Department of Emergency Management set up and ready to be fully functional at a moment’s notice. In this case, it helped save a life.
This is a great example of how the ARES/RACES Emergency Ham Radio group can work with multiple agencies in a disaster, especially when other forms of communications are unavailable.
SKYWARN CLASS
There will be a weather spotter (SKYWARN) class held the evening of December 3, 2008 at the Port Townsend Fire Station. Class time will be 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The instructor will be Ted Buehner of the U. S. Weather Service. This is a good refresher for those who are already “Spotter” trained, and a fascinating look at Northwest weather for those who have not yet taken the class. There is no cost, and it is open to the public (pre-registration required).
Registration details will be announced by e-mail and posted on the web site www.jeffcoeoc.org when they become available. Additional information (what is SKYWARN?) can be found on the USWS web site at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/spotter01.php.
ADVANCED TRAINING CLASSES
THE FOLLOWING ADVANCED TRAINING CLASSES ARE FOR ANY CERT (COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM) GRADUATES THROUGH CLALLAM COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #3, MATT NEWELL
08/23 – Soft Tissue Injuries/Burn Management 09/27 – Search and Rescue Operations 10/25 – Musculoskeletal Injuries 11/22 – Medical Emergencies
ONGOING HAM RADIO MEETINGS AND NETS
Monthly Jefferson County ARES/RACES Monthly Jefferson County Amateur Radio Club Every Wednesday Formal Ham Net test with the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management Weekly Tuesday evening net
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Gardiner Garden Club – Cindy Paulson
It is that time of year again and the Gardiner Garden Club has resumed it's monthly meetings. The fun begins with a garden party at the home of Pat Gracz on August 14th and continues throughout the year with monthly meetings the second Thursday of every month at the Gardiner Community Center.
The Garden Club is a great way to get together with your neighbors, share gardening secrets, socialize and share a tasty potluck lunch.
The Garden Club has a wonderful history here in Gardiner.
Formally established Sept. 25th, 1953 by ladies such as Louise King, May Nebel, Florance Movuis, Marge Minty and many other notable pioneers here in Gardiner. It was this group of ladies that thankfully saved the 'old school house' from being torn down which is our much loved Gardiner Community Center to this day.
The group joined the State Federation of Garden Clubs which changed the focus of the club towards flower shows and fund raising. The membership read like a who's who of the ladies of that time. Names such as Blake, Bekkevar, Gunstone, Dent and Campbell.
The club left the State Federation in 1972 but still remains very focused on gardening.
The Gardiner Garden Club has gone through many changes over the years but today it remains very much as the ladies set it up to be. A group of local citizens coming together to better our community.
The following is a page out of the original handwritten journal from the February 20th 1953 meeting held at the home of Louise King.
Feb.20th 1953 Meeting at Louise Kings
The meeting was called to order at the home of Louise King, by pres. Edyth Messer, who lead in saying the Lords Prayer.
Twenty one members answered roll call with 9 guests and 11 children present.
Treasures report. $3.09 pd for coal-$10.34 cash on hand with $54.17 in the bank. Also, that 42 bottles of vanilla had been sold.
Mrs. Jorgensen gave her report on the clothes to be sent to Korea, also said that she would deliver all the clothes collected to the American Friends Service in Seattle for us.
Louise King gave a report on Mr. Carders' visit to her house on Thursday , about the school cottage. The idea of disposal was the first to come, and ask for it, got it. This was followed by a general discussion.
Our president appointed a committee consisting of Marge Lewis & Georgia Knapp to go to Port Townsend & look up the deed & abstract for the school property.
Another committee including Louise Movius, Marge Lewis, Florence Norton, May McGregor, & Georgia Knapp was appointed to meet with the school board and get a lease on the school house.
Florence Norton reported that Keiths had sold their truck, so it will not be available for our float. Ideas for the float were given. Mrs. Works suggested a stork float with a sign “ Gardiner on the Map” A general discussion followed on the float & flowers to be made.
May Nebel resigned as sec. Georgia Knapp was elected.
Next meeting is to be no hostess at the schoolhouse to repair clothes for Korea.
Jewel Warmer made a motion meeting to be adjourned.
Georgia Knapp,
sec.
And that was the way it was February 20th 1953.
A special Thank you to the history keepers, Bob and Joyce Minty and Nel Wilson without whom this walk back through time would not have been possible.
BUNCO Get-Together - by Pat Nebel
The late 1970s the Judy Warren family moved to Gardiner to build their log home. She brought with her the game of Bunco and the Bunco Group has been going since that time.
The first group included ladies from Port Angeles to Discovery Bay. Each of the twelve ladies is responsible for setting up the game and furnishing dessert once a year. A small donation each month paid for the prizes and after several years the money was given as the prizes.
At a later date a second group was started with some of the first group playing to complete the twelve ladies needed. (There have been several husbands step in when someone had to cancel at the last moment). Ladies have been known to plan their vacations, doctors visits, etc. so they didn't interfere with their Bunco day,
We still have several players that have been with the group for the last 30 years. Many of the new-to-the- neighborhood ladies have been asked to join the Bunco group and it is a good way to meet and get to know your neighbors.
I personally find meeting once a month with friends and neighbors a good way to stay in touch, enjoy visiting, good food and a little friendly competition.
Gardiner Cemetery Board
The Jefferson County Cemetery District #3 meets downstairs in the Gardiner Community Center on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30PM. It is an open business meeting and the public is welcome. Cemetery District #3 was formed in 2006, and operates the Gardiner Community Cemetery which is now into its 102nd year.
The Board members are Diane Martin, Jim Hueter and Bob Minty. They serve as volunteers, and take no wages. The goal is to continue providing cemetery plots free for the tax payers in the district and to maintain the pristine rural atmosphere of the setting. If you own and live on a tax parcel within the Jefferson County voting precincts 101, 102 and the Craig Road area of 103 you are eligible.
In January 2007, the Board took over for the Gardiner Rhododendron Grange which cared for the cemetery for 46 years. The cemetery was founded by Herbert Gardner in 1906 for his employees that met unfortunate accidents and soon became used for neighbors and other workers. Its was later set aside to protect the interests of the descendents of those resting there and to make a place of rest in perpetuity for future generations, and has been limited to those persons and their families who reside in the area known as the Gardiner community.
A minimal fee for a cemetery plot is charged for renters or leasers in the Gardiner district, unless they have a no-fee reservation on file from the Rhododendron Grange which will be honored.
The Board has restricted the right of interment for out of district residents except by approval of the Board subject to such conditions as may be established by the Board and with a commercial fee rate for interments and inurnments with no quarantine of location.
Community Center Newsletter
Gardiner Community Center
980 Old Gardiner Rd
Sequim, WA 98382
Regular Events
Exercise Class, Mon, Wed, 8:30-9:30 am
Yoga Class, Tues, Thurs, 9:00-10:30 am
Community Center Board, 1st Wed, 9:30 am
Jefferson Cty Cemetery Dist #3, 1st Wed, 7:30 pm
JCFD #5 Commissioners, 2nd Tues., 3:00 pm
Gardiner Garden Club, 2nd Thurs, 11 am - 3 pm
Community Center Board
President – Dennis Martin, Vice President – Bob McCauley,
Secretary – Suzanne Rehder, Treasurer – Linda Hanel, Member – George
DeBruyn, Member – Elizabeth Van Dyke, Member – Wendell Paulson
Editor’s Note – by Bob McCauley
Welcome to the Community Newsletter. The Newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Gardiner Community Center and is mailed to registered voter households of Jefferson County Fire District #5. Additional copies will be available at the Gardiner Community Center and Discovery Bay Store. It is intended to provide news and information concerning the Gardiner and Discovery Bay communities as well as Jefferson County Fire District #5.
- Articles will be timely in content (events occurring one month prior and one month after publication).
- Articles must be non-political and non-commercial, signed by author for publication.
- All articles and information will be approved by the Editor and the Gardiner Community Center Board.
- Length of articles is limited due to space.
- We welcome articles submitted by residents of JCFD #5.
- Deadline of two weeks prior to publication, to be set by Editor, for submission of articles. NO EXCEPTIONS
- Phone Editor, Bob McCauley, for further information at 797-2106, or by mail at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
Publication of any article does not represent an endorsement or recommendation of either the Gardiner Community Center or the Board of Directors. We accept no liability for the content of this newsletter, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. While we endeavor to ensure that the information is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Any views, opinions or information presented are solely those of the author.
Publication of any article does not represent an endorsement or recommendation of either the Gardiner Community Center or the Board of Directors. We accept no liability for the content of this newsletter, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. While we endeavor to ensure that the information is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Any views, opinions or information presented are solely those of the author