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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 2, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 2, 2012
 
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Shelton-Mason County Journal A PASSION for service Shelton resident stays busy as a volunteer By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masoncouny.com Betty Brinkman started life in a small farming com- munity near Bell- ingham, and grew up to be an idealis- tic high-school stu- dent, she said. "I was one of those kids who wanted ev- erything to be fair," she said. "I really get involved when I join something." Although the best efforts of adults and teachers at her high school got the mes- sage across that life, in fact, is not fair, Brinkman didn't give up. Today, she's still working to make her community a better place -- and a little more fair for everybody. Since retiring in 2000, Brinkman has filled her time with a wide variety of clubs and service organiza- tions. "The things that I'm in- volved in I'm very passion- ate about," she said. Soon after retiring, Brinkman joined the Shel- ton Kiwanis Club. She en- joys working on the group's annual pancake breakfast and serving baked potatoes and breakfast at Oyster- Fest. "I love it," she said. "It's a wonderful group of peo- ple. I've never worked with See Cooking on page B-5 Journal 10noto oy Natalie Johnson Shelton resident Betty Brinkman has a passion for serving her community and making it a better place. She participates in several clubs, including the Shelton Kiwanis Club and the Shelton Arts Commission. Garage sale seeks chair person Still cleaning, still clearing the driveway - what a storm that was. Everyone I've talked to has gone on about the sounds of tree limbs snap- ping and sounding like gun shots. It was dangerous out there. They call those falling limbs widow-makers for a reason. There are still some snags hanging up in the trees, so if you are working under one of those stressed trees, check overhead. I am reminding you of those break- .. .:.,,..,. By MIKE CALLAG ing trees because I'm continually asking you to buy similar trees - those flame red and sunset or- ange maples and planting them. I will continue to promote those planting. I have to say that one of my neighbors is doing just that and I'm excited about the coming years as I watch them mature and shine in all their fall glory - thanks Ron. We need a volunteer. The Indoor/ Outdoor Garage Sale, sponsored an- nually for the past five years by the Harstine Island Community Club, is without a chair person for this spring's event (March 31). This event is sponsored by the community club and is a resource for islanders and others to have access to garage sale 0ppbrtunities when it is not feasible to do it at one's home. It is a relatively simple set-up, requires a bit in promotion. The new volunteer chair person would not have to be a currently active club member. Some- one who has been a participant over these past few years would be an ideal candidate. Arlen Morris, stepping down as chair and initial organizer, is available to share startup assis- tance. No chair, no sale. Please call Jeff Roberge at 239-4720 to volunteer. Senior lunch has their menu out for February. On Feb. 8, they will be sei-v- ing meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, pickles and cup cakes. Then, on Feb. 22, they will have baked ham, scalloped potatoes, cole- slaw and cherry desserts. These cooks work hard for us here on the island and you need to give them big thanks when you're getting your meal. So, be there a little before noon. Remember, they need a small $3 donation. Every- one 50 and over is welcome. See Harstine on page B-2 Squaxin Island tribal dinner raises awareness for addiction Speakers call for more community involvement By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masoncounty.com At the entrances to the Squax- in Island's Tribal Center, signs proclaim the area drug- and alco- hol-free. The tribe reinforced that com- mitment with its Fifth Annual Squaxin Island Drug and Alcohol Awareness Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 29, which packed the Squax- in Island Gym with people eager to support the cause. "Last year we thought this was a big dinner - it's growing ev- ery year," said tribal member Ray Krise, who spoke during the dinner. Krise also spoke about the need to come together to defeat the problem of drug and alcohol ad- diction. "We are gathering and cele- brating our survival ... but we are also remembering where we come from," he said. "Our elders tell us Journal photo by Natalie Jonnson Gerald Apple, adviser for the Shelton High School SADD club, spoke at the Fifth Annual Squaxin Island Drug and Alcohol Awareness Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 29, about the dangers of texting and driving. we need each other today more than we did yesterday." The event, which drew more than 300 people last year, said creator Christine Semanko, is aimed to increase awareness of the negative effect that drugs and alcohol can have on individuals and families. Semanko, now a chemical de- pendency counselor for the Squax- in Island Tribe, once had her own struggles with addiction. "Fourteen years ago, my hus- band was killed by my brother in a drunk driving accident. My daughter was 20 days old when he died," she said. "When my husband died it catapulted me further and faster into my addic- tion." After going through her recov- ery process, Semanko created the dinner to allow other members of the Squaxin Tribe and the com- munity to share their stories and create awareness about the dead- ly problem of drug and alcohol ad- diction. "I started doing this when I started working through my grief," she said. "It's about trying to make a difference and prevent other families from going through what we did." The event, sponsored by Squaxin Island 1 Percent fund, Family Services Prevention and Wellness, Canoe Hosting 2012, Mason County Drug Abuse Pre- vention (MCDAP), Shoal Water Tribe and the Semanko family, provided free dinner, T-shirts and information on drug and alcohol abuse and prevention to all who attended. The event also hosted several speakers. Morgan Fawcett from One Heart Creations and Eric Munson with Heidi's Promise gave speech- es, and MCDAP hosted a candle- light vigil. The Shelton Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club also attended and brought a film they produced about texting and driving. Squaxin Island Elder John Krise addressed the attendees before the SADD club gave their presentation. He spoke about the communi- ty's need to get its youth more in- volved in constructive activities, and stressed parental involve- ment as a way to keep kids occu- pied and off drugs. "We need to get our people here on the reservation involved in ev- erything," he said. "That's all I think about - our younger gen- eration. If we're not careful we're going to lose them." Thursday, February 2, 2012 - Shelton-Mason County Journal- Page B-1