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| August 11, 2011 Shelton Mason County Journal |  |
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Health
P
By NATALIE JOHNSON
The Mason County Department of
Health announced the formation of
a community task force to determine
whether the county should adopt a
one-tenth of one percent mental health
sales tax.
The tax would fund mental health
programs in the county.
The group plans to meet with the
public on two occasions, at the end of
August and September.
The first open house will take place
from 6 to 8 p.m. August 18 at the Bel-
fair Community Baptist Church.
The second open house will also be
from 6 to 8 p.m. on September 8 at the
Mason County Public Works Building.
The task force includes citizens
from throughout the county, including
Commissioner Jerry Lingle, Douglas
Sayan, Shawnie Whelan, Tom Davis,
Jeannie Gruber, Tom Haugen, Kim
Klint, Debra Nielsen, Laura Porter
and Patti Sells.
At Tuesday's county commission
meeting, Commissioner Tim Sheldon
expressed concern that there were
no representatives from the county's
business community in the task force.
Vicki Kirkpatrick, director of Mason
County Public Health said that she
had contacted both the North Mason
and Shelton Chambers of Commerce
for volunteers.
"We will have somebody there to
represent businesses if we have to
drag them in," she said.
ntations approach
Journal photo by Natalie Johnson
Commissioner Jerry Lingle will serve as part of a task force to
determine if the county should adopt a one-tenth of one percent
sales tax increase to fund mental health programs.
Journal pholos.by Natalie Johnson
The Pickering Community Club held its annual rummage and bake sale to raise funds to support
historical preservation of the Grant School. The club raised $1,300 Saturday.
/
iscoming
we need to make room!
Plus bargain tables starting at 30% off
Selected clearance items in our big outdoor tents. Shop
early for fhe best selection. All sales are final No
refunds, no returns, no warranties. All merchandise as.is.
By NATALIE JOHNSON
Since 1942, the Pickering Community Club has cared
for and maintained the historic Grant School, located on
Community Club Drive, off Pickering Road.
Last weekend, the community club hosted a rummage
sale to raise funds for the historic building.
"Really, it's in our hands to take care of this school," said
Club President Connie Hawes.
Built in 1914, the one-room schoolhouse operated un-
til 1942, when there were only three students left attend-
ing the small school, which once provided space for grades
one through eight. The school closed for lack of demand
because many local students were now able to commute to
the then-brand new Oakland Bay Elementary School.
When the school closed, the Pickering Homemaker's
Club, which later became the Pickering Community Club,
bought it for $10. The sale was completed with the stipula-
tion that the club would maintain ownership of the school.
Over the years, Hawes said, the club has managed to
keep the school looking very much like it did in 1942. The
club has painted, refurbished and added a bathroom and a
modern kitchen, but has kept the school feeling like a step
back in time.
"That's the thing, the first time I walked in here,"
Hawes said. "When you first walk in you either love it or
you don't."
While the school originally only had one large room, a
kitchen and a cloakroom, at some point in the 1930s a sep-
arate gymnasium was rolled on logs from another part of
the property and attached to the school.
The school still has all of its original windows, floors and
schoolbell, Hawes said.
Last year, as a testament to all the work the club had
done to preserve the school over the past 70 years, Mason
County added the school to its historic register.
Pickering Community Club members regularly come to-
~'i~=~.~ ~:- ~ ~ , " ;
~:~.,. ~ :,~ ~-tO rai~ money for the school, Hawes said. Some of
them even have personal ties to the Grant School.
Pickering Community Club President Connie
Hawes said the club has been taking care of the
historic Grant School since 1942.
"We still have alumni that went to school here," she said.
Marty Harrell said her family has ties to the school.
Both her husband and brother-in-law attended the school
and are in many of the club's historical photos of the school.
Fundraisers such as the rummage and bake sale on
Saturday, which earned $1,300 for the club, have funded
many projects over the years, including the replacement of
the school's bell tower in 2007 and foundation repairs last
year, Hawes said.
Next, they plan to restore historic maps at the school.
"We've gotten a grant from the historic preservation
committee to clean and repair these historic maps we
have," Hawes said.
Along with funds, community club members are also
looking for new, young members to carry on the tradition
of working on the school.
"I think it's important to keep it up," Hawes said. "We're
always looking for younger members who feel the same
way about it as we do."
ASSORTED
OUTDOOR
LAWN
FURNITURE
Just,/ASk R e N TA L
Monday-Saturday 8:00-6:30
Sunday 9-5
First & Mill. Shelton
426-4373 or 426-241
All prices plus tax * Urnited to stock on hand •
Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, August 11,2011 - Page A-5