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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
December 22, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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December 22, 2011
 
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Shelton-Mason County Journal By NATALIE JOHNSON Every year for the past decade, Shelton's Teddy Bear Brigade, led by Patti Kempton, has collected stuffed animals, toys and more to donate to the 40 et 8's Christmas baskets. But this year, Kempton had help from a set of Christmas elves at CHOICE High School. "This was the biggest blessing I've had in years," Kempton said. In fact, 15 students at CHOICE have helped stuff 100 stockings full "This was the 8) onDec. 23. Robbins started collecting the toys in October to fulfill the requirements biggest blessing of her senior project. i've had in years." some,"'It feltshe said.really cool, it was awe- CHOICE teacher Carri Fennel said the Students worked in an as- of toys, candy and, of course, Teddy sembly line to get the work done in bears, to go into the 40 et 8's Christ- time. mas baskets on Dec. 23. The Teddy Bear Brigade also do- CHOICE senior Varonica Rob- nates stuffed animals year-round bins did much of the work collecting, to organizations such as Medic One cleaning and preparing the bears for and the Shelton Police Department, transport with Santa (and the 40 et Kempton said. Journal photo by Natalie Johnson CHOICE High School students Becca Johnson, left, Beryl Kadoun, Varonica Robbins and Bryce Westermann are four of the 15 CHOICE students that helped collect stuffed animals for Shelton's Teddy Bear Brigade this year. HARSTINEISLANDNEWSTM WHATSCOOKIN' Mary Anne Munson was awarded the Flame Award by the Mason General Hospital Foundation at Fantasy Forest last month for her service to the hospital. Journal photos by Natalie Johnson By NATALIE JOHNSON Mary Anne Munson spends more time volunteering than many people spend work- ing. Between working at Treasures Book Store, the Mason General Hospital gi~ shop and at- tending Hospital Foundation board and com- mittee meetings, the 75-year-old Munson spends a full five days a week volunteering her time for Mason General Hospital. The foundation gave Munson the annual Flame Award at the 2011 Fantasy Forest Gala dinner last month to recognize her for her considerable service to the hospital. "I was really, really honoredi., very sur- prised," she said. "I think this is a wonderful award." The Mason General Hospital Founda- tion Board selects the recipient of the Flame Award each year, Munson said, and as a board member, Munson usually helps select the winner. This year, the board voted to give Munson the award while she was out of town on va- cation. Munson said her fellow board mem- bers worked up a cover story so she wouldn't know she would receive the award. "They played a trick on me," she said. Munson started volunteering with the Mason General Hospital Auxiliary at the hospital's gig shop in 1992, shortly after she moved from California to Shelten. "I found it hard to adjust from California to small-town living," she said. However, not long after moving to Shel- ton, Munson made a friend who was then involved with the hospital, foundation, and has volunteered for the hospital ever since. In fact, working in a hospital is nothing new to Munson. When she was young, she worked as a lab tech in a hospital. Now, rather than be bored in her:retirem6nt, Munson spends as much time as she can volunteering for Mason General. Munson also spends time working with "It fills a need to feel like you're doing other parishioners at St. Edward's Catholic something," she said. "It makes you feel Church making Christmas cards for elderly good about yourself." people living at Alpine Way, Fir Lane, Ma- Munson said she doesn't volunteer to get ple Glen and other assisted living and nurs- recognition or to win awards -- she has sim- ing home facilities. ply come to like the feeling of giving back to "It, s all the little things that you do that her community, add up," she said. Munson particularly likes working at the While her volunteer work is tiring and hospital's gift shop. time-consuming, at the end of the day Mun- "Everything out of this gift shop goes to son goes home and is satisfied that she has scholarships," she said. not only done a good job, but she has helped Since last year the hospital has been in someone along the way. the midst of a major remodeling process that "I don't ever go home and say ... why am will increase the size of the Emergency De- I doing this?" she said. "I wouldn't do it if I partment, add a surgical wing and remodel didn't have fun." every patient room in the hospital.While suddenly picking up and moving All of this work has forced the gift shop to from California to Shelton was a decision temporarily relocate to the basement of the that she described as "offbeat," Munson nev- hospital, er regrets coming to Shelton. Munson said she can't wait until the proj- '~rhe people in this community are won- ect is done and the gift shop can move back derful - they really support the hospital," upstairs to a much larger location,she said. %Ve're looking for some people who "It's been interesting moving down to the would like to join us- there's so many things basement," she said. you can do as a volunteer." Thursday, December 22, Holiday gatherings on the horizon Well, I hope by the time you are reading this you have all your Christmas shopping done. It is kind of neat to see the island busy with the Christmas tree business. I like to imagine families driving across the bridge to find a tree to take home. And that tree becomes the cen- ter of attention for the next month, as joy and blessings are passed from one to another. When you turn left at the bridge you will see that the Bridge Com- munity Church has put in a couple new street lights. They sure make the driveway look very inviting. I ~ think one of the reasons for those new lights is to lead you to their Christmas Eve service. This will be their fourth annual Christmas Eve service. It is so nice to have an event like this on the island. Last year Judy and I took all the family we had visiting and went to the service and it was very nice. It will start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24 at 500 E. North Island Drive. There will be lots of singing and the Christmas story is read in a very compelling way. Re- freshments will be served at the end and that gives all a chance to share their Christmas spirit. Space is usu- ally limited because this event does draw a crowd, I'm sure you can call Rev. Spears with any questions. Last year the MIKE island didn't have CALLAGHAN a big Christmas dinner. But Bar- bara LaJune and her band of elves are going to make sure there will be a dinner on the island this year. So, if you feel like joining in on Christmas Day, they would love to have you. The Com- munity Club will supply the ham, turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gra- vy. All you need to do is bring your favorite side dish or a dessert. Like the Thanksgiving dinner, they will be there working early, but would like to see people show up around 2 p.m. with dinner being served around 2:30 p.m. If you want to help, or if you want to let Barbara know a little early what you are making and how many in your group are coming to the event, give her a call at 426-0494. I just want to mention one more time who the new officers are for the Community Club because they do so much work for the club and the island that they really need to be rec- ognized. Those elected were President Jeff Roberge, Vice President Shelleen Matthews, Secretary Bill Burrows and Treasurer Jim Irving. The citi- zens at large will be Sandy Murphy and Judie Schaaf. The New Year for HICC is starting and there are new sign-up lists for jobs and duties. So, get in a generous mood and call one of these officers and volunteer. I be- lieve the island newsletter will come out in April and that will be the time the new HICC memberships begin. As happened this past year, the hall See Harstine on page B,2 2011 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page B-1