Traveling among the Brits and the Scots
Bill Hottell finished off another of his history lesson series by accompanying 25 of his local students on a tour of Scotland and England from June 6-26. The group had been attending Hottell’s classes for the past two years; he’s been offering them for 18 years. Previous trips were to Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Croatia. Next year: Ireland. Here the tourists visit Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman-built barrier that stretched across the middle of Great Britain. From left, Dale Johnson, Aidan Catlin, Glenda Johnson, Tootie Shaw and Mary Ann Kirkland. Photo courtesy of Bill Hottell
Get close to Methow’s treasured landscape
Explore the Methow’s natural wonders as part of the Treasured Landscape Initiative in a week-long series of educational events at North Cascades Basecamp on Lost River Road. The activities, from July 28 to Aug. 2, will be presented in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, which launched the Treasured Landscape program, and the U.S. Forest Service Methow Valley Ranger District.
The program includes daily outings and service projects and evening presentations from local experts.
Projects and topics include Methow beaver restoration; wolverines of the Cascades; wildflowers, plants and birds of the eastern Cascades; and a native plant restoration service project on Forest Service lands.
Cost is $890 per person with a shared room, or $990 for a private room. All meals and transportation included.
Daily outings and service projects will also be open to public participation during the week. To register for the week-long program or for a daily outing, contact Kathleen Dowd-Gailey at (206) 832-8280, or visit http://www.nationalforests.org/connect/volunteer/event/456/signup.
Learn about streams in North County
Methow Wildlife Area Manager Tom McCoy and Gina McCoy, a habitat engineer with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, are leading a presentation and tour on streams and watershed functions this weekend. The two will discuss the interactions between streamflow and riparian vegetation.
The presentation, organized by the Okanogan Highlands Alliance, is in Chesaw on Saturday (July 20) at 1 p.m. The field trip, which requires advance registration, will follow. Admission to both events is by donation.
For more information or to register for the field trip, call (509) 433-7893.
Cascade Loop workshop
The Cascade Loop Association is sponsoring a series of community meetings to help generate ideas for improving the visitor experience along the mountain highway route that includes the Methow Valley. Representatives of the association will be at TwispWorks on July 24 from 1-3 p.m. For more information about the workshops or to RSVP, contact roni@cascadeloop.com or call (509) 662-3888. To review elements of the plan in progress, visit www.cascadeloop.com/cmp.
Fair judging
Interested in being a judge at the Okanogan County Fair? Learn about the Danish system of entry judging used by the fair at a meeting on Aug. 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the fairgrounds Agri-Plex. Bring items for judging such as food products, canned goods, garden produce, flowers, sewing articles or craft items. For information, call (509) 422-7245.
