By Bob Spiwak
It was a busy week in the valley. The crowds — beginning with the annual Zumiez convention — brought a sea of white cars and other vehicles to the area. The word we got was that every lodging place from Lost River to Carlton was full for the three days they were here. It brought in a lot of needed revenue to the valley. And that was just the beginning.
Before those people had totally departed the valley (based on observance of a fleet of westward white vans through West Boesel), there was an ever-growing number of vehicles headed for Winthrop, many no doubt coming for the ’49er Days festivities. On Saturday morning the Mazama Store plaza was plumb full of runners registering for the annual Sunflower Relay race, and from below the community club building to beyond the store was a sea of automobiles. Our information placed the number of participants at 700, and for the first time, we’re told, there were no locals in the upper (best score) echelons.
On May 23 the World Famous Mazama Pancake Breakfast will be in session. This is a volunteer effort and coordinator Gay Northrup is seeking 10 more people to help with the event, especially cooks and general help. She can be reached at 996-7897 or email gnorthrup100@aol.com.
In years past associated with the breakfast, there was a fun run (or walk) that added to the crowds. This year it will be omitted, but don’t pass by the flea market outside the community club. If you have stuff to sell and want to rent a table, the cost will be $10 and the proceeds will go to the community club. Bring your own table if you want to be a vendor. You’ll need to remove your unsold items from the premises when it’s over. To reserve a table call Libby Hillis at 996-2860. If it rains, the current plan is to utilize the trail groomer shed next door. It being Memorial Day weekend, rain is not an uncommon addition.
This Sunday (May 17), Bear Creek Golf Course, under new operators Debbie and Terry Evans, will host an open house from 3-7 p.m. There will be free food and a raffle at The Eagle’s Nest, and demonstrations of foot golf, disk golf and something called fling sticks. These amenities will be for golfers, non-golfers, and young and old folks who will not be laden with the baggage that comes with playing golf — baggage that often is located above the neck, as any hacker can attest.
Edelweiss’ “Minister of Model A’s” Del Schweitzer scored big, taking first prize at ’49er Days with his oh-so-cherry 1931 “A-bomb,” as we used to refer to them in my teen years. Thanks to people like Schweitzer and his ilk around the country, there are still folks who treasure, rebuild and revere these icons of our nation’s history. He left SLIME on Monday morning with a double blast from his car’s “ooga” horn.
