Classroom in Bloom plant sale
Classroom in Bloom will again be conducting its spring plant sale online this year, with pickup scheduled for May 15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The organization’s online store will be open soon, offering vegetable and flower starts for purchase, some seeds and Classroom in Bloom gear. All funds raised will go towards school garden education programs.
Masks and social distancing will be enforced on pickup day, but you’ll be free to browse around the garden. Visit www.classroominbloom.org/new-events for information about the sale.
TranGO conducting survey about services
TranGO, the county’s public transportation system, is conducting an online survey through April to gather information from the public about transportation needs, in order to evaluate existing service and prioritize schedules and routes over the next five years. The survey can be accessed at http://okanogantransit.com/survey. If you don’t have access to the internet call (509) 429‑5823, to provide answers over the phone or to request a paper copy with return postage provided.
“We conducted a survey in 2015 that informed the decisions as we built the initial service model and routes, connecting communities across Okanogan County in 2016,” CEO Kelly Scalf said in a press release. “This survey is similar and includes questions about normal transportation to work, training and higher education, health care and other needs.”
Scalf said that in 2017, TranGO’s first full year of service, it provided 49,832 trips. By 2019, prior to the pandemic, TranGO provided nearly 70,000 fixed-route trips and another 10,000 vanpool trips throughout the county.
“As we look forward to resuming service post-pandemic, we are conducting an update to see what has changed in the past six years,” Scalf said.
School Retirees’ scholarship
The Okanogan County School Retirees’ Association is offering a $1,500 scholarship available to an Okanogan County graduate who is at least a college junior working toward an initial certificate in an education field to work in public schools. Deadline for submitting applications is May 1. The application is available at the OCSRA website, https://okanogancsra.com. For more information contact Rita Figlenski at ritafig2@gmail.com.
Hottell’s history class
Bill Hottell’s 27th annual history class, which has been presented virtually via the Zoom platform, concludes on March 17. The session will be from 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Hottell’s topic for the series, offered for free to all participants, is “Black History in America.” The sessions are being recorded and available through Methow At Home YouTube videos for those who were not able to attend at the regular times.
Meadowlark Natural Area closed in March
The Meadowlark Natural Area in Winthrop will be closed during the month of March to minimize disturbance to the local mule deer population. The natural area is owned by the Town of Winthrop, which has a stewardship agreement with the Methow Conservancy. According to a Conservancy press release, “Most of the deer are running out of fat reserves and does are likely to be pregnant. Being able to access the highest quality of forage as plants green up is critical and the Meadowlark Natural Area is one of the first areas to provide access to this nutrition.”
Methow At Home events
Upcoming online events offered for free by Methow At Home:
• Thursday (March 4), 4 p.m., “Advance Care Planning.”
• March 23, 9 a.m., “Introduction to Butterflies in the Methow” with Cheryl Bellin
• March 23, 4 p.m. new pizza recipes, equipment and ingredients, with Jim Clement.
• March 24, 9 a.m., “An eye for atmospheric optics: original photos at home and far away” with Ed Stockard.
• April 1, 9 – 10:15 a.m., “Gardening in the Methow” with local naturalist Dana Visalli.
• April 1, 4 – 5 p.m. Advance Care Planning with Elizabeth Weiss.
Register for all events at methowathome.org.
Kiwanis auction is coming
Winthrop Kiwanis, which again had to forego its annual fundraising event the Bite of the Methow as it did in 2020, will instead hold an online auction beginning June 4 and continuing through June 13.
Auction items will be available for pick-up at Mack Lloyd Park in Winthrop on Saturday, June 19, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., just in time for Father’s Day on the June 20. If COVID restrictions allow, Kiwanis will also offer pulled pork sandwiches in the park.
For information, visit https://winthropkiwanis.com.
‘Tools & Trunk’ sale
The Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp will host an outdoor “April Tools & Trunk” sale from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 3, in the center’s parking lot. The event is free for customers. For vendors, the prices are: 3-by-6 foot table, no car, $20; 20-by-20 foot space with vehicle, $50. Other size options may be available, and social distancing will be observed. Shoppers and vendors are asked to wear masks. Tools, collectables and vintage items are OK, but no junk, please. Hand washing stations will be available. Set-up will be from 7 – 8:30 a.m. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 997‑2926 or email mvccenter@methownet.com.
The Community Center is looking for volunteers help with the sale.
