Homestream celebration
Join the Coming Home Celebration at Homestream Park in Winthrop on Sunday (Oct. 2), from 11 a.m-2 p.m.. The free event honors the returning salmon. Park in the Winthrop Town Trailhead and Winthrop Rink lots. Fresh grilled salmon will be prepared by Mark Miller, Randy Lewis and Arrowleaf Bistro.
Homestream Park is at the intersection of Highway 20 and White Avenue in Winthrop. Located on 2 acres of riverfront, the park includes a trail with benches along the river, inspiring sculptures by noted Native American artist Smoker Marchand, a tipi and a public gathering area with shelters, picnic tables, interpretive signs, and a kid’s lookout topped with wood carved osprey by Bruce Morrison. The land is being restored to its natural riparian and floodplain condition.
The park, which is privately owned by open to the public, opened in October 2019. For more information, visit http://homestreampark.com.
School retirees meet
The Okanogan County School Retirees’ Association will hold a general meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday (Sept. 30), at El Torito Bar & Grill, 914 Koala Drive, Omak. Rena Shawver, executive director of Okanogan County Community Action Council, will speak on “The Needs of Our County.” For information, call (509) 429‑0292.
Firefighter Olympics
The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hosts a Wildland Firefighter Olympics on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Tonasket Rodeo Grounds. Registration starts at 10 a.m.
The free event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides help to the families of wildland firefighters who have lost their lives or are injured in the line of duty. The $15 entry fee and all funds received will be donated to the foundation. Team sponsorships are available for $30, $45 or $60.
Entries will consist of teams of three to compete in six events that test firefighting skills. Team members may come from one agency or a combination of agencies. The event is open to any current and former firefighters from all agencies and companies. There will be prizes for the best team name and the top three teams.
To sign up or for more information, call (509) 563‑9188 or email jimmy.nick@dnr.wa.gov.
Wildfire Ready tours at Edelweiss
To get an up-close look at the wildfire readiness efforts in the Edelweiss community near Mazama, drop by the Edelweiss community pool on Cassal Road for self-guided tours and on-site presentations on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at 3 p.m.
The free event, organized by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Okanogan Conservation District and the Edelweiss Firewise Community, looks at the community’s Wildfire Ready work to lower fire risk and improve resiliency. There will be food, live music by Ken Bevis, land tour stops, and a booth to sign up for a free Wildfire Ready Neighbors home assessment. Wildfire Ready consists of coalition of partnerships between the state Department of Natural Resources, fire districts, community groups and citizens.
For information, call Will Knowlton, the DNR’s community resilience coordinator for Ferry and Okanogan Counties, at (360) 972‑4272. Visit wildfireready.com for more details about the program.
Methow At Home events
Methow At Home offers several free events this month. Register for all events at methowathome.org.
- Oct. 5 from 4 – 5 p.m. online, learn about the county’s aging and adult care services, caregiver supports, in-home care programs, and how to access them, with Lisa McGowan, Information and Outreach Specialist for the Aging and Adult Care of Central Washington agency in Omak.
- Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 3 – 4:30 p.m., at the Twisp Valley Grange, caring for your loved one with dementia, with Sheila Brandenburg, a palliative care and hospice-certified registered nurse.
- Oct. 13 from 9 – 10 a.m. online, “Parkinson’s Disease 101 — Information, Treatment, and Resources,” with Jennifer Gillick, Program Director at the Northwest Chapter of American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
All about fungi
The Methow Valley Interpretive Center in Twisp hosts a free, two-part talk-and-walk on “Fungi Explored: What Important Roles Fungi Play in our Everyday Ecosystems,” on Oct. 7 and 8.
U.S. Forest Service botanist Helen Lau will do a presentation at the Interpretive Center at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, followed by a field trip the next morning, Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the center at 8:30 a.m. to carpool to a nearby forest with easy walking access. Pack all-weather gear and lunch. Donations are appreciated. For information, email tiffanymvic@gmail.com, call (509) 997‑0620 or visit www.methowvalleyinterpretivecenter.com.
Harvest Fest at Methow Recycles
Methow Recycles in Twisp hosts a Harvest Fest Event on Oct. 16 from 1 – 4 p.m., The free event offers family-friendly activities including face painting, marshmallow roasting, an upcycled Halloween costume booth, and scarecrow making.
There will be demonstrations every half hour from a local expert on a different topic from worm composting to food preservation, and there will be a sale at the ReMake Center.
Live music will be provided by Kris Borgias. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from Mountain Meals. For information, email info@methowreycles.org or call (509) 997‑0520.
Libraries scam alert
NCW Libraries has issued a phone call scam alert after some library patrons reported that they have been contacted by callers impersonating local librarians.
“NCW Libraries, all 30 of its branches, bookmobiles, and Mail Order library, never personally call patrons to collect library fees for lost and damaged material, or to discuss personal account information,” according to the alert. “NCW Libraries does make automated calls to inform patrons that their library materials are ready for pick up, or that materials are overdue. These automated calls are used only if a patron has selected phone notices as their preferred communication method.”
