Two Big Benefits In Town Friday

WAITSBURG - If you've ever wanted to spend a week in Provence, France, or to go white water rafting on the Salmon River, don't miss two special fundraising events in Waitsburg on Friday, April 15.

Both events support worthy causes. One benefits survivors of land-mine accidents in Asia, while the other helps raise funds for the new press box and equipment storage facility at Cardinal Field.

The fundraiser for Clear Path International, hosted by that organization's communications director, Karen Matthee, with Jim German and Claire Johnston, starts at 5 p.m. at the jimgermanbar, 119 Main Street, and features wine and cheese donated by K Vintners, Woodward Canyon, Dunham Cellars, DaMa Wines and Monteillet Fromagerie.

Attendees will have a chance to buy $50 raffle tickets for a week's stay at a renovated 1870s farm house in the Luberon region of Provence, made famous by Peter Mayle's popular book "A Year in Provence." There will be other prizes.

Clear Path International is a humanitarian nonprofit that serves victims of war and other persons with disabilities in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Afghanistan. It is based on Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Your other choice to help a good cause is the "Not So Silent" Auction & Dinner put on by the Cardinals Booster Club and other sports fans to help fund the proposed new press box and storage room at Cardinal Field, a project that received its first boost from a $5,000 grant from Cycle Oregon.

Doors open to the Waitsburg Elementary School Multipurpose Room at 5 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 p.m., ending at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Waitsburg Grocery Store, Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile, AmericanWest Bank and at the door.

Auction items for the "Not So Silent" Auction include five golf packages with overnight accommodations in Pomeroy, Dayton, Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater and the Wildhorse Casino & Resort; a two-night, white water rafting trip on the Salmon River in Riggins, Idaho; a jet boat trip on the Snake River by Beamer's Hells Canyon Tours with overnight accommodations; Ski Bluewood season passes; bowling and other entertainment activities; and a variety of gift baskets.