BRIEFS

SCHOOLS HAVE FACEBOOK PAGES

WAITSBURG -- Preston Hall Middle School and Waitsburg High School have Facebook pages. Parents and students can log on and "like" the pages to receive updates and information about the schools. You can find the pages by searching for "Waitsburg High School (Official)" and "Preston Hall Middle School (Official)" in Facebook's search bar.

HUNTERS' LUNCH

DAYTON - The Columbia County Senior Center, located on the corner of Patit and Third streets, will host a Hunters' Lunch on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. until the soup runs out. There will be homemade soups, corn bread and coffee. There will be a yard sale with Halloween and Christmas items as well. The sale will be held inside the center at 9 a.m. The center is looking for donated items for the sale. All of the money raised through this event will benefit Meals on Wheels and those who cannot afford the senior lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. Call 509-382-2836 to donate items.

PALUS MUSEUM EXHIBIT

DAYTON -- Contemporary Metal Sculpture and Photographic Imagery of Rural Columbia County is a new exhibit opening at the Palus Museum in Dayton on Oct. 1 at 426 East Main Street. Featured artist Nathan Riley will be at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. to discuss his metal sculptures and photography. Riley's photographs capture light, color, texture and fascinating patterns of the land, out-buildings and implements. His simple agriculture-themed metal work contrasts beautifully with his contemporary sweeping landscapes and close up images of vintage detail. This exhibit will remain at the museum through Dec. 17. The Palus Museum is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays, March through December, from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum has extended hours for Dayton On Tour Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

FRENCHTOWN CULTURAL GATHERING

FRENCHTOWN -- On Saturday, Oct. 8, a celebration will be held to raise funds to preserve and enhance the Frenchtown Historic Site, important community asset, and to honor those who lived and fought there. The Frenchtown Rendezvous starts at 4 p.m. at Frenchtown Hall in Lowden, 10 miles west of Walla Walla. The celebration will include a Salmon Feast cooked by the Confederated tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, talks by members of the Frenchtown Historical Foundation and local tribes, entertainment including tribal drummers and dancers, a French-Canadian fiddle band, dancing, an auction and displays. The requested donation for tickets is $25 per person. They are available at Destination Walla Walla, located at 26 East Main St. in Walla Walla, or from members of the Frenchtown Historical Foundation. Frenchtown Historical Foundation (FHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the site of the 1855 Battle of Walla Walla, and the St. Rose Mission and Cemetery, established in 1876 on the grounds of the historic battlefield in the heart of Frenchtown. For more information, call (509) 522-0399 or (541) 276-3601, email frenchtownpartners@charter.net, or go online at www.frenchtownpartners.org.

DAYTON FARMERS MARKET

DAYTON - The Dayton Farmers Market runs now through the end of October. The market offers produce, honey, flowers, crafts, jewelry, plants, baked goods and prizewinning jams and jellies. The market is at the Seneca location on Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. and downtown on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. New vendors are always welcome.

MEN'S RETREAT

CAMP TOUCHET -- The first Touchet Valley Men's Retreat, sponsored by the Touchet Valley pastors, will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at Camp Touchet. The retreat will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served, and there will be transportation available from Redeemer Lutheran Church, 601 S. 3rd Street, Dayton, departing at 8 a.m. and returning immediately following the retreat. All men are invited to attend. If you wish to take advantage of the transportation please call Pastor Greg Bye at 382-4662.

Pastor Duane Sabin of Restoration Ministries Worldwide based in Kingston, will serve as the retreat leader. Pastor Sabin began ministry at Kingston Christian Church in August of 1969. His minister father often helped the Kingston church through the years as Duane attended there as a boy, never dreaming he would be the pastor there one day. He was graduated from high school in Poulsbo, Washington and attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Ore.

CHARITIES BENEFIT

WALLA WALLA -- On Oct. 6, AnnRene Joseph, soprano,will sing a variety of classical, popular, gospel, folk, patriotic and contemporary Christian selections at a charities benefit from First Thursday concerts at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 323 Catherine Street. The program begins at 12:15 p.m. Ann Rene, a former resident of Walla Walla, recently retired from her position as Program Supervisor for the Arts at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia. Donations are given directly to the charity of the performer's choice. AnnRene has asked that the money be divided between the Pantry Shelf and Christian Aid Center. For information, call 529-1083.

CORPS FACILITIES CHANGES

WALLA WALLA - After thorough review, the Walla Walla District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to shorten operating seasons at some of its recreation areas, and it will close or transfer others starting Oct. 1. Changes are necessary because the district is expecting about a 9 percent, or $669,000, decrease in its recreation budget in the coming fiscal year. Most of the changes will begin to be seen in 2012 and will be in effect until further notice.