BRIEFS

FOOD DRIVE SUCCESS WAITSBURG - The Leos food drive last Thursday in Waitsburg brought in 1,157 pounds of food, school of- ficials say. Waitsburg High School students made it a class contest to collect food from city residents to donate to the Waitsburg Resource Center. The seniors won the contest and brought in 352 pounds of food. They were followed by the juniors with 311 pounds, the freshmen with 269 pounds and the sophomores with 225 pounds.

BLUE STAR SERVICE BANNERS Blue Star Service Banners were created in 1917, and were a common site during WWI and WWII. Resurrected by the American Legion in 2001, the banner is displayed to show that a family member is currently serving in the Armed Forces, which includes National Guard. Gold Star Service Banners are displayed to show that a family member has died while serving. Each star represents one family member. Banners are available through the Ameri- can Legion Auxiliary in Waitsburg. Contact B. A. Keve at ikbakeve@charter.net or P.O. Box 224, Waitsburg, WA 99361-0224.

TOYS FOR TOTS WAITSBURG -- The Annual Walla Walla Toys for Tots Campaign kicks off this week with 21 local drop off locations. This is the 65th year for Toys for Tots and the 6th year of the Walla Walla Campaign. Last year in Walla Walla, new unwrapped toys were distributed to 1196 local children from Dayton to College Place. Everything col- lected will be distributed to local children from newborn to 18 years of age. New unwrapped toys or cash donations can be delivered in Waitsburg at Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile - 134 Main Street, Waitsburg. Also in Dayton: Inland Cellular - 151 E. Main Street, Country Cupboard - 330 Main Street. For more information about Toys for Tots please visit the local website www.walla-walla-wa. toysfortots.org or contact Beth Swanson at 509-301-7471 or bethswanson@charter.net

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER DAYTON -- Redeemer Lutheran Church is hosting a community Thanksgiving dinner at noon on Thursday, Nov. 22. If you don't have family coming or preparing a Thanksgiving dinner is a financial burden, you are wel- come to join us. A full Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served. Plates to go for shut-ins will be available. Donations of food, funds or volunteered time to help are gladly ac- cepted. If you plan to attend, please call Kathy Jacobson at 382-1452 for a reservation. Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 601 S. Third Street in Dayton.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION DAYTON - From 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the Country Cupboard there will be a gingerbread house creation session. Supplies will be provided to build a gin- gerbread house for $8 or to decorate a gingerbread man for $2. Call 520-8838 by Nov. 16 to reserve a spot. From 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, in the public library basement entries for the gingerbread house contest will be accepted. Houses can be made of any medium and do not have to be edible. Contact Lois Hemphill at 520-8835 for more information. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, in the public library basement there will be a free make and take craft event for all children.

TURKEY BINGO DAYTON - The Dayton Kiwanis will host the 26th an- nual turkey bingo from 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Dayton Elementary School multi-purpose room. The Kiwanis club will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages and baked goods. There will be prizes and free babysitting as well as a turkey for every bingo and a food drive for blackout cards. Entry is free. Contact Ted Pater- son at 509-382-4096 for more information.

CHRISTMAS KICKOFF DAYTON -- Dayton is "the town that still believes" and this is never more apparent than during the Christmas Kickoff event. This annual event occurs the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving. Visitors and attendees can always expect great fireworks, hay rides, Santa on Main Street, a lighted Christmas parade, wine tasting, a Christmas market, multiple venues for entertainment and much, much more. For a schedule of events, visit http:// www.historicdayton.com/events/christmas-kickoff.

PIONEER SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE WALLA WALLA -- Chapter No. 12 of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Wash. grants one $500 scholarship annu- ally to a descendant of a pioneer who established residence in Wash. during or prior to the year 1870, or in Ore. during or prior to the year 1853, or in Idaho during or prior to the year 1863 or on Mont. (west of the crest of the Rocky Mountains) during or prior to the year 1863. An applicant must be resident of Walla Walla County, city or rural routes of Dayton, Wash. or city or rural routes of Milton-Freewater, Ore. Preference will be given to students whose letter of application best represents applicants, educational or professional goals, interests in one's own family history and his or her volunteer and commu- nity activities. Students who will be a junior, senior or in graduate studies the following school year are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted September through May 15 annually. For more information concerning how you can apply, contact School Student Advisor for a Scholarship applica- tion. Address a letter of intent to: Scholarship Chairman Daughters of the Pioneers, Dorothy Hall, Francis Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362.