Around the Valley: With Karen Huwe

What started as a rainy Saturday morning turned into a sunny afternoon for the Walla Walla Ducky Derby and the Return to the River Salmon Festival.

The 25th Annual Ducky Derby, a fundraiser for child abuse prevention and youth programs in the Walla Walla Valley, was held on Saturday, May 14. This year, for the safety of the volunteers, the ducks did not race down Mill Creek due to recent rain and high water. Instead, a crowd gathered to see the almost 20,000 ducks get piled onto the lawn at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC). Two brave volunteers proceeded to dive in to pick out 16 lucky winners. Prizes range from the Grand prize of $10,000 to various gift cards and experiences.

The Community Bank and The Walla Walla Exchange Club Foundation (WWECF) sponsored this year's derby. The Exchange Club described the event as a continued commitment to making the community a safe and secure place for all its children. With 100% of the net proceeds going back to the community, the club thanked all who participated in making this a hometown event.

A separate event on the WWCC campus was the Return to the River Salmon Festival. A family friendly event coordinated by the Water & Environmental Center and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. It included tribal youth performances, informational booths, and the release of juvenile salmon into Mill Creek. The salmon release is the culmination of this semester's Salmon in the Classroom Program run by the Tri-State Steelheaders.

Weller Public Library Update

The Friends of the Library recently received a $5000 grant from the Warren Community Action Fund of Blue Mountain Community Foundation to continue the Weller Public Library Americans with disabilities restroom and first floor remodel.  

The handicap lift is in the final stages of a minor change in construction and then will be inspected. Marie Gagnon has finished painting the steps and rails and added safety strips to each step tread. Sherri Erikson painted a Weller Public Library established 1942 sign by the staircase. Louie Gagnon and Allen Huwe are almost finished laying blocks to fill in the back wall and will then install the new back door.

Rosie has started reading time with children on Thursday mornings and crafts in the afternoons.  Every month she orders new books, so stop in and see what is new at the library.   The summer reading program will start on June 20 with the theme Oceans of Possibilities.  Rosie will have a lot of fun activities planned.

The Friends of the Library will enter a float in the parade on Saturday, May 21st.  A Luck of the Duck event will be held on Sunday, May 22, in Preston Park. The fundraiser begins at 11 am.  Be sure to buy your ducks by Saturday night, May 21.

The Friends meet on the last Monday of the month and everyone is welcome to assist with making our library a place for young and old and great conversation can be had at Book Club on the second Tuesday of the month.