COMMUNITY NEWS

January 2003

Week Ending January 31, 2003:
On January 29th the Lyle Middle School had their quarterly ice cream party for students who had participated in the Accelerated Reader Program. Twenty-seven students earned 100% of their goal with 7th grader Ian Ally earning the highest points.  

Find the Key and earn the prize.
Here’s your first clue:
You will find me
Along Lyle’s mile
On the sunset side
Hanging out in style 

Guest Speakers at the LCAC Meeting on January 27th were Anita Payne from The Dalles Chamber of Commerce and Marie Davis from the Klickitat Community Council.  Anita talked about the Lewis and Clark Commemoration. She expressed the many opportunities for communities to work together in preparation of local Lewis and Clark Celebrations.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has a web site on which she offered to post any future events these communities’s host, such as Lyle’s Pioneer Days and Klickitat’s Annual Yard Sale. Marie extended an invitation to the Lyle Council to join with the Klickitat Council in working on ideas for our communities to share in the Lewis and Clark Commemoration. Marie also asked Lyle to join with Klickitat in their afore- mentioned annual community yard sale. The Council unanimously voted to link with Klickitat for this event. Watch for dates, and sign up information. The two communities should be able to generate some vast advertising and bring avid “yard salers” from near and far! 

Just a reminder:

Pioneer Days are Back:  Memorial Day Weekend 
The Man in the Black Hat needs volunteers!

Lyle Community Action Council meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center.

Lyle's community web site: http://community.gorge.net/lyle/
Webmaster:  Pam Essley  

Two churches in Lyle welcome visitors:
   Lyle United Methodist Church -- Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  Lyle Full Gospel Church -- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Lyle History (continued): Originally published in The Enterprise, July 6, 1967, as recounted by Jesse A. Jewell:
The Swift & Company built the sheep sheds when cattle and sheep ranches both flourished in the county.  They brought sheep in from off the range in the fall to fatten through the winter for any early spring market. At first there were two sheds but one winter the snowfall became so heavy one shed collapsed and it was never rebuilt. It is reported that they fed as many as 20 to 25 a winter. 

A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel sooooo goooood!

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Week Ending January 24, 2003:
We’ve been advised there is crime and vandalism afoot again in Lyle. Several job sites have been burglarized.  Vehicles have been stolen and or broken into. So beware and keep things locked down. Also remember this is what our “Block Watch” is all about. If you see something or someone suspicious don’t hesitate to call your neighbor or the police. If we are alert and watchful the culprit will be caught! Let’s see if we can return Lyle to a safe and peaceful burg again.  

This proud grandmother (Barbara) needs to do a little braggin’.  Harlin Wood son of Glenn and Cathy Wood was selected to be “Principal for the Day” at Dallesport last week. He was selected because he was drawn from the highest accelerated readers in the 5th grade. Cheyenne Chase daughter of Joel and Tammy Chase was drawn from the 2nd grade class to share the duties.  Part of their agenda was to help serve the meals at the Sr. Luncheon on Tuesday. These two did their classes’ proud. The accelerated reading program is ongoing and the students are challenged to read books and be tested on the content of each book. They earn points toward prizes; gain confidence, pleasure and satisfaction in the joy of reading. 

Just a reminder:

Pioneer Days are Back:  Memorial Day Weekend 
The Man in the Black Hat needs volunteers!

Lyle Community Action Council meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center.

Lyle's community web site: http://community.gorge.net/lyle/
Webmaster:  Pam Essley

Look for an article in The Monitor about a lost key in Lyle. Then watch this column for clues to solve the mystery and win the prize. 

Two churches in Lyle welcome visitors:
   Lyle United Methodist Church -- Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  Lyle Full Gospel Church -- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Lyle History (continued): Originally published in The Enterprise, July 6, 1967, as recounted by Jesse A. Jewell:
It wasn’t until 1893 that Balfour sold property to the C.R.N. Railroad that the township was broken up into lots for sale; before that there were only business houses and most of them down by the river. The lots were all up in the alfalfa field and prune orchard, above where the railroad is now. The old business district then burned down.  All but the post office and the jail. Parts of these buildings are still standing. Jesse Jewell can still show you some of the bars in a small window. 

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes” Oscar Wilde

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Week Ending January 17, 2003:
Preparation and planning for the Lyle High Senior graduating class’s “drug free” party is underway. Committees of students and parents have already earned a substantial amount toward their goal. With future fundraisers of a silent auction and dessert tasting evening in March, a can and bottle drive, and a yard sale in the spring (in Dallesport) the class hopes to meet their goal:  raise enough for a Cruise on the Columbia. Wow they are unstoppable!!!

I’ve heard several comments that townspeople are missing their “coffee” fix. Bottoms-Up, we miss you.

We send our love and prayers to Joyce Bryan who is back from a stay in the hospital, and continued prayers for Larry and Mary Sorensen, both still battling the big C.

Joy has decided to take a breather from doing the Lyle News and Mildred has graciously offered to help me keep you all informed or mis-informed??

Just a reminder:

Pioneer Days are Back: Memorial Day Weekend, 2003 The Man in the Black Hat needs volunteers!

Lyle Community Action Council meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center.  Next meeting scheduled for January 27th.

Lyle's community web site: http://community.gorge.net/lyle/
Webmaster:  Pam Essley

Two churches in Lyle welcome visitors:
   Lyle United Methodist Church -- Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  Lyle Full Gospel Church -- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Lyle History (continued): Originally published in The Enterprise, July 6, 1967, as recounted by Jesse A. Jewell:

Speedboat Hazards
“The racing caused considerable damage to the Spencer, one morning, as she and the “Dalles City,” another Company boat, headed into a howling headwind going from The Dalles to Lyle. The Spencer stayed on the south side, going right into the wind, while the CR & N boat hugged the north shore to escape some of the wind and heavy swells.

When the Spencer started to steer for the landing at Lyle, a chain broke due to the gale, breaking some steam pipes in the pilothouse. The skipper couldn’t see to steer in the cloud of steam, so his boat was blown on the bank across the river in Rowena.

This was but one of many spectacular events in the history of travel on this great river highway, whose importance was great in the development of this whole area from Astoria to Lewiston.”

I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top!

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Week Ending January 12, 2003:
There are two ladies in Lyle that have the great honor of being over 100 years of age. Both reside in a foster home here in town. Karmen Kingery celebrated her 102nd (that’s right, 102nd) birthday on the 6th of January. Family, friends and staff all shared in her celebration. Maria Reeves, another resident of the home, is 101. Think of the changes these two have seen in their lifetime: from horse & buggy to the moon!

Our fire department had seven calls last month. Three fire and four medical.

We still haven’t received any names of “Pioneer Families” to present to the County, to be considered for the plaques that will be posted in the new Sr. Center in White Salmon. Come on guys -- put on your thinking caps! Send you names to LCAC, PO Box 952, Lyle, WA 98635.

Just a reminder:

Pioneer Days are Back: Memorial Day Week-end, 2003

Lyle Community Action Council meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center.

Lyle web site: http://community.gorge.net/lyle

Two churches in Lyle welcome visitors:
   Lyle United Methodist Church -- Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  Lyle Full Gospel Church -- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Lyle History (continued): Originally published in The Enterprise, July 6, 1967, as recounted by Jesse A. Jewell:
A colorful feature in the history of the CR&N was competition furnished by another speedy steamboat, called the “Charles R. Spencer.” Many a passenger thought he was caught on the short end, if he wasn’t fleet of foot. The CR&N had to buy the Baily Gatzert, another fast, powerful boat, to keep in the race. Those two boats gave onlookers and riders many a thrill when the two boats were trying to be first at the docks. Those going by boat didn’t mind too much, as each company tried to beat the other by lowering the rates from The Dalles to Portland - it just meant you got a big thrill for less money. The Charles R Spencer wasn’t allowed to dock at the company platforms, so went into the cove (the Lyle Cove?) just below. Passengers and luggage were almost thrown off before the steamer came to a stop, in order to get ahead of the Baily Gatzert.

“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket” Will Rogers.

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Week Ending January 5, 2003:
Happy New Year and we are glad to be back doing this article.

Both of us had wonderful Holidays that we shared with church, family, and friends. We made short trips to visit those out of town, lots of good food, company and sharing, of joys and blessings. Hopefully the candies will all soon be gone and we can get back on track!

We thought we would start the New Year by including a once a month synopsis of the business conducted at the Community Council Meeting.

The December meeting was held on the 30th. We heard the Fire Departments request for EDA Grant monies to purchase new pagers and funds to work toward the completion of the new fire hall and meeting room. The council voted to approve the submission of the grant application to the EDA Board. A decision was made to purchase a 3’ x 15’ banner to be used during Lyle Spring Cleanup. Due to the resignation of Jim Rutledge on the council, Mildred Lykens and Pam Essley (who tied in the November election for position #7) were appointed. Pam to position #6 and Mildred was appointed to position #7. At Executive session following the general meeting the council elected officers for the coming year. They are as follows: President, Barbara Sexton, V. President, Joy Collins and Secretary/Treasurer, Glenda Lovejoy.

Let's all make a new year's resolution to help support the local businesses. As we started to list them we found there are many more than we thought. Also there are many local contractors based in our community. With the support of the local citizens perhaps each one of the businesses and contractors can have their best year yet and continue to support the community with their services. When you need professional help shop at home first.  Use Lyle's community web site Business Directory to find what you are looking for fast:  http://community.gorge.net/lyle/Business_Directory.htm

We would like to thank Sprint for the good, clean, and fast job they did when installing the fiber optic cable thru Lyle. On that note, if you are interested in learning about this operation, Sprint will have a guest speaker at the January Council meeting on the 27th to explain to the community what benefits we can expect.

Just a reminder:

Pioneer Days are Back: Memorial Day Week-end, 2003

Lyle Community Action Council meets the 4th Monday of each month at 7 P.M. at the Lyle Lions Community Center. Please post the meetings on your calendar and come share in the future decisions that affect your community.

Two churches in Lyle welcome visitors:
   Lyle United Methodist Church -- Worship Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and Bible Study on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
  Lyle Full Gospel Church -- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship service on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Lyle web site:  http://community.gorge.net/lyle/

Lyle History (continued): Originally published in The Enterprise, July 6, 1967, as recounted by Jesse A. Jewell:
The settlers here recognized a great many of the boats just by listening to them. The skipper would blow a long blast on the melodious steam whistles (each whistle was different, striving to be more pleasing to the ear). The excitement ran high to see who might be coming in from the outside world. The news they might bring could be talked about for days. At that time, there were few outside papers or other media of getting news.

Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

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Submit your news to:
Barbara Sexton: 365-5374 - madison@gorge.net
Mildred Lykens: 365-0060 – mildred@gorge.net