Manson, WA (MVT) - MVT reader Robin McBride writes to tell us that she was the one that had the telephone pole come down into her backyard the evening of December 15th.  She also sent us two pictures of the fallen pole.

Robin writes:

"Yes, life was pretty exciting that week!  Power went out at about 6:30 pm on Thursday night.  Came back on for about 1/2 an hour, out again for the rest of the night. Then at about 4:00 am, we saw a flash.  We didn't know it was in our own backyard!  Fortunately, we had next door neighbors that their second home wasn't being used and it had power, so we just moved into their home.

That transformer only feeds four homes, two of which are vacationers, so we were low men on the Totem Pole as to power restoration.  In your pictures on your website, it didn't show the scary driveway that the PUD had to back up into...it was a real challenge for them, but they did it!  We really take the PUD for granted sometimes, but Jim Ramalia came to our home discussed everything with us and our neighbor via cell phone.  Constant communication from the PUD made us feel like we were really taken care of!  Thank you PUD!"

Read More for pictures 

"Blowout Clearance, and Food Bank Trot”

Chelan, Washington – The New Year is upon us and its time to clean out those cupboards and give back to the community.  Come participate in the “Food Bank Trot.”  The starting line is the Chelan Food Bank and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.  Drop off your cash donations or food items and receive a list of participating merchants. In addition to many stores featuring special “blowout clearance,” deals, all participating merchants will hold drawings for gifts, or gift certificates. Make your way to the various merchants on the list, check out the deals, enter the drawings and have them sign your ticket.  Once you have enjoyed all the merchants and received a signature from each, you are eligible to enter a drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate from the Historic Downtown Chelan Association!   Everybody wins!  You help re-stock the food bank, enjoy entertainment, food, special deals, clean out your cupboards, and you are eligible to win great prizes!

This First Friday will feature special entertainment.  The Historic Chelan Museum will be open and feature special music offered by the trio, The Three Amigos.  The Vogue...A Liquid Lounge, will also have live music, Okanogan Bluegrass Company, from 8-10 pm, no cover charge!

Many local restaurants will be offering special deals to entice your taste buds.  Campbell’s House Café will once again be offering a free appetizer with the purchase of two dinner entrees.  The Culinary Apple will also be offering an additional 10% off merchandise when you bring in your Lake Chelan Mirror coupon for 20% off, a total of 30% savings!

Each month student art will be shown beginning First Friday and throughout the month at each of the following businesses;  Aston's, Carol's, Culinary Apple, Main St Gallery, Shirt Shop, Company 107 and Woven Threads.  Chelan High School artists will be featured this month.

Main St Gallery's Artist in Action series welcomes Carlton artist, Mary Lu Larson, working in watercolor.  Chelan High School Student Artist, Logan Rose Knauss will be painting as well.

FIRST FRIDAY is a special event held in Chelan’s historic shopping district the first Friday of each month from 6 – 9 pm.  Participating merchants offer FIRST FRIDAY specials.  Come see your friends and neighbors and experience the fun of downtown Chelan as we celebrate the holiday season in Lake Chelan Valley.  If you have questions regarding this special event please stop by the Chamber office at 102 East Johnson, Chelan; visit our website lakechelan.com or call 509-682-3503.

Chelan, Washington – A dozen representatives from the Chamber, Rotary, MBA, and HDCA judged the Holiday Lighting Contest nominees on the evening of Tuesday, December 19th. Cara K. Whitney, Event Coordinator said “There appeared to be a community theme of blow ups, snow globes and animated décor this year including a reindeer helping Santa out the Chimney”.

The Manson Business Association Award goes to Lake Chelan Building Supply (with a shooting star and nativity scene on the roof). The Historic Downtown Chelan Association Award goes to Riverwalk Books (with an elegant window display and Big Santa on the roof). The Best Home Awards go to Jack and Dianne Christensen at 138 East Allen Ave (a red trimmed house with a white accent, animated carousel, polar bear blow up, penguins popping out of an igloo, lit, trees, and even Christmas music).

Ross & Suzy Taylor at 516 N Bradley take 2nd place this year (with a Griswolds’ recognition … colorful lit trim resembling a gingerbread house, a huge NOEL sign, a reindeer pulling Santa out of the chimney, snow globes, carousel, lit walk way, wreaths, blown up Santa and Snowman, toy soldiers, blue spiral trees, snow flakes, and more).

And Ted & Kay Cummings for 3rd  at 109 Eldorado Place (An elegant north pole scene with a big NOEL, lit candy canes, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, animated Christmas train, and lit snowmen and presents). Honorary awards goes to the Historical Downtown Chelan Association for the entrance to Chelan and the Lake Chelan Community Hospital for the “Lights of Love”.

Mark, a Rotarian said “The Christmas decor was so spectacular; you could tell people put their heart and souls into decorating this year”! Special THANKS to Duane Coggins, Owner of Kokopelli’s Run.

Stop by the Chamber or go online at www.lakechelan.com to get a list of nominated participants and take your own Holiday Lighting Tour through the Lake Chelan Valley. 

Chelan, Washington – Sue Walker, Art Teacher at Lake Chelan High School, Lukas Sztab and Brian Parham lead by two of the local art enthusiasts from our Lake Chelan community came to evaluate, and ultimately award nine monetary prizes to a group of budding young artists ages 10 and under, a week before Christmas.

The contest yielded over 200 thoughtfully crayoned, inked, water colored and glittered pictures depicting three familiar ‘Holiday’ icons.  Almost everyone involved in the ‘Holiday Coloring Contest’ agreed that this year’s contest was one of the most successful within the past six years. Mike Bauer, Store Manager at Safeway Food & Drug, said, “It was a better turn out for 2006, even though we eliminated the age group 11-12 .”  According to Elsa Orozco, ‘Holiday Coloring Contest’ Event Coordinator, “commented that “by directly involving the local elementary schools, we were able to involve a great quantity of children that were excited about creating and the possibility of winning some extra holiday money.”

All the winners’ photographs are on display at the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce Chelan office until the beginning of the annual Fire and Ice Winterfest on the ‘Martin Luther King’ Holiday weekend. Every child who submitted artwork is truly a winner and may pick up their artwork and a sweet holiday treat from the “Chamber” office while they last.  Thank you very much to Safeway Food & Drug, Chelan Valley Independent School, The Learning Corner ,Chelan Women Infant & Children(WIC),Lake Chelan School District, Manson School District, and everyone who support and sponsor the arts for all the young artist in our community.

The coloring sheets and contest winners were as follows:

  Ages 4 and Under

First Prize - Olice Ryan

Second Prize - Nadia VanWechel

Third Prize - Obed Diaz

Ages 5 through 7 

First Prize - Addison Ivory

Second Prize - Annika Nolen

Third Prize - Juan Delacruz

Ages 8 through 10

First Prize - Aaron Simmons

Second Prize - Olivia Juarez

Third Prize - Ty Urness