Chamber names people/biz of year

By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin
Vidette Reporter

McCLEARY — Apparently, the town of McCleary has more than its share of citizens who are known for making it a great place to live.
So this year, there are two McCleary citizens of the year to be thankful for, business owner and champion volunteer Barbara Anensen and Police Chief George Crumb. The McCleary Chamber of Commerce provided citizens with ballots for the selection process. And “his name kept coming up, and her name kept coming up,” said chamber vice president, Linda Cunningham.

Chamber President Destiny Frahm presents Police Chief George Crumb with the Citizen of the Year award. Barbara Anensen receives her award as McCleary’s Citizen of the Year. (Photos by Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin)

“I am totally surprised,” a beaming Anensen said after receiving a plaque honoring her and a warm hug from Cunningham.

Chief Crumb, on the other hand, was not surprised to find out at the sumptuous Thanksgiving feast that he’d also been selected — he’d been informed a couple of days before by Sgt. John Graham, who’s been with the department for 24 years.

Motorcycle
group provides
pre-holiday bounty for 178 in Elma

By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin
Vidette Reporter
and Leif Nesheim
Vidette Editor

ELMA — When folks are counting their blessings Thanksgiving Day, it wouldn’t be surprising for some in East Grays Harbor to list a motorcycle group based in Elma.
Though it’s been less than three years since the group formed, the Elma Eagle Riders have already done a lot for others to be thankful for.
They’ve helped provide school supplies for kids who might otherwise have had to do without, and they love to spread Thanksgiving and Christmas joy, especially to underprivileged youngsters in the area. One time when a special need presented itself, they even passed the hat, raising $200 on the spot to help out.

Eagle Riders Mark Irwin, left, and Angelo Cilluffo carve turkeys for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner Sunday. (Photo by Leif Nesheim)


Terry Hurst of Salt Lake City rode through Montesano last week on his nationwide quest to raise $5 million for a community arts center. The kindness of strangers has helped him on his way. (Photo by Leif Nesheim)

MONTESANO — Sporting a donated red poncho, a bushy beard and an abundance of faith in humanity, Terry Hurst bicycled into Montesano last week on his nationwide quest to raise $5 million for a community arts center in Salt Lake City. When he left Salt Lake City on Sept. 23, he’d never pedaled further than around his neighborhood. His bike, all his gear and all the food, lodging and maintenance he’s received in the 1,000 or so miles since then have been donated.

Third-ranked Cougars hold top-ranked Bulldogs in check

By Jerrad Kellogg
Vidette Reporter

TUMWATER — Each season some of the names and faces change, but Puyallup’s Cascade Christian High School is quickly becoming a thorn in Montesano football’s side. For the second consecutive season the Cougars have accounted for the Bulldogs’ only loss of the year. However, both defeats have come in inopportune times — deep in the playoffs. Last season a semifinal loss to Cascade Christian kept Monte out of the championship game. This season, the Cougars made the plays when they needed to and knocked the Dogs out of the Class 1A Washington State playoffs, 13-12, Saturday, Nov. 21, at Tumwater District Stadium.

Montesano Head Coach Terry Jensen noted, "Overall it was a great season, we will never evaluate this program only on wins and losses — our 11-1 record, the defense giving up only 34 points and the offense scoring over 500 are great accomplishments; but also watching these players develop a bond and brotherhood was special ... watching them develop character, leadership, camaraderie, responsibility and compassion makes coaching enjoyable."