Community Newsletter
Serving Jefferson County Fire District #5 No. 4 - November 2008
Chief's
Corner / CERT /
Tis the Seson /
Defib Info /
New GCC Member /Web Site / Christmas Lights
/ Christmas Decorating /
Garden Club / Foundation /
Welcome Wagon / Printable Version
The
Chief's Corner
JCFD # 5
Chief’s Newsletter
October
30, 2008
First and foremost I hope this letter finds each you
and your family’s well. The Board and I want to thank you for your
dedication to our community and the citizens we serve.
I want to congratulate FF / EMT Jay Stickney for all the
awards he took first place in during the Mill Creek Fire Department Recruit
Academy. Way to go Jay and we
wish the very best for you and your new career!
Eric Brucker and George DeBruyn attended the VFIS Driver
Training Instructor course in Aberdeen.
New thoughts on responding code in water tenders are coming down the
pike at us. Thank you Eric and
George!
I have signed Emily, Tom, Jared and Eric up for the Rapid
Intervention Team Training Class next month held at Clallam Fire # 3. It is a full weekend of intense
training that gives staff a good feel for what to look for, how to respond,
and to most importantly overcome a very bad event. Let me know if you have an interest
in going.
All of the Christmas lights have been put up by Tom and Jason and are working. Thank you, gentlemen, for all the effort you put into the projects.
NW Medical Services completed defibrillator testing for
both of our agencies. All of the
units checked out in full operating order.
The Annual Awards Banquet is going to be rescheduled
after the first of the year. I
hope each of you will understand; I am just not up to it at this point. The incentive checks will come out
before December 1st so that you will have your funds available
for the holiday season.
I want to thank each of you that have stepped up to the plate! Right now the most important thing to do is respond, train and be supportive of each other.
I am two weeks into the five week treatment program. I do chemo / radiation five
days a week, and just chemo on the weekends.
We look forward to a full recovery several months from how as time
and God allows.
Sincerely,
Bob Wilson
Fire Chief
Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 9, 3:00 pm
Elizabeth Van Dyke
KEEPING WARM AND SAFE FOR THE WINTER SEASON
As the nights get colder and longer it’s a good time
of year to make sure you are prepared for life’s unexpected surprises.
There have been several thefts this year in and
around Gardiner. Most have been thefts of opportunity at night from
unlocked cars or tool sheds, or empty buildings when no one is around.
It’s a good idea to lock up your houses, windows, sheds and vehicles.
We already look out for each other so I don’t have to mention that. If
you see anything or anyone suspicious, please dial 911 to report it.
It may seem insignificant to you, but your report could help the sheriff
detect a pattern.
It only takes a short time to make a comfort kit for
your vehicle. A backpack or cardboard box with a few supplies can make
a big difference if something unexpected happens. The good news is you
probably already have what you need and won’t have to make a special trip to
the store.
It is essential to keep drinking water in your kit,
as well as warm dry clothing. Keeping well hydrated and preventing
hypothermia can be very important to your survival. A dry change of clothes
including hat, gloves, socks and shoes go a long way if you suddenly find
yourself off the road in a ditch and wet from the rain or large puddles.
Pack some wool or other weather resistant clothing if you can. I also
carry rubber boots -- and not just during clam season. A plain old
wool blanket can help keep you warm even if the blanket is wet. Did
you know that cheap earplugs can help keep you warm? We actually lose
a lot of heat out of our ears! Try it.
A plastic tarp can help keep the rain and wind off of
you. Toss some power food bars and your favorite canned foods with pull top
lids into your kit. Add some essential medications you may need and
don’t forget to have a list of phone numbers and your medications written
down, along with your charged up cell phone.
Don’t drive with your vehicle’s gas tank almost
empty. Fill it up when it is half full. Besides, it seems less
shocking to your wallet to fill up a half tank than a whole one. Have
a flashlight for each person in your vehicle and extra batteries. The
light is not only helpful to for you see, but is a psychological boost and
can signal for help. Finally, toss a shovel and bow saw in your
vehicle in case you need to get your car out of a winter predicament all by
yourself.
On the home front, prolonged power outages seem to visit us every winter so keep your firewood dry. Since the power never seems to go out on warm sunny days, if you have a generator, get it out now to make sure it will start when you want to use it. Generators only run as long as your fuel supply lasts so make sure you have enough fuel to feed it. If the electricity goes out at the local gas stations, most can’t pump gas. If you are thinking of buying a generator, consider one that has a switch to turn it on, with a pull rope as a back up. You will thank yourself every time you start it up.
If you didn’t change the batteries in your smoke detectors at your house when the Daylight Saving Time changed, do it now. If you don’t have smoke detectors, get them.
The large national propane providers generally charge
more for your propane gas. By calling around to local propane
providers, you can probably save on your heating bills.
So, get prepared for winter then put the unexpected
things out of your mind. Focus on staying toasty warm and happy through the
winter season!
TIS THE SEASON
Linda Hanel
Leaves are falling, the wind is blowing, tree limbs
and trees are falling causing power outages. Have you prepared your home for
winter?
Checked the
batteries in your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, flashlight, emergency
radio and other items used when power is out?
Cleared your chimney prior to lighting your fireplace or wood stove?
Store generator
gasoline in a safe place?
Is your address
visible?
Checked large
trees on your property and removed any weak or dead trees that could fall on
your home during a windstorm?
We all chose to live on the Olympic Peninsula for different reasons. One
of which, for most of us, is the surrounding forest land. While it is
beautiful to look at, it also is a concern for your Fire Department and
Emergency Medical Service personnel. Our fire engines and ambulance require
clearance into your driveway for your safety, our volunteer safety and
damage control to our equipment. Tree limbs that overhang your driveway can
inhibit the passage of our engines or ambulance and delay response time to
your emergency. Please take the time to look at your driveway and consider
if a fire engine or medical emergency vehicle can access your home if you
have to call 911. If you have a concern or question regarding access to your
residence, please call the Gardiner Fire Station (797-7711) and a volunteer
will be happy to speak with you.
Be Safe.
JCFD #5 Fire Commissioners
George Eims, Barb Knoepfle and Linda Hanel
New GCC Board
On September 3rd Board member Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyke’s term expired. She has
informed the Board that she is “gone kayaking!” for the duration. The Board
wishes to express its thanks and gratitude to Elizabeth for her years of
service to the Center and for the many contributions she has made to the
Gardiner / Discovery Bay / Diamond Point community through her dedicated
advocacy of CERT and Amateur Radio and the work she has done to build up and
equip the CERT / Command Room in the Center.
Dr. Van Dyke has been replaced by Debra Quinnell. Debra and her husband Rich
moved to Gardiner last year and have already been very involved in community
activities.
Thanks again to Elizabeth and welcome to Debra.
New Gardiner
Website
The intrepid website designer for Fire District 5, Tom Carey, has improved
the Gardiner pages. You can now get there by entering
http://gardiner.jcfd5.org into your
browser. From there you can go to GCC, Discovery Bay (still being designed)
and Classified (for “non-classy-fyd” ads). You can still get there by going
to the main JCFD #5 web page (http://jcfd5.org).
Thanks to Tom for this neat upgrade.
Christmas Lights Donated
The Board wishes to thank Lynn and Marty Martin for their donation of a set of Christmas lights to the Community Center.
Christmas DecorationWe’ve scheduled Friday, Dec 5th for decoration of the Center for Christmas. Anyone able to help will be welcome at 10:00 |
Garden Club Happenings
Cindy Paulson
The Gardiner Garden Club welcomes you to join us at the Gardiner Community Center. We meet every month, on the second Thursday of the month. Our meeting starts at 11:30am with social time, getting caught up with friends and neighbors while enjoying a tasty potluck lunch, which begins at noon. After lunch we get focused on gardening with special guest speakers teaching us different aspects of gardening.
As we look back in time we find that the Garden Club has been a steadfast gathering of women that have been dedicated to helping our community since the early 1950's.
From buying cloth for making bed pads and scarves for the Soldiers Home or collecting clothes for Korea, this group has been helping this community and beyond for many years. Today the Club is excited about our fundraising efforts to help young people in our area with scholarships to help them with college expenses.
We hope you will join us.
A Foundation For Jefferson County
Herb Cook
Did you know our county has its own charitable foundation? In operation since 2005, the Jefferson County Community Foundation (JCCF) welcomes both small and large donations as it builds a permanent endowment to benefit all residents. Although JCCF is still in its early stages, with total assets of about $600,000, the foundation already has received commitments from more than 30 community members to fund start-up and development costs. Each of these Founding Investors has pledged to contribute at least $10,000 over five years.
Already JCCF has made small grants to worthy community organizations, including the Sunfield School and Farm in Port Hadlock, Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP), and the Jefferson County branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Through its educational arm, the Jefferson County Nonprofit Alliance, the foundation provides workshop and training opportunities to nonprofit groups throughout the county.
In addition to the community endowment, JCCF administers Donor Advised Funds, Scholarship Funds and a Giving Circle of community members who pool their donations for maximum impact. JCCF also can serve as the fiscal agent for organizations in the process of applying for nonprofit 501(c)3 tax status.
Gardiner residents Herb and Kathe Cook are among the foundation’s Founding Investors. Herb, who was previously involved with the Columbus Foundation in Ohio, serves on JCCF’s Board of Directors. Other Directors include former Jefferson County Administrator David Goldsmith, former Port Townsend Paper Corp. general manager Bruce McComas, Henery’s Garden Center owner Jane Henery, insurance agency owner Kristin Manwaring, and Tim Caldwell, Puget Sound Energy’s community representative for Jefferson County and former general manager of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce. JCCF’s staff is led by philanthropic consultant Kristina Mayer, Ed.D., who’s also a member of the Washington State Board of Education.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Jefferson County Community Foundation, you’ll find its website at www.jccfgives.org. Or feel free to call or e-mail Herb Cook (797-7097 / herbcook@att.net). If Herb can’t answer your question, he’ll find someone who can!
Welcome Wagon
Cindy Paulson
Thanks to Jack Parshall, Gardiner now has a Welcome Wagon available to welcome new residents to our community. If you know of someone who has recently moved to our community or if you yourself are interested in joining in, please contact Cindy Paulson at 797-0055 or Debra Quinnell at 797-0095. What a great way to meet our new neighbors and share with them all the great things going on here in Gardiner
Community Center
Happenings
Regular Events
Yoga Class, Tues, Thurs, 9:00-10:30 am
Community Center Board, 1st Wed, 9:30 am
Jefferson Cty Cemetery Dist #3, 1st Wed, 7:30 pm
JCFD #5 Commissioners, 2nd Tues., 3:00 pm
Gardiner Garden Club, 2nd Thurs, 11 am - 3 pm
Community Center Board
Vice President – Bob McCauley
Secretary – Suzanne Rehder
Treasurer – Linda Hanel
Member – George DeBruyn
Member – Linda Hanel
Member – Wendell Paulson
Editor’s Note – by Bob McCauley
Discovery Bay communities as well as Jefferson County Fire District #5.
• Articles will be timely in content (events occurring one month prior and one month after publication).
• Articles must be non-political and non-commercial, signed by author for publication.
• All articles and information will be approved by the Editor
and the Gardiner Community Center Board.
• Length of articles is limited due to space.
• We welcome articles submitted by residents of JCFD #5.
• Deadline of two weeks prior to publication, to be set by Editor, for
submission of articles. NO EXCEPTIONS
• Phone Editor, Bob McCauley, for further information at 797-2106, or by mail at
the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
Publication of any article does not represent an endorsement or recommendation of either the Gardiner Community Center or the Board of Directors. We accept no liability for the content of this newsletter, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. While we endeavor to ensure that the information is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Any views, opinions or information presented are solely those of the author