December 2004 by Thom Boullioun

¢ Serving the Gold Bar, Index, Baring & Skykomish areas

Volume 2, Issue 3 Thanks to all the folks that have contributed articles and stories for the month of December. Special thanks to Bob Hubbard, Lisa Stowe, Mark and Sandy Klein, Linda Tate, Nina at the Der Baring, Harry at Sky Valley Video, Shane at Chinook Expeditions, Joan and Samantha Amenns, Dorothy Croshaw, and a special thanks to Clint & Elaine Dreger at Fire With Fire, Pa & Puff at Skyland Ranch, Mike & Cherie Eddy, Eric & Kim, Bill Casey, Cynthia at First/Lance Chance, Lori Cleaver at USPS, Mike Fitzgerald at Index Fire #28, . There are many more not listed here. Thank you.

December 2004

Happy Holidays!

See this in full color. A PDF file is easy to open. See page 14 for more information

lor o ! a c EE! d loa r FR n w fo D o py co

Happy New years!

Inside this issue: Town Calendars Index, Baring, Skykomish

Hubbitats — 9

Cascade Quest 2005

By Bob Hubbard

By Mark Klein The “Bear News” By Linda Tate

Gold Bar Historical News by DorothyCroshaw

How to reach us and the important small print

Chinook Expedition By Shane Turnbull

Things to Come. . .K-4 The Reptile Zoo!

Taken from the “Bear News” by Linda Tate

Our field trip to the Reptile Zoo has been scheduled for December 21st, in the morning. We will be leaving at 9:00 am and back by lunch. Parents are

welcome to join us. I am not sure how much room we will have on the bus. Parents may need to provide their own transportation. On Wednesday the 22nd of December we

will be decorating Christmas cookies the last hour. Please contact me by this Friday if you can help out by donating some plain baked cookies, frosting, or

The Mt Index Reporter 2004

Index Town Calendar

Index Planning Commission

Town Council

Last Wed—6 pm Town Hall

1st Mon—7 pm Museum Historical Society

Baring Lion’s Club

2nd Tues—7 :30 pm

Skykomish Calendar Town Council 3rd Mon— 6:30 pm Skykomish Town Hall

2nd Tues each month at Der Baring Store

Index Sportsmen’s 3rd Mon—6 pm Fire Commissioner Meeting

Pasado Spay Van Schedule

2nd Wed—3 pm Fire Hall

for January 2005

Index Community Church Sun—10 am Index AA Meetings Every Wed & Fri—8 pm

Gold Bar Jan 18 Family Grocer

Sun—6 pm Skyland Ranch AA meeting Wed—8 pm

Tipi Trek Activities Sat—7 pm NEW Bookmobile 1-800-342-1936 #7059

Sultan

Jan 18

Red Apple

2nd and 4th Thurs 2:30 - 4 (break) 5— 6:30 pm Index School

Mark & Sandy Klein Owners

Mt Index Village Espresso Chalet Sled Dog Supplies

360-793-7932

Hubbitats — 9

tooned with long banners of moss and lichens. Obviously this is a very wet spot in the mountains, to judge by the degree of moss development.

by Bob Hubbard

Miller River (Miller River Group Camp)

o celebrate the holiday season I’m going to write a fairly short column. It’s not that I can’t think of enough stuff to fill a long column, its rather the opposite: every subject I’ve toyed with has blown up into big, complicated intermeshed, sub-disciplines, and I can’t seem to squeeze them into manageable lengths and clear, simple text. This won’t do. I’ve had too many long columns in a row, and I want to break up the pattern once in a while. So this time we’ll go to a place where we can have it simple and enjoyable gut reaction to Nature, instead of a place where we might spend pages more cerebrally putting site history back together again from the on-site clues, as is my normal style. A warning though; there is no developed or even primitive access trail this month. You’ll have to do that highstepping, brush-parting stagger dance that we call bushwhacking. The good part is that there is only about two or three tree lengths of bushwhacking to do total, coming and going, and its virtually impossible to get lost that close to the road. So we hop in our transports and motor on up the Miller River valley to the Forest Service’s “Miller River Group Camp”, about 2 miles up the valley from the Old Cascade Highway, and we park out at the head of its driveway, by its (usually closed) gate. The “Group Site” is a small, developed campground of about 20 spaces, down by the river. It’s a pleasant enough stroll in itself, off-season, and I often walk my dog there, but that’s not

The conifer trees are mostly Western Hemlocks, Pacific Silver Firs and Western Red cedars. The Hemlocks and Firs are technically old-growth, although they are not very big for all that; most are less than 2 feet in diameter and 180 to 200 feet tall or so. If that were the totality of this forest it wouldn’t be much to write home about, aside from its fairly good wildlife habitat value.

our goal . Instead, we walk in the driveway a couple hundred feet and take in the ambiance of the forest. It’s a mixed forest, with conifers and hardwoods both. The hardwoods, having dropped their leaves, create lighter openings among the darker and shadier conifers, and their branches are fes-

But the Cedars make up for all the other of the (Hubitats continued on page 5)

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R i g h t h e r e

w r i t e N o w

THOM BOULLIOUN ALWAYS KNEW HE’D

Local

publisher Thom Boullioun shows us the benefits of writing and how it can full-fill our need for

write his life story someday. But his life kept getting in the way! After his fiancé died in 1976, he worked as a

expressing creativity

Property Manager at Red Carpet Duce Realty in Everett when he was first diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Although he lost his hearing on the left side, he recovered good enough to do a short stint at Boeing, Mascios’ and most recently Romac Industries in Sultan. Changing jobs, several times he endured two more brain surgeries. Nearly twenty-two years and three surgeries later he finally won his battle with the brain tumors. At 53, Boullioun finally started putting together short stories, interspersing his works with poignant anecdotes and wry vignettes about his life. He has a natural flare for clear writing. “I’m having a blast, he says Boullioun isn’t alone. Many people want to write, and the funny secret is, anyone can write. We all have the ability. But people often put off setting pen to paper because it can seem just too intimidating. Writing takes time and work, and it’s often hard to find hours for writing in a normal, busy schedule. The rewards are so great, however, that you should not wait until you retire to express yourself. Writing provides a host of emotional and physical benefits that can enrich your life. And it is never too late — or too early— to begin. Call or contact us today about your story idea(s) For contact information see the small print on page 12

5 (Hubitats continued from page 3)

site’s shortcomings. They’re enormous. There’s only about 9 of the big one, lurking in the brush just north of the driveway, and they look pretty big from the driveway, but not OhMyGod big, just pretty big. That, and the fact that the brush is pretty thick and tough between the groves and the driveway has saved the grove from the casual attentions of the car-bound recreationists using the Group Camp. We, however, are more curious, more determined to see the oddities and highlights of the forest than the average recreationists, so we visually take the measure of this grove from the driveway road, then go back out to the Miller River road and walk North on it for a few hundred feet before starting our bushwhack into the grove of big cedars. We know about the relationship between those sunny hardwood openings and the density of brush on the ground, so we aim for the place where we can do most of our bushwhack under the dense crowns of the conifers. Sighting North along the road, we aim for the base of the tallest roadside tree on the right, a Hemlock; and we cut directly away from the road at that point. On the way in from the

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road we catch glimpses of the lighter–shaded crowns of the Cedars ahead and steer to the left, so we arrive first at the Northern most of the big cedars, which is also the biggest individual tree of the bunch. Crossing the small seasonal stream which curls around through the grove we arrive at the base of the tree at its Northwest side.

up, you see that the tree appears to be leaning directly away from you there, too. In fact the tree is growing straight up, something almost hidden from any one viewpoint by the taper of the bit trunk. 25 years ago I ran a tape around the trunk at breast height—the standard height for measuring tree diameters, but I forgot the exact reading. It was a little over 16 feet in diameter, though.

It challenges the mind to

One of the other trees just South of this one is nearly as big, perhaps 15 feet in diameter. A couple of the stumps are even fatter than these, but give rise to two big stems per stump instead of one really big stem. The skinniest of the Nine is probably still greater than 10 feet in diameter, nothing to sneer at, size-wise, no matter what type of forest you’re talking about. It’s worthwhile to bushwhack around and visit all the big Cedars before plunging back out to the road.

When you get sick of commercial forests this Is a place to come to get well again.” comprehend the size of this tree. The massive, tapering trunk climbs a hundred feet, and disappears into the bottom of a vast, expanded crown of light green foliage. Even at this point— halfway up the tree– the trunk is impressively big, perhaps 6 to 8 feet or so in diameter. Looking up it, the whole tree appears to lean away from you, and you wonder if there’s a dry spot out of the rain under the trunk on the far side. When you bushwhack around to the far side, however, and look

When you get sick of commercial forests this is a place to come to get well again. When you start to think of forests as renewable resources and 120 year old stands as old growth, its time to come visit the Doctor and get rid of your hallucinations. There are bigger trees around, believe it or not, but I know of no other places with so many really big trees so close together, and so close to the road. So, if you’re cruising around with a case of the forest blahs, and you need something to just blow you away at a gut lever, come on up the Miller. The Doctor is in. You’ll be glad you came.

Mike’s

Got Wood?

Ditches

Tree Professional

Mike Eddy

Removal of dangerous trees Tree Trimming Removal of trees In ‘close quarters’ Call Eric Dudley For a free estimate

360-793-1601

360-793-3975

Mel & Lua Hendrickson Owners Annuals/Perennials Trees +Shrub + Gifts

You can visit us on the Web and buy too!

www.pinkflamingogifts.com

On SR 2 in Startup, WA 98293 (360)793-2085 See you in Spring!

Washington State’s 200 mile Iditarod Qualifier By Mark Klein — WDM President and Founder

THE QUEST

CASCADE

Of the many forms of transportation bequeathed to the world by our ancestors, none is more fascinating than Dog Sledding. Modern day dog mushers, standing on the sled runners today cast an almost identical shadow as the Eskimos did over 1,000 years ago. Currently, distance dog sled races endeavor to commemorate the pioneers and honor the husky sled dog’s indomitable spirit which was forged years ago from survival techniques to travel quickly across frozen masses. Miraculously, each

puppy born today of sled dog decent packs a DNA memory code of a desire to run and pull with a team (pack). It is their lifelong quest to consume great adventures with their timeless companions, humans. As a result, there is no other ground dwelling animal with the design and ability to travel over 1,000 miles in less than ten days as does the Alaskan Husky Sled Dog. When you think of a great sled dog race, we automatically think of Alaska’ Iditarod. While Washington differs greatly from Alaska, we do have a great sled dog race, The Cascade Quest. The Washington Distance Mushers association have designed a 220 mile Iditarod Qualifier in January, which can challenge even the toughest of Iditarod hopefuls for that time of year.

The Trail Beginning at the picturesque setting of Eagle Creek Ranch on Friday, Jan. 28, 29, & 20th—2005, the teams will ascend Chumstick Mountain, 5,800 ft. in elevation. A twelve mile climb starting out from about 2,000 ft. in elevation. The reward is a 4,200 ft. drop in elevation on the backside, negotiating tight switchbacks at nearly 20 miles per hour. Mushers will be on their toes, constantly wrestling their sled to keep it upright. Once the teams reach the valley floor they will travel a much easier pace. For the next 60 miles they will follow the Chiwawa River and surrounding mountains as it meanders through the most pristine of the Cascade’s icy cathedrals towering above. Here along the river the mushers and dogs find a rhythm and settle in to a pace (Cascade Quest continued on page 7)

From the Postmaster of the Index Post Office December 2004

Approaching Winter Brings Travel Reminder Need a Burn Permit or Volunteer Application? Stop by the Index Fire Station at 512 Avenue A

Lori J. Cleaver, Postmaster, 503 Avenue A, Index, WA. 98256-9998 360-793-2344

Mike Fitzgerald column will return next month.

Fax: 360-793-2344

Military/Overseas Mailing Dates Use the dates below to ensure your overseas packages arrive by December 25. Items for delivery by Hanukkah should be mailed five days earlier. Nov. 13

Parcel Post to military APO/FPO addresses

Dec. 6

First-Class cards and letters or Priority Mail to military APO AE ZIPs 093 addresses

Dec. 11

First-Class cards and letters or Priority Mail to all other military APO/FPO addresses

Dec. 13

Global Airmail letters, cards and Parcel Post to Africa and Central or South America Intl Mail

Dec. 20

Global Express Guaranteed International Mail

(Cascade Quest cont from page 6)

harmonized by the music of their plastic runners. The teams will come to rest after the second leg of their journey, as they step back in to time at the historic mining town of Trinity. The only sign of the 21 century will be the sound of an occasional snow

machine. Completely remote and snowed in some seven months out of the year, mushers will deal with their dogs without many of the modern day conveniences. Once the dogs are bedded down, there will be some time to sit around the campfire and tell stories. Rustic cabins will provide shelter if needed for the mushers, and their dogs will be resting near by.

360-793-7932

The teams will depart after their required lay-over and continue the journey back to the Fish Lake Area with surrounding mountains sub courses thrown in for variety. The quest will take them over trails like the Faultline Loop, Sugarloaf, Moe Ridge and Chumstick mountain. The race finish will end at the Fish Lake SnoPark Sunday morning with a ceremonial finish and banquet in Leavenworth Washington. In conclusion, The Cascade Quest will be a milestone for Washington State. A race of this caliber will draw many professional and semiprofessional teams from all over the U.S. and Canada. Enthusiasts will witness Washingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most challenging terrain and longest sled dog race. We look forward to seeing everyone at this great event and hope you enjoy the beauty of the Cascade Mountain Range.

Phone: 360-793-7932 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: For more information you can visit their website at http://www.cascadequest.com

8 cookies as last year … since he liked them so much. He asked how Michael had been behaving. He praised Courtney for remembering her sister on her letter to him. Mason’s eyes widen when Santa knew what he asked for, for his mother’s gift.

Mona Tate helps the 5—7th grades with crafting projects! Global Discovery! December 17, 2004 In the even of school closure… listen to KIRO 710 am or KIOR TV — Channel 7 for updates

What Coming UP? 12/17 No Music or Band Today

Yes, this was added work to set up. But if you saw the face of Isabel when Santa told her she knew the true meaning of Christmas… you would understand the magic of working with children. For me the hardest part is to blink often enough to keep the tears of joy back.

12/21 Board Meeting 12/22 Early Release 11:30 12/23 Winter Break Begins

Thanks for the corndogs Tracy!!! We loved them and you! Let’s do another Read-a-thon soon! I love wearing my pajamas to school

Technology opens Doors. . . . The K-4 class connected through a live video link on December 10th to the North Pole. One school in Washington (Index) and three schools from Texas were able to see and speak with Santa and his reindeers. Santa taught about the North Pole flora and fauna. The kids were given the opportunity to ask questions. Santa had done his checking and knew a lot about out kids. Santa told Krysta he hopes she would heal soon. He asked how our principal was doing after surgery. He asked Graham to have his mom make the same

The children were asked to write a holiday wish for someone. Here are their responses: Kalub gr. 1 — Wishes for a baby motorcycle, small dirt bike, game-boy, chess game, aliens, and that everyone had candy, an Xbox, Halo 2 and a million dollars. I would like to have a white Christmas.

Mason gr. K — Would like more Vegie-tail movies, Vegietail toys, and a tree house with a bathroom and other things like a real house. He wishes that his mom would

9 get a tree house too and a treasure box to keep her jewelry in.

hope you can still hear the bell jingle on the Polar Express. Enjoy this magical time of year.

Courtney gr. K — Would like a baby. She also wants the Princess and the Popper castle, a Barbie couch that unfolds like a hide-a-bed, and Barbies. She also would like to wish her sister, Cassie, a Merry Christmas.

Karen — I wish for Martin & Kristi good health + for Linda happiness in her new home. I wish for everyone a peaceful holiday filled with fun, laughter, family & wonder …. + no stress. Happy, Happy Holidays to all the kids & staff! See you next year!

Christina gr. 1 — Wishes for a Christmas Pony House and a Fairy Topia which is kind of like a mini Barbie. She wishes that her mom would get a necklace and earrings. Also, that her brother would get a Spiderman house.

Me (Linda) — I wish love would reign on earth and good health to all!

Kjeld gr. 3 — I wish that Rowan had every video game. Rowan gr. 3 — I wish for Kjeld (even though he’s the most brainiac) stuff to rot his mind … like candy. Also that Kalub could have a Dragon Lego and a dirt bike. Tianna gr. 4 — I wish Krysta didn’t break her arm.

Dorothy reminds us …

Art gr. 3 — I wish Graham would get a pool table.

Read aloud with your child at home… Why read aloud? Reading aloud is the single best way to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader. By setting aside a special time to read with your child each day, you can improve literacy skills, awaken the imagination and create special memories. Read with your child at least 20 minutes a day, 20 days a month.

Kaylee Marie gr. 2 — I wish that I could spend time with my mom and that every buddy could have a good Christmas. Graham gr. 4 — I whish Jonathan could have a judo chopping kit.

More tips for reading:

Taylor gr. 4 — I wish for my brother, Lex, that on Christmas he would not bother me or get mad at anyone.

•

Isabel gr. 1 — I wish that all the poor kids could have new shirts and pants. Plus I am sending my love to Adie.

Set a cozy mood by sitting close together during readaloud time. This is great way to relax at the end of a busy day.

•

Take your time while you read together. Let your child absorb the words and pictures, and ask questions about the story.

•

It’s okay if your child can’t sit still to listen to a story. He or she may want to draw or play quietly while you read.

Malie gr. 6 — I wish that my Uncle Sig would come up to my house for Christmas.

•

Try lots of books! Read old favorites over and over, but make new books friends as interests grow and change.

Elizabeth gr. 5 — I whish Bailey and her parents would get the house they want for Christmas.

•

You don’t have to read every word. Feel free to adapt a story to suit your needs.

Arlis — that our staff gets all healthy by hear’s end.

•

Take turns reading even when your child reads well. It’s fun to share the pleasure of a good book.

•

If your child doesn’t like a book, set it aside and read another one.

•

When your child reads aloud to you, give your full attention. If he or she has trouble with a word, just help say the word and go on.

•

Make regular visits to the library and bookmobile so your child can check out books. The children’s librarian can suggest books and tapes you’re both sure to enjoy.

Delette gr. 6 — My holiday wish is that my family has a great Christmas. Shakanna gr. 5 — I have a wish for every one… I wish that every one has a very — very good holiday.

Joanie — Wishing everyone joy and love. Tracy — My wish is peace on earth, good health & happiness for my family and friends plus joy. … like the joy the holidays bring on the face of my daughter. Martin — Health and happiness to those who need it. Kristi — I just want to feel all better. A New Year’s wish would be to see preschoolers here again. P.S. I

MAXINE POPPS PART 2

BY SAMANTHA K. AMENN

A continuation of a previous interview

Maxine Popps’ favorite store in Gold Bar was Klein's Grocery Store. Klein's was where the Second Hand store is now. She had many acquaintances at the store including the owners. Klein's Grocery Store was the store which usually had all of the latest news. There was also the Valley News and the Everett paper. Mrs. Popps used to get the Valley News and her parents used to get the Everett paper which is the paper she gets today. The trains used to throw the newspapers listed above to her parents as a delivery service.

The railroad was built in 1893. People used to ride the trains and when they went by her family would wave to them. When there was a bad snow storm the conductor and his men would come and have tea with Mrs. Popps'’ parents. The train was not the only means of transportation. There was a bus called the Index Stages that went from Monroe to Skykomish.

sium around were the play area is now. There were many clubs and activities at the school. There were potlucks, community clubs, and the V.F.W. to name a few. Mrs. Popps and her friend Glenrose Williams would help in the cafeteria.

In all of her years here Mrs. Popps has seen many changes. One of her least favorite things she used to have to do was mop floors. Her favorite things about Gold Bar

Photo courtesy Gold Bar Museum were the scenery, especially the mountains with snow on top of them, and the closeness in the community.

Special thanks to Glenrose Williams for confirming dates.

Have scratched DVDs or CDs? We can fix them and make them look and play like new for $3 each

Most people were either loggers or farmers. There were many farms in Gold Bar. The Family Grocer was a raspberry farm and there used to be an apple and raspberry farm next to the fish hatchery. Mrs. Popps remembers the Gilmore family having a blueberry farm. Another job the men of Gold Bar had was clearing the area for incoming power lines.

The elementary school was always across from Mrs. Popps’ house but it used to be lot bigger. It was two stories high! There was also a gymna-

Sky Valley Video Open every day to serve you From 10 am to 8 pm Located in Gold Bar On your way up the valley Tel: 360-793-2804 VHS, DVDs, CDs, DVD-RW

11 PAGE 11

T HE MT IN DEX RE PO RTE R

SQUIRREL HAS FOUND IT’S HOME!

V O LU ME 2 , I SSUE 3

Story and photo ‘from the web’ courtesy of Dorothy Croshaw

Check out what this squirrel is doing with this pumpkin left over from Halloween. I didn’t have room last month to run these pictures — Editor (Continued on page 14.)

The Gold Bar Historical Society From Desk

the

Presidents

by Dorothy Croshaw

year at the VFW, we are most grateful fro all the services they have extended to us this year.

Gold Bar — The city our next meeting with has finally given us the sad the Historical Society will be news that they will no longer held in January at the VFW 1 fund the museum. Not really pm and we will reopen in Februa shock with all the rumors ary. At that time our hours will going around that they wouldbe 12 noon to 4 n’t support us pm. Anyone any longer. But, interested in Still very sad to say the least, in still very sad to joi8ning our say the least, in the past it had been well society are certhe past it had tainly more received by past mayors and been well rethen welcome , ceived by past council members. our door is open mayors and to one and all. council members. We will send out notices to our Dues are $10.00 singles, $15.00 citizens of the outcome and for families, and $50 for Sponthank them for their support sors due the first of each year. all these years. Merry Christmas & Happy HoliWe celebrated our day to all — Dorothy Croshaw ninth Christmas Potluck this

Index Town Council

Regular Monthly Meeting

December 6, 2004 MINUTES DRAFT ONLY The regular monthly meeting of the Index Town Council was called to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 1, 2004 by Mayor Bruce Albert. COUNCILMEMBERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL PRESENT Bruce Albert, Dean Johnson, Karen Sample, Patrick Woods, Sean Horst, Clerk/Treasurer Lisa Stowe, Maintenance Supervisor Bill Cross, Planning Commission Chair Bob Hubbard Council member Boardman was not present. As he had contacted the Town prior to the meeting, his absence was considered excused. Minutes from the November meeting were read. Johnson moved to accept the minutes as presented. With a second by Horst the motion carried. Stowe read the November warrants, numbered 1307 through 1332. Payroll and tax warrants totaled $4417.14 and all others were $7402.41 for a grand total of $11819.55. Woods moved to pay the warrants as presented. With a second by Johnson the motion carried. During public comment, a resident updated the Council on the Arts group. They will be meeting once a month, and plan on attending Council meetings as often as possible for updates. Currently they are working on creating a non-profit status, as well as a mission statement. Plans are in the works for another Arts Festival, and for art classes to be held in the carriage house. There were no Council reports at this time. Hubbard reported on the Planning Commission meeting, stating that no meeting was held in the month of November due to lack of agenda items and the fact that the Commission had already met their required number of months. It is likely they will not hold a meeting in December, either. During the maintenance report, Cross said that he had the snowplow ready to go, and that he will be on vacation for four days in January, when a back up driver may be needed if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s snow. Albert will talk to Cross more about this. Cross also thanked Albert for climbing the trees in the park and placing Christmas lights. Peterson was not at the meeting and had nothing to report. Under the Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report, Albert apologized for missing Wes Smith Day, which was November 18th. Stowe said that she spoke with the family and due to health reasons they were not available, either. The family spoke again about moving this day to the summer. Albert mentioned signs at the general store talking about a bear sighting in town. He said that in Washington there are between 27,000 and 30,000 black bears, compared to 30 in Connecticut, and so, with those numbers, it is not surprising that we see bears. He felt there was no need for Town action. Planning Commission Chair seat was up for reappointment, and one letter of interest was received from the previous Chair, Hubbard. As Hubbard has done an excellent job, Albert reappointed him for another term, pending approval by Council. Sample moved to accept this appointment, and with a second by Johnson the motion carried. Albert thanked Hubbard for the good job he has done over the past six years. The position of Emergency Management Coordinator is open. Albert spoke with Boardman, who has been unable to attend meetings and said that he felt it better to move on. After discussion it was apparent Council members would not be easily available due to the meetings being held in the afternoons on weekdays. Stowe and Cross will share responsibility for attending and reporting back to the Council. Albert will research the responsibilities. This discussion segued into a general discussion about disasters and responsibilities. Council members would like to be better prepared in case they have to step in and take charge during a disaster. Stowe told them that the Disaster Plan is updated every January, and set up so that anyone could come in and take charge. There was talk about a training but no decisions were made. Stowe is available to go over the notebook with any council members. (Continued on page 13)

(Continued from page 12)

Stowe told the Council that the animal rates from the City of Everett were increasing from $60.00 to $85.00 for 2005. The Town incurs this charge any time someone within the Town limits drops off an animal at the Everett shelter. There were no business or land use applications at this time. Resolution #04-04 relating to property taxes was presented. This Resolution was not passed last month as the Council wished to not raise taxes. If, however, the Town wishes to bank this amount, the Resolution is required, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;0â&#x20AC;? amounts rather than an exact dollar amount. Johnson moved to accept this Resolution, and with a second by Sample the motion carried.

Ordinance #379 relating to wages and salaries for 2005 was presented for action. Sample moved to accept the Ordinance as presented, and with a second by Woods the motion carried. Ordinance #380 relating to the budget for 2005 was presented for action. Johnson moved to accept the Ordinance as presented, and with a second by Sample the motion carried. Ordinance #381 relating to the garbage increase was presented for action. Sample asked if any comments had been received, and Stowe said a couple people had asked but no comments were received. Sample moved to accept the Ordinance as presented and with a second by Horst the motion carried. Resolution #04-06 relating to the National Incident Management System was presented. The Council will review this for action at the next meeting. As there was no further business Horst moved to adjourn. Sample seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Adopted by the Index Town Council this 3rd day of January, 2005.

Signed:________________________________ Bruce Albert, Mayor

Attest: ___________________________ Lisa Stowe, Clerk/Treasurer

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note. This document has been modified to fit these page. Nothing else has changed. All contents are untouched otherwise. Thanks, Thom Boullioun

14 (Continued from page 11)

By the time he finished, he emptied both pumpkins in two days

The Small print The Mt Index Reporter is privately published by T A “Thom” Boullioun & friends. Using all volunteers we hope that you like the information that you read here. We have recently received some software that will allow us to upgrade this paper! All pictures & stories are from locals and all of the stories are taken directly from the area. — This month there were 300 issues printed. We also can provide this to you by subscription and now as a *.PDF file. That’s right soon you will be able to download a copy of the original publication and print it out on your own computer in color for FREE! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MtIndexReporter/join It is available at several local businesses in the following towns. In Gold Bar at Sky Valley Video, In the town of Index at the General Store, In Baring at the Der Baring store on Hwy 2, and in the town of Skykomish at the Sky Deli across from the Chevron station. If you want an issue ask your local merchant to carry it. We want to make it available to you. For subscription information you can contact us at: Mt Index Reporter, Post Office Box 32, Baring, WA. 98224 or you can phone us at 360-793-7581 or via email at MtIndexReporter@yahoo.com.

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FROM THE EDITOR<<

INFORMATION The Mt Index Reporter continually strives to provide the latest and most accurate stories and general information taken directly from the surrounding areas without charging a high cost per issue. We achieved major advance this last year, nearly all of which focused on providing you, the readers with more information and stories all coming from here the town we live in. Whether you choose to read or send in story ideas, we want you to have easy access to this paper.

Since 2003, several locals teamed up and developed the idea of doing another paper (other than the Index Eagle). We originally printed 30 issues then 50 eventually printing 300 issues per month. We will print the paper and have it out on the 15th of each month. This month we are late.

Based on your input, we’ve made enhancements to this paper. Now you can get it at more places than before. You’ll find regular updates on upcoming activities in your town's) when you read this paper. You can also get it in the mail and now its even in color online. It’s easy if you have internet access!

The Mt Index Reporter has received many contribution last year. Just two months ago we were given the full version of Microsoft Publisher 2003. The earlier issues were prepared on an older Radio Shack computer that ran on kerosene (not really) it is now 100% computerized and it looks great on the screen. You can see it for yourself by going to our website. Thanks to everyone for their help. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MtIndexReporter/join

One final note. Hopefully you will notice the changes and tell your friends. You’ll find more detail information on activities in this area including stories on kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, camping, homes & cabins and other properties for sale. Also there will be a barter & trade section too. Additionally there has been an interest in the information on the over night accommodations that we have here. These and other changes are in direct response to what we’ve heard from you. Thank you for your input. This modest little newspaper basically takes the place of numerous brochures and flyers and saves the respective towns hundreds of dollars per year in printing — this publication alone allow us to keep you informed and consistently updated. We want to make sure it continues to be a valuable tool that can help you get the most out of the area.

We expect 2005 to be another exciting year during which we will continue to improve our paper and find new ways to help you learn about our beautiful valley. Thank you

, Thom Boullioun

17 PAGE 17

T HE MT IN DEX RE PO RTE R

V O LU ME 2 , I SSUE 3

STORY AND PHOTO BY THOM BOULLIOUN

‘Will return next month”

With Shane Turnbull & CHINOOK EXPEDITIONS

The concentration of bald eagles and spawning salmon in the Skagit River Basin is a spectacular phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest. We are now conducting Bald Eagle Float Tours Decem-

ber through February and late March. We are in the height of the season with departures almost everyday and over 250 eagles flying around us. Call now to join us for a wonderful

wildlife experience. There’s something special happening in the towns and on the river every weekend during the Bald Eagle Season. We go in the middle of the week too and these midweek trips are great for solitude and more wildlife viewing. We offer custom day trips and overnighters with lodging and great meals at Clark’s Skagit River Resort. Our trip prices vary but run $75.00 per person. We offer kids and seniors discounts. Group rates are every seventh person in the same party goes free. Just organize six of your friends and get a free trip. We also have handmade gift certificates to be used on any trip this year and seasons passes for sale. I’ll look forward to hearing from you this season and hope you’ll check out our website at : www.chinookexpeditions.com Please call anytime, day or evenings to reserve your trip and find out more information

1-800-241-3451 lets go during the holidays! Best Wishes, Shane Turnbull

THE MT INDEX REPORTER 2004

EMAIL ADDRESS UPDATES NEEDED

The Mt Index Reporter Post Office Box 32 Baring, WA. 98224

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The Mt Index Reporter

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We have increased our level of communicating via email and want to ensure that you are not left out. We send periodic news alerts as well as information about our area. After we are 100% digital we will be able to send you this newspaper via email too. Then you will be able to print this publication out in full color! If your email address (or other contact info) has recently changed, please let us know.

(Please remember to include your full name!)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MtIndexReporter/

Remember this is your paper and you can help us. Send us your original stories & pictures and ideas today! The Mt Index Reporter Post Office Box 32 Baring, WA. 98224

Address correction requested