Pierce News…
by
Leslie Potratz 464-1023
leslie76@hotmail.com
Thank you to the Senior
Government Class and their teacher, Katie Bird. What a momentous time in the
Historic Pierce Courthouse it was last Wednesday, with the seniors doing the
mock trial of the "Mike Kloss Trial for Murder."
What fun to all be squeezed
into the courthouse stretching our necks to see the action. Upon hearing the
students, it was obvious they had taken the case seriously and worked hard on
their parts. Most of all, they understood the seriousness and workings of the
Many of the seniors had never
been inside the courthouse, and that was also a bonus. Thank you to all who
attended and supported the students. While gathering at Studio 205 for pizza
afterwards, the class expressed their appreciation for the town involvement.
Mrs. Bird stated that the junior class has already asked if this could be part
of the curriculum for them next year.
Thanks to all of the
townspeople that helped make it successful for the kids and to those who
prepared the courthouse for such an event, and put it back in tack after the
trial. And of course, we appreciate so much Judge Randy Robinson for coming all
the way to Pierce twice; first to coach the kids in their class, and also to
preside over the trial to make it even more authentic.
Thanks too, to the citizens who gave interesting comments for the kids on the times and person of Mr. Kloss, from a first-hand perspective. It made the event so much more interesting. All in all, the mock trial was a great example of "community."
Chamber Meeting
The Pierce-Weippe Chamber of
Commerce meeting will be Wed. May 12, to coincide with the Timberline School
Academics Awards Banquet. The Chamber business meeting begins at
ATV Club
The Pierce/Weippe ATV Trail
Riders Club will hold their meeting this Friday, May 7, at
The club is holding a Fun Run
on June 5; sign up will be at the Timber Inn. The first place prize will be a
chainsaw. Other prizes will be awarded also. Tickets are on sale at most hilltop
businesses for a 250 Suzuki ATV to be given away 1860 Days.
1860 Days
The committee meeting for 1860
Days, held April 29 went quickly, as few showed up, but the members who were
there made key decisions. The most important among them was the choosing of the
2010 Grand Marshal.
This year, Catherine Carlson
has graciously accepted the honored roll of presiding over the 1860 Days parade
and festivities. As most of you know, she is a long-time quiet mover and shaker
in the community, and we are happy to celebrate her positive contributions.
Congratulations, Catherine!
The t-shirt design is nearly
finished, and we know you will like this sesquicentennial edition - it is sure
to become a collector's item.
The committee also finalized
the design idea for the new street banner, and we hope that will be in
construction soon. This colorful banner is 30' X 4', and will span the highway,
welcoming all to 1860 Days. We hope everyone will enjoy this new durable
enhancement to the event.
The next meeting of the
committee will be Thursday, May 13,
Sesquicentennial Event: Mary
Todd Lincoln and an Ice Cream Social
Join us to hear Mary Todd
Lincoln speak Saturday, May 8, at
She will reveal why she did
not want her husband to move them to
Afterward, an old fashioned
ice cream social will be served, with vanilla and huckleberry ice creams, and
various yummy toppings. Everyone is invited, and Miners Claim Cards will be
stamped, so don't forget yours.
The new sesquicentennial pin
is now available -- you may get yours for a mere $2 each at Blue Moose, White
Pine Credit Union, and Carmen Syed. These will also be on sale, along with the
sesquicentennial t-shirts, at the Ice Cream Social on May 8. These are beautiful
pins; they just get better. The first one of the series of four is still
available, so you will want to have the set.
Water Usage
The month of May Pierce
residents will be paying for the actual amount of water they use for the first
time. Here are a few tips for water conservation in your bathroom. If you have
one faucet that drips 20 times per minute, you are wasting 1 gallon of water per
day. Studies show that dripping faucets and leaking toilets account for as much
as 14% of all indoor water use, equivalent to 10 gallons per person of water
lost per day! Turn off water when brushing your teeth or shaving and save more
than five gallons per day.
Install faucet aerators and
reduce water flow to 1.5 gallons/minute.
Toilets account for almost 30%
of all indoor water use, more than any other fixture or appliance. Replacing an
old toilet with a new model can save the typical household 7,900 to 21,700
gallons of water per year.
Install an ultra low-flow
toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons per flush. Reduce the amount of water an
older toilet uses by placing a half-gallon plastic jug in the tank. Do not use
the toilet as a trash can.
Take a quick shower (less than
five minutes) and save an average of 20 gallons of water. Install a low-flow
shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.