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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Pastor rides horse cross country to spread word By Kristi O'Harran Herald Columnist A cowboy trotted into town on his trusty horse and raised money for Bibles. Wes Johnson, lead pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, says Reverend Ken Downey, a circuit-riding minister from Minnesota, is a tall, cool glass of water. “Think about covering 3,390 miles in 25-mile increments, meeting dozens and dozens of people, staying in their homes, speaking in clubs and churches, reflecting on life and God and the condition of our country,” Johnson says. “When he rode through Everett, he attracted all kinds of people’s interest.” At a park, families gathered around, Johnson says. One couple in Lowell came out of their house and talked as he stopped by. They visited the men’s homeless shelter in Everett. “We stopped by a garage sale at an apartment house on Wetmore where little kids gathered around and the cowboy kept his magnificent horse from stepping on anybody. At one point on Hoyt Avenue, he emptied out an entire hair salon, gals standing on the sidewalk with their hair in various states of repair.” The Everett leg completed a trip that began March 15 in North Carolina. “When he spoke in church it was like cowboy wisdom, rolling from one subject to another, like you were riding with him and he was just sharing his thoughts, the result of a lot of reflection in the wide open spaces,” Johnson says. His visit helped raise more than $800 for Bibles for servicemen and women. * * * Thirty-nine folks ages 62 and older will have spiffy new places to hang their hats, thanks to Senior Services of Snohomish County. New living quarters in Lake Stevens will be on view from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at 9433 N. Davies Road. Hawkins House features 39 one-bedroom apartments. Eligible tenants will pay 30 percent of their income for rent. It will be nice for seniors, as residents can walk to all the shops in Frontier Village and have their small pets. * * * Cascade Warbirds will participate in a vintage aircraft weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Paine Field in Everett. See more than 50 antique civilian and military aircraft. Learn about the history of aviation, says Tony Caruso with the Warbirds, with mechanics and pilots on hand to talk about each airplane. “It’s a history lesson or lessons that cannot be found many places,” he said. “Pictures are great but you can’t hear or smell them.” * * * When Jay Buhner comes to town, the beloved former Seattle Mariner player causes quite a stir. And a buzz. He came to Everett to visit the Everett AquaSox, and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Buhner did his usual schtick — offering buzz cuts to any and all. They raised more than $600 and more than 50 fans got their heads shaved, including AquaSox general manager Brian Sloan. “It is growing out as we speak,” Sloan says. “My wife enjoys my hair as long as I have it.” Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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