Marysville toilet training teachers are flush with ideas

Published 11:32 pm Thursday, May 8, 2008

If a potty chair that plays “Old MacDonald” helps move your child out of diapers, maybe it’s worth a shot.

Learn how to make toilet training entertaining from Potty Rockers Educators Pam Koons and Cindy Posey in Marysville. The Potty Rocker parent company is School Rock Inc. in California.

For more information, call 360-652-3579.

“We hold classes to help parents who are struggling with the potty training process,” Koons said. “And many are.”

They use several ideas to show toddlers that using loo facilities is fun, and they offer a refresher course for graduates.

Beginners start in (what else?) a Pee Wee class.

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There were only eight booths, but Haller Point Market in Arlington opened last weekend with ringing cash registers.

Customers found fresh eggs, produce, veggie starts, nursery plants, fresh-cut bouquets, barbecue sauces, apple butter, jewelry, handmade soaps, crafts, fresh tamales, fruit cups and lemonade.

One vendor had to rush home to pick up more goods to sell.

Haller Point Market is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through September at the former Country Charm Dairy, 604 E. Gilman Ave. in Arlington.

To sell your stuff — and bring plenty — call 425-346-1543.

Dutch Highland Farms may be there again with eggs, beef and fainting goats.

Be gentle around that particular breed — fainting goats. If startled, they keel over.

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Get a nickel rebate if you take your own shopping bag into Brown &Cole Stores including Arlington Food Pavilion and Everett Cost Cutter.

Get a rebate for each bag you tote in. The nickel is returned to the customer, or it can be paid forward to an environmental organization.

They are also selling recycled cotton bags, made in the US of A, for $5.

“They are limited edition and feature a Northwest-themed silhouette,” said Sue Cole, with Brown &Cole. “Our Arlington Food Pavilion store has sold 29 bags, and Everett has sold 13.”

They are donating a portion of the sales to the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, which aims to ensure the future of salmon in the Stillaguamish and Snohomish rivers watersheds and Island County.

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Fun Fact: Busy retiree Frank Votry, who helped organize a neighborhood Lions Club in the Seven Lakes area, is a Halloween buff.

“I make exciting stuff for my grandchildren,” Votry says. “We put out coffins, ghouls, tombstones and anything we can think of that makes it fun.”

He makes beer and wine and also pans for gold.

“I have found about $20 worth,” he says.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.