Applause

Events

51 Girl Scouts race a Pinewood Derby

More than 51 Girl Scouts from the Cedar and Sound Service Unit recently participated in the Pinewood Derby race at the Edmonds United Methodist Church. The race is a long-standing Cub Scout tradition. More than 100 parents and siblings cheered for the Scouts.

A total of 700 Scouts from fourth grade to high school are active in the service unit, which includes all of the Edmonds School District.

The Scouts spent roughly 12 hours building their cars, and the race took about three hours.

The Scouts learn important skills during the event, including engineering, woodworking and creative design. They also learn teamwork, handling stress, good sportsmanship and time management.

Mariners Caravan stops in Alderwood

The Alderwood Boys &Girls Club recently received a visit from the 2009 Seattle Mariners Caravan, including pitcher Mark Lowe, new Mariners coach Lee Tinsley, broadcaster Dave Sims and the Mariner Moose.

The caravan started on Jan. 7 in Tacoma and finished up Jan. 23 in Olympia after stops in nearly two dozen communities across the Pacific Northwest from Portland, Ore., to Vancouver, B.C.

At the Alderwood Boys &Girls Club kids got to meet the Mariners, ask questions and find out about the Mariner Moose DREAM Team — whose initials stand for Drug-free, Respect, Education, Attitude and Motivation.

People

Gilbert named Nile Shrine leader

An Oak Harbor resident, Eugene Gilbert, recently was installed potentate of Nile Shrine for 2009, succeeding outgoing Potentate Richard Kovak.

Gilbert served 24 years in the Marine Corps as an infantryman during the Korean War, then becoming a pilot in service which included the Vietnam War. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Gilbert and his wife Dottie were owner-operators of the Bridgeway Cafe restaurant on Fidalgo Island for 21 years. The Gilberts celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary last November.

Gilbert has been a Mason since 1978, holding life memberships in both Whidbey Lodge No. 15 and Scottish Rite of Bellingham. He has been a member of Nile Shrine for 10 years.

Arts Council picks scholarship winner

The Arts Council of Snohomish County recently named Alexandra Manea the recipient of its annual Susan Jane Russell Art Scholarship.

Alexandra is a senior at Henry M. Jackson High School. She received $1,000 for college tuition.

The award is given to an outstanding art student who plans to attend a community college, university or art school in fall 2009, majoring in the visual arts or arts education. Alexandra also received Silver Key awards for her individual entries, Musica de Acasa and La Revedere Tatal Meu in the 2009 Snohomish County Regional Scholastic Art Awards.

The Arts Council of Snohomish County has been sponsoring the scholarship since 1990.

Benefits

Camp Fire’s annual candy sale begins

Camp Fire USA Club members recently began selling candy after the Snohomish County Council kicked off the annual candy sale.

Camp Fire will also be supporting our military this year by expanding the Candy for Troops program. People buying candy have the option to purchase Camp Fire Candy and donate it to troops both overseas and at Naval Station Everett.

Nicole Loehr, 11, a three-time All Star 1,000 Club member, enjoys selling candy and looks forward to the “cool prizes every year.” Nicole has earned dinner at the Seattle Space Needle, limousine rides and money toward Camp Killoqua for selling more than 1,000 boxes of candy during the four-week sale.

Proceeds from the candy sale benefit Camp Fire’s many programs, including scholarships for children to participate in both Camp Fire’s club program as well as attend Camp Killoqua, Camp Fire’s campground in Stanwood.

Teddy bears given to foster kids

The Everett Family Christian Bookstore recently donated 164 Teddy bears to Compass Health’s Foster Care Program.

Employees of the bookstore donated the bears, which were given to children who receive full-time or weekend foster care through Compass Health and other area foster care agencies.