Arlington High School graduate Erin Peek was crowned Washington State Dairy Ambassador on June 28.
Peek was among six contestants competing for the title at the downtown Everett Holiday Inn. Winners of the title receive a college scholarship, internships and extensive communications training.
As a representative of the Dairy Farmers of Washington, Peek will visit schools, attend county fairs, appear at Washington Interscholastic Activities Association events and speak before the Legislature promoting the health and nutrition benefits of dairy products. A Dairy Ambassador typically makes 400 public appearances during her year-long tenure.
Peek was selected last year as Snohomish County’s Dairy Ambassador, putting her in the running for this year’s state title. The 17-year-old has been very active in 4-H, FFA and the Washington Junior Holstein Association.
In addition to caring for her show heifers at the Soler Farm, Peek rides horses and competes in team roping and barrel racing.
Snohomish Community Food bank gets face-lift
On June 19, the Snohomish Community Food Bank welcomed eight employees from Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Seattle office who came to paint the south entry to the building — which doubles as the produce room — as part of the company’s Serve with Liberty campaign.
Home Depot donated the paint and supplies.
Firm helps with pilot’s Guinness record attempt
Arlington Flight Services Inc. provided local support for a Fresno man’s around the world solo flight, completed last weekend.
If certified, Jack Wiegand, 21, will become the youngest person to fly solo around the world.
Wiegand’s uncle, Mike Wiegand, of Arlington, contacted the company in search of aviation fuel. He was in the process of arranging a shipment of supplies to Adak, Alaska for Jack. From that point, AFS and Mike Wiegand kept in touch as Jack’s flight progressed into Japan, and discussed a reception for when he arrived at Arlington Municipal Airport.
In Japan, Wiegand’s airplane encountered a technical issue. Mike Wiegand contacted AFS and discussed the problem, and it was suggested that his nephew was encountering a difference in fuel octane ratings between the U.S. and Japan.
The end result was that Jack Wiegand could not operate his aircraft as efficiently as originally planned and was required to make an additional fuel stop along his route.
His welcome party at Arlington was coordinated by AFS and the Washington Pilots Association.
“AFS was happy to help Jack out in any way we could, from storing his airplane, troubleshooting technical issues, to donating fuel for his last flight down to Fresno,” said Lucas Smith, of Arlington Flight Services. “We were excited to help Jack out in any way possible in completing his long journey.”
Food drive brings in 363 pounds
A Toys for Tots of South Snohomish County summer food drive held June 29 at the Grocery Outlet in Marysville gathered 363 pounds of food for local food banks.
The group plans another outreach event, a back-to-school drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Tulalip Walmart.
PUD grant casts new light at Auditorium
District maintenance staff recently replaced the lights at Everett Civic Auditorium, a community performance facility owned by the district and used by the public and Everett High School.
The Snohomish Public Utility District reimbursed the district almost $10,000 for the cost of the project because the new light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs will save energy over time. Replacing the old incandescent lamps with LED will reduce electrical costs and the labor involved to replace incandescent bulbs, saving an estimated $7,517 per year over the life of the new LEDs and cut electrical consumption at the auditorium by 81,956 kilowatt hours per year.
Marysville church choir performs on big stage
A small choir from a Marysville church was invited to take the stage at Lincoln Center in New York City for a performance of John Rutter’s “Magnificat” on June 17.
The invitation for the ensemble performance, led by guest conductor Solveig Holmquist, came from MidAmerica Productions. The production company was impressed by a performance the Celebration Singers gave during the 2011-12 season, said Dustin Willetts, director of creative arts for Mountain View Presbyterian Church.
“We worked week after week to perfect this major work… It was a huge honor and privilege to be asked to join the capstone performance of the season,” Willetts said. “We are a church choir of 40, constantly seeking and striving for endeavors of excellence.”
Tulalip Tribes help with diaper costs
The Sky Valley Food Bank recently received a $5,000 grant from the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund, which will be used exclusively to supply diapers for the children of food bank clients.
Victims’ group gets needed boost
The Everett Clinic Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Victim Support Services.
Victim Support Services’ eight staff members and 30 volunteers provide crisis intervention, legal advocacy and support services to crime victims. The nonprofit receives the majority of its funding from federal grants, and recently lost 25 percent those funds due to federal cuts.
The grant will support the organization’s outreach and awareness program, which reaches 1,750 residents of Snohomish County. It assists people who have been victims of crimes such as identity theft, fraud, arson, physical assault, home invasions, vehicular assault and homicide, robbery, loved ones of murder victims, and families of missing adults where foul play is suspected.
Brokers help Safe Place
On June 28, Windermere Everett South Real Estate brokers and their kids took the day off to participate in the annual Windermere Community Service Day.
Volunteers worked with Hand in Hand, which helps children transition into the foster care system through Safe Place, a facility it operates in Everett. Volunteers helped to restore the kitchen, plant flower pots, weed, restore play equipment and spread 40 yards of bark.
Machinists run to raise funds for guide dogs
Nearly 200 runners and walkers took part in this year’s Flight for Sight fun run, which generated more than $15,000 for Guide Dogs of America.
The event was held June 8 at the Boeing Everett Activities Center and was sponsored by the women’s committee at Machinists Union District Lodge 751.
Boy Scout makes music for Arlington
Boy Scout Christian Bigger recently oversaw installation of pagoda bells and drums at the Arlington Arts Council’s Sound Garden as part of his Eagle Scout project. He received help from his family and troop.
The new instruments are in addition to the Swirl and an Anthony Gaskin mural that were installed as an Eagle Scout project by Trey Swanson.
The Sound Garden is located just south of Legion Park on the Centennial Trail.
To celebrate the completion of the Sound Garden, Batucada Band will perform Brazilian salsa music at the Sound Garden, 1-2 p.m. Sept. 14, and the rest of the afternoon at Art in the Park in Legion Park.
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