Saturday brought 4X4 enthusiasts from Oregon, Montana and Washington on a yearly trek to Mount Saint Helens Observatory, including an annual stop at Toledo's Food Bank to drop off donations and show support.

The trip to the observatory was begun in 2004 by NWBombers.com forum group member Bob V., the 12-truck convoy added the food bank stop in 2006, with Daryl of NWforddiesel.com heading up the drive until 2011, when members of forddieselpower.com joined the annual run.

Guests turned out in great numbers Saturday afternoon to take part in the American Girls Tea Party at the Winlock Timberland Library.

Held every other year since 2006, the party was first started by Library Manager Jamie Allwine, who said her appreciation for the line of dolls, as well as the historical fiction and craft books associated with each one, began when her daughter was old enough to enjoy them.

Those who wish to beat the crowds to upcoming tire recycling events can go to Mossyrock this weekend to drop off passenger and light truck tired for free.

Taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Lewis County Road Maintenance Shop at 515 Larson Rd., residents can bring in tires both on and off the rim, but will not be allowed to drop off tires for heavy equipment or businesses. ID will also be checked to confirm residency, as this event is open to Lewis County resident only.

In keeping with annual tradition, members of the Cowlitz Prairie Grange donated dictionaries to third grade students at Toledo Elementary School Monday as part of their Words for Thirds program, encouraging literacy among young students. Grange members participating in the event that day included Julia Broussard, Warren Roberts, Lloyd Hedgers, Fred Wilson and Tom Boone. For more information about ongoing grange activities and how to become involved, Contact Boone at (360) 262-3696, Jan Baker at (360) 785-0443, or Helaine Gallinger at (360) 262-9106.

The ninth annual Ryderwood Arts and Crafts Fair will be taking place this weekend and local residents are welcome to come and see the many varied wares of local craftspeople and artisans. Featuring vendors from all across the region, everything from paintings to jewelry to woodwork will be available, and more. Food will also be sold to raise fund for local community groups. The times to show up are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. To reach Ryderwood, travel west on SR 506 past Vader and keep going until you reach the end of the highway. For information, call (360) 295-0096.

According to the “weather person”, October 2013 may qualify as the driest on record for our area. It has made for some incredibly nice weather of late. Here’s hoping it holds out for this weekends’ 9th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair.

Marty reports that a great group of vendors is expected at the Craft Fair: some returning, some new; some local, some from afar. The RWCS Bake Sale and Women’s Club Baked Potato Lunch will enhance the experience. 

Toledo Senior Center offers fly tying with Lee Wheeler, Tuesdays 9 - 11 a.m. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewiscountywa.gov or (360) 864-2112.

Tuesday Friends of the Toledo Library meet with Vision:Toledo Arts, Rec and Events at the MAC 6:30 p.m. Contact www.morganartscentre.com or (360) 864-4ART.

On Saturday, the fall carnival is returning to the Winlock Miller Elementary. It promises games, prizes, costume contests (they ask that there are no weapons or hoods, please), cakewalks, and lots of food to go around. Pre-sale tickets are 5/$1, which you can purchase at the school’s office, or 4/$1 at the door. All ages are invited, although kids must be accompanied by an adult. And a big thanks to the Winlock PTSA and Winlock FFA for sponsoring this year’s carnival!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the pajama drive for the Human Response Network a huge success. Thanks to Amy Nile and Aaron Van Tuyl of the Chronicle, and Stephen Floyd of the Town Crier for their excellent coverage of the event. I would also like to thank all the people who donated and made contributions for the purchase of new pajamas. Thank you to the staff and students of Napavine who were so supportive of this project. Over 70 pairs of pajamas were donated to the HRN.

Thank you to Walmart for allowing pajamas to be purchased at reduced prices and to KMNT radio for talking about the event on air. Many thanks to Dick Rico for furnishing the load of wood for the raffle.

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) District would like to remind Toledo voters of the differences between approving annexation and establishing a library in town.

While TRL has said approving annexation is an important first step toward bringing a library to Toledo, they also seek to make clear it provides no guarantee any such facility will be put in place, though annexation does grant residents entitlement to TRL cards and services.

The Castle Rock City Council has been asked to approve more than $46,000 in change orders for the Front Ave. reconstruction project after contractor Tapani Underground ran into unexpected delays.

It was reported during their Oct. 14 meeting a full 11 days of additional work was incurred when road crews encountered undocumented concrete supports under the pavement, which required extra effort to dig through, as well as unlabeled phone lines owned by Century Link, which crews had to take extra effort to not disturb.

The City of Castle Rock has been recognized for its attractive landscaping through an award from the National America in Bloom program.

Community activist Nancy Chennault, with the Castle Rock Community Development Alliance, presented the award to the City Council during their Oct. 14 meeting, thanking officials for supporting efforts to enter the city in the annual program.

Winlock Mayoral candidate Lonnie Dowell and City Council candidate Aaron Mummert were appointed Planning Commission members during the Oct. 14 Winlock City Council meeting in advance of the Oct. 16 Preliminary Industrial Park presentation by developer Benaroya.

Council Member Denise Green, who had been a candidate for Mayor until placing third during the August Primary Election, abstained from endorsing Dowell, citing a potential conflict of interest if Dowell were to subsequently win the race for Mayor.

Standing room only in City Hall brought developer Benaroya, engineering firm Barghausen, and commercial real estate marketer CBRE, Inc. face to face with citizens during a hearing of the Winlock Planning Commission Oct. 16 in which plans were discussed to develop 322 acres of industrial property along I-5.

Dan Balmelli of Barghausen confirmed "The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) has been completed, and we're ready to move forward."

The Vader City Council is seeking a moratorium against recreational marijuana facilities as they explore possible regulations for such businesses, in light of a proposal to bring a growing and processing facility into town.

Seattle developer Brandon Milton spoke to the council during their Oct. 15 meeting about his plan to apply for a recreational marijuana license later next month and eventually establish a processing facility in the city’s industrial district.

By GEORGE KUNKE

Raymond came back from a 0-2 deficit to overtake North Beach in five games, 18-25, 10-25, 25-15, 25-12 and 25-19 last Thursday night at Oyehut.

Willapa Valley, South Bend and Raymond runners competed in an 8-school cross country meet at Onalaska, which was their third competition in six days. All of the runners were primed for a fast competitive race. 

After being flooded out of a meet in Chehalis a couple of weeks ago, the Toledo/Winlock Cross Country team found themselves in a race with two of the toughest 2B harrier teams in a meet at Onalaska on Oct. 15.

Toledo bested Mossyrock 36 to 38 while Onalaska was 3rd in the standings with 51 points followed by North Beach in a distant fourth.

The Indians kept it close in the first half, but a series of disastrous events doomed Toledo in a big Trico League loss on Friday night.

Down 13-0, Connor Vermilyea threw double-reverse pass to Konner Crawford for a 46-yard touchdown late in the 2nd quarter. This play was executed perfectly. Toledo's second half was one of disasters.

Two dismissal and three warrants were issued by Judge Steve Buzzard during Winlock Municipal Court Thursday.