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This is Barb Lewis and I just finished "When Books Went to War, The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II", by Molly Guptill Manning. This is a story that I'm sure many didn't know. I've read so much about this time period and had never heard this true story, the story about how books helped win the war!

It's common knowledge that Hitler banned so many books in Germany and then had over 100 million burned. What we discover is that when librarians in the United States learned this awful fact they started a campaign across the country to send free books to our troops. They received over 20 million! I was so amazed and proud to read this because I've been associated with libraries for many years and I know what a difference books can make in a person's life but... I didn't know THIS story!

Happy June, and what beautiful weather we've had. I'll take credit for it since it's nearly identical to what I experienced on a recent trip to Arizona. It should have been 20-25º hotter, but it barely got out of the 80s and there was always a comfortable breeze. The swimming pool wasn't even warm enough to use!

A new month means another Town Breakfast this Saturday, June 6. This meal is worth the trip out to the end of SR 506. The menu includes pancakes, ham OR sausage, eggs however you like them, biscuits & sausage gravy - plus orange juice and bottomless coffee. The prices can't be beat!

June 3 Lioness Club selling raffle tickets 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays at St Helens Tap House, Market Place IGA Fridays and Saturdays for BBQ Pit with extras. Tix $1. Also: October 4 Tea tix available, $12. Contact any member or Rachel, rachel@phillippsins.com or (360) 864-8844.

June means: donations accepted for Second Time Around Sale. Sign up for June 10 Backyard Composting class 5-9 p.m. (free). Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewsicountywa.gov or (360) 864-2112.

Organizers for the Fourth of July Celebration report finances are secure, while potential vendors and entertainers are being sought. If you're interested in offering food, souvenirs, family-friendly products and events, or live music, call Reggie Smith at (360) 751-4034. So far, a parade is scheduled for 2 p.m., live music from 5 to 9 p.m. and a fireworks display at 10 p.m., all free to the community.

Local residents are preparing to start up a Committee for Community Improvements and suggestions are being sought by organizers for projects around town. Those with ideas or who wish to become involved may call Lois Wilson at (360) 295-3002 or Pegge Baher at (360) 295-3633.

This is the week, the time many of us have been waiting for 18 years and it is finally here!! This is graduation week for our high school Seniors, it is here. Don't forget Baccalaureate is at 6:00pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and at 7 p.m. at the Middle School Gym is the Senior Awards night. Then, finally this Saturday, June 6, at noon, it is time for Graduation. Apollo will graduate at 2:30 p.m., right after the High School graduation ceremony. I know for our family, it is the last one to graduate. I couldn't be prouder and I wish that each student will live their lives to the fullest and achieve all their dreams.

Toledo's new sewer plant has reached its initial stages of completion and, if it stands up to a series of tests scheduled for next week, may be online by the end of the month, according to city staff.

After more than 13 months of construction and seven years of planning, the city's new oxidation ditch-style plant is expected to both increase the capacity for sewer hookups in town, as well as replace an aging lagoon-style plant, which Public Works Superintendent Craig McCown said could not have happened too soon.

Toledo Baseball Takes 4th at State

The Toledo boys baseball team ended with a pair of losses, but ultimately claimed 4th place with a series of excellent wins in the District and state tournaments. The Indians took it to Wilbur-Creston in the opening round with a 10-3 victory on May 23rd and then defeated league rival Pe Ell/Willapa Valley 6-2 in the second round. In the semi-finals, Toledo dropped a game to Colfax 4-2 and then were blanked 4-0 by De Sales to decide 3rd and 4th place.

The Toledo baseball team finished their season with a final record of 20-8.

I've always loved newspapers. As a kid I read them and loved the stat boxes of baseball and basketball. It turned me into a type of statistical geek that intrigued me about the more cerebral side of sports. In the process, I dabbled in journalism from a school newspaper, yearbook and then later as a contributor for the Three Rivers Review in Klamath County, Ore. There has been some form of camera in my life since I was 15.

In 2006, while I was still working in environmental education for the U.S. Forest Service at Mount St. Helens, I approached then Town Crier Editor David Kellem about writing a regular column describing great outdoor activities within two hours of Winlock. "The Out and About" column allowed me to get to know great outdoor and often hiking activities in Western Washington while writing and producing photo essays about the experience. For me, it became an objective personal exploration of the region through the curious eyes of anyone that read the column.

Multiple businesses in the local area are opening soon or under way, and Town Crier is pleased to highlight several of them in our New Business Showcase.