Eloika Lake enjoys perfect paddle day

The weather has been exceptional; is it a touch of Indian summer? In any case, my tomatoes like it. They are finally turning red.

It looked a little questionable for the Eloika Lake Poker Paddle on Sept. 18, but it turned into a great day with no wind, making the lake smooth for all the paddlers. The poker hand winner was Vickie Hershey, who has been a participant in all five paddles. Her prizes included an etched and carved paddle, created by local artist Liberty Van Dyke, and items donated by Mountain Gear. There were 33 participants this year, and photos of the event are available on the Eloika Lake Association’s website at www.eloikalake.com.

• On Saturday, there will be a forestry tour by the Spokane and Northeast chapters of the Washington Farm Forestry Association. Meet at the Newport-Oldtown Rotary Club meeting center at the east end of the Newport-Oldtown Bridge on Highway 2 just on the right. Sign-in, welcome and doughnuts will be at 8:15 a.m., and the tour of Oaks Tree Farm will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The morning speaker will be Gary Ford, retired U.S. Forest Service soil scientist and founding member of the Cheney Spokane Ice Age Flood Institute. The afternoon speaker will be Mark Pullen. He will focus on how glaciations and ancient floods affected the Newport, Wash., area and will discuss the geology around the Oaks Tree Farm. Bring a sack lunch. Soda and juices will be available. For information, contact Sheldon Magnuson at (509) 292-0866 or greentree@aimcomm.com; or Matt Hobbs at (509) 442-3578 or hforest@potc.net.

• There are some art and theater opportunities coming up this month. At the Pend Oreille Playhouse in Newport, the Waterway Art Exhibit, celebrating the river, is on display through Monday. This month’s production at the Playhouse will be “Bell, Book and Candle.” Performances will be Oct. 8 to 10 and Oct. 15 to 17. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the playhouse or online at www. pendoreilleplayers.org. For information call (509) 671-3389.

The Northwoods Performing Arts production this month is the comedy, “New Kid on the Block.” Performances are Oct. 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 at the Circle Moon Theater at Sacheen Lake on Highway 211. Dinner shows are $20; $12 for show only. For times, tickets or information, call (208) 448-1294.

The Cutter Theatre in Metaline Falls is displaying artwork from the Evergreen Art Association through Oct. 28. The mystery dinner theater will present “Murder on the Agenda” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15-16 and 22-23. Tickets are $25. For information and tickets call (509) 446-4108 or visit www.cuttertheatre.com.

• Some good economic news for our area: Aardvark Garden Supply, 323654 Newport Highway in Diamond Lake just south of Camden Road, is opening Friday. Owner Jay Goodell will offer a full array of indoor and outdoor gardening supplies, including soils, nutrients, greenhouse necessities and lighting. For more information, call (509) 447-4040 or (877) 799-4040.