Identify Your ‘Stuff’ At High Desert Museum

Sun., Sept. 15, 1996

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

We all pick up stuff - interesting rocks that just might be an ancient tool, old bottles, railroad spikes - while hiking through the countryside and we carry it home.

And there our treasures sit on the shelf. Now, however, there’s a way to find out just how old or how authentic these objects are; the High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore., is holding an artifact identification day.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, visitors can bring natural or cultural history objects for identification by museum staff, curators and visiting archaeologists. The “Clues to Your Collection” is included in admission to the museum. There will also be archaeology films run every half-hour through the day. The museum is 3.5 miles south of Bend on U.S. 97; admission is $6.25, $5.75 for seniors and students, $3 for children 5-12. For information, call (541) 382-4754.

Travel off-season and save: Those planning a trip to northwest Washington this winter can save up to 50 percent on some lodging with a coupon from the Whatcom County Visitors Bureau.

The coupon is part of an off-season travel discount brochure, valid from mid-September through April. To get a free brochure with lodging and dining options in Bellingham, contact Bellingham/Whatcom County Visitors Bureau, 904 Potter St., Bellingham, WA 98226; (800) 487-2032, or e-mail tourism@bellingham.org.

Whatcom County also has a Web page at: http://www.bellingham.org.

A gesture of goodwill: Applications will be taken through Oct. 18 for the 18th annual “Home for the Holidays” program for seniors in the Eastern Washington area.

Fifteen seniors will be given complimentary airplane tickets to visit friends or family over the holidays. The event is sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington.

To apply, a person must be at least 65 years old, low-income and demonstrate a strong economic need. Those chosen can travel between Dec. 2 and Jan 11. Applications are available at area seniors centers, at the Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington office, 1101 W. College Ave., Room 365, Spokane, WA 99201; or by calling 458-2509.

Cruise through some Southern gardens: Gardeners wanting a taste of Southern style can hop aboard the 414 passenger Mississippi Queen for a six-night cruise from Memphis to New Orleans, visiting gardens along the way.

The Delta Queen Steamboat Co., is running two Gardens of the River, April 3-9 and April 13-20. The cruises will be escorted by gardening experts and authors. For details: (800) 543-7637.

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