Triple Ms work to put shine on city’s image

The Triple Ms are at it again.

In an abandoned building at the end of an ancient strip mall, the City of Spokane Valley’s historic heroes are diligently at work.

These caped crusaders use every trick up their leotards when it comes to twisting arms of local businesses and squeezing blood from turnips. Indeed, their extraordinary efforts have paid off because the Mighty Museum Masters (aka Spokane Valley Legacy Foundation) have accomplished the unthinkable.

They’ve established a museum.

While the city sleeps, these superheroes of history lurk about, collecting trivia here, fixing a leak there, scraping paint off the Opportunity Township Hall, and replacing broken boards. Day and night they move toward accomplishing their goal.

After letters of support and donations poured in from the last call for action, the Triple M’s spiffed up their hero outfits and took their campaign to City Hall, whereupon a bright green stamp of approval was given.

On May 29, volunteers arrived at the historic Opportunity Township Hall on Sprague Avenue to scrape paint and prepare the new museum digs for renovations sure to put a shine on our superheroes’ capes as well as the new City of Spokane Valley’s image.

I had the good fortune to meet some of these interesting history hounds as they busily prepared the hall for a grand opening set for June 23.

Seems our new museum will host the Fourth District Legislators Campaign Kick-off (complete with whistle-stop speeches reminiscent of the days of yore). Media will be in attendance as the candidates schmooze constituents.

But, as everyone knows, on occasion the residents of Metropolis have to come to the aid of their superhero.

Even those of Herculean stature have a threshold of resistance, a line they can’t seem to cross, an Achilles heel. Superman wimped out around kryptonite, Popeye was pooped without his spinach and Batman went ballistic over Catwoman. In order to leap tall buildings once again, these heroes got a boost from the common folk.

Good citizens of Valleyopolis, once again the mighty need your help.

“We need more volunteers! More scrapers! More everything!” said an enthusiastic Jayne Singleton, the foundation’s administrator. “We want to make a good impression!”

Our Mighty Museum Masters have two weekends to get this place into shape. And what a mix of artifacts they’ve accumulated.

A large red and white Behm’s sign sits in a corner, a life-size cardboard Elvis leans against the wall, a 45 rpm record of “Ferry Across the Mercy” by Gerry and the Pacemakers sits on one of many glass cases that need sanding and staining.

Did you know in 1918 it cost $1.50 for hall rental? Or in 1921 the Valley’s population was 7,000 and 40 new residences were built that year? How about that in 1924 Washington state workers compensation was $2.37? And check this out, the phone number of C.E. Johnson was ORCH.52-R. Artifacts of long ago are stacked on tables waiting to be categorized and displayed.

“When completed, this will be an interactive museum,” said Singleton. “People can set the wheels into motion and experience history.”

It’s a big job but there’s one thing I’m certain of, the Triple M’s will make it happen. And it’s nothing short of a miracle.

The main difficulty is the renovation of the building’s exterior. Contractors have volunteered their expertise to cram the cracks, mend the mortar, batten down the bricks and restick the stucco but volunteers have to do the prep work.

“Did I tell you, we feed everyone who helps out?” Singleton said as the smell of roast beef, baked potatoes and coconut cream pie wafted through the hall.

So Valley folks, here’s your chance to come to the aid of the history hounds once again. Your time, talent, expertise and willingness to lend a hand are needed to see this dream become a reality. Whatever you can donate will make a mark on our legacy and perhaps put you into the history books of superhero sidekicks.

We common folk don’t get many opportunities to rally round local heroes. There’s even a free meal prepared by our own Mighty Museum Masters. And, as before, you may get a nifty invisible cape sure to match every outfit.

Now that doesn’t happen in the comic books.

For more information on how you can help, call Jayne Singleton at 891-0487.