It’s party time for the Annuals
The annual invasion of the, er … Annuals happens again this afternoon, as the event’s 25th year kicks off in Bayview.
Like swallows to Capistrano, these guys hold a males-only weekend-long party every year. Last year, Bayview welcomed the second generation, as both fathers and sons participated. Opening the season at Farragut State Park, they take over Thimbleberry Campground today.
As evening approaches, the horde will descend upon the Captain’s Wheel for a few libations. On Friday, Stoneridge Golf Resort will host the crowd, followed by more libations. Saturday afternoon, they will have a steak barbecue, followed by many libations. By Sunday, all will make their way home with the knowledge that once a year is plenty.
The leader of the pack, Rob Peck, will undoubtedly take his annual plunge off the dock in Bayview, thus causing a tsunami and heralding the seasonal rising of the lake level. On Saturday night, the Captain’s Wheel features music by Comfort Zone, a band that has proved very popular, having been asked back repeatedly.
In Athol, Post 149 of the American Legion will hold a veterans appreciation dinner, free to World War II and Korean War vets, on Saturday at 6 p.m. The cost is $7 for others.
Also in Athol, travelers along U.S Highway 95 are greeted by a new and improved Rib Ranch, which Carl and Kelly Turman have renamed Jimmy C’s. Closed for several months for repairs and redecorating, they held a soft reopening on May 1.
Explaining what was going on, Kelly said, “We wanted to be more family-friendly. To be a place customers would want to bring their kids.” She went on to say that much of their summer business comes from the campground at Silverwood, just two miles down the road, with grandparents and grandkids making up a large percentage of the visitors whocamp there.
Developer donates to fireworks fund
Ralph Jones, vice president of the Bayview Chamber of Commerce, presented a check for $1,000 from Bob Holland of Waterford Park Marinas to the Chamber, for fireworks, along with the news that the possibility of a public beach may be in the works soon. Waterford is marketing five waterfront RV spots that could be converted into a beach by breaching the seawall and creating a sandy beach behind it.
Along with that effort will be an attempt to raise Bayview Creek into a free-flowing stream. Rick Curry, President of the Kootenai County commissioners, was questioned on the matter of the 25-foot setback ordinance, but said he thought it could be worked out. The next step is to settle on a price, then start looking for donated funds for the purchase. The beach, completed, would then be deeded to the county in perpetuity. Ralph Jones can be contacted at: 683-2218 or by e-mail at: Bayviewralph@yahoo.com.
Community yard sale planned
Clean out your cupboards, garages and basements: The Bayview Community Council and Bayview-Athol-Belmont Women’ s Club will co-sponsor a community yard sale on the Timberlake Fire Department grounds behind the Bayview Community Center May 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations can be left at 34685 Merriweather Road, Bayview next Thursday and May 23, between 4 and 7 p.m. To arrange a pick-up or delivery at another time, call 683-3963 or 683-4027.
No clothes are requested, but all other household, recreation and yard items are welcome. The groups will also be selling 200 raffle tickets at $5 each. Four winners will be drawn at 2 p.m. on May 24. The prize money is first place, $100; second place, $75; third place, $50; and fourth place, $25. Raffle tickets are being sold by club members and also on the day of the sale. All proceeds will be divided between the two sponsoring groups and go toward their numerous community activities.
Along with the yard sales, indoors at the Bayview Community Center is BLAST. This is an art show, complete with music. Bayview Local Artists Show and Tell will feature local artists displaying and selling their work, either originals or copies of originals. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bayview area has some very talented artists.