I think yesterday was the 11^th year of our mill retirement luncheons held in March. I do enjoy these get-togethers and don’t mind the hour drive into town.  It’s nice to see familiar faces but at the same time, it’s sad to see what regulars are missing because they’ve passed away.  When the letter arrives reminding us to send in our reservations, the first thing I study is the long list of people who won’t be there.  The list this year was no exception as I knew almost all of them.  We include both millworkers and their family members.  The list numbered 30 this year and included Bob Allan, Walt Arey, Eric Bartl, Gene Bishop, Lola Blais, Loraine Bolling, John W. Christiansen, Harold Gruver, Will Guenther, Bill Kelly, Walt Klockers, Clarence Lammers, Jim Logue, Mike McConaghy, Bill McIntire, Mary Davidson Moore, Jim Minish, Don Mogseth, Frank Olsen, Pauline Nebel, Linda Pedersen, Jack Richter, Ruth Seeley, Dick Stickney, Bud Steinberg, John Taylor, Lorraine Troutman, Violet Twiggs, JoAnn Umbarger, and Duane Zeits.

Russ Kunz was the oldest in attendance (age 98) and he was moving along pretty darn good. Better than I was, I suspect, as my hip reminded me once again that I needed to sit down!  Vic Anderson was the second oldest at 90. Him and Marie show up every year. The 50/50 raffle sets aside money for next years’ luncheon but we give half of it away that day. Connie Matthes was the lucky winner this year and took home $140.  We always have a few other prizes too. This year they included a US flag, two bed pillows, a large jar of nuts, a bird feeder, wrapping paper, shirts, hats, and painted rocks, among other things.

It was a mighty fruitful trip into town for me because afterwards I went by my pal, Linda’s house (she died at Christmas time) and her sister gave me boxes of obits, newspaper articles, pictures, movies, and other treasures that she knew I’d want.  I’ve set up my scanner in the kitchen so I can begin the process of getting some of these treasures onto my computer.  Many are decades old and I plan to share several on my Facebook page over the next few weeks.  Just the kind of busy work I love.

Pictured above is Russ Kunz who I worked with at the mill. He worked with my dad too, loading trucks while I did up the bills of lading. By the way, you can see several of our luncheon pictures on my Facebook page. Scroll through the albums. 

After talking to Alyce Hansen, I discovered the luncheons have actually been going on since 1983 when CZ became PTPC. Tickets were only $8 then and the luncheon was held at Fort Worden--35 years ago!