News Next Door

(News Next Door is a weekly compilation of community events. Submit items to dispatcheditor@nwlink.com or News Next Door, The Dispatch, P..O.. Box 248, Eatonville, WA 98328.  Questions? Contact the editor at dispatcheditor@nwlink.com or 360-832-4697.)

American Legion hosts rummage sale

American Legion Post 148 will host a fund-raising rummage sale on April 7-8 at its hall in Eatonville.
The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at 123 Rainier Ave.
Donations of items to sell are being accepted, and vendors can rent a table space for $25.
Additional information is available from Debbie Bucy at 360-688-3831 or from Arlene Murray at 253-720-1766 and a.murray2293@gmail.com.

Kids' recreation dodgeball in two age groups

Youth dodgeball game in two age groups are hosted by Youth Connection twice a month at Eatonville Community Center.
Participants who are 5 to 12 years old play from 6 to 8 p.m., and 13 to 19-year-olds compete frm 8 to 10 p.m. on the first and third Fridays of each month.
The community center is at 305 Center St. W. in Eatonville.
Youth Connection is a non-profit community organization that sponsors activities for children and families.

Book discussions part of Pierce County Reads

Special activities at Pierce County Library System branches are scheduled as part of the system's annual Pierce County Reads event.
The schedule includes:
• Discussions of "Grunt," a book by author Mary Roach that is the featured book this year. Discussions will be held April 8 at the Parkland-Spanaway branch from 2 to 3:30 p.m., April 10 at the South Hill branch from 7 to 8:30 p.m., April 13 at the Graham branch from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and April 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Parkland-Spanaway branch.
• Egg-engineering for children April 18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Parkland-Spanaway branch. Fourth through eighth-graders can design safe landings for eggs dropped from heights.   
Additional information on Pierce County Reads is available at piercecountyreads.org.
Roach, a New Hampshire native, is a best-selling author whose books include "Stiff," "Gulp" and "Packing for Mars." In "Grunt," she explores the medical, technical and human science behind keeping solders safe and well in extreme conditions.

Benefit bake sale in Eatonville April 14-15

A bake sale in memory of Debbie Wince and benefitting the Eatonville Relay for Life fund-raiser for American Cancer Society will be held April 14-15 at Plaza Market in Eatonville.
The sale is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Additional information is available from Jewell Nelson at 360-832-6551.

Community Day organizers taking booth signups

Organizations can begin signing up for booths at this year's Community Day in Eatonville.
The 103rd annual observance, to be held May 5 at Eatonville High School, symbolizes bonding between schools and the community in general. Booth information is available from the high school at 360-879-1200.

Talent showcase sponsored by Relay for Life

Got talent? Eatonville Relay for Life wants to see it.
Organizers of the local annual fund-raising event for American Cancer Society are sponsoring a talent showcase to be held May 20 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Mt. Rainier Eagles Aerie 3158. Musicians, singers, dancers, comics, magicians, storytellers and other talented people from the Eatonville, Ashford and Elbe areas can prepare a family-friendly act of between five and 10 minutes in length and submit a written application and video clip before the deadline of May 1.  
Further details are printed on the application forms, which are available at the Gypsy Wagon, PostNet, Mountain Community Co-op and other stores in Eatonville. Additional information is available from Jane Henderson at 360-832-6840.

Church rummage sale on three days in April

Our Lady of Good Counsel will hold its annual rummage sale April 6-7 from   9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, which is located at 229 Antonie Ave N. in Eatonville.
Donations of items for the sale will be accepted starting April 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items that can't be accepted include paint, chemicals or poisons, carpet remnants, vehicle parts, children's car seats, playpens, cribs or gates, copiers, printers, scanners, office dividers, pianos, organs, pool tables, mattresses and glass shower doors.

Annual arts and crafts show in Mineral

Mineral Presbyterian Church will host the 13th annual Opening Weekend Arts and Craft Show April 21-22.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the show will feature local and regional artists and crafters and their handmade items. Also planned is a raffle of artist-donated items to benefit the church.
The show is in conjunction with the opening of the lowland lakes fishing season.

Hank Williams Jr. to perform at State Fair

Country musician Hank Williams Jr. will perform in concert Sept. 16 at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup.
Williams, the only son of the late, legendary Hank Williams, has 20 gold albums, six platinum albums (one of which has sold more than 5 million copies), and 13 chart-topping albums. He has been selling out massive venues for a longer period of time than his famed father spent on Earth.
Williams' will appear at the fair with special guest The Cadillac Three.
Tickets ($80, $70, $45) are on sale at www.thefair.com, 888-559-3247, and at the fair’s box office at Ninth Avenue Southwest and Meridian, next to the fairgrounds' main entrance. The box office is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Information on the rest of the concert lineup for this year's fair is available at thefair.com.

'Beneficial insects' topic for Dogwood Garden Club

The next monthly meeting of the Dogwood Garden Club will be held on April 13 at the home of club member Mary Bewley. The program will cover the topics of "Plants that attract beneficial insects" and "Designing with ticks."
Anyone interested in joining the club Diane Mettler at 360-832-1745 or Mary Bewley at 360-832-4910.