DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

December 31^st            New Years Eve Celebration     8:00pm, Horton Community Center

January 8^th                    GCA Potluck & Reports            6:00pm, Horton Community Center

February 10^th                Board Meeting                            TBA

February 12^th & 13^th   Annual Crab Feed                      6:00pm, Horton Community Center

March 10^th                     Board Study                               TBA

March 12^th                    Irish Stew                                   6:00pm, Horton Community Center

 

 

From the President...

 As this year comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of GCA for their support of the Association and especially the support that has been given to me.  It has been a wonderful year.  One of challenging fundraising, really fun social events and a dedication to helping our community.  It could not have been done without the hard work and dedication of all of you. 

It has been my pleasure to serve as president these past two years.  Assisting me as elected board members were Teresa Stone, Stephanie Paulson, Pam Berger, Lori Stark, Cliff Cotey, Larry Grumme and Hugh Mahugh.  In addition, the task of organizing all of our activities rested in the capable hands of the standing committee chairs: Louise Okonek, Meg Graddon, Mernie Cain, Paula Cimmery, Kim Cimmery, Linda Hallberg, Lynn Lenhart, and Jody Grumme.   Thank you all so very much. 

 

The officers for 2010, elected at the November Chili Cook-off meeting are:

President:  Teresa Stone

V. President:  Jolene Dumont

Secretary:  Pam Berger

Treasurer:  Stephanie Paulson

Trustee:  Mike Fish (2 year position)

Returning to finish the second of a two year position as Trustee is Larry Grumme.

 I wish them well and offer my support.

 

Serving as your president has been a rewarding experience for me.  When I was elected I felt like a new comer, knowing only a few by name.   Two years of phone calls, emails, conversations at the Post Office, Fire Hall and Potlucks has changed that.  Thank you for the confidence you placed in me two years ago, the support you offered and the friendship you extended.  You all have enriched my life in Grapeview. 

 Linda Fish

 

Chili Cook-Off on November 13^th, 2009

 What a great success! There were 112 members in attendance and all anxious to vote on their favorite Chili. The following chefs were all winners at this event: Tom Makousky, James Moy, Sunny Cotey, Banks Richie, Jim Stark and Laura Woitas.  Thank you for the delicious recipes.

 Congratulations “Jim Stark” 2009 Chili Cook-Off Chef.  Jim received a basket of Chili related items, certificate and a chili-pepper Chefs hat.  Thanks to all members who helped make this event a great success and a big thank you to the set-up and clean-up crew.

 During this event our members voted in the 2010 Executive Board and shared a round of applause for the outgoing board.

 

 

UPDATE: The GCA 2010 Crab Feed

I hope you didn’t procrastinate purchasing your ticket(s) for the 2010 Crab Feed. The tickets went on sale to GCA members at the November 13 Chili Cook-Off and Potluck. Three weeks later we had a waiting list for both nights (Feb. 12, Friday; Feb. 13, Saturday) with nearly 30 tickets on the two lists. At this time (December 21) there are only a couple people left on the waiting lists. Ticket sales were a lot more robust this year for both nights.

Here are a couple statistics. This will be the second year GCA has supported two Crab Feed meal sittings. Each sitting will serve 170 people. The largest group ticket purchase is 25. A hearty thanks to the Lakeland Village “Nifty-Niners”. The two tickets traveling the greatest distance are coming from Virginia. Dungeness Crab is so much better than Blue Crab, this couple scheduled their visit to Grapeview friends around the 2010 Crab Feed.

The 2010 Crab Feed is the first time we have used a seating reservation system. When you check-in at the door a server will be able to take you directly to your reserve seating.

A reminder for volunteers, the all-volunteer meeting at the Horton Community Center, is scheduled for January 21 at 7:00 PM. If you have any questions regarding how the Crab Feed operates, your assigned task, etc., this is a good opportunity to ask. It also is the time for finding out if all the details have been covered.

A big thank you to our tenacious pool of volunteers and to the purchasers of the 324 tickets so far (we still have 16 tickets in reserve status for volunteer workers). The 2010 Crab Feed portends to be another shell-crushing success. If you have any questions regarding the Crab Feed please contact Louise Okonek at 275-2542 or Kim Cimmery at 275-5185.

 

 

December 31^st, 2009   NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

The Grapeview Community Association invites you to attend the 2010 New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Grapeview’s Horton Community Center. It will start at 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 31.  Dress is casual.  It is never too early to start talking to your neighbors and friends about attending. About 50 people attended last year’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and everyone had a great time.

We all entertain ourselves with board games, puzzles and card games like Mexican Train and Poker.  We also enjoy music for dancing & your listening pleasure.  Bring your own snacks to share and your own beverage of choice -- ice will be provided.  Also provided will be decaf coffee, cups, snack plates, napkins & plastic ware. 

Please call Sunny Cotey at 360 275-3821 or e-mail her at sunnyc@wavecable.com if you would like to volunteer to help or need more information.

 

                                                                                      

CHECK OUT GCA WEBSITE
Although the newsletter is informative, its quarterly publication doesn’t always keep members informed of current events in our community.  At our website www.grapeviewwa.com you’ll find a list of current board members, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, community association by-laws and a list of upcoming activities.  In addition to community association information, you can learn about the happenings at the Grapeview School, the Grapeview Fire Department, and the Port of Grapeview.  The website is maintained by community association member Cliff Cotey.   You can reach Cliff by phone at 275-3821 or by email at cliffcotey@wavecable.com.  Contact Cliff with your suggestions, ideas or just to say thanks for doing a great job!

 

PECIAL RECIPE UPON REQUEST
JIFFY CORN PUDDING

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can cream corn

1 stick butter

1 (8oz) package sour cream

1 box Jiffy corn bread mix

Melt butter in dish. Put in corn and cream. Mix together well, Sprinkle corn mix over cream and sir together.  Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Do We Do With Our Money?  

That has been the question the GCA Board has been trying to answer this past year. After much committee work, discussion, pondering and number crunching we developed a guideline for distributing our “net profit” each year in ways that reach out to our community. Since we have completed the funding and building of the Horton Community Hall and our financial obligations to that project are complete we find ourselves in the enviable position of “having some money’. The Crab Feed and the Grapeview Water Festival and Art Show are wonderful events and also are good fundraisers. As a nonprofit organization, we certainly want to be able to put that money to good use. Some of those dollars are used along with our dues to cover costs associated with member activities and on-going association expenses. We also have reserved funds to support GCA activities if we unexpectedly did not have our standard income.

 Then we “stash” 25% in a capital reserve account to build a foundation for a large project that is still undetermined. If you have ideas for large-scale projects we can work toward please let us know. We chose to distribute 45% to youth projects, 15% to community at large projects and 15% to senior projects.

 Below are listed some of the recipients of those dollars and the related thank you notes that we have received so far. It is a heartwarming list and we are grateful we are able to help in these ways. 

 

2009 Grapeview Community Association Community Outreach

 

Senior Services for South Sound $500.00

This is the Senior Lunch Program at Theler Center
“Of course we will send a formal thank you but here is an informal e thank you for honoring seniors and caring so much.  We will definitely use the Grapeview Community Association's donation to help defray the increased rental costs at the Theler Center.   If your group would ever like a speaker, please let us know!  We really appreciate your support. “

Faith in Action $1000.00

They plan on using much of it to help seniors pay their heat bills from this recent cold snap.
“Dear Ones at Grapeview Community Association: We are extremely grateful for the generous support in the form of $1,000 you have given Faith in Action. It is because of folks like you that we are able to help more of our neighbors in need.

Sincerely, Patti, the staff and volunteers at Faith in Action.”

 

Grapeview School $500.00

Specifically to pay the cost for the student portion of art field trips and activities.
“Dear Grapeview Community Association, thank you so much for the generous donation. We will put the money towards enrichment in the arts. Several grades are planning spring field trips to the Glass Museum and the theater. We will use this money along with our Parents' Club art fund to make sure all children are able to attend. Again- thank you. Grapeview School appreciates your thoughtfulness.

Joan Jensen, Principal Grapeview School”

Food for Kids Backpack Program in North Mason County $1,000

This is an endeavor of the Coalition of Churches and Community in partnership with North Mason School District and the Readiness to Learn Program. The goal is to provide food for children over the weekends. GCA requested that our donation focus on hungry kids in the Grapeview area.
“Dec. 16, 2009

Grapeview Community Association,
Thank you so much for your very generous donation to help feed hungry kids on the weekend! With funds from our Bazaar, we are also providing Christmas boxes to the families of our kids. Your generosity is very much appreciated!
Monna Haugen, President, Coalition of Churches & Community”

Other ways we chose to support our Community this year are: Scholarships to seniors in Shelton and/or North Mason School District who attended Grapeview school. $2500.00 Two scholarships of $1250 each were given this year.

North Mason High School Grad Night $1,000

Grapeview School $1,000
An emergency fund for student needs such as jackets, school supplies

Grapeview School $500.00
Student fees for going to outdoor education camp.

Toys For Tots $500

Project Share, PUD #3  $500
A program to help defray power costs for those in need.

Children’ Hospital $200.00
When “Mr. Friendly” the balloon man comes to our functions he asks that we send $50.00 to Children’s Hospital. This $200.00 is given in his name and is in addition to the $50.00 for his visit at Snacks with Santa.

Snacks with Santa Grocery vouchers drawing $100.00

North Mason Food Bank $500.00

Neighborhood Watch $50.00