Let's move forward together

When the Pioneer Community Association

(PCA) held their annual meeting in March, the top

items on the agenda were fundraising and expanding the utilization of the historic Cathlamet Pioneer Center. All acknowledged that the PCA had

pulled off a minor miracle when they received substantial funding from a grant with the Washington

State Department of Commerce to restore the 125-

year-old building. But that was yesterday’s news,

we now needed move forward and work to fulfill

our mission to not just preserve and maintain the

Cathlamet Pioneer Center, but to see it fully used

as a cultural arts and performance center and a

public meeting venue for use by the Public Library

and the Town of Cathlamet.

Move forward we did! Summer highlights included the first ever Musical Theater Camp, featuring Shel Silverstein Poems and Songs. The

week concluded with a performance on July 12

by 10 talented and excited young thespians. Then

community musicians made their way to the stage

on July 20th to entertain the public during Bald

Eagle Days. August debuted the Free Saturday

Concert Series. Featuring the talented Leah &

Mel, the live themed music show is followed by

Open Mic and continues through October 19. In

addition to the music upstairs, we are seeing the

downstairs Cochran-Takko Pioneer Room used

weekly by the Cathlamet Public Library for their

Children’s Reading Program. Clearly, we are making headway on expanding the utilization.

Now on to fundraising. The decision was made

to hold a low-key reception event to say, “We’re

Back” and “Let’s Move Forward Together”. Save

the Date cards were mailed out inviting everyone

to join us on Saturday, September 28, 4:30 p.m. to

6:30 p.m. at the Norse Hall on Puget Island. The

afternoon will feature, appetizers, drinks, entertainment, and an “Auction with a Twist”. For more

information go to http://www.pioneercommunityassociation.org.

So now you know What’s Happening at the Pioneer Center.

Suzanne Holmes, Cathlamet