Dispatch News 10-4-2023

Sobczyk and McEver win fishing state championship

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

School district updates on bus cancellations

By Eatonville School District

We are extremely apologetic for the continued bus cancellations. e hardship this places on families is extremely di cult and we understand that this is very challenging for everyone.

We want to thank those who attended and shared ideas at our transportation forum last Wednesday and those who shared ideas using the transportation feedback form. We are always open to ideas and solutions. If you have other ideas to share, please go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1 FAIpQLSeRGNK4qBuh2ejPepkgeLy B2guTxXe7U3wuQ-xmauLcPJfEfA/ viewform.

We are working as quickly as we can to analyze your ideas and implement short-term and longterm solutions. We appreciate your patience as we work non-stop to address this challenge.

Meanwhile, there are steps we are taking as a district to assist families: • e district will continue to provide free before and a er school

Courtesy

Eatonville High School's Jaiden Sobczyk and Mt. Tahoma High School's Will McEver show off a couple of their winning catches that helped secure the state title for them.

Savvy Senior: Three vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall

Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this u season?

Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned,

ere are actually three di erent types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included u, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the di erent vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare.

SENIOR-SPECIFIC FLU SHOTS

For people age 65 and older, there are three u vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional u shots.

ese FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard u shot does, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous u complications compared with younger, healthy adults. e three senior-speci c options include the:

• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular u shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection.

• Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response.

• FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) u vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular u shot.

ere isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate

whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for seniors.

As for side e ects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side e ects that can occur with a standard-dose u shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side e ects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent.

All u vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.

NEW RSV VACCINES

Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo). ese vaccines, recommended by the CDC,

will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older.

e new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans.

Updated Covid Booster

If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.

e updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB.

Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.

WHEN AND WHERE

Most health o cials agree that it’s safe to receive the u and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a twoweek window between an RSV shot and the u and/or the COVID shots.

You can nd all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines. gov.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “ e Savvy Senior” book.

Adobe Stock Image

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT FRIENDS OF EATONVILLE LIBRARY

e Friends of the Eatonville Library operates as a fundraising group to assist the Eatonville community. Primarily, it does so by accepting books and other donations and conducting book sales during the year. All of the funds are used to supplement the various library programs that enrich the local community.

Pastor Adam & MaryBeth Orellana

OUR

Reverend Dominic Chikankheni

ext. 127

WA

Jody

(360) 832-4315

Pastor Larry Dorothy

Christ Episcopal Church 210 5th St. SW Puyallup, WA 98371 253-848-2323 www.episcopallup.com

Sunday Services 8am & 10am 10 am also livestreamed on Facebook All are Welcome!!

LIVING

10515 269TH ST. E., GRAHAM, WA 98338 www.livingwordlutheranchurch.com

(253) 846-1276 SUNDAY 9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE

To learn more about the group, contact Mike Eaton at 253-310–7709 or reach him in person at the library any Friday. ere is no obligation. Application forms to join the organization are available at the library. Also, e Friends of the Eatonville Library Group is currently operating with only two members — in contrast to 10-13 members in the pre-Covid era. e group seeks members and volunteers. Contact Mike Eaton.

ALCOHOL ANONYMOUS MEETINGS OFFERED

Alcoholics Anonymous is available for people who have a problem with alcohol. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, noon Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the corner of Carter and Rainier.

ALANON HELP

Alanon is available to help people struggling with a loved one’s drinking. Call 425-830-0314.

Submit information to dispatch@pacifcpublishing.com

Hoot ‘N’ Howl set for two weekends

Sta Report

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will host 4 nights of animals, costumes and treats later this month.

e event will take place on Friday and Saturday nights Oct. 13-14 and Oct. 20-21. e Hoot ‘N’ Howl will take place from 5-9 p.m.

Put on a costume and explore the wildlife park at twilight. Lights, animals and spookiness - and candy too.

NIGHTTIME FOREST FUN

Come explore the forest at night! Walk our animal paths decorated with spooky lights and discover the 8 trick-or-treat stations. Listen for nighttime animal noises. And climb like a spider, swoop like a bat and do Freaky Food Science in our Kids' Trek play area.

MEET OUR NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

Nocturnal animals are wide-awake for Hoot 'n' Howl! Come meet them and their keepers during a Keeper Chat: barn owl, raccoon, skunk. You never know who you'll nd up and about! Explore our Cheney Discovery Center at night to meet creepy, crawly creatures.

Tickets are $14 in advance, $12 for members. Walk -up tickets are $18. Children 2 and under are free. Go to https://www.nwtrek.org/event/ hootnhowl-2/

THE PUMPKIN CHOMP & STOMP WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. ON OCT 28-29.

Watch the animals eat, stomp, chomp and play with pumpkins. Free with admission and membership. Learn more at https://www.nwtrek. org/event/chompnstomp-2/

e Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is at 11610 Trek Drive East.

Southwestern spices deliver bold flavors in vegetarian tostadas

by Lynda Balslev

Fall is squash season, so let these hardy vegetables be the star of the show. Squashes come in myriad varieties and can be generally divided between summer, fall or winter varieties. Fall and winter squash have hard skins that give way to colorful, vitamin- and antioxidant-rich flesh. Depending on the type of squash, the skin may or may not need to be peeled.

Kabocha (or Japanese) squash is one variety that can be eaten unpeeled. It has sweet orange flesh and a dark green, speckled edible shell, which provides extra nutrients and a satisfying firmness that is ideal for these tostadas.

A tostada resembles a taco.

KABOCHA SQUASH TOSTADAS

Active time: 30 minutes

Total time: 1 hour

Yield: Makes 4 to 6

Slaw:

1/2 small head red cabbage, shredded

1 medium carrot, coarsely grated

1 small garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Crema:

2/3 cup whole milk yogurt or sour cream

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Pinch of kosher salt

4 to 6 corn tortillas

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Squash:

1 kabocha squash

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

BEANS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained

1 large jalapeno, seeded,

finely diced, divided

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems

Cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Combine the slaw

ingredients in a bowl and stir to blend. Refrigerate until use, stirring occasionally.

Whisk the crema ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until use.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly brush the tortillas with oil and lightly sprinkle with salt. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake in the oven until light golden and crisp, about 12 minutes, flipping once.

Prepare the squash: Halve the squash, cut off the stem and scoop out the seeds. Cut the squash into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Place the squash in a bowl with the oil and toss to coat. Add the spices and toss to coat. Spread the squash on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake in the oven until charred and tender, about 25 minutes, flipping once.

While the squash is roasting, prepare the beans. Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the beans and about 2/3 of the jalapenos, the lime juice, cumin and salt. Cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes, to meld the flavors. If the beans are too thick, add

SCHOOL from Page 1Æ

supervision for families impacted by the route cancellations:

• Students are welcome to be dropped off at CCA starting at 6 a.m. and need to be picked up by 3:30 p.m.

• Students are welcome to be dropped off at EES from EHS/EMS starting at 6:30 a.m. and need to be picked up by 4 p.m.

• Students are welcome to be dropped off at WES starting at 6:30 a.m. and need to be picked up by 4 p.m.

• The transportation department will provide transportation for your child at an earlier or later time once a driver completes their route and becomes available. To utilize this option please communicate with the Transportation Department through the Ride360 message center.

To provide an update regarding the current status of hiring bus drivers, we would like to announce the following:

• We have received 1 substitute bus driver application that has been received.

• We have received 25 bus driver applicants submitted.

• We have 4 with incomplete applications. We have sent emails to request those individuals to complete the application process.

• All others have been contacted through email or phone with next steps.

• Nine of the 25 applicants have expressed interest in proceeding with bus driver training. We have sent the nine interested applicants the linked directions to begin the process. There are six steps the applicants need to complete prior to behind the wheel training.

of Banks Lake. The winning duo of Sobczyk and McEver, fishing together representing the Eatonville program, astounded onlookers by hauling in an impressive total weight of 12.50 pounds, courtesy of five smallmouth bass.

A standout moment during the competition was when Will McEver hooked the largest fish of the tournament, a whopping 3.12-pound bass. To top it off, both Sobczyk and McEver were honored as State Anglers of the Year.

This remarkable achievement carries even greater significance as Jaiden Sobczyk was instrumental in launching the Eatonville High School fishing program back in March. Since its inception, the program has grown to include five teams, each comprised of talented young anglers ready to cast their lines into the world of competitive fishing.

Eatonville's bass fishing teams made an impressive showing at the state championship, with Caden Colberg and

Jax Wasankari securing a fourth-place finish with 9.49 pounds. Tyler Kenney and Cole Chadwick took home sixth-place with 8.97 pounds. Michael Laird and Cole Bamford claimed the eighth position with 5.49 pounds, further underscoring the depth of talent in Eatonville's fishing ranks. William Mykland and Jason Naro, though entered to compete, could not attend due to prior commitments. These young anglers hail from various schools in the region, with Will attending Mount Tahoma and Jax attending Yelm Middle School, while the rest proudly represent Eatonville High School but all compete for the Eatonville program.

One unique aspect of high school bass fishing is the teamwork involved. Each boat is manned by two anglers and a boat captain, totaling three individuals on board. The anglers collaborate to catch the five largest fish within the specified time frame. These captured fish are housed in a live well in the boat, allowing the anglers to continually swap

out smaller catches for larger ones as they make their catches throughout the competition.

This monumental victory has paved the way for Sobczyk and McEver to set their sights on a larger stage. Thanks to their win, the duo is slated to compete at the national tournament, which will take place at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina from June 19-22. It's an opportunity that promises to challenge their skills and further propel them into the world of competitive fishing.

"Fishing is more than just a hobby to me, it’s my sport. Not many people know of the opportunities there are nowadays in the competitive scene of fishing. There is $3.3 million given out a year in scholarships for us young anglers. Having the opportunity to get a full-ride scholarship and fish at the college level has been a dream of mine for many years,” said Jaiden Sobczyk.

As these talented young anglers gear up for the National tournament, they are also planning fundraising initiatives to cover the associated costs.

• Out of the 25 applicants, we have hired two drivers who are coming to our district with a CDL and the required bus endorsements. We are in the process of onboarding. We are hoping to have these two drivers behind the wheel by mid-October.

• If you have any leads on a potential bus driver candidate, apply at https:// ats4.atenterprise.powerschool.com/ ats/job_board_form?op=view&JOB_ ID=4600285971&REPRESENTATIVE_ COMPANY_ID=JA001169&COMPANY_ ID=JA001160

In full transparency, we want to inform families of the situation we are currently facing:

• We need to hire 10 bus drivers to fill the current routes to ensure each route has an assigned bus driver.

• All of our transportation department staff members pause their normal daily job responsibilities and drive a route. This slows down the process of all other aspects of hiring, onboarding and training as well as fixing mechanical issues with the buses.

• We are in the process of hiring a new transportation secretary.

• We only have two substitute bus drivers who are already driving routes that remain unfilled. This causes routes to get canceled when a driver is sick.

• We are exploring ways to rotate the route cancellations.

Your ongoing commitment and partnership with our district is deeply valued.

FISHING from Page 1Æ

FOOD Page 5Æ

Cruiser soccer faces tough week, hoping to rebound in league play

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

Cruisers fight through penalties, defeat Beavers 23-12

By Skip Smith

Contributing Writer

In a hard-fought opening matchup of 1A Evergreen League play, the Eatonville Cruisers came away with a 23-12 victory over the Tenino Beavers, despite facing a barrage of penalties totaling 101 yards. The Cruisers displayed resilience and strong offensive plays to emerge victorious in their league opener.

Eatonville wasted no time making their presence felt, as they scored on the very first play from scrimmage.

Quarterback Hunter Klumpar connected with a wide-open Ky Nation for an explosive 57-yard touchdown pass. Payton Hanly followed up with a successful two-point conversion to Riley Storm giving the Cruisers an early 8-0 lead.

However, the Beavers quickly answered back with a methodical 16-play, 66-yard drive. Michael Vassar capped off the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, but their twopoint conversion attempt came up short, leaving Eatonville with an 8-6 advantage.

A well-placed Cruiser punt by Griffin Clevenger pinned the Beavers deep in their territory, but Tenino once again embarked on a lengthy offensive drive, this time covering 81 yards in 14 plays. They found the endzone with another rushing touchdown but missed the two-point conversion, taking a 12-8 lead midway through the second quarter.

Eatonville regained the lead just

FOOD from Page 5Æ

1 to 2 tablespoons warm water to the pan. Slightly mash the beans with the back of a spoon. Stir in the cilantro and remove from the heat.

To assemble the tacos, spread a layer of beans on a tortilla. Top with a few kabocha wedges and some of the slaw.

seven plays later. From the Beaver 22-yard line, Klumpar handed the ball to running back Dylan Norman, who executed a reverse play by handing off to Ky Nation. Nation then connected with a wide open Griffin Clevenger in the endzone for a touchdown. Hanly ran in the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 16-12 with less than a minute left in the half.

Both teams failed to score in the third quarter, setting the stage for the Cruisers to seal the victory in the final quarter. With four minutes left in the third quarter, Eatonville orchestrated a 15-play, 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 29-yard pass completion to Michael Stogsdill. Evan Wimbles, returning from injury, capped off the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth. Colton Herbrand nailed the extra point, securing a 23-12 win for the Cruisers.

The Cruiser defense stood out with three sacks on the day, coming from Payton Hanly, Fabian Pina, and Ethan Rogers. Griffin Clevenger played a pivotal role in the field position game, averaging 45 yards per punt, with one crucial punt pinning the Beavers inside their own 10-yard line, setting up the Cruisers' score just before halftime.

Looking ahead, the Cruisers will need to address their penalty issues before facing their toughest opponent of the season, the No. 3 ranked Montesano Bulldogs. This matchup will carry significant postseason implications and is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.

The Eatonville High School Lady Cruisers soccer team faced a challenging week as they grappled with a threegame losing streak after their first defeat of the season in the previous week. Despite the setbacks, the team remains determined to grow and improve as they prepare for the start of the season play.

In their first matchup of the week against Napavine on Monday, the Lady Cruisers fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2. The game proved to be a closely contested battle, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess.

Napavine drew first blood halfway through the first half, taking a 1-0 lead. However, the Lady Cruisers swiftly responded, with Ryan Stammen netting a goal, assisted by Ashley Limbird, to level the score at 1-1. The momentum swings continued as Napavine regained the lead with approximately five minutes left in the first half, heading into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

The second half saw Eatonville mounting a comeback, with a goal that evened the score at 2-2, courtesy of Mary Van Eaton's unassisted effort. Unfortunately, Napavine managed to break the tie once more, scoring approximately ten minutes later to secure a

3-2 victory. Despite numerous opportunities, the Lady Cruisers were unable to find the back of the net in the closing minutes of the game. Reflecting on the tough loss, interim Head Coach Machaela Swartout expressed optimism about the team's growth and readiness for the upcoming season play. "The Napavine match was another day for us to grow and improve," Coach Swartout said. "The past couple of weeks, there have been a lot to work on, and we are right where we want to be right now leading into the start of season play. It's tough to lose a game we feel like we should win, but we remind the girls to trust in the process and to keep working hard."

The Lady Cruisers faced another challenge on Thursday as they traveled to Jack Rottle Stadium in Montesano to take on the Bulldogs in their 1A Evergreen League opener. Unfortunately, the Lady Cruisers were shutout 4-0 by their opponents.

Looking ahead, the Lady Cruisers had a Tuesday match before: Thursday, Oct. 5: Away game at Elma High School at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 7: Match against Cascade Christian at Sunset Stadium in Sumner at 2:30 p.m.

The Lady Cruisers are eager to make a strong showing in these upcoming matches and are confident in their ability to bounce back from their recent setbacks.

Courtesy Rhonda Dunn

Eatonville's Ryan Stammen dribbles the ball between two Napavine defenders in a match last week. Stammen would go on to score the Cruisers first goal and tie the match up at 1-1.

Courtesy Trinity Potter

Eatonville’s Aiden Eichost (#27) and Hunter Klumpar (#4) lead the Cruisers onto the field prior to their 23-12 victory over the Tenino Beavers on Saturday at B.W. Lyons Field.

Drizzle with crema and garnish with additional cilantro and the remaining jalapenos.

Lynda Balslev is an award-winning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.

BOYS TENNIS

The Eatonville High School boys tennis team continued their impressive winning streak, notching their third consecutive victory with a hard-fought 3-2 win against Annie Wright at the Galbraith Tennis Center. In a thrilling showdown that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Eatonville Tennis showcased their prowess on the court. The dynamic duo of Austen Quirie and Nate Goode secured a dominant victory at #2 doubles, prevailing with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Meanwhile, Carl Lucas, playing at 2nd singles, set the tone with a remarkable performance, winning seven consecutive games in the first set, ultimately clinching the set 7-5. Freshman sensation Jacob Golding displayed his competitive spirit while playing at #1 singles, pushing his opponent to the limit. AJ Lightfoot and Brody Thirtyacre, playing together for the first time at #1 doubles, exhibited tremendous potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the league. However, the most breathtaking match of the night unfolded at #3 doubles, where Dana Bazan and Jackson Rockey executed a remarkable comeback. They fought from behind and secured a dramatic final match victory in a third-set tie-breaker, ultimately propelling Eatonville Tennis to an exhilarating win.

After a rainout on Thursday, the Cruisers rescheduled their match with Charles Wright for Friday, facing a challenging situation with key players absent from the lineup. Unfortunately, the team experienced a tough outing as Charles Wright downed them 5-0, putting a halt to their winning streak.

SWIMMING

The Eatonville Cruiser swim team is making waves this season, and their impressive performance continued this past week with two thrilling home meets. With every member of the team achieving at least two personal best times, it's clear that the Cruisers are on a remarkable journey this year. In a display of pure talent and determination, the following swimmers secured coveted first-place finishes this week:

• Junior Kaylee Bernt dominated the 500 Free.

• Sophomore Annika Howard secured two first-place finishes in the 100 Fly.

• Junior Gracie Forsman conquering every individual event she participated in, including the 200 IM, 100 Free, 50 Free, and 100 Breast.

Adding to the excitement were the nail-biting come-from-behind second-place finishes in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. These thrilling races were made possible by the combined efforts of sophomore Annika Howard, senior Reese Zurfluh, junior Kaylee Bernt and junior Gracie Forsman anchoring the relay teams.

Remarkably, all three relay teams have already secured their spots at the districts.

Moreover, two individual team members have not only qualified for multiple events at districts but have shown outstanding improvement in their qualifying times this week Bernt has earned her place at districts in the 200 Free, 200 IM, and the 500 Free. Meanwhile, Forsman's performance has secured her spots in the 200 IM, 50 Free, 100 Free, and the 100 Breast.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Eatonville High School cross country team left a lasting impression at their recent 1A Evergreen League meet, held at Camp Arnold in Eatonville on Tuesday. Colton Rush and Grace Coonrod led the charge, securing first-place finishes in their respective races, while the boys' team clinched the team title.

In the boys' division, Colton Rush, a 10th grader, won in 18 minutes and 7 seconds. Joe Mueller, a 12th grader, followed closely behind, crossing the finish line in 18 minutes and 54 seconds, with teammate Benjamin Bernt, a 9th grader, just a second behind him. The boys' team showcased their depth, resulting in an overall team victory.

The girls' division saw 10th grader Grace Coonrod setting the pace with an impressive time of 20 minutes and 55 seconds, securing her first-place finish. Cheyanne Price, an 11th grader, and Bridget Stumph, a 10th grader, also had strong performances, finishing 5th and 6th, respectively.

Noteworthy personal records were achieved by several athletes, including Hannah Bieker in the girls' race and Micah Vannier in the boys' race.

VOLLEYBALL

After a promising week that saw them take home two consecutive wins the previous week, the Eatonville Cruiser volleyball team faced a setback in their lone match last week. As they ventured into 1A Evergreen League play, the Cruisers struggled and suffered a 3-0 defeat in straight sets at the hands of the Montesano Bulldogs. The match took place in Montesano on Thursday, leaving the team eager to regroup and refocus.

Looking ahead, the Cruisers will host the Hoquiam Grizzlies at their home court. Following that, they will hit the road to take on the Elma Eagles in what promises to be another challenging contest.

Compiled by Skip Smith