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Dispatch 11262025

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November 26, 2025

ISSUE 48

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Staff Report

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or decades, the Rod Knockers Car Club has been known in Eatonville for its love of classic cars and its signature summer tradition. Founded thirty-two years ago by Joe Peluso, the club brings together about forty members who share an appreciation for chrome, engines, and friendship. Many are veterans themselves, and each June they gather for their annual car show, a community favorite that fills the town with polished hoods and proud owners. The June show has become a steady source of support for local causes. The event typically draws three to four hundred cars and raises between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred dollars for the Eatonville Family Agency. Even this past June, when rain reduced turnout to only fifty six cars, the club

still made its donation. They also serve about five hundred hot dogs along with chips and water, offering a simple welcome to anyone who stops by. Over nearly three decades, proceeds from Rod Knockers events have helped fund programs throughout the community. The club has contributed to the Eatonville Senior Center and the local food bank, funded two automotive scholarships at Bates Technical College, and sponsored tiny homes for veterans at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting. This fall, that spirit of goodwill was called upon in an unexpected way. A delay in SNAP benefits left senior veterans at the Washington Soldiers Home facing empty cupboards, and Rod Knockers was called upon to help. Members responded immediately. They began purchasing supplies, and by the next morning donations

were already piling up in preparation for delivery. Requested items included toiletries, paper towels, canned goods, tomato soup, eggs, and other essentials. Donated items even included handmade blankets. Everything was donated or purchased personally by individuals who simply wanted to make sure local veterans had what they needed. Moments like this show the heart behind the engines. When asked, they show up. Rod Knockers will return to their familiar place in the spotlight during next summer’s car show, scheduled for the fourth Saturday in June 2026. If past years are any indication, Eatonville can expect gleaming cars, generous donations, and plenty of hot dogs. And for many local veterans, the help they received this fall will not soon be forgotten.

From the Pool to the Pitch, Cruisers Make Their Mark in SPSL 2A By Skip Smith

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he fall sports season at Eatonville High School closed with a mix of grit, frustration, and standout individual honors, as athletes across five programs earned spots on the SPSL 2A All League teams. From football fields to cross country trails and the pool deck, Cruiser athletes delivered performances that kept Eatonville in the league conversation from September through early November. FOOTBALL FIGHTS THROUGH STREAKY SEASON Eatonville’s football team opened the year on uneven footing. After dropping the season opener, the Cruisers responded with three straight wins that hinted at a postseason run. A Senior Day win over Washington kept them in the mix, but two separate 2 game losing streaks stalled their push. Eatonville finished 4-5, just one win away from securing a playoff berth. Despite the up and down season, several Cruisers were recognized by league coaches. Quarterback Cole Fowler, wide receiver/ punter Jacob Simons, and defensive back Amari Samuel were named to the All-League first team. Second team honors went to wide receiver Colton Herbrand, offensive lineman Zach Beane, defensive lineman Ethan Rogers, and linebacker Nash Sherrard. SOCCER FINDS ITS FOOTING AFTER TURBULENT START The girls soccer team opened the year under a new head coach but never found stability early. Three losses to open the schedule

were followed by the team’s first win, then an abrupt coaching resignation that left the team searching for direction. Another three losses followed before interim coach Susie Danielson settled the group and helped spark a four match win streak that pushed the Cruisers into district contention. Eatonville dropped its final three regular season matches but still reached the district playoffs with a 5-10 record. The season ended with a 6-0 loss to Kingston in a winner out game. Forward Ryleigh Chopic and defender Madi McChesney Berube were both named to the All League second team. SWIMMERS BUILD ON RISING MOMENTUM Eatonville’s swim program delivered one of the strongest seasons of any fall team. The Cruisers collected wins throughout the schedule and secured the Queen of the Woods trophy for the second straight year. The team finished second at the SPSL 2A League Championships, highlighted by Nicole Tomyn’s league title in the 50 freestyle. A deep roster advanced to the district meet, where Eatonville placed seventh out of 14 teams and qualified several swimmers for the state championships. Tomyn and Annika Howard earned first team All-League honors. Second team selections included Lily Hays, Charlotte Stumph, and Jaliah Vinson. CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS WIN LEAGUE TITLE Eatonville’s cross country program delivered a season loaded with success.

CRUISERS, 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE PELUSO

Rod Knockers Car Club Steps Up to Support Senior Veterans During SNAP Delay

How to Help Your Community This Thanksgiving

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Staff Report hanksgiving invites us to pause and look around. Many of us gather with family and friends while others in South Pierce County face the holiday with limited food, limited warmth, or no reliable support system. Local organizations enter winter stretched thin and they know exactly where help is needed. Volunteers can step in without any guesswork. This week offers a genuine chance to turn gratitude into action through service that strengthens the community from within and makes the season more hopeful for those who are struggling. The Eatonville Family Agency remains a cornerstone of support. They are seeking hygiene items such as shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, baby wipes, and laundry soap. Volunteers can assemble hygiene kits or assist in the food pantry by stocking shelves, portioning produce, or preparing holiday meal baskets. These tasks are simple but important, and they make an immediate difference for local families. Helping Hands Loving Hearts Sewing, connected with Project Linus, creates quilts and comfort blankets for children in crisis. Sewing skills are helpful but not required. Volunteers can cut fabric, tie quilts, assemble kits, or sort donated materials. Donations of cotton fabric, yarn, batting, and thread are appreciated. Each finished quilt is given to a child who needs warmth, comfort, and reassurance as temperatures drop. The Emergency Food Network supports food programs throughout Pierce County. Volunteers help repackage bulk food, sort produce, prepare boxes, and move items through the warehouse. Delivery volunteers are especially valuable this time of year because distribution increases throughout the holiday season. Nativity House in Tacoma provides essential services to adults experiencing homelessness. They need volunteers to sort clothing, organize supplies, support donation intake,

and assist with meal service. Holiday giving brings in large volumes of coats, blankets, and essential goods, so help with sorting and organizing is especially important. Toy Rescue Mission in Tacoma is preparing for its annual holiday program. Volunteers clean toys, test batteries, sort items by age, restock shelves, and assemble bundles for families. They also welcome donations of new or gently used toys, craft supplies, stocking stuffers, and gift bags. People who enjoy hands on work or organizing will find this a meaningful way to support children during the holiday season.

THANKSGIVING, 3


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