By Bruce A. Smith
The Graham Citizens’ News is the latest edition of Wayne Cooke’s “Graham News” newsletters, and is titled “Graham Citizens’ News” to reflect Wayne’s current endeavor to build Graham-awareness and give a voice to local residents concerned about local issues and events.
Specifically, Wayne has erected several Graham Citizen signs around town and has established a phone call-in number so that interested residents can learn more about Graham organizations, such as the Graham-Kapowsin Community Council, or the local TOPS group (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). People calling 253.875.6299 will receive a packet of flyers from thirteen different Graham-based organizations.
The Graham Citizens’ group and Wayne will be present at this Saturday’s Graham Expo at Frontier Junior High hosted by the G-KCC, and Wayne will be answering questions and building Graham Pride!
See you there.
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YOUR Graham Citizens’ News – March, 2014
By Wayne Cooke
Graham Citizens’ News:
Over fifty packets have now been mailed to those who phoned (253) 875-6299. Packets now contain 13 groups in Graham and growing. People are learning that GRAHAM has lots of activities to join!
1. Graham demographics, 4 pages. Graham appears to be larger than many incorporated towns.
2. Graham-Kapowsin Community Council (279-3071 or 405-3153). Action Team meets March 26th at 5:30pm at Kapowsin Elementary, just east of Meridian on 264th, Rm. 15. Or visit WWW.G-KCC.ORG.
3. Boy Scout Troop 677 (360-893-0992), meets Fri. Eve., March 7th, at Evergreen Presbyterian Church.
4. Audubon’s Morse Wildlife Preserve on 70th (565-9278). Trails open 2nd Sunday, 12 to 4pm (no pets).
5. Self-Reliant Community of Graham (847-4614) meets first Wed. March 5th, 6:30pm at the 70th Ave. Fire Station, 23014-70th Ave. East. Learn 7 things to do to prepare for sudden change (earthquake?).
6. South Pierce County Historical Society (988-0904) meets Sun., March 23rd, 3pm, at Eatonville Library.
7. South Sound Seed Stewards (S4secretary@fairpoint.net meets Mon., March 10th at 7pm,YelmAdultCenter. Learn to effectively grow your own food and save the (organic) seeds for next year’s planting.
8. Graham Advisory Commission, (798-2630) The Graham Land Use Advisory Commission (LUAC) meets at the Graham Library. Next meeting is March 11th, second Tuesday), 7pm. Public welcome. Join in.
9. Graham Community Garden, (847-7574), See Self Reliant meetings above. Reserve free 4 X 10 plot.
10. N.W. Small Equine Club, (360-672-5559), meets Fri., March 7th, at 7pm, at the 70th Ave. Fire Station.
11. Graham Solid Waste (garbage) Action Group, (314-3830) Phone for meeting time.
12. Graham TOPS chapter (253-875-4647), meets 9am March 10th, (every Monday) at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church. At the top of Graham Hill, turn right off Meridian on 249th.
13. DUI Victims’ Information Panel, (253) 846-1902. Call Sharon if you are a victim and wish to help
If you know of other Graham-centered groups, please leave that information at (253) 875-6299 for us. Thanks!
G-KCC yearly Expo will be held Saturday, March 1st at Frontier Middle School, starting 9am. If you make (locally) handicrafts or other things for sale or want to display a local educational activity or volunteer or provide entertainment, you can obtain an application by phoning (253) 297-6166 or (253) 279-3071.
“Graham, Gateway to Mt. Rainier” red on chrome-color local license plate frames will be available at the GKCC EXPO (above) for $10. Also baseball caps with PROUD RESIDENT of GRAHAM on the front. Show your PRIDE in Graham, birthplace of the graham cracker. (Grandma Bates couldn’t see very well and grabbed the sack of graham flour instead of corn flour.) Kids loved the thin “Graham cakes”!! ??
Graham History and Happenings:
1 .The TRUE STORY of how Graham really got its name.
2. The Dedication Ceremony Saturday, Feb. 22nd, of the Daniel “Danny” Morse Memorial Sign on 204th
3. The eviction of homeless campers outside the Graham Library.
4. The still-standing first Graham Post Office, store, and home for the Bates family (1908.
5. The discovery of Graham’s original newspaper, the Rainier Independent, from the 1980’s.
THE SECOND PAGE –
The News YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN.
MR. GRAHAM DIDN’T MEAN TO DO IT
About 1900-1905, the area we now call Graham was a logging operation. The CampBoss was Mr. Smith Graham. His center of operations was of course, near the railroad track in this pre-auto era. When the train slowed before crossing the Barney-Larsen Road (now Meridian) a postal bag tossed out the north side onto a huge tree stump where Mr. Graham found it and delivered the letters to the few residents around there. Back in Tacoma, they’d say, “Take it to Graham.” meaning Mr. Smith Graham, but of course his last name unintentionally got transferred to his area.
RAINIER INDEPENDENT NEWS FOUND IN DUMP!
He was just unloading trash at the dump. His eye caught an unfamiliar newspaper lying a few feet away. Curious, he picked it up, looked at the address label, and did a double-take. His own mother’s name was on it! Dated April, 1988, it apparently never reached her until her son delivered the aged paper in 2014, 25 years late! The Rainier Independent office was at 22802-Meridian Ave. East. Jeff Johnson was Editor, with Leanna Woog in charge of Production and Jinnie Jones was the Business Manager. Regular columnists were Felix Stephens, Denny MacGougan, Rosemary Greenlaw, Gwen King, and Ed Voss. Still here?
DANIEL MORSE TRAFFIC SIGNS REMIND US
On Feb. 22nd a group of about 40 people stood near Graham Elementary on 204th to remember that awful day in 2009 when 14-year-old Danny was skateboarding on 204th and an “impaired” driver swerved and killed him. After speeches and a prayer, the Morse family, helped by the attending law officers, unveiled the new “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE” sign with “In Memory of Daniel Morse” under it. Sharon, a resident of Grand Firs who had lost her daughter to a drunk driver, helped make this sign possible in her role with the DUI Victim’s Information Panel. Her group gets DUI defendants face to face with victims for an unforgettable lesson. Phone her at (253) 846-1902 if you want to help.
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT EVICTED
During January’s coldest nights, some “good angels” helped the 6 or 8 homeless camping behind the Graham Library to get to Puyallup churches “Freezing Nights” shelter. They came back to find signs warning them to be off library property by Feb. 10th. They were, and the area is now clear. A young woman, who escaped an abusive situation, “called in a favor” and got her bus ticket to family in the Midwest. A man is arranging to head back east after an unhappy divorce. An older woman, seems to be losing a battle with drugs and is staying. To them, and so many others, “Good luck” “There but for the grace of God, go I”
CENTURY-OLD “BATES HOUSE” CARRIES GRAHAM HISTORY BEHIND ITS UNKEMPT WALLS
The house at 22812 Meridian, next to the railroad tracks looks like it needs razing. Until you discover that it was the first Graham Post Office, and the first Graham store. Henry and Nancy Bates built it in 1908, (much remodeled since) right on the spot where Smith Graham picked up the postal bags. It’s for sale. There is a move afoot to seek permission to use the original part for a small GrahamVisitorsCenter and Museum. Anyone interested in joining this effort to retain Graham’s history, phone (253) 847-4614.
Photos
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Sharon Reynon, Director of the Tacoma-Pierce County DUI Victim’s Information Panel, in red, Chaplain Bob Ihler of the Shierrif’s Department, left, and Daniel’s mother, Evelyn Machovski, right.
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Danny Morse
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The Mountain News - WA 
I like this . Nice job
Thank you so much for the work you are doing for our community. I have lived here since November 2009 and had no idea there was a Newsletter or even a group of people working to better our community. The sign put up at 204th and Meridian brought my attention to the work being done. I live in Glendale MHC and have been involved in our park’s “Neighborhood Watch” group. How often do you publish Graham Citizen’s News, and can i get it sent to my email address? Thank you again.