MONUMENT – We had 29 diners on Tuesday, Aug. 23, and we had a delicious meal of taco casserole, refried beans, green salad, peaches and cookies.

Our out-of-town guest was my friend, Sandy Stephen, from Yakima, Wash. She said she really enjoyed the whole thing: meal, people, etc. It was a surprise visit, and I certainly enjoyed her.

The bus traffic is picking up somewhat. No trip during this month, but next month our regular John Day trip will be on Sunday, Sept. 11. Another trip to Bend on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Friday, Sept. 16, is a trip to Ukiah. If there are any changes in days or times, I’ll let you know.

The certificate winners were Andy Schutz, free meal; Jack Cavender, Len’s Drug; and me, Carolyn Trujillo, Chester’s Thriftway.

This is a very short column, but my hands just won’t cooperate; hopefully they will be better next week.

JOHN DAY – Monday, Aug. 22, the meal was spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, salad, bread and raisin cookies. Our servers were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The flag salute was led by Darlene Nodine, and the blessing over the meal was given by Dale Stennett. Darlene also won the Len’s Drug certificate and Marjorie Porfily won the free meal.

This week we would like to recognize Deda and Don Porter for their dedication and hard work. Thank you both for all the many thankless jobs that you do that seem to go unnoticed. We really appreciate you both.

The meal for Thursday, Aug. 25, was pork roast and gravy, red potatoes, tomatoes and pasta salad and rhubarb crumb cake. It was served by St. Elizabeth Catholic Church members. The entree was furnished by Carolyn and Don Caldwell. The blessing was given by Jim Maple.

Rhonda and Richard Goreson and family sent a very nice thank you note and a donation in memory of her mother, Leona Martin. Thank you for your generosity.

Wally Wedde celebrated her birthday with us. Happy Birthday, Wally.

Vera Hensley won the Chester’s Thriftway certificate, and Walt Hall drew the Katrina’s Barber Shop haircut.

Thank you, Linda Stoltz, for managing and organizing our book shelves. Please feel free to come and take any books might like to read. No need to return them … we have more than enough.

He who loses many, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses more; he who loses faith, loses all.

PRAIRIE CITY – Whooee … hot enough for you? Remember this, come winter … I’m a temperate person; can’t stand the heat or the cold.

Our meal site was just right today. We really appreciate the A/C provided by the Strawberry Grange. That unit really is powerful.

So, Bruce, Buzz, Jim and Marvin did their early morning set up. Pam and Eula oversaw the registration book. Lois Bidasolo, Louise LaBaugh, and Molly and Julie Gill were our servers today. Buzz and Jim delivered the majority of the 11 take-outs. We had 39 diners in the hall.

Buzz Harris led the flag salute, and Pastor Marvin Hatfield asked the blessing.

The gift certificate donated by Prairie Drug and Hardware went to Billy Drinkwater.

The Blue Mountain Nursing Home ladies, Lorna and Kellyn, brought Elmer and Lois Terryberry, LaVerne Matteson and Carolyn Behrens.

We had visitors from Prairie City School, too: Marnie Mediger, Melody Field, Tisha Packard and David Kerr. They are getting ready for the first day of school. How about you?

We had another one of Iva and Helen’s “something different” meals. First, a juice that we couldn’t identify, so we called “juice combo,” then deviled eggs, spinach-orange slice salad, calico rice, sweet-and-sour chicken, and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Really good.

Then everyone fell to and got the hall all cleaned up while we counted the money and got the little check marks all counted up. Thanks to Norma and Ruth for doing it all last week.

We had to go to Burns Thursday, Aug. 25. That meant driving through the clouds of little white moths. If you go slowly, they kind of float over and around the vehicle. What was fascinating was the way they only land on pine trees – not on juniper, fir, tamarack or any of the bushes along the road.

Now, here’s my idea: The scientists need to do some gene-altering so that the moths will eat the needles of junipers instead of pines. We could even carry that further and program them to eat the foliage of Dalmatian toadflax, white top, Canada thistle, etc.

Did you see the wood carving of one of Fredrick Remington’s paintings at the fair? Now that’s what I call 3-D.

Jeremiah 31:21 – “Set up signposts, make landmarks; set your heart toward the highway, the way in which you went.”