<p>Rose Coombs</p>

JOHN DAY — No column this week.

MONUMENT — I am in total disbelief that we are already in the month of September. I was not ready! School has begun its session and harvest time is now. It has been a whirlwind of a summer. I must be ready, so I just have to put my “big girl pants” on and just get things done. I will get some canning of pickles and dilly beans done — that’s the plan, anyways! Ha.

Our cooks, Carrie Jewell and Christy Howell, prepared for us fried chicken sandwiches with all the fixings, a fresh salad, curly fries, and chocolate brownies for our dessert. We thank them for our delicious meal and we appreciate them very much. Terry Cade, one of our main cooks, is still at home recovering from hip surgery. We pray that she has a quick recovery and a new lease on life with her newfound mobility and freedom!

Our greeters at the table were Bob Cockrell and Sue Cavender. They checked in all the guests, collected and counted up the money. Jan Ensign filled out the paperwork. Bob also led us in the flag salute and made the announcements. Yours truly prayed the blessing over the meal.

Special thanks to Sylvia Cockrell for organizing the annual rummage sale and cooking for the volunteers who came to help set up. A shout of thanks to all the volunteers who helped to raise $1,600 for the rummage sale. We also want to recognize and thank Marnie, who came out to cover up all the books and other items because it was starting to rain during the evening before the sale.

We want to thank Maura and Terry Johns of Pendleton for donating three quilts to help raise funds for the Buckaroo this year! We are very appreciative and thankful for their generous and thoughtful donations! We also want to thank everyone and all the businesses that have also donated goods and services to our upcoming Buckaroo event!

Don’t forget to come to the Monument Buckaroo Fall/Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21. You do not want to miss this extravaganza! There will be lots of fun for the whole family. The EMTs will be selling lunch at noon and there will be live music for your entertainment from 1-3 p.m. There will be games for the kids. This will also be the time that you will register to receive your auction bidding number. Live auctions will begin at 3 p.m. Dinner will be served at 4:30.

Silent auctions will close at 5 p.m. and the raffle drawings will begin. Winners need not be present for the raffle drawings. Don’t forget to bring extra money for those wonderful desserts that will be auctioned at 5:30 p.m. through dinnertime. At 7 p.m. will be the drawings for the men’s and women’s door prizes that are valued at approximately $300. You MUST be present to win these items. Hope to see you all then!

Isaiah 12: 3-4 Therefore with joy will ye draw water out of the wells of salvation and on that day will ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.

PRAIRIE CITY —