Says Ginger: “Our first year, only 2 cars showed up. Second year, six. Last year, our third, 60 cars filled Spiffy’s parking lot. So we knew we had to find a bigger venue.”

Saturday’s surprisingly sunny weather drew cars from clubs as far away as Marysville, WA and Oregon for a ragtop-ready day to enjoy their Mt St Helens Cruise.
One member added the Pacific NW Camero Club members are a philanthropic group, evident by including Toledo High School’s ASB fundraiser Breakfast on Saturday’s itinerary. Two members began planning on the spot to contact Toledo Food Bank for a benefit drive shortly.
Pacific NW Camero Club website link here.
Events calendar direct link here.
Dubbed The Cookie Monster, this vintage beauty appeals to generations of enthusiasts.
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Bonus: The Junior Varsity set up a carwash fundraiser at the athletic fields, saving me time and supporting a good cause.

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Toledo’s First Annual Walk in the Park fundraiser Saturday was declared a success, blessed with sunshine and warm temps, more than 30 registered walkers (and half a dozen dogs) sporting T-shirts and, in some cases, tutus...
One solo walker allowed me to join her for a lap, and showed me the bead bin, where walkers collected a bead for each circuit to track their total mileage.
Prizes were awarded for youngest walker, most laps/miles, furthest distance traveled, and most senior walker. Raffle items generously provided by local merchants and hand-crafted items brought smiles all around. City Council member Jim Fluckinger scored the sought-after Walk in the Park - Blue Lagoon quilt by Esther Borte, raffled by the Lioness Club. Walkers, supporters and volunteers alike enjoyed lunch provided by the Lions Club.
Tammie Stanton, winner Best Costume
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Alpaca Farm Days, held locally at Lone Tree Alpacas, celebrated their second year Saturday with area owners and breeders, felters and weavers and hand-crafters of an astounding array of luxurious garb and goods.
And they hum. Seriously.
This 3-day old baby, or cria, was frequently nuzzled and touched by all the herd in the paddock, whether getting its scent or bestowing their own. Jack confessed that the white alpaca nursing the baby might actually be a sort of wet nurse, rather than its mother. Evidently this isn’t unusual if the mama alpaca has insufficient milk for a time.
New alpaca convert Gary Gehrkens bought 3 last year to “mow” his 3+ acres when back trouble prevented conventional mowing. Says Gary: “I considered goats and other grazers, but fell in love with alpacas. They don’t break out or tear up the place like other animals.” So calming did he find their influence that he added a fourth to his small herd this year.
Lone Tree Alpacas of Toledo* (there’s another in Wyoming) offers goods and animals for sale.
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Toledo Food Share continues to meet noon Sundays at Toledo’s Historic Jail building to swap the late season bounty of apples and tomatoes, acorn squash and zukes, sage and basil and rosemary.
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ARTrails 14th Annual Studio Tour featured Morgan Arts Centre as Studio 19 on the route, local artists and craftspeople sharing their works across a variety of media, music and Santa Lucia coffee adding ambiance.
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Today: Toledo Historical Society resumes meeting fourth Mondays monthly at 4 p.m. at Toledo Library after summer hiatus. New members welcome. On Facebook, link here.
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Tuesday: Oregon Trail Marker Rededication Ceremony 1 p.m. at Highway 505 & Fifth Street at St Helens Street. Fifth Street closed noon - 2 p.m. for visitors. For more details contact City of Toledo at (360)864-4564.
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Check out frequent updates and progress reports on the young Morgan/Owen family following Jake and Helen’s accident August 19, share your prayers and wishes on their GoFundMe campaign page here.
September 30 Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Auction will be held 4-10 p.m. at Toledo High School for the Morgan/Owen family.
Contact Catrina Mathis, buttonsems@yahoo.com about dinner.
Contact Coordinator Brandi Devine, bdevine@toledotel.com to get involved with the auction.
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Photos from TOT archives unless otherwise noted.
Email your news, reviews and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com