Dunkers

Earlier this Spring there was a fundraiser in town for the new Tonasket Water Ranch that will provide hot weather relief this summer for the kids of the community while a new pool is being constructed. Many folks from our churches got involved.

One of the popular features of the day was a dunk tank. Many upstanding members of the community graciously consented to take the seat of honor atop that infernal contraption. They included Ernie Bolz, and Rob Thompson, and yours truly.

Here is Rob feeling unaccountably confident about the whole enterprise.

Here he may be feeling a bit uneasy as he sees the glint in the eyes of the children.

And here is the fatal moment when gravity has him, and he first realizes how cold the water in that dunk tank really is, and where he may be having second thoughts way too late to do anything about it. The face of the little girl says it all.

I took my turn, too, and once you're dry and warm--a day or two later--you feel proud that you could bring a little happiness into the lives of the children, both in the future as they play in that new water park, and right now as they squeal with fiendish delight as you go down for the third time.

Brethren on the Chain Gang

It's true. On any Friday night during football season you'll find three Brethren at the football field and on the chain gang.

It's Ben and Sally Hylton, members of Whitestone, and John Colbert, member at Ellisforde. Since 2000 they have been the team at every home game working the yard and down markers, known in football parlance as "the chain gang."

It's not all fun and games. There is some risk involved, and you've got to stay on your toes to get out of the way of those big high school football players. Just ask Terry Mills, member of Ellisforde, who worked the chain gang until she had her leg broken when one of them collided with her on the sideline.

And you have to be on the visitor's side of the field, staying neutral and impartial as they do their best to beat the home team. Sally says that's easier now than it was when her sons were playing football.

But after 12 years of this Ben and Sally and John are consummate pros, a team that functions as well or better than the best football team that has ever taken this field.

Thanks, Ben and Sally and John! We're proud to have you be our Brethren on the chain gang.