The Year in Review

The Desert 100 motorcycle endurance race of the Stumpjumper Motorcycle Club was held the first weekend in April. The event was well attended and very few problems were reported.

Odessa High School junior Molly Schafer was selected as Miss Odessa 2016. She will ride the Odessa community float in parades throughout eastern Washington during the spring and summer, spreading the word about the Odessa Deutschesfest and inviting everyone to come visit us the third weekend in September.

Five Odessa High School science students qualified to attend the annual Washington State Science and Engineering Fair held in Bremerton: Chance Messer, Elizabeth Larson, Stacia Lesser, Johnathon Brightwell and Kiegan Wehr.

A babysitting basics class was held in Odessa, with 21 youngsters between the ages of 10 and 14 from Odessa, Harrington, Coulee City, Wilbur and Davenport taking part.

Preparations were well under way for Spring Fling at the end of the month, as well as for the Wine and Microbrew Tasting and Auction to be held the first Friday in May.

The annual walk-a-thon held by the Odessa Friends of the Pool was held the Sunday of Spring Fling weekend.

Spring Fling weekend proved successful, not least of all because of beautiful weather. The 24th annual quilt show at the high school gym drew a large crowd, and the car and bike show drew its own crowd of aficionados.

The Odessa High School FBLA chapter was named the outstanding FBLA chapter of Washington state at the leadership conference held in Spokane. Advisor Terri King was also named Advisor of the Year. Following presentation of student projects, 21 Odessa FBLA members qualified to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference to be held in Atlanta, Ga. in June.

The silver anniversary of the Odessa Healthcare Foundation’s Wine and Microbrew Tasting and Auction drew a good crowd from Odessa and the surrounding area.

Th Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame announced that it will induct 20 inaugural members into its hall of fame at the alumni banquet to be held June 18.

Family Nurse Practitioner Rich Ervin signed on as Odessa’s newest medical provider. He and his wife Brenda plan to move to Odessa.

The columbarium ordered by the Odessa Town Council has been installed at the cemetery. It is intended to meet the need for urn niches, given the current popularity of cremation.

Odessa High School graduation saw 13 students receive their diplomas this year. Valedictorian Stacia Lesser and salutatorian Katie DeWulf gave speeches during the ceremony.

The Odessa High School FBLA chapter was one of six schools in the nation to win awards in the Lead2Feed Challenge sponsored by David Novak, executive chairman of Yum! Brands. The chapter was to receive $25,000 to benefit its nonprofit of choice and $10,000 in technology products for the school.

The income surveys sent out to the residents of Odessa by the Lincoln County Economic Development Council were successful in helping the Odessa Town Council to provide accurate figures on income levels among its population base. The accurate figures make the town eligible for state and federal infrastructure grants and low-interest loans.

Kathy Ratkowski, her daughter, son-in-law and two of their children were victims of a car-jacking in Montana while on a trip to attend the high school graduation of another grandchild. The criminals were armed and dangerous, but fortunately for Ratkowski and her family, no one was injured in the incident. The perpetrators let the family go, making off in the rental car the family had obtained for the trip.

Odessa High School celebrated its 80 annual reunion June 18. In addition to celebrating the six honored classes of 2016 (current year), 2006 (10-year), 1991 (25-year), 1976 (40-year), 1966 (50-year) and 1956 (60-year), the association also allowed the Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame committee to induct its inaugural group of 20 former athletes, coaches and supporters of athletics at Odessa High School.

Kaylene James announced the opening of her daycare business in Odessa, Kinder Haus Family Home Child Care. The business is fully licensed through the Dept. of Social and Health Services and operates out of her home across the street from the high school gymnasium.