The Year in Review

Our look back at 2019 concludes this week.

October

In October, the races for town government positions were suddenly in disarray, as announced candidates for mayoral and council seats withdrew their names from contention (although not from the ballot, which had already gone to press): Marcus Horak, Bill Pichon and Joe Schlomer. Incumbent mayor Bill Crossley provided a brief bio and list of accomplishments as mayor over the past four years to The Record. Having heard that Pichon was no longer in the council race against incumbent Marlene Kramer, Michael Igo announced himself as a write-in candidate to oppose Kramer and provided his statement of intent to The Record.

A town hall forum was held in early October at the Old Town Hall. The forum was organized by Jackie Allen and Patty Martin, assisted during set up by several high school students who also provided help as timers and secretaries. The moderator of the event was Clark Kagele. The forum was well attended.

Local student Charleigh Cornett had spent her summer attending the FBLA National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas and then left immediately for a 10-day course at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. at Envision EMI’s National Youth Leadership Forum: Advanced Medicine & Health Care Program. A brief visit to nearby Washington, D.C. followed, and then she was back home and preparing to attend volleyball camp.

Local resident Pat Gamache began an occasional series of articles on his battles with pain management, addiction and illness, while endeavoring to savor and appreciate what life still has to offer.

Kyle Anderson, FNP-C, was introduced to the community as the latest permanent medical provider at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.

Women’s Health Night was held in the social hall of Heritage Church and served an FBLA-catered dinner to about 100 women, while members of the health care community shared information on heart attack and stroke prevention.

Heritage Church honored “Hometown Heroes,” i.e. local elected officials, EMTs, firefighters and law enforcement officials, with a luncheon and certificates of appreciation.

The impending sale of the former biodiesel plant in Odessa to a group of local and out-of-town investors wanting to establish a hemp seed processing facility fell through. The Odessa Public Development Authority was, of course, very disappointed and at their most recent meeting expressed their desire to list the building for sale once again.

The Athletic Booster Club’s auction and dinner in the community center was a success.

The Homecoming royalty princes and princesses were freshmen Laela Hardung and Gage Starkel, sophomores Chloe Winkler and Daeton Deife, juniors Kaya Kuchenbuch and Pilot Weishaar, and the senior queen and king were Maddy Wagner and Jordan Ford.

November

The FFA-Odessa Chamber sponsored Halloween Carnival was enjoyed by youngsters and their parents at the community center and with trick-or-treating at downtown businesses prior to residential trick-or-treating after dark.

The results of the November 5 general election showed all Odessa incumbents retaining their seats. Advisory votes on taxes imposed by the legislature rejected those taxes imposed in all but two cases.

The Veterans Day dinner and awards ceremony was held November 11 in the Heritage Church social hall.

The Odessa High volleyball team took fourth place at the state tournament held at the Yakima Sun Dome.

Tom Clavel and sons Nick and Bryan, as well as Marlon Schafer and Anita Weaver of Odessa Office Equipment and councilwoman Marlene Kramer decorated the large pine tree outside the Old Town Hall with Christmas lights. Christmas Fest in the community center was scheduled for December 4.

The high school football team continued to steamroll the competition on its way to the championship game to be held in Tacoma.

December

A tree-lighting ceremony was held at the Old Town Hall on December 1, with refreshments and a silent auction offered inside. The silent auction was to benefit the fund for refurbishment of the Old Town Hall.

Andria Payne is Odessa’s newest postmaster. Originally from Soap Lake, she graduated from Ephrata High School. She has worked for the postal service for the past 18 years.

The Odessa Tiger football team easily won the state 1B championship game in Tacoma on December 7 for the second year in a row. The Tigers now have two undefeated seasons behind them, and publicity about them has been widespread throughout the state.

Christmas Fest was well attended and provided plenty of entertainment and shopping options for those who were there.

The school’s winter concert showcased the musical talents of Odessa’s youth.