Harrington news

In January of 1990, Phyllis Mann requested permission of the city council to purchase and present the city with a lovely water fountain which would be dedicated to the memory of her husband, Art Mann, who had died in July, 1989. In April 1990, Joe Forkner (city employee) informed the council that the new 30-inch high drinking fountain would be installed on the north side of the (old) restrooms. Due to its original location, it had come into disrepair. Recently Scott McGowan dismantled and pressure-washed the unit at the shop. Once it was totally renovated, the fountain was installed at the west end of the park. This memorial will serve to quench one's thirst while in the Harrington City Park, and serve as a reminder of the men who served our country, and specifically Art Mann.

Arthur Mann was born February 15, 1923 at Batum to Jacob and Martha (Witt) Mann. He moved with his parents to Harrington in 1924 where they farmed. He graduated from Harrington High School in 1943. In October of 1944, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned to Troop D, 8th Cavalry. He served in the Pacific Theatre from November 1944 to May 1946. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Star, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal of Japan.

In November 1962, Arthur Mann married Phyllis (McDonald, Menkel) Eastman, a widow. He had three children by a previous marriage: sons Michael and Christopher, and a daughter Shelley. Phyllis had two children by a previous marriage: Dianne and Gail. Art had three sisters: Elsie Mann Ottmar, Leona Mann Meske and Ella Mae Mann Cook. These are all familiar names to long-time townspeople.

Nine faithful members of the Harrington Opera House Society met for their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. August 1 in the Art Room of the renovated 1904 Bank Block building which houses the Opera House auditorium. Present were Linda Wagner, Billie and Gordon Herron, Ed and Bunny Haugan, Carol, Marge Womach, Sheryl Stedman and Karen Robertson. Receipt of the 10-year warranty for the new 7'1" Boston by Steinway grand piano was acknowledged.

After many months, the old business list is trimmed down to only a few items. The building committee reported that the minor problem with the new elevator was fixed, and that the alignment on the magnetic sensors had shifted and needed to be fixed in order for the computer to know if the doors were open or shut. A brief discussion was held again concerning a training session for the group for the operation of the elevator. A concise instruction sheet has been printed for the elevator. Avista has not sent the results of the weatherization audit as per agreement. Kelli Tanke has been working on a grant and without this report she may have to switch to a different project. It was proposed that she switch to writing a grant for the west fire exit from the elevator to outside the building. Linda Wagner is working on the Farm Credit grant. The Society has received six attractive and durable music stands which were courtesy of Steve Whiteside.

Scheduled events are beginning shortly with the August 14 violin recital at 3 p.m. by Ms. McCalley, age 14, which is open to the public; a donation is welcomed. This is a new venture for the Society to have a recital from other than our own music students. Opening the doors for any function comes with modest expenses for electricity, and heating or air conditioning. It is hoped that these expenses can be met by donations and community interest in supporting local talent as it is being developed.

The Nu Blu event will be held at 7 p.m. on August 19. The only scheduled event for September is the Needhams on September 23. There will be a rummage sale also during Fall Fest. Three events are scheduled during October: the Society is having its "Gala Celebration" from 4-6 p.m. on October 1, the Strite wedding will be on October 8, and John Nilsen, concert pianist, will play many of his original compositions here October 22 (http://www.johnnilsen.com). The Scott Kirby event is November 19 at 4 p.m. It was noted that he will play at the Fox in Spokane on August 18.

The Rummage Room will have had a sale August 6 to move more merchandise and help support the sale by Kennedys at the Carrot Patch and Challenger Cafe. Discussion was held on final touches and decoration for the auditorium floor restroom, the elevator's lobby and snack area. The next meeting will be held September 12, since Labor Day is September 5.

On August 3, Paula Pike, Justin Bradford, Heather Slack, Cindy Haase, Cassandra Paffle-Dick and Bunny Haugan met at noon for the monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting. City clean-up day was set for September 19 at 12:45 p.m. in preparation for the Harrington Fall Festival. The Chamber voted in favor of paying the $64 Beer Garden application fee for the Fest.

Haase reported she spoke with Randy Behrens regarding what the Harrington Golf and Country Club would need to do in order for them to be able to stay open year-round. The design of their water system and lack of insulation would make such changes too expensive. The Chamber is concerned that since work ceased on the Harrington Haus, there is only the Country Club for eating out.

Chamber will start planning for Cruizin' Harrington Day at the October meeting. Suggestions included a pinewood derby, basketball, movie in the evening, quilt show and custom vehicle painters vendors.

Pike volunteered to set up a Facebook page for the Chamber of Commerce. The vote in favor of her offer was 6-0. Bradford informed the Chamber that the school district would be putting a capital improvement bond for $6.7 million (which is 5% of the property value) on the November ballot.

The Opera House Society sponsored another rummage sale August 6, however due to increased late traffic it was not closed until nearly 5 p.m. This last-minute sale was to coincide with the Kennedy's sale on 3rd Street, however they canceled until next weekend. The Society took in more than $400 due to the generosity of the community, both in their donations of items for the sale and in the support by customers coming and retrieving items of interest for a donation. A very few items had prices set on them, most of which were a great bargain and were quickly snatched up. The next rummage sale will be during the Fall Festival, unless too much new merchandise is acquired before that date.