The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Over 100 attend Christmas party

High Prairie News for Jan. 3

December 28, 2012

By Audrey Bentz

365-3600

amsong@gorge.net

The annual High Prairie Christmas Holiday party was attended by nearly 100 smiling children and adults. As a gift to the community, a scrumptious pork loin meal was served to all in the beautifully decorated Community Center. Two local musical groups, High Prairier Larksters and High Prairie Songsters (children) sang Christmas music, followed by a special guitar carol arrangement by David Hunt. Then singing of carols by young and old resonated until Santa arrived on the fire truck. Several guests were excited to get special baskets of gifts with their winning raffle tickets. Considering the snow storm and slippery roads, the celebration was still a great success.

Todd Murray, WSU extension agent from Skamania County, and Glenn Ahrens, OSU extension agent in Hood River County, have warned residents to be aware of the pine beetle pest. They offer recommendations for controlling this pine beetle, that differs from other pine beetles we've had in the past, as it is attracted to the smell of pine sap. They stress that now is the prime time to burn dying infested pine branches under four inches, while the trees are dormant. Larger wood stock may be used or sold, but the bark should be removed and burnt as the beetle takes up residence under the bark.