February 15-17, 2008

Chehalis - Centralia, WA

Forty-four people enjoyed a weekend in the Chehalis-Centralia area at the 2008 Noggin & Natter. A few weren't able to attend both days, but dropped in for Friday night dinner or arrived Saturday to spend the day and have dinner with old friends. It was a pleasure to welcome new members, Hoyt and Sandra Burrows, and long time members, Glen and Barbie Tarilton, who have lived in Oregon for many years. A large group gathered for dinner Friday night at Mary McCranks, an old country restaurant, after checking into our headquarters, the Best Western, Chehalis. Mary McCarthy and Dave and Liz DuBois drove the two T's in attendance. Saturday morning Mary's cousin Dan led the group back to Centralia, where we visited a unique outside Art Yard, full of contraptions, mobiles, styrofoam creatures, and other items created by the home owner, Rich Art. He explained some of his ideas, while we wandered through his large corner property. Our next stop was the Centralia Square Antique mall, a large facility holding many small antique dealer's shops, and a pleasant restaurant where a number of members lunched. Later everyone returned to Chehalis for the pre-dinner gathering in the Duncan-McGarah connecting rooms. The evening concluded with dinner at the Olympic Club, Centralia, an old hotel, bar and theater restored by McMenamin's. We squeezed 38 into their private room, enjoyed dinner and door prizes which followed. Eighteen of the group took advantage of the theatre to attend a film seated in soft couches, with drinks and food served all through the movie. Sunday meant good-by to old and new friends, with thanks to Wayne and Laura Duncan, and Jean McGarah for the excellent weekend.

* If you have pictures of this event, please send them to the webmasters.