Nonprofit Briefs

Author talks about St. Helens aftermath

Eric Wagner will talk about "After the Blast: Mount St. Helens 40 Years Later" at 1:30 p.m. March 26 at the Harstine Island Community Club as part of the Inquiring Minds/Humanities Washington program.

This is the 14th year the two entities have presented the programs, which are staged at 1:30 p.m. on the last Sunday in January, February and March at the Community Club, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road North. Donations will be accepted to support Inquiring Minds.

The Seattle resident is a writer and biologist who earned a doctorate degree in biology from the University of Washington, where he studied penguins. He is the author of three books, including "After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens."

Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people and causing hundreds of square miles of destruction.

Scientists who visited the site soon after the eruption were stunned to find plants sprouting through the ash and animals skittering around downed trees. Wagner will talk about the surprising ways plants and animals survived the eruption, the complex roles people have played and the continued fascination with the mountain.

Pioneer Kiwanis seafood dinner

The Pioneer Kiwanis Foundation hosts its annual seafood dinner and auction March 25 to benefit the youths of the Pioneer School District and Mason County.

Money raised at the event will go to six scholarships for Pioneer Middle School eighth-graders to be used for post-high school education, and four scholarships for high school graduates from the Pioneer School District attending Cedar, CHOICE, North Mason and Shelton high schools.

For more information, contact Pamela Harrell at 360-490-0954 or [email protected].

Share family history with historical group

The Mason County Historical Society is developing a family history of archives of past and present residents of Mason County.

Anyone who wants to share a record of their time in Mason County can fill out and return a form that includes your name, where you were born, children, spouse, education, military service and occupation. You can also fill out forms for other family members and friends.

Visitors to the Mason County Historical Museum often ask questions about their ancestors. Forms are available at the museum at 427 West Railroad Ave. in downtown Shelton, by calling 360-426-1020 and at http://www.masoncountyhistoricalsociety.org.

In 1938, Shelton-Mason County Journal Editor Grant Angle used the same form to compile a history of early settlers in the county.

Activities Center offers classes, games

The Mason County Senior Activities Center offers classes, games and other offerings at its Activities Center at 190 W. Sentry Drive, Shelton.

Monday events are cribbage and tai chi at 8:15 a.m., line dance at 9 a.m., Mexican trains at 10 a.m., lunch at noon, and intermediate pinochle and artists' workshop at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday events are cribbage at 8:15 a.m., Zoom and in-person yoga at 8:30 a.m., Third Tuesday yoga at 8:15 a.m., advanced line dance at 10 a.m., tai chi at 11 a.m., lunch at noon, bridge at 12:30 p.m., a movie at 1 p.m. and Zumba with Sarah at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday's events are cribbage, tai chi and Zoom tai chi at 8:15 a.m., line dance at 9 a.m., Mexican trains at 10 a.m., lunch at noon, intermediate pinochle at 12:30 p.m., hand and foot care at 1 p.m., and crafting with Teresa at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month.

Thursday's events are cribbage at 8:15 a.m., Zoom and in-person yoga at 8:30 a.m., E-Z Crafters, Joker's Rule and quilting and sewing at 9 a.m., advanced line dance, Zoom tai chi and knit and chat at 10 a.m., lunch at noon, bridge at 12:30 p.m., machine knitting, mah jong and bingo at 1 p.m., and Zumba with Sarah at 5:30 p.m.

Friday's events are cribbage and tai chi at 8:15 a.m., line dance at 9 a.m., Mexican trains and Scrabble at 10 a.m., tai chi at 10:45 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., beginning pinochle at noon, chorus at 12:30 p.m., tai chi slow set at 1:30 p.m., and the Friday senior movie at 1:30 p.m.