Yes, this is the last week we will discuss this matter this year. The United States Postal Service does not guarantee every piece of mail dropped into a mail drop box will be postmarked.

The next Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District election is scheduled for Next Tuesday, Dec. 9. Here is part of what RCW 87.03.033 about absentee ballots: To be counted in a given election, an absentee ballot must conform to these requirements: It must be sealed in an unmarked envelope and delivered to the district's principal office prior to the close of the polls on the day of that election; or be sealed in an unmarked envelope and mailed to the district's secretary, postmarked not later than midnight of that election day and received by the secretary within five days of that date.

There is one way to make sure your main-in ballot is postmarked; physically take it to the post office counter and ask to have it hand stamped. The post office employee should hand stamp the envelope while you watch.

If you are going to participate in this election and have questions, call the MLIRD office and clarify your concerns.

Students assist food bank distribution

Volunteers transport food each Tuesday from the Moses Lake Food Bank to Pioneer Village, a senior apartment building, for distribution to 60 households. Once at Pioneer Village, the food is displayed on tables where residents file through the line to collect food.

Three Moses Lake High School students, Julianne Combs, Kayla Ottolini and Rebecca (last name misplaced) have been spending their Tuesday lunch period at the facility, across Sharon Avenue from the high school, helping hand out the food.

An "A" for the three students for their civic volunteerism.

Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965 preparing for 50th class reunion

The dates: Aug. 28, 29 and 30, 2015. The event: The 50th class reunion of the Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965.

Our goal at this time is to contact all of our classmates. Spread the word. A simple entry on Facebook has initiated responses from Dave Kruger, Nick Daurte, Sherry Mike Turner, Norm Benson, Diana Bateman, James "Rocky" Stone, Sheryl Durham Ott, David Wilson and Linda Barrett Hall.

We are planning the reunion events, with the next planning meeting on Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the skill Center. All are welcome to attend.

Stay tuned for more info, but feel free to contact me at any time.

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Columbia Basin Herald on May 15, 1952:

Seeding to start at cemetery

Grass seeding at Pioneer Memorial Park should start this month, cemetery directors decided last week as they studied a bid for installing pump and sprinkler system at the cemetery. Power is available now, Chairman O.M. Wilmot said.

Plans to make water available for domestic use of neighboring farm units have been suspended, he said, to permit immediate installation of a pump and irrigation of the new lawn. Later, as the neighboring units are settled, their owners will be welcomed at any time to talk over purchase of domestic water from the cemetery association.