SENIOR EVENTS: July 2026
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 1 week AGO
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | July 1, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — When all the Fourth of July celebrations have wound down, there will still be plenty of opportunities to get out of the house and into something fun. Here are a few things awaiting seniors in July.
July 7
Toppenish Casino
Group excursion. $5 per person. Departs 8 a.m. from Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: 509-754-2382.
Line Dance Lessons and Social Dancing
Low-key fun, great music and easy-to-follow instruction. Beginner-friendly lessons by Moonshine Line Dance move at a comfortable pace so everyone feels confident. Line dancing is a great way to stay active, improve balance, and enjoy music with friends. 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 E. Third Ave. Info: [email protected].
July 9-13
American Crown Circus
Step into the big top for a family-friendly circus with music, aerial performances, cotton candy, popcorn, photo fun, and a huntrix in the air. K-pop-style attire encouraged but not necessary. 7:30-10:30 at Hund Memorial Park, 101 Government Road, Mattawa. Info: americancrowncircus.com.
July 10-11
Summerfest
Royal City’s community festival features a car show, touch-a-truck, goat tying, food, vendors, a parade and fireworks. 6 p.m. Friday-10 p.m. Saturday at Lions Park, Royal City. Info: www.royalcitysummerfest.org.
July 10
Mark Dubbeld Family in concert
Patriotic and gospel music by a family quartet. Free for all ages. 7 p.m. at Moses Lake Nazarene Church, 422 S. Balsam St. Info: www.moseslakenazarene.org.
July 12
Roslyn Farmers Market
Group excursion. $5 plus lunch. Departs 9 a.m. from Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: 509-754-2382.
July 13
‘Moses Lake: Journey Through Time’ Book Signing
Author Shawn Curtis will sign copies of his book tracing the history of Moses Lake. 1-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Library, 415 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-765-3489.
July 15
Bingo
Cards cost 25 cents each for each game played and all money is put back into the game prizes. 2-3:30 p.m. at H.E. Gritman Senior Center, 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
Create & Cackle
Do you like to make stuff? Do you have a project unfinished? Want to just hang out and finish a project? Just drop in, have a drink and a snack and create. Knitting, drawing, sewing, crocheting, perler beading, coloring, painting, origami or basket-weaving – the only limit is what you bring. Bring your own project and drinks/snacks and hang out with like-minded individuals. 6 p.m. at The Main Event, 116 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 843-323-2218.
July 18
Friends of the Moses Lake Library Book Sale
Peruse through gently used books and take home a new treasure for your home library. Proceeds go to help fund library programs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Public Library, 418 E. Fifth Ave. Info: 509-771-7634.
July 21
Candidate forum
Meet the people running for public office in your community this year. All contested candidates with three or more in their race have been invited to attend. Sponsored by Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Basin Herald. 6 p.m. at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd., Moses Lake. Info: 509-765-4561.
July 25
Christmas in July at the Market
Who says you have to wait until December for holiday cheer? Stroll through decorated vendor booths, shop amazing local makers and growers, enjoy holiday-themed fun, festive music, sweet treats, and surprises for the whole family. Wear your favorite Christmas shirt, Santa hat, or holiday outfit. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Moses Lake Farmers Market, McCosh Park, 401 W. Fourth Avenue. Info: www.farmersmarketml.com.
Comedy on the Columbia with Sam Miller
From Olympia, Sam is 6-foot-6, and 360 pounds with two kids, one of them on purpose. He’s been married for 10 years and has been clean and sober for 15 years. Sam likes to make jokes about what it’s like to be a sober parent and what jail is like in Yakima. 8 p.m. at Tower Pizza and Sunworks at Crescent Bar, 8995 Crescent Bar Road NW, Quincy.
July 28
Mobile Market
Free drive-thru for fresh and nonperishable items. No appointment or paperwork needed – just come by if you need a hand. Limited to 250 families. Provided by Second Harvest Tri-Cities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1399 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata. Info: 2-harvest.org.
July 30
‘Star Wars’
Screening of the 1977 science fiction blockbuster starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. 2 p.m. at the Ephrata Senior Center, 124 C St. NW. Info: www.ephrataseniorcenter.org.
July 31
Open Mic
The stage is open to everyone, and of every skill level. Not only is it a great way to gain experience as a performer and test out new material, it’s a great way to learn to play with other musicians. 6 p.m. at Camas Cove Cellars, 911 Camas Place, Moses Lake. Info: camascovecellars.com.
The Mark Dubbeld Family gospel quartet will perform July 10 at Moses Lake Nazarene Church.ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Owner, alleged thief both arrested in vehicle theft incident
MOSES LAKE — An alleged car thief and the vehicle’s owner were both arrested Thursday morning, according to a statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. Sara Danielle Gallagher, 40, of Moses Lake and Daniel Daryl Littlejohn, 28, of Ephrata, were booked into Grant County Jail on separate charges, according to the Grant County Jail roster.
2 dead in DUI crash near George
GEORGE — A DUI collision Saturday afternoon near George claimed two lives, according to a statement from the Washington State Patrol.
Brookdale Hearthstone’s Janet Gonzales retires after 39 years
MOSES LAKE — Janet Gonzales will leave a big hole when she retires at the end of the month at Brookdale Hearthstone after 39 years. “She knows everything about this building,” said Melinda De Santo, Brookdale Hearthstone’s business manager. “She knows it all. I don’t know how we’re going to manage without her, to be honest.” Emeritus at Hearthstone, as it was called then, was only a year old when Gonzales came to work there, she said. There was a total of five residents, and the building was split between a retirement home and an assisted living facility. The facility became all assisted living when Brookdale acquired the place in 2014.