BASIN EVENTS: June 19-27
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 hours, 5 minutes AGO
The Wanapum Native American Discovery Unit will be at the Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival this weekend.
FILE PHOTO
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. | June 19, 2026 3:00 AM
COLUMBIA BASIN — School is out, and summer officially arrives this week. Here are some ways to make the most of the season.
June 19
Soap Lake Food & Folk Festival
Live music, local food, workshops, craft vendors, family activities, and community gathering. Hosted by Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee in partnership with Cloudview Farm and Soap Lake Creative District. Free and open to all ages. Soap Lake Creative District Friday, Cloudview Farms Saturday. Info: tinyurl.com/solawafff.
H.E. Gritman Senior Center Rummage Sale
A wide variety of items to choose from. Prices are by donation. Proceeds support the H.E. Gritman Senior Center. 3 p.m. at 118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville. Info: 509-659-1921.
June 20
Family Picnic Day
Enjoy a day packed with activities and entertainment for all ages. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Downtown Moses Lake Association. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Neppel Landing, 104 S. Alder St., Moses Lake. Info: downtownmoseslake.org.
Autism Movie Day: ‘Toy Story 5’
Autism-friendly screening of the animated film “Toy Story 5.” Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head-to-head with a new threat to playtime. 11:30 a.m. at Fairchild Cinemas, 233 N Block St, Moses Lake. Info: grantcountyautism.org.
Caddyshack Par-Tee
Come dressed in your best plaid or golf-themed attire and support Soroptimist International of Moses Lake. Dinner, silent auction, live auction and raffle, followed by dancing under the stars. Tickets available at https://bit.ly/SIMLAuction26. Doors open at 5 p.m. at Pillar Rock Grill, 1373 Road F.2 NE, Moses Lake. Info: moseslakesoroptimist.com.
Hank Buchmann Book Signing
E. Hank Buchmann, author of more than 20 novels, will be signing a number of his published books. Buchmann is a native of the Columbia Basin, which has been a rich source of inspiration for writing his novels, poetry, murder mysteries and westerns. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Bookery, 1 Basin St. NW, Ephrata. Info: 509-754-5321.
June 25
‘What’s Troubling You, Moses Lake? ‘
Community town hall meeting. “What’s Troubling You, Moses Lake?” isn’t about debating specific political issues. It’s about exploring some of the root causes that make communities feel divided in the first place: trust, communication, belonging, change, and how we relate to one another as neighbors. Hosted by Moses Lake Community Coalition in partnership with Braver Angels and the Columbia Basin Dispute Resolution Center. 6:30 p.m. at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd., Moses Lake. Info: mlcommunitycoalition.org.
June 26
2nd Annual Flock Cancer Walk
Follow the flamingo-lined trail along the Gavinski Trail through Neppel Landing and back, cheered on by volunteers and a live DJ. $25 registration fee and a percentage of sales will go to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. Register at https://bit.ly/MLFlockCancer26. Info: 509-707-0192.
This weekend at the movies:
Fairchild Cinemas: Backrooms (R); Disclosure Day (PG-13) Masters of the Universe (PG-13); Obsession (R); Scary Movie 6 (R); Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (PG-13); Toy Story 5 (PG). See www.fairchildcinemas.com for show times.
The Showhouse: Toy Story 5 (PG); Disclosure Day (PG-13); (R). See othelloshowhouse.com for show times.
Ritz Theater: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13) 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. See www.facebook.com/RitzvilleRitz for updates.
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Pesticide applicators continue their education at trade conferences
MOSES LAKE — A driver’s license has to be updated every so often to make sure the driver isn’t a danger to themselves or others. So, it’s not surprising that a license to handle deadly chemicals would need renewing too. “This requirement has been in place for quite some time, probably 20 or more years,” said Washington State Department of Agriculture Licensing and Recertification Program Manager Christina Zimmerman, “There could be changes in pesticide application techniques and technology – it’s just changing so quickly right now – but it’s more making sure that licensees, pesticide applicators or consultants or even pesticide distributors stay abreast of any new requirements or restrictions.” Pesticide licensing isn’t a simple matter. The WSDA administers 27 different tests for individuals seeking their pesticide applicator license, Zimmerman said, and which ones and how many an applicant takes depend on the kind of work they’ll be doing.
Home Center changes ownership, but not quality
MOSES LAKE — After 31 years, The Home Center in Moses Lake is changing hands. “(Owner) Roger (McSteen) was ready to retire,” said Wendy Cox, who has taken over the store with her husband Ron Cox. “Instead of selling or trying to find new jobs for everybody, we decided that we would take on the monster.” Wendy is well equipped for it, she said. She’s been with the company for 28 years, and the general manager for about 15 years. McSteen started out with the original Home Center store in Stanwood, north of Seattle, and owned it for 53 years, she said. Another location, in Ephrata, opened in 2004, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives. Both the Ephrata store and the store in Stanwood closed a few years ago, Wendy said, leaving only the Moses Lake location.
BBCC’s final TRIO students prepare to move on
Federal funding cuts end program
MOSES LAKE — For more than 30 years, Big Bend Community College’s TRIO Student Support Services has helped low-income and first-generation college students succeed. On Tuesday evening, it came to an end. “Without TRIO, I would not have had the support that I needed to get to where I am today,” said Adrian Deleon Marmolejo, one of 77 students graduating this year from Big Bend Community College’s TRIO SS program. “Coming from a home that severely affected my mental health and my grades in high school, I never thought I would succeed in higher education, but when I met the TRIO team, their passion for what they do helped me realize that I can do the same.”