10 Years Ago 1997

Two hundred fifty Girl Scout Brownies made crafts, cooked food, learned how to camp and just plain had fun at the annual Kayak Day Camp. The camp, held at Mother Natures Window for the tenth year in a row, taught campers to make it in the wilds, and also such primitive skills as how to make a friend and how long it takes to make corn-on-the-cob. The camps theme of Yesterday and Today was reflected in everything from the groups names such as the Twisters to crafts, where they made hopscotch markers. The Brownies, ranging up to sixth grade, were divided into groups where each had their own song and motif. For the Twisters, this meant they had the obvious choice of Twist and Shout as a song and the multi-colored circles of the old Twisters game for insignia. But it wasnt all just fun and games. State Senator Mary-Margaret Haugen spoke to the girls along with a mock-visit from Daisy Lower, founder of Girl Scouts. With 42 adults and 20 teenage aids supervising, frowns seemed to be the only rationed article. Disappointment was limited to the cancelled sleepover Thursday night. Not only were the campers frowning but adults and camp aids, too. Christine Baker, 17, otherwise known as Nobody, as in Nobodys Perfect said the Brownies really love the sleep over. The Camp-Aides all get to T-P the tents of the girls and everybody has fun staying up the whole night, she said. The teen camp aids all were original Brownie campers and ranged in age from 12 to 17. Adult Supervisor Corky Kanus believes the magic of the camp comes from the miracle of Mother Natures Window. We are in love with this place, she said. Where else can you go six blocks from a 7-11 and find 500-year-old trees? The whole week doesnt cost the Girl Scouts anything but appreciation, which they love to give. Tweety, 11, known as Crystal North, comes from the group Tiny Toons and is more than happy with belting out her groups song. Were tiny, were toony, were all a little loony Her favorite part of the camp is making stuff, like the rainbow necklace she proudly displays. Dana Smith, 9, named herself Hawk and thinks its the singing that makes the camp special. Her favorite song is I wanta go home, but when you look at her face thats the last place she wants to be. One of the camp traditions is the hiding of Mug-Whumps. Nobody explains, It is like a bad thing to find in your group, but its fun, she said, joyfully contradicting herself. The group that has her decorates her with whatever they do together and hides her with another group. So by the end of camp, Mug-Whumps looks more like a well-traveled suitcase than a stuffed animal. Thursday, on the last day of camp, everyone gathers for the awards and vignettes from each group. One skit had The Worlds Ugliest Person behind a blanket. Each Brownie would come take a peek and faint. Finally, the blanket was removed and standing there was a Brownie with a simple sign taped to her forehead, Camp-Aids without makeup. The day ends with more tears than rain. But one thing is guaranteed next year is going to be the best ever.

25 Years Ago 1982

Anyone coming off the freeway into Marysville couldnt help but notice the beautiful sign welcoming them to the city. The sign is one of three being placed at key entrances to the city as a friendly greeting to those passing through. The signs were made possible by various local groups and organizations. Spearheading the drive were the Business and Professional Womens Club and the Soroptimist International of Marysville. Other organizations and individuals contributing were the Historical Society, Marysville Kiwanis and the Marysville Lions Club. Chamber of Commerce, Everett Firefighters, Kellogg Marsh Garden Club, Ladies of the Moose, Marysville-Pillchuck High School and the wood working class; city of Marysville and Leslie Richardson. Signage designed the three signs, which have been placed at the freeway exit and at the north end of the city by the El Toro Shopping Center. Another sign will be placed at the citys south entrance, as well. Rita Matheny, president of BPW, said the sign drive has been an ongoing project for two years. In the beginning it was planned for one sign, however, because of the various other groups support and the great support by Signage, Matheny said, the groups were able to purchase three signs. The three sings were purchased for the regular price of one $800. The Marysville Street Department dug the holes and placed the two signs in the ground.

50 Years Ago 1957

Members of the City Council spent a long evening Monday in an intense study of regulations being formulated for a proposed gas code ordinance for Marysville. The purpose of the ordinance is to standardize practices for those who will install piping and appliances for use of gas fuel and to set up practical safeguards for the public. Detailed consideration was directed toward the problem of whether to set up a special examining board to determine qualifications for licensing people who will make such gas installation. It was finally decided that a local examining board is preferable to dependence on such services from another city. In addition to members of the council, the study included City Attorney W.A. Gissberg, two representatives of Washington Natural Gas Company, Jack Swartz and Stan Winter, as well as local heating contractors.