Community Briefs

Community coat distribution scheduled

Carol Kriegh

CHENEY — The Community Coat distribution will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in Wren Pierson Community Center, 615 Fourth St.

There are new coats in all sizes ready to share with no qualifying criteria needed.

A second distribution will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Feed Cheney event in Wren Pierson.

Cheney Freemasons perform annual Adopt a Highway cleanup on 904

Cheney Free Press

CHENEY - Temple Lodge No. 42 rallied for their annual cleanup of Highway 904. Oct. 7. The members of Cheney’s masonic lodge have been performing this service since 2002.

This project is a part of the Dept. of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway program. “This year, we had eight of our members show up to help.” Dennis Anderson, a member of the lodge, said.

“The turnout varies. Sometimes we have as few as six and as many as 16.”

The total volume of trash collected equally 52 bags of trash, almost 50lbs of cardboard, and a king-sized mattress. “We don’t pick up stuff that’s too big or dangerous. We just tag the location and the DOT come out to pick that up.”

Third annual Cheney food bank drive

Cheney Free Press

Lucas Walsh

CHENEY – Food Drive for Cheney Food Bank will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21 and 22,from 9a.m. to 5p.m., at Mitchell’s Harvest Foods, 116 W 1st St.

Wayne Baker, the organizer of the Food Drive, said that “It’s going well. The people of Cheney have always supported us.” He also said “I was surprised that we did so well during the pandemic.”

The money that was raised last year covered food costs for 1–3 person families. Wayne reports that Second Harvest provides for families of 4 and up, “So the Food Bank of Cheney can fill those additional needs in many cases.”

“We’re hoping this year to do as well or better than last year. The Food Bank is under new, energetic management, and they have a vested interest in the community.” Baker said. Mr. Baker is a member of the The Columbia Plateau Wildlife Association. The association provides volunteers that collect, transport, and deliver goods and funds to the Food Bank.

Moose spotted at Turnbull wildlife reserve

Cheney Free Press

CHENEY – Park patron photographs a moose walking across one of the frequented walking trails. Oct. 14.

“Watch Out!” Says Carlene Hardt. “Several spectators were very surprised when a bull moose walked right down the paved path at Turnbull. It was following a female moose that was in the cattails at Winslow Pool north of Middle Pine lake. It’s rutting season! Be aware!”

Turnbull representatives were unable to comment by the time of printing.

Rosa’s Pizza and Lanes undergoes remodel and reopens

Renovations infuse Cheney Lanes with color and variety

Lucas Walsh, Cheney Free Press

CHENEY – A renovation project costing upwards of $500,000, updates Cheney Lanes and brings new features to old games. Originally named “Stageline Pizza” by the current owners, the Barsnesses, it was renamed Rosa’s in 1995.

For 20 years, the location remained an exclusively take-out location, with in-house seating options. Today, however, the location not only hosts seating options for it’s dine-in guests, but all new bowling equipment. “Now we do parties, birthdays, bowling league tournaments, and more.” Owner Syrie Barsness said.

Syrie, along with her son, Casey Barsness, run and maintain the establishment.

Among the additions made during the renovation is a feature called Hyper Bowling. It is kind of enhanced-reality game that requires players to strike illuminated target zones along the bumper panels of the lanes, boosting their scores.

Cheney FDL Book Club meeting

Cheney Free Press

CHENEY – The next monthly meeting of the FDL book club will be on Oct. 25 at 6:30p.m. at the Cheney Public Library. 610 1st St.

The selection this month is The World According to Francis Davis, My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers. This book is a memoir written by Bridget Davis. Please join us for our monthly meeting!