Snowy Week

Despite the last minute crunch draining my time with the Ruston history book, I managed to snap a few shots of the snow this week. Beautiful scenery around here and some very creative snowmen! Feel free to email any pictures you want to share to kpickett22@yahoo.com.

Karen

A Step Forward

The sale of the former burned out Cole's building is complete and new owner Jeff Fraychineaud hopes to open a high-end pub and new apartments in the space. Unlike the last plan for the building, he will not add an additional story or raise the building height. It's too early for building permits or specific plans, but the new owner hopes to get started on repairing the fire damage soon.

Fraychineaud owns the Park Way Taverns near Tacoma General Hospital and the Corner Bar near 6th and K Streets, along with about 30 other apartments. His philosophy is to build and maintain nice units with better tenants.

The new owner has met with the town planner and mayor, who appear eager to see the building developed. Fraychineaud has a successful record both as a businessman and good neighbor. He is hopeful for continued support from both town officials and the community. With the on-going upgrade of the adjacent building, things are looking up for our most visible corner!

Karen

Farewell to the old Fletcher residence

It was quite a show yesterday, a regular party in the neighborhood. We spotted a bag of marshmallows, but no one had roasting sticks long enough to make use of the huge fire. The heat could be felt from across the street. My husband caught the roof collapse on video...

Fire On Shirley Street

Here are a few of the shots I took today as the house on Shirley Street was burned in a training exercise today. There were many spectators and lots of excitement as we watched the spectacular display of just how fast and furious a fire can be. Thanks to Bates Fire Training and our Ruston Fire Department for a job well done!

Echoes

Today was filled with ghosts for me; not the spooky kind - but echoes of the past bubbling from the subconscious. Maybe it was the talk of Phil Parker this week that softened that wall between my past and the present, but watching Gerald and Carol Tritt's old house burn today awakened long buried memories.

More of my heart was tied to that old house than I'd realized. Many of our early days in Ruston were spent in the living room that burned today, many a political strategy session was waged under the old apple tree in the back yard. Gerald and Carol gave 110% to this town for over a decade.

I could almost hear Gerald in the adrenaline-pumped voices of the young firefighters today. I could see the gleam in his eye in the sparkle of excitement in those men and women who learned more burning his old house than they could ever learn in a classroom. I could sense him doing a high-five with those huge flames as they shot heavenward from the roof.

Ruston has changed so much, most of it for the better. But there are so few here now who share the memories of this town's past - who lived and walked these streets over a lifetime. That's not a bad thing, but it makes the echoes more precious, more fragile. So to Gerald and Carol, thank you for all you gave to this town. We have not forgotten your sacrifice. Your old house served the department you loved very well today...

House Burn Tomorrow

These details on the house burning were handed out to the neighborhood earlier this week. A series of small fires will be set and doused starting tomorrow morning and the final burn will start in early afternoon, from about 8:30 am to 5 pm.

DETAILS: Parking will be restricted along Shirley Street. Folks with respiratory problems are encouraged to stay indoors during the exercise. Public viewing will be available at the Ruston School parking lot AT 5219 N. Shirley Street. There is hope to take video from inside the burning structure and post it on the Town's web site eventually.

Bates Technical College Fire Training is running the show in partnership with Ruston Fire. Crews have been practicing and training all week on the building. This offers invaluable training to our great volunteers. Thanks to the owner and builder for giving our guys (and gals) this great opportunity!

Phil's Tree Dedication

The tree planted in memory of former mayor Phil Parker will be dedicated on Saturday, March 26th at 11 am. Patty Mannie, Phil's former fiance, has been leading the family efforts to get the memorial in place. She announced this week that a plaque will be placed with the tree at the end of Winnifred Street in a formal ceremony that day.

Kathleen Merryman at The News Tribune has a nice column today describing Phil and his contributions to our community. You can read her words here... Phil is pictured above at one of the early Asarco planning meetings in 1993 with Congressman Norm Dicks. He is the bearded fellow in suspenders. To see Phil's note and donation for the trees see my previous post here...

It's a fitting tribute to a good man. I hope many of you will join us to honor Phil, hug his kids and enjoy this peaceful setting to remember a life gone much too soon.

Orcas Off Point Ruston

The folks at Point Ruston shared these photos of some special visitors in the waters between the Point Ruston site and Vashon Island a couple of weeks ago on February 2nd. One of the many pleasures of living here in Ruston... You can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Former Fire Chief House Set To Burn

The former home of one of Ruston's fire chiefs is set to be burned to the ground as part of a training exercises for the same department he once led. The burn is scheduled for this Saturday, February 19th.

Gerald Tritt and his wife Carol once lived in this house on N. Shirley Street across from Ruston School. Gerald helped rebuild the department in the 1980's after the department was disbanded briefly. His wife Carol formed the Firefighter Auxiliary to support department efforts, such as raising the funds to purchase a much needed medical aid van. Gerald died a few years ago, but his legacy lives on in a well-trained, committed volunteer fire department.

One of the best ways to train is with live fire. Ruston Fire Chief Don Torbet reports his fire fighters are "pumped up" and ready. Bates Technical College fire training school is the lead agency on this effort. As you will recall, some Bates fire fighters live in the bunk house next to town hall to help provide 24 hour coverage for Ruston - and valuable training for the Bates students.

This burn has been in the planning for months. North Shirley Street will be closed all day from 52nd to 53rd. You can view the fire from the parking lot at the Ruston School building at 5219 N. Shirley. It will be a busy day in the neighborhood, but immensely valuable to our fire department, helpful to the family who will rebuild a new home here and exciting to watch. I think Gerald would be proud to know his work continues to benefit his department.

Work Off-Shore Continues

Just in case you were curious about the barge offshore, the removal of the docks continues off the Point Ruston shoreline with more underwater work on some remaining pilings and the last small dock on the Breakwater Peninsula is scheduled for removal.