Rimrock Grange raises $1,627 for Palouse Falls signage

In the first fundraiser to collect donations for the purchase of a plaque at Palouse Falls State Park, the Rimrock Grange raised $1,627 for the fund. Over 100 people attended the Pasta for the Palouse Spaghetti Feed at the grange hall on Sunday afternoon and helped move the project one step closer to completion.

The meal of spaghetti, green beans, salad, garlic bread and dessert was served by a large group of Rimrock Grange members. The meal was provided by donation only, and all who attended the event helped contribute to the success of the spaghetti feed.

The future plaque or kiosk purchased for the park will honor the group of Washtucna School students who were instrumental in having Palouse Falls designated as the official state waterfall. The purpose of the project is to have a permanent marker at the park explaining the process the students took to draft a bill, and list the names of the students and teachers involved in the designation of the state waterfall.

While the Grange plans to continue fundraising efforts to assist in the purchase of the permanent memento, the first fundraiser is being hailed as an extreme success for the small community. The Grange is continuing to receive donations from community members, as well as donations from Grange members across the nation who learned about the project.

Among those in attendance on Sunday was Representative Joe Schmick, who assisted the third through sixth grade students with the drafting of the bill for the falls. Schmick presented Washtucna School teachers Janet Camp and Amy Whipple with a commemorative wall display of the students’ success with the project.

The display included a copy of the signed resolution of the bill the students drafted, as well as a pen from Gov. Jay Inslee’s office. Schmick also included two photos of the students from the day he visited them in the classroom to discuss the bill, and a group photo of the students with Gov. Inslee on the day the bill was signed at Palouse Falls.

Camp and Whipple expressed their gratitude for Schmick’s assistance with the project and remaining so accessible to them and the students.

Schmick said he was happy to support the efforts of teachers like Camp and Whipple who challenge their students and help them expand their education outside of the classroom.