C:\MyFiles\IngallsCreek\WPdata\Newsletters\Newsletter 2005

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Fresh ICE through New Eyes...and Muscles!
(Initial impressions from the Serenes)
by Gregg A. Serene
Faye, Matt and I recently had a dinner table conversation
about our first impressions of Ingalls Creek. Our
impressions were somewhat different, which is not
surprising if you know the three of us and the differences
in our personalities and interests. Matt had a grand ol'
time with the zip line, and recommends it heartily. He
enjoyed getting to know some of the other kids. He also
mentioned a time sitting by the creek and taking in the
sights and sounds of the rushing water. Already I see an
attachment to that place in him. Such is its effect on
people, I suspect.
Faye was grateful for the chance to spend some time
getting to know folks outside of the all-too-necessary
task focus of committee work and the hustle and bustle
of Sunday morning. She was particularly moved by the
stories of the many ways God has guided and supported
the work at Ingalls Creek over the years. There is
something very uplifting about being with a group of
people that have heard God's call and have responded
to it wholeheartedly.
I, too, have felt inspired by the sense of God's
involvement at Ingalls Creek, and am glad to have had a
small part in that work. Having a hand in that work was
my great desire, so I never got around to trying the zip
line or listening to the stream; it was hard enough finding
time for a shower (my apologies to anyone that
happened to end up downwind of me). I do have one
particularly vivid memory of the beauty of Ingalls Creek
early in October when I looked across the canyon and
saw the deciduous trees with their autumn colors mixed
in with the evergreens like yellow torches in an evergreen
darkness.
My thanks again for all the many kindnesses from
everyone in the Ingalls Creek community: the meals, the
rides there and back and the use of several different
trailers and tent trailers. Most of all I thank you all for the
many ways you made my family and I feel so very
welcome. You have been a great blessing to us.
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The High and Mighty: New Scaffolding
by Steve Critchlow
Installing the siding on the lodge was a labor of love that
involved many willing hands. Yet installing the siding got more
difficult as we worked up the building exterior. We sought and
experimented various ways to accomplish the task, with only
minimal improvement. “We need scaffolding” went the cry.
We discovered a place in Seattle where such equipment was
available, and purchasing vs. rental was a wise investment for
the long term. So 10 sections of steel scaffolding and
associated bracing, adjustable legs etc. were acquired and
delivered to ICE. Sturdy platforms that allowed the entire
system to be set up in a matter of minutes were quickly
manufactured. Thus, the installation of the siding was
continued to near competition with safety and efficiency.
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Wild ‘n Rugged 2004
by Mike Hassell
Old folks, Young folks, everybody came,
They came to Ingall’s Creek and they had a lot of fun,
They checked their chewing gum and razors at the
door,
And they heard some bible stories that they never
heard before!
Wild ’n Rugged 2004 was another great weekend filled
with crafts, contests, food, fellowship, singing, bonding,
talent, and fun!
We owe a special thanks to John
Campbell for being the Master of
Ceremonies for the talent shows – his
performance was superb. This years
list of the talented was incredible – the
Goecke’s en-”lightened” us with their
rendition of Dueling Banjos, Karel
Coppock put a few good tunes into
heads that just won’t go away (ahhh,
ahhh, ahhh…), Karen Lipp educated
us with her sign language skills during
her rendition of “breaking camp is hard
to do”, the trainees enlivened the
evening with their skits, and we had
plenty of good talented youth singing and reciting
poetry.
There were even some attempts at educating the
unlearned about astronomy. I always got confused
between astrology and astronomy – just look at the
fliers and bulletins if you need proof! But thanks to the
patience of Jim Weber and Roy Gephart, I now have it
straight in my head. I now understand that astrology
deals with the belief that the stars, using constellations
named after Greek or Roman Gods, influence our
future and can involve other mythical creatures such
as Hercules and dragons. But astronomy is based on
science, and is a study of the galaxy, the universe, the
stars and constellations, such as Dracos the Dragon,
you know, the one that Hercules had to defeat to get
the golden apples. Somehow, it’s all much clearer to
me now!
This years extracurricular activity was to build a Zip
Line. The construction was delayed, and nearly
prevented, due to a hydraulic line failure on the
backhoe. However, with the application of a little talent
and resourcefulness, and a reported hour-long “prayer”
ritual (the photos looked more like an afternoon
snooze) under the shade of the backhoe, Steve
Critchlow was able to practice the ancient art of
alchemy and somehow persuaded the flare fitting to
once again achieve a positive seal.
This years weekend introduced some to camping for
the first time (Alexis Teachout), showed the creativity
of some in building a camp hat (Gwen Bray had the
winning design), demonstrated how 20 lbs of Krusteaz
pancake mix, 12 lbs of bacon, 12 lbs of smoked sausage, 12
large cans of orange juice and 8 containers of syrup feed the
147 happy campers. Granted, no comparison to a few fish and
loaves and five thousand men, but we did it with only two
flushing toilets and three port-a-johns!
Day-time activities this year introduced Bingo at the Gazebo,
arts and crafts for all to enjoy and periodic hikes in the
surrounding area. The evening sky was good and clear and Jim
Weber and Roy Gephart shared their knowledge of the heavens
with us (notice how I tactfully avoided using the “A” words
here?) And as always, the work on the lodge kept many hands
from being idle and the progress made
was impressive. So, 2004’s Wild ’n
Rugged left us grateful for the
opportunity to come together as a
community and enjoy each other’s
fellowship in the beauty of the Cascade
mountains at Ingall’s Creek and all a little
more appreciative of the comforts of
home. Look forward to seeing everyone
again in the rapidly approaching 20th
annual Wild’n Rugged in July of 2005!
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Zippin’ Down the Zip Line
by Greg Patton
The pace of work at ICE is always unpredictable. Some
projects take years and some are up in a matter of weeks.
Fortunately, the new zip line was on the fast track. Inspired by
the City of Richland’s new zip line at Howard Amon Park, a
suggestion was made at the June meeting of the ICE board to
try and reproduce the zip line during Wild ‘n Rugged. Within 2
weeks, a site was selected, the cables and pulley were ordered,
and the telephone poles were set in place. One thing that is
predictable at ICE is that if you are going to build it, build it BIG.
So the length of the zip line was quickly doubled and the fun
began. An energetic crew cut brush, shoveled rock and dirt,
and spread pine bark on the path, installed guy lines, cut the
stopper tire, strung the cable and, despite a short delay with the
backhoe, the zip line was up and running before the end of Wild
‘n Rugged.
There were still a few minor adjustments to make after Wild ‘n
Rugged: the path was lowered and a new seat was purchased,
and a few adjustments to the cables are still needed. Once the
final cable height is set, a permanent launching pad will be
constructed. The biggest item that is still needed is a proper
name for the ride; please forward any suggestions for a name to
the ICE crew. Special thanks
go out to Mrs. Elizabeth
Morrison and the Sehmel’s
who endured dust, backhoe
traffic, and crowds at their
campsite during the
construction.
Comin’ Right Up
by Steve Critchlow
Soon it will be Spring. What? -- It’s barely New Years!
Yeah, but we dream and long for the warmer, longer
days of spring and summer. What does God have in
his plan for ICE? What? -- We have not finished the
Lodge yet! True, but we need to seek out God’s plan.
What will spring to life when the lodge is ready for use?
We see that icy cold can bring snow, but that snow is
the promise of new life in the spring. We need get
out our snowshoes to stand on the soft snow, walk
around and explore, dig, play, and discover the beauty,
then we can appreciate spring and the new
opportunities.
These metaphors may be useful as we walk forward in
discovery of God’s plan for ICE. The ICE annual
meeting and the annual planning retreat could be a
time to see what God has planted in the hearts of His
people. Along with the normal “business of the
Corporation”, the Board of ICE would like to have an
open sharing and dreaming time that would allow you
to hear and share ideas of the ministry of ICE. So
look for upcoming information on the annual meeting
and potluck.
We also need prayer as there are some snow drifts
that, at initial glance, seem to make the journey hard.
Yet as they melt, the resulting runoff will bring forth
new flowers not yet seen.
New Digs at the Heliport?
Alan Waltar
When things are going well, it is sometimes hard to
keep up with one’s blessings! As many of you know,
the greater Smith Family has been and continues to be
an OUTSTANDING pillar of support for ICE. Chris, of
course, has been the construction foreman for the ICE
Lodge project, but both Randy and Mike Smith have
been “behind the scenes” supporters responsible for
both the fabulous steel stairs in the Lodge as well as
the boom truck that was so important in the process of
installing the soffits tucked under the Lodge roof.
Now Mike Smith has made another donation. He has
offered ICE the complete components to build a 72
foot by 38 foot steel building, which we would like to
erect immediately adjacent to the future ball field
(located at the current Heliport site below the tree
house). Mike is generously asking only $10,000 for
this structure, which is worth considerably more on the
open market. Hence, the only three items preventing
ICE from erecting this structure, which could provide
much-needed equipment storage plus picnic area
shelter in the lower campground area, are 1) County
permits, 2) a work force to put it up, and 3) $10,000.
We are currently in the process of gaining the needed
permits. Once accomplished, we are looking for both the
$10,000 and a group willing to put the pieces together.
So, the challenge is out. Please prayerfully consider the
possibility of joining forces with a few key families to overcome
the latter two challenges. Such a facility could greatly expand
the ministries that ICE is seeking to provide.
2004 ICE Activities & Events
by Gwen Bray, Camp Coordinator
Jan. 16-17
Feb. 29
Apr. 2
ICE Board Retreat
Annual Meeting
Mark Stoscher (Albania missionary) visits ICE
to see facility and get ideas
Apr. 25
Pizza luncheon w/interested members for
summer planning
May 1
Open camp, work & fellowship
May 22
Work & fellowship
May 29-31
Work & fellowship
Jun. 11-12
Work & fellowship
Jul. 2-5
West Side Church family retreat
Jul. 9-11
Woodinville Presbyterian Church family retreat
Jul. 16-17
Work & fellowship
Aug. 6-7
Work & fellowship
Aug. 20-21
Zillah Nazarene Church youth retreat
(canceled)
Aug. 22-27
Bible Baptist Church (Cle Elum) leadership
retreat (rescheduled)
Aug. 26-28
R&R for Pastor of Yakima Community Church
Sep. 4-5
Work & fellowship
Sep. 20-24
Bible Baptist leadership retreat (canceled)
Oct. 1-2Work & fellowship
Oct. 8-9Bible Baptist Men’s Group retreat (canceled)
Oct. 22-23
Work & fellowship, close camp
Nov. 22
Hearing for site use permit for Chelan County
(rescheduled by our request)
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How to Apply for ICE Membership
Here are the steps:
1.
Contact Lane Bray at (509) 371-1164 or at 2463
Marine Ct., Richland, WA 99354 to receive a
membership application and related materials.
2.
You will be sent the application and a copy of the
ICE bylaws and the latest financial statement.
3.
Complete the short application and read the bylaws.
4.
Return the completed application to Lane.
Qualifications to be an ICE member:
1.
Interest in the ministry of ICE.
2.
Willingness to participate in ICE ministries and
development in one or more of the following ways:
a.
Physically contribute time to building and
maintaining facilities
b.
Pray for ICE and its ministries
c.
Donate funds toward the development of
ICE and its ministries
d.
Share the vision of ICE by being involved
in non-construction missions
Website: www.IngallsCreek.org
Email: [email protected]
Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center
5120 Blue Heron Blvd.
West Richland WA 99353
Board of Directors
Founders: Alan and Anna Waltar
[email protected]
946-5554
President: Steve Critchlow
967-5060
[email protected]
Vice President: Bob Stenner
[email protected]
628-2271
Secretary: Carol Johnson
943-3543
[email protected]
Treasurer: David Erickson
967-5874
[email protected]
Membership: Lane Bray
371-1164
[email protected]
Photography: Roger Johnson
943-3543
[email protected]
Reservations: Roger Johnson
943-3543
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Karen Erickson
967-5874
[email protected]
Health & Safety: Sandra Critchlow
967-5060
[email protected]
Photography: Vicki Stenner
628-2271
[email protected]