Grain fire hits Broeckel ranch

Dusty

Ed and Joan Broeckel had a grain fire in their field Saturday afternoon. Approximately 70 acres of standing grain burned, started from the combine header. Three fire trucks and about 50 pickups arrived to fight the fire in strong winds. The Broeckels are thankful for all the help they received and that no one was hurt in the process.

Recently, Albert Raska and Amy Taketomo visited several days at the Harm and Jan Smith home. They live in the Monterey, Calif., area where Amy is a chemistry professor and Albert is a retired engineer. All have been friends for more than 35 years.

Jason and Gina Morgan and Micah, Yakima, came to harvest with the Smiths. Also coming to help were Walt and Parker Smith and friend James Aigner. This was James’ fourth harvest at Dusty. Harm’s and Walt’s cousin, Sue and Ron Zimmerman, Spokane, and Sue’s son David Boland of Maple Valley, joined the family two days for combine riding and visiting. Sue’s mother, Mildred, is a daughter of the late Charlie Dodge, who founded Dodge Junction. Jan’s sister Dianne and her granddaughters Brooke and Avery Berglund, Valleyford, came for the last day of harvest at Dusty.

Gary and Marit Stueckle of Edmonds, and their family visited the area taking in harvest operations Saturday and Sunday. Wes Claassen farms the Stueckle land. They called on Gary’s sisters Goldie Foss and Gloria and Norm Erickson in Colfax Saturday afternoon.

David and Phyllis Stueckle hosted his brother and sister-in-law, Reuben and Judy Stueckle of Puyallup, over the weekend of July 23-24. Saturday, July 23, the Stueckle cousins held their annual reunion at the home of Goldie Foss in Colfax. About 20 cousins congregated to enjoy each others company.

Monday evening, dinner guests celebrating Graham BeDell’s 21st birthday at the family home included the harvest crew of Brian and Angela Broeckel, Doreen Riedner and Denise Kendall and Graham’s friend, Emily Pobanz, from the west side of the state.

Peaches are ripe for picking at Warm Springs Ranch near Penawawa. Bryan Jones will arrange for someone to be there if you call him. Someone also may be available to deliver. The Karen Broeckel residence is available as a place to have them delivered if that is more convenient.