Community briefs for Jan. 9

Washougal Scout makes blankets for patients Caleb Perkins, of Washougal Boy Scout Troop 497, recently led more than 260 volunteers to make 75 hand-cut, hand-tied, double-layered fleece blankets for patients at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, where Perkins was cared for during a childhood illness. "It meant a lot to him to be able to give back to those who helped him when he was younger," said Susan Purkerson, the troop's merit badge coordinator. Perkins, a freshman at Washougal High School, passed the Eagle Board of Review on Nov. 22, following his two older brothers, Ryan and Spencer, into the ranks of Eagle Scout. The Washougal High School frehsman is the son of Blake and Sarah Perkins of Washougal. Contest opens for student writing, art, podcasts A writing, art and podcast contest will be held for middle-school and high-school students in Washington state through April 30. The contest is in conjunction with Legacy Washington's "Ahead of the Curve" exhibit, which opened in September 2019 and celebrates trailblazing women in Washington state history. "I'm thrilled to offer this contest this year, and look forward to learning more about those who have made positive impressions on communities throughout our state," Secretary of State Kim Wyman, whose office encompasses Legacy Washington, said in a news release. "A strong sense of community is paramount, and I hope through fulfilling this contest, students feel even more connected to their communities and a calling for civic participation wherever their lives may lead." Students wishing to participate in the contest must submit an entry form, along with either a written work, two-dimensional art piece or a podcast no later than April 30. An entry form, as well as more information about the contest and how to enter can be found on the Secretary of State's website and sos.wa.gov/_assets/legacy/aotc/legacy-wa-aotc-contest.pdf. Winners will be selected in each category in grades six through eight and nine through 12. Selected winners will receive a gift card and a certificate during an awards ceremony in the Secretary of State's office in Olympia in June. Winning pieces will be featured on the Secretary of State's website and social media accounts. Genealogy workshops in Washougal Genealogy workshop sessions will be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in Washougal. The workshops will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Church of Latter Day Saints, 3920 "Q" St. Attendees are asked to bring notepads, laptops, and/or phones; will learn how to use websites such as familysearch.org and ancestry.com; and will make their own "family trees." The workshops are free of charge. "We are excited to present an ongoing series of genealogy learning events with offerings for both the novice and experienced genealogy researcher," according to a news release. "These events are designed to encourage you to research your own genealogy and to document your family stories. It is important to preserve your family history and create heirlooms for your posterity." For more information, call 360-835-2675.

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