Editor’s Note: The events and meetings on this list are compiled by Nisqually Valley News staff on a periodic basis, often weeks in advance. Email event and meeting submissions to dan@yelmonline.com for consideration. Nisqually Valley News reserves the right to modify submissions based on length and style requirements.
Thursday October 21
Scholarship fundraising
Yelm Dollars for Scholars will be holding their annual Fall Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser until October 31st at Crossroads Community Covenant Church, 1520 Bald Hill Road SE in Yelm. Proceeds benefit the Yelm and Rainier high school scholarship programs.
Senior lunches
The Yelm Adult Community Center will hold its weekly lunches from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Friday. Senior Services for the South Sound operates the Senior Nutrition Program, using the commercial kitchen and dining room at Yelm Senior Center, 16530 103rd Ave. SE in Yelm. Their staff prepare breakfasts for the Yelm, Tenino and Rochester senior centers and meals-on-wheels for homebound seniors in the area.
food Bank
Yelm Community Services Food Bank, located at 624 Crystal Springs St. NW in Yelm, will host a food distribution from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 21. Customers cannot enter the building and must wait in their vehicles. Staff will have pre-packaged food carts to distribute. To avoid health problems, the usual food connection procedures will not take place. Staff will ask for the number of people in the family. People who come can only pick up for their own families. Please park in front of the food bank building.
Charity please
There will be a “Trick or Treat” offer from 6 pm to 8 pm every night in October at Joe’s Place, 118 S. Main St. in Bucoda.
Girls Football
The Tornados women’s football team will face Central Kitsap High School at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 at Yelm High School Stadium, 1315 W. Yelm Ave. in Yelm
Volleyball game
The Tornados Volleyball team will face North Thurston High School at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 21 in the main gymnasium of Yelm High School, 1315 W. Yelm Ave. at Yelm.
Friday October 22
Haunted hike
Hike the park’s trails while on an online scavenger hunt to solve the mystery of the haunted hike at Northwest Trek, 11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday in October. There will be a QR code at the entrance. This event is free with entry or membership. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nwtrek.org.
Story time
The Yelm Timberland Library will be holding its Zoom Family Virtual Story Time at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23. Join the library’s expert storytelling providers and other families live on Zoom every Friday for songs, music, movement, books and activities for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Register online at events.trl.org/events/month by clicking on the event to receive the Zoom link and receive weekly email reminders. Note that each story hour has a unique Zoom link. When you log in to story time, be sure to click the Zoom link for the correct date and time.
Extended zoo opening hours
Northwest Trek will be offering its “Hoot ‘n’ Howl” with extended hours from 5 pm to 9 pm on October 22 and 23 at 11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville. Explore the animal park safely at night. Walk the animal trails lit by spooky lights and visit several treat stations. Listen to the sounds of nocturnal animals. The Kids’ Trek nature-inspired playground will be open and illuminated for the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nwtrek.org.
Haunted house
The BOO-coda haunted house will be open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, October 22-23 and 29-30. It will also be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 27 and 28 and on Halloween during the same period. The event will take place in the Bucoda Haunted Gym, 403 N. Nenant St. in Bucoda. There is an entrance fee of $ 13, with VIP tickets being $ 20.
Saturday 23 October
Vendors Fair
There will be a Vendor Fair from noon to 6 pm every Saturday in October at 114 S. Main St. in Bucoda in the lot between Liberty Market and Joe’s Place.
Theater show
The Tenino Young-At-Heart Theater presents “Edgar Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart” at 1 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm on Saturday, October 23 at 114 S. Main St. in Bucoda.
Holiday Party
The Yelm Eagles will host their annual Adult Halloween Costume Charity at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 23 at 11609 Koeppen Road SE in Yelm. DJ Bones will be the disc jockey and there will be raffles, potluck and costume contest. Coverage is $ 5 with a costume and $ 10 without a costume.
Tuesday October 26
Storytime for toddlers
The Yelm Timberland Library will be holding its Zoom Virtual Story Time for Babies and Toddlers at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26. Join expert storytelling providers and other families live on Zoom every Tuesday for songs, nursery rhymes, moves and stories for babies and toddlers. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Register online at events.trl.org/events/month by clicking on the event to receive the Zoom link and receive weekly email reminders. Note that each story hour has a unique Zoom link. When you log in to story time, be sure to click the Zoom link for the correct date and time.
Public meeting
Yelm City Council will hold its regular council meeting at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 26 at Yelm Town Hall, 106 Second St. SE.
Thursday October 28
Club meeting
The Yelm Lions will be holding a noon meeting on Thursday, October 28 at M. Doug’s Restaurant at 210 NE 103rd Ave. at Yelm.
Public meeting
The Yelm Community Schools Board of Directors will be holding a business meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 28 at the Yelm Community Schools District office, located at 107 First St. NE in Yelm.
Saturday October 30
Halloween party
The Boo-coda Family Fun Day will run from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, October 30 at 114 S. Main St. in Bucoda. There will be a pumpkin carving and decorating contest with kids and adult categories as well as Halloween-themed carnival-style games. The event is free.
World record attempt
Participants will attempt to set a world record around the globe for most of Michael Jackson’s dancers Song “Thriller” as part of the “Thrill the World” initiative from noon to 3:30 pm on Saturday October 30 at the Bucoda Community Center, 101B E. Seventh Street in Bucoda. This event is free.
Halloween party
Halloween at Boo-Kowski Park will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 at Wilkowski Park in Rainier. The event will begin with a costume parade and will feature games, coloring contests, pumpkin carving and a “trunk or treat” offer.
Halloween dance
The Monster Mash Dance is scheduled for Saturday, October 30 at the Ballroom on the second floor of the Bucoda Community Center, 101B E. Seventh St. in Bucoda. Children aged 1 to 12 will dance from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Teens aged 13 to 17 will dance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday, November 8
Public meeting
Roy’s municipal council will hold its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 8 at Roy’s town hall. More information is available online at www.cityofroywa.us/government.html.
Friday November 5
Teen games
Yelm Timberland Library will be holding its Dungeons and Dragons for Teens group from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. virtually on Friday, November 5. Face off against orcs, goblins and dragons. The event is aimed at teens in grades 6 to 12. Registration is required online at events.trl.org/events/month, just click on the event for more details. After you register, library staff will contact you to inform you of the next steps. This event requires a roll20 account and access to Zoom.
Tuesday, November 9
Public meeting
Rainier City Council will hold its regular council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19 at Rainier Town Hall, 102 Rochester Street West. More information can be found online at cityofrainierwa.org.
Saturday 13 November
Holiday Party
Yelm’s Smoky Mountain Christmas will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 13 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 14 at the Yelm Community Center, 115 Mosman Ave. SE in Yelm and Yelm City Park. Come shop from a variety of vendors and get those last minute Christmas gifts or stockings. There will be food and raffles. Father Christmas and his elves will be at the event on both days. On Saturdays only, from noon to 4 pm, there will be a get-together for the kids to take free photos with “Frozen” characters Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf. On Saturday, the mayor of Yelm, JW Foster, will play guitar and sing Christmas carols. There will be a toy drive during the event.
