This spud's for you

MOSES LAKE — It's not every day a city official asks what topping they should put on your potato.

Yet it was the scene during the annual Gourmet Potato Luncheon at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center, as Moses Lake City Council members and other community leaders welcomed patrons, carefully served up potatoes and toppings and helped some to their seats.

"It's a real contrast from what I do as far as my real job," said Moses Lake Police Chief Dean Mitchell. "This gives me an opportunity to interact with the public in kind of an unofficial aspect of dealing with people. Some of these people I only see once a year, and this gives me an opportunity to see them."

For much of the luncheon, Mitchell handed out potatoes.

"I've figured out the spud splitting," he said with a laugh. "Strong thumbs."

Museum and Art Center Manager Terry Mulkey said the luncheon originally began in 1990 as part of the Washington State Potato Commission's exhibition of potato art.

"It's a fund-raiser for us," he said. "We do what we can to keep the cost down but still serve a good luncheon. We use the proceeds for our history exhibits."

Approximately 500 people are served over the course of two hours, Mulkey noted.

"We try to keep it as fresh and new as we can," he said. "We have some new toppings this year — cream of mushroom soup and a broccoli cheese sauce."

Jill Solders said the good taste of the food keeps her coming back each year.

"It's nice to see the artwork, because we don't get out very often," she added.

Karen Crook and Jackie Cooper said they had always wanted to attend the luncheon, but this was the first time they actually turned out for the event.

"We've heard about it, how much fun it is every year," Crook said.

Cooper said they usually attended a similar event at Big Bend Community College, but had not been since that event moved to another location.

"It's a nice function, in a nice place," Crook said.

"And you walk around and see the museum," Cooper enthused.