George celebrates 50th anniversary of dedication

GEORGE — The town of George celebrated the 50th anniversary of its dedication by mixing a little new in with the old.

For the first time, George Burkettes served pieces of the giant cherry pie and several other vendors operated in the shade under the Rotary Pie Pavilion, which was presented to the town by the Quincy Rotary Club in February for Presidents Day.

The celebration also marked the debut of the first annual Stars, Bars and Classic Cars Show.

Car show coordinator Jeannie Kiehn said the show ended up with about 40 participating cars.

"Which is twice as many as I was expecting, so I'm real happy," she said. "They're telling me, 'Oh, now the word's out, there can be more next year.' People are coming over and looking, and the people in the show are happy because it's a whole celebration thing here."

Quincy High School student Frank Landa helped Kiehn with the car show as part of his senior project for the upcoming school year. He anticipated working on the show next year.

"I basically just love cars, they're just something I really want to do and something I really love to be around," Landa explained. "I didn't think it was going to be this big. I thought it was going to be a little smaller, but when I saw everyone just pulling in — I didn't expect it. For a first year, I think this is way pretty good."

Quincy resident Pauline Van Dyke, niece by marriage to George founder Charlie Brown, read a brief history of her uncle and the town at the event, including his arrival in the Columbia Basin, his opening of several businesses throughout the area and his decision to bid on land for sale by the government.

"It's wonderful, and there's so much improvement," Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke lent credit to George Mayor Elliot Kooy and his wife, George Community Hall coordinator Debby Kooy, for their efforts in coordinating the celebration.

So did Debby's proud parents, Herb and Reathel Lankford, Wenatchee residents who made the trek to the event.

"We'd rather come here than do any other thing on the Fourth of July," Reathel said.

"I think my daughter does an awful lot of work to put this on, and I really love it," Herb said. "It's just a real pleasure to get here."

Paul Neff is a lifelong George resident,

"It's just one of them things you do," Neff said with a laugh of attending the event.

He said his favorite part is the parade.

"I just like seeing all the cars and everything come through," he said.

Cherry pie and the entertainment keep five-year George residents Vernell and Louise Westover coming back each year.

"It's a nice place to be on the Fourth," Louise said. "A very caring community."

"People get together, being neighborly," Vernell agreed.

George resident Steve Ferebee compared the celebration to a county fair.

"Probably about the only time we ever get to see anybody or talk to anybody," Ferebee said. "Everybody's always working, and this is the kind of place we can all get together at the same time and discuss things."

Oro Valley, Ariz., resident Michael Monteith and his wife were visiting friends in Ephrata and participated in the George parade, driving in a tractor decorated for Independence Day.

"I think it's wonderful," Monteith said. "I love the small town, all the kids, the candy, they were so excited about seeing the parade. A lot of enthusiasm out there."

Monteith's friend, Kelsey Hunter, lives in the area with a Quincy phone number, an Ephrata address and is closest to Moses Lake, Hunter said with a grin.

"It's what happens here on the Fourth of July," Hunter said of participating in the celebration. "Just a great happening."