Seniors invite others for jaunt

ROYAL CITY - The Royal Slope Seniors organization is inviting area residents to join members for a day trip to Toppenish, the city of Murals.

The planned trip is contingent upon filling a 14-passenger van that would be chartered. The excursion is planned for Friday, June 12.

Toppenish is "Where the West Still Lives." It combines a wild-west theme with Native American and Hispanic cultures.

More than 75 giant murals illustrate the town's history. They have been and continue to be painted by some of the most famed Western artists of this era.

Murals depict the hop industry and alfalfa farming back when horses in Seattle were fed by farmers in Toppenish. There is a mural of Toppenish's Maud Bolin, who was a wing walker in the days of aerial daredevils.

The Toppenish Mural Tour van will leave Royal City at 8:30 a.m. and return late in the day.

"We'll enjoy a tour of the murals in an old-time horse-drawn wagon, have lunch, and then visit the Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center, before heading back to Royal City," Chesterman said.

The Yakama Nation Museum and Cultural Center was started after the Nation received a priceless collection from the estate of Hollywood actor Nipo Strongheart, who was born in White Swan in 1891. After his acting career ended, he was a Native American lecturer and performer and a technical advisor to Hollywood film producers.

The cost for the excursion will be $50. That covers transportation, the wagon ride and lunch.

If you are interested, please call Sharon at 346-9482 or email her at sharonchesterman@gmail.com.

Payment deadline for registering is Friday, June 5.