Community members are invited to the Community Club on Friday, November 17 for a Thanksgiving luncheon served by the Knights Ferry Jr High starting at 11am. There is no cost for the lunch.

*****

The Post Office is now ready for debit card purchases. Each transaction must be at least five dollars and will require a transaction fee of thirty-five cents. Every stamp purchase helps to keep the historic Post Office’s doors open so consider purchasing stamps and ship packages this holiday season at the Post Office.

*****

The Knights Ferry precinct was very busy this election! The inspector said the Knights Ferry precinct was rated one of the best precincts noting no problems in last year’s Presidential election, the election judges who oversee the precinct were happy to hear the good news!

*****

The Salmon festival brought many families to town on Saturday. The family-friendly, free admittance event had a lot to offer. Many people enjoyed a salmon lunch, educational booths that included games and activities, and of course watching the salmon in the river. The annual calendar drawing winners included Knights Ferry School’s Scott Sachau.

*****

You may remember my recent sentiments in previous weeks of a young boy who recently passed. It was a very emotional time for the school and it was the first funeral service for many of the older students who attended. I am pleased to share this week’s news column with Ryan’s parents.

Here is a letter from the parents of Ryan Verkaik, Michael and Colleen Verkaik:

“When we moved to Oakdale 2½ years ago, we were so happy to enroll Ryan at Knights Ferry School. Ryan fell in love with it the very first time he saw it because he could see cows in the hills nearby. He knew it was the place for him.

We never looked back. It was a good fit. A perfect fit. It was small. It was safe ... he was loved and he belonged.

He quickly embraced the entire Knights Ferry community and it became home to him. He was proud of it. He shared it with everyone who visited. He loved getting an ice cream or going to River’s Edge. He knew it was special.

Through the ups and downs of the past two years, through all of the struggles he endured, he knew he was supported, prayed for, and always had a community rooting for him.

As parents, we are thankful to each of you. The Knights Ferry community made Ryan’s life better. And he made all of us better people.

Thanks for the outpouring of love and support in these last weeks. The cards, the abundance of amazing food at our house and at his memorial, the signed baseball, the song written by a very special teacher, the hugs we received from his classmates, parents, teachers and friends at Knights Ferry at his memorial service ... we will never forget. You showed us what true community looks like.”