Plus Music Off Main, Rhubarb Days and more
July 14, 2016 - Volume 8, Issue 27  
Mayor Enslow is still enjoying a well-deserved break.  In his absence, we're filling in with a lot going on in Sumner:
What's in a Name?
 
L. F. Thompson's grand house still sits off appropriately named Sumner Avenue. Thompson's own name ended up on a street.
Do you know the history behind some of Sumner's names?  Here are just a few:

The name "Sumner" itself was literally drawn out of a hat. The town was called Franklin, but the Post Office said there were too many Franklins in Washington, so the town needed to select a new name.  Four of the town leaders met in a store on Main Street but couldn't agree on a new name.  They each put their suggestion into a hat and had a boy pick a slip.  It said, "Sumner."  Why that name?  We know it was the suggestion of L.F. Thompson, and we know that when he came West, he stopped in Seneca Falls, New York to meet many of the abolitionists he so admired.  Charles Sumner was one of them, a Senator who was caned on the flood of the Capitol building in DC for his outspoken stand against slavery.  Side note: two of the four trying to decide on a name, Thompson and George Ryan, ended up having their own names used as streets in Sumner.

Speaking of Thompson, it was originally his farmland that was donated in the early 1900s to become City Park.  That was its name until the 1970s, when it became "Loyalty Park," rather controversially to anti-war protests occurring across the country at that time

"Heritage Park" is actually "Reuben A. Knoblauch Heritage Park," named for Senator Knoblauch, who grew up in Sumner, served in World War II, and went into politics, serving as a Democrat.  When he retired in 1976, he held the record for the longest continuous service in the Legislature with 30 years, six  in the House and the rest in the Senate.  He passed away in 1992.

Zehnder Street is named for the Zehnder family who originally lived and farmed that area.  Legend has it that the company that would become Olympia Brewing Co. wanted to locate there, but Mrs. Zehnder was a teetotaller, so she wouldn't sell the family farm to them.  Instead, she sold it to Fleischmann's Yeast, and the brewing company sought another site down near Olympia.

Other names in town like Bridge Street, Traffic Avenue, Main Street and Rainier View Park need no explanation!


Music Off Main: The Great Pretenders
 
Many believe that Sumner is a throw-back to the days of Keds, little red wagons, and Coca-Cola in a bottle.  The Great Pretenders provide the perfect soundtrack, playing the tunes of vintage rock 'n roll, surf, disco and more as The Great Pretenders play the best of the '50s, '60s and '70s music.

More about the band

Click here for the full line-up



Rhubarb Days Returns 

This weekend is the Sumner Downtown Association's Rhubarb Days, featuring music, a pie-eating contest and (new this year!) a Vintage Market.  Weather looks perfect--not too hot--to come enjoy everyone's favorite pie in your favorite town.  Full schedule of events at www.rhubarbpiecapital.com.    
Herald Features Golf for Life  

Last week, the Puyallup Herald featured the City of Sumner's efforts in Golf for Life, raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Link to the article.

Want to join in? There are still spaces left for teams and individual golfers.  Go to www.sumnergolfforlife.org for details & sign-ups. 

Upcoming Meetings & Calendar


Community Calendar:
  • Music Off Main: The Great Pretenders, July 15 at 6:30 pm in Heritage Park
  • Sounders U23 Playoff Game, July 15 at 7:30 pm, Sunset Chev Stadium
  • Rhubarb Days featuring the Vintage Market, July 16-17, Downtown Sumner
  • Beauty & the Beast, July 16-17, presented by Manestage Theatre Company, at Performing Arts Center
  • Train to Mariners Game, July 17, Sumner Sounder Station
City Hall Calendar 
  • City Council Meeting, July 18 at 7 pm
  • CD/Parks Committee, July 20 at 5 pm
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at City Hall.  For a full calendar including links to agendas, click here.