N
ow that Thanksgiving has passed, it's time to talk turkey - and by that, I mean Turkey Bingo. Last week, I attended the Christmas Tree Lighting in front of the museum, which had a great turnout despite two major events happening simultaneously in town. The mild weather likely contributed to the strong attendance, making it one of the best crowds I've seen since 2014.

    I then headed to Philomath Middle School for Turkey Bingo, where the parking lot was packed but I managed to snag a spot near the entrance. Principal Steve Bell reported that while they don't have exact numbers, the event had a "very good turnout" with a diverse range of participants, including families of Philomath graduates and community members.

    The three-hour window for Turkey Bingo worked well for bingo enthusiasts who could come and go as they pleased. The timing also allowed people to play before or after attending the Christmas Tree Lighting. Bell was thrilled to report that the event raised almost $6,000 for the school's performing arts program.

    As I walked around the event, I noticed many familiar faces among the volunteers, including PMS teacher Brian Skaar and Laura Kildea, who has been involved with Turkey Bingo since its early days. The atmosphere was filled with thankful feelings, with Bell expressing gratitude for the community's dedicated support of the middle school performing arts programs.

    In other news, Philomath News is celebrating its fifth anniversary since launching on November 30, 2020. During this time, I've posted over 7,500 stories and covered numerous public meetings, sporting events, and other local happenings. Despite a significant increase in readership, the site relies heavily on voluntary memberships to stay afloat.

    I'm grateful for the ongoing support of our current members but recognize that new contributors are essential to ensure the continued success of Philomath News. I've vowed not to implement a paywall, and instead, ask readers who can afford it to consider contributing with a recurring or one-time payment.

    Finally, I'd like to highlight Tyler Thomas's YouTube channel, "Living in the Willamette Valley," which features a video on things to do in Philomath. From outdoor exploration and wine tasting to special events and local restaurants, Tyler shares his insider knowledge of our charming town. Be sure to check out his video for some great suggestions!