Based on notes by Erin Pattarino and Patric Hedlund

Ponies, pizza, longboards and s’mores were on the menu for the last meeting of the Pine Mountain Club Youth Committee. The next meeting is this Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. in the PMC pool pavilion.

At the last meeting in October, Bob Lewis volunteered to chair the group and Mary Ann Kemmer agreed to be co-chair. The fourth Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. was set as the regular meeting time for the group.

Representatives from the PMC Equestrian Center, the Sierra Club, The Mountain Enterprise, Artworks Community Gallery, parents and children attended. An energetic discussion revolved around activities youth may enjoy and resources that are currently available in the PMC community.

Dionne and Jeff Bolton, who are active with Peak to Peak Mountain Charter School, offered a list of suggestions. Proposed activities for teens included an art club with painting, sculpting and photography classes; canvas painting parties; a basketball league; dance parties; campouts (with campfires, astronomy and singing); cooking classes; yes, evan a “zip line in the trees;” pancake breakfast at the park; a singing club; plus babysitting and CPR classes.

Several people supported restoring job opportunities for young people in the community, and asked that the new general manager research why the former manager said insurance costs make it difficult to hire young people under age 18 at the clubhouse and to help with PMC facilities.

The Echeverria – Ramirez family wanted to talk about making the basketball court in Lampkin Park available once or twice a week for long boarders and skateboarders. Phyllis Throckmorton, liaison to the PMCPOA board of directors, said there will be research into the liability issues for that idea.

It was agreed that those present support a longboard contingent in the Lilac Festival parade. A desire was expressed to have further talks with local skateboarders to expand understanding between the community and the boarders.

Lori Harmon and Judy Tarrer from the PMC Equestrian Center told about activities available at the equestrian center for youths, including Harmon’s success in bringing therapy horse opportunities to children.

About 29 people have expressed an interest in supporting these efforts by attending the Youth Committee meetings so far, including children and teens. Attendees have included: Jane Bunk-Rehmann, Phyllis Throckmorton, Cindy Krish, Patric Hedlund, Brooke Ann Mark, Dionne and Jeff Bolton, Bob and Leslie Lewis, Mary Hansen, Lori Harmon, Judy Tarrer, Mary Ann Kemmer, Shawn and Sondra Coulter, Shirley Armstrong, Debbie Amezcua, Alicia St. Clair, Jose Echeverria, Alejandra Ramirez, Wyatt Echeverria, Allen Echeverria, Kayla Echeverria, Lee Dunavant, Erin Pattarino, Karin Shulman, Christina Kirkpatrick, Cindy Krish, Tyler and Kristi Turnbull, Yoko and Devin Lucas.

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Photo captions:

Bob Lewis will chair the new PMC Youth Committee. Lori Harmon brought news about Equestrian Center activities for youths. Pizza was enjoyed by all.

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This is part of the January 26, 2018 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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