In addition to our activities and events that are shown in the 2016 Calendar of Events, KNA offers a number of neighborhood improvement activities and “special interest” groups, as listed on the Membership Application Form.  Interested?  Call or email the persons shown below:
                                                
KNA – Hazen High & Kennydale Youth Liaisons  
Devin Dolling*    devin.dolling@outlook.com
Anna Browne*      annaxbrownie@gmail.com

Garden Club     (Open)

Landscape Maintenance     Vicki Richards*  
dariusvicki@msn.com     425-623-8177

Garage Sale     Rajendra Agrawaal*   
agrawaalr@yahoo.com     425-891-4034

Book Club     Sharon Weibler    
sweibler@hotmail.com 

Ice Cream Socials     Rebeckah Orton*  
rebeckah@gmail.com    509-539-3985

November Food Drive     Anna Browne*
annaxbrownie@gmail.com

Photographer     Gary Palmer
gary.palmer7@comcast.net

Neighborhood Picnic     Lynne Milnor*   
bltandj2@comcast.net     425-283-8395

Neighborhood Grants     Darius Richards*     
dariusvicki@msn.com          425-430-4469

Audit Committee   (Open; team members are
appointed by KNA President & Board in January)

Disaster Preparedness    Mark Peterson*    
mp2athome@gmail.com      425-226-9161

Newsletter Editor     Darius Richards*   
dariusvicki@msn.com     425-430-4469

Transportation & KNA-to-City Council Liaison        
Marcie Palmer          pkplmarcie@comcast.net

Website & Facebook   Devin Dolling*  devin.dolling@outlook.com     
425-638-2047             & 

Board Nominating Committee (Open; team members
are appointed by KNA President & Board in 3rd Quarter)

Welcome Committee   Keith Altenhof*
alty0079@gmail.com  

Historian                      Mary Erikson*       
maryerikson@live.com    425-226-2981

Renton River Days Parade    (open)  

Holiday Bonfire     Janice Dougherty*      
jdoug@mail.com       206-406-1899

Membership Committee     Lynne Milnor*  
bltandj2@comcast.net          425-283-8395

Parents Group           Rebeckah Orton*     
rebeckah@gmail.com     509-539-3985

  
* Indicates KNA Board Member 

​(Continued from the July 2015 Kennydale News)
By Pauline Kirkman
 
An old photo shows the first crossing was narrow-gauge and curved a little. It was replaced by a straight regular gauge. There is a photo of both before the older trestle was removed. The second of the two I do remember. Being near the school, the trestle seemed to be where all Kennydale boys proved their manhood by walking across it. Needless to say, a few steps out was all I ever managed. If I ever get my act together, we will have a showing of many old photographs that are much more descriptive than my words.
 
The line went on somewhat NE, along Lake Boren, and into Newcastle. Immediately north of the road's sharp bend in the old town, where a trail-head now exists, was a string of identical houses that employees rented, a common practice back then.
The railroad workers had small handcars used for their transport, for as long as there were tracks. A few workers could lift them off and onto the rails. Know where this is leading? Yes, the boys could also lift them, pumping their way up the slight grade, and then riding down almost to Renton. My brother was involved in this, but I was never invited. He did include me though, when he tested any new family car in our all-gravel neighborhood to see how fast they would go. As I was probably as guilty as he, and valued my life, I never told our Dad. How do teen-agers ever survive?
 
During my last year, the 8th Grade at Kennydale, a train ran again to remove the rails. Actually after the coal run ended, they took passengers a short time, which apparently was not profitable. As long as there were trains we had a few fellows ask for a meal. Many young men hopped on freight trains in those days as there was little work available, but they did see the country. The Benson boy lost a leg that way. Of course the railroad companies tried to stop this, but it did not end until times were better. Is that hill around to the East still known as Benson Hill? It was a great place for sledding. If conditions were perfect, we could get all the way down to the Boulevard.
 
After the rail removal, the property was offered first to adjacent owners at a most reasonable price. My grandfather bought the land adjacent to his property, also the parcel behind ours and a third parcel behind a neighbor or two who were not interested in the offer. The Pinnacle Apartment complex is on that property today. Leaving their driveway, I can see the house where I was raised, very old but still standing. Considering my age, it could be nearly 150 years old!
 
Apparently someone in the Renton Parks Department considered all abandoned railroads to be public trails, so they set up a hike for the Issaquah Alps. They would not listen to my telling them that my family had been paying taxes on the property for over 30 years. However, when I called the Alps group, they canceled their hike. There are even houses built on it and no legal access any where.
 
Times were improving a little, but the depression did not end until World WWII took over our lives, and that is the subject for next time.
Editor’s note;  This is the fourth in an on-going series of articles by KNA’s Official historian, Pauline Kirkman. 

After 16 years of dedicated service to the Kennydale Neighborhood Association, Sue Jahnke has retired from the KNA Board as of December. 31, 2015. 
Sue joined the Board in 2000, shortly after KNA was founded in 1999.  Since then, she has been a major contributor to the Board and many of KNA’s activities and key committees, including the Membership, Welcome, Nominating, and Audit Committees.  Sue was chairperson of KNA’s largest event, the Annual Picnic, every year from 2001 – 2014.  She also made all the arrangements for our summer “Screen on the Green movies starting in 2013.  In 2000, she guided the project to create and install the “Welcome to Kennydale” sign that stands at the east side of I-405 Exit 6. 
Thank you, Sue, for everything you have done to benefit KNA and the Kennydale Community!
​

Saturday, February 27, 2016
     5:30 pm, at Renton Technical College
 
The Kennydale Elementary School PTA will be holding a live and silent auction at Renton Technical College, to raise money to support educational and enrichment programs at KE School.  100% of the funds raised will go to the PTA which will benefit students and staff.  The auction consists of donations from our business community and families of Kennydale Elementary, along with class art projects, class baskets, teacher experiences and more. Tickets (includes dinner+drink) are $55 p/p thru Jan. 10th, and $65 p/p Jan. 11 -31.
 
Donating items to the auction is an excellent way to support this fund-raising effort.  Every gift certificate, product or service received by the PTA generates much needed income.
 
This event is for adults only – no students.  Complimentary babysitting services are being provided by Lee’s Martial Arts in Downtown Renton.  To RSVP for this service, please see instructions below.
 
To Purchase Tickets and to arrange for the babysitting service: Go to www.kennydalepta.org, hover on the Kodiak Gala icon, and click on Ticket Order Form.  You may also purchase tickets at the front office.
To Submit an Item Donation: Follow the above procedure, except click on 2015-16 Procurement Form. Send completed form to the school office, or email info to Tracy Vicente at the gmail address shown below.
Tickets may also be ordered online (a small fee applies): https://kodiakgala.eventbrite.com
 
Please contact Auction co-chairs Tracy Vicente and Desiree Chinn for volunteer opportunities and other questions you may have regarding the event: kennydaleptafundraising@gmail.com
​

This fall, several mothers from the Kennydale area worked together to sew over 100 ring-sling style baby carriers to help Syrian refugees safely transport their children during the largest humanitarian crisis since World War I.  The mothers from the group would like to thank the KNA for its support in shipping the slings to Leros, Greece, where volunteers will distribute the carriers to parents in need.
To get involved with the KNA Parents’ group, please contact Rebeckah Orton at rebeckah@gmail.com
​

Tuesday, January 26th, 6:45 pm*
At Kennydale Elementary School, 1700 NE 28th Street
 
Special Presentation by:
Washington State Dept. of Transportation
 
Representatives from WSDOT’s I-405 program will brief neighbors on the I-405 Renton to Bellevue project.  The Washington State legislature provided funding for several projects between Bellevue and Renton on I-405.  Construction for phase 1 of the project, the I-405/SR 167 Interchange Direct Connector will begin in 2016.
Ample time will be provided at the end of this presentation for your questions and comments!
 
All Kennydale residents are invited to attend this quarterly meeting.
 
* Check in at 6:45 pm and socialize with your neighbors; meeting starts promptly at 7:00 pm
 

​The response by Kennydale residents to this year’s KNA Food Drive was, to put it mildly, HUGE.  This combined effort of Kennydale Elementary School students, their parents, and residents from throughout Kennydale resulted in the collection of 5019 food items...more than double the amount donated in 2014.  Special thanks to Kelley Lowery and her 5th grade students for collecting the most items, and to all the other KE students, teachers and staff members for their substantial contributions towards the success of this drive.  As you might expect, an accumulation of this magnitude required daily transportation to the REACH: Center of Hope facility in downtown Renton; that task was performed by volunteers Tom and Mary Jenkins, Darius and Vicki Richards, Matthew Robbins, Kim Browne, Lynne Milnor, and Devin Dolling, who again this year served as the Food Drive chairman.  KNA (and Ms. Lowery’ 5th grade kids!) greatly appreciate also the donation of 5 extra large pizzas by Papa John’s at 4710 NE 4th Street, Renton Highlands.

​“....It was a dark and stormy night...”
 
...but at the KNA Annual Bonfire and Sing-along at Gene Coulon Beach Park, a festive group of 35 was warmed by the bonfire while enjoying hot cocoa, cider and ‘smores, and singing their favorite carols. As always, the display of holiday lights in the park provided a perfect backdrop for this event.  
 
Our thanks to the Bonfire chairperson, Janice Dougherty for making sure that everyone was well supplied with “s’more kits” and hot drinks, and to her husband Jim for creating a roaring fire, and to Sally Rochelle for providing the marshmallow roasting sticks!  Thank-you also to Marilyn Danielson for leading the singing, and to the kids (pictured here) who assisted with great enthusiasm!

​February 6 – Circling the Sun, by Paula McLain
March 5 – Last Bus to Wisdom, by Ivan Doig
April 2 – Starvation Heights, by Gregg Olsen
 
The KNA Book Club welcomes all who are interested in participating.  If you are not already on the Club’s email list, please contact Chairperson Sharon Weibler at sweibler@hotmail.com or 425-226-9299 for more information, meeting times and locations, etc.