The second Tuesday in August saw cops and residents celebrating together in Wilshire Park. It was the annual National Night Out Picnic, with crime prevention as the theme and community feasting the main attraction. Between 250-300 people, many with children in hand, made their way to the park on a breezy, sunny late afternoon to partake of potluck picnic foods, barbecue cuisine and an array of entertaining activities for adults and kids alike. Among the notables in attendance were local State Representative Lew Frederick (who will be a featured speaker at BWNA’s October 8th General Meeting), Crime Prevention Coordinator Mary Tompkins, and several police officers including BWNA regulars Ryan Reagan and Anthony Hill.
Musical entertainment was provided by a zany group of talented local musicians (including former BWNA Treasurer David DeLaRoche and Beaumont Middle School Band Director Cynthia Plank) calling themselves “The Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band”—or something close to that. There was a special area reserved for children’s activities and a crowd-pleasing canine unit dog named Marko, who was introduced by Officer Jason Pearce. Young and old lined up to receive a free raffle ticket, good for prizes donated by local merchants. The raffle was held at the conclusion of the evening in two separate drawings—one for kids, the other for adults.
Earlier in the summer, BWNA’s National Night Out Picnic was honored by Central Northeast Neighbors for its role in facilitating community involvement, which was certainly on display at this year’s picnic.
BWNA made arrangements for the barbecues, provided the burgers, hot dogs, buns, utensils, and napkins. The barbecue cooking crew was comprised of BWNA Board member Tom Melville, Beaumont Business Association President Dan Johnson, and B-W resident Julie Yoho. Residents brought chips, salads, fruit, entrees, and desserts to share with neighbors. BBA donated hundreds of bottles of water left over from Fremont Fest. BWNA Board members set up a microphone provided by Bethany Lutheran Church, organized activities for kids, and assembled recycling receptacles donated by Central Northeast Neighbors. And 11 long tables along with close to 100 folding chairs were transported over to the park from Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship by Boy Scouts from Troup 107, led by Scoutmaster Chris Labuhn. The scouts dutifully helped with setup and cleanup and were available at a moment’s notice to assist before, during, and after the event.
Last, but certainly not least, 16 businesses donated a wide assortment of items, ranging from fresh produce and desserts to generous gift cards. Here is a list of contributing businesses in alphabetical order: A Children’s Place; Amenity Shoes; Bagel Land; Beaumont Hardware; Environmental Fitness; Foot Traffic; Grand Central Bakery; Green Dog Pet Supply; New Seasons; Nike; Parsons Farms; Rocket Pizza; Shop Adorn; Umpqua Bank; Hollywood Whole Foods; and Yo Choice Frozen Yogurt.
Our thanks to all who contributed to the success of the picnic. It was a special night of food and fun, as well as a statement of neighborhood unity in the fight against crime.
Thank you!
A Children’s Place · Amenity Shoes · Bagel land · Beaumont Hardware · Environmental Fitness · Foot Traffic · Grand Central Bakery · Green Dog Pet Supply · New Seasons · Nike · Parsons Farms · Rocket Pizza · Shop Adorn · Umpqua Bank · Hollywood Whole Foods · Yo Choice Frozen Yogurt