December 10, 2025
ISSUE 50
50¢
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Hunting for a job? In the market for a new home? Have something to sell? Turn to the Classifieds in The Dispatch and at dispatchnews.com
The Mailing Wizard:
How to Make Sure Gifts Arrive by Christmas
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he holiday rush is officially here, which means millions of cards and packages are about to move through an already strained national delivery network. Carriers say the busiest period runs from Thanksgiving week through Christmas Eve. Weather delays, staffing changes, and record online shopping levels have made delivery windows less predictable To help shoppers plan ahead, here is a comprehensive guide with the latest recommended deadlines for arrival by December 25th. These dates come from national carrier guidance. Remote and international destinations may require even earlier mailing. GENERAL TIPS BEFORE YOU SHIP Schedule a free USPS pickup Many households do not realize the Postal Service will pick up prepaid packages directly from your doorstep. This
MAILING WIZARD, 3
Lady Cruisers Show Grit in Season Opener Under New Head Coach By Skip Smith
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promising first possession quickly turned into a long night for the Eatonville High School girls’ basketball team as the Cruisers fell to Cascade Christian 5315 in their season opener Friday under new Head Coach Chelsea Caramandi. Eatonville scored the first basket of the game, but it was one of the few bright spots in the early going. Cascade Christian responded with a 17-0 run to close out the first quarter while capitalizing on Cruiser turnovers and controlling the boards. Eatonville committed 16 turnovers in the opening eight minutes and was outrebounded 9-4 as the Cougars built a 17-2 lead. The Cruisers continued to struggle offensively in the second quarter as Cascade Christian extended its advantage. Eatonville’s turnover count climbed and the rebounding deficit widened to 20-7 by halftime. The Cruisers trailed 28-5 at the break. “That was a tough opener for us. Turnovers and rebounding told the story,” Caramandi said. “In the second half we really locked in defensively and got them deep into the shot clock,
Baublits Leads Cruisers with Second-Place Finish at Prairie Open
but we gave too many possessions right back with turnovers and secondchance looks. The effort was there, our girls competed, but we’ve got to play cleaner and more confident. We need to value the basketball and finish plays with a rebound. Those are fixable, controllable things, and we’ll get back to work and clean them up.” Cascade Christian put the game fully out of reach with a 13-0 run to
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he Eatonville High School girls wrestling team opened its season Saturday at the Prairie Open and finished 21st out of 31 teams. The Cruisers sent a determined roster into a deep field and came away with one podium finish along with several early round wins. The highlight came at 105 pounds, where junior Najalia “Nala” Baublits rolled to the title match and placed second. Baublits went 3-1 on the day and delivered two dominant victories to reach the semifinals.
She opened with a 15-0 tech fall over South Kitsap’s Arielle Neghmouche, then pinned Bethel’s Victoria Aguilar in the quarterfinals. Baublits advanced again when Shelton’s Korie Cobb was forced to injury default late in the semifinal. In the final, Baublits was caught early by Tenino’s undefeated Elise Martinez and finished as the runner-up. At 100 pounds, Olivia Cole split her four matches and showed grit throughout her bracket.
PRAIRIE OPEN, 4
LADY CRUISERS, 4
Northwest Trek Moose Stars in Children’s Book Submitted
By Skip Smith
begin the third quarter, continuing to overwhelm Eatonville on the glass and force giveaways. By the end of the period, the Cougars led 43-8. Eatonville finished the night with 43 turnovers, compared with just 18 by Cascade Christian, and was outrebounded 36-14.
he awesome first moose of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park stars in a new children’s picture book, “A Home for Chocolate: Based on the True Story of an Orphan Moose.” The author—who knew the animal personally—is Connie Anne Hellyer, a Seattle resident who grew up in Lakewood, Wash. Erin Hourigan of Portland, Ore. created full-color illustrations for the heart-warming narrative. “A Home for Chocolate” tells of the moose’s forest birth in Canada, early life in a rescue center, and rediscovery of moose ways in Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The author is a daughter of the Park’s original donors, Dr. David Hellyer and his wife Connie. Remembered at Northwest Trek as “Doc,” David was pediatrician (1948-1973) to generations of Tacoma children and a founder of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. His wife Connie helped bring Seattle Symphony performances to Tacoma and was one of the Park’s first docents. The couple was living on the property when the Park’s first moose arrived. Their encounters with the willful bull are part of the story. Connie Anne (who is named after her mother) recalls: “Chocolate was a formidable presence. Our family and guests had to edge past him as we went in and out of the driveway gate. That moose really wanted to get in!” Christy Cox, the book’s editor, says: “Chocolate’s story celebrates resilience and shows that loss and change, though difficult, may lead to a happy ending.”
The narrative nonfiction book, which is intended for children from 3 to 12, also includes Fun Facts and other educational material. “Most children today live in artificial environments,” observes Gordon Orians, University of Washington biology professor emeritus. “Chocolate’s true-life story will open a window to the natural world and the fascinating creatures that help sustain it.” Scientific advisors for the book include Prof. Orians; R. Terry Bowyer, professor
emeritus, University of Alaska-Fairbanks; Jeremy C. (Jerry) Haigh, professor emeritus, University of Saskatchewan; Northwest Trek Wildlife Park curator, Marc Heinzman; and Calgary Zoo curator (retired), Robert Peel. “A Home for Chocolate” has just been released by Fir Bough Press. It is available in all formats—e-book, paperback, and hardcover—from leading online booksellers. The author is honoring her parents and their legacy by donating all her proceeds from the book to the Northwest Trek Foundation - the nonprofit organization supporting the conservation, education, and recreation mission of the park.