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If you are a Centralia High School alumni or had a child attend Centralia High School, then you are familiar with the Centralia May Fete tradition that has existed for over 100 years.  The Monken Family has been proud to be a part of this tradition and all family members have participated in the dances and/or court during their high school years. Jan Monken's mother, Dorothy Rixmann Miller, was the 25th May Fete Queen.  At that time May Fete was held outdoors and Dorothy made her own dress and train.  Her daughters, Jan, Melissa, and Wendy, were all attendants their junior year. Kim Monken McMillian's daughter, Megan Marcum, was a flower girl for Stacey Smudrick, a freshman attendant and May Fete Queen.  Her sister, Andrea Walton, was a freshman attendant the same year that Megan was queen. Both girls were involved with dances when they weren't on the court.  Lance and Megan’s kids, Hadley and Eli Marcum, served as scepter bearer and crown bearer. Shawn Monken Hartmann, was a flower girl for Carol Jo Vaccaro and an attendant her senior year.  Her children, Bredesen Hartmann and Katie Hartmann, along with their cousin, Will Miller, served as the trainbearers and flower girl for Megan Marcum.  Bredesen Hartmann participated in the couples dance every year and became a May Fete escort during his junior year.  Katie choreographed and participated in multiple dances all four years. Wes Monken, was the trainbearer for Jan Johnson when he was seven.  He wore the first white tuxedo ever used in May Fete and participated in the dance. Wes's older daughter, Jalyn Monken, participated in dances all four years. This year Wes's daughter, Addison Monken, will wind the senior maypole for her last year at Centralia High School. She has participated in dances every year.  Addison is the last Monken grandchild to participate in May Fete.  We look forward to all the great-grandchildren participating!

Not all parents want the same type of vehicle, therefore, we researched the top 3 areas most parents value in a family vehicle. Being a parent can already be stressful enough, so here are 3 tips to help take the stress off buying one. Safety Safety is the number one feature valued by parents because they want to protect their families. Both parents usually look through many consumer reports and crash tests to see how the vehicle they are interested in will perform in an accident. Other important safety features to them include airbag locations, child safety locks and latches for child car seats. Size The size need in a vehicle depends on the size and age of the family. Car seats can take up a lot of room and really determine how much space is needed for seating. If the parents don’t have any kids in car seats, they might have sports gear and three of their kid’s friends to haul around during sports season. Whatever the reason may be, a roomy vehicle is very important to parents so their family can be comfortable when traveling. Affordability The third factor parents’ desire in a vehicle is typically its value for their family. They don’t want to break the budget when it comes to the vehicle, insurance, and gas. This factor has one of the biggest impacts on their family, especially when parenting can already be expensive. Most parents love a good deal or getting the biggest bang for their buck out of anything, including a vehicle. If you’re a parent currently searching for a vehicle perfect for your family, consider these three factors that most parents appreciate in any vehicle!