Despite a soggier-than-normal July, the seventh annual Victory Heights potluck/ice cream social was held on Tuesday night with temperatures in the 70s and dry weather throughout. An estimated 150 people came by over two hours, which featured a visit from the Engine 40 fire truck, tons of food, free ice cream, and two bird-watching stations nearby.
It has never rained during a VH potluck, and 2019 was no exception (despite rain the day before and after this year). By 6 PM, the road next to Victory Heights Park had been blocked off, the tables had been set up, and dishes (mainly homemade) began arriving from every corner of the neighborhood, along with families and a few dogs.
While not eating or chatting with their neighbors, folks could look at the displays for the Ryther children’s home, talk with a District 5 city council candidate, write on a white board about what they enjoy about our neighborhood (see right), or walk down the street to observe nesting raptors.
On 17th Avenue NE, just north of NE 106th street, two telescopes were trained on a huge nest high up in the trees for a family of Cooper’s Hawks where it was feeding time for the young birds. After catching some food and then delivering it to the nest, the mother hawk flew over to another tree to perch and was then dive-bombed by a Merlin! That Merlin was from a nest on 20th Avenue NE just south of Northgate Way, where another set of telescopes was set up to watch their feeding frenzy going on. Apparently the Merlin just wanted to remind the Cooper’s Hawk that it was in the area and not to get any ideas.
Thanks to everyone who came out and participated this year (and donated to our kitty which helps pay for the ice cream). Don’t forget to organize your own Neighborhood Night Out for your block on Tuesday, August 6th.
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