Railroad Days leadership torch passed to local duo

Published 1:00 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – Lisa Schaffer had no idea that the woman who checked out her groceries at Safeway would change her life. The two often chatted about Schaffer’s desire to get involved in the community.

“She was my favorite checker,” Schaffer said.

Originally from Idaho, Schaffer looked for a way to get involved in the community when she and her husband moved to the Valley 10 years ago. The woman from Safeway suggested she go to a meeting of volunteers from the Railroad Days event that Snoqualmie hosts every August.

Schaffer was familiar with Railroad Days and had helped patrol the event as a reserve police officer for the city back in 1990. She decided to give it a shot and went to her first meeting four years ago.

She got involved in a hurry. At the first meeting, the man in charge of the parade had to step down due to an illness in his family. With just a little more than a month left before the parade, his post needed to be filled quickly. Everyone looked to Schaffer.

“I found myself in charge of the parade,” Schaffer said.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record