FORKS — There’s a cash-filled glass jar atop the counter at the Forks True Value that might give customers cause for a second look.
“Please help stop the rain. Your donations are appreciated,” reads a label on the jar.
Collecting money to stop the rain? Can such a preposterous plan possibly work?
“We think it’s had quite an effect on the weather,” said Forks True Value owner Bob Stark on Wednesday.
Stark said he placed the jar on the counter about two weeks ago.
“I’m guessing there’s probably $25 in there.”
Stark had no notion of whom he might pay off to cause the weather to shift from cloudy to sunny.
He was of the opinion that the mere collection of cash alone has been effective.
Stark said customers say the jar is “absolutely silly” — and then drop their bills and coins into it.
Stark said he might give the jar to the Friends of Forks Animals when no more money can be crammed inside.
Jerry King of Forks keeps a record of daily rainfall.
“Actually, I think it’s been a bit wetter than usual this June,” King said Wednesday.
King’s records show 4.87 inches of rain had fallen so far this month as of Wednesday. The average rainfall for June is 3.54 inches, he said.
The National Weather Service station at Quillayute Airport 10 miles from Forks said the year’s total rainfall as of May 31 was a total of 62.79 inches.
The total for the year was 67.22 inches as of Wednesday.
That means the airport received 4.43 inches in June up till Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Spring and summer rains don’t last, and bitterly cold months eventually will freeze Forks.
But the forward-thinking Stark also has plans to deal with that.
“This winter, I will probably replace [the jar] with one that says, ‘Support global warming.’”
Reporter Chris Tucker can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at chris.tucker@peninsuladailynews.com.
