Sequim Gazette staff

When KSQM 91.5 Radio volunteer Joe Streva recalls asking Tama Bankston, the station’s director of Office Administration, for something to do. “She said, ‘We need a handyman to work on the tower.’”

Streva thought of KSQM’s broadcasting tower. “I don’t do 200 feet,” Streva said.

No worries there. Streva’s project — in partnership with the Shipley Center — was instead to refurbish a model tower KSQM volunteers have used for community events in previous years.

With the help of some friends in his art class at the center, Streva and friends will unveil the newly decorated tower at KSQM’s annual Independence Day celebration, set for 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4, near the studio, 577 W. Washington St.

Events include music from Treble Around the Sound, No Batteries Required, Olympic Express Big Band and Lobo Del Mar, dancing from the Na Hula Ó Wahine ‘Ilikea Dancers, clowning around with the Laff Pack Clown Alley, and exhibition from the Sequim Valley Car Club, a hook-and-ladder truck display via Fire District 3, a silent auction and lots of food. (The event is free, with tax-deductible donations going to KSQM, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.)

Streva rebuilt the box the tower rests in, allowing for space for his art class friends to decorate. After Streva outlined a scene for the box, artists Jane Burkey, Myrna Martin and Kim McBride each took two of the six total panels home to complete the project.

“I gave it to the people who knew what they were doing,” Streva joked.

Art Moore originally constructed the piece back in 2012, Bankston said.

“It was starting to look a little worn; it needed to be spruced up,” she said.

Art classes at the Shipley Center are at 9:30 a.m. each Friday. Call 683-6806.