Mill, grounds and more! Saturday's weather was conducive to the celebratory events to spotlight the Wildcat Creek at Adams Mill near Cutler. Featured on the grounds were not only artists, craft and food vendors, but the newly built camping cabins behind the mill. Three log cabins were built in 2008 for small groups to rent. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe The fifth annual "Celebrate the Wildcat" event at Adams Mill near Cutler drew visitors from far and near Saturday. The weather cooperated to promote not only the enjoyment of the creek but also the jewel of the local community, the Adams Mill.

The day was sponsored by the Wildcat Creek Foundation, Wildcat Guardians and the Wildcat Creek Watershed Alliance. Participating groups included the Promoting Wildcat Valley organization, Cutler Presbyterian Church and the privately owned Adams Mill and surrounding grounds. The events of the day featured free canoe rides around a natural oxbow, nature hikes, tours of the mill and local artist and craftspeople booths. Promoting the Wildcat Valley group sold food to raise money to build a permanent secure display in the local cemetery for the Ball Hill Church bell. The Presbyterian Church sold goods from the kitchen for churchsponsored events.

However, Adams Mill, which sits on 10 of the 14.5 acre-grounds, was the center of attention and activities. Mark and Jill Scharer purchased the property approximately 15 years ago.

The mill was built in 1845 by John Adams and is now a museum of Americana open to the public for tours. Mark Scharer, who hails from the Battle Ground area, is an architect and designer. Jill was a teacher when the couple purchased the mill and has since retired to spend more time developing activities for the business.

The grounds were cleared over the years to allow for primitive camping and to accommodate school tours, weddings, reunions, group meetings such as a local spinners and weavers guild and company outings. Recently three cabins, along with a separate shower and functioning bathroom building, were built for tentless campers and small groups.

"This is really a labor of love for us," Jill said. "But we are looking for a not-forprofit to purchase it or help us do some things we need to do now."

"I think the community should own it now," she added. "The mill is thriving with visitors and groups and campers. Volunteers help keep it open when I can't be here, but those resources are limited for us."

Scharer said a flood several years ago destroyed the water flow to the mill and the water wheel stopped turning. She and her husband took steps to correct the situation, but the work done by contractors was not adequate to make the wheel fully functional again. She said more work must be done for the water wheel to work correctly.

Adams Mill appears on the National Register for Historic Places and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. or by appointment. The Scharers can be reached at (765) 268-2189.