Greg, Jamie Schmunk to serve as grand marshals for Lind parade

Lind residents and visitors who line the Town’s streets to watch the Grand Parade on June 9 may notice familiar faces leading the floats.

Jamie and Greg Schmunk were selected as the Grand Marshals for the 2018 Grand Parade.

Both Jamie and Greg said they felt honored at having the opportunity to serve as grand marshals for the parade.

Greg grew up in Warden on his family farm, then moved his family to Lind in 1993.

He worked for the Warden School District for 26 years, starting as a mechanic and school bus driver trainer before becoming the district’s Director of Transportation. He currently works for Harlow’s Bus Sales of Spokane.

Jamie was born and raised in Phoenix, then moved to Silverdale in 1989 where she worked as a bus driver and driver trainer for 15 years.

Jamie said she met Greg when they both competed in the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation (WAPT) School Bus Roadeo.

Jamie, the current Eastside WAPT School Bus Roadeo Champion, said the competition is a good way to test a driver’s skills, ability and knowledge.

The top three finishers in each Education School District advance to the WAPT State Championship.

Jamie said she and Greg competed against each other 11 times at the state competition, and the two began to date. She moved to Lind in 2005 and has been working for the Lind School District as a bus driver and driver trainer.

The Schmunks have been married for 12 years and have three children between them; Greg’s daughters Ky Lee and Mikaela, and Jamie’s son Jordan. They also have two granddaughters, Hailey and Addison.

Both Jamie and Greg have served the Town in different roles over the years.

Jamie was the Town of Lind Mayor for eight years. During her terms, she helped the Town acquire $6 million in grant funding for infrastructure improvements, including a new wastewater treatment facility and the current street improvement project and safety projects at the Town’s airport.

Jamie was the operations manager for the Lind Swimming Pool for 12 years and was the lead swim lessons instructor for eight. Greg was the maintenance manager for the pool for 12 years.

Although they put in a lot of time and work at the pool, Jamie said running the facility was a “labor of love.” Greg added said the objective of managing the pool was to provide a safe and clean facility for youth.

Both Jamie and Greg have also served on the Lind Chamber of Commerce. Jamie currently serves as president of the organization.

During Derby Weekend, Greg will judge the floats while Jamie volunteers at the registration table.

Jamie has also served on county organizations, including the Adams County Development Council (ACDC) and was previously the Town’s representative for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). She also recently joined the Adams County Historical Society Board of Directors.

Both Greg and Jamie said they enjoy serving the Town, and encourage community members to volunteer their time.

In their spare time, they garden and work on home improvement projects.

Both Jamie and Greg said they love the atmosphere of the community.

Jamie said she enjoys Lind Derby weekend because it is a time when their family comes home.

Greg added the event brings about the sense of community and heightens Lind’s “small-town atmosphere.”

The Schmunks will drive a partially restored and repainted 1972 Harley Davidson three-wheel golf cart in the parade.

Greg said the cart previously belonged to Lind resident Al Gross, and a lot of work went into repairing the vehicle to make it operational for the parade.

The Grand Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, following the Kiddie Parade.