Idyllwild’s Frank Thompson has been selected to participate in a Memorial Weekend ceremony honoring World War II veterans. The Washington, D.C., event is a tribute to veterans for all the sacrifices they endured.

Thompson, a 30-year Navy man, served on the Northhampton and the USS Columbus, as an electronic specialist. He joined the Navy at 17 and was immediately dispatched to Hawaii without benefit of boot camp to assist in raising the ships sunk at Pearl Harbor. Later in his career, he served in Hawaii as a cryptologist. He was a member of the team which broke the Japanese code at Midway …

On May 11 in the Rotary District Area annual music competition, Idyllwild’s Erec VonSeggern placed first.

Erec also was recently awarded the California Women’s Club Young Musicians 2013 Music Competition for Instrumentalist. On May 14, he performed a solo with the Hemet High Symphonic Band and on June 2 will perform a solo with the Redlands Youth Symphony Concert …

Peter Buhl reports that Donation Alley has now surpassed the $2,000 mark in less than two years. He is arranging to give two $400 checks to local organizations.