April 2017 The Good Life by The Good Life

HOW HEALTHY IS COCONUT OIL? Y EVENTS CALENDAR

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

April 2017

stories of fun and adventure

why the tetons are so

grand A summer at a most ahhhh-some national park

Cary ordway’s great ncw getaways

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Contents

page 11

EQUINE WORKOUT AT THE RENDEZVOUS

Features

the oh-so-grand tetons

Who wouldn’t jump for joy while working a summer at one of America’s great national parks?

10 Cary Ordway’s they built this city Link wants your input on transit future for the area

11 the rendezvous ranch

Developing an equine ranch where the pavement ends and the foothills start up in earnest

14 earth day in chelan A celebration of life, naturally

16 a beer writer walks into a bar

And what he finds is no joke, but some of the finest beer bars in the world

19 Cary Ordway’s spring travel guide

Columns & Departments 6 Alex Saliby: Tasting wines in Cashmere’s Mission District 26 Pet Tales: Dogs out for a walk 27 Bonnie Orr: Use your senses to cook better 28 June Darling: Be neither a doormat nor a diva 30 The traveling doctor: Which oils are best for you? 32-38 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 40 History: The financial panic of 1893 was fierce 42 That’s Life: RV shakedown cruise

Looking for a fine, historic hotel, or slightly different adventure trips? Check out what Cary has found

22 finding peace in plain

Relatively speaking, this retirement spot is paradise Art sketches n Strolling accordionist Frank Calipristi, page 32 n Zumba master Annagrisel Alvarez, page 37

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COWB OY From to yee-quiet scient

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Al Adan, AAMS®, CRPC®

ist horse- hawing riding man

Cary

ordw

they built this city

ay’s

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OPENING SHOT

Springtime popping in the hills above wenatchee T

By Robert DeTorres

his photo was taken in April of 2015 at the overlook viewpoint at Horse Lake Reserve Trail looking towards the Wenatchee Valley. It is a panorama made from three vertical photos which I stitched together in Lightroom. I had been up here several

Year 11, Number 4 April 2017 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 PHONE: EMAIL:

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times during the past few weeks attempting to get some photos of the homestead and thought this would be a good day due to the cloud cover. On the drive up, I noticed that many of the arrowleaf balsamroot plants were in bloom. Arriving at the parking area, I decided to go up to the viewpoint first and then to the homestead. I started by using a wide angle lens but then realized that the valley appeared too far away so I changed to a short telephoto and took several vertical photos that I knew I would stitch together later. ONLINE: www.ncwgoodlife.com FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/NCWGoodLife Editor/Publisher, Mike Cassidy Contributors, Robert DeTorres, Erin Nash, Cary Ordway, Michelle Jerome, Alan Moen, Donna Cassidy, Bonnie Orr, Alex Saliby, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin and Rod Molzahn Advertising manager, Terry Smith Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell

| The Good Life

More of Robert’s photos are available on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/ photos/40213798@N03/.

On the cover

Brianna Hiltey, left, and Erin Nash — with the Grand Teton in the background — celebrate arriving at the top of Hurricane Pass on the Teton Crest Trail. “This was one of the most challenging and rewarding days of backpacking I’ve ever experienced,” said Erin. “On the day of this photo we hiked over 30 miles through two canyons, two high-mountain passes, and a basin, with bear and porcupine

sightings along the way. “We could barely lift our legs off the ground for this quintessential ‘girls jumping picture,’ and this was after just the FIRST high-mountain pass! “We cooked dinner that night, feeling sore and accomplished as we watched the sun cast pink light onto the Tetons. The view is always so much sweeter when I’ve worked hard to get there.” Brianna and Erin spent the summer of 2016 working and backpacking in Grand Teton National Park. See Erin’s story beginning on page 7.

Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth Video editor, Aaron Cassidy

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April 2017

WRITE FOR THE GOOD LIFE: We welcome articles about people from Chelan and Douglas counties. Send your idea to Mike Cassidy at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

editor’s notes

MIKE CASSIDY

What are you laughing at? Don’t you feel it’s time to get

a little funny? We’re coming out of a tough winter, we’re only getting older, and events on the national scene — well, hardly a laughing matter no matter what your politics. We’ve long wanted to bring more humor to the pages of The Good Life. Certainly, many stories now contain a comic anecdote or two, but we would like to regularly publish a bit of brightness to add cheer to our days. The stumbling block has been finding just the right writer of just the right stories for a humor column. Somehow, in nearly a dozen years of publishing, that writer has escaped our notice.

Humor is, after all, very hard to do. So, rather than select one writer, we decided to create a regular humor space and let anyone submit a story. And, we’ve decided to offer a bribe… I mean, an incentive beyond the fame and glory of being published in our wonderful magazine that now has not only local readership, but national and even international readership thanks to our quickly growing website (www.ncwgoodlife.com). Our prize each month will be a $100 gift certificate to any one of our fine advertisers from the past year.

April 2017 | The Good Life

OK, so what are the rules? n We’re looking for fresh, true stories from local people, where perhaps you found yourself in a trying situation that only seemed to get worse. Let your own life be the source of humor and provide the details that invite readers to be there with you. n Limit yourself to 500 to 1,000 words. n Send along a photo if you have one. We’re placing this column on the last inside page of the magazine, as a parting gift to our readers. The wine column we have been running there — Alex on Wine by Alex Saliby — is moving to page 6, taking over the spot where we have been running Fun Stuff, which is finding a more natural spot as a lead-in to our calendar. Finding just the right name for our new column was a bit of a struggle: “This American Life” has just the right attitude, but unfortunately, National Public

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Radio already is using it. Likewise, “Life in These United States” has long run in the Readers Digest, “The Last Laugh” has grim overtones and “You Said It, Pal” is too colloquial. What we’ve come up with is “The Last Page: That’s Life.” Think of saying “that’s life” with a bit of a shrug and a “what are you gonna do?” grimace. We are kicking off the column this month with a perfect example of what we are looking for, with G. Wayne Hawks writing about a shakedown trip of an older motorhome he and his wife bought. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and then be inspired to tell us your own stories. Send your fun bits to: editor@ ncwgoodlife.com. A shared sense of humor helps bind people together, and also is the oil that keeps us loose enough to stand each other. Enjoy The Good Life. — Mike

column ALEX ON WINE

ALEX SALIBY

Wines-a-flowing in the Mission District Oh, to be in Cashmere Now that April’s there, enjoying warmth of Springtime with fragrances of blossoms heavy in the air... Oh, to be in Cashmere Now that April’s here And taste the new releases Of wineries that are near.

Apologies, of course, to Mr.

Browning and all his ardent readers, but I am correct: April is a terrific time to be in Cashmere for many reasons, including trying the new wines from the local wineries and viewing some changes that have been happening in the Mission District wine tasting rooms. In early February, Leony’s Cellars (formerly Voila Winery, but now with new owners and winemakers Salvador Moreno and his wife Sandi Grimnes Moreno) opened a second tasting room, in Cashmere’s Mission District. Stop by this start-up and welcome them. Have a friendly chat with pourer Sumer Melody and taste the wines. Some of you may remember, as I do, the Cabernet Franc from last year at Leony’s Cellar — a delightful, Loire Valley Chinon style that took a silver medal at the NCW Food and Wine Festival. That wine has sold out, as one might expect, but the new Cabernet Franc, which wasn’t on the menu in February or March, is in the ageing process at the winery, so don’t expect it until Fall. Other changes have taken place in the Mission District facility besides the welcoming of Leony’s Cellars. Cashmere Cellars moved into the space formerly occupied by Dutch

Sumer Melody pours wine at the Leony’s Cellar tasting room.

John’s Winery. I miss seeing George Valison when I visit, but I’m delighted that Claire East and Cashmere Cellar Wines is now in that space. Claire is friendly and welcoming, as is the tasting room, and visiting her is a treat. Our favorite of the Cashmere Cellars wines is the red Ardy’s Blend, but the Pinot Noir and Syrah are also very enjoyable. Crayelle Cellars, too, has changed. Craig and Danielle Mitrakul expanded their space, doubling the size of the tasting room. Guests now have a choice of standing at the tasting bar and sipping the wines or sitting around a table with friends while enjoying a glass. Their delicious Malbec is still on the menu, plus a totally new, very limited supply of the 2014 Crayelle Cellars Syrah. It’s an ex-

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cellent wine to sample, and will work beautifully as a complement to your steaks or lamb. As only 30 cases were produced, it’s not going to last long. By now you probably know that Horan Estates expanded its space shortly after a small arts and crafts shop vacated in 2015. Visitors have the opportunity to taste, or as in all these winery spaces, sit and enjoy a glass of wine. Dennis Hobbs has a new, 2015 Bottoms Up Horan Estates Chardonnay, on the tasting menu for you to sample. This well-made Chardonnay in the Chablis style is often these days referred to as “naked” for the wine is unoaked and did not undergo secondary fermentation. It is crisp, nicely acidic and fruity and it should pair well with your favorite seafood, just save foods with creamy sauces

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April 2017

for a different style Chardonnay. The Mission District is more than the home of Horan Estates Winery’s tasting room — it houses the production facility where Dennis and Beth Hobbs ply their skills. When your out-of-state relatives or friends come to visit and you’re at a loss for what to do, call the winery and ask for a tour of the production facilities as well as the tasting room; your guests will be delighted and will thank you. But, where the heck is the Mission District in Cashmere and how do you get there? For those of you who have been in the area a long time, you probably know where the Liberty Orchards Aplets and Cotlets facility is — there on Mission Avenue in Cashmere; if you can get there, you’re almost to the tasting room. Keep driving east about another long block and you’ll see the large WINE TASTING signs. If you aren’t familiar with Cashmere, then follow the signs on Hwy. 2 to It’s 5, the artisan distillery. Colin Levi’s distillery tasting and sales room is in the same building. If you ask in their tasting room, it is sometimes possible to go downstairs to the place where the distilled beverages are created in Colin’s laboratory of highly polished steel, brass and copper. And if you’re lucky, Colin will be there, working. Alex Saliby is a wine lover who spends far too much time reading about the grapes, the process of making wine and the wines themselves. He can be contacted at alex39@msn. com.

View of the “back side” of the Grand Teton from the Teton Crest Trail — a 40-mile trail that runs on the northwest side of the Teton Mountain Range.

Working a summer in the oh-so-Grand Tetons I

Photos and story by Erin Nash

t’s nearly dusk as we march along the dusty trail through the thick underbrush and growing shadows of Granite Canyon. As we round a sharp bend my backpacking buddy stops short, turns on her heels and nearly knocks me over in her attempt to back track. “Go back! Go back!” she whispers. My heart races. I fumble for my bear spray canister, attached to the hip strap of my backpack. My partner’s eyes are as big as golf balls as she whispers in the kind of high-pitched

voice reserved for talking to infants and kittens, “It’s a baby mooooooooose!” This is Miranda Miller. She lives for these moments. I met Miranda in the summer of 2016 when I quit my job, packed up my apartment in Bellingham, and drove to Wyoming to serve coffee to tourists in Grand Teton National Park. Growing up in Plain, surrounded by the Cascade Range, I’ve always been drawn to the mountains. I left home in 2008 to move to the “big city” of Seattle and eventually ended up in Bellingham because, well, MOUNTAINS.

April 2017 | The Good Life

I had only seen the Grand Tetons in photographs, but the idea of living at Jackson Lake Lodge, sitting at 6,772 feet above sea level, five miles from trail heads leading up to those beautiful peaks made my head spin and my heart sing. The mountains were calling, and I went for it. I spent my early mornings slinging coffee in the grand lobby, with its floor to ceiling windows facing Jackson Lake and The Grand Tetons. I loved watching tourists’ expressions when they saw the Tetons for the first time. If you’ve ever witnessed a child

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Castilleja is commonly known as Indian paintbrush, the flower that inspired the names for Grand Teton’s “Paintbrush Canyon” and “Paintbrush Divide.” The plant can be found blooming in droves during the late Spring months.

In May 2016 groups fighting to prevent the extinction of bison succeeded when the animal was declared the first national mammal of the United States. The number of bison has fallen from tens of millions to tens of thousands. Many bison are preserved in national parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone. These creatures can weigh up to a ton and can reach running speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

GRAND Tetons }}} Continued from previous page seeing a deer for the first time, or seen someone catch their first fish, or if you’ve ever seen a friend round that last bend on a brutal trail and take in the view, you know the look I’m talking about. “Is this real life?” was a phrase I heard often. When I wasn’t working I was going on adventures with Miranda all over Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks: hiking, camping, kayaking, trail running, horseback riding, fishing, climbing, chasing sunsets and hunting for the perfect wildlife photo opportunities. I gained a new understanding of nature and respect for the wildlife inhabiting the parks. (And by respect I mean I was scared silly on a few occasions by both bear and moose.)

I grew a new appreciation for how hard I could push my body, sometimes hiking 20 miles a day during my weekend backpacking trips. I discovered a new love for our National Parks — truly one of the best ideas the United States has ever had, in my opinion. There is something about being in nature, being in the mountains, that makes a soul happy. Living in the Grand Tetons also gave me a new appreciation for home. I discovered from talking with tourists and other seasonal workers that visiting Grand Teton National Park was many people’s first time seeing mountains. I quickly realized how

A group of backpackers explore Dunanda Falls in Yellowstone National Park. The United States Congress established Yellowstone as the first National Park in 1872. It is widely held to be the first national park in the world.

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April 2017

The moon sets over the Grand Teton mountain range as a herd of elk make their way across Willow Flats during an Autumn sunrise. On Jan. 24, 2017, Congress introduced the Disposal of Excess Federal Laws Act, which would make federal lands, like Grand Teton National Park, available for sale. “I don’t think it’s something that should be sold,” President Donald Trump said in an interview with Field & Stream Magazine in Summer 2016. “We have to be great stewards of this land. This is magnificent land.”

lucky I am that I grew up surrounded by the wild beauty of the Northern Cascades. And, inevitably, I started missing my hometown mountains. So here I am. I’m back in the Wenatchee Valley, in the place that taught me to love mountains, more excited than ever to rediscover and explore the rugged Cascades. My summer in the Tetons was an adventure of a lifetime. And I will forever be grateful that it led me back home.

A grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park shakes off after diving for plant roots. Grizzly bears are known as an “umbrella species,” meaning that by protecting the species and their habitat many other species are also protected. Grizzly bears help ecosystems by distributing seeds and nutrients through their scat. About 75 percent of a grizzly bear’s diet consists of plants, roots, leaves, nuts and berries. Most of the remaining grizzly population, an estimated 1,800 (originally there were 50,000) are located in Yellowstone and the Northern Continental Divide.

April 2017 | The Good Life

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Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s think LINK

Transit system wants YOUR input on the future by CARY ORDWAY

f you've ever felt like you had no real control over some of the spending choices made in Washington D.C. these days, the operators of Link Transit want you to know that Wenatchee Valley taxpayers really do have input when it comes to spending on the local transit system. They want to hear directly from you about exactly what services you would like to see Link Transit provide and, just as importantly, what you're realistically willing to pay in potentially higher taxes for the services you want added or improved. "We want to see what the next 25 years of Link Transit is going to look like," explained Eric West, marketing and communications officer for Link Transit. Link began a community outreach in January as Link Transit was coming off its 25th anniversary. Through a local ad campaign, residents have been encouraged to send in suggestions for system improvements. To date, nearly 1,100 residents have provided input and, in addition, more than a dozen key community leaders have met to strategize about the system's future. So far, the overwhelming response has been that the transit system is vital to the local community. The suggestions run the gamut -- from added

hours on certain routes to more frequency on others. In some cases respondents have proposed new routes altogether. Now the outreach continues as taxpayers are being directed to www.letsthinklink.org to use a new interactive tool that will help them visualize how their suggested improvements will affect the system's $13.3 million annual budget. Beginning April 20, website visitors will be able to choose or delete certain options and see in black and white not only how much each improvement will cost the system, but what that will mean in increased taxes per taxpayer. "The key is to get input from more than just our riders," West said, noting that only between 5 and 10 percent of the Wenatchee Valley's population are actual transit users. He adds that transit means much more to the community than a resident's ability to get from point A to point B. It lessens traffic congestion and makes it possible for people who don't own cars to get to work and to shop in the community, which helps the local economy.

After highly successful first 25 years, Link Transit wants you to weigh in on the future

About 75 percent of Link Transit's annual budget is funded through sales tax -- 4/10 of one percent on a local purchase. So, for every $10 you spend in Wenatchee, you pay a four-cent tax that goes to fund Link Transit. This is the same percentage that was approved when the system was launched 25 years ago and Link managers take pride in providing services all that time without going back to the taxpayers and asking for an increase. Most of the local transit systems in Washington State get at least 6/10 of one percent. But as the system projects for the future, it's possible that taxpayers may want additional services to the extent that they are willing to pay a higher sales tax rate. Link sales taxes are collected in Chelan County as well as the Eastmont, Waterville and Orondo school districts in Douglas County. Requests so far have included

Cary Ordway is president of GMC, which produces They Built This City for Good Life Magazine. This section tells the untold story of how Wenatchee Valley businesses and agencies were created and have improved our quality of life. It is made possible by sponsors appearing in the articles in this section. Email Cary at getawaymediacorp@gmail. com.

APRIL 2017 | THE GOOD LIFE | They Built This City |

such improvements as adding Sunday service, operating later in the evening, a higher frequency of buses on some routes, more services operating on Saturday and additional routes. The new interactive tool will show you how much additional tax revenue would be necessary to provide the requested services. It also takes into account such expenses as replacing aging buses, many of which are close to 10 years old. Altogether Link operates a fleet of 60 vehicles. The current outreach is officially called ThinkLink, Our Future, Our Freedom, Our Public Transit. It's being billed as a "community conversation" that will continue through April and May with the goal of writing a strategic plan by mid-summer. Then it will be up to the Link Transit Board of Directors to decide whether to go for a sales tax increase, which could take a year to finally make the ballot. Bottom line is that some of the smaller improvements could be made by 2018, with others to follow in succeeding years.

Rendezvous Ranch is in the midst of varied terrain, and the man-made trail obstacles provide even more opportunities for training horses and riders.

A Rendezvous at the end of the road Developing an equine ranch where the pavement ends and the foothills start up in earnest

By Susan Lagsdin

hris Jonason doesn’t mince words, and she doesn’t waste time. She’s pretty much known what she wanted to do and where she wanted to be for most of her 57 years. Now she’s settled into Rendezvous Ranch, tucked into the hillside about five miles up Nahahum Canyon Road out of Cashmere where the paved road ends and the foothills start up in earnest. She’s spent the last four years developing the ranch into a multi-faceted equine facility. Watching Chris with five adult students in one late-winter clinic on barefoot hoof trimming

was a microcosmic glimpse into her whole instructional career, which has encompassed both fast water (rafting and kayaking) and problematic horses (training and treatment). Safety is important. In this exemplary workshop, it meant knowing where to stand, how to hold the hoof and gauge the horse’s tolerances. Classroom procedure makes a difference, whether it’s at the river’s edge or in a chilly barn.

The several horses trimmed in this lesson were all lined up; handlers led them in and out again, tools were at ready, students reiterated what they’d learned, Chris previewed the next morning’s lesson. And communication matters most of all. Simple descriptions of the process and then classic open-ended questions: “And we rasp as far down as….?” “The problem was in which corner of the sole…?” elicited quick re-

sponses from her students, but Chris kept her horses alert, too. One gelding stubbornly clamped his foot away from her and pranced. “Hey, now… QUIT.” She said it not sternly but clearly. No fuss, no swatting. He quit. She explained later, “It’s intention. Not just voice and words.” Chris’ life has spanned several iterations in careers and trends. As a nine-year-old, she rode

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RENDEZVOUS RANCH

... we had a great time, and there was no way I could know this would be our last ride together…”

}}} Continued from previous page Sugar all over her uncle’s Ellensburg cattle ranch, by 12 she was caring for her own and her neighbor’s horses, and from age 13 to 15 with a Redmond outfitter she trained draft colts, drove a wagon team, and lead pack strings. Her teen years were spent learning the trade(s) with a river rafting and mountain packing outfit in the small Washington town of Index — it was first a seasonal job, then a company she bought and developed over 28 years. That venture grew to include Wave Trek Rescue and its emphasis on rescue from dire situations of both horses and humans. She became a certified instructor-trainer for Rescue 3 International, wrote curriculum and worked as a consultant to other rescue institutions. Chris’ own love of challenging water has lead her to rivers, streams and ocean surf all over the world and a few prestigious kayaking awards, but she freely admits, “Going down those Level 4-5 rivers doesn’t hold the same appeal it once did — I like warmer water these days.” Her husband of two years, Ned Sickels (who she’d met rafting as a teen and became reacquainted with more recently) continues to enjoy the area’s extreme kayak-

Chris Jonason shows how to use a rasp to adroitly file the perimeter of a horse’s hoof.

ing as well as ski racing. So, when rope and river rescue work, raft trips and mountain packing, wild water adventures and horse training become…

well, everyday run-of-the-mill jobs, what’s a girl to do? This girl, after becoming certified at 18, was a farrier of the standard metal-nailed-to-the-

hoof persuasion for 20 years. But in 2002, when a mustang she’d bought and shoed was having foot problems, she made a sharp turn in her work and embraced “barefoot” trimming. That was the beginning of a new professional life. After taking dozens of clinics and trimming hundreds of horses, she started Holistic Horse Services and currently serves over 100 clients. The focus is on eschewing metal shoes and instead maintaining and rehabilitating hooves that are basically left bare and adjust to the ground as those of horses in the wild have done for eons. Recently the whole geography of her life changed from west side to east side. In their middle age, Chris’s parents in Redmond had finally become horseback riders, and she told of this ride just a few years ago with her dad: “He was 72. It was a beautiful trip from Index up to the Pacific Crest Trail — we had a great time, and there was no way I could know this would be our last ride together…” With both of her parents gone, she lost the main reason to stay near Redmond. She also realized

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April 2017

she was truly tired of gray skies, rain and mud and so looked for horse property to buy in north central Washington. Cle Elum, the Teanaway Valley and Ellensburg caught her interest. But she kept thinking back to the 80-acre Nahahum Canyon place she’d seen earlier, and in May of 2013 Chris moved to Cashmere and her perfect horsekeeping spot. “There was so much land up beyond the place for riding! And it was a perfect part of the state; I knew I could have the horse programs I wanted here.” The arena, round-pen and outbuildings like horse barns and guest accommodations are clustered nearer the driveway, and Chris’ house is distinctly separate. “Oh, it’s 1,000 feet up the hill, way up there, so there’s plenty of privacy when we need it. But,” she said, “All summer long, from dawn to dusk, I’m usually down here with the horses.” Nahahum Canyon offers miles of view-grabbing horse trails on Forest Service roads and trails, and the naturally-occurring rock formations and gullies on the property allow another focus in horsemanship: mountain trail riding. Chris is a certified trainer and has re-constructed a complete obstacle course (with bridges, logs, boxes, logs and a see-saw) on her property for classes in that discipline. With a small professional staff and well-trained horses, Rendezvous Ranch is ready to roll when spring turns to summer, with short courses beyond trail and barefoot trimming that range from packing clinics to dressage to basic equitation. “Basically, we know a lot of our clientele will be women over 40 who want to ride safe and sane. They’re either coming back to horses after years away or starting out fresh.” Chris knows what horse-lovers want, and she’s equally earnest about the care and nurturing of horses themselves. Captured in her memory (and happily, on

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Remembering Chris poses with Fiona, a mare whose late-winter hoof trimming session taught the barefoot clinic attendees a thing or two about creating balance and symmetry.

“There was so much land up beyond the place for riding. And it was a perfect part of the state; I knew I could have the horse programs I wanted here.” video) is a great scene from this weekend’s trimming clinic. A pony was unable to walk naturally for almost a year because his hoofs, tender and April 2017 | The Good Life

painful, had been deformed into long upward curves at the toe. The day before, Chris had performed a therapeutic trimming on him as a class demonstration. Minutes after the lesson, he was slowly walking away down the lane. In a scene that makes the sometimes difficult work of horse care all worth it — and bringing smiles and a few tears from the class — the pony was so delighted with his reconstructed feet that he elected to trot a bit, feet aligned and hitting the ground in a glorious 1-2-3-4 cadence. You can learn a lot more about the ranch and its clinics at rendzvousranch.net.

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A favorite moment with Mom could make you a winner!

Write us an email – 200 to 500 words or so – telling us of a favorite moment with your Mom. Send along a digital photo, too. We’ll choose one of the writers for a $100 gift certificate to any one of The Good Life’s advertisers from the past year. But be quick… the deadline is April 7. As Mom might say, don’t wait for tomorrow when you can do it today! Send photos and stories to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com Selected moments may be published in the May issue of The Good Life.

Earth Day in Chelan: A celebration of life (and fun, naturally)

ABOVE: Michelle Jerome and Mark Tesch work with Spike the Wolverine dragon. LEFT: A trashion show, with sizes both large and small.

By Michelle Jerome

n April, 2014, I paid my first visit to Chelan. My visit happened to coincide with the Earth Day Fair. As I had come to visit Mark Tesch — my now husband — I was thrown into the center of festival activities. Years previous, Mark had taken over the responsibility of the children’s area from Zach Robertson. The castle, originally made from cardboard boxes and duct tape, morphed into a structure involving scaffolding, shipping pallets and recycled large pieces of cardboard. Throw in a slide, some wooden shipping crates and boards to walk on and you have a fantastic area to play. The children are invited to paint the walls of the castle and

add their own creativity. Suddenly, I was helping build a castle. Then I was passing out paints and brushes and offering large tee-shirts for cover-ups and a bucket of water to the hoards of happy children. It was a picture-perfect spring day with sun, breeze, hundreds of people laughing and talking, booths of educational displays, recycled books, vehicles that save on fuel and so many friendly people welcoming me. Everyone was in high spirits as this is really the first real social event of the warm season. The day ended too soon and everyone pitched in to clean up. As the sun was setting and I was stacking the cardboard to take to the recycling center, I began to dream of moving to this valley. The following July I did move here and joined the Earth Day committee that plans and puts on the festival every year.

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A few members have been with the fair since the beginning. In particular Scott Beaton. He remembers the early days this way: “I was picking grapefruit with the flowering citrus smelling so earthily wonderful that something in my head said you are so lucky maybe it is time to give back.” From this sentiment grew a non-profit group of locals who focused on starting a recycling program in the valley. In 1987 they had their first fundraiser and then were able to start a monthly recycling dropoff behind NAPA Auto Parts and obtained a state grant to build a permanent recycling center, which Scott Beaton went on to run until he retired in 2016. The first Earth Day Fair was 1990. Recycle Coolcat was born and continues to be the mascot of Recycling and other Save the Earth endeavors. The fair was always and continues to be held in Riverwalk Park in downtown Chelan.

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the details Lake Chelan Earth Day Fair, Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Honoring Mother Earth. Live music, food, crafts, book sale, garden center, alternative vehicles, renewable energy, energy conservation and more. Riverwalk Park, Chelan. Cost: free. Info: chelanearthdayfair. org. Over the years there have been ecology education programs, scrap metal collection drives and school videos. Enthusiasm for these adjunct programs has waxed, waned and persisted. Recent years consistently have hosted alternative fuel vehicle displays, recycled book sales by Friends of the Library, garden areas with sales of plant starts and composting demonstrations, artwork and crafts for sale often of recycled materials, dance performances by young

Inner Peace at Blossom Creek and Blossom Valley

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CALL 509-293-9204 TODAY TO SET UP YOUR PERSONAL TOUR! Plants along with books, arts and crafts are for sale, plus music and dance performances go on throughout the day.

dancers, and always live music from popular local musicians throughout the day. The festival tends to draw crowds of 1,000-1,500. The children’s area also persists. We build the castle and create blocks that the children can paint. We have had materials for them to decorate crowns to wear. In 2015, we created Spike the Wolverine dragon. He is 12 feet long with an 8-foot wingspan and is made from recycled materials. Each spring he sheds his belly scales and the children paint new ones (halved paper plates) to affix to his belly. He ends the day resplendently adorned. This enthusiastic, happy, healthy community effort is part of what drew me to move to Chelan in July of 2014. The other part is of course my husband Mark Tesch. We married and have actually bought the house previously owned by a couple who were part of the original planning group. Early recycling center and Earth Day Festival planning meetings were held in what is now our kitchen. Spike spends his non-festival time protected in our carport. We plan to continue with the children’s area until we are no

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Leavenworth has an Earth Day, too

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Leavenworth Earth Day Community Fair, Sunday, April 23, noon to 4 p.m. at the Lions Club Park. A community celebration of environmental awareness and sustainability full of activities, music and food. More info at leavenworthearthday.org. longer physically able. Come and join us this year. We have an exciting lineup of booths, music and food. Help us bring on spring and celebrate this beautiful planet as we all learn more about what sustains the planet and our community. April 15 at Riverwalk Park. >> RANDOM QUOTE

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin April 2017 | The Good Life

W W W. S E N IOR L I F E S T Y L E .C OM

e have the best bike rental fleet in the Wenatchee Valley. Rent bikes from us and experience riding one of Washington’s longest paved paths, the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. Start riding immediately from our door and leisurely traverse along the Wenatchee and East Wenatchee side of the Columbia River. Even better, take the footbridge and visit our flagship store, Arlberg SportsDowntown, on the corner of Wenatchee Avenue and First Street. If you have little ones that are too young to pedal solo, we also rent bike trailers. We even have “trail-a-bikes” which attach to the back of any adult bike . . .it’s like a tandem and kids love it! We’ve always been firm believers that families who recreate together, stay together! So, come in and ride on!

Downtown Wenatchee 25 N Wenatchee Ave. 663-7401

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Pybus Market 7 N Worthen St. 888-7433 |

Leavenworth 1207 Front St. 548-5615

A veteran writer for beer magazines walks into a bar... And what he finds is no joke, but some of the finest beer ESTABLISHMENTS in the world

By Alan Moen

ver the course of the last 25 years or so, I’ve written a lot about one of my favorite subjects: beer. That passion has taken me all over the country, and also all over the world, to do my “research” on what may have been the beverage that launched civilization as we know it, beginning over 5,000 years ago in Egypt. I’ve visited hundreds of breweries, brewpubs and watering holes from Seattle to South Africa, Montana to Munich, Cincinnati to Chile, in search of the perfect pint. Along the way, I’ve come across some great beer bars that really stand out. Some have an astonishing lineup of beer; others have unique atmosphere or character. If you’re a beer aficionado like me, here are a few of them, both

in the U.S. and abroad, for your beer “bucket list.”

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, Munich, Germany

There’s probably no country in the world as identified with beer as Germany. Some of the oldest breweries in the world are located here, such as the 1,000-year old Weihenstephan Brewery. The Reinheitsgebot, or Bavarian Purity law of 1516, possibly the world’s first consumer protection law, stipulated that only three ingredients — water, malted barley, and hops — could be used to make beer (malted wheat and yeast, the catalyst of all fermentation, were added later). Even today, these are still beer’s standard ingredients worldwide. Hofbräuhaus, Germany’s most famous beer hall, is located right in the center of Munich near the Marienplatz, and has a long and

Beer on the road: Alan Moen has an Oktoberfest beer and a meal at Hofbräuhaus, Germany’s most famous beer hall.

colorful history. It was originally built as a brewery in 1589 by Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria, and opened to the thirsty public in 1828 by King Ludwig I (who had started Oktoberfest 18 years earlier.)

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The venerable establishment was expanded to include a huge beer hall in 1897. Since 1852, Hofbräuhaus has been owned by the state of Bavaria. All the brewery buildings except the beer hall were destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II, and the hall itself was restored in 1958. It’s currently one of only two Munich breweries not owned by foreign interests (the other, Augustiner, is now Munich’s only independent brewery.) It’s a giant beer hall in the German tradition (seating up to 1,300, with a smaller bierstube or pub area as well) where patrons share tables to quaff their favorite brews. You’ll find quite a variety of

Bierhuis Kulminator in Belgium — named the best beer bar in the world — has a plain exterior and is overseen by Dirk (above right) and his wife, Leen.

people here from young singles to families (Germany has no prohibition against children being in drinking establishments) to sports club members and senior citizens. There were only four beers on the menu when I visited a few years ago — helles (a light lager), dunkles (dark lager), a seasonal Oktoberfest beer, and a weissbier (wheat ale). But you don’t come for the beer variety or the pretzels and sausages alone, but for the history-drenched atmosphere and people watching. Service can be a bit less friendly than desirable in this fairly touristy place, but it’s still

a great spot to have a beer.

Bierhuis Kulminator, Antwerp, Belgium

Kulminator has quite a reputation. It was named “the best beer bar in the world” by RateBeer, a website which posts consumer reviews of thousands of beers, pubs, and breweries. Like the best Belgian beers, this establishment in Antwerp is quirky but highly memorable. It’s a rather small place, cozy and unpretentious, but packed with the biggest beer lineup that you’ll ever see, with a beer list two inches thick. The place is right at the edge

April 2017 | The Good Life

of the old city, not far from the town’s cathedral. It’s a bit like a beer museum, stocked full of bottles and beer memorabilia. There are only six to eight beers on tap, mostly standard Belgian brews, but around 600 are available in the bottle, some as much as 30 years old. Most American beer drinkers are not used to drinking aged beers, but there’s long tradition of vintage beers in Belgium. Many Belgian beers like the Trappist brews Westvleteren or Rochefort are bottle-conditioned — that is, containing live yeast in the bottle, which allows them to age for a long time without spoiling.

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These are also often strong beers, having 8 to 12 percent alcohol by volume, which allows them to age quite well. It’s amazing to try different vintages of the same beer side by side, much like a “vertical tasting” of wines. Kulminator is run by an old couple, Dirk and Leen, who wait on all their customers and religiously serve their beers, making sure each one is in its proper glass (you won’t find any American shaker pint glasses here.) Some patrons have complained that their service (especially from Dirk) can be a bit brusque, but that was not my

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boots; a pair of Harry Houdini’s handcuffs are attached to the bar rail. Chicken wishbones (mostly removed now by the health department) hang above the bar were left by World War I soldiers as a lucky charm for their safe return (appar}}} Continued from previous page ently some never came back.) experience. The floor is covered There’s a minimal with sawdust, a reminder amount of food at Kulmiof the old days when nator, mostly cheese and spitting and spills were sausages. common occurrences in You can expect to spend taverns. some serious money here, Unlike the pub, its as many aged beers will eponymous beer is basic cost from $15 - 50 for a and not very noteworthy: 750ml bottle. But when a pale ale and a black you can drink some of the Beveridge Place is probably the most comfortable place to drink good beer in Seattle. Photo by Kendall Jones lager is all you’ll get here, best beers in the world, but even the pedigree This March, Beveridge Place such as the 2006 WestverleterPlace really is the name of the of the brews is like a beer hishosted a Belgian beer and ern 12, in this unique setting, it’s street on which it’s located.) tory in itself: first made by the definitely worth it. Beveridge Place is probably the cheese tasting, a Seattle SoundFidelio Brewery, then by the most comfortable place to drink ers season opening night party, Rheingold Brewery (makers of and their 15th annual Barleygood beer in Seattle — a spaBeveridge Place Pub, Falstaff,) then by Schmidt’s, cious hangout with sofas, tables, wine Bacchanal, with over 30 Seattle then by Stroh, until they sold all barley wines on tap and 70 and a separate game room (if World-class beer bars can be of their brands to Pabst, whose you really do want to watch TV.) poured over the course of four found in the Northwest, too. beers are now made by MillerThe beautiful antique bar sports straight days. Seattle is well known for its With a beer menu like that, it’s Coors. 32 taps, offering a rotating alehouses, which unlike other Until 1970, women were not a pity that they don’t offer lodgeclectic mix of beers and ciders cities where pubs often carry allowed at McSorley’s, but a sucing as well! from the Northwest as well as only a brewery’s own beers, offer cessful lawsuit by the National Belgium, Germany, the UK, and their customers a wide range of Organization of Women forced even Japan. McSorley’s Old Ale House, beers from the local scene and the bar to change its policy — Like some other great beer New York City beyond. sort of. bars around the country, BeverDesignated the oldest Irish While some alehouses in the When my wife and I first idge Place does not serve food. bar in New York, McSorley’s Seattle area boast more than 100 visited the place many years ago, Instead, they offer a “menu Old Ale House was supposedly taps, quantity does not often there was still only one restroom book” that lists many local established in 1854, although mean quality, and the best ones there, replete with big porcelain restaurants that offer take out or the exact date of its founding is usually have 40 beers or less on urinals and stalls (a ladies’ room delivery service. not clear. draught. was finally added in 1986.) As “We decided to concentrate on Located in the city’s East VilAnd among the very best of my wife went to use it, the old what we know best, quality bevlage, McSorley’s has survived the waiter winked at her. “No fair them is the Beveridge Place Pub erages,” Gary Sinc said. The pub Civil War, the Great Depression, peeking at the boys, honey!” he in West Seattle, chosen best is also one of the few beer bars two World Wars and Prohibialehouse in Washington by the smiled. in town where customers are altion, and stands as a monument readers of Northwest Brewing How could you not like this lowed to bring their own food. to beer drinking in America. News for five years in a row. place? As if that’s not enough, BevIts mottos are “Be Good or Be Originally owners of the Alan Moen of Entiat is the former eridge Place is dog friendly, too, Gone,” and “We were here before nearby Full Moon Saloon, publieditor of Northwest Brewing News, and there’s rarely a time when you were born.” and still a senior writer and columcans Gary Sinc and Terri Griffith man’s best friend can’t be seen nist for American Brewer magazine. New York is one of the oldest are true beer fanatics. In 2008, curled up at the feet of a happy He wrote about attending Munich’s American cities, and visiting they moved their pub to a newly customer. Oktoberfest in a previous issue of McSorley’s is like taking a big remodeled location not far away The Good Life. Something special is going on step back in time. that once was the site of the almost every night at the pub, Hanging from the blackened, Got a good story to tell? old White Horse Tavern, and with beer dinners, trivia congrease-encrusted ceiling are email: christened it Beveridge Place tests, cask beer tappings and John Kennedy’s grandfather’s editor@ncwgoodlife.com Pub (believe it or not, Beveridge other events.

great bars to visit

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April 2017

s ’ y a w d r O y r a C CENTRAL

WASHINGTON

Experience

Historic hotels: Pure luxury never gets old T here’s nothing like the charm of a historic hotel to create a certain ambience for that special getaway with your Significant Other. The stately, often ornate architecture and just the sense of history separate these hotels from the rest of the pack.

The views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier are incredible. In spring and summer, the wildflower meadows and the mountain scenery are colorful and awe-inspiring. There are miles of walking trails and, nearby, you can visit the Longmire Museum and other park visitor centers.

Washington state and the Pacific Northwest are blessed with a number of historic hotels, each unique in its own way. Whether it’s a mountain retreat or an excursion to the coast, chances are you can find a historic hotel to enjoy for at least part of your trip. They can be great for couples and often are fun family getaways as well.

For more information, please visit www.mtrainierguestservices.com or phone 360-569-2275.

Here are a few examples of historic hotels in Washington. Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center Walla Walla is a popular wine region in Washington that also happens to have one of the state’s most luxurious historic hotels -- The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center. It’s a landmark in Walla Walla and features 133 luxurious guest rooms and suites that are just ideal for that special getaway. The hotel also has an award-winning restaurant as well as six winetasting rooms. The Marcus Whitman was built in the late 1920’s and was considered the finest hotel for hundreds of miles. The hotel

Ann Starrett Mansion Marcus Whitman is ideal for wine-lovers who enjoy a luxurious stay in wine counjtry Cary Ordway is publisher of NorthwestTravelAdvisor.com and host of Exploring the Northwest, heard at12:40 p.m.weekdays on KPQ 560 AM, Wenatchee. Central Washington Experience is made possible by the sponsors appearing in these articles. Email: getawaymediacorp@gmail.com; Twitter: @getawayguy

drew presidents, celebrities and dignitaries with its elegant rooms, friendly service and famous restaurant. Eventually it fell into a state of disrepair but, in 1999, the hotel was completely restored to the opulence of its early days. This fit perfectly with the burgeoning wine industry in Walla Walla. Today, wine-lovers can enjoy visiting this unique hotel while touring the many wineries in the region.

an amazing building in one of the most beautiful locations in Washington. The inn offers traditional mountain lodge-style accommodations. The Paradise Inn is located in Mount Rainier National Park and has 121 guest rooms altogether. There’s a restaurant, cafe and gift shop on the premises.

For more information, please visit www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com or phone 866- 826-9422. Paradise Inn The Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier was built in 1916. If you’ve seen the pictures of this place, it is SPRING 2017 | THE GOOD LIFE | Central Washington Experience |

You’ll get a big dose of history if you head for the Olympic Peninsula and Port Townsend, where you’ll find the Ann Starrett Mansion. This stately building is an 11-room Victorian hotel that was built in a city known as Washington’s Victorian Seaport. The Ann Starrett Mansion dates back to 1889 and the architecture from that period is well preserved. There’s a three -tiered spiral staircase that winds its way up a 70-foot tower and you’ll even find a unique solar calendar in the dome.

Historic hotels...

Where classic luxury never gets old

(from page 19) The hotel was actually built on a bluff, so it has panoramic views of Puget Sound. When you step inside you notice the period decor right away. It’s been furished with luxurious period antiques that remind you of the 19th Century. As you might expect, the rooms are very nice and each has a private bathroom. It’s easy to walk from the mansion to many of the town’s tourist attractions -- and there are many. There are lots of galleries, museums as well as historic bars and restaurants. For more information, please visit www.starrettmansion.com or phone 1-800-321-0644. Davenport Hotel Next time you’re in Spokane, be sure to carve out some time to at least visit the Davenport Hotel. The Davenport is a luxury riverside hotel that is a regional landmark. It was built in 1914 and has distinctive architecture that sets it apart from all other buildings in Spokane. Big events are often held at the hotel with guests arriving in the grand Spanish Renaissance lobby and proceeding to the city’s oldest and most magnificent ballroom. This is one of those places you go if you really want to impress your Significant Other. The architectural touches include lots

of marble, hand-painted frescoes and gold leaf detailing. The Davenport Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a location that is ideal for taking advantage of Spokane’s downtown shops and restaurants. And Riverside Park is just a short distance away. For more information, please visit www.davenporthotelcollection. com or phone 800-899-1482. Roche Harbor Resort The San Juan Islands are incredibly beautiful and easy to visit via the Washington State Ferries. Just take the ferry to Friday Harbor and you’ll find Roche Harbor Resort just a short drive from town. People who visit Roche Harbor Resort are absolutely charmed with the unique historic architecture, the gorgeous and colorful grounds and the location right on one of the islands’ most beautiful harbors. In summer, the pleasure boats nearly fill the harbor as it’s one of the most popular boater’s destinations in the San Juans.

Rooms in the Davenport Tower are exquisite

Exploring the Northwest airs M-F on KPQ

early all of the destinations you see in the Central Washington Experience section of the Good Life Magazine are featured on Newsradio KPQ 560 as part of the noon news.

Cary Ordway

The Exploring the Northwest travel segment is heard at 12:40 p.m. Monday through Friday and features NorthwestTravelAdvisor. com Publisher Cary Ordway along with veteran Seattle radio personality Tony Miner.

Roche Harbor’s Hotel de Haro is also the oldest operating hotel in the state of Washington -- it actually opened for business in 1886.

Ordway and Miner are known for their on-air chemistry and the two are long-time friends off the air. Ordway lives in the Lake Chelan area, while Miner lives in La Conner.

For more information, please visit www.rocheharbor.com or phone 800-451-8910.

Exploring the Northwest had its origins on KING AM in Seattle in 1984. The show was soon

SPRING 2017 | THE GOOD LIFE | Central Washington Experience |

Tony Miner syndicated statewide. Today, Exploring the Northwest is heard on 11 stations in Washington. Free podcasts are available online at www. northwesttraveladvisor.com.

Scenic thrills

ideal for biking with beautiful winding hills, rolling pastures and seaside views. There is also amazing wildlife such as bald eagles soaring overhead and deer roaming the valleys and foothills. Your Terratrek tour will take you on inn-to-inn bike trips that can last between two and six days. You can pedal through evergreen forests, incredibly beautiful meadows and enjoy the rural setting of farms and waterfront villages.

Adventure trips offer different experience

hile easy-going road trips are a great way to relax and experience the sights of the Pacific Northwest, there is another experience waiting out there for those who want just a bit more from their vacation or getaway. The adventure trip allows you to combine new sights and sounds with new experiences, some of them a little bit on the edge. There are many such adventure trips available in the Northwest if you just look for them. Here are five examples of trips that you’ll long remember: River rafting

Amazing scenery awaits in San Juans

Event tour that gives you a total of 15 river miles with plenty of whitewater along the way. This trip takes rafters down the river from Leavenworth to Cashmere, which is about a four-hour adventure. The trip ends with a barbecue beach party at Huck’s Landing, a spot on the river that Osprey Rafting has set aside for clients to enjoy meals and great river-front scenery. Because of abundant waterflow, this trip lasts all season long, usually starting in April and continuing into the fall.

North Central Washington is loaded with adventure activities and one of them is rafting down the scenic Wenatchee River. These day trips are fun for all ages.

For more information, please visit www.ospreyrafting.com or phone 509-548-6800.

Rafting a Class 3 river like the Wenatchee can be quite a thrill ride, but it’s just the right level of excitement for someone who enjoys a little speed and action but may not be adventurous enough to try more challenging rapids.

Here’s a way to enjoy Northwest scenery and stay in shape at the same time -- biking your way through the San Juan Islands. Terratrek tours offers inn-to-inn biking trips through the San Juans in which you bike by day and stay in local inns at night.

Osprey Rafting offers a Main

The majestic San Juan Islands are

Biking the San Juans

Sea life also plays an important part in your bicycle excursion through the San Juans. You can either sea kayak or take a whalewatching cruise on one of the tour days. Best of all, no biking experience is necessary. The tour operators will show you everything you need to know. For more information, please visit www.goterratrek.com or phone 888-441-2433. Fire lookouts The state of Oregon has 17 fire lookouts that you can book for an overnight stay. You may recall pictures of these lookouts -towers built in the wilderness with unsurpassed views of forests and virgin terrain. After all, the whole reason these were built was to to spot fires in some of the most remote places in the Northwest. You can book these fire lookouts online, although you need to do it far in advance -- as far as six months out. You can also try reserving midweek, which is more likely to open up. Most of the towers allow renters to book dates in the spring, summer and fall.

SPRING 2017 | THE GOOD LIFE | Central Washington Experience |

Accommodations can be Spartan and don’t expect a luxury resort on the top of those stilts. But the views are worth it. You’ll be sleeping right in the tower where you can look out and see miles and miles of Pacific Northwest scenery in every direction. For more information on booking a night in a fire lookout, go to www.recreation.gov. It’s suggested that you be ready to book at 7 a.m. in the morning when new openings come available. Columbia, Snake River cruises There’s nothing quite like viewing our gorgeous Northwest scenery from the water. And one great way to do that is to hop on board one of the small ships that explore the Columbia and Snake rivers. These vessels are designed specifically for rivers and close-toshore sightseeing. The Sea Bird takes passengers on a seven-day river cruise and, along the way, you’ll be able to explore the Palouse River and spectacular Hells Canyon. Lewis and Clark Wildlife Refuge is also on the itinerary and, leaving from Portland, you’ll have ports of call in such Oregon cities as Astoria, Hood River and the Dalles. You’ll disembark in Clarkston, Washington. The Sea Bird accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Passengers compare the experience to that of a large private yacht, where you get to know your fellow passengers. For more information, please visit www.adventure-life.com or phone 1-800-344-6118.

ALL IN THE FAMILY ‘Relatively’ speaking, this retirement spot is paradise Story by Susan Lagsdin Photos by Donna Cassidy

Bob and April Adamson

love to tell the story of a critical friend who looked askance at the big prow front window wall of their new house. “But why? Why would you bother? You don’t even have a view.” They beg to differ. The Adamsons recently retired on 20 acres five miles up the Chiwawa Loop Road out of Plain, where far across a wide, grassy meadow a half mile stretch of old growth aspen grove delights them every day, every season, and the sun plays games with the colors of the clouds. “I guess they thought we didn’t have a view because it’s just a small mountain we face, not the ocean or the whole Cascade Range,” said April. It gets better: no close-by human neighbors distract them; after just 18 months they know each resident buck deer by its signature horns, and they are familiar with the families of nesting flickers and woodpeckers. April said, straight-faced, “We’re still just fledgling birdwatchers…” (That hobby may take wing.) Unlike many new residents, the Adamsons never did have

TOP: Winter-proofed and basking in the early March sunshine, the Adamson’s house has everything they need for retirement pleasures, and a stronger than average focus on “location, location, location.” ABOVE: The big view windows were a first-draft must-have — The couple say seasonal sunshine and shadow make dramatic differences in the big main room; with no neighbors there’s no need for shades.

a vacation cabin here that was swapped up or remodeled into a full-time home. They didn’t take weekend trips exploring east-side communities before they retired, calculating which one would give them the fullest outdoor and cultural life. Nor were they unexpectedly plunked down by a singular job opportunity. Nope, they had an even better reason to move here. It is “home.”

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It’s home in the most traditional sense of the word — inherited acreage in a little town that’s still alive with the several descendants of Bob’s pioneering great-grandfather W.W. Burgess. He originally homesteaded 160 acres in 1895, built a log house on Beaver Valley Road and

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April 2017

raised five children. One of his sons, Bob’s grandfather (his mother’s dad) went on to purchase 1,200 acres farther up the valley, and his four children inherited parts of that. Bob’s mother and father built a home next door on their share and now Bob has inherited his 21-acre portion. They always knew they’d live in Plain, and they knew exactly where their house would be.

The Adamsons kept the kitchen simple but insisted on a special cut of hickory for the cupboards and a discreet color for the stylish backsplash tiles. That restraint plays well on the fireplace materials, too.

Bob and April started sketching designs in 2012, and it was built to their specifications by One Way Construction. The cathedral-ceiling living room with its distinctive windows dominates the ground floor, with a dining area and kitchen visually separated under a lower ceiling. The big loft guest bedroom and bath and the downstairs master suite and small bedroom serve them well; most guests are their son Matthew, his wife Liz, and their young sons Caleb and Ethan. Some of their favorite choices — ones they see every day — are all the carefully chosen woods. n The bath and kitchen cabinets. “The first hickory samples we saw were striped and too garish — but then we saw hickory heartwood and fell

in love with it,” said April. n The scraped-surface floors. Bob explained, “This is ‘engineered hardwood.’ There’s a plywood base with a hardwood top. It’s solid and easy to repair, and it costs less.” The cathedral ceiling, doors and trim are all

April 2017 | The Good Life

warm, natural-finish knotty alder. Some of the interior details of the 2,494-square-foot house are just plain sensible, not necessarily meant for stylishness, and offer them exactly the level of comfort and

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convenience they were hoping for. Most of the rooms, hallway and stairs are softened by plushy beige carpeting. The bathrooms feature conventional tub/shower combos, one with a fiberglass shell. Quartz countertops do the

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Bob and April left long careers in elementary education. The artwork above them, a custom-made retirement gift, is actually a heavy burnished metal piece depicting their “little house on the prairie.” (The friendly little bear peeking over Bob’s shoulder was their grandson’s rug.)

ALL IN THE FAMILY

the same variegated earth tone color. One luxury they’ve learned to appreciate is instant hot water. “I always hated wasting water, watching a shower run cold for two minutes…” Bob said. He continued, “We have radiant heating in two places. In the master bathroom, it’s actually too warm, but in the utility room it’s perfect for drying out snow clothes in the winter.” After living several seasons in

}}} Continued from previous page same job as granite. They agonized over the placement and style of the fireplace, but went understated with El Dorado stone. Their walk-in closet was outfitted in a shipped and ready-to-install system that worked, down to the last quarter-inch. The big square tiles in bathrooms and kitchen (and a builder-suggested strip in front of the fireplace) are all

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Distinctive earth-toned tiles used throughout the house extend to surround the loft-level guest bath, and the hickory heartwood cabinets (similar to those in the kitchen) allow plenty of storage.

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the garage a little deeper for a workbench. But they use the whole place well and happily: the huge deck on the sunny front of their living room, a shady back patio for

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April hikes nearby woods and has learned to cross-country ski on trails that go almost the entire five miles from town to driveway.

Here’s where some indulgence comes in. How can you enjoy a big TV, a cozy fireplace, talking with friends and the view behind you all in the same five minutes? Bob insisted on swivel recliners.

summer days, plenty of storage room, and all in the perfect location. In the Chumstick Valley, in that town, on that road — there’s no place else they’d rather be. Though Bob and April loved their careers in Yakima, hers in the elementary classroom and his as an elementary principal, they’ve left behind the stressors of work and gracefully segued into Plain life. They’re involved with the Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue Auxiliary (and its famous fundraising rummage sale) and in the Chumstick

Valley’s chapter of FireWise. Bob also proudly “inherited” a position once held by his father, Jim, on the Board of Directors of the Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth, a cause that was dear to the elder Adamson. April knows if she gets a re-yearning to teach there are volunteer opportunities in the local school. April hikes nearby woods and has learned to cross-country ski on trails that go almost the entire five miles from town to driveway. Bob, a lifelong sledder, guides

mountain snowmobile trips for nearby Mountain Springs Lodge,

owned by a cousin. April said, “We visited Plain a lot over the years — and we knew someday we’d be living here. There are cousins all over the place, and we’ve known them for a long time.” They are secure amid an old and much-extended ring of relatives (dozens of cousins, by count) and their son’s family feels a special attachment to the house that mom and dad built. Some day in the future they will be owners and not guests, and their sons will… well, we know how that can go on.

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PET tales M

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ickey Cunningham of Wenatchee walks Cricket, her rescue dog, at Riverfront Park regularly. Cricket, 10, is a poodle schnauzer mix that Mickey got from the Humane Society. “I wanted a poodle because my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I thought a dog would help. He did. He was my husband’s best buddy. We miss him,” said Mickey.

Mushu are 11-year-old pugs. JoAnn Nelson, East Wenatchee usually walks her dogs on the Riverfront loop trail on the eastside but on this day she and her dogs were walking on the westside. JoAnn says Miso and Mushu are brothers and are very loving, very gentle. She got them when they were puppies and she says they keep her company.

Tells us a story about your pet. Submit pet & owner pictures to: editor@ ncwgoodlife.com

herry and Dave McGregor, Wenatchee, flew all the way to Philadelphia in a snow storm to pick up Sophie and Bently who are litter mates. Sophie is in the carrier and has arthritis. She and Bently are 3 year old Norfolk Terriers. Roxy in the middle is a 10 year old Norwich Terrier. Sherry says the dogs are pretty easy going with plenty of personality. “They are big dogs with little bodies.” WENATCHEE Cascade Veterinary Clinic 509-663-0793 cascadevetclinic.com

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April 2017

column GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

bonnie orr

Learn to trust your senses in the kitchen Before 1890, many cookbook

recipes did not included actual measured ingredients — rather they had narrative recipes that called for a handful of flour, a lump of butter the size of an egg, etc. In addition, in those days, cooks spent a large part of their day in the kitchen and absorbed cooking lore from others’ experience. Recipes stating actual cooking times and specific heat did not appear until the 1930s when kitchens were outfitted with a gas or electric oven and stove top rather than a wood-fed cooking stove. And I believe that this latter innovation has discouraged cooks. Is 5 to 7 minutes a suggestion to find the mean number 6? When you read a recipe and it tells you to bake for 20 - 25 minutes — how are you supposed to know what that means? Why is there a variable? For me, the most difficult part of writing recipes for this column is figuring out what time to suggest. For you see, I have never used a timer. The timer leads great, wellmeaning cooks astray. One of my dearest friends was cooking fish fillets. He asked me to set the timer on the oven. I had to use the oven’s manual to figure out how to do it. And the fish did not turn out well. One piece was fatter than the other, and the directions in the recipe said 5 - 7 minutes on each side and repeat. You can well believe that the fish was overcooked and ruined. In the same way, cooks who use boxed ingredients, say for brownies, often end up with a dry, hard chocolaty brick even though they cooked it for ex-

When you read a recipe and it tells you to bake for 20 - 25 minutes — how are you supposed to know what that means? Why is there a variable? actly 35 minutes as stated on the back of the box. It is disappointing when your dish does not resemble the photo in the cookbook. Actually, I have only achieved the identical look twice in all my years of cooking. I was so pleased I took a picture — but I did not send it to anyone! One of my cooking friends selects elaborate recipes based on photos and follows the instructions precisely — and has yet to serve a really tasty meal. It is following the timing directions precisely that causes the dish to waver. She does not use her nose nor her fingertips nor her ears nor her taste buds to gage how the ingredients are cooking. No matter how reliable the cookbook or magazine is, each stove top, each pan, each oven has its own range of temperatures. And anyway, what exactly is a “large sauté pan”? Is it 10, 12, 15 inches in diameter? How do >> RANDOM QUOTE

You can’t NOT cross the street because you might get hit by a car. Tanya Masse April 2017 | The Good Life

you know exactly how much oil to heat in a pan if it is not clear how large the bottom of the pan is? The truth seems to be that a recipe’s directions are suggestions for success. But cooking is a deliberate activity. My nose and my ears and my fingers are always engaged in what is happening on the stove top and in the oven. Bread has a certain smell when it is fully baked — so do cookies. Sautéing vegetables have a certain sizzle as the water evaporates from the tissues that indicate the sautéing is complete. I can feel when the pie crust ingredients have come together just perfectly for a flaky crust. If they feel wrong, I start another batch of dough. And I confess, the reason that I never specify the amount of salt or pepper in one of my recipes is that I do not taste while I cook. My nose, fingers and ears give me enough information, and I don’t have to taste and sample those extra calories. I have read that most ovens are at least 25 degrees off what the setting says. This inaccuracy affects how long a dish should

be baked. My oven is 50 degrees cooler than the setting when the pre-warm buzzer rings. My Whirlpool oven and I have had to learn to negotiate what I want the temperature to be and what it thinks it wants the temperature to be. It is not a love/ hate relationship — it is just one with no respect. I bought a thermometer that fits on the baking rack. In addition I have been using guidelines for internal temperatures of baked goods. Nearly all cooks use a meat thermometer to ensure safe internal temperature of meat. Internal temperatures of baked goods will vary based on ingredients, but I have found reliable rules of thumb. I use an instant read thermometer. For example, bread is cooked at 200 degrees, a fruit pie at 175, a cheesecake at 155. I will share further results when I have sussed them out. I believe cooking failures are not the cook’s fault alone. Using the senses makes sense. Bonnie Orr — the dirt diva — cooks and gardens in East Wenatchee.

The Buzz on Native Bees Tuesday, April 18th - 7 p.m. A one-hour slide show and discussion by Dr. Don Rolfs

Dr. Rolfs, a life-long naturalist and retired dentist, is building a field guide. With more than 600 species of native bees in Washington State, he hopes to inspire an appreciation for the rich diversity of native bees and their role in pollination. WenatcheeValleyMuseum.org www.ncwgoodlife.com

Sponsored by Wenatchee River Institute, this discussion is part of the Wenatchee Valley Environmental Film Series. A $5 donation is requested. Series sponsors are The Trust for Public Land, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and Wenatchee River Institute.

column moving up to the good life

june darling

Better boundaries make a better life Be neither a doormat nor a diva by knowing when to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’

n the ’80s, a new self-help concept seemed to pop up a lot. The term people tossed around to describe the notion was “personal boundaries.” The terminology may sound a bit jargony, dated, and not-quite-right, but the idea is useful. The basic belief behind per-

sonal boundaries is many of us could live better lives if we were: n Able to understand ourselves — be aware of our needs, values, thoughts and feelings, for example. n AND were capable of expressing those needs, values, thoughts and feelings properly to others. Healthy personal boundaries is being able to say what is okay and not okay, according to popular social researcher and speaker, Dr. Brené Brown. We learn

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April could be the perfect month for examining the condition of your “fences”... to speak up for ourselves while being respectful and sensitive to the values, needs, thoughts and feelings of others. Let me give you an example of a person whose life improved drastically and quickly as soon as she understood more about personal boundaries. Sheila’s profession is dentistry. She likes the technical side of dentistry, but sometimes has problems when it comes to dealing with people. It’s not she doesn’t like people, she does. What happens is Sheila often fears expressing her needs around money. For example, even though her financial policy is fair and based on sound practice, she often disregards it because she wants to be kind or wants people to like her. The end result is Sheila feels taken advantage of, is resentful, and isn’t able to pay her bills. To top it off, she receives many more letters of complaints than letters of appreciation from her patients. Once Sheila understood more about healthy boundaries and started practicing expressing her needs in respectful ways, she became much happier in her work AND began making the money she rightly deserved to be paid for the services she had provided. Sheila is an example of a person whose boundaries need to be strengthened. Some people, however, need to loosen up their

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April 2017

boundaries. They are too rigid. Maybe you’re scratching your head and thinking about how you would know if you have healthy boundaries, or if they are too weak, or too rigid. If you are “nice” but often feel angry, exhausted and unheard; if you hear yourself saying “yes” when you really want to say “no,” perhaps you are being pushed beyond your limits. Your boundaries may be too loose or weak. You may give much more than you receive. People in this camp generally think more about others than themselves. If you feel lonely, isolated and have few friends; if people often call you “rude,” if you hear yourself always saying “no” when you may sometimes want to say “yes,” maybe your boundaries are too rigid. Maybe your behaviors keep people at arm’s length. Maybe you pick fights. Maybe you take much more than you give. People in this camp generally focus on their own needs and don’t give much thought to others. People with healthy boundaries value themselves and balance that with a concern for others. “Well boundaried” people (stay with me; if I ever think of a better way of expressing this, you will be the first to hear) have a good sense of mutual support, they both give and take, they are flexible. Now here’s one of the most surprising findings Dr. Brown reported. In her research, the well boundaried people were “absolutely the most compassionate.” Brown tries to explain this by pointing to her own situation. For many years she says she was

If you get overly involved in other’s problems, practice stepping back. “sweet,” but resentful. Now she is truly loving and generous, but not so sweet. She has learned to speak up, to say both “yes” and “no,” and to consider others’ rights as well as her own. If you’d like to have healthier boundaries, here are a few suggestions: n Find out more information on boundaries, read a few articles. There’s much more to learn. n Keep your eyes open for a good role model — someone who isn’t a doormat, nor a diva. See how they conduct themselves. n Observe yourself. Do you seem to be more weak or more rigid with your boundaries? n Take small steps forward toward healthier boundaries by saying a few more “no’s” if you want to strengthen your boundaries or a few more “yes’s” if you want to loosen your boundaries.

Say your opinion more, speak up if you’re on the weak side. Listen more if you’re on the rigid side. If you get overly involved in other’s problems, practice stepping back. If you rarely get involved in others’ problems, try giving a little more support. If you always ask for help, try doing something on your own. If you never ask for help, occasionally ask. n Don’t expect perfection. Establishing healthy boundaries is a life-long process. I was recently re-reading Mending Wall by the American poet, Robert Frost. You may only remember the last line, but have forgotten the poem itself. It’s a rather playful account of two neighbors in New England getting together in the spring, after the snow has melted, to examine and repair the wall that divides their land. Frost seems to be musing about relationships, community and whether a wall between neighbors is a good thing. His rather rigid neighbor repeats a couple of times: “good fences make good neighbors.” April could be the perfect month for examining the condi-

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tion of your “fences” — perhaps not literally on your land, but metaphorically in other areas of your life. Do you need to draw some boundary lines? Do you need to carve out a “Welcome” sign on your gate? I consider myself to lean more toward the softer boundaries side although my closest friends would probably disagree. Recently I said to someone, “You have overstepped your bounds with me.” I felt this was a pretty big step forward for me. I’ve never expressed that sentiment other than when I taught eighth-graders years ago. I was prepared for a backlash. Instead I seemed to have gotten respect. Not only did I get self-respect, but also respect from the other person who simply replied, “Yes, ma’am.” How might you move up to The Good Life by examining and mending your personal boundaries? June Darling, Ph.D. can be contacted at drjunedarling1@gmail. com; website: www.summitgroupresources.com. Her books, including 7 Giant Steps To The Good Life, can be bought or read for free at Amazon.com.

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column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

Is coconut oil actually healthy for you? With so many oils extolling their benefits — which do you choose?

y wife, Lynn, was recently extolling the virtues of coconut oil, which seems to be one of the latest oil favorites. I questioned why she thought it was so good, and her response was she had been reading a lot about its many benefits for cooking and eating, as well as helping hair and skin. As a skeptic on many things that appear on the internet, I decided to do a little exploring myself. I first went to the popular organic Sprouts grocery store in Surprise, AZ., where we were spending some time this winter. I was frankly blown away by all the various choices offered in the category of oils for cooking and adding to foods. On their shelves I found 15 different unique oils including coconut oil, avocado oil, canola oil, safflower oil, olive oil, hemp oil, macadamia nut oil, flaxseed oil, sesame oil, almond oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, palm oil and red palm oil. When I research subjects like this, I rely on articles from

respected medical schools, scientifically backed research and websites like the American Heart Association or American College of Cardiology. I try to avoid much of the hype internet sites often put out. I do not believe in “alternative facts.” Some sites such as the Whole Foods site, profit from the sales of various products like coconut oil and tout it as being great for your health. But, I wondered, is this really true? Our bodies do need fat as it is a major source of energy. It helps us absorb some vitamins and minerals, is needed to build our cell membranes, and plays a role in our blood clotting, muscle movement and inflammation. The oils we use in cooking, baking and salad dressings are fat made from chains of carbon atoms combined with hydrogen atoms. Not all oils are the same. There are monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats, saturated fat and trans fat. The first two fats are good for us and the last two are harmful for our heart health. Trans fats are known to be particularly unhealthy. They are an industrial creation in which the carbon chain is supersaturated with hydrogen in an attempt to have it last longer and

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Healthy and yummy salad dressing Here is a favorite healthy salad dressing, which our family likes, that I make. I mix 1:1 extra virgin olive oil and original rice vinegar, add a bit of Dijon mustard and crushed garlic (comes in tubes). Stir or shake. I adjust the ingredients based on the taste. Even our grandkids love it. Enjoy. be less likely to become rancid. Trans fats raise the bad LDL cholesterol to dangerous levels, decrease the good HDL cholesterol, and create inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Fortunately trans fats have essentially been banned and removed from most food products. You still have to be a bit wary if you see a product saying it contains “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” fat, a process similar to making trans fat. I know this might seem complicated which isn’t my intent. My take home message is when buying oils for cooking or added to salads, try to get pri-

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April 2017

marily mono or polyunsaturated oils that are either not harmful but are in fact healthy for you. In the 1960s it became apparent residents of Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean had a very low rate of heart disease. This was attributed to their nearly exclusive use of olive oil rather than saturated fats. Olive oil contains 78 percent monounsaturated fat and 8 percent polyunsaturated fat. There is plenty of evidence the Mediterranean diet emphasizing olive oil is very good for your heart health. Both mono and polyunsaturated oils raise good HDL and lower LDL and include fats from vegetables, nuts, seeds and fish. Good sources of monos are olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, nut oil, safflower oil and sunflower oils. Olive oil has 78 percent monounsaturated oil, rapeseed 63 percent, corn oil 54 percent and sunflower oil 65 percent. Coconut oil, on the other hand, has 86 percent saturated fat compared to butter, which has 51 percent. The American Heart Association recommends we limit our saturated fat intake to no more than 13 grams per day. That is the amount in one tablespoon of coconut oil. The claim coconut oil might be helpful in Alzheimer’s disease has no scientific or research backing. The excellent WebMD internet site recommends the following three oils would cover your cooking and baking needs as well as being relatively healthy. Number one is extra virgin olive oils, which are also high in antioxidants linked to heart

The claim coconut oil might be helpful in Alzheimer’s disease has no scientific or research backing. health. If it isn’t “virgin,” it doesn’t contain these antioxidants. Olive oil can be used in sautéing vegetables, drizzled on vegetables and used to make excellent salad dressing. Canola oil is good in baking, sautéing, roasting and in salad dressing. It can also be mixed 1:1 with olive oil for use in salad dressing. The third recommended oil is walnut oil with its rich nutty flavor and 91 percent unsaturated fat ratio. Three other oils good for cooking include grape seed oil, peanut oil and sesame oil. The

first two contain high mono and polyunsaturated fats and very low saturated fat. There is some controversy about grape seed oil and health, and for that reason I personally will avoid it in my cooking. Sesame oil is essential in Asian cooking used best when added to the oil used in stir frying and drizzling small amounts on the finished dish. Fat is an important necessary component to our diets. Saturated fats, hydrogenated fats and trans fats are harmful and not good for our heart health. I can find no evidence supporting claims coconut oil or palm oil are beneficial healthwise and I think they should be avoided. Hopefully my wife will agree with me on this.

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Jim Brown, M.D., is a retired gastroenterologist who has practiced for 38 years in the Wenatchee area. He is a former CEO of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.

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Let the good times stroll Crowds can’t help but sway and smile when the accordion tunes roll out

By Susan Lagsdin

rank Calipristi certainly looks the part as he strolls through the dining room of King Ludwig’s Restaurant or livens up the summer crowds at Leavenworth’s central gazebo. His dapperness and demeanor, the dark lederhosen and embroidered shirt, and of course the ornate and glossy accordion on his chest mark him as a true Bavarian. “Sprichst du Deutsch?” A tourist might ask. “Nein, ich spreche kein Deutsch,” he’s learned to reply. Frank is of Sicilian descent, born and raised in South Philly’s Little Italy, with Korean Warera combat training followed by college degrees that lead him to high-clearance work around the country. General Electric’s aerospace program and Hanford’s nuclear program used his expertise, about which he’s humble. “Basically, I made triggers for nuclear devices,” and, he says, “At Hanford I was kind of the go-between for the tri-party agreement between Washington State, the EPA and the DOE.” Now at 84 he is one of Leavenworth’s most recognizable strolling accordion players, and it brings him great pleasure. Whenever he breaks into something evocative like the German Snow Waltz or Edelweiss or a lively polka tune, most people can’t help but sway a little, tap something, feel like dancing. He’s become part of the ambience of downtown, like the little shops, the mountain air, brats ’n’ beer.

He said part of the fun is gauging the crowd, edging toward the largest or most welcoming-looking group and enjoying their surprise. King Ludwig’s Restaurant returnees expect him to be there year after year — which he has been, for 22 in a row — and thousands of selfies and videos have been taken by tourists with Frank in the foreground, halftimbered muralled buildings or mountains in the background. “When I take requests, especially from older people,” said Frank, “I can tell from their expressions that the song is bringing back memories for them… that’s a nice thing to be able to do.” He has about 50 songs in his repertoire, many traditional German tunes, but he can bring out the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, King of the Road, It’s a Wonderful World. Modern stuff, he calls it, realizing the misnomer. “I don’t really play that acid rock and rap stuff…” It’s probably best. His Petosa accordion, of mahogany and floral inlay, was custom-made in a small town in Italy and found in Seattle. (A second one, the dealer said, would retail today for $12,000.) “You know, the accordion isn’t even German in origin,” Frank explained. It’s a point of pride to him that “the Italians invented it in 1860 with just buttons,

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Tourists in Leavenworth have taken thousands of photos and videos of Frank Calipristi when he dresses in lederhosen and breaks out his custom-made accordion.

and it’s evolved to having keys on one side and buttons on the other.” And Frank himself isn’t even an accordionist in origin. He was and is proficient at the piano. He started playing the instrument as a child because he had a hankering to march in Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummer’s parade (an 8-hour celebration) and a piano was much too unwieldy.

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April 2017

So, he quickly taught himself to play and has been traveling around with one accordion or another ever since. Ironically, it was his penchant for another art form that brought him to Leavenworth. He drove up from the Tri-Cities and exhibited his oil paintings — many of which adorn the walls of his home on Alpensee Strasse — during the 1980s at Art in the Park. Later, vacationing with his wife and searching for the best place to retire, he remembered how beautiful the area was, and

... he opened his ... accordion case at the security gate. The guard demanded, “Play us a tune!” in 1996 they came to stay. Frank was never just window dressing and street sounds in his favorite tourist town. In retirement, his corporate strategy skills were easily recycled into community volunteerism. He soon became involved in the Royal Bavarians, a genial hosting group, and helped organize the Autumn Leaf Festival. Now he’s turned his talents to the multi-faceted Projekt Bayern and its popular, people-pleasing Octoberfest. Coin collecting and world travel round out his vigorous life. Frank shared this story from a big family reunion trip to Italy in 2007. Flying out of France from the Nice airport, he opened his (suspicious-looking?) accordion case at the security gate. The guard demanded, “Play us a tune!” Complying, he launched into Under Paris Skies, and by the second chorus guards had gathered together from the other checkpoints and joined armin-arm, swaying in a soulful and loud rendition of the song, doubtless startling the waiting crowds. “Play us another!” the guard demanded again. Frank looked at his watch, looked at the departure gate, and said, “You see that plane out there? If I miss it, I’m gonna have to walk to New York.” Frank knows he’s playing an instrument with an up-anddown, or rather in-and-out, history of popularity. Is it cool? Is it classical? Maybe not. But, oh does it bring him joy, and the tunes he squeezes out of it make other people smile and remember the past and want to dance.

fun stuff what to do around here for the next month NCW BLUES JAM, every second and fourth Monday. Riverside Pub. Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Weekly Club Runs, every Thursday check in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Pybus Public Market south entrance. Either a 5k or 10k walk or run on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. Complete 10 weekly runs and receive a free shirt. Cost: free (other than a smile). 2 Left Feet, every Thursday, 7 – 9 p.m. 2 Left Feet is a loose organization of local dance enthusiasts who would like to see more dancing in the Wenatchee Valley. Beginner lesson at the top of the hour followed by carefree social dancing. No partner necessary to join in the fun. Dance style will be 1940s swing with a bit of salsa, blues, waltz or tango thrown in. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Tread Lightly Fridays, noon. This concept is simple – as a business or employee, do something environmentally mindful each Friday. This could mean riding a bike to work, utilizing a self-container for takeouts, selling locally sourced foods, composting waste, or something else entirely. It can be as simple or complex as you like. This project, as part of the Our Valley What’s Next community visioning and development initiative, aims to help reduce the community’s carbon footprint while having fun at the same time. Participating businesses and individuals will receive attention on the Tread Lightly Friday Facebook page. There also will be classes held to educate businesses on how they can “tread lightly” and save money at the same time. Contact Tandi Canterbury with The Hunter’s Wife Health Bar at 509 264-7466 or tmcanterbury@gmail.com. Pack Walks every Saturday starting April 22, 9 a.m. Loop trail behind Pybus market. All dogs must be on a leash and bring doggie waste bags. Cost: free. Info: wenatcheefido.org. Jam at the Crow, 7 – 10 p.m. Every first Sunday. Special guest Mitch Pumpian. The Club Crow in Cashmere, 108 1/2 Cottage Ave. Cost: free. Retro Fools Day, 4/1, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Showcase your Euro carving April 2017 | The Good Life

skills in the slalom race and earn time deductions based on how old your gear is. Beer garden and view the stunt ditch while listening to some retro tunes. Best retro gear could win you a prize. Stevens Pass. Info: leavenworth.com. Women’s Escape, 4/1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding, yoga in the lodge, coffee, half-day instruction, camaraderie, lunch, and happy hour with appetizers and one free drink ticket. Mission Ridge. Info: missionridge.com. Taste Leavenworth, all of April, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Each April Leavenworth says “auf Wiedersehen” to winter with a month-long celebration called Spring Sensations. Shop, dine, lodge with specials in a “pear”ticular focus. Downtown Leavenworth. Info: Leavenworth. com. Plan your short PCT Trip, 4/1, 1 – 3 p.m. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Washington breaks down our

state’s more than 500 miles of PCT into stunning routes that can be easily knocked off in four to several days. Full color maps and profiles, and detailed and engaging route descriptions, including sites, history, flora, and fauna. A brand-new guide from the author Tami Asars of the Mountaineer’s Mount Adams and Wonderland trail guides. A Book for all Seasons. Cost: free. Spring Break at the Lake, 4/116. All day. There is something for everyone — from family scavenger hunts, fashion shows, baking and cookie decorating classes to wine tasting and hiking at Echo Ridge – you won’t get bored. Lake Chelan. Info: lakechelan.com. Upper Valley Nature Walks at Ski Hill, 4/6, 2 p.m. 4/18, 20, 5 p.m. Join Connie McCauley to explore the Ski Hill area, looking at wildflowers, birds and wildlife. Meet at Ski Hill parking lot. RSVP: hillary@cdlandtrust.org.

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Leavenworth

BirdFest

May 18-21, 2017 Discover the natural beauty of Central Washington!

• Keynote Speaker: Clay Taylor • Saturday - FREE Family Discovery Day Artwork © Heather Murphy 2017

LeavenworthSpringBirdFest.org www.ncwgoodlife.com

WHAT TO DO

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Canadian Wanderings, 4/6, 7 p.m. Join John King, AAA’s wideroaming Travel Research Coordinator and Cartographer, as he presents “Canadian Wanderings,” an informative talk following the Trans-Canada Highway to national parks, scenic routes and out-of-theway gems found across Canada. Plus, guests will receive a souvenir booklet with dozens of hand-drawn maps. AAA Wenatchee, 221 N Mission. RSVP 665-6299. For the Love of Spock, 4/6, 7 p.m. The late Leonard Nimoy’s son, Adam Nimoy, examines the enduring appeal of Star Trek’s Mr. Spock in this documentary feature narrated by Chris Pine (the actor who plays Capt. James T. Kirk in the most recent movie remakes of Star Trek). Much of the film is actually narrated by Leonard Nimoy as well, who jumped at the chance to work with his son. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. First Friday events include:

*Two Rivers Art Gallery, 4/7, 5 – 8 p.m. Featuring The Wenatchee Watercolor Society. Music by Well Strung, Jac Tiechner and Steve Sanders. Wines by Stemilt Creek Winery. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery.com. *Merriment Party Goods, 4/7, 5 – 8 p.m. Sips and snacks available. 23, S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. Info: facebook.com/merrimentpartygoods. *Tumbleweed Bead Co., 4/7, 5-7 p.m. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com. *Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 4/7, 5. – 8 p.m. High School Art Show continues through May 6. Light refreshments. Info: Wenatchee.org. Leavenworth Film Festival, 4/7, 6 p.m. come as you are film and party, 4/8, 5:30 p.m. dress to the nines and swagger down the red carpet after hitching a free ride in a limousine. Showcasing the best recent short films with a focus on outdoor pursuits and the natural world. Leavenworth Festhalle. Cost:

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$10-$20. Info: leavenworthfilmfestival.org. Slim Chance, 4/7, 6 – 8 p.m. Live performance on the Railcar. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Wen-Con, 4/8, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pop-culture convention with guest stars, vendors, artists, games, panel discussion, prizes, cosplay and many other activities. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $18. Info: towntoyotacenter.com. Leavenworth Town Walk, 4/8, 10 a.m. Tour begins at the Upper Valley Museum in Leavenworth. Find out what the buildings and shops in the Barvarian Village use to be. Where was City Hall? What about the old Opera House? The jail? What buildings were first to be remodeled to the Barvarian theme? Tours last from one to two hours. Cost: $5. Info: uppervalleymuseum. org. K9s and Wines, 4/8, 2 – 5 p.m. Chelan County Sheriff’s office and Jones of Washington are teaming up for this family –friendly event. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Dave Stamey, 4/8, 7 p.m. Live performance by Dave Stamey who has been a cowboy, a mule packer, a dude wrangler, and is now one of the most popular Western entertainers working today. He has been twice voted Entertainer of the Year, three times Male Performer of the Year and twice Songwriter of the Year by the Western Music Association, and received the Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists. He’s delighted audiences in 14 states, and finds that he prefers this to being stomped by angry horses. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $23 advanced or $25 at the door. Info: icicle.org. SweetHearts for Kids, 4/12, noon - 1 p.m. Celebrate Children’s Home Society of Washington’s SweetHearts for Kids benefit luncheon that supports Wenatchee children. Jason Gorney, director of Innovation for Children’s Home Society of Washington, will serves as the keynote speaker. Wenatchee Convention Center. Cost: $40. Info: childrenbshomesociety.org. Jordan World Circus, 4/12, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Aerialist, acrobats, rare white tigers, clowns and animals. Town Toyota Center. Info: towntoyotacenter.com. Lecture Series: Dustin Clark, The Politics of History: The Histo-

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April 2017

rian’s Craft and Why the past matters, 4/13, 2 – 3 p.m. WVC campus in Wenatchi Hall, McArthur Lecture Hall room 2105. Info: wvc.edu/ events. Film Series: Fire at Sea, 4/13, 7 p.m. Filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi has accumulated an incredible array of footage, portraying the history, culture and daily lives of the islanders on the island of Lampedusa, 150 miles south of Sicily. Focusing on 12-year-old Samuele, as he explores the land and attempts to gain mastery of the sea, the film slowly builds a breathtakingly naturalistic portrait of the Lampedusan people and the events that surround them. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advanced or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Cheryl Strayed – Livestream, 4/13, 7 p.m. Tickets to see Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild, are sold out but see a livestream at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Cheryl’s talk will be preceded by an exhibit hall full of local experts and enthusiasts sharing information about our trail systems, our land and the outdoor opportunities that surround us. Cost: free. Info: numericapac.org. The Geology of the inland pacific northwest, 4/14, 7 p.m. Explore North Central Washington geology with YouTube rock star and award winning University of Central Washington professor Nick Zentner. The Barn at Barn Beach Reserve, Leavenworth. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Wenatchee marathon, half marathon and 10k Run, 4/15, 6:30 a.m. Races start at the Performing Arts Plaza. Info: runwenatchee.com. Lake Chelan Earth Day Fair, 4/15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Honoring Mother Earth. Live music, food, crafts, book sale, garden center, alternative vehicles, renewable energy, energy conservation and more. Riverwalk Park, Chelan. Cost: free. Info: chelanearthdayfair.org. Easter Extravaganza, 4/15, 9 a.m. – noon. Kids and Easter bunny photos, storytelling, live band, bouncy house, raffle, Easter piñata, face painting, fire truck and more. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Sponsored by Hospitality Ministries. Hot Rodzz Car Show, 4/15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pybus Public Market. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Easter Sunrise Service and Egg Hunt, 4/16, 7 a.m. Three golden

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

eggs and tons of special eggs will be hidden around the mountain. Prizes inside each egg. Stevens Pass. Cost: free. Info: stevenspass. com. Wildflower Walk in the Foothills, 4/17, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Join Susan Ballinger on a walk less than one mile at a slow pace. RSVP: hillarycdlandtrust.org. Environmental Film: The Buzz on Native Bees, 4/18, 7 p.m. Dr. Don Rolfs, a life-long naturalist and retired dentist is building a field guide, with over 600 species of native bees in Washington State, he will give a one-hour slide show and discussion. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: $5 donation. Info: wvmcc.org. Feet Don’t Fail me now!, 4/18, 7:30 p.m. Tap and music show by Rhythmic Circus that mixes a live rock band and hard-hitting percussive dance guaranteed to enthrall all ages with its infectious rhythm. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $20-$35. Info: numericapac. org.

50 Simon St. SE, Suite A,

Native Plant Stewardship East Wenatchee Course: Conserving and restoring (509) 886-0700 shrub-steppe habitats, 4/20, 5/4, 6 – 8 p.m. Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, 18 N Wenatchee Ave. 4/25, Washington Our mission isNorth to enhanceCentral a person’s ability 4/27, 6 – 8 p.m. Wenatchee Public to maintain a life of independence and choice. Library. All day field trip 4/22, will 2017 Guardianship Forum explore examples of shrub-steppe FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 • 7:30 AM TO 4:00 PM habitats around Wenatchee. The (Registration & Exhibits Open at 7:30 AM) course provides 15 hours of direct training in shrub-steppe ecology, The Forum is a unique educational Dr. Susan identification of native and invasive Wehry is opportunity for those interested in learning plants, restoration skills other conabout guardianship, and the legal, social, and a board servation actions, supplemented certiﬁed ethical issues faced by disabled individuals geriatric by selected reading and videos for and their guardians. psychiatrist study at home. Info: Jim Evans, 206 with over 30 years of 678-8914 or jimevans@centuryel. Participants will have the opportunity professional experience. She net. In-Home Care Options • Home-Delivered Meals Girls Night Out, 4/20, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Purchase a swag bag for $25 that includes fun items from participating stores plus complimentary bites, beverage ticket and raffle ticket. Receive one raffle ticket for every $20 spent. Bag pickup at Merriment Party Goods. Info: wendowntown.org.

P.E.O. SPRING FASHION FLING and TEA, 4/20, 1 p.m. Will feature clothing from Upper Valley shops, tea, finger sandwiches, cookies and a raffle. Proceeds go toward scholarships for students and women continuing or returning to obtain higher education. Reservations must be made as seating is limited. Icicle Village Resort in Leavenworth, Cost: $25. Reservations: Jimi Wilson 763-3445 or jbwilson@nwi. net.

has educated attorneys, policy makers, judges, professional guardians, caregivers, administrators, physicians, and other health and human services professionals from Alaska to Florida on issues concerning whether an individual has capacity, the right of individuals with diminished capacity, guardianships, and patient centered care.

Movie on the Big Screen: Serving Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln and Okanogan Counties Ghostbusters, 4/20, 6:30 p.m. 1-800-572-4459 aaccw.org The original Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd classic. Numerica PerPlease register online at: www.guardianship2017.eventbrite.com forming Arts Center. Cost: $3. Info: For questions, please contact Erin Nelson at (509) 886 -0700 Ext: 232 Personalized Care & Support Options

www.waclc.org

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Personalized Care & Support Options

www.waclc.org

Upper Valley Nature Walks at Icicle Ridge Trail, 4/19, 9 a.m. – noon, 4/24, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Join Mall Boyd on an exploration of the Icicle Ridge Trail looking at wildflowers and wildlife. RVSP: hillary@ cdlandtrust.org. Right Tree, Right Place, 4/20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This program will discuss selecting the proper trees considering the site, risks and benefits and the best management practices. There will be four ISA arborist CEU’s for this program. Presented by Paula Dinius, Urban Horticulturist, WSU Extension, Ben Thompson, Urban And Community Forestry Specialist and WA DNR. Confluence Technology Center. Cost: $10. Pre-register: pdinius@ wsu.edu.

to network and share information and concerns with each other and event sponsors. Dr. Susan Wehry, renowned advocate and geriatric psychiatrist will provide presentations that will be understandable to both professionals as well as lay people. Written material will accompany each presentation to encourage participants to take the issues and resources back to their workplaces and homes for implementation and idea sharing.

Medical Equipment • Family Caregiver Support

When to go:*

Where to go:

Emergency Department

When you need immediate care, we’re here.

• Dizziness • Chest Pain

• Stomach Pain • Head Injury • Broken Bones • Laceration

• Shortness of Breath

When to go:*

1201 S. Miller St. Wenatchee, WA

509.665.6163 Open 24 Hours Seven Days a Week

Where to go:

Walk-in Clinic • Sprains/Strains • Minor Burns • Flu or Cold • Sore Throat • Fever

• Ear Ache • Stings or Bites • Work-Related Injuries

*These lists are not exclusive.

confluencehealth.org April 2017 | The Good Life

Central Washington Hospital & Clinics

www.ncwgoodlife.com

Wenatchee Valley Hospital & Clinics 820 N. Chelan Ave. Wenatchee, WA

509.663.8711 Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seven Days a Week

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

}}} Continued from previous page numericapac.com. Spring Shindig, 4/20, 7 – 9 p.m. Desserts, savories, coffee and lively conversation. Short update from

presents:

”Good News!... Songs of Africa-America” featuring native African songs and American spirituals Friday, April 28, 7:30pm Grace Lutheran Church with Leslie McEwen, soprano Tickets: $15 adults - $8 students at NumericaPAC or at the door

Chelan County Land Trust’s executive director, Curt Soper, on current projects and recent successes. Cashmere Riverside Center. RSVP: hillary@cdlantrust.org. Film Series: The Music of Strangers, 4/20, 7 p.m. This film follows an ever-changing lineup of performers drawn from the ensemble’s more than 50 instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers as they gather in locations across the world, exploring the ways art can both preserve traditions and shape cultural evolution. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Leavenworth Ale-Fest, 4/21, 6 – 10 p.m., 4/22, 1 - 9 p.m. Offering brew tasting with over 40 ales and ciders, food from local businesses and music by popular Northwest bands. Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Cost: $20 Friday, $25 Saturday $35 both days. Info: nutcrackermuseum.com. Ron Fowler, 4/21, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the Railcar. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Opera Series: Eugene Onegin –

SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW ROOMMATE

Unwind & Explore in Chelan Spirals, GoLakeChelan and

Historic Downtown Chelan have come together to create a weekend of joy, well-being and personal empowerment. “Our intention is to connect you to those who have a passion to help others move forward, explore and create,” said Jeanne McElvaney, event coordinator. “We have 34 facilitators from Chelan valley offering 60 different, discounted classes and personal sessions.” The wide variety of sessions include: yoga, energy healings, angel card readings, meditations, reflexology, essential oils, facials, massage, hiking, numerology, make your own The Met: Live in HD, 4/22, 9:55 a.m. Anna Netrebko reprises one of her most acclaimed roles as Tatiana, the naïve heroine of Tchaikovsky’s opera, adapted from Pushkin’s classic novel. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $22 advance or $24 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Gold Treasure and more show, 4/22, 23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 56 vendors selling prospecting and rock hound supplies, metal detectors, jewelry, art, jerky, gems and minerals, gold pay dirt bags, ammunition, toys, sporting goods, ATVs and more. RVs on display. Learn how to pan for gold. Activities for kids, door prizes, raffle prizes. Food available. Chelan County Fairgrounds in Cashmere. Cost: $5, children 12 and under free. Info: 860-1145. Shine Car and Cycle Show, 4/22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wide range of new and vintage cars, motorcycles and muscle cars. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket. org.

SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY WITH PUD REBATES

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt, 4/22, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Park at the WRAC, local volunteers and nature lovers will guide you along the trail, learn more about plants and animals. RSVP: hillary@cdlandtrust. org. Concert Series: Emily Bear, 4/22, 7 p.m. At age 15, Emily Bear is one of the most astonishing and prolific musical talents of our time – composing, orchestrating, and performing in a remarkably diverse collection of styles. She has per-

ConservationMakesCents.org 36

| The Good Life

www.ncwgoodlife.com

April 2017

probiotics, sound baths and embroidery. “If you are ready to try something new, expand your current journey, or discover a new perspective, this is your opportunity to create your own retreat. Experience what makes your heart sing,” added Jeanne. The event runs Friday through Sunday, April 28-30. Register at GoLakeChelan. com. The fee is $10. To see the list of offerings, visit: www.spiralsofjoy.com/ product/unwind-explore-weekend/. For questions, contact Jeanne at: unwindexplore@gmail.com.

formed at many of the world’s most famous venues including Carnegie Hall, the White House, Lincoln Center, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Blue Note, among others. Cost: $23 advance or $25 at the door. Snowy Owl Theater. Info: icicle.org. Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra: Disney in Concert, 4/22, 7 p.m. Performing the magical music from Disney movies. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $25 $65. Info: numericapac.org. RURAL DELIVERY, 4/22, 7:30 p.m. Cashmere Community Concerts. One of the Pacific Northwest’s longest reigning, tried and true bluegrass bands. Rich harmonies and energetic presence, all delivered with down home, genuine warmth. CCC at Cashmere Riverside Center. Cost: $3 at the door and pass the hat $8-$11. Info: cashmereconcerts. com Springfest, 4/23, all day. Live music, pond skim, chuck a duck, dummy downhill, beer gardens and more. Stevens Pass. Info: stevenspass.org. Early Wildflower walk at Sam Hill, 4/23, 1 – 4 p.m. Join Ann Schaechtel for a walk just inside Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth. RSVP: hillary@cdlandtrust.org. Leavenworth Earth Day, 4/23, noon – 4 p.m. Fun and educational afternoon full of activities, music and food. Lions Club Park. Info: leavenworthearthday.org.

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The Art Life

// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

MOVE YOUR FEET TO LATIN BEATS Zumba teacher is dancin’ to the music

By Susan Lagsdin

he super-efficient 29-yearold professional who might greet you at the Wenatchee Mayor’s office can find answers to all your queries. She’s new, but she’s gaining in-depth knowledge of civic processes and an on-track vision for inclusionary policies at the city level. Speaking or writing, she’s served well by both her Catholic University of Ecuador and Gonzaga University communications degrees. That’s her day job. Two nights a week she tosses the suit, and in an upstairs room near the waterfront she dances her heart out to evocative, hard-driving music in front of a sweating and grinning crowd. It’s Golds Gym, and she teaches Zumba. Annagrisel Alvarez’s spirit is hard to contain with mere written language, but it’s harder to try and dance a paragraph, so words must suffice. Her younger sister Nilce and her mom Laura popped into this interview; they were both ready to join her dad, Wilson Alvarez, music minister at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, for her Monday night Zumba class. “My 87-year-old grandmother takes the class too,” she said. “There’s something in it for everyone — once you try it and like it I guarantee there’s no going back. You’re stuck forever!” Zumba is a rigorous, musicrich cornucopia of choreography, and it’s a great match for her. The woman is in constant motion. She admitted that she’s rarely still, miming a saucy little shimmy while her mother Laura

confirmed she’s been like that since birth, restless and rhythmic. “As soon as I hear music, my body just naturally starts to move. If I’m not dancing, I feel like I’m not myself… it liberates me, encourages me, makes me happy,” Annagrisel said. All that athletic kineticism was going to waste years ago in Ecuador, until in their teen years Nilce goaded her sister, then actually tricked her, into trying her very first salsa dancing class. One class — that’s all it took. “I absolutely loved it — it was out of this world!” Mockscolding her sister, she accused “Why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?!” The two learned together, joined a dance troupe and eventually performed regionally, familiarizing themselves with Cuban, Colombian and U.S. Ballroom salsa dance styles. When the family moved to the United States, they lived first in the Tri-Cities area. For Annagrisel, it was a tough time of transition: new country, new status, new work, new language, no friends. “There wasn’t much music, and the dancing I saw at a couple of clubs wasn’t quite my style….” She missed not only a group to go dancing with, but the rich textures of South American and Caribbean music. However, once again, after much haranguing and wheedling from her sister, she agreed to take a Zumba class, with familiar Latin rhythms, that Nilce was enjoying at her gym. Just one… And again — she was hooked. Annagrisel said, “That day in 2010 changed my life for the April 2017 | The Good Life

Annagrisel Alvarez: “(Dancing) liberates me, encourages me, makes me happy.”

better. The energy, the smiles, the sweat transported me to the days when I was so happy from dancing… I knew I just had to transmit that joy to other people.” Zumba-ing all the while, she continued her college education and as part of that spent two summers in Italy, where she became tri-lingual, returning to translating and writing work back in the Tri-Cities area. Four years ago, single and unencumbered, she uprooted again back to the family home, now in Wenatchee. It was a good move, and speaking of moves — Annagrisel quickly sped up the Zumba ladder, becoming a certified instructor. At the local Gold’s Gym, her own love of moving to music (“My dancing fix!”) fuels her work as an instructor. Two evenings a week she introduces her students to full-body workouts choreographed to Merengue, Salsa, Reggaeton and Flamenco music and even a little hip hop or rock. But she’s also energized by the enthusiasm of her students. www.ncwgoodlife.com

She said some people may be hesitant in their first Zumba class, but “I have lots of students who are committed to it, who love all the routines… they’re so happy after class, and come up to thank me for an amazing workout.” Annagrisel was also selected as one of hundreds of worldwide Zumba teacher-volunteers who bring the joy of dance to their own home towns, not just by teaching classes but by organizing community events that get more people moving. That’s a pretty close parallel to a personal dream she has for Wenatchee’s future: a Latin dance ballroom venue open to everyone, dedicated to instruction as well as social dancing. She’s a realist — starting up any arts venture is tough, and she says, “It would take a lot of people who are really interested in that type of dance.” Propelled by Annagrisel’s energy and optimism, in the next few years more of Wenatchee might just be rocking out to new kinds of south-of-the-border rhythms.

WHAT TO DO

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*Memorial Park Food Fair, 4/27 *Entertainment at Memorial Park 4/27 *Funtastic Shows Carnival, 4/28

Theater Series: Dangerous Women: Spellbound, 4/23, 2 p.m. This year’s production illuminates mystical women from history who dared to embrace their own power and vision. The performers include Mandi Wickline, Susan Gubsch, Kara Woods Hunnicut, Susan Butruille, Rhona Baron, Momi Palmieri, Nadege Margaria, Martha Flores, Gracie Camp, Harriet Bullitt, Arlene Wagner, Holly Blue, Cindy Rietveldt, Emily Bebber, Christina Davitt, Amy Carlson and Jana Sparks. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $20 advance or $22 at the door. Info: icicle.org.

*Blossoms and Brews, 4/28

Bird ID Skills building, 4/26, 7:30 9:45 a.m. Join Susan Ballinger and hone your filed ID skill and learn to contribute to the online birding tool eBird. Walla Walla Point Park. Info: susan@cdlandtrust.org.

*Apple Blossom Golf Tournament, 5/4, 9:30 a.m. Highlander Golf Course

Awesome Blossom Festival, 4/27 – 5/7. Info: appleblossom.org. Events include:

WRITE ON THE RIVER

*Nothing but Vettes car show, 4/29, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Rocky Reach Dam *Rustique Divas Vintage Market at Pybus Market, 4/29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. *Renaissance Fair, 4/29 – 30. Chelan County Expo Center *Youth Parade, 4/29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. *Art 4 Kidz, 4/30, Memorial Park * Youth Day, 4/30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Memorial Park

*Arts and Crafts Fair, 5/4 – 7. Memorial Park *Apple Blossom Cruz-In, 5/4, 6 p.m. *Classy Chassis Parade and Car Show, 5/4-6, Eastmont Community Park

WRITERS

*Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 5/6, 6:30 – 10:30 a.m. Triangle Park on Miller St.

*Apple Blossom Run, 5/4, 8 a.m. *Apple Blossom Fun Fly, 5/6-7, Red Apple Flyers

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April 2017

WHAT TO DO

We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com

*Grand Parade, 5/6, 11 a.m. *Pybus Fine Art Sunday, 5/7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. *Apple Pie and Dessert Bake-Off, 5/7, 10 a.m. Festival Office Film Series: I am not your negro, 4/27, 7 p.m. Writer James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and directed by Raoul Peck, the film envisions the book Baldwin never completed - a radical narration about race in America, through the lives and assassinations of three of his friends: Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcom X, using only the writer’s original words. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Rocklyn Road, 4/28, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the Railcar. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Good News… Songs from African-America, 4/28, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Columbia Chorale featuring spirituals and other music influenced by the AfricanAmerica experience. Local voice instructor/soprano Leslie McEwen will join the Chorale as a featured soloist. Grace Lutheran Church. Dahlia Tuber Sale, 4/29, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. NCW Dahlia Society will be selling tubers at low prices and offer tips and answer questions about growing and caring for dahlias. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org.

only job he can, educating a group of young boys. So it is that, in the middle of nowhere, Aristotle meets Alexander — a lad of 14 — for the first time. The effect they have on each other will shape the world. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $12. Info: icicle.org.

Remembering A favorite moment with Mom

Icicle Creek New Play Festival, 4/30, 7 p.m. One Night Only by Katie Bender: staged reading. Harry Houdini is dying but the show must go on. Driven to give the performance of a lifetime, One Night Only follows the magician as he grapples with ambition, family, and his final, truly impossible escape. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $12 or $20 for both plays. Info: icicle.org. Young Frankenstein, 5/3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 7:30 p.m. 5/7, 4 p.m. 5/13, 2 p.m. Music Theatre of Wenatchee’s Apple Blossom musical. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $15 – $29. Info: numericapac.org. Film Series: The lovers and the despot, 5/4, 7 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. In 1970s South Korea, actor Choi Eun-hee and her ex-husband, film director Shin Sang-ok, were divorced, estranged and both struggling with stalled careers. Unfortunately, both their lives seemed changed forever when they were individually kidnapped in 1978 by their biggest fan, Kim Jong-il, despot of North Korea. Cost: $10 advance or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway Train, 5/6-7, 1-5 p.m. Ride the mini train. 155 N Worthen, east end of the railroad pedestrian bridge. Cost: $2.

could make you a winner!

ell us one of your favorite moments with your Mom — from when you were a child, or a teenager, or a young adult or from just recently — and be eligible to win a $100 gift certificate.

Remember taking a trip with Mom, or when Mom said that perfect thing at the perfect time, or when she filled the house with delicious smells, or patched that scraped knee along with your bruised ego, or revealed a side of herself as the complex human being she was, or beamed at your accomplishment or chided you for a shortcoming but in a loving way? Write us an email – 200 to 500 words or so – telling us of a favorite moment with your Mom. Send along a digital photo, too.

We’ll choose one of the writers for a $100 gift certificate to any one of The Good Life’s advertisers from the past year. But be quick… the deadline is April 7th.

Horse Lake Trail Runs, 4/29, 8 a.m. 5-mile, 7-mile and half-marathon. Info: runwenatchee.com.

As Mom might say, don’t wait for tomorrow when you can do it today! Send photos and stories to:

Wenatchee Riverfront Railway Train, 4/29-30, 1-5 p.m. Ride the mini train. 155 N Worthen, east end of the railroad pedestrian bridge. Cost: $2.

editor@ncwgoodlife.com Selected moments may be published in the May issue of The Good Life.

Icicle Creek New Play Festival, 4/30, 1 p.m. Alex And Aris by Moby Pomerance: staged reading. A washed-out school teacher travels across a country to take the Know of someone stepping off the beaten path in the search for fun and excitement? E-mail us at editor@ncwgoodlife.com April 2017 | The Good Life

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column those were the days

rod molzahn

Financial panic of 1893 was fierce Towns of the Wenatchee

Valley and north central Washington were on the rise by the beginning of 1892. More than 20 individuals and families settled in the Wenatchee Valley in that year alone, over twice the number in any preceding year. Chelan was growing along with the Entiat, Methow and Okanogan valleys. The best wheat land in the Waterville/Badger Mountain area was all taken and the price of wheat was climbing. Anticipation and high hopes for the coming of the Great Northern Railroad made north central Washington and especially the Wenatchee Valley highly desirable places. In April of 1892 the Columbia Valley Bank in Wenatchee, the first bank in today’s Chelan County, opened its doors in “Old Town” on Miller Street. During its first year in operation, according to bank manager, H.R. Schildnecht, “This bank carried on a heavy business… the transactions growing out of construction work, such as taking care of pay checks, the purchase and handling of supplies and the astonishing building activity in the new town.” But, back on the East Coast a financial storm was simmering. In January of 1893 a devastating recession began sweeping across the country and across the Atlantic to Europe. It continued until June of 1897 with a short respite in 1895. By the end of 1893 business failures in the United States topped 15,000 and 500 banks, many in the West, had closed. National unemployment was pushing 15 percent with a handful of states in the 30 to 40 percent range. The financial panic of 1893 was

bringing the country’s economy to a stop. Railroads were overextended and could not pay their obligations and, following the lead of the Northern Pacific, Union Pacific and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads, began filing for bankruptcy. The Northwest was not immune. Between Yakima and the Canadian border the only banks that survived were the Columbia Valley Bank in Wenatchee and the Douglas County Bank in Waterville. The Wenatchee bank was hard pressed to meet withdrawal requests. Mr. Schildnecht, the manager, stated that, “a draft for $1,000, or even $500 was a startling sum to face.” At times the bank officers had to “play for time” when faced with a large customer request. Banks across the country closed in the face of crippling bank runs. Supplies, nationally, of gold and silver were dwindling. The recession caused mining to slow and Congress was still fighting over which metal should back the U.S. dollar. Faith in paper money was falling along with the gold and silver reserves. The ensuing panic drove people to banks to exchange their paper for gold. A run on Northwest cattle king, Ben Snipes’ bank in Roslyn, forced him to move gold to Roslyn from his Ellensburg branch. It wasn’t enough. Ben Snipes had significant assets in cattle and ranch land as well as prime Seattle real estate but could not sell them or borrow on them — no one had money to buy or loan. On June 9, 1893 both banks closed their doors and drew their shades, leaving customers unpaid. Victor Ruffenach worked at a

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sawmill in Montana. The mill owner sold the mill with the intent of moving to booming Okanogan County to buy another mill. Mr. Ruffenach moved with him. The financial panic reached Okanogan County before them and the mill venture was given up. In May of 1892 the Chelan Falls Water Power Company began constructing a ditch to deliver water to a proposed power plant at the foot of Chelan Falls. The ditch was nearly completed in early 1893 when the panic struck. With banks unable to lend, the project stopped. Money was in short supply everywhere. W.H. Emerson, writing about the history of the Chelan Valley said, “In 1893 hard times began in earnest and money was unknown except in small driblets here and there.” Benedict Gubser lived near Conconully in Okanogan County. For years he kept a journal recording his activities as well as his neighbors’. On Jan. 16, 1893 he wrote, “Moore, Ish and Company bank and store closed.” In December of 1893 Gubser left the Okanogan to visit friends in Oregon. On the way he stopped in Wenatchee to purchase something but the store could not make change for $5. “I had quite a time to change five dollars. Went to the fifth establishment before I got it changed.” Up on the Waterville Plateau things were no easier. In 1893 the price paid for steers dropped to 2 cents a pound and wheat got only 18 cents a bushel. Neither price paid even the cost of raising cattle or wheat. A year later things were a bit better but not enough to satisfy early settler, Ole Ruud. In the spring of 1894 he wrote a letter to a newspaper editor. The letter is reprinted in Esther Ruud

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April 2017

Stradling’s book, American Fever. “Times are so hard here in this good wheat country that property can hardly be sold for money. A band of horses was sold the other day at sheriff’s sale for one dollar a head and if times don’t change more sheriff’s sales will be made at the same rate. Our local wheat buyers advertise that they give 30 cents a bushel for No. 1 wheat delivered at the steamboat landing. When we subtract from this the sacking; five cents, threshing; six cents, we farmers will only have 13 cents left for seed, plowing, harrowing, sowing, hauling to market and all the heavy lifting. Interest on money, which everyone must pay as all are in debt, is two to three percent a month. “It takes two bushel of wheat to pay the interest on $1.00; 20 bushels or two-thirds of a ton to buy a pair of poor shoes, two bushels for a meal at a hotel… Farms and other real estate are passing over to the money loaners. I expect to hear of many foreclosures before the year of 1894 is out.” Stradling adds that during the panic years Ole made shoes for his wife, children and himself. Scraping, tanning and shaping the leather took weeks. “During these hard times he went barefoot when plowing the fields, saving his dilapidated work boots for other times when shoes were a necessity.” Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake. speak@verizon.net. His third history CD, Legends & Legacies Vol. III - Stories of Wenatchee and North Central Washington, is now available at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center and at other locations throughout the area.

that’s life, cont’d

RV shakedown cruise }}} Continued from page 42 driver and my wife and her dog. I’m pretty sure he had never cleaned the inside of this truck and most likely only the rain had cleaned the outside. When my wife mentioned he might want to clean his truck from time to time, oddly, he didn’t answer. He just started telling a story about getting stopped at the Canadian border and them discovering his pistol…. But, get back we did, and safely too. Then, the next morning I had a dream that I went out to the motor home and tried to start it and it started right up. After waking up and getting ready, I went out to the motor home and it did indeed start right up. So, I crawled under it along with the weeds, spiders and ants and re-attached the drive shaft that had been unattached so it could be towed. Then we spent a couple hours cleaning it out and we’re now ready to sell it. So, if you like tie-dyed clothing and think you might be interested in a Class EEE motor home, here are some things to consider: 1. It only burned half as much gas as you’d expect, the last time we took it out, having been driven one way and then towed back. 2. It has a custom front bumper.

Then, the next morning I had a dream that I went out to the motor home and tried to start it and it started right up. 3. We’re only selling it because we decided that we’re just not RV people.

to let us sell it to him for $1. We’d have to gift it to him. Okay, that takes different paperwork I assumed. But, he didn’t have time to do that then since he was due to leave for Hawaii. Yes, I just said he was going to Hawaii. The guy I had felt sorry for. I’ve never been to Hawaii! But, that’s okay. When he came back he got the title changed over and then evidently that old family curse we had aimed at the folks we bought it from caught up with the guy

Update: Linda had a coworker who we felt sorry for. He works full time plus builds fences, etc. on the side just to made ends meet for himself and his three children, we were told. So, we decided to give the motor-home to him. Actually, we decided to sell it to him for $1. It’s the little accountant in my head who wouldn’t let me throw away ALL that investment. Anyway, he picked it up one day, drove it straight over to the NAPA dealer and started his own investment program in parts. He did manage to drive it to Wenatchee. Then, when he tried to change the title over, he called us because they refused

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who “bought” it from us. First, a friend of his had some company coming and wanted to borrow it for them to stay in. So he loaned it to them. They got almost to Malaga (about 10 miles) when the transmission fell out! The next day, the proud new owner of the motor-home got up to work on the roof of his house and fell off breaking four ribs and his wrist. That’s just the beginning. I suspect that very soon he won’t be “RV people” either….

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the back page: that’s life

The RV Shakedown Cruise By G. Wayne Hawks

Ah, summer.

When the days are long, the air is warm, and life is full of joy. A great summertime recreational opportunity presented itself on July 30, 2011 when a couple of wonderful friends told us they had decided to sell their 1978 22-foot Class C motor home (in case you don’t know, a Class C is one built on a truck or in this case a Chevrolet Van chassis) for only $2,400 because they decided they “just weren’t RV people.” I thought that was an odd way of putting it, but saw a great opportunity in this. So, we took it for a test drive. It started right up and off we went. The heater and windshield wipers didn’t work, nor did the speedometer, but those were minor things. At least the engine ran well. And, that’s the most important thing. So, we bought it and I spent the next three weeks replacing light bulbs, fuses, and the speedometer cable. I also changed the oil, oil filter, and air filter. Linda cleaned windows, shampooed and vacuumed the shag carpet and the orange upholstery. Perhaps Class C in the case of this particular motor home was less a designation of type and more of a grade… And then, it was time for the shakedown cruise on Aug. 27. The engine started right up and quickly came to a smooth idle. I backed it around, put it into drive and we were off. Being a hot day, I put my window partly down and turned the heater fan on high. After jiggling the ignition switch the heater fan came on and the alternator started charging. I made mental notes of what else we might want to get done shortly: 1. New ignition switch.

2. Thermostat — it was running a little cold (fortunately!). 3. Lots of play in the steering. Tie rod ends? Ball joints? Wheel bearings probably need to be repacked. 4. Better get it lubed — I noticed that it had been a long time when I was under it to change the oil. I also noticed at that time copious amounts of rust everywhere. I especially noticed it on the propane tank which I had recently had filled…. 5. There was a lot of sway. It probably needs new shock absorbers and possibly leaf and coil springs also. At this point I realized our EX-friends had not been entirely honest with us…. Going down Moses Coulee was a beautiful experience though. With the window half-way down we weren’t sweating as much as we could have been. (Need to get the A/C recharged). Plus, it gave us the opportunity to clearly hear the backfiring of the engine after I put it in second gear to try and hold it back from running away. (Needs a tune-up — distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, spark-plug wires?). But, by pumping the brakes and holding the steering wheel to the left, we made it to the bottom alive and it climbed the

What are you laughing at?

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... I noticed an unusual thrumming noise just before I started to smell antifreeze (bad heater hose, water pump, head gasket, or a cracked head?) mixed with the propane and gasoline smells. far side just fine. (New brake pads, wheel cylinders, perhaps brake drums, master cylinder?). Sure glad the sparks from the brakes didn’t ignite the leaking propane… Then, near the top I noticed an unusual thrumming noise just before I started to smell antifreeze (bad heater hose, water pump, head gasket, or a cracked head?) mixed with the propane and gasoline smells. Well, maybe it will stop I thought. And it sure did, right about the time the engine died, on the hill down to Coulee City…. You know, power brakes usually work better with the engine running… Fortunately, I managed to get it stopped and then didn’t have to walk more than a couple miles to get cell phone reception so I could call a tow-truck. After just a few tries, the tow truck driver answered and said he’d be there in about half an hour. So, what to do in the hot sun for half an hour? First, I called to cancel our reservation at Steamboat Rock Park. After several minutes of being on hold, the service rep came back on the phone to thank me for waiting and to tell me that our reserva-

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April 2017

tion had been cancelled. And she assured me in a cheery voice that the fee was NONrefundable. Made me so glad I had Wayne and Linda called… have lived in and around the The other thing we did, Wenatchee area for the last 17 years. once I got He works for Conback into the fluence Health as a 110 degree or financial analyst. so RV, was to join with my wife in reciting an ancient family curse on the cruel people who sold us this “inexpensive” motor home and to question their pedigrees…. At this point, with sweat running down us, and our dogs panting like crazy we realized that, like those freshly-cursed people, we “just aren’t RV people” and resolved to put it up for sale, donate it to a charity, or, if necessary, burn it to the ground…. Then the tow truck arrived. Built in Japan, seemingly by Tonka, he was driving the smallest tow truck I’ve ever seen. No way that thing could pick up and pull that 22-foot motor home, especially with one side of the sling, a large rubber strap, half torn. But, it did pick it up. In fact, several times it did as he was trying to get the chains attached correctly. And, each time he managed to customize the front bumper more and more. I say customize because you can’t get them from the factory in that shape. But, we didn’t care. We just wanted to get home safely and at this point wouldn’t have minded if he dropped it on the way back. So, I rode with my dog on my lap, shoe-horned between the

}}} Continued on page 41

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River Ramble Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12 • 5-8 p.m. Rocky Reach Dam

Free fun for all ages! Together, we’ll learn how wildlife and plants have created traditions that have been passed down from the vibrant peoples who once thrived along our rivers. • • • •

Build a tipi Play Native American sports and games See the Reptile Man (Thursday only) Dance with Native American drummers and dancers • Learn about traditional plateau fishing, flint napping and atlatl

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