August 2015 issue

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WALKING WITH RICH ON THE PCT Y EVENTS CALENDAR

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

August 2015

Open for fun and adventure

Price: $3

99 and counting As The Good Life approaches our 100th issue, we look back on a few favorite moments

+ COVER STORY:

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Contents

Retirement

Doesn’t Mean You Retire from Life.

page 18

On the trail with hiking dog, Mijo

Features

7

favorite moments from past 98 issues

Remembering a few favorite stories and covers as The Good Life nears its 100th anniversary issue

12 the world walks in the front door

Writer Maureen Stivers takes a few minutes to talk with the work men and women who come to her house, and learns a great deal about the world

15 where’s rich?

Rich Brinkman may not be the typical hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail, but he is certainly making tracks

Maybe your idea of retirement is having a second career or working part time, volunteering or indulging in your favorite hobbies. Doing the things you want to do is what retirement should be all about.

Learn how. For a free, personalized review of your retirement, call or visit your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor today.

20 around here

Traveling the world is fine, but slowing down in your travels around here opens up whole new universes

23 Lake home

When a couple decided to build their retirement home at Lake Chelan, they remembered a small street side café in the wine Provence of France

ART SKETCHES

Tom Barrett

n Photographer Cary Ulrich, page 32 n Wood carver Carol Addison, page 34

111 S Mission Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-665-9909

Columns & Departments 28 Bonnie Orr: Recreating novel dinners 29 The traveling doctor: How safe is our food? 30 June Darling: What are your intentions? 33-38 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 37 The night sky: Perseids returns to full glory 39 History: Youthful Wenatchee moved around 42 Alex Saliby: I like my Rosés dry

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OPENING SHOT

®

Year 9, Number 8 August 2015 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 PHONE: (509) 888-6527 EMAIL: editor@ncwgoodlife.com sales@ncwgoodlife.com ONLINE: www.ncwgoodlife.com FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/NCWGoodLife Editor/Publisher, Mike Cassidy Contributors, Brad Brisbine, Maureen Stivers, Marlene and Kevin Farrell, Rich Brinkman, Lori Nitchals, Gilbert Biles, Jim Gurke, Vicki Carr, Donna Cassidy, Bonnie Orr, Alex Saliby, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin, Peter Lind and Rod Molzahn Advertising manager, Terry Smith Advertising sales, Lianne Taylor and Donna Cassidy Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth TO SUBSCRIBE: For $25, ($30 out of state address) you can have 12 issues of The Good Life mailed to you or a friend. Send payment to: The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801

Elusive Lichtenwasser Lake has no published trail, keeping its shoreline from being trampled, despite being only one mile from the Stevens Pass Highway.

Solitude found at Lichtenwasser Lake

For circulation questions, email: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Hastings, Safeway stores, Walgreens, Mike’s Meats at Pybus, Rhubarb Market, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and A Book for All Seasons (Leavenworth) ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact advertising at (509) 8886527, or sales@ncwgoodlife.com 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

The Good Life® is a registered trademark of NCW Good Life, LLC. Copyright 2015 by NCW Good Life, LLC.

By Brad Brisbine

T

he first lake north of Stevens Pass on the Pacific Crest Trail is popular Lake Valhalla, a fitting picture of its Norse namesake, Heaven. It is particularly lovely in autumn with its surrounding patchwork quilt of red and orange huckleberry leaves. Having hiked there a dozen times, I had often wondered about its neighbor, Lichtenwasser Lake. The two lakes are separated by Lichtenberg Mountain, towering near-vertical for a 1,000 feet above Valhalla, and greatly adding to its picturesqueness. Oddly, no trails to Lichtenwasser show on maps, so I had often contemplated how to get there. I

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recently received a tip on access, so July 5, my hiking buddy Len Lamb and I made our maiden voyage to Lichtenwasser. We found a good but steep unmarked fisherman’s path to the lake, but somehow lost it on the return trip down. A little leg-scratching bushwhacking delivered us back to the Smithbrook access road, over a mile from where we had entered the

woods. All in all, I was favorably impressed with Lichtenwasser, and the solitude made up for not having the steep side of Lichtenberg.

On the cover

Lori Nitchals shares a tent with Mijo on the lab’s first overnight hiking trip.

Tell us a story about

OUR

your best day

100

th

ISSUE celebration

The Good Life will soon publish our 100th issue. We’ve told thousands of pages of great stories, but have we told yours? Share a story about your best experience since we began in June 2007, and win a chance at a fun prize.

www.ncwgoodlife.com

Email your stories (and photos) to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com |

August 2015


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editor’s notes

MIKE CASSIDY

Following where the boots lead I often ask contributors to

write a little story about themselves I can use in my editor’s column — you might consider these snippings like the cherry and nuts on top of an ice cream sundae, or you might consider it a lazy man’s way of filling space. (No, no, what am I saying? Not lazy at all. Here’s what I have learned in my decades as a reporter: often the most interesting stories from people I’m interviewing — the ones I repeat to my friends — come after I have stopped taking notes. These little tidbits from our writers are like that.) I asked Marlene Farrell — who patched together a story this month from the emails and blog entries by Rich Brinkman of his on-going trek on the Pacific Crest Trail — to share an anecdote about her experience on the PCT. She turned the assignment over to her husband, Kevin, whom she met while they both were on the trail. Here is Kevin’s rather sweet story: I set out alone to thru-hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail in the summer of 1999, but I met many likeminded people and rarely hiked by myself. Once on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert, I camped with a group of thru-hikers in some abnormally cool weather. We set up camp in a sandy depression amongst yucca and juniper. There was room for tents plus a small campfire, but I slept with no shelter. I had misplaced my ultra light tarp-tent, so I unrolled my sleeping bag in the sand, just as I had done every day. Then I huddled around the glow of the fire with the others.

It was the first time that I met Marlene, and we hit it off. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn’t notice the wind pick up or the dark clouds roll in. Long after the campfire was out and everyone went to bed I felt the first drops of rain. They were the large drops that precede a storm. Before long the rain was a consistent downpour. With no shelter, the down feathers in my sleeping bag became soaked and compressed, and wet nylon pressed against my skin. I couldn’t sleep, and I was a little embarrassed about my situation. At first light, before anyone else woke, I stuffed my damp belongings into my pack and walked toward the nearest highway so I could clean up and dry my gear in a hotel room. I was afraid I wouldn’t see my friends again. When I returned to the trail, I trained my eyes on the path in front of me so I could place my feet as quickly as possible. I hiked fast, focusing on the trail in front of me and observing the patterns in the dirt. After a couple days I was able to see Marlene’s unique boot print. A few days later I caught up to her and we began travelling together. We ended up hiking together for more than a month. After finishing the trail we stayed together and got married a year later. Set your feet on a worthy path, and enjoy The Good Life. —Mike Cassidy Know of someone stepping off the beaten path in the search for fun and excitement? E-mail us at editor@ncwgoodlife.com August 2015 | The Good Life

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fun stuff a full LISTING of what to do begins ON PAGE 33

It’s August — anything goes

summertheater.org. 8 p.m., Aug. 1, 5, 8, 11, 14, 20, 28. Steve Miller Band — Live con-

In olden days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking, But now, God knows, Anything Goes. — Cole Porter

cert. Remember Jet Airliner, Jungle Love, Fly Like An Eagle, Abracadabra, Rock’n Me? Town Toyota Center. Info: towntoyotacenter.org. Wednesday, Aug. 5.

T

here are plenty of “anythings” to “go to” this month, including these fun events from this month’s calendar: Dirty Face Music and Arts Festival — Many great musical

acts and arts under the stars. Plus performing artists, dancing, camping, art booths, family friendly art activities, disco golf tournament, yoga, auction, raffle, beer, wine and food vendors. Featuring live music by: Open Country Joy, Blake Nobel Band, (He Thinks He’s People), Hoyer Brothers, Darnell Scott Band and Holly Blue Band. Thousand Trails Resort, 20752 Chiwawa Loop Road, Leavenworth. Cost: $20. Info: dirtyfacemusicfest. com. 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Anything Goes — Leavenworth Summer Theater

“Our daughter, Bryn sends us paintings in the mail for our birthdays, anniversaries, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day. It’s a painting on one side and a written message on the other side,” said Dan McConnell about the above piece. Artwork by the McConnell family, including son Aaron, will be featured during First Friday at Two Rivers Art Gallery.

performs. The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London, with catchy songs by Cole Porter. Hatchery State Park, Leavenworth. Info: leavenworth-

19-22.

Cabaret — Live performance. The scene is the Kit Kat Klub, a nightclub in Berlin, as the 1920s are drawing to a close. The master of ceremonies welcomes the audience to the show and assures them that, whatever their troubles, they will forget them at the Cabaret. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Info: numericapac.org. 8 p.m., Aug. 6-8, 12-15,

FIRST FRIDAY AT Two Rivers Art Gallery — The gallery

presents cartoonist Dan McConnell and family. Dan’s cartoons

are seen in NCW publications including The Good Life magazine. Son Aaron and daughter Bryn are professional artists exhibiting their oil paintings. Music by pianist Patrick Thompson. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery. com. 5 – 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 7. NW Scale Championships — Radio control airplanes from all over the West Coast and Canada. The largest RC flying event on the West Coast. Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers field, 2.3 miles east of Pangborn Airport. Cost: free. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 14-16. Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival — Arts, crafts, music and

a children’s area. Riverwalk Park. Cost: free. Info: lakechelanartscouncil.com. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 14-16.

United Way Color Rush — 3.1 mile fun run. A fun fundraiser that encourages fitness and the outdoors, while raising money to support Youth United, a program designed to promote volunteerism amongst Chelan and Douglas County youth. Pybus Public Market. Info: colorwenatchee.com. 8 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16.

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August 2015

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As we near our 100th anniversary issue, (this is our 99th) we look back on some favorite moments of The Good Life

99 and counting

Sail on, Scotty

+Skate King

About Sandra Gay Scott While the headline-making boating accidents occur in open water, most accidents By Ken actually occur in the marina — usually with Longley plenty of people dockside watching. There is a “At first, my docking technique was to road  between send (my friend) Kaytie (Crandell) forward Plain and Lake with a hankie to say, ‘Yoo hoo,’ can you help Wenatchee us?’” says Gay now as something of a joke. By Sara Urdahl that is about On one of her first trips, she remembers I’m probably not the only person to confive miles long  with  rolling hills, approaching the Gig Harbor marina, which clude that the behavior of your average a wide shoulder and not much was hosting a rally of Tollycraft motorboats. teenager is nature’s way of ensuring that traffic.  The pavement was buttery These are mostly large, always expensive parents won’t regret their departure from smooth.... yachts. the nest. What surprised me is that, increasThere is nothing like skating “One of the captains, seeing two grey ingly, I had visions of running away from smooth pavement with forests on haired women and a couple of dogs hanging home myself. either side, a river nearby and an out of the windows approaching in a sailMy husband (Mark) and I found our refuge occasional shy deer or curious boat, asked, ‘Do you need any help?’ And I in (motorcycle) riding. Whether it was for a coyote watching.  said, ‘Only if you want me to miss your boat.’ day to Chelan or two weeks to the American Once fully in stride,  I can glide  We had 10 guys helping us dock.” Southwest, striding our motorcycles gave us along almost without effort.  When September 2007 an outlet and an escape from these troubleI catch pavement like this I feel as some teenaged years. As I would pack up though I am flying with wings on the bike for any excursions be it 20 miles or my feet. 2,000, I was surprised by the intense desire August 2007 to divest myself of all the detritus collected By Al Piecka in nearly 50 years of living and survive on the woods to the river. We walked about a mile through the only those items that could be strapped to The grizzly bears were all over the river woods on a small dirt road and trail to the the back of the bike. falls and other accessible viewing areas. Bear getting their last fill of fish before hibernatJune 2007 }}} Continued on next page trails crisscrossed everywhere leading from

Middle-aged motorcycling

Alaska in the fall

(June 2007)

(April 2008)

Remember these issues?

(June 2009)

August 2015 | The Good Life

(July 2009)

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+

Let’s go duck hunting

Sweet joy on the alpaca ranch

By Jim Brigleb For the non-initiated, duck hunting is quirky business. One sets the alarm for 3:30 a.m., hoping for miserable weather. Ideal conditions include almost freezing temperatures, wind, rain or even sleet. My wife can’t understand the attraction. Admittedly, it seems nonsensical. Why would one willingly opt for only a few hours sleep, leave the warmth of your bed to face the bitter chill of a November morning and parade around the marsh, getting wet and muddy? The answer is, I don’t know. Some primeval drive causes men to do seemingly stupid things.

About Marlys and Archie Brown The cutest alpaca is eating pellets of grain from the outstretched palm of Archie Brown when he says, “here, watch this.” Archie bends his head lower and sticks out his nose. The alpaca looks up, and then raises her nose to Archie’s for a quick rub. “How can you not have a passion for these animals?” asks the Wenatchee man, who with his wife Marlys have turned their 2.5 acres on Number One Canyon Road into what they believe is the largest alpaca ranch around. February 2008

October 2007

Nepal of my dreams }}} Continued from previous page

About Lisa Vaughn “The first time I arrived in Kathmandu ing. They were huge with some of the males I was completely overwhelmed,” says Lisa going over 1,000 pounds. Vaughn. “After reading so much about it, I Several of the females had spring cubs, was ecstatic to find out it was just what I had which made our life rather interesting. The cubs have no fear of nor pay attention to hu- imagined. “You either love Kathmandu or hate it. I mans. We were at times within 15 to 20 yards loved it. You don’t see Kathmandu, you feel from the bears. it.” I was surprised that no one, even the (In her teens, Lisa was an armchair adven(park) rangers, carried a gun or spray… It apturer.) “I read all these books by mountain pears that as long as you don’t get between the bears and his/her fish or cubs they pretty climbers — all the guys who went to Everest, and my dream was to go to Nepal.” much ignore, or at least tolerate, you. (But) by 1998, “I had never gone anywhere. February 2008 I’d been on an airliner twice.. One day she spotted a Wenatchee World

(October 2009)

(February 2010)

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(March 2010)

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article about a group of local women who had traveled to Nepal. “One of them was LaVonne Kiehn, owner of Bonzetti’s (an Italian deli),” says Lisa, “and I thought, if LaVonne can go, I can go. My mom had died that year, and I had $5,000. I thought, okay, I can pay off my daughter’s braces, or I can go to Nepal. I can go to Nepal!” April 2008

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and counting

Pilgrimage through Spain on the road less traveled By Roy Draggoo And so I walked. Through countless small hamlets and large cities (Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Astorga). On long stretches, over original Roman bridges and roadways across the high arid meseta, it was like walking through the semi-desert stretch from Spokane to Waterville — but had the ruins of 12th Century castles and 8th Century churches in the distance. In the town of Samos is a 6th Century monastery still in use. Sometimes the path was only a few feet wide. Sometimes it crossed six-lane freeways. I walked five to eight hours a day, stopped when and where I wanted and, in the morning, on my time,

(December 2010)

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August 2015


+Notes from life began again. Each day was filled with physical and emotional challenges. Through blisters and jammed toes, three mountain ranges up to 5,000 feet, driving rain, sucking mud, scorching desert sun, mile after mile I enjoyed every moment. October 2008

on the road

“You need to learn how to get up, you need to learn how to get down, and you need to learn how to let go of your death grip on the handlebars so you can wave to people as you ride because you are always on display.” August 2010

By Frank McWhirter Early in 2004, my wife Paula and I both retired and decided to feed our wild side and become the wanderers of our hunter, gatherer ancestors. We sold our “stick-built” home in Cashmere, and set out to explore the back roads of America… Our first dream to realize on the road was to spend an entire winter in a place where tropical breezes keep you warm while the rest of your friends freeze in the north. So we sped ever southward spending a while in St. Augustine, Florida where one of the earliest fortifications built in America is located… When asked if we are growing weary of traveling, I tell the story of a couple we met in Arizona last year. They had been living full-time on the road in a motor home for five years and found a beautiful home in Tucson they decided to purchase. After spending less than one year in their new house, they looked at each other one morning and said, “If I look out that window and see that same view one more day, I’ll go crazy.”

The way of the rope

Geeks on antiques

By Jim Johnson The first time I took up a About Peter Sanderson rope I had no idea the road I Many of us enjoy a sport would be led down or the imthat involves a team or pact it would have on me. a group. We’ll meet our I had started a general mediteammates at the soccer cal practice in a small town field, a couple friends on in Western Washington. I the ski hill or a climbing heard the town had decided to partner at the trailhead. rebuild its rodeo grounds and Peter Sanderson enresume having a rodeo, years gages in a sport that only about a dozen after it had been discontinued. It was a volother people in the world do with regularity. unteer project and I decided to get involved. A dozen. In the WORLD. Fortunately, it’s a After working on the grounds, I went to tight-knit dozen. the rodeo. It was: Love at first sight. Peter rides penny-farthings, the iconic Afterwards, I called a man in town who bikes with the large front wheel and small I heard participated in a rodeo sport called rear wheel that symbolize the Victorian era. team roping. I told him I wanted to start There are plenty of people around the world team roping. He said, “Come on over, I’ll October 2009 who love these bikes, admire these bikes and show you some things.” even collect these bikes. However, very few He didn’t say he would give me a passion are brave enough to ride them significant that can be lifelong, that would lead me to distances… interesting people and deep friendships or live to be 120 years old, I’m expecting to rope “There are three things you need to learn would offer an endless challenge. He just until I’m 110. After that, I’ll just teach. how to do when you’re riding one of these,” said to come over… October 2011 said Peter as he rolled the bike down his I’ve won and lost in the arena, but I’ve won }}} Continued on next page driveway toward the street. in life. And since I’ve made the decision to

(August 2011)

(October 2011)

(March 2012)

August 2015 | The Good Life

(April 2012)

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+

Rock on! By Toby Johnson What if you could make the world around you more beautiful? About four years ago I saw a YouTube video about a guy who likes to stack rocks. He did it in random places and left them for others to enjoy. Just after that, I noticed a beautiful stack of river rocks in the middle of the stream up Blewett Pass. I thought, “Wow, that’s so pretty.” A year later… while camping with my family at the beach, I decided to try it. What I found was something I could do rather easily and so many people enjoyed those stacks by the beach. Only once have I seen a rock stack in the Wenatchee area that wasn’t mine, but I’ve heard there are more and more popping up. My dad asked me just yesterday if I had done the ones in Rock Island — nope. But maybe I passed that beauty on to someone else. Find out what you love, and share it with the world. Bring a smile to others, bring beauty to the world around you. January 2012

Riding a Vespa across America By William Roberson Traveling across the country at 30 mph gave me great opportunities to read the his-

(June 2013)

torical markers along side the road. In the past I had driven right by these signs only to wish I had stopped and read something about, “Near this location…” On this trip I could read a good portion of the sign even before I had to stop. I took the time to talk to people who lived in towns where the “big box” store was 20 miles away. I went into small town cafés where people were sitting around with the answers to the country’s problems or at least they could define the problem better than most of the “government talkers” could. One of the many memorable, but sad, images I have is the number of small towns with their entire main streets boarded up. Riding a scooter allowed me the time to smell the wild flowers as well as the feedlots of Kansas, the freshly plowed fields of Illinois and Indiana, the cut grass of Kentucky and the damp of the eastern forest. August 2012

and counting

Playing the ’60s in their 60s

By Cary Ordway I don’t think any of us realized, back when we were in our early teens strapping on guitars to play Beatles music, that one day we would be playing ’60s in our 60s. When I’m 64 was supposed to be “many years from now” but Sir Paul McCartney is already well past that milestone and, like it or not, the rest of us are catching up. By Judy Marsalis Now here we are, rocking local clubs with Our cycling group calls it “Go, see, tell, ’60s music when we should be sitting at act.” My mother called it, “planting a seed.” home watching Lawrence Welk. The idea is the same: A cycling group I beWell, as they say, 60 is the new 30 – at least long to — called Follow the Women — hopes we like to say that — and these are not your to germinate thoughts in the people we pass, father’s Golden Years. the school children we visit, and through June 2013 the pictures in the local paper reporting on our activities as we ride through various

Biking for peace in the Middle East

(July 2013)

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countries in the troubled Middle East. Over 350 women from 40 countries have taken part in these rides since 2005, missing 2010 and 2011 due to turmoil around the “Arab Spring.” We ride in the name of peace, showing solidarity with the women and children and supporting human rights for all. We then make up our own minds about the region based on personal experiences and interaction with the women we meet along the way. June 2013

(April 2014) | The Good Life

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(June 2014) |

August 2015


+This is why I sing Running to save my life By Mary Lou Guerrero Running started this amazing journey for me that changed me inside and out. I had grown up eating junk food and watching movie marathons. My parents didn’t do any (kind of exercising) — they were just trying to earn a living. I had excuses why I didn’t do active things. As a receptionist I told myself I needed a higher income to do outdoor sports or only people with more education did these things, or I needed a certain body type to be a runner or a hiker. I had a hundred excuses keeping me inactive, keeping me eating poorly, and keeping me numb. Now I’m 36 and weigh 148 pounds. I’m not skinny and I’m OK with that — endurance runners come in many shapes, weights and body types. As an endurance runner, I need to eat well and eat enough to stay strong. But I feel strong. Most importantly, I feel alive. September 2014

Taking a family into the wilds of Vancouver Island By Marlene Farrell We broke through the forest edge to the welcoming sight of the ocean. The expanse of white sand was crisscrossed with tracks.

(October 2014)

By M.K. Resk “When you sang Ave Maria a cappella, you simply sounded like angels,” an audience member told me after the concert… I’ve sung with groups large and small throughout my life but there is something special about eightpart harmony. Eight mixed parts are not easy to learn, and the opportunity to sing in this sized group isn’t easy to come by, either. Attending weekly and twice a week rehearsals amidst already busy lives — with three new moms and one new dad in the group recently — goes beyond simple dedication. It shows our true love for music. And the thrill we got from every once in a while, singing like an angel.

The wolf and bear tracks went our way, down the beach toward Laura Creek. They disappeared in the heaps of seaweed drying in the high tide zone, not far from our next campsite. The river otter tracks dissected our lines as they went back and forth from woods to sea. This was their world. We were the guests. The tide will have swept away our footprints when they pad along the sand again. The eagles will careen and screech whether we are there to hear it or not. The osprey will plummet in what appears to be a bone-shattering dive into shallow surf for its dinner even when we aren’t there to have our breath taken away. October 2014

August 2014

A sunrise hike up Saddle Rock

and mountains surrounding the lights of the city remained silhouetted in black, and the Columbia River was a ribbon of gunmetal grey. Stunning… (Reaching a higher rock outcropping,) By Molly Steere Getting up early for an adventure feels like we admired the intensifying colors on the a privilege and holds a giddy anticipation for horizon, as the fresh snow on the hills to the northwest slowly turned pink. me. I’m weird like that. “Here it comes,” I whispered as the sun And although I’ve hiked Saddle Rock untold times, often at night, I’ve never made slowly peaked out from behind the hills to the east. It cast a golden glow on the Columthe journey before dawn. The opportunity bia, surrounding hills and trees. for a new perspective was enticing… We stood in silence for a long while, savorAfter about a mile and a half, and 900 feet elevation gain, we came upon the meadowed ing the panoramic view that includes the North Cascades, the city, the Wenatchee saddle before the craggy towers that form Foothills and the Columbia River. Saddle Rock. April 2015 By this time the sky was streaked with bluish purples and dusky orange, the rocks

(December 2014)

(February 2015)

August 2015 | The Good Life

(June 2015)

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My world

The world at the front door Fun. Entertainment. Friendship. Continuing Education: All Without Leaving Your Home By Maureen Stivers

W

hile it’s always exciting to travel around and find adventure, if you’re open minded and hearted, it can come right to your front door. All of us who own homes have had some experience with people working on our houses and yards. It ranges from daily contact with a contractor for months during home construction, to projects that take days or weeks, to one time visits for repairs and installations. But how frequently do we take a moment to get to know something about these folks apart from the work they’re doing? If you’re like my cynical older sister, who collectively refers to all persons making service calls to her home as “the oafs,” (certain that they are going to break everything and screw up the job) then probably not very often. But if you’re a people-person, like I am, asking a few questions can sometimes lead to pleasant surprises. We are fortunate to be on friendly terms with several people who do regular or occasional work at our home. But three in particular are standouts for making our days much more pleasant and exciting. The first is a lovely woman who owns a housecleaning business. Her name is Reyna Cruz and she and her extended family are from El Salvador. Reyna is exactly the kind of company you want in your home. She is warm, kind and genuine and her services are excellent. Over the last seven years, we have evolved from worker and homeowner to dear

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Rocker (and plumber) Ron Wood goes into his In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida pose.

friends. We talk endlessly and offer each other support and advice about family. She is patient with my Spanish, I am patient with her English. She laughs at all my silly ideas, such as when I told her that she and her crew should show up to collect a broom at the house of a woman who had claimed to have cleaned it herself to impress her visiting mother-inlaw. And we cry together when life seems overwhelming. Our daughters get along very well and our | The Good Life

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families sometimes celebrate birthdays and holidays together. Reyna’s extraordinary life is the stuff of movies and of great interest to me as a collector of people’s stories. But the best surprise of all is her unanticipated and faithful friendship. The second is our plumber, Ron Wood. You may not know him, but if you’ve ever found the public bathrooms in Leavenworth in working order, you have him to thank. Ron has been keeping us in running water and functioning waste systems since we

August 2015


Reyna Cruz and her extended family are from El Salvador... now she is a friend in Wenatchee.

moved here nearly eight years ago. From the get-go, I realized that Ron was both larger than life and great fun. Yes, physically he is a big man (although a new regimen is rendering him smaller in girth each time I see him) but it goes way beyond that. Ron is a musician and most importantly, a born performer. He plays several instruments, primarily the guitar, and took note of my husband’s Fender Stratocaster immediately upon seeing it. His booming voice and wild expressions were in full swing when he asked me who played it. Thus began the first of numerous conversations and mus-

Ron was a onetime member of the band Iron Butterfly. ings about older rock, being in bands, and the hits and styles of a bygone era. Ron had been in several bands during the Glam phase of rock music. He described crazy outfits and hair, visuals worthy of performance art, limitless loud sound and indoor fireworks. But the biggest surprise of all was learning that among his musical credentials, Ron was a

August 2015 | The Good Life

Paul Boghokian: A first generation Armenian roof and tile man.

one-time member of the band Iron Butterfly. I’m going to date myself now and let it be known that I purchased the original vinyl of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida when I was about 10 years old. Ron was dying to see it. I told him it was somewhere in my mother’s home on Bainbridge Island and that I would look for it. Every time he came, he asked me if I had it. Ron was too young to have been in the original band but played the song nu-

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merous times with one of the incarnations of Iron Butterfly and its remaining members. When I finally found and produced the album, Ron reacted as only Ron can: I think his “Woooooow!” was heard in Quincy. We put it on and the next thing I knew I had a real live rock performer, complete with gyrating body and head bobbing while belting out “In-AGadda-Da-Vida baby!” right in front of me.

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The world at the front door }}} Continued from previous page As he plumbs to pay the bills, Ron continues to write and record music and is always talking about potential gigs. If he does pull a band together and gets a gig, I’ll be there for sure, a groupie in the front row, earplugs firmly in place. The third person is the man who came to repair our red tile roof. Finding him was no easy task. Did you know that most roofing companies do not work on tile roofs? I had to go through the parts supplier to find him. The man at the company gave me a name, and then gave the recommendation that he was, “one of the smartest people I

have ever known.” That was quite an endorsement in an industry, in my experience, known for its badmouthing. I arranged a call to our house with Paul, whose accent I could not quite place. When he drove up I saw the name Boghokian Construction on the side of his truck. “I saw your name, are you Armenian?” I asked. Paul looked at me with wide eyes and exclaimed, “No one has ever known that! How did you know?” I think I came up with something hyper-intelligent like, “because your last name is Armenian.” “Yes, but how did you know?” How did I know? I’ll get to that later. We talked for a short time about roofs and then for a long time about Armenia and Armenians. By the time we were finished, I had learned that although he is first generation, his fellow tribesmen, as he refers to them,

Turns out there were several large Armenian families in the Wenatchee Valley... came to the Wenatchee Valley circa 1900, started as orchardists and then created Aplets. I had always been curious how Turkish Delight got here (not what the Armenians would ever call it) and after Paul left it was one of the things I researched. The history is all there on the Aplets and Cotlets website. Turns out there were several large Armenian families in the Wenatchee Valley, and some of their descendants still live and thrive here. (The rest moved to California because they couldn’t handle the snow.) Somehow, Paul and I got onto the topic of French. Not sure why, but he went through primary and high school in

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August 2015

French. No other languages allowed. What fun to find myself speaking a little French — Quel Plaisir! I think the reason Paul was so surprised that I knew about Armenia is because it is a landlocked country of only 11,400 square miles tucked away in the caucasus region of Central Asia. And more significantly, it has only been an independent country since 1991, (save for two years from 1918-1920) having been under the dominion of one empire or another dating back to the 16th Century, making Armenians a distinct people without a homeland. Back to how I knew he was Armenian. After Paul left, I had to think about that. Then it all came back to me. When I was living in Pasadena in 1979 going to acting school, I would frequent a casual Armenian restaurant where the servers were beyond pleasant and always promised to “make it delicious.” I also had a very kind co-worker at the bookstore of my employment named Armen Sanasarian. And, while living there, I read Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 whose protagonist is an Armenian-American named Captain John Yossarian. The –ian at the end of names — that’s how I could recognize an Armenian. It’s been years since I’ve stopped to think and reminisce about that part of my past. Had I not encountered Paul Boghokian, I wouldn’t have done so. So the next time someone comes to work on your home, try striking up a conversation. It may send you running the other way, vowing never to let this person into your house again. Or you may just have a short but pleasant chat. And then again you could get lucky, and learn something about our Valley, get a history lesson, practice a foreign language, have a floor show in your living room, trigger a pleasant memory or make a friend for life.


Where’s

Rich?

The Journey of Roadwalker — as Shared Through Blog Posts and Emails By Marlene Farrell

R

ich Brinkman had a decision to make. It was day eight of his Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) adventure — a hike that will take him more than five months to complete. He was tired from the last few days’ treks under the harsh Southern California sun. He had developed the worst blisters of his life — marble-sized — on the outsides of his toes. He had to get to Warner Springs, either by 33 miles of waterless trail or 20 direct miles following a road. Warner Springs, a small, civilized outpost, offered showers, a chance to doctor his feet, and his package of resupplies. This time the blisters won, and he hit the road. Soon he heard a meadowlark sing, and it felt like an affirmation of his choice. After 13 miles of road walking, he could get back on the trail, and hearing another meadowlark’s encouragement, he did. He met up with other thruhikers with trail handles (nicknames) like Methinks and Honeystick, and they hiked the last few miles together. Right then, Rich was given his trail handle, Roadwalker. It was an unofficial initiation into this society, bonded not by longterm relationships, but by the commonality of their very personal journeys. Each one hoping to hike from Mexico to Canada along the western spine of the

U.S., the 2,650 miles also known as the PCT. Rich wrote about it in a blog update. “Roadwalker stuck. Immediately everyone started to call me by my trail name. It is very fitting, especially since so much of my training was on the road the six years leading up to the hike.” It was the roads around his home in Leavenworth where Roadwalker prepared for this adventure. As a working divorcé dad, he had to squeeze in training before and after the workAugust 2015 | The Good Life

Rich Brinkman at the start of his walk (left), and recently, at the half way marker.

day, which meant hiking the roads with a 50-pound pack. The seeds of the dream The dream to hike the PCT began way before the months of physical and logistical preparations. Rich said, “My dad planted the seed when I was young, telling me about a trail that went all the way from Mexico to Canada.” He never went on a long trip www.ncwgoodlife.com

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with his dad, but he said, “We did go fishing and backpacking a lot. “When I moved to Washington my vision was to hike both Oregon and Washington, and the more I thought about it as the years progressed, the more I wanted to hike the entire trail.” Thanks to his current position as a sociology professor at Wenatchee Valley College, he

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Where’s

Rich?

}}} Continued from previous page was awarded a sabbatical. This was the window of time needed for the long hike, but he could also perform research on the trail about the sub-culture of long-distance hiking. Rich is collaborating with Dr. Kristi Fondren at Marshall University who has done similar research on the Appalachian Trail. “I take field notes every night and also am using a formal survey for roughly 35 interviews.” In addition, Rich has been a past board member for Wenatchee River Institute (WRI), and he offered his hike as a fundraising mechanism. WRI’s “Where’s Rich?” campaign highlights the value of people connecting to the natural world, whether it’s via a scenic trail or at a community preserve. Members follow Rich’s hike via blog posts and can donate per mile completed. Rich said, “Both of my daughters have been fortunate to participate in WRI’s Field Days as part of their school experience, and it is very important to ensure that future children will have the same opportunity.”

The trail photo from the early part of Rich’s hike is from near Sonora Pass in California.

The challenges and rewards Every year the PCT grows more popular with 2015 being a record year, thanks to its fame in the best-selling book, Wild, and the recently released movie. “More people than ever have applied for PCT permits, requiring a limit to the number of starts to 50 per day,” said Rich. But only a minority succeeds in the quest, because the challenges are many and varied. Thru-hikers are men and women from all over the States and abroad. Rich, at 49, is 20 years older than the majority of thru-hikers who are 20-30 years old. Despite some issues with his right ankle and his knees, his

To learn more...

To find out “Where’s Rich?” along the trail, read his blog or to donate to his WRI fundraiser, go to: www.wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/node/365. WRI will have Rich give a Red Barn Friday talk soon after his return to Leavenworth. It will be a great opportunity to hear stories, see pictures, ask questions and visit with Rich. See the WRI website for time and date.

body has grown strong and resilient to the 20-plus mile hikes, day after day. He said, “Pre-trip I was really concerned about my

chronic back pain, especially sleeping on a thin foam pad, but the only time my back has been a concern is when I sleep in a motel bed.” The trail, for all its scenic rewards, is not easy. Thru-hikers must be prepared for extreme conditions, including hurricane force winds, snow and the Mojave Desert’s lack of water, about which Rich said, “It gets hot by 8 a.m. in the desert. I carry four to five liters between water sources, and it is very hot when you drink it.” Calorie intake is another concern. Three weeks into his trip, Rich blogged, “I have lost a lot of weight. I saw my body in the mirror at Cajon Pass and >> RANDOM QUOTE

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” - Carl Bard 16

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I couldn’t believe how skinny I looked, Yikes! It is very hard to eat enough calories, but I simply have to do better.” As much as the gorgeous views and natural solitude draw the thru-hiker north, it is also the people one meets along the way, the other thru-hikers, the trail angels (individuals who live near the trail and go out of their way to help thru-hikers regularly with water, rides, even showers and a place to throw a sleeping bag), and strangers who offer a soda or a ride out of their way. Once Rich was hoping to catch a ride from the town of Bishop to the trail at Bishop Pass. A day hiker named David picked him up and said he could get him within seven miles of the trailhead. “The people who pick you up are very interested in the experience and many live it vicariously through us,” said Rich. “David’s plan was to hike from a different trailhead, but he didn’t like how the clouds were developing so he took me all the way to the Bishop Pass trailhead, and like so many others, wouldn’t accept anything for the ride.” Thru-hikers, because of their common goal, often have deep conversations while hiking or setting up a simple camp at night. But relationships are ephemeral as everyone has their own pace and mileage plan. When Rich left a group of other hikers, he said, “We all knew it would be goodbye, as they would try

Why do you keep going, Rich? Simply, there is just no way I could ever give up, but there is so much more to that. While there are moments on many days when one is so tired, frustrated, hungry, thirsty, worried, uncomfortable, miserable, etc., the experience is simply incredible overall. I passed the midway point yesterday and actually had some feelings of sadness to go with those of elation. That this amazing and magical journey is going to actually end at some point. That may sound very strange but it is very true, and I am sorry that I can’t put it into better words right now as I am preparing to be back on trail early tomorrow. There are also a lot of people counting on me to complete the trail, including my daughters, family, colleagues/friends, and of course WRI and WVC. As far as the 5 a.m. wakeup every morning there is something very special about being on trail early and trying to get 10 by 10 (10 miles by 10 a.m.) when the terrain allows. I am just part of something very special out here, and it has been a dream to be part of for a long time. — Rich Brinkman

for two to three more miles and a very early morning. It got emotional and almost teary. I had only been hiking with them on and off for a week but it was as if we were family.” Leaving his own family, his daughters Sol and Sierra, has

August 2015 | The Good Life

been hard. “I try to be in touch with them at every opportunity, but I have gone weeks at a time without cell service since entering the Sierras. Pay phones, letters, postcards — I have used them all to stay in touch, and they have been involved in the resupply boxes. I miss them more than words can describe.” The challenges will continue, all the way to Canada, which Rich hopes to reach in early October. The threat of forest fires looms large, and Rich has already had to make his first detour around one fire.

Still going With each step Roadwalker draws closer to his beloved Pacific Northwest and Canada. With each step he succeeds and feels a connection with wilderness, the trail, the people he meets, and himself. In the heart of the Sierra Mountains, about six weeks into Rich’s trip, the trail vanished into a raging stream. He could see the trail emerge on the far bank. “Two young southbound hikers converged on the other side, and while there was no way we could hear each other over the raging stream, we clearly understand our collective dilemma. There were three options (across

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“If this jump did not go well my PCT trek could be over.” slippery rocks), with none less dangerous than the other, and we each choose our route. This was not a rock hop but a rock jump, and I felt adrenaline like never before. If this jump did not go well my PCT trek could be over. “With the wet and heavy pack I dig deep to find the power to make this leap with the ability to recover should I slip upon landing. Something took over at that point and the mild tread on my shoes stuck the wet rock on the bank just enough to gather myself and remain upright. “I looked back to the young couple now safely on the other side, and the three of us simultaneously gave the thumbs up sign. We couldn’t exchange a word due to the roar of the stream, but it was an experience we will always share. That was a very special moment on the trail.” Marlene Farrell, a Leavenworth writer, also loves backpacking. It was on a two-month hike along the PCT that she met her future husband, Kevin, who was thru-hiking with his dog, Cooper, and using the trail handle, Team Dog-in-Boots. Marlene and Kevin share their love of adventure with their children via backpacking and sailing.


PET tales

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

Trail dog By Lori Nitchals

R

ecently my five-and-a-half year old yellow lab, Mijo, and I went on his first backpack with four members of my weekly 55plus hiking group. I found Mijo at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society when he was 14 months old. We signed up with Crossroads Dog Training in Quincy for 10 private lessons to help me fine tune my training skills so he could be my road trip buddy. We later did advanced offleash training because I also wanted him to be my hiking partner. Now Mijo is a wellbehaved, experienced road trip pup and day hiker. To keep in shape for our 8-10 mile weekly day hikes, we usually go on three to four mile leashed walks, four days a week. For me, this was an especially poignant trip. My late husband and I spent much time hiking and backpacking together. When he died over four years ago, I simply assumed I would never have anyone to backpack with again. When several members of the hiking group said they would like to go backpacking with their new upgraded gear, I

Lori Nitchals and Mijo: A close trail companion who occasionally gets diverted by a chipmunk.

jumped on this opportunity, upgraded mine, and we scheduled this trip. We chose Icicle Creek Trail in Leavenworth, an easy five-mile hike in, for our first group backpack. I led the way with Mijo staying in his favorite spot, right behind me. Of course, there was the occasional chipmunk chase or potty run, but he always came right back to his spot behind me in line. He carried his daypack with a liter of water. I carried his foam insulation pad, kibble, treats, collapsible bowl, Gulpy water bottle, and kept his leash in my pocket. (Eventually he will get his own overnight backpack to carry his gear.) My biggest concern was he might get scared at night and

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My biggest concern was he might get scared at night and shred my new ultralight tent. shred my new ultralight tent. He was just fine and we both slept soundly all night in the tent. When the group was fussing about getting things set up, he just laid down midst the tents and did guard duty. And he would make the rounds to be sure everyone was all right. When we were using our stoves I leashed him to a tree to prevent any accidental stove tip overs. He could not have made his

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August 2015

momma prouder on this backpack. We have already scheduled our next trip — this time for three nights. What I have learned about hiking/backpacking with dogs is: n They need to be under reliable voice control when off-leash, or they need to be leashed. Mijo and I have spent many hours reinforcing the obedience skills we learned. n Bring one-and-a half to two times the amount of food they normally eat. n Carry an easily accessible water bottle for them and offer water frequently while hiking unless there are creeks nearby. n Bring an insulation pad for them to sleep on. n Regular three to four mile leashed walks, four times a


week, will keep you both in shape for hiking and backpacking. (Just running around the yard is not enough exercise for hiking pups or humans.) n Having them carry a pack gives them a sense of purpose and gives you a handle to grab if needed. Do not allow your dog to approach others without permission. n Clean up dog poop and bury it.

25 dog friendly off-leash* day hikes Mijo’s List (measured by tail-wags per second)

by Lori Nitchals

Difficulty level 1-4 (easiest-strenuous) *** Lake Wenatchee District - 11 hikes:
 White River- go on as far as you want (1-2) Lake Valhalla (2)**
 White Pine Creek (2)
 Twin Lakes
(3) Heather Lake
(3) Mount McCausland — late August and early September for huckleberries
(3) Spider Meadows — before the mid-September high hunt
(3) Poe Mountain via Irving Pass
(3) Merritt Lake
(3) Lake Minotaur — late summer or early fall
(4) Rock Mountain via Snowy Creek — late summer or early fall (4) Leavenworth District - 8 hikes
 Mountain Home Ridge/Boundary Butte
(1) Upper Icicle Creek — go in as far as you want
 (1-2) Tibbetts Mountain — early spring or fall (rattlesnakes)
(1-2) Ingalls Creek — early spring or fall (rattlesnakes) can just go in as far as you want
(2-3) Icicle Ridge
(3) Sauer’s Mountain — Trail closed Oct. 14March 21
(3) Chatter Creek Basin
(3) Fourth of July — early spring or late fall. Go as far as you want (3-5) Lake Chelan - 1 hike:
 Echo Ridge — early spring or late fall (rattlesnakes) (2)

Lori Nitchals is a retired RN with a passion for being in nature, especially hiking in the mountains. Originally from the Northeast, she came to Washington in 1990 to work as a logistician for Outward Bound in Mazama. She fell in love with mountains here and stayed. When she is not hiking in the mountains, she is tending to her gardens, volunteering as the Parish Nurse at the Cascade Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, teaching wellness classes, writing a weekly article on wellness, or taking a road trip with her pup, Mijo.

Lori and Mijo enjoy the view from the top.

Wenatchee - 4 hikes
 Clara and Marion Lakes
(2) Burch Mountain Beginner’s Route — when access road is not overly rutted
(3) Twin Peaks — early spring or late fall (rattlesnakes)
(3) Mission Peak- summer or fall (2) Quincy - 1 hike
1- Ancient Lakes and/or Dusty Lake — winter and early spring (rattlesnakes) (1) * Even in off-leash areas, dogs must be under voice control. Dogs that don’t mind you immediately should be leashed.
 ** On the Pacific Crest Trail portion of this hike, dogs should be leashed.
 *** These are human ratings. For a dog, all of these are easy.

August 2015 | The Good Life

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Right Around Here Drive a little slower, stop a few more times and see wonders & history just a few miles from home By Gilbert Biles

I

have traveled to far distance places from Argentina, Mexico, Hawaii, and up and down the East Coast but, there are places right around home that are just as spectacular to see. I am a fisherman and I like to go to new lakes and streams to try my luck. Recently I was going to Lyons Ferry on the Snake River and fish the Palouse River. I have made this trip many times and missed the majestic views of the trip as one does when one gets in a hurry. This time I took my time. At Moses Lake I took highway 17 and went to SR 26. This is where it begins. For miles you see wheat lands galore and scab rock formations that the farmer has to plow around to put in his crop. If you

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take the time to look at this you wonder how it was formed. The first town you come to is the sleepy town of Washtucna. The town was named after a Palouse Indian chief. The town was homesteaded by George Bassett, an Iowan settler, with his wife, Alice Lancaster Bassett, in 1878. Their goal was to raise horses, and until 1900 their ranch was the site of an annual roundup of wild horses. In 1882, the first post office in Adams County was established with Bassett as postmaster. The post office was taken over by T.C. Martin in 1894 who opened the first store in Washtucna. Now most of the business are boarded up and gone. There is a restaurant in the town where I had lunch. Nice little place with a few locals stopping in for coffee or just to chat. The now population of the

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town is 208. In 1920 there were 359 living there. It is not a ghost town yet but who knows what the future will bring?

As I left town I turned on Highway 261. From here you will see lots of scab rock area. Go slow and look at the majes-

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August 2015


Palouse Falls drops from a height of 198 feet with high volumes of water flow in spring and early summer.

tic scenery and wonder how it was formed centuries ago. This is really a beautiful country. My next stop is an absolute must-see. This is the 198-foot Palouse Falls on the Palouse River. The Palouse River heads up in the Idaho area, it is 167 miles long and empties into the Snake River at Lyons Ferry. There is a 105-acre state park there with tent camping, bathrooms and an overlook to see the falls. There are also hiking trails leaving the park — some are easy, some are strenuous. Make sure you take plenty of water and watch for rattlesnakes. During the last ice age 14,000 to 15,000 years ago, a large ice dam in present-day Montana formed the Clark Fork River, creating ancient Lake Missoula

route between Fort Walla Walla and Fort Benton. In the early days of travel one can imagine wagons loaded with supplies traveling this route. Sheep, up to 3,000 in a herd, also crossed a load at a time for a whopping cost of $.01 per head, often taking days for a herd to cross. The barge was 64.5 feet long by 20 feet wide. Up to seven vehicles at a time could cross in an average Washtucna: Nice place for a lunch stop, but fewer and fewer people are living there. of 20 minutes. When fishing was hot, up to 250 cars a day would use the ferry. With the construction of the Monumental Dam in 1961 time was running out for the ferry. Lake Herbert G. West was backed up behind the dam and a new bridge was planned to cross the river. The last of the ferry operators were the Turner and Shears families. Originally called the Palouse Ferry, it become known in All aboard for the Lyons Ferry? Well, maybe not. later years as Lyons Ferry in honor of flooding much of Western MonThis area was the home to Na- Daniel and Oliver Lyons. After tana. tive Americans for thousands of 100 years of operation it came to The ice dam as high as 2,000 years. an end Dec. 24, 1968. feet is estimated to have been In October 1805 Lewis and On that day the Lyons Ferry breached and reformed many Clark found many salmon drybridge was opened over the times. The cataclysmic floods ing racks located at the park’s Snake River and the ferry made washed over through Eastern present site. its last crossing. Washington carving out the I have reached my destinaToday unfortunately, the ferry scablands and the amazing tion, Lyons Ferry Marina. There lies decaying in the slack water Palouse Falls. is a K.O.A. campground and a just north of the old crossing On my way to my last stop I marina on the Snake River. at Lyons Ferry Park. Just to the passed Lyons Ferry State Park. This is the historic location North of the swimming beach The park was under rehab when of a ferry crossing for over 100 in a quiet cove the ferry is slowly I was there, but reopened this years. sinking into the mud and hissummer. There is swimming, Beginning operation in 1860, tory. picnic areas, restrooms and the ferry crossing became part There’s a lot to see, right some camping areas. of the Mullen’s Road, a military around home. August 2015 | The Good Life

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The view from the heart of Chelan’s south side vineyard hills takes in a big swath of the lake. This terrace is positioned for day-long sun, others are tucked away in cooling shade. Photos by Jim Gurke

Chelan d’Azur house Story by Susan Lagsdin

T

he image of Chris Gurke sitting alone at a French café table has influenced this family’s home life more than she and her husband Jim ever dreamed.

AT e HSPoONm SOR

Six years ago, on a brief jaunt to Provence and the Cote d’Azur during a business conference, the couple stopped in the village of Tourettes for a meal in a café with outdoor seating, and Jim snapped a particularly pic-

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Chelan d’Azur house Deliberately deep high arches lend definition to the central area spaces, which feature lots of light and 15 foot ceilings (18 feet in the living room). Photo by Donna Cassidy

}}} Continued from previous page turesque photo of his wife. They brought that same photo to a first meeting with Jon Simpson of JWS Residential Design in 2012 when they decided to build a home in Chelan. Simpson was tasked with blending Northwest lodge style with the OldWorld, wine-country ambience the Gurke’s fell in love with in France. Within a year and a half, Jon and builder David Harkney

brought the Gurkes everything they wanted to see: pale buffcolored stone, dark exposed timbers, deep archways, ironwork, patios and balconies, French doors, wide oak flooring, and big windows, paned and shuttered. They did it to accommodate the couple, their away-at-college son Joey and sometimes his buddies, and a sought-after stream of visiting family and friends. And they put all 5,600-plus multi-level square feet (plus

This scene photographed at dusk last winter accents the living room’s comfortable dimensions, as well as the distinct play of pale walls and dark wood. Photo by Jim Gurke

terraces) on a logistically tricky half-acre lot with a 30-degree pitch. After living in the house for over a year, Jim still praises the team that got it done, saying, “There is absolutely nothing here that I would change… both Jon and David are men of incredible integrity, incredible trustworthiness.” Jon, from Newcastle on the west side and David, from Chelan, have collaborated before and

since on fine homes in the area. Jim noted that in 2004 Harkney Construction and Development built Tsillan Cellars, a downthe-hill neighbor. Its relaxed elegance, though Tuscan rather than Provencal, was another inspiration to the Gurkes after a long-ago visit to the winery. At the outset, the biggest problem for the couple themselves was not the look of the house or even its complex construction. It was the basic

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touring 5 grand Chelan homes for a good cause Jim and Chris Gurke’s new Clos CheValle dream home at Bear Mountain is one of five homes on the annual Lake Chelan Home Tour on Saturday, Sept. 19. The tour, now in its 13th year, is more than innovative architecture, state of-the-art construction, loving restoration, great gardens and jawdropping views (though there’s plenty of that). Notably, the event directly benefits Lake Chelan Community Hospital, enabling local and regional neighbors to support excellent medical care while they enjoy walking through some of the fine homes in the area. The primary 2015 gift from the Tour proceeds will be a Zoll monitor and defibrillator for the emergency room. In addition to the home tour, all day — 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. — Tsillan Cellars will exhibit the work of Northwest artists in its tasting room as an anchor event of the tour. Entrance is free, and the 25 featured artists will donate a part of each sale to Guild B, the major fund raiser for the hospital. Other grand Chelan homes on the tour on that bound-to-be-beautiful September Saturday morning: n Jeff Ballard and Candace Farnsworth’s hillside “where” question. They had moved to Sammamish from Chicago for Jim’s job with Getty Images, allowing Chris to leave Lucent Technologies to be an at-home mom for young Joey, and they were seeking a getaway cabin. Their perennial favorite Hilton Head, S.C., was a strong contender for a second home site, but a growing love of the Northwest — and a desire to travel with their retriever, Lucy — drew them toward Puget Sound

house, a new two-suite home with orchard, golf course and lake views. It features a courtyard, casita, current pool, outdoor living area and interior spaces personally designed by the owner, all with the comfortable, rustic feel of a Tuscan villa. n Barbara Bennett’s historic getaway brought back from disuse and restored to beauty by the owner, an interior designer. This 1906 in-town house adapted gracefully to improvements of entryway, arches and roofline, and the second floor and basement levels were remodeled for added space. n Bill and Sandra Danke’s orchard classic, with long lake views from almost every window. This thoughtfully updated 1947 house offers comfort in the climate, with a full wrap-around veranda and a screened porch on the shady side. In the orchard are a guest cottage and private pool. n Nat and Diane Franklin’s lakefront redesign in Manson, built in 2008. Recently re-envisioned with all new décor and furnishings, this house has three balconied bedrooms upstairs and a lower level master suite that opens to a park-like patio, lawn and walkway to the waters of Lake Chelan. Info: www.lakechelanhometour.com.

and ocean properties. Then a chance visit to Chelan (actually a silent auction bid) changed everything; they scouted the area and soon chose Bear Mountain and the steep lot in Clos CheValle, surrounded by vineyards. “Getaway cabin” and “downsizing” left their vocabulary. With Jim’s fortuitous early retirement, they decided to make a big leap over the mountains and build this as their primary

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Chelan d’Azur house

Even on this summer’s smokiest days, the lower level outdoor living area (with couches and open air kitchen to the right) offers a pleasant place to relax. Photos by Donna Cassidy

}}} Continued from previous page residence. The Gurkes were hands-on owners during the whole process. Jim speaks of thousands of miles in the car making day trips from their westside home to Chelan to check on details. The testing, planning, engineering know-how and rigorous problem-solving that went into the superstructure were all in a day’s work for the builder; his confidence let the couple pay attention to all that would come after.

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Any new home builder/owner learns that you’ll be bombarded with myriad decisions, large and small. Inevitably, a few of the most beautiful and practical features of their hillside home were not in the original plans but grew out of collegial and open-minded discussion. Some of the negotiated changes made a big difference. High ceilings proportioned to Jim’s tall frame were a given in the upstairs, but the Gurkes preferred 10-foot ceilings in the basement level rooms, where

eight or nine feet is typical, necessitated creative HVAC engineering using outside ducts. At the entrance, however, a grand double door with sidelights was simplified and scaled way down from the plans to create a warmer welcome. Jim quoted a friend who said, “I feel like the house is giving me a hug.” A few revisions were more subtle. A wine cellar sited down a hallway now edges up to the family room bar instead. And the spacious master closet,

which originally would have been visible from the foyer with the bedroom door open, is now accessed more privately through the en suite bathroom. The Gurkes thought they wanted tongue-and-groove wood ceilings throughout, but they remain mostly in the living room (18 feet high). The rest of the rooms’ ceilings share the stucco-look troweled sheetrock of the walls in creamy Vellum; the look is clean and bright and a good contrast for the arches and coves, beams and light

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Flanked by two guest suites and with a bar at the back, the downstairs play room is dedicated to the past, with memorabilia, antique pool table and billiard club seating.

fixtures. Two very special spaces stayed as originally planned, but Jim and Chris still marvel at how perfect they are — getting much more use than either anticipated. On the lower level on the west end is a shady outdoor covered living room with radiant heat for winter, a cooking area, and comfy couches. “We are out here all the time,” Chris said. “It’s a perfect place to sit and relax any time of the day, any season.” Another spot that delights daily is a tiny loggia, a balcony tucked under the roofline, accessible from both the master bedroom and the living room. Protected from weather, facing stunning north views of the lake, it’s perfect for morning coffee, with two soft chairs with a table between. “Out here, it seems like the biggest decision we have to make,” Jim joked, “is whether or not we need to get dressed today.” They generally do. Retirement, as most have found, rarely means sitting still. Their three-car garage stores kayaks and ski gear for when they’re outward bound, but downstairs a 100-year-old pool table centers

the family room, and outside a swimming pool is just a short stairway down another terraced level. Chris regularly runs the local roads, and Jim, a tinkerer and fixer with a slight antiques addiction, chips away at a “to do” list. Besides sharing a sporting life and enjoying the society of new Chelan neighbors, Jim and Chris are also devoted to separate community pursuits. Chris is involved in Bible study and other activities as a member of the Living Stone Church, and Jim remains a working member of the board of the Seattle Aquarium. But mostly, they love being home. Jim describes their very first

Jim and Chris Gurke have made a happy transition from Sammamish to their new home on the south side of Lake Chelan, and to their new community.

overnight in the house last summer. “It was stormy, with incredible lightning up and down the lake. With these expansive windows and no shades or

curtains yet, it made for quite the dramatic show... We felt extremely blessed and fortunate to be settling into our beautiful new home.”

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Historic Getaway


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column GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

bonnie orr

And then the gunman sat down for dinner S

ome people say that their favorite activities are reading and cooking. This co-incidence must have spawned the chick fiction that features a woman solving a mystery while dishing up romance and tasty gourmet meals. The Goldy series by Diane Mott Davidson features a caterer who solves mysteries; Susan Wittig Albert’s heroine mixes botany and cooking and Carolyn Fluke’s heroine shares her recipes. My favorite dinner party was based on Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. My guests dressed in Mexican finery, and we dined in the garden. I used the recipe that was included in the text made with chestnuts, quail and rose petals. You remember, it is the meal that so inflames the passion of the heroine’s sister that she burst into flames. My women guests had all read this book and were anticipating romance; the husbands were gathered under the cherry trees exchanging tips on rotor tillers. It took me months to assemble the meal. I purchased and prepared chestnuts at Christmas, and in July gathered my pesticide-free rose petals. I am sad to say, no one burst into passionate flames. The Sicilian detective, Inspector Montalbano, solves mysteries in the series written by Andrea Camilleri, provides lush descriptions of the ingredients for the fragrant and savory Italian dishes — but no recipes. He makes me want to put down the book and pick up the mixing bowl. He is the character who re-introduced me to anchovies — (See September

4 pieces of spring roll wrappers

Goan prawns with coriander and rice: Inspired by an adventure travel book.

2013). I made a delicious, distinctive drink called Vin de Noix. In April 2009, I wrote about making pickled, green walnuts to serve as appetizers, so I was all over the idea of making a drink with green walnuts. One June, I picked small green walnuts: husks, neophyte shell and nutmeat, and added a few walnut leaves and some red wine and some sugar and let this odd mixture sit in isolation. It is best after two years, just as the lead character in Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker explained to the readers. I like to create the memorable taste that an author merely describes. In The Back of Beyond, David Yeadon raves about a dish he ate in Goa… “Slices of apa de camarao, a sort of pie with a golden rice crust over a succulent mix of whole prawns cooked in coconut milk.” I checked the Internet for apa de camarao and none of

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the recipes matched Yeadon’s description — so I was on my own. Here is what I created. Instead of a pie crust, I used low-calorie spring roll wrappers.

Goan Prawns with Coriander and Rice 1 hour; serves 4 Oven 350 degrees 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin seed 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (optional) 5 teaspoons coconut oil 2 shallots sliced 1-1/2 cups cooked rice 4 eggs 1 can coconut milk (14 ounces) 1 tablespoon flour salt/white pepper 1/2 cup dry, unsweetened ground coconut 12 cooked large prawns/shrimp

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Heat the ground coriander, turmeric and cumin in a dry frying pan until fragrant. Remove from pan. In the same pan add 2 teaspoons of oil and cook the shallots until they are wilted. Take them out of the pan. In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and spread the cooked rice into a layer that covers the bottom of the pan. Cook the rice until it is browned and crisp on the bottom — about 12 minutes. Slide onto a plate. Meanwhile, whip the eggs and the coconut milk together. Add the flour, dried coconut, salt, pepper, shallots and spices. If necessary, clean the prawns and remove the tails. Put the 4 pieces of spring roll wrapper in a large pie pan so that they thoroughly cover the bottom and sides. Trim the projecting edges. Pour the egg mixture on top of the spring roll wrappers. Place the prawns in a circle around the outside edge of the pie pan. Place the “quiche” in the oven for 15 minutes. Take it out of the oven, and slide the rice on top of the quiche, browned side up. Bake another 30 minutes until the egg mixture is totally solid. This can be eaten warm, room temperature or cold. If there is any left, it is even more delicious the next day. Bonnie Orr — the dirt diva — cooks and gardens in East Wenatchee.


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column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

How safe is our food supply? William Beach from Mus-

tang, Oklahoma loved cantaloupe and in fact the 87-year-old ate it every day. One day he felt ill and the next morning he collapsed, was taken to the hospital and died later that day from a listeria infection. Two summers ago, Jill Poretta, age 43, was visiting Seattle from her home in New Jersey. The day after eating oysters in a waterfront restaurant she became violently ill. Tests showed she had become infected with Vibrio, a bacteria which naturally inhabits coastal and brackish waters in the U.S. and Canada, and is a leading cause of seafood related illness. What is going on? I have always thought our food is among the safest in the world, but one cannot help but wonder when nearly every few weeks we read a report of a new foodborne illness. According to the Center for Disease Control, foodborne illnesses affect 48 million Americans annually resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and roughly 3,000 deaths. Those are staggering numbers. Many of the illnesses caused by these bacteria cause gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The most common foods related to illness are raw meat, poultry and seafood. Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be serious to pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems including the elderly. It is most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products. The FDA found that in Mr. Beach’s case, the equipment

Consumer Reports tested 200 supermarket pork samples in 2012 and found 69 percent harbored the bacterium Yesinia that causes food poisoning... used to clean the cantaloupe spread the listeria, resulting in a 17-state recall. E. Coli infection from contaminated meat, particularly ground beef, is well known. Salmonella and E. Coli can get into the meat and poultry during the butchering process or in seafood harvested from contaminated water. Last year, 136 people got sick and one died after eating ground turkey carrying a strain of salmonella resistant to multiple antibiotics. A common viral illness caused by norovirus can be spread from contaminated food and then passed from person to person, particularly in crowded conditions such as cruise ships and nursing homes. The list goes on and on. Consumer Reports tested 200 supermarket pork samples in 2012 and found 69 percent harbored the bacterium Yesinia that causes food poisoning, especially in children. Some 11 percent of the samples contained enterococci, which is a sign of fecal contamination. They also found 3-7 percent contained salmonella, staphylococcus or listeria, all of which can cause serious illness. August 2015 | The Good Life

Another major food production issue is that many bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance. Farmers and meat producers feed low levels of antibiotics to their pork, beef and even chickens. They are doing this to make their animals grow more rapidly, making them plumper, but are not using them to treat illnesses. Subsequently the antibiotics are passed in the feces, ending up in ground water and in the soil where they become aerosolized into the environment. Germs have great ability to rapidly mutate and adapt and become antibiotic resistant. As a result we are fighting more infections of all kinds caused by so-called “superbugs” that formerly were treatable but now have developed widespread antibiotic resistance. Humans are especially vulnerable if they contract a superbug infection. Kudos to Wal-Mart, the first large retailer to take a stand against the excessive use of antibiotics in the meat they sell. Recently, they decided to encourage their meat, seafood, dairy and egg producers to reduce the use of antibiotics in the animals they raised. McDonalds has also stated that in two years its U.S. restaurants will stop buying chickens raised with human antibiotics. These are important steps. An increasing number of grocery stores and chains such as Whole Foods, as well as some food suppliers, that sell organic foods are antibiotic-free and are offering free-range or grass-fed animals and poultry. It may be worth paying a bit extra to have these foods. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the USDA www.ncwgoodlife.com

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(U.S. Department of Agriculture) are responsible for the protection of public health and to assure that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary and properly labeled. The USDA regulates and inspects meats from livestock, poultry and processed eggs. The FDA’s role is to inspect both domestic and imported food producers, but when one considers the trillion-dollar food industry, this seems to be a nearly impossible task. In fact, the FDA can only inspect 6 percent of domestic food producers and only 0.4 percent of imported food. Currently 20 percent of our food is imported. The food industry often hires for-profit private inspectors who are not required by law to meet federal standards and have no government supervision. Their audits have been described as more of a bookkeeping exercise with no actual testing for potentially dangerous pathogens. Sometimes these auditors don’t set foot in production areas of the companies they report as safe. As flawed as the inspection system is in the U.S., it is more problematic with imported food especially food coming from countries with low sanitary standards such as Vietnam, China, Mexico and many other Third World countries. The FDA has asked for more funding to increase its inspection capability, but to no avail. Starting in 2016, a food safety law passed in 2011 will require high-risk producers to be inspected every five years.

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column moving up to the good life

june darling

What are your intentions for today? S

everal months ago while driving my grandchildren to school, one of them (McKinsey, a five-year-old) asked, “Aren’t we going to talk about our intentions for the day?” Realizing that I had forgotten the-going-to-school-preparation routine, I encouraged McKinsey to tell us what her focus for the day was going to be. “My intentions are to be a really good listener and to be a friend to everyone. And if someone gets hurt on the playground, I will ask them if they are okay; if they need help I will get the teacher. Also I am going to do my best to get to the other side of the monkey bars today.” McKinsey’s sister seemed unimpressed, but I could barely

contain my glee. McKinsey was envisioning her day — thinking ahead about who she wanted to be today, what she wanted to achieve, and how she wanted to react. McKinsey was setting goals (she may have gotten some ideas from teachers or parents) and sharing them with others who cared about her. She was putting into motion the first part of a very good strategy for living the good life. Many things happen during the day of a five-year-old like McKinsey (same for you and me). She will be given many instructions by the teacher and her classmates — sit in the circle, keep your feet and hands to yourself, look at the teacher,

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... we can vastly improve our outcomes if we become more engaged with our intentions. put your lunchbox on the counter, take your boots to your locker. She will be asked many questions about what she is learning. She will become tired and hungry. Her classmates will leave her out of some games and invite her to play others. She’ll experience thousands of emotions. Throughout McKinsey’s day, her intentions are meant to guide her. She will sometimes remember. She will sometimes have the energy to focus. One thing that will help McKinsey stay on track is that she knows what happens after school. McKinsey will be picked up and the end-of-school-day routine will commence. Those who care about her will ask her how she did with her intentions. This accountability is the second part of a very good strategy for making changes toward living the good life.

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August 2015

Maybe this process doesn’t surprise you so far. But here’s a new twist. The idea comes from Marshall Goldsmith who has been recognized as one of the top thought leaders and executive coaches in the world. He works with the management teams of companies like Johnson and Johnson and Boeing. Goldsmith explains in his latest book, Triggers, that we can vastly improve our outcomes if we become more engaged with our intentions. Here’s how. Goldsmith suggests adding words like “do my best” to an intention and turning it into a question. This approach keeps us actively monitoring and redirecting ourselves. Let’s say my objective is to be a good listener. Then I ask myself, “Am I doing my best to be a good listener?” Those others in my life who care about me, who want me to attain my goals, and who have my permission to hold me accountable may ask me, “Did you do your best to be a good listener today?” The response usually isn’t a yes or no answer, but rather something like, “On a 10 point scale, I would rate myself about a seven at doing my best to be a good listener today.” (People who are really serious about making a change often write down their scores or keep some sort of chart to track their progress.) Over time, by repeatedly having someone ask us (or by asking ourselves) if we are doing our best to accomplish the goals we want to achieve, our actions change. Recognizable, solid behavioral change usually takes


awhile — six to 18 months. McKinsey is well on her way to accomplishing her intentions. Her teacher and parents report that she is in fact a very good listener, friends with all her classmates, is the first on the scene to help someone who gets hurt on the playground, and has made it to the other side of the monkey bars. Perhaps that’s why McKinsey’s sister is rather unimpressed. She’s been hearing about these intentions for an entire year. Maybe it’s about time for McKinsey to move on. If McKinsey is at a loss about where to go next, she could be guided through a four-question model that Goldsmith uses with his powerful, adult clients. You and I can use the same structure. Start with any of these questions. What do I like about myself (or my life) that I want to hold on to? What about myself (or my life) would I like to change? What about myself (or my life) do I just need to accept even though I do not like it all that much? What in myself (or my life) do I really need to eliminate or get rid of? See what area calls to you — something to eliminate, create,

hold on to, accept? State your intention. Turn your intention into a question and make it active (by adding a phrase like “do my best”). Find a buddy with whom you can share your intentions or chart your own progress. Stay the course until you’ve made the behavioral changes you desire. I’m in too. My day might not be as full of stuff as a 5-yearolds, but I can easily get off track. My husband has already agreed to be my partner. Here are my new intentions. Am I doing my best to be grateful? Am I doing my best to notice others’ strengths? Am I doing my best to make a positive difference in the world? Am I doing my best to get rid of stuff I no longer need? Am I doing my best to accept a flabby neck (or should I do those yoga face workouts? Still working on this one.) How might you move up to The Good Life by working with your intentions? 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.

Dr. Brown

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An example of ineptitude }}} Continued from page 29 To me, this sounds like a drop in the bucket. The Blue Bell ice cream case is an example of ineptitude. The FDA has stated that Blue Bell, located in Texas and Oklahoma, had known that at least one of its plants harbored listeria, a deadly bacteria, yet continued to sell ice cream that made many sick. The company chose not to alert state or federal officials or to test its ice cream to see if it was safe. The Jensen Farms in Granada, Colo., that produced the can-

taloupe that Mr. Beach ate had been awarded a top safety rating by a private for-profit inspection company. The FDA had never inspected Jensen Farms. Despite the negative tone of this article, I think we still have very safe food in his country. But, there are many things we as consumers can do to ensure that our food is as safe as possible. This will be the topic of next month’s article. 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. August 2015 | The Good Life

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Firefighters walk away from a fully involved structure during the Sleepy Hollow fire in a street full of water. Fire photos by Cary Ulrich

A firefighter’s photographer By Susan Lagsdin

W

enatchee photographer Cary Ulrich said he sees no irony, neither correlation nor disconnect, in his last two fulltime occupations. For almost 40 years he created by hand exquisitely detailed scale-model buildings for architects’ clients on the West Coast, in Seattle and locally. And for the last 10, he’s documented the devastation of land and structures, with almost 30,000 photographs in just the last two years, for the local fire districts. Documenting first creativity, and then destruction? “I guess I never thought of it

that way,” he mused. “I enrolled in a Wenatchee Valley College photography class just because I needed good photos of my models; after that I took the usual landscape and scenic shots. It wasn’t until later I realized how much I liked shooting fires.” What Cary likes about “shooting fires” is not unusual — ask any action photographer why he or she likes to take pictures of horse races, surfing, sailing, snowboarding, ballet or basketball. Most photographers who stick with one facet of photography enjoy being around its practitioners. Cary is decidedly not a fan of fire itself, but he really enjoys

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Cary at the Wenatchee fire hall: Went from “Who’s that guy?” to “Hey, there’s a good shot over here.” Photo by Mike Cassidy

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August 2015


“It was a oncein-a-lifetime experience I wish never to have again.” the camaraderie of the folks who fight it. “It’s pretty exciting and challenging to get the perfect shot that tells the story. But what I really enjoy is the companionship of the fire fighters — they are a great group of guys and I’m proud to be associated with them.” He said he’s continually impressed at how much good work they do, not just on the fire site but off-duty for their communities. On his website, which chronicles every shot he’s taken with his Canon 60 D camera, Cary doesn’t just show smoke and flame. He’s taken photos at search and rescue missions, at varied drills and training sessions, industry conventions, department picnics, awards ceremonies and charity events like barbecues and holiday parties. “When I first started, I had a film camera, and one roll would stay in it until I forgot it was there.” Cary said. “Then I went digital. At the state fire conference I took 900 pictures in two and a half days.” Sometimes even in the midst of a conflagration he’ll be able to take an artistic picture, like a close-up of flames through a scorched window frame or a portrait of a firefighter. He’s on the lookout for an even faster camera, but even though he captures dramatic moments in rapid succession (he caught the GO USA building collapse in three progressive shots) he doesn’t want to try video. “I’m too used to waiting for the absolutely perfect shot!” When Cary first started taking fire photos, it took just a few practice rounds, for him and for the local fire departments, for their connection to solidify. “My

himself a friend of the firefighters, respectfully archiving their efforts, making his on line photos available to anyone. Though he’s been subpoenaed twice with evidentiary photos (“They never went to trial,” he said) Cary is not an investigative photographer, nor does he relish taking shots of human misery or injury. “I think accident shots are much too personal, too intrusive,” he said. The crushing loss he witnessed taking photos of the Sleepy Hollow fire when it approached Broadview was particularly painful. “It was a once-ina-lifetime experience I wish never to have Cary shoots training photos, too, like this one of again.” firefighters training for a house fire. And when there’s first couple of fires (one a Penny no fire within reach? No beeper Road farm house) were training going off, no rush to arrive at the burns — I asked if I could take site, don the gear, get the shot? pictures. I’m sure they thought, Cary has another quieter oc‘Who is this guy? Is he going to cupation to which he brings the get in the way?’ But they liked same intensity and dedication. the shots I took.” His wife Sharon is now in an By the time of the Keyes Fiber adult care facility with advanced fire, the department called him. dementia, and her life has given Cary’s pleased with the growth his life another purpose. of the relationship. “Now they’re Because of Sharon, he’s besaying, ‘Hey — here’s a good come a strong spokesman for shot over here!’ ‘Did you see Alzheimer’s patients. Cary is this?’ and ‘How about taking starting work on a book-length one of us?’” message of hope for loved ones Still and always an unpaid vol- and talks to Certified Nursing unteer, In 2009 Cary was award- Assistant classes in the WVC ed Firefighter of the Year by the nursing program, helping them Wenatchee Fire Department, to better understand the disand other departments in the ease. He chairs the local group, state seem envious that our area ALZ.ORG with its local Walk to has a dedicated documentarian. End Alzheimer’s. The local media use his pictures, Not surprisingly, when they and they have also made the knew he needed help, many of covers of various national fire his fire buddies immediately fighting magazines. embraced that cause also, offerOfficially connected to ing their support of ALZ.ORG Chelan County Fire District 1, both publicly to the fundraising he’s authorized to go on other events and personally, for their departments’ calls. He considers dedicated volunteer. August 2015 | The Good Life

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WHAT TO DO

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

NCW Blues Jam, every second and fourth Monday, 7:30 – 11 p.m. Columbia Valley Brewery, 538 Riverside Dr, Wenatchee. Info: facebook. com/NCWBluesJam. 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

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Highgate Senior Living invites you to join us as we honor our community’s veterans. Join us on Thursday, August 13th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm for a BBQ Dinner, Live Music and Classic Car Show. Tickets are $10.00 and all proceeds will be donated to Puget Sound Honor Flight

PH: 509.665.6695 1320 South Miller Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801

www.highgateseniorliving.com


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The Art Life

WHAT TO DO and 3rd Saturdays through September, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Heather Murphy, local wildlife biologist, nature journalists and artist has recorded 109 species of birds in the Sleeping Lady area, join her for these walks. Info: sleepinglady.com.

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

}}} Continued from previous page 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. Sage Hills Trails open to Dec. 1. Pack Walks, every 4th Saturday, 9 a.m. Bring your friends and dogs on leashes and walk the riverfront trail. Meet on the loop behind Pybus Public Market at the boat launch. Info: wenatcheefido.org. Wenatchee Farmers Market, every Wednesday, 4 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pybus Public Market. Village Art in the Park, now through Oct. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Downtown Leavenworth.

Live music, 8/1, 9 – 10 a.m. Music students of Charlie Solbrig will perform. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Dirty Face Music and Arts Festival, 8/1, 1 – 11 p.m. Many great musical acts and arts under the stars. Plus performing artists, dancing, camping, art booths, family friendly art activities, disco golf tournament, yoga, auction, raffle, beer, wine and food vendors. Featuring live music by: Open Country Joy, Blake Nobel Band, (He Thinks He’s People), Hoyer Brothers, Darnell Scott Band and Holly Blue Band. Thousand Trails Resort, 20752 Chiwawa Loop Road, Leavenworth. Cost: $20. Info: dirtyfacemusicfest.com. Anything Goes, 8/1, 5, 8, 11, 14, 20, 28, 8 p.m. Leavenworth Summer Theater performs. Hatchery State Park, Leavenworth. Info: leaven-

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Sleeping Lady Birdwalks, 1st

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| The Good Life

// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

Carver Carol Addison: She listens when the wood speaks

by Vicki Olson Carr

C

arol Addison is selling antiques and wrapping things up at the Whaley Mansion in south Chelan. The beautiful, historic home has been sold. Being partners with Mary Kay Addis for 28 years in the mansion’s bed-andbreakfast business has left her with some amazing stories, but now it’s on to other things. She says she’s ready to do some serious woodcarving. Carol Besser Addison grew up in the North Admiral District of West Seattle. “I was the middle child of three sisters,” she said wagging her head emphatically. “You aren’t the oldest with all the privileges, or the youngest and dearest either. “When I walked into my high school typing class the teacher said, ‘I hope you’re as good a student as Rae-Anne was.’ I don’t know how many times I heard that. . . My sisters had to stay in the house and help Mom, but I got to hang out in my Dad’s shop with him. He taught me how to use all kinds of tools, and I always got to have a pocketknife,” said Carol. After high school, Carol studied art history at the University of Washington while working 20 hours a week at Sear’s on First Avenue. Carol met her future husband on a blind date, married and soon a son and daughter joined the family. She became assistant operations officer at the bank where she worked for 25 years. When Carol’s husband retired, they relocated to a lakefront

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August 2015

home on the south shore of Lake Chelan and she managed the Chelan branch of Coulee Dam Credit Union. Throughout her life, however, her constant avocation was carving. “I was always whittling on something… if it wasn’t driftwood, it was a bar of Ivory soap my mother gave me,” she remembers. Ivory is so pure it is easy to carve and holds its shape, she added. After a divorce, Carol found temporary living quarters at the Whaley Mansion where Mary Kay desperately needed help. She quickly took over the meal preparation for overnight guests, and local residents enjoyed her gourmet dinners, Christmas parties and charity events. The addition of a commercial kitchen made it all the more enjoyable. “It was another creative outlet, and I loved it,” she said, “but Mary Kay told our friends not to ask me to spend the night, because I would never leave.” For almost three decades she stayed in business there. Carol and Mary Kay took an adventurous 15,000-mile road trip around the perimeter of the USA one spring. They stopped for the night in San Simeon, California. Discovering Carol was a wood carver, the motel owner took Carol to the museum next door to show her his carvings. He told her he let the driftwood speak to him as he carved, a valuable tip. “Then he gave me a basket of basswood blanks,” said Carol, beaming as she remembered the soft, easy-tocarve wood. Carol was surprised when her


LEFT: Carol prefers to carve adult faces because they have more character. She loves the challenge of getting the exact expression she wants. BELOW: Carol calls this piece “The Prince on the Way to Becoming” — becoming a prince or a frog? — Carol says nobody knows. . .

Sometimes she knows just what to do, but other times she has to study the wood at length. It took months of contemplation to realize what she needed to carve out of a large piece of driftwood she had lugged home. Today, Merlin — a fairy tale man in a tall pointed hat — extends his delicate hands as he welcomes you into the room he occupies. Carol’s conversation is laced with funny stories and snappy comebacks. It’s no surprise that her carvings are of happy mature faces and whimsical creatures peering out at you. Carol’s hands caress the soft folds on Merlin’s hat as she talks — soft folds carved gracefully and sanded smoothly out of dense, hard wood. Carol’s business partner Mary Kay passed away last August, and Carol was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. “I’m really okay with that. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” she avers. But taking care of a seven bedroom, four-story home with eight bathrooms is out of the question. Now, it is farewell to the Whaley Mansion and on to a small rental house in Chelan with a shop in the back — where she will focus on her passion for carving, and let the spirit that is in each piece of driftwood out.

Carol can carve the soft lines of slouch hats and clothing from dense wood, as well as the watchful face and intricate hands of her friend Bartholomew.

carvings in a downtown Chelan art gallery sold at a hefty price. She loved to sit with a towel in her lap carving on driftwood while watching TV, she said. “You know, Eskimo ivory carvers have the right idea… they say you have to let the spirit out that’s in there. And that’s what I

do,” she said. Throughout her life Carol has kept an eye out for interesting driftwood as she wanders along ocean beaches, lakeshores and streambeds. If she makes a mistake or doesn’t like her work, there’s always more wood and the price is right, she explained. August 2015 | The Good Life

Vicki Carr treasures the carved ivory jewelry she wore while living and teaching in Alaska — a heart-shaped pendant surrounded by jade beads, and a scrimshaw bracelet of fossilized ivory carved by a Little Diomede Eskimo.

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COMING UP AT

ICICLE CREEK CENTER FOR THE ARTS I N LEAVE NWORTH

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WHAT TO DO

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

}}} Continued from page 34 worthsummertheater.org. Manson summer nights concert series, 8/2, and every Sunday until 9/6, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Hoyer Brothers, funky soul and blues and Loose Change will be playing rock. Leffler Field, Hwy 150/Wapato Way. Cost: $10. Info: mansonsummernights.com.

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| The Good Life

Tumbleweed Bead Co., 8/7, 5-7 p.m. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com. Small Artworks Gallery, 8/7, 5 p.m. Local artists works will be on display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Info: wvmcc.org.

Steve Miller Band, 8/5, live concert. Town Toyota Center. Info: towntoyotacenter.org.

Summer Concert Series, 8/7, 7 p.m. Down North with Prefunc will perform. Centennial Park. Cost: free.

Wenatchee Swingin Big Band, 8/6, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Ohme Gardens.

7409 ICICLE ROAD, LEAVENWORTH, WA

Merriment Party Goods, 8/7, 5 – 8 p.m. Snacks and beverages. 23, S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. Info: facebook.com/merrimentpartygoods.

Into the Woods, 8/4, 7, 13, 19, 22, 26, 29, 8 p.m. Leavenworth Summer Theater presents Into the Woods. Ski Hill Amphitheater. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org.

Leavenworth’s Farmers Market, 8/6, 13, 20, 27, 3:45 – 8 p.m. Fresh local produce, live music and food available. Lions Club Park. Cost: free.

ICICLE.ORG (509) 548-6347

artists exhibiting their oil paintings. Music by pianist Patrick Thompson. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery.com.

Film Series: The Search for Freedom, 8/6, 7 p.m. Film about outdoor sports. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance, $13 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Godspell, 8/6, 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 27, 8 p.m. 8/1, 8, 2 p.m. Godspell tells the familiar stories of Jesus and his apostles in clever, unexpected and often hilarious ways. Live performance. Festhalle Theater, downtown Leavenworth. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org. Cabaret, 8/6-8, 12-15, 19-22, 8 p.m. Live performance. The scene is the Kit Kat Klub, a nightclub in Berlin, as the 1920s are drawing to a close. The master of ceremonies welcomes the audience to the show and assures them that, whatever their troubles, they will forget them at the Cabaret. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Info: numericapac. org. Live music, 8/7 7 – 9 p.m. Six String Salute will perform. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. FIRST FRIDAY AT Two Rivers Art Gallery, 8/7, 5 – 8 p.m. The Gallery presents cartoonist Dan McConnell and family. Dan’s cartoons are seen in NCW publications including The Good Life magazine. Son Aaron and daughter Bryn are professional

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August 2015

Salsa Making Competition and zucchini car races, 8/8, 10 – 11 a.m. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Manson summer nights concert series, 8/9, and every Sunday until 9/6, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Down North will be playing a mix of underground rock and partyfueling soul and Bob808, playing pop. Leffler Field, Hwy 150/Wapato Way. Cost: $10. Info: mansonsummernights.com. Cruising 101, 8/10, 5:30 p.m. If you’re new to cruising or just looking for insider tips from an industry pro, learn the ropes from Lisa Anciaux, AAA’s Director of Travel Products, during her first-time cruiser presentation. With 114 cruises (and counting) under her belt, Lisa is eager to share her knowledge to help you choose the ships, destinations and onboard amenities that best meet your specific interests and needs. AAA Wenatchee, 221 N Mission. Info: 665-6299. Puget Sound Honor Flight, 8/13, 4 - 6 p.m. BBQ dinner, live music and classic car show. Highgate Senior LIving. Cost: $10 and all proceeds go to Puget Sound Honor Flight. Film Series: Man and Superman, 8/13, 7 p.m. Film is a romantic comedy, an epic fairytale with a fiery philosophical debate. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance, $13 at the door. Info: icicle.org. NW Scale Championships, 8/1416. Radio control airplanes from all

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column the night sky this month

Peter Lind

Perseids returns to full ‘shooting’ glory If you’re one who likes to go

out to spend a warm summer night watching streaks in the night sky, August is your month. I’ll tell you why in a bit, but first a short tour of the planets in our solar system. For those who like finding the planets and watching them, this month also has its rewards. The fading light of early August evenings will still offer glimpses of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. When darkness falls, Saturn takes over for all the attention. You’ll have to be outside shortly after sunset as August begins, and it would help to be on the east side of the river to catch the fading glimpse of Jupiter. It should be easy to spot with a low Western horizon. Venus shines even brighter, but lies to Jupiter’s lower left just barely above the horizon, a half an hour after sunset. Both planets drop out of sight by the second week of the month, as Venus slides between earth and the sun, and Jupiter passes on the far side of the sun, close to 600 million miles from earth. Mercury becomes more visible as the month progresses as the angular separation from the sun increases. Angular separation is the technique used as a distance measurement by astronomers. In this case it is how far Mercury resides from the sun from Earth’s perspective. Look for Mercury and a twoday-old crescent moon that will be sitting 5 degrees to its left on Aug. 16. Saturn sits some 30 degrees above the southern horizon as darkness falls and remains viewable until about 1 a.m., when it sinks toward the horizon. It will stay a short way northwest of Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius.

Naked eye viewing doesn’t do Saturn justice. You’ll need a telescope to see the planet’s beautiful rings. Even a small scope will give you incredible views. Presently, the rings are tilted 24 degrees to our line of sight. The large tilt gives us a detailed look at the ring structure. Most revealing is the dark Cassini division that separates the outer A ring from the brighter B ring. An interesting tidbit is Saturn reaches quadrature Aug. 22. If you were to draw a line from the sun to the earth and then to Saturn on this date, it would form a 90 degree angle. From this view Saturn’s shadow falls directly east of the planet and adds more intrigue to the ring system view. By the time you read this, Pluto should be transformed from a fuzzy little blob into a world with detailed landscapes and who knows what else. People all around the world have been waiting in anticipation of the July 14 flyby of NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. This encounter will provide data to be studied for years to come, and the pictures will be, literally as well as figuratively, out of this world. The two most outer planets are also on display all night this month, and are easily found with binoculars. Neptune reaches opposition Aug. 31 August 2015 | The Good Life

when it will be brightest in our night sky. To find Neptune you must be familiar with Aquarius’ distinctive Water Jar asterism. Google for any online star chart to pinpoint its location. Uranus clears the Eastern horizon about 90 minutes after sunset and is in the background stars of Pisces the fish. It is bright enough to see with the naked eye under dark skies but binoculars make it much easier. Mars is still hidden by daylight but will soon be visible. Next month, watch for Venus in the morning sky just before dawn, after a summer of fantastic views in the evening sky. One of the finest meteor showers of the year will be highly visible this year due to the event happening one day after new moon. The Perseids meteor shower will peak the night of Aug. 12 – 13, and with no moon to interfere, under dark skies you

can expect to see up to 100 “shooting stars” per hour. The radiant — the point from which the meteors appear to originate — is in the constellation Perseus, which borders the constellation Cassiopeia. This region of sky is in the Northeast around 10 p.m. local daylight time and climbs higher as the night progresses. The higher the radiant, the more meteors you’ll see. Also keep an eye out for meteors known as fireballs, which are abundant with the Perseids. Fireballs start as a streak across the sky, but end up as brilliant flashes. The constellation Perseus, the radiant of the shower, is not where the meteors originate, but if you draw a line back from the streak they leave that line will head straight to Perseus. There is a lot to see in the night sky this month, so grab a friend and go do some real exploring. Peter Lind is a local amateur astronomer. He can be reached at ppjl@juno.com.

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WHAT TO DO

}}} Continued from page 36 over the West Coast and Canada. The largest RC flying event on the West Coast. Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers field, 2.3 miles east of Pangborn Airport. Cost: free. Live music, 8/14, 7 – 9 p.m. Mike Bills will perform a wide variety of music on standard and slide guitar while singing and playing percussion with his feet. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Summer Concert Series, 8/14, 7 p.m. Aaron Crawford with Chelsea Craven will perform. Centennial Park. Cost: free. Back to School Health Fair, 8/15, 9 a.m. - noon. Free backpacks and school supplies for school-aged children in the Columbia Valley Community Health parking lot at 600 Orondo Ave., Wenatchee. Once students receive their backpack, they can cross Alaska Street to the playground of Columbia Elementary, where there will be free school supplies, interactive games and education about CVCH programs and other community resources. Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, 8/14-16. Arts, crafts, music and a children’s area. Riverwalk Park. Cost: free. Info: lakechelanartscouncil.com. Yard Sale, 8/15, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Town Toyota Center parking lot. Info: 667-7847. Wenatchee River Nature Quest, 8/15, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. A fun day for kids and families to learn about fish, birds, plants and tiny aquatic insects that depend on our river and help keep it healthy. Barn Beach Reserve, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: 667-9708. Tomato Gala, 8/15, 10 a.m. – noon. Taste test tomatoes of all sizes

and colors more than two dozen varieties of heirlooms and hybrids to try. Sponsored by the Chelan/ Douglas County Master Gardeners. Community Education Garden, 1100 Western Ave. Cost: free. United Way Color Rush, 8/16, 8 a.m. 3.1 mile fun run. Pybus Public Market. Info: colorwenatchee.com. Play Festival, 8/16, 1 p.m. Goddess of Mercy by Jenny Connell Davis. This play is a dark comedy about personal, corporate and social responsibility. In Vivo by Eric Coble, 7 p.m. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $12 each or $20 both. Info: icicle.org. Manson summer nights concert series, 8/16, and every Sunday until 9/6, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Aaron Crawford will be playing his blend of country and melodic rock. And Eden Moody will be playing her unique blend of country and pop music. Leffler Field, Hwy 150/Wapato Way. Cost: $10. Info: mansonsummernights.com. Guitar Euphoria Festival, 8/2023. Workshops and concerts by four amazing guitarists with a variety of styles; Alex DeGrassi (steel string), Leon Atkinson (jazz and classical), Danny Godinez (steel string and electric) and Andre Feriante (classical and flamenco). Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Info: icicle.org. Live Music, 8/21, 6:30 – 9 p.m. The Chance Brothers will perform country/western music. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Summer Concert Series, 8/21, 7 – 10 p.m. Blake Noble with Nathaniel Weakly will perform. Centennial Park. Cost: free. Wenatchee Wine and Food Festival, 8/22. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $45 & $65. Info: towntoyota-

center.com. Manson summer nights concert series, 8/23, and every Sunday until 9/6, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Blake Noble will be playing his unique blend of Aussie music. And The Wicks is an independent folk band. Leffler Field, Hwy 150/Wapato Way. Cost: $10. Info: mansonsummernights.com. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8/27-29, 7 p.m. Bring a chair and blanket and enjoy this familyfriendly, pared down and wild version of the comedy classic by William Shakespeare under the stars. Meadow Stage, Leavenworth. Cost: $15 advance, $17 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Live Music, 8/28, 7 – 9 p.m. The

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August 2015

Chargers will perform live. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. The LEAP, 8/29, noon – 9 p.m. A unique one-day melting pot of visual and performing arts featuring all-local creative artists presenting new works. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Marco Antonio Solis, 8/29, 7 p.m. Latin pop music. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $55-$125. Info: towntoyotacenter.org. Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue annual Labor Day Yard Sale, 9/5 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9/6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds to support all-volunteer fire department with equipment, training, and the like. 21696 Lake Wenatchee Hwy. 20TH ANNUAL CASCADE MEDICAL FOUNDATION HOME & GARDEN TOUR, 9/19, noon to 5 pm. The Cascade Medical Foundation will hold its 20th Annual Home & Garden Tour featuring seven unique and beautiful homes and gardens in the Leavenworth area. All proceeds go to purchase a new ambulance to enable Cascade Medical to continue to provide quality health care services to Leavenworth and the surrounding area. Cost is $20 and tickets are available at Cascade Medical Center admitting desk and at featured homes. Info: 548-2523 or at www.cascademedicalfoundation.org.


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column those were the days

rod molzahn

Youthful Wenatchee moved around The Miller/Freer Trading

Post was Wenatchee from 1870 to the early 1880s. The post was the center of valley activity, a meeting place, post office and supply center for the miners and farmers in the valley and for travelers passing through. When Sam Miller took over daily operation of the business in August of 1872 he headed the store ledger pages with a date and the name Wenatchee — the same name Sam submitted to the Postal Service when he applied to be the town’s first postmaster in 1884. By that time, though, the town was on the move. New settlers arriving in the early 1880s were not claiming land near the trading post at the confluence but, instead, away from the rivers and up on the flat. Several of them settled in the north end near what are

now Springwater and Miller streets where the new town of Wenatchee began to grow. Houses and businesses sprang up and by May of 1891, 108 people called Wenatchee home. By then, however, plans were underway that would, in just a year, move the city center again — a mile or so south and east to the bank of the Columbia. The 1880s were years of almost manic railroad building in the Northwest with valuable routes claimed and fought over by competing, proposed rail lines. In Seattle in 1885 a partnership of lawyers, builders and other professional men announced plans to build the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad linking Seattle with Spokane. The S. L. S. & E. Railroad, after losing out on their initial route choices, settled on a path from downtown Seattle east around the northern end of Lake Washington then up the Snohomish and Skykomish rivers, over Cady

Pass then down the Wenatchee River to the Columbia. After bridging the Columbia south of the Wenatchee Confluence the route would pass through the Waterville area and on to Spokane. The investors backing the railroad were sure the area at the western end of their proposed Columbia River Bridge would become the primary city between Seattle and Spokane. This high-powered group was led by the noted attorney, Thomas Burke (The Burke Museum and the Burke - Gilman Trail), L.C. Gilman (attorney for the city of Seattle in 1887) and Morgan Carkeek (namesake of a city park along Puget Sound in Seattle’s north end.) Believing there was money to be made developing Wenatchee into a rail hub, the Burke group, before there was any public announcement of the proposed route, sent D.C. Corbett, a clerk in Burke’s law firm, to

Wenatchee in June of 1888. Corbett purchased just under 700 acres of land lying north of present Second Street and bordered on the east by the Columbia. They paid $6,840 for the tract. Only days later most of the downtown business and commercial section of Seattle was destroyed by fire with losses estimated at $10 million. Like many others, Burke and his partners suffered serious financial blows putting the S. L. S. & E. Railroad plans in jeopardy. Work stopped on the project. Burke’s group was floundering. They had 700 acres of prime development land in the valley but had given up on building a railroad that would reach it. Over the next two years it began to become clear to Burke and his partners that their financial salvation lay with James

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THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Speculators scooped up land along railroad’s route }}} Continued from previous page J. Hill and the Great Northern Railroad. By 1888 Hill was laying track west from Minnesota through the northern tier of states and had reached Montana. Hill’s goal was to connect St. Paul, Minnesota with Seattle and its lucrative Pacific trade routes. It was understood that the Great Northern would reach Got a good story to tell?

Spokane but what route it would follow from there across Central Washington to the Cascades was hotly debated. Thomas Burke was in communication with J. J. Hill who eventually hired him to be the attorney for the Great Northern in the Seattle region. The relationship made Burke privy to information on the railroad’s progress not publicly known. Burke must have known that

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in the summer of 1890 John Stevens, surveyor and engineer for the Great Northern, had explored the North Cascade crest and located the pass that bears his name and provides the rail route over the Cascades. By early 1891 Burke’s group was busy again. In March, Andrew Woods, another member of Burke’s law office, arrived in Wenatchee and bought a second tract of land — 740 acres immediately south

of the original parcel between Second Street and Peachy. Increasing interest in and knowledge of the coming of the Great Northern forced up land values. The second parcel cost nearly $45,000. Both parcels were platted into lots 30 feet wide by 100 feet deep and put on the market. In spite of all this, however, the town of Wenatchee with its businesses and houses was still a mile to the north, about where

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Only the reluctant residents of the north end remained a problem. Lewis and Clark School is now. Many of its 108 citizens were refusing to move to the Wenatchee Development Company’s new town site. Burke left that problem for others to solve and headed east to meet with J. J. Hill in an effort

to persuade him to commit to Wenatchee as the main terminal point in Central Washington. Burke promised Hill a strip of land through the town site 4,000 feet long and 450 feet wide for the railroad’s use and sold Hill a quarter interest in the Wenatchee Development Company’s holdings at a bargain price. The deal was done. Wenatchee would be a rail hub. Only the reluctant residents of the north end remained a problem. The solution was two-fold. The Wenatchee Development Company offered to trade lots

in the new town for lots in the old town and to move business buildings and houses free of charge to the new lots. They also bought the town its first newspaper. Frank and Belle Reeves, a couple in their early 20s were publishing a weekly newspaper in Ellensburg. The Development Company promised the Reeves a free lot and a building in the new Wenatchee for their newspaper if the Reeves would use the paper, The Wenatchee Advance, to lobby north end people to take the deal and make the move. The first issue was published

in May of 1891. The plan worked. The town transplanted itself. By January of 1892 Wenatchee’s population had jumped to 300. On Oct. 17 of that year the Great Northern reached Wenatchee and the town hasn’t changed location since. Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake.speak@frontier.com. 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.

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column ALEX ON WINE

ALEX SALIBY

Dry local Rosés more to my liking Rosé is a wine usually made

from the juice of red grapes although it may also have some white wine blended in. This is true whether one is making a non-sparkling wine called still wine or a sparkling wine. There’s a difference between what I call French Rosé wines and American Rosé wines. The principal difference I’m referring to here is sweetness. French Rosés tend to be nearly bone-dry wines, whereas the earlier American Rosé wines had more residual sugars, or sweetness. I once referred to the California style of Rosé wines as “Kool-aid” wines. However, I’ve found, in the Paso Robles area, some OldWorld, French-styled Rosé wines that are delightfully dry and fruity. I found that same sweetness in many of the early Washington state Rosé wines. Too often here at home I heard the message “but sweet sells” as the reason for the sugars. They don’t sell me. I like my Rosé more in the style of that bone-dry, Old-World style like the Rosé wines from the south-

ern Rhone or Provence in southern France. Winemakers employ one of four basic processes for creating their Rosé wines: n Saignée or bleeding technique. Some wine writers attest that this technique makes the finest quality Rosé wine. Essentially, the juice of red wine grapes is bled off the skins after a very short time. It’s the skins of red wine grapes that contain the coloring ingredients. Totally bleeding off the juice from crushed red wine grapes is the process of making those Blanc du Noir (aka White from Black) sparkling wines. n Pressé technique. This is the technique of pressing the red grapes until the juice has the desired color. Once the desired color has been achieved, pressing is halted. This was once the common practice in creating Mateus, the Rosé of Portugal. n Limited maceration. This technique might be the technique most common among wine makers throughout the world. Here, the grape skins are left in contact with the grape juice until the winemaker decides she or he is satisfied with the color. The juice is then transferred to another vat or tank to finish fermenting and becoming wine. n Run-off. Simply stated, in this process, the winemaker removes juice from the tank of fermenting red wine and the run-off juice is used to make Rosé wines. The process usually results in a darker red wine, as the wine remains on the skins longer. Apart from the fact that Rosé wines can be tasty and food friendly, there are a few other reasons why a serious winery makes a Rosé wine.

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Rosé wines are best served cold — notice I did not use the word chilled; I said they are best served cold. First, the Rosé adds variety in the product line. Second, Rosé wines can be ready to sell in about the same length of time as a good bottle of white wine, perhaps six months after harvest. And finally, a winemaker makes a Rosé from the red wine grapes as a means of darkening and enriching the color of the red wines themselves. If you have, say 25 percent of the grape juice from your Syrah crush taken off the skins early so you can make a Rosé, it means you have 75 percent of the red wine juice sitting on 100 percent of the grape skins extracting the color pigments making for a richer, deeper, darker colored Syrah. The list is in alphabetical order and certainly not an exhaustive list of all the Rosé wines in the region. n Chelan Estates Winery’s CE Vineyard Blend Rosé — This one is a fun blend of red wine grapes, Syrah and Merlot, and white wine grapes Chardonnay and Viognier. Made in the dry style. n Hard Row to Hoe Shameless Hussy Rosé — Another unusual blend, this time primarily two of the grapes of Italy, Barbera and Primitivo, but with a healthy splash of Pinot Noir. Also made in the Old-World, dry style. n Jones of Washington Rosé of Syrah — This one is mostly

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Syrah fruit with a hint of Pinot Noir in the blend. The .085 percent residual sugar is low enough to qualify the wine as dry also. n Karma Vineyards Methode Champenoise Pink — Yes, I know this is a bubbly, but I’d be very remiss if I didn’t alert you to its existence; not only is this a sparkling wine, it’s also 80 percent Pinot Noir and 20 percent Chardonnay. n Rio Vista Wild Rose Rosé — Again, a blend, this time mostly Merlot, but only 60 percent and the balance of 40 percent Syrah. Rosé wines are best served cold — notice I did not use the word chilled; I said they are best served cold. And they are really best served cold in a chilled glass so as not to warm up too quickly while you’re enjoying them. Many more than these are available out there; all you have to do is visit a local winery to find your favorites. 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.

The bucket list Have you recently crossed out an item on your bucket list — that list of goals you want to reach before you kick the bucket? Send us an e-mail — with pictures if possible — to: editor@ncwgoodlife.


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