A BRAVE LIFE CAN BE A BETTER LIFE Y EVENTS CALENDAR
WENATCHEE VALLEY’S
NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE
August 2019
OPEN FOR FUN AND ADVENTURE
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joys of traveling by train Wide-open spaces and relaxed conversations with fellow riders of the rails
plus A home in paradise built with patience Finding a sister — and a new german family
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Make a
MEMORY Exciting changes are coming at Rocky Reach Discovery Center. See all your favorites now. Learn what’s ahead. Join us on the journey to the future.
Oct. 1 Fish viewing closes Oct. 31 Discovery Center & Museum of the Columbia closes Spring 2021 Grand re-opening
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Contents
We are pleased to announce that
Brett Peterson has joined D.A. Davidson & Co. and the Riverfront Wealth Management Group. Brett Peterson
With unwavering integrity, nationally-recognized research and comprehensive and personalized
Financial Advisor
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guidance, D.A. Davidson has been helping individual investors, families and
Brett can be contacted at (509) 667-4562 or BPeterson@dadco.com
Miss Amber Lou rules
businesses realize their financial goals for over 80 years.
Features
7
the unknown dangers of dog collars
Some 26,000 dogs lose their lives yearly from dog collar strangulation
8 ‘This is your sister’
Retired Wenatchee teacher finds a sister — and family — he didn’t know existed
10 LEAVE THE DRIVING TO THE ENGINEER
Woman who loved trains as a kid rediscovered the slowed-down pleasures of rail travel
Financial Advisors with D.A. Davidson & Co. member SIPC
(509) 664-9063 | (800) 664-9063 | 151 S. Worthen St., Suite 201 | Wenatchee, WA dadavidson.com
12 A GIFT FROM LEONARD SAUER
Hike to see flowers leads to a conversation with the man behind the Sauer Mountain trails
14 the little garden that helps kids grow Dawn Jensen-Nobile has opened her backyard garden to neighborhood children
16 norway revisited
Third trip to visit the Old World family finds many changes
18 PHOTO TIPS USING A PHONE OR CAMERA Shoot a lot, reviewing quickly and delete, delete, delete
20 building with patience in paradise
Dave and Dee Kinsman constructed a “tomorrow” house today, and are using vacationers to help pay for it Art sketches n Printmaker Sarah Horowitz, page 28 n Musician Rylie Franks, page 32 Columns & Departments 6 A bird in the lens: Killdeer let you know they are around 24 Pet Tales: Spare the ax, she’s a pet turkey 25 The traveling doctor: Walking is a free wonder drug 28 June Darling: Dial up your courage for a better life 30-34 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 35 History: Well-traveled hotel man N.N. Brown 38 That’s life: ‘Please ‘Hooman,’ rescue me’ August 2019 | The Good Life
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OPENING SHOT
®
Year 13, Number 8 August 2019 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life PO Box 2142 Wenatchee, WA 98807 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, Alan Moen, Lynette Smith, Jay Young, Linda and Ken Reid, Mari Foreman Groff, Jaana Hatton, Vicki Olson Carr, Celeste Barry, Mike Irwin, Constance Nelson Bean, Bruce McCammon, Donna Cassidy, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin and Rod Molzahn Advertising: Lianne Taylor Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth Video editor, Aaron Cassidy 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 PO Box 2142 Wenatchee, WA 98807 For circulation questions, email: donna@ncwgoodlife.com EVENTS: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Safeway stores, Mike’s Meats at Pybus, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and Dan’s Food Market (Leavenworth)
Entiat grape growing reaches new heights By Alan Moen
When a stray grapevine
from one of our grape arbors decided to climb onto an adjoining juniper tree a few years ago, I decided to honor its lofty ambition. Now this Glenora grapevine, a native American variety, has risen to about 75 feet tall, nearly reaching the very top of the tree. We don’t make wine from these dark red grapes, but use them instead for eating, mostly in fruit salads and desserts. But other than the grapes on the arbor itself, I leave the rest of them for our feathered friends, hoping they will ignore the ones within our reach. To view our “Jack and the Grapevine,” visit Snowgrass Winery in the Entiat Valley, located just 5.5 miles west of Highway 97A on the Entiat River Road. We are open by appointment. Contact us at snowgrass@ nwi. net, www.snowgrasswines.com or call 509-784-5101. We hope our grapes (and wines) will meet your highest expectations.
Alan Moen and Susan Kidd are coowners of Snowgrass Winery in the Entiat Valley, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
• More buses, more often
ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact Lianne Taylor at (509) 6696556 or lianne@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 2019 by NCW Good Life, LLC.
On the cover
Linda Reid relaxes while traveling by Amtrak, leaving the driving to the train’s engineer. Photo by Ken Reid.
• Sunday & holiday service
www.yesonlinkprop1.org due by Aug. 6 MORE BUSES, Ballots MORE OFTEN 4 www.ncwgoodlife.com MORE CONNECTED
• More options for seniors & people with disabilities
Paid for by Citizens for Better Transit - 109 Pickens St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Top Contributors: Avail Technologies, Transportation Choices Coalition, Gillig Corporation, Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28, Schetky Bus & Van Sales | The Good Life
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August 2019
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editor’s notes
MIKE CASSIDY
Friday night at Centennial Park Friday night, nothing to do,
the wife suggests let’s go downtown and listen to music at Wenatchee Centennial park. When? Seven o’clock. What? By 7p.m. I’ve perfectly fine with assuming the position in the comfy chair, with a beverage in my hand after a long week and something on Netflix. But off we go, a coolerthan-normal summer night in Wenatchee, heading down Chelan Street, taking a left on Yakima Street and then another left to park right in front of the museum. Are we sure this is happening? Where’s the traffic, where’s the struggle to find a parking space? But this is Wenatchee. Street parking is sweet parking. We go around back of the museum where a beer garden is set up in the parking lot overlooking the pocket park. A buck each and we’re in, a wrist band adhered around our wrists. For another $5 we each get a token for a locally-brewed micro beer. How do these beers with names like Wells & Wade Pale Ale taste, we wonder to the man doing the pouring at the keg. “I don’t know much about local beers, I’ve moved here a year ago from San Diego,” he says. What brought you here? we wonder. “Grandchildren” and a bright smile erupts on his face beneath his gray hair. Wife has found padded chairs overlooking Centennial Park and the Seth Garrido’s Power Trio. What kind of music do they play, I ask her, not too excited about the “power” aspect of their name. I’m looking for an easy
LETTERS
He’s ‘no angel’ Hi Mike:
end to Friday. “Just listen,” she says, and we do for the next couple of hours. A little southern rock, some Tom Petty (Last Dance for Mary Jane). I think I recognize a jazz standard, and then more rock from our youth. The trio introduces themselves as all from Wenatchee and not for the first time I’m pleased by the depth of local talent. Corn hole boards have been set up in the narrow alley separating the museum’s elevated seating from the park. We watch grown-ups and then kids toss around the beanbags. Hey, you want a taco, I ask, and while she is undecided, I decide for both of us. At $2 a hit, a little more than I’m used to paying at a taco truck, but coupled with another stop at the beer garden keg, a perfect taste of Wenatchee on a slowly darkening summer evening. The trio is winding up with a John Denver song (Country Roads) as museum volunteers collect chairs and tables. We lean against the fence, not willing to leave until the last note is played. Purple mountains against a neon sky. Kids playing below us, people resting against their bikes, others sitting on the park’s grassy knolls, a father swinging around his daughter in front of the stage. The music is over, time to be off. What do you want to do now? asks the wife. Darn, I say, I guess we have to go home.
I have the name of the “mystery man.” (July 2019 The Good Life: Who was that mystery man? about a coffee drinking at the Fred Meyer Starbucks who saw Mike Williams’ ill complexion, took his pulse and told him “You should get to E.R., now.”) He said, “I’m no angel,” and that his coffee circle got a chuckle about that line. He said his “years of training” were what caused him to interact with Mike when he saw him and that he could see that, “Mike wasn’t sparking on all cylinders.” So my story has come full circle. Pretty cool and otherworldly that my getting published (first time ever) is how it happened. I guess it’s part of the mystery of life.
Susan Ruth Williams
What Are You Laughing At? We’re looking for fresh, true stories from local people that’ll bring a chuckle to our readers.
Limit yourself to 500 to 1,000 words and send to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com
7-Night SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN FROM SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
Day Port/City
Get up from that comfy chair and enjoy the richness of The Good Life. — Mike August 2019 | The Good Life
Penny, at Ballard Ambulance, said she hadn’t thought of this person (for some reason). He was before her time. I’ve talked to this man and... have a name to a face, Paul Preston, and lives altered... Thanks to The Good Life for your part in extraordinary richness. Thank you Mike Cassidy.
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San Juan
Arrive
Depart
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8:30 pm
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Dominican Republic 8:00 am
5:00 pm
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St. Thomas
7:00 am
4:00 pm
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Martinique
10:00 am
8:00 pm
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St. Lucia
7:00 am
5:00 pm
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Barbados
8:00 am
5:00 pm
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Cruising
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San Juan
6:00 am
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column a bird in the lens
Killdeer: Conspicuous, and yes, quite loud K
By Bruce McCammon
illdeer are tall, slender birds that are about the size of an American Robin. They are a white and brown bird with a distinct double breast band. They are commonly seen in many locations within north central Washington. In fact, they can be found in many open habitats, including Bruce McCammon tundra, shortis retired, colorgrass prairies, blind and enjoys plowed fields, photographing the birds in north ceninterior lake tral Washington. and coastal shorelines, coastal estuaries and mudflats. I’ve photographed them along roadsides on the Waterville Plateau, on the small railroad tracks in Wenatchee’s Riverfront Park, in New Mexico, Colorado and New Jersey as well as many other locations in the United States. Yet, I never get tired of seeing them or studying their behavior.
Killdeer have a loud, easily heard call that sounds like “kill-dee” or “kill-deeear.” Their exuberant call even plays a role in the bird’s scientific name, Charadrius vociferous. Vociferus means “conspicuous and usually offensively loud.” You can hear a variety of Killdeer songs and calls here: https://www.xeno-canto.org/ species/Charadrius-vociferus. Killdeer are monogamous and
nest on open, rocky ground. Their nests may be described as “scrapes” in rocky areas that may be lined with a few sticks and grass. They can be found in parking lots, roadsides, between seldom-used railroad ties, and urban flower beds. Killdeer rely on camouflage to keep themselves and their nests hidden. When they sense a danger near the nest, one of the adult birds will begin a broken
What Are You Laughing At? We’re looking for fresh, true stories from local people that’ll bring a chuckle to our readers.
Limit yourself to 500 to 1,000 words and send to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com
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August 2019
wing display as it moves away from the nest. This behavior is meant to draw predators away from the eggs by appearing to be injured and easily subdued. As the predator closes in, the Killdeer simply flies away to safety. Killdeer do not form large flocks but it is common to see several individuals or pairs in a relatively small area. If you are near the shoreline of a pond or stream you may see them running short distances as they forage for worms, beetles or snails. They will allow you to slowly approach them so you can study them through your binoculars. They are a wonderful bird to introduce to children since their call is so easily heard and remembered. Since they are here all year, Killdeer make a wonderful start to any day of birding. Good luck!
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MY WORLD //
a personal essay
The unknown dangers of dog collars M
By Lynette Smith
y name is Lynette, and I’ve been a “dog mom” for over 40 years. Until last fall, I was unaware of the many dangers associated with dog collars. Sadly, I learned the hard way by losing my beloved chocolate lab, Ryder Jackson. It was a typical October fall afternoon. I was getting ready to take my two Labradors, Ryder and Skyrah, for a walk. I hadn’t been gone very long, and walked in the front door excited to go on our daily adventure. As soon as the door opened, I knew immediately something was wrong. Ryder and Skyrah didn’t greet me at the door with wagging tails and smiles like usual. Instead, I looked across the room and saw Skyrah somehow connected to Ryder. I dropped everything, and much to my horror, Skyrah’s jaw was snagged and entangled on Ryder’s collar. It took a moment to process everything, and I moved fast to unbuckle the collars. Then I realized, Ryder, wasn’t moving. I’ll spare you all the horrific details, but Ryder died that day. I’m heartbroken I lost Ryder, and thankful Skyrah survived. I had to find answers. After researching, I discovered that Ryder had died from what’s known as “dog collar strangulation.” I’ve heard people reference Ryder’s accident as a “freak accident.” After researching and looking for answers, I discovered dog collar strangulation isn’t a freak accident. In fact, they are more common than you think. Dog collars can get hung up on many things. They can get caught on kennels/ crates, furniture, kitchen knobs (for those counter surfers), deck slats, floor grates, bushes, or jaw/teeth can get caught on another dog’s collar causing dog collar strangulation. Collar strangulation has caused many dogs of all ages to lose their lives. Some 26,000 dogs (that we know of) lose their lives yearly
Lynette Smith with her beloved Ryder Jackson, front, and Jayde, the now passed labrador that started her lab love.
from dog collar strangulation. In addition to the deaths, there are thousands of countless stories of dog(s) that have barely survived a collar incident. I want to honor Ryder who we lost, and Skyrah, who survived. Since my loss, I have created the Ryder Safe Foundation. We are currently shifting to a non-profit status. My goal is to raise awareness about the dangers that lurk regarding dog collars, how to use them properly, and to advocate for change. I would like to see dog collar companies add warning labels on proper use and to see pet stores, boutiques, shelters, breeders, and anyone working with dogs to also provide safety information on dog collars to help raise awareness. It only takes a minute to let a dog owner know to remove collars when your dog is in a kennel or crate, home alone unattended, or during play as it could result in the death of your beloved dog. When using collars, we recommend the PetSafe KeepSafe dog collar. This is a “breakaway” collar that will break away when tension is applied to the collar. It’s also designed so you can walk your dog without the collar breaking apart. Many dog collar companies list their collars as a “quick release” but that is a false sense of safety because they are only a quick release at the hands of a human. You want to look for a “breakaway” collar. Dogs should wear a collar under supervision only. We recommend you remove
August 2019 | The Good Life
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collars (or anything around your dog’s neck) when you kennel/crate your dog, leave them home alone unattended, and during play. Dogs hang themselves in kennels/crates from their collars, and age and size doesn’t matter. When left home alone, too many dangers lurk around the house they can get caught on. During play, when dogs are running/playing their jaw can get caught in a collar, and once they twist it can be almost impossible to get them unconnected. One of the most dangerous collars we see is the choke chain type collar when left on a dog, or a thick leather buckle collar. They can be difficult, almost impossible to remove without the right tools. We recommend that any facility working with dog(s) has on hand bolt cutters, and industrial strength scissors should collar entanglement happen. It’s also important that you ask your doggie daycare, local dog parks, groomer, pet sitter (or anyone working with dogs), questions about how they use dog collars, what their policies are regarding dog collar use, and safety. The more dogs you have that play together, the more likelihood of entanglement/strangulation happening. With education and awareness we can lower the number of these deaths and keep your fur babies safe. You can learn more about our mission at www.Rydersafefoundation.com, Visit us on Facebook or Instagram at Labradorablebffs. Please share our story with your family and friends to help raise awareness, and keep our dog family safe. Google us at #RyderSafe. |
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‘This is your sister’ Retired Wenatchee teacher finds family he didn’t know in Germany
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As I talked it over with my wife, Diane, I came to realize that the idea of finding (my father) required asking a myriad of questions.
By Jay Young
ay 26, 2017 is a day I will never forget. As is my usual routine, I got up, cleaned up and sat down for breakfast while checking my e-mail. A strange looking name popped up, Ute… Hmm interesting I thought. I hesitated a bit, but finally opened it. I was greeted with the words, “Hello Juergen (my real German name), this is your sister.” Since I only had a brother in my lifetime, this sent a wave of disbelief over me. So let me start at the beginning. I was born in Germany after WWII. I never knew my father as he left my mother and me when I was 2 years old. I am from a small town in the Black Forest region of Germany. Our town was in the American sector and when I was 6 my mother re-married, this time to an American army soldier. Shortly thereafter, my stepfather was transferred to the United States. In order for me to leave Germany my mother had to get my father’s permission. Seems strange to me now that they were in contact but I had absolutely no contact with him. The agreement was that I could go if my mother gave him a bicycle. I still have the document that he signed. Sometimes I get angry, other times I realize how fortunate I am to have made that trip to the U.S. and lived the life I did. Our first stop was in New Hampshire. I didn’t speak English and so when we got here, I had to
Ute and Juergen (Jay) pose for a family photo after finding each other.
repeat the first grade and begin my journey to Americanize. Around the age of 13, my stepdad was transferred again, to Aurora, Colorado. During this trip I asked my mom how come I was at their wedding as a 6-year-old. It was at that point that I found out about my early life. I have to admit it didn’t affect me. My life was good, I had a stable home, good loving parents a cute but annoying younger brother, I was happy. As I got older, at times my curiosity took over and I would ask my mother about my father. She never said much, but got sad and basically said it was not a good time. At one point she gave me a picture that she had and we left it at that. I took the picture
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out periodically and wondered about him, but there was no way I was going to hurt my mother and search for my father, as I felt that would only do harm and not help. In 2011 my mom passed away and as time passed, my curiosity grew. I was still teaching and coaching at Wenatchee High School, so curiosity was as far as it went. As I talked it over with my wife, Diane, I came to realize that the idea of finding him required asking a myriad of questions. In 2016, after retiring, a trip to Europe was planned. Our son lived in London and there were many cousins that I hadn’t seen in many years. Plus I wanted to go to Ettlingen, the town of my birth. When we arrived in Et-
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August 2019
tlingen, I enlisted the aid of one of my cousins and we set off to find some answers. One thing I discovered was the German government is quite meticulous in their record keeping. We went to the town hall in Ettlingen and then to their archive section, and there I found the marriage license, the divorce proceedings and wonder of wonders where my father moved to — a smaller town even then Ettlingen — Oppenheim. All right, I thought now we are getting somewhere, an actual location, bless the German need for detail. Sadly our time in Germany was ending, but my cousin is somehow related to Sherlock Holmes. She was on the trail and determined to find out more. After returning to the U.S., I kept in contact with her. She discovered that my father had remarried and had a daughter, Ute. His new wife died in a car accident when Ute was 12 and as the years passed Ute had left the home and had relocated in Düsseldorf. From that piece of information my cousin found out her married name and wrote her saying she had a brother in America, and asked if she would like to make contact. That brings me to that morning of May 26, and the e-mail
that brought new joy to my life. Ute and I wrote almost every day those first few months, sent pictures of our father, of our families and talked of a thousand things. Then one day we spoke of meeting and seeing each other. It was decided that Ute and Peter (her husband) would travel here during the 2018 Apple Blossom time. I also discovered that four years earlier, when we did not know of each other, they had been in Washington — at Bickelton, a tiny town not too far from Goldendale. Peter loves rodeos, and they had attended the Bickelton rodeo, the oldest in the state. We were that close to each other and had no clue. You have no idea the feelings that went through me as we waited for them to come up the escalator at Sea-Tac. What if this didn’t turn out well? I found out later Ute and Peter had an exit strategy just in case. It appears they had the same thoughts. However it turned out so well. That first hug was beyond description. That first night we talked late into the night. It appears when she was around 8, her grandfather told her she had a brother in America. But that was the only information that she ever received. No one would talk about it and she had nothing to go on. No name, no location, nothing but an idea. It appears her childhood was a lot tougher then mine. She persevered and now is a geriatric nurse in Düsseldorf. She has two wonderful sons, with families. I am now an uncle and granduncle. Ute always wanted a daughter and now she has a niece and our daughter and son have an aunt and uncle they never knew existed. This past spring, May 2019, we visited them in Düsseldorf, saw where Ute worked, went to the village of her birth, met my
Along with his sister, Ute, left, and her husband, at right, Jay discovered a nephew and the nephew’s family he never knew about.
nephew and his family. It was delightful. And as I left, knowing we would continue meeting and caring, I fully realized I have a sister.
Jay Young was born in Germany and has traveled to every state except Alaska. After retiring from teaching at Wenatchee High School, among other things, he became a volunteer at the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center.
Last call for stories!
So... What Brings You Here? We’re living The Good Life here… how about you? Tell us your story: What brought you to our area? Was it love of a special person that got you to move, economic opportunity, the weather (300 days of sunshine, right?), the beauty of the four seasons, schools and/or health care facilities, wanting a small community for your children to grow up in? Or, was it something else? Or, were you born here, liked it so much you never left? Share the story of the moment when you decided you wanted to live here — right here — and perhaps win our best story award of $100 in cool, green cash. Selected stories will be published later this summer. Send stories — along with digital photos — to editor@ncwgoodlife.com Hurry… share your unique story. And then get on back to living The Good Life.
www.ncwgoodlife.com Subscribe online at: www.ncwgoodlife.com August 2019 | The Good Life
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Linda Reid waves goodbye to the hurry-there world and hello to natural beauty and wide open spaces that come with train travel.
All aboard! Train Travel: It’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination
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by Linda Reid
ravel by train always intrigued me. My introduction to it came by way of a Little Golden Book entitled All Aboard!, about a young girl and her mother traveling to visit her grandma in the “big city” on a magical, overnight train adventure. She was about my age, around five, and was fascinated by every aspect of transportation by rails. Fortunately for me, my mother had three brothers living in Longview, so we often made the four-hour train trip from Seattle to visit them.
I would be exactly like that little girl in the book, except I wouldn’t get to sleep overnight in a berth. My husband Ken also has an affinity for train travel. His dad was a railroad buff and must have passed that on to him. He was also influenced by his frequent train travel to visit grandparents when he was young. Years ago, the two of us did a couple of train trips that we really enjoyed. After moving to Wenatchee about three years ago and watching Amtrak come and go on its daily journey from West to East and back again, we fi-
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nally decided it was time to take another train trip. The convenience of leaving on the train from here was appealing when we decided to visit friends in Wisconsin. We also had friends from here who had recently enjoyed their experiences of train travel. So, we booked our round-trip journey — four days and four nights altogether — on the Empire Builder. Speaking of our friends and their train travels, my friend Linda told us an entertaining train story that is too good not to be shared. A possible title for it might be,
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August 2019
“Misadventures in Minot.” Linda travels frequently between Wenatchee and Fergus Falls, MN to spend time with her family. About a year ago she had an adventure that gives evidence of just how outstanding Amtrak service can be. She got off the train in Minot for a 20-minute stop and went into the depot to buy a magazine. Unfortunately, she became absorbed in the magazine display and even more unfortunately, she did not have her hearing aids in. She did not hear the “All aboard!” calls but did hear the train whistle as the train pulled away from the sta-
We were reminded that it takes a little time to ease into the slower rhythms of traveling by rail, but once you do it is very relaxing. tion. She was traveling coach and had her carry-on personal items scattered about and was dressed in her sleeping attire. Fortunately, she did have her purse with her. After her initial panic, she approached Amtrak customer service for help. They assured her someone would gather her things and her checked bag and hold them for her at the next station where she could retrieve them the following day when she caught the westbound train heading for Wenatchee. They even helped her find a nearby
hotel. The next day she found that they were true to their word and all her possessions were returned to her as promised. Her interrupted journey continued flawlessly. Fortunately, her sense of humor about the entire incident kept her from being traumatized by it. Unfortunately, her friends have not let her forget it. On our recent trip, we had many enriching experiences. We were reminded that it takes a little time to ease into the slower rhythms of traveling by rail, but once you do it is very relaxing. I like to think of it as “in-between time” when you can exchange your “normal” life for time to just be. Observation and reflection became my pastimes. Asking myself questions like, “What might it be like to live in this little ‘whistle stop’ town, or on that sprawling cattle ranch, or in that Midwest city?” Perhaps our favorite part of
the trip was the fascinating conversations we had in the dining car over meals with fellow travelers. We met a couple from Mississippi headed for an Alaskan cruise, a young married couple traveling with both sets of parents to celebrate two 40th anniversaries in Glacier Park and then on to Seattle. We met a businessman from Japan and a young woman who just finished her Masters’ Degree and was heading to Milwaukee for a job interview. Stories are foundational to who we are and sharing our stories with people of many different ages from a wide variety of places enriches our lives and theirs as well. The natural beauty and wideopen spaces that provide only an abstract, “birds’-eye” glimpse when you travel by air, come into focus in a concrete way. You see fresh details, hear new sounds and when you step off the train for a quick breath of
fresh air you absorb a little of the sense of that particular place. All of this can expand your horizons and open you up to an experience of “otherness.” It renewed our quest to keep learning about what is unfamiliar. We will continue to travel by air, but when we can take the luxury of time, we will take advantage of riding the rails. Suggestions for what to take along on your own train adventure: n A positive attitude that accepts a little inconvenience and discomfort. n Flexibility that enables you to deal with inevitable delays in the schedule. n Openness to turning strangers into dining companions. n A mindset that train travel is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Linda and her husband Ken live in East Wenatchee. Linda has enjoyed sharing some of their other adventures recently in The Good Life.
Last call for your stories!
So... What Brings You Here? We’re living The Good Life here… how about you? Tell us your story: What brought you to our area?
Send stories — along with digital photos — to editor@ncwgoodlife.com
Was it love of a special person that got you to move, economic opportunity, the weather (300 days of sunshine, right?), the beauty of the four seasons, schools and/or health care facilities, wanting a small community for your children to grow up in? Or, was it something else?
Hurry… share your unique story. And then get on back to living The Good Life.
Or, were you born here, liked it so much you never left? Share the story of the moment when you decided you wanted to live here — right here — and perhaps win our best story award of $100 in cool, green cash. Selected stories will be published later this summer.
August 2019 | The Good Life
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The author takes in a flowering glade past the halfway point on the hike.
A gift from Leonard Sauer By Mari foreman Groff
My mother’s day wish was a
family wildflower hike. Following the advice of a local hiking guru, my obliging husband steered our family of seven through the hamlet of Peshastin, up Anderson Canyon Road, to the base of Sauer’s Mountain. The trailhead was not what we expected. No ranger station. No bathroom. No parking lot. A plainclothes man sat on a plastic chair, his black and white dog lay below a fold-up table adorned with a sliding scale of pinecones, two water jugs and a freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers. Uncertain, we looked closer and found a small, handpainted sign: “Parking.” Next to it stood a wooden donation box labeled “Sauer’s Trail.” Emboldened, we pulled in and unloaded. While exchanging greetings, we learned this was Leonard Sauer of Sauer’s Mountain, and that the trail we were about to hike begins on his private land.
An early view on the hike looking back on Peshastin.
Mari’s youngest daughter spotted this Lyall’s mariposa lily; they only grow in Eastern Washington state and British Columbia.
We met his friendly sidekick, Blue Lady, who was oh-so-welcoming to our young children. Leonard shared that his wife died a few years ago and now, most days, he and Blue Lady sit together at the trailhead, meeting the various pilgrims. By this time more visitors
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had arrived and, with Leonard’s assurance that the wildflowers were at their peak, he sent us on our way. Up, up the steep trail we ventured into two hours of variegated flora and sweeping panoramas in seemingly every direction. At one point we unexpectedly moved from a ridgeline into a hushed glade erupting in yellows and indigos. I paused, needing a minute to absorb the serenity of this place. Weeks later, our family was still talking about our lovely day
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on Sauer’s Mountain, and I wondered how that trail came to be. So I went back. Leonard was not in his chair this time. I found him and Blue Lady a bit up the trail, on his bench, chatting with two hikers just in from Northern California. I asked him to tell me about his trail and he graciously obliged. “I grew up roaming every place in the hills of Leavenworth, and I think everyone should be able to hike the mountains.” He started the trail in the
“Hikers come from all over,” Leonard told me. “From lots of different states, Italy, Spain, Australia.” early 1960s, building about a mile a year in his free time. He’d previously spent summers building trails in the Icicle region for the Forest Service; he knew what he was doing. He’s maintained it for public use ever since.
On the first part of the trail hikers encounter artistic additions made and placed by Leonard over the years. Leonard Sauer and Blue Lady greet hikers from Northern California.
“Hikers come from all over,” Leonard told me. “From lots of different states, Italy, Spain, Australia.” Leonard did not have an estimate for how many folks make the trek every year, but said he had 30 hikers the day before, and that springtime is usually the busiest. Just that week, hikers reported seeing groundhogs and a cougar. Leonard was not surprised: “I saw a female cougar bedded down by the pond at the bottom August 2019 | The Good Life
of the trail earlier this summer. She looked at me and walked away.” He’s also had run-ins with a bobcat eyeing his chickens. Leonard escorted me around the lower part of the trail, pointing out different wooden sculptures he carved with a chainsaw and placed along the path — an eagle, a mushroom, totem poles, a driftwood sea dragon, and several mysterious faces peering out of the trunks of trees. He also showed me some trees www.ncwgoodlife.com
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he planted, including a redwood, and demonstrated how, in addition to clearing the trail, he strategically cuts back tree branches to open up vistas for visitors. I left with an even deeper appreciation for the gift of Sauer’s Mountain trail, and with a tangible token — a yellow flower handpicked for me by Leonard Sauer. Mari Foreman Groff is a lawyer and Wenatchee native. She and her husband, Alan, grow tree fruit and some pretty cute kids.
Little garden helps children grow ‘This gardening project is a chance for the kids to relax, to express their opinions and learn social interaction. And patience.’
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story and photos By Jaana Hatton
awn Jensen-Nobile knows what she is doing every Friday and Saturday afternoon: lead her small group of budding agriculturists. The backyard of her South Wenatchee home has become a community garden. “It started last winter,” Dawn said. “Annabelle (one of the children) came to help me shovel snow. Later on in the spring, I helped her look for her run-away dog. As we chatted, the idea of a garden came up.” I came to know Dawn through a Baha’i friend of mine — they attend the same religious meetings. Much of the community garden idea is based on Dawn’s faith. She explained that in the Baha’i faith there is a principle that calls for attention to what is needed now, in reality — not to be guided by some old theory that is no longer relevant, but to address current needs. “I felt there was a need for these kids to have something to do,” Dawn said. She asked the kids, who are elementary school students, first to see if they were interested in a community garden. They were, and after asking their parents, Dawn got the work started. They got off to a slightly late start in May 2019, as far as planting goes, but the enthusiasm made up for lost time. Dawn purchased three inexpensive wooden raised beds, which the group put together and filled with soil, then in went
Dawn likes to give her young gardeners the chance to express their opinions and feel relaxed. She is there to instruct, but not to rule.
the seeds. Now, two months later, the zucchini plant is pushing out a nice crop and the tomatoes are producing with good volume. The kohlrabi grows in its own container, proudly like a queen overlooking the rest of the vegetable kingdom. Carrots are off to a good start with a profusion of tiny starts needing thinning out: a perfect job for tiny hands. Cilantro and other herbs are already mature and ready to be used. Dawn oversees each session, giving guidance — but also a lot of freedom for the kids to make decisions and work together. “This gardening project is a chance for the kids to relax, to express their opinions and learn social interaction. And
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patience,” Dawn said. While serving on the Ten Rivers Food Web, Dawn learned many useful ways of sharing resources and cooperation. However, she is not interested in working for an organization that is grant-dependent: it takes the focus off the cause and emphasizes funding, instead. She simply wants to help people to find a common goal and a way to reach it. “One person can make a difference,” Dawn said. Clearly the small garden in her backyard has made a difference for the group of neighborhood kids, whom arrive sometimes six-strong, other times just a couple. They are not required to come — Dawn has opened her doors
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and gates and leaves the kids to make the choice of attending, or not. “Just recently, they came four times during the morning, to see if it was time yet,” Dawn said with a chuckle. Starting time on Fridays is 4 p.m. and on Saturdays they meet at noon. “The gardening activity really is a metaphor for life,” Dawn pointed out. It certainly is; planting the seeds, taking the responsibility to help them grow and finally, reaping the results, as we do in life. We plan and work for something, put our energies into it and in time, reach our goal. Dawn’s young group of greenthumb apprentices don’t realize what valuable life-lessons they
are learning as they water, weed and share the tasks on their backyard plantation. I asked the kids what they liked the most about their project. Annabelle said she likes the teamwork best. For Shanaya, it’s teamwork and planting. Lupe likes what comes at the end: cucumbers. Nino enjoys having a “farm.” Kyla likes planting the most, like her sister Shanaya. An undertaking such as growing vegetables is no one-time event. It takes constant care and nurturing. Now, two months into tending to their vegetable patch, Dawn’s group shows no weariness of it; rather, they run into her house full of excitement and ready to see what needs doing in the backyard. This is how patience is learned — and eventually, rewarded. Sometimes a plant fails, and that is no small matter. When I was visiting, Dawn had to dig up a potato plant that had gone rotten. It happens. The gardening group gathered around the spot as if for a funeral, with disappointment on their quiet faces. This, too, happens in life; we don’t always succeed — but we do keep going. Just like the rotten potato plant that found a new home and a new life in the compost pile. The garden also boasts two rather fancy additions: two lavender plants are putting in their roots in a sunny spot. They are a gift from Joseph Downs, a local lavender farmer who owns the Lavender Farm in East Wenatchee and the Lavender Ranch at Crescent Bar. (Find out more about the Lavender Man at www.thelavenderboutique.net.) It takes little money and resources to make a difference in life. Mostly, it requires the willingness to do so. I can’t wait to see what Dawn’s once bare backyard has to offer when harvest time arrives. It has made all the difference already to six young gardeners.
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Dawn helps out a little on the side by doing the more demanding tasks. Here she is carefully transplanting tiny carrot starts into a deeper container from the vegetable bed. August 2019 | The Good Life
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P.O. Box 2142 Wenatchee, WA 98807 509-888-6527 • www.ncwgoodlife.com
Cousin Oddvar Øyre’s vacation cabin in Fardal overlooks Sognefjord.
Norway, revisited Going home again, perhaps for the last time? by Vicki Olson Carr
The Sognefjord and Hardan-
gerfjord districts of southern Norway had put on their fresh spring clothes after a long, dark winter when I returned to my grandparents’ homeland a few weeks ago. The apple and cherry trees were in bloom and people were outside enjoying the returning sunshine. Norway was beautiful —and my father’s cousins and families welcomed my son Steven and me into their homes. In 1971, I was 27 when I made my way from Anchorage, Alaska to Sogndal to meet my grandma’s five sisters — Klara, Magnhild, Inga, Gunhild and Maia — who had gathered there to meet me. My Anchorage Norwegian tutor had taught me some basic Norsk so I could make simple conversation with them, but
they kept correcting my pronunciation because I did not speak their dialect. “Hilsen til Belle (greetings to your grandmother),” they said during their tearful good-byes. On that trip, Tante (aunt) Klara escorted me to Tysselvik on Hardangerfjord to Grandma’s brother’s home. Onkler (uncle) Karl came flying down his driveway, nimble as the goats and sheep he raised. What a myriad of relatives I met, and I roughed out a family tree to try to keep them straight in my mind. In the fall of 1982, I was 39 when I took my father, Ray Olson, to meet his Norwegian relatives and see the farm his mother left behind when she and brother Ivar came to the U.S.A. My father stood on a knoll overlooking the fjord far below, shook his head and wondered
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aloud how a 16-year-old could leave the security and beauty of such a place. The answer was simple. There wasn’t enough food to go around. On this trip, I noticed more relatives owned cars, and there was more indoor plumbing. A welcome relief. Once again, the family was very hospitable with meals and coffee hours. A cousin’s wife in Jordalen made rømmegrøt for us, a special pudding made by cooking and stirring heavy cream with flour and sugar until the butterfat floats to the surface. I learned that when aunt Gunhild was about 15, she went to Jordalen in the summer to be the village cheesemaker, caught the eye of the eldest Jordalen son and that high isolated valley, only accessible at that time by climbing four long ladders,
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Vicki is having fun with a Norsk souvenir item from a display case in front of a Bergen gift shop.
became her new home. This year I found that Norway is now a very wealthy nation, thanks to the North Sea oil rigs and international trade. My Norsk relatives all own fine homes, as well as mountain or seashore cabins. They are world travelers. Some own condos on the Mediterranean in Spain. Many have visited the Olson family here in Washington and California. The oil money has also been used to tunnel through mountains and under glaciers rather than force everyone to drive the narrow roads hugging precariously to the contours of the fjords. One tunnel we passed through was 16 miles long. Six miles into another tunnel, we came to a roundabout under bright blue lights, where four
... the gravestones have glass globes attached where candles are kept burning during the long dark winters — a charming custom, I think... tunnels intersected. A driver could exit into a tunnel leading to Oslo or to Bergen, or exit toward northern or southern destinations. All tunnels are well-vented, with bright lighting, pull-out bays and SOS phones every kilometer along the way. I made visits again to the burial sites of my great-grandparents Knut and Maria Øyre, and Grandma’s siblings and their spouses. In many cemeteries, the gravestones have glass globes attached where candles are kept burning during the long dark winters — a charming custom, I think — for those who are lonely and left behind. This trip will probably be my last visit to Norway and was both sweet and sad. Six of my father’s first cousins are now in their late 80s. Torleiv in Fardal is 91. Anders in Jordalen has a new four-mile tunnel into the seven homes there. His three children and their families joined us for a lively day of sharing photos, memories and food. When it was time to go, Anders (88) came to offer me a special good-bye. He is of the last generation that didn’t have to learn English and my Norwegian is sketchy, so conversation was not an option. But Anders put his hands on my shoulders, and stood for several moments looking into my eyes, giving me all the love and regard that he could give me — without words. I am proud of my Norwegian
WESTERB984CF
Sold and erected by an independent locally owned builder.
Aunt Gunhild and Uncle Endre lie in sweet repose in the Jordalen Cemetery.
heritage and, just like the custom of my Norwegian relatives, I also have a menagerie of little trolls scattered around my house to keep me company. Chelanite Vicki Olson Carr’s paternal
grandparents both immigrated from Norway, becoming acquainted while working on neighboring farms in North Dakota. Her maternal grandfather was the oldest of 15 siblings in Byelorussia, and immigrated to the U.S. to escape hunger and being forced to serve in WWI.
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Smart photo tips A few non-technical guidelines to keep in mind whether shooting by phone or camera
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PHOTOS AND STORY by Celeste Barry
love to explore the world. My family and I have traveled extensively together, and one of my favorite ways to remember and reflect on our adventures is to photograph it all. One way to ensure that you get a good photo is to simply take thousands of them. If you do this, it is pertinent that you sort through them regularly or you will end up with a huge overwhelming mess and may want to just delete them all. Finding a filing system that works for you is one of the best ways to ensure that you always know where that “one awesome shot of Mount Rainier” ended up. I have a “real” camera (Canon SLR) with a few different lenses to choose from, but I also own an iPhone Plus, just for the extra lens on the phone/camera. When taking photos with either camera, I try to remember to go back right away and look at the composition. Is there unnecessary clutter that can easily be avoided by retaking the photo? Do I need a fill flash for my closer subjects (are the faces too dark, the back-
Photo of the writer’s kiddos, taken at the sand dunes next to The Feathers climbing area.
ground too bright)? Do I need to change the settings on my camera to blur the background for emphasis or should I try to make the whole image sharper? If I don’t like a photo, I try to delete it right away to get rid of clutter on my camera. We so easily end up with thousands of poor quality photos because they are just so easy to take these days. Here are a few of my Wenatchee Valley favorites from the past couple of years. Please check out some of my photos on Instagram @yerbaceleste or send me an email at yerba.celeste@gmail.com if you have questions or would like more information. Celeste Barry is an amateur photographer, mother of two wonderful kids, CDLT board member, world traveler and math club teacher. This story also appears on Wenatcheeoutdoors.org — the site covers such topics as hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, trail running and skiing in the region.
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Balsamroot and mountains, taken from Burch Mountain Road.
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TOP: The White River as it passes through Chelan-Douglas Land Trust property. LEFT: Full moon from writer’s backyard. ABOVE: An American Kestrel, taken with a “real” camera. August 2019 | The Good Life
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Patience in paradise Nurturing a “sometimes” haven ‘til retirement kicks in By Susan Lagsdin Photos by sara johnson Meraki Resort, the lakeview beauty featured here, is just one of four privately-owned view homes you can visit in September as part of the 2019 Lake Chelan Home Tour and Art Show, a major fundraiser for the Lake Chelan Hospital. The mission of the annual event is to enhance healthcare in the valley, and this year’s proceeds will help purchase a new and needed post-partum room. Northwest artists are featured at the accompanying art show, which will be headquartered at Larc Hill Vineyard Ranch on Highway 97A (next door to former exhibit host Tsillan Cellars). For more info, see LakeChelanHomeTour.com.
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ometimes a dream deferred isn’t a loss but part of the bigger picture. With the October 2018 completion of their home high above Lake Chelan, Dave and Dee
Kinsman partially fulfilled a longtime fantasy. Now they are willing to wait — and work hard — a few more years until retirement to see the dream come 100 percent true. Though its comfort tugs at them, they can’t live there — yet. Instead, they’ve offered their soon-to-be home, Meraki Lodge, to vacation renters, a lucrative and easily managed choice that several other homeowners at Lake Chelan have made. “The house has been very popular, but we can always squeeze in a weekend or so for ourselves between bookings,” said Dee. Dave added, “Most of the days we’re here, we have company, either our kids or our friends. We were even able to come over a few days in the winter close to the holidays.” They strategically plan maintenance trips, too — fast runs from home between renters where they spruce up the landscaping, restock hotel-comfort supplies and meet workmen for light repairs. That’s not much of a vacation.
The best time to upgrade your home’s efficiency is when you’re building it
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This big central living space allows full time views and easy access to the patio and driveway. Handsome, rustic-looking engineered wood floors, a good choice for a slab foundation, are easy to care for.
“We always schedule downtime, a reward for our work,” Dee said, gesturing at the pool waiting on a terrace below the shaded patio. These two Seattle natives had vacationed near here since their teens, and after their marriage
they brought their own son and daughter to stay at Wapato Point and Campbells Resort and to camp at Lincoln Rock State Park. When retirement enticed them, they naturally looked east for a future landing. Swimming
Chelan PUD’s pilot new-home program offers $2,000 for building a ‘green’ home. Go above and beyond, and get money back from your PUD.
Details at chelanpud.org/new-home
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The big Lake Chelan views from Meraki Lodge are due to well- engineered terracing: the pool is stepped below the house and its shaded patio, and beyond the edge of lawn is a steep pitch of grass and shrub hillside.
and boating were the biggest draws, but they also wanted space and privacy. “For about four years we drove all around the area looking for a place to build,” said Dee. “Even
down on the river. But within five minutes of stepping out of the car we knew this was the right spot.” They chose well. Their highup homesite is positioned for
maximum privacy, the view is stunning, much of their seven acres is perfect for a future vineyard, and several friendly neighbors come together for bi-annual social gatherings, a bonus in the
relatively isolated spot. The stress of daily crowding and traffic on the west side accentuates the serenity of their
}}} Continued on next page
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ABOVE: Generous loft space and an open staircase join the two floors for large group vacation use now; the owners know they can easily live on the main floor and use the guest suites for future family visits. AT RIGHT: Rockwork on the ceiling-high fireplace matches the south facing bulkhead and patio wall. Throughout the house, Dee and Dave made expedient choices with an eye for visual continuity, a win-win scenario.
Patience in paradise }}} Continued from previous page new house. Dee’s commute from their home in Woodinville to Lake Union in Seattle, where she’s a project manager for Amazon’s internal HR system, can be close to two hours. Dave’s company, Basemap, which creates outdoor sporting applications, is closer, but he too feels the pinch on time and nerves. He’s sold on the two-home plan. “When we come over here, even for two days, we can just drop everything to do with work. It’s totally relaxing.” And, their tech careers make dis-
tance work possible, so Dave’s thinking as the couple closes in on their 60s that the Big Move might be sooner than later. Looking ahead to their fulltime years, the Kinsmans wisely insisted on a floor plan that enables independence, and they credit architect Jon Simpson of JWS Designs with “nailing it.” “We’ve worked with architects before, and it’s been OK,” Dee said tactfully. “But we felt that Jon really listened to us. He gave us just what we wanted.” Not only was he able to deliver the interior flow the Kinsmans envisioned, he managed the tricky
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engineering that accompanies steep-slope construction. Without the sinuous curve of driveway, the perfect angle of the house would be lost; without the drop-down pool terrace, the view would be obstructed. A bonus feat was two full RV hookup spots carved out of the hillside, back from main sight lines. Access is easy; the entrance walkway is level with the main floor, where the master bedroom suite with office, plus one guest room and bath, take up each side of the high ceilinged central living area. Two more full guest suites are totally separate, up a
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dramatic stairway on the Ushaped upper story. For right now, that means the house (along with its abovegarage apartment) can easily accommodate family/friend parties of up to 10 vacationers in whatever configuration they like. In the future the couple anticipates living on just the main floor, with their own grandchildren and extended family joining them occasionally and occupying the second floor. The look that Dee and Dave hoped for and achieved was “rustic elegance,” with clean geometric lines, black ironwork,
D ‘B’
Blue skies and sweeping views surround Dave and Dee Kinsman at their A K E CManson H E L A Nhome, C O MMeraki MUNITY HO newLhigh-up p r e s e n t Lodge. Photo by Mike Irwin
zon, Wayfair and Overstock and p then r e Dave s e picking n t s his favorite. They agreed that all those drawer pulls, light fixtures, six TV’s, 10-plus complete bedding sets, and the like were not something Saturday, September 15, 201 they wanted to seek out driving The couple’s all-around favorite spot on the property for serious sitting is the full-length covered patio, fitted with Tickets $20 around suburban parking lots. infra-red overhead heaters for winter and silent fans for the hottest days of summer. Available at Allisons of Manson, C Two exceptions to of the click- and at www Lake Chelan Chamber Commerce, Saturday, September 15, 2018 10am to 4pm All proceeds are used to purchase medical equipment for lots of wood, and wall treatment pairing of bold floor tiles in all The busy couple saved time and-deliver process add needed a homey Tickets $20 inside that would allow easy the bathrooms lend continuand money by outfitting the feel to the downstairs: Dave’s Available at Allisons of Manson, Culinary Apple, coordination. ity, as does the black, white home — from furniture, cupparents’and re-upholstered sectionLake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, at www.LakeChelanHomeTour.com Dee admits her first choice All proceeds are used to purchaseal needed medical equipment for Lake and Chelan Community and charcoal color scheme. boards, lights and sinks down sofa, circa 1965, severalHospital. of exterior paint was white, but They kept far away from period to bedding, door handles and framed landscapes given to everything they sampled glared kitsch, so though the house is shades — almost entirely from them by his mother, Joan Kinstoo brightly on that peaceful well-appointed, it’s not overonline retailers. “We totally man, a Bainbridge pastel artist. Clos Chevalle hillside. The existing primer was whelming. filled our Woodinville garage; And who knows? Maybe by the a gold buff, which they eventuKnowing that for a few years everything was delivered there, time its life as a resort is over ally realized was perfect, so they the house will be mostly for then we hauled it all over to and this house becomes home, Hawks Meadow Clos Chevalle simply chose paint to match it; others’ enjoyment, they filled Chelan in a big truck,” said all the well-chosen furnishings subsequent rockwork options shelves with games and books, Dave. “It took several trips… will be as comfy and commonwere nicely narrowed down by offered small closets, made probably the hardest part of the place as if they’d been in the the dominant warm color. a kitchen pantry, outfitted a whole project.” family for years. Dee and Dave City Cottage Inside, practical engineered cabana. Their own belongings, Dee explained their collabora- can then relax every day in their wood flooring throughout the and a full office, are discreetly tion as her filtering down the new/old place just as they always main rooms and the distinctive Art Show at Tsillan locked away. major choices on sites like Ama- envisioned. LAKE CHELAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, GUILD ‘B’
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Available at: Allisons of Manson, the Culinary Apple or Featuring Northwest Artists 10am to 4pm • No ticket required to enjoy the Art Show. the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce and at www.LakeChelanHomeTour.com
Supporters:
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ur.com
Art Show at Larc Hill Vineyard Ranch Featuring Northwest Artists
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10am to 4pm • Next to Tsillan Cellars on 97A • No ticket required to enjoy the Art Show All proceeds are used to purchase needed medical equipment for Lake Chelan Community Hospital
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TRADITIONAL WITH A FRENCH FLAIR
Meadow
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509-682-WINE • 509-682-9463 • www.tsillancellars.com
ON A WHIM
509-682-WINE
PET tales
Tells us a story about your pet. Submit pet & owner pictures to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com
T
his is our daughter, Rosie, with her pet turkey named Gertrude (formerly named Smokey as “he” was bound for our Traeger last fall). Gertie surprised us by being a lady turkey and then surprised us even more by becoming great pals with our daughter! She calls her “Gertie the Good Turkey Bird.” They follow each other around our yard, and Gertie likes to sit down close to Rosie in hopes of getting some snuggles with her. — Chelsea Morris
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teve Zimberoff, Wenatchee, said he walks Sadie every day. Sadie is a 5-year-old miniature Australian cattle dog. Steve said he adopted Sadie from another family. “I like everything about her. She is perfect,” he said.
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column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR
jim brown, m.d.
A ‘wonder drug’ that’s FREE Recently I read an article
extolling the medical benefits of walking. The Harvard author equated the benefits to that of a “wonder drug.” I know I have promoted the health benefits of regular exercise, eating right, avoiding or stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol and losing weight. From our health standpoint, it is very important to spend less time on the couch and on our addicting devices. It is not easy for someone who has done little exercising in any form to suddenly decide, “Hey, I’m going to start exercising.” Life-long habits are hard to break, and healthy habits seem difficult to start. Walking is one of the most accessible, easiest and readily available exercises to all of us. We don’t need any special equipment or training to walk. I find walking or running on a treadmill relatively boring, and I guess that’s why treadmills in fitness centers all come with a television to relieve the boredom. I find that walking outof-doors is more invigorating, interesting and connects me to the beauty of nature surrounding me. As we age, it is more important than ever to attempt to be physically active, and there is no safer, cheaper, more invigorating activity than walking on a regular basis whether it be done alone, with a dog, or with friends. So what are the health benefits of regular walking? Walking has been shown to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, keep one’s weight down, boost our immune system and improve memory. In addition, it has been attributed to reducing the risk of heart disease, diabe-
Several studies have shown walking five to six hours per week reduces arthritis pain as well as decreases arthritis from forming on our hips and knees.
tes and some cancers. Walking can reduce the effect of some of our obesity-promoting genes as well as reducing our craving for chocolate and sugary snacks. The American Cancer Society suggests studies show women walking seven hours a week reduced their risk of breast cancer. Surprisingly, several studies have shown walking five to six hours per week reduces arthritis pain as well as decreases arthritis from forming on our hips and knees. A study of over 1,000 working males and females who walked 20 minutes 5 days a week reduced their sick days by 45 percent especially in flu season. It is important to use the correct walking shoes. When you walk, walk tall, not hunched over, which may cause neck and upper back pain. Look out about 10 feet in front of you. I have always enjoyed being physically active, enjoying hikAugust 2019 | The Good Life
ing, racquetball, tennis, jogging and biking. Now, at a more advanced age, these activities have lost some of their appeal to me. Fortunately, I have discovered pickleball, America’s fastest growing sport especially among middle-aged and older men and women. I also have become dependent on getting my walking in every day. On my last birthday, my wife gave me an apple watch. It is not something I “needed,” asked for, or expected. I wasn’t sure I would use it that much even though several of my grandchildren raved about theirs. However, now I have learned the many benefits, information and even motivation this new watch gives me. It tells me how many steps I have taken each day and how many miles I have walked. It tells me what my average resting pulse has been and what my pulse was with different activities. I was pleased to see an hour www.ncwgoodlife.com
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of pickleball is equivalent to 1.3 miles of walking. Walking my mini golden doodle, Jackson, every day usually accounts for 1.5 -2 miles for each walk. Dogs need to walk too, and it is another good reason to have a dog in addition to the unconditional love they show us. If I sit for too long a time, my watch tells me to get up and move around. At other times it tells me to take several slow deep breaths. How it knows that I need these things is beyond me, but I am happy that my watch “cares” for my health. When I am driving my car, if I get a text or email, it vibrates and the message pops up on the screen. With a quick glance I can ignore it without getting distracted by my phone. As long as my iPhone is in the vicinity, even my phone calls come in through my watch. It speaks to me clearly, and I can then answer the calls by talking into my watch. I feel like Dick Tracy, (remember him?), when he had his two-way radio watch. I am at the twilight of my life now, and I want to stay as healthy and active as I can. I will continue to walk every day as long as I am able. I encourage you to do likewise. As some of my golfer friends say on a nice warm sunny day, “What a beautiful day this is, and it’s nice to be on the right side of the grass.” Keep walking as long as you can. Jim Brown, M.D., is a retired gastroenterologist who has practiced for 38 years in the Wenatchee area. He is a former CEO of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.
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column moving up to the good life
june darling
Learn to be brave to live a richer life Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. — Anais Nin
P
eople who are interested in living a full life rather than a shrink-wrapped one need to find a way to kick up their courage. Changing careers, moving to another place, following your dreams, living your values requires courage. Courage is also necessary for building intimate and authentic relationships. All this is perfectly obvious when we consider what courage is. A brave behavior is when one is trying to attain a goal in threatening circumstances. Bravery must involve understanding the risks of failure and willingly accepting the consequences whatever they may be. People must know they are vulnerable, master their fear, and act. Usually we think of bravery as a physical act of courage. For hundreds of years warfare was the ultimate proving ground. Today researchers approach bravery differently. People can be brave in many ways including donating a kidney like my friend, Ann. They can also be brave socially, morally and intellectually. My own most recent hero is a family member who fought through her social and psychological fears to get treatment for depression. I also have a friend, Juli, who speaks her religious and political opinions truthfully though she knows others will disagree and possibly shun her. If it’s not hard, it’s not courageous. If it’s painless, it’s not courageous. If your knees are never knocking, it’s not courageous.
June Darling enjoys a moment on top of a glacier near Denali peaks. Photo by John Darling
Understood that way, no surprise that many of us are reluctant to sign up for more courage even if it is the cat’s meow. What can we do to help ourselves be braver and live more of the good life? I’ve been researching the answer to that question for months because sometimes I notice myself being cowardly like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Like most behaviors, bravery probably can be promoted by example and inspiring stories. Every culture has stories of heroes. We all know the story
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of Nathan Hale awaiting hanging, bravely saying that he only regretted having but one life to lose for his country. An acquaintance, Robert Biswas Diener, wrote a helpful book called The Courage Quotient. The book brings in courageous stories, but also science and research. Remembering your own previous acts of courage and appreciating them is a good way to boost personal courage according to Robert. This idea worked with my granddaughter, Sophia, who
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refused to take some needed injections. A reminder of her courage in both jumping off the high diving board and skiing down the slopes of Mission Ridge helped her take her shots. And, as I recall, this is the way the cowardly Lion claimed his courage too. Fear can also be managed using various breath types of breathing (just breathing more deeply and slowly can help) and relaxation techniques. Certain ways of thinking or switching focus can relax us. A friend of mine overcame her performance anxiety by thinking compassionately about her audience as people she loved and wanted to help rather than folks who were judging her. Here’s a way to manage fear that many people use but won’t admit. Keep a personally meaningful, “lucky charm.” Robert claims its efficacy is supported in the research, people perform better and are braver when they have to use lucky charms. You’d think we’d have a lot more science-backed courage building ideas than we seem to have, however. We’re still largely on our own when it comes to building our personal courage. My courageous friend, Juli, became the brave woman she is today by noticing her own cowardice and making a promise to herself to change how she responded to social and psychological fear. When Juli was in high school, schools in the South became integrated. Two small AfricanAmerican kids rode her bus filled with white high schoolers. The white teens — her friends, called the children hateful
My courageous friend, Juli, became the brave woman she is today by noticing her own cowardice and making a promise to herself to change how she responded to social and psychological fear. names. Out of fear for her own (and her younger sister’s) social status, Juli simply watched and listened, though she knew what the others were doing was wrong. Juli hated herself for saying nothing to stop the teens’ racial taunts. When my friend went to college, she made a vow to speak up when others were being bullied. She became involved in social justice projects, which she continues to this day. Juli’s story helped me because it showed me that even if we act cowardly sometimes, we can change if we are willing to make the effort. I was ready to experiment on myself. I went with my husband, John, to our last American frontier, Alaska. John’s cousin, Michael Darling, a retired dentist and past biggame guide, lives with his wife, Lucy, in Alaska. Mike and Lucy no longer hunt but are outdoor enthusiasts. They graciously offered their “happy place” a scary, off-thegrid, up-the-cliff, grizzly-bearhaven from my perspective. And, I might add, that whenever I am with my husband on any vacation, there will be at least a few moments of terror. What did I do? Yes, I read many stories about courage. Yes, I did some deep, slow breathing, particularly while using the open-air, out-
door potty. (No, I did not gag). Yes, I reminded myself of times I had been brave which I needed while flying wing-tip to mountain-tip through clouded Denali peaks and landing on a glacier. Yes, I shifted my focus from my inner jitters, to noticing the breathtaking beauty around me. Yes, I used a lucky charm (my Nashville cap) and a jingle bell while hiking. And best of all… yes, it was memorable and exhilarating. Afterwards I felt downright good about myself and the fun I had on vacation. An Alaskan adventure is not going to be at all scary to most of you, I know that. I also realize that there’s still a lot more to learn about courage in general. Plus, we are all different with unique vulnerabilities. Still, it’s a good start. Add these ideas to whatever you’ve already assembled in your bravery building arsenal. You may find yourself agreeing with Helen Keller that, “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all!” What techniques might you try to bolster your personal courage and move up to The Good Life? June Darling, Ph.D. can be contacted at drjunedarling1@gmail.com; website: www.summitgroupresources. com. Her bio and many of her books can be found at amazon.com/author/ junedarling.
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Brown’s Peony, 2016, hand-colored etching from the Wildflower artist’s book, 8.5 x 6 inches.
Natural artist With an eye on science and craftsmanship S
By Susan Lagsdin
cene #1: Across from Icicle Ridge, the artist plunks down rocks to secure the corners of an unwieldy three-foot by nine-foot banner of heavy blue mulberry-tree paper to the uneven ground. Straddling over it at times, she fills the whole frame, slashing and backfilling with a calligraphy pen her view of distant crevices, trees and rocky ledges. Scene #2: Ensconced in a private studio just steps away from her home’s front porch, the artist bends over a single dark waxcovered copper plate the size of a playing card and for several hours draws needlethin lines, gradually etching through the soft medium an image of allotropa virgata (candystick), a Cascade wildflower.
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Pines in White, 2019, sumi ink on dyed Japanese paper, 54 by 29 1/2 inches. | The Good Life
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The artist is Sarah Horowitz. The first artwork became the massive, showstopping, blueblack landscape drawing in her recent exhibit at the Graves Gallery at Wenatchee Valley College. The second could become part of a bound series of prints, often surrounding theme-related poetry or an essay (an “artist’s book”) that graces rare book collections; her resume lists 37 institutions as diverse as Harvard’s Houghton Library or the Missoula Museum of Art that purchase her work. Sarah, 42, has been making art, hands and eyes attuned to the world, for much of her life. She delved into printmaking, both etching and woodcut, for the first time at a 1998 Chautauqua workshop in upstate New York and soon switched her college major at Hampshire College from math to art. “I loved printmaking more than any other medium I’d tried — it made sense with how I think and work,” she said. In the next 14 years living in Portland, Oregon, she honed her art, attracting grants and residencies and finding interested buyers worldwide. Any side employment beyond that, usually the bane of the working artist, was in galleries or teaching printmaking and drawing at Portland State University. Keeping close ties with the Froelick Gallery, which represents her, and craftspeople vital to her artist book projects, five years ago Sarah made a big move from urban center to mountain town. She came to Leavenworth with her husband Nick Pope, who’s a mountain guide for Northwest Mountain School, and their baby daughter. “I always thought I’d be an artist,” Sarah said. “And the idea back then was that family was not compatible with that. It’s definitely challenging, but it’s nice not to be in this life all by oneself.” When she was first pregnant, she found an art book dealer to
Sarah Horowitz, seen in her Leavenworth studio, is smiling for several good reasons; one of them is a recent relaxation from deadlines.
“I loved printmaking more than any other medium I’d tried — it made sense with how I think and work.”
Wildflowers, 2016, artist book with hand-colored etching, letterpress printing, and binding, 11.5 x 8 (closed).
manage traveling and marketing tasks for her. Now, with career and family both attained, Sarah skillfully juggles time and attention as does any working mom of a six-year-old. This past May, the family moved into a downtown Leavenworth house with a separate studio for her, where she can work for hours at a time on her art. She’s established the pattern of creating an artist book (those August 2019 | The Good Life
bound prints, which she acknowledges is a very particular niche art form) about every two years. She stages a solo show of prints and drawings every year and in between deadlines does occasional illustrations, local exhibits and commissions, like making the exquisitely bound certificates presented by Yale University to its annual literary award winners. For the artist books, which are www.ncwgoodlife.com
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the most labor intensive of her projects, she creates the initial art — drawn from nature with reverence and scientific accuracy — and pulls the prints but also controls the quality of the finished piece. She insisted, “I want everything I make to embody the whole idea — the entire product should be elegantly simple.” Hence attention to special paper, the typesetting, formatting, binding and letterpress printing down to gold leaf design on the leather spine. The colophon, an acknowledgement page at the back of her books, indicates how carefully Sarah chooses and credits other craftspeople.
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Printmaker Sarah Horowitz }}} Continued from previous page Sarah’s own Leavenworth studio is tiny but neat. Sheets of copper lean against the shelving for handmade papers, and there’s an area for messy work with inks, powders, chemicals, brine and wax, a long clean multiuse table with two stools and a 1969 press inherited from a Massachusetts mentor. Good light spills into the small room on one side, tools hang in size order on the other. She focuses 100 percent when she works on original drawing and etching, but she admits to a slight addiction to audio-book mysteries on her headphones for repetitive work like pulling multiple prints and sometimes hand painting, in watercolor, up to 50 of the same limited-edition image. This summer marks the end of a rigorous three-year stint of overlapping work. “I’m literally clearing the decks,” she said, grinning, indicating her supertidy studio. “This was full of parts of projects. But now I don’t have to do anything with ink for maybe another six months.” She’s recently returned from a two-week Mellon-sponsored botanical art residency in Oak Springs, Virginia, and recently closed the Graves show. Sarah will take a breather with some relaxing drawing, but she’s not going to rest for long. The art world is calling her, quite literally, and she’s already envisioning the next project. She said, “I have a list of artist books and prints I want to make that should keep me busy for the next 20 years.” Learn more about Sarah’s imprint, Wiesedruck, and see her art prints at www.sarahhorowitzartist.com.
fun stuff what to do around here for the next month Rocky Reach Hydro Project, now through 11/1, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Museum, café, balconies that offer panoramic views to the dam and grounds, juvenile fish bypass system. A 90-seat theater shows movies and ample parking for recreational vehicles and buses. Guided tours by appointment. Info: facebook.com/visitrockyreach. Homegrown Oldies Jam, every first and third Monday, 7 to 10 p.m. Riverside Pub. Cost: free. NCW BLUES JAM, every second and fourth Monday. 7 – 10 p.m. Riverside Pub. Cost: free. Wenatchee Paddle Club, every Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. open paddle, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m. novice kayak paddle group, Saturdays, 7 a.m. masters crew rowing. Info: wenatcheepaddle.org. Upper Valley Running Club, every Tuesday, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Check-in at the gravel lot across from O’Grady’s Pantry. Maps will be available for a marked 3-mile trail route, partly along Icicle Creek. Run or walk, by yourself, with a friend or with your family. Participate 10 or more times and earn an Upper Valley Running Club tech tee. Info: sleepinglady.com. From scratch, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Every Tuesday in the Cashmere Valley Bank Community Kitchen at Pybus Public Market, Linda Brown will be cooking meals made from scratch for you to take home. Order ahead of time on her website and pick up from 4:30 – 6 p.m. Info: fromscratchatpybus.com/welcome. 1 million cups, every first Wednesday of the month. 7:45 a.m. sharp. Entrepreneurs discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. Come join this supportive, dynamic community and hear from two businesses that are between 1 – 5 years old. Discover how we can help move them forward in a positive environment, fueled by caffeine. Coffee provided by Mela Coffee Roasting. Wenatchee Valley Chamber office, 137 N. Wenatchee Ave. Mid Week Farmers Market, every Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. South parking lot of Pybus Public Market. Shop local fruits and vegetables.
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The traditional realism of Julie Peterson will be featured during First Friday at the Two Rivers Art Gallery, 5 - 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Julie, an East Wenatchee resident, paints landscapes and wildlife. “People often say they could just walk into the scene, because it has a three dimensional appearance,” she said. Shrub-steppe poetry podium, every last Wednesday, 4 – 5 p.m. A free, poetry-only public reading. Read your own poems or the work of a favorite poet. The Radar Station, 115 S. Wenatchee Ave. Info: sfblair61@gmail.com. Leavenworth Community Farmers Market, every Thursday through August, 4 – 8 p.m. Offers everything from local eggs, meats, cheeses and bread to local
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produce, fruits, prepared foods, local crafts and more. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Weekly Club Runs, every Thursday check in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Pybus Public Market south entrance. Either a 5k or 10k walk or run on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail. Complete 10 weekly runs and receive a free shirt. Cost: free (other than a smile).
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WHAT TO DO
We want to know of fun and interesting local events. Send info to: donna@ncwgoodlife.com
Chelan Thursday evening farmers market, 4 - 7 p.m. 20 plus vendors. Riverwalk Park. Cost: free. Info: chelanfarmersmarket. org. 2 Left Feet, every Thursday, 7 – 9 p.m. 2 Left Feet is a loose organization of local dance enthusiasts who would like to see more dancing in the Wenatchee Valley. Beginner lesson at the top of the hour followed by carefree social dancing. No partner necessary to join in the fun. Dance style will be 1940s swing with a bit of salsa, blues, waltz or tango thrown in. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Game Night, every 4th Friday. Board games, card games or any games you bring. Open to families and all ages. Hosted by Pacific Crest Church. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket. org. Wenatchee Valley Farmers market, every Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Local farmers, artisans, winemakers, bakers and chefs make up the friendly, hardworking vendors. West parking lot of Pybus Public Market. Quincy Farmers Market, first and third Saturdays thru September, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lauzier Park, 1600 13th Ave. SW, Quincy. Jam at the Crow, 7 – 10 p.m. Every first Sunday. The Club Crow in Cashmere, 108 1/2 Cottage Ave. Cost: free. Village Art in the Park, now thru 10/21. Friday through Sunday and Thursdays will be added during the months of July and August. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Pacific Northwest’s longest continually run outdoor art show. Downtown Leavenworth. Commissions are used as: $8,000 scholarships for students pursuing a higher education in the arts, financial support for art programs in local schools and community projects that are of an artistic nature. Info: villageartinthepark.org. Kids Table, 8/1, 4 – 8 p.m. Stop by the Chelan/Douglas Land Trust table at the Leavenworth Farmers Market for some fun, hands-on activities exploring wildlife that live on the land CDLT helps to protect. Learn about bears, cougar, deer and more. See and touch real animal
skins and learn how animals’ adaptations help them survive in the wild. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: cdlandtrust.org. Summer Scholarship fundraiser, 8/1, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join GWATA and Sabey Data Centers for a buffet dinner, no host bar, live music by the 509’s, networking and a silent auction. Highlander Golf Course. Cost: $40-$65. Info: gwata. org. Summer concert: beer garden at the museum, 8/1, 7 – 9 p.m. Listen to Kevin Jones live on the Centennial Park stage from the Wenatchee Valley Museum parking lot and have beer or wine. Cost: $1 cover charge. Theater under the stars: Perry Hotter and the high school musical, 8/1, 9, 10, 14, 15, 23, 24, 28, 29, 8 p.m. A hilarious hodge-podge of magical-musical merriment and mayhem. 204 W Okanogan Ave, Chelan. Cost: $24, family five pack $99. Info: theaterunderthestars.org. Hot August Nights: Hands on a hard body, 8/1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 7 p.m. 8/2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 8 p.m. 8/10, 2 p.m. Live performance. For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor, and ambition, they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. Numerica Performing Arts Center. Cost: $29 - $43. Info: numericapac. org. Comedy @ The Grizzly, 8/1, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Kermet Apio. Red Lion Hotel’s Grizzly Lounge. Info: wenatchee comedy. com. Hello, Dolly!, 8/1, 7, 9, 13, 17, 22, 27, 30. 8 p.m. Thrilling dance numbers, riotous comedy and of course - Mrs. Dolly Levi. Hatchery Park. Cost: $14-$35. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org. Community Science: ebird monitoring at Horse Lake Reserve, 8/2, 6 – 11:30 a.m. Would you like to spend a weekday morning hiking, viewing wildlife, wildflowers and snow-capped mountains, while being part of a small team collecting bird species data? Learn more about becoming a CDLT citizen scientist volunteer by contacting Susan Ballinger at susan@ cdlantrust.org or 667-9708. First Friday Events Include: August 2019 | The Good Life
*Guided Art Tours, 8/2, 5:30 p.m. First Fridays with professional artist talks, mini lessons, and collector prints. All tours begin and end at Columbia Station. Tours help familiarize you with local art venues and artists. Minimalist painter John McCabe draws on an array of life experience in his work including art excursions through central Mexico, public school teaching and fish buying. Cost: free. Info: 664-7624. *Class with a Glass, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. 10 S Columbia St. *Collapse, 8/2, 4 – 9 p.m. 115 S Wenatchee Ave. (in front of RadarStation). *Gypsy Lotus, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. 1 S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. *Lemolo Café and Deli, 8/2, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 114 N Wenatchee Ave. *MAC Gallery, 8/2, 5 – 7 p.m. Wenatchee Valley College Music and Art Center, 1300 Fifth St. *Mela, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. Nosh provided. Cost: free. 17 N. Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. *Mission Street Commons, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. 218 S Mission St. *Pans Grotto, 8/2, 4 – 9 p.m. 3 N Wenatchee Ave. Ste 2. *RadarStation, 8/2, 4 – 9 p.m. 115 S Wenatchee Ave. *Tumbleweed Bead Co., 8/2, 5-7 p.m. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com. *Two Rivers Art Gallery, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. Featuring the Traditional Realism of Julie Peterson. Music by soft jazz duo Patric Thompson and Glenn Isaacson. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery.com. *Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. 137 N Wenatchee Ave. *Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 8/2, 5. – 8 p.m. Light refreshments. Cost: free. Info: Wenatchee.org. *Ye Olde Bookshoppe, 8/2, 5 – 8 p.m. 11 Palouse St. Nic Allen, 8/2, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. The Sound of Music, 8/2, 6, 10, 14, 16, 21, 24, 28, 31, 9/1. 8 p.m. The story of the von Trapp family. Live
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performance. Ski Hill Amphitheater, Leavenworth. Cost: $14 - $35. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org. Theater Under the stars: The Miserable Phantom of the Op’ry, 8/2, 3, 7, 8, 16, 17, 21, 22, 30, 9/1, 8 p.m. A musical comedy mash-up parody (that we call a “Farsical”) mixes two Broadway classics with country music and then adds a lot of cornball hillbilly hijinks. 204 W Okanogan Ave, Chelan. Cost: $24, family five pack $99. Info: theaterunderthestars.org. Paddle Boarding Competition, 8/3, 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Field’s Point Landing to Riverwalk Park, Chelan. 14.2 miles. All proceeds benefit Chelan Volunteer Fire Dept., District 7. Info: windermeresupcup.com. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway, 8/3, 10 a.m. – 2. p.m. Home of the Nile Saunders Orchard mini train. All train runs are weather permitting. Birthday rents available by appointment. Wenatchee Riverfront Park. Cost: $2. Info: Steve Sleeman 663-2900. Find your way gnome treasure hunt, 8/3, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eleven locations have been ambushed by tiny gnomes. Complete the hunt and you’ll receive a treasure and be entered in our gnome Grand Prize giveaway. Pick up maps with clues in downtown Cashmere at Ardeta Park. Cost: free. Info: cashmerechamber.org. Chelan to Africa Benefit and auction, 8/3, 5 p.m. Enjoy a funfilled evening of live music by Kevin Jones Band while raising funds for two organizations focused on helping children. Thrive Chelan Valley is a non-profit committed to providing programs and services to help local youth and Touching Tiny Lives Foundation is a non-profit that operates a safe house for children in a country where 30% of the population is HIV positive. Benson Vineyard Estate Winery. Info: chelantoafrica.com. Pirates of Penzance, 8/3, 8, 15, 20, 23, 29, 8 p.m. Bumbling bobbies, a bevy of beautiful maidens, and a comical modern major general round out the cast of this delightful musical comedy featuring lilting melodies and clever patter songs in the absolute best British tradition. Ski Hill Amphitheater. Cost: $14-$35. Info: leavenworthsummertheater.org.
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WHAT TO DO
}}} Continued from previous page Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 8/3, 8 p.m. End your day with the soothing tones of the Leavenworth Alphorns. The evening serenade is followed by a brief demonstration with information and fun facts about this alpine folk instrument. Front Street Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.com. Music in the park, 8/4, 4 – 6 p.m. Enjoy a family-friendly Sunday afternoon in the park listening to live music. Riverwalk Pavilion, Chelan. Cost: free. Stevens Pass Volunteer cleanup day, 8/7, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Come remove trash from the mountain slopes. Volunteers will have an opportunity to ride a ski lift to reach cleanup areas. Complimentary BBQ lunch is provided. Stevens Pass Mountain Resort. Info: stevenspass.com. Short Shakespeareans Show: The Comedy of Errors, 8/7, 8, 9, 10, 7 p.m. 8/10, 2 p.m. Two sets of twins endure a montage of mistaken identities and a series of encounters with unusual characters, resulting in one wacky, magical comedy. Riverside Playhouse. Tickets: numericpac.org. Summer Bloom Day, 8/8, 4 – 8 p.m. Special activities and foods in celebration at the Thursday Leavenworth Farmers Community Market. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Info: leavenworth.org. Comedy @ The Grizzly, 8/8, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Jon Dore. Red Lion Hotel’s Grizzly Lounge. Info: wenatchee comedy.com. Just Us Band, 8/9, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Lions Club community breakfast, 8/10, 7 – 11 a.m. All you can eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and milk. Proceeds go to Lions Club projects, locally and worldwide. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Historical walking tours of Leavenworth, 8/10, 10 a.m. Town walk. Walks start at the Lions Club Park and are one to two hours long. Cost: $5 donation. Info: Upper Valley Museum, 548-0728. Sleeping Lady Organic Garden Tour, 8/10, 10 a.m. Join garden staff for a tour, learn about environmentally friendly gardening techniques; and earn your Sleeping Lady Green Thumb patch. In addition to using natural fertil-
izers, and regular crop rotation to improve the soil, the staff attracts beneficial insects to maintain the health and sustainability of the garden. The tour will include a stop in the greenhouse, which extends the growing season providing the Sleeping Lady culinary team with fresh produce and herbs throughout the year. Info: sleepinglady. com. Family fun summer art class, 8/10, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Must register: weantcheevalleymuseum.org. Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 8/10, 8 p.m. End your day with the soothing tones of the Leavenworth Alphorns. The evening serenade is followed by a brief demonstration with information and fun facts about this alpine folk instrument. Front Street Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.com. Weird Al, 8/13, 7:30 p.m. Weird Al Yankovic presents a rock and comedy symphonic experience. Town Toyota Center. Info: towntoyotacenter.com. Pruning trees for structure and longevity, 8/15, 9 a.m. Learn pruning types and strategies used for structure, restoration and retrenchment management. North Central Regional Library, 16 N Columbia St. (not the Wenatchee Library). Afternoon will go to Riverwalk Park for some hands on pruning. Presented by Paula Dinius. Info: 667-6540, www.gardening. wsu.edu. Comedy @ The Grizzly, 8/15, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Cory Michaelis. Red Lion Hotel’s Grizzly Lounge. Info: wenatchee comedy. com. Ncw quilt and fiber art festival, 8/16, 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Displaying 300 plus quilts: traditional, modern, landscape and whimsical. Featured quilt artist is Debbie Hiatt. Special exhibit is “Prince” Cherrywood Challenge 2018 – live tour. Merchant mall and artisan market, silent auction and quilt raffle. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $7. Info: towntoyotacenter.com. Guided Travel Tours for kids, 8/16, 1 p.m. These tours are designed for children and their caregivers seeking ways to explore interesting and fun destinations, which are easily accessed with Link Transit’s fixed-route system. Take advantage of the longer summer days for this afternoon road trip
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through historic dryland wheat fields. Escape the August heat to see some cool glow-in-the-dark rocks and start your own NCW rock collection. Stroll through Waterville’s historic downtown; check out the courthouse, Nifty Theatre and the 116-year-old Waterville Historic Hotel. All tours begin and end at Columbia Station. Cost: free. Info: 664-7624 or sdanko@llinktransit. com. Older and Wiser, 8/16, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Hike for Health, 8/17, 9 – 11 a.m. Improve your health, be part of a team, take homes prizes and be entered to win one of the many grand prizes at the end of hiking season. Stormy Creek Preserve (Entiat River Valley). Cost: free. Info: cdlandtrust.org. Perri the poetry fairy, 8/17, 10 – 11 a.m. Children ages 4-11 and their caregivers will hear silly poems, funny poems, story poems, limericks and more. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free. Info: wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. Tomato Gala, 8/17, 10 a.m. – noon. Festive tomato-tasting extravaganza. Experience new flavors and vote for your favorite heirloom, slicer, cherry and paste tomato. Community Education Garden, 1100 N Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. Family fun summer art class, 8/17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Must register: weantcheevalleymuseum.org Moonlight Music Fest and car show, 8/17, 2 – 7 p.m. Live music featuring The 509’s and Mugsy’s Groove. Bring your own chair and refreshments. Downtown Plain. Info: lwfr.org. Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 8/17, 8 p.m. End your day with the soothing tones of the Leavenworth Alphorns. The evening serenade is followed by a brief demonstration with information and fun facts about this alpine folk instrument. Front Street Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.com. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway, 8/18, 10 a.m. – 2. p.m. Home of the Nile Saunders Orchard mini train. All train runs are weather permitting. Birthday rents available by appointment. Wenatchee Riv-
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August 2019
Song of Rylei With a good woman and heartfelt lyrics, can success be far away?
L
By Susan Lagsdin
ike love or happiness, success can only be measured accurately by the person experiencing it. Rylei Franks — not boasting, just grateful — thinks he may be approaching it. The Wenatchee singer/songwriter is one of the more humble on-stage performers you’ll probably ever meet. For him, success isn’t the glitter and glam of jet set world tours but an assurance that he’s made wise decisions and he’s on the right track. His confidence comes from two parallel phenomena. First, one year ago he married a woman who knows he’s very talented and who told him if he doesn’t take himself seriously, no one else will. Besides being his fondest fan, wife Brianna also brought order to the business side of his one-man enterprise; promotion and social media are her forte. Second, and subsequently, this year he’s at that tipping point in his music career — like the actor who needn’t audition or the novelist whose editor wants one more book — where his local performance calendar is filling up gradually from requests, without his constant queries. Folks who’ve enjoyed his acoustic guitar and solo voice are inviting him back. “For about three years, after I first started singing and playing guitar here,” he said,
// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS With the flair of a modern day troubadour, Rylei Franks plays a few original tunes for the photographer one sunny afternoon at the PAC fountain.
“I’d send out 30 emails to bars, restaurants, wineries and other music venues and get maybe 10 responses. Eight of those might be rejections… now, I can do my music without reaching out.” He’s also pleased to no longer play for a burger and beers. He said, “I tell them how much I charge… and they always say yes. It’s really nice.” Rylei, 30, grew up in Soap Lake in a big ranching family and as a teen joined his brother and friends in a rock ‘n roll band that played in central Washington for three years. It was a ’90s grunge sound, with synthesizers and electric guitars. “I didn’t really like the music,” he admitted, “But at least I knew enough not to ruin my voice.” Earlier piano and saxophone lessons helped him when he started playing acoustic guitar on his own. He has a good ear and a sense of rhythm, he said, so he took two lessons and learned 1) the major cords 2) what blues pro-
He’s also pleased to no longer play for a burger and beers. He said, “I tell them how much I charge… and they always say yes. It’s really nice.” gression is. Rylei also learned that his quiet personality makes it much more pleasant to compose and practice in solitude. That background and hundreds of hours with the guitar created a flexible repertoire that’s a mix of soft rock, easy listening favorites, country and ballads. He’s learned to read events and audiences: he can disappear into the background as musical wallpaper or engage his listeners with backstories, patter and a smile. August 2019 | The Good Life
Rylei has adopted a strategy for songwriters who sing: “I cover mostly standard favorites, and I never announce one of my own tunes coming up. I’ll play it — and if they applaud, then I’ll let them know it’s an original.” The emotional impact of the music is what matters to Rylei, and his soft voice and stronger heartfelt punctuation adds new meaning to well-known songs. His slow and languorous version of Willy Nelson’s On the Road Again is a good example. Songs like Weight in Gold, a tribute to his wife, which he sang at their wedding, and Good Night Sweet Princes, both on his newest album The Mrs. are intensely personal without cloying. The man’s heart is in them, but they don’t tug unduly on the listener’s heartstrings. Rylei has played dozens of varied venues from Pybus to a cigar bar and from Big Bend College’s annual auction to wedding receptions, creating an audience base that helped him a few years www.ncwgoodlife.com
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ago win Washington’s # 1 acoustic artist and top five in the U.S. in Van’s Warped Tour Battle of the Bands. He’s opened for a few American Idol auditions and big-name underground groups, and music great Bonnie Guitar helped him produce his first album, Paper Poetry. As if the love of a good woman and growing popularity as a singer weren’t enough to make a guy feel good about himself, here’s another. After seven years as activities director at the Quincy Hospital, he realized he needed to make mature strides in his career (he actually said, “get a big boy job”) so this year Rylei is working and studying at Wenatchee Valley College, preparing to enter the nursing program. With that schedule, he’s still able to write music, produce albums and do a few shows every weekend. So, how about success on the macro level? Glitter and glam, jet set world tours? Handlers and groupies? Rylei’s not averse to dreaming, but cautiously. “I’d settle for a tour across the U.S. and a few stops in Ireland with my current album. And I’d keep musicians and writers around me all the time to help me better my craft.” That’s the future. He doesn’t have to go far to be content. The move from Soap Lake to Wenatchee was a heady enough experience; for now, he’ll settle for making lots of music in the center of the state. Find out more about Rylei Franks and hear his songs from albums on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram and his website www.ryleifranks.com.
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WHAT TO DO
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ing Lady Green Thumb patch. In addition to using natural fertilizers, and regular crop rotation to improve the soil, the staff attracts beneficial insects to maintain the health and sustainability of the garden. The tour will include a stop in the greenhouse, which extends the growing season providing the Sleeping Lady culinary team with fresh produce and herbs throughout the year. Info: sleepinglady. com.
erfront Park. Cost: $2. Info: Steve Sleeman 663-2900. Music in the park, 8/18, 4 – 6 p.m. Enjoy a family-friendly Sunday afternoon in the park listening to live music. Riverwalk Pavilion, Chelan. Cost: free. Leavenworth unplugged, 8/19, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Reconnect with nature, family and friends. Leavenworth Fisheries Complex. Cost: free. Info: friendsofnwhatcheries. org.
Family fun summer art class, 8/24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Must register: weantcheevalleymuseum.org
Kids Makers Market, 8/22, 4 – 8 p.m. Kids day at the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market. Youth learn and practice their entrepreneurial skills and earn money. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Comedy @ The Grizzly, 8/22, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Greg Santos. Red Lion Hotel’s Grizzly Lounge. Info: wenatcheecomedy. com.
Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 8/24, 8 p.m. End your day with the soothing tones of the Leavenworth Alphorns. The evening serenade is followed by a brief demonstration with information and fun facts about this alpine folk instrument. Front Street Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.com.
Trivia Night with the Wenatchee public library, 8/23, 7 – 9 p.m. Teams compete for prizes. Snacks proved by the Friends of the Library. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: ncrl.org/ Wenatchee. Dos Dudes, 8/23, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the rail car. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Lions Club community breakfast, 8/24, 7 – 11 a.m. All you can eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and milk. Proceeds go to Lions Club projects, locally and worldwide. Lions Club Park, Leavenworth. Sleeping Lady Organic Garden Tour, 8/24, 10 a.m. Join garden staff for a tour, learn about environmentally friendly gardening techniques; and earn your Sleep-
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Wenatchee wine and food festival, 8/24, 6 – 9 p.m. Meet the wine makers and taste the award winning wines, plus enjoy locally hand-crafted distilled spirits, craft beers as well as a wide selection of amazing food. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $45. Info: towntoyotacenter. com.
chairs. Cost: $3. Info: ohmegardens. com.
Reo Speedwagon and featuring Great white, 8/27, 7:30 p.m. Live entertainment. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $47 and up. Info: towntoyotacenter.com.
Family fun summer art class, 8/31, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Must register: weantcheevalleymuseum.org.
Comedy @ The Grizzly, 8/29, 7:30 p.m. Live performance by Adam Ray. Red Lion Hotel’s Grizzly Lounge. Info: wenatchee comedy. com.
Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 8/31, 8 p.m. End your day with the soothing tones of the Leavenworth Alphorns. The evening serenade is followed by a brief demonstration with information and fun facts about this alpine folk instrument. Front Street Park, Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.com.
Movie Night at Ohme Gardens, 8/30, 8 – 10 p.m. Captain Marvel. Inflatable screen, bring your own
Wenatchee Riverfront Railway, 9/1, 10 a.m. – 2. p.m. Home of the Nile Saunders Orchard mini
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August 2019
train. All train runs are weather permitting. Nile Saunders Memorial Run. Wenatchee Riverfront Park. Cost: $2. Info: Steve Sleeman 6632900. Become a Wenatchee Naturalist. If you are looking for a way to deepen your connection to both the natural and human aspects of our collective home, consider becoming a Wenatchee Naturalist. Registration is now open for the next 50hour Wenatchee Naturalist course offered by Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) Continuing Education, Sept. 18-Dec. 11, 2019. The course is designed to allow participants to meet new friends, discover lovely local places to visit again, and to gain new eyes for the natural wonders of North Central Washington. To date, over 200 people, ages 1281, have completed the course and become Wenatchee Naturalists. Instructor Susan Ballinger teaches the Wednesday evening course and four Saturday field trips on Sept. 21, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, and Dec. 7. Field trips explore habitats along the White, Entiat, Columbia, and Wenatchee River corridors, guided by expert guest field scientists. Info: Susan Ballinger (skylinebal@ gmail.com; 509.669.7820). Visit the newly launched Wenatchee Naturalist website at http://www. wenatcheenaturalist.com/. Register for the WVC Continuing Education course at https://www.wvc.edu/ directory/departments/conted/
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column those were the days
rod molzahn
N.N. Brown – Hotel man traveled far & wide “T
hree meals and a bed, $1.25 - $2.00 a day.” The Republic (the Wenatchee Daily World’s competitor) ran that advertisement in 1912 for the Elberta, Wenatchee’s finest hotel. The Elberta was owned by Noah (N.N.) Brown and his brother, George. N.N. and George were brothers to Deak Brown, the first settler in the Monitor area. Deak had been writing glowing reports of the Wenatchee Valley to his brothers in California, letters that persuaded them to join him in his new found paradise. In 1885 they agreed to make the move. George and N.N., with his wife, Addie, planned to meet Deak at The Dalles but he wasn’t there when they arrived. They went on to Goldendale where they found brother Deak. From there they headed north with horses and a fully loaded wagon. When they attempted to ford the Yakima River, the wagon high centered on a large rock. All the contents had to be completely unloaded and carried to the north shore before the wagon would float free. Once they reached the Wenatchee Valley, George claimed a homestead near Deak’s. N.N. took over a relinquishment homestead from Tom Owens, a friend of Deak’s who had moved on. George raised cattle on his land. N.N. and Addie lived in the one-room cabin on their land for six months then obtained a patent on the land by paying the government $2.50 per acre. N.N. was not a farmer. After getting title to his homestead, he moved to Ellensburg to engage in his first love, the hotel
The Brown brothers: from left, George, Noah (N.N.) and Deak.
business. He bought the Forrest Hotel and ran it profitably until 1889 when a town fire destroyed most of Ellensburg including the Forrest Hotel. Not ones to be easily beaten, N.N. and Addie spent the next six months traveling in Europe. On returning to Washington, N.N. opened a hotel in Dayton, operating it until moving back to Wenatchee in 1891. In the spring of 1892, anticipating the coming of the Great Northern Railroad, N.N. hired Jake Miller (nephew of Phillip) to build Wenatchee’s first hotel, the Watson. Jake Miller recalled that the hotel was built board-andbatten style with green lumber. It wasn’t long until the lumber began to warp and cracks grew between the boards. Pages from many and varied August 2019 | The Good Life
newspapers were tacked up over the cracks to keep the wind at bay. Hotel guests could lie in bed and read the news, new and old, from their choice of many towns and cities. The year 1892 also saw strong anti-Chinese sentiments take hold in Wenatchee. In March a public meeting was held to find a solution to the “Chinese problem.” The vote, led by Mike Horan and Frank Reeves, was nearly unanimous. Only N.N. Brown refused to approve the measure “to see that no Chinamen were permitted to locate within the limits of Wenatchee.” After a year, N.N. sold the Watson Hotel at a good profit. He moved back to Ellensburg where he opened a large restaurant. He did well in spite of the financial depression that gripped the whole country from www.ncwgoodlife.com
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1893 on for several years. In 1896 N.N. sold the restaurant and moved to Yakima to operate a hotel there. That lasted only a short time before the Klondike gold rush in Alaska got his attention. He reached Dawson in September of 1897. He wasn’t there to dig for gold but for the business profits to be made from the men who found the gold. N.N. quickly took a job as the night clerk in a Dawson hotel at a salary of $450 per month. While working at the hotel N.N. turned a good profit when, along with partners, he platted and sold the lots in the new town of
}}} Continued on next page
What Are You Laughing At? We’re looking for fresh, true stories from local people that’ll bring a chuckle to our readers.
Limit yourself to 500 to 1,000 words and send to: editor@ncwgoodlife.com
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
N.N. Brown always interested in the public good }}} Continued from previous page Eagle City. In 1899 N.N. was carrying mail by dogsled from Nome to St. Michaels, a round trip that took over 40 days. The sojourn to Alaska ended the next year when he returned, once again, to Washington State. N.N., along with brother George, opened a hotel in Reardon, near Spokane. The brothers owned the Hotel Reardon for several years. George found a wife there in the person of Marguerite Lutzhoft, a hotel employee recently arrived from Germany. In 1901, once the Hotel Reardon was up and running, N.N. and George returned to Wenatchee and bought the Bell Hotel. They closed the hotel and did extensive remodeling and updating then re-opened as the Elberta. Rufus Woods recalled that when he first arrived in town in 1904 the Elberta was “the principal hotel in Wenatchee.” It’s not clear when N.N. and Addie divorced but in 1906 he married Jessie Walton. Three
In March a public meeting was held to find a solution to the “Chinese problem.” The vote, led by Mike Horan and Frank Reeves, was nearly unanimous. Only N.N. Brown refused to approve the measure “to see that no Chinamen were permitted to locate within the limits of Wenatchee.” months later George married Marguerite and brought her back to his homestead in Monitor where he built her a new house. N.N. was never interested in public office but was always in-
terested in the public good. He was a strong advocate for the apple industry and a charter member of the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce. He was a great booster of the community in all ways and took an active part in pressing for the 1908 construction of the wagon/irrigation bridge across the Columbia as well as the need for the state to buy the bridge and make it part of the highway system. By then N.N. and Jessie were spending winters in California and summers hunting and fishing on the upper Entiat and Methow rivers. N.N. had been a prolific writer for years contributing many columns to the Wenatchee Daily World. He wrote extensive travelogue descriptions of he and Jessie’s California winters and their summer “hunt and shoot” outings. Their favorite Methow hunting was on what N.N. called the north fork of the Methow, now known as the Chewuch River. In December of 1912, in a Wenatchee Daily World story, he described a hunt when Jessie Brown got a deer.
“We saw a spike buck standing on a ledge not over 50 yards away. Mrs. Brown’s chance had presented itself. I handed her my 30-30 and resting it against the side of a pine tree she took aim and fired. The buck fell, shot through the small of the back. “She had the distinction of being the only woman who had shot and killed a deer in that region.” Their frequent hunting and fishing trips with friends up the Entiat River earned N.N. the title of “Mayor of Silver Creek.” He summed up his love of the outdoors in a 1912 article. “If business interferes with your pleasures or health, get off a couple weeks, go into the high mountains, rusticate, hunt, fish, eat camp cooking, drink pure water, forget business and come back a new person.” Historian, actor and teacher Rod Molzahn can be reached at shake. speak@nwi.net. His third history CD, Legends & Legacies Vol. III - Stories of Wenatchee and North Central Washington, is now available at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center and at other locations throughout the area.
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Miss Amber Lou: One smart cat }}} Continued from page 38 to leave me. Oh my, I found my cat, or better yet, the little kitty found me. It was love at first touch. I had to leave her to have her fixed and a chip put in. So off I went to purchase what one needs for a brand-new kitty. Many dollars later, and all set up in my bathroom, I was ready to pick up my very own kitty, Amber Lou. My biggest concern was whether this little 4-month-old kitty knew about litter boxes? It was the only question I asked of humane society staff. “Of course,” I was told. Kitties have a “built-in nature” to do this. All the way home I prayed this rat of a cat was not passed by when the “built-in nature” was given out. On the way home I do not know who was more stressed, Amber Lou or myself. Those first few days were a blur. We both were very hesitant with one another and hiding behind a door in a far corner of the bathroom was her favorite hangout. But blessings for sure, she knew her litter box. Eventually we still had two hurdles to get over as she approached a year. One was when it was time to change from kitty food to adult food. I tried sprinkling a bit of adult food into her bowl mixed with kitty food. NO DEAL. She would not eat either. After a day or so, I dumped all kitty food and gave her all adult food. Bingo, that was the ticket. She ate it all and that day became my adult cat. The last big hurdle was the switch from a regular litter box to a fancy loo for Amber Lou that had crystals in it. It only needed to be changed once a
month. My adult children gave this to me for Mother’s Day and I was thrilled. Amber Lou was not. I could not get her to go into it. She would not use it for several days. I was worried I would find little surprises about the house. My children shared that cats can go for several days without using the loo and often do not go at all when traveling. So, I prayed her “inbuilt nature” was still with her. On about the third day all was well. I am sure she felt much better and was one happy cat. As the two of us were becoming a family, she learned to “sit” on command for treats. None of my family believed me but when Amber Lou showed off for them, they figured I had picked out one smart cat. She loves her treats. Amber Lou does not like me to be gone. She gives me a hard time when I return. She comes towards me and then turns, puts her tail and rear in the air and runs off. This lasts for several hours until I sit down, and she wants up for a love on my lap. She has a favorite position and I know all is well once again with the two of us. She does have a sweet temperament and has grown into a gorgeous black calico cat. She loves to roll on her back and show off her beautiful multicolored tummy when guests come. Amber Lou manages our home efficiently. She guards our home when I leave. We have become a family, Amber Lou and me. Our home is filled with activity and love once again. Life is good. Constance Nelson Bean is a retired educator living in the Wenatchee Valley.
August 2019 | The Good Life
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Plumbing
the back page: that’s life
Miss Amber Lou By Constance Nelson Bean
She then looked up at me with her big amber eyes as if to say. “Please ‘Hooman,’ rescue me.”
Shortly after I lost my hus-
band, I realized how very quiet my home was each day. I found I was talking to myself, leaving the TV and music on far longer than I truly enjoyed. I began to think a pet might be a nice addition to my quiet home. Because I live in a condo community, I knew I was limited on the kind and type of pet that would work best in my community. I decided a cat was the answer. I shared this thought with my adult children, and all were supportive. Adopting a mature cat seemed most logical at my age. Youngest daughter, Jill, began sending me pictures of mature cats listed on the web site for the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. One brave morning, I drove myself down to check out one cat Jill thought I would like. It was a lovely cat, but the only problem was it would have nothing to do with me. It even pulled away when I held it. The body language was very clear. I was not to be its new “hooman.” I eventually gave up on any ideas of what I might want as it became very clear none of the mature cats I checked out wanted anything to do with me.
Connie Bean and Miss Amber Lou, who is a little unsure about having her photo taken.
Then one morning the idea of adopting a kitty came to mind. Once again, I shared with the family my new plan. All but one of the children are cat people and had a beloved cat, including my grandchildren. They all
promised me my kitty would always have a home with one of them. So, this encouraged me to go back to the Humane Society and look at kitties. Wow, kitties are adorable and all love to be
played with and loved. I began to think about what color and kind of kitty I would like. A calico cat was one cat I had always thought was so beautiful. One day a calico kitty came up on the web site so down I went to check her out. She was a disaster. She was in her litter of white fluffy brothers and sisters with gray spots and china blue eyes. Each one more adorable than its sibling. In the middle of this active white ball of fluff was a little skinny, rat looking calico with very large ears. She looked completely miserable. She then looked up at me with her big amber eyes as if to say. “Please ‘Hooman,’ rescue me.” I asked to pick her up. The assistant asked if the rat-like cat was really the one, I wanted to pick up as the others in her litter were so adorable. I said, “Yes.” This little kitty hugged my neck, purred and did not want
}}} Continued on page 37
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August 2019
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