September 2016 The Good Life by The Good Life

READ AND BE HAPPY & HEALTHY Y EVENTS CALENDAR

WENATCHEE VALLEY’S

NUMBER ONE MAGAZINE

September 2016

Open for fun and adventure

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Women's night out mountains in the

— with snow daiquiris home tours special

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Contents

page 42

Water color artist nicki isaacson

Features

women’s night out

Lots of moms like to blow off steam with a couple of nights away from the family — these two opted for the quiet outdoors, still, there were daiquiris involved

A financial advisor who keeps in touch

12 plan b involves chickens

Andréa Pipkin maybe never imagined her life would involve raising much of the food for the family while homeschooling her children on a farm, but she considers her life a blessing

If the market’s trending down, your financial advisor’s attention toward you should trend up.

14 Paintings, puppets and performances

Experience the consistent, personal attention I can provide, no matter what’s going on in the markets.

The art of Bill and Cindy Rietveldt

16 makers become sellers

Idle hands do creative work with an eye towards business

19 they built this city

Cary Ordway presents a special advertorial section about the builders of the Valley

A financial advisor www.edwardjones.com in touch Al Adan, AAMS , CRPC Dan Rodgers, AAMS Financial Advisor

24 a boy’s dream

Geoffwho Gatewood keeps ®

Flying to where the Wright Brothers launched the first plane was Wayne Ball’s boyhood dream... he finally did it in retirement

Member SIPC

1556 N. Wenatchee Ave. Suite C 237 N. Chelan Ave. 1556 N Wenatchee Ave Suite C advisor’s attention toward you should trend up. WA 98801 Wenatchee, WA 98801 Wenatchee, Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-663-9503 509-662-4491 509-663-9503 Experience the consistent, personal attention

Every new custom home is somewhat a partnership between owner and building, but this one went an extra step

I can provide, no matter what’s going on in

44 Remembering guppo

The Wenatchee Youth Circus was a young boy’s dream that came with muscle-building hard work

Darl Bidleman theJ markets.

Erik C Nelson, AAMS®

107 Eastmont Ave. East Wenatchee, WA 98802 509-886-1106

115 S. Emerson St. Suite D Chelan, WA 98816 509-682-5759

Geoff Gatewood Geoff

ART SKETCHES

www.edwardjones.com

Financial Advisor 1556 N. Wenatchee Ave. Suite C 1556 N Wenatchee Ave Suite C Wenatchee, WA 98801 Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-663-9503

Member SIPC

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n Water color painter Nicki Isaacson, page 42 n Jazz singer Rhia Foster, page 48

509-663-9503

Columns & Departments 9 Pet Tales: I love Lucy 27 Bonnie Orr: Watercress is more than Downton Abby 38 June Darling: Read to be healthier and happier 40 The traveling doctor: Newest research on dementia 42-51 Arts & Entertainment & a Dan McConnell cartoon 52 History: John A. Gellatly went all in for Wenatchee 54 Alex Saliby: An easy place to taste fine local wines September 2016 | The Good Life

If the market’s trending down, your financial

MKT-9651-A

28 PARTNERSHIP IN BUILDING

Stewart A Craig, AAMS® 304 Grant Road Suite 4 East Wenatchee, WA 98802 509-884-1335

Tom Barrett 111 S. Mission Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-665-9909

www.ncwgoodlife.com

OPENING SHOT

Year 10, Number 9 September 2016 The Good Life is published by NCW Good Life, LLC, dba The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 PHONE: (509) 888-6527 EMAIL: editor@ncwgoodlife.com sales@ncwgoodlife.com ONLINE: www.ncwgoodlife.com FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/NCWGoodLife Editor/Publisher, Mike Cassidy Contributors, Cameron Wood, Sarah Shaffer, Jean Moraga, Alan Moen, Cary Ordway, Wayne Ball, Ken Anderson, Donna Cassidy, Bonnie Orr, Alex Saliby, Jim Brown, June Darling, Dan McConnell, Susan Lagsdin and Rod Molzahn Advertising manager, Terry Smith Advertising sales, Lianne Taylor and Donna Cassidy Bookkeeping and circulation, Donna Cassidy Proofing, Dianne Cornell Ad design, Clint Hollingsworth TO SUBSCRIBE: For $25, ($30 out of state address) you can have 12 issues of The Good Life mailed to you or a friend. Send payment to: The Good Life 10 First Street, Suite 108 Wenatchee, WA 98801 For circulation questions, email: donna@ncwgoodlife.com BUY A COPY of The Good Life at Safeway stores, Walgreens, Mike’s Meats at Pybus, Rhubarb Market, Martin’s Market Place (Cashmere) and A Book for All Seasons and Dan’s Food Market (both Leavenworth) ADVERTISING: For information about advertising in The Good Life, contact advertising at (509) 8886527, or sales@ncwgoodlife.com WRITE FOR THE GOOD LIFE: We welcome articles about people from Chelan and Douglas counties. Send your idea to Mike Cassidy at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

Anne Brooks does yoga on her deck, with her cat Abby, while facing the Columbia River valley.

What is Your Picture of Health? W

hat are some of the things you do to take care of your own health? Maybe you make it a priority to spend time outdoors each day or to be of service to others. Do you have traditions in your family around food and gatherings that contribute to your wellness? What are some of the things you

do to feed your spiritual health? These are some of the questions that the Initiative for Rural Innovation & Stewardship (IRIS) and Community Choice Healthcare are teaming up to explore through a traveling exhibit series, “A Picture of Health in NCW.” The traveling photography show, to run at the Quincy Public Library Sept. 29 – Nov. 30, will celebrate stories about how people are nurturing wellbeing at the individual, community and environmental levels in NCW. Anne Brooks of Chelan submitted this photo showing how yoga contributes to her health

Keep Moving

and that of her husband Randy. “A piece of my picture of health is being active, stretching, doing yoga, exercising and walking,” Anne said. “Yoga is a huge part of being active and staying healthy for me.” Photographers are invited to submit up to three photos and captions to www.pictureofhealthncw.org by Sept 15.

On the cover

Sarah Shaffer took this photo of her friend, Liz Dunham, sidestepping her way up Liberty Cap to the summit. See Sarah’s story on page 10.

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September 2016

WELCOME TO THE 2016

wenatchee valley SEPT 9th-11th

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September 2016 | The Good Life

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are not much for “I remember when…” stories. We like current exploits — like in this issue Sarah Shaffer’s tale of a women’s night out in the mountains and Wayne Ball’s account of flying a small airplane across 22 states on his way to Kitty Hawk, where the Wright Brothers made aviation history. And yet, when Ken Anderson sent in his homage to the Wenatchee Youth Circus and its founder Paul Pugh, I read the story and just couldn’t say no. In an email, Ken wrote, “my brother, Joe, and I were in the Wenatchee Youth Circus. Joe had seven or eight acts, from catching on the trapeze, to walking the high wire. Paul Pugh, and the circus, played important parts in our lives… “ Ken also sent along a couple of photos. “The pictures came from Mr. Pugh’s oldest child, David. As you know, I can’t see the pictures,” wrote Ken, who is blind. “There is a picture of Mr. Pugh, as Guppo… I ran my hands all over the statue of Guppo that is next to the YMCA. It felt very accurate to me. As I felt the patches and other parts of Guppo’s costume, it felt just like I remember it. An excellent likeness.” Ken’s sweet memory begins on page 44. From the past to the future… When Dave Riggs, the advisor to The Apple Leaf at Wenatchee High School, asked if we could take on an intern this year, I felt a little apprehensive. A monthly feature magazine is not a “drinking from a fire hose” experience — and while that is

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September 2016

just fine with us, it doesn’t leave a lot for an intern to do. Still, I said yes, and that is how Cameron Wood, a senior at Wenatchee High School and incoming managing feature editor of The Apple Leaf, began writing for us this summer. She is good with a nice touch for extracting interesting stories from the people she interviews. I asked Cameron how the experience was going for her, and she told of a love for reading and writing that went back to her elementary school days. She used to concentrate on fiction, she said, but now, she prefers non-fiction. “I’ve come to the conclusion that real world people and experiences can be just as wondrous, if not more wondrous, than imaginary ones,” she said. “As I read in A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, our universe is always expanding, and through the process of writing features, my mind is also constantly expanding with new ideas and knowledge exchanged through small conversations with individuals I would’ve only had small talk (or maybe no talk at all) with if I had not become a journalist. “Within each person I’ve interviewed is a little world of unique experiences and interests, and getting even the smallest glimpse into that is an honor — and it’s an exciting adventure in my figurative journalism spaceship for me.” Make a real connection with someone new, and expand your mind with The Good Life. — Mike

wenatchee valley 9th-11th

SEPT 11 AM - 5 PM OTHER EVENTS

PRESENTING PLATNUM SPONSOR

The Central Washington Home Builders Association is excited to welcome you to the 2016 Wenatchee Valley Tour of Homes. Enjoy a self-guided tour of luxurious homes in our breathtaking valley. To purchase tickets, visit our website at www.cwhba.org or buy your ticket on site at one of the homes on the tour.

CHEFS ON TOUR™

Sept. 8th • 5:30 PM – 9 PM

An exclusive event that allows you special access to sip and taste your way through various homes, featuring local chefs and beverage companies showcasing their art.(*21 and older only, please)

BLOCK PARTY

Sept. 9th • 5 PM – 9 PM

Come and join us out in the new development in Cherry Meadows surrounded by Saddle Rock. You’ll be sure to have a great time listening to fun music, eating good food, sipping on a cold beer in our beer garden.

at the homes

Sept. 10th • 11 AM – 5 PM

CHARITY EVENT • Sept. 11th

online

Purchase your Tour ticket at any of the homes during tour hours

Purchase your Tour ticket at cwhba.org ($2 off compliments of

Standard Paint & Flooring / PPG)

$30

$20

chefs on tour™

craft crawl

CRAFT CRAWL

An opportunity for you to ride in style while enjoying the ambiance of the lovely homes while appreciating tastes of various wines and beers.

$10

Enjoy craft beverages as you tour the homes

Chefs on Tour ticket must be purchased online

A chance for us to show our gratitude for our First Responders.

Tickets available online now at cwhba.org

Come and Enjoy the Tour! WENATCHEE OFFICE

(509) 421-1803 kmoody@cwhba.org

September 2016 | The Good Life

cwhba.org

www.ncwgoodlife.com

Food & Drink Guide

fun stuff a full LISTING of what to do begins ON PAGE 46

4 home tours in September If you are interested in tour-

You’re in for a tweet! Join us for Saturday morning Bird Walks with Heather Murphy, a local wildlife biologist, nature journalist and artist. Sept. 3rd or 17th at 9 am. Meet at the gazebo in the garden & bring binoculars. It’s free! 509.548.6344 SleepingLady.com Be sure to drop by O’Grady’s for 2.6 miles down Icicle Road, a delicious brunch afterwards! outside Leavenworth

Thank You Customers For Our 29th Anniversary!

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ing the insides of shiny new homes — or cool existing homes — then September is perfect for you as there are four home tours this month, including a new tour that launches this year. Here is the info: The Cascade Medical Foundation will hold its 21st Annual Home and Garden Tour on Sunday, Sept. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. The tour will include four homes and three gardens in the Leavenworth area. All proceeds go to the upgrade of the Endoscopy Suite and purchasing a Patient Portal for patient/physician contact. Tickets are $20 available at the Leavenworth Chamber, Cascade Medical Center and at tour homes. Info @ 548-2523 or www. cascademedicalfoundation.org. The Central Washington Home Builders Association introduces its 2016 Wenatchee Valley Tour of Homes with a self-guided tour of several local homes, Sept. 8 through 11. To purchase tickets, visit www. cwhba.org or one of the homes on the tour. (See pages 5 and 7 for more information.) Special events include Chefs on Tour, Sept. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. that will allow you to sip and taste your way through various homes, featuring local chefs and beverage companies showcasing their art. Sept. 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. is a block party in the new development in Cherry Meadows surrounded by Saddle Rock with music, food and cold beer in a beer garden. Eleven homes located throughout the Wenatchee Val-

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September 2016

ley are included in the Building North Central Washington’s home tour that runs Sept. 16 -18. This is the 22nd year of the tour. Industry professionals will be available to answer questions at each home. (See pages 28 to 37 for details on some of the featured homes and more information.) A special event will be the 4th annual BNCW Chefs on Tour, which features six homes, six chefs, four wineries and two breweries the evening of Sept. 15. Tickets for the Chefs on Tour are limited to 250. As a featured stop on this year’s tour, the Remodeling Expo will showcase several remodeling contractors and other related businesses — all at Sangster Motors — ready to share their knowledge and expertise with tour attendees. For tickets and more information, visit www.buildingncw.org. Chelan Community Hospital’s Guild B, helped by employees and community businesses and volunteers, have organized a one-day tour of some notable Chelan-area homes, with proceeds from the event going toward the purchase of new and better equipment for the hospital. A companion piece to the all-day Saturday, Sept. 17, tour is the annual art show at Tsillan Cellars. The featured house is the redone Whaley Mansion — which was showcased in last month’s issue of The Good Life. Information and photos are at facebook.com/GuildBLakeChelanTour and at LakeChelan.com/ events/hometour.

PET tales

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

Kathy Lingo, East Wenatchee, walks Lucy along Riverfront

Park. Lucy is an 8-year-old Great Dane and was rescued from the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. “She was so emasculated, no one thought she would live,” said Kathy. “She had not been taken care of and had lacked love.” Kathy and Lucy have been together for two years now and she said, “Lucy really appreciates everything I do for her, she groans with appreciation. Little kids think she is a tiger. “She is having a good life now.”

uby Walker got her puppy from a friend in Monitor. Ruby lives in Wenatchee and takes Deano out daily. Deano is part Beagle, Chiwawa and Dachshund. He is four months old and is an exuberant puppy with lots of character, said Ruby.

Know of someone stepping off the beaten path in the search for fun and excitement? E-mail us at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

Zack Hambleton, DVM, is accepting new patients at Bavarian Village Veterinarian (509) 548-5896

September 2016 | The Good Life

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A view from High Pass. Wildflowers abound and the mountains were glorious. Life doesn’t get better than this. Picture of Sarah Shaffer taken by Liz Dunham.

Women’s night out in nature —

with snow daiquiris By Sarah Shaffer

Once a year, my good friend

Liz and I make plans for a one or two night ladies backpacking trip. This is a very sacred, special trip for us because we both have daughters that are three. Our girls are six days apart and they have known each other since 3 months of age. First comes planning for the trip, which involves asking husbands or relatives to watch our kiddos. Logistics ensue, and luckily we usually figure it out. This years’ trip was decided upon as a two nighter; location chosen was Buck Creek Pass in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. We left leisurely on Saturday morning after saying goodbye to our girls and husbands, seeking out coffee, and then hit the road. Because we are moms who both work and have young kids, we usually bring a load of supplies in the car and divvy the supplies once we get to the trailhead. After we realized that my child’s clean underwear behind

the seat was not an item for our trip, we chose which water filter, camp stove, and tent to carry based on weight and how “iffy” the product is since they haven’t been used much in the last few years. Then we were on the trail, both wearing beat up running shoes and using trekking poles. Verbal diarrhea ensued for the next four hours of hiking until we both hit a bit of a wall and wanted a break. Wondering if we were going to get some good views yet, and also wishing that a camping spot was nearby we trudged along, me ever so slowly while Liz sped up trying to find a camp spot. Two hours later we made home on the top of Buck Creek Pass with an uninterrupted view of Glacier Peak behind us. We ate top ramen for dinner (the salt and caloric value was much needed) and ate chocolate for dessert. With 12 miles under our belts we were worked and ready to hit the sack. Neither of us slept much that

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night. Why, you may wonder? Because it was so quiet. We are so used to hearing our girls scream, cry, sing or babble that it was odd hearing nothing but silence. No wind, no rain, no crickets. No white noise machine from the kid’s room. The only thing we would sometimes hear during daylight hours was the call of the Marmot. A high pitch whistle that can literally be heard for miles. So instead of sleeping the night away, we read books, drank rum in our tent, and talked about all sorts of random things. Various places in the world we have traveled, family dynamics, our children, the hard and wonderful things about being a parent, our bodies after having kids, work, our health and food. The next day we decided to leave our packs and head for Liberty Cap. This lovely viewpoint was only a couple miles from camp and with a roughly

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September 2016

Getting there: Buck Creek Pass trailhead is located up the Chiwawa River Road near Lake Wenatchee. The trailhead is located at Trinity. Stay on Chiwawa River Road until it dead ends at Trinity. Start on the hike for Buck Creek Trail, which after 12 miles of hiking will lead you to Buck Creek Pass. 2,000- foot elevation gain it was well worth the day trip. We frolicked in the fields of high alpine wildflowers, enjoyed watching my dog Tana check out the Marmots on the hillside, and summited Liberty Cap to enjoy a 360 view of snowcapped peaks. After we soaked it all in, we headed back to camp to drink snow daiquiris and have lunch. I had never had a snow daiquiri, but Liz showed me how it is done. Snow from a nearby shady spot is mixed with lemonade packets, rum and a bit of filtered water. They were delicious with the perfect amount of saltiness

LEFT: Sarah Shaffer, Tana (the dog beast) and Liz Dunham on the summit of Liberty Cap. High Pass trail in the background. BOTTOM: Mountain Heather next to camp. The flowers were plentiful. BELOW: Camp for night one at Buck Creek Pass.

and punch of flavor. Little did we know that we would be hiking another 12 miles that day. We broke down camp and started off down the pass. I was a bit tipsy so I took the rear and thank goodness for trekking poles. They kept me steady. On our way back, we had a specific spot in mind to camp for our last night… unfortunately about a quarter of a mile off the trail from our very lovely chosen camp was a small wildfire smoldering. We decided for safety purpos-

es to make camp at the trailhead next to our car in case we needed to head out in a hurry. This turned our leisurely day of hiking into a 16-mile day with a buzz from delicious daiquiris in the middle and chocolate at the end. Liz and I both have our health issues. She has Type 1 diabetes, and I have a reconstructed abdominal wall, poor circulation in my feet and asthma. During our journey we checked in on each other about every hour while hiking, making sure we both were feeling ok. September 2016 | The Good Life

While trudging the evening away, we talked about how important it is to have a good hiking partner for those long treks — someone who checks in with you, who can keep you moving when you would rather take a nap. Someone who is optimistic, positive and funny. Believe me, this can really help on longer days of hiking with a pack. We also talked about the importance of mind over body. The older I get, the more I realize the value of this. Your body will want to quit, but you know if you can push through the pain, swelling, hunger and confusion from needing food sleep and water you will make it to your destination. As I age, my body definitely is not in the shape it used to be. I was at my peak before I had my daughter. Since then I still can’t get rid of all the baby weight, and I don’t work out as much as I used to. An incredible asset I gained since my daughter was born is www.ncwgoodlife.com

mental focus. We went through a lot to have our daughter, and the birthing was super rough. Since I have learned that my mind has tremendous abilities to push through pain and fatigue and is really my strongest asset. Not my legs or my arms or my cardio ability, but my mind. Liz and I headed back to our families the next day after a leisurely breakfast in Leavenworth with fresh outlooks and excitement to see our little girls again. We have already started planning for next year’s backpacking adventure. This story also appears on WenatcheeOutdoors.org — the site covers such topics as hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, trail running and skiing in the region. Sarah Shaffer works as the Executive Director for WenatcheeOutdoors. org. Mother to Dahlia, her three year old daughter and dog owner of Tana, Sarah enjoys getting outside as much as she can and doing home remodel projects with her husband when being domestic.

Plan B involves chickens, chores & outdoors homeschooling Mom from the city finds life in the country both rewarding and a blessing story and photos By Jean Moraga

While this life is far from

what Andréa Pipkin imagined while in high school, she wouldn’t trade it in. Having lived in L.A. until age 12, then moving to Ephrata, the suburban lifestyle was all she knew. She thought her future would likely be a house with a fenced yard for a couple children and the two cars that a two-job household would require. She had never thought that other options existed. Another option found them when Andréa’s older children, Alexandra and Josiah were diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, a degenerative nerve disorder. Now, Andréa homeschools her three children on their farm on Beecher Hill, while still finding time to enjoy the great outdoor activities our valley offers. She and her husband, Jeriah,

Andréa Pipkin feeds the chickens: a small farm involves lots and lots of chores.

realized that homeschool might work best, keeping their schedule flexible for appointments while working at their own pace. She learned from friends who homeschooled. “Seeing how well it worked for them and how well their kids were doing,” she said, gave her ideas it could work for their family. Andréa said that at first, she felt pressured by having a limited amount of time to fit in all the lessons, while figuring out each child’s learning style. And, as she learned from her daughter Alex, how a child learns may differ from how the parent learns, and therefore teaches. “If you’ve gone to school, you have this idea of school and you’re trying to replicate that at home and maybe that’s not the learning style your child has. So you have to learn different ways of teaching. There’s definitely some adjustment time to that,” Andréa said. She researched curricula online, questioned other home-

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schooling families and spent the first few years working with Valley Academy. Once she had her learning plan firmly in mind, she felt comfortable putting together a curriculum with her kids learning styles in mind. For the Pipkins, schoolwork usually takes three to four hours a day because the children commit to getting work done. “There’s very little distraction or goofing off, because they know that when it’s done, we can go,” she said. Andréa has built a basic daily schedule for meals, chores and schoolwork. Afternoons are open for activities before evening chores and dinner. When the official school year ends on May 30, the schedule is a little looser, with more time for outdoor activity. They still aim for math lessons a couple of days a week and join the library’s summer reading program. Most days they try to take care of chores in the morning and evening, when it’s cooler. In

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September 2016

the heat of the day, they head for water. “We like to build sandcastles and paddle around in the kayaks and paddleboard. We also have a pool set up that the kids play in.” They may paddle around the estuaries at Confluence State Park, watching the fish and birds. In the other direction, the state park at Lake Wenatchee offers plenty of room to play. The children prefer the kayaks, with the older two, ages 12 and 9, often sharing a sit-ontop kayak, while the youngest climbs in with Jeriah. This means Mom usually has the paddleboard to herself; sometimes one of the children will join her on the wide, stable board for a ride. Some days seem made for reading or building with Legos in the cool of the basement play room. Other days are perfect for a hike or a day trip with friends. The Pipkins also enjoy camping, no small feat considering

try to fit in a lot in the winter because our spring is filled with getting the garden in and our fall is filled with preserving what came out of the garden,” said Andréa When the family moved to their current home in Peshastin, it came with an established garden area, which pleased Andréa. That first year yielded little produce. However, that didn’t deter her from trying again with improved results. Over time, the Alex holds a chicken: children are involved in doing three children have the chores, too. grown right along with the garden and now help plant and harvest, often picking veggies to rinse in the hose and eat on the spot. The garden took on new meaning when her middle child Josiah was diagnosed with leaky gut, or intestinal hyperpermeability, which allows particles from the intestines to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and malabsorption of nutrients. The family found that it needed more fresh vegetables, fewer processed foods and higher quality meats to improve his health. How to afford all the changes was a big question, and the farm who they leave behind when was the answer. travelling. Part of their income It started with just a few comes from their small farm, chickens for fresh eggs and a which includes a garden and couple of goats for meat. When raising of chickens, goats and her little group of laying hens more. Friends help take care of disappeared one at a time durthe animals when the Pipkins go ing one week, Andréa added camping. geese to discourage predators. When summer is a memory Realizing how low on the food and the snow drifts grow, the chain chickens are, Andréa got Pipkins go cross-country skia small incubator so she could ing, snow shoeing or sledding. hatch out the eggs, rather than A neighbor’s hill and local snow buy chickens. parks offer plenty of opportunity When Andréa found herself for outings in the cooler months. with more hens than she felt Winter comes with fewer comfortable having in the coop chores but more schoolwork. “I during the winter, she placed

an ad and quickly sold the extra hens. She was also able to sell the extra eggs to friends and family. Other animals have come and gone as she figured out what worked, or didn’t, on the farm and with their family. It’s a work in progress, growing and changing with the family. The most rewarding part of farming for Andréa is seeing the animals healthy, and on the farm rather than a feed lot, and making a delicious meal that’s

The most rewarding part of farming for Andréa is seeing the animals healthy, and on the farm rather than a feed lot, and making a delicious meal that’s all farmfresh foods.

September 2016 | The Good Life

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all farm-fresh foods. She knows where that food came from, how it was raised and how much work went into it. “What I have is really rewarding in an obvious way because it’s so hand-to-mouth; it’s clear that it’s a blessing,” she said, even if it’s an option this city girl never imagined. A Cashmere native, Jean Moraga is a married mother of two kids who dreams of a backyard garden of her own, chickens optional.

Paintings,

puppets and performances The Art of Bill and Cindy Rietveldt

By Alan Moen

hen it comes to creative couples, it’s hard to beat the team of Bill and Cindy Rietveldt of Peshastin. High school sweethearts in New York, they married after graduation. A year later the young couple — with two dogs, a cat and a son just six weeks old — moved west to Portland where both attended college. Bill got a BFA in lithography and sculpture from Portland’s Museum Art School (now Pacific Cindy and Bill Rietveldt with their giant raven puppet. Northwest College of Art), while Cindy earned a BA in painting at Portland State University. Ironically, their artist roles are now reversed. “She’s making sculpture now, and I’m painting!” Bill laughs. In 1994, Bill was hired as diThey moved 15 years later rector of the Chelan County Muto Seattle, where Bill got his seum in Cashmere, and moved Masters degree in sculpture at there that year. Cindy followed the University of Washington him after selling their Vashon and began a 10-year career as home in 1996, and they bought foster parents for “street” youth a house in Peshastin, where through Seattle’s Orion Center they’ve lived ever since. and then for special needs teen“I got into tourism after that,” age boys for a program adminis- Bill says. For several years, he tered by the YMCA. was special events coordinator After Bill got a job at the Tafor the Leavenworth Chamber coma Art Museum, they moved of Commerce. Then, until his to Vashon Island, where Bill retirement this year, he spent also directed a teen center for nine years as curator of exhibits a while. All told, they had 38 at the Wenatchee Valley Musefoster children, all boys, during um and Cultural Center, staging that time. many top-notch art shows in

“It’s fun to do art that people can handle, and not scare them away.”

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Wenatchee. Meanwhile, Cindy supported herself for almost 40 years as a seamstress, working with designers to make custom window coverings and other fabric art. Three years ago, she closed down her workroom to concentrate on her art. Since 2001, both Rietveldts have been involved making giant puppets for regional events. They started with beaver and coyote figures for the Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, commissioned by Harriet Bullitt with instruction by One Reel Productions. This led them to

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September 2016

organize the creation of six more puppets for the Wenatchee Valley Museum with lots of help from the community and Wenatchee High School students. Cindy also helped put together the Dragon puppet for the high school’s production of Shrek in 2013. “The first puppets were quite heavy,” she recalls. “The heads were papier-mâché, but the framework to support them was metal. Now we’re using carbon fiber and fiberglass as much as possible, which is much lighter.” Their latest creation is a giant raven puppet, 10 feet tall and 10 feet long, which was featured in the Apple Blossom parade in Wenatchee this year and also in the Maifest parade in Leavenworth. It was a collaboration, with Bill making the framework, Cindy sewing the fabric cover and both working to sculpt and paint the head and dye the rayon feathers. They have learned how to make their puppets interactive characters. “When you wear the puppet, people like to talk to your head,” she says. “You have to make eye contact with them and move your hands around. It’s much more fun that way.” “You feel grand and powerful while all the time you are strangely vulnerable,” she adds. “In the middle of all your fun,

things can go terribly wrong and we’ve learned never to use the puppets without a ‘spotter’ along with a bucket of tools, safety pins and duct tape. Bill was happily within the Beaver waving to the crowd at Maifest when our son, walking with us to help, realized the animal head was no longer linked correctly to the shoulders and was turned upside down grinning at the LEFT: The Raven puppet delights at Maifest in Leavenworth. RIGHT: Cindy’s giant beaver puppet. sky looking like a creature posRietveldt Studios. sessed. Josh spent the rest of the result is a beautiful porcelainon the main floor, while Cindy parade at Bill’s side periodically like white surface that will occupies the basement with her Artist and writer Alan Moen is cowhopping the head back into absorb paint. (Leonardo’s Mona sculpture and fabric workshop. owner of Snowgrass Winery in the position.” Lisa is painted on a true gesso More puppets and paintings Entiat Valley. They are now working on wooden panel, not on canvas.) are now happily in the works at two more big puppets for the Bill also is doing silverpoint Autumn Leaf Festival parade drawings, another Renaissance in Leavenworth this fall — a technique, using a fine silver dancing couple consisting of a wire on a gesso surface, which goat in lederhosen and a bear in tarnishes to make delicate gray a dirndl. “It’s fun to do art that lines. “I’ve always loved (the art) people can handle, and not scare process,” he says. them away,” Cindy says. The Rietveldts’ home in As for Bill, he’s now taking a Peshastin is filled with many welcome break from the mucolorful paintings and sculpseum scene. “I’ve been making tures, a kind of gallery in itself. other people’s stuff look good,” Bill’s studio is in a sunny corner We’ll walk you through our Medicare Advantage plans in he says. “I want to make my own person. Learn how we can save you money and provide one stuff for a while.” easy-to-use package for your medical, prescription drug, dental >> RANDOM QUOTE He’s working on small paintand vision care needs. ings using the Renaissance method of egg tempera on true Life’s journey Confluence Health gesso panels, a painstaking is not to arrive at September 8, 11:00 a.m. Miller Street Conference Room technique. Acrylic “gesso,” used for a painting surface by most the grave safely in a 1000 N. Miller, Wenatchee artists these days, is quite differwell preserved body, ent, producing a non-absorbent Call us today to reserve your spot. 1-877-561-1463 or TTY 711, ground that paint adheres to but rather to skid from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. only because of its slight tooth. in sideways, totally True gesso, on the other hand, A sales person will be present with information and applications. is made by mixing whiting worn out, shouting For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales (powdered marble) and somemeetings, call 1-877-561-1463. Health Alliance Medicare is an HOLY CRAP… times white pigment with rabbit HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health skin glue and applying it in layWHAT A RIDE! Alliance Medicare depends on contract renewal. ers to a wood or Masonite panel, Hunter S Thompson med-ageinsemad-0116 | Y0034_15_28225 then sanding it after drying. The

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Makers ✦✦✦

Idle hands do creative work with an eye towards business

story and photos By Cameron Wood

hat does a 17-year-old high school student, a retired business owner and a fatherdaughter duo have in common? The answer lies in their free time. When others may pick up a TV remote, these four gather tinkering tools and find satisfaction in making creations that are just as unique as hands that crafted them. This common hobby brings individuals of differing backgrounds together as a part of the growing maker community in the Wenatchee Valley. High schooler Rylie Sweem is new to the maker scene, just getting her start in crafting Victorian-era lamps, however she’s no stranger to the world of art. “I started doing art my freshman year of high school and I’ve

Rylie Sweem creates Victorian-era lamps, drawing inspiration from the art world.

been hooked ever since… I just love to create,” Rylie said. “My lamps are similar to my art because it’s something I have fun with and I put my own artistic spin on it. To me, it’s so much more fun to make something so complicated rather than something quick and easy, which is very much like my art.” Rylie derives her creative inspiration from her favorite art-

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ists, including Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, big city galleries and from the art community within the valley, in which she serves as a secretary on the Wenatchee Arts, Recreation and Parks Commission. “Art is everywhere and the commission I’m on really helps to immerse myself more in the city, I find out about new art all the time,” Rylie said.

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September 2016

Like many makers, Rylie has found in her business, Sweem Shades, a way to make money off of her love for the arts. And she’s just starting out. Rylie has designed her own website and has started out selling her lamps on Ebay, but she’s looking for newer and better platforms to sell in the future. “I’ve always wanted to do something like this even though

Larry Redick likes to use recycled materials in his creations — such as light-bulb dog light above — which he often sells at Pybus Market.

it’s on such a small scale. I want to keep continuing to develop my artistic style, looking at new art and just keep doing it for as long as I can.” Former Pizza-N-More owner Larry Redick began his hobby around the same age as Rylie. “I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in a little bit of everything, from cars to woodwork. Everything. (It started) when I was about 10. Small things. When I was 13 I got my first car. It had no motor, no transmission, no nothing. And I had it running by the time I was 16,” Larry said. Over the years, car repair has blossomed into woodwork and rustic metalwork. His business card reads “Bent Nail- knot purfect” — a woodwork pun to describe the uniquely imperfect look of his products. “I just like the rustic look and I like to use recycled materials, and it’s just fun to watch the people’s expressions... I get satisfaction from seeing things being built, and a lot of oohs and aahs from the people looking at it.” On his own time, Larry can be found tinkering in his workshop in the basement of Simply Unique or chatting with his “little family” of makers upstairs in the shop. On some Saturdays, Larry joins the even larger community at Pybus.

“It’s all different people, all different kinds. It’s a hobby for everybody,” Larry said. Another Pybus vendor,

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plant sculptures. “It was just an idea…” Frank began. “...and it grew and grew,” Elise

high schooler Elise Pittman has built a father-daughter air plant sculpture business from her dad, Frank Pittman’s, childhood memories of owning his own

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Makers sought for 2nd annual Faire

Makers ✦✦✦

he Second Annual Wenatchee Mini Maker Faire will be Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Wenatchee Convention Center in Wenatchee. Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth — a family friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker Movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community. The call for makers, artists, performers and crafters is open now through Oct. 15. Any groups or individuals interested in presenting their project, activity, or performance in this event can sign up at makerfairewenatchee.com/maker/ call/ or email info@makerfairewenatchee.com.

}}} Continued from previous page finished. “It took over,” Frank explained, gesturing to the jungle of plants on their vendor’s table at Pybus. Though neither have a long past in art, the two consider the air plant sculptures pieces of artistry in its own right. “Maybe I have a little bit of an eye for some things, but this is mostly on a wing and a prayer. I never know what I’m going to end up with until I do it,” Frank said. Here’s the scene: The Pittmans will sit down at their car port and begin tinkering with new ways to combine their Costa Rican and Chilean plants, wire and sculpture bases. Later on,

Elise Pittman and her step-father, Frank, create and sell plant sculptures.

while Elise continues on, hard at work, Frank will fire up the grill as a reward for their hard work. Frank said that Elise makes about $150 a day when they sell

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dynamic. “She’s the brains.” “And what are you?” “I’m just the barbecuer,” he joked.

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700 N. Mission Street | Wenatchee, WA 98801

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September 2016

Sam Mills

Witness to 45 years of Wenatchee retail history

ike Wenatchee’s downtown business community, Sam Mills and his store have stood the test of time, selling everything from leisure suits to $100 sport shirts. Few entrepreneurs in Wenatchee can say they were an eyewitness to 45 years of Wenatchee business history the way Sam can. His Mills Brothers store has weathered the ever-changing clothing styles as well as the upheaval that, in many cities across the country, has pitted big-volume retailers against the mom-andpop stores down on Main Street. And the really good news, Mills points out, is that Wenatchee has found a way to allow both kinds of stores to prosper. “A lot of that has to do with the Wenatchee Downtown Association,” Mills opines. “In a lot of towns the downtowns just kind of shriveled up, but not in Wenatchee.” As past president of the Wenatchee Downtown Association, Mills is an authority on how that organization has been instrumental in keeping Wenatchee’s unique downtown identity and making it a destination shopping

by CARY ORDWAY district. Actually, Mills explains, it’s a group of destination businesses that offer products and services that often cannot be found at the big-volume retailers. Mills Brothers, with its rich, long history, is a kind of cornerstone in the downtown Wenatchee business community. It all began back in 1906 when Sam’s grandfather -- who also was named Sam -- got together with his brother Harvey to buy out a clothing store in Wenatchee. Grandpa Sam was only 21, and Harvey was a couple years younger. Previously working in Roslyn, the young Mills Brothers moved to a Wenatchee that was only about 1,200 people -- but it was growing fast. Men, back then, were definitely interested in style. “Guys dressed up in those days,” Sam said. “They sold a lot of slacks, nice shirts and ties.” This was, after all, just a few years before the Titanic disaster and photos from the era do show people dressed with a certain flair.

Sam Mills is latest generation to run men’s clothing store that dates back to 1906

Sam and Harvey ran the store up until the 1950s, when their sons, Sam and Jim took over the business. The current Sam began working at the store out of college in 1971 and, in 1983, bought the store from the second generation Mills Brothers. Along with his wife Vickie, Sam has operated the business ever since. Look through your old family photo albums and you’ll see a little bit of Mills Brothers history as your grandfather posed wearing floral print shirts and bell bottom jeans or maybe dressed up in leisure suits, while your dad put on that power suit for special occasions. Throughout the decades, Sam says the store has strived to maintain a niche -- “better quality

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

FALL 2016

| THE GOOD LIFE | They Built This City |

mens’ dress and casual clothing and shoes.” Like other downtown businesses, Mills said he competes with the big retailers by offering a lot of customer service and special orders. But the competition with the big retailers is friendly -- and beneficial for Wenatchee residents. Sam Mills sees a synergy in the Wenatchee business community that really seems to work well. At 67 years old, Sam is coming up on his 50th Christmas in retail, so the R word has come up. “I won’t say the thought of retirement hasn’t crossed my mind,” he said. He has two daughters and three grandkids that he’d like to spend more time with. “But for now,” he said, “it’s business as usual. We’re moving forward.”

Buell Hawkins Longtime Valley Tractor boss to retire but Valley’s loss is local charities’ gain

t was May 1979. Jimmy Carter was still president, the Iranian Hostage Crisis was still months away and the Commodore 64 computer, with its whopping 64K of RAM, would not be on sale for almost three years. And Buell Hawkins was reporting for duty at Wenatchee’s Valley Tractor. No doubt Hawkins was as affable then as he is today, especially considering he had been zone manager for Ford Tractors. He’d worked for Ford for 10 years based in various locations in the Northwest and Northern California, and it was a job that required a certain amount of easygoing charm to relate to a huge variety of customers. One of those customers was Brian Nelson who, along with his dad, Bill, owned Valley Tractor. Buell and Brian had met in Oakland, California back in 1974 when dealership owners were being schmoozed by Ford. They hit it off so well that a few years later Brian offered Buell a job with Valley Tractor. But Hawkins turned him down. He had been handling a territory in the Pacific Northwest but was getting an even better position with Ford based in the

San Francisco Bay area, where he had grown up. The timing just didn’t seem right for a move to Wenatchee. “But, when I got down there, I realized how much I missed it up here in the Northwest,” Buell remembers. “I went down there and there were more crowds, more congestion and it was a lot harder to get around.” So, just six months after that first offer, Hawkins and the two Nelsons were sitting in a Bay-area airport lounge, hammering out the details of Buell’s new job at Valley Tractor. He started out by setting up the company’s new industrial division -- they were adding forklifts -- and later the rental division. He then became general manager of the Chelan store for several years. In 1985, Hawkins became general manager for all of the company’s tractor operations. He became a full partner when he bought out Brian’s dad in 1992. It turns out that Buell Hawkins and Brian Nelson were the perfect match as business partners. Brian’s the “big picture” guy, Buell the hands-on make-it-happen guy. It worked out great for both of them when Brian got deeply involved in property development (highly successful projects like Eagle Rock, Baker Flats Industrial

Buell Hawkins exits Valley Tractor on Jan. 1 to spend more time with charities and family

Parks and many more) and was able to count on Buell to keep Valley Tractor humming along. They faced many challenges together, such as closing the Chelan store in 2000, which was ultimately because of the Alar scare of the early 90’s and its negative impact on local apple growers. There were, in fact, five Valley Tractor outlets at one time including three in Western Washington, but the west side stores were dissimilar from those over here because the customer needs were different. There was no real economy of scale derived from operating all five stores. Then there was the crash of 2008 when the entire U.S. economy was shaken, and Valley Tractor saw its annual revenue reduced by 45

FALL 2016 | THE GOOD LIFE | They Built This City |

percent from the previous year. “It looked like we were going to have to eliminate five employees,” Buell remembered. “We had to try and find a way to keep our family together.” The solution: a 17.5 percent pay cut for everyone in the company, but with the provision that future profits would be used to pay the employees back -- with 3 percent interest. The upshot was that no employee lost his job and all the lost wages were paid back by the end of that year. The same plan was successful the following year as well and business returned to normal growth the third year. Today the company has 28 employees, including 25 full-time equivalents.

Hawkins... On the job for over 36 years at Valley Tractor (continued)

You might think that this kind of creative thinking would be welcomed in the public sector where taxpayer dollars are often stretched thin or wasted. That’s what Buell thought when he decided in the spring of 2001 to run for Chelan County Commissioner. Although he would go on to serve eight years as commissioner, he remembers that he and a fellow commissioner took a lot of flak early on for using everyday common-sense business principles to try and save money. “We were called ‘public sector budget rookies,’” he recalls with a smile. “But we just wanted to take a good hard look at what revenue was going to be and conservatively look at what we would have to spend” in order to determine what the county could -- and could not -- afford. It was in the early 2000’s that Buell first met Dale Hall, son-inlaw to Brian Nelson. Buell had in fact known Dale for eight years when business partners Brian and Buell started talking about who eventually might replace Buell. Several candidates were on the radar when Brian rather casually mentioned that Buell might want to talk with Dale, then a shift manager for TreeTop. There was

no hesitation for Buell -- Dale had proven himself as an avid student, athlete and good worker and Buell knew he had the qualities you need in a business leader.

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The selection was made and Dale was then mentored for an entire year by Hawkins. Buell insisted that Dale move into the general manager office while Buell took a desk on the sales floor. On January 1, 2013, Dale officially became general manager and he currently is a stockholder in Valley Tractor. Dale asked Buell to stay on parttime to work on the company’s marketing so you can still catch Buell Hawkins three days a week at Valley Tractor. But all of that changes on January 1 as Buell, age 67, has finally decided to retire from Valley Tractor. Buell plans to play a little golf and stay very active in many local charities. Sadly, Buell’s wife, Beverly, is in a care facility. But Buell has two sons and five grandsons so he’ll be spending a lot of time with his family. One of his sons, Brad, is currently running for the state senate position held by Linda Evans Parlette. Public office, charity work -- it’s all part of Buell’s philosophy about life: “As I’ve always said to my kids, service to others is the rent citizens should pay for their time on this earth.” Valley Tractor is celebrating its 70th year in business. It is located at 4857 Contractors Drive, East Wenatchee. Phone 509886-1566.

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Karen Boghokian

longer live there safely alone. Karen makes a point to get to know the entire family -- not only the seniors who are downsizing, but their kids. A son or a daughter may contact Karen for help in making these arrangements and, from that point forward, Karen will help educate the entire family on the range of options available. The object is to make sure the seniors will be comfortable in their new surroundings.

Orchardists find her well-versed in selling NCW ag properties

t’s a sign of the times in North Central Washington -- some farmers and orchardists are finding that more government regulation, higher labor costs and competition with larger growers are making it increasingly difficult to make the profits they have in the past. It’s made them seriously consider putting their acreage on the market. There are real estate specialists that handle that sort of thing, and Karen Boghokian is one of them. Working with Century 21 Exclusively, Karen has become a go-to agent for agricultural real estate transactions. As Karen points out, it’s a little different than just selling a house. A lot of research goes into any particular sale and prospective buyers have to know such things as how many plantings there are, what varieties, production, past expenses, and especially what irrigation is available to the property. “You have to be on top of everything,” Karen said. “Research it and confirm it, confirm it and confirm it.”

“It’s a long process,” Karen said. “and they need to adjust mindwise, too. They’re giving up their independence, so to speak.”

husband decided he’d had enough of the rain in Western Washington and they moved to North Central Washington. Karen began her real estate career in 1995.

The first-time home buyers, of course, are at the opposite end of the spectrum. With these buyers, Karen recommends that her clients take a first-time homebuyer class. She will spend a lot of time getting to know first-time buyers, and she counsels them that it may take some time to find the right property for them. And she finds the younger clients have their own way of house-hunting.

In addition to ag sales, Karen has two other specialties at Century 21 Exclusively: seniors, and firsttime home buyers.

“They’re pretty savvy in terms of computers and, with them, it’s all about emails and texts. They do not like phone calls generally.”

Karen Boghokian specializes in ag properties, senior sales and first-time homebuyers

These deals take months to put together as she’s often dealing with large fruit companies. Sometimes they’ll buy an orchard and replace the previous crops -- red and golden delicious apple trees, for example, have sometimes been removed. And, at times, these companies will just want to buy a piece of land that has no plantings, but the right soil, irrigation and climate. Karen’s grandfather was an orchardist and her grandparents actually homesteaded in the Entiat Valley. She previously lived in the Bremerton area and would visit family here quite often, especially after her dad and mom retired here. In 1993, her contractor

As a senior specialist, Karen works with retirees who have reached the point that they want to downsize from their existing home. It may just be because the home is too large, too much work to maintain and far bigger than they need now that all the kids have grown up and moved out. Or it may be because they can no

FALL 2016 | THE GOOD LIFE | They Built This City |

But a lot of people do, and Karen says whatever the client prefers, she will make an extra effort to provide the customer service that she feels her clients deserve. To contact Karen Boghokian, please call (509) 662-2100 or karenboghokian@gmail.com. On the web, please visit www.century21exclusively.com.

A few bumps in the road as Link Transit successfully rebuilds thriving system

he Link Transit buses you see on our North Central Washington roadways are now pretty much part of the scenery -- seems like they’ve always been here. But you might say those Link vehicles encountered a few bumps in the road on their way to providing today’s remarkable level of service. Chief among those bumps was the passage of I-695 in 1999 – an initiative that eliminated a major funding source and forced a major reworking of the system, including implementing fares for the first time. Overnight, ridership dropped and, in addition to charging fares, Link officials were forced to cut overall service by 45 percent. Today, Link Transit is alive and well. Each day, about 3,600 people of all ages and socio-economic levels board a Link Transit bus to get to school, work, shopping, or a variety of other places. The story of how Link officials built -and then rebuilt -- local ridership is a testament to the people working at Link Transit as well as the local officials who have supported the system since it began service in 1991. In October of 1988 a group of Wenatchee’s political and business leaders met together at the

request of the Wenatchee Downtown Association to talk about the possibility of forming a public transit system. The response that day, to many people’s surprise, was total enthusiasm. Following a series of public meetings, the Public Transportation Benefit Area (PTBA) was created in November 1989 and, on September 18, 1990, voters within the PTBA approved a sales tax increase with 54 percent of the vote. The new transit system was to be funded by a four-tenths of one- percent local sales tax, along with a sixty-three percent match from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET), and was to be fare-free for all riders. In March 1900, Ken Hamm was hired as the first General Manager, and he built a team of experienced transit professionals. Transit started service on December 16, 1991 with 15 routes, utilizing twelve new 30-foot Orion buses. By late 1992, over 1 million passengers had ridden Link Transit, far outpacing the predicted ridership. This demand for services caused Link Transit to grow very rapidly, and by 1996 it was operating 27 routes with 55 vehicles, and carrying upwards of 1.7 million passengers per year. But, in February 2000, the MVET

Link Transit soon will be celebrating its 25th year providing service for NCW

funding was eliminated following the passage of I-695 in November 1999. Service was reduced, ridership dropped. But the story doesn’t end there.

Service is provided Monday through Friday from approximately 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturday from 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM.

Since 2000, Link Transit has rebuilt its services by focusing on operating efficiencies. The sales tax rate has never increased in 25 years. Link now operates nearly the same amount of service it did in 1999. In 2015 Link carried over one million passengers for the first time since 1999.

Cash fares are $1.00 or $2.50 depending on the distance traveled, and monthly passes are available. Reduced fares are available to people over 65, or those with a disability or a Medicare card. All fixed route buses are fully accessible with wheelchair lifts or ramps, and are equipped with bike racks.

In February 2016, Link carried its 25 millionth passenger, and on December 16, 2016, they will celebrate 25 years of service. Link’s service area of 3,500 square miles is the largest of any transit system in the state. Link Transit provides service for the communities of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Rock Island, Malaga, Manson, Chelan, Entiat, Ardenvoir, Waterville, Orondo, Monitor, Cashmere, Dryden, Peshastin, and Leavenworth. Paratransit service for ADA eligible individuals is provided by LinkPlus, operating on next day reservation requests.

FALL 2016 | THE GOOD LIFE | They Built This City |

Link Transit has employer-paid pass programs with Confluence Health, Wenatchee Valley College, and CrunchPak. In addition, a program with WVC allows all fulltime students to ride for free. As Link approaches its 25th anniversary, it is time to start looking to the future. Now is your time to contribute your thoughts and ideas on how Link Transit can change to meet the needs of our communities in the coming years. Visit www.letsthinklink.org to share your thoughts. You can learn more about Link Transit at www.linktransit.com

An epic journey to Kitty Hawk in a very small plane Retired Wenatchee counselor flies a journey he first imagined when he was a teenage pilot

By Wayne Ball

hortly after beginning flying lessons in 1956 at the age of 16, it occurred to me that landing at Kitty Hawk — the site of the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903 — would be a fun thing to do. In the early ’80s, with a growing family and with the increased cost of flying, it became necessary to discontinue flying so the dream vanished. I figured my flying days were over. Then, just a few years ago, with the kids almost out of school and nearing my retirement, I figured it was now or never if I were ever to resume this old hobby. We acquired Ladybug, our little Kitfox 3 aircraft, in 2013 and it wasn’t long before the dream of flying to Kitty Hawk awakened again. After five days of delays and two aborted starts, the journey finally began early Sunday morning, June 5, 2016. Over the next 25 days I flew solo about 5,700 miles, landing 40 times at 38 different airports and flew over at least some part of 22 different states with about 10 days of those 25 days spent visiting family members in four different locations in Texas. The first day went very well with stops in LaGrande, Oregon and Nampa, Idaho for fuel and a stop for the night and more fuel at the beautiful little town of American Falls, Idaho.

The mountains are always spectacular and on this day, there was a time when I could see Mount Baker to the north, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. Crossing the Columbia is a special event too and she was beautiful. There was mainly just farmland between La Grande and Boise, which offered its own panorama of color and texture. Just south of Boise I saw what I thought were three, square ponds but when I arrived it turned out they were actually large solar farms. Each appeared to be about 50 acres in size. After some 30 or 40 minutes of moderate turbulence this flight became very routine except for the scenery. Notable were several huge feedlots, one perfectly round hole in the ground maybe twice as wide across as a football field is long and a lot of lava. At first vegetation covered the lava and it wasn’t apparent what it was, just looking unusual, but then it changed to an apparently more recent “flow” where no vegetation grew at all, looking like it had just flowed out that day. The second day presented thunderstorms that had to be avoided and waited out and then a very scary trip through a narrow canyon just east of Ogden, Utah that proved to be a very turbulent wind tunnel. Head winds were so strong that

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Head winds were so strong that ground speed was almost suspended and so violent that one of the windows was blown out of the aircraft. ground speed was almost suspended and so violent that one of the windows was blown out of the aircraft. Heber City, southeast of Salt Lake City, was both beautiful and a very welcome sight. One might wonder how one gets around on the ground when flying cross-country like this.

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In almost every case, there is a courtesy car available for itinerant pilots to use free of charge. I used these to acquire the car gas Ladybug prefers, the injector oil she requires, and to get to motels and cafes. Folks at Heber City were very accommodating, loaning me a spanking new jeep and a gas can which I used to make three trips to the gas station. The next morning, Tuesday, I left at dawn. No one was around. During the next couple of days, I flew over the extreme southwest tip of Colorado and crossed mountains and then rolling plains of New Mexico, landing just before noon at Fort Sumner, NM, site of the NASA weather balloon launching and tracking research center. Fort Sumner is also the site where Pat Garrett, local sheriff, is alleged to have shot the outlaw Billy the Kid. It is a very small town with only one or two gas stations, a bank, a restaurant, a few churches, two motels and the

Monument honoring Wright Brothers sits on a little hill at Kitty Hawk, while the modern runway is lined by forest.

Wayne Ball and Ladybug take a break at Pangborn Memorial Airport.

Billy the Kid museum. Thunderstorms were active so I rested after spending a couple of hours at the museum before walking to the same place for dinner as I had lunch. It was Thursday afternoon and it rained both then and during the night. I walked the mile to the airport the next morning. Ladybug had gotten a good washing in the rain and was ready to go. It was a beautiful clear morn-

ing and I got an early start to Midland, Texas, and the end of this first segment of the journey. Nine days were spent visiting family in four different locations in Texas then the trip was resumed on the 20th. The day ended at Columbia, Mississippi where I spent the night with a friend, then on to Cherokee County airport just north of Atlanta the next day and then on to Plymouth, North Carolina, just a few miles west of Kitty Hawk from where I could launch the next morning and easily reach First Flight Airport at Kitty Hawk. The trip over the water to the

outer banks went very quickly as there was a strong following wind and I wondered how get-

ting back was going to go in this 75 mile per hour airplane.

}}} Continued on next page

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An epic journey to Kitty Hawk }}} Continued from previous page I wasn’t prepared for the dense urbanization I found all around the National Monument. Though tastefully laid out, it was very urbanized. The airport was virtually at sea level but the fairly short landing strip was hidden partially by forest along the west side. The Monument was very impressive and the grounds around the area were beautifully kept and depicted the first flights graphically. There is a nice museum as well and the locals were very friendly. Realizing a storm was coming, I tried to get out ahead of it but it met me about halfway across the bay and with such force turning back was necessary. I landed at Dare County Airport, Manteo, North Carolina some 8 miles south of Kitty Hawk in gusting winds of 27 miles per hour.

... just as I crossed the last trees on the south end of the lengthy runway, I encountered the strongest wind shear of my life. Needless to say, that was a stressful landing. Most of the trip back home was fairly uneventful, with the exception of getting to land at Evansville, Indiana where my older son was doing an airshow. Weather forced deviations and delays here and there of short periods of time but no serious problems were encountered. I had taken along camping gear in case I got stuck some-

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Flying slowly offered a chance to carefully see such sights as this unusual rock formation in Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

where with bad weather or mechanical problems but only camped out one night during the entire trip. The final inconvenience was the Maple Valley weather. Flying from Missoula, Montana and anxious to get home, what should greet me as I crossed the last of the Cascades but a total cover of snow-white puffy clouds. Homecoming would just have to wait. Fortunately, Ranger Creek near Mount Rainier was clear and provided a nice place to sit down and wait until Enumclaw/Maple Valley was ready to welcome this weary traveler back home. But just as I crossed the last trees on the south end of the lengthy runway, I encountered the strongest wind shear of my life. As I fought to control the aircraft I thought how ironic. After all these miles, all these mountains, all these thunderstorms — am I going to crash this plane

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September 2016

right in my own back yard? With full power and full rear stick and teeth clenched I hit the pavement hard but it was over and I was down safe. I was also a little shaken but very thankful. After a wait of three hours, a friend called and said I could make it into Enumclaw. With the recent scary landing at Ranger Creek and the cloud problems trying to get into Enumclaw, I took off, heading for my 41st landing of the trip. It was a terrible landing or as my friends who saw it said “series of landings,” but I was down, I was home, and I was thrilled to have had the great pleasure of the trip, the sights, the people and the safe arrival… finally! J. Wayne Ball, MSW, LCSW, P.S., provided counseling services in Wenatchee from September 2000 until he retired in 2015. He has four grown children and he and his wife live in Maple Valley.

column GARDEN OF DELIGHTS

bonnie orr

Watercress: Little bit of heat, lots of uses O

ften when people hear the word watercress, they think of tea sandwiches served in the afternoon at Downton Abby. Watercress is distributed worldwide wherever there is a little creek with running water, so this tasty herb is featured in numerous recipes of various cuisines. It is a member of the mustard family, and like all its cousins such as arugula, horseradish or radishes, it has a pleasant bite of heat. I prefer this peppery taste to capsicum, which is the heat in various hot peppers such as jalapeno. The watercress heat is an ephemeral pepper bite and the “burn” does not persist in my mouth as the capsicum hot does. All parts but the roots of Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) as its cousins, are edible: leaves, stems, flowers and seeds. The seeds are the hottest part — if you don’t have watercress try arugula seeds to get the feeling of mustard heat. The second part of its name, officinale, indicates that in ancient times, this plant was used for its medicinal properties. Watercress can be harvested in the wild with lots of caveats: The water must be clean, fast flowing and in an area where there are not livestock up stream. The consequences can be as serious as giardia or liver flukes. So, it is fortunate that the local grocery stores, especially, Fred Meyer, carry watercress regularly in the produce department. You can grow it yourself. Gather wild seeds or purchase them from a catalog. You need a place with fresh water daily with good light and shade. DO NOT grow it in your fish pond! I grow Ground Cress, Lep-

1 tablespoon of oil 2 cups of pearl couscous 2 1/4 cups chicken stock

Watercress – an unfamiliar but delicious herb — has many uses besides British tea sandwiches .

idium sativum. It does not need the running water and is more tolerant of sun than watercress. The seeds are available from catalogues. Watercress adds zip when the leaves are sprinkled over a salad. The fresh chopped leaves are delicious with tuna fish sandwiches. Try a BLT and substitute the lettuce with watercress. This fine herb can be steamed and served as a vegetable with grilled fish or beef or venison. Watercress soup is a fine, warm weather treat. Essentially you make your favorite potato soup with russet potatoes, puree it, add the finely chopped watercress and a tablespoon of butter and serve it chilled.

Watercress Couscous 35 minutes; serves 6

I was inspired by a salad featured in Fresh Herb Cooking September 2016 | The Good Life

by Linda Dannenberg. I decided that watercress could be featured as an ingredient in a main dish. Sometimes people moan, “My cilantro plant quit producing leaves and went to seed.” Well, talk about making lemonade from a lemon — the cilantro flowers are lightly flavored and delicious, and those green seeds are a special treat. The dried seeds are coriander. The green seeds are spicy and slightly hot and very fragrant. You can use regular cilantro in this recipe if you do not have any green cilantro seeds in your garden. I love the texture of the pearl couscous (also called Israeli couscous). Don’t use regular couscous because it is too fine. Use a small pasta instead. You will need about four cups cooked of either product. www.ncwgoodlife.com

2 tablespoons oil 1 tablespoon turmeric 2 shallots or 1 small onion chopped finely 2 chicken breasts, skinned and boned 1 large garlic clove minced 1/2 cup wine or apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup chicken stock 3 cups water-

cress leaves 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or 2 tablespoons green coriander seeds Salt/pepper

Heat the oil in a sauce pan and pour in the dry couscous. Heat until lightly browned. Stir in the 2 1/4 cups chicken stock. Cook for about 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. The couscous will be “al dente.” Pound the chicken meat into very thin sheets. Cut into small squares. Heat the oil and add the turmeric for 40 seconds. Stir in the shallots and cook for 2 minutes Stir in the thin chicken pieces. Cook for 4 minutes Stir in the rest of the ingredients including the couscous. Turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature. Garnish with additional watercress leaves. Bonnie Orr — the dirt diva — cooks and gardens in East Wenatchee.

Building North Central Washington year Home Tour & Remodeling Expo Sept. 16 - 18

22nd

Seen from the south, this new home near the Loop Trail features wide-open mountain views and comfortable outdoor living with a deep all-weather patio topped by a main-floor deck.

From door to shining door custom homes are usually a partnership between owners and builders — these people took it an extra step

Story by Susan Lagsdin Photos by Donna Cassidy

hen Chris Bagdon and Debbie Aldridge walked into their just-then-com-

The decision to keep tall ceilings intact gives plenty of light and space in the top-story rooms. Sumptuous leather couches surround the tall stacked rock fireplace.

pleted home late in July, they were pleased with a lot of the decisions they’d made in the course of working with their contractor, Greg White. The couple had chosen the lot in East Wenatchee for its views and privacy, and by last fall had their house plans in hand, purchased from a Portland architect. As the owner of G.L. White Construction, working on custom homes in the area since 1988, Greg had consistent dealings with Chris at his Door To Door store in downtown Wenatchee, and in the case of suppli-

his is one of the homes on the Building North Central Washington’s 2016 Home Tour and Remodeling Expo. For other select homes on the tour, see pages 33 through 37. Tour dates are Sept. 16 - 18, with 11 homes. Visit: www.buildingncw.org/ events for more information and to buy tickets for Chefs on Tour on Sept. 15 and for the tour itself. ers and builders, familiarity breeds respect. Greg’s family connections (his sister owns the development, his nephew is an excavator) would streamline the foundation work, and he was expecting to be at projects in the neighborhood. They picked him to be their

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Debbie grew up in rainy Anacortes and wanted lots of windows... even in the bedroom.

will suit the couple for as many years as they choose to own it (though Debbie did declare, “This is it – I don’t ever want to move again!”). The home, built on a steep one-half acre lot, is one of the first in the new Arbors subdivision off Empire Avenue, just a stroll to the Loop Trail and the river. One of the first decisions, sit-

ing the floorplan, was a given. The lot was steep and not deep, and the owners wanted maximum mountain views. That means, of course, that the walls of main room windows face straight west. That also means the grand entrance portico and front door face the east hillside, at first an embankment with two six-foot

}}} Continued on next page

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Builder Greg White and owners Debbie Aldridge and Chris Bagdon pose between three doors from Bagdon’s store, pleased with the house they completed together.

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Even as new homes are built on the neighboring lots, the views remain intact, and from the wind-sheltered deck, on a clear day, you can see forever…

From door to shining door }}} Continued from previous page sets of concrete-block terraces. The eventual plan is for a vertical vista of decorative shrubs, trees and hanging vines to soften that view and provide a private, shaded welcome for guests. Many purchased home plans, packaged to be used without expensive consultation with an architect, can undergo a lot of change in the hands of a problem-solving contractor, but Chris and Debbie chose to stick with almost all of the original blueprint. There are a few walls pushed out to reconfigure rooms, but the flow of the house suited them when they perused the ar-

ray of available house plans, and it suits them even better now. At 3,600 square feet, there’s plenty of space, but the classic master-on-main gives them onefloor living for everyday domestic life. Debbie said, “Unless we have company or there’s a Seahawks party, we don’t even have to go downstairs.” Mostly they wanted the two-story height for the views, so the basement living area is a bonus. Chris said, “We talked about the ceilings on the main floor — whether to lower some of them or not…” but he and Debbie decided to retain the tall ceilings (14 feet in the living area, 12 feet in the kitchen) and their correspondingly spacious windows

Debbie made all the interior choices including the creamy gold paint color throughout, which will offer a clear background for the couple’s art work and antiques.

for maximum light and land and sky views. Hanging lamps and inset area lighting, as well as contours and coves break up the generous height. The eight-foot fir doors as well as the trim, molding and baseboard, all from Chris’ store, are stained dark against a warm and simple monochromatic palette of creamy, slightly gold-toned

walls. Darkened bamboo floors were chosen for their durability, easy upkeep and good looks, and grey-toned stacked shale rockwork, both exterior and interior, lends some visual weight. When the work on this project started last October, Chris and Greg knew they would be dividing responsibilities for its completion. Elements like foun-

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September 2016

Thank you G.L.White Construction, it was a pleasure roofing your tour home.

A family-sized but not extravagantly large island is a functional center point in the kitchen. Debbie chose quartz for ease of upkeep and simple Shaker look cabinetry.

dation, framing, walls and roof and electric work were under the purview of the contractor, Greg, and his usual subs. And Chris traded services with several vendors and workmen he knew to handle things like windows and doors, floors, finish work, plumbing and landscaping. It was an untypical arrangement; contractor and owner agree that co-leadership meant some of the basic elements were done on time and on budget, and some of them lag on with frustrating delays.

But all parties have great expectations for the myriad details to flow together in time for the Building North Central Wash-

What Real Estate Needs Can I Help You With?

ington Home Tour 16-18, when the Bagdon-Aldridge house will be proudly opened to the public. Debbie had free rein with the

ultimate look and feel of the home, choosing colors, cabinetry, carpeting and fixtures. “I was kind of winging it,” she admitted. “I chose the kitchen cabinets and then a long time later I picked out the counters. The same with the flooring and the carpets — I took almost a year to pick out everything, one piece at a time, and somehow it all came together.” She’s also the chef, and she’s already enjoying the kitchen’s gas range and pot filler, and the compact pantry in the corner. Her choice of chocolate-toned quartz for the counters and island echoes the rich browns of trim and cabinetry, and will be reflected again in the tile backsplash. The owners are both working professionals, and each wanted some getaway space — the big double-doored main floor office with its stairwell window suits Debbie, and Chris has claimed the cozy downstairs den and its Phil-

}}} Continued on next page

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}}} Continued from previous page ippine mahogany bar. Guest rooms for visiting relatives and a double-sink bathroom are on that lower lawn level also, the sliding doors creating a separate entrance. The two-part upper deck opens on to sunny full-scale west side views from Jumpoff Ridge to Sunnyslope, with a simple bolted cable railing to allow maximum openness and still meet safety code. Below, a level stretch of shrub-bordered lawn accessed from the daylight basement will offer play space, room for practicing the putt, a garden — the possibilities are all open at this early stage. The couple’s been together for eight years, and though they’ve blended their lives they still have piles of possessions (antiques, furniture, artwork) to move into their big new house from her apartment in town, her family home in Anacortes

Mia #2352

and their house on Texas Street. That will be a gradual process, but already some antiques from Chris’s family and some of Debbie’s acquired favorites have been thoughtfully placed. They have artists in the family, so expressionistic paintings from Chris’ mother still need to be restored and hung; Debbie’s mother’s exquisite porcelain figurines, almost too delicate to pack and move, will finally have shelf space. One distinctive piece found its perfect spot in full view at the basement stair landing. “Chris had it kind of stored at work for a long time, and I knew it would be just right on this wall,” said Debbie. It’s a massive framed painting by lauded local artist Robert Graves. The expressionistic melding of rugged brown and gold natural forms makes it a good choice, one among many in this highprofile, rock-solid house.

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22nd

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BNCW Home Tour & Remodeling Expo Sept. 16 - 18

RIVERVUE by VILLAGE LIFE 1935 Legacy Pl. SE., East Wenatchee Welcome to RiverVue, by Village Life. Perched on the northern banks of the Columbia River, this beautiful community offers sweeping views of both the rushing river below, and the hillside vineyards above. Timeless elegance greets you the moment you approach the Tedford plan on home site 39. Take note of the 3-car garage as you step up onto the covered porch, and take a moment to appreciate the view from the comfy bench waiting for you there. Continue through the front door into a graceful, welcoming foyer. At the front of the home you will notice a den with adjacent bathroom, making it perfect for housing guests on the main floor, when needed. Beyond that, enjoy a spacious chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen with extra-large island, Quartz slab countertops, full-height tile back-

Roofing the North West

splash, stainless appliances, under mount sink and hardwood floors. The kitchen opens to the oversized great room, which boasts vaulted ceilings and a beautiful gas fireplace with porcelain tile surround. The large master suite is on the main level, making this floor plan both unique and flexible. Gorgeous master bath features porcelain tile floors, tile shower-

surround with designer-accents, and large walk-in closet. The second floor offers two generous bedrooms, large full bath and huge bonus room. From the inside to the outside, this home is built for life. As always, landscaping is included at move-in, allowing you to start enjoying your oasis immediately. (See driving instructions, page 34.)

Thanks for choosing us to be a part of your tour home!

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Where to find the Tour Homes

22nd

year

Gold Construction

GOLD CONSTRUCTION

2022 Maiden Lane, Wenatchee From Wenatchee Ave, up Maiden Lane to the west, cross Western, continue up and over hill to back side of the Broadview sub division.

Berry Construction

2031 Maiden Lane, Wenatchee From Wenatchee Ave, up Maiden Lane to the west, cross Western, continue up and over hill to back side of the Broadview sub division.

Hanson Homes

49 Sarah Drive, Wenatchee West on Easy Street, left on Sarah Drive.

Lexar Homes

268 Burch Hollow Lane, Wenatchee North on Easy St., right on E. Peters and a left on Burch Mountain Rd. Just before the pavement ends, take a left on Burch Mtn. Estates.

Jerry’s Custom Homes

14522 Morning Sun Drive, Chelan Head north on 97A towards Chelan. Left on WA-971 (Navarre Coulee Road). Turn left onto South Lakeshore Rd. for 5.5 miles. Turn left onto Morning Sun Drive and continue straight onto Griffith Road.

Lange Construction

3485 Ashwood Drive, East Wenatchee Off of US-2 E/US-97 after crossing the Odabashian Bridge, turn right onto NW Cascade Ave then turn left onto 35th St. NW and a final right onto Ashwood Drive.

G.L. White Construction

444 Sycamore, East Wenatchee From Cascade St, go west on 32nd street, through Empire St, turn right on Fir Street then right on Sycamore.

Eider Construction

2022 Maiden Lane, Wenatchee

Set on the edge of the canyon at the rear of the Broadview Subdivision this beautiful home has 3,230 square feet of open-concept single level living space on the main floor as well as a 798 square foot ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) above the massive 4 car garage. There really are too many features in this extraordinary home to be able to list them all in the space allowed, however some of the more notable features are called out below. They start with the timber truss at the front of the covered front porch that leads to a pair of massive custom built 8’ arched doors that open onto an entry

and living room with vaulted ceilings and continue on with the enormous 27’ X 22’ great room with vaulted ceiling adjoining the designer kitchen with granite counters and a 10’ island. The master suite features his and hers walk-in closets, a large walk-in shower and double French doors that open onto an 800 square foot covered patio. You will also find premium hickory floors throughout the house with tile in all the baths, mud room and laundry. We hope you enjoy the tour! DRIVING there From Wenatchee Ave., up Maiden Lane to the west, cross Western, continue up

2785 NW Arlene Court, East Wenatchee Off of Sunset Highway in East Wenatchee, Turn west onto 28th St./ Cascade Ridge, then left onto NW Arlene Court. House in on the left.

Village Life

1935 Legacy Pl. SE, East Wenatchee East on Grant Road, right (south) on S Kentucky, Left (east) on SE 6th street, right (south) on S Lyle, left into Rivervue.

GHiglia Homes

2882 SE Falcon View Dr., East Wenatchee Up Grant Road, right on Nile, left on 8th St. SE, right on Par Lane, left on Falcon View Drive.

Sage Homes

1739 Skeena Court, Wenatchee South on Okanogan Ave. Look for the Cherry Meadows sign on the right-hand side of the road. Turn right on Craig Ave., drive through Cherry Meadows, take a left on Skeena Ct. Proceed through cul-de- sac.

Thanks to all the top quality local builders who allowed us to feature our counter tops in this year’s Tour of Homes! FULFILL YOUR DREAM

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September 2016

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and over hill to back side of the Broadview sub division. builder BIO Randy Gold founded Gold Construction in 1980. Project Manager Trace Armour joined

the Gold team in 1992 and Foreman Jesse Gold grew up working part-time in the family business and in 2007 made the decision to quit his summer job as a smoke jumper to work full-time with Gold

Construction. With 80-plus years of combined experience, the Gold Construction leadership team, along with a crew of very skilled craftsmen, offer a level of expertise that insures the

highest level of quality construction. The combination of the finest craftsmanship, quality materials and expert supervision has enabled Gold Construction to achieve extraordinary results.

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Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Computer Aided Design & Drafting Residential / Commercial Construction Consulting Site Development Construction Documentation Floor Plans & Elevations Renderings & Presentation Models Large Format Printing and Plotting Construction Permitting Project Management AS-Built Drawings Site Planning Custom Home Plans

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8 Benton Street, Wenatchee, 509-662-9502

22nd

year

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HANSON HOMES 49 Sarah Drive, Wenatchee Located in Sunnyslope with stunning views of Wenatchee and the surrounding mountains. The great neighborhood of Summer Blossom fills you with peace and solitude so your home will

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be immensely enjoyed inside and out. When you enter this home you will see the main focus is the easy flowing open floor plan that is complimented by beautiful finishing touches

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and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The great room, kitchen and dining room create a space which is perfect for entertaining and family gatherings. In the kitchen the stainless appliances are highlighted by beautiful custom cabinets, slab granite and hardwood flooring. Truly a kitchen any chef would enjoy! The master suite offers a soaking tub with tile surround and separate tiled shower. A large walk-in closet and double sink vanity allows plenty of space and storage. The covered patio is great for early morning coffee or late afternoon barbecues. The highlight is the 27 x 32 detached finished shop which gives a nice escape for working projects.

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September 2016 | The Good Life

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DRIVING there West on Easy Street, left on Sarah Drive. Builder bio Hanson Homes began with a desire to provide quality homes at an affordable price. Our company has built over 150 homes in the Wenatchee Valley. Because of our extensive experience we have been able to streamline the building process therefore reducing building costs which in turn allows us to add many upgrades which are standard in our homes. All our house plans were designed by us with the purchaser in mind.

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column moving up to the good life

Read

And be wealthier, happier, less stressed and attuned with life I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book. – J.K. Rowling

njoy a FREE, full day and overnight stay at Colonial Vista Seeing is believing… find out for yourself what it’s like to retire in style. Meet the folks who live here and you will know why, after almost 50 years, it is the premier retirement choice in Wenatchee.

• FREE one night stay and play at Colonial Vista • Includes delicious meals in our restaurant style dining room • Join the events and activities all day • Meet old friends and new neighbors as you enjoy the time away • Spend the night in our fully furnished apartment • Enjoy the warmth of our friendly staff • Experience for yourself the Colonial Vista lifestyle “Colonial Vista offers the full spectrum of retirement choices: Independent, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care and Rehabilitation. The best way to plan for your future.”

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www.colonialcaregroup.com 38

| The Good Life

june darling

everal years ago I received a call from a man in prison. The caller was someone I had taught about 20 years ago, let’s call him “Alfie.” Alfie was one of those youngsters I cared and worried about. Despite the fact that he had actively resisted reading in school, Alfie said he was now enthusiastically reading in prison. Books were making a difference in his life. Alfie thought it would make me happy to know that. Of course I had a little tear in my eye as I listened. I was sad to hear that Alfie was in prison, but elated to find out that he had latched on to reading. I’m crazy about reading because, well, reading seems miraculously connected to so many aspects of the good life. No one would be surprised to find that reading improves vocabulary and cognitive skills, but how about dementia? Some researchers say, yes, reading fights off dementia. This claim is based on a small study in which participants who read had brain autopsies after death to look for signs that they had any of the different forms of dementia. The researchers concluded that activities such as reading could help slow down dementia. I can’t vouch for that in my own life.

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September 2016

What I can share is this. About a year ago, while fishing at Nootka Island in British Columbia, I was surprised to meet a fellow from Leavenworth. That wasn’t the only surprise. This man was sharp as a tack and was over 100 years old. Curious about any secret I could decipher about his longevity and clarity of mind, I questioned him incessantly. He believed his sharpness was primarily due to his intentional daily reading. He kept a composition book filled with hundreds of titles he had read in the last few years. So maybe. But there’s more. Reading improves civic participation, altruism and a sense of belonging to a community. Reading improves satisfaction with life, well-being and health in general. Reading lowers the perception of pain. You’re not going to believe it, but some British researchers say that reading is THE primo stress reliever. According to them, reading for six minutes lowers stress significantly better than any of our common stress busters including taking a walk. The lead researcher claims that reading is more than a distraction. It lowers our heart beat, relaxes our muscles and takes us away from ourselves, much like meditation. In fact several ancient libraries in Egypt, Alexandria, and Thebes had inscriptions above them indicating that the place was a house for healing the soul.

and encouraging others to latch on to reading in whatever way they choose. It could make you downright happy and be thoroughly rewarding because now you’re adding other factors to reading like socializing and having a larger purpose. Still on the fence? Too busy? Can’t sit still? Blah, blah. Did I mention that Sept. 8 is also International Literacy Day and the whole month of September has been declared the month of self-improvement by some body somewhere? Take it as a sign to move forward some how, some way. Tell me about it. It will make my day. How might you move up to The Good Life by ramping up your reading?

Reading fiction appears to increase awareness, empathy and compassion... Better relationships, less violence and increased selfesteem are the result. Bibliotherapy, which is the use of books to help people solve all sorts of problems including grief, anxiety and depression, started years ago. In the mid 1800s some hospitals had libraries to aid people’s healing. Researchers report that bibliotherapy often works to alleviate many forms of distress. Some thinkers see reading as one of the best ideas for creating social change because readers become higher income earners. AND because one type of reading, in particular, does something truly amazing. Reading fiction appears to increase awareness, empathy and compassion for self and for others. People who read fiction have better so called “theory of mind.” They are better able to understand themselves and others. Better relationships, less violence and increased selfesteem are the result. But perhaps you buy none of this research stuff. I get it. Research can be faulty. But a little foray into reading is something you can try out for yourself, it’s risk-free, and often enjoyable. See what happens. Sept. 6 is read a book day. Could be a good time to kick off an experiment or a new goal. That’s what I’m doing. My new reading goal is to read a fiction book a week for 52 weeks starting in September. I’m an avid reader of nonfiction. I like fiction, I just haven’t been

June Darling reading at the lake: Her goal is to read a fiction book a week for 52 weeks.

taking fiction (or any forms of narrative literature) very seriously for the last 20 years or so. I want to change that. One of the reasons I’m so eager to embark on this fiction adventure is not just because of the research, but because of a remarkable change I’ve personally observed in a male friend. The guy’s much more attuned to and interested in others. The change seemed to coincide with his reading a lot more fiction. Yes, I know that correlation is not causation. Still, it motivates me to experiment on myself. At the least, it will be interesting and my kind of fun. As I’ve started getting ready for my big day, I’ve found that the universe contains a whole friggin’ ton of fiction books from which to choose 52. I’ve gone to local libraries and looked at various book club books, examined the various best books lists on the internet and at Amazon, talked to a few friends, thought about authors I’ve liked in the past, and deSeptember 2016 | The Good Life

cided on seven titles so far. That will get me going. But what about you? How might you experiment with reading to see if or how it’s beneficial? It could be reading for six minutes as a stress buster. It could be setting a goal to read a certain amount of fiction to increase your empathy and build better relationships. It could be that you read for information or pure fun. Maybe you have some particular distress, you’d like to see if reading with alleviate. Maybe you want to read for increased vocabulary or to fire up those brain neurons. And, if you see the mindboggling big picture potential of reading — if you are moved by the research or stories of people like Alfie — you could really ramp it up. Get involved in a bigger way as a reading activist — doing things like reading with kids, joining book clubs, sharing what you’re reading with others, cheering for books and libraries www.ncwgoodlife.com

June Darling, Ph.D. can be contacted at drjunedarling1@gmail. com; website: www.summitgroupresources.com. Her books, including 7 Giant Steps To The Good Life, can be bought or read for free at Amazon.com

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column THE TRAVELing DOCTOR

jim brown, m.d.

Can you pass the sniff test? Reviewing the latest research on Alzheimer’s and dementia

s we age, we become more concerned about conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Many wonder what is the difference, if any, between dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Dementia is a syndrome, not a disease. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that don’t have a specific diagnosis. Dementia includes a group of symptoms that affect mental tasks such as memory and reasoning. Alzheimer’s, which is the most common dementia, is a pro-

gressive disease of the brain for which there is no known cure and the exact cause is unknown. Other causes of dementia include Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, infections such as HIV, vascular disease, depression and chronic drug usage. We often become aware of these conditions when we hear friends or relatives have been diagnosed with them. Alzheimer’s and other dementing disorders is continuing to increase around the world from 35 million in 2010 to 115 million in 2015. One in nine people over the age of 65 in our country has AD, which is the sixth leading cause of death in our country. Studies have shown in mild cases followed for five years, 41 percent died during that time

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and that of those who were still alive after five years, over half were in severe AD states. AD poses an increasing burden on society, government, families, careers and health care systems. Alzheimer’s dementia is an “equal opportunity disease” by which I mean it affects all people, all races, all religions, both sexes and all countries. At one point it was thought women were more likely to get AD. Now we know the incidence is no greater in women than in men — it’s just women live longer than men, resulting in more women alive over the age of 65 than there are men.

Can we prevent or decrease the likelihood AD or slow it down once it starts to affect cognitive function? Unfortunately for some time the answer has been that it isn’t possible. That might be changing somewhat. In July, the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference was held in Toronto, Canada. This is the world’s largest forum for the dementia research community. After reading several of the research studies and papers, I decided to review several I thought would be of interest to our readers. One had to do with early diagnosis of AD. One of these was called the “smell test.” Physicians have noted that Know of someone stepping off the beaten path in the search for fun and excitement? E-mail us at editor@ncwgoodlife.com

Phone: 509-782-7600 ~ Fax: 509-782-1821 Email: epledalen@kashmircc.com 809 Pioneer Ave. Cashmere, WA 98815 40 | The Good Life www.ncwgoodlife.com

September 2016

families or spouses of those diagnosed with AD had mentioned long before the diagnosis that these patients had lost their appetite for food in general. It is thought that this was due to problems with their smell — their olfactory system — since smell plays a role in taste and our enjoyment of eating. The University of Pennsylvania developed an inexpensive, non-invasive smell identification test, called UPSIT, to help diagnose AD. The smell study was done with elderly adults who were either normal or who had mild cognitive impairment at baseline based on expensive PET scans and lumbar puncture examinations. The smell test evaluated the ability to identify 40 different odors including things like coffee, peanut butter, cinnamon, turpentine, lemon, licorice, flowers and perfumes. Those who could identify 35 or more of these smells had a very low likelihood of developing AD. This is not a specific diagnostic tool, but can be of some help in early diagnosis. The sniff test results were as accurate as the very expensive PET and lumbar puncture tests. I should say that as people age past age 65, we all lose some olfactory functions. Women have been shown to have a better sense of smell than men. Another paper discussed mild behavioral impairment, rather than memory woes, may be the first sign of cognitive impairment or dementia. These are neuropsychiatric symptoms that started later in life and were sustained for at least six months.

Unfortunately, AD is considered a terminal illness — there is no known cure for AD currently. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, a researcher from the University of Calgary, said, “this is not a blip in behavior reacting to a loss, but a real, meaningful change in behavior.” He said, “These behavioral symptoms include changes in apathy, motivation, mood, anxiety, impulse control, agitation and social appropriateness.” He determined that AD is not just a memory disorder but also a behavioral one as well. These psychiatric changes are not a stand-alone test for AD, but rather a piece of the puzzle to help better diagnose the condition earlier. Another predictor of possible early AD is called a Memory Binding Test that is inexpensive, non-invasive and easy to administer. This is a questionnaire that can be done in a doctor’s office by the office staff and takes only 10 minutes. Opthamologists might also be the first to suggest a diagnosis of early AD since thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer is associated with poor cognitive function. A large study showed that this may be a marker for cognitive decline. In this research study, the thinner the nerve fiber layer, the worse participants did on memory tests including matching pairs, (for example with playing cards), reasoning and speed of processing information. Unfortunately, AD is considered a terminal illness — there is no known cure for AD currently. The important questions now with AD are can it be prevented or once it is diagnosed, can treatment slow its progress or

improve the deficits that one already has? There are some treatment options for the symptoms of this disease including medications for behavioral changes, medications for early memory loss including Aricept, Exelon and Namenda, and other medications for sleep changes and depression.

Is there anything we can personally do to improve our odds of avoiding AD? The National Institute for Aging supports more than 30 clinical trials that are investigating possible ways to prevent or delay AD and age related cognitive decline. Hopefully, some of these studies will lead to ways to avoid and possibly treat AD. Healthy habits might help you beat the odds and help you live a longer healthy life as well. These habits in four categories include: n Physical health and exercise n Diet and nutrition n Personal cognitive activity n Social engagement The combination of good nutrition, mental, social and physical activity has been shown to improve brain health more than any single activity. We all have a responsibility to develop healthy habits and to model these habits to our families particularly our children. The healthier we stay, the less of a burden we seniors will have on those we love. Much has been written about heart and brain healthy diets. Age-related diseases including vascular disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes seem to increase the risk for AD and cognitive decline. In an earlier article for The Good Life, I wrote about the Mediterranean diet. This diet is the best heart healthy diet that we know of. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes using olive oil and September 2016 | The Good Life

focuses on fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains, limiting red meat, using herbs to flavor foods rather than salt and recommends eating fish and poultry at least twice a week. Another somewhat similar diet is the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The DASH diet aims to decrease blood pressure and includes, eating diets low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy. It also includes consuming whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts in addition to decreasing one’s intake of fats, red meats, fructose corn syrup, sugary soda beverages and sodium (salt). Mental activities include learning a new skill, a new hobby or engaging in formal education that exposes your mind to new topics. Challenging ourselves to games with strategy or reading high-level material, learning a new language or skill including learning to play musical instrument are helpful brain activities. It is uncertain whether computer “brain training” programs are helpful in improving cognitive ability in mild AD. In this last January, the creators of Luminosity’s brain training program agreed to settle a $2 million lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission, which alleged the company deceived consumers with unfounded claims their games would reduce or delay cognitive decline as-

sociated with aging and other health conditions. Social engagement is associated with reduced rates of AD disability and mortality as well as reducing depression. Participating in activities that provide a connection with others including church groups, clubs, volunteer efforts and joining activities like walking groups or book clubs are helpful. Seniors should do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise every day. Walking is a safe, easy and readily available excellent form of exercise that needs no special equipment. As I have mentioned previously, a pet, especially a dog, can not only give you unconditional love, it will get you out of the house on a regular basis since both you and your dog need exercise. Since our government eventually shares a large portion of the financial burden of this issue, one would think there might be discussion on a “moon shot approach” to helping this condition. Unfortunately, we seem able to get wrapped up in conditions like the Zika virus, which is a serious concern for some, rather than paying attention to a devastating condition affecting 100 million people worldwide. Surely, we can do both. 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.

Explore culturally significant locations from the Peshastin Pinnacles to the Wenatchee Heights with Native American guide Randy Lewis during a day-long bus tour Sat., Sept. 24. The bus will depart the Wenatchee Valley Museum at 9 a.m. and return about 3 p.m. with a stop for lunch on your own at Pybus Market. Tickets are $55 per person.

This educationally intensive tour provides a perspective on a rich Native American Columbia Plateau heritage. To sign up for the tour, call the museum at 509-888-6240. www.ncwgoodlife.com

There came a moment when she realized:

‘All I want to do is paint’ By Susan Lagsdin

ABOVE is Nicki Isaacson’s watercolor of granddaughter Lucy, learning to ride a tricycle.

For an artist, It’s good to be known.

It’s good to be known as a compassionate teacher of other artists young and old. It’s especially good to be known for creating last year’s Columbia Valley Community Health calendar cover (3,000 distributed.) And the 2015 Apple Blossom Poster. And the 2016 Pybus Market art poster. But Wenatchee watercolorist Nicki Isaacson, 61, thinks the pinnacle of her career may come when

| The Good Life

TOP LEFT is the painting that became the 2016 poster for Pybus Public Market. LEFT is Chubby Cherries.

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September 2016

She’s just on the edge of an idea, with a local friend in oncology, that blends medicine with painting: art therapy.

Nicki Isaacson creates bright views of the world from her home office/studio.

she has finally created portraits of all eight of her and her husband Scott’s grandchildren. “Three down and five to go!” she said. Their three children and young kids are scattered over the Northwest, so it’s a goal that will take a serious amount of time to complete. Ironically, Nicki’s childhood years in Kirkland involved little in the way of visual art. Her family was mostly musical, and she studied flute and piccolo and played the flute proficiently long past her college years. But music was not her passion. Nor was her work life. After her first nursing job at Wenatchee’s Deaconess Hospital in 1976, she diligently tried many roles in health care to make it work for her. Toward the end of her long career, she realized, “Nursing was never a good fit. I remember sitting at my computer (as a Utilization Review nurse I did a lot of that) thinking ‘all I want to do is paint.’” Her second-wind career came about as many good things do — later rather than sooner.

She’d enrolled in her first watercolor classes here in 2004 and found that even raising children and working full time, she was excited about painting when she took the time to do it. In 2013 she made what she calls now “a leap off a financial cliff” and retired early from nursing, new to the field of professional art and largely self-taught. Nicki is self-taught in the best sense of that term. She says, “I have none of those letters after my name that you get with arts degrees,” but she’s a constant learner, from her first lessons with Lila Putnam and Eleanor Graves to years of workshops and studying videos, books and professional journals. And practice, lots of practice, the kind she learned as a young musician. Working in a small office space-become-studio in her Castlerock Heights home, she has amassed not only art publications but an array of color-coded plastic bins holding dozens of tubes of watercolor pigment, a workmanlike collection of brushes, and sheaves of textured September 2016 | The Good Life

watercolor paper, ranging from 140 to 300-pound weight. (For comparison, your copier takes 20 pound.) For Nicki, any city visit includes a trip to the art store for more tubes of more colors, each of which she knows by name and maker. As she points out the varieties and uses of each of her many brushes, she’s methodical, precise. She carefully explains the steps of preparing to paint, from taking her own photos for inspiration to properly anchoring the paper — a teacher even at her own table. Clusters of apples and rows of fresh vegetables were the subjects for her award-winning watercolors these past two years. Many people have also seen her luscious purple grapes, globed pears and similar still-life images on the cards, prints and tiles available at local galleries as well as fruit stand gift shops around the area. A new venture for Nicki is depicting animals. She has a cat painting in the works; partially finished in her studio is a large www.ncwgoodlife.com

painting with multi-colors of koi fish. The colors and brushwork on both present new challenges that intrigue her. But watercolor presents challenges even in its most basic application. It’s a finicky medium; every brushstroke demands immediate resolution or follow-up. Nicki briefly tried working with the more time-tolerant oil paint, but found “it was like painting with toothpaste,” and prefers the spontaneous (and potentially calamitous) effect of pigment meeting surface, both in varying states of wetness. And she loves the colors — transparent washes, bright bites of the unexpected, blended stipple and sumptuous glow. So what’s in the immediate future? She’s just on the edge of an idea, with a local friend in oncology, that blends medicine with painting: art therapy. She realizes how emotionally therapeutic making art has been for her and is intrigued with the possibility of helping others find that peace. Nicki will continue weekly group painting sessions at McDee’s, enjoying her fellow watercolorists’ repartee and criticism, and she’ll happily schedule more painting classes — two this fall are filling up. And of course there are shows to prepare for, prints to be made, work to be framed, new colors to be tried, brushes to be tested, techniques to experiment with and, hopefully for a long time to come — artistic challenges to be met with enthusiasm.

remembering...

The amazing, spectacular, captivating

Wenatchee Youth Circus and a clown named

Guppo

By Ken Anderson

n the spring of 2014, my wife Shirley and I attended a musical event in Wenatchee. At the end of the concert, as people were filing out of the building, Shirley saw Paul Pugh coming down the aisle toward us. I am blind now, so when he got close to us, she said he was in front of us. Excitedly, I called out to him, “Hi Guppo.” He in-

stantly replied, “Hi, Soopy.” Those were the last words he and I shared, as Paul Pugh died on Jan. 31 of this year. One of my first good friends in Wenatchee was in the Wenatchee Youth Circus, and he invited me to go with him to circus practice, an activity that eventually swallowed up our whole family. This was in the spring of 1960. I had no idea such a thing as a

Paul Pugh was head clown Guppo.

youth circus even existed. When my friend and I arrived at the circus lot, I was instantly

captivated by what I saw. My entire being wanted to be part of that. So, I was introduced to Mr. Pugh, and when he saw my interest, he invited me to join. He told me to ask my parents. That night I talked to them about it. (I probably begged.) My parents consented. Within a few days, my parents visited the Circus lot and met Mr. Pugh. My younger brother, Joe, was with them, and when he saw the Circus, he, too, was

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September 2016

Paul Pugh loved clowning, but he never clowned around when it came to mentoring children and young people. When it came to those moments, he was extremely serious. instantly captivated. Thus, Mr. Pugh had both of the Anderson boys. I often joke, Wenatchee was safer with us in the Circus than it was with us running around town with idle hands. Joe and I had never been around trampolines, tumbling equipment, or unicycles. We had never been close to a tight wire designed for people to walk on, or a trapeze with its safety net. It was unbelievable to us. As the four of us stood talking to Mr. Pugh, we were watching children and young people practicing on real, authentic circus equipment. Dad and Mom were just as excited about the Circus as we were. They soon loved and appreciated Mr. Pugh and the Wenatchee Youth Circus. Dad welded, bolted, straightened and repaired. Mom sewed, cooked and bandaged. All four Andersons were now in the Circus. I was in the Circus for two years, and Joe was in the Circus for eight and later became a professional circus trainer. Paul Pugh had been a clown in the Clyde Beaty Circus, a large traveling world-class circus, and from this came the inspiration to share his passion with others. It was there that he learned about tumbling, gymnastics, daring circus acts and clowning. Clowning for Paul (his clown name was Guppo) was a catalyst to involve children and young people in the thrilling world of circus life. He started a tumbling and gymnastic group at the YMCA, and from that small start in 1952, came the Wenatchee Youth Circus — a real circus where the kids were

the stars. Paul Pugh loved clowning, but he never clowned around when it came to mentoring children and young people. When it came to those moments, he was extremely serious. When I needed to talk to him seriously, I learned to do it quickly and succinctly. He had a hundred children and young people and their activities on his mind. During a Circus performance, he directed the band, watched each act, watched for property boys preparing equipment for upcoming acts and he even watched the reactions of the spectators. His eyes never stopped moving. He looked here, then he scanned there, next he looked at his watch — all of this time, he was waving his baton as he directed the band. Incredibly, Guppo also led us clowns in several clown gags. He, himself, was like a finely timed and tuned watch. To quote an old expression, “Everything was careful clockwork. If our timing dragged or rushed, Guppo was an unhappy clown.” The circus performance was only the culmination of all the many activities. Consider feeding a hundred extremely active kids, many of them teenagers. There were also parents with other children who accompanied the circus as it traveled. Mr. Pugh, along with several others, arranged the food service. This mammoth task involved meal planning, food purchasing, storage, preparation, serving and clean up. In my opinion, especially considering all of the extenuating circumstances, the meals were very September 2016 | The Good Life

Clowning around for the Wenatchee Youth Circus was truckloads of fun, but required careful timing and practice.

good. Circus performers are known for their bright costumes and the Wenatchee Youth Circus was no exception. My Mother was an excellent seamstress and she made costumes for Joe and me. Joe was involved in several acts, and each act had its own costume. I was Peesoop, the hobo clown, and had only one costume. Some of the other mothers also made costumes for their children. During the winter months, when the circus didn’t perform, Mr. Pugh made arrangements for us to practice in a school gymnasium. Some of the larger equipment could not be set up in a gym, so as soon as spring came, we set up the Circus outside. Wherever and whenever the circus equipment was set up, kids were practicing. Sometimes people would enjoy www.ncwgoodlife.com

watching the students practicing on the trampolines and other equipment. They might have thought the kids were just playing around and having fun. Amazingly, some fantastic trampoline tricks were developed by playing follow the leader on a trampoline — and the kids were, indeed, having loads of fun. Mr. Pugh knew young people, and gave them the freedom to experiment and develop tricks and stunts on the circus equipment. He offered suggestions and was always encouraging. Yet, Mr. Pugh never stopped stressing safety, and he had no patience with foolishness. He placed spotters, even during shows, in strategic positions, to help protect performers from dangerous falls. Unfortunately, even with all the preparation and safety mea-

}}} Continued on next page

I loved the work and the performing. I worked a hundred times harder at circus than I ever did at home. }}} Continued from previous page sures, accidents did occur. There have been fractured vertebrae, several broken bones, including broken necks. There were many sprains, cuts and bruises. And, tragically, there has been one death. Circus performances are daring and entertaining, that is why they attract spectators. Some of the most enjoyable Circus activities, in which to participate and watch, were the setting up of and taking down of the circus equipment. All equipment was stored in trucks. When the trucks were being unloaded for setup, everyone charged into action. Mr. Pugh selected a site for each act, then the parts for that piece of equipment were carried to that site. When all parts were in place, the kids started assembling the pieces of equipment. Muscles flexed and grew, as waists shrank because of this physical labor. Believe it or not, as the kids labored, they ran, laughed and made a game out of the work. Circus equipment required stakes to hold the equipment in place. I remember learning to pound 30-inch steel stakes (made from old truck axles) deep into the ground using a sledge hammer. We young men needed that skill because several circus acts require hundreds of pounds of tension. The high wire and the low wires and the trapeze net have to be extremely taut. I loved the work and the performing. I worked a hundred times harder at circus than I ever did at home. An extremely amazing experience we young men enjoyed was driving the three brightly painted Circus trucks. It was a tremendous privilege, and also, a huge responsibility.

I was 16 years old when I started driving the trucks. This practice was discontinued in 1962 when the circus started using tractor-trailer semi trucks. Mr. Pugh drove the Circus bus. Most of the young people rode the bus. As we all know, when a hundred children and young people are involved in a dynamic organization that travels, the social life is also dynamic. Monitoring the social life had to be accomplished with wisdom and sensitivity, especially when half of the performers were attractive teenagers. Mr. Pugh, Mrs. Pugh, all of the parents and chaperones, had to be alert, circumspect and understanding. Guppo did almost everything. He guided the coordination and timing of every act. He even caught on the trapeze in the very early days. We had pep talks, and sometimes we even had “family” correction discussions. On Sundays, for those who were not Catholic, he held a devotion time, while the Catholic children attended a local Catholic Church. He coordinated parent activities, and spoke to sponsoring organizations. Think of the insurance policies he had to negotiate. Mr. Pugh was amazingly courageous, maybe crazy. Subsequently, we all loved him and the confidence and pride that he had in us. On top of being a husband, father of three, teacher and principal, he had a dream. The Youth Circus was that dream’s fulfillment. Many of us are very grateful that we were privileged to be part of Guppo’s dream: “The Greatest Little Show On Earth: The Wenatchee Youth Circus.”

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WHAT TO DO

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

on leashes and walk the riverfront trail. Meet on the loop trail behind Pybus Public Market. Info: wenatcheefido.org.

Village Art in the Park, through Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Outdoor art show sponsored by local non-profit organizations dedicated to provide scholarships for art education using a venue that supports amateur and professional artists. Downtown Leavenworth.

Musikkapelle, 9/1, 15, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Bavarian Village town band performs live at the gazebo. Downtown Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.org.

NCW Blues Jam, every second and fourth Monday, 7 p.m. Riverside Pub at Columbia Valley Brewing, 538 Riverside Dr. Info: facebook. com/NCWBluesJam. Upper Valley Running Club Runs, every Tuesday night. Check in between 4:30 – 6 p.m. for a marked 3 mile trail route. Run or walk. Complete 10 or more and earn an incentive. Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. Info: sleepinglady. com. Weekly Club Runs, every Thursday check in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Saddle Rock Pub and Brewery. 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). Info: Joel Rhyner 387-0051. 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. Leavenworth Community Farmers Market, every Thursday evening, 4 – 8 p.m. Local eggs, meats, cheeses, bread, produce, fruits, prepared foods, local crafts and more. Lions Club Park. Cost: free. Game Night, every fourth Friday, 7 – 9 p.m. Board games, card games or any games you would like to bring. Open to all and all ages. Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Wenatchee Farmers Market, every Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Wednesdays, 3 – 7 p.m. Pybus Public Market. Pack Walks, every 4th Saturday at 9 a.m. Bring your friends and dogs

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September 2016

Concert series: Elizabeth Zharoff, 9/1, 7 p.m. Opera singer, composer and game sound designer will perform. Canyon Wren Recital Hall, Leavenworth. Cost: $22 advance or $24 at the door. Info: icicle.org. First Friday venues include: nTwo Rivers Art Gallery, 9/2, 5 – 8 p.m. Works by abstract artist Jim Huber plus 50 local artists. Music by Suzanne and Glenn Carr on flute and reeds. Silent auction of an original oil painting by Jerrold Kinney plus a chance to win 2 entries into Ohme Gardens. Wines by Ryan Patrick Winery. Complimentary refreshments. 102 N Columbia, Wenatchee. Cost: free. Info: 2riversgallery.com. nMerriment Party Goods, 9/2, 5 – 8 p.m. Dawn and Sage, located here in Wenatchee, specializes in handcrafted fabric and wood items for self and home. Michelle started Dawn and Sage 5 years ago and her biggest joy is seeing pictures of her products in use. Come meet Michelle and enjoy some sips and snacks. 23, S Wenatchee Ave. Cost: free. Info: facebook.com/merrimentpartygoods. nTumbleweed Bead Co., 9/2, 5-7 p.m. Shelby Jo Campbell, local artist will showcase her work featuring watercolor, gouache and acrylic inspired by her travels and her life in the Pacific Northwest. Refreshments served. 105 Palouse St. Cost: free. Info: tumbleweedbeadco.com. nSmall Artworks Gallery, 9/2, 5 p.m. Regional High School Art Show artists works will be on display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Cost: free. Info: wvmcc.org. Norman Baker, 9/2, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the Rail Car at Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Wenatchee Riverfront Railway, 9/3, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ride the mini train. Home of the Nile Saunders Orchard Train at Riverfront Park. Cost: $1.

WHAT TO DO

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

Giant Garage and bake sale, 9/3, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 9/4, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue Auxiliary will hold their 22nd annual Labor Day garage and bake sale. Fire Station #3 at 19015 Beaver Valley Rd. Plain. All proceeds will benefit local volunteer fire department. Twilight Alphorn Serenade, 9/3, 10, 17, 24, 8 p.m. Live at the gazebo. Downtown Leavenworth. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.org. 21st Annual Home and Garden Tour, 9/4, noon to 5 p.m. The Cascade Medical Foundation tour will include four homes and three gardens in the Leavenworth area. All proceeds go to the upgrade of the Endoscopy Suite and purchasing a Patient Portal for patient/physician contact. Tickets are $20 available at the Leavenworth Chamber, Cascade Medical Center and at Tour Homes.Info @ 548-2523 or www. cascademedicalfoundation.org. US Navy Band Country Current National Tour, 9/4, 4 p.m. Leavenworth Festhalle. Cost: free. Info: leavenworth.org. Concert series: The Molly Tuttle Band, 9/4, 7 p.m. Molly Tuttle sings with the gentle authority of Gillian Welch, yet plays astoundingly fleet flat-picking guitar like Chet Atkins on super drive. Under the Enchantments at Meadow Stage, Leavenworth. Cost: $25 advance or $27 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Chelan County Fair, 9/8-11. Live music, live entertainment, animals, food booths, rodeo, dog classes, carnival rides and so much more. Chelan County Fair grounds, Cashmere. Info: chelancountyfair.com. 2016 Wenatchee Valley Tour of Homes, 9/8-11. A self-guided tour of several local homes by the Central Washington Homebuilders Association. Special events include Chefs on Tour, Sept. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a block party Sept. 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the new development in Cherry Meadows surrounded by Saddle Rock with music, food and cold beer in a beer garden. Tickets: www.cwhba. org or one of the homes on the tour. Film series: Era of Megafires, 9/8, 7 p.m. Megafires continue tearing through NCW. Video and lecture featuring Dr. Paul Hessburg.

Comfort quilts shown at 2016 quilt show Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10 advance or $12 at the door. Info: icicle.org. Lady of the Lake Info-Cruise, 9/8, 8 – 10 p.m. Enjoy a free cruise from Chelan to Manson Bay aboard the Lady of the Lake as Chelan PUD staff talk lake level, habitat, snow pack and fish. Pre-register: 6637522. Info: chelanpud.org. Quincy Valley Balloon Fest & Pyrotechnics Experience, 9/911, 6 a.m. Watch the balloons take flight weather permitting. Saturday evening bring your lawn chair or blanket to watch the fireworks. Will also try for a dusk hot air nightglow. Food vendors, beer and wine garden. Lauzier Park in Quincy. Cost: free. Farmer Consumer Awareness Day, 9/10, all day. Food, entertainment, parade at 10 a.m., local tours, car show, tractor pull, produce sale at 9 a.m., petting zoo, kids games. Quincy High School Festival Grounds. Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers, 9/9-13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Largest radio control airplane event on the West Coast. This “best in the West” will have over 50 pilots. 2.3 miles past Pangborn Airport, 5201 SE 4th, first left turn past Webb Rd. Cost: free. NCW Quilt Guild’s Harvest of Quilts, 9/9, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 9/10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Over 300 quilts displayed. Creative and diverse quilts and handmade items by guild members plus a raffle. Town Toyota Center. Cost: $5. Info: towntoyotacenter.com. Gavin McLaughlin, 9/9, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the Rail Car at Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Lake Chelan Shore to Shore, 9/10. Runner’s Magazine described this marathon, half-marathon, 10k run one of the most scenic in the US. Finishers receive a technical shirt, medal, other swag and bus rides to the starting points. Packet pickup and pre-race dinner at Vin du Lac Winery. Info: runwenatchee. org. Lake Chelan Car Show, 9/10, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. At 3 p.m. American Graffiti will be playing at the Ruby Theater. Free bridge dance at 7 p.m. Riverwalk Park, Chelan. Info: lakechelan.com. Cascade Couples Golf Championship, 9/10, 11, 8:30 a.m. Friendly competition, multiple golf formats, food and fun. Leavenworth Golf September 2016 | The Good Life

he quilters of the NCW Quilt Guild donate quilts throughout the year to local people and organizations in need of comforting. In the last year and a half, more than 70 comfort quilts were donated to the Wellness Center, Palliative Care, Our House Cancer Care, Chief for a Day, Habitat for Humanity, Literacy This quilt entitled Home Life, made by members of the NCW Quilt Guild, will be among those on Guild, Performdisplay at the 2016 Harvest of Quilts Show. ing Arts Center, Mobile Meals and Young Life. “Because of the generous efforts of our members, we’re also able to give upon request to individuals who have a need for comfort, whether it be for a relative or close friend, going through an illness or surgery,” said Debra Egan, Comfort Quilts co-chairman. In Chelan and Okanogan counties, the NCW Quilt Guild contributed over 100 quilts to the fire survivors. At the 2015 memorial ceremony for the fallen and injured firefighters, comfort quilts were given to each of the families. To see a special display of some of the comfort quilts, visit the 2016 Harvest of Quilts Show on Sept. 9 and 10 at the Town Toyota Center. Admission is $5 at the door. Other attractions at the quilt show will be the Merchant Mall, Beaded Art display, Artisan Consignment Shop with new handmade items for sale, Quilters Boutique, Live Demos, Silent Auction and the 2016 featured art quilter, Kay Hall of Malaga. Course. Cost: $195. Info: leavenworthgolf.com. Sustainable Living and Farming Tour, 9/10, 11, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Workshops, vendors and exhibitors. Topics include organic farms, gardens, a straw bale house, backyard chickens, goat milking, composting, alpacas, residential solar, a tiny house, healthy soils, food fermentation, honeybees and more. The Barn at Barn Beach Reserve, Leavenworth. Cost: $20 advance or $25 at the door. Info: wenatcheeriverinstitute.org. Sailing Regatta, 9/10-11. Skippers meeting at 10 a.m. at the Chelan Lakeshore Marina. Race starts at 11 a.m. All sailboats are welcome and protests are not allowed. Dinner party Saturday night at Rusty’s Nut

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Farm, cost: $10 and bring your own instruments for live music. Info: lakechelan.com. Historical Walking Tour, 9/10, 10 a.m. Walk is fairly level, trails, sidewalks. Tour guides are Bobbi Ferg and Bob Stroup. Visit Festhalle, find out where the theaters, warehouses, drug stores, car dealerships RR tracks and viaduct, depot were and many more. Upper Valley Museum. Cost: $3 donation. Info: Leavenworth.org. Senior Damboree at Rocky Reach, 9/10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come on down to the Rocky Reach Senior Damboree to celebrate senior adults 55 and older and our veterans. Info: chelanpud.org.

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The Art Life

WHAT TO DO

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

}}} Continued from previous page Leavenworth Fall Wine Walk, 9/10, noon – 5:30 p.m. Stroll, sip and sample over 20 wineries and tasting rooms in downtown Leavenworth. Cost: $45 pp or $80 per couple. Info: Leavenworth.org. In Awe of being human — Ripple Foundation keynote speaker, 9/11, 2 p.m. Author and physician Betsy MacGregor will speak. She is a passionate advocate of integrative, patient-centered medical care that honors the psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of health and healing as well as the physical. Snowy Owl Theater. Bluegrass Festival 9/12-18. Admission is free for a donation of any amount. George, WA. Full schedule: georgecommunityhall.com/music_events. Autumn Leaf Festival History,

21st Annual Home and Garden Tour

Sept. 4th • noon-5pm Tickets available at Leavenworth Chamber, Cascade Medical Center or TourHomes.info (509) 548-2523

9/15, 7 p.m. Cindy Blackburn Puckett will be speaking on the history of the Autumn Leaf Festival. Cindy’s mother Arleen Blackburn was a big part of the festival, therefore Cindy will be able to share many stories. Learn about the Royal Lady of the Autumn Leaves since 1964. Upper Valley Museum, Leavenworth. Admission by donation. Info: uppervalleymuseum.org. Film series: Miss Sharon Jones, 9/15, 7 p.m. A year in the life of singer Sharon Jones as she holds her band together while battling cancer. Snowy Owl Theater. Cost: $10. Info: icicle.org. Building North Central Washington home tour, 9/16-18. Eleven homes located throughout the Wenatchee Valley are included in this 22nd year of the tour. Industry professionals will be available to answer questions at each home. A special event will be the 4th annual BNCW Chefs on Tour, which features six homes, six chefs, four wineries and two breweries the evening of Sept. 15. Tickets for the Chefs on Tour are limited to 250. As a featured stop on this year’s tour, the Remodeling Expo will showcase several remodeling contractors and other related businesses — all at Sangster Motors — ready to share their knowledge and expertise with tour attendees. Tickets and info: www.buildingncw.org. Side Door Band, 9/16, 7 – 9 p.m. Live performance on the Rail Car at Pybus Public Market. Cost: free. Info: pybuspublicmarket.org. Wenatchee Harvest Hustle Run, 9/17. 2k, 5k, or 10k run. Dress up in your best 80s costume to win a prize. Starts in front of the PAC and ends at the PAC. Info: raceentry.com/race-reviews/wenatcheeharvest-hustle.

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| The Good Life

// SKETCHES OF LOCAL ARTISTS

a very busy Rhia Foster ‘there wasn’t a time in my life when I wasn’t being creative’

By Susan Lagsdin

ome evening, if you walk into The Grotto, Sleeping Lady Resort’s little boutique drinks bar, you could meet an accomplished jazz singer, a Wenatchee Valley College administrator, a calligrapher and paper artist and a confirmed foodie of the healthful sort. In fact, if you pay attention to the thoughtfully created cocktail you’ve just been served — and the thoughtful, creative woman who served it — you’d find yourself smiling at one person who is all of the above. Rhia Foster is 32, and she doesn’t waste much time. She feels like she already did that, back in her teens when an early marriage to probably the wrong person sidelined her love of music and her academic ambitions for enough years to stop her in her tracks. She recalled, “That was the time when I realized, ‘I’ll never go back to school’ — but then …I just went for it! I think I worked so hard because I had a whole lot to prove.” The end of that union and her new optimism propelled her

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September 2016

into Wenatchee Valley College for two associate degrees, and then she gained admission to Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. That’s a tough school: 11 percent of applicants are accepted; 50 percent wash out before graduation, but she was making up for lost time, and was soon awarded double degrees in vocal performance and music entrepreneurship. So, what’s an ambitious girl like her doing in a town like this? First and foremost, it’s Rhia’s ancestral home — raised in Cashmere, she’s connected by family ties. And even though she knew Boston (or Seattle) might offer bigger career steps, once back with the familiar landscape, friends and the music she’d left behind for five full years, she decided to stay. “I’m glad I took my time and kind of tip-toed back into the jazz scene here. Things had changed in the time I was away, and I wanted to come on slowly. It took months, but I finally found a few people I really love to play with.” (Rhia deliberately uses the word play instead of sing — her voice is an instru-

treats it like an art form. By choice, she’s controlling an inherited autoimmune deficiency with nutrition, which means researching ingredients for beautiful, tasty and healthful meals. She said, “Food is so related to our comfort, to our social and cultural lives. I admit I still have bouts of ‘food mourning’ and feel a little sorry for myself.” But by using local sources and ancient techniques she can now easily put together gluten-, soy-, and vine vegetable-free delights like tacos and jambalaya; she has even discovered how to make healthy crackers and marshmallows. (“My nephews like s’mores, so I had to do something…” she explained.) “There wasn’t ever a time in my life when I wasn’t being creative,” Rhia said. “Basically I love storytelling and sharing in any form; it’s what I love best about

Things had changed in the time I was away, and I wanted to come on slowly. It took months, but I finally found a few people I really love to play with.” any kind of art — I couldn’t ask for anything more than that and a job that pays me to do the things I love.” Oh — and her favorite cocktails? A Negroni tops the list (gin, Campari, sweet vermouth) but she also makes a mean Manhattan. Rye, not bourbon. Stirred, not shaken.

Rhia Foster: Filling her life almost to the brim.

ment too.) She believes a loose but loyal association with guitarists, a sax player and a drummer characterizes her generation of musicians; groups are a bit more diverse and fluid than in the past, and there’s freedom to experiment. She said, “In this town, it’s the wineries that really use jazz musicians the most, but I’ve played here at the Grove Theater and at Sleeping Lady; I’ve even done a few weddings.” Rhia taught jazz vocals and history at WVC briefly and then found herself literally in the right place (the Music and Art Building) at the right time (last winter) to apply for a revamped Events Coordinator position meant to enhance the community’s use of the performing and gathering spaces on campus. That’s her day job, and she does it with gusto. Blessed with those Berklee College credentials, and a natural-born prob-

lem solver, she’s busy learning the interrelationships on the whole campus — buildings, schedules and people. Two other time-intensive avocations fill Rhia’s life almost to the brim. One is a passion for paper. She hand-crafts flyers, posters, placards, invitations, cards, books, journals and even filing systems. Before she left for college, she packed up the goods from a small paper craft shop she’d run in Cashmere and hauled them back east. Now, she creates products for herself, for pure pleasure, and finds the contained precision of cutting, binding and wielding pen and ink a welcome antidote to any job-induced stress. The other avocation is lifeand-death serious, but Rhia

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