Chamber Newsletter: October 2014

Page 1

October 2014

Luncheon Speakers Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!

Oct. 6 - Scott Wilson

The publisher of the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader tells how the 125year history of the Leader and the 140-year history of its building provide a direct link to the first two generations of entrepreneurs who built Port Townsend. You’ll also learn how the Leader building’s builder helped launch one of the world’s great banks. Sponsor Resort at Port Ludlow

Oct. 13 - No Meeting

Discover new worlds on your own this Columbus Day.

Oct. 20 - Sheriff candidates

Candidates Wendy Davis and Dave Stanko talk about the reasons they want to serve as Jefferson County’s Sheriff. Sponsor Sirens

Oct. 27 Commissioner candidates

Kathleen Kler and Dan Toepper talk about the reasons they want to serve as a Jefferson County Commissioner. Sponsor Healing Elements

Building community: Ludlow Cove Cottages By Jennifer Lampe Tucked into the quaint surrounds of Port Ludlow, on the banks of tranquil Ludlow Bay, a new village of beachside cottages is budding. This new neighborhood that celebrates both nature and community is a collection of 42 charming cottage-style, single family homes called Ludlow Cove Cottages. Each home will be located on a choice of woodland, park-front and waterfront lots. Residents will be able to enjoy a central neighborhood park, and easy access to the waterfront park Picnic Point, the Port Ludlow Marina, the Port Ludlow Golf Club and 30 plus miles of maintained walking and hiking trails. The cottages come with membership to The Bay Club, a community center giving you access to meeting space, a fitness facility and a heated indoor pool and spa. Located on a historic logging site in the heart of the Master Planned Community of Port Ludlow, the Ludlow Cove Cottages are not only Port Ludlow’s newest neighborhood but also the first full neighborhood to be built in Jefferson County since the last housing boom. Working with partners

Ludlow Cove Cottages are not only Port Ludlow’s newest neighborhood but also the first full neighborhood to be built in Jefferson County since the last housing boom. such as Kitsap Bank for financing, Seattle firm Geyer Coburn Hutchins, LLC (GCH) Planning for landscape design and planning, and Union Studio Architecture and Community Design, (architect for the successful Northwest community San Juan Passage in Anacortes, WA) for home design, developer Port Ludlow Associates is hard at work to create an environmentally sensitive and sustainable neighborhood

focused on community. Community-building elements that were integrated into the neighborhood’s design are the front porches of each home design offered, main living areas that have a connection to both front and back yards, walking paths throughout the neighborhood, a location immediately across from Port Ludlow’s retail village, waterfront park access for all residents and other common

gathering areas where community is strengthened and memories are made and shared. These American cottagestyle homes are designed to suit both full-time and vacation lifestyles and range in size from approximately 1400 to 2000 square feet. Both single and two story designs are available and even the two story homes offer main-floor living layouts. Each home site Continued on Page 3


MORE CHOICES... at WILDER AUTO

We have more Dodge DURANGO

seats 7

seats 7

Toyota SEQUOIA

seats 8

Nissan ARMADA

7+

seats 7

passenger vehicles! Toyota HIGHLANDER

seats 7

Nissan PATHFINDER

Honda ODYSSEY seats 8

seats 7

Nissan ROGUE SELECT™

seats 8

Nissan ROGUE

Honda PILOT

seats 8

Dodge GRAND CARAVAN

seats 8

Dodge JOURNEY

seats 7

seats 8

Toyota SIENNA

seats 7

Chrysler TOWN & COUNTRY

Toyota LAND CRUISER

seats 8

WILDER AUTO You Can Count On Us!

Nissan QUEST

seats 8 Check us out online at

seats 12

Nissan NVP 12-PASSENGER

www.wilderauto.com 24-hours a day!

95 & 97 Deer Park Road, Port Angeles

1-888-813-8545

441094935

2 October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter


Shared Work helps avoid staff layoffs By Chad Pearson It can happen to any business. Demand for your product or service slips. Maybe the market goes in the tank. All you know is your business is in a fix, and you’ve got hard decisions to make. You don’t want to lay off your skilled employees, but what else can you do to cut costs? The Employment Security Department provides an alternative. It’s called Shared Work. Under the program, businesses can reduce the hours of permanent employees, who can then collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages. This translates into immediate payroll savings and prevents the loss of skilled employees. Plus, to make the program more affordable, the federal government will cover more than 92 percent of Shared-Work

benefits through June 2015. That means you can participate virtually for free and there will be practically no effect on your unemploymentinsurance tax rate. The flexibility of the program also makes it attractive. Your business can enroll some or all of your employees. You use it only when needed, and you can vary each employee’s reduction anywhere from 10 to 50 percent per week. Recent surveys show that Shared Work helps keep skilled workers, reduces payroll costs and improves employee morale. Employers who have used the program consistently recommend it to others. To learn more, visit esd.wa.gov/shared-work or call 800-752-2500.

Chad Pearson is the Shared Work Marketing Manager for the Washington State Employment Security Department.

YPN Spotlight

Fabers return to old hometown By David Faber In March of this year, my wife and I moved back home to Port Townsend after spending much of the last decade elsewhere. We both grew up here, and while we were a bit trepidatious because Laura was taking a pay cut and I was starting a law firm, Faber Feinson PLLC, we were also excited to be coming home. Though there have been bumps — and most of those bumps are far from being smoothed out — we have been amazed by the warmth shown by this community. Laura and I first discussed moving back home during my first year of law school, but we weren’t sure if such a step would be wise. I was taking on a mountain of debt in exchange for my education and our best bet looked to be slogging through the saturated legal market of King County, trying to make our way with the best pay I could find. But as I did just that — for a rather

short period, but I’m quick to figure out what I don’t like or want — I was constantly yearning for home, and I found that a decent paycheck would not salve my anxiety. After talking it over with my good friend and now business partner Sam Feinson, whose aunt and uncle live here in Port Townsend, and who was getting burnt out from the impersonal grind of the public defender’s office in a city, we all decided that it might finally be time to take the plunge. Sam and I were shocked by the response of the local legal community when we started feeling out whether we would be able to make a go of it in Port Townsend. Instead of being guarded or concerned about competition, we were met with excitement and encouragement. We were told that a bunch of attorneys had retired, and many more were on the verge. It made sense, too: the 2010 U.S. Census showed that Port Townsend is one of

David Faber and his wife Laura, both Port Townsend natives, left the grind of the city and returned to Port Townsend to find work and open a business. older than the mean age the oldest communities in America. And not only of Portland, Oregon. The last six months did Sam and I receive have been a whirlwind an excited response, but Laura and I had more than of excitement. Faber Feinson’s list of clients is one person, with tears growing, Laura is doing in their eyes, tell us how well as the Assistant Dihappy they were to see a rector at Firefly Academy, “young family,” moving and we’re all happy to be to Port Townsend, never home in Jefferson County. mind that we are both

Ludlow cottages: in a great location

800-800-1577 ourfirstfed.com

Continued from Page 1 within the neighborhood has a preferred home assigned to it in order to maintain the most appealing look and feel to the neighborhood, however, many lots can accommodate a variety of different designs. The Ludlow Cove Cottages are being built by local custom builder Westharbor Homes, along with numerous other Jefferson County

trade partners. With more than 20 years of experience building within the masterplanned resort community of Port Ludlow, Westharbor Homes is a full service general contractor specializing in new construction neighborhoods, custom homes and remodels. Port Townsend is just a quick 30-minute drive from the Ludlow Cove Cottages. Port Hadlock

and the Chimacum farm region is less than 10 minutes away, and Poulsbo and the Kitsap Peninsula are just a quick 10 minute jaunt over the Hood Canal Bridge. Port Ludlow living is accessible, tranquil, and vibrant and the Ludlow Cove Cottages will offer a greater sense of community and a new feel to this Jefferson County town. The Ludlow Cove

Cottages will be opening their sales office and first model home to the public during the weekend of Oct. 25. Two more furnished model homes will also be built and open to the public sometime in 2015. In the meantime, for additional information on the Ludlow Cove Cottages, be sure to visit LudlowCoveCottages. com or follow them on Facebook for community updates.

October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 3


Briefly

All Points Pilates open

The following Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce events are scheduled in the month ahead: Oct. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m. - Ambassador Meeting at Manresa Castle, 7th & Sheridan, Port Townsend. Oct. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m. - After Hours Mixer at the Resort at Port Ludlow, 1 Heron Rd. Port Ludlow. Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting at Radiance Hair & Beauty Studio, 2016 Water St. Ste. B, Port Townsend. Oct. 21, 4 to 6 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting at Hope Roofing, 105 Louisa St. Port Townsend. Oct. 30, 5:30 to 7 p.m. - YPN Test Lab, 237 Taylor St. 2nd Fl., Port Townsend.

On hand to help at the ribbon cutting for All Points Pilates were Laura Brackenridge (JCCC), Betty Oakes (Soroptimists of PT), Debra Rogers (Nerium Anti-Aging Skin Care), Lorna Mann (VIC Manager), Suzanne Lamon (All Points Pilates client), Laura Garling (Owner All Points Pilates), Karen Anderson (Gale Investment Management), Diana Kenyon (Peninsula Credit Union).

Faber Feinson

cuts ribbon

Celebrating the opening of the law firm Faber Feinson were Karen Anderson (Gale Investment Management), Craig Wester, Pam Lampman (US Bank), Lorna Mann (VIC Manager), Diana Kenyon (Peninsula Credit Union),, Sam Feinson and David Faber (Faber Feinson, PLLC), Debra Rogers (Nerium Anti-Aging Skin Care), Betty Oakes (Soroptimists of PT), Laura Brackenridge (JCCC), Teresa Verraes (JCCC).

Supplement Specialists

New Low Radiation 3D Mammogram InHealth Imaging is the only facility on the West Sound and Olympic Peninsula offering this new, exciting technology, and there are no additional fees for this 3D screening

Quality products, great prices, expert guidance Digestive Health, Colon Health Skin Care, Joint Health Weight Loss, Stress, Anxiety Cold-Flu-Allergies

Health Coaching • Education • Lending Library

Three Great Reasons to Choose InHealth Imaging: InHealth Imaging is the first and only facility performing low radiation 3D mammography in the area InHealth Imaging was the first center to bring 3D mammography to the Pacific Northwest InHealth Imaging’s radiologist has more than three years experience reading 3D mammograms.

Immediate Result Consultation with a Board Certified Radiologist  Know Your Imaging Results Before You Leave Our Office

1002 Lawrence Street, Port Townsend Open Mon-Sat • uptownnutrition.com

4 October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

North Kitsap Medical Center 20700 NE Bond Road, Poulsbo

(360) 598-3141

www.inhealthimaging.com Offering a FREE $15 GAS CARD to help defer travel expenses

Need Networking Help? Call the business technology experts! COMPTIA A+ Certified Service Center Flash Drives • Speakers • Webcams • Anti-Virus/Spyware Printers • Ink • Photo & Print Paper • Blank CD/DVDs PCs • Macs • Cellphone Accessories and Prepaid Minutes

Port Townsend Computers Visit our store at 1200 West Sims Way, Suite B Port Townsend • M-F: 10-6; Sat: 10-4

360-379-0605

Olympic Peninsula’s only authorized service center for Apple warranty repairs.


Quality revolution helps US businesses prosper

By Don Knapp Based on systems or holistic thinking, the quality revolution has strengthened American industries and moved to the public and nonprofit sectors. It began in the U.S. in the early ‘80s in response to competition from abroad, mostly Japan, whose products were thought to be of higher quality than those in this country. The old way to address faulty products was to catch them as they came off the assembly line and replace them. The new quality gurus started telling industries to build in quality from design-test through production. Few quality gurus had more impact on businesses than Edwards Deming, who trained 10,000 managers a year until his death in 1993 at 93. Larry Crockett, Executive Director of The Port of Port Townsend, was one of those managers. Ironically, it was Deming who taught Japanese manufacturers about product quality starting in the fifties when his ideas were not accepted in his own country. Japan has awarded the Deming Prize for quality every year since 1950. To achieve product quality

and customer satisfaction, he said production should be managed not as a collection of separate parts but as a system of interacting parts by cross-functional teams of motivated employees. See his book Out of the Crisis. The manager of a General Motors truck plant in Indiana, said: “In the old days when a defect would show up the manager would chew someone out. Now you ask how has the process broken down.” No company has benefited more from Deming’s systems thinking than Boeing, which built the largest building in the country to house all of the departments and 33,000 employees to build 787 Dreamliners in Everett, using the consultant’s principles. Communities failed to grasp the importance of Jane Jacobs’ words in her 1961 classic The Death and Life of Great American Cities--in cities “the variables are many, but they are not helter-skelter; they are interrelated into an organic whole.” Richard Bradley, former President of the International Downtown Association, told me in an email in 1999: “While few people think about

Testimonial

Thanks to our top chamber contributors!

Business investors downtown as a system, the way which some organizations are Port growing Ludlow Port Hadlock East Sims Breaker Lane 69 Oak Bay Road 2313 East Sims Way their downtown 74proves it Port Ludlow, WA 98365 Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Port Townsend, WA 98368 is. It may be more appro360-437-7863 360-344-3424 360-385-0123 priate to describe downtown as a comprehensive *New loan requests only. Single family owner-occupied homes only. 80% loan to value; subject to current appraisal from a Kitsap Bank approved appraiser. 5 year balloon with loan payment amortization not to exceed 20 years. Must have auto charge to Kitsap Bank deposit system that encompasses account. Other limitations may apply. Limited time only. **On all loans over $50,000. an interconnected set of system elements—retail, housing, access etc.” Learning from industry’s experience, IDA developed a partnership model organization used by most of its members. Fred Jarrett, who used Deming’s principles during his long career at Boeing, was selected in 2010 as Deputy Executive of King County, where he’s putting those principles to work. Systems thinking is an acquired skill. “It’s hard for people to believe that something that happens here and now affects events at other places and later times.” John Adams, professor of geography at the University of Minnesota, told me. Don Knapp was Executive Director of The Honeywell Foundation, Inc. in Indiana for 25 years. Now retired in Port Townsend and writing a screenplay set here, he can be reached at innovative-nonprofits. com.

I was happy to have a “first” experience at the mixer that I want to share with you. Two other Chamber members sought me out at the mixer and requested my business cards as they had clients who needed clock repairs. Yahoo! Thanks for making the Chamber such a success for us. • Marti McMahon, Father Time

Business builders • Port Townsend Paper Co. • Food Co-op • Gold Star Marine

• Homer Smith Insurance • Lullaby Winery • KSER 90.7

October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 5


New members sense. But, it makes my heart happy, so here I am!” she says with a smile. When asked what she loves most about PT, her response was “Where do I start... I feel like I belong here, and my little boys love it here. I love how safe and nurturing it is for them, community oriented. I absolutely love being by the water, even though I RADIANCE HAIR can’t swim!” & BEAUTY STUDIO SOUND COMMUNITY BANK Zoo, Sequim Irrigation Jessica is the mother As a dazzling urbanite Festival, Arthritis FounFor 60 years, Sound of 7-year-old twin boys. from the big city, Jessica Community Bank has al- dation, Boys & Girls The three of them came Wright never expected ways kept one thing first Club, United Way, and to Port Townsend “temto fall so quickly or Gilda’s Club. – our clients and comporarily” in December so deeply in love with Our goals include munities. What began in 2013; one of the many charming little Port ease, access and transa shoebox at Associated transitions in her CorTownsend. Grocers Payroll Depart- parency – living the porate Marketing career. “I fought the desire ideal of simple bankment at the south end ing! With six convenient to stay here so hard! I’m It’s no surprise that when of Boeing Field is now branch locations, deposit just used to the city, and her professional assigna healthy community ment here ended, Jessica and residential and com- have been moving frebank headquartered in mercial loan products, a quently for a while. Set- decided to take a huge Seattle. Serving five leap - following her tling down didn’t make loan production office, counties and more than heart - and return to her 13,000 households, we first love, the hair and employ 98 friendly, beauty industry. knowledgeable commu“I love doing hair. I nity members throughout love serving my clients Northwest Washington. and helping them feel Our service-oriented amazing. I’d been burnculture, simply great ing to go back to the products and access to beauty biz’ for months, local decision makers enso I followed my heart sure a lifelong relationand took some steps ship with our clients. We toward establishing the have a “superior” rating business side of it. Evfrom Bauer Financial, an erything has fallen into independent rating firm place. I’m really excited. that rates banks on safety Really grateful.” and soundness. This shooting star We are also commithas set up shop at 2016 ted to the communities Water St., Suite B. There where we live, work and you will find Radiance play - we sponsor and Hair & Beauty Studio, participate in community where Jessica offers a events and ensure that variety of beauty servicour clients know we are es, including an amazing their partner and their pedicure, custom deneighbor. In 2013, we signed hair cuts, colors gave over $132,000 to and styles for women, our communities; our men and children alike. employees pledged more She specializes in curly than 1800 hours of volhair, hair extensions, and unteer time. Recipients Jessica Wright recently opened Radiance Hair & Beauty special occasion hair and of Sound Community Bank’s giving and grants Studio in Port Townsend. She loves doing hair and par- makeup. “I can have a whole wedding party of include Woodland Park ticularly likes being involved in weddings. 6 October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter a full suite of online and mobile tools, access to more than 43,000 surcharge-free ATM’s and competitive pricing, we think we can meet the needs of consumers and businesses. We are particularly proud of our ability to meet the deposit and loans needs of our communities.

eight looking fabulous in three hours!” She claims. “I love to be a part of the magic of weddings!” I had to ask one final question - How did she come up with the name ‘Radiance’? “Well, it didn’t take long! I had my thinking cap on for all of 47 seconds I think! Everyone possesses beauty, my goal is to help you achieve a beauty that radiates from you and illuminates the room when you walk in,” she says enthusiastically. “So I was like ‘Radiance? Ya, Radiance!” Come join me for my Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, Sept.16 at 12:30 p.m., 2016 Water St. Call (360) 316-9000 for more information.

Epson salts dissolved in the solution. The tank is sound proof as well as light proof. Reports of a heightened sense of introspection by tank users mirror those of people with extensive experience in meditation, and these practices have been linked to decreased alpha waves and increased theta waves in the brain — patterns most typically found in sleeping states. Benefits of floating include reduced stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, relaxed muscles, detoxifying your body and many other advantages. Floaters have reported feelings of floating in space without gravity. Get Tanked! is also a small boutique offering exceptional jewelry, including Firefly designs, GET TANKED! SPA special ladies clothing and & BOUTIQUE, INC. accessories. Get Tanked! Spa & Get Tanked! joined Boutique, Inc. is now open the Chamber of Comat 1015 Water Street in merce to become a part beautiful downtown Port Townsend inside Flagship of the Port Townsend community and to share Landing. Get Tanked! is owned by Francie Loveall. the healthy and creative It is a one-woman business benefits of floating and the fun of artistic clothdedicated to promoting ing and accessories. health, fun and beauty for Get Tanked! is open local residents as well as travelers to Port Townsend. Thursday through Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with float Get Tanked! Spa & appointments from 9 a.m. Boutique’s main focus until 7 p.m. Customers is a sensory deprivation may call 360-390-4711 tank that is filled with 10 inches of body temperature or go to gettankedspa. com to make a reservawater with 850 pounds tion to float. of pharmacopeia grade


Adventure bus wheels volunteers to Wilderbee

By Karen Anderson There is so much to do on the Olympic Peninsula and you want to do and see it all! But how? Even visitors who are staying in one town and not traveling to many parts of our beautiful area still have trouble finding their way to all of the things Port Townsend and Jefferson County have to offer. Introducing Olympic Peninsula Adventures who picked up Visitor Information Center volunteers and gave a mini tour of Port Townsend with suggestions of things to do while driving us to the lovely, and in-season, Wilderbee Farm. Olympic Peninsula Adventures began just this past July by Linda Barnfather. Her silver 9-passenger 2007 Sprinter van will travel across the Olympic Peninsula, customizing each tour to fit her passengers. As a full service touring outfit, not only does Linda go where you want to go, she is there with you every step

of the way. If a hike is what you’re after, Linda knows them all and will be able to tailor an adventure specific to your wants. If your group is looking for boats, or a drive through the rainforest, Linda knows where to go. She offers historical and experiential tours of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, and Port Angeles, and knows where all of the lavender is in Sequim. Olympic Peninsula Tours is licensed to guide in the Olympic National Park and takes folks up to Hurricane Ridge and down to Crescent Lake, Sol Duc, or the Elwha. Upon request, she even gets tourists to the beautiful waters of Ruby Beach. She is prepared not only with the essentials, but also brings along some divine treats local to where she is to make for a truly memorable experience. Olympic Peninsula Tours partners with locally owned businesses to keep tourism dollars in Jeffer-

son and Clallam counties. And Linda is a hoot and a half. This is a seasonal touring operation, so call and book ahead. In her first season, Linda has found herself primarily catering to Canadians who think this is “the coolest place in the world. They love to go to the local farms and see all of the agriculture here. Everyone loves Wilderbee Farm.” Wilderbee Farm is one of the Linda’s favorite places to take her tours while in the Port Townsend area. Owned and operated by Eric and Casey Reeter, Wilderbee, a certified organic farm, opened for business in 2012 focusing on lavender, U-pick flowers, and conserving the rare British Soay sheep. The aroma of five varieties of lavender greets guests as they pull into the farm driveway. As you make your way to the gift shop cabin, the sheep see an opportunity in you and

The aroma of five varieties of lavender greets guests as they pull into the Wilderbee Farm driveway. As you make your way to the gift shop cabin, the sheep see an opportunity in you and run toward the gate. to the sheep gate where run toward the gate which of lavender for the day. Lavender water is used they meet Breena, the separates them from the livestock guardian dog rest of the property. In the for spritzers; essential oil is bottled separately or who was raised with gift shop, a small fivethe sheep to keep eagles gallon, low-pressure steam added into different loand coyotes away. Also still is displayed as it runs tions for sale there. VIC volunteers walk one of its two batches Continued on Page 8

Chamber contacts CHAMBER STAFF

EXECUTIVE BOARD

DIRECTORS

Executive Director Teresa Verraes director@jeffcountychamber.org

President Amanda Funaro NW Maritime Center

Katherine Baril Small Business Consultant

Event Coordinator Laura Brackenridge admin@jeffcountychamber.org 385-7869 VIC Manager Lorna Mann info@jeffcountychamber.org (360) 385-2722

President Elect Jordan Eades Hope Roofing Past President Dominic Svornich Kitsap Bank Vice President Outreach Heather Bailey Jefferson Healthcare

Tanya Rublaitus Port Townsend Schools Kris Nelson Sirens, Alchemy Austin Henry Altas Technologies Susan Windle Resort at Port Ludlow Jennefer Wood Maestrale

Will O’Donnell Jefferson County Farmer’s Markets Karen Ridings Gold Star Marine Le Hornbeck AA Tax Service

Advertising Catherine Brewer cbrewer@ptleader.com Jen Clark jclark@ptleader.com Ken Hulick khulick@ptleader.com The Leader 360-385-2900 The content of this publication is prepared by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for its members. We welcome submissions. Send articles and photos to director@ jeffcountychamber.org or mail to 440 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368.

October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter 7


Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce 440 12th St. Port Townsend, WA 98368

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORT TOWNSEND, WA PERMIT NO. 34

Place label here

The Olympic Peninsula Adventures bus picked up Visitor Information Center volunteers and gave a mini tour Port Townsend with suggestions of things to do while driving to the lovely, and in-season, Wilderbee Farm.

Tour: Bus, treats delight volunteers Continued from Page 7 observing everything are the chickens and Bob the domesticated sheep. Bob’s size and white, curly wool differentiate him from the small primitive Soay. He’s also the first one to nudge guests toward the machine that gives a handful of sheep food pellets for a quarter. Back in the gift shop, Eric is talking about ceramics classes he is ready to start teaching, and is showing off some of the wood-crafts he and his father-in-law create as gifts. Bird and bat houses hang on the walls and artful wooden flowers and windmills sit atop the counters. 8 October 2014 Jefferson County Chamber Newsletter

We continue to the flower field and take in the pure bucolic atmosphere while being surrounded by the colorful flowers in the height of their season. There are a surprising number of bees on the flowers. The dahlias have a few bees on each flower and the stalks of the licorice mint are covered in bees. This begs the question of whether or not Casey and Eric will be producing honey any time soon. “Our honey is really good,” Eric says with a smile, “and the mint is great in mojitos.” In the front of the flower field, some sort of squash is beginning to grow.

Upon closer inspection, we see that it’s a pumpkin patch! As we make our way back toward the gift shop, we see that our tour guide, Linda, has set up snacks and cool drinks on a picnic table for us. Oh, she is good. Wilderbee’s U-pick pumpkin patch is one of two in Jefferson County. It marks Wilderbee’s seasonal last hurrah before Casey and Eric hunker down for the winter and begin planning the next season. Next year, look for the U-pick blueberry patch. This is Wilderbee’s last month open for the season. They still have late blooming lavender and flowers, and

the pumpkin patch is now open! Wilderbee is open Mother’s Day through Halloween, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Wilderbee Farm • 223 Cook Ave Ext • PT • 360379-2434 • wilderbeefarm.com Olympic Peninsula Tours • Sequim • 360775-1102 • olympicpeninsulatours.com Karen Anderson was the VIC Manager from 2009 to September of this year. She is really going to miss learning about the truly incredible businesses Jefferson County has to offer.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.