2012 Progress Edition by Lynden Tribune

PROGRESS EDITION 2012 Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record.

miles in 2011. noe trek of 1,100 ca a de ma le up PAST: A Lynden co

FUTURE: Bellingh am International Ai rport keeps grow ing in 2012.

PRESENT: TriVan Truck Body of Ferndale celebrated the manufacture of its 2,000th unit in February.

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

Celebrating our Whatcom County We all have our reasons for choosing to live, work and play in this corner of God’s creation called the Pacific Northwest and particularly in this distinct place called Whatcom County. It may be the ideal communities in which to raise a family and even grow old. It may be the daily view of Mount Baker afforded from our front porch. It may be a workplace that allows us to use our abilities with satisfaction. It may be because our roots are deep here and we’ve just never thought about leaving. In a way, it’s those reasons for planting ourselves here and staying here that we celebrate with a Progress Edition each year. This time, it’s a combined product of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record. This edition contains stories that are a slice of our lives together now in 2012, and we try to find the silver thread that weaves through even challenging situations. We hope you will enjoy this extra section. Calvin Bratt Tribune editor

Table of contents 2: Jansen Art Center taking shape 4: East Whatcom Regional Center serving foothills area 6: Nooksack quilt provides insight into local history 8: Truck builder TriVan celebrates 2,000th unit 10: Ferndale works toward ‘food security’ 12: Bellingham airport seeing record growth 14: Local surveyor canoes into the past 16: The Woods Coffee celebrates 10 years 18: Adult Family Home has personal touch 20: Disney Institute coming to Whatcom County 22: Toastmasters marks 60th year in Lynden 24: Meridian High School on pace with makeover

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Jansen Art Center: An artistic interpretation New structure will provide new opportunities for central Lynden, surrounding area Tim Newcomb Lynden Tribune LYNDEN — If the Eleanor & Henry Jansen Foundation immediately stopped all work (don’t worry, they certainly won’t) involved in turning the old City Hall into the Jansen Art Center, the city would still have progress. Plenty of progress, that is. In a process that started in mid-2011, the foundation is nearing the final stages of converting the 1928 City Hall building on Front Street and the adjacent 1912 Steinhauer building into a unified facility, an overhaul of at least 20,000 square feet across three stories. While the renovation, upgrade and beautification alone of the structures certainly give life to the downtown site, plenty of art will liven up that part of town as well when the center opens, hopefully sometime in April. Laurie Riskin, a Deming resident who took over as the center’s executive director

in January, said she is busily organizing the center’s opening events and classes and has helped create the program structure for the center. The Jansen Art Center will ultimately be a one-stop place for art classes and rental of art studio space. “It won’t be where you just walk in,” Riskin said. “We have it designed and structured with an array of class opportunities all day in all the different art disciplines.” Programs in music, painting, weaving, pottery, glass arts, children’s crafts, jewelry making, dance and much more (yoga, for example) will happen from the early morning to during the day for homeschool students and seniors, and after school and in the evening. “There will be opportunities for everybody,” Riskin said. Classes may take the form of severalday workshops or recurring weekly classes. It is Riskin’s job to bring in qualified teachers and ensure a variety of options for the public at differing times through-

Lynden furniture maker Greg Klassen is building the large “chamber table” that will be used in the Jansen Art Center. — Lynden Tribune | TIIM NEWCOMB

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

The upstairs Chamber Room will function as a 130-person concert and reception hall. — Lynden Tribune | TIIM NEWCOMB out the day. The center also plans on hosting or allowing rental for performances in its newly redesigned “Chamber Hall” and will have family events on special evenings and Saturdays. Classes will cost, but Riskin said she aims to keep “everything affordable,” with scholarships made available to those who can’t pay. Along with the classes, individuals and groups can rent out space in any of the art studios, the music rooms or even the Chamber Hall for events. Riskin said she plans an open housestyle event for when the building does open this spring and will have summer programs for students to complement the many classes. Heidi Doornenbal, the foundation’s

president, a daughter of Eleanor and Henry and the visionary behind the center, said she hopes a large arts festival the first weekend in August (dates are tentative) will serve as the grand opening of the center. Doornenbal said that she has been forming an arts council that will help steer the direction of the center and has been amazed by the number of artists and teachers clamoring to assist in the project. From a massive “gallery table” largely donated by Lynden furniture maker Greg Klassen and a tile mural largely donated by local artist Debbie Dickinson to a Mt. Baker Rotary Club donation of $30,000 for a glass kiln, the local arts community has wowed her.

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The main floor will feature two dance studios, a painting studio, a coffee shop, a gallery and a gallery gift shop. A large outdoor deck is being constructed on the south side of this floor. The upper floor will contain a large performing arts venue, Chamber Hall (complete with a kitchen to support rental events), music practice rooms, a weaving studio and a library/ workshop. The basement will feature a pottery studio, jewelry and glass studios, a children’s workshop area and other workshops. Lower floor workshops will open to an outdoor patio and garden area. Based on a design by Andrew Krzysiek of Bellingham’s Zervas Group and the consruction work of Exxel Pacific Inc., the renovations have included touches of modern

art and riffs on the historic nature of the buildings. Exciting features include the return of the original openings onto Front Street of the fire hall doors, which lead to a piano bar and coffee shop on the main floor; the refinishing of both original textured concrete floors and original Douglas fir floors throughout much of the structure; a new outdoor deck with views toward Mount Baker; the upstairs Chamber Hall that will serve as a 130-person concert and reception hall complete with theater lighting and triple-pane glass; large open areas for dance; and a basement full of unique (pottery, jewelry, a glass kiln, etc.) art-creating tools. Email Tim Newcomb at tim@lyndentribune.com.

Celebrating our 30th YEAR! Thanks for your support!

NOOKSACK VALLEY BUILDING CENTER INC. 966-5181 • 106 E. Lincoln • Everson

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

East Whatcom Regional Center serving Head Start, local businesses Plans include expansion on Kendall Road nine-acre parcel Mark Reimers Lynden Tribune KENDALL — Bringing the foothills community together can be a moving target, especially since the area to think about is so huge. The challenge is best illustrated by the Mount Baker School District’s effort to serve the largest land area of any school district in Washington State. While the district plays a big role in providing services to the area, many Mount Baker foothills residents often need to drive to Bellingham for other things, whether it be finding a healthcare professional, or renting space for a family gathering. But Whatcom County, with help and leadership from the Opportunity Council, has finished what the community hopes is just the beginning of a major foothills community hub in Kendall. The first incarnation of the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center opened its doors in September 2011, after several years of planning. The new facility of 13,000 square feet, located at 8251 Kendall Rd., is the first of its type for Whatcom County, as far as a struc-

ture being built to fill a specific rural community need, said interim center coordinator Rebecca Boonstra. Since opening, the center has had one wing completely taken over by the Opportunity Council’s Head Start preschool program, formerly housed on the Mount Baker High School campus. The $4.6 million building was built using a combination of county funds earmarked for economic development as well as a state community development grant and funds from Washington State Capital Programs. In recent weeks, the building has also added its first business tenant in Hi-Country Massage, which is run by partners Laurel Alson and Laura Mackie. Mackie said she and Alson have high hopes for the location’s business potential, since both of them are foothills residents and want to serve locally. The quality of the facility is just an added bonus, Mackie said, noting that they had their eye on the location as soon as they realized it would have usable business space. Boonstra, who is also the Foothills Chamber of Commerce director, said the building’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and

The design of the foothills resource center allows for lots of natural light to shine in through skylights and upper windows. — Lynden Tribune | MARK REIMERS

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business Timeless

128 Years

127 Years

Ferndale School District

Morse Steel Service Bellingham 756-6200

1616 Cornwall, Ste. 115 Bellingham 507 Front Ste.115 Lynden 734-7000

5355 Homesteader Rd. • Deming 398-2211

2004 Main St. • P.O. Box 38 Ferndale ferndalerecord.com 384-1411

125 Years

124 Years

122 Years

121 Years

120 Years

Education is Timeless! ferndale.wed.met.edu • 383-9207

Jerns Funeral Chapel & Cremation 464 8th St. • Blaine 5206 4th Ave. • Ferndale 6512 Guide Meridian • Lynden 800 E. Sunset Dr. • Bellingham 734-0070

106 Years LTI Inc./ Milky Way Lynden 354-2101

Lynden Tribune “We believe in community news.”

Chicago Title Co.

128 Years

Banner Bank

113 6th St. • Lynden 354-4444

1815 Main St. Ferndale bannerbank.com 384-3300

104 Years

102 Years

Diehl Ford

Ebenezer

Lincoln Mercury Christian School Bellingham 734-2640

Lynden 354-2632

Livermore & Sons, LLC

Ferndale Record

Peace Health St. Joseph Medical Center

Whatcom Family YMCA

101 Years

96 Years

Bellingham 734-5400

Mills Electric

4430 Pacific Hwy Bellingham 734-0730

1256 N. State St. Bellingham • 733-8630

Darigold Lynden 354-2151

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

A Head Start preschool program of the Opportunity Council occupies one wing of the new building. — Lynden Tribune | MARK REIMERS

Environmental Design) certification is apparent in the amount of natural light that filters in through the many skylights and upper windows, reducing the need for artificial lights in the daytime. The building’s clever design is also apparent in the way rainwater gets collected from the roof and directed down a waterfall near the Head Start outdoor activity area. Wendy Wasisco, the location’s Head Start supervisor, said the building is a teacher’s dream, especially when you take into account the big scope of the Head Start mission, which focuses on whole child development and kindergarten readiness. According to Wasisco and Boonstra, the wide-ranging free services offered through Head Start for low-income households — such as dental checks, child transportation, and individualized child development plans — are an ideal complement to the building’s original mission, which is to be tailored specifically to local needs. A board of local community members tasked with helping direct the mission of the center, met on Thursday, Feb. 2, for a public meeting in order to answer questions and collect and prioritize ideas from potential users. Boonstra said the process was extremely successful, not only because of the useful feedback from attendees, but also because of the sense of satisfaction that some expressed to her at seeing their ideas and desires being explicitly included in the building’s future. However, given that the building sits on a nine-acre parcel of picturesque donated land, the center, which has already played host to many local gatherings and parties,

C5 may, if funding allows, benefit from several additional adjacent buildings. That possibility has county officials and Boonstra referring to the current facility as “Phase 1.” Mackie, who is already scheduling massage clients in her new space, said the current building is good start. “The building is beautiful,” she said. “It’s more than I hoped it would be.” In previous years, Kendall Elementary School down the road has served as a hub for many community gatherings. However, Boonstra said, for some parents, that facility, although in good condition, isn’t as preferable since, with kids in that school, it can make it seem like they are living their entire lives at that building. Even on a practical level, the resource center, with its dividable activity rooms and full commercial kitchen, is much more in tune with the many demands of a diverse community, she said.

Top 10 community use priorities compiled Feb. 2 1. church community 2. fitness and recreation 3. senior 4. medical 5. adult education 6. food-related activities 7. youth sports playground 8. wifi/internet 9. after school programs 10. farmers market/barter fair

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 92 Years

91 Years

89 Years

Snapper Shuler Kenner Insuance

WM T. Follis LLC, Realtors

American Legion Post 154

Yeager’s Sporting Goods

Parberry’s NW Recycling

Lynden 354-4488

108 Prospect St. Bellingham 734-5850

5537 2nd Ave, Ferndale 385-7474

Bellingham 733-1080

Oldtown-1419 C St. 1515 Kentucky St. • Bellingham www.nwrecycling.com 733-0100

87 Years

83 Years

81 Years

79 Years

Lynden Meat Co. LLC

Muljat Group North Realtors

Lynden 354-2449

Lynden 354-4242

4th Generation Family Owned & Operated Business Lynden - 354-3232 Bellingham - 734-3840

77 Years

76 Years

5744 3rd St. • Ferndale 384-1101

Andgar Corp. Whatcom County 366-9900 www.andgar.com

Cargill Ferndale Grain

Louis Auto & Residential Glass

Whatcom Veterinary Hospital

Maple Leaf Auto Body

75 Years

74 Years Western Roofing

74 Years

Price & Visser Millworks Inc.

2040 Vista Drive • Ferndale www.willands.com 384-1584

3705 Irongate Rd. • Bellingham 734-1830

Bellingham 734-7700

Willand’s Tech-Auto

Ferndale 384-0212

Lynden 354-2104

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Friendship quilt provides insight into Nooksack’s history Quilt’s origin finally uncovered after several years of research Brent Lindquist Tribune staff NOOKSACK — Linda Bylsma enjoys both history and quilting, so researching a decades-old quilt discovered in an old storage cupboard at the Nooksack City Hall was the best of both worlds to her. Bylsma, a Nooksack City Council member, came into possession of the quilt about four years ago when visiting the city hall. “Since I was interested in it, they asked me if I wanted to take it and do research,” she said. The large quilt itself consists of many squares with a signature embroidered on each one. The date “1931” is written on multiple squares as well, giving an idea of when the quilt was put together. Bylsma quickly found that the best way to get a handle on the quilt’s origin was sim- In 2009 Linda Bylsma, center, and Jeannie Cyr look over the Nooksack mystery quilt, which dates to 1931, in order to get clues ply to get the word out and ask around. as to its origin. — Lynden Tribune | FILE PHOTO “A reporter went with me to the senior

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 74 Years

72 Years

Vander Giessen Nursery

Lynden Sheet Metal Inc.

Lynden 354-3097

837 Evergreen St. • Lynden 354-3991

66 Years

65 Years

AmeriCold Lynden 354-2138

60 Years Whatcom Electric & Plumbing Lynden 354-2835

69 Years

Mt. Baker Silo Lynden 354-4940

66 Years

Everson Dutch Cleaners Front St. • Lynden Auction Market 354-3841 LLC Everson 966-3271

64 Years

63 Years

Larson Gross

62 Years

Northwest Propane LLC

Meridian Equipment

Lynden 354-4471

Guide Meridian 398-2141

Lynden • Bellingham Blaine • Burlington 734-4280

Lynden 354-5095

60 Years

59 Years

58 Years

CPAs & Consultants

Les Schwab Ferndale

VanderPol & Maas Inc.

Crawford Auto Upholstery

1731 LaBounty Dr. • Ferndale 380-4660

Lynden 354-3000

1977 Somerset St. • Ferndale 383-0747

Kulshan Veterinary

Wagter’s Automotive Service Lynden 354-2500

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Bylsma received a phone call from a man named Glenn McGuire, who happened to live in Lynden. He explained that his greatgrandmother Etta Aldrich was the quilt’s original recipient. The details began to fall into place from there. center in Everson,” Bylsma said. “Some of the people knew some of the people on the quilt, but they didn’t have anything to tell about them, so I exhibited the quilt at the Lynden Craft & Antique Show show that year.” Those efforts, along with stories in the Lynden Tribune, Bellingham Herald and Foothills Gazette, began to draw people to see the quilt. After the show, Bylsma received a phone call from a man named Glenn McGuire, who happened to live in Lynden. He explained that his great-grandmother Etta Aldrich was the quilt’s original recipient. The details began to fall into place from there. Bylsma had long speculated that the quilt was connected in some way to Nooksack Advent Christian Church due to some details provided by people who had seen the quilt and its many signatures. As it turned

out, the quilt actually originated from the old Nooksack church camp, which was a prominent site on the western side of Nooksack dating back to 1898. “(Aldrich) and her husband had moved here from Montana,” Bylsma said. “They had come out to a camp meeting at the campgrounds all the way from Montana, and they loved it here. They went home, packed up, (came to Nooksack) and settled down.” Aldrich and her family moved to Nooksack in 1918, but she was eventually forced to move again due to circumstances beyond her control. “She had 12 children,” Bylsma said. “When her husband died, she was no longer able to carry on the farm. She moved to Lynden and then to Port Angeles with her daughter, Doris. This group of 48 people made this quilt for her as a goodbye gift.”

The quilt was in the possession of Etta's daughter-in-law, Lenora Aldrich, and when she died, her daughter gave the quilt to Maguire. “I had it for quite a number of years, and I offered it to Nooksack to see if they could display it,” Maguire said. The quilt is what’s known as a friendship or signature quilt, hence the names that cover its squares. Bylsma gave a presentation to the Everson Library in 2008, and the quilt has bounced between her place and the library numerous times since then. Currently, she has the quilt at her house, but will return it to the library soon for public display. It won’t stop there, however. Evidence suggests that many of the women who worked on the quilt attended Nooksack Advent Christian Church at the

C7 time of the quilt’s creation. “They were affiliated with the camp more than with the church,” Bylsma said. “We don’t have any rock-solid information yet that says everybody attended the church.” For example, some locals say that their relatives whose signatures are on the quilt actually attended a Presbyterian church in Nooksack years ago. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t attend church in the same building. “The building the Advent church is in used to be the Presbyterian church,” Bylsma said. “We don’t have a Presbyterian church in Nooksack anymore.” Bylsma’s research is ongoing, and she has enlisted the help of several people to assist in that research. When the city’s centennial celebration of its incorporation takes place in September, she plans to give the quilt to the church to hang in its lobby. “I’m going to make a presentation at the church,” Bylsma said. “I’m going to present the quilt to them and explain the history and the pertinence to the centennial. They’re willing to put it on display in that fellowship hall. It is a really big quilt, so they’re going to hang it on the wall, and it’s going to be a hanging history that people can always go look at.” A history of the Nooksack Advent Christian Church, written by Alma Germain, states that construction of the present building on Jackson Street was started in 1909 and the first meeting in it was in August 2010. A parsonage was built starting in 1912. Email Brent Lindquist at sports@lyndentribune.com.

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 56 Years

56 Years Overhead Door

55 Years

Jensen’s Ferndale Floral

54 Years

Lynden 354-2003

202 Ohio St. • Bellingham Est. 1921 Hartford, IN 734-5960

2071 Vista Dr. • Ferndale 384-1616

Lynden 354-2172

52 Years

51 Years

Dutch Treat Restaurant

Bromley’s Market

New York Life Insurance

Sumas 988-4721

Lynden 354-4433

50 Years

Walkers Carpet One Floor & Home

Charlie’s Auto Body

52 Years

Strengholt Construction Inc. Kok Rd. • Lynden 354-2210

50 Years

Boxx Berry Farm

Mt. Baker Fireplace Shop

Bellingham 733-6390

6211 Northwest Dr. • Ferndale www.boxxberryfarm.com 380-2699

1273 Sunset Ave. • Bellingham 676-1383

Fairway Cafe

49 Years

Bob Wallin Insurance

49 Years Vavra Auto Body

49 Years

Wholesale Travel Sales

48 Years

Z Recyclers Inc.

Lynden 318-1302

1844 Iron St. • Bellingham 734-5204

Nooksack 966-4444

Lynden 354-4477

Guide Meridian • Lynden 734-5986

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Truck builder TriVan celebrates 2,000th unit End destinations of customized rigs range from oil fields to the movie industry Calvin Bratt Lynden Tribune FERNDALE — Back in 2003, when brothers Cason and Marty VanDriel started TriVan Truck Body on West Smith Road, they had one big building — and dreams for a business there. On Feb. 10 this year, they could celebrate how dreams become reality. “With 40,000 square feet, we had no idea as to how we would fill it all,” Cason recalled. “And now we have 40,000 square feet and we don’t know how we can fit anything more into it.” TriVan has gone all the way from proudly producing its first truck body with a staff of 12 to now rolling out its 2,000th unit with a crew of 95 employees. Two weeks ago, the milestone earned everyone a big barbecue lunch and an all-company photo in front of the almost-finished product. Cason VanDriel, as company president, stood on the rear hoist of the 26-foot truck that was destined for Albert Lee Ap-

Company president Cason VanDriel speaks to his TriVan Truck Body employees Feb. 10 at completion of the 2,000th unit. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 47 Years

47 Years

1677 Mt. Baker Hwy • Bellingham www.marrsheating.com • 734-4455

Sumas 988-9631

Marr’s Heating & Air Conditioning

45 Years Tellefsen Trucking

Prism Painting

2425 Mill Ave. • Bellingham 733-4122

46 Years

Valley Plumbing & Electric

Alvord Richardson Construction Co. Inc.

Van Loo’s Auto Service Lynden 354-4277

Lynden 966-4142

45 Years

45 Years Zylstra Tire

45 Years

Huizenga Brothers Construction Inc.

45 Years

Lynden 354-4493

Lynden 354-2196

Lynden 354-3239

43 Years

42 Years

Ralph’s Floors Front St. • Lynden 354-4804

Everson 966-2779

44 Years

47 Years

44 Years

Schouten Construction LLC Lynden 354-2595

Bellingham 734-3480

Edwards Draperies

NorWest Hydraulic

Pete’s Auto Repair

Lee’s Appliance Service

Al’s Electric & Plumbing

6209 Portal Way Bld.2 • Ferndale petesautorepair.net 380-2277

9471 Axlund Rd. • Lynden 354-5500

302 Hawley St. • Lynden 354-2187

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

Customer Gerry Wheaton of Albert Lee Appliances points to the chassis base on which TriVan built the truck box. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

pliances of Seattle, and addressed his employees. If all 2,000 of the units made so far were parked end to end, they would stretch from Smith Road down Interstate 5 to the Blaine border crossing, he said. He called the achievement for a Whatcom County vehicle manufacturer “hard to believe.” In turn, Gerry Wheaton of Albert Lee praised TriVan as having the finest craftsmanship in truck box construction in all of Washington State. This was the first purchase from TriVan for the five-store retailer, but it will certainly not be the last, Wheaton said. The delivery truck was built from the chassis bar and axles on up to completion in just a little over two weeks, with “a fit and finish second to none,” he said. “It really is phenomenal the work they do.” 2011, in particular, was a banner year for TriVan. New workers were hired to meet demand. “Our output was double what it was in 2010 and that year was good for us as well,” VanDriel said. All of TriVan’s work is customized to the precise needs of the end user, but that also means workers must be adaptable and open to changes that may occur during the construction process, said Jan Kottelenberg, engineering manager. “Our guys are asked to solve problems every day,” he said. "They need to accept wrinkles in the process.” A couple of trucks being built right now for Enerflow Industries will be specialized rigs to handle engineering equipment on oil fields in Alberta and Texas,

C9 Kottelenberg said. One unit must contain a kitchen and a lab room and be air-conditioned too, he noted. “This is like the nerve center (of an oil drilling operation),” he said. “We build the box. Our customers put the stuff inside.” Another strong buyer has been UltraShred, which needs trucks for mobile large-scale document shredding. TriVan has done well over 100 trucks of various sizes for this customer. Usually the floor of the truck must be built for bottom unloading. King Kong Productions needs a 53foot trailer prepped for all the needs of high-end TV, movie and commercials production. One rig will have to contain rooms for wardrobing, makeup, and movie splicing, as well as a lounge and restrooms. Metal fabrication, especially with aluminum, into unique Snap-Lock panels, like Legos, is a key feature of the TriVan system. But skills in welding, computers, electronics and woodworking are also needed, Kottelenberg said. TriVan wouldn’t be what it is without such a great group of individuals functioning together as a team,” Cason VanDriel said. “Over the past 15 months, we have begun to implement lean manufacturing and have seen tremendous leaders being forged here.” The four partners in the company, Cason, Marty and Ryan VanDriel, as well as Kottelenberg, all reside in Lynden. Email Calvin Bratt at editor@lyndentribune.com.

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 41 Years

41 Years

40 Years

Windsor Plywood

Bay Trophies & Engraving Inc.

DeYoung & Roosma Construction Inc.

Nooksack Valley Disposal Lynden 354-3400

Bellingham 676-1025

Bellingham 676-0868

39 Years

38 Years

37 Years

Lynden 354-3374

M & W Carpet Cleaning

Van’s Plumbing & Electric

360-671-2729

Lynden 354-2171

36 Years

Whatcom Gutter Co.

Canyon Industries

of Whatcom & Skagit Counties 354-5810

Deming 592-5552

Tiger Construction Ltd. Everson 966-7252

40 Years

Tyas & Tyas Backhoe & Sewer Service Sumas 988-6895

37 Years

Bas Construction Boice Raplee & & Development Ross Accounting Services -Project management services & Tax Service -Condominium reserve analysis -Building and closure design 2627 Harbor Loop, Suite 7 •Bellingham 752-9099

Lynden 354-4565

36 Years

General Contractor Since 1976 Lynden 354-4395

Multop Financial

Northwest Auto & Electric

Bellingham 671-7891

Bellingham 616-8352

Salmonson Construction

36 Years

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

C10

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

‘It takes a village’ ... ... to achieve food security for Ferndale Jenny Rose Lara for the Ferndale Record FERNDALE — At last count, 12 percent of Ferndale’s population, or about 1,400 people, lived below the federal poverty guideline, and unemployment in Whatcom County’s third-largest city hovered at around 10 percent. Last year, one in seven Americans were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), including more than 25,000 Whatcom County residents. More were eligible. These numbers are not far from the rising national average and as need grows, food programs rising to meet that challenge are becoming increasingly accessible and dynamic. In Ferndale, many of these groups rank their concern for food quality and community-building as top priorities, and they are partnering with farmers, garden education programs and each other to create a more stable, permanent solution to food insecurity. “Our mission, essentially, is to provide a safe and supportive environment for people to grow food and have fresh and organic vegetables for their tables,” said Gloria Perez, a Master Gardener and coordinator of the Ferndale Friendship Community Garden. “Everyone is welcome.” Now entering its fourth year, the Friendship Garden includes 24 individual garden plots on city land behind Pioneer Park. For a sliding scale fee of $10 to $20, an individual or family can lease a plot, share the greenhouse and access the communal corn and pumpkin fields for one year. Also located on the grounds, the Giving Garden is used to cultivate produce that is then donated to the Ferndale Food Bank. Voluntarily tended by plot holders, the Giving Garden donated more than 740 pounds of

fresh produce in 2011 alone. In addition, many member gardeners choose to individually donate organic vegetables during the peak season when gardens are producing in abundance, said Perez. Whatcom County food banks have seen a steady rise in client visits over the last five years, beginning with a massive 39 percent jump between 2007 and 2009 as the economy went into a nosedive. In 2011, the Ferndale Food Bank recorded an 18 percent rise in new clients. Almost without exception, said Ferndale Food Bank director Suzanne Nevan, these new clients are trying to make up for reduced income, and many are senior citizens or families with multiple school-aged children. “Nearly half of our clients have jobs,” said Nevan. “Experiencing cutbacks at work is another huge voice coming out of the masses.” In May 2011, the food bank received $25,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation’s Washington State Giving Council as part of a series of grants awarded to basic needs-based nonprofits throughout the state. The food bank invested most of the grant into developing a long-term partnership with local farmers. The Farm to Food Bank Program objective, said Nevan, is to provide a consistent supply of locally grown, nutrient-dense food to the community. In the year ahead, Perez said, she hopes to help create a second community garden in Ferndale. “It doesn’t need to take a lot,” she said, “if we have some space and some water.” A goal for the food bank in 2012 is to work more closely with the Ferndale schools, Nevan said. This could include increasing access to the summer lunch program, which serves brown bag lunches

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association volunteers helped out in 2011 at the Ferndale Friendship Community Garden. — Courtesy photo

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Volunteers are essential for the operation of the Ferndale Food Bank. — Courtesy photo

to Ferndale students when schools are out of session. Currently, the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club is the only venue serving summertime meals, and Nevan said she is negotiating with several other organizations to enhance that effort. The food bank is one possibility. “It seems like natural fit,” she said. During the school year, the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program available through the Ferndale School District from the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers discounted school lunches to students who qualify. In Ferndale, enrollment in the program has increased 8.5 percent percent since 2007. In October 2011, 2,368 Ferndale students — nearly half the student body — were enrolled, and numbers are expected to grow in the coming year. “Not only has the number of eligible students increased,” said Alex Singer, Ferndale schools’ food service program director. “But we’ve also stepped up our promotion of benefits and services, so we’ve seen a steady rise.” State and federal agencies use different guidelines to determine eligibility, but all are income-based. Because of these differences, a family may receive increased benefits by applying for state services. “When we have families who qualify under federal guidelines for reduced lunches, we encourage them to apply for state benefits,” said Singer. If a family qualifies for state programs like Basic Food, they are automatically eligible for free lunches. They might also find they

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C11 qualify for other services, such as medical or utilities assistance, said Singer. Application forms are sent home with students each year and are widely available throughout the schools and online at www.ferndale.wednet.edu. To apply, families can use either an income report or proof of state benefit enrollment. Food programs in Ferndale are also about community. On two Saturdays each month between 10 a.m. and noon, a homemade hot lunch known since 2003 as the Ferndale Community Meal is open to all. The program, held at the United Church of Ferndale, is a nondenominational nonprofit organization operating, like the Friendship Garden, under the Ferndale Service Co-op. More than 20 volunteers, including a professional chef, plan, coordinate and execute each meal from preparation to cleanup. The organization has a roster of hundreds to draw from and a core group of volunteers who serve on the steering committee. Meals are entirely supported by private donations and volunteers. For meal schedules and menus, call 714-9029. To donate or volunteer, call 384-1422. For more information on the Ferndale Friendship Garden and to sign up for a plot, contact Gloria Perez at 223-3836. For more information on food bank hours or to volunteer, contact the Ferndale Food Bank at 384-1506. Email Jenny Rose Lara at jennyrose. lara@gmail.com.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Bellingham airport one of fastest growing in nation Construction of a new terminal will begin in March Tim Newcomb Lynden Tribune BELLINGHAM — If you look at the figures, plenty more folks in north Whatcom County are now using Bellingham International Airport (BLI), a wing of the countywide Port of Bellingham, than in the past. Of course, those same statistics tell us quite a few more people in general are using the airport, which has seen annual growth of 25 percent over the past six years. A traditional airport experiences about 3 percent growth each year, so six straight years of Bellingham-sized growth? Well, that’s “phenomenal,” according to new airport director Daniel Zenk, who says the statistic places BLI as one of the fastest growing airports in the nation. The growth isn’t completely due to Canadians, as many people think, since the airport’s customer base runs only about 60 percent from the land to the north. To accommodate all the people, the airport completed Phase 1 of its construction plan last year and will start Phase 2 in midMarch. The new four-gate boarding area, de-

signed in a modern Northwest style, opened June 28, 2011. The 20,000-square-foot space was constructed by Everson-based Tiger Construction at a cost of $9 million. With 733 seats and a building capacity of much more, the upgrade gets BLI to an adequate level of gates, Zenk said. But if growth like this continues, then the airport will need more gates within three years. Phase 2 will bring one more gate. The $16.1 million contract is going to Bellingham’s Dawson Construction, announced as the apparent low bidder this month; final contract details are being worked out. That project, which starts in mid-March, will run for two years and turn the existing 27,000-square-foot terminal building into a 90,000-square-foot terminal built in a Northwest style to match the new gates. The new terminal completely renovates the old one and then extends to the north for a new ticket counter and baggage makeup area. A new baggage claim area will get added to the south. The construction will certainly cause some disturbance within airport operations, but construction walls and corridors will aim to get passengers and airlines through

Bellingham International Airport is rapidly getting more area for traveler processing. — Courtesy photo

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

A fifth passenger boarding gate will be built in 2012, and Frontier Airlines will begin testing flights to Denver on March 24. — Courtesy photo

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the two-year period as minimally disturbed as possible, Zenk said. The new fifth gate will certainly come in handy, since BLI will also add a third airline to its mix in March and its current carriers continue to add flights and destinations. Alaska Airlines currently flies to Seattle, Las Vegas and Honolulu, all daily offerings. It plans to add a second flight to Las Vegas, starting on March 11, and will bring back seasonal flights to Portland for the summer. Allegiant, when it joined BLI in June 2004, created a new demographic of travelers out of Bellingham. Currently, eight destinations to the south are offered, in California, Arizona and Nevada. But what BLI misses ever since Delta pulled out and stopped flying to Salt Lake City, a practice it ran from 2006 through 2008, is connections to the east. Such service returns on March 24, when Frontier Airlines will test out flights to Denver through Sept. 16. “We are very excited about Frontier and hopefully they start year-round flights,” Zenk said. “It is nice to have a carrier come in and provide (east-connecting) service.” All the airline and building growth has also required parking additions — four new parking expansions in five years, actually. Now BLI has 2,800 stalls, but Zenk said even more may be needed soon. As airlines get added and buildings expand, more jobs are being created at BLI. Already, the airlines employ nearly 250 and TSA employs about 50. The new full-service Scotty Brown’s restaurant, set to open in the new gate building in June, will hire about 30 and another vendor, Halibut Henry’s, employs 15. The Port of Bellingham has 20 employees in its aviation division, an enterprise fund that doesn’t take a penny from taxpayers, Zenk said, and operates fully on user fees. The money needed to fund the new projects comes from revenue bonds, which get paid back through passenger-paid facility fees. So, if BLI needs to expand again and add a third phase, it can. It may very well just do that. Email Tim Newcomb at tim@lyndentribune.com.

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• Kaiser Wood Works • Trilby’s BBQ Sauces • Textile Art Works • Ideation Design Group • Rainout Sports Cards • Stamping 2 Music • Minergy Construction • Extra Space Solutions Mini Storage

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• Capital Link • XUDOT.COM • Whatcom Youth Football • Massage by Reneé

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Local surveyor combines passions for surveying, history Denny and Dolores DeMeyer made 1,100-mile canoe trek last year through multiple rivers Brent Lindquist Tribune staff LYNDEN — Denny DeMeyer founded Northwest Surveying & GPS in 1984, inspired by his passion for surveying and his status as a self-proclaimed history buff. “The survey history is my passion,” DeMeyer said. “It kind of comes with the territory when you’re surveying. You have to do so much research. That’s the part of the job that attracted me to surveying. Before you can lay out logging roads and logging units, you have to figure out ownership.” Denny worked as a forest technician, assistant logging engineer, land surveyor and senior logging engineer for Georgia-Pacific from 1969 to 1988, before going on his own. His wife, Dolores, is a local Windermere Real Estate agent. Last year, like he often does, DeMeyer joined together his intertwined passions for history and surveying by participating, along with Dolores, in the 2011 David Thompson Columbia Brigade.

Even children took part in portions of the summer 2011 North American Land Surveyors canoe trip down four rivers, including the Columbia, retracing explorer David Thompson’s route. — Courtesy photo

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record The brigade

Nineteenth Century explorer David Thompson was charged with finding a trade route to the Pacific Ocean for the British in Canada. — Courtesy Illustration

David Thompson was born in England in 1770 and was apprenticed at age 14 to the Hudson's Bay Company. He landed at Hudson Bay in 1784, beginning a prestigious career of surveying and mapmaking of North America. In the West, Thompson became the first to completely traverse the Columbia River. That was in 1811. Denny, Dolores and their colleagues planned to arrive in Astoria. Ore., exactly 200 years to the day from when Thompson did, beginning in Invermere, B.C. The trip would take them via the Kootenai, Clark Fork, Pend Oreille and Columbia rivers. The Lynden pair were appointed co-chairs of the committees for community contact, logistics and recruitment. They tackled the daunting task of figuring out where the group would stay each night. They also needed to determine the details of portage around the 14 dams they would encounter in Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The trip itself began on June 3, 2011, and was set to run until July 15. The group took ten 25-foot Voyageur canoes out of Invermere to begin the 1,100-mile trip to Astoria. Denny and Dolores were responsible for two of the 10 canoes. The journey was broken up into six oneweek segments, which added up to six different crews on the canoes. Denny and Dolores were two of the nine participants who stayed with the group the entire trip. The paddling crews consisted of people from Hawaii, Wisconsin, California, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, 55 between their two canoes alone. “We made 50 strokes a minute, and you do

C15 that all day,” DeMeyer said. “You do 50 strokes on one side (of the canoe), and then you switch. Roughly every minute you’re switching sides.” All the planning that went into the trip seemed to pay off, as the group didn’t run into any major mishaps on the entire voyage. Only one canoe capsized, and that wasn’t even during the main leg of the trip. “It was an answer to prayer in that respect,” DeMeyer said. “One of the canoes did capsize in a training session, but it was a couple days before the formal start of the brigade. It was up in the headwaters of the Kootenai, so it was pretty shallow.” Denny DeMeyer said there were a few scary moments, including ones when canoe crews had to bail water out of the canoes while keeping pace. “There were a couple situations there that were a little bit nervous for sure,” he said. “You get dead in the water. That’s not good at all. The number-three seat guy just stopped paddling and bailed it the entire time.” Aside from those few instances, the trip went off without a hitch, thanks in large part to the support of the many communities along the route. “The communities were just outstanding,” DeMeyer said. “Most of them fed us and provided us with garbage services and food and water and camping facilitites. Sometimes the city parks bent the rules. National and state parks bent the rules for us as well.” The brigade arrived successfully on schedule in Astoria, capping off the 1,100-mile journey 200 years to the day that Thompson finished his own trek. Email Brent Lindquist at sports@lyndentribune.com.

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 35 Years

Mt. Baker Roofing Inc. Bellingham 733-0191

33 Years

35 Years

34 Years

33 Years

Marlin’s 76 Service

Ferndale True Value

Meyer’s Construction & Cabinets

Keith A. Bode Attorney at Law Lynden 354-5021

Lynden 354-4976

2000 Main St. • Ferndale 384-1804

32 Years

Lynden 354-5297

Roosendaal Honcoop Construction

Ferndale Mini Storage

Kid’s Country School

Riverside Cabinet Co.

Lynden Paint & Decorating

5480 Nielsen Ave. • Ferndale 384-3022

170 E. Pole Rd. • Lynden 398-2834

Lynden 354-3070

Lynden 354-5858

31 Years

30 Years

Guide Meridian • Bellingham 398-2800

PRAISE 106.5 FM Lynden 354-5596

Stevenson, McCulloch CPA’s, Inc., P.S. 1951 Main St. • Ferndale www.a1cpa.com • 384-0088

Nelson Driving School Ferndale • Bellingham Meridian High School Lynden 354-8777

Nooksack Valley Building Center Everson 966-5181

Telgenhoff & Oetgen Lynden 354-5545

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

The Woods Coffee celebrates 10 years and 12 stores Locally grown business faced adversity early on, then a defining moment Tim Newcomb Lynden Tribune LYNDEN — The Woods Coffee has made more money in the last 10 years than large companies such as Tully’s by turning one lone Lynden store opened on Feb. 4, 2002, into three in Lynden and then a total of a dozen stores throughout Whatcom County. Now, with the goal of 12 stores in Whatcom County in 10 years met, owner Wes Herman, 53, isn’t ready to stop looking into those details, aiming for the next wave of Woods openings, including planned expansions into Skagit County and possible exploration into British Columbia. Already, The Woods employs 130, not counting the local vendors, contractors and maintenance people supported by their operations, at the 12 retail locations, Lynden bakery and Lynden administrative headquarters.

When the first Woods store opened in Bender Plaza, Herman had plenty more planned. From day one, his internal password was “12in10” (12 stores in 10 years) and the second store opened next to the Lynden Safeway just six months after the first. Soon thereafter he added a drivethrough-only spot at the Fairway Center (it later moved into its own location) and then he made a foray into Bellingham with the King Street location. “Anybody can do a one off take (store) in free form, but where we shine is we have developed systems that work and that we can duplicate,” Herman said. “They are not perfect, but they are our systems.” Those systems, and the employees’ attention to every detail and customer, Herman said, have made The Woods a powerful force locally. A defining moment The single event in Woods’ history

Wes Herman, The Woods Coffee owner, celebrates 10 years of business, but it wasn't without adversity. — Courtesy of CHAD DE ROSA

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 30 Years

Kamps Painting Co. Lynden 354-5513

28 Years

Raspberry Ridge Golf Community Lynden 354-3029

26 Years

30 Years

28 Years

Northwest Surveying & GPS

Kelly’s O’Deli Catering

Vanderpol Realty

Lynden 354-1950

We cater for you. kellysodelicatering.com 384-1702

289 H St. • Blaine jvandrealty@nas.com 332-1169

Lynden 354-8585

28 Years

27 Years

Walls & Windows

The Mailbox 1770 Front St. • Lynden 354-5766

Bellingham 676-5223

26 Years

Motor Weld Inc.

Roger Jobs Motors

Bellingham 671-8770

2200 Iowa St. • Bellingham 734-5230

Lynden Service Center Lynden 354-2611

26 Years Pacific Pumping Lynden 354-4409

26 Years

Rose Construction Inc. Bellingham 398-7000

Stremler Gravel

Baker Plumbing & Septic Inc. Ferndale 383-0013

26 Years

John J. Kamrar Attorney at Law P.S. Lynden 354-3568

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION that defined the company came when it tackled the renovation of a 100-year-old building in Boulevard Park, not exactly the norm for shops seeking a steady stream of traffic and drive-through options. “Boulevard Park set the tone for taking care of a 100-year-old building with no character and spending a lot of money and putting in a lot of effort to create real value,” he said. “We bit off way more than we could chew with Boulevard. We were warned it was a money pit and it was, but we knew what our ultimate goal there was.” That goal was to show community stewardship and also interact with the community in a new way, something Boulevard has proven works as one of the company’s most successful shops, even as a walk-up location tucked inside a city park. At the time, The Woods was struggling to find enough cash to finish the Boulevard store, its sixth location, until a generous loan (one that didn’t require him selling part ownership) came through. The loan allowed him to continue the familyowned business (the families of all four children are involved in management in some way) and fulfill his goal of creating a business that could provide income for his family for multiple generations. Once Boulevard cemented The Woods Coffee in Bellingham’s mind, King Street (store four) and Bakerview (number five) took off and the company then added Railroad, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Flatiron, Meridian and Sehome, in that order. If Whatcom County residents love to sup-

C17

port local businesses, Herman has given them plenty of opportunity. During that stretch, The Woods built six stores in a two-year period. Continued growth And it doesn’t stop there, with at least two or three more Woods locations likely remaining in Whatcom County, Herman said, although the only concrete spot is as the centerpiece of the new theater complex in Barkley Village, opening by late 2012. Future growth would still likely center in Bellingham, although Herman hasn’t yet ruled out Everson, Blaine or Sudden Valley. Herman, though, expects the next opening to come in Skagit County, with possibly three stores there in quick succession. “We have to be cautious and intentional about that growth,” he said. And since the Lynden bakery, opened in 2011, supports all stores, distance becomes a factor too when considering new stores. As The Woods looks for expansion opportunities, the company will look where others won’t, as evidenced by Boulevard or the fact that six of the 12 locations were either previously used or planned by Starbucks or Tully’s, including the Lynden Safeway location, which was originally going to be the first store in the chain. The biggest challenge The other biggest hurdle in the 10 years (apart from Boulevard) was year number two, which Herman spent in federal prison. “That is what could put you under,” Herman said. “That was the most signifi-

The Woods Coffee's Boulevard Park location proved to be a key part of the company's growth progress. — Courtesy photo cant (challenge). It was left to my wife, family and other guidance. At that juncture, we hadn’t been in the black, always red, and both stores went into the black in the first month and never looked back.” The Canadian citizen faced likely deportation after serving a full year for insurance fraud, but a judge “miraculously” allowed him to stay. Herman said that as a local business

owner, that situation left him “fully exposed,” but it allowed him to focus his life and understand God’s grace. “That time was fraught with all kinds of potential failures for family, life and business and it was pretty interesting to see how God worked in every step,” he said. “It has become a part of our story.” Email Tim Newcomb at tim@lyndentribune.com.

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 24 Years

24 Years

23 Years Sturtz Finishes

Bellingham Asthma/Allergy

Custom Closets & Bedrooms

2080 Alder St. • Belingham 384-1421

Lynden 354-1226

Bellingham 961-1347

3015 Squalicum Pkwy, Suite 180 Bellingham 733-5733

4073 Hannegan Rd. • Bellingham 738-9121

22 Years

21 Years

5772 2nd Ave. • Ferndale 380-1642 3094 N.W. Ave, Bellingham 647-1747

City Hair

20 Years

Boss Construction

6146 Portal Way • Ferndale 384-3203

Lynden 354-2121

Lynden 354-0538

4945 Guide Meridan • Bellingham 398-2300

20 Years

19 Years

Bellingham 738-9795

Lynden 354-6873

F.J. Darby O’Neil, CPA

Fairway Drug

Cozy Corner Smith Books & Coffee Mechanical Inc.

Dun Rite Pressure Wash Bellingham 398-7072

Moncrieff Construction Inc. Lynden 354-7602

Clean Water Services

Whatcom Windshields

23 Years

Excel Electric

22 Years

Cedarwood Canine School 6497 Woodlyn Rd. • Ferndale Most recommended dog trainer 384-6955

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Welcome to Lana’s home Elderly find comfort at Russian immigrant’s Lynden Adult Family Home Kate Ver Ploeg for the Lynden Tribune LYNDEN — “Be Nice to Your Kids, They’ll Choose Your Nursing Home.” That’s the bumper sticker posted just inside the Lynden Adult Family Home out on Eastwood Way, and many folks would likely hope they’ve been nice enough to be cared for here by its owner, Lana Butayeva. Lana opened the small assisted-living home as an affordable alternative to the standard choice: home care or nursing home. With just five bedrooms and an open kitchen, Lynden Adult Family Home feels more like a grandmother’s home than an elderly care facility. Lace curtains hang in the windows, a glass curio cabinet stands in the living room, and fruit trees edge the large backyard.

A small woman with a soft accent, Lana originally worked as an electrical engineer in her native Russia. When asked how elderly care in Russia differs from American care, Lana says that there at least one child is expected to live with the parents. When her parents left for the United States, her uncle’s family moved in to live with her grandparents. Here in Whatcom County, her parents live with her sister. In contrast to the dilemma many American families face, Lana says the Russian way is “not so stressful.” Upon arriving in Washington, Lana started work as a caregiver for Dorothy Haggen (of the Haggen food stores family) — and Lana found her calling. She opened Lynden Adult Family Home seven years ago. “I feel like I’m in the right shoe,” she smiles. Lana arrives every day to help care for

Lana Butayeva, proprietor of Lynden Adult Family Home, interacts with Martha, one of the residents. — Lynden Tribune | KATE VER PLOEG

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 19 Years

Everson Service Pro Inc.

19 Years

Northwest Electric

19 Years Eastside Hair

Communication 2000

Nooksack 966-4664

Lynden 354-7021

Lynden 354-8295

Lynden 398-9357

16 Years

15 Years

Natural Way Chiropractic 1943 Main St., Ferndale 2000 N. State St., B’ham 102 Grover St., Lynden naturalwaychiro.org 384-1396

15 Years

Taylor’s Backyard Center

17 Years

Rouse Chiropractic

Bellingham 756-0909

Laser Point Awards & Promotions

205 Kelly Rd. • Bellingham laserpointawards.com 398-8714

15 Years

13 Years

Lynden Lube & Auto

P&P Excavating

Lynden 354-7698

2499 Smith Rd. • Bellingham 592-5374

Curb Shots Espresso

6018 Portal Way • Ferndale Support your local Ferndale Family. Serving whole bean and gourmet coffee.

2068 Vista Dr. • Ferndale 312-8822

Eastside Market & Deli Lynden 354-2246

17 Years

RCI Construction Inc. Sumas 988-6101

15 Years

Barbie’s Berries 7655 Melody Ln. • Ferndale Fresh in summer, frozen available all year. www.barbiesberries.com 384-1260

13 Years

International Graphics & Design

www.intlgraphicsdesign.com Lynden • 318-1125

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

With just five bedrooms and an open kitchen, Lynden Adult Family Home feels more like a grandmother’s home than an elderly care facility.

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the residents, aided by four other caregivers. She often finds that what they want most is conversation, and sometimes she talks to them about God. She is a Christian, and one of her sons preaches on the streets of Vancouver, Lana said. She does her best to minister through the adult family home. Though not specifically a Christian home, Lana hopes that each resident will talk to God before he or she passes, and she claims that even those who initially resist eventually experience some kind of conversion. She tells the story of one resident whom she cared for free of charge after his son ran out of money. A nonbeliever, the man told her, “I see Him through you,” two hours before he died. Believing she’ll work at Lynden Adult Family Home forever, Lana says, “I think this is what God wants me to do.” For more information, visit www.lyndenafh.com or call 393-9222. Email Kate Ver Ploeg at kateverploeg@gmail.com.

2012 Progress Report Celebrating Years in Business 13 Years

Lynden Family Chiropractic

12 Years

Keith Cox Autobahn

12 Years Rusty Wagon

Windmill Inn & Trailer Park

Mt. Baker Auto & Glass

Lynden 318-0123

1118 Iowa St. • Bellingham 733-2721

Lynden 354-5236

Guide Meridian • Lynden 354-3424

Bellingham 527-8774

11 Years

10 Years

9 Years

7 Years

Noisy Neighbor Music Inc.

Nuthouse Grill

Tangled Threads

Fairway Center • Lynden 318-1441

Lynden 318-0588

Lynden 318-1567

7 Years

6 Years

2nd Avenue Sports

Heston Hauling Service

Jon’s Truck Repair

2026 Main St. • Ferndale 312-9698

6397 Portal Way • Ferndale Towing service available. 312-8697

8471 Guide Meridian - Shop Lynden 318-1648

4 Years

2 Years

2.5 Years

5715 Barrett Rd. • Ferndale ferndaleeventscenter.com 734-7832

Over 20 Years HVAC experience Cont. #HOLLAH*9130W 3998 Brown Rd. • Ferndale 325-3165

Ferndale Events Center

8 Months Cheeks

Designer Jeans & Undies 105 3rd St. • Lynden 778-1849

Holland Heating

12 Years

Quizno’s

1873 Main St. #2 • Ferndale quiznos.com 384-3090

11 Years

Sorenson Truck Repair & Equipment Lynden 318-1000

6 Years

Glen Echo Botanical Gardens Bellingham 592-5380

2 Years

Black Market Boutique

Final Touch Auto Spa

2010 N. State St. • Bellingham 756-9440

1916 Iowa St. • Bellingham 734-3840

6 Years Siper Quarry Everson 592-3500

1 Year

Imhof Automotive

2869 W. 63rd Ln. • Ferndale Over 30 years in automotive experience 393-8938

The Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record congratulate these businesses and wish them many successful years to come!

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Business should be ‘where dreams become reality’ Disney Institute program, coming to Whatcom County in March, can renew the spark Megan Claflin Ferndale Record WHATCOM — It goes without saying that owning and operating a small, independent business is a challenge. In order to maintain a high level of customer service, create a quality competitive product and achieve efficiency in today’s economic climate, even the most innovative of entrepreneurs can adopt the “soldier on” mentality. But this March, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and its partners are encouraging members and all businesses to remember why they chose to join the marketplace in the first place — that is, to make their dreams come true. Coming for the first time to Northwest Washington, the Disney Institute Leadership Excellence program will bring experts from the world-leading entertainment company to Bellingham for a oneday seminar on the art of leadership and its effects on employee performance and company-wide success. Since announcing the event last fall, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Guy Occhiogrosso has seen more than 160 individuals from at least 55 organizations

throughout the Puget Sound and British Columbia jump at the opportunity. Beside educating, the seminar will benefit the local economy by drawing in out-of-town visitors and creating avenues for networking and business-to-business collaboration. “This in an affordable, one-day commitment for our small business owners who would otherwise be unable to spare the time and expense of traveling to see this kind of workshop,” he said. “It also ties into tourism, in that an event like this brings a lot of positive exposure to Whatcom County as a business travel destination for conferences and meetings.” Peter Lockhart, of Western Washington University’s Campus Recreation Services, was one of the first to sign up. He said that the cost of travel usually prevents members of his department from participating in such professional development opportunities. So when he saw a Facebook post announcing this high-caliber program just up the road, he jumped at the chance to sign up more than half of his ten professional recreation staffers. “Currently, we have our professional administration team, a dedicated group

Disney Institute Leadership Excellence will bring experts to Whatcom County for a one-day workshop on March 22. — Courtesy photo

Steve Alexander, MD Hannah Bujak, MD Oliver Bujak, MD Margaret Burden, MD Robin Caldwell, MD Karen Goodman, ARNP John Gunningham, MD* Larry Hartwell, MD John Hiemstra, DO Bruce Pederson, MD Teresa Reiger, ARNP Sarah Stewart, ARNP

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Lynden Family Medicine and Birch Bay Family Medicine are dedicated to meeting the medical needs of the north Whatcom County community. The Physicians are all Diplomats of the American Board of Family Practice, and our Nurse Practitioners are nationally certified in the specialty of family medicine. As family practitioners, they serve people in several areas of expertise, including obstetrics, women’s health care, pediatrics, adult medicine, care of the elderly and minor surgery. * Dr. Cunningham is now offering OB care at Everson Family Medicine.

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

Any organization that values a higher level of performance will benefit from experts in the world-leading Disney entertainment company during the workshop in Whatcom County March 22. — Courtesy photo of custodians and more than 200 student employees. That is a lot of different backgrounds and a lot of different personalities,” Lockhart said. “What we learn at the class we will take back to our organization and use it to improve communication, boost motivation and increase our ability to serve our members.” The workshop will be held on March 22 at the Bellwether Hotel in Bellingham. It will feature lessons gleaned from the

movie and entertainment company’s accomplishments in management and innovative brand creation and marketing. The seminar will share how top-down improvements begin with a strong, motivating and creative leader in the mode of the company’s great founder, Walt Disney. “Disney is internationally known and respected,” said Occhiogrosso. “Leadership skills are good for everybody, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish.

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What works in leadership works across the board.” Kathy Cross and her husband, Randy, are co-owners of LaserPoint Awards in Bellingham. Despite being just a two-person operation, they have experienced modest business growth the past few years and they credit that to consistent outstanding customer service that results in repeat clientele. Offering a great product is key, but customer service will truly make or break

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C21 a business relationship, as just one bad experience can lose a customer for good, she said. Ready to “to take a big leap” forward, Cross has expanded on lean manufacturing methods to develop new goals for LaserPoint in 2012. However, she said, because even the best plans for improvement can grow stale after a period, she values connections with trusted third parties who can ask “the questions you don’t think of.” Both Kathy and Randy are looking forward to attending the workshop to benefit from Disney’s teachings and also to network with other professionals they would not regularly cross paths with, Cross said. Doug Richards is a battalion chief for the South Kitsap Fire Department responsible for employee training and organization. Richards, who learned about Disney Institute Leadership through connections on LinkedIn, said customer service plays a role both within the department and out in the field where firefighters interact with the community. “Ninety-nine percent of our time is spend addressing the community, so (our job) is also about building that relationship with Mrs. Jones so that she feels cared for and served in a professional and outstanding manner,” he said. In an industry linking new technology with a consistently younger workforce, Richardson said he and other administrators see the importance of finding common ground on staffing and communication. At the Disney Institute, Richards hopes to “glean some nuggets” from leaders in other areas. “If you think about it, no one you talk to who has returned from a Disney theme park says they had a bad experience. People are touched by the organization and always come back with positive feedback. We’d like to take a little bit of that,” he said. The Bellwether can accommodate a maximum of 200 people for the one-day event, so a few spots remain. Fees are $399 for individuals and $389 for chamber members. The fee includes a complimentary pre-program breakfast, lunch and two refreshment breaks. Reservations can be made by calling the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce at 384-3042 or going online to the website at http:// www.ferndale-chamber.com/registration. Email Megan Claflin at news@ferndalerecord.com.

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Toastmasters marks 60th year in Lynden Mission continues to be creating confident public speakers Helen Solem and Johanna Neff for the Lynden Tribune LYNDEN — Since 1952 Lynden’s Toastmasters Club has remained true to its mission “to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.” Every Friday morning, a mixture of longterm members, new members and guests gather to share an early morning breakfast and a meeting. The club meeting format provides training opportunities which help unfold a person’s natural talent surrounded by a friendly ambiance. “People come here with so much expertise in many areas of their life. We give them tools to develop and share what they already have,” said Eldon DeJong, current president. Guided by manuals which lay out projects in an easy-to-handle format, members

Ron Hendricks takes his turn at the podium during a meeting of the Lynden Toastmasters Club. Meetings involve main speeches, extemporaneous “table topics” and emceeing. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

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After 45 years in business, Gilbert Silva and Tyler Zylstra will take the reins at Zylstra Tires. Jerry Zylstra would like to thank his Lynden customers for their support over the years!

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

Doug Chadwick offers his evaluation of others’ speaking, noting the use of “um” and “ah” filler words. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

practice leadership abilities by taking turns the Subject,” a five-minute talk. “It was a to prepare for and fulfill assignments such challenge. I like that.” as grammarian, “ah” counter, evaluator, In terms of entertainment value, “you timer, Table Topics master and, of course, get to be the audience,” notes Johanna Neff, toastmaster, the meeting’s leader. Listening past president. She cites the story passiondexterity, as well as speaking proficiency, ately told by memberChris Alpsteg about accrues week by week upon fulfilling these William Tell, his homeland’s national hero. roles. “I learn something at each meeting.” Participating in table topics and de- Verbal crutches, the "ahs" and "ums," livering prepared speeches focuses on im- can be eliminated. Marlin Hendricks, Lynprovement in speaking proficiency. den business owner, notes that counting During Table Topics one member asks “ahs” made him “compulsively aware of the others to extemporize for a minute them in other speakers.” and a half on a given Inspired by his subject. Recently, Jo brother Cason, also During Table Topics one Byma, a seven-year a member, Ryan Van member, challenged seeks more of member asks the others to Driel speakers with topics a personal goal. “I about obscure British want to fill in the gaps extemporize for a minute celebrations. Another of my speaking by week the topic “mas- and a half on a given subject. finding the missing ter” chose Elvis Pres- Recently, Jo Byma challenged words.” ley hits. The timer, a To a s t m a s t e r s speakers with topics about training colleague armed with touches green, yellow, and red many parts of one’s obscure British celebrations. life. “It has made me signals, helps each speaker achieve suca better husband and cinctness. “Table Topics, my favorite part of father,” testifies Ron DeBoer, a Lynden prothe meeting,” intones Paul Holtzheimer, a fessional. Bellingham businessman. “Effective communication is essen Manual speeches “allow me to do tial in the family, in the community and at things I wouldn’t do otherwise. It puts work,” confirms Doug Chadwick, the club’s me out of my comfort zone,” explains Ron newest member. Hendricks, experienced toastmaster. It’s the people themselves who bring Nancy Kuelz, a member inducted in pizzazz and sizzle to the meetings, returnJuly 2011, also likes the challenge. She ing every Friday morning for a cupful of inmentions speech six in the first project spiration, practice, and achievement. Sixty manual titled “Your Body Speaks, Gestur- years and counting, we give you opportuniing and Using Body Language to Enhance ties to grow and flourish.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | Ferndale Record

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2012 PROGRESS EDITION

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Meridian High School's first new structure, the Career and Technical Education building, has rapidly taken shape since it was begun by Tiger Construction last fall. For more progress photos, see the Meridian schools' website. — Courtesy photos | CRAIG CALKINS

These Community Minded Businesses Proudly Welcome the

Jansen Art Center to downtown Lynden!

Thank You

Dr. Geoffrey Tupper

welcomes the

Jansen Art Center to Historic Downtown Lynden.

Geoffrey T. Tupper, D.D.S. 104 Sixth Street, Suite H Lynden, WA 98264 Phone: 360.354.0206

We celebrate the addition of

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Thank you for choosing Ralph’s Floors. 360-354-4804 • 1843 Front St., Lynden

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Congratulations

to the Jansen Family for turning their vision of the Art Center into a reality!

Thanks for preserving a part of Lynden’s history so beautifully!

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Welcome to Lynden!

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Welcome to Lynden.

We appreciate your commitment to our community. Sincerely, Jim Hale & Washington Tractor

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Thank You! We’re excited about the creative opportunities you are bringing to our community. - Doug Broersma

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We welcome the Jansen Art Center to downtown Lynden!

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