December 27, 2017
2017 OF
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Presented by the
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A supplement of the Lynden Tribune
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
2017 Best of Lynden
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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The results are in! The Lynden Tribune and Lynden Chamber of Commerce would like to give a huge thanks to all of the readers who participated in our 2017 Best of Lynden Reader’s Choice Awards. We are pleased to present the awards to the winning local businesses listed throughout this publication. Congratulations!
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Best Family Activity: Lynden Skateway Business has always thought of skating as being for entire families When locals are naming off certain nostalgia-evoking places from their childhood, there’s a good chance the Lynden Skateway will be on their list. It was the place where they met someone special or had a memorable experience. For over 40 years now, the Van Ornum family has been running the roller skating rink on Judson Street right below the downtown district. (The spot could be considered historic, as it is about where the town’s first white settlers’ cabin was in 1870.) The emphasis across the years has been on drawing families and groups of all types to the polished hardwood floor. Like others who grew up here, the Van Ornums list the skating rink as a memory-filled location of their own. At 71, owner Brenda Van Ornum still helps in running the busy Lynden Skateway rink, working most sessions, she said. Typically you can catch her, with her quad skates on, roaming about. School class trips, rink rentals by groups, birthday parties, roller derbies and just the normal hours of operation do keep Brenda and her daughter Terri Johnson on their toes. “We’re a family-run operation,” Van Ornum says plainly. “You don’t see too many of those anywhere. With the cost of running a business rising ... it becomes really hard.” But that’s how things have always been. The Van Ornums’ three daughters
helped to keep operations going even as they grew up in Lynden. Terri, the youngest, is a co-manager today. With the amount of time the family spent at the rink, understandably some of their fondest memories reside here. Brenda recalls planning, as a surprise, her late husband Pete’s 60th surprise birthday party in the building 11 years ago. “He didn’t know anything about it,” she reminisced. They had their own story as a couple, involving skating, as many do. Brenda had started skating as a little girl of 6. “My brother got me started,” she said. “I fell in love with it from there.” It was their shared love of skating that brought the Olympianative pair together. Lynden has had roller skating at least since 1946. The original big building was one floor bowling alley, one floor skating rink. When Pete heard the business was for sale, the couple came up to peruse the property and ultimately bought what was then known as the Lynden Skateway and Bowl. But changes were to come. A fire in 1994 caused irreparable damage. Two years later, the skating rink portion was rebuilt and open for business once more. Some things haven’t changed, however. Families still take to the rink, especially during Saturday afternoon skate, to spend quality time together. “We cater to families,” Van Ornum said. “A lot of activities parents would
Skating for all ages has been happening at the Lynden skating rink since 1946. (Ashley Hiruko/Lynden Tribune) strictly be watching their kids. Skating is something the whole family can do together.” For more information on Lynden
Skateway, visit the website at http://www. lyndenskateway.com or call to 360-3543851. — Ashley Hiruko
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
Best Customer Service: Wisers Furniture ‘Customers to friends’ is this business’s operating motto on a busy sales floor The sign at the door says: “Enter as customers and leave as friends.” Those are not just words to the owners and team at Wisers Furniture. Many customers are now friends. This is the second year in a row that Wisers has won for both Best Customer Service and Best Furniture Store in the Best of Lynden voting. “We have the best customers,” Margie Struiksma says from her office adjacent to the sales floor where she stays easily accessible for any questions. From Margie and Jerry Struiksma’s start in a garage, then on to Wiser Lake Business Park and now the current twostory 20,000-square-foot building at 168 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd., Wisers has grown to accommodate its customers’ needs. An elevator carries shoppers from the primary furniture section on the first floor to the mattress and clearance area on the second floor. “We are just honored that people voted for us,” Margie said. “Customer service is how (we got there). You’ve got to go
the extra mile.” After working at Lynden’s former New Crescent clothing store known for its customer service, Margie chose to be a stay-at-home mom for 25 years, raising her three sons and a daughter. When the youngest was a teen, Margie joined her sister Jean Jones in starting Wisers before deciding to buy out Jean’s share of the business. Margie and Jean’s father, Jim Alsum, of Alsum & Bode Furniture earlier, has continued to be available for sage advice for the new business. Jerry, until two years ago, was a longtime truck driver and would fill in at the store after working his 10- to 12-hour days. He is now fulltime there. “It’s been crazy busy since day one,” Margie said, even through times of economic change. “I give God the glory. We also have the best employees.” The Struiksmas’ sons help at times behind the scenes. Daughter Bethany Higman joined the now-14-member team of employees in 2015 after
The crew at Wisers Furniture poses for a holiday photo. (Courtesy photo/Wisers Furniture)
Wisers Furniture offers a large variety of options, including this three-piece sectional from Ashley Furniture. (Courtesy photo/Wisers Furniture)
studying business at Whatcom Community College and being in Woods Coffee management for several years. Bethany, who focuses on marketing and advertising but also helps out on the floor, says having a non-commissioned sales team is a big factor. Rather than being competitive, they are willing to help each other help the customer. “We don’t have sales quotas,” she said. “We focus on finding the right (item) to purchase for their home,” Margie said — whether the customer has a clear idea of what is wanted or gets advice from store staff. Wisers’ inhouse interior design services can help on room composition, furniture arrangement, and fabric and color coordination of
both home and office settings. Home accents available include lighting, soft goods and other décor. The furniture store has a full line of mattresses and a large clearance section of discontinued items, floor models, scratch-and-dent deals and simply “good deals.” Featured brands are Ashley Furniture, Coaster, Emerald Home Furnishings, Homelegance, Intercon Furniture, International Furniture Direct, Legends, Porter International Designs, Southern Motion and Stanton Furniture. The last two represent a sizeable interest for their marketplace in buying American-made products, Margie said. Customer appreciation
events with discounts happen throughout the year, Bethany said. These include one in summer, tent sales when weather permits, a Christmas open house and a September anniversary sale. Customers can opt to buy what they want directly off the floor versus ordering and waiting. If a customer prefers things not available on site, Wisers is happy to order it in. For the few times when something goes wrong, there is a claims manager on staff. Wisers also delivers and has driven furniture to as far away as Oregon. A few customers have made their own arrangements, Margie said, and have sent things bought to Saudi Arabia and Hawaii. — Elisa Claassen
2017 Best of Lynden
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
THANK YOU, LYNDEN! Commemorating 70 years building doors, 40 years in Lynden. Read the LYNDEN DOOR story www.lyndendoor.com/company Career opportunities online at lyndendoor.com
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
Best New Business: Connections Christian Store Bill and Evie Harmans went from closing a chain store to opening their own independent Just 10 months ago, Bill Harman’s job was to close a store, the Lynden outlet of Family Christian Stores, which was shutting down nationwide. Once it was all over, Bill, at age 60, was left to wonder, what’s next for me? Bill wasn’t ready to retire. He loved this type of work — and he is good at it, added his wife, Evie. He had spent 28 years managing Family Christian Stores, from Charleston to Lexington, then Bellingham and finally Lynden. Lynden was home. “My customers were my friends,” he can say. Bill did not want to go deeply into debt to have to set up a business. However, friends had offered to back him if he needed cash to do what many were encouraging him to do — start his own Christian bookstore in Lynden. The couple talked and prayed about it, thought through the steps, listened to key people for affirmation and guidance, and then early last summer decided to take the big step. “God just kept opening doors and opening doors,” Evie said. A switch of spaces in the Fairway Center with Shabby Sheep Emporium was facilitated by mall owner Byron Kooy. The Harmans opened their own independent Connections Christian Store in August — Evie also works at the Everson library branch — with Sue Heathers and Lynlee Willette their only other employees. The couple says that Lynden is “very unique” as a community in support of what they have done, and they would not have ventured into this situation anywhere else, knowing that profit margins can be slim and rental rates high. People here “believe in the vision,” and customers may show up in the store three or four times a month versus three or four times per year, as would be standard elsewhere. The Harmans reflect the friendly tone by having a table and chairs for seating and a pot of fresh coffee made for the day — “space to visit, sharing life,” they
call it. They know they are one of many community businesses that people may be visiting on a round of errands. Before the summer opening, all merchandise had to be ordered and obtained in about six weeks, with Connections as a new unproved buyer among the vendors. Then the store had to be set up from scratch. At first the Harmans weren’t so sure about the deep spatial layout with various nooks and crannies, but now they love it for bringing some character to the store. “All these things had to happen quickly. There was no summer. It was all a blur,” Evie said. In this business, you need to be ordering Christmas cards, candles and nativity sets for sure by September — “the things we learn,” she said. They want to make room in the store for local and specialized products they become aware of. For example, chalkboard art comes from employee Sue’s sister in Bellingham, and metal Bible verse wall hangings are supplied by Brett Van Weerdhuizen of Everson. Some products may be tied to helping a certain cause, such as stopping sex trafficking. They did call a base of former Family Christian customers about their opening. Evie uses social media to promote. A few pastors have been good boosters for them. But, they will say of startup success, “a lot of it is word of mouth.” As this is the only Christian book store in Whatcom and Skagit counties, they get customers in from both south and north (British Columbia). Bill listened closely to a “recipe for success” given by a seasoned businessman about keeping the parts of a retail business in proper balance. It was, in general, to turn 60 percent of sales back into product, to spend no more than 25 percent on payroll and property, and to contain “all those other things” (signage, fixtures,
Connections opened in the Fairway Center last August, the only Christian products store in two counties. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) utilities, decor) to just 15 percent of spending. Of course, know your strengths and play to them. Lyn-
den has always been big on greeting cards, and the core category of new books is doing well right now, the Harmans said.
And in any success formula must be serving people. “It truly is relationship-driven,” Bill said. — Calvin Bratt
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
New Business
Small Business
164 Bay Lyn Dr. A Lynden 360-922-0149
1730 Front Street Lynden 360-366-8917 Green Business
Customer Service
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Large Business
2077 Main St. Lynden 360-354-5676 Medical Facility
Family Care Network
We Take Care
211 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden 360-318-8869
168 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden 360-778-3870
Lynden Family Medicine 1610 Grover St., D1 Lynden 360-354-1333
VAN’S PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC, INC.
Thank You for choosing our company as
“The Best Plumbing & Electric Company” 307 19th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 (360) 354-2171 • (360) 354-VANS Fax (360) 354-5497
www.coconutkennys.com
Lynden
8122 Guide Meridian | 360-392-8435
#locoforcoco #coconutkennys
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Adult/Assisted Living
Dentist
Optical
V
Christian Health Care Center
eltkamp Family Dentistry
855 Aaron Drive Lynden 360-354-4434
1610 Grover St. Suite C1, Lynden 360-354-5691
Pharmacy
Fairway Drug
1758 Front St. #108 Lynden 360-354-1226
2017 Best of Lynden
1824 Front St. Lynden 360-933-1815
Chiropractic
Massage
OLSON Family Chiropractic 8304 Guide Meridian Lynden 360-318-1240
We’re honored to be voted “Best Customer Service” for the 2nd year in a row!
1610 Grover St. Suite B3, Lynden 360-393-3855
Blessed Again! Olson Family Chiropractic VOTED “BEST CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE”
OF LYNDEN 2017
Thank you for the support and we look forward to serving you in the new year!
Wisers Furniture 168 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd., Lynden 360-778-3870 • www.wisersfurniture.com
We would like to thank the community of Lynden and surrounding area for their wonderful support and vote of confidence, once again! We are humbled and blessed to be receiving the “Best of Lynden” award again this year!
Olson Family Chiropractic
360-318-1240
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
Beauty Salon
Barber
Talk
Fitness of the
Town
509 Front St. Lynden 360-306-0494
302 Front St. Lynden 360-318-8867 Veterinarian
Groomer
Kulshan Veterinary Hospital
8880 Benson Rd. Lynden 360-354-5095
1919 Front St. Lynden 360-354-7988
Lynden
115 E Homestead Blvd. Lynden 360-354-1196 Pet Supplies
LYNDEN VETERINARY H O S P I TA L
Thank You
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NORTHWEST
415 Depot Rd, Lynden 360-354-2108
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for voting us
Best Gifts & Jewelry! Providing Some of Lynden’s Best Gifts for over 17 Years!
Grandiflorahomeandgarden.com | info@grandiflorahomeandgarden.com Open Mon-Sat 11am-5pm
AUTO • HOME • COMMERCIAL • LIFE • FARM
“Happy to introduce Kyle Roosendaal to the Manna family”
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Pet Accommodations
6451 Hannegan Rd. Lynden 360-306-5931 Real Estate Company
8071 Guide Meridian #105 Lynden 360-354-4455
Automotive Services
8181 Guide Meridian Rd. Lynden 360-354-7698 Photography
2017 Best of Lynden
Financial Institution
418 Grover St. Lynden 360-354-4044 Insurance Agency
Lynden stefanandaudrey.com
8108 Guide Meridian Lynden 360-354-2200
Thank You For Choosing Us For
“Best New Business”
We enjoy being a locally owned independent shop that can fulfill the needs of our great guests. Thank you for your support!
Blessings to all in the new year!
Books • Gifts • T-shirts • Games Children’s section • Home decor • So much more!
360-366-8917 • 1730 Front St, Lynden • Fairway Center • Open Mon.-Sat. 9am-6pm
Thanks for choosing Zylstra Tire as the 2017 Best of Lynden Best Tire Store in Lynden! We appreciate it and look forward to Tires/Auto serving all of your tire needs!
Trust What You Love to...
ZYLSTRA TIRE
501 Grover St. Lynden 360-354-4493 Electrician Tyler Zylstra
Gilbert Silva
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Landscape/Mowing
W hatco m L awn s
Plumbing
In c
530 E Wiser Lake Rd. Lynden 360-354-5124
360-354-4493 501 Grover Street, Lynden
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Law Practice
VAN’S PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC, INC.
307 19th St. Lynden 360-354-2171 Remodeling/Construction
Nicole L. Terpstra,
VAN’S PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC, INC.
Attorney at Law, PLLC
307 19th St. Lynden 360-354-2171
709 Grover Street Lynden 360-318-9300
141 Wood Creek Dr. Lynden 360-354-3374
LY N D E N V E T E R I N A RY H O S P I TA L Thank You for Voting Us “Best of Lynden” in the Grooming Category! We are so proud of Anna! She has a love of animals and a special kindness that your pet understands. Dogs • Cats • Exotic Pets • Reptiles • Birds • Boarding • Grooming (Dogs & Cats)
LyndenVet.com •
360-354-7988 • 1919 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264
Happy New Year from all of us at Lynden Vet!
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Cleaning Services
Burger or Sandwich
191 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden 360-354-4145 Ethnic Food
Dairy & Ice Cream Stores
BEST
CONVENIENCE STORE 1011 E. Grover Lynden
908 Cherry Sumas
5905 Portal Way 458 Peace Portal Dr. Ferndale Blaine
www.edaleendairy.com
8122 Guide Meridian Lynden 360-392-8435 Coffee/Espresso
115 E Homestead Blvd Suite A Lynden 360-778-2849
Thank You! for selecting Edaleen 9593 Guide Lynden
Pizza
Burgers & Brew 8107 Guide Meridian Rd. Lynden • 360-354-2125 Happy Hour
655 Front St., Ste. #10 Dutch Village Mall, Lynden 360-393-3068
2017 Best of Lynden
2 LOCATIONS IN LYNDEN Bender Plaza, Fairway Center
Fairway Drug Proud to be chosen “Best Pharmacy” Thank you to all who voted us Best of Lynden! Drive-Thru Prescription Pick-up • 1758 Front St. #106, Lynden
Thank You for Choosing
Rich with beta carotene, Vat-pasteurized and non-GMO fed cows
Lynden Family Medicine is honored to be your Best of Lynden choice for Medical Facility. familycarenetwork.com Anacortes | Bellingham | Birch Bay | Ferndale | Lynden | Mount Vernon
Available at the Lynden Food Pavilion, Northwood Market, Front St. Market, Green Barn and all 5 Haggen locations!
as Best Local Farm!
112 H St. Rd., Lynden • (360) 410-7777
2017 Best of Lynden
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you for voting us
Best of Lynden
Serving with a high standard of quality and professionalism
360-354-5124
www.whatcomlawns.com sales@whatcomlawns.com
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Baked Goods
421 Front St. Lynden 360-354-3911 Grocery
8071 Guide Meridian Rd #101, Lynden 360-318-0688
2017 Best of Lynden
Local Food
Caterer
1726 Front St. Lynden 360-318-1302
211 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden 360-318-8869 Convenience
Gift Shop/Jewelry
Edaleen Dairy & Ice Cream Store
1011 E. Grover St. 360-354-5342
THANKS FOR THE VOTES! We’re proud to be voted “Best of Lynden” for Automotive Services.
719 Grover St Lynden 360-318-8854
Thank you
for voting us your Favorite Hardware Store!
We appreciate your support & business. We’re proud to be a locally owned and operated store for 46 years! -Dean Hendricks
How can we help you?
Hardware
1736 Front St., Fairway Center, Lynden
360-354-2291
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
Furniture
Farm Supply
Hardware/Home Improvement
1736 Front St. Lynden 360-354-2291
Clothing/Fashion
We appreciate it and look forward to serving all of your tire needs!
ZYLSTRA TIRE
401 E. Grover St. Lynden 360-354-3097 Florist
655 Front Street Lynden 360-778-1849
Thanks for choosing Zylstra Tire as the Best Tire Store in Lynden! Trust What You Love to...
Garden/Nursery
NORTHWEST 415 Depot Rd, Lynden 360-354-2108
168 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden 360-778-3870
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508 Front St. Lynden 360-354-7673
Thank you for choosing
VISION PLUS LYNDEN as your Favorite Optical again in 2017 From our family to yours, we love our patients and we care about you. Come join our Vision Plus family.
From left to right: Robby, Melissa, Mrs. Jenette McGiffin, Rebecca, Dr. John McGiffin, and Nathan
360-354-4493
Tyler Zylstra
Gilbert Silva
501 Grover Street, Lynden
New Office Hours: M-F 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm 1824 Front Street Suite B, Lynden • 360-933-1815
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Consignment/Thrift/Antique
408 1st St. Lynden 360-318-9333 Local Charity or Organization
205 British Columbia Ln # 1 Lynden 360-354-9930 Family Activity
Meeting Place
Local Farm
2 LOCATIONS IN LYNDEN Bender Plaza, Fairway Center
Wedding Venue
Accommodations/Hotel
421 Judson St Lynden 360-354-3851
112 H St. Rd. Lynden 360-410-7777 Golf Course
115 E. Homestead Blvd. Lynden 360-354-1196
Lynden Skateway
2017 Best of Lynden
115 E. Homestead Blvd. Lynden 360-354-1196 Thank You for Choosing Us!
Proud to be voted Best of Lynden 2017
100 5th Street Lynden 360-746-8597
H O M E S T E A D F I T N E S S
115 E Homestead Blvd. Lynden • 360-354-1196 homesteadfitness.com
Thanks for voting our office Best of Lynden Law Practice!
Thank you! Serving Lynden and Whatcom County
Nicole L. Terpstra ATTORNEY AT LAW, PLLC 709 Grover Street, Lynden • 360-318-9300
We’re honored to have the opportunity to serve you in your lawn and garden needs!
(360) 354-3097 • 401
•
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
2017 Best of Lynden
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Thank You for Choosing
as Best Insurance Agency in Lynden!
NORTHWEST Energy | Agronomy | Retail
Voted Best Pet Supply Store AND Best Farm Supply Store!
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We appreciate your support! Guided, Trusted, Local.
(360) 354-2200
8108 Guide Meridian Lynden, WA 98264 www.guideinsuranceservices.com
Thank you for voting for us! We love that you voted us the 2017 Best Pet Food Supply Store and Best Farm Supply Store. Stop by soon to see what else we have in store. You’ll find everything you need from pet supply to gardening, clothing and more! We look forward to serving you for all your pet and farm supply needs and more in 2018!
CHS Northwest 415 Depot Rd., Lynden 360.306.3800
CHS Northwest True Value Fairway 119 17th Street, Lynden 360.354.5671
Everything you need for Home & Farm.
chsnw.com
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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2017 Best of Lynden
A HUGE THANK YOU to our
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readers! Your votes determined the winners of the 2017 Best of Lynden!
THANK YOU!
360-354-4444 • www.lyndentribune.com 113 6th St., Lynden
141 Woodcreek Dr., Lynden Phone/Fax: 360-354-3374
A big Thank You for voting us
Best Remodeling/Construction in Lynden! Matt & Jerry
We look forward to doing our best for you in the future.
2017 Best of Lynden
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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“Thank you, Lynden for voting us Best Veterinary Hospital in Lynden 6 years in a row!”
- The crew at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital
Now Open in Ferndale!
Check out our new location to serve you better!
Caring for All Creatures Large and Small Emergency Services Available • 12 Veterinarians on Staff • Therapeutic Laser • Ultrasound • Exotics • Boarding Facilities • Laser Surgery • Nutritional Consulting • Digital Radiography • Endoscopy • In-House Lab
Kulshan Veterinary Hospital PLLC (360) 354-5095
8880 Benson Rd., Lynden, WA • 6220 Portal Way, Ferndale
American Animal Hospital Association Accredited Hospital
Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 27, 2017
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Brady DenBleyker
Karen Timmer
Wynden Holman
2017 Best of Lynden
Brooke Stremler
Bonnie Vander Yacht
Duane Vander Yacht
Thank You, Lynden for the vote of confidence! Darrel Timmer
Jim Huleatt
2017
We are proud to be voted
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Tresie Wiersma
Jason Heutink
www.windermerewhatcom.com
Sid Mellema
8071 Guide Meridian 360-354-4455 • 800-234-1841
Sharon Engels
Aimee Slesk
Ron DeBoer
Mike Vail
Mike Kooy
Keith Bouma
Lester VanMersbergen
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
Marv VanMersbergen
Loren VanCorbach