The Best of Lynden 2017

December 27, 2017

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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