Ferndale boys basketball loses to Lynden, 56-44
Golden Eagles host Lakewood on Jan. 3 at 7:15 p.m. — Sports, B1
Ferndale School Board meets with Lummi Nation’s education board
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE — On Dec.
17, the Ferndale School Board and the Lummi Nation’s education board discussed Native American student achievement and participation in Ferndale schools.
e meeting allowed the two boards to discuss their joint commitment to foster academic growth amongst indigenous students in the school district.
e meeting started
with Ferndale Assessment Coordinator Bobby Olsen giving a presentation concerning the data and statistics that re ected both the progress made by Ferndale’s native students and the academic challenges they still face.
Before that presentation, Ferndale School District Superintendent Kristi Dominguez had a few words of thanks for district sta .
“Our goal tonight is to present joint policy and procedures but also to
look at the data,” Dominguez said. “Bobby Olsen will be sharing that, but there’s another type of data that we often forget about and that’s the story. So I just wanted to give a special shout-out to our sta who support our native students every single day.
ey’re strong advocates and they’re making things happen every day for our kids.”
Some of the statistics in Olsen’s presentation
See Lummi Nation on A3
Ferndale School Board reorganizes leadership for 2025
Directors approve water action plan, new playground for Mountain View Learning Center
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE — Kevin Erickson will continue as the Ferndale School Board’s president for 2025. Peggy Uppiano will continue as the board’s vice president in 2025.
On Dec. 17, the Ferndale School Board discussed, considered and voted for its annual reorganization. Which means it could either select a new president and vice president or keep the same leadership for the new year. After he read the district’s policy on the vote, 1210, Erickson opened the oor for nominations. e board voted almost unanimously for him to remain as president, although Council Member Nancy Button, who voted for Uppiano to become the board’s president. After the vote was con rmed, the board then initiated the vote for vice president. e board voted unanimously to keep Uppiano as vice president. Also on Dec. 17, the Ferndale School board made the following decisions:
• Adopted a new water action plan to reduce drinking water lead concentration down to ve parts per billion, (ppb.) In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that
required all school drinking water outlets installed before 2016 be tested for lead contamination. e bill required that all school drinking fountains be tested by July 2026.
Some of the requirements for the new action plan include a necessity for the plan to be developed in consultation with the state Department of Health.
e action plan also stated that, if test results yield elevated lead concentration in the water, the district must have mitigation measures for schools to implement as well as a schedule for remediation activities.
• A new playground will come to the Mountain View Learning Center as the board accepted a contract to construct the new playground sometime in the next year.
According to the Ferndale School District website, e Ferndale School District was selected and recommended through a competitive bidding process to be recommended for funding to be used to purchase and install a playground that is compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act regulations.
Funding for the project, which the agenda speci ed is not to exceed $700,000 will be provided by the Community Priorities Fund.
Funding for this playground equipment allows for children with special needs to work toward a variety of kindergarten readiness activities through play-based learning curriculum used in FSD’s early education programs.
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@lyndentribune.com.
Ferndale High School student renovates heritage society jail
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE
— For most high school students in America, the oncoming holiday season represents a time where they can cut back and let loose for a few weeks. However, for Ferndale High School student Josh Anders, the real work is yet to come.
In January, Anders will receive his o cial Eagle Scout Board of Review, a formal meeting that represents a major step forward in the advancement process of a Boy Scout.
One of the most important requirements of becoming an Eagle Scout is the completion of a service project. For scouts, this is a signi cant volunteer community project.
According to the Boy Scouts of America website, the service project is an opportunity for scouts to plan, develop and lead a project that bene ts their community or a nonpro t organization. e project should demonstrate leadership and requires a signi cant number of hours to complete. Scouts will need to complete the Eagle Scout Board of Review after completing their Eagle Scout project.
Last summer, when looking for his service project on, Anders returned to one of his favorite haunts in Ferndale: Pioneer Village.
Ferndale senior Josh Anders will receive his o cial Eagle Scout Board of Review in January. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is a formal meeting that represents a major step forward in the advancement of a Boy Scout.
“I’ve been involved with a lot of projects over the years with the Boy Scouts,” Anders said. “But this one being my service project, it’s been one of my biggest ones yet.”
During his freshman year of high school, Anders helped out at the Ferndale Heritage Society as a favor for one of his hometown’s cultural institutions.
“I grew up in Ferndale and am a proud third-generation Whatcom County resident,” Anders said. “So I always loved going to Pioneer Park whenever they were having their Old Fashioned Christmas or the Old Settlers Picnic. I was always fascinated by the history they had and wanted
See Anders on A2
Early deadline for New Year: Noon Dec. 27 for editorial, advertising, obituaries.
Members of the Lummi Education Board and the Ferndale School Board met on Dec. 17. (Luke Seymour/ Ferndale Record)
Kevin Erickson will continue as Ferndale School Board president in 2025. Erickson is pictured at right with Superintendent Kristi Dominguez. (Luke Seymour/ Ferndale Record)
(Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
Ferndale School District faculty looks
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE —As 2024
ends, many people in
Whatcom County and around the world will look back on the year and re ect on the achievements that were made and obstacles overcome. is year, e Ferndale School District is no exception.
e year 2024 was a year of great change for the district as students, faculty and family alike rode the highs and lows of the past 12 months. Over the summer, the district saw the re-opening of a new and improved Ferndale High School. e year 2024 was also the year the district launched its o cial comprehensive strategic plan that will act as a guide of operations for Ferndale schools for the next several years.
However, in 2025, the district faces steep challenges, including increasingly limited government funding and rising costs of materials. e Ferndale Record asked the district’s leadership what they believed was their department’s greatest achievements in 2024 as well as what they look forward to in 2025.
Ferndale Record: First,
could you give me at least three things you are proud that Ferndale Schools accomplished in 2024?
District Superintendent Kristi Dominguez: In 2024, our district has achieved several signicant milestones, but the thing I’m most proud of this year is the launch of our new strategic plan. is plan serves as the guiding framework for our entire district, shaping decisions, priorities, and initiatives at every level. It re ects our core values of belonging & inclusion, community, and academics and excellence, and it has already begun uniting sta , students and families around a shared vision for the future.
Kellie Larrabee, executive director of teaching & learning: Expansion of early learning o erings, including full- and parttime inclusive preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds; implementation of aspects of our early learning plan, including a focus on learning environments, play and observational assessment; continued implementation of MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) structures and processes to support core classroom teaching and provide collaborative approach to meeting student individual and collective needs; professional
Serve on our Board of Supervisors & be a leader in local conservation
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development on e ective teaching practices including universal design for learning, all in promotion of increasing student engagement in their learning and increasing belonging; expansion of CTE course o erings at the high school and e orts in partnerships with higher education to create easier access and multiple pathways to postsecondary options for students.
Holly Graham, executive director of nance: Re ned budget process and improved budget collaboration; focused onnancial literacy throughout organization.
Kara Silsbee, director of human resources: Utilizing InformedK12, Collaborative bargaining process with FEA, FAAA and FPA.
Celina Rodriguez, executive director of communications: is calendar year we held the ribbon cutting for the new and fully completed Ferndale High School. e communications team had the pleasure of planning this community event and we were incredibly proud of the turnout, seeing multiple generations come out to celebrate such an important milestone for the community. is summer/fall, we
launched the ( nal product) strategic plan to our Ferndale School District community. is document was a collective work of many voices, and we had the opportunity to package up the visuals for this to capture that collective voice. We are incredibly proud of this project.
Finally, the communications department received three communications awards from the Washington Schools Public Relations Association in the Newsletter and Video (storytelling) categories.
Record: What do you look forward to Ferndale
Schools doing in 2025?
Dominguez: In the new year, I am most looking forward to our upcoming State of the District address. is will be a pivotal moment for us to connect with our community in a meaningful way, providing updates on our progress, celebrating successes, and sharing our vision for the future.
Larrabee: Focus on family engagement, Increasing sta , student and community con dence and belonging in our schools and communities, Continuing to support teachers in providing instruction that is student
Ferndale administrative o cials shared with the Ferndale Record what some of the district’s greatest triumphs were as well as what they look forward to in the coming year. (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
centered, exible and engaging. Expanding to offer CTE courses in our middle schools; continued implementation of our early learning plan; and we are most excited about the implementation of our School Improvement Plans aligned to the goal areas in our new strategic plan and how this concerted e ort will result in improved outcomes and successes for our students. Graham: Continue to align district’s expenditures with Strategic plan, migrate to Qmlativ [Education Management system], build on improved budget process.
Anders: Eagle scout breathes new life into historic pioneer village structure
Continued from A1
to spend more time there.
“Around the end of my freshman year, the thought occurred to me: I could just volunteer there and then I’d get to hang out in all the cabins and get to check out all their artifacts. So I showed up to a general meeting and they got me plugged in and I haven’t looked back”
Since then, Anders has performed dozens of tasks for the heritage society, such as cabin tours during the holidays as well as
cataloguing artifacts.
However, Anders said, none of his previous tasks have been quite as daunting as the one that he selected for his Eagle Scout service project: restoring the Lynden jail structure in the Pioneer Village.
“At the point when I was rst looking for my Eagle Scout project, I had really had a great relationship with the heritage society and really appreciated what they had done for me by then. I wanted to give back in some way,” Anders said. “So I asked them if
they had anything specically that they wanted me to do or anything that I could help them with. We talked about it for a little while and landed on the jail.”
Constructed in the early 1880s near Lynden and moved to Ferndale in 1996, the Lynden jail structure is one of the oldest preserved buildings in Whatcom County. Although the heritage society has gone through great pains to preserve the building, the jail nonetheless fell into disrepair. e heritage society hired Anders to help return the jail to its former glory.
“Once we got the okay from the city, I got to work,” Anders said. “I stripped all the old whitewash from the inside and repainted the interior. Some bunks that were added in 1993 were falling apart and weren’t safe for guests to sit on, so I took them out and rebuilt them with new lumber. en one of the doors was sagging under its hinges because of its weight. e whole building is stacked two-by-four. It’s really heavy stu , so we decided to get a forklift. We lifted it o its hinges. en we put some washes in it, so it swung more freely.”
According to Linda Harkleroad, vice president of the Ferndale Heritage Society, not all of Anders’ contributions were renovation related.
“We initially hired him
as an intern to do some digital cataloguing for us,” Harkleroad said. “ en he came to us and said he needed to do a project for his Eagle Scout con rmation, and we proposed he x up the jail. He jumped right on that. Not only did he renovate it, but he did all this research on the jail. He has a big poster in there now talking about where the jail came from.
“On top of all of that, he’s going to open up the jail for people to come inside of it. is will be the rst Christmas we ever opened the Lynden jail.
“He’s been an incredible help to us. We’ve been so happy to have him.” Anders said he was ultimately happy with the jail results and was thankful for the opportunity to help his community.
“One of my big beliefs is that we all, as humans, have a certain set of skills and strengths that we’ve all been blessed with,” Anders said.
“I think part of our responsibility is to use those strengths to help others as much as we can.
“What I love about the Ferndale Heritage Society is that they’ve given me the opportunity to serve while also having a great time. is hardly ever felt like work. I was having so much fun it felt like a dream job to me.”
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@lyndentribune.com.
Open House for Christmas in Ferndale
Lummi Nation: Ferndale schools see progress in Native student graduation
included native student graduation rates. According to Olsen, students who identify as Native American had a lower graduation rate than students who identify as non-Native American. However, in 2023, the gap started to close. According to a graph in Olsen’s presentation, in 2018, Native American students had a 68% graduation rate, while non-Native American students had an 87% graduation rate. In 2023, Native American student graduation rate jumped to 80%, with non-Native American student graduation dropping to 85%. Olsen then followed those statistics by showing data that revealed 84% of Ferndale High School’s Native American students are on track to graduate as of October of this year. However, some statistics re ected some challenges that Native American students face academically. According to the presentation, Native American students have a far lower attendance rate percentage than their non-native counterparts. e presentation showed that 72% of non-native students attend class regularly, while only 49% of native students attend class regularly.
Mia Owings, who works at Ferndale High School as a Native American liaison, attributed much of the attendance issues to lack of proper transportation.
“I was asked how we can increase attendance for our Native American students,” Owings said. “I said, ‘Well, transportation is our biggest barrier.’ Parents go to work and students have no gas. I said that having service for transportation would be a big help. So we performed something like a
pilot run this year.”
To address this need, Owings picked up students with high absent rates and drove them to school.
“One kiddo had a 93% absent rate, but then it ipped as soon as we started the pickups.”
Owings also talked about the contrast in results that she saw in her pickup plan and transportation methods used by schools in Whatcom County.
“Skyline (Middle School) did have sta that tried to go out to the homes and pick kids up, but the parents were not so forthcoming,” Owings said. “ ey would cuss them out and threaten to remove their kids from the schools, so I said, ‘let me try.’ When we would go out and pick them up it was like a 360. ey would thank us for doing so. It just goes to show that it makes a world of di erence to have a community member that looks similar to them go in and pick them up.”
After Olsen’s presentation, the oor was given to Brandi Whitney, who works as a Native American liaison for Horizon Middle School. Whitney
spoke about the ways she used extracurricular activities to work with native students in Ferndale. One of the main programs Whitney uses to spearhead some of these activities is the Kwechost Club, which combines students from both Horizon and Vista Middle School. e club meets monthly and gives students the chance to engage in culture and leadership activities such as beading, sewing, making jam and canning sh.
Connie Martin, a Lummi Education Board member, thanked Whitney and some of the other district sta members and said that they were making great contributions by helping native students connect with their culture.
“We know teaching young people about handling the cedar, doing the beading, it calms them,” Martin said. “It calms their little spirit so that they’re able to learn more rapidly. I thank you for recognizing those gifts, because we need to remind them who they are and where they come from, so they feel their worth.”
Members of the Lummi Education Board and the Ferndale School Board met on Dec. 17. (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
On Dec. 18, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce hosted a Holiday Open House. Festive treats, hot cider, cocoa and good conversation were on the menu, as was an opportunity to bring an ornament to decorate the Chamber tree. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
FORUM
Bring goodwill, cheer to forgotten people
Editor, is year as in years before, the ritual of Christmas gift giving to local residents in care centers has been the highlight of the season for the Assistance League of Bellingham. For each of the 120 residents in the six care centers, we feel a oneness in this rich tapestry of the Christmas season.
From wish lists for each resident provided by the activity directors, our members carefully select the items that will make their lives more enjoyable and comfortable.
e nancial support for the Care Center Program is mainly provided by the revenue from our rift and Gift Shop. Preparation for Christmas extends year round for the Peaceable Quilters from Lynden who tirelessly gather the material and whose talents create artistic and beautiful lap quilts. We celebrate with a great sense of gratitude their donation of 80 lap quilts that carry their love, prayers and support for the care center residents.
Sadly, many residents have no close relatives nor have visitors and spend the holidays alone in their memories. Perhaps this year you might make room in your holiday to call a care center and inquire what you may do to bring some goodwill and cheer to a forgotten resident.
Helen Moran Bellingham
WHERE TO WRITE
North Whatcom Public education Blaine School District, 765 H St., Blaine, WA 98230, 360-3325881. Superintendent Christopher Granger, email: cgranger@ blainesd.org. Website: blainesd. org. Ferndale School District, 6041 Vista Drive/P.O. Box 698 Ferndale, WA 98248, 360-383-9200. Superintendent Kristi Dominguez, 360-386-9207, email: Kristi.Dominguez@ferndalesd. org. Website: ferndalesd.org. Lynden School District, 516 Main St., Lynden, WA 98264, 360-354-4443. Superintendent David VanderYacht, 360-3544443 ext. 3414, email: vanderyachtd@lynden.wednet.edu. Website: lynden.wednet.edu. Meridian School District, 214 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360-398-7111. Superintendent James Everett, email: jeverett@ meridian.wednet.edu. Website: meridian.wednet.edu Mount Baker School District, 4956 Deming Road/P.O. Box 95 Deming, WA 98244, 360-3832000. Superintendent Mary Sewright, 360-617-4600, msewright@mtbaker.wednet.edu. Website: mtbaker.wednet.edu. Nooksack Valley School District, 3326 E. Badger Road, Everson, WA 98247, 360-9884754. Superintendent Matt Gal-
Submitting letters or guest opinions
e Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers encourage guest opinions as well as letters to the editor. However, submissions must refrain from attacking individuals without providing supporting documentation or a rational and legally defensible justi cation
Letters should be emailed to editor@ lyndentribune.com and must be received by noon Monday if they are to publish in that Wednesday’s newspaper. If letters cannot be sent electronically, they may be typewritten or neatly handwritten and must be received by Friday if they are to publish in the following Wednesday’s newspaper.
Letters should not exceed 300 words. Guest opinions may not exceed 500 words and must include a clear photograph of the author.
Your letter or guest opinion must include your full name, complete address and telephone number. Your address and telephone number will not be printed in the newspaper but will be used for verication by newspaper sta . Neither unsigned letters nor letters containing personal attacks of a libelous nature will be published.
e Tribune and Record newspapers reserve the right to edit or refuse any letter. Furthermore, space limitations may also preclude letters from being published.
ley, email: matt.galley@nv.k12. wa.us. Website: nv.k12.wa.us. North Whatcom Municipal City of Everson, 111 W. Main St./PO Box 315, Everson, WA 98247, 360-966-3411; Mayor John Perry, email: mayor@ci.everson.wa.us. City Clerk/ Treasurer Melanie Dickinson, email: mdickinson@ci.everson. wa.us. Website: ci.everson.wa.us. City of Ferndale, 2095 Main St./ P.O. Box 936 Ferndale, WA 98248, 360-384-4302; Mayor Greg Hansen, 360-685-2350 ext. 1105, email greghansen@cityo erndale.org. City Administrator Jori Burnett, 360-685-2351 ext. 1104, email joriburnett@cityo erndale.org. Website: cityo erndale.org. City of Lynden, 300 4th St. Lynden, WA 98264, 360-354-1170; Mayor Scott Korthuis, email korthuiss@lyndenwa.org; City Administrator John Williams, email williamsj@lyndenwa.org. City of Nooksack, 103 W Madison St, Nooksack, WA 98276, 360-966-2531. Mayor Kevin Hester kevin@cityofnooksack. com. Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Arnason, email: virginia@ cityofnooksack.com. Website: cityofnooksack.com. City of Sumas, 433 Cherry St./ P.O. Box 9 Sumas, WA 98295, 360-988-5711; Mayor Bruce
All columns and letters on the opinion page are the views of the authors and do not necessarily re ect the views of the Lynden Tribune or Ferndale Record newspaper.
Submitting articles of interest
Readers of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspapers are encouraged to submit articles of interest for inclusion in our newspapers. Submitted articles should focus on areas of interest to the communities we serve.
Opinions, complaints and politicking belong in the Letters to the Editor and will not run as a feature article. Articles promoting a vendor’s services, or advertisements disguised as articles, will not be accepted.
e Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record have a separate mechanism for advertising a business, and that is where such information should be kept.
Further, during the election cycle (June through the rst week of November), no letters to the editor nor commentaries naming candidates they support will publish in our newspapers. During the election cycle we publish candidate statements and responses to questions in a Q&A format as we provide balanced election coverage.
Our e orts to be accurate, as well as balanced in our coverage, are not negotiable.
Bosch, email: Bbosch@cityofsumas.com. Finance Director Jennifer Bell, email: jbell@cityofsumas.com.
Federal President Joe Biden (D), The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania. Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20500; Public comment desk, 202-456-1111; email form at whitehouse.gov/contact. Website: joebiden.com.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D), 511 Hart Senate O ce Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-3441; Public comment form at cantwell.senate.gov/ contact. Website: cantwell.senate.gov.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D), 154 Russell Senate O ce Building, Washington, D.C. 20510, 202-224-2621; Public comment email form at murray.senate. gov/write-to-patty; Website: murray.senate.gov.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D), 2163 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202225-2605; Public comment email form at larsen.house.gov/ contact. Website: larsen.house. gov.
State Governor Jay Inslee (D), O ce of the Governor, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002, 360902-4111; Public contact email form at governor.wa.gov/contact. Website: governor.wa.gov. Senator Sharon Shewmake (D), 213 John A. Cherberg Building, PO Box 40442, Olympia, WA 98504, 800-562-6000 or 360-305-0356; Public comment email at app.leg.wa.gov/ pbc/memberEmail/42/2. Or email Legislative Assistant Sarah Soulliere atSarah. Soulliere@leg.wa.gov. Website: senatedemocrats.wa.gov/ Shewmake. Representative Alicia Rule (D), JLOB 334, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, 360-746-3744; Public comment email at https://app.leg.wa.gov/ pbc/memberEmail/42/1. Or email Legislative Assistant Rachel Campbell at Rachel. Campbell@leg.wa.gov. Website: housedemocrats.wa.gov/rule. Representative Joe Timmons (D), JLOB 419, PO Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600; Toll-free hotline: 800-5626000, 360-786-7854. Email: Joe.Timmons@leg.wa.gov or public comment email at app. leg.wa.gov/pbc/memberEmail/42/2. Or contact Legislative Assistant Hayden Jenkins at (360) 786-6854 or (360) 7185299 or email Hayden.Jenkins@ leg.wa.gov. Website: housedemocrats.wa.gov/timmons.
North Whatcom County municipal, county governments
Lynden City Council
Lynden City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and the third Monday of every month at the City Hall Annex, 205 Fourth St. If Monday is a holiday, then council will meet on Tuesday. Visit lyndenwa. org for more information, including council agendas, which are released no later than 24 hours before the meeting.
Everson City Council
Everson City Council meets at 7 p.m. the secondand fourthTuesday of each month at Everson City Hall, 111 W. Main St. Visit ci.everson.wa.us for meeting agendas or for more information.
Nooksack City Council
Nooksack City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at Nooksack City Hall, 103 W. Madison St. If Monday is a holiday, then council will meet on Tuesday. Visit cityofnooksack. com for meeting agendas or for more information.
Sumas City Council
Sumas City Council meets at 7 p.m. the secondand fourthMonday of each month at Sumas City Hall, 433 Cherry St. Planning Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month if needed. Other committees meet only as needed. Visit cityofsumas. com for meeting agendas or for more information.
Ferndale City Council
Ferndale City Council meets at 5 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month. If Monday is a holiday, then council will meet on Tuesday. Meetings are held at the City Hall Annex, 5694 Second Ave. Visit cityo erndale. org for agendas and links to council and other committee meetings.
Whatcom County Council
Whatcom County Council meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse, 311 Grand Ave. Suite 105, Bellingham. Visit whatcomcounty.us for agendas and links to council and other committee meetings.
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OBITUARIES
Dean Stacy
Dean Stacy, 79, of Lynden, passed away at his residence on Dec. 14, 2024, due to cancer of his lungs that was subsequently linked to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He was surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones.
Dean was born on June 17, 1945, to Bill and Viola Stacy in Dinuba, California. Shortly thereafter, he and his family moved to Montague, California, where he spent most of his youth hunting and shing in the Shasta Valley with his dad and brothers. After attending Yreka High School in 1963, he enrolled in the California National Guard before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on Dec. 2, 1964.
After boot camp, Dean served two years aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61) as the captain’s orderly. e nal year of that deployment ended in the South China Sea as part of the USS Ranger’s sustained combat operations against North Vietnam. After deployment, he came right home and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Wilson, on Dec. 26, 1967.
Jess Joseph Lallas
On Jan. 30, 1968, the day of the Tet Offensive, Dean landed in DaNang, Vietnam, for his second tour of duty. A few months later, he was promoted to sergeant and moved to a new unit on Hill 55, southwest of DaNang. Dean would remain with the Hotel Company of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division, until his Honorable Discharge on November 15, 1968.
He and Ruth continued to live in Alameda, California, while Ruth attended nurses training until a visit to his in-laws, Barbara and Harold Bolt, made Dean fall in love with the mountains and waters of the Paci c Northwest. Dean and Ruth moved to Lynden in December 1969, and in 1970, Dean began a 37-year career with Mobil Oil in Ferndale.
When he arrived in Lynden, he quickly reverted to his childhood roots and began shing and hunting all over the Paci c Northwest. His hunting trips took him all over Washington, northeastern Oregon, and the mountains of north central Idaho in search of elk. Dean’s shing trips expanded the Puget Sound, the west side of Vancouver Island, and Rivers Inlet in British Co-
Jess Joseph Lallas, age 32, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Dec. 11, 2024. Jess was born on May 22, 1992 in Bellingham. He graduated from Sehome High School in 2010 and shortly after started his career at Western Re nery Services. Jess was known by his coworkers for his work ethic, humility, and sel essness. Jess was a model employee who always showed up on time, was ready to work, and had a focus on doing the job right. Jess found himself in one of the most demanding and critical positions on the crew: running the screed. Jess’s determination and natural talent helped him to excel in this position. He took great
Jana Michelle Wiersma Jansen
Our beautiful, vivacious wife, mother, daughter, sister and auntie was called home to the Jesus she loved and the One who held her tight for the past eight months during her courageous ght with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She passed away peacefully with her family around her. Jana Michelle Wiersma Jansen was born June 2, 1967, in Bellingham, and died Dec. 14, 2024, in Seattle. She graduated from Lynden Christian School and ITT Techni-
Judith Rae ‘Judi’ Hardan
lumbia before he retired to shing the Nooksack River. Nobody could out sh or outhunt him.
Growing up in Dean’s household meant his kids knew every outlaw country song, were subject to the dreaded “one nger hold,” and were reminded that any poor work ethic or behavior would not y in the Marine Corps. When they really messed up, they were reminded that they would have never survived growing up in Montague. e jokes were all in jest, but his kids took it to heart and desperately wanted to make him proud and prove that they could survive Montague and the USMC.
After retirement, Dean enjoyed several more years of hunting and shing and found a new love in his grandchildren. He ensured they had ample peanut butter and crackers and ice cream from e Green Barn. Occasionally, Dean would challenge his grandkids to a wrestling match, where the loser would be forced to “eat grass.” He doted on them all and loved bringing happiness to them. He was their Papa, and they all loved him so much.
Late in life, Dean became a caretaker for Ruth and was always by her side to help with day-to-day activities, but he still found time to sneak away to the river if the silvers were running.
pride in maintaining clean and wellcared-for equipment, a true testament to his dedication and professionalism. His attention to detail and respect for his craft was admirable.
In 2013, Jess met the love of his life, Kendra Bowen. Jess and Kendra bought their rst home in Custer in 2015. Jess spent countless hours manicuring his lawn and garden. He found so much pride and joy in maintaining their home. ey married in September 2016 and built a beautiful life together. Kendra was the center of Jess’s world, and he cherished her more than anything else. Family was the cornerstone of Jess’s life. He was always there to help his family when anyone was in need. He loved nothing more than sharing special moments with his nieces and nephews, who brought him so much pride and happiness. When he rst learned of his cancer diagnosis, his family was struck
cal Institute in Seattle, becoming a paralegal, working rst in Bellingham, then Seattle at law rms and the Port of Seattle legal department. Jana and Jordan Jansen were married September 2, 1989, in Lynden and began their married life in the Seattle area. She became a realtor and served in property management to accommodate her most important role, being a mother.
Jana loved ercely her husband Jordan and cherished her two sons Jackson and Willem, her family and her many friends and Dutch, the family Siberian Husky. She excelled at gracious hospitality as a hostess extraordinaire. She was the spark in both
Judith Rae Hardan was called to heaven on Dec. 11, 2024. Loving, God-fearing, and generous, Judi often remarked “I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.” Judi was fond of travel, golf, and boasting about her grand and great-grandchildren. She had a keen intellect and loved watching the L.A. Dodgers. Many knew her best in her role as a travel agent. Judi found joy in planning itineraries and traveling with her family. Judi was born on June 15, 1943, as her father was serving in North Africa. e eldest child of Clara (Munson) and Clarence “Pete” Long, she was raised in a hardworking, Whatcom pioneer family and educated in Ferndale. She met David Lester Hardan at Ferndale high, and their deep-abiding love was evident even in her last days. Once married, Judi worked as a secretary while David studied engineering at Washington State University. After graduation, Dave and Judi moved to Bakers eld, California. At an o ce Christmas party, Judi o ered to resign
Angie Schutte
He took care of his wife up until his last few months, and it pained him that he could no longer help her. e years of cancer treatments had slowly taken their toll but were met with grit, toughness, and determination. Dean never uttered a complaint. His oncologist said that in 20+ years of treating cancer patients, he had never met anyone tougher.
Dads are meant to be heroes, though not all live up to that expectation. Dean did. His kids will cherish his stories of growing up in Montague, his many shing and hunting trips, and, of course, his time spent in Vietnam. ey hung on every word; now, those words are just memories. When we close our eyes on those warm summer nights, we will hear the whiz of an arrow hitting the target in the backyard, the majestic sound of him practicing his elk bugle and the occasional line from his favorite Willie Nelson song. We sel shly wanted more time but have found relief that his su ering has ended. Dean Stacy is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Viola Stacy; his siblings, Bill Stacy, Joe Stacy, and Loretta Clark; his fellow Marine, Richard Triske (KIA, June 2, 1968); as well as some of the most loyal black labs a guy could ever have. He is survived by his wife, Ruth
by his remarkable positivity and strength. Jess often stated, “I’m just thankful this isn’t happening to my wife or siblings.” is profound, sacri cial love truly de ned who Jess was — a man who put others before himself, even in the face of a di cult battle.
Jess was a man of many passions. He found joy in the outdoors, including hunting with his loyal dogs (L.C. and Gunner), tending to his perfectly manicured lawn, and hiking with family through his favorite place: Lake Terrell. When Jess wasn’t at work or spending time with Kendra, he could be found hunting in Eastern Washington or driving through the mountains looking for his next hunting adventure. From a very young age, Jess had a love and passion for the outdoors that continued throughout his life.
Jess is survived by his wife Kendra Lallas, his parents Joe Lallas and Jill Starkey, his siblings Ross Starkey (Ti any), Anna Angle
families, and along with Jordan, planning and hosting Fourth of July and anksgiving events, as well as other summer parties and celebrations at their special getaway respite on the water in Indianola on the Kitsap Peninsula. Jana loved people, owers and gardening.
She had a classy air for decorating, fashion, and everything else. When the family moved to New York City in 2007 for a couple of years, Jana took advantage of every opportunity to explore e Big Apple and be part of the boys Geneva School community. She was an inspiration and an encourager to all. To know her was to love her. Her passing leaves a huge hole.
Jana’s faith in Jesus Christ was her compass and foundation for
from her position at Boyle Engineering so that Dave could be hired as an engineer.
A loving but rm mother, Judi supported her children Brad and Julie in all their various activities during her more than 50 years in Southern California.
Judi excelled at being a grandmother. She a ectionately referred to each of her grandchildren as Snicklefritz. Grandma Judi’s timeless quips and sayings will forever echo in their minds and hearts.
Judi’s memory will be treasured by her husband of 62 years, David Hardan, her children Brad (Kim) Hardan and Julie (Ron) Falcone, her sister Jacquee (John) Larsen, her grandchildren Aliecea (Kellen) Postma, Haley Hardan, Cole (Jaden) Hardan, Ezekiel Falcone, Elisha Falcone, and her great-grandchildren Bransen and Brooklin Postma. In honor of Judi, a celebration of life will be held on Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. at Rustler’s 405 Front St., Lynden. A private graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden, WA 98264. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Moles-Greenacres and Woodlawn Cemetery.
Angie Schutte went to be the Lord on Dec. 7, 2024. On Jan. 11, 2025 a graveside service will be at 1 p.m. at Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. at Immanuel Bible Church in Bellingham, with light refreshments following the memorial service.
Please share you thoughts and memories at the Sigs Funeral Services website.
Stacy of Lynden, WA; his sisters, Linda Elliot and Shirley Frost of Montague; his three children, Tristan Stacy of Lewiston, Idaho; Erin (Jonathan) Keneipp of Seattle; and Shane (Courtney) Stacy of Laurel; his ve grandchildren, Derek (Marissa) Luna, Drew Stacy, Kendall Stacy, Zak Stacy, and Jade Fitzwater; one greatgrandchild, Cora Luna; numerous nieces and nephews, his best hunting buddy of 50 years, Stan Jensen, and loyal friends Brian Caven, Lindell Coots, and Dorie Nelson.
As per Dad’s request, there will be no service. His cremated remains will be spread on some of his favorite hunting and shing grounds, with his parents and siblings in the Little Shasta Cemetery in Montague and one day with our mom at Greenacres in Ferndale.
Our family would like to thank the angels who walk this earth at the Bellingham Cancer Center, Whatcom Hospice, Serengeti Care, and Home Helpers. You treated our dad like your own, and we are forever grateful.
“Marines die, that’s what we’re here for. But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means you live forever.”
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
(Chris), Willy Lallas (Mikyla), and Katie Mallahan-Lallas, nieces and nephews Jack, Maci, Forrest, and Avery, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. We would like to profoundly thank Western Re nery Services (WRS) for their continual support of Jess through this last year. We are grateful for their commitment to their employees and their families. We are forever thankful for their love toward Jess.
Jess’s celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 at Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Drive, Bellingham. e service is open to all who love Jess and wish to celebrate his life. In lieu of owers, please support our dedication to a memorial bench at Lake Terrell. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-kendra-honor-jesss-memory.
Please share your memories of Jess on the website of Westford Funeral Home.
all she believed and achieved, until her nal breath. e many hospital stays were opportunities for her to display her devotion to her faith, where she rested in the knowledge of God’s ultimate healing of her body. What a witness she was, always upbeat, encouraging, and speaking of her Savior. Besides husband Jordan and her sons Jackson and Willem, Jana leaves behind parents Ron and Judy Wiersma, brothers Tim (Tammy) Wiersma, Madison, Sydney and Claire; Joel (Tresie), Georgia and Benjamin; in-laws Tom Jobe (Brendan Jobe, Jennifer and Adam Usner, Joel, Jake and Lauren); Janice Jansen (Kent and Robin Eiene, Elizabeth Hester, William and Gri th Hester, Chris Clanton and Emma Clanton); Jan and Kathy Jansen (Katie and Loren Craft, Madison and Charlie, Jan David Jansen); Joan and Steve Gould (Claire and AJ Porrini, Annie Gould); Jill and Stanley Steenmeyer (Stephanie and Tim Gerspacher, Connor Gerspacher, Shea Steenmeyer); Je rey and Kathi Jansen (Derek Jansen, Wyatt Jansen). Jana was preceded by brother in-law Joel Jansen, sisters in-law Jane Jobe and Kathy Jansen, and niece Erin Eiene Clanton. Memorial service will be held at Sonlight Church, 8800 Bender Road, Lynden, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. Memorial Funds will be posted using Jana’s name at caringbridge.org.
Carolyn Posthumus
Carolyn Posthumus went into the loving arms of Jesus on Dec. 17. Carol was born in Seattle on June 13, 1938. e oldest child of Agnes and Ed Kiteley. She married Richard Posthumus in 1957. ey had 61 loving years together until he went to heaven in 2018. She was a dedicated homemaker, raising three girls and volunteering for PTA in Bellevue schools, eventually becoming PTA president. She was their camp re leader and volunteered for several day camps as the crafty lady. For many years she was camp director at Hans Jensen day camp.
In 1978, they moved to Lynden to care for Richard’s mother. ey built a house and made Lynden their home with room for a larger garden over owing with vegetables and dahlias. Carol’s passion for sports focused on the Lynden Lions, Mariners and Seahawks. She was also a volunteer Lynden band parent.
As her children grew up, her home became the center of wonderful family holidays, especially Christmas. Making cookies as a family and delivering them to loved
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
ones was a cherished tradition. Her Super Bowl parties were epic family events. Carolyn mailed cards to family and friends on their birthdays and other special days. Christmas cards were her forte, sent to family and friends every year. Her legacy is loving and caring for others. She will be greatly missed. Carolyn is survived by her three daughters: Joy (Wesley) Born, Kathy (Ron) Stanford, and Lee Posthumus (Elisabeth Starnes); seven grandchildren: Heather (Ryan) Hanson, Duane (Sami) VanDyken, Ed (Tricia) Gorsegner, Lindy (Brandon) Terpstra, Deanna (Steven) Rauch, Holly (Andrew) Royal, and Trevor Born; 17 greatgrandchildren: Abigail Gorsegner, Sienna Hanson, Connor Hanson, Jasmine Terpstra, Leyna Gorsegner, Tyler Terpstra, Aria Hanson, Kate Gorsegner, Kaylee Terpstra, Cooper Terpstra, Braelynn Gorsegner, Madalyn Terpstra, Miles VanDyken, Damon Royal, Annalynn Gorsegner, Ellie Royal, and Isla VanDyken. Two brothers: Mark (Pam) Kiteley and Kevin (Vicki) Kiteley. Many Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Her lifelong friend (cousin) Norma Eskesen, and her Friend (like family) Lois Buhman. A celebration of life will be on Jan. 4, 2 p.m., at Sunrise Baptist Church, Custer. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
2024 FERNDALE: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Metalworks another fine gem on Ferndale’s crown
Images and Words 2024:
Part One
By Bill Helm Editor
FERNDALE — e City of Ferndale, both municipally and residentially, celebrated the grand opening of Metalworks Skate park in October. However, much of 2024 was spent in anticipation of this long-awaited project, another in a long line of decisions made to best serve the community.
Ferndale Mayor Greg Hanson said in October that he could remember when the idea for a skate park rst began to take shape.
“I remember the Ferndale Community Visioning meetings hosted by the City in 2006 where they asked the question, ‘What do you want to see in Ferndale in 20 years?” Hansen said in the Oct. 9 Ferndale Record
“Among all of the ideas, a skate park was toward the top of that list. Now, 18 years later, we were able to complete that vision for our community.”
Whether or not intentional, Metalworks also helps make communities such as Ferndale an even more attractive place to be for young families. Inevitably, property values increase the more a community becomes a destination. e cliché win-win is as true here as it is anywhere.
e year 2024 saw more than Metalworks come to Ferndale. is week’s edition of the Ferndale Record is a look back at some of the many stories and photographs to publish in the rst half of the year. Some of those stories are in regards to the area’s schools. Some stories are of the city governments and their inner workings. Others are of human interest, such as arts, music and theater.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@ lyndentribune.com.
January Jan. 3 Star Park arson under investigation
Ferndale police look for information on intentional damage to shelter on Dec. 27
FERNDALE — At approximately 2:11 a.m. Dec. 27, Ferndale Police Department and Whatcom County Sheri ’s O ce responded to a re at Star Park picnic shelter, in the 5400 block of Ferndale Road.
According to a Dec. 27 press release from the City of Ferndale, o cers arrived to nd a trash can attached to the shelter engulfed in ames and “were able to utilize a re extinguisher to smother the re and prevent further damage.” -- Sta Reports
Ferndale Library celebrates education partners
Introducing children to reading makes them
Snow, slick roads force school closures: Downtown Ferndale at Main Street is blanketed by snow early the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 17. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
‘more likely to be a reader for the rest of their life’
FERNDALE — Alix Prior o cially joined the sta of the Ferndale Library on Sept. 12, 2022. As branch manager the past yearplus, Prior has learned a bit about the community’s partnerships.
One of those connections is with the Ferndale School District.
Recently, Prior and Mary Vermillion, community relations manager with Whatcom County Library System, explained how in 2023 WCLS sta continued its partnership with the school district.
-- Bill Helm
Jan. 10
Mayor, three councilors start new terms
FERNDALE — Mayor Greg Hansen was sworn in for a second term, followed by returning Ferndale City Council members Herb Porter, Ali Hawkinson and Erin Gunter and then incoming new councilor McKenna Pinto-Gonzalez, all winners in the November election.
City Clerk Susan Duncan administered the oath of o ce at the start of the Jan. 2 meeting of city leaders. Pinto-Gonzalez replaces Paul Shuey in council Position 4.
-- Cal Bratt
Heather Sherrill named Ferndale Chamber’s new executive director
FERNDALE — On an interim basis, Lindsay Rohweder took over as the Ferndale Chamber’s board president in November. With the departure of Megan Juenemann to the City of Ferndale, one of Rohweder’s rst orders of business was to facilitate the search for a new executive director. e board was also charged with naming a new president.
-- Bill Helm
Jan. 17
Two Ferndale residents among 40 artists with work on display at Jansen Art Center
WHATCOM — On Jan. 11, the Jansen Art Center opened its winter juried
exhibit, as well as three in-
dividual featured exhibits.
In all, 40 artists have their work on display at e J through March 29. One of those is a Ferndale artist, Wayne Regehr.
A painter of landscapes, Regehr has two of his paintings in the current winter juried exhibit.
-- Bill Helm
Jan. 24
Ferndale sets sights on Metalworks
Skate park one of three projects Mayor Greg Hansen looks forward to in 2024
FERNDALE — Before summer, the City of Ferndale is expected to break ground on the long-awaited Metalworks Skate Park. is park has been in the works, and it’s been talked about since the community’s visioning meetings held in 2005.
-- Bill Helm
Help Ferndale Police Department identify hitand-run suspect
FERNDALE — e Ferndale Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run collision with injury, which occurred at approximately 5:26 a.m. Jan. 1.
-- Sta Reports
Ericksen Legacy Fund announces scholarship, community mini-grant programs
FERNDALE — e 2024
Doug Ericksen Community Legacy Fund scholarship applications are now available for seniors graduating from a Whatcom County high school or homeschool program.
-- Sta Reports
Jan. 31
Ferndale School District asks voters to support levy renewal
On Feb. 13, voters can decide whether to say yes to a four-year, $64M education programs & operations tax
FERNDALE — On Feb. 13, voters in the Ferndale School District will consider saying yes to a renewed Education Programs and Operations levy. is levy, according
to the district’s website, ferndalesd.org, “supports critical day-to-day operations of the district and provides students access to the technology, programs and sta ng they need to succeed.”
In 2022, the district’s voters passed a two-year EP&O levy. is levy is a renewal of the current levy. However, the renewal is for four years and for a total of $64M.
-- Sta Reports
Ferndale, Whatcom musicians to play Jansen Art Center ‘An honor to sing with these seasoned musicians,’ Ferndale School Board Member Nancy Button says WHATCOM — Although a Ferndale resident, retired educator Bob Storms assembled a group of jazz musicians he calls the Bellingham Dixieland All-Star Band.
Storms formed the band in 2009 when he started the rst Jazz Celebration concert series that ran for 13 years.
-- Bill Helm
February
Feb. 7
Ferndale commits to victim advocate support
FERNDALE — Whatcom County’s small cities are cooperating in a more formal way to provide advocate services for domestic violence victims.
Since 2014, the City of Ferndale has been the acknowledged leader of the e ort, hiring an advocate and billing other cities their share of costs without having an all-around written agreement.
-- Cal Bratt
Committee meetings ease council workload Ferndale council members meet Wednesday mornings before Monday regular sessions to decide what goes to council, what goes to consent agenda
FERNDALE — Ferndale’s seven-member council, as well as its mayor, meet at 5 p.m. the rst and third Mondays of each month at the City Hall
Annex, 5694 Second Ave. Council also meets from 8-11 a.m. the Wednesday before each City Council meeting in the City Hall conference room, 2095 Main St.
-- Bill Helm
City of Ferndale is trying for utility rate relief
Ferndale will study pluses, minuses of Grandview area sewer extension
FERNDALE — e City Council on Monday, Feb. 5, voted down yet another re nement of utility rates going forward, after e orts in recent months to give ratepayers a break in the 2024 rates.
e apparent outcome will be a reduction of the utility tax this year from 9% to 8%, but what break that actually means for ratepayers is unclear.
-- Cal Bratt
Ferndale Chamber grows by 10% in 2023
FERNDALE — In 2023, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce grew by 26 members. It is because of its 244 members, Hayden LeMaster explained, why the chamber exists.
-- Bill Helm
Feb. 21
Ferndale School voters pass levy
Measure passes by more than 55%, will help ensure students have access to resources to succeed
FERNDALE — e Tuesday, Feb. 13 special election will not be certi ed until Feb. 23. However, with an estimated two votes left to make o cial, results are about as nal as you can get.
As of 3:41 p.m. ursday, Feb. 15, Ferndale’s voters have passed a $64M educational programs and operations replacement levy (EP&O) with more than 55% support.
is levy, according to a Feb. 14 press release from the Ferndale School District, will “help fund the critical day-to-day operations of our district and ensure our students have access to the resources they need to succeed.”
-- Bill Helm
Recently reelected Satpal Sidhu re ects on his rst term in o ce, talks about plans for second term
FERNDALE — As Whatcom County’s executive, Satpal Sidhu has many tasks. One of which is explaining to people what exactly a county executive does.
“I have a saying that I like to say in front of my department heads that I think describes my duties pretty well,” said Sidhu with a selfe acing chuckle. “ at my job is to move all the stones out of the way. When everyone else is struggling to manage the road ahead, here I am, busy with my wheelbarrow, kicking up rocks so that your ride can go smoothly.”
-- Luke Seymour
Feb. 28
Ferndale high celebrates new football eld School district is ‘excited to share this facility with everyone,’ track and eld coach Don Pringle says FERNDALE — With winter sports drawing to a close, Ferndale is gearing up for spring sports and the opportunity to utilize the school’s recently unveiled stadium, which opened in the fall.
-- Joe Kramer
March
March 6
37-year o cer Gamage to retire from Ferndale Police Department
FERNDALE — Steve Gamage, a Ferndale police o cer for the past 37 years, will retire on March 7, the City Council learned at its Monday meeting. Gamage started with the Ferndale police force in November 1987, making him now the longest-serving employee in the history of the department, City Administrator Jori Burnett reported to council from Police Chief Kevin Turner. -- Cal Bratt
Ferndale School Board discusses controversial resolution If made law, House Bill 2331 would prohibit school districts from excluding ‘certain materials’ FERNDALE — On Feb. 27, the Ferndale School Board reviewed legislation designed to increase the state’s ability to determine a school district’s curriculum.
Should the bill pass, school districts could be defunded if they refuse to adopt controversial curriculum materials mandated by the state. Although other schools in the region have passed House Bill 2331 or draft bills similar in language, District Superintendent Kristi Dominguez explained that the item was posted on the agenda as a legislative update, which means for discussion only.
-- Luke Seymour
Mutchler steps down as Ferndale Alliance pastor Youth pastor Richard Finch to take over leadership at church FERNDALE — Jon Mutchler has spent the past 36-plus years as head pastor at Ferndale Alliance Church. Under his leadership, Mutchler and the church he founded baptized approximately 150 parishioners, preached more than 1,800 sermons and raised more than $250k for mission work. Quite a lot for one man, in one place, a man who in that time raised seven kids with his wife Diane, served and still serves on the Ferndale City Council, and teaches piano lessons. Mutchler’s agenda after stepping down from the pulpit later this March on Easter Sunday, would be to simply relax with his wife, Diane.
-- Luke Seymour
-- Cal Bratt
Farmers object to break for rural parcels Up to a half-acre of yard watering could use Ecology’s easier short form WHATCOM — e state-mandated adjudication of water rights in the Nooksack River basin begins in earnest in 2024, with legal action expected to be launched through Whatcom County Superior Court sometime this spring.
Once the process is set in motion, all water users will be required to declare and document their historic and present use of water from both surface and groundwater sources. Everyone a ected will receive a summons via certi ed mail, requiring a signature of the receiver.
-- Cal Bratt
March 20 Rep. Larsen secures
$19.3M for north Whatcom projects New Ferndale civic campus on list
WHATCOM — Second District Congressman Rep. Rick Larsen secured $19.3 million for 15 projects in northwest Washington in the scal year 2024 spending package that was approved by Congress March 6-8. ese are projects that community leaders identi-
2024 FERNDALE: A YEAR IN REVIEW
ed as critical to their communities, Larsen said.
-- Cal Bratt
Council hears from county health head FERNDALE — Beside approving payroll and meeting minutes, the Ferndale City Council had no business to act on at its Monday, March 18 meeting. Instead, the council heard for about 30 minutes from Erika Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department.
e longer name indicates how much more than just health concerns are dealt with, Lautenbach said, and councilors expressed surprise at the breadth of the issues covered.
-- Cal Bratt
March 27
Investigators seize fentanyl, rearm WHATCOM — Following a focused investigation, on Wednesday, March 20, members from the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, Whatcom County Sheri ’s O ce, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air served search warrants on two locations and two vehicles in Whatcom County.
-- Sta Reports
April
April 3
Ferndale residents speak up at school board meeting
Katie Dorr: students ‘should have a curriculum and material that re ects diverse perspectives’
FERNDALE — It was a full house at the Mountain View Learning Center on March 26 as several
Ferndale residents made comments during the Ferndale School Board’s monthly meeting.
Recently, the Ferndale School Board has discussed diversity, inclusion and state versus local control. For some in attendance, those discussions have proven controversial.
-- Luke Seymour
April 10
Pegasus pole returns to Lummi creators Hillaire art rst stood at 1950s Mobil re nery
FERNDALE — e socalled Pegasus Story Pole is returning to its origins with the Lummi Nation.
e carved pole has traveled a relatively short circuit within the Ferndale area, but in its life it signi es the close relationship between the city, local industry and the nearby tribe.
e pole was created in the 1950s by Lummi tribal member Joseph Raymond Hillaire, as a commission by the Mobil corporation for its new oil re nery, now operated by Phillips 66, on Unick Road.
-- Cal Bratt
Ferndale student to play
Tarzan
FERNDALE — A senior at Ferndale High School, Katahdin Fasani is a newcomer to Lynden’s Claire theater. For his rst casting call, he showed up to e Claire eater for Tarzan the Stage Musical in his bare feet and with his long hair and “impressed us all with his velvet voice, robust athleticism and towering presence,” David Bolden, the play’s director said recently.
“Audible gasps could be heard during auditions as he approached the stage to whispers of “that guy is Tarzan,” Bolden said. “ e stars truly aligned to bring us the perfect t for this title role.”
A soccer player for the Ferndale Golden Eagles, Fasani said family and friends told him about Tarzan: e Musical and how he needed to try out “because I was Tarzan in real life.”
“So it sort of felt like I needed to do this show to ful ll my destiny,” Fasani said.
-- Bill Helm
April 17
Metalworks Skate Park: ‘Pretty incredible’ City, community gather to celebrate groundbreaking of longawaited project
FERNDALE — On April 10, Ferndale residents and city o cials gathered to celebrate the o cial groundbreaking of Metalworks Skate Park. e ceremony represented the rst act of construction on the skate park, which city representatives expect to be completed by early fall.
-- Luke Seymour Ferndale Downtown Association’s new leader is eager to serve community
FERNDALE — Tosha Wade does it all. Well, perhaps not all of it, but she de nitely does a lot.
“It’s actually a little daunting to try and describe everything that my job entails,” Wade said. “So I mostly try to tell people that I do a little bit of everything.”
Wade is the newest executive director for the Ferndale Downtown Association, and according to her, that means having to cover a lot of bases.
-- Luke Seymour Whatcom County to cities: Jail planning gets speci c County executive, deputy talk with Ferndale, Lynden city councils WHATCOM — After
Whatcom County voted 63% in favor of new public safely facilities and programs in the fall 2023 election, the details of implementation now follow.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu and his deputy, Tyler Schroeder, brought their presentation of a justice project action plan rst to the Ferndale City Council and then on to the Lynden City Council Monday evening.
-- Cal Bratt
Ferndale home sales increase slightly, Bellingham prices soar
WHATCOM — Bellingham’s median home sales price soared in the rst quarter, but buyers were busier in the rest of Whatcom County, according to a local real estate report. e median price of a Bellingham home sold in the rst quarter of 2024 jumped 20% since a year ago to $780,000, according to Peter Ahn, co-owner of Bellingham-based e Muljat Group.
-- Dave Brumbaugh
April 24
Justice Project aims to provide ex-convicts with options outside of jail
WHATCOM — Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Deputy Executive Tyler Schroeder met on April 15 with Lynden and Ferndale city councils to discuss the county’s Justice Project. is new initiative looks to bundle the creation of resources and solutions for Whatcom County residents facing mental health and housing crisis with that of a new jail to be built in Ferndale.
-- Luke Seymour
May
May 1
Larsen visits Ferndale’s Unity Care FERNDALE — U.S.
Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) visited the Unity Care North Whatcom Medical Center in Ferndale on ursday, April 25 for a tour that showcased the ecological features and renewable energy technologies the medical center is developing.
-- Luke Seymour
May 8
Lenssen, Ledbetter o er student perspective
FERNDALE — Gabrielle Lenssen and Kwabena Ledbetter are the two student representatives on the Ferndale School Board.
-- Luke Seymour
May 15
Finding joy in numbers, art
Ferndale resident Liz Cunningham’s beadwork on display in Jansen Art Center’s Spring Juried Exhibit
WHATCOM — As a retired math teacher, Liz Cunningham can see numbers in just about anything, even in art.
However, Cunningham said that to her, art is also about learning to do the opposite: nding the beauty in mathematics and creating a story out of it.
-- Luke Seymour
May 22
E xpired COVID-19 relief money is one reason for sta ng cuts
FERNDALE — On April 30, the Ferndale School Board gave an update on their 2024-25 budget cycle. e update included a summary of the Ferndale school district’s 2021-23 audit report, which Holly Graham, the district’s director of accounting said included no errors or misstatements in the school’s nancial operations, which Graham referred to in the meeting as a clean audit.
-- Luke Seymour
2024 FERNDALE: A YEAR IN REVIEW
May 22 State of the city, but with a twist Ferndale mayor shares city expansion plans during monthly chamber luncheon
FERNDALE — Population growth and major projects. Essentially, that boils down Mayor Greg Hansen’s state of the city address at the Ferndale Chamber’s May 15 luncheon. After a few technical difculties at the front end of his presentation, Hansen presented Ferndale in 10 graphs that would demonstrate the city’s past, present and future growth and infrastructure, as well as lay out some basic summaries of future projects that the city is working on. e mayor called his presentation, “State of the City, but with a twist.”
-- Luke Seymour
Ferndale plans Memorial Day remembrance
WHATCOM — Each year, cities all across Whatcom County recognize Memorial Day with their ceremonies and remembrances.
Ferndale’s annual Avenue of Flags is from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. May 27 at Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Drive. Col. Wes Weston is master of ceremonies. is is a display of Veterans ags, with approximately 2,000 veterans ags lining the pathways.
-- Bill Helm
May 29
Ferndale council talks population projections, water
FERNDALE — Ferndale City Council discussed a variety of topics during its May 20 meeting, and ultimately approved 20-year population projections for the 2025 comprehensive plan and the drilling of a new well.
-- Racquel Muncy
June June 5
Kwabena Ledbetter wins student leadership award
FERNDALE — On May 24, the Washington Association of School Administrators awarded Ferndale senior Kwabena Ledbetter with a student leadership award during its annual awards ceremony. According to a Ferndale School District press release, Ledbetter earned the award through his “passionate leadership e orts, both within Ferndale High School and as a student advisory member of the Ferndale School Board. Since his appointment to the Board in 2022, he has consistently championed student voice and advocated for teens from underrepresented groups.”
-- Luke Seymour
Children’s Initiative Levy could be repealed County Auditor’s O ce must sift through 9,620 petition signatures WHATCOM — A box full of tax repeal petitions was turned in to the County Auditor’s O ce on Monday, and workers there immediately began the signature veri cation process. Out of the 9,620 voter signatures submitted, sponsors are con dent at least two-thirds will be found valid, enough to get the repeal question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
-- Cal Bratt
Ferndale celebrates new projects, community engagement Public Works Week a time for children, adults alike to appreciate city’s behind-the-scenes sta
FERNDALE — On May 23, the City of Ferndale held a touch-a-truck event
at Pioneer Park for children and families to explore the world of public works.
‘We had another great turnout this year celebrating National Public Works Week and engaging with the community about the exciting world of Public Works,” said Megan Juenemann, Communications and Community Relations o cer for the City of Ferndale. “We gave out 200 hard hats to children throughout the day who came to climb on vehicles and chat with our public works crew.”
-- Ava Ronning
June 12 New chapter for Ferndale High School Ribbon cutting, ceremony mark o cial celebration of new campus
FERNDALE — On May 30, Ferndale High School o cially celebrated its new campus with a ribbon cutting and an open house that included tours of the new facility.
Before the ceremonial ribbon cutting, district o cials such as Superintendent Kristi Dominguez noted the signi cance of the event and thanked the many project collaborators within the community.
-- Luke Seymour Ferndale Terrace parking moves project forward Ferndale council talks parking, single stream recycling
FERNDALE — e
Ferndale City Council had a busy meeting on June 3 that included a discussion and resolution regarding parking along Ferndale Terrace and heard a presentation on single stream recycling, among other topics.
-- Racquel Muncy
Horizon teacher named
Whatcom Wonders
Be The One mentoring has brought joy to Erin Gunter
A Ferndale resident, Erin Gunter volunteers with Be The One at Ferndale High School. Her past volunteerism work includes Horizon and Eagleridge PTOs, as well as Big Brother/Big Sisters of Whatcom County. She started mentoring with Be The One in 2021, took a break when the student she paired with graduated, then resumed her Be The One mentoring in fall 2024.
Ferndale’s Educator of the Year
FERNDALE — On May 28, the Ferndale School Board named Laura Friend the district’s educator of the year for 2023-24. At the end of each school year, the Lynden/ Ferndale International Lodge No. 56 F. & A.M. bestows the Educator of the Year award to exceptional teachers throughout North Whatcom County schools. e lodge also names educators of the year in the Blaine, Lynden, Meridian and Nooksack Valley school districts. e districts select educators they deem to be the most worthy reward.
-- Luke Seymour
June 19
Ferndale School District to o er summer meal services
FERNDALE — Ferndale School District will o er a free summer meal
program for any child 18 and younger at Eagleridge Elementary School, 2651 ornton Road, Ferndale. Meals will be available Monday through ursday from June 24-July 18. Breakfast is available from 8:45-9:05 a.m., lunch from noon-12:20 p.m. ere will be no meals available on July 4.
-- Sta Reports
Visitors spent $750.8M in Whatcom County in 2023
WHATCOM — Data released by Tourism Economics reveals that visitor spending increased in 2023, growing 9.1% from 2022 for an annual total of $750.8M in spending and revealing that tourism recovery continues in Whatcom County.
-- Visit Bellingham
June 26
Future funding for organizational grants Ferndale City Council
approves putting ARPA funds toward program
FERNDALE — e Ferndale City Council had a healthy discussion during its meeting on Monday, June 17 regarding the Organizational Grants Program and use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the programming.
-- Racquel Muncy New summer tour season at Pioneer Park
FERNDALE — On May 20, Ferndale history was brought back to life as the Ferndale Heritage Society began its 2024 summer cabin touring season at Pioneer Park Village. Every year, the Ferndale Heritage Society o ers visitors the opportunity to witness the origins of Ferndale and Whatcom County with tours of the village’s historic cabins. -- Luke Seymour
The following is from a Q&A with Erin Gunter, coordinator for Be The One at Ferndale High School.
Tribune: Why did you get started with volunteering?
Erin Gunter: I needed something positive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with the public during this time was very hard.
Tribune: What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
Gunter: My student brought me so much joy. It was fun listening to her talk about her future and her plans. She was so excited for college and beyond.
mentored out in the community. They share what they are dealing with, and we come up with solutions together. It is the best.
Tribune: What does your community mean to you?
Gunter: I love Ferndale. We have the best community and people come together and help each other out all the time. That is what Be The One is all about, supporting one another during all phases of life.
Tribune: Anything else you want to say?
Gunter: When I first joined I thought it would be beneficial for my student. I did not realize all the joy my student would bring me. So thankful for my students.
Tribune: What would you like to tell anyone who may be interested in becoming a volunteer?
Gunter: It is only one hour per week. You are matched with someone who has similar interests as you. Makes you feel young again. The program is amazing and works around your schedule.
If you know of a volunteer you’d like to see the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record feature in our monthly Whatcom Wonders special section, please email bill@lyndentribune.com or call 360-354-4444. Thank you.
Approximately 2,000 veterans’ flags lined the Avenue of Flags at Greenacres Memorial Park just outside of Ferndale as the city held a Memorial Day remembrance. This event is organized each year by the Whatcom Allied Veterans Council. (Elisa Claassen for the Record)
Lynden girls secure back-to-back wins over weekend
Joe Kramer Sports Editor
LYNDEN — e Lynden girls basketball team capped o a successful weekend with commanding victories over Stanwood and Ferndale, and improved their record to 8-0.
On Friday, the Lions overwhelmed Ferndale with a commanding 75-38 victory.
Sophomore guard Finley Parcher led the way with 23 points, ve rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Junior forward Payton Mills added 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while senior forward Kiki York contributed 10
points. Lynden jumped out to a 30-10 lead in the rst quarter and maintained control throughout the game.
e following night, Lynden continued their winning ways with a 52-27 victory over Stanwood. Parcher once again delivered a standout performance and nished with 26 points, six rebounds and eight steals.
Mills followed with 16 points and eight rebounds, while the Lions’ defense held Stanwood’s o ense to just 11 points in the second half.
e Lions will return to action on Jan. 4 when they face Mount Vernon on the road.
Lynden stays perfect with commanding win over Ferndale
Kramer Sports Editor
FERNDALE — Behind a scorching rst quarter from senior forward Brant Heppner and a steady team e ort throughout, Lynden remained undefeated with a 56-44 victory over Ferndale on Dec. 20. e Lions improved to 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in conference play, rst place in the Northwest Conference.
Heppner came out in full stride in the opening quarter and scored 12 of his game-high 25 points to set the tone early. Lynden jumped out to a commanding 22-13 lead after the rst eight minutes and never looked back. Heppner’s offensive dominance was complemented by consistent contributions from junior forward Ty Jorgenson, who added 12 points and nine rebounds.
Lynden’s ability to control the boards was a key factor in their success, as they outrebounded Ferndale 35-18. eir defense forced Ferndale into tough shots and held them to 33% shooting from the eld and 24% from beyond the arc.
Junior guard Mantaj Singh led the Golden Eagles with 12 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Jonah Brillowsky chipped in 11 points, but no other Ferndale player reached double digits. Despite a third-quarter push where Ferndale outscored Lynden 16-13, they couldn’t close the gap in the nal frame and managed just 10 points in the fourth. e Lions nished the night shooting with a 55% from two-point range and 83% from the free-throw line.
Lynden will now turn their attention to Grandview at the Yakima SunDome on Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. Ferndale, now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, will look to regroup over the break before facing Lakewood on Jan. 3 at 7:15 p.m.
Lynden boys swimming dives into new season
Sotomayor leads young roster focused on growth, rivalries and a return to district success
LYNDEN — Lynden High School swimming coach Olivia Nielsen expressed excitement and optimism about the boys’ team’s prospects this coming season. “It’s a smaller team [this year]. is is a building year for a younger team. I’m very excited to bring them into this season,” Nielsen said.
Entering Lynden High School’s winter school term, Nielsen will lead a team of ve returners and six newcomers. Of those returners, three are sophomores and two are freshmen.
“ ey all grew a ton last year; we brought all ve to districts….. With only one meet under our belt so far, all ve of our returning swimmers have already PR'ed in at least one event. We have had three swims breach into our LHS Top 10 and one Districts Quali er…. I aim to bring them all to districts again this year,” Nielsen said.
A small team also comes with its challenges. Namely, nding enough swimmers to ll enough events.
“Newer swimmers are often put in the "harder" events sooner than I would if we had a larger team. My goal is to push the boys hard enough in practice that these events are not intimidating,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen hopes to establish Lynden’s rivalries with the Ferndale, Burlington, and Sedro-Woolley teams.
“[ ey’re] the most competitive and we have great races with them…. Last year, we had a really small team and fell out of it. I’m excited for both newcomers and returners…. Right now, I just hope to instill passion and love for the sport in our current roster so we can get back to where we were two years ago,” Nielsen said.
She emphasized that this year was a return to fundamentals, saying, “we are working on technique re nement for everything from streamlining to buttery to become well-rounded swimmers.
“We also emphasize teamwork to create a fun atmosphere of camaraderie and support….
“Each week, we have ‘clinic days’ where our returning swimmers mentor one or two of their younger teammates on a speci c skill or stroke.
“Many people don't realize how hard swimming is until they try it -- and I give our returning boys huge credit for convincing each new name on our roster to stick with it.” e top prospect is senior Eugenio
See Swimming on B3
Joe
Troy Schulz For the Tribune
Behind Brant Heppner’s 25 points, Lynden defeated Ferndale, 56-44 on Dec. 20. (Joe Kramer/Lynden Tribune)
The Lynden Lions girls varsity basketball team overwhelmed Ferndale with a commanding 75-38 victory on Dec. 20. (Dennis Cairns for the Tribune)
PREP SPORTS ROUNDUP
LC basketball teams stay undefeated, other teams have mixed showings
Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Dec. 17
Mount Vernon 63, Nooksack Valley 58
Mount Baker 71, Sehome 53
Meridian 56, Squalicum 45
Dec. 18
Ferndale 63, Oak Harbor 49
Dec. 19
Nooksack Valley 70, Sedro-Woolley 78
Lynden Christian 69, Sehome 58
Dec. 20
Burlington-Edison 77, Mount Baker 56
Meridian 73, Blaine 44 Lynden 56, Ferndale 44
Dec. 21
Nooksack Valley 55, Lummi Nation 50
Lynden 57, Stanwood 51
Girls Basketball
Dec. 17
Meridian 39,
Squalicum 46
Nooksack Valley 50, Mount Vernon 49
Sehome 47, Mount Baker 44
Dec. 18
Lynden 49, Bellevue Christian 32 Ferndale 59, Oak Harbor 32
Dec. 19
Nooksack Valley 54, Sedro-Woolley 46 Burlington-Edison 74, Mount Baker 34
Dec. 20
Meridian 41, Blaine 9 Lynden Christian 61, Sehome 28 Lynden 75, Ferndale 38
Dec. 21
Meridian 42, Cedarcrest 20 Lynden 52, Stanwood 27
Boys Wrestling Dec. 19
Edmonds-Woodway 20, Ferndale 0
Lynden Christian boys basketball defeated Sehome 69-58 and stayed undefeated. (Dennis Cairns for the Tribune)
South Whidbey 8, Oak Harbor 58
Dec. 21
Mount Baker 66, Meridian 3
Burlington-Edison 60, Lynden 16 Blaine 2, Nooksack Valley 1
Girls Wrestling Dec. 19 Ferndale 66, Squalicum 18
Sedro-Woolley 42, Mount Baker 30
Meridian 60, Nooksack Valley 6
Burlington-Edison 42, Lynden 18
Joe Kramer Sports Editor
WHATCOM — As North Whatcom County high school teams head into the winter break, several programs are building momentum while others face challenges they’ll aim to address in the new year. Lynden and Lynden Christian’s basketball teams continue to set the standard with dominant performances on both the boys’ and girls’ sides, while Ferndale’s wrestling teams showcased their strength on the mats with a standout victory. Mount Baker, Meridian and Nooksack Valley each had moments of promise across basketball and wrestling.
Girls Basketball Meridian faced challenges with a 42-20 loss to Cedarcrest but notched a win against Blaine 41-9. Nooksack Valley picked up a win over Mount Vernon 50-49, but couldn’t carry the momentum and lost to Sedro-Woolley 54-46.
Mount Baker secured a narrow victory over Sehome, 47-44 but struggled against Burlington-Edison with a 74-34 loss.
Nooksack Valley had a mixed week with a tight loss to Mount Vernon, 6358 but bounced back with a 78-70 e ort against SedroWoolley.
Lynden Christian continued their strong start with a 61-28 win over Sehome, led by Tyra Dykstra’s 14 points and seven steals. Allison Shumate added 13 points while Alisa Scott came o the bench to chip in 10 points. e Lyncs’ balanced attack and defensive pressure kept their undefeated start intact.
Boys Basketball Mount Baker opened strong on Tuesday with a 71-53 victory over Sehome but couldn’t maintain that
momentum against Burlington-Edison in a 77-56 loss on Friday. Meridian started the week with a solid 56-45 win over Squalicum on Tuesday, followed by an even more dominant 73-44 victory over Blaine on Friday. Nooksack Valley faced a challenging stretch with a 63-58 loss to Mount Vernon 63-58 on Tuesday and another close loss to SedroWoolley 78-70 on ursday. ey bounced back on Saturday with a 55-50 win over Lummi Nation. Lynden Christian remained consistent with a win over Sehome 69-58. Senior guard Gannon Dykstra led with 22 points, seven assists and three steals. Luke VanKooten added 17 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Kaden Veldman delivered a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. e Lyncs managed to pull away late to secure the victory after a close contest through three quarters.
Girls Wrestling On the mats, Ferndale girls wrestling took center stage with a commanding 66-18 win over Squalicum. Mount Baker had a tough outing against Sedro-Woolley with a 4230 loss. Nooksack Valley su ered a 60-6 loss to Meridian, while Lynden struggled against BurlingtonEdison and fell, 42-18.
Boys Wrestling Ferndale’s wrestling squad had mixed results, with a loss to EdmondsWoodway, 20-0 but a dominant win over South Whidbey 58-8. Mount Baker had a strong showing against Meridian with a 66-3 win, while Lynden fell to Burlington-Edison 60-16. Nooksack Valley came up short against Blaine in a nail-biter, 2-1.
Swimming: Sotomayor anchors the team with leadership
Sotomayor’s cousin, Sebastian Uribe, is also a swimmer, which Nielsen cited as another asset.
“It's good to have a family member that’s equally passionate.”
“ is is Sebastian’s second year with us. He shares Eugene's grit and motivation to improve.
“He also has an aptitude for breaststroke and butter y, two of the harder strokes, which makes him super valuable for our team,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen was also keen to freshmen Mason Friesen and Elijah Goldman Lemay.
“[ ey] will be valuable point-earners for us this season.”
As a broader goal,
Nielsen hopes to grow the roster’s numbers and build a “powerhouse” team.
“Over 75% of this year's team are underclassmen, so I am optimistic that if each boy continues with the sport, we will re-establish our numbers and all their hard work and talent will become more obvious….
“Swimming requires much more intrinsic motivation than team sports.
“Swimmers develop tenacity, dedication, and time management superior to their peers.
“I am looking forward to watching their growth in and out of the pool, as swimmers and young men,” she said. Continued from B1
Sotomayor, Lynden’s team captain, whom Nielsen called “wellrounded” and “a huge asset to the team.”
“Eugenio is incredibly kind and supportive. He is also humble and hardworking. All these qualities have made him an exceptional role model that I know the boys have always looked up to. He has excellent attendance, both at the pool and at our dryland workouts.
He always shows up and pushes himself. He, along with several other returners, nds the energy and breath to chirp words of encouragement to his teammates even during the hardest of workouts,” Nielsen said.
His best events are the 500-yard distance freestyle (best time 6:17.7, 9th place at 2024 Districts), 200-yard individual medley (02:35.7, 8th place at 2024 Districts), and 100yard butter y (01:08.9).
“Unlike other sports, swimming is easy to track progress by analyzing times.
“I know my team is
successful when every swimmer continues to swim best times,” Nielsen said.
Lynden’s Sebastian Uribe will look to contribute to this year’s Lynden swimming team. (Dennis Cairns for the Tribune)
Estate Real Estate
Directory
APPLIANCES & MATTRESSES
DeWaard & Bode
Main Showroom: 3944 Meridian Street B’ham
Outlet Store: 4175 Hannegan Road B’ham
360-733-5900 • www.dewaardandbode.com
AUTOMOTIVE
Hinton Chevrolet
8139 Guide Meridian Rd, Lynden • 866-230-4195
Imhof Automotive
Maintenance • Repair • Restoration Over 40 Years Experience-Master Certified Ferndale • 360-393-8938
Jim’s Automotive Experts, Inc.
102 East Main Street, Everson • 360-966-4440
Les Schwab Tire Center • 360-380-4660
1731 LaBounty Dr, Ferndale
www.lesschwab.com
Louis Auto Glass
1512 N. State St., Bellingham • 360-734-3840
407 19th St., Lynden • 360-354-3232
1721 E. College Way, Mt. Vernon • 360-424-9759
Pete’s Auto Repair LLC
6209 Portal Way, Ferndale
360-380-2277 • www.petesautorepair.net
Point S Zylstra Tire
501 Grover St., Lynden • 360-354-4493
Vavra Auto Body
411 Nooksack Ave, Nooksack • 360-966-4444
VW of Bellingham
www.volkswagenofbellingham.com
2200 Iowa St., Bellingham • 360-734-5230
BAKERIES
Lynden Dutch Bakery
421 Front St., Lynden
360-354-3911 • lyndendutchbakery.com
Lynden Just Desserts 1724 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-3911
BANKS & CREDIT
UNIONS
Banner Bank
138 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd., Lynden
360-354-8100 • www.bannerbank.com
CABINETS
Lynden Interiors
2017 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-4149 www.lyndeninteriors.com
Westside Building Supply
8353 Guide Meridian, Lynden • 360-354-5617
CARPET CLEANING
Northwest Professional Services
360-354-4145 • www.npsclean.com
191 Birch Bay Lynden Rd, Lynden
CEMETERIES
Greenwood Cemetery • thegreenwoodcemetery.com
East Wiser Lake Rd., Lynden • 360-647-4001
Lynden Cemetery • www.lyndencemetery.com
South Side of Front St., Lynden • 360-647-4001
CLEANING
Christensen Home Services
P.O. Box 29286, Bellingham www.christensenhomeservices.com
Call or Text 360-594-1468
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Bay City Supply
360-671-7400 • www.baycitysupply.com
P.O. Box 2073, 1250 Iowa Street Bellingham, WA 98229
COFFEE
Cruisin Coffee
1976 Kok Rd., Lynden Town Plaza, Lynden
5885 Portal Way, Ferndale • 360-738-3789
CONCRETE
Mt. Baker Mobile Mixing, LLC
360-319-4285 www.mtbakermobilemixing.com CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
ACP Excavating and Construction 360-592-8801 www.acpexcavatingandconstruction.com
CONVENIENCE STORE
Delta Country Market
1306 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd, Lynden
360-354-1680
EYE CARE
Everson Vision Clinic, Dr. Alex Ilyin, OD
205 W Main St, Everson • 360-966-0445
Bethgutman.evc@aol.com
FARM & GARDEN
CHS Northwest
3500 Meridian St., Bellingham • 360-734-4010
1720 LaBounty Dr, Ferndale • 360-380-0578
415 Depot St., Lynden • 360-306-3800
119 17th St., Fairway, Lynden • 360-354-5671
300 Main St., Lynden • 360-354-1198
102 Nooksack Ave., Nooksack • 360-966-4193
www.chsnw.com
Portal Way Farm and Garden 6100 Portal Way, Ferndale • 360-384-3688
www.PortalWayFarmAndGarden.com
Smits Compost
9030 Guide Meridian, Lynden • 360-354-3583 www.smitscompost.com
FINE JEWELRY
Originals by Chad 521 Front St., Lynden • 360-318-0210
FLORISTS
Lynden Florea
306 Front St., Suite B, Lynden 360-306-8819 • lyndenflorea.com
M&M Floral 5453 Guide Meridian, Bellingham 360-398-1315 • www.mandmfloral.com
FUNERAL SERVICES & MONUMENTS
Whatcom Cremation & Funeral
“Our Community’s Most Affordable Cremations & Burials - from $995” 360-734-7073 • wcremation.com
GARAGE DOORS
Overhead Door Company of Bellingham 202 Ohio St, Bellingham • 360-734-5960
www.ohdbellingham.com
Vander Griend Lumber Co. Inc.
8461 Depot Rd., Lynden • 360-354-2155
Westside Building Supply
8353 Guide Meridian, Lynden • 360-354-5617
GARBAGE & RECYCLING
Nooksack Valley Disposal & Recycling, Inc.
250 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd, Lynden 360-354-3400
GIFT/SPECIALTY SHOP
Appel Farms - The Cheese Shop
6605 Northwest Dr., Ferndale • 360-312-1431 www.appelcheese.com
GREASE TRAP
CLEANING
Lil John Sanitary Services, Inc.
Mark Mellema • 360-398-9828 www.liljohnsanitary.net
GLASS, RESIDENTIAL
Louis Auto Glass
1512 N. State St., Bellingham • 360-734-3840
407 19th St., Lynden • 360-354-3232
1721 E. College Way, Mt. Vernon • 360-424-9759
Lyndale Glass • www.lyndaleglass.com
110 7th St., Lynden • 360-354-3937 6172 Portal Wy., Ferndale • 360-384-5956
Vander Griend Lumber Co. Inc. 8461 Depot Rd., Lynden • 360-354-2155
HARDWARE STORE
Lynden Ace Hardware
1736 Front St., Fairway Center, Lynden 360-354-2291
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Family Care Network
Lynden Family Medicine • 360-354-1333 1610 Grover St., Suite D-1, Lynden
Birch Bay Family Medicine • 360-371-5855
8097 Harborview Rd., Blaine www.familycarenetwork.com
Ferndale Family Medical Center • 360-384-1511 5580 Nordic Way, Ferndale
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Lynden Interiors 2017 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-4149 www.lyndeninteriors.com
Vander Griend Lumber Co. Inc. 8461 Depot Rd., Lynden • 360-354-2155
Walls & Windows Inc. • 360-676-5223 4131 Hannegan Rd., Ste. 104, Bellingham
HOME LOANS
Edge Home Finance- Mortgage Broker
Dave Ohligschlager- Loan Officer * O/C 360-815-1768 • daveo@edgehomefinance.com
505 Front St. Ste 210, Lynden • Branch #2617457 NMLS #891464 / 422225
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL
Amy Warenski Insurance Agency Inc 8874 Bender Rd Ste 106, Lynden • 360-354-6868
www.amywarenski.com
Brown & Brown
501 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-4488
Country Financial®, Len Corneto
102 Grover Street, Ste. 209, Lynden • 360-354-4197 Country Financial®
Lesa Ferguson, RICP® Financial Representative
Josh Hungerford, CRPC© Insurance Agent 1610 Grover St., Suite B1, Lynden • 360-354-2975
Group of Health Insurance Services, LLC 4202 Meridian Street, Suite 104, Bellingham 360-527-2334 • hicllc.net
Guide Insurance Services
1780 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-2200
Guided Solutions (formerly Vibrant USA)
504 Front St. Suite #101, Lynden 866-733-5111 • guidedsolutions.com
Jeff Lamphere Insurance 113 Third St, Lynden • 360-354-5333 www.jefflamphere.com
Oltman Insurance & Financial Services 360-354-5988
8850 Bender Road, Suite 101, Lynden
VanDalen Insurance
Shane VanDalen 517 Liberty St., Lynden • 360-354-4433
LUMBER
Vander Griend Lumber Co. Inc. 8461 Depot Rd., Lynden • 360-354-2155 Westside Building Supply 8353 Guide Meridian, Lynden • 360-354-5617
MEDIATION
Bellingham Mediation & Consulting Sheri Russell, JD • 360-255-1666 www.bellinghammediation.com
MEDICARE INSURANCE
PLANS
Guided Solutions (formerly Vibrant USA) 504 Front St. Suite 101, Lynden 360-733-5111 • guidedsolutions.com
Jeff Lamphere Insurance 113 Third St, Lynden • 360-354-5333 www.jefflamphere.com
VanDalen Insurance
Shane VanDalen 517 Liberty St., Lynden • 360-354-4433
MOSS REMOVAL
Max Moss Erasers 629-219-8471 • themaxmosserasers@gmail.com No chemicals, all green!
PEST & RODENT CONTROL
Environmental Pest Control Inc. 3003 Bennett Drive, Bellingham • 360-676-5120 www.epestcontrol.net
PET CARE
Northwest Kitty Care www.northwestkittycare.com • 360-319-7536 instagram.com/northwestkittycare
PORTABLE TOILETS
LJ Portables, Inc.
Mark Mellema • 360-398-7353 www.liljohnsanitary.net
PRINT & PUBLISHING
Lynden Print Company
www.LyndenPrintCo.com 113 Sixth Street, Lynden • 360-354-4444
Lynden Tribune www.LyndenTribune.com 113 Sixth Street, Lynden • 360-354-4444
REAL ESTATE
HomeSmart One Realty Kyle Christensen 414 W. Bakerview Rd. #103, Bellingham www.kylechristensenrealty.com Call or Text 360-594-1468
HomeSmart One Realty- Rick Meyer Managing Broker, GRI, CRS, SRES 414 W. Bakerview Rd. #103, Bellingham Call or text: 360-410-1213
REAL Broker LLC- Patrick Johnson patrickjohnsonrealestate.com Call or Text 360-988-1821
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE
Bellingham RV Storage Quality Covered RV Storage Bakerview/Irongate area • Bellingham, WA 360-671-6100 • BellinghamRVBoatStorage.com
RECYCLING, REMOVAL & YARD DEBRIS
Green Earth Technology 774 Meadowlark Rd., Lynden • 360-354-4936
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
Westside Building Supply 8353 Guide Meridian, Lynden • 360-354-5617
RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE
Aloha Cafe 684 Peace Portal Dr, Suite A, Blaine WA www.alohacafeblainewa.com • 360-933-1047
Bordertown Mexican Food Truck 312 3rd St, Lynden • 360-305-1290 Little Caesars 1804 18th St., Lynden • 360-354-8656
ROOFING
Joostens Roofing Bellingham • 360-815-7663
SENIOR CARE
Echo Valley Adult Day Care and Respite 8487 Full Moon Way, Maple Falls, WA 98266 Echovalleyrespite.com • 360-319-8958
SEPTIC INSTALLATION
Tyas & Tyas 3966 Deeter Rd., Everson • 360-988-6895
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING Lil John Sanitary Services, Inc. Mark Mellema • 360-398-9828 www.liljohnsanitary.net
SPORTS & RECREATION
Dave’s Sports Shop 1738 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-5591
Lynden Skateway 421 Judson Street, Lynden • 360-354-3851 www.LyndenSkateway.com
VETERINARY
Kulshan Veterinary 8880 Benson Rd, Lynden 6220 Portal Wy, Ferndale www.kulshanvet.com • 360-354-5095
VITAMINS
Lynden Nutrition Center 527 Front St., Lynden • 360-354-4884
WOMENS APPAREL
The Healthy Bra Company Maria C. Monti 425-478-0246 • abraforyou@aol.com www.thehealthybracompany.org
Courtesy
Be Prepared: Have your
Check the
is expected.
Stay Connected: Before hitting the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
If you get stuck in the snow
Stay with your vehicle: Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don’t over exert yourself: When digging out your vehicle, listen to your body and stop if you become tired.
Be visible: Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna of your vehicle or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to nd you.
Clear the exhaust pipe: Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the vehicle while the engine is running.
Stay warm: Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. is could include oor mats, newspapers or paper maps. Pre-pack blankets and heavy clothing to use in case of an emergency.
Conserve fuel: If possible, only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill. is will help to conserve fuel.
Cold Weather Driving Tips
• Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing, a ashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.
• Make certain your tires are properly in ated and have plenty of tread.
• Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.
Tower Address for Mailing or Service: 6600 36th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: KING COUNTY, WA; 24-4-07062-9 SEA
Published December 25, 2024 & January 1, 8, 2025
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR WHATCOM COUNTY GOLD POINT COMPANY LIMITED, a Hong Kong corporation, Plaintiff, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON; JAMES LEONARD WESTMAN, an individual; JOHN EDWARD WESTMAN, an individual; MARY ANN WESTMAN DEFREES, an individual; MARILYN JEAN WESTMAN, an individual; STEVEN D. HRUTFIORD, as Co-Administrator of the Estate of Bradley Bjorn Hrutfiord; DAVID E. HRUTFIORD, as Co-Administrator of the Estate of Bradley Bjorn Hrutfiord; BJORN WILLIAM HRUTFIORD, an individual, DIANNA LAMPHIER HRUTFIORD, an individual, BRIAN JON HRUTFIORD, an individual, STEVEN D. HRUTFIORD, an individual, DAVID E. HRUTFIORD, an individual, KURT RODNEY THOMAS, an individual, ESTER ANN SHEPARD, an individual, TORI MARIE WESTMAN, an individual; EYTHOR CLINTON WESTMAN, an individual; WYANE MICHAEL LEMASTER GAY, an individual, CURTIS J. LEMASTER GAY, an individual, DAWN RENE GAY, an individual; SHAWN DOMA GAY, an individual, GERALD HANNES GAY, an individual; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF HANNES WESTMAN; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF EYTHOR G. WESTMAN; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF DOMA GAY; ALSO ALL OTHER PERSONS OR PARTIES UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY RIGHT TITLE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE REAL ESTATE DESCRIBED IN THIS COMPLAINT, Defendant. Case No. 24-2-02148-37 The State of Washington
unknown Heirs of HANNES WESTMAN, EYTHOR G. WESTMAN and DOMA GAY, and All Other Persons or Parties
B8
Lynden artist takes flight at Dordt University
Watercolorist
Emma Nydam has won national art competitions, has also started an Etsy shop
By Sarah Moss For the Tribune
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa
— As a child, Emma Nydam spent hours drawing and coloring. She remembers watching videos and reading books on how to draw horses, dogs and cattle.
“ en, my parents enrolled me in art lessons,” Nydam said. “I kept drawing – mostly charcoal, some pen, and watercolor once I got into high school. I gravitated toward pictures of animals and of landscapes.”
Word spread around her hometown of Lynden that Nydam was a talented artist. She began to do commission work of pets and idyllic scenes. She entered, and won, national art competitions in Western Horseman Magazine and with the National Ri e Association. She even started her own Etsy shop, Lewis the Dog Studio, named for the “sweetest Great Pyrenees guardian dog” that was her pet. Visit emmanydamart. etsy.com for more information.
As a junior in high school, Nydam found that she, “had all this time on my hands during the COVID-19 pandemic.” She started to paint scenes from all the U.S. national parks to improve her landscape painting skills.
“I created these little watercolors and posted them on my Instagram,” she said. “ ey ended up going viral, essentially – one of my reels had 20,000 views in a matter of hours.”
In a matter of weeks, Nydam saw a steady increase in subscribers and Etsy shop purchases. She said it was gratifying and a little overwhelming as an artist to see her hard work being recognized not only locally but internationally. By the time Nydam’s work went viral, she had also decided she would attend Dordt.
“ ere’s a photo of my twin brother and me at six months of age, wearing little Dordt sweatshirts,” she said. “You could say that Dordt has always been on our radar, as our parents, uncles, aunts and grandparents all attended Dordt for a semester or more.”
Nydam chose to major in biology, in part because she wanted to learn “about God’s creation in a deep way.” During her freshman year, Nydam took a zoology class with Dr. Robbin
Eppinga, and that’s where she said her love for art and curiosity for biology further intersected.
“We did dissections and had to identify body parts of di erent species for quizzes and tests,” she said. “I practiced by drawing the dissections and labeling them. I have a sketchbook full of drawings of a craw sh, a turtle, a rat, a cricket. I remember telling my science professors that I was thinking about getting a minor in art, and they said, ‘Oh, you should consider doing scienti c illustration.’ I had no idea it existed.”
Nydam picked up an art minor and set her sights on becoming a scienti c illustrator. Since then, she’s taken courses in ecology, ornithology, entomology and botany – all the while painting and drawing what she sees.
“One of my favorite classes was Avian Biology,” Nydam said. “We had to memorize and identify 150 bird species by sight and sound, and I’ve painted almost all of them because that’s how I study best. I also found that I could pay attention to all the details when I put it to paper.”
Nydam said she has always liked birds, mostly because of her grandmother.
“She had a ton of bird feeders, and she always knew what species were in her backyard. ‘Oh, the grosbeak popped by today,’ or she’d point out the snow geese on their migration path,” Nydam said.
Nydam’s knowledge and love of birds has grown
since she became a Dordt student.
“Birds are so unique,” she said. “ ere’s penguins and ostriches that can’t y. ere’s hummingbirds, whose hearts beat 1,200 times a minute. Birds are on every continent, and some have feathers with colors that the human eye can’t see. Birds migrate based on stars and constellations. Once I started learning this and more, it revealed so much of God’s creativity and sense of humor with His creation.”
Nydam said she has appreciated the opportunities to go birding while at Dordt, including a eld trip out to the Nebraska Sandhills to see the sandhill crane migration.
“ at is one of the top animal spectacles in the world — people travel from all over the world to see it,” she said. “Birds are so commonly overlooked in creation, but now, I can never go outside again and think the same way. I wouldn’t trade the appreciation for nature and creation that I’ve developed while I’ve been at Dordt. It’s changed how I do art and how I live my life.”
At Dordt, Nydam has had a number of experiences to put her art and biology interests into practice. During the summer of her senior year, she helped design a board game based on prairie restoration. She was tasked with drawing more than 35 detailed illustrations of plant species such as Maximilian sunowers and blue ag irises. is learning experience
www.ferndalerecord.com
“Bringing
further solidi ed her interest in becoming a scienti c illustrator.
Nydam has spent thousands of hours drawing, painting, and sketching birds, insects, and animals.
“It’s something that I have put a lot of time into, and that God gave me the passion to do,” she said.
“It bothers me sometimes when people say, ‘God just gave you that talent.’ Yes, he gave me talent, but he also gave me resources, time and drive to keep trying even after I failed 1,000 times.”
Some of her favorite paintings may have only taken her a couple weeks to complete, but that work is, “built on countless hours of work that I’ve put in over the years to build this skill.”
Looking back, Nydam said she is grateful she chose to attend Dordt.
“Here, I can fully embrace a biology degree while also having time to take art classes,” she said. “My professors in both programs know and appreciate each other, which might not have been the case at other universities. ere have been so many ways that I’ve been encouraged to pursue what I love and see how God provides.”
Lynden resident Emma Vande Voort Nydam is a senior biology major at Dordt University known for her beautiful artwork. (Jamin Ver Velde for the Tribune)
