Nichols brings history to Firehouse Arts
Ferndale football returns to action
Locker back as OC, rst game against Lynden at 7 p.m., Sept. 6. — Sports, B1
Ferndale School Board adopts new cell phone policy
Priest nominated for Washington Book Award
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
LUMMI — e Washington Center for the Book has announced 39 nalists for its Washington Book Awards. Among the nalists in the poetry category is Rena Priest, a member of the Lummi Nation and a Whatcom County resident. Priest has been nominated for a book of poems that she wrote in April of last year titled, I Sing the Salmon Home: Poems from Washington State. According to the book’s website, I Sing the Salmon Home is “a unique collection celebrating salmon, Washington State Poet Laureate and Lummi tribal member Rena Priest gathered poems from more than 150 Washington poets ranging from rst graders to tribal elders, all inspired by the Northwest’s beloved, iconic salmon.” Priest said when she initially began putting the call out for poems around the community, she thought the project would be limited to a handful of poems and writ-
ings. However, when Priest closed the deadline for submissions, she was surprised to see an overwhelming number of poems sent to her inbox.
“I planned to make an announcement in June and keep the submission call open until October,” Priest said. “But I ultimately didn’t end up making the call until August and so initially I didn’t think I was going to get enough poems sent in. So, I started soliciting poems and asking from friends and digging them out of archives and asking permission from authors of poems I really liked. However, in the two months that submissions were open, I received over 700 poems from 300 poets from across Washington State.”
From there, Priest sorted the poems by theme and by narrative.
“Sorting through the poems was a very special process,” Priest said. “I put little note cards on top and sorted them by their themes: Okay, this one is about the salmon’s
See Priest on A6
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE — On Aug. 27 the Ferndale School Board adopted a new cell phone policy district wide.
Much of the changes to cell phone policy in schools involve updates to the communication devices mentioned in the policy, namely removing all references to pagers, cell phones and beepers while adding references to newer devices such as smartwatches, non-medical listening devices and headsets.
e policy also di erentiated between the amount of screen time allowed to di erent grades
and age groups. According to the newly amended phone policy, Ferndale students in grades 9-12 will only be allowed to “turn on and operate their telecommunication devices before and after the regular school day and during their lunch break.”
Students in preschool through eighth grade, however, must keep their phones o throughout the whole school day, “except in cases of emergency situations, imminent physical danger, or for medical needs that are previously documented with the school administration.”
Another amendment to the district’s cell phone policy includes a passage that speci es
punishments for students who record, “physical or sexual assault, threats, bullying, harassment or academic content related to tests, quizzes, grading or state testing.”
It adds that those who are guilty of using their device in such a manner “will be subject to disciplinary action, as well as referrals to law enforcement when appropriate.”
e update comes at a time where schools across the country are reevaluating their cell-phone policies as parents, teachers and mental health experts have begun to sound the alarm on the negative e ects prolonged screen
Ferndale Heritage Society hosts Oscar Night In Fernwood
By Bill Helm Editor
e Ferndale Heritage Society hosted Oscar Night in Fernwood on Tuesday, Aug. 27. e event was a celebration of the completion of a huge video project the Society undertook at Pioneer Village.
Berzenji Productions of Lynden lmed the society’s Fred Sutcli e in each of the village’s log cabins. Sutcli e “was the lead on bringing pretty much all of these log cabins into Pioneer Village over the years,” said Linda Harkleroad, vice president of the Ferndale Heritage Society.
“Fred grew up in Ferndale and personally spent time as a youngster in the Barr Barn (belonged to his family) and with Mrs. Parker who lived in the Parker house and babysat Fred at times. He remembers she made wonderful cookies,” Harkleroad said.
According to Harkleroad, this project was made possible because of an ARPA grant awarded to the society.
More information and videos from Oscar night in Fernwood at ferndaleheritagesociety.com.
Rena Priest, a member of the Lummi Nation was nominated for a Washington Book award. (Photo courtesy/Rena Priest)
On Aug. 27, the Ferndale School Board adopted a new cell phone policy district wide. (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
The Ferndale Heritage Society hosted Oscar night in Fernwood on Tuesday, Aug. 27. (Photos courtesy Ferndale Heritage Society) See
Ferndale musician Mark Nichols will perform at the Firehouse Arts & Events Center.— News, A6
Mark Nichols brings Ferndale history to FireHouse Arts
By Luke Seymour Sta Reporter
FERNDALE — On Sept. 6, Ferndale musician Mark Nichols will perform a live reading of his new novel, Big Jam Stories, at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center in Fairhaven.
e show will also o er live performances of original music composed by Nichols and will feature guest readers and entertainers, including local musician Julie Lewis. e event kicks o a series of readings and performances by Nichols that ends Nov. 21. According to the FireHouse Arts and Events Center website, Big Jam Stories follows a young boy “living on big jam in the years before the ancient log jam/crossing was cleared (1877), and before the rst steam-powered river ferries passed into what is now referred to as the Nooksack River below Ferndale.”
e website also said that Mark had earlier performed chapter one at the FireHouse earlier this year and afterwards was encouraged to continue writing the story. Now that the book is nished, Nichols will be performing one chapter per night, with “ ve or six intimate fables about a little boy and the big jam and its creatures,” as it says on the FireHouse website. “ ey will sing some songs, take a break and then have more music, and maybe even a little dancing.” Nichols, who grew up in Ferndale and now lives on the Lummi Reservation, said that some of
5706 4th Ave., Ferndale (360) 526-7829
the book and its themes were based on his experiences as a child wandering the wilderness of Whatcom County.
“Well, I grew up kind of alone in the woods in a way,” Nichols said. “We had neighborhoods, but they were far away. In my family, all of us spent a lot of time roaming around in these wooded acres and gigantic elds. It’s a common story in Ferndale to be outside of society and being alone in a societal sense, but also being very connected to the natural world around you. So, I think the main character of the book is based around this archetype of a 7-year-old me.”
e book takes place on the Nooksack River in the late 1800s, shortly before an enormous log jam that stretched three quarters of a mile long, now referred to as the Big Jam, was cleared to make way for new settlers who were migrating to the area.
Nichols said he set the novel in this time period because he wanted to explore an oftentimes overlooked and under-examined portion of regional American history. One of the ways he wanted to pay tribute to the many cultures that were colliding in the county at the time, was by including multiple di erent languages that were native to the Lummi people and the Cascadia region. Some of the languages he studied for the novel include the Wawa language, Coast Salish, and what he refers to as “Chinook Jargon.”
“We still use tons of these words everywhere in our culture and some people don’t even know they existed,” Nichols said. “I didn’t want to make a book about the history of the native people or settlers
or anything. I just wanted to set my character in a world that did justice to the diversity of what was happening with the land, the humans and the animals at that time.”
Although Nichols said that he does not want to speak for the experiences of native people in Washington State, he has a lot of respect and admiration for the Lummi community due to his years of experience working as lmmaker and composer for the mixed-media nonpro t group, Children of the Setting Sun.
According to their website, COTSS is a storytelling production company whose “responsibility is to create and share Indigenous stories of gratitude, generosity, and respect. We empower the minds and hearts of
future generations.”
Executive Director of the COTSS Darrell Hillaire has worked with Nichols on several projects for the nonpro t and said that Nichols has a creative spark that can be hard to pin down and that spark is evident in his readings and musical performances.
“He always brings innovation to the table,” Hillaire said.
“He likes to cross pollinate music genres and mix it with di erent artistic mediums. rough his life as a musician, he’s seen and done a lot where you can fuse di erent music from di erent cultures into one and I think that’s truly beautiful.”
Hillaire said that he hopes readers and viewers of Nichols’ show can take away a greater un-
derstanding and sense of connection with both the natural world and the people around them.
“ e Jam became like a kind of intersection of cultures,” Hillaire said. “ e book presents a good metaphor for that. Mark is bringing together the stories of di erent cultures into one place, especially through the form of song and dance. It’s quite a unique way to tell this story that reminds us that we’re all a part of this big, natural phenomena by getting all these people in one place and telling stories through music and the written word.”
For more information, visit the FireHouse Arts and Events Center website at rehouse-aec.com.
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@ lyndentribune.com.
In 2023, Mark Nichols and his partner Julie Lewis performed at FireHouse Arts and Events Center in Fairhaven. On Sept. 6, Nichols, a resident of the Lummi reservation will perform a live reading of his new novel, Big Jam Stories, at FireHouse Arts. (Photo
courtesy/Mark Nichols)
OBITUARIES
Gilbert Russell Gunderson
Our beloved father, Gilbert Russell Gunderson, was called home on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 at the age of 70. After a hard battle with cancer, he is in the presence of His Lord and Savior. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Joel and Arline Gunderson, and his wife, Victoria Gunderson. Gilbert was born in Bellingham on Oct. 6, 1953. He grew up under his father’s preaching ministry, and accepted Jesus as his Savior as a young boy. From an early age, Gilbert
Ronald William ‘Bill’ Schweigert Sr.
loved to be in God’s house, singing hymns and learning Bible lessons. His other boyhood passions were camping, shing, and spending long summer days on his grandfather’s dairy farm. He was the third of ve siblings: Joel, Bob, Gilbert, Jesse and Jolene. He attended grade school in Burlington and graduated from Burlington high. After graduation, he obeyed God’s call on his life to be a minister of the gospel. He attended Northwest Bible College in Seattle. It was there that he met his loving wife of 49 years, Victo-
Ronald William ‘Bill’ Schweigert Sr. 85, of Sumas passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 22, 2024. Bill was born in Sumas on March 5, 1939 to Rebecca and Phillip Schweigert. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1958.
Howard William VandeKieft
Howard William VandeKieft went to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at the age of 83. Howard was born to William and Henrietta (Kneubel) Vande Kieft as the youngest of four siblings on Aug. 30, 1940, in Sioux Center, Iowa. Howard attended and graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1957. As a successful businessman, Howard gave back to his community. He also gave generously to Lynden Christian School. He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, sisters, Wilma (Franken) and
Peter William Groen
ria Schliebe. Gilbert and Victoria accepted their rst pastorate at the Assemblies of God Church in Marblemount, WA, and ministered there from 1975-1981. As a 20 years old, Gilbert had a very youthful face, and quickly decided to grow his signature beard after a traveler stopped by the church and asked “to speak with his father.” Gilbert also started a Christian School in Marblemount, forming strong friendships in his rst pastoral position that lasted a lifetime. He then went on to pastor in Shelton, WA 1981-1982, Oro no, ID 19831987, and Everson, 1988-1990. In 1991, he became the pastor at Bethany Chapel, and served there
Shortly after graduation he married his wife of 49 years, Valarie Nash, who passed away in 2011. Soon after marriage they welcomed their rst son, Ron Schweigert Jr. Bill then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and his rst port of call was Pensacola, Florida. While in Pensacola, they welcomed their second and third sons, Jay and Scott Schweigert.
After three years in Pensacola, and three years in Pennsylvania, Val decided that was enough moving, so her and the three boys moved back to Sumas to be close to family and friends. Bill continued
Vivian (VanderVeen); wife, Doris (Haveman); wife, Gwen (Sche er). He is survived by his wife, Maryann (Rientjes-Nagel), son Scott Vande Kieft, daughter Kay (Duane) De Boer, three granddaughters, Marissa (Josh) Waldron, Kirsten (Alec) Herschleb, and Karis Van Diest; four great grandchildren, Cade and Brody Waldron and Wesley and Hattie Herschleb; and his sister Shirley Van Zanten. His memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on ursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at Redeemer Church, 211 Northshore Drive, Bellingham. Memorials in Howards name are suggested to Lynden Christian Schools. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Peter William Groen went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday Aug. 24. Pete was born June 18, 1939 in Hull, North Dakota. In 1948 at 9 years of age he moved to Lynden with his parents and six siblings. He later served in the army from 1958–1960 and was stationed in Germany. When he came home from the service he worked for a few years before marrying
WHATCOM NEWS
Ferndale resident named to Gonzaga dean’s list
SPOKANE — Michael Bernard, a resident of Ferndale, earned placement on the Gonzaga University dean’s list for spring semester 2024. Bernard recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
Students must earn between 3.50 to 3.85 grade point average to be listed.
Missing vulnerable adult has been found
WHATCOM — Just after noon on Wednesday, Aug. 28, Whatcom County Sheri ’s O ce asked the public’s assistance in nding 35-yearold Daniel Dahlquist, a missing vulnerable adult whose family has been concerned for his welfare.
ursday, WCSO announced that Dahlquist had been found at approximately 4:40 p.m. Wednesday near Bellingham City Hall.
Joyce VanMersbergen on Sept. 17, 1965.
Pete and Joyce had three boys and lived in Lynden the remainder of his years.
Pete is well known for having a cattle hauling business as well as showing draft horses. In the later years Joyce likes to say they were co-workers for Jesus, and together they ministered to many people who needed a meal or kindness.
If you knew Pete you know he was a quiet man, but one of great kindness and integrity. He didn’t like a lot of fan fair and he wouldn’t want us bragging about him. So, we will simply say he was dearly loved by everyone he met, he was a great listener and a man you could count on for anything.
for the next 32 years. In 2021, after the passing of Victoria, Gilbert married Susan Propst, who partnered with him in ministry. Gilbert lived his life passionately, with his whole heart. He loved his family dearly, and never tired of playing with his grandchildren. He had a heart for foreign missions and a deep love for the nation of Israel. He took great joy in riding his motorcycle, always looking forward to the next adventure. Gilbert is known for his beautiful vegetable garden, the nest tomato patch in Whatcom County, his delicious alder wood smoked chicken, his carpentry, his craftmanship, and his ability to x or jerry rig anything you put in front
his Navy career and served a year in Viet-
nam as an aviation mechanic rst class.
During Bill’s naval career he was able to see many parts of the world.
After Vietnam, he continued his naval career until 1978 when he retired as a P3 Orion ight engineer. He then moved back to Sumas with his family and worked as a mechanic at Napa until retirement. In retirement, Bill enjoyed gardening, shing, spending time with his grandchildren and his dog Opie.
Bill is survived by his three sons Ron (Carol) Schweigert of Mount Vernon, Jay
Ronald ‘Ron’ Elliott Rietman
Ronald “Ron” Elliott Rietman, age 80, of Arizona formerly of Lynden, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Arizona.
A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, 11 a.m. at Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, followed by a fellowship at Lynden City Park, 8460 Depot Road from 1:30–3:30 p.m.
To view a more complete obituary and share your memories of Ron please visit Sig’s Funeral Services website.
Pete is survived by his wife Joyce (VanMersbergen) Groen, three sons Wayne (Nicki) Groen, Randy Groen and Gordy Groen. Four grandchildren Darren (Kelsey) Groen, Trevor (Lexi) Groen, Tanisha (Isaac) Gourley and Nathan Groen. Seven great grandkids Brant, Paisley, Ivy, Paxton, Knox, Mazy and Myles. Siblings Ruth Nieuwsma, Myra Peterson, sister in law Joyce Groen and brother-in-law Robert VanMersbergen.
He is preceded in death and now reunited with his parents Will and Mamie Groen,sisters Dorothy VerHoeven, Wilma Terpsma
of him. Most of all, he is known for his hospitality. His door was always open to strangers and friends alike. He faithfully participated in many Whatcom County community groups, including the Gold Wing Club, Toastmasters, and the Prayer Center. Gilbert leaves behind his wife, Susan, his children Rachel Geleynse (Clark), Rebekah Robertson, Jonathan Gunderson (Sara), David Gunderson (Rebecca), 13 grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren. e memorial service will be held at Bethany Chapel, 3744 Mt. Baker Highway, Everson, on Sept. 7, 2024. e service time is 2 p.m. All friends and family are welcome.
(Karla) Schweigert of Lynden, and Scott (Tracie) Schweigert of Mount Vernon, his ve grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and sister Karen (Henry) Willemsen of Everson. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Valarie, brothers Rich, Dave, Jerry, Sister Sharon and grandson Trey. Bill will be remembered by all for his sense of humor, kindness, and ability to listen and share stories with others. A graveside service will be held on Sept. 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Sumas Cemetery. All family and friends are welcome to attend.
Ronald Alfie Waldo
Ronald Al e Waldo, age 82, of Everson passed away Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Bellingham.
Ron was born July 25, 1942 in Dayton, Washington to parents Al e and Catherine Mary (Scott) Waldo. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Riverside Park, 401 Park Drive, Everson, with Pastor Gerald Bravo o ciating. Private family graveside service will be held at Nooksack Cemetery in Everson. To view a more complete obituary and share your memories of Ron please visit Sig’s Funeral Services website.
and brothers Willis and John Groen. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden, WA 98264 Memorial service was held on Sept. 3 at Second CRC. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Phone and Internet Discounts Available to CenturyLink Customers
Old Silvana Creamery recalls Jim’s Jerseys raw milk
BELLINGHAM — e Washington State Department of Health has advised residents not to consume one lot of Jim’s Jerseys raw milk produced by Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington, which has been voluntarily recalled due to potential contamination with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. e recall applies only to raw milk with a best buy date of Aug. 23, sold in one-half gallon and one-gallon containers at the farm store and various retail outlets across Western Washington, including Community Food Co-op in Bellingham and Cost Cutter in Blaine.
According to the original WCSO press release dated Aug. 28, Dahlquist had been last seen at approximately midnight Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the area of the 4300 block of Northwest Drive. When last seen, Dahlquist was “wearing only underwear and wrapped in a blanket.” He was not wearing shoes or a shirt. Dahlquist is 35 years old, is 6-foot 4-inches tall, skinny build, with brown hair and brown eyes.
In collaboration with local and state partners, including the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), the Old Silvana Creamery is investigating the potential E. coli contamination. e routine testing by WSDA revealed the presence of toxin-producing E. coli in a sample with the best buy date of 8/23, while independent lab testing by the creamery did not detect the bacteria. Currently, there are no reported illnesses associated with the recalled product.
Old Silvana Creamery and WSDA are continuing their investigation into the source of the contamination. Raw milk is legal to sell and buy in Washington State, but consumers are advised to be aware of the potential health risks and ensure that any raw milk purchased is from a WSDA-licensed operation.
Consumers who have purchased Jim’s Jerseys raw milk with the best buy date of Aug. 23 should take the following precautions:
• Do not consume the raw milk.
• Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
• Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe
See Whatcom news on A5
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission designated CenturyLink as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier within its service area for universal service purposes. CenturyLink’s basic local service rates for residential voice lines are $32.00 per month and business services are $48.50 per month. Specific rates will be provided upon request. CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which makes residential telephone or qualifying broadband service more affordable to eligible low-income individuals and families. Eligible customers may qualify for Lifeline discounts of $5.25/month for voice or bundled voice service or $9.25/month for qualifying broadband or broadband bundles. Residents who live on federally recognized Tribal Lands may qualify for additional Tribal benefits if they participate in certain additional federal eligibility programs. The Lifeline discount is available for only one telephone or qualifying broadband service per household, which can be either a wireline or wireless service. Broadband speeds must be at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload to qualify.
A household is defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address and share income and expenses. Services are not transferable, and only eligible consumers may enroll in these programs. Consumers who willfully make false statements to obtain these discounts can be punished by fine or imprisonment and can be barred from these programs.
If you live in a CenturyLink service area, visit https:// .centurylink.com/aboutus/commu nity/community-development/lifeline.html for additional information about applying for these programs or call 1-800-201-4099 with questions.
FORUM
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.
LETTERS
Concerning repeal of the children’s initiative levy …
Editor,
Concerning repeal of the children’s initiative levy. What would Jesus do? He wouldn’t steal from all the people to give to a few, as our government has become addicted to doing.
If your property is not worth $1M yet, just wait. e assessor’s o ce, which consistently, constantly and continually overvalues everybody’s property, will get you there in a few years. at, coupled with the government induced whammy of high in ation, which is making everything you buy more expensive, while the money you earn is worth less and less. e Almighty God who gave us a heart to see the plight of the distressed also gave us a brain that we may discover solutions to the exigencies facing vulnerable people in our communities.
Instead of playing the rather threadbare blame and shame game, Gracie Lamb, you could form a nonpro t with the speci c mission of helping children and the families who most need it.
You, and everyone who voted for this initiative would not be limited but could donate as much of your own money every month as you wished. I have con dence that you and your volunteers would be able to distribute these funds much more e ciently and fairly than any number of bureaucrats could or would do.
Our government should not
WHERE TO WRITE
North Whatcom
Municipal City of Everson, 111 W. Main St./PO Box 315, Everson, WA 98247, 360-9663411; 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, 360384-4302; 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
be entrusted with the power to pick winners and losers. e people should support the government. e government should not support the people.
What the heck is a latte anyway?
Mark Aamot Custer
What’s the fluoride fuss all about?
Editor, I have been following the uoride issue and would like to know what the fuss is about? Are the people who are against uoride in the city water using uoride toothpaste and not eating so many of the products on the grocery shelves that have an adverse e ect on our bodies? Barbara Vander Velden Lynden
After fluoride ‘a tremendous change’
Editor, Just another word for favoring uoride in the Lynden water system.
I worked with the wellknown Dr. John Cook for 35 years, during the time before uoride and after uoride was added to the water in Lynden. Before uoride, children and teenagers would come in with many cavities. Some of the smaller children’s teeth were beyond repair. After uoride we saw a tremendous change.
Scott Korthuis, email korthuiss@lyndenwa.org; City Administrator John Williams, email williamsj@ lyndenwa.org. City of Nooksack, 103 W Madison St, Nooksack, WA 98276, 360-9662531. 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, 360-9885711; Mayor Bruce Bosch, email: Bbosch@cityofsumas.com. Finance Director Jennifer Bell, email: jbell@ cityofsumas.com.
North Whatcom Public education Blaine School District, 765 H St., Blaine, WA
It was amazing. I saw it happen rst-hand. erefore, I am strongly in favor of uoride in the water.
Mae Rose Tiesinga Blaine
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 veri cation by newspaper sta . Neither unsigned letters nor letters containing personal attacks of a libelous nature will be published.
98230, 360-332-5881. 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,
e Tribune and Record newspapers reserve the right to edit or refuse any letter. Furthermore, space limitations may also preclude letters from being published. 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
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.
email: jeverett@ meridian.wednet.edu. Website: meridian.wednet.edu
Mount Baker School District, 4956 Deming Road/P.O. Box 95 Deming, WA 98244, 360-383-2000. 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, 360-988-4754. Superintendent Matt Galley, email: matt.galley@nv.k12. wa.us. Website: nv.k12. wa.us.
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/writeto-patty; Website: murray. senate.gov.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D), 2163 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-2605; Public comment email form at larsen.house.gov/ contact. Website: larsen. house.gov.
Community Calendar
First Thursday of each month
Parkinson Support Group
The Lynden Parkinson support group meets the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Lynden Community/Senior Center, 401 Grover St. All people with Parkinson’s and caregivers are welcome to come. Call 360-354-1137 for any additional questions.
Saturdays
Grief Share Support Group
Grief Share is a support group that meets weekly where you will find a warm, caring environment of people who walk with you on your journey through grief after losing a loved one to death. This group will help you find healing and hope for your future. Meetings are for 13 consecutive Saturdays from Aug. 31 through Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. until noon in the corner classroom at North County Christ the King Church, 1816 18th St., Lynden. Email sandra.smith@ ncctk.com for more information.
Second Tuesday of each month Whatcom DBSA support group Whatcom DBSA support group(Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) meets the second Tuesday of each monthfrom 7-9 p.m.at the Chestnut Professional Building, 800 E. ChestnutSt. Ste 1C (first floor), Bellingham. Meet in person or on Zoom. Email whatcomdbsa@gmail.com for Zoom specifics.
Throughout September September Eat Local Month Join Sustainable Connections for a month-long celebration of local food and those who grow, raise, fish, make and cook it to share with us. All month
contact our advertising team at 360-354-4444.
long, Sustainable Connections will highlight opportunities to meet your chef, farmer, fisher and grocer and experience the unique flavors of our region. Visit sustainableconnections. org for more.
Sept. 4
Birchwood Garden Club’s September meeting Birchwood Garden Club’s September meeting will be from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, 121 Prospect St., Bellingham. The speaker will be Angela Kenworthy from Pure Peonies, in Everson, where they grow over 135 varieties of peonies and they have a robust plant and bouquet business. Birchwood Garden Club membership is open to anyone in Whatcom or Skagit counties. Anyone may attend the monthly meetings where we will have membership brochures to join. Visitbirchwoodgardenclub.orgfor more information.
Sept. 3-9
Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally 24th annual Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally, Sept. 7 from noon3 p.m. at the Northwest Washington Fair Grounds, 1775 Front St., Lynden. Washington State’s Largest Vintage Trailer Rally, and second longest running rally in history. Public is welcome to attend and view open trailers. No cover charge. Park in designated areas. For more information, visit downrivertrailers.com.
Sept. 7 Lynden Whiskey Event The Lynden Whiskey Event is from 4-10 p.m. Sept. 7 in downtown Lynden. Participating businesses will be open to host local whiskey distilleries, and
Whatcom news:
Continued from A3
symptoms such as:
• Severe diarrhea or diarrhea lasting more than three days
• Stomach cramps
• Blood in the stool
Note: Usually, little or no fever is present. People usually get sick from E. Coli between one and eight days (usually two to three days) after swallowing the bacteria. For more information about the recall, consumers can contact Old Silvana Creamery directly at 425268-7961 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
2024
with every Whiskey Walk ticket purchase, you’ll receive five tasting tokens that will allow you to choose from a wide selection of whiskeys at the participating distilleries. The Beer Garden at Overflow Taps purchased separately at Overflow Taps and is not a liated with The Lynden Music Festival. Tokens valued at $5 each. Token prices may vary and may lower the cost per token. Additional tokens can be purchased at event check in booth for $5 each. Visit lyndenwhiskeyevent.com for more information.
Sept. 9/Sept. 23
No-Sew Christmas crafts Nancy Thibault will assist with no-sew kits of Christmas ornaments at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9 and again on Monday, Sept. 23, at the Lynden Community/Senior Center, 401 Grover St. Kits will be $5 for class 1, (alternating fabric) and $6.50 for class 2, (star pattern). Please register beforehand. Call 360-354-2921 or email info@lyndencommunitycenter.org for more information.
Sept. 10/Sept. 24
Painting with Anne Anne Levinson assists students to create a painting with acrylic paints, which will be completed in two hours. Classes are from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Registration is required, before the class begins. Lynden Community/Senior Center is at 401 Grover St. For more information, call 360-354-2921 or email info@lyndencommunitycenter. org.
Sept. 12-29 Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Claire Theatre, in Lynden’s downtown Dutch Village Mall, will present the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Experience this classic tale live on stage taking place in 15th Century Paris centered around the iconic Notre- Dame Cathedral. The show opens on Sept. 12 & runs for three weeks: at 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are available at theclaire. ludus.com/index.php?show_ id=200455794. For more information, visit theclaire.org or emailboxo ce@theclaire.org.
Sept. 13-20
Raise the Roof Auction
Get ready to have a great time at Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County’s 22nd annual Raise the Roof Auction. The in-person party starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 at Barnstar Events, 5295 S Church Road, Ferndale, and will feature live music, games, great food and more. Even if you can’t join the party, you can still saddle up and support Habitat’s online auction which opens on Friday, Sept. 13. Register in advance and preview the auction items at auctria.events/GiddyUp.
Sept. 14
Modern Square Dance Party
Looking for a fun way to exercise and meet new friends?
Come to a modern square dance party on Sept. 14 from 7-9 p.m. No experience needed. Learn squares, lines and circle dances. Everyone invited: couples, singles, families. No partner needed. Come as you are, bring your friends, laugh a lot. Held at Ten Mile Grange, 6950 Hannegan Road, Lynden. Adults $5, youth $3. For more information, email olgaskill@ comcast.net.
Housing issues discussed
Health and Community Services, in coordination with the Opportunity Council, has published a new comprehensive look at homelessness and housing instability in Whatcom County. is year’s comprehensive analysis uses data from the Point in Time Count (PITC) but also makes use of additional information from other sources.
According to an Aug. 27 press release from Whatcom County Health and Community Services, key ndings include:
• Overall, the state of homelessness remained about the same from 2023 to 2024.
• Housing programs are successfully nding homes for the unhoused, but additional people are becoming homeless as fast as the system can nd available homes for them.
• e most common reason reported for someone’s homelessness was a lack of
a ordable housing.
• More than half of all Whatcom County renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend thirty percent or more of their income on housing costs. is makes it harder for them to create an emergency fund. ey are at higher risk of becoming
homeless when a medical bill, job loss, or other unexpected expense makes them unable to pay rent. Read the full report at whatcomcounty.us.
Sept. 14-15
PSATMA September Pull
This year’s PSATMA September Pull will be held Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15 in the west field of Berthusen Park, 8837 Berthusen Road at Badger Road. Sept. 14 schedule: lawnmowers at 9:30 a.m., tractors at 1 p.m., trucks at 3 p.m. Sept. 15 schedule: tractors at 1 p.m., trucks at 3 p.m. Gas & Diesel Street Truck Challenge both days. Bring your trucks and get your friends to come pull with you. Also looking for some semis to come out and pull. Test the sled to stop you. Food vendors on site. More information, call Diane at 360-319-2404 or Je at 360-815-5979.
Sept. 14-22
Whatcom Water Week
Help the Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WWIN) celebrate Whatcom Water Week from Saturday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 22. A series of fun, free, family-friendly events throughout Whatcom County o er residents a chance to celebrate the importance of water. Events include family activities, tours and explorations, contests and prizes, and special community events. Visit WhatcomWaterWeeks.org for a list of events. Sept. 14 Free electronics recycling Recycle unwanted televisions, computers and monitors, working or not, for free, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Lynden City Hall parking lot, 300 4th St. All individuals and small businesses are eligible to drop o up to 10 items. E-Cycle Washington accepts all types of TVs, computers, laptops, tablets and monitors for recycling at no charge. More information at ecyclewa.org.
Cell phones: Board alludes to more changes in progress
time can have on student development.
“Unfortunately, we’re at a time where a student might videotape something that is inappropriate and then share that,” said District Superintendent Kristi Dominguez. “Just the legal ramications of that, it does call that out but that is to protect our students. It’s very easy to share information and some of the information that gets shared could be illegal and could put both sides in harm’s way.”
Although the changes made to the cell phone policy may be mostly cosmetic for the time being, the board alluded to greater changes being made in the future.
Many of the board members commented on the amendments to the policy,
including newly elected student representative, Harleen Malli, who said that, although changes will be difcult to adapt to at rst, the end result will be worth it in the end.
“It’s going to be a challenge, a learning curve for sure,” Malli said. “But I think that once it happens, it’s going to be awesome. I think once students realize when they see the impacts of how good their learning is, how happy they seem, at the end of the year it will all be worth it.”
Other happenings during the district governing board’s meeting include: • Board Member Nancy Button gave a legislative report, during which she informed the board that the Washington State School Directors Association, (WSSDA for short) has open positions
available, with seats available on the legislative committee, the resolutions committee and the scholastic community. Button o ered the board more information on the open positions and encouraged her fellow board members to apply.
• e board discussed brie y the possibility of settling on a date for the annual retreat, with Board President Kevin Erickson proposing the board meet around Sept. 10-12. However, the board ultimately decided that their schedules were still too out of sync for any speci c date to be agreed upon and so they tabled a decision for a later date.
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@lyndentribune.com.
Rena Priest: ‘There’s also so much about their journey that represents strength and
resilience’
Continued from A1
journey home, this one is about the wild and the sacred.”
Priest said although not all poems are based around salmon, most of them have to do with salmon in some way.
Priest also said she wanted to make a collection of poems that center around salmon due to the many ways their lives and journeys can re ect the multiple meanings humans can nd in our own lives.
“ ey’re a keystone species and so the whole ecosystem relies
on the health and wellbeing of the salmon,” Priest said. “But there’s also so much about their journey that represents strength and resilience and self-sacri ce that it lends itself very well to metaphor.
“It appeals to people, it shows us our own journey, the hero’s journey, and there’s so many ways we can learn from them.”
Washington Center for the Book is an a liate of the Library of Congress.
-- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@ lyndentribune.com.
Whatcom news: Gas prices down
Continued from A5
Average gasoline prices in Washington have fallen 2.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.10/g on Sept. 3, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,666 stations in Washington.
Prices in Washington are 8.7 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 94.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. e national average price of diesel has declined 0.2 cents in the past week and stands at $3.65 per gallon, a fresh multi-year low. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Washington was priced at $2.99/g on Sept. 2 while the most expensive was $5.59/g, a di erence of $2.60/g.
e national average price of gasoline has fallen 4.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.28/g on Sept. 3. e national average is down 17.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 48.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“ e national average price of gasoline prices has continued to slump for the fth straight week. With the summer driving season now over, we have much to look forward to for the fall: more drops at the pump as demand drops seasonally, and the changeover to cheaper winter gasoline is just two weeks away,”
said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As long as we don’t see a major hurricane head into the Gulf and the situation improves in the Middle East, the national average could fall below $3 in the next two months — GasBuddy is already tracking eight states at that level or lower. While diesel prices fell slightly last week, they may rise with winter growing closer and the economy’s likely rebound ahead of the Fed’s expected rate cut. So, while it’s great news for gas prices, diesel will likely soon see its seasonal rise kick in.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at prices. GasBuddy.com.
Just earn 25 Points to get an entry to drawings every half hour:
$500 at 7pm
at 7:30pm
at 8pm
at 8:30pm
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at 10pm
Girls soccer teams prepare for 2024
went 6-2-2 in confer-
year and 15-5-3
WHATCOM
— As the new girls' soccer season approaches, the Northwest Conference is set to be an exciting battleground. Four teams from last year made signi cant strides in the state playo s: Lynden, Lynden Christian, Meridian, and Ferndale. All had solid performances and are looking to capitalize on their success from last season.
Ferndale:
ey went 9-1-2 in league play last year and 16-3-2, the best regular season record of any Northwest Conference team. ey fell to Oak Harbor in the district playo s, 3-2; however, they won the next two games to advance to the state playo s. ey won the rst game of the state playo s, 3-2, over Stadium High School in Sammamish. ey fell in the next round to Roosevelt High School, 6-1, who eventually won the state championship.
If Ferndale will have similar success this year, it will need to nd a way to replace the production of twin sisters Emily and Audrey Holdridge. e sisters graduated last year and are now playing at Western Washington University.
Lynden Christian:
e Lyncs went 7-1 in league play, 10-10 overall and lost to Meridian 3-0 in the district championship but advanced past Blaine in the make-up to advance to state. However, they lost to Seattle Academy 7-0 in the rst round of the state playo s. e two non-conference opponents on Lynden Christian’s schedule are Cashmere and Bear Creek. e Lyncs open the season against Cashmere on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at Vale Elementary School. Cashmere went 15-2-2 last year with an 8-0 conference record.
Meridian:
e Trojans went 6-1-1 in league play and 11-6-1 overall. ey won the district championship over Lynden Christian, 3-0. eir season ended in the rst round of the state playo s to La Center, 3-2. ey open the season against Bear Creek on Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. at Meridian High School, the lone non-conference opponent on their schedule. Last year, Bear Creek went 15-6-1.
Lynden: e Lions went 6-2-2 in conference play last year and 15-5-3 overall. ey beat Selah 3-1 in the rst round of the state playo s and lost to West Valley 4-0 in the quarter nals. e lone non-conference opponent on this year’s schedule is Arlington on Sept. 14.
Nooksack Valley and Mount Baker will look to turn their fortunes around. Both teams faced di cult seasons last year, with Nooksack Valley nishing 2-16 and Mount Baker at 1-11. ey will aim to improve their standings and make a signi cant impact this year.
e season will kick o when Nooksack Valley plays Bear Creek at 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Bear Creek High School.
FERNDALE — As the 2024 football season approaches, Ferndale High School's football team looks to build upon last year's 8-3 record, which culminated in a rst-round playo exit. With a mix of returning players and promising newcomers, Ferndale remains focused on the present and what the new season has in store.
Re ecting on last year's success, head coach Jamie Plenkovich emphasized the importance of fundamentals in the team's approach.
"We're going to play ball control on o ense, try to play really good defense. Our kids buy into our schemes and play hard," he said. Plenkovich explained this philosophy was key to Ferndale's success in 2023. However, he was quick to acknowledge the di culty of winning a 3A state championship. He noted a variety of factors, including talent, injuries, and a bit of luck, play a role in reaching the top.
"Every year is di erent," Plenkovich said. "We're just taking it as, you know, trying to get the best, the most out of the players we have back for us this year." is year, Ferndale enters the season with a focus on getting the most out of every player on the roster. Rather than comparing this season to the last, the team is concentrating on daily improvement and individual development, emphasizing the importance of practice
and growth throughout the season.
One change for the Golden Eagles this year is the return of a familiar face to the coaching sta . Former NFL rst-round draft pick Jake Locker has rejoined the team as the o ensive coordinator after a three-year hiatus.
"He just has tremendous knowledge of football, right? He played at the highest level," Plenkovich said.
While the team's base offensive scheme will remain mostly unchanged, Locker's expertise is expected to add new dimensions to the playbook, potentially giving Ferndale's o ense an edge. Ferndale's roster includes
Joe Kramer SportsEditor
Lynden
ence play last
overall. (Dennis Cairns for the Tribune)
Kramer SportsEditor Ferndale senior wide receiver Israel Kennerley (No. 6) high-fives a teammate during Ferndale’s scrimmage on Aug. 31.
Joe Kramer SportsEditor
Ferndale hosts football scrimmage
Ferndale Youth Sports goes competitive
over three years to help with the expansions.
e program continues to expand and looks in a more competitive direction with the edition of elite basketball, Cal Ripken baseball and volleyball.
“We’re seeing a want and a need,” Erickson said of local competitive sport teams.
By Racquel Muncy For the Tribune
FERNDALE --- Ferndale
Youth
to, and because of, community support.
For many years, Ferndale Youth Sports only organized the youth tackle football, but in 2021 rst o ered other sports after the Boys and Girls Club had to stop youth activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ferndale Youth Sports Board President Stefani Erickson.
“ ere really wasn’t anything left for them to do,” she said.
In 2021, the organization began to o er baseball, softball, basketball and cheer recreationally thanks to a grant from the City of Ferndale.
“Our community has wanted something like this, needed something like this for a long time,” Erickson said. “I’m excited for how quickly we’ve grown.”
In three short years, Erickson said the basketball program has almost doubled with about 19 teams.
“Our community has a big love for basketball,” she said.
e organization utilized $150,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funding
Competitive teams tend to be pricey for families, but she said Ferndale Youth Sports aims to make sure all kids can be involved.
“We’re trying to keep it a ordable for our community,” she said.
Parent Ti any Sweet said she appreciates the organization and how it keeps everything a ordable.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” she said. “ ey’re doing great things in our community. ey’ve given so many opportunities to kids.”
e organization is entirely volunteer run, from the executive board to coaches to umpires and referees.
Erickson said depending on the season the organization may have about 50 volunteers at a time, showing the community’s support of the organization.
“It’s a task every season,” she said of making sure all of the working pieces have the proper amount of volunteers to keep everything running smoothly.
Erickson said the organization has always been able to nd coaches, so there has yet to be a team of kids turned away for lack of volunteers, but she said
that is a constant fear.
“We’ve had a lot of luck with coaches,” she said.
Sweet said she loves Ferndale Youth Sports and all of the volunteers involved because it seems like they love being out there coaching.
Cooper Clark is coaching his rst season of pee wee football and he said he has enjoyed working within the organization.
“I love it,” he said. “I love the competitive energy that it brings.”
Clark said he also likes that the kids start young and can be eased into the sport. e teams are also seeing more and more younger children. He said more than half of his team will be able to return next season.
Sweet said she enjoys that these are starting young and will be able to continue playing together all the way up through high school. She said her other son plays baseball and used to have to participate in a Lynden league.
“ ese kids go to school together. ey get to play together here,” she said.
Coaching the younger kids has a certain set of challenges, Clark said. Including the high energy and limited attention span.
“It’s important to keep them moving,” he said.
However, the most important part of coaching pee wee football is teaching the kids proper safety and good habits.
Parent Lydia Chambers said while she has
Ferndale football: Locker returns as OC
a group of experienced seniors expected to play signi cant roles this season.
"Talan Bungard, Lincoln
omas, Jacob Gandy, Wyatt Strait are all seniors that showed up, did their work in the o -season program," Plenkovich said. " ey have been good leaders for us since the end of last year and have done a good job for us so far this year."
In addition to the established leaders, Plenkovich expects a number of returning players to be poised for breakout seasons. Bungard, omas and Strait played signi cant roles last year and are expected to be key contributors again.
Plenkovich also highlighted junior Kulshan LaValley, who served as the team's center and defensive tackle, and Zach Nielsen, a former starter returning to the lineup after missing last season.
e team is also excited about some younger talent emerging from the oseason. Sophomore Elliot Lenssen has already caught the coaching sta 's attention with his dynamic play on defense. At the same time, junior quarterback Nolan Boleak has impressed after taking over the starting role during the spring and o season.
"Nolan did a great job in the spring and o season,
so he's really stepped up," Plenkovich said.
Boleak was the JV quarterback last year and played freshman football the year before.
During the o season, Ferndale's focus has been on player development, particularly in strength and conditioning.
"It's all about getting bigger, faster, stronger," Plenkovich said.
As for their o ensive and defensive strategies, Plenkovich indicates that the team's base schemes will remain consistent with last year's approach, with tweaks to accommodate the current roster's strengths.
e competition in Ferndale's division appears stronger with the addition of Snohomish and SedroWoolley.
"Sedro-Woolley is always a really strong opponent," Plenkovich said.
" ey're going to be right there battling for things. Stanwood has a lot of guys back, so there'll be some challenges."
However, the coach remains steadfast in his belief that Ferndale must take things one game at a time, starting with the season opener against Lynden on Sept. 6.
"We really don't look forward in our schedule," he said. "You can't a ord to do that. So we're worried
about next Friday night and getting ready to play."
Plenkovich, who has been at the helm for over two decades, remains motivated to continue
coaching.
"It's just fun being around kids," he said. "It's just cool to get to know our players and see all the positive things they are about,
help them grow. e reward is seeing them down the road after they graduate from high school and hearing what they're doing and being excited for what
they have going on in their life."
Ferndale's rst game is against Lynden on Sept. 6 at Ferndale High School at 7 p.m.
The most important part of coaching pee wee football is teaching the kids proper safety and good habits. (Racquel Muncy for the Record)
See Youth sports on B10
Classifieds
G LOCAL
ANTIQUES
Applegrove Junction Antiques-Buy & Sell
1214 W. Axton Rd. #B, Ferndale • 360-526-2305 www.facebook.com/applegrovejunctionantiques 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
The Healthy Bra Company, Maria C. Monti 425-478-0246 • abraforyou@aol.com www.thehealthybracompany.org
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
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, Financial Representative 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
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 8472 Silver Lake Road, 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
She
Sweet
“It’s
about the kids and making them all they can be as an athlete and a person and a teammate,” she said.
Erickson said there is also always a need for background support, such as volunteers to help with scheduling, ordering uniforms and keeping track of equipment.
Creating young athletes is a team e ort.
Erickson said the organization has a good relationship with the high school athletic programs and works with high schoolers to have referees and umpires for home games.
“Really our goal is to bridge our youth sports with our high school sports,” she said.
e high school teams will occasionally hold skill clinics for the youth and Erickson said it serves as leadership practice for the high school athletes, it gets the youth excited to continue their athletic journey and it gets more community out to high school games.
e end goal is to have a streamlined athletic program, so the youth have opportunities and the high school will continue to see quality Ferndale athletes.
Learn more about Ferndale Youth Sports at ferndaleyouthsports.com or by email at info@ ferndaleyouthsports.com. Also on Facebook: Ferndale Youth Sports.
