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Surrounded by strong women
I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and I have been truly blessed to have been raised by a group that included so many strong, confident women (and many amazing men) who gave me the courage and encouragement to know that whatever I want to do, I can succeed in.
My first grade teacher Mrs. Yorks taught me how to write. While I was no good at setting up a scene or making up a story, I learned that I could write about things and people I know. I entered a “My Hometown Hero” writing competition about my mom. Turns out not much has changed.
Later, Ms. Ensign taught me to write what I think, what I’m passionate about. If I’m lucky, someone might just read it. She also taught me that not everyone is going to like what I write, but if it matters to one it is worth it. She encouraged me to enter a writing contest about what freedom means to me. I wrote about freedom of speech and the ability to voice my opinions, my thoughts, the ability to have an uncensored voice.
My sixth grade teacher Mrs. Shephard taught me the importance of having a voice and that not everyone has the opportunity to use theirs. She taught us Latin phrases and one she really nailed home translated to “Use, don’t abuse.”
I think that one lesson has had a large impact on the way I view my career. I want to use my voice to bring light to what is going on in my community and showcase the people, places and organizations that make this community great. My voice is meant to give voice to others. Too often these days the media is seen negatively because of abuse of that opportunity to have a voice and a stage for people to hear it.
I never thought I would write professionally, but here I am. Teachers taught me how, but my family helped me to get to the point in my life where I am today.
I have two aunts that I grew up more like older sisters. They are smart. They are brave. They are fierce. I may be 29 years old, but I hope to be more like them when I grow up.
My mom is all of that and more. As an adult (and a child, but I didn’t appreciate it until I left home), I am a storm of anxiety and what-ifs. She is the calm.
No matter what is going on I know if I truly need help, she will drop everything to be there. She’s proved it over and over again. I know if something happens and I’m on the ledge, she will talk me down and help me figure out how we can fix it.
We’ve come a long way from fighting over making my bed as she dropped me off at college.
I can only pray I am half the mom she is, but I know she has given me all the tools to do it. But even luckier for me, I have my village to help.
-- Racquel Muncy is news reporter at the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record newspaper.
Racquel Muncy
Teri Treat. Page 2
Amanda May. Page 6
Celina Rodriguez and Megan Juenemann. Page 10
Terri Yost. Page 14
Char Lenn. Page 18
Daniella Wilks. Page 28
Collaboration and community
Teri Treat has spent the better part of four decades in the hospitality industry. Treat co-owns The Inn at Lynden which is known for its historic hospitality. (Courtesy photos)
Teri Treat looks back on four decades of hospitality
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
The hospitality industry is all about relaxation and renewal. That is precisely why Inn at Lynden co-owner Teri Treat loves the industry enough to have spent over 40 years in it.
“It is the best industry,” she said. “It’s a wonderful business.”
Treat said she enjoys how collaborative the hospitality industry is. More than 30 hotels are included in the Bellingham Whatcom County Lodging Association. Treat said they all support each other and are treated as friendly competition.
Treat and her husband Matt, along with fellow coowners Deb and Jeff McClure, knew downtown Lynden could use a boutique hotel. They took a tour of the Waples Building in 2013 and felt the building had a lot of promise even though it needed a lot of work. The building was barely a shell and had sat empty for several years after a fire in 2008.
“It felt really natural,” Treat said, adding that she and her husband were at a spot in their lives where they needed a new project. “It was really the perfect fit.”
More than one year later, in 2015, the inn opened while still partially under construction.
“The day we were opening we were putting the numbers on the doors,” she said.
Getting the inn up and running was a difficult project, but Treat said looking back it is easy to remember all the good things that happened, while the difficult times lay forgotten.
The Inn at Lynden is known for its historic hospitality. Treat said it was important for their group to remain authentic to the history of the building and to honor the uniqueness of the people and the area.
“We let the building drive the design,” she said of balancing the historical building with a modern look.
The building may be his-
toric and each rooms has a touch of history, but is filled with modern, luxurious amenities such as sheets, towels and soaps that everyone can enjoy.
That need to balance historical with modern feels is something all of the tenants of the Waples Building have took to heart, Treat said. Tenants like Avenue Bread took the thoughts and intentions behind the historical feel and ran with it to create their own unique atmosphere.
Treat said it has been the people that have kept her in love with the hospitality industry over the years, both those she has worked with
See Treat on next page
From left to right: Brandi Wydur, Marita Moton, Stephanie Joostens
• Stephanie Joostens graduated from Lynden Christian School. Immediately after graduating, she started her career in the banking industry and spent the next 9 years in the field. After a short break with her young family, she spent the next 6 years in a local medical office. She then decided to join her husband and now works in an administrative position within Hinton Chevrolet. She has enjoyed the auto industry ever since!
• Brandi Wydur graduated from Ferndale High School. She started working in the automotive industry at Bellingham Chrysler in 2001. From there, she moved on to Pioneer Ford and was later hired on at Hinton Chevrolet working in AP/AR. She has since been promoted to a management position within the office here at Hintons. She loves camping, fishing, friends, family, and (of course) her trips to Las Vegas.
• Marita Moton went to Lynden Christian High School. After graduation Marita moved away for 8 years before returning to her home town in Lynden in 2022. She is a proud mother of 3. Marita works at our front office desk and looks forward to seeing you when you come into the dealership!
and the patrons of the business. She recalled working with talented, fun and eclectic people from all walks of life. Being a part of milestone moments for those visiting the hotel is also something that she said she feels honored to be a part of.
“People share their lives with you,” she said of the weddings, birthdays and other big life moments.
As a business owner, Treat said it is her responsibility to make things better. Her proudest accomplishment is making downtown Lynden a better place for visitors and other local businesses.
“The downtown was in trouble,” she said prior to renovating the building.
However, Treat was quick to point out she was not alone the that endeavor and said the project was inspired by the development of the Jansen
Art Center.
“It’s such a satisfying thing,” she said of knowing she has benefitted the area. “There’s so many inspirational people doing inspirational things.”
Treat said she is also proud of creating 11 jobs with the inn, as well as numerous others through the businesses that lease space in the building, such as Village Books, Avenue Bread, Cheeks Boutique and Overflow Taps.
“It makes me proud,” she said.
While there have been too many good memories to count during her 40-plus years in the industry, Treat said nothing was more challenging, more difficult than making it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We didn’t know if we could keep the doors open,” she said.
Treat prides herself in making a longterm commitment to staff, building a team that sticks together and not closing doors at the last moment, but the pandemic took that out of her hands.
She said the inn lost about $25,000 in advanced registrations as the pandemic started to take off. It wasn’t until WECU
called to say they would pause her loan for 90 days. Treat then passed on that help by pausing her tenant rent payments for 30 days while everyone figured out what the next steps were.
“Everyone quickly realized we had to work together,” she said. “We went from being scared to death to ‘OK, we got this.’”
Fast forward to 2025 and Treat said, “business is good, really good” and looks like it will remain in a positive outlook, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Seattle.
Teri and her fellow partners with the Inn at Lynden continue to do their research and look at the future needs of both patrons and the community. Due to a growing need the Inn at Lynden is currently under construction and has added two new gathering spaces. One will be a huddle room, smaller than the current Waples Conference room and the other will be a massive 3,300-square-foot gathering space that can be used for weddings, birthdays and other events.
The large space will fit up to 175 people and will include a bar and industrial kitchen area.
A second set of bathrooms will also be added.
More information about the Inn at Lynden can be found at innatlynden. com.
-- Contact Racquel Muncy at racquel@ lyndentribune.com.
Museum director likes to tell stories
“I spent many early years writing and illustrating my own little books,” said Amanda May, director of the Lynden Heritage Museum. “When I was younger, I remember wanting to be an artist. I loved anything creative — drawing, painting — you name it. My grandpa was a talented artist and although his paintings only ever graced the walls of friends and relatives, I remember wanting to create art just like him. My creativity grew into storytelling, and the two always fit well together.” (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
Amanda May leads Lynden Heritage Museum toward 50-year anniversary
By Bill Helm Editor
As stories go, the founding of Lynden is most interesting. As is the story of its founder, Phoebe Judson.
Born in 1831 in the Ancaster community of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Judson (nee Goodell) kept a diary of her experiences from the day she and her family left Canada for was then known as the Washington Territory. Before she died at age 94 in 1926, Judson’s book “A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home: A Personal Memoir” was published. Judson’s story is one of the many stories folks can learn at the Lynden Heritage Museum.
The museum’s director since late-2021, Amanda May likes to tell stories.
“I spent many early years writing and illustrating my own little books,” said May, director of the Lynden Heritage Museum. “When I was younger, I remember wanting to be an artist. I loved anything creative — drawing, painting — you name it. My grandpa was a talented artist and although his paintings only ever graced the walls of friends and relatives, I
remember wanting to create art just like him. My creativity grew into storytelling, and the two always fit well together.”
May has lived the bulk of her life in Whatcom County. Grew up in Everson, graduated from Nooksack Valley High School, she remembers summers “throwing rocks in the gravel pits and running around in the haylofts of my friends’ farms.” Once she hit high school, it was volleyball full steam ahead for May. When she wasn’t on the court, May would make time for friends and other activities. She said those memories “are ones I deeply cherish, and I know that’s because of the
family, close friends and the community I was fortunate enough to be a part of.”
Home
After college, marriage and a few years down south, May became a mother — and decided it was time to return home.
“We now have two kids, both in elementary school, and it’s been an absolute blessing to raise them where I grew up,” she said.
Some of the time, May’s children find themselves at the Lynden Heritage Museum. It’s an “incredibly unique experience” for her children, May explained.
“As young as they are, history is kept a little at arm’s length,” she said. “They respond to some of the information and stories they find fascinating and like to ask questions from time to time as I share with them what we’re working on. However, the quality interactions with them come from their participation in events. Being in this role as director allows them to actively engage with the museum’s activities and the people who participate, and that’s an experience that is hard to recreate.”
Kids will be kids — and that goes for kids of all ages — as May and her children have found at the museum.
“Being able to hang out with mom after hours in a building like the museum — there have been many hideand-go-seek sessions while I finished up long days — has created core memories that will make the museum a part of their lives forever,” she said.
Although the museum’s director the past three-plus years, May became a museum board member in 2018 when she was asked to help simplify the museum’s bookkeeping and systems.
“I had been recommended
Amanda May, left, and Kate Hisdal in 2023 during setup of a baseball exhibit. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
by someone who knew I was doing similar development work with other companies,” May said. “Over the next four years, I continued to work with the museum in this capacity as treasurer. After COVID hit in 2020, everyone on the board and at the museum did whatever they could to make the best out of some very difficult years.”
‘Intelligent and a self-starter’
May planned to step away from her duties on the museum board at the end of 2021.
Until the museum’s longtime director, Troy Luginbill, retired from his position.
“After a couple of weeks of thought and reflection, I realized the museum was about to go through a transition that I was well-equipped to support,” May said. “Everything that comes with a shift in lead-
ership — including a review of direction and strategy — was something I had the skills to direct. In November of 2021, I proposed a plan to the board members and submitted my resume to take on the director role. They accepted, and here I am, working with a wonderful board of directors and staff, and proud to share what we’ve accomplished in the last three years and what we hope to accomplish in the future.”
Formerly a member of the Lynden Heritage Museum Endowment Foundation, Dick Decima said May has made many changes in the appearance of the museum “and has the full support of the board of directors and President Fred Polinder with programs that she has initiated.”
“She is intelligent and a self-starter,” Decima said. “The Lynden Heritage Mu -
seum is fortunate to have her.”
In 1979, Debbie Vander Veen was the museum’s first intern. She’s been involved in museum activities ever since.
“It brings me so much joy when I hear someone say that they’ve lived in Lynden for 30 years, and this is their first time going in the museum,” Vander Veen said. “Amanda’s creative events have connected the museum with the community in a new, engaging way, and I am excited about the new agriculture exhibit that she’s planning. Amanda supports local organizations and welcomes partnerships with organizations to bring more community members into the museum. She has not only maintained the museum, but she has also identified needs and made improvements. The new hallway near the stage is a testament to this and has greatly improved the
layout and accessibility of the museum. And construction plans for an elevator to reach the basement and second floor are currently underway.”
Although there’s funding to begin work on elevator installation, the museum is working to raise another $100,000 to support this project through its completion over the next six months, and also to replenish funds for additional projects, May said.
“Currently, people who are unable to use stairs can only access 50% of the building and with this addition, we are ensuring all visitors have the ability to access everything the museum has to offer,” May said. ‘This project has been a discussion for many years and it’s now time to make it a reality.”
Connection
The elevator is one of three
projects over the next few years May said are essential to the museum’s future success. The others are an archival library and to reformat the exhibits on the building’s west side.
“We are so excited to be sharing some ambitious goals for the museum that will occur in the next couple years,” May said. “As we approach the museum’s 50th anniversary in 2026, I am constantly reminded of the deep connection between this museum and the people it serves. For nearly five decades, the museum has preserved and shared the stories that are the foundation of our community — stories of resilience, hard work and the pioneering spirit that shaped Whatcom County.”
Speaking of connection, it’s that one word that best describes what May most
likes about her work at the Lynden Heritage Museum.
“In every aspect of this role, connection is at its core,” May said. “This word perfectly reflects why the museum exists in the first place.
I have connected with many people and heard countless stories, and although these interactions have come about because of the museum, they have left a lasting impression on my own life. I may not know everything about our history, but I do know how important it is — and how it’s my responsibility as director to make sure everyone has the opportunity to engage with it.”
Learn more about the Lynden Heritage Museum at lyndenheritagemuseum.org.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@ lyndentribune.com.
Amanda May has been director of the Lynden Heritage Museum since late-2021. In 2026, the museum will celebrate 50 years. “I am constantly reminded of the deep connection between this museum and the people it serves.” (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
Communicating with the community
Almost all of the communications coming out of the Ferndale School District and the City of Ferndale come from one of two women. Celina Rodriguez, left, is the Ferndale School District’s executive director of communications. Megan Juenemann is the communications and community relations officer for the City of Ferndale. Both are pictured at Ferndale High School. (Jackson Hogan/Ferndale School District Communications Specialist)
City, school district communications go through one of two Ferndale women
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
Keeping the students, families, residents and overall community of Ferndale informed is an important job.
Almost all of the communications coming out of the Ferndale School District and the City of Ferndale come from one of two women.
Celina Rodriguez
Celina Rodriguez is the Ferndale School District’s executive director of communications. During her time at Central Washington University, she felt the pressure of declaring a major. She went to her advisors who helped her look back at her strengths and find something that would suit her. They landed on public relations.
Both of Rodriguez’ parents are educators, so working for a school district felt like a natural fit. Immediately after college she went on to work for the Mount
Vernon-based afterschool program Children of the Valley, then to Skagit Valley College before becoming the public information officer for the Mount Vernon School District.
In 2021, she joined the Golden Eagles.
Rodriguez said she enjoys school communications because it has a strong community both locally and statewide. She said the group would be hard pressed to find a situation one of them hasn’t had to handle.
“We’re a really close community,” she said.
Megan Juenemann
Megan Juenemann is the communications and community relations officer for the City of Ferndale. When looking through a list of potential majors, she felt communications would be a perfect fit.
“I’ve always been a social person,” she said, adding she was looking for a general major.
Life happened and Juenemann became a stay-at-home mom for several years.
“During the (COVID-19) pandemic I felt isolated,” she said. “That’s when I made the switch.”
She began working part-time in a communications role for a foster care agency. It was here she was able to learn what a chamber of commerce is and later took a leap to become the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.
When the communications role with the city opened, she thought it would be a great way to further help the city and help people become more involved and informed.
“I care deeply for Ferndale,” she said. She began her role at the end of 2023.
Role
Both Rodriguez and Juenemann are in charge of getting information out to the public in an accurate way and timely
See Rodriguez and Juenemann on next page
Lynden
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Left to right: Jim Meenk, Dave Kruse, Andrew Mouw, Matt Warner, Dave Foster, Rob Meyer
manner.
“It’s a very big responsibility,” Juenemann said.
Rodriguez added in times of emergency, such as a school lockdown, it is also important to have a constant stream of communication going out to the community. When in the middle of an emergency, Rodriguez said she makes sure no more than 10 minutes go by without some sort of update, even if that update is that there is no new information.
Teamwork
The duo communicates regularly, creating a close and trusting relationship between the city and the school district.
In emergencies, this is particularly helpful, as Juenemann also does communications for the Ferndale Police Department.
Last October when a potential bomb threat was received at Ferndale High School the city was able to get the Public Works department to barricade the scene and have police officers on scene in a timely manner.
From there the duo was in the same room as information was collected and disseminated, as they combined resources to be used in the best way possible.
They also work together to
Celina Rodriguez and Megan Juenemann communicate weekly and work together frequently. (Racquel Muncy/Ferndale Record)
recognize student achievement. Recently, Juenemann and Mayor Greg Hansen attended a ceremony where Ferndale senior Kalliyan Svann was awarded the University of Washington’s Presidential Scholarship.
“We can be each other’s cheerleaders,” Rodriguez said.
Juenemann said it is important for the community to be aware of what is happening because although Ferndale is a growing community, it still
has a small town mentality and feel.
Rodriguez agreed and said Ferndale is a multigenerational town. Everyone from those too young to be students to grandparents who no longer have grandchildren
in the school district can be found in the grandstands at a football game.
“At the end of the day, we all support each other,” she said.
Successes and challenges
Rodriguez said that awards show a tangible representation of success, and she has been a part of bringing several to the Ferndale community.
Better communication is a goal for the school district after hearing from the community during the strategic plan update process.
The district has done that by putting together task forces that include community members and student representatives.
Another key success for Rodriguez was putting together the open house and ribbon cutting for the new high school building. The
community had strong feelings about the farewell of Old Main and the event helped those struggling with the new construction get closure.
“Honoring everyone’s feelings was really important to us,” she said. “It was just a big Ferndale reunion ... It helped people close a chapter.”
She said as they continue to work on improving communications with families and residents within the district, she hopes to hear if the improvements have been tangible.
Juenemann said her goal is to get the community more informed and involved in the decision making happening at the city level.
One example she gave was the community coming out in support of the Metalworks Skate Park. Juenemann said she did not think the council would approve the skate
park moving forward until the community got involved and showed up to tell the city council why it was needed. Prior to the comments, Juenemann said she was certain it would fail.
“That’s been my goal, to get the people further involved,” said.
The largest challenge for Rodriguez comes about from the uniqueness of being in a multigenerational town that wants to be involved with the school district. She has had to navigate communicating to a variety of audiences using a variety of mediums, such as newsletters, social media and the school blog.
Another challenge comes with wanting to tell all the stories and show everything the students are up to. There is only so much time in the day and figuring out what is an immediate need to post and
what could wait a day.
“It’s important to get the news out to everyone,” Rodriguez said.
Juenemann said her biggest challenge has been needing to be a little bit of an expert on everything.
“It’s my job to understand what’s happening and craft a message the community can understand,” she said.
The next question, and challenge, has been how to get the information out to the public.
Juenemann said social media has been a great way to disseminate information, but not a great way for people to get information, questions or comments to the city.
“There’s still room to grow,” she said. “We’re still moving forward.”
-- Contact Racquel Muncy at racquel@lyndentribune.com.
Terri Yost always wanted to be a coach
Since taking over as girls head basketball coach at Ferndale High School, Terri Yost has amassed 63 wins. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
Ferndale High School basketball coach gives back to her community
By Bill Helm Editor
Basketball has been a part of Terri Yost’s life since she was a child.
When she was in the second grade, Yost’s parents signed her up to play basketball.
“My mom was my basketball coach. She taught me the game and developed my love for it. It’s been a part of my life ever since,” said Yost, who grew up in Deming and went on to play basketball at Mount Baker High School.
“Growing up in a small community I had a lot of amazing basketball players to watch and learn from,” the Lynden resident recalled. “I learned a lot from my mom,
Susan Soares, Amy Brandland, Jill Jacoby, but the one player I watched and wanted to be like was Stacy Ferentchak. Now as a coach, I look up to and learn a lot from Carmen Dolfo and Stacey Turrell at Western Washington University.”
These days, Yost is operations manager at Cloud 9 Sports, a business that designs and sells athletic gear and equipment to schools, clubs and teams. Yost is also at Ferndale High School where she coaches the girls varsity basketball squad. She said recently she always knew she wanted to eventually become a coach.
“Playing on a team or out in the driveway with my brothers Dustin and Tyler, it’s just what I did,” she said.
“It was an easy transition for me after high school. I have four younger sisters — Erika, Emily, McKenzie and Abby — and parents who coached them, so I just started helping with their teams and eventually got to where I am today.”
A mentor
A junior guard on this year’s Ferndale High School team, Kayla Washington has played for Yost for the past three years. Washington said recently that Yost is “super supportive and always pushes you to do your best.”
A class of 2020 graduate, Ashley Thomas said Yost helped her game improve at Ferndale.
“I was not a confident player before playing for her,” Thomas said. “She encouraged and pushed me outside my comfort zone by trusting me to bring the ball up and be a leader on the team. I was captain of the varsity team
“She has a knack for identifying strengths and helping you improve on weaknesses,” Washington said. “As a mentor, she’s really inspiring, sharing her wisdom and experience to guide me and my team. She listens well and offers great advice, helping us grow personally and as a basketball player. She’s always there with the right advice and encouragement, which has really pushed me to achieve my goals. Plus, she’s taught me valuable lessons about resilience and perseverance.”
and was asked to take on a leadership role that she believed I could do. Terri not only coached me to be a great player but taught me about character. This prepared me for my college career as I played basketball and soccer at Skagit Valley College. Terri always pushed me to my full potential and I’m thankful because it shaped me into the player I am today.”
Thomas also said she considers Yost “a mentor in my life and someone I look up to.”
“I would call Terri for advice on anything I needed, regardless of if it’s sports related,” Thomas said. “I am so grateful for Terri being put in my life.”
‘A leader and a fun person to be around’
What does Yost most enjoy as a basketball coach?
“I love winning. I love the strategy part. But I really enjoy helping young women know the game and succeed in life like so many people did for me,” she said. “Just to be a small part of their life means so much.”
Josie Cline played her junior and senior campaigns at Ferndale under Yost. Cline said she loved basketball, especially playing for Yost.
“Terri is the kind of coach who is able to create a disciplined and fun environment for her players,”
Cline
Terri Yost is “the
and
for her players,” said Josie Cline who played her junior and senior campaigns at Ferndale High School under Yost. (Bill
Terri Yost: “We have an amazing program here at Ferndale High School. One that is more like a family. I am thankful to be at Ferndale High School.” (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
good grades in school as well.”
This past season, Cline was one of Yost’s assistant coaches at Ferndale.
“I was honored by the offer. Learning from a coach like Terri is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Cline said. “It was an amazing opportunity to see the other side of basketball from a coaching position. Terri is able to bring out confidence in each one of her players through encouragement. I hope to learn many coaching skills from Terri and take those with me to one day coach a basketball team in the future.”
Renata Detta, Ron Lepper and Brenda Ellis were the coaches Yost said were influential for her in high school. Ellis,
who was her head basketball coach at Mount Baker, is now one of Yost’s assistant coaches at Ferndale.
“I am so grateful for all the lessons, opportunities and time they gave me as both a person and a player,” Yost said. “They all invested so much in my life. I knew they cared far more about me as a person than as a player and I hope that I instill that feeling into the players who I coach. It is also pretty special to coach with my high school coach.”
Wherever she is or whatever she does, Yost strives for greatness. It’s what motivates her.
“I want to continue to learn daily about the game. Reading, listening to podcasts and talking
with past and current coaches,” she said. “I want to continue to build relationships with young women and help them reach their goals and dreams like so many did for me.
“We have an amazing program here at Ferndale High School. One that is more like a family. We all support and encourage each other from kindergarten to high school. We attend each other’s practices, games and other school events to cheer each other on. I am thankful to be at Ferndale High School and to be surrounded by people who all want to help all our student-athletes achieve greatness.”
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune.com.
Building a line dancing community
Char Lenn finds the beat with Lynden Line Dancers
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
Charlene Lenn has always loved to dance to a good beat, from Pitbull and a Latin beat to old school country or even some rap.
“I have this knack for finding the most obscure pieces of music,” Lenn said. “If it’s
got a beat we can dance to it.”
The “we” Lenn refers to is the Lynden Line Dancers she teaches. She can also be found at District Brewing in Ferndale on Thursdays teaching the basics to whomever is interested.
Lenn first started teaching classes at the Ten Mile Grange in 2009 after her husband passed away. Dancing was something she had always loved growing up. She said her mom had her in dance classes since she was 2 years old.
“I’ve always danced,” she said. “I’m a firm believer in moving.”
Line dancer beginners and experts can be found at District Brewing in Ferndale on Thursday’s, ready to have fun with Char Lenn, pictured at left leading a group.
(Racquel Muncy/ Ferndale Record)
Char: Building a line dancing community
Continued from 18
By the time her mid-30s rolled around line dancing became popular and she fell in love.
As with all things popular, people eventually moved on to something else, a line dancing dance hall came and went, but there will still people around who were interested in learning, but nobody who taught. Lenn has a love of teaching to go along with her love of dance, so she took up the role.
She said she has been “blessed with the ability to teach,” which includes high patience and the ability to explain things in a way people can understand.
“I’ve learned some tips and tricks over the years,” she said of teaching a variety of learners. “I think that’s why I have a bigger following.”
Jill Petersen and Tonya Cartwright have been line dancing since the ‘90s and started under Lenn seven and five years ago, respectively.
Petersen said she loves the music and Lenn is an easy instructor to follow.
Cartwright said she loves
dancing.
“It’s exercising, but it doesn’t feel like it,” she said.
Cartwright said she enjoys Lenn does old school line dancing to a variety of music.
“When she pulls out the Pitbull they all get excited,” she said of newcomers.
Now Lenn teaches structured beginner and intermediate classes at the Ten Mile Grange. There used to be an advanced class as well, but now there are not enough participants. Less structured classes are held at District Brewing in Ferndale and in the summer she can be found at Station 49 in Birch Bay.
“I’m getting pretty busy,” she said.
The first goal with the dancers is for everyone to have fun, with learning the names of the steps coming in at a close second. Once the beginners know the names of the steps and how to perform them, they are ready for the intermediate classes.
“They can really dance,” Lenn said of the intermediate classes. “They can dance be-
Char Lenn first started teaching classes at the Ten Mile Grange in 2009 after her husband passed away. Dancing was something she had always loved growing up. She said her mom had her in dance classes since she was 2 years old. (Racquel Muncy/Ferndale Record) See Char on 22
M-F 8:30am-5pm
Shane Van Dalen, Agent
Char: Building a line dancing community
Continued from 20
cause they know (the moves).”
She said watching people when the moves click in their brains and they nail a new moves gives her joy.
“They’re so excited,” she said.
The dancers range from people in their 20s to their 70s.
“Dancing with younger people keeps me young,” she said. “We push ourselves. The old and the young, we push.”
At 77 years old she said she is still able to keep up with her students in their 30s and 40s.
Lenn said dance is a great activity for people as they age.
Studies show that dance can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s as it increases brain function, boosts mem-
ory and reduces stress.
According to research posted in the New England Journal of Medicine, dancing for four hours a week can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 76%.
Lenn said she intentionally keeps her prices for class low because she wants everyone to have the opportunity.
“I want everyone to dance,” she said.
Sessions at District Brewing are $10. Classes at Ten Mile Grange are $35 and Station 49 is a suggested donation of $6. -
Char donates much of the proceeds to her personal heroes over at Heroes and Horses in Montana.
Heroes and Horses works with combat veterans tran -
LOVE THEM BOTH.
UNBORN LIFE IS HUMAN LIFE!
Char Lenn teaches structured beginner and intermediate classes at the Ten Mile Grange.
sitioning back to civilian life with full body, mind, body and spirit help.
“We really do dance for our heroes,” Lenn said.
More information on Lynden Line Dancers can be
found on their Facebook page. The best way to join a class or reach Lenn is through that page.
-- Contact Racquel Muncy at racquel@lyndentribune.com.
(Racquel Muncy/Ferndale Record)
Figures from the US Census Bureau. Figures retrieved on March 5, 2025.
Population
Population estimates (July 2023) 16,551
Population census (April 2020) 15,749
Population census (April 2010) 11,951
Age and Sex
Female: 51.7%
Male: 48.3%
Children younger than age 5: 7.8%
Children younger than age 18: 24%
Senior citizens (65 and older): 18.3%
Ethnicity
African American: 0.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.4%
Asian: 2.1%
Caucasian: 75.9%
Hispanic or Latino: 13.9%
Two or more races: 8.9%
Population characteristics (2019-2023)
Foreign born: 10.9%
Veterans: 1,154
Housing (2019-2023)
Owner-occupied: 66.2%
Median value of owner-occupied: $546,400
Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage: $2,314
Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage: $622
Median gross rent: $1,623
Families and living arrangements (2019-2023)
Households: 5,865
Persons per household: 2.7
Living in the same house one year ago (percent of persons aged 1 year or older): 85.5%
Language other than English spoken at home (percentage of persons aged 5 year or older): 14.03
Computer and Internet use (20192023)
Households with a computer: 94.9%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription: 92.9%
Education (2019-2023)
High school graduate or greater, age 25 and older: 92.6%
Bachelor’s degree or greater, age 25 years and older: 28.2%
Health (2019-2023)
With disability, younger than age 65: 8.6%
Persons without health insurance, younger than age 65: 7.1%
Economy (2019-2023)
In civilian labor force, female and male, ages 16 and older: 67.7%
In civilian labor force, female, ages 16 and older: 61%
Transportation (2019-2023)
Mean travel time to work, minutes, workers ages 16 and older: 21.9
Income and Poverty (2019-2023)
Median household income: $94,869
Per-capita income for previous 12 months: $43,654
Persons in poverty: 8.7%
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City of Ferndale by the numbers
Figures from the US Census Bureau. Figures retrieved on March 5, 2025.
Population
Population estimates (July 2023): 15,992
Population census (April 2020): 15,048
Population census (April 2010): 11,415
Age and Sex
Female: 52.2%
Male: 47.8%
Children younger than age 5: 9.0%
Children younger than age 18: 26.7%
Senior citizens (65 and older): 14.8%
Ethnicity
African American: 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 2%
Asian: 7.9%
Caucasian: 68.6%
Hispanic or Latino: 15.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Two or more races: 8.9%
Population characteristics (2019-2023)
Foreign born: 14.2%
Veterans: 861
Housing (2019-2023)
Owner-occupied: 66.1%
Median value of owner-occupied: $492,400
Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage: $2,237
Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage: $655
Median gross rent: $1,461
Families and living arrangements (2019-2023)
Households: 5,518
Persons per household: 2.79
Living in the same house one year ago (percent of persons age 1 year or older): 87.6%
Language other than English spoken at home (percentage of persons age 5 year or older): 21.6%
Computer and Internet use (2019-2023)
Households with a computer: 97%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription: 93%
Education (2019-2023)
High school graduate or greater, age 25 and older: 94%
Bachelor’s degree or greater, age 25 years and older: 32.8%
Health (2019-2023)
With disability, younger than age 65: 8.6%
Persons without health insurance, younger than age 65: 11.2%
Economy (2019-2023)
In civilian labor force, female and male, ages 16 and older: 66%
In civilian labor force, female, ages 16 and older: 59.2%
Transportation (2019-2023)
Mean travel time to work, minutes, workers ages 16 and older: 22.6
Income and Poverty (2019-2023)
Median household income: $83,839
Per-capita income for previous 12 months: $37,688
Persons in poverty: 10.5%
L-R: Evan Sorensen, Rick Sorensen, Landen Sorensen, Tammy Sorensen, Ryan Sorensen, Martin Sorensen, Sergey Kotsyuba Not pictured: Jake Burns, Cameron Grafstrom, Kim Stafford, Scott Reynolds, Jesse Allison
Mt. Baker ROTARY
Lynden resident immerses herself in community
A Lynden resident for more than a decade, Daniella Wilks recently translated two stories for El Periódico, the Lynden Tribune’s thrice-annual publication for Spanish-speaking readers. In October, Wilks will become El Periódico’s official translator. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
Daniella Wilks to take over as Spanish translator with Lynden Tribune’s El Periódico publication
By Bill Helm Editor
With an interest in language and in people, Daniella Wilks said her work at El Periódico is a “wonderful opportunity to get more involved with my community, especially with our Spanish-speaking community.”
A Lynden resident for more than a decade, Wilks recently translated two stories for El Periódico , the Lynden Tribune’s thrice-annual publication for Spanish-speaking readers. In October, Wilks will
become El Periódico’s official translator.
“I love that El Periódico provides reading materials and stories that promote closer relationships and connecting opportunities in Spanish,” Wilks said.
Wilks grew up in Mexico, eventually married an American who works in Border Patrol. The Wilks family lived at the Texas/Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas.
“My husband’s job moved us to Lynden in October 2014,” Wilks said. “We love the change and our new community in Whatcom County. We also love that we have access to the ocean, forests, moun-
tains, rivers and bald eagles … We have been residents of Lynden since then.”
There have been times when Wilks has helped interpret and/or translate and “even as a mediator in negotiations with the goal of achieving a mutually beneficial agreement.”
“I hope that as part of El Periódico I might help people share views or traditions in a respectful and cordial way that reflects what areas we might even have in common, regardless of what country we are from,” Wilks said.
Wilks explained that there are similar traditions, events, food, beliefs, even family
values that are shared across different cultures.
“It is exciting to find ways to share those stories and traditions that perhaps younger Spanish speaking generations might not even be aware of,” Wilks said. “There is a great opportunity to learn from each other through El Periódico.”
Most recently, Wilks spent eight years at Sunrise Baptist Church in Custer as part of the office staff. However, she left the church recently to “fully focus on homeschooling our son.”
“My main role as an office
See Wilks on next page
assistant was creating, printing and distributing materials such as our Sunday church bulletin (digital and printed), creating invitations to events, posters, banners, memorial programs, announcements around the church, event support, etc.,” she said. “I also enjoyed working with our pastors, the congregation and engaging with people that visited our church.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilks has homeschooled her son. She said at first she did not enjoy homeschooling but now she does.
“I felt inadequate and unprepared when we started homeschooling in 2020,” Wilks said. “Since I am originally from Mexico and did all my education there, it has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about U.S. history, geography and even how math is taught, so we are learning together.”
In a homeschool education, Wilks and her husband learned how their son “did so much better learning one-on-one and attending Lyn-
den Academy a few hours a week.”
“I also began to enjoy tailoring the curriculum, making fun materials and adjusting his weekly schedule based on his interests and needs,” Wilks said. “It has been such a good fit for him, and I am now greatly enjoying it.”
Staff has also given Wilks an opportunity to write for El Periódico on occasion. To begin, Wilks will translate two stories for the April and the July editions of El Periódico. Staff looks forward to Wilks taking over as the publication’s regular translator.
“I am thankful and excited for the opportunity,” she said.
When she’s not homeschooling her son or translating stories from English into Spanish, Wilks likes to connect with friends, do Bible studies, participate in book discussion groups, have coffee with friends, hike with her family and smell the trees.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune.com.
The Lynden Tribune produces El Periódico, its publication for Spanish-speaking readers, in April, July and October. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
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