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SEQUIM GAZETTE
Dale Faulstich, master carver for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, above, makes one of his masks talk in his home. He retired on Jan. 8, after 22 years working full-time with the tribe. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash The totem at the Longhouse Market & Deli, left, is one of more than 60 totems that Faulstich designed and helped carve for the tribe during his tenure. Photo courtesy of Dale Faulstich
Carving a career out of history Faulstich retires, training the next generation’s Master Carver
by MATTHEW NASH
He continued, “Our hope is that these poles will cause all who see them to have a deeper appreciation and respect for our people, culture and contributions to our community. These Totems welcome now and for generations to come all visitors and guests to our territory, the gateway to our beautiful Olympic Peninsula.”
Sequim Gazette
For 20-plus years, Dale Faulstich, 65, has put a face, or faces, to the stories of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. The soft-spoken, non-native artist from Missouri has It’s the getting there served as the tribe’s Master Prior to moving to the area Carver since 1994 designing in 1974, Faulstich served four and helping create totem years active duty with the U.S. poles, masks, signs and more Coast Guard and two years in in an official capacity for “The the reserves before the lure Strong People.” of the Olympic Peninsula But last week, Faulstich brought him here. retired on Jan. 8 from his He opened an art gallery 50-60 hour weekly routine to on 3 Crabs Road, which later pursue other artistic passions became a commercial sign with plans to do some ocshop. His friendship with casional work with the tribe. Allen segued his career into “I spent my entire adult life doing art for the sake of Carving pieces like this killer whale at the Jamestown making signs and designs for money,” he said. “Now I’m S’Klallam Tribe’s Tribal Campus is the easist part of the the tribe in the 1980s and the going to do art for the sake process, says Dale Faulstich. He’s spent thousands of hours announcement of 7 Cedars Casino opening in the 1990s of fun. It feels wonderful. I researching the stories for the totems in his career. Photo courtesy of Dale Faulstich brought Faulstich into fullhave no idea what I’m going time tenure with the tribe. to make.” To hone his skills and be The iconic art Faulstich has made remains everyday fixtures for those driving through as accurate as possible, Faulstich spent thousands of hours Blyn, Sequim and Dungeness. He’s designed and helped carve researching the styles and history of the tribe. There’s been a more than 60 totem poles including the 10 poles in and around lot of trial and error, he said, and the hardest part is coming 7 Cedars Casino with its center pole at the entrance his first up with the totem’s stories. Depending on the piece, Faulstich will create a totem using project in his full-time role for the tribe. “I thought it was going to be a temporary contract, maybe written history or oral stories to design it. “People interviewed weren’t always storytellers so sometake six months, but 22 years later here I am,” he said. His designs continue to welcome visitors and/or share the times you have to combine them and make them legible,” tribe’s history following different styles from the Oregon/ he said. Faulstich said he fits the story of each piece such as “healing” Washington coastline to Southeast Alaska. Tribal Chairman W. Ron Allen said in Faulstich’s book “To- for the totem pole at the Jamestown Family Health Clinic or tem Poles of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe” that the poles the totem about “how fire came to be” at the Blyn Fire Station. Once he’s finished the story, then he’ll design the totem, “remind our citizens of their history and heritage and to create a memorable experience for our visitors and guests.” See CARVER, B-10
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SEQUIM GAZETTE
Carver
From page B-1 measure the log, a western red cedar, scale the drawings and begin carving, which he said is the easy part. Before 1994, Northwest art was a hobby for Faulstich while doing commercial art as a living. “I basically taught myself how to do it,” he said. When asked to discuss his favorite or most memorable work, Faulstich said what fascinates him most is always his current project. “It’s the challenge of making that drawing, taking this block of wood and turning it into this drawing,” he said. Master Carver Dale Faulstich carves an eagle totem set for a veterans memorial in Blyn. “Once it’s finished and out Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash the door, and even before it’s follow him step-by-step. panels for the new trestle out the door, I’m thinking down. Faulstich carved away on Designs sit on Faulstich’s connection in Dungeness about the next project.” an eagle for a planned vet- drawing board for the first River Railroad Bridge. Always the artist erans memorial at the tribal of three totem poles going “Ron Allen always gives me Even a few days before center. Nearby sits a thun- in at Jamestown Beach. He an endless supply of projects,” retirement, his studio didn’t derbird that his apprentice, also spent the past two weeks Faulstich said. Over the years, Faulstich look like an artist winding Dusty Humphries, 31, will designing 12 5-foot concrete has worked with dozens of artists and as he eases into other artistic ventures, Humphries, a S’Klallam tribal citizen, and Bud Turner will continue Faulstich’s work for the tribe as he’ll remain on as a consultant designing pieces. Humphries said it took him about two months to convince Faulstich to give him a chance five years ago. When the temperature drops, we run a higher risk of health problems and “I would bring in little injuries related to the weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and falls due things I had worked on and I persistently asked them for a to ice and snow.
Freezing Temperatures & Icy Sidewalks
Try to Stay Indoors when it’s very cold outside. If you need to go out and happen to slip and and injure yourself, Sequim Health & Rehab is ready to help you get back on your feet with our seven-day-a-week therapy department or our outpatient therapy services.
The Dance Plaza House Posts at the Jamestown Tribal Campus on left represent the Founding Fathers of the tribe and on right their legends and history. Submitted photo
job,” he said. “Finally he told me to come up on this certain day.” The plan is for Humphries to continue his studies in Faulstich’s studio for the immediate future. “I just hope to soak up as much as he has to offer,” Humphries said. “I don’t even know if I have a lifetime to do that. I’m so grateful he’s willing to teach me these things.” Turner, who runs the sign shop for the tribe, said he started helping Faulstich with projects in the early 1990s and they’ve made at
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least 15 totem poles together. “I’ve learned so much from him. He’s such a knowledgable artist,” Turner said. “Through the years, he’s been one of the nicest, kindest men. He’s very generous with his knowledge.” Both Humphries and Turner feel Faulstich has left a lasting impact. “He’s really set a vision around the area,” Turner said. “It’s locally recognized. It’s globally recognized. He’s put a sense of style to his work that’s really quite great.” Humphries said it brings up a conversation that might not necessarily happen. “It really opens up people’s eyes to the culture and how much the native people have depended on the cedar,” he said. Following Faulstich’s retirement, the tribe plans to honor him on Jan. 19. The carving shed in Blyn will remain open to the public for viewing, too. Faulstich plans to travel with his wife Heather to Tasmania to see their son and his family in the coming months while continuing to pursue his own art. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life in this building (his studio) on rainy days and go out hiking when the sun is out,” he said. “I had one hell of a time playing. I spent my whole adult life playing and it worked for me.”
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School board votes for Feb. 2016 bond proposal Construction costs push plan to $54M by MICHAEL DASHIELL Sequim Gazette
For the fourth time since early 2014, Sequim School District’s board of directors is asking area voters to approve a school construction bond. In a 5-0 unanimous vote Monday night, directors agreed to put a
bond proposal on a special election ballot on Feb. 9, 2016. The bond would pay for several projects school advocates say are needed, including the building of a new elementary school and added classrooms at Greywolf Elementary School and Sequim High School. “These are the most critical needs,” board director Jim Stoffer said. Cost of this bond is $54 million, up about $5 million from a pro-
75 CENTS
Vol. 42, Number 49
Historical Sequim farm is earmarked for conservation Land Trust awarded $344K toward project
posal that failed by less than half a percent — or a little more than 50 votes — in November. The increase is a result of rising construction costs, according to Brian Lewis, executive director of business services for the Sequim School District. The board needed to approve a proposal and submit it to the Clallam County Elections office by Dec. 11 for the Feb. 9 special
by ALANA LINDEROTH Sequim Gazette
An effort to conserve a notable 60-acre farm is under way. In the shadows of the Olympic Mountains the “Historic” Ward Farm has fulfilled a variety of agricultural purposes for 157 years, Tom Sanford, North Olympic Land Trust executive director, said. The farm remains one of few large plots
See SCHOOLS, A-15
North Olympic Land Trust was awarded $344,000 by the state legislature to begin efforts to conserve the “Historic” Ward Farm. Submitted photo
of farmland to border the banks of the Dungeness River.
See FARM, A-6
SEQUIM CONNECTION
Game Farm employees talk Hollywood ties by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
1A
The lore is strong with this tale. It’s been buzzing for many years and it sounds to some that a few of Sequim’s creatures went on a journey not so long ago to a galaxy far, far away. Former and current employees of the Olympic Game Farm say several animals’ sounds were recorded in Sequim and used in “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” and possibly later films, games and merchandise in the franchise. As ticket presales continue to mount and the world anticipates the release of the next film in the franchise — “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” — some believe one Sequim creature may have played a role in saving the lives of some iconic heroes. Barbara McInnes Edmondson, a 1979 Sequim High grad, was a tour guide at the time on the farm. She was a sophomore with curly hair and wearing overalls in the summer of 1977 when “Star Wars: Episode 4: A New Hope” was a big hit.
See STAR WARS, A-16
Jan Beebe sits with Pippen the sea otter at an undisclosed time at the Olympic Game Farm. Former Option 1B and current employees believe an otter like Pippen had its vocals used to create the sounds of “Star Wars” creature Tauntaun. Photo courtesy of the Olympic Game Farm Former Olympic Game Farm employee Barbara McInnes Edmondson says the sounds of the river otter eating and begging helped create the “Star Wars” creature Tauntaun’s voice, seen at top right with Harrison Ford playing Han Solo and actor Mark Hamill playing Luke Skywalker. Submitted art
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SEQUIM GAZETTE
Star Wars
SEQ
Make light saber at library
From page A-1
One day, she was asked by co-owner Catherine Beebe (husband was Lloyd Beebe) to lead a sound engineer around to listen to animals. “He had a lot of gear on his back with a boom mic that went up and over his head,” McInnes Edmondson said. “He told me they were gathering sound effects for the second movie.” She didn’t recall distinctly the man’s appearance but he was calm in his demeanor as they went from animal to animal. They recorded lions roaring, baby black bears sucking their paws, a tiger’s puff-puffpuff greeting, a leopard in heat and a river otter. McInnes Edmondson said Emma the river otter may be the source of the most distinct sounds she heard after recently revisiting “Empire Strikes Back.” “She was very friendly and well-trained,” she said. “She had a galvanized tank like a bath tub to swim around in. We always carried little pieces of meat for her. She would beg for the piece of meat.” That begging, McInnes Edmondson said, came out like a high-pitched humming. Admittedly, McInnes Edmondson said she’s not a “Star Wars” fan, but she did go to see the first sequel in theaters when it came out in 1980. “One of the first sounds
To celebrate the upcoming release of the newest Star Wars movie, “The Force Awakens,” the Sequim Library hosts a free Star Wars Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 12. From 10-11:30 a.m., Sequim Middle School teacher Caleb Gentry presents a light saber construction workshop. Recommended ages for this workshop are 8-14 years old and pre-registration is required. To register, visit www. nols.org, call 683-1161 or send an e-mail to youth@nols.org. All light saber construction materials are provided. From 12:30-2:30 p.m., there is a free screening of “The Empire Strikes Back,” with trivia and free snacks available. All ages are welcome to attend and no pre-registration is necessary. Call 683-1161, e-mail to youth@nols.org or visit www.nols.org.
The Olympic Game Farm and its co-founder Lloyd Beebe have a rich history of film credits including shooting “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar” in and around Sequim. Photo courtesy of the Olympic Game Farm
that hit me was this otter,” multiple points, which includes engineered versions she said. of the otter’s vocals, McInnes Otters in space Edmondson said. O ne Tau nt au n e ven McInnes Edmondson recently rewatched “The saves the lives of the heroes Empire Strikes Back” to through a snow storm as listen carefully for the farm’s Solo seeks refuge inside the creatures. Emma still stood beast leading to his quip, “I out clearly to her with its thought they smelled bad on vocalizations used for the the outside.” McInnes Edmondson said Tauntauns. In the film, the creatures the engineer liked Emma’s serve as transports for sounds more than any other heroes Han Solo and Luke animal they visited and they Skywalker to traverse the spent 20-30 minutes with her. That day, she spent about ice planet Hoth. S k y w a l k e r b e c o m e s 90 minutes with the sound stranded in the cold through engineer at the end of the a series of events and Solo workday. “The sound effects I heard must save him. Tauntauns are heard at were mostly her simply talking and begging, and a little bit of the odd sounds she made as she would gobble the meat while at the same time begging for more,” McInnes DO YOU SNORE, TOSS N TURN? Edmondson said. Emma’s voice stayed largeLET US HELP! ly intact too as creatures can Snoring can be a nightmare for you and your sleep partner. be any combination and/or Chronic snoring can be a symptom of an underlying sleep modification of sounds. disorder called sleep apnea which can put you at risk for a “Her actual sound wasn’t multitude of health problems including constant fatigue, high blood pressure, stroke and even heart attacks! really altered for the movie,” McInnes Edmondson said. At CASCADE HEALTH CARE SOUND SLEEP CLINIC we offer
“What I hear in these scenes was exactly what she sounded like.” Former farm manager Bill Robb remembers hearing Emma on the silver screen, too. “In the show, you couldn’t pick out the exact sounds because they distorted the sounds but the otter sound was distinctive,” he said. Robb recalls two people coming though for the weekend to record sounds for “Star Wars,” that McInnes Edmondson mentioned including elk and wolves. If other animals or sounds from Sequim were used, it cannot be confirmed at this time. The Tauntaun has been featured in video games, novels, toys and TV shows. Sound staff for “The Empire Strikes Back” could not be reached for comment for this story. However, Randy Thom, credited as sound effects recordist for the film and an Academy Award-winning sound mixer/editor, wrote about the importance of sound in 1999 in his paper “Designing
a Movie for Sound.” In it, he wrote, “I think if you look closely at and listen to a dozen or so of the movies you consider to be great, you will realize how important a role sound plays in many if not most of them. It is even a little misleading to say ‘a role sound plays’ because in fact when a scene is really clicking, the visual and aural elements are working together so well that it is nearly impossible to distinguish them.”
Sequim at the movies Sequim animals appearing on screen isn’t an oddity. From the 1950s to 1972, the Olympic Game Farm, formerly Disney’s Wild Animal Ranch, served as a holding facility for the animal actors of Disney Studios, which now owns the rights to the “Star Wars” brand. During that stint, Lloyd and Catherine Beebe led filming and operations of the animals for films like “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar,” “The Incredible Journey” and other Disney nature pictures. Lloyd would film the animals afar and on the farm. Eventually Disney’s board of directors decided to go away from nature films, so the Beebes officially opened up the farm to the public in 1973. They continued to work with movie and TV companies like 20th Century Fox, MGM, United Artists, ad
agencies and even Disney for films like “Mountain Family Robinson.” Robert Beebe, president of the Olympic Game Farm, said he didn’t grow up in Sequim when special events happened like recording sounds for “Star Wars” and he didn’t learn about some of the historical moments until recently. “My grandfather wasn’t one to boast,” he said. “So a lot of the stories that come across are little Easter eggs from older employees.” Despite a shift in the film industry to use fewer live animals and more animatronics and computer graphics, Beebe said they continue to do work with TV, movies, commercials and video games. State officials even recorded some cougar sounds on site for studies to deter deer and/or attract cougars to certain locations, he said. Calls still come in for various screen work and the farm’s stories keep coming out, too. James Beebe, vice president of the farm, said he’s been told a farm animal, possibly Emma, provided some of the sounds for the titular character in “E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial.” But we’ll dial that story up possibly for its sequel or reboot. For more information on the Olympic Game Farm, 1423 Ward Road, and its history, visit http://olygamefarm.com or call 683-4295.
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B COMMUNITY Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015
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SEQUIM GAZETTE
SHS grapplers earn their best finish at Blaine tourney
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Sports • Arts & Entertainment • Schools • Calendar
Mac Macdonald stands near the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s totem pole at the Jamestown Family Health Clinic. Macdonald, a corporate trainer, said he likes the totem’s message of healing. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
From ‘Apocalypse Now’ to Sequim, much later Mac Macdonald talks motivation, movies and more
where men chase wild beer cans by Barcalounger boat or car. His resume is diverse and he holds a lot of memories from those shoots, including meeting some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, but being a star wasn’t always in the books for Macdonald. by MATTHEW NASH “I never gave up acting,” he said. “I Sequim Gazette just gave up the idea I’d be a star.” In 1988, Macdonald received a call Mac Macdonald, 67, loves the sounds from his adopted father Jim Huntley, of Sequim in the morning. now his neighbor, who took him under The actor/corporate trainer moved to his wing following Macdonald’s father’s the area from Seattle over a month ago death. Huntley arranged for a job for and finds the company and pace of life a As Santa Claus, Mac Macdon- him at Boeing in international finance, relief from Seattle. But Macdonald, a corporate trainer ald once performed with actor/ which he has a background in from since 1988, didn’t come here to settle comedian Joe Piscopo. Photos Oxford University. “He told me he saw me kind of floundown. He’s looking to use his talents courtesy of Mac Macdonald dering,” Macdonald said. “Come up while occasionally pursuing acting opportunities. You may have seen some of his work. With here and get passionate about life and trade your jeans a keen eye, you likely can spot him in “American Graf- for a suit and tie.” So Macdonald did and spent almost eight years with fiti,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Murder She Wrote” and even on YouTube as the star of Rainier Beer’s commercials See Macdonald, B-3
Above, advice from Robert Duvall on the set of “Apocalypse Now” stuck with Mac Macdonald his whole life. At left, Mac Macdonald, left, meets with Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen on the set of “Apocalypse Now.”
Author visualizes historic Sequim-Dungeness Book signing is tabbed for Friday night at museum
“Sequim-Dungeness Valley (Images of America)” book signing Who: Author Katherine Vollenweider Where: Sequim Museum & Arts, 175 West Cedar St., Sequim When: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 Book cost: $21.99 with, profits benefiting the museum
by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
From boat pictures to trains to local landmarks like the lighthouse, there’s a little bit of everything for fans of the SequimDungeness Valley to peruse in author Katherine Vollenweider’s new book. Last week, she released “SequimVOLLENWEIDER Dungeness Valley (Images of America)” from Arcadia Publishing revealing never-before-seen photos and
documents showing significant pieces of the area’s history from the 1800s, roughly the 1850s, to the 1930s. She hosts a book signing at the Sequim Museum & Arts Center from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
Since her time as director of the Sequim Museum & Arts, she’s considered compiling a cohesive photographic timeline of the area and figured using materials she wrote in Sequim would be enough. But she wasn’t 100 percent certain some of the source material was accurate. “When I started to put things down I wasn’t sure the sources I was
See AUTHOR, B-2
200
This Joseph McKissick photograph taken in Dungeness is one of the few identified photographs of the logging train. A 1917 issue of the Timberman, a logging industry publication, states, “The Carlsborg Mill and Timber Company has closed a deal with the Dungeness Logging Company for practically all the timber between Port Angeles and Sequim, and also gains access to the timber of the National Forest by way of McDouglas Creek.” Photo courtesy of Katherine Vollenweider
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SEQUIM GAZETTE
Macdonald From page B-1
Boeing before branching off to corporate training, which led to starting Lyfe Enhancement Co. “I thought, I’ve got so many experiences and talents, why don’t I teach them?” Macdonald said. “So my background led me to become a counselor and a therapist … In a nutshell I help people understand they are bigger than their obstacles and then supply the skills and tools to help them get there.” That’s the gist of his book “Lighting Your Own Fuse: A Glossary of Mission, Vision, and Passion” too. He uses it for training and pulls from his acting and work experiences, inspiring moments from films and more. Some of his topics include creating your own happiness, working with change and using effective communication. Macdonald said he’s had plenty of life defining moments from meditating with a monk above the Monestaire de Montserrat in Spain to having his middle finger torn off on the Alaskan Pipeline. While his major acting moments are mostly tucked away in a portfolio or framed on his home’s walls, Macdonald says he thanks one actor everyday for his words.
ps m m. es nd
on he
pon te rg e, ay
ers with ph, der
said Macdonald, who played a principal extra in “Graffiti.” During filming a scene that appears before Duvall’s well-known “I love the smell of napalm in the morning …” speech, Macdonald said the actors had ashes in their eyes and the burning smell of tires choking them so tempers were becoming short. “We must’ve filmed the scene 32 times and we couldn’t get what Coppola was trying to do,” Macdonald said. He stood in line behind stunt coordinator Terry Leonard and said in a loud voice, “What’s Coppola trying to get that what we haven’t already given?”
A loud voice spoke up behind him. “Kid, let me tell you something,” Duvall said. “There was an Indian lying in the road just like this and a cowboy rode up next to him and asked what are you doing. He said “stagecoach, four horses, two brown, two speckled, three riders, two passengers, one driver.” The cowboy said, “You can tell all that from listening on the ground?” “No, it just ran me over two hours ago.” Macdonald said everyone began to chuckle but he became sweaty. “So kid, let me tell you something,” Duvall continued. “There are two kinds of
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Today, Macdonald plays more of the holly jolly type than grizzled soldier. All this month he’s been playing Santa Claus in a comedy routine for corporate and Reach Matthew Nash at private events. He performs with Geoffrey mnash@sequimgazette. Castle’s Celtic Christmas com.
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Macdonald captured plenty of candid moments on film with a number of the cast and crew including Coppola, Duvall and Martin Sheen with son Charlie. He did the same on the set of “American Graffiti” but the five film rolls didn’t develop due to an accident. In “Apocalypse Now,” he speaks twice and a short 10day gig turned into almost a month stay in the Philippines due to the erratic
on Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Port Angeles High School Performing Arts Center and again on Christmas night at 7 Cedars Casino. Macdonald said he’s performed with Castle for about 15 years. He continues to audition for acting gigs once a month while continuing to appear mostly in TV commercials. “I have a great admiration for people in plays who can make you laugh and cry and make you feel their character,” he said. He’ll continue to lead seminars across the nation but he seeks speaking and training opportunities in the area, too. But for now, Macdonald is going to enjoy the Sequim area and Christmas with a plate of cookies, glass of milk and the stage. For more information on Macdonald’s events and seminars/corporate training, e-mail him at maclyfe@msn. com. Find his book “Lighting Your Own Fuse” through major book distributors.
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On the set of “Apocalypse Now,” Macdonald recalls Robert Duvall, playing Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore, bringing him back to Earth while in the chow line. “I got chosen by (director Francis Ford Coppola) because he took a few of us from “American Graffiti” because he he liked our attitudes,”
Apocalypse Now
nature of the shoot. He recalls during the USO party scene a helicopter on the stage beginning to take off unexpectedly because its guerrilla soldiers — the production was using their chopper — were leaving to go fight in a real battle. “(Coppola) thought it was going to be a cake walk after “The Godfather” but he had no idea of the quagmire he’d go through to recreate the Vietnam War,” Macdonald said. The film faced multiple issues including illnesses, weather, budget constraints and much more but Macdonald didn’t capture much of the disarray. However, his photos and account of the filming were printed in The Seattle Times as a feature for the re-release of the movie.
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Mac Macdonald continues to act in mostly in TV commercials. One of his memorable roles includes starring in Rainier Beer commercials chasing giant beer cans. Photo courtesy of Mac Macdonald
people, those who have their faces to the ground listening for what’s coming up constantly reading their own scripts and other people’s scripts. And then there are those on the ground with their mouths open choking on life’s dust.” “It was like everyone backed away from me,” Macdonald said. “It was a real chastisement. I could’ve folded up and gone into a hole. But I glued my butt to his shadow for the month I was there. I just waited for his nod. He was basically saying, sit here and listen and become a better actor. I thank him everyday for that chastisement.”
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UIDE G R E T O V ral election for the genember 3, 2015 ve ending No
Time for trains
Annual show rides to Grange
In this issue
Good times go on top
Mad Hatters hosts another hit event
B-1
A-17
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015
SEQUIM GAZETTE shington nty ■ Wa
ferson Cou nty ■ Jef
Clallam Cou
as a Published
public service
PENINSULA D
www
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state
by the
NEWS
Sequim’s Hometown Newspaper
com
75 CENTS
Vol. 42, Number 40
Clallam OKs rezone for disc golf course
SEQUIM TRADITION LIVES ON
Project pending county commissioners’ vote by ALANA LINDEROTH Sequim Gazette
Tom Ledford stands outside his home with purple lights glowing to commemorate his wife Judee’s battle with pancreatic cancer. He lights the tree on the 22nd of each month in her honor. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Biker takes the long road Tom Ledford keeps promise, honors wife by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
When it comes to age and motion, Tom Ledford, 72, follows a buddy’s old adage. “People would ask him, ‘Jacques, how old are you?’ ‘Oh, age is just a number and my number is unlisted,’” Ledford said. “I try to follow him. Age is what you make it. You can make yourself young or old.” Well, Ledford’s age didn’t get in the way for at least 7,934 miles. In August, he traveled cross country on his 1998 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle by himself to Boston. Like many people, Ledford has a bucket list and his includes traveling and seeing many of the Civil War sites. But his mileage could have been more. He was planning to travel with his sonin-law Steve until he got injured. Ledford left for California to see him on Aug. 1 and after a few days determined Steve
Auditor offers voters guide
For the first time, the Clallam County Auditor’s Office has teamed with the Washington Secretary of State’s Office to produce a printed local voters’ pamphlet for Clallam County voters. The 2015 Clallam County Local Voters’ Pamphlet is included within the Washington State Voters’ Pamphlet and mailed to every residence in the county. The pamphlets for the 2015 General Election are expected to be mailed from the state this week. Along with information about all state measures and advisory votes appearing on the general election ballot, the pamphlet also contains photos, statements and biographical details
See GUIDE, A-12
A 40-acre plot east of Sequim is one step closer toward being transformed into a long awaited disc golf course. The Clallam County Planning Commission passed the recommendation to rezone the property in a 6-1 vote with two abstentions following a public hearing Oct. 7. The decision to change the property from Rural Low to Parks and Recreation will allow county parks and recreation officials to continue with their plans that began in 2007 to implement an 18-hole disc golf course. “I think it’s an ideal location,” Tom Montgomery, planning commission member, said.
See DISC GOLF, A-12
City risk pool pays $35,000 in settlement Weimer sues following police incident in May 2013 Sequim Gazette staff
On Aug. 1, Tom Ledford readies for a trip going 7,934 miles cross country to see family in Boston by himself. Submitted photo
shouldn’t make the trek. So Ledford left Even though he went by himself, on his own on Aug. 8. Ledford said the experience became a Instead of Route 66, he took Interstate family thing. 80, which he says is “basically a straight See BIKER, A-2 shot” to Boston.
More than two-and-a-half years after what Sequim resident Morgan Weimer, 48, classified as excessive force from Sequim Police, he settled last week with the City of Sequim’s risk pool to receive $35,000 in damages. The settlement agreement follows an incident where Weimer was subdued on May 12, 2013, by police outside the Oasis Bar & Grill, after he was involved in two brief altercations with patron Chris Boynton inside the restaurant. Cell phone footage captured an officer punching Weimer after he allegedly reached for the officer’s taser, law enforcement officials said.
See SETTLEMENT, A-12
Sequim supports YMCA’s feasibility study for SARC Surveying ends Oct. 24 by phone and online by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette
It took Sequim City councilors an extra two weeks to mull their decision, but they are now on board with supporting a feasibility study about the Olympic Peninsula YMCA running the
Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center. They voted unanimously on Oct. 12 to support the study by the YMCA with $5,000 toward the $36,000 project creating a business plan. The phone and online survey began on Oct. 8 and ends on Oct. 24. Kyle Cronk, chief executive officer for the YMCA, said several entities are committed to the study and that Clallam County commissioners committed to
match up to $6,000 of the city council’s decision. Councilor Ted Miller said normally he is adverse to giving taxpayers’ money to other entities but found this to be a special case. “Maintaining the SARC pool is essential for the community,” he said. “I sincerely hope the YMCA can make this work.” Councilor Dennis Smith said there are a lot of reasons to keep SARC maintained. “The taxpayers (in Eastern Clallam County) in the county
own the property,” he said. “We have every reason to make it profitable and keep it open.” Some city councilors were hesitant to make a decision on Sept. 28, as they waited for other entities to support the study. Some councilors also expressed concern over SARC’s board of commissioners not unanimously voting to support the study. On Monday, Councilor Ken Hays wanted to know if SARC
See STUDY, A-12
Sports B-5 • Schools B-8 • Arts & Entertainment B-1 • Opinion A-14 • Obituaries A-13 • Classifieds C-1 • Crossword Section C
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SEQUIM GAZETTE
The Weather is Always Nice... When You’re With 360-452-9813
“Everybody Calls Us” Cont Lic#ALLWEHC150KU
WEATHER
SUNRISE/SUNSET
Date High Low Date Oct. 7 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 11 Oct. 12 Oct. 13
57 59 69 64 60 59 57
53 52 53 55 46 48 45
Oct. 15 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 21
Sunrise Sunset 7:31 a.m. 7:32 a.m. 7:34 a.m. 7:35 a.m. 7:37 a.m. 7:38 a.m. 7:40 a.m.
6:26 p.m. 6:24 p.m. 6:22 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 6:18 p.m. 6:17 p.m. 6:15 p.m.
Nine-year-old Sean Edmonds’ map traces his grandfather’s trip across country this summer that he took by himself on a motorcycle. Sean followed his grandpa via GPS and stayed in touch via cell phone. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
TIDE CHARTS
Biker
These tides are corrected for Dungeness Bay.
Oct. 15
6:20 a.m. 6.8
11:34 a.m. 4.1
4:55 p.m. 6.5
11:40 p.m. -0.3
Oct. 16
7:06 a.m. 6.8
12:16 p.m. 4.6
5:23 p.m. 6.3
NA
Oct. 17
NA
12:18 a.m. -0.3
7:57 a.m. 6.9
1:04 p.m. 5.0
Oct. 18
NA
1:00 a.m. -0.2
8:53 a.m. 6.9
2:08 p.m. 5.3
Oct. 19
NA
1:48 a.m. -0.0
9:54 a.m. 70
3:42 p.m. 5.4
Oct. 20
NA
2:43 a.m. 0.2
10:54 a.m. 7.1
5:14 p.m. 5.2
Oct. 21
NA
3:45 a.m. 0.6
11:47 a.m. 7.2
6:06 p.m. 4.7
RAINFALL
Ledford might be known to the community in many roles — as a butcher at QFC, as a Shriner and Mason and/or as the owner of the brightest home in town. At Christmastime, he, his wife Judee and their family decorate their Hendrickson Road home immaculately with thousands of lights on their home, barn and trees. Decorating and paying the electricity bill was Ledford’s annual gift to his wife Judee who he was with for 50 years. Unfortunately, Judee died on Oct. 22, 2014, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2013. The decorating tradition continued last Christmas and will continue again this year, Ledford said. “We’re going to decorate it again this year,” he said. “You can’t give it up. We have the kids raised this way.” On the 22nd of each month, Ledford lights a tree out front in purple lights in honor of his wife’s battle with pancreatic cancer and even though Judee left this world, Ledford said she was with him on the trip. He pinned a purple ribbon near his heart on his leather vest next to his Marine Corps. patches. “I listened to my music, which brought back a lot memories with her,” Ledford said. “I talked to her quite a lot on the trip.”
Oct. 12 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3
New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Third Quarter
SEQUIM SCHOOLS BY THE NUMBERS $562.00
4.3M
The amount of tax dollars it would cost MORE PER YEAR if you lived in a school district who’s property taxes were equal to the state-wide average.* The statewide average school district tax rate is $4.37 per $1000 assessed value compared to a proposed $2.11 per $1000 assesed value in Sequim School District if this bond passes.
Number of matching State dollars that will be awarded to the school district if the bond is passed and the community school is razed (which won’t be possible unless the bond is passed).
* Figure calculated based on the value of a $250,000 home.
2 AND 120
• For 120 kindergarten students at Helen Haller Elementary School, there are only one boy’s and one girl’s toilet. • Many of the other grades at Helen Haller have the same situation, with audio visual (A/V) equipment stored in those bathrooms due to lack of space.
ONE
Operational sink in HS Science Lab for every student Instructional hours to use for Science lost from travel to Experiments. This off-campus band only allows for and choir classroom. approximately 20 Students must also move expensive band seconds per student equipment across busy to complete an Fir St. from storage to experiment. classroom. PAST BOND PROPOSAL Nov. 4 2014
Family first
MOON
Rainfall for Week of Oct. 6-13, 2015 1.52 inches of precipitation recorded. Rainfall recorded at Mariners Outlook and reported at www.wunderground.com.
30
From page A-1
$49.27M $105.06M
?
Number of doctors accepting new patients in Sequim. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: How do we attract new physicians to Sequim when so many of our school facilities are out-of-date, too small for growth and don’t provide safety?
29
Temporary portable classrooms in the district All Separate from main buildings, increasing security risk. House many of our youngest students in the district. Some lack fire suppression systems and PA Systems for Communication with main building. • 10 additional temporary portable classrooms will be needed in next 3 years to meet class size reduction requirements if this bond doesn’t pass.
Sunny and high of 75 Riding isn’t a fly-by-night thing for Ledford. He’s been on a bike since the 1960s and rides with the local Peninsula Outriders and Patriot Guard Riders. This trip was fairly painfree and beautiful, Ledford said. Temperatures stayed moderate and he experienced the expansiveness of the Midwest. “It’s a great country when you get out there and away from the politics and the TV,” he said. “I met nice people. I’ll always hear it wearing a lot of Marine Corps stuff. They always say thanks for your service.” One similar experience stood out to him though. The morning after his first night on the road, Ledford attempted to shave in his motel but the water was turned off. He tried to turn it on but
57.59%
Percentage of Sequim voters that supported this bond in the last election (February 2015). • The school bond passed by a MAJORITY of voters, but lacked the Super Majority vote by 2.41%. • YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
$400,000
The estimated cost to install fire suppression system to 2 temporary portable classrooms at Helen Haller if the bond doesn’t pass. • Doesn’t include the additional thousands of dollars that will be needed to make temporary stop-gap fixes to the CRITICAL facility needs of our children.
Current Bond Proposal Cut due to prioritization Nov. 3, 2015 The current bond proposal has been honed down due to CRITICAL needs. There is no time to delay. The time is now.
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Among his patriotic patches, Tom Ledford honors his wife Judee with a ribbon commemorating her battle with pancreatic cancer.
it ended up flooding the bathroom. Ledford hasn’t shaved since but he recalls after speaking with the motel clerk, a “grizzly bear” of a man came up to thank him for serving in the military. “He did the best thing I ever had anyone do … this big gorilla says to me, ‘Can I give you a hug?’” Ledford said. “He gave me a big bear hug and for the next couple of hours I had a great ride. I was thinking about what he was saying. As you get out to that lonely road, it felt good.” Ledford’s family was with him in spirit on the trip. They tracked him on his cell phone and his grandson Sean Edmonds, 9, traced a map as his grandpa went along and put stickers down whenever he spent the night. Ledford had to learn how to use his iPhone though to text, call and take photos.
Get-together His trip also served as a family reunion because he wanted to make it to Boston for a memorial service for his brother Bob, also a Vietnam veteran, who died earlier in the year. Ledford met with Bob’s wife, sharing stories she and others never heard before. “I’ve been the uncle who’s been away all his life,” he said. “I left when I was 18 and I come from a big family. When you go to a get-together you can’t sit with everyone.” His two daughters Shari and Shannon flew from California for a few days, too, and they all enjoyed some of Boston’s sights. Ledford recalls his older
We love it when a plan comes together...
Back to Sequim He didn’t hit any rough spots until coming upon I-5. “It poured so bad that I noticed all the cars’ lights around me went on,” he said. “There was a rest area and I waited 15 minutes. As soon as it stopped I got back on. But then 15 minutes later it poured again.” Ledford pulled over on the highway and stood up on his bike because he couldn’t see through his windshield. Thankfully, a truck driver pulled over and put his flashers on to prevent anyone coming near Ledford. “Most truckers are bikers and they know what’s going on,” he said. “Ten minutes later the rain stopped. I gave him a high five. He blew his horn like saying you did good man. All the way home it was nice.” He cruised into town on Aug. 29 and Sean was waiting for him at the top of the driveway. Since, then Ledford already has been mulling his next bucket list trip — the Rolling Thunder Ride in Washington, D.C., next May — to see the Vietnam Memorial. But for now, Ledford plans to stick to his regular routines of poker nights, breakfasts with friends, local bike rides and keeping his home bright.
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sister Peggy thanking God when he arrived. “But Peggy, I’m only halfway there,” he said. After a few days, he hit the road again and took most of the same route home.
SEQ
End of an era at DCC
B COMMUNITY Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015
SECTION
Culver reflects on career with Sequim church
B-3
Sports • Arts & Entertainment • Schools • Calendar
SEQUIM GAZETTE
Apples, figs and pears – picking and storage GET IT GROWING by Judy English
Home orchard fruit should be picked at the proper stage of maturation and this may (or may not) be when the fruit is “ripe” or “when it tastes its best.” For apples, figs and Asian pears, the time to pick is when the fruit is ripe. European pears should be picked before ripe and allowed to ripen off the tree.
The mighty apple Taste apples to make sure they no longer have a “puckery” astringent quality. The seeds in a ripe apple are black or brown rather than green. Lift the apple and twist slightly. The fruit should separate easily from the branch and the
See GROWING, B-2
All ready for the
River Fest Event also celebrates Dungeness Railroad Bridge’s 100th anniversary by ALANA LINDEROTH Sequim Gazette
Memorable moments are to come together at the 16th annual Dungeness River Festival set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26. “This year’s River Festival offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the bridge, watch salmon spawning within sight of the trestle replacement work David Zinn, in front, looks at the different mamand enjoy the exhibits and activities,” Powell Jones, mals inside the River Center with Peyton Hancock during the 2014 Dungeness River Festival. Dungeness River Audubon Center executive director, Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash said. Overcoming drought, fish driven to spawn, including a large pink salmon run, have returned to the Dungeness River and can be seen during the upcoming weekend festival aimed at highlighting the river’s vital When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26, functions. Where: Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road Not only has the Dungeness River conCost: Free tinued to be a historic waterway for fish that help support the overall health of the 2015 Dungeness River Festival Schedule: river and surrounding environment, but it Ongoing food, nature activities and exhibits. provides natural resources for a variety of Friday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. species, including humans, supplies water • 10:30 a.m., performance by Five Acre School’s marimba band, Sound Waves. for irrigation and spurs economic growth • 11 a.m., river/salmon walk with Bob Boekelheide. as an attraction for both locals and visitors, • Noon, performance by Five Acre School’s marimba band, Sound Waves. Jones explained. The Dungeness Railroad Bridge and crossing now serves • 2:30 p.m., “How They Built the Bridge” talk by Ken Wiersema. “This river is really the lifeblood of the as a critical portion of the Olympic Discovery Trail, but Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sequim-Dungeness Valley,” he said. “We’re previously provided safe passage for trains, as shown in living in its historic floodplain and we should the photo of a train crossing the bridge in the mid-1980s. • 11 a.m., Aspire Dance Academy performance. Submitted photo give thanks to that.” • Noon, river/salmon walk with Bob Boekelheide. In an effort to join the community and its • 1 p.m., Klahhane Hiking Club 100th anniversary presentation. shared appreciation for the Dungeness River, local, state, federal, tribal and nonprofit • 1:30 p.m., traditional Welcome Ceremony by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. entities active on the Olympic Peninsula will offer interactive nature exhibits and activi• 2 p.m., the 100th anniversary celebration of the Dungeness Railroad Bridge and ties with returning favorites such as a septic system walk through, the Animal Olympics, unveiling of plaque. the opportunity to make fish prints and chance to hold a geoduck. • 3 p.m., railroad song singalong led by Brian Grad. “The park is typically filled with students on Friday,” Julie Jackson, 100th Anniversary Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Committee and River Center board member, said. “It’s always a lot of fun.”
Dungeness River Festival
• Olympic Driftwood Sculptors’ Seventh Anniversary Show
See RIVER, B-3
All-around Weird
Or, my story of how I came to love ‘Weird Al,’ in a non-creepy, respectful fan way
“Weird Al” Yankovic gets up close and personal with fans while singing “Wanna B Ur Lovr” at the Washington State Fair on Sept. 14. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
See WEIRD, B-10
Matthew Nash
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REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
At this point, the word “weird” has transcended its meaning like “geek” or “nerd” at least in pop culture. No longer are those who love comic books or “Star Trek” given wedgies or seeking shelter in their parents’ basements (as much). These perceived nerdy things are now prevalent and generally socially acceptable. Along similar sentiment, it’s no wonder that pop-rock-comedy artist “Weird Al” Yankovic is back in the forefront of music. In the past year, Yankovic, who parodies and creates homages of popular songs and artists’ styles along with creating original tunes, celebrated his first No. 1 Billboard album last July.
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B-10 • Sept. 23, 2015
SEQUIM GAZETTE
Weird
From page B-1 Since then he’s been on countless TV shows, appeared in numerous publications including a guest editor spot in MAD Magazine and he kicked off his Mandatory World Tour (more on this later). But Al* and his talented band have been at his schtick for more than 30 years and his song “Word Crimes” notched him another Top 40 single. This means he’s had a hit in each decade since the 1980s. Maybe you’re a casual listener or a diehard fan or completely ignorant but even in our small corner of Earth you can find his albums despite CD sections drying up in department stores nationwide. He’s morphed with the times and covered multiple genres and still feels fresh. Even though some of his references feel dated in earlier albums thanks to current technology, he’s become a pop-culture historian of sorts. Even an album release date can be a hindrance as some of the Top 40 radio hits and their artists come and go before his rendition hits the airwaves. But his fans, including myself, often prefer his takes. My buddies and I typically buy his albums their first week out and Al often comes up in conversation along with quotes from his 1989 feature film “UHF.” Al was actually my first album, a cassette tape of “Bad Hair Day” featuring hits like “Amish Paradise” and “Gump.” But I was familiar with his style from friends who owned his previous two albums — “Off the Deep End” and “Alapalooza” and I’d get listens here and there. One of my many memorable Al moments is learning the lyrics to “Harvey the Wonder Hamster” on a field trip from my friend Tim. We’d go on to sing it together on another trip later in the school year. In a way, Al helped me throw caution to the wind. Earlier this summer, I was caught blaring his newest album “Mandatory Fun” while driving and a car pulled up next to me at the stoplight. They must have heard an accordion or a familiar nasal tone because they were yelling “Turn it up!” So I did. With Al’s music, you can’t help but sing aloud. Among three of my friends, we always listened to Al on car trips. One song we always came to was Al’s original “Nature Trail to Hell,” a ridiculous throwback to the slasher movies of the 1980s. I can hear us singing off-key and laughing every time I
“Weird Al” Yankovic performs “Now That’s What I Call Polka!” combining hits from Miley Cyrus to Daft Punk for a fun mix. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
listen to it. I’ll never forget our friend Brian made a point not to swear and he felt singing “Nature Trail to Hell” was swearing. His solution was to sing his own version adding “h-e-double hockey sticks” or the letter “L.”
On the road Luckily, I was able to catch Al play one of the last North American dates of his Mandatory Tour on Sept. 14 at the Washington State (Puyallup) Fair. Hearing “Nature Trail to Hell” live was a long shot, but on the two-hour trip I listened through a few of his albums and even wore one of his shirts “Weird Al Is My Homeboy” from when I saw him in 2008. Prior to the show I had enough time to grab a scone and I stumbled upon the “Weird Al” VIP section where a few fans were walking out to find their concert seats. Husband and wife Scott and Gina of Joint Base Lewis-McChord said they’ve been fans for years, particularly Scott who used to have all of Al’s tapes. This was their first time seeing Al though. Gina said the show was a gift for Scott from Father’s Day and that they encourage their 4-year-old daughter to enjoy music by listening to Al’s music and showing his videos to her. Fans like us all had different exposure to Al’s music and I’ve found we all have our favorites. In a survey of my friends, none of
us have the same top songs, which I think shows the broad appeal and expansiveness of Al’s discography. Scott and Gina hoped to hear more of Al’s recent hits like “White and Nerdy” and “Word Crimes” and Al didn’t disappoint.
Hit the stage Al’s tour began in May but he didn’t lack any noticeable energy especially for a Monday. His instrumental song “Fun Zone” from “UHF” buzzed the speakers bringing the hair up on my arms (I was cold) to start and moments later Al appeared on the giant screens reenacting his “Tacky” parody of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams as he walked through the fairgrounds to the concert venue. This was my third time seeing him with my first go at the Oregon State Fair in 1999 with my friend Matthew and in 2008 with friends Brian and Mike, at the fair again. At the Washington State Fair I was able to stand center stage at the sound booth and take it in while snapping pics and grinning. The show’s formula felt familiar with Al and his band wearing far-out costumes relating to his songs interspersed with various videos of his cameos on TV and spliced interviews with celebrities like Eminem and Celine Dion. Al and company poured through their
decades of work from a newer favorite “Lame Claim to Fame” to “Smells Like Nirvana” to staples “The Saga Begins” and “Yoda.” I avoided Internet spoilers about the setlist and thoroughly enjoyed his neverending medley and a stripped down acoustic medley with more of his hits like “Eat It” and “Like a Surgeon.” To think anyone could leave a “Weird Al” show disappointed is more absurd than his lyrics. Speaking with another fan, Kari Schilling of Lacey, after the show, she said nothing can top Al’s shows. “Weird Al” shows are a coming-of-age experience in her family as her husband David’s first concert was seeing Al in the early 1990s. They even brought their two sons Calvin, 12, and Alton, 9, for their first concert to see Al, too. “It was totally awesome,” Calvin said. The two brothers say they’ve been listening for a while and that their favorites are “Albuquerque,” an 11-plus minute rock ballad, and “Eat It.” Despite those songs coming out long before they were born, Al’s appeal is for everyone. One of the best parts, aside from the show, was seeing and hearing people laugh to Al’s lyrics and bits probably for the first time. In another post-show interview, friends David and John of Olympia have been Al’s fans for a while but it was David’s first time seeing him and John’s fourth. John said Al’s shows have gotten better each time he’s seen him. David said he was pleased Al played songs off his older albums, too. But did he like the show? “Hell yes with a capital H,” David said. I would agree. “H-E-Double Hockey Sticks, yeah!” For more on “Weird Al,” visit http:// weirdal.com. For further reading, check out an article by Mayim Bialik (“Big Bang Theory”) here: http://groknation.com/ hollywood/loving-weird-al-yankovic-withno-apologies/. * Referring to Yankovic as Al felt more appropriate than sticking to AP style. I do feel slightly guilty after thinking of his song “Word Crimes” in relation to my journalistic standards. Reach reporter Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
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