Ode to 2023

WRITTEN & PRESENTED BY MELANIE BAKALA,
STATE FARM INSURANCE AGENT

Mason County is a well kept secret
We have such a special town
Just drive down main street in December
experience the beauty & lights all around

Our Christmastown rep continues to grow
The Festival of the Firs, it is now called
Families gather for the activities & parade
& walk the lighted tree maze, enthralled.

As the sun comes out,
flower baskets adorn our streets
Forest Festival comes to town
celebrating Shelton’s logging feats

This year, some legends called it a day
Vince Himlie hung it up after year 63
from PUD3 Jorgenson & Gott retired
and we are grateful for 30 years from
Dr. Gushee

We lost some giants
who served our town:
we celebrated Xinh
who always put on a show
said goodbye to Fire Chief Richard Knight
we mourned the loss of
Lary Coppola and Marty Crow

Shelton’s had some big changes:
Ziegler now the City’s head guy
and Kostad is our new police chief
working to help our town reach high

Annexation activity stirred the city,
Paving the way to needed growth
City Council will welcome Blush, Gilmore, and Stearns,
as they take the office oath

Many new places took the plunge, starting with Cascade Softwash, TheCuppiecakesQueen, & County Line Fire making good food
Prime Legal & Sweet Thyme Massage
set out their shingle

Hood Canale opened with food and fun in the Union neighborhood

Miss Sally’s Doula
& True Vine Floral took the leap
Adventure RV Repairs
& Medusa Mobile shining our cars
Angler Insurance & Rain or Shine Pets, started too
and Collie Pest & Madrona Pest
are our pest control stars

Little Creek unveiled
a shiny new starlight lounge
Turning Pointe unveiled
the new kitchen they sought;

Taylor Shellfish expanded their farm
and the Civic Center has a new court & parking lot

Belco had a big expansion
Olympic Title & Bradley Air
moved to new spaces
KMAS is back as local
and Shelton Veterans Village
unveiled their new places

A few of our enterprises
welcomed new leaders
Alderbrook Golf brought in Jason Reehm

At the Chamber up north
Rod Olsen is the head
& Dr Lance Gibbons leads
the Hood Canal Schools team

Rowan from Belco was awarded
for excellence
Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
got props for its food
Hood Canal expanded much
needed broadband
and the Arts Commission turned
empty bowls into money for good

Klusman took the helm at John L Scott
Sierra Pacific donated Studs
for Habitat’s House 36
Alderbrook was named
#1 best wedding destination
and the Mason County Realtors supported our kids

Many of our businesses have
hit milestones:
So Clean & Green, Hardware Distillery,
and Zepplin marked 10 years;
Cooper Studios at 15;
Walter Dacon Wines hit 20;
Shelton Health & Rehab with 25;
and AAA Septic hit 30 Cheers!

Nifty Thrifty’s at 35 with
Cameo Boutique and Belco noting 40;
Hackney Family Dentistry has 45 years
of taking care of our chops;
Senior Services for South Sound and
2nd Street Design Studio 50 years;
Mason Health marked 55 & Verles’ 75 years
- Lets give them all props!

So we sit here all dressed up tonight
Ready to honor the greatness of our town
Thanks to our great Chamber
and Deidre who wears the CEO crown

My hope is that kindness prevails
and we give each other grace
As we embark on this new year
Please join me in raising your glass high
and welcoming 2024 with cheer!