Staying at the Inn: A Glimpse Into the Lives of Three Longtime Employees at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa

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SpaMassage — Cassie Wiebe massages a client at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa. Photo courtesy The Chrysalis Inn & Spa

Longevity in a career is worth its weight in gold, and the Chrysalis Inn & Spa of Bellingham has a priceless talent for nurturing an environment of mutual respect and camaraderie within its workforce. Employees John Souza, Rebecca Ellis, and Cassie Wiebe personify the strength and dedication behind what it means to work in the hospitality industry.

John Souza

Front Desk Agent and Graphic Designer John Souza fills his roles with fervor and a natural touch for hospitality. He’s worked in the industry since his mid-twenties, beginning his career in Minnesota before making the trek out west. “I moved out here to Bellingham in 2005 to visit new places,” says Souza, ““I always had my eye on the west coast.”

Upon his arrival, Souza secured a position with Village Inn for three years before moving to the Chrysalis Inn & Spa, where he has stayed for the past 13 years.

After starting out at the front desk, John eventually went back to school and studied graphic design, a move that helped him transition to other opportunities within the Chrysalis. “I was able to segue into the sales department at the Chrysalis after going back to school for graphic design,” Souza says. “I did some of the early web work for them before we partnered with Hilton.” Now he works the front desk on Fridays and Saturdays while doing graphic design for the Chrysalis remotely.

It is a challenging balance, but Souza gets it right. His versatility at the Chrysalis knows no bounds, and Souza comments that to be the front desk is to be multitasking and making quick decisions, especially at their busiest times.

John also recognizes the unique benefits to working up front and the welcoming atmosphere he seeks to achieve with their guests. “It’s always nice to see different people from different areas of the country, and the world,” he says. “We always make people feel welcome and safe. Especially now, we want people to feel like they have a safe space to come to.”

Outside of his busy schedule, John maintains a quiet and peaceful life. “I enjoy Netflix, hiking, biking, and reading good books,” he says. “I definitely love science fiction movies and shows.” You can also catch him reading design books and learning more about his craft.

It’s clear John has a love for his career and the people he works with at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

“The Chrysalis is a great team and within the departments there are a lot of people that have been there for a few good years,” Souza says. “It’s a good team, a good family, and the management always has our backs.”

Rebecca Ellis

Laundry Manager Rebecca Ellis has been working for the Chrysalis Inn & Spa for more than 16 years. Her days at the inn are a flurry of activity from the moment she walks into work, to the moment she leaves.

“Usually, I get there about 8 o’clock and I get the laundry room up and running,” says Ellis, “Throughout the day, there are people in the laundry room from eight in the morning till eight at night. We wash, fold, sort all the linen that comes down, and then run clean linen to the housekeeping closets.”

Ellis helps run the essential workforce at the Inn that keeps key components fresh and smelling heavenly.

Next year will mark the seventeenth year Ellis has worked for the Chrysalis, continuing to achieve longevity in a career serving others. When she first began, she worked with housekeeping and slowly transitioned over to the laundry department.

“They had an ad out for housekeeping, and I applied for the position,” Ellis recalls. “I was in housekeeping for 6 to 8 years cleaning rooms, then I moved into the spa and did the spa attendant position. Finally, I ended up moving into laundry and have been down there for about seven to eight years.”

Ellis credits her management and her co-workers for her desire to stay at the Inn for so long—it is simply an enjoyable atmosphere to be a part of.

Outside of her career in hospitality, Ellis appreciates the simple pleasures in life. She lives with and adores her two cats, Johnny and Naya. On any given day, Ellis can be found listening to crime stories or walking the trails around her home. “I’m a huge movie fan and a huge cat person,” Ellis says. “I watch romantic comedies and action movies, too.” Rocketman, a moving biopic about Elton John, is a recent favorite of hers but Ellis jokes she hasn’t had the time “yet” to watch the expansive collection of Marvel movies.

Cassie Wiebe

Lead Massage Therapist Cassie Wiebe brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping others to the Chrysalis Inn & Spa team. A longtime lover of exercise and the outdoors, Wiebe enjoys running and hiking on her off days, and any quality time spent with her beloved fur babies is her favorite place to be. “I am well known for being absolutely obsessed with my dogs,” Wiebe says.

This Whatcom native also loves exploring her roots in the home she’s known her whole life. “I was born and raised in Whatcom County, and I love it here,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to work somewhere in Bellingham and not move away.”

After working part time at a local gym, Wiebe heard good things about the Chrysalis Inn & Spa and decided to apply. “It seemed like a nice change of scenery,” Wiebe says. “Over time, I’ve slowly transitioned to full time work with the Chrysalis.”

The most fulfilling part of her job is the impact that she has on her clients, something she loves most about being a massage therapist. “It’s nice to be a part of their celebrations; it’s nice to be a pleasant part of their day,” says Wiebe. “They come in with aches and pains, and I try my best to make that hour, hour-and-a-half of their day a positive experience.”

Like John and Rebecca, Cassie embodies the encouraging and hospitable atmosphere the Chrysalis Inn & Spa has come to be celebrated for.

Featured photo of Cassie Wiebe courtesy of the Chrysalis Inn & Spa

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First Fed Announces Winners of Proudly PNW Calendar Contest

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Stacee Sledge

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First Fed has announced the winners of its third Proudly PNW Community Photo Contest. The bank received more than 1,200 entries submitted online to represent the region.

The 2022 printed wall calendar will be available for free at all First Fed branches starting on Monday, November 22, 2021.

First Fed ran an internal employee photo contest for several years before adding a community contest in 2019. Western Washington locals submit photos for the chance to win cash prizes and spots in the First Fed desk calendar. This year’s contest had a $300 grand prize and 12 secondary prizes of $100. A “Fan Favorite” was also chosen, and won a gift basket featuring local businesses valued at $100.

“We were amazed by the quality and variety of images this year,” says Director of Marketing Karen Lewis, who managed the contest. “It was extremely difficult to choose just a few to include in the calendar.”

The 2021 contest received greater engagement than ever before. A photo snapped by Mathew Nichols in Kalaloch received 516 votes to win the Fan Favorite award.

Mathew Nichols in Kalaloch received 516 votes to win the Fan Favorite award. Photo credit: Mathew Nichols

Kathy Wade, from Lake Forest Park, likes to visit San Juan Island to take photos. Her photo of two foxes adorably touching snouts, was chosen for the May calendar entry.

She planned all year to go to San Juan Island in hopes of seeing baby foxes.

“We arrived early in the morning and were sitting on a hill when suddenly one kit—then two more—popped their heads up from hole,” she says. Just a few moments later, the mother fox trotted down the path toward her babies. “They ran to greet her and started nuzzling her. This photo is one fox kit welcoming the mom back from her hunt. The light was soft that morning, but I was so glad this turned out!”

Kathy Wade traveled to San Juan Island in hopes of photographing baby foxes. *Photo c*redit: Kathy Wade

Isaac Gautschi’s photo of the Milky Way taken at Olympic National Park was chosen for the December calendar entry.

“I heard about the contest through First Fed’s Facebook page,” says Gautschi, who lives in Sequim. “I entered because I wanted to see if one of my images would win.”

His stunning photo was taken on a clear night at high elevation.

“I told my friend to hold very still while the Milky Way was in the background,” Gautschi says. The exposure for the image was shot with a Nikon D850 with a 24mm 1.4 Sigma lens. The settings were 15 seconds, @ f1.4 ISO 2000.

“It really shows how small we are in such a big universe,” Isaac Gautschi says of his winning photograph. *Photo credit: Isaac Gautschi*

“It really shows how small we are in such a big universe,” Gautschi says of the photograph. “Whenever I shoot at night, I always get reminded how the problems that we think are so big are, in reality, minuscule. Nature’s therapy sessions. I was really excited to see this at the end of that long exposure.

“The images bring people together,” says Lewis. “No matter what’s happening in the world, we can appreciate and celebrate the beauty and nature around us.”

Next year’s contest will be held starting in September 2022. Until then, community members can enjoy this year’s calendar or check out the images online.

First Fed is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. In 2021, First Fed was recognized as a Best Bank by Forbes magazine and a Best Workplace by Puget Sound Business Journal. Learn more about entry level roles and mid-career opportunities at https://ourfirstfed.com/careers.

Featured photo by Jaidyn Backus

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Whatcom Hospice Foundation Purchases Land on Douglas Avenue in Bellingham

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by PeaceHealth

The Whatcom Hospice Foundation announced that it recently purchased an 8.82-acre parcel of land directly adjacent to the campus of Whatcom Hospice at 2902 Douglas Ave. in the Happy Valley Neighborhood in Bellingham.

The seller of the property was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The foundation’s board president, Lynda Erickson, explained that “the Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s sole interest in purchasing the property is to further its mission by potentially expanding the hospice facility and, most importantly, maintaining a tranquil environment for patients and their families.” Erickson further said that the foundation board and Whatcom Hospice staff “are profoundly appreciative of this opportunity to maintain and perhaps expand the serene surroundings that bring comfort to those at their end of life, and to their families.” There are no immediate plans for development.

The land was largely purchased by a single, anonymous donation to the Whatcom Hospice Foundation. “We are forever grateful for the incredibly generosity and vision demonstrated by this donor,” said Erickson.

The foundation is an independent 501c (3) nonprofit organization that wholly owns the property and buildings that together comprise the Whatcom Hospice campus on Douglas Ave. The Foundation contracts with PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center to manage the day-to-day operations of Whatcom Hospice, including the 12-bed Hospice House.

Local Cemeteries: Places of Memory, Curiosity, History and Mystery

By

Elisa Claassen

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Where did my fascination with cemeteries come from? Maybe it was an aunt who lived next door to a Seattle-area cemetery during my childhood in Crown Hill—a place we were sent out to play in. Maybe it’s my interest in history.

Some graves are flat. The stone is set in the ground—such is the case with most of Greenacres Memorial Park near Ferndale. Some reflect the signs of the times, such as an obelisk from Egyptian culture. Besides being a resting place for the dead, cemeteries are gathering spots and places to honor and connect with the deceased—whether a family member or famous person.

Some cemeteries sit adjacent to churches or other houses of worship. Some are for particular ethnic or religious groups such; some are for members of fraternal organizations, such as Masonic lodge members.

The Nooksack Cemetery, on the hillside above most of Nooksack and adjacent to Nooksack Elementary School, is a peaceful setting that also contains remains of members of the Nooksack tribe. A newer stone sign by the central flagpole acknowledges this. Photo credit: Elisa Claassen

For the historians and genealogists, wagenweb.org lists 65 cemeteries in our community. Another list to peruse is found at genealogytrails.com. One caveat: some cemeteries may be called by more than one (or even two) names. Some of the larger cemeteries are easy to find. Others, you need to really search for and be aware if they’re on private property. Facebook has a group for those interested in exploring cemeteries at the Cemetery Tours page.

These are all great starting points for local cemeteries—large and small, maintained or harder to unearth. Researchers obtain records from multiple public sources, newspapers, and funeral homes, and share the information online.

“For as much as I hate the cemetery, I’ve been grateful it’s here, too. I miss my wife. It’s easier to miss her at a cemetery, where she’s never been anything but dead, than to miss her in all the places where she was alive.”

–John Scalzi, “Old Man’s War”

Greenacres Memorial Park, Bayview Cemetery

Greenacres Memorial Park is a “newer,” large cemetery with space for green burial, cremains, and family groups out in the county. Bellingham’s older, historic Bayview Cemetery is located behind the funeral home at the intersection of Lakeway Drive and Yew Street.

The “History of Whatcom County” by Lottie Roeder Roth, who is buried in Bayview, is a respected source for area history. Roth writes on May 6, 1862: “…approximately four acres were purchased from Dan Harris for $150 for a graveyard for Whatcom County. This area, approximately four and a half miles southwest of the present Bayview Cemetery, became known as Deadman’s Point because a number of skeletons, brass buttons, and Spanish arms were said to have been unearthed there.”

Historic Bayview Cemetery, at Woburn Street and Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, contains burials for more than 20,000 local residents including the Roeders, Roths, and other historic families. It is part of the Bellingham Parks Department and has an on-site office, which can provide assistance in locating burials. The City of Bellingham also has burial information online. Photo credit: Elisa Claassen

In September 1887, the town of Whatcom purchased a 10-acre plot for a cemetery “on the road to Lake Whatcom.” Interments were made by 1888. In 1889, Whatcom and Sehome purchased an additional 12 acres, and in the same year 64 bodies were exhumed from Deadman’s Point and reinterred in this newer cemetery. A trolley used to run along Lakeway to bring mourners to funeral parties.

To read more about Bayview Cemetery, please see this prior WhatcomTalk story, from October 2020.

Glacier Cemetery

Few people have seen this, but thousands have driven by along Mount Baker Highway a mile east of Glacier. Park by the trailhead on Glacier Creek road and start walking west. Carefully cross the street and look for a 200-foot-long footpath with a sign. It resembles a movie set with graves set amongst ferns and forest on a 1.3-acre tract. Homes from the Snowline development have edged closer to the back side, which also provides access for hearses to still access the site.

The Glacier Township Cemetery is one of the more difficult to find cemeteries within Whatcom County, still operating and in a public space. Thousands of skiers and hikers drive by daily along Mount Baker Highway. It’s down a foot trail with burials in the midst of woods and ferns. Photo credit: Elisa Claassen

Jobe and Lynden Jim Cemeteries

The two Nooksack tribal cemeteries—there are five, total, for the Nooksack tribe total—were originally one until Northwood Road divided the two now at the eastern edge of Lynden. Jobe Cemetery is on the east side of the road and Lynden Jim Cemetery on the west, behind bushes on a hill. The sign is hiding—but it’s there. An adjacent farm was recently demolished for a new housing development around Jobe.

Lynden and Monumenta Cemeteries

Many assume that this is also one cemetery divided by Front Street, but it’s actually two. Lynden Cemetery is located on the south side of Front Street at Guide Meridian Road. It was started by the fraternal lodges: the Masons and Odd Fellows. Burials were occurring in other parts of town prior to this. Some were relocated and, more recently, monuments have been added to explain the heritage of the site. Tours are offered on Saturdays at 11 a.m.

Monumenta Cemetery is located on the north side of Front Street. In 1902, according to historians, a group of men from the Lynden First Christian Reformed Church formed the Monumenta Society and purchased land (which was all stumps) for the cemetery.

Former longtime Lynden Pioneer Museum Director Troy Luginbill has been one of several local residents to provide Saturday morning tours of the Lynden Cemetery on the south side of Front Street where it meets the Guide Meridian. The other side of Front Street is a separate cemetery, Monumenta. Photo credit: Elisa Claassen

Nooksack and Nooksack Indian Cemeteries

Many local residents regularly walk to and around the Nooksack Cemetery. The fog casts a mysterious look on a morning walk. The author’s mother and father, great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, friends and former neighbors are buried here. Photo credit: Elisa Claassen

Nooksack Cemetery is located a short distance south of Breckenridge Road in Nooksack adjacent to an elementary school with views of Sumas Mountain. The Nooksack Indian Cemetery, which at one time adjoined this cemetery, is now located primarily near the flag pole in the center of the cemetery with a new rock monument.

At one time, this cemetery allowed families free rein on not only using unusual monuments but in planting small gardens or placing benches atop family graves. Some years ago, for the sake of maintenance, this was changed.

Featured photo of Nooksack Cemetery by Elisa Claassen

Summit IT Solutions Brings Down-to-Earth Technology Support to Bellingham

By

Matt Benoit

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Summit-IT-Solutions-2021-Commodore-and-Kelly-Patrick — Bellingham residents Commodore and Kelly Patrick bring decades of professional experience to Summit IT Solutions. Photo courtesy Summit IT Solutions

Getting IT help that’s right for your business needs can be a challenge, and over the years, Commodore and Kelly Patrick have encountered this first-hand.

That’s why the Bellingham couple, with 20 years of experience in their respective industries—Commodore in IT services and Kelly in small business management—joined forces to create Summit IT Solutions, a local company providing friendly, flexible, and personalized IT services to small and medium-sized businesses in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

Summit IT Solutions offers affordable IT help for small to medium-sized local businesses. Photo courtesy Summit IT Solutions

This includes traditional IT services like server, network and workstation management and security, as well as wireless solutions, hosted email management and spam filtering, and other custom services.

“I want to make IT services approachable for small businesses in a friendly, transparent way,” says Commodore, who got his IT start working with Unix and Linux operating systems while in the United States Marine Corps. After concluding his military service, Commodore continued in IT, working for Intel and several managed services providers in the Portland, Oregon area.

Kelly, whose previous business management experience included managing several small businesses and a decade managing an REI store, is focused on the customer service and business management side of Summit.

Together, they’re a unique and powerful team with a desire to help provide quality IT service in the beautiful community they love to call home.

“We don’t see our services as being ‘just IT,’” says Kelly. “Our services have the ability to help the independent business owners and non-profits of Bellingham flourish.”

The Summit IT Solutions team is bolstered by company mascots Robie (left) and Hank. Photo courtesy Summit IT Solutions

The Patricks take pride in their flexible and detail-oriented methods of IT service, doing their best to really listen to clients’ needs and wants. They strive to work within budgets and are willing to work with all manner of customers’ unique circumstances and business structures, helping them build à la carte service plans. In the event they’re unable to help a client, they’re happy to refer them to other resources that can.

In short, the couple takes their unique approach to IT services seriously because they genuinely care about the individuals and businesses that make up the Whatcom County community.

“We care if our clients are stressed out because payroll is due and the printer doesn’t work,” says Kelly. “We care if there is a networking issue that adversely affects a client. We also care if our clients’ businesses grow and flourish. We want them to be successful, and we know we can provide services to help them grow and plan for the future.”

And while technology is inherently expensive, Summit IT Solutions is committed to up-front pricing for the small to medium-sized businesses and non-profits that make this region so unique. At Summit, the goal is to get what you pay for—the services you need for problem solving, proactive business planning, and the technology needed for your future.

Bellingham residents Commodore and Kelly Patrick bring decades of professional experience to Summit IT Solutions. Photo courtesy Summit IT Solutions

“With remote work and home offices becoming increasingly prevalent in the age of COVID-19, Summit IT Services also offers remote workstation hosting, allowing access to company data and applications in a remote cloud for maximum flexibility.”

“The whole set-up of the traditional office and the traditional cubicle is changing, and that’s changing how we work with technology,” Kelly says. If someone wants to work on their QuickBooks report in their pajamas on their couch, or while waiting to pick up their kids from school, Summit is ready to make it possible.

In addition to providing critical and affordable IT services for local businesses, the Patricks also hope to use their business to give back to this community they so cherish. They plan to refurbish older computers and IT supplies for those in need, whether individuals or small business owners short on cash for start-up technology. Affordable or free laptops and networking equipment, Kelly says, can make a world of difference in helping people and businesses get off the ground.

“Donating equipment is just the beginning,” says Kelly, who believes this way of giving back should be the bare minimum any IT company can do for its community. “Yes, we want to donate used computer and networking equipment to help support our community and protect the environment. But we also want to be so much more than that.”

The Patricks plan to join a mentorship program for IT students at Whatcom Community College and, both avid outdoors lovers, are looking for ways to support the maintenance of local trail systems. Additionally, Commodore wants to join a Search and Rescue team and also support resources for at-risk youth.

Of course, Summit IT Solutions wouldn’t be complete without its mascots: the Patricks’ dogs, Robie and Hank. The two pooches are, Kelly says, an always enthusiastic and ever-present part of their company. Animals hold a special place in Kelly’s heart, as she currently volunteers for Animals as Natural Therapy.

Summit IT Solutions offers free consultations—often over the beverage of your choice—to meet and discuss your IT needs.

So, if friendly, professional IT service from passionate and knowledgeable people sounds appealing, Summit IT Solutions could be the perfect fit for your business.

“We take a ton of pride in what we do, both from the quality of our work to how we approach and communicate with our clients,” Kelly says. “We are so excited to work in an area where people take pride in something. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for us.”

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The Magic of Winterfest Returns to Fairhaven

By

Kelley White

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The enchanting wonder of the holidays is once again coming to Fairhaven with the return of Winterfest. The much-loved annual Christmas festival ushers in the season of merry and bright, transforming downtown historical Fairhaven into a holiday dreamscape. Step through time and experience the kind of warmth, delight, and twinkle you can only find in a winter fairytale.

The Fairhaven Association will present Winterfest as November wanes and December begins in earnest. Enjoy a brimming schedule of holiday happenings from November 26 to December 18, inspired from the minds of the Winterfest Committee, led by Scott Ward, executive director of the Fairhaven Association. Year after year, Winterfest continues to establish its roots at the heart of Fairhaven’s holiday celebrations.

The holiday market will be in full swing at the Village Green during Winterfest. Photo credit: Royal Reinsch

This winter tale begins the weekend after Thanksgiving with the Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony and presentation of Father Christmas. Carriage rides will be available to enjoy, and Father Christmas will be in attendance every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. during the month-long festival. The holiday market at the Village Green will also be open for visitor’s perusal.

“The ultimate goal is that from Thanksgiving to December, no matter what day you come into Fairhaven, something festive is happening,” says Ward. Winterfest is sure to be an abundance of holiday splendor, spreading warmth and cheer throughout every festive activity planned.

New this year will be two nights of holiday-themed movies screened at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center. “One of the movies will be family centered,” says Ward, “The other one will be a little more nostalgic and geared toward adults.” Movie magic has always had a special place at the heart of the holidays, making these screenings a go-to plan for a night out.

The Lighted Bike Parade rolls through Fairhaven. Photo credit: Scott Ward

Community and creativity go together like marshmallows and hot chocolate at Winterfest. Storefronts will be holly, jolly, and decorated for the annual Window Display contest—the highly anticipated Tales of the Season returns, as well. “Authors submit 500-word stories, and then a jury selects the top ten,” Ward says. “Those stories are presented by the authors themselves or actors. I just love that event because it feels so intimate and special.”

For those who prefer something a splash more naughty than nice, Winterfest cocktail kits will once again be available for purchase from local restaurants and bars. “Last year was the first year we did the holiday themed cocktail kits,” says Ward, “We had the Fairhaven restaurants and bars each design a holiday themed cocktail to sell.” The kits were a great success and Ward anticipates the same for this year.

Trees all around Fairhaven will twinkle with a candescent Christmas glow, illuminating the town in a whimsical aura. The Firelight Stroll will imbue the same romanticism as last year and once again be an experience worth trying.

The Firelight Stroll offers an intimate and peaceful setting for wanderers. Photo credit: Scott Ward

“The Stroll is so magical,” Ward says. “Having that path lit through old Fairhaven—it’s so beautiful and peaceful and feels so special.” The lights will be taken on the go with the Lighted Bike Parade, an emblazoned journey that takes place in partnership with Downtown Bellingham Partnership and several other groups.

At the core of the holiday season is a giving spirit and in this time of recovery, the gift of the holidays presents a renewed hope for the village of Fairhaven amid a time of understanding and support for small businesses. Winterfest is a reprieve to the village after a time of trying to keep local businesses thriving and the magic that is Fairhaven, alive.

“The hope is that folks will spend time in the village, do some holiday shopping, eat at the restaurants, drink at one of the bars, and have a full village experience,” says Ward. “But really, it’s about supporting the businesses in the village. For the past year and a half, that has been the challenge. It has been an interesting journey in being creative with how we are managing and planning events that still honor safety guidelines. Fortunately, with Winterfest, most of the events happen outside.”

Father Christmas waves to visitors on the village green. Photo credit: Royal Reinsch

Winterfest continues to be a truly unique way for Fairhaven to celebrate the holiday season and welcome visitors into the village. “We’re so fortunate to have the historic character at the core of who and what we are as a village,” Ward says. “To then add the holiday lights, the sound of the carriage rides, all of the festival elements…it’s a special kind of experience that you can’t have many other places.”

Visit a fairytale come to life this holiday season and return to a simpler time where you can be free to eat, drink, and be merry.

Check for updates on events and more details at Fairhaven Winterfest – Enjoy Fairhaven.

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Assistance League of Bellingham Program Updates

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Assistance League of Bellingham

We’re still out there making a difference thanks to our wonderful community support!

Enrichment Scholarship Program

This past summer, 39 high school students and 14 middle school students attended summer programs of their choice, supported by Enrichment Scholarships from Assistance League of Bellingham. The students chose programs in art, music, dance, debate, leadership, outdoor education, and computer programming. Watch for 2022 scholarship information at Assistance League of Bellingham’s website.

Care Center Support

Committee members are busy shopping to fulfill requests from residents of eight care center facilities in Whatcom County. Gifts will be delivered in early December.

Eating Healthy

Due to COVID, Common Threads is still waiting to find out if the schools will allow them to do in-classroom food demonstrations this year. Our members are also looking forward to helping maintain school gardens so food produced can be distributed to those in need.

Hospital Patient Support

Representatives of this committee continue to make deliveries to the hospital ER. The need has increased due to Covid. It’s important that patients have clothing to wear if their own cannot be worn when they are discharged. An average of 65 new items have been delivered weekly.

Operation School Bell^®

Program coordinators are working diligently with school district personnel to provide Target Gift cards for needy families in Whatcom County. So far 1,616 cards have been distributed for the purchase of new shoes and clothing.

Teen Team

Fred Meyer vouchers worth $125 each have been distributed to school counselors to purchase clothing for homeless, unaccompanied and emancipated high school youth enrolled in school. Last year a total of 147 vouchers were provided.

Books and Beyond

In October and November over 200 used books, 50 coloring books and 50 boxes of crayons were donated to various organizations in Whatcom County. New books were purchased for Cordata, Birchwood and Alderwood Elementary schools at a cost of $1,296. Due to Covid, the committee has not received clearance to read with children in classrooms yet but may help organize bookrooms.

Coming Soon—Deck the Old City Hall

Assistance League of Bellingham will once again participate in this holiday celebration with a “Helping our Community” elf-themed tree. Visitors can view more than a dozen themed decorated trees displayed in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall. This event is open to the public from 12:00 – 5:00 pm Thursdays through Sundays from November 26th to January 2nd.

Working Together…Making a Difference

Assistance League of Bellingham has been successfully making a difference in Whatcom County for over 35 years.

You can support us by:

making a donation on our website’s “Donate Page”
mailing a check to: Assistance League of Bellingham
P.O. Box 2998
Bellingham WA 98227
shopping on our eBay site found by clicking on this eBay direct link to alb_thriftshop.
shopping at our Thrift & Gift Shop, 2718 Meridian Street, Bellingham WA 98225
attending our Yule Boutique and Fashion Event fundraisers

Questions? Please email us at contact@albham.org

Kelly Hart Is the Heart of Allied Arts

By

Margaret Bikman

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Allied Arts Gallery — Allied Arts of Whatcom County is located at 1418 Cornwall Avenue in downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy Kelly Hart

Kelly Hart, who’s been executive director of Allied Arts of Whatcom County for 15 years, grew up in Tacoma, and attributes her love of the arts and travel to her grandparents.

“They were very involved in supporting the arts in Tacoma and Seattle,” she says, and frequently took Kelly and her sister to art openings and performances.

“They felt that travel was an important part of education,” she adds, and made it possible for her to visit amazing places and experience local cultures. One of her favorite trips was through Scandinavia. Her grandmother was born in Norway and moved to the States with her family when she was 8.

“I was also fortunate enough to go to a school with a really strong arts program, the Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma,” she says. ““The pottery studio and photography dark room were my hangout places.”

Kelly Hart says one of the ways she was creative was being a single mom to her two sons. Photo courtesy Kelly Hart

After high school, Kelly got her undergraduate degree in art history from the University of Oregon, then went on to Sotheby’s American Arts Course in New York City for a masters certificate in fine and decorative American arts, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst online for a masters certificate in nonprofit arts management.

When asked how she demonstrates her creativity, she says right away that it was by being a single mom. “About all I had time for the past few years was for making Halloween costumes and decorating birthday cakes.” Her two sons have left the nest, and she just finished a digital photography class from Al Sanders at Whatcom Community College.

“It’s a long way from the darkroom of my high school and college photography classes,” she says. “I also just took a silver jewelry-making class at the Jansen Art Center in Lynden. It was something new for me and really fun.”

Kelly Hart has been the executive director of Allied Arts of Whatcom County for 15 years. Photo courtesy Kelly Hart

Kelly admits that she doesn’t give up easily.

“I have always worked to make the arts inclusive for everyone, from a welcoming gallery, a pay-as-you-can art supplies from the art supply thrift store, to an arts education program that serves all Whatcom County school districts. She’s spent all of her career here advocating for more arts in our schools and opportunities for artists by serving on Inspire WA (formerly the WA State Arts Alliance).

“A big reason I took this job 15 years ago,” she says, “was because of the large membership, the terrific support of the arts in the community, and the variety of other arts organizations in the community. Working with all of these great art enthusiasts makes my job easy.”

And she appreciates her staff and volunteers.

Katy Tolles (right) was a longtime staff member at Allied Arts, hired by Kelly Hart (left) when Kelly was first hired as executive director. Photo courtesy Kelly Hart

One longtime staff member was Katy Tolles, who recently left Allied Arts to work at Lydia Place. Katy was volunteering for the organization’s education program when Kelly was hired, and Kelly hired Katy shortly thereafter.

“Kelly has a truly epic passion for ensuring the arts in our community continue to thrive,” says Katy. “During our time together, I was constantly in awe of her tirelessness for advocacy, pursuing funding and partnerships to ensure our artists had outlets in our community.”

Scott Ward has served on the Allied Arts board as president for three years. He appreciates Kelly’s dedication to and passion for the arts in Whatcom County. “She’s a resourceful, creative and positive leader,” he says, and he’s continually impressed with her ability and willingness to shift on a dime.

Allied Arts of Whatcom County is located at 1418 Cornwall Avenue in downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy Kelly Hart

On the personal side, Kelly says that Bellingham has been an amazing place to raise her two sons.

“The variety of things to do here is really mind-blowing. I love getting up into the mountains or out onto the water as much as possible. I purchased a house last fall and have really been enjoying working in my yard meeting my neighbors through online plant exchanges. I am also really enjoying being able to walk to work.”

A favorite event of Kelly’s every year is Allied Arts’ Holiday Festival of the Arts, which runs November 19 through December 24. This year, she says, there are new great artists participating, as well as returning favorites in more than 100 booths. She’s excited about the new space for the event, at 1411 Railroad Avenue (in the old Bellingham Beauty School).

There will be both an in-person event as well as an online market with curbside pick-up available for the full five weeks, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving and closing at 3 p.m. on December 24.)

The event will also be open until 9 p.m. for the Downtown Bellingham Art Walk on December 3, and there’ll be a special Holiday Festival larger works exhibit at the Allied Arts Gallery, 1418 Cornwall Avenue, through December.

Kelly says one of the best things to come out of the struggles of the past few years has been the forming of the Whatcom Arts Project, a collaboration of arts organizations throughout Whatcom County.

“We’ve worked together for a social media campaign, fundraisers, arts advocacy, and marketing efforts,” she says. “But best of all, arts leaders meet regularly to support and encourage each other.”

Katy Tolles sums up working with her former boss.

“Kelly takes every opportunity she can to talk to anyone who will listen about the importance of arts in all aspects of our community.”

“At the same time, she also listens, hearing people’s stories about why they are creative, how art has helped them, and ways to make our community more art friendly are at the forefront of why she does what she does.”

Gifts To Support Flood Relief Through Resilience Fund Matched up to $115,000

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LocalTalk Contributor

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flooding — Photo courtesy Whatcom Community Foundation

Submitted by Whatcom Community Foundation

Local donors came together early in the day on Monday, November 15th, to create a $100,000 matching pool to support flood relief efforts for Whatcom County neighbors. Hours later Puget Sound Energy added $15,000 to the match pool. As a result, anyone who donates to the Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund this week will have their gift up to a combined total of $115,000 matched, dollar for dollar.

Local funding is the fastest, most flexible funding available for disaster response. Funding requests are coming in for hotel vouchers, generators, blankets and food for displaced families, volunteers and first responders. The needs will grow in the coming days. The Community Foundation is communicating with agencies, leaders and trusted partners to understand where resources are most needed.

Whether for flooding, Covid-19 or other community emergencies, the Resilience Fund puts dollars to work through front line organizations for disaster preparedness, response and long-term recovery. Since the Covid- 19 pandemic struck in 2020, the Whatcom Community Foundation made Resilience Fund grants to 60 local nonprofits totaling more than $2.6 million. To contribute to the Resilience Fund, click here.

About the Whatcom Community Foundation

As one of more than 750 community foundations nationwide, we are a charitable organization created through gifts from people who care about a particular place. We invest your donations in ideas and activities that take a cooperative approach toward making Whatcom County a place where everyone thrives. Anyone can contribute any amount of money to a community foundation, which builds assets to meet local needs and opportunities. Together we can transform your generosity into fuel for what matters most to you.

Featured photo by Anson Chamblin

Excessive Rain Flooding City Streets, Multiple Departments Respond

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Flooding-Nov15-SqualicumCreekPark — Flooding at Squalicum Creek Park, please avoid City parks. Photo courtesy City of Bellingham

Submitted by the City of Bellingham, written by Amy Cloud

Heavy rainfall is flooding several City of Bellingham streets, forcing closures. City crews have been working since Sunday clearing downed trees in the roadway and blocked storm drains that worsen street flooding.

Bellingham City Parks, Public Works and Police continue to respond to weather-related safety concerns, as well as barricading streets too flooded to use. Residents are advised to obey all signage, as flooding not only covers the roadway, it can undermine and damage the streets.

“There are multiple vehicles stuck in flooded roadways,” said Bellingham Public Works Director Eric Johnston. “Please do not add to the challenges – or put your life at risk by driving down closed roads.”

In addition to street barricades, parks should be avoided. Several trails near creeks are flooded, Civic Complex is closed due to high winds and flooding, and all Park-led programs are cancelled.

“Please stay away from wooded areas in parks due to high winds that will continue to topple trees and drop branches,” said Bellingham Parks Director Nicole Oliver.

As of Monday morning, these streets are closed:

Squalicum Parkway from Meridian to Roeder Avenue;
Meridian from I-5 to Bakerview;
Iowa from Pacific Street to King Street;
Lakeway From Yew/Woburn to Clearbrook;
Fraser Street at Geri Fields is underwater;
Hannegan is closed; and
many other smaller side streets have been closed because of significant water over the roadway.

With increasing wind, City Parks and Public Works are receiving calls about downed trees. Response is triaged to prioritize life and safety over private property damage.

The City is not able to provide sandbags; however, they should be available at hardware or construction supply stores and sand may be purchased at gravel companies (it is advisable to first check to see if supplies remain, before going out.)

To report significant flooding or downed trees on city streets, please utilize SeeClickFix or phone (360) 778-7700.

John Souza

Rebecca Ellis

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