Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Facebook Mail RSS

Reflections from 2016 Large Business of the Year—Whatcom Land Title

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-
David Goddard and Colleen Baldwin of Whatcom Land Title receive the 2016 Large Business of the Year award at the 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. Also in photo: Kathy Herndon of VSH CPAs and Guy Occhiogrosso of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

Submitted by: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, written by Liz Leighton

It’s been nearly one year since Whatcom Land Title won the 2016 Large Business of the Year Award. Colleen Baldwin, co-owner of Whatcom Land Title reflected on what it means to be named the Large Business of the Year:

David Goddard and Colleen Baldwin of Whatcom Land Title receive the 2016 Large Business of the Year award at the 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. Also in photo: Kathy Herndon of VSH CPAs and Guy Occhiogrosso of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce 2016 Large Business of the Year Award has been an incredible honor for us, and has had a very positive impact on our company!

This prestigious award provided visibility and validation to our company on many fronts. Upon receiving the award, we acquired a lot of positive comments from our existing customers, which helped substantiate and reinforce our current relationships. We collected many thoughtful congratulatory calls and cards from community members and associates in our industry. The esteemed recognition brought attention and respect from the community to our company for our commitment to our clients and business, and elicited further invitations for inclusion in community development and social programs engaging us in our company social responsibility.

We have the trophy proudly displayed on our front counter for all of our clients and staff members to see. We posted this award on our website, too. Potential new business clients and potential new employees viewing our website noted the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce award and commented the award provided them with greater sense of confidence in our company.

The award created opportunities for us to foster new business and new community relationships over the past year. It provided a pathway for our community to further meet and connect the names and faces of our company. This resulted in a greater sense of value for our company.

[Winning this award] affected the WLT family in a very positive way. We noticed an immediate greater sense of pride and ownership, as well as accomplishment by our team to have been bestowed with this esteemed award. It was an honor that helped us hold our heads higher feeling recognized for doing our best to take care of our clients in a dedicated, professional and expedient manner.  The award helped underscore our company’s core values and served as an additional inspiration to us all.

Our team takes a lot of pride and ownership in the atmosphere and culture that we create for each other and our clients. The award was one more reason to be proud to work at Whatcom Land Title Company.

The whole experience was positive and we believe it helped gain a tremendous amount of respect for Whatcom Land Title Company and our employees.

We are truly humbled and appreciate the confidence and recognition bestowed upon our company!

Many thanks to the Chamber and their members!

What To Do This Weekend Around Bellingham—Nov. 17—19

By
Events Editor
-
Photo credit: Jodi Broughton.

In his book, “The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart,” Willie Nelson said, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” The musical icon did seem to have a certain way about him and I think his words still ring true. At the very least, there is always room for more positivity in the world, our relationships and ourselves. And what better way to build that positivity than to share it in our interactions with others? You’ll have plenty of chances to spread some sunshine this weekend. Check out this list of fun things to do around Bellingham—Nov. 17—19. And be sure to check out our full events calendar for all the great local happenings.

Up Next Weekend:

WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.

Photo credit: Jodi Broughton

Jonathan O’Brien’s Tips for Elegant and Affordable Holiday Décor

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-
Jonathan O'Brien's Tips for Elegant and Affordable Holiday Décor
Your home will really shine this holiday with these simply elegant candles. Photo courtesy: Jonathan O'Brien Interior Design.

Submitted by: Jonathan O’Brien Interior Design and Jennifer Dodge

Creating that perfect look and feel for your home for the holidays is easy and reasonable when you know some of the tricks of accessorizing like a professional. There is a special and sophisticated feeling walking into a home beautifully lit with warm candlelight and serene green colors from festive greenery and splashes of color.

White candles bring elegance to any dinner table. Photo courtesy: Jonathan O’Brien Interior Design.

It’s easy to get this fabulous look without spending all of your money. Grab some white and gold pillar candles and put them everywhere. There is no reason to commit to the color red especially when white and gold appeals to everyone as it creates that beautiful sophistication in your home.

You can surround those pillars with gorgeous fruit and great greenery right from your yard. Put candles all across your dining room table, on the fireplace and even in the bathrooms carrying that warmth and serenity throughout your house.

Sprinkle some Epsom salt into your candle holder and watch the light from the candle dance off the salts turning it into a sparkling snow. And, you can add more of that beautiful snow look by taking some spray snow and a stencil and creating a snowy landscape on your candle holder.

Accenting with red is a classic holiday move. Photo courtesy: Jonathan O’Brien Interior Design.

Ready to create a festive look for your framed pictures? You can do that easily without having to buy new frames! Grab some museum putty from a local craft store or online along with some foil wrapping paper. Using the museum putty in the four corners of the picture frame, you can place a fitted piece of wrapping paper that has been cut to size for the frame. When the season is over, you simply have to remove the paper, returning your frame to its original state.

Take the elegance and beauty of your dining room table up another notch by placing a sprig of holly in your napkin ring with a linen napkin. Buying linen napkins in bulk can help save a little money.

Happy decorating!

Lynden Takes Second, Sehome Sixth at 2A State Volleyball Tournament

By
Grant Clark
-
The Lions score a point during their championship match against Burlington-Edison. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Lynden High School volleyball coach Chris Elsner couldn’t stop smiling, even when the tears welled up in her eyes. “It was a great journey the whole season,” Elsner said, “and I feel like we just got better each match.”

Lynden High School finished second at the Class 2A state volleyball tournament, equaling the highest finish ever for the program. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

The Lions put on a spectacular performance at the Class 2A state volleyball tournament, advancing to the championship match where they lost to powerhouse Burlington-Edison, 25-12, 27-25, 21-25, 25-19, in four sets in an all-Northwest Conference finals at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on November 11.

The runner-up finish equals the 1999 Lions squad as the highest placing ever at the state tournament for the program, which was making its first state appearance since 2013.

Led by seniors Abi Broussard, Isabelle Jacob and Noelle Price, Lynden finished the year with a record of 16-6, earning its eighth state trophy.

“They were the glue,” Elsner said about her three seniors. “They were so consistent, so strong all year. They came to practice every day and provided the leadership we needed.”

Lynden freshman Faith Baar (No. 8) comes up with the kill against the Tigers. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

The Lions’ roster also featured juniors Kyla Bonsen and Lauren Groen, sophomores Kelsey Debruin, Kennedy House, Robin Scarlett and Savonne Sterk, and freshmen Faith Barr and Anna VanderYacht, making Lynden one of the youngest teams to participate at the tournament.

“We’re very young. We have a couple sophomores and freshmen who play a lot,” Elsner said. “The experience they received here will definitely help us over the next few years.”

The win gives the Tigers (20-1) their fourth state title since 2011 and sixth overall for the program, which has certainly become the measuring stick for the rest of the 2A teams in the state over the last eight seasons.

The Tigers made things look rather easy in the opening set, hammering Lynden, 25-12.

Savonne Sterk (No. 12) and Abi Broussard (No. 14) combined for a block. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Burlington-Edison, which swept the Lions during the regular season and at the district tournament, raced out to a quick 6-1 lead in the second set, and while it appeared the Tigers were going to cruise to their third consecutive 3-0 dismantling of Lynden on their way to another state crown, the Lions battled back, eventually tying the set up at 25 before losing 27-25.

Trailing 21-20 in the third set, Lynden rallied again. This time, however, coming away with the victory as they scored the set’s final five points, getting a huge kill from Barr and a set-ending ace from Jacob.

In the end, the Tigers’ athleticism and experience – the team had placed sixth or better in each of the last seven tournaments – proved to be too much to overcome as they put away the match and secured yet another championship with a 25-19 win in the fourth set.

Sehome turned into the surprise team at the 2A tournament, finishing sixth after going 5-10 during the regular season. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Jacob had 11 kills against the Tigers, pushing her final tournament total to a 51 over the four matches. Bonsen added 42 assists, her fourth match where she registered 40 or more assists.

Lynden punched its ticket to the championship round by sweeping Ridgefield in the semifinals, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21.

Bonsen directed the Lions’ offensive, dishing out 41 assists, while adding 10 digs. Sterk registered a match-high 11 kills, while Jacob chipped in 10 kills and 18 digs in the victory over the Spudders.

Jacob led an extremely effective Lynden attack in the quarterfinals against Pullman, posting 18 kills and 15 digs to help the Lions knock off the Greyhounds, who defeated defending state champion Tumwater in straight sets in the opening round, in four games (25-9, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17).

Broussard joined Jacob with double-digit kills against Pullman, adding 12 kills. Bonsen finished with 47 assists.

The Lions score a point during their championship match against Burlington-Edison. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Lynden opened its run towards the finals by defeating North Kitsap, 3-0, in the first round, winning 25-14, 25-21, 25-20. Jacob had 12 kills, Bonsen handed up 42 assists and Scarlett led the squad with 13 digs as the Lions made quick work of the Vikings.

Sehome Takes Home Sixth Place

Sehome, which opened the season 1-4 and lost its final three regular season matches to take a 5-10 record into the postseason, became the surprise story of the 2A tournament as the Mariners secured sixth place following their remarkable run.

Sehome (10-13) edged Pullman in five sets (18-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-7) in a loser-out contest to advance to the trophy round. Sophomore Cameron Hodges finished with 13 kills and 28 digs and senior Haley Wilson had 45 assists against the Greyhounds.

The Mariners also received 12 kills from freshman Aspen Garrison and 26 digs from junior Lexi McGowan.

In the placing round, Sehome played its second five set thriller on the day, but came up short against Fife (25-16, 26-28, 25-27, 25-18, 15-9).

Dr. Troy Dillard Joins PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center with a Focus on Community

By
Jennifer Dodge
-
null

Troy Dillard, MD, considers himself lucky to do something he feels strongly about every day. “I feel so good at the end of the day when I know I’ve made a difference for at least one person,” says Dr. Dillard, an endocrinologist with PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.

Dr. Dillard specializes in thyroid disorders, diabetes, pituitary disorders and obesity, among other conditions. Photo courtesy: PeaceHealth.

Dr. Dillard arrived in Bellingham in July 2017 from Portland, Oregon where he served as the President of Northwest Endocrinology, LLC in Tualatin. He saw incredible opportunity in a community with a small-town feel. So he joined the endocrinology team at PeaceHealth Medical Clinic’s Cordata location. “The opportunities to be a part of the community excite me,” says Dr. Dillard.

Dr. Dillard explains that, as an endocrinologist, he specializes in thyroid disorders, diabetes, pituitary disorders and obesity, among others. And, as a physician with the Nutrition and Diabetes Clinic in Bellingham, he intends to work with patients on lifestyle and nutrition choices.

With the rise of diabetes, he sees an opportunity for more education in the community when it comes to preventing and dealing with a disease that he describes as reaching epidemic proportions. He explains that often, when a patient reaches his office, things have progressed beyond simple maintenance.

“We are surrounded by wonderful food, but often these foods are dense in calories or fat or sugars” Dr. Dillard says as he explains the importance of education.  “Everyone has challenges in making good choices.”

Dr. Dillard says that he plans to provide community education regarding the impact of nutrition and fitness choices on health.  With so many choices to make when it comes to nutrition and lifestyle, it can be virtually overwhelming to know what direction to turn for the answers and information.

“We are all advocates and allies on this path,” says Dr. Dillard of the opportunity to provide education to the community about diabetes, nutrition and good choices.

The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Nutrition and Diabetes clinic supports those people who are living with diabetes mellitus and problems with weight regulation and may be feeling overwhelmed about the management of their disease. The clinic also works with patients to help them understand how to manage their health through diet, nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes and improved use of diabetes medications.

The benefits of this type of therapy and self-management education are that it can result in better food choices and prevention of some nutrition-related diseases. Better nutrition also can improve energy levels and overall well-being. The clinic works to help individuals achieve their health goals in a positive and supportive environment.

“It is an honor to be at PeaceHealth,” says Dr. Dillard. “PeaceHealth has a strong commitment to the community and to endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid diseases.  I am proud to ally with an institution with compassionate values at the very heart of their mission.”

Dr. Dillard describes working with his patients as a combination of providing encouragement for positive change and coaching to help initiate and maintain those changes.

“I also try to walk the walk,” Dr. Dillard continues. “I do my best to engage in those same lifestyle habits I preach to my patients.” With four children, Dr. Dillard understands the importance of maintaining health and an active lifestyle. As a distance runner, he has enjoyed running half marathons and full marathons, with his next event in October in Victoria, British Columbia.

Dr. Dillard, along with PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, is dedicated to the community and to providing high quality health care, education and support. With the ever-growing need for education and state-of-the-art endocrine care, Dr. Dillard is ready and poised to help.

Sponsored

The Whatcom Community Foundation Selects 2018 Project Neighborly Grantees

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-
First Federal is hosting
Photo credit: Kate Galambos.

Submitted by: Whatcom Community Foundation

As Project Neighborly enters its second year, we are pleased to announce 23 projects that encourage neighborliness. Funded projects include: an interactive art installation that travels around on a bike trailer sparking creative conversation; a kayaking expedition that pairs rural and urban high school students to get to know each other while exploring and learning about our corner of the Salish Sea; activities that bring together families from other nations who are new to the area; an intergenerational community dinner at the Lynden Senior Center; skill sharing in the South Fork Valley; and a language exchange in the Birchwood neighborhood of Bellingham.

Local groups will receive grants ranging from $1,981 to $5,000 for projects designed to connect people, ideas and resources so that everyone who lives here thrives. The Whatcom Community Foundation is investing nearly $100,000 in Project Neighborly.

“This is just another example of the spirit that exists here in Whatcom County making it a privilege to be residing in this part of the country,” said Fred Sheppard, Resource and Development Manager for Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County.

“People can imagine and bring remarkable things to life if you invite them to be creative,” said Community Foundation CEO Mauri Ingram. “Project Neighborly grants add a little fuel to those great ideas. The 2017 projects proved that truly amazing things can be accomplished when people roll up their sleeves to focus on the one thing that we all have the most control over: how we make this place feel.”

Project Neighborly grants are a catalyst for cultivating neighborliness and all funded projects will take place by the end of 2018.

For more information about this program and other grant opportunities, contact the

Whatcom Community Foundation at 360-671-6463.

Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Announces Award Finalists

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-
Randy Cross and Kathy Cross (center) of LaserPoint Awards and Promotions receive the 2016 Small Business of the Year award at the 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. Also in photo: Troy Wills of First Federal (left) and Guy Occhiogrosso of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce (right). Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

Submitted by: The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, written by Shelli Jones

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced its finalists for the Small Business of the Year and the Large Business of the Year. Award winners will be announced at the 13th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 30.

Randy Cross and Kathy Cross (center) of LaserPoint Awards and Promotions receive the 2016 Small Business of the Year award at the 2016 Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. Also in photo: Troy Wills of First Federal (left) and Guy Occhiogrosso of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce (right). Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

Nominations for the Small Business and Large Business of the Year awards were submitted by the public and Chamber of Commerce members in August 2017. The nominations are evaluated by the Annual Awards Committee consisting of active Chamber members who volunteer to serve on the committee.  The committee determines the four finalists for the Small and Large Business of the Year. The committee visits the finalists and conduct interviews to ensure that all businesses are asked the same questions and evaluated using the same criteria. The results of the interviews are used to be the committee to vote on the winners. Votes are cast but even the committee members don’t know who the winners are. Only a few key staff members are aware of the identity of the winners.

The finalists for Small Business of the Year are:

A small business must have 20 or fewer employees and must be a Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber member to qualify.

The finalists for Large Business of the Year are:

A large business has 21 or more employees and must also be a Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber member.

The criteria for Small and Large Business of the Year is based on criteria including company management, community service and contribution exceeding the scope of the company’s mission, economic stability, ethics and integrity, growth of the company, new jobs created in the community and upward mobility for employees. Companies considered will be those who put resources and energy back into Bellingham and Whatcom County.

The Winners of the Small and Large Business of the Year, the Man and Woman of the Year, the CEO of the Year, the Young Professional of the Year, the Millie DeFord Chamber Ambassador of the Year and Tourism Business of the Year will be awarded at the Chamber’s 13th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 30 at Four Points by Sheraton.

Tickets are available on the Chamber’s website.

1...381382383...550Page 382 of 550

STAY CONNECTED

17,793FansLike
8,643FollowersFollow
3,763FollowersFollow

Business

Trending Now

Editor Picks

© WhatcomTalk, Inc.
Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap