Kayaking near Olympia on the Black River. Photo credit: NorthAmericaTalk
If you’re an experienced kayaker looking for a day trip kayak adventure in Olympia, check out the Black River between 123rd Avenue and the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area! It’s perfect for outdoor adventure seekers wanting a unique kayaking trip in Thurston County. Bring a lunch, your kayak and your friends for a day on the water.
Spring Kayak Day Trip Near Olympia
Kayaking the Black River is a great spring kayak trip near Olympia that includes gorgeous scenery, challenging navigation for those looking for a more advanced river outing. To kayak the Black River, our experts suggest a sit-on-top kayak in the 10-foot range due to frequent portaging required.
Springtime is the best time to kayak this section of the Black River, when the water is deeper, though even at the end of April, some parts were already quite low at 8 inches. Locals explained that in the summer, the water gets down to about an average of 12 inches, making it more challenging for kayakers.
The Black River between 123rd Avenue and the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area makes for an adventures day of Kayaking near Olympia. Photo credit: NorthAmericaTalk
You’ll want to wear water shoes for this kayak trip in Thurston County, as it requires mandatory portages due to logs over the river in certain points—of course this may change if someone clears them, but it’s good to be prepared. The river bottom is pretty thick and muddy. Keep an eye ahead of you and be ready to pull to the edge and portage around debris.
Another aspect that makes this kayaking spot challenging is the tall marsh that the river opens up into, before branching off into several directions. The grass is often taller than you, and the water is shallow. However, the beauty and uniqueness of the area makes it definitely worth the challenge!
As it branches off into the side waterways, you are entering the Ramos Black River Preserve. Enjoy the incredible grassland, sometimes dotted with trees and be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly birds.
Nearing the end of your journey, at the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area, you will pass near the Glacial Heritage Preserve, a truly beautiful area that preserves the Puget Prairie ecosystem that settlers came upon in the 1800s.
Note: The Glacial Heritage Preserve trails are open to the public one day a year, for Prairie Appreciation Day, so if you are a nature-lover, it’s a great date to get on your calendar.
Where to Put-In to Kayak the Black River
For this trip, we put in our kayaks at 123rd Avenue Southwest, Olympia, to do a one-way trip, so we parked a second vehicle at the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area at 14995 Littlerock Road SW, Rochester. Remember to have your Discover Pass!
Expect your kayak trip on the Black River for this section to last about 4 hours. Bring a snack or lunch and enjoy nature on this challenging kayaking adventure near Olympia.
When it comes to solar, misinformation is everywhere. That’s why it’s important to separate myths from the facts—especially in Washington, where clean energy is becoming more accessible and more valuable every year.
As a six-time award-winning clean energy company, Solar by Barron helps homeowners make informed decisions with WholeHome™ energy solutions that go far beyond the panels. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common solar misconceptions—and the facts that prove otherwise.
#1 – Barron Heating AC Electrical and Plumbing Doesn’t Do Solar
MYTH: Solar by Barron is a key part of the Barron brand—bringing over 30 years of experience to clean energy and home performance. From solar panels to energy storage, HVAC, insulation, and beyond, Barron provides full-service solutions designed to optimize your home’s energy from the ground up.
#2 – Solar Is Free
MYTH: While solar isn’t free, it can be a powerful financial investment. Many homeowners save $10,000 or more through available incentives, and those savings grow every day the sun shines. With smart financing, solar can be surprisingly affordable.
#3 – Solar Doesn’t Work in Washington
MYTH: Solar works exceptionally well in Washington. Our long summer days help produce significant solar energy, while the mild climate keeps solar panels operating efficiently. Even in cloudy months, systems are designed to perform year-round—and often achieve net-zero energy use.
#4 – You Missed All the Solar Incentives
MYTH: Incentives are still strong! Homeowners can take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit, Washington’s sales tax exemption for solar equipment, and net metering programs that credit you for the energy your system sends back to the grid.
#5 – It Takes 30 Years to Pay Off Solar
MYTH: Thanks to advancing technology and better financing options, many solar systems pay for themselves in half that time—or less. In some cases, monthly solar payments can replace your utility bill entirely, letting you own your energy instead of renting it.
#6 – Power Rates Are Going Up
FACT: Utility rates have jumped more than 25% in just the past two years, with additional increases of over 16% expected in 2025 and 2026. Going solar can help stabilize your energy costs and protect your household from unpredictable rate hikes in the future.
Photo courtesy: Barron Heating & Air Conditioning
The Bottom Line: Solar Makes Sense in Western Washington
Solar energy is no longer just a trend, it’s a smart investment in your home, your wallet, and the environment. With the right incentives, financing options, and expert guidance, going solar in Washington is more achievable than ever.
At Solar by Barron, we don’t just install panels—we deliver WholeHome™ energy solutions designed to reduce your carbon footprint, lower your utility bills, and increase your comfort year-round. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to install, our team is here to help.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Visit here to explore our FAQs, request a free solar consultation, or talk to one of our experts today.
Even in his twilight years, Hunsby was often a dapperly-dressed presence in the community, including at Old Settlers events held in Ferndale's Pioneer Park. Photo courtesy: Alice Robb
On August 1, 1989, a column by a 91-year-old man with Coke-bottle glasses appeared in the Bellingham Herald. The column’s preamble described the author, George Hunsby, as an “oral historian” with a lifetime of stories about Whatcom County life.
That first column would lead to more than five years of nostalgia for Hunsby and his readers, serving as a coda to decades of written and verbal storytelling about his life in Whatcom County.
Whatcom Museum Archivist Jeff Jewell, who knew Hunsby through both his writings and personal interaction, says Hunsby was a local celebrity by his twilight years. While there are a handful of notable local historians, Hunsby stood out by providing valuable firsthand knowledge of local history in writing down his own experiences.
“Local history’s a lot of minutia,” Jewell says. “And a lot of it doesn’t make the radar, the paper, or anything like that. He fulfilled a role that’s unique these days, and that is being an elder. It’s unusual that people stay in the same community for their entire lives.”
George Hunsby and his father (second and third to far right) at Excelsior Lumber Mill No. 2, likely in 1905 or 1906. In a time lacking child labor laws, Hunsby began formally helping his father at the mill by the time he was 9 years old. Photo courtesy: Alice Robb
Humble Hunsby
George Hunsby was born on June 6, 1898, the second son of Norwegian immigrants. His brother didn’t survive long past birth, but George was joined by a sister, Marie, in 1900. His father came to the United States in 1884, settling first in Michigan before working his way to Whatcom County in 1889.
According to Aaron Joy’s 2021 Hunsby biography, “Let George Do It,” his first years were spent in log cabins. The first was along what’s now Putnam Road, just east of Nugent’s Corner off the Mount Baker Highway. Years later, Hunsby served as an engineering aide for the creation of the highway.
At a time when child labor laws were few, Hunsby began working in his father’s timber mill at age 9, handling whatever tasks his father assigned him. The mill closed by the time he was 12, and his father became a government-employed timber assessor in Alaska.
Before departing north, Hunsby’s father relocated the family to a home in Fairhaven’s Happy Valley neighborhood, and Hunsby began a pattern of job diversity he’d continue into adulthood. Growing up, he worked as a paperboy, did lawn work, and delivered supplies for the Fairhaven Pharmacy. Hunsby also briefly worked as a wrestler at a movie theater, offering diversions between film reels. As he entered his teens, he spent several summers working in local logging camps and sawmills.
After finishing at Larrabee Grammar School, Hunsby attended Bellingham Normal Training School, now known as Western Washington University. Here, he received his education from professional teachers-to-be. After 8th grade, Hunsby ended his formal schooling by becoming a machinist’s apprentice.
Ruth and George Hunsby, seen here walking their dog Tramp, in 1978. The couple married in 1921 and were together for nearly 60 years, until Ruth’s death in 1979. Jack Carver photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum
Hunsby, Home and Abroad
One day in September 1919, Hunsby and a friend decided to summit Mount Shuksan simply because they had nothing better to do. The following year, 22-year-old Hunsby met his 18-year-old wife, Ruth, and they married in 1921. Their first home wasn’t much: a fenced-in, 12-by-14-foot tent lacking water, electricity, or phone service. Hunsby took a streetcar to his mill job – 5 cents each way – but eventually acquired a Ford Model T as their living situation improved.
Like many, Hunsby met joblessness when the Great Depression hit. He bounced between temp jobs, including as a holiday window dresser. He also once worked as a gardener for Ella Higginson, Washington’s first Poet Laureate.
But at the end of 1930, Hunsby began one of his most interesting jobs: that of a federal treasury agent tasked with enforcing the Volstead Act (better known as Prohibition). He worked in Montana, Idaho, North Dakota and Canada. Ruth joined him in Montana, but she was deeply unhappy there. When Prohibition ended in 1933, Hunsby briefly became an immigration inspector before quitting so the couple could return to Bellingham.
World War II brought Hunsby a second round of military service. After being rejected from the Navy at age 18 due to colorblindness, Hunsby spent the end of World War I serving stateside in the Army National Guard.
In 1942, at age 44, Hunsby reenlisted in the Army and joined the 99th Infantry Battalion. During training, he met President Franklin D. Roosevelt; it was the second president he’d seen in person after William Howard Taft’s 1911 Bellingham visit.
Ultimately, Hunsby traveled to Europe and served as an infantryman, mechanic and medic during World War II. In the latter job, he came ashore at Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion, which took place on his birthday.
Hunsby was never wounded but suffered shell shock from explosions. He suffered one particularly close call when a doctor standing next to him was hit and killed by a shell burst. After being honorably discharged, Hunsby went on to become a member of nearly every veteran-related organization one could join, including Bellingham’s American Legion Post No. 7.
His efforts with veterans’ organizations were recognized formally on March 1, 1974, when county commissioners declared the date “George Hunsby Day.”
Hunsby was the general chair of the local Disabled Veterans Association in 1960. He served in the military during both world wars, and his support with local veterans groups resulted in widespread community recognition. Jack Carver photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum
Hunsby and History
After the war, George Hunsby worked various jobs for the rest of his life. They include forest fire spotter, excavator, boilermaker, insurance agent, notary public, and gravedigger. Hunsby ran for public office twice, seeking Bellingham’s District 1 City Commissioner position, but lost both times. His first election in 1950 featured the campaign slogan “Let George Do It.”
Hunsby’s attention turned to writing in the 1970s. It began with work on a memoir, ultimately unpublished, about growing up in Fairhaven. From 1972 to 73, Hunsby wrote a bi-monthly historical column in the short-lived Bellingham Metropolitan. Two self-published history books on Fairhaven followed in 1975 and 76. Original copies are hard to find, but the two were reproduced as a single book in 2009 by Chuckanut Editions.
Hunsby kept writing and eventually penned shorter books on subjects he had personal experience with, like World War II and logging. In 1979, his wife Ruth died unexpectedly. The couple never had children. Devastated, Hunsby sold their home and moved into a retirement apartment not far from his sister’s house.
From 1989 to 1995, Hunsby wrote a weekly nostalgia column for The Bellingham Herald. His reminiscences of early Whatcom County life became very popular with readers, helping cement Hunsby as a local elder and storyteller. Photo courtesy: Newspapers.com
Hunsby also appeared as an extra in the 1982 train robbery movie “The Grey Fox,” but his scene was cut from the film’s final version. From 1988 to 89, Hunsby wrote a historical column for the Bellingham Times, another short-lived publication. In August 1989, his Bellingham Herald nostalgia column began. Hunsby reminisced about all manner of his early life and also espoused his views on modern society.
He averaged writing two columns a week, working from mostly manual typewriters. Even though his column wasn’t syndicated, clippings made their way across the country, leading to frequent reader letters. Hunsby once quipped that he spent more money on postage to answer his letters than he was initially paid to write the column to which people responded.
After Hunsby’s sister died in 1990, Hunsby moved into the retirement community at the Hotel Leopold. He often sat in the lobby and was always quick to spin a yarn. In 1993, he was honored with a Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award for preserving community history and folklore.
Hunsby’s final column was published on February 1, 1995. Mounting health issues – and a lack of typewriter ribbons – led to his retirement. Shortly after his 98th birthday, Hunsby died at the Bellingham Health Care Center on June 18, 1996. His graveside ceremony at Bayview Cemetery came with full military honors.
George Hunsby wrote for the same reason that many of us write: not for financial riches but for the sake of curiosity, memory and connection.
“I wrote about things that were of interest to me,” Hunsby once wrote. “If I have been able to give someone a joyful moment or perhaps a laugh by my writings, then I have been fully compensated.”
If you live on the Olympic Peninsula or anywhere in western Washington, chances are you’ve seen First Fed show up for your community. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofits, sponsoring events, or volunteering side by side with neighbors, First Fed has built a reputation for being more than just a bank.
And this year? They’re celebrating some pretty big milestones.
Launched in 2015 with a $12 million endowment, the First Fed Foundation has become a powerhouse of local philanthropy. Over the past ten years, the Foundation has distributed more than $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits, tribal organizations, and local government agencies across Washington. Its focus on affordable housing, economic development, and critical community services has helped transform lives and strengthen neighborhoods.
“The Foundation is a reflection of who First Fed is at its core,” said Norm Tonina, President of the First Fed Foundation board. “Our goal has always been to invest in the long-term success and wellbeing of the communities we call home.”
Members of Cascade Connections—one of the many Whatcom County nonprofits proudly supported by the First Fed Foundation. Photo courtesy: First Fed
One of the most visible ways First Fed has shown up for its community is through Community Spirit Day—a company-wide volunteer event where First Fed branches closed for the afternoon so team members could give back in a big way. In 2024, over 170 employees volunteered across 21 nonprofits throughout western Washington, contributing more than 700 volunteer hours in a single day.
From painting murals to serving meals and packing supplies for local shelters, Community Spirit Day exemplifies First Fed’s belief that meaningful service is a team effort—and a powerful one at that.
In addition to community events, First Fed empowers their team with up to three paid days annually to volunteer. Over the past five years, First Fed employees have logged more than 25,000 volunteer hours with over 400 different organizations. In 2024 alone, 20 team members were honored as “Club 100” members for giving over 100 hours of volunteer time.
It’s all part of a broader mission to support thriving, resilient communities—not just through financial services, but through active, hands-on partnership.
To nurture First Fed’s connection between their team members and communities, First Fed recently welcomed Donya Alward as their new Director of Employee Engagement. Donya’s all about connection, and she’s here to lead their team’s engagement, volunteering, and community partnerships.
“I’m excited to help grow the amazing work First Fed is already doing,” said Alward. “This team has such heart—it’s really inspiring.”
Donya Alward, Director of Employee Engagement at First Fed. Photo courtesy: First Fed
Donya brings over 20 years of leadership experience and a genuine passion for giving back. She’s already making a positive impact by building stronger bridges between First Fed team members and the causes they care about.
As First Fed celebrates these milestones, the message is clear: their commitment to community is stronger than ever. With the First Fed Foundation entering its second decade, new leadership bringing fresh energy to engagement efforts, and events like Community Spirit Day uniting team members around service, First Fed is poised to continue its legacy of impact for generations to come.
Learn more about First Fed’s community commitment here and here.
First Fed is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
May is here, and that means the return of Hunger Vs. Hunger! The innovative fundraising campaign for the Bellingham Food Bank was created by Ethan Hunger in 2021 and has continued to grow each year. With a series of community events leading to his annual 12K Calorie Challenge, Ethan creates meaningful and engaging ways for people to get involved with the cause.
His dedication to fighting food insecurity hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, he won the Washington State Volunteer Service Award (WSVSA) for his hard work and Hunger Vs. Hunger’s “massive impact in helping address food insecurity in Bellingham.”
In 2021, Ethan set out to burn 10,000 calories with the goal of raising $10,000. With just two sponsors, very little planning, and one friend for company, he achieved his goal – and raised $28,036.
Last year, his goal was $100,000. He raised $254,358.
Five years after that first challenge in 2021, Ethan’s goal is now $300,000 – ten times what he first raised for the food bank.
Here’s how he – and the community – are going to do it.
Photo courtesy: Ethan Hunger
The 12K Calorie Challenge is Back and Better Than Ever!
On July 19, Ethan will:
Road bike to Artist Point – 120 miles
HIIT workout at J.D. Elite – 1 hour
Swim the length of Lake Whatcom – 11 miles
Mountain bike at Galbraith – 7 miles
Run to Fairhaven – 5 miles
Ethan welcomes anyone who’d like to join him along any part of his route. The HIIT class at J.D. Elite Fitness is open to the public and all proceeds will go to the food bank. The challenge will conclude at the Finish Line Party at Stones Throw Brewery.
Photo courtesy: Ethan Hunger
Fun Ways to Get Involved
There are lots of exciting opportunities to get involved with Hunger Vs. Hunger this year!
Community events include:
May 17 – Pickleball Tournament at the Armory
May 23 – Ski to Sea Block Party at Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
June 2-7 – Fitness Fundraising Week at Basecamp Fitness
June 14 – 5K Fun Run with Summit Sports
July (all month!) – Get Fit for the Food Bank Challenge with Fairhaven Runners & Walkers
July 19 – HIIT workout at J.D. Elite Fitness
July 19 – Finish Line Party at Stones Throw Brewery
July 26 – Collab Fundraiser Party at Beach Cat Brewing (Bellingham)
As of May 1, Fanatik Bike Co. will be raffling off a Specialized Status 2 140 mountain bike! The winner will be drawn on July 19 at 8:30 p.m. You won’t need to be present to win.
You can also watch the new Hunger Vs. Hunger documentary to see interviews and behind-the scenes footage from last year’s campaign! For the first time ever, Hunger Vs. Hunger will also have its very own newsletter.
Hunger Vs. Hunger Sponsors
This year, Hunger Vs. Hunger has over fifty sponsors! These sponsors donate money or raffle prizes, host events, and more, making all of this possible each year. If you’d like to be a sponsor, it’s not too late! Reach out to Ethan for more information.
This year, three sponsors – Bell Lumber and Pole, an anonymous donor through the Whatcom Community Foundation, and the Jerry H. Walton Foundation will all be matching donations!
More Important Than Ever Before
With major cuts to federal hunger relief programs this year, local food banks are struggling to keep up with the coinciding increase in need for their services.
When SNAP benefits were cut significantly in 2021 while people were still adjusting to the fallout of the pandemic, the Bellingham Food Bank saw a sharp increase in weekly visits, rising from 1,700 to 3,500. They now serve 5,000 households each week, making them the busiest food bank in Washington.
That’s about 25% of Whatcom County.
In addition to their free grocery program, the Bellingham Food Bank also offers a drive thru option as well as home delivery for those who are unable to come to the foodbank themselves. They also serve as a distribution hub, providing other Whatcom Food Banks with over 3 million pounds of food.
The Bellingham Food Bank is relying on community support more than ever to continue ensuring that everyone in Whatcom County has access to nutritious food. To help, you can donate or volunteer. You can also follow their newsletter to keep up to date.
Downhill mountain biking near Olympia is easy at the North Slope Trails that allow e-bikes! Photo credit: NorthAmericaTalk
Looking for a place to maximize downhill mountain biking time with challenging trails that also allow e-bikes? The North Slope Trails near Olympia are your answer! This incredible mountain bike trail system in Thurston County is perfect for self-shuttling and can be enjoyed by mountain bikes and e-bikes.
North Slope Trails Were Made for Mountain Bikers
Created by the Friends of Capitol Forest, the North Slope downhill mountain bike trails are the newest trail additions to the Capitol Forest mountain bike trail system. The trails were created for the daring downhill mountain biker, and most are rated difficult and very difficult, with jumps and steep “g-out” rolling features. The trails are one-way, downhill trails for the safety of all.
These North Slope Trails are e-bike friendly, and the BioChar Climbing Trail goes uphill for those who are self-shuttling. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on these Capitol Forest trails. These trails are some of the few in the Capitol Forest that are marked for non-motorized vehicles, but allow e-mountain bikes. (Learn more about e-bikes in Capitol Forest here.)
Due to their intense nature, Friends of Capitol Forest recommends full-face helmets and enduro or downhill-style mountain bikes for a fun and safe trail ride. Gorgeous scenery and stunning views make these bike trails some of the best in the Olympia area.
The North Slope trails are easily marked, letting you know direction, length and what types of vehicles are allowed on them.
Just follow Cooper Point Road SW toward the former Grays Harbor ORV Park. Photo credit: NorthAmericaTalk
How to Get To North Slope Downhill Mountain Bike Trails
Located just outside Olympia, as you head towards the Washington Coast, the North Slope downhill mountain bike trails are easy to get to, right off the highway! Take Highway 101 to Highway 8 west towards Elma. Turn left onto Cooper Road SW, towards the Grays Harbor ORV Park. Drive past the Grays Harbor ORV Park to the large parking area.
The North Slope Parking Lot is at the bottom of the downhill trails. Signage and large parking areas make it easy! There is a kiosk with trail information, including whether the trail is one or two-way, how difficult the terrain is, and more.
If you are self-shutting via the trail, bike up the BioChar Climbing trail. For those who are shuttling with a vehicle, continue on the gravel logging road and head up the hill, there will be several pullouts for parking. Don’t have a way to shuttle? Friends of Capitol Forest does North Slope Shuttle Days! Members get a discount. Check out the Friends of Capitol Forest website for upcoming dates.
Finally, a place for traditional mountain bikers and their e-bike friends to ride together on expertly designed trails—thanks, Friends of Capitol Forest!—that have a great flow and easy access. Bring your lunch and have a fun day on the trails! Want to learn about other fun things to do near Olympia? Visit the Experience Olympia website.
The Everson Post office around 1910, when it was led by postmistress Lydia Rouls (second from right). Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Library System, Everson McBeath Community Library, via Washington Rural Heritage
The Washington State Library offers many resources to researchers. One of their newest digital projects is “Postmarked Washington,” an interactive postal history of Washington. It provides a window into Whatcom County community history through its post offices.
Guy Reed Ramsey
“Postmarked Washington” was created by Guy Reed Ramsey (1894-1980). A forester, “he was first and foremost a post office paraphernalia collector,” says Mary Schaff, Northwest Librarian who led the project. His passion for collecting turned into a quest to document the history of every post office in Washington. He also researched post offices in Iowa and Oregon.
Ramsey was not a professional historian, but “he earned the title,” asserts Schaff, praising his careful and accurate research in the age before the Internet. He did much of his research at the Washington State Library using their manuscript, newspaper and printed collections. An oral historian, he also toured the state, talking to people behind the counter at every post office he visited.
Postmarked Washington offers resources about our state’s postal history, including Whatcom County. Photo courtesy: Washington State Library
While Ramsey researched all of Washington’s counties, much of his research went unpublished both before and after his death, including Whatcom County. The situation left Ramsey bitterly disappointed, according to his son Fred Ramsey, a retired Oregon State University professor. Fred has been a key supporter of the State Library’s “Postmarked Washington” project.
Ramsey ended the bulk of his research around 1960. He prepared a manuscript, edited and ready to print. In 1966, he lent this manuscript to the State Library for microfilming. The original manuscript is now lost.
Postmarked Washington
Over the years, many researchers have used Ramsey’s microfilm. One of these was Mary Schaff, finding it helpful after being assigned the State Library’s designee for theWashington State Committee on Geographic Names.
Now, it was time to make the project more accessible. The project began about four years ago. The main workers are Mary Schaff, Reference Librarian Julie Thompson, and Application Developer Evelyn Lindberg.
The team transformed Ramsey’s manuscript into a digital database, divided by county. The manuscript was transcribed by making PDFs of each page and using the program Omeka to record the text. But this proved difficult, admits Schaff. The program is not very good at reading old microfilm, and sometimes it was faster to simply transcribe it herself.
After transcribing each entry, the information was put onto a template that reflected both Ramsey’s original text and the library’s needs, especially mapping. Ramsey located post offices by township and range. Modern researchers find Google Maps more user-friendly. Whatcom County’s long shape, Schaff admits, made it particularly tricky to fit into a map.
The team decided to let Ramsey’s research “stand on its own,” explains Schaff, making limited corrections in the comments. Readers can also leave their own corrections and comments. The most common corrections are name misspellings, which Schaff finds unsurprising. Post office applications went through many hands, making spelling issues common.
The team also added additional information, such as newspaper articles. These stories make the project come to life for readers. Schaff and Thompson agree that this and all the unexpected discoveries along the way made the project both “immersive” and “fun.”
The site includes further resources, both online and at the State Library. There is also a glossary of postal terms.
“Postmarked Washington” launched in October 2024. It is hosted by Primarily Washington, which is home to a wide variety of digital resources about Washington’s history.
Five counties were among the original group. Whatcom County was the very first completed. With 86 entries, it was one of Ramsey’s most significant sections. It also offered the team lessons and practice to help them with the project going forward.
Evelyn Lindberg, Mary Schaff and Julie Thompson bring enthusiasm to the Postmarked Washington project. Photo courtesy: Washington State Library
Whatcom County’s Rich Postal Heritage
Besides being helpful to genealogists, “Postmarked Washington” offers insights into local, regional, economic and women’s history. Post offices tell the story of their community, Schaff continues. Many of them were short-lived, as their communities “blip in and out of existence.” Bellingham had a “unique” history, says Schaff, as it was formed from the merger of four towns, including Bellingham, Fairhaven, Sehome, and Whatcom.
As towns changed, so did their post offices. In Whatcom County, Thompson highlights, Old Ferndale and Ferndale established their own post offices. But, she laughs, after they were discovered to be only “a stone’s throw away” from each other, they were merged.
Postal history is also an essential part of women’s history. Many women were official postmistresses, but even when men were postmasters, it was understood in the early years that their wives and daughters often did the daily work. Many post offices were run out of homes and businesses. A careful researcher, Ramsey, recorded women’s full married and maiden names, which is critical for genealogical research.
But it is the stories that make postal history come alive. One of the most surprising things the team found in Whatcom County concerned Camp Semiahmoo. During territorial days, it was in Washington, but boundary changes later put it in British Columbia. The post office was moved to Blaine.
The Everson Post Office around 1910, when it was led by postmistress Lydia Rouls (second from right). Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Library System, Everson McBeath Community Library, via Washington Rural Heritage
The Future of Postmarked Washington
Work on “Postmarked Washington” will continue as time allows. The project has no special funding or dedicated staff. “It’s a labor of love,” says Schaff. The plan is to eventually digitize all 13 of Ramsey’s unpublished counties before adding his published work. The team also seeks to engage students with the project. Thompson has created a postal history zine project as part of the “Postmarked Washington” Digital Backpack created for Primarily Washington.
Through “Postmarked Washington,” researchers can gain insight into Whatcom County’s rich history. Community history comes alive with the stories of local post offices.
Sign up for a free home assessment by Solarize Whatcom before the program ends on July 4th! Photo courtesy: Sunpath Electric
Our current economic climate is stressful. It seems like the cost of everything keeps going up. One example? In January 2025, Puget Sound Energy implemented a 12% rate increase this year. Most of us try to be more energy efficient but that can be difficult—especially with home offices and kids using more electronics than ever. That’s where Solarize Whatcom comes in, a program sponsored by two nonprofits, Sustainable Connections & Olympia Community Solar. Their goal is to help residents navigate the solar purchasing experience and provide discounts on the installation. Sign up for a free home assessment before the program ends on July 4th!
“We identified this gap in the clean energy industry of customers needing educational support and access to resources,” shares Mason Rolph, executive director for Olympia Community Solar.
The Solarize Whatcom program helps residents navigate the solar purchasing experience and offers discounted installation prices. Photo courtesy: South Sound Solar
Nonprofit Solar Organization Guides You Through Solar Power for Your Home
We all see the “solarize your home,” “no more electric bills,” and other ads on the internet. But for first-time solar users, the idea can be intimidating. Most of us have a basic understanding of our electric grid at best, so adding another component can be confusing. Solar energy has rapidly grown in popularity for its economic and environmental benefits, but installing solar on your home can feel like a daunting process: from perceived costs and complicated technical details, to selecting a reputable installer.
With a mission to make solar power more accessible, the nonprofit does the legwork for you—including providing education and helping navigate the ins and outs of how solar works. “Our role with Solarize is to support homeowners through that process by providing them with education and support,” shares Ben Silesky, program director for Olympia Community Solar.
To do this, Sustainable Connections & Olympia Community Solar contracts vetted local solar installers. The vetting process ensures the solar companies provide quality equipment, are experienced and have a stable business, have good product and workmanship warranties, and offer a discount to Solarize Whatcom program customers.
“The system will be on your roof for decades,” adds Ben. “We want it to be durable and efficient.”
Let the Solarize Whatcom program help you navigate the cost-saving power of solar energy in your home. Photo courtesy: SunPath Electric
Get a Free Home Assessment and Solar Power Estimate During Solarize Whatcom
When you sign up on the Solarize Whatcom website, Olympia Community Solar will connect you with their local, vetted solar companies. Have questions? Feel free to ask Olympia Community Solar or Sustainable Connections!
Another frequently asked question is, “Does Washington even get enough sun to have solar power?” The answer is a resounding yes. “Panels today are more than twice as efficient at collecting sunlight as they were a decade ago,” shares Ben. “And we actually get more sun than Germany, which is one of the leading solar energy countries in the world. To inform a customer’s choice to invest, a solar installer provides measurements of the cumulative sunlight that you’re going to get over the course of a year, and how much energy that will generate.”
The reason for this is a policy called net metering. With net metering, you earn bill credits for excess energy that your home does not consume during the sunnier summer months. This excess energy flows into the electric grid and your utility company provides a credit on your bill. Then, when winter comes and there is less sunlight, that credit keeps your bill low. “Net Metering is the key mechanism that makes rooftop solar worth it to homeowners in Washington,” shares Mason.
Solarize partners with vetted installers so you know your solar panels will last. Photo courtesy: Western Solar
Investing in solar power can help safeguard you from future energy price hikes. It’s one of the few ways we can protect ourselves from the constant cost of living increases.
“The main reason we see folks investing in solar is for long term energy savings,” says Mason. “If they’re generating their own energy, they’re independent and insulated from any changes in the price of electricity on the market—they don’t have to worry about future utility rate hikes.”
As an example, solar panels can last 45-50 years and have 25-year warranties. Just during that 25-year warrantied life, a typical electric bill for a household in Washington will total $66,000. “With solar, you can wipe almost all of that away,” adds Ben. Solarize Whatcom also partners with Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union for financing— the only credit union in Washington that specializes in solar loans.
The Solarize Whatcom program is also offering additional services such as Electric Vehicle chargers, Battery backup for those who experience frequent power outages, and Home Energy Audits through the Community Energy Challenge.
The Solarize Whatcom program has already supported over 350 homeowners to install solar power. Will yours be next? Sign up today on the Solarize website.
PeaceHealth’s Lynden Clinic marks a major milestone this month: One full year of serving north Whatcom County with high-quality, compassionate primary and specialty care.
Since opening its doors on April 15, 2024, the 22,500-square-foot clinic has become a trusted source of care for patients of all ages from Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Sumas, Everson and other areas of north and east Whatcom County.
Photo courtesy: PeaceHealth
“The community has been extremely welcoming and grateful that we’re here,” Clinic Manager Arielle Serianni said. “We receive many thanks from patients who are so happy to get their care in Lynden instead of having to travel to Bellingham.”
Located at 8844 Benson Road, the clinic houses family medicine, pediatrics, same-day services, cardiology, orthopedics, behavioral health and OB/GYN/midwifery. On-site imaging and lab services are available in partnership with Mt. Baker Imaging and Quest Diagnostics.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary, the clinic team enjoyed a catered lunch, with Lynden Bakery treats, and a chance to reflect on the clinic’s continued growth.
In its first year, the Lynden Clinic logged 26,539 visits. The number of Family and Internal medicine providers has grown from one to five, all of them full-time. The Priority Care (formerly Same-Day) clinic now has three providers, up from one, and is open Monday through Friday with plans to expand to Saturday. Pediatrics is available Monday through Friday.
Bellingham-based specialty providers rotate at Lynden one to three days per week, depending on the type of care.
“We opened the clinic with the goal of bringing high-quality primary and specialty care to the people of north Whatcom County, and we’re so proud to see that vision achieved every day,” said Denise Walker, vice president of operations for PeaceHealth Medical Group Northwest. “Rural communities deserve the same access to care as anywhere else, and this clinic is a promise kept. The team here is building something really special.”
Photo courtesy: PeaceHealth
Last fall, the Lynden Clinic was awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Known as the most widely used green building rating system in the world, LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) provides the framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. The Lynden Clinic is the first PeaceHealth LEED-certified facility.
Key elements in the clinic’s design and construction include 162 solar panels, on-site EV charging, a bioswale stormwater runoff system, water-efficient irrigation and landscaping that emphasizes the use of native and drought-resistant plants.
PeaceHealth is grateful to the City of Lynden for its warm welcome and ongoing partnership. For more information, visit here.
About PeaceHealth
PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, more than 3,000 providers, more than 160 clinics and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
In a creative collaboration between the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) and Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA), youth artwork from Whatcomics 2024, the WCLS teen art anthology, is featured on one of WTA’s new electric buses. This “Whatcomics Bus” has been rolling through Whatcom County since January and will be on special display during the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The bus features artwork both on its exterior and across the inside ceiling, transforming it into an immersive, rideable art exhibit.
The teen artists showcased on the Whatcomics Bus submitted their creations to WCLS in fall 2024. After review by WCLS staff, their pieces were included in the 2024 edition of Whatcomics, published this past January. Soon after, selected works were installed on one of WTA’s new zero-emission electric buses.
Photo courtesy: Whatcom Transportation Authority
Created in 2007, Whatcomics is an annual teen art anthology published by the Whatcom County Library System. It’s designed to celebrate local youth’s voices and talents and give them a platform to share their work with the community. Each year, teens across Whatcom County submit original art in all forms: pencil, crayon, colored marker, digital illustration, watercolor, comics, and more.
The 2025 edition features portraits, whimsical characters, abstract pieces, and vivid landscapes. The anthology is available at local public libraries, school libraries (including Western Washington University), and the Washington State Library. You can also view it online here.
“I think it’s really cool for Whatcomics art to be on the bus. It makes the art and the person feel special and important, something most teens don’t always feel,” said artist and WCLS Teen Intern Sevilla Thomas. “Plus, having the art on the bus makes those teens feel like getting their art out in the world is a real possibility, not just some pipe dream.”
“This project brings together two beloved community resources: our public libraries and our public transit system,” said Ali Hawkinson, WTA Board President and Ferndale City Councilmember. “By featuring teen art on a bus that travels all over Whatcom County, we’re not only celebrating these young artists, we’re reminding everyone that creativity belongs in our everyday spaces.”
Photo courtesy: Whatcom Transportation Authority
Visit the Whatcomics Bus at the Art Walk
When: Friday, May 2, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Bellingham Station | 205 E Magnolia Street, Bellingham
About: Visitors are encouraged to hop aboard, explore the artwork, ask questions about the electric bus, and flip through a copy of the 2025 Whatcomics anthology. We are participating as part of the Children’s Art Walk during Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s First Friday Art Walk.
To learn more about WTA, visit here. For more on Whatcomics, visithere.
After five decades of operation, Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing continues to be a local leader in meeting the heating needs of residents....