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Plan a Weekend Getaway This Winter on the Puget Sound

By
Jess Caldwell
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Szue and Frank Juhasz enjoy a winter wonderland hike together while visiting the Puget Sound area. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Before the calendar tells us winter has turned to spring, grab your rain gear, a warm coat, and an overnight bag and head to the eastern shore of the Olympic Peninsula for a weekend getaway. Plan both indoor and outdoor activities that will recharge the batteries. From seasonal culinary experiences, art galleries, and historic sites to invigorating outdoor adventures that bring you closer to nature, winter and early spring are the best seasons to travel locally. Slow down, learn the stories of the places you visit, and enjoy the benefits of the off-season before the surge of tourism in the warmer months.

Writer Jess Caldwell toured the Olympic Peninsula during a recent snowfall to discover enchanting winter experiences for a perfect weekend getaway on the Puget Sound. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Where to Stay on The Puget Sound Regardless of the Weather

For a unique hotel experience with plenty of character and an incredible story to share, book a stay at The Old Alcohol Plant in Port Hadlock. With a beautiful view of the bay and spacious guest rooms, this boutique inn also serves the nonprofit organization Bayside Housing & Services. Make sure to ask one of the hospitality staff how your stay directly supports some of the most vulnerable in the local community. They are eager to share not only the details of their social enterprise model but also the fascinating history of The Old Alcohol Plant.

Spirits Bar & Grill located at The Old Alcohol Plant Inn offers garden to table cuisine with terraced beds of winter greens. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Upon arrival, a warm fire will greet visitors and the friendly concierge will welcome you. Be sure to take a look at the wall featuring works by famed American landscape photographer Ansel Adams – his grandfather, Charles H. Adams, is part of the history of this site. He helped launch the construction of the building in 1909 that processed alcohol from sawdust.

The second floor features an art gallery for visitors to enjoy. Located on-site is Spirits Bar & Grill. Dining here is a direct garden-to-table experience offering fresh seasonal ingredients from the large food production garden located just outside the back door. Take a tour of the year-round garden with terraced rows of hearty green vegetables.

Rain or Shine, Explore the Outdoors on the Puget Sound

Drive across the bridge from The Old Alcohol Plant to Marrowstone Island and visit Mystery Bay Marine State Park. No boat required! Walk along the park’s 18-acres of grassy and gravelly shore or build a fire in one of the three fire rings.

Szue and Frank Juhasz enjoy a winter wonderland hike together while visiting the Puget Sound area. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Check out the shellfishing regulations from the Department of Fish and Wildlife as this beach is well-known for clamming and oyster harvesting.

From hiking to kayaking the Olympic Peninsula is a playground for outdoor adventure. With the right layers to keep you warm and dry, winter is one of the most energizing times to enjoy nature and can offer profound renewal from excess time indoors throughout the western Washington rainy season.

Finnriver Farm & Cidery: Hard Cider on Tap

Drive inland to Chimacum and visit one of the most beloved establishments of the Olympic Peninsula, Finnriver Farm & Cidery.

Finnriver Farm & Cidery offers organic cider on tap. Stop in and enjoy their crafted winter blend with wild rosehips and Washington cranberries. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Finnriver creates a memorable experience with farm tours, organic cider on tap and live music on the weekends in their charming and heated indoor pavilion. The vibe will warm your heart and the aesthetic is beautiful. Every detail of your experience has been considered, even the artistic labels on their seasonal brews. Stop in and enjoy their winter blend featuring wild crafted rose hips and Washington cranberries.

The Historic Worthington Mansion at Worthington Park in Quilcene

Located just 15 minutes from Finnriver Farm & Cidery, schedule a tour of the historic Worthington Mansion by contacting the Event Coordinator through their website. Built in 1892 the 3-story rural mansion offers a late Victorian feel and all the period furniture was donated to create historic appeal. The mansion can be booked for special events and overnight stays and the staff offer excellent storytelling to bring visitors into the heart of the space.

Take a tour of the rural historic Worthington Mansion in Quilcene or book a weekend stay for an extraordinary experience. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

For more information on planning and resources on planning a winter getaway on the Puget Sound, visit Enjoy Olympic Peninsula.

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New Operating Rooms Boost Capacity, Technology at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center

By
Matt Benoit
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PeaceHealth employees who made the new hybrid OR a reality include, from left to right: Vascular Surgeon Dr. Michelle Sohn, Vascular Coordinator Jerimiah Thornton, Nursing Director for Surgery Administration Karla Ramusack, Clinical Nurse Educator Lara Goolsby, and Surgical Services Business Manager Billy Felten. Photo credit: Matt Benoit

The long-awaited opening of two new operating rooms at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center will boost the capacity and technological capabilities of surgical services at the Bellingham hospital.

In addition to a ninth traditionally sized operating room (OR), PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s is now home to a hybrid OR that integrates advanced imaging technology previously unavailable inside an operating room. Together, these two ORs will increase the hospital’s surgical capacity by an average of six to eight more procedures a day.

The new hybrid operating room at Bellingham’s PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center integrates advanced imaging with state-of-the-art surgical technologies. Photo credit: Matt Benoit

A plan to add additional ORs at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s was hatched around 2006, but really kicked off in 2017, says Karla Ramusack, the hospital’s nursing director for surgery administration. Unsurprisingly, construction completion of the ORs was significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the initial plan considered just one new operating room, community growth led to re-consideration and a decision that two would best support an increase in future surgical demand. The two-room expansion will help alleviate surgical backlogs still settling after the pandemic, while also keeping patients closer to home for more advanced surgical care.

Expanding Horizons

Vascular surgeon Michelle Sohn has been involved with the OR project since being hired at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s in 2007. She says the hybrid OR is a huge benefit for both medical staff and patients.

The hybrid OR includes a control room with leaded glass for radiation shielding when imaging technology requires precautions. Photo credit: Matt Benoit

“With the advanced technologies, we’re basically able to offer patients much less invasive procedures,” she says. “Patients can receive complex aortic repair through two tiny holes in your skin. If you think about the extreme advances in technology and imaging that we have now, it’s a bit mind-blowing.”

Previously, patients were either treated in the nearby catheterization lab or in a standard operating room with a portable imaging system.  With the new hybrid OR, both open surgical and advanced imaging procedures can be performed in the same setting. The combination of in-room advanced imaging and increase in minimally invasive procedures can mean shorter surgery and recovery times for a patient.

An alcove inside the second new operating room provides a storage area for one of the hospital’s robotically assisted surgical machines. Photo courtesy PeaceHealth

The hybrid OR is also capable of taking three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans while a patient is still in surgery. “You can have an immediate image to show you what that result [of surgical intervention] is,” says Dr. Sohn.

Though the new hybrid OR is currently seeing only vascular and electrophysiology (EP) procedures, it has the ability to expand to numerous surgical specialties in the future,” says Billy Felten, PeaceHealth business manager for surgical services.

“We want to ensure we can perform any surgery, at any time, as efficiently as possible,” he says. “While the room is excellent for vascular procedures with the advanced imaging, we can also perform any other life-saving procedure that we need to perform.”

A view of the control panel for the surgical table inside the new hybrid OR. Photo credit: Matt Benoit

The hybrid OR is larger than PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s traditional ORs and features an imaging control room with leaded glass to protect from radiation imaging. Screens that act as visual and imaging aids for surgeons are also larger in this room, allowing multiple images to be projected on a screen and integrating other technologies such as ultrasound. While a technician would usually need to control these screens, the hybrid OR allows a surgeon like Dr. Sohn to control the screens themselves.

Even the non-hybrid OR room has technological improvements, including an alcove for storing one of the hospital’s da Vinci robotically assisted surgical machines. Fiber optic cabling for the machine is run through the ceiling instead of along the floor, allowing for better ease of movement.

PeaceHealth employees who made the new hybrid OR a reality include, from left to right: Vascular Surgeon Dr. Michelle Sohn, Vascular Coordinator Jerimiah Thornton, Nursing Director for Surgery Administration Karla Ramusack, Clinical Nurse Educator Lara Goolsby, and Surgical Services Business Manager Billy Felten. Photo credit: Matt Benoit

The new hybrid OR will be open sometime in March, while the new traditional OR is already seeing patients. All in all, it means a better level of surgical care for PeaceHealth patients in the Whatcom County area.

“We have the most advanced imaging capabilities available in a modern operating room setting,” says Dr. Sohn.

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Hygge in Whatcom County: Daughters of Norway’s Nellie Gerdrum Lodge Finds Sisterhood in Scandinavian and Nordic Heritage

By
Anna Diehl
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The Daughters of Norway spend much of September and October baking lefse: a traditional Norwegian flatbread made with flour and potatoes. Photo courtesy Barbara Larson

Across the United States, the Daughters of Norway sisterhood has connected members with their Norwegian heritage for over 100 years. Whatcom County’s own Nellie Gerdrum Lodge provides local opportunities to celebrate Scandinavian and Nordic culture in the Pacific Northwest.

Nellie Gerdrum Lodge started in 1999. “A couple people had moved up from the Seattle area where they had belonged to existing Daughters of Norway organizations, and they were interested in starting a lodge up here, so that’s how it came to be,” says charter member and past president Birgit Grimsmo. The lodge is named for a Norwegian immigrant who moved to New Whatcom in 1891.

The group’s mission is to share and preserve the culture, language, and history of Norway and other Scandinavian and Nordic countries.

“It’s not just Norse or Norwegian: it’s Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic…all comers of Scandinavian or Nordic ancestry, and Saami,” says current president Barbara Larson.

The Nellie Gerdrum Lodge has over 100 members in and around Whatcom County. Photo courtesy Barbara Larson

The Daughters of Norway welcomes all women with Scandinavian or Nordic heritage by genealogy, marriage, or other kinship.

“We’ve had members who have joined just because they’ve taken an ancestry test and were 2% Swedish, and they’re in,” says past president Kate Mills. “It really is a great group because while we want people to have had some connection, it’s for people who are interested in preserving the traditions and learning the history and the culture.”

Scandinavian Fair

The Nellie Gerdrum Lodge’s biggest event is its public Scandinavian Fair on the first Saturday of every November. The fair features traditional Nordic music, dancing, arts and crafts, and delicacies.

“The whole idea is to bring the vision, the fragrances, the smells, the tastes of Scandinavia — everything,” says Cultural Director and Events Coordinator Karin Dewell. “When they walk through the door, hopefully we’re going to smell wonderful waffles cooking or krumkake being made or the meatballs in the backroom.”

Many Daughters of Norway members contribute to the Scandinavian Fair’s bakery. They also take field trips to events and cultural centers such as Ballard’s Nordic Heritage Museum and Burnaby, BC’s Scandinavian Cultural Center. Photo courtesy Barbara Larson

The fair welcomes more than 1,000 visitors yearly and continues to grow into larger venues.

“We start planning for our Scandinavian Fair in January, almost immediately following the last fair,” says Mills. “We do a lot of reflection on what worked, what didn’t work, what improvements could we make, [and] feedback from members as well as visitors at our fair.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lodge held a remote Scandinavian Fair on Facebook Live — promoting fair vendors, the Norwegian American magazine, and global interest.

The Nellie Gerdrum Lodge supports the wider Daughters of Norway’s college scholarship fund as well as local women’s charities. Photo courtesy Barbara Larson

“We had some Zoom coffee chats going and we had some visitors from the east coast all the way up to Alaska who were joining us,” Larson says. “It was really great to hear their stories and their connections to their heritage.”

The Lodge encourages all members to participate in the Scandinavian Fair and support local vendors that bring Scandinavian heritage to the Northwest.

Cultural Activities

The Daughters of Norway meet monthly, except for June and July. Their annual events include an anniversary luncheon in April, a Hovander Park picnic in late summer, and baking of bread and lefse in fall.

“We have a business meeting that’s part of the program most of time, and then we usually have a cultural event to have a speaker or learn something about Scandinavian heritage, expand our knowledge, share things with each other,” says Larson.

The Daughters of Norway have frequently appeared in the Ski to Sea Blossomtime Parade and Whatcom Memorial Day Parade.

The Bellingham Damekor started shortly after the Nellie Gerdrum Lodge’s inception in 1999 and welcomes nonmembers and community members of all ages to join. (The Daughters of Norway is ages 13 and up.) Photo courtesy Barbara Larson

“We like to join in our community and share that we’re here,” Mills says. “We usually have at least a couple vehicles, some flags, some people wearing traditional Norwegian attire and waving.”

Lodge members have formed interest groups such as a book club, walking group, stitchery group, and the Bellingham Damekor — a Nordic women’s choir.

“Whenever the Damekor has sung at any place, we’ve had great reception,” says Larson. “People have been happy to hear us and see us.”

Uniting in Sisterhood

Indeed, the Nellie Gerdrum Lodge continues to culturally enrich Whatcom County.

“I think we’re very well received throughout the community,” Dewell says. Grimsmo adds: “Every year, when we have the Scandinavian Fair, people come and buy the Norwegian cookies or Scandinavian cookies and it’s always like, ‘Oh, I remember this is what my grandma used to make!’ And they’re so excited to find that.”

Lodge members have not only rediscovered cultural heritage but also forged lasting bonds with one another.

“I know we’re a sisterhood, but I’ve really gained a hundred plus moms and grandmothers and aunties who have taught me recipes, who have taught me language, who have taught me traditions and things that are important to people in Norway, and who have just been a fill-in for my Norwegian mom that I’ve lived without since I turned nine,” says Mills. “It’s not just a group that meets once a month — it really has been life-changing and has connected me to my roots.”

Visitors to the lodge’s website will find more information on the Scandinavian Fair, applications for membership, and new opportunities in cultural sustainability all around us.

Celebrate Wild Women Week With a Free Paddling Event at the Community Boating Center

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Submitted by the Community Boating Center

Join the Community Boating Center and Shifting Gears for an evening on the water in celebration of Wild Women Week on March 7th! The paddle is planned for 4–6 p.m. out on Bellingham Bay to explore the beautiful coastline and catch a gorgeous sunset, if luck and the weather hold. All women and skill levels are welcome. Get a jump on spring and meet some great new people.

The CBC will provide sea kayaks, experienced guides, and all safety gear, though participants may use their own kayaks if they meet safety requirements. The event is free, but space is limited and can be reserved through Fare Harbor. For full details on the event, please go to the Facebook Wild Women Paddle event page.

This event is part of Shifting Gears Wild Women Week 2023. Spend the week being a Wild Woman hiking, biking, strolling, running, kayaking or whatever gets you pumped and feeling empowered. Learn more about the Wild Women week and get other suggestions for celebrating it on the Wild Women webpage. And then come on down to the Community Boating Center for a wild paddle.

Christine Gregoire Joins Puget Sound Energy Board of Directors

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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PSE Puget Sound Energy

Former Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire joined the board of directors for Puget Energy, Inc. and Puget Sound Energy Inc., effective Feb. 24, 2023.

Christine Gregoire is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Challenge Seattle, an alliance of CEOs from 21 of the region’s largest private-sector employers. She served as Washington’s 22nd governor from 2005 to 2013 and has long been a champion of policies and initiatives aimed at cutting greenhouse gases and battling climate change. As Governor, she was responsible for issuing an executive order setting the first carbon emission reduction goals for the State of Washington.

“We are pleased to welcome Governor Gregoire to our board of directors,” said Scott Armstrong, PSE board chair. “Her deep commitment to advancing the fight against climate change and collaborative leadership will be invaluable to Puget Sound Energy on its journey toward becoming a beyond net zero carbon energy company by 2045.”

In 2022, Gregoire chaired PSE’s Beyond Net Zero Advisory Committee, an advisory group of regional, state and industry leaders to provide counsel and recommendations to help move PSE further, faster toward a cleaner energy future. 

“Washington state has some of the most progressive climate policies in the nation,” said Governor Gregoire. “As the state’s largest utility, PSE has the opportunity to be a model for the transition to clean energy in a way that leads with equity and balances customer expectations for reliability and affordability.”

Learn more about our board of directors at pse.com.

Popular Ruby Beach on the Washington Coast Has Been Given a New Parking Lot and Improved Accessibility

By
Jess Caldwell
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While visiting Ruby Beach, look for Gorilla Rock by walking north on the beach towards the towering sea stacks. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Located within the Olympic National Park off highway 101, Ruby Beach is — understandably — one of the most popular travel destinations for coastal visitors. With its wild shores, majestic sea stacks, tidepools, sunset views and red-colored minerals found in the sand, Ruby Beach is a gem of natural wonder. This small coastal slice of Olympic National Park welcomes nearly 225,000 nature lovers each year from locals who bring their families to international travelers who consider Ruby Beach a bucket list destination. After a three-month closure to the public, the parking facilities at Ruby Beach reopened in September of 2022 with improvements that create better accessibility and provide increased safety. Plan a visit and discover what makes Ruby Beach an inviting stop along the Olympic Peninsula loop. 

Local resident Josh Fletcher enjoys an afternoon at Ruby Beach while skipping stones at Cedar Creek. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

The Beautiful Ruby Beach Welcomes Visitors

As a long-time resident of the area whose family had a nearby homestead and resort back in the 1930s, Josh Fletcher has been enjoying the natural playground of Ruby Beach since his youth. He recommends visiting at low-tide for the best opportunity to see the sea life within the tide pools. Low-tide is also the best opportunity to observe the reddish colored sand that gives Ruby Beach its glamorous name. While skipping rocks along Cedar Creek that flows from the Olympic’s lush forest to the sea, Fletcher shared: “It’s a beautiful place and I’ve been fortunate to grow up here. Make sure to look for one of the local favorites, a towering boulder on the beach that looks like a giant gorilla.”

Father and son enjoy the natural playground that Ruby Beach offers its visitors. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

From the parking lot, the paved trail to the beach is .25 miles long. Gnarled and sun-bleached driftwood is scattered among the river rocks at the entrance of the beach area. To the north, the iconic sea stacks look dramatic next to the steep cliff face that rises up from the shore. Although there are miles available for walking and exploring, make sure to check the local tides before venturing too far. The opportunity for tidepooling is dependent on low tide as well as the safety for walking certain stretches of the Kalaloch beaches, including Ruby Beach.

Speaking of other beaches, Ruby Beach is not the only gem on the Puget Sound coast worth exploring, especially if you find the Ruby Beach parking lot full. While there, be sure to check out the other beaches near Ruby Beach.

Ruby Beach: Improved Safety and Accessibility

A wheelchair-accessible ramp leads to a spacious overlook for a stunning view of the famous Ruby Beach. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

The facilities at Ruby Beach have been improved for greater accessibility. To help preserve the integrity of the bluff that marks the beginning of the trailhead, a new drainage system was installed. The parking lot has been expanded along with new signage and pavement markings. Thanks to the remodel, drivers will have an easier time navigating their arrival. The beach access has been improved for safety with graded and paved roads, curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks and steps. A wheelchair accessible ramp leads to a spacious overlook for a stunning view of the famous beach. The bathrooms were also repaired and painted during the closure.

For more information on planning a west coast adventure throughout the Olympic National Park including where to stay, visit the Enjoy Olympic Peninsula website.

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The Jansen Art Center Celebrates Youth Creative Clay Teacher Pam Fredback

By
Kelley White
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Photo courtesy the Jansen Art Center

Working with children has been a constant in Pam Fredback’s life. After a conversation with the ceramics director at the Jansen Art Center and a little kismet, Fredback accepted a new role as Youth Creative Teacher, a perfect title for Fredback and her strong skills as an art instructor.

“Before the pandemic, I came up to Jansen Art Center to ask about firing some items and while I was here, I got to talking to the ceramics director,” says Fredback. “By the end of the conversation, he hired me. I had previously taught at Moshier Art Center in Burien for about 20 years with kids. I love kids. It’s just my passion for kids to be able to create and grow in their art form.”

Building ceramic pieces is one of Fredback’s favorite parts of her artistic process. Pam Fredback

Fredback speaks with cheerful calm, the same centered energy she brings to her classes. “I think art is important for growth; to be able to move your mind so that it’s creating and so you’re always thinking of different ideas or having challenges,” Fredback says. “I just love to encourage my students.”

Fredback’s Impact

“Pam is not just a teacher but an encourager,” says Ceramics Program Director Wil James. “Pam is truthful in embracing a child’s passion to express a voice that some people, young and old, can be afraid to express. The amount of preparation, dedication, and thoughtfulness Pam puts behind a program showcases her passion for learning.”

James loves to load students’ work into kilns and see the originality and skills they develop in Fredback’s programs. “Not only is The J lucky to have her,” he says, “but the arts are lucky to have someone who is educating, embracing, and encouraging the next generation.”

Pam Fredback still loves the first ceramic art piece she created 48 years ago. Photo courtesy Pam Fredback

Fredback’s Classes

Alongside Creative Clay, an ongoing seven-week-long children’s course, Fredback also teaches shorter courses during spring break, Christmastime, and in the summer.

Her spring break class this year, Let’s Create Our Own Dishes, runs April 4–7. Young artists can also choose between a 4-day Morning Sampler Camp to try something different each day, or the Afternoon All-Out, focusing on one art form all week. Learn more and register here.

“In the summertime, I’ll teach a class that’s just for kids to come into the J and explore art where they can try different things or they can do one thing they like,” says Fredback. “For spring break, I’m doing the afternoon session for kids [ages] 8 to12, and I’m planning on them making a plate, bowl, and cup so they have their own dinnerware set.”

Generally, Fredback teaches children in the 8 to 12 age range, but she is considering adding more advanced classes for students she’s already worked with, where they’ll have the opportunity to continue growing in their own artistic journey.

This piece is a work in progress for Pam Fredback. Pam Fredback

Why Ceramics

“First of all, I am very kinesthetic,” Fredback says. “I loved mudpies as a kid, and I guess it just it stuck.”

Fredback has been working with clay since the 1970s. Her favorite aspect of the art form is building. “I threw on the wheel for about 20 years and I just got tired of it,” she says. “Now I focus on hand building. I love glazing, too.”

As for working with kids in her preferred medium, Fredback is more than delighted to share her artistry and natural talent for teaching. “One of the things that I really, really enjoy about it is that kids don’t play games,” says Fredback. “What you see is what you get, for the most part. I love their authenticity. Kids also keep me current. Our youngest granddaughter is 11, so I know when kids are creating, they just talk about so many things — I love it.”

New for the Ceramics Department

Working with two electric kilns and one gas kiln, the ceramics department now has a Studio B after moving into the old jewelry studio. “It’s really great because my kids can be in there and we have the slab roller in there, as well,” Fredback says. “I don’t have to leave the classroom.”

“Pam is not just a teacher but an encourager,” says Ceramics Program Director Wil James. “Pam is truthful in embracing a child’s passion to express a voice that some people, young and old, can be afraid to express.” Photo courtesy the Jansen Art Center

A Legacy of Love

Fredback lauds the ability for ceramics to provide a healthy and accessible outlet for every child she instructs.

“I had a young student who was on the autism spectrum. When he would come into the studio, his parent or parents would come in because he was so brilliant [that] if it wasn’t perfect the way he imagined, then he could get upset. But they were right there to calm him down,” says Fredback. “I had him in class for two years and he was so proud of his creations. His mom told me it also helped him in school.”

Pam’s co-workers admire her natural ability to instruct and her talent for ceramic artistry. Executive Director Vin Quenneville details how Fredback has enhanced the Jansen Art Center’s children’s programs. “Pam has brought her enthusiasm and experience to our children’s ceramics classes,” he says. Her programming leadership allowed us to launch ongoing children’s classes where participants take the skills they learned during one session and expand on them into the next.”

Ceramic Studio Host Theresa Golden loves the effect of Fredback’s infectious positivity on everyone at the Jansen Art Center. “She is such a joy to be around, and she is creative, fun, and cheerful,” says Golden. “She is so patient and instructive with the children, but best of all, she really supports her students’ ideas and vision for their projects. She is also extremely creative herself, and I enjoy seeing what hand-built projects she is coming up with.”

It’s easy to see why Fredback is so loved, and why her classes are so popular throughout the community. Check out one of her upcoming ceramics classes this spring break, April 4–7. Learn more at jansenartcenter.org.

Mount Baker High School Senior Ethan Larson To Play Football at University of Montana Western

By
Tony Moceri
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Ethan Larson taking a rare seat in the football stands. Photo courtesy Ethan Larson

Putting effort into something when the results are unknown can be challenging. The necessity to work, day in and day out, not knowing if it will all pay off, prevents many people from even starting, let alone ever reaching their goals. This uncertainty never deterred Ethan Larson. Now in his senior year of high school at Mount Baker, Larson knows his hard work has paid off — but also that it is just beginning. He has accepted a football scholarship and will attend the University of Montana Western in the fall.

Larson grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball, where his long, lean frame had him running fast and jumping high at an early age. As he grew, Larson began taking baseball more seriously with the thought that he may want to play it in college. Still, he continued to play the other sports, and his passion and goals began to shift.

“I just fell in love a little deeper with football than I did with baseball,” he says. After making the varsity roster for football as a freshman, he started thinking about playing football after high school. “Then COVID hit, and I decided that was the perfect time to try and work out more because I had as much time as I needed. I gained weight, got stronger, and ended up starting my sophomore year.”

Ethan Larson officially signing with the University of Montana Western. Photo courtesy Ethan Larson

While Larson put in the physical work, his achievement has been a family effort. “My parents brought me to everything. They spent summers running me around to camps and workouts and always bringing me to practice when I was little,” Larson says. “They were investing in me even though it might not have been worth it — but they still invested, believing something would come out of it. Getting to this point has made them proud because it’s turning out to be what we all wanted it to be.”

The summer camps Larson attended drove the decision to attend Montana Western. He explored all his options and discussed it with his parents before deciding where to go. While the 100-degree temperature swings between the start and end of the season will be extreme, and playing football at nearly a mile high will pose challenges, Larson felt the relationship he’d built with the coaching staff would make it the correct fit for him. At Montana Western, he’ll line up on the defensive side of the ball, potentially playing both inside and outside on the line, as he did in high school.

Ethan Larson holding the A 2nd place football trophy surrounded by his proud parents, Jaimie and Dan Larson. Photo courtesy Ethan Larson

While Larson is a little nervous about leaving his family and friends to move to Dillon, Montana, this summer, he’s excited to meet new people and live in a different setting. He doesn’t know who his roommate will be in the dorms but does know a few people from camps who will be on the team.

He’s also excited to create new memories on the football field. To date, his highlight was this past season, when he and his teammates took themselves to the state championship game. In a season that started slow, they persevered when they needed to by winning a big game against Lynden Christian, and then winning a playoff against Nooksack to keep their season alive.

It’s taken a lot of hard work for Larson to achieve his success, but he feels the most important thing has been his approach to leadership. On the field, in the locker room, and at his school, Larson leads by example through his approach and how he treats people. As ASB president, he understands his role for the entire school. As a senior, he understands that his actions impact his teams.

Ethan Larson, number 67, in a three-point stance, waiting for the snap. Photo courtesy Ethan Larson

“No matter what I’m doing, I’m always trying to lead the group or trying to teach people. I show the other guys how to do things or give advice to the younger guys because when I was an underclassman, I had upperclassmen helping me,” he says. “There are two types of guys in the locker room: ones that settle and ones that want to see success. I knew when I got to that point I just wanted to give back to the younger guys and even guys my age. I wanted to help them because no matter what, I just want to make everyone a little bit better.”

Larson will carry this attitude and approach to his future football endeavors and beyond. While he has no plans to play football after college, he wouldn’t shy away from the opportunity, should it arise. He does know that after college he wants to stay involved in athletics. He plans on majoring in kinesiology and minoring in coaching with an eye on becoming a sports trainer.

Larson is expected to be on the practice field August 1st at the University of Montana Western, where he will begin his next journey in football and life.

Amber Asbjornsen Joins PeaceHealth Northwest Network

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Submitted by PeaceHealth

PeaceHealth announced that Amber Asbjornsen will become chief development officer for the PeaceHealth Northwest network on March 13. 

She will provide philanthropy leadership to the network development staff and volunteer boards for PeaceHealth St. Joseph, United General and Ketchikan foundations, building upon the culture of gratitude in the Northwest network.

Amber Asbjornsen. Photo courtesy PeaceHealth

“I am thrilled to join the PeaceHealth community in the Northwest network,” Asbjornsen said. “I look forward to continuing to support the community in which I live — and beyond — where the mission and vision of the organization is both inspiring and an imperative.”

Asbjornsen comes to PeaceHealth after 19 years in development positions of increasing responsibility at Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham. Most recently, she was WWU’s senior director of development, closely working with university leaders to centralize the fundraising efforts and create a structured team to achieve the university’s fundraising goals. Additional accomplishments during her tenure at WWU included securing the second largest cash gift in the university’s history ($5 million), and major and planned gifts totaling $20 million. 

Asbjornsen earned her bachelor’s in English from Western Washington University.

Barron Electrical Sheds Some Light on Portable vs. Whole-House Generators

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-

Submitted by Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

Heavy rain and high winds seem to be the norm lately in our corner of the world. Downed limbs, overturned garbage cans, flickering lights…you know the drill. Storm after storm leads to power outage after power outage—or at least the threat of one—and the battle gets so tiring.

This time of year, a power outage means more than just an evening spent by candlelight. With subfreezing temperatures outside, an outage can mean no heat, leading to temperatures plummeting inside your home as well. And from frozen plumbing lines to warm water access, extended outages can be a real problem for you and your home.

Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

If you’re looking to produce electricity on demand, generators are a wise choice. Most fall into one of two categories: portable generators or whole-house generators (also known as standby), installed by a professional. But while they both provide a similar outcome, they are vastly different in many ways, from ease of use and convenience to fuel usage and safety.

Portable generators—the ones you typically see at big box hardware stores—commonly run on gasoline, but a smaller percentage can run on natural gas, propane, or diesel fuel. They tend to be noisy, while producing less power than whole-house systems, and need to be stored—preferably somewhere that can be quickly accessed when needed. Most portable units require a manual start-up, meaning when the power goes out, the generator needs to be pulled from storage and placed outside, away from your home (but protected from the elements!), then either connected to your circuit breaker or to extension cords that run inside to your appliances. Size and power output of portable generators vary, but it’s common for such units to only power a few appliances at a time.

Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

Whole-house generators, on the other hand, are largely self-sufficient, with enough strength to power your entire home. If you happen to be out of town when the power goes out, you can rest assured that you won’t return to a refrigerator of spoiled food or a flooded basement caused by a failed sump pump. Fueled by natural gas or propane, your standby unit will automatically fire up when it senses an outage, granting you peace of mind with minimal interruption to your day.

Peace of mind doesn’t just stem from the automation of a whole-house generator. Safety is an essential benefit as well. Carbon monoxide poisoning due to engine exhaust is a serious risk with misuse of portable units. Some portable generators feature an auto-shutoff that is triggered when high CO levels are sensed—a welcome new safety feature. But gaps in these features can potentially be life-threatening, reinforcing the importance of safe operation and close monitoring of portable units.

Ready to equip your home for the dark days ahead? Barron Electrical, a division of Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing, is here to help. As a Full-Service Generator Contractor, our team of professionals installs the industry’s best brands of whole-house generators, and takes on all the legwork, from providing a composite pad for the generator to sit on, to performing all electrical work; pulling all permits required for your installation, to working with the power company if needed. Our team only services generators we install, giving priority service to our customers, and our certified technicians can perform warranty work when necessary.

So, prepare your home now and love your light when the block goes dark. Call Barron Electrical for a free estimate and learn about flexible payment options to install a whole-house generator today. For a limited time, you can save up to $1,500 on a WholeHome™generator with a Silver Shield Membership. We’ll provide you with peace of mind that your home’s lights, heat, water, and refrigerator will be kept ON, no matter what the weather brings. As your Pacific Northwest home and building performance experts since 1972, we stand by our mission of improving lives.

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