Lions Camp Horizon Offers a Magical Experience for Those With Developmental and Physical Disabilities

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We all need our special places — where we go to feel safe and have fun, where we can be ourselves without a care in the world, and where people embrace us for who we are and wouldn’t want us any other way. Lions Camp Horizon has been that place for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities since 1974. Each summer, the former Blaine Air Force Station comes alive with campers eager to see old friends, make new ones, and, most importantly, have fun.

“Camp Horizon is a very magical place,” says Tana Reneau, the camp’s director. Having a son with disabilities, Reneau is very familiar with the word “inclusion,” which usually means her son is invited to the outer edge, but there’s not someone there that can really modify what’s happening to make sure he has access to the experience. “When campers come to camp, they’re coming to a place that’s designed especially for them, and everybody there is there to make it the week of their life. They just have a different opportunity, so we watch camp impact individuals in really powerful ways.”

The majority of Camp Horizon’s campers are from Whatcom County, but because it offers such a unique experience, it attracts people from all over the country. Many return year after year. As one of the few camps in the nation with no upper age limit, campers don’t age out like at other camps.

A group of friends enjoys posing for the camera. Photo courtesy Tana Reneau

Some campers have been coming longer than any of the current board or staff has been involved, and longer than records go back. It’s estimated that the longest camper came for 35 years. The camp is available to anyone age 12 and up, with the oldest camper ever being 85. Everyone involved is given the opportunity to create decades of memories and relationships.

Each new session brings excitement for campers and staff alike. “Registration day is kind of like a family reunion with everyone just so happy to see one another. It’s truly magical — I’ve always believed that,” says Don Webster, camp president. “That’s what keeps me staying at camp. My pay for the year is being able to be at camp during the sessions to see what goes on.”

A camper enjoys his time on stage at camp. Photo courtesy Tana Reneau

Webster became involved in Camp Horizon in 2005, serving meals his first summer. He was so impressed with the camp and what it accomplished that he began attending board meetings and became president in 2006.

This summer, this enchanting first-day experience will happen five times with sessions taking place June 26–30, July 10–14, July 17–21, July 24–28, and August 7–11. Each session has approximately 50 campers and 23 staff members. Depending on their situation, campers are generally with staff on a 1-to-1 to 1-to-4 ratio. The staff consists of certified registered nurses, camp counselors, and a head cook.

In addition to summer camp in 2022, they did a fall weekend camp, giving campers another chance to spend time together.

Friends celebrate at Lions Camp Horizon. Photo courtesy Tana Reneau

“It was an opportunity for campers who just weren’t ready to spend a week away from home to give it a try,” says Reneau. It was also an opportunity to bring the campers back sooner. “They didn’t have to wait the calendar year to reunite with each other again.

Reneau would love to see additional opportunities like this for campers, so they have a more frequent chance to come and be social and maybe even learn a new skill. “That social interaction is just so important to their mental health and the joy of life,” Reneau says.

Camp includes plenty of face-painting fun for everyone. Photo courtesy Tana Reneau

While Camp Horizon is all about the campers, the unintended benefit is what the camp provides for many of the campers’ families, as well. With campers off doing art, putting on talent shows, and generally having the time of their lives, those that care for them get a bit of respite. Those running the camp hear stories of how important that week is for the families to allow their own relaxation and do things that many people take for granted, like going out to dinner.

While Camp Horizon is working on expanding its offerings, most of the year the camp — which includes dormitories, a commercial kitchen, a dining hall, and various other buildings — sits empty. When not in session, the camp can be rented for events and retreats.

Camp Horizon, a not-for-profit, runs on a lean budget, with most of the income coming from camp fees and donations from multiple Lions Clubs. They’re always looking for people to get involved to work, volunteer, and donate. If you would like to get involved or learn more about Camp Horizon, please visit their website at www.lionscamphorizion.org.

BAAY Presents: Starmites the Musical

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth

Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) proudly presents Starmites the musical! This story follows Eleanor, a shy teen who has built a fantasy world around the sci-fi comic books she collects. She has learned to avoid the pains of growing up by escaping into fantasy, imagining herself to be an unrecognized superhero. When she is mysteriously thrust into the Website World of her favorite comic book, Eleanor is drawn into the conflict between Shak Graa, Arch-Creep of Chaos, and the Starmites, guardian angels of Innerspace. She turns out to be the legendary Milady, teen superhero who must lead the Mites on their Quest to save the Galaxy.

This family-friendly production will entertain audiences of all ages! Performances run January 20-22 at the BAAY Theatre. Tickets and more information at baay.org.

Location: The BAAY Theatre is located at 1059 N State St. Bellingham, WA 98225

Date/Times: Friday, January 20 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, January 21 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM, and Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 PM

Tickets: $12 at the door or in advance at baay.org

About BAAY: Founded in 2006, Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching children’s lives through the exploration of the arts. We believe that the arts are a basic and essential component of all children’s education. We serve approximately 1400 children ages 4-17 annually in our EduArts and Theatre programs, and provide over $20,000 a year in annual tuition waivers to remove financial barriers to participation. Learn how you can support the sustainability of this work at baay.org/support.

All That Glitters: The Gold Rushes That Shaped a Malleable Whatcom County

By

Anna Diehl

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gold-rush-courthouse — The T.G. Richards and Company Store made the Historic Places as Washington's oldest surviving brick building. Its later uses include a territorial courthouse, pharmacy, and Women's Relief Corps center. Today, it houses the Helen Loggie Museum of Art. Photo from Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

When most Americans hear “the Gold Rush,” a few chapters of history come to mind: California in 1848, Colorado in 1858, and Klondike in 1897. These events cemented themselves in our cultural consciousness with stories of prospectors from all walks uprooting their lives in search of riches that few found. But smaller gold rushes nationwide also caused economic booms that went bust within months or years. Two such prospects guided Whatcom County’s early development: the Fraser River and Mount Baker Gold Rushes.

Whatcom County’s gold rushes came on the heels of the national gold fever. While smaller than the California Gold Rush, the Fraser Gold Rush saw thousands of California miners arrive in the country’s largest movement of mining populations.

Digging into these events reveals not only Whatcom County’s place in the national story of gold rushes, but the formation of its local identity. Whatcom — one of four towns that ultimately became Bellingham — and settlements in the Mount Baker Foothills grew around the national pursuit to brave the wilderness and strike it rich.

Fraser River Gold Rush (1858–1927)

The Fraser River Gold Rush started in 1858 after the publicized discovery of gold on British Columbia’s Thompson River. First Nations people, such as the Shushwap, had traded gold with the Hudson’s Bay Company years before. Starting at roughly 500 people, Victoria saw an influx of over 30,000 men. They were European and African American, English, and French Canadian, Chinese, British, French, Italian, German, Mexican, and Hawaiian, among other nationalities.

Woodblocks promoted Fraser River as an “El Dorado,” although only a small percentage of miners profited. Still, scores of them stopping through Whatcom pitched tents on the beaches and dug for clams when they ran out of supplies. Photo from Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Whatcom’s population similarly boomed from a few hundred to over 10,000 as it became miners’ overland portal to the goldfields. The Whatcom Trail spanned eastward from Bellingham Bay against Victoria governor James Douglas’ edict. The population would decline back into the low hundreds that same year after Douglas required miners to get licenses there.

The Fraser Gold Rush heralded Whatcom’s earliest developments. Houses, encampments, and merchants sprang up everywhere, meeting demands for supplies and luxuries such as champagne, glasses, and silverware. Industry boomed as Henry Roeder built a sawmill on Whatcom Creek and the T.G. Richards and Company Store supplied prospectors.

James Douglas served as the Colony of British Columbia’s first Governor. He enforced British jurisdiction over the region by requiring Fraser River miners to arrive by boat and get licensed in Victoria, ultimately determining the region’s destiny as a Canadian province rather than an American state. Photo from Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Although some miners found success, thousands denounced the Fraser as “humbug.” Used to sifting through California’s shallow streams, they struggled with the Fraser’s high waters and their prospects never panned out. But wealthy prospectors such as Marietta founder Solomon Allen went on to drive the region’s gradual post-boom growth into a modern seaport.

Mount Baker Gold Rush (1897–1924)

The Mount Baker Mining District started when Jack Post, Russ Lambert, and Luman Van Valkenburg staked a claim for the Lone Jack Mine in 1897. That August, Post discovered ore bearing gold flecks in a quartz vein on Bear Mountain. As Michael G. Impero describes in The Lone Jack: King of the Mount Baker Mining District, this discovery sparked a gold mining boom throughout the North Cascades. Boundary Red Mountain, Gargett, and Excelsior were among the producing mines to join the Lone Jack.

The Lone Jack Mine on Bear Mountain was subject to harsh winters that delayed the Mount Baker Mining Company’s initial work. Prospector Jack Post also named nearby Winchester Mountain for the rifle he carried. Photo from Whatcom County Library System, Sumas Library / Public Domain

The Mount Baker Gold Rush caused Glacier to boom as Whatcom had decades before. Thousands of men left Whatcom on a wagon road through Kendall and Maple Falls — then named Keese and Hardan, respectively. Tent camps such as Gold Hill, Gold City, and Trail City accommodated miners who had to travel by foot or pack animals through mountain wilderness. Gold Hill became a boomtown called Shuksan, which had 1,500 residents at its peak but lasted only a few years. In 1904, the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad came to Glacier.

After buying the Lone Jack claim for $40,000 in 1897, the Mount Baker Mining Company struggled with the harsh mountain environment. They built structures such as a stamp mill, bunkhouse, tramway, and offices, some of which succumbed to fires and avalanches. After 1907, the Lone Jack changed hands through multiple companies that produced gold into 1924. Later private owners would only mine the remaining ore in 1995.

This image comes from the mining boomtown of Chancellor, which started roughly two years before the Lone Jack Mine. Locals had known about the region’s gold since the 1870s, but the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska coincided with local claims in reigniting interest. Photo from Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Keeping Whatcom Searching (For a Heart of Gold)

“Nothing gold can stay,” as the poet Robert Frost tells us — but Whatcom County’s memories of gold remain.

Thousands stayed in Victoria after prospectors’ mass exodus from the goldfields, eventually leading to British Columbia’s 1871 foundation. This era’s articulation of territorial boundaries would also influence British relations with the U.S. and First Nations, imperial policy, and the notorious Pig War of 1859. (Lyman Cutlar, who shot the pig, arrived as a prospector.)

The T.G. Richards and Company Store made the Historic Places as Washington’s oldest surviving brick building. Its later uses include a territorial courthouse, pharmacy, and Women’s Relief Corps center. Today, it houses the Helen Loggie Museum of Art. Photo from Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

The consolidated Bellingham still remembers Whatcom’s golden age. Henry Roeder’s mill is no more, but the foundations lie on Whatcom Creek and T.G. Richards Store still stands as Washington’s oldest brick building. A portion of Whatcom Trail became Telegraph Road, named for the line running through it from 1865 to 1867.

Glacier, Maple Falls, and Kendall have maintained populations of just a few hundred since the Mount Baker Gold Rush days. The original wagon road to Glacier corresponds with the Mount Baker Highway’s modern route. The Lone Jack and other mines remain under private ownership — although some, such as Shuksan and Excelsior, linger as ghost towns.

Even if Whatcom County’s prospectors never found their El Dorado, they did help build cities and towns with brilliant histories still waiting to be discovered.

Meet Whatcom County Monster Truck Legend Mike Welch

By

Matt Benoit

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Mike-Welch-Bellingham-Monster-Truck-Driver-Flyin-Fire — Another amazing Mike Welch creation, Flyin' Fire. Photo courtesy Fandom.com Monster Trucks Wiki

When Mike Welch was a teenager working after school at a local Whatcom County recycling center, he bought a 1960 Ford pickup that would become his first monster truck.

Welch eventually began altering the truck, so much so that he literally changed the definition of what constituted a street-legal vehicle in Washington.

“I single-handedly made the state rewrite all the height, headlight, and bumper height laws on motor vehicles,” Welch says of his first elevated creation, which he came to call “Monster Mash.”

A few years after graduating from Meridian High School in 1981, he embarked upon a monster truck odyssey at a time when its culture was just beginning. Over the decades, Welch established himself as an influential monster truck figure, racking up countless stories and adventures along the way.

Dreaming Big

Growing up in Laurel, Welch drew fantastical pictures of trucks with enormous tires. By age 10, he was racing motorcycles at Hannegan Speedway. And as he grew older, Welch found interest in building and inventing.

“I always just wanted to show off and do things,” he says.

Today, Bellingham’s Mike Welch still enjoys building and talking monster trucks whenever possible. Photo courtesy Mike Welch Freaks of Freestyle Facebook page

Bob VanderPloeg, a local tractor legend and owner of Meridian Equipment Company, encouraged Welch in his mechanical pursuits, letting him pick through tractor parts to find whatever he needed.

After Welch tricked out his truck with heavy equipment tires and axles, he became interested in where he could drive it. Monster trucking was a relatively new concept, born out of guest appearances at tractor pulls, mud bogs, and car shows, where trucks with oversized tires crushed cars.

“They (the older guys who did the tractor pulls) all thought that this was going to be a flash in the pan, a novelty that would fade out and never last,” says Welch.

The idea he could make a living doing this seemed ridiculous to many, as it wasn’t yet an established motorsports career path. At one point, the Intalco aluminum smelter — one of the county’s premier employers — was set to hire Welch. He turned them down.

Welch, seen here in a car-crushing publicity photo, drove monster trucks across the United States and even in Japan during a multi-decade career. Photo courtesy Mike Welch Freaks of Freestyle Facebook page

“The people who knew I had the opportunity to work at Intalco thought I was the biggest lunatic in the world,” he says.

His parents didn’t see it that way, and supported their son’s passion for building, fabricating, and welding trucks. Welch had the rest of his life to work regular jobs, they told him, if his ambitions didn’t work out.

“My parents were dreamers,” he says.

Father of Freestyle

Welch began driving full-time in 1984, and was the first person to have a monster truck west of the Mississippi River, he says. Being the first offered him many good opportunities, and he took them.

Welch’s first appearances were at World of Wheels car shows, since monster truck-specific shows didn’t yet exist. By 1986, however, about a dozen other West Coast monster trucks were putting on shows.

Welch became known as the “Father of Freestyle,” inventing a now-common monster truck format. He was the first Monster Jam driver to be paid, he says, and the first to roll a monster truck on purpose. Welch was also the first person to drive a monster truck with full hydraulic steering.

Welch’s first monster truck, Monster Mash, began life as a normal 1960 Ford pickup. His adjustments led Washington state to change laws over what was considered a street legal vehicle. Photo courtesy Mike Welch Freaks of Freestyle Facebook page

“I could steer mine with one finger,” he says. “It was a very big advantage early on in the development of monster trucks, and now, that’s what everybody runs.”

In 1987, Welch appeared in “Rolling Vengeance,” a Canadian action film featuring Ned Beatty. His work on the movie’s iconic monster truck got him a paycheck in the mid-six-figure range — an incredible financial boost for a 23-year-old.

In 1989, Welch became the first American monster truck driver to visit Japan, and lost out to Bigfoot on being cast in the Patrick Swayze movie “Roadhouse.”

Welch also worked with legendary racing promoter Mickey Thompson, whose monster truck and off-road shows toured the United States. Welch performed in front of packed crowds at stadiums like the Kingdome, executing stunts he’d only previously completed in his mind.

Over the years Welch built and drove dozens of trucks, with names like Grease Monkey, Lucky Logger, California Kid Crusher, and Uncle Buck’s Chuck Wagon. One time, he drove a truck named “Fried Rice” to help promote several rice farmers.

Welch’s favorite truck, however, is probably “Super Pete” — a 1947 Peterbuilt standing 14 feet tall and weighing eight tons. It harkens back to his father’s truck driving operation, around which he was raised.

On the Edge

Welch’s glory days weren’t without danger: he once pulled all the tendons in his fingers when a hand flew out the open top of a truck during a rollover. When it’s cold out, the hand still gets sore.

As Welch’s career progressed, he added producing and announcing shows to his skillset, bringing monster trucks around the country and to local places like Hannegan and the Lynden Fairgrounds.

Welch, seen here at age 23 with his iconic Super Pete monster truck, became a West Coast monster truck legend after graduating from Meridian High School in 1981. Photo courtesy Fandom.com Monster Trucks Wiki

Welch also did things he now says he’d never do again, including announcing while lying down in a car as it was crushed.

Back when shows featured Army tanks stripped of turrets and outfitted with pickup bodies, Welch would announce and pretend not to see the tank coming towards him. Right before it would hit him, he’d drop to the ground and slide underneath the tank, grabbing a hook underneath to be dragged along. While still announcing, Welch would then let go, stand back up, and pretend he had a wedgie. He was never injured during the stunt, but others have been less fortunate.

“My father just absolutely hated [seeing] me underneath that thing, thinking that my legs were going to get turned and I’d get cut in half,” he says.

Still Truckin’

Welch’s driving days began to slow down around 2008, when his father asked him to spend more time in Bellingham. He obliged, and also picked up the commercial truck driving skills he’d occasionally used when not monster trucking. As time has gone on, it’s become his primary gig.

“The reward isn’t as good, but it’s a lot less risky,” he says of his current occupation.

In 2012, Welch’s monster truck career was immortalized with his induction into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame, which is located in Indiana.

“It was an honor,” he says. “It was very fulfilling to realize that, worldwide, I was more popular than I ever thought.”

Welch, however, isn’t quite done with monster trucks. Though he last drove one in Japan in 2014, he is still hard at work building them. In addition to a new version of “Monster Mash,” Welch is finishing an experimental rig he says will be his last hurrah.

“I think it’ll be very exciting to see,” he says. “It’s just something the world has never seen. It’s very unique, and very bizarre.”

Although Welch never married or had children — he describes himself as a workaholic — he has mentored many in the monster truck industry over the years, and is approaching the 5,000 friend limit on Facebook.

Besides the adrenaline-fueled rush of driving monster trucks, Welch said the most satisfying moments of his career have come in speaking with children, some of whom grow to be adults and reach out to tell him of their childhood memories.

In reflecting on his own journey, Welch says that no one should ever be discouraged from their dreams or passions.

“If they have an idea or an invention or something, pursue it,” he says. “No matter how crazy they sound, no matter how big they are, and no matter how many people laugh at them or tell them that it can’t happen. Because people laughed at me, and look at what I got to achieve with minimal education and a heavy desire to succeed.”

WCLS Celebrates Local Teen Artists

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Sukhpreet Kaur - The Power of Art — "The Power of Art" by Sukhpreet Kaur

Submitted by Whatcom County Library System

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is celebrating local young artists with the release of its annual teen art anthology, Whatcomics. Community members can view the art and meet the artists at a 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 reception at the Lynden Library, 216 4^th Street. During the event, Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) will unveil its new Whatcomics bus, which features select artwork from the publication. Tour the bus during the event and learn how Youth Ride Free on all WTA routes.

Framed Whatcomics artwork will remain on display at the Lynden Library through the end of February. Following the Jan. 14 publication release, community members can view Whatcomics online at wcls.org/whatcomics or check out the 60-page publication from a local public library. Prior-year publications are also available.

The program is coordinated by WCLS Teen Services Coordinator Tamar Clarke and promoted countywide. Teens submit artwork in many styles including pen and ink, colored pencil, paint and digital art. Each artist receives a copy of the book. The publication is edited and designed by Clarke, WCLS graphic designer Cynthia French and teen intern Abril Rodriguez.

“We hope people will leaf through the pages of Whatcomics,” Clarke says. “When they do, they will find a remarkable mix of artistic techniques and themes, revealing a breadth and depth of talent from young artists in our community.” Whatcomics began in 2007 and has grown in size from 31 artists in its initial year to 84 this year.

In partnership with the Whatcom Transportation Authority, teen artwork will be on display throughout Whatcom County bus routes on the Whatcomics Bus. “The Whatcomics bus will be a rolling teen art gallery,” says WTA Community Relations and Marketing Manager Genevieve Carrillo. “This is the first time we’ve featured art onboard in this way. We’re excited to help showcase the fantastic work created by local teens.” The bus will feature 12 pieces of art on its interior ceiling and additional character artwork on the outside.

In addition to the Whatcomics publication, the Whatcom County Library System publishes a teen poetry anthology every spring called A Forest of Words. Submissions for this year’s anthology are accepted through March 15, 2023, online or through any of the WCLS library branches. Visit wcls.org/a-forest-of-words for more information.

Featured photo artwork by Sukhpreet Kaur, titled The Power of Art

Don’t Have Another Failed New Year’s Resolution…

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Bellingham-Training-and-Tennis-Club 3 — Photo courtesy Bellingham Training and Tennis Club

Submitted by Bellingham Training and Tennis Club

One of the most popular new year’s resolutions is to “get in shape” – but the sad thing is that…

…no matter how much you might want it…

the resolution often fails.

Why is that? Robin Robertson, co-owner of Bellingham Training and Tennis Club (BTTC), says, “It’s usually because of unrealistic expectations, a lack of a plan, you give up once you hit a roadblock, you don’t have the support you need, or you put too much pressure on yourself.”

Okay, sure. Let’s acknowledge that — but you still want to get in shape, right?

BTTC is going to help you out with this and make it fun along the way. “We put together the 60-Day Transformation Challenge to give you the support and guidance you need to lose fat and shape-up to look and feel your best,” says Robin. “If you’re tired of feeling frumpy, want to get rid of some of the excesses of the last year or two, and are ready to make a real difference in how you look and feel, then you should join this challenge.”

The Challenge is designed to help you establish good habits, loose body fat and inches, and get smarter about exercise — it also includes full access to the open gyms and group training classes at BTTC.

The kick-off is on the weekend of February 4 and 5 with the initial one-on-one consultation with weigh and measure. The weigh and measure is optional, but if you are serious about losing fat and inches, then you’ll want to record your baseline so you can measure your results in 60 days. Don’t worry, none of that information is shared with anyone, but you’ll earn points for inches lost, body fat lost, and pounds lost.

There are over 30 group training classes each week to choose from such as performance (strength training), body donditioning, TRX, yoga, HIIT, and RIDE (indoor cycling). It also includes two different workouts to follow if you want to come in and do your own thing in one of the club’s two gyms.

“We want you to feel well supported on the 60-Day Transformation and have online videos and materials for you, too,” says Robin, in addition to special personal training discounts for participants.

You’ll earn points for each time you come to the club, each different class you try, for completing the three weigh and measures, losing body fat, pounds, inches. The Club is offering big prizes for the winners:

GRAND PRIZE: One YEAR Training Fitness Membership (Value $1,476 value)+ 3 60 Minute Personal Training Sessions + $150 Gift Certificate to the Chrysalis to pamper yourself
2^nd Place (2): 1 60-Minute Personal Training Session + $100 Gift Certificate to the Chrysalis
3^rd Place (3): 1 30-Minute Personal Training Session + $50 Gift Certificate to the Chrysalis

There is also a challenge within a challenge to keep you inspired along the way by earning MYZONE Effort Points. “Myzone is a heart rate training system that makes it fun to work just a little harder and is a great way to track your workout efforts,” Robin says. “Every workout earns points and each week we’ll have a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the club or the Chrysalis for everyone who earns 300 or more points.” Participants can purchase a MYZONE with a $50 discount

BTTC offers over 30 classes per week, has two gyms, and fully stocked locker rooms with towel service and dry saunas, so you can treat yourself after your workout. BTTC is located at 800 McKenzie Ave. in Fairhaven.

Find out more about the program here: https://www.betrainingtennis.com/60Day or call 360-733-5050.

Exploring Whatcom’s Census-Designated Places: Quaint Communities Out in the County

By

Anna Diehl

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census-designated-places-glacier — Located 20 miles from the Mount Baker Ski Area, Glacier acquaints visitors with equipment, lodging, and mountaineering organizations. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

On the way to popular Whatcom County travel destinations, it’s easy to pass through populated areas off the beaten path. Maybe you’ve stopped at the only gas station for miles and wondered what else this spot on the map has to offer. Many of these locales are census-designated places: communities not incorporated as towns but counted in the U.S. Census.

Whatcom County’s most remote census-designated places have populations in the low hundreds. These often have only one general store, post office, school, or other key civic institutions. However, other census-designated places house thousands of residents across wide, well-trafficked areas. Either way, many of these communities thrive on a tourist economy. Whatcom County’s beaches, farmlands, and mountains are exciting places to visit and relaxed places to live.

Coastline

Birch Bay is Whatcom County’s largest census-designated place, with a population of over 8,400 along the bay. Named during the 1792 Vancouver expedition, Birch Bay opened its first post office in 1881. The community attracts thousands of summer tourists to Birch Bay State Park, Birch Bay Waterslides, and numerous beachside storefronts and resorts.

Point Roberts is unique among Whatcom County communities as a peninsula that’s only accessible through Canada. Named during the Vancouver expedition, it became part of Whatcom County when the 1849 Oregon Treaty established boundaries along the 49th parallel. Today, Point Roberts has a population of over 1,100. Visitors enjoy beaches, trails, and four parks: Maple Beach, Lily Point, Lighthouse Marine Park, and Monument Park.

Built 1954, Birch Bay State Park receives enthusiastic tourism for its expanse of woods and beaches. Visitors often go camping, boating, biking, and hiking. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

Northwest of Bellingham, Marietta-Alderwood is an unincorporated community annexed to its Alderwood neighborhood. Marietta started in 1879 when prospector Solomon Allen platted it along the Nooksack River, following the 1860s Fraser Gold Rush. The town’s economy thrived on shingle mills and fishing for over 40 years, hosting a dairy and schoolhouse. It gradually declined as floods destroyed structures, with only Baker’s Market and Marietta Elementary remaining by the 1970s. Today, Marietta-Alderwood is home to over 3,900 people, Little Squalicum Park, Locust Beach, Marine Drive Park, and various businesses. Fort Bellingham Market and Deli is named for the fort built nearby in 1856.

Countryside

Geneva and Sudden Valley are unincorporated communities at the southeast outskirts of Bellingham. Geneva is home to over 2,300 residents, Euclid Park, Ted Edwards Park, and multiple schools. Sudden Valley, a homeowner association with over 7,000 people, started in 1949 as “the Ranch.” Visitors enjoy Sudden Valley Golf Course, Mossy Roc Disc Golf, and hiking trails at Stimpson Nature Reserve, and Lookout Mountain.

East of Lake Whatcom on State Route 9, Acme has a population of over 240 and access to nearby campsites. It was settled in 1887, with conflicting accounts on how its name (“culmination” or “highest point” in Greek) originated from a hymnal. Local attractions include Acme Diner, South Fork Park, and views of Twin Sisters Mountain.

Acme has two adjacent general stores with murals depicting its history. Although there are conflicting accounts of the name’s origins, none of them truly involve Wile E. Coyote. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

Custer is a census-designated place located northwest of Ferndale on Interstate 5. Named for postmaster Albert W. Custer, in 1886, it moved to its current location between 1890 and 1892 when the Great Northern Railroad arrived. Custer Historical Museum features exhibits, artifacts, and photographs of the area’s past. The community has a population of over 360, rustic storefronts, and access to Grandview Golf Course and two rest areas.

Mountainside

Since its construction in 1923, Mount Baker Highway has been a portal to census-designated places across the North Cascades. The drive offers scenic views of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters.

Named for settler Carthage Kendall in 1887, Kendall grew up along limestone mines stretching to Sumas Mountain. The Milwaukee Road railroad moved limestone blocks between Kendall and Bellingham. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

Sixteen miles northeast of Bellingham, Deming has a population of over 350. Named for first postmaster George Deming, the settlement runs through the Nooksack Indian Reservation and houses tribal offices. Deming has a market, library, school, and cemetery — essentials of most census-designated places along Mount Baker Highway. Every June, the community holds the Deming Logging Show to support loggers injured on the job.

Kendall lies at the fork between two other census-designated places: Maple Falls to the northeast and Peaceful Valley to the northwest. They have populations of over 190, 320, and 3,300 respectively. Starting in the 1880s, these communities grew around limestone and gold mining for over 75 years. Visitors today can see the ruins of mining town Balfour in Peaceful Valley and numerous lodges for Mount Baker vacations in Maple Falls.

Maple Falls started in 1888 when Herbert Everant Leavitt established a homestead, eventually introducing a blacksmith shop, restaurant, and hotels. Today, it offers diverse lodging options for Mount Baker visitors. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

Glacier is the closest community to Mount Baker. With over 200 residents at present, it was named in 1909 and originally boomed through gold mining and logging. Today’s Mount Baker tourists can enjoy education at the Glacier Public Service Center and access to numerous resorts, campgrounds, and trailheads.

Whatcom County is also home to unincorporated communities not counted in the U.S. Census. These include Van Zandt and Welcome in the mountains, Laurel and Blue Canyon in the rural county, and Lummi Island on the water. Just fold the map and take the backroads, and you’ll discover more adventure past the highways and byways.

Scouts to Pick Up Christmas Trees January 7

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Boy Scouts Troop 19

For more than 30 years the Boy Scouts of Troop 19 and the Cub Scouts of Pack 19 have been active in the community by conducting an annual service project picking up and disposing of thousands of Christmas trees throughout the Sudden Valley, Geneva and Silver Beach areas.

Troop 19 and Pack 19 are Sudden Valley’s local Scouts. The Pack meets at Geneva Elementary. Today, the Cub Pack counts girls among its members. The Troop meets at a cabin on Fremont Street, built by the Penfields who owned most of the Geneva area. In 1925 the cabin was donated to the Scouts of Geneva who raise money to maintain this little slice of Geneva history year after year. The Scouts raise money to keep it in good repair and pay for insurance and utilities.

The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are responsible for a number of service projects in and around the Sudden Valley and Geneva community each year including cleaning trails and the woods around Geneva Elementary and on Veterans Day they clean the headstones of veterans at Bayview Cemetery.

The Christmas Tree Pickup project has traditionally been the primary source of funding for the Scouts of Troop and Pack 19. All money that is needed to support the Scouts is money that is raised or that is donated. The Scouts collect the trees to be chipped and recycled.

In Sudden Valley you may drop off your tree at the Sudden Valley Mall next to RE/MAX ONLY on Friday, Jan. 6, from 4-7 p.m .or on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon. RE/MAX and the mall owners ask you please not drop off Christmas trees at other times. (Please note, RE/MAX is not affiliated with the pick up.)

A donation box will be available at the drop location. You may also donate via https://boy-scout-troop-4019.square.site/ Donations are tax exempt under IRS Code section 501(c)(3).

As a reminder, donations from this service event greatly assist the operation of the Scouting program in our community. Without these donations, Troop 19 and Pack 19 could not provide the quality experience your boys and girls deserve. For more information on the Christmas tree pickup and disposal please contact Brett Nelson at 360-739-0367.

Winter Storm Watching on the Washington Coast at Kalaloch Lodge

By

Jess Caldwell

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Winters in the Pacific Northwest bring rain, fog, wind and large ocean swells to the Washington Coast. Take a front row seat by booking a weekend getaway at the Kalaloch Lodge, located in the Olympic National Park. Make sure to reserve a Bluff Cabin with the option of a wood fireplace! The small kitchen and breakfast nook overlooking the ocean will create a memorable winter vacation. Whether you stay indoors or adventure out to some of the local natural attractions, the west end of the Olympic Peninsula provides breathtaking beauty that’s a perfect backdrop for winter storm watching on the Washington Coast.

fireplace at Kalaloch Lodge — Enjoy a night cap with a port hot toddy or play a boardgame by the fire at the Kalaloch Lodge. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Olympic National Park Trip: The Kalaloch Lodge and Creekside Restaurant

Choose from a variety of accommodations at The Kalaloch Lodge from the rustic cabins that sit upon the bluff overlooking the ocean to the Seacrest House with studio rooms. For those who like the feeling of the historic lodge with its Pacific Northwest-inspired art and large fireplace for sipping wine or playing a board game, there are lodge rooms available with rustic charm.

Expect a restful and renewing stay with an opportunity for greater connectivity as visitors will not find a TV in their room and may not have a Wi-Fi signal. As a pet-friendly establishment, make the Kalaloch Lodge a fun winter weekend for the whole family.

maritime art featuring a sailor at Kalaloch Lodge — The Kalaloch Lodge features beautiful maritime art throughout the Lodge and Creekside Restaurant. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Bring your own groceries to prepare home-cooked meals in the cabins or dine at the Creekside Restaurant located inside the lodge. With local and sustainably-sourced fare, including a robust Washington wine list, The Creekside Restaurant offers warmth, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and a culinary team that cares about the guest experience.

Winter Activities and Attractions of The Washington Coast Near Kalaloch Lodge

Waterproof boots taken from above from the person wearing them — Make sure to bring waterproof boots to explore the many forest trails, beach walks and the temperate rainforest all located in the Olympic National Park. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Explore Beaches 1, 2, 3, 4 and Ruby Beach to discover unique beauty and diverse landscapes. A 3-minute drive south of Kalaloch Lodge leads to Beaches 1 and 2. Each offers a unique walk along a forested trail and many will delight in the wonderland feel of the spruce burls lining the well-maintained path. Ten minutes north, stop at Beaches 3, 4 and Ruby Beach to take advantage of minimal visitors during the winter season. With charming wooden bridges, sea stacks, tidepools, wildlife and the stunning backdrop of the iconic Washington cliffsides, adventures to the foamy waters of the sea will create lasting memories.

From the Kalaloch Lodge, walk or drive North to the Kalaloch Campground and witness the extraordinary Tree of Life – Tree Root Cave – with its mysterious growth pattern. The roots are exposed and a small waterfall flows underneath.

Jane and Lucas Shuler and their two kids standing by the Tree of LIfe in Kalaloch Campground — Jane and Lucas Shuler bring their two kids to the Tree of Life at Kalaloch Campground as an annual family tradition. They rent a Bluff Cabin at the Kalaloch Lodge for a long weekend of storm watching and nature play. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

Jane and Lucas Shuler from Seattle visit every year and stay with their two children at a private cabin at the Kalaloch Lodge. “We always visit The Tree Of Life, Ruby Beach and the Hoh Rain Forest,” Jane shares. “As a family tradition, we choose the winter months to visit, in hopes of a big storm. It is quiet here without the crowds and perfect for our family to enjoy time with one another.”

Jess Caldwell selfie outside her cabin — Jess Caldwell retreats to her Bluff Cabin at the Kalaloch Lodge after a long day of exploring trails and the Kalaloch beaches. Photo credit: Jess Caldwell

The Hoh Rain Forest is an inspiring winter day trip with diverse ecosystems and wild nature. Erin and Ben Braudrick who travel from Port Angeles with their dog Dottie have stayed at the Kalaloch Lodge in a Bluff Cabin for the last three years. “We come here for storm watching and love the sideways rain, the big waves and the sound of the crashing surf,” Ben explains. “We are prepared with warm clothes and rain gear and prefer the off-season as we have the beaches and rainforest to explore without the throngs of summer vacationers.”

If storm watching on the Washington Coast feels like an enticing winter vacation, visit the Enjoy Olympic Peninsula website to discover the possibilities.

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Scheduling Your Annual Financial Checkup

By

LocalTalk Contributor

-

Submitted by First Fed

Scheduling an annual doctor’s appointment is common practice, but your finances could use an annual health checkup as well. A financial checkup, or a financial review, is an in-depth look at your personal finances. This includes everything from your current budget, debt, student loans, assets, retirement contributions, and more. Your financial advisor can help you assess where you are now, where you want to be, and how you can get there.

New Year’s Resolutions

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to evaluate your goals and adjust your financial plan as needed. Or perhaps you haven’t checked financial planning off your resolution bucket list yet. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, or don’t have a clear sense of where all your money is going every month, a financial checkup can put things into perspective and set you on a clearer path.

“The most important thing when it comes to financial planning is to start early,” said Rodney Mott, LPL Financial Advisor with First Federal Investment Services. “Even the smallest steps can really help you in the long run. But of course, we are happy to help people at any stage of their journey.”

Perhaps with the new year you are facing a new chapter in your life. Graduating from college, getting a first job, marriage, buying a house, or having a first child are all crucial moments that need to be incorporated into your financial planning, so your goals can be adjusted accordingly.

“Life events entail responses, financially speaking,” said Richard Ruggieri, LPL Financial Advisor with First Federal Investment Services. “A financial checkup can make all the difference when adjusting to different stages in your life.”

Staying the Course

As interest rates rise and fall and the stock market shifts, it’s easy to overreact if it feels like your financial stability is at risk. A visit with your financial advisor can help put these market changes into perspective for your long-term goals.

“Frequently it feels like there is a crisis in the financial markets, but reacting too quickly can be a mistake,” explained Mott. “The window of opportunity for the inevitable market upturns can be small and are important not to miss.”

*Rodney Mott, First Federal Investment Services Representative*

Changes in the market are also the reason that many financial plans include a diverse portfolio. Your financial advisor can help you develop a plan that matches the level of stability you are comfortable with.

“We can help you step back and look at the bigger picture, so your plan isn’t derailed,” added Mott. “Ideally, you want to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. We’d be happy to cover options for diversification. It’s also important to set up an emergency fund so that you have a backup plan where funds are easily accessible.”

Meet Your New Local Advisors

Mott and Ruggieri joined the First Federal Investment Services team in 2022. Mott recommended that Ruggieri apply to join after a positive experience with the First Fed team and culture.

Both Mott and Ruggieri started their careers as professional coaches for rowing teams – a mentally and physically challenging activity requiring dedication, coordination, and teamwork. Later they shifted their passion into coaching people about their finances.

Mott’s interest in finances started in his early college years and solidified when he went back to get his MBA, which he geared towards finance and portfolio management. “I was excited about the holistic approach to financial planning that First Federal Investment Services offers,” said Mott. “The team at First Fed really works together across departments to provide positive customer experiences.”

Ruggieri’s coaching career moved him to multiple countries overseas. Working with people from different backgrounds and cultures gave him a broader perspective that helps him relate to his diverse client base.

*Richard Ruggieri, First Federal Investment Services Representative*

“You don’t have to be a customer of First Fed to benefit from our financial services,” noted Ruggieri. “However, it’s a nice benefit to have all your finances under one roof and experience the same level of care with all of your services.”

Schedule Your Checkup

Whether it’s been more than a year since your last financial checkup, or you’d like to schedule your first one, now is a great time to get an appointment on your calendar. No matter where you are on your financial journey, a checkup is the best way to make sure you’re on track for your future goals.

“There are no bad questions out there,” added Mott. “It’s better to find out and benefit from the answers now, rather than sit back and wait.”

To connect with an LPL financial advisor at First Federal Investment Services visit: ourfirstfed.com/investment-services

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