Digital dudes and divas everywhere may understand the importance of a thank-you email but may underestimate the power of a handwritten “thank you” or “just because.” “Letters are magical. It’s like giving someone a hug and saying, ‘I care about you,’” said Dee Fergusson, an avid letter-writer and a title clerk at Pacific Northwest Title […]
People & Places
West Sound has an incredible number of talented artists, interesting people, fascinating places and popular destinations. We love to share their stories with our readers. These articles are only a sample of what we have in West Sound Magazine each issue — subscribe to the print version to see all of what we have to offer!
Posted inPeople & Places
Elixir Fixer — Celebrating Community and Good Times
From its clever, seasonal storefront window displays (a local newspaper Readers’ Choice winner) to its vibrant wallpapered walls and curated shelves, the Manette building’s stark, white-and-black exterior belies the retail artistry and “party in a bottle” happening inside. “It has a nostalgic, speakeasy vibe with modern touches.” That’s how owner Jim Higgins described the interior […]
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Unsung Hero — Brenda Prickett
The Turkey Trot is a 5k and 1-mile fun run on Thanksgiving morning that benefits Helpline House on Bainbridge Island. The run has raised more than $130,000 for Helpline House since its inception in 2010. Islanders Ann Browning and Jenny Campbell started the event nine years ago and passed the baton two years ago to […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Unsung Hero — Vickie Lawrence
Every year since 2004, Pacific Northwest Title has been hosting a holiday food drive benefitting all Kitsap County food banks. The drive begins the last week in October and runs for three weeks, and the company involves all its employees at both the Silverdale and Bainbridge Island locations, as well local real estate offices, lending […]
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Unsung Hero — David Cathers
The Gig Harbor Thanksgiving Basket Brigade started out 25 years ago with the goal of providing food to families in need at Thanksgiving. The effort has grown from 12 baskets organized and delivered by eight volunteers, to providing 1,580 baskets and feeding more than 7,000 people last year with the help of more than 400 […]
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Unsung Hero — Doug Clark
Blanket a Senior in Love is a program of The HUB (formerly Faith In Action) that started in Belfair in 2007 to give gifts to local seniors who would otherwise spend the holidays alone. The HUB collects winter items including gloves, socks, scarves and blankets, which are packaged up with other holiday items, a handwritten […]
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Unsung Hero — Randy Biegenwald
The Kitsap Building Association wanted to expand its charitable activities in the local community about 18 years ago and members looked for recipients to provide a better Christmas experience. A couple of years later, they settled on the ALIVE Shelter, a YWCA of Kitsap County shelter and housing program for domestic violence victims and their […]
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Bali Lost and Found: In Search of What Was
The name Bali conjures images of lush, green jungles; turquoise blue waters; deserted, white-sand beaches and ancient temples. Bali is synonymous with bright, colorful flowers; vanilla- and lemongrass-scented teas; and beautiful, handmade art of teak, silver and woven fabric. Bali is beautiful — an island of kind and happy people with welcoming smiles and sincere […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Monster
Always a monster, never otherwise — huge, intrusive and unexpectedly frightening. “OK, Google, define the word frightening.” “Frighten, alarm, scare, terrify, appall, to arouse fear in people. To frighten is to shock with sudden, startling, but short-lived fear.” Suppose it would apply here, to this particular boiler, installed by Burlington in 1922 in the Thomas […]