Late-night talk show hosts Johnny Carson and Jay Leno called it the worst Christmas gift ever. NASA thought it was good enough for astronauts. Emily Dickinson packed it with half a pint of brandy (and 19 eggs) and gifted it to her delighted neighbors. British royals have turned it into an elaborate, grandiose part of […]
Rodika Tollefson
An award-winning writer who lives on the Key Peninsula with her husband and three sons. She is a contributing editor and blog manager for WSHG, and also writes for several local publications and produces videos. Her work has been published in regional and national publications; she also writes for companies and organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she received the Outstanding Journalism Graduate of the Year award; she is also a graduate from the University of Washington’s Master of Communications in Digital Media program. (See WSH&G Contributed Videos)
Posted inHome
Are ‘Smart Toys’ a Dumb Gift Idea?
Techy toys make for some of the trendiest kids’ Christmas gifts, and what can be nerdier than interactive playthings and gadgets that give the adult versions — the likes of Alexa — a run for their money? Ask any child what’s cooler — an old-fashion Lego BB-8 droid or a BB-8 that can be controlled […]
Posted inHome
How to Design Your Home Office for Maximum Productivity
The life of a remote worker is the envy of every I-5 commuter. Who doesn’t dream of working from a home office, where every day is casual Friday and the commute is a 30-second stroll? It turns out, in West Sound, many people are snatching that sweet dream. According to a 2017 report by Global […]
Posted inPeople & Places
How to Camp like a Scout
A tradition dating back a hundred years, summer camping is the quintessential family experience. For some, it’s the allure of a cheap getaway, as far as vacations go. For others, what makes the idea appealing is the promise that at the end of a short road trip is a wondrous place where time crawls. Where […]
Posted inHome
Solar Homes — What you Need to Know before Going Solar
The sight of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on residential roofs around West Sound is no longer a novelty. Enticed by the idea of saving on their power bills — or perhaps the idea of helping save the planet — homeowners are joining the renewable-energy movement. It’s not a cheap investment. Although PV installation prices are […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Libraries Evolve to Keep Up with New Tech
As ingrained into American culture as apple pie, public libraries have been, in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the great symbols of the freedom of the mind.” Embedded into their communities, they became not just an institution that multiple generations have relied on to quench their first for knowledge, but also an instrument of […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Serving the Community Through Music-Making
Going into college, Dick Heine had to make a choice between music and engineering. A band and orchestra brass musician since fifth grade, he’d played throughout high school and even spent four summers at music camp. Engineering, nonetheless, won — so Heine kept his trombone skills sharp by playing with the university orchestra. As he […]
Posted inCommunity News
New Arts Event to Support Art-In-Residence School Program
Two Waters Arts Alliance will host a new fundraising event, Colors of Autumn, to benefit its Artist in Schools programs. This new event replaces Two Waters’ popular Spring Fling, which for many years celebrated the art, arts education and artists of the Key Peninsula community. Colors of Autumn, taking place on Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m. […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Canal Cookout an Adventure Outside the (Culinary) Box
Named by Forbes Traveler magazine one of the “prettiest towns” in America, Union appeals to summer vacationers and visitors alike. The breathtaking views, natural beauty, slow pace and recreational activities more than compensate for the off-the-beaten-path destination. But Lisa Leggett sees more than small-town charm. “There’s this certain style — I call it canal style,” […]