Linda McWhirter’s art rocks. Literally. McWhirter paints lovely images — some whimsical, some very detailed and realistic — on small, smooth stones she finds here and there. She’s been doing her little rock paintings since she retired from 20-plus years of teaching — mostly social studies — at Key Peninsula Middle School. Her husband, Larry, […]
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
From Backyard Game to International Sport
The fastest-growing sport in America was developed one rainy day on Bainbridge Island when some bored teens were sent outside to play on a badminton court with some paddles and a perforated ball. It was the genesis of pickleball. And since its simple birth as a backyard game, pickleball has evolved into an organized sport […]
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Bremerton’s Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza
One of the outstanding public spaces in Kitsap County is right in the heart of downtown Bremerton — the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza, a wonderful block-long park adjacent to the north end of the shipyard near the ferry terminal. The park features ship artifacts from World War I and World War II. It […]
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Key Peninsula Farm Tour and Fiber Arts Show
Established in 2006, the Key Peninsula Farm Tour is your opportunity to visit local farms for a variety of activities, from local vendor shopping to demonstrations. The oldest farm tour in Pierce County, KP Farm Tour has been extended to two days this year and takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6. The […]
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Three Unique Stores, One Eco-Minded Entrepreneur
Buy American-built furniture and upholstery slipcovers to reduce your impact on global warming. Not the typical sales pitch if you’re in the market for a new sofa. However, a conversation with Bainbridge Island entrepreneur and designer Mary Terry can be very convincing. You’ll find yourself seriously considering an eco-friendly, Instagram-worthy, marine-blue sofa posing with a […]
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The Beach Basket Gift Shop 50 Years in the Making
A great many things have changed since 1969: the world, technology, the Kitsap Peninsula, Gig Harbor. But The Beach Basket, a mainstay iconic retail store in Gig Harbor, has remained. Since 1969, The Beach Basket and the Schmidtke family have toiled through all the changes to keep their gift store consistent — friendly, affordable, traditional […]
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A Visit to the Amazon Rainforest
Visiting the Amazon Rainforest is akin to being a teeny insect in the greatest biodiverse area on the planet. It’s humongous and you will never see it all — 2.1 million square miles. One-fifth of the freshwater flowing into the Earth’s oceans comes from the Amazon River. The Amazon has more than 40,000 different kinds […]
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Co-Working Becoming the New Way to Do Business
Charlie King may be the quintessential co-working space participant. An admitted extrovert who operates his own coaching consultancy in Kitsap County, King joined OfficeXpats on Bainbridge Island four years ago and has never looked back. “Working at home was somewhat isolating, especially in a rural or suburban community like this,” King says. “Co-working is a […]
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Belize as a Group Kayak Adventure
Close your eyes and imagine water as blue as turquoise. Sand shimmering like diamonds. Sunsets glowing like amber. Jungles glistening like emeralds. No, it’s not a fantasy land of rare gemstones in a mystical story. This is Belize. Beautiful, colorful, friendly Belize on the Caribbean Coast. You can come to Belize for relaxing beaches and […]