Every August since 1991, Olalla has brought together people of all ages from throughout West Sound — and as far away as Texas, Virginia and even Europe — to “Kick the City Off Their Shoes” at the Olalla Bluegrass & Beyond Festival. This year, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary on Aug. 20 with what […]
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Posted inHome
A Little Piece of Heaven on Bainbridge Island
Liz and Gordon Evans had a dream — retire and move from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bainbridge Island. Simple, right? But, when you live half a continent away, a collaborator who hears your dream and makes it her own is a necessary asset. In this case, planning, budgets and timelines fell into place under the on-site […]
Posted inGarden
The Les & Betty Krueger Family Healing Garden at Harrison
When you go out to dig in your garden, take a stroll in the neighborhood park or simply sit on a bench under a shady tree, do you achieve a unique sense of calm? Chances are you do, perhaps without even recognizing the soothing effects of these activities. Twenty-five years of research shows that even […]
Posted inHome
Midcentury Enamelware
As wanted as pigs in a sunflower field, as fleeting as floaters from a dandelion puff and as obsolete as the weekly milk delivery, midcentury enamelware kitchen items have more or less vanished from today’s scene — except for decorative candy tins that overwhelm thrift shop shelves and recycle bins. Decorative-metal stove-burner covers and TV […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
20 Ways to Enjoy Nature Around West Sound with Kids
School is out — which means kids will be looking for things to do. A great thing about living in West Sound is that there are a number of ways to enjoy summer vacation close to home, and most of them are free. So, as you make your plans for this summer, use this list […]
Posted inGarden
Planting Lilies for Continuous Bloom
Sometimes overlooked when planning the West Sound garden, lilies make great perennial accent points during their season of bloom. This area has a few commercial growing fields and sources for bulbs, but no plant clubs in the immediate area. Lilies are very popular in the Midwest due to their winter hardiness. In West Sound, the […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Herron Hill Dairy — Goats, Cheese and Family Fun
The wooden sign on the side of Herron Hill Road — “Chevre” — points toward a meandering drive that disappears over the top of a low hill. Horses graze placidly in a pasture on one side of the drive, paying no mind to the intruder unfastening the latch on the gate and motoring up the […]
Posted inHome
How to Hire the Best Professionals for Your Project
The winter holidays often have a way of highlighting the need for a remodel. Cramped kitchens with failing appliances, bathrooms with leaky taps and no storage for guests’ toiletry bags, front entries with no room for guests’ cast-off shoes — the list goes on and on. With spring and summer just around the corner, many […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Garden Chrysanthemums — Colorful Hardy Flowers
Fall is the time of year when chrysanthemums appear in nurseries and garden centers. Gardeners may see them through the winter months too. Chrysanthemums originated in China and have been the national flower of Japan since 910 A.D. but have only been cultivated relatively recently in Western countries. Known as potted mums, they’re more commonly […]