Long before there was a Purdy Bridge, when the main access to the south end of the Key Peninsula was by boat, a group of concerned citizens banded together to form an association to help their neighbors. Seeing the need of a rapidly growing community, these citizens formed the Longbranch Improvement Club (LIC) “to encourage […]
northwest
Posted inGarden
Aromatherapy Garden Borders
Borders usually run along a pathway, a wall, a hedge or a lawn edge. My favorite plants for borders are very fragrant, including evening-scented varieties. I love strolling pathways in the moonlight and smelling the gorgeous mood-settling aromas from wall flowers, stock, tobacco plants, primroses, lilacs, jasmine, roses, alliums, dianthus and datura. Lavender is always […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Understanding Wines and Regions
With so many bottles crowding the shelves of your favorite wine shop or grocery store, it’s hard to know what wines you might like, especially when the label doesn’t even tell you the kind of grape is in the bottle. With a simple understanding of wine regions and knowing where different grapes grow best, you’ll […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Swift Plumbing Grows Through Second Generation
Like a lot of his fellow tradesmen, Ty Swift is almost giddy about doing business in Kitsap and Jefferson counties. “It’s a good spot for business,” says the 46-year-old CEO of Swift Plumbing & Heating Inc. in Kingston. “There’s a lot of growth here.” Even during the recession of 2008-2014 and the more recent pandemic, […]
Posted inGarden
A Visit to… Crescent Valley Lavender Farm
Crossing the wooden bridge at 11501 Crescent Valley Drive NW, just outside of Gig Harbor and midway between Soundview and 144th, the sight up the hill to your right will leave you breathless. About 2,000 lavender mounds in varying colors of greens, pinks, deep purple and blue quicken the pulse and delight the eye. Park […]
Posted inGarden
The Double Life of the Imperiled Forest Seabird
It’s a beautiful summer afternoon at Point No Point County Park in Hansville. Scores of people are relaxing on the beach. Suddenly, everyone springs up and runs to the water’s edge, excitedly pointing at something offshore. A trio of orcas are swimming by. Everyone is thrilled to see the stunning, endangered sea creatures. But the […]
Posted inGarden
Come and Bloom with the Gig Harbor Garden Tour
We could say these gardens have “come out of dormancy” after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions. But actually, the gardens and the gardeners themselves have been anything but dormant during their at-home time the last two gardening seasons. As with the general populace, gardeners found they enjoyed the flexibility of working at home. […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Silverdale — The True Center of Kitsap County
Silverdale is one of the fastest growing areas in Kitsap County, with a population of around 25,000 and growing each day. This community has been known for many years as the retail center of the county because of the Kitsap Mall, which opened in 1985 and shifted the retail core of Kitsap from downtown Bremerton […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Considering a Greenhouse? Keep These Tips in Mind
During the pandemic lockdown, many homeowners had a renewed interest in greenhouses. If you’ve been inspired to think about owning a glasshouse or greenhouse for the first time, but you don’t know where to start, Hartley Botanic — a manufacturer of handmade English glasshouses and greenhouses — has provided the answers to some of the […]