Harriette Bryant founded OurGEMS (Girls Empowered through Mentoring and Service) in 2008 while mentoring nine eight-grade girls at Ridgetop Junior High School. They asked her if they could continue the next year, which lead to mentoring through their senior graduation. “I feel it was a calling to give back because of those who gave to […]
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Posted inThe Outdoors
Which ‘Backyarder’ Personality Are You?
Backyarding — the trend to use the backyard for everything from teleworking and working out to relaxing and recreating — has a different purpose for each of us. Identifying your backyard’s role in your family’s health and happiness is the key to cultivating a purposeful outdoor space that is customized to your needs. “How do […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Naya Patterson — Young Designer with a Mature Attitude
Young Naya Patterson created her company, Make Believe Photography, in 2014. She got the idea for the name from her previous competition horse, “Make Believe,” as the equestrian world is full of photographers who are constantly needed for sales, competitions and barn photos. Patterson’s first two horse trainers happened to be into photography so it […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Heronswood Garden Reopens, Expands Garden Open Schedule for 2021
Heronswood, the iconic botanical garden in Kingston, reopened gates to visitors on April 1. The garden, owned by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (PGST) and managed by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Foundation, is also expanding its 2021 open days. Heronswood will be open to the public five days a week — Wednesday through Sunday, from […]
Posted inGarden
A Lush Garden Makeover
You’ve seen the photos in ads for miracle makeovers: the plain little face “before” and voilà! the lovely visage “after.” That same message can be applied to gardens, as was the case with this miraculous makeover of Susan and David Crossland’s garden in Bremerton. In just six years, they transformed a plain little house (circa […]
Posted inHome
Living High on Art and the Hi-Fi Spectrum
The Animals sang, “We gotta get out of this place” — and years later, Scott and Lyn Scherer resonated with their angst. After living in Carnation for 15 years, the couple sprung into action due to the increasingly dreadful traffic situation. Thus began their search for a new place. Maybe waterfront. Definitely acreage for their […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Artful Ewe
Port Gamble is a community of transformations. The two jade-green water towers, historically the source of the company town’s water supply, currently serve as its greeting sentinels. The old meat and vegetable market adjacent to those structures now houses The Artful Ewe, modern-day Port Gamble’s longest-operating business. And inside the shop, owner and artist Heidi […]
Posted inHome
Slow and Steady Builds a Forever Home
They knew it was trouble from the start. The lot, narrow and sloping, was a big gamble, and Jeff and Meisha Rouser realized there were easier places to build their forever home. Just getting an estimate for the groundwork was a problem; the effort and expense could only be justified by ownership of the property. […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Tips for Seed Starting Success
You created your wish list, ordered some or all of the seeds you will need, and they are beginning to arrive. Make the most of your investment with a bit of planning. Starting seeds at the proper time, indoors or directly in the garden, ensures a good start to the growing season. Check the back of […]