After living on Mercer Island for 35 years, Jack Paauw and Susan Gates were ready to make a move. For a few years, Paauw had been commuting to a Kitsap-based job on the fast ferry, so he couldn’t wait for a shorter commute. Hoping for a waterfront property, the couple eventually found what they were […]
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Posted inCommunity News
The Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island Expands to Greater Kitsap, Rebrands
The Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island, a longstanding organization representing the vibrant wineries of Bainbridge Island, is expanding significantly. For over 12 years, the alliance has been dedicated to promoting and supporting the six wineries nestled on Bainbridge Island. Now, the organization is broadening its scope to embrace wineries across the greater Kitsap Peninsula, ushering […]
Posted inGarden
The Abundant Gardens of Candy Gratton
Candy Gratton began gardening at the tender age of 5 when she and her parents lived with her grandparents for a time in California. Her grandfather’s garden had been featured in Sunset magazine. Wanting to instill a love of gardening in her too, he allocated a spot to her. “I’ve been gardening and growing my […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Short and Winding Road to Victoria, British Columbia
As the Black Ball Ferry “Coho” enters Victoria Harbor following its 90-minute crossing of the Salish Sea from Port Angeles, the stately Fairmount Empress hotel — Victoria’s centerpiece — comes into view. The scene is a bit “Oz” in nature: The stunning building is so perfectly placed, it feels as if the bucolic harbor was […]
Posted inGarden
Spring Is Here!
March is my favorite month for planting bareroot trees, shrubs, roses and herbaceous edibles. By planting bareroot, you’ll save money. Here are some plant suggestions: Tree types: Flowering • Fruit • Shade Shrubs: Lilacs • Flowering currants • Dogwoods • Bridal spirea • Forsythia Roses: English • Climbing • Rugosa • Modern • Old fashioned […]
Posted inGarden
A Master Gardener’s Paradise for a Smaller Lot
Sometimes moving into a planned community poses challenges for a gardener. There are homeowner association (HOA) rules, smaller lots and restrictions for fences, and if the lot happens to be on a golf course, that just adds to the puzzle. Master Gardener Linda Broun embraced these constraints, even celebrated them, as she created a garden […]
Posted inGarden
This Poorly Named Shorebird is an Attention Catcher
Birds are amazing creatures with a variety of adaptations. A hummingbird is quite different from an ostrich and a kiwi has little in common with a swan. While some species may seem drab and uninteresting, others are a collection of unique features that even a nonbirder would notice. Here in West Sound, resident birds may […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Boat as a Muse
Close your eyes. Think of rowing, alone, across the Tacoma Narrows, maybe to Vashon, maybe to Commencement Bay. The currents are strong, wind fierce and, well, it is midwinter and sleeting. This was life before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Yes, there were the Skansie Brothers’ ferries, but they just went from Tahlequah to Point Defiance. […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Seabrook — A Bucolic Destination on the Washington Coast
After the three-hour drive from Kingston through vast differences in topography and aged towns, Seabrook almost jolts you awake, exuding charm, fresh ocean air and a pretty, decidedly Nantucket look. The first exploration downtown uncovers immaculate streets, cute stores and smiles. As you make your first drive around the 500-plus home village, you experience the […]