A Scary Good Time

October 19th, 2013

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The time has come.  It is now the most haunted season of the year.  The Kitsap County Fairgrounds have been transformed into the Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds, and if you’re itching for a good scare or simply a fun and thrilling thing to do on a Saturday night, make your way over to their chilling location in Silverdale.

Started in 2003, the “haunted house”, as it were, is located in three buildings on the fairgrounds.  The buildings are connected, and from the ticket booth guests are led (and followed by compellingly grim and macabre zombie actors) into the haunted maze.  The volunteers who act as ghouls and zombies for the event are terrifying.  I visited the haunted fairgrounds on Halloween night of 2008, and never made it past buying my ticket.  I was too afraid.  In fact, I (an 18 year-old at the time) was pursued out of the venue by a grisly and bloodily costumed 10 year-old actor, whose stares gave me the biggest chills I have ever experienced.  I proceeded to wait for my friends to finish the haunt.

Island resident Aryn Versteegh, 22, has also visited the Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds.  Unlike this writer, Versteegh made it through the ordeal.

“I really liked it,” she said.  “My favorite was when they chased us out (at the end) with a chainsaw!  They get you to do a lot and you think you’re safe, then you’re not!”

The Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds is run entirely by local volunteers who are partnered with Kitsap County Parks and Recreation.  This year, as part of a new partnership with the Kitsap-North Kitsap Rotary, all proceeds will directly benefit the local community and charities chosen by the Rotary organization.

The event will run for five more days in October –  the 18th, 19th, 25th, 26th and on Halloween – plus the first two days of November.  While they do have one hour when guests can experience the haunt with the lights on, I strongly encourage everyone to go for the full scare later on in the evenings!!

For more information on the Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds, or to find out how to volunteer, visit their website at www.kitsaphauntedfairgrounds.com.

Bainbridge Island Uncorked

August 12th, 2013

Set aside Saturday August 24th for the wine, food and music event of the summer. What can make a better summer day than sipping the fine wines of all seven of Bainbridge Island’s wines, eating one’s way through a festival all the while listening to the great musical talents playing from noon to 6:00 PM on the streets of Winslow?

Music includes artist Zach Fleury who is well known locally for his vocals and guitar playing accompaniment. He’ll be at the Harbor Square Wine Shop and Tasting Room with Lean Davidson from 12 to 2 pm. Taste the pressings from Rolling Bay Winery as well as Result of a Crush Winery by former Islanders Amanda and Angela Reynvaan. Get current details here.

From 2:30 to 4 Bainbridge Island Radio and Benjamin Doerr rock the Winslow Mall so come and taste the offerings by Sleight of Hand and Balboa Wineries.

From 1 to 3 Beads of Bainbridge will be offering instruction of creating your own wine accessories. Be creative, sip fine wine and enjoy learning a new craft. Cost of materials only.

From 2 to 4 pm join  Soup’ r Burger and sample local beers with your burger or pair a meal with your favorite wine at several locations in downtown. Follow your nose and your appetite for great food and adult beverages.

The day winds up with the Bainbridge Island History Museum Charity Gala ($75). Starting at 6 pm. Rub elbows, and bend a few, with winemakers, musicians and islanders while sampling the best wines, live music and tales from the Island.

The event is just a short walk, drive or cycle from the Seattle ferry and is an annual event for wine, music, food and summer lovers from everywhere.

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Heronswood Gardens

While most events are centered around weekends there are still lots of places to visit, explore and enjoy during the week.

Mom always said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, whether you’re at home in Bainbridge or are arriving by ferry this is the place to tank up for the start of the trip. Begin with coffee and pastries or sandwiches in Winslow at Pegasus Coffee or any of the local bakeries and restaurants around the ferry terminal or downtown.

After you are fueled up, drive north on SR 305 to begin your adventure. A must see stop is just crossing Agate Pass at the new Suquamish Museum. Learn the story of the Suquamish people through displays and exhibits. Central to the learning process is the integration of Lushootseed, the language of the Salish Peoples into the displays. The language is vital to understand the people and the world in which they live.

Not long after leaving Suquamish you soon arrive in Colorful Poulsbo which is filled with shops, galleries, antique stores and, of course, restaurants. Indulge your fancies here or drive on and keep exploring. While driving on a stop at the Port Gamble, S’Klallam Indian Reservation to visit the stunning Heronswood Gardens will add color and delight to your trip. This classic formal garden setting is available for tours and events, and is especially popular for weddings.

Cross the Hood Canal Floating Bridge and then, more decisions present themselves. Turn off onto SR 19 and head to Port Townsend, a Victorian gem along the coast or continue US Highway 101 to Port Angeles. Both have much to see and do. From Port Townsend take the ferry to Whidbey Island and all that is on offer there or Port Angeles and a ferry to Victoria, BC.

Let your mood, available time and whims take you as far as you wish. It’s possible to make theme road trips to see wildlife refuges, old coast forts, lighthouses and mountains to rain forests. Later this month we will give you more ideas of places to see and visit.

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In a touching and warm remembrance to local artist, Ruth Carr who died of cancer last year, a new sculpture has been dedicated on the grounds of the Harbour Public House overlooking the Harbour Marina. Ms. Carr was the inspiration and leader of what became known as the Wednesday Watercolors. Meeting in her studio and often on the grounds of the Pub and Marina the group became known regionally for their style and abilities. A group show at the Bainbridge Public Library was a recent tribute to Ms Carr.

The sculpture designed and crafted by Dave Myers and Kelly Asordian, is now in place and is a fine memorial. A tour of the design and crafting process is online More watercolors are on display through August at the Harbour Public House showing scenes of local life and the vision of this talented and inspired group of local artists.

This group of Bainbridge Island artists, including watercolorists, sculptors, mixed media artists and painters continue to meet regularly on these grounds to work and share ideas and inspirations. One of the driving forces among this group is watercolorist and copper sculptor Ted Hoppin. Well known locally for his gates and for his expertise as a Master Gardener his work is much in demand.

The gates Mr. Hoppin creates are as practical as they are beautiful and sometimes whimsical. Scaling each gate and recognizing that gates don’t always have to shut out the world they are inviting and often include painted flowers as well as the copper metal work for which he is so well known. It is certainly not uncommon to find references in the gates to the proud owners. This includes the needle and spool of thread, in copper, in the corner of the gate for a seamstress and fiber artist. Look also in the Pacific Northwest Magazine of July 13, 2008 to see more of his work and to read of his vision for creating the works of art that flow from his interaction with the natural world around us.

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Okay, the parks are open year round, but it just feels great to mention summertime.

The aquatics center is a huge draw for all ages to swim, use the lap pools and the water slide. Classes and lessons are available for all ages to learn the safe way to enjoy this community facility.

If you’d like to be outside around the water, then Ft Ward Park is just right. The park has walking trails, beachfront, historic old facilities from pre-World War II as well a boat launch and other amenities. It’s a marvelous place to hang out and soak up the sun. Bring your own sunscreen. Fishing? Boating? Paddleboarding? All are encouraged here and makes this gem of a park the place to go. In an innovative program designed to remove invasive species of plants, Scotch Broom and poison oak especially, the goats are back! Sponsor a goat help clear out the non-native plants that threaten to overwhelm the native species. It’s easy and fun. More info at http://www.biparks.org/parksandfacilities/pkftward.html

Feeling froggy? Then jump into this. The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association has organized a Frog on the Rock Project. Local artists will decorate and enhance the 21” x 41” frogs to be debuted at the July Fourth Parade. The frogs will be displayed in the parks and throughout the island for a year. Sponsors are welcome.

Celebrate the end of school and the start of summer with Schoolpalooza, June 12th at Waterfront Park. It’s the kick off to a summer of fun and activities with music, food and activities for all ages you don’t have to be out of school to enjoy the party.

To help you get around this summer, the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce is starting a Weekend Bus Service. To help you get from the ferry terminal to the outlying parks and places of interest there are two routes each running on an hourly schedule to and from the ferry terminal. Modeled on the “Hop-on, Hop-off” buses in other communities, the service will charge a daily rate for as much riding as you can do between 10AM and 4PM on Saturdays and Sundays.  Season passes will also be available for Bainbridge families. More info at the Chambers website http://www.bainbridgechamber.com/

Visit for the complete rundown of all the parks, facilites, activities and classes available. Start your summer dreams now.

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Teak and mahogany, cedar and spruce, oak, pine, brass, copper and varnish are the raw materials. Skill, experience, passion artistry and vision bring all these materials to life in the wooden boats that ply the waters of the Salish Sea and beyond.

Join us on Saturday June 15th and Sunday June 16th at Harbour Marina on Bainbridge Island for tours, talks, photos and admiration of the flotilla gathered for the second Bainbridge Island Wooden Boat Festival. Builders, owners and sailors will be here to talk to the curious and devoted alike. Whether built for work or pleasure, to cruise under sail or engine power, come to visit and share in the wealth of knowledge gathered here to spread the gospel of craftsmanship and tradition.

The event is being held at the Harbour Marina, adjacent to the Harbour Public House. There will be boat tours, live music and a Speaker’s Forum. Bob Schoonmaker owner of The Chandlery at Winslow Wharf is the chair and driving force behind the festival. First held in 2011, 43 boats and some 2,000 visitors attended. Sponsor’s, including Harbour Public House, The Hudson Company, Roger Katz and Associates among others are expecting this year’s event to be even better attended. The Marina is within walking or cycling distance from the ferry terminal. Sample the island’s maritime history and marvel at the artistry of the boats themselves. Admission is free. Plan to spend the day and soak up the beauty and grace of these remarkable vessels Festival hours are Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.

For more information visit.

All Things Good to Eat

April 12th, 2013

It’s that time again. The Bainbridge Island Farmer’s Market is back! Opening this Saturday, April 13th at the Town Square from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come to meet, greet and enjoy the fresh produce available in a fun and family friendly setting.

Old favorites who are returning this year include  Butler Green Farms, Persephone Farm, Farmhouse Organics, Baywater Shellfish, Paulson Farms, Tani Creek Farm and Laughing Crow Farm. These and many other locally sourced organic growers are here to provide the freshest meats and produce possible. For a full listing of the vendors click here This details who and what will be available.

Another outstanding resource for natural and organic farm producers, nationally, not just for the Northwest is here This is an easily navigated site where one can explore the bounty of organics to choose the healthiest and freshest in produce. There are also links to purchase on line from a large number of members as well as the ability to subscribe for CSA’s.

CSA? Community Supported Agriculture. The idea is for the producer to offer a certain number of “shares”, to the public. This may be in the form of a box of vegetables or other farm products, honey, fresh organic meat, or herbs and flowers. Each subscriber will receive a box of the fresh products weekly through the farming season. The advantages work both for the farmer and consumer.

For the farmer they get to spend time marketing their products before moving into 16 hour days in the fields. They receive payment early in the season which helps with the cash flow and most importantly they get to meet and know the people who will consume their produce.

The subscriber gets ultra fresh produce and exposure to new vegetables and ways of cooking. Typically you will visit the farm at least once a season to witness the process in the fields. This also allows the consumer to develop a relationship with the grower. Many kids are found to favor, “Their” farm and will be more open to trying new foods from there that would be perhaps unknown to them otherwise.

With the spring and summer upon us it’s time to get out, explore what’s new and organic at the farmer’s market. Meet the producers try something new, fresh and healthy.

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On St. Patrick’s Day, this Sunday, March 17th learn about some of the history of Winslow (pictured above in the 1890s looking west down what is now called Winslow Way).  Bainbridge Island Historical Museum is sponsoring a walk through historic Winslow featuring stories and photographs from the past. Learn more at http://www.bainbridgehistory.org/events.aspx

Winslow boasts of a variety of architecture, connection to the logging industry, shipbuilding and the iconic Mosquito Fleet that steamed Puget Sound. The fleet was the forerunner to the modern day Washington State Ferry System. Winslow is certainly fun to explore for a day or a weekend.

Any visit to Bainbridge Island is remiss without stopping at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum http://www.bainbridgehistory.org/visit.aspx. While there, you can listen to the tales of the First Nations who lived here for millennia. Follow the exploits of the explorers and settlers who came later to build the farms, mills and shipyards of the island. The museum showcases archeological finds as well as photos of the early residents at work and at play. Learn about the dark days of the relocation of Japanese Americans from their farms and homes to the desolate camps in California, Wyoming and Montana. Read the denunciations of this move by the editors of the Bainbridge Review, the local newspaper which was one of only a few who protested this action by the Roosevelt Administration.

All that plus much more.

Tonight at Pegasus

March 1st, 2013

snackdownTonight’s Snackdown Menu includes Whole Roasted & Smoked Kapowsin Pig with North Carolina BBQ Sauce & Slaw mini-sandwiches; Baywater Shellfish Salish Blue Clams steamed  with Chef Jeff’s homemade Chorizo; Taylor Shellfish Winterbrook Oyster Shooters with a Bainbridge Organic Legacy Vodka Float, NW Farro and Veggie Salad, & Pegasus Delectable Sweet Tarts

Samples from Bainbridge Organic Distillers & Bainbridge Island Brewery!

After Hours Absinthe Lounge begins a 8PM

Happy Friday!

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Toilsome Construction has been taking down Junkoh & Chris Harui’s old family home on the west end of Parfitt Way since the holiday season began. Word has it that Sue Cooley bought the property to create a park or garden of sorts. Pictured here is the excavator working on the roof of the home. Chris Harui used to work the half acre orchard and garden on the property when she wasn’t working at Bainbridge Gardens.

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