Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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You knew our Declaration of Independence was signed and celebrated each July 4 of our county’s history. But did you know our War of Independence started when the Minute Men skirmished with British troops in April of 1774? And that was when the people of the 13 States, (or colonies as the British preferred) decided for the first time in modern history that a colony which answered to a higher government, England, would declare a right of self-rule. So, representatives of those states convened in a Congress from September to October, 1774, and d...
When the Hardware Distillery and Hood Canal Events teamed up to stage the fifth annual Fjordin Crossin festival on June 17 at the Port of Hoodsport dock and marina, the community responded. Co-founder Jan Morris, who's also the co-founder of the Hardware Distillery with her husband, Chuck, said the festival drew 300 attendees, and more than 70 kayakers, paddleboarders and canoeists for the Paddle the Canal challenge, organized by Kerry Myers of Hood Canal Events. "It was our biggest turnout...
After his wife of 75 years died in December, 94-year-old LakeLand Village resident Albert Stabler penned a bucket list that included skydiving for the first time. Stabler had always stayed inside the plane. He took his first solo flight at age 16. He piloted his own Cessna 140. He designed and constructed a plane, Fly Baby IA, that hangs prominently in the Museum of Flight in Seattle. "When we were flying, it was the old saying, 'Why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane?' " said his...
The 79th Forest Festival saw sunny skies and lots of smiles after four days of activities in downtown Shelton. Forest Festival Board President Mick Sprouffske said the weekend was great. "I believe the crowds were real large and seemed to be happy with the event," Sprouffske said. "Unfortunately, I don't get down to the parade so just judging from what I've heard from others and the photos that come through Facebook and the photos that one of our sponsors, Cooper Studios, has supplied, I think...
On a sunny day in May, Southside Elementary School physical education teacher Chris Meyer descended from 14,000 feet while reciting Dr. Seuss' words about the "grum grum" of a hippo chewing gum and the "pip" of a goldfish kiss. Meyer's book recital, while strapped to professional skydiver Luke Aikens of Skydive Kapowsin, was the culmination of Southside Elementary School's Read Across America Day event. During March, students brought home reading logs and submitted them weekly. Together, they...
From the moment she was born, Erin Ranney has been surrounded by the outdoors. Whether it was exploring her family's Mason County tree farm or tagging along on a fishing trip to Alaska before she could walk, Ranney has always heard the call of the wild. "I was surrounded by wildlife," Ranney said. "And I was always really excited by wildlife." Building upon that love and passion for the outdoors, Ranney has carved out a career as a wildlife cinematographer that has taken her around the globe. Ra...
Richard Knight, who was fire chief for Mason County Fire District 5/Central Mason Fire & EMS for 55 years, died May 20 at his home in Allyn. He was 87. A date for a memorial service had not been set when the Journal went to press. Knight joined what was then Mason County Fire Protection District 5 in 1955. The next year, he was named fire chief. He retired at the end of June 2011. "Chief Knight's dedication to the citizens and the members of Central Mason Fire & EMS will forever be remembered,"...
Consider the rapid-fire lyrics that kickstart the Gilbert and Sullivan tune "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," probably the best-known song in the duo's 1879 operatta "The Pirates of Penzance": "I am the very model of a modern Major-General I've information, vegetable, animal and mineral. I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical From Marathon to Waterloo, on order categorical" That's the kind of flight of fancy you can expect when Shelton's Connection Street...
The Matlock Old-Timers Historical Fair is hosted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mary M. Knight School. Engine enthusiasts can marvel at the Steam Donley and antique tractors. Inside the gym, patrons can find bargains at the swap meet tables, listen to live music and create crafts. Thrill-seekers can plummet down the giant pink slider. Admission is free. The school is at 2987 Matlock-Brady Road. The displays include World War II vehicles, some of them still...
A 95-year-old decorated World War II veteran who later tutored Pioneer Schools students was recently honored by the state House of Representatives. State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, introduced House Resolution 4639, which honors Burton Stoltz, who lives in the Agate area. The House unanimously passed the resolution April 7. In a news release, Couture said it was "an honor and a pleasure" to present the resolution to Stoltz on his 95th birthday. "Burt is a WWII Navy veteran and treasured in...
Olympic College Shelton hosted a resource fair for current and potential students April 19 throughout the campus. Booths were spread out between the main building, library and outside, with many community groups in attendance. "I was pleasantly surprised at the number of attendants that we had at the Resource Fair," OC Shelton Director Allison Smith wrote in an email to the Journal. "I saw numerous community members who were unfamiliar to me on campus that day and that is one of the objectives o...
Ginny Swarts and Betty Olson were born in 1921 and 1922, when Warren G. Harding was president, radio was new, and the movies were silent except for live musical accompaniment. This month, the two best friends at Alpine Way Continuing Care Community in Shelton celebrated their 101st and 102nd birthdays. They also celebrated a friendship born over a mutual love of music, bingo and bus trips. "We do everything together," said Swarts. She added, "We really fit like two peas in a pod." Swarts was...
