Local Briefs

Hoodsport dock celebration

Port of Hoodsport commissioners host a celebration for the dock and pier at 1 p.m. Friday.

Commissioners Lori Kincannon, Cody Morris, Terry Braziland and state legislators will attend and refreshments at Potlatch Brewing Co. will follow the event.

“Thanks to your ongoing support and signatures on the Capital Funding Letter of Support urging our state Legislature to invest in this community asset, the Port received funding to make emergency repairs and reopen the dock for use,” the port wrote in a news release.

Hamburgers, fries at Hunter Farms

The Hood Canal Lions Club returns to Hunter Farms to sell curly fries and hamburgers every weekend in October.

This is the nonprofit group’s only fundraiser. The proceeds are used to fund sight and vision assistance, scholarships, a food bank, the Mason County Forest Festival, backpacks for kids and more. The offerings at Hunter Farms in October include a pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides.

Shelton schools offer free cooking classes

The Shelton School District and Washington State University’s Mason Extension host a free three-part series of cooking and nutrition classes.

The classes are from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 and 29 and Nov. 5 at Oakland Bay Junior High School, 3301 N. Shelton Springs Road. Participants must be able to attend all three classes as the content and skills build upon one another. Register at https://forms.gle/joT3ga2mUprDoiR67. The link is also on the school district’s website.

The classes are open to anyone 16 and older who lives in the community. If requested, a Spanish interpreter will be there. Free child care is available.

The classes are hands-on. Participants will learn how to cook a meal with the help of a professional nutritionist, nutrition labels, knife skills, portion control, food groups, thrifty meal shopping and planning, and more.

Celtic duo Magical Strings performs in Hoodsport

The Olalla Celtic musical duo Pam and Philip Boulding perform as Magical Strings at 3 p.m. Saturday at a Lake Cushman house concert.

Admission is the suggested donation of $15-$20. A potluck will follow the performance. For reservations and to find out the location of the concert, call 360-877-5862.

Since 1978, Magical Strings has recorded 22 albums showcasing traditional Irish arrangements, original compositions and what the group’s website describes as “subtle world music influences.” They perform on their own crafted Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers, augmented with a button accordion, pennywhistles, a concertina and other instruments.

The couple has toured and collaborated with artists including singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg and slack key guitarist Keola Beamer.

When they’e not on the road, the Bouldings teach, compose, build instruments at their home, Magic Hill, in Olalla in south Kitsap County. They offer virtual classes and the virtual Magic Hill Summer Harp Camp on their 5-acre property overlooking Puget Sound.

Writers present workshops at library

Two writers working in residence at Hypatia-in-the-Woods in Shelton will present public programs Oct. 17 and 21 at the Shelton Timberland Library.

Katherine Cosumano will explore the world of arborists in a reading and craft talk from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 17. Each summer, “tree guys” from throughout the Pacific Northwest gather for the annual Portland Tree Climbing Competition. The events simulate the perilous work of tree care, racing up Douglas firs and swinging between boughs. In her journalism and essays, Cusumano immerses readers in the high-octane sport of competitive tree climbing. a process that resulted in her climbing a few trees herself.

Cusumano is a reporter, essayist and editor whose work focuses on the intersections of culture, gender and the outdoors. Her work has appeared in the New York Times for Kids and the magazines Outside, Climbing and Bon Appetit. She is a writer in residence at Portland Public Schools through the Literary Arts Writers in Schools program, teaching nonfiction to high school students.

Novelist and essay writer Melissa Duclos leads a workshop for new and seasoned writers from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Writers interested in telling stories from their lives or their imaginations are welcome to the 90-minute generative writing workshop.

Participants should bring a notebook and writing tool. The workshop includes writing prompts, exercises and feedback.

Duclos is the author of the novel “Besotted.” Her essays have appeared in the anthology “Feminists Reclaim Mentorship, the Washington Post, The Offing and Salon.com. More of her work is available at Melissa-duclos.com.

10-week seminar on grief and loss at Shelton church

A 10-week seminar focusing on understanding grief and focusing on healing after the death of a loved one, or other major life loss, begins again at 2 p.m. today at Faith Lutheran Church, 1212 Connection St., in Shelton. These sessions are offered free of charge and all are welcome.

For more information, call the church office at 360-426-8611, or Terry Oliver, facilitator, at 253-732-1869.