Poulsbo centennial

Mayor extends gratitude to volunteers

It’s amazing to think we’ve celebrated the last centennial event of 2008. This year has simply flown by with a blur of five major events marking Poulsbo’s 100 years of governance. These included the opening gala, Midsommar Fest, August street dance, Parks Day, and the closing gala.

These events simply would not have happened without the generous support of our amazing sponsors: ADA Engineering, Bayside Engravers, Book Stop, Boxlight Corporation, city of Poulsbo, Clearwater Casino. Courtesy Auto Group, Cultural Arts Foundation, Dave and Amy Krafsky, Doug Quade, Edward Jones, EHL, EMBARQ Communications, Karol Jones, Kitsap Bank, Liberty Bay Auto Center, Martha and Mary, Muriel Williams, Nordic Maid, Poulsbo Animal Clinic, Poulsbo Compounding Pharmacy, Poulsbo Red Apple, Poulsbo RV, Sluy’s Bakery, Sound Reprographics, That’s A Some Italian, Timberland Bank, Tolman, Kirk & Franz, Viking Bank, and WestSound Workforce.

Of course, any successful event needs those incredible behind-the-scenes volunteers who worked tirelessly to make them actually happen: Chris Case, Gwen Cleveland, Donna Etchey, Joanne Graves, Tom Hall, Bob Hawkinson, Adele Heinrich, Deanna Kingery, Connie Lord, Tammy Matson, Mary McCluskey, Marlene Mitchell, Lanie Peterson, Mary Ramsey, Cathy Rayment, Harmony Starr, Erica Varga, Sherry White, Pam Witt, and Tiffany Wooden.

Thank you all very much.

And a very special thank you has to go to Carly Michelson.

If anything needed done at the last minute or any minor wrinkle appeared, Carly was the miracle worker who pulled it all together.

Thank you, thank you, thank you all. What a wonderful community we live in.

Kathryn Quade

Mayor of Poulsbo

Kingston

Store celebrates community

November 17 was Ladies Night at Kingston’s Henry’s Hardware.

This was no simple discount opportunity for those who wandered in off the street. Monday night the parking lot at the Kingston Thriftway was full.

The women of Kingston were milling around the hardware store, enjoying lobster bisque, hot dishes, brownies, cheesecake and other sumptuous delights. As well as good eats and drinks, community gossip and holiday preparations were in good supply; old friends and acquaintances catching up on the year gone by and asking which tool works best for grating nutmeg.

Henry’s Hardware once again proved itself to be the best darn hardware store in Kitsap County. Always a wealth of knowledge and support to those of us fixing garden fences or repairing plumbing, they stepped up to help build community.

In this time of anxiety, coming together with friends and strangers in the center of your own community means more than good marketing.

It says that Kingston Hardware respects and appreciates its customers and wants to be a part of making their lives more enjoyable.

They succeed.

Whether it is Ladies Night, explaining what toilet tank mechanism will work best to solve my particular problem or Mary’s recommendation for the right plant to succeed in that sand spot in my garden, Kingston Hardware does make my life better.

Besides, where else does “shop locally” mean having dinner and brownies at the hardware store?

Claudia Dixon

Kingston

Gratitude

Businesses answer call for help

Every year for the past six years I have spent many months training for and riding in the MS 150 bike ride to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. My family has been particularly affected by MS, having my brother and two cousins afflicted with this devastating disease.

My bicycle training route usually takes me past two local businesses, the Poulsbo Perk Espresso stand and Central Market.

These businesses have generously donated toward my efforts to raise money to find a cure for MS.

Every time I ride past them I am so thankful for the kindness of two business owners who said “yes” when I approached them for support.

Economic conditions have not been the best for families or businesses this year.

Even so, these two businesses have stepped up to the plate.

They truly understand Ghandi’s challenge to “be the change you wish to see in the world” and I would like to publicly acknowledge them for that.

Mary Tillotson

Poulsbo