SEPTEMBER ISSUE
BLUEPRINT NEWS Seattle
FALL IS COMING TO SEATTLE, HERE'S WHAT TO DO. BEER, BOATS AND A BRAND NEW SOUND Oktoberfest, hydroplanes, and the soundtrack of the season.
INTRODUCTION | 1
Welcome to the September Issue of Blueprint News This month’s Blueprint News celebrates September in Seattle with a mix of local history, seasonal events, and stories from the community. We visit the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, explore two local Oktoberfest celebrations, and sit down with Denise, a longtime local resident with deep ties to Keeney’s, as she reflects on her time there and shares memories from that chapter of her life. You’ll also find a full calendar of September events, a cozy seasonal soundtrack, and ideas for turning your daily walk into a new hobby. We take a closer look at the RailSpur Revitalization project and its efforts to reinvigorate Pioneer Square while keeping the historic neighborhood an active part of the city today. Plus, we’re sharing apple harvest recipes and wrapping up the issue with a September trivia challenge. Seattle
BLUEPRINT NEWS
CONTENTS | 2
EUSSI SIHT NI
Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum Step inside Seattle's need-for-speed history, one hull at a time. A Look Back with Denise at Keeney’s Stories, memories, and a few surprises from someone who's seen it all. Two Local Oktoberfest Celebrations Steins up: your guide to the best beer festivities in town this fall. Other September Events Mark your calendars. There's more happening this month than you think. September Has Its Own Soundtrack The songs that capture the shift from summer to fall. Turn Your Walk into a New Hobby Simple ways to see your neighborhood through a whole new lens. RailSpur: Rebuilding Pioneer Square A look at the transformation reshaping one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods. Apple Harvest Recipes Cozy, seasonal dishes to make the most of fall's favorite fruit. September Trivia Test your knowledge and see how much of a local expert you really are.
F E AT U R E
If you were anywhere near Seattle during Seafair Weekend, you probably heard them before you saw them. Hydroplanes!
Missed the Hydroplane Races? Don't Worry: The Boats Are Still Here!
F E AT U R E
If you missed the races, or are already suffering from hydroplane withdrawal…there is a historical cure on the outskirts of Kent. Those ridiculously fast, thunderously loud boats came roaring across Lake Washington July 31– August 2, reaching speeds of nearly 220 mph. Tucked away in Kent is the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, a place that is much more than a collection of old boats. It's a working museum and restoration shop. That means you can see vintage hydroplanes up close while volunteers are working to restore these incredible machines. Some restoration projects have taken thousands of hours, with boats being brought all the way back to running condition.
If you love Seafair hydroplane history, racing, engineering, or just really, really fast boats, this is one local museum worth checking out. Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum 5917 S. 196th Street, Kent, WA 98032 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The collection spans decades of racing history and includes legendary boats such as Slo-mo-shun IV, Miss Bardahl, Miss Budweiser, Miss Thriftway, and many more. Inside the museum, you'll find photographs, race memorabilia, trophies, historic information With over 200 hours of vintage racing footage, you can be transported to races from 1950s to the 1990s. Hydroplane racing has been part of Seattle's summer tradition for generations. The first Gold Cup on Lake Washington was held in 1951, helping establish the race as a major part of Seafair. For decades, the roar of those engines has been as much a part of Seattle summers as sunshine, traffic jams and trying to figure out where you're going to park. And today's hydroplanes? They're basically rocket ships that happen to float. They skim across the water at speeds that make your average pontoon boat look like it's waiting for its coffee to brew.
F E AT U R E
A LOOK BACK WITH DENISE 39 Years, Countless Changes, One Remarkable Career Denise is one of Keeney’s Office Products longest-serving team members, marking 39 years helping the company grow, change, and serve its customers. She joined Keeney’s in 1987 after nine years at Clark Office Products in Lake City. The move wasn’t planned. During a conversation with a sales rep named Brian, Denise mentioned she was ready for a change. Brian happened to be married to Lisa Keeney, and that conversation opened the door to what became a 39-year career. When Denise started, Keeney’s had seven stores and was known mainly for office supplies, pencils, and gifts. Over the years, she watched the company grow into a full workplace partner, offering office and breakroom supplies, furniture, flooring, safety products, janitorial essentials, and more. Through decades of change, Denise learned the importance of adapting, building strong relationships, and growing alongside the company.
39 Years of Change From Fax Machines to Pokémon Go:
When Denise joined Keeney's in 1987, purchasing was a much more hands-on job. Orders were handled manually, inventory was counted item by item, and a calculator was one of the most important tools on her desk. There was no email, no shared spreadsheets, and no way to check stock with the click of a button. Everything ran on paper, phone calls, and memory. Even the fax machine felt revolutionary at the time.
F E AT U R E
Then there was the day Denise noticed a man pointing his phone toward her through the office window. She thought he was taking her picture. He wasn't. He was playing Pokémon Go in the parking lot. After nearly four decades, Denise had seen it all, from fax machines becoming cutting-edge technology to people chasing virtual characters outside the office.
"It was amazing to be able to send a document through a copier," Denise remembers. Over the next 39 years, she learned roughly five different purchasing systems and watched the job transform through computers, email, Excel, remote work, and video meetings. Through it all, one thing never changed: a willingness to adapt and a relentless focus on the customer. Denise also watched the office itself change. Mimeograph supplies, typewriter ribbons, and carbon paper slowly disappeared as technology took over. If you've never seen a mimeograph in action, imagine a hand-cranked machine that stamped out copies one purpleinked page at a time, filling the room with that unmistakable sharp, almost sweet smell everyone over 40 still remembers instantly. It was slow, messy, and a little bit magic, the analog version of hitting "print," minus the button, plus the stained fingers. Other requests were far less ordinary, including sourcing brain-shaped gummies for a brain research company.
As she heads into retirement, Denise says she'll miss her coworkers and the challenge of the job, but not the dark winter commutes. She's looking forward to more time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. From handwritten orders to modern purchasing systems, Denise has spent 39 years adapting alongside Keeney's. Now, after a career built on helping others, it's her turn to enjoy what comes next.
EVENTS
Highlighting Two Local Oktoberfest Celebrations Double the fun! Beyond the desk... from paper clips to pints! Dust off your lederhosen and get ready to celebrate autumn! Whether you're in the mood for bratwurst, want to try the ceremonial firkin tapping, or just want an excuse to shout “Prost!”, you can find it all here!
Edmonds Oktoberfest September 11–12
This year's Oktoberfest promises an elevated experience featuring a traditional Biergarten (beer garden) serving authentic German-style brews alongside local craft favorites from Salish Sea Brewing Company and Gallagher's. Festival-goers can pair their brews with a hearty meal from a variety of food trucks.
Kenmore Oktoberfest September 12–20
Enjoy events ranging from the Oktoberfest Fly Away 5K/10K and Kenmore Air Family Fun Day kicking off the fun, to the ceremonial firkin tapping, Bavarian singalongs, the POP! More Kenmore Market, the family-friendly Bavarian Beer
Edmonds Oktoberfest September 11-12 Festival highlights
Biergarten hours: Friday, September 11: 3 PM – 10 PM Live music, featuring local acts, starts at 4 PM Saturday, September 12: Noon – 10 PM Live music, featuring local acts, starts at 1 PM Stein-holding contest starts at 8 PM Kid's Korner: A dedicated, family-friendly area featuring face painting, a bouncy house, arts & crafts, and games for children of all ages. Opens at noon. Pet Parade: Your pet can win a prize and have some fun too! Registration begins at noon; the parade starts at 2 PM.
Kenmore Oktoberfest September 12–20
Saturday, September 12 Kenmore Air Family Day, 11 AM – 3 PM 9 AM Flyaway 5K/10K Discounted scenic seaplane trips Kids' (12 and under) balsa wood glider competition Thursday, September 17 Firkin Tapping, Postdoc Brewing, 5 PM – 6 PM
Friday, September 18 Beer Garden, Copperworks Kenmore, 3 – 10 PM DJ Cide: 3 – 5 PM Bavarian Band: 5 – 9 PM Saturday, September 19 Beer Garden, Copperworks Kenmore: 12 – 10 PM (Bavarian Band 5 PM – 9 PM) Wiener Dog Races & Family Fun, St. Edward's Park: 12 – 3 PM (dog races at 1:00 PM and 1:20 PM) Pop Shop Market & Coloring with Arts of Kenmore, Kenmore Community Club: 12 – 4 PM Sunday, September 20 Stoup Brewing, Stoup Kenmore, 12 – 5 PM
other september events
Sunflower Farms – Sep 1-13 Snohomish (Bob’s) – Sep 1-13 Nisqually – Sep 3-6 Rainier Beer Festival – Sep 12 Free National Park Day – Sep 17 Fall City Apple Festival – Sep 20 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) The Great Prosser Balloon Rally (Hot-Air Balloons) – Sep 25-27
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WASHINGTON • SEPTEMBER HARVEST
Apple Harvest Recipes
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SEPTEMBER ISSUE
BLUEPRINT NEWS Seattle
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