Encore July 2018

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A Guide to a

Fulfilling Senior Life

in Whatcom County

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 What’s Inside....

John and Anne Maas finish up 20 years of state park volunteering — E8 Tessy the dog joins Grabow Therapy in Bellingham — E10 Treasure Under the Tents coming Friday at Lavender House — E12

Ted Goble (pictured above) and Joseph Kirner share a love of airplanes on E3

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

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A plane and some retired guys in love with flying

Ted Goble smiles broadly after his quick little flight Saturday in the Bradley Special plane whose gross weight is a mere 700 pounds. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

Ted Goble flies, Joseph Kirner helped build this tiny ‘one of a kind’ Special seen in parade

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN ­— On Saturday while the Northwest Raspberry Festival was going full tilt downtown, a fly-in event welcomed pilots to the Lynden Municipal Airport for breakfast and enjoying the beautiful weather as well as each other’s

aircraft.

Some of the fanciers of small craft that can fly into Lynden are members of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a club devoted to sharing their love and knowledge of general aviation, and sometimes this camaraderie is the springboard for personally building or adapting their own small planes. That is the spirit of the association.

About midday a plane took off whose story really involves several stories.

The tiny biplane (two wings) was piloted by Ted Goble, who somehow squeezes his 6-3 frame into the openair single-seat cockpit. He will wear eye goggles to the weather and maybe a hel-

met with headset so he can communicate with airports.

This flight was to be just a goodwill flyover, with another local plane, to a Bellair RC Flyers event near Ferndale — a far cry from what Goble was accustomed to in a 35-year career with United Airlines, until mandatory retirement at age 60. The top speed of the little plane is no more than 80 miles per hour. But the job was accomplished in about 45 minutes, and Goble returned to the Lynden airport.

Also enscripted modestly on this plane is the name of Joseph Kirner, another member of Lynden EAA chapter #404. At age 87, he is not flying anymore, but he is one of two individuals respon-

sible for making this plane what it is.

Kirner saw the craft for the first time in 1999, as it was parked and for sale at the Arlington WA Municipal Airport. He was immediately intrigued by it, took it up for a flight and decided to buy it, all within about 15 minutes.

He would now have a unique project on his hands back at Lynden for the next 15 years, tinkering with and adapting this plane along with others either in his home garage or in an airport hangar.

Because the plane was such an oddity, sort of a miniature replica of a Tiger Moth but even resembling an ultralight in size, Kirner gave it the name See Kirner on E4

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Bradley Special, honoring Wes Bradley, the man he had bought it from and who had created it from scratch.

Of the Special — which is only 17 feet 5 inches long with a 21-foot wingspan — Kirner says that “it flew,” but not as well as he wanted it to.

“I made some changes on it over the next three years so it would fly better. Then I stripped it down to the bare bones and built it back. It is one of a kind. There is no other.”

This is also the plane that was towed in the Farmers Day Parade on June 2 in Lynden, as a bit of an EAA promotion, in the care of two more local chapter members, Bill Stoelt and Bob Weeks.

Eye-catching afar Ted Goble bought the plane from Kirner in 2014, and the next year Goble trailered his new acquisition to the EAA national fly-in and convention, called AirVenture, held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Thousands of planes and pilots are present.

People didn’t know quite what to think of the Bradley Special, reported EAA Sport Aviation magazine some months later.

“Everyone (Goble) talked to had two questions: What is it and where can I buy plans? The answer to the second question is disappointingly easy: You can’t because there aren’t any, at least not yet. As for the first question, that requires a little more explanation,” wrote reporter Hal Bryan.

For the story, once Goble was among the few exhibitors chosen to be featured, it also meant a “photo ship” had to be arranged to fly aloft alongside him and the Bradley Special to get the photos to go with the story — which was tough because of the slow speed of the Bradley Special. Darin LaCrone was the aerial photographer. In his main shot, Goble looks to be just a few feet away, flying blithely over the Wisconsin farmland.

The full story is that the late Wes Bradley was a machinist with apparently a real talent for aircraft design, living in California. He started the build in the late 1980s, then brought his project with him to Washington State upon moving to Whidbey Island about 1996.

“When Wes originally built the airplane, it was quite a bit larger, something like 85 percent scale (of a Tiger Moth, built by Britain’s deHavilland Aircraft Company starting in 1931),” the maga-

Even after everyone else from Saturday’s breakfast had departed, Joseph Kirner was delving into his scrapbooks about building and flying planes and ultralights. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) zine reported. “It looked good, but it was heavy and couldn’t get out of ground effect, so Wes decided to make some

“A lot of guys have built, or helped build, or repaired one. For quite a few years, we had a fellow with a replica of a World War I plane.”

— Joseph Kirner, member of Lynden EAA chapter #404 modifications. First, he shortened the

fuselage by three feet, and then did the same to each wing, reducing the wingspan to 21 feet. The delightfully British Morris Minor engine was replaced with a 40-hp two-cylinder Volkswagen engine ... Unfortunately, Wes ran into health issues as he finished the 10-year build and wasn’t able to fly it.”

That’s when Kirner spotted the plane for the first time in Arlington.

In his work Bradley had traded in stick-and-tissue for a steel tube fuselage with wood wings, in pilots’ lingo. He also introduced a number of design refinements, such as hinging a section in the center of the top wing. This wing-folding mechanism makes it easier for the pilot to get in and out of the cockpit, the magazine reported.

The plane truly is not far from being an ultralight, and was once licensed as one. In fact, it won Grand Champion Ultralight and Best Mixed Construction at an Arlington airport competition in 1995.

And that may have been why Kirner was taken with it.

Kirner’s retirement hobby “Actually, the ultralight was the most fun I ever had in flying,” Kirner says in a rapid overview of his life while partaking in the Lynden airport fly-in breakfast Saturday.

Twice he flew an ultralight to the 10,800-foot level over Mount Baker, See Kirner on E6

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The Bradley Special was towed June 2 in the Lynden Farmers Day Parade, drawing attention to the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

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taking panoramic photos of the view to prove it. He notes that he shut off his engine and just let his craft glide downward from the summit approximately to the Mount Baker Highway before he fired it up again.

Kirner got into ultralights in retirement. He took lessons from Steve Herrick, recently retired from a 44-year band music career at Lynden High School but who did indeed also have a flair for ultralights at one point.

Kirner took over a biplane that some of Herrick’s students had partially built “not quite right.” Kirner finished building it correctly and was able to fly it to Arlington and sell it for exactly the price he had paid for it.

As a kid himself, he loved making model planes. He did hundreds of them, learning to follow the instructions for assembly. At age 12, he was the buyer of model plane kits for a variety store owner in his home town of Sequim because he knew what were the best ones — and got a kit himself each time out of the deal.

Kirner calculates that he has entirely built or rebuilt three small planes,

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

This is an in-air photo of Ted Goble flying the Bradley Special at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin air show of 2015. (Courtesy photo/EAA Darin LaCrone) finished another and rebuilt two ultralights. He has fixed plenty too, sometimes after smashing them up himself.

In May 1990 someone called the Lynden Tribune reporting that an ultralight had crashed into Wiser Lake.

It was Joe Kirner in his Challenger. He had made seven float landings on water before that mishap. “Fortunately, I survived,” he says now. He pulled the mangled craft out of the lake, and fixed it to be flyable again.

He believes he is a fast builder, once he has all the pieces and a plan. His wife, Carol, would sometimes express surprise at how much he had done on an airplane frame just in the time she was away shopping. He has entirely rebuilt an airplane in nine months. Still, his philosophy is “build it right so it flies right.”

Earlier years Kirner’s first acquaintance with real flying came in a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He wasn’t a pilot then. He was the flight engineer on P2V Neptune patrol planes that flew “all over the Pacific, on the China coast, Korea, the Russian coast. ... I’m well acquainted with Vladivostock, Russia,” he quips.

“After the Navy, I didn’t get in a

plane for 20 years,” he adds. Instead, he got into things automotive.

In 1955 Kirner leased space in the Mades Building of Everson to run a service station. Twelve years later, he started the Meridian Tire Service, a business that he sold to two younger partners in 1985.

He enjoys the bond of the EAA chapter, which meets on the third Saturday of every month in the pilot’s lounge of the Lynden Municipal Airport. They are, of course, all enthusiastic about small airplanes.

“A lot of guys have built, or helped build, or repaired one,” Kirner said. “For quite a few years, we had a fellow with a replica of a World War I plane.”

Over the door of the lounge is a propeller that this club gave to a former popular pilots’ restaurant at Bellingham International Airport (until it got too big for small-plane pilots). At closure, it was given back to Lynden.

Kirner has been at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh many times, but never with a plane. Through Goble, he finally saw that dream happen, too.

Goble, like Kirner, was crazy about flying, and real planes, from boyhood.

Raised in Walla Walla, he had a Piper J3 Cub that he “flew all over the country,” he said.

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Hanging up their volunteer vests John and Anne Maas of Lynden retiring from state park hosting work after 20 years

ORCAS ISLAND — A pair of Lyndenites have left an indelible mark on one of Washington’s most beautiful state parks, and 2018 marks their final summer there.

John and Anne Maas have spent the past 20 summers volunteering at Moran State Park on Orcas Island. John, 81, a retired heavy equipment mechanic for Intalco, and Anne, 77, a retired choir director and organist, tackle a wide variety of tasks as hosts at Moran, including letting people know about the hikes available at the park, manning the gift shop, handing out ferry schedules, picking up trash, and more. John is able to lend his mechanical expertise to vehicle issues at the park as well.

Last year, John and Anne Maas were honored by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in Olympia. They also met with other state volunteers for a day at the state capital.

The Maases are ready to hang up their work vests and call it quits after 20 summers of volunteering. They live in Lynden when not on the island, and are spending the rest of the summer traveling back and forth between Lynden and Orcas — of course, always involving a Washington State Ferries ride from Anacortes.

Taking care of Moran State Park is no small task, which is part of why volunteers like the Maases are essential to keeping it all running smoothly. Moran is the fourth-largest state park in Washington, featuring miles of trails for hiking, biking and riding. A fire lookout tower sits atop Mt. Constitution, providing a view of three different mountain ranges.

The easiest way to reach Moran State Park is via the ferry terminal in Anacortes. Make a reservation online at www.WSDOT.WA.gov/ferries/ and show up one hour ahead of departure.

Visit www.MoranStatePark.com for more information.

John and Anne Maas have been making a recreational vehicle their home base for 20 summers now. (Courtesy photo/Joy Tjoelker)

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The Maases get to make new acquaintances and friendships working at Moran State Park on Orcas Island. (Courtesy photo/Joy Tjoelker)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

Four-legged team member joins Grabow Therapy Center Tessy is a match through Canine Companions BELLINGHAM — There’s a new caregiver at Bellingham’s PeaceHealth Grabow Therapy & Wellness Center. She’s welltrained, enthusiastic and full of affection for all those around her. Meet Tessy, the center’s new facility dog.

Tessy is a 2-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever cross. She’s paired with physical therapist Diana Kurth to provide individualized care to people of all ages and abilities.

Diana describes Tessy as having the perfect personality for this line of work.

“She’s just a sweet, sweet dog. She’s therapist very loving, but also a little goofy at times,” Diana said. “She balances friendliness and a high energy level with the ability to take a step back and chill when needed.”

Diana strategically builds on Tessy’s strengths to bring out the best in patients. A game of fetch or tug-of-war with Tessy can help them gain balance, core strength and leg strength.

Diana adjusts for variables, like the patient’s position, or adds in extra props, like a Bosu ball, to make it more challenging.

Tessy’s care is tailored to meet the specific needs of patients. For instance, a patient with Parkinson’s disease can practice walking outside on different terrain while using larger steps by taking Tessy for a walk, and a stroke patient can practice brushing the dog’s fur to regain abilities on the affected side of his/her body.

Perhaps Tessy’s most notable trait is that she’s very encouraging. She offers

cuddles and kisses to distract from the pain experienced by total knee replacement patients as they complete their difficult re-

“She's just a sweet, sweet dog. She's very loving, but also a little goofy at times. She balances friendliness and a high energy level with the ability to take a step back and chill when needed.”

— Diana Kurth, physical therapist covery exercises, and playtime with Tessy serves as a motivating reward for children to be on their best behavior as they wait for a parent to complete a therapy session.

Physical therapist Diana Kurth and Tessy function as partners. (Courtesy photo)

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Visitors, patients and staff report that they appreciate getting their ‘dog fix.’

“She brightens up the room and takes the intimidation factor away,” Diana said.

Diana was matched with Tessy through Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit that provides highly trained assistance dogs to individuals and organizations free of charge. They both underwent extensive training and testing to successfully become a Canine Companions facility dog team.

Sponsorship of Tessy at the local level was by Amy and Brett Esary, proud “dog people” and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation donors. Their support of Tessy merged their love for animals and commitment to philanthropy in a meaningful way.

“Tessy is a wonderful asset to the Grabow Center and will benefit hundreds of patients over her lifetime. That’s a wide impact and we are truly honored to be a part of it,” Amy said.

Tessy’s influence is invaluable. She proudly serves as an ambassador of what a service dog can do, easily boosts morale and skillfully guides patients along their journeys to health and wellness — with compassion, quality care and playful pup power.

Tessy provides some tension for a patient in strength therapy to pull against. (Courtesy photo)

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DID YOU KNOW? The person interred in the Lynden Cemetery who lived the longest was Ellen Bodman-Nelson. She lived to be 108 years old. (1892-2001)

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Repurposed house is now a major vintage market magnet

Treasures Under the Tents was a big well-attended destination event at the Lavender House in 2017. (Elisa Claassen /Lynden Tribune)

‘Treasures Under the Tents’ is Friday, Saturday at Lavender House on Pole Road

By Elisa Claassen for the Lynden Tribune

WHATCOM — The annual Vintage Market and Vintage Trailer Roundup returns to the Lavender House and its surroundings this weekend at 767 E. Pole Rd. near Hinotes Corner. Also known as “Treasures Under the Tents,” it is a go-to location for shabby chic, refurbished and specialty handmade items, and antiques.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, is an early-shopping opportunity, for a $15 entry fee. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

on Saturday, July 28. General admission is $7. Canned food given for a food drive reduces the amount by $2.

The “house” started out as the first home of Karen Moreno’s parents, Larry and Pat, in the 1960s. They lived in this 1930s abode for a few years, then relocated to Forks, Washington, before the popularity of Twilight books and films. Meanwhile, the house was rented and then became vacant and was being vandalized.

Karen and her husband decided to build a home — which resembles a barn — on the 20-acre property and debated what to do with the older home.

“My mom just couldn’t tear it down, so I said, ‘I have an idea,’” Karen explains on her website. She painted the then-green home to a shade of purple and started to use it as her art studio.

See Treasures on E14

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It may have started out small and homespun and uncertain, but the summer vintage market is now a treasure hunter’s delight. (Elisa Claassen /Lynden Tribune)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

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There will be refreshments to go with the merchandise on what may be two toasty days this week. Below: Kim and Karen get goofy. (Elisa Claassen / Lynden Tribune)

Continued from E12

“I had been doing local craft shows for a few years and loved to have large barn wood displays.

They were so cool, and people always complimented on how beautiful the display was. But the hubs grew tired of hauling those heavy old barn doors and barn wood peaks. So my great idea was to ask Mom if she would let me clean up the farm house and sell my creations out of it during Christmas.

She was thrilled that we weren’t going to tear it down and we were actually going to use it.”

Since then, Moreno has planted lavender in the front yard for harvest and sale, and remodeled the home to use for a Christmas show. In the early years, she encouraged family and a few friends to participate, and eventually they found a crafting and business partner in Kim Bowthorpe, who is a “master repurposer and vintage picker,” to take it all

to the next level, which now includes an additional holiday fair near Ferndale.

The summer fair, which started as an ice cream social eight years ago, had 10 vendors and free ice cream.

“I quickly realized this wasn’t a profitable business model,” Karen said. While she loves to craft, her focus needs to be on organizing for this event.

Kim is the more outgoing of the team, visits lots of other craft fairs and uses word of mouth as well as social media to find vendors and help boost the venture. Two years ago, 3,500 came to the two-day show. Booths last year contained plants, antique toys, signs, pillows and décor, and older and newer clothing.

“Social media is a game-changer for small businesses,” Karen said.

This year, they expect 60 vendors under a 40-by80-foot tent, plus small tents. Parking is available onsite.

Those who are greeting, assisting with parking and taking tickets are family member of the duo.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | Ferndale Record

Get back to business No matter what you love to do, get back to it faster – with a little help.

The team at PeaceHealth’s Grabow Therapy & Wellness Center offers customized rehabilitation care to help you regain your highest level of health and get back to the things you love most. Call us, 360-788-6420.

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