Mitchell family named parade grand marshals
Everson Summer Festival July 12-13
Elisa Claassen For the Tribune
EVERSON — Long-time pharmacist Scott Mitchell passed away at Hospice House on May 1. Many community members didn’t realize Mitchell had suffered the past year from pancreatic cancer. They simply were used to the familiar face who comforted them during their own health issues over the decades at Valley Drug in the center of Everson. The pharmacy, at 208 E. Main St. in the Everson Shopping Cen-
This year’s Everson Summer Festival is July 12-13. At 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, the annual parade begins in downtown Everson. (Tribune file photos)
See Mitchell on C4
Scott Mitchell
Summertime is library-time in Everson
Book sale, summer reading programs, and much more
By Elisa Claassen For the Record
EVERSON — Summer reading is in full swing at the Whatcom County Library System. The Everson branch has lots of activities for all ages for the annual festival and through the summer. Wave at the library’s entry in the parade and visit the booth in the park.
“We’re reading for the trees again this summer,” said Everson Library Branch Manager Paul Fullner.
Fuller explained that every 100 SRP (Summer Reading Program) activities completed means one tree is planted by the Whatcom Million Trees Project.
“It’s not all reading, though we sure love reading,” Fullner said. “It can be visiting the library, walking in the forest, writing a poem about a tree, even hugging a tree.”
Special to the Everson Festival is the annual Friends of the Library book sale, scheduled for Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13, both days from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. In addition to books and DVDs, T-shirts and book bags will be available for purchase. The next book sale won’t be until Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Fullner said all WCLS branches recently started to offer sensory kits for in-library use. The kits include essential items to support the sensory needs of autistic children and adults which are recommended by the University of Washington iSchool Autism-Ready Libraries project.
Also, volunteers are always welcome, even folks who are willing to get their hands dirty.
For every 100 Summer Reading Program activities completed, one tree is planted by the Whatcom Million Trees Project. Pictured in foreground is Paul Fullner branch manager of the Everson and Sumas libraries. In background, WCLS Deputy Director, Michael Cox. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
“We can always use help weeding,” Fullner said. “Everybody wants to be a librarian for a day, but what we really need are some consistent helpers who are willing to get their hands dirty. Our wonderful city of Everson Public Works staff are very busy people, and this is one way residents can help to pitch in and show some pride in their community and their library.” Anyone interested can check with Fullner.
Beyond having books, the branches now offer opportunities for social activities making them community centers. Everson has a weekly walking group geared for all ages and levels of fitness meeting Saturdays, starting July 6, from 10 a.m. to around 11 a.m. The routes start at the library and the group will walk 30-45 minutes and conclude at the library with light stretching. Choose Your Own Book … Club meets Thursday, Aug. 1, from 4-5 p.m. Every month will have a new genre and participants can choose any book or audio book that fits the theme.
The August theme is narrative nonfiction and is geared for adults. Kept in Stitches crafting crew meets Tuesdays from 6:30 until 8 p.m. for
times of knitting, laughter, crocheting, needlework and other projects. For anyone who find it difficult to get to the library branches, patrons may not realize the library has free access to streaming movies (Kanopy), music (Freegal), audiobooks (Libby), genealogy research (Ancestry now for in-library use only and HeritageQuest), art and craft classes (Creativebug), language learning classes (Mango) and more by looking at wcls.org/digital-content. According to Community Relations Manager Mary Vermillion, coloring kits, framed art, power monitors to gauge power use of home appliances, and looking through the system’s Library of Things are also available to the library’s patrons.
On hot summer days, folks may stop by a library branch to enjoy the air conditioning, use the Wi-fi, or peruse the collection at hand. Most branches have separate areas for teens and children and holding areas for patrons to run in and grab requested material. Fullner said the dates have not been set but a tamale competition is planned for later this year. Information will be available at the branch and on social media.
July 13
Everson Nooksack Senior Center Pancake Breakfast
Everson Nooksack Senior Center Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, July 13. For $7, you get two pancakes, two link sausages, scrambled eggs, beverage. $4 get you a half-portion. Everson Community Center is at 111 W. Main St., behind City Hall.
Aug. 3
Autism Walk
The 2024 Whatcom County Autism Walk will take place on the track at Nooksack Valley High School, 3326 E. Badger Road, Everson, from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 3. Free to the public. The first 100 kiddos get a fidget bag. There will be resources for families. Talk about your autism journey, meet other autism families and support each other. There will be princesses and superheroes to welcome you all. This walk is not sponsored by Nooksack Valley School District. For more information, email amber.klein82@yahoo.com.
Wednesdays
Everson-Nooksack Senior Center
Gather Wednesdays at the Everson-Nooksack Senior Center, 201 Jackson St., Nooksack, from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. At 9:30 a.m. join us for coffee and conversation, cards, cribbage and puzzles. At 11 a.m. is exercise time, then at noon is lunch, either inside dining or take home your hot meal. By donation ages 60-plus. Meals for anyone younger than 60 are $10. Call 360-966-3144 to leave message for more information.
Mitchell: Family named Everson parade grand marshals
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ter, was sold several years ago. Once the owner, Mitchell stayed on during the transition with Meagan Kammenga and Andrew Moore and continued to help the clients until he was too ill.
Mitchell was born to Bob and Dixie Mitchell in Bellingham. He graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1975, then graduated from the University of Washington. Mitchell married Linda Som on July 12, 1980 and they raised four kids: Tyler, Jenny, Kyle and Chris in the course of the 43 years they were married.
He owned the Nooksack Valley Drug for almost that whole time, 42 years. From Mitchell’s obituary: “He took many young people under his wing, whether it was training them as pharmacy technicians, giving students their first job, or just a place to work while they went through school.”
The Everson Summer Festival committee selected the Mitchell fam-
ily as this year’s parade grand marshals in memory of Scott and the family’s contribution to the community. This year’s festival is July 12-13. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13 and travels through downtown Everson.
Scott’s father Bob, who passed away in 2019, served as a council member and mayor of Sumas for 32 years and was also a pharmacist at Sumas Drug Store until he retired in 2007.
Both parents established and helped run the food bank in Sumas through the Nooksack Food Bank. Dixie recently retired from that role. Scott ran the Everson Days Parade, as it was called at one time, for 35 years. He also served on the Everson City Council, and was a member of the Everson Chamber of Commerce, now disbanded.
Other community service included helping with multiple school levies and bonds for the Nooksack Valley School District, assisting the
Nooksack Valley boys basketball program with scoring, a member of the Friday Night Chain Gang for 25 years, and ran the javelin at the high school track meets.
Scott was also named to the Graduates of Distinction program at NVHS in 2004.
A summer social precedes the weekend festival at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 with a dinner and auction at Samson Estates Winery, 1861 Van Dyk Road, Everson. Tickets are available at Everson City Hall with all proceeds going to the Everson Lions Club Foundation. The 3-on-3 basketball is hosted by Nooksack Basketball and Baseball Booster programs. Safety stations will be set up in different locations in the park. The 2024 parade coordinator is T.J. Ackerman. The car show coordinator is Troy Allen. The basketball coordinator is Jason Heutink. Food vendors coordinated by Dan MacPhee.
Craft show vendors coordinated by Bobbie Jean Designs.
The annual Everson Summer Festival parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13 and travels through downtown Everson. (Tribune file photos)
Everson Summer Festival schedule of events
Friday, July 12
• Book Sale at Everson McBeath Library (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Craft and Food Vendors in the Park (Noon-8 p.m.)
• 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Round 1 (4-8 p.m.)
• Lions Club BBQ Dinner at Everson City Park (5-7 p.m.)
• Music by Dakota Black at Everson City Park (6-8 p.m.)
Saturday, July 13
• Pancake Breakfast at Everson City Hall Community Center (7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.)
• Everson Auto Parts NAPA
Car Show & Shine - Lincoln Street (8 a.m.-2 p.m.)
•Lions Club BBQ at Everson City Park (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Round 2 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Craft and Food Vendors in the Park (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• Book Sale at Everson McBeath Library (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
• Main Street Parade (11 a.m.)
• Kids Games: Everson
City Park - Christ Fellowship (Noon-2 p.m.)
•Music by Hot Wally at Everson City Park (Noon-2 p.m.)
VavraAUTO BODY
Ode to No. 9 bus driver
The man many folks called ‘Mr. Mike’ meant a lot to his community
Elisa Claassen For the Tribune
NOOKSACK VALLEY — Nooksack Valley School District parked its No. 9 bus by the road in front of Nooksack Middle School in June with a purple sign: Always in our heart Mr. Dodd #1.
According to his obituary, Michael Dodd, known as Mike, recently passed away at age 72 at Bellingham’s Hospice House. He died of cancer.
“He was a father, husband, grandfather, and friend who was deeply loved and a pillar of the community,” the remembrance stated.
Born on Sept. 14, 1951, Dodd grew up in the Silver Beach neighborhood of Bellingham, graduated from Sehome High School in 1969, then became a commercial fisherman throughout the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound. From there he worked at Sea K Fish Company. He spent 20 years with the Port of Bellingham and finished his career as terminal supervisor.
“Mike made a major career change to pursue his passion for working with youth,” the obituary stated. Before his retirement in August 2023, Dodd drove the district’s bus No. 9 for 18 years. “As an active member of his community, he was referred to fondly by many families from his bus routes throughout the years as ‘Mr. Mike,’ esteemed for having a warm, welcoming nature. Mike valued creating positivity in the lives of anyone he interacted with. Often the first smile of the day for coworkers or the children and their families along his morning route.”
One Nooksack parent, Amanda Noblitt, has two daughters, Haley and Alexis, who rode bus No. 9 with Dodd. Haley, who graduated from NVHS in 2023 took her support dogs Amigo and Coup with her to make the daily journey.
Noblitt said Dodd made a difference in the lives of her family.
“He was the first bus driver in the district to ever have a service dog ride his bus, so he called himself the K9 unit,” Noblitt said.
On one occasion, Noblitt posted online
Mike Dodd with two students, Samantha and Johnathan Cofer. Dodd, a retired bus driver for the Nooksack Valley School District, died of cancer recently. He was 72. (Photo courtesy Christina Cofer)
Bus No. 9 sat by the road after its retired driver, Mike Dodd, passed away. Before his retirement in August 2023, Dodd drove the district’s bus No. 9 for 18 years. (Courtesy photo)
Summer Vehicle Maintenance
our 43rd year!
Quality Automotive Repair by People Who Care
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that Dodd did something kind and unexpected. “Huge shout out to Alexis’ bus driver, Mr. Mike. We already thought he was the best, but today the key chain part fell off her ice cream cone (key chain) and he took it back to the bus barn this morning and sewed it back on for her – and gave it back to her this afternoon,” Noblitt wrote.
On another occasion, she posted: “One more reason why I love her team. Haley’s bus driver had promised her that he would get her Starbursts after she got her braces off last year. Unfortunately, she ended up getting them off after school was out. Day 2 of school he gave her a special gift this morning which put a smile on her face (picture with Starbursts).”
Haley, who has dealt with sensory issues, depended on her team, which included her bus drivers to be part of her lifeline, her mother said.
Dodd is survived by his wife Lori, daughters and son-in-law John and Casse Allen of Oak Harbor, and Haley Dodd of Bellingham, and grandchildren.
According to his obituary, Dodd in his free time “could often be found fishing on many of the local rivers or preparing for his next fishing adventure. Throughout the yeast, he also enjoyed camping with his large extended camping family, exploring local breweries or attending live music events.”
A memorial service was held on June 29 in the Nooksack Valley High School’s Performing Arts Center. The family requested donations to the Whatcom Hospice House or to fund the family’s GoFundMe page under Stand with Mike Dodd’s Family.
