Iknew, when I got Connie Bye to join my magazine team as a contributing editor, that everything was going to be all right.
Our family met Connie and her husband, Dale, through a dear friend, their daughter Alicia. At the time, I was editor of Bainbridge Island magazine, and Alicia suggested I reach out to Connie about writing for us.
Her first article was on the Blakely Cemetery, and she and I met there to walk among the headstones. Connie stopped at the grave of a child to read the epitaph, a stanza from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. She cried. I knew immediately she was my person.
Her article was brilliant, and I didn’t change a single word. That never happens, but she really is that good. Many stories and years later when I was starting PNW Bain bridge, I asked her to come on the staff. She said, yes. Over the past four years she’s not only helped create the issues’ lineups, written some of the toughest stories and cheerfully edited hundreds of pieces, she’s been a solid business adviser, fierce defender Allison
Allison Schuchman Editor in Chief
OWNER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Allison Schuchman
D IRECTOR OF SALES & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Stephanie Reese
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Connie Bye
George Soltes
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Gisela Swift
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Mark Swift
WRITERS
Audrey Nelson, Christy Carley, Jeff Fraga, Kerrie Houston Reightley, Luciano Marano, Bajda Welty, Anne Willhoit, Sophia Soltes
It’s funny that after all my years of living and performing in big cities and on big stages around the world— London, Berlin, New York City and Los Angeles—it was living here on our little island that gave me the platform for a global award.
I was honored and humbled to be nominated as one of the 25 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by an incredible organization, the Filipina Women’s Network. This felt unbelievable to me. There are millions of incredible, accomplished Filipina women and the title seemed well beyond anything I deserved. But as the nomination process began,
it became clear that being awarded was not just about a title and a trophy, but a commitment to creating change in the world and in communities. They called it a “working” award.
Question after question, I was surprised that I wasn’t asked about my accomplishments as a performer, but
instead about community—about the Asian Arts and Heritage Festival that I founded two years ago, about the community boards I’m involved in, and most of all, about my two-year global pitch: a multi-city tour of my show “The Asian Monologues,” a collection of true Asian American stories told theatrically, which I created as part of the Asian Arts and Heritage Festival. The project was meant to begin in our local community, then reach out around the world.
I’m happy to say that it was this pitch—and my love and passion for connecting culture and art in this community—that turned my nomination into an award win.
It’s not always the bright lights, big cities and grand stages that bring us the spotlight—sometimes, it’s simply community.
Wild Haus Floating Saunas
Hop aboard the wood-fired floating saunas as you take in the beauty of Lake Union. It’s one more reason to rediscover downtown Seattle.
winter 2025
departments
Editor’s Letter 4
High Notes 5
Contributors 9
Epilogue 9
Calendar 62
secrets
Have Dog, Will Travel 11
Pup Cab takes island dogs where they need to be
Music Together 14
Island Songbirds introduces youngest islanders to the joy of music
sHORTS
O, Tannenbaum 18
Scouts are selling seasonal joy
Circle of Life 20
Recycling the after the holidays
Throw Down 22
Eagledale Pottery Studio offers art and friendship
Contemplative Time 26
Treat the dark season as a time of preparation
It’s Hot to be Cold 36
Cold plunging meets sauna
Grave Subject 38
Headstone restorations spruce up Bainbridge’s past
Something for Everyone 40
Park & Rec programs aim to be inclusive
AND ANOTHER THING
Now & Then 16
The Inn Crowd
Magic Moments 56
Birthday fete benefits dogs
In Focus 64
Olympics magic
FEAST ON THIS 59
Bainbridge Bistro
Jake’s Pickup
Thuy’s Pho House
ABOUT THE COVER
Many-time PNW Bainbridge cover photographer, Colleen Parker captured this perfect moment. “This is an Anna’s hummingbird, one of several who were year-round residents in our Bainbridge garden,” she recalled. “The photo was taken during one of the February snowfalls, when the suddenly white world looks magical to us humans, but can challenge the survival of these fragile little gems. Trying to keep its tiny feet warm with fluffy down bloomers … so adorable!”
| EPILOGUE |
In this year’s Spring issue, we celebrated the new ownership of the Marketplace at Pleasant Beach Village (Feast on This, page 61). Southenders were especially delighted that the restaurant/wine bar/ gathering place had a new life ahead of it. Its owner, Alexis Saloutos, filled us in on what’s been cooking since she and her husband, Nikos Spiliopoulos, took over six months ago. “We have made many changes to the menu and have a beautiful, seasonally changing wine list,” she said. “We have incredible soups, traditional moussaka, keftes and chicken and pork gyros on the menu now.” Saloutos also said to look forward to wine tasting events for the holidays, live music, an outdoor winter gift market to support local makers and, best of all, they’ll be throwing a big New Year’s Eve party. Opa!
Credit Where Credit is Due
In the Fall 2025 issue we missed giving Tanner Reightley the proper credit for the pictures he took of Girl Scout Angeline Hamilton at T’Chookwap Park (Medaling in Service, page 12). And, a mere 30 pages later, we also incorrectly attributed the photos for the Building to Meet a Greater Need feature on Helpline House (page 52), where acknowledgement should have gone to Dinah Satterwhite. To both these beloved PNW Bainbridge photographers, our sincere apologies and thank you for being so gracious.
Tanner Reightley
Tanner Reightley, who took this issue’s photos for Music Together (page 14), is set to return to university in the winter, to pursue a B.A. in Fine Arts. Passionate about creativity and personal growth, he also plans to travel, seek new experiences, and continue learning beyond the classroom.
Sophia Soltes
Sophia Soltes is a 2022 BHS graduate. She is a senior at Rice University in Houston and hopes to eventually pursue a career in law. When home on Bainbridge, she enjoys working with animals at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter, reconnecting with high school friends and hanging out with her three pet goats.
Christy Carley
Christy Carley grew up on Bainbridge Island and now divides her time between the Pacific Northwest and the northwest corner of Spain where she teaches English. She graduated from Whitman College with a degree in history and, in addition to teaching, has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a handful of publications in the U.S. When she’s not working, she’s probably reading, taking photos or (slowly) teaching herself French and Galician.
Image by Miranda Estes Photography
HAVE DOG TAXI, WILL TRAVEL
On Bainbridge, finding a taxi can be challenging… for humans. But not so much for canines. If your dog needs a ride, Run Dog Run (RDR) of Kingston covers everything from pet transportation to overnight boarding, and will even throw your dog a birthday party.
BY KERRIE HOUSTON REIGHTLEY
Serving Kitsap County, Run Dog Run touts itself as a premium dog wellness service. The climate-controlled facility has 15 staff members, ranging from professional dog trainers and groomers to those studying to become veterinarians. Their menu of services reads like a day at the spa: Pet Taxi, $12 each way; full-day daycare, $39; overnight crate boarding, $75 or $89 for a Pup Studio; bath/blow dry $75 to $110; partial Artistic Dye $70; and training, $80 an hour.
“Ever since I was a teenager, I wanted to own a business,” said owner Ella Irwin. “I love dogs. I didn’t want it to just be a place where you leave your dog. I knew it had to be high in safety and customer service.” Needing boarding for her own dogs, she realized the importance
of socializing dogs early and letting them release their energy. Then, right before the COVID pandemic, an opportunity arose for her to buy Run Dog Run.
Irwin said her facility’s differentiating factor is that it’s disinfected to the same level as veterinary offices. Run Dog Run works with the local fire department
PHOTOS COURTESY RUN DOG RUN
Run Dog Run trainer, Kylee Ogzewalla
to keep the environment safe and boarded dogs have 24/7 companionship. “For transportation, we’ve invested in high-quality vehicles and employees with clean-driving records,” she said.
Her advice to dog owners: “Look into the benefits of daycare,” she said. “It’s never too late. Invest in dog training. Don’t wait until your dog is exhibiting bad behavior to start looking for a trainer.”
More at rundogrun.com
Helping you make every real e state decision with confidence - guided by local market expertis e, tailored s ervice and a re sults-driven approach
Music Together aims to introduce youngsters to the joy of music
Tacie O’Sheehan, director and teacher of music at Music Together Island Songbirds, wasn’t about to let a little dyscalculia slow her down. O’Sheehan’s condition, a disability impairing mathematics, which can affect calculations and problem solving, remained undiagnosed until age 26. Because of it, she could never learn to read music and instead learned as a child to play piano, guitar and violin by ear. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied linguistics and child advocacy and is now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology.
BY KERRIE HOUSTON REIGHTLEY
Music Together brings babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers together to make music. The organization has centers in 2,000 locations and 35 countries. On Bainbridge, the classes meet at Grace Church three days a week for 45-minute sessions. Music Together’s mission: Make the world a better place by making it more musical.
O’Sheehan’s work against human-trafficking was part of her inspiration to teach and heal with music. “Through music, I would connect with others,” she said. “So, I decided to pivot to formal music training. Then, right before the pandemic, a woman asked me to take over her Music Together business on Bainbridge. I always dreamed of living on an island.”
Each class begins with a hello song. “We then go through nine songs of gradually moving together, from choreographed dances to free movement, and everyone participates in playing instruments and singing. There’s lots of laughing and connecting.” It ends with O’Sheehan playing guitar and singing a lullaby, while children and caregivers lie down with the lights turned off.
O’Sheehan receives frequent validation of her career choice. “A pregnant mom had been attending with her toddler,” she recalled. “And then brought in her 10-day-old to class. The woman said, ‘I haven’t been out. I wanted this to be my daughter’s first experience in the world.’ I spent days crying about that.”
PHOTOS BY TANNER REIGHTLEY
Music Together’s Tacie O’Sheehan
now and then
The Inn Crowd
If you want to know where kids were hanging out at any point in history, look at their high school yearbooks. Specifically, turn to the ads. Handmade, hyperlocal and gloriously free of proofreading, they are a portal to a particular place and time.
BY GEORGE SOLTES PHOTOS COURTESY BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT COLLECTION, BAINBRIDGE HISTORY MUSEUM
If the place is Bainbridge Island and the time is the 1970s and ‘80s, the answer is the Kel-Lin Drive In (or possibly Inn, depending on which spelling you stumble across).
Conveniently located within a short walk of BHS, the Kel-Lin fed a generation of hungry youth in the years before McDonald’s, Subway, Starbucks—or any other franchises—came to the island. Owner Gordon Prentice, who also coached the high school football and baseball teams, named the restaurant after daughters Kelly and Lindsey and served up a teen-friendly menu of pizza, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and shakes.
The Kel-Lin was ultimately demolished to make way for Safeway and the Island Village complex. A mention of its name to someone of just the right age is likely to stir up memories of fruit punch, red vinyl booths, special sauce, half-and-half soft serve, fried mushrooms and a legendary Ms. Pac-Man console.
In the words of islander Robbie David, “I’d literally build a time machine for one of those butterscotch shakes.”
O, Tannenbaum! Scouts have been selling holiday trees for more than 30 years on Bainbridge Island
For many members of BSA Troop 1565, selling Christmas trees is their first job, said Jason Munson, who has led the tree-lot effort for the past three seasons. Proceeds from sales help send Scouts to summer camp, High Adventure camp and fund other activities.
BY CONNIE BYE
In the process, Munson said, boys learn about the value of hard work. “They learn the importance of showing up to work because people are depending on them.”
But the boys also have fun. “There’s lots of work, but also camaraderie. It’s a bonding time together.”
The sales aspect of the tree lot was a big draw for Trevor Stewart, a freshman at Bainbridge High School, who has been a Scout since fifth grade and was a Cub Scout before that. “It’s really fun walking around helping people find the best tree. I also really like the community that comes with the tree lot. It’s really fun talking with whatever other Scouts are on my shift and meeting new people when they come get trees.”
The trees arrive trussed up, so all of them must be untied and set on display stands, Munson said. “The boys learn how to sell the idea of Christmas trees,
PHOTOS COURTESY BSA TROOP 1565
they learn how to take payments and about tying trees on the tops of cars, which involves extensive practice in their knot-tying skills.”
About 30 boys are involved each year with running the tree lot, which sets up in the open parking area next to Ace Hardware. “Ace is a big supporter of the community,” Munson noted.
The Scouts sell 400 to 500 trees a year, from right after Thanksgiving through the first three weekends in December—four weekends if there are a lot of trees still left. The lot is open Tuesday through Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. In the end, any remaining trees are set out for people to take for free.
The lot generally is stocked with Noble, Nordman and Douglas firs from a tree farm in Centralia, with the Noble trees being the most popular variety on Bainbridge Island. That’s primarily because Noble firs have sturdy branches that can easily support the weight of a lot of decorations, Munson said. Sizes range from about 3 feet to 9 feet tall –“no giants.”
The Scouts began selling trees about three decades ago as a service to the community and as a way to help boys
afford camp experiences. “One reason we keep doing this is that we love the interaction with the community,” said Munson. “Some Scouts come back and talk about their experiences with the tree lot. It’s fun to hear their stories, to see their faces.”
Some customers ask if the lot also sells wreaths and garlands, but Munson
said the decision was made to keep things simple and focus solely on trees. The troop has partnered in the past, however, with Cub Scouts who sold chocolates.
Among those Cub Scouts was Stewart. “We did candy sales in the winter, which introduced me to sales, and I really enjoyed it. So, when I saw that Troop 1565 did this Christmas tree lot, I just had to join.”
Troop 1565 is the oldest and, with 35 members, one of the biggest Scout troops on Bainbridge, Munson said. “And we’re fortunate to have lots of parental involvement.”
Occasionally, a customer without a car has asked to have a tree delivered. “Sometimes it’s someone who doesn’t drive anymore but who wants a Christmas tree to celebrate the season,” Munson said.
A consideration in ordering trees is the age of the boys who will work on the lot. It’s easier for older, bigger boys to quickly heft trees onto cars and tie them down than it is for younger Scouts. “If we have a lot of little kids, it will be slower,” said Munson.
Prices start at $12 per foot for the first 6 feet, then $2 more per foot beyond that.
COMPLETING THE Circle of Life
Scouts Recycle Christmas Trees After the Holidays
The pine needles are dropping faster than anyone can keep up—and they clog the vacuum when you try. It’s time to undress the Christmas tree, put away cherished decorations for another season and dispose of the once-beautiful holiday centerpiece.
BY CONNIE BYE
To the rescue: BSA Scout Troops 1564 (boys) and 1804 (girls), said Stacy Austin, a spokesperson for the effort. Usually, the recycling project is the first or second weekend after the New Year, she said.
With plenty of adult support, in a single day the Scouts do curbside pickup and take the trees to Tilz Soils and Compost for recycling into mulch. Bainbridge Self Storage donates rental trucks for the effort, Austin noted.
Suggested donations for the service are $25 for a tree less than 5-feet-tall and $35 for a tree over that height.
The groups earn money to fund Scout activities and ceremonies, including Court of Honor, which recognizes achievements and advancements; summer camp; backpacking trips; and
Aviation Day at Boeing Field, Austin said, adding that it is their only fund-raising activity of the year.
Austin said that many parents as well as members of the American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172, a chartered organization, support the Scouts by driving trucks and pulling trailers. She estimated that
nearly all the Scouts and 20 to 30 adults generally contribute to the effort.
A few tech-savvy adults also support the project through an innovative app developed by Carson Cole and now maintained by Andrew Peterson, Austin said. It serves as a reservation system and provides real-time mapping for the
pick-up day, streamlining the process. Scouts and adults also put up banners and signs around the island, alerting residents to the upcoming tree recycling effort. Additionally, troop members provide information at Safeway and Town & Country Market the weekend before the event.
Austin said she hopes Scouts learn the importance of community service, leadership and teamwork. “Team leaders are assigned to groups, and they manage communication between the groups. No one goes home until the entire group is finished. Scouts are the team leads as well as tracking all the trees across the entire island that are being picked up.”
Even if someone doesn’t have a Christmas tree that needs to be recycled, a donation to the troops is greatly appreciated, Austin said. Troop activities and events can be followed on their Facebook page and website, troops1564and1804.org. Interested youth, 6th grade through age 18, are welcome to join the groups.
To make a reservation for tree recycling, islanders can go to treerecycle.net, troops1564and1804. org/treerecycle or scan QR codes.
Island THROW DOWN
Art and Friendship Take Shape at Eagledale Pottery Studio
Tucked away in the forest, the Eagledale Pottery Studio has quietly nurtured artists and community for nearly a half century. What began as a modest series of art classes in the 1970s has grown into one of the island’s most beloved creative spaces—a place where curious newcomers, beginners and lifelong potters gather to shape more than just clay.
The studio’s roots trace back to around 1976, when the first pottery classes were offered at a small, funky art center. Over the decades, it has become part of the Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation District and evolved into a fully equipped ceramics facility serving more than a thousand students a year. Instructors and long-time students describe it as a happy place, where creativity and camaraderie go in hand.
“We’ve built a real community here,” said Debbie Fecher Granstad, who teaches figurative sculpture. “Never say oops, always say
PHOTOS BY DINAH SATTERWHITE
BY JEFF FRAGA
interesting—that’s my motto.” Her playful advice captures Eagledale’s spirit: experimentation, resilience and joy in the creative process.
The building itself has a storied past—it was reportedly a radio station during World War II and some instructors even joke that it might be haunted. But what truly animates the space are the people who fill it each day. Teachers, students and volunteers have transformed it into a vibrant hub that welcomes everyone, from preschoolers shaping their first pinch pots to seasoned artists refining advanced techniques.
Classes covering hand building, wheel-throwing and sculpture are held seven days a week. There are youth programs, teen and adult classes, adaptive sessions for people with disabilities and new offerings for seniors. Instructors estimate that there are now about 10 teachers—double the number from the program’s early days. Each brings a distinct focus: Some specialize in sculpture or wheel work, others in Raku firing or hand building. Together, they’ve built a curriculum that balances technical skill with creative freedom.
“People come here because of the community,” said Elena Wendelyn, who teaches wheel.
For a community studio, Eagledale boasts remarkable equipment. The facility includes several electric kilns, a top-of-the-line cone 10 gas kiln—rare even among professional studios—and soon, a new Super Raku kiln for large-scale firings. The gas kiln, which cost over $25,000, was acquired through grants and community donations spearheaded by a former instructor before her retirement. “You can actually touch the side of it when it’s thousands of degrees,” Wendelyn said.
Raku firing, a favorite among students, involves removing pieces from the kiln while they’re still red-hot, placing them into containers of combustibles, and letting smoke and fire create unpredictable, iridescent finishes. “It’s dramatic and beautiful,” said Wendelyn. “That’s what people love—you never quite know what you’ll get.”
While Eagledale is known for its technical excellence, instructors emphasize that the studio’s real value lies in its openness.
Gourmet Cheesecakes
“We’re not a production space,” Fecher Granstad explained. “We’re a teaching studio—for people who want to learn, experiment and find joy in the process.” That ethos has made Eagledale a welcoming gateway for artists who have gone on to open their own studios around the island.
Many participants have been attending classes for decades, forming deep friendships and artistic partnerships. “Between staff and students, we’ve got a really good run of people right now,” said sculpture and hand building instructor Heather Polverino. “It feels so good.” The sense of belonging is so strong that even through economic downturns or community changes, Eagledale has remained a steady source of connection and creativity.
The Park and Recreation Department supports the studio, overseeing operations alongside programs in sports, outdoor recreation and adaptive activities. Despite growing demand— many classes sell out within minutes—teachers are careful not to expand too quickly.
Eagledale’s reputation as “our little secret” is something the instructors wear with pride. “It’s amazing how many people on the island don’t even know we’re here,” said Polverino. “But that’s OK—it’s nice being this tucked-away place where people can come and create.”
Still, they welcome chances to share their story. Whether it’s the glow of the kilns, the chatter of students trimming pots or the laughter echoing through the studio, Eagledale is the embodiment of a grassroots art community.
As Gramstad put it, “Pottery should be a happy place—and this is a happy place.”
FULL CIRCLE
Winter is upon us. The sky is dark more than light, the air is cold more than warm and our bodies are tired more than energized. Our minds might even feel slowed down. This is the most yin time of the year. Characteristics include gentleness, stillness, reflection, darkness, cold, wisdom, imagination and absorption. This can feel heavy and tiring, but there is a lot to capitalize on! In Yin Yang theory it is explained that even in the darkest time, there is a spark. And in the brightest time there is a seed of mystery. One always leads back to the other.
BY BAJDA WELTY
PHOTO BY CHRISTINA FISHER
As the circle of the year is drawing to completion, we can use this inward focus to reflect. Perhaps there are difficult moments, habits or projects to which we can apply imagination and dreaming, and gain new resolutions. Perhaps there are joyful moments to relish or seeds of inspiration that we can cultivate for the upcoming year. In the stillness of this season, we can search out and nurture sparks of inspiration to renew our energy and begin the circle again.
This year I am personally reflecting on a full circle event at my practice, Fire Dragon Acupuncture. As a child, my appreciation for acupuncture was planted when I received treatment from Dr.
Dirk Hein. I went on to study Chinese medicine and acupuncture before my three children were born and later nurtured my practice alongside them, treating it as my fourth child.
Over the 23 years I’ve been seeing patients, I have had so many truly beautiful and meaningful interactions, but one young teen stands out. She came into clinic over many years, regaining her health through acupuncture, herbs and diet. She finished high school and moved away for college. Acupuncture not only improved her health and wellness but the Qi (vital life energy) she cultivated as a young woman created a desire to share the powerful tools from which she had benefited and led her to study Chinese medicine herself.
After practicing in Seattle and Nashville for 10 years, Natalie Willits has come full circle with her family back to her hometown and back to the practice where she first experienced acupuncture. We are now working together at Fire Dragon and I feel deeply honored and grateful to continue this wonderful cycle.
Share your inspirations, resolutions and full circle gratitude moments with Fire Dragon on Facebook and Instagram.
Natalie Willits (left) has joined Bajda Welty at Fire Dragon Acupuncture as as a licensed acupuncturist, East Asian medical practioner and a fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine.
Plan your visit: bloedelreserve.org
Explore frosty trails, discover woodland whimsy, and share the season’s charm with family and friends at our December Solstice Walks.
A VERY GOOD FOOTPRINT
BY ALLI SCHUCHMAN
BY KELVIN HUGHES
Shifting Tides Compel a New Approach to Beach Living
ris Rogers and Brad Butler moved into their cabin on Hawley Cove in the early ‘90s when the older of their two daughters was just 2 years old. Built in the mid-‘60s by Calvin Hall, the humble one-bedroom, 650-square-foot structure became their family’s home over the next 35 years.
During those decades the home did slowly transform—first to two bedrooms, then to three—to meet their growing family’s needs. Most memorably, though, it was a haven for birthdays, gatherings, celebrating the Fourth of July (which is also one daughter’s birthday), ferry-watching and taking in the beauty of Puget Sound.
“It was funky,” said Butler who explained that the changes were largely born of necessity. “We would have never done anything. We would have just left the house the way it was.”
PHOTOS
Sadly, however, climate change had other plans for the simple beach cabin. Butler explained that the house—which was set upon creosote pilings and had little in the way of a proper foundation—made it especially susceptible to flooding from the rising waters. Over the last decade, as the reality of their home’s location set in, the couple grew increasingly anxious each winter, fretfully watching the tide calendar and barometric pressure, which were progressively bringing the water closer to their doorstep.
Their breaking point came on December 27, 2022, when an extraordinary king tide flooded the cabin’s two downstairs rooms. Rogers recalled being piggybacked out to the car through knee-deep water to make it to the “Nutcracker.” Butler said they could no longer live on edge, playing what they described as Russian roulette each winter. The original cabin—despite being steeped in memories and shaped by decades of family life—had become too much of a liability.
But figuring out what exactly to do wasn’t straightforward.
Butler and Rogers conferred with Nickel Bros. about lifting the home and building a proper foundation underneath, but the architects
and structural engineers concluded that the complex retrofitting would cost roughly the same as building a completely new home from the ground up. But rather than just razing it—an option the couple desperately disliked—Nickel Bros. came up with a better idea: to donate it to House Donation Group, where it would be sold to a new family and moved to a better location.
Nickel Bros. handled the relocation. “The project was pretty interesting,” said Butler. “Getting it over the rock wall, the bulkhead…the equipment they have and how they do everything is amazing.” The couple explained that getting the barge free from the shore took more than a little ingenuity and effort after the receding tide left it partially aground.
ADAM FOLEY
Once freed at sea, the old cabin was floated to Whidbey Island, where a young couple—one of whom grew up on Bainbridge—restored it atop a new foundation. “They are just taking off where we left off,” said Butler. “Love and young energy there. It looks good.”
Back on Bainbridge, designing and constructing the new home could then get under way. Because of the property’s location and its proximity to surrounding wetlands, the new house needed to be built precisely on the original footprint to comply with zoning laws. Butler and Rogers worked with architect J Mack Pearl and structural engineer Paul Fagét to create the strategy that would elevate the new structure by four and a half feet, providing greater protection against future floods. To execute the plan, Rogers and Butler hired general contractor Gene Knox of Blue Fish Designs and craftsman Ross Maloney, who is still on site putting the final touches on the house.
The home’s new foundation is a thick, reinforced concrete mat slab, which is anchored by expanses of rebar and surrounded by steel-reinforced stem walls to allow floodwaters to flow beneath it and back out, sparing the living spaces above.
Marcos Larios of Kitsap Custom Concrete spearheaded the foundation’s technical work. “They were great,” said Butler. “There is a lot of concrete in this place. Foundation and stem walls. It’s
probably the most expensive part of the house.”
Atop the foundation, the new twostory home is clean, thoughtful, sophisticated and bright. It ended up around 1,950 square feet with two bedrooms upstairs, along with the primary’s bathroom and a sitting room that overlooks the beach. On the main level there’s an additional bathroom, stacked laundry, kitchen and living room, and a little TV room sits at the back.
Polished concrete floors with radiant heat, as well as blown-foam insulation in the walls and roof, enhance both its energy efficiency and comfort. The couple said the home’s temperature is markedly more comfortable than the old cabin, which
Rogers said would get, “hot, unbearably hot” in the summertime.
Throughout the home, large e-glass windows frame the water and passing ferries, while minimizing ultraviolet light and energy loss. There are also mini splits, but Butler said he doubts they’ll ever use the one on the main floor because the house is so efficient. “One of the biggest differences between the old house and this house is how cool this house stays,” he said.
The sleek kitchen—open to the family room and on the water side of the home—was designed and built by Maloney and his father, an architect
himself, who also helped design the deck, a beloved space of Rogers. “I read out there; it’s peaceful. I just love listening to the water. And there are always kids down there. I love listening to them playing,” she said.
The Ipe wood deck overlooks the beach and out onto the 11-acre Hawley Cove Park. Wildlife frequent the view: kingfishers, ducks, osprey, seals, otters and—for the first time recently, orcas. “It’s like having a huge, free backyard,” said Butler.
When they first moved to the property, he said that otters tried to take up residency under the old house. “We
had a Jack Russell terrier and at one point there was a two- or three-day battle between the terrier and the otters, and finally, Zippy prevailed and chased them off.” Recently, they spotted one in the yard, but so far there’s happily no sign of otters going under the house.
Beyond the beach, the house looks across the water at Pritchard Park, where Rogers said their daughters would kayak to when they were in high school. And slightly to the southeast, an unobstructed Mount Rainier towers up from the horizon, appearing unimaginably immense for being more than 50 miles away.
The couple has plans for more landscaping, although they agree the natural surroundings aren’t too bad.
“The yard is super small, so it’s not like a big landscaping situation has to occur,” said Rogers. “We’ll focus on more of the planting next spring. I’ll get some big pots.”
Their home remains a favorite gathering spot for their friends and family, including their daughter and her husband who live on Bainbridge with their kids. Rogers said she hopes they’ll continue to use the house for many years to come.
“It’ll be a nice place for our kids to have as something that they share.”
As far as Butler and Rogers? It is, as they say, their forever house—ready to host the next generation’s stories as well.
HOT
YOU’RE COLD THEN YOU’RE
Cold Plunging Meets Sauna at Pleasant Beach
Mikal Foushee says she’s “kind of a high tide snob.”
The owner of Fire+Floe sauna on Pleasant Beach has been cold plunging regularly for years and her aversion to low tides makes sense: a long distance between warm layers and the water’s edge can make for a less pleasurable experience. What began as a New Year’s Day pier jump with friends turned into a weekly—then almost daily—ritual.
“I’ve always lived close to the water,” said Foushee, who grew up on Bainbridge and moved back to the island after years spent in LA and Seattle.
“But not until you actually plunge do you feel like you live near the water. You pay attention to things you don’t normally pay attention to: tides, seaweed, different garbage. You see nature a little bit differently when you are in it every day like that,” said Foushee.
Fire+Floe offers both private and communal sauna sessions, which allow visitors to move back and forth as they wish between the heat and—if they’re brave enough—the Sound’s icy waters.
Foushee’s idea for the sauna surfaced after tagging along on her husband’s work trip to Denmark in the spring of 2023. Already keen on plunging in the PNW, the couple decided they’d give it a shot in Scandinavia. They rented a car and drove around to major bathhouses, absorbing the culture of cold plunge and sauna. Noticing similarities in the weather and environment, Foushee wondered why there wasn’t a more robust sauna network on her home turf.
Since opening Fire+Floe in 2024, Foushee has connected with a growing cohort of fellow “saunapreneurs” in the area. A number of saunas now grace the shores of Lake Union in Seattle (including sauna boats that offer cruises). Foushee is also part of an international group of women sauna owners who call themselves the Sirens and meet regularly online to discuss technical questions and business practices. In January, she’s headed to the West Coast Sauna Conference, taking place on a lake in British Columbia.
While the sauna trend may be booming in the PNW, the custom dates back millennia, with Finnish saunas traditionally serving both secular and spiritual purposes, sharing some similarities with indigenous sweat lodge practices in the Americas.
The Fire+Floe sauna was constructed by Timber Sauna Co., a company based in Michigan and founded by brothers of Finnish ancestry. The portfolio of sleek designs offered by Timber includes mobile saunas like Foushee’s, in-home saunas and floating saunas.
The Fire+Floe sauna is wood burning, with one insulated glass wall offering natural light and (as with the experience of
Puget Sound plunging) a connection to the outdoors.
“I have always loathed winter,” Foushee said. But owning the sauna has made the darker months of the year a little more enjoyable, if not 100 percent bearable. As for the cold plunge: Does immersing oneself in the frigid waters of the Salish Sea get easier after a while?
“Never,” said Foushee.
Still, she describes the feeling as invigorating.
In her previous job as a project manager, Foushee had a heavy workload.
“I’d have to get all this stuff done on my list and just push through and not feel things,” she said. But being in the water is the opposite of that.
“I want to feel the cold,” she said. “I don’t push away all the hard things.”
Even so, Foushee is careful to listen to her body and encourages others to do the same. Some days, she can spend minutes in the water. Other days, only seconds. Her tolerance for the heat of the sauna also varies.
“Your body is different every day,” she said.
As for the health benefits of hot/cold contrast therapy, Foushee can’t make promises. Some research points to a correlation with brain and heart health, but the mechanisms aren’t fully understood. Still, Foushee says that regulars at Fire+Floe have reported better sleep. In the darker months of winter, when the temptation sets in to burrow at home, the sauna can have another benefit as well: offering what Foushee calls a “community gathering ritual,” similar to the traditional saunas in Nordic countries.
At Fire+Floe, Foushee says that community sessions attract the most visitors. “They either bring a friend or they know nobody and then they end up leaving with lots of friends”
TAKEN TO THE GRAVE Headstone Restoration on the Island
BY CHRISTY CARLIE PHOTOS BY DINAH SATTERWHITE
“That’s polished granite underneath that,” said Ashely Riley, pointing to a weathered gray headstone at Kane Cemetery near Port Madison. The darker hue and rough texture is a familiar sight in cemeteries, almost archetypal. But when Riley looks at it, she sees a project.
Using a non-toxic chemical called D/2—developed by historical preservationists—Riley can restore the stone to its original glowing white.
“There are some people who don’t want gravestones to be cleaned because they like the patina look,” Riley said. But without cleaning, the stones can eventually be damaged and rendered illegible.
Founder of the Facebook page Bainbridge Grave Folk, Riley has spent the last three years cataloging, cleaning and researching graves in Bainbridge’s five cemeteries. She’s added more than 1,600 memorials to the website Find a Grave and has already cleaned more than 100 stones on the island. Her project began spontaneously, before she became an islander.
In 2022, Riley and her family were living in Port Orchard. She enrolled her son in preschool at Halilts and commuted to the island in the morning, hanging around until his class got out.
“I could have gone to Starbucks and just done whatever on my phone,” she said. But instead, she wandered over to Kane Cemetery.
Riley had previously visited the website Find a Grave while trying to locate her own ancestors’ graves on the East Coast. The site lets users enter the location of a grave along with photos and biographical information about the deceased. When Riley couldn’t find her family’s gravesites, she created profiles for them and enlisted the help of other users to determine their exact locations. While wandering around Kane Cemetery, Riley noticed that very few of the graves had profiles on Find a Grave. So, one by one, she started creating them.
“Then it became like, ‘I’m going to finish this cemetery,’ then, ‘I’m going to finish every cemetery on the island,’” she said. Halfway through her son’s first year of preschool, she completed her work on Bainbridge and began cataloging graves in Suquamish.
By the time Riley and her family moved to Bainbridge in March 2024, she had transitioned from documenting gravestones to cleaning them, with historical preservation at the front of her mind.
“Looking through a historical lens, these are markers of a town that’s long gone. Port Madison (Mill Town) is long gone, Port Blakely Mill Town is long gone,” Riley said.
Riley uses her Facebook page to share photos, information and stories about
islanders who played a prominent role in Bainbridge history. When she can find them, she also tells the stories of everyday people, such as Laura Sutton, who came to Bainbridge after she learned she was dying of tuberculosis.
“She had always wanted to come to the Pacific Northwest,” Riley said. “She died within a few months of moving here and her husband wrote this beautiful obituary saying that what she found in the Pacific Northwest was like a family.” Sutton’s grave is marked with a carved wooden plaque at Island Center Cemetery.
Riley generally sticks to researching graves for people who died before 1950.
For more recent deaths, she wants to give families space. Her conversations with visitors to the cemeteries have been overwhelmingly positive. The only negative feedback she’s gotten was an email from a stranger calling her a “graveyard gossiper and obituary opportunist.” The comment stung, but she now uses it as her tagline.
Riley doesn’t often get spooked while working in cemeteries. In fact, she said the experience is meditative. But she has started to reflect more on death and dying.
“About halfway through my son’s first year of preschool, I miscarried,” Riley said. “While I knew I was miscarrying, I was still going to cemeteries and taking pictures. We had to confront death at the same time that I was documenting people’s deaths.”
Riley chose to have her daughter cremated. It didn’t make sense to bury her, at the time, because the family wasn’t sure where they would settle. Now, Riley can’t imagine living anywhere but Bainbridge.
“When I’m old and I’m dying, do not send me to Seattle to die. I want to die on this island. And I want on my death certificate that I died on Bainbridge Island.”
As for her own final resting place, is there a particular island cemetery she has in mind?
“I’m a millennial,” she said, laughing. “I want my ashes thrown off the ferry.”
AN EYE ON PERFECTING PROGRAM OFFERINGS HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK (District)
Ever dreamed of building LEGOs while enjoying locally brewed beer?
Or holding tree pose upside down in mid-air, suspended by flexible silks?
BY AUDREY NELSON
How about using Tarot cards as guides in your self-improvement journey?
In recent years, the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District has made each of these highly specific dreams come true. LEGO Happy Hour, Intro to Aerial Yoga and Tarot for Self-Empowerment were just a few of the fall 2025 events and courses available for registration through the Park District, alongside traditional offerings, such as tennis and swim lessons.
Recreation division director Madison Collins explained that the Park District prides itself on keeping abreast of islanders’ unique needs. “We try to find a little something for everyone,” she said. “We try to serve an entire community with different niches.”
According to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) website, America’s modern parks and recreation model rose out of several early-1900s social movements, which advocated for creating outdoor play spaces, maintaining these spaces through a community model and promoting recreation’s therapeutic benefits.
In 1965—the same year the Bainbridge Park District was founded—five different national advocacy organizations merged to form present-day NRPA. The merge highlights the broad responsibility that modern parks and rec districts now shoulder. The NRPA website notes that many of these districts are involved in “advancing mental and physical health, creating climate-ready parks, supporting equity and inclusion, and so much more.” They still maintain green spaces and
teach exercise classes—but they also represent and shape the communities around them.
“That’s kind of what’s cool about what we do,” Collins said. “If you build it, they will come is kind of the motto.”
In a survey conducted as part of the Bainbridge Park District’s 2026 Comprehensive Plan, an impressive 67 percent of sampled islanders said they had participated in Park District programs. Satisfaction with the recreation offerings hovered around 80 percent, with about two-thirds of respondents indicating satisfaction with “events, facilities, spaces, and programs that provide opportunities for learning, creativity, cultural experiences, and other enrichment.”
Collins attributed the high approval numbers to the Park District’s history of diverse programming—“from drawing, painting, glass work, Spanish to sports, fitness, pottery, gymnastics, aquatics,” she said.
At the same time, she wants to make sure that she and her staff don’t prioritize quantity over quality.
“We’ve always done a really good job of multiple offerings—sometimes, I think, to our detriment,” she said. “Maybe too many, because you lose focus on what’s the need.”
That’s why, even as the district ramps up its 2026 Comprehensive Plan, Collins and her staff are zeroing in on which programs are the most successful. That entails digging deeper than simple participation numbers.
“Sometimes that’s hard, to value something outside of enrollment,” Collins said. But she and her team care about whether people enjoyed their community walk, Silver Sneakers fitness class or
after-school craft club. “I think satisfaction goes beyond, ‘Yeah, it was a full program.’”
This more-than-numbers thinking has guided some of the Park District’s adaptive offerings. Anyone with a disability can request accommodations or support that will allow them to participate in any Park District program, Collins said. But the district does offer some programs geared toward specific communities—including neurodivergent people, who frequently experience sensory overstimulation. Options tailored for this population are often “smaller, one-on-one instruction-based, less noise, less of the chaos that goes on with youth programs specifically,” Collins said.
The district’s adaptive swim lessons have been particularly popular.
Notably, like other organizations on the island, the Park District has begun to turn its attention to planning for the diverse needs of Bainbridge’s aging population.
“We are changing,” Collins said. “So, we’re really trying to be attuned to the changing demographics on the island.”
Like everything else the district does, that starts with listening.
“I rely on my staff to tell us what is new and upcoming,” Collins said. “What is a need? What is going to accommodate the growing needs and growth of this community for different ages and abilities?”
A GOLDEN AGE
Senior center blossoms
to meet the needs of an aging population
Fifty-four.
BY AUDREY NELSON
That’s the percentage of Bainbridge Islanders who are more than 50 years old, according to Reed Price, the executive director of the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center.
That number, which follows a nationwide aging trend, is predicted to grow as current residents get older and new retirees move to Bainbridge. As a result, more islanders will soon face the risk of social isolation, which particularly affects older adults, according to the National Institute of Aging.
It makes sense: Frameworks such as school, work and kids conventionally structure our social lives. But for retired adults, “a lot of the signals or mechanisms by which we connect in society sort of slip away,” Price said. That prevents many elders from easily accessing engagement and support and can, in turn, lead to unwanted health outcomes.
Still, retirement-induced isolation isn’t inevitable. Too often, Price noted, conversations around transitions fail to acknowledge that aging, too, is a major transition. Like other milestones, it requires preparation—and involves some growing pains.
“We spend all this time thinking about is my kid ready for pre-K or ready for school?” Price said. “Are you ready for college? Are you ready for working after school?…We should also be asking, are you ready to retire?”
Since 1985, BISCC has asked that question to thousands of elders across the island. The senior center has explicitly devoted itself to rejecting what its website calls “outdated concepts of aging”—such as the assumption that elders “are not as bright” and “don’t have as many insights to offer,” Price said. The center now hosts more than 60 hours of educational and social programming a week.
BISCC’s inclusive, empowering approach has resonated. In 2017, when Price became executive director, the senior
center had 780 paying members. Today, it has around 2,100—a 169 percent increase.
“You figure with any membership of any club, of any organization, there’d be a lull, a seasonal lull or something,” said BISCC program manager Lena Wilson, whose days are a whirlwind of coordinating classes and excursions. “We’re not finding that. We’re not finding that at all.”
For Wilson, the flood of people paying $25 annually for membership is telling.
“That means our elders want more,” Wilson said. “That means they want to engage more. That means they want to live their best life more.”
BISCC has found creative ways to accommodate the groundswell of members. There are yoga and meditation classes, sound baths and writing groups; there is a Queer Elders Family Group and a number of lectures; there are caregiver support groups and
informational sessions on aging-related topics; there is a podcast, multiple book clubs and even the Waterfront Thrift store, which is open to the public and extends a 10 percent Friday discount to BISCC members.
The senior center also helps members travel both regionally and globally. Wilson, who coordinates local travel, has helped people attend the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and take a Crab Cruise in the San Juan Islands. Currently, local offerings are popular but limited, as the senior center’s large bus requires a commercial driver’s license to operate. But BISCC is working toward acquiring a smaller, more modern van, which would open the possibility of more frequent excursions across the water.
“All over the place in Seattle,” Wilson said. “You name it—a musical show, maybe it’s the [Museum of Flight], maybe it’s MoPOP at Seattle Center. All these random different things we haven’t been able to offer yet.”
BISCC also partners with Collette Travel Services, a guided tour company that helps members travel farther afield. Wilson said the center has spearheaded trips to South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Greece and New York City, among other locations.
Many BISCC members find value in traveling as older adults, Wilson said. But the center has options for homebodies, too. Many members enjoy spending unstructured social time at the center—a little white building just north of Waterfront Park.
“You can either come here because you want to take a class on Shakespeare or the Constitution, or you want to do line dancing or yoga—or you could just show up and have a cup of coffee and read the paper and see who’s here,” Price said.
BISCC’s abundant offerings and increasing membership numbers have created just one problem. BISCC is now “bursting at the seams,” Price said—metaphorically, but also physically. There are too many people for the limited space.
In September 2025, the city council unanimously approved a 30 percent completed conceptual design for a new, larger BISCC building. (The current senior center building was built in 2012, on city-owned land. Although the building is leased and operated by BISCC, the city still owns the land and has a say in any major changes or expansions.) Among the proposed changes and additions: a main entryway facing Bjune Drive instead of the waterfront, expanded parking, and a multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 200 people. The project’s development team is also working with Bainbridge Prepares and the city’s emergency management coordinator, Ann LeSage, to ensure the building will function as a dual resilience and disaster hub.
The construction will cost an estimated $20 million in full, and so far, BISCC has raised about $2 million for the project. The senior center’s board authorized an additional $400,000 from
its contingency fund, while a Washington State grant added $100,000. With a total of $2.5 million secured, BISCC hopes to raise the rest of the money in time to break ground on the new building in 2027.
Programming will continue to operate during construction, which Price estimated will take 14 to 18 months.
Price and his staff have a vision for the new building. They want it to offer a meaningful gathering place not just to elders but to the entire community. “We have some wonderful specific-use spaces on the island, but we do not have the kind of place that could be a community dinner location, then a concert location and then a square-dancing location and then a lecture hall—all in the same week,” Price noted.
Building this kind of multipurpose space is in line with BISCC’s goal to facilitate community at every age. Intergenerational programs, such as the SilverTech crew, which pairs elders in need of technology help with tech-savvy high schoolers, are already contributing to this effort.
“The word is getting out there that we’re really moving toward a senior and community center,” Wilson said. “We’re getting 20-somethings and 30-somethings and 40-somethings joining now.”
To Wilson, a broader interest in the center is understandable. Like many of her colleagues, she sees BISCC as a place that fosters community and friendship in everything it does. Sometimes, members take hold of her hands or become emotional as they tell her how much the center—and her programming—means to them.
“We’re learning resources, information, but we’re also coming together as people, humans, and community,” Wilson said. “And that has so much weight and value to it, I can’t even find the words to describe it.”
Rites of Passage
WSF Special Services Enhance and Expand the Riders’ Journeys in Unexpected Ways
For many, the ferries are about more than movement.
BY LUCIANO MARANO
The feeling of the ride—the dynamic scenery, distinctive atmosphere and the sense, however fleeting, of being part of something bigger than ourselves—is as much a part of the experience as the eventual destination itself.
Whether it’s your first time onboard, a vacation bucket list item, or something you have gone through twice a day, five days a week for years, riding with Washington State Ferries leaves an indelible impression.
So much so that a whole lot of people over the years have chosen to take advantage of the lesser-known special services provided by WSF to celebrate major milestones while aboard, including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and even memorials.
It’s an unconventional setting, perhaps—but you can’t beat the view.
“Ferries are an important part of many people’s lives and stories, and holding memorials and weddings onboard is a way we can give back and honor them in a uniquely Washington [and] traditionally maritime way,” explained Zale Noah, WSF Customer Program Coordinator. “The incredible deck crews often go above and beyond to provide support and meaningful service because they see firsthand how much families appreciate having ceremonies onboard.”
Birthday, anniversary, and retirement parties are fairly casual affairs and require no advance registration.
WSF policy says passengers are always welcome to bring cake and other preprepared food aboard, although outside catering is not permitted and alcohol must be purchased from and consumed within the galley. Also, due to fire safety regulations, open flames, including (sadly) birthday candles, are not allowed.
Otherwise, have a ball!
No advance arrangements are necessary to host a wedding onboard either, though it’s strictly B.Y.O.O. (Bring Your Own Officiant) as WSF captains are not allowed to perform the ceremony.
While it may seem an unlikely locale to some, for others it’s the ideal spot to mark an occasion or begin a new chapter of their lives.
Noah said that the Puget Sound area typically has special significance for the people who choose to hold ceremonies. “Whether they have a maritime hobby or profession, a cultural
connection to the water, have lived or grown-up in the area, ride the ferries as part of their daily routine, or are simply ferry enthusiasts, all are welcome to sail together and use these services.”
Keep in mind, however, that it’s public transportation, meaning that you could wind up sharing the space with a few more guests than you planned for. But then again, that’s also part of the ferry experience.
“Most riders wanting to hold a special service onboard understand that WSF is a public transportation system,” Noah explained, “so riders not involved with the memorial or wedding will be on the sailing, and certain requirements are in place for this reason.”
For memorials, ashes must be placed in a certified biodegradable container (sometimes called a journey urn) which dissolves quickly in water but will stay intact when initially released from the ferry. A floral tribute may also be released, but it cannot have plastic, wire, ribbons or other non-biodegradable materials.
Each vessel’s captain has the final say on whether a memorial can take place, and it may also be canceled due to bad weather or other operational issues. If that should happen, the memorial may be moved to another vessel, rescheduled or refunded. For each memorial there is a $150 dollar fee, and tickets for all passengers are also required.
Only one memorial is scheduled per day, per route and not all routes in the WSF system can host memorials, but they can be scheduled on the sailings between Anacortes/Friday Harbor, Anacortes/Orcas Island, Edmonds/Kingston, Mukilteo/ Clinton, Port Townsend/Coupeville, Seattle/Bainbridge Island and Seattle/Bremerton.
According to Noah, WSF holds an average of 185 memorials onboard per year and 2025 has been its busiest year yet, with 246 memorial services already held or currently on the schedule.
Requirements also include holding memorials on sailings outside of peak travel times to minimize delays as well as (slightly less officially) dressing for the season.
“People understand,” Noah added, that “because this is Washington, to prepare for any weather on the day of a special service, especially since dates are usually finalized at least a week before a service.”
Regardless of whether you’re on the boat to say goodbye or I do, it’s still the Pacific Northwest, after all.
Some particularly special events—despite the best laid plans— cannot be prearranged. While the ferry is often a site where lives are eulogized and commemorated, a few lives actually begin there.
WSF spokesperson Brian Vail said that although there is no official comprehensive list of babies born on WSF vessels and that it is a relatively “rare occurrence,” it does occasionally happen.
Vail stated that WSF crews are trained for on board births, along with many other health-related issues. “They go through emergency response, first aid and medical training to be prepared for these situations. We also count on our community to support our crews, as doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are called to help when these incidents happen.”
One medical professional, Bainbridge Island resident and University of Washington interventional radiologist George Soltes, found himself in that exact situation during an early morning sailing to Seattle on the MV Puyallup back in October 2014.
“I was sitting in the galley, just wearing normal civilian clothes,” he recalled. Then, an announcement requesting assistance from medical professionals onboard brought Soltes, another doctor (a pulmonologist) and a nurse to the Second Mate’s office to find a delivery in progress.
“[She’d] been heading to Seattle to have the baby, but it didn’t wait,” Soltes said.
“Honestly, the nurse did a lot of the actual delivery,” he said. “The baby was born in the Second Mate’s office on the ferry at about 6 a.m., right as we were docking.”
The newborn’s father, who waited just outside the office with the couple’s other small child, was relieved and thankful for the assistance—that is until Soltes informed him of a little-known birth-related maritime custom.
“I told him that it’s traditional when a baby is born on the ferry to name the baby after the ferry, so he’d have to name his daughter Puyallup.” The family ultimately decided to ignore this ferry “tradition,” which Soltes readily admitted he made up on the spot, opting instead for Zoe.
Paramedics came aboard in Seattle to transport the mother and newborn, both perfectly fine despite the unexpectedly eventful crossing, while Soltes and the rest of the impromptu delivery team went about their days as normal.
“I still had to go to work,” Soltes laughed.
Rumors persists that anyone born on a ferry receives free rides for life. But, according to Vail, that’s only sort of true. “Under current policy all children receive free public transportation throughout Washington until they turn 19 years old,” he explained.
After that: Pay up, kid!
“To my knowledge,” he said, “a child born on a ferry has not received lifetime passage on our ferries.”
But they can always return to celebrate their birth at the spot where it actually happened, no reservation required.
Those interested in arranging an event on board a WSF ferry should call 206-515-3464 or visit the Special Occasions section of wsdot.wa.gov to view the complete list of requirements and submit a request.
SWEET, SAVORY AND SIMPLE Brunch
One of the delights of wintertime and the holidays is making time to gather. If you find yourself with a tableful of people, how lucky you are. This in-a-snap, two-part meal is perfect for feeding those you love, leaving you with more time to soak up their precious company.
Part one, the strata, is truly easy. Think of this one-dish egg bake as a savory relative of French toast, a perfect cross-section of low effort and high taste. It can, of course, be customized in infinite ways, but I’ve chosen this one because there is absolutely no precooking. With a little help from the deli counter, you can put it together in minutes on a sleepy evening, and by morning all that’s left to do is take it out of the fridge, put it in the oven and bring it to the table.
To complete the menu, serve the strata with Greek yogurt topped with storebought granola and the simple roasted fruit below.
Plus, since it’s brunch, why not have dessert? Stretch the meal and the time for telling tales with a gingerbread cake. Oh, and don’t forget the coffee and tea.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANNE WILLHOIT
SAVORY STRATA
Feeds 5-6
A little room-temperature butter for the pan
1 loaf sandwich bread
1/4-pound Provolone cheese (about 5 slices)
1/2-pound deli ham, sliced “medium” thickness
1/4-cup red onion, sliced extremely thin
2-3 Tbsp. pesto
2 cups milk
3/4 cup cream
9 large eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions:
1. Grease the inside of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with room temperature butter and set aside.
2. Slice or tear the bread into large pieces, 2 inches or more.
3. Roughly chop the ham. Tear up the cheese into pieces.
4. Halve and then slice the onion as thinly as possible.
5. Thoroughly whisk the milk, eggs and cream together. Add 1/2 tsp. salt.
6. Add the bread to the prepared pan and sprinkle and mix in the cheese and ham with your hands to disperse a bit evenly.
7. Drizzle the pesto over.
8. Pour the egg mixture over the top and press down a little to increase absorption.
9. Cover and chill overnight (or at least 8 hours).
10. When ready to bake, let the strata sit on the counter as the oven preheats. Bake it at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Serve hot.
SIMPLE ROASTED FRUIT
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and dice 2 apples and 2 pears. Place in a shallow baking pan. Toss with 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Dot with butter. Put in oven to bake for about 30 minutes, stirring once about 10 minutes in to disperse butter and spices.
GINGERBREAD CAKE
8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1 egg
2/3-cup milk
2/3-cup molasses
1/4-cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Put the butter out to soften.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Use an 8 x 8-inch square pan or a 9-inch round cakepan. Line with parchment and grease the pan sides.
4. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices in a bowl and set aside.
5. With an electric mixer on medium, cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy.
6. Add in the molasses and beat until incorporated, scraping the sides when needed. Add the egg and briefly beat again.
7. Add the flour mixture, then the milk, mixing and scraping gently until combined.
Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes
Serve warm with whipped cream and maybe a little applesauce.
Find the PERFECT at the GIFT
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
550 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island
Discover unique, locally crafted gifts at the BIMA Museum Store this holiday season, with discounts on cards, ornaments, jewelry, and more!
Dec. 1–7: 15% off greeting cards
Dec. 4 Mingle & Market: 20% off in-store purchases for BIMA members
Dec. 5 & 6 Winter Night Market & Jewelry Showcase: Vendor booths, music, food, and fun!
Dec. 8–14: 15% off select ornaments
Dec. 15–24: 15% off select jewelry
FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION
THANKS TO MEMBERS & DONATIONS
JOANNE MAHER
BUILDING A COMMUNITY BOND
BY SOPHIA SOLTES
Since Joanne Maher moved to Bainbridge Island in 2007, she has served the island community in a variety of ways. “You can’t just let the community and its culture continue by itself,” she said. “You have to work at it actively.” With a robust portfolio in managing nonprofits, Maher in 2021 became executive director at Island Volunteer Caregivers, where she continues to give back to the community she loves.
PHOTO BY ANNIE GRAEBNER
How long have you been serving the public through nonprofit organizations?
I have three kids, all raised on the island, and I felt it was really important to be part of not only their experience at school, but also part of the community. To that end, I joined the board of Raising Resilience, another island nonprofit, and later became the director of Healthy Youth Alliance through Bainbridge Youth Services, before coming to IVC. I think we have a great community, so I want to make sure that it continues to be perpetuated, grown and nurtured.
Tell me about your current job.
I am the executive director of IVC. Our mission is to connect neighbors facing challenges related to aging, disability or adversity with volunteers. Through these
connections, we offer free services that help people live independently, happily and with dignity. Every day, I see the difference that simple acts of kindness can make. Our over 300 volunteers give rides, make visits, deliver meals and provide companionship to make the lives of our community members better.
What is the need for IVC?
The need is great. Over 25 percent of our island residents are age 65 and older, and as we age, we all need support. This is where IVC steps in. We have trained volunteers that provide essential services to get people the support they need. In 2024 alone, we supported about 440 care recipients. What we do is all about fostering connection and combatting loneliness.
You went from working with the island’s youth at Bainbridge Youth Services to working with some of our more senior residents. What has that been like?
It’s definitely been a full-circle experience. At the end of the day, everyone, whether you’re younger or older, needs connection and support to thrive. Frankly, these are my two favorite audiences, because these are two groups that benefit profoundly from being heard, accepted, valued and seen.
How has a background in technology helped you?
When I say I have a technology background, it wasn’t about writing code, it was about building partnerships. My focus was on creating and maintaining partnerships that made products and services better. That experience really translated into my work at IVC. I’m able to make better partnerships with not only our volunteers, but also with other organizations on the island, like Helpline House and Housing Resources Bainbridge, to strengthen volunteer coordination and care receiver services.
What special moments have you had at this organization?
I could talk about a lot of situations, but what I’ve really experienced is a common thread. No matter what your situation is, everyone wants to have control over their lives. Everyone also needs to rely on the generosity
of a neighbor at times. Supporting one another in small acts can make a huge difference in people’s lives. It goes a long way.
What do you have planned for the future of this organization?
Our goal is to keep doing what we do best: connecting neighbors through compassion and support while identifying gaps that prevent people from living independently. To that end, we’re piloting new initiatives, such as the IVC Care Kitchen and an in-home safety program, as well as exploring additional partnerships to better address the needs of our care recipients.
How can those who want to help get involved?
By becoming a part of our IVC volunteer family! There is no time requirement. If you are interested in supporting your neighbors, you can sign up at ivcbainbridge.org. There are people who could really use your companionship and support, and we welcome every islander to join our team. We are deeply grateful to Bainbridge Island’s generous community, volunteers and donors, whose support allows us to continue this work.
Greya Baziuk had a simple request for their 11th birthday. They wanted to pet dogs and they wanted to donate money to help pets.
BY AllI SCHUCHMAN
“So, four days before their birthday, I had this epiphany that I would put on a dog party,” said Greya’s mom, Voyla, who was touched by her child’s unselfish wish. “But I don’t know very many dogs.” In order to drum up the canine attendees, Voyla shared her child’s request on the Bainbridge Islander’s Facebook group, inviting dog owners to bring their pets to the celebration, sharing that Greya has autism and that dogs and other animals are their special interest.
The response was exceptional, with more than 150 “likes,” “loves” and “cares,” and more than 100 comments supporting the idea.
The party went off without a hitch on October 19 at Fay Bainbridge Park, where islanders showed up with their pooches, who enjoyed cookies from BI Barkery and pupcakes made by one of Voyla’s friends. “All the dogs were really well behaved,” she said. “We had two Great Danes. My child was thrilled.”
Doggone MAGICAL
Voyla said that Greya made a bedazzled donation box that was set out at the party to collect contributions for the Kitsap Humane Society. The next morning, it was delivered in person, bestowing $436 to the nonprofit, which had a birthday card waiting. KHS also gave Greya a private tour. “We got to meet an extremely friendly goat and then got to see the entire facility, including the surgical room and kitten incubator room,” said Voyla.
After the tour, Jessi Reynolds, KHS development and outreach manager, spent time with Greya explaining the organization’s history and mission. Voyla said that Greya is a gifted student and talks a lot about becoming a doctor or veterinarian, “so this educational kind of thing was up their alley.”
Voyla said the event turned out so well, in fact, that they are already consider ing an encore for next year.
PHOTOS COURTESY
VOYLA BAZIUK
The Woman Behind Bainbridge Island Women’s Fitness
As a Pacific Northwest native and Bainbridge Island local, Jill Sinkula is no stranger to the power of connection especially among women navigating major life transitions. But it was during her first pregnancy that she discovered a deep void in the fitness and wellness space: a lack of informed, compassionate support for expectant mothers
That realiza tion sparked her first coaching business one built on empathy, education, and empowerment Years later, as she entered perimenopause, Sinkula again encountered the silence surrounding women ’ s changing bodies. And once again, she decided to act
The result? Bainbridge Island Women’s Fitness a coaching practice offering more than workouts It’s a supportive, judgmentfree space where women reclaim their strength through every life stage: adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause.
Empowering women through every life stage
A Coaching Practice Rooted in Real Life
To serve her clients more fully, Sinkula has earned certifications in pre/postnatal and perimenopause coaching and is currently completing a Master’s in Exercise Science and Integrated Wellness. Recently, she expanded her practice to support adolescent girls, earning certification through Next Gen a program dedicated to supporting active girls through the hormonal and physical changes of puberty. Sinkula’s coaching continues to evolve with the needs of her community and her own family Her philosophy is deeply personal: meet each client where they are physically, mentally, and emotionally “I want clients to show up exactly as they are I never take photos or post on social media heck, I’m not even on social media
The time I spend with clients is strictly about the individual in front of me No comparisons No charts I want it to be an empowering and liberating experience ”
Debunking Myths, Centering Women
At the heart of Sinkula’s work is a mission to educate and to challenge myths that have held women back for decades.
“Research in fitness and nutrition has focused almost entirely on men Women are not smaller men Our anatomy and physiology differ in important ways, and that needs to be reflected in the guidance we receive ”
Sinkula blends science-backed knowledge with her clients’ lived experiences honoring both the data and the emotional realities of women ’ s health.
Whether designing strength-building routines for new moms or helping a menopausal client rediscover joyful movement, Sinkula uses functional fitness rooted in a whole-body approach
A holistic approach
WHAT COACHING SHE OFFERS
In-person coaching
Pre & postnatal, perimenopause-menopause
Functional strength and mobility training
Emotional and mental wellness support
Online lectures: Training & Supporting Active
Adolescent Girls
Visit www.bainbridgeislandwomensfitness.com to explore offerings, book a consultation, or sign up for an upcoming online lecture
PHOTO BY NATALIA CRABTREE PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JEFF FRAGA
Bainbridge Bistro
A new chapter in local dining. And a tasty one at that.
After four years as Bainbridge Tapas, owners Sonja Fredricks and Chef Osmar Lovo have reimagined their restaurant as Bainbridge Bistro, blending Spanish, Italian and Northwest flavors with a community-focused vision.
“Under Tapas, we were constrained by the name,” said Fredricks. “People expected small plates and low prices. That model wasn’t sustainable—or fair to our chef’s talent.”
Trained in French and Italian cuisine, Lovo wanted freedom to cook more broadly. “With the Bistro, we can do everything we love—still Spanish and Italian, but focused on local seafood and seasonal ingredients,” he said.
The transformation happened fast: Tapas closed on a Saturday night and by Tuesday morning, Bainbridge Bistro opened its doors after two nonstop days of rebranding. “We worked harder than ever, but it was worth it,” said Fredricks.
The new space celebrates food, art and music.
Local artwork adorns the walls, craft cocktails are poured and produce comes from nearby organic and hydroponic farms. “We want guests to forget the outside world for a while—just good food, drink and calm energy,” Fredricks said.
Menu favorites include lemon chicken capellini, 12-hour braised lamb ragu and lobster risotto, alongside signature tapas, such as empanadas and crispy cauliflower. Desserts, including pistachio cheesecake and tiramisu, come from a local Italian baker.
Beyond great food, Bainbridge Bistro embraces a mission: supporting local producers, women-owned businesses and minority entrepreneurs. “If you’re in this industry, you do it for love,” said Fredricks. “That’s what people feel when they come here.”
Lovo summed it up simply: “Restaurants must evolve—you move or you die.
Bainbridge Bistro is our evolution.”
Bainbridge Bistro, 403 Madison Ave N., Suite 140, 206-460-4367
Jake’s Pickup
It’s not just a gas station. It’s an organically focused restaurant.
Walk past the gas pumps and step inside what looks like a standard convenience store. But keep going to the back and you’ll find yourself at Jake’s Pickup, one of the most unconventional—and delicious—restaurants on the island.
“We think of what we do as mostly organic comfort food made from scratch,” said Jake Angel, who owns Jake’s Pickup with his wife, Kristi. “We’ve always wanted to give people a good meal at a decent price, and this gives us the opportunity to do it.”
There are two parts to Jake’s—made-to-order and grab ’n’ go.
The made-to-order choices, which are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., may include:
Fried Cod Sandwich: Two wild-caught cod filets seasoned with BBQ dry rub with house tartar sauce on a buttered and griddled house bun.
Screaming Chicken Melt: Open-face on house French roll with signature basil aioli, roasted chicken, tomato, mozzarella and cheddar. Smokey and the BBQ: Hickory pulled pork with Memphis-style BBQ sauce and mustard coleslaw on a house-made bun.
Egg, Bacon, & Cheese Sammy: French-style omelet layers and cheddar, bacon and basil aioli on Jake’s own bun.
Short on time but still want something uber tasty? Jake’s grab ‘n’ go menu ranges from sandwiches to some of the best pastries on the island. They bake their bread, buns and pastries in-house, using organic flour and organic eggs. “And we hand-carve all the meat,” said Angel. “I don’t trust big commercial slicers—you can’t clean them.”
A discussion of Jake’s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning their sconenut.
“It’s better than a scone and better for you than a doughnut,” said Angel. “It’s sweet and glazed like a doughnut, but baked, not fried.”
And it’s flying out the door.
Jake’s Pickup, 406 High School Rd NE, 206-842-5595
“She has a true gift the way she captures real smiles, quiet in-between moments, and that unmistakable sparkle in his eyes is something I’ ll treasure forever.”
Annie is a memory-maker with over 18 years of experience. Her work is a testament to the joy and milestones she's had the privilege to document for nearly two decades
Thuy’s Pho House
Come for the pho. Stay for the good vibes.
Born in Vietnam, Thuy Nguyen arrived in the U.S. as a 9-year-old refugee in 1975. Since then, she’s built a life rooted in gratitude, family and food. After visiting Bainbridge in 2000, she and her husband sold everything and moved to the island with their infant daughter. Twenty-four years later, she remains deeply connected to the community that supported her through both success and hardship, including the challenges of the pandemic.
A lifelong cook, Nguyen grew up helping in family restaurants and learning traditional food preparation long before “organic” and “farm-to-table” became trends. Though she never attended culinary school, her early experiences taught her the value of hard work and resourcefulness. Her restaurant, Thuy’s Pho House, is known for its fresh, MSG-free pho and authentic Vietnamese dishes, including bánh mì and noodle salad. Dim sum fans will be delighted to find that the restaurant serves dim sum on weekends. She emphasizes
honesty in her cooking—using pure broths and transparent ingredients—and credits her loyal customers for keeping her business thriving.
Despite the long hours and the physical demands of running a restaurant, Nguyen finds joy in feeding people and nurturing community. Her five grown children, all of whom have helped in the business, now live across the country pursuing their own paths. Becoming a grandmother has deepened her desire to slow down and spend more time with family.
Nguyen attributes her optimism to her past: growing up poor during wartime taught her to be grateful for even the smallest blessings. “Even when it’s bad, it’s not as bad as it could be,” she said. “I’m just grateful that I get to live here, raise my kids here and do what I love. When you have joy, love and compassion—that’s the real foundation of life.”
Thuy’s Pho House, 120 Madrone Lane, 206-842-1769
Winter
1. Hunchback of Notre Dame at BPA
BPA’s production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will combine Alan Menken’s music from the Disney film with a plotline that more closely follows Victor Hugo’s original novel (read: a bit darker––and perhaps more complex––than the cartoon version). Parental discretion is advised for children under 12.
December 4 - 21, showtimes vary bainbridgeperfomringarts.com
2. Winter Night Market at BIMA
BIMA’s Winter Night Market has something for everyone: seasonal drinks (both spirited and NA), crafts you can buy (and crafts you can make!), plus a DJ, twinkly lights and fire-pit lounges. The market will take place outdoors, but each night offers a concert inside the museum. December 5 and 6, 4 to 8 p.m. biartmuseum.org
3. Winter Studio Tour
More than 40 years of local art comes together at this free, self-guided tour, with regional artists and a wide variety of media from wearables to wall-hang ings. You’ll have the chance to meet the artists, see working studios and, should you choose, snag some holiday gifts.
December 5 - 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily bistudiotour.com
4. TreeBuilder with BIGS
7. Santa Paws at Eleven Winery
Eleven Winery is teaming up with the Kitsap Humane Society for all-ages, pet-inclusive photos with Santa (so even your furry friends can ask for a gift). A digital copy of the photo costs $20, with all benefits from the event (including wine pours and tasting fees) donated to the Humane Society.
For those who might want a hand digging through family history, the Bainbridge Island Genealogical Society (BIGS) offers free drop-in workshops with their genealogy coaches. The one-on-one sessions, which take place at the library, are designed to help solve specific research problems. December 6, 1 to 3 p.m. bigenealogy.org
5. Second Saturday Science Talk
Attend Battle Point Observatory’s free monthly community science talks and get telescope tips from friendly astronomers. In December, hear the guest speaker and stick around afterwards for a planetarium show (and stargazing, if skies are clear). Check Battle Point Astronomical Association’s website for more events, details and to register.
December 13, 7 p.m. bpastro.org
6. Mission Drift at Treehouse Cafe
Formed with a cohort of Bainbridge and Poulsbo locals, Mission Drift draws on talent from former symphony players to original composers, offering a fresh and complex blend of progressive rock and jazz. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Treehouse Cafe’s website.
December 13, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. treehousebainbridge.com
December 14, noon to 3 p.m. elevenwinery.com
8. MLK Celebration 2026 at BIMA
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is partnering with Kitsap ERACE, the Living Arts Cultural Heritage Project and others for a day of poetry, music, dance and other presentations that consider the continued relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
January 18, 2:30 to 5 p.m. biartmuseum.org
9. Kathleen Flenniken and Laura Da’ at Eagle Harbor Books
Former Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken’s newest collection examines identity and morality through her recovery from breast cancer. A member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe, Laura Da’ will present Severality, a book of poems that combines personal and tribal history to tell a story of resilience. Online RSVPs are requested. January 20, 6:30 p.m. eagleharborbooks.com
10. Fishbowl at BPA
Award-winning local playwright
Catherine Rush offers a timely new work about a scientist intent on escaping humanity through living in an underwater habitat of her own design––only to have her plans hindered by a young ecoterrorist. The play will take place in the Cynthia Sears Studio with tickets available online.
February 19 - 21, 7:30 p.m., February 22, 3 p.m. bainbridgeperformingarts.org
11. New Year’s Polar Plunge
A crowd will likely gather at Lytle Beach at noon, but if you want to try something different, hit up Pleasant Beach and reserve a spot at the Fire+Floe Sauna for some après-plunge relaxation to ring in the New Year.
January 1, various times fireandfloe.com
Medaling in the Olympics in focus
On October 27, Ron Piland took this stunning photo of the Olympic Mountain Range from his back yard near Battle Point. “There had been light dustings of snow a couple times prior to that day, the kind that mostly melts away,” he said. “But this is the first time the clouds had parted to expose a full coverage, and what is likely to stay until spring.”
BY ALLI SCHUCHMAN
PHOTO BY RON PILAND
Piland said he and his wife, Amy, make an annual guess of when the first significant snowfall will make an appearance. “October 23 is our anniversary, so that’s usually the over/under date.”
This year they wagered it would be over in hopes of a prolonged summer. Well done, Pilands! And happy anniversary, kids.
We’re proud to celebrate Heron’s Key as Best Independent Living and Best Assisted Living in
This recognition is a reflection of the vibrant lifestyle, thoughtful services, and welcoming community we’ve built together. We’re proud to set the standard for senior living across the region—and even prouder to call our residents and team family.
Come experience the award-winning difference. Schedule a visit at www.heronskey.org and discover why Heron’s Key continues to grow with purpose, innovation, and heart.
Independent Living and a Full Continuum of Care 4340 Borgen Blvd., Gig Harbor, WA
