Miller’s Fine Jewelers (122 W. 3rd Ave, Moses Lake) Garb & Gizmos (227 WA-28, Soap Lake) Movement Mortgage - Sarah Bullinger (420 W. Broadway Ave) The Boutique (221 W. 3rd Ave, Moses Lake)
We have committed to: Providing our local Boys & Girls Club with 750 Care Snack bags every week for 9 weeks to the kids during the summer. And, during the school year we provide 160 Care Snack bags every week to Communities in Schools that go to 8 local Moses Lake schools to feed kids.
NOBODY DOES IT BETTER
crisscrossing the region visiting family and friends for annual visits, babies and birthdays. From the Newberry National Volcano Monument to Lower Lewis River Falls, we covered many miles to share meals and make memories. Most activities were planned, but there was always a little time to discover and do something unexpected. Good thing, or we never would have found the best fries ever at the OMG Chicken Shack in Pendleton, or seen the rhinoceros at Woodland Park Zoo who really put on a show for us!
The only thing busier than the summer is the holiday season! Lucky for us, the holidays are followed by a quieter, often introspective winter. This is the perfect time to stay close to home – my family loves the cold, dry and sunny snow days! It’s a great time to visit the Basin’s many indoor recreational facilities including cinemas, live theater and music, museums, bowling alleys and roller skating rinks, VR (virtual reality) rooms and arcades, and more.
So, while I love getting away, the time recently spent revisiting Sun Lakes Park Resort for their Fall Festival and the Moses Lake Museum for their recent and stunning Don Nutt gallery show, not to mention the extensive list of shops visited to be featured in the 2025 Basin Gift Buying Guide, are some of my favorite trips of the year.
As always, Venue Magazine is a letter to you, my community, about all the wonderful and unexpected things in our own backyard. This edition is a reminder of all those people, places, organizations and businesses that make our home so special. I also want to remind you that the greatest gift of all is time - it is my biggest investment in these magazines - and the most important thing I do anytime, spending it with those I love and serve. Sometimes
the greatest gift you can give is your time, too: there are a number of amazing organizations represented in this magazine, and others, that value your time as much as your financial contributions.
The last reminder is that while those lists can get overwhelming, and financially unrealistic, the number of gifts we give is not important, it’s the thought behind them. This winter, don’t feel the need to go too far to find an adventure, the perfect gift, or a great meal… they are all at your doorstep.
Contributing photographers: Xalt Photos, Paula Zanter-Stout
Venue Magazine, PO Box 312, Ephrata WA 98823 info@thevenuem.com / thevenuem.com / on socials @thevenuemag
What are you waiting for?
Article/MELEA JOHNSON
II woke at 3am with a thought I could not ignore. I have often had this experience, but this time it threw me for a loop. I had gone to sleep in a state of worry. Something I try never to do, as I know worry breeds worry and failures can come shortly thereafter. Not a good idea. Ever.
I wish to always welcome the new morning as a gift given...filled with countless marvels, opportunities, possibilities, and adventures. Yet, I had become intimidated by unknown outcomes. My thoughts were thwarted by the lack of confidence and faith. Feeling trepidation, my dreams were in a holding pattern. I didn’t know what to do. Until 3am. At that early hour, I woke with the question. What am I waiting for?
Without any more regard for extended sleep (and pouring a hot cup of coffee), my morning became a solace to my worry. Looking for the answer inside my question, I could see I needed to reorganize my misinterpretation of what was really true. It may be that everything I thought was falling apart was actually falling into place. I hadn’t been looking at it right.
We are our own thoughts. The life we live is because we choose it. If we want something different, we must make a different choice. We tend to worship the complicated until our vision is so blurred our eyes are colored with what’s not there. We can no longer see the mark. And it we aim for nothing, we have probably already hit it.
Anyone who has ever pursued a dream is a living example that perseverance when nothing is predictable comes with the territory. It is a continuous flow of the creative spark of one’s own flame towards wanting to accomplish a particular something. And recognizing there are always the resources, the help, the talents, the instruction necessary (and available) to make it happen, if you seek them.
The journey towards our dreams is about the commitment to not remaining the same. It’s about being bold and honest with others and true to oneself. It’s knowing our dreams are doable!
Anyone who has ever pursued a dream is a living example that perserverance when nothing is predictable comes with the territory.
FRIDAY FILM SERIES
Civic Center Auditorium
Moses Lake
7pm
saturday, NOVember 22, 2025
“Picture a spectacle where music, dance, and live speed painting collide in a mesmerizing fusion, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.”
Season 48
“A hilarious and high-energy show of inventive percussion, clean comedy, ridiculous songs with beautiful harmonies and more!”
all shows at the big bend community college’s wallenstein theater • moses lake, wa • 7pm
saturday, march 28, 2026
friday, march 6, 2026
“A celebration of fifty years of chart-topping music from artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, has wowed audiences worldwide!”
COLLIN HANSEN: THUR, DEC 4, 2025
Piano Soloist
GENTLEMEN’S QUARTET: TUE, MAR 24, 2026
Instrumental quartet with female vocalist. GQ is a modern, elegant take on some of the most famous music ever written, fusing together multiple genres in a perfect symphony of sophistication, virtuosity and humor. These four musicians have collectively performed over 10,000 shows and counting.
Collin is originally from Moses Lake but has resided in Helsinki Finland for many years. Following his successful debut as a soloist, he has been a frequent guest on the stages of major festivals and concert venues, as well as making numerous appearances on television and radio.
BACHELORS OF BROADWAY
THUR, APR 16, 2026
Melodies from Stage & Screen
This show features a trio of dashing men, soaring melodies from stage and screen and contemporary three-part vocal harmony. Audiences will hear lush symphonic arrangements of songs from modern and classic musicals.
A home for all
Article/REBECCA MABIUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HABITAT OF HUMANITY GREATER MOSES LAKE
AA home is where cherished memories are created, laughter echoes, and comfort resides. Since 1994, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake has been dedicated to turning that vision into a reality for families right here in our community. In February of this year, we completed our 15th home: a three-bedroom house built for a young family who never thought homeownership was within reach. With determination, community support, and a helping hand from Habitat, that dream became a reality.
But homebuilding is only part of what we do. In 2022, we expanded our mission to include critical repairs and home maintenance, recognizing that preserving homes is just as important as building new ones. Since then we’ve helped over 15 local homeowners stay safely and comfortably in their home. We know that stable housing can create new paths that lead to different
opportunities. Habitat for Humanity goes beyond building; it is about building community and hope. Every nail, every paint stroke, and every dollar donated directly supports our neighbors and strengthens the fabric of our community.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home but thought it was out of reach, we encourage you to connect with us. If you believe in building a stronger community, we invite you to invest in this mission. Together, we’re not just building houses, we’re building futures. Thank you for your support!
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake, visit our website at www.habitatgreatermoseslake.org, or stop by the office located in the Smith Martin Building at 102 E. Third Ave. in Moses Lake.
People who love their kitchens don’t change them
Article/SHAWN CARDWELL
FFor the rest of us who dream of additional storage, better flow or more appealing aesthetics in the kitchen, thankfully we have Barbara Dompier, daughter of the Skaug Family business founder, sister to the brothers still working and leading their enterprises, and head of the team for cabinet and kitchen projects at Skaug Bros Carpet One in Moses Lake.
What better way to approach the kitchen, ‘the heart of the home’, than with heart? Barbara’s approach is with “EQ versus the IQ. The emotional quotient is what happens in the kitchen,” she said,” where you bake cookies and have birthday parties and Thanksgiving. It’s where you learn to be an adult while amassing all those memories with friends and family.”
“A customer once told me, ‘You changed the way we live,’ which I thought was weird, because I was new to the industry,” Barabara said, “but, the kitchen can change the way you live… if you need more space, more functionality, that can change the way you live, the way you move through your day, the way you entertain.”
Barbara encourages people to come visit the Skaug Bros Carpet One. “We have a pretty store!” she said. She wants the chance to show customers you won’t pay less at a big box
“I know what I sold before [at a big box store] - and in the long run, sometimes in the immediate, you don’t get as good of a deal... I would say every time I beat them [at Skaug Bros Carpet One].” -Barbara Dompier
store - either in the long run, or immediately. “A budget could be $20,000 or $100,000 or $5,000. Making a nice kitchen on a small budget is just as important as a nice kitchen on a big budget and something I work just as hard on,” she said, “I know what I sold before [at a big box store] - and in the long run, sometimes in the immediate, you don’t get as good of a deal... I would say every time I beat them [at Skaug Bros Carpet One].”
“I was taught by a few people with over 100 years of experience between them, 15 years ago,” she said, “The average person designs 1.2 kitchens over their lifetime, I’ve done so many more than that.”
When dreaming of design for your own kitchen or bathroom, Barbara has some ideas of what, and what not, to focus on. “We need to surround ourselves with color and design that we not only feel good in but LOOK good in,” she said. She encourages you to dress your kitchen the same way you dress yourselves. Never wear green? Then, don’t get those green cabinets! Never wear cool white? Then, don’t get
those white tiles and countertops! Whatever the current design trends are - which she summed up in one word: biophilic, “The concept that increases occupant connection to nature through design features,” she said, “This means we’re seeing lots of greens, woods, yellows and reds. Much of this starts with fashion, but also going back to the EQ needs of family, function and relaxation,” plus black countertops and whites that “aren’t really white”... the most important part is that it’s what you want for your home. “Don’t get a white kitchen thinking of the resale value ten years down the road,” she advises.
If you’re thinking of an update in your home - whether it’s
all new cabinets, counter tops and tiles, or new cabinet faces and countertop, or new cabinet paint colors with new flooring, or maybe that kitchen island you’ve been dreaming of - Skaug Bros Carpet One is the place to go to get personable service by a family who cares about your family. Ask for Barbara!
2025/26 Season
little shop of horrors
BOOK and music BY Howard Ashman
MUSIC BY alan menken
DIRECTED by STACEY & CLIFFORD BRESEE
October 16-November 2, 2025
Christmas with little women
By
Phyllis Mccallum
DIRECTED BY marla Allsopp
DECEMBER 5-14, 2025
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield
DIRECTED by Adam Zaleski
February 13-March 1, 2026
Around the World in 80 Days
Adapted by Mark Brown
From the novel by Jules Verne
DIRECTED by Cynthia Beyer
April 10-26, 2026
By Horton Foote
Directed by Jesse Huntwork
JUNE 12-28, 2026
Festival of Trees 2025 Brings Holiday Cheer and Community Support
Article/COLUMBIA BASIN FOUNDATION
TThe holiday season will soon sparkle in the Columbia Basin as the Columbia Basin Foundation hosts its beloved Festival of Trees event this December. A cherished community tradition, the Festival of Trees blends holiday spirit with generosity, bringing together local businesses, organizations, and families in support of an important cause: helping those affected by cancer in our region.
This year’s Festival of Trees will take place over two festive weeks. The display will be open December 1–4 and December 8–10 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, and on December 11 the public is invited to a special Open House running from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visitors can stroll through a dazzling display of decorated trees, each uniquely sponsored and designed to showcase the creativity and holiday spirit of the community.
The Festival is made possible through the generosity of local sponsors. Microsoft joins as this year’s presenting sponsor, marking an exciting new partnership. Tree sponsors include Dave the Tire Guy, the Paul Lauzier Foundation, Cloudview Kitchen, Jacobsen Dental, MartinMorris, Tommer Construction, Edward Jones – Emma Isaak, Windermere Real Estate, Clear Risk, Moberg Law
Group, and First Interstate Bank, with the latter’s tree displayed at its Ephrata branch. Their support helps make this celebration not only festive but deeply impactful.
Each tree in the festival will be raffled, with winners announced on December 12. Individuals can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to take home a fully decorated holiday tree, complete with gifts and surprises from the sponsors. It’s a fun way to bring the joy of the season into your home while also supporting local families in need.
Most importantly, the Festival of Trees is about giving back. All proceeds will be divided equally among the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, the Childhood Cancer Coalition, Jayda Harmon’s Children’s Cancer Fund, and Cancer Care of NCW. These organizations provide critical services and heartfelt support for local families facing the challenges of cancer.
The Festival of Trees is hosted by the Columbia Basin Foundation, located at 101 Basin St. NW in Ephrata, Washington. With its blend of festive charm and community impact, the event is more than a holiday tradition—it is a reminder of the power of generosity and togetherness.
(above) CBF team with Board Members Lynda Bowers and Tom Moncrief with trees in 2024. (left) Picking the winners in 2024!
weston’s food drive to COLLECT SNACK ITEMS TO feed local kids
Article/MICHAELLE BOETGER
FFor the 2nd year in a row eight-year old, Weston Wesselman is having a food drive. For the past four years his family has been putting up a light display in their yard at 4225 Cove West Drive in Moses Lake. That display has since spilled over to their neighbor’s yard. They encourage people to stop by see all the holiday lights. In 2024 Weston wanted to do more, he decided to set out a container with a sign his mom made encouraging people to donate food items. He managed to collect quite a bit of food as well as cash to donate to local non-profits. This year’s light display and food drive will start on November 24, 2025 and continue through the end of the year.
In December of 2024 a message was sent to Care Moses Lake about helping to distribute the food and financial donations. Soon after the Wesselman family also started volunteering with Care Moses Lake, joining volunteers on Tuesdays at 4pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church to put together Care Sack lunches to feed those in need and Care Snack bags to feed local kids. They are also able to help out other non-profits with projects they need volunteers for.
Weston says, “My papa (grandpa) does a light display and food drive on the West side. I asked my parents if we could do one too! I love putting up all the lights every year. We have a big nutcracker, a big Santa and a whole bunch of Minnie and Mickey displays. This year we’re adding a Santa sleigh and a runway!”
This year Weston hopes to collect even more donations! Weston will be collecting snack items to help feed local kids. Care Moses Lake puts together 160 Care Snack bags every week that are distributed to Communities in Schools. They give the snack bags to eight local Moses Lake schools to feed kids in need. Each Care Snack bag contains a salty (individual chips, popcorn or crackers), a sweet (granola bar or krispie treat) and a cup (jello, pudding, fruit or applesauce), plus a spoon.
Weston’s mom, Tessa, says, “I love seeing my son’s eyes light up when he checks the food bin and finds new donations. He gets so excited knowing people are helping. He loves being able to personally receive donations from community members and say thank you himself. On the weekends, he even stands outside on the sidewalk handing out candy canes to people who drive by to see the lights. What started as just a fun way to give back has now turned into something that’s become part of our family. We volunteer every week now — I’ve joined the board of Care Moses Lake, and the kids volunteer on Tuesdays putting together sack lunches and snack bags. It’s been such a special experience for all of us.”
“My papa (grandpa) does a light display and food drive on the West side. I asked my parents if we could do one too! I love putting up all the lights every year. ” – Weston Wesselman
Organizer and Founder of Care Moses Lake, Michaelle Boetger says, “When we were contacted last year from Weston’s mom about helping him distribute all the food donations we were so excited and honored to partner with Weston. We love it when young people give back to our community. We hope others see what Weston has started and can think of ways they too can give back to those in need in our community. There are so many local non-profits and so many ways to show your support. A food drive is a great way to help Care Moses Lake with supplies needed to put together these snack bags. It’s a small way we can begin to help out those with food insecurities.”
Care Moses Lake is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Find it in your heart to continue giving back to Your community. Together we’ll make a difference. For more information see their website at www.CareMosesLake.com or their social media pages.
(left) 2024, Weston with Care Moses Lake Board Members, Jeremy & Michaelle Boetger and at his family’s light display and food drive
CA journey, the past and present
Article/JIM BAIRD
Cloudview has been many things to many people over the last, almost 20 years. It started on a hillside above the farm fields in the Royal slope area of central WA. I always liked to visit this one hillside because I always felt closer to the clouds passing by overhead. It’s hard to imagine here in central WA where we live on a relatively flat basin for landscape, but truly, for me, this was a place where I felt closer to the Clouds and closer to realms of possibilities for what my life could be, and the life for others.
A small group of people, Tyler, Aldonna, and Joe Graves, came to me looking for a place to ‘market garden’ and learn more about caring for the Land and I was able to offer that opportunity. It started as just a small group of people but many more followed over the subsequent years. Cloudview Royal, as I called it, was somewhere between an ‘experiential’ learning farm and an ‘incubator’ farm for young people desiring to learn about farming, gardening, and experience it together in community. Over the years probably hundreds of people worked, interned, and visited Cloudview Royal. Cloudview sold produce to the farmers’ markets of Ellensburg, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and Ephrata along with starting probably the areas first CSA (community supported agriculture) delivery box service in these areas. As the farm and its outreach grew my son, Jamie Baird, would also market our produce in the greater Seattle area and became involved in the farms and orchards. We reached out to school districts and began delivering produce to schools in the area, primarily the Wenatchee school district.
As the years went by I had an opportunity to start a second Cloudview farm just outside of Ephrata, on Frey Rd. where it is located now. I was born and raised here in Ephrata, and I began wanting to develop and share my love of farming, gardening, plants and trees more locally. A young couple, Josh and Carli Ewart, came to me, with somewhat of the same desire as that original couple that helped initiate Cloudview Royal and we began to develop the farm we now call CLOUDVIEW.
Cloudview has morphed and evolved over the years with the newest iteration more of an education center for children and adults, an event space, and with fields for growing healthy produce and experimenting with agriculture cover crops.
Cloudview has always been about a healthier View of growing plants and growing people with connections to the land that sustains us all. Cloudview remains a ‘work in progress’ with a desire to serve the community through farm - based education
“Cloudview has always been about a healthier View of growing plants and growing people with connections to the land that sustains us all.” – Jim Baird
Jim continues to be involved in all aspects of the farm, from planning to planting, harvesting and celebrating the crops.
and outreach events. I personally am so grateful for all the people who have been part of Cloudview’s history and all of those who have attended our programs, and those of you in our community who have supported this effort. Regardless of where the future of agriculture goes, I will always think it’s important to know about where and how food is grown on whatever scale, and it’s important our children are exposed to farms, fields and food, as well.... The Cloudview farm will always be dedicated to that mission.
Cloudview Farms in Royal City and Ephrata continue to be home for generations of eco-conscious friends and families, like this crew from summer 2012.
Ingredients for a healthy, happy winter
Article/CALLIE PRESTON
CChilly weather season is finally upon us, and with it brings all the good and not so good things that come with the changing weather. From hearty meals with friends and family, to sniffly noses and less sunlight, there are things to look forward to and things to prepare for. Slowing down and intentionally nourishing your body and soul during these months is the best way to prepare for the darker days ahead, and into spring.
As we begin to have less natural sunlight, it is critical to make sure we still have plenty of vitamin D. A great way to boost your vitamin D without the sun is supplement! Since vitamin D plays such a crucial role in mood, supplementing with it is one of the best ways to ward off any seasonal depression, and help boost your immune system. You may know of another popular vitamin that people use for immunity; vitamin C. But, did you know you don’t have to take a pill to get it? Our favorite way to get vitamin C is through an ancient remedy called Elderberry Syrup. The process includes simmering dried elderberries with honey and other warming spices until it forms a powerful, immune boosting syrup. If you are not that ambitious, we always have a wide variety of premade elderberry syrups available too!
Another staple that we have at Settler’s is an herb called mullein. This herb is known for amazing expectorant properties, meaning that it helps to thin any mucus in your lungs, causing it to move up and out. Mullein is a tried-and-true remedy for lung congestion, and it always has people coming back for more. Whether you want a tea, syrup, capsule, or tincture, we have you covered, and anyone can reap the benefits of this herbal medicine.
Oftentimes, nothing works better for immunity than a comforting bowl of hot soup, made with intentional ingredients, and most importantly, love. Soup time has begun again for us here at Settler’s, and we have been cooking up your favorite recipes Monday through Friday, crafting them with
Slowing down and intentionally nourishing your body and soul during these months is the best way to prepare for the dark days ahead, and into spring.
you in mind, and always keeping them gluten free so many can enjoy. The amino acids found in chicken broth not only boost immunity, but some would argue that a good soup warms the soul as well. Whatever method you want to use to stay healthy, we’re here for you every step of the way.
G e t yo u r C OVI D -1 9 , R SV a n d Fl u va c c i n e s !
F L U R S V C O V I D HO O C AN G E T TH E SE VAC C I N E S ?
E v e r y o n e 6 m o n t h s a n d o l d e r
P e o p l e w h o a r e p l a n n i n g p r e g n a n c y , p r e g n a n t ,
p o s t p a r t u m o r l a c t a t i n g
A d u l t s 7 5 a n d o l d e r
A d u l t s 6 0 – 7 4 w i t h r i s k f a c t o r s
P r e g n a n t p e o p l e ( 3 2 – 3 6 w e e k s )
B a b i e s u n d e r 8 m o n t h s o r 8 – 1 9
m o n t h s w i t h r i s k f a c t o r s
E v e r y o n e 6 m o n t h s a n d o l d e r
P e o p l e w h o a r e p l a n n i n g p r e g n a n c y ,
p r e g n a n t , p o s t p a r t u m o r l a c t a t i n g
H a v e a s a f e a n d h e a l t h y f a l l !
L e a r n m o r e a t h t t p s : / / g r a n t h e a l t h . o r g / 1 6 4 / C O V I D - 1 9
Financial Focus: When investing, one of the best abilities is durability
Article/EDWARD JONES
YYou’ve probably heard about “genius” investors or those who got in on the “ground floor” of a company that grew to be a huge success. These stories may be interesting, but they are also rare — and sometimes not even true.
The truth is that successful investing isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t necessarily quick. Instead, a well-founded investing strategy is a durable one — one that can withstand the test of time.
Here are some actions that can help you build durability.
Take your time: Most individual investors make their money over time, not overnight. Despite stories about fortunes made on one or two trades, you’re more likely to be successful making money over time. You’ll want to own a well-diversified portfolio of quality investments — and plan to own those investments for the long term.
A long-term perspective can help you ignore the constant noise in the markets and stay invested. When you hear about the latest “hot” investment tip, especially if it’s already performed well, the best advice is this: Ignore it. Although it may be tempting to buy a popular investment, it may not fit with the rest of your portfolio, it may have already peaked and it may be riskier than you expect. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Invest in quality: When building your investment portfolio, quality should be a top priority. For stocks, quality is frequently measured by the steadiness of earnings and dividend growth over time. For bonds, one measure of quality is an investment-grade credit rating, which indicates that the borrower has a good track record of making its promised interest and principal payments and the bond has a relatively low risk of default.
Quality investments are more likely to overcome temporary challenges, which is why a good track record can be an indication of quality. Don’t reach for yield by looking for investments offering the highest dividend or interest rate without considering the risk. Remember, there is no perfect investment — a higher rate generally means higher risk. Stick to your strategy: Building a long-term strategy can anchor your decisions and provide a roadmap for your investment choices. Your strategy should consider your goals, tolerance for risk and the time needed to save toward each goal.
Within that strategy, you can be flexible. Buy and hold, for example, doesn’t mean buy and forget. Over time, your goals may change, or you may choose to hold
more conservative investments. But it’s important to make changes for the right reasons, not simply because stocks or your other investments may have dropped in price.
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to time the markets, moving in and out in response to short-term declines or the latest prediction. This often results in getting into and out of the market at the wrong times, costing time and money — and resulting in lower returns over time.
Remember that investments don’t all move up or down at the same time but portfolio diversification can help smooth the ups and downs of the market. A long-term perspective can help you see past short-term fluctuations in some investments.
Successful investing isn’t about making dramatic moves or chasing the latest trends. It’s about developing a durable strategy personalized for your life, then sticking with it through market ups and downs. In investing, as in life, slow and steady could help win the race.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local
Monday - Thursday 11am-9pm
Monday Night Bingo @ 5pm
Tuesday Tacos! Trivia @ 7pm
Whiskey Wednesdays - 50¢ o
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Friday 11am-12am
Steak Night Fridays 5-8pm
Bible Study Sundays 10-11am
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VENUE MAGAZINE’S
2025 BASIN GIFT BUYING GUIDE
Article/SHAWN CARDWELL
Venue scoured the region to find fantastic spots to shop this holiday season and beyond. We love small towns because we love being an important part of a community - we are each of us big fish in the ponds of our economies - and you can make a difference in the lives of the many people who spend their time creating the vibrant downtowns, delicious eateries and fun entertainment that make up our towns.
If we, each and every one of us, bought one or two things at a local shop for the holidays our businesses would be thriving, our nonprofits would be running well and our communities would be healthier.
Venue found something for everyone: young, old, sassy, serious - from your nephew to work’s White Elephant gift . Not to mention that extra special gift you get yourself while you’re being so generous.
GIFT CARDS
Almost every shop has them, and there is a shop in the Basin for everyone. These are a great way to pack stockings, augment a smaller gift , or to create a themed set of gift s. They are not only the gift of the thing they end up buying, but also the adventure of getting there!.
We are loving the idea of a “Burger Tour” around Grant County with some new BBQ utensils, Pure Country Harvest ground beef, and a couple of gift cards to The Ranch in Vantage, Gärd in Royal City, The Harvest Moon in Wilson Creek, the Tee Pee Drive-In in Grant Coulee, and/or Jake’s in Ritzville. Recreate with lattes, garden and plant shops, puzzles, and more!
Tickets to a local show, with a dinner, or an activity like roller skating or bowling are also great options.It’s about getting creative and personal for the lucky recipient.
Painted card by Deborah Chittendon – make your gift cards even more special by wrapping them in a locally-sourced greeting card, like this one! Other favorite places to find cards include: regional bird photo cards at Sett ler’s Market in Ephrata and Moses Lake, cat cards from the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, and all of them at the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Moses Lake.
FOR THE HOST OR THE FEAST
Bottle of 2022 Thunderstone from Gärd Public House in Royal City - this is a most dramatic bott le of wine, fitting for its name which references the land of the Lawrence Estate vines Scandinavian lore, with notes of acai, green peppercorn, ripe blackberries which can be enjoyed now and for the next 15 years.
Sticky bun from Cow Path Bakery in Othello - if… and that’s a big if… one of these buns makes it out of the store, through the car ride and to your destination then you’re a more generous friend than I! Cow Path also make a fantastic pie, cookie and coffeeeverything you need for a hungry holiday crowd.
Local dill pickles from Wild Roots in Odessa - these are delicious, made in Ritzville, and an awesome gift for a host who doesn’t imbibe in alcohol or just loves pickles!
Bottle of Spurstride from Moses Lake Distillery - fun for tasting at a party, or pair it with those vintage glasses from Plume and a fun-shaped ice cube tray!
Fruit from Tonnemaker Farm in Royal City - holiday apple and pear boxes come carefully packaged and are a sweet, delicious way to warm a home during the winter months. You should get on their mailing list sooner than later because they sell out fast.
SOME GIFTS HANG AROUND, OTHERS ARE MEANT TO BE USED
One-of-a-kind American flag upcycled denim jacket from Sole Performance in Ephrata - Denim has never gone out of style - it’s great for everything from headbands to throw pillows and jackets like this one. Litt le tip - always size up jean jackets, it makes them better for layering. Sole Performance specializes in screen printing and embroidery so it’s also a great resource for making one-of-a-kind gift s of your own; and, it’s the home of Spooky Behavior, an bespoke brand geared at folks with a active lifestyle… and a challenge to rival your fears.
Moon painting by Hannah Fountain Art from Drip Art Gallery in Moses Lake - Hannah’s gallery, The Drip, is a fantastic resource for those with or who want to start an art collection either of other’s art, or their own, with prints, paintings, classes and of course, coffee!
Don Nutt annual calendar from Caribou Trails Gallery in Coulee City - this calendar becomes a can’t miss tradition after just one year, with images of Don’s iconic, local work highlighting the beauty of our region each month. “I tried to get out of the calendar business, but too many customers complained,” he recently said in an email. Get them while supplies last!
Print by local artist Kathy Dalton from Recollections in Soap Lakethese highland cows are so cute right now (and forever).
Matches from Valley Girl in Quincy - useful and utilitarian, but make it aesthetically pleasing! This is a great low-cost gift everyone will think one day, “Whew! Glad I have those!”
Handmade wooden shelf by Whetstone Woodcraft s with hooks by from Rustic Rooster in Ephrata - beautiful work and so functional.
Poured painting by Judy Kalin at Up Town Art Gallery in Moses Lake - these paintings are beautiful, and a special opportunity to get a modern technique by a legendary local artist. Beeswax and tallow candle by The Herd from Wild Roots Market in Odessa - this beautiful scented candle from a catt le ranching family in Ritzville is a super fun way to embrace the “whole cow” approach to butchering, one of the most unique gift s we found this year.
Beautifully made backpack with navy blue cork fabric by Linda Boothman Creations from the Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello - this nonprofitrun shop (literally an old hotel) is full of local art, cards, events and history. The backpack is delicate and utilitarian, and expertly made.
Cotton-poly blend blanket from Gathered at the Quincy Public Market - so soft and feels incredibly warm. You want to wrap yourself up in this whole store!
Vintage frame from Plume in Moses Lake - making this into a fantastic gift requires some forethought with a printed photograph or artpiece and backing (the glass is available at the shop). Vintage duck not included, but very cool and also from Plume.
Vintage Dooney and Bourke red leather purse from Recollections in Soap Lake - the shop has an amazing collection of vintage clothes and accessories like this bag.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Stickers from Ritzville Drug - something about stickers is so fun and silly for anyone of any age and interest, perfect for stocking stuffers. Lean into the idea that you can go into any shop in the region and find something, even small, to buy locally.
Bottle opener with custom laser-burned inscription from Rustic Rooster in Ephrata - you email the shop a PDF of what you want them to include from a name, a message or even a photo!
String game from Hello, Nature in Moses Lakeloving these games of childhood repackaged as meditative and relaxing, a great pastime to teach or relearn with someone on your list.
Silver horse pendants from Frederick’s Jewelry in Moses Lake - these beautiful, matching but opposite-facing pair of silver horses are from a hand-carved mold by Frederick’s owner, Nick. He has another pair in gold, and can set a series of stones along one side, depending on the customer’s choices. These are perfect to be gifted alone, or as a set to two inseparable people.
Silver, beaded hoop earrings by Deborah Chittendon from Gathered at the Quincy Public Market - Chittendon is an incredible local jewelry artist with work in several places around the Basin including Gathered and the Moses Lake Museum.
Kershaw folding knife from Cougar Ridge Knife Co in Ephrata - this shop is full of fantastic knives, meant to be used inside or outside and worn, washed and used for whatever you need. This knife is the season’s most popular according to owner and knife enthusiast, Dave. They also carry beautiful kitchen utensils, cutting boards and bags.
Grasshopper from Olde World Trading in Ephrata and Moses Lake - stuffed animals are awesome, they’re cute and cuddly and lately we’re seeing wonderfully eccentric and silly ones. None so silly and amazing than at Olde World which has a collection of every animal you’d never expect… plus two entire stores full of more gift ideas for any and all types of people.
Handmade wooden box from Ideal Endeavors The Little Woodshop in Coulee City - this small gallery of wooden signs, projects and local art, includes boxes like this perfect keepsake.
Nutcracker from Artgarden Pottery in Moses Lakewhatever your family tradition, there is opportunity to add to it at ARTgarden, and with the option to paint it before it’s gifted, or after as a group activity with the recipient, it’s a versatile option!
Scent from Art of Prithvi, “A Bumi Essentials Concept” from Bumi Salon in Soap Lake - these litt le bott les hold a lot of gifting potential. You can pick up Prithvi’s new line of scents or spend some time with owner, Dusty, as he helps build a unique scent based on the French perfumery layering of top notes, heart notes and base notes.
Dragon folio scrapbook by Tiffany Fultz from Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello - this beautiful, one-of-a-kind book is an example of the local art you can find at this gallery. If you’re lucky another scrapbook by Tiff any will be there - perfect for photography, storytelling, fantasy, nature and curio lovers.
Ornament from Artgarden Pottery in Moses Lakeoften, the best gift s capture a moment in time while simultaneously lasting for more than one season. Laura at ARTgarden has a special knack for making every fingerprint, footprint or any other imprint, a work of art.
Fluted Ball jar from Four Season Farm Service in Ephrata - these newly released jars from the iconic canning company are beautiful for flowers, as drinkware and of course for all those canners in your life.
Vintage glass from Hello, Nature in Moses Lake - this glass is part of a collection and so beautiful in person and perfect for a home bar, one of many beautiful, collectable pieces at this shop that has something new and old for everybody.
Work gloves from Four Season Farm Service in Ephrata - when in doubt, for any person, a pair of gloves is a safe bet for a great gift! If anyone is an animal gift buyer… this shop has some local, raw chicken food that would be a funny addition under the tree for your favorite layers!
Grandpa socks from Plume in Moses Lake - we grew up giving Dad socks for every holiday, what a fun way to update that tradition! Perfect for the cool, hip Papas out there.
Capri Volcano Linen Spray from Valley Girl in Quincyusable, useful gift s are always a priority… something that doesn’t hang around and collect dust forever. This sweet and fruity Volcano scent from the Capri line is great for everything, from the lotion to this linen spray (that always works on car interiors!).
E P H R A T A Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, November 29th
S M A L L B U S I N E S S S A T U R D A Y
Celebrate Ephrata’s small businesses the heart and foundation of our community. They support us year-round, so let’s show our support by shopping local this Holiday season!
Saturday, December 13th
B E L L S O N B A S I N
Polar Express Passports
Venture downtown Ephrata, where you can bring the little ones for a funfilled excursion exploring local businesses, enjoying holiday activities, and shopping local this festive season!
Friday-Saturday, June 12-13 2026
Join us for the 2026 Sage-N-Sun Festival! Celebrate America’s 250th with a weekend full of vendors, live music, a beer garden, 3-on-3 basketball, kids’ activities, and all things red, white, and blue!
Business After Hours As Scheduled Members & Guests invited for an evening of networking, drinks & appetizers!
$5 Entry - Must be 21+
Discover the heart of Ephrata where small-town charm meets big community spirit! Shop, dine, and explore local favorites while supporting the small businesses that make our town shine. Join us year-round for community events, celebrations, and hometown fun that bring Ephrata together where every visit feels like coming home. 61 Basin Street NW www.ephratachamber.org (509) 717-0050 y
Nov.
Dec.
The Dragon Folio
Article/SHAWN CARDWELL
Sometimes a gift gets you instead of the other way around. That’s how it felt seeing Tiffany Fultz’s Dragon Folio for the first time at The Old Hotel Art Gallery in Othello. It’s shiny and purple with a yellow shimmer. Its eye dilates ever so slightly when it catches yours, communicating permission or forbidding one to open it. Inside, there are only two pages,
but each page opens and opens and opens into pockets and pieces hidden within themselves all full of dragons and mystical words. There were more questions than answers once the book was opened. Was one supposed to add to it? Was I allowed to take it home with me?
featured on pg. 37 of the Basin Gift Buying Guide.
It took a year of pondering, and a chat with its creator to understand. Interestingly enough, the book feels to me the same way the artist feels about her art - sort of a mystery but totally essential to her life.
way they can imagine to be.
“I just like to make things,” Fultz said, “this is my get away from the hustle and bustle.” Futlz is the librarian at Wahitis Elementary School in Othello. She moved to town with her family at age four, and has since grown her own life with her husband and two children there. She’s fostered a love of books and paper through her life, education, profession and
There is some question in Fultz’s own mind as to whether or not she is an artist. “I’m no creative,” she said, “I’m re-creative. I see a lot of things and I like to pull things around that I see and combine them and make them
I’m recreative. I see a lot of things and I like to pull things around that I see and combine them and make them my own. - Tiffany Fultz hobby.
Futlz is interested in crafting “anything to do with paper - making cards, paper houses, decoration, mini albums and folios.” She shares her love of crafting with her parents - who are quilters - and her students with what she calls “Maker Space” days, where she puts out all sorts of crafty materials and the kids get to be creative in whatever
my own. But I don’t often see something from a blank slate and get ideas from everywhere.” She doesn’t hope to replace her job with her hobby, either, or even make it a side hustle. “I love my job reading to kids every day. I love my job, I don’t want to not have to do that,” she said. That being the case, it makes her work quite rareThe Old Hotel has an occassional book or two, or some cards Fultz has created. Or, if you’re lucky enough to be her friend she might let you shop in the boxes of finished projects under her bed. All her items are priced to simply cover a bit of seed funding for new project materials. Thankfully, after a year of thinking of the Dragon Book, it was still sitting there in The Old Hotel’s glass case. “A lot of people look at it, they like to flip through it,” said Samantha Copas, Executive Director of The Old Hotel and the nonprofit that supports it, “but no one had bought it yet.”
If art is meant to make one think, ask questions and excite you, while also just being what it is with no expectation of being the same one thing to every person - then the Dragon Folie is art, and Tiffany is an artist… at least in my book.
Activities & Events at the Festival: Lectures on cranes, birds, geography, geology, nature, agriculture, & more.
Tours by boat, bus, car, foot, & more. Children's activities, food trucks, history and culture of our area!
March 20-22, 2026 Othello, Washington
Theme: Discover Sandhill Magic
photo credit: Paula Zanter-Stout
Through winter comes spring
Article/DUSTY JAMES
TThe Spring Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration of renewal - of coming light, longer days, and the joy of making it through the winter together. It’s a time when nature warms and awakens, and so do we shake off the stillness and cold to welcome movement, growth, and connection once again. It begins each year on the Lunar New Year which takes place on the first new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20, and ends on the following full moon. In 2026, the Lunar New Year is February 17.
The Spring Festival is also a time to celebrate our loved ones, ancestors, and the spirit of shared community. It’s an expression of gratitude to those who came before, the land that provides, and the unseen forces that guide renewal, balance and unity. Spiritually, the festival marks a turning of the cosmic wheel when yin (winter’s stillness) gives
way to yang (spring’s life-force). It reminds us that rebirth always follows rest, and light always follows shadow. The Lantern Festival, held on the first full moon of the Lunar Year New and final night of the Spring Festival, illuminates this truth. The lanterns symbolize guidance and the soul’s light shining through darkness. In many traditions, releasing or lighting a lantern represents letting go of the past self, releasing burdens, and inviting transformation for the year ahead. Most lanterns are red, the color of vitality, joy, and good fortune that blesses both the living and the ancestral spirits who walk beside us. As lanterns rise or glow, they are said to carry our wishes to heaven, reconnecting earth and sky, human and divine.
Beyond all, the Spring Festival celebrates our ability to endure, adapt and begin again, together.
Chinese New Year Dinner
February 14th
At Cloudview Kitchen
Ticketed and catered event, reservations required Live Entertainment
RED PARTY dance party after dinner, no tickets required. Must wear red!
More information: facebook.com/cloudviewsoaplake instagram.com/cloudviewkitchen
Sunset Lantern Festival February 21st
At Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort Ticketed event includes Mooncakes* and lanterns, dragon dancers, traditional music, local vendors and more.
Lanterns will be flown and floated at sunset in honor of letting go of what doesn’t serve us and honoring those that came before us.
mooncakes
*Mooncakes are a traditional Chinese food made from humble, grounding ingredients like roots and beans; foods that carry us from autumn harvests through winter. Most notably connected to the Mid-Autumn Festival, they are a meaningful pairing for any lunar celebration. This year, Cloudview Kitchen will make taro and sweet potato Mooncakes for the evening of the Lantern Festival, honoring both the earth’s nourishment and the cycles that sustain us.
These celebrations are brought to you by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, Cloudview Kitchen and Soap Lake Natural Spa and Resort.
MOSES LAKE FARMERS MARKET
Markets
Mark your calendars for the following Saturdays from 9am-2pm:
Our 54th Annual Stumpjumpers Motorcycle Club Desert 100 off-road race will be held April 11–12, 2026, east of Odessa, WA, on private property that’s open only for this event.
garden featuring live bands both nights. The camp area fills with every kind of truck, trailer, camper, and RV imaginable.
OWhether you’re a new rider or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a course that fits your comfort zone.
This legendary desert race has evolved to include multiple Poker Run rides on Saturday, perfect for those who aren’t quite ready to race (yet). Whether you’re a new rider or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find a course that fits your comfort zone. Expect incredible views, plenty of dust, and maybe a few sore muscles or blisters that will fade fast once you’re relaxing with friends and family, swapping stories that tend to grow just a little taller with each retelling. We’ve got logistics covered to create a great experience for racers and spectators alike! Expect event swag, finisher trophies (for those who earn them), well-marked courses, medical support, vendor row, a food court, and a beer
This event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of private landowners and, very importantly, the ongoing support of the town of Odessa, located about eight miles east of camp where you’ll find everything you need for supplies and hospitality.
Pre-registration usually begins in early February and runs for about six weeks. To stay up-to-date with the Stump Jumpers Club, event details and updates, visit
Expect incredible view, plenty of dust, and maybe a few sore muscles.
our website www.stumpjumpers.org and Facebook pages for “Stumpjumpers Motorcycle-Club” and ”SJMC Desert 100”. We expect 1000+ racers each year, so planning is already underway - keep an eye out for news as we gear up for another unforgettable year in the desert!
Annual Fall Sale November 14 & 15
Article/KORI HUNT, MD AT COLUMBIA BASIN HOSPITAL FAMILY MEDICINE
A The Healing Power of Animals: Why Pets Make the Best Medicine
As a family doctor, I spend a lot of time talking about things like medications, sleep, and cutting back on sugar. But here’s one treatment I wish I could officially prescribe: pets, the fourlegged natural healers. Whether they bark, purr, chirp, or just stare at you from a fishbowl, animals have an incredible way of keeping us healthier, and a whole lot happier.
It’s not just wishful thinking, science agrees. Playing with your dog or cuddling your cat lowers blood pressure and stress, while boosting ‘happy hormones’ like oxytocin and serotonin. In other words, tossing a ball or scratching behind an ear can
Dogs remind us to celebrate the little things, like sunshine and unconditional love. Cats demonstrate the fine art of confidence and napping. Even a goldfish gives you a reason to pause and just…watch.
be as calming as deep breathing. Our animals often keep us more active as well. Dog owners, for example, are more likely to meet their daily exercise goals with frequent dog walks. But what I love most about pets is their ability to make life lighter. Dogs remind us to celebrate the little things, like sunshine and unconditional love. Cats demonstrate the fine art of confidence and napping. Even a goldfish gives you a reason to pause and just…watch. Pets have a knack for pulling us out of our heads and back into the moment.
Kids learn kindness and responsibility from caring for animals, while older adults often find that a furry companion keeps them active and less lonely. Sure, owning a pet is a serious commitment, but for many people, the rewards go far beyond what medication can offer. They fill our homes with laughter, routine, and warmth that no medication could match.
So, while I can’t hand out “one puppy twice daily” on a prescription pad, I can confidently say this: life’s a little better, and a lot healthier, when shared with something that wags, purrs, or squawks back.
Dr. Hunt is a Family Medicine Physician at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, WA. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her family and her own four-legged companions.
