What a dandy way to spend a spring day, bicycling through the valley wearing tweed and stopping for a picnic and a game of croquet. The look and the feel of yesteryear, when families dressed up and ventured forth on their bicycles through the countryside than stopped for a picnic amongst the beauty of mother nature, was the inspiration for this event. For four years, to celebrate the arrival of Spring, folks have signed up for the Dandy Daffodil Tweed Ride. Dressed in their Tweed finest, a picnic basket full of goodies, they mount their bicycles and off they go. Their route takes them from the lovely town of LaConner, WA, through the Skagit Valley fields where daffodils sprinkle the landscape in yellow. They meet at Rexville Grocery where they enjoy a picnic and a game of croquet. The ride ends back at LaConner where they raise a glass of wine and salute the arrival of Spring and a day to remember.
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For those living in the Pacific Northwest, specifically the west side of the Cascade Mountains, winter tends to be a long, continuous season of dark, rainy, cloudy, windy and depressing weather. The color of the season is gray, gray, and well, more gray. By January, any spot of sunshine is a welcome relief from the dullness of winter. By February, we are desperate for sun or even a hint of blue skies. Then it happens—a Spring day. Birds chirp, bees buzz, the sky is painted in various hues of blue, and the sun spreads light and warmth. We emerge from our winter hibernation and venture outside, shedding our winter gear and ready to hike, bike, walk, or simply sit outside soaking up the long awaited sunshine. Surrounded by beauty and some of mother nature's best landscapes we are offered some of the most scenic spots to visit, and all right here in our backyard. Mountains, beaches, islands, wildlife, seascapes, trails, forests, it calls to us and we answer with a roaring—yes. It is days like these that remind us why we live here. Suddenly we go from dull gray to a visual explosion of color and beauty...a true work of art. Trees are blooming, flowers blossom, sunlight shines on the water, the mountains shine in all their glory, and life feels alive again. Out of the darkness of winter comes spring and a blast of light. Life is full of beauty, gratitude, fresh air, sunshine, and color. Enjoy it, we deserve it after months of gray, dark dullness. The announcer, “The Seattle Boat Show is now open.” It’s day one of the Seattle Boat Show. The doors opened to a crowd filled with anticipation and excitement. It reminded me of the races when they yell, “and they are off.” The boats gleamed under the bright lights, inviting visitors in for a closer look. Exhibitors stood tall, greeting the visitors with a welcome smile. It’s opening day and all were ready to explore what is new and exciting in the boating world. This was my first year ‘working’ the Seattle Boat Show. It’s a different view as an exhibitor in a booth versus just attending the Seattle Boat Show. I work for the Waggoner Cruising Guide and Fine Edge Publishing and each year we provide a staff person to work in Captain’s Nautical Supply’s booth, answering questions about our wide selection of cruising books and maps and helping customers with their selections. I wasn’t sure what to expect and day one was a crash course in exhibiting at the Seattle Boat Show. It’s Day two, Saturday, the busiest day. The doors opened and the crowd swelled throughout the day. Vendors hustled to greet the crowds. Families, small children, young boaters, experienced boaters, all of which enjoyed a day of exploration in boats. Working the Captain's Nautical Supply booth I observed inspired boaters who were ready to visit new destinations or revisit previous haunts.
Day Three, Sunday normally a day of rest. But not for boat show goers, they were on a different mission. Not quite as busy as Saturday, but still packed with enthusiastic boat show visitors. Day Four, Monday, the first day of the workweek. Also known as women’s day at the Seattle Boat Show. Classes on everything from cruising to an all day class on Dock, Diesel, Navigate, Crew Overboard and more with Captains, Margaret Pommert and Linda Lewis. After a full day of education from these two amazing women, the Captain's Nautical Supply booth filled with women on a mission, looking for specific books, which would help continue what they learned. Tuesday, Day Five. The crowd waned down a bit. It was quieter and the tone of the show was more serious. Exhibitors were able to slow down a bit and attendees experienced more one-on-one and had time for lengthy conversations and Q&A periods. Wednesday, Day Six. For me, it was my last day working at the booth. Quiet, like Tuesday, the atmosphere was less hectic with a steady flow of visitors. Six days flew by. I met so many boaters and soon-to-be-boaters. Heard great stories. Learned more about the Waggoner Cruising Guide’s customers. Sold a lot of books. And my poor feet recovered faster than expected. The plus two days were set-up and tear down. If everything is well organized, these two events can happen quickly and this year that is exactly what happened. Sales were high at the Seattle Boat Show this year. Fine Edge Publishing sold lots of cruising books through Captain's Nautical Supply, and close to a thousand Waggoner Cruising Guides will help boaters find their way during the cruising months. Six, plus two days working the Seattle Boat Show was worth every moment. Here are some good reasons to shop local in Anacortes, WA for the Holiday season. When we spend locally with small businesses we are supporting our community, creating jobs, protecting our environment, and investing in our future. Downtown Anacortes and Anacortes businesses provide shoppers with a diverse and unique selection of gift ideas. Support local businesses, they keep Anacortes thriving. For KidsFor Book LoversUnique, Fun, and Creative Gift IdeasThe Good Stuff 604 Commercial Gifts for artists, unique gifts, ornaments, holiday cards, and great gift ideas under $20.00 Red Snapper 501 Commercial Ave Cards, fun and unusual gifts
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What is it like when a little boy sits on the porch and listens intently to his grandfather’s stories, or has a father who teaches him to work hard? When a little boy is taught core values, is shown the stars and the sea, observes what it is like to serve the public and the community, that little boys grows up to become a man like Jon Petrich. Today Jon is his own man and he practices what he was taught. Married with two children, he is dedicated to providing for his family and being someone they will be proud of. He is also following in his grandfather’s footsteps, wanting to serve his community, by running for Port Commissioner for the Port of Anacortes. And raised in a maritime family, he is also doing what he loves… being on the water. He is where he was always meant to be. Jon’s great-grandfather came over from Croatia and started a ship building business in Tacoma, WA. After his great grandfather and brothers sold the shipyard a lot of the family turned to law. But the sea was in Jon’s blood and as a kid, starting at around ten years old, he spent summers in Kodiak, Alaska fishing with his aunt on a commercial fishing boat. As a child, his family would spend time at a beach cabin his grandfather owned on Fox Island. On the deck was an old signal light from a navy ship and his grandfather would use it to communicate with naval ships as they passed by. This would become one of Jon’s favorite memories, sharing moments with his grandfather as they signaled the ships. Everything in his life seemed to revolve around the sea. It called to him and it still does. Born in Skagit Valley, Jon’s family moved to Guemes Island. In 2002, Jon graduated from high school and like most graduates he flew the nest. Jon went to school at Eastern Washington University where he studied Finance and Economics. A career choice he assumed he would make good money in. But being so far from the water made him uncomfortable, he realized the water was really a part of his core and who he was. He became a financial advisor after graduating from college. After two years as a financial advisor he reevaluated if this was really the career for him, the answer was unequivocally no. Jon put himself through college working as a commercial fisherman or working for a charter fish company in Alaska. He maintained contact with a lot of the people and went back to doing what his heart and soul wanted to do… work on the water. “The first day I turned in my suit and tie and put on my XTRATUFs and Carhartt jacket again, it felt like home. This is where I belonged. This is where I wanted to be. This is me,” Jon said. Part of his decision to make a career change was factored on finding a steadier career choice so he could provide for his family. Being a financial advisor was not always a stable workforce. In the maritime industry if one part of the maritime industry was having a hard time, he knew could transfer his skills to another part of the industry. But the real truth was the siren call of the sea called to him and he could not longer resist. Another calling was public service. Jon’s grandfather was someone he always looked up to and had great respect for. His grandfather had a successful law practice but he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.
“He set a really good example for everyone and was a great example of a public servant. It was always about the people. About giving back,” Jon said. Like his grandfather, a former U.S. Senator, Jon wanted to serve his community. He wanted to make a difference, do what was right for his family, his community, and himself. “I want life skill experience, I want to be involved in the community. I have a passion for public service. The idea of public service was always in the back of my head,” Jon said. The idea for running for the port position started in January. He spent the next couple of months researching what the port was involved in and what their vision for the future was. The more he learned, the more excited he got, and the more committed he became. After much reflection, talking to his father, his wife, friends, and people in the community, Jon fully committed in March to run for Port Commissioner for the Port of Anacortes. Jon feels that his life was shaped for this position. Being on the water, growing up in a maritime family, working various jobs in the industry, his education in finance and economics, the influence from his father and grandfather in public service, all of this shaped him for this position. He is excited about the port’s future, respectful of its past, and wants to be involved in shaping the part the port’s role is in the community. Jon Petrich is correct—this is where he belongs, where he is meant to be. The sea is in Jon’s genes. It is who he is. It is his destiny. And, so his serving his community. |
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