West Seattle, Washington
25 Wednesday
Thanks to Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) for the photo and report:
We had another centenarian-plus-one birthday this week! A longtime West Seattle resident, Ruby Jean Gessin, turned the big 1-0-1! She was sung to and greeted by Daystar staff and her niece Brenda and nephew Bruce! Was a fun mini-celebration for one of our valued Daystar family members!
The West Seattle Grand Parade is back this Saturday and so is a tradition that accompanies it – choosing someone to honor with the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community.
(WSB photo from March)
This year, the trophy goes to Deb Barker, whose current community-service roles include president of the Morgan Community Association, board member of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, and member of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force – but that’s only the latest in a long, long list spanning more than 30 years. Here’s a biography of Deb Barker, provided by parade organizers:
Barker is perhaps best known locally in three roles — as president of the Morgan Community Association (MoCA) since 2009, as one of a three-member LLC to save the iconic Stone Cottage on Harbor Avenue and as an active voice on the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force since its inception in 2020.
However, Barker’s West Seattle involvement extends back more than three decades, starting in 1989, when she was one of three steering committee members of the Save the Admiral Theater Task Force of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which led the successful drive to secure city landmark status for the peninsula’s only movie house. She also served on the historical society’s board from 1989 to 1992, helping coordinate the organization’s initial “Homes with History” tours.
Barker’s preservation focus resurfaced in West Seattle when she was part of the multi-organizational steering committee for the 4Culture-funded study, “What Makes the West Seattle Junction Special?” This became the foundation of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s successful 2016-2017 campaign to landmark the business district’s cornerstone Campbell and Hamm buildings.
Her West Seattle activism has extended beyond heritage preservation. She served on the Southwest Design Review Board from 2004 to 2009, as the board steered architects toward human-scale elements for such projects as The Spruce complex, Admiral Safeway rebuild and the California at Charlestown mixed use buildings.
Transportation planning became another local emphasis for Barker when in 2013 she became a founding member of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, which became a unified peninsula voice for equitable transportation and mobility issues.
Starting in 2018, Barker went further, joining Sound Transit advisory boards to help educate the community about light rail proposals while educating Sound Transit about West Seattle.
As part of such service, she has participated in countless online meetings to provide public comments on the routing of a light-rail extension in West Seattle. When the proposed ST3 “preferred above ground alignment” was to end in the Junction, she created a scale model of the plan and became an advocate of a tunnel alternative.
Also in 2018, Barker also helped organize the peninsula’s District 1 Community Network. The only organization of its kind in the city, the network encourages various neighborhood voices to remain active.
As MoCA president, Barker has kept Morgan Junction residents informed about issues and celebrated its businesses. She helped guide the community through recent upzoning and affordable housing challenges, advocating for quality design as the density increases. She also has presides over the Morgan Junction Community Festival, held each June at Morgan Junction Park at California Avenue and Southwest Eddy Street.
Her participation on the LLC for the Save the Stone Cottage Committee since 2019 helped execute a successful overnight move of the building in 2021 to Port of Seattle property along Harbor Avenue, where the stone-studded structure awaits a permanent move to a site
where it can be restored and opened to the public.Although the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force has completed its meetings, Barker looks forward to the projected September reopening of the West Seattle Bridge. Barker, 65, was born in Illinois into a Navy family that moved frequently, mostly on the West Coast. She and her husband, Mark Shaw, live in the Seaview neighborhood of Morgan Junction.
Originally a theatrical costumer, Barker moved to Seattle in 1985, working as a shopper and rental agent in the Seattle Repertory Theater costume shop. As a freelancer, she coordinated costumes for the 1990 Seattle-based Goodwill Games opening ceremonies, and eventually joined the local wardrobe union, becoming president of IATSE Local 887.
Her mainstay career, however, became civics. She obtained a master’s degree in urban design and planning from the University of Washington, and in 1990 she was hired as the first land-use intern at the newly incorporated city of Federal Way. There, she worked as a planner, reviewing and approving development proposals, briefing the city council and assisting the public. She retired in 2012.
Barker’s ardor for West Seattle issues has been mirrored by similarly passionate citywide involvement. She joined the board of Historic Seattle from 1986 to 1992, aiding in development of the Bel-Boy (Belmont-Boylston) affordable-housing complex on First Hill and in the growth of the organization’s Good Shepherd Center.
Her citywide service resumed in 2013, when Barker began a seven-year stint on the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board. She co-chaired the board from 2015 to 2020, a span during which the board conferred landmark status for prominent buildings such as Climate Pledge Arena (the former Coliseum and Key Arena), the Federal Reserve Bank Building and the ASUW Shell House, made famous by the book “The Boys in the Boat.”
Vivid memories emerge as Barker reflects on her West Seattle activism, from “sailing” along with the Admiral Theater float in the 1989 West Seattle Grand Parade to knocking on doors and “approaching total strangers” to seek permission for their residences to become part of a Homes with History tour.
Barker plans to stay involved in local concerns, including seeking landmark status for other West Seattle Junction buildings. She says her array of interests reflects her deep love of the city as a whole and especially the Duwamish peninsula: “My business card reads, ‘I Love West Seattle.’ It’s a good icebreaker because people enjoy sharing their West Seattle memories, but I also tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. I just love giving back to my community.”
The West Seattle Grand Parade starts at California/Lander at 11 am Saturday (July 23rd) and proceeds south on California to Edmunds – you can watch from anywhere along the route. We’ll have previews all week leading up to the big day.
ABOUT THE ORVILLE RUMMEL AWARD: It’s named after the man who founded the West Seattle parade in 1934, Orville Rummel – lots of background in the story we published the year we were honored with the trophy, 2010. The award was first presented in 1984. Here’s the full list of recipients along the way:
1984: Charles and Ann Gage
1985: RB Chris Crisler Jr.
1986: Morgan and Carol McBride
1987: Margaret Miaullis
1988: Charles Jung
1989: Aurlo Bonney
1990: Katie Thorburn
1991: Dorothy Poplawski
1992: Dan Wiseman
1993: Virgil Sheppard
1994: Dorene Smith
1995: Doris Richards
1996: John Kelly
1997: Dick Kennedy
1998: Jim Edwards and Barbara Edwards
1999: Lt. David E. Cass
2000: Husky Deli/Miller Family
2001: Stephanie Haskins
2002: Forest Lawn
2003: Sue Lindblom
2004: Edgar and Ann Phipps
2005: Karen Sisson
2006: Walt DeLong
2007: David and Doreen Vague
2008: Tim St. Clair
2009: Morey Skaret
2010: West Seattle Blog
2011: Cindi Barker
2012: Shirley Vradenburgh
2013: Judy Pickens
2014: Earl Cruzen
2015: Donn Weaver
2016: Clay Eals
2017: Keith Hughes
2018: Velko Vitalich
2019: Adah Cruzen
Another comeback this summer – the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Rotarian of the Year award – given to two people this year to make up for the skipped year. Here’s the announcement from club president Alan Mitchell:
During normal years, West Seattle Rotary ends its year in late June with an evening Installation Banquet during which we recognize both outgoing and incoming officers of the Club and the Service Foundation, members who passed away, and our most outstanding member – our Rotarian of the Year. However, due to COVID, these past two years have not been normal. As we ended 2020-21, we had no Installation event. As we recently ended 2021-22 on June 28th, we had a Zoom-only noontime Installation Celebration.
Because we had no Rotarian of the Year awarded in 2020-21 and we had two worthy of the award in 2021-22, we awarded two Rotarians of the Year on June 28th: Kjersti Stroup and Christine Peak. However, being a Zoom-only event, presentations of their award plaques were virtual. Shortly afterward, 2021-22 President Alan presented them with their actual award plaques: outdoors on July 1st to Christine over wine at Pine Lake Cellars and outdoors on July 7th to Kjersti over lunch at Endolyne Joe’s.
Among Christine’s award-worthy accomplishments in 2021-22 were organizing outstanding speakers for every Tuesday Club meeting (despite COVID and hybrid functionality) and co-founding our newest Service Committee, the Peacebuilders Service Committee.
Among Kjersti’s award-worthy accomplishments in 2021-22 were leading the creation and execution of our new Spring for Kids project for underserved local area elementary school children and overall leadership of our Service Foundation (despite COVID and a new baby).
Of course, there were many more noteworthy members and service projects in 2021-22, including those which granted over $19,000 in scholarships to local area graduating high school students. Please go to our website to learn more about West Seattle Rotary, www.westseattlerotary.org.
(Photos courtesy Ray Wittmier, at right above with Gene Woodard)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Ray Wittmier has just returned home to West Seattle from a life-saving trip.
Not his life – but potentially thousands of others.
Wittmier and longtime friend Gene Woodard rode bicycles across the country – 3,428 miles, from Puget Sound to the Atlantic Ocean, raising money for childhood-cancer research (and they’re not done yet). Their inspiration: A girl named Maya.
Maya – for whom Woodard, a longtime family friend, and Wittmier are “honorary uncles” – was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor on her kidney at age 7. Wittmier says he and Woodard had long talked about the idea of riding cross-country, but to get it from idea to reality, they needed “one more thing to make it worth doing” – and raising money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation turned out to be exactly that.
They made the trip in 49 days – an average of 70 miles a day – in “every kind of terrain,” from the Rockies to the Plains and beyond. Did we mention, Wittmier is 67 years old, and Woodard 68?
Alair Gift Shop proprietor Shandon Armstrong is looking for a few good stories. Well, more than a few. She would love to be overwhelmed with good stories – as in feel-good stories. She’s opened a survey you can reply to share yours. Here’s the explanation:
West Seattle is such a one-of-a-kind place.
And it’s been a long few years.
We all need to hear the good things. We need to remember the heartwarming stories that give us faith in humanity. The neighbors that are lifting each other up and doing great things for one another.
We are going to post about these stories, share them, holler them, and give those people that are exhausted and feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders a place to read good story after good story.
These stories will go hand-in-hand with a new design that we are launching in the next couple of days/weeks.
It’s like our own West Seattle gratitude journal.
Our love letter to West Seattle and all of the people that make up this amazing neighborhood.
West Seattle. Best Seattle.
Again, here’s the form to use to share your story – or, you also can email info@alairseattle.com.
(WSB photos)
More than 100 people, from kids to seniors, took a spirited walk along California Avenue SW this afternoon during the third annual West Seattle Pride March. Its founders, married couple Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, led the way after a short, emotional speech to the crowd:
Lovewell told the crowd, “We do this for our youth, first and foremost – they need our support, especially with what’s going on in our country” – a renewed attack on LGBTQIA+ rights. So the show of support matters more than ever.
Along the march route, from Morgan Junction Park north to California/Findlay, there were shows of allyship – from people standing along the sidewalk, to drivers honking their horns and cheering as they passed. One local church expressed its support by joining in the march.
A little whimsy along the way, too:
All this unfolded even as the city’s Pride Parade rolled through downtown, and amid the year’s hottest temperatures so far:
At the end of the route – the march segued into a celebration inside the air-conditioned event space that Lovwell and Colgan operate next to their businesses Youngstown Coffee Company and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café:
The music supported the day’s theme – songs like Madonna‘s “Respect Yourself.” Lovewell and Colgan founded the local Pride March shortly after taking over Youngstown in June 2020, reminding everyone then, as they did again this year, that “the first Pride was a protest, not a parade.”
(WSB file photo)
Friday was the last day of school for most local students who weren’t already out for summer – and for some educators, it was the last day of their classroom career. Among them: Craig Parsley, a founding teacher at Louisa Boren STEM K-8, who spent the past 10 school years there – from its start – after a long run at Schmitz Park Elementary. He sent us this announcement:
(Friday), I retired from Louisa Boren STEM K-8. It was a good run and I really appreciate our West Seattle Community’s support of STEM education.
Many parents have asked what is next for Mr. Parsley.
I plan on supporting STEM Schools in Seattle and across the state in developing Project-Based Learning Programs that are cost effective and Standards-Based. If my time at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 has taught me one thing, it’s that STEM education is not merely a pedagogical decision, it’s a investment in our country’s future. I want our education decision-makers to know that STEM is not a financial burden…it’s a commitment to inspiring innovation, craft, invention, and optimism.
I’m very proud of all the engineers, architects, astrophysicists, bioengineers, civil and electrical engineers our program has inspired, some entering college and a few soon to graduate from these programs. Perhaps, we really did make a difference.
Last year we reported on an award given to Parsley for what the STEM PTA described as his “life-changing” work.
(WSB photo)
We’ve reported before on Fauntleroy Church‘s support of Camp Second Chance, the city-sanctioned tiny-home encampment in southeast West Seattle. The support led to a shopping trip at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Westwood Village on Friday, which provided major discounts for church contributions to help buy shoes for camp residents. Fauntleroy Church volunteer Judy Pickens tells the story:
Picking out new shoes that fit just right is a rare luxury for people living on the edge of homelessness, but three tiny-home residents of Camp Second Chance got to do just that Friday at Big 5 Sporting Goods in Westwood Village.
The shoppers are among the 40+ people living in the sanctioned camp at 9701 Myers Way S. Managed by the Low Income Housing Institute, the camp provides a supportive bridge between the streets and long-term housing.
In 2018, Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ (9140 California Ave. SW), began enriching camp life with such amenities as towels, bedding, and electric blankets. During the height of the pandemic, the church also provided games to encourage socializing and art supplies for creative expression.
On Friday, donations from church members financed the first of several shopping trips to fit residents with comfortable, practical, and NEW shoes. Members of the congregation’s homelessness task force met the residents at Big 5, where staff were eager to serve them. The church gave each shopper a dollar limit, which the store extended with a discount.
More camp residents will get their turn at shoe shopping as the camp’s case manager identifies those most in need.
In our photo above are church volunteers Joan and Cathy (at left and right) with case manager Marjorie (second from left) and CSC residents.
Momentous day for four Scouts in West Seattle – thanks to Eric Linxweiler for sending the report and photos:
Today two Eagle Scout Courts of Honor were held for four new Eagle Scouts.
The first, at Camp Long, was for Asher Morgan, Emmett Weber (both with Troop 282) and Cap Linxweiler (Troop 284). They have been together since early in Cub Scouts and always had the goal of earning their Eagles together. Today, that achievement was celebrated. Guest speaker was King County Executive Dow Constantine, who is also an Eagle Scout from West Seattle. Over 100 scouts, friends and family attended a wonderful event. All three are headed off to college next year (Oregon State, Temple University-Tokyo, and Washington State, respectively), and are looking forward to more success ahead based on what they’ve learned in scouting..
Immediately following this, another Eagle Court of Honor was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe for David Ovalles Hutchison. David earned his Eagle in the middle of the pandemic, and could today be honored in front of his family and friends. David is finishing up his first year at Washington State University
One interesting note about the first event – Dow spoke to these boys as third graders (Cap on the far left, Emmett and Asher on either side of Dow), and continues his commitment to scouting by regularly supporting all scouts in West Seattle.
At Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point, Laps With Lou 2022 is on! For almost two decades, now-retired PE teacher Lou Cutler has raised money for Make-A-Wish by doing a lap for every year of the age he’ll be when his birthday arrives later in June. Students join him throughout the day. This morning, before taking to the field, Lou spoke to the school via the PA system:
This year he’ll be turning 71, so he plans that many laps – plus one for a bonus, to bring the total distance to 12 miles. Students have been going out to the field in groups, starting with photos.
Lou’s been a Make-A-Wish volunteer even longer than he’s been leading this annual fundraiser – for more than a quarter-century!. You can support his quest to grant more wishes by donating here.
ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: He did it again! Thanks to the Pathfinder parent who sent photos from the end of today’s laps:
Summer is reunion season, and we’ve received a few announcements for West Seattle High School alums.
NO WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION, BUT THERE’S STILL AN AFTER-PARTY: The WSHS Alumni Association has to cancel the All-School Reunion again this year, explaining in its announcement that “the Seattle Public Schools district is not allowing external use of school grounds during COVID.” However, next Saturday there’ll be an “after-party” at Whisky West (6451 California SW), starting at 6 pm, with live music from The Nitemates and other special guests. Then on the following day – Sunday, June 5th – all alums are invited to join the Class of 2002’s gathering on the Lincoln Park shore, second fire pit/picnic area from the south entrance, 9 am-2 pm, BYOE (Bring Your Own Everything). Questions about the beach gathering? Email Heather at stampedhah (at) gmail.com.
WSHS CLASS OF 1957: Also happening this weekend, the Class of ’57’s 65th reunion! Above is what the yearbook looked like that year. The classes of ’55 and ’56 are invited too. It’s happening 2-6 pm Sunday (June 5th) at Glen Acres Country Club (1000 S. 112th in North Highline). $50/person, “hearty appetizers” and a no-host bar. Email Beverly chochosan29 (at) hotmail.com or Gwen gfraser49 (at) msn.com ASAP to RSVP and get the address for sending your check.
WSHS CLASS OF 1970: The 50th reunion had to be postponed for the pandemic, but this class now declares it’s “never too late to party!” So this year, they’re having a reunion under the banner “West Seattle Class of ’70 turns 70.” It’s set for 4 pm-10 pm Saturday, August 27th, also at Glen Acres. RSVP required by August 5th. $65/person includes a buffet dinner and birthday cake, “and hopefully a few surprises.” For RSVPing info, email pjkloster52 (at) gmail.com.
Got a reunion coming up? We can mention yours too – email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photo from 2018)
For almost two decades, Lou Cutler has raised money to help grant kids’ wishes via a unique birthday-celebration run at Pathfinder K-8, where he taught PE before retiring. Most years, it was a giant group run throughout the day, with students joining Lou as he took one lap around the school field for every year he was celebrating. Then came the pandemic; in 2020, schools were closed, so Lou did a “lap” around the peninsula instead; last year, students joined him in small groups over two days. This year, when Lou takes to the Pathfinder field on Friday (June 3rd) in celebration of his upcoming 71st birthday, it’ll be a little more like the events of years past. He explained to us via email:
This year, rather having me communicating with everyone with a megaphone on the field, I will address the school from the office at 9:00 and then grade bands will come out in staggered time frames every 15 minute or so and I will take pictures with each class before they go on the field. All classes will stay out until the entire school is on the field at the same time and I believe everyone will stay on the field for 15 minutes or so and from that point some classes may go in while those who want to see how many laps they can run, will stay out and run to their heart’s content.
Make-A-Wish alumni are invited to join in the festivities, as are MAW staff and volunteers and Pathfinder parents, so I hope we have a tremendous turnout for the day.
As for me, I will be 71 on June 25th, so this year I will walk and run, though mostly walk, 71 laps, 11.8 miles, and add on a bonus lap to make it a full 12 miles because I love round numbers.
Over the previous 18 years we have raised $86,000 for MAW and as always, my hope is that we can raise as much money as possible, as I have seen the power of a wish in the boosting of spirits and hopes for wish kids and families over my 26+ years as a MAW volunteer!
You can support Lou’s Make-A-Wish quest by donating here.
Anne Czelder celebrated her 100th birthday at Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) today, and the folks at Daystar asked her about her advice for living to the century mark. Her reply – just four words – is in the short clip above. Happy birthday, Anne!
(Photo sent by Althea Chow)
Junction Plaza Park was one of the hubs of volunteer activity in West Seattle today during the first One Seattle Day of Service decreed by Mayor Bruce Harrell. The Junction Association‘s executive director Chris Mackay reported more than 200 volunteers signed up for beautification work.
Co-sponsors of the Junction cleanup included Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor). Other West Seattle events on the citywide Day of Service lineup ranged from Alki in the north to Highland Park in the south, as shown on this map.
(Photos courtesy Riley Nachtrieb)
On Friday, we previewed 20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb‘s plan to run the Olympic Discovery Trail, which she last attempted in 2019, forced to stop two-thirds of the way along the 132-mile trail because of an injury. She started early Saturday morning and this time, made it all the way – 41 hours, according to her Instagram updates. Supporters dropped in from checkpoints along the way:
The Olympic Discovery Trail runs from Port Townsend to LaPush – you can see maps here.
You might know Anthony Nelson. He describes himself as “father, son, brother, friend, artist, bartender [at Maharaja], storyteller, and one of the many faces of cancer …” a disease he rues “is doing all it can to take me away from all of that.” But, Anthony adds, “I recently read that each year in America more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 600,000 will die from it. For once in my life, I am happy to think of myself as one in a million. I choose to be one of the people who live through and get to tell the past tense story about how I beat cancer.” In hopes of helping with that, his friend Morgan pointed us to Anthony‘s crowdfunding page, where he explains:
My worst fear is to be a burden on my community and especially to those I love. Although I have a remarkable support system of people, the realities of cancer (the loss of revenue due to incapacitation and the astronomical expenses associated with the years of anticipated treatment), and the fact we are not made of money, I am faced with either not being able to follow through on what I need to survive or not being able to meet the financial challenges I will accrue. This is why I need your help.
Anthony’s radiation treatments for throat cancer just began Friday, and his GoFundMe page includes an update.
Tomorrow while hundreds if not thousands of people put on jackets and head out to sell or shop at garage sales, one West Seattleite will be taking on an intense challenge a few hours from home. Riley Nachtrieb sent this announcement of what she plans to start tomorrow morning, no matter what the weather is:
20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb will be re-attempting to run the first recorded Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 135-mile Olympic Discovery Trail this Saturday, May 14th. An FKT is a speed record for a running route. It is not a race; there is no competition or award for completion. They are self-organized and ran solo with a support crew.
The ODT spans from Port Townsend to La Push, and Riley is aiming to complete the 135 miles in under 30 hours. The trail is 90% pavement, mostly on the side of the highway. She first attempted to run this route in 2019, but her Dad made her stop at 82 miles in 21 hours because she got a stress fracture in her foot. Despite this undesired ending to her first attempt, Riley, also an aspiring filmmaker, turned her story into an award-winning short film, “Broken” premiering at the Auburn Adventure Film Festival (watch it here).
Ever since stopping in 2019, Riley has been hungry to complete it. As a lead-up training run last month, she set the first women’s FKT on the 55-mile Whidbey Island Traverse, in 11 hours, 10 minutes.
“Running 135 miles will not be easy,” she says. “I do these hard things because I want to show people that women can do hard things. I run ‘insane’ distances to disrupt the narrative society knows, not only about running but how capable women are. As a young female in the sport, I’ve had many experiences of people doubting my abilities- But these experiences only light the fire within me to show how capable we are as women, if we dare to try.”
She starts running in Port Townsend at 7 am on May 14th. A crew full of family and friends will meet her at checkpoints. You can track her live using this link: share.garmin.com/rileynachtrieb
And you can see photo updates on her Instagram, @rileynachtrieb.
Riley adds that she’s thankful for the community support she’s received over the years.
That’s what happened to Susan‘s car, 60 miles from home. The person who pulled over to help her happened to be practically a neighbor – but she doesn’t know his name, and asked if we’d help her find him. Here’s her story:
Driving home from Crystal Mountain on Sunday, my tire literally blew apart on Highway 410 outside of Greenwater. This angel of a human being (a fellow West Seattleite) stopped and helped me jack up and replace the blowout with the spare, in flip-flops and ski pants, with his 10-year-old waiting in their car. This was no easy feat, as the spare is wired in underneath the car, and apres-ski traffic was whipping by at 60 mph. After replacing the tire, he followed me to Highway 18 to make sure I was safe. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get your name, but your kindness is so greatly appreciated and I’d love to treat you and your daughter to a Menchies!
Thank you so very much.
Susan
If you’re the mystery helper, you can comment below, or email us and we’ll forward your contact info.
More leadership news today – this time, from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
The SWSHS Board of Trustees is happy to announce that Maggie Kase has been appointed Executive Director of the historical society. After nearly two years as Curator, Maggie had been serving as Interim Executive Director since the resignation of former ED Michael King.
As a result of a nation-wide search, the Board felt that Maggie’s experience in senior leadership, in curatorial and interpretive work and in her commitment to local history best suits the society’s goal to embrace and preserve the history and stories of all the residents of the Duwamish peninsula, both past and present.
Maggie is the key programmatic lead for the society’s highly acclaimed current exhibit “The Spirit Returns 2.0: A Duwamish and Settler Story” in partnership with the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The society is also please to announce the election of two new trustees: Carol-Ann Thornton and Megan Simkus. Carol-Ann has been a member of the society’s Advisory Council and played an important role in the history of West Seattle, having been the first African American student at Alki Elementary School. Megan, an Amazon executive, brings valuable strategic planning skills to the board through her business and non-profit experience.
SWSHS is headquartered in the city-landmark Log House Museum at 61st/Stevens. The museum’s 25th anniversary will be celebrated at the SWSHS “Bridging Our Communities” event June 3.
(WSB photo: Michele Rhilinger with regional Discovery Shops coordinator Michael O’Sullivan)
If you haven’t been to the Discovery Shop in the West Seattle Junction, you might not realize that it’s a volunteer-powered day-in-day-out fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. In an after-hours ceremony at the shop last night, the organization presented longtime volunteer Michele Rhilinger with its national Denise Noel Discovery Volunteer Award. From the announcement:
The heart and soul of the local Discovery Shop for more than 10 years, Michele Rhilinger is well-known throughout the West Seattle community as a representative of the American Cancer Society. Through her talents in merchandising, she has created a standard for a very high level of appearance of the shop and an exceptional level of customer service. Despite retirement from her professional career, Michele stayed in the volunteer role and has dedicated countless days for the benefit of the shop and ultimately for cancer patients. Michele’s support of the Discovery Shop and American Cancer Society’s mission is unmatched and respected by many in the community.
Here’s what she told those who were gathered to celebrate:
The Discovery Shop (4535 California SW) had a particularly tough time in the pandemic, Michele reminded us – it had just reopened after a remodeling closure when everything had to shut down.
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of this year’s Westside Awards, chosen from nominations sent by community members:
(WSCC photos from visits to notify recipients)
Westside Business of the Year: Circa
Westside Emerging Business of the Year: Highland Park Corner Store
Westside Not for Profit of the Year: Neighborhood House
Westsider of the Year: Keith Hughes
If you don’t know them already:
*Circa is a longtime Admiral District restaurant
*Highland Park Corner Store opened last year in a refurbished former mini-mart
*Neighborhood House is a regional nonprofit with a major services hub in High Point
*Keith Hughes is commander of American Legion Post 160 and hosts a severe-weather shelter there, among other community-leadership work
All will be honored at the West Seattle Chamber’s breakfast event at 7:30 am Tuesday, May 10th, at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Tickets are available at the early-bird rate through next Friday (April 29th) – go here. Past winners (including WSB in 2010) are listed here.
The report and photo are from Troop 282‘s Jay Brock:
Springtime means more adventures to be had in the SCOUTdoors. Troop 282 and Troop 284 of West Seattle would like to congratulate 5 of their scouts for completing their Scuba Open Water Certification and their Scuba Diving Merit Badges. On Sunday Aprit 3rd these scouts joined a number of Scouting divers that now can do conservation projects on land as well as under the sea. It was no easy task for them while still in school. The had to complete 15 hours of online learning, a couple of classroom hours, several hours training in a pool and four dives in the open waters of Puget Sound. A big shout out goes to Duncan as the Dive Instructor and Seattle Scuba for the course.
Troop 282 meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 at West Side Presbyterian Church and Troop 284 meets on Mondays at 7:00 at Explorer West Middle School. Now is a great time to join and be part of the action.
Another achievement for Riley Nachtrieb, whose running and filmmaking achievements we’ve noted in recent years. The report and photos are from her family:
On Monday, 20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb set out to run non-stop from the northern tip of Whidbey Island, Hoypus Point, to the southern tip of the island, Possession Point. The route was established by Greg Nance as a 54-mile FKT (fastest known time) Route where Greg set the male FKT of 10 hours 7 min, on January 15th, 2022.
Riley started the route at 7:30 am on April 4th, with the intention of setting the first female FKT. Although an FKT is a “solo” run, food and water support can be given. Riley was supported by friend and local WSHS student-athlete Herman Meyer, who followed her in a truck with food, water and moral support, as well as jumping out to pace her into the finish.
After 11 hours and 10 minutes of constant running, Riley succeeded in being the first woman to record the 54-mile FKT, which will soon be officially recorded here FastestKnownTime.com
Riley is the Social Media and Community Manager for the West Seattle tech startup SetJetters.com and a prolific runner in West Seattle often running with the “West Seattle Runner” group organized by Lori and Tim McConnell of the West Seattle Runner store. This coming May on the 14th and 15th, Riley will be attempting to run 135 miles non-stop across the Olympic Peninsula from Port Townsend to La Push setting the first overall FKT, male or female, which she was forced to abandon at mile 82 in 2019 due to a fractured foot.
Riley will soon announce her ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail) FKT website, where you will be able to follow her live. If you see her running around West Seattle or hanging out with her sister at West Seattle Runner, she’s always down to share miles with you!
| 6 COMMENTS