Since being named the Most Beautiful Small Town in America by USA Today over a decade ago, Sandpoint, Idaho, has been discovered by countless people throughout the country as they come to witness the beauty of the mountains and lake firsthand. While there are many lodging options when it comes to visiting North Idaho, the trend has changed dramatically with more people than ever now seeking a home vacation rental. That’s where Go Sandpoint (GoSandpoint.com) Vacation Rentals c

You can’t help but notice the bright green house on Pioneer Way in Downtown Gig Harbor. Built in 1928, and still displaying its original interior, locals and visitors alike are drawn to its charm. The resident cat Romeo greets shoppers and consignors as they enter Sharon’s Resale Boutique, a Gig Harbor staple for more than two decades. August 1 will mark the 23rd anniversary of the boutique, which has remained at the same location, 7620 Pioneer Way, since first opening its do

A stroll through a local farmers’ market or produce stand can drum up all kinds of feelings. The smells of fresh herbs and the vibrant colors of vegetables just recently picked will make plenty of people smile. As our daily habits continue to shift, the farmers’ market is a place where one can gain a sense of normalcy. Like everything else, they might look a little different, but you can still get all the same farm fresh items and support your local community by stopping by o

Golf is a great way to let off a little steam, challenge your mind and socialize responsibly. Luckily for Gig Harbor residents, there are several great courses just a short drive from home. Each has its own unique style and setting, and a bad round on the links sure beats a bad day at the office! Madrona Links Golf Club Built in 1978, Madrona Links has long been a local favorite. Its tree-lined fairways and silky-smooth greens create a fun and welcoming place to golfers of a

Like every element of normal life, the shelter-in-place order for residents of Washington state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 impacted the mission of a local nonprofit group that was organized to provide a safe haven for veterans and their families to stay while the soldier receives treatment at the medical facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. In compliance with guidance and restrictions ordered by the Department of Defense, the national offices of Fisher House in Rockvi

There is nothing like a good road trip during the summer, especially when the scenery is so lovely. This trip begins at the Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing into British Columbia’s Okanagan for part one of this two-part series. The second part of the trip continues onto the International Selkirk Loop through the Kootenay Rockies before crossing the border at the Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing into Idaho and visiting the towns of Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry. When planning a

May is the time many Gig Harbor locals mark their calendars and prepare for a day trap shooting at the Pull for a Soldier event. This year, due to COVID-19, the event is rescheduled for October 30, giving us all a little extra time to sharpen our aim. This year marks the fourth year of the event, started by the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation with community leader and former board member Scott Sabo, owner of LaborWorks. Sabo wanted to contribute to helping provide bet

There are a lot of different kinds of relationships. Each one is different. There are romances that blossom into lifelong marriages. There are the relationships that we have with our children; first we care for them and then they care for us. There’s the ebb and flow of acquaintances; we wave to our local grocer and chat with our neighbors. There are the trust-filled relationships that naturally develop out of vulnerability: our therapists, dentists and doctors. We have enemi

Life continues on here in Gig Harbor as we learn ways to manage our new “normal.” Many of us find ourselves trying to work from home while also realizing our new roles as teacher, tackling the challenges of remote learning head on. We’re adjusting to living somewhat in isolation, surrounding ourselves with only those whom we live with, in order to do our part to keep ourselves, families, friends and members of our community safe. And as busy as we all are during this challeng

For decades, the St. Anthony’s Hospital Auxiliary (SAHA) has provided financial support for hospital programming through volunteer hours and a variety of fundraisers. Like so many other nonprofits across the country, the COVID-19 crisis wiped out many of those scheduled fundraisers and the ability for volunteers to meet and interact as they did before. While raising funds might have temporarily slowed, the group’s commitment to service would not be, and it has embarked on a p

Your online reviews matter. What is said about your brand online can determine the success of your business. It may seem a bit alarming, but most business owners don’t know where they rank versus their competition. And many do not know where to start in order to improve their digital marketing. Did you know that 73 percent of consumers stated that they lose trust in a brand when an online listing shows incorrect information? Four out of five consumers use search engines to fi

It was the late 1970s. Larry Steckman was a wrestler for Bonners Ferry High School, and his to-be wife, Shelly Barton, was a wrestling cheerleader at the same school. Seventy miles away, family friend Conrad Garner was wrestling for rival Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. It was the beginning of a lifelong love of wrestling for both men—and also the seed for something bigger. Larry, Shelly and Conrad would all go on to use wrestling as a means to create positive change

In the midst of the COVID-19 virus, our lives have been upended. From school closings and social distancing, to the more serious case of loved ones getting sick, many of the things we take for granted have become strikingly obvious. Faced with closures of public events and in light of the pandemic, PenMet Parks was forced to reevaluate its events, including the beloved annual Spring Egg Hunt. As things play out, the board will consider whether to postpone the event or ultimat

While a good portion of Gig Harbor residents enjoy playing on the water whether boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding or swimming, there are many who also enjoy going all the way to the bottom for their recreation. Many assume that scuba diving is something done only while vacationing in warm water places like the Caribbean, Australia or Hawaii, but locals know that some of the most amazing waters in the world can be found right here in the South Sound. “It’s l

Spring is always a joyful time of year for the community, as the sun shines brighter and the days become warmer and longer. This is the time of year for many of those much-anticipated events the community has been waiting for—since last year—to once again take place. This month would have marked the 87th Annual Daffodil Parade, ninth annual Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup, PenMet Parks Annual Spring Egg Hunt, the Washington State Spring Fair and so much more. But due to the current

Ali was completely unprepared for the interest generated on Facebook. An overwhelming amount of dresses, shoes and other such in-kind donations were pouring in. The sheer volume of messages necessitated the need for a separate Facebook page. “What should we call it?” Ali asked her husband. He answered with, “Ali’s Prom Project.” The name stuck. That first year Ali collected donations at a local business, stored the dresses in a donated storage room, and did her first spring p

Luke Golden, Senior Peninsula High School Luke Golden knows that to be successful you have to put in the work, and if you want to truly achieve your goals you’ll need to go even farther. The Peninsula High School senior recently wrapped up a decorated career on the football field—and especially the wrestling mat. Luke earned conference honorable mention as a linebacker for the football team. He is also a multi-time state competitor and regional finalist in wrestling. Luke ma

As a business owner, do you ever wonder how people are finding out about your business, what’s drawing them in, and what potential customers you might be missing out on? In-person customer interaction can provide a sliver of this information, but to see the big picture you need to look to the digital side. While 90 percent of all purchases take place in a physical store, 86 percent of customers read reviews before visiting, and a whopping half of all local online business sea

There’s a new place in town ready to help you with all of your business service needs! This past January, Postal Annex opened its doors in Gig Harbor, and owner Patrick King and staff are ready to provide you with everything you need when it comes to your shipping needs—and much more. “We are your neighborhood business service center, offering many needed services under one roof,” smiles Patrick, who has served in the Navy for 20 years and is still active duty. “Shipping is s

With the number of small and boutique breweries rising faster than the head on a stout porter, craft beermakers in Washington have opened the tap to new customers in an increasingly thirsty market. According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), production almost doubled in terms of barrels per year at many breweries on the western side of the mountains over the past decade. For example, demand at Pike Brewing Company in Seattle jumped from 17,401 to almost 43