Karen Griffiths

Under rainy Northwest weather

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Sequim team rides to top-15 finishes

READY, SET, GO! Our Clallam high school equestrian teams successfully completed their first of three qualifying meets this year. This column's about the Sequim team.… Continue reading

Under rainy Northwest weather
Equestrians Mary Tulin and Marilyn Crimmel are two of several folks who tone their bodies for riding by participating in Freedom Farm's Rider Fitness Class every Saturday at Sequim's Anytime Fitness. Rick Crimmel

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Riders fit up with strength training

TO ME, WAKING up early to go to a gym workout at 7 a.m. — on a Saturday, no less — sounds as enjoyable as… Continue reading

Equestrians Mary Tulin and Marilyn Crimmel are two of several folks who tone their bodies for riding by participating in Freedom Farm's Rider Fitness Class every Saturday at Sequim's Anytime Fitness. Rick Crimmel

Peninsula Home Fund provides many heartwarming stories, big and small

EDITOR’S NOTE: For 24 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.… Continue reading

After having lived on the streets

Out of the rain, thanks to Peninsula Home Fund

PORT ANGELES — Now I lay me down to sleep — but where? It's the question David Latimer, a single parent of three children younger… Continue reading

After having lived on the streets
Members of the Jefferson Equestrian Association and Buckhorn Range chapter of Back Country Horsemen clear the entrance to the new Horse Park in Jefferson County on Saturday. The group hopes to begin hosting events this spring. Michelle Coleman Grimmer

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Port Townsend Horse Park takes shape

AND THEY'RE OFF! Looks like the Port Townsend Horse Park is close to becoming a reality, thanks to the Jefferson Equestrian Association, its active volunteers… Continue reading

Members of the Jefferson Equestrian Association and Buckhorn Range chapter of Back Country Horsemen clear the entrance to the new Horse Park in Jefferson County on Saturday. The group hopes to begin hosting events this spring. Michelle Coleman Grimmer
Roommates and longtime friends

Home Fund gives longtime friends positive energy along with a hand up

EDITOR'S NOTE: End the year on a high note — offer struggling families on our North Olympic Peninsula “a hand up, not a handout” through… Continue reading

Roommates and longtime friends
When Greg T. was starting a new job

Peninsula Home Fund provides many heartwarming stories, big and small

EDITOR'S NOTE: For 24 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.… Continue reading

When Greg T. was starting a new job
Brooke and Wesley Stromberg

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Pony up for ideal companion

PONIES CAN MAKE wonderful playmates for children. I say “can” because many are willful, crafty little rascals that simply aren't well-trained. If you're thinking of… Continue reading

Brooke and Wesley Stromberg
Peninsula Home Fund made a difference in the life of Amber

Peninsula Home Fund helps family that is rebuilding a step at a time

EDITOR'S NOTE: For 24 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.… Continue reading

Peninsula Home Fund made a difference in the life of Amber
Linda Parks with her scooter and rescued French bulldogs Peanut and Pippa. Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News

‘Hand up, not a handout’ Peninsula Home Fund helps keep woman mobile

SEQUIM — Worried that her key to freedom was going to be repossessed, Linda Parks turned to the Peninsula Home Fund for help. “The Home… Continue reading

Linda Parks with her scooter and rescued French bulldogs Peanut and Pippa. Karen Griffiths/For Peninsula Daily News
Gregory Brown stands outside his apartment complex in Port Townsend.  -- Photo by Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News

Peninsula Home Fund helps him into the brightness of a new home

EDITOR'S NOTE: For 24 years, Peninsula Daily News readers in Jefferson and Clallam counties have supported the “hand up, not a handout” Peninsula Home Fund.… Continue reading

Gregory Brown stands outside his apartment complex in Port Townsend.  -- Photo by Karen Griffiths/for Peninsula Daily News
During spring's annual Mule Barn Day packing workshop at the Elwha River Station

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Mule day packs a punch with information

BE IT A short day-hike or a long trek through backcountry trails, most hikers don't realize the vital role horses and mules play in maintaining… Continue reading

During spring's annual Mule Barn Day packing workshop at the Elwha River Station
Sara Richerts

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Horse academy takes off in Sequim

TENDERFOOTS, TAKE HEART: Longtime Sequim resident and equestrian Sara Richerts recently opened Blue Ribbon Horse Academy, designed to teach greenhorn riders ages 17 and younger… Continue reading

Sara Richerts
Spirit Horse Ranch owners Becky and Dave Seibel are shown with two of their six Bureau of Land Management mustangs

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Ranchers put mustangs in good spirits

EARLIER THIS MONTH, I stopped by Spirit Horse Ranch in Port Angeles (www.spirithorseranch.net) to visit owners Becky and Dave Seibel and talk about their mustangs.… Continue reading

Spirit Horse Ranch owners Becky and Dave Seibel are shown with two of their six Bureau of Land Management mustangs
Clallam County 4-H Senior Division performance and game riders who competed at Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup are

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: State fair a success for equine lovers

BRING IT ON! Since it's impossible for me to attend the slew of horse events in our region, I love it when folks send me… Continue reading

Clallam County 4-H Senior Division performance and game riders who competed at Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup are
Intermediate 4-H riders who competed at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from Clallam County are

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Riders strut their stuff at state fair

IT APPEARS TO me our warm late-summer weather is ending much too soon. Although I didn't get in nearly as much trail riding as I… Continue reading

Intermediate 4-H riders who competed at the Western Washington Fair in Puyallup from Clallam County are
Sequim's Clara Duncan and her horse

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Borrowed horse helps out at finals

ASK ME TO show you poetry in motion, and I will show you Lacey. She's one of the most beautiful dark Palominos I've ever seen,… Continue reading

Sequim's Clara Duncan and her horse
The Peninsula Junior Rodeo team raked in the points at last weekend's rodeo

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Junior Rodeo rides to victory in Port Angeles

“BRACE YOUR BACKBONE and forget your wishbone” is an old saying among rodeo contestants. In keeping with that theme, our local Junior Rodeo youths got… Continue reading

The Peninsula Junior Rodeo team raked in the points at last weekend's rodeo
Lisa Preston pauses with her horse

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ PENINSULA HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Rider prepares for dream competition

IN MY LAST column, I mentioned my neighbor, Lisa Preston, recently authored a book, Natural Healing for Cats, Dogs, Horses and Other Animals. It gives… Continue reading

Lisa Preston pauses with her horse
Juswen Farms owner Wendy Peterson and Five Star Whiz perform a sliding stop to win the championship reining title at the Peninsula Performance Horse Association show at the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles in July. Shelby Mowbray

KAREN GRIFFITHS’ HORSEPLAY COLUMN: Local riders sweep stakes in PA show

CELEBRATED INVENTOR THOMAS Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Our county fairs… Continue reading

Juswen Farms owner Wendy Peterson and Five Star Whiz perform a sliding stop to win the championship reining title at the Peninsula Performance Horse Association show at the Clallam County Fairgrounds in Port Angeles in July. Shelby Mowbray