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Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild bird seed, pigeons land and coo at her feet. McNerney has been feeding the pigeons for about a year and they know her car when she parks. Gulls have a habit of showing up too whenever a free meal is available. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Feeding the birds

Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild… Continue reading

 

Many colorful Christmas lights that adorn sailboats reflect in the calm waters at Port Angeles Boat Haven. The weather forecast predicts high temperature in the low 50s across the Peninsula this weekend with an increased chance for showers on Saturday and Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Christmas reflection

Many colorful Christmas lights that adorn sailboats reflect in the calm waters at Port Angeles Boat Haven. The weather forecast predicts high temperature in the… Continue reading

 

Library crew members Judith Bows, left, and Suzy Elbow marvel at the Uptown Gingerbread Contest entries at the Port Townsend Library. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)

Gingerbread house construction under way at libraries

Categories include Most Creative, Most Literary

 

Lazy J Tree Farm owner Steve Johnson has lived his whole life on the farm and says he likes to tell people, “I have the same telephone number I was born with.” In the distance, people unload yard waste to be chopped into mulch or turned into compost. Christmas trees are received free of charge, regardless of where they were purchased. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Christmas traditions continue at Lazy J Tree Farm

Customers track down trees and holiday accessories

Lazy J Tree Farm owner Steve Johnson has lived his whole life on the farm and says he likes to tell people, “I have the same telephone number I was born with.” In the distance, people unload yard waste to be chopped into mulch or turned into compost. Christmas trees are received free of charge, regardless of where they were purchased. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
A kite-boarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a rainbow forms over the Point Wilson Lighthouse. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Wave rider in Port Townsend Bay

A kiteboarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a… Continue reading

A kite-boarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a rainbow forms over the Point Wilson Lighthouse. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Every morning at 6, six local men are on the racquetball courts of the Port Angeles YMCA. The players — from left, Henry Pimentel, 70, Roy Gotham, 79, Carl Gay, 74, Todd German, 58, Frank Burke, 76, and Jerry Allen, 69 — say the friendly games are good for cardio and camaraderie. Gotham and Gay have been playing together for more than 40 years. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)

Cardio and camaraderie: Group meets weekdays for racquetball

Two ‘originals’ have been playing for 40-plus years

Every morning at 6, six local men are on the racquetball courts of the Port Angeles YMCA. The players — from left, Henry Pimentel, 70, Roy Gotham, 79, Carl Gay, 74, Todd German, 58, Frank Burke, 76, and Jerry Allen, 69 — say the friendly games are good for cardio and camaraderie. Gotham and Gay have been playing together for more than 40 years. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Jill Spier will close her Port Townsend shop, Phoenix Rising, in February after 38 years. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)

Phoenix Rising to close after 38 years

Proprietor plans to move to Sri Lanka, open an orphanage

Jill Spier will close her Port Townsend shop, Phoenix Rising, in February after 38 years. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)
Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas wishes and to light the community tree at Haller Fountain. Sitting next to Santa is Sula’s grandma Christi and her mom Corrine is on the right. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Christmas wishes

Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas… Continue reading

Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas wishes and to light the community tree at Haller Fountain. Sitting next to Santa is Sula’s grandma Christi and her mom Corrine is on the right. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of people cool temperatures to see lights, entertainment, consume food and get a chance to buy Christmas gifts. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Festival of Lights

“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of… Continue reading

“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of people cool temperatures to see lights, entertainment, consume food and get a chance to buy Christmas gifts. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Dustin Hines of Port Townsend won the Jamestown Glow Run 5K, a year after finishing second in the same race. John Mauro, also of Port Townsend, won the 10K. Matt Sagan/Cascadia Films

JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM GLOW RUN: More than 600 enjoy the lights and the gloaming

More than 600 people from the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Northwest enjoyed what is turning into one of the most popular 5K/10K… Continue reading

Dustin Hines of Port Townsend won the Jamestown Glow Run 5K, a year after finishing second in the same race. John Mauro, also of Port Townsend, won the 10K. Matt Sagan/Cascadia Films
Olympic Medical Center commissioners will consider potential partnerships with other health organizations to help the hospital’s long-term viability. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)

Olympic Medical Center to explore outside partnership

Process to explore long-term viability

Olympic Medical Center commissioners will consider potential partnerships with other health organizations to help the hospital’s long-term viability. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
After learning about each other through a genealogy service 15 years ago and speaking on the phone for years, Steven Hanson of Montevideo, Minn., and Sue Harrison of Sequim met for the first time a few weeks ago. The siblings were placed for adoption by their biological mother about 10 years apart. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Adopted as babies, siblings meet decades later

Sequim woman started search for biological family 15 years ago

After learning about each other through a genealogy service 15 years ago and speaking on the phone for years, Steven Hanson of Montevideo, Minn., and Sue Harrison of Sequim met for the first time a few weeks ago. The siblings were placed for adoption by their biological mother about 10 years apart. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in the touch tank in front of her at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Pochert, who lives in Sequim, drove to Port Townsend on Sunday to visit the aquarium because the aquarium is closing its location this month after 42 years of operation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Aquarium closing

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in… Continue reading

Oliver Pochert, left, and daughter Leina, 9, listen as Americorp volunteer and docent Hillary Sanders talks about the urchins, crabs and sea stars living in the touch tank in front of her at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Pochert, who lives in Sequim, drove to Port Townsend on Sunday to visit the aquarium because the aquarium is closing its location this month after 42 years of operation. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Mary Pfund and Bill Schult opened Seven Monkeys Gallery and Studio in a former automotive garage in Quilcene in October to show local artists and help foster the area’s creative community. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)

Seven Monkeys Gallery opens in former auto repair shop

Owners hope Quilcene space will contribute to cultural attractions

Mary Pfund and Bill Schult opened Seven Monkeys Gallery and Studio in a former automotive garage in Quilcene in October to show local artists and help foster the area’s creative community. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
The crowd of several hundred holiday revelers, most of which were children, watches as the downtown Port Angeles Christmas tree is lit. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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O Christmas tree

A crowd of several hundred holiday revelers, most of which were children, watches as the downtown Port Angeles Christmas tree is lit during the Hometown… Continue reading

The crowd of several hundred holiday revelers, most of which were children, watches as the downtown Port Angeles Christmas tree is lit. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Serving up a Thanksgiving meal are, from left, Taylor Hale, Gina Landon, Shawn Lammers, Ryan Lammers, Sara Taylor and Jean Ball, all volunteers with Holiday Meals, located in the Tri-Area neighborhoods of Chimacum, Port Hadlock and Irondale. The group expected to serve up to 460 full Thanksgiving dinners with 287 being picked up, 118 delivered and 55 eaten at the Tri-Area Community Center. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)

Thanksgiving meals kick off holiday joy

Smiles, warmth light up Queen of Angels Catholic Church

Serving up a Thanksgiving meal are, from left, Taylor Hale, Gina Landon, Shawn Lammers, Ryan Lammers, Sara Taylor and Jean Ball, all volunteers with Holiday Meals, located in the Tri-Area neighborhoods of Chimacum, Port Hadlock and Irondale. The group expected to serve up to 460 full Thanksgiving dinners with 287 being picked up, 118 delivered and 55 eaten at the Tri-Area Community Center. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Finishing touches

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand… Continue reading

Tamara Clinger decorates a tree with the theme of “Frosted Cranberries” on Monday at the Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The helping hand is Margie Logerwell. More than three dozen trees will be available for viewing during the 34th annual Festival of Trees event this weekend. Tickets are available at www.omhf.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)

Students at Wildcat Cafe prepare Thanksgiving dinners

Lincoln High School efforts create 80 meals ready to eat

Lincoln High School students Azrael Harvey, left, and Tara Coville prepare dressing that will be part of 80 Thanksgiving dinners made from scratch and sold by the Salish Sea Hospitality and Ecotourism program. All meal preparation had to be finished by today, when people will pick up the grab-and-go meals they ordered for Thursday’s holiday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Code Enforcement Officer Derek Miller, left, watches Detective Trevor Dropp operate a DJI Matrice 30T drone outside the Port Angeles Police Department. (Port Angeles Police Department)

Drones serve as multi-purpose tools for law enforcement

Agencies use equipment for many tasks, including search and rescue

Code Enforcement Officer Derek Miller, left, watches Detective Trevor Dropp operate a DJI Matrice 30T drone outside the Port Angeles Police Department. (Port Angeles Police Department)
Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that blew in from this week’s wind storm before they freeze into the surface of the rink on Thursday. The Winter Ice Village, operated by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce in the 100 block of West Front Street, opens today and runs through Jan. 5. Hours are from noon to 9 p.m. daily. New this year is camera showing the current ice village conditions at www.skatecam.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Ice village opens in Port Angeles

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that blew in from this week’s wind storm before they freeze into the surface… Continue reading

Laken Folsom, a Winter Ice Village employee, tries to remove leaves that blew in from this week’s wind storm before they freeze into the surface of the rink on Thursday. The Winter Ice Village, operated by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce in the 100 block of West Front Street, opens today and runs through Jan. 5. Hours are from noon to 9 p.m. daily. New this year is camera showing the current ice village conditions at www.skatecam.org. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)