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GRAYS HARBOR SUMMER 2021
June • July • August
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
WESTPORT WINERY
Prices Never Lower – Store Never Cleaner!
49 YEARS OF SERVING THE HARBOR
W I TH GUARANT EED LOWES T PRICES !
CO M E B Y A N D S E E W H AT ’S N EW!
20% OFF! NO
HUGE ONLINE CREDIT
SELECTION
Call for Details FINANCING
SelmersHome.com JUST ASK!
THROUGH 8/31/21
12 MONTHS NO INTEREST on approved credit
Monday - Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-5
Family owned & operated in Grays Harbor since 1972 • SelmersHome.com
419 Wishkah Street, Aberdeen, WA • 360-532-2260
ABERDEEN OPEN 6am - 11pm
217 N. Boone Street
360-533-3761
HOQUIAM
915 Simpson Avenue Your Grocer Since 1905
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Volume 3 • Issue 2 • Summer 2021
Published Quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Photo by Rick Moyer
Coastal Currents Magazine is mailed to 34,426
Grays Harbor households.
Grays Harbor Coastal Currents is a quarterly
publication featuring original stories from Grays
Wine, gardens, mermaids and more can be found at the Westport Winery. See page 10.
Harbor County and a resource guide of local art,
music, theater, food and festivals.
PUBLISHER
Stan Woody
G R AY S H A R B O R • CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Amy Ostwald
7 Inside summer issue
COPY EDITOR
Gail Greenwood Ayres
CONTRIBUTORS
10 Award-winning Westport Winery Gail Greenwood Ayres • gailbird@olynet.com
Marguerite Garth • margueritegarth@gmail.com
15
Rick Moyer • moyer777@comcast.net
Rex Valentine: Storyteller, poet, musician & more Christine Vincent • st.hildegardsscriptorium@gmail.com
Juliana Wallace • jbdajkwallace@gmail.com
21 Explore Harbor craft breweries this summer Gregory E. Zschomler • gregory.zschomler@gmail.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
26
Amy Ostwald, Ostwald Graphic Design
Chainsaw artists carve out a piece of history ostwald@olynet.com or ccads19@gmail.com
WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA
35 Bill Brown, pianist about town Paul Woody • socialmedia@coastal-currents.com
ADVERTISING
Stan Woody • stan@coastal-currents.com (830) 265-0190
40 Harbor theaters scheduling summer and fall plays PRINTING
JG Commercial Printers, Inc
43 Grays Harbor schedule of events DISTRIBUTION • USPS
P. O. Box 261, Grayland, WA 98547
47
www.coastal-currents.com
Coastal Currents summer 2021 contributors info@coastal-currents.com (830) 265-0190
send events to: eventmanager@coastal-currents.com
Cover: Kim Roberts, owner of the Westport Winery Garden Resort. Photo by Rick Moyer.
Voted
B E S Ts • Pie
Pin GraiyseHarbor! • MuFfins
• COokies
• Pastries
ARTS ead
CRAFT
S • Jam • Br
R Y
B A K E • Granola
DE L I n RoLls
CE • CiNnamo
PRODU
Open 7 Days a Week Ha r b o r Fa r mers Market
e Grays
360.538.9747 . 1956 Riverside Ave., Hoquiam WA Located at th 1956 Riverside Ave., Hoquiam WA
4 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.com
DINE-IN or TAKE-OUT
Menu online at www.graylandwheelhouse.com
1800 SR 105, GRAYLAND • (360) 268-7154
Privileged to offer a military discount • Formerly Bennettt’s Restaurant
Grays Harbor Iforn ourthecustomers
interest of safety
and staff,
PUD works the PUD Customer Service
for you offipublic.
ce remains closed to the
However, PUD staff
are ready to serve you with
your account service needs.
If you are concerned about
account payments, have
suffered a COVID related
hardship or have questions,
contact Customer Service at
360-532-4220 to learn how
the utility may work with you.
You can also manage your
account, make payments and Thank you for your past support.
get power use information
online at ghpud.org or by
using the SmartHub app.
Watch for our new season
We are committed to helping
our customers through
schedule in September!
difficult times.
www.ghpud.org Visit www.ghc.edu/bishop
Spring virtual
performance schedule
Bishop-ad-Summer21.indd 1 5/6/21 2:24 PM
6 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.com
Inside summer issue
Grays Harbor poets, musicians, actors, artists keep creating
A fter more than a year of being to bring this magazine free to you!
closed-in and cloistered, the warmer
summer weather and opportunity for Not even a world-wide Please honor and help them by
patronizing them. Put your money
outdoor entertainment and activities
leaves us with optimism that our world
pandemic can stop where your mouth is and show
them how valuable they are to our
is slowly getting back to normal in
the wake of the ongoing Covid-19
artists from producing community! And while you are at it, do
us a favor and let them know that you
pandemic.
art, musicians from saw their ad in the magazine! It helps
them and us.)
As you can imagine, publishing a
magazine celebrating art, music, theater making music, writers The good news is that things really are
and food in Grays Harbor has certainly
been a challenge this last year when from writing and actors opening back up again!
from honing their art.
At press time for this summer issue,
quarantine rules necessitated the
however, some uncertainty still exists
shutdown of plays, concerts, art shows,
And it certainly can’t
about whether society will close down
museums and many restaurants, as well
tighter again for a season. Thankfully,
as the cancellation of much-anticipated
stop art lovers from
we’ve selected stories about people
festivals and celebrations.
and places that should be accessible
Still, reporting on creative people
gave us a leg up. Not even a world-wide appreciating creativity! regardless of quarantine concerns.
Let’s start with our cover story on the
pandemic can stop artists from producing
Westport Winery Garden Resort. If
art, musicians from making music, writers
you travel on Highway 105, you can’t
from writing and actors from honing their
miss the oasis that Kim and Blain
art. And it certainly can’t stop art lovers And while many restaurants, galleries, Roberts have built halfway between
from appreciating creativity! museums, theaters and concert halls Westport and Aberdeen. There’s even a
For some artists, their creativity genius took a financial hit during this time, lighthouse to show you the way! Either
turned to exploring new ways and we predict a great resurgence in their before or after a meal, a bakery treat or
mediums through which the audiences popularity after people realize, after a a glass of wine, take time to stroll the
could experience the creations – virtual near starvation diet, how much the arts well-designed gardens filled with both
concerts, drive-in celebrations, outdoor inspire and feed their souls. whimsical and reflective sculptures.
performances, online Q and A’s about (So, before we go forward, we want Or, play one of the many outdoor games
the creative process and more. For to look back and thank all of our available for adults and children.
other creatives, the year served as a advertisers for allowing us to continue You may want to also explore the
sort of sabbatical to nurture their own recently opened mermaid museum!
creative process, take a break, delve into Tony Robinson, chainsaw carver.
Photo by Marguerite Garth (Continued on page 9)
new genres, or just create, create, create
and simply wait to share their passion
with others once it was easier to do so! Photo by Rick Moyer
Mermaid Museum
Photo by Marguerite Garth
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 7
ONE COUPON PER PERSON/PER VISIT
OFFER EXPIRES AUGUST 31, 2021
8 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.com
Photo by Rick Moyer
Summer (Continued)
pianist Bill Brown, who not only follows
a centuries-old tradition of using his
talent within the church, but also
enjoys playing for local theater as well
as training up the next generation of
musicians.
This issue of Coastal Currents also
introduces you to the area’s craft
breweries. A cool glass on a warm day
is appreciated by many – and we were
aware that many of these breweries
This issue of Coastal Currents also offered outside seating, both pleasant
features the personalities and lore of in the summer and helpful during
area chainsaw artists. Read about Tony pandemics!
Robinson and the close-knit community Bill Brown
of area chainsaw carvers. We’ve also carefully gathered the
information for upcoming events into Speaking of which, do you have
Rex Valentine is a well-known name on our Coastal Currents events calendar, information about an upcoming
the Harbor, especially in East County. which begins on page 43. However festival, play, concert, art show, or
Learn more about this musician and nowadays especially, it goes without food-related event? Please submit it to
internationally acclaimed poet. His saying – but we will anyway – please Coastal Currents for consideration to be
books are available via his website check websites, including ours at www. included in our online calendar and/or
or can be checked out through the coastal-currents.com, for up-to-date fall issue. Just e-mail all the particulars
Timberland Library. schedule information. to eventmanager@coastal-currents.com .
Music and faith are the lifeblood of
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www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 9
GRAYS HARBOR
Photo by Marguerite Garth
BY MARGUERITE GARTH
ith more than 500 medals
for their wine, a “Top Five
Winery Restaurants”
awarded twice by USA Today for their
restaurant, rave reviews for their lovely
gardens replete with art, an extensive
gift shop and a new distillery, the
Westport Winery Garden Resort has
become a “place to go to” not just for
Grays Harbor residents, but also for
people throughout Washington State.
And if that isn’t enough to entice you
to visit the winery, perhaps you’d be
interesting in visiting the latest addition:
Owner Kim Roberts a unique mermaid museum that
opened this spring.
Kim and Blain Roberts, along with
their daughter Carrie, have turned 20
acres of unwanted and undeveloped
land halfway between Westport and
Aberdeen along State Route 105 into a
top-tier American destination.
A force to be reckoned with, Kim
Roberts describes herself as “an
architect, developer and seat-of-the-
Photos (left & above) by Rick Moyer
pants entrepreneur.” Each new creative
addition to the Westport Winery Resort
has brought accolades and financial
success for her and her family, but her
life has not always been so sweet.
10 www.Coastal-Currents.comThe Wines
When the Roberts acquired the Arbor
Road property, their original plan was
to grow blueberries or Christmas trees.
Fortuitously, they consulted with former
WSU Master Gardener Don Tapio before
advancing. He deemed that a small
farm such as theirs could only survive if
they sold directly to the consumer. He
told them, “Plant a vineyard and build a
winery. It will be historic.”
Since neither Kim nor Blain really drank,
they were skeptical, but Tapio was
convinced the couple had the tools
When Kim moved to Westport as a needed to be successful and the wine-
17-year-old, she tried unsuccessfully making was something that could be
to hire on as a deckhand. She was learned. Many mentors have played a
admonished that “girls don’t work hand in forming the extensive wine list
on boats.” Undeterred, she found a now available at the winery and from
captain who would try her out for no the onset a wine consultant has been
pay. She worked as a maid and lived in on retainer. Currently 42 different wines
a trailer when the boat docked until she are available for purchase.
proved herself to be indispensable
And, while the vineyards they
and was hired as a fulltime
originally planted have
deckhand. With what “We harvest now been replaced with
she earned, Kim was
able to put herself
grapes from our extensive gardens, all
through college, favorite vineyards in the wine is made on
where she earned Eastern Washington, drive the property.
dual degrees
them over the mountains, “We harvest grapes
in architectural from our favorite
science and crush, press, ferment, filter vineyards in
architecture. and bottle all of Eastern Washington,
“Although there were them here.” drive them over the
mountains, crush, press,
few women working – Kim Roberts ferment, filter and bottle all
on boats in those days, for
of them here,” Kim explains.
those of us who gave it a try, we
were able to prove ourselves and find Connoisseurs may want to look
tremendous opportunities as a result,” into joining the winery’s wine club.
she says. “Those were the best days of Membership is free and comes with
my life and they changed the course of complimentary tasting of five pours in
my life. I will forever be grateful.” the tasting room for a member and four
guests, as well as discounts on wine and
It was in Westport that Kim met Blain
gift shop items. Members receive two
Roberts in 1988. He owned a diving
bottles of wine per quarter based on
business in Maui and convinced her
the club they sign up for, but exchanges
to marry him and move to the island,
are allowed.
but she “made him promise” that they
would someday return to her beloved Not only are the award-winning wines
Harbor. Seventeen years and many sumptuous but the labels are also
successful ventures later, the Roberts striking. Blain’s surfing partner, Darryl
Photo by Rick Moyer
purchased the land in 2005 and the rest, Easter from California, contributed
as they say, is history. numerous labels that are beautifully
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 11water colored. Other labels are created distilleries and came away feeling crafted from the Purple Reign lavender
from artwork from local artists including inspired. Kim approached this challenge lemon gin, lavender infusion, lemonade,
Wally Mann, Dr. Brian McGregor and with the same creativity and “seat-of- and lavender seeds. Another option is
Barbara Sampson. Kim also created the the-pants” entrepreneurship that is her ordering a martini tasting flight.
artwork for several of the labels herself. hallmark and the distillery has taken off.
Kim designed the glass-walled distillery
The Sea Glass Grill The majority of the ingredients used tasting addition in a “goldfish bowl”
Photo by Rick Moyer
Westport Winery Garden Resort draws in the spirits are locally sourced. In shape, which is adjacent to the restaurant.
even those who don’t enjoy wine. Many addition, fruits and botanicals The room shimmers as the light
come just to experience a relaxed meal at from the winery’s own reflects off the colored glass
the inviting restaurant or pick up dessert gardens are used to bottles and the gorgeous
to enjoy during a picnic on the beach. infuse the spirits.
“We learned labels all created from
her artwork. Each spirit
“We named the restaurant the Sea “We learned early
Glass Grill, not because it is seafood, but that our guests early that our is distinctively named
from a mermaid or
because we love the treasures of the
sea,” says Kim of the lovely dining room
enjoy variety,”
says Blain. And
guests enjoy seafaring legends
of yore.
overlooking the gardens. variety they do
indeed have with
variety.” The Gardens
The award-winning restaurant
includes some seafood entrees but
nine different – Blain Roberts Designed to resemble
imaginatively infused a Coast Guard station,
also homemade breads and tempting
vodkas, a variety of the winery features a
desserts. Brunch is served all day.
liqueurs, and an assortment 40-foot lighthouse nestled
Ocean’s Daughter Distillery of whiskies, gins and rums. in 15 acres of bucolic gardens.
Just before Covid-19 hit, the Roberts The gardens feature more than 60
Guests can enjoy inventive cocktails
opened a distillery at the resort. Kim original sculptures by local artists
as they dine that are created from the
and daughter Carrie had traveled commemorating each of the winery’s
infused spirits and other interesting
around the country researching different labels as well as different garden themes.
ingredients such as the “Lavender Drop,”
Owner Blain Roberts serves wine in the tasting room. Photos by Rick Moyer: left column and top two in middle column. Sculpture by Jeffro Uitto and Yoseph Adams.
12 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE www.Coastal-Currents.comwith mermaids. She says, “I even swim
with the mermaid kick when I dive.”
Growing up she says, “I either wanted
to be a lighthouse keeper or be a
mermaid,” and she has come close to
achieving both goals.
The International Mermaid Museum’s
mission is “to teaching ocean ecology
from seashore to sea floor immersed in
For example, the world famous grunge mermaid mythology unifying oceanic
rock band, Nirvana has a wine label that cultures.”
is commemorated by a large driftwood
“We’re pairing mermaid mythology with
replica of Kurt Cobain’s guitar created
ocean ecology,” with the goal of making
by Tokeland artist Jeffro Uitto.
the museum more “approachable for
In addition to Uitto, other artists kids and informative for adults.” Kim
whose sculptures are displayed in the says. “I thought that we’ve had this
sprawling gardens include Yoseph wonderful life working on the ocean
Adams, Sherryl Jackson, Frank Ratte, and in the ocean, and a lot of people
Kim Malakoff, Nicole Demment, Mark don’t have the opportunity to do that.
Simbe, Mike Peterson, Peggy Kala We wanted to share that underwater
Hubacker, Lora Malakoff, Carrie Larson, experience.”
Abe Singer, Lisa Humbyrd Murphy,
The museum includes informative
Photo by Marguerite Garth
Beau Finley, Warren Heathers, Ernest
displays interspersed with mermaid
Kunz, Kimmi Kerns, Tyler Hansen, Travis
mannequins floating overhead. Check
Highlander, Johnny and Darlene Camp,
the website for scheduled live mermaid Sculpture by Yoseph Adams.
and David Thompson.
performances.
In the gardens, as well as enjoying
all the flowers, plants and sculptures, As the museum’s founder, Kim says
guests can navigate a labyrinth, toss she heard the siren’s call to create the
Photo by Marguerite Garth
some horseshoes, play a game of wizard museum after undergoing cancer
chess, take on nine holes in the free treatment. “Four years ago, it started to
orchard golf course or play the unique matter to me what I was leaving,” she
disc golf course, which includes “holes” says. “We didn’t know if I would still be
that create musical tones when hit. here today. This is my legacy.”
There is something for everyone to With enthusiasm and creativity still
enjoy – even pets. Leashed dogs can radiating from her and a winery,
roam the dog garden and children love distillery, gift shop, restaurant, extensive
to play on the musical fence. gardens and now a museum successfully
The Mermaid Museum underway, one can’t help but wonder
As if there weren’t enough to see and what new creative endeavor Kim and
do already at Westport Winery Garden Blain might think up next!
Photo by Marguerite Garth
Resort, in April the International For more information about Westport
Mermaid Museum was added. Winery Garden Resort, explore the website
The museum explores the mythological at www.westportwinery.com or call (360) Live mermaid at museum grand opening.
creatures that have appeared in folklore 648-2224. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
around the world for thousands of
years. Some stories include these Update: Fire destroys distillery
beautiful beings luring men to their The distillery at Westport Winery Garden Resort
was destroyed by fire May 15. Initial reports
death while others tell of mermaids
Photo by Rick Moyer
indicated that no one was hurt, no cause was
rescuing shipwrecked men. known, and that the Roberts plan to rebuild the
facility. The resort remains open for daily business.
As a longtime diver, Kim has felt a bond
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 13Beautify Your Landscape!
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Mention you saw the ad in Coastal Currents Magazine!ELMA
Rex Valentine: Storyteller,
poet, musician
and Harbor
historian
STORY & PHOTOS
BY JULIANA WALLACE
ex Valentine wrote his first
poem, an ode to SPAM, 83
years ago. Now 87 years old,
the Elma resident continues
writing poetry and composing music.
“I’m just trying to keep everything
going,” he added with a chuckle, “At my
age, it doesn’t go like I planned, but I’ve
sure had fun along the way.”
A gifted storyteller, poet and musician,
Valentine grew up in the Wynoochee
Valley on a primitive dairy farm. His
father taught him the value of hard
work, and his mother saw to his
education, teaching him to read at the
age of three. Both parents instilled in
their children a lifelong love of music.
“ ... I’ve sure had
fun along the way.”
– Rex Valentine
Days began early on the farm, with
Rex and his brother Randy milking
cows to the beat of the songs they
sang while they worked. Those early
rhythms spilled into hundreds of poems
through the years, as Rex turned his
(Continued on page 16)
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 15Rex Valentine (Continued) Valentine married young, eventually
raising a blended family of 11 children.
experiences into verse. His poetry
He built several successful careers
through the years, including real estate
“ In a poem, you can
captures the stories of his childhood for and dairy farming. Along the way, he say as much in one
his grandchildren and preserves a rich grew proficient at dowsing, the practice
history of Western Washington in the of using divining rods to locate water line as you can say
first half of the twentieth century. for digging wells.
in a whole page
Valentine credits his Montesano
High School English teacher, John of a story.”
Terry, with cementing his interest
in writing poetry. However, other – Rex Valentine
concerns soon intervened, and
poetry fell to the back burner.
she had carefully saved
his early poems. He began
writing again, entering
poetry contests and
eventually publishing six
books of poetry and stories.
Intent on honing his craft,
he enrolled in a college
poetry writing class in
his sixties. The additional
polish did the trick, and he
started winning national
and international contests.
By 2004, Valentine earned
Preserve Beauty induction into the World
Congress of Poets, an
The little pansy poked its pretty face international organization
up through the concrete crevice on the walk. dedicated to promoting
It’s singleness of purpose filled the space, world brotherhood and
peace through poetry.
a tiny crack made for one spindly stalk.
Now why would nature send its beauty queen
to grace a graying path of cement stone,
Above: In addition to writing several volumes of poetry,
where careless feet its royalty dethrone? Valentine is also a gifted vocalist and composer.
Right: Over the decades, Valentine has built a
The Lord of beauty, love, and elegance, reputation as a proficient dowser, with a 95 percent
success rate at finding water for wells.
is not particular where sows his seeds.
A drab and dingy place he might enhance Music accompanied Valentine
with lovely flowers ‘mid the grisly weeds. throughout his adult life. In addition to
composing, he has sung for audiences
So little purple pansy hold your ground. across the Pacific Northwest. In fact, he
May beauty be a beacon to your place, sang baritone in a barbershop quartet
that all who pass go carefully around that won a national championship in
1963, and also sang the national anthem
and see the smile upon your pretty face.
at local sports events for 45 years.
– Rex Valentine
Then, in 2002, Valentine’s mother
passed away, and he discovered that
16 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.comLook for Rex Valentine’s books at
www.rexbvalentine.com
and Amazon, as well as
at your local library.
Wildflowers and Love (Sonnet #24)
A prairie harbors treasures found in spring.
Its see-through grassy dress will come alive
with Nature’s own corsage; a lovely thing,
in one line as you can say in a whole
whose brill’ant colors suddenly arrive. page of a story.”
The yellow Johnny jump-ups set the pace. And those verses do spin wonderful
The violets and bluebells follow suit. tales, from dragsaw days to weeding the
rutabaga patch, trapping skunks and
Wild strawberry’s white blossoms fill the space
resurrecting an old Model T Ford. Along
where later, one can pick its sweet red fruit. the way, the reader meets a delightful
cast of characters, falling into the
Nostalgically, my grandmother I see, rhythm of a life lived to its fullest.
she’s stooping down, her apron spreading wide
Valentine has written several volumes of (Continued on page 18)
enveloping the flowers picked for me. award-winning poetry, a children’s book, a
Her sparkling eyes meet mine with love and pride. book on dowsing and numerous songs.
Oh prairie, take me back to long lost joy,
To Grandma’s love, and flowers for this boy.
• Dog Food • Cat Food • Lawn & Garden • Garden Seeds
• Beauty Bark • Top Soil • Compost • Propane • Decor
• Grass Seed • Fertilizer • Farm Supply • Fencing •
– Rex Valentine
He still serves on the board of the From pet food to farming needs & more!
organization and was featured as the
guest poet of the 2014 conference in
Osaka, Japan.
As a poet, Valentine writes a broad
range of poetic forms, from long
narrative poems to sonnets, villanelles
and hsinku verses (a Chinese form
similar to haiku).
His folksy, often humorous, style draws
the audience in, enchanting listeners
of all ages. While many of his poems
recount stories, he explains that he
chose poetry over prose because 412 S. Main Street • Montesano • 360-249-4611
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www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 17Rex Valentine (Continued) To discover Valentine’s work, check out
his website at www.rexbvalentine.com. Do you have information about an
upcoming festival, play, concert, art
In addition to several books of poetry
show, or food-related event?
and a volume on dowsing, he has also
Please submit it to Coastal Currents
written an acclaimed children’s story, for consideration to be included in
From Belt to Suspenders “Tiddlywinks, the Little Horse with our online calendar and/or fall issue.
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20 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.comGRAYS HARBOR
Explore Harbor craft
breweries this summer
Shutterstock
STORY & PHOTOS BY MARGUERITE GARTH the brewery. Another thread is that Mount Olympus Brewing est. 2018
several started as home brewers who 105 W. Heron Street, Aberdeen
rawn by the attractive real developed a fan base and decided to Open 2-7:30 Monday - Thursday, 2 -10
estate prices and affordable show their skills on a more public stage. Friday, noon to 10 Saturday, 11 to
rents, six great craft breweries operate Third, most of the breweries give back 6:30 Sunday.
now in Grays Harbor and Pacific to the community by holding events
Orlando Maldonado, head brewer and
counties. Breweries need quite a lot and fundraisers and by buying local.
part owner, started as a home brewer
of space to operate, space that would If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, in 2012. He says, “I enjoy cooking, so it’s
be prohibitive in pricier parts of here are our local craft breweries: like cooking for eight hours” ... and then
Washington, especially for a small start- waiting for four weeks “before you can
up operation. Orlando Maldonado of Mount Olympus Brewing in front even try it.”
of the fermenter and a beer tank.
One common thread for the local The home brewing became an
brewery owners is a passion for their obsession that he wanted to turn into
craft. Some of the owners work full-time a career. Along with partner James
jobs in other fields to afford to maintain Lundgren, Maldonado sought out
investors who have turned into an “all-
Windows look into the brewery equipment room from star team who believe in the product
the interior of the pub at Mount Olympus Brewing. and the brand,” and the brewery
became a reality.
There are innovative beers and ales
on tap with most of the flavors and
ingredients coming from local sources,
such as malts from Skagit Valley barley
and coffee from Ocean Beach Roasters
for a coffee-infused beer. No food is
available as of yet but plans are in the
works to make the back-parking lot
a restaurant venue with a fire pit and
music. Maldonado says, “My hope is
(Continued on page 22)
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 21Breweries (Continued)
are welcome to bring their food inside
to enjoy with their beer.
The men found an equipment
manufacturer in Portland and a 1929
that the hard work and dedication to building in Hoquiam with “great bones”
The on-tap selection is an impressive
this endeavor shows in every smell and (formerly a grocery store and a senior
mix of British-type ales, house-brewed
sip of Mount Olympus Brewing beer.” center). And, in 2017, after a total rehab,
German lagers, along with some
they opened the brewery. They credit
Steam Donkey Brewing Co. est. 2017 unusual blends, such as the Lavaduala
head brewer, Drew Granneman, with
101 E. Wishkah Street, Aberdeen Saison, which is a farmhouse ale brewed
being a “wizard” and their first three
Open 3-8 Monday - Thursday; 3-9 Friday; with a “touch of lavender.” The food
beers, Hoquiam IPA, Boots & Shorts
2-9 Saturday and 10-5 Sunday. truck is known for its sliders and tater tots.
Blonde and Captain 12 Milk Stout have
The owners of the brewery, John and Hoquiam Brewing Co. est. 2017 become “flagships.” There are other
Stephanie Bennett, are both Aberdeen 526 8th Street, Hoquiam beers on tap to try as well as a couple
High School graduates. Their mission Open 11-8 Monday - Thursday, and 11-9 of hand-crafted ciders. Pizza and
says: “Steam Donkey focuses on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Sunday. sandwiches are served, and a kitchen
brewing relaxed and inquisitive beer and menu expansion is on the horizon.
Rob Paylor and Patrick Durney met
in a friendly environment. The bar is while working at the Galway Bay Irish
open to share our passion for beer and Pub in Ocean Shores. They formed a John & Stephanie Bennett, owners of Steam Donkey
welcome curious spectators.” Brewing Co. in Aberdeen.
bond over their mutual love
John was working for another brewery of beer. In 2013, they opened
when an opportunity arose for the Mill 109 Restaurant & Pub at
storefront on Wishkah Street. The Seabrook. But what they both
community pitched in to help with the really wanted to do was to
project and the brewery opened its brew their own beer.
doors four years ago.
The location is too Hoquiam Brewing Co.’s ‘industrial chic’ renovated interior.
small for a kitchen
so the Bennetts
creatively solved
that problem by
parking a food
truck on the side
street next to the
brewery, which has
proved to be very
popular. Patrons
Hoquiam Brewing Co. taps.
22 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.com
Willapa Brewing Co. doors.Wild Man Brewing est. 2019
203 Duryea Street, Raymond,
Open 4 - 8 Tuesday –Thursday, 4 - 9
Friday, 11-9 Saturday and 11-7 Sunday.
Closed Monday.
Wild Man Brewing is named for
John Tornow “the Wild Man of the
Wynoochee” an infamous historical
outlaw from these parts. The brewery is
located in Raymond and was founded
by Ryan Porter and Cristian Dumitrescu,
who met working at Ocean Spray and
connected over their love of home brewing.
SUNDAYS 10-3PM AT E. HERON & BROADWAY
Porter is responsible for brewing the MAY 16 through SEPTEMBER 26
beer and Dumitrescu brews mead.
Mead is brewed from honey and, if you
have not tried it, it is very refreshing and FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE, SEAFOOD,
delicious. Dumitrescu, who is originally
from Romania, states “It’s a Romanian FARMERS, MAKERS & ENTERTAINMENT
tradition to brew your own brews.” Wild FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
Man meads are shipped all over the
United States. aberdeensundaymarket.org aberdeensundaymarket
There are 16 handcrafted beers on tap,
six meads, and a very extensive and We welcome: Our sponsors:
popular menu of appetizers, burgers,
“dawgs,” salads and sandwiches on offer.
A variety of pizzas are served every
Thursday with house-made pizza pushed me into opening the brewery so
dough and sauce. they could buy my beer!” They opened
Willapa Brewing Co. tap list. a storefront in 2019 to serve food and
Willapa Brewing Co. est. 2016
attract families. Originally their menu
405 Minnesota Avenue, South Bend
consisted of eight pizzas but now 14
Open daily from noon to 8 p.m.
hand-crafted artisan pizzas are served,
Willapa Brewing Co. in South Bend along with appetizers and desserts.
and was founded by Cathy and Kevin
Thirteen handcrafted beers are on tap
McMurry in part to create local jobs
available in 4-ounce tasters, 10-ounce
and attract more tourism to the area.
schooners, pints, growlers, and crowlers.
Kevin had been a home brewer for
A large outside patio is the perfect spot
more than 20 years and says, “Friends
to enjoy the outdoors while sipping a
great beer and eating pizza.
Wild Man Brewing beer and mead tanks.
In addition to those listed above, check
out a craft brewery on the South Beach:
Blackbeard’s Brewing
700 W. Ocean Avenue, Westport
For more information about summer
hours and offerings, call (360) 268-7662
or visit blackbeardsbrewing.com.
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 2326 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.com
NORTH BEACH
Chainsaw artists carve out a
piece of Grays Harbor history
STORY CHRISTINE VINCENT
spaces on his property. He’s already
PHOTOS BY MARGUERITE GARTH
constructed one 8-foot-by-12-foot
I bought a chainsaw prototype cabin to house an artist.
and made a mess of it. Grays Harbor has rich carver history
he fantastic creations of chainsaw
Chainsaw carving art has a rich history
carver Anthony Robinson easily
in Grays Harbor. In fact, inside the Sooz
catch the eye of passersby as they
Rusty Nail antique store in Ocean City is
spy his Native Beach Art just off State
– Tony Robinson the home of the Judy McVay Museum of
Route 109 at Copalis Crossing.
Chainsaw Carving.
Tony carves everything imaginable,
Sooz Rusty Nail owners Sue Darcy
from the customary bears, eagles, top to create a waterfall and drilled and McNall Mason, tell the surprising
Sasquatches and horses to forest and holes into natural shelves to hold water story of a pioneering woman chainsaw
sea creatures and mythical beings. His plants. “The sound of the water falling in artist, Judy McVay. McVay is the nearly
15-foot Poseidon statue can be admired the cedar hollow is beautiful,” he says. forgotten creator of familiar North
at the Seabreeze Gallery at Hogan’s
In spite of Covid-19, Tony’s Native Beach Beach landmarks such as the “Welcome
Corner.
Art is doing well, with orders backed up, to Ocean Shores” sign and the iconic
Raised on a farm in Ohio, Tony built including a 13-foot Bigfoot waterfall. Lake Quinault Lodge rain gauge. In
luxury homes for a living. However, addition, she collaborated with her
when his marriage failed in 2011, he Not only does Tony enjoy creating art brother Mike McVay on the Humptulips
ended up in Westport, depressed and himself, he plans to give back to the Cemetery sign. The small museum
penniless. He began fashioning jewelry art community by providing rent-free opened this year.
from beachcombed stones and (Continued on page 28)
sea glass.
One day, when he came across a large
piece of driftwood, he felt the urge to
carve it into a wolf.
“I bought a chainsaw and made a mess
of it,” he remembers. Having found his
vocation, he has been chainsaw carving
prolifically ever since, with growing skill
and infectious enthusiasm.
In 2015, Tony opened his current shop
in Copalis Crossing, where he has access
to low-cost logs; something that is
important, considering his penchant for
large pieces.
One of his recent projects is a gigantic
bar waterfall, carved from a hollow
cedar “gun barrel” log. Loggers cannot
use hollow trees but Tony’s ever-
inventive mind has found a purpose
for them. He has carved the outside,
inserted water hoses all the way to the Anthony Robinson (pictured on facing page) is planning to house artists on his property in cabins like this prototype.
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 27Chainsaw (Continued) of the time. Judy soon was
able to support her family
by carving signs.
It was while “picking”
antiques for the store a while She created thousands
back that Sue and McNall of beautiful folk art signs,
came across a beautiful many of which can still be
discarded Copalis Beach found on the coast today.
Automotive sign, bearing Sooz Rusty Nail houses a
the carver’s signature, magnificent, 19-foot mural
Judy McVay. from the former Neil’s
Clover Patch restaurant in
“We discovered that Judy’s Langley, depicting foods
amazing carvings were set out on a long table.
everywhere, but that nobody Anthony Robinson with a smaller carving he created in collaboration with Carol Frances ”Judy was a painter before
remembered her,” says Sue. Senecal-Delu of Ocean Shores, an artist who does wood burning.
she began carving,”
Judy is a great-grandmother explains Sue of the unique carving style.
today and is retired outside of “She was also fascinated with stained
Grays Harbor. glass. In this mural, she has recreated
We discovered that Judy’s
So, Sue and McNall have made it their the look of stained glass.”
amazing carvings were
mission to restore the memory of this In addition to supporting her family
amazing chainsaw carving pioneer. everywhere ... Judy is a
with her art, Judy McVay made history
Sooz Rusty Nail displays two large great-grandmother today as the first female chainsaw carver in
murals carved by Judy. More items Washington State. She baffled her male
are to follow. The last surviving totem and is retired outside of
fellow carvers by routinely placing
pole carved by the artist is soon to Grays Harbor. ahead of them in competitions.
be installed in the store. In addition,
the two folk historians have created a – Sue Darcy “The guys at the Puyallup Fair used to
beautiful brochure with a self-guided dread her arrival, hoping she would not
tour of Judy’s work, and a kiosk in a come,” says Sue. “She used to show up in
In 1969, Judy McVay and her itinerant her truck at the last minute.”
corner of the store. Their eloquently
logger husband Dick Backus divorced,
written and well-researched history of
leaving her stranded in Humptulips Judy’s daughter, Lynn, continued the
Judy McVay and her chainsaw-carving
with three young children, Steve, Lynn tradition of female chainsaw artists and
clan is a labor of love, published on
and Boaz. In 1970, Judy’s chainsaw- later even helped teach Tony Robinson
two websites: soozrustynail.com and
artist brother Mike taught her how to to carve. And Judy’s sons, Steve and
carveorstarve.org.
carve with the heavy gas-powered saws Boaz Backus, also followed the family
tradition.
Anthony Robinson likes to finish his chain saw carvings with this selection of powertools.
28 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE Summer 2021 www.Coastal-Currents.comA ‘family’ of carvers Right: Judy McVay carved this eagle for the American
Recently Tony Robinson was among the Legion Post 141 where she served as women’s auxiliary
president. Below right: This stain glass-inspired mural
area chainsaw carvers to attend a fundraiser by Judy McVay used to hang in Neil’s Clover Park restau-
for Judy’s son, Boaz Backus, a carver who rant in Langley.
Photo courtesy of Judy McVay
was recovering from a heart attack. Among the roar of five or six running
Hosted by Ivan and Maria Haas, saws and a fragrant cloud of sawdust,
owners of the Ocean City Market Place, Steve Backus could be seen using a
many carvers came to the aid of their propane burner to add black accents
fellow artist. to the surface of an eagle sculpture.
He created the eagle especially for
the auction to benefit his
brother. His display also
includes older pieces, such as
an animated elephant relief.
A small sailboat on a curly
sea, beautiful in its simplicity,
shows that Steve, like his
mother, has taken chainsaw
carving from craft to the
level of art.
At the fundraiser for his
Photo by Christine Vincent
brother, Steve Backus shared
some of his encyclopedic
Judy McVay’s Lake Quinault Lodge rain gauge is one of
area’s the most photographed landmarks.
knowledge of chainsaw art history.
(Continued on page 31)
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www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 29Galway Bay Irish Pub offers the largest selection
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Chainsaw (Continued)
He talked about the arrival of the
commercial chainsaw in the 1950s and
about his uncle Mike McVay carving an
Easter Island head at Eel Lake, Oregon,
in 1956, which may have been the very
first chainsaw carving.
The art of chainsaw carving may
actually have been born right here in
the Pacific Northwest. In his research,
Steve has not been able to find any
early chainsaw artists on the East Coast.
The McVay-Backus family has certainly
played a major role in the practice
and promotion of the art of chainsaw
carving. The elephant is one of Steve Backus’ favorite pieces. This sailboat represents the characteristic folk style of
Steve Backus.
Recuperating after his heart attack,
Boaz’s greatest worry is that he might and loading them onto trucks.” about $650,000 (over the years). He has
not be able to carve anymore. helped so many others, now we are
Thankfully, Boaz is also a gifted
helping him.”
His brother Steve explains. “Carving auctioneer. ”He is the benchmark
is only part of the job. It’s like a (Continued on page 32)
auctioneers measure themselves
construction job, moving heavy pieces against,” says Steve. “Boaz has raised
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www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 31Chainsaw (Continued)
GAME DAY SP RTS
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Bill Brown, Pianist about Town
Photo courtesy of Bill Brown
BY GREGORY E. ZSCHOMLER
You may have recently seen Bill
Brown lending his piano chops to
the Toons concert streamed by Grays
Harbor College’s Bishop Center for the
Performing Arts. Or you may know him
as the worship leader at Immanuel
Baptist Church in Hoquiam. Perhaps
you know him in another capacity—
pastor, friend, teacher or family man.
But if you know him at all, surely you
know that the 41-year-old is a pianist
extraordinaire.
“Bill is one of the most talented
musicians I’ve ever played with, and yet
still so humble,” says singer/songwriter
Ericka Corban. “He is fun to work with
and has a genuine heart and love
for people.”
Bill grew up in Grays Harbor, attending
Aberdeen schools, then moved away
and returned. His story begins at a
crossroad where church and music
intersect, as they often do. He grew up Bill performing on stage.
hearing and playing hymns and classical
music. The only secular music he says he Heart and Soul
really listened to was The Beatles. In 1998, after high school, Bill attended
“Bill is one of the the University of Southern California
most talented where he studied, not music, but
Photo by Rick Moyer
international relations. It was there he
musicians I’ve ever discovered he didn’t like politics.
played with, and “I was in a class about foreign relations
yet still so humble.” with China during the year of the Al
Gore versus George W. Bush presidential
–singer/songwriter race,” Bill says. Watching his classmates
Ericka Corban engage in an animated discussion. “It
was then that I knew that I didn’t care.”
However, during his senior year at
It was in second grade, while attending
USC, he studied abroad in Hong Kong.
Immanuel, that his mother signed
There he discovered someone he was
him up for piano lessons with Judy
passionate about: Jesus.
Reynvaan who has taught, shaped and
inspired a generation of Harbor pianists “I had a real option to grow in my faith,”
(including Bill’s uncle Lew, who played he says. “God seemed to ask, ‘Is your life
about town, and musical theater pianist about you or me?’ ”
Bill Brown, his wife Jacy and their two boys Emmett (Continued on page 36)
and Isaiah at the YMCA in Hoquiam. Alex Eddy).
www.Coastal-Currents.com Summer 2021 Coastal Currents MAGAZINE 35You can also read
