Author: kelly

It’s a perfect time to “stop and smell the roses” at the Burton C. Ross Memorial Rose Garden in Hoquiam.

Located on the grounds of the Polson Museum on Riverside Avenue in Hoquiam, the garden’s iridescent blooms have a story all their own. Chapters include the Grays Harbor Rose Society, community involvement, volunteerism, and a Civil War monument.

The Burton C. Ross Memorial Garden was planted in 1978 by members of the Grays Harbor Rose Society. Fourteen members donned rain gear and shovels and “labored in a downpour of rain such as only Grays Harbor residents can understand,” writes GHRS member Haidee Ross Douglas in 1980. Ross-Douglas continues, “… when they had finished that day, the first 75 roses had been planted in the bed to be named the Burton C. Ross Memorial Rose Garden –a tribute to a deceased Hoquiam member.”

The “deceased Hoquiam member” was Haidee’s husband, Burton C. Ross. The garden bears his name. Ross’s family contributed some of his own award-winning specimens for the garden.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/06/10/polson-rose-garden/

The Lady Washington is most recognized as the ship, the HMS Interceptor, in the film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” but its cultural and historical significance to Grays Harbor is much more than just something seen on the silver screen. In the late 1700s, the original Lady Washington was the the pride of our young nation, flying the stars and stripes in parts around the planet for the very first time.

Named for Martha Washington, President George Washington’s wife, the original ship sailed the world, becoming the first American ship to round Cape Horn and make landfall on the Oregon coast. In the 1790s, the original Lady Washington was the first American-flagged vessel to visit Japan, Honolulu and Hong Kong. For a decade, the beautiful boat sailed the oceans and rivers of the world before wrecking off the Mestizo River in the Philippines in 1797.

For nearly 200 years, the Lady Washington was lost until a replica was built in 1989, just in time for Washington State’s Centennial celebrations. Often docked in San Diego, or other ports along the west coast, the ship returns home a few times each year, giving those living in Captain Gray’s namesake harbor a chance to travel back in time and sail on a tall, wooden vessel.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/06/21/lady-washington-tour-cruise/

By Margo Greenman

Seattle’s Pike Place Market is known for its famous flying fish, but if you ask a tourist where that fish came from, do you think he or she would know the answer?

West of Seattle is a region rich in native fish species, heirloom vegetables, and traditional, local foods found only in the Pacific Northwest. With miles of shoreline and acres upon acres of farm and forestland, Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and the Grays Harbor region are a gastronomic haven brimming with restaurants, wineries, markets and farms all stocked with fresh and local foods.

From heirloom Ozette potatoes to the coast’s prized razor clams, the region’s bountiful offerings are twice as toothsome when prepared by the hand of experienced food producers and chefs. Steve Shively, Membership and Marketing Director for the Olympic Culinary Loop — a unique group that represents the four counties united by the Olympic Peninsula and celebrates Olympic coast cuisine and the traditions that surround it — says the outstanding foods that are found in Grays Harbor are made even better thanks to the local experts and rockstar chefs who take these foods one step further. Shively says Taylor Shellfish and Brady’s Oysters are two good examples of this, as their outstanding selections of shellfish have developed a reputation that is respected not only by Pacific Northwest palates, but by the appetites of shellfish lovers across the globe.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/06/01/grays-harbor-culinary-tour/

Life in Grays Harbor comes alive in the spring, welcoming the returning migrations of animals in our waters, on our lands, and in our skies. In April and May, tens of thousands of gray whales swim along our coasts, and hundreds of thousands of shorebirds stop along our beaches and estuaries, heading north for the summer. The great shorebird migration is part of a time-honored event in Grays Harbor, bringing in tourists from around the country in this mass migration to the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival at the Grays Harbor Wildlife Refuge in Hoquiam.

During the first weekend in May, thousands of visitors from as far away as Oregon, California and Idaho flock to Grays Harbor to see the hundreds of thousands of shorebirds from as far away as South America. During the Shorebird Festival, 23 different species of shorebirds are seen making this migration each year, with the Grays Harbor Wildlife Refuge serving as one of the amazing stops for resting and eating on their journey. The migration in Grays Harbor typically lasts only three weeks, but their arrival helps kick off spring.

“Each and every year, the Shorebird Festival is a lot of fun,” explains Shelia McCartan, the Education Coordinator for the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and a member of the Shorebird Festival Planning committee. “The Shorebird Festival is really great celebration of a nature phenomenon in our backyard.”

 

Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/28/grays-harbor-shorebird-festival/

 

Living in the Pacific Northwest, especially on and near the Olympic Peninsula, we are lucky to have access to some of the scenic drives in the country. From old growth forests housing elk, bear, bobcat and deer to coastal vistas that are wilder than anything seen along competing coastlines, the scenic beauty in our neck of the woods offer great opportunities for exploration. While many know that all you need to do is drive along Highway 101 around the Peninsula for fantastic views and experiences, few know the joy of experiencing a remote forest service road.

The remote roads around Grays Harbor not only show us the beauty of the region, but they also give us a glimpse into our shared history and culture. Driving along a dirt road in the middle of the woods, it is easy to see what drew so many settlers to this area and why the native populations have called this place home for millennia. On your next day off, pack a picnic, hop in your car and explore these nature drives around Grays Harbor.

Donkey Creek Road to Wynoochee

Car Type: Any

Road: Sections of Paved and Maintained Gravel

Best Season: Summer and Early Fall

Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/T3w2A

Many forest service roads are known for being rugged and far off the beaten path, but the Donkey Creek Road to Wynoochee route is special. The road is known for bear sightings, deer and grouse constantly crossing the road, and sections of old growth forests along sublimely beautiful rivers and creeks of the southwestern Olympic Peninsula.

With bridge crossings over Donkey Creek, the Humptulips and Wynoochee Rivers, this trek follows old logging routes that have been used for more than 75 years. There aren’t numerous picnic or hiking trails along this route, but traveling from Highway 101 to Wynoochee is something everyone should experience. Crossing the southern end of the Olympic Peninsula, the dirt road weaves and meanders along waterways and through forests home to various woodland creatures. Perfect for both sunny and rainy days, this drive is one best taken in the early morning hours or late evening, as that is when the animals are most active.  Read more here:   www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/18/5-scenic-nature-drives-grays-harbor/

Racing fans and anyone who enjoys “loud, exciting and very quick race cars” are in for plenty of speed and excitement at the Grays Harbor Raceway this year. “There will be lots more fan excitement,” says Steve Beitler, Promoter and General Manager of the Grays Harbor Raceway. He adds, “We’re going to continue to grow the classes. We have lots of new drivers and new cars.” The season opens on April 25 and includes the Summer Thunder Sprintcar Series.

Located at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma, the raceway is a 3/10 mile, semi-banked, clay, oval race track. It’s a magnet for those who feel the “need for speed” and enjoy watching sprint car racing in a family-friendly venue.

“We definitely cater to families,” says Beitler. “The best part about being involved with the raceway is seeing all the families doing something fun together and having a great time.” He says he also enjoys watching new racers develop.

“We average around 1,000 to 1,400 for a regular event,” says Beitler. Attendance at special events such as fireworks shows, monster trucks or World of Outlaws averages around 3,000 or 4,000 according to Beitler. He says, “It’s a great way for moms, dads, kids, grandparents and everyone to spend time together and have fun.” Beitler adds that the American Sprint Car Series national tour is coming back in July.

Beitler took over promotion of the Grays Harbor Raceway about a year ago. Before that, he was with the Skagit Speedway for about 14 years. Beitler’s involvement with racing began at age eight when he went to work at Skagit Speedway selling programs and doing clean up. He started racing himself during his senior year in high school, building his first race car with money earned milking cows on a dairy farm.

Read more here:  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/16/grays-harbor-raceway-2/

Most girls, at the age of five, when faced with choosing either a race car or a pony would choose the pony. Not Ariel Biggs. When her dad gave her the choice, Ariel chose a quarter midget – a small, caged, go-cart type race car. At age six, she began racing and today is going round the track faster than ever. Her dad’s love for cars and passion for building and fixing them was infectious. Ariel not only drove, but learned about the insides of her car and how to make them run correctly when broken.

At age 13, Ariel won her first Extreme Winged Sprint Series Championship in Oregon on the dirt track and shortly after, Don Emery became her first “car owner.” As her sponsorship base grew, however, so did Ariel’s challenges. “I’ve grown up with girls who get pushed around on the track, but my dad always said to me, ‘you’re not a girl – you’re a race car driver.’ Because of that, I’ve always gotten along fairly well. But I’ve had people laugh at me and walk away when I’ve told them that I race cars – all because I’m a girl,” explains Ariel. “Having people laugh at me has driven me to work harder. I think it’s fun proving people wrong.” As a woman in a primarily male-dominated arena, Ariel has had to work hard to earn respect.

Read more here  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/13/ariel-biggs-racing/

Grays Harbor County

Request for Proposals

Tourism Creative Services – Television, Print and Electronic Marketing

Grays Harbor County is requesting proposals from qualified professionals for creative services to assist in the County Tourism Department’s marketing campaign.  For the purpose of this RFP, the services will be broken up into two (2) parts, marked “A” and “B” below. Qualified professionals may submit for either the tasks detailed in section “A”, the tasks detailed in Section “B”, or both.

1. The production of television commercials, trafficking coordination with selected networks/stations, and associated tasks. Desired services may also include the posting of the created commercials and video on YouTube and other social media sites.
2. The production of collateral print, advertising material intended to reach relevant local, state, regional, national and international tourism markets. Desired services will also include the placement of print and electronic marketing materials in paid and unpaid media outlets within local, state, regional, national and international markets, as appropriate.                                Questions regarding this RFP shall be directed to Mike Bruner, Fairgrounds and Tourism Manager, at (360) 482-2651 ext. 1870, or by email at mbruner@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.
3. Dates of publication will be April 13, 2015.
4. Detailed RFP can be downloaded from http://www.visitgraysharbor.com
5. Budget (2015): $38,000 – Total professional services budget (for all tasks within Section “A” and “B”)

The coming of spring marks many events in Grays Harbor. As the gray skies become less frequent, flowers start bloom, and hillsides dry out, the waters of the Pacific

Ocean and Grays Harbor welcome the return of the gray whales.

During the months of March and April, the Washington coast becomes a hotbed of whale action, marking the annual migration past our shores for the estimated 18,000 Gray Whales that make the journey up and down the Pacific Coast each year. Passing by within one-half mile of the breaking waves, up to 30 whales an hour swim by the coastal communities during the peak of the migration.

This event continues to be celebrated by the local tribal nations, and is now becoming a popular event in communities around the coast.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/03/06/whale-watching-washington/

What is a Razor Clam Festival?   “It’s CLAMTASTIC!” (need we say more?!?)

 

Dianne Hansen, Chair of the the Razor Clam & Seafood Festival, email: rcfcommittee@gmail.com, phone: (360) 580-5064 is inviting competitive chef’s and celebrity judges to participate in the 9th annual Razor Clam & Seafood Extravaganza, March 21 and 22 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

 

Last year Jess Owen of Ocean Crest Resort’s Clam Chowder won 1st place “People’s Choice” and Michael McQuay of Kokopelli Grill’s Seafood Entree won 1st place “Professional Chef’s” category.  Celebrity judges included Andrew Bickar of Rediviva Restaurant.

 

Now it’s YOUR turn to join the fun and flavor!

Full festival details on-line at: www.oceanshores.org/clams

 

Here’s the details for Chef and Judge:

The judging is both Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday:  1:30, 3:00 and 4:30.  Sunday:  11:30am and 3:00pm.

Cooking demo Sunday 12:30 and 1:30

• For the stage there will be Prep Table, mirror, lapel mics.  Cooktop with pan.
• A full kitchen in the Convention Center is available where pre-cooking can be done.
• Clam Fest will reimburse chefs for ingredients
• Post demo audience tastings.  Approx. 40 servings per session

If coming from out of town contact Dianne about available hotel rooms too.  Didn’t we say this is  CLAMTASTIC!

Run faster than a Razor Clam and contact Dianne to sign-up!  Dianne Hansen, Razor Clam & Seafood Festival, email: rcfcommittee@gmail.com, phone: (360) 580-5064

We hope to see you there!