Rhody fix

Page 1

inside

B

Pet Parade .............................6-7 Rhody Run ................................8Grand Parade ..................... 10-11

SECTION

online at:

Wednesday May 23, 2018

ptleader.com 8 3 R D F E S T I VA L K E E P S A K E

Tongue out, wheels back

While parading near the Tonka Toys 4x4 Club, one brave soul shows off doing a wheelie down a portion of Water Street during the Grand Parade on his Tonka Toy. Photo by Kelli Ameling

A ‘remarkable’ Rhody Festival KELLI AMELING KAMELING@PTLEADER.COM The 83rd annual Rhododendron Festival went off without a hitch, making organizers praise not just the overall experience, but the volunteers who made it happen. “I personally want to thank each one of my board members and community volunteers that helped make this week a huge success,” said Rhododendron Festival Association President Brandi Hamon. The theme of “Off to Rhodyland” did not disappoint with young and old dressing to the nines to make sure they fit in with Rhody Fest tradition from May 16-20. “Everything went remarkably well,” Hamon said of the festival. This year, the board decided to spice things up by changing how the annual Pet Parade marched through town by deciding to have a police escort and have participants parade in a single-file line.

“And, it was amazing,” she said, noting in past years, categories were clumped together as they paraded. “I’ve heard many people comment on how this was the best pet parade.” The board of directors and members at large are not wasting any time planning for the 84th annual parade to help make sure of another satisfying year. “They amount of planning involved for Rhody week is months long from all involved,” Hamon said, adding she appreciated the help of the Port Townsend Police Department and their volunteers for helping with Rhody planning and its success. For the next Rhody Festival, the Rhododendron Festival Association will be looking for a new place to hold the carnival. “Which could potentially move most of our weekly events to a new location as well,” Hamon said, adding the association is always open to suggestions on how to grow the festival.

Singers from Ukuleles Unite! of Port Townsend belt out a tune during the Grand Parade on May 19. Photo by Kelli Ameling

The Buapang Traditional Siam Community of Port Townsend sport their traditional wear during the Grand Parade at the Rhody Festival on May 19. Photo by Lloyd Mullen

2018 Grand Parade winners Out of more than 110 entries into the Grand Parade May 19, the best were selected in each category for Rhody Fest recognition:

• Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July • Jefferson Community Foundation • Arrow Lumber & Hardware

FLOATS CHAIRMAN’S AWARD’S •Puget Sound Rhody Award (Grand Sweepstakes) • Jefferson County Fair – McCleary Bear Festival • NW Maritime Center Long Boats • Admiralty Award – Daffodil Festival • City of Dreams Award – Clallam County Fair BANDS 4A • Key City Award – Mason County Forest Festival • Wenatchee Golden Apple Marching Band SPECIAL RECOGNITION 3A • Fathoms of Fun, Capital Lakefair, Sequim • Central Kitsap Marching Band Irrigation Festival • Ingraham High School Marching Band 2A CATEGORY ENTRIES • Sequim High School Marching Band • Outstanding Car Club – Olympic Peninsula Rat • Bellingham High School Marching Band Racers • Port Angeles Roughrider Marching Band • Best Decorated Car – Bob Norse’s Classic Chevy • Best Commercial Entry – Sound Storage/Brass 1A Screw Confederacy • Rochester High School Band • Best Local Community Entry Motorized – • Chimacum High School Band Ukuleles Unite • Meridian Marching Band • Best Local Community Entry Non-Motorized – COMBINED HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL BANDS Roboctopi 4-H club and Friends • Cavelero Mid/High Marching Band • Best Community Float – Jefferson County Fair • Best Specialty Drill Team – NW Maritime • White River Marching Band Center • Klahowya Secondary School Band SPECIAL RECOGNITION MIDDLE/JR HIGH BANDS • Jefferson Transit Authority • Totem Middle School Band • Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair • Chimacum Middle School Band


B 2 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Kiddie Parade marches ‘Off to Rhodyland’ Kirk Boxleitner kboxleitner@ptleader.com Marchers in the 2018 Kiwanis Kiddie Parade on May 18 took this year’s Rhododendron Festival theme of “Off to Rhodyland” to heart, as the majority of them donned costumes and constructed floats that bore a Neverland theme. Chimacum’s Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Preschool rolled away with the Royalty Favorite and first-place preschool group ribbons for its multi-float entry, which re-created both Neverland and Captain Hook’s pirate ship. Preschool teacher Marian Gilliland decorated and coordinated the floats, while her adult daughter, Jamie Gilliland drove the float train. Although Jamie insisted her mother spent at least two months putting the floats together, Marian laughed and estimated the project spanned closer to two weeks instead. On the flip side, the Castle Hill Preschool, of Port Townsend, took the Queen’s Court Favorite and secondplace preschool group ribbons by committing to a Cookie Monster theme, right down to having its tiny tots dress up as oversized chocolate chip cookies The Cedarbrook Early Learning Center, of Port Hadlock, took the thirdplace ribbon in the preschool group category, while the Littlefoot Preschool, also of Port Hadlock, was named the winner of the Sports costume category for dressing its students up as Seattle Seahawks – not the football players, but the actual avian mascots. In the Disney and Storybook category, the ensemble group of Carter and Kennedy Raney, Ari and Brooklyn Bjornstad, Suzanna Bishop and Layla Pangelian

took first place for Peter Pan, while Ridge Davick and Colleen Rodrigues nabbed second place for Hook and his first mate, Mr. Smee. Rounding out the Disney entries in third place was James Babb with a “Frozen” theme. Disney-owned properties dominated the Superheroes costume category as well, with Jordy Haskins coming in third as “your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man,” Travis Seerbergoss scoring second place as Darth Vader and 4-year-old Luca Yearian striking poses and taking first place as Iron Man. In the Original and Unique category, first went to Wiley Moore, with Michael Babb receiving second and Sureya Thetford earning third. Students from the New Day Learning Academy, of Port Townsend, fashioned aluminum foil and cardboard Pan flutes, playing their way to first place in the private grade-school group category, while students from the Swan School, also of Port Townsend, banged on their plastic barrel drums and marched to second place in the same category. In the public school group category for grades K-4, a trio of PT schools rounded out the winners, as Grant Street’s kindergarten placed third; the OPtional Education PrOgram, of the Port Townsend School District, placed second; and Grant Street’s grades 1-3 placed first. The Kiddies Parade concluded with the tumbling, twirling and high-stepping of the miscellaneous youth groups category, with the Jefferson Universal Movement Playground in second place and Twisters Local schools, preschools and youth groups turned out in force to the annual Kiwanis Kiddies Parade on May 18, living up to the Rhododendron Gymnastics, of Port Festival’s Neverland-inspired theme of “Off to Rhodyland” by dressing up their students as pirates, as seen above, or assorted groups of fairies, Townsend, closing out the Lost Boys (and Girls), “Little Darlings” and even clock-wielding crocodiles, all the better to frighten Capt. Hook. Photos by Kirk Boxleitner procession in first place.

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE

OLYMPIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

2018 CONCERT SERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CENTRUM

FORT WORDEN STATE PARK | PORT TOWNSEND, WA

tickets & info:

www.olympicmusicfestival.org Saturdays & Sundays at 2 PM July 14 & 15 | Aug 11 - Sept 9

Kiddie winners by category ROYALTY FAVORITE • Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Preschool QUEEN’S COURT FAVORITE • Castle Hill Preschool PRESCHOOL GROUPS 1. Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 2. Castle Hill Preschool 3. Cedarbrook ELC DISNEY & STORYBOOK 1. PETER PAN - Carter Raney, Kennedy Raney, Ari Bjornstad, Brooklyn Bjornstad, Suzanna Bishop, Layla Pangelian 2. HOOK & SMEE - Ridge Davick, Colleen Rodrigues 3.FROZEN - James Babb

JEFFERSON, KITSAP & CLALLAM COUNTIES cbbesthomes.com

SUPERHEROES 1. IRON MAN - Luca Yearian 2. DARTH VADER - Travis Seerbergoss

3. SPIDER-MAN - Jordy Haskins SPORTS • Littlefoot Preschool ORIGINAL / UNIQUE 1. Wiley Moore 2. Michael Babb 3. Sureya Thetford PRIVATE GRADE SCHOOL GROUPS 1. New Day Academy 2. Swan School PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUPS GRADES K-4 1. Grant Street 1st - 3rd 2. OPEPO 1st - 5th 3.Grant Street Kindergarten MISC YOUTH GROUPS 1. Twisters 2. JUMP!

cbbesthomes.com | One Company. Two Locations.

Port Townsend 234 Taylor St. 360.385.0836

Port Ludlow 9522 Oak Bay Rd. 360.437.2278

Caslte Hill Preschool won Queen’s Court favorite, and second place for preschool groups with its Cookie Monster Theme. Photo by Kirk Boxlienter


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 3

Parading around

ABOVE: From left, Paisley Bergen, Leighlyn Cooper and Connor Ryan ride in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Preschool float, which was awarded the Royalty Favorite and first-place preschool group ribbons. LEFT: Luca Yearian, 4, executes a perfect three-point superhero landing as Iron Man, and takes first place in the Kiwanis Kiddies Parade’s Superheroes costume category. BELOW: While many parade participants opted to go the Disney or storybook route with their costumes, this junior Ghostbuster felt the need to keep the streets of Port Townsend safe from the supernatural. Photos by Kirk Boxleitner

CD Rate Specials 24 MONTH 2.02% APY* AND

36 MONTH 2.17% APY* Fixed Interest Rate Certificates Come in to acquire this special rate!

Jefferson Healthcare is a proud recipient of the Healthgrades 2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award™, a designation recognizing superior performance. The best part of our award isn’t what it means to our hospital. It’s what it means to you.

Learn more > ourfirstfed.com > 800.800.1577

Member FDIC

*2.02% APY - 24 Months, 2.17% APY -36 Months. APY is Annual Percentage Yield. APY Assumes funds remain on deposit for the term. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees could reduce earnings. Opening balance of $1000.00 and an active First Federal checking account of the same ownership is required to open this account and obtain this APY. The Maximum opening account balance is limited to $500,000.00.

Celebration in the Dirksen Room, Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center May 24, 1:00 pm. Join us! JeffersonHealthcare.org


B 4 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Trike Races throng Water Street KIRK BOXLEITNER KBOXLEITNER@PTLEADER.COM Some tots were a bit too tuckered out to take part in the Rhododendron Festival’s annual Trike Races with a few even breaking down into tears at the end of a long day. But plenty of competitors aged 1-6 were raring to race up Water Street, as the sun’s shadows drew long on the pavement May 16. Dick Shipman estimated he has overseen the Trike Races, as part of the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary, for the past seven or eight years. He credited his fellow Rotarians with helping the Rhody Fest shoulder its yearly load of events by assuming operation of the Trike Races. A quarter-hour before registration closed at 6 p.m., the sign-up sheets showed at least eight contestants each in the 1-2 and 5-6 age categories, with the 3-4 age category garnering no less than a whopping 18 signatures. Ultimately, not only did each age get split up into its own race, but ages 3, 4 and 5 were divided down even further, into separate heats between three- and fourwheel competitors, simply because there were too many entrants to accommodate otherwise. Prior to the races, ribbons were handed out to

Above: 2018 Rhododendron Queen Ashley Rosser (left) attempts to keep up with Princess Skyanna Iardella during the trike races on May 17. Leader photo by Lloyd Mullen

the best-decorated trikes and drivers, with 1-year-old Maverick Norton’s Peter Pan costume and matching green décor on his vehicle earning a ribbon from the festival’s

high school royalty, while 2-year-old Skylar Purser’s pink princess dress and similarly trimmed trike caught the eye, and the ribbon, of the Queen’s Court.

Both Norton and Purser were invited to participate in the Grand Parade for their achievement. For Norton it was his first Trike Race, but his mom,

Rigel Norton, has experience running his older sister Tilly, 10, through all six years the girl was eligible for the contest. “This year’s theme

And the winners are... Age 1: 1st — Maverick Norton 2nd — Levi Moore Age 2: 1st — Rowan Chadwick 2nd — Corbin Myers 3rd — Asa Parker Age 3, three-wheelers: 1st — Mason Robichaux 2nd — Ridge Darvin 3rd — Liam Ross Age 3, four-wheelers: 1st — Parker Hawkins 2nd — Ellie Thibeault 3rd — Jessa Caldarn

Ask about our Locals Discount!

HAPPY RHODY 1004 Water Street • 360-385-0773

Jeffers on ving r e

Age 5, three-wheelers: 1st — Jackson Fuhlman 2nd — Landon Eldridge 3rd — Amelia Afford Age 5, four-wheelers: 1st — Boston Huntingford 2nd — Zoe Peterson 3rd — Sam Bayne

Clockwise from above: Bryce Jaxon sits at the start line of the Trike race. Balloons trail Mary Hill, 4, during her race. Sam Lytle, 2, stands next to his tricycle prior to the races. Leader photos by Lloyd Mullen

S

Stay in Town Rhody weekend

37

Age 4, four-wheelers: 1st — Sylvie Parker 2nd — Hudson Davis 3rd — Wyatt Moore

y even ears! ys

for Th we What untycan o irt C print for you?

Age 4, three-wheelers: 1st — Paisley Bergen 2nd — Vaughn Whitlatch 3rd — Jinni Allen

was ‘Off to Rhodyland,’ so I thought I’d have Maverick dressed to go off to Neverland,” Rigel Norton said. “It took about 10 minutes to dress him, and three days to outfit the bike.” Preceding the age category contests, the junior royalty race saw Jaxon Nagy come in first, while Bryce Christensen placed second and Rylie Headley came in third. With only two contestants, the queen’s court race saw Macy Aumock pull out ahead in first as Lizzy Krajewski followed second. The high school court yielded finishes of Princess Skyanna Iardella first, Queen Ashley Rosser second, Princess Lacey Bishop third and Princess Desirae Kudronowicz fourth. The following are the first, second and (when applicable) third-place finishers for each age group.

Celebrate Rhody with Gusto! 385-4194 2319 Washington Street sos@olympus.net sosprinting.biz

Above: Maverick Norton sported a Peter Pan Costume for the Off to Rhodyland theme. Photo by Kelli Ameling


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Many children dressed to show of their Rhody spirit during Rhody Fest 2018. Photo by Kelli Ameling

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 5

Above: Rhododendron Festival’s Miss Macy speeds ahead of the competition at the Trike race. Leader photo by Lloyd Mullen

Clockwise from above: Tammy Ridgeway instructs Ridge Davick, 3, at the starting line of the Trike race on Waterstreet in downtown Port Townsend on May 17; Janneke Koomen, 2, practices her peddling skills before the races; His bicycle adorned in leaves, Mason Robichaux, 3, peddles his tricycle at the Trike races. Leader photos by Lloyd Mullen

Vaughn Whitlatch stopped short of the finish line, and came in second as Paisley Bergen passed him in the first heat of 4-year-olds at the Trike Races. Photo by Kirk Boxleitner


B 6 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

The pets of Jefferson County hit the streets the afternoon of May 17, to strut their stuff during the annual Rhodedendron Pet Parade. Clockwise from top left: Cricket, 6, walked by Violet Moell; Heidi, 2, walked by Jeremy Gewald; Phoebie, 5, walked by Jayla Caldara; Eclipse, 3, handled by Sam Pierson-Staab; Sebra, walked by Sara Heaton; Josephine, 9 months old, led by Jennifer Sistek; Duke, 3 months old, walked by Sienna Minish. Leader photos by Lloyd Mullen


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 7

Pets on parade Leader staff news@ptleader.com Animal lovers young and old paraded with their pets through town May 17 in the Pet Parade, an event at the Rhododendron Festival that celebrates critters – whether they hop, swim, slither, trot or run. Winners in the 2018 event are: Best Decorated (Judged by Queen’s Court) Emma Joy of Marrowstone with pet Pancho. Best Decorated (Judged by Royalty) Maria Powell of Chimacum with pet Summit Unusual Animals Olympic Reptile 4H with Scout and many more reptiles London Cloe, 8, of Port Townsend with Sheldon Cuddles Emmet James, 7, with guiney pigs Jess and Jack

Rabbits Quinn, 11, of Port Townsend with Tinker Bunny Cats and Kittens Bambi,5, of Port Townsend, with Emma Jean Sophie, 16, Donna, 12 of Port Townsend with Cloudy and Fuzz Cayden, 9, Samantha, 7, Isabella, 15, of Port Townsend, with Goober and Darla May Small Dogs Jayla, 10, of Chimacum, with Phoebie Wiley, 1, of Port Townsend, with Peanut Jessa, 4, of Chimacum, with Coco Medium Dogs Wyatt, 7, of Port Townsend, with Jackson Kynlee, 7, Sarah, 12, Kaetlyn, 8, of Port Townsend, with Kiora Kimberly, 46, of Port Ludlow with Redd Large Dos Zoe, 6, of Port Townsend, with Beau Alice, 5, of Port Townsend with Boo-Boo Stacey of Port Townsend, with Kinnikinnik

Chickens and Birds Grant, 4, and Josephine, 7, of Port Townsend Large Animals Calia and Jordan, ages 11, of Chimacum Lachlan and Mimi, 5, of Port Townsend, with Kiyah and Port Hadlock, with Captain Hook E q u i t e s e Pony Club, ages 10-14, Port Townsend with Cougar McKenzie, 6, of C h i m a c u m , of Wendy’s Ride to N e v e r l a n d Lailay, 8, of Port Townsend, with Tinkerbell. with

Pets and children alike came dressed as lions, tigers, bears and more at the annual Pet Parade on Lawrance street in uptown Port Townsend on May 17. Clockwise from top: Cheesey Puff, 1, handled by Sloan Pierson-Staab; Ollie, 11; Red, 6 months old, walked by Kimberly Matej; Rocket, 6, walked by Bonnie Morrow; hair by The Art of Fur; Ranger, 11 months old, walked by Jenny Naumann; Ginger, 4, walked by Isabell Raymond and Riley Sawtell-Ray; and Phoenix, 4 weeks old, held by Trevor Barry. Leader photos by Lloyd Mullen


B 8 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Amy Schmitz, of Bainbridge Island, crosses the finish line, placing first in the women’s division. Photos by Katie Kowalski

‘Bainbridge dominating’ at 40th A second overall win for Laverty; island resident Schmitz is first woman Katie Kowalski kkowalski@ptleader.com As Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” thundered from a loudspeaker, Elisa Laverty, of Bainbridge Island, waited at the finish line in Fort Worden, baby in one arm with her other arm raised to welcome her husband, Keith Laverty, as he won the 12K Rhody Run for the second year in a row. She beamed and kissed him, telling him how proud she was. Less than 10 minutes later, she welcomed her fellow islander and friend, Amy Schmitz, who was the first woman to cross the line. “Bainbridge dominating today!” Elisa Laverty shouted in excitement. The 40th “Run that Cares for the Runner” sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare took place May 20, the last day of the Rhododendron Festival. “It feels great,” a breathless Keith Laverty, 31, said of his second Rhody win, which he Continued on page 9▼

Holding baby Luke Laverty, Elisa Laverty grabs her husband Keith Laverty’s hand as he slows down after passing the finish line. The couple are both runners.

Keith Laverty nears the finish line of the Rhody Run while his wife, Elisa Laverty, waits. Keith Laverty finished in 39 minutes and 24 seconds and also placed first last year.


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 9

More than 400 racers turned out for the second annual 6K race, which is now held in addition to the 12K.

Rhody Run Continued from page 8 ▼

finished in 39 minutes and 24 seconds. Last year was his first time running the race. This year, he finished 38 seconds ahead of last year’s time. The couple met on Instagram through their shared passion of running. Elisa Laverty, 22, said she attempted a 50K the day prior, which is why she was not running Sunday. “It’s a family affair,” she said of running. Having a new baby, who is now 16 months old, has been a motivation for the couple to run faster, since they only have so much time, they said. Schmitz, 37, crossed at 48 minutes and 22 seconds. This was her first Rhody Run, and she was excited about the win. She said she started running in college “because I had an unruly puppy.” Second-place winners in the men’s and women’s categories were couple Uli and Trisha Steidl, of Seattle. Uli Steidl,

46, also came in second last year and has won in the past. “I pretty much knew I would get second (this year),” he said. Uli finished at 39 minutes and 50 seconds – 26 seconds after Keith. Last year, they were 42 seconds apart. Trisha Steidl, 41, finished at 48 minutes and 46 seconds, faster than last year’s 52 minutes and 30 seconds. Like the Lavertys, the Steidls also met because of their shared passion of running. Third place in the men’s category was a high school student, 16-year-old Michael Cepowski, of Freeland, while Miranda Maxwell, 39, of Port Townsend, came in third in the women’s category. This year also included a second annual 6K race. Liam Hutchinson, 14, of Seattle, placed first at 25 minutes and 39 seconds. The Rhody Run first began in 1978 and is celebrating 40 years this year. The 12K attracted more than 1,800 runners and walkers, while the 6K saw more than 520 participants.

For complete results To see a list of all the runners and walkers, visit my.racewire.com/results/34989. Lilihana Jevne, 8, of Port Townsend, jogs in the 6K race.

Clockwise from left: Uli Steidl came in second overall. Trisha Steidl, in blue, placed second in the women’s category while Amy Schmitz, in red, was first. Thirdgeneration Rhody runner Conor O’Keefe, 23, of Bellingham, in yellow, finishes the race in 1 hour, 1 minute and 54 seconds. He said his grandparents have for the last decade during the race played “Chariots of Fire” on a boombox from the road near their house, located around the 2-mile mark. Griffin Hoins, 23, of Nordland, Marrowstone Island, came in 14th overall.


B 10 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

A Grand Parade Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 11

Clockwise from top left: Students from White River High School clash their symbols during the Grand Parade in downtown Port Townsend on May 18; Aba Kiser waves from the back of a pickup truck, having thrown seeds from the Organic Seed Alliance, at the end of the parade; Students from Rochester High School pucker their lips playing trombone; The Mason County Forest Festival Queen Stephanie Verle waves during the parade; A man in a pirate outfit grins as the parade passes by; A singer from Ukuleles Unite! of Port Townsend belts out a tune during the ceremony; Parade participants hold signs about rehabilitation; A young girl riding the Lil’ Lady Rhody waves her star wand during the parade. Photos by Kelli Ameling and Lloyd Mullen

Above, Carol Wise waves from the seat of her car duing the parade. Photos by Lloyd Mullen

Clockwise from top: Anika Colvin shows her support for a political candidate at the parade; Arendt Speser carries a sign for the Clemente course while waving a sign; A young boy grapples his father’s head.


B 12 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Hair, Beard Contest sees returning champion Kirk Boxleitner kboxleitner@ptleader.com If there is a lesson to be learned from the Rhododendron Festival’s annual Hair and Beard Contest, it is this: There is always someone who has gone longer between trims. Port Townsend High School sophomore Ellienne Thornton, who has not cut her hair since she was in the sixth grade, had won the longest hair competition for the past two years, but she lost out May 18 to Port Ludlow’s Melanie Decker, who has let her locks run free for the past 10 ½ years - ever since she turned 13. “As a kid, my hair was always really short because I was getting it stuck in everything,” Decker said. “It wasn’t until I turned 13 that I calmed down enough to stop ruining it.” The beard contest saw the return of some familiar faces. Thomas Thompson successfully scored a fourpeat of titles, this time with a ribbon for best mustache. “I just have to be really careful when I eat, especially pizza or ice cream,” he said. Even before he grew a beard to match, Thompson’s mustache alone was a contest-winner throughout the 1980s, when it was long enough that the ends could touch behind his head. “I must have spent a fortune on mustache wax back then,” Thompson said. He finally had that mustache trimmed off of his face, all in one piece, and placed in a picture frame next to all of the prizes it had won. While there was no shortage of hair length among the men, this year’s categories rewarded panache at least as much as sheer growth. Indeed, the first-place award for best beard went to

“I just have to be really careful when I eat, especially pizza or ice cream.” Thomas Thompson Best mustache Hair and Beard Contest

Jayson Potter, visiting from Tacoma, whose beard was not extraordinarily long but was well-groomed. Likewise, while Michael Sharp had gone 2 ½ years without a beard trim, it was the addition of a veritable bouquet of flowers to his beard, mustache and the hair atop his head that earned him both the Royalty Favorite ribbon and special recognition for exemplifying Ultimate Rhody Spirit. Quilcene’s Dave Kain sported a similarly bushy and flower-festooned beard, Above: Michael Sharp received the Ultimate Rhody Spirit Award. At bottom left, Ben Kilmer kisses his wife during the annual Hair and Beard contest earning him a Spirit Award May 19. Bottom right: Cruze Collins earned first place with his faux-hawk. Photos by Katie Kowalski ribbon, right alongside young Ryder Winans, whose barely visible, just-sprouted peach fuzz on his chin was deemed worthy of note. Silver-haired Pete Langley and toddler Cruze Collins sported matching faux-hawks, earning Collins first place in the kids’ mohawk category, but it was 6-year-old Corey Kilmer whose extendedspike mohawk garnered him the Queen’s Court Favorite ribbon. Kilmer’s hairstyle matched that of his brother Wyatt Kilmer, who’s barely more than 2 years old, but it was outdone in size and color by the boys’ father, Ben Kilmer of Port Hadlock, whose Seattle Seahawk-hued mohawk earned him first place for adult mohawks.

Jim Caldwell Memorial Golf Tourney a success May 19 results Gross Division 1. Chris Holloway 69 2. Chris Lux 72 3. Hazli Katsikapes 75 4. Eli Amerson 76 Net Division 1. Rick Gore 61 2. Al West 67 3. Terry Berge 68 4. Tim Caldwell 69 5. Dean Rigsby 70 Callaway 1. Mickey Caldwell 76 1. Pat Caldwell 76 1. Phil Caldwell 76 KPs Chad Caldwell

The Jim Caldwell Memorial Golf Tournament was held to raise funds for the local scholarship fund. The tournament kicked off May 19 with the annual open at the Port Townsend Golf Club, which was scored based on a single-player’s score. The tournament continued May 20 with teams participating in a best-ball concept. Pictured above, Hazli Katsikapes lines his putter up with hole May 19. Pictured at right, onnie Harrell putts his ball on the green. Photos by Kelli Ameling

Hazli Katsikapes Long Putt John Green

May 20 results

Gross Division 1. Ronnie Herrele and Chris Holloway 65 2. Adam Barrows and Zack Glover 70 3. Eli Amerson and Jake Von Volkli 72 3. Mitch Slack and Dean Ridge 72 Net Division 1. Tim Caldwell and Greg Caldwell 57 2. Terry Berge and Rodger Rami 58 3. Mackenzie Lake and Al West 59 3. Doug Lux and Brian Lux 59 3. Ken Radon and Kenny Yingling 59 KPs Brian Lux Long Putt Zack Glover


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 13

No time for rest 3 teams race for the finish during Bed Races Katie Kowalski
 kkowalski@ptleader.com Three teams raced against each other during the annual Bed Races, part of the Rhododendron Festival. Each entry involved one person lying on a bed fitted with wheels and bars, raced by a team of four. Midway through the race, each team had to stop for the “bedridden” team member to jump out of the bed, run around and be dressed as a pirate by Rhody Royalty, before continuing on to the finish line. The East Jefferson Fire Rescue team was announced the winner. QFC team came in second, with Kiwanis Haunt Town coming in third.

Above, decked out in spooky garb, members of the Kiwanis Haunt Town race to third place. Pictured at left, Grace Taracka, 13, of Port Townsend, was a Haunt Town team member who laid on the bed. Bottom left, QFC came in second place. Bottom right, East Jefferson Fire Rescue placed first during the Bed Races on May 18. Photos by Katie Kowalski

Elks host breakfast, dinner for local lodge

Port Townsend Elks Lodge 317 hosted its annual pancake breakfast May 19 as seen below. According to 317 Exalted Ruler Billie Fullerton, the breakfast went really well. She noted breakfast-goers were “excited” and egar to continue with the Rhody Fest activities the rest of the weekend. Pictured at left, Loyal Knight Ryan Ohr flips pancakes in preparation for the next rush of hungry Rhody Fest seekers. Photos by Kelli Ameling


B 14 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Candid Carnival Pictured clockwise from above: A carnival-goer waits for her friends to end their ride on a cage spinner May 17; Grayce Swindler cheers as she finishes first down the carnival slide May 19 at Rhody Fest; Daniel and Ryan Austin share a seat with Clara Best as the three laugh while enjoying the Scrambler at the carnvial May 19; This long-exposer captures the last ride of the night May 17 for the Starship Gravitron; Xander Jenkins, John Bresciano and Winston Hobbs fly on the Cliff Hanger at the Carnival May 19 after participating in the Grand Parade; and Devon Bennett and Ricky Vega yell loudly in hysteria as they are scrambled on the Scrambler May 19. Photos by Kelli Ameling and Lloyd Mullen


Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 • B 15

Race to Alaska 6/13, 2018 You don’t need to sail 750 miles to get in on the boating world’s hottest new event! This Official Program will be seen by 20,000 People 4,000 visitors for the pre-race ‘Ruckus’ on June 13 16,000 local residents via the Leader focus section on June 6 Distributed at the ‘Ruckus’ June 13

AD DEADLINE May 31 PUBLICATION June 6, 2018

Contact your Leader marketing person today! Call Catherine, Kachele or Theresa

360-385-2900

cbrewer@ptleader.com kyelaca@ptleader.com teskridge@ptleader.com


B 16 • Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

The annual Cake Picnic immediately followed the Grand Parade May 19 in Pope Marine Park across from City Hall. At least 1,000 people gathered to catch up with friends, listen to music, dance, engage in entertainment and, most importantly, to eat cake. Pictured clockwise from right, about 100 people took over the park and jumped in the circle to show off, not just festive outfits, but their moves; A man balances rocks in his statue near the shoreline of the peer; At the end of the Cake Picnic, everyone left not ready for the day of festivities to be over participated in a huddle ending in cheer; The DJ got the crowd moving in Pope Marine Park; and Ethan Walat took part in spinning poi to entertain some onlookers during the picnic. Photos by Kelli Ameling with “Cake Picnic” header from cakepicnic.com

M A X I M I Z E YO U R M O N E Y !

Enjoy the Rhody Parade, Carnival and the Run, and stop on in for the world’s best milkshakes & sundaes! THE SODA FOUNTAIN AT DON’S We’re saving a seat for you!

Optimum Savings

% 3.00APY

for the first $5000

1

3.00% to .50% APY1 for balances of $5000.01 or higher.

Minimum opening balance: $100 Account Requirements: – eBanking Express, Home 1st or 1st Premier Checking2 – Monthly transfer of $100 to the Optimum Savings account2 (or a $15 monthly maintenance fee will be assessed). 1 Annual Percentage Yield. Rates are subject to change daily. Fees may reduce earnings on your account. APY is current as of 4-02-18. Business accounts are not eligible for this offer.

Don’s Pharmacy 1151 Water Street, Port Townsend 360-385-0969

2 To open the Optimum Savings account and avoid a monthly service charge the customer must maintain an eBanking Express, Home 1st or 1st Premier Checking account and perform a minimum $100 transfer from one of these checking accounts to the Optimum Savings account at least once a month. Limit one Optimum Savings account per primary tax owner of an eBanking Express, Home 1st or 1st Premier Checking account.

Visit fsbwa.com or your local branch for more information. fsbwa.com

Member FDIC


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.