Emily Matthiessen

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A group of people play American Mahjong at the Harmony Center of Sequim in the activities room, which is large and well-lit, with Wi-Fi, a 70-inch television, folding tables and chairs. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Harmony Center cultivates peace through connection

Nonprofit offers free activity space in Sequim

 

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group Scott Burgett and Linda Kahananui are members of Dark Sky International who are working to spread awareness about how to be mindful with artificial lighting at night. Scott Burgett and Linda Kahananui are members of Dark Sky International who are working to spread awareness about how to be mindful with artificial lighting at night. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

International Dark Sky Week to be celebrated

Peninsula residents raise awareness of artificial light pollution

 

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group From left to right, student directors Rayna Loree, Paco Struve and Charlie Medlong (mentor Carolyn Edge to the right) coach young thespians during Olympic Theatre Arts’ spring break theater skills program, which culminated in two Saturday performances of “Stones” by playwright Colleen Neuman. From left to right, student directors Rayna Loree, Paco Struve and Charlie Medlong (mentor Carolyn Edge to the right) coach young thespians during Olympic Theatre Arts’ spring break theater skills program, which culminated in two Saturday performances of “Stones” by playwright Colleen Neuman. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Young directors take the stage at OTA

Spring break camp culminates with two performances

 

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.

New Dungeness Nursery planted in landscaping industry

Family and their employees work 2-acre location in Sequim

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.
The Port Scandalous Scandals, in black, battled Tacoma Dockyard this weekend in Sequim with the visitors narrowly winning 158-132. (Emily Mathiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

ROLLER DERBY: Port Scandalous Scandals’ second bout narrows point gap

The Port Scandalous Roller Derby team the Scandals held their second bout of the season at the Sequim Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, ending… Continue reading

The Port Scandalous Scandals, in black, battled Tacoma Dockyard this weekend in Sequim with the visitors narrowly winning 158-132. (Emily Mathiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Belly dance troupe Shula Azar, from left, Marie Maxted, Jovi Wilson, Laura Samperi-Ferdig and Denise Williamson, perform for a full house at Studio Bob on Feb. 21. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Peninsula’s belly dancing troupe practices ancient art

Members of Shula Azhar teach art form at Peninsula College

Belly dance troupe Shula Azar, from left, Marie Maxted, Jovi Wilson, Laura Samperi-Ferdig and Denise Williamson, perform for a full house at Studio Bob on Feb. 21. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
The 130th Irrigation Festival’s queen, Lily Tjemsland, receives her crown after participating in the scholarship pageant, which included a monologue performance, a dance routine with her fellow contestants and answering questions, both on stage and off. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim High School student crowned queen for Irrigation Festival’s 130th year

Pricesses, prince also named at annual ceremony

The 130th Irrigation Festival’s queen, Lily Tjemsland, receives her crown after participating in the scholarship pageant, which included a monologue performance, a dance routine with her fellow contestants and answering questions, both on stage and off. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ Port Scandalous Roller Derby league members pose for a group photo during a recent practice. Roller Derby athletes traditionally use special names when they play. Back row left to right: Big Papa, Lily Hammer, Skully, Small Fry, Sinna Buns, Steel MadNOLA, Summit Slayer and Austin Plowers. Kneeling: Elastigirl, Malice in Wonderland and Sarah Strange.

ROLLER DERBY: Port Scandalous Scandals, the tough little team that could

The roller derby team the Port Scandalous Scandals will host its first bout of the 2025 season on Saturday at the Sequim Boys… Continue reading

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ Port Scandalous Roller Derby league members pose for a group photo during a recent practice. Roller Derby athletes traditionally use special names when they play. Back row left to right: Big Papa, Lily Hammer, Skully, Small Fry, Sinna Buns, Steel MadNOLA, Summit Slayer and Austin Plowers. Kneeling: Elastigirl, Malice in Wonderland and Sarah Strange.
Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group Sequim Ballroom intern Brie Rocha follows instructor Werner Figar’s lead as he keeps an eye on his intermediate/advanced swing class.

Dancers work on moves during classes at Sequim schoolhouse

Beginners, intermediate students learn variety of ballroom styles

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group Sequim Ballroom intern Brie Rocha follows instructor Werner Figar’s lead as he keeps an eye on his intermediate/advanced swing class.
In her wet felting studio, Sequim artist Lora Armstrong explains how ruching happens in felt work. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim artist uses fabric, color for unique creations

‘Brave combinations’ highlight her work

In her wet felting studio, Sequim artist Lora Armstrong explains how ruching happens in felt work. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group LaRue Robirts shows one of the quilts she made for Toys for Sequim Kids on Dec. 17 at Sequim Prairie Grange. By her count, she’s made and donated more than 1,400 quilts to community efforts.

Quilter uses experience to donate work to children in need

LaRue Robirts, 90, says she’s made more than 1,400 quilts

Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group LaRue Robirts shows one of the quilts she made for Toys for Sequim Kids on Dec. 17 at Sequim Prairie Grange. By her count, she’s made and donated more than 1,400 quilts to community efforts.
Nattalia Sharinger Gellert and Daniel Gellert, survivors of WWII, are happy to have a peaceful Christmas in Sequim. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Man recalls escape from Budapest in WWII

Sequim’s Dan Gellert talks about Christmas Eve in 1944

Nattalia Sharinger Gellert and Daniel Gellert, survivors of WWII, are happy to have a peaceful Christmas in Sequim. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
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)
Christine Brehan, left, Olympic Peninsula Doll Club president, and Sandy Brehan, cofounder of the group, share some of Sandy’s collection of miniature mannequins dressed in clothes that she made from original 1930s-1950s patterns. The blue skirt suit on the left was made by another member. The Brehans shared some of their collections with visitors and residents of Sherwood Assisted Living. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Dolls span countries, decades at Sequim show

Sherwood Assisted Living hosted the Olympic Peninsula Doll Club’s “Timeless Treasures,” an exhibit and sale of antique to modern dolls. Members of the… Continue reading

Christine Brehan, left, Olympic Peninsula Doll Club president, and Sandy Brehan, cofounder of the group, share some of Sandy’s collection of miniature mannequins dressed in clothes that she made from original 1930s-1950s patterns. The blue skirt suit on the left was made by another member. The Brehans shared some of their collections with visitors and residents of Sherwood Assisted Living. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
The Parking Lot Pipers, seen performing at the Sequim Lavender Weekend in 2023, are a modern trio keeping up a historically rich musical art form. (Emily Matthiessen/for Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Bagpipe tradition forms family on Peninsula

Parking Lot Pipers keep Great Highland music marching on

The Parking Lot Pipers, seen performing at the Sequim Lavender Weekend in 2023, are a modern trio keeping up a historically rich musical art form. (Emily Matthiessen/for Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Region 6 WDFW Lt. Kit Rosenberger wrote, “from a young age I have always enjoyed fishing and hunting. I saw the intrinsic value of our state’s natural resources and wanted to make sure it is conserved for the future. My mother recently showed me a school project from second grade class she had saved where we had to write about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I had written all the way back in second grade about how I wanted to be a ‘Game Warden.’” (Emily Matthiessen /Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Fish and Wildlife officers patrol waters

Each day on… Continue reading

Region 6 WDFW Lt. Kit Rosenberger wrote, “from a young age I have always enjoyed fishing and hunting. I saw the intrinsic value of our state’s natural resources and wanted to make sure it is conserved for the future. My mother recently showed me a school project from second grade class she had saved where we had to write about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I had written all the way back in second grade about how I wanted to be a ‘Game Warden.’” (Emily Matthiessen /Olympic Peninsula News Group)
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Salish Sea on cusp of losing tufted puffins

One nesting pair reported on Protection Island

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Juan de Fuca Harmony chorus to mark 40th anniversary

“It’s the music that brings us together, it’s the music that brings joy untold, those sweet melodies, those grand harmonies, light the fire… Continue reading

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