Key Peninsula News

Wauna resident Erden Eruç, 60, is due to make landfall early in September after rowing from California to Hawaii in his attempt to row, pedal and climb around the world. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/2/21

Naturalist's Notebook

Ask the KP Nature Guide: Moles more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 9/1/21

Taralynn Perkins celebrates her graduation in June

Homeless in High School

Two years ago, Taralynn Perkins, then 16, came home to a notice posted on her family’s front door. The notice informed them their lease would be terminated at the end of the month. If they had not left by then, they would be evicted. more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 9/1/21

In concert on the dock at Lakebay Marina July 16.

The Down Home Band Turns 30

Band leader Roes did some digging to verify the new band’s 30-year history and identify some highlights. more

Carolyn Wiley, KP News | 9/1/21

James Herndon wrote five books between 1968 and 1985 including three memoirs about his career as a teacher, which made him an influential figure in education. He died in 1990.

Welcome Back Students

A school year unlike any other is upon us, fresh on the heels of two other school years unlike any others. Students are returning to their posts while administrators rearrange deck chairs and … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/1/21

The Ever-Exultant Watermelon Pickle

While most of us relish the sweet red watermelon meat as a summertime treat, generations past didn’t waste much of this fruit, using the white rind to make delicious pickles. more

Barbara Van Bogart | 9/1/21

Naturalist Notebook

Snakes Eaten, Snakes Eating Recently a friend asked me if there are birds that eat garter snakes. A few, I told him. Red-tailed hawks are known for making off with snakes. It is always an odd … more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 8/28/21

How the Binghams Found Their Way Home

Peg and Larry Bingham, age 88 and 90 respectively, spent years on the move pursuing various enterprises and adventures, delivering airplanes cross-country, traveling the world, living on a sailboat, … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 8/28/21

Art Walk in Key Center to Feature Local Plein Air Group

On a given Friday in recent months a crew of enthusiastic painters gathered at Whiteman Cove, between Joemma State Park and Camp Colman. The number may fluctuate depending on other commitments and … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

Smitty and Rick launch from Vaughn Bay, June 1970.

Rowing for Smitty: From Vaughn Bay to Canada

In June of 1970, Rick and Smitty were fresh graduates of Peninsula High School. They had grown up on the Key Peninsula — Rick on the family homestead in Vaughn and Smitty in Minter. They both … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 8/28/21

Pandemic Recovery

‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez We were about a month into this thing last year when I was laid up in the hospital. It wasn’t Covid-related but I was imprisoned long enough to learn what that disease was doing to people, to … more

Katrina Herringbottom | 8/28/21

What's in Your Picnic Basket

Picnic: Originally a 17th century French term, “pique-nique,” its meaning then as now is a social gathering where each attendee brings a share of food. For most of us, the word evokes … more

Barbara Von Bogart | 8/28/21

The Drought Garden

Drought is the natural summer state on the Key Peninsula. The Pacific Northwest has a Mediterranean climate, with most rain falling in the winter when plants don’t necessarily need it, and dry … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

Honoring the First Residents

A new historical plaque in honor of the Native People of Filucy Bay was unveiled at the Longbranch Marina in a dedication ceremony May 26. Well-known archeologist and anthropologist Lynn Larson, a … more

Staff Report | 7/1/21

All About Fuchsias

There is something about fuchsias, especially the upright hardy varieties. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/30/21

Lacrosse and Leukemia — Bo Clark’s Long Game

The Peninsula High School Boys Lacrosse team won its final game of the season, beating crosstown rivals Gig Harbor High. It was a stellar night for graduating Peninsula seniors on the team who never lost a game to Gig Harbor in high school. But the most extraordinary season finish came for the team’s starting face-off player, junior Boden Clark. more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 6/30/21

Skokomish cedar and reed basket, circa 1900, with wolves and dogs. The wolves have their tails down and the dogs have their tails up. This type of pliable basket was used for clothing or other soft items rather than food. In this region, remains of domesticated dogs date as far back as 1,000 BCE. Museum of History and Industry, 1957.1239.6

Cedar, the Life Giver

Although cedar shaped one of the world’s great cultures, the mighty and straight-grained Western red cedar that can live hundreds of years, is rarely, if ever, seen on the Key Peninsula in the size that it can reach. more

Lynn Larson | 6/30/21

Labrador Carpet Moth (Xanthorhoe labradorensis)

At Home with Moths, the Beautiful Bellwethers

The days are hot and the nights are warm. By day I’m lucky to see two or three butterfly species. By night the moths swarm, pale shapes like prisms around the edges of my house. At my black … more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 6/30/21

Local Fraud Buster Inducted Into International Auditor Hall of Fame

Vaughn resident Joe Dervaes, 80, became just the fifth person worldwide inducted into the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Hall of Fame at a virtual global conference held June 19-21, capping … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 6/30/21

Dr. Justine Zingsheim-Nadeau and Dr. Lisa Woods

After Surviving Pandemic, Brookside Veterinary Hospital Changes Hands

Brookside Veterinary Hospital, owned and operated by Dr. Lisa Woods for nearly 30 years, has survived over a year of Covid protocols and restrictions. Brookside has been busier than ever and a second veterinarian, Dr. Justine Zingsheim-Nadeau recently joined the practice. more

Krisa Bruemmer, KP News | 6/30/21