Key Peninsula News

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

The ad hoc group of artists has been meeting for years.

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

Post-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

'The Overstory' by Richard Powers

The mental time warp of being around young trees inspired me to pick up “The Overstory” for a second read. more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 6/30/21

Mike Reigle’s last day in the KP Fire Department

29 Down: KPFD Firefighter-Paramedic Mike Riegle on Retirement and Redemption

After 31 years starting as a volunteer EMT, then a 29-year career firefighter-paramedic, a lieutenant, battalion chief, and then back to the line as a firefighter, Mike Riegle, 57, finished his last 48-hour shift serving the Key Peninsula on Memorial Day. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 6/30/21

No Recipe Summer Recipes

My cookbook shelf is overwhelmingly full. There are the tried and true staples, the vintage community cookbooks, the bread-and-sourdough-specific cookbooks, and the cookbooks featuring recipes from … more

Anna Brones | 6/30/21

Hugh McMillan center, with school board directors Lori Glover, David Olson, Deborah Krishnadasan, Natalie Wimberley and Chuck West.

The Hugh McMillan Community Center is Born

In a brief private ceremony at Evergreen Elementary School, Hugh McMillan of Lakebay was honored by the Peninsula School District board of directors with the official naming of the gymnasium building as the future home of the Hugh McMillan Community Center. more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 6/30/21

Father’s Day Dinner — The Ultimate Chili Dog

Whenever we ask Dad what he wants for dinner on literally any occasion, the question is usually posed tongue-in-cheek because we know the answer. It’s never steak, salmon, or burgers, … more

Kamryn Minch, KP News | 5/26/21

And the Band Plays On... Or Threatens To.

The notorious Down Home Band directed by Dr. William Roes will throw off the shackles of the pandemic to (safely) begin rehearsals for its 2021 “Back from Behind” season June 24, 7 p.m. … more

Staff Report | 5/26/21