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Shanna Bloom, who lives at the intersection of Fifth and Cherry streets in Port Angeles, plans to keep her American flag lights up well into spring. "These aren't Christmas lights anymore," she said. "They are patriotic lights now." (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Patriotic lights

Shanna Bloom, who lives at the intersection of Fifth and Cherry streets in Port Angeles, plans to keep her American flag lights up well into… Continue reading

Shanna Bloom, who lives at the intersection of Fifth and Cherry streets in Port Angeles, plans to keep her American flag lights up well into spring. "These aren't Christmas lights anymore," she said. "They are patriotic lights now." (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
About 20 people took to the waters of Lake Pleasant on New Year’s morning at the Clallam County park during the Polar Bear plunge. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Taking the plunge

About 20 people took to the waters of Lake Pleasant on New Year’s morning at the Clallam County park during the Polar Bear plunge. (Lonnie… Continue reading

About 20 people took to the waters of Lake Pleasant on New Year’s morning at the Clallam County park during the Polar Bear plunge. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)
A member of the First Night Circus performs her routine at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend during the First Night activities produced by the Production alliance on New Year’s Eve. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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First Night festivities

A member of the First Night Circus performs her routine at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend during the First Night activities produced by… Continue reading

A member of the First Night Circus performs her routine at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend during the First Night activities produced by the Production alliance on New Year’s Eve. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Todd Shay of the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department lowers the flags in front of City Hall on Monday to honor Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States who died Sunday at the age of 100. The flags will stay at half-staff until the end of the day Jan. 28 by order of the governor. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Honoring President Carter

Todd Shay of the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department lowers the flags in front of City Hall on Monday to honor the death of… Continue reading

Todd Shay of the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Department lowers the flags in front of City Hall on Monday to honor Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States who died Sunday at the age of 100. The flags will stay at half-staff until the end of the day Jan. 28 by order of the governor. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)

High school senior earns eagle rank with scouts

Kathol, 18, earns 29 merit badges through Sequim troop

Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)
Striped legs with ruby slippers peek out from under a house being prepared to move from a lot on Third Street in Port Angeles. (Kelley Lane/Peninsula Daily News)
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Wicked worksite

Striped legs with ruby slippers peek out from under a house being prepared to move from a lot on Third Street in Port Angeles.… Continue reading

Striped legs with ruby slippers peek out from under a house being prepared to move from a lot on Third Street in Port Angeles. (Kelley Lane/Peninsula Daily News)
Ellen White Face, left, and Dora Ragland enjoy some conversation after finishing a Christmas dinner prepared by Salvation Army Port Angeles staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army anticipated serving 120-150 people at its annual holiday meal on Tuesday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)

Hundreds served at annual Salvation Army dinner

Numbers represent growing need for assistance, captain says

Ellen White Face, left, and Dora Ragland enjoy some conversation after finishing a Christmas dinner prepared by Salvation Army Port Angeles staff and volunteers. The Salvation Army anticipated serving 120-150 people at its annual holiday meal on Tuesday. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Paranormal investigator Amanda Paulson sits next to a photo of Hallie Illingworth at Lake Crescent, where Illingworth’s soap-like body was discovered in 1940. Paulson stars in a newly released documentary, “The Lady of the Lake,” that explores the history of Illingworth’s death and the possible paranormal presence that has remained since. (Ryan Grulich)

Documentary explores paranormal aspects disappearance

Director says it’s a ’ Ghost story for Christmas’

Paranormal investigator Amanda Paulson sits next to a photo of Hallie Illingworth at Lake Crescent, where Illingworth’s soap-like body was discovered in 1940. Paulson stars in a newly released documentary, “The Lady of the Lake,” that explores the history of Illingworth’s death and the possible paranormal presence that has remained since. (Ryan Grulich)
Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News A fire dancer from Port Townsend's Fire Dance Collective, performs in front of spectators during the 2nd Annual Solstice Bonfire hosted by Jefferson County 4-H at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
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Solstice Bonfire

A fire dancer from Port Townsend’s Fire Dance Collective, performs in front of spectators during the 2nd annual Solstice Bonfire hosted by Jefferson County 4-H… Continue reading

Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News A fire dancer from Port Townsend's Fire Dance Collective, performs in front of spectators during the 2nd Annual Solstice Bonfire hosted by Jefferson County 4-H at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild bird seed, pigeons land and coo at her feet. McNerney has been feeding the pigeons for about a year and they know her car when she parks. Gulls have a habit of showing up too whenever a free meal is available. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Feeding the birds

Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild… Continue reading

Iris McNerney of from Port Townsend is like a pied piper at the Port Hudson Marina. When she shows up with a bag of wild bird seed, pigeons land and coo at her feet. McNerney has been feeding the pigeons for about a year and they know her car when she parks. Gulls have a habit of showing up too whenever a free meal is available. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Many colorful Christmas lights that adorn sailboats reflect in the calm waters at Port Angeles Boat Haven. The weather forecast predicts high temperature in the low 50s across the Peninsula this weekend with an increased chance for showers on Saturday and Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Christmas reflection

Many colorful Christmas lights that adorn sailboats reflect in the calm waters at Port Angeles Boat Haven. The weather forecast predicts high temperature in the… Continue reading

Many colorful Christmas lights that adorn sailboats reflect in the calm waters at Port Angeles Boat Haven. The weather forecast predicts high temperature in the low 50s across the Peninsula this weekend with an increased chance for showers on Saturday and Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Library crew members Judith Bows, left, and Suzy Elbow marvel at the Uptown Gingerbread Contest entries at the Port Townsend Library. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)

Gingerbread house construction under way at libraries

Categories include Most Creative, Most Literary

Library crew members Judith Bows, left, and Suzy Elbow marvel at the Uptown Gingerbread Contest entries at the Port Townsend Library. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)
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)
A kite-boarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a rainbow forms over the Point Wilson Lighthouse. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Wave rider in Port Townsend Bay

A kiteboarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a… Continue reading

A kite-boarder takes his board into the storm-tossed waters of Port Townsend Bay at Fort Worden State Park during a sunbreak on Saturday, while a rainbow forms over the Point Wilson Lighthouse. Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Every morning at 6, six local men are on the racquetball courts of the Port Angeles YMCA. The players — from left, Henry Pimentel, 70, Roy Gotham, 79, Carl Gay, 74, Todd German, 58, Frank Burke, 76, and Jerry Allen, 69 — say the friendly games are good for cardio and camaraderie. Gotham and Gay have been playing together for more than 40 years. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)

Cardio and camaraderie: Group meets weekdays for racquetball

Two ‘originals’ have been playing for 40-plus years

Every morning at 6, six local men are on the racquetball courts of the Port Angeles YMCA. The players — from left, Henry Pimentel, 70, Roy Gotham, 79, Carl Gay, 74, Todd German, 58, Frank Burke, 76, and Jerry Allen, 69 — say the friendly games are good for cardio and camaraderie. Gotham and Gay have been playing together for more than 40 years. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Jill Spier will close her Port Townsend shop, Phoenix Rising, in February after 38 years. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)

Phoenix Rising to close after 38 years

Proprietor plans to move to Sri Lanka, open an orphanage

Jill Spier will close her Port Townsend shop, Phoenix Rising, in February after 38 years. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/for Peninsula Daily News)
Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas wishes and to light the community tree at Haller Fountain. Sitting next to Santa is Sula’s grandma Christi and her mom Corrine is on the right. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Christmas wishes

Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas… Continue reading

Sula Adams, 4, hands Santa a candy cane during Santa’s visit to Port Townsend. Santa made an early visit on Saturday to hear children’s Christmas wishes and to light the community tree at Haller Fountain. Sitting next to Santa is Sula’s grandma Christi and her mom Corrine is on the right. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of people cool temperatures to see lights, entertainment, consume food and get a chance to buy Christmas gifts. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Festival of Lights

“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of… Continue reading

“Fractal Phase,” dancing with various lights, highlighted the Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. A large gathering of people cool temperatures to see lights, entertainment, consume food and get a chance to buy Christmas gifts. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Dustin Hines of Port Townsend won the Jamestown Glow Run 5K, a year after finishing second in the same race. John Mauro, also of Port Townsend, won the 10K. Matt Sagan/Cascadia Films

JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM GLOW RUN: More than 600 enjoy the lights and the gloaming

More than 600 people from the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Northwest enjoyed what is turning into one of the most popular 5K/10K… Continue reading

Dustin Hines of Port Townsend won the Jamestown Glow Run 5K, a year after finishing second in the same race. John Mauro, also of Port Townsend, won the 10K. Matt Sagan/Cascadia Films
Olympic Medical Center commissioners will consider potential partnerships with other health organizations to help the hospital’s long-term viability. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)

Olympic Medical Center to explore outside partnership

Process to explore long-term viability

Olympic Medical Center commissioners will consider potential partnerships with other health organizations to help the hospital’s long-term viability. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)