Life | The Daily Chronicle

Nicole Loffelmacher as Goldie Guy, left, and Jennifer Penfold as Arianne Barde, right, look on as Michael LeClair performs on stage at The Juice Box as Marlin the Magnificent Magician.

Twin Cities Rotary Murder Mystery Raises Thousands for Centralia College Scholarships

A murder was committed in downtown Centralia on Sunday, but all for a good cause. The Twin Cities Rotary Club held a murder mystery dinner, where attendees watched performers play the role of … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/4/22

From the news clipping: “BATHING BEAUTIES of 1920 pictured as they invaded Pacific beaches are Mildred Parmonter; Flora Barner, Mildred Miller and Viola Miller. The girls model wool jersey bathing suits considered vogue for that year. - Chronicle Staff Photo.”

A Look Back in Time: Centralians Fail a Second WWII Air Raid Drill

As Centralia residents underwent the most extensive air raid drill yet to be attempted by the city during World War II, they were left with a big lemon of a performance. The drill ended in a … more

Compiled by Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 4/1/22

Cynthia Mudge smiles while talking about recent positions she has held prior to being the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber Director on Thursday in Chehalis.

Chamber Director Hopes to Champion Local Businesses Through Meaningful Partnerships

Cynthia Mudge wants to be an accessible champion for Twin Cities businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, using her skills in creating partnerships to increase economic prosperity in … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 4/1/22

Model trains race around a track set up at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Centralia during a previous Lewis County Model Railroad Club Train Show and Swap Meet.

Community Calendar: Stream Team Tree Planting; Train Show and Swap Meet; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Lewis County Stream Team Tree Planting on Mill Creek April 2 at 266 Jefferies Road, Chehalis; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are invited to join the Lewis County Stream Team for tree planting along … more

4/1/22

Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Polley smiles while talking about the new banner on display outside the Northwest Pediatric Center in Centralia.

Northwest Pediatrics Co-Founder Dr. Jennifer Polley to Retire After 30 Years

As she enters the examination room with her patient and the door closes behind her, Dr. Jennifer Polley steps into a space she considers sacred. Thirty years ago, Polley was a founding member of … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 3/31/22

Zane Verley poses with one of his favorites in his collection, a vintage “Masters of the Universe” castle playset. This playset can be purchased at Walmart, but Verley has his hands on an original that was produced in the 1980s.

Toy-Collecting Bartender From Centralia Writes Book of Weird Dreams and Introspective Poems

Centralia resident Zane Verley, 43, has overcome decades of drug use to give voice to his dreams and pave the way to his future, when once he thought that future seemed like it would only be the … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 3/30/22

A sign reads,“Welcome to Packwood” along Highway 12.

Packwood Mountain Festival Returning After Two-Year COVID Hiatus

The Packwood Mountain Festival will be returning this April for the first time since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. The festival will be held on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/30/22

Auto O’Neil tries to stay on a bull fresh out of the gate at a Lazy HK Bar Rodeo Winter Series event Saturday in Silver Creek.

Reporter’s Notebook: At My First Rodeo, the Bulls Won

Though it’s slightly embarrassing to admit, my trip to the Lazy HK Bar Ranch in Silver Creek Saturday was my first rodeo — literally. The arena in East Lewis County has been putting on … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 3/28/22

Toledo High School Second Trimester Honor Roll

Following are members of the Toledo High School second trimester honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order. 12th Grade Principal’s List: 3.75 to 4.0 Macy … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/28/22

Dave Smith smiles while telling stories of bikes that have been sold and brought back to the Hub City Bike Shop in Centralia.

Hub City Bike Shop Offers Freedom of Transportation to Those in Need

When Chehalis resident Dave Smith, 61, was a kid, riding a bicycle felt a lot like freedom. Now he spends his retirement working at the Hub City Bike Shop in downtown Centralia to help extend … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 3/28/22

Solomon Geis of Glenoma spins with a ribbon during the all-abilities teen and adult class at Southwest Washington Dance Center while classmate Kayla Davis of Ethel and teachers Rachel and Lizzy March look on.

Special Education Teachers Fill Need for Inclusive Class at Southwest Washington Dance Center in Chehalis

At the Southwest Washington Dance Center all-abilities dance class, everyone is a dancer. And sometimes they’re even more. On Monday nights, the youngest dancers will be cats, cows, … more

By Carrina Stanton / For The Chronicle | 3/25/22

From the August 1959 Chronicle archives: “THE FIRST EXCHANGE teacher to arrive in the Chehalis school district is Miss Sathi Kumaran of Calcutta, India. Dressed in her native costume, Miss Kumaran is shown here with Cascade school principal L. E. Scroup. She will teach third grade at Cascade during the 1959-60 school year. - Chronicle Staff Photo.”

A Look Back in Time: Centralia Hailed as ‘Well Prepared’ for a Potential World War II Attack

Centralia Defense Coordinator Lloyd B. Dysart touted Centralia’s defensive preparedness in case of a Japanese attack on the city during a March 1942 Kiwanis Club meeting. World War II was in … more

Compiled by Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 3/25/22

Winning first place was Elizabeth Snell of Edison Elementary for her Harry Potter mini pies. See more photos on the school district’s Facebook page.

Centralia Students Compete in Future Chef Competition

Centralia elementary school students competed in the Sodexo Future Chef competition on Wednesday night. “The Future Chef event hosted by Sodexo Wednesday night was a huge success,” … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/25/22

A garden is pictured in Chehalis in this Chronicle file photo.

‘Gardening for Everyone’: Learn to Garden Like a Master Gardener at Annual Series of Classes

The WSU Master Gardener program with the Lewis County Extension Office will be throwing its biannual “Gardening For Everyone” event, and everyone is indeed welcome, regardless of their … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 3/25/22

Black Dog Pottery owner Jessica Kinney is pictured with some of her merchandise at Gemini Events vendor fair in these photographs she provided to The Chronicle.

Black Dog Pottery Goes Online

As with many people, the COVID-19 pandemic got Jessica Kinney thinking about her priorities. She loved her shop, Black Dog Pottery in downtown Centralia. She loved the people. And she loved the … more

By Carrina Stanton / For The Chronicle | 3/25/22

Napavine Middle/High School First Semester Honor Roll

Following are members of the Napavine Middle/High School first semester honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order. 12th Grade 4.0 Glade Shannon, Makensee … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/23/22

The American Association of University Women Lewis County chapter’s annual book sale returns to the Lewis County Mall March 23 and runs through March 26.

Community Calendar: AAUW Book Sale; Superhero Fun Run; New Parent Fair

Submit an Event To have an event added to the Community Calendar, email reporter Isabel Vander Stoep at isabel@chronline.com. Riverside Fire Authority Meeting March 23 at Station 2 … more

3/21/22

Randle P. McMurphy (portrayed by Ryan Holmberg) has a talk with fellow resident Dale Harding (portrayed by Isaac McKenzieSullivan) about their poor treatment in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at the Evergreen Playhouse. Also pictured are Ruckley (portrayed by Joe Sokolik), Billy Bibbit (portrayed by Chris Bolduc), Martini (portrayed by Dave Marsh) and Nurse Flinn (portrayed by Emily Fitzgerald).

'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest': Iconic Show Gets Bigger Life at Evergreen Playhouse

In presenting “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at the Evergreen Playhouse, director Rich Garrett wanted to create a true ensemble piece that challenged what most people think of … more

By Carrina Stanton / For The Chronicle | 3/21/22

From the July 1959 Chronicle archives: “QUEEN CANDIDATES - Candidates for the title of Morton’s 1959 “Logger’s Jubilee Queen” form a semi-circle around last year’s title holder, Sandy Hansen. The girls, from left, are: Lois Noel, Judy McCready, Terry Peterson, LaVerne Coleman, Virginia Davis, Rosalie McNee and Coral Hall. Two candidates, Sharon Walker and Barbara Baker, were not present when the picture was taken. The girls, one of whom will be named queen August 16, were presented charm bracelets by the Morton Women’s Business club at a luncheon at the home of Mrs. Reg Lester Wednesday. Saturday, they will appear in the Auburn Days parade. - Chronicle Staff Photo.”

A Look Back in Time: 50 Lewis County Selected Service Members Drafted in State’s Third World War II Draft Lottery

The draft lottery number 441, which belonged to Marvin Wayne Blue of the Centralia district and George Nelson of the Chehalis district, was the first number drawn in a statewide World War II draft … more

Compiled by Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 3/18/22

Dancers prepare for a previous Dance Festival Northwest at the Southwest Washington Dance Center in Chehalis in this file photo.

Community Calendar: Dance Festival Northwest; Association of University Women Lewis County Book Sale; Superhero Fun Run

Dance Festival Northwest March 19 at Centralia College’s Corbet Theater; 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at https://www.swwdance.org/ in person at 437 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis … more

3/18/22