Life | The Daily Chronicle

Fair Association President Jerry Owens introduces Little Miss Friendly finalists on opening day of the Southwest Washington Fair, Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Demonstrators, vendors honored by Southwest Washington Fair Association awards

Shortly after the Southwest Washington Fair wrapped up in mid-August, the Southwest Washington Fair Association announced awards and fundraising results from its fair booth. The fair association … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/15/23

David Lichtenstein and JuggleMania’s Rhys Thomas throw bats into the air while juggling during a Vaudeville-esque show at Mount Rainier National Park on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Vaudeville skit at Mount Rainier offers creative and comedic lesson about bats

If you ask Dr. Tara Chestnut, a wildlife ecologist, the circus is always in town. The performers start just before sunset, arriving in theatrical twirls as they fly through the air. Best … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep /isabel@chronline.com | 9/13/23

This courtesy photo of a natural amphitheater shows the location for an outdoor concert on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Local classic rock act to play ‘natural amphitheater’ in Chehalis Saturday

Tickets are on sale for a Saturday, Sept. 16, performance in Chehalis by local classic rock act “Soul Purpose” at 3:30 p.m. in what event organizers are calling “Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/13/23

Drinks are served and games are played at The Juice Box during a “Nineties New York New Year's” event in 2021.

Minnesota-based bluegrass band performing at The Juice Box in Centralia next month

Folk music fans are invited to The Juice Box Public House on Saturday, Oct. 21, for a concert featuring the bluegrass sounds of the Minnesota-based Pert Near Sandstone band. Located at 216 S. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/11/23

Historic Borst Home Museum to host open house this weekend

This Saturday, Sept. 16, the Historic Borst Home Museum in Centralia will be hosting an open house from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., according to museum program coordinator Bev York. The open house … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/11/23

Beanbags fly during Dick’s Brewing Company’s Cornhole and Sausage Fest in Centralia on Saturday, Sept. 9. A total of 64 teams competed in a bracket-style tournament benefiting the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s Rob Fuller Scholarship Fund.

In focus: Dick’s Brewing Company’s Cornhole and Sausage Fest raises $3,679 for Rob Fuller Scholarship Fund

9/11/23

The Sharon Grange is located at 912 S. Bank Road in Oakville.

Sharon Grange in Oakville celebrating centennial anniversary

As staples of farming communities, granges are places where the community can gather for events and celebrations. The Sharon Grange — located at 912 S. Bank Road in Oakville — … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/11/23

Owners Peter Charbonnier and Amy Besunder smile for a photo inside Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood on Thursday, Aug. 10.

Longmire Springs: New brewery opens its doors in Packwood

One of Lewis County’s newest businesses is already drawing beer lovers to Packwood. Founded by husband and wife Peter Charbonnier and Amy Besunder, Longmire Springs Brewery opened in June. … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 9/6/23

Dick’s Brewing Company’s Cornhole and Sausage Fest to benefit chamber’s Rob Fuller Scholarship Fund

Get your cornhole partner ready as players and spectators alike are invited to Dick’s Brewing Company’s Cornhole and Sausage Fest this Saturday, Sept. 9. Aside from the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/6/23

Vendors and patrons mingle at the Chehalis Farmers Market in downtown Chehalis on Tuesday June 20, 2023.

Community calendar: Women’s self defense class; Rose Park cleanup and barbecue; Dick’s Brewing Company’s Cornhole and Sausage Fest 2023

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email news@chronline.com. Women’s self defense class Sept. 7 at Toledo First Baptist Church, 1278 state … more

9/6/23

In focus: A ‘stunrise’ over Mount Rainier

Chronicle staffer Sarah Burdick captured these photos of the sunrise over Mount Rainier and the surrounding landscape on Wednesday morning near Napavine. To submit photos for potential publication by … more

9/6/23

Despite the rain finally falling, Lyle Foister of Chehalis was all smiles as he held up the best in show trophy he won with his 1976 Datsun 280Z at the Rust or Shine Car Show on Sunday, Sept. 3, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.

Veterans Memorial Museum hosts Rust or Shine Car Show as gearheads brave weather

While a chance of rain was in the forecast, the weather at the eighth annual Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival remained pleasantly overcast without rain, at least until about halfway through … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/4/23

Run Amok Irish Running Club members take a selfie at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in Centralia at the start of the club’s Fifth Annual Pub Run on Thursday, Aug. 31.

‘Run amok, tip ‘em up’: Runners combine exercise and alcohol in fifth annual Pub Run in Centralia

A herd of runners and walkers traveling down Tower Avenue is a normal sight for a Thursday evening in Centralia, but just once a year, those amateur athletes stop at a handful of bars along a … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 9/1/23

Cougar Squares club offering a free lesson in Napavine

The Cougar Squares square dance club, which has been dancing in the Toledo area since 1961, is offering a free first lesson at an upcoming event. The free event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/1/23

For nearly 15 minutes fireworks were launched in celebration of Mexican Independence Day at Klickitat Prairie Park in Mossyrock in September 2022. Photo by Owen Sexton.

Mossyrock set to hold Mexican Independence Day celebration

Mossyrock residents and visitors alike are invited to the city’s Mexican Independence Day celebration, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16. Mossyrock’s population, last counted … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/1/23

A nuthatch is pictured on a bird feeder near Chehalis.

Beak of the Week: Feeder favorites fly in ahead of fall

I have two beaks this week because I missed last week. These are the red-breasted nuthatch and the black-capped chickadee. They both frequent backyard feeders and can be found throughout … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/30/23

Toledo Learning Garden board members and volunteers prepare to cut the ribbon and formally open the garden’s new greenhouse at Toledo Elementary School on Saturday, Aug. 26.

New Toledo Learning Garden greenhouse opens with blessing from Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Kids learning to garden at Toledo Elementary School can now be part of the full growing process, from seed to fruit, thanks to a new greenhouse built in the school’s garden. The … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 8/30/23

Attendees and vehicles are pictured at the Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis in 2022.

Rust or Shine: Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis prepares for its final and biggest car show of the year

Whether your car has a faded and scratched paint job complete with rusty bumpers or a shiny and waxed paint job with chrome bumpers, it’s welcome at the eighth annual Rust or Shine Car Show and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/30/23

Visitors mingle with vendors during the Washington State Garlic Fest at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Friday, Aug. 25. The festival, held each year on the weekend following the Southwest Washington Fair, was open Friday through Saturday. Learn more about the event online at https://wastategarlicfest.com.

In focus: Pungent aroma wafts through SWW Fairgrounds during Garlic Fest

8/28/23

The U.S.S. Nicholas, DD-449, is pictured during its sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean off the shore of Maine on May 28, 1942. Photo courtesy the National Archives.

Renowned WWII destroyer’s mast to be permanently displayed at Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis

When John Bailey, now 78, was serving aboard the USS Nicholas DD-449 as a drone anti-submarine helicopter (DASH) operator for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, he thought the World War II era … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/28/23