Carmella Hustoft, Washington Realtor

There are a variety of ways to spend your sunny summer days in Whatcom County. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

1. Ferndale Farmers Market: April 17 thru October 9, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Take a Saturday stroll through Riverfront Park, play in the fountain, and enjoy the variety of booths with white-tented vendors. Finish off your stroll with a walk to Wood’s Coffee to satiate your Wi-Fi and coffee needs.

2. Bellingham Farmers Market: April to Christmas, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. This well-established market hosts nearly one hundred vendors at the corner of Railroad and Chestnut Streets. Their website is filled with information: www.bellinghamfarmers.org. After your fresh produce needs are met you can meet your lunch needs just east of the market at La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza.

3. Scottish Highland Games at Ferndale’s Hovander Park: June 5 and 6. This huge Ferndale-centered celebration features: piping, drumming, dancing, and authentic costumes. Check out their website for a schedule of events: www.bhga.org.

4. Fragrant Garden, Tennant Lake Park in Ferndale: Dawn to dusk. This 624-acre hidden treasure will fill your nostrils with sweet smells, your ears with the sounds of frogs and herons, and your eyes with marshy wetlands and colorful gardens. Walk the boardwalk, climb the fifty-foot tower or wander through the interpretive center. Website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/trails/tennantlake.jsp.

5. Northwest Washington Fair: August 16-21, Lynden. This is the largest of the Whatcom County summer events. Hear music greats: “Weird Al” Yankovich, Kenny Rodgers and Rick Springfield. Browse the hundreds of displays and enjoy the old-time country fair feeling. The secret is to get your tickets early. Check out their website: www.nwwafair.com.

6. Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema: Saturday evenings - June 26-August 28. Hear local music and see a film, outdoors and for free on the Village Green in historic Fairhaven. Films include the classics (Casablanca), the not-so-recent (Ghostbusters) and the recent (The Blind Side). Find specific times, musicians and movies on their website: www.epiceap.com/fairhaven-outdoor-cinema.

Ferndale's Artistic Community Thrives

This year's Whatcom Artist Studio Tour proved that creativity abounds in this county in Washington State. Locally, 52 artists opened their studios to the public on two weekends. The sunny autumn days made driving between locations a special added bonus.

Just outside of Ferndale on Custer School Road is the delightful Whimsy Glass Studio featuring unique fused glass creations by Jennifer Reich. To get an idea of the scope of her work, go to www.whimsyglass.comand you'll be amazed at the colors and textures of her designs. You'll find beautiful display pieces of platters as well as bowls, boxes, and even a Seattle Seahawk emblem! Stay tuned for Jennifer's annual Christmas sale.

Jodi Gear has been painting portraits of horses for most of her life. The Red Shed Studio is a wonderful extension of her garage on Crescent Street in Ferndale, filled with wonderful artwork: portraits, pets, botanicals and landscapes. Upon learning that I was realtor, Jodi whisked me into her home to see her kitchen and bath remodel. The walls reflected her artistic flair with wonderful tile designs.

Kathy McGee's studio, Impressions by Kat, is located in the basement of her Olson Road home. I don't know of another artist that takes thick acrylic paint strips and weaves them together to create incredible wall hangings. It's hard to believe that what you're seeing is layers of dried paint. The metallic, marble-like effect is incredible. As Kathy explains, each piece involves a long process but it's all worth it.

Currently, Lynden is holding it's annual Antique Show at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. Click on the accompanying link for information from the Lynden Chamber of Commerce website.

www.Lynden.org

Summer provides unique networking opportunities that don't feel like work at all. This was demonstrated to me recently on a sunny Saturday morning at the Ferndale Farmer's Market in Western Washington. Now in its second year, the Ferndale Market is small compared to the Bellingham or Pike Place Markets. White tents line the Centennial Riverwalk along the Nooksack River, and display organic produce, local meats and fish and hand-made products. I took a leisurely stroll down the walkway and found plenty of space and room to grow. Absent were the jostling crowds of the older and more established markets. The Ferndale Farmer's Market is a breeze.

Stepping into a candle booth, I recognized the vendor as a small business owner and before I could say hello, she said, "Oh, I get all your postcards! I've been thinking I should look into the business of real estate." I thought to myself, It's been at least a year since I mailed out any paper, although the last postcard was a memorable one to my geographic farm area. This prospect will now remember me as someone who took the time to sniff her homemade candles and greet her by name.

At a Mexican food lunch wagon I bought a steak taco from the president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and he kidded me about my request for mild sauce. I discovered jewelry artist Annie Kenoyer sitting behind her collection of beautiful earrings. She's the daughter of a local real estate family, but that did not deter me from buying two pair of earrings. I chatted with a vendor selling fresh-cut lavender who I previously met while volunteering with Ferndale Dollars for Scholars.

Relationship is the word that keeps popping up in our business of buying and selling homes. Blue skies and friendly conversations make for great relationships that in turn lead to positive imprinting on the minds of folks in small towns. Taking the time to participate in community events is an enjoyable and rewarding practice. Just show up with no agenda except to have a good time, and see what happens!