Community April 17, 2025

Free Mother’s Day Activities & Great Local Gifts

Mother’s Day is coming up on May 11th! What better way to treat the mothers, grandmothers, and motherly figures in your life than to spend some quality time together? We’ve compiled some fun, free activities to make your Mother’s Day special. And, if you need gift ideas, we’ve got you covered. We love supporting local businesses here in Kitsap County, so we’ve also included some thoughtful ideas.

Outdoor Activities

Surprise your mom, stepmother, aunt, or grandmother with a picnic in one of our wonderful local parks. Consider going to Kiwanis Park in Bremerton. It has picnic tables, open fields, a playground, and public restrooms. Or, Seabeck’s Scenic Beach State Park is another great option. It has nice trails with rhododendrons, incredible views of the Olympics, picnic shelters, beach access, and a playground.

Another idea is to head to Kingston’s Saltair Beach, right by the ferry. It offers a nice, sandy beach and it’s steps from downtown. Pack a picnic and some beach towels for a relaxing afternoon. Alternatively, you could purchase delicious empanadas from Argensol or a few slices of award-winning pizza from Sourdough Willy’s. Both establishments are loved by locals and are within walking distance of Saltair Beach. While you’re downtown, you could also check out the Kingston Public Market. Its opening day is on Mother’s Day. The market is located by the ferry terminal in Mike Wallace Park. You’ll find all kinds of locally made crafts, fresh produce, and more. There’s often live music there as well.

If you want to check out a unique local spot, consider visiting the Hobbit House in The Brothers Greenhouses. This iconic tiny house is open year-round during business hours (Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Sunday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM). Visitors can step into this magical place, take photos, view the rooftop garden, and sign the guestbook. While you’re there, peruse their wonderful selection of locally grown plants – perennials, annuals, vegetables, succulents – you name it, they probably have it.

Not too far from Kitsap County is beautiful Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum. Finnriver will be having a Makers Market on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. This event celebrates mothers and mother nature and will include an array of local vendors. All of them are either inspired by nature or use natural materials in their work. Finnriver is fun for the whole family with live music, tasty cider for purchase, an expansive outdoor area for kids to play, and the chance to find a perfect gift to purchase for Mom.

For Fans of the Arts

If the mom in your life enjoys art, spend an afternoon with her at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA). Thanks to donors and members, admission is always free. It’s open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, daily. Check out BIMA’s current exhibitions, including “Power of the Presses”, which focuses on print works and includes hands-on art making in the gallery. Also impactful is their permanent art collection, highlighting contemporary art of the Puget Sound region.

Another option is a free Mother’s Day craft hosted by the Suquamish Museum. From May 7 – 11, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, you can visit the Suquamish Museum to make a beautiful paper flower bouquet (limited to one per person). This event is open to all ages, and supplies will be provided. It’s fun to get crafty while enjoying time together, creating a sweet memory and a bouquet that won’t wilt. The Suquamish Museum is also a beautiful place to immerse yourself in history, art, and culture. The museum admission is free for Tribal members and children 5 and under. For others, prices vary from $6.00 to $8.00 per person; see their website to learn more.

For History Lovers

Full of fascinating artifacts and information, the Puget Sound Navy Museum in Bremerton is free year-round. Visitors can enjoy permanent and temporary exhibits, and a Family Discovery Room geared toward children. It’s open Wednesdays through Mondays from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please note that if you bring a bag, it needs to be stored in one of their lockers since they want to keep all Navy treasures safe and secure.

Another great option for history lovers in the Kitsap History Museum, also in Bremerton. It’s open 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. General admission is free to all visitors. They have many interesting exhibits, including store fronts with historical artifacts, a switchboard, a firefighter display, indigenous pieces, and much more. Additionally, the Kitsap History Museum hosts interesting events like their “History Uncorked” series. Follow their Facebook page to stay in the loop.

Local Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

A Glowing Gift

Unique candles always make for an enjoyable gift. The Wax Artist, which you can find in the Kitsap Mall, has all kinds of candles full of personality and charm. The Wax Artist also has highly-rated candle-making workshops. This might even be a fun activity to do with your mom. In one of these workshops, you get to blend your favorite scents and add wax charms to personalize it. This typically takes 30 minutes to one hour. After pouring your candle, it will be ready for pickup in about two hours. While waiting, you can check out other shops inside the mall or get a bite to eat. While the staff is open to walk-in candle-making, it’s best to book online.

Vintage Flair

Another sweet gift is a mix of old and new. Stop into Bremerton Vintage Flea and find a mug or teapot that you can fill with chocolates, IOUs, or little thank you notes. This great shop also has interesting baskets, which you could purchase and fill with bath products, their favorite snacks, or flower seed packets.

Classically Cute

For a classic gift, stop into Williams Flower & Gift store. Not only will you be able to select a beautiful bouquet, but you’ll also find some lovely gift baskets and exotic plants for sale. This store is family-owned and provides local same-day and express flower delivery to Bremerton, Washington and the rest of their local delivery zone.

Fun Flights of Red and White

If the mother you’re treating enjoys a fine wine, consider getting her a Kitsap Wine Pass. This experiential gift is brought to you by the Kitsap Winery Alliance, which is a coalition of seven wineries in Poulsbo, Hansville, and Bainbridge Island. With this pass, Mom will save on wine tasting fees at all participating wineries, receive a wine flight at each one, and get discounts on bottle purchases. It’s good for one year from the date of purchase and the pass can be delivered by email or text message.

Painted Perfection

To create a memorable keepsake for the motherly figure in your life, paint a piece of pottery at Dancing Brush Studio in downtown Poulsbo. From vases to platters, statues to spoon rests, there are no shortage of options. The staff can show you different painting techniques and the studio is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday & Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Plan to be there for at least an hour. Your studio session includes all materials and it’s $15 per person plus the shelf price of whichever pottery piece you select. When you’re done, you’ll pay and the staff will fire it in their kiln. It’s typically ready to pick up one week later.

Book-themed Beauties

Books also make excellent gifts. Ballast Book Co. in Bremerton has all kinds of great reads. Consider making a themed gift by purchasing a book, a clever book bag, and a funny bookmark. Or, combine this succulents adult coloring book, with a succulents informational book, and an actual succulent from Brothers Greenhouses. Other themed gifts include a cookbook paired with the ingredients to make a favorite recipe, or this national parks journal with a bookworm hat.

However you decide to honor the mothers in your life, we hope you celebrate locally here in beautiful Kitsap County!

Community March 3, 2025

Recharge with a Staycation or a Weekend Getaway

In need of a relaxing staycation or a fun getaway? We’ve rounded up some great places that are right here in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re looking for something exciting or romantic, these gems are sure to help you unwind and recharge.

Angeline Spa & Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish

Part of the Clearwater Casino Resort, the Angeline Spa offers traditional spa services, including facials and massages. A couple’s massage is the perfect way to create a relaxing, romantic experience. Enjoy a meal at one of the resort’s six restaurants after your spa services. Resort amenities include a zero-entry pool with views of Agate Passage. Not only do you have the casino right there, but you also have the perfect jumping-off point to check out the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula. We may be biased, but our area does have many popular beaches, hiking and biking trails, and cute towns to enjoy. Plus, there are other hidden gems you can explore all in the course of a weekend.

Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville

If you’re looking for a wonderful getaway, plan a trip to Chateau Ste. Michelle. It is one of the 110+ wineries you can find in the Woodinville area.  One of the most famous wineries in Washington state, its origin dates back to the repeal of Prohibition. Their best-known wine is their Riesling, and they are the top producer of Riesling in North America. They’re open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  They take reservations, but walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to check out events on their calendar. Wine tasting flight experiences vary in price, and they have a full food menu.

Float at Dogfish Moon Sanctuary in Poulsbo

Located on 77 acres within the farmlands of Big Valley Road in Poulsbo, this wellness sanctuary is the perfect place for a day of relaxation. The main attraction at Dogfish is their float services, with both indoor and outdoor options available. You can add to your experience by selecting a cedar sauna or massage. The supersaturation of Epsom salts provides a weightless floating experience.  Services include access to the sanctuary’s beautiful grounds.

Kitsap Great Escape in Silverdale

Sometimes, in order to recharge, you need to break out of your usual routine and do something totally different. Grab a group of friends and head to Kitsap’s Great Escape. They have different immersive escape rooms and a party room. Your small group can participate in different adventures and some are family-friendly. You can book online and there are also take home games. After your great escape, there are many options for a bite to eat in downtown Silverdale. A few ideas include enjoying a meal and a craft beer at Silver City Restaurant & Ale House, experiencing authentic sushi at Jo:a or savoring a sweet treat at the new Bee Hill Bakery.

Port Ludlow Inn

This picturesque inn is tucked beside Ludlow Bay. Rooms have fireplaces and jetted tubs, and the New England-inspired look of the resort makes you feel like you’re at a faraway beach. Enjoy meals at the Fireside Restaurant with changing offerings based on what’s in season from local farms. Port Ludlow offers biking trails, an 18-hole golf course, and plenty of water activities. It’s a wonderful home base to explore more of the Olympic Peninsula. To golf, current rates start at $30 and there are 9 and 18 hole options.

Port Townsend Day Trip

Just a hop, skip and a jump across the Hood Canal Bridge, Port Townsend offers so many dining and shopping options. Whether you are looking for a high tea, a casual pint by the beach, or a stroll through some art galleries, there’s something here for everyone. You can also book a saltwater float or explore the history of Fort Worden. If you want to extend your stay, there are plenty of charming lodging options available. 

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort near Port Angeles

Open March through November, this rustic cabin resort nestled in the evergreens offers a variety of lodging options. You can easily visit the hot springs for the day and there are three mineral hot spring pools, a freshwater pool, and lovely walking trails throughout. There’s also the famous Lovers Lane Loop, which takes you to beautiful Sol Duc Falls. Please note that there is a national park fee.

 

 

Community October 21, 2021

Delicious, New Places to Try in Kitsap

We’ve been highlighting great, new eateries that have opened during the pandemic through our Facebook page, Windermere Sound Living. Check out these great places that we’ve featured so far, and stay tuned for more!

Bigleaf Maple Bakery in Poulsbo

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Photo by Leo Phillips.

 

What do you get when you mix an archeologist and a choir teacher? Apparently, amazing French pastries! Sarah and Wendi from Bigleaf Maple met three and a half years ago. They were both working at Pane D’Amore on Bainbridge and became “baking soulmates”.

“No matter where you think you’ll be, life puts you in different places,” they said of making radical career shifts and then starting a new business during a pandemic. They started Bigleaf Maple in the winter of 2019, producing wholesale items in early 2020, like macarons for Bon Bon and fresh treats for the Poulsbo Farmers Market.

The bakery started out in a rented commercial kitchen space. As their fan base grew, they offered items for sale via social media for delivery at the beginning of the pandemic. Eventually, they opened their storefront in the late spring of 2021. They both said they love being located in Historic Downtown Poulsbo, allowing them to collaborate and support all of the other local small businesses.

It’s a wonderful place to start your day. Or, pick up some incredible treats for a special occasion!

Ono Poke Too in Kingston

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Photos by Leo Phillips.

 

Poke is a way of life in Hawaii, and Steven Ono is bringing his culture and a new fresh food option to Kitsap through Ono Poke Too in Kingston. Growing up on O’ahu, Steven would race home from school to meet his uncle’s fishing boat to help clean the catch of the day, and take it to auction.

Open since March 2021, Ono has faced challenges, but it has been well-received by the community. Being embedded in the community is very important to the Ono Poke brand, and at the end of each day, any leftover food is shared with community groups via the employees, as EVERY dish is made fresh each morning. They also proudly offer discounts to military and first-responders. A rooftop patio and surfboard storage are on the wish list for additions to the space.

Their sister restaurant in Edmonds has been open for five years and serves more than 100 lbs. of poke per day.

Just a couple of blocks up from the Kingston Ferry Terminal, Ono Poke Too is a delicious spot for lunch or dinner – check it out!

Parlor Shop in Poulsbo

parlor-shop-poulsbo

Photos by Leo Phillips.

 

When the world opened back up in June 2020, Mike and Taylor were ready with their new restaurant: Parlor Shop in Poulsbo!  Before opening, Mike and Taylor had been hard at work renovating and curating the space and pizza menu – complete with a full-service cocktail bar. Their hard work shows in the comfortable lounge atmosphere and elegant bar design.

Mike and Taylor hope to host a community space centered around great food, drink, and company. “Every single day is a new starting point, and we’re trying to fulfill what we had envisioned,” says Mike, now on his second restaurant. For Taylor, who also boasts years of restaurant experience, “enthusiastic guests and repeat customers” is especially rewarding to see.

Nothing comes closer to realizing their Parlor Shop vision than live music. With tunes, pies, and drinks flowing, the community atmosphere shines bright, a beacon for the future of this new addition to the vibrant Poulsbo restaurant scene. Next time you’re heading down Viking Way, make a stop at Parlor Shop. Pressed for time? You can easily order online for carry-out.

The Slab Pizza Co. in Suquamish

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Photos by Leo Phillips.

 

The Slab Pizza Company in Suquamish may be small, but it’s certainly mighty. Originally, “the slab” was a large cement basketball court known as a hangout for local youth, and one of the “spots to be” for fireworks. Having lived in the area since the 1990s, owner Drew Bateman chose the name to pay homage to the part of town that had the same name when he was growing up.

The interior of the shop is painted in rainbow colors, not just “because rainbows are cool,” but to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Drew hopes the shop can be a welcoming place for anyone who is from an underrepresented demographic. Being in Suquamish, and being on Native land is really special, and he is proud to be able to serve the community this way.

The Slab, which offers to-go only, opened in mid-June 2021, but the building was obtained in November of 2020. This is Drew’s second pizza restaurant – the first being Bene Pizza on Bainbridge Island. His background in restaurants began at Agate Pass Cafe, which was located across the street from the Slab, and he has been working with the same crew for almost a decade. He loves working with his great crew, which he says feels just like family. Plus, his daughter Chloe, who has been working with him in restaurants since she was 14, can be found behind the counter most days. Order online or stop by for a slice and an interesting soda!

Yoko Yoko Ramen in Bremerton

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Photos by Leo Phillips.

 

Great ramen starts with a passion for authentic cultural traditions, and James Johnson, the owner of Yoko Yoko Ramen, gained that from his time in Japan. While stationed there for the Navy, he attended the International Ramen School as a hobby, learning everything about ramen, including how to make all of the traditional ingredients, and how to open a restaurant. It wasn’t until he ended up in Kitsap that he put this knowledge to work.

The restaurant opened in April of 2021, with a bar expansion in June. Liz, the bar manager, also spent five years in Japan, and is thrilled to be able to create custom cocktails and bring Japanese ingredients to life in beautiful ways.

Johnson’s vision was to bring something to Kitsap that would fill a void for folks who have lived or spent time in Japan, a place for nostalgia and reminiscing, while also serving those interested in trying authentic dishes.

More recently, they are hoping to bring some of the “San Diego vibe” to Bremerton, to welcome families recently relocated to Kitsap with the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Future plans include a traditional-style karaoke lounge, available for private events. They offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, so grab your friends and family for a great lunch, dinner, or Happy Hour meet-up.

 

If you know of a delicious, new place here in Kitsap County, please let us know through our Facebook page and we might feature it.

Community November 9, 2020

The Rich History of the Suquamish Tribe

All media courtesy of the Suquamish Museum

Nothing embodies perseverance quite like the Suquamish Tribe. Thriving with tradition and culture, the Suquamish Tribe has lived in tandem with the land, now Kitsap County, for centuries. The Suquamish lived communally in permanent villages along the shore near rivers and streams of the Puget Sound during the winter. They had winter villages in places like Suquamish, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Port Madison, and Battle Point. During the other seasons, many left their residences in family canoes to travel to temporary camps at fishing, hunting, and gathering grounds. 

The Suquamish people’s indigenous language is Lushootseed, a linguistic member of the Coast Salish language group spoken by first peoples throughout the Pacific Northwest. Due to federal assimilation policies, their language was almost lost. But they’ve fought hard to preserve it. They established a Traditional Learning Program that teaches Lushootseed to children and community members. 

Historical Attractions

Part of the Port Madison Indian Reservation, the Suquamish village has magnificent ocean and mountain views. Native and non-native residents live there. The waterfront is adorned by restaurants, local businesses, and cultural attractions. One of the most notable and must-visit places is Chief Seattle’s Gravesite. This monument honors the legendary leader of the Suquamish Tribe. Chief Seattle was known for his ideas around ethics, spirituality, and environmentalism.

Learn more about Chief Seattle from Suquamish Elder Marilyn Wandrey who shares important historical details in the video below, courtesy of the Suquamish Museum

The House of Awakened Culture stands tall by the waterfront. The House and surrounding outdoor area hosts many events that teach and celebrate the Suquamish culture. Programs include basket weaving, Lushootseed language lessons, Youth Canoe Journey Trainings, and traditional Suquamish ceremonies. 

Old Man House Park is the site of the largest Suquamish winter village located on the shore of Agate Passage. The home of Chief Seattle and Chief Kitsap once stood there before the U.S. government destroyed it in 1870. 

Photographs courtesy of the Suquamish Museum

The Suquamish Tribe Today

In the face of European colonization, the Suquamish Tribe has persevered. Thanks to the selfless acts of Chief Seattle and Chief Kitsap working to protect their people, the Suquamish continue to rebuild their community and thrive. Through self-determination, the Suquamish spent decades building government relationships with federal, state, and local agencies. Much of the Tribe has fought to preserve hunting and fishing traditions for future Suquamish generations. 

Today, the Suquamish Tribe devotes resources and time to instilling Suquamish pride in the current generation. The Tribe’s history and traditions are celebrated throughout the year and are shared through cultural and educational activities. Additionally, Chief Kitsap Academy (CKA) is one of the first tribal compact schools in Washington. Serving grades 6 – 12, CKA’s vision is that “every graduate is a confident, courageous, thoughtful, and respectful member of our community”. CKA also expects students to “pursue additional training and/or education and take on leadership roles in the Suquamish Tribe, the local area, and our global community”. 

As their neighbors, we are proud to highlight the Suquamish Tribe’s history, culture, and traditions, recognizing that they lived here long before us. Today, the beautiful Suquamish Museum and their Tribe’s website provide a wealth of information to honor their heritage and educate locals and tourists alike.