The following short items have been culled from the archives of The Leader and the University of Washington Library. Text and style appear verbatim from original printing, including any errors. …
    For the first time in half a century, Southern Resident orca whales returned to Whidbey Island’s Penn Cove. The endangered whales made their presence known early …
The Port Townsend Police reported 152 calls for service between Nov. 22-28. In addition to these calls, 23 traffic stops were conducted this week, and officers conducted patrols in requested areas 17 …
    Liesl Slabaugh has experience growing a development team and improving fundraising at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) over 14 years. She will use that …
Arts and Entertainment
Seattle-based timpanist Emmy Ulmer will join the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra for its free winter concert Dec. 8 at Chimacum High School.

Orchestra to feature Seattle timpanist

    The Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tigran Arakelyan, will present this month’s concert on at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Chimacum High School …
“Waves To Shore” by Victoria Foster Harrison.

Water, sky and earth mix in Aurora Loop Gallery's ‘Heaven and Earth’

    Aurora Loop Gallery is showcasing a local encaustic printmaker and visual artist this month, with an opportunity to meet the artist herself during this month’s First …
The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County plans holiday concerts highlighting songs from other nations in a pair of holiday concerts Dec. 6-7.

Community Chorus brings international flare, two different concerts

    For the holidays, the Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County is presenting two festive concerts, featuring melodies from around the world, plus songs …
Members of the Choral Belles gather for a group photo.

Choral Belles to sing Christmas classics at Port Ludlow’s Beach

The Choral Belles will conduct a holiday performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Beach Club, 121 Marine View Drive in Port Ludlow. This program, which is under the direction of Sheila …
David A. Natale, center, portrays Mayor Winny alongside Kirsten Louise Webb, right, and Eleanor Curtis, left, during a rehearsal of “Bake to Alaska,” the latest production coming to Key City Public Theatre. Leader photo by Kirk Boxleitner

‘Bake to Alaska’ may ‘blow people’s minds’

    What do you get when you dip a seasonal fairytale pantomime in the local color of the Olympic Peninsula, then augment its live stage performances with pre-recorded video …

News from local businesses

Give Your Kids a Gift that Keeps Giving: High-Yield Savings


The holiday season is upon us—a time for joy, giving, and meaningful connections with loved ones. While toys and gadgets often top the wish lists, there’s a unique gift that grows in …

Local Builders Expand Housing on Peninsula

Three new apartment buildings are under construction on East Melody Lane in Port Angeles, delivering 27 new rental units when complete. The project is being developed by local builders Andy Hines, of …

In other news ...
Obituaries

Barbara E. Stone

Barbara E. Stone, 84, passed away peacefully, and on her own terms, surrounded by loved ones on Saturday Nov 9, 2024 after a 5-year battle with breast cancer. Barbara was born in Eugene, Oregon on …

Barrie Stork Gustin

Barrie Stork Gustin (born Coles) passed away on November 13th, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 85. She was born on January 13th, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York to Barak Gritman Coles Jr. and …

Lynne Wadlinger Stryker

Lynne Wadlinger Stryker moved forward October 25, 2024, one day past her 61st birthday. As a passionate gardener and seeker of ancient forests, Lynne was recognized for her appreciation of the beauty …
Calendar of events
Opinion & Columnists
Chai Masala.
This cozy winter chai is worth a try | Kitchen To Kitchen
Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a warm, spiced drink, and chai masala is here to make your season even better. With a couple of master recipes and eight creative variations, you’ll …
Local shops, markets, and arts-and-crafts fairs provide a great opportunity to buy gifts locally, and thus more sustainably.
Here are six ways we can all have a planet-friendly holiday season | Guest Column
Reducing your carbon footprint is an essential step in combating climate change. The winter holidays can make it challenging. Here are some ways to minimize consumption and reduce your holiday carbon …
Carole Marshall
Dream with me and create simple acts of holiday kindness | Aging In Good Spirits
Several years ago, I wrote a magazine feature about a pastor. He had a vision for a community project and wanted to get his outreach team on board. The group responded with enthusiasm and the …
Life and death colliding, again, and a philosophy of grief | As I See It
With the holiday season come the expectations. As much as social norms tell us we all should be celebrating, eating together, and indulging in presents great and small, many of us are having a hard …
Bruce Cowan
Light for local Dems amid election’s ‘dark cloud’ | Guest Column
What an election! The bright spot for local fans of democracy is that Jefferson County’s voter turnout of 87% was the highest in the state. We edged out San Juan County! Local Democratic …
Meredith Jordan
A very solid citizenry | Mixing Metaphors & Doubling Entendres
What is the defining characteristic of the electorate in this part of the country? Ask almost anyone around the country and they’re likely to say, “It’s blue.” While …
TOONS

BLOGS
  After seeing her star-making turn in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” last year all that Hulu had to do to get me to watch its true-crime miniseries …
Letters
    • Serinus wrong, BLM bad 

        A few thoughts to share in response to the column by Jason Serinus on Nov 20 about the Food Co-op.   Cameron Jones was …

    • Too-quiet council

        Kudos to James Robinson for his solid reporting. This is not the first time there have been questions about city leadership but it …

    • What makes a good paper

        Here are my thoughts about what I hope the Port Townsend Leader can be for readers..what makes a good paper? For me a good …

    • Building plans accuracy

      In response to the Jefferson County Food Bank Association posting on Facebook regarding the status of the building, I’d like to offer …

    • Re-lighted Point Wilson

        The night sky over the Straight of Juan de Fuca and Admiralty Inlet exploded with a familiar brilliance recently as the historic 4th …

    • Thank you to library director 

        The Jefferson County Library District Board of Trustees wants to thank Dr. Tamara Rotz for her seven years of service as the Library …

Photo Gallery

Photos of efforts to contain Jupiter fire near Brinnon

John and Christy Strickland sit in lawn chairs and watch as ground and airborne firefighters attempt to tame the wildfire on Mount Jupiter, west of Brinnon on Friday, August 17.
Photos taken of the wildfire on Mount Jupiter near Hood Canal, where firefighters have been battling the blaze since Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Sports
    On Saturday, Nov. 9, three junior girl Rivals and the boys team competed at the WIAA 1A Cross Country State Championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, WA. The 5k …
    The Rivals Boys and Girls Cross Country teams competed in the 1A District Championships in the Westside Classic at Chambers Bay Golf Course November 2. The 5k grass course was …
    The East Jefferson cross country teams traveled to Lincoln Park in West Seattle on Oct. 21 to compete in their third and final Nisqually League meet of the season. The …
P ort Townsend is home to an active group of pétanque players, including Bekah Howe, the first American to win a medal for the United States. The 125-year-old French game involves tossing …