Rosemary Walkup had attended the Skagit Valley Fair for so many years as a 4-H parent that she had to learn how to buy a ticket to the event after her kids no longer participated. She tells a hilarious story of her daughter's resourceful approach to a 4-H presentation, and for a grand finale she gobbles like a turkey. Now that's entertainment!

Judy Washbon and her husband have spent the last 15 years living in the place where Sacajawea -- arguably the third best known member of the Corps of Discovery -- first opened her eyes. Since first encountering Sacajawea's story in Steven Ambrose's history of Meriwether Lewis and the expedition that changed America, Undaunted Courage, Judy's passion has been studying and portraying the life of the Lemhi Shoshone teenage mother who along with her husband, interpreter Toussaint Charbonneau journeyed from North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean and back again. 

You can learn more about Judy and her work in preserving and sharing the history of the Corps of Discovery from her website: https://www.judywashbon.com

In 2021, Tales of the Magic Skagit posted a number of videos on its Facebook page (@MeyerSignAdvertising) featuring people and events at the Skagit County Fair. This year we're raising the bar by sponsoring a booth (located at the west end of the ballpark in the Food Court area) dedicated to sharing memories of Fairs past. One of the folks we'll be interviewing for our Tales of the Magic Skagit podcast series is Dorothy Elsner, a pillar of our local 4-H program. 

In addition to being one of the most beautiful places on God's green earth, Salmon, Idaho (pop. 3,169) has the distinction of being the birthplace of arguably the third most celebrated member of the Corps of Discovery after the captains themselves: Sacajawea. It's therefore no surprise that Salmon is also the site of the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center -- a jewel in the crown of Salmon, as well as a gift to scholars, historians, and lovers of Lewis & Clark history. 

In this "Core of Discovery" podcast, I interview the Center's director, Suzy Avey, about her history with the Center, its mission, and how best to experience its narrative. 

Meyer Sign is proud to announce that we have partnered with the Skagit County Fairgrounds to host a booth at this year's Fair that is devoted to telling its history. The theme of our booth is "All in Love is Fair," and its purpose is to share our recollections of favorite Fair experiences, while honoring the many people who have given of their time, treasure, and talent to make the Skagit County Fair a defining element of our life as Skagitonians.

Not long ago we published a Tales of the Magic Skagit episode about the life of Sean O'Leary, the co-owner (along with wife Colleen) of Mount Vernon's beloved downtown gathering place, Ristretto Coffee Bar and Wine Lounge. The story was a popular one, filled with enough amazing recollections of world travel and far flung experiences to fill a Hollywood screen play.

Keep it magic, ya'll!

When Skye Richendrfer first heard the sound of bagpipes, he knew that he wanted to play them. That urge has always been a part of him, and it has led to friendships and collaborations with members of the Celtic arts community throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond...which led to the creation of the Skagit Valley Highland Games in Mount Vernon, WA...which led to the creation of the Celtic Arts Foundation...which led to the creation of the Littlefield Celtic Center. But as Skye tells us in this July 15, 2022 interview -- barely a week after the return of the Skagit Valley Highland games following a two-year pandemic hiatus -- it all started with the sound of bagpipes.

My my original intention in this episode of Tales of the Magic Skagit was to interview Jay Bowen, Tony Cladoosby, and Dr. Wilbert James (aka, "Doc') about a Facebook video project they host called "Rez Talks." The three friends and collaborators are now preparing to take their weekly discussions on stories, histories, and perspectives from the First People of the Skagit Valley into the podcast space, and I wanted to find out more about their plans.

The interview begins with "Doc" explaining the origins of his Swinomish name, Toctud. 

By the way, the story I originally planned about "Rez Talks" will appear in the next episode of Tales of the Magic Skagit. I think you'll enjoy it.

Stefano Catalani may be the new executive director of the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner, but he is hardly new to the museum, and certainly not to the Pacific Northwest. After leaving behind an art career in Italy to pursue a relationship, he quickly found a home in Seattle and within the Pacific Northwest art community. Stefano joined MoNA in January of this year, taking the reins from the steady hands of Joanna Sikes, whose tenure saw the museum build up its collection, support community outreach through the arts, provide a venue for local artists, and remind all of us who live in the Skagit Valley of its beauty. All this while navigating a pandemic over the past two years.