Julie Muhlstein

In June of 2016, Apryl DeBroeck Roberts, followed by her 2-year-old daughter Charlee, brings baby Haven to meet Julie Muhlstein. (Dan Bates / Herald file)

After 40 years, 3,500 columns, time to put my notebook down

Herald columnist has been an inspiring role, but it’s time to begin a new chapter in retirement.

 

Jasan Winship, a Volunteers of America employee, talks about his life after a couple accidents that led to him feeling like a burden to his family on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. His “Letter to Myself,” describing his pain and slow recovery, is part of a VOA effort recognizing September as National Suicide Awareness Month. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘Letters to Myself,’ a VOA effort, aimed at suicide prevention

Writers describe struggles from times past and hope to assure others that better days will come.

 

Outside Everett's old Longfellow Elementary School building in 2016, local historian Jack O'Donnell recalled his time attending the school in the 1950s. The Longfellow building, where Henry M. Jackson attended school, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Longfellow building on National Register of Historic Places

The listing is an honor, but it wouldn’t save the old Everett school if the district decides to tear it down.

 

Kathy Van Buskirk, a 50-year volunteer in 4-H equestrian programs and longtime helper at the Evergreen State Fair, is this year's fair honoree. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

No horsing around: It’s all about helping for fair’s honoree

Kathy Van Buskirk, a 50-year 4-H equestrian volunteer, will be back at Monroe fairgrounds this week.

Kathy Van Buskirk, a 50-year volunteer in 4-H equestrian programs and longtime helper at the Evergreen State Fair, is this year's fair honoree. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dan Bates / The Herald
Renowned artist Chuck Close takes in his works during a 2016 exhibit at the Schack Art Center in Everett.

Famed painter Chuck Close, whose roots were here, dies at 81

Born in Monroe and schooled in Everett, he was back home in 2016 for a Schack Art Center exhibition.

Dan Bates / The Herald
Renowned artist Chuck Close takes in his works during a 2016 exhibit at the Schack Art Center in Everett.
Haaken Williams, 6, balances on the nose of an elephant sculpture at Forest Park as Camp Prov unit leader Megan Pfohl reaches out to him during a playground break on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Camp Prov is an integrated day camp for children with special needs and their siblings. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Camp Prov, ‘a place of hope,’ is back for special-needs kids

After missing 2020 due to the coronavirus, the program at Everett’s Forest Park has returned.

Haaken Williams, 6, balances on the nose of an elephant sculpture at Forest Park as Camp Prov unit leader Megan Pfohl reaches out to him during a playground break on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Camp Prov is an integrated day camp for children with special needs and their siblings. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
After showing off a few tap-dancing moves, Donald Wischmann, left, gets a little teasing from World War II veteran Larry Negrette, who was celebrating his 101st birthday at the Everett VFW Post 2100 on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Negrette served as a gunner on B-17 bombers during the war.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

At 101, he talks of good life, keeps B-17 stories to himself

It was a surprise birthday party at a VFW post for Larry Negrette, a World War II veteran from Marysville.

After showing off a few tap-dancing moves, Donald Wischmann, left, gets a little teasing from World War II veteran Larry Negrette, who was celebrating his 101st birthday at the Everett VFW Post 2100 on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Negrette served as a gunner on B-17 bombers during the war.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Kristin Christensen has been named a Dole Caregiver Fellow by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for her care of her husband Michael, a veteran affected by traumatic brain injury that occurred in Iraq, PTSD and related health issues. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Injured veteran’s wife, caregiver honored by Dole foundation

He suffered traumatic brain injury in Iraq. She is one of millions helping a vet.

Kristin Christensen has been named a Dole Caregiver Fellow by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation for her care of her husband Michael, a veteran affected by traumatic brain injury that occurred in Iraq, PTSD and related health issues. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The Carl Gipson Senior Center in Everett will be operated by Volunteers of America Western Washington under a new management agreement with the city. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

VOA to run Everett senior center with ‘win-win-win’ agreement

Carl Gipson Senior Center, closed since March 2020 due to budget cuts, is likely to reopen by January.

The Carl Gipson Senior Center in Everett will be operated by Volunteers of America Western Washington under a new management agreement with the city. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Emily Dagg, assistant director of the Everett Public Library, on Tuesday shows reusable bags the city of Everett is giving out at the downtown library and Evergreen Branch while supplies last. (Julie Muhlstein / The Herald)

Shoppers, it’s once again time to break the plastic bag habit

Everett is providing free reusable sacks. The state’s single-use plastic bag ban will kick in Oct. 1.

Emily Dagg, assistant director of the Everett Public Library, on Tuesday shows reusable bags the city of Everett is giving out at the downtown library and Evergreen Branch while supplies last. (Julie Muhlstein / The Herald)
Essie Klopfenstine hands off one of her birthday presents Tuesday afternoon in Marysville on July 13, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After no-show party, a birthday parade helps heal a hurt

Drivers surprised an 8-year-old with gifts. “It’s just amazing what a community can do,” her Marysville mom said.

Essie Klopfenstine hands off one of her birthday presents Tuesday afternoon in Marysville on July 13, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cindy Buchan, 60, recently won a most-inspirational award in a weightlifting competition in Oregon, where she lifted 319 pounds. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

‘It’s my thing,’ says powerlifter, 60, who runs ice cream shop

With a lighthearted spirit, Cindy Buchan can deadlift over 300 pounds and is qualified for a world event.

Cindy Buchan, 60, recently won a most-inspirational award in a weightlifting competition in Oregon, where she lifted 319 pounds. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A sketch of Everett Community College's future Cascade Learning Resource Center, to be built on the east side of Broadway. (Mithun Architects)

Coming soon: EvCC crossing Broadway for new student building

The Cascade Learning Resource Center, which will house the library, carries on a tradition of noting area peaks.

A sketch of Everett Community College's future Cascade Learning Resource Center, to be built on the east side of Broadway. (Mithun Architects)
Pat Colyer with her 44-star American flag at her home on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mukilteo woman’s 44-star American flag is a history mystery

On July 4, 1891, a year after Wyoming’s statehood, the nation’s Old Glory was again officially updated.

Pat Colyer with her 44-star American flag at her home on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sultan High School's sports teams are known as the Turks. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

As tribal-themed mascots go, should others also be dropped?

With new law calling for a change at Marysville Pilchuck, this Ferris Saxon is asking the question.

Sultan High School's sports teams are known as the Turks. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)
Bri Gabel joins volunteers and Imagine Children's Museum staff as they clean the bones of a gray whale at a Mukilteo area industrial site early this month. The whale died in 2019. The bones will be part of an exhibit Gabel is designing for the museum's addition, which is due to open in 2022. (Julianne Diddle photo)

Whale skeleton will be a star attraction at children’s museum

Exhibit’s designer pitched in and shared expertise as volunteers spent a day cleaning massive bones.

Bri Gabel joins volunteers and Imagine Children's Museum staff as they clean the bones of a gray whale at a Mukilteo area industrial site early this month. The whale died in 2019. The bones will be part of an exhibit Gabel is designing for the museum's addition, which is due to open in 2022. (Julianne Diddle photo)
Kira Mauseth, a clinical psychologist, is co-lead of the state Department of Health's Behavioral Health Strike Team. (contributed photo)

‘A perfect storm’ of mixed emotions as state nears reopening

Pause before making decisions and act with compassion, says a Behavioral Health Strike Team psychologist.

Kira Mauseth, a clinical psychologist, is co-lead of the state Department of Health's Behavioral Health Strike Team. (contributed photo)
Everett's Patrick Hall was among people who put up signs in March to save the Longfellow School building.  He is now part of an advisory task force looking at options for the building, which the Everett School District had planned to tear down.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)

National register listing could be next for old Longfellow

But the designation wouldn’t stop the Everett School District from tearing down the former school.

Everett's Patrick Hall was among people who put up signs in March to save the Longfellow School building.  He is now part of an advisory task force looking at options for the building, which the Everett School District had planned to tear down.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Alain Warchilde racks an e-bike available for Saturday's parking lot sale at Sharing Wheels in Everett on June 16, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Need new-to-you bike? It’s time for a sale at Sharing Wheels

The Everett nonprofit kept fixing and donating bicycles in spite of pandemic closure and challenges.

Alain Warchilde racks an e-bike available for Saturday's parking lot sale at Sharing Wheels in Everett on June 16, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
About 50 people attended the dedication of the AIDS Memorial of Snohomish County on Dec. 1, 2005. The memorial is on the west side of the Mission Building on the Snohomish County campus. (Michael O'Leary / Herald file)

HIV no longer diagnosis without hope, but so many have died

Forty years after AIDS epidemic began, those who helped fight it reflect on past and new treatments.

About 50 people attended the dedication of the AIDS Memorial of Snohomish County on Dec. 1, 2005. The memorial is on the west side of the Mission Building on the Snohomish County campus. (Michael O'Leary / Herald file)