Eric Schucht

Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Life ain’t so ruff ‘On Kona’s Pond’

A retired Camano Island teacher’s new children’s book, “On Kona’s Pond,” tells the story of her dog and his wild friends.

Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Rachel Daniels makes a salami rose during a Charcuterie 101 Workshop at Machias Meadows in Snohomish, Washington on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snack queens share secrets to piecing together party platters that wow

Caterers Rachel Daniels and Mallori Rojas specialize in curating charcuterie boards. Here’s how they make their magic.

Rachel Daniels makes a salami rose during a Charcuterie 101 Workshop at Machias Meadows in Snohomish, Washington on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Cooper Cummings from the United States celebrates after winning a men's downhill during the Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, Monday May 29, 2023. The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event where participants race down the 200-yard (180 m) long hill chasing a wheel of double gloucester cheese. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arlington High School grad is the big cheese after winning UK race

Cooper Cummings, who grew up in Lake Stevens, defeated a world record-holder in Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake.

Cooper Cummings from the United States celebrates after winning a men's downhill during the Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, Monday May 29, 2023. The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event where participants race down the 200-yard (180 m) long hill chasing a wheel of double gloucester cheese. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Henry M. Jackson award winner Tom Lane. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tom Lane: An advocate for small and local businesses

The CEO of Dwayne Lane’s Auto Family is a recipient of this year’s Henry M. Jackson Award.

Henry M. Jackson award winner Tom Lane. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bruce Rivera, 38, poses for a photo at Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds, Washington on Saturday, April 15, 2023. A silent auction of skateboard art will be held to raise money to kickstart Rivera’s new nonprofit, Salvage Arts. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Artists breathe new life into busted skateboards to boost Edmonds nonprofit

The money raised from this weekend’s “All Decks on Hand” silent auction will fund future art shows and classes.

Bruce Rivera, 38, poses for a photo at Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds, Washington on Saturday, April 15, 2023. A silent auction of skateboard art will be held to raise money to kickstart Rivera’s new nonprofit, Salvage Arts. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Danie Hadsall hugs a Lunar Jackalope of her own creation on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Artisans PNW in Everett, Washington. Hadsall is running a kickstarter with a goal of $5,000 to get the jackalope into the hands of buyers. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A Snohomish artist’s quest to make monsters you can hug

Danie Hadsall illustrates whimsical beasts from folklore. Now she is turning one into a stuffed animal.

Danie Hadsall hugs a Lunar Jackalope of her own creation on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Artisans PNW in Everett, Washington. Hadsall is running a kickstarter with a goal of $5,000 to get the jackalope into the hands of buyers. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Emerging Leader Kaitlyn Davis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Kaitlyn Davis: Turning quick coffee into a community enterprise

At 24, Davis bought her first espresso stand. She has since grown into a local business advocate.

Emerging Leader Kaitlyn Davis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerging Leader John Michael Graves (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

John Michael Graves: Speaking out against hate

Graves strives to provide a nuanced approach to combating antisemitism through his work with StandWithUs.

Emerging Leader John Michael Graves (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Brian Geppert holds a birdhouse made of skis at his home in Lynnwood, Washington on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Geppert started a recycling program for the greater Seattle area, which has saved hundreds of skis from their demise. He turns the skis into functional art for the home, such as coat racks, bottle openers, bookends, shelves, candle sconces, toilet plungers, beer flights, and more. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Boeing engineer turns old ski gear into household essentials

If Lynnwood’s Brian Geppert isn’t on the slopes, then he’s turning skis into coat racks and bottle openers.

Brian Geppert holds a birdhouse made of skis at his home in Lynnwood, Washington on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Geppert started a recycling program for the greater Seattle area, which has saved hundreds of skis from their demise. He turns the skis into functional art for the home, such as coat racks, bottle openers, bookends, shelves, candle sconces, toilet plungers, beer flights, and more. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)

Mukilteo coffee roaster, 69, had personality as big as ‘thunderstorm’

“I knew at the first sip that this is what I wanted to do,” Gary Smith said. The founder of Mukilteo Coffee Roasters died this month.

Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)
Willow Mietus, 50, poses for a photo at her home in Coupeville, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Mietus bought a former Frito-Lay truck to sell her dyed yarn out of. She calls it "The Wool Wagon." (Annie Barker / The Herald)

The Wool Wagon to hit the streets of Whidbey Island

A self-described “professional yarn temptress” from Coupeville is setting up shop in a modified truck.

Willow Mietus, 50, poses for a photo at her home in Coupeville, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Mietus bought a former Frito-Lay truck to sell her dyed yarn out of. She calls it "The Wool Wagon." (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lexi Angel, 30, poses for a photo cosplaying as Pinkie Pie from "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" at Catalyst Café in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Angel is speaking on a panel called "Body Positivity In The Cosplay Community" at this year's Emerald City Comic Con. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Annual nerd migration draws locals to Emerald City Comic Con

Geeks from across Snohomish County are in the tractor beam for the state’s big comic and pop culture convention in Seattle.

Lexi Angel, 30, poses for a photo cosplaying as Pinkie Pie from "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" at Catalyst Café in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Angel is speaking on a panel called "Body Positivity In The Cosplay Community" at this year's Emerald City Comic Con. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kelly Matthews, 36, left, Tonka, 6, center, and Nichole Matthews, 36, pose for a photo in their home in Lynnwood, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.  The twin sisters work as freelance comic book artists and illustrators. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Drawing interest: Twin sisters never gave up on making their mark

Lynnwood sisters, Kelly and Nichole Matthews, got their big break a decade ago and now draw comics full time.

Kelly Matthews, 36, left, Tonka, 6, center, and Nichole Matthews, 36, pose for a photo in their home in Lynnwood, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.  The twin sisters work as freelance comic book artists and illustrators. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Rowen Scout, persona Stoat, snags an ice spell from the ground during a warmup round of "heavy object" at a weekly meeting of the Amtgard LARPing group The Hollow on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at McCollum Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Knights of Mill Creek: In live-action fantasy game Amtgard, nerds rule

They dress as fantasy characters and whack folks with fake weapons in this fantasy game. Or maybe they just show off their crafting.

Rowen Scout, persona Stoat, snags an ice spell from the ground during a warmup round of "heavy object" at a weekly meeting of the Amtgard LARPing group The Hollow on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at McCollum Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Left to right, Northwest Room Librarian Lisa Labovitch, 41, and contributors to HistoryLink, an online encyclopedia on Washington history, David Cameron, 81, and Louise Lindgren, 79, pose for a photo at the Everett Public Library in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local historians spotlight ‘unsung heroes’ of Snohomish County’s past

The Northwest Room at the Everett Public Library is a treasure trove for the state’s online encyclopedia, HistoryLink.org.

Left to right, Northwest Room Librarian Lisa Labovitch, 41, and contributors to HistoryLink, an online encyclopedia on Washington history, David Cameron, 81, and Louise Lindgren, 79, pose for a photo at the Everett Public Library in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lori Johnson, director of the Washington State Food Truck Association shows off a box of fresh malasadas during the grand opening of the GoodBelly LLC food truck on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fried dough on the go, from a woman who’s on the go

A decade after immigrating to the U.S., Alice Tum has mastered the art of making Hawaiian-style doughnuts and sells them from her own food trailer.

Lori Johnson, director of the Washington State Food Truck Association shows off a box of fresh malasadas during the grand opening of the GoodBelly LLC food truck on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A selection of gnomes along with the gnome of the month and calendar on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Gnome of the Month Club accepting new members

For $30 a month, you too can receive a surprise garden gnome in the mail, courtesy Ryan Tiland of Sultan.

A selection of gnomes along with the gnome of the month and calendar on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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9 Snohomish County crafters to check out this holiday season

From puzzle cubes to Mickey Mouse ears, locals have found a market online for niche products.

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Nigel Lindsey of Revolution by the Barrel adds a sage leaf garnish to his spin on a New York sour while demonstrating his mobile cocktail service Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Think Tank Cowork in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Traveling bartender wants to start a ‘Revolution by the Barrel’

Everett mixologist Nigel Lindsey works to hold cocktails to a higher standard.

Nigel Lindsey of Revolution by the Barrel adds a sage leaf garnish to his spin on a New York sour while demonstrating his mobile cocktail service Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Think Tank Cowork in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)