In Memory of Nick Markovich
This week Gig Harbor lost a local icon. In his memory we repost this article written in April 2010 by Gig Harbor Life writer Charlee Glock-Jackson.
To learn more about the fishing family history of Gig Harbor visit -
http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/page.php?id=1039
"Nick Markovich is on of the elder statesmen of Gig Harbor's fishing fleet.
Markovich, who was born and raised in Gig Harbor, comes from a long line of fishermen.
"I'm connected to two pioneer families," the 82 -year old fisherman said, looking down at the harbor from his cozy dining room his wife, Phyllis at his side. "My great grandfather was a Novak. Lee Markovich, Sr. was my grandfather."
Markovich began purse-seining for salmon with his dad at the tender age of 14.
That was back in 1942.
"When I first started fishing there were more than 40 seiners (boats) in Gig Harbor. We had the most purse seiners of any port in the region - more than Seattle or Bellingham or Tacoma or anywhere," he said with a grin.
When they weren't out fishing, the fisherman hung their nets and did repairs in netsheds all along the shore of the harbor.
Back then, Markovich said, there were 23 docks with netshed on the water, plus three more netsheds in people's back yards.
He listed them one-by-one starting at the mouth of the harbor: "First was Peter Skansie's shed, then Babich, Tarabochia and then Andrew Skansie's shed."
That shed, which Andrew Skansie build and shared with his brother Vince, is 100 years old this year. The city is planning a community celebration of the Skansie brother's netshed on May 1.
Next along the shoreline was the Vlahovich shed. "then John Skansie's Dortich's, the Ross brothers' shed, then my great grandfather John Novak's shed.
The list went on and on with other familiar - mostly Croatian - names: Gilich, Stanich, Malich, Castellan/Jerkovich, Castellan/Markovich, Ancich, Ivanovich, Bujacich, Marin/Obervich, Naderlin/Skarponi, Shulich/Skrivanich, and Perovich.
Three more net sheds were on land, Markovich said - Janovich, Nick Babich and Gerald Crosby had their sheds in their backyards.
Read more → Comments (0)Holiday Traditions Build Local Memories
1. During this time of year you hear the word “tradition” a lot. According to Mr. 
Webster a tradition is defined as: a long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Traditions, like anything else in our lives, are in constant evolution. Traditions can be based on religion, ethnicity, geography – even climate. What we think of as holiday traditions in the Pacific Northwest are likely very different from holiday traditions in Florida, Peru or South Africa.
Many of our holiday traditions that we identify with Christmas actually are pagan symbols such as the Christmas Tree. And Santa Claus as we know him here in the United States has evolved from both a European and Middle Eastern character to the round and jolly fella who lives in the North Pole.
Read more → Comments (0)New Store "The Weathered Cottage" opens in downtown Gig Harbor
Reclaim, Repurpose, Recycle
Just in time for the holidays, a new shabby – chic store has opened in downtown Gig Harbor.
Stacy Hannah’s motto for “The Weathered Cottage” is “Reclaim, Repurpose, Recycle”. And it’s very easy to see that theme throughout the beautiful store located at 7700 Pioneer Way Suite 103, Gig Harbor.
Stacy and her husband Bill have combined their talents to take old items and refinish them into beautiful pieces for your home. The store opened officially the night of Girls Night Out on November 15th and about 100 people visited that evening. During the winter the store is open Wednesday through Saturday. For this coming holiday shopping weekend, “The Weathered Cottage” will be open on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Stop by and visit!
At the Weathered Cottage you will find furniture, lamps, antiques, jewelry and much more all at surprisingly affordable prices. In addition to the refurbished pieces you will find upholstered items including recovered lamp shades (beautiful), vases, pillows, aprons and handmade stockings. Throughout the store you will find unique and small surprises such as authentic glass door knobs, wall art, and other vintage finds. The team at the Weathered Cottage accepts consignment pieces and custom orders as well. Consignment pieces must fit the theme of the store.
Stacy says “This business is a perfect marriage for us. Bill, who has no vision and me who has
no talent” she laughed. Together they make it work.
Visit the Weathered Cottage soon at 7700 Pioneer Way, Suite 103, Gig Harbor. Questions call (253) 530-0808. Join their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/weatheredcottage?fref=ts
Shop local this season and support Gig Harbor!!
Holiday Entertainment Guide 2012
In today’s edition of the Peninsula Gateway you will find the annual pull-out of our Holiday Entertainment Guide. This is the 13th year I have worked on the Holiday Entertainment Guide with the Gateway. We try hard to provide an accurate and complete guide each year. For events and entertainment that missed the deadline we also use our Community Calendar of Events at www.gigharborguide.com to promote the hundreds of activities taking place around the peninsula area in November and December. If you “like” our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/GigHarborGuide you will also find daily ideas and suggestions of fun events and activities to enjoy in the Gig, not only now, but throughout the year.
If you are looking for free events you will find it here. Family events, yep we have those too. Musical events? Of course. Traditional options – plenty of those. Shopping special? Well in a word, duh! No matter how you like to celebrate the season you will find something in Gig Harbor. In addition, our local hotels and inns are offering specials for the holidays for yourself or your visiting guests and relatives. And if you don’t want to cook, several options are available for dining out or purchasing traditional holiday items to set your own table at home.
Read more → Comments (0)Turkey Trot Returns to Gig Harbor
Annual Event with Humble Beginnings
Nine years ago Gig Harbor chiropractor Dr. Tim Holmes’ 25 year old son persuaded 
him to sign up for his first marathon. Having never participated in an organized run before, he thought it would be a good idea to try one before the actual marathon. “I had heard of Turkey Trots” Dr. Holmes said, “but discovered there were no Turkey Trots locally, not even in Tacoma. So I decided to organize one in Gig Harbor.”
That first year 15 people showed up and they collected 30 cans of food for F.I.S.H.
Optimistic in year two, Dr. Holmes ordered 50 bib numbers. More than 200 people showed up. Tim’s wife Heidi, manning the registration table, quickly ran out of bib numbers and was rationing the safety pins. “I returned to the registration after marking the course to find participants walking to the starting line with a sheet of typing paper pinned to their chest and the number drawn on with ballpoint pen. I just started laughing.” Heidi, however, was not amused.
Read more → Comments (0)SOUTH SOUND USER'S GUIDE
I use my smart phone as a guide any many ways, but I still like a good travel guide in the old fashioned book form. Especially if it is laid out in an easy to use format and in a size that fits in my handbag. And that’s what I have found in a great little book just released called The South Sound User’s Guide.
When I opened the book I started to turn straight to the Gig Harbor section to see what they had to say about my favorite South Sound town, but was immediately sidetracked by great information about all kinds of different areas in the South Sound from Anderson Island to Yelm and everything in-between.
The South Sound User’s Guide by Ken Miller, with fun and quirky artwork by Sean Alexander, is a small production book currently being carried at small book stores (none in Gig Harbor yet). The best thing about the guide, is that it is laid out by neighborhood and region, rather than by attraction or restaurant. So turn to any area you may be in or considering going to and learn accurate information about lodging, dining, shopping and sites. I think I can see myself keeping this little guide book in my car. It would be handy to grab when I am riding my bike and need a bite to eat, or looking for a park to have a picnic, or want a fun sandwich shop in a town I am not too familiar with.
The South Sound Users Guide just might inspire me to get out and enjoy my neighbors in the South Sound in a way I haven’t before. It includes a section on both Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula, rather than trying to lump the two together. Bravo to Ken Miller for recognizing that, although related, Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor are two very distinct areas, each with much to offer.
The South Sound User’s Guide would make a great little holiday gift or stocking stuffer too! Hopefully it will be available in Gig Harbor soon, but in the meantime you can pick it up at Kings Books, UPS Bookstore, Pacific Northwest Shop, Stadium Thriftway and Chirp & Co.
Explore and enjoy the South Sound.
Read more → Comments (0)WE ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
"Uptown Eyes" now open in Gig Harbor
Eyeglasses. It’s like jewelry for your face. And yet, some people give more thought to the fashion statement they make with their feet than with the glasses sitting right on the end of their nose. Others spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on eyewear they think is “designer” label such as Gucci or Prada. Gig Harbor’s newest store, “Uptown Eyes” wants to help you think differently about eyewear, no matter which of those categories you fall into.
How is “Uptown Eyes” different? Donna Jones asked me if I had seen a recent story on 60 Minutes about the company Luxottica. By coincidence I had. Luxottica, an Italian company, is the biggest eyewear company on the planet and has single handedly turned a medical device into a fashion statement. Luxottica has a monopoly on eyewear around the world by designing and manufacturing eyewear under the high end designer labels to help you think you are actually getting eyewear designed by that brand. Luxottica also owns multiple American eyewear retail stores such as Pearle Vision, Lens Crafters, SunGlass Hut, Sears Eyewear and Target Eyewear. Luxottica also owns Ray Ban and Oakley, two companies most people think are American. So Donna’s message is “why are you paying designer prices? Are you really getting designer eyewear?”
Read more → Comments (0)Gig Harbor Now Has Personal Chef
"Always CookN" Just for You!
Have you seen it? CHRISTMAS ads on T.V. already? Holiday decorations in stores? Yep,
you can’t deny it…the holidays are sneaking into our lives. Want to make the holiday hype a little easier this year? How about hiring a personal chef to help you navigate through? Whether you have in-home catering needs or need help just getting a healthy meal on the table for you and your family, Gig Harbor’s Personal Chef at “Always CookN” is ready to help you.
You might be asking yourself, What is a personal chef?
A personal chef works for multiple private employers and is responsible for preparing and cooking meals for them, their families, and their friends. Personal chefs also organize dinner parties, birthday celebrations, or events for their clients.
Personal chefs may perform their duties in residential homes, guest homes, and private yachts. Our commitment is to provide you and your family with high quality, freshly prepared meals that you can enjoy at your leisure and in the comfort of your own home. No more of the frozen food section at the market or delivery pizza - yuck!
Here is how it works: Chef Mitchell Sweeten will conduct a specific intake that includes dietary topics, requirements, and programs such as the following: Weight Watchers, Eat Clean, hyperglycemia, vegan, vegetarian, specific food allergies, cancer illnesses, and other special dietary needs. Mitchell will then take you through a complete list of food likes and dislikes. In addition, he will ask you what your specific goals are so that he can help you achieve them.
Chef Sweeten can also help you with your in-home catering needs, during the holidays or any time of year. Check out this great new service in Gig Harbor by visiting www.alwayscookn.com. Give yourself permission to enjoy the holidays this year!!
Read more → Comments (0)HAUNTED HOUSE FUN
Theatre of Lost Souls Now Open
It was a dark and rainy night. This much is true.Last night, Vicki Richards of Paradise Theatre invited me to check out the "Theatre of Lost Souls" annual Haunted House. This is the 13th year of this Halloween tradition, but I had never been. I told my husband we were going to check it out and he looked at me across the dinner table and said I should just go by myself. This explains why we had never gone. But, I convinced him to "man-up" and off we trotted in the pouring rain to check it out.
I first have to say, it is a great event for youth and adults, but not for the very young. Mostly humorous, it does have a few "surprises" that pop-out at you that would be a little to scary for the very young. You know your own children, but I did scream once myself. A great option for families with younger children are two planned "Kid Friendly" evenings on October 21st and 29th. See more below.
The other thing to know, is that parts of the haunted maze is outdoors. So come prepared to be outside.
Your $9 ticket ($6 for kids 10 and under) gets you a guided tour through the Haunted House Theatre of Lost Souls. Your guide and all the actors are wonderful volunteers who support Paradise Theatre...many whom you have likely seen on stage over the years. Having the tour guide provides a nice touch, with lots of interaction and comedy with the guests. I enjoyed that a great deal. It also helps to keep the guests moving through the maze.
My husband, engineer that he is, commented on the elaborate construction that has been done to make the experience seem quite large, although in truth you are mostly going in circles. But it feels very large...and dark and scary. Some of the costumes were really great. I loved the zombies in the graveyard the most (see photo).
I highly recommend this fun, local and annual event. Don't be scared off by the fact that it is the 13th Annual...that little bit of trivia just adds to the element of suspense don't you think? I'm sorry it took us 13 years to check it out!
The Theatre of Lost Souls is open TONIGHT 6:30- 9:30. Tomorrow, Sunday the 21st is a "Kid Friendly" night for the younger set from 6:30-8:30. Another Kid Friendly night is the 29th from 6:30-8:30.
Other dates are October 26-31st from 6:30-9:30. If you think you maybe attending more than once, you can by a multi-pass and save. Learn more at
http://www.paradisetheatre.org/haunted-house.html
Happy Halloween Gig Harbor!!!
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WELCOME HOME JOSH LUCAS
Last night at the Gig Harbor Film Festival
Gracious and humble, Josh Lucas seemed both happy and nervous to be headlining last night’s event for the Gig Harbor Film Festival. It was an honor to interview him along with representatives from the Gateway and Gig Harbor Patch.Josh did not show up in Gig Harbor with an entourage of “handlers”. Rather he casually walked into the Green.House Restaurant on Thursday afternoon with his lovely wife Jess and their new son Noah. Josh was dressed exactly the way the majority of Gig Harbor folks dress; open collar shirt with a jacket and jeans. I immediately felt comfortable talking to this man.
During our interview he was thoughtful yet passionate about his career and his connection to Gig Harbor. “I love the idea of Film Festivals making film accessible to community” Lucas said. “In the 1980’s it was the Gig Harbor Library that I found films from all over the world.” Lucas elaborated on his exposure to film through the library when VHS Films were provided for check out. He would find films from all over and bring them home and introduce them to his family. “ Film Festivals do that exact same thing, breaking the barrier between people and independent films.” Read more → Comments (0)