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    Lynden 125 Beard & Mustache Challenge results!

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -
    photos by Alexandra Ann Photography

    Noticed more facial hair around Lynden lately?

    Today marks the 125th anniversary of Lynden’s official incorporation on March 16th, 1891 — and every 25 years since the men of Lynden have undertaken a beard growing challenge. For this year’s contest, around 40 men grew out their beards and mustaches over a 42-day period, culminating in a judging session this past Saturday at the Inn at Lynden.

    Mayor Scott Korthuis has his beard examined by judges and Lynden Chamber director Gary Vis
    Mayor Scott Korthuis has his beard examined by judges and Lynden Chamber director Gary Vis

    Categories include ‘Overall Grand Champion’, ‘Best Heritage Hair’ (for those who did not start with a clean shave) and ‘Best Clean Shave’ (for those who did).

    A newspaper clipping from the 1991 beard growing contest, 25 years ago.
    A newspaper clipping from the 1991 beard growing contest, 25 years ago, was on display at this year’s contest.

    Careful judging makes for a fun old-time tradition

    Participants were judged by Rose DeGroot (owner of Fairway Cafe) and Cliff Fast (long-time barber from Cliff’s Shear Design on the corner of 9th & Front Streets). Speaking of the judging process, Lynden 125 committee chair Karen Kildall said “They had a tough job — the competition was really, really tight. But, in the end, they were able to choose our winners.”

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    Bellingham Baby Co. — now in Lynden, too!

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    So many good things have been happening in Lynden lately, even beyond all the normal awesomeness that is Lynden. One new arrival to town is the Bellingham Baby Co., which opened their second retail location at the Waples Mercantile Building. The entrance to the new shop is in the interior of the building, through the Lobby of the Inn at Lynden; just past Overflow Taps and behind Drizzle and Village Books.

    Bellingham Baby Co. is owned and operated by Lyndenites Shelly and Jeremy Allen. The new Lynden location which opened in early January is their second brick and mortar shop, in addition to their Barkley Village store and online presence.

    HOEKPhotography_BellinghamBabyCoLynden-4

    The shop features a great selection of local Lynden-themed prints, including gear for the little Lynden Lion or Lync in your family!

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    Lynden Lube and Auto to Celebrate Remodel with Grand Re-Opening and Open House

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -
    Photos by Lindsey VanderHoek

    Lyndenites who travel the Guide (who doesn’t!?) have surely noticed the construction and updates at Lynden Lube & Auto over the past several months. Owner Rob Heerspink and his team are excited to welcome the community to check out their fully revitalized space at their Grand Re-Opening & Open House this weekend (Saturday from 9am to 2pm).

    The lobby and waiting area of the newly-remodeled Lynden Lube feels more like a boutique hotel lobby than an auto shop.
    Free coffee and water bottles are available in the modern-yet-comfortable space while you wait for your vehicle or your ride.

    The shop, which opened in 1997, was required by the State to sell a portion of their property closest to the Guide Meridian to make room for planned future lane expansion through Lynden. “What’s funny is now that we’re done with the demolition and remodel, the State doesn’t have the widening on their current schedule anymore,” Rob shared. Nonetheless, with the major remodel behind them, Lynden Lube now has more space than ever to perform everything from basic oil changes to complete automotive and engine repair.

    The building was originally a Studebaker dealer in the 1930’s, and then was home to Milt’s Market in the 60’s (Milt’s Pizza was opened behind the current Lynden Lube building).

    “Our perspective is to make lemonade on lemons,” explained Rob, who took over the business with his wife Cheryl in 2009. When the State approached them, they could have chosen to simply downsize the highway-facing portion of their building, but instead used the opportunity to expand, having outgrown their previous footprint.

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    When we need each other most: farmers, neighbors help out during Lynden storm

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -
    Tractor helps pull a semi from the ditch (photo credit: Berk's Towing)

    It was Lynden’s biggest winter storm in decades.

    For a week straight, snowfall pounded Lynden area like no other in the state. Freezing rain layered dangerous ice on nearly everything. Strong winds brought bone-chilling cold that piled snow in large drifts and took down ice-laden power lines and trees.

    And the Lynden community responded in a big way.

    As conditions worsened, residents stayed home when possible. City crews plowed roads around the clock, but it wasn’t enough. But seemingly every tractor in the area — large and small, new and old — was re-purposed to clear snow from roads and driveways.

    Nick Snydar worked around the clock in Snydar Farms’ tractor to clear roads and pull drivers from the ditch.

    Nick Snydar of Snydar Farms Custom Farming, pictured in the John Deere tractor above, was very active all week volunteering his time and resources. “Just did what I could to help the local farmers and neighbors we serve in the county.”

    With his large tractor, Snydar focused mainly on county roads surrounding Lynden. “I know what a struggle it is for milk trucks and feed trucks to get around to the farms and the county snowplow trucks couldn’t keep up!” He even pulled out a stuck snowplow, in addition to Sheriff’s vehicle, other large farming equipment, and around a dozen cars.

    An LTI snowplow and John Deere tractor plow as weather improves Thursday afternoon. (photo: Nick Snydar)

    Inside city limits and out, farmers could be seen day and night helping their neighbors out. The ourLynden Facebook page was filled with these stories:

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    Quick Post: Gretchen’s Delight: German-inspired cuisine in Lynden

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    We stopped in to Lynden’s newest German-inspired restaurant + bakery, and met owner Liesa (who named the business after her mom). Liesa took the time to explain some of their traditional and unique menu items. Nearly everything is made from scratch, with a focus on health and quality. Nothing is deep-fried, and many of her menu items come with her homemade breads.

    She has a comfortable dining room, and also offers the full menu for carry-out. To go orders can be placed by calling 354-1354, and we’ve included a copy of her current menus for your convenience below (be sure to give her a call ahead of time as her menu and hours are subject to change, especially in the first few months as she learns the desires of her customers).

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    We did it! Lynden wins $25k 1st Place in “America’s Main Streets” competition!

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -
    Downtown Lynden during last year's Farmers Day Parade.

    We did it!

    Thanks to votes from all around the country, Lynden has been named the 1st Place winner in the “America’s Main Streets” competition. Thousands of ourLynden followers voted through the ourLynden Facebook page, and countless others voted all around the area.

    $25,000 will be awarded to the Downtown Business Association (DBA), which plans to use the money for further improvements and investments around downtown Lynden. Ken Stap, president of the Lynden DBA, shared that the funds will be used in a few different ways.

    The first funds will be used to update the watering equipment for Lynden’s famous hanging flower baskets, and then additional funding will help improve ‘wayfinding’ — signage to help visitors and locals alike find what they’re looking for in and around Lynden. Remaining money will likely be used to begin exploring options to increase and improve parking downtown — a great problem to have.

    The 2015 Farmers Day Parade on Front Street in Lynden.
    The 2015 Farmers Day Parade on Front Street in Lynden.

    “We’re just so jazzed and honored for this award,” Stap said. “The organizers of the contest are planning to fly out a crew to throw a celebration ceremony in Lynden on the 4th of July, and will even be sending a film crew to the Farmer’s Day Parade this weekend.” Details about the July 4th ceremony will be shared on ourLynden as soon as they are available.

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    Village Books Lynden is Open!

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    Today, Sunday November 22nd, 2015 marks the silent opening of the first tenant to open their doors in the fully remodeled Waples Mercantile Building on Front Street in downtown Lynden. Village Books has long been promising a November opening which many saw as unlikely, but they’ve pulled it off! While the interior (and exterior for that matter) are clearly not completely finished, the store has a warm feel and had a dozen or so people checking it out around 5pm this evening (they first opened at noon today). There’s no exterior signage on the building yet, but a large “Open Now!” banner across the window invites in any passerby.

    A number of staff, including the Lynden store manager as well as owner Chuck Robinson were at the store, in addition to Waples Mercantile developers Teri Treat and Debra McClure.

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    An Update on Waples Mercantile Merchants: what’s opening next?

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    Looking ahead: new openings starting this week!

    The long-anticipated opening of the merchants in the historic Waples Mercantile Building is upon us. It began with the opening of Village Books in Lynden three weeks ago on November 22nd, and we’ll see a steady stream of openings in the coming weeks and months. Next up: Drizzle Lynden – an Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room, featuring a Charcuterie & Cheese bar, Beer and Wine!

    Next up: Drizzle Lynden – an Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room, featuring a Charcuterie & Cheese bar, Beer and Wine!

    Over the coming weeks, we’ll feature preview photos and insider information on each of the merchants. For now, here’s a brief update on each of the building’s tenants preparing to open:

    Drizzle Lynden: opening THIS MONDAY, Monday Dec. 14, 2015 at 10am!

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    Pre-ordered Lyndenopoly? Here’s what’s next.

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    Update 9/20/2017: Lyndenopoly has arrived. If you pre-ordered, we sent you an email giving you pickup information at the Lynden Chamber of Commerce. If you haven’t already picked up your pre-order, you can do so at the Chamber office (518 Front Street) during their normal hours.

    So you were one of the wise and fortunate ones who pre-ordered Lyndenopoly in July for just $20? Awesome!

    Now, you’re wondering what’s next: when do you get your game, and did you win any of the special pre-order prizes?

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    This week on ourLynden’s Facebook page…

    By
    Joel VanderHoek
    -

    First things first: if you don’t already ‘Like’ the ourLynden page on Facebook, do it now!

    ourLynden.com is where we post full stories and articles relevant to our community. But our Facebook page is where we often put up pictures or quick tips of what’s happening around town, above and beyond what’s posted here on the website. Plus, it’s a great way to find out whenever a new article is posted here.

    This week the ourLynden Facebook page:

    • passed 1,500 fans on Facebook (152 new followers in the past week);
    • posts reached more than 26,000 people through sharing and commenting;
    • more than 6,200 people engaged with posts (such as a like, or photo click).

    The AMAZING rainbow a week ago was a fan favorite — between the three photos we shared there were 261 shares, 1728 likes, 112 comments…. the list goes on! The point: Lynden is a great community and we appreciate our town – our Lynden.

    Here’s a quick review of what our Facebook page followers enjoyed this week:

    Here's another great shot of tonight's rainbow over #Lynden from YWAM North Cascades. "The sky over Front Street is beautiful this evening with a vivid reminder of the promise of God in our lives."

    Posted by ourLynden on Friday, February 19, 2016

     

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