Snohomish County NewsGolf team wins state title
Doug Ramsay photo
Senior members of this year’s Snohomish golf team that won the 4A state title pose for a photo. Bottom row from left to right: Matt Tygert, Sam Riedeman and Reed Pecha. Top row left to right: Mick Stocker, Dylan Stensland and Michael Jaeger. Stensland and Jeager tied for the top position in the state tournament held May 28 in Kennewick. In addition to the golf team’s success, Snohomish senior Marlyn Anderson took the state title in both the shot put and discus. Anderson was the first Panther to win both titles in the same year since Dave Wilson won them in 1984.
Cherry picking
Doug Ramsay photo
Katie Anderson, 4, of Everett tries a Yakima-grown Chinook cherry at one of the 43 vendor booths at last week’s Snohomish Farmers Market. Now in its 18th year (four at its current Cedar Avenue location), the market has seen a tremendous growth of shoppers attending the weekly market, which is open Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through September.
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Profiles of People: The Musician
The Centennial Trail, meandering north from Snohomish, passes through a town so small and old it makes Snohomish look large and modern.
Machias was once a vibrant community. Then it became almost a ghost town. Currently it has experienced a revival where the steeple church boasts fresh paint and the old houses appear to smile with inhabited love.
A cemetery rests above Machias and that is where the ancestors of my second profile reside. James A. Young, called Jim by his friends and Boob by his closer friends, cares for that cemetery because his mother, father and other precious relatives are buried there. Currently Jim is the president of the burial ground. For the 2009 Machias Memorial ceremony he played the drum for the Color Guard march, just as he has done for many years.
Young was even prouder than usual this last Memorial Day because his son now plays the trumpet for a duet tribute to the families. This voluntary tradition of caring for the cemetery began at a tavern in Machias in the ’70s when Young and his then young friends raised a cup and agreed to upkeep the cemetery because the grounds were horribly overgrown.
These young people felt ashamed of the neglect of the dead so they made the Machias cemetery a show place. They continue to care for it as loving sons and daughters of our community today. None of them make it a big deal. The work, the gestures of respect, are simply parts of who they are and who we all should hope is part of the pay it forward slogan.
Also known as an excellent jazz musician, part of Snag Rag and the legendary Sauerkraut Band, this tall, still powerful looking man has another claim to fame.
Young owns and personally runs the small tavern on Machias Road called Doc’s — or at least I think it’s called Doc’s? I’m not sure there’s a sign; but it doesn’t need one. Locals have known since the ’50s that this haven exists. Many appreciate Young and his tavern because if someone walks up the old cement steps he or she is treated like a real friend for one visit or for a life time.
Familiar with geese, ducks, pigs, cows, horses and old dogs, Young’s family homesteaded Machias. His father, whom he appreciates for leaving him the tavern, use to raise poultry to ship to the Philippines and Japan. In 1935, when Young was born, his mother, who had a zest for life and abundant energy, offered him a life that he says was ideal. He and his friends ran the fields, swam the river and climbed undeveloped mountains.
One of Young’s few unrealized dreams was to play drums on the second floor of the old Machias elementary school he attended as a little boy. Sadly, he had to switch to the new school in Snohomish so he never got to realize that aspiration. However, he can’t recall any other serious disappointments.
Today he is excited to leave Doc’s to his son when someday he and Audrey, the love of his life, feel like signing the papers — especially because his son is a dead ringer for Larry the Cable Guy? In any case, Young feels his legacy will be in good hands.
Young’s childhood friends, those who haven’t moved on, are still his friends. The senior class in Snohomish, of which he was president, is currently planning their yearly class reunion — at Doc’s of course. Everyone will contribute food. Many of them will play instruments. Imagine the party scene from John Steinbeck’s novel, “Cannery Row,” a good time will be had by all, and the reader will understand that event.
Tavern customers who want a safe, fun place to tip a glass, play pool, listen to music, watch a sporting event or feed ducks and geese on the Pilchuck River, cherish this uncomplicated, non-judgmental hangout. An uncommon feeling of relaxation and friendliness greets anyone brave enough to cross the heavily trafficked road, or maneuver into the haphazard parking lot. Motorcycles, cars, bicycles (even horses that nowadays are tied up in back) converge to create a scene that looks like a nonviolent demolition derby.
Once inside the cool shadowy room, Young vigilantly oversees the special needs of running a country tavern where he still refuses to have a telephone. He generally greets the new arrival from behind the old bar stuck back in the corner. This bar looks as though it is having a hard time competing for space with the pool tables, TVs, and cozy tables. But that’s OK. If a seat can’t be found inside, wandering out on the deck produces more tables and a view of the Pilchuck that is impossible to beat.
The only way to explain the atmosphere at Doc’s is to describe it as someone’s home to which you have been invited. And that is exactly as Young designed it.
A strong, inherent desire to make people happy, comfortable and accepted has driven this man for as long as he can remember. He also loves to have fun. Sitting on his deck, with a cold beer and a friend, is his idea of the perfect time and place. Shyly admitting he would like to be known as a caring soul, he also doesn’t seem to care who knows it.
The only exception to Young’s life long philosophy is someone who comes into his sanctuary with an attitude. A chip on the shoulder is not the correct way to approach this place. Being obnoxious or rude is not acceptable. Because Young does not tolerate bad behavior, Doc’s, via Young, (who is still often called Doc by the old timers) has few problems associated with establishments that serve alcohol to an extremely diverse group of people.
Harmony and peaceful coexistence are the norm, no matter whether it is morning or late night. Even the bathrooms exhibit a country political correctness that astounds the first timer, but should give him or her an age old laugh.
Not much of a worrier; business, aging, floods, all seem to take their appropriate place in this man’s life behind family, friends, crabbing, fishing, music — and just hanging out. Joining Doc’s Polar Bear Club takes a personality that seems incongruous with this laid back owner of what some community members consider an historical monument. More comfortably, becoming a member of Doc’s Machias Yacht Club is available to anyone who enjoys a ride in the country, good company and a spectacular view.
Patricia Franklin’s column typically runs the fourth Wednesday of the month.
By PATRICIA FRANKLIN