“There’s some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?”
— Travis Tritt
Things don’t have to be big to be important, and things don’t have to be great to be very good indeed.
I was reminded of that again and again this week with a few simple moments of enjoyment in our small towns.
It started when I ducked my head into the NW Salmon Smokehouse in downtown Chehalis for lunch. It was delicious — a Mediterranean bowl with their newly smoked salmon on top of a whole lot of goodness. I rarely eat out, so this was a treat indeed.
The owners, Frank and Danielle Pfannes, served me. I had a chance to chat with Frank and look over his wide array of specially flavored smoked salmon.
He told me how he did all the work himself to convert the old Bartell’s Clothing into a spacious, welcoming space where he could smoke locally caught salmon, serve it and other fine foods, and sell locally produced gifts and goods. They just opened in February and he said business is good.
I’m so glad, because his place is a winner.
Do yourself a favor and drop by this fine establishment in the heart of Chehalis at 486 N. Market Blvd. You’ll be glad you did.
As you go downtown, you’ll see something of a miniature renaissance (perhaps not coincidentally, the Mint City has been working on “the Chehalis Community Renaissance Plan” for the past 15 years).
On the other side of the old blinking red traffic light there’s a new smoothie bowl shop. I look forward to taking my daughter there for a treat one of these days.
The Chehalis planter areas are friendly and lush, with sunflowers nodding alongside the last of summer’s flowers as autumn deepens.
Grand old shops continue to cater to longtime customers alongside new venues. Even the Lewis County Historical Museum looks shiny and bright with a friendly, freshly painted Yard Bird statue and a UFO on display.
Historic buildings like the Chehalis Theatre have been reborn.
That fine old building shows new elegance under the McFiler’s name and was a great venue for the Best of Lewis County awards presentation Thursday night.
That evening exemplified for me the joys of our small town.
Chronicle owners Chad and Coralee Taylor put out food for everyone who wanted to attend their awards gala. The main floor and balcony were full of people there to celebrate winners in a broad range of categories, from best excavation company to best sports coach. I had to smile at some of the juxtapositions, like best fast food followed by best feed store.
That laughter was part of true joy at seeing the good life here in Lewis County celebrated along with the people who create it.
As Jim Smith, the owner of the Adna Grocery, walked up to collect his award for best convenience store, someone called out, “Way to go, Jimbo!” (He was walking back up a few minutes later to collect the Best Fries award for one of his other businesses, the Adna Burger Bar.)
I smiled again as nearly a dozen happy employees of LC Coffee Co. jammed together to get a picture with one of the awards they won.
The goodness crossed generations, as I saw parents and children posing together for their awards photos.
As The Chronicle’s owners and staff handed out awards, among them was Everley Taylor, a granddaughter of Chronicle owner and publisher Chad Taylor. Seeing her with her bright young eyes, handing plaques of appreciation to the good folks who keep our beloved local institutions strong, was heartening.
When we work hard together, celebrate our victories, and teach our youngest to join us, we’ll be OK. I really think we will.
•••
I had to leave Best of Lewis County early to get to Tiger Stadium for The Chronicle Cup competition between the girls soccer teams of Centralia and Chehalis. I got there just as they were introducing the players. Standing alongside the high school varsity girls were a bunch of elementary-school aged boys from the Insert Coin rec league team.
They were introduced before the game, their toothy grins stretching ear-to-ear as their names boomed out on the loudspeaker just like the high-schoolers.
They then had a job to do. They took up positions in a ring around the field to chase down balls kicked out of bounds. They watched the game as intently as elementary school boys are capable, young sentries at their post. When a ball would come their way they would dash after it and race back to the field, handing it carefully to one of their teenaged elders for the throw-in.
With 10 minutes left in the game they broke formation and reassembled in front of the crowd to lead us in exuberant cheers of “Let’s go Tigers, let’s go!”
Again, I was heartened to see our young people given good work to do and appreciation for it. This is how we make tomorrow better — by helping little kids see their place in the work of today.
Way to go, Centralia, for doing this for our boys.
Let’s go Tigers, indeed.
•••
Speaking of Tiger Town, the next morning as I drove through Napavine, an older gentleman was waving at every car driving by.
As our paths crossed near Mayme Shaddock Park, we exchanged friendly greetings. My heart was lightened. His smile was a gift, his wave an invitation to join in the good life with him as we went our separate ways.
It was a small moment of connection in our small towns.
Great lives and communities are built from such as this.
The best of Lewis County is all around us. Taking part in it is as easy as a smile and a wave. Find your place and let’s enjoy, together.
•••
Brian Mittge can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
