Tag Archives: Cashmere WA

Oct31

Halloween Then And Now

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Halloween Then And Now

I have always loved Halloween. As a child I eagerly ran from door to door collecting treats. Back then you looked forward to a neighbor’s popcorn balls or caramel apples. The streets were safe and all houses on the street were brightly lit.

By the time my kids came along, it was a different world out there. Adults now roamed the streets with their children. Pins and razor blades contaminated candies and apples. Teenagers would often taunt younger children and steal their bags of treats. I always closely checked all my kids’ candy and apples were always tossed in the garbage. Friends of my kids would often come back to our home for a party. There was always a spooky Halloween cake and colorfully decorated cookies, all homemade.

I haven’t been in Canada for Halloween in several years now. In Mexico, the big event is Day of the Dead rather than Halloween. Last year in Mazatlan I saw only a half dozen or so costumed children on the streets for Halloween and saw none at all in the years I lived in Guadalajara. However the influence from up north is spreading down gradually to those areas in Mexico closer to the USA-Mexico border.

This year I’m in the USA. And Halloween is BIG! We were out looking for costumes last night and ventured into the Spirit Halloween store in Wenatchee. I was totally overwhelmed by all the costumes, masks, accessories, decorations and displays. My friend informed me that the stores in Seattle were even larger. Here are some photos I took:

After about an hour, we headed for the checkouts with our selections. He had chosen a gruesome mask, and I had a colorful wig and makeup. This is what we looked like on Saturday night:

The first party was in Cashmere and was a combination birthday/Halloween party. It was cool out and the fire was most welcome.

The next party was back in Leavenworth and was from the Rotary Club.

We then headed back to Cashmere to Club Crow. The place was packed and there was a great live band.

The afternoon today was spent at church preparing for Light the Night, a huge carnival to be held tomorrow night. Last year approximately 1300 people attended. There will be games, food and even a petting zoo.

Sadly I will not be in Mexico for Day of the Dead this year for the first time in six years. But the kid in me is enjoying every single minute of Halloween this year here in Washington state.

Happy Halloween 2016!

Oct25

Scare-Crazy in Cashmere

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Scare-Crazy in Cashmere

The month of October is spooktacular in the charming town of Cashmere, Washington. Fifty-five scarecrows adorn the streets in daylight hours. In addition, twenty-one have been given secret numbers and there is a contest going on to identify these scarecrows. Map in hand, my destination was Cashmere this morning. Here is the first scarecrow who greeted me upon my arrival.

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I then made my was down to Cottage Avenue, passing a few more scarecrows along the way. Needless to say, I took way too many photos as usual. Here are just a few:

The Cashmere Library even got in on the action.

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One of the churches had this one on display.

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The delightful scarecrows more than made up for the gloomy, overcast day. Actually, the weather kind of added to the ambiance. But alas, I only had time to find thirty, so I will have to continue my search later on this week.

 

Sep11

Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village

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Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village

The Cashmere Museum & Pioneer Village is operated by The Chelan County Historical Society,  a non-profit organization. The 13,000 square foot museum features two levels. The upper level houses the Willis Carey Wing and the Congdon Wing. The lower level contains displays of natural history as well as pioneer history. An optional audio tour is available and group tours are most welcome.

I began my exploration in the William Carey Wing where I was delighted with the displays of beadwork, basketry, jewelry as well as artwork by local artists.

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I then moved on to the Congdon Wing to view the tools.

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Next I headed downstairs and was completely overwhelmed by this gallery containing everything from nature to artifacts to petrified wood.

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Now it was time to venture outside. The Pioneer Village contains more than twenty original pioneer structures, most over 100 years old. These buildings house antiques, artifacts and furniture of the era.

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The railroad was also represented. I walked through both the caboose and the station.

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About three hours and some 400 photos later I arrived back at the gift shop at the entrance. My fervent hope is that I will somehow find the time to view this treasure again before returning to Mexico for the winter. 

Aug27

So I went on a tour of a candy factory….

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So I went on a tour of a candy factory….

Thursday morning I boarded the Link Transit bus headed for the Leavenworth Library. I got sidetracked and found myself in Cashmere at Aplets and Cotlets, a candy store and factory. The library would have to wait.

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This business was founded by an Armenian and an Englishman about eighty years ago. The first candy, aplets, was made of apples and walnuts. A few years later, the production of cotlets, apricots and walnuts, was begun. Other varieties of candies have been added throughout the years.

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Approximately 80,000 visitors per year stop by for a tour of the factory.

The first room we visited contained vats of candy being cooked. The vats are then moved to a table and the candy is poured into molds.

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In the main area of this factory, the candy is scored into pieces and packed into boxes. Weight is carefully checked as part of quality control. Have a look at all the people involved in this process. Slightly different from the drama of Lucy and Ethel in the chocolate factory on I Love Lucy.

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This brief tour was most informative. And several yummy samples were scattered on shelves throughout the store. Now, if they only made chocolate………………

Aug13

A Morning In Cashmere

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A Morning In Cashmere

Friday morning dawned clear and sunny and I decided to explore the quaint town of Cashmere, a town of just over 3000 located a short distance from Leavenworth. The bus driver recommended that I get off at the fire hall and then make my way down the Main Street.  

Across the street from the fire hall I ventured into Weeds Cafe for coffee. This charming place appeared to do a bustling business in takeout as well as being a popular gathering place for the locals. There were a few tables outside, but it was hot and I opted for the air-conditioning inside instead.

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Back out on the street,  I was enchanted by the variety of shops and the ever-present American flags that lined the street. A dental center to an antique shop and everything in between is along Cottage Street. Here are a few photos:

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I ventured into the tourist center and got directions to the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial. I was totally in awe and mesmerized as I read the plaques and viewed the statues and the tree trunk.

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In a somewhat subdued mood, I made my way back to Cottage Street. Along the way I passed the library, with this delightful statue.

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Cashmere is also home to The Pioneer Museum and a candy factory that I intend to view on a future visit. A state fair is also coming up next month.