The Sequim Gazette

06/03/2026

For nearly 10 years, Cindy Zechenelly has been dedicated to helping prepare Sequim residents.

In the summer of 2016, she and husband Blaine created the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to organize, train, equip and maintain a readily deployable group of highly trained citizen volunteers to safely augment local first responders in a wide-spread disaster.

For her efforts, she was recognized on May 19 by Clallam County Fire District 3’s board of fire commissioners with a Lifetime Achievement Award through the President’s Volunteer Service Award program managed by Points of Light.

According to the commissioners’ proclamation, Zechenelly’s hours worked exceeded 4,000 hours of lifetime service to qualify for the award.

She and Blaine were also honored in 2020 with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards through Serve Washington.

Web story: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/27/cert-co-founder-receives-lifetime-achievement-award/

Photos courtesy Charles Meyer

06/03/2026

Sequim junior Reid Randall earned a fifth place finish in the 800 meters last weekend at the 2A State Track and Field Championships in Tacoma.

He ran 1:55.21 on Saturday, May 30 at Mount Tahoma High School with Dylan Rowell of Anacortes setting a state meet and personal record of 1:51.45 to win the event.

Randall ran 1:55.88 in the preliminaries to qualify for the finals on May 29. He ran his personal best 1:52.92 at the Olympic League meet on May 9. He said in an interview he was looking to run under 1:52.00 at state.

Randall also placed eighth at state in the 400 meters running 52.68 in the finals. He set his personal best at the league meet (49.32). Randall also ran with Sequim’s 4×400 boys relay team including Adrian Osborne, Westley French, and Gavin Tupper, with alternate Jonathan Tipton. They finished in 19th (3:35.75).

The relay team said they were hoping to make finals and qualify for nationals. The team set their personal bests at the 2A West Central District meet the week prior to state going 3:27.42 and placing fifth.

Randall was the only boy to return to state after finishing 10th in the 400 meters (50.51) in 2025.

Sequim junior Clare Turella made her third straight trip to state in the high jump after winning the event her freshman and sophomore years. She placed 13th this year clearing the bar at 4-10.

In a previous interview, Turella said she wasn’t feeling the same pressure on herself as previous years and would be OK with the results after two big wins.

Kaleah Keate, an alternate for the Wolves in the pole vault at state, did not jump. She placed fifth with an 8 foot jump at districts.

Web story: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/06/01/state-track-and-field-randall-takes-fifth-in-800-meters/

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

06/02/2026

Registration is now open for “Dine on the Dungeness: An Enchanted Woodland Gala Fundraiser,” taking place on Friday, July 24 at Railroad Bridge Park.

Visit dungenessrivercenter.org/events/ to register and learn more.

“Dine on the Dungeness” has been a long-standing community tradition and annual fundraiser for the Dungeness River Nature Center, supporting its education programs and mission. This year, the event returns with a new twist as an enchanted woodland gala featuring elegant dining, live music, entertainment, professional event photography by local photographer Keith Ross of Keith’s Frame of Mind, a live fundraising auction, and raise the paddle, all set on the scenic Riverside Plaza at Railroad Bridge Park.

Guests will enjoy a plated dinner catered by 48 Degrees North Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, featuring a choice of entrée selections including grilled king salmon, garlic-achiote pork loin, or a vegan byaldi stuffed portobello, along with seasonal accompaniments, dessert, and beverages.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person or $750 for a table of six. With limited seating available, interested attendees are encouraged to reserve their seat or table as soon as possible.

For registration assistance and questions, call Karen at 360-681-5637 or email [email protected].

Web story: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/21/registration-opens-for-river-centers-dine-on-the-dungeness-an-enchanted-woodland-gala-fundraiser/

06/02/2026

From the Get It Growing column "Smart watering"

To conserve water and to protect a natural resource, not to mention the hard work and investment put into a garden, developing a water plan is a smart idea. The plan doesn’t have to be expensive; it can be as simple as attaching a manual timer to a soaker hose.

A few things to keep in mind for summer watering on the North Olympic Peninsula:
• Most plants, even those labeled as drought-tolerant, will need supplemental water during the dry summer months.
• Grouping plants with similar water needs or hydrozoning makes watering more efficient and effective.
• Frequent, shallow watering encourages shallow roots, which makes plants more vulnerable to heat stress. Applying water thoroughly is the key to proper watering.
• Watering early in the morning is best as it reduces evaporation and helps prevent disease.
Read the full column at the Gazette's website.

Residents of the Olympic Peninsula only need to look to the mountains to realize that the snowpack is low. If you are curious, Google NRCS SNOTEL and go to the real-time map. What you will find is a lot of red indicating the snowpack is less than 50% normal.

06/02/2026

The annual Shepherds’ Festival brought a herd of people to the Sequim Prairie Grange on Memorial Day.

Inside and out, visitors to the free event could pet farm animals at a petting zoo, watch sheep shearing and herding demonstrations, including ducks, see fiber arts demonstrations from the North Olympic Shuttle & Spindle Guild, and interact with many arts and crafts vendors.

The event was sponsored by the North Olympic Shuttle & Spindle Guild, Wild and Woolly, and The Olympic Fiber Growers.

Sequim Gazette photos by Monica Berkseth

Web link: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/27/furry-friends-fiber-arts-found-at-shepherds-festival/

06/01/2026

Peninsula College’s new dental hygiene program will finally welcome its first class this fall after years of planning, fundraising and construction.

College leaders said the program is intended to prepare students for well-paid, in-demand careers while helping to address a shortage of dental hygienists and gaps in care on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Story: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/28/new-dental-program-at-peninsula-college-set-to-launch-this-fall/

More info: https://pencol.edu/programs/current/dental-hygiene.

The program will have two full-time faculty members as well as part-time clinical faculty and a supervising dentist.

The new clinic has:
• Eight dental treatment units
• Simulation lab
• Digital imaging equipment
• X-ray and radiology training

Training includes:
• Preventative cleaning
• Radiology
• Digital photography
• Sealants
• Composite restorations

05/30/2026

From the Habitat Happenings column by Jessica Dietzman: "Why nonprofits host special events"

"Nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our communities. They fill gaps, lift up families, and create opportunities where none existed before. But behind every mission-driven organization is a simple truth: meaningful impact requires both resources and relationships. That is why nonprofits host special events, not just to raise funds but to build connections, spark awareness, and invite new people into the work.

For Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, these events are more than dates on a calendar. They are moments where the community comes together to support safe, stable, affordable housing for local families. Each event blends purpose with celebration, turning everyday generosity into long-term change."

Full column: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/20/habitat-happenings-why-nonprofits-host-special-events/

05/29/2026

Soroptimists launch Dream It Be It program

After a year of planning, Soroptimist International of Sequim presented its inaugural Dream It Be It program, which welcomed 25 girls ages 13-18 from across Clallam County. The one-day event aimed to provide resources and tools to support the young women as they navigate to graduation.

The 2026 program was a collaboration between Olympic Angels and the Sequim School District. The morning session focused on financial literacy, support, and well-being techniques, along with guidance on attending Peninsula College, whether for a two-year program, vocational training, or eventually transferring to a four-year university. Participants also learned about the college’s Running Start Program and concluded with lunch and a nutrition presentation.

More Milestones: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/27/milestones-soroptimists-omc-footprinters-may-27-2026/

In the afternoon session, the girls received training on how to apply for jobs online and learned what potential employers seek in candidates for both summer and long-term employment. The program concluded with a discussion on staying emotionally healthy and a presentation from 7 Cedars regarding potential job opportunities.

In a press release, Soroptimist International of Sequim thanked the following for their support for young women: Tyrone Beatty with 1st Security Bank, Dr. Suzy Ames of Peninsula College, Tasha Fitzgerald and Shelly Mills of Olympic Angels, Emily Grubbs of Maurice’s, Kelly Iriye of Northwest Bras, Heather Rawlings from Rainshadow Café, Walmart, 7 Cedars Hotel & Casino, Peninsula Bottling, and Costco.

05/29/2026

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and City of Sequim officials confirm they’re in discussions to bring city water services to the lab’s Sequim campus, PNNL-Sequim.

This news is a shift from a previously announced plan for utilities at the campus at 1529 W. Sequim Bay Road.

A PNNL spokesperson wrote in a statement that “current discussions are focused on near-term water infrastructure needs, while also maintaining flexibility for future sewer connectivity discussions.”

Gazette story: https://www.sequimgazette.com/2026/05/27/pnnl-seeks-city-of-sequim-water-extension/

In October 2024, PNNL officials said that funding was secured and planning was underway to expand PNNL-Sequim, the Department of Energy’s only marine and coastal research laboratory.

The current spokesperson said “PNNL is currently designing a new waterfront research facility called the ‘Bench to Bay Deployment and Applied Sciences Laboratory,’ which will support the development of next-generation ocean energy technologies and strengthen coastal energy security and grid reliability.”

They said the project is progressing and expected to be completed in 2028.

Photo by Andrea Starr, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

05/29/2026

Medical Loan Closet Open House set for June 6

Soroptimist International of Sequim invites the community to its Medical Loan Closet Open House on Saturday, June 6 from 2-4 p.m. at 425 E. Washington St. in Sequim.

The event is a chance to learn the benefits of the Medical Loan Closet and meet with volunteers. Sequim Soroptimists are committed to providing high-quality, durable medical equipment to residents within the boundaries of the Sequim School District.