Forks Washington on the Olympic Peninsula

 

 

We've held off on commenting about the local Twilight Firewood stand for quite a while now, but we just can't resist.  We think it's hilarious!  It kind of takes things to a whole new level.  And the sharp-looking stand is certainly an attention getter.  Although the small print says to burn the "LaPush bundles" to "keep the evil vampires away," we suspect simply throwing pieces of firewood at them would be just as effective.  Stock up now!

 

Quileute Tribal School's Whale Welcoming Ceremony 2010 happens Thursday, April 15th at 2:00 pm. in LaPush.  The whales have returned on their annual migratory visit, but it's not really official until they receive a proper welcome.  This Quileute event has historical and spiritual significance to tribal members, so if you're a visitor planning to attend, you might want to review the tribe's rules of etiquette. And don't forget your camera!

We're excited for our friends and neighbors in LaPush--the Quileute Nation has launched their cool new online store featuring authentic handmade and locally-produced merchandise. This is the real thing here, folks, not "Made in China," or anything like that, but high-quality products direct from Quileute tribal members. The Quileute Nation is renowned for its skilled artisans and this is the perfect venue to share their creations with the world. We particularly liked the carvings and the cedar hat, but there's something for everyone here--check it out!

Things are really heating up here in Forks with the 2010 Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction starting today and continuing tomorrow.  It's all happening at the Bank of America building in Forks--don't miss the action!

The positive and generous spirit of this event is demonstrated by folks like Lori Norvell-Troutman of Plano, Texas.  Although she has no direct connection to Forks, she's pitching in anyway--donating three valuable autographed baseballs, signed by Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose and Yogi Berra.  Wow! Thanks Lori!!

Check out Paige Dickerson's article in the Peninsula Daily News highlighting this donation and providing further information about the auction.

And if you just can't wait to start finding things to bid on, you should see O.C.C.'s contributions to this year's auction from the craftsmen at their Toy Shop.  Or click here to (hopefully . . .) view auction items online as they come up for bid.

UPDATE: $69,000 RAISED THIS YEAR--THANKS!!

Here’s early notice–Stephenie Meyer Day 2010 is slated for September 11-12, 2010, in Forks, WA!!

While this year’s event is still in the organizational stages, based on the overwhelming response at past events, we want to make sure everyone has ample opportunity to be here on Bella’s Birthday this year to celebrate with us.  Now is the time to make lodging reservations in Forks or LaPush for this weekend–the entire area was booked solid last year.  Many fans arrived before the weekend and/or stayed a day or two afterward, to have more time to fully enjoy everything our area has to offer.  Whether you've been to every single Stephenie Meyer Day so far or just want to check out something new, everyone is welcome and the event is always a blast.  See you there!

If you haven't checked out our James Island webcam lately--it turns out we had it aimed directly at the scene of where a 40-ft. dredging barge capsized last Monday!  The crew was safely rescued by personnel from U.S. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River based in LaPush.  More information can be found in this Peninsula Daily News article by Paige Dickerson. 

Have you ever heard of a community that rallies each year to provide a scholarship for every graduating senior who applies for one?

It happens right here in Forks and LaPush with the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction--and over a million dollars have been raised so far!  The idea is to help jump-start students' careers with some cash to offset college or vocational/technical school expenses.  This year's event happens March 20-21 (coinciding with the New Moon DVD release festivities that weekend), so make plans to be there!  Everyone is welcome at this fun event.

March 11, 2010, Update - Oh my! The O.C.C. Toy Shop crew has been busy this year!  Check out their generous contributions to this year's auction and get your "favorites" list going before your chance to bid begins March 20th.

Forks is gearing up for the March 20th DVD release of New Moon. This article by Paige Dickerson, from today's Peninsula Daily News, highlights some of the activities being planned in Forks around this BIG event. We're especially looking forward to seeing all the locals appearing in the Twilight in Forks documentary, which is supposed to be part of the Special Edition New Moon DVD. Dazzled by Twilight (11 N. Forks Ave.) is ramping up the planning efforts with the Volturi Vampire Ball set for 8:00 pm, Friday, March 19th, at the Twilight Lounge (FKA the Vagabond Restaurant) right in Downtown Forks. There will be no entrance fee for this fun-sounding event! Twilight Central/Leppell's Flowers & Gifts (130 S. Spartan Ave.) is also planning some special events during the day on March 19th and running right up to the midnight release of the DVD. Other events and activities are in the works, so stay tuned, and make plans NOW to be in Forks March 19-21 to be part of the action!

 

It's encouraging to see that the West End now has a paved 6-mile section of the Olympic Discovery Trail in place. Although it's still "closed for construction," this first-class section of trail extends through the forest from the Camp David Jr. Road end of the Spruce Railroad Trail, on Lake Crescent, to the top of Fairholm Hill. The Olympic Discovery Trail itself will eventually go the entire 100-mile distance from Port Townsend, through Sequim, Port Angeles, Joyce, Forks and LaPush, to the Pacific Ocean.

Well, we thought this video was pretty funny. It's a parody of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' hit song, Empire State of Mind, with all kinds of clever Twilight and Forks rhymes and references thrown in. There's even a cameo from Cousin Itt in there. . . . It's just for fun--check it out! (May not be appropriate for all viewers.)