Westside Stories

One of the things I enjoy most about writing my column each week is getting to know incredible people. This past week, I sat down with a few members of the Zimmerman family to learn about their journey to the farmer's market.

Bekalyn, the mom, shared, "We read in The Eagle that there was going to be a farmers market the following Friday, and vendors were invited to participate. It was the perfect fit for us. It's low-key; you can move around as much or as little as you want. You can bring what you have ready, sit down, rest, and visit with people. It's a lot of fun."

Daughters Anna and Christina started painting rocks several years ago. At first, they drew and painted on paper before switching to painting rocks, making gifts for family and friends, especially for the Fourth of July. They would haul a box of paint down to the beach by the river near their home in Grays River and leave their painted treasures for others to find. Children started taking these treasures home. At first, their designs were simple patterns, but over the years, their paintings have become more detailed, requiring more time and effort.

Christina's paintings are intricate and detailed, taking significant time to create. Her higher price range reflects the effort she puts into her art. Her favorite subjects include flowers, butterflies, and animals. She covers her paintings with a glossy overcoat and hand-paints scripture verses on the back of each rock, showcasing her beautiful freestyle handwriting.

Anna's paintings are simpler, featuring vegetables and animals, especially horses, cats, and dogs. However, she is always willing to try new things. Both sisters use pictures from magazines and other sources as references. Anna employs a matte overcoat, which gives her paintings a softer, more subdued feel.

Most of the rocks they paint are collected during their daily walks along the banks of the Grays River, either on the beach near their home or down by the Covered Bridge. They also sell stationery cards featuring duplicated images from their designs and painted pictures, which they have created over the years as gifts for their parents on special occasions. These cards are the gifts that keep on giving.

Another endeavor they take on each week is baking homemade treats from scratch. They coordinate their schedules to decide who will bake in the kitchen, producing cupcakes, cookies, and the bread their mom makes. If you haven't tried their treats, I highly recommend them.

Their oven, purchased from the home economics department of a local school in Longview around 1974, is still in use. They're quite familiar with its quirks. For instance, when a recipe calls for baking at 375 degrees, they adjust it to 350 degrees. They also know that items tend to cook hotter at the back of the oven, so they rotate the pan halfway through the baking process.

At the beginning of the market season in June, Bekalyn sold plant starts, but it was a little late in the season, as many people had already planted their gardens. She also faced an infestation of black manure flies, which was discouraging. Next year, she hopes to sell seeds, such as borage, which is particularly beneficial for honeybees and bumblebees.

Bekalyn bakes chewy bread to sell, and she even shared a loaf with me, which was terrific. While she also makes pull-apart bread, she has found that her chewy bread sells the best, so she has decided to focus on that.

I had such a wonderful time spending a morning with them, sharing stories about our lives and getting to know each other better. This Friday, make sure to stop by their table to see everything they have to offer and to appreciate their artwork. They are truly a talented family.

Recently, the tables turned on me when Dan Turner, a board member of the Cathlamet Library, asked if he could interview me for his weekly article, "Reader's Fave." I experienced a role reversal, being in the hot seat as I shared my love for both reading and writing. Every week at the farmers market, the Cathlamet Library has a table where all residents of Wahkiakum County are welcome to sign up for a free library card.

The West Wahkiakum Farmers Market is open every Friday through the end of September at Rosburg Hall, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Westside Happenings

This Saturday, the Appelo Archives Center will host its annual Loggers Reunion and Barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, various side dishes, and homemade cookies. Beer and wine will also be available. This year, they have introduced a new lineup of vendor booths outside. Come join in games, food, and a good time!