LewisTalk had a fabulous 2019 and we’re looking forward to all that the new year will bring. To start 2020 off, let’s look back at what made 2019 so special including what our readers most loved to read and some of our writer’s favorites.
Our team of professional writers live, work and play in the LewisTalk community. Here are their picks for the year.
Sometimes writers enjoy articles that another writer penned. Derek Wilson’s favorite article of 2019 is The Face of Volunteering Mazie Schlickeiser. “The article says what LewisTalk is all about – finding our unsung heroes who make up our community, recognize and encourage them,” says Wilson.
Wilson also enjoyed reading Between A Horse’s Ears: Peterman Ridge Red Trail. “This story with a clever title took me riding on a horse, something I almost never do,” he says.
Because of what he learned while making careful interviews with people in his Packwood community, Wilson’s favorite article he wrote in 2019 is Packwood Thrift and Gift Abounds with Treasure.
Music lover Greg Carlson’s favorite article he wrote of 2019 is the profile of local musician Chris Guenther. “By incorporating reviews of his local performances into my article, I felt I was able to present a musician who is proud to be a Lewis County native and who loves connecting with his growing fan base at a variety of venues, from brewpubs to RV parks to yearly festivals,” Carlson says.
Joyce Fink came away from her interview with Chehalis native Jennifer Adams with a smile on her face. “I have known her since she was in middle school and she has always been so positive and willing to try new things despite her physical limitations,” says Fink.
Sportswriter Gail Wood loved writing Teamwork Comes to the Rescue for The Pe Ell-Willapa Valley’s Football Team. “Josh Fluke is a walking definition of community commitment,” Wood says. “He now coaches high school football where he played football at – Willapa Valley. Two of his assistants both Greg Wonhoff and John Peterson coached him when he was an all-league lineman in high school. Getting a chance to share his story was special.”
In 2019, the LewisTalk team expanded to include several new writers. Kia Huffman’s first article is her personal favorite for last year – Haying with the Larsons: A Tradition of Hard Work and Family. “I was so nervous about the interview, but the family was so sweet and authentic,” Huffman says. “The article wrote itself. I felt it was emotionally dynamic and rich with tradition. It reflected such a special part of the culture that is strong in certain parts of Lewis County.”
There weren’t just new writers last year joining the LewisTalk team. A new editor and publisher was welcomed with Krysta Carper. Her personal favorite article in the last year is The Voice of the Forecast: Weatherman Dean Dahlin. “Interviewing Dahlin was delightful and he even called me back later to share more stories of his decades of Lewis County weather forecasting,” Carper says. “Sadly, when he passed away earlier this year, I came to understand we are not just sharing the stories of the people of Lewis County, we are also collecting history.”
Here are the 5 articles Lewis County loved the most in 2019.
- McFilers Mixes it up with Eclectic Eats and Events in Chehalis
- Drink in the History of the Brooklyn Tavern
- Clean Up Centralia with Steve Kopa
- Born in Morton: Peterbilt Trucks
- Bob Dow Brings Local Sports to Life
Community Chatter with LocalTalk
In addition to our own stories, we also publish some press releases from the community in our LocalTalk section, like this one that readers loved about an ambitious local young person, From Adna to Hollywood: Kayden Kincaid Selected for Auditions. Readers also enjoyed learning more about Local Artist Karen Betts Paints the Town with Holiday Cheer.
Our editing team reads a lot of stories. Here are a few of our favorites from 2019.
Highlighting outstanding youth is always a joy. Jayden Nelson: Lewis County’s Own Community Change Maker features an unstoppable character in a young girl from Pe Ell. Color and Kindness with Cyndle’s Fresh Cut Flowers is also an example of an exemplary Lewis County youngster.
Covering local high school athletes is another aspect we love sharing with the community at LewisTalk. Toledo’s Nicholas Marty Cruises to Win at 2B Central League Cross Country Championships shares the commitment of local athletes.
It’s not just the students that make our Lewis County teams so great – it is also the wonderful coaches who give of their time for local teams. Pirate Nation Football is a Family Affair with Committed Coaches shows how the Dunnagan family supports their Adna football team.
The local businesses in our community showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of the area. Growing a Family and a Business at Let’s Play Something Toy Store is an example of one of the best small businesses of Lewis County.
Social Media Connections Across the Community and Beyond
People connect with LewisTalk through social media. Besides LewisTalk, you can find our sister sites at ThurstonTalk, WhatcomTalk, GraysHarborTalk and SouthSoundTalk.
In 2020 LewisTalk will continue to bring you positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Lewis County including news, events and personal profiles that define our community. Reaching nearly 10,000 people on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter daily, we continue to shine a light on the positive things happening locally through our community social network.
We always love hearing from our readers with kudos, feedback, story ideas, photos or constructive criticism. Send us an email anytime at submit@lewistalk.com.
LewisTalk is a digital media company sharing positive stories about people, places and businesses in Lewis County. LewisTalk offers content marketing and online options across our Community Social Network to advertise in Centralia, Chehalis, Morton and beyond. Advertise with LewisTalk to reach your target market, grow your brand and measure results.
