As Easter Approaches, All Dogs Love to Hunt!
01 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in Events, Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: ARRF, Dog, Dogs, Easter Egg Hunt, Roslyn, Washington
The snowfall that greeted Roslyn residents on Saturday morning wasn’t enough to damper the Second Annual ARRF Doggie Easter Egg hunt. About 20 dogs showed up to participate in the costume contest and hunt for treats in the field just off of Pennsylvania Avenue.  
The event is a fun way to drive awareness around animal adoption and to help raise money to support ARRF’s commitment to the care and welfare of companion animals in Upper Kittitas County.  Experience more of this event by viewing the brief video below.
Exploring Coal Mines Trail
07 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Inside Roslyn, Nearby Places Tags: Coal Mines, Coal Mines Trail, Roslyn, WA
Coal Mines Trail is a pleasant, 4.7 mile, path that allows visitors to stroll in the footsteps of coal mining history. Though the trail actually starts in Cle Elum and extends to Ronald, it is easily accessible from Roslyn near the South-East end of Runje Field.
The trail follows the path of th
e Northern Pacific Railroad branch line developed in 1886 to transport coal from the Roslyn/Cle Elum Coal Field. In 1887, the branch was extended to the #3 Mine where Ronald developed. The Roslyn/Ronald line was operated until 1986, and then in 1994, it began its conversion to this public recreational trail.
Because this is a well maintained and level path, exploring the trail is a great way to spend the day in any season and for people of all ages.
Update: A printable Coal Mines Trail map is now available. Click here to download.
The Roslyn Christmas Tree Stands Tall
10 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Christmas Tree, Roslyn, Washington
The Christmas tree is a hallmark of many holiday memories and traditions – and so it is with the Christmas tree in Roslyn. As remembered by early Roslyn resident Frank Barich:
“The Roslyn Fire Department, and others, had the tallest tree I remember seeing. It was set before the NWI Company Store. We would stand on our steps, waiting to hear the jingle bells on the sleigh bringing Santa Claus to the center of town. We ran to be in line to receive our bag of goodies, generally an orange and some hard candy.”
On February 10th, 1947, minutes of the Roslyn City Council meeting reflect that “a proposal had been made by John Lanigan and Wayne Read that a Douglas Fir tree be planted in the front of the NWI Company Store and so save the expense of getting a tree for Christmas every year.” The proposal was accepted.
Last weekend, during the 2011 Roslyn Winterfest, the long running tradition continued as the tree was illuminated in preperation for Santa’s annual visit. Standing tall along side the Coal Miner’s Memorial, the tree provides a warming reminder to cherish the season – and that today, we are creating the memories and traditions of tomorrow.
The memoir’s of Frank Barich were excerpted from “From Old Country to Coal Country” – published by the Roslyn-Ronaled-Cle Elum Heritage Club.
Autumn is Heaven in Roslyn
28 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn, Nearby Places Tags: Autumn, Photos, Roslyn, Washington
Autumn is an unbelievable time to come visit Roslyn and the surrounding area. The drive over the pass is beautiful and the scenery in and around town can’t be beat. As the leaves change colors and the crisp fall air begins to creep in, you can’t help but think you’re walking through a Bob Ross painting.  Check out Facebook for more pictures!
Stan the Man with the White Van
29 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: Designated Driver, Roslyn, Stan, Stan the Man, WA
It seems like anywhere you go in Roslyn, you can’t avoid hearing the name, “Stan the Man“. Perhaps it’s when someone has had one to many to drink and asks the barkeep to dial up Stan the Man. Or, when the community is holding an event that features music, and Stan the Man is called on to pull it together. Maybe it’s when you’re attending one of Roslyn or Cle Elum’s many open mic nights, where Stan the Man and his instruments take center stage. Whatever the case, you are sure to hear his name if you stick around long enough. As such, it was a real treat for us to catch up with him at Roslyn’s Sunday Market to find out more about his weekend designated driver services and his passion for music. If you wish to contact him, find him on Facebook, or just roll into one of Roslyn’s bars on a weekend and say “dial up Stan the Man!”
The Roslyn Cemetery is Alive with History
21 Aug 2011 4 Comments
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Roslyn, Roslyn Cemetery, WA
The Roslyn Cemetery is actually 27 separate cemeteries bundled together in the wooded Roslyn hillside. Nearly 5000 graves represent 24 different nationalities that used to live in the town (many worked in the coal mines). For the most part, the cemeteries are separated into fraternal organizations that represent particular ethnic groups. Because of the diversity represented in the cemeteries, visitors will notice a lot of variation in how the graves are marked. Some are adorned with metal crosses, while others are marked with intricately carved (albeit weathered) stone work. The arrangement of the plots are also interesting in that most face East, but the Polish cemetery faces North. The reason for the North facing layout of the Polish cemetary is not entirely clear, though some feel it was so the headstones would face the Church where they worshiped.
The cemetery is also a stark reminder of the hardships and tragedies experienced by those early founders of Roslyn. Graves memorialize two of the most deadly mine explosions in Washington State, which occurred in Roslyn in 1892 and 1909. Baby and children’s graves provide a sense of the high infant mortality rate faced in those tough times; and impacts of epidemics like 1918’s Spanish Flu are also evidenced by the high death rates in those periods.
The Roslyn Cemetary Beneficial Association (RCBA) offers a downloadable walking tour on their website. The RCBA is a nonprofit organization that focuses financial and community resources toward preserving the cemetery and donations are encouraged. The Roslyn Cemetery Commission also manages restoration projects, and more information on their activities can be found here. Additional images from the cemetery can be found on the Why Roslyn Facebook Page.
The Run to Roslyn Car Show Stops Down at Runje Field
10 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Events, Inside Roslyn Tags: Classic Cars, Run to Roslyn, WA
The 29th annual Run to Roslyn Car Show took place this weekend at Runje Field. Twenty-nine years ago, a handful of guys pooled some money together to promote the first show. Now, all these years later, it has become a tradition that enthusiasts of classic cars look forward to each summer.
Over 200 cars arrived Saturday morning for the show that ran from 8am to 4pm. The event included BBQ, raffles, trophies, give-aways, a poker walk, and plenty of golden oldies to listen to as you checked out the cars from days-gone-by. All that (and no charge for admission) made for a great time in Roslyn on a sunny day in July!
Tie-Dyed and Gone to Heaven
30 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Roslyn, Roslyn Rags, Tye-die, WA, Washington
If you’ve got tie-dye vision lately – you’re not alone. That’s because a new tie-dye and screen printing shop called Roslyn Rags just opened in the historic NWI building in downtown Roslyn.
As you enter the shop, you are greeted by a rush of color reflecting from the brightly patterned apparel and tapestries hanging on the walls.  In fact, there is even a couch and chair positioned against the South wall in case you’d like to sit and enjoy it for a spell. The store has some fun screen printed tees (like the shirt that says, “I survived a Roslyn cougar attack” and has claw marks on the back); but mostly, the store is packed with tie-dye apparel including men’s boxers, women’s panties, hats, bags, bandanas, shirts, and more (even their business card is tie-dyed fabric)!
If you’re in to tie-dye, this is the place to stock up. If you’re curious how tie-dye patterns are made, check out a video the Alley Kat team posted on YouTube.
Sunday Market Season Begins In Roslyn
20 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Events, Inside Roslyn Tags: farmers market, Roslyn, Sunday Market, WA, Washington
The Sunday Market kicked off the year on June 19th in the heart of downtown Roslyn. The event was well represented by farmers, growers, bakers, and artisans – and many members of the community (and tourists) showed up to enjoy the day. Wendy and I listened to some of the musical entertainment, and then treated ourselves to a breakfast croissant and some fresh baked bagels. There was also plenty of scrumptious produce, dairy and meat products on hand. I was too full to indulge in a Casa De Blanca Tamale, but they looked delicious, so it’s definitely on my checklist for next weekend. The Market will take place every Sunday through September 11th and a complete list of vendors can be found here.
A Visit to the Roslyn Brewery
08 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Food & Drink, Inside Roslyn, Videos Tags: Brookside, Roslyn Brewery, Roslyn Brewing Company, Taphouse, WA, Washington
The Roslyn Brewing Company has been brewing quality German-style lagers since 1990. The Roslyn is a dark lager reminiscent of the original beers the Roslyn Brewery and Malting Company was brewing in the early 1900’s. The Brookside is a pale lager hopped predominantly with Yakima hops and tastes delicious on a hot summer day.
This memorial day weekend, we had the pleasure of meeting with Kent Larimer, Roslyn Brewing Company’s head brewer, to discuss the brewery and enjoy a beverage in the taphouse. We had a great time (as we always do) and enjoyed the beers and the conversations that accompanied them. The next time you’re in town for the weekend, be sure to stop the brewery to see the gang, enjoy a refreshing beer, or fill a growler to go (which is a popular option for Roslyn area campers).
