Local merchandise available through month of October

By Kate Robbins, LLHS Secretary

October marks the final month for shopping at Joan’s Gift Shop at the Loon Lake Historical Society’s Old Schoolhouse. We launched the gift shop in tribute to our friend and lifelong Loon Lake resident Joan Easley who passed away a week after it was named in her honor. Joan will be missed; we appreciate her dedication and service to the community through the Loon Association, Land Conservancy and Loonsday Walk, as well as the Historical Society. Joan was one of the first Sewer Commissioners, responsible for helping to create the fresh and clean lake we can all enjoy for generations to come.

In honor of Joan, we are welcoming local artists and crafters to sell their wares on consignment at Joan’s Museum Gift Shop at the Old Schoolhouse. Shop and browse the historical exhibits every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through Oct. 29.

Current consigners include:

Moose Meadows Soaps – Bill and Kelley from Deer Park sell handmade bar and liquid soaps, soap dishes and bags, in addition to chapstick and lotions.

Apple Trout Company – Darren and Thor from Loon Lake sell their beautiful cutting boards and wooden coasters.

Dana Waddell of Loon Lake presents her Loon Lake tea towels.

Sue Kochevar of Loon Lake sells original photography prints, collages and cards.

From 2 Loons Distillery, we have Loon Lake and Deer Lake cribbage boards and clocks, as well as Vermont Maple Syrup aged in 2 Loons whiskey barrels. These make wonderful gifts!

William of Washington offers locally grown English Lavender seeds from Valley, WA. Buy now to plant in the spring! There’s also photography and cards.

Our featured artist through the end of October is Linnea Tobias, a Spokane artist, showcasing her colorful and fanciful prints for the wall and cards.

We’re also selling the Loon Lake Property Owners Christmas Ornaments, which raise money to pay for the Fourth of July Fireworks on Loon Lake. How many do you need for friends and family?

Additional gift shop items will be on sale through October. This includes Leanin’ Tree cards for $2 and packs of gift cards, beautiful loon pins and a lot of other wonderful loon tree ornaments!

If it sounds like we’re working to attract customers to the giftshop, it’s true because these vendors may not be back next year. This may be the last chance to find their wares locally, and we want to support them in their creative work.

Do you want to help? Volunteers are always welcome, especially now, as we plan and work on our visions for the museum next summer. Be sure to join the Historical Society, make a family book for your local family record, and read the displays that were assembled for this year. We’ll have new exhibits for the 2023 summer museum and history rooms.

The Historical Society now has a Facebook page — Loon Lake Historical Society – Washington — with updates and announcements for the museum and gift shop.

We are interested in reviewing the work of prospective local artists and crafts-persons to be included in our spring and summer gift shop on consignment for 2023. If you’re not able to drop by on Saturdays in October between 10-2 and you want to reach out to us, you can email us at LLHistorical@gmail.com or call the gift shop at 509-233-2222.