Aberdeen Events Calendar

This event takes place at the Polson Museum.

To celebrate the reopening of the Polson Museum, join Museum Director John Larson and Hoquiam Librarian Katie Lutz with a discussion of what resources are available to the public for researching Grays Harbor history. Lutz and Larson will share their knowledge of online sites as well as those found in university, library and museum archives located regionally and beyond. Practical handouts will be provided at this museum open house event.

The Grays Harbor Genealogical Society will be hosting a Genealogy Café at the Hoquiam and Montesano libraries. Whether you’re new to genealogy or experienced, you’ll learn about local resources, as well as get individualized help using the library’s online resources and print materials. This free program is provided on a first come, first served basis, no registration is necessary. Drop-in anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Sat., April 8th.

Do you like plants? Why not get something new for your plant collection? To celebrate Earth Day, we’re hosting a plant swap at the Hoquiam Timberland Library! Bring a cutting or small potted plant and pick up a new plant to take home. WSU Master Gardeners will be available to help identify plants, give advice on their care, and answer other plant questions. You can come by the library the week before and ask staff for a free pot to transport plants for the program, or transplant day-of.

Local history collections of the Hoquiam area. Several businesses and private history collections on exhibit.

North Beach Genealogy Society Ocean Shores, WA meets monthly at the Ocean Shores Library, the third Tuesday of the month at 1pm, Programs and discussions regarding Family History research, resources and DNA. The NBGS began in 1994 and will be celebrating 30 years soon!
Public is welcome. To become a member of the NBGS, the dues are $12 for an individual, $18 for a couple, yearly.

The Museum of the North Beach will be hosting a book signing on Saturday, August 12 from 10am to 12 noon for Exploring Maritime Washington by author Erich Ebel.

Discover the popular destinations and hidden gems along Washington’s coastline, from the Mukilteo Lighthouse to the Wedding Rocks petroglyphs and beyond. Learn about the seafaring Coast Salish people, who navigated the waters of the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years, and the early exploration and settlement by European Americans in the late eighteenth century. Delve into the expansion and growth that led to the development of international ports and the modern maritime economy. View the enormous sternwheel snagboat W.T. Preston—one of a trio that kept inland waterways navigable for nearly a century—and hundreds of other fascinating sites. Join author Erich R. Ebel on a journey through the cultural and nautical history of the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area and beyond.

Erich R. Ebel was born in Spokane, Washington, and has had stories to tell ever since. During his ten years as a TV and radio journalist and twenty in communications and marketing, Erich pursued his passions—the history, heritage and culture of the greatest state in the Lower 48. His blog, videos and podcasts hold a treasure-trove of Washington facts and help promote local history worldwide. Learn more at www.washingtonourhome.com.

Erich spent several hours at the Museum of the North Beach in April 2021 doing research.  His 222 page book sells for $24.00 and is loaded with photographs including a segment about the Museum, some of our local history and the amazing story of the 1892 shipwreck of the British bark Ferndale at Copalis Beach.

North Beach Genealogy Society invites you to join us on November 21st at 1 pm at the Ocean Shores Public Library. All levels of interest in Family History are welcome. Our November speaker will be Michael Turner, presenting “Ethnicity Estimates – Why do they mismatch our Paper Trails?”

Humanities Washington Speaker Event: Homelessness and the Meaning of Home.

Speaker: Josephine Ensign.

This is an online virtual program. You will receive a reminder email along with the link to view from home. You may come to the library to watch this Online Event.

Registrants will have access to the recording for up to 3 days following the event.

Loss of a home, whether through financial difficulties, divorce, illness,

or natural disasters like wildfires, is a widespread and growing problem affecting all of us.

Often thought of as only an urban problem, homelessness also occurs in suburban and rural areas throughout Washington State. What are the historical roots of homelessness, and what lessons can we learn from them? What are the common meanings of home to us, and how can we apply those meanings to our responses to homelessness in our communities?

We’re back from extinction and we’ve changed our name!
Join us for a Dino-mite night at our Adults Only (21+) special event! Same great fun with an all-new-name HOCM After Hours. (Move over Adult Swim!) This is the perfect time for fossils, friends, and old fashioneds! Dig up your curiosity, dust off your khakis, and shake your bones to DJ Wes Jamieson. Unearth the secrets of paleontology with fossil experts from the Fossil Team PDX. Meet birds of prey with the Raptor Ambassadors and The Falconer. Try your hand at whiskey trivia, learn about distilling and craft your own infusion. Go back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs and make a dino egg bath bomb and create a wax fossil cast.

Check out our website for more details and activities!

Explore craft brewing and enjoy tastings, fun activities, food, music & more!
BeerCraft is our most popular HOCM After Hours event! This 21+ adults-only night celebrates craft brewing and showcases some of the best local breweries, cideries, and specialty beverage purveyors to sample and explore. Chat with brewing experts as you eat, drink, and play your way through the Museum!

Tickets: $40 until 5 p.m. on April 19th. $45 at the door

Ticket includes admission for one, a souvenir tasting glass, six four-ounce tastings, and all activities. (Additional tastings are available for $3 each. Food and beverages are also available for purchase.)

Important: Hands On Children’s Museum (HOCM) does not use third-party ticket sellers and cannot guarantee tickets purchased from any person or organization except those purchased directly through HOCM or transferred to another person through HOCM.

Check out our website for more details and activities!

The 1974 John Wayne movie “McQ” will be shown on May 4th  & 5th at the magnificent 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam, co-hosted by the Museum of the North Beach.

“McQ” was released fifty years ago on January 1, 1974. This action-packed crime drama was filmed on location in Seattle, Aberdeen, Pacific Beach, Pt. Grenville and Moclips.

A car chase involving three vehicles begins on the beach at Analyde Gap between Pacific Beach and Moclips.  A car rollover stunt using the “McQ Cannon” was the first time in cinema history an explosive device was used to flip a car over. A 1973 Chevrolet Impala rolled over five times and landed perfectly on its wheels.

This special showing is a fundraiser.  There will be a raffle for a scarce “McQ” coffee mug with John Wayne’s imprinted signature on the reverse side (winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday August 31).  Several copies of the 2007 DVD (with a special 8 minute featurette) will be available for sale.

The 7th Street Theatre will be showing the film on Saturday, May 4th at 7:30pm and again on Sunday, May 5th at 2pm.  Admission is $6.00.  Don’t miss your chance to see this film on the big screen!

The 1974 John Wayne movie “McQ” will be shown on May 4th  & 5th at the magnificent 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam, co-hosted by the Museum of the North Beach.

“McQ” was released fifty years ago on January 1, 1974. This action-packed crime drama was filmed on location in Seattle, Aberdeen, Pacific Beach, Pt. Grenville and Moclips.

A car chase involving three vehicles begins on the beach at Analyde Gap between Pacific Beach and Moclips.  A car rollover stunt using the “McQ Cannon” was the first time in cinema history an explosive device was used to flip a car over. A 1973 Chevrolet Impala rolled over five times and landed perfectly on its wheels.

This special showing is a fundraiser.  There will be a raffle for a scarce “McQ” coffee mug with John Wayne’s imprinted signature on the reverse side (winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday August 31).  Several copies of the 2007 DVD (with a special 8 minute featurette) will be available for sale.

The 7th Street Theatre will be showing the film on Saturday, May 4th at 7:30pm and again on Sunday, May 5th at 2pm.  Admission is $6.00.  Don’t miss your chance to see this film on the big screen!

Come join us for a fun night of speed dating at Meltdown! Whether you’re looking for love or just want to meet new people, this event is perfect for you. Get ready to chat, laugh, and maybe even find a special connection. Who knows, you might just meet your match! Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to make new friends and potentially find love. See you there!

The McCleary Museum is hosting an open house for the community to see the updates that have been made to the historic building that they moved to in 2021, as well as see new and updated displays.  Refreshments offered. 

Join Us for the Rotary Club Charity Pub Crawl!? Drink, Laugh, and Give Back! ?

Grab your friends, raise a glass, and support a great cause at our annual Rotary Pub Crawl for Charity! All proceeds go towards Local Business Week programs, helping make a difference in our community.

? Start Location: You can begin at any of the participating pubs. The lineup of participating pubs include: Hoquiam Brewing Company, 8th Street Ale House, Steam Donkey Brewing, Mt. Olympus Brewing and The Tap Room.

What to Expect:

As you roam from pub to pub you will have a chance to connect with fellow community members and Rotary supporters. Bring your office group, friends and family. You will have a great time, knowing every sip you take is helping a great cause!

We have some excellent prizes including a Golden Ticket at the Driftwood Theater!

?? Tickets:

Ticket prices (your poker cards) are $30 for1, $50 for 2 and $100 for 5

Purchase tickets at any of the participating pubs the night of the event.

We will also have a QR code on the https://www.aberdeenrotary.com web site

Limited spots available!

Let’s drink for a difference and make this an unforgettable night!

November 19, 2024, Hoquiam, WA – Public Health is proud to announce the premiere of the 28-minute documentary, “Voices of Resilience,” which shines a powerful light on the issues of housing, homelessness, and the human experiences that inspire hope, recovery, and transformation.

Inspired by an outreach event in Fall 2022, Voices of Resilience shares the deeply moving stories of individuals who have experienced homelessness but have since found stable housing, sobriety, and a renewed sense of community. The documentary also features interviews with service providers who work tirelessly alongside these individuals, helping to support them in their journey of healing and growth.

Audience feedback from various community groups—including business owners, service providers, government representatives from the WA Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Commerce, as well as individuals featured in the film—has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have described the documentary as an uplifting and much-needed message of hope, particularly during the holiday season. The film underscores the successful elements that contribute to lasting, transformative change, offering a hopeful vision for addressing homelessness in our community.

We are excited to invite you to the Grand Premiere Screening of the documentary, “Voices of Resilience!”

Join us on Thursday, December 5th, 2024, for an inspiring evening at the 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam. The screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a Q&A session with the documentary’s cast, including individuals featured in the film, service providers, law enforcement officers, and Public Health staff.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with those who have firsthand experience and those working on the frontlines to create meaningful change in our community. The event promises to be both informative and inspiring, offering a chance to connect with others who share the goal of making a difference in the lives of those affected by homelessness.

• Admission: FREE! (Popcorn is on us!)
• RSVP: RSVP is not required, but it is recommended through the following link:
  https://voicesofresilience.splashthat.com

Important Note from Theatre Management: To ensure the preservation of the historic theatre, please note the following:

• Only bottled drinks (soda or water) are allowed in the auditorium. No cans or open cups.
• Sticky foods such as cotton candy, candied popcorn, or similar items are prohibited.

This event is a unique opportunity to be part of an important conversation about homelessness, resilience, and the transformative power of community support. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this project, especially Rick Moyer of Moyer Multimedia, whose expertise made this documentary truly special.

We look forward to seeing you at this impactful event. Together, we can continue to build a more compassionate, supportive, and resilient community.

AmeriCorps members in Aberdeen to unite in service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

AmeriCorps members will volunteer, lead activities at Stewart’s Memorial Park Jan 20

ABERDEEN— The Moore Wright Group of Aberdeen is inviting AmeriCorps members and community volunteers for a day of beautifying Stewart’s Memorial Park, 2332 N B. St. The event takes place at 10 a.m. Jan. 20. Volunteers should dress warmly and wear work gloves.

Their service project is one of thousands simultaneously occurring across the country to honor the late civil rights leader.

Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. AmeriCorps has been charged with leading this effort for more than a quarter century. While much work remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of creating the Beloved Community, AmeriCorps remains committed to showing that joining together in service can unify Americans of different backgrounds and experiences to transform unjust systems through a fierce urgency of now.

How to volunteer: Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Peter Van Volkinburg, pete@tmwg.org.

Find a service project in your area: Serve Washington has a “Get Connected” volunteer opportunities site that lets you search for volunteer opportunities in your community. You can filter results by location, focus area, ability and more.

National Resources

Websites like Idealist, Just Serve and Volunteer Match let you search for local projects by zip code. AmeriCorps and Points of Light have lists of projects that can be done in any community by yourself, or in a group.

Share your volunteer experience:

Serve Washington invites you to share your MLK Day volunteer experience to inspire others to serve! We’ll be sharing as many photos, stories and videos to our Facebook and Instagram pages in the days immediately following MLK Day. Don’t forget to tag us!  You can also upload your volunteer story using our volunteer story collection tool.

About Serve Washington: Serve Washington is the state commission on national and community service and is a division of the Washington State Office of Financial Management.

Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism, and civic engagement to improve lives; expands opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington and strengthens community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities. We promote and grow volunteer efforts in the state of Washington. These include AmeriCorps, Washington Climate Corps Network and Community Emergency Response Team, CERT programs. For more information, visit servewashigton.wa.gov.

About the Moore Wright Grupp: The Moore Wright Group is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, abuse and abandonment in the community by providing hope Their vision is to create communities where people can thrive. The Moore Wright Group operates out of two locations, one in Demopolis, Ala. that services the needs of Marengo County, and the other in Tumwater, Washington that services the needs of Washington and Northern Oregon. Learn more at https://www.tmwg.org/.

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

For more information about MLK Day, visit the AmeriCorps’ MLK Day of Service website.

On February 23, from 3pm to 5pm, Lee and Dani Bacon, the founders of UNPLUGGED: Kurt Cobain Tribute Museum and the Music Project will present a FREE lecture titled The Life and Times of Kurt Cobain in the sunroom of the Sea Glass Grill at Westport Winery Garden Resort. The couple will offer Nirvana and Cobain fans significant insights into the band’s phenomenal success and its impact on our community. Their museum has a strong focus on the grunge music era, what inspired the artists, and why their music struck so deeply in the hearts of their fans.

Lee and Dani opened the museum in 2024, but their adventure began when they purchased the Cobain family home with the idea of preserving it, but without a specific plan. Their story is nearly as fascinating as the grunge music history they celebrate. Guests will get a look behind the scenes at the evolution and future of their incredible museum. UNPLUGGED is open Friday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm at 121 W. Wishkah in Aberdeen.

Please call Westport Winery at 360-648-2224 to register for the lecture. Even though it is free, it helps to plan the seating. Walk-ins and all ages are welcome.

Get ready, Aberdeen! Harvey’s Pop-Up Comedy is bringing the laughs to the Driftwood Theater with a very special night of stand-up featuring acclaimed comedian Sam Miller.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and raw, honest storytelling, Sam Miller has been captivating audiences across the country with his unique blend of humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. From recovery to redemption, Sam’s comedy takes you on a journey through life’s struggles and triumphs — and he does it all while keeping you laughing out loud.

Whether you’ve seen him featured at major comedy festivals, heard him on podcasts, or caught his viral clips online, this is your chance to experience Sam Miller live in an intimate setting right here in Aberdeen!

Harvey’s Pop-Up Comedy is proud to bring top-notch comedy to unexpected places — and this night at Driftwood Theater is no exception. Come for the laughs, stay for the community.

The Olympic Peninsula is generally characterized as a land of forests. But while there are many forests and while forest potential exists nearly everywhere else, what settlers found when they arrived was a richer landscape of forests, open woodlands, savannas and prairies. What was not appreciated was that these openings were the work of native people managing the landscape to better serve their needs. What greeted the settlers eyes suggested great promise. But the Olympic Peninsula challenged the settlers’ toolbox in ways they hadn’t expected and often they were discouraged as their efforts to farm went unrewarded. We will explore the native landscape that greeted the settlers. Why the forests and prairies were where they were and why most are now gone. And, why farms, towns and managed forests are where they are. How did nature interact with Native management and later with settler management to create their respective landscapes?  Light refreshments offered after