So much has happened in the past couple of weeks, my mind is still reeling.
The Armory fire, of course, remains front-of-mind for all of us here at The Daily World. My thoughts on that are below.
But first, here’s how I almost had to go live in a van down by the river last week.
If you’ve been following my story, you know I’ve been couch-surfing as I wait to close on my home purchase. Dan, my bestest friend on the Harbor, graciously opened his home to me (and all of my furballs) during this interim period. Even though his landlord has a “no pets” policy, it was our understanding that this was OK with him on a temporary emergency basis.
But last Tuesday, as we put up our feet after a long day at work, Dan opened a letter from his landlord’s lawyer telling him the pets had to go “immediately,” or they would terminate his lease.
Not wanting my friend to lose his home over a good deed, I drove the two dogs up to my brothers’ place in Seattle that very night. I then spent the next few days searching for a place to crash with my cats.
In talking to our local motel managers, I discovered the term “pet-friendly” usually just means “dog-friendly.” Most places flat-out will not accept cats. I can understand and respect that, knowing the damage cats can do (even though mine don’t).
Others will take pets only if you pay extra fees — not just a flat deposit, but $15 to $25 per pet, per day. So, in my situation, I’d be paying the base rate plus $45 to $75 per day. Yikes.
One Aberdeen motel manager was quite rude about it, too. When I asked him about his pet fees for a long-term stay, he said with a sneer, “You wouldn’t be able to afford it.” I forced myself to let that pass and asked politely if he had a weekly room rate that would help mitigate the cost. He shook his head and said: “Not during the high season.”
Basically, this guy refused a member of his community long-term lodging not because of the cats, but because he wanted to make more money from the tourists coming through town. Wow. He won’t be getting any recommendations from me, or anyone who knows me well.
After many more phone calls to places farther and farther from Aberdeen, I finally found a motel I could afford that would accept the cats — in Centralia. Here’s hoping I get the keys to my Hoquiam home sometime before my car’s odometer overloads.
Rebuilding our history
On a far more positive note, I have to say how impressed I am with our community’s response to the Armory fire.
Local businesses and individuals have stepped up in a big way, offering financial assistance, work space and general support to all three organizations affected: the Aberdeen Museum of History, Coastal Community Action Program and Senior Center. It’s been a joy to witness.
Although I’m a relative newcomer to the Harbor, the museum holds a special place in my heart. Director Dave Morris has become a good friend since I wrote a story about him and the museum for Washington Coast Magazine this past spring. So it was heart-wrenching for me to stand with him during the fire as both friend and journalist, seeing the pain in his eyes and hearing the frustration in his voice as his work went up in smoke.
One particular thing he said that day stuck with me. I don’t recall his exact words, but in a nutshell he expressed the need to start building a new collection right away to preserve Aberdeen’s history — and that the entire community would need to contribute to make that happen.
The Founders Day organizers tell me the descendants of Sam Benn and A.J. West are kick-starting this effort, pledging to donate numerous items from their families’ collections. The organizers also are asking Founders Dinner attendees to bring along items that represent some element of local history.
You can help, too. If you’re a Harbor native, it’s time to search your heart — and your home. Sift through your storage closets, your attics, your basements. Might you have a photo, a piece of clothing, any sort of memento that reflects life in Aberdeen from 1868 to the present day?
If each local family came up with just one item of local historical significance, the museum could come back stronger than before.
Please note that Dave’s not yet ready to collect such donations; everything is still in transition. But it would be terrific if folks started setting items aside for when the time comes.
It’s our responsibility to ensure our community’s past is chronicled for future generations. Start digging!
Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World. Her current commute is an hour and 15 minutes, but it sure is pretty country. Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.
