Stay and Play Tours, MarDon Resort

July 19, 2010 by Venue Magazine
Filed under Community Events, Current Issue, Wine, music

The famous Notaras Lodge in Soap Lake, Washington

July 19, 2010 by Venue Magazine
Filed under Current Issue, Travel

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The famous Notaras Lodge Resort

Where each room is a unique work of art created by Marina Romary

It is hard to live or visit Eastern Washington without being curious about the famous Notaras Lodge Resort, undoubtedly a remarkable destination that rivals none other for its design. “Luxury in Logs” best describes the rustic log buildings. They offer 15 rooms ~ each uniquely designed and decorated around a different person or theme. Each unit has a kitchenette area equipped with microwave, compact refrigerator and bar sink, direct dial phone, WiFi, cable TV and incredible log beds with beautiful quilts.

Then, it gets interesting because you can have a choice of fresh or Soap Lake mineral water for your bath. You may want to reserve a room with an in-room whirlpool, with Soap Lake mineral water to soothe your body and soul.

Each room is uniquely furnished and appointed including beautiful tables and vanities with artifacts and memorabilia worked into layers of epoxy making each a separate work of art, created by Marina Romary.

The original Notaras Lodge two-story building (opened August 1983) was lost in a fire June 5^th, 1998. Before its construction, the owner, Marina Romary enjoyed collecting hundreds of pictures and mementos for decorating the lodge rooms and the epoxied slabs tables from local residents, relatives, neighbors and friends. Many of the items on the walls and in the tables were irreplaceable artifacts, primitives and antiques. A lot of the décor from the original Lodge building was salvaged and is being used in the newer rooms.

The design and construction of each Notaras Lodge building and room was accomplished by local tradesmen. During the construction, logs were shipped from the Methow Valley and Nespelem in Washington. Many of the ideas for the décor of the rooms were added as the work progressed. Your will find different rooms include tooled leather light switch covers, beds made of logs, cistern pump water faucets and many other unique touches.

A special room dedicated to Marina’s mother, Joyce Notaras, is decorated with love and affection. This whirlpool suite, with its flowery décor, teacup display, Tennessee cedar woodwork, and a queen size bed is sure to make you remember Gramma’s house. Dad’s old shotgun and a soliloquy to him (written by the eldest son) are but a couple of the touches in the room. There is a poem relating actual happenings when the children were young. “Mrs. NO”, which is the name of the room, was locally thought to be short for Mrs. Notaras, actually came from the number of times she told the children NO as they were growing up!

The Old Mexico room is created with stucco, red clay tiles, a wrought iron balcony, a log carving depicting siesta time, sombreros, parrots, and sea shells (from the beaches of Mexico).

Another room, The Eagle’s Nest, has a beautiful balcony that faces to the east so you can enjoy the sunrise. It has five different woods including Tennessee Red Cedar, Black Walnut and Cherry.

The Odds & Ends/Bits & Pieces was named by Jim Zimmerman and decorated with his collage of items – from Norm Rolf’s memorial (one of the original builders of the lodge) to Louis Leininger’s Camera Collection, Greek Festival Mud wrestling pictures, Apple Box Labels, 1950’s Don’s Restaurant Menus, a 1912 Titanic paper, President Kennedy’s assassination headlines, and many, many more “Odds and Ends”.

The Kenny Ardell room is named after a Gentlemen Cattleman from Moses Lake. Ardell’s cattle brands enhance the vanity along with his personal memorabilia. Garnishing the kitchen wall are rodeo pictures donated by Deb Copenhaver, world champion bull rider. A 1950’s antique stove, Ken’s saddle, cane, and even a picture of his favorite horse, Dinger, adorn this room. A favorite part of this room is the toilet seat which has barbed wire epoxied into it.

The Cabin room has a hunting theme like an elegantly rustic cabin. The large wooden door from the basement of the original Lodge was worked into the décor. This room has French doors opeing onto a balcony with a beautifully view of the lake.

The Cowboy room features chaps, a saddle, bridle, hats and pictures that give it a definite western atmosphere.

For the description of each room and any information you wish, please visit their website at www.notaraslodge.com.

Rooms to select from: OLD MEXICO ~ THE BUNKHOUSE ~ EAGLE’S NEST ~ HOUSE OF POVERTY (dedicated to Monte Holmes) ~ LUCK OF THE DRAW ~ TROUT LODGE ~ BITS AND PIECES ~ KENNY ARDELL ~ THE CABIN ~ THE COWBOYS ~ NOTARAS LEGEND ~ MEMORIES ~ THE HONEYMOON SUITE ~ THE EXECUTIVE SUITE (1500sq foot apartment with conference area).

(509) 246-0462 for reservations.

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“Put me in coach!”

July 19, 2010 by meleajohnson
Filed under Personalities

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spencer with his dad with eyes on the ball

Life Lessons from Spencer Kimbro

by Ben Getz

Have you ever awakened for the day, thinking only of your problems, aches, pains, and what you won’t be able to do? As humans we often get caught up in negative thinking; self pity, and self limiting fears that actually tear us down physically and emotionally. Every once in a while there comes an opportunity to get that thinking turned around 180 degrees by others, some quite young, who remind us that attitude is everything, and it should be about what we can do, not what we think we cannot do.

One such person is Moses Lake’s Spencer Kimbro, a typical nine year old boy in so many aspects, and yet very non typical in how he faces some serious challenges on a daily basis and the empowering effect he has on almost everyone he meets. Having faced a series of life threatening conditions since before he was born, Spencer has lived his entire life so far without giving in to the thinking about what he ‘cannot do’. Born with Spina Bifida, he also has at least four other non related medical conditions that each have had their serious effects on him.

Now in his first year with the Moses Lake Youth Baseball Minor League Division team named the ‘Mariners’, Spencer has had the opportunity to play not only third base and shortstop, but also first base, though his favorite part of the game is hitting the ball and driving those runs in to home. He really enjoys being part of a team, and this is evident by the support of and camaraderie between him and his team mates. His mother Robin, a Moses Lake school teacher, relates that at first when he tried out in a huge group of kids there were stares and whispers, and some kids, being kids, made fun of him. As soon as he was placed on his team though, the bonds and positive social effects were quickly formed and prejudices erased.

If one of his team mates is not performing their best, Spencer is right there to cheer them on and build them up. The other players look at what he can do, with his win-win spirit, and it helps them realize they have no reason to feel bad about themselves. Players on opposing teams are even amazed at his determination and how his team pulls together, with his special ‘side kick’, his father Dan, serving as propulsion to keep Spencer’s catching and throwing arms free.

Visit with any of the parents along the side line whose children share the field with Spencer and they will use the adjectives awesome, super, and amazing many times. What stands out is not just what he accomplishes physically, but the powerful lesson in determination and inspiration he doles out without really knowing it or taking credit for. In many respects, he does not see himself as any different from his peers and does not ask for any special treatment, he simply knows he has to be ‘adaptable’ to be able to accomplish what he wants to do.

Spencer’s head coach is Ralph Gonzalez, who has been working with Moses Lake Little League for almost two decades, and even served as president for two of those years. As a busy husband and caring father of two, his pride in and devotion to all of his players is very evident, and having a player like Spencer only heightens his joy. Many of the other coaches vied to have Spencer on their teams, and this makes Gonzalez feel very fortunate to have him, as well as proud of his fellow coaches. He adds, “Spencer really is a driving, uniting force for the team, and has been an encouragement to other children with disabilities far beyond just our local community”.

“We really do nothing for him, it is him doing so much for all of us!” is how Gonzalez puts it. “Parents of all children, whether they have special needs or not, need to encourage them to get involved in sports. Spencer is a great kid, but it’s his whole family who deserve gold medals. They are there for every game and practice, supporting him in his dream to play baseball. It’s the fears we have as parents that we need to get past to allow our kids to grow and face challenges on their own. There will be times when we don’t think they can do it, but realize in the end it’s us the parents who have the fear, not the children. “

Adding to this, Gonzalez tells us what Spencer has taught him as a coach? “Spencer brought me back to where I started back in 92’, and to remembering that this is just a game and having fun and the opportunity to play baseball is what it’s all about. The icing on the cake is the fun we have along the way.”

Like any nine year old, Spencer Kimbro’s plans for his future occupation and aspirations are varied and ever changing, however with a positive attitude and spirited determination such as his, we can be sure he will do great things, and anything that he sets his mind and heart to do. It is not about what is impossible with him; it’s all about the possibilities.

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Stay and Play Tours, MarDon Resort

The famous Notaras Lodge in Soap Lake, Washington

“Put me in coach!”