Bainbridge Island Neighborhoods • March 10, 2019

Bainbridge Neighborhood: Fort Ward

by Susan Grosten

Fort Ward Bainbridge Island

Fort Ward is a historical neighborhood with lots of fun places to explore. Located at the southern end of Bainbridge Island, the elevation and openness make it particularly sunny. The local school is Captain Blakely Elementary School. A lovely feature for the waterfront or waterview homes in Ft Ward is the passing of the Ferries. My favorite time is at night when it is lit up and gracefully glides by. The Olympic Mountains in snow in the background seem to have ever changing light, and sometimes a clouded view suddenly becomes clear.

The Parade Grounds

The 1.5-acre, level, sunny, and grass covered park, sits in the heart of the Fort Ward residential neighborhood. Once used for Military marching practice, the park is now filled with flying kites, frisbees, and picnics. Centered by homes, it creates a lovely open space for the community to enjoy.

Fort Ward is rich in US history!

The fort was built in 1903 and served as an Army coastal defense port until the 1920’s. In 1928 it became a summer camp for needy boys and girls, and in 1938 the Navy took it over as a recreational camp for sailors. In 1939 it became a secret Navy listening post for intercepting Japan’s military messages and helped to track enemy shipping. The Naval Radio School operated it from 1940-1953 when it then became a waterfront state park in 1960. Now, it is a peaceful tree-lined road with bike riders, dog walkers, and picnic tables.

Fort Ward Community Hall

Several old brick buildings remain from the days when Fort Ward was a military post, and many have been renovated. The Fort Ward Community Hall the former bakery for the servicemen and women, stationed at Fort Ward. Years of neglect had left it in ruins until group efforts were made to renovate it into a community hall. The project was funded through private donations and Historical Preservation Grants.

Bainbridge Neighborhood: Rolling Bay

by Susan Grosten

Rolling Bay Bainbridge Island

The Rolling Bay Neighborhood is north of Manitou Beach and on the east side of the Island. The main thoroughfare is Valley Road, where you will find the commercial services in this quaint area. Rolling Bay is a mix of older farm homes on larger lots and new, modern homes in the last 2 years with amazing views of Puget Sound, Murden Cove and Mt. Rainier. You can still find homes in this neighborhood with cows and sheep and plenty of gardens!

Murden Cove has a small area of public beach that can be very shallow at low tide, making for some great beach combing with a view of Seattle as a bonus. One day while driving down Murden Cove my then 3-year-old son saw a woman on horseback out on the beach and seaweed. He said, “Look Mommy, that must be a seahorse”. Bainbridge is a place of creating memories…

Shopping in Rolling Bay

At the core of the local services is Bay Hay and Feed, a locally owned company on Bainbridge Island since 1979 when Howard Block and Ce-Ann Parker purchased the 1912 building. It sells much more than hay and feed now! This thriving local store is home to a great garden store, a resident cat, clothing, gifts, pet supplies, organic foods and more.

My husband and I rented in Rolling bay when we first moved to Bainbridge in 1989. That is when I discovered the pure joy of what a garden could really provide. The house had raspberry bushes, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and so much more. Fresh grown berries and the best!

We lived here while building our first home on Bainbridge. I could never figure out why the cherry tomatoes never turned red. Then one day while out enjoying this new garden experience I saw our dog plucking the red tomatoes off the plants and leaving the green ones. That is also when I found Bay Hay and Feed!

In the same inviting red building, you will find Carly’s Rolling Bay Coffee and the Rolling Bay Post Office. FUN FACT: Rolling Bay is the ONLY community on Bainbridge with a different zip code than the rest of Bainbridge Island.

Wining and Dining in Rolling Bay

Via Rosa Italian Market and Kitchen is a small batch kitchen where they make high quality, handmade food that you can take home to warm/complete. The family owners make their own pasta and sauces, roast veggies, wine selection, and fresh breads from local bakeries. In the summer when basil is abundant, they make an amazing pesto lasagna.

Rolling Bay Winery is a small artisan winery that specializes in creating limited quantities of hand-crafted premium wine. Many of their varietals come from grapes planted in 1979, which are some of the oldest grapes in Washington State. FUN FACT: Old vines give wine more structure and complex flavors.

Services in Rolling Bay

Rolling Bay Automotive has a team of professionals with years of experience in the automotive industry servicing and repairing American, Asian import and European import vehicles.

Based out of Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island, WEAVE Presents is a nonprofit performing arts and education organization that hosts international musicians, showcases our local independent arts community, and invites audiences to celebrate the multi-racial, multi-ethnic roots of American culture.

Other service found in Rolling Bay:

Captain Charles Wilkes Elementary School

City of Bainbridge Island Municipal Courthouse

Rolling Bay Jiffy Mart

Rolling Bay Storage

Bainbridge by the Seasons • Buying and Selling Tips • Home Living • Uncategorized • May 21, 2018

Easy Landscaping Tips for Curb Appeal – and Perhaps a Quick Sale

by Susan Grosten

Easy Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping is the first thing buyers see when they consider purchasing your home. It extends either an invitation or a warning. If the outside of your home is neat and well maintained, it is safe to assume that the inside of the house will reflect that same care. Conversely if the outside is unkempt, buyers will assume that maintenance of the house has been neglected. Take any or all of these five measures to spruce up for that crucial first impression.

Outside areas are key to drawing buyers inside.

Trim, Groom and Rake

In the Northwest we love our rhododendrons, but they should not be blocking the windows. Trim all shrubbery and trees and rake out old leaves from the visible base of all hedges and plants.

Pressure Wash

We get an abundance of unwelcome moss over the winter. I recommend a good pressure wash over all hard landscape surfaces.

Edge

Use an edger to define plant beds, lawn and sidewalks. A good edging will give buyers a clear path to the front door. It’s better than a welcome mat.

Pop the Color

Place seasonal annuals in the front for interest and a bit of whimsy. Place potted plants for visual interest near the front door. Nothing says “come in!” like a friendly display of impatiens.

Clean and colorful edges lure buyers to your front door.

Cover Up

Use brown mulch under all the plants to cover dirt. This is quick, simple and cleans up the look of your front yard dramatically.

Fertilize

We get a lot of rain in the Northwest. Since you are already sprucing things up, add some fertilizer so essential nutrients are replenished and not washed away. This will ensure a fresh and healthy look for your landscaping, as well as the promise of a bright future.

A cozy seating area extends an invitation to stay.

Get Cozy

Outdoor “rooms” can be so appealing. Gather a few chairs with comfortable, colorful cushions and place them around a fire pit. Don’t have a fire pit? They start around $50, and you will probably get some use out of it yourself before the “SOLD” sign goes up.

Don’t sweat the details, but don’t skip them either. Survey your property with an objective eye, and get help if needed. Your realtor can assist you with landscaping recommendations that will save or even make you money in the long run.

Windermere and the Bainbridge Community • January 15, 2017