A Play-Full Sunday

Two of our talented friends were instrumental in making Mark Harelik's "The Legacy", a thoughtful play about family, faith, love, and death such a delight to experience today -- the multi-talented Marla Bronstein, who directed the play with her heart, mind, and soul, and the fine actor (and singer) Jill Likkel, who played a very convincing Aunt Sarah, seen on the left side of today's photo.

The play was presented in the cozy Claire vg Thomas Theatre in Lynden, the second largest city in Whatcom County (population just over 12,000 -- Bellingham's is nearly 82,000). Settled by emigrants of Dutch descent, the city reflects that heritage with (non-working) windmills in several locations, including this one outside the public restrooms, with my favorite Blipper beside it to give a sense of scale. Nearby is a wall of colorful murals portraying Dutch shops -- here's a glimpse.

There aren't many businesses open in Lynden on Sunday, so we're already planning another visit -- ideally in better weather -- to try out the various Dutch bakeries in town and spend time in the beautiful Jansen Art Center, where we had a quick bite before the play. It offers art classes, workshops, and exhibitions, as well as musical performances, a recording studio, two dance studios, a cafe, and more.