Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

Roadwork will cause delays on Highway 503 near Battle Ground

December 2, 2024, 2:09pm Clark County News FreeUpdated 14 hours ago

Roadwork will cause delays of up to 20 minutes north of Battle Ground on state Highway 503 at the roundabout near Rock Creek Road, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Read story

The 12 Days of Christmas, Clark County style

November 30, 2024, 6:13am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

The instantly recognizable “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a late 18th-century English carol. It’s been associated with many different tunes but the melody we know and love is English composer Frederic Austin’s 1909 version. The lyrics mention a number of gifts — partridges, leaping lords and so on —… Read story

The holiday season in Vancouver kicks off on Friday with the annual Christmas tree lighting in Esther Short Park.

Save the date: Every single ever-lovin’ holiday thing to do in Clark County from Thanksgiving to Christmas

November 28, 2024, 6:08am Clark County Life Updated 19 hours ago

When the clock ticks past midnight on Thanksgiving, winter festivities will officially start. Pumpkins and colorful leaves will be whisked away, replaced by Santa Claus and evergreen wreaths. Of course, you might be one of those people who’ve had lights on your house and a tree in your window for… Read story

To make a great cranberry sauce, all you really need is cranberries, sugar and water. To make an even greater sauce, add secret ingredients.

Cranberry sauce: You can go the traditional route, or flout tradition by adding cinnamon, candied ginger or rosemary

November 27, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

My dear friend Shoshana isn’t a home cook but she does contribute one special dish to our yearly Thanksgiving meal: cranberry sauce. When the turkey and all the sides are mostly done, she’ll find a spot on the crowded stovetop to begin the process: one bag of fresh, whole cranberries,… Read story

Maestro Salvador Brotons, facing, leads the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra during a concert at Skyview High School (The Columbian files)

Try this: ‘Back to the Movies,’ Clark College Jazz Bands concert, Super Plants Nature Day

November 21, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

A Thousand Words: Veterans Art Show in Vancouver inspired by broad experience may surprise

November 21, 2024, 6:03am Clark County Life

The Society of Washington Artists is hosting an art exhibit featuring the work of six local military veterans. Thirty-three of their paintings will be on display this month, next month and January in the Corridor Gallery, inside the Esther Short Building. Read story

Perfectly sweet potatoes: Think outside the pumpkin with Sweet Potato Crisp dessert

Take sweet potatoes off the dinner table and onto the dessert table with Sweet Potato Crisp.

November 20, 2024, 6:06am Clark County Life

It’s that time of year again when everyone remembers that sweet potatoes exist. They have, in fact, been eaten by humans for about 5,000 years, originating in what is now Ecuador. In North America, they’re sometimes called yams, though they are biologically distinct. Sweet potatoes are only distantly related to… Read story

Indigenous Peoples Market at Clark County Historical Museum offers handcrafted items, art and music

November 14, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

November is Native American Heritage Month and the Clark County Historical Museum is shining a light on Native American artisans at the Indigenous Peoples Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the market is free and museum admission is waived for the day. Read story