Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

(360) 735-4556

Monika.Spykerman@columbian.com

Cassidy Forsburg, 2, of Battle Ground, sits in the pumpkin patch at Pomeroy Farm in Yacolt on Oct. 15, 2022.

Clark County has a bumper crop of pumpkin spots

September 28, 2024, 6:13am Clark County Life

Autumn is all about pumpkins. It’s practically a pumpkinpalooza out there, with pumpkins piled on porches, perched on patios and painted in pretty colors — not to mention the preponderance of pumpkin pies. We present you with pleasing news: Local pumpkin patches are presently primed for pumpkin-picking, where people can… Read story

Benjamin Houston, 10, of Washougal, center, is dressed as a ninja/assassin while taking aim at the bean bag toss during the Downtown Washougal Harvest Pumpkin Festival on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2016.

Try This: Harvest fest, Great Train Swap Meet, Music Fest

September 26, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

The National Weather Service in Portland said the strange odor that covered Southwest Washington on Tuesday night was first reported between Kelso and Vancouver.

Officials still have no idea what that odor was in Southwest Washington

September 25, 2024, 3:41pm Clark County News

Residents in Southwest Washington from Vancouver to Chehalis reported a foul odor so strong, it roused some people from sleep Tuesday night, causing nausea, headaches and burning lungs and sinuses, according to Facebook comments directed to Cowlitz and Clark county emergency agencies. Read story

These chocolate chip cookies have a special ingredient — Ovaltine.

Has there ever been a better way of ending the day? Crispy, chewy Ovaltine cookies taste great

September 25, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

One thing I really enjoyed about our recent trip to England was the variety of fun things to drink, like Ribena blackcurrant syrup and sparkling elderflower flavored water. What really got my taste buds going were hot drink powders like Barleycup, Horlick’s and Ovaltine. Read story

The Clark County Historical Museum's haunted walking tours will wind through downtown Vancouver, with spooky stories along the way.

Try this: WonderFALL festival; Haunted Walking Tours; Hike the Dike

September 19, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

It’s fall, y’all Read story

Serious play: Realms Unknown Fantasy Festival returns for a second year in Woodland

Abby Doty, 7, kneels alongside Brandon Bakemaeyer in a knighting ceremony presided over by Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, at the 2023 Realms Unknown Fantasy Festival in Woodland. The historical reenactment group will return to this year’s festival, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday.

September 19, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

If only there were a place where you could shed your identity for a few days, romp around barefoot in the sunshine and frolic with fairies, unicorns, mermaids, centaurs, pirates, time-travelers and Mary, Queen of Scots. Read story

Wishing for Welsh magic: Baker tries to recapture sweetness of family trip

Welsh cakes are a perfect teatime treat: Light, flaky and with a texture that melts in your mouth like shortbread.

September 18, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Our family has just returned from a three-week sojourn in Great Britain, so I’ve got a bit of reality whiplash. One day I woke up in a tiny Welsh village that’s straight out of a fairy tale and then, boom, a dozen hours later I’m going to bed in Washougal.… Read story

Inslee bestows Smart Communities Awards on Clark County projects

Gov. Jay Inslee, from left, talks with Smart Communities Awards recipients Cassi Marshall of the Port of Camas-Washougal, Franklin Johnson of the Commission on Aging and Oliver Orjiako of Clark County Community Planning outside the Clark County Public Service Center on Thursday afternoon.

September 13, 2024, 9:46am Clark County News

A couple of vocal protesters and a sudden downpour couldn’t put a damper on Gov. Jay Inslee’s remarks outside the Clark County Public Service Center on Thursday as he presented three county projects with 2024 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Read story