Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

(360) 735-4556

Monika.Spykerman@columbian.com

Cinema of Horrors returns to the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds this month. The drive-in movie series combines live actors, over-the-top lighting and special effects.

Haunted Happenings: Here’s a line-up of spooky events in Clark County through November

October 8, 2023, 6:05am Clark County Life

Here’s a list of spooky fun around Clark County. (If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch, check out our list here.) Read story

"A good conversation about death ... incorporates a spiritual element and a practical element," says Vanessa Sanne, a nurse practitioner specializing in palliative care at Compass Oncology.

How to talk about the unthinkable: Health professionals can help with end-of-life conversations

October 7, 2023, 5:00am Breast Cancer

Cancer is often framed in the language of warfare. It’s a battle against an unseen enemy, an epic contest of strength, endurance and will using an arsenal of disease-conquering weapons. Well-meaning friends and family tell cancer patients to be strong and keep fighting for their lives. Winning means beating death,… Read story

Liah Hansen-Bruen operates an excavator with help from Frank Lott at Dozer Day in 2019.

Try this: Old Apple Tree fest; Dozer Day; Pumpkin Lane After Dark

October 5, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

Scrambled eggs are the ultimate comfort food: easy to make and easy to eat (especially with cheddar cheese).

Simple scrambled eggs are the ultimate feel-better food

October 4, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

For three and a half years, our family somehow eluded COVID-19. As if to make up for this glaring oversight, the virus finally swooped down and hooked us with its talons while we were in Bellingham recently to help our daughter get settled before starting her junior year at Western… Read story

Fall colors at the Cedar Creek Grist Mill in north Clark County in 2006.

Try this: Grist Mill, Great Train Swap Meet and Oktoberfest at ilani

September 28, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

(Don’t) Eat Your Veggies: How not to make a root vegetable tart

This root vegetable tart might look pretty, but it is absolutely awful.

September 20, 2023, 6:07am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

If there is a backwards, inefficient and just plain muddleheaded way to do something, then that’s how I’ll do it. I’m not saying that I am unintelligent. I can be quite the smarty-pants in all manner of endeavors. But my downfall is that, in my eagerness to experiment, my flawed… Read story

The Fig Bang Theory: Fig apple butter combines two fall favorites

Two fall favorites come together in this sweet and spicy spread.

September 13, 2023, 6:07am Clark County Life

I was flitting around the internet the other day, looking up recipes for apple butter, when I came across a conversational thread that started with the question, “What is the point of apple butter?” This made me laugh out loud, just thinking about the person out there who is so… Read story