Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

(360) 735-4556

Monika.Spykerman@columbian.com

Hockinson Market owner Jim VanNatta stands in front of a mural on the store's north side. The cow is a nod to the building's 1928 origins with the Hockinson Dairy Co-Op Association.

Market Trends: Hockinson Market a hopping community hub with house-made pizza, craft beer, more

July 15, 2023, 6:09am Clark County Life

If you drive through Hockinson, you can’t miss the cheerful white-and-red building with the aqua trim on the corner of Northeast 182nd Avenue and Northeast 159th Street. A mural of a cow advertises hard-scoop ice cream for sale inside the landmark Hockinson Market, a powerful enticement for those traveling to… Read story

The Hockinson Blueberry Festival returns on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Hockinson, featuring fresh berries and other farm products from local farms.

Try This: Hockinson Blueberry Festival, Sunday Sounds, Summerfest

July 13, 2023, 6:03am Clark County Life

True blue Read story

Cool and creamy with a swirl of coffee and a hint of sweet, this iced coffee is just the thing to beat the summer heat.

Instant Bliss: Instant coffee makes a dreamy drink

July 12, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

When our daughter was born 20 years ago, my husband and I struggled to establish new routines that would give our upside-down lives a more dependable rhythm. We looked for small rituals to carry us through this wild new territory — some regular activity that would remind us of our… Read story

A woman wears rainbow socks at Saturday in the Park Pride in 2016.

Try This: Saturday in the Park Pride; waterfront concert, free Friday movies

July 6, 2023, 6:02am Clark County Life

Five things to do this weekend in Clark County Read story

This piquant summer salad blends crunchy fresh veggies with creamy avocado and a tangy avocado dressing.

Go green: Eat your vegetables with summery avocado salad

July 5, 2023, 6:04am Clark County Life

Every couple of weeks or so, my dad likes to rib me by saying, “When are you going to do another story about how, when you were a little kid, we forced you to eat foods you didn’t like?” (Although there are a few such incidences, like eggplant casserole and… Read story

Strawberry-Raspberry Pie makes Fourth of July berry special

Barbara Nordstrom submitted the recipe for this scrumptious Strawberry-Raspberry Pie, a favorite at family Fourth of July gatherings since the 1940s.

The Fourth of July lands at a rather awkward time, berry-wise. Strawberry season is mostly over and raspberry season isn’t yet in full swing. Nevertheless, pies must be baked for hungry Independence Day revelers, whether the occasion is a backyard barbecue or a community Fourth of July picnic. We, the… Read story

Vancouver cat behaviorist helps ‘guardians’ get purr-fectly in tune with kitties

Cat behaviorist and owner of Feline Behavior Solutions Marci Koski feeds her cat Momo, 14. Her services are in demand locally as well as in countries around the world. All that's needed is a computer and a Zoom link.

June 22, 2023, 6:03am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

If dogs charm us with their transparent desires, then perhaps cats are beloved because they’re so mysterious. Why do they do the odd and sometimes aggravating things they do? And how can they be so adorable while getting up to such mischief? Read story