The Columbian

Reader shares memories, Finnish Coffee Bread recipe from ‘Grandma Hockinson’

Gerda Mattson's recipe for Finnish coffee bread yields three to five slightly sweet loaves. Cardamom seeds give the bread its distinctive flavor.

Gerda J. Mattson knew how to bake. Born in 1900 in Kronoby, Finland, she later emigrated to the United States in 1906, catching sight of the Statue of Liberty rising out of the mists on Ellis Island. She lived in Astoria, Ore., for a few years before moving with her… Read story

Vancouver’s Luna family always at home with poetry

Angelo Luna, from left, Toni Lumbrazo Luna and Christopher Luna display their respective books at home in Hazel Dell. The family members have all authored books of poetry.

When someone says “family fun,” the activities that spring to mind might be board games, mini golf or camping. “Writing poetry” probably isn’t even on the list, but for the Lunas of Vancouver — Christopher Luna, his wife, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, and his son, Angelo Luna — poetry has always… Read story

Biscuits that take the cake

What could be simpler than biscuits? My Southern mom made them as easily as breathing. I guess I should choose breathing over biscuits, because these were awful.

Around Christmas, we usually take a trip to the coast because I have an unreasonable love for stormy skies, thundering waves and misty Northwest beaches. We could go anywhere, but when Christmas bells are ringing it awakes in me a wild desire to stand at the edge of the continent… Read story

The Festival Brass Band (Contributed photo)

Try this: Festival Brass Band, Geeks Who Drink, Jantzen Beach Carousel

December 22, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

The Longest Night service at St. John Lutheran Church on Dec. 21 is aimed to offer comfort to anyone who is grieving or sad.

Vancouver church’s ‘Longest Night’ service offers solace on the solstice

December 18, 2022, 6:04am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

It’s not the most wonderful time of the year, at least not for Clark County residents who are grieving the absence of parents, children and friends. Seasonal sadness could also stem from the loss of a home, job and financial stability, the loss of mobility due to disease or chronic… Read story

If feta is delicious, just imagine how delicious fried feta could be! Serve it with this tangy tomato-cranberry chutney.

Festive fried feta will cheer up your cheese-board game

December 14, 2022, 6:04am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

By golly, I do love a cheese board. The holidays offer ample opportunities to amp up your cheese-board game, so to speak, and do something beyond the usual cheese ball (though I will happily help to demolish a cheese ball, especially if it’s coated in almonds). Read story

Vancouver resident Alethia Austin was among the 80 women who broke the world record for a women's group vertical formation skydive on Nov. 25.

Vancouver’s record-breaking skydiver: ‘This was an absolute dream for me’

December 9, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

In late November, 100 women dove out of five planes at 19,000 feet above Eloy, Ariz., hurtling head-first toward the ground at 180 mph. One of those skydivers was 44-year-old Vancouver resident Alethia Austin. She was among the 80 women who broke the world’s record for the largest-ever women’s vertical… Read story

Kids meet with Santa at the Marshall House.

Try This: Santa at the Marshall House; ‘Christmas Joy’; Hockinson tree lighting

December 8, 2022, 6:02am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer