Nature Mart celebrates big year, 100th birthday

By Sequim Gazette staff • December 12, 2024 1:30 am
Photo courtesy Tim Shank Hana Manaka has her photo taken with a wolf at the Holiday Nature Mart at the Dungeness River Nature Center on Nov. 24. Manaka recently celebrated turning 100, and volunteers gifted her items from the holiday fundraiser to help her celebrate.
Photo courtesy Tim Shank Hana Manaka has her photo taken with a wolf at the Holiday Nature Mart at the Dungeness River Nature Center on Nov. 24. Manaka recently celebrated turning 100, and volunteers gifted her items from the holiday fundraiser to help her celebrate.

Organizers of the 2024 Holiday Nature Mart, a seasonal fundraiser for the Dungeness River Nature Center held this year on Nov. 23-24, report the event had its most successful turnout since starting in 2006. It also featured a special milestone for one center supporter.

Center board member Tuttie Peetz said that towards the end of Sunday, Hana Manaka and her family stopped by to see the event and have her picture taken with the center’s wolf that was outside for special holiday photos.

Manaka is a regular visitor to the center at 1943 W. Hendrickson Road, Sequim, and enjoys turning her wheelchair around to use as a walker to walk the Railroad Bridge, Peetz said.

“As we visited with her, Hana disclosed that she was celebrating her 100th birthday in a few days,” Peetz said.

“She asked, ‘how many 100-year-olds do you think walk the bridge?’”

This prompted excitement from Nature Mart volunteers who then presented her with a matching pair of knitted mittens and hat, and items from the event’s bake sale.

“The Nature Mart team really enjoyed being a part of such a special event in Hana’s life,” Peetz said.

“This was a confirmation of how dedicated our team is in celebrating and connecting with our community and people of all ages.

“We look forward to seeing Hana around the center, and especially at Holiday Nature Mart next year.”

Holiday Nature Mart features handmade items, wreaths, clothing, ornaments, and more the weekend before Thanksgiving made by center volunteers to support the center.

Lights are live on the Dungeness River Railroad Bridge from dusk to 9 p.m. through early January. For more about the Dungeness River Nature Center, call 360-681-4076 or visit DungenessRiverCenter.org.