| Mar |
| 12 |
| 3:00 pm |
As we previously reported, “Images of America: Three Tree Point,” a locally-written book about one of Burien’s historic waterfront neighborhoods, is being released Monday (March 8th), and its authors will be holding a book-signing party at The Tin Room on Friday, March 12th beginning at 3pm.
Longtime residents-turned-authors Doug Shadel and Pam and Guy Harper will be autographing and selling these rich, historical books full of unique and rare photos at the 3pm+ signing for just $20 (Amazon charges $21.99). Visitors will also be able to ask questions or share anecdotes about this neighborhood with these folks, who have a passion for and incredibly deep knowledge about the entire area.
Fittingly, the authors will be stationed in the back of the Tin Room (located at 923 SW 152nd in Olde Burien; 242-8040), at a historic table made from the old wooden sign from the Three Tree Point store – how perfect is that?
This new book includes more than 200 vintage photographs chronicling the history of Burien’s unique beachfront community, and these good creative folks have been working hard on this project for well over a year, so this will be a big day for them – reason enough we say to drop by and show your support! Also, we’re lucky enough to have read an advance copy of it, and we think it’s just fantastic – chock full of great, never-before-seen photos (at least to us) with informative and incredibly interesting captions that make it a local “must read.”
They’ve also been kind enough (along with Arcadia Publishing) to allow us to excerpt some “sneak peek” photos and captions from the book, which we present below (we’ll be posting more excerpts soon, so check back often) – did you know that two large saltwater lagoons once filled an area at the point?:
High tides and storms filed two saltwater lagoons in a low area just inside the point. The larger of the two had a circumference of 1,800 feet. Looking across the lagoon from the south, one can see a mound that Native Americans may have used as a burial ground. The prominent trees could be the ones that gave the point its name.
Beyond this view of the lagoon is a road going along the north side of the point, and by 1905 it was 20 feet wide. The lagoon was later filled with sand from a quarry at the east end of 171st Street. This part of the street is high above the point, and the sand was moved down the hill by means of a metal flume.
“Images of America: Three Tree Point” is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Sure, we’ve already posted a video of the wacky event (see it here), but that won’t stop us from posting this outstanding Photo Slideshow of the annual Three Tree Point Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, as shot by Photographer Michael Brunk:
[NOTE: If you happen to see yourself in one of these pics and want to download it (for FREE of course, courtesy the BTB), just click here and you'll be taken to the Flickr page where the photos live. Once there, click through the shots, and when you see one you want, click on "All Sizes" above it, then download the "Large" or "Original" image, which are suitable for printing!]
Story and Video by Scott Schaefer
As if on cue, the sun made a brief appearance, the rain stopped, and during a nice lull on an otherwise typical, windy New Year’s Day, 29 people braved the chilly waters of Puget Sound and kicked off the new decade and year at the annual Three Tree Point Polar Bear Plunge in Burien.
With air temps hovering around a mild 50 degrees, and the water temp not far below, this was the biggest turnout that we’ve ever seen for Burien’s annual festivity.
This event also served as a fundraiser for the Highline Food Bank, and according to co-organizer Bob Hubbs, netted 100 pounds of food donations and $50 in cash.
Carol O’Kennedy (along with her dog Kaya) was awarded the Polar Bear Plunge trophy, which consisted of a piece of driftwood, a small Polar Bear and a plaque. To see Carol and her dog, be sure to watch the video below.
Our own intrepid Sales Dude Bart Bryan also participated (after first getting some “fortification”), utilizing our exclusive, customized and waterproofed “Polar Bear Plunge POV” video camera, and here’s our video of the day’s event:
| Jan |
| 1 |
| 12:00 pm |
Burien’s annual “Polar Bear Plunge” will take place this Friday, Jan. 1st at Noon on the beach at Three Tree Point, and this year it’s also going to serve as a fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank!
The event is open to anyone who wants to brave the chilly 45-degree Puget Sound waters as well as donate at least 2 cans or boxes of non-perishable food items, or $5 cash, all of which will go directly to our needy neighbors who utilize the Highline Food Bank.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Burien’s annual “Polar Bear Plunge” at Three Tree Point
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 1st at Noon.
WHERE: In the 3500 block of SW 172nd, along the beach of Three Tree Point – look for a bonfire and a group of shivering people having second thoughts.
INFO: If you can, please bring 2 boxes/cans of non-perishable food, or $5 cash as a donation to the Highline Area Food Bank.
Here’s a video we shot last year, which includes our exclusive POV Polar Bear Plunge camera as shot by Andy Kleitsch, one of the organizers:
WARNING – according to various medical sources:
A “Polar Bear Plunge” (aka cold water swimming) isn’t for everyone, as sudden immersion in very cold water can result in an involuntary gasp followed by 1 – 3 minutes of involuntary hyperventilation. This hyperventilation results in a profound lowering of blood carbon dioxide levels and a raising of blood pH levels.
Rapid cooling of the skin triggers various heart and breathing responses. The heart rate can increase by 50% and blood pressure increase can increase to 175/93. Although a substantial strain on the heart, these changes are not likely to be a problem for a healthy, fit person but may be dangerous for those with underlying heart disease or hypertension.
Photo courtesy Erin Hovland.
by Laura Beth Peterson
The year was 1944 and five-year old Jeannette Manola was happy that the waiting was finally over. After living for a year in the little rental house on the beach, her family was moving into their own home they had just purchased right next door. Her father Joe and her mother Babe looked forward to raising their young family on Three Tree Point, then called Sunkist Beach.
For Jeannette though, she was just happy the waiting was over.
Or was it?
Built in 1933, the house was tall and strong. It braced itself against the southerly winds of Puget Sound. These were waters that Joe Manola would fish for many years, even having a fishing derby named for him for generations to come. Storms would rock the beach and pile up driftwood throughout the winters. The house stood solid, protecting its occupants.
All of them.
Every night Jeannette would climb the long staircase that led to her bedroom on the upper floor. What was it about the stairwell, she would wonder to herself but to no one else. The cold breath she felt there, and the movement. Always the movement that made her look up the stairs whenever she passed by. She had the entire upper floor to herself, as her brother Tommy had not yet been born. All by herself, Jeannette would get into bed and wait for either her mother or father to eventually come up, tuck her in and kiss her good night. Then, she lay alone to listen as the waves lapped the shore and she waited. She had become accustomed to what came next.
Lying in bed, her eyes transfixed on the wooden trap door above her bed, she knew it was there. Whoever it was, or whatever it was, was also waiting. The trap door led to the attic, or so she was told. Opening slowly and deliberately, the trap door raised up just enough for it to look down on her. It didn’t do anything but watch, and it did this almost every night for years. The opening it created was dark and Jeannette could not see what it looked like, but she wondered about it. Eventually she would find out.
One night Jeannette went to bed as usual, she was seven now. She lay with her eyes closed waiting to be tucked in. She knew that mother or father had come in the room, she could feel their breath on her. She opened her eyes and there he was, but it wasn’t her father. This man was not very big or tall, and he wore glasses. Gripped with fear, she pretended to be dead.
“If I’m dead he won’t hurt me,” she thought.
“I’m dead.”
Gradually the breath stopped. He was gone.
In Jeannette’s bedroom there was a door in the wall, this was a makeshift closet. The door led to a space behind the wall that wrapped around the upper part of the house, going very far back. She knew there was something back there and was careful to never go all the way to the end. Jeannette surmised that whoever was in the attic also lived in the closet, or there were two.
Jeannette’s brother Tommy was born and eventually it was time for him to move into her room, and she would take the other bedroom. Jeannette never told anyone what happened during those years in her bedroom, or the feeling in the stairwell. Jeannette eventually married and moved to a house at the end of the street, but she would be back. When her brother Tommy was a teenager he had back surgery. He needed to recuperate in a house without stairs, so he and Jeannette temporarily switched houses. She returned to stay in her childhood home and the memories came flooding back. This time she had to say something and she started with her mother. She asked her mother if she had ever felt anything strange about the house. With eyes wide, her mother said yes, in the stairwell. The movement and the cold breath, always. Even when the house was hot both upstairs and downstairs, there was that cold space in between. Described as a breath on your skin. She knew.
Next she asked Tommy. He didn’t want to talk about it. All he would say is that he refused to sleep on his back, only on his side. He would not look up at that trap door in ceiling. There was something up there.
When Jeannette’s daughter Kathy was old enough for sleepovers at grandma and grandpa’s house it was difficult for her. It was hard to stay in that bedroom. It was a sense of unease, she was unable to feel comfortable there. Kathy would jump from the hallway onto the bed, trying to avoid whatever it was that was waiting under the bed to grab her. Years later when the opportunity came for Kathy to buy the house from the estate she came to realize she would never feel comfortable in that house. She had to pass on the opportunity.
Julie Burr and Marco Spani had always wanted to live on Puget Sound and they finally found the house on Three Tree Point that they could afford. It was 1981 and they had only been married for two years, they were in their twenties. Besides living on the water the house came with other benefits. Kathy and her husband Todd Anderson became close friends. It seemed to Julie that everyone on Three Tree Point was somehow related. They soon became friends with more of Kathy’s relatives, including her mother Jeannette. Still, nobody spoke about their experiences in the house.
Marco traveled for work at the time, leaving Julie in the house alone. One evening, shortly after moving into the house, Julie arrived home at dusk. While parking the car she glanced up at the house and saw a terrifying image.
There was a man in the upstairs bedroom window. He was watching her.
She sat motionless, not knowing what to do. She didn’t know any of her neighbors yet. An hour passed and still she sat in her car. Finally, she braved entering the house and found it empty. She dismissed this occurrence as a figment of her imagination. Not long after when Julie was in a row boat in front of the house she looked up to see the same man, in the same window. This happened several more times. Then, one night when Marco was again out of town, Julie awoke in the night to her bed shaking! There were no freighters going by, no trucks, no explanations for the shaking. She told Marco about it the next day, she was met with some indifference. The bed shaking happened a few more times and finally it happened when Marco was home. He was astounded!
One final time, when Marco was out of town, Julie awoke for some unexplained reason. The air in the room felt heavy, there was a presence there with her and she could see his shadowy figure. This was the same bedroom where the image had always appeared in the window. Without hesitation Julie spoke out to the figure. “This is my home now, you need to move on. I will take good care of it. Please move on and don’t bother me”. She never felt the bed move, or any presence in the room again.
Some time later, around a bonfire and after a few glasses of wine, Julie shared her story with Kathy, Tom, Jeannette and others who had at some point lived in the house. Instead of the laughter that Julie expected, she was met with stunned silence. They were shaken. Many present at that bonfire had experienced similar occurrences in that house. They were not alone.
My name is Laura Beth Peterson. My husband Scott and I have lived in this house since October 31, 2000. Yes, we moved in on Halloween. It is just myself, Scott and our Labrador Ruby.
Or so we think.
Here’s where all involved in this haunting are now:
- Kathy (Kinnear) and Todd Anderson live on Maplewild with their son Patrick and their Airedale terrier, Gus.
- Jeannette (Manola) Kinnear lives in Burien and Bullhead City, AZ,
- Tommy Manola lives with his wife Sue Storey Manola in Burien._
- Joe and Babe Manola passed away in 1981 and 1978.
- Julie and Marco Spani still live on Three Tree Point.
Occurrences of paranormal activity are often associated with a drop in temperature, a feeling of cold air that envelopes the person experiencing the activity. Experts surmise that pulling heat from the environment gives this entity the energy it needs to exist.
So…do YOU have any ghost stories? Please share them with everyone in Comments below…
You know summer is peaking when the salmon are biting so much that people are catching them from shorelines around the Burien area, including these folks seen at Three Tree Point on Sunday, Aug. 23rd:
“It’s crazy down there,” said a young man named Julio as he was waiting for a ride back up Maplewild. “Everyone’s catching their limit. Pink buzz bombs are working man – in fact, the fish are biting anything pink – even bubblegum!”
No word yet on which brand of bubblegum is best, but we’ll chew on it a while and let you know…
8/26 UPDATE: Wednesday afternoon, King County Sheriff’s deputies were checking for fishing licenses at Three Tree Point, so do NOT fish for salmon without one – you can buy them online here.
Burien’s 3 Tree Point celebrated the 4th of July with its annual Independence Day multi-block and beach party, with a community breakfast, flag raising ceremony, an all-day art show at the old store, a kid’s parade, treasure hunt on the beach (with a reported $125+ in coins hidden), carnival games, a bouncy house, numerous live bands on the deck of a house near the beach and much more, all capped off with a spectacular $21,000+ professional fireworks display from a barge anchored off the point.
Here’s a photo slideshow of the day’s highlights by Photographer Michael Brunk:
Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow
It’s looking like it’s going to be a great, sunny, summery day for this Saturday’s 4th of July, and here’s the schedule for the goings-on down at 3 Tree Point’s annual Independence Day Block Party, courtesy 3treepoint.org:
9am-11: COMMUNITY BREAKFAST on the strip near 3142 SW 172nd with great food prepared by a host of local chefs. Donations appreciated!
10:30am-1pm: FIELD GAMES & INFLATABLE KIDS STUFF will be hosted at 3750 SW 171st.
1:30pm-2pm: FLAG RAISING CEREMONY at 5 SW 3TP Lane with awards, speeches and the annual crowning of the new King and Queen of the Point.
2:30pm-3:30pm: KIDS PARADE & CARNIVAL GAMES after the Flag Raising Ceremony, kids will parade their colorful bicycles, scooters, strollers & whatever else down SW 172nd. Immediately following the parade, there will a Treasure Hunt on the south beach and Carnival Games at 3568 SW 172nd.
3pm-8pm: LIVE BANDS at the South Beach Amphitheater, 3568 SW 172nd, including music from Jack Johnston, Jim Herron, Joe Delgreco, John Brim, and Todd Anderson, as well as Full Force, 3TP Blue Band, Terri Derr and Boomerang Summer (featured here on the BTB on 6/26): with Trevor Ras, Ian McKamey, Ben Johnston, Paul Davis, a four-piece group with Burien roots.
Noon – 5pm: ART SHOW in the historic Three Tree Point Store, 16957 Maplewild Ave SW. Over a dozen local artists will be displaying their works along with contact information for purchase of artwork. Artists will include Mike Reid, Alex Sasonoff, Guy Harper, John Unbehend, Betty Vacca, Pam Harper, Sheila Jeffery, Beth Gasser, Laurel Mercury, Tina Rout, Sheri Brim, and Chris Stiles.
10pm: FIREWORKS! A great, professional, $21,000+ fireworks show from a barge anchored off the Point by Western Fireworks. Thanks to the generous donations of people like you and the 3TP Fireworks Committee.
9am-7pm: BOOK EXCHANGE – bring your books that you’re done with and exchange them for new ones at the Book Swap near 3324 SW 172nd.
*Times, events and weather are subject to change without notice.
Also, if you’re planning on coming down, why not chip in a few bucks at the 3 Tree Point Fireworks Fund website here? It takes a lot of money and volunteer love to make this event happen, and you can donate online in just a few seconds!
The Three Tree Point 4th of July Fireworks Fund drive ends on Sunday, May 31st, and Chairwoman Julie Dow says that so far they’ve raised $9,400 of the $21,000 goal – less than half of what it’ll cost to put the show on.
So consider this post a push to make your donation now for Burien’s best barge-based, free fireworks show on a great beach – donate online now!
The $21,000 covers the cost of the barge, fuel, tug, insurance, permits, fireworks and professionals to run the show, police protection for the area (which is being increased this year) and dumpster rental.
That has been the goal the last two years as well.
Here’s a note from Julie:
Hi Scott, we’re at about $9,400 which includes pledges (checks not received), but we need to raise the remaining $11,600 by May 31st!
The support from “outlying” neighborhoods (Normandy Park, Arroyo, Seloa, Arbor Heights) has been outstanding, but oddly, Three Tree Point itself has been notably behind.
We have sought corporate sponsorship this year, and while we’ve had lots of interest, so far we’ve only signed up Key Bank, Windermere, Color Printing Systems and The B-Town Blog.
So if you’re interested in sponsoring the fireworks, or giving a donation, please click here – you can donate online or via snailmail. This is an amazing celebration of Americana in a great neighborhood!
A new book recapping over 100 years of life at Burien’s Three Tree Point is now in the developmental and research stage by husband and wife authors and longtime residents Guy and Pam Harper.
Beginning with the early Native American days, Three Tree Point (aka “Point Pulley”) was used extensively for meeting areas, feasts and potlatches. It provided an excellent stop over point for the Native canoes when traveling between the northern and southern Puget Sound waters as the area was particularly abundant with fresh water, clams, salmon and fine camping grounds.
In later years, many steamboats from the Mosquito Fleet made Three Tree Point one of the major stops along Puget Sound. Soon, summer homes were built along the shore as many folks realized that this area was very enjoyable for recreation and relaxation.
The TTP book authors are searching for pictures dating back to the early 1900’s thru the 1970’s. The intent is to gather pictures, letters and
verbal histories – categorize them and publish those selected in a history book involving just Three Tree Point. The book will be offered for sale from various sources.
This is a call for anyone to respond to the quest for this early data for the purposes of including the information in the final book. If you or your parents or friends have any pictures or events of this sort and want to share them, please email guyharper@comcast.net or call 206-242-4144 with such information.
It is interesting that many residents already look forward to an historical record of Three Tree Point.
Thursday afternoon (4/30) on Burien’s Three Tree Point beach saw some unusual animals at low tide – PONIES!
From left, Army Olsen, Brie Hobbs and Gigi Sferra feed local grasses to one of three ponies that were offering rides to winners of a prize from Hamlin-Robinson School’s annual auction. According to the kids, the ponies ate “just about anything, including seaweed!”
The lucky auction winners got to ride around the beach just after low tide and enjoy a picnic for about three or so hours.
Lisa Sferra (pictured below, giving her Shetland Pony Cheerio a kiss) who works in White Center, donated the rides for the school’s fundraiser. Hamlin-Robinson is located near Boulevard Park at 10211 12th Ave South.
Lisa wants BTB Readers to know that if they’re interested, they can get Pony Rides for their kids for just $40 per child (pony kisses cost extra).
She can be reached at lsferra@hotmail.com.
Photo by ericagirlwonder
It’s one of the highlights of the Burien area on the 4th of July – the Three Tree Point Fireworks celebration, which is supported entirely by donations from residents in area communities, not just the citizens who live down there.
From personal experience, I can say that these fireworks celebrations are amazing all-day Americana affairs, starting with a community breakfast, a flag-raising ceremony, a children’s parade (with the incentive being a prize of a popsicle at the end) then an evening of outstanding, professional fireworks launched from a barge anchored right off the point.
It’s a crazy block party, with live music, beach parties, insanely huge bonfires and more, and the 10pm display can be seen for miles.
Neighbors have already set up a website for this year’s blast, and they’re seeking donations to help offset the $20k+ cost. For those who donate more than $150, you get invited to a fun neighborhood dinner party.
Here’s some info from the Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund website:
The Three Tree Point Fireworks celebration is supported entirely by donations from the communities of Three Tree Point, Seahurst, Normandy Park, Seola Beach, Arroyo Beach and Arbor Heights.
Our barge based, high-altitude fireworks show has gotten better every year thanks to countless people of have donated time and money.
In 2009, our goal is to keep the fireworks and community celebrations at the same great level that they have been at. This is the first year we are seeking corporate sponsors for our event.
We raise funds in May to ensure we have time to get all the permits, insurance and the best vendors.
Originally started by the Miller family as a gift to The Three Tree Point Community, the firewoks tradition was continued by neighbors when the Millers moved away.
In addition to the fireworks, the neighborhood traditions of pancake breakfast , kids games, flag raising with awards, bike parade and more have been ushering in summer at our great communitnity. What a great place to live!
Donate today on this site, or contact us!
For more information, e-mail us.
To donate online, click here.
If you prefer to snailmail your donation, make a check out to “3TPFF” and mail to:
3TPFF
c/o Murray and Julie Dow
9 Three Tree Point Lane
Burien WA, 98166
Found this very nicely-shot and produced video of some of the underwater residents of Burien, filmed by David Rockwell last May while diving at Three Tree Point:
Three Tree Point 05/06/08 from David Rockwell on Vimeo.
The B-Town Blog proudly welcomes its latest Advertiser: 3TreeMemories Celebration of Life DVD’s!
3TreeMemories is a local homegrown startup business run by Pieter (Bruno) Hoolboom. Bruno has been a Burien 3 Tree Point resident for over 50 years.
Bruno transforms your digital and printed photos into a fabulous music video that will knock your socks off. Even better, he can incorporate video clips from your camcorder or VHS tapes to knock both your shoes & socks off!
These DVD productions make great gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime. Make great tributes for graduations, memorials, retirements, birthdays, anniversaries, or honoring your elderly parents or loved ones.
What makes 3TreeMemories productions so special?
- Local Burien business
- Great quality and attention to detail
- Cool Titles & transitions
- Can accept your photos and videos in almost any format
- Scanning, cropping, and enhancing your old printed photos
- Incorporation of video and audio clips in addition to photos.
- Great music selections
- Great prices well below professional
- Additional DVD copies with cool labels & slim cases for friends and family
- Satisfaction guaranteed!
Hear what some satisfied customers are saying…
“I personally, have seen many DVD’s at Graduation’s, Anniversary’s & Funeral’s, and I will say that Bruno’s DVD’s are by far a better quality.”
Sue D. Burien, WA
“Without hesitation would I give Bruno’s work the highest recommendation to anyone wishing to compile an enriching, memorable, loving and thoughtful collection of their loved ones”
Trevor H. Kingston, WA
“Everybody has enjoyed Bruno’s video and has remarked at what a lasting treasure it is for us to enjoy forever!”
Gary & Lynn W. Simi Valley, CA
“Bruno’s videos have all been of the highest quality, not just in picture and sound, but in their meaning and thoughtfulness.”
Jason & Jessica W. Onalska, WA
“I had the privilege of viewing a graduation video that Bruno did for his son’s graduation. It was amazing. High quality and very fun to watch! A true stroll down memory lane.”
Becky P. Burien, WA
So, show your support to our latest Advertiser by either emailing him or giving him a call (his website may not be online yet), and making a memorable DVD to kick off 2009:
- Email: pieterbh@3treememories.com
- Phone: (206) 551-2871
Burien’s annual “Polar Bear Plunge” took place New Year’s Day at Noon, on a cold, blustery beach at Three Tree Point, and here’s video of the event, as shot and edited by BTB Publisher Scott Schaefer, complete with exclusive “Polar Bear Plunge POV Camera Angle” as shot by Andy Kleitsch:
And some great photos courtesy Erin Hovland:
Loading ...
