North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park in Washington State and the mountain valley village of Stehekin are the subjects of a new documentary. 

Called "The Switzerland of America," the park encompasses some of the most rugged and beautiful areas of the Cascades Mountains.

The village of Stehekin is located at the head of fifty-five mile long Lake Chelan and is the home to about seventy year-round residents.

The program explores the life style of those who call the Stehekin Valley home. Stehekin, at the head of Lake Chelan is at the door step of the National Park and the vast wilderness area.  It is reached only by trail, boat or small plane. 

The documentary also provides views of the rarely seen remote reaches of the National Park. 

See a preview of sample footage here.

History of Entiat

The little town along the banks of the Columbia River in North Central Washington was "hometown USA" to the hard working residents following WWII.  Orchards filled the narrow valley; a saw mill and fruit packing plants provided jobs and children played freely along the downtown street.   

Then in the late 1950s, the Columbia River was raised to make way for a hydroelectric dam and the town had to be either moved or torn down.. In 1960 the famous Entiat rapids, graveyard to many sternwheelers, became a placid pool behind the new Rocky Reach Dam and the town of Entiat was rebuild in a haphazard fashion on higher ground.

The story of Entiat is told by interviews with those who remember the times before the dam, family diaries, historical records, photographs and film.

Apple Box Art

M & M Productions of Wenatchee, Washington (the Apple Capital of the World) has announced the release of "Apple Box Art," a DVD documentary about the history of Pacific Northwest fruit crate labels.

Historical photos, rare film, label collectors and interviews with people who once worked in the early-day packing sheds and orchards are featured in the production.  Material was collected from museums, historical societies, private collections, dealers and the National Archives.  The historical film gives a rare glimpse into the early days of the fruit industry and the struggle and successes of the fruit pioneers. The DVD is both informative and entertaining and will be an important resource to anyone interested in the art and history of fruit crate labels.

The DVD is available at museum gift shops and antique stores throughout North Central Washington and on-line.