By PETE ORBEA

“It’s like a home away from home.” This is how guests overwhelmingly describe the Port Gamble Guest Houses.

One guest gushed, “Everything was just perfect, from the primroses to the tinfoil.”

Flowers and foil aside, for more than six years the Port Gamble Guest Houses have offered guests a comfortable, clean, and quiet setting in which to visit old memories and create new ones.

Whether celebrating a family reunion, an anniversary, an artisan retreat, or just looking for that walk- on-the-beach quiet time, Port Gamble Guest Houses are one of North Kitsap’s preferred vacation rental accommodations.

People are drawn from across the country and locally to celebrate in Port Gamble on Washington’s Sanctuary Shore. Visiting from across the Sound? A beautiful ferry ride and about an hour of travel away, the guest houses offer the perfect staycation destination. Rates from $200 per night. For more information, including current specials, availability calendar, floor plans and policies, please go to the website at www.portgambleguesthouse.com.

Betsy and the Boys wrap up concert series

The third annual summer concert series Alive After 5 returns on Sept. 11. Betsy and the Boys will perform.

The concert is from 5-8 p.m. Bring the family for a picnic and soak up some sun while taking in cool tunes this summer.

Haunted Hot Spots

Haunted Hot Spots of the Northwest class will take place at famed Walker-Ames House on Sept. 13 with international psychic medium William Becker.

Join Becker for a chance to enhance your psychic abilities in this haunted grand old house in what was the longest continually operating company town in North America. This four-hour class and psychic investigation is perfect for people with any level of psychic ability — from the beginner to the most advanced.

This class will include a psychic-based investigation with scientific backup. Bring your hand held equipment if you desire. There will also be some items for people to share.

Class time: 4-8 p.m.

Price: $45.

For reservations, email william@paranormalinsights.net. Payment information is on the Paranormal Insights web site, www.paranormalinsights.net.

Dahlia garden in Port Gamble draws crowds

Two years ago, the Kitsap County Dahlia Society started a project when the Dahlia Society received a request from former town manager Shana Smith to plant dahlias by the Post Office.

The dahlias have become a big draw for visitors to Port Gamble, and they work hard to make sure that good varieties are planted there. The Dahlia Society also has a garden located behind the Post Office. The main purpose of that garden is to grow tubers for their popular annual tuber sale in April.

Be sure to “like” them on Facebook at Kitsap County Dahlia Society.

Forest Fest is set for end of September

Old Mill Days Forest Festival is scheduled for Sept. 27-28.

Join us for a weekend of premier chainsaw art, awesome logging competitions, live music, great food, fireworks and all the family-fun you can handle. Visitors to the festival will also enjoy a vast forestry-related vendor area.

Be sure to go to www.oldmilldays.com for event schedules.

Visit PG at Tacoma Wedding Expo

Visit Port Gamble Weddings at the Bride’s Club Tacoma Fall Wedding Expo Sept.13-14.

The staff at Port Gamble Weddings & Events are gearing up for a great annual fall wedding show at the Tacoma Dome.

“I love to be at the weddings shows because it gives us a chance to meet new wedding vendors and gives us insight into upcoming wedding trends” said Dionne Corey, Port Gamble wedding and event coordinator.

Stop by the Port Gamble Weddings booth and see why we are one of Western Washington’s most sought after wedding destinations. Go to www.bridesclub.com.

— Pete Orbea is the marketing and communications coordinator of Port Gamble. Contact him at porbea@orminc.com