Looking back on the year in North Kitsap, there were many worthy feature stories that showcased various people, projects and businesses from Poulsbo to Hansville.

Below is a glimpse of some of those stories.

My Girl Drive-In & Museum

Where in Kingston can one find a movie trailer once used by Elvis, a 1932 Cadillac that belonged to R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) and a Harley Davidson from the classic film Easy Rider?

The answer can be found next to Kingston Middle School where lies a hidden gem in Kitsap County that will take you back in time to the 1950s – My Girl Drive-In and Museum. The authentic replica of a 1950’s drive-in restaurant was created by 82-year-old Kingston resident Bob Thompson, along with his two younger brothers Harlan and Steve.

The Thompsons began their project over 30 years ago, and it came to fruition about 10 years later when they began to host private events. They have been adding vintage antiques from their family as well as donations of iconic pop culture items ever since.

Kiana Lodge

Events were minimal during COVID-19, but the Suquamish Tribe’s Kiana Lodge near Poulsbo bounced back as the venue booked a record 115 weddings this year due to the backlog of ceremonies that were postponed. Weddings are primarily what the lodge is known for but it also hosts tribal, corporate and social events. The lodge features a kitchen with a staff to cook for whatever event is taking place.

Situated on 1,000 feet of no-bank waterfront and 6 acres of manicured gardens, the lodge is surrounded by fragrant cedars, majestic firs and a variety of plant life. The site was voted the No. 1 wedding venue in the state a few years ago. Its motto is, “A moment in time and a memory for eternity.”

Mountain Bike Resort

Night Owl Cycyline, a bike repair shop near Eglon, is in the midst of creating a mountain bike resort that has up to seven miles of trails, a community lounge and a place for guests to stay overnight.

The business is located on the 122-acre property of owners Kelly and Heidi Campo. Kelly started the bike shop in 2015 and got married to Heidi the next year. Then, they bought the property where the business is located. They lived in a trailer onsite while Kelly built their home.

Poulsbo Film Festival

Kevin and Bittina Sheen created and hosted the inaugural Poulsbo Film Festival in October at different venues downtown. The festival brought independent films and filmmakers to the Viking City to celebrate diverse stories from across the country.

The three-day event consisted of film viewings and filmmaker panels. 55 films were submitted, including 31 from Washington and six from Kitsap County.

CB’s Nuts

What started out as a peanut of an idea quickly and exponentially turned into a highly sought-after nut business near Kingston. Clark and Tami Bowen opened CB’s Nuts in 2007. There is a retail shop off Highway 104 and a wholesale production facility in the nearby business park.

The business prides itself on providing the freshest peanuts to folks all around the world, grown by responsible farmers. Their products consist of peanuts (in-shell and kettle-roasted), almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pistachios, pecans and mixed nuts. Many come in different flavors. They also make and sell peanut butter and nut butter, along with sweet treats like Jacker Snackers, peanut butter sandwich cookies and peanut brittle.

15 years of White Horse

15 years since it opened in Kingston, White Horse Golf Club initially jumped through many hoops of ownership before Port Madison Enterprises took over in 2010 and created a new approach that potentially saved it from closing.

A few years after opening in 2007, the club was headed toward bankruptcy until American Marine Bank took over. Then it went bankrupt, and Columbia State Bank took it over, and then the Seattle University Alumni Association before PME bought it. All of that happened within seven months.

The amenities of the course initially looked much different than they do now. At the start, the club had a limited budget which allowed only for a double-wide trailer clubhouse, some golf carts and limited equipment for course maintenance. Since PME took over, the tribal government agency has invested in a new clubhouse and restaurant, new fleets of carts, improved and increased maintenance equipment, and the ability to host weddings.

Eglon Schoolhouse turns 100

In October, the historic Eglon Schoolhouse building celebrated its 100th anniversary with an event that featured some of the students from the school that closed in 1951.

The public school was built in 1922 and offered grades 1-6 before closing down nearly 30 years later. As the facility keeps aging, some renovations will need to take place to keep it usable, such as redoing the roof, new paint job and adding an ADA ramp.

Bel Canto singer

A standout North Kitsap High School Bel Canto singer will be looking to pursue her musical career overseas as her family recently moved to Italy. Bel Canto is an Italian type of vocal performance created in the 19th century.

Krause began studying the technique about 10 years ago and first performed in front of an audience at age 10. Now she’s performed up to 50 times by the age of 17. She also excelled during her time with the NKHS choir, earning multiple accolades in competitions.

Scout Hall renovation

Volunteers finished remodeling the Robert P. Smiley Scout Hall in Kingston, providing improved space for Scouts BSA Troop 555, which was established in 1948.

A rededication ceremony was held in February at the hall built in 1962. It was attended by over 100 people. It is named after the man primarily responsible for the original cabin. Scout Hall hadn’t had renovations since 1996.

Renovations included getting rid of rotten log siding and replacing it with hand-cut cedar, painting exterior log siding, new gutters, metal roof, ADA access doors, new support structure to hold the building up, vaulted ceilings, added insulation, recoated floor, new wiring and a fireplace insert.

Tim Davis

Since moving to Kingston in 2018, local photographer Tim Davis has become known for his stunning shots Pacific Northwest beauty. He and his wife live above President’s Point in Kingston, which offers great views of Puget Sound and all the activity on it such as ferries, military vessels and tugboats.

Davis was a featured artist at the Village Green Community Center and has also had his work in the Poulsbo Arts Festival the past few years.

One of Tim Davis’ photos of reflecting lights in the water near the Kingston ferry terminal. Courtesy Photo

The historic Eglon Schoolhouse turned 100 years old in 2022.