Seafair Clowns
Courtesy of Seafair Clowns at www.seafairclowns.org
Eighteen new stories make up a new and amazing collection of Magnolia memories and milestones, launching Saturday, June 7, 3–5 p.m. with a reading and fun celebration at Magnolia United Church of Christ, 3555 West McGraw St. “From Clown Hijinks to Cooper’s Hawks” is the theme of the gathering. There will be storytelling, popcorn and other treats, activities, and prizes for kids from 9 to 99.
Since January, 15 writers, four peer editors, two professional editors, and our web designer have been creating the Magnolia: More Memories & Milestones Spring 2025 Collection for our ongoing online Book IV.
Excerpted readings from the collection on June 7 will include: Magnolia’s connection to the Seafair Clowns, the true story of how pickleball was invented, Lawton Park history, birding in Discovery Park, and “Milkshakes and Gunpowder,” (which ties Erickson’s Lawton Pharmacy to the Fort Lawton shooting range in the 1950s)! Readers include Barbara Downward, Frank Pritchard, Greg Shaw, Monica Wooton, and Carleen Ormbrek Zimmerman.
Historical Person of the Year awards will go to Charles Payton, previously with 4Culture, and Paul Dorpat, The Seattle Times’ “Now and Then” columnist, for their participation in creating the Magnolia Historical Society and books. The new stories will be launched on our website that day at www.magnoliahistorcialsociety.org.
The Magnolia Historical Society (MHS) needs YOU! We are already working on the Spring Collection for 2026! Our newly designed, ongoing digital story collection serves as the repository for Magnolians to bring to life the first-person narratives, eras they lived through, memories of the neighborhood they love, and milestones—the people, places, and things of Magnolia.
MHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit working with local history for nearly 25 years. We are looking for new topics; willing writers, researchers, and peer editors; and new Board members to help us make each new collection our best ever. Not sure what to write about? We also have a list from which you can choose a topic that interests you. This will be a dedicated online, continually growing collection of Magnolia history written by Magnolians, the fourth in a series of award-winning and nominated books. info@magnoliahistoricalsociety.org
The hardcover books Magnolia: Memories & Milestones, Magnolia: Making More Memories, and Magnolia: Midcentury Memories are also now available in Kindle editions. To volunteer, give us ideas or memorabilia, or get more info visit www.magnoliahistorcialsociety.org.