Big day for former Golden Eagle footballer Nate Brown
Ferndale runners compete in XC conference finals
Ferndale fighter to participate in Nov. 2 Rumble at the Reef. — News, A2
Next meet on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Lakewood High School. — Sports, B4
OCTOBER 30, 2024
SINCE 1885
FERNDALE, WASHINGTON • $1.50
Heather Sherrill leaves Ferndale Chamber Board president also steps down, replaced by Alyssa Pitcher on interim basis By Bill Helm Editor
FERNDALE — The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce is again looking for a new executive director. This time, however, the chamber’s board of directors will take its time before it begins that search. On Friday, Oct. 25, the chamber’s board circulated an email to its members to announce that Heather Sherrill had left the organization. Sherrill’s last day with the chamber was Oct. 17. “We are grateful for her time of service and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” Alyssa Pitcher, the chamber board’s interim president, wrote. Pitcher told the Ferndale Record on Monday that the chamber’s board “has committed to taking time
to evaluate what the chamber is doing well, and what it can improve on, then, to use that information to strategize the future of the chamber.” “That being said, we will not be discussing hiring another executive director until we have a clear understanding of what our community needs are and how the chamber can best support it,” Pitcher said. “We want to have clear direction, goals and strategy in place within the next six months.” Then, the chamber’s board will reevaluate, Pitcher said. Further, the chamber’s board invites the Ferndale community “into the conversation,” Pitcher said. “This is crucial for guiding us,” she said. Pitcher said another priority is to fill seats on the chamber’s board of directors. “The goal is to have 9-13 board members at the start of 2025,” she said. “It really is a great time for our community to get involved in the chamber as they can directly contribute to what the future of the See Sherrill on A3
Heather Sherrill, pictured at the Ferndale Chamber’s annual general meeting in January, has stepped down as the chamber’s executive director. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
Nordic festival to show off Whatcom’s Scandinavian roots
Cargill to close Ferndale plant in November FERNDALE — After 88 years of operation in Ferndale, Cargill Animal Nutrition has decided to permanently stop production at its Ferndale site in mid-November. This decision, according to an Oct. 28 press release from Cargill, is because of “the number of upgrades and investments needed to modernize the facility,” Cargill also announced that it plans to demolish the building and Burlington Northern Railway will retain its ownership of the land. “Making decisions like this are always tough as the Ferndale Animal Nutrition & Health team is like family,” said Gerry Albus, dairy feed operations lead for Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health, North America. “Servicing our dairy industry customers with high quality products and service will continue, just through a different, but trusted, facility.” Upon closing, Cargill Ferndale customers will receive Cargill feed products through Cargill’s Granger animal feed facility or EPL Feed LLC in Sumas. Cargill is working with the Ferndale employees to help find employment in other Cargill facilities or businesses in the area. Cargill “remains committed to serving its Ferndale animal nutrition and health customers and the dairy farming industry across the western region, North America and globally,” the press release stated. “Cargill’s Animal Nutrition and Health business produces 18 million metric tons of animal feed a year at 280 locations in 40 countries.”
By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — On Nov. 2, Whatcom County will return to its Scandinavian roots at this year’s Nordicfest, held at the Ferndale Events Center, at 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m with admission set at $5. The annual event is a day-long celebration of culture that comes from all over the Nordic diaspora, including traditional dances, music, vendors and a costume parade. The festival will be hosted by Nellie Gordrum Lodge No. 41, Whatcom County’s own chapter of the Daughters of Norway. According to their website, the Daughters of Norway is a women’s club based out of Bellingham that is devoted to the conservation of Nordic culture through activities, monthly educational meetings and annual events such as Nordicfest. Nordicfest is one of Ferndale’s most sprawling, multifaceted events. To pull it off, Karin Dewell, a chairman of Nordicfest and member of Daughters of Norway, said that it takes a village.
Ferndale City Council looks at capital projects, 2025 budget From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, the Ferndale Events Center will host the annual Nordicfest, a daylong celebration of culture that comes from all over the Nordic diaspora, including traditional dances, music, vendors and a costume parade. (Courtesy photo)
See Nordic on A6
Weather
14 pages • Volume LIII • Number 36
Thursday 39°/55° Friday 40°/53° Saturday 39°/52° Sunday 40°/52°
Calendar • A6 Classifieds • B5 Class Notes • B8
Forum • A4 Legal Notices • B4 News • A2
Obituaries • A5 Puzzles • B6 Sports • B1
By Racquel Muncy For the Tribune
FERNDALE — The Ferndale City Council met on Monday, Oct. 21 to hear a variety of presentations and continue its budget conversations for 2025. Council heard a presentation on the transportation element for the Comprehensive Plan update, the Small Business Development Center and a capital projects update. Transportation element updates will include an extended planning horizon of See Council on A3
Exclusive online content: News throughout the week www.ferndalerecord.com