Manzanita Connections – June 17, 2025
Long summer days ... at the beach, at the farm, dining out, and smelling the roses
Summer is hands down my favorite time of year. Growing up in Oregon, I treasured those first days of driving with the windows rolled down and the sunlight dappling through the trees, and lazy days staying on the beach late into the evening. I’ve always been a sun worshipper, but with age comes wisdom. I’ve learned to embrace our temperate beach climate. These days, it could be that I appreciate the long, slow PNW days maybe even more than the sun. The longest day of the year is this Friday, June 20, Summer Solstice, and my flip flops are ready.
This week I’m looking ahead to summer. But first – North Coast BBQ is back up as of yesterday! So relax, all the people who voiced concern on the streets last week.
Summertime, farm time
Summer brings back memories of eating raspberries from my dad’s garden and bowls of cucumbers and vinegar on the dinner table. Nostalgia may be why I can’t get enough of the berries, peaches, and fresh veggies this time of year. Luckily, Moon River Farm also has its farm stand open behind Wolfmoon Bakery every Wednesday from 4 – 6 pm through October. Sign up for their newsletter to get notified of what’s available each week. (You don’t have to be a CSA member).
Also, you can keep tabs of the vendors at the Manzanita Farmers Market by clicking on a vendor to see which dates they will be at the market. Local artist Lori Dillon (who I had the pleasure of meeting at the bookstore a few weeks ago, hi Lori!) will be on hand at the Manzanita Farmers Market the next two Fridays – June 20 and 27, to personalize purchased copies of the 2025 Manzanita Fourth of July Parade poster.
Treat yourself to a 3-week summer flower subscription from Neahkahnie Blooms. Pick ups are on Fridays, July 11, 18 and 25, at Wild Coast Goods or in Rockaway at Green Coast Market. You deserve a bit of joy.
Dine Wabi Sabi
Couldn’t resist sharing this info on a business I came across recently. Dine Wabi Sabi operates out of Astoria but Kelsey Engstrom does events in the Manzanita-Nehalem-Wheeler area. Think intimate dining experiences, gatherings, private events that focus on connecting you to food, people, and the environment that surrounds. Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi-sabi loosely refers to finding the beauty behind something impermanent.
Miscellaneous restaurant updates
Summer Wolf Wine Club Pick-up Party on June 21 at The Winery at Manzanita.
Riverside Fish & Chips is now open seven days a week, 11:30 am – 6 pm.
Pacific Roots Coffee + Mini Donuts is open Thursday - Monday, 9 - 3 pm. And, yes they have strawberry jam mini donuts. Get a dozen.
Buttercup Ice Creams & Chowders’ Summer Menu is here. Will it be Strawberry Honeycomb or Blueberry Velvet? Tough decision indeed. Arnold Palmer with honey lavender lemonade also sounds sublime.
Dine alfresco on the patio at The Salmonberry and enjoy the Wheeler waterfront (Friday – Monday, 4 - 8 pm), or grab a table along the Nehalem River at Mamma Mia’s open Wednesday - Sunday.
Could be any day … the new coffee shop opening at Offshore Grill.
Hinted on Facebook — Wheeler Whirl. More info to come. I’m wheely excited.
And if anyone knows the latest with Neahkahnie Bistro and what may be going into that space, let me know!
Surf and turf
Rent a beach cruiser, fun cycle, boogie board or surfboard at Bahama Mama’s, open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Wetsuits also available. 🚴 🏄♂️
Swim at the NCRD pool. 🏊 Summer schedule starts on Monday, June 23. Opening date of the new pool is still TBD.
Don’t miss this fun “little” event on dry land. 🖼️ Starting June 28, The Hoffman Tiny Galleries Exhibition and Fundraiser will be located in front of the Hoffman Center for the Arts, the Hoffman Wonder Garden, and the Manzanita Library. There’s a community reception June 28 at 12 pm. These outdoor tiny galleries are free and open to the public through July 31. If you’d like the chance to take one home with you, buy a raffle ticket in the Hoffman Gallery or online.
The new Manzanita City Hall building at 655 Manzanita Ave is nearing completion. Note that city offices will be closed starting June 23 and will reopen at the new city hall on August 4. During this time of transition, staff will be available by phone and appointment
Happy Summer!!