Manzanita Connections – May 20, 2025
New openings, Migratory Bird Day, and a Book Swap & Donation Drop
I “softly” started publishing Manzanita Connections last October. Similarly to how a retail shop or restaurant does a soft opening of their doors, I just started writing and told a few friends without any fanfare. Since then, I have added a Community Member Spotlight series and added links to fellow news resources: Manzanita Today and Nehalem Bay Community Calendar.
Through my writing, it’s been especially fun meeting and getting to know more people. Just last week, I received my 100th subscriber! 🎉 Shout out to Erik Dante, who I met on the sidewalk outside of Manzanita News and Espresso a few weeks ago.
Erik and his wife moved to Nehalem 23 years ago, after meeting in Cannon Beach. He was a volunteer firefighter for 12-plus years, back when Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue was Manzanita Fire. He has been building homes in the Manzanita area since 2008 and formed Dante Construction in 2013. Today, Erik is also building up his new business as a financial advisor. He wants to help people “realize peace with their finances” including everything from day-to-day expenses to planning for their future.“To go from a blue-collar hammer swinger to working in the financial industry is a huge mindset shift," says Erik. "But I believe this makes me uniquely qualified to help other people in the trades learn to take control of their finances and build retirement savings so that they don’t have to beat up their bodies forever.” To reach Erik, email erik.dante@pace-fa.com or call/text 971-288-0877.
A big thank you to everyone for subscribing. Please tell your friends!
Now, on to what’s opening
Several “openings” of note: the Nehalem Bay State Park (yay!), a new art gallery and shop called Cove, Manzanita Farmers Market, and a new Riverbend Players production. Plus, The Happy Elephant is now serving sushi.
Nehalem Bay State Park to reopen
If you haven’t already heard, Nehalem State Park is opening back up this Friday, May 23. That is, the day-use areas including trails, the boat launch and the airport will open. The campground is slated to reopen as soon as July 1 depending on the construction schedule. Campground reservations will open in a few weeks for dates starting in July. Check the webpage for more info and updates. If your day use parking permit has expired, get one now.
Cove opens in Manzanita
Cove, an art gallery and shop located in a house on the corner of Laneda and N. Carmel Avenues in Manzanita, quietly opened its doors earlier this month. When you step onto the porch and through the door, you’ll want to stay awhile.
You may find yourself wandering through the board-and-batten covered rooms, admiring everything around you and perhaps dreaming about sipping an Aperol spritz. It’s the perfect backdrop for owner Susan Soto’s beautifully curated selection of art objects — from pottery, paintings, 3-dimensional pieces, sculptures, textiles, and more. Plus, there’s a section in the back with art supplies and kits, a few gorgeous books and art prints. Don’t miss the patio lush with plants and delicately detailed terracotta from Italy. Drop by this weekend and be sure to put Cove on your list of places to take your out-of-town guests this summer.
Sordid Lives opens May 30
The Riverbend Players production of Sordid Lives opens on May 30. The play runs weekends until June 15 at the NCRD Performing Arts Center. Get your tickets now.
The Happy Elephant (formerly A Mighty Thai) in Manzanita started serving sushi this past weekend. Let me know if you go!
The Manzanita Farmers Market opened for the 2025 season last Friday. Yes, there was bread. And flowers, berries, veggies, and food carts. Smoked salmon is coming.
And radishes are clearly in season. Which made me tell the people in line behind me about this salad. Lebanese Radish Salad. This is the simple salad that made me love radishes. It’s thinly sliced radishes and toasted walnuts tossed with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mint, and kosher salt.
Migratory Bird Day Celebration — May 25
This looks like a fun event! This year's Migratory Bird Day Celebration is at Alder Creek Farm on Sunday, May 25. There will be guided bird walks, an observation station, interpretative tables, and kids activities. Learn the challenges birds face in our community and how to make the spaces we share with birds safer and more welcoming.
Book Swap & Donation Drop — May 30 & 31
Don’t miss the North Tillamook Library Friends Book Swap and Donation Drop on May 30 and 31 at Pine Grove Community Center. The Friends is a nonprofit that provides all funds for maintaining the building and grounds of our local library branch in Manzanita. By becoming a member of the Friends (and attending the book swap), your support enriches our community of readers and learners.
Do you want to donate books but can't come on Friday? Drop them off May 26-29 from noon to 3 pm with Kim at 34610 Lodgepole Drive (Pine Ridge).
As a bonus, Linda Kozlowski generously donated all her late husband's stained-glass works to benefit The Friends and Pine Grove. Bill Supak was a well-regarded artist, and over 15 pieces of his work will be available for sale by silent auction bidding on Friday and Saturday.
Lastly, just for fun, enjoy this little video of a weekend in Nehalem.
