WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME IN WENATCHEE 

One of the things I noticed and loved when I moved to the Wenatchee Valley was that everywhere I went, people were talking to each other as if they were best buds. Although the paranoid side of me thought they were all whispering to each other, “Who’s that new guy?” There's nothing like walking into a place and greeting you by name. Like in the old TV series, Cheers when everyone would shout out, "Norm!" My favorite haunt is Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. Every time I'm there, I see the other regulars as well as the Polynesian performers, and we love getting caught up sipping' on a Uh-Oai.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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COVID restrictions ended, masks were off, businesses reopened, and we got to sit a little bit closer to each other. Well, with the exception of the restraining order, I can’t sit anywhere near television’s sweetheart Lacey Chabert when she’s in Leavenworth to film another Christmas rom-com for the Hallmark Channel. So where are some of these places? I polled a few listeners (and we all know how painful that can me), “Where do you go, knowing you’re gonna meet up with others?” I was surprised some answers…yet I wasn’t, because I’ve seen it. And some of these are general places.

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YouTube: Amazon Prime
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For an example. Grocery store. One person said that she looks forward to going to Albertson’s every Tuesday night because she’ll see some of the same people in line, and welcome small talk. And that includes those who work there. “They even know my name.” I have to agree. I see it all the time. People chatting away in aisle 12. Back home in Torrance, I loved bumping into my cousin Marcia and we’d stop and talk. Sometimes we’d talk so long, the ice cream in my basket would melt so I’d have to replace it with a fresh box in the freezer.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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Here’s another general answer I got quite often, and this makes sense. Church. Sure, of course! Whether it’s a Sunday morning service or a Wednesday night Bible study, fellowship beyond just saying hello at the grocery store has proven to be one of the healthiest things we do for our soul.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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 Eagle’s Club next the Wenatchee Valley Vet’s Hall. I’ve actually been to the The Eagles Wenatchee Aerie #204 a couple of times and really loved my time there. The bar/restaurant is run by volunteers, and because it’s connected to the Vet’s Hall, you’ll see those who served in our military hanging out there, and they are some of the coolest people to talk with.

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Google Map
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Red Robin and/or Applebee’s. This is true. Especially if you’re looking for a place that’s not too crowded to watch the Seahawks or Mariners games. I have to admit that I myself started to become a regular at Red Robin during a Dodgers game. It started because those who work at the bar area are Dodger fans so they’ll have the game on. Soon, Dodger fans caught on and started gathering there.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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 Pybus Public Market Not only do they have some great events there, they have quite a few places at Pybus that many of the same people show up. Outdoor seating for Sunday brunch during the summer months at Cafe’ Columbia is a great example. Or belly up to the bar with the regulars at South.

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Google Map
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 AppleSox or Wild games. This is something I wrote about some time ago. One of the things I’m looking forward to this spring and summer is attending Wenatchee AppleSox games. I loved how people with season tickets in their same reserved seats start chatting with each other, greeting each other by name, while watching America’s favorite past time.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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Here’s an answer I did not expect, but I love the idea. Neighborhood BBQs. And I’ve seen this while driving through neighborhoods during the Apple Blossom Parade in Wenatchee. I was even invited to one. These are popular during the 4th of July where the neighbors will close down their block or cal-de-sac to gather together for a potluck/BBQ.

Photo: Mav3rick
Photo: Mav3rick
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