Ronni Leigh and Keith Ryan Hoekema

Ronni Leigh Alvis and Keith Ryan Hoekema were united in marriage on July 19, 2008, at Faith Christian Fellowship in Everson, with Pastor Loren Swier officiating. A reception followed at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building in Lynden.

Sarah Lucille and Bryn William De Vries

Sarah Lucille Button and Bryn William De Vries were united in marriage on Sept. 13, 2008, at Third Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, with Pastor Mike Kirkelie officiating. A reception followed at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building.

Alicia Buiter and Sean VanderMeulen

Alicia Buiter of Nooksack and Sean VanderMeulen of Lynden announce their engagement and plans for a Dec. 27, 2008 wedding in Lynden. Alicia is a daughter of Henry and Judy Buiter of Nooksack. She is a graduate of Timothy Christian High School in Chilliwack, B.C., and is employed at Peoples Bank.

Bert De Kriek

Bert De Kriek of Lynden is celebrating his 90th birthday with an open house, planned by his children, on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Meadow Greens, 301 W. Homestead Blvd., in Lynden. He was born to John and Lucy De Kriek on Nov. 25, 1918, in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Five generations of Whatcom County residents gathered recently for a photo. Left to right are grandfather Jerry Cliett of Deming holding baby Allyanna Cliett, great-grandmother Delores Cliett of Bellingham, great-great-grandmother Leota Vander Molen

Julianne Noelle Stevenson and Nicholas Michael Thompson

Julianne Noelle Stevenson and Nicholas Michael Thompson, both of Lynden, announce their engagement and plans for a Dec. 20, 2008 wedding at Sunrise Baptist Church. Julianne is a daughter of Pete and Judy Stevenson of Lynden.

Garry and Robbin Phillips

Garry and Robbin Phillips, residents of Lynden since 2007, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Nov. 1, with family from Langley, B.C., at the Cliff House in Bellingham. They were married on Nov. 1, 1968, at the Palm Chapel in Pacific Beach, Calif.

ELLA LAUREN YOUNG
  Ashley and Brandon Young of Mount Vernon welcomed a daughter, Ella Lauren, on Nov. 4, 2008, at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Grandparents are Ken and Laure Bergsma and Jim and Karen Young. Great-grandparents are Jack and Jo Young, Don and Marilyn Alysworth, Darrell and Marian Metzker, Ken Bergsma Sr., and Jewel Davis.

Alexandria Anne and Michael Louis VanderGiessen

Alexandria Anne Hadford and Michael Louis VanderGiessen were united in marriage on June 26, 2008, at the home of the bride in Spokane with Rev. Paul Seebeck officiating.
  The bride is a daughter of Dale and Debbie Hadford of Spokane. Louis and Alice VanderGiessen of Lynden are the parents of the groom.

Wilbur "Bill" Hammer

Wilbur "Bill" Hammer of Bellingham is celebrating his 90th birthday. Family and friends are invited to an open house for Bill's birthday on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Silver Beach Community Church, 211 N. Shore Dr., Bellingham. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides from noon to 1:30. No gifts, please.