Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the New Neighbors Guide! On behalf of the local community, we welcome you to Thurston County. Whether you’re here temporarily or plan to make this a permanent home, we know you’re going to love our region. With our natural beauty, lakes, streams and forested trails, this is the perfect location for outdoor fun. With some of the best coffee in the world and a vibrant food and entertainment scene, Thurston County has something for everyone.
This resource guide offers tips and reminders to get you settled and to get the nuts and bolts of your new home well underway. This resource will also help you get connected to your local community, schools and health care, and help you put down “roots” in your daily life here. From great ideas for your home and events to engage in the community, we have you covered.
Let’s face it, moving to a new city can be costly and time-consuming—but it’s also exciting! This guide is written by a mix of perspectives from native Thurston Countians to people who moved here from out of the area. Our group reminisced about what we wish people had told us when we first moved here.
As we put together this issue, we look forward to providing you with information and education about all the “best things” in Thurston County and we hope to give you a sense of place where you belong and can engage and feel connected. We welcome you, our “new neighbor,” to Thurston County.
Kindest regards,
Robin Lucas, Publisher
This Issue’s Content
New to Thurston County?
Here’s What You Need to Know There is always so much to do when you move. This checklist will help you to quickly navigate a few important tasks related to […] |
Living in Thurston County
Thurston County is centrally located to some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Any day of the week, you can embark on a new adventure. Visit spectacular […] |
Oly Fed CEO is ‘Here for You, Here for Good
“I believe every team member plays a critical role and everybody contributes to our success,” says Lori Drummond, president and CEO of Olympia Federal Savings, or Oly Fed for short. […] |
Enrolling in School in Thurston County
Parents have more options than ever before in choosing an academic environment that best fits the needs of their student. In Thurston County, there are 60 public primary schools, 17 […] |
Giving Back in Thurston County
A great way to quickly learn about your new community and meet new friends is to get involved with a nonprofit organization. Every community offers numerous opportunities to support these […] |
Community Spotlight: South Sound Success Story
Heidi Duncan of Duncan Insurance, Olympia It could be that some superheroes come into being from a toxic spider bite, but other superheroes are just born into their roles as […] |
Making Your House a Home
Tips to transform a house into a home with décor and furniture from the heart ~Design tips provided by Sage Interiors in Tacoma Your entry is the initial introduction to […] |
The HeART of the Home Cabinets by Trivonna
Cabinets by Trivonna of Olympia pride themselves on a design experience that is uniquely customized to their individual client’s dreams and wishes. Trivonna Cabinets brings to life an artful design […] |
Getting Settled into a New Home
After the last box is moved into your new home, you might think the hardest part of moving is over. And you’re right, but there are still things to take […] |
Holy Lamb Organics: Natural Bedding
Holy Lamb Organics has been making natural bedding products locally by hand in the small town of Oakville, Washington for 18 years. The South Sound community can access a “touch […] |
Celebrating More Than 70 Years—Panowicz Jewelers
Even after seven decades, Panowicz Jewelers still holds true to its founding: a legacy of quality, integrity and value. Begun in 1948 by Anton Panowicz Sr., the local-family-owned jewelry store […] |
Capitol City Honda: Reputation – A Family Tradition
Kelly Levesque,, owner of Capitol City Honda, understands better than most what it means to do business in your hometown. According to Kelly, “It means your neighbors are buying from […] |
Explore the Hands On Children’s Museum
Rainy Day Fun Located on Olympia’s beautiful East Bay waterfront, the award-winning Hands On Children’s Museum is the largest and most visited youth museum in the Pacific Northwest. Explore 150 […] |
Basilico: Discover Your New Go-To Restaurant
Growing up in the Umbria region of central Northern Italy, Giampaolo Falchetti was exposed to wonderful handmade pastas, ravioli and slow-cooked sauces covering braised meats. His childhood memories and teachings […] |
Health & Wellness Close to Home
Moving to a new community means finding new healthcare providers for you and your family. Thurston County offers a wide variety of independent health practitioners and large healthcare systems to […] |
Olympia OB/GYN Heroes: Babies Born During a Pandemic
Babies are born when they are ready, not when a pandemic says so. Dedicated medical personnel tackle coronavirus challenges to deliver them safely. That’s true of the team at Olympia […] |
Service and Convenience at the Heart of Light Dental Studios
We can all agree on the qualities for the ideal dental provider: round-the-clock service, free consultations, same-day appointments, entire-family bookings, empathetic service and affordable care. It’s nearly impossible to find […] |
Tumwater Eye Center: Designed with New Technology
At the Tumwater Eye Center, Dr. Douglas Jeske and his wife Karen have created a distinctive look and customer experience for their patients. This new facility, located at 6510 Capitol […] |
Find Your Place – Find Your Y
Is your family looking for a place to stay healthy and meet new people? Look no further than the South Sound YMCA. As the largest provider of youth programs in […] |
Northwest Winter Safety Tips for Seniors
During the winter months, slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses, especially for seniors. The following tips will help prevent common cold-weather dangers […] |
