Brookings builder Kurt Kessler of Kurt Kessler Kustom Builder Inc.

The coffee table book which is publicized as “... a showcase of the region’s finest architects, home builders, landscape architects, interior designers, artisans, craftsmen and other industry specialists, under whose creative direction the extraordinary is possible.”

The published photos of Kessler’s construction projects are also the work of a Brookings artist, photographer William Ferry.

Deena Branson of Ashland offers chocolate samples at last year’s Winter Art and Chocolate Festival. Branson plans to return to this year’s festival, which is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14 and 15, in the Brookings-Harbor High School cafeteria. The Pilot file photo

At this family friendly event — which takes place in the Brookings-Harbor High School cafeteria on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14 — there will be something new throughout the venue, said David Willhite, event organizer.

Since its beginning five years ago, the festival has drawn thousands of visitors from throughout Southwestern Oregon. At the show guests may enjoy a variety of handmade arts and crafts, Oregon-made chocolates and participate in chocolate eating contests.

Cpl. Isaiah Davidson, a medic in the U.S. Army, was serving in Afghanistan when he was injured.

The voice on the other end of the line would say:

“Mom, get your people together and pray for me and my men, lost my best friend. Call you back!”

Or ...

“Happy Mother’s Day, I got blown up today.”

The calls came from either one of Denise Davidson’s two youngest sons as they served in the U.S. military in Middle East locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Louie Deraita reads her story “Sandy and the Sunken Treasure.” The Pilot/Arwyn Rice

If the titles of the books were unfamiliar to the kindergartners, there was a reason: the high school students wrote and illustrated the books themselves.

The visit was part of the high schoolers’ final exam grade, but students weren’t very stressed as they huddled with the kindergartners, laughing and teasing when they were done with their book, waiting to read to another student.