Tonya Strickland

Tonya Strickland is a Gig Harbor mom-of-two, longtime journalist, and Instagram influencer in the family and travel niche. Her blog, Two in Tow & On the Go, was recently named among the 10 Seattle-Area Instagram Accounts to Follow by ParentMap magazine. Tonya and her husband Bowen moved to Gig Harbor from California in 2021 with their two elementary school-age kiddos, Clara and Wyatt. Find her on Facebook for all the kid-friendly places in and around Gig Harbor.

14 Names to Remember | Kenneth Kirkendoll

May 23, 2024

Pvt. Kenneth Wayne Kirkendoll was born May 20, 1925 in Oketo, Kansas, to Ruth (Moble) Kirkendoll and Robert Kirkend0ll of Rosedale. In the 1940 U.S. Census, he had five siblings: Robert, Jerrold, Jack, Dale and Levi Kirkendoll.

14 Names to Remember | Lyle S. Jones

May 23, 2024

Sgt. Lyle Sanford Jones was born June 13, 1919 in Gig Harbor to Elsie Lenora (Dimmick) Jones and Sanford David Jones. In the 1920 U.S. Census, he had five siblings: Horace, Lois, Doris, Marvin, and Lila Jones, his twin sister.

14 Names to Remember | Burton Allen Gustafson

May 23, 2024

Gig Harbor Now columnist Tonya Strickland researched and profiled the 14 local men whose names appear on the World War II monument at Kenneth Leo Marvin Memorial Park. Find all 14 profiles here. Hometown: Gig Harbor Branch: U.S. Naval Reserve Rank: 2nd Class Machinist’s Mate Died: May 30, 1943 Burton Allen Gustafson was born on

14 Names to Remember | Raymond Edwards

May 23, 2024

Second Lt. Raymond “Ray” John Edwards was born April 15, 1923 in Olalla to Leone Valentine (Major) Edwards and David “D.C.” Cleveland Edwards of Gig Harbor. In the 1940s U.S. Census, he had five siblings: Donald, Roy, Ramona, Igal and Joyce Edwards.

14 Names to Remember | Willard Chessman

May 23, 2024

14 Names to Remember Project. Layout by Tonya Strickland. Historic graphics attributed.

14 Names to Remember | Arnold Boers

May 23, 2024

Cpl. Arnold “Arn” Joseph Boers was born June 19, 1921, in Wapato, Washington, to Anna Henrica (Schoenmakers) Boers and Arnold Francis Boers Sr. In the 1930 U.S. Census, he had eight siblings: Margaret, Elizabeth, John, Cornelius, Johanna, Jack, Nellie and Robert Boers. At the time, the family lived in Seattle.

14 Names to Remember | Carl Pearson

May 23, 2024

Carl Wendel Pearson was born April 5, 1916, in Gig Harbor to Anna Eugenia (Ahlberg) Pearson and Clifford Nelson Pearson. In the 1940 U.S. Census, Carl had three siblings: Ralph, Doris and Eugene “Gene” Pearson.

Two in Tow & On the Go | A girl, a military base, and The 14 Names To Remember Project

May 10, 2024

The 14 Names to Remember Project is defying all the rules. Gig Harbor Now is putting on a community news exhibit featuring the stories behind the names of 14 veterans who died in World War II. The first stop will be at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St., from May 16 through the end of June.

Two in Tow & On the Go | Tacoma reaches new heights with tower slide at Foss Waterway

Apr 26, 2024

I don’t know if it was the magnetic pull of seeing a 36-foot-tall climbing tower or the sure-fire promise of thrills zipping down its double-digit tube slide – but Metro Parks Tacoma’s brand-new playground unveiled earlier this month definitely convinced us to make a trip over the bridge to see what’s up.

Two in Tow & On the Go | It’s OK to play on these works of art

Apr 05, 2024

  Last month in Gig Harbor Now, writer Jennifer Preston discussed the importance of not only having public art in Gig Harbor — but playable art as well. Here at Two In Tow & On The Go, we’re all for that. So I’m going to tell you about three South Sound public art pieces that