Magic was in the air at Third Place Books' “Double 20” celebration

New Hogwarts students line up to be sorted
into their House

By Luanne Brown
Photos by Mike Remarcke

There was magic in the air at Third Place Books “Double 20” celebration on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park's Town Center.

The air was electric. The vast room crowded with a mix of kids and adults. I dressed some in Harry Potter robes, scarfs, glasses, and more than one attendee wore their very own sorting hat.

The occasion? It was a double celebration of the 20th year anniversary of the publication of the first book about everyone’s favorite British boy wizard, Harry Potter, as well as for the 20th anniversary of the opening of Third Place Books.

"Professor" Nicki Marion read to an absorbed audience

Bookseller Nicki Marion said, “Twenty seems like a nice round number to celebrate and it’s the also the 20th anniversary of the opening of Third Place Books.”

Marion also doubled as Professor Nicki and read from Potter author, J.K. Rowling’s book, “Tales of Beedle the Bard” in the Kid’s section of the store to the rapt attention of her audience.

Other bookstore employees did double-duty at the event. Bookseller Lish McBride, an author of several novels in her own right (“Necromancing”, ‘Hold Me Closer, Necromancer”, “Firebug” and her latest “Pyromantic”) sorted new Hogwarts students into their proper ‘house’ or "dormitory" as we say stateside, using the magic of the ‘Sorting Hat’.

Michelle Jones and Kai. Michelle could not
resist being "sorted" herself

Michelle Jones of Seattle brought her son Kai, 8, to the event, but couldn’t resist getting ‘sorted’ herself.

“The hat said I was a Slytherin. You can’t argue with the hat, but I feel like I’m a Gryffindor myself.”

Owen Watson of LFP is a Gryffindor

However, Owen Watson, 11, from Lake Forest Park, was delighted with what the Sorting Hat decided about him. “I’m a Gryffindor!”

Not everyone was there for Harry. Ruth Hayes-Short, former principal of Brookside Elementary (2001-2006), brought her 3-year old granddaughter, Liv, and read from a book that was more age-appropriate.

“I think Harry Potter is wonderful for older kids. My son, 30 now, loved the books.” She also raved about Third Place Books. “I love this place. It’s my favorite bookstore—for so many reasons!”

Author Lynn Brunelle (“Turn this Book into a Beehive”, “Pop Bottle Science”, “Big Science for Little People”, and more) came all the way from Bainbridge Island for the event to teach a potions class.

Potions master Lynn Brunelle has been
concocting potions for hundreds of years
 

Known for the evening as Professor Brunelle, she jokingly claimed to be the youngest potion teacher at Hogwartever, where she’s been concocting things for hundreds of years.

She mesmerized the crowd with her color changing liquids, lava lamp lessons, and tooth paste concoction for Fluffy, Hagrid’s gargantuan and very slobbering dog.

“We are so lucky to have had Third Place Books in our area for the past 20 years,” said one attendee."

Ruth Hayes-Short reads to her
granddaughter Liv

“I remember when the upper level of the shopping mall was a bunch of different stores that used to change ownership frequently. Third Place Books has been that constant attraction for so many years, now.

"Whether it’s to hear authors read or to come to a great book-related event like Harry’s 20th anniversary, Third Place Books and Third Place Commons adds to the vitality of Lake Forest Park and its neighbors.”