Movie star's yacht sails into a new role

The Norwester Museum Tour is now open for business, after a patriotic launch on Saturday. The John Wayne-themed museum is on his first yacht, The Norwester, anchored permanently on the La Conner waterfront.

Now open to the public, the boat has retired after 84 years of a busy life that included Navy service, multiple owners and a lot of restoration.

The highlights of Saturday afternoon included a well-received visit from Kim Darby, the actress who played Mattie Ross alongside Wayne in his 1969 movie, “True Grit.” There were words from the mayor, live and recorded patriotic music and the raisin...