Around the island….

Let’s take a look around our island…..

• You may notice that there was no pet of the week this week….that’s because I asked Jan at the Animal Shelter if they had any armadillos or raccoons, and they’re looking for some. mostly to diversify.

I’ll get back to you how this unfolds. That would be pet of the MONTH.

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• Mike Vouri tells us that Ron Garner was picked as Volunteer of the year – here’s why:

Ron Garner named Volunteer of the Year

Long-time San Juan Island NHP employee/volunteer Ron Garner was named the park’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year during the annual Holiday Social December 8. Garner has spent almost every weekend the past three summers serving as a volunteer blacksmith in the park’s living history program–a program Garner first resuscitated as a seasonal ranger in 1984.

The native Ohioan moved to San Juan Island permanently in 1996, following 30 years teaching school, and served once again as a seasonal ranger during the summer and volunteered for the park over the winter. Garner re-introduced blacksmithing as well as pioneer wood working during this period.

Among his most significant activities was supervision of the construction of a three-quarter replica U.S. Army traveling blacksmith forge, as well as a 12-pounder mountain howitzer gun for Battery D, the island’s living history group that supports park re-enactment activities.

After hanging up his ranger boots in 2009, Garner has not only continued blacksmithing, but has recruited and trained other staff and volunteers, including several island and off-island youths. He has also volunteered the traveling forge for all of the park’s programs and developed systems for hauling it to and from the Commissary and transporting it for off-island events.

“Ron is about as good and gets for volunteering on San Juan Island, where volunteering is a way of life,” said Mike Vouri, chief of interpretation. “He’s a real treasure, not only for us, but for all his other volunteer passions, most especially the island’s Fire Wise program.”

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• Spring Street International School’s Will Haviland (right) was named as a Commended National Merit Scholarship test taker…congrats, Will!

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• Did you see it? Sunday’s Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Christmas with Holly was based on Lisa Kleypas’ Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor….here’s more.

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• You can help! Here’s more from June Arnold about Dollars for Scholars:

Dear Island Neighbors,

Our annual Dollars for Scholars San Juan Island letter campaign, which is a primary source of funding for this important program, is going out this week, but we can’t hope to reach everyone through direct mail.  This letter to the editor is one more way we can raise the community awareness for the important work being done by our young volunteers in our community.

As you may already know, the mission of Dollars for Scholars San Juan Island is to support higher education and promote volunteerism among our community’s youth.  Students who have completed a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer community service during their high school career are eligible for a scholarship from our organization.

This past year Dollars for Scholars San Juan Island was selected as one of the top chapters across the nation.  We are honored to know our mission has been recognized and hope you will see this as further proof that your support is well directed.

Here are a few things you might not know about Dollars for Scholars, San Juan Island:

• There are 75 students currently participating in volunteer activities for the San Juan Island community

• Students can receive matching funds for their Dollars for Scholars scholarship through participating institutions

• We are part of a national organization known as Scholarship America which supports Dollars for Scholars chapters across the county

• Our chapter can help you, your family or your organization establish a scholarship for San Juan Island students by:
  – Providing 501(c)3 status
  – Holding, administering & distributing scholarship funds
  – Vetting viable candidates for your scholarship, including assisting or overseeing the selection process

If helping to grow volunteerism in our community appeals to you, please join us with your financial support of a donation to our scholarship fund by visiting us on the web at www.dollarsforscholarssji.org or mailing your support to Dollars for Scholars, SJI, P.O. Box 3366, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250.  We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.

June Arnold, President

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• It was cool to drop by & see the handmade bags that Lauren Cohen has made at San Juan Canvas (I got mine!)…they’re all made from recycled sails, and she can make them to order, or you can pick one out that is already made. Drop by today to see her & Derek Steere at San Juan Canvas!

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• Michele Morton at Islanders Bank says the food drive is on – here’s more (by the way, the Food Bannk folks tell me you can always drop off money at the Food Bank, too – they’re open Wednesday & Saturday from noon to 2pm):

The holiday season is upon us and have heard that there is an increased number of our community members in need of food.

So in support, we have a collection bin in our Friday Harbor Branch lobby for food to be delivered to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.

Item requested:

Peanut Butter, Brown Rice, Yams, Cooking Oil, Egg Noodles, Hearty Soups

Canned items: Peaches, Pineapple, Tuna, Ravioli’s

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Categories: Around Here