Ten women from our local Soroptimist Club recently went to a conference in Olympia. Top row, left to right: Robin Jacobson, Vicky Thalacker, Robin Wadleigh. Second row, left to right: Nancy Hanson, Patty Brightman, Marie DiCristina, Dana Bune, Carol Capps. Bottom row, left to right: Kristin Mouk and President Debbie Staehlin
Soroptimists receive kudos.... Marie DiCristina reports:
We can all be proud of the support Friday Harbor and San Juan Island gives to the local Soroptimist club. Recently, ten Friday Harbor Soroptimists attended a weekend Soroptimist International District Conference in Olympia to learn more about their organization, noteworthy causes and solutions. During the Conference awards were issued and Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor came in Second Place out of 44 Pacific Northwest clubs in Recognition of Outstanding Service Work! This is a direct result of your support of this club.
Six Awards were issued to FH Soroptimists for participation in The Women’s Opportunity Award (improving the lives of women by awarding a grant), The Making a Difference for Women Award (honors extraordinary women who improve the lives of women and girls through their personal or professional activities), The Toot Your Horn Program (Publicity), The Violet Richardson Award (honors girls making a difference through volunteer service with a monetary award), Membership gain), The Bronze Award (club donation at National Level) and The Membership Award (greatest gain in new members).
Dana Bune of Friday Harbor also received the very special Soroptimist Laurel Society pin and membership award from the District Governor. With a $1000 donation, an invitation is issued to join the Soroptimist’s prestigious Laurel Society. Three $1000 Opportunity Drawing boards were filled from the 210 attendees and Dana was chosen as one of the recipients. The other two honorary members are from La Conner, WA and Cooks Inlet, AK.
The FH Soroptimists held a Membership recruitment meeting last month where 14 women took applications. Just recently the group also participated in the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, the Santa Ship, Beach Cleanup and donation of grocery bags to the food bank.
For more information regarding Friday Harbor Soroptimist International please visit www.sifri.org.
That's Anna Maria from the Tucker House/Harrison House Suites with her innkeeper Shaylynn (right)...they've been keeping pretty busy in this so-called slow season.
Book talk on Saturday...... Lois Harris comes to talk about her new book, "Mary Cassatt: Impressionist Painter" on Saturday from 2-4pm at Griffin Bay Bookstore - here's more. See you there!
Auditions!.... Island director John E. Davis is holding auditions Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. for Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.
The play was specifically chosen for production at this time to be a part of the Town’s celebration of its 100th birthday in 2009. Performances are scheduled for February 26-28 as well as March 1, 5-8, and 12-13.
The last time I saw the sun was the middle of November. - photo & remarks by Rick Galer
Quote My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is. Ellen DeGeneres
December 2, 2008
While it probably sounds a bit gross, it's more than a bit revealing: Scientists are studying orca poop for clues about what factors are involved in their decline.
Using a getting-famous tracking dog named Tucker, researchers like Katherine Ayres (left, speaking at The Whale Museum this past summer) are discovering, among other things, that the orcas aren't getting enough to eat.
Where is he now? Brian Calvert lived on the island for a long time as a mainstay at Friday Harbor Yachts and in the local political scene...he's working in Seattle now as the general manager of Selene Seattle on Lake Union. Here's a bit about all that from his website.
Helping beat the high costs ahead of us.... Different businesses are doing different things to help each other with the tough economic times....here's what Kris Brown & the folks at Printonyx are up to:
Printonyx always offers our lowest prices of the year from Thanksgiving to mid-December but this year, we're extending our low color copy prices through the end of January. That means self-serve color copies at 49¢ per side, custom greeting cards as low as 50¢, color calendars as low as $10, 20% off one order, free black and white copies with every purchase of our holiday stationery (while it lasts).
We've found ways to produce jobs more effectively and keep our five copiers (two color, three black and white) producing all day. As our service technician said, "these machines, just like your car, need to keep running long jobs. Not start for a while, then stop for a long while." So if we can keep the machines busy and spread the cost of maintenance and leasing over a greater number of copies, we'll be able to keep our prices low for a longer time.
We're also helping customers save gas and time by accepting jobs via e-mail and sending back proofs of our graphic design projects via e-mail. For those who are familiar with how to produce a PDF file, that is the easiest way to provide us digital file, but files can also be produced on Macs or PCs in simple programs like Word, Publisher, Powerpoint or Works as well as high-end programs like InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
Kristine Brown, owner, has also been researching wholesale printing companies in the United States and has found some great deals on all kinds of color work from postcards to banners. She is able to pass on wonderful savings on many items to help businesses promote their services. To help businesses reach every island home and post office box, Printonyx continues to produce "The Clipper-Strip" to divide the $700 for postage and varying printing costs among 4-7 advertisers.
As a member of the Chamber of Commerce's punchcard promotion, Printonyx will be open until 8:00 p.m. Thursdays in December. We're always open 8:30a.m.-5:30p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10a.m.-2p.m. on Saturday. We do close Sundays, four or five national holidays, and for one week after Christmas and at Spring Break. Otherwise we're open year-round and can be reached at 378-2069 through our web-site printonyx.com or by e-mail to [email protected].
Getting interviewed.... Did you know April White (right) was interviewed on the CBC this week? Here's more.
Wolf Hollow is looking for you.... Michelle Loftus from Wolf Hollow needs board members:
Can you waddle like a duck, bark like a seal, or leap like a fawn? That’s special but we already have plenty of critters here with those talents. If you can write grants, organize projects, support our mission or jump on one leg please call Michelle Loftus 378-4738. Actually we have just filled that last position with a Trumpeter Swan. If you have any of these other abilities, come join our board!
Meanwhile, over at the Historical Museum.... Kevin Loftus wanted to remind you that there's a big to-do tomorrow night:
The San Juan Historical Museum invites you to join us for our annual Old Fashioned Holiday Celebration at the Museum this Wednesday, December 3, from 5 - 7pm - a gathering for the community in appreciation for your support. The Museum Buildings will be decorated with festive lights. Hot cider, hearty chili and other holiday goodies will be available. Caroling by the bonfire and holiday music in the James King Farmhouse. Guaranteed fun for all ages.
We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items to distribute to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.
Everyone is welcome to this free event.
Another good reason to visit Roche Harbor in the winter.... When Josie & I went to out to Roche Harbor to catch the Island Stage Left show (which is getting both rave reviews & sellout crowds - go early!), we always drop by and say hey to Jimmy (right), who tends bar in the Fireside Lounge next to McMillan's Restaurant. He's one of the friendliest guys around...drop in!
Traveling Light: Jeff Bossler on the road in India and Nepal Thrinley DiMarco tells me this is gonna be a good show:
Jeff Bossler of Lopez Island has put together a wonderful slide presentation of his recent trip to India and Nepal. The first half of the evening will focus on Tibetan exiles in India, their temples and shrines.
Thrinley DiMarco of Sakya Kachod Choling will be on hand to offer explanations. The Nepal portion features his work with Bright Futures Foundation and their support of schools, medical clinics, and other community projects. Jeff has a talent for making friends wherever he goes. He enjoys the local people and meets them in an open and friendly way. Because of this, he is invited into homes and businesses and gets a firsthand introduction into their lives. Join Jeff and Thrinley for an evening of armchair travel at Skagit Valley College - San Juan Center, in the Community Room, located on the lower level. There will be time for questions after the presentation.
Skagit Valley College, Community Room on December 5th at 6:30 p.m.
There is no charge but donations are always welcome and will go to Bright Futures and Sakya Kachod Choling.
Beth rocks! One of my favorite teachers over at FHHS is Beth Spaulding - she's smart, she's cheerful, and she's great with kids. Now, there's one more reason to like her. Here's more from Michael Soltman:
Beth Spaulding Earns National Board Certification: The San Juan Island School District is proud to announce that Ms. Beth Spaulding has met the rigorous National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). She is the first to earn such certification in the District. NBPTS is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan organization founded in 1987 to create a system of advanced certification for teachers based on high and rigorous standards. National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to identify, recognize and reward accomplished teachers who meet high and rigorous national standards.
Ms. Spaulding began her teaching career in 1972 in Ferguson, Missouri. After several years of teaching she took time out to raise a family and then began substitute teaching in the San Juan Island School District in 1994. She has taught full time in the FHHS math department since 1999. She is highly regarded for her teaching expertise and leadership in the District. She will receive a $5,000 annual bonus, funded by the State Legislature, to reward and encourage teachers to obtain National Board Certification.
Superintendent Michael Soltman said, “We are so proud of Beth’s achievement. She joins a NBPTS cohort of wonderful teachers across our State. We look forward to her serving as a mentor and model for other teachers in our District wishing to seek NBPTS certification.”
Quote Your theory is crazy, but it's not crazy enough to be true. Niels Bohr, scientist
December 1, 2008
That's Tom Hagn & Julie all smiles at the Artisans' Marketplace at the elementary school this weekend. The annual event had a steady crowd all weekend of islanders who understand that shopping local means getting really cool stuff.
The Community Thanksgiving Dinner rocked... I dropped by on Thursday & it was close to standing room only - lots of food & good cheer, especially when the Seahawks did something right on TV.
Jim & Minnie helped organize what has become a really nice tradition here on the island...here are their observations (with a few pix I took while I was there):
We have much to be thankful for, especially in this community. The Community Thanksgiving Dinner is a way of expressing that gratitude with more than 100+ volunteers working together in a manner that any fine dining restaurant would be proud of. These energetic volunteers prepared and served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to over 300 diners on Thanksgiving Day.
This was one of our most successful and smoothly running Community Thanksgiving Dinners and we are very grateful to all the volunteers who bake pies, cook turkeys, peel potatoes, prepare and serve food and drinks, and wash a ship-load of dishes; both on the day before and on Thanksgiving Day itself. All of this is possible because of the volunteers who are so plentiful that sometimes you have to elbow your way into the kitchen. The dinner was a great success enjoyed by everyone.
Special thanks to Kerwin Johnson, who always cheerfully gives a large financial contribution to get us started (and then comes in to help peel 100 pounds of potatoes), and to Verne Howard of King’s Market for the contribution of 24 turkeys. The service clubs: Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, American Legion, Sons of the Legion, and American Legion Auxiliary each donate $50 toward the cost of the food and provide many of the volunteers. John Stimpson, at Market Place always helps us with special food orders and gives us a discount on the food purchase. In addition, this year the 4-H "Bits and Spurs" group provided wonderful, home-made table centerpieces, while the Leos club and the Boy Scouts helped with table set up and clean up and the Girl Scouts donated pies.
Time Warner donates free cable TV for the day so that diners can enjoy football games at the Grange. For the past two years, this effort has been masterfully coordinated by the LLB. There are many more individuals who cheerfully give their time, expertise and energy to this event. The list would be too long to print if we mention them all. But we are grateful to each one. Each volunteer and each group is an essential piece of the grand Thanksgiving puzzle.
It is very satisfying to participate in an event that has voluntary attendance, voluntary contributions, and voluntary effort that brings people together to recognize and give thanks for all we have. This is a labor of love for us and we are already looking forward to the 2009 Community Thanksgiving Dinner which will mark a decade of Community Thanksgiving Dinners at the Grange.
Jim and Minnie Knych
And that's not all.... Here's another note I got, directed to the folks who put dinner on:
The San Juan Community Thanksgiving Dinner held at the Grange was truly an impressionable and memorable event. Thank you all for such a wonderful day, meal, and camaraderie given freely in the spirit and tradition of the holiday.
I am in awe at the organization, smoothness of operations, and community effort demonstrated by all of you, both before the event in preparation, and during, making the dinner such a success. The cooperation of all of the individuals, organizations, clubs, and businesses was truly impressive.
My understanding was you provided almost 400 meals. I can not count the compliments of your work and the meal I heard all day. Not one negative comment or cross word all day! The willingness of everyone to jump in and help wherever needed was commendable. The help of the kids & young adults should be regarded as an inspiration for the future.
I was additionally impressed with all of the individuals who had other plans for the day but nonetheless participated in the decoration, food preparation, baked pies, cooked and delivered turkeys, and helped out is so many other ways.
Such an outpouring of effort makes me very proud and appreciative to be a member of this community.
Thank you so much!
Michael Nachlinger
Part of the reason the Artisans' Marketplace is a great event is the wonderful spirit of the folks who sell their handmade crafts there, including Francie (left), Lori & Jeannie.
Time to go potluckin' & dancin'...... Mike Vouri says the dance is this weekend - if you haven't done it before, it's time you went. I've been, and it's a blast! Here's more:
Holiday Social at English Camp: Join San Juan Island National Historical Park staff and volunteers for the annual old-fashioned Holiday Social, tree-trimming and cookie potluck from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, December 6, at English Camp.
Visitors are invited to bring holiday cookies and ornaments to hang on the tree, which will be erected in the old British Royal Marine Light Infantry barracks building -- just as it was likely done in the mid-1860s when the camp was in its heyday.
The park's 2008 Volunteer of the Year award and volunteer recognition is scheduled for 2 p.m. Admission is free. The park will provide beverages, two crackling fires to warm the bones and entertainment to include staff and volunteer re-enactors in period uniforms and dress, storytelling and folk dancing with “Sugar on the Floor.” Volunteer awards also will be presented. A motorized golf cart will be available in the English Camp parking area for persons with accessibility needs. For information, call 378-2902.
Checking in from Portland..... Christiana (with the horns) & Charlie used to do research up here at the Marine Labs, where they also got married - they wanted to tell us about how things are giing in Portland AND that thay now have baby Elsa for young Charlie to play with - here's more:
Dear Ian,
Happy Thanksgiving!
This is just a brief note to say Hi and to thank you so very much for your blog. I read it regularly and love it! Not only because it keeps me updated about the island (and 'home'sick), but I also love your wisdoms and links and quotes...
I was thrilled to read that you got married -- CONGRATULATIONS!! I wish you and your sweetheart all the very best for a super-happy future! Which I believe you'll have, since it was you who sang at our wedding: "Give yourself to love."
I haven't made it up to visit Friday Harbor since March, because I had a second baby in June! "Elsa", a little sister for Charlie (3). Charles and I are very happy with the kids and living in Portland, although I do miss the island of course. I hope to keep visiting regularly...
In the streets of Friday Harbor.... He's been walking everywhere - since his motorcycle accident in late June, it seems like Gary Bowman's rehab & cheerful attitude have him just getting better & better...
It was good to see him (left) with wife Yvonne (red), daughter Loni (Nikki was home cooking), and Darrin on Thursday at King's, getting a few things for Thanksgiving on Thursday.
That was the sign at the San Juan Florists' booth on Saturday....I'm guessing it helped sales....
American Tune..... Here's Paul & Art doing a song they would have released as Simon & Garfunkel if they hadn't split up. This is them in 2004, with the vocals as beautiful & expressive as ever....see what you think.
November 28, 2008
Farmers Market - indoor version..... Next Saturday on the sixth it's Saturday Market, like usual, but in a different spot - it's at the high school in the former commons (now called the dining hall on the strength of the cool stuff Chef Tom French & the Experience Food Program are doing)...Rosa Blair tells me it's this Saturday from 10am to 1pm, drop in & see 'em - it'll be the first Saturday of each month till May, with an extra Market open on the 20th of this month.
See ya there!
Lost, probably stolen, jacket..... I have been asked by former FHHS student, Annie Bryant, to notify everyone of a stolen jacket. This jacket was taken from her roadside mailbox. It had been shipped from Italy, and she has filed a report at the Sheriff's office. The description follows:
Very dark brown calfskin, small women's fitted Bomber-style jacket (European size 44) with brass zippers (including on the pockets) and with button trimmed "Pilot straps" on the shoulders. It has fabric wrist bands and a fabric waistband and the collar is fashioned as a buckle.
If you see this jacket please notify the Sheriff's office. Annie thanks you as well!
Festival of Trees..... You can still get to the Festival of Trees next weekend - here's more from Jan at the Community Theatre:
Festival of Trees Tickets Still on Sale! Dinner with Galloping Gourmet Up for Grabs! Tickets are available for CATS’ annual holiday extravaganza benefiting the San Jaun Community Theatre…PLUS folks have a chance this year to bid on dinner with and by the Galloping Gourmet!
The dinner for a party of 8-10 with Chef Graham Kerr and the Experience Food Project’s Chef Tom French is one of several live auction items during the 19th Annual Festival of Trees on Saturday, December 6. All of the live auction items are now available to review online at www.sjctheatre.org.
The Festival begins in the Gubelman Theatre at 5:00 p.m. with a silent auction, wine and gourmet appetizers from Roche Harbor’s Bill Shaw. Guests then move into the Whittier Theatre at 6:30 p.m. for live entertainment produced and directed by Ted Soares and the live auction, followed by delectable desserts from Marilee Weber of Sweet Spot.
Tickets are $75 per person and are available by calling 378-3211, ext. 32.
A look at the average person's inner tourist.... "And then there is the problem that wherever we go, we can't escape ourselves." Elisabeth Eaves (right) used to work here in town at a hotel, and now writes for Forbes magazine, among others. In her op-ed piece "The Great Escape," she reviews the disconnect between what we hope for in an vacation & what we actually get.
Intelligent, incisive, and worth reading. Check it out.
Halfway there...the beard growing contest continues.... Wannabe ZZ Top dudes & mountain men - alert! Here's the word from Sally at Island Rec:
Beard Growing Contest Photo Update! Judging day for the 59 registered beard growing contestants is less than three months away and it is time to get a mid-growth photo recorded! Participants may either email a current photo to [email protected]; stop by Island Rec’s office at 580 Guard Street Monday through Friday from 1-5pm or Windjammer Barbershop in Jeri’s Mall to have your photo taken. These mid-growth photos will be posted on www.islandrec.org along with the beginning photos and on display at Island Rec’s office
Judging for the contest is scheduled to take place during the town’s Birthday Celebration at 5:30pm February 9 at the Town Fire Hall. Awards will be presented in the following seven categories: Blackest; Whitest; Reddest; Longest; Wildest and two Judge’s Choice. Generous gift certificates have been donated by Downriggers; Front Street Ale House; China Pearl; Bella Luna; Haley’s and the Peppermill. Call Island Rec at 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org for more information.
Thor is coming by..... Thor Hanson (left) will be at Griffin Bay Bookstore on Thursday (here are the details) to make a presentation to go with his book about living & working with gorillas...the presentation is at 5:30pm - see you there. Here's more about Thor.
By the way, this is a big deal. Don't miss him.
Are you flying to Seattle? Craig at Kenmore tells me they have a deal:
Kenmore Air Express: Enjoy $79 one-way fares on selected flights between Friday Harbor Airport and Seattle Boeing Field Dec. 2-18, Jan. 6-Feb. 11 and Feb. 17-28. Special fare requires 14-day advance booking, and seats at special fare are limited. Call 866-435-9524 or visit www.KenmoreAir.com.
Yesterday morning, Josie & I took a Thanksgiving walk around the loop, which naturally led us through town, where we saw this barred owl (here more about 'em) in the tree at Circle Park, right above the memorial.
As you can see in this enlargement (click here for a huge one), the crows were all around him & bugging him. And, as you can see, he's looking at Josie backwards - that's his back in the photo, with his head at 180 degrees. (Photo by Josie Byington.)
Hear, hear - here Stacie has been doing this for a while - get it on your calendar:
Affordable Hearing Help: Lots of us have a decline in our hearing acuity as we get older or due to environmental factors. If hearing loss is affecting your quality of life, we have answers for you. Don't hesitate to seek local professional assistance. You can rest assured, there are affordable options available. The Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing has two programs that focus specifically on helping individuals access low-cost or free hearing care.
The first, Audient, is a nonprofit program providing low-cost, high-quality hearing systems and care for those with limited ability to pay. Additionally, the Lions Hearing Aid Bank provides refurbished hearing aids at little to no cost to the patient. Costs to provide hearing aids are split between your local San Juan Lions Club and the NWLF.
In our community, Dr. Stacie Baisch donates services including the evaluation, fitting and follow-up appointments for recipients of Hearing Aid Bank devices. Dr. Baisch also provides one day per month of free services at each the Mullis Community Senior Center and the Orcas Senior Center. Services offered include hearing tests, hearing aid repairs and hearing aid programming.
Call the Senior Center (378-2677) to schedule a personal hearing appointment on Tuesday, December 9. (Hearing Services are available every 4th Wednesday at Orcas Senior Center and every 2nd Tuesday at Mullis Senior Center).
To keep the parks from closing.... David writes in with an idea about how you can be part of the solution:
As it attempts to balance the County budget for 2009, the County Council is considering the closing of the Eagle Cove, Rueben Tarte, and Turn Point day parks on San Juan Island. The closing of these parks is already in the preliminary 2009 budget submitted by the Parks Department. The County Council will hold a public meeting at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, December 2 at which citizens can comment on the proposed budget, including the closing of these three parks.
In order to convince the Council to keep these three parks open, I am attempting to recruit volunteers who would "adopt a park" by picking up litter and trash, mowing grass, trimming brush, and removing storm debris.
Volunteers will work directly with the Parks Department. This is not a Trails Committee project.
Although it depends upon the total number of individuals who volunteer, I anticipate that each of us would only need to contribute a couple of hours per month.
If you would be interested in volunteering, please reply to me at [email protected] and indicate the park or parks you are interested in helping to adopt. I will then forward your name on to the Parks Depart ment together with 18 other volunteers who have already committed to help.
Please forward this idea to your friends, neighbors, and others that you think might be willing to help.
Thanks!
David Dehlendorf [email protected]
Chair, San Juan Island Trails Committee
378-1082
Looking for something to do - go hang out at the Whale Museum with the kids.... Here's what they tell me:
The Whale Museum will be open extended hours for shopping and kids’ activities on Thursday, Dec. 4th and Friday, Dec. 5th until 8:00 p.m. Hosted kids’ activities will take place between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00. The museum and gift shop open at 10:00 a.m.
· On Thursday, Dec. 4th-Shop Local Night- there will be kids’ activities and holiday-themed refreshments in the museum’s 1st floor gallery.
· On Friday, Dec. 5th, join us after the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Let your children explore the museum while you shop! Admission for kids ten and under is free; they will be supervised upstairs in the museum while parents are in the store/gallery.
For more information, contact the museum at (360) 378-4710, ext. 30.
More from the Festival of Trees.... This is a new thing at FOT this year, according to Jan:
No what ifs about it! The Magic Ticket Drawing is here! FOT attendees are invited to enter a drawing for a chance to win YOUR CHOICE of a live auction item. For $100 your name will be put into the drawing, and right before the live auction begins, the lucky winner will be chosen. The winner then gets to pick whatever live auction item they like! (As CATS president Pat Nieman proclaimed, “Those are better odds than the lottery!”). With most live auction items valued at more than $600, it would be quite a prize!*
You can see the live auction items by clicking here.
Ask Chance about the Magic Ticket Drawing when you call her to book your tickets to attend at 378-3211, ext. 32.
* There must be at least 50 entries for the Magic Ticket Drawing to take place. If there is not, we will refund the $100.
The book sale is next weekend, too.... Barry from the Friends says this is a good way to get ready for those long winter nights by the fire, which are much warmer with a stack of books net to ya:
HOLIDAY BOOK SALE DECEMBER 6: If you’re looking for an inexpensive gift for this holiday season, you may find it at The Friends of the San Juan Island Library seventh annual Holiday Book Sale on Saturday, December 6. The sale will be held in the library meeting room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature quality new and used books, suitable for giving as gifts. There will be an abundance of new and nearly-new bestsellers. Many quality non-fiction and coffee-table books will also be available, with subjects as diverse as gardening, travel, photography, cooking, crafts, history and more.
Holiday cards, including designs by island artists, will also be available for purchase, as well as handcrafted bookmarks and jewelry made by volunteers for the Friends of the Library. The proceeds from the sale will be used to support activities in the library, such as Live and Learn adult programming series, the Teen Assistant program, children’s programs, and for the purchase of special items for the library.
Mob runs in Turkey Trot..... It was a record - here's more from Paul:
Temperatures near 40 and threat of rain didn’t deter more than 150 islanders and visitors from participating in the fourth annual “Turkey Trot,” a 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk which started at the Best Western-Friday Harbor Suites. This year’s event saw families, couples, individuals, strollers and 19 dogs.
Islanders Nick Roberts and Pam Stewart walked away with first place in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. Roberts won this year’s event in 17:15. Stewart took her second title, having won the ladies event in 2006, in 21:53. Complete results can be found at www.runninginthesanjuans.com, your local running information web site.
Entry fees for this years Turkey Trot were $5.00 and two cans of food. Proceeds and nearly 300 cans of food will be donated to the Friday Harbor Food Bank. The event is produced and managed by Island Athletic Events, LLC with special thanks to Kings Market and Best Western-Friday Harbor Suites.
Some of it is news, some of it is old news, and all are just things we wanted to mention, with most of it about the things that make living here great.
There will be more next week, if anything happens.
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ber 2, 2008
Special thanks to Kerwin Johnson, who always cheerfully gives a large financial contribution to get us started (and then comes in to help peel 100 pounds of potatoes), and to Verne Howard of King’s Market for the contribution of 24 turkeys. The service clubs: Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, American Legion, Sons of the Legion, and American Legion Auxiliary each donate $50 toward the cost of the food and provide many of the volunteers. John Stimpson, at Market Place always helps us with special food orders and gives us a discount on the food purchase. In addition, this year the 4-H "Bits and Spurs" group provided wonderful, home-made table centerpieces, while the Leos club and the Boy Scouts helped with table set up and clean up and the Girl Scouts donated pies. 
