Jessica has graduated as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner...

In this graduation season, it’s great to hear from far & wide about the cool stuff former FHHS students are doing…here’s the word from proud mom Nan Simpson whose smile is on high-beams these days:

Graduation Announcement:  Jessica Hollis Simpson

Jessica Hollis Simpson, daughter of Nan and Steve Simpson of Friday Harbor and Ron and Pamela Hollis of Hartsel, Colorado, was one of nine students to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Nursing in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Washington  Friday, June 12th, 2009.

Jessica graduated from WSU with a BA in Social Sciences/Psychology and Chemistry in 1999 and then earned her BS in Nursing from the University of Washington in 2004.  She is a 1994 Friday Harbor High School graduate.

Jessica’s master’s project, an academic paper co-written with UW faculty, concerning children with chronic illness was published in the national academic journal, Pediatric Nursing.(May 2009)  Jessica passed the National Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certification Board Exams June 16, 2009.  She is presently employed as an inpatient RN caring for infants and children at Evergreen Hospital, Seattle.

Mike Cohen

One of this island’s true & lasting treasures is folksinger/philosopher/educator Mike Cohen. He’s been teaching nature’s way for decades, and it’s people like him who will make the difference in the coming years as we face the incredible disconnect too many folks have with nature & the planet. Here’s more:

Nature’s Path to Earth and Us in Peaceful Balance

June, 17, 2009: This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature (ECHN) a UNESCO approved, online, sensory art and science developed by Michael J. Cohen, Ph.D. at the Institute of Global Education in Friday Harbor, WA.

ECHN provides a lasting remedy for personal, social and environmental deterioration.  It offers accredited courses, degree programs and jobs from Project NatureConnect in cooperation with Akamai and Portland State Universities.

By giving us the means to create moments that let Earth teach, ECHN genuinely connects contemporary thinking with the the grace of nature’s self-correcting and restorative ways.  This helps us nurture and energize nature’s healing powers within us.  It enables of our natural senses to sensibly recycle the pollutants in our mind that bond us to our destructive relationships.

Engaging in ECHN is like forever taking a powerful and spiritually renewing walk in the park.  It transforms our disorders into the rewards of clear thinking, well-being and peaceful balance.  It may be added to any discipline or profession.

Further information: contact Michael J. Cohen, Telephone 360-378-6313 or email: [email protected]. Website: www.ecopsych.com Personal page: http://www.ecopsych.com/mjcohen.html

Rise & shine on Grad Night (Grad Morning?) on the Odyssey...

Hey, here’s a couple of places to go to to see what graduation & the senior all-nighter looked like…

Grad Night 2009 – Here’s the site (click here!) that details the evening after the ceremony was over, as the seniors rode the Pintail to Jones Island for a spell, back to the hypnotist at the Community Theatre, then watched the sunrise aboard the Odyssey (a trip donated by San Juan Excursions.) Put together by Cynthia Stark-Wickman & the Prevention Coalition.

Graduation itself:
Photos by Anne Sheridan – she says: You have been invited to look at photos for FHHS 2009 Graduation. Click on this link (click here!) to get started.

All the images that were printed as gifts for the class of 09 families are posted there, plus images from the Processional and more views of the graduates leaving the stage (many grads were “moving targets” and didn’t pause, so some images have motion blur).

You can visit this site to see all my graduation images, and use it to order reprints if you are interested. Share this link below with family and friends, this site will be active for 60 days. You can also contact me directly with questions or for other options.

Here’s Ivan from Western Prince, with his story of his most memorable day on the water:

Gretchen from Whidbey Island Bank says they have a team for Relay for Life:

Whidbey Island Bank has assembled a team of both bank and community members this year, to participate in the 25th year anniversary of Relay For Life.

We are very excited, and proud to be a part of this fantastic event. In honor of the 25th year anniversary, our team has decided to show up in force dressed like Flash Dancers. No, we don’t mean trench coats. We’ll be dancing around in our 80’s exercise gear. That’s right, big hair, neon colors, and spandex…well maybe not the spandex.

We encourage everyone to check out our site at www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org, and also to stop by Whidbey Island Bank to participate in our raffle and win the Whidbey Island Bank prize.

Gretchen from Whidbey Island Bank says they have a team for Relay for Life:

Whidbey Island Bank has assembled a team of both bank and community members this year, to participate in the 25th year anniversary of Relay For Life.

We are very excited, and proud to be a part of this fantastic event. In honor of the 25th year anniversary, our team has decided to show up in force dressed like Flash Dancers. No, we don’t mean trench coats. We’ll be dancing around in our 80’s exercise gear. That’s right, big hair, neon colors, and spandex…well maybe not the spandex.

We encourage everyone to check out our site at www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org, and also to stop by Whidbey Island Bank to participate in our raffle and win the Whidbey Island Bank prize.

The humpback dove only a few feet away from the Canadians...

This was a photo Jim Maya took last week when those humpbacks were in the area…he said the guys in the Prince of Whales boat didn’t try to get close to the whale – the whale came over to them. -oo-

Francie hangs her work at the Naked Bean....

If you get a chance, drop by the Naked Bean, where Francie Hansen was hanging her recycled art yesterday on the wall on the Thai Kitchen side of the coffeehouse. Cool stuff, cleverly put together…check it out! -oo-

Francie hangs her work at the Naked Bean....

If you get a chance, drop by the Naked Bean, where Francie Hansen was hanging her recycled art yesterday on the wall on the Thai Kitchen side of the coffeehouse. Cool stuff, cleverly put together…check it out! -oo-

This is a great time to learn...

My friend Amy Wynn wanted you to know this is a great time to learn to swim – here’s more:

Ian, I have a little dream.  It’s a much smaller dream than Martin Luther King’s, but I’m sure it will keep me busy.  I’d like for everyone on the island to know how to swim and be safe around water.  To that end, here’s some great opportunities at the Fitness Center and there’s more in the works, too.

Time to get into the swim of things!  San Juan Island Fitness will be  offering swim lessons in July on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30  and 5pm for children of all levels.  Three week sessions go from July 7- July 23 and cost $45 for members and $60 for non-members.  Students will have a half hour lesson followed by plenty of free time to practice what they’ve learned and play in the water.

San Juan Island Fitness is also offering a five week swim team clinic.  Youth swimmers – whether new to competitive swimming or experienced swim team veterans—will have the opportunity to learn and refine the four competitive strokes, master starts, turns and finishes, and practice other swim team skills. 45 minute sessions are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays July 6 – August 5 at 3:00pm and 3:45 pm.

Participants are invited to enjoy an additional 45 minutes of lifeguard swim on those days. Cost is $70 for members, $80 for non-members.

A special American Red Cross Guard Start course is being offered June 29-July 2 from 3:30 – 5:30.  11-14 year old youth will learn water safety and basic aquatic rescues, in a fun, safe environment.  Cost is $60 nonmembers, $45 members.

To register, stop by or call San Juan Island Fitness 378-4449.  Questions? e-mail  [email protected]

Diane from the Land Bank says the Trails Committee volunteers could use a hand:

Greetings,

Please join us for the following San Juan preserve summer trail work
parties and noxious weed removal:

Thursday, June 25th marks our first (of 11) volunteer trail work parties at 4 – 6 pm on each Thursday from June 25 to Sept 10, excluding 8/13 – Fair week.

The Land Bank is hosting this series, concentrating on Frazer Homestead, King Sisters, Limekiln, Deadman Bay, and Westside Preserves. Locations will shift around a bit. Location details will be posted on our website
( www.sjclandbank.org ) or you can also email me
or contact us at the Land Bank office 378-4402 for location details.

Saturday, June 27th, 2 – 5pm   Tansy Ragwort weed pull takes place at
Limekiln Preserve. Meet at the Westside Lake parking lot (orange cones).

Gloves and tools will be provided but we encourage you to bring your
favorites along as well.

We encourage you to carpool to these events and look forward to seeing you
there!

Thank you,
Diane Kinnaman
San Juan County Land Bank

Family & friends: Front row (L-R)- Sarah Clark, Carly Woodward, Ellie Woodward, Erin Woodward. Middle row - Maggie Anderson, Monique Woodward and Darlene Clark. Top row - Austin Scheffer and Vic Woodward. Not pictured: niece Amy Woodward

Vic Woodward and his family & friends are pulling together a trip in August, and wanted to let you know about it & see if you’d like to help – here’s more:

Trip to Offer Hope to the Dominican Republic

Our hearts have been stirred for the global mission field for a few years now.  A basketball/athletic thread has been woven through the Woodward’s family history. We all love the game and have played and/or coached it for years.

This mission opportunity to the Dominican Republic and specifically Haitian refugees who live there, came up for us and has been in the making for two years. We will be teaching basketball skills to primarily teens in the villages near Baharona, and engaging younger children in crafts, games and Bible stories.

Steve and Tate Brumsickle are going, too...

Our trip will be from Aug. 1st through Aug. 9th. Opportunities to build relationships with children and teens through basketball, village tournaments and half-time life stories will all be part of this adventure. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispanola. Our hope is that lifelong connections will be made island to island San Juan to Hispanola.

See attached picture – our team consists of our family and 8 other islanders… please – we would treasure your thoughts and prayers.

Donations are very much appreciated and can be made online at www.cotni.org Reference our trip code with donation: DR_TVW809

Another way San Juan Islanders can support us is to participate in a raffle or come get your car washed.  We are having a car wash and bake sale to raise funds for our this trip. Car Wash/Bake Sale dates are Sat. June 27th at Whidbey Island Bank – noon – 4 pm and Fri.. July 3rd at Mullis Senior Center, 4pm – 7 pm.  We are raffling off a beautiful quilt and an incredible afternoon cruise. Tickets can be obtained from any team member.

Thanks!
Vic

The Walking Tour includes Lacrover Farm (above), Sweet Earth Farm, and Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery

Tanja wanted to let us know there’s a fundraiser for the Agricultural Guild this weekend – here’s more:

Three Farm Walking Tour and Picnic Dinner

Join us behind the scenes for a personal tour and picnic dinner with friends.  Stroll the back trails of San Juan Island’s picturesque West Valley, while visiting adjoining Mitchell Bay Farm, LaCrover Farm and Sweet Earth Farm.  Both Mitchell Bay and LaCrover farms will offer local tasty tidbits to keep you energized, culminating with a picnic dinner and wine at Sweet Earth Farm.

This special evening begins at 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 28th, at Sweet Earth Farm.  Tickets are $50 each and proceeds go towards the Permanent Farmer’s Market Project.  Tickets can be purchased at the Farmer’s Market, Griffin Bay Bookstore or The Market Chef.

Anyone interested in more information, please contact Elaine Kendall at 378-6690 or Mark Madsen at 378-0902.

The Walking Tour includes Lacrover Farm (above), Sweet Earth Farm, and Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery

Tanja wanted to let us know there’s a fundraiser for the Agricultural Guild this weekend – here’s more:

Three Farm Walking Tour and Picnic Dinner

Join us behind the scenes for a personal tour and picnic dinner with friends.  Stroll the back trails of San Juan Island’s picturesque West Valley, while visiting adjoining Mitchell Bay Farm, LaCrover Farm and Sweet Earth Farm.  Both Mitchell Bay and LaCrover farms will offer local tasty tidbits to keep you energized, culminating with a picnic dinner and wine at Sweet Earth Farm.

This special evening begins at 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 28th, at Sweet Earth Farm.  Tickets are $50 each and proceeds go towards the Permanent Farmer’s Market Project.  Tickets can be purchased at the Farmer’s Market, Griffin Bay Bookstore or The Market Chef.

Anyone interested in more information, please contact Elaine Kendall at 378-6690 or Mark Madsen at 378-0902.

Over at the Market Chef, Laurie & Tim have got summer hours in place:

Stretchin' the hours...that's Tim & Laurie with baby Tallulah a couple of years ago...

Hey Ian,
I was just wanting to let folks know that we are FINALLY back to our longer summer hours.  Now that Annie and Elena are back from school and ready to work, we can start staying open until 6 p.m. again for the summer!  So, our summer hours will be Monday thru Friday  10-6.  We are, unfortunately, still closed on the weekends due to our catering schedule.  Happy summer!!!
Cheers,
Laurie and Tim

Accounting chair Judy Cornell for Relay for Life

I’ve been running a little series about folks who are volunteering for Relay for Life this year…here’s a little about Judy Cornell (she’s the accounting chair this year) & why she’s involved with the program:

I participated in my first Relay for Life shortly after we learned that our friend, John LoBue, had brain cancer.

My husband and sons dropped me off with my overnight bag at the Burlington track where I joined a handful of Friday Harbor Soroptimists.  The Anacortes Soroptimists had challenged us to compete against them to raise money and awareness in the fight to conquer cancer.  The planned activities were fun, the food and friendships were nurturing and the luminaria ceremony was amazing.  The lighted bags lined up for more than once around the track.  They read the names as we walked around in the candlelit night.  Then a few of us tried to sleep.

The lights were too bright, the music was too loud and then it started to rain!  Continue Reading