The San Juan County 4-H program still has spaces open for its dog club, cat club, horse club, and livestock club. Participants can also join the inter-island club, which has a variety of in-person and Zoom leaning options — sports, fine and performing arts, farm clinics, bakery and art studio tours, and hands-on trades work.

Youth who were between the ages of five and 18 on Oct. 1, 2022 are eligible to participate during the 2022-23 4-H year.

The program is also looking for volunteers to co-lead the clubs.

To learn more, call 360-370-7662, email [email protected], or visit the San Juan County 4-H website.

San Juan County sends along an update about a recent meeting between the County Council, state legislators, and Washington State Ferries.

Ahead of the busy, upcoming holiday season, members of San Juan County’s Council met with Washington State officials and representatives from the Washington State Ferries to express islanders’ need for reliable ferry service.

County Councilmembers Jamie Stephens and Cindy Wolf joined Representative Debra Lekanoff; Washington State Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar; WSF Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello; Director of Marine Operations Steve Nevey; and Director of Planning, Customer and Government Relations John Vezina to discuss developments in WSF services and operations.

“We’re so grateful to Rep. Lekanoff for organizing this meeting because we were able to give folks a clearer understanding of the importance of the interisland run,” said Councilmember Cindy Wolf.

WSF reported there were 45 cancellations of San Juan Islands route sailings in the span of two weeks – which falls three percent short of their goal of 99 percent reliability. Attendees discussed ways to be more efficient in notifying riders of cancellations and working together to ensure islanders have enough time to make other arrangements. The importance of the interisland route was emphasized.

“These cancellations affect working families, school children, government operations, social services, sheriff operations, and more,” Wolf said. “It impacts our ability to do business as a community when small tradespeople can lose 20 percent of their income for a week when the interisland is cancelled.”

WSF committed to working with Rep. Lekanoff and County Council on better notification strategies. A committee consisting of elected officials and local chambers of commerce is one proposed solution that might support the San Juan Islands and Anacortes Ferry Advisory Committees.

WSF anticipates that their increased focus on recruitment and employee education will bring relief to the system by the summer of 2023. They expect less cancellations due to staffing shortages.

“I was glad to hear they are reviewing the dwell time,” said Councilmember Stephens. “Understanding the time it takes to load and unload boats – especially during the summer – is key to keeping the boats on schedule.”

Earlier this year, WSF created two new programs that encourage current employees to take the necessary courses and exams to obtain a mates’ credential. Over the next 18 months, they expect more than 40 to complete all the training and credentials necessary to work as mates, which will support future system stability. They’ll be working with Governor Inslee and the legislature to make these programs permanent.

Contributed photo

Earlier this month, Friday Harbor High School history teacher Paige Caldwell was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare form of genetic liver cancer. Paige and her husband, Mark Burkholder, are now running an online fundraiser to help defray the costs of her upcoming treatment, which is expected to include multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy — and could last until the fall of 2023.

“Any financial support you can offer Paige today will go directly toward her treatment and recovery costs,” Mark says. “Your support will also help offset lost wages that are inevitable during a leave that will stretch through almost an entire school year.”

The fundraiser is nearly 70 percent of the way to its $25,000 goal. Contributions can be made through Paige and Mark’s GoFundMe campaign.

You can also keep up with their journey and leave comments of support on their CaringBridge journal.

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank’s Turkey Walk-Not-Trot returns this Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10-11:30 a.m at Beaverton Marsh Preserve.

Land Bank staffer Shauna Barrows will lead a small group on an easy stroll around the preserve’s roughly two-mile loop. Shauna will talk about the site’s history and identify plants of interest along the way.

Parking is limited, so an RSVP is required. Contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or [email protected] to register.

Thank-you note from a Friday Harbor Elementary School student — Contributed photo

Rotary Club of San Juan Islands shares news about one of their their long-standing education initiatives.

Members of the Rotary Club of San Juan Islands recently gifted dictionaries to third, fourth, and fifth grade students throughout San Juan County. The program reached students at Friday Harbor Elementary School, Paideia Classical School, Griffin Bay School, Stillpoint School, Orcas Island Elementary School, Salmonberry School, OASIS, and Lopez Elementary School.

It’s a joy to give each student a book after two years of COVID restrictions.

In the past 18 years of the project, Rotary has gifted more than 4,500 dictionaries under the leadership of its Literacy Chair, Barbara Fagan.

After operating with outdoor seating last year, San Juan Island’s free community Thanksgiving dinner — now in its 24th year — will feature indoor dining at the Mullis Center for the first time since 2019. All community members are welcome to take part in the event, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday.

The organizers will also have to-go containers available for islanders who’d like to enjoy the meal but don’t wish to eat in-person.

This year’s menu includes roast turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, maple yams, salad and many homemade pies. Everything is prepared and served by volunteers — and it’s not too late to sign up to help.

For the 16th year, the 5K Thanksgiving turkey trot takes place in Friday Harbor. Registration opens at 8 a.m. outside Friday Harbor Suites at 680 Spring St. and the event starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine. The event has been especially popular in recent years, so make sure to arrive early.

For participants age 16 and older the entry fee is $5 and two cans of unexpired food for people or animals. If you’re under 16 it’s two cans of food and $2.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Friday Harbor Food Bank and the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.

The Town of Friday Harbor shares news about its November fundraiser for the Food Bank,

Each November the Town of Friday Harbor asks that you help us support an important community organization — the Friday Harbor Food Bank. The Food Bank spends over $10,000 each month serving nearly 750 households and an average of 1,475 individuals per month. In the last year they have provided nearly 500,000 pounds of food to locals, and they do this entirely through community donations.

According to Food Bank Manager Rachelle Radonski, the need for your generous donations is even greater in these economic times. “The needs of the Food Bank patrons are ongoing and critical,” she says. “Food costs continue to rise, but the Food Bank is committed to keeping healthy produce and proteins available. With the holidays upon us, the number in need will grow even larger.”

To assist with the Food Bank’s need for funding, the Town is directing all of the donations from this month’s Harbor Life Ring utility assistance program to the Food Bank. Each year island residents have answered the Town’s call to contribute, and the Town has matched these donations. This year, the Town has increased that match to a total of $5,000.

$2,500 in donations have already been received.

“You don’t have to be a Town resident to help us support the Friday Harbor Food Bank this November,” says Mayor Ray Jackson. “Donations to the Harbor Life Ring program are open to anyone who wishes to contribute.”

All donations are tax-deductible. Contributions from the public are accepted at the Town Hall Finance Department. Town of Friday Harbor customers can also donate by way of the special line item on their monthly utility bills.