Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

Grandma’s Garden – Peggy Sue McRae fiber art

Recently my sister Betty unearthed a piece of applique needlework that I made in the 80s called “Grandma’s Garden”. It was my fanciful depiction of our grandmother Belle Mullis working in her garden.

As kids growing up in the Seattle of the 50s and 60s we were accustomed to, if not appreciative of, finding canned peas, canned string beans, or flavorless wooden like store bought carrots on our dinner plates… yuck.

I still remember discovering “real” carrots for the first time. Here on the island for the summer, my grandma taught me how to thin carrots. That was when I discovered the sweet flavorful taste of a carrot pulled right out of the earth. A little hairy and I’m sure they had a healthy amount of dirt still clinging to them, but to me, it was the discovery of a whole new vegetable, and miracle of miracles, I liked it!

Much more than carrots came out of her garden. There were greens, Swiss chard, potatoes, berries and rhubarb.  I wonder now how much sugar went into my grandmother’s rhubarb sauce but it sure was good spooned over vanilla ice cream. She made berry cobblers and rhubarb crisps. Her homemade bread was delicious even though my Dad joked about how thin she could slice it.

Belle Mullis in Her Garden – Peggy Sue McRae photo

She was thrifty and resourceful making braided rugs out of old stockings or strips of scrap wool. She made us a beautiful (if wickedly sharp) Christmas star out of a #10 tin can flattened out and cut into strips that were then artfully twisted.  She made my sisters and I each button bracelets by attaching buttons onto crocheted elastic thread. Boy do I wish I still had one of those!  I must have been about 10 years old when I took this snapshot of my Grandma Belle in her garden.

Most anything you could ever want at prices you won’t believe. Once again Friday Harbor Kiwanis will be hosting their annual rummage sale Saturday, October 12, from 8:30-11:00 at the Tech Center, corner of Market and Mullis.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit island projects. Open your heart as you open your wallet — all sales are by donation only.

Kiwanis, serving the children of the world.

The Washington State Ferries Fall 2019 Sailing Schedule goes into effect on Sunday, September 29th. You can pick-up a hard copy at the ferry terminals, on the vessels, view it online or use the ferry schedule portion of the WSF app to plan your trip.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, we’ll see changes to ferry fares. That’s the day the Transportation Commission’s rate increase goes into effect and it also marks the end of the peak season surcharge. Use their calendar feature to calculate your fares for the days you’ll be traveling.

Vote Counting Equipment Testing October 18 at 11:00 am

A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the November 5, 2018 General is scheduled for October 18 at 11:00 a.m. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor.

A representative of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present for the test. The test is performed before every local, state or federal election to ensure that tabulation hardware and software equipment are compliant with Washington State rules and will accurately count the votes.

All interested members of the public are invited to observe. For more information about the test, contact the Elections Office at (360) 378-3357.

Fall Afternoon in the Park – Louise Dustrude photo

Louise Dustrude shares this photo of a beautiful fall afternoon at John O. Linde Community Park.

Thanks for sharing mom!

Brent Snow, General Manager of Roche Harbor Resort, browsing through “Hospitality for Dummies” – Contributed photo

A new Rotary Free Library is now open at Roche Harbor, located near the post office.

It was designed and built by Rotarian Paul Mayer and has books gathered by Barb Fagan, Literacy chair.

Growing Up Gorilla with Acclaimed Author Clare Hodgson Meeker at San Juan Island Library

On Saturday, Oct 5 at 3 PM Clare Hodgson Meeker will talk about her latest non-fiction book. Growing Up Gorilla tells the true story of a baby gorilla named Yola who lives at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. At birth, Yola was rejected by her mother. With the help and creativity of zoo staff, Yola and her mother eventually reunite to form a close bond.

Clare will show pictures, read from the book, and talk about how she got access to this incredible, heartwarming story. Once you learn about Yola, you can go visit her at the Woodland Park Zoo.

All ages are welcome to attend Clare’s talk. A book signing and refreshments will follow the program, held in the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room.

Clare Hodgson Meeker is the author of more than 12 books, including animal and adventure stories, Lootas Little Wave Eater and National Geographic Kids Rhino Rescue, and biographies such as I Could Not Keep Silent, the Life of Rachel Carson.

For more information, please call 360-378-2798 or email Melina Lagios at [email protected].

Wendy Waxman Kern shares this notice with you…

Now that it is Fall, we are getting to ready a new round of the Strengthening Families Program with the Family Resource Center and Prevention Coalition.

Click on the poster at right for more information.

Click to enlarge

The Town of Friday Harbor is holding a surplus sale for six vehicles.

A list of surplus vehicles and bidding form can be found on the Town website at www.fridayharbor.org or by contacting Town Hall in person or by telephone at (360) 378-2810. Items may be viewed October 2^nd through October 9^th at the Town Public Works, 425 Marguerite Place, Friday Harbor.

Bids are due to Town Hall no later than Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 12:00. Items that are not sold shall be disposed of in accordance with the Town Surplus Policy.

Zach Crosby of Shaw Island Excavation removing large rock and debris from Blind Bay – Contributed photo

During the recent daytime low tides, Friends of the San Juans and project contractor Zach Crosby of Shaw Island Excavation worked to remove large rock and concrete debris from a stretch of beach on Shaw Island.

The project will improve spawning substrate in a year-round forage fish area and compliments similar projects completed in 2017 with Friends and 3 additional private landowners along Blind Bay.

Tina Whitman and Jess Newley of Friends of the San Juans removing large rocks from Blind Bay – Contributed photo

“It’s been great to have such strong support from multiple private property owners for habitat enhancement efforts,” said Friends Science Director Tina Whitman. “Blind Bay has extensive beach spawning forage fish as well as Pacific herring that spawn just offshore in eelgrass. When this new site is completed, spawning habitat will be restored at over 1,000 feet of shoreline across six parcels in this priority area.” Continue Reading

Student Film Showcase Added To Friday Harbor Film Festival

For its seventh year the Friday Harbor Film Festival is adding an exciting new category of films — the Student Film Showcase. The films entered in the contest for The László Pal Emerging Filmmaker Award, recognizing emerging young talent in filmmaking, will be shown at the Friday Harbor House on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 24-26. Entry to view these films is FREE.

As there are 19 films in the Showcase, all will not be shown during each time block. A detailed listing and description of the films to be shown during each block is listed on the website, FHFF.org. Films will be shown on: Continue Reading

A Reminder: Skagit Valley College (SVC) is offering a unique self-help program that has become an important bridge between ancient wisdom, Western medicine, and modern life science.

Yi Ren Qigong Foundation 1A provides the tools to activate and keep your energetic battery charged to empower your life and allow you to make life changes. The class meets at SVC San Juan Center on Thursdays, 5:30 – 7:00pm, October 3 through November 21.

In addition to numerous physical benefits (see this earlier post on the Update) practitioners develop enhanced connection to inner wisdom, increased gratitude, and appreciation that we are all part of the natural world. They typically feel a new sense of authentic self, which brings greater security, joy and peace. Continue Reading

Here’s a letter of thanks from the Hospital District…

Dear Joyce and Staff,

The San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 (SJCPHD #1) wants to formally thank all of you for putting our community’s rehabilitation needs first for the many years you have operated Islanders Physical Therapy & Rehab.  

San Juan County residents could not have had a better partner than you for rehabilitation service needs in Friday Harbor.  You have provided skilled and compassionate services to many islanders over the course of 15 plus years of commitment to rehabilitation and physical therapy in the islands.

SJCPHD #1 wishes you and your husband, Tom, the very best in your retirement.  Our island community will remember your organization for the way it always provided skillful and caring services to Islanders Physical Therapy & Rehab patients.  Joyce, you were a therapist and a friend to those who came through your doors.  You and your staff will be missed.

Best wishes,  
Pamela Hutchins, Superintendent On Behalf of SJCPHD #1 Board of Commissioners

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning there is this letter to the community from Jim and Minnie Knych…

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner over the years.  And thank you to all you who have attended to take part in the good will and fellowship of our Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  It has been a labor of love for all of us who volunteered.  We are truly blessed to live in this wonderful place.   

During the past 20 years the dinner provided a place for Islanders to gather for the holiday and be with friends and family.  For many of us it became an annual tradition.  Recent actions and attitude of the staff and leadership of the Mullis Center Operations Committee have taken all the joy out of the Community Thanksgiving dinner for us. 

We will not organize the dinner this year.  Instead, we will  spend Thanksgiving with our own family in Tennessee.   We are letting you know now so that you have time to plan your own activities for Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your service and support.

Jim and Minnie Knych

Jacquelyn Douglas Hubbard (left), a 4th generation island Guard, with Jennifer Guard Anderson and her children, Thea (center) and Noah (right) representing the 8th generation.

The Guard Family Celebrates 130 Years on San Juan Island

Guard family members and friends, from the island and beyond, gathered on September 14 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the family’s arrival on San Juan Island in 1889. 

Paul and Elizabeth Guard’s descendants — from the 4th to the 8th generations — were represented.

Thanks to everyone for making it a joyous event!

San Juan Island National Historical Park announces its closure of the American Camp Visitor Center effective, September 23^rd, 2019. The closing of the visitor center is in preparation of the construction of a new, permanent facility on the site.

A double-wide trailer has served the park and millions of visitors over 42 years, and a new lasting facility will be built to greet visitor with state of the art exhibits for the next generation.

Over the next couple of weeks, staff will be transitioning out of the building to prepare for the construction period scheduled to begin in October.

During the construction period:

• All grounds including trails, beaches, and day-use facilities will remain open to the public from dawn until 11:00pm.
• “Pop-Up” Ranger Hours will be announced on social media to meet a stationed ranger at various historic structures in the park.
• English Camp Visitor Center will be closed until the spring of 2020.

Further details on the timing and impacts of the closure within the construction area will be announced in the near future.