David Champlin

David Haskin Champlin died in Friday Harbor, Washington on June 11, 2012 at the age of 101. His three children were at his bedside. A memorial service will be held at Saint David’s Episcopal Church on September 10, 2012, at noon. A reception at the San Juan Island Yacht Club will follow the service.

Dave was born September 12, 1910 to Harry and Lesley Champlin in Glencoe, IL, on the north shore of Lake Michigan. He graduated from New Trier High School and attended Northwestern University. Due to asthma, Dave couldn’t join the Navy, his first choice, and the Army wouldn’t let him in. On November 9, 1940, he married Mary Gavin, the love of his life. They moved to Los Angeles where they raised their family and Dave worked for Douglas Aircraft during the war. After the war, he had a long career as a salesman in the hobby/model industry.

For Dave, family always came first. He was involved with church activities (at St. Albans in Westwood Village and St. David’s in Friday Harbor), Boy Scouts with his sons, Mariner Scouts with his daughter, family vacations, and many canoe, sailing, hiking and other outdoor adventures.

Dave and Mary moved to San Juan Island in 1980 after a 1972 sailing trip convinced them that this was the place to retire. Their love of traditional jazz music had them involved with the local Jazz Festival every year, with Dave serving on the board of that organization. He also is a past Commodore of the San Juan Island Yacht Club.

Dave was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary. He is survived by his children David Champlin (Bev) of Friday Harbor, Jan Champlin of Friday Harbor, and Richard Champlin of Anacortes, Wash. He leaves behind two grandchildren and one great grandchild as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dave’s name be made to Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, or the San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services (our EMT unit).

The lighting is just right for this fairy in the window on Saturday evening in the Mystical Mermaid….photo by Aaron Shepard.

Let’s take a look at what we have going on:

• See you at the football game tonight (Friday)…the JV game has been moved to Lynden Christian on Monday. The varsity game (Friday) with LC is at 7pm, which has been adjusted for the ferry times…

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• Did you hear islander Thor Hanson discussing the paperback release of Feathers on NPR’s Fresh Air program a couple of nights ago?

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• Remember I mentioned to you that Eddie Bauer is shooting some print work here next week? Kimberly (with the project) says they could use “an older Ford Bronco or International in good condition, as well as a hinckley style picnic boat.” Can you help? Drop her a line at Wilder Productions <kwilderproductions (at) gmail.com>

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Lost….

• Hey, Leslie Byron tells me the Animal Shelter has a special case – here’s the deal (with caps) from their Facebook posting:

ALERT!!! DO YOU KNOW THIS DOG? THIS SWEET OLDER MINIATURE SCHNAUZER WAS FOUND COMING OUT OF THE WATER AT SOUTH BEACH ON SAN JUAN ISLAND ON SEPT 2, 2012. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE ON THE BEACH. HE IS PARTIALLY BLIND AND DIABETIC. WE THINK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE HE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN OFF A BOAT. IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT KNOW WHO THIS DOG BELONGS TO, PLEASE CALL THE SHELTER AT 360-378-2158. PLEASE SHARE THIS POST, AS WE MAY NEED TO REACH OUT A WAYS TO FIND THE OWNER. THANKS!

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• It’s time for the Open House at Friday Harbor Dentistry – today! Here’s more:

Our 9th Annual Open House & BBQ at Friday Harbor Dentistry is this Friday, September 7, from 11am to 2pm.

We hope you can join us for lunch!  As always, we will have tri-tip steak and chicken on the BBQ along with homemade salads, cookies and more.  We loving taking a little time each year to celebrate and to say THANK YOU to our family of patients and friends.

Everyone who attends will be entered to win a whitening treatment, Sonicare toothbrush or a professional cleaning.  If you join our Facebook page you will be entered to win twice.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

With warm regards,

Michael T. Horn, DDS
Friday Harbor Dentistry
530 Spring Street
360-378-4944

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• Is Raging Main beer named after a waterpipe break, like the one we had last weekend?

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• Just heard from the local Red Cross’s Sheila Harley that the tough times in the Gulf & in the wildfires of Washington had local help:

We can proudly say that our chapter is active in the Red Cross response operations for the disasters currently in the national news.

Alan Roochvarg from San Juan Island has just returned from serving as FSI Manager at the Taylor Bridge fire.  Jerry McEylea from San Juan Island is stationed in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in charge of an Emergency Response Vehicle.

Carla Bigelow from Anacortes has deployed to Alabama and is currently at headquarters there.

We are thankful for their commitment and contribution to disaster relief to Taylor Bridge and Isaac operations.

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• Just got this from the Home Trust’s Nancy DeVaux:

The future of affordable housing on San Juan Island is the subject of a San Juan Community Home Trust event on Monday, Sept. 17 at 5 pm at the Grange.

Barb Starr

The public is invited to hear results of the over 50 interviews conducted recently with members of the local island community plus county, state and federal housing officials, as part of the Home Trust’s strategic planning process.

Glen Bruels, a retired management and technology consultant, now a San Juan Island resident and member of the San Juan Community Home Trust Board, will lead the discussion of survey results and potential  plans for the Home Trust.

The Home Trust has recently finished Sun Rise, their second  permanently affordable home project, and has been seeking community input advising their next steps.

“We need to look carefully at our strengths and weaknesses before we move forward in this time of economic uncertainty,” said Barbara Starr, chair of the Home Trust Board.

The community is encouraged to attend the event. Refreshments will be served.

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• At the County Fair, the Democrats asked folks who came by what the biggest challenges in front of us are – here’s a report of that & a visit by a senator, from Democratic County Chair Sarah Crosby:

Local Democrats survey Islanders at Fair
Islanders think the most important national political issue is taking ‘big money out of politics.’  Locally, the big concern is about a possible coal terminal at Cherry Point, near Bellingham.  Those are the results of an‘Important Issues’ survey of over 150 visitors to the Democratic Party booth at the recent San Juan County fair.

Maria with Pat

Energy and Climate Change were the #2 and 3 issues nationally, while concern about Solid Waste and CAO/SMP programs rated two and three on the local front.

Senator Maria Cantwell also visited the Democratic Party booth and spoke to a large gathered crowd in the aisle who engaged with her about their local survey issues. The two-term senator is now running for re-election, and remarked that in her first run for the Senate, the San Juan County Fair was her very first public venue.

“It’s good to be back among friends,” she said to great applause.  She is shown with island resident Pat Miller.

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Accepting the proclamation were several officers of the local San Juan Islands Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and, in full Revolutionary War uniform, Sons of the American Revolution (or SAR) From left, Robert O’Neill (Commander of WA State Color Guard for SAR), Sharon Fishaut (Vice-Regent), Jean Thomas (Regent), Sue Rich (Chaplain) and Doug Nelson (President of John Paul Jones Chapter of SAR).

• Mitzi Johnson & the DAR are celebrating Constitution Week next week – here’s more:

On August 21, the San Juan County Council read a proclamation in recognition and observance of Constitution Week from September 17th to September 23rd.

It was officially enacted on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution, but it was George W. Bush who officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in September 2002. The purpose of the observance week is to promote study and education about the Constitution which was originally adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787

Members of the DAR will be available to assist teachers in preparing special classroom programs about the Constitution for the week of Sept. 17-22.

Please contact Program Chair, Minnie Knych at 378-7040 for more information

This is huge…one of the great challenges ahead is working to get salmon recovery underway, and the effort has need resources to move ahead. Now, that has been achieved:

Washington State Awarded $22 Million for Salmon Recovery

The Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board has received a $22 million federal grant to continue the state’s salmon recovery efforts in Washington.

“A healthy Washington state economy is reliant on healthy salmon populations,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “Salmon support jobs and small businesses – especially our mom-and-pop tackle shops, restaurants, fishing guides and hotels. This grant not only will help Washington keep people employed, it will help our efforts to restore and protect our natural resources, making Washington a better place for all of us to live.”

Of the $22 million, $15 million will be awarded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board as competitive grants for projects statewide that will restore and protect the rivers, streams and bays that salmon need to recover.

“The grant process is very competitive and works from the ground up,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, which administers the federal grant and supports the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. “Local communities wrote salmon recovery plans, which were approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Local watershed groups, called lead entities, select projects based on the priorities in those plans and community needs. State scientists review the projects to make sure they will be effective. The process helps us ensure we are investing in projects that will do the most to recover salmon.”

Grant applications need to go through local lead entities. More information.

Another $3.3 million of the federal grant goes to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for hatchery and harvest reform projects. Projects to monitor the effectiveness of the state’s efforts will receive $2.9 million.

Today, recreational salmon fishing alone creates nearly $130 million in economic activity every year, according to a 2006 study by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“That doesn’t include what restoration and protection of land does for property values and quality of life,” Cottingham said. “It’s hard to think of Washington without salmon.”

As Washington’s population has grown, its salmon populations have dwindled. The federal government has listed 11 species of salmon that spawn in Washington under the Endangered Species Act since 1991. In Puget Sound, only 22 of 31 historic Chinook populations remain. Some of those that remain are lower than 1 percent of their historic numbers. After nearly 10 years of salmon recovery work, Washington is beginning to see some of those salmon populations improve. See salmon status chart.

“Our congressional delegation has been instrumental in helping ensure that salmon recovery remains a top priority and that we take care of this important international resource,” said Bud Hover, chairman of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. “Restoring salmon populations will help Washington State in many ways. It can increase jobs and fishing opportunities as well as improve our lakes, rivers and streams.”

Congress created the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund in 2000 to restore Pacific salmon populations. The fund, along with a state match, is the primary source of funding for salmon recovery in Washington. In Washington, the fund has provided more than $337 million, which along with state matching dollars, has been used to remove nearly 400 barriers that were stopping fish passage, restore nearly 500 miles of land along rivers and streams, restore 3,000 acres of estuaries and shorelines and conserve nearly 30,700 acres of crucial salmon habitat.

The federal Department of Commerce’s NOAA administers the fund and will competitively award the $65 million for Fiscal Year 2012 among the states of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and California, and to the west coast tribes.

“We are pleased to continue this investment in salmon recovery in the Northwest,” said Will Stelle, NOAA’s Northwest regional administrator. “In addition to improving our environment, salmon restoration projects generate jobs on par with dollars spent on infrastructure projects like roads and highways.”

Accepting the award: (from left) Barbara Rosenkotter, Alan Chapman, Kit Rawson, Kimbal Sundberg, Ray Glaze, Diana Gale, Anthony Wright (not pictured – Judy Meyer, Gene Helfman, Bob Warinner)

San Juan “Puget Sound Champions” honored for protecting and restoring Puget Sound

The Puget Sound Partnership honored the San Juan Salmon Technical Advisory Group as a “Puget Sound Champion” for exceptional work protecting and restoring habitat and implementing the Action Agenda—the regional plan for restoring the health of Puget Sound. The ceremony occurred at the Mullis Center located in Friday Harbor on August 12, 2012.

The San Juan Technical Advisory Group was honored for providing leadership, funding and technical expertise for developing and implementing the Salmon Recovery Plan in the San Juans. Volunteers on the San Juan Technical Advisory Group (TAG) bring decades of expertise from academia, business, resource management and tribes to help ensure the highest return on investment for salmon recovery funding in the San Juan watershed. TAG volunteers contributed more than 1,000 hours since 2008, the equivalent of more than $33,000 in-kind donation.

“Collaboration is the key to making Puget Sound healthy again,” said Colonel (Ret) Anthony Wright, Executive Director of the Partnership. “We’re making progress because of the many talented and dedicated people committed to this regional effort.”  The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency leading the regional recovery of Puget Sound.  Wright and Diana Gale, a member of the Partnership’s Leadership Council, presented the award.

“These awards recognize some of the many excellent examples of businesses, scientists, residents and governments working together to effectively cleanup Puget Sound and keep it healthy for future generations,” said Sen. Ranker, Chair of the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee (D-40th District).

“Protecting the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound waters that surround them is vital to our region’s economy and quality of life,” said state Rep. Kristine Lytton (D-40th district). “The Legislature passes laws and offers guidelines on how we can do this, but laws and guidelines by themselves can’t do the job. That takes passionate, motivated individuals and groups like the ones being recognized as Puget Sound Champions. I applaud them all, and I thank the Puget Sound Partnership for shining a well-deserved light on them.”

For more information regarding local San Juan County salmon recovery efforts: http://www.sjcmrc.org/Projects/Salmon-Recovery.aspx

Learn more about other Puget Sound Champions:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/champions.php

Puget Sound Partnership website:
http://www.psp.wa.gov/

This weekend!

Just got the word from Tracy at Island Rec:

The FANS Carnival is this Sunday September 9th from noon till 3 at the Elementary School!  Here is the link, for more information:

What a great way to send off summer and welcome fall!  The weather is going to be beautiful, so why not volunteer for the dunk tank?  Just follow the link from Marc below to sign up.

Even if you don’t want to do the dunk tank, please drop by and support FANS!

FANS could also use a few more volunteers to man the booths or help with clean-up.  If you are available to help, please contact:

Cathy Kromer
kromer (at) centurytel.net
#370-5315

Keep painting….you look great! 🙂

Let’s see what’s going on….

• After his accident on San Juan Island last week, Orcas resident & author Richard Bach continues to mend in Seattle, but his son says he’s getting better. Here’s more, from the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Greg (right) and Jessica prepare to ride the Pacific Coast Trail….

• Greg Hertel tells me he’s been getting ready for a ride on the Pacific Coast Trail with his friend Jessica Colling…here’s his blog about the preparations, and here’s hers.

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• Brittany at San Juan Outfitters says this is a great chance to get some gear! Here’s more:

SJO is holding a garage sale Sunday September 16th. We are trying to get the word out to the local islanders to get them some good prices on used equipment. We are selling off a variety of kayaks (singles, doubles, & triples), Scott bikes (both kids & adult) many tents, sleeping bags, paddles, life jackets, paddles, Sit-on-top kayaks and a bunch of other odds & ends.

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• Ciely tells me this week & next are going to be pretty special as the Lavendera Massage & Center for Evolving Well Being Thursday night events continue:

Tonight’s presentation at 7pm:

Admission Price: FREE

Ciely Ti Gray: Does it hurt so good? Do you torture yourself with thoughts that cause you to suffer emotional pain? Come and share your thoughts and gain some insight about the nature of suffering and how to make changes to break out of the suffering cycle.

 And…next week:

Journey Work presentation by Susan D’Agostino
September 13 at 7pm 

In 2005 Susan D”Agostino healed her breast cancer by using complementary alternative and natural methods. A large part of the process was releasing her emotional past.

Join Susan for an evening of Journey Work. Learn ways to clear out old memories from unresolved emotional issues and make conscious choices moving forward in peace and balance.

Private sessions are available Friday, September 14, 2012 by appointment.
Regular price per session $125 SPECIAL PRESENTATION PRICE $100
Here is Susan’s website: http://www.healingeverybody.com

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Friday night!

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Are you ready for the run? Is your dog?

• JD from Island Rec is getting ready for the run – are you? Here’s what’s up, pup:

Run, Walk, Wag 5K
Come join the pack for a frisky, fun 5K (3.1 miles) on Sunday, September 30.  It’s a race where you can walk or run with (or without!) your 4-legged friend! Fun prizes will be awarded to top finishers in different dog size categories as well as for best race costume!  Register as an individual with a dog, as a family with a dog, or this year you can run or walk just by yourself.  The race will take place out of Roche Harbor Resort near the pool lawn area and loop around White Point Rd.  Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash (6 ft. max) and well socialized.  Register early and save money!

Cost is $10 for individual, $15 for a family by September 21; $15/$20 September 22 – Day of.  Register the day-of from 11 – 11:30am.  Race start is at 12 pm.  Register online at www.islandrec.org or stop by the Island Rec Office at 580 Guard St. from 1-5pm Mon-Fri.  Call 378-4953 for more information.   

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This weekend!

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Waxin’…..

• Emily Reed says this is going to be fun:

Islands Museum of Art (IMA) in Friday Harbor, WA announces the opening reception of “Waxed @ IMA”, an Invitational Encaustic Exhibition on Friday, September 14 from 5-8 pm. Five of the artists in the exhibition are coming from across the country – Massachusetts, Nebraska, Arizona, Oregon and Canada – to be present at the reception. The title refers to painting with melted beeswax. Encaustic means to “burn in” and this medium, practiced by artists in ancient Greece, is experiencing a contemporary Renaissance.

This International Invitational exhibition curated by Miles Conrad of Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, Arizona, features the work of the following 10 artists working in the encaustic medium: Otty Merrill, ME; Sue Katz, MA; Susanne K. Arnold, VA; Margaret Berry, NE; Daniella Woolf, CA; Andrea Benson, OR; Ellen Koment, NM; Eileen P. Goldenberg, CA; Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, WA; and Shelley Wuitchik, B.C., Canada.

Educational programs will be part of this exhibition:

A Symposium on the Encaustic Medium with Exhibition Artists:  Saturday, September 15 (time and place to be announced)

Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, an exhibition participant, will offer two encaustic workshops in her San Juan Island studio: Saturdays September 22 and 29. Call 378-6725 for space is limited.

“Waxed @ IMA” reveals the extensive diversity possible when creating with beeswax in both 2-D and 3-D artworks.  This work will be on exhibit from September 14 thru November 9, 2012, at the Islands Museum of Art, 232 A Street in Friday Harbor (just above the ferry lanes). The museum is open Thursday – Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. For information: 360-378-5050; email: [email protected]; or visit www.sjima.org

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Norman Rockwell, back in the day….

This will give you an idea where to go….

• Have you walked this area? It’s awesome, and now the connector is done – here’s more from Mike Vouri & the folks at the National Park:

Mitchell Hill Trail Connector Complete from Young Hill

Park visitors can now easily access the Mitchell Hill trail area from the Young Hill trail via a new connector that crosses the south slope of Young Hill, announced park Superintendent Lee Taylor. The relatively level trail, which forks to the right (or south) just before the main Young Hill trail bends toward the cemetery, enables the public to enter more than 312 acres of woodlands and trails of Mitchell Hill, which adjoins the southeast boundary of English Camp unit, eight miles north of Friday Harbor.

The trail connector is for hikers only. Horseback riders and bicyclists will continue to use the Horse Trail Road gate and/or other entrance points approved by the park. “Because of limited parking at the Mitchell Hill gate on Horse Trail Road (off West Valley Road) it was essential for us to ensure access to these spectacular parklands, without crossing over the hill’s summit or walking along the roadway,” Taylor said. ‘This is especially important for seniors and those who have trouble with steep hills.”

Park historian Mike Vouri, in conjunction with the San Juan island Trails Committee, will conduct a guided walk through the connector to Mitchell Hill from 1 to 4p.m., Saturday, September 22. The walk meets in the English Camp park area.

It is now possible to traverse the open south slope, passing through healthy Garry oak woodland with views of the alpaca farm, Mitchell Bay and the Haro Strait beyond. Some walkers may want to take a spur trail down across the Military Road to the Sandwith Orchard, where the National Park Service has been restoring a historic orchard utilizing seedlings created with grafts for some of the still-living heirloom trees. The trail connector then slips through a shady Douglas fir forest and emerges at a well-marked crossroads.

The 2010 acquisition of Mitchell Hill property was the first major addition to the park since $3.5 million was allocated when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the park’s enabling legislation into law in 1966, and ensured that Mitchell Hill, combined with the park’s present 1,752 acres, would be preserved and protected for the benefit of future generations. The property was acquired from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through a $6 million Congressional appropriation included in President Barack Obama’s 2010 budget and backed by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The transaction was completed in partnership with the San Juan County Land Bank, the San Juan County Council and the Conservation Fund.

That’s the view of Young Hill as you approach it, with its Garry oaks….

The DNR managed the site as one of its “Common School Trust Lands” for the benefit of public schools. To that end the land was to be protected and conserved for sustainable forest productivity while maintaining water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat. While grazing has occurred and timber was harvested in the 1940s and again in the 1990s, much of the site is forested with trees ranging from seedlings to 120 years old, including Western red cedar, hemlock, Douglas fir and Garry oak.

The area is laced with logging roads and hiking trails, many of which appear on San Juan Island Trails Committee maps. But some of the most exciting features on Mitchell Hill are traces of the historic military road that bisects the northern edge of the property. This portion of the road was constructed by Royal Marines to travel between American and English camps during the joint military occupation of 1859-1872. The road followed the path of a sheep run cleared by Hudson’s Bay Company and Cowichan laborers.

Visible along portions of the road is rip-rap — rock placed by British troops to reinforce the road — as well as wheel ruts from wagons that once rolled along the road. A few road cuts are evident on rock faces along the canopied forest paths.

“The military road, in essence, captures the period before the U.S. took formal possession of San Juan Island when the boundary dispute was resolved,” said National Park historian Mike Vouri, author of three books about the joint military occupation era. “Not only did the road symbolize peacekeeping, it tied one end of island with the other,” Vouri said. “This is very much a part of the island’s heritage.”

Besides its historical value, Mitchell Hill is also treasured by bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders.

Opening this weekend: Michael Dickter, “I Have Tried in My Way to Be Free,” oil, 30 x 24

There’s a new show at Waterworks Gallery….drop by this weekend! Here’s more from Ruth:

MiXeD ELeMeNTS
Michael Dickter – Oil Paintings
Caroline James – Mixed Media Painting
September 8 – 29

The works of these two painters are evocative. The tactile surfaces of their paintings filled with extensive visual information and provide references to their past work. Michael’s paintings portrays birds and flowers as if they were musical notes on a sheet of paper. Beautiful painting skills combined with the marks left by pencils.

Caroline infuses the surface of her paintings with remembered remnant memories of  her childhood presented in an abstracted manner. These works reveal, paper remnants, pencil marks and applied paints as completed paintings.

Saturday, September 8 11am
Artist Talk: Michael Dickter

Saturday, September 8, 2-5pm
Artist Reception

Stuffed!

This year’s program to gear up for school went great as people from all over the island helped “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for kids in the school district….here’s a thank you, from Maude at the District office:

A heartfelt thank you to our community and to Islanders Bank for supplying an over-the-top barrelful of school supplies for public school students.  These supplies will be made available to students who need them through our school building offices and will help keep pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, highlighters, rulers, compasses, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, gluesticks, (etc, etc, etc,)  in students’ hands throughout the year!

San Juan Island Schools Superintendent Rick Thompson receives the donations from Islanders Bank vice-president Michel Morton.

That’s the scene on Spring Street last Saturday night at 8:15pm as a water main burst on Spring Street…the pipe was repaired by the next morning. Photo by Aaron Shepard (thanks, Aaron!)

Last Friday, the pipe broke, as you can see…..

Here’s the story, from Sherry at FridayHarborNow, with more photos by Kayla Short.

Frank & Sally

Frank & Sally Hudson have lived on the island since 1975, and are going strong – here’s an update from Charlotte (Hudson) Hart (thanks, Charlotte!) about how they’re doing:

Life Celebrations

Frank and Sally Hudson of Friday Harbor had much to celebrate recently. On August 25th Frank celebrated his 90th birthday, and as family gathered from off-island, two more milestones were noted; a 62nd wedding anniversary on September 9th and Sally’s 90th on October 26th.

They were joined in the celebration by their children and grandchildren – son Chip, along with his two daughters Amelia and Caroline, all hailing from Portland, OR. Also, joining them was daughter Jean and her daughter Lily, traveling from Milwaukee, WI as well as daughter Charlotte (husband Chris), of Bellingham, and the elder of their two daughters Shelby (daughter Madison is attending WSU). Frank’s brother Jack, also an island resident, joined in the festivities complete with BBQ salmon, and two kinds of cake. Also appreciated was a quick visit from family friend and caregiver, Lynn Wilson. When asked how he felt about turning 90, Frank’s only comment was, “Just when did I get to be THAT old?!”

Frank and Sally retired to Friday Harbor in 1975, leaving the east coast for the west where small town life and being close to open water was a big factor in settling in the islands. They both have enjoyed being active members in the community, Frank as navigational/boating safety instructor and past Commander of the Friday Harbor Power Squadron. Sally, first as secretary of the surveying firm of Krabbe & Starr and later giving countless hours as a volunteer at the local library, recycling center and serving in many roles at the Presbyterian Church. They’ve both enjoyed many years as active boaters, as well as enthusiastic tennis and badmitten players, respectively.

Congratulations Frank & Sally, from all who love you!

Ian & Emily….photo by Kathleen Ballard Photography

Hey, this is great to hear:

Emily Langhorne-Howell and Ian Robinson Thomsen were married in Friday Harbor on August 8, 2012.  Emily is the daughter of Dana and Greg Howell of Ketchum, Idaho, and Ian is the son of Marty Robinson and Tim Thomsen of San Juan Island.  Ian graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1999.

Emily and Ian are members of the Stanford University class of 2003.  Emily is a graduate of the University of Colorado Law School and is a member of the Colorado and the Montana bar.  Emily and Ian live happily in Missoula, Montana where Ian is studying for the Master’s Degree in Geophysics and where they enjoy hiking, skiing and camping .

Jumping for joy, earlier in the week last week….photo by Jim Maya (thanks, Jim!)

I hope you get a chance to get around this late summer weekend around the island….let’s take a look around:

• You know, with soccer season coming up this week, the soccer association could use some help with referees…got time? Here’s the word from association prez Travis Ayers:

We are in real need of soccer referees.  Refs can volunteer, be paid, or earn Dollars for Scholars hours.  The signup spreadsheet is here – thanks!

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• Speaking of helping – here’s something I’ve done with my business the last few years, and I think when you get involved, you’ll be glad you did – here’s more from Jenny:

The new school year has begun!  The first semester FHHS Community Service Class will begin August 29th.  This class utilizes committed adult mentors who will guide students through completion of a service project related to community improvement.

This is a great opportunity for a  “win-win” partnership between students and local organizations.

If you have a community improvement service project in mind, a fifteen minute in-class presentations time can be arranged on August 31st , September 4th or September 5th, from 1:00 – 1:55.  Please contact Jenny Wilson at jwilson (at) sjisd.wednet.edu for more information.

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Last week, the grandson of Second Lt. Robert came to the island to visit he place his granddad was stationed in 1859 (which gave him plenty of time to think about how this book – Robert’s Rules of Order – was going to come out). The DAR’s Mitzi Johnson has more: “Our local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was honored to play a part, many years ago, in the placement of the bronze plaque in recognition of Second Lieutenant Henry Robert’s involvement and contribution to San Juan Island. Regent of the local Chapter of DAR, Jean Thomas, attended the recent program welcoming Robert’s grandson, Henry M. Robert, III.

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Next weekend!

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• The new hospital is on track to open this late fall – here’s more from Amy Cloud at PeaceHealth:

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, San Juan Island’s new critical access hospital, is on track to open Nov. 26, 2012. A governing body has been appointed and a ribbon-cutting event scheduled for the new medical center.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, Peace Island Medical Center at 1117 Spring St. in Friday Harbor will be open for self-guided tours between10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. in the main lobby.

Among those participating in the ceremony will be Lenore Bayuk, chair of the San Juan County Hospital District board, and San Juan Island Hospital Committee co-chairs Tom Cable, Michael Edwards, D.D.S, M.D. and Charles Anderson. Continue Reading

Our friends at the Trails Committee wanted you to know about this:

San Juan Island National Historical Park is beginning the process of developing a prairie stewardship plan. The first deadline for suggestions from the public is next Tuesday, September 4, and there will be other comment periods over the next two years.

The two largest remaining prairie segments in the county are in the National Park and gloriously visible from two very new trails recently created by the Park Service itself. They are the diagonal trail known as South Beach Trail which connects the redoubt area with Packers Rock at the west end of South Beach; and an even newer one just opened which follows the contour line around Young Hill from near the English Camp Cemetery to the former DNR land on Mitchell Hill.  Both trails have temporary small signs to help you find your way.

The Park Service suggests a number of questions you might answer, Continue Reading

Richard Bach after his book reading and presentation in Friday Harbor, in 2006….

It’s sad to hear that Orcas Island resident Richard Bach (you remember him from Illusions & Jonathan Livingston Seagull) is in the hospital in Seattle after a small plane wreck yesterday (here’s the Seattle Times article).

Richard read from his new book about 5-6 years ago here on the island & it was pretty cool for the overflow crowd to hear him for nearly two hours without notes (here’s my writeup at the time, scroll down to read).

Healing thoughts to our friend….