Posted October 15, 2010 at 8:40 am by Ian Byington
Let’s see what’s going on around here….
• It’s today! Bob Stavers & Judy Chovan are traveling – they were in Boulder yesterday, as they cross Colorado – and what better time to have a birthday! Happy Birthday, Judy!
Zip San Juan - Pat & Stella are getting it going!
• It’s a new business on the island – Pat & Stella hope to get Zip San Juan going for next year’s visitors, and for locals as well. If you’ve ever gone along on a zip line you get the idea – and their nicely done webpage explains it even better, so check it out!
• Flu clinics are underway: Karie Rishel at San Juan Healthcare says they started this week:
We would like to start getting the word out regarding this year’s Flu Clinics!
Our first one started this week on October 12 & 13, 1:30-4:30pm. Then it’s every Tuesday and Wednesday through November 17, also from 1:30-4:30pm.
• Garage sale!Lisa Anderson says:
Garage Sale – Saturday, 10/16 from 8a to 11a (no earlybirds!). Unit 29 at The Storage Place, 845 Argyle Street!
• Ran into Melissa and Paul the other day at Pablito’s…she tells me she just started working with Tammy at Farmers’ Insurance, moving over from Whidbey Bank where she’d been for a while.
• Rosa from the Farmers Market has a potluck this weekend – and yes, the Market is this Saturday at 10am at the Courthouse:
Just sending out a reminder that the SJI Farmers’ Market is hosting a Community Potluck and Silent Auction THIS Saturday from 5:30-8:30pm at the FHHS Commons. Entrance on Guard St. Please come celebrate community and local food with friends and family! This is a free event and all are welcome.
You meet all kinds of friends at the post office...
In addition to a dish of food to share, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN UTENSILS AND A DISH as we will not have access to the kitchen. Please let others know this.
I am also putting out a request for items to be included in the silent auction. $50 or less in value. I’m envisioning a wide range of products that might be found at the market, such as produce, fruit, flowers, meat, baked goods, photography, textiles, jewelry, etc. Let me know what you would like to donate and its aprox. value. You can bring it to me at the Farmers’ Market.
• Tomorrow, Mike Vouri will lead a tour of American Camp with the Save Our Bunnies (SOB) group at 10am…everybody is welcome! Here’s more.
There's a new corner at the Bean Coffeehouse for you to sit & get breakfast or your afternoon muffin...drop by & say hey!
Posted October 15, 2010 at 7:56 am by Ian Byington
Christine & Patrick Minney are the proud new owners of Ernie's Café
Yesterday Josie & I went out to check out Ernie’s Café – have you been there lately? Christine and Patrick (you recognize them from the Market Chef and Bakery San Juan, and other places around town before that) just bought the little spot, and I hope you get a chance to go visit them soon!
The bulgogi is served with miso soup, rice, green salad, and kimchi - it was great!
The seating area looks over the runways, out over Griffin Bay in the distance, and is a bright and cheerful place to eat & visit. I really enjoy the photos on the wall from the days when Ernie Gann & Roy Franklin were flying and getting the idea that flying around the island going. Ernie’s has an established and loyal clientele who were filing in the whole time we were there, and who left happy & fed.
There are several eating places on the island that are a little out of the way – Backdoor Kitchen, Duck Soup Inn, and Pablito’s come to mind, as well as Ernie’s – but all are the “little secrets” that locals frequent, even though they’re not on a main road. Add Ernie’s to that list.
To get to Ernie’s, you turn off Spring Street to go to the airport, and immediately turn left down towards Aeronautical Services…you’ll see the café at the end of the lot.
I’ve known Patrick & Christine for years, and the thing you can count on with these two is that they’ll do it right – drop in and see for yourself…you’ll be glad you did! And if you haven’t been there before, you’ll have a new favorite place to eat!
The eating area is bright & cheerful, looking over the runway and the bay....
Posted October 14, 2010 at 10:33 pm by Ian Byington
Coming into the Inner Harbour in Victoria....
If you gotta go somewhere for the holidays, why not right next door? And…why not let Shannon & Bill Bailey take you with the Pacific Catalyst? I asked Shannon how it all works, and here’s the scoop:
Friday Harbor to Victoria Trips aboard the MV Catalyst:
December 3-5, December 10-12 and December 17-19, 2010
Pacific Catalyst
These voyages are three day, two night round trips from Friday Harbor to Victoria, BC. We will depart from Friday Harbor at noon of Friday and sail to Victoria’s Inner Harbor, mooring directly in front of the majestic Empress Hotel. We will depart Victoria at noon on Sunday; thus allowing us Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning to explore Victoria’s museums, galleries and shops. There will be time to arrange for side trips to Buchart Gardens, the Imax, or just stroll through the seasonally decorated streets of the downtown area, enjoying the diverse dining and shopping opportunities found in this amazingly international city. Pacific Catalyst provides the boat transportation between Friday Harbor and Victoria, lunch on Friday and Sunday, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
Cost is $550/person for en-suite Staterooms and $450/person for shared bathroom staterooms. All prices double occupancy. Please remember that this is an international voyage; a current Passport will be required. Some other restrictions may apply for entrance into Canada, so if you have concerns please discuss them with us, or consult the Canadian Customs and Immigration website.
Note: The actual departure and return times may be adjusted to better coordinate with the Washington State ferries winter schedule.
In the evening....
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ “This was another especially great trip on your wonderful boat. We really enjoy visiting Victoria, so cruising into the harbor and having easy access to the city was a special delight. We liked spending time with you, your friends, and the other passengers. This was a trip that provided some great conversations and special memories. Thanks a bunch for having us along.” Z & R
Posted October 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm by Ian Byington
Nikki, with boyfriend Adam
After Gary Bowman’s motorcycle accident a couple of years ago, I got to know his daughter Nikki because she did so much to help with his recovery…seemed like she was always there, making things better for her dad. Now she needs a helping hand…here’s a note from Rosalie & Scott Webster:
More than likely, you know Yvonne Bowman. She works at the post office, selling stamps and giving away smiles. She is one of the most optimistic people I have ever met. You are possibly aware of the serious accident her husband Gary had almost two years ago. In the midst of his ongoing recovery and permanent disability, she maintains her positive outlook choosing to dwell on the progress not the prognosis.
You may not know that one of Yvonne’s daughters, Nikki, has cystic fibrosis. Nikki is 28 years old and she has a five-year-old son, Xander, who also has cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. It is progressive and terminal. Nikki was just 18 months old when she was diagnosed. From that first day until now they have known that she would face diminishing lung capacity, chronic lung infections and ultimately, that CF would take her life. While none of us has a guarantee of tomorrow, their family has lived with the guarantee that the disease will progress. And it has.
Nikki
Nikki is an amazing young woman. Like her mother, she has faced this disease fully aware of the prognosis. She has chosen to focus on the beauty of each new day, realizing it is a gift to be cherished. Nikki has poured her heart, time and energy into raising Xander.
They live in Friday Harbor with Gary’s mother, Marian Bowman. Nikki has worked part time (when she could) to help pay the medical bills that have accumulated as her bouts with lung infections continued, resulting in hospitals stays. While Nikki does have insurance, it covers only a portion of the cost of the doctors, hospitalizations, and medicines.
In recent weeks her condition has dramatically deteriorated. She has been in the hospital for almost three weeks. She was on the regional lung transplant list but due to various conditions, has been removed. The family remains hopeful that she will recover enough to be placed back on the list.
There is nothing we can do to give Nikki, Xander and their family more time together. We can, however, give them some relief from the worry of the bills that have and will continue to accumulate. There are two ways you can donate. First, there is an account set up at Islander’s Bank for Nikki. Second, if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, you can send your contribution to the following:
New Horizons Foundation
4570 Hilton Parkway
Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Note on the memo line: Nikki Fink Medical Fund
No donation is too small. Thank you for your consideration.
Posted October 14, 2010 at 2:43 pm by Ian Byington
This one's my idea...you can't use it. It's mine.
Larry Wight tells me he & Nick are looking for folks to help with this competition, at Friday Harbor High:
LOOKING FOR MENTORS TO HELP BUILD AN UNDERWATER, REMOTE CONTROLLED, ROBOT (ROV) WITH STUDENTS
FHHS, in conjunction with Spring Street International School and Paideia School, is forming Middle School and High School robotics clubs to build several underwater ROVs. The ROVs will compete against other clubs in May. The tasks are challenging and the competition will be tough. The clubs will need a lot of technical support to complete their projects and to compete with pride.
We are looking for adults with experience in
– Servo motors
– Underwater propulsion
– Mechanical engineering
– Electrical engineering
– Small hydraulics systems
– Data management via serial ports
Most of the construction and testing will take place on Sundays. If you have expertise and would like to help (no amount is too small!), please contact either Nick Frazee (nfrazee (at) sjisd.wednet.edu) or Larry Wight (lwight (at) sjisd.wednet.edu).
Posted October 14, 2010 at 12:56 pm by Ian Byington
My friend Patty Brightman tells me this is a great opportunity for people who want to help to get the training they need. I’m telling you now so you have time to call & sign up ahead of time…here’s more:
Would you let folks know that Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS), in commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will be facilitating a series of trainings.
The training schedule will be divided into 2 sections, each building on the one before. For the basics of domestic violence and sexual assault, check out our DV/SA 101 classes. If you are contemplating a career in working with survivors of abuse or want to volunteer for crisis line work, take our DV/SA 201 training. DV/SA 101 will be a 24-hour training over 4 Saturday classes. DV/SA 201 will build on that with 3 additional Saturdays for a total of 42 hours.(required for direct client work).
Classes will begin on Saturday, October 23, from 9:00am to 3:30pm (brown bag lunch), at the DVSAS Friday Harbor Office. Call Patty at 378-8680 to reserve your space and for more information.
Posted October 14, 2010 at 1:15 am by Ian Byington
The orcas are still around...photo by Ivan Reiff of Westen Prince, who will be going out till the end of the month.
Let’s see what’s happening around the island:
• Just heard from Dot that the last SJI Garden Club meeting was well attended AND they signed up some new members.
Way to go! Here’s the next meeting on the schedule:
Male Anna's hummingbird in flight....
Could you let your readers know of the San Juan Island Garden Club‘s November 2 meeting at 1 p.m. at the Mullis Center? The featured speaker for November 2 is Colleen-Howe Gregory from Mitchell Bay Farms. Her topic is a very timely one — how to plant for keeping the Anna Hummingbird in our midst for the winter.
She will showcase potted examples in her computer presentation.
Dessert and tea and coffee are always offered. Please rsvp to Dot Vandaveer at 378-8306 so we can plan seating for all.
• Frank Penwell with the Citizens Alliance for Property Rights has a seminar coming up – here’s the story:
Sign up early....
• This is cool – Spring Street International student Dylan Nelson has been named a top student – here’s more from SSIS’s Jerry Riley:
Dylan is an incredible musician as well...photo by John Sinclair
Dylan Nelson, a senior at Spring Street International School has been named a Commended Student, in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed among the top five (5) percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2011 competition by taking the 2009 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
A spokesperson for NMSC commented, “Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation. As demonstrated by their outstanding performance in our highly competitive program, the young men and women named Commended Students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. We sincerely hope this recognition will enhance their educational opportunities and encourage them in their pursuit of academic success.”
Louis O’Prussack, Head of School for SSIS added, “We are all proud of Dylan’s performance and feel this accolade is well deserved. He is the consummate student and daily demonstrates the commitment to reach his full potential.”
• I love stuff like this – here’s a note from ace photograher & videographer Chris Teren, with a vid he put together:
Hi Ian – I just thought I’d drop you a line to let you know that while I was up in Alaska a week ago, I saw some beautiful Northern Lights, and I created a movie out of +/- 1000 still images, of the Northern Lights doing their dance. I thought you might enjoy seeing it, and might want to share. I’ve posted it on youtube – take a look:
• The last three shows of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight are tonight at the Community Theatre, as well as Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm – don’t miss it!
And, when you go, you’ll notice another chance to help your local theater grow…here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:
When you do make it to the Theatre, you’ll notice a spanking new thermometer almost blocking your way into the doors. The Theatre’s 2010-2011 Annual Campaign is up and running!
DID YOU KNOW for each show presented, ticket prices account for less than half of the nonprofit Theatre’s expenses? For example, for each $20 ticket purchased, the Theatre actually had to spend about $48 for the facility to keep operating.
That’s why the Theatre’s family of investors is so critical!
Those of you who have donated in the past 18 months should be receiving a renewal letter in the mail this week. If you don’t receive a letter or would like to invest for the first time, you may donate via the Theatre’s website, at the box office or by calling Tanja Williamson at 378-3211, ext. 24.
Oh…and if you can provide your contribution or pledge between October and December 31, your name will be entered in a drawing for a “Night on the Town” in Friday Harbor, which includes dinner at Vinny’s, two tickets to the Theatre and a one-night stay at the Bird Rock Hotel.
See....
• Sign to remind the people who come to the island that we mean business (or something)…
• Linda & Maureen from Slow Food Land & Sea want to invite you to the planting at 1-2:30pm this Saturday at the garden across from the middle school – here’s more:
New to garlic in the garden? Learn everything you need to know to plant a successful garlic crop in your own garden by long-time islander, gardener and retired teacher, Bruce Robinson. You will be helping the school lunch program while participating in this free workshop.
Call us if you have additional questions. 317-5890 (Linda) or 472-0880 (Maureen)
• Remember Andy Urbach said they were going to have a deal at Vic’s after the game last Friday for students, called Post Game? He says it went pretty well:
The first Post-Game event went great! Vic’s was packed solid with the line nearly out the back door! The kids really seemed to enjoy it and were grateful to have a place to go.
Thanks for your help getting the word out, and remember the next Post-Game is on the 22nd! I know there is a homecoming dance, but not everyone goes and some might want a bite before the dance. We’ll have Vic’s open again from the final whistle to about Midnight depending on the crowd.
Posted October 14, 2010 at 12:01 am by Ian Byington
Welcome to our pristine beaches....
There’s gotta come a time when we knock off using stuff that comes in plastic bottles…the things are not good for us, for the beach, for the planet, for the oil supply, even for the water they hold. Listen to this little vid & you’ll get the idea. And I’ll say it again: We need to ban them on the island.
Posted October 13, 2010 at 10:07 am by Ian Byington
The flowers and vegetables are looking good!
You’ve seen the little garden across from the middle school/high school…it’s going great! The plot was started this spring by students from the school, led by Albert Strasser (FHHS ’09), who came back from his first year at the University of Colorado to get things started. It’s called the Slow Food Land & Sea Garden…and it had a great growing season. Some of the food will make it’s way to next week’s Community Dinner…another good reason to come by.
From garden to harvest to the school lunch table....
A couple of weeks ago, Linda Degnan Cobos pulled green beans to deliver to the Food for Thought program at the high school (here’s the story on it, from last week).
She reports that there’s still activity at the spot, as we head into the fall! Here’s the report on the Slow Food Land & Sea blog (which includes info about the great work Eleanor and Anna are doing at the local co-op, and how you can join) and she adds that this week, more is happening:
Bruce Robinson will be helping us plant garlic starts he’s donating this week – we’ll donate the finished garlic next year to the Food for Thought lunch program. We think we’ll be planting the garlic this weekend, and we’ll invite people to join in.
We are also planning on harvesting our Ozette and Haida potatoes this week, also for the lunch program. Liz and Andy said they will either use them at lunch, or more likely for a community dinner. These are very special potatoes, with many of the seed potatoes used gathered from the San Juan islands. We’re hoping to have someone from the Makah nation over to talk to us about the potatoes a little later.
There is interesting information about them on the new podiums that Declan made for us surrounding our garden, which are wonderful!!
Posted October 13, 2010 at 9:19 am by Ian Byington
First light....
It was a great sunrise (through the fog) this morning…Kevin Holmes sent over this sunrise that he took from the red eye ferry the other day (thanks, Kevin!) And…here’s a song to go with it, with Cat Stevens:
Posted October 12, 2010 at 10:33 am by Ian Byington
At M&W Auto Sales & Rentals, Wendy has her end-of-season sale going on, with some great deals...drop by & check it out!
Good morning! Hope you got enough sleep last night, and remembered all the good dreams…here’s what’s going on around the island:
• Just heard that Patrick & Christine Minney bought Ernie’s Cafe at the airport (next to Aeronautical Services) and they take over this week! Drop by & say hey to them!
• Anna Howden posted a neat video on her Design Banter website from the Green Thinker Network – here’s the vid:
• One of the things that surprised me, years ago, was to see a campaign sign at Printonyx after they moved there (when the Sounder newspaper moved out)…then another sign, and then a bunch, like a garden of signs. Kris told me at that time that she’ll let anybody put their sign there, and that that doesn’t reflect her stand on things, just that she wanted everyone to have a chance to have their say. I think it does reflect that we have plenty of room on our island for a good-hearted exchange of ideas, and I think it’s cool she does things the way she does.
But now there’s a problem – here’s more from Kris:
This is just a friendly reminder to those who are destroying or taking down signs on the corner of Blair and Reed Streets by the fence at Printonyx: while you may not like competing signs being next to each other, it is a free country. In a bi-partisan, non-endorsement spirit we allow anyone to put up their signs and would appreciate your understanding.
If you are the candidate who put up the signs and want to take them down, fine, just let us know that you took them down. If you’d like to put up a sign for your candidate, let us know inside, then firmly affix your sign to the fence or stake it in the ground. Once the election is over, take it down promptly.
If you are someone who has taken down signs of another candidate, please put them back. You don’t speak well of your candidate if you feel the need to suppress the free speech of another candidate and his/her supporters.
Kristine Brown, Owner
Printonyx, Inc.
Annie Adams-Howell is in New York for a workshop, and she sent over this photo from the gathering of folks singing in celebration of John's life at the Imagine Circle on Saturday.
• Tonight, it’s a sing along with Kirk & Cecil at the Rumor Mill, with Blues Night tomorrow starting at 6pm.
• Hey, I asked Lenore the other what’s going on with Emily, and she files this report (thanks, Lenore!) Take a moment to look at the slideshow of the cool things Emily’s group is doing in Africa (Lesotho), Peru, and in the States:
Emily in action
Emily Bayuk-Johnson is heading to Boston next week with Lake Union Crew (LUC) to row in the Head of the Charles. Head Of The Charles Regatta®, the world’s largest two-day rowing event, was first held on October 16, 1965. The race was established by the Cambridge Boat Club. Emily rowed for LUC 2 years ago and they placed 3rd. The race is Oct. 23-24 on the Charles River in Boston, Mass.
Emily is still busy coaching and teaching rowing on Lake Union in Seattle. She will be leaving for Lesotho, Africa in November for another LUC Foundation building project. Emily will be there thru February. You can get info on this volunteer opportunity at www.lucoutreachfoundation.org.
Posted October 12, 2010 at 8:54 am by Ian Byington
Out on South Beach...
It’s not everyday you get to walk on the beach with a warm autumn breeze, like we’ve had in the past week. It’s not everyday you see a friend walking her horse on the beach, either. Jaime Ellsworth is helping train miniature horses like Pearl as service horses (like service dogs), and the cool part for Pearl is that she has Jaime to work with.
Posted October 12, 2010 at 8:19 am by Ian Byington
This morning (Tuesday), Friday Harbor Airport manager David Ryan checked in about how the airport job is going:
Nighttime temperatures kept the painting crew from getting much accomplished last night, so we have issued a NOTAM closing the runway again tonight Tuesday, October 12 from 8:00 pm local until 6:00 am local (hopefully the temps will warm up a little today to allow completion of the runway portion tonight).
During the day crews will be cleaning overspray from hangars, striping taxiway and taxilane lines and touching up missed area with fog seal and crack seal. There may be some wet patches here and there on the aprons, so please use caution. There may also be some temporary taxiway/taxilane closures as we work our way around the airport, but these shouldn’t last more than an hour or so.
We appreciate your patience during this construction. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns.
Posted October 11, 2010 at 2:16 am by Ian Byington
At night, from the dock....
Let’s see what people are doing…
Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen was on the island this weekend, meeting with the Economic Development Council folks, visiting Roche Harbor, and visiting with supporter Mark Madsen at an evening fundraiser. The five-term Congressman faces a tough re-election battle this fall, with polls showing a close race with GOP challenger John Koster...
• Did you know it was this week? It’s the 21st annual Doggone Good Dinner! It is on the 13th at the Duck Soup Inn. It is, as always, a benefit for the Animal Shelter… the whole crew works for free/donates their time and the dinner is delish!
Anna Lisa tells me they are not quite full, so I thought a reminder to the community would help. Reservations can be made at the restaurant, 378-4878.
• Remember that swan that Keith shot a photo of, last week? I wondered about trumpeter swans hanging out in salt water, and several of you cleared it up: that was a mute swan, not a trumpeter. Here’s the previous story, with picture.
• Ferry tickets are cheaper starting last weekend – here’s the word from WSF:
They were everywhere - I ran into Dora & Hamid from Post San Juan taking their walk downtown on Thursday, at the football game on Friday night, at work Friday afternoon, and at The Style on Saturday night. They're everywhere!
Effective Sunday, Oct. 10, Washington State Ferries will end the peak season surcharge, which went into effect May 1. The peak season surcharge adds approximately 25 percent to the full fare car and driver fare (slightly higher to the San Juans). Please check the current teal Fares Brochure (effective Oct. 11, 2009) for more information.
• Aaron D’Errico dropped me a line to say his bro Adam‘s girlfriend Nikki (she’s Gary & Yvonne Bowman’s girl) is recovering in the hospital from cystic fibrosis complications.
Aaron says, “I’m asking all my friends to watch this, pray for her, and pass it on to everyone who loves Nikki. Thank you.”
• Restaurant hours tend to shift a bit this time of year:
The new hours at the Rocky Bay Cafe...
The Rocky Bay Cafe is shortening its hours from 6am to 3pm, to 6:30am – 2:30pm.
Vinny’s: Becki says: “We are now open 5 days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, from 4pm-9pm. We have a fall menu that started October first and a great happy hour from 4pm-5:30pm. See you all soon!”
Duck Soup Inn: Now open Thursday through Sunday!
• Sports update: The FHHS soccer team beat Nooksack Valley 4-1 on Saturday, but sustained a different kind of loss as stalwart senior midfielder Hannah Starr broke her leg in the match.
Meanwhile, the Wolverine volleyball team dropped its Saturday match 25-9, 21-25, 25-11, 25-12 at Nooksack.
It's coming up this Sunday!
• It’s time to get in the pool – here’s more from Sam at the Fitness Club:
Swim Team Gearing Up For Season
Registration will begin for the 2010/2011 San Juan Island Fitness Swim Team on Wednesday, October 13. Tryouts for the swim team will be held beginning Tuesday, November 2, at 3:15 p.m. In addition to the swim team, a pre-season swim team camp will be held on Parent-Teacher conference days, October 20, 21 and 22.
If your child is interested in swim team this year, registration forms can be picked up at San Juan Island Fitness, 435 Argyle Ave beginning Wednesday, October 13. Deadline for registration is Friday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Due to limited pool space and time, the team is limited to 32 members. Tryouts will be held beginning Tuesday, November 2, at 3:15. Swim team is open to any child ages 7 to 17.
Swim Team Camp will be held October 20, 21 and 22 from 12:30 to 3:00 each day. Included in this camp will be stroke review, conditioning, videos, cross training and, of course, fun and games.
For those lacking some basic skills necessary to have a positive swim team experience, there will be a “Skills Team” available. Skills Team will meet two times per week from November 15 to January 19.
“We’re aiming at 3 meets with other regional clubs, two intra-squad meets and a dive clinic and play day at the Anacortes pool. Our big emphasis this year, aside from building strong swimmers, is to have a lot of fun”, says Paul Hopkins, owner of San Juan Island Fitness.
More detailed information is posted on their web site at www.sanjuanislandfitness.com or contact San Juan Island Fitness at 378-4449.
Posted October 11, 2010 at 1:36 am by Ian Byington
Library volunteer Donna Riley demonstrates how to make a book as good as new....
The other day I was visiting the Library, and Carrie at the front desk told me that folks were upstairs, repairing books. That sounded interesting, so I went up to see what was going on.
The spine of the book, starting to come apart....
There’s a little corner set aside for book repair, which can include all kinds of things, but seems to usually involve spine restoration, so that the pages will stay in.
There were stacks of books – novels, kids’ books, manuals, and more – that had been either overused, or torn, or were starting to go.
This year’ Friends of the Library president Birgit Kriete showed me around in the shop, and Donna Riley showed me how she glued a book back together.
Both of them said they were volunteers, trained by EdiedeChadenedes, who has been helping out at the library for over two decades.
Glued back together, and ready to re-shelve....
Donna mentioned that one of the things that people can do to help this program is…don’t help. When patrons try to repair a book that’s falling apart (especially with Scotch tape repairs!) or with the wrong kind of glue, it often makes it harder to fix the book.
So, if you have a library book that fell apart on you, it’s best to just bring it in, for the experts to fix.
And it’s cool that we have these dedicated folks as experts – thanks!
