$2.25
Vol. 6 No. 5 June 2015 Frontier Communications Bringing Fast Internet to Entire Island DSL Service Becomes Available June 30 By Edith Walden For at least 10 years, Internet service has been available to a few lucky residents along part of South Shore Drive via a digital subscriber line (DSL) that is available from their land- line telephone provider. On June 30, that service will be avail- able to all island residences that are wired for phone service. You don’t have to have a landline telephone to acquire the ser- vice—just the wiring. Islanders may have noticed technicians from Frontier Communications stringing wire between telephone poles in the past several months. That fiber-optic cable will provide edith walden the means to transmit signals for Internet service through our phone lines.
How it works Frontier technicians string fiber-optic cable for new DSL Internet Here’s a simplified explanation of how it works. Using mi- service on Guemes. crowave radio relay, digital data signals will be broadcast from a Frontier satellite antenna in Burlington to one on the tow- mitted through the fiber-optic cables to a metal cabinet, re- er on Guemes Mountain. From the tower, the data is trans- ferred to as a “central office.” Here a type of network switch routes data signals to an individual subscriber line, where the What’s in a Name? Tribal Pride customer can receive and send data signals over the Internet through a DSL transceiver (modem). Frontier is using an updated type of DSL technology known as “very high-bit DSL” or VDSL. The VDSL technol- ogy is capable of delivering very fast downloads and uploads. edith walden There are two central offices on Guemes: one next to Schoolhouse Park and the other near the “chicken-foot” in- tersection of South Shore Road and Holiday Boulevard. How close you are to a central office will affect how fast your Inter- net service can be. For a much more technical description of how DSL and VDSL work, see tinyurl.com/GuemesVDSL.
It’s all about speed With the advent of streaming videos and music, large-file Wearing cedar hats, islanders (from left) Sam Barr and Tsul- sharing, and websites that use complex graphics, the need for ton and island descendant David Blackinton drum during a Samish honor song led by Samish Nation general manager speed has increased. Trying to watch an on-demand movie Leslie Eastwood (at microphone), at the naming ceremony with frequent pauses for buffering diminishes the entertain- for the new state ferry M/V Samish. See story on page 9. ment factor, as any Netflix user can attest. (continued on page 5) 2 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Letters Bake-sale gratitude fit my local community and neighbors. Dear editor, Especially in these days of questionable Our heartfelt thanks to all who con- investing in the banking arena, I am tributed their baking skills, and to the wondering if any of my fellow citizens indispensable West Shore Road (Street) feel the same. Mission Statement Walkers, and to Edith Walden who Would you prefer your resources The Guemes Tide is published to steadfastly (wo)manned the ovens. The were banked in a local credit union connect, inform, amuse, serve, and Pie and Bake Sale would not have been or cooperative (often at better return inspire our island community. a success without you. rates and lower defaults than tradition- Thanks again, al banks)? Does anyone else have expe- Subscriptions are $20 a year (10 is- —Peggy Pair, on behalf of the rience with financial cooperatives like sues). Subscribe online at guemestide.org Guemes Island Women’s Fellowship credit unions? Does anyone have skills or send your mailing address and a check made out to The Guemes Tide to: The needed to start one in our area? Or ideas Guemes Tide, 4709 South Shore Drive, A local place to invest on directions and research and people Anacortes, WA 98221-9579. Fellow Guemians, needed to consider forming one? Advertising: Space reservations due the 15th of the month preceding issue For years, since being part of a com- If so, please contact me at 293- date; camera-ready artwork due the 22nd. munity credit union (a financial coop- 3770, or [email protected], Contact [email protected]. erative) in Vermont, I have longed for and maybe we can form an exploratory The Guemes Tide (USPS #014-902) is published monthly except in January a local place to invest what small sav- group. and August by Guemes Tide Publishing, ings I have, so that they would bene- —Bob Anderson 4709 South Shore Drive, Anacortes, WA 98221-9579. Periodical postage paid at Anacortes, Washington. Contents © 2015 by Guemes Tide GIPOA Annual Meeting on June 13 Publishing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, except as otherwise noted. Citizen of the Year Election Bylined articles and attributed artwork are published by permission, with all The annual meeting of the Guemes a Sustainable Design Assessment Team rights retained by their creators. Opinions Island Property Owners Association (SDAT) that was recruited by the AIA expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts and (GIPOA) will be held at 7 p.m. on Sat- and guided by staff from the AIA Cen- artwork dealing with Guemes Island and urday, June 13, at the Community Cen- ter for Communities by Design. It high- its people are encouraged but may not be ter. Elections for president, treasurer, lights island concerns, and contains returned. and one on-island and one off-island both vision statements and specific rec- Advertising Manager: Tom Murphy trustee will be held. The membership ommendations for individual and col- Business Manager: Thea LaCross also will vote for Citizen of the Year. (If lective actions. (The full report can be Calendar Editor: Lynn Prewitt you haven’t already submitted your bal- found at the Guemes Island Library and Circulation Manager: Dyvon Havens Contributing Editor: Holiday lot, you can bring it to the meeting, or online under the report title.) Matchett join GIPOA then and receive a ballot to The program will celebrate past and Editor Emeritus: Win Anderson cast.) ongoing actions in five focus areas, as Editor-in-Chief and Lead Reporter: Following the business portion of well as noting ongoing challenges. Is- Edith Walden Managing Editor and Layout Lead: the meeting, Bob Groeschell will re- landers who participated in the pro- Nick Allison view the 2006 American Institute of Ar- cess are encouraged to come to celebrate Photo Wizard: Ralph Walden chitects (AIA) report, “Guemes Island their efforts. Those who missed the AIA Other Members of the Publishing SDAT: Creating a Sustainable Guemes.” workshops are invited to attend to gain Team: Anne Casperson, Karen This 53-page report was the product of a sense of island identity and the ongo- Everett, Juby Fouts, Anne Passarelli input from hundreds of islanders and ing sustainability efforts to preserve its Website: Find back issues, subscription info, and more at guemestide.org. character. Email: [email protected] As always, GIPOA meetings are [email protected] open to anyone and all are welcome. [email protected] [email protected] Phone: Leave message at 299-9999.
Correction
On page 7 of our May issue, a photo POSTMASTER: · caption misidentified the location of the · Send address changes to The Guemes first-aid class sponsored by the Guemes Tide, 4709 South Shore Drive, Ana- Island Fire Department. It took place at cortes, WA 98221-9579 the Church. The Guemes Tide June 2015 3
Peak Season Returns Annual Ferry Haulout Window Announced By Tom Murphy By Edith Walden placing one outdrive with a rebuilt out- The sailing schedule and fare struc- The opening of bids for the annual drive, and servicing the other outdrive. ture for peak season on the Guemes Is- ferry haulout is scheduled for late Ferry Operations Division Manager land ferry began on May 20 and will June or early July, according to Skagit Rachel Rowe has been out on medical extend through September 30 (see en- County Engineer Paul Randall-Grutter. leave since February—initially for two closed insert). Randall-Grutter told the Tide that he months for leg surgery. Her leave has Individual passenger and vehicle expects the contract to be awarded in been extended due to a serious family fares increase during the peak season, late July or early August and that the illness, Randall-Grutter said. She con- with an across-the-board $2 increase for range for possible haulout dates will be tinues to work part time remotely when vehicles under 20 feet and an increase of from September 28 to November 9. possible. $.50 to $1 for passengers. What remain Randall-Grutter the same are the charges for the 25-trip expects the haulout Lending a Helping Hand Abroad passenger punch card, which expires to last 21 to 28 one year after purchase, and the 20-trip days. He explained vehicle-and-driver punch card, which that until the con- expires 90 days from purchase. It is im- tractor is chosen, portant to remember that these cards are the exact dates of nonrefundable. the haulout are un- Oversize vehicles and vehicles with known.
trailers will experience some hefty in- In addition to edith walden creases during the peak season. The peak routine annual fares escalate with the length of the vehi- maintenance, one cle, from a $3 increase for a vehicle be- of the hull plates tween 20 and 25 feet to an $18 increase needs to be re- for vehicles between 60 and 65 feet. placed. Other ma- Islander Rebecca Ullman described her work to decrease ma- The price of the 10-trip convenience jor items include ternal mortality as a volunteer nurse-midwife with Medecins punch cards for a vehicle (under 20 feet) sandblasting and Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders to islanders on May and driver increases to $100; and to painting the hull, 17. Ullman travels occasionally to work for two to four months in places such as South Sudan, Ivory Coast, and Laos. Her next $90 for senior or disabled drivers. You replacing the bilge- volunteer stint will be in Nepal. may not use your nonpeak 10-trip con- system piping, re- venience card during peak season. All convenience cards, which sell at nondis- count prices, expire at the next general- “I have never met a realtor in my entire life fare increase. who works as hard as you and who goes so far The current fare structure for peak and nonpeak trips has been in effect out of their way to help people.” since March 2011; the current peak- Homebuyer Bill McCarthey, 6094 West Shore Road season schedule was approved in April 2012. The biggest change to the nonpeak Karen’s clients gave her 10 out of 10 in a recent schedule is the addition of runs late on independent customer satisfaction survey. Sundays, with the last run of the day coming at 10 p.m. If you’re thinking of buying or selling on Guemes Island, Also on Sunday, the 9:45 and 10:15 choose a top-ranking agent who lives here and knows it well! a.m. runs replace a 10 a.m. run, and there is a slight modification of the schedule between 5 and 6 p.m. Karen Everett GuemesIslandExpert.com Subscribe Online! (360) 202-7373 One year (10 issues) of the Guemes Tide is just $20. Visit guemestide.org. 4 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Final Marijuana Hearing Scheduled June 16 Homestead Lane Grower Agrees to Corrective Actions By Edith Walden County Code Compliance Officer Sandy Perkins told the A public hearing to comment on the final proposed or- Tide that the WSLCB is working in cooperation with the dinance regarding the regulation of marijuana production county and will be involved in further inspections to assure and processing in Skagit County will be held at 8:30 a.m. on compliance with county regulations. Tuesday, June 16, before the Board of Commissioners at 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon. Testimony and written How to submit written comments to the comments will be accepted at that hearing; other written county commissioners comments may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on June 18. If you wish to submit written comments regarding the (See section below for how to submit written comments.) proposed ordinance for marijuana regulations in Skagit Coun- ty, you must follow strict requirements for the format and No changes for Guemes timing of your comments. Comments regarding the final pro- Following seven and a half hours of deliberation by the posed ordinance for marijuana production and processing op- Planning Commission during two meetings, Skagit County erations must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. commissioners met to review the Planning Commission’s rec- Email comments will be accepted, in addition to those ommendations and listen to exceptions to those recommenda- printed on 8½-by-11-inch paper. All comments must include tions that were proposed by the Department of Planning and your full name, your mailing address, and “Permanent Regu- Development Services. lations for Marijuana Facilities” in the subject line. Commissioner Ron Wesen, who had listened to all of the Email comments are preferred. You should send them to Planning Commission deliberations, suggested that the con- [email protected]. Include your comments in flicting recommendations be included as options in the final the body of your email message—not as attachments. draft for public comment. The commissioners agreed. Paper comments may be mailed or delivered to Planning The final proposal continues to prohibit all marijuana pro- and Development Services, 1800 Continental Place, Mount duction and processing operations on Guemes Island, due to Vernon, WA 98273. the risk of endangering the sole-source aquifer. The proposed ordinance would also prohibit medical-marijuana collective Acting Locally for Earth Day gardens and cooperatives. Individuals may grow medical mar- ijuana at home for their own use, following state law. To review the proposed ordinance and the options, see tinyurl.com/finalmj. Comments about what citizens like, in addition to what they oppose, are encouraged by the commissioners.
Corrective action ordered at Homestead Lane site On April 9, Michael Shaw, the owner of the Homestead Lane property where Miller Marijuana Farms has been pro- ducing marijuana without the county’s required permits, signed a Voluntary Compliance Agreement. He agreed to correct three code violations that the county cited him for. By June 1, he must discontinue the marijuana production and processing operation; submit a complete application for a noncompliant structure; and submit a complete application for the eight-foot fence on the property. Following the applications for permits, he must dismantle edith walden the structure and fence if the permits are denied, and follow through with other permitting requirements if the permits are approved. If the corrective actions are not completed by June 1, fines of $100 per day per violation will accrue. Melody Young (center) assigns areas to volunteers Rob Schro- While Miller Marijuana Farms is legally licensed as der and Gail Nicolls on April 26, just after Earth Day (April 22). a marijuana producer and processor by the Washington Emma Schroder also helped. The four picked up trash along State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), licensees are required Guemes Island Road, West Shore Drive, and West Shore Road. to meet county codes to retain their state licenses. Skagit The Guemes Tide June 2015 5
FAST INTERNET All service packages include a free information or to sign up. Frontier Ac- (continued from page 1) DSL wi-fi router and have no caps on count Manager Gregg Heyne will be In January, the Federal Commu- bandwidth, and the prices are guaran- able to determine eligibility for busi- nications Commission changed the teed not to change for three years. You nesses and can verify the available definition for high-speed (broadband) are not required to have a contract. speeds. He can be reached at 202-7295. Internet service to a minimum of 25 Bundles with Dish TV are also available. For Clearwire/Clear customers, this megabits per second (Mbps) for down- All prices listed above are with au- new service comes just in time. Clear loading and 3 Mbps for uploading. topay arrangements and are “limited- has announced they will be discontinu- Technically, Frontier will not be offering time” offers that are due to expire the ing service on the island effective No- broadband service to residential custom- first week of July. vember 5 (see article below left). ers on Guemes, but broadband speeds Keep in mind the speeds listed are will be available for some types of busi- on an “up-to” basis. If you live more nesses. And some of the packages they than a mile from a central office, your Dog Island Run will be offering promise to be faster than speed may diminish, and other factors any other service on the island. may affect what can actually be deliv- on June 6 (For a comparison of speeds and ered consistently. According to Frontier By Edith Walden pricing of other services on the island, Communications General Manager De- On Saturday, June 6, the island will see a graph that was prepared by Line- nise Sperle, as soon as the service is op- be overrun with runners and walkers Time at tinyurl.com/GIspeed.) erational, Frontier will be able to deter- participating in the 18th 10K Dog Is- mine exactly how high the speed would land Run, hosted by the Guemes Island The offers (until July) be at your address. Library with sponsors Skagit Runners For islanders who have one of two Business options are available with and the Road Runners Club of Ameri- landline services that Frontier provides speeds of up to 40 Mbps, starting at ca. The run is certified by USA Track & (30 minutes of long-distance calls for $49.98 per month. Frontier promises Field. $27.99 per month or unlimited long technical support 24 hours a day, every The run begins at 10:45 a.m. at distance for $30.99), you can add In- day of the year, from technicians based Schoolhouse Park. The two-mile walk ternet service at 6 Mbps for $19.99 a in the United States. begins at 10:55 a.m. at the intersec- month, 12 Mbps for $29.99, and 24 tion of Guemes Island Road and Edens Mbps for $39.99. How to sign up Road, right next to the Park. You may Those who have service that carried Sperle told the Tide that a Fron- register online for $25 through June 3, over from when Verizon was the island’s tier Mobile Store will be in the parking or in person for $30 on the day of the telephone provider will have to change lot of Anderson’s General Store June 5 race (cash or check only). Children 14 their phone service to get the phone/ through 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. Islanders and younger may register for free. See Internet bundle; the older plan is not a may learn more about offered services databarevents.com/dogislandrun for qualified phone service. You may choose and sign up with a sales representative more information or to register. Specta- standalone service without a landline on those days. She also recommends tors and supporters are welcome. phone for $29.99 for 6 Mbps, $39.99 calling 757-3256 Monday through Fri- Proceeds from the event support the for 12 Mbps, and $49.99 for 24 Mbps. day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for more all-volunteer Guemes Island Library. For more information, contact Carol Pellett at [email protected]. CLEAR to Discontinue Internet Service on Island By Edith Walden CLEAR/Clearwire subscribers on Guemes began receiving notices in early May announcing that Sprint, which purchased CLEAR/Clearwire two years ago, “will cease operating the CLEAR 4G (WiMAX) Network and Clearwire Expedience Network on November 6, 2015 at 12:01 AM EST”—or 9 p.m., November 5, on Guemes. This means that islanders who get their Internet service through CLEAR/Clear- wire must find another provider. Sprint had already discontinued email service through the CLEAR/Clearwire networks, effective April 15, requiring subscribers to find new email providers if they had clear.net or clearwire.net addresses. Fortunately, this news comes with the simultaneous announcement that Frontier will be providing high-speed DSL (digital subscriber line) Internet service to the island before Sprint ends their CLEAR/Clearwire service (see article on page 1). Frontier’s DSL service is delivered through phone lines, but is much faster than dial-up ser- vice—and will generally provide higher speeds than CLEAR/Clearwire could deliver. 6 The Guemes Tide June 2015
Storing the Stuff of Life Community Soup Supper Schedule The Community Soup Supper programs will continue in June, with a simple supper being served at the Guemes Island Community Church at 6 p.m., followed by a speaker and presen-
edith walden tation at 7 p.m. All are welcome. On Tuesday, June 2, Gary Curtis will repeat his popular program on trekking in Nepal in the 1970s. The recent earthquake has reduced many of the places he visited to rubble. The program will acknowledge people and places that have been lost. On Tuesday, June 16, islander and underwater photographer Katie Butler will present a program featuring her underwater vid- eos, including those of scuba dives around Grand Cayman Island and the shipwrecks of the USS Kittiwake and the Doc Poulson. Juby Fouts (left) talks to Tom and Carol Deach about safe, long-term water storage. Juby is distributing 2½-gallon plastic jugs in exchange for a donation to CERT. To get bottles, you can contact her at Celebrate Solstice With Strawberries [email protected]. The newly formed Groundfloor Guemes group invites island- ers to celebrate Father’s Day and the summer solstice at a Sum- mer Solstice Strawberry Sundae Social on Sunday, June 21, from Science Camp Begins June 29 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Center. Step right up for a straw- Children 4 to 11 are invited attend the free Science berry sundae prepared with fresh organic strawberries served over Camp that will be offered on June 29 through July 3 at premium ice cream. the Community Center and the Guemes Island Com- Groundfloor Guemes suggests a donation of $3 for a small munity Church. The camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon serving and $5 for a large one. All proceeds will be donated to each morning. Retired educators Kathy Finks, Carol the Guemes Island Historical Society. Harma, and Holiday Matchett will lead separate age For more information, contact GroundfloorGuemes@ groups in the discovery and practice of the scientific outlook.com. method, the theme for this year’s session. Singing and Mmmmmmmm. While you’re drooling with anticipation, try storytelling are also part of the popular program. saying Summer Solstice Strawberry Sundae Social three times in Advanced registration is required and children must a row. be accompanied by an adult guardian. To register, contact Kathy Finks at [email protected] or 588-9192. •Save the Date• Editors’ note: This section lists island events we think readers might want to know Happy Birthday, about more than a month in advance. ••Science Camp for children aged 4 to 11 is June 29 through July 3. Rose Fraley ••On July 4, the parade at North Beach will start at 11 a.m.; see the article on page Rose Fraley turns 85 on June 8. Rose 10 for more information about the day’s activities. was born in Seattle and first came to ••Howard Pellett will be taking your donated good, used household items to sell Guemes in 1978. A year later, she and at Shipwreck Day on July 18. her husband purchased property in Hol- ••On August 1, the families of Anna Prewitt and Danni Snell will be holding a iday Hideaway. She moved here full- salmon barbecue to help raise funds for Anna and Danni to go to Japan for an ex- time in 1995. Rose plans to celebrate change program (see article on page 9). •The 2nd annual Dog Island Dog Days of Summer Dog Show will be held on her birthday with 35 members of her • August 15. family—including her 4 children, 10 ••On August 22, Bingo Therapy, a hot band from Portland, will play a benefit grandchildren and 11 great-grandchil- concert for the Schoolhouse Park Stage. dren—on Camano Island. The Guemes Tide June 2015 7 Gathering Lunch Creativity Contest Has a Winner Program Wraps Up By Edith Walden On May 3, the Until Fall Guemes Island Environ- By Lorraine Francis mental Trust awarded The Gathering Lunch program has Colin Middleton $1,500 again proven to be a popular place for for his first-place finish Guemes Island residents to enjoy a won- in the Trust’s Creativity derful meal and socialize with friends Contest. There were two and neighbors during the fall and winter honorable mentions but months, when many of us tend to hi- no other winners. bernate. This year’s topic ques- Over a 27-week period this season, tion was: How can my the Gathering again surpassed the num- school be in the fore- ber of meals served in previous years. front of solutions for cli-
Our total this year was 1,312 meals, mate change? edith walden which includes 176 take-out meals or In an essay with those for the homebound. In January accompanying videos, we discontinued the take-out meals. The Colin, a sophomore at concept of the Gathering Lunch is for Western Washington Colin Middleton (second from left) accepts an award from people to get out and socialize, not to University, outlined his Guemes Island Environmental Trust members (from left) grab a meal and run. We continued to work as a student in the Juby Fouts and Howard and Carol Pellett. provide meals to those with difficulty Vehicle Research Insti- getting out. tute there. encourage the development of solar- A huge thank-you goes to our vol- Colin wants to help engineer electric powered commercial trains. unteer cooks Sharon Hughlitt, Toni vehicles that could run with zero emis- To see photos and videos of his proj- Schmokel, Gail Messett, Holly Green, sions by using electricity from renewable ect, go to tinyurl.com/ColinGIET. Julie DeRouche, Kathy Finks, Dyvon energy sources. This is not the first time Colin has Havens, Kim Bone, Anne Passarelli, In his contest entry, he described appeared in the pages of the Tide. He Gail Nicolls, Judy Fees, and Mike his progress in designing and building was featured with Stella Tsitsiragos in Thamert (who jumped in wherever a vehicle that travels on standard train the May 2013 issue for their work in in- needed). tracks and is powered by solar panels. stalling a hydration station at Anacortes A special thank-you goes to Edie Upon completion of his project, High School to allow students to refill Clark, who whipped through the piles he hopes to show numbers that will plastic water bottles. of dishes each week as quickly as Susan Rombeek cleared them. Historical Society to Recall Murray Read A shout-out also goes to our dedicat- ed nurses, Juby Fouts, Sue Nichol, Edie By Holiday Matchett Read MacDonald, who will discuss the Clark, and Zoanne Hyland, who were Sandy Lane presented the story of contributions and activities of her fa- available each week to answer questions an amazing baby gorilla, Bobo, at the ther, Murray Read. She likes to quote and check blood pressures. May 11 meeting of the Guemes Island his characteristic Guemian philosophy: As you can see, “It takes a village”— Historical Society. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll tell you or in our case, an island—but the more Bobo lived with the Lowman fam- how to live without it.” Many residents help we have, the lighter the load, and ily, near the Guemes ferry in Anacortes, of Guemes still have memories of Mur- the work is fun and very fulfilling. If during his formative years as a baby ray Read repeating this line when he was you’d be interested in helping with the and toddler. The Lowmans had a strong asked to assist with a project. He was Gathering Lunch when we resume in connection with Guemes Island. Sev- known on Guemes as a problem solver October or want more information eral of those attending the meeting had with a sense of humor. about it, contact Lorraine Francis at memories of Bobo before he outgrew The 7 p.m. meeting at the Church 293-8364. his human home and was relocated to begins with a business meeting, includ- Editors’ note: Well-deserved general ap- the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The ing discussion of the enlargement of the plause should also be extended to Lorraine, movies provided by Sandy Lane were library (and Guemes museum) and the who is not only a cook par excellence, but enjoyed uproariously by the audience. Guemes Island Dog Show. is also the main organizer for the entire Next month’s program on Monday, The historical program begins at program throughout the year. June 8, will be presented by Margaret 7:30 p.m. 8 The Guemes Tide June 2015
vironmental club and has helped build Guemes Gold Awarded the trail to Guemes Mountain. He’s also helped with Science Camp, the Eas- ter Egg Hunt, and Halloween parties on Guemes. Alex, a native Guemian, is edith walden considering either going to Bellingham Technical College to take instrumenta- tion and control courses or seeking an apprenticeship as a hydro electrician. The former would lead him to work in a refinery; the latter would provide em- ployment at places such as Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, where Washington generates power. Alex’s ultimate goal is to have his own home on Guemes by the time he is 25. Alex plans to use his award to pay for the educational option that he chooses. Alex is the son of Sherri and Jeff Bosch. Two-time Guemes Gold winner Stefan Verbano (at podium) encouraged this year’s winners Sam Stamper, a junior at Anacortes (seated, from left) Alex Bosch, Sam Stamper, Hallie Freeman, and Sage Olson. High School, won a Bronze Award of $500. Sam has been in the marine tech- By Edith Walden and becoming fluent in multiple lan- nology program of the Northwest Ca- On May 3, the Betty Crookes guages. She is interested in becoming a reer & Technical Academy, is on the Guemes Gold Awards were presented teacher of English as a second language, honor roll, has won awards in science to four island students at a reception in and hopes to enter Colorado College and English, and has maintained a 3.7 their honor. in the fall of 2016. Hallie plans to use GPA. He hopes to go to college and Stefan Verbano, a winner of the her award to help her travel. She is the earn a degree in mechanical engineer- Gold Award in 2007 and 2008, ad- daughter of Lisa Torcoletti and Geoff ing. He would also like to do classic dressed the winners and acknowledged Freeman. car restoration. Sam is the treasurer of that the awards he had won helped his Sage Olson, a senior at Anacortes the Metals Club at high school and is a life take a different course because the High School, won the Silver Award member of the Guemes Island Fire De- money helped him be able to afford out- of $1,000. Sage was homeschooled partment. He has his own business do- of-state tuition. Stefan graduated from through the 8th grade. He is a mem- ing small engine and automotive repair. the University of Oregon in journalism ber of the National Honor Society and He’s also a drummer. Sam plans to use and has just returned from two years will graduate with honors, having main- his award to pay for tuition. Sam is the in the Peace Corps. He encouraged tained a 3.95 GPA. He has won awards son of Kim and Mike Stamper. the students to “go make something of in math, science, and U.S. history. The scholarship program was co- yourselves” and to follow their dreams, Sage has helped build the trail to founded by the late Betty Crookes. It is even though they might be unconven- Guemes Mountain, and volunteers supported by funds donated by individ- tional. at the Guemes Island Library and at uals and island organizations, including Hallie Freeman won the Gold Award Greenwood Tree community school. Guemes Connects, the Guemes Island of $1,500. A senior in high school, He has been accepted to Western Wash- Community Church, the Guemes Is- Hallie has been in the Running Start ington University, where he is consid- land Community Center Association, program for two years and will gradu- ering majoring in chemistry or physics, the Guemes Island Firefighters Associa- ate from high school and from Skagit but wants to explore other possibilities. tion, the Guemes Island Historical So- Valley College with an associate degree Sage plans to use his award to help pay ciety, the Guemes Island Library, the at the same time. Hallie is no strang- for tuition. Sage is the son of Sophie Guemes Island Property Owners Associ- er to islanders. Since she was young she Dobra and Robert Olson. ation, and the Women’s Fellowship. has been organizing events for children: Alex Bosch, a senior at Anacortes Scholarship committee members are the Halloween party, Easter Egg Hunt, High School, won a Bronze Award of Jan Ebersole, Julie Hopkins, Betsy Ock- and events for the 4th of July. She has $500. Alex has been in the marine tech- well, Don Passarelli, Carol Pellett, and maintained a 3.75 GPA, is on the hon- nology program at the Northwest Ca- Janice Veal. Donations may be sent to or roll, and was recognized as a Golden reer & Technical Academy in Anacortes. the Betty Crookes Guemes Gold Schol- Learner at Skagit Valley College. Hallie He was on the honor roll this year. He arship Fund, 5308 West Shore Road, wants to spend the next year traveling has been a member of his school’s en- Anacortes, WA 98221. The Guemes Tide June 2015 9 The M/V Samish Is Christened By Edith Walden May 20 was a proud day for the Samish Indian Na- photos by edith walden tion. Standing on the bow of the M/V Samish—the new- ly built 144-vehicle Washing- ton State Ferry that is assigned to the Anacortes–San Juan Is- lands route—tribal members prayed and sang and drummed in a moving naming ceremo- Above: Samish Chairman Tom Wooten (left) presents ny for the vessel that will travel blankets to ceremony witnesses (from left) Washington the waters their ancestors tra- State Ferry Captain Greg Sugden, former state transporta- tion commissioner Tom Cowan, First Lady Trudi Inslee, and versed in canoes for thousands Washington State Ferries chief Lynne Griffith. Left: Tribal of years. members Tsul-ton (Bill Bailey), Jackie Bohn, and Rosie It was an event with (Cayou) James wait for the ceremony. Guemes connections. Island- raised state representative Jeff Morris, and island descendant David Blackin- house that housed the Samish people. of Samish descent, noted how pleased ton drummed during the Samish honor Following the traditional Samish cer- he was that the ferry was named for the song, as islander and Samish cultural di- emony, First Lady Trudi Inslee chris- Samish tribe, whose territory falls with- rector Rosie (Cayou) James and Samish tened the vessel by breaking a bottle of in the 40th district he represents. tribal members and islanders Jacqueline champagne across the bow. Samish chairman Tom Wooten, Bohn and her granddaughter Monica The $126.45 million ferry will make son of islander Robert Wooten, led the Clifton looked on. From the bow, its first official run on June 14. It can traditional naming ceremony. Island- guests looked across to the west shore carry 1,500 people, travels at 17 knots, ers Bill Bailey (Tsul-ton) and Sam Barr of Guemes and the site of the last long- and has elevators to all five decks. Island Girls Set to Go to Japan By Edith Walden cultures. She is especially interested in Anna Prewitt, 13, and Danni Snell, learning how other cultures deal with 11, have been taking Japanese culture sustainable energy.
lessons since January, and have recently edith walden This summer Japanese students will begun Japanese language classes for an come to live with Anna and Danni for hour and a half once a week. They prac- five days, and next summer Danni and tice Japanese every day and are learning Anna will go live with the families of to write in kanji, hiragana, and kataka- their guests. na—three forms of modern Japanese writing. Those classes will continue in- Salmon barbecue termittently until next summer, when Danni’s and Anna’s families will the two will travel to Nikaho, Japan, to be participating in fund-raising events spend 10 days as exchange students, liv- throughout the year to help with travel ing with Japanese families. costs (about $2,000 per student). Anna and Danni have been chosen Danni Snell (left) and Anna Prewitt review On August 1, the two families will to participate in the Japanese student their Japanese lessons. be hosting a salmon barbecue from 1 to exchange program sponsored by the 5 p.m. at the Hall. In addition to Dan Anacortes Sister Cities Association. The two teachers and a nonteacher adult. Snell’s trolled salmon, side dishes, and selection process included being inter- Anna says that her humanities class dessert, there will be live music—and an viewed by five people about their travel has inspired her to want to learn more opportunity to listen to the girls practice experience, skills, hobbies, and food about different cultures and the world, their Japanese. preferences, among other things. They which made her want to apply. Last Anna is the daughter of David Pre- were also interviewed with their fami- year, Danni’s family hosted two Chi- witt and Leslie Tysseling and sister of lies, had a home inspection, and sub- nese exchange students for 14 days, and Will; Danni is the daughter of Dan and mitted their grades and references from that made Danni curious about other Olivia Snell and sister of Cole. 10 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Fireworks on the 4th Only, Please Upcoming July 4 pets who have run away Events or been traumatized by the noise and effects of Car Show Added to Lineup
edith walden fireworks. Livestock and Islanders can plan for a number of wildlife are also affect- community events on the 4th of July. ed by the noise, as are New this year will be a Guemes Is- some islanders who are land car show in the parking area in elderly or have chronic front of the Community Center. From health conditions. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. anyone (all ages) Al Bush Sr. and Al- who has a form of transportation with len Bush Jr. reported an wheels may bring their “buggy” to the incident that occurred show, beginning at 11:30. Preregistra- last year. At midnight tion is not required and there is no fee one night in early July, to enter, although Car Show coordina- explosive fireworks tor Wendell Phillips notes that “a dona- Guemes cows and their babies can panic at the sound of were set off near their tion to the Community Center would explosive fireworks. cattle ranch. Suddenly be appreciated.” 20 head of Black An- Prizes will be awarded for tallest By Edith Walden gus cattle were stampeding through the wheels, smallest wheels, fewest cylin- Since 2009, the Guemes Island woods, breaking through two fences as ders in a licensed passenger vehicle, lon- Property Owners Association (GIPOA) they panicked. gest and shortest entries, best outfit that has requested that islanders and their The Bushes spent the rest of the matches the year of your vehicle, and guests refrain from using illegal fire- night trying to herd the cows back to more. Phillips welcomes suggestions works altogether—the explosive ones, their pasture. A number of them were for additional prize categories. For such as firecrackers, rockets, and mis- on the road, where their black shapes more information, contact Phillips at siles—and to limit use of the legal ones could not be easily seen by drivers. [email protected]. to one day on the 4th. The coming summer promises to be An open house at the Community Signs reminding people of our com- unusually dry. Even legal fireworks can Center will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 munity values will be appearing in the start fires or cause injuries. You will be p.m. and will feature refreshments, his- next weeks. To request a sign to display liable for any damages related to the use torical displays, and a special tribute to on your property, contact Howard Pel- of fireworks, and may be cited for using veterans. lett at [email protected] or 293- or possessing illegal ones. The parade will start at North Beach 8128 or Bob Groeschell at (425) 778- Please keep our island a peaceful and at 11 a.m. At noon, the Firefighters As- 3638 or [email protected]. safe place while you’re having fun on the sociation will open their garage sale Every year, the Tide hears stories of 4th of July. at the Fire Hall, and the Guemes Is- land Community Center Association will begin their annual hot-dog sale at Schoolhouse Park. For $5, you will get a Guemes-famous hot dog with trim- mings, including grilled onions, chips, and a beverage. Other island organiza- tions will have displays at the Park. The Anacortes fireworks can be seen from the South Shore and begin around 10 p.m. Please restrict your use of legal fireworks to just one day—the 4th (see article at left). Notice Fire Commissioners’ regular meeting, Thursday, June 11, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Public welcome. The Guemes Tide Community Calendar June 2015
When What Time Where Contact Regularly Scheduled Exercise Classes Mondays Strength-‐Building Group 7:30 -‐ 8:15 am Church Dyvon Havens 293-‐0221 Zumba* 9:00 -‐ 10:00 am Hall Elke Macartney 770-‐7831 Yoga 6:30 -‐ 8:00 pm Hall Sue Gwost 293-‐5708 Wednesdays Strength-‐Building Group 7:30 -‐ 8:15 am Church Dyvon Havens 293-‐0221 Zumba* 9:00 -‐ 10:00 am Hall Elke Macartney 770-‐7831 Kundalini Yoga 5:00 -‐ 6:30 pm Church Constance Mayer 299-‐3358 Yoga 6:30 -‐ 8:00 pm Hall Sue Gwost 293-‐5708 Fridays Strength-‐Building Group 7:30 -‐ 8:15 am Church Dyvon Havens 293-‐0221 Island Events by the Day June 1, Mon. Nidra Yoga Meditation 9:30 am Church Anne Jackets 293-‐0530 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 A Course in Miracles 6:30 -‐ 8:00 pm 4709 S Shore Dr Cleo Bouffiou 466-‐1382 GIPAC 6:30 pm Church Patty Rose 206-‐660-‐7697 June 2, Tues. Community Soup Supper: Gary Curtis, 6:00 pm Church Connie Snell 708-‐3589 Trekking in Nepal June 3, Wed. Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 5, Fri. Meditation 8:30 -‐10:30 am Church Jon Prescott 360-‐929-‐6996 Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 6, Sat. Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 Dog Island Run 10:45 am Park Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 7, Sun. Church Service 9:30 am Church Yadi Young 293-‐9271 June 8, Mon. Nidra Yoga Meditation 9:30 am Church Anne Jackets 293-‐0530 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 Historical Society: Margaret Read MacDonald 7:00 pm Church Carol Deach 708-‐2726 Speaks about her father, Murray Read June 9, Tues. Brown Bag Book Club 1:30 pm Matchett's Connie Snell 708-‐3589 Knitting Night 7:00 pm Pellett's Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 10, Wed. Women's Fellowship 11:00 am Church Anne Passarelli 299-‐2549 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 11, Thu. Fire Commissioners 7:00 pm Fire Hall Lorraine Francis 293-‐8364 Men's Book Club 7:00 pm Church George Meekins 840-‐9391 June 12, Fri. Meditation 8:30 -‐10:30 am Church Jon Prescott 360-‐929-‐6996 Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 13, Sat. GIPOA Board Meeting 9:30 am Library Howard Pellett 293-‐8128 Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 GIPOA Annual Meeting 7:00 pm Hall Howard Pellett 293-‐8128 June 14, Sun. Church Service 9:30 am Church Yadi Young 293-‐9271 Flag Day Kids Story Hour 2:00 -‐ 3:00 pm Library Sarah Sibley 206-‐992-‐3434 All events listed are open to the public (some require preregistration). Asterisk (*) indicates fee for event. The Guemes Tide Community Calendar June 2015
When What Time Where Contact June 15, Mon. Nidra Yoga Meditation 9:30 am Church Anne Jackets 293-‐0530 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 A Course in Miracles 6:30 -‐ 8:00 pm 4709 S Shore Dr Cleo Bouffiou 466-‐1382 Library Book Club 8:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 16, Tues. Community Soup Supper: Katie Butler, 6:00 pm Church Connie Snell 708-‐3589 Underwater Photographer June 17, Wed. Women's Fellowship 11:00 am Church Anne Passarelli 299-‐2549 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 19, Fri. Meditation 8:30 -‐10:30 am Church Jon Prescott 360-‐929-‐6996 Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 20, Sat. Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 21, Sun. Church Service 9:30 am Church Yadi Young 293-‐9271 Father's Day Strawberry Sundae Social 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Hall Edie Clark 299-‐3230 Summer Solstice June 22, Mon. Nidra Yoga Meditation 9:30 am Church Anne Jackets 293-‐0530 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 23, Tues Knitting Night 7:00 pm Pellett's Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 24, Wed. Women's Fellowship 11:00 am Church Anne Passarelli 299-‐2549 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 26, Fri. Meditation 8:30 -‐10:30 am Church Jon Prescott 360-‐929-‐6996 Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 June 27, Sat. Library open 2:00 -‐ 4:00 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 Chamber Music Sampler 5:00 -‐ 7:00 pm Curtis's Jacquie Prescott 588-‐8206 (reservations required) June 28, Sun. Church Service 9:30 am Church Yadi Young 293-‐9271 Chamber Music Concert* 3:00 pm Hall Jacquie Prescott 588-‐8206 June 29, Mon. Science Camp for Kids 9:30 am -‐ Noon Hall Kathy Finks 588-‐9192 Nidra Yoga Meditation 9:30 am Church Anne Jackets 293-‐0530 Library open 2 -‐ 4 and 6 -‐ 8 pm Library Carol Pellett 293-‐8128 Cemetery Commissioners Meeting 6:00 pm Fire Hall Angie Veal 941-‐1930 June 30, Tues. Science Camp for Kids 9:30 am -‐ Noon Hall Kathy Finks 588-‐9192
ONGOING July 1 through July 3 -‐ Science Camp for Kids UPCOMING July 4 -‐ Parade, Hot-‐dog Sale, Car Show, Community Center Open House, Firefighters Association Garage Sale To add your event, email: [email protected] (by the 15th of the month). The Guemes Tide June 2015 13
Firefighters Firefighters Association Holds Garage Sale By Edith Walden society that is separate from the Guemes Association It’s time to round up all those items Island Fire Department. While the as- Celebrates 41 Years you’ve been meaning to give away, and sociation uses the money for charitable By Edith Walden donate them for the Guemes Island causes (see article at left), donations to The Guemes Island Firefighters Firefighters Association biennial garage the association are not tax-deductible, Association (GIFA) was founded in sale on Saturday, July 4. as donations to the Guemes Island Fire 1974, just 11 years after the Guemes Islanders and guests looking for Department are. Island Fire Department. Early history great bargains at the popular event of the organization is scarce. Former should plan to visit from noon to 3 Fire Chief Felix Edmunds remembers p.m. at the Fire Hall. that the association used its funds oc- The line starts forming early with casionally to buy equipment when the eager shoppers, but no early sales are fire district’s budget was not robust. allowed before noon on the 4th. Every- Today’s association operates primarily as a benevolent society, thing is free at the end of the sale. distributing funds to charitable causes Bob White suggested that the as- such as support for other firefighters sociation conduct its first garage sale in and their families. In the past year, 1989; they were held annually for years GIFA donated money to help the Oso before changing to a biennial schedule. community following the landslide; to This will be the 16th garage sale, despite a firefighter’s family whose child was joking (or half-joking) protests from ex- being treated for leukemia; and to the hausted firefighters at the end of each Betty Crookes Guemes Gold Schol- sale who, after working for days to set it arship Fund. All the candy passed up and dispose of the leftovers, swear to out during the 4th of July parade is provided courtesy of GIFA. “never do it again.” The group no longer purchases equipment or pays for training. Accepted items Those necessities are provided by You may drop off your clean items the Guemes Island Fire Department, in good condition at the Fire Hall from which is funded by property taxes and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27 and 28 tax-deductible donations from the and July 3. You may also arrange to have community. your items picked up on June 27 and 28 According to GIFA president by calling Olivia Snell at 708-2432 or Olivia Snell, all members of the island’s Diane Murray at 488-6969. volunteer fire department belong to The association is looking for gen- GIFA. The group meets to conduct business after the training drills on eral household items, including gar- Wednesday nights when the need den equipment, marine supplies, tools, arises. In addition to Snell, other bikes, toys, holiday decor, jewelry, lin- officers, who serve two-year terms, ens, art, lawnmowers, knickknacks and are Nancy White, secretary, and Larry collectibles, cookware, sports equip- Pyke, treasurer. Group decisions are ment, and small furniture. Some large made by voting. furniture may be accepted with prior Donations to GIFA are not tax- approval. deductible because the group was not incorporated as a nonprofit; however, No, thank you the group acts as a conduit for chari- table causes of their choosing. The association will not accept cloth- The Firefighters Association’s ing, large appliances, books, paint, tires, biennial garage sale is its main mattresses, computer monitors, TVs, fundraiser. Given that our firefight- VCRs, electronic and audio compo- ers volunteer so many hours of their nents, or plumbing fixtures. (They ac- lives to protect and respond to island cept almost everything but the kitchen residents, it is commendable that they sink.) If you have questions about an are willing to volunteer further to raise item you wish to donate, contact Snell. funds to help others in need. Proceeds from the event support the Firefighters Association, a benevolent 14 The Guemes Tide June 2015 The Builder For Nearly Four Decades, Win Anderson Has Created Things on Guemes By Nick Allison After a brief stint in the Boatwright. Newspaperman. navy, Win moved to Milwaukie, Walking repository of Guemes Oregon, to take a job as manag-
history. Cabinetmaker. Store- edith walden ing editor of a weekly paper in keeper. Firefighter. Composer the Portland suburb. Although of commemorative doggerel. he learned a great deal about Oarsman. Restorer of old build- writing, reporting, and the role ings. Scavenger/salvager. Sailor. of a newspaper in a rural com- House builder. Serial entrepre- munity, after a few years he neur. grew restless. For a man of so many as- pects and accomplishments, Starting something Winston “Win” Anderson— in Tacoma now a trim, fit-looking 76—is In the late 1960s, he and a pretty quiet guy. He chooses Elaine moved to Tacoma, where his words carefully, both when Win signed on as a reporter at speaking and writing, but the the News Tribune, a respected result has a distilled quality urban daily. But Win’s entre- that’s worth attending to. preneurial spirit was stirring. A resident here since 1977, “Elaine and I decided that may- Win has probably had as much be we could start a business, impact on Guemes’s culture, something more interesting and community, and built environ- where we could both work,” he ment as all but a handful of recalls. others in the island’s history. Win Anderson pauses between projects in his shop. With Tacoma in the throes He began and operated the is- of urban renewal, Win saw op- land’s newspaper for 15 years; he was a Grandpa John, an accomplished portunity. The Andersons and another founder and longtime president of the builder (“I attended grade school in a couple, Bob and Virginia Lane, pur- Guemes Island Historical Society; he building he built”), died when Win was chased a “wino tavern” that was slated has lent a hand in countless community eight, only a year after the family had to be demolished, salvaged parts of it efforts; and he built or helped build nu- moved to Vancouver. But it was an un- (“including a beautiful cherrywood back merous island structures, from houses to forgettable year of mentoring and com- bar and a lot of equipment”), and then barns to garden sheds. radeship. “He made me a contractor,” bought Engine House No. 9, a decrepit Perhaps most visibly, he created An- recalls Win with a smile, by teaching 1907 brick firehouse that had been va- derson’s General Store, which opened in him many basics of carpentry and build- cant for 15 years. 1998, after the island had been without ing. (The pencil mustache that Win has “It had had three fires in it, which a store for 17 years. While welcomed worn most of his life is, in part, a trib- had burned away much of the roof, and by many islanders, the store was bitterly ute to Grandpa John, who sported a every window was broken,” Win notes. opposed by others, a few of whom re- similar one.) In addition, the zoning was a mess, tain their rancor to this day. The budding craftsman worked in a there was no parking, and it had earth- cabinet shop for a summer when he was quake damage. A craftsman’s roots 12 (he still has a cabinet he made there), For two years, Win, Bob, and Elaine Born in Wisconsin in September and learned “a lot of hand work” during worked on the building—“every night, 1938, Win describes himself as “Swed- his year in Sweden. every weekend, every vacation.” They ish on both sides”: his mom has Swed- In 1958, Win came to Seattle to at- salvaged vintage materials from build- ish ancestry, and his dad emigrated from tend the University of Washington, ings bound for the wrecking ball, found Sweden at age 18. (The family spent a where he majored in journalism while a treasure trove of old firefighting equip- year in Sweden when Win was a teen- supporting himself with restaurant and ment for decor, and battled through the ager.) But mostly he grew up in Van- construction jobs. There, he fell for an- Pierce County zoning process. In 1973, couver, Washington, where his maternal other journalism major, Elaine Meyers; Engine House No. 9 opened for busi- grandfather—an important figure they both graduated in 1961 and were ness as a restaurant and bar. in Win’s early life—had settled. married that same year. Soon thereafter, Win resigned from The Guemes Tide June 2015 15 the News Tribune, becoming a full-time Months ensued restaurant operator. Elaine worked in as he bird-dogged the kitchen, Win behind the bar. To fi- the details of get- nance the operation, they sold their ting a house from house and moved into the fire station’s downtown Mount second floor, complete with their two Vernon over to young kids (daughter Charlotte was Guemes Island. It courtesy win anderson born in 1967, son Neil in 1971). was an epic adven- This was the first of several sketchy ture (see sidebar accommodations that Win credits on page 16), but Elaine with gracefully embracing. it worked. (Win Engine House No. 9 was a success, later built a barn but Win soon found himself bored and shop, framing working the bar. He notes ruefully, “I’m it with lumber sal- In 1988, Anderson Boat Carpentry became North Island Boat better at rehabilitating buildings than I vaged from the old Company and moved from 1009 6th Street to 1806 Q Avenue am at running that sort of business.” Guemes ferry dock, (now the home of Ace Hardware). Here’s Win moving with style. which was replaced A career transition in 1979. In 1983, Win and Elaine first moved onto the island,” he reports. Around this time, having long been bought an adjoining 20 acres.) And Gertie Howard, a noted chronicler interested in boatbuilding, he signed up Meanwhile, Paul Schweiss had of Guemes’s past, had supplied Win for a class in it at a vocational school. moved north to join Win, and they with a picture of a fourth store, on the There met a shipwright named Paul formed North Island Boat Company in end of the ferry dock. Schweiss, who had learned traditional Anacortes, which soon outgrew its quar- “Long story short, there’d always wooden-boat construction in Norway. ters. The two men bought and consoli- been a store there,” he says. “The only They hit it off, and Schweiss hired Win. dated three lots near Cap Sante Marina blank spaces were during the Depression A career transition took shape. and built a shop. (That property is now and World War II, and then from about The Andersons were seeking a more occupied by Ace Hardware, whose re- 1980 to 1998. rural life, so they began looking for a pair shop is the one they built.) “There seemed to be demand and place to live and work around the San Win rowed to and from work three interest on the island. To us, it all just Juans. Elaine had heard about a small or four days a week, when the weather added up to the perfect opportunity.” island with its own ferry, and soon they wasn’t too inclement. He says, “I got to In 1993, Win applied to the coun- were driving around on Guemes. know that channel pretty well.” ty for a rezone—having no idea that he “The first time we were on the is- was starting a marathon. While the store land, in late 1976 or early ’77,” Win Birth of a general store had enthusiastic supporters, it also had recalls, “I penciled out a notice for the One day in 1992, Win fell into con- doggedly determined opponents. Their bulletin board saying we were looking versation with an islander named Jesse challenges, combined with some almost for property. I don’t think a week went Ivy, who owned a parcel across from the comical bureaucratic mishaps (like mul- by before we got a letter from Henry ferry parking lot. Ivy’s plan was to put tiple hearings at which the tape recorder Hammill.” Soon they had bought a trailer park there, but he had run into malfunctioned, causing them to have to Hammill’s 20 acres on South Shore delays with the county. be repeated), drew the process out over Road, with no structure. They moved “Just offhand,” says Win, “I asked five long years. onto the island in 1977, renting a house him if he’d like to part with it. We came near the ferry landing. to an agreement, and I bought it. Buildings and more After working briefly for a small boat “I didn’t know what I was going to During that time, Win sold his boat- shop in Anacortes, Win started Ander- do with it. But I thought, ‘This is a criti- shop business and entered a construc- son Boat Carpentry, at 6th and Com- cal piece of property. Either the coun- tion partnership with islander Dave mercial. He found a niche doing interi- ty’s going to buy it for more parking, Davelaar as South Shore Contractors, or modifications for larger yachts (“even or somebody else is going to have some building and remodeling numerous though I had none of that training”). crackpot idea for it.’ And”—he pauses homes and outbuildings around the is- Their plan was to build a home, but to laugh—“that might as well be us.” land. Their final project, after the rezone Elaine saw an ad for a house, owned by From his ongoing historical inves- was granted, was to build Anderson’s Skagit County, that was available to be tigations, Win knew there had been a General Store, a beautifully crafted, moved. They went to Mount Vernon store in that approximate location for two-story post-and-beam structure, de- to see it, and, says Win, “It just seemed most of Guemes’s history. “Mangan had signed—as a gift to the community—by right.” After a pause, he adds with a rue- the first one, then the Blackintons, and architect and islander Dick Hein. The ful laugh, “It seemed practical.” there was a Woodfield store when we store opened for business in 1998. 16 The Guemes Tide June 2015
House Ho! A Moving Tale During the 15 years that Win and By Nick Allison Elaine owned it, Anderson’s operated In 1979, Win decided that, instead of building a house, he’d move one he and as a store and restaurant, one that fea- Elaine found in Mount Vernon. That meant floating it down the Skagit River and tured not just a well-stocked selection of across Fidalgo Bay and Guemes Channel, then getting it onto the island. necessities but locally crafted products, For months he worked feverishly on logistics, coordinating a mover, a chase organic food, the volunteer-produced truck, a tugboat, a barge, the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Skagit County local phone book, microbrews on tap, Sheriff’s Office, the State Patrol, and Puget Power (which controls the level of the river fresh baked goods, pub food, progressive via its hydroelectric dams). magazines, and more. Then there were those telephone trunk lines by the house—three of them, each But it was more than that. It be- owned by a different phone company. The house wouldn’t fit under them, and the came a pillar and gathering place of the estimates for cutting and reattaching them were immense. The answer: take 10 feet off the top of the house. Working through the middle of Guemes community. Local groups met a snowy winter, Win and several helpers (including his brother Arvid, who built and upstairs (there was never pressure to buy runs Anderson Lodge near Mount St. Helens) removed the roof and four gables. something), you could drop a package off for a friend, the bulletin board was widely used, information was constantly exchanged in casual encounters. It was a hub of island culture. In 2006, when the American In- stitute of Architects surveyed islanders about what they considered their “social courtesy win anderson courtesy places of the heart,” Anderson’s General Store made the short list.
Meanwhile, a newspaper During the five-year zoning battle, Elaine had been publishing the Little Candle, the newsletter for the Guemes Island Community Church. And while there was some general island news in it, The house, minus its roof and gables, arrives at Cook’s Cove. and several island organizations put out occasional newsletters, “we just felt that By March the job was done. The truncated house was trucked to the river and rolled onto a barge. Two days later it arrived at Cook’s Cove, where the real adventure an all-island newsletter, where all the is- began. Longtime islanders may recall the spectacle of the house perched on a barge land organizations could get their stuff whose prow sat a good 10 feet above the beach. Now what? in, would be useful,” Win recalls. “Hubert Adams—a bulldozer guy and construction expert—saved us,” Win Thus was born the Evening Star, the recalls. First he drilled into an inconvenient rock outcropping and dynamited it. Then predecessor of the paper you’re reading he and the mover used two bulldozers to make a gigantic pile of beach logs and now. Win sent the first two issues free sand, allowing the house to be very carefully rolled down to the waiting truck, which to all island residences in 1995, soon proceeded up the road that Win had had widened for the purpose. building a sizable subscription base. For Finally, it was deposited on Win’s property. “There was no damage,” Win marvels. 15 years he published 10 issues a year, “None of the plaster was even cracked.” acting as editor, publisher, advertising In some ways, though, that was just the beginning of the adventure. A bank loan Win and Elaine had been counting on didn’t come through. “We were stuck with manager, subscription manager, layout a house sitting on the builder’s steel beams, which were rented by the day, and no artist, and chief reporter. money—or not enough.” Like the store, the Evening Star Enter Murray Read. As Win recounted in these pages (“Beachcombing,” December picked up a historical baton: it was the 2013 - January 2014, page 18), “As we reeled toward desperation, along came this first regular general-interest publica- giant of a 120-pound retired contractor who offered to help. For gas money for his tion on the island since Charlie Gant’s old Ford, Murray Read hired a crew and put in an order for materials for the basement Guemes Beachcomber of the 1920s. Also and roof.” like the store, it became a key resource A year later they moved in—with a roof on, one room drywalled, and a 300-foot for the community. Now, 11 years af- extension cord running a single lightbulb—and continued the renovation, one room ter high-speed Internet first came to at a time. (Their sanitary facility was a pretty distinguished outhouse: the last surviv- Guemes, it’s difficult to grasp the full ing structure from the site of the Guemes School. Win has now restored it for the Guemes Island Historical Society.) significance of the Star’s role in inform- “We didn’t really finish the house till last year,” Win says, only half joking. ing and connecting islanders. A number of them contributed reporting, writing, The Guemes Tide June 2015 17 and photography. Many residents said they eagerly awaited the Star’s delivery each month and immediately read it cover to cover.
Minding the store For the store’s first couple of years, Win and Elaine ran it themselves, with various helpers (“Jack Smith was price- less,” Win notes). “But it was a hand- ful. And we were five years older than when we thought we were going to start it.” So in 2000, daughter Charlotte and
her husband, David Clifton, moved up edith walden from Seattle to take over day-to-day management of the store. Win remained involved in the background—design- ing and building interior improvements, taking care of the water system and Win pores over 100-year-old copies of the Anacortes American at the research library at the grounds, and generally being on call. Anacortes Museum to find material for his “Looking Back” column and his other research. The Cliftons stayed in the apartment over Win’s shop, but in November 2002 tongue in cheek, “the fastest nonpower Fire Department in 1978, serving as their son Shaw arrived, “and that’s when boat in the world.” a firefighter and first responder for 18 we decided we needed another house,” Today OARS has about 100 mem- years. In 2002, he was honored as the is- Win reports. They asked an architect bers and still sponsors numerous events, land’s Citizen of the Year. to design them a “little brother” of the including morning rows nearly every original, moved house. Win and Elaine weekday. And the organization is com- A very different place moved into the new one in 2005, while memorated in a mural by Bill Mitchell Now that he’s out of the store and Charlotte and David took over the older that stood for years at 18th and Com- has passed the presidency of the Histori- structure. mercial, showing Win as coxswain, cal Society to Carol Deach—and with But in 2012, David got a job in Se- along with other early key members of the awareness that time is limited— attle that he loved. And after a couple OARS Carl Meinzinger, David Jackson, Win is getting to work on writing down years of commuting, it came time for and Erica and Bob Pickett. (The mu- some of his family’s history, using old the family to consolidate in Seattle. That ral came down when the business there, letters, his mom’s diary, interviews with was the trigger for Win and Elaine put- Anaco Appliance, closed; its where- his brothers, and his own memories. ting the store up for sale: “There was no abouts are unknown.) Win is a guy who has built many way we were going to get back into day- The Guemes Island Historical Soci- things. But he notes, “I’ve been blessed to-day management,” he notes. ety grew out of Win’s longtime inter- with great partners: Bob Lane on the They sold the store to Terran and est in local history, on which he may be Engine House, Paul Schweiss at North Michelle Reneau in August 2013. the island’s leading expert. The group Island Boat Company, Jack Smith on had its first meeting in 2002, and—with the store, Dave Davelaar on South Rowing and remembering Win as president for most of its dura- Shore Contractors, and—in all the crazy No account of Win Anderson would tion—has assembled a substantial ar- follies of my life—Elaine, who has al- be complete without mention of two chive of historical artifacts and docu- ways jumped in, encouraged me, or put other organizations he helped establish: ments. Its next step is fund-raising for up with me.” the Old Anacortes Rowing Society, or a building to house that collection and The Tide recently asked Jane Read— OARS, and the Guemes Island Histori- serve as a headquarters. islander since the 1940s, beloved no- cal Society. Janice Veal, who has been involved nagenarian, and the widow of Mur- OARS held its first organizational in the society since its inception, says, ray Read, who helped Win build his meeting in 1978. Says Win, “I’d always “He’s been such a key player. He’s al- house (see sidebar on page 16)—to sum been intrigued by the concept of man- ways bringing some article or artifact in up Win’s role on Guemes. She replied, and nature-powered vessels—wind and to the meetings, and he’s collected lots “He’s always been so willing to help the oars, essentially.” So he and a few other of important objects and stored them at community, and is so island-minded like-minded people decided to start a his shop. He’s passionate about Guemes and willing to give of himself. club. For some years, they sponsored an history, and he really works at it.” “The island would be a very different annual regatta to determine, somewhat Win also joined the Guemes Island place if Win had not come.” 18 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Wallie Funk’s Book of Historical Pictures Published Anacortes American Celebrates 125 Years By Edith Walden Funk’s witty historical columns, “Pictures of the Past,” that On May 9, the were published in the American between 1994 and 2001. The Anacortes Ameri- book was edited by former American reporter and now mu-
edith walden can celebrated seum administrative assistant Elaine Walker, who was assisted 125 of publish- by museum employees Bret Lunsford and Lea DeVere. ing. It was also a Wallie Funk, with his business partner John Webber, celebration of the bought the Anacortes American in 1950, shortly after they Anacortes Muse- graduated from the University of Washington in journalism. um’s publication Funk was editor and copublisher of the American until 1964, of Pictures of the when the two sold their interest in the paper. He is also one of Past: Celebrating the founding members of the Anacortes Museum. 125 Years of Ana- Funk, 93, was able to attend the celebration and sign cortes History by books. Addressing the more than 100 people at the Depot former part-time Arts & Community Center, Funk made the case for the im- islander Wallie portance of community newspapers in defining the commu- Funk. nity, chronicling its history, and “speaking truth to power.” Wallie Funk signs copies of his new book The book He lauded the talent and energy in the existing community Pictures of the Past on May 9. contains photos papers in the area, including the Tide. from the Wallie Pictures of the Past can be purchased for $25 at the Ana- Funk Collection, which is housed at the Anacortes Muse- cortes Museum and at Watermark Book Company. Congratu- um—50,000 photos and negatives of Anacortes and the sur- lations to Wallie, with thanks for all he has done to preserve rounding region that Funk collected. Also included are 50 of the area’s history and the integrity of journalism. Dick Iversen’s First Career Revealed By Edith Walden month he had to collect 90 cents The front cover of a special from every customer. One custom- supplement to the April 29 issue er was especially difficult to collect of the Anacortes American featured funk wallie from, always having an excuse a photograph by Wallie Funk of and asking Dick to come back three newspaper boys with brand- later. After trying seven times one new newspaper bags in front of the month, Dick lost his patience and American’s headquarters in down- “mouthed off” after the man refused town Anacortes (where it still is to- payment again. The man threatened day). The year was 1955. to tell Dick’s parents about his be- The boy in the center is none havior and slammed the door shut. other than longtime islander Dick When Dick returned to the Iversen, then 11 years old, standing American offices, he fearfully con- next to his best friend since the sec- fessed the encounter to Funk. ond grade, Jim Williamson, a cur- “Dickie, let’s go,” Funk responded. rent Guemes property owner and They returned to the recalcitrant Iversen’s neighbor. customer and Funk explained to Wallie Funk was the editor of him that Dick was his number-one This photo by Wallie Funk of Anacortes American the American at the time. Iversen newsboys (from left) Tim Gaynor, Dick Iversen, and Jim paperboy. “We don’t need you at all told the Tide he still clearly remem- Williamson was prominently displayed at the celebra- as a customer,” Funk declared, “so bers the day the photo was taken. tion of the American’s 125th anniversary. It appears in you can pay up now or stop getting Proud to be one of “Wallie’s boys,” Funk’s new book, Pictures of the Past. the paper.” The man apologized— Iversen recalls his four or five years and paid. as a newspaper carrier fondly. On the way back, Funk told Iversen, “Dick, I’m proud of “Wallie is the kind of guy you would follow to the end you. I will call your parents and let them know that you were of the earth,” Iversen proclaimed, and then described an in- not at fault.” cident to prove his point. It’s not surprising that Dick and Wallie are still friends 60 Young Dick had 141 papers to deliver each week. Each years later. The Guemes Tide June 2015 19 Pies and Plants Raise Delight and Money By Edith Walden lowship’s favorite charities. other charities. (See letter on page 2.) It was a familiar scene on the Satur- Within 15 minutes, almost all the While standing in line, folks could day before Memorial Day in front of the pies were gone. The West Shore Road browse at the Plant Sale organized by Guemes Island Community Church: a Street Walkers (Nancy Bush, Karen Bonita Smith and Becky Stinson to raise line of people stretching halfway to the Hancock, Jo Martin, and Anne Pen- funds for GIVE (Guemes Island Volun- Community Center at 9:45 a.m., calmly nington), along with Keri and Nata- teer Exchange) and the Guemes Island visiting with neighbors while waiting for sha Drewry, were on hand to serve cof- Community Center. Thanks go to plant a chance to buy a homemade pie. fee and individual slices of pie, with or donators Dyvon Havens, Joan Petrick, Members of the Women’s Fellowship without ice cream, to those who wanted Sally Stapp-Brigham, the Hansens, a had worked for more than six hours the to eat and socialize. All in all, 60 pies mystery lavender donor, and Becky and day before, turning out 49 fruit pies, in- were devoured in one form or other, and Bonita. cluding two made with Jane Read’s fa- the Women’s Fellowship raised $1,220 In addition to finding homes for mous gooseberries. that will go to support the Anacortes needy plants, the sale raised over $100 Other islanders brought homemade and Salvation Army food banks, among to benefit the two organizations. pies and baked goods to donate to the sale, which is a fund-raiser for the fel- photos by edith walden
Above: The West Shore Road Street Walkers—from left, Anne Pen- nington, Karen Hancock, young helper Natasha Drewry, Jo Martin, and Nancy Bush—serve pie, ice cream, and coffee at the Pie and Bake Sale on May 23. Top right: Bonita Smith (left) and Becky Stinson organized a plant sale to benefit GIVE and the Community Center. Bottom right: Eager customers choose their pies. 20 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Talent Abounds on Guemes Day. Dan Burnett, Michael McGuinness, and Angie and Adam Veal performed a set of songs, accompanying them- edith walden selves on guitar, dobro, man- dolin, and conga drum. And then Elvis impersonator Dan- ni Snell performed an exu- berant tap-dancing routine of “Jailhouse Rock,” to the delight of the audience. Bea Cashetta, Gary Davis, Lisa Grace, and Ian Woofenden performed a musical skit, each dressed as a character from The Wizard of Oz and present- ing solo and group perfor- Above left: Emcees Kathleen Phillips (left) and Julie Pingree were decked out in their fiesta wear. mances. Andy Gladish, Suzie Above right: The Zumba group rocked the Hall with their salsa number. Gwost, and Bud Ullman sang as the crowd left the Hall, By Edith Walden Lorrie Steele’s Fidalgo Dance Works tap wending their way home after an inspir- The Hall was filled with multiple dancers (including islanders Sequoia ing and satisfying evening. rounds of enthusiastic applause as one Ferrel and Bea Cashetta), dressed in out- talented act after another was present- fits from the flapper era, brought the Kudos all around ed at the Spring Talent Show on May house down with their energetic and The Talent Show is hosted each year 9. Emcees Kathleen Phillips and Julie precise choreography of the Shim Sham by the Guemes Island Community Cen- Pingree, dressed in sombreros for the Shimmy. ter Association (GICCA). President South of the Border Fiesta theme, kept It was a hard act to follow, but Nan- Kathleen Phillips announced that pro- the patter going between acts by telling cy Larsen set a completely different tone ceeds from the raffle and silent auction jokes and announcing the raffle winners. by reciting a series of poems. New to ($750) will be used to purchase sturdy Following a well-attended potluck, the island, Eric Michaels played his own (safe) card tables for use in the Hall. Darcy Daniells opened the show, play- composition on the piano, an accom- Thanks go to island organizations ing guitar and singing a song she wrote plished piece. Vic Bertucci played guitar and businesses that donated items: An- for her late husband, BJ. The Zumba and sang “Git Along Little Dogies” and acortes Brass Works (brass replica of Gals were next with a lively salsa-music “Mr. Bojangles,” inviting the audience Guemes Island), Bamboola Goat’s Milk exercise routine that was followed by a to join in on the choruses. Soap, Firelight Designs (necklace and solo dance routine by Zumba instructor Xianna’s mother, Qi Lou, performed earrings), the Guemes Island Library Elke Macartney. an exotically graceful Chinese peacock (apron), LineTime (note cards), Elke Seven-year-old Xianna Kelley sang dance and sang a song in Chinese about Macartney (Zumba classes), Milkwood a capella her version of “Happiness Is.” a mother’s love—in honor of Mother’s Studio (mixed-media sculpture), Mi- tercraft (photo on wood and coasters), Slow Loris (T-shirt, cap, and tote bag), Herb and Sally Smith’s Yak Farm (yak burger), Tickled Pink Chocolates (al- mond caramel turtles), and Unique Por- celain Studio (handmade bell). Thanks also to emcees Phillips and Pingree, sound engineer Wendell Phil- lips, decorators Rebecca Ullman and Gary Davis, and the GICCA board. The only sad note: Jane Read was in the hospital, deeply disappointed to be missing the Talent Show for the first time in her 68 years on Guemes. The Guemes Tide June 2015 21 Chamber Music Concert Changed to June 28 World-Class Violist and Violinist From Italy Will Play By Edith Walden winner in the Paganini Competition Due to a scheduling conflict, aris in 1990 and received honors at the the Guemes Island Chamber Mu- International Tchaikovsky Com- sic Series summer concert will be petition. He has performed wide- presented on Sunday, June 28, at ly across the globe, including with 3 p.m. at the Community Center. the Moscow Symphony Orchestra,
(The concert had previously been m o P Massi courtesy the Belgrade Philharmonic Orches- announced for June 27.) tra, and the Zagreb Philharmon- Series founder Karie Prescott is ic Orchestra, and as concertmaster especially pleased to bring two in- with the La Scala Orchestra. Cani is ternationally renowned Italian mu- currently concertmaster of the Los sicians to perform here. The pro- Angeles Opera Orchestra. He plays gram will include music by Bach, a violin made by Pietro Guarneri Paganini, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, that is on loan from the Pro Canale and Massenet and will feature in- Foundation in Italy. strumental music from several Ital- It is a great honor to welcome ian operas. them to our shores. Tickets for the concert are $20 and can be purchased from Bob or Returning musicians Jacquie Prescott, Anne Casperson, Cellist Paula Hochhalter per- or Howard or Carol Pellett, or at formed on Guemes at last summer’s the door. concert. She has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the The Italians LA Philharmonic, and the Ameri- Violist Massimo Paris was born can Ballet Theatre, and with artists in Rome, where he trained at the Internationally renowned violist Massimo Paris will Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Barbra prestigious Santa Cecilia Conserva- play at the Guemes Island Chamber Music series Streisand, and Andrea Bocelli. She tory. He has performed at Carnegie concert on June 28. has recorded with Paul McCartney, Hall, Lincoln Center, the Paris Op- James Taylor, Michael Jackson, and era, La Scala, the Sidney Opera House, ered one of the world’s leading violists Pharrell Williams, and for numerous and the Berlin Philharmonie, among and has recorded widely. He is also an movie soundtracks. many other venues. He has played with accomplished composer and conductor. Cellist Page Smith is a frequent per- Bruno Giuranna, Steven Isserlis, Mena- Violinist Roberto Cani was born in former with the Guemes concert series. hem Pressler, Trio Beaux Arts, and the Milan, where he attended the Milan She is principal cellist for the Pacific Eroica Trio. He was a founding member Conservatory of Music and was award- Northwest Ballet Orchestra. She has of Quartetto Stradivari. He is consid- ed the Minetti Prize. He was a prize- played for four summers with the Aspen Chamber Symphony, performing at the Meet and Hear the Musicians Lincoln Center Mostly Mozart Festival and the Kennedy Center Festival of Fes- Prior to the Guemes Island Chamber Music Series concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, tivals. She plays chamber music with June 28 (see article above), islanders and guests will have a chance to meet and mingle with the musicians and listen to them play at a fundraising event on Saturday, many other Northwest music groups. June 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Violist Karie Prescott founded the Appetizers and wine will be served at the island residence of Gary and Betty Guemes Island Chamber Music Series Curtis throughout the early evening. Around 5:30 p.m., the musicians will play a in 2007 and brings talented musicians 30-minute program of chamber music that will be exclusive to this event. Following to play chamber music twice a year on the program, guests will be able to meet, converse, and share a glass of wine with the Guemes. Her career as a freelance re- musicians in the beautiful setting of the Curtis home. cording artist is based in Los Angeles, Space is limited. Reservations, and payment of a suggested $30 donation, are where she recently performed with necessary for accurate planning purposes. Proceeds for the event go to support the Andrea Bocelli, recorded with Paul Mc- activities of the nonprofit Guemes Island Chamber Music Series board. Your dona- Cartney and Lady Gaga, and played on tions are tax-deductible. To make reservations, contact Jacquie Prescott at [email protected] or soundtracks for upcoming movies To- 588-8206. morrowland, Jurassic World, and Inside (continued on page 23) 22 The Guemes Tide June 2015 Cougar Tracks Found on Guemes By Edith Walden tree, and can climb over a 12- Bill Horneman, an experi- foot fence. They sprint up to enced tracker and wilderness- 50 mph and can run long dis- survival instructor, contacted tances at 10 mph. bill horne m an the Tide to report his discov- ery on May 15 of fresh cougar Rare attacks on tracks in woods in the central humans part of Guemes Island be- The WDFW reports that tween West Shore Drive and in the last 100 years there Guemes Island Road. have been only 1 fatal and 15 Horneman, who visits nonfatal attacks on people in family regularly on Guemes, Washington. While it is ex- took photos and made plaster tremely rare to see a cougar, casts of the footprints. A front prevention of conflicts is ad- footprint measured 4½ inches visable. The WDFW recom- long and 5 inches wide. The mends the following precau- opposing rear foot measured tions: 4 inches long and 4 inches • Don’t leave small children wide, and the stride (from the unattended; bring them in- heel of the front track to the doors by dusk. toe of the rear track) measured • Light walkways after dark, 28½ inches. For comparison, This fresh cougar track was spotted in west-central Guemes on and avoid walking alone be- he measured a nearby coyote May 15. tween dusk and dawn. track at 3¼ inches long by 2¾ • Don’t feed wildlife; feed- inches wide and made a plaster cast. Cougar habits and habitat ing attracts the cougar’s prey. Horneman also observed cougar According to a very informative pub- • Close off space under structures. tracks last fall in the woods, and about lication by the Washington Department • Feed dogs and cats indoors and keep three years ago on the beach at Kelly of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), cougars them inside from dusk to dawn. Point. Occasionally, rumors of a cougar’s (also known as mountain lions, pumas, • Keep outdoor livestock and small presence on the island have been report- panthers, and many other names) “are animals confined in secure pens. Con- ed, but they have never been verified. solitary and secretive animals” and are sider using a guard animal. When meeting with the Tide for an rarely seen in the wild. The Mountain Cougars avoid people and the risk of interview, Horneman showed the plas- Lion Foundation estimated the state- attack is extremely small. If you should ter casts and walked to the site where wide cougar population to be at about encounter a cougar, WDFW advises: remnants of the tracks still remained. 1,500 in 2011. The cougar population • Pick up small children immediately. He pointed out differences between is thought to be declining, primarily due • Do not run. coyote and cougar tracks. In addition to loss of habitat and human confron- • Face the cougar and speak to it firm- to the size difference, cougars do not tations (hunting, vehicle collisions, and ly while slowly backing away. show claws and have a distinctly differ- sanctioned kills for livestock protection • Try to appear bigger than the cou- ent footpad, with three lobes at the rear and public safety). gar. of the heel. In addition to the tracks, Cougars like dense undergrowth and • Do not take your eyes off the cougar three islanders have independently told forests, in order to remain unseen while or turn your back, and do not crouch or the Tide about seeing some very unusu- hunting. Roaming adult males can cov- try to hide. al scat on their properties recently. They er a territory of up to 150 square miles, • Give the cougar room to escape. each describe it as being over an inch and can travel 15 miles in one night. • Never approach the cougar. in diameter, segmented, with fur and They swim well. They are most active • If the cougar does not retreat, be as- crushed bones in some segments—simi- from dusk to dawn. Adult males mea- sertive: shout, wave your arms slowly, lar to owl pellets—and much larger than sure from six to eight feet from nose to throw things. the usual coyote or dog scat. This accu- tail tip. • If attacked, fight back. rately describes cougar scat. Their preferred prey is deer, but For further information about cou- Horneman wanted to alert island- they also hunt coyotes, raccoons, and gars and precautions regarding children, ers of the cougar’s presence so that they rodents, and infrequently household hikers, and campers, see the WDFW can take precautions with children, pets, pets and livestock. They can pounce 30 publication at tinyurl.com/GIcougar. and livestock. feet from a standstill or leap 15 feet up a See also mountainlion.org. The Guemes Tide June 2015 23 Spaghetti Feed Benefits Stage Project CHAMBER MUSIC (continued from page 21) Out. She has soloed with the Seattle Symphony and the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra and has performed frequently with the LA Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. photos by edith walden photos She was a professor of viola and cham- ber music at Pepperdine University for 12 years.
A music sampler A fund-raising event for the Guemes Island Chamber Music Series, a non- profit organization, will be held on June 27 (see sidebar on page 21). For more information about the Above: From left, Bonita Smith, Suzie Gwost, Barb Ohms, Michael Grennell, and Haley Oli- chamber concert, the visiting musicians, ver served a spaghetti dinner to benefit the Schoolhouse Park Stage. Below: Lil’ Joe Argo and the Chamber Music Series, see (right) and Don Hitt played their Texas outlaw country music following the dinner. guemeschambermusic.wordpress .com. Tax-deductible contributions By Edith Walden “Recycle” Grennell assisted in the kitch- to help support the musicians can be A crowd of happy islanders enjoyed a en (Grennell washed all the dishes). sent to Guemes Chamber Music, P.O. spaghetti dinner on May 16 and helped It was a fun night, and while every- Box 121, Anacortes, WA 98221. raise nearly $400 to benefit the School- one waits for the concrete slab to cure house Stage project. at the Schoolhouse Park Stage site, they Following the dinner, Stefan Ver- could dream of when such an event bano on harmonica, Peter Jackson on could be held on the outdoor stage. dobro, and Mike Gwost on spoons bikespot warmed up the audience before the bicycle repair main event. Then Lil’ Joe Argo on guitar sales & service and Don Hitt on banjo played two sets parts & accessories of Texas-style outlaw country music that 210 Commercial Ave. brought dancers to their feet. 360-588-1676 Thanks go to organizer Bonita
Smith, with lots of help from Suzie
Gwost. Neal Stuchal of Dad’s Diner contributed the meat sauce and Tiffany Wilson from the Safeway Bakery do- Are You Ready for nated loaves and loaves of garlic bread. Island Renewable Energy? Haley Oliver, Barb Ohms, and Michael Birthdays Consultations with Ian Woofenden Healy Reinholt turns 15 on June 1. Delancey Rodman turns 1 on June 9. Nationally known renewable expert Home Power magazine senior editor Nalu Rumpff turns 2 on June 10. Author of Wind Power for Dummies Sidney Grassi turns 11 on June 14. Olivia Northcutt turns 4 on June 15. Renewable Samuel Greenlaw turns 1 on June 24. Energy Systems Juniper Diamond turns 4 on June 25. Energy Efficient Zaden Ogle turns 5 on June 29. Home Strategies (Editors’ note: This section lists birth- days of youngsters with island connec- Guemes Island tions turning 16 or younger. To get a Renewable Energy Tours family member added, contact us at [email protected] or 299-9999.) [email protected] 360-770-1520 Periodical Postage PAID Anacortes, WA 98221 4709 South Shore Drive Permit #14902 Anacortes, WA 98221-9579
In This Issue Ferry haulout dates 3 Community Update 6 July 4 schedule 10 Want the Tide to flow into your Calendar 11–12 mailbox? Subscriptions are $20 Chamber-music preview 21 per year (10 issues). Susbcribe at Cougar tracks found 22 guemestide.org, or use the mailing address above left.
Looking Back From the Files of the Guemes Island Historical Society
Edited by Win Anderson never takes the blame for its mistakes.” Five Years Ago Headline: “The Captain Albert “Al” Guemes Island Women’s Bacetich, a 27-year vet- Club Celebrates Its First eran of the Guemes Is- 50 Years”; the accompa- land ferry system, dies evening star courtesy nying feature is by Betty at age 82. His tenure, Crookes. starting as a deckhand —Evening Star, and working his way June 2000 up to Master/Manager, spanned the transition Fifty Years Ago from the Almar to the Glen Veal, son of Guemes II. Mr. And Mrs. Allen Questions about the Veal, arrived home last strange-looking cattle on week from a tour of the island are answered Europe. in a feature by Karen —Anacortes American, Everett. The shaggy bo- June 1965 vines with dangerous- From left: David Wertheimer, Paul Beaudet, and Steve Clark are among the looking horns turn volunteers pulling Scotch broom from the field at the Peach Preserve in 2005. One Hundred out to be friendly yaks Years Ago owned by Herb and Sally Smith. Sharon Dillon is presented in a feature “Guemes School students with the —Guemes Tide, June 2010 by Betty Crookes. highest average in the different grades —Evening Star, June 2005 were: Arthur Magill, 7th; Gertrude Ten Years Ago Kent, 6th; Grace Petey, 5th; Mildred A crew of islanders armed with shov- Fifteen Years Ago Naylor, 4th; Hattie Loppe, 3rd; and els, weed pullers, and gloves attack the A quiet celebration somewhere on Russel Simpson, 1st. invading forces of Scotch broom that the island observes the local newspaper’s “Grace Petey was neither absent nor have gotten a foothold in the shore- fifth year of publishing ten issues annu- tardy during the year.” line meadow of the San Juan Preserva- ally. Says the publisher: “It has survived “Clare McDowel, an employee on tion Trust’s land known as “The Peach the slings and arrows of outraged read- the Elk II for the past six months, has Preserve,” formerly called Demopoulos ers, the heartless criticism of its own edi- resigned to take another position.” marsh, adjoining South Shore Drive. tor and a cranky, fascist computer that —Anacortes American, June 1 and The art and philosophy of islander is constantly waging war with (me) but June 8, 1915