Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1968/01

LUMMI ISLAND NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 1968

GENERAL MEETING ‑ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 ‑ 6:45 ‑ POT LUCK DINNER

The Island New Year’s Eve party was a screeching success but the balloons were a complete bust. The GryMac Play House was turned into a night-clubish extravaganza by Decorations Chairman, Claire Hawley, and her yo‑yo type committee. They should be commended by all us “dropouts” from the art world. Some two hundred scholars of inebriating drama were in attendance till the “wee smalls” with all conducting themselves in accordance with the dignity of the occasion. It was noted that the recently married young adults being cognizant of their new status were inclined to devote the evening to waltzes ‑ or something ‑ with a beat that is. Si Eldred’s committee outdid themselves in scrounging up chairs and tables ‑ he must know every piece of furniture on the Island personally.

Apparently the evening’s activities created sizeable appetites judging from the mountains of food that disappeared. Lois Peterson’s committee had the distinction of providing the gourmet touch and under their direction the festive boards were loaded along with some of the participants. Cap Beaman kept the tankards full while helping to fill the coffers also. He made a distinctive “bar keep” ‑ up until the time he started to make like Gene Kelley. Jerry McDonald acquired the various musical explorers of the “dawnce” and no one had any difficulty hearing it, what with Ernie Andriff’s masterful job of sound engineering ‑ at times some of us more sensitive types sort of wished he hadn’t been so good at his job. Jim Murphy’s manipulation of the “box car zither” is an Island institution and we are glad he gave us the benefit of those other institutions that he proposes to have worked In!! Dale Wright’s cohorts made like a Jesse James organization and collected enough “filthy lucre” to have a sizeable kitty left over after expenses. Goody!

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We all owe Ray McFarland and Earl Granger a debt of gratitude for the use of their building and the committee’s hours they and their crews spent preparing the hall and cleaning up afterwards. An expression of your appreciation would seem to be definitely in order by everyone who attended.

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The planning group had the benefit of an evening recently, with a recognized authority on planning ‑ a Mr. John Lamb of the University of Washington. His discourse and question period was on the theory and investigation of comprehensive planning and was well received by the more than 20 members present. The involvement of Islanders in planning is a new experience to all of them and, as most laymen, they are having a bit of a difficulty keeping their collective eye on the ball. It can best be likened to a production of a novel. One does not start with a collection of punctuation marks and various letters all made to specific sizes and shapes and try to arrange them on equal sheets of paper in a meaningful manner or array but on the contrary one begins with a definite story to tell and the intricate details are not necessarily a means to an end but are the end result depending upon the worth of the story. In other words ‑ what kind of an overall picture can the Island present which will meet the varied needs of generations to come. Contemporary personal irritations and values will have little meaning to future inhabitants if the picture presented does little more than mirror present day frustrations. Trying to over-restrict or over-regulate is defeating the very creativeness which will make this community outstanding and could very well have immediate and long‑lasting repercussions.

The Water Committee has requested the State Department of Natural Resources for aid in developing a survey of water resources on the Island. Apparently federal funds are available for projects of this nature. Local cooperation appears to be nonexistent altho many are hoping that some relief will be made available.

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The island is sporting a new Post Office and a new Postmaster ‑ both equally charming and convenient. It now exists about one hundred feet north of the ferry dock in a concrete building adjacent to the main road ‑ “North Nugent Drive”. Jerry Anderson is the amiable Postmaster with Maud Brown as his able assistant. Ample facilities are already in evidence with more in the offing. Private boxes will also be available in the near future. The hours are 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. week days and 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon, Saturdays. Mail dispatching is as follows ‑ Island mail at 8:00 A.M. if deposited prior to 7:30 A.M.; off-Island mail at 3:00 P.M. if deposited prior to 2:30 P.M. The, Postmaster requests all you traveling types who would like your mail forwarded to contact him and give him your accurate forwarding address as new regulations prohibit the use of a directory search to accomplish this. The telephone number is 758‑2320. It’s a good Post Office ‑ Let’s all use it.

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In reference to the military ‑ understand Ricky Granger is slated for Frankfort, Germany and Norman Boyd, a helicopter mechanic and gunner, is headed for Viet Nam.

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The flu bug has made the rounds of the Island and left in its wake a great many miserable victims. At least it produced a topic of conversation other than the sordid rows emanating from the mass news media. Cap Beaman had some anatomical readjusting last week and is on the mend now at his home.

Got a gripe!! Seems as how when we report a person ailing and apparently on his or her respective last legs they ought to have the courtesy to try and remain in a miserable condition ‑ at least until this letter comes out in print. When it says in this document that you’re sick it just don’t look good to have you up and walking around looking disgustingly healthy – after all – the integrity of the press is at stake ‑ so!! lay down already.

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The John Browns were in attendance at the annual Reef Netters’ Association Meeting in Bellingham of which Tom Philpott is President. The main speaker was Bill Selitic from Seattle who is President of the American Association of Fishermen and a member of the U. S. International Fisheries Commission. Others in attendance were: State Representatives Fred Veroske, Cass Farr and Dick Kink. Mr. Selitic briefed the group on Commission accomplishments.

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We have come to the conclusion that at any given date throughout the year several families will be missing from the Island scene and usually they are away on a trip of some kind. And this trip could be anywhere from Seattle to the South Seas or around the world. In the past we have meant to take note of the travels of Islanders but it would take more time and room than we have available ‑ so the best we can do is wish you a pleasant trip and bid you welcome upon your return. Some of us would even be happy to listen to an account of your experiences and even exclaim over your photos and memos of the trip. It could be an evening or two devoted to travelogues would be most interesting.

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Understand the old ferry “Kwina” has been sold to an Alaska contracting firm by Frank Granger and will be used to haul building material near Sitka.

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We received a flood of paid requests as a result of the notice in the last letter regarding a mailing list for this letter. Can’t understand it! Must be the type of paper that attracts them???? tsh! tsh!

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WANTED: Pioneer pictures suitable for a historical lecture on Lummi Island ‑ by the Whatcom County Historical Society requested by Mr. Galen Biery. Contact Lehr Miller if you have a few to loan,

See you Wednesday evening

Your Community Group

Bill Peel, President

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