Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1969/05 1969/06

LMMI ISLAND NEWSLETTER

May – June 1969

PANCAKE BREAKFAST ‑‑‑ SUNDAY, JULY 6

7:00 to 12:00 A.M. ‑ EVERYONE WELCOME

Price Donations Accepted

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The proposed building program on a Community Civic Building has ground to a temporary halt while the brains of the community reassess their combined goals and desired needs (that’s just a different way of saying that they would all rather go fishing for awhile). The Grange members have proposed that the various Island organizations join forces and pool their resources and efforts to enlarge and equip the existing Grange Hall as an interim project until an all out effort can be made to develop a real community center. The idea has merit and quite a few are thinking favorably along that line, however, the entire project has been tabled until the club reconvenes in September.

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The Walt Fishers have sold their home and are leaving the Island as of July 1st due to ill health and their inability of receiving adequate medical assistance in the Bellingham area. This medical situation is of growing concern to many persons new to the area. The apparent lack of qualified and conscientious medical practitioners in Whatcom County willing or able to concern themselves with additional patients is reaching serious proportions and more and more residents are turning to outside areas to try and get adequate help.

The Fishers have sold their home to Mr. & Mrs. Richard Poole and their two small children. Mr. Poole is active in the operation of the oceanographic laboratory on the Baker place.

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Understand Frank Granger recently had a bit of trouble with his “affection center” but is up and around again doing light work ‑ like tossing hay bales hither and yon. Jim Murphy is back home from the Vets Hospital recuperating from a nerve condition. Ricky Granger is home recovering from a cranial operation and doing fine. His parents, Donna and Earl, had to take a course in recuperative therapy in order to help Rick get back into the swing of things. Jerry McDonald had personal plumbing problems during the Ferry’s day off and had to submit to a few valve adjustments at the Marine Hospital in Seattle. Judging from a close scrutiny of his features everything seems to be in working order at present. Saw Art Urfer on the Island last week but apparently it was for just a quick visit as he hasn’t finished his recuperative sequences as yet and must remain more or less inactive at one of his relatives. Understand that during the recent hot dry spell several persons have developed an allergy (Libba Johnson among them) which causes considerable discomfort and irritation. As yet the reason for the allergy remains unknown.

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Mr. George Bringholf asked us to extend his heartfelt thanks to all those persons who’s thoughtfulness and kindness eased the last days of his wife, Callie, during her recent and extended fatal illness. She enjoyed immensely each little remembrance and inquiry and they helped greatly in keeping her spirits up and it meant a lot to George too.

Incidentally George’s grandson, Dick, is staying with him this summer and intends to attend Western Washington College this fall.

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At precisely noon July 13th the pop of a cork – or two – will signal the start of the Commercial Salmon fishing season. There will be some 35 reefnet sets poised and at the ready with an armada of purse seiners lined up to head them off. Come nightfall the night riders take over and with their gillnets draggin will set off on romantic moonlight excursions. It all sounds kinda fishy ‑ doesn’t it?

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Some fifty or so Islanders attended the May meeting of the Club to hear a representative of the Sierra Club explain its position on conservation matters. It proved to be a rather touchy subject (as was expected).

Some of the industrial and business types present appeared to take it as a personal affront to their economic ideals. This obvious and apparently long‑standing antagonism towards the Sierra Club’s activities in behalf of conservation was to be expected ‑ particularly in an area that derives its prime economic return from the exploitations of the surrounding natural resources. Unfortunately, however, areas with this background are the prime targets for the necessary missionary work if conservation is to succeed. We all thank Prof. Paul Tholfsen of Western’s Physics Department for his intestinal fortitude and patience in trying to explain the reasons behind their moves. I’m sure he acquired a few converts among those present this writer being one of them.

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The new assistant post‑mistress is the comely Claire Hawley so no doubt the stamp sales will begin to soar to new heights.

Incidentally it occurred to us that the local Post Office is many things. One f which is a more or less reliable “fishy information center” since the Post Master himself is recognized as a top dog in piscatorial circles.

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Two of the young families that recently moved off the island acquired themselves additions to their households through the birth of a girl, Debra Sue, to the Don Goodmans and a boy, Weylin Lee, to the Si Eldreds. Bert Ecker has finished his hitch in the army and is now working for Gra Mac Construction. His wife.‑ Sharon (Hoffman) is back at her old job as a medical receptionist in Bellingham.

The Eckers daughter’s‑in‑law ‑ Lane and Trudy ‑ are now living on the Island and apparently intend, along with Bert, to attend Western this fall.

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Form r Islander Randy Riffe is with the Green Berets in Viet Nam and his sister Carla is gaining fame as an outstanding contestant in roller skating circles.

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Another former Islander ‑ known to the old timers passed away recently ‑ a Miss Ruth

Buchholz. She was of the family who owned the local store for many years around 19 15. They sold to Wallace Coleman ( Harold Long’s stepfather). Apparently Miss Buchholz held prominent positions in and around Bellingham and Berkley, California, as secretary to numerous educators, ambassadors and the like and was widely known.

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The rummage sale staged last week by the Civic Club was apparently a monetary success even tho many items were s stashed away as bait for the unwary next year.

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The status of this year’s Island High School graduates are as follows: Jake Granger working this summer haying, on the fish buying boat and for Tripps Marine and expects to enlist in the armed forces this fall. Jim Dickinson working with his father and sister in his fathers business of Sound Engineering in Bellingham ‑ plans to attend Western this fall. Bob Morse ‑ helping his father at his log brokerage business, office in Vancouver, B. C. Expects to matriculate at Everett Jr. College in the fall. Tom Miller ‑ stumping the south west with his “rock band” looking for engagements with pay money also, expects to enter Western i n the fall. Debbie Pierson ‑ working at her father’s business establishment (Ershig’s Inc.) during the summer and expects to attend Washington State University in the fall. Sharon Guthrie has her eyes on a marital program and a session at Everett Jr. College. Patty Murray working as a receptionist at Bellingham airport and also expects to attend Western this fall.

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The local planning group has agreed to try and hold an open meeting with the necessary informed legal and P.U.D . authorities in order to better understand the mechanics and possibilities of setting up a water district for the Island. Most appear to feel that this is far more urgent and necessary than trying to come up with a comprehensive plan for the Island and should take priority over anything else.

As for the proposal presented by the County Planner the consensus of opinion was about 3 to 1 against the proposed 5 acre concept. It was also evident that the entire question of zoning relative to the Island was of rather dubious benefit and somewhat premature. Most felt that a simple restriction or minimal lot size would give the low density desired if present regulations were enforced. However, it was generally agreed that an outright prohibition against heavy industry of an obnoxious nature should be established. Some of the larger property owners are contemplating establishing a holding company to regulate development as they desire.

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Most of the Islanders have received their tax assessment notices and most are considerably irritated. After a 400% increase in Ferry Rates this seems to change the premiums necessary for Island living into a penalty. Particularly so when tradesmen, banks, and county officials still consider the Island a remote area. This writer, for one, feels that a strong objection should be forthcoming from all of us.

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Jim Miller appears to be the only Island boy still in Viet Nam and we can assure you that his parents are keeping their fingers crossed and praying, particularly after viewing the June 27th issue of Life Magazine. We recommend this issue to all of you for perhaps you might become a little more concerned and raise your voices against the senseless war too. Is your inflated wages or excess profits honestly worth the lives of these young men?!!

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Our next meeting will be at the Grange Hall September 24th and will be a pot luck dinner. As yet we do not know who the speaker will be ‑ but we will all see you at the pancake breakfast anyway ‑ July 6th.

Ye Ghost Writer for Pres.

Gus Johnson

P. S. In event any of you wish to have the Bellingham Herald delivered on the same day it is printed call Darrell Thomas at 758‑2462 as he has the Island route now .

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