LUMMI ISLAND LOMMUNITY CLUB
NEWSLETTER
A U G U S T 1 9 7 5
S A L M 0 N B A R B E C U E
At the school . . . . . . Saturday, August 30, 5 to 8 pm
Adults $3.25 Children 12 & under $1.75
Co-sponsored by Grange and Community Club
The promoters of the salmon barbecue would like to have more volunteers, school ki.ds and adults to help with the table service, etc. Call Shirley Aiston at 758‑2321 or Tim Lockwood at 758‑2488 if you care to help.
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Last month’s pancake feed was very nearly a complete fiasco. It again pointed up the impracticability of trying to serve a multitude with wholly inadequate facilities. The totally unexpected crowd completely overtaxed everything and everybody: This pancake breakfast has traditionally been a leisurely run fun thing, but this year’s attempt sort of got far too leisurely ‑ something like a one to two hour wait during the real busy time. With the exception of a few disgruntled unfed late risers most of the people were gracious enough to realize the extreme difficulty encountered with the mechanics of the operation, coupled with the inexperience of the many wonderful volunteers. But they took it in stride regardless. To them we wish to offer our sincerest thanks and hope another time we will be better equipped to serve them. Judging from the criticism later there were some who apparently assumed it was a banquet catered by the Olympic Hotel. We deeply appreciate the help of all those who volunteered their time and effort and are especially appreciative of the various merchants who donated prizes and some of the basic materials such as: Fisher Flouring Mills who donated 50 pounds of pancake flour; Walter Hansey’s Birchwood Hatchery who donated half a case of eggs and the Bill Richardsons who donated another half a case. Some of the donors and winners of the various prizes were as follows: Beach Grocery’s wok was won by John Mulhern. Golden Rule’s $15.00 gift certificate was won by Homer Aiston. The Islander’s box of cherries by John Ludwigson. And Coca Cola Bottling’s 3 cases of pop by Rick Granger, Helen Pabor and Mrs. Pynor.
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Apparently the islanders are not too concerned about the suggestion of changing the name of the island as we have to date generated only one comment on the subject. Guess everyone is too busy entertaining Cousin Louie or something to give much thought to it.
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We hear that Les Shanahan our deputy snagged onto a few crab poachers recently who happened. to be erstwhile islanders connected with the commercial fishing fleet. The revelation that these shady characters have infiltrated the fishing types is most unfortunate since practically all of the gear owners have been trying for the past few years to upgrade the image of the fishermen against the tide of animosity and accusations directed at them in the past, and there has been little to complain about for some time. Perhaps a reassessment of the screening process would be in order. Not only were these varmints caught stealing, but they also had in their possession quantities of undersized and female crabs too. Apparently one of them already had a police record.
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Apparently the name of one of the VIP types mentioned in last month’s newsletter was incorrect as was also one of the credits noted. Seems the young lady authoress was awarded the Pulitzer prize rather than the Nobel one ‑ not that she didn’t deserve it, mind you, but at least once a year we aim to be accurate. And the name of the TV drama actress was Beverly Pemberthy instead of the moniker we placed upon her. Incidentally, we had the pleasure of seeing this very fine actress in a play at Western which was directed by our own Bill Gregory. It very definitely was a commendable presentation.
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There is a move afoot to rejuvenate the idea of building a needed addition to the fire hall which would also be suitable for extensive community activities. It seems considerable research has been done by several islanders recently, spearheaded by Si Eldred on the possibility of a bond issue to finance the project. The need has long since been established but to date no workable and acceptable plan has surfaced. It is intended to make the September community club meeting a general island get together to discuss the possibilities. We understand definite answers to probable questions will be available at that time.
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Grange members are selling chances on a queen sized quilt. The hand pieced blocks are in the flowers‑in‑a‑basket pattern, and piecing and quilting were the labor of non members as well as Grange members. Chances are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and drawing will be at the Christmas bazaar. The beneficiary is the Grange Building Fund.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT FLICKERINGS
Your volunteer department answered four calls for the ambulance and two fires since we last reported. One fire was a brush fire on the beach at Jon Reynolds; the other fire was at Miller’s cabins on Legoe Bay. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources battled two more fires: a brush fire on the west side of Lummi Mountain which took several days to contain; and a smaller blaze at Deepwater Bay.
Fire Chief Tuttle wishes to remind all island residents and visitors that the number to call for ALL EMERGENCIES is the 24 hour central dispatch number in Bellingham, 676‑6811. Please do not call the individual firemen, which not only wastes valuable time, but delays getting the information to the department as a whole. The Auxiliary has telephone stickers of this emergency number available for the asking at the Beach Store, the Islander and the Post Office.
The Auxiliary wine tasting party held at the Scenic Estates Clubhouse in July was again a successful affair, thanks to all of you who attended. This annual project enables the ladies to help your volunteer department acquire needed equipment and supplies that are not readily available otherwise. Door prizes were won by Jane Roberts and Ed Collier.
The Lummi Island Scenic Estates Project Group commissioned David King to make a sign for Fire Station #2 in Scenic Estates. It’s a beauty, and you can’t help but notice it when you drive by. These ladies work hard at their annual Luau so that they can accomplish such projects as this new sign for the station.
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Speaking of the Luau, Project Group members thank islanders and their guests for their support of this annual major money making project. After some early scares the weather cooperated and from the hula dancers who came to entertain everybody to those who took part in the cake walk and entertained those who didn’t, think it was a pretty lively affair. Door prize drawings gave a barbecue each to Bill Ford and a young man who was too excited to leave his name. And the second door prize drawings gave a salmon each to Howard Duff, Jack Chartier, and the Messrs. Prop, Navratil and Collier. Bonnie Foster of Bellingham and a Scenic Estates gentleman whose name we didn’t get each walked off with a cake.
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WANT SOME NICE LUSH TOP SOIL? Scenic Estates Community Club has drained their swimming lake and are now cleaning off all the beautiful black top soil that had collected on the bottom for these several years. Price to buyers outside the Estates is $35.00 for a 10 cubic yard load at the lakesite with the added delivery cost to be based on time charges. Call Charlie Morisset at 758‑2359 to leave your order or get further information. They say this is really rich stuff.
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It would seem that a doctor type general practitioner could do a thriving business on the island if the last two months were of any indication. The list of persons requiring medical attention is most extensive and reads like a Who’s Who of the island…. Earl Granger was the most seriously injured and is now agonizing over a badly broken leg. Seems a backhoe fell on him while on a job. Guess Earl and Donna were supposed to take off for Alaska the next day, so Earl told the doctor to patch it up good enough so he could get going. But doc had a different idea ‑something like 6 months or so in a wheel chair and crutches. Anybody want to take a bet that Earl is going to be kept down that long? Incidentally, Dan Pomeroy and Marianne Pector along with several others made an hilarious booklet for Earl depicting current activities of his association crew, in order to ease his suffering. However, he darned near broke a rib laughing at it. This journalistic endeavor is really very cleverly done and most amusing and even the photography had a professional touch…. Irene Granger had an unexpected reaction to some medication which proved only temporary but gave everyone considerable concern …. Irene McFarland (another Granger) had a sudden reaction to an insect repellent and Ray rushed her (within a couple of days) to the doc’s too. It also was a temporary thing…. Lorraine Peel had a flareup of a continuing malady which generated considerable concern among her family and friends, but we understand she is home doing well now…. Nellena Purvis has had to become a homebody because of an irritating affliction to her locomotion equipment. We miss her cheery waves on the island byways and hope she gets out soon. Harris Purvis says that if he has to work in the kitchen one more week he is going to burn his bra…. Edith Granger and her back were at odds again and Mac doesn’t particularly like housework or gardening unless he can do it on a tractor….Heard that Corky Carlos and Jim Dickinson did themselves in a bit on motor bikes recently. We wondered why it was so quiet around here, but their injuries are only minor …. Glenn Shuler suffered a slight stroke recently but quickly recovered, although he has to rigidly watch his diet from now on, particularly lay off bacon and eggs ‑ wonder if this means fertile eggs‑too? …….We even understand a long time summer resident, Dr. Bostrom who is a Yakima physician, had an attack of something caused by low blood sugar and was forced to make use of the rescue vehicle. According to our information he and his family were very much impressed with the good job that these fellows and the crisis wagon did… Understand Ardith Baumgart, an ardent advocate of apple pie (or is it lemon?) and motherhood, has decided to do further research on the subject. We have mentioned her pies before. Guess she feels at some future date there will be a crying need established…. Guess there has been just about everything said about Bill (Twinkletoes) Hawley dropping the ferry ramp on his foot several weeks ago, so we won’t mention it here …. Judy Eldred had to spend a few days in the hospital for correction of a malfunctioning organ, but is now home and on her feet again doing her usual chores …. It’s not everyone that can fall off a boat and not get wet, but Ron Spillman did just that, since the boat was in his backyard. He did bung himself up a bit by the sudden stop though. Guess there wasn’t anything more serious than a few bruises and a completely deflated dignity.
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B E A C H S C H 0 0 L N E W‑S.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 ‑ SCHOOL OPENS
GOSH! WHAT A SUMMER!! LOTS OF ACTIVITIES BY BEACH SCHOOLERS…. Swimming classes at Western included Tally & Dart Moore, Brian Tyler, Eric McRory, Erna Gregory, Jennifer & Jill Lockwood, Shawn Shanahan, Wesley & Weylin Eldred, and Mike Lean. In fact, some kids got so enthused they went for two sessions, and now Tally & Dart & Wesley & Weylin can really get out there and do battle with those waves! Erna Gregory took horsemanship lessons and learned to get off of a horse that’s trotting. Guess she figures that’ll cut some ice with Shawn Shanahan who owns her own pony, Flicka. Dave Nesbit took Lisa, Rebecca and Joanna into town on Wednesdays for roller skating and I hear he did double duty as a second‑in‑charge at the rink. Seems there would be tons of kids and only the owner there as sole adult often times. Camping and other trips were enjoyed by many; Rebecca and Sara McMillan spent a month in Concrete, Gary and Janine Poole went to Portland for a similar time, Sasha and Martha Heid went clear back to Ohio on a family trip, Wesley & Weylin spent time at Silver Lake, Shawn Shanahan went east of the mountains, and Mike and Peter Anderson took some short trips with Mom and Dad in their new boat as well as by land. Every one of them got right back to good old Lummi though! Bike trips were a big thing all summer too, and if prizes were given for miles covered, probably the Nesbit girls as well as Kim and Kathy Hudson would win. But edging right up there would be Jean Finney followed closely by Christine and Robert puffingly bringing up the rear! And last but not least, the all around fisher people of the summer have got to be Christeen and Robby Thomas followed closely by Tim and Brad Drafs! Those kids have got to know all there is to know about fishing off Lummi ferry dock. Ahhh, how to transfer that enthusiasm and patient persistence to their arithmetic! Sigh! Not only were people busy this summer, but our building and grounds were also! The tennis court got about as much activity as any other land on Lummi. Every time you passed by, from early morning to late in the evening, that tennis area was in use. And you know, for the most part everyone treated it with care. No, we didn’t find old lunches or broken glass or any of the rest of it most of the time. So thanks lots all you islanders and visitors, and keep on using this fine community area as much as you can. Wait till you see the inside of the school (and you are invited to show your guests around during the barbecue before school opens or come visit after it opens). The maintenance people from our Ferndale District really did a wonderful job once again this year. The floors are all newly varnished and three rooms freshly painted, two (sic) a nice light green upstairs and one an off white, warmish peach downstairs. First P.T.A. or FRIENDS OF BEACH SCHOOL meeting of the year will be held at 7:30 pm on Sept. 9th, that’s the second Tuesday of the month and they will be on that evening regularly. We hope to have the two people who will be running for school board for our area that night so it should be lively. We’ll also plan for the year, so be there and put in your ideas …… Other activities this summer were: Jackie Gaines working in town for the Drs. Nelson and Stewart; Leslie Moore refinishing floors and still building on their house; Patty Gregory in Earl Granger’s field with maul and wedges trying to take apart the old Nooksack River bridge. Some people say that teachers can barely wait for summer vacation to end so they can sit down and rest! The whole Nesbit family collecting bottles and recycling them and adding $18 to the craft money for school … thank you all and thank you people for that collection point at Scenic Estates Clubhouse! Lots of mothers down at school for the two weeks before opening helping to get things set up so we’ll have a smooth beginning. And all of the people ‑ but especially the Melcher and Gaines family for all of the weeding and watering of our planters all summer ‑ Thank You! …. A final note: You’ll all be so very pleased and proud to hear that one of our former teachers has landed herself a full time teaching job. Mrs. Chris Gerhold will be the Title I Reading teacher for Ferndale schools for this coming year. Isn’t that fine!
…… See you at the barbecue.
P.S. (Observed by editor):: Saw Maurine Melcher at the school recently weeding the new plantings ‑ in the rain yet. I asked her how much she charged and she answered that, it was her contribution to the community!
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Saw a picture in a local paper of Don Hayes piloting a large cat loader around on a public service project as a contribution by the local contingent of the National Guard’s army engineers. Seems Don is a 6 year veteran of that outfit and as such secures a valuable and varied experience in many phases of construction engineering. We must remember to ask him about putting a plug in Mt. Baker …. Michael Melcher is home on leave from Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and his next assignment will be in San Diego.
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We recently received a letter from a Mrs. Chris Jensen of Canoga Park, Calif. informing us of the passing of Ma and Pa Johnson at a rest home in Bellingham within a week or so of each other. For many years they lived summers on the island at Legoe Bay and were affectionately known to many. They embraced the island folk and we them. They were avid fishermen and also loved to make novelty items out of beach rocks and driftwood. Many here will fondly remember them.
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From the Daily Reveille, Whatcom‑New Whatcom, Washington, Tuesday, October 17, 1893:
When eight pound silver side salmon are sold for 10¢ or 1‑1/4t¢ per pound and when the supply is unlimited ‑ where bear meat is sold for half the price of pork, a man does not have to have much per capita to live.
Now ain’t THAT the truth!