LUMMI ISLAND LOMMUNITY CLUB
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER‑ DECEMBER 1975
CALENDAR’
NOVEMBER 27 THURSDAY
28 FRIDAY BEACH SCHOOL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
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DECEMBER 6 SATURDAY C H R I S T M A S BAZAAR
Grange Hall 10”00 Am – 4:00 PM
featuring
Christmas gifts and decorations by island craftsmen
Bake sale
Chili and pie lunch
served by Grange ladies
(Sponsored by Craft Club. To reserve a space approximately card table size phone Libba Johnson at 758‑2562 ‑ charge is one pie delivered to the kitchen of the Grange Hall day of sale.)
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DECEMBER 13 SATURDAY COMMUNITY CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Grange Hall – 8: 00 PM
Bring a card table, a favorite game or deck of cards, festive finger foods and a $1.50 gift for the gift exchange. Ladies bring gift for a lady and men for a man, and so labeled, please. Seasonally appropriate beverage, cups, plates, etc., and music for listening, dancing or sing‑along will be provided. If you want to help, contact one of the following committee chairmen: General chairmen ‑ Phyllis Lockwood and Lylene Johnson; Refreshments ‑ Virginia Smith and Ted Cooper; Decorations ‑ Alice Behrends and Vivian Behrends; Entertainment ‑ Paula Gaines; Advertising ‑ Cathy Luke; Cleanup ‑ Gene Long; Host and Hostess Jackie and Gary Gaines.
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DECEMBER 14 SUNDAY CHRISTMAS SHIP WILL ARRIVE AROUND 6:00 PM
WELCOMING PARTY AT BEACH SCHOOL WILL BE
SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY CLUB.
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DECEMBER 18 THURSDAY C H R I S T M A S P R 0 G R A M
Beach S Program will begin at 8:30 sharp Doors open 8:00 PM
EVERY WEDNESDAY MINI‑BUS TO BELLINGHAM FOR THOSE 55 OR OLDER OR
HANDICAPPED
Leaves 9 AM Ferry, Returns at 4 PM . . . Make reservations thru
Jerry Anderson at 758‑2320 before 3:30 Tuesday, or if can’t reach
him call Peggy Aiston at 758‑2578. First come first served basis,
so be sure and cancel if you can’t go after making reservation.
Fare is by donation plus your own ferry fare. Bus comes over at
8 and makes pickup at your home. Time is very short, so be ready.
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According to the county engineer there has been a definite shift in viewpoint by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife policymakers regarding the ferry dock. Seems that a bit of congressional pressure towards sanity is going to prevail regarding the design of the structure. However, certain concessions were agreed to for the sake of all the little fishies so as they won’t get tired swimming around the end of the fill. As of now they have okay’d the fill concept providing that large culverts are encompassed in the design. It seems that the unique situation of this ferry system itself merits deeper and more conciliatory consideration than any other shoreline project since it is an absolute necessity for island life ‑ which in itself I suppose would be debatable. One of the best benefits of the fill design will be a partial elimination of a couple of danger spots on the island roads, one at the rock cut on the north end and another at the blind hill just east of the fire department. It is intended to lower and widen these areas using the material excavated for the dock fill Regarding the proposed two-month tieup of the ferry next spring for replacement of the motors, it is intended to provide somewhat better temporary facilities than those available previously. The county is looking into the possibility of getting a bigger passenger boat that they can place on a schedule more in keeping with the present one. Perhaps the shuttle bus recently started for the elderly and handicapped on the island could be somehow tied into this system. In any event they are exploring all possibilities and no doubt would welcome practical suggestions. It does appear that there are quite a few self proclaimed diesel experts making themselves known and are no doubt more than willing to share their expertise with the county authorities. It could be an interesting couple of months.
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This year’s Christmas ship is to be an armada of several boats rather than just one, and apparently all will visit Lummi Island too. And if the weather will cooperate they intend to arrive this year around 6 PM on Sunday evening, December 14th. Contrary to the apparent unconcern expressed last year, it is intended to go all out with a welcoming affair at the schoolhouse, promoted by the Community Club. A goodly crowd of kid types ranging from 1 to 90 years is expected.
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In the event that some of you property owners on the island are not aware of the insidious move being promulgated by the State Dept of Revenue, we give you the following comparative list of evaluations that this bureaucracy has demanded from the County Assessor. We figure you all would be pleased to learn how your state bureaucrats are toiling away for your benefit???????
No. of Present New Tax
Acres Brief Description Evaluation Evaluation
14.5 Undeveloped , partially wooded, unusable cliff-type
Waterfront 11,530 43,650
21.08 Same as above ? 51,000
27 Cleared, House & barn – small usable waterfront ? 76,000
40 Undeveloped, inland, brushy 6,000 48,000
38.4 “ “ “ 5,760 46,080
40 “ “ “ 6,530 47,000
29.24 “ “ “ 4,390 35,090
9 “ “ view 7,555 63,485
57.3 Cleared with house + 3 outbuildings – view 22,000 68,795
3.7 Remodeled old house – level waterfront ? 121,055
Same tract tidelands ? 12,350
58 Cleared with house, level waterfront + tidelands ? 131,590
59 Wooded (2nd gr) Small house + shop inland 15,195 66,960
FROM THE POSTOFFICE. . . Suggested Christmas deadlines are Dec. 10 for parcels and Dec. 15 for Christmas cards … The 1975 Christmas stamps are at the P.O. The new mailing rates go into effect on Dec. 28 ‑ 13¢~ for letters and 9¢~ for postal cards As a reminder to the new people on the island (and there are lots), Post Office hours are 7:45 to 3:45 on week days and 10:00 until 1:45 on .Saturdays. Deadline for mailing packages, registered mail, etc is 1:30 daily. We will accept letters until 1:45 (but must be here by 1:30 to get Lummi Island postmark) If any questions about mail dispatch, etc. please call post office 758-2320 The past month has been vacation time at our post office. By the time you read this Frank will be back on the route. I think Jim has done an excellent job filling in for Frank, while Frank used his well deserved vacation time. You will continue to see Jim delivering mail at least one day every two weeks, and you’ll likely see a lot of him next summer when Frank puts his newly acquired boat to use. Joann and Eric have also been on an extended vacation in Vermont and Florida and are due back soon Want to thank those of you who have fixed up your mail boxes. Also, can’t help but notice that some of
you are getting your addresses squared away. ……………………… Jerry
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It’s hard to believe that less than a month after we announced in October newsletter that Civic Club was sponsoring a survey to determine the need for a bus service for seniors and the handicapped ‑ that on Wednesday, November 12th the first run was actually made. And of course, it didn’t just happen but is a heartening example of what determined citizens can do to make government work for them: For some time Maria Anderson has been concerned about the transportation problems of seniors and handicapped on the island and dismayed when some had to move away. With the transportation services offered in Bellingham she wondered if there wasn’t a comparable service available for county citizens and phoned a friend in Olympia who suggested our state representative Mary Kay Becker might have some information. She did indeed have information and suggestions of people to see. Maria interviewed a number of folks, including Commissioner Terry Unger regarding a ferry pass for the bus and driver, attended meetings in Bellingham, her Civic Club committee conducted the survey to show that 39 island people would use the service, and finally a bus was located (to be repaired) and a schedule set. Now the Civic Club committee met with President Elizabeth Gerritz and Rev. Carl Calhoun of the Senior Center Transportation Committee to work out reservation scheduling. Jerry Anderson agreed to take reservations, Driver Connie Kellogg brought her bus over on the 12th and with Lois Peterson guiding her on the first run, make her pickups on a full circle of the island, a tight schedule but everyone was out front ready. Your reporter was on this trip, and besides the transportation provided it was just a downright pleasant round trip from the friendly cooperation of Driver Connie to the fine conversation both ways and “show and tell” on the way home.
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Guess it’s been a real healthy period. Other than a few miscellaneous colds and Clara Dunn’s short stay in the hospital for a minor ailment, no one has reported in on the ailing list. Irene Thomas has moved to California with her daughter for an interim stay.
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Apparently votewise there was some connection between the proposed addition to the firehall and capital punishment as they both received an equal island number of votes. In the event you haven’t heard, the hall lost by just 2 “yes” votes or a change of 1 “no” vote. It got 59.68% of the total but needed 60% to pass. The total votes were 114 for and 77 against. Incidentally, of these, 24 were absentee.
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Our writer in residence, Annie Dillard (the college has more prior claims but ours are more valid and lasting) has had several copies s of her autographed book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek at the local emporiums where they have been eagerly picked up by her island neighbors. This is the one by which she won the Pulitzer Prize. Gee, wonder if we can get her to do this here newsletter? We can’t match old Pulitzer but might offer her an ornamental weed or two. In truth we suppose our recommendation that you all read this book would be extremely anticlimactic to the honors already heaped upon her, but we do just that, anyway. Now if we could just get her to do an equal in depth observation of the human animal and his relevant systems, we might get a better perspective ourselves.
It was with a great amount of disgust and revulsion that we learned of the wanton slaughter of four deer, obviously fawns, by one individual. We can’t help but wonder what other direction the urge to kill could be pointed.
We understand that we have us a real nautical craftsman on the island, what with Nick Bartlett’s creation at Jon Reynold’s place. Guess it is a real outstanding job of boatbuilding and those who have seen it are amazed at the quality and size of it. Must take a look ourselves.
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Fall flowers and a crackling fire set the scene for Civic Club’s November meeting at Maurine Melcher’s home with Charlotte Calhoun and Clara Dunn co-hostesses. Chaplain Charlotte read two inspirational poems and members enjoyed a salad lunch before the business meeting. Plans were made for the bake sale at the Christmas Bazaar on December 6th and members can bring their baked goods to the Grange Hall any time after 9:30. Maria Anderson reported on the mini-bus project. Members are reminded that they are to bring Christmas cookies to the December 11th meeting to be packed for the yearly gift distribution. Meeting will be at the church with Leona Hawley, Gladys Long and Nellena Purvis hostesses
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B.E.A.C.H. S.C.H.O.O.L . N.E.W.S.
Our thanks to Patty Robison‑Heid for being chairman of a successful Halloween Party! What a lot of work, but what fun! We also wish to thank Bill and Virginia Smith for their gifts, two fine knives and the $5 for the pumpkin carving. Thanks go to Rich and Lylene Johnson for each child having a pumpkin to carve. Lylene’s family brought them over from Yakima. Helen and Art Pabor of Village Point Marina gave gift certificates which were prizes for costumes. The costume and pumpkin judges were Rev. Carl Calhoun, the Honorable Mary Kay Becker, and WWSC’s Leone Noble. Bill Heid hired and fed the band. Bill Heid and Terry Moore got the platforms and Michael Moore did double duty as light fixer upper and fortune teller. Si and Judy Eldred saw to it we had great cider (home made) and furnished lots of hay bales for seating and decoration. Bill Gregory spotlighted Terry Moore being Master of Ceremonies. Annie Dillard rushed around with Patty R‑H doing any and everything needed. Another form of thanks to these helpful folks is what happened after the party at school and at P.T.A. The party was evaluated carefully. Both children and adults first listed what was good and why, next what needed improvement and why. Participation, decorations, platforms, food and cider, costumes and prizes were outstandingly approved. In question was the size of the crowd, loudness of the band, and perhaps whether or not having a band tended to make it an adult/child party instead of specifically a child centered party. Though the adults all agreed they had fun and enjoyed the band and dancing, maybe it would be wiser in future to confine children’s parties to children’s activities and save the more adult type dancing for adult parties. Of course we had to deal with the inevitable young buck who wandered in with his little brown bottle of liquid refreshment and the teachers were glad the rest of the community present didn’t just leave it all to them to tell those two fellows to ‘git out’. We appreciated too, your vigilance in reminding people to smoke outside or in the kitchen only. We figure those guys were off islanders since no islander would think of bringing beer onto school property . . right? From what I hear, this is not the first time in the history of the school we’ve had to deal with this problem and it was good to know all present felt responsible enough to help control it instead of leaving it to ‘George’ and just complaining about it afterwards! Again, our thanks to one and all for the true sense of community you’ve made and share. (Note by ed: We are glad that this difference of opinion regarding the party was mentioned as we have been getting a few rumbles about the young adults usurping an old island tradition for their own benefit.) . . . Interesting P.T.A. meetings during the past two months have featured school board candidates speaking and ideas and feelings on curriculum. Please feel welcome to these second Tuesday monthly meets … Learning Resources lately have included the Telezonia Kit from Bell Telephone….kids practiced dialing the Emergency number and giving pertinent information fast! Ann McCandlis, specialist in P.E. and ‘new mom’ has been coming twice a week for P.E. classes with all grades. Si and Judy Eldred taught the kids the old fashioned pleasures of squeezing their own apple cider and then donated it to the Halloween Party. . . Many heartfelt thanks this month to all the following helpful islanders: Paul Davis, Flo Konecke, Judy Eldred, Charlotte Nesbit, Jeannie Finney, Sally Hudson, Mike McRory and crew, Phyllis Lockwood, Bess Paine, Jake Granger, Ada Knowles, Gary Gaines and Terry Moore ‑ thanks for all the things and services donated. . . and from California even, the lovely book from the Stokesbury family written and illustrated by their own daughter‑in‑law… Gue Bon. . is a soft wonderful creative book about fish, but about all of us at the same time, and the children loved it and could see far beyond just the story. You may borrow it if you wish. See you at the Christmas program!
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As a community service we thunk up the idea of trying to list, the people on the island what will do things legal like for money either as an avocation or vocation, so here is a list of those we know about. Some of these are hearsay only as we could not personally verify:
Can be
Name .. Services Offered contacted
GraMac Const Gen. Construction, Concrete, Gravel, Septic Systems etc. 758-2351
Chas. Baker Excavating, Grading, clearing, Top soil, Gravel, Rock etc. 758- 2545
Si Eldred Gen. Construction – commercial 758- 2127
Ray Konecke Gen Carpentry + builder 758- 2364
Dave Nesbit Architectural Drafting and builder 758- 2509
Vernon Behrends Gen. Carpentry, Cabinets, cement finishing & remodeling 758- 2254
Kim Bush and Archie McMillan Gen Carpentry – all types of construction 758- 2584
Ray McFarland Septic systems engineering 758- 2336
Ray Schuler Electrical contractor 758- 2284
Jon Reynolds Body shop (not a massage parlor) 758- 2513
Dan Pomeroy Machine shop 758- 2112
Lucille Miller Beauty Shop 758- 2377
Jack Miller Aircraft factory and Airport operator 758- 2377
Ed Collier Income Tax preparation 758- 2313
John Axtell Saw & tool sharpener 758- 2288
Ivy Axtell Ceramic Artist 758- 2288
Dave King Artistic Creations and signs Note in Post Office
Robert Aiston Artist – Scenic & Portrait 758- 2321
Flo Konecke Artist – silhouette 758- 2364
Glen Schuler Crab fisher and purveyor 758- 2423
Marion Tuttle Sam Mill 758- 2404
Mac Granger Cord wood 758- 2482
Kay Niedhamer Yard Sop and knotting instruction 758- 2467
Charlott Schneider Fabric weaving instruction 758- 2307
Judy Bush Legal Services 758- 2534
Carl Lund Lawn Maintenance Note in Post Office
Kim Cole Lawn Mowing 758- 2512
Jim Baumgart Lawn Mowing 758- 2404
Gary Poole Lawn Mowing 758- 2134
Denise Winkler Stenographic Services 758- 2554
Rich Johnson Gen. “Intern” Mechanic etc. etc. etc. 758- 2190
Lisa Bennett Baby Sitting 758- 2286
Lynn Bennett Baby Sitting 758- 2286
Lynn Brandsrud Baby Sitting 758- 2179
Mimi Thomas Baby Sitting 758- 2462
Donna Drafts Baby Sitting (adult) 758- 2537
Jerry Anderson Notary Public 758- 2320
Ted Cooper Notary Public 758- 2279
Fay Richardson Piano Teacher 758- 2129
Sue Lind House work Note in Post Office
Buffy Lapof House work Note in Post Office
Sue Haines House work Note in Post Office
Sandra Bohensteil House work 758- 2422
Ted Cooper Real Estate Sales 758- 2279
Ray McFarland Real Estate Sales 758- 2336
Elaine McRory Real Estate Sales 758- 2413
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Our congratulations go to Hank and Ardith Baumgart, parents of young Douglas Aaron.
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We just got a call that Jack Miller lost power on a takeoff and crashed his plane in the woods. He and passengers Sally Curry and Marilyn Miller Smith are having their injuries checked at the hospital ‑ we hope they are only minor.
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A card file is kept of all properties on Lummi Island with pertinent information which will help your volunteer fire department do the best job for you if and when needed. However, when we asked for this information over a year ago not all islanders sent in the completed forms. Also, we have a lot of new people. So once again we are asking that you please fill out the following, clip and leave at or mail to the Lummi Island Post Office, or with any of the firemen or ferry crew. And don’t forget the EMERGENCY NUMBER ‑ 676‑6811 to the 24 hour Central Dispatch at Bellingham Fire Department.
LUMMI ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT- Phone No. 758-2411
NAME:_______________________________________________________________________________
last first middle initial
ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________________
PHYSICAL LOCATION: ______________________________________________________________
SPECIAL INFORMATION______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
It’s that time again ‑ time to pay your 1976 dues to the Lummi Island Community Club. Why not get them in before the postal rates go up!
(CONVENIENCE COUPON For those who wish to use when paying dues)
DATE______________________________ ENCLOSED $_______________________
To Cover: DUES $__________________________Other $____________________________
NAME____________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ZIP__________
SEND TO: LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB
c/o CLIFFORD OHRBACHER, TREASURER
LUMMI ISLAND, WASHINGTON 98262
(DUES ARE ON A CALENDAR YEAR BASIS RUNNING FROM
JANUARY 1st THRU DECEMBER 31st.)
(Dues are $2.00 per year for either a single person or married couple)