Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1976/04

Last issue by first Editor, Lehr Miller

Apparently Peggy Aiston retired as Newsletter Typist the prior month and Lehr typed this issue – as evidenced by many typos and misspellings – which have been generally corrected in this version, although his personal colloquial style is left intact.

LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

APRIL 1976

A P R I L 28, 1976 COMMUNITY CLUB MEETING

NIGHT OF FNTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY LOCAL TALLENT

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SATURDAY M A Y 29, 1976 B E A C S C H 0 U L

BICENTENNIAL POTLUCK DINNER & AUCTION

Potluck Dinner: 4:00 PM Auction: 6:00 PM

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ISLAND MAILBOX DECORATION C014TEST C A S H P R I Z E S

CLOSING DATE JULY 7, 1976

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There has been considerable concern expressed over the proposed passenger Ferry schedule and the mainland parking, during the Ferry Tie‑up. In order to get some definite answers we asked Ed Henken, the County Engineer to clarify the situation at the next Community Club dinner meeting on the 29th. He gladly accepted the opportunity and requested that you all give some rational thought to the matter and be prepared to offer some specific and plausible suggestions. Apparently it all boils down to a matter of the budget available. The Community Club Board has drafted a letter to the County Commissioner requesting further consideration be given to the service contemplated and the parking facilities to be made available. With regard to the proposed new island dock, the State Fisheries Department is holding it, up now because a couple of their Hirelings found half dozen or so clams in the area recently… Shishh!!! It’s getting so more and more, that the two words Stupidity and Authority appear to be synonymous.

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The Island roadside clean-up day brought out a goodly crowd of dynamic debris collectors bent upon ridding the Island by-ways of the miscellaneous trash littering our Scenic Boulevards. ‘Twas , noble and thorough job they did do. We noted that most of the pickers were in the pre-Medicare age bracket … even the pre‑schoolers. The Messrs Gaines, Cooper, Pepperworth, McLean, Winkler and that routine community irritant “whatshisname” donated their trucks to the project, as did our beauteous Secretary, Neuman. Two or three of the more charming type truckers “you figure that one out”. also took the accumulated trash over to the Thermal Reduction plant off 540, where they allowed them to dump it at no cost. The P.T,A sponsored a luncheon for all the participants including all the executive types too. All those beauteous damoiselle’s really extended themselves to new heights of gastronomical accomplishments in providing and feeding the deserving with such nourishing delights as sandwiches, pie, cake, chili, coco and coffee. To all these people the Island owes a warm vote of THANKS. No doubt next year’s clean‑up effort will be staffed with a lot of formerly disinterested Islanders since young Rob Finney found a $10.00 bill this time around. Guess he was more thrilled though with the old motor cycle magazines he found.

There has been some request that the Club hold meetings year round instead of discontinuing them during the Summer. This will be decided at this next meeting. Also there seems to be some revisions necessary to the By‑laws and the Board would welcome written suggestions in this respect. The Board wants it known that all meetings are open to any member and they are held the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM, usually at the President’s domicile.

The study group on the Tax Revision letter has been withholding any action until the .promised information from authoritative State sources becomes available. Also a recognized expert is being contracted to meet with Island representatives on the movements already underway.

Occasionally during the hectic course of our daily lives some of us are fortunate enough to become associated with a truly nice person, and it has been my very good fortune to work with just such an individual in manufacturing these monthly Newsletters for the past few years. Peggy Aiston has been the mainstay of the letters composition, appearance and publication. She accomplished this in a manner that has been most outstanding and we understand that other Communities have tried to copy her style. Peggy and her husband Homer have sold their place here on the Island and are retiring to a Mobile Home Court in Bellingham. The loss of their leaving is considerable and we all extend to them our sincere thanks for the many services they rendered the Community and for being the beautiful and charming persons they are.

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In the Island physical misery department, Agnes Gilfilen and Eva Adema seem to have top billing for extended disability. Agnes has had to ward off several anatomical maladjustments by making like a reclining hermit and Eva Adema is recuperating in a convalescent home in Bellingham from locamotive corrective surgery. Both are apparently doing well…. we hope. We won’t mention Jack Miller slashing his hand while cleaning fish recently because we understand he never would do anything like that. His being a member of the accident prone Ferry Crew and all … Tisk Tisk.

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On the meeting of May 26, 1976, we will have a program presented by Paul Winkler on the Aquaculture School.

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At the last community Club Meeting, the membership voted to sponsor a “Bicentennial Potluck Dinner and Auction”. It will be held at the Beach School on Saturday, May 29 1976 with the Potluck at 4:00 PM and the Auction at 6:00 PM. As of this date the list of donations has such unique contributions as a Palm Reading to five bales of hay. This is an excellent opportunity for all Islanders to create an imaginative, donatable service:‑ Car Wash, House cleaning, professional service Etc., and our many talented artisans to donate a piece of their work. With a Bicentennial theme, everyone is urged to bring, their favorite All American dish for the dinner. Might be fun to have some homemade ice cream too. Remember, provide your own utensils. If you have a donation to make, or wish to work on the project, contact Gerri Neuman 758‑2213, Mike Fire, 758‑2150 or Suzy Tyler, 758‑2658. There is still a great need for donations so any contribution would be most welcomed.

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The upcoming Community Club meeting is going to be one of entertainment provided by some of our local Island talent. Those of you who desire to contribute to the night’s program are urged to do so and contact Gerri Neuman at 758‑2213 or733‑0120, days. All Islanders are welcomed to attend for a promised night of amusement and diversion.

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There was a general discussion about the rather shabby condition of some of the Island’s Mailboxes during the last Community Club meeting. The membership voted to have an Island Mailbox decorating context with the winners being announced July 1?7th, at the Bicentennial celebration and award cash prizes. Jerry Anderson personally pledged $20.00 towards the awards, and he is available to answer questions regarding mailbox regulations. Debra Neuman is Chairman of the project and is asking all participants to please list their name and address at either the Beach Store or the Islander so the Judges are sure to include them. The three categories to be judged are “Bicentennial”; “Lummi Island”, and “Individualistic”. The deadline for entering will be July 7th.

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The E.M.T.’s (Emergency Medical Technician) on Lummi Island are interested in knowing of people who have medical problems that could necessitate emergency aid. This knowledge will help us to better understand the type of aid required if such a person should actually need emergency aid. It will also help us to plan our monthly meetings of emergency aid practice and education, and to take the opportunity to participate in programs dealing with emergency care from people in the medical profession. Please send or call to Joan Moye, the following information: Name, Address, Age, Medical problem and Physician. (Please give exact directions if you live on the Mountain). All information will be CONFIDENTIAL.

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Vern and Leonqa Hawley, former owners of Hawley’s Marina, Lummi Island, will celebrate their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary with an open house from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sunday April 25th, at the Ferndale Senior Center, Pioneer Park, Ferndale. Planning the event are their children and grandchildren: Mr. & Mrs. James Hawley, Mr. & Mrs. William Hawley, Mr. Leo Hawley and Mr. & Mrs. Jerry McDonald. There are fourteen grandchildren and seven great‑grandchildren. (No Gifts).

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B E A C H S C H O O L N E W S

Many grateful and warm thanks go out to lots of people again this month. Donna Harryman gifted the teachers with a whole big sack of colorful aprons and smocks. The Ray O’Brines replenished our paper supply with two large boxes of paper … they get it from an office that uses one side of it and then we use the other side. Don’t laugh…it works, is a good saving too, and teachers are frugal by example. Bill and Virginia also gave us paper and cardboard to add to our supply. Joyce Kennedy edited an excellent book,, Management and Food, and donated one copy to our library. The Westerns gave us a fine resource book also called Pictorial History of Railways. Mike McRory came by a few weeks ago and planted four curly Willow trees which he started last year. Lehr Miler stopped by to check on the on the trees he gave us last year and all seem to have survived and are doing well. Our planters continue to flourish and be places of beauty. Mrs. Carl Otto of New York sent a gift of $500 to continue the improvement and beautification of our playground area in memory of Carl Otto, Jr. her son. Carl Otto loved Lummi Island and his caring lives on so that all of us may benefit. With the coming of spring, we will soon have some work parties to finish up the drainage area around the tennis court and begin some other projects on the grounds.

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WHATIS HAPPENING … There was a contest…a reading contest. The children got sponsors to pledge so much money for every book they read and then sent the money to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Many children read as many as 35 books and sent in between $15 and $20! They did not read just “easy” books either. And they did it all in ONE month! We are truly proud of those children and adults who stuck to it and did a fine job. Lots of interest seems brewing regarding Civic Club Essay contest also. The Community Club Island litter pickup was greatly assisted this year by children. They worked hard and ate lots afterwards. They truly felt needed… and they were!! Speaking of litter and the warm weather of Spring…..Alas, we are beginning to find pop cans, juice bottles, gum and cigarette wrappers, etc., left near the Tennis Court. The Community Club plans to put a garbage can there to help with the problem … but surely if people can carry full pop cans to the area, they should have the strength to dispose of empty ones properly. Come on…. speak to yourselves,

VOTING RESULTS on Lummi Island in the recent school election were magnificent! We had 129 yes votes, 56 no votes for a total of 70% approval in our area This means that district wide, it took 4½% minority to defeat us! Many of our Islanders even changed their votes from no to yes this time around. We did the best vote and held the best turnout of any other area in our district…. and yet overall we are the ones hit hardest by the reassessments. You wrote letters to keep our school open, you got out and voted, you continually show your support and help in multitudinous ways… you know what we think of you Lummi Islanders? We think and KNOW that this is quite a fine and unique collection of people we’ve got here on this Island! Thank you for keeping our school a lively part of you.

YOU ARE INVITED…..to come and browse through and check out books in our library. Recently Leslie Moore, part time aide who is also a library Science Major, completely reorganized our library. Fiction and non-Fiction are now properly separated and the Non-Fiction assigned Dewey decimal system numbers. This was brought about when Annie Dillard gave us a donation to buy Science books. The fifth graders went along on a field trip to Seattle with Jackie and Leslie and helped select the books at a distribution warehouse in Everett, the University Book Store and Washington School Supply in Seattle. They also visited the Burke Museum on the University Campus and found an interesting Mexican restaurant to have lunch. It was truly a full and outstanding day.

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BEACH SCHOOL YET LIVES ! ! !

Thanks to the enthusiasm of its many benefactors whose communications helped to convince the School Board of our support and interest. As a result, the School Board decided to let the school stay open regardless of the outcome of the special levy election. And we put our votes where our mouths were when 70% of the Community voted in favor of the levy. No other area of the School District voted as favorable as we did, and over all, the levy failed by about 4 ½ %. This loss means many cuts in the district’s school programs, some of which will be at least partially restored since the Governor signed the State budget. But in any case, the part time positions of the Beach School teacher’s aides have been eliminated for next school year. The quality of education of our younger kiddies will be significantly deteriorated by the loss of these aides. True, when my mother was the Lummi Island teacher about 60 years ago, she had no teacher aides, nor did most of the teachers between. But even 15 to 20 years ago the world was a simpler place to live. Now the world has changed and we want our children and our Community to benefit from those changes and at the same time preserve the value that is Beach School. The children growing up today must have the opportunity to benefit from both the Island Community and the knowledge and techniques available. Many of us have decided to try to maintain the positions of the aides through private local subscription, but we will have to dig deep to do it, and we will need financial help from all friends of Beach School. We had a meeting last night (April 19), to get organized and had hoped to be able to ask for financial pledges in this forum today, but several legal and practical questions came up which will have to be resolved first. We hope to be able to come back to you in a couple of weeks through a special mailing to solicit your pledges. In the meantime, please be thinking about how much you can afford to donate to this cause. Think about all the school tax you voted for but won’t have to pay because of the levy failure. If you don’t pay much property tax, think about how rich you are and whether you have been paying your share of public education expenses and about how much this will benefit the kids during the first six years of their formal education. If you voted against the levy, please reconsider and think about pledging at least a fraction of what your school tax would have been.

It now appears that due to some resignations in the school districts there is a small amount of money yet to be allocated, so there is a slim chance we may get some help from the School District budget. But there is keen competition for that money and we will have to conduct a fast convincing campaign. We did it before, so why can’t we do it again? Negotiations with the School Board will be held next Tuesday afternoon, April 27th, and the budget will be made public on May 3rd, so try to get your letters to the Superintendent and Board in the mail by this coming Saturday noon. Convince them that our part-time school aides are a good financial bargain and that they are essential to the efficient and safe operation of the school, (It couldn’t hurt to remind them how we voted for the levy. Addresses are in last month’s Newsletter, or call me (Paul Davis), at the School.

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**Norman C. McDonald, an ex-Islander passed away quietly in the Island’s convalescent center ‑ Friday Harbor WA on March 29, 1976, at the age of 91. He came to Lummi Island in 1908 and left in 1941. He was father of Jerry McDonald of Lummi Island and Norman J. (Bud) McDonald of Durham, Calif. He was a Marine Engineer, Teacher, Farmer and Author. He can also be remembered as the “Skipper” of “Chief Kwina” in 1933 and 1934 when that little vessel not only served all of Lummi’s needs but also made two round trips per day to North Beach, Orcas Island. He was buried in the Waldron Island Cemetery at his request.

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WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY M/V WHATCOM CHIEF

RE‑ENGININING, OVERHALL AND

U.S. COASTGUARD DRYDOCK INSPECTION

1. LAST RUN of Whatcom Chief before dry-docking shall be at 9:10 pm MAY 9, 1976

2. No other service except emergency stand-by passenger service will be available until 6:50 am May 10, 1976.

3. Then limited hourly passenger service only from 6:50 am through 10:10 am, and 3:00 pm through 10:10 pm daily, May 10, 1976 through and including June 11, 1976.

4. The Whatcom Chief will be back on the regular run no later than 7:00 am Sat. June 12, 1976

5. Angle parking will be available on the South side of the County Road ONLY at Gooseberry Point for Island commuters leaving their vehicles on the Mainland. There will be NO PARKING on Fisherman’s cove property this year.

6. A night guard will be provided for vehicles left overnight at Gooseberry Point.

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