LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB
NEWSLETTER
October 20, 1976
COMMUNITY CLUB MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1976
POTLUCK DINNER 6:30 PM ……….MEETING 7:30 PM
PROGRAM: “CANDIDATES NIGHT” and EMT FILM “ACTION TO SAVE LIVES”
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With elections just around the corner, the Community Club is sponsoring “Candidates Night” for their next meeting on Wednesday, October 27, 1976, at the Grange Hall. Response to the invitations sent to all candidates indicates a full program, and all Islanders are invited to hear the various platforms and participate in a questions/answer period. Preceding the candidates, there will be a half-hour film on the EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) titled “Action to Save Lives”, which was filmed in Bellingham. It traces the EMT’s history from their inception in July, 1974, through the present time with paramedic trained personnel, modern equipment and a total system which involves all the volunteer fire departments of Whatcom County. Remember, the potluck will start earlier this time at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. so that the candidates may return to the mainland on the 10:00 ferry. Bring lotsa food as we will be feeding extra people!
At the last Community Club meeting in September, the membership voted to donate $400 to the Ambulance Equipment Fund for which there are matching funds. Approximately $1,600 is needed to complete the necessary equipment on the existing ambulance, and all equipment can be transferred to any new vehicle which may be purchased. The membership also voted to split the cost of 3 fire extinguishers which the Grange is purchasing for the Grange Hall. In addition, they voted to purchase four new tables for the Grange Hall.
An amendment to the Lummi Island Community Club By-Laws to be voted on at the next meeting reads as follows: “The fiscal year of the LICC should be from January lst to December 31st.” It now reads “The fiscal year of the LICC should be from the adjournment of the February general meeting until the adjournment of the next February general meeting”.
A proposal was made by the Board and passed by the membership of the LICC to increase dues from $2.00 to $3.00 per family and $2.00 for individuals. This increase in dues will be effective in 1977. Membership in LICC is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Younger people are encouraged to participate, but cannot have a vote.
The LICC Christmas party is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th this year. This has always been a festive occasion to which all Islanders are invited to share the Spirit of the Season. As this newsletter comes hot off the press, there is no chairman for this function. In order for plans to proceed, it is hoped that volunteers will donate their services at the Community Club meeting Wednesday night. More detail will follow at a later date.
With the end of the year approaching, it is time to start thinking of nominations for officers of the Community Club. The next meeting after October 27 will not be held until January (due to Thanksgiving & Christmas), at which time nominations will be accepted from the floor. Additional nominations and voting will take place at the February meeting. This is an opportunity for anyone with interest to step forward and be heard!
Just received word that the Engineers office has accepted the maps which were prepared for the County designating the proper names for roads on Lummi Island.
NEWS FROM THE GRANGE
The Whatcom County Grange Visitation was held at the Lummi Island Grange October 6th. Birch Bay Circle and Rome Granges put on the programs. Approximately 125 were in attendance. New Grange Members initiated in September were Rick & Jean Finney. Lummi Island was represented at Pamona Grange by three of their members at the Delta Grange on October 12th. They also attended the evening meeting there. The next regular scheduled Grange meeting will be October 20, 1976.
WHATCOM CHIEF NEWS
There are two new additions to the crew of the Whatcom Chief, Mike Move and Buffy Lapof. Both have put in a full shift, and are ready and able to handle their duties efficiently. Floyd Tuttle, Skipper, reports that his crew feels they are now ready to handle the “flu” season without becoming shorthanded.
AN INVITATION TO ALL ISLANDERS
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry McDonald will celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary with an Open House from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 20, at the Lummi Island Scenic Estates Clubhouse. Planning the event are Mike and Marcia E11inghoe, Bob & Kathy McDonald, Jim & Carol McDonald, and Gary McDonald.
LUMMI ISLAND ON TELEVISION
Seems Lummi Island was given some publicity on national television when a cameraman at the Seahawks – Green Bay Packers game in Milwaukee zoomed in on a banner in the cheering crowd reading “Go Seahawks! Lummi Is., Wash.” Wonder what Island fan that could have been? Rumor has it that it was one of those Grangers.
LINES BY LEHR
It would appear that the life of the Island has become somewhat uneventful … considering the explosive climate that existed during the early summer months. It could be the calm before the storm and it sorta compels one to warn any ensconced, unsuspecting administrative types along with all of the lesser self‑appointed guardians of our destiny that this apparent lethargy should not be misconstrued as a passive acceptance of their actions or inactions. The great Island capacity for vociferous protestations and self-determination is still there … even tho presently dormant. A point in question that is slowly simmering to a boiling point is the inactivity on the new ferry dock and the County’s apparent total insensitivity for the welfare and safety of the Islanders themselves. Wonder if they subscribe to this benign neglect in the hope that the Island will drift off over the horizon … or something!
Guess some people just cannot stand retirement as it gives them too much time to become aware of physical disturbances that they were too busy to notice before – like minor ailments such as small pox, leprosy, creeping crud and hangnails. It seems that Jerry McDonald was one of those types for as soon as he retired, his health went downhill real fast like. In fact, he almost slid outa sight and the medicos had a difficult time to keep from greasing the skids more until they found out what the trouble was. Guess his descent has been slowed to a crawl, however, and he even became somewhat ambulatory and‑sorta looks like he usta‑‑and that’s good, I think.
Bob Adema suffered another fall while playing nursemaid for his mother’s recuperation from her second knee operation. Guess both are sympathizing with each other and hoping that fate will be a mite kinder from now on.
MARINE EDUCATION SURVEY
The local Sea Grant office, along with the cooperation of the Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute, is interested in developing a series of short courses or workshops in marine education that best fit the needs & interests of commercial fishermen, boaters and other marine users.
As part of this effort, we would appreciate your assistance by considering the following partial list of classes. Please call, write or stop by their office if any of these ideas strike your fancy, or if you have additional suggestions. The address is 19 Harbor Mall, Bellingham; phone 676‑6429. Ask for Pete Granger or Bob Suggs.
The suggested courses are: Fishermen’s Navigation; Practical Business For Commercial Fishermen; Stream Enhancement Techniques – Whatcom/Skagit County; Marine Diesel Mechanics Trouble Shooting; Corrosion Control & Electrolysis Problems for Mariners; Sea Food Preparation for Consumers; Marine Hydraulics; Outboard Motor Repair & Trouble Shooting; Marine Engine (Gas) Trouble Shooting: Outdrive Repair & Trouble Shooting; First Aid For Fishermen; Life saving and Rescue; Troll Gear Technology; Fire Prevention & Extinction; Problems With Marine Ins.; History Of Commercial Salmon Fishing‑Whatcom/Skagit County; Fraser River Past & Present; Refrigeration
CRAFT CLUB NEWS
The Annual All‑Island Bazaar will be held Saturday, December 4, 1976, at the Grange Hall. As usual, all organizations are invited to participate as well as any individual who would like to do so. Reservations may be made by contacting Virginia Smith at 758‑7145.
MISSING CEMETERY GATE
The cemetery is finally getting the rest of its new fence, but the gate which has been stored and waiting behind the church seems to be missing. If anyone knows where it is now rusting, please contact Helen Granger, Maurine Melcher, or Lylene Johnson. The replacement comes out of your tax money, so let’s try to save a little.
LUMMI ISLAND “DOGS” BASKETBALL TEAM
David, Linda and Jennifer Sklar, of the Beach Store, are sponsoring a slow-break basketball team. The team, known as the “Dogs”, will be playing in Bellingham’s class “A” league. Our players will be Mike Moye, Mark Ross, Jackson Highly, Les Shanahan, Dick Dietz, Tim Wean, Mike Geller, Terry Moore, Ed Lowe, Bruce Douglas, Charlie Neilsen and James Healey. This looks like the creation of a championship team ‑‑‑ who knows, maybe Howard Cosell will be visiting Lummi Island? The league is scheduled to start October 25th, and games will be posted at the Beach Store when further information is known.
CREATIVE WRITING CLASS
Scheduled for mid-November is another creative writing class “How To Write Your Own Life History”, which will be lead by Leone Western. In addition to adults, the class will include 4th and 5th Beach School students. This will be the 3rd class of this type, and was scheduled because of the enthusiasm shown previously. A new edition of the instruction book “The Gold Key To Writing Life Histories” by Leone Western are available for $4.00 at both the Beach Store and Islander. If you are interested in signing up for the new class, please contact Leone at 758‑2160.
CIVIC CLUB MEETING
Civic Club met for the first winter meeting Thursday, October 14, at the Gus Johnson residence. Hostesses were Libba Johnson, Ivy Axtel, and Bess Paine. The “Buddy System” is being worked on to provide Islanders who are alone ‘ , elderly or ill with daily ‑contact with a neighbor. Anyone needing a “buddy” or would volunteer to be one, please call Lois Peterson, 758‑2405 evenings, or Libba Johnson, 758‑2562. Next meeting is scheduled for November 11, and all Island ‘Ladies are welcome.
T’was Halloween, the Night of Spooks, I stayed at home with my school books.
T’was Halloween, the Night of Ghosts, I laid in bed, ate jam and toast.
T’was Halloween, and the wind did blow as a pumpkin head hid a candle’s glow.
I did my English and did my math. T’was time for bed as I took a bath.
T’was Halloween, the Witches Feast. They fly on brooms from West to East.
They also travel from North to South; of this I heard from word‑of‑mouth.
I said my prayers and climbed in bed, and at my pillow I aimed my head.
T’was Halloween, the Night of Gouls. T’was also a night for frightened fools.
I heard a sound outside my door. The handle moved; I could look no more.
I covered my head pretending to sleep, and then I heard something start to creep.
My door slowly opened. Oh was I scared. I clutched what was closest, my ol’ teddy bear.
I closed my eyes tightly ‘cause I wouldn’t see that which was about to happen to me.
T’was Halloween night, but I wish I was gone. Oh where was Christmas and that Jingle Bell song.
The creeping got closer, and I started to sweat. I dare not swallow. Let them think I was dead.
Quiet was next, then a hand on my brow. It was then that I wish I could be a cow.
I prayed I could be taken away from all this. With that in mind, I felt a warm kiss.
I opened my eyes afraid what I’d see on this Halloween night, a night full of fright.
saw my mommy kissing me good night. ……………………………………………………….. D. Sklar
BEACH SCHOOL NEWS
OPEN HOUSE was enjoyed by children, parents, and visitors on October 12. Every family in school attended, and after a short PTA business meeting, the parents followed their children from place to place throughout the school simulating a regular school day and observing their children ‘in action’. Parents were seen consulting schedules to see where to go next, and one father groaning “When’s lunch time?”…just like his daughter does every day! Teachers brought goodies to eat.
P.T.A. and FRIENDS OF BEACH SCHOOLMEETING…TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 7:30 p.m.
A combined meeting of all parents of Beach School Children and Lummi Island Preschoolers, and all other interested persons. Sole purpose of this meeting is to assess our wishes and strengths regarding maintaining a school on our island. After last year’s levy scare… we wish to solidify our thinking and if possible seek ways to legally insure our status as a bona fide ‘needed’ school and institution of Lummi Island!
WORK DAY AT SCHOOL GROUNDS…Saturday November 6. 9:00 A.M. ‘till..???? Rescheduled
SATURDAY, 13th …IN CASE~OF_HARD RAIN).
This year, we would like to finish up some of those outside projects people keep talking about but never volunteer to do. It’s all very nice to notice things that need doing… but now let’s set aside the time (like we do on Spring cleanup) and get down to the school and DO IT! Jobs needing doing are: ditch fill‑in up of the tennis court; bang board built; backstop built; amphitheater begun; tree planting continued; bulbs put in, etc. So, all you school users, come on out whatever your age or persuasion. LUNCH … A REAL GOOD HOT ONE PROVIDED BY JEAN FINNEY AND HELPERS! Contact Jean (758‑2352) to donate or help on lunch and Terry Tyler (758‑2203‑) to be in a group of workers … or just BE THERE WITH YOUR GRUBBIES ON AND A GLEAM IN YOUR EYES.
HALLOWEEN PARTY,~SATURDAY OCTOBER 10. There will be booths with games and fun i if interested parents or friends will volunteer to build and man them..At any rate, there will be a costume parade and refreshments. The Greeley family has provided the apples for’ squeezing cider and the kids will be hard at it for 2 days previous. Decorating and booth set up will be at 9:00 a.m. that morning… if you or a group want to have a fun game, etc., please call Patty Gregory at 2167 or Patty Robinson at 2101.
A few minutes before lunch on Tuesday last week, a person walked into the busy math class at school, the children looked up, and a lusty loud spontaneous cheer went up from every child’s mouth and every child’s eyes shined with love, respect, and delight! No … it wasn’t Santa Claus … it was Mr. Lloyd Davis returning for his ‘classes’ each week. This quarter he teaches a class on the history of Lummi Island …. welcome back!
ISLAND CHURCH HAS A NEW ROOF
The church roof was recovered with new composition shingles in late September. Western Roofing of Bellingham did the work in less than 2 days during part of which time there was a heavy rain. Special contributions from many individuals and proceeds from a successful rummage sale provided nearly all the funds for the job. Our thanks to everyone who was involved. The next project is insulation for the inside stairway at the rear of t4e church, which hopefully will be underway this coming month.
Marilyn Manning of Bellingham and Bill Haslip from Alaska were married at noon, October 2nd, in the church sanctuary in the presence of a dozen friends and relatives. Marilyn said there is a prospect of their living on the Island eventually. They will be in Bellingham over this winter.
Dr. Donald M. Salmon of Anacortes conducted the October 17 service and will be in the Pulpit again on the 21st of the month and November 7. He was Carl Calhoun’s classmate in seminary in 1927 and is a minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has served many churches as interim minister in his retirement from full‑time work including most recently the First Christian Church of Bellingham. Dr. Lawrence Brewster, of Western Washington College, will conduct the service October 24. He is well known having assisted here over the past several years.
SPECIAL LEVY
Among the many items appearing on the Ballot on Lummi Island come November 2nd will be the following:
Proposition No. 1
WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 11 SPECIAL LEVY
Shall an excess tax levy be collected in 1978 of $15,000.00 requiring approximately
$1.16 per $1,000.00 assessed valuation for Whatcom County Fire Protection District
No. 11 for purchasing an ambulance and for maintenance and equipment.
Yes_________ No___________
The Fire Commissioners would like to explain why the special levy was put on the November ballot. Recently, the State has been in the process of updating the Rules & Regulations that govern the operation of voluntary Fire Department ambulances. These new rules will go into effect in January, 1977. At this time, our present emergency rescue vehicle (ambulance) will no longer meet the State code. We have been assured, however, that a moratorium will be imposed in regards to our vehicle giving us time to come up with a new vehicle that will meet the State standards. Early last Spring, the Lummi Island Fire Commissioners became aware of this situation. Many meetings have since been devoted to the subject of a vehicle replacement. Several alternatives are available as a solution. At this writing, however, none has been selected as the best solution; especially until funds are made available.
There is a very good chance that we will be able to receive a 50% matching grant to help purchase a new ambulance through the State Office of Emergency Services. An adequate new ambulance costs between $16,000.00 and $17,000.00, which could be purchased through the proposed levy and a matching grant. Radio equipment runs in excess of $4,000.00. If we are not able to obtain matching money, we could possibly get a new van and build our own ambulance. There is also the possibility we might purchase a used ambulance and update it to meet the new code. There are also other alternatives.
If the voters do not feel that we should have the capabilities to transport patients, our other alternative is to maintain an aid only system. In this case, when an emergency is called, the Bellingham‑Whatcom County ambulance would be dispatched. At the same time, our Lummi Island EMT’s would be dispatched. Our EMT’s would perform all of the duties that they now do to stabilize the patients before they are ready for transportation to a hospital. They would then wait until the unit from Bellingham arrives. This could be as long as 25 mins.
Proposition No. 1 earmarks $12,000.00 for purchasing an ambulance that meets new State regulations, so that the Department can continue to transport emergency patients; and $3,000.00 for needed maintenance and equipment for the Fire Department.
The approximate $1.16 per thousand evaluation would not be collected until 1978. The County has assured us they can loan the Department money on the basis of the passed Special Levy to move toward the purchase of a replacement vehicle next year.
After considerable study, we urge you to vote for Proposition No. l. We will then be in the position to pursue what we feel to be in the best interest of the residents of Lummi Island. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
Commissioners
Lummi Island Fire Department
(Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 11)
The Lummi Island Fire Commissioners are elected by the voters and serve six year terms. The present Commissioners are Vern Hawley, Jerry Anderson and Si Eldred. The decision to put the Special Levy on the ballot was also concurred on by several other Islanders who attended the Commissioners meetings.
PROUD PARENTS
Sally Hudson gave birth to a 7 lb. 1 oz. baby boy at St. Josephs Hospital on Sunday, October 17, 1976 at 3:00 p.m. Proud father handing out cigars is Rich Hudson celebrating his sons’, Richard Granger Hudson, birth.