Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 1977/10

LUMMI ISLAND COMMMUNITY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

October 19, 977

COMMUNITY CLUB MEETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1977

POTLUCK DESSERT ‑‑ 7:00 PM GENERAL MEETING ‑7:30‑PM

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TUESDAY, OCTOBIER 25, 7:30 PM P.T.A. Meeting, Beach School

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7:30 PM LICC Meeting, Grange Hall

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 7:30 PM Halloween Party, Beach School

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7:30‑9:00 PM Open House, Beach School

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Newsletter Deadline, Beach Store

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The next general meeting of the Community Club will have a potpourri agenda and it does promise. to be full of spicy tidbits; something of interest for everyone. All Islanders are welcome and a special invitation is extended to new residents to come and get acquainted with your neighbors and the Island community. This will be the last meeting until January when nominations will be made for next year’s Board members and club officers. The next Community Club function will be their annual Christmas party with further details supplied in the November/December issue of the Newsletter. There will not be the usual potluck dinner held at the October meeting, but a dessert potluck starting at 7:00 PM followed by the general meeting at 7:50 PM. Could prove to be a very “sweet” and entertaining evening.

– – Gerri Neuman, Vice Pres.

DUES DUE‑‑NEW POLICY

The frost will be on the pumpkin soon and it is time to start reminding you that Lummi Island Community Club 1978 memberships start on January 1. It is especially important to get your dues paid early this time. First, you will want to exercise your political clout in voting for new officers and board members in February (only members vote), but perhaps more important to you, the Newsletter next year will be mailed only to those who have paid dues or a donation. So in addition to your money, it is essential that we have your exact name and address. When you move, please send us your new address when you move each time. Our system is not sophisticated enough to store your anticipated moves . for 2 or 3 months hence.

Next year, it will cost us about $2.50 for each subscription. (That is down slightly because of improved arrangements with our editor). That is why we increased the dues to $3 this year and will limit the mailing to members and donors next year. It is none too soon to get out your checkbook now while you are thinking about it. There will be very few reminders between now and when you will be wondering why you aren’t getting the Newsletter. You must sign up by January to get the February Newsletter. – – Paul Davis, Treas.

OLD FERRY DOCK WILL HAVE NEW FACE

After several weeks of letters, phone calls and community meetings, the fate of the old ferry dock looks bright. A decisive meeting on Monday, Oct. 10, found over 150 Islanders voting for or against the dock becoming a “park.” The final vote: 110 favored the “park” and 42 opposed it. The Board of Directors of Whatcom County Parks voted Tuesday, Oct. 11, to acquire the dock from the Road Department.

Roger DeSpain has since asked for a group of 4‑5 from the Island to work with the Parks Dept. in “Brainstorming” sessions to come up with ideas on the development of the dock. Since it will be a Community Park, it is DeSpain’s desire that the community decide what the “park” wi11 include. This group* will be composed of David Dickenson, Cathy Luke, Harold & Gladys Long, and will take ideas from all concerned Islanders and come up with different alternatives for the “Park”. Some ideas already are: fishing pier, time limit moorage, picnic tables and benches. *Also, Jerry Anderson and Marvin Burger,

It will obviously be repaired; in necessary places and guard rails placed where needed. A favorable note is the cost factor; had the County torn down the dock, the cost could easily have exceeded $35,000. DeSpain feels the cost to preserve, repair and maintain the dock will be approximately $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the extent of improvements.

I hope the community will relay any ideas to me or any other committee member mentioned above. Please let us know your thoughts so as to make this “park” designed for the Community, by the Community. Thank you, – – Cathy Luke, LICC Board

FIRE DISTRICT NEWS

The October meeting of the Fire Commissioners was mainly concerned with discussion on the 1978 budget, which has now been approved. Many thanks to former Secretary, Lou Schuller, for her help.

There have been no fire calls during the last period and only one aid call, which was on Oct. 12 for Maurine Melcher. She was transported to St. Joseph’s Emergency Room.

The Fire Dept. is grateful for recent donations to the Ambulance Fund in memory of Jennie Clapper and Helen Granger, as well as other donations for services.

Report from Chief Bill Hawley: “I would like to express my appreciation to the people, who worked on the Fire Hall clean-up and paint project Sat., Oct. 1. I also wish to thank all the people of Lummi Island and visitors for getting us through the very dry season. Your concern and carefulness resulted in a summer free from loss by fire for which we can be very thankful. – – Jackie Gaines,‑Secretary.

WANTED: VOLUNTEERS TO TRY OUT THE NEW FERRY DOCK

Your friendly neighborhood sidewalk supervisor wishes to pass along a few observations about the new dock. It isn’t as if we expect all the construction crew to have degrees in mechanical engineering or even to stay awake most of the day, but ‘is it too much to expect them to understand the operation of the mechanism they are assembling? For example there is a disc brake on the shaft of the motor that runs the ramp up and down. This is a fail‑safe brake that clamps tight when the motor is off or there is a power failure so that the ramp won’t slip down from its own weight. (The two big screws have very little friction.). Fail‑safe, but not foolproof. They wanted to raise the ramp a little (before the power was hooked up) to take the weight off the two 3‑inch diameter steel pins that will lock the ramp during traffic loads. This was so they could attach the linkages that will push the pins in and out when Buffy pulls on the lever. There is a special transmission attached to raise the ramp by hand or with a portable electric motor. But they didn’t seem to understand that the brake was clamped tight – even after we tried to explain it to them. Their solution, of course, was to get a bigger wrench and struggle for an hour, taking turns, to raise the ramp 1/8 inch – slipping the brake all the way. This is like driving your car with the parking brake on. Our nice new disc brake shows the marks of that day’s wear and tear. But of course, they still couldn’t get the pins out because o the very small clearance between the pins and the holes in the hangers This. is the designer’s fault. We worried about this quite vocally several weeks earlier when we first saw the mechanism. The hangers must swing to and fro slightly as the ramp goes up and down, and the slightest misalignment will make it absolutely impossible for human flesh to push the pins in. Of course, this wouldn’t bother Mike too much because he can bend 3 inch steel with his bare hands. They finally took the hangers out and sent: them back to the shop – we presume to enlarge the holes. We are a bit worried about when winter ice jams this mechanism.

Our confidence was further shaken while we were watching them install the limit switches. A limit switch is to turn the big motor off when some part of the mechanism has come to the end of its normal travel. They didn’t know what each switch was for or what part of the mechanism was supposed to activate it. We tried to help, but you know how construction crews react to suggestions from passersby. And we would feel more secure if the electrician had used a good grade of chewing gum to hold his pipe clamps to the concrete. The short pins he used are popping out all over the place. That chunk of concrete he knocked off may indicate something about the quality of the pre-cast concrete parts too! The way the thing is wired now, if some kid comes along and pushes the down button while the safety pins are in, there is some question about whether the chain will be forced off the sprocket and the whole ramp will fall into the water. “That won’t happen very often” was a comment from a Manson expert.

May of the big bolts that are cast into the concrete are too short for the nuts to screw on. For example, the bolts that hold the main hinges of the ramp. On some of them the nuts go. on only about one’ turn. They tack-welded some of them to hold them on. This ‘Occurs over and over on many parts of the dock. It looks like somebody didn’t allow for the thickness of the nuts. We sincerely hope that all of the nuts hold.

One of our favorite guessing games is to try to figure out where the next piling is going to go. Haven’t been too successful, but there must be some sort of pattern to it. Is it true that Floyd has been practicing holding a raw egg between the ferry and the dock?

We haven’t talked to a single person who thinks that enough big rocks were used around the edge of the fill – or a single person who doesn’t think that we ought to keep the old dock in working condition for a year. Volunteers, please wear crash helmets, leather jackets, and water wings!

We understand that there will be a few comments elsewhere in those pages about unconfined dogs. It is unfortunate that a few dog owners allow their mutts to give a bad name to all of dogdome. We don’t mind bite-sized doggies or well behaved pooches, but when a monster rushes out at a passerby like he hadn’t eaten a human leg all day, something should be done. We personally don’t think a pet dog should be confined to small area, but as always, a few bad ones will ruin it for all. What has your dog been doing today? – – Peggy’s Pal

PERSONAL

During Maurine Melcher’s recent illness, the Driftwood Cove family has had several, visits from son John Melcher (now of Houston, Texas). Her sister, Dorothy House of Reno, Nevada, has stayed to help care for her during recuperation; a cousin, Chris Lade of Seattle, has visited; and Velma Green of Seattle, Barbara’s mother, who came after the first surgery, is again helping with her care.

Maurine and the Jackie Gaines family join in expressing appreciation and many “thank yous” for all the concern and kindnesses extended to our household during the recent illness. We thank all of our neighbors-friends, near and far, for the sincere prayers, well wishes, good thoughts, calls and visits; for the many beautiful plants and flower arrangements that arrived at the beginning and are still coming. Thank you for the showers of cards, inspirational booklets and warm personal notes. We appreciate also the beautiful gifts from individuals and groups, the gifts of food and goodies, the kind thoughtful services, arrangements for transportation, the taking over of community duties, the help with outside chores, garden work, household projects; the many trips and answers to calls f or persona attention and help. Thanks too f or a surprise load: of wood which came in the “nick” of time. And we are most grateful for our Ambulance and the T.L.C. of our E.M.T.’s. Thank you ‑ everyone! – – Maurine Melcher

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR LUMMI ISLAND BECOMMING A REALITY

The Land Use Steering Committee spent all day Oct. 6 interviewing Planners Interested in helping us prepare a Comprehensive Plan for our Island. We were impressed by all 5 finalists and learned a lot about planning during the Interviews. A local Bellingham planner, Jim Arthur, who has a number of other people lined up to help him and us with specific problems as we go along, was selected. The entire venture is being financed by a grant from the Coastal Zone Management Fund, a State run Federally financed program to aid planning &,development of coastal zones. The County has to provide matching funds or services to qualify for the grant, and that is where we come in. Those who volunteer their time on this project will be donating part of the matching services. Our first task is to formalize our Steering Committee. All past Steering Committee members &,those interested in serving in the future should attend our first meeting with our Planner on Tues., Oct. 25, 7:30 PM in the Grange Hall. We will be discussing our goals for the planning project, dividing up tasks, and establishing the formal Steering Committee. Hope everyone who is interested will come with ideas to share, – – Judy Bush

FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM ART & HELEN PABOR

Art and Helen Pabor are in the process of turning the Marina over to new owners and are starting. out on a vacation. They would like to thank their many friends on Lummi Is. for their warmth and friendliness, and wonder full generosity that has helped make their sojourn here so very pleasant. There is no forwarding address at present, but Jerry Anderson will have it when it is available, and it is hoped Islanders will come visit when a home is again established. – – Helen Pabor

BEACH SCHOOL NEWS

P.T.A.‑Meeting., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 7:30 PM COME OUT & MEET THE SCHOOL BQARD CANDIDATES!

HALLOWEEN PARTY?? Sat., Oct. 29, 7:30 PM. No one has volunteered to coordinate this event yet, so we may have to just get together and have some apple cider and visit. If you have ideas for booths, etc., hang on to them in case someone calls and says they’ll head it up; otherwise..?? Be sure to be working on your costume just in case!

OPEN HOUSE, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7:30 ‑ 9:00 PM. THIS IS A CHANCE FOR ALL THE ISLANDERS WHETHER THEY HAVE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL OR NOT TO COME ON DOWN AND GO ALL THROUGH THE SCHOOL AND SEE HOW THINGS LOOK. IT IS INTERESTING THROUGH THE YEARS, TO NOTICE THAT EVEN THOUGH THINGS IN EDUCATION SEEM TO CHANGE A LOT, THE TRIED AND TRUE OLD WAYS ARE OFTEN HELD ON TO YEAR AFTER YEAR. SO COME ON OUT AND JUST WALK AROUND & LOOK THINGS OVER…THIS IS YOUR SCHOOL & YOU ARE AS WELCOME AS WE ARE THANKFUL! BRING A FRIEND!

Recent happenings at Beach School. : Emphasis on Dental Nutrition Week .. the week before Halloween treats; Skating party in Ferndale another great, success with the kids getting pretty fancy on their feet;. Brand spanking now spelling books for everyone from 1st to 5th..and cheering you’d have thought we were passing out money!; 2nd graders reading thicker and thicker books! Paul Davis showing the kids sun spots through a very special binocular set up while constantly warning them to never do this on their own (like looking at the sun straight on); Jim Hanrahan demonstrating and explaining the concept of “camera obscura” in a completely blacked out gym; Prisms..eclipses..Energy experiments..it’s been busy!

Many thanks go to lots of Islanders for wonderful gifts again! ~ Dale Brock gave us a whole big box chock full of all kinds of balls ‑ and a all of them inflated already – bless you, sir! Ray.& Lou Schuller not only gave us set of World Book Encyclopedia, but even the bookcase….wow! Marian Burger gifted the kids with a box of various sized geometric shapes that interlock for building a myriad number of designs..those kinds of things that keep fingers and brains really busy; thanks so much. Hope everyone gets by for at least a few minutes on Open House night to see what the kids have done with all these goodies!

ISLAND SYMPATHY EXTENDED IN LOSS OF TWO ISLAND RESIDENTS

The Island has recently felt the loss of two residents, Helen Granger and Charlie Morisset. We extend our sincere sympathy to both families from your Island neighbors and friends. – – Editor

NEW OWNERSHIP AT VILLAGE POINT MARINA

Village Point Marina and Coffee Shop are under new ownership as of October. The business has been purchased from Art & Helen Pabor by a local corporation that plans to keep both the coffee shop & marina open year round. Further details will be forthcoming concerning the business.

CIVICCLUB NEWS

Civic Club met at Scenic Estates for their first meeting Oct. 13. The next meeting will be Nov. 10 at the home of Libba Johnson – – Lois Peterson

OPINIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS NEWSLETTER DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, OR MEMBERS OF THE LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB. – – EDITOR

ATTENTION: DOG OWNERS

ALL COUNTY DOGS NEED I.D. (WHATCOM COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE WCC 5.40.010)

Section 4: It shall be unlawful to own, keep, or harbor a dog over 3 months of age within the unincorporated areas of W.C. unless an I.D. tag for the animal is procured as provided by this ordinance. The name, current address and telephone number of the dog’s owner or keeper shall appear legibly on the tag. Such tag must be worn by the dog at all times when off the owner’s or keeper’s premises.

Section 5 ‑ Violations

A. Control of dogs ‑‑ It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper to allow any dog to:

1. Enter upon private or public property, and cause damage to or destroy any improvements on real property or personal property.

2. Chase,..run after or jump at vehicles, including bicycles on the public roads highways, sidewalks, and other public ways.

3 Snap, growl, snarl, jump at or upon, or otherwise threaten persons using sidewalks, streets, alleys or other public ways.

5.. Run in packs (three or more dogs.)

6. A female dog in heat to be at large. Such animal must be humanly confined in a clean, dry enclosure.

13. Chase, bite or harass livestock or other domestic animals, except for herdi.ng purposes.

Section 6.

A. Animals may be seized and impounded under circumstances as follows:

1. When committing any of the offenses defined in Section 5A.”

4. When sick or injured and not in custody or control of the owner or keeper.

5. When running at large without an identification tag as required by Section,5..

Any dog impounded in violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to these CASH FEES:

1. Ten Dollar $10.00 impound Fee.

2.. An I.D. tag must be procured before animals can be released.

3. Two Dollar ($2.00) per day boarding charge after the first 24 hours of impoundment.

4. These fees must be paid when redeeming the dog or cat.

5. Any dog not claimed within 72 hrs. of time of impoundment may be sold or destroyed.

The owner or keeper of any dog impounded and/or in violation of the Ordinance may also be issued a Court Citation. . .

Douglas County Commissioners are considering a new dog control ordinance that would levy larger and larger fines on owners whose are dogs are repeatedly caught running loose. “A dog license is just a registration. A lot of people believe if their dog is licensed he’s free to run where he wants to, and that’s not true” stated one commissioner.

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1978 LUMM1 ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB MEMBERSHIP COUPON

“:Dues are $3.00 per family. $2.00 for ‘singles

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

Street City Sate Zip

Amount enclosed $_____________including Dues ;$_______________,Donation $_________________

Ma1l to: Lummi Island Community Club, P.O. Box 163; Lummi Island, WA.98262

L UMM I ISLAND COMMUNITY CLUB BULK RATE .

LUMMI ISLAND,.WA. 98262 U.S. POSTAGE .

PAID .

LUMMI IS., WA. 98262

PERMIT NO. 2 .

RESIDENT

LUMMI ISLAND, WA. 98262

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