Our Lummi Island Community

Tome 2010/04

The Tome Of Lummi Island
Volume XLV No. 4
April 2010

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Community Association Meeting – Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Potluck Dinner – – – 6:30 PM

Program and Business Meeting – – – 7:15 PM

Program: Mark Twain and the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

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C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S________

LI Volunteer Firefighter Training ………………………………………………… 1, 2 & 3 Thursdays 7:00 PM

Elderberries – Fun & Games for Seniors– Church ………………………….. Every Wednesday 10 AM to 3 PM

Island Church & Sunday School – 758-2060………………………………. Every Sunday 10:30 AM

Food Pantry (Parish Nurses) –Church ………………………………… 1st & 3rd Thursday 11 AM to 1 PM

Island Chapel – Grange Hall ……………………………………………………… Every Sunday 9:30 AM

AA Meeting – Church basement …………………….…………….…… Every Monday 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Beach School Spring Book Fair – Used Book Sale – School Hours …. Apr 23 – 28

Starting Your Garden – A Hands-on Experience – 2620 N Nugent …… Apr 24 Saturday 10:00 AM

Island Library Spring Cleanup – Inside and Outside – Burn Pile ……. Apr 25 Sunday 1 to 4 PM

Boys & Girls Club Board Meeting – at the Club ……………………………… Apr 27 Tuesday 6:30 PM

Beth Hudson’s 90th Birthday Open House – Her House – Cards Only .. Apr 28 Wednesday 2 to 4 PM

LICA POTLUCK DINNER MEETING —Grange Hall ..………….… Apr 28 Wednesday 6:30 / 7:15 PM

Beach School Literature Alive Open House …………………………… Apr 28 Wednesday, , 6:30 PM

Garden Expo by Civic Club – Grange Hall ..…………………..……… May 1 Saturday 9:30 AM to 1 PM

FOIL Photo Forum, Island Library …………………………………… May 1 Saturday 10:00 AM

Lummi Island Players Society – Library …………………….………… May 2 Sunday 2:30 PM

Lummi Island Conservancy Board – Library …………………………………. May 2 Sunday 7:30 PM

Recycle Pickup – Your House ……………………………………………………… May 3 Monday morning

Lummi Island Gardeners Network – Fire Hall – All Welcome ……….. May 3 Monday 6:00 PM

Cemetery Board – Library …………………………………………..… May 3 Monday 7:00 PM

Grange Meeting ……Social @ 6:30 PM ……………………….…….. May 5 Wednesday 7:00 PM

Ferry Fueling Day (Alternate Thursdays at Gooseberry Point) …………. May 6 Thursday 12:30 to 1:20 PM

Composting Clinic – Curry Preserve, 2449 N. Nugent ………………… May 8 Saturday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Tuscan Feast at the Grange by the Grange – for Everyone ….…… May 8 Saturday 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Friends of Island Library ……………………………………………… May 10 Monday 7:30 PM

Community Land Trust Board meeting …………………………………………. May 11 Tuesday 7:00 PM

Fire Commissioners Meeting — Fire Hall—Open to Public ……..…… May 11 Tuesday 7:00 PM

Beach School PTO — Beach School ………………….…….………… May 12 Wednesday 6:45 PM

LICA Board of Directors — Library ………………………………….. May 12 Wednesday 7:30 PM

Civic Club – Church Fellowship Room ………………………………………… May 13 Thursday 10:00 AM

The Tome Deadline ………………………………………………………………. May 14 Friday 11:00 PM

Bird Walk the Baker Trail With Clark Blake – Meet at Otto Preserve .. May 15 Saturday 6:30 AM

Recycle Pickup — Your house ………………………………………. May 17 Monday morning

PLIC Meeting – Grange Hall …………………………………………. May 19 Wednesday 6:30 PM

Ferry Fueling Day (Alternate Thursdays at Gooseberry Point) …………. May 20 Thursday 12:30 to 1:20 PM

Beach School Jog-a-thon ………………………………………………. May 21 Friday

FOIL Photo Forum, , Island Library …………………..……………… May 23 Sunday 1:00 PM

Memorial Day Studio Tour ……………………………………………. May 29 & 30

TENTATIVE Dry Dock Dates – Subject to Change …………………. Sept 8 to Sept 29 Details later

Post Office Hours Mon-Fri 7:45 AM to 3:15 PM; Sat 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Boxes 24 hours) 758-2320

Library hours Tuesday & Thursday 2:30 to 8:30 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM 758-7145

Grange Hall Rent contact: Leslie Dempsey – Cell 206-818-9500

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Mark Twain and the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County – – ed

Our program at next Wednesday’s (April 28) Potluck Dinner Meeting will be the irreverent Mark Twain who will return to his beloved Lummi Island for an appearance with many old friends. He will present a story about “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Come and enjoy the keen wit an incisive satire of this great American story teller! Oh – his friend Angus McLane will accompany him.

Following Mr. Twain’s program we will have our usual LICA business meeting. Door prizes will be $5 for some Lummi Islander in the Hall and $90 for a Tome subscriber if s/he is in the Hall at the time of the drawing. Last month, Sheila Marshall deposited her $10 (including the $5 Joan Moye won in February and left in the pot) to the LICA Scholarship Fund, but Victoria Souze and Barry Herman weren’t there to collect their $85. We add $5 to the cumulative door prize each meeting until some loyal Tome subscriber claims it.

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” – Mark Twain

ISLAND RAINFALL

APRIL

Last year

 
 

Westshore Farm Hayfield

3.18”

2.78”

(Sheila & Al Marshall)

 

North Tuttle Lane

2.95”

2.48”

(Nancy Simmerman)

 

South Tuttle Lane

2.75” e

2.40” e

(Wynne Lee)

 

South Nugent

3.95”

3.20”

(Jerry Brown)

 

Otto Preserve

n/a” e

2.95” e

(Paul Maier)

 

Scenic Estates

3.25”

3.62”

(Darlene Stoffer)

Note: The small letter “e” indicates electronic gauges.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN — Plans for Building Permits. unCommon Sense Design/Luther Allen 758-2019

WEBSITE DESIGN AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, Nancy Swanson, Ph.D. 758-4277

CLEAR PERSPECTIVE WINDOW CLEANING Wade Vander Yacht 758-7992

WANT TO BUY: Small Pickup, Elyptical Trainer, Riding Mower- Good Shape and Price 758-7180

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, Bridal Bouquets etc. brujabotanicals.com 758-4277

ERIK’S LANDSCAPING Professional pruning, installation, renovation and maintenance. 758-7105

ALUMINUM CAN-RECYCLING by the Grange. Bins located in Grange parking lot. Thank you.

$10 MONEY TEN MONEY $10 – – ed

Last month’s winners of the $10 Certificate hidden in one copy of The Tome were Loyal Tome subscribers Boyd & Renee Barry. Boyd said to return his $10 to the LICA Treasury for any forgotten past subscription fees. Now Boyd can sleep easy with a clear conscience.

Each month we hide a Certificate redeemable for $10 cash in one copy of the Tome. Only Tome subscribers on Lummi Island are eligible for this cash bonanza.

PIE SOCIAL KUDOS – – Kari Southworth

Thanks to all of you who helped make the Boy’s & Girl’s Club Pie Social a very successful event. Many of you donated your homemade pies and other goods, and your time. Many of you attended the Social and enjoyed those homemade pies and the good company of neighbors in support of our Club. Thanks again to all who helped make this a great day!

SECOND ANNUAL EDIBLE GARDEN TOUR – – Randy Smith

The Beach School Foundation’s Second Annual Edible Garden Tour will be held Sunday July 18.

Last year we had 13 gardens on the tour. We know there are many more vegetable gardens out there that should be on the tour. Several people turned us down last year because they felt their gardens weren’t “good enough”. But the point of the tour is not to feature just showplace gardens. What we are trying to do with this event (in addition, of course, to raising money for Beach School) is to encourage people to start growing vegetables and to demonstrate that there are many, many ways to do it.

We’d like to have a wide variety of gardens: tiny gardens, container gardens, veggies grown in flower beds, front yard gardens, raised bed gardens, unkept gardens that still produce food, as well as big gardens. We would like to showcase the complete spectrum of vegetable gardens from small to large.

So if you would like to participate in this charitable event (or suggest someone whose garden should be on the tour) please contact Randy Smith at 2130 or aubreypub@mac.com.

Time commitment will be two to three hours depending on whether you are in the morning or afternoon session. And, you’ll get a one of a kind T-shirt!

If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

LUMMI ISLAND GARDENERS NETWORK – – Ginny Winfield

Lummi Island Gardeners Network had its first meeting on April 5 and will hold future meetings the first Monday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Fire Hall. Our topics for the May 3 meeting are: Deer Proof Gardening, and Soil-“The Real Dirt”. Please arrive on time. We are an informal group and welcome all – aspiring, challenged and experienced. For info call Ginny @ 758-2663.

Island Chapel News – – Louise Kolstad

Chris is in the planning stages for several family and kid camps this summer. This summer another Family Camp is planned at Liberty, Washington. Some of the activities will include horseback riding, 4-wheeling, mountain biking and gold mine exploring. Another day trip is in the planning for Clark Island this summer. Also in the planning is a camp for kids and families to Mount St. Helens. Some of the activities for this camp will include spelunking, climbing, mountain biking and swimming. Check later for dates or call Chris if you have questions.

Chris continues his class, “Introduction to Systematic Theology” which is a systematic approach to understanding the doctrines of the Bible. It meets Sunday evenings from 5 to 8 PM at the Fire Hall. If you would like to join the class—be there at 5 PM.

About 20-25 meet for youth group (grades 6-12) at the Letchworth’s on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM for dinner and fellowship. If you have questions, call Lisa Letchworth or Chris Immer.

Island Chapel, a non-denominational church, meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the Grange Hall; Sunday school is provided for children. If you are interested in a Bible study, call Wendell Terry (758-7432) about the men’s study that meets Monday evenings. Candy Jones (647-1411) leads the women’s study Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM or 6:30 PM.

Call Chris if you need any help with a project or want spiritual help (296-4963). Island Chapel board members: Wendell Terry, Dave Jones, Jerry McRorie and Mel Kolstad as alternate. Pastor: Chris Immer

The goal of my life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am.

Grange News – – Louise Kolstad, Secretary

The second phase of Sprucing up the Grange has begun. The list for “sprucing” includes: fixing and painting the front door, clean and refinish cabinets in the entryway; clean and paint the fireplace front, refinish the floors with a hard finish, shelving for pots and pans in the lower cupboard, replace broken doors and cabinets in the kitchen; sand and refinish the island countertop in the kitchen; add vertical dividers in cabinet above double oven; paint wood to match cabinets, replace both doors leading to the deck, and fix linoleum seams in the floor in the dining room and entry. A new 65 gallon hot water tank has been purchased and installed.

Two $500 scholarships were awarded to Ian Dempsey and Peggy Holstein.

Mark your calendar for the Tuscan Feast at the Grange on May 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A new menu this year features Chicken Cacciatore w/Spaghetti or Vegetarian Lasagna, Antipasto Salad, Garlic Bread, and Rhubarb Cake. Cost will be the same as last year: $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years of age.

Grange members continue to volunteer at the Beach School. If you would like to help, call Jon Fincke or Judy Thomas.

If you would like to attend the next Grange meeting, come to the Grange Hall May 5 at 6:30 PM for a social time followed by the meeting starting at 7 PM.

Officers for this year are Leslie Dempsey, President; Mel Kolstad, Vice President; Pat Moye, Treasurer; and Louise Kolstad, Secretary. Bob Auld, Steward; Candy Jones & Sharon Smith, Chaplin.

“People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing” – Will Rogers

BEACH SCHOOL NEWS – – Judy Tomas, School Manager

The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (Melissa Roberts, Wanda Cucinotta) has invited Beach School to assist in its clam survey and restoration projects near the ferry dock and at Blizard Beach. It is only fitting that we protect, restore, and maybe enhance our shorelines. The school appreciates the opportunity for our students to learn to be stewards of their Island home. We’re continuing our science studies with a visit from an Oregon State University entomologist on Earth Day, April 22.

Important Beach School dates: Wednesday, April 28, 6:30 PM is our Literature Alive Open House. Come see student art; handmade books and read original poems, stories, and essays. Friday, April 23 begins the annual Jog-a-thon Fundraiser, so expect students to contact you. They actually run on May 21. Our Spring Book Fair is April 22 – 28, so if you’d like summer reading for grandkids, nieces and nephews, come to school during the day to browse and purchase. All proceeds go just to our library.

We are having more problems with dog poo. If you see anyone on the playground with a dog, please remind them that it’s their responsibility to clean up the dog’s mess.

When Insults Had Class: “He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” – Billy Wilder

PLIC REPORT – – Stuart Rich

At the recent County Forum, Councilman Sam Crawford announced that we should expect to pay higher ferry fares and accept a reduced ferry schedule with the new lease. Any drastic change in the operations or cost of the ferry would upset the lives of Islanders and change our community permanently. PLIC advocates for a long term Gooseberry lease, affordable fares and full ferry service.

The current lease negotiations are being conducted in a manner that serves only the interests of Whatcom County government and Lummi Nation. Island and mainland citizens have been kept in the dark, with no regular or meaningful County updates. PLIC is concerned that our voices are being silenced by a secretive process which hinders public scrutiny and cooperative community input. We believe that the County should take the community’s input during the critical points of the negotiations.

The Gooseberry ferry was placed in jeopardy by serious legal mistakes and lack of attention to the details of the old lease by Whatcom County. Instead of a guaranteed 25 year lease extension at arbitrated fair market rental value, we have an interim agreement which could end on any given month. PLIC members will continue to closely monitor the complicated negotiations and express the community’s need for affordable and regular ferry service.

Last month over a 100 island residents and homeowners joined PLIC, a non-profit community organization of volunteers. By joining PLIC you can help expand PLIC’s outreach and capabilities. Let’s move forward together now to protect our community.

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.” – Thomas Morell

Garden Expo May 1st – – Pat Moye Garden Expo Chair

The Lummi Island Civic Club has planned a Lollapalooza of a Garden Expo to be held May 1 at the Grange Hall from 9:30 AM to 1 PM.

The kitchen will open at 9:30 AM with fresh baked pastries and hot coffee for your dining pleasure. The plant sale, retail and information booths will open at 10 AM until 1 PM.

Our lineup of information booths includes Lucy Loosestrife (sponsored by Heritage Trust) who will help us rid the Island of noxious weeds. The Lummi Island Watershed Enhancement Committee will give you information about landscaping to protect and enhance watershed and marine waters. Tree Frog Farm will have information on native plants. LI Conservancy will cover gardening to attract wildlife and Randy Smith (famous Island Gardener extraordinaire) will answer questions on vegetable gardening.

There will also be a Booth (thanks to Cheryl Kinsley) staffed by a number of Master Gardeners that will be available to answer all you questions and help identify plants and problems that you may have.

We have a wonderful schedule of presentations. A team of Master Gardeners will present “Growing your Groceries” beginning at 11 AM with Soil Preparation, 11:20 Growing Vegetables and 11:40 Insects and other Pests. You are encouraged to attend all three as they go together. There will be time to ask questions. Our Friends from Tree Frog Farm Diana Pepper, John Robinson with the assistance of Meredith Moench will present “Butterfly, Birds and Bees, Oh My!” at noon. They will discuss using native plants to encourage and nurture winged wildlife.

We have a huge amount of plants to sell thanks to the mild early spring weather. The retail booths will have something to offer just about everyone including, shell wreaths, exquisite hanging birds houses, garden art, garden furniture and water catchment systems and those famous fresh baked cinnamon rolls like last year will be back in the kitchen!

“It is man’s destiny to ponder on the riddle of existence.” – C.F. Kettering

NEW LUMMI ISLAND PHONE BOOKLET – – ed

Later this year your Community Association plans to publish a new Lummi Island phone booklet. To prepare for this I plan to send out, in a month or so, a draft version of the list by e-mail to everyone on Brown Betty’s route for proof reading, additions, deletions etc. You may want to delete an obsolete listing, add a cell number, add a spouse’s name, list your business. If last names are different, we list both names separately.

If you are not on Brown Betty’s list you might want to consider joining up so that you can receive this benefit. Also, remember that every Tome subscriber on Lummi Island will receive a gratis copy of the booklet when it is published – if I have your US mail address. Brown Betty lives at:

thetome@lummiislandcable.comWe will be contacting advertisers for the limited number of advertizing spaces available in the booklet.

Law is merely the expression of the will of the strongest for the time being.

TO ALL ISLAND ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS – – Diana Pepper

Another season of Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tours will begin on Memorial Day weekend. We welcome the participation of returning artists and crafters, those new to the Island – or those too shy in the past to meet the public. Studio Tours are held on the weekends of Memorial Day, Labor Day, and mid November.

Pick up a flyer at The Islander that lists the year’s Tour dates and the deadlines for submitting map information and fees. For the tour map, write a description including your name, location and 25-words about your art. Put the description and your $25 fee, payable to Ria Nickerson, in an envelope and bring it to the Islander or deliver it to her studio. For the Memorial Day Studio Tour, May 29 & 30, the description and fee must be paid by Saturday, May 8. You are responsible for submitting them in a timely fashion or you won¹t be listed on the map. Questions? Call Ria Nickerson at 758-7121 (Cell 201-4611) or Lynn Dee at 758-2815.

“Many a live wire would be a dead one except for his connections.” – Wilson Mizner

Greetings from Whatcom County Public Works – – Frank Abart, Public Works Director

Regarding the status of Ferry dock negotiations, there is nothing new to report since the public meeting on March 24, 2010. Individual parties on both teams have been meeting and developing information for the next primary meeting in a few weeks. The primary meetings involve the entire grouping of teams from Lummi Nation and Whatcom County. From my perspective, things are tracking on schedule at this point.

As I am making these notes, the Department is planning some quick outages to make some unanticipated repairs to the Gooseberry Point docking system. It is important to note that the inspections have increased to a monthly pace on the docking systems. While the rate and critical nature of repairs has slowed over the last year, there continues to be minor problems that need to be addressed. Those minor problems sometimes result in short service outages. I wanted to let you know that we appreciate the patience and understanding that we have received. We do our very best to communicate an outage in advance but sometimes we get very short notice when a problem is discovered.

The annual dry dock dates have been TENTATIVELY scheduled. The TENTATIVE dates include a start day of Wednesday, September 8 through the final day of Wednesday, September 29. Please note that the word “tentative” should be defined as “subject to change”. There is some extensive work that needs to be done on the Whatcom Chief this year and we are still waiting for some information before the dry dock dates are “final”. However, I have received some calls from people asking for a clarification on the dates so I thought it would be a benefit to communicate the anticipated dates in the Tome.

In a closing note, Whatcom County Public Works urges drivers to watch out for Work Zones throughout Whatcom County as the spring and Summer construction season gets under way. Thank you for your support. Have a great spring and summer.

The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE – $1.00 – – Carolyn Kmiecik

We moved to the Island last summer and have developed plans to build a home here. While this has gone on we have lived in a 1973 mobile home on our property. It has had all plumbing replaced and the former owner had it rewired. There are two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen, sunporch and other amenities. It is very comfortable and clean. It will have to be removed before building can begin, we think between 30 and 45 days from now. We would like to offer it for $1.00 to any person who would be willing to move it off the property. Our name is Mike and Carolyn Kmiecik. Our phone is 748-2317.

Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.

LICA BOARD NEEDS YOUR HELP – – David Thorn, President

Your Community Association is looking for topics/speakers for the monthly LICA Potluck Dinner Meetings. The program lasts approximately 45 minutes. We would like to hear your suggestions. Please send all ideas to licaboard@runbox.com

ANN BUDA – 1930 – 2009

Ann and her husband, Jack moved to Lummi Island in 1995 and loved to take long walks around the Island, gardening and enjoying Island life. Ann leaves her husband, Jack of 37 years, three living children and four grandchildren. Her husband would like to acknowledge and thank the Island Parish nurses for their invaluable and compassionate help during Ann’s last illness.

Boys & Girls Club – – Kjerstin Satter

Thanks for supporting Boys & Girls Club at the Pie Social in March. Many volunteers donated sweets, time and energy for this fundraising event. Thanks to all!

Spring Programs:

French – This language immersion club will incorporate music, food and French culture.

Operation Green Thumb – Members germinate seeds, establish raised garden beds, maintain plants and will eventually cook using homegrown food!

Club Climb – Every Monday afternoon through May, members go to the Bellingham YMCA to climb on the rock wall.

Torch Club – Every Friday night, students in fifth – seventh grades participate in this leadership club doing service projects. They balance work with play and they have ice cream sundaes and a field trip in their near future!

Teen Night – Eligible members are students in sixth grade and above, and, since activities vary, teens should check in at the club to see wha’s happenin’.

Does anyone have a small dinghy we could have to make a nautical sandbox? It would find a happy home with us!

Thank you to the friends of the club:

LICA awarded Boys & Girls Club $750 in grants;

Arria Merrill, Grace Briskey, David Thorne, Randy Smith, and Beach School PTO sponsored basketball teams;

Joe & Iona, Beach Store Café, donated gift certificates.

Duncan McLane and Tom Lutz gifted their time;

Joe Cook is leading Club Climb;

A belated, but sincere, thank you to Danielle, who volunteered as an assistant basketball coach this season.

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.

ACCESS TO CHURCH BEACH – – Jackie Granger, Moderator

The Lummi Island Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is pleased to be able to provide access to the beach through our property. For many years the church has joyfully allowed members of the community this access and are pleased that so many people use it to: play on the beach, enjoy the quiet, launch kayaks and other watercraft, look for agates, paddle, etc. Each year we ask that anyone taking advantage of this access to please respect our neighbors by not having fires, loud music, or walking past the church property boundaries in either direction. We have had concerns from our neighbors about people trespassing on their property through our path to the beach.

Please honor our request to be respectful of neighboring properties and enjoy our island community in harmony.

Fifth grade Sunday School report: The first commandments was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

Lummi Island Congregational Church – – Cindy Bauleke, Pastor

We are still singing alleluias in this season after Easter. We are grateful to the many people who made this Easter a wonderful celebration. Megan and Chris for the sunrise service. All who came and sang in the choir which was amazing, those who brought beautiful flowers, and eggs, we had so many eggs for the hunt – the children had a wonderful time. Thank you all!

Over the next few weeks the church will have some excellent guest preachers while I am away on study leave and vacation. Our own Jim Thomas will lead worship on April 25, I am here for May 2; for the next three weeks guest ministers will bring their passion and faith to share. Join us at 10:30 for worship and Sunday School with Ashley Brown. Even better come at 9:45 to sing with the choir. We have wonderful worship of God and great fun each Sunday. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here!

Check out our denominations new short video which speaks of our compassion, social justice, and relevance as together we follow a God big enough to embrace and love all of us: The Language of God <http://www.facebook.com /l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F10977915&h=b4fb0acabe94ed4bff2495a7226379b3> at vimeo.com

I am grateful to so many of you for your expressions of sympathy and care at the sudden death of my sister, Michelle. There is nothing quite like a sister in our lives, and I give thanks for mine.

“There’s too much churchianity and not enough Christianity.” – Adam Clayton Powell

Concern about the Post Office (not only the ferry) – – Jerry Anderson

As retired L.I. Postmaster I follow the happenings in the U.S.P.S. Many huge cutbacks other than the elimination of Saturday mail delivery are being considered. One anticipated cutback is closing or curtailment of service in smaller Post Offices. The one item the U.S.P.S. looks at when evaluating a facility is postage sales an office makes. Please buy all your postage at the Lummi Island Post Office. Thanks

Parish Nurses Food Pantry – – Nancy Wong, Parish Nurse

The Parish Nurses & Health Ministers would like everyone to be aware of the Post Office Food Drive that will take place on Saturday, May 8. All non-perishable food items that are donated will stay on the Island and be made available to Islanders in need through the Food Pantry at the Congregational Church. Before May 8th, you will receive a reminder post card in the mail, along with a plastic bag to put your donations in. Your donations will be picked up by your mailbox on May 8th by volunteers and brought to the Food Pantry at the Congregational Church. Items may also be brought to the Congregational Church on that day, or left at the Post Office prior to May 8.

Items in most need are: peanut butter, canned chicken, canned fruit, cereal, mac & cheese, stew, soups, chili.

Thank you, one and all, for your great support to the Food Pantry and the Island!

Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

HERITAGE TRUST NEWS – – Becca Rettmer

Compost, Birds, Walks and Hikes

Volunteers at the Curry garden project have designed and built a demonstration compost system. Please join us for a “Composting Clinic” with Master Composter Elsa King. Come learn about what you can and cannot compost, compost chemistry, compost recipes, simple compost systems, and how to use your finished compost. Meet at the lower Curry Preserve, 2449 N. Nugent on May 8 from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM.

Spring is in the air and the birds are returning to Lummi Island after a warm winter in the south. Bright and early on May 15, expert birder Clark Blake will lead a “Bird Walk.” Come hike with us up the Baker Trail, listening to songbirds in the lower forest and watching for raptors the higher we go. Bring your binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather. We will meet at the Resource Center at the Otto Preserve at 6:30 AM and carpool to the trailhead.

Each day Islanders enjoy peaceful walks and hikes at the Baker, Curry and Otto Preserves. As the weather gets nicer and the days get longer, it is a good time to review the visitor rules for the Preserves. Heritage Trust Preserves are places where plant and wildlife habitat is protected and people can experience the intimacy and grandeur of nature.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy these special places by foot only and on the designated trails. Please help us care for and manage the Baker Preserve by always signing in at the trailhead. Please be respectful of wildlife, other visitors, and neighboring properties at all the preserves. Wheeled vehicles of any kind are not allowed beyond the parking areas. Fire or open flames of any kind are prohibited. Camping is not allowed.

Dogs are welcome on-leash at the Otto and Curry Preserves. The Trust provides biodegradable pet waste bags at the entrances to both preserves; please always clean up after your dog. Dogs are not allowed on the Baker trail. Horseback riding is allowed at the Curry Preserve, but all riders must contact the Trust prior to using the trails.

The Baker, Curry and Otto Preserves are true community treasures. Thank you for helping us insure that the preserves are safe, friendly places for everyone to enjoy and for supporting the Heritage Trust in our mission to preserve these places for today and for future generations.

Where do forest rangers go to “get away from it all”?

FOIL “GARDEN” AND “PHOTO FORUM” EVENTS – – Mike McKenzie

Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 AM, you are invited to join FOIL in the garden of Linda and Randy Smith, 2620 N. Nugent for a hands-on experience in “Starting a Garden.” Randy will conduct this vegetable/fruit garden workshop for folks with little or no experience. He will talk about and demonstrate all the basics, from tools to choosing what to grow; buying, scheduling, and sowing seeds; soil management and irrigation, etc. We’ll prepare a bed, create fertilizer, and plant seeds together.

Saturday, May 1, 10:00 AM, FOIL Photo Forum meets at The Library briefly, and then we’ll stage our 1st contest of the year with a group shoot at the Civic Club’s May Day Garden Expo at The Grange Hall. Photos of the event that takes place until 1 PM must include people, not just plants, for submission into the contest. Instructions for the contest will be distributed at the library.

Sunday, May 23, 1:00 PM, FOIL Photo Forum meets at The Library, and the discussion and demonstration will center on photographing portraits and still life (including products for catalogs, e-commerce Web sites, etc.).

Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies “Yes, I’m positive.”

YOUR LIBRARY – CONNECTING LEARNING TO LIFE – – Joan Keiper

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 2:30 – 8:30 Saturday 10:00 – 4:00

Teens & Tweens Event: DDR & Mario Kart @ Lummi Island – Pizza too! At library, Wed, Apr 28, 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Open to all in middle and high school.

e-Books for e-Kids – Check out the new online Tumble Book Library. Story books, audio books, puzzles, games and more! Visit WCLS.org and click on the Tumble Books logo on the kids’ page.

Pre-school Story Time – Saturdays at 11:30

“Power Readers” – a book club for Grades K – 2, the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

“Runaway Readers” – a book club for 3 to 6 graders, the 4th Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 3:30 PM.

Power Hour Homework Help – Island Library has homework help available on a drop in basis for elementary school aged kids. Tutoring provided by Boys and Girls club staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 4 PM

Used Book Sale –Time to clean out those overloaded bookshelves. We will start accepting books for the book sale May 15th. Book sale will open Sunday Jul 4th. Drop your donations at the barn, which will be open on the same days andtimes as the library. Please no textbooks, Readers Digest Condensed Books, National Geographics, encyclopedias, books without covers, or damaged books. If you wouldn’t buy it, we can’t sell it.

Lummi Island Players – Sun., May 2. at 4:00 PM. We will read “Dancing at Lughnasa.” by Brian Friels. Photocopies are available at the library. LI Players is open to all who enjoy reading aloud.

Library Spring Cleanup and Burn Day – Sunday, April 25, 1-to 4 PM. Jobs inside & outside available. Please, come and help keep our library lookin’ good.

“The tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss.” – Thomas Carlyle

ISLEWARD – – Al Marshall for the Lummi Island Conservancy

A Not So Common Native

On Lummi Island we have five native conifers that can get really big: Douglas fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Sitka Spruce. All of these species enjoy high rainfall and moist air, but Sitka Spruce is the most demanding. It is found from northern California to Kodiak Island in Alaska but seldom grows more than a few dozen miles from a shoreline. It is the dominant species only in forests with high annual rainfall; this may partially explain why spruce is not more common on the Island.

Because Sitka Spruce wood is exceptionally strong for its weight, it was prized for aircraft construction in the early days of aviation. When the United States entered WWI, the high demand for aircraft grade spruce caused the U.S. Army to establish a “Spruce Division”. In Oregon and Washington, vast numbers of the biggest old Sitka Spruce (7 to 16 feet or more in diameter) were felled, cut into huge slabs, and shipped to aircraft factories in the United States, Britain, and France; now only remnants of our once great spruce forests remain. Sitka Spruce from British Columbia and Alaska continues to supply wood for guitars and piano sound boards; it is also used for making sailboat masts, racing shells, paper, particle board, and lumber. Native peoples wove spruce roots into baskets and rain hats, and used spruce resin for glue and as a waterproofing agent. They also made medicinal uses of these trees.

Sitka Spruce needles are stiff and very sharp to the touch. The bark is thin; on older trees it consists of large, loose scales. The tiny seeds (210,000 / pound) can be carried by the wind.

On Lummi Island an easily spotted Sitka Spruce is growing on the west side on South Nugent just north of Lego Bay Rd. Another individual is growing on the bank near West Shore Dr. about 2/10 of a mile north of the Willows.

What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

Mt. Baker Cable

Do you live on Lummi Island and are interested in High Speed Broadband, Internet or Cable TV, but don’t want to commit to a lengthy contract?

Call Mt. Baker Cable for more information.

360-384-6860.

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LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS – _- 2010___

Officers .

Directors .

President: David Thorn

Jerry Anderson Joan Moye

Vice President: Joanie Roteman

Chuck Keiper John Arntsen

Secretary: Carl Hanson

David Jones

Treasurer/Editor/Archivist: Paul Davis

 

The Tome is the publication of the Lummi Island Community Association and is published monthly except August and December. All subscriptions are on a calendar year basis, January to December. Subscription fee is $6.00 for Lummi Island addresses, $9.00 for off-Island addresses and $6.00 for e-mail delivery. Canadian addresses are $16.00 U.S. funds. Free LICA membership is limited to residents and property owners of Lummi Island (18 years and older). Write to LICA, P.O. Box 163, Lummi Island WA 98262; or call Paul Davis, Treasurer and Editor at (360) 758-2414 for information about subscriptions, membership or advertising. E-mail: thetome@lummiislandcable.com

THE LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION DOES NOT ENDORSE ADVERTISEMENTS THAT APPEAR IN The Tome. AVAILABILITY OF ADVERTISING SPACE IS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. OPINIONS OF CONTRIBUTORS TO The Tome DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR MEMBERS OF THE LUMMI ISLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.

Lummi Island Community Association NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

P.O. Box 163 U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Lummi Island WA 98262-0163 LUMMI ISLAND WA

PERMIT NO. 2

The Tome

of Lummi Island

Volume XLV Number 4

April 23, 2010

*****ECWSS**R-014

POSTAL CUSTOMER

LUMMI ISLAND, WA 98262

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