The San Juan Historical Museum hosts an “old island” historical home tour on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to tour four historically significant homes each with wonderful grounds. Each home is over 100 years old. The tour is self-guided and at your own pace.
San Juan County children returned to school Sept. 1. The San Juan County Fire Marshal shares these safety tips from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Barbara Phelps of Lopez Island, Wash., passed away Aug. 30, 2010 at home surrounded by family. She was 86. She was born Barbara Jean Plummer on Feb. 20, 1924 in Fort Collins, Colo., the daughter of Cecil and Velda Plummer. She was the oldest of three siblings.
Roy Berg, long-time resident of Lopez Island, passed away Aug. 27, 2010 in Mukilteo, Wash. He was 85. He was laid to rest Sept. 2 at a graveside service at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Everett next to his second wife, Bonnie Belle, who died of cancer in 1964.
Mary Margaret Gavin Champlin was born April 19, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois. She married David Champlin in November 1940. They moved to California where she was actively involved at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, as a Scout den mother, in Cotillion and PTA, and in camping, sailing and gardening.
Padraic McManus and Whitney Clem exchanged vows on Aug. 7, 2010 at the home of Terry and Phyllis Clem of Friday Harbor. Patt is the son of Judy McManus of Friday Harbor and Tim McManus of Coupeville, Wash., and Whitney is the daughter of Terry and Phyllis Clem of Friday Harbor.
Thirteen new or transferred teachers and support staff were welcomed to San Juan Island public schools Aug. 31 at a faculty and staff breakfast. The staff members are …
Three Southern resident orcas have not been seen for at least three months — one of the three hasn’t been seen since October. And that has the Center for Whale Research worried. When Darwin Norris collapsed during a bike ride up Flaherty’s Hill on Orcas Island last week, his family watched precious moments ticking away as they frantically tried to call 911. But because of spotty cell coverage, the call was routed to a 911 center in Canada. Within a day of County Council member Richard Fralick and Rich Peterson’s votes killing the Land Bank’s purchase of conservation and historical preservation easements on the property, Ag Guild member Mark Madsen said the Guild would try to get more time from the property owners and raise from other sources the $400,000 that would have been obtained from the sale of the easements. Those stories are the top stories in the Sept. 1 Journal of the San Juan Islands — in stores and newsracks for 75 cents a copy.
Following the successful run of Ed Strum’s comedy “The Connoisseurs” at San Juan Community Theatre comes the drama “Only a Ridgeline Away” by island writer Miguel Herbert. The piece is sober at heart and, SJCT executive director Merritt Olsen says, “It is powerful.”
Bill will always be remembered for his easygoing manner, ability to make friends with anyone and a great sense of humor. He always was drawn to the sea — as a member of the United States Navy, commercial fishing in Alaska as a young man, or working and retiring from Marine Construction and Design in Ballard after more than 30 years.
To celebrate its maritime business longevity, the company will host an Anniversary Party on Sept. 18, noon to 4 p.m. The company says everyone is welcome to come enjoy fresh fish and barbecued beef while it lasts. There will be historical photos to see, as well as several Jensen-built boats to visit. Additional parking is available across the street in the old gravel pit.
This year’s annual Concours d’Elegance is Aug. 29 at San Juan Vineyards. Organized by the Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands in association with the Rotary Club of San Juan Island, the event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m. Owners of classic, special interest and sports cars are invited to participate. To register a car for the event, download the schedule and registration form at www.sanjuanconcours.org or call 370-5531.
The Whale Museum’s 2010 Lecture Series presents Capt. Paul Watson on Aug. 27, 7 p.m., at the Grange Hall on First Street in Friday Harbor. The event is free and open to the public. For 30 years, Watson has been at the helm of the world’s most active marine protection non-profit organization, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His career as a Master Mariner began in 1968 as a seaman with the Merchant Marines and with the Canadian Coast Guard.
