The Whale Museum’s fourth annual “Celebration of the Orca Greeting Ceremony” fund-raising dinner and auction is May 22, 6 p.m., in Mullis Community Senior Center in Friday Harbor. An audio-visual program will be shared by Val Veirs of an actual orca greeting ceremony. Veirs will play acoustic recordings and show photos and video of this amazing event.
The fifth annual Flare Shoot is May 22, 1 p.m., at Jackson’s Beach. It’s a family event presented by the Friday Harbor Power Squadron in conjunction with the Friday Harbor Fire Department and West Marine, as a public service for Safe Boating Week. The San Juan Island Fire Department will also be participating.
The Sears Family is thrilled to announce two new additions to their families: cousins Scott and Tiffany. Scott Henry Sears was born April 28, 2010 to Dennis and Dori Sears. He joined his older brother John, who is 2 1/2. The very next day, Scott’s cousin arrived. Tiffany Rose Sears was born April 29, 2010 to Jerry and Kate Sears. Her older brother, James, will be 3 in July.
Family, friends, fun and making memories all come together at the third annual Spring Carnival May 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Friday Harbor Elementary School. Admission is free for islanders and visitors alike.
Dick worked for JC Penney for 28 years and “retired” in 1997. He truly embraced “retirement” life with Marcia by living on a boat in the San Juan Islands, owning and operating a small boat accessory business, and serving as outstation manager for the Seattle Yacht Club on Henry Island. Dick’s humor, quick wit, and genuine nature drew people to him. His eye rolls, wise cracks, and crooked smile will be missed by all.
On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Hildegard Goss, 93, died of natural causes at Hamlet House on Lopez Island. She is survived by her nieces, Christine Dahl-Sesby of Friday Harbor, Patricia Topper of Emmitsburg, Md., and her nephew, Derek Valley of Olympia. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 60 years, William Goss; her sister, Lillie Ericsson; and her brother, Bertil Valley.
It’s the final four for San Juan Community Theatre’s spring musical, Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.” The play completes its 10-performance run Thursday through Sunday, with the final performance on Sunday a chance for audience members to join in a sing-along.
The San Juan Community Theater’s SummerFest is under way, and the quality of performance is already high. Acoustic guitar master Leon Redbone played to a sold-out house May 1, and Desirae Whalen et al are wowing audiences in “My Fair Lady.” The rest of the SummerFest lineup promises equally enjoyable events. This year offers a few returning favorites, and even more exciting novelties.
Jerry passed away peacefully in his home on May 10, 2010 surrounded by his wife LouAnne, daughters Tiffany and Ashley, and brother-in-law Paul Fantin. As a boy, Jerry and his family summered on San Juan Island. He decided then that he would someday raise his family here. Jerry and LouAnne married Dec. 30, 1983 in Seattle, WA. They moved their family to Friday Harbor in 1988.
Mrs. Perry J. Sandwith — also known as Mrs. Mildred Louise Sandwith — had a marvelous 95th birthday celebration at the Grange Hall on May 2, from 1-3 p.m. About 150 people attended, some from as far away as Roche Harbor and Bellingham. Lots of hometown families were there, including but not limited to Sandwith, King, Guard, Wilson, Lawson, Wade, Buchanan and Jordan.
The San Juan Islands Museum of Art & Sculpture Park (IMA) is sounding the call to Washington, Oregon and British Columbia artists to enter IMA’s juried visual arts competition, “Green: ON THE EDGE.” The upcoming summer exhibition asks artists to tackle the question, “What does green mean to you?” “ON THE EDGE” is IMA’s way of saying, “Don’t be conservative, take it to the edge. Express ‘Green: ON THE EDGE’ in your medium. Let everyone see what you’ve got.”
The San Juan Island International Documentary Film Festival will host its inaugural reception with Emmy award-winning filmmaker László Pal on May 23, 3 p.m. at the San Juan Island Yacht Club. “This festival will draw visitors from all over the world to our islands,” Pal said in a press release.
A classic is a tricky thing to perform. A show like “My Fair Lady” has so many years of public adoration behind it, a new performance cannot help but attract high expectations. “It’s been a lot of fun to be part of, but it’s hard too,” says Julie Hagn, who acts in the upcoming San Juan Community Theatre production. She describes how she loves the story, but is not immune to the sense of responsibility that comes with performing one of the best-loved musicals around.