Holiday spirit pervades Orcas

No matter where you turned last weekend on Orcas Island, you were sure to feel the holiday spirit.

It filled the American Legion Hall, where large numbers of islanders came last Saturday to visit with friends and neighbors and purchase locally hand-crafted Christmas gifts, then relax with a bowl of hot soup and a dessert, at the annual American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds from the booths, and the holiday baskets, will enable the Auxiliary to provide three scholarships for graduating high school seniors. The news was good, said Treasurer Eloise Monson, who told The Sounder that around $2,000 was raised, thus assuring the Auxiliary that it will be able to help three students pursue their education next year.

It filled the Odd Fellows Hall, where again the crowds were large, the atmosphere was festive, and the sales of locally-produced gifts were brisk. The occasion was the 16th annual Artisans' Faire, which took place last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The committee which sponsors the Faire made the commitment to use the proceeds from booth sales to help two organizations that provide care to local children, Kaleidoscope and the Orcas Montessori School. Brenda Harlow, treasurer of the Fair, reported that each organization will be receiving $600. "It was our best Faire ever," she said.

It filled the Orcas Island Library, where island people treated themselves to tea, tiny sandwiches and elegant cookies while listening to music throughout Saturday afternoon.

The tea was served by members of the Friends of the Orcas Island Library, assisted by the Orcas Key Club, the high school organization which is committed to providing service to the community as a whole.

It filled the Eastsound Village Square, where on Sunday afternoon, the community band, joined by school musicians, played Christmas music while Chamber of Commerce members Peter and Helen Allen served hot cider.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.