Olga Daze celebrates community
Published 10:24 am Monday, July 16, 2012
Rain or shine, the annual Olga Daze celebration will take place on Saturday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring wonderful food, continuous live music, the world’s shortest parade, large yard sale, a silent auction of prime Island services and fine things, and the raffle of the Olga Quilt. The proceeds from Olga Daze are used to maintain the Olga Community Clubhouse, which bears a sign “Olga Energetic Club.”
The building was constructed in 1913 for a group of twelve Olga ladies who had joined together in 1912 to have fun and do good works. The building will be 100 years old next year, as will remarkable Jane Willis Barfoot-Hodde who lives across the street. Jane’s mother, Louise Willis, was one of the original Energetic ladies and Jane’s daughters, Irene Barfoot O’Neil and Fran Barfoot MacMillan, were the creators of Olga Daze in 1998.
In 1995 the few remaining members of the Energetics presented the deed to the building to the Olga Community Club president, Barbara Wheeler.
Wheeler is currently chairman of Olga Daze and is co-Grand Marshal of the 2012 parade with Jenny Welch, also a former president of the Community Club. They will be riding in the parade in the 1913 “Woody” owned and driven by Dave and Kitty Baxter, of Lieber Haven. Their “Woody” is one of the first cars built in the U.S.A.
The Parade will feature a big red Orcas Island Fire Truck, which also contributes to the Olga continuity, as the new Orcas Island Fire Chief is local Olga boy, Kevin O’Brien, son of long time Olga resident and former Orcas Island High School principal, Coleen O’Brien. Coleen just completed painting the entry hall in the community clubhouse, She is a much appreciated volunteer. Only on Orcas!!
Not everyone in Olga is part of its history. There are many wonderful new and younger residents who are continuing the good work. President of the Community Club is Paul Groeninger, Vice-President, Chris Morris (who is also Park Chair and former President), Secretary, Jan Ehrlichman, Treasurer, Lynn Emmes, Dock Chair, Dale Mattson and Cemetery Chair, Judy Slater. We are in good hands.
Come join us under the tents at Olga Daze rain or shine. Everything takes place at the Olga Park, adjacent to the Clubhouse.
Start with Betty Marcum’s famous maple bars. Shop the huge Barn sale under the direction of Steve and Lynn Emmes; place your bids for items in the Silent Auction, with the help of Susan Bentley, Sandy Playa and Alexandra Gayek.
Listen to the music of Island favorites gathered by Carl Burger: Allmost Canadian, Carl Burger and Marc Cohen, Katie Jensen, Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz, and The Parking Angels.
