Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.

Big wins for Orcas Senior Center: USDA roof funding and GiveOrcas success!

We’re thrilled to announce that Orcas Senior Center will receive $165,000 in USDA funding in 2026 to help replace our aging roof! This incredible support is thanks to U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s advocacy for our earmark in the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2026.

We’re also celebrating the success of our GiveOrcas Holiday Campaign, which fully funded the first phase of our building remodel: a private ADA-compliant restroom, storage for mobility equipment and refreshed office spaces for vital programming.

Want to contribute to future building remodel plans and continue improving our center? Donate to the Orcas Senior Center Capital Improvement Fund at www.oicf.us.

Thank you to all the supporters, including donors, Orcas Island Community Foundation, and Rep. Larsen for making these improvements possible!

Resolve common Medicare concerns with SHIBA assistance from January through March!

January through March is your opportunity to correct many common Medicare problems. Your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors volunteers can help you with the following problems:

• You didn’t receive your new Drug or Advantage Plan Card.

• Your doctor or pharmacy isn’t in your plan’s network in 2026.

• You discover your old plan is not available in 2026.

• You don’t like the Advantage Plan you signed up for. You can switch to another Advantage plan or go back to basic Medicare, and you may be able to get a Medigap (Medicare Supplement).

• You didn’t enroll in Medicare when you turned 65.

SHIBA, sponsored by Orcas Senior Center, is a free, unbiased, and confidential informational service offered through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Call the Orcas SHIBA office at 360-376-5892 to schedule a counseling session.

Create comfort with fidget quilts at Orcas Senior Center

Join Brenda Bacon at Orcas Senior Center for a creative Fidget Quilt workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 1-4 p.m. This hands-on session is designed to guide participants in crafting small, tactile quilts that offer comfort and engagement for individuals living with dementia.

Fidget quilts feature interactive elements such as zippers, Velcro, buttons, ribbons and textured fabrics — designed to keep hands busy and minds soothed. Bacon will provide sewing machines, basic materials and step-by-step guidance. Sample quilts and handouts will also be available to spark ideas and creativity.

Whether you’re new to sewing or an experienced quilter, all are welcome. Donations of materials are appreciated to help support the project.

No registration required. Questions? Contact Bacon at 704-957-0683 or baconbc@outlook.com.

Chair Yoga: Enhancing balance and well-being for Seniors and individuals with disabilities

Join us for Chair Yoga, a soothing practice tailored for seniors and those with disabilities, held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-10:45 a.m. This gentle technique incorporates the use of a chair for support, enabling participants to explore balance poses without the concern of falling.

Susie Frank, an Orcas resident of over 30 years, brings her expertise, having practiced yoga since 2009. While Frank suggests a $15 donation per class, no one will be turned away due to financial constraints. For inquiries, reach out to Frank directly at 360-298-4484 or sissooz@yahoo.com.

Orcas Senior Center renovation progress

Changes are afoot at Orcas Senior Center! Our new Living Room is a cozy spot for reading, relaxing and socializing, complete with a game table. A dedicated Game Room is now being considered. We’d love to hear what you think!

Since acquiring San Juan County’s 49% ownership share of the building last year, the center’s Board of Directors established the Building Conversion and Renovation Committee to oversee facility transition for Orcas Senior Center and partner organizations, and to plan improvements.

Thanks to generous community support, including a Holiday GiveOrcas grant, we will soon convert the Foot Care Room into an ADA-compliant restroom, provide dedicated space and storage for the Lions Club mobility equipment and re-paint interior walls. A new roof is expected in the spring, supported in part by USDA Rural Development funding secured with help from U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.

Using community input gathered in early 2025, the BCRC is now evaluating lobby updates and long-term changes to enhance the building’s appearance and functionality. Our focus is to make steady, thoughtful progress — prioritizing community needs, minimizing service disruptions and phasing renovations strategically to manage costs.

If you’d like to support our efforts, you may donate any time to our Capital Improvement Fund at Orcas Island Community Foundation: www.oicf.us.

Ukulele Kanikipila: Join the musical fun at Orcas Senior Center!

Experience the joy of making music at Ukulele Kanikipila, Hawaiian for “play music,” Mondays from 1-3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. This gathering is open to everyone with an interest in playing music for two hours each week.

If you’re a player looking to dive into the world of ukulele playing, join Kathy Collister twice weekly for ukulele classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. If you are a true beginner Collister has an 11 a.m. class on Thursdays that will get you up to speed in no time!

Collister, an experienced instructor, will guide you through the basics of introductory chords and strumming techniques. The class is free of charge, but make sure to bring your own ukulele. For inquiries about the ukulele sessions, including information on borrowing a ukulele, feel free to reach out to Collister at kcollister15@gmail.com. Beginners and adults of all ages are welcome to join the musical journey!