Thank you, United Way

From the Lopez Children’s Center

As the only licensed early learning center on Lopez Island, the Lopez Children’s Center provides a vital resource for parents of young children. Without our facility providing safe, affordable care, many families would not be able to work the two (or more) jobs that enable them to stay here.

Recently, we were fortunate to be able to provide scholarships for a young family, allowing the mom to complete educational classes and open her own business here on Lopez.

Without the financial support of United Way, many of these scholarships would not be possible. We hope you will join with us in making a contribution to this year’s United Way campaign. Your gift has significant impact on the lives of our local children and families. Thank you, United Way.

Shanley Lett,

board, and staff

Lopez Children’s Center

From Hearts and Hands

Hearts and Hands, which has been in existence for five years, has served more than 130 islanders and provided more than 6,000 volunteer hours of care and service. As the aging population of Orcas Island continues to grow, the need for these services is in greater demand. The delivery of groceries, a friendly visit, or transportation to a medical appointment can be support that allows a care recipient to remain in her or his home, living life as fully as possible. Throughout this time United Way has generously supported Hearts and Hands. We thank you for making it possible to connect our wonderful volunteers with people in need.

Speaking of helping our amazing residents, there will be a volunteer orientation at the senior center on Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. Call 376-7723 for more information or to register.

Betsy Louton

Hearts and Hands Volunteer Coordinator

Library Tea a big success

I want to thank everyone who helped to make the Library Tea on Saturday, Dec. 4 a huge success by baking dozens of cookies, making sandwiches, serving and pouring tea, and so many other generous contributions. Without the help of Fran Pritchett, Anne Waltersdorph, and Doug Schliebus out in the kitchen, the day could not have run so smoothly. Also, the musicians: Olga Symphony members, Matthew Olson’s students, Lizz Hanks’ middle and high school ensembles, and Trudy Erwin and Katie Jensen provided delightful musical entertainment for the community all afternoon. The table was beautifully decorated by Lois Baney and Emily Reid, and the library was filled with flowers from Lorna at Driftwood Nursery.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were there visiting with the children, and Lynn and Chris Thomerson again helped the children decorate ornaments to take home. Another group we owe a debt of gratitude to is the Key Club members, Serena, Sophie, Tommy, Huxley and Tika, who worked tirelessly and cheerfully to refill teapots and cookie plates all day.

A special “Thank you” goes to someone who rescued us at the last minute, Veronica San Martin of Orcas Events. When I arrived at the library on Saturday morning, the plates, cups and spoons ordered in October were not there. I made several urgent phone calls and was finally referred to Veronica at Orcas Events. She heard my plea, left immediately, and met me at her storage unit with all of the items I needed, all counted and ready to go. She helped load them into my car, and we arrived back at the tea with 30 minutes to spare. Veronica really saved the day for us! We are so grateful to her.

A special thanks also goes to the many volunteers who do so much all year to support our beautiful library, which is such a welcoming and vital part of our community, and to all who came to the tea and participated in celebrating the beginning of the holiday season!

Judy Schliebus

Holiday Tea Chairman

Thank you from Orcas Montessori

Everyone at Orcas Montessori School would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to the community.

Our 15th annual holiday wreath sale is winding down and we are grateful for each and every purchase as well as the generous monetary donations received. All the proceeds from the wreath sale go to our school program, bridging the gap between tuition and the actual operational costs. It is successful fundraisers like this that help keep tuition affordable for our island families. Special thanks go to Island Hardware for wreath transport, Orcas Electric and George Larsen for storage, the Thomas family for the use of their Airstream trailer as “wreath headquarters” and the Orcas Village Store for being our wonderful branch location. Sincere appreciation goes out to our parents and volunteers who make this sale possible.

To keep up with other Orcas Montessori School news and events, you can find us on Facebook or our website, www.orcasmontessori.org. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter by Dec. 31 for a chance to win a roundtrip ticket between Orcas and Seattle on Kenmore Air. Thanks again for your support. Happy holidays from Orcas Montessori School!

Cathy Faulkner

Board Member/Wreath Lady

Orcas Montessori School

Update to Orcas Rec swimming letter

I received an email from Toby Brown of Smoke Stack Services in regards to the letter to the editor about swimming sponsors. He said he would like to offer a free chimney cleaning and Level 1 inspection to anyone who donates $500 to the swimming program for Orcas Rec! I thought this was extremely generous of him to offer and I wanted to let everyone know about this opportunity. We are still looking for a swimming sponsor, so give us a call if you are interested, 376-5339.

Linda Sheridan

Orcas Rec

Family Literacy Month was well attended

We would like to thank everyone who helped make Family Literacy Month on Orcas a huge success. Because of your collaboration, more than 50 families participated in and benefited from fun educational activities that promote family literacy and community participation. Thanks to: Margie Doyle, Deborah Sparks, Antoinette Botsford, Susan Stolmeier, Bev Leyman, David May, Sage MacLeod, Ethna Flanagan, all of the dads who read at PJ Storytime, The Senior Center and Senior Storytellers, Darvill’s Bookstore, Kaleidoscope, Montessori Preschool, Children’s House, School of the Salish Seas, Salmonberry School, The FunHouse, The Friends of the Library, Orcas Community Church, Orcas Island Community Foundation, and Orcas Christian School childcare volunteers. Thank you all so very much.

Erin O’Dell,

Orcas Family Connections

Nita Couchman,

Orcas Island Library

Orcas Lions Toys for Tots another success

I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who worked to make the Toys for Tots Program such a huge success for the Orcas Community. Thank you to Napa, Darvill’s, Ray’s Pharmacy, Leaping Lizard, Eastsound Sporting Goods and Radio Shack for your generous discounts and to our other wonderful donors who made it possible to shop locally. This year we received several new toys, games, and gloves donated by private individuals. Thank you Kim Wareham for lending us the sandwich boards, the fire station team for all their assistance and help, and fellow Lions, for their help on the distribution day.

With everyone’s help, we were able to provide 82 local families with toys, games and books for the holiday season. We are already open for donations for next season, for those of you who are interested in getting a head start on next year. Thanks again and happy holidays!

Veronica San Martin

Chair of the Toys for Tots Program

A feast of words

Every Tuesday afternoon there is a delicious feast at our library! It is a feast unlike any other!

The chef extraordinaire: JoEllen Moldoff. The menu: an epicurean potluck of words and ideas. The servings: heaping helpings of poetry, rhymes, sonnets, and memoirs.

Each dish is served with the greatest affection and care. All who gather for the feast raise a toast to our triumphs. We taste the bitters of our sorrows. We sip the sweet nectar of our collective dreams and fancies. For dessert: Billie Collins, Mary Oliver, Robert Frost.

With gratitude, we raise a celebratory cheer for JoEllen Moldoff ! We thank you.

Zona McKenzie

and all the writers of Orcas Island

Santa brought cheer to Orcas kids

The Santa Ship once again sailed into Deer Harbor this year, much to the delight of island children who braved the cold weather to await Santa’s arrival. Santa greeted the children on the dock and then headed up the road to distribute gifts to each child, while the Deer Harbor Women’s Auxiliary provided treats.

I would like to thank all those who made this fun filled event possible. Marty Mead brought Santa safely to the Deer Harbor Bellport Marina dock aboard his North Shore Charter Boat. Norm Zimlich provided Santa’s transportation from the dock to the Community Club in his vintage maroon pickup and Marc Broman and his staff at the Deer Harbor Marina provided vital help at the dock. A special thank you goes to Santa Dennis Kaufman, who has made this event memorable to all the young children who sit on his lap and whisper in his ear. I especially want to thank the Deer Harbor Auxiliary members who planned, baked, greeted, served and cleaned in an effort to provide a memorable day for our island children.

Ann Ramsey

President, Deer Harbor Women’s Auxiliary

Osborn’s music is missed

For the 12 years that we have owned Victorian Valley Chapel we have listened to cars arrive for three nights at this time of year, their headlights giving guidance to those walking down for Susan Osborn’s Christmas concerts. This year, a busy schedule has kept Susan from coming to the chapel, and the empty echo of song and laughter leave a hollow for us here. Sometimes, especially when snowing, we would sneak up the hill above the chapel and listen to Susan’s voice call to the winter spirit of long nights and feel her light-infused soul warmth. The happiness that we felt at this community gathering, of the real spirit of the holiday, and of the atmosphere of hush and song, is one of the things we love about Orcas. Our hearts fill with gratitude to Susan, and to all those who have been part of the concerts for 20 years.

This holiday season, feel free to wander down and sit in the peace and quiet of the chapel. It belongs to all of you. Enjoy its peace; the doors are always open.

The Smith Family

Orcas Island

In defense of local stores

This is in response to the letter from Mr. Weeks in last week’s Sounder. The integrity, generosity, and support of our island retailers are exceptional and unparalled. During this season with its joys and difficulties, it is important to remember this aspect of our retail community. So, let’s appreciate this group of islanders that believes in giving back, in so many ways. As a fourth generation Episcopalian, I am reminded that these very qualities are the Christ in Christmas. The tone of this response is not intended to be confrontational, but to offer clarification. Thank you for the consideration.

Ginny Lu Wood

Orcas Island