The first annual Trashion Fashion show fundraiser at the Orcas Island Grange was a celebration of re-use, creativity, and the Grange spirit.

“The mission of the Grange has always been to find a need in the community and fill it,” said member Leslie Seaman, who introduced the show. Seaman told the story of how the Orcas Grange was nearly sold a few years ago, but was kept available to the community by the contributions of Doug Bechtel, who decided to rent the Grange for his plays. Now with Be

Emcee Carl Burger wowed the audience with his skillful fingering and witty renditions of garbage and landfill-related songs. Contestants strutted their stuff with sassy runway moves, garbed in creatively repurposed bubble wrap, old lace scraps, a tarp, Christmas ribbon, egg cartons, paper bags and magazine pages. They accessorized with bottle cap earrings, necklaces and candy wrappers. To top it off, contestant Marlia Starwater wore the second-hand boots of long-time islander Jane Barfoot Hodde, who was a Grange member for 82 years before passing two years ago. Her family, the Willises, were members of the Grange from 1914.

While judges Don Seaman and Nikki Ames deliberated, the Devil’s Fruitcake Band (Kira Bradshaw, Mary Wachter, and Lulu McNett) kept everyone entertained with some energetic folk and bluegrass numbers.

After the show, homemade desserts and delectable cheeses were served on blue and white Grange dishes originally from the 1930