History Matinee: Don Gerard
Published 4:11 pm Monday, July 9, 2012
In a continuing series of monthly gatherings sponsored by the Orcas Island Historical Museum, island native Don Gerard will tell stories and answer questions about the old days on Orcas Island on Sunday, July 15 at the Orcas Senior Center.
Gerard’s grandparents ran dry goods stores in Eastsound at the old Benson Hall (which was then called the Sunny Shore Building) and in Westsound during the 40’ and 50’s. His parents, May and Chuck Gerard, lived at the house on Crescent Beach now owned by Joan Rorabaugh.
They were involved as owners of West Beach Resort, built the building which now houses Pawki’s Pet Store, and Gerard’s father was involved in establishing OPALCO in 1937.
Gerard left Orcas to attend University of Washington and had a career in highway construction before returning to the island as a retiree in 1993. History Matinee takes place on the third Sunday of each month in the Lundeen Room of the Orcas Senior Center at 3 p.m. Admission is by donation to support the Orcas Island Historical Museum.
Call 376-4849 for information.
