Community traditions

||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||

My absolute favorite holiday is coming up next week. My family has many Thanksgiving traditions, all centered around spending time together, cooking and feasting all day, and yes, sometimes discussing politics. While sometimes these conversations have gone a bit sideways, I believe it’s important to share our views with each other, support healthy dialogue and build trust and understanding through open communication – even when we don’t necessarily agree. It’s part of what builds a healthy family, and a supportive community. 

On Orcas, we have many old traditions, and new ones forming:

GiveOrcas
We’re kicking off the season of giving with our annual “Flat Person” game! “Flat Hints” will be shared on OICF’s social media between now thru December 3. The first Flat People hint: 

They started a local business together.

Don’t know what a flat person is?? (I wasn’t so sure until recently either) It’s a lifesize cardboard cutout of people who have done a whole lot of GOOD on the island, and they help serve as ambassadors for GiveOrcas – all in good fun. 

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more daily hints, and submit your guesses to guess@oicf.us for a chance to win $500 for your favorite nonprofits participating in GiveOrcas (one guess per person per day – be sure to include your full name). All will be revealed on December 3! We hope you join us in giving meaningful gifts December 3 – 12 at www.giveorcas.org.

Putting the “Giving” in Thanksgiving 

• Help the Orcas Island Food Bank provide a turkey dinner for 130 households this year by donating online.

• The Lions Club match to support the Orcas Senior Center with building renovations is underway through the end of November, with $15K raised so far! Help meet the $25K matching goal today for double the impact!

• Make a year-end giving plan: OICF would love to help you make your charitable giving easier this season. Please contact me to set up a time to talk or come by the office. Whether it’s a stock transfer, distributions from a Donor Advised Fund, or help with your Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA, we’ve got you covered. 

The Olga Symphony will be carrying on a favorite holiday tradition, their Thanksgiving weekend concert, on November 29 and 30 at 7:00 pm. This year, the show is moving to the Grange! There will be plenty of great tunes, old and new, fine clothes old and new, and good times and jokes, old and new. Tickets are now available at Darvill’s Bookstore or at the door, starting at 6:30pm, before each show. Proceeds will benefit island charities!

Looking ahead, the Holiday on the Green is sure to light up our hearts this year on December 6, 4-7pm with music (my daughter is singing this year!), Santa pictures, warm beverages, food, and more. OICF will even be there with some GiveOrcas themed cheer!  

Thanksgiving Cranberry Ice

This recipe has been passed down through my family and is best served in small dishes at each place setting and enjoyed with dinner. It’s a requirement that any kids (young and old) join the gathering to crank the old-fashioned ice cream maker!

2 quarts (2 bags) fresh cranberries

4 cups water

4 cups sugar

Juice of 4 lemons

Cook cranberries in water in a saucepan until berries stop popping. Push mixture through a food mill or colander into a bowl. Stir in sugar and lemon juice and cool in the fridge. Churn in an ice cream maker and store in the freezer until dinner. Enjoy!