Here’s a thought…
“Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life.”
GIORGOS SEFERIS
I’m Not the Church Lady | Don’t start with me, Arne
||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| What happens when all our efforts to change what is have been exhausted—and presence is the only thing left? Even presence turns out not to
Fall sailing schedule begins Sunday, September 20
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Our fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasts through Dec. 26. Port Townsend/Coupeville: The route will continue two-boat service until Oct. 5, when it returns to one-boat service until next spring. This is
A local landmark retires from service
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| The historic “Fire Barn” located behind the Orcas Island Historical Museums on the Village Green served many purposes during its 90-year lifespan. From garage to
Getting to Know Katherine | Why I’m running
This is the first of a five-part series to introduce myself, Katherine Bryant Ingman, to the voters of San Juan County so that you can learn more and vote in November for me as San
Letter to Editor | Drop box is best to ensure your ballot is counted
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON ||| I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in
Voter registration day next week at the Library
||| FROM KAREN MENG for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library will host a voter registration day activity on Tuesday September 15th 3:30 - 5pm. Join us to write letters to newly
Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update process
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The goal is to complete the regulation updates before the end
WSF Weekly Report | 378,000 Labor Day riders | One more community meeting coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve While many of us took some time off over Labor Day weekend, hundreds of people across our system were hard at work safely moving more
No jurors needed Sept 14-18
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 14-18, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 14th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Have a garden question? Last Orcas Master Gardener event for 2026
Saturday September 12th at the Market Garden Nursery! Last “Ask a Master Gardener“ for 2026 ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have
Madrona Institute announces 2026 Request for Proposals for SJI Stewardship Fund Grants
||| FROM EDEN LIGHT for THE MADRONA INSTITUTE ||| The Madrona Institute is pleased to announce the opening of its 2026 Request for Proposals for the San Juan Islands Stewardship Fund, supported by proceeds from
Litch Brothers return to Grange for concert
||| FROM KAJ LITCH for THE LITCH BROTHERS ||| The Litch Brothers will be playing a concert at the Grange on September 24th and 7pm. Returning from their 1st place win at the Telluride National
September at the Library | More art
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The display case at the Orcas Island Library this September features art by Christina (Chris) Frausto. Chris is a renowned artist, curator, and educator whose book-related
Airhawks are logging a really busy year
||| FROM ROBERT WAUNCH for AIRHAWKS FLYING CLUB ||| The Airhawks Flying Club has been exceptionally busy this year, especially when Orcas High School started summer break. Airhawks awarded scholarships to four High School students:
‘Moment of Truth for American Democracy’ with Hedrick Smith
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Hedrick Smith will speak at Orcas Center on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. on "Moment of Truth for American Democracy: What's at Stake in the
The Island Gardener – September 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Leadership Smoothie Welcome to a brand new season with the garden club! Once again, we are mixing things up! The newsletter will have some familiar favorite series coming
