Letter to Editor: Many to Thank for Successful Montessori Garden Party

— from Teresa Chocano and Montessori Board of Directors —

Thank you so much for attending the “Garden Party” fundraiser Orcas Montessori School hosted April 30 2016 and generously giving your support to benefit young children of Orcas Island. With your help we raised over $20,000. So many local and off island friends, parents, staff, board members and businesses contributed to the success of this event. Their generosity makes it possible for Orcas Montessori School to underwrite many scholarships each year, keep its tuition affordable, and offer a beautiful Montessori creative learning community to the young children of Orcas Island year after year.

Orcas Montessori extends many heartfelt thanks to the following: Clyde & April Duke; Avery, Drew and Connor of Hogstone Wood Oven; John Steward; Coffelt Farm; Meyers Creamery; Roses; Island Market; Michelle Wiley our host & auctioneer; musicians Birdie Greening, Paris Wilson and Martin Lund; Asya Soloian Eberle, graphic design; Shirley Lange Photography, student portraits; Dana Thompson; Darvill’s Bookstore; Office Cupboard; Philip Boerstler; Joe Thoron; Julie Brunner; Emma Thoron; Tina Torri; Jamie Donatuto; Arthur de Haan; Moriah Armstrong; Kristen and Ed Wilson; Sam Sprenger; Laine Pechaceck; Ina Drosu; Sara Smith; Julie Remmington; Marti Monroe; Kyle Carver; Jeanne Morris; and Sarah Shaefer auction chair extraordinaire, for their overall support and contributions.

We also want to extend our gratitude and thanks to all the Orcas and off-island businesses, individuals, and organizations who generously donated auction items and services: Alexander Studio; All Seasons Gardening; Artcyled; ASTech Professionals; Raymond Brogi; Jackie Brumfield; Catkin Café; Diversity Bookkeeping; Center Works Studio; Chicaoji Hot Sauce; Crow Valley Pottery; Idalia Cruz; Sara Dailey-Smith; Deer Harbor Inn; Deer Harbor Marina; Enzo’s Italian Cafe; Evans Nursery; Feltgoods; Four Winds Camp; the Gathering Plac;, Geppettos Inc.; Girl Meets Dirt; Golden Tree Hostel; Greening & Greening; Susan & Wally Gudgell; Haircuts by Lilli; Healing Arts Center practitioners (Kimmy Clancy, Rick Doty, Ian Van Gelder, Christopher Evans, Anita Holladay, Christa Smith); Hogstone Cafe; Hot Ice Studio; Island Excavating; Island Skillet; Island Thyme; Jaku An Studio; Jillery; Kathryn Taylor Chocolates; Joleen Kelleher; The Kitchen; Liam’s Bistro; Material Wit; Mike and Nuna Malespina; Casey MacKenzie; Mary Miller; Laurie and Warren Miller’ Mobil Fit 4 U; North Beach Craftwork; Olgas; Omari Beauty Bar; On The Spot; Orcas Athletics & Spa; Orcas Farm; Orcas Food Co-op; Orcas Village Store; Orcas Island Pottery; Outer Island Excursions; Luanne Pamatian; Pawki’s for Pets; Place to Play; Rainshadow Consulting; Red Rabbit Farm; Johana Rodriguez; Manuel Rodriguez; Rosario Resort & Spa; San Juan Sanitation; Leslie Rae Schmitz; Guillermo Schokano; Sea Island Sand & Gravel; Sequel; Shearwater Adventures; Smith & Speed; Tad Sommerville; Springboard; Andrew & Alyson Stephens; Streamside Renewables; Three Ponies Photography; West Beach Resort; The Woodsmen; YMCA Camp Orkila; and Suzi Zobrist.

On behalf of the exuberant and joyful children who grow and learn in the Orcas Montessori School, we cannot thank you enough.