Museum Throws Historic Dinner Party

— by Margie Doyle —

Dinner guests at Red Rabbit Farm’s Heritage Fest to benefit the Orcas Historical Museums.

Some 40 supporters, board members, volunteers and staff sat down for a family-style Sunday dinner at Red Rabbit Farm in West Sound to support the work of the Orcas Island Historical Museums. Board Member Michele Wiley organized the Heritage Harvest Feast, which was prepared by Christina Orchid.

Michele gave special thanks to Maggie Vinson, who wasn’t able to attend the feast due to ill health. “Maggie was the pivotal person in handling every question that came to her,” said Michele.

Museum Curator Clark McAbee introduced tribal leaders Justin Finkbonner of the Lummis and  Frank Penter of the Samish, who was a guest of Denise Wilk. Penter read a short speech that had been written by Rosie Cayou. Finkbonner recited blessings over the guests before and after dinner, accompanied by throbbing drumbeats.

The harvest feast was bountiful and delicious and brought together “everything one would find in one’s garden, with Chirstina’s added touch,” said Wiley. On the menu were oyster and crab-mushroom hors d’oevres; smoked butternut squash soup;  piquant green salad; seasonal vegetable dishes including roast potatoes and carrots, cauliflower, fresh green beans, and corn pudding; perfectly-cooked salmon with a flavor-enhancing basil sauce, and roast pork that one guest described as “buttery delicious;” followed by dessert of a tartly-sweet apple crisp with whipped cream.

Lummi Nation leaders welcome guests to the Orcas Museum’s Harvest Dinner. Michele Wiley is at right.

Council member Rick Hughes told a story of the purchase of the land in Shorewood, past Olga, by several Bellingham families some five generations ago. He spoke humorously of Carroll Culver who sold the land to Rick’s ancestors. “This pulls everything together,” said guest Mike Wiley.

John Willis, also descended from the Culver pioneer family, elaborated on the story Rick told.

Tony Ayer recalled finding the skull and tusks of Bison Antiquus at a bog during excavation for his and wife Nancy’s home near Olga. Marks showing that the animal had been hunted and butchered about 14,000 years ago (presumably by humans using tools) substantiate human activity before the Clovis, considered to be the ancestors of most of the indigenous cultures of the Americas. Nancy Ayer said that Science magazine has called the discovery of Bison Antiquus one of the 10 most significant archeological finds ever.

Bill Buchan, former president of the Historical Society urged the guests to bring friends to see the skull, still at the Orcas Museum.

Jim Biddick, current president of the Historical Society reminded the guests that the museum is open free of charge to islanders on Saturdays during the winter months.

Michele Wiley summed up the evening by saying, “The dinner was the perfect collaboration of generations of islanders and early Americans, with great stories told at a fall harvest feast. I couldn’t have been more pleased.”