Here’s a thought…
“Look into any man’s heart you please, and you will always find, in every one, at least one black spot which he has to keep concealed.”
HENRIK IBSEN
Get hearing care at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, from Island Hearing Healthcare, provides hearing care at Orcas Senior Center every first Thursday of the month. To secure your slot, it is advisable to schedule your appointment well in advance, as availability fills up rapidly. The
Midnight Mutterings | Goals vs practices
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| From Dictionary.com: Goal and practice: Goal: ’First recorded in 1325–50; Middle English gol “boundary, limit”; further origin. The result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. Practice: repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency.’ I’ve
Sheriff’s Report | October 8 – 14, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 25-006947 Trespassing 08:40:06 10/08/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a trespass incident at a business in the downtown Eastsound area. The incident was documented, and the individual was trespassed from the business property. 25-006957 Trespassing 16:20:13 10/08/25 San
In Memoriam | Linda Loretta Peth 1940-2025
||| FROM KELLY ERICKSON ||| Linda Peth, 1940-2025 Linda Peth, 85, passed away on October 14, 2025, in La Conner, WA. Linda was born on July 27, 1940 to Jeanne Martha Affleck Haynes and Normand Noble Haynes. She attended Immaculate Conception in Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon High
News Brief | Time versus money: Reporter unpacks WSF’s out-of-state contract
||| FROM KIRO NEWS ||| “The deal was interesting from the get-go, because there were competing values, of spending our tax dollars locally or getting more for our buck by going to a Florida shipyard." ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON KIRO NEWS "As much as we’d like to keep our dollars at
Drop-in peer grief support group at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us for a supportive, non-judgmental space to process grief and mourning with the Drop-In Peer Grief Support Group Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center. This group is designed to help normalize your feelings, facilitate healing, and provide understanding.
Orcas Island Middle School girls volleyball team concludes undefeated 2025 season
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS MIDDLE SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Island Middle School Girls Volleyball Team has wrapped up an outstanding 2025 season, finishing with an impressive undefeated record. The final whistle has blown on a campaign marked by dedication, skill, and remarkable growth among the players. Under the
Letter to Editor | Why I’m supporting OIFR bond levy
||| FROM BRIAN EHRMANTRAUT ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue’s fire engines have served this community well for decades, but the fleet is aging and needs urgent attention. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets national standards for fire apparatus, recommends in NFPA 1911: “Apparatus more than 15 years
What’s up, fungal associates?
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Completely Arbortrary is a weekly podcast that is a scientific look at trees and how they affect and are affected by everything, hosted by master arborist and environmental educator Casey Clapp and his tree-curious friend and musical artist Alex Crowson. Each
WSF Weekly Update |
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve WSF's employees commitment to our customers keep us operating, with Friday being a great example. Let’s begin with our dedicated dispatchers. With several key vessel positions unfilled across the system, our dispatch team went into overdrive –
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Headed for NO KINGS rally? Here are some reminders
||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF |||
Time to plan ahead for Winter Artisans Market at Odd Fellows
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for WINTER ARTISANS MARKET ||| The annual Winter Artisans Market at the Odd Fellows Hall invites applications from artists and artisans for this traditional gathering of island creatives and community supporters. This year's Market will be held on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th at
Grannie’s Holiday Sale returns to Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Get ready to shop, mingle, and celebrate the season at Grannie’s Holiday Sale on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center! Discover festive décor, holiday treasures, handcrafted goods, and one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artisans.
Letter to Editor | We need to strengthen our local outreach regarding Corona vaccines
||| FROM KIM SECUNDA ||| Today I was at the clinic and a woman thought she needed a referral to get her shot from Rays. It takes a month to get a Dr. appointment and the Rays vaccine waitlist is deep into November . This sets vaccination back to average 2
Momentum builds for NO KINGS peaceful protest on Saturday
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLAND TEAM |||
