Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Pandemic poetry | Pandemic by Lynn Ungar
Pandemic What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath — the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you
A huge thank you to Jeannie Doty upon retirement from Food Bank
-- from Madie Murray for Orcas Island Food Bank -- An era is ending. After 14 years as manager of the Orcas Island Food Bank, Jeannie Doty will officially turn over the reins to its new manager, Amanda Sparks, on May 31. Her loving dedication to the Food Bank and
COVID-19 Community Conversations continue
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- The “COVID-19 Community Conversations” series continues this week with three short videos that highlight efforts from organizations and people providing key services and crucial leadership in our community. You can find these videos on our YouTube channel “San Juan County
Inslee extends six proclamations relating to COVID-19
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of six proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions, approved by the Legislature, apply to health care, nursing assistant training and testing, post retirement employment, and license renewals and suspensions. The
Port releases upcoming agenda, along with sad news
-- from Tony Simpson, Airport Manager -- As the attached agenda reveals sad news, I feel it appropriate to address it first: It is with a tremendously heavy heart that I write of the passing of Commissioner William S. (Steve) Hopkins. I’m sorry to do so by email, but the
Recap of COVID-19 News and Updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on May 1, there are 15,003 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state [14 in San Juan County], an increase of 366 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and
Tuning out the pandemic | Orcas Choral Society, Faure Requiem
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. Introit & Kyrie from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem | Orcas Island Choral Society If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Aging Like a Guru | Sometimes aging ain’t so pretty
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- Glen has Parkinson’s Disease. He is 72, lives alone, and he fell the other day. He was needing to get to the bathroom -- didn’t make it -- messed his pants and laid there for hours before someone found him and called 911. He will
San Juan County Health Officer order extended to May 31
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Concurring with an April 29, 2020 decision by the San Juan County Board of Health, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James has extended his order limiting transient accommodations, camping, and access to playgrounds from May 4 until May 31.This decision is intended
Village Voices | When do you think tourism activity should resume on the island?
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- And suddenly it’s May. With our monthly Village Voices series, we take the pulse of the Orcas Island community. Every month we’ll be out and about, asking people to share their point of view on a particular topic. Sometimes the questions will
Governor Inslee extends his Stay at Home Order through at least May 31
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- The devil is in the details of course, and the next few days will provide more info on what exactly this plan may mean for San Juan County. We, like you, have questions that require clarification. We'll work hard to
Pandemic poetry | Everyone Sang by Siegfried Sassoon
Everyone Sang Siegfried Sassoon Everyone suddenly burst out singing;And I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom,Winging wildly across the whiteOrchards and dark-green fields; on--on--and out of sight.Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;And beauty came like the setting sun:My heart was shaken with tears; and horrorDrifted away
ICYMI: Inslee requests federal waiver of COVID-19 cost-share requirements
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today requesting that President Trump authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide 100 percent federal assistance under the Stafford Act for the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state. "While our state enjoyed a period
Parks announces limited opening for day use
Ocean beach and Columbia River Gorge parks to remain closed -- from Washington State Parks -- Today, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced the list of state parks that will open on Tuesday, May 5, for day use only. The list of more than 100 parks and properties is
Recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 30, there are 14,327 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 257 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide response updates Washington’s phased approach: Today Gov. Jay Inslee
Congressman Rick Larsen to speak at EDC business recovery call
Wednesday, May 6, 10-11 a.m. via Zoom. -- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) invites community leaders and businesspeople to join in a conversation with Congressman Rick Larsen on the economy, recovery and the news from Washington DC. The meeting will
