Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Get Ready | Grannie’s Holiday Sale at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find
News Brief | ‘Lights Out’ they say, as 12.3M birds to migrate over Washington state
||| FROM KING TV NEWS||| "During the spring and fall months, billions of birds migrate across the United States, mainly at night. In Washington state, the fall migration season typically peaks around late September to early October." ORIGINALLY FROM KING TV NEWS "Researchers found that one of the biggest threats
F WORD !! ICE agent raids captured on camera across the country
Are these masked marauders among those who refused to cover their faces during COVID? ||| FROM THE MIDAS TOUCH |||
Kinship Program coming to Orcas Senior Center
Resources for grandparents and relatives raising children ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us at Orcas Senior Center on Friday, September 26 at 1 p.m. for a presentation by the Opportunity Council’s Kinship Programs. Kinship care occurs when children are raised by grandparents, relatives, or close
Free course for friend and family caregivers on San Juan Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County and Northwest Regional Council are offering a free six-week course for unpaid family and friend caregivers on San Juan Island. This course, Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Taking Care of You, is an evidenced-based, self-care educational program for family caregivers. Classes
Midnight Mutterings | Losing
|||MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| There are lots of ways of losing. We can lose an election, respect, direction, our way, speed, motivation, interest, energy, faith, love, and friendships. We can lose our patience and our tempers, among other sad states. Even worse, we can lose our minds. Less
Community Foundation announces open application period for GiveOrcas grants
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION }}} Calling all Orcas Island nonprofits! Applications for 2025 Holiday GiveOrcas grants are now being accepted. OICF is inviting all Orcas Island nonprofit organizations to submit grant proposals by October 7, 2025. The application is open to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6)
All WSF routes | Systemwide community meetings, Thursday, Oct. 2
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting two virtual community meetings on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. WSF staff will answer questions and provide updates on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation
Senior Center | Take charge of your health today
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Life Line Screening will be at the Orcas Island Senior Center on Thursday, October 9, 2025, offering safe, painless, and non-invasive preventive health screenings—services not typically included in a routine physical. By participating, you can take a proactive step toward protecting
Sheriff’s Report | September 10 – 16, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 25-006257 Wanted Person 14:46:29 09/10/25 A San Juan Deputy located a wanted person at the end of Haven Rd on Orcas Island. The man was taken into custody and booked into jail for two warrants. 25-006262 Threats 20:44:16 09/10/25
Town launches “Be Seen” safety campaign
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| To promote safety during shorter fall and winter days, the Town has launched a safety campaign for residents to “Be Seen”. The Town encourages everyone, but particularly pedestrians and cyclists, to wear visible clothing to increase their visibility to others.
Madrona Institute releases COMPASS final report
500+ hours of islander participation to generate 960 ideas to shape San Juan County’s future ||| FROM CHOM GRAECEN and FAITH VAN DE PUTTE for MADRONA INSTITUTE September 18, 2025 — The Madrona Institute has released the Final Report of the COMPASS Project (Comprehensive Plan for Meaningful Public Action & Sustainable
Embracing the Equinox
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The equinox is upon us, with plenty of fall gatherings and activities to look forward to. At OICF, the shift into the cozy, slower vibe of autumn means that applications for nonprofits to be included in the Holiday GiveOrcas campaign
WSF Weekly Report | Online community meetings; Wenatchee back; Fall sailing schedules;
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Passengers aboard Tokitae can now see and feel what it’s like to steer a ferry thanks to some creativity by our engine room employees. The special helm was built for our customers on our Mukilteo/Clinton route. It’s
Guest Opinion | Thoughts on these turbulent times…
||| FROM JANE FULLER, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER ||| During these particularly challenging and sensitive times, I want to share my perspective on recent violent events across the country – the impacts of which are being acutely felt by members of our local community. I am writing this as
‘Tis the season for annual apple tasting, including fresh-pressed cider
||| FROM MICHELLE HASSEBROCK for ORCAS ISLAND. HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Kwiaht will be joining the Museum on Saturday, October 4th from 12:30-2:30pm. Come and sample dozens of varieties of local apples, enjoy fresh-pressed cider (courtesy of Girl Meets Dirt), and learn about Orcas Island's heritage orchards. Apple tasting will end
