Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Why was Memorial Day originally called “Decoration Day”?
For nearly a century, Memorial Day was largely known by a different name. Here’s a brief look at the day’s history, and why its name changed in the mid-20th century. ||| FROM WORD SMARTS ||| In 1868, Decoration Day was established as a new holiday on May 30. It was
How we pushed the Columbia, the great river of the West, to its limit
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| Shaped by fire and ice, the Columbia River and its landscape have been forever changing. Cataclysmic shifts of nature — massive eruptions, moving oceans and grinding tectonic plates — have formed this basin over millions of years. But in just a blink of time,
Partners in Care weekly sessions at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Now in its fourth month, Partners in Care—an Orcas Island Lions Club program in collaboration with Orcas Senior Center—offers weekly respite sessions for family caregivers. Held Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center, trained volunteers and a
Experience the joy of drumming
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center Tuesdays at 11 a.m This beginner-friendly group focuses on exploring the elements of drumming. There’s no cost to participate—just bring a drum and join the fun.
Letter to Editor | Orcas is changing
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| Let's start with "Pet Parade" where there were goats, horses, cows, rabbits, chickens, ducks, goldfish in bowl, snakes, and other farm animals we are used to seeing. We did have some amazing dogs, a couple of cats, and a turtle. Can anyone remember when we
Island Voices | Island writers, poets coming to Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Join us for an evening of storytelling and celebration as 10 distinctive Island voices take the stage to share their work — from poignant poems and evocative essays to captivating short stories and excerpts from novels-in-progress. Pull up a chair, settle
Get tech-savvy with student support at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| On Friday, May 30, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., the Orcas Senior Center will host a Tech Help Session led by Orcas Island High School Seniors. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants support with their personal devices
The Exchange Update | May 2025
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| Elementary School Tours ORS/The Exchange Twenty-seven 3rd graders from the Orcas Island Elementary School recently toured ORS/The Exchange to learn more about recycling and zero waste initiatives. Read the full story here… Spring Great Islands Clean Up Recap Over 300 volunteers came together for
First humpback whale calf of the summer spotted north of San Juan Island this week
||| FROM KING-TV SEATTLE ||| The first humpback calf of the whale watching season was spotted in the Salish Sea earlier this week. The baby, which is thought to be between four to five months old, was seen in the Haro Strait north of San Juan Island on Wednesday and
Revitalize your body, mind with Tara Plank’s yoga workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Tara Plank for an energizing LYT Yoga Workshop on Saturday, May 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Orcas Senior Center. This core-focused vinyasa practice, inspired by LYT Yoga and developed by a skilled physical therapist assistant, follows
Expensive electricity and bankruptcies | Does Germany need to go back to nuclear power?
Germany's new minister of economy wants more natural gas power stations and electricity subsidies. But is that enough to boost the economy? ||| FROM EURO NEWS ||| Once a world market leader, today, Germany is considered the "sick man of Europe", as the country remains mired in recession for the
Discover Your Roots | Genealogy workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us on Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center for an engaging and informative Genealogy Workshop led by Kathi Ciskowski. Kathi, a long-time Orcas Island resident, completed the University of Washington’s Professional and Continuing Education Genealogy and
Letter to Editor | Where are we going?
||| FROM SUSAN MUSTARD ||| On April 30th, I was at SeaTac Airport. After having been thoroughly vetted (passport, etc), we were finally ready for our overseas flight. The airline called for our boarding. My travel companion was behind me as we rolled down to board plane. A short dark
Midnight Mutterings | Kohlberg’s stages
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Recently, I stumbled across (on the web) mention of Lawrence Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development. I realized I hadn’t thought about his work in decades and so I took another look. Here’s one article describing Kohlberg’s work: https://practicalpie.com/kohlbergs-stages-of-moral-development/ I think, those decades ago,
As the Paradigm Shifts | Letting the ache be sacred
||| THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| After dinner, I stepped out into the night to toss a bit of organics into the compost. That’s when I heard an urgent, aching cry from the woods. A sound so raw and tender, it could only be a newborn fawn in
Sheriff’s Report | May 14 – 20, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 25-002797 Citizen Assist 10:10:03 05/14/25 Orcas Island Deputies responded to a citizen assist. The individual was looking to surrender three firearms. Deputies received the firearms and processed them for safekeeping. 25-002806 Theft 15:32:45 05/14/25 A Deputy on San Juan
