Past, Present and Future: Orcas Issues Serves Us

— by Margie Doyle —

Last night Orcas Issues News and Views celebrated our 10th anniversary with an Orcas-style potluck party at the Odd Fellows Hall. We invited over 300 of our subscribers and we’re delighted with the event, remembering those who were there at the beginning in 2008, and giving a recap of the public events of the last decade that have shaped our community.

Then we talked about the future. We had some great ideas about going forward with vitality and integrity, upholding the ideals of community journalism as one of the pillars of a moral, accountable, compassionate and yes, idealistic community.

I want to alert random readers and faithful subscribers to some of the plans for the near future:

• • The first issue of Orcas Issues News and Views was published on Nov. 23, 2008 and we looked forward with the hopes and challenges of the Barack Obama Presidential Administration and the disappointments and challenges of the 2008 Great Recession. Over the next 10 days, I plan to give a recap of the annual events of each year, starting with 2009 — one day for each year should have us up to current times by Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day
  • As we observe November as a month of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, I invite readers to send their memories and thanks that come to mind this month. Then as we enter the holiday season of Christmas, Hanukkah, Saturnalia and (my favorite) the Feast of the Holy Family, I’d love to hear what members of our community plan to give during the Giving Season. It was pointed out at the party last night that one of the greatest contributions of Orcas Issues is the opportunity to share and converse with our neighbors. I hope people will give us editors at Orcas Issues lots of contributions to the community conversation.
  • If you’d like to submit a guest opinion, please do so! Mail your opinion to editor@theorcasonian.com
  • And after working through some slight and irregular glitches, we again invite readers to become Community Journalists — just click on the link (tab) at the top of our page, and also listed as a left-hand sidebar link. Or here’s the link right here: https://theorcasonian.com/community-journalism/

But wait! there’s more. But this is a start, and we party-goers hope you’ll add your vote, or complaint, or suggestion or solution to the beautiful tapestry that is the Orcas Island/San Juan County Community. Some of the things we want your help and opinion about: