Teas, Parties and Meetings All Looking Ahead

 — by Margie Doyle —

Local organizations have been celebrating hard work and vision, as the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. San Juan Conservation District, the Friends of the Orcas Island Library and the Orcas Historical Museum have held teas, parties and potlucks.

Tim Lunde presents Phil Heikkinen a check for $119,000 from the Friends of the LIbrary

The Annual Library Tea was attended by droves of islanders of all ages. Tim Lunde, Friends of the Orcas Library Board President, handed over to Library Director Phil Heikkinen a check from the Friends to the Library for $119,000 during the Saturday afternoon event.

Maggie Kaplan and Sadie Bailey share a booth at the American Legion Auxiliary Bazaar

At the American Legion Auxiliary’s Bazaar, proceeds benefited the Auxiliary’s scholarship fund. Auxiliary president Jan Cleveland said the board and volunteers worked “incredibly hard” towards the success of the bazaar. Enough funds were raised to provide two scholarships which the Legion Auxiliary awards each year to Orcas High School graduates.

Guests enjoyed “An Enchanted Evening” with the Community Solar for Our Schools project  on Saturday night. The San Juans Conservation District provided a four course dinner served by students from the High School’s Environmental Club. The meal was followed by an auction, featuring sumptuous dessert. The Crow Valley String Bank played lively fiddle tunes.

The Odd Fellows, represented by Jay Kimball presented Linda Lyshall, Conservation District Director, a check for $10,250 towards the Community Solar Project, an investment program to provide solar energy to the community through installations on public schools. The Odd Fellows’ check represented a $250 contribution from each of its members.

Jay Kimball presents a check from the Odd Fellows to Conservation District’s Linda Lyshall

Maggie Vinson holding her son Lincoln with Linda Peth at the Historical Museum fundraiser

Sunday afternoon, the Orcas Island Historical Society’s annual meeting filled the Lundeen Room at the Senior Center, where prime rib and salmon topped off the potluck. Following dinner, Museum Curator Clark McAbee spoke of plans for next year’s headline exhibit on smuggling.

The exhibit will be guest-curated by returning Orcas Islander Iris Parker Pavitt. Islanders are invited to contribute items for exhibit. Harold Linzer narrated a slide show of James Geogheghan’s photography. Jim Biddick, HIstorical Society Board President, announced the annual awards:

• Jane Barfoot-Hodde Historian Award to Edrie Vinson, who catalogued the more than 2,500 photos of James Geoghegan;
• Volunteer of the Year Award to Historical Society Linda Peth, who announced upon receiving the award, “Volunteering for the museum is a lot of fun;”
• Sponsor of the Year Award to Eclipse Charters and Dan and Denise Wilk.