The Samish Shore Lines Published by the Samish Island Community Center P.O. Box 268 Bow, 98232 samishisland.net February 2017 President’s message February: winter is almost over: the garden is starting to grow, the swans are still here, and Valentine's Day ekes out our messages of gratitude and love. Love: we've lost some dear friends this last month and change is not always easy. I'm planning to send a few extra valentines this year. Gratitude: every day I turn around on Samish Island I am grateful for this life I get to lead. The richness of our community and beauty of our surroundings are powerful containers to our lives. At times, it is down right gob-smacking, awe inspiring, steal my breath away cool. I love living here. Swans: one of my favorite birds. In the darkness of late afternoon and early evening, I love to listen to them from the deck. Calling back & forth, trumpeting as they settle down for the night. When I see them flying with the mountains behind, their brilliant white wings flashing in front of the deep blue of the Chuckanuts, I am tempted to pull over and stop. It seems like a miracle in motion. Gardens: I got out to do a little cleanup in the garden this weekend. It's still a bit nippy, but felt good to be out. What are you enjoying these days? Thanks for February, and thanks for electing me as your new president of SICC! Thais Fire Chief’s Corner Sunday’s Open House gave us a great opportunity to solicit new recruits to our force. More members are needed for all phases of response, as well as for office work. Contact Mike Collins at 766.6704 or [email protected] Thanks to everyone who visited our table and added to the donation jar. We collected over $300! Watch for our equipment ‘Wish List’ in the March Shorelines. All correspondence or donations can be sent to this address: S.I. Volunteer Firefighters’ Association 10367 Halloran Road Bow, WA 98232 Edgewater Garden Club invites us for the February meeting of the Garden Club on Thursday, February 23rd. Beginning at 10 am with coffee and goodies, the program follows: "Skagit Maid Creamery." Dorothy Bradshaw owner and cheese maker at Skagit Maid Creamery will talk about cheese making, building a creamery, and milk. Skagit Maid Creamery is located on Samish Island and started business as a licensed facility in June 2016. The micro-creamery produces camembert (French soft-ripened cheese), whole milk ricotta, and occasionally, ice cream. All are welcome. Samish Island Acres-Community Garden will be planning for 2017 crops and activities at the next potluck/gathering on Monday, Feb. 27th at 6:30 pm, welcoming new members at the Community of Christ Church Social Hall, Scott Rd. Contact: Cheryl Willis at [email protected] Samish Island 21 st Annual Arts Festival coming up July 29 th : We’ll be looking for new vendors and fresh ideas to enhance our fun island festival at our meeting next on February 9 th at 4 pm, hosted by Gail Hopley. Contact Sheila Rood, 360.395.5569/ [email protected] Open House at the Community Center: Over 75 people attended the drop-in Open House sharing conversation and ideas about what makes Samish Island a great place to live, perceived challenges we face and ideas to make our island a better place for the future. Today’s contributions will be shared and a survey distributed for islanders to prioritize ideas for developing programs in the near future. Nurith St. Pierre & Ann Reid are very grateful for all the help to set up, bring food, all participants in S.I. activities and the cleanup volunteers! Thanks to the 205 families who’ve already sent in their 2017 voluntary $10 dues and responded to the survey. We are still accepting dues and a printable survey is accessible the January Shorelines on the SICC web page. The SICC address is noted above. Gail Hopley is compiling survey responses about digital vs. analog Shorelines for a report in the March Issue and is finalizing our 2017 directory! Editor’s Note re Board of Directors: Please note on 2 nd page the newly elected members. So Many Thanks to Jerry Sells for 3 years as President & Chuck Davis, VP