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Articles from the November 27, 2019 edition


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  • Keep Joy Neal as librarian

    Nov 27, 2019

    To the Board of Trustees of the La Conner Regional Library: Maybe Joy Neal’s retirement is accepted by you, but it is certainly not accepted by her loyal patrons. Joy has faithfully worked in that BLEAK library for 15 years. She not only worked to develop new programs, but willingly ordered new books and helped people feel comfortable with questions concerning the library. She was, as you know, a major source in securing funds for the new library. I think, we as a community deserve more explanation than “the board is moving in a new dir...

  • Shop local: Library Thrift Store

    Nov 27, 2019

    The Library Thrift store is ready for all early Christmas shoppers. We have gifts, book and beautiful decorations ready to be a part of your home for the holidays. Stop by and see us at 6th and Morris Wednesday through Sunday (but not Thanksgiving Day; check for hours this week). Oliver Iversen La Conner for Friends of the Library Thrift Store...

  • Fire Department rescues

    Nov 27, 2019

    On Halloween afternoon I fell and broke my arm on the way home from the library, carrying my checked out library book. The fire department was there immediately, then the ambulance. Then I rode to Anacortes and the emergency room. When I finally got home several hours later, I did not have my library book and had no idea where it could be. Three days later the Fire Department returned my book. I want to thank the good folks at the department who went out of their way to solve a problem for me. Mike Elliott La Conner...

  • Delivering the local news to you weekly

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    The weekly newspaper was delivered today, Wednesday, and through the end of this week around La Conner, as has been the case every week for 141 years, since 1878. Hopefully it is your local and weekly newspaper. To the subscribers in the greater La Conner region, the 98257 and 98273 zip codes, thank you. To expatriates in Seattle, Portland, California and beyond, thank you. To grown children and parents who have bought gift subscriptions for family members so those far away are kept up to date and reminded weekly of the goings on in the...

  • Congress will hear Navy jet noise measure

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    Congress is posed to require the U.S. Navy to measure the real time sound levels of the AE Growlers jets flying at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, organizers from the Sound Defense Alliance told twenty five people attending a meeting at the Camano Island Library Nov. 16. Mark Lundsten recounted that Rep. Adam Smith (D., Seattle), chair of the US. House of Representatives Armed Services and his staff have inserted language in this year’s national defense authorization expected to be passed in December. Lundsten summarized the public h...

  • Musings: On the editor's mind

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    Last week’s rains and the weekend’s winds knocked the last of this year’s leaves off area trees. Broadleaf or conifer needle, all fell like the rain that battered them to the ground. Just like that, autumn’s leaves are gone. The variety of colored puddles, reflecting their tree crowns above, were already pretty much raked, blown, ground and sucked up by humans bringing order to their yards. The leaf shadows are now only a memory, a journal entry, poem fragment or watercolor sketch, if captured in some physical form. Many a leaf will be capture...

  • Generations of 'Locally Grown' art locally shown

    Claire Swedberg|Nov 27, 2019

    As you are reading this article, someone in the valley is painting. Skagit Valley has been fostering the arts for decades and this month FORUM Arts is acknowledging that work, both current and historic. The ‘Locally Grown’ show features a half dozen of those who are painting or have painted in the Valley. The exhibit includes three who have died – Guy Anderson, Jeffrey Thostenson and Clyde Sanborn – while three artists are still painting: Christian Carlson, Margy Lavelle and Dedy Ward. “In putting together the exhibition ‘Loca...

  • 'The Barn Shows' book now out

    Nov 27, 2019

    MAKING HISTORY BY THE BOOK – The spirit of the old days live on at Lavone Newell-Reim and Dick Reim’s Skagit City Studio and Gardens. Hundreds came out, many bringing elaborate potluck dishes or bottles of wine. Many left with a copy, or copies, of Lavone’s (left) and photographer Cathy Stevens’ (right) new book, “The Barn Shows.” From 1986 to 2003 the annual art exhibit featuring the Skagit Valley’s best fine artists took place there. – Photo by Ken Stern...

  • Mike Compton in wrestling Hall of Fame

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    La Conner’s Mike Compton is in the hall of fame. After a lifetime of wrestling, starting before his winning a conference champion and being named Most Inspirational Wrestler at Western Washington State College in 1970, he has again been awarded: Nov. 2 Compton was elected to the 2019 Hall of Fame class of the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association. Compton finished his coaching career at La Conner (2004-2011). Hired as athletic director, he created a wrestling program. Before he retired,...

  • Priceless gifts

    Nov 27, 2019

    In this year of increasing violence and incivility, it is vital that we choose holiday gifts for our children that send positive messages. There are many inexpensive books, puzzles, toys and games that encourage mental, physical and emotional growth while fostering healthier and more peaceful homes and communities. But there is also a more precious gift, one that is affordable by all because it is free, and that is the gift of our time. Instead of purchasing a gift, why not present a certificate redeemable for time to read, hike, play or do a...

  • New Christmas Festival readies for shoppers

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    La Conner residents: Prepare to share the shopping district and the holiday season with out of town visitors. The new business advocacy organization, OPAL (Organized Patrons Advancing La Conner) has created a “Tinsel and Mistletoe Christmas Festival” for the first two weeks of December and are planning that it will become an annual event. The business district will sprout Christmas green and red and be decorated in tinsel, while 40 utility poles will be wrapped in red and white candy cane striping, explained co-organizer Christie Eichler, own...

  • School Board Directors Beasley and Szurek recognized

    Ken Stern|Nov 27, 2019

    At its monthly meeting Monday, the La Conner School District Directors congratulated their high school’s state volleyball championship and then recognized outgoing Directors Janie Beasley and Kate Szurek with a board resolution. Together, the resolution stated, they have served 20 years on the board, Beasley since 2004 and Szurek since 2015. The resolution names specific contributions the two made to the school district and honors them for their involvement in school policy at the state and national levels. It ends with the Directors o...

  • Open House for Georgia Powers Monday

    Nov 27, 2019

    GEORGIA’S ON MY MIND – Now it’s time to say good-bye to Georgia Powers at an Open House at the Civic Garden Club 2-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Powers is a founding member, having helped start the group 35 years ago. She has also been a member and president of the Shelter Bay Community Board of Directors. Powers is moving to California, where she will be close to family. – Photo by Ken Stern...

  • Library's Tiny Trees Festival brings big crowd, more funds

    Susan Macek|Nov 27, 2019

    They came to support the new La Conner Swinomish Library and they did not disappoint. One-hundred-two people attended the 4th Festival of Tiny Trees last Saturday at the Swinomish Yacht Club. A silent auction featured 21 tabletop trees decked out to represent a range of themes: nature, the winter solstice, forest friends, owls, holiday baking, wine, spirits, coffee, fairyland, travel and even the “little library that could.” Alexa Robbins and her sister Tina Everitt’s “Christmas Under the Big...