La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

By Aven Wright-McIntosh

Shelter Bay residents had the opportunity to learn about their community's "complicated and unique history" last Tuesday night in the first in a series of new "Know Your Community" classes. Longtime resident, past board member and author Don Newby used photos, maps and archived materials to highlight key historical benchmarks in the first hour and addressed components of the homeowners' association (HOA) in the second to an audience of 40 onsite at the clubhouse and 90 registered via Zoom.

The Rainbow Bridge, built in 1957, enabled the development as a gateway to the peninsula, Newby explained. Aerial photographs from the 1960s showed a flat, wide-open expanse of land now known as Shelter Bay.

He credited Dewey Mitchell and Axel Osberg (with sons Allan and John) for key development roles, making special note of Tandy Wilbur's legislative work to allow for the 75-year lease signed in 1968.

The first lots sold in the 1970s and what began as a summer/vacation getaway community moved slowly into a retirement/residential community.

After a short break, the second hour's topics addressed structural components of the HOA including articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules and regulations, 34 protective covenants and how Shelter Bay's HOA differs from the norm. Members were encouraged to join the many volunteer committees, get involved in their community and share their talents.

Newby assigned homework to anyone who could shed light on the legendary "Martha" source named for Martha's Beach and Martha's Bay.

The second class is Dec. 12, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Tribal land and lease topics will be presented by Rod Proctor. Pat McGarry and Vanessa Finch will speak to the marina's history, business plan, operations and benefits to Shelter Bay residents. Classes are coordinated by Shelter Bay Communiversity and the communications committee. All sessions are recorded and available on the residents' website, shelterbay.net.

Just the Facts:

The Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855 created the Swinomish Reservation. There are 800 registered Swinomish tribal members. There are 326 Indian reservations in the U.S. and 574 federally recognized tribes, with 3.4 million registered tribal persons in the U.S .; 20% live on reservations.

Shelter Bay Company is a for-profit entity. Shelter Bay Community is a non-profit entity formed in 1979. In 2004, Shelter Bay Community purchased Shelter Bay Company for $2 million.

There are 870 homes in Shelter Bay and 10 undeveloped lots.

Three political precincts comprise the reservation; Shelter Bay is divided across two.

The 75-year master lease of 1968 expires in 2044

Twenty-five percent of U.S. citizens live in an HOA. In Washington, 32% of residents live in an HOA.