BARBECUE POTLUCK. The Community Center Potluck season will begin Saturday, September 13, 6:30 p.m. SICC will provide the salmon, so we need side dishes, salads and desserts, and lots of hungry mouths. More information will be in next month's Shore Lines.

The COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD meets Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00. pm. ---Chuck Davis

COMMUNITY COOPERATION BLOG, on the web at www.samishsaves.blogspot.com. The Blog can be used to save gas [by combining errands, sharing rides, etc.], share tools and equipment, and share [or sell] fresh produce from island gardens, all communicated a lot quicker than the monthly notes in the Shore Lines. Contact Steve Hoffman at 766-4488 for details.

THE SAMISH ISLAND ARTS COMMITTEE has many Islanders to thank for making this year’s Summer Arts Festival a success—firstly the Community Club Board who were so helpful in getting the area ready, lending assistance during the Festival, and helping to clean up afterwards. We thank Tim and Sue Ratfield and Scott Blau for arranging parking areas, and Marilyn Gardner for letting committee members park close by. We also acknowledge the Community Hall neighbors for putting up with the traffic and parked cars.

With all of this support, the Arts Committee is able to give the Samish Island Community Club $2127.86, netted from commissions, entry fees and donations. Thanks to all the islanders and their friends who came to shop, eat and enjoy. And thank you to the island vendors for their contributions to this event’s success.

The door prize winners at the Festival were:
1. Mr. Gordon Kimbel, LaConner - Max Dales Gift Certificate for $30
2. Ms. Amy Margolis, Deming - History of Samish Island book
3. Mr. Ray Dinsmore, Samish Island - Large flower arrangement

The committee owes a HUGE tribute to Karen Hadman and Cal Langley, who are “retiring” from their 12 years of dedication to the Arts Committee. We will miss you. Many Thanks!

The HIKING GROUP is looking forward to gaining the summit of Sauk Mountain this Thurs., Aug. 14th. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for us to enjoy Sauk's spectacular view. The hike is 4.2 miles roundtrip and gains 1200 feet in elevation. Bring hiking gear and a lunch. We will meet at the Community Hall at 10 AM on 8/14/08. Call Marlene at 766-5093 with questions. Hope you can join us!

ATTENTION ISLANDERS: As of August 10th, Sue Ratfield of SAMISH FARMS WATER ASSOCIATION advised that the current design for replacing the culvert west of the intersection of S.I. Rd. and Bayview-Edison Rd., allows for the elimination of any weight restrictions for trucks coming onto Samish Island. However, residents are advised that there will be a disruption of water flow onto the island for as many as 3 days, in the course of the upcoming two weeks. Our local island water tank will be full at this time, so this suspension will not affect our normal indoor use of water. However, we will be asked to curtail outdoor use during the affected 3 days. Ample notice will be provided so that gardens can be given extra watering ahead of time. In short, our patient cooperation will be very much appreciated while this important structural job is completed.

FLASHING LIGHTS on Samish Island - Whether or not we hear the Firehouse siren, we need to interpret an ordinary vehicle flashing its lights on Samish Island as a volunteer fireman answering a 911 emergency call. These drivers are bound to be in a big hurry, since seconds matter in a life-threatening situation. New residents on Samish need to know, (and longtime Island residents may welcome the reminder) that what’s asked of us when a vehicle flashing lights comes up behind us is to pull one’s car over, (with care, of course, since some spots on the island have nothing that could be called a shoulder.) The Samish Island Volunteer Fire Dept. gratefully acknowledges the many residents who already follow this guideline, and reminds all of us to be alert to the flashing light signal.

SAMISH ISLAND HISTORY BOOK, 1870-1970 - SUPPLEMENT
There will be a one-time publication of material supplementary to the original printed text. Now is the time to send us:

1--Corrections to the original publication of “Samish Island: a History.”
2--Additional Samish Island history material, bearing in mind the 1970 cut-off.
3--Additional family histories that fall into this time period.
4--Photos
Please submit your material before Jan. 1, 2009 to Susan and Fred Miller, 9264 Samish Island Rd., 766-6548. miller.ff@gmail.com

THE EDGEWATER GARDEN CLUB will begin its new year of programs in September. We meet the fourth Tuesday of each month (Sept.-May) at the S.I. Community Center. If you are interested in becoming a member, please send $10 in dues to the club’s treasurer, Linda Larson (9976 Samish Is. Rd.) Any questions, call Linda, 766-6600.

The SAMISH SENIOR SINGLES look forward to feasting on the bounty of the sea served up by the master fish & crab handler, Fred Smith, on location at 9578 S.I. Rd. on Friday, August 22, 11am. ( 766-6883)

IN MEMORIAM: We honor the lives of two “icons” on Samish Island who passed away last month:
---Mildred (Midge) Schesser, 90, island resident for 70 years and a past President of the Edgewater Garden Club.
---Donald H. Boettner M.D., 88, who spent extended periods at his longtime favorite home on North Beach. He practiced medicine in Bellingham, and came regularly to our beach for crabbing, fishing, and the enjoyment of his garden.
Islanders extend sympathy to the Schesser and Boettner families.

CAMP KIRBY: Skagit Valley Herald readers doubtlessly scanned the Sunday, July 20 “Skagit Living” section that featured an article on an American institution: Summer Camp. Three photos showed youngsters in sport activities at Samish Island’s 47-acre Camp Kirby, described as a unique resident camp in Skagit County, owned and operated by Camp Fire USA for youngsters in grades 1-12. Like day camps and other resident camps, Kirby is feeling the “economic pinch,”with registration for this summer down by 20%. Not only are registrations hampered, but essential scholarship donations for needy applicants are down. Even non-residential camps have had to scale back their programs.
Despite local problems, it’s been reported that camps, nationally, are doing well. The Executive Director of Camp Fire USA Samish Council hopes that some of the lost revenue can be made up in the offseason, when Camp Kirby offers environmental education and team-building programs where the number of participants has steadily increased. “We’re looking for ways to utilize the camp at other times of the year,” the Director advises.

WATERING THE GARDEN
--- Jeff Poniewaz

....Watering my garden and really breathing.
Time out for timelessness. A “breather.”
A brief reprieve from a life sentence
to “urgent concerns.”
My breath and my heart reunione’d
with the wilderness
snuck up on me in my own backyard
....emerald hummingbird
come to hover holyghostly
in the rainbows of my hose-spray.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ADS

FOR SALE: Antique and contemporary furniture, rugs, lamps, etc. 766-4119
WANTED: Garage storage, dry and secure, for classic ’56 Ford F100 panel truck. Denny 766-5234.
WANTED to BUY: high chair, child’s crib, 766-7805

FOR RENT: 2+ brm. beach house available 9/8/08--6/30/09. $950 mo., including water; No pets/ no smoking;
Damage deposit/References. 766-5032
---New one bedroom apartment for short stays. Nicely furnished with patio, view onto lawn and trees, very quiet, easy access to beach. 766 5230
---Cottage on the water for short stays. Nicely furnished, 2 bedrooms, 766-6686

---LANDSCAPE design & maintenance. Call Debbie Emerson, 766-5095. 20+ yrs. experience on Samish Island.

Skagit Valley College will offer two Warm Water Bodywork Basics class series at the S.I. Soothing Waters pool. The dates are September 23rd, 24th, 30th, and October 1st from 1:00 - 2:30 or 2:30 to 4:00. You may register for either one by calling the college at 416-7873

The S.I. Soothing Water's warm water pool will be closing for the season on Oct. 1st. The last session for a series of 5 weekly children's classes will run from Sept. 3rd through Oct. 1st. Watsu sessions and beginning Swim lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time. More info at: www.soothingwaters.net or 766-8403.

ISLAND SUNDAY SERVICES
Samish Island Memorial Chapel,
9608 Samish Island Rd. Pastor Otto Sather
9:45 Sunday School; 11:00 Worship Service
------------------
COMMUNITY OF CHRIST, Lee Nelson, Pastor
10:00 Church School; 11:00 Worship
Weds. 7 p.m. Prayer Service
--Everyone welcome at both churches--

Our heartfelt thanks for the prompt and skillful response of the S.I. Volunteer Fire Dept. in their handling of our recent emergency. We are fortunate to have available the expertise and dedication of these fellow Islanders. --The Nilsen Family

Items for the next Shore Lines should be submitted in writing to Kathleen Packard, 9920 Samish Island Rd., by 5 pm on Sept.4, (first Thursday), 766-6752, or
kwpackard@aol.com.

Community Club Board of Directors, Samish Island Community Club, P.O.Box 268, Bow, WA 98232

Chuck Davis
President
766-6705

Astrid Aamot
Vice-President
708-6116

Fran Hansen
Secretary
766-7104

Linda Strobel
Treasurer
766-4082

Steve Hoffman
At-Large
766-4488

Amy Colvin
At-Large
425-503-8886

Charles O'Hara
At-Large
766--0224