My last message as President sends vibes for a sparkling 2023. Let’s celebrate the beauty and joys of
diversity in our community as we ring in a new year and remember to let new residents know about Island
resources (samishisland.net, the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group, SICC Board.) If you’d like to
bring your energy and perspectives to the community, ask about Board and volunteer opportunities.
Gratitude again to all who lent a hand, time, or skill when needed, who jumped up to participate in
reigniting or create community engagements and activities, and who are improving Center aesthetics for
all. And to the Board who, when approached with different ideas and perspectives, used the opportunity
to grow.
Who remembers this jingle?
“I’m so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh, or sing a song
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, so long
There’s a time you put aside for dreamin
And a time for things you have to do
The time I love the best is in the evening
I can spend a moment here with you
When the time comes that I’m feelin lonely
And I’m feelin ohooooo so blue
I just sit back and think of you only
And the happiness still comes through
That’s why I’m glad we had this time together
Cause it makes me feel like I belong
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, so long”
So long, everybody. See you on the civilian trail. Denice Rochelle
Islanders, now that we’ve seen the first snow, it must really be Holiday Time!
December Haiku
My friend, did you know
Every snowflake is different
Just like you and me
Let’s celebrate the beauty and joys of diversity in our community this season.
AHOY! Captain’s Cod food truck will be back December 1st at SICC between 5-7 pm. Residents old & new, come grab a bite of frutti de mare with family and friends.
Please let new residents know about the resources of our website https://samishisland.net, the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group & SICC Board.
And if you’re interested in supporting the community, ask about Board and volunteer opportunities.
Denice Rochelle, SICC President
Islanders, the cool has finally arrived!
November Haiku:
It took you so long
Where did I put that sweater?
Let’s make hot cocoa
Thanks to Tamara & Alexia for organizing the island Halloween Party.
Samish Island Reads & Music at SICC surveys are on the website homepage. Survey deadline is November 4.
Captain’s Cod food truck has requested setting up on island once a month, stay tuned for future dates. Got a favorite food truck? Let us know!
Celebrating the diversity in our community, we’re eager to connect with ALL islanders – residents old & new & those identifying as Asian, LGBTQ, Indigenous, Latinx, Black – through community activities. Join the Board & let’s create! Cheers!
Let new residents know about the resources of our website https://samishisland.net, the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group & SICC Board.
Denice Rochelle, SICC President
Islanders, let’s celebrate the transition to Autumn, the ways we’ve connected in Summer, & meeting in the coming months.
October Haiku:
We begin to see
The trees, red yellow orange
Dark skies come sooner
Captain’s Cod food truck was a rockin’ success! Folx want more of this & we’re workin’ on it. If there’s gonna be a holiday program this year, we need a committed Coordinator. Contact SICC VP Amy Colvin if you’re interested. Let new residents know about the resources of our website https://samishisland.net, the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group, & SICC Board.
Celebrating the diversity in our community, we’re eager to connect with ALL islanders – residents old & new & those identifying as Asian, LGBTQ, Indigenous, Latinx, Black – through community activities. Join the Board & let’s create!
Cheers! Denice Rochelle, SICC President
September Haiku:
The sea brings us crab
What do we bring to the sea
To show our respect?
Islanders, there won’t be a potluck but look forward to Captain Cod’s food truck (get your grub on) and Mudflat Ramblers (live music+dancing) this month. Keep your community-gathering ideas coming in!
Celebrating the diversity in our community, we’re eager to connect with ALL islanders—residents old & new & those identifying as Asian, LGBTQIA, Indigenous, Latinx & Black—through community activities. Join the SICC Board & let’s create!
Please point new residents to our website https://samishisland.net & let them know about the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group & SICC.
Cheers! Denice Rochelle, SICC President
September Haiku:
The sea brings us crab
What do we bring to the sea
To show our respect?
Islanders, there won’t be a potluck but look forward to Captain Cod’s food truck (get your grub on) and Mudflat Ramblers (live music+dancing) this month. Keep your community-gathering ideas coming in!
Celebrating the diversity in our community, we’re eager to connect with ALL islanders—residents old & new & those identifying as Asian, LGBTQIA, Indigenous, Latinx & Black—through community activities. Join the SICC Board & let’s create!
Please point new residents to our website https://samishisland.net & let them know about the Shorelines, the Samish Island email group & SICC.
Cheers! Denice Rochelle, SICC President
August on Samish Island – summer is here, warming the shoreline, bringing spectacular sunsets, and
comfortable evenings to spend more time outdoors. Here’s a poem found on the
https://www.yearofthesalishsea.ca website:
Whenever I’m at a crossroads in my life, I always find myself drawn to the sea. Whether mourning
or celebrating, I go to the beach and step into conversation with the ocean. Our conversations
are wordless, existing between the water in my body and the weight of the ocean itself.
It’s been awesome to see the community gathering for traditional events as well as islanders taking the lead on resurrecting dormant activities and working to create new fun and educational opportunities. Keep your ideas rolling in, and let’s have some fun!
As we focus on community engagement through a lens of inclusivity + diversity, we want to connect with All islanders – old residents, new residents, and those identifying as American Asian or Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, Latinx, mixed families, multi-ethnic, and Black. To learn about getting involved in the community and on the Board, just reach out to me or any Board member.
Remember to check out the community’s new website https://samishisland.net. It’s a great way to stay connected and informed. And if you know anyone who recently moved to the island, be sure to let them know about the website, the Shorelines, and SICC so they can get plugged in.
Cheers! Denice Rochelle, SICC President
Hey, Islanders, welcome to July! As Spring makes way for Summer, the Sun readies itself to nourish our PNW landscape & our souls.
Here’s a poem by Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī.
What was said to the rose that made it open was said
to me here in my chest.
What was told the cypress that made it strong
and straight, what was
whispered the jasmine so it is what it is, whatever made
sugarcane sweet, whatever
was said to the inhabitants of the town of Chigil in
Turkestan that makes them
so handsome, whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush
like a human face, that is
being said to me now. I blush. Whatever put eloquence in
language, that’s happening here.
The great warehouse doors open; I fill with gratitude,
chewing a piece of sugarcane,
in love with the one to whom every that belongs!
The new Board is now in place & working on developing some fresh, new, fun, educational, & interesting activities for the community to enjoy. As we focus on community engagement through a lens of inclusivity, we want to hear from ALL islanders & especially new residents & those identifying as American Asian & Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, Latinx, Black and persons of color. Please reach out to Denice or ANY Board member letting us know who you are & how we can connect & create with you.
Have you checked out SICC’s modern, easily-navigable website https://samishisland.net? There you’ll find info about the July 4 Blue Heron Parade, July 10 Dike Walk, & July 30 Arts Festival.
The July 4 Blue Heron Parade is back featuring the SI Marching Band. Edgewater Garden Club will be selling SI logo merch at the Community Center. Make a float, decorate yourself, bike, golf cart, car or just come enjoy community camaraderie. Parade participants should gather at Fish Point (east end of Blue Heron Road (“BHR”) by 12 pm. Parade Marshals will stage all participants so give ‘em ample time to queue ya up. If you plan to drive on BHR ensure you’re down the hill by 12:30 pm because road traffic will be redirected after that time. If you own an Airbnb/VRBO accessed by BHR inform your guests of these details. Parking for parade attendees is in the Community of Christ church field on
BHR that’s accessed via the Ratfield’s driveway entrance (driveway at 11440 BHR). Arrive no later than 12:30 pm. Leave the field clean (leave no litter of any kind). Please all be respectful of all residents & the land by packing out ANY & ALL of your trash (bring a super foldy, easily carry-able tote).
Cheers! Denice Rochelle, SICC President
Hey Islanders, HAPPY JUNE! It’s awesome to feel Spring’s renewal after Winter’s rest.
once a snowflake fell
on my brow and i loved
it so much and i kissed
it and it was happy and called its cousins
and brothers and a web
of snow engulfed me then
i reached to love them all
and i squeezed them and they became
a spring rain and i stood perfectly
still and was a flower
(poem by Nikki Giovanni)
In the spirit of rejuvenation, we’re excited to present the new SICC Board.
President: Denice Rochelle
Vice President: Amy Colvin
Secretary: Mary Kay Richter
Treasurer: Ruth McNally
At Large: Esther Luttikhuizen
At Large: Marnie Pennington
At Large: Joan Tezak
The Board will be focusing on community building through a lens of inclusivity. Consider this a call to ALL Islanders especially new residents, those of us identifying as Black, Indigenous, persons of color, Latinx, American Asian, Pacific Islander, LGBTQAI+, & youth.
Calendar the SI yard sale (6/25) & July 4th Blue Heron parade. Last year’s property damage from fireworks & the amount of firework debris left on the shorelines & in the water was sad. We’re better than that. Let’s keep it classy, safe, clean & fun
Community activity ideas include: day/sunset/night cycles; SUP/kayak paddles; group rows; 2.5/5-mile island walks; bird identification; exploring watercolor & creative arts; shoreline interpretive walks; group hikes in the Chuckanut mountains; pickleball; tennis; old fashioned garden parties; beer meetup (21+); Summer/Winter solstice celebrations; Autumn/Spring equinox celebrations; & youth-led (19 & under) programs/projects.
Cheers!
Denice Rochelle
SICC President