---from the President’s column

I am serving as the 2009 President of the Samish Island Community Center and appreciate the opportunity, joined by Howard Armstrong (Vice President), Linda Knapp Strobel (Treasurer), Steve Hoffman, Amy Colvin, and Charlie O’Hara.

I still haven’t been able to entice anyone to serve as Secretary, although the benefits (a key to the Hall and uh …) are huge. Our community has a long tradition of involvement, and you might want to consider adding your voice.

SPRING POTLUCK: Save the Saturday, April 18 date for celebrating the season and enjoying the company of friends and neighbors over the ever well-laden table of culinary offerings.( details will follow in April’s Shore Lines.)

Even with the brief snow of last week, the signs of spring are there; hellebores are blooming their discrete heads off, snowdrops are offering some brilliant white to the landscape and egads, some folks are mowing their yards (I confess). My door is always open (literally according to my neighbors) and I welcome your suggestions, comments and thoughts. My phone # is 360.708.6116, and e-mail is aaamot@wavecable.com . Our next meeting is at 7:00 pm, 18 March 2009 at the Hall.

178 households have donated funds to the SICC, however, additional funds are appreciated and utilized. (Actually by this date last year, 210 members had renewed. It’s just remembering to do it!)
--Astrid Aamot

TheEDGEWATER GARDEN CLUB will meet at 9:45 AM for visiting and refreshments on Tuesday, March 24, at the Samish Island Community Hall. The business meeting will begin at 10:15 AM. Our program, "Container Combinations", will be presented by Bobbi Gustafson, Skagit County Master Gardener, at 11:00 AM. All are welcome!

The SAMISH SENIOR SINGLES will share “waffles a-la-mode”at the Royal Fork, in honor of a dearly missed member, Ray Dinsmore. Carpooling will be available for the 11:30 gathering on Friday, March 27th.

MAKE IT CLEAN & KEEP IT GREEN! Trash- walking with neighbors! Bring garbage bags and gloves and meet at the park. Check island board for dates and time. For questions call Jack Lefebvre 466.8255

The 2009 Island DIRECTORY is now available at Blau Oyster. The cost is $3 for this very handy Directory of Island residents, and has a lovely cover photo taken by George McIntosh on Alice Bay.

CAMP KIRBY & SKAGIT AUDUBON invite anyone interested in a BIRDING/EATING FUNDRAISER to join us on Saturday, March 28. For the Early Birders, meet at Howard Armstrong's house, 10833 Halloran (across from Park), at 8 am to spend the morning birding on the east side of Samish Island. A "special" lunch for $7 will be served between 12 and 1:30 at the Camp Kirby Lodge. All are encouraged to come to lunch. Howard will continue the birding on the west side of Samish in the afternoon.

I am forming a "Samish Is. Book club". We would meet once a month at a club member’s house to discuss our "book of the month.” (The member who volunteers to host the next month's meeting selects the next book, and provides coffee and tea. Goodies are potluck by other members.) Although it's best if you can find the time to read the book before the month's meeting, you are still encouraged and welcome to join the discussion so as to add perspective and opinion about the book’s subject. The Book club will be exclusively for Samish Is. residents, as we will be meeting in our homes. Carol Sullivan will host the first month’s meeting at a date to be determined when we have enough people signed up. 10-12 people makes a fairly manageable club. Please call Carol 766-5310, or contact by email carolsulli@hotmail.com. ----Tom Sullivan

SAMISH e-mail GROUPS:

SAMISH INFO for emergency details/timed advisements
SAMISH NEIGHBORS for misc. sharing/borrowing
Read more, or join either group, on the Samish Island webpage, or email info@samishisland.net to be added to one or both groups.

COMMUNITY COOPERATION BLOG, on the web at www.samishsaves.blogspot.com. The Blog can be used to save gas by combining errands, sharing rides, sharing tools and equipment. Contact Steve Hoffman at 766-4488 for details.

The SAMISH ISLAND COMMUNITY HALL is available for rentals throughout the year; islander’s rate: $75; five hours or less: $50. Contact Eileen Andersen, 766-8202, or info@samishisland.net to schedule your family gathering wedding, party, meeting, or event.

“Dear Islanders,
The family of Timothy Hinds wishes to extend our thanks to all for your caring support, prayers and honoring regarding the sudden loss of our son and brother, Tim. Special thanks to the S.I.Fire Department and neighbors who valiantly tried to revive him, and to S.I. Memorial Chapel members, friends and neighbors who honored him at the service. Your kindness will always be appreciated.
Sincerely, Glada Hinds, Mike Hinds, Dave Hinds and families.”

“My heartfelt thanks to everyone for your expressions of condolence and compassion in honor of my father, Ray Dinsmore.The outpouring of love has been totally overwhelming. What a wonderful community of friends! ---Jacquie Stegner”

A participant’s glimpse of Ray’s Memorial :
Almost 125 people gathered at the Community Hall on February 22nd to celebrate Ray Dinsmore's life. There was a eulogy by pastor Linda Larson, an Irish blessing sung by Joan Penney, and Denny Organ's toast to Ray's quality of life—his spirit, his attainments, his humor, his creativity. The crowd mingling over refreshments settled in at tables Ray had gifted to the renovated Hall, and shared reflections on this man who turned 96 in November and, as resident on the Island for not quite 9 years, had acquired so many friends. An inquisitive, inventive mind coupled with a warm and wise reflectiveness, made him a neighbor to a strikingly wide radius of islanders. He will be missed.

ISLANDERS IN THE NEWS:
---Jean Nelson was pictured in Feb. 23rd Skagit Valley Herald, blowing bubbles to improve lung capacity. She participates in United General Hospital’s class involving movement, dance, and a series of exercises aimed at improving the well-being of persons who have suffered from cancer and lymphedema. She’d describe the class as fun, exciting, and conducive to increased inner calm.

---STUDENT SPORTS: B-Ed. junior, Ryley Pearson continued his outstanding swim season by taking the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly at first ever Class 2A State meet.

You are invited!
S.I. CAMPGROUND 50TH CELEBRATION MAY 2 & 3.
The first Community of Christ camp was held in 1959 on the old Freestad turkey farm on Scott Rd. We have stories, and you have stories. We’d love to have the community come and help us celebrate. Fun workshops, games, campfire on Saturday/ Interfaith celebration on Sunday. Get info and even post a story on our bloghttp://samish50thcelebration.wordpress.com/. or contact Mark Chapman markatsamish@gmail.com 766 8125

MALE GERMAN SHORTHAIR, BROWN & WHITE, MISSING SINCE FRIDAY night (3/6). Please call 766-0216 if you have any information.

Items for the next Shore Lines should be submitted in writing to Kathleen Packard, 9920 Samish Island Rd., by 5 pm on April 2, (first Thursday), 766-6752, kwpackard@wavecable.com

ADS
FOR SALE:
---1997 Toyota T-100 pickup V6 SRS X-cab, 4WD. Asking $6,800. Runs very well clean, and looks great! 159,101 mileage, almost new tires, cab with roof rack. Hardly used last 3-4 years and kept in garage. Call for more information at 766-4143 or cell 360-333-7975. Kathie Robertson
---Very sturdy table $10. Wood with laminate. 4' x 8' x 29" high. Great for a shop or craft room. I’ll deliver. Call Tim 360-421-6470
---Gently used crib, mattress, changing table, stroller & car seat, $20 each. 766-5095
---Perennial Sedum “Autumn Joy” Crocusmia (orange) & Hakonechloo macro “Aureola” (generous clumps), $5 each. 766-5095

SERVICES:
---Coastal Interior Design. Specializing in comfortable island homes. Color and surface selection for your project large or small. Debbie Ensey 360-757-8771 or debnz@msn.com
---For your landscape design & maintenance needs, please call Debbie Emerson, 766-5095
------Piano and accordion lessons. Lois Yale, member of the WA.State Music Teachers Assoc. offers beginning through intermediate lessons in her home on Samish Island. Call 766-8713 for lesson availability.

HOUSING RENTALS:
---Waterfront Cottage available for short stays; Perfect condition. 360-766-6686.
----Condo: Have you had enough snow, floods, and fog? Consider renting our Mexican resort condo at the Mayan Palace (1 BR, sleeps 4, kitchen, lovely grounds and pools, most with onsite golf) at multiple locations (Riviera Maya, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Acapulco, Puerto Penasco, Los Cabo) Reasonably priced.. 766-7819
Washed Away this Winter: 8' Walker Bay dinghy. Call John at 766-4150

Washed Away this Winter: 8' Walker Bay dinghy. Call John at 766-4150

The 11th season of SOOTHING WATERS, the only warm water pool in Skagit Cty. (and right here on Samish Island) will begin on March 24th! Watsu sessions (warm water therapy for body, mind&spirit) are being scheduled now. Aqua Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers parent/child classes are offered weekly at regularly scheduled times. Beginning Swim lessons for all ages scheduled at mutually convenient times. www.soothingwaters.net or 766.8403

Samish Island Memorial Chapel, 9608 S.I. Rd.
9:45 Sunday School; 11:00 Worship Service
Pastor Otto Sather -- Everyone Welcome

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

Astrid Aamot
President
766-4101

Howard Armstrong
Vice-President & Programs
766-6657

to be announced
Secretary

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