Born Aug. 23, 1924, to Elinor and John Sawyer of Wakefield, Mass., the third of four siblings. She attended Green Mountain College, Vt., and then worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (Washington, D.C.) as an occupational therapist, pioneering programs for the hospital’s prison population.
Richard Walker, editor of The Journal of the San Juan Islands since November 1999, has been named editor of the North Kitsap Herald, a sister newspaper headquartered in Poulsbo. His last day at The Journal is Jan. 11.
It’s been one year since I rode my Haflinger horse, Mariko, along Colorado Boulevard in the Tournament of Roses Parade, better known as the Pasadena Rose Parade. Heralded as “America’s New Year Celebration,” the annual parade began in 1890 under the sponsorship of the Pasadena Valley Hunt Club when it consisted of horse-drawn carriages covered with flowers, hence its name. The Rose Bowl college football game was added in 1902.
Charles Settles, Friday Harbor resident since 1937, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 31, 2010. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Florence, just one year and two months ago; his son Charles in 1999; mother, Helga and father, Arvel.
Lopez Island resident Rick Van Eeckhout, 60, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Dec. 23, 2010. His wife of 24 years, Barbara, and sons Joseph and Nicolas survive him. Additionally, he is survived by brother, Raymond (Linda) of Lake Forest, Ill., and nephew JR. Locally, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Kathy (Kenny) Oberreit, and beloved nieces Marliese, Savannah, Rose and Hope.
Love Pearl Yates was born Nov. 14, 1931 in Dixon, Mo., and died Dec. 27, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. She was the oldest child of Gayle Thomas and Love B. Parker. She graduated as valedictorian of Dixon High School in 1949 and began teaching at the age of 19 in her hometown of Dixon. She was a member of Alpha Phi social sorority at Drury College in Springfield, Mo., and in 1976 graduated from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, with a master’s degree in educational counseling. She completed her career as special education director at Northwest ISD, Justin, Texas, in 1988.
David E. Ross was born July 5, 1945 on Mercer Island, Wash. He passed away peacefully with Judie Ross at his side on Dec. 24, 2010 at University of Washington Hospital in Seattle. He developed Pulmonary Fibrosis several years ago and had a successful lung transplant on Oct. 6, 2010. Unfortunately, he was unable to win the fight against a virus.
Mullis Center was a mini-Times Square of activity, fun and, when midnight New York time struck, a lot of noise, Dec. 31. Islanders crowded Mullis Center Dec. 31, 7-9 p.m., for the free annual celebration presented by Island Rec and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition. Islanders noshed on potluck food; played Bingo, Trivia, Twister, Wii and other games; decorated hats for the hat parade; and had their photos taken by Deborah Hopkins of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.
Even after 124 years, the Hotel de Haro still has stories to tell. Stairs leading from the yellow brick road to a cellar under the hotel lobby is like a trip back to 1886 or before. Visible are the footings for the original log bunkhouse built by the Scurr brothers, who processed lime here after British troops left. That bunkhouse was later expanded by entrepreneur John S. McMillin into the hotel, where he lived for about 30 years and hosted customers and dignitaries.
It is nearly time to usher in the new year, and once again Island Rec is providing the opportunity to celebrate in style. The annual Community New Year’s Eve party, co-sponsored by the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, is Friday, 7-9 p.m., at Mullis Community Senior Center. The party is alcohol-free and open to all ages.
All of the old-time San Juan islanders are in for a treat. Three former local men have composed a work of art. Their publication is “Fishermen and Fisheries of the San Juan Islands: Those Were the Good Ol’ Days.”
In keeping with your recent article supporting local businesses, we want to share how blessed we feel to have been able to enjoy and supply our customers with the bounty of local goods. We are so thankful to the numerous gardeners and farmers that met our needs and deliver to us with no additional delivery costs.
Some local initiatives that counter the economic and national dismals:
Cobbling together state and private monies, citizens purchased the historic Brickworks for a year-round Farmers Market. Tired of the Co-op cuddle in confined space, the San Juan Island Food Co-op expands and will open in January next to Bakery San Juan. More money will stay on island from value-added production; our community carbon footprint may be reduced.
