Please allow us to use this forum to publicly apologize for offending the residents of Friday Harbor by posting notices around town announcing “Remember the Rendezvous” Salmon Barbecue that the Lion’s club will be hosting at the Fair Grounds on September 13, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

We have been asked by the town to “Cease and Desist” and we will, of course, do so.

It has never been the intention of the Lion’s Club of San Juan Island to offend anyone. Indeed, our sole purpose is to try to contribute to the community.

We do this by providing scholarships to the students of the island. In addition, we assist with eye exams, glasses and hearing aids.

We arrange free health screening exams as well as providing firewood to the needy in winters. We have always been available to assist in fundraising events for island residents with serious health problems.

We would never knowingly do anything to offend our neighbors or to detract from the beauty of our island. We hope that this will not prevent people from attending the “Remember the Rendezvous” Salmon Barbecue on September 13 at the Fair Grounds.

Many people may not remember “The Rendezvous,” a San Juan Island tradition that started in 1948 and occurred annually until the early ’80s. It drew thousands of people each year and ended, ironically, because it became too large to manage!

In addition to a delicious barbecue salmon dinner, there will be live music as well as live and silent auctions. In order to avoid the fate of the previous Rendezvous, we will be forced to limit attendance to the first 250 people who purchase tickets.

Again, allow us to apologize for any offense we may have given.

Bob Williams/Brian Brown

Co-chairs of the San Juan Lions “Remember the Rendezvous” Salmon Barbecue, Saturday, September 13, 2014