The San Juan Islander, a newspaper that published in Friday Harbor from 1891 to 1914, is now available online. The newspaper is among nine newspapers — and more than 50,000 historic newspaper pages — recently contributed to Chronicling America, making Washington state’s contribution to the program a total of 16 titles and 92,000 pages.
San Juan Island singer-songwriter Rhiana Franklin has been selected by KMPS 94.1 FM to compete in the KMPS-Colgate Country Showdown, Friday at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma. Rhiana, 14, is one of 15 singers who will compete for a spot in the state final Sept. 5 at the Kittitas County Fair. State winners advance to the regional final. Regional winners advance to the national Colgate Country Showdown.
Friday Harbor’s five museums have formed the Friday Harbor Museum District, a collaboration to better promote the town’s museums and improve the museum experience for islanders and visitors. Museum District participants have developed a colorful brochure, to be distributed in hotels, inns and visitor centers on the island and the mainland, promoting the features of each museum, which are within walking distance of the ferry landing.
After graduating from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Violet moved to Seattle and raised her three children on Queen Anne Hill. During World War II, Violet was a Civil Defense precinct operator and Grey Lady nurse, caring for the wounded as they arrived on ships from the Pacific War. Her career spanned the hotel and lumber industries and many years as an administrative assistant for the Washington State Ferry system.
Kate Storms won first place and Lynette Cabrera won second place in the Pet Poetry Contest hosted by Peace of Mind Pet Sitting. Storms received a total prize package valued at $375; Cabrera received a total prize package valued at $175.
Findlay Maric Smith was born May 17, 11:15 p.m. in the Greenbank Birth Center, Whidbey Island. He weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces and measured 19 inches.
Pat and Debbie Sandwith of Friday Harbor, Wash., happily announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Sandwith, Friday Harbor High School Class of 2002, to Dallas Osburn, son of Mrs. Bobbi Jo Osburn, and the late Mr. Dave Osburn, of Santa Maria, Calif.
Richard Gould, great-grandson of Friday Harbor’s first mayor, Gene Gould, visited Friday Harbor this week, doing family research, visiting sites connected to his family, and getting acquainted with relatives.
It rained Friday. It rained a bit on Sunday. But Saturday, the island was bathed in sunshine, as if on cue for visitors to the island’s art studios and gardens in this local summer kickoff. Some 14 studios were open to the public Saturday and Sunday for the annual Artists Studio Tour. Local musicians performed at select studios.
June 6 is the anniversary of D-Day, the Allied landing at Normandy, France, in 1944. Some 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi troops in an operation that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said required “nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot hold in Normandy and turned the tide of the war in Europe.
Arriana Eva-Mae O’Brien was born May 15, 11:02 a.m., in Island Hospital’s birthing center, Anacortes. It was reportedly one of the quickest labor and deliveries on record at the hospital; Arriana was apparently anxious to join her sailing and video-producer parents, Lisa and Darren O’Brien of Friday Harbor. She gets to go on her first sail this month, her dad said.
Tickets are on sale now. They are selling fast. And the performance isn’t until October. Nine-time Grammy winners Asleep at the Wheel will perform at the San Juan Community Theatre Oct. 24, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Merritt Olsen is celebrating 10 years as executive director of the San Juan Community Theatre.
His first day was June 1, 2000, arriving from the Midwest where his most recent post was directing South Dakota’s Black Hills Community Theatre. Also a veteran actor and director (he appeared in more than 35 films and TV shows), Olsen brought with him a variety of skills to lead the theater through a decade of growth and change.
