Memorial service is Thursday, 5 p.m., at St. Francis Church for Beatriz Velilla de Tobon of Friday Harbor. Mrs. Tobon passed away July 25. She was 64. Her family remembered her today as a person who loved children, loved dancing and parties, and enjoyed the company of friends.
Numerous islanders are descendants of American soldiers and British marines who served here during the joint military occupation of San Juan Island.
What we now call the Pig War was referred to in 19th century documents and press coverage as the “San Juan Affair,” “San Juan Imbroglio,” and “San Juan Difficulty.” The term “Pig War” is likely a local creation. “It is a 20th century iteration,” historian Mike Vouri said. “I have never seen it in 19th century documents.”
The release parties celebrate the CD “We Rocked and Rolled / The First 25 Years With Jim Basnight: The Moberlys and Beyond.” “This is a huge step,” said Basnight, 52, a former stockbroker. “I moved to New York City when I was 19 to pursue music, and I’ve been pursuing music and supporting myself as a musician for the last 17 years.”
By all accounts, Storm Bridgmon was one cool character. He was named after a brand of bowling ball, enjoyed rock climbing and exploring caves, and fished for crab on Stuart Island. He lived on a boat in Friday Harbor and, when he tired of life as a liveaboard, his grandmother bought a condo that became known as the Dog House.
History was made on San Juan Island 150 years ago. While the event is a mere footnote in world history books, it was an event of national and international importance. In 1859, American and British troops occupied San Juan Island to defend their claims to the archipelago. What ensued over the next 12 years was a peaceful occupation that proved that nations, even superpowers, can resolve conflicts without bullets or blows.
It’s a “Hard Days Night” of classic rock at the San Juan Community Theatre, tonight at 8, when Abbey Road Live! performs on the Whittier stage.
There’s a little something for everyone at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Splash of Summer Color Weekend, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend features two popular events: the San Juan Island Lavender Festival and the Summer Arts Fair.
The Guard family loves a picnic. And one is scheduled on Aug. 1 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the Paul Guard family on San Juan Island.
Lynn Danaher of Friday Harbor, co-founder of the Pacific Islands Research Institute (www.islandexplorer.org) and a member of the Explorers Club, visited The World cruise ship when it anchored off San Juan Island July 5-6. Here is her account of her visit …
Jonathan Trigueiro of Friday Harbor married Kelsey Mead of Mukliteo on July 12, 2009 at the home of the bride’s parents, Timothy and Allison Mead in Mukilteo. Jonathan graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1996 where he was ASB president. He is the nephew of Sandra Hawley and Bob Tauscher, “Uncle Bob.”
Donovan and Betty Jane Craddock of Cape San Juan celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary July 18. The Craddocks are natives of Pueblo, Colo., and met in high school there. They were married July 18, 1944 in Pearl Island Chapel, Langley Field, Va.; three weeks later, Don piloted a B-17 to England and later flew 35 missions over Germany.
It’s soon the final curtain for San Juan Community Theatre’s longest-running play, “The Life & Times of General George Pickett.” Island historian Mike Vouri is closing the last chapter of his 14-year one-man drama tonight at 8 on the Whittier stage. Vouri said he’s grown out of the part (Vouri’s 61, and Pickett died when he was 50) and it’s time to move on to another history project.
