Month: April 2018

Enjoy the poetry of Sam Green (Waldron Island) and of Tony Curtis (Dublin, Ireland) on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 13th, at the Guemes Island Community Church, at 2:00 p.m.

The afternoon is sponsored by the Skagit River Poetry Foundation.  Anne McCracken is organizing the event on our island.  The Foundation puts poets in the seven school districts in Skagit County and sponsors the biennial Northwest Poetry Festival.  Donations to the Skagit River Poetry Foundation are optional and appreciated.  Everyone is welcome.  There will be classical and jazz piano interludes by Karen Lamphere.  Refreshments will be served.

Samuel Green, author of numerous poetry collections, was the inaugural poet laureate for Washington State from 2007 to 2009.  He is scheduled to give the commencement address for the Graduate School at Seattle University and will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree at that time.  Dublin poet, Tony Curtis, was awarded the Irish National Poetry Prize and is a member of Aosda’na, the Irish Academy of the Arts.   Tony’s latest book is Approximately in the Key of C.

Sam Green’s poetry engages the Pacific Northwest landscape with accessible, elemental observations of life’s small turns.  He is the author of numerous collections of poetry, including Washington State Book Award winner, The Grace of Necessity.

Dublin’s beloved Tony Curtis is a mesmerizing showman and poet. The lyrical writer and musical performer is the author of six warmly received collections of poetry, including “The Well in the Rain: New and Selected Poems.” His work as a Skagit River Poetry Foundation poet-in-residence has charmed young students throughout the Northwest. Curtis, awarded Ireland’s National Poetry Prize, is one of the most popular poets in his country.

Writing about Tony Curtis’ Approximately in the Key of C, Sam Green says “This is a deft title.  Tony Curtis lifts his voice away from the expected and sings in a key that demonstrates, once again, that he is his own man.  However, there is nothing approximate in his use of language, which is always, note for note, playful, funny, and deeply serious; these poems find the music that makes us most human.”

The Guemes Island Historical Society presents an evening with Guemes Island's Jim Morrison. A longtime resident of both Fidalgo and Guemes Islands, Jim will share memories and stories of his family's history which is deeply enmeshed in our area. Accompanied by several family members, Jim will provide a wonderful overview of the Morrison family's history and contributions to our community. Jim is a great storyteller, with a vivid memory of the people, places, and events surrounding his life, so don't miss this opportunity to hear his story!

Photo: West Beach 1952 From left to right: Jo Ann Funk, Fran Morrison, Ken Morrison, Steve Funk, Charlie Funk and Jim Morrison

Island Cleanup 
Saturday, April 21st, 2018
Noon to Three

Luminary Parade
Gather at the Guemes Island Store at 8:00 p.m.
The parade will begin at dusk

Groundfloor Guemes and the Guemes Island Community Center are continuing the tradition of an Earth Day weekend Island Cleanup Day.  Lend a couple of hours to help keep our island shores and roadways pristine!

You can participate in this island-caring event in one of two ways.

1. Come to the Schoolhouse Park at the corner of Edens Road and Guemes Island Road beginning at Noon to select from a list of designated beaches and roadways to clean. Trash collection bags will be distributed.  Long-handled tongs provided by Skagit County Public Works can be signed out for use.  It is suggested that you bring your own work gloves and water. Then, return the collected trash to the park by 3:00 p.m.  If needed, truck support will be available to assist in getting the filled trash bags back to the park.  
2. You may choose instead to clean your own beach or roadway at a time that best fits your day. Dispose of the collected debris in your trash bin, or bring it to the Schoolhouse Park no later than 3:00 p.m.

Spend an hour or two to keep our island beautiful.  THEN, let’s shine our lights on this beautiful island and bask in the glow of community as our Earth Day spirit continues with a luminary parade at dusk.

Further information can be requested at myguemes@gmail.com or by contacting Holly Green at 360-610-3829 or Edie Clark at 360-299-3230.