Guemes Island Community Center Association
Enriching and Connecting Our Island Community
Seeking 9th to 12th Grade Students
The Salish Sea School in Anacortes is an outdoor marine conservation school that helps create leaders in marine conservation by providing innovative college prep and purpose-driven leadership experience. In the summer of 2020, the School is launching its first marine conversation program, Guardians of the Sea, for rising 9th to 12th grade students. This program is a four day, daily boat-based program out of Skyline Marina. Sessions are available throughout the summer.
The Guardians of the Sea program equips students to become leaders to help restore the oceans through:
- increased ocean connection and knowledge through hands-on learning
- student involvement in citizen science projects for local scientists and organizations (microplastic sampling on the water, tufted puffin survey, forage fish survey and dissection, and more)
- creation of a take-home action plan to stay involved
- leadership development through recognizing innate gifts
- mindfulness practices for every day stress-reduction
There are a limited number of student scholarships available for any interested students to apply for a seat in the program! Scholarship applications are available here and must be submitted by April 1, 2020.
Contact Amy Eberling, Executive Director, 703-477-7432 for more information or go to thesalishseaschool.org.
Meet Your Neighbor
Dog Island Dogs, Then and Now - The dogs of “Dog Island” are carrying on the long tradition of canine companions on Guemes Island. Few bear resemblances to the historical “wool dogs” raised by the Samish tribes in the late 1700s and early 1800s, except for one island favorite, Dakoda, or “Koda”, as he's best known.The now extinct Wool Dogs were described as looking like the modern-day Spitz and stood about 17 inches high with long white fur. They were raised in “flocks” on Guemes and other nearby islands and kept separated from other village dogs in order to preserve their prized white fur. They were shorn like sheep and the fur was woven into blankets used as valuable trade items. As island settlement displaced the native tribes, the weavers switched to more accessible sheep wool and the Wool Dogs became extinct.
One-year-old Koda joined the family of Wendy Saver and Dave Rockwood in 2012 as a rescue from a local animal shelter. It was one of those “meant-to-be” moments when the planets were aligned and the time was right. Koda found his new family and a happy life on Guemes Island. He was “Best Dog” at Wendy and Dave’s wedding on North Beach in 2018.
Although not genetically related to the Samish Wool Dogs, Koda has become an island mascot and a source of smiles for many as he greets ferry passengers and crew and, before the pandemic, made regular appearances at island events. The pandemic is difficult for such a social dog (and for social humans, as well) but Wendy and Dave appreciate Koda’s companionship as he helps them adjust to social distancing and fewer opportunities to gather with friends. A romp on the beach or a roll in the dirt will have to suffice for now. Our furry, or woolly, or feathered, finned, scaled, or otherwise, pet-friends are helping us all through these difficult times.
If you'd like us to feature your animal companion and share your story, please contact us at myguemes@gmail.com.
Love of Place
You may have recently received a fundraising appeal letter from GICCA. The Community Center Association depends on your financial support to keep our doors open and our facilities available to everyone. A donor envelope was enclosed for your convenience. Every tax-deductible donation makes a difference regardless of size.
Donations can also be made through this website. If you wish, your donation can be directed to the General Fund, the GICCA Stage Project, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the myguemes.org website, or Groundfloor Guemes.
Thank you for your support.
GICCA Stage Project Update
Work is progressing at the GICCA Stage Project, although safety concerns prohibit the crew from working in wet and slippery conditions.
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of AmazonSmile purchases to their customers' chosen charitable organization. Guemes Island Community Center Association is registered on AmazonSmile. So, if you’re already shopping anyway, why not let Amazon make a small donation to GICCA - at no additional cost to you or GICCA!
How does it work?
- Click on the AmazonSmile box (right) which brings you to the AmazonSmile GICCA page
(you might want to bookmark that page to easily find it again). - Sign in to Amazon as usual.
- Then, just shop as you normally would!
Click here to see how much you have made GICCA smile. Thank you!