The Orcas Island Historical Museum would like to thank Bill and Valerie Anders for the wonderful presentation of their journey stories that were given Sunday evening at the Orcas Center. This event was generously underwritten by the Anders Foundation, with all proceeds going to support Museum improvements. This was the first of many events to be held this summer in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition program. Journey Stories is also sponsored by Humanities Washington.

Many people helped make the evening special. Orcas Village Store catering provided a delectable array of light supper and dessert items. Board members Leslie Seaman and Gwyneth Burrill managed the volunteer kitchen servers (DD Glaze, Sandy Vietzke, Iris Parker-Pavitt, Halley McCormick, Antoinette Botsford, Margie Gilbertson and Mindy Kayl) and dishwashers (Laura Quintero, Brenda Quintero and Enma Para). Louise Carnachan dispensed wine, and Don Seaman helped with set-up and take-down. Bill and Valerie’s delightfully informative talk was assisted by KT Laslo on sound, Phil Burbo on lights, and Anders’ friend Bill Hartel put together a slide show from family photos on equipment donated by Orcas Library. “Silent” auctioneer was Kathleen Schinkel, with items donated by Cruise Control Charters, Eclipse Charters, and Bill Hartel. The major auction item of the evening was Bill Anders’ signed “Earthrise” photo, framed by Waterfront Gallery. Other volunteers who helped out were Patty Monaco, Irene Ekberg, Bill Buchan, Tom Welch, John Willis, James Lobdell, Andrea Cohen, and Chris McComb. Gwyneth Burrill made lovely flower arrangements with flowers donated by Emily Reid and other island gardeners.

Guests for the evening, in addition to 130 islanders, included several visitors from the Smithsonian Institution, where Valerie is a national Board Member. Anna Cohn, who directs the Traveling Exhibition Service, introduced the Anders’ talk. Anna, who attends many similar functions, said that she had never been to one any nicer.

The Museum’s Board of Directors joins with the residents of Orcas Island in expressing their gratitude to Bill and Valerie for making this such a wonderful start to the Journey Stories experience. We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the exhibit, which will run daily through August 29, and to enjoy the weekly Journey Story events.

The Museum is also collecting YOUR Journey Story; please feel free to contact the Museum for information on how to do this.

Bill Buchan

Board President

Leslie Seaman

Events Coordinator