Saturday, May 17, islanders are invited to celebrate with OPAL supporters, visiting dignitaries and OPAL homeowners, apartment tenants and staff at a barbecue picnic, beginning at noon at Opal Commons.

“Food will be catered by the Orcas Village Store; we’ll have live music by Gene Nery, Mandy Troxel and Skye Hovelman; visiting dignitaries will include Representative Kristine Lytton and Mario Villanueva, Washington state director of USDA Rural Development,” said Lisa Byers, executive director. “It is sure to be a joyful celebration, filled with gratitude.”

“Everyone on the island deserves to know what OPAL has accomplished in its first 25 years, and what it means to the life of our community,” said Allen Smith, president of the OPAL board of trustees.

OPAL’s 25th birthday picnic will be held at Opal Commons, the first neighborhood completed by the community land trust in 1994. Parking will be available along Blanchard Road off Mt. Baker Road. Please park on the east side (right) and walk to the event.

Incorporated in 1989, OPAL serves 123 rental and ownership households and continues to accept applications from people who are not able to purchase a house on the open market. For more information, go to: www.opalclt.org or call 376-3191.