We here on Orcas have yet another example of how fortunate we are to live in such a caring community. On November 2nd, on short notice and in response to a keen sense of loss and concern for a number of families at the school, the PTSA sponsored its first Harvest Fair. Families came together to enjoy harvest-themed baked goods, soup and chili, to press cider, take hayrides, make candles and other crafts, play bingo, twister and rollerskate and, especially, to enjoy each others’ company. The event was a wonderful success!
Of course, events such as these don’t succeed without many dedicated sponsors and volunteers. First, thank you to the many businesses and individuals who donated items for the Fair—to Bob Folk and Al & Mary Minnis for organizing the tractor-pulled hayrides; Ray’s Pharmacy for gift certificates for craft prize winners; Peg Coburn and Orcas Kiwanis for their festive holiday table and decorations; Moon Glow Arts & Crafts and Salmonberry School for candle-making supplies; Island Market, Rhonda Barbieri (La Campesina Project), Ian and Erika Harlow and Bilbo’s Festivo for food for the soup; and Bayhead Farms (Caretaker Paul, and Dick and Anne Groit, with much picking help from Jennifer Kaden!), Donna Laslo and Jonathan White, Crow Valley Pottery (Jeffri Coleman and Michael Rivkin),West Beach Resort, Camp Four Winds, the Deer Harbor Inn (Carpenter Family), Morningstar Farms, Brad and Karen Harlow, and Donna Wildman-Gossett (The Exchange) for the over 2,000 pounds of apples we pressed, and cider press/supplies; Also, many thanks to our dedicated volunteers for pulling this event together in record time — Liz and Tim Hance, Liane O’Neill, Jennifer Pietsch, Beth Morris, Michel Vekved, Donna Laslo, Michelle Kostechko, Vicki Vandermay, Nancy and Kevin O’Brien, Dawn and Roy Light, Cathy Ferran, Kristen Wilson, and Bob Connell; to Cindy Ballanger for staffing the school cafeteria and to the school’s Facilities Director, Dave Mierau, for assisting with our many logistical issues. Special thanks to event organizer extraordinaire, Liz Hance, who skillfully guided the entire process and made this happen. Finally, thanks to all who came and made this such a fun event. We’re already planning to do this again — with more advance notice next time!
Barb Skotte,
PTSA President
Eastsound
