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I am well into the “vulnerable” age group and more afraid of the assault on our civil liberties than catching a virus. I choose to “social distance,” wear a mask in public, work from home and live without hugs from my grandkids. But I am terrified of authoritarian senseless restrictions on our activities. Why is it reasonable to browse for clothes at Walmart, but I cannot shop for a t-shirt at Clever Kathy’s or a scarf at Two Moons? How come a kid at a drive-through wearing gloves can rub his nose then pick up four drink cups with one hand...
President Trump’s decision to cut off financial support for the World Health Organization during the worst pandemic in a century takes a head-in-the sand approach. The global community will have time to complete an evaluation of what worked, and what did not, after the pandemic is under control. The decision to discontinue U.S. funding WHO while the world is struggling with the COVID-19 virus is misguided and will hinder global efforts to battle this debilitating pandemic. The work of WHO is indispensable to stop the spread of disease, p...
In this unprecedented time, when a virus seems to be attacking the whole world, it is certainly a challenge to gather interest in an old building. This old building though, is no ordinary structure but a place indigenous to the history of our valley and its pioneers. I am referring to the Pleasant Ridge Schoolhouse which according to the April 22 Weekly News is scheduled to be razed. Located on Pleasant Ridge on Valentine Road near the old cemetery on a ridge of land nestled between the fertile farm fields of Mount Vernon and La Conner, the...
We all have touchstone moments in our lives, events that affect and shape us and that we carry from our youthful past till the day we die. That defines the term epoch, even if the tragic circumstance occurred at a distance. The shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, “four dead in Ohio” and another nine wounded, is one of my moments. Monday was the 50th anniversary. For years I had planned to be there. I was there on the 25th anniversary in 1995. In May 1970 I was 15 and very unaware, wrapped up in basketball and uncertain about gir...
Poor Jay Inslee. Washington’s governor has his hands full with a solid portion of the state’s population, up to one-third, wanting to get back to the business of earning a living. The job loss in the last two months has been unprecedented, record breaking, huge. The explosive quickness of stopping the old normal, triggered by Inslee’s March 23 emergency order to stay home, sheltering in place except for food shopping essentials, has put all of us on an emotional roller coaster. With constantly climbing positive COVID-19 virus numbers: over...
La Conner is unique. ShopLaConner.com seeks to accurately represent our ‘uniqueness’. Launched just one month ago, this new shopping website is being actively advertised via social media. The comments on social media advertising for ShopLaConner.com show that people LOVE La Conner, even if it has been years since they visited. Other people see these comments and will want to come too! Sample postings: “One of our favorite places to get away to!” “I ordered some things from one of the stores. Thank you.” “Haven’t been here, so look forward to...
From birthday party contributions, Rotary support, drive through donations at Hellum's Vineyard, bread baking by The Oyster & Thistle Restaurant & Pub and King Arthur Baking School, and many many more private and business donations, the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank is humbled by and thankful for the outpouring of community support....
The coronavirus nixed her senior year track meets, but Morgan Herrera had already shown University of Washington throwing coach Andrew Ninow enough for him to invite the La Conner High standout to the Montlake campus. Herrera will join the UW track program, once the COVID-19 crisis has passed, as a preferred walk-on to compete in the shot put and hammer throw. As a preferred walk-on, Herrera is guaranteed a spot on the Husky roster. “I had my sights set on the UW for a few weeks,” Herrera tol...
It wasn’t so long ago that Hilary Edwards was walking the halls of La Conner High School. Now the halls of Congress are in her future. The 2013 La Conner grad, a first-year law school student at Arizona State University, is one of 12 applicants nationwide to have been selected for a Native American summer congressional internship through the Udall Foundation. The foundation honors the legacies of brothers Stewart Udall and Morris Udall, whose careers fostered the causes of American Indian self-governance and healthcare as well as stewardship o...
At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary as La Conner High seniors received their graduation caps and gowns Thursday afternoon ahead of this year’s commencement exercises. There was laughter, smiles, and time set aside for photos to last a lifetime. Class members shared future plans. School counselor Lori Buher showed pictures of her newborn grandbaby. Softball coach Loran James offered encouragement to La Conner’s college sports recruits. Cheer sponsor Theresa James con...
As if COVID-19! wasn’t scary enough, there is a new peril in our little corner of the universe and it has a face that could easily end up on the poster of a Hollywood horror movie. Say hello to your new neighbor, the Asian Giant Hornet. Last November, beekeeper Ted McFall was checking hives in nearby Custer in Whatcom County, and came across thousands and thousands of dead bee carcasses. Inside the hive, McFall discovered thousands of headless bees. McFall came to suspect Asian giant hornets, w...
There was a time, a couple months back, when it was thought the spread of COVID-19 might be slowed by the arrival of warm weather. Turns out, social distancing has had more of an impact than rising temperatures. That was borne out in La Conner last weekend. A dip in the thermometer on Saturday coupled with intermittent showers plus signage and related measures promoting social distancing led to conditions less likely to transmit the coronavirus, Mayor Ramon Hayes said Monday afternoon. “It w...
You can work from home, shop from home, and call friends from home. But you can’t farm from home. That’s why La Conner area farmers and farmworkers are adopting new habits as they comply with new rules from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. To protect workers from the COVID-19 virus, agricultural employers must implement an effective social distancing plan, ensure frequent and adequate handwashing by employees, and increase cleaning and sanitation of commonly touched surfaces. Sick workers must stay home or be iso...
Moving is often a business decision. That’s even true for an organization whose focus is to promote and protect the interests of those in business. Faced with COVID-related financial stress, the La Conner Chamber of Commerce was granted Town Council approval last week to temporarily move its office from Morris Street to the Fireside Room at Maple Hall later this month. “The Chamber is taking a double-whammy,” Mayor Ramon Hayes explained during the Council’s tele-conferenced April 28 meeting. “They’re taking hits on their renewals and in term...
Really wonderful and quite insightful article last week: “The New Normal: Reinventing our reality in a new era.” I enjoyed how you connected all the dots and express them in such a simple terms so everyone can understand. You asked us questions that we need to answer sooner better than later if not immediately! Thank You for sharing. Sasha Krivokapic...
