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Like an extra-innings game, it was a longer than usual Town Council meeting last week that put into play new concepts for historic Hedlin’s Ballfield. During a Council Zoom session that pushed nearly three hours in length, members approved a plan to market the nearly two-acre site off Maple Avenue for $775,000, an asking price that offsets, with a slight surplus, the Town’s payment to the Hedlin family, even if a second one-year option payment on the property must be made. Under terms endorsed at the marathon Feb. 23 meeting, 70 percent of the...
Bring your family to Gilkey Square and “Chalk It Up” at Friday’s First on First. Call now to reserve a six foot by six foot square and a bucket of chalk. Spread joy by unleashing your springtime inspiration and your creativity. You must plan this, by reserving your time, between 1-7 p.m. It is $15 for the chalk bucket and space. Call John Leaver, 360-296-6414. Match the Weekly News in sponsoring buckets and squares for friends, family and children of all ages. Call Leaver to sponsor your squar...
The word “environment” has become to some a political word. In the last four years the presidential administration in Washington dismantled many environmental policies and rules. For instance, the Obama-era Clean Power Plan was replaced, the Endangered Species Act was redefined and the Oil and Natural Gas extraction ban was lifted. The Coal Ash rule, which regulates the disposal of toxic coal waste, was weakened and mercury and Clean Air standards were revised. During this time a coal lobbyist and an oil and gas industry ally were leading the...
Hardy souls that ventured beyond the Washington Street sledding hill during the hefty snowstorm Saturday, Feb. 13 and trudged downtown saw the Town’s public works staff laboring mightily, blowing, shoveling and plowing First Street’s sidewalks and roadway. Once the staff finished First, they came back Sunday to finish Morris Street, go up Maple Avenue and circle the town’s perimeter, blowing snow off Caledonia Street’s sidewalk. The Town’s staff did yeoman’s work in difficult weather. That they are the backbone of La Conner’s infrastructur...
The check – or debit card – is in the mail. At least that is the hope for those who have not received their second round of economic stimulus payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week that it has finished sending $600 in Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) that were approved by Congress for eligible persons and families in December. While some people are still waiting for their stimulus checks or debit cards to arrive in the mail, IRS reps say that – for the most part – those who have not received thei...
At 3 p.m. Saturday the sun was still out, glinting off tourists sunglasses and windshields. Hardly a parking space was open on First Street and the sidewalks was thronged with visitors and residents alike. Coming into town, the way tourists do, up Morris Street, locals, probably, were sitting at tables soaking up the sun at Stompin’ Grounds. Two blocks closer in, a couple were having a late lunch on the Slider Café patio. The tables were full at Santo Coyote’s small outdoor space, too. Ou...
Fire District 13’s changing of the guard quietly concluded at its monthly commissioners meeting Feb. 25. It was not till the end of the meeting, after Commissioner Larry Kibbee gave his legislative update report, that he spoke of his decision to retire, asking for a point of personal privilege. In his quiet, matter of fact way he recognized the staff and commissioners with whom he served eight years, the last 15 months as board chair. Saying it was “an honor and a privilege to be part of the Fire District 13 family,” he told them “no one doe...
Jan Hillcar lived to be 80 years old. She wanted a little more time to watch the grandkids grow up, but is now enjoying God’s amazing grace and as a family we give thanks. She was born, raised and educated in La Conner, WA. Jan was a proud alum, attending many of the alumni dinners over the years. She also had fond memories of her childhood. Especially riding horses and spending time with her Nana. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Bellingham. She was an “old school” nurse. He...
My mom was a great cook and baker. Every year as we neared my birthday, she would ask what kind of cake I wanted. It was the same every year, but she would ask anyway before making the four-layer chocolate cake with a pudding-based filling and a hard frosting. As much as I loved that cake, I could not make it through a second piece. In other words, no matter how good it was, enough was enough. It often resulted in a queasy feeling in my stomach. I am having that feeling right now. While this pandemic has been no party, I am a little concerned...
Good things are worth waiting for. And when it comes to the recently re-opened Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner, so, too, are great things. In this case, an exhibit of the works of the acclaimed late La Conner artist Jesus Guillen, whose images capture both the beauty of the Skagit Valley and the workers who have harvested its agricultural bounty. “Guillen (is) a noteworthy regional artist who died in 1994 but remains an important part of the art history of the Skagit Valley,” says K...
A local man is using technology for walks back in time in historic La Conner. Adam McGarity has developed a 45-minute audio tour of early La Conner history that highlights eight key locations covering about a half-mile distance between the downtown business district and the Civic Garden Club building on Second Street. McGarity, who holds a history degree from Mercer University, in Macon, Ga., gave La Conner Town Councilmembers and other residents a preview of the tour Saturday afternoon. The “time-based storytelling” project has drawn pos...
Monday, Feb. 22 11:02 a.m.: Theft of tools – Caller reported a burglary with tools taken. Deputies are continuing their investigation. Town Public Works shop. N. 3rd St., La Conner. 2:47 p.m.: Dangerous bird – Report of a white Ford pickup driving at a high rate, tailgating and passing in a no passing zone. Deputies were unable to locate the vehicle. Fir Island / Maupin Rds., Conway. 7:59 p.m.: Stealing the dregs – Report of a theft of a tip jar. The caller then decided they did not want to report the theft at this time....
This is the creamiest, most-flavorful side dish and is simple to prepare. Garnish with a dab of butter and salt and pepper to taste. We are lucky it grows locally and ours came in a winter CSA box from Boldly Grown Farm. This is offered through the Swinomish Tribe’s nutrition program. Eating fresh organic produce is what I strive for in our daily diet. Roasted Butternut Squash Ingredients Butternut squash, halved and seeded Water, 1 to 2 cups Parchment paper, optional Preparation Preheat the o...
It is March and the La Conner Chamber of Commerce’s month-long Daffodil Festival is here. So far the weather, the coronavirus pandemic, governments and people are cooperating. In 2019 cold and snow snuffed that year’s daffodil crop. Last year state and country orders shut down mid-March as COVID-19 conquered the world. At February’s end some 80 workers were picking the first daffodil stems of the season in Washington Bulb Company fields by Calhoun and Beaver Marsh roads, two of their seven...
At its Feb. 9 meeting the Skagit County Planning Commission voted to uphold their September censure of fellow Commission Mark Lundsten. Lundsten stated his case for removing the censure, saying “you have done me an injustice. The clear intention is to suppress free speech. The intent of your censure is to punish me for expressing dissent and that is not allowed.” Lundsten’s long opening statement was followed by considerable discussion before the commissioners voted 6-3 to uphold a censure they voted after Lundsten sent a letter to the count...
I cannot say I had a brush with COVID-19 last week, but its breath came close enough to warm my check, changing the last two work days for my staff and me. Here is what happened. Tuesday night I had dinner at the Tav with a friend, a leisurely, catch up, unmasked meal. Wednesday night Zee – not his real name – told me that he was called by a friend with whom earlier Tuesday he had a couple of beers with and spent most of the afternoon. The friend told him his partner had tested positive for the coronavirus. Zee had had his two...
