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On May 9, longtime La Conner resident Don Power died peacefully and quietly at his Fidalgo Island home. Don and his wife, Mary Jean Brady, worked hard to build a fishing business that was widely respected and admired in the industry, as well as many restaurants. As per Don’s wish, he was buried at the Meadows Natural Burial Ground at Moles’ Greenacres Memorial Park. You may visit Don’s resting place there and read his full obituary at Moles website or visit Nerka Sea Frozen....
Where the city council sees an eyesore, we see a golden opportunity yet to be developed. Where the city council sees ready cash, we see another loss to the character of LaConner. The realtor in this transaction sees ready cash, too. Who benefits from this sale? Not the citizens, not our visitors, not our future generations. Why do people value living in LaConner? Why do people visit LaConner? Shops and ice cream cones can be found all over the Valley. To borrow a political phrase, “It’s the waterfront, stupid.” For the city council to sell...
In its marathon doubleheader May 14th, the Town Council dispatched its first half duties with its typical efficiency. Not so the 80 minute Mayor’s Roundtable, when residents questioned the March decision to sell the former Kirsch property on North First Street. Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz opened the discussion, speaking strongly for selling the Town asset. “I want to say the Town needs the money,” he told the 15 people attending and noted maintenance was an ongoing cost. He suggested peopl...
Your bartender can be your best friend. La Conner “guys,” locals who have gathered at Nell Thorn’s Tuesdays for happy hours for years, going back to the restaurant’s days up the hill next to the Country Inn, are losing theirs. Aaron Jones, the rock of Nell Thorn’s bar tending staff, shook his final martini, poured his last Manhattan, and polished his final bar counter in La Conner Saturday night. Jones is the first staff departure since Nell Thorn’s sale to Ted Furst, owner of Kirkland re...
A critical decision of the La Conner School District Directors was not discussed or decided at Monday’s monthly board meeting. Last week the Directors had a resolution before them that “resolved as follows: 1. The Board of Directors hereby finds that just and sufficient cause exists for the termination of Georgia Johnson.” The recitals supporting that were: “2. The administration has recommended that Georgia Johnson’s employment be terminated. “3. The Board of Directors has reviewed the adminis...
Though living in the moment, hundreds paid tribute to the past as they literally stepped into the future during annual Swinomish Blessing of the Fleet and First Salmon ceremonies Thursday. Following a seafood feast enjoyed by a large crowd that spilled over from the Tribal gym and youth center to an outdoor tent in the adjacent parking lot, a procession stretching across Pioneer Parkway walked to Swinomish Channel off Moorage Way for an honored ritual marking the start of fishing season. The...
Maybe the hardest thing for elected officials to hear is that they are wrong. That is especially difficult to take when strong, passionate criticisms are made at council meetings by long time neighbors and friends. Who would enjoy that? Our council members and mayor go into office to improve their community. They spend long hours in that effort. They make decisions for the long term benefit of the town. They don’t get thanked enough. Sometimes the best, most correct, decision is reached the wrong way. And great decisions might not be known f...
Alvin Michael “Al” Strutzel, 94, a resident of La Conner, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Life Care Center, Mount Vernon, WA. He was born November 6, 1924 in Monitor, WA, the son of Rudolph and Wilma (Warren) Strutzel. Al’s family were early settlers in the Monitor area, having arrived in 1902. Al attended schools in Monitor, graduating from Cashmere High School in 1943. School sports were a big part of Al’s life, lettering in all three sports, baseball, basketball and football all four years. After graduation, he joined...
