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“So here we go again,” commented Cristal Perkins, co-owner of Santo Coyote Mexican Kitchen, to a survey asking La Conner businesses and institutions about their preparations and frustrations over the wearing masks indoors statewide mandate. Santo Coyote staff have been wearing masks all month and Perkins put their “'mask required" sign back up on the doors Aug. 18. Rosi and Wes Jensen at Fine Feather Friends never stopped wearing masks, “even though we are vaccinated,” she wrote. Volunteer staff at Vintage Thrift Store and customers have been...
Decisions, decisions. Perhaps none of late have been so scrutinized as whether to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In some cases, as for the state’s health care workers and emergency responders, it is less a choice than a mandate in the attempt to curb spread of the deadly virus, which has claimed nearly 630,000 American lives in a year and a half, 300 times more than the number of U.S. military members lost in two decades fighting in Afghanistan. This month has brought two major developments on the vaccine front. On Aug. 9, Gov. Jay Inslee p...
Katryna Barber Long time staff member Gem Tartaglia is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service to the La Conner Regional Library. Gem has worked in the library throughout the years and has seen a great deal of change, both in the library and in the community. Though it all, she has been a stable and welcoming face to all who have visited the library. Reflecting on this, Gem says: “Being in the library, working the front desk, I got to know the people in town. I also got to know the b...
During World War II the U.S. government promoted the campaign “Loose Lips Sink Ships,” engaging the public to protect the country – ourselves- challenging us to review our thoughts before speaking: without self-reflection people might let slip information the Germans and Japenese could use to their advantage in the war. Citizens were united in fighting an enemy that could kill their families, friends, co-workers and neighbors and defeat the nation. Lives were at stake and shortening the war was everyone’s goal. Today the uncovered lips...
Ken Stern, editor and publisher of the La Conner Weekly News, seems determined to demonize the town administration, mayor and town council members in at least two areas: the Maple Avenue ballfield transaction and now parking fees for the new library. In a scathing editorial Aug.18 he paints an (incorrect) depiction of myself and fellow councilmen Bill Stokes delaying start of construction of the library by trying to extract parking fees for the code, which requires 10 excess (additional – ed.) parking spaces which future operation of the...
I lost my wallet. I had no idea where, it just wasn’t in my pocket or on the top of the dresser where I leave it at night. Big hassle. Canceling and replacing credit cards and ID cards and my driver’s license. Oh, let’s not forget the $400 plus I had in cash in that wallet. For starters, I got a new wallet and I carried my passport in it so I had one form of ID. I got new credit cards and spent time at the DMV waiting in line to apply for a new driver’s license. Got it all done. Big sigh of...
Is the editor of the La Conner Weekly News a crank and a scold? Does he – me – criticize the town council unfairly, randomly or casually, without cause? Do I have an agenda or a vendetta? I do, actually. Let me propose that I am just doing my job, sometimes more aware and sometimes less. My failure to pay attention earlier to all the details and the players around the sale of the Hedlin ballfield property has sharpened my focus. Then I was not on top of the issue, as your local newspaper editor has to be. What does the newspaper’s e...
Skagit County residents have a convenient option to get pre-approved for help with rent and utility bills. Monday the County launched a new online portal where renters can complete a simple eligibility survey and get matched with a rental assistance provider, or complete an application for assistance. Access the portal at www.skagitcounty.net/renthelp. The Skagit County Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible Skagit County renters, and their landlords, who may be struggling to afford rent and utilities due to...
William “Bill” Malcomson was born in Cuba, NY to Rev. Clair E. Malcomson and Irene T. Lacy. Bill lived in many areas of the country in his lifetime; graduating from Denison University with a BA, from Colgate Rochester Divinity School with his Masters of Divinity, and from Princeton with a Ph.D. in the History of World Religions. He was married to Laurie Loomis in 1955 at Seattle First Baptist Church and celebrated their 56th year of marriage prior to her pass-ing in 2011. He was partnered wit...
Avery passed away at her home on August 19, 2021 in Burlington, Washington at the age of 94.Nona was born in Edmonds, Washington on August 5, 1927 to William & Marjorie Gross. She spent her childhood in Olympia, Washington attending primary schools in Shelton and Olympia, later attending Stevens College in Missouri and the University of Washington. On August 26, 1949 she married Paul J Avery in Olympia, Washington. Throughout her marriage Nona was a loving, supportive wife to Paul, following...
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners hosts the first of four public meetings on the 2021 redistricting efforts 3 p.m. Aug. 26. Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, Skagit County is required to redraw the boundaries of its commissioner districts. This process is governed by state law. Information, including instructions on how to provide comment, is available at Skagit’s 2021 Redistricting website: publicinput.com/SkagitCountyRedistricting. Thursday’s meeting will be held virtually. Individuals can participate virtually via Zoom htt...
Rachel Cram has focused on local history this year, developing an in-depth anecdotal history and virtual tour of landmark La Conner downtown buildings. The La Conner High senior is also eyeing the future – her future. Cram, a 5’6” guard, has signed a letter of intent to attend and play basketball next year at Carroll College, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school in Helena, Montana that boasts a strong women’s hoops tradition. The Fighting Saints won Front...
It seems like yesterday that the surprising La Conner High football team was securing an NW2B title with a season-ending four-game winning streak after three straight single victory years. And, in a way, it was yesterday as the upstart Braves and their league foes shifted traditional fall schedules to spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet much has changed in just four months. First-year La Conner head coach Jeff Scoma stepped down in June to lead the 3A Stanwood High grid program and has been replaced at the Braves helm by defensive...
On a fundamental level this preseason is no different for the La Conner High School volleyball team than any other during the 29-year tenure of hall of fame head coach Suzanne Marble. In other ways, however, it is a far different vibe now than last August. The team, which captured the 2018 and 2019 state 2B net crowns, is looking forward to a full fall season after having been limited to a short spring campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year more than ever has been the season we have all looked forward to the most,” Marble told the...
A new dog is greeting visitors entering La Conner. Rowdy Dog Antique Lighting, in the Tillinghast building at Morris and Maple, is one of a dozen businesses to open in town since last fall. It’s also one of two businesses that trace their roots to Mary Davis Lighting. “I knew Tom before Tom knew Mary,” said co-owner Paul Shong of Davis and her late partner Tom Minfie. A retired welder-mechanic, he often helped Davis and Minifie with tricky restoration assignments. He can repair Tiffany-style lamps using his extensive collection of vinta...
It only seems fitting that John Kamb, Jr. would serve two years rather than the customary 12 months as president of the Skagit County Pioneer Association. Kamb, after all, was a history major in college and for years his Fir Island home has been the repository for photographs, correspondence and records collected through eight generations of his family’s Washington residency, much of it in Skagit County. But despite a love of history, his two-year term wasn’t by design. The COVID-19 pan...
Monday, August 16 4:23 p.m.: Rolled over – 1 car roll over MVA. No injuries reported, but the driver was arrested for suspicion of DUI and booked into the Skagit County Criminal Justice Center. Chilberg Ln., Greater La Conner. Tuesday, August 17 1:09 p.m.: Long gone – Caller reported a cold hit and run MVA. Morris / 2nd Sts., La Conner. 4:03 p.m.: Seattle speedster – Report of a speeding Tesla that had passed the caller. Best / Valentine Rds., Greater La Conner. Friday, August 20 6:55 p.m.: Hot credit card – Cold vehicle...
I began the self-education process about gluten-free foods by talking to friends and family. My desire to learn to bake gluten-free treats was so I could bake and share something as a gift. Plus, should I ever have a gluten-sensitive guest in our home, I could offer them a gluten-free dessert. I also approached the matter cautiously, with a concern for our family food budget. Food has become more expensive. Purchasing different types of flours is important for my overall baking plans and there a...
