Folks party with, for Jimmy Schermerhorn

If sharing food is love, then Jimmy Schermerhorn is very loved. The tables were full at Saturday’s party in woods in Burlington near I-5 and State Route 20. There were four potato salads, green and noodle salads, and a watermelon, arugula and feta cheese salad from Rick Shorten. There were two pots of cooked beans and meat. Joe Caparella brought a whole clams and pasta in red sauce dish. Chester Cayou had grilled salmon, and Rosie Cayou and Roxanne Wilbur brought fry bread. Chicken drumsticks appeared.

Homemade desserts outnumber store bought ones: fruit pies, Bobbi Krebs-McMullen’s rhubarb crisp, chocolate cake and lemon bars is a partial listing. So much love was present desserts remained at the end. Those pressed for time, or kitchen challenged, brought wine or beer.

The stage at Becky Zeil’s house, Gary’s sister, was occupied by only a sound system. Music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, Crosby, Stills and Nash, prominently, played. After a while, a small group circled their chairs near a corner of the stage. Later on, an “amazing, flying-fingers accordion player” showed up, reported another long-time friend, Janet Saunders.

Kit Muehlman drove down from Bellingham. Bob Racanello lives 400 miles north, in British Columbia, but was locally available. Bill McCuskey came from the Philippines. Over 50 people made it, greeted by sister Bonnie and brother-in-law Gary as they wandered in from parking beyond the nascent vegetable gardens.

The newshound showed, along with Don Coyote, who chronicled the gathering.

About the only person absent was ubiquitous Don Wick, but this was a particularly La Conner focused gathering and of a certain generation. Most folks’ hair was gray, though more men had pony tails then women.

The 1890s came up, of course, though it was noted that live music gravitated from the Tavern to that venue.

Kids as well as dogs ran through the throng. Only the kids played on the tree swing.

Paper hearts and magic markers were passed out so people could share reflections with Jimmy. These will be made into a collage of love for Jimmy to have at bedside. Janet Saunders passed: “Just too hard to do although it seemed everyone else could.”

Jimmy looked great. He was tan and his handshake as well as his voice was strong. He was in good spirits. When he circulated through the group, his two canes were seemingly natural extensions of his arms. Suzie Racanello noted, “so many familiar faces; so many to show love for Jimmy. We are all fortunate to know him.”

The gathering was a true celebration of Jimmy’s life. These old, heartfelt friends came to let Jimmy know how much he meant to them. “Jimmy is kind and thankful, always giving as much as he received” with his family and friends, reflected Bobbi Krebs-McMullen.