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"Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way!" is the April Public Art theme featured on the Guemes Island Art Initiative website. Click here to identify the artistic talents behind these pieces, to see more of their work, and to discover the work of many other talented island artists. Right: Ukrainian Easter Egg (pysanka), unknown artist.
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Ukrainian Egg Workshop & Fundraiser — April 10
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Our first workshop on March 27 raised $500 for Ukraine! Let's raise another $500 at our next class on Sunday, April 10, Noon to 4:00 PM at the Guemes Island Community Center.
In this workshop, you'll get an introduction to the history and symbolism of this ancient folk art, learn the techniques involved, see examples to get inspiration, then decorate your own special egg - made by drawing/applying wax and dyeing in a process similar to that of making batik fabric. You'll be able to decorate many more eggs after the workshop with the purchase of the optional kit ($15) which includes the tools, dyes, wax, directions, and pattern templates.
-Pre-registration is required.
-Space is limited so register ASAP.
-Message, Email Sophie Dobra: sophiadobra@msn.com, or call (360) 770-9982
-Suggested donation of $50, plus supply fee of $15 for kit.
-Open to adults and accompanied children ages 9 and older.
To give a pysanka is to share a blessing and give a symbolic gift of life. The designs, which are usually a combination of folk motifs and symbolic colors, can carry symbolic meanings like wishes of protection, prosperity, fertility, or love and were displayed prominently in the home.
Show your support for the Ukrainian people by making and sharing these special eggs. All proceeds go directly to humanitarian agencies in Ukraine.
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Easter Services — April 17
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Bob Anderson will be offering an early Easter Dawn Service, at 8:00 AM on Sunday, April 17, on the lawn at the Store. The outdoor service will celebrate life over death, light out of darkness, and victory over evil. All islanders are welcome to share music, readings and poetry, silence, and meditation. This inclusive and non-sectarian service is for all faiths (or none). Rain or shine. Come dressed for the weather. Bring folding chairs if needed, hot beverages for yourself or to share. Masks if desired. Phone Bob at 360-293-3770 for more information.
Everyone is also welcome to Easter Service at 9:30 AM at the Guemes Church.
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Celebrate Earth Day! All-Island Clean-Up — April 23
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A Guemes Island Cleanup event is planned for Earth Day weekend. Groundfloor Guemes, a committee within the Guemes Island Community Center, will facilitate the Spring Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 23 from 1:00 to 3:00.
Our winter storms have brought interesting but unwanted items to the beach wrack lines. Litter can also be spotted on our lovely island roadways.
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Everyone can help in keeping our island in tip-top shape! The event begins at 1 pm at the Schoolhouse Park at the corner of Guemes Island Road and Edens Road and ends at 3 pm. Here are two ways you can participate:
1. Come to Schoolhouse Park. Pick up trash bags and long-handled tongs, provided by Skagit Co Public Works. Bring work gloves and water to drink. Select a roadway or a beach from a designated list. Pick up trash and return to the park by 3:00 PM.
2. Clean your own beach or roadway at a time that fits your schedule. Trash bags or tongs will be available at the park starting at 1:00 or use your own bags.
All collected trash and the borrowed tongs must be brought to the park by 3 PM. Truck support will be available that day as needed to assist in getting the filled trash bags back to the park. For assistance, call (360) 826 2714.
Skagit Co Public works will haul the collected trash away from the island.
Email 4gicca@gmail.com for more information or call Holly Green at (360)610-3829 or Edie Clark at (360)399-5931.
Spend a couple of very rewarding hours with your island neighbors on Saturday, April 23rd!
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Luminary Light Parade — April 23
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Celebrate Earth Day on Guemes Island. Attend the 4th Annual Luminary Parade and festivities on Saturday, April 23 beginning at the Guemes Island General Store, just a short walk from the Guemes Ferry landing.
Live music at the store begins at 5:30 with Milo Matthews followed by Brasscadia until 9:00 PM. The parade begins at 8:30. Small luminary lanterns will be available for sale to parade walkers.
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Please Return Overdue Guemes Library Materials
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The Guemes Island Library is getting to the next level of reorganizing. Ten years ago the Library went digital and it is now time to reconcile the online catalog to match the actual items in the collection.
It appears that the Library has 536 overdue items! Please check your shelves and make sure that you haven’t slipped a book or DVD onto your shelves and forgotten to return it. It happens to us all.
The Library will be calling and emailing—not to harass, but to help get items back into circulation or to learn which ones have gone astray in our system.
Thank you!
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Ferns Needed at the Stage
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The Community Stage still needs about 40 Sword ferns for this first phase of landscaping. Please consider digging and donating a few from your property!
How to do this?
- Just dig deep and place the fern with roots (and maybe a bit of soil) in a garbage bag.
- Leave at the stage just to the NORTH (left side) of the construction gate.
- Send a short email to 4gicca@gmail.com to let us know that the ferns have arrived.
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Thank you to the 45 islanders who completed our survey of learning topics and interests. There was notable enthusiasm for many topics, with “Environment and Natural World” and “Coast Salish Past & Present” drawing the greatest response. (Other highly ranked topics were, in order: Local History & Culture; Art, Music, & Theatre; Local Contemporary Issues; Literature; and Gardening.)
We will commence our monthly learning program when the GICCA public meetings resume following the summer break (June, July, Aug). More information will be forthcoming soon. A very special thanks to the individuals who offered to lead learning sessions on a range of relevant topics. We will be reaching out to you all shortly.
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Guemes Church Says Goodbye to Paster Sally Balmer
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Paster Sally is retiring after eight years of service to the Guemes Community. During that time she has provided support through many good times in worship and shared the community's personal joys and sorrows. She has kept faithful to the Church's covenants to pursue peace, social justice, and environmental care.
Both Church and community members, please come together on Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 AM at the Church for a brunch potluck to give Sally a royal sendoff to the next phase of her life.
Sally will be greatly missed.
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Save the Date (& Your Stuff) — May 14-15
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2nd Annual Island-Wide Garage Sale
Coming to an island near you ...
Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15. Guemes Island residents, set your own times, make your own signs, and sell your items or put them out for free. See the Guemes Garages Facebook page for more details as they become available.
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Save the Dates — May 28, 29 & 30
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Celebrate Guemes on Memorial Day Weekend – Three Days Filled With Art, Music, and Community
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Saturday, May 28: Guemes Art Studio Tours
Twice a year, art studios on Guemes Island open their doors to display and sell an array of unique artistic creations. The tours are back for Celebrate Guemes. Exquisite wood-turned bowls, colorful paintings, creative sculpture, delicate jewelry, garden art, and more will be found as visitors follow a map to multiple art destinations. The details and the roadmap will be available by May 1. Check out GuemesIslandArt.Org for the latest information as it becomes available.
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Sunday, May 29 from noon to 8:30 PM: Community Stage Opening and Inaugural Performances
This will be a special all-day event for Guemes Islanders at Schoolhouse Park. Meet representatives from the many Guemes community organizations.
Celebrate the opening of the Community Center Stage. A Samish tribal blessing will begin the celebration with live music by a variety of local musicians including The Haul Outs, Nick Allison, Guemes Drum Ensemble, Ian Woofenden & Lisa Grace, Wren Schultz, Rhinestone Cowboy, Children of the Blues, the Savage Blues Band and hopefully...The 720 Band.
Plans are still coming together for food trucks and a beer/wine garden. Stay tuned for more details.
Monday, May 30: Family Day on Guemes Island
- Memorial Day Observance at Edens Cemetery
- Pickle Ball Tournament at Schoolhouse Park
- Dog Woods Walking Tours
- Possible Skagit Land Trust Tours of Kelly's Point and Guemes Mountain
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Featured Artist: Susan Brendon
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This month’s artist takes all those treasures we find on the beach and incorporates them into wonderful pieces of décor for the body and home. Walk the shores of Guemes Island with Susan Brendon and see where her imagination takes you. Read more
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Emergency Preparedness — "Do 1 Thing"
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Have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs of your household for three days without outside help.
An emergency food supply doesn’t have to sit on a shelf, ready for disaster to strike (although it can). It can be part of the food you use every day. The key to a good food storage plan is to buy ahead of time. Replace items before they run out. Buy items when they are on sale. A large duffle bag or plastic tub with a lid makes a great storage place for an emergency food supply. Make sure your family, including pets, will have what they need when disaster strikes.
Learn more
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As the island slowly returns to the "old normal," community organizations proceed with caution with public meetings and indoor gatherings. The Community Hall still requires masks for large public gatherings. Private gatherings with known attendees may choose to set mask guidelines. The unvaccinated are asked to avoid indoor gatherings.
Please take advantage of the following scheduled happenings for the month of April. Details on these events can be viewed on the Island Happenings calendar HERE
- Sat, April 9, 9:00-noon: Grounds Clean Up at the Hall and Church, followed by chili lunch provided by Julie Pingree.
- Sun, April 10, noon-4:00: Ukrainian Egg Dyeing Workshop and Fundraiser
- Sun, April 17, 8:00 AM: Bob Anderson's Easter Dawn Service on the lawn at the Store
- Sun, April 17, 9:30 AM: Easter Service at the Guemes Church
- Thurs, April 21, 7:00 PM: GICCA Monthly Public Business Meeting at the Hall
- Sat, April 23, 1:00-3:00: All-Island Clean Up. Meet at the Park
- Sat, April 23, 1:00-4:00: Holiday Hideaway Association Annual Meeting at the Hall
- Sat, April 23, 8:30 PM: Luminary Parade. Starts at the Store
- Sat, April 30, 10:30-3:00: Rosie Cayou's Indigenous Plant Workshop, Washington Park, top parking lot
- Sun, May 1, 11:00 AM: Farewell Potluck Brunch for Pastor Sally at the Church
- Guemes Library—Thursday through Monday, 12:30-3:00. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
- Guemes Walks*—A series of walks designed to bring islanders together safely in the great outdoors. Schedule on the Island Happenings Calendar.
- Ted Talks & Virtual Learning*—Topics include travel destinations, humor, music, and more.
- Guemes Community Church services Sundays, 9:30 AM
- Soup-to-Go Thursdays through April 28, 11:30-12-15: Drive through at the Church. $5 suggested donation.
* More information about activities marked with an asterisk can be found on the Social Connections page of the GICCA website.
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