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Welcome New Subscribers!
GICCA extends a warm welcome to our new subscribers. We look forward to engaging with you in some of the many activities and events you'll read about here and on the GICCA website.
We strengthen community as we get involved and forge relationships with one another.
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If this newsletter ends abruptly with "[Message clipped]," you can click on the "View entire message" link provided at the very bottom to view the entire newsletter..
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This month we want to show off the variety of art that our December 2022 Art Studio Tour participants have created. Some pieces may be available for purchase at the event!
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Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, Nov 6
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While cell phones and many other devices will automatically adjust to the time change, "old-fashioned" timekeeping devices will need to be reset. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour and get an extra hour of sleep this weekend!
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So, you thought Washington voted to end Daylight-Saving Time? Yes and no. The Washington Legislature passed a bill in 2019 to remain permanently in daylight-saving time. That means the state would stop changing the clocks twice a year and no longer have to endure darkness before dinner during winter. However, the changes won’t take effect at the state level until Congress votes to allow such a shift. Currently, states can only stay permanently in standard time.
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GICCA Annual Meeting & Election, Nov 17
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Thursday, Nov 17, 7:00 PM at the Hall
A virtual option may be offered in addition to the in-person meeting at the Community Center Hall. The link will be posted on myguemes.org prior to the meeting. The audio quality is not ideal in our 108-year-old meeting hall. We are still trying to resolve these issues in order to accommodate everyone.
Seven candidates are running for four vacancies on the GICCA Board. Click HERE to read their profiles as they were submitted. The profiles are also posted outside the Hall.
Please read the Board of Directors' Roles and Expectations. Candidates do not run for specific positions. Board positions will be decided by the newly elected and returning Board members in a closed session in December, as outlined in Article VII of the GICCA Bylaws.
In-person voting schedule at the Community Center Hall:
- Saturday, Nov. 5
- Sunday, Nov. 6
- 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (time shifted earlier to accommodate GIPAC Annual Meeting)
- Thursday, Nov. 10
- Saturday, Nov. 12
- Thursday, Nov. 17
- 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Final opportunity to vote
- GICCA Annual Meeting and Election 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Please bring proof of Guemes residency or property ownership in order to vote. Examples: WA driver license, property tax statement, utility bill, rent receipt, car registration, etc.
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A Message to the Community
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To the Guemes Island Community,
For any who are unaware, there has been controversy over security cameras placed at the Stage by the GICCA Board. The unfiltered comments on social media about this topic have been one-sided and damaging to community unity. Whether on the national level or in a small community, social media and private websites may not be conveying both sides of a story. Everyone has an opinion, but actual conversations are essential in helping one another understand those opinions. We welcome those conversations.
The GICCA Board apologizes for our choice to install cameras. It was an honest mistake but it violated the community’s trust, which was in no way intended. We share the community’s objective to preserve the ability of all community members to use the stage to its full extent, and we look forward to a community discussion about how to do this and address the concerns that the opening of the stage has raised. We strive to be an organization that learns from its mistakes, and we have learned so much already from this experience.
Please know the Board had good intentions in installing the security cameras and was trying to address a variety of risks and issues, namely 1) vandalism or other damage, 2) compliance with the terms of our Special Use Permit, and 3) liability. We all care about the stage and the unity of our community. This experience has taught us that the Board isn’t in this alone; Guemes Islanders are ready, willing, and able to help protect our resources and we look forward to working with everybody to develop better approaches and solutions to these concerns going forward.
We heard your concerns and in lieu of further discussion at the November GICCA Annual Meeting, the board would like to make public the fact that the security cameras have been permanently removed.
Sincerely,
The GICCA Board
Libby Boucher, Nancy Fisher-Allison, Barb Ohms, Tom Sternberg, Dave Shill, and Kathy Whitman
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Thank You First Responders
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Skagit County officially proclaimed October 28 First Responders Day in Skagit County in conjunction with National First Responders Day. The proclamation seeks to honor local firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, dispatch, and all those who are first on the scene in times of crisis.
Our Guemes Island Volunteer Fire Department members give many hours of their time to train and they stand ready to respond for citizen assist calls and all manner of fire and medical emergencies. Thank you to Chief Cole and the dedicated FD17 crew. Visit guemesfire.org for the latest updates on the Guemes Island Fire Department.
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11:30-12:15 at the Church
Brought to you by the Guemes Connects team of volunteer cooks, this COVID-safe version of the Gathering Lunch offers a "home-cooked" meal brought to your car at the drive-through in front of the Church. Menus are available on the GICCA Island Happenings Calendar and Linetime. No soup on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 24.
Follow the signs and stay in your car. Thursdays, 11:30 to 12:15 or until the soup runs out. Hot soup, bread and something sweet for dessert for a suggested $5 donation. Proceeds support the program and excess funds are donated to other island organizations. Don't be late!
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November Programs at the Church 9:30 AM
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Gratitude is the theme for November at the Guemes Church. On Nov 6 hear a sermon by Bob Anderson and Terry Kyllo. If you're curious, attend on Nov 13 for a skit by the Guemes Fire Department. On Nov 20 David Wertheimer speaks. On Nov 27 Zen Buddhist, Jon Prescott shares his wise perspective. Everyone is welcome.
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Winter Art Studio Tour, Dec 3
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It’s again time for Guemes Island’s popular Winter Art Studio Tour on Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Guemes is home to a wealth of extremely talented artists. The self-guided studio tour presents the opportunity to meet the artists, see their creative works, and purchase their art.
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Click HERE to check out the artists and download the map. Visit ten studio locations with more than 30 artists. Fuel up with coffee and treats from "Emma's" coffee shop located at the Community Center Hall. The Guemes Connects team will offer a special day of "Soup-to-Go" from 11:00 to 1:00, drive through at the Church, benefiting the Guemes Island Fire Department.
Mark your calendar and get ready for an amazing day of art and food!
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Islanders Help Those in Need
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Sat, December 10, 8:00-9:00 am, Simple Gesture/Red Bag Food Drive
Red Bags can be picked up in the Church entry or just put your donations in a bag or box. Some needed items are: meals in a can with pull tops, Ensure, 5lb or smaller bags of flour and sugar, canned pumpkin, canned cranberries, evaporated milk, and fruit cocktail. Fresh turkeys and hams must be delivered to the Salvation Army during their business hours. Checks can be sent to Simple Gesture, PO Box 1413, Anacortes, WA 98221. Thank you for whatever you can donate.
Guemes Church Food Pantry
The church pantry is always open. It is often a pleasant surprise to find that a mystery donor has dropped off food. Please pay attention to those expiration dates. Thanks to all who have donated to the pantry. We know many folks have found it helpful. Keep those donations coming.
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Featuring: The Art & Artists of Guemes Island
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Pictured here are just a few of the studios on the tour!
Make a date with your friends for Saturday, December 3rd, and spend the day exploring Guemes Island’s art community together. You can even grab snacks, a hot beverage, or a soup lunch to satisfy your hunger! For the third time in a year, artists will open the doors to their studios or gather together at the Community Center for a little “show and sell”. Guemes Island is home to many artists and the Studio Tour presents us all with the opportunity to see their incredible work. What a great way to start your holiday shopping as well! Who doesn’t love getting an item that is unique and comes from our neighbors on this little island paradise? Read more here about who is participating.
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Emergency Preparedness — "Do 1 Thing"
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Emergency Supplies: Remember important items that may be overlooked when leaving your home in a disaster.
Any emergency is easier to handle when you have prepared ahead of time. Put together an emergency kit with important items to keep at home, and a go bag with items you will need to take with you if you evacuate. Think about what you and your family would need in a disaster. You can make kits for your home, car or workplace. Emergencies can happen anywhere.
When severe weather is predicted, make sure your car has a full tank of gas. You don’t want to wait in line for gas if you are told to evacuate. Some storms may also knock out electricity, causing gas stations to close.
Learn more
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November Island Happenings
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As the island slowly returns to "normal," community organizations proceed with caution with public meetings and indoor gatherings. The Community Hall strongly recommends but is not requiring masks for large public gatherings. Private gatherings with known attendees may choose to set their own mask guidelines. Please do not attend public gatherings if you are ill or have been exposed to COVID.
Please take advantage of the following scheduled happenings. Details on these events can be viewed on the Island Happenings Calendar.
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Thursday, Nov. 3:
- Soup-to-Go. 11:30-12:15 drive-thru at the Church
Saturday, Nov. 5:
- GICCA In-person Voting. 12:30-3:00 at the Hall
Sunday, Nov. 6:
- Daylight Saving Time Ends. Clocks back 1 hour at 2 AM
- Church Service. Speaker – Bob Anderson. 9:30 AM at the Church.
- GICCA In-person Voting. 10:30-1:00 at the Hall
- GIPAC Annual Meeting. 2:00 PM at the Hall
Tuesday, Nov. 8:
- Election Day. WA State and Skagit County
Thursday, Nov. 10:
- Soup-to-Go. 11:30-12:15 drive-thru at the Church
- GICCA In-person Voting. 5:30-7:30 at the Hall
- GI Ferry Committee Meeting. 7:00 PM location TBD
Saturday, Nov. 12:
- GICCA In-person Voting. 12:30-3:00 at the Hall
Sunday, Nov. 13:
- Church Service. Speaker – Fire Dept Skit. 9:30 AM at the Church
Monday, Nov. 14:
- Fire Commissioners' Meeting. 7:00 PM at the Fire Hall.
Thursday, Nov. 17:
- Soup-to-Go. 11:30-12:15 drive-thru at the Church
- GICCA In-person Voting. 6:30-7:30 at the Hall
- GICCA Annual Meeting & Election. 7:00-8:30 at the Hall
Saturday, Nov. 19:
- Future of Guemes History continued. 2:00 at the Church
Sunday, Nov. 20:
- Church Service. Speaker – David Wertheimer. 9:30 AM at the Church
- Fiber Arts Group. 10:30 AM at the Community Hall
Thursday, Nov. 24:
- Thanksgiving Day. NO Soup-to-Go
Sunday, Nov. 27:
- Church Service. Speaker – Jon Prescott. 9:30 AM at the Church
Saturday, Dec. 3:
- Art Studio Tour. 10:00-4:00. Community Hall & island studios
Recurring weekly activities:
- Yoga with Amanda Rose. Mondays, 7:00 PM at the Community Hall.
- Dog Island Drums. Tuesdays, 6:00 PM at the Community Hall.
- Pickleball. Sat. & Sun, 10:00-noon at Schoolhouse Park.
- Guemes Library Open. Thursday thru Monday, 12:30-3:00 PM.
- Guemes Walks. Find schedule on Island Happenings button on myguemes.org.
- Ted Talks & Virtual Learning. Social Connections tab on myguemes.org.
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