Sounder editorials

Orcas Island can still have a parade

Tempting as it may be, we’re not going to rant and rave at the museum for opting out of the Historical Days parade. Yes, we feel the museum is making a public relations blunder with its decision to drop one of the island’s most popular events, the Historical Days parade. At the same time, we accept board President Linda Tretheway’s statement that since the museum has been putting on a parade for 50 years, it’s time to pass the torch to somebody else.

But who? Contrary to the image Orcas islanders like to present to the world, we are not a bunch of laid back people who are sitting around bored and looking for something to do. Virtually every community-minded islander’s plate is already filled to the brim with jobs, family responsibilities, community service work and such extra-curricular activities as theatre, bands, lifelong learning classes, etc.

Indeed, it will be quite a trick summoning up the resources to hold a parade on Orcas Island. The best hope is that representatives of all the community service groups will pool their collective resources so this long-standing island institution can be maintained. Organizing the parade may require too much work for one organization alone, but if the Chamber, Kiwanis, Lions, OddFellows, etc. all do their share, we could continue what is one of the truly special days on Orcas Island. Hopefully, even the museum could be persuaded to show its community spirit by continuing to help out a little bit.

The Sounder calls on the president of one of the above-mentioned groups to invite representatives to a meeting of all the community service clubs, at which the agenda will be figuring out a way to keep the parade alive.

Should such an effort prove to be successful, our parade will become more of a community occasion than ever before, because virtually everybody will be able to take ownership of it, not just the museum.

Finally, when the organizations debate whether to hold the parade either on July 4 or the first Saturday of the month, we hope that the museum will be willing to set its Historical Days celebration to coincide with the parade. If the museum continues to insist that Historical Days be on the first Saturday in July, it will be next to impossible to hold the parade on another day. Yet the reality is that some Orcas islanders would like to see the parade on July 4. And if the group(s) taking over this special event switch(es) the date to July 4, the museum board should show its support by switching the date of its long-held event.

Orcas Island Library steps into the breach

Here’s the published tally of Skagit Valleys College’s course offerings for the spring quarter, according to the San Juan Center’s recent newsletter. Courses on San Juan Island, 37; Orcas, 1; Shaw, 2; Lopez, 0.

Sounds more than a little too-one sided? We certainly think so. Surely, the college must realize that 99 percent of the folks living away from San Juan Island are denied access to the classes offered in Friday Harbor, because they cannot devote half or full days to riding and waiting for ferries in order to attend a particular class.

Fortunately, the Orcas Island Library is attempting to provide this community with challenging and stimulating learning opportunities right here on this island.

We as a society have long since come to realize that people have a thirst to learn throughout their lives. This is especially true throughout San Juan County, where a well-educated population cries out for opportunities to grow intellectually while remaining on their respective islands, and where experts in many fields stand ready to serve as teachers to their friends and neighbors.

We should feel especially thankful that our local library has agreed to devote substantial resources to such a worthwhile project. In fact, Public Services Librarian Phyllis Carney has already arranged for five additional adult education courses to be offered on Orcas this spring. (See page B-2.)

The local library could have sat back and complained about the situation with Skagit Valley College. Instead, however, it took the high road, and now Orcas islanders can look forward to a nice selection of lifelong learning opportunities. We commend Carney and the library for their efforts.

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