On The Island

Camano Island Democrats will host its annual holiday home tour Sat., Dec. 5, 1:30 to 5 p.m. The tour includes five Island homes. Tickets include the tour and party following the event at Odd Fellows Hall, 96 S. Camano Ridge Rd with live music, hors d’eouvres and a live auction. Proceeds of the tour fund scholarships for local students. Tickets and maps at Camano Island Coffee Roasters, Snow Goose Bookstore and Seagrass Galley. Pearl Harbor commemoration Monday

Pearl Harbor Day commemoration is Mon., Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, SR 532, sponsored by Freedom Park Association. Speakers are CDR Mike McKenna, VAQ 129, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Mike Nestor, president of the park committee (and Viet Nam veteran), and Cecil Calavan, VPPHSA USS Utah BB. All veterans will be recognized, and Camano Island Men’s Choir will sing patriotic songs. Phil Lewis, vice president of the park committee, will give a welcome, and invocation will be by Pastor Scott Brents of Camano Lutheran. Colors will be presented by Stanwood American Legion Post #92. Others participating are Boy Scout Troop #413, and Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 5, with a roll call of Pearl Harbor survivors and a bell ceremony by Glenn Lane, USS Arizona, BB. Mrs. Billie Jensen will give a solo, as well as the accompanist for group singing.

The Lassies Golf Club will sponsor a contest to judge Christmas house lights in the four divisions within Camaloch Dec. 16. Winner in each division will be awarded a cash prize, with the money then sent to the Stanwood/Camano Food Bank in each winner’s name. Giving tree benefits children and adults

A community giving tree to benefit children and adults in the Camano/ Stanwood community is being offered by J.T. Buck & Co, located in the Camano Plaza next to Mark’s Pharmacy. All you need do is pick out a gift tag(s), purchase an appropriate gift and place it, unwrapped w/tag, back under the tree by Fri., Dec. 11. Gifts will be taken to the Stanwood/Camano Family Resource Center for distribution. “Thank you for giving,” said a spokesperson.

‘Silver bells ring at Utsalady’ supper

The public is welcome to an old-fashioned supper of homemade soups and bread, “Silver bells ring at Utsalady” Sun., Dec. 6, 4 p.m. A Christmas program will follow in the Ladies Aid Hall, 78 Utsalady Road.

Dance night lessons hosted by center

Dance night with lessons are being held at the Camano Senior and Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Rd, Camano Island. Learn West Coast swing Thurs., Dec. 3, and salsa, Thurs., Dec 10. Instruction 7 to 7:30 p.m., and dance 7:30 to 10 p.m. Registration not required, but for questions, call 387-0222. There is a fee for both members and non-members.

Work party at state parks, Dry Lake

Friends of Camano Island Parks volunteers will be hosting a 9:30 a.m. work party next week at the state parks and the Dry Lake Project. Meet Tues., Dec. 8, at the Camano Island State Park ranger station. Bring lunch; beverage and dessert provided. Newcomers are welcome to join FOCIP in work party efforts to improve Camano Island parks. To prepare for future work parties, the perimeter trail around the Camano Senior and Community Center is in need of new bark. Friends of Camano Island Parks is looking for someone able to donate 20 yards of shredded bark or wood trimmings. Contact Bev Reaume, 387-5619. For more information about Friends of Camano Island Parks, call Carol Triplett, 387-0889, or Tom Eisenberg, 387-4000, or write FOCIP, P.O. Box 1385, Stanwood, WA. 98292.

Glass/jewelry artist is club program

Camano Country Club Women’s Club will hold a meeting/program and luncheon Mon., Dec. 14, 10 a.m. Patty Pontikis, glass and jewelry artist, is presenting the program, and some of her wares will be available for purchase. Debbie Christopher will cater. Women’s bridge (by reservation only) follows at 12:30 p.m.

Free pictures with Santa Saturday

Santa Claus will be at J.T. Buck & Co. for free pictures with kids and furry friends of all ages Sat., Dec. 5. He will arrive at 11 a.m. and stay until 3 p.m. Call 387-9643 for more information.

Local authors in person at library

Two local authors will visit Camano Island Library Fri., Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. Heidi M. Thomas’ novel “Cowgirl Dreams,” is based on her grandmother who rode steers in Montana rodeos during the 1920s. Mary E. Trimble is the author of “Rosemount,” “McClellan’s Bluff,” and a soon-to-be released romantic suspense novel, “Tenderfoot.” Both authors will be available to answer questions about writing and getting published. Copies of their books will also be for sale. The Camano Island Library is a three-year pilot project to test community interest in local library service.

Guided walk at Four Springs Preserve

Join Friends of Camano Island Parks members on a guided community walk at Four Springs Lake Preserve Sat., Dec. 5. Meet at 9:50 a.m. in the Four Springs parking area. Enter from Lewis Lane, off Camano Hill Road on the west side of Camano Ridge Road. See the preserve with a walk on the perimeter trail including the wetland trail. The perimeter trail includes two 50-foot fairly steep hills. The distance of the walk is approximately two miles. A shorter, more level, option is available. A tour of the Four Springs House, Meadow Room, and barn is also available. The approximately two-hour hike takes place rain or shine. Wear appropriate clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. Four Springs is a demonstration garden for the Camano Wildlife Habitat project, sponsored by FOCIP. For more information about Friends of Camano Island Parks, call Carol Triplett, 387-0889, or Tom Eisenberg, 387-4000, or write FOCIP, P.O. Box, 1385, Stanwood, WA 98292.

Camaloch party to benefit food bank

The Camaloch Lassie 9 Hole Golf Club and the Camaloch Association will hold their annual Christmas party Sun., Dec. 6, 5 p.m. at the clubhouse. The party is being held to benefit the Stanwood/ Camano Food Bank, and is open to all Camaloch residents. Attendees are asked to bring an hors d’oeuvre and a choice of refreshments, plus a non-perishable item for the food bank. “This year their need is especially urgent,” said a spokesperson. Both groups will donate $100 each to the food bank. Additional donations may be made at the party; make checks payable to the Stanwood/ Camano Food Bank.

Celebration benefits Christmas House

Women of the area are invited to a Christmas celebration to benefit Christmas House, Stanwood/Camano Food Bank, Tues., Dec. 15, 2 p.m. at Camaloch Clubhouse. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to Christmas House, (the need hardest to fill is for boys/girls ages 12-14. Items suggested are perfumes, shaving kits, Hannah Montana items, etc.). “Ladies, bring a pretty or unusual teacup for your use, and a plate of cookies,” said a spokeswoman. Coffee, tea and punch will be provided. Holiday elegant attire is optional. RSVP by Dec. 14 to Jeannie Shaw, 387-7015.

Celtic Christmas concert December 18

A Celtic Christmas concert will be held Fri., Dec. 18, 7 p.m. at St. Aidan Episcopal Church, admission by ticket. Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning, with Wendy Goodwin, will present an evening of contemporary Celtic music celebrating the season. For more information, call 629-3969.

Early signup for junior high retreat

Camano Chapel junior high retreat is Jan. 22 – 24; skiing and tubing in Wenatchee and Leavenworth for sixth - eighth grade. See brochure online at www.eyp7.org or call Camano Chapel, 387- 7202, for details. Sign up early.

Knitters’ Guild to have Christmas party

The North Sound Knitters’ Guild will have its annual Christmas party Tues., Dec 8, at St. Aidan’s Church, 6 to 9 p.m. All knitters are welcome, whether you learned yesterday or have knitted for 40 years. St. Aidan’s is located on Route 532 across from the Second Chance Thrift store on Camano Island. Attendees are asked to bring a dish for the potluck dinner; also bring a knitting-related gift worth approximately $10 for the gift exchange. For further information, call June Dickinson, 387-1952. The guild meets the second Tuesday of each month.

St. Aidan’s host bake sale, bazaar

Women of St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church are having their annual Christmas bake sale and bazaar at the church, 1318 east SR 532, at the top of Land’s Hill. The event is Sat., Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fire Sirens to have gift exchange

The Madrona Fire Sirens are hosting their noon Christmas luncheon Wed., Dec. 2, at the Madrona Fire station, 916 W. Fifth Avenue (at Tarragon). Bring a donation to the Stanwood Food Bank, and an exchange gift of no more than $5.

Yacht club’s Sunday brunch, bake sale

Dec. 13 is the Camano Island Yacht Club Sunday brunch and bake sale, 9 a.m. to noon. The menu consists of a “special feature” – made-to-order omelets. Other items include bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, fruit, juice, coffee and tea (Santa may even appear). The Firstmates bake sale will be available at the same time.