Thank you
Two groups join to restore 1905 school house
Dear Editor:
Around 6 p.m. on April 30, the parking lot adjacent to the historic Camano City schoolhouse was packed.
Inside the former classroom, tables were filled with an animated crowd savoring soup and snacks. Several of the diners had been students there with happy recall of their early school days.
The lively gathering was the first of many future fundraisers, sponsored by the Island County Historical Society and hosted by the Camano Island Community Coalition. They have joined hands to work toward acquisition, preservation and restoration of the historic schoolhouse, built around 1905, and the only remaining one-room schoolhouse on Camano Island.
They look forward to recreating the ambience of a yesteryear schoolhouse with artifacts of an earlier era displayed in a facility that will become a thriving multipurpose community center. From their Coupeville museum, the historical society brought photos of students and teachers, several slates, a school bell and some tin lunch-pails.
This very happy event wouldn’t have happened without the super “soup services” of Alice Blandin and Tina-Dinzl Pederson, who made sure that everyone was served seconds.
Jan and John Nicholson controlled the crowd and parking.
Tom Perry was, as always, an affable, welcoming host and funds collector.
Many others provided delectable desserts for the bake sale, to accompany full-flavored cups of java from a well-known Camano coffee company.
However, it was the generous support and culinary expertise of our Camano/ Stanwood restaurants and others that made the menu so memorable. Hearty thanks to all who contributed: Camano Island Coffee Roasters, Camano Island Inn, Camano Plaza Market, Diamond Knot, Gerry Andal’s, Scandia Coffee Shop, Suzi’s Place and Camano Senior and Community Center caterer.
The schoolhouse is owned by Camano Island Fire and Rescue. We appreciate their support of our plans, which have been endorsed by chiefs Ganz and Yengoyan and all Camano Fire and Rescue Commissioners.
For information about Island County Historical Society or Camano Island Community Coalition, contact me at jmturk@msn.com or 360-393-3285.
Jim Turk Camano Island
