INSIDE

2007 In Review

Point Roberts Food Bank

By Ernie Loreen

Merry Christmas and a happy, joyous 2008 to each of you. Thanks for your support of the food bank these past years. The commodities have been appreciated.

The food bank supplies food on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon each week and open to anyone in the community who can use some food. We have about 40 families who receive assistance at various times. Each week we have 15 to 20 families who receive commodities.

We express our thanks and appreciation to the people and businesses that supply us. Thanks to the Marketplace and Shell station here on the Point, and to Northwest Harvest in Seattle, Alternatives to Hunger (Bellingham Food Bank), Salvation Army of Bellingham, and Thrifty Foods in Tsawwassen. Thanks also to the Point Roberts parks board who allow us to use the community center as the distribution place and to the Point Roberts Auto Freight for the delivery of supplies.

Special thanks to the staff, Henry Rosenthal, Bill Ladner, Curt Bush, Mary Acosta and Craig Jacks for their packaging and help bringing these supplies to the customers.

Thanks and best wishes to all.

Friends of the Library

By Marge Biery

The Friends of the Library provided the following activities in 2007:

1) Children’s story hour. Every Tuesday evening with stories and discussions for the younger set. Volunteers read and provide enhancements to a different book at each reading. 2) Joke telling contest. This annual fest held in the community center was once again a hit for one and all. A fundraising activity with lots of humor from those in town from whom you might least expect it. 3) Fourth of July parade. Once again Kris and the staff at the library came forth with a clever addition to the parade. 4) Book sales.

Based on donated books from the community the Friends offer used books, both hard and soft cover for sale during library hours at a reduced rate.

At the annual meeting of the Friends new officers were elected as president and secretary/treasurer. Marge Biery was elected as president and Sylvia Branzei-Velasquez as secretary/treasurer. By-laws have now been written and approved by the Friends which cover the purpose and guidance for the group.

The Friends group continues into 2008 with the express purpose of continued support for the activities and services of the library through fund raising and volunteering. Any resident of the community and/or user of the library may join and contribute.

Point Roberts Parks and Recreation District

By Linda Hughes

As 2007 nears its close, it’s time to reflect on some of the things our parks and recreation district has worked on over the past 12 months.
January began our series of quarterly meetings with Whatcom County Library System to review the growing needs of Point Roberts Library. The library would like to see a larger children’s area and is also talking of developing a teen space, more computer access and a quiet reading area, if the current premises could be expanded.

The parks board strongly supports having a library facility that meets the needs of the community and we have been exploring possibilities of expansion, including a future renovation of the community center building to increase floor space available for the library and to continue to comfortably accommodate the senior’s organization.

Also early in the year, the parks board held a public meeting to hear comments from members of the community on a proposal to lease parks land for the purpose of erecting a cellular tower. The meeting was well attended and several letters were received. Based on books read, engineering reports reviewed, videos watched, opinions heard, letters considered and planning options considered, the board voted in favor of entering into an agreement with Meridian Group for the lease of property intended for a cellular tower structure to be placed. To date, that tower construction application remains with Whatcom County and no further action was necessary for the balance of the year.

The community center is the meeting place for many community groups and organizations, and with such high traffic it always needs a few repairs, constant maintenance, new equipment and regular cleaning.

This year we installed a new sump pump, replaced light bulbs and batteries in the smoke alarms, purchased a new PA system, maintained the grounds and gardens, made repairs to the signs at the front of the building, had the center fumigated for pests, shampooed the carpets, serviced the fire extinguishers, and maintained a regular cleaning staff.
Also, another very successful summer program provided young children with many opportunities to make new friends, enjoy crafts, local field trips to the beach and skate park, play games and exhaust counselors.

The summer kayak program was also quite successful this year and the park’s many kayaks were kept in the water more often than not.
Baker Field was used for a couple of large events this year, notably the alumni reunion and retirement party for the teacher at Point Roberts primary school, and a baseball tournament/family reunion. Also, due to some severe weather conditions early and again late in the year, a number of fallen and broken trees have required removal and disposal.

The lawn is maintained throughout the grass growing season and offers a fabulous location for kite flying, Frisbee toss, golf swing practice, impromptu baseball and soccer, dog walking, bike riding, jogging, snowman construction and any other form of outdoor play you can think of. Get out there and enjoy your park! It’s a lovely place in spring, summer, fall and winter. A somewhat little known fact is that the Point Roberts primary school and the adjacent playground sit upon park land leased to the school district for a dollar a year.

And now the year is done and we sadly say goodbye to the incomparable Irene Waters, the longest serving board member in the history of the park district. Irene’s dedication to opening and heating the community center for meetings and events, her strong devotion to maintenance of park lands, her steady commitment to tenacious management of public funds, her gracious mentoring of incoming board members after each election, and determined vigilance in setting and reaching annual goals for Point Roberts Park and Recreation District goes unrivaled and leaves a hard act to follow. Incoming board member Mark Robbins has big shoes to fill, as do all the remaining parks board members.

Thank you Irene, we will miss you and your superb apple pie at budget meetings.

Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce

By Pamala Sheppard

I have the board of directors to thank for the very positive and productive year that we have had.

It is rare to have so many hard working and cooperative individuals on one board. Michelle Carson is our fireball who tackles every project with boundless enthusiasm, Karen Holstead, with a gentle touch, adds grace and style.

Helena Furno makes the impossible possible and creates comfort wherever she goes. Heather McPhee is the voice of reason, of experience and humor, Byron Velasquez makes all the pieces of the puzzle fit and spends endless hours insuring our presence in web land.
Darlene Perritt makes sure all our money is in order and keeps a sunny disposition, even when we inadvertently make her job hard. What an honor it is to work with such a wonderful group.

This year we brought Elvis to Point Roberts twice, once for the chamber social, and then again for July 4th. Actually not only one Elvis but three came and the chamber social at the Dockside “Cabaret” was so much fun that the Elvises were very excited to return and gave us way more than we paid for. The attendance was good for both events and Elvis, Elvis, and Elvis were given the star treatment. Look up the www.ultimateelvis.ca for pictures and information about our Elvis’ performances.

This year we produced over 5,000 Point Roberts postcards and distributed them for free. I encouraged people to take them on trips and give them to people and so far I know that there are Point Roberts postcards in Alaska, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, Costa Rica, and all over North America.

This year we have started a program to unite all the different community service groups to support each other, lending manpower and a unified front when confronting an issue. This will make a big difference when dealing with improved services requests to the county.

We welcome Suzanne Kinsey to our board, as our new treasurer. We are so excited to have her on board. Our chamber lunches have continued each month and have allowed us to network with people in the community who can be hard to catch up with due to their busy schedules.

Please feel free to join us for lunch every third Thursday. Call 360/945-1816 for location and more information.

Trinity Lutheran Community Church

Pastor Jean’s Ponderings:

During Advent the church reads from the book of Isaiah. We discover beautiful visions of a world at peace, a world free from hate, a world where war is no more.

Trinity Church has visions too. We hope to be a welcoming place where families and singles come to a multi-generational place and feel cared for by God and us.

We want to give people space to discover God, question God, and develop a relationship with God and with us. We don’t have all the answers. We don’t always get “it” right. We cannot be all things to all people, but we want to be “...a beacon of hope for the people of Point Roberts.” We trust God to form us into this vision. Please know that each of you is welcome at Trinity Church.

Notes from president Lucy Williams:

Our church is a busy place. Sometimes we’re helping the people who live here; sometimes we’re helping people who live farther away, like the flood victims in southwestern Washington.
Point Roberts is a unique community in the diversity of its people; our church is a reflection of that diversity. God continues to stretch us to encompass that diversity. Whether the need is for a St. Nicholas story told to a child on a Saturday afternoon, or a benefit concert for the food bank – our church tries to be there.

The year in review looks like this; we were busy welcoming our new pastor Reverend Jean Barrington and having summer services at Lighthouse Park, bible studies, choir rehearsals and concerts, summer music camp, the swim-a-thon, the strawberry social, Advent-ures, soup suppers. We welcomed many segments of our community this year: quilters, PREP, food bank, garden club, etc. Our church is here for you.

Point Roberts Library

By Kris Lomedico

Good deals: Since January 2007, the Point Roberts library has been open an extra two hours on Tuesdays, making a total of 18 open hours. It offers access to WIFI (lap computer reception) 24/7. Patrons now also enjoy do-it-yourself pick up and check out. Able assistants Jean Burger Daniels, Mary Franzo, and I are still on hand to help and inform. The library system’s unique databases feature auto repair, business research, health and wellness, and a wealth of facts on file, including magazine and newspaper articles – all yours for free with a Whatcom County library card!  

Expansion if and when: Possible library expansion could double the available space if an architectural inspection is positive, and if the Point Roberts parks board can make it happen, by extending the existing building on the east side. What would you like to see in that space? More seating? Additional public internet stations? A cool teen space? A gypsy tea room? (Mom’s recommendation) Or? Let’s hear it! 

Point Roberts Friends of the Library revitalize: Many, many thanks to long-time president Davea Fisher and her right-hand man and husband John. For years the friends have sponsored unique fundraisers like the joke telling night, music by the Brass Belles, and annual picnics. Funds pay for the kid’s magazine collection and contribute to Dollars for Scholars. A 100th anniversary settler’s picnic is already planned for 2008. 

Warmly welcome new president Marge Biery, and secretary-treasurer Sylvia Branzei-Velasquez. All comers will be welcome at quarterly meetings. In fine weather enjoy the WIFI table under the plum tree, look forward to a handsome new library sign out front, and browse the used book sale indoors, all compliments of the friends. 

Focus on Point Roberts kids: Besides free activity programs during the year, like making masks and valentines, and the summer reading program, the Point Roberts library offers year round pre-school story time, currently at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. We receive monthly visits from the Point Roberts primary school that include story time and learning the how-to of finding what you want in the library. New in our library system are special children’s focus assistants and Mary Franzo is ours! She hopes to welcome many more young people into our library this coming year. 

In the New Year: Of course service to our patrons comes first, but the library looks forward to cooperating with many Point Roberts organizations, like the parks board, historical society, voter’s association, taxpayer’s association, chamber of commerce, primary school, and other community groups that could make use of our resources. Our hours are Tuesday 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Or contact us at www.wcls.org. May all be well, may all be well, and may all manner of things be well!

Point Roberts Voters Association

By Campbell McCluskey

Registered Voters’ Association
• Hosted March AGM presentations: Community center renovations and library up-grade by Kris Lomedico, Lighthouse Park beach erosion concern and Monument Park plans by county parks, and National Single Payer Health Care, H.R. 676, by Terry Zukovic.

• Generated postal service survey, petition and follow-on letter from Ruby White to postal authorities with resulting commitments from postmaster Mike Lang and Gerald Scott, Denver-based postal property advisor, to extend hours of operation, add another window, and expand parcel processing.

• Publicized primary and general election filing and voting dates.

• Participate in community meetings to inform property owners about beach erosion problems and about the petition to state and federal representatives seeking protections under international agreements.

• Hosted presentations by the Canadians Against Port Expansion (APE) spokespersons about port expansion impacts relevant to the Point and the entire Fraser River airshed south to Olympia.

• Hosted a presentation by Greg Hoover on “there is another way” alternative to the Project Gateway.

Initiated contact with governor Gregoire’s offices regarding the Trans Boundary Agreement and the port expansion implications for the Point. Submitted petition of concern about the port expansion to governor Gregoire. Petition represented 160 voters and property owners and were copied to county, state and federal representatives. Strong supporting letter from county executive Pete Kremen was subsequently sent to the governor.

• Hosted August Candidates’ Night.

• Tracked governor’s reaction to threatened port expansion impacts to Tom Laurie of the State Department of Ecology where concerns for state coasts and waters may receive helpful attention.

• Supported taxpayers’ efforts to preserve Lily Point, PREP’s efforts to anticipate emergencies and chamber efforts to retain WTA bus service.

• Approached the county auditor, without success, for a ballot “drop box” for the Point.

• Finally, completed voter survey to determine interest in petitioning for NEXUS program revisions (see proposed petition wording this issue).

Point Roberts Parent Teacher Organization

By Linda Hughes

PTO has tried to become more involved in the school district’s planning processes for our local campus and for our young students as they transition to the Blaine campuses.

It’s also important to us to become more connected with the families of young children in Point Roberts in hopes of influencing potential enrollment into our primary school in coming years.

Superintendent Ron Spanjer has worked with PTO members this year to strengthen communications, reinforce ties to the Blaine campuses and find solutions to concerns over enrollment, transition and all things regarding the bus ride to Blaine.

Early in 2007, official torches were passed from outgoing president and treasurer to incoming president Tracy Jacobs and treasurer Dana Turpin.

Tracy and Dana’s team have continued to provide educational resources and extra curricular benefits to the primary school students including additional school supplies, teacher resources, special field trips, and planned special events for Valentine’s Day, Easter, field day, grade 2 graduation and the biggest event of the year – recognizing the long service of Ms. Rita at an alumni reunion and retirement party.

Guests included past Point Roberts teachers, district dignitaries, many of the now grown students who started their early learning at Point Roberts primary under the gentle guidance of Ms. Rita, their parents and several community members. What fun and special memories were made that day!

Summer came and went quickly, and September brought back our old friend and delightful teacher, Mary Edgley. PTO met early in September, getting to know the newly enrolled students and their families at open house. The new group quickly started preparing for fall and winter activities.

A lively Hallowe’en party was held at the school and a very well attended winter concert was held at the community center. The play ‘Little School in the Woods’ was precious; the children were brilliant actors and singers of festive melodies. Many thanks to the parks board for hosting the event, inviting Santa and providing yummy snowman soup to all his visitors! 

And the last bit of good news for PTO 2007 is that we successfully nominated a local candidate to run for an open position on the Blaine school board. We offer our congratulations to Campbell McClusky and look forward to opportunities to work with him to communicate the evolving needs of the Point Roberts students who attend primary, elementary, middle and high school in the Blaine school district.  

PTO meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at the Point Roberts primary school at 7 pm. Kids are welcome. You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter by sending your request to april2496@hotmail.com.