Building A Backyard Boat
In 1978, at 42 years old, Dave Davelaar retired and moved his family from Sacramento to Guemes Island. He'd developed love for the Pacific Northwest after years of fishing trips with friends. "One day, I was sitting at a picnic table in a state park and I said to myself, why shouldn't I live here all the time?"...Their realtor, Lillian Armstrong, told them Guemes was the best place to live (which is absolutely right)...After trying out life as a "hippie farmer," raising meat rabbits called New Zealand whites and working as a local contractor, Dave decided, like Noah, to build a boat in his backyard. [Read more]


Remembering Bob Porter
"He lived at West Beach, Guemes Island, for about 65 years. In his early years of high school he opted to leave Seattle, in favor of Anacortes and Guemes; his way of skipping big city rat race. " [Read more]


Entering Dog Woods
"That is the first thing I notice every time I step off the Guemes Island ferry. The island is quiet. Kath, Murphy, and I walked west from the ferry a mile and a half along nearly deserted roadways to Dog Woods Park. An occasional car would go by, the driver offering a friendly wave to us as they passed. Then there would be silence. Not a sound to be heard, except maybe the song of a sparrow in a field, or just silence, the silence of wide-open skies, rural meadows, and shadowed woodlands." [Read more]


Donations Wanted For Gwost Fundraiser
Donations are being sought for a "Spring Fundraiser" to defray some of the uninsured medical expenses for Mike Gwost's neck surgery in October. The Fundraiser is set for Saturday, April 13th at 5 pm, at the Guemes Island General Store. There will be a silent auction, live auction, and raffle. If you'd care to donate a cool auction item, contact Karen Everett at karenguemes@gmail.com, or text at 360.202.7373.


Skagit Transit Launches Service Analysis
"Skagit Transit is proud to announce the initiation of a comprehensive service analysis aimed at optimizing public transportation for residents across Skagit County...we are hosting a series of Public Comment Meetings. These gatherings offer a platform for residents to voice their opinions, share feedback on current services, and propose suggestions for future enhancements.[Read more]


Skagit County 2023 Ferry Insurance Allocations
"The ferry has been subsidizing the Sheriff's department in the Marine Policy for many years-apparently over $50K/a year. This has affected the state ferry deficit report annually as an operations expense as well increases the ferry fares paid by the users of the ferry...Unfortunately, Skagit County chose to add even more insurance expense categories to the ferry for 2023." [Read more]


Guemes Island Scholarship 2024
Criteria: Guemes Island Residents, Juniors and Senior students. To apply: Complete the Guemes Island Scholarship Application 2024. Provide an updated transcript and two letters of recommendation. If a question does not apply to you, simply answer that it does not. Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by 4 pm. Applications are also available from Gail, our school bus driver, Dawn Ashbach or Janice Veal.


Remembering Joan SchwartzMiller
"She met her lifelong friends Bernice, Claire, Charmaine and Nan on Guemes Island. She was a steadfast and intensely loyal friend. She helped run the Guemes summer camp programs, marched in the 4th of July parade, and took bellydancing classes at the Community Hall. She loved the nature of Guemes - hiking in the woods, running a tofu business, walking at Kelly's Point, picking blackberries, and even adopting a mysterious dove, Luna, that appeared at the house one day and became a beloved pet. Although she left the island after 20 years, it remained in her heart." [Read more]


All-Electric Ferry Alternatives
"Another potential cost saving is to work with Whatcom County to produce one design that meets the requirements of both runs. As important, building two identical vessels will have more appeal for ship yards in the bidding process. This will lower the cost of acquisition for both Counties. With two identical vessels, spares can be pooled further reducing on-going operational costs." [Read more]




Boatbuilding On Guemes Island
Back in the 1980s, Kenny Powell, Vic and Tricia Culina and David Hartford built the classic wooden boats Woodwind, Tillicum, and a 50' Bluenose Schooner off Edens Road. Vic and Tricia sailed away to New Zealand, Kenny Powell died very young and David Hartford is still working on his. Tricia Culina donated many photos to The Anacortes Museum. They would appreciate help identifying those working. [See the photos]


Guemes Island Historical Society Cookbooks
To all Guemes Islanders who enjoy tasty food. The Guemes Historical Society is collecting recipes for their upcoming cookbook. Seeing the names in the two previous community cookbooks, printed in 1962 and 1973, is a walk through memory lane. Be sure your family name is included in the new cookbook and share your favorite family recipe(s). Many delicious sounding recipes have already been received and I look forward to sharing them. Please include: a brief description of the recipe?s historical significance to you or your family; recipe title; ingredients; directions and servings. Categories are: Appetizer, Salads, Entrees, Seafood, Vegetables/Side dishes, Soups, Breakfast and Desserts. Our goal is to send the manuscript to the printer in time to have the finished product by November 1. To accomplish this, we need to have your recipes by July 4. The earlier, the better. Please email your recipes to: dawn.ashbach@yahoo.com [Read more]



Guemes Island Property Sales  LAST SALE: 2.26.24


Next Up

Thursday, March 21, 2024
11:30 AM
Thursday, March 28, 2024
11:30 AM

From Our Island Organizations