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PO Box 4001 • Roche Harbor, WA 98250 • roche@rocheharbor.com • 800-451-8910 • Marina: 800-586-3590 |
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ARCHIVES.... from May thru June, 2007
July 4th Weekend at Roche Harbor! 3 Days of Fun, Fun, Fun for you at Roche Harbor! Here is our entertainment schedule with the Fourth of July Games Schedule below...
We have great entertainment starting Monday and here is the lineup of all our musical artists and where they will be playing...
David Bayley plays Jazz Piano for your enjoyment each day from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. located on the piazza outside The Company Store on Monday and Tuesday and outside the Hotel on Wednesday, July 4th. Some really hot stuff for the jazz enthusiast!
Jim Basnight playing his Rock Alternative music has been included in our July 4th celebrations for years now, as well as playing in the gazebo on weekends - so here he is again - back by popular demand! Come listen to him playing Monday from Noon to 3 p.m. on the West Lawn,
Keith Busha is playing the blues again for us - he is now such an icon on the Madrona Bar Deck so come sip cocktails and listen from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. A nice way to spend your afternoons!
Dirt Monkey is playing rock alternative music Tuesday afternoon from Noon to 3 p.m. on the West Lawn. These island guys have been playing together several years now, in high demand, and are ably kept together by some California surfer dude that goes by the name of "Johnny". Don't miss them, but in case you do miss - then catch up with the group in the Bar Gazebo on Monday 2nd and Wednesday the 4th evenings from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A super party atmosphere in the Gazebo each night... Roche Harbor Rocks!
Dave Calhoun playing Jimmy Buffet style! If you love Jimmy - then you will just adore Dave! His happy music will resonate over the Marina from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and on the Madrona Bar Deck from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4th. Dave has been coming to sing for us on holidays and special events for several years now, and is of course, back by popular demand! The boaters LOVE him! Everyone loves him!
Debbie Strasser Duo plays island folk music, and what a superb selection of songs and poems they sing! Debbie has a unique gift of being able to sing the funniest lyrics to her songs and we think you will definitely come away with a smile on your face. The Duo will be playing in the Gardens from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Games Schedule... Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
Roche Harbor's Fun Run... Starts promptly at 9 a.m. and the course is approximately 3.3 miles around the side roads of Roche Harbor. You never know exactly what prize M.C. and General Manager, Brent Snow, will give out - but then that's why it is called a Fun Run!
Children's Games are held from 10:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the Pool Lawn. Old fashioned games for little kids and bigger kids are so much fun ....(to watch, as well as participate in!)
Roche Harbor's Famous July 4 Donut Eating Contest! If this is your first time at Roche Harbor for July 4th then you will not want to miss this most exciting event of the day! Roche Harbor is famous for its donuts - always has been - so it is only natural that we have a donut eating contest. We have a contest for kids as well as adults - and we make over a thousand of these donuts for the event. (We actually have an employee making these things all through the night!) Starts at 1:30 p.m. - don't miss it!
This picture shows the size of the crowd watching the donut eating contest - so plan on getting a place early. Starts at 1:30 p.m. after the Children's Games on the Pool Lawn have finished.
From his vantage point on the roof of the Lime Kiln Cafe, General Manager Brent Snow is master of the Marina Games. Old fashioned water games take place in the inner harbor below him and include: 3:30 p.m. Blindfolded Dinghy Race and 4:00 p.m. Log Rolling Contest The election results from the Roche Harbor Mayor Contest will be announced at 4:30 p.m. Be sure and enter your ballot in the box in the Harbormaster's Office for the person you would like to nominate as the new Mayor of Roche Harbor - ballot boxes are open at 9:00 a.m. The more you campaign - the better your chances! At 6:00 p.m. the results of the Boat Decorating Contest will be announced. With so many creative boaters out there, it will be a hard job for the judges, (but just a tip - those with the best skits have been winners in past years)! Good luck boaters!
Roche Harbor's Firework Display is held at 10:30 p.m. when it is good and dark to fire off those pyrotechnics over the harbor! It is a final tribute to a great day at Roche Harbor. We know you all love fireworks but we ask that you do not let off any of your own personal fireworks. We require this for our guests' safety and the safety of everyone around you. Roche Harbor would like to wish all of you a safe and happy Fourth of July! We hope you have fun! Come see us again next year!
_______________________________________________________________ July 1, 2007
Roche Harbor is getting ready to celebrate! The traditional Fourth of July celebrations begin with decorating the buildings with around 500 yards of bunting fabrics. In charge of this huge annual chore is Roche Harbor's marina resident Barb Persinger, shown here with helpers Janine and Eric Wells (pictured left). The new Quarryman Hall Builidng is shown with its first taste of decorations and will look quite splendid once Mrs. Persinger is finished with her magic touch. We invite you to come out on the fourth and join in the old-fashioned Roche Harbor fun!
Just in case you forget to bring your Fourth of July trinkets with you - The Company Store has a lovely variety of hats, fun jewelry, flags, etc., to get you in the party spirit! Just come and see what Company Store Manager Debbie Sandwith has in stock. I think you will be surprised at the variety of items - picked out with your holiday needs in mind. In the picture to the right are just a few fun things to choose from.
This is a picture of Debbie's grocery crew taken at last year's Fourth of July celebrations. They really believe in getting into the spirit of the holidays by dressing for the occasion! Wait till you see them this year!
________________________________________________________________ June 30, 2007 This is a picture taken from the guest docks in front of the restaurant and shows our new Quarryman Hall building which houses the brand new Afterglow Spa due to open up on Monday July 2nd. Also on the ground floor of this building will be a new store called Dominique's House with home furnishings and accessories opening up tomorrow, July 1st from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 7 days a week. On the second and third floors are luxury suites styled for your comfort. Next time you are out this way, be sure to check our newest additions out. Roche Harbor is growing! Picture courtesy of Marina Guest, Ruth Schooley ____________________________________________________________
June 28, 2007 Can you spot the hummingbird on the delphiniums taken in the gardens at Roche Harbor? Thanks to Ruth Schooley for taking this lovely picture and a few others you will see throughout this website.
______________________________________________________________ June 26, 2007
And a great time was had by all! This picture was taken at the June employee barbecue held last week. Employees were treated to "Buck-Burgers" perfectly barbecued by our Assistant Harbormaster, Troy Buck and "Runyan Reelers" exquisitely produced by Kent Runyan of our Maintenance Department. MC for the event was our very own General Manager Brent Snow who delights in giving away "stuff" and was writing out vouchers good for trips to the brand new Afterglow Spa almost ready to open up. Delighting in eating his Buck-Burger was our very good friend Rod Wiese (pictured above) who wears many hats, including Chief Roche Harbor Sheriff, Roche Harbor Homeland Security in charge of visas, marriage licenses, deportation paperwork and such, as well as earning his wings as Roche Harbor's Personal Crisis Manager. Employees - make sure you plan on attending the next barbecue - always on the 3rd Thursday of each month throughout the summer where you could be the winner of a super prize just for attending! ____________________________________________________________ June 24, 2007 
Showing her beautiful artwork again this summer season at Roche Harbor is local artist Rachel Blagden. Rachel works from both life and photographs, to not only capture the physical aspects, but the personality of her subject - no matter what it is - person, animal, landscape or object. Using watercolor, pastels, graphite or charcoal, her drawings seem to come to life by attaining the unique character of her subject. Rachel is a graduate of the Maryland Institue College of Art in Baltimore where she received a talent based scholarship for four years. Next time you are at Roche Harbor you must stop by her artist booth next to the gardens and see for yourself her beautiful work. For more information on Rachel's work, visit her website at www.artbyrachel.com. Picture courtesy of Ian Byington, ByDesign _____________________________________________________________ June 21, 2007
Have you always wanted to do something creative? Why not come spend time on the island and learn how to carve stone while you are here! Westcott Bay Sculpture Park is a short walk from the center of Roche Harbor and offers wonderful classes in their "Artists in Action" workshops. On Saturday and Sunday July 7 & 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tom Small will be offering a "Techniques in Stone Carving" Workshop. This class will cover hand carving limestone using chisels, hammers, and files. Demonstrations of a full range of power tools will be included with some opportunity for students to try them out. Students may purchase a beginner’s tool set if they contact the Institute two weeks prior to the class or they can bring their own. Limited tools will also be available to borrow from the instructor. Tom Small is a San Juan Island sculptor who has been carving since he was seven. He studied sculpture at the University of Washington and exhibits his work at the Westcott Bay Sculpture Park, Waterworks Gallery on San Juan Island, the Stonearium in Seattle, and in many national collections. For more information about Tom please visit his website at www.tomsmallsculpture.com. Tuition: $115 and supply fee: $40 For more information or to sign up for a class call the ____________________________________________________________
June 20, 2007
Coming to Roche Harbor with performances on July 13, 14 & 15 is the Wenatchee Youth Circus. This non profit organization has been making the annual journey to Roche Harbor for many years now and is known as the "Biggest Little Circus in the World" and one of several nonprofessional groups presently performing in the United States. Its prime mission is "to reach as many youth as possible, to teach them one by one, the importance of setting goals so they will learn the value of giving back to the community what the community has given to them." The show includes all the regular circus acts with the exception of wild animals. Since 1967, the Wenatchee Youth Circus has been able to award 217 graduating seniors a scholarship from The James A. O'Conner Memorial Scholarship Program toward their education totaling almost $110,000 with donations and proceeds from the show. Of course, all this would not be possible without the dedicated devotion of its Director, Paul Pugh AKA Guppo the Clown pictured above. This is an exciting group of youth ages 4 - 19 who travel each summer throughout the Northwest giving audiences "ooohs" and "ahhhs" at their amazing talents 30 feet high in the sky with the amazing flying trapeze, daring high wire, flips in the air with their teeterboard act, clowns, and many other exciting acts. They have a full concession stand for snacks and treats to enjoy during their performance which is about one hour long. So bring the kids and come support the WY Circus if you are going to be on San Juan Island July 13 - 15, 2007. You will love it! For more information on this wonderful group of kids visit their web site at www.wenatcheeyouthcircus.com _____________________________________________________________
June 18, 2007 
Coming soon to the Roche Harbor Outdoor Stage on the hill above the Hotel de Haro is the brilliant production by Island Stage Left of The Comedy of Errors. This is one of the "Shakespeare under the Stars" series where laughter and music abound in Island Stage Left's Old West frontier town setting as two sets of identical twins set off a hilarious chain of events. If you are planning to be at Roche Harbor between July 12th thru August 5th then you simply must not miss this production. Just take your blanket with you and dress warmly and you can experience sitting outside in nature and enjoying good entertainment at the same time. Admission is free, however, donations are most welcome to keep this wonderful series going each summer. All performances begin at 8:00 p.m. If you are on the island between August 9th through 18th - never fear - you can catch this show at the Island Stage Left outdoor stage located at 1062 Wold Road. For more information about future productions by Island Stage Left please visit their website at www.islandstageleft.org or call 360-378-5649. Saddle up for a wild ride! Yee-Ha!! ___________________________________________________________ June 16, 2007 We feel very fortunate here at Roche Harbor, to be able to hire many of our hardworking employees from other countries on H2-B and J-1 visas for the summer season. Usually the H2-B visa employees will work the winter seasons at ski resorts such as Deer Valley in Utah and come to Roche Harbor to work for the summer season. We have four couples who have met each other in the USA, all from different parts of the world, and married here at Roche Harbor. Here is one such couple who work in our food & beverage department and this is their story in their own words....
The Love Story of Alex and Cristina from Romania
"It all started in October 2000, in the halls of “Transilvania” University of Brasov, Romania. We were sophomore students at the time. As a student, I had the opportunity to join this program called Work Experience USA, which enabled me to work in the USA for the summers of 2001,2002. While working for a lodge in Alaska, I got recruited to work for Deer Valley Ski Resort, in Park City, Utah. I enjoyed my seasonal jobs in the USA a lot with one exception: not having Cristina beside me. Therefore, once we graduated College, we decided to come to the USA and explore the opportunities of the new world together. And this is how our American adventure began: winters in Deer Valley and summers on beautiful San Juan Island, working for the quaint Roche Harbor Resort. What else can one wish for? Three years later, our two year long engagement became a marriage that started on May 12, 2006, at 8.15 in the morning. Why so early in the morning? Because that was also the opening day of the restaurant that employs us and, as returning employees, the company depended on us to ensure a smooth first day of business for the summer season. It also had to be done on very short notice, in order to meet the deadline for filling out the One year later, we are still in love with each other as we were six years ago, now cruising strong through our marriage, green cards in our pockets and living the American dream, owning a house of our own in Salt Lake City, Utah. And where are we now? We are back in Roche Harbor, this special place in our hearts and lives, for another great summer, for dazzling sunsets, for another kayak trip or another whale appearance by the San Juan County Park. And we feel lucky"! .........written by Alexandru Marica ___________________________________________________________ June 14, 2007
Today is National Flag Day, which is an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag and is believed to have first originated in 1885. Inspired by many years of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949 that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Meet folks out and about the Resort yesterday....
This is proud dad Neil Curtis who works at Roche Harbor Marine, Inc. located just on the other side of the lagoon, who was out with his first baby boy named Cole Parrish. Cole came into the world on May 27, 2007 and weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. Cole's mom and dad were introducing baby Cole on his first outing to Roche Harbor and celebrating at the Lime Kiln Cafe for lunch. Just in time for Father's Day! Have a good one Neil!
Also strolling around the Resort was Megan Moench from the Limekiln Cafe. Megan has been on maternity leave after delivering her baby daughter, Kaileen, now 3-1/2 months old. Also with her is Kaileen's big brother Kylar, who is 21 months old. Megan will be back to work when Lime Kiln Cafe stays open in the evenings during the summer. We will look forward to seeing your smile again around the Resort. Megan!
Thanks Debbie for these super pictures! Keep 'em coming!
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June 13, 2007
This has got to be one of the best pictures of an eagle watching over the kayaker below. Sights like these are so common around the island - this one was taken off the old docks at Roche Harbor. Kayakers are treated to so many nature shots -- I guess that's why our visitors always enjoy a San Juan Safaris excursion at the North end of San Juan Island. Not only do they offer fun kayak trips right from our docks but also whale watching tours where you are transported on one of their comfortable boats for a 3-4 hour trip to get the best shots of the orca whales out on the West side of the island and the Haro Straits. Check out their website at www.sanjuansafaris.com for more details and times of kayak and whale watch tours.
Thanks for the picture Ian! ______________________________________________________________________ June 12, 2007 Check out a few of our summer employees...
Meet Mari (left) a 10th grader at Friday Harbor High School and Bayley (right) from
Hanna Burke pictured left is working in the Sportswear Shop this summer. She is a graduate this year from Friday Harbor High School and is off to Oregon State University this fall. Lots of good stuff to choose from up there and with someone like Hanna to serve you, we are sure you will find just what you are looking for.
Working the Front desk of the Hotel de Haro this summer are a great cr
Working in the marina this year are three young ladies - all former Friday Harbor High School graduates. On the left is Natalie Chevalier who has just finished up her freshman year at Washington State University, in the middle is Pearl Schuman who is here from Santa Barbara City College for the summer, and on the right Madison Judkins, who has worked at Roche Harbor for several years at the pool and in the marina. She is the daughter of our good friend Tim Judkins and has just finished her first year at the University of Montana in Missoula. It's great to have a super crew down in the marina! Many thanks to our friend Ian Byington of By Design for these excellent pictures! _______________________________________________________________
June 10, 2007 The Marine Adventure Center run by San Juan Safaris at Roche Harbor is kept busy these days with visitors wanting to catch an up-close look at the orca whales, both from the comfort of a whale watch boat or from the deck of a kayak. Of course, pictures showing your adventurous side are always great to show friends when you get back. A new service is now available through Safari Shots where Nick Shuler (pictured right) a professional photographer, will capture those moments for you and have your pictures available for viewing and ready to take home the same afternoon. There is no obligation to purchase them, they are just there in case you feel he got a better shot of your expedition than you did! Great idea!
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Roche Harbor's townhouses are well underway with the first home closing next weekend and two other units closing by the end of the month. Some finish work is required to complete these three beautiful homes, and then insulation will be going into the remaining two units next week
Next time you come stay with us, check these rooms out and pamper yourself! Call reservations at 800-451-8910 or click on the "Reservations" button at the top of the page. June 6, 2007 
Is this one of the coolest pictures you have ever seen? _______________________________________________________________
June 5, 2007 Look who is a proud Grandpa now! Kevin Carlton, our Marina Harbormaster was out and about the Resort showing off his precious bundle of joy the other day. Kristina Paige is four months old and is the apple of Grandfather Kevin's eye. I am sure it will be no time at all before she has him twisted right around her little finger! Congratulations Kevin - she is adorable!
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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Margaret Tarte on May 31, 2007. Margaret was the wife of Neil Tarte, former Roche Harbor Resort owner and founder. Margaret was born in Stanwood, Washington on March 31, 1929 and attended Auburn High School and Seattle University where she met her husband-to-be Neil Tarte. The Tarte family purchased Roche Harbor Lime & Cement Company in 1956 and decided to turn the old company town into a resort for boaters vacationing in the San Juan Islands. Margaret was very instrumental in refurbishing the Hotel de Haro and managing guest services for visitors to the hotel while taking care of family at the same time. Margaret was also active in St. Francis Parish on the island and could be seen picking flowers in the gardens of Roche Harbor to decorate the altar in the Lady of Good Voyage Chapel. It was Margaret's love of gardening that led to spectacular summer gardens which will continue to be cherished by all visitors to the present day Resort. Margaret will be missed by many residents of Roche Harbor, as well as many employees who loved her smiling personality whenever she came down to the Resort from her home situated on a beautiful point overlooking Roche Harbor. We offer our sincere sympathy to her husband Neil and her many relatives, some of whom are working at the Resort. A celebration of Margaret's life will be held Thursday, June 7th at 11:30 a.m. in the Roche Harbor Pavilion. The family has asked that remembrances be made to Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel, P.O. Box 4335, Roche Harbor, WA 98250. _______________________________________________________________ June 1, 2007 Looking for something to do this weekend while visiting the island? On Saturday and Sunday June 2nd & 3rd many island artists are opening their personal studio spaces to the public for the 16th Annual Artist Studio Tour. Artists will be displaying work, including sculptures, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, glass, fiber and fine art. Some of these artists are located at Roc ______________________________________________________________
May 31, 2007
We welcome some new faces in the Roche Harbor Market this summer season. Pictured on the left of the picture is Sara Kranjajic who is a J-1 student from Slovenia. Sara is very gifted in the fact that she can speak 6 languages - yes, I repeat - 6 languages! We are fortunate to have her and her lovely smile with us for the summer. Pictured with her on the right is our own Connie Maas who has been an employee at the Market for going on three years now, and always has a happy and caring personality when dealing with our market customers. We are pleased you are both with us this year.
Pictured on the left below are Khaili Radden, an island high schooler who helps bag our groceries and a _______________________________________________________________
May 28, 2007
________________________________________________________________ Entertainment Schedule for Memorial Day Weekend It wouldn't be a holiday weekend without entertainment at Roche Harbor! The schedule is as follows for both days...
Dave Calhoun _____________________________________________________________ May 26, 2007 _____________________________________________________________________ May 24, 2007 and include modern, representational and conceptual _____________________________________________________________ May 22, 2007 This is the time of the year when we start welcoming our summer employees from all over the USA and beyond. As our prime barista, and doing a splendid job for us this summer in Beechtree Espresso, Rhonda Coufal has come to Roche Harbor from Waitsburg in Eastern Washington. With her pleasant smile we are sure you will have a good morning when you stop by Beechtree for that morning cup of coffee!
Working the front desk of the Hotel de Haro this summer is Yvette Meyer from Johannesburg, South Africa. (pictured on left)
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Opening with some very exciting new ideas and gifts galore is the Roche Harbor Gift Shop, very ably run by our long time Retail Manager Darlene TroBaugh. Darlene instinctively knows just what you want to take home with you in the way of souvenirs, and shops the many Gift Shows throughout the winter to find exactly what you are looking for. Be sure and pop in to say hello to her when you are out this way.
Roche Harbor Gift shophours 9 am until 5 pm
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paperwork as a married couple for a green card, based on my winning the Green Card Lottery, as part of the Department of State Diversity Visa Program. Our families could not attend such a short notice event, but we had our family away from home, our close friends from the resort join us for the ceremony. It was again our friends who accompanied us for our rehearsal dinner, at the McMillin's Dining Room. However, we will have the chance to celebrate this great event together with our families and others close to us on the occasion of our wedding reception which will take place in Romania, this October. 
he Harbor during the summer season in the artist booths next to the gardens. The picture to the left is one painted by Pat McDole, a watercolor artist with some of the most wonderful pictures of island scenes, including this one of the Chapel at Roche Harbor. Some of the other Roche Harbor artists on this Studio Tour are the Spaulding Studio with pastels and photography, Darleen Nixon with lampwork, Beth Spadafora with fused glass, Michael Bertrand with his amazing photography work, Chris Trienens with her fabulous glass jewelry and Kristy Gjesme with her interesting mixed media. This weekend you will be able to see these artists plus many more in their own studio settings where they will be sharing insights into how their art is created and what inspires and motivates them in their chosen media. No transportation? No worry - a bus tour is available to take you to the various studios through 
Roche Harbor will once again reverberate with the sound of bagpipe music drifting over the water, the rythmn of soldiers marching in unison, and the roar of cannon fire, to celebrate and pay respects on Memorial Day. Troops from Battery D & Company D, local Pig War re-enactors, will once again be joined by the Elliott Bay Bagpipe Band in a procession commencing at 1:30 p.m. From the harbor, fleeting glimpses of the men in Blue, the pipers
and drummers will be seen as they march through the trees along the road past the Chapel and Hotel de Haro and finally coming to attention beneath the flagpoles on the West Lawn. 
The Elliott Bay Pipe Band is an award winning champion band from Seattle and will play for Roche Harbor's visitors after the ceremony. This will be followed by a demonstration of Battery D's 1850's Mountain Howitzer cannon. Plan on attending this Memorial Day event - it is truly an experience you won't want to miss. 
away from the village will be interesting and fun for all. The park is situated on a 19 acre wildlife reserve where pathways meander around a beautiful lake displaying the artwork of over 100 artists. The sculptures are usually on loan to the park by the artists for one to two years 
happy they are at Roche Harbor to help us out! 
