September 30, 2005
Come to the play!
The Importance of Being Earnest - an English satire by Oscar Wilde - has become probably the most popular comedy in the English language. Wilde's sparkling wit, unforgettable characters and sense of the absurd, has amused audiences from the time it was written until the present day.
Island Stage Left is delighted to present this production and looks forward to tickling your funny bones from September 22nd until October 8th in two locations, at Roche Harbor and in Friday Harbor. Click here for more information.
Formal attire is welcomed but not required.
Fairgrounds - 4H Building:
Thursday 22nd @ 7:30
Friday 23rd @ 7:30
Saturday 24th @ 5:00 and 8:00
Friday 30st @ 7:30
Saturday 1st Oct @ 5:00 and 8:00
Roche Harbor Pavilion:
Tuesday 27th - Thursday 29th @ 7:30
and
Tuesday 4th - Saturday 8th @ 7:30
September 30, 2005
Einar Nielsen/Becky Barr Memorial Fishing Classic
It was one of the closest derbies in memory - Mark Friedl won the 2005 event by an ounce. He caught a chinook that weighed thirty seven and a quarter pounds, edging islander Chuck Payne's chinook by just an ounce.
He won a trip for Eagle Nook Resort, just one of the $50,000 worth of prizes given away. The Fishing Classic is a fundraiser for college scholarships for local students.
Here are the Top Ten winners, out of 281 contestants in this year's event:
1. Mark Friedl
2. Chuck Payne
3. Tom Gates
4. Rich Erickson
5. Ken Serbian
6. Cal Ryan
7. Ron Thurman
8. Chuck VanSoye
9. Stuart Dunn
10. Georgia Gilmore
September 23, 2005
Newsflash for all pilots...
Roche Harbor Airport Runway will be closed on Sunday, September 25th at Noon for seal coating. It will not reopen until the morning of Wednesday, September 28th. If you have any questions about this closure please call David Gibbs at 360-378-3500 or 360-317-6171.
Calling all Anglers!
Time to start thinking about that salmon you tried to catch last year and the biggest one that "could-have-should-have-would-have" got away! ...Now you can sign up for Roche Harbor's Salmon Classic Invitational and try again! Coming up on February 2-4, 2006 - you can be an early bird and get a $50 discount off your entry fee by entering before October 31st! For more information call Debbie Sandwith at 360-378-5562 or Click here for more details.
September 15, 2005
San Juan Island Fire Department Assistant Chief and Roche Harbor neighbor Brad Creesy has been stationed in Fort Worth, Texas looking after the Hurricane Katrina victims that have been relocated to that area. He has since moved to Wiggins, MS - 50 miles North of Gulfport - we think! I will give more information when we hear from him.
Update 9-19-05: Brad has been moved to Orlando, Florida but might be moving on to Mississippi this week.
September 14, 2005
Arriving for lunch at Roche Harbor were members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America in their antique vehicles. About 40 antique cars parked where they could find spaces so that visitors could get a good look at the vehicles. In order to be a member of the Horesless Carriage Club the vehicles must be 100 years or older. A variety of old cars from Model T's to Stanley Steamers were in attendance and many of the passengers were dressed in period costumes. The Club members who were from all over the USA, were enjoying a day tour of San Juan Island . A long line of these magnificent cars was also enjoyed in Friday Harbor as they waited for the ferry back home.
September 6, 2005
Every year, Roche Harbor Management enjoys rewarding our wonderful employees with an End-of-Season Party. This year the party theme was "Wild, Wild West" and it was held again in the San Juan Island Yacht Club in Friday Harbor. It was a theme many employees went to town with -- from cowboys to Mohicans to ladies of the night -- and a mechanical bull was on hand to make the scene as authentic as possible! Pictured to the right are some of our great servers from the restaurant arriving to party the night away! Click here for MORE PICTURES!
September 5, 2005
On this past Labor Day weekend, Firefighter Joan Byrne stood with her firefighter's boot collecting donations from guests and visitors to Roche Harbor for Hurricane Katrina Relief. We are very happy to say that $4,659.28 was collected on Saturday and another $3,329.55 on Sunday bringing the total collected to $7,988.83. Thank you Roche Harbor visitors! We want to mention also that $505.00 was raised on Sunday by two young girls, Michelle and Breanna Coone, selling glow cups on C Dock. Thank you for your great spirit of giving! All
donations going directly to the American Red Cross for the Katrina Relief Fund.
On another local note, Roche Harbor neighbor and San Juan Island Fire Department Assistant Chief, Brad Creesy, flew down to New Orleans to be of assistance in the rescue and recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina. He will be down in the area for a month after receiving a one-day training session in Atlanta, and will be providing first aid and helping out wherever he is needed. Brad is very focused, conscientious and caring and will be a great addition to the help so desperately needed. The picture to right shows him at work at an accident scene in Roche Harbor recently.
September 5, 2005
Holding a Katrina Relief Fund and Bake Sale at Roche Harbor are seven very enthusiastic island girls selling cupcakes, cookies and lemonade. Their funds will be given to the island Fire Department who will send to the American Red Cross Foundation in aid of the hurricane disaster in New Orleans. Standing in the back row (l to r) Katie Lanphere, Libby Snow holding sister Rachel Snow, Chandra Crawford and Julianne Schreiber. Sitting (l to r) Ellen Goudie, Emma Brand and Kate Fenley. Business was quite brisk with many goodies eaten, and we thank everyone for their generosity at this time, and especially the enthusiasm and time felt effort of these wonderful girls.
The girls raised a total of $472.00 for the American Red Cross.
September 3, 2005
This was how our guests were entertained this past Labor Day weekend under the sunny skies of Roche Harbor. Dave Calhoun started the weekend off for us with his fabulous tropical rock music - loved by so many of our marina boating friends, and sang each evening on the pilot house dock. The island Solar Siblings played for us on Saturday afternoon and the band "Crossfire" playing songs from 60's & 70's played Sunday afternoon. We had intermittent showers on Sunday, but overall a very pleasant weekend!
August 30, 2005
Can you identify the people in this picture? Here are a few clues... it was taken in August of 1973, one of them is a current employee of Roche Harbor. If you are the first person to identify the person on the right, you will win a Beechtree Espresso card. (Employees of Roche Harbor not eligible to win). Please email roche@rocheharbor.com with your answer.
August 27, 2005
The classic boats who joined in the fun of the Rendezvous of Classics at Roche Harbor were all lined up and ready for show as this year's rendezvous got underway. Attendance of the Cocktail Party in the Courtyard was well attended on Friday evening and all proceeds were going to buy a bone denisty scanner for Inter Island Medical Center. A great time was enjoyed by all.
August 26, 2005
This is Roche Harbor Harbormaster Kevin Carlton, playing his role as a judge for the Sonship Marina Rendezvous. He was judging, along with other notable Sonship attendees, which dinghy would win first place in the Sonship Boat Parade. The Sonship Rendezvous got off to a good start with the theme of "mardi gras" and many boats in attendance on a beautiful weekend.
August 20, 2005
This is how the Roche Harbor Pavilion was set up for a beautiful wedding today. Sea shells, orchids and glass rocks were just a few ideas used creatively in the table decorations and gold chairs were brought in, as well as beautiful crystal stemware. A very beautiful wedding indeed.
August 15, 2005
Just to give you a sneak peek! This is a rendering of the new building that will be going up in Roche Harbor between the Hotel de Haro and the exposed lime kilns. Building will begin around September with completion slated for some time summer of 2006. The building will house a spa and retail shops on the gound floor and about 12 to 14 suites on the second and third floors. This is not the final drawing, however, much thought has been given to the historical details of the building and will be in keeping with the old hotel. Stay in touch and watch us grow!
August 11, 2005
As the "Cottages on the Green" are now coming to completion on the hilside above the Hotel de Haro, more and more people are interested to see what they look like on the inside. Each of the twelve homes were pre-sold and 5 of the owners now have their units up for nightly rentals through Roche Harbor. The only "Cottage on the Green" in the rental pool is the one pictured to the right, situated under a beautiful fir tree and is called Island Paradise. It features 3 bedrooms, one with a King bed and the other two with Queen beds, two full bathrooms and a powder room, living room with fireplace, LCD-TV and DVD and fully equipped kitchen. The unit has 1,850 sq. ft. of comfort as a home away from home and can be rented for $475 per night plus tax. If you think you would be interested in renting the home for family or friends, please call our reservation department at 800-451-8910 or 360-378-2155 and reserve it. A good way to see what it looks like on the inside!
August 5, 2005
Looking for something great to do one of these summer evenings? Get a blanket, some warm clothing and make your way to our friend's home on Wold Road where you will find "Shakespeare under the Stars" - an Island Stage Left production starting at 8 pm. This summer they are performing "Othello - The Moor of Venice" - Shakespeare's masterpiece about the power of love and jealousy. An outside stage is set up at their home at 1062 Wold Road where they will perform Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings for three weeks in August, and will be a night under the stars you won't want to miss. For more information on other dates they will be performing check out their website at www.islandstageleft.org.
August 2, 2005
Flying in to Roche Harbor today was John Curley of "Evening Magazine" seen on Seattle King 5 TV on weekday evenings. John was filming Roche Harbor for the segment that airs tomorrow evening (Wednesday, August 3rd) at 7 pm on Seattle channel 5. John was featuring our new carriage houses (shown in the picture right), the lime kilns and other places of interest around the resort. John has done the show from Roche Harbor on several occasions previously - one featuring the marina "phecal phreak" which has since aired a number of times. If you miss Wednesday evening's edition it will be shown again in the fall.
This is the Maggie II - one of Kenmore Air's seaplanes that brought the lucky winners of Evening Magazine's contest to Roche Harbor today.
August 1, 2005
Welcome to Pelindaba Lavender Farm booth number 8. You can smell the fragrance wafting from the booth as you walk by. Pelindaba is the Zulu word for "Place of Great Gatherings" and the name chosen to describe San Juan Island's organically certified lavender. The Lavender Farm fields currently sustain nearly 14,000 lavender plants grown primarily for fresh flowers, essential oils and and product crafting. Inside the booth you can find all kinds of lavender products - including my favorite, the lavender pepper - lotions, candles, teas, essential oils, and jewelry, as well as fresh bouquets of lavender cut from the fields ready to take home with you. This is the first year Pelindaba Lavender Farm has been out here at Roche Harbor in one of the booths and they would really enjoy a visit from you.
July 29, 2005
Enjoying the summer this year in booth number 5 are a great selection of island artists. Diana Manning of Studio Northwest has a wonderful collection of handwrought original designs in sterling silver and gold with semi-precious gemstones using techniques such as etching, embossing, soldering, chasing, cold forging and glass enameling. Margaret Thorson of Thousand Flower Farm on Waldron Island brings her weaving and knitting in a variety of styles and fibers - her felted hand-knitted wool and silk/wool hats are very popular and beautifully made. Lewis and Nancy Spaulding of Spaulding Studios have cards, prints and original pastels depicting island life and landscapes. Fabulous island cards to send to your friends back home. Rick Ellsworth of Mountain River Arts brings his variety of handmade functional and decorative pottery to the booth. Check out his fascinating, hanging, whimsical fish ornaments (used to be popular in the 60's!) A great booth with lots of choices!
July 28, 2005
Roche Harbor Village Artists have been having a great summer so far! In Booth number 6 are Michael and Kim Bertrand of Michael Bertrand Photography who specialize in fine art landscape photography of the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest. Some of Michael's pictures have been shot around Roche Harbor and make excellent souvenirs to take home. In fact, Johnny Carson loved to browse through their collection of pictures while he was spending time here at Roche Harbor last summer. Be sure to visit their booth next time you are visiting.
July 27, 2005
Always a bright sunny smile on her face, Andria Buttwinick of Rhine Designs, one of Roche Harbor's Village Artists, has a bountiful supply of handcrafted handbags on display to entice any woman with style. Andria makes her handbags from upholstery and tapestry fabrics and has many styles available. Sharing booth number 2 with Andria is Laurie Logan who has a wonderful collection of her husband's paintings from Logan Studio. Michael Logan has been painting since the age of 12 and studied art at the Coronado School of Fine Arts in San Diego. You can see Michael around Roche Harbor painting the gardens or the marina using a practice called "plein air." This allows Michael to vividly capture details, light, shadows and color of the subject he paints. His wife Laurie, then has prints made from his paintings which are priced lower than his original oil paintings. Stop by booth 2 to view his work - you will be glad you did!
July 26, 2005
Nestled under the big copper beech tree, Roche Harbor Village artists have their booths on display. The booth shown in this picture houses Honey Lane Farms run by Marjorie Puckett with her fine line of hand painted alpaca yarns, knitting patterns and kits and hand-crafted soaps. Sharing booth number 3 with her is Brandy Ballard of Glass Envy. Brandy makes her own lampwork glass beads which she uses to make earings and necklaces and distinctive jewelry. Well worth stopping by to see Marjorie's knitting creations and Brandy working on her jewelry.
Another noteworthy artist who has been showing her work at Roche Harbor for the last eight years is Kristy Gjesme. Kristy owns Greenwinds Studio in Friday Harbor and is very well known on the island, having taught many classes on painting in watercolors. She also is talented with colored pencil, acrylic, and oil mediums and has wonderful prints and cards of her pictures. Her work ranges in price from $4 up to $600. Sharing the booth with Kristy is Chris Trienens of Wild Woman Studios. Chris makes beautiful jewelry with sterling silver, semi-precious stones and her own lampwork glass beads. Very popular are her wild woman pins made in whimsical designs. See her new beads she has been making this year in bright summer colors!
July 15, 2005
If you are look
ing for something to do this weekend, be sure to pay a visit to Pelindaba Lavender Farm where they will be holding their Lavender Harvest Festival on Saturday and Sunday. You will be able to harvest your own lavender bouquets straight from the fields, as well as listen to talks and watch demonstrations on growing and harvesting the beautiful Provence lavender grown on the farm. Pelindaba Lavender Farm now offer farm-made lunches for your picnic in the beautiful grounds, as well as other special lavender treats. A fun way to spend your time on the island! Also visit the Pelindaba booth at Roche Harbor open 10 am to 4 pm every day and located with the artist booths.
Pelindaba Lavender Farm is located on the corner of Wold Road and Hawthorne Lane and can be reached at 360-378-4248 or visit online at www.pelindaba.com
July 9, 2005
This was the happy scene on Saturday as Leesa Foster and John Koch were married at Roche Harbor. The yellow brick road in front of the Hotel de Haro was closed for a while so that wedding guests could enjoy congratulating the couple after the ceremony. The courtyard and pavilion were set up for a grand reception with lime green and red as the main colors - creating a very elegant ambiance for wedding guests. Over 150 guests enjoyed the beauiful wedding on a very pleasant sunny day.
July 4, 2005
Here are some pictures of a very busy day at Roche Harbor. The Fun Run started at precisely 9 am with about 200 contestants running the 2.9 mile course around Roche Harbor. Winner in the adult male category was Salim Haji from Denver, Colorado who ran the course in 16 min 40 secs. Adult female winner was Janet Komen of Bellevue, Washington whose time was 18 mins 45 secs.
July 3, 2005
Under sunny skies, we have exceptional numbers of people out at Roche Harbor enjoying the holiday weekend. Today Kubatana Marimba Band are playing African-style marimbas on the West Lawn. The African name Kubatana means "to be close, to touch one another, to be united". The band members, all living on San Juan Island, have been playing the Shona-style marimba for about 5 years and love to play because their music comes from the heart and is very "happy" music. We enjoy hearing them also!
July 2, 2005
Things were hopping in the village center today as the start of the July 4th weekend got underway. Many holiday-makers were enjoying the day browsing the artist booths and listening to the great entertainment from the island's Solar Siblings.
July 2, 2005
Enjoying getting around in his new electric golf cart is Roche Harbor neighbor and former Resort owner Neil Tarte. "I don't have to worry about finding a parking place!" says Neil who drives to the resort each day to pick up mail and get his groceries.
July 2, 2005
Running for Mayor of Roche Harbor this 4th July weekend is Dylan. His campaign brochure says he has 2 years of proven leadership - the experience Roche Harbor needs. As Mayor he pledges to 1) In McMillin's Dining Room he will make sure Chef Shaw replaces the Maytag salad and prime rib with "Dylan's Special" of macaroni cheese, peanut butter and jelly and ice cream sundaes, 2) In Madrona Bar and Grill - all drinks will be served in sippy cups, 3) Roche Harbor Road will have a new tricycle lane and 4) he will replace the evening announcements with bed time stories and Mother Goose rhymes. Sounds good to me! Good luck Dylan! Ballots available in the Harbormaster's Office.
July 1, 2005
Roche Harbor is getting ready for 4th July - flags are flying, decorations are up, we are all set to have a fun weekend. For more information about what is happening here this weekend click here for a schedule. It will show the entertainment we have each day, as well as the times of all the games. The artist booths are open 10am-4pm (some of them longer!) the pool is open - it's fun time!
June 30, 2005
Want a good book to read this summer? How about a storyline with a setting on San Juan Island, Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor - a genre-stretching thriller about greed, power, and the balance between the preservation - and destruction - of life. David Dun has written The Black Silent, having done much scientific research on Archaea organisms - just to make it even more intriguing. Great reading! This book is available in the Roche Harbor Gift Shop.
June 25, 2005
Tollycraft Rendezvous at Roche Harbor was full of fun! Shown here on parade on the docks are a wide variety of dogs and cats in the Tollycraft Dog Parade from West Highland Terriers to two huge 26lb cats. First place went to a terrier, second place to the two large cats, and third place to a giggly little girl led by her friend. It was fun for the audience, as well as contestants, as General Manager Brent Snow was master of ceremonies in his own entertaining style.
June 24, 2005
This weekend we welcome the Tollycraft Boating Club who are having their annual rendezvous at Roche Harobr. The theme this year is a patriotic one, hence the red white and blue bunting up all ready for 4th July! Battery D and British Camp folks have been invited to re-enact the Pig War at Roche Harbor this weekend and will be doing so for all to see on the pool lawn. A camp has already been set up with sleeping tents and a mess tent complete with a cook from Arkansas (check out his accent!) who mentioned that clam chowder is on the menu for dinner this evening for his troops. The troops will have their camp on display all day Saturday with various re-enactments and then round out their day with a roasted pig barbecue in the evening.
June 21, 2005
Visiting Roche Harbor on a perfect day was the San Juan Island group of new Island Ambassadors. Under the guidance of Minnie Knych and Jeff Vanderford, a group of 14 high school students are going through training on all the activities, places to visit, and history of the San Juan Islands in order to be able to answer questions that visitors to the island might have. They all wear blue shirts with a large yellow button that says "Ask me, I live here" and the idea is to have them in groups of two riding the ferries, and roaming the streets of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor as our island ambassadors to make our visitors feel welcome. We are very proud of these youngsters - if you see one of them be sure to say hello!
June 20, 2005
Almost time for the unveiling! As of July 1st our brand new carriage houses will be ready for guests to enjoy. They all have two bedrooms with a King bed and Queen bed, 2 bathrooms, top of the line appliances in fully equipped kitchens, living room with fireplace, TV and DVD, sunroom and outside deck with barbecue, and many other features. If you have realtives or friends coming to the island to visit, keep these carriage houses in mind for your overflow or as a special treat because they make a wonderful home away from home. We will have an open house soon, so watch this space for news of the date!
June 17, 2005
Check out the sound of Keith Busha and Friends as they play on the Madrona Grill Deck Fridays and Saturdays during summer between 3 - 5 pm. Playing with Keith this time was Kate Schuman whose voice most islanders are quite familiar with, hearing her sing at local weddings and at the County Fair. Keith has been playing at Roche Harbor for years and our visitors have got to know him and his music very well. Keith and more of his friends, Teddy Deane and Susan Williams, will be playing in the Madrona Bar on July 4th weekend Friday through Monday from 9:30 until midnight.
June 10, 2005
Kudo's to John Sable, our Special Events Catering Manager, for coming up with such wonderful decorations for the Bayliner San Juan Parrothead Plunder dinner set for this evening. About 550 people will be dining ala Parrothead style under the tent with entertainment by Dave Calhoun and his tropical rock music.
June 10, 2005
Having a great time floating around the marina during the first day of the Bayliner Rendezvous was a great singer with a "Jimmy Buffet" sound, Dave Calhoun from Seattle. Also on board the pontoon boat an
d enjoying the festivities is Bayliner coordinator, Jan Lande, and other friends of Bayliner.
A great new event this year was the dinghy parade today at 3:30 pm being led by the musical pontoon boat (pictured right). It was quite evident that all participants in a variety of ages were having a great time touring around the docks.
June 9, 2005
The tents have gone up in the paved piazza and we are getting ready for the 11th Annual Bayliner Rendezvous. Roche Harbor has been hosting this event for Bayliner boat owners for the past nine years and is very ably coordinated by Jan Lande and our own Kevin Carlton. On Friday night a dinner for 550 participants will take place under the tented area, followed by Jim Basnight playing in the Madrona Bar & Grill. Some of the fun and games include a dinghy parade, blindfolded dinghy race and donut eating competition - fun for the whole family all followed by fireworks on Saturday evening at 10:30 pm.
June 7, 2005
Brand new and open for business in the village is "The Sweet Shoppe at Roche Harbor" run by marina resident, Barb Persinger. Barb has been busy ordering old fashioned candy from all over the world and has so many different kinds of licorice, ginger, and specialties, as well as your old fashioned American candy that you ate as a child. She even carries humbugs, sherbet lemons, Mars bars and treacle toffees from England, just to name a few - so for a treat you should check out this cute little sweet shop in the heart of the village. Open most days 10am - 4pm - then every day beginning June 24th thru Labor Day.
