Community news briefs — Oct. 30, 2024

October 30, 2024 1:30 am
Photo by Dan Lutter City of Sequim work crews perform some routine maintenance at the Sequim-Shiso Friendship Garden at Carrie Blake Community Park last week. Hannah Merrill, City of Sequim’s Parks & Events manager, said the pond, designed to reflect the surroundings and the lantern in the island, is occasionally drained when the vegetation spreads across the surface. The resident ducks never left during the process, she noted.
Photo by Dan Lutter City of Sequim work crews perform some routine maintenance at the Sequim-Shiso Friendship Garden at Carrie Blake Community Park last week. Hannah Merrill, City of Sequim’s Parks & Events manager, said the pond, designed to reflect the surroundings and the lantern in the island, is occasionally drained when the vegetation spreads across the surface. The resident ducks never left during the process, she noted.

Seabees set Veterans Day remembrance

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, the Navy Seabee Veterans of America from Bangor will be host their Veterans Day Remembrance Program for CM3 Marvin G. Shields, Medal of Honor Recipient, and all veterans of war at Gardiner Community Cemetery.

The public is invited to attend. There will be a van providing transportation to the cemetery from the Gardiner Community center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, starting at 10:30 am. Parking is limited at the cemetery, so attendees are encouraged to carpool is possible.

Call a Gardiner Cemetery commissioner with questions: Jim Hueter (360-681-2766), Terry Wood (360-797-0066) or Jennifer Barrett (425-443-1922).

Learn all about oak restoration at meeting

Sequim Prairie Garden Club will hear Robert Steelquist present “Oak Restoration on the Sequim Prairie” at its next meeting set for 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at Pioneer Memorial Park, 387 E. Washington St.

The meeting starts with social time; the program starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a business meeting at 11:45 a.m.

Steelquist began his fascination with Sequim’s native Garry Oaks in 1980, publishing a short essay in a local newsletter. That essay was his first as a writer and the first of many articles and, ultimately, 13 books on Pacific Northwest natural history. He has worked for the National Park Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and volunteered on many projects and nonprofit boards.

Steelquist periodically consults with environmental and historic preservation nonprofits. He holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from The Evergreen State College.

Ballot boxes available for Clallam Co. voters

Official curbside ballot drop boxes for the Clallam County General Election will be available 24 hours a day. All boxes close promptly at 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5). Official ballot drop boxes do not require postage.

Nearby 24-hour drop box locations include: 651 W. Washington St. (in the parking lot); 261461 U.S. Highway 101, Carlsborg, and two locations at the Clallam County Courthouse (223 E. Fourth St.) in Port Angels, including the circular drive and directly across from the disabled parking zone.

A business hours-only drop box location is located in the Elections and Voter Registration Office at the courthouse from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.), and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day.

Call 360-417-2217, email to elections@clallamcountywa.gov or visit clallamcountywa.gov/elections for more information.

Guild’s thrift shop to be open Nov. 7-9

The Sequim Hospital Guild Thrift Shop at 204 W. Bell Street will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-9, with lots of holiday items in stock and new items added each day.

Donations are accepted from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. each Monday and Tuesday and when the shop is open for business.

The guild is also accepting more volunteers; inquire inside the shop.

Rethinking end-of-life choices at presentation

A free presentation of green burial options on the Olympic Peninsula, hosted by Become a Tree Burial — a nonprofit 501(c)3 foundation — is planned for two community gatherings, both on Saturday, Nov. 16: from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., and the Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road.

Green burial, foundation members say, is simply returning human remains to natural decomposition.

The process follows guidelines to ensure environmental safety and “a setting where loved ones can return to commune with the departed and the spirit of the land,” they say.

For more information, email to ourmagicplanet@gmail.com or call Sue at 406-239-7378.

The event is endorsed by Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, People’s Memorial Association and the Dying Matters Guild, foundation members note.

Genealogical group seminar set for Nov. 9

Registration remains open for the Clallam County Genealogical Society’s Fall Seminar, a three-part seminar on Zoom scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9 and featuring Judy G. Russell, a popular speaker for societies and at national events.

The society will also host the seminar at the CCGS Research Center at 403 E. Eighth St. in Port Angeles, where refreshments will be served during breaks.

Registration/check-in is from 9:15-9:30 a.m. The remaining schedule includes: 9:45-10:45 a.m., “Revelers, Hog killers and Disobedient Children: Early State Laws”; 11 a.m.-noon, “Landing the Ancestors: Federal and State Land Records”; and 12:45-1:45 p.m., “Landing the Fourths: Proving a Case with Court, Land, and DNA Evidence.”

Cost is $50 for society and Washington State Genealogical Society members, $55 for non-members and at the door. Registration by check or Paypal ends after Tuesday, Nov. 5; find the Paypal app at clallamcogs.org. Checks should be sent to: CCGS, 403 E. 8th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.

Russell’s unusual lectures reflect her legal background and are always interesting and educational. A genealogist with a law degree, she will relate the mystifying legal concepts that affected our ancestors’ lives.

The Zoom pass code and meeting number will be sent to participants as soon as payment is received.

For more information, visit clallamcogs.org or call the society at 360-417-5000.