Our Music Festival: A Treasured Gift
July 21, 2011 – Washington Island Music Festival Chorus members have been rehearsing every Saturday morning for the Music Festival final concert Friday night, August 12. As they leave each rehearsal for the next of their weekend activities, they may still be singing to themselves the words from Bill Olson’s Island Songs and Landscapes that have been brought to life through the melodies and harmonies composed in 2006 by Eric Ewazen of the Juilliard School in New York. The music stays in their minds and in their hearts because the words resonate with Washington Island experiences…
Newbies: Silversmith / Jeweler Putting his Mettle to the Metal
July 21, 2011 – In an era that seems to have abandoned handcrafting in the main, there are still those who take pride in their craftsmanship. Many are on this very Island. Joining that group, are the new kids on the block, Travis Starr and Becka Berna. A silversmith and gemsmith (if there be such a thing), Travis creates myriad items by his own hand.
Jens Jacobsen Family Celebrates Museum’s 80 Years
July 21, 2011 – Surviving grandchildren of Jens and Olive Jacobsen gathered together to remember, honor and celebrate Jens Jacobsen who built the Jacobsen Museum.
Inside the Old Cheese Factory…
July 21, 2011 – Matt Grandy and Aaron Rank were seen working on the old chalet (some call the old cheese factory) on Townline Rd. The huge new fireplace inside (pictured above) was done magnificently by Kirby Gunnlaugsson. There are many other projects being worked say Matt and Aaron, so the building that may house a new Art and Cultural center may take a bit longer than anticipated. Many others are working on the building as well. We enjoy watching the progress. Looks good so far.
A Flighty Destination: Washington Island Butterfly House Opens
The Butterfly House, featuring moths and other insects, opens July 4th, 2011, at 1349 Main Road, Washington Island. A zoning permit has been received and permission granted from Irene Mostek, the present owner. The 100 year-old home hopes to become a destination for environmental teaching and learning.
Island Welcomes New District Administrator & Principal
Raymond “comes to the Island with an excellent background designed for small schools.” He has an M.S. in Education, an M.A. in Education (emphasis in Educational Leadership), an Educational Specialist Degree, and is licensed as a Superintendent, Principal, and Director of Instruction. Mr. Raymond’s motto is “All students can succeed… and all means all.”
Turning of the Tide
May 12, 2011 – Barb O’Connell retires after 37 years of teaching at the Island School.
Full House at the 58th Island Party
May 12, 2011 – Many, many volunteers helped make this year’s Island Party and Island Idol a success.
The Mystery of Billy Lee
May 12, 2011 – More documented evidence about the ever-growing Island legend, Billy Lee.
TPAC Update
March 31, 2011 – Latest report on the remediation of the Carol Trueblood Performing Arts Center (TPAC) building.
Island Teacher Margaret Foss Receives Prestigious Award
March 31, 2011 – Margaret Foss, Washington Island School’s kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, has been selected as a 2011 Kohl Fellowship recipient.
Samantha George & Stanislav Venglevski Concert at Trinity
March 31, 2011 – On Sunday evening, April 3rd at 6 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall there will be a community potluck meal followed by a free concert at 7 o’clock by professional musicians Samantha George (violin) and Stanislav Venglevski (bayan a.k.a. button accordion).
Island Lions Club 1951
March 17, 2011 – A poignant memory about how the Lion’s Club helped an Island family in need.
First Annual Island Party West
March 17, 2011 – On Saturday March 5, the first annual Island Party West was held at the home of Rolf and Kay Normann in Scottsdale, Arizona. We were able to round up 11 people for this first effort.
WICHP Receives $20,000 Grant
March 17, 2011 – This January the Washington Island Community Health Program (WICHP) was awarded a two-year, $20,000 grant from the Helen Bader Foundation.
Referendum News
March 17, 2011 – Once again the Washington Island School District will be asking the community to vote on a referendum for the 2011-12 financial year, to cover the amount that is not entirely funded by all of the other sources of funding that the school receives.
Expansion of Adult Educational Programs on the Island
February 24, 2011 – Two new efforts are underway to expand the adult educational programs on Washington Island.
Education Foundation Makes Its First Grant
February 24, 2011 – The Washington Island Education Foundation (WIEF) is proud to announce that it has made its first grant to the students of Washington Island School.
Packers-Bears Betting Fun
February 24, 2011 – The Packer-Bears playoff game brought about some betting fun on the Island.
PHOTOS: 2011 Winter & Fish Derby
See photos of the 2011 Washington Island Winter and Fish Derby, held February 12-20!
Island Players casts “Our Town”
January 20, 2011 – On Thursday evening, January 10, the cast assembled in the School Commons for its first read-through of Island Players’ winter production, “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder.
Music in the School
January 20, 2011 – The Art & Nature Center, through the Washington Music Festival, continues to provide the major financial support for the Music in the School program. Many generous donors to the annual fund drive contribute all or a portion of their gifts to the music program.
Island Christmas Count 2010
January 20, 2011 – Unlike other years we had a mild and calm day for the Island Christmas Count as seven of us set out at 8:30 am on December 19, to scour the four quarters of the Island for all the bird species and individuals we could possibly find. Thousands of other volunteers were doing the same thing throughout North America on one day during the count period of December 14 to January 5. This was the 110th Christmas Bird Count.
The 34th Annual Winter and Fish Derby
Each February, the frozen waters surrounding Washington Island are transformed into a metropolis of fishing shanties of every shape, size, and color. That is when the Island hosts of one of Door County’s biggest winter events: the Winter and Fish Derby, where local anglers of all ages gather on the Island for a week of fun and ice fishing.
Historical Documents Bring Plum Island Alive
January, 2011 – Tom Sheeran was stationed on Plum Island in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. He recently sent a package of interesting items he had saved from his service in the Coast Guard.
The U.S. Life-Saving Service
January, 2011 – In the U.S. Life-Saving Service and later in the U.S. Coast Guard, the keepers of the life-saving station on Plum Island kept thorough records in the daily logs of operation and wreck report logs. They give great insight into the daily operations of the station and its significance in the maritime history of the region.
Island School Student Produces Christmas Concert
December, 2010 – As part of her independent study in music, W.I. High School senior Maren Schutz (daughter of Bill and Pat Schutz) organized, directed and produced a student Christmas concert for the Island community.
Cigar Box Guitarists Visit Island
December, 2010 – Even though Pat MacDonald calls himself a “one-man band,” he brought sidekicks melaniejane and Fred Young with him when he visited Washington Island School on Friday, December 10, to talk to students about cigar box guitars.
Grade Two Writes and Performs a New Play
Second graders Garrett Hansen, Karoline Jordan, and Trevor Brown, recently wrote and performed in a new play entitled “Robert the Copycat” at the Washington Island School.
Kayak-Building Workshop
June, 2010 – Build your own skin-on-frame kayak from June 10 through June 19 for display at the Second Annual Washington Island Canoe and Kayak Event.
Nurturing Parents Program Update
The Washington Island School and the Family Center have jointly sponsored a “Nurturing Parents” program in support of parents of children ages 5 and under.
Plum Island to be part of Door County Lighthouse Walk
June, 2010 – For the first time in recent history, Plum Island will be open for tours during the Door County Lighthouse Walk on June 12-13, 2010.
Where Our High School Graduates Are Going
From 1999 – 2009, 94 students graduated from Washington Island School, with a 99% graduation rate. This year all five seniors are going on to higher education.
Kent Jorgenson — new “People to People” student leader
June, 2010 – Kent Jorgenson, son of Bill and Liz Jorgenson, and grandson of Walt and Mary Jorgenson of Washington Island, and a student in Sevastopol High School, will join a select group of students representing their schools, communities, and country as People to People Student Leaders.
Washington Island Women’s Club
January, 2010 – The Washington Island Women’s club meeting was held January 19, 2010 at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 1:00 pm with 24 ladies attending.
Celebrating Winter 2010 – Snowflake Style!
January, 2010 – What do a pig, chili, ableskievers and fish have in common? Celebrating Winter 2010: Snowflake Style! This year’s February calendar is filled with events to take the chill out and put fun, friends and food into the winter with some old favorites and new twists.
Singing Valentines
January 28, 2010 – The Washington Island 7th and 8th graders are planning to travel the Island in groups on Valentine’s Day Sunday, Feb. 14th, dressed in Valentine’s garb and delivering a large homemade chocolate cookie and card, singing a song and reciting a poem at each door.
Jeanie Young Bids Farewell to Baylake Bank
January 28, 2010 – Jeanie Young has retired from Baylake Bank after 25 years of service.
Hansen Family Sing
January 28, 2010 – For those who attended the Hansen Family Sing at Trinity over New Year’s weekend, going into the cold night with a warmed heart and the spirit of Christmas lingering a while longer was a gift.
Referendum News – Critical Facts & Figures
January 7, 2010 – We decided to approach the referendum issue from a different perspective this year and held a public meeting on December 2nd at the Washington Island School. This meeting was to give the community the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas regarding the referendum and the type of school they would be willing to support.
Island Boy Becomes Boat Building Craftsman
January 7, 2010 – Thor Purinton loved working with wood and building boats from a young age. While in college he realized he wanted to “build boats and work with his hands for a living.”
Island Players Will Be ‘Painting Churches’
January 7, 2010 – Cast members are already rehearsing for the Island Players winter production, “Painting Churches,” which will be performed at the Fellowship Hall of Trinity Church at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, February 20 and 21, and on Sunday, February 22, at 2:00 p.m.
