“Come Enjoy the Harvest!”

 

This weekend kicks off the Farmer’s Market season, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather!  With the sun shining and the birds chirping, what better way to spend a Saturday than perusing the locally grown, harvested, created, cooked or concocted goods that Orcas island farmers and artisans have to offer?  There’s something for everyone at the Farmer’s Market.  Get mom a locally made soy candle from Charming Candles, get dad a wild tie dye shirt from Flo Designs, or grab some fresh produce to snack on from any one of the local farmers who bring their harvest to the Village Green in downtown Eastsound.  Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen – this market is fully outside and the weatherman is calling for SUN! 

 

The Orcas Island Farmer’s Market kicks off the first weekend in May (So, May 4^th, 2013) and continues on through the end of September – 10am to 3pm, every Saturday.  For the months of October and November, the vendors and farmers can be found down Haven Street at the Oddfellows Hall from 11am to 2pm on Saturdays. 

 

Parking is where ever you can find it in downtown Eastsound – everything is within walking distance!  Bring your kids, dogs (on a leash!), grandma – the whole crew!  You don’t even have to worry about where the nearest restroom is, there are public restrooms located right on the Village Green – next to the historical museum.

 

From Eastsound Landmark Inn, you can meander down the town’s sidewalks and eventually find your way to the Village Green, or there is a “secret” path that heads straight there!  Ask for more details when you check in.

 

For more information, please visit the Orcas Island Farmer’s Market website at http://orcasislandfarmersmarket.org/. 

 

 

Jot a Spot…

 

Eastsound Landmark Inn is certainly not the only place to catch a read about the ever bountiful San Juan Islands.

Many people come and go, and each has their own story to tell. Orcas Island in particular brings about an adjective or two from even the most timid of authors.

Listed below are several other sites to peruse in the jaunt to discover Orcas Island.

If you have been so lucky to visit (or live) here on Orcas Island, please do comment with a special memory or story to tell! We’d love to hear the experiences others have had on our little piece of heaven.

 

Desticam’s Compilation of Island Bloggers

http://www.desticam.com/rss-orcas_news_blog_orcas_island.shtml

Word Press Blogs tagged with “Orcas Island”
http://en.wordpress.com/tag/orcas-island/

A peek into Kate Wood’s daily life on Orcas Island
http://lifeonorcasisland.blogspot.com/

A more informative approach to Orcas Island Blogging

http://orcasislandchamber.com/orcas-life/

Cherishing Family Time 

     With Easter just a hop, skip, and jump away, I was drawn to produce a piece about all the family friendly activities around Orcas Island.  Easter weekend is a great example of how the community here ties together to make holidays and celebrations the best that they can be for all members of the family!  However, any time of year, this gem of an island has many activities suitable for participation from all members of the family. 

     Orcas Island’s “Great Hoppin’ Saturday,” is put on by the Merchants of Downtown Eastsound.  Featured activities will include Easter cookie decorating, Petting zoo with bunnies and lambs, Old fashioned hay-rides, Pictures with the Easter Bunny, Easter Bonnet and Parasol making, Easter story-telling, and more!  This town-wide event begins at 11:00 am.  The Orcas Lions Club also hosts an Easter Egg Hunt each year in Moran State Park. 

     If you are on an Easter family getaway, there are also several different places you can attend a Sunday service also – Orcas Island Community Church, Emmanuel Episcopal -Parish, and Life Church are just a few.

     For the times outside of Easter celebrations, there are many activities for the family on Orcas Island.

     The Funhouse creates a safe, fun and learning environment for children of all ages.  They even have features that parents can have fun with – my personal favorite is the shadow room, where your shadow gets “frozen” to the wall!  Also featured is a computer lab, pool and air hockey tables, crafting space, etc.

      If your family is looking to enjoy the often finicky sunshine while it is here, there are a plethora of outdoor activities to take advantage of!  Buck Park offers a world class skate park, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, a running trail, basketball hoops, and a sand volleyball court.  As this is a public park, you would need to furnish your own equipment (check out Orcas Outfitters).  Many adventures can be had at Moran StatePark – with the lakes, waterfalls, summit of Mount Constitution, and trails galore!  Parks closer to town that allow for beach exploration include Waterfront County Park and North Beach publicaccess.  For the daring and speedy, Friday nights mean there is an indoor roller skating extravaganza and the local schools’ gymnasium!  Skates are provided for a rental fee.  All ages are welcome! 

     If the family is looking to see more areas of the island, and learn a bit of the history of Orcas Island, there are a few fascinating local museums that feature interesting tidbits.  The Orcas Island Historical Museum is located right in the center of downtown, next to the Village on the Green county park.  Rosario’s Moran Mansion is an intact mansion that now features the history and life of Robert Moran, along with a weekly organ show played byChristopher Peacock on the mansion’s original organ.  This organ show also features a slide show and narration by Peacock.  The CrowValley Schoolhouse Museum is a part of the Orcas Island Historical Museum that is located a bit farther out of town (and only open in the summers).  While you and the family are out and about exploring the history of the island, make sure to stop by some of the local farms as well:  Black Dog Farm, MapleRock Farm, and Warm Valley Orchard are just a few to mention! 

     For your four legged friends, Eastsound features Orcas Off Leash Area.  This off leash dog park allows for Fido to run, chase a ball, stretch his legs, and get a good ol’ time in.  Pawki’s pet store provides everything you might need for your fuzzy family members, just in case you forgot something along the way.

 

Peep, peep at this! 

Special Offer from Eastsound Landmark Inn!

     Enjoy 5% off your unit rate when you mention that you are visiting for the Easter festivities!

     And as always, kids under 13 stay FREE!

     Also, we do have pet-friendly units available.

    Please give us a call at 1 (800) 622-4758 or send us an email at manager@landmarkinn.net for further booking information!

     Happy egg hunting!

 

R and R

(Rationalize and Revitalize)

     Do you need an excuse to get away for a weekend?  Leave behind the hustle and bustle of your daily routine, and take some time for yourself?  Boy, have I got the ultimate rationalization for you!  What better excuse to escape to the beautiful Orcas Island than for the purposes of learning?  It’s the perfect reason to duck out of your monotonous routine and pick up some fresh and revitalizing knowledge. 

     The Orcas Center has arranged a four part Spring 2013 Crossroads Lecture Series, with a variety of topics. 

     The first lecture (March 10, 2013 2:00 pm @ Orcas Center) is one presented by John& Julie Gottman, entitled “Making Love Last.”  In this tantalizing presentation surrounding the mysterious ways of the heart, John and Julie will answer the curious questions that we as humans often wonder about.  Where does love come from?  Why does love last, or fade?  How can I better understand the sometimes finicky acts of the one I love?  The Gottmans will provide insight as to how to develop a secure, and fulfilling bond with your significant other.

     The second installment of this fascinating series is a presentation by Tim Walsh entitled “Earthquake and Tsunami Risks in the San Juan Islands,” (Sunday April 7, 2013 2:00 pm @ Orcas Center).   Personally, I have always wondered what would happen to these islands in the event of an earthquake and/or tsunami.  Would the islands just disappear under the devastating insurgence of water and earth?  How can I protect myself and my family as a resident here?  What effect would an earthquake have on the geography of the islands?  Are the San Juan Islands the next Atlantis – beauty swallowed up by Davy Jones ’s locker?  I’m sure Mr. Walsh will clarify all these questions and more during his lecture. 

     Greg Anderson will speak about saving vanishing languages on Wednesday May 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm at the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall.  Vanishing languages are a social issue that is not widely addressed in the 21^st century.  While Anderson will be speaking as to how we can recognize and acknowledge the global language extinction, he will also address what we can do in our local area to preserve the languages that have built our stories and conversations into what they are today.  I would love to hear about what I can do to save our languages from the chat speak, “lol omg lyk lets g0 2 da lake 2day” crises that afflicts the younger generations already. 

     Bringing the Spring 2013 lecture series to a close will be Sallie Tisdale, and she will be presenting the pros and cons of international charity on Sunday May 12, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Orcas Center.   Tisdale will speak on what people need, who we help when we donate, and what actually works in the most helpful way.  She will touch on ways to know that our personal foreign aid is actually making a difference.  This lecture would be useful in figuring out which charities to promote, and which may just be scamming you for your hard earned dollar. 

     Overall, this Spring 2013 proves to be a grand selection of presentations on many topics that will fascinate and stimulate the brain.  And the best part is, before and after the lectures – you can enjoy the beauties of Orcas Island, still keeping in mind the rationalization that you came to learn.  Pack up that backpack with just the essentials bring your worries and questions – you’ll leave with a lighter load of knowledge and recuperation from the daily dull. 

Rationalize these Rates!

Special Offer from Eastsound Landmark Inn

     When you reserve your educational environment here at the Eastsound Landmark Inn, we will give you a 5% discount on your condo rate!  Just mention that you are attending the applicable part in the lecture series. 

     Please give us a call at 1 (800) 622-4758 or send us an email at manager@landmarkinn.net for further booking information!

     Keep moving forward!

A Midsummer Spring Night’s Dream on Orcas Island

 

     Orcas Island is often referred to as the “Island for the Arts.”  This title is indeed well earned, and a prime example of the grand support of the arts is the 2^nd Annual Orcas Island Shakespeare Festival.  The weekend following Shakespeare’s historical “ides of March,” is when the festival will take place.  Festivities will begin on Friday March 22^nd and continue through March 23^rd. 

     This Shakespearian weekend will bring out the romantic tragedy in each of us.  Costumed or not, you will see a love-struck Romeo and Juliet dining together at a local eatery (perhaps Allium?), enjoying a delectable themed meal.  Puck will be mischievously poking about in craft central (Moon Glow Arts & Crafts), or popping in and out of the many eccentric shops throughout downtown Eastsound.  Youthful faeries will be dancing about in their faerie dresses and wings (check out Kizmit for your own!).  You may pass by the Village Green and witness the power struggle over the Roman Empire, warriors clad in the armor and weaponry of the Elizabethan time period.  Shakespeare’s more sensual types may tend to wander towards Kathryn Taylor Chocolates in order to escape the worries of the world, and delve into the pleasure of local, handmade chocolates.  Those who fancy themselves to be their own version of Shakespeare may take pleasure in perching on the shoreline of Eastsound Waterfront County Park.    

     Prepare yourself for a weekend of immersion in the world of William Shakespeare.  There will be opportunities for each of us to experience the lasting extravagance that Shakespeare contributed to our past and present.  Below is a listing of the events that will be occurring over this exciting weekend.  Come one, come all, and partake in the joyous celebration of the Elizabethan times!  Please keep in mind that events and locations are subject to change – but unlike Romeo & Juliet’s poor timing and communication…we will make sure to keep you up to date!

Thursday, March 21^st

·         Dinner with the Players @ Sazio (6:30 pm)

 

Friday, March 22^nd

·         Seattle Shakespeare Company school ‘stage combat’ workshop (10:00 am)

·         School performance of Julius Caesar at Orcas Center (1:00 pm)

·         Seattle Shakespeare Company adult ‘stage combat’ workshop (4:30 pm)

Saturday, March 23^rd

·         Eastsound Street Theater begins at 10:00 am (more details to follow)

Events to be included may be music and stage performances of the period

·         Reception at Orcas Center (6:30 pm)

·         Seattle Shakespeare Company performance of Julius Caesar at Orcas Center (8 pm)

 

Hear ye, hear ye!

Special Offer from the Eastsound Landmark Inn

     Let it be known, we have tickets to see the Seattle Shakespeare Company’s performance of Julius Caesar at the Orcas Center! 

     Whosoever should be in our establishment for this jolly weekend extravaganza will be gifted two (2) tickets per reservation for this performance.  Ticket availability is limited.

     Should your heart feel a pitter-patter at this grand opportunity, please give us a call at 1 (800) 622-4758 or send us an email at manager@landmarkinn.net for further booking information!

     Until then, I bid you adieu sweet folk!

Spring has Sprung on Orcas Island - Finally!

Blame it on groundhogs, La Nina, or "inconvenient truths."  Whatever the reason, Spring has taken its sweet time arriving this year.  But now that it's here, oh, how sweet it is!  The sun is out and the thermometer is inching toward 60-degrees.  Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, lambs are frolicking, and we saw one of the first fawns of the season just yesterday.  It's enough to make a Disney movie jealous.

One of our favorite things about Spring is the first Farmer's Market, which starts on Saturday, May 7th, on the Village Green.  Most of the island is bound to turn out to pick up plant starts for their gardens, buy some fresh baby greens for dinner, meet old friends for lunch at one of the delicious food vendors, and find that perfect last minute Mother's Day gift for Mom.  Thank goodness we're just a short walk from the Green - no need to find a parking spot!

Another favorite thing to do this time of year: Whale Watching!  The Orcas have been very active around the San Juans early this Spring, and we trust that to be a sign of good things to come this season.  There are also Gray Whales, Humpbacks, and Minkes in the area this time of year.  As always, Outer Island Expeditions offers 10% off to all guests of the Eastsound Landmark Inn.

And if we had to choose one more favorite thing about this time of year (we'll make it quick... I think I hear Julie Andrews humming in the background!) it would be that the summer crowds have not yet arrived.  Don't get us wrong - Summer is a fun-filled, and exciting time out in the islands, with warm temperatures, music and art festivals, and many great adventures to be had.  But there's something to be said for having Crescent Beach all to yourself, hiking to the top of Turtleback Mountain and not seeing another human soul, or being the only kayaker in Echo Bay.  Aaaahh, Spring...Finally...