2010’s
2010 (343 members)
As of March 3, 2010, the IRS recognized Harstine Island Community Club as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization, thanks to the hard work and financial support of Dudley and AnnePanchot. The 501(c)3 status is retroactive to February 17, 1941. All charitable contributions to Harstine Island Community Club from individuals or estates are tax-deductible.
A committee was established to oversee the use of $100,000 from the Chase Estate Endowment. The funds are to be used by Women’s Club Scholarship Program to fund scholarships and other educational purposes for residents of Harstine Island. (In 2013 an additional $20,000 was added to the endowment from the Chase Estate.)
Bill Burrows designed the HICC website –
All Island Eyes Network is the new face of Neighborhood Watch. The Pick 5 concept was introduced as a way of neighbors helping neighbors in times of emergencies. Pick 5 encourages groups of 5 (or more) families in an area to band together to help each other when needed: be aware of who might have medical training, who has a chain saw, who needs extra help, etc.
Improvements to the hall included a new projection screen and a new propane stove and hood. The bricks were installed for the “Rally Round the Flagpole” commemorative project. Sandy Murphy sold 310 bricks for a total of $10,610. Sandy began selling the bricks at Holiday House in November 2009 and ended with the last Farmers Market in October 2010. The installation was done with the help of Jim Anderson, Leo Echaniz, Lary Houghton, Bob Lemon, Doug Otjen, Gary Benz and Jim Irving. In addition, a new bronze plaque was placed on the flag support that acknowledges the sacrifices of our Island veterans.
Island residents were asked to submit photos for a contest to create the 2011 HICC calendar. Kayce Benson assembled the materials and Karla Lortz had them printed. Three versions were available and sold for $7.00 each.
Citizens of the Year – Dudley and Anne Panchot. Honored Citizens – Mike Plomski, Arlen Morris, and Charley Allison (posthumously).
2011 (413 members)
Improvements to the hall included new windows and drapes in the main hall, a large cooler/refrigerator costing $3,810 (donations from the various clubs and individuals covered much of the cost), and new thermostats that shut off automatically to help conserve fuel expenses. A new logo was selected to be used for new stationery for Community Club.
Citizen of the Year – Bill Burrows. Honored Citizens – Lynn Fish, Sandy Murphy, and Sam Edgin (posthumously).
In October the Historic Preservation Committee held the first meeting to prepare for the hall centennial in 2014. Members include Sandy Murphy (chair), Bill Burrows, Gary Benz, Shelleen and Mark Mathews, and Mike Burdick. The committee requests old records, photographs, and hall history. Future plans include preserving the historical minutes of Harstine Social Club and Harstine Island Community Club, painting the exterior of the hall, and preparing a time capsule.
2012 (463 members)
Stationery and thank you notecards using hall sketch by John Cooper for the logo were printed by Chuck Estes,an off-islander,at no cost to HICC.
The board authorized expenditure of $2,750 to purchase a time capsule for the 2014 Centennial. Capsule expense was $1,631.50 leaving $1,000+ for installation expenses.
The hall was awarded a “Place of Historic Interest” plaque which will be placed on the building at a dedication after the hall exterior is painted.
The Historic Preservation Committee created a Hall Building Systems Manual so that information relating to all systems (electrical, heating, water, etc.) would be in one location. A library system of old records found in the basement and individual contributions was also created. Minutes from 1936 forward were converted into pdf files to be included on the website.
The first annual Pie Contest proposed by Bill Shoaf was held during Farmers Market onSeptember 29th and raised $430. Twenty pies were entered – every piece was sold. Jill Meek won the first place prize of $100.
Citizen of the Year – Jim Irving. Honored Citizens – Judy Moore,Joye Robinson, and Billie Fish(posthumously).
2013 (401 members)
Terry Evans of Evans Construction examined the foundation, floor, walls, and roof framing of the hall. “The foundation is block and post construction on grade. The building site was not leveled so the blocks or granite stones are placed at measured intervals with each support post cut to length. Some of the floor beams are logs, dimensionally flattened top and bottom. The floor joists are full dimension plus or minus, rough cut Douglas fir 2 x 8’s. Some joists are hued at the bearing point where they meet the beams. The sub floor is diagonal laid shiplap covered with tongue and groove finished flooring. The main hall interior walls are 2 x 4 wood studs, balloon framing with horizontally applied random length Douglas Fir wainscoting. The exterior is sheathed with horizontally applied 1 x 5 random length fir sheathing. The roof is gable ridge board and rafter with horizontal collar tie rafter to rafter, diagonally braced from ceiling joist to rafter. Roofing is painted steel standing seam panels. The hall has two side-shed style additions, the kitchen with serving area, bathrooms and stage area. The stage area has a concrete foundation/basement. The side shed roofs put additional load on the main building walls where they attach. The building has survived all the earthquakes between 1914 and the present, including the largest recorded the past 100 years – a 7.1 quake centered near Olympia in 1949.”
In preparation for the Centennial Celebration, HICC members voted on six paint combinations and selected Svelte Sage as the main color and off-white for the trim as a new color scheme for the hall. Both are Sherwin-Williams brand of paint.
Other improvements included construction of a new shed to be used for storage for Farmers Market and for Apple Squeeze equipment, enlarging the parking area which was spread with 106 yards of ¾” minus basalt crushed gravel, replacing front porch lighting, and replacing the back hand railing to meet current ADA standards.
A Mission Statement was approved: “The HarstineIsland Community Club promotes educational, cultural and social opportunities for our community, our off-island neighbors and for all the new friends we have yet to meet. The Club actively manages and preserves the Community Hall, respecting the storied history of the Hall and the Island while looking forward to the future.”
The Squaxin Tribe awarded a $1,500 grant to HICC. The grand total of Centennial Celebration donations raised – including “in-kind” donations – was $15,148. This was made possible by generous contributions of local businesses, Harstine Island clubs, and individual supporters. There were four levels of sponsorship: Geoduck - $500 and up, Oyster Shuckers - $250 - $499, Lumber Jacks and Jills - $100 to $249, and Island Belles, the “Pride of Puget Sound” - $25 to $99.
“Churn Dash” is an 1800’s pattern selected for a quilt to be made by women of Harstine Island to be used as a raffle item at the Centennial “Art and Much More” Auction on July 25th, 2014.Carol Bush chaired the committee. (The quilt raffle netted $799.15.)
1,500 centennial calendars featuring the prints of John Cooper were ordered. Notecards and bookmarks were also printed using a John Cooper print of the hall. These were all made available to sell to raise additional funds for the Centennial Celebration.
A special dedication of the “Place of Historic Interest” plaque from Mason County Historic Preservation Committee was held on September 13th. A gifted 5’ x 9’ flag was flown. After the dedication the flag was sent to Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. where it was flown over the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers” and returned with a certificate. The flag will be flown from January 1st through December 31st for the 2014 Centennial Celebration. It will then be encased in a wooden frame and displayed in the hall for posterity. (It was later decided to retire the Centennial flag on October 18th, 2014, in connection with the Time Capsule Dedication.)
“My Favorite Memories of the Hall” cards were distributed to encourage islanders to share their favorite memories. The cards will be included in the time capsule.
Bill Burrows suggested a contest among the Pioneer School students to write an essay on “What Will Life Be Like in 2064?” There will be prizes for the winners and the essays will be put into the time capsule to be opened in 50 years. Excerpts from “Just Among Friends” cookbook featuring the writings of children from Jarrell’s Cove School in 1923 will also be included in the time capsule. (Bill was unable to coordinate with Pioneer School District in time for the Time Capsule Dedication.)
A cross section of a 141 year old (1873) Doug Fir tree was donated to make a timeline of the island’s and hall’s history. It will be called “A Slice in Time.” It is 11’ 6” in circumference, 47” in diameter and weighs 240 – 260 pounds. It has been determined that the slab needs several months to dry properly, and will be a long-term project. Gary Benz is in charge and is looking for volunteers to help with this project.
Farmers Marketcontinued during the winter on the first Saturday of each month. It was held inside the hall on a trial basis to see if there was adequate participation.
Citizen of the Year – Sandy Murphy. Honored Citizens – Jeff Roberge, April Hansen, and Jan Irving.
2014 (344 members as of 8-14)
The HICC programs throughout the year featured various clubs, organizations, or people affiliated with HICC, the hall, or the Island during the past 100 years, the purpose being to remind and inform the islanders of our combined rich history.
Charlene Krise, Executive Director of the Squaxin Island Museum presented the January program. She gave the tribe’s early history including the Judge Boldt Decision giving them fishing and harvesting rights based on early treaties. She talked about how they got into the gaming business and the help they received in the form of loans, equipment and advice from other tribes back east to begin the Little Creek Casino.
High speed internet was available on the north end of the island in January and WIFI was available at the hall in June.
The Centennial Flag Raising Ceremony was held on February 14th prior to the HICC meeting. Veterans’ of Foreign Wars Commander Grayson conducted the ceremony with the help of Nick Neuerburg and the ROTC Color Guard. The Centennial Banner was attached to the hall’s exterior and two framed newspaper pieces donated by Sandy and Ed Murphy featuring the Harstine ferries were hung on the hall’s interior “ferry wall”.
The February program featured Bill Burrows with an interesting and amusing presentation of the history of the hall and a power point program of “The Shot Heard Round the Island” (refer to flagpole dedication in 2000 when the vintage cannon self-destructed).
Shelleen Mathews made a new sign for the Island’s entry.
The April program featured Barbara LaJune presenting information on Senior Lunch, April Hansen reporting on Neighborhood Watch, and Patsy Glaser-Gibson talking about the Grange and its activities. Each speaker gave the history and reminded us of how connected we are to one another.
The Centennial Open House was held May 4th. Rick Calvin of Mason County Historic Preservation Committee prepared a power point of “What Makes a Community” with many photos of past and present HICC members working and playing at the hall. Some descendants of the original builders of the hall were present and added stories. Historical information was also on display.
Nick Neuerburg presented the history of the Fire District and “Bud’s Cans” for the May program. Sheriff Casey Salisbury introduced Deputy Cindy Brewer and Jack the Great Dane. Deputy Cindy and Jack work closely with the schools and community to discuss and prevent bullying.
President Jan Irving introduced the “ITTI” award. ITTI stands for “I Took the Initiative” and is presented to those islanders who take action when they see a problem instead of expecting someone else to take care of it.
The Choir celebrated its 10th anniversary by presenting a May concert – “A Sentimental Journey” – songs from the Great American Songbook.
New chairs were purchased to replace the mismatched chairs that have been used for years. The Fire Department purchased some of the chairs. The rest were sold at the rummage sale or taken to recycling.
The history of the hall continued in June with a presentation by Jim Anderson on the two canvas backdrops mounted on the walls. His research established that backdrops were often used as stage curtains from 1900 – 1940 and were advertisements for businesses. Based on clues from the local advertisements including the telephone prefixes, he believes the ferry backdrop was circa 1959 and the waterfront scene was circa 1961. He cited as helpful in his research.
“A Slice of Harstine Island Theatre Club” – a collection of moments from the Theatre Club’s history – was presented over the 4th of July weekend.
Fred Burgdorf and Vikki Voss gave an interesting and entertaining brief history of the Theatre Club along with video clips from past plays at the July HICC meeting. There was great interaction with the audience.
The July HICC meeting series featured a program on the Garden Club history written by Barbara LaJune, Jim Anderson, and Denise Beckwith and presented by Jim Anderson. A framed caricature by Howard Leggett featuring the co-founders of Garden Club (the above-mentioned plus Damon LaJune) was presented to the hall as the first Garden Club memento to grace its walls.
The signature event of the Centennial Celebration was the “Art and Much More” auction held on July 25th. Sandy Kramer and Sharon Zeeben were co-chairs. One hundred fifty-seven people purchased a $10 ticket which entitled them to hors d’oeuvres and two drinks. There was a silent and a live auction run by auctioneer Kenny Latimer. Donations were from local artists as well as individuals. Donna Cruse won the Churn Dash quilt made by women of the island. It was a grand event and resulted in a net profit of $7,422.63 to be used for the continued upkeep and maintenance of the hall.
The Centennial Outdoor Picnic was held in the parking lot on August 8th. Approximately 190 people attended, including honored guests from Pickering Community Club who are celebrating the 100 year birthday of Grant School. Local musicians provided wonderful entertainment followed by “100 Years of Fashion” – a fun and interesting narrative researched and written by Pat LeClair and modeled by island residents.
The September program featured the history of Harstine Island Women’s Club researched by Past President Kayce Benson. Kayce and several members read selected Women’s Club minutes covering the different decades. They were both informational and entertaining with their large 5, 10, and 50 cents cutouts which were waved gleefully at the appropriate times throughout the readings, much to the audience’s delight.
Citizen of the Year – Jan Irving. Honored Citizens – Sharon Zeeben, John Strasburger, and Wendy Cobb.
October 18th is the Time Capsule Dedication. Selected items from the various clubs will be on display for islanders to peruse before they are placed in the capsule to be opened in 2064. Excerpts from the HICC Minutes from 1936 onward will also be sent to Washington State and Mason County Historical Societies and to the Special Collections at the University of Washington. The Centennial Flag will be placed in a display case, and the “infamous” cannon fragment will be framed and hung on the end wall near the men’s restroom for all to see (refer to flagpole dedication in 2000 when the vintage cannon self-destructed). The 2nd HICC One Hundred Year Building Fund will be announced and the Harstine Island Choir will perform.
“THIS HALL IS THE FOCAL POINT OF OUR ISLAND COMMUNITY. IT IS UNIQUE, AND REPRESENTS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOCIALIZING AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.” It continues to be the meeting place for Harstine Island Community Club, Harstine Island Women’s Club, Garden Club, Theatre Club, Grange, and Harstine Island Choir. Weekly and annual events that still take place in or around the hall are Senior Lunch, Farmers Market, Spaghetti Feed, Chili Contest, Octoberfest, Choir Performances, Theatre Productions, Rummage Sale, Garage Sale, Apple Squeeze, Pie Contest, Pinochle, Tops, Inquiring Minds/Conversations, Plant Sale, Holiday House, Ham and Oyster Dinner, Thanksgiving Dinner, and Christmas Dinner. Memorial luncheons are held as needed. Islanders and off-islanders also rent the hall for private functions.
Today - Tomorrow - Forever