Blog
One Person Can Make a Difference: Patricia
Patricia Benton Orcas Island Community Foundation, Treasurer Orcas Community Resource Center, Chair Can you share a little bit about yourself? My husband, Bruce, and I moved to Orcas full-time in 2020 (no not because of COVID) after spending time here since...
Building Community
I am enjoying my weekend in South Carolina with my high school mates. We have rented a large house on the Isle of Palms. The pool and the ocean are still warm enough to swim in—mighty fun. There is nothing like time with really old (in every way) friends! One...
One Person Can Make a Difference: Justin
Justin Paulsen Orcas Island Park & Recreation, Commissioner Can you share a little bit about yourself? I was born and raised in Renton, Washington and spent a good amount of time looking at Orcas Island from Bellingham, where I attended Western Washington...
Sail On, Bruce
I am sad to let you know that Bruce Coffey died this week. Bruce was one of the Founders of OICF and was a Board and Committee Member for nearly 20 years. He was instrumental in setting up our investments independently and helped guide us to where we are today....
One Person Can Make a Difference: Susan
Susan Singleton Arts for Orcas Kids (A*OK), Volunteer Can you share a little bit about yourself? I’ve been on Orcas now 28 years. We moved here to live in an environment closely linked to the forest and the sea. I am most comfortable, delighted, and challenged...
Housing Solutions
A 2001 Starter Home Hank and I bought our starter home in 2001. It will likely be our finisher home as well. We were able to purchase it with a monthly mortgage of $1,000 with a down payment of $60,000. It was a stretch for us at the time, as I was working as...
One Person Can Make a Difference: Anika
Anika Blackman Orcas Island Food Bank, Volunteer Can you share a little bit about yourself? I was born in Kazakhstan, but I moved to the United States when I was around eight months old. From there, I moved to Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, and now Orcas...
Welcome, Molly!
OICF is delighted to announce that Molly Donovan will be joining the team as our Financial Manager, taking on Jen Wallace’s duties when Jen retires at the end of the year. Molly has lived on Orcas since 2007 and runs Orcas Farm with her husband, George Orser....
One Person Can Make a Difference: Janet
Janet Alderton Friends of the San Juans, Board Member Can you share a little bit about yourself? My great grandparents came to California in 1852. I was born in Oakland, California in 1950. Three generations of women—my mother, my daughter, and I all graduated...
On the Rocks
Grounded on Crescent Beach I drove by this boat yesterday morning. I am happy to report that it was floating and on its way in the afternoon. Seeing it listing and stuck reminded me of the current state of the Ferry System. This week has been truly remarkable...