April 2024

I think this may be my favorite time of the year here on the Peninsula. Everything is blooming, the days are longer and getting warmer, and it is Festival Season.  

The first two weeks of May mark the Irrigation Festival in Sequim, celebrated since 1896.  You can read the whole history here https://irrigationfestival.com/site/making-of-the-festival/  There’s a parade, a street fair, music and much more. 

I especially love the operetta that the high school puts on.  It is always terrific. This year will be “The Addams Family,”running from May 4-24.

Sunday, May 5, is the Opening Day of the Boating Season at John Wayne Marina from 9:30am-3:00pm.  You can try your luck at rowing a shell, watch the Blessing of the Fleet, and hear bagpiper Erik Evans as the boats parade. https://sequimbayyacht.club/opening-day

Memorial Day Weekend is the 31st Annual Juan de Fuca Arts Festival in Port Angeles, a “not to be missed” event. Web https://jffa.org/event/31st-annual-juan-de-fuca-festival/2024-05-24/ 

 And for us, at Newcomers, May means renewing memberships.  This year, we are asking you to send in your picture with your check and membership form, so that we can update the Directory on the Newcomers’ Website with pictures.  When you renew your membership, you will be given a code that will allow you to access our up-to-date Directory, so that you can easily connect with people.

Our August 6 Picnic will be coming up before you know it.  We are going back to the popular pre-pandemic format of serving hamburgers and hot dogs with members bringing desserts or sides.  That means, of course, that we need experienced Grill Masters to step up and man the grills.  Warren Pierce and Nancy Elwert will be pulling it all together.  Thank you, guys.

We are also looking for a venue for our Halloween Party, one of our favorite events. Helga Berger, who hosted last year will be traveling this year.

And finally, thank you to Pat Gibson, who is taking on the chair of the Appetizer Committee. If you have access to a big space that could be used for the Halloween Party, let her know.

See you all at the May Luncheon, Tuesday, May 7.  We will be at our  Sequim venue at the Dungeness Golf Course in the Legends Room.

Judy