All Point Bulletin - March 2024 issue

Port still interested in marina

Port of Bellingham director of real estate and local resident Elliott Smith told attendees at the February 9 taxpayers association meeting there was a reason why the port hadn’t allocated any money to Point Roberts in the port’s latest five-year spending plan – the port doesn’t own anything on the Point.

“The All Point Bulletin pointed out that there was no money allocated to Point Roberts in the five-year plan and that’s because we are stewards of publicly owned property, and the port doesn’t own anything in Point Roberts,” he said. “If that were to ever change, then you would see Point Roberts pop up in the budget,” adding, “But I can assure you that there is interest in Point Roberts.”

Addressing the long-standing issue of the local marina, Smith said, “We came quite far in discussions with the Point

Primary ...

From page 1

general election.

Presidential primary elections in Washington state require voters to declare an affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican party in order for their primary vote to count. Voters do not have an option to identify as unaffiliated or independent, and their party choice will not affect how they can vote in future elections.

Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips, a Democrat, will appear alongside Biden on the Democratic ballot, while former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley joins Trump as the only two actively campaigning Republican candidates on the ballot.

A number of candidates who announced the suspension of their campaigns after Washington state submission deadlines will also be on the primary ballots.

Democrat candidate Marianne Williamson, and Republicans Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy will appear on the primary ballot, despite all dropping out of the race in recent weeks.

Ballots can be returned as soon as they are received, and will be accepted by mail or in official ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. March 12. Stamps are not needed to mail a ballot, but must be postmarked by March 12 at the latest.

A ballot box has been set up at the Marketplace for Point Roberts residents.

People may register to vote by 8 p.m. Election Day. Whatcom County residents who would like to register to vote or update their voter registration may do so online, at votewa.gov, by Monday, March 4. Starting Tuesday, March 5, people must visit the auditor’s office to register to vote or update their information. Voters should have received a ballot by Tuesday, February 27 at the latest, according to the auditor’s office. Registered voters who didn’t receive a ballot should contact the auditor’s office. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office can be contacted at 360/778-5102, elections@ co.whatcom.wa.us or by visiting the auditor’s office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, Bellingham.

Roberts Marina a couple of years ago. We were getting ready to sign non-disclosure agreements, business, and property records, that sort of thing but then the owners of the marina decided that it was not for sale. So, we have to respect that. We’re not an organization that will take property from anyone.”

Never Say Never

“Yeah, so we watch, and we wait,” Smith continued. “If the marina ever did come up for sale, a couple of things would have to happen. There’d have to be an offer. I would have to come up with a price that would be acceptable to the current owners. I would then have to come up with a plan that would rejuvenate the infrastructure and pay for the asset in the first place. We would then have to convince the three commissioners. The cost to buy the marina could be $20 million, the cost to fix the infrastructure could equal that. But until it’s actually for sale, we just have to wait for the moment,” he said.

Smith discussed the difficulties of operating marinas in this day and age.

“Running a marina of the scale of Squalicum Harbor and Blaine is actually a lot more complicated than it used to be. The environmental stewardship, the long-term maintenance of docks and piers, the permissions required to renew things are quite complex now. All of that needs to be financed. I think Point Roberts Marina would be an ideal publicly owned asset. Until that happens, we will be as helpful as we can be to the marina,” Smith concluded.

Smith also addressed another longtime concern of Point Roberts residents – the missing boat dock at Lighthouse Marine Park. “In the meantime, we have been trying to find some ways to kind of get started and find ways that the county and the port can start to make a bigger impact here,” he said. Smith told the group that he had had conversations regarding an all-weather boat launch at the marina with county parks director Bennett Knox who had discussed it with county executive Satpal Sidhu while he personally had discussed it with port executive director Rob Fix.

The issue, he said, is the port can’t spend money to improve a privately owned facility as that would be considered a gift of public money. However, he added that marina management had expressed support for a boat launch and the port could help by offering engineering expertise.

Taxpayer association president Mark Robbins asked if the port would have any interest in buying the airport and upgrading it. There probably is no interest in acquiring it, Smith replied.

Following Smith’s remarks, the port’s economic development project manager Gina Stark discussed what her department could do to assist Point Roberts increase its economic vitality.

LocaL StatS ...

Fire Incidents for January 2024

Total calls (42); EMS calls (5), resulting in the following transports: Saint Josephs Hospital (1); Fire classification (17) resulting in Outdoor burns – permit (1), false alarm (3), power lines down (2), Gas leak (5), wrong address (1), water problem (5); EMS CARES/MIHC (10); public service (10).

Health clinic numbers for January 2024 (2023 figures following)

Total 153 (144); office visit 78 (96); labs 19 (17); PT/INR 2 (4); telemedicine visit 33 (15); Physical exams 2 (3); skin clinic 6 (5); B12 and flu shots 13 (4).

s Elliott Smith, speaking on Zoom.

The Editor and All Point Bulletin staff:

While it is a small amount to support local journalism, we so appreciate that you provide a paper publication.

For those of us who are not computer savvy and those of us who like holding a newspaper (or book) in our hands, a big thank you.

We have had Drewhenge since 1992 and love this community. Cheers!

Jay and Janet Drew Point Roberts

The Editor:

Thank you for your participation in the electoral process during the February special election.

The latest voting results show voters are approving Blaine school district’s replacement EP&O levy with a 58 percent “yes” vote. We are humbled and very grateful for our community’s local commitment to education and for helping us to ensure educational excellence for all learners.

The four-year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy will continue to fund programs, services, and staff that are unfunded or underfunded by the state, including staff compensation, expanded curriculum, extracurricular activities, transportation, food service, utilities, technology updates and more.

Although our capital bond measure will not meet the “supermajority” needed to pass, we appreciate the support shown by a majority of local voters, with a 54.8 percent approval vote. We will begin work to reevaluate the bond proposal in hopes of increasing voter support and reaching supermajority in the near future. If you are interested in being involved in this or any of our other projects, please email me at cgranger@blainesd.org

Our school district will continue to be excellent stewards of our community’s funds now and in the future. On behalf of all of us at Blaine school district, we thank you for your trust in our school system.

It is a pleasure to serve as your superintendent, and there is a lot to be happy and proud about in the Blaine school district. We have a tremendous staff who care deeply for the students and families of our community. We will continue to work hard every day to provide the best for everyone. I hope you will join me in

appreciation of our students, staff, families and community.

Thank you Blaine, Point Roberts and Birch Bay for your continued support in making our community a great place to live, go to school and work. It is a great night to be a Borderite, and, as always, a great night to be your superintendent.

Christopher Granger

Blaine

The Editor:

Recently, I became yet another victim of a very clever, sophisticated scam operation. It ended in the unretrievable loss of a sizable sum of money from my bank account.

It all began when I went on my iPad to look up a business profile. Very shockingly, an urgent message from Apple Support, complete with siren like sounds, filled my screen with a very large “High Security Alert” message. It said repeatedly, “Do not turn off Your iPad, do not ignore or attempt to delete this message. Call Apple Support immediately for help”

My first fatal error was to call the num-

ber supplied on the alert message.

A very comforting voice, Jenny (ID number supplied) from Apple “fraud protection team,” answered. She informed me that indeed my phone had been hacked and that the hackers had been in my phone listening to my calls for two days!

Most egregious of all was that she noted two pending payments to a child pornography site in China that the hackers had authorized through my phone at 4:30 a.m., while I was asleep and on silent mode.

She comforted my now extreme state of alarm and assured me that she would help me, “Get rid of the hackers.” She then said she needed to see what personal financial information might have been “compromised.” She asked for a list of my banks and credit cards — note, at this point she hadn’t asked for any ID numbers. I gave her my bank’s name. She connected with their security department. Identified herself and informed “Ethan” (ID number supplied) about was going on.

He assured me that he would lead me through a process that would ensure that these payments for the disgusting business of child pornography would not go through but said, “We have to work fast as the payments are scheduled to complete at 3:20 p.m.” I am now on a rant about the

(See Letters, page 5)

s Too young to vote, local Point Roberts Primary School students expressed their appreciation to those old enough to support the recent school district maintenance and operations levy.

Chief’s leave to extend to end of March

Fire chief Christopher Carleton told commissioners at their regular monthly meeting February 14 that a Request for Bids (RFB) had been issued for the purchase of a ‘Welcome Home’ van that would be used to transport Point Roberts residents home from medical visits on the mainland.

Carleton said he expected the winning bid before the end of February and that the bids were being managed by district attorney Brian Snure. Once a vehicle is procured, he said, he would be seeking drivers and reaching out to the Circle of Care group for a possible collaboration. Any drivers chosen would need to complete the district’s internal driving instruction course.

The chief provided an update on his January surgery and recovery from prostate cancer and noted that he would like-

Letters ...

From page 4

me, comfort and reassure me for hours.

The afternoon was spent driving back and forth across borders, to banks, currency exchange places (Money needed to be converted to CD) and ultimately to a Bitcoin machine in White Rock, where I deposited my cash to buy Bitcoin/, ostensibly to create a payment authorization directed to my bank, where I could choose to say no to this transaction. (Just press 3) thereby negating the previous payment for the porn site as well. This sad stupid saga goes on for a bit,

ly remain on sick leave until the end of March. He offered his thanks to assistant chief John Shields and the rest of the department for their contributions during his absence.

In other district news, district financial officer Patty Markel reminded the commissioners that when the 2024 budget was prepared, the proposed rental increase to the hospital clinic was set at 5 percent without yet having the actual Consumer Price Index (CPI) amount at that time.

Markel said the actual CPI is 4.4 percent and noted that if the board chose to increase the rent by the same percentage, it would result in an annual increase of $826 over 2023’s rent, which would total $19,604 in annual rental income from the clinic.

The board agreed unanimously to increase the rent by the 4.4 percent.

but the down and dirty is that I was well and truly scammed and the money is gone for good. Such a waste.

Some of you reading this article, will notice the many mistakes I made and wonder how I could have been so thoroughly duped.

Some of you will think it couldn’t happen to you. You are too alert and knowledgeable.

Some of you will sympathize, realizing it could have been you.

Some of you will tell of known “others” and their scam close calls or worse hits.

Some of you will come out of your scam victim closet to tell of your own embarrassment and shame at being considered stupid, ignorant, careless etc.

I choose to share this in the hopes that others can learn from my experience.

Isobel Brophy Point Roberts

in the Garden

B y r hia NN o N a lle N

March can be a busy time in the garden, but it’s mostly happy productive time. The first thing for Point Roberts gardeners to do will be to take stock of their gardens.

We experienced an unprecedented long freeze, ample snow and several windstorms over the course of the winter. So now it is time to take a walk around the garden to see if there is any damage that needs attention.

I had one tree come down, a few damaged tree and shrub limbs to saw off, and a lot of storm debris to move off paths and planting beds. It’s likely that other gardeners will find similar damage.

Not everything looks alive yet, but it is time to take knowledge of plant timelines out into the garden to see how everyone is doing. I am familiar with which plants in my garden are slow awakeners and which

one are early spring awakeners. If you are unsure of a woody plant’s yearly cycle, you can examine the plant carefully for buds.

With many, you can use a thumbnail to scratch the bark. If green shows, the plant is still just slumbering.

Sadly, my Brachylottis (a New Zealand native formerly labelled Senecio) greyi looks dead, dead, dead. This handsome sprawling zone 8 shrub I planted in 2010 is hardy down to 20 degrees F., but our temperature dropped below that point for not just one, but several days. The last of the Garden Club’s Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ on Tyee Drive with the same hardiness rating has also succumbed. Hopefully, you won’t have lost too many favorites in your own garden when you do your March walk around.

I will start garden cleanup this month as

well, although this can be done at a leisurely pace. Gradually, the form of the garden will emerge as old flowers are cut and composted, and tired foliage trimmed.

By the end of the month, a tidier garden structure will have emerged and I can plant new acquisitions such as those I bought via the Garden Club’s group order from the Whatcom Conservation District native plant sale. Planting all but the most tender of plants now will take advantage of spring rains to help the plants settle in and spread their roots.

Seeds like grass, micro-clover and most wildflower mixes can similarly be sown to take advantage of natural rainfall. Even a few vegetables like kale, peas, and radishes can be sown directly into the vegetable garden should our temperatures remain seasonable, and the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees F.

March is also an ideal time for starting seeds indoors or in another protected environment like a greenhouse. There will be another Point Roberts Seed Share event this month, so watch for an announcement. Seed shares are a great way to pass on last year’s unneeded seeds, pick up some seed varieties that others are passing along, or simply talk to fellow gardeners.

Most flower seeds can be started indoors now, as can many vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce and peppers. Why not start some extra to donate to the Garden Club’s May plant and garden sale? Need seed starting equipment like trays and lights? West Coast Seeds has moved its retail operation to its main site at 5300 34B Avenue, just off Arthur Drive in Ladner.

They have a great selection of seed starting equipment, and you can pick up a copy of their 2024 Growing Guide while you are there.

If you want to buy seeds there, make sure that you let the cashier know that you are taking the seeds to Point Roberts and they will provide you with an import sticker for seeds that have been awarded pre-clearance for entry into the United States.

If you have a lawn, March is the best time to revitalize it by aerating, fertilizing and reseeding. For reseeding, many people here are experimenting with micro-clover, which remains green throughout the summer and can be mowed to the height of lawn grass. Micro-clover is a win-win for pollinators and soil health. The only reason to not use it as a replacement or supplement for grass is that the flowers attract bees. I think that is great, but people with allergies or small children might think otherwise. Micro-clover seeds are available online from Territorial Seeds and American Meadows.

If you are looking for conversation and information not only seed related, nurseries and garden clubs are awaking from their winter slumber.

Our own Point Roberts Garden Club meets on the last Tuesday of growing months. The South Delta Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Ladybug Nursery will soon reopen. And, lastly, you can start planning your trip to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Yes, March is a busy time for gardeners, but it is so exciting and so much fun.

Water board approves salary hikes

Water board commissioners unanimously approved increasing newly appointed district manager Wesley Hubbard’s salary at their February 13 regular district meeting. His salary will increase nearly $18,000 annually as it goes from $28.50 to $37.00 an hour. Mitchell Nevi was promoted to assistant manager after the position was vacated by Hubbard’s promotion; his salary was increased to $28.50.

The board also discussed plans to hire another outside employee in the near future. “I am planning on posting the position in the next month or two,” Hubbard said later.

“The district is way too busy for just

two operational employees, even for three. We need at least three people to provide redundancy in case someone is out sick,” he added.

The district is close to approving its comprehensive plan update, a process that has been underway since 2022 and is expected to cost $186,000 when all is said and done. Hubbard said he will be reviewing it in the beginning of March after which it will be sent to the state department of health for review and approval. With approval in hand, Hubbard expects to conduct a rate review later this year in anticipation of expected capital facility improvements.

Hubbard is also reviewing the 2024 budget’s income and expense projections.

Easter is now celebrated by the Church as a Christian holiday in most parts of the world, but it began as an ancient pagan holiday celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. This pagan festival celebrated fertility, renewal and new life. It praised the pagan goddess of spring, known as Ostara, Eastre or Eostre. Hence, the name Easter evolved from her name over time.

Easter began to be celebrated as Christian festival early in the common era and by mid-second century it was an established festival. It was not uncommon for Christians to connect their celebrations to those already well established. The Jewish Passover and the pagan Spring Equinox celebration seemed to fall at an appropriate time to Christians. Their beliefs that Jesus died, was raised from the dead (during the week of Passover in about 33 C.E.) and that his being raised gave hope of new and continuing life to believers made this the perfect time of year to celebrate.

This year Easter comes in March. Why?

Well, according to Wikipedia, Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons). Instead, the date for Easter is determined on a lunisolar calendar, which is similar to the Hebrew calendar.

The First Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) established two rules, independence of the Jewish calendar and worldwide uniformi-

ty, which were the only rules for Easter explicitly laid down by the council. No details for the computation were specified; these were worked out in practice, a process that took centuries and generated a number of controversies. In particular, the council did not decree that Easter must fall on Sunday, but this was already the practice almost everywhere. In western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, within about seven days after the full moon.

This year, Trinity Church here in Point Roberts will be celebrating Palm Sunday on Sunday, March 24. It is an excellent time to come and hear the story of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, and of the Jewish people, who believing their messiah – their new king and savior – had come, began waving palms branches and crying, “Hosanna, in the highest.” But something went horribly wrong.

What happened between that joyous parade and the execution? Believe it or not, it is a story everyone should hear at least once in their life.

The following Sunday, March 31, Trinity Church will celebrate the Christian festival of Easter. We will celebrate our belief that Jesus’ death and resurrection offers all people new life – no matter what they have done or left undone.

Please join us on one or both Sundays, March 24 and 31, at 11 a.m., at Trinity Church, 1880 APA Road. All are welcome! Blessed Easter to all.

Question of the Month: What’s your favorite thing to grow?

B y e ri N k elly

s Victoria Smith:

“I love to grow dwarf tomato plants. They grow full sized tomatoes but are bred not to get tall. They start producing sooner and continue growing throughout the season. Last year I planted 48 plants and still have 200 lbs left in the freezer.”

s Sian Morgan:

“Sweet peas, dahlias and apples for the pleasure of what they produce! I’m also a huge fan of hellebores and bulbs of all descriptions because of the joy they bring during the gray days of late winter and early spring. I love sweet peas, and particularly Spencer lines, because of their flower size, long stems and unique strong/subtle fragrance. Sweet peas are a cut and come again crop, like dahlias, so the more you harvest, the more you get and the longer they bloom.”

s Rose Momsen:

“The order of planting now is spinach, snap peas, sweet peas, potatoes and indoor starts for tomatoes, onions, and back-up snap peas. My favorite thing to grow would be Kale, and in our climate, you plant them anytime and anywhere. They practically grow themselves. Anything wintered over or planted before the solstice is just going to go to seed, which helps the birds, or gives you unending kale in your garden.

History in the unmaking

H

Did you know we can supply?

• Composite decking

• Hardie siding

• Cedar decking and siding

• Aluminum railing

• Metal roofing

• Insulation

• Moulding

• Paving stones

• Fence panels and posts

Bring your questions to the Help Desk!

In the realm of healthcare decision-making, clarity and foresight are invaluable. This is where an Advance Care Directive (ACD) comes into play, serving as a crucial document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment and care if you are unable to communicate your wishes.

Circle of Care’s executive director Annelle Norman has been conducting ACD workshops several times a year since 2019, including holding them online via Zoom during the pandemic.

The next session will be held on Tuesday, March 19, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Point Roberts Library. The workshop is free and attendance is limited to 10 people. If you’d like to attend, please reserve your place by emailing prcircleofcare@gmail.com.

While contemplating end-of-life scenarios can be challenging, the benefits of completing an Advance Care Directive are substantial and far-reaching.

Empowerment and autonomy:

An ACD empowers you to assert control over your medical care, even in situations where you are incapacitated. By expressing your healthcare preferences in advance, you ensure that your wishes are respected and followed, providing a sense of autonomy and peace of mind.

Alignment of care with personal values:

Completing an ACD allows you to align your medical care with your personal values, beliefs and preferences. Whether it involves decisions about life-sustaining treatments, pain management, or end-oflife care, an ACD ensures that healthcare interventions are consistent with your deeply held convictions.

Reduction of family stress and conflict:

In times of medical crisis, family members often face the burden of making difficult decisions on behalf of their loved ones. An ACD can alleviate this burden by clearly articulating your healthcare preferences, thereby reducing stress and potential conflicts among family members.

Preservation of dignity and quality of life:

One of the primary benefits of an ACD

is the preservation of dignity and quality of life. By outlining preferences for endof-life care, you can avoid interventions that may prolong suffering unnecessarily, enabling you to maintain your dignity and experience a peaceful transition.

Enhanced communication with healthcare providers:

Completing an ACD fosters communication between you and your healthcare providers. By documenting your wishes in advance, you provide valuable guidance to healthcare professionals, ensuring that medical interventions are aligned with your preferences and goals of care.

Legal protection and clarity:

An ACD provides legal protection by formalizing your healthcare preferences in a legally binding document. This clarity helps to prevent misunderstandings and disputes among your family members and healthcare providers, ensuring that your wishes are honored without ambiguity.

Adaptability to changing circumstances:

While completing an ACD is essential, it is also a dynamic process that should be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changing circumstances and healthcare preferences.

This adaptability ensures that the document remains relevant and effective over time, accommodating shifts in health status or personal values. You may have completed an ACD some time ago and it might be a good time to re-evaluate how clearly it reflects your current thoughts and feelings.

In conclusion, completing an Advance Care Directive offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond the realm of medical decision-making. By empowering individuals to assert control over their healthcare, aligning care with personal values and reducing stress for loved ones, an ACD serves as a vital tool for promoting dignity, autonomy and peace of mind in times of medical crisis.

If you’d like to attend, please reserve your place by emailing prcircleofcare@ gmail.com.

s Bad weather and time have conspired against a relic of history as the the old barn on the Julius homestead collapsed during recent high winds.

Photo by Pat Grubb

Photo by Stephen Fowler

s After being towed into the marina following mechanical issues in early February, the Anne Moggin sank at the guest dock. Photo by Louise Mugar

s

room-only group of over 70 people crowded into the marina clubhouse to get an update from Martha Bray and other staff on the current state of the marina and the plans to bring it back to its former glory. Tamra Hansen, not pictured, said she planned to re-open The Pier restaurant offering bistro fare at the end of April.

Photo by Pat Grubb

Wes Hubbard ready to go

The Point Roberts water district recently underwent a change in leadership, with Wesley Hubbard taking over as the new manager following the retirement of former manager Dan Bourks last month. Hubbard, who has been part of the water district team since 2021, previously served as the assistant manager.

A Point Roberts native from one of the original Icelandic families that settled in the area, Hubbard expressed his deep connection to the community, stating, “I never felt at home anywhere but Point Roberts.” Having graduated as one of three valedictorians from Blaine High School in 2003, Hubbard is married to another descendant of the original Icelandic settlers, Heather Magnusson, and the couple are proud parents to a two-year-old daughter.

With a degree in math and physics, Hubbard brings a valuable educational background to his role. Prior to joining the water district, he worked on computer modeling for airport passenger flow and gained experience in construction and water main installation while employed by an excavation contractor.

As the new manager, Hubbard is committed to maintaining the functionality of the water system and implementing necessary improvements. He finds satisfaction in the variety of daily tasks, which range from office work to equipment maintenance and water quality monitoring. Currently, the district is finalizing a comprehensive plan, focusing on operational and capital improvements.

One of the major challenges faced by the district is the presence of aging pipes, and the comprehensive plan will play a role in securing funding for their replacement.

Hubbard explained, “We have a water system that works pretty well, but we have aging pipes. That is something that we will need to work on replacing.” The district plans to replace the pipes in sections, having already addressed some sections on Roosevelt, Province, and Cliff roads. Given that most of the system dates back to the 60s and 70s, this process is anticipated to span over a 10-year period.

The Point Roberts water district operates with a small crew, including Kelli Wallace at the front desk and Mitchell Nevi working alongside Hubbard. With their new manager in place, the district looks forward to tackling challenges and ensuring a sustainable water future for the community.

New RN joins health clinic staff

The Point Roberts Clinic has appointed a new registered nurse to their team. Sara Viant, who began working part-time at the clinic in October, has been a valuable asset, providing her services on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Originally from California, Viant arrived on the Point in September, drawn by the prospect of residing near her Australian husband as he awaited his U.S. visa. Despite his successful visa acquisition, Sara and her husband were so captivated by the rural charm and accessibility to Vancouver and YVR that they decided to make Point Roberts their permanent home.

Viant went to nursing school in California and brings with her eight years of diverse nursing experience. She has worked across various specialties including pediatrics, postpartum care, remote healthcare, and gained most of her experience in the emergency room. Viant enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of the clinic, the kindness of her patients and being able to walk or bike to work.

Outside of her clinic duties, Viant dedicates her time to renovating her first home with her husband and caring for their oneand-a-half-year-old son. “I feel like Point Roberts fits my place in life right now,” Viant said. She enjoys the diversity and natural beauty of Point Roberts, often exploring its trails and beaches.

Viant joins a dedicated team at the clinic, including another part-time RN, Cheryl Kirton, and collaborates with Dr. Sean Bozorgzadeh on Tuesdays, primarily focusing on injections, point-of-care testing and lab procedures. Other care providers at the clinic include Dr. Mae Lary and Dr. Kelly Evans, supported by medical assistants Deanna Perkins and Olivia Hughes.

Deanna Perkins has lived in Point Roberts since 2006. She is originally from Montana and moved to the Point because

she wanted to raise her family in a small community. She finished her medical science course in 2012 and was happy to be hired as a medical assistant a year ago. She can be found five days a week at the front desk checking in patients and taking care of paperwork. She formerly delivered mail in Point Roberts and runs a cleaning business. When not at the clinic, she keeps busy with her kids and grandkids.

Olivia Hughes was hired as a part-time medical assistant at the clinic a year ago. Originally from Germany, she moved to Point Roberts nine years ago because she had family ties on the Point. She loves the Point’s proximity to British Columbia.

Hughes usually works in the third office taking phone calls and dealing with administrative tasks. She also takes patients’ vitals when they arrive for an appointment. Beyond work, Olivia enjoys spending time with friends, her feline companions, indulging in creative pursuits, and immersing herself in nature.

The clinic is located on Benson Road next to the firehall and is open five days a week.

s Wes Hubbard.

Photo by Erin Kelly

s Sara Viant.

Photo by Erin Kelly

s A good place to watch the waves go by on a windy day.. Photo

Coming up ...

Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events

The Commons: Saturday, March 2, from noon-2:30 p.m., in the back room of the community center. We have free used books and are always open for conversation. Come by and check us out.

Point Roberts Percussion and Kazoo Band Meeting: Saturday, March 2, 3 p.m., community center. Bring your friends.

Let’s march!

PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, March 4, 7 p.m., via Zoom.

PR Beekeepers Association: Monday, March 4, 7–8:30 p.m., community center. Info: thelittlegoldenharp@gmail.com.

PREP Potluck: Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m., Trinity Church. In place of regular March meeting.

Women in Art: Friday, March 8, community center. Calling all women artists! Bring your work to the community center on March 6 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Works will be hung subject to space and number of works submitted. Info: prseniors@ whidey.com.

PR Park and Recreation: Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.

Friends of the Point Roberts Library meeting: Tuesday, March 12, 3 p.m., library meeting room. Info: foprl1@gmail.com.

PR Water district: Tuesday, March 12, 5 p.m., Water District offices on Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.

PR Fire District: Wednesday, March 13, 4 p.m., fire hall and via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com.

PR Hospital District: Wednesday, March 13, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com.

PR Taxpayers Association: Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m., by Zoom. Info: PRTA@pointroberts.net. Link: bit.ly/3OBb1rn.

LOL 101 - Jokes for Kids: Saturday, March 16, 2-3 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They’d crack each other up! Come to the Point Roberts Library to learn how to write hilarious jokes, and how to tell them with side-splitting style. We’ll dig into the elements of what makes a good joke, figure out how to milk them for big laughs, and finish with a comedy club open mic. Come to practice or just guffaw.

Advanced Care Directive workshop: Tuesday, March 19, 2-5 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Facilitated by Circle of Care director Annelle Norman. In addition to the Washington State-approved, Peace Health advance care document, we will also discuss a dementia care directive and provide information on the various funeral homes that service Point Roberts. Please secure your seat by emailing prcircleofcare@gmail.com.

Historical Society: Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m., in the History Center.

PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m., community center and via Zoom. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com. Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3.

Circle of Care AGM: Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m. at the fire hall.

PR Cemetery District: Monday, March 25, 5 p.m., community center.

PR Garden Club: Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m., community center. Bring Your Garden Into Your Home: Resources to Help You Transform Your Flowers and Foliage Into Something Beautiful.

Your Local Small Market: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., community center. Come out and shop locally!

PREP Chili Cook-off: Saturday, March 30, noon to 2 p.m., Kiniski’s Reef, 1334 Gulf Road. Sign up by Wednesday, March 27 to sara.oggel@icloud.com. Prizes for first, second and third place. Event tickets: $10. This fundraiser benefits Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP), a registered charity dedicated to informing and educating the Point Roberts community to be ready for emergencies and disasters.

Septic System Homeowners Training: Saturday, May 11 and August 17, 10 a.m. to noon. Registration open now. Free class. Link: bit.ly/WCHDHomeownerTraining2023.

Ongoing Events and Hours

Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars Open Enrollment: Through Wednesday, May 15. Acknowledgement deadline is Sunday, June 30. Students must complete an online profile at pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org.

Sound off meeting: Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m., community center. This meeting is for interested speakers to sound off on any issue of concern has long bothered him or her to whomever has assembled in the Rec/Pool room of the community center. Time limit is 10 minutes, following which the audience can provide feedback. More than one speaker may talk depending on complaints and duration of feedback from those attending.

Craft and Game Night: Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Bring a craft to work on or a board game to play.

Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m., coffee to follow at 9 a.m., Thursdays at the community center, Saturdays at Lily Point. Tuesdays location varies and can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com.

PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the Gulf Road Community Center. Info: prfoodbank.org.

Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays through May 15, 10:30-11 a.m., Point Roberts Library.

Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays, dine-in or park and come inside the community center to pick up your lunches available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., PR community center. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@ whidbey.com or 360/945-5424.

Basic Tai Chi for seniors: Fridays at 10:30 a.m., community center. With Shirley Cannon. No registration required. Wear comfortable clothing.

History Center: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., community center.

PR Library Hours: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Library express hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.

Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary Care: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., appointment needed. Urgent Care can be accessed through telemedicine or at the clinic Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Always call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services.

by Pat Grubb

Sports – Three Blaine wrestlers finish

Boys Wrestling

The Blaine boys wrestling program didn’t come away with the state championship it wanted, but still saw fantastic efforts from the eight boys it sent to Mat Classic XXXV on February 16 and 17 at the Tacoma Dome.

The Borderites finished with a team score of 42.0, placing 11th in a stacked 1A field, right behind 10th place Northwest Conference rival Mount Baker.

Senior Victor Gervol earned third place in his final day of high school wrestling, capping off a stellar career with his third consecutive podium finish at the state tournament.

Gervol, who was battling an injured AC joint in his left shoulder throughout the postseason according to head coach Tom Hinz, won his first match by a 4-1 decision, lost his quarterfinal match, then won his final two to earn a third place podium finish. Gervol began wrestling his sophomore year, and earned a top-three state finish in his 285-pound, 1A division all three years.

The end of his senior year postseason was bittersweet for Gervol, who entered the state tournament with a 36-1 record and district and regional championships under his belt. But Hinz knows this is just the beginning for Gervol’s career, as the young wrestler is now slated to play collegiately at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

“This isn’t the end of the story,” Hinz said. “This is just where he placed his senior year. He battled and he’s happy where he got … third place is something to be super proud of.”

Fellow senior Cal Fitzgerald also made it to the second day of wrestling, finishing 4th in the 144-pound weight class. Fitzgerald won his first four matches of the Mat Classic before finally falling to third place finisher Jessie Garcia of Omak. Blaine heavyweight junior Otto Shelton also had a great postseason cut short, running into eventual state champion Anthony Nava of Toppenish in his second round, unable to make day two of the tournament.

The Borderites cut its teeth with a tough regular season schedule, going up against higher-classification 2A teams all season long, and wrestling against tough 1A opponents like Mount Baker and state 12thplace finishers Cascade Christian multiple times throughout the year. Hinz said that constant, high level of competition, combined with sending so many wrestlers to the high-pressure environment of the Mat Classic this postseason puts his team in a great position to get even better.

“For our younger guys, it’s really hard to go down there no matter if you’ve seen if before or not – to actually wrestle under the pressure of it all,” Hinz said of the Tacoma Dome environment. “The fact that we have five guys returning that are state participants I think is huge.”

The eleven seniors departing will certainly be hard to replace, but Hinz said the team culture is where it needs to be to continue at this high standard.

“I think we have a really good team that’s returning,” Hinz said. “I’m definitely going to miss the senior class, but what we’re refilling with is a bunch of really good kids and a really good atmosphere and family feel in the locker room.”

Girls Wrestling

The Blaine girls wrestling squad sent

Mat Classic XXXV

three wrestlers, Lucy Dahl, Makenna Lausier and Claire Hume, to the Mat Classic XXXV at the Tacoma Dome on February 16, with the senior captain Dahl leading the charge with a stellar fifth-place finish in the 145-pound, 1B/2B/1A/2A division.

Dahl was given an extremely tough road through her tournament bracket, facing eventual state champion Makayla Torres of Toppenish in just her second round. Torres, who was originally classified in the 155-pound division but dropped down, and Dahl should have been the first place match, according to Blaine head coach Damon Higgins, but massive tournaments like the Mat Classic often don’t work out that way.

“[Torres] is a formidable opponent, and the two of them clashed,” Higgins said of the semifinal bout. “It was like two rams when they rear up and slam their heads together. When they collided, that image is stuck in my mind, just two giant titans slamming together.”

Facing the toughest opponent in the 145-pound bracket, Dahl made a critical mistake and allowed Torres to counter a half chokehold, losing control and getting pinned by the eventual state champion in under a minute.

Dahl lost her next match, then

recovered – “back to the old Lucy,” as Higgins put it – to win her final, fifth-place match via pin, earning Blaine’s only 15.0 team points. Hume did not compete due to her alternate status, and Lausier lost twice on the first day of the tournament.

Higgins said that while the pressure of a massive state tournament under the bright lights of the Tacoma Dome can always be a psychological challenge for young athletes to overcome, it’s also a massive learning opportunity.

“The pressure of the Mat Classic for a brand new wrestler that has never been there before is daunting,” Higgins said. “Every sense that you have is on fire. From the noise to the visual sights to the feel of it, if you are not prepared for state and your coach hasn’t done something to prepare you for state, it’s a huge task.”

(See Wrestling, next page)

Photo by Genesis Vasquez

Wrestling ...

From page 12

Higgins went on to say that while the bright lights can be a distraction for some, that wasn’t the problem for team captain Dahl. She simply ran into the toughest girl in the entire bracket.

“I don’t want to take a single thing away from [second place finisher Kaylie Baker of South Whidbey] because she got there,” Higgins said. “We saw the true finals early.”

Who makes the best chili on the Point?

Point Roberts Emergency Preparedness (PREP) is holding their annual chili cookoff fundraiser on Saturday, March 30. The event will take place at Kiniski’s Reef Tavern from noon to 2 p.m. PREP is a registered charity dedicated to informing and educating the Point Roberts community about emergency and disaster preparedness.

There are 17 spots for chili-making contestants, so sign up early to reserve your place in the competition. Contestants will see how their chili stacks up against the best of the Point, with prizes for first, second and third place chilis. Prizes include gift certificates for a photo shoot, a pet portrait (valued at $200) and more.

Contestants need to sign up by Wednesday, March 27 by emailing sara.oggel@ icloud.com. On the day of the cookoff, contestants will need to bring five to eight quarts of chili in their own crock pot or warming plate. Set up is from 11 to 11:30 a.m., and contestants eat free at the event.

General admission tickets for the event are $10 USD. Don’t miss your chance to support PREP and chow down on the Point’s best chili offerings.

s Jo-Anne Marie Melland

Jo-Anne Marie (Clarke) Melland

May 13, 1959 - January 1, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Jo-Anne Marie Melland, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, who departed from this world on January 1, 2024, in Point Roberts, Washington. JoAnne was known for her vibrant spirit, infectious laughter, and her loyalty to those that she cared about the most.

Born on May 13, 1959, in Edmonton, Alberta, Jo-Anne was a free spirit who lived life on her own terms. She was known for her mischievous sense of humor, which endeared her to all who knew her. Jo-Anne has spent a lifetime full of adventure and has made home in many cities across both the United States and Canada. She spent her last several years in the community of Point Roberts, where she has woven many close friends and relationships.

In honoring Jo-Anne, let us celebrate the joy she brought into our lives and the love she shared with all who knew her. May her spirit continue to live on in our hearts, inspiring us to embrace life with the same enthusiasm and passion that she did.

.21 acres land.

1-story house with 2,117 SF, 1,715 SF basement, 4 BD, 4 BA, 658 SF built-in garage, 288 SF detached garage, 326 SF deck, 192 SF patio, built in 2009; marine and territorial view, .18 acres land.

Description: 2-story house with 5,366 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 506 and 922 attached garage, 605 and 320 deck, 614 and 120 storage, built in 2002, remodel in 2017, waterfront; marine view, .74 acres land.

2-story house with 2,867 SF, 3 BD, 2 BA, 160 SF balcony, 382 SF built-in garage with studio above, 1,341 SF deck and 322 SF patio, built in 1984, 60 feet waterfront; marine view, .19 acres land.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

Restaurant with 2,348 SF, 10 parking spaces, built in 1960, remodel 1992, .10 acres land.

Warehouse/storage/office with 27,900 SF, 2,400 SF storage mezzanine, office, 504 SF loading dock, built in 1994, 1.25 acres land.

LAND:

27.13 acres industrial land.

3 lots residential land.

6 lots residential land.

6 lots residential land.

9.50 acres wooded residential land.

39.10 acres forest land.

.22 acres residential lot, waterfront; marine and territorial view.

Residential lot, waterfront; marine view.

5411 Lonicera

5419

8602 Great

5764 Nakat Way, Blaine

1541

1645 Edwards Drive, Point Roberts 1700 Peace

1855

Sheriff’S report

February 1, 10:48 a.m.: Serve papers on Peltier Drive.

February 1, 10:52 a.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Bay Road.

February 1, 10:57 a.m.: Assist

citizen cold call on Burns Way.

February 1, 11:07 a.m.: Assist agency cold call on Simundson

Drive.

February 2, 12:17 p.m.: Traffic stop on Gulf Road.

February 2, 12:36 p.m.: Theft cold call on Bear Trap Road.

February 2, 5:38 p.m.: Serve papers on Peltier

Drive.

February 2, 6:05 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Gulf Road.

February 3, 11:36 a.m.: Security check cold call on McLaren Road.

February 3, 1:15 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Marine Drive.

February 3, 4:48 p.m.: Serve papers on Peltier

Drive.

February 3, 6 p.m.: Welfare check on APA Road.

February 4, 8:07 a.m.: Civil stand by on Simundson Drive.

March Tides

February 5, 11:19 a.m.: Security check on Rex Street.

February 6, 8:42 p.m.: Whatcomm record on Benson Road.

February 7, 4:07 a.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Bay Road.

February 7, 2:13 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Elm Street.

February 8, 5:36 p.m.: Death investigation on W Bluff Road.

February 9, 10:12 a.m.: Assist agency on Cedar Street.

February 9, 10:25 p.m.: Assist citizen on Elm Street.

February 10, 4:12 a.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.

February 11, 11:59 p.m.: Watch for on Vista Way.

February 15, 5:20 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Boundary Bay Road.

February 16, 7:18 p.m.: Fireworks on Marine Drive.

February 18, 7:15 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Rex Street.

February 19, 5:34 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on McKenzie Way.

February 19, 10:09 p.m.: Welfare check on Marine Drive.

February 23, 12:30 p.m.: Welfare check on Rex Street.

February 25, 3:41 a.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Bay Road.

February 25, 12:27 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Rex Street.

February 25, 3:10 p.m.: Traffic hazard on McKenzie Way.

February 26, 10:16 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Benson Road.

February 26, 10:34 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Benson Road.

February 26, 10:29 p.m.: Alarm audible on Edwards Drive.

February 26, 11:02 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Boundary Bay Road.

Library pickS

kris lome D i C o

Bestsellers:

Funny Story Emily Henry

Lies & Weddings Kevin Kwan

Crow Talk Eileen Garvin

Wandering Stars Tommy Orange

Movies:

Hypnotic Ben Affleck

Jules Ben Kingsley

The Road Dance Morven Christie

Unforgotten (Series) Nicola Walker

Music:

I/O Peter Gabriel

Chris Botti Vol. 1 Chris Botti

Joni Mitchell at Newport

Joni Mitchell

Rock Star Dolly Parton

Teens:

What the River Knows Isabel Ibanez

Nightshade Revenge

Anthony Horowitz

Check & Mate Ali Hazelwood

Kids:

The Wild Robot Protects Peter Brown

A Guide to the Dragon World

Tui Sutherland

Uncle Jed’s Barbershop

Margaree King Mitchell

Hours: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m.,

Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Express Hours: 6 a.m. to11 p.m. wcls.org

Fax:

If