Fresh Connections – The Parfitt Way Blog

Before the Arson

In 2009 a man named Tod Bol in Hudson Wisconsin came up with an idea to honor his mother, a teacher who loved books.  He built a replica of a school house, mounted it on a pole in front of his house and filled it with books.  Thus, the Little Free Library Project began.  As he watched his neighbors stop by to pick up or drop off a book, he realized that not only did the little libraries have the mission of increasing literacy (a passion of his mother’s) but they also served as very effective community builders.  He talked with his friend Rick Brooks and together they launched an effort to spread the idea.  In the following three years, Little Free Libraries have shown up in just about every state in the USA, plus nearly a dozen other countries – including Pakistan, India, The Republic of Congo and Ghana.  These tiny libraries, found in neighborhoods all over the world, provide books, conversation and connection for people who may have lived within blocks of each other, and never before spoken face to face.  All it takes is a wooden, water-proof box, an initial supply of books and someone to be the steward (usually the creator of the library) to assume responsibility for upkeep. Little Free Libraries can be found in all sorts of neighborhoods; cul-de-sacs, strip malls, schools and community centers. Correctional facilities in Wisconsin and Oregon have launched inmate projects where they build the little libraries and donate them to nearby neighborhoods and schools.  For an interactive world map showing the location of each LFL – click here.

Bol and Brooks have stated that their goal is to out-build Andrew Carnegie – who is responsible for over 2,000 libraries.  And they have had a very good start.  Read about their success and testimonials on their website.

On Bainbridge Island, Little Free Library #892 was installed and filled with books on June 1, 2012.  The Library was located on the Habitat for The Humanities Shepard Path.  Just 5 weeks later, vandals burned it (and the books inside) to ashes.  Creator and Steward Donna Dahlquist was, of course, heartbroken.  As were her neighbors and friends.  She contacted the founders of the project, who immediately sent her a kit to rebuild.  Acts of vandalism against the libraries are just about unheard of.  In the true spirit of putting her values to work in the community, Donna’s first FaceBook posting was:  “To all those saddened by this senseless destruction, I ask you to commit an act of joyful kindness to tip the ‘life is good’ scale back to where it ought to be.”

With the help of the donated kit, roofing supplied by Jennifer Lawrence and books donated by friends and neighbors, the new Little Library was opened on August 13^th.  The Shepard Path location is the same, so stop by, borrow a book, leave a book and get to know a neighbor or two.

After the Arson

Visit Bainbridge Video

Click on the link above to see a few reasons to take the trip to Bainbridge Island. The video was created by KOMO-TV with funds provided by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and the City of Bainbridge Island lodging tax monies.

Enjoy!

Bainbridge Roller Hockey Championship
Saturday July 28, 2013

Games starting at 9 am and continuing until 4:30 pm
Battle Point Park
http://www.bihockey.org/home

The Bainbridge Roller Hockey League is a co-ed recreational league for players ages 7 – 17.  The league is divided into three divisions based on the age of the players.  Teams are created each year with an eye toward balance.  The teams are created based on a skating assessment which takes place in April – before the season begins.  The league was formed in 1995 by a mom who was new to the island.  Her kids had played in their previous location, so she created the opportunity for them to play on Bainbridge.  Currently the league has 150 players, most from Bainbridge – but some coming from Poulsbo, Silverdale and Port Orchard.  All the games take place at the rink at Battle Point Park.

Along with providing lots of fun for the kids, the Bainbridge Roller Hockey league is a great way for the adults to get involved in the community.  According to Dawn Janow, league president, the volunteers have so much fun they have a hard time making room for all who step up.  Along with board positions, adult volunteers also provide refereeing, upkeep of the rink and equipment, score keeping and other jobs.  While most of the volunteers are parents of the players, some of the adults are involved just because it is such a great experience. Adults also have time to get some playing in.  On Friday nights, there is an adult pick-up game for anyone who cares to play.  Many of the Friday night players are alumni of the kids’ teams.

With its very reasonable fees, equipment recycling program and low need for travel, Bainbridge Roller Hockey is dedicated to make the program accessible for all who want to play.  Players of all skill levels are guaranteed play time and the league hosts lots of opportunities to learn and grow in skill.  When asked what message Dawn would like to send her response is:  “Bainbridge Roller Hockey is recreational sport in the truest sense.  Just come play!”

More on Roller Hockey:

Roller hockey is a sport with a lot of variables.  There are two main types of Roller Hockey – quad, played on roller skate with four wheels, and inline, played on the inline skates that became popular in the 1970s. Interesting fact:  inline skate were actually invented in the 1760s beating the invention of 4 wheelers by about 100 years! Roller hockey, of both varieties, is known by many different names, sometimes depending on what part of the world, and the level of play.  Quad roller hockey is known as quad hockey, roll hockey, rink hockey, and hardball hockey. Because the quad skates provide greater maneuverability the play often involves fancy footwork and tight maneuvering.  This can make it similar to football or basketball.  Inline hockey is referred to by the names ball hockey, street hockey, long stick hockey, deck hockey, road hockey and more. Not surprisingly the play is very similar to ice hockey and many NHL players actually train during the summer months by participating in inline hockey leagues.

Roller Hockey is making its way into competitive sports on a national and international level.  The National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association was formed in 1994 and currently has over 200 colleges with teams. Also established in 1994 was the International Roller In-Line Hockey association – which has over 35 national associations on their membership rolls. While Roller Hockey is not an Olympic Sport at the current time, there are international championships held each year.  Quad roller hockey was one of three demonstration sports included in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona – with the United States finishing 7th.  Argentina, Spain and Italy won the gold, silver and bronze.

Virginia V Around The Island Cruise
July 15, 2012 3 – 6 pm

On July 15th you have the opportunity to answer this question and at the same time immerse yourself in history – on the water and on the land.  The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum is holding a fundraiser that promises to be a day full of fun and learning.  The fundraiser takes place on the historic steamship Virginia V and will feature a cruise around the Island, onboard commentary by Dennis Lewarch, Suquamish Tribal Historian, food and a no-host bar.

The Virginia V, which is a 125 ft. steamship, is the last operational craft of the Puget Sound “mosquito fleet”.  The ship was built in 1921 of local old-growth fir.  She replaced the four previous Virginia ships – the first of which was built prior to 1909 and originally named the Virginia Merrill.  The term “mosquito fleet” is often used in a way that sounds like it was an official organization or designation.  However, the term was really more of a catch-phrase used to describe a collection of approximately 2500 vessels of all types, big and small, that served the Puget Sound area from 1857 to 1925 transporting passengers and cargo.  At some point it was remarked that there were so many steamers buzzing around Puget Sound that they looked like a “swarm of mosquitoes”.  As a colloquialism, it is hard to pin point the beginning and the end of the so-called Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet.

By 1925, however, automobile usage had become popular enough that the car ferry was introduced.  And that was the beginning of the fade-out of all of those steamers.  The Virginia V has had a very checkered past in her journey from mosquito fleet to historic tourist attraction.  Since she was built in 1921, on a beach – with no formal plans (by a couple of guys who really didn’t believe in reading the directions first), she has changed owners at least 8 times.  She has survived through numerous restorations, a bankruptcy where she was sold for unpaid debt, and a major collision into the docks during the storm of 1937 (the ship survived – the docks, not so much).  She also had a moment of glory in 1948 when she entered The Great Steamboat Race.  The course ran 5 miles across Puget Sound and Virginia V won by a very small margin.

Any visit to Bainbridge Island should include a stroll around the historic town of Bainbridge Island.  Be sure to check out the museum, where collections include 3500 artifacts and over 4000 photographs depicting life on the Island back to 1854.  Whether you visit on the 15th for the Museum fundraiser, or some other time, Bainbridge Island is a great destination for fun, learning, food and history.

For information or tickets for the Virginia V Around the Island cruise call 206-842-2773 or go to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum website at: http://www.bainbridgehistory.org

Olympic Outdoor Center is offering Stand-Up Paddle Boarding lessons and rentals from the docks in front of the pub. Come check it out 7 days a week.

In 2010, Sunset magazine dubbed Bainbridge Island “The Northwest’s new wine destination”.  Coming up June 22 – 24th you have the opportunity to see for yourself what a truly great destination it is for wine lovers.  Bainbridge Uncorked is the island wine festival which will feature seven island winemakers.  The weekend is packed with tasting, touring and learning.

The festival features 7 artisan winemakers showcasing their handcrafted, award winning wines. The festival opens Friday evening at 5 pm with a tour of historic Winslow with stops in the Downtown Tasting Rooms of Eagle Harbor Wine Company, Eleven, Harbor Square Wine Shop and Island Vintners.  The admission price of $40 buys you wine and appetizers at all four stops.

Saturday & Sunday take a tour of individual wineries.  Hop on your bike, or take your car to experience the wine culture of the island.  The tour includes (tasting fees may apply):

• Amelia Wynn Winery
• Eagle Harbor Winery
• Eleven Winery
• Fletcher Bay Winery
• Perennial Vintners
• Rolling Bay Winery
• Victor Alexander Winery

Saturday afternoon offers an educational treat from Jeff Tweiten, owner of Harbor Square Wine Shop.  In this free class you can learn about the wines of Washington and what makes our area such a great wine destination.

Didn’t make the trip to all of the wineries?  No worries – Saturday night you can enjoy the wines of all 7 wineries in one location.  Central Tasting, from 5 – 8pm is a golden opportunity to taste the wine and great local food, while you meet and chat with the winemakers.  Price:  $50

For more information about the festival, and links to all 7 wineries click here.   For tickets to all events click here.

Looking for a little exercise to round out your weekend?  Located just an hour away is one of the most unique hiking experiences you will find.

photo by Alan Bauer

The Dungeness Spit is the longest natural sand spit in the United States.  It is also home to a multitude of wildlife, including shorebirds, waterfowl, shellfish, and seals.  Extending 5 miles out into the Strait of Juan De Fuca, the spit offers a really long hike or a short stroll on the coast.

June 22 – 24th is definitely the weekend to explore this wonderful area so close to Seattle.

Alongside Harbour Marina

Sound Experience sails the historic schooner Adventuress to educate, inspire, and empower an inclusive community to make a difference for the future of our marine environment

Find out more about Sound Experience at http://www.soundexp.org

If you want to hear some sea shanties tonight and tomorrow night, show up to the Pub and ply the crew with beer.

The Bainbridge Island Historic Preservation Commission presents a program including the announcement of this year’s “Blakely Award” winner. Food and beverages. At the new Art Museum auditorium.

Public Welcome!

Special music Guest “The Weavils”   http://www.theweavils.com/fr_home.cfm

Outside the Pub's Window is a Wintery Landscape

Puff up those feathers and stay warm. Our healthy feathered neighbors act a little less plussed than us about today’s snow and wintery weather. You can always tell when it has snowed, though, as the Robins in particular eat all the berries that may be left on any of the holly trees.  Having grown up in snow country, I’m not used to seeing Robins in the snow as they usually migrated south for the majority of the cold winter. Regardless, just a reminder to relax, take it easy, fluff up your insulation and continue on, I suppose. Ma and Pa Mallard duck, on the other hand, seem content to hide their eyes and sleep the day away.

What's all the fuss?