The Editor:
On behalf of the Blaine Food Bank, I want to extend a huge thanks to The Northern Light for running the matching funds campaign ads. Thanks to your support, and the incredible generosity of our community we have reached our $50,000 matching donation goal much sooner than expected!
We’re excited to share that we’re continuing to fundraise toward our stretch goal of $75,000 – and we’re well on our way.
Your generosity in sharing our message helps us provide essential food and hope to families who need it most. We truly value our partnership with The Northern Light and are so grateful for all that you provide for our community.
Lisa Dobbin
Blaine Food Bank director
Blaine
The Editor:
I am so grateful to be part of a community that cares for and shares with their neighbors. That is why CAP had another very successful Thanksgiving basket distribution. We want to say thank you to the many generous financial and product donors and to the faithful volunteers that make it happen.
We were able to give 220 dinner baskets to families and 145 ready-to-heat meals for singles and couples to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
A special thanks this year to IGA for its deli for preparing the ready-to-heat meals, to Monte’s for preparing 20 hot dinners for local unhoused neighbors, and to The Christian Way Community Church for use of its space. And of course to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue for doing the heavy lifting.
This CAP program is a special tradition for our town. Not only do we join the nation in giving thanks to God for his provision, we assist you in bringing help, dignity and hope to some of your neighbors. We at CAP feel privileged to assist you.
Dan DeMent
CAP board president
Custer
The Editor:
Thank you for publishing your article and Letters to the Editor on the upcoming elections at the Blaine Senior Center (BSC). I have to offer some additional information.
I’m concerned that what was reported misrepresents past good works of three board members who resigned in 2024. Your article describes the meeting in September 2024 that called for a vote to remove Jim West, Christine Yung and Adele Berman from the board. I was at that meeting and it was very one-sided – not a fair discussion of concerns.
I’m currently the secretary of the BSC board of directors. I have organized and reviewed the board minutes from the past decade. Reading them all, I found that, in my opinion, West, Yung and Berman were acting responsibly in raising the concerns they did about the executive director.
While these concerns polarized the board and resulted in resignations and turmoil, I believe it’s wrong to leave the impression that any directors who resigned were not doing their jobs or acting in bad faith. To their credit, Yung and Berman remain active members and volunteers at the senior center. It shows their courage and character.
The strength of the senior center comes from members supporting one another. I hope that when disagreements arise in the future, our members will seek to learn and understand what is happening and not rush to judgment.
Glenn Briskin
Birch Bay
The Editor:
I am constantly amazed at the number of people who do not turn on their vehicle lights at dawn, dusk, and on gray, rainy, foggy days.
Most especially, those with gray or black cars, which blend in with the dark pavement. I can only assume that they are saving their headlights for a better purpose.
Richard Mollette
Custer
