Letters to the Editor: December 5-11

The Editor:

The Pacific Arts Association (PAA) and committee for the Blaine Harbor Music Festival (BHMF) and summer camp, held a fundraiser “Night Market & Luminary Walk.” This was our first time holding this event and we were pleased to have it follow the tree lighting ceremony on November 30. The two events dovetailed nicely together.

We want to give a big shout out to our two sponsors of the event: Jen Freeman and Leah Crews with Windemere, and the IGA Market in Blaine. We appreciate their financial support to help cover the expenses of the event.

The response from the community regarding the Night Market & Luminary Walks was overwhelming! We were able to provide a successful crafts corner for kids, cookie decorating, amazing local crafters, cider and cocoa, food truck offerings, live music, fun luminaries and a beautiful light walk that will grow and be better every year!

We were humbled by the turn out and received such positive feedback from all that attended. Many asked if we would do this again next year. The answer is a resounding yes! We are excited for this to be the first of many more. We appreciate the support of those who attended our event.

We would like to ask the community to help us reach our even goal by the end of this year of $10,000 profit. The net proceeds support the Blaine Harbor Music Festival and summer camp that will be held July 6-12. Donations are key to helping students cover tuition for camp. You can donate by sending a check to PAA, PO Box 434, Blaine, WA 98231, or go to our website at blaineharbormusicfestival.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us via our website.

Our message to our sponsors, the city of Blaine, and the community: We greatly appreciate all of your support! Our board feels so lucky to have the volunteers we have. Our events would not be possible without you! “It takes a village,” and we have the best one.

Susan Sanders

Pacific Arts Association

The Editor,

To every member of the Blaine Senior Center, two years ago, I started my quest to be a leader for seniors. I believe my broad experience, past success (and failures), and my love for the senior population was a match made in heaven. I took on the role of executive director because I wanted to make a difference.

It has not always been smooth sailing. I understand many were not happy, initially, that I was a “change agent;” however, I believed that with the right support, a culture that embraced kindness, and acknowledgement of every senior, 50 to 101, was key to lifting the spirit of our center. I also wanted to create a physical environment that supported our diversity, our need to be respected, and gave all seniors a place that showcased how special our amazing population was. For the Blaine community at large to understand we offer resources and kindness that is unmatched.

I am so proud of all we have achieved. Membership has more than doubled. Programs, classes, events, and community outreach has been strong. The staff has embraced a vision of support for our members. Volunteers became abundant, gave from the heart and were there when needed. We have stabilized our finances and consistently made a profit: not because we charged more…because our members wanted to support our community. I have always believed kindness creates kindness. For all of this I am eternally grateful. I will never forget the warmth and love I have been given.

I had planned to be your director for a long time … my last job. However, I am now leaving what has been my dream job as of November 25. I have done my best and understand there will always be those that do not see my vision. I will hold onto all the amazing memories and am so proud of all the seniors who I call friends. Thank you.

My hope is that every senior continues to support the center. It is not our ages that make us unique. It is our experience, our connection to our commonalities, and our hope for a bright future that make us so special. We can choose the stage we want to be in life…no matter of the fact that we get older every day. That is the destiny that we can control. The center is so special because of you.

I want to acknowledge so many members of the center for your love and support.  Your resilience, strength, vulnerability, smiles, and yes, hugs made everyday wonderful. My heart is forever warm. I want to again thank so many of you, my wonderful staff, to applaud all the volunteers, and to thank the board members who worked by my side, for helping us achieve so much. I am humbled and grateful.

Tomorrow always comes when the sun rises. Life goes on. Remember that every senior has an important role in this world and together you can achieve so very much. It is your kindness, commonalities, and special gifts that can always make the senior center such an important, integral, and delightful place to be. Members are the heart of the center.

You are forever in my heart.

Pete Nelson

Former Blaine Senior Center Director