The Editor:
To my own Blaine High School.
To the band program developed over 40 years by the now retired but esteemed Mr. Gray that is to be cut down from the Concert Band, advanced Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band to just the Concert Band.
To the theater program I hold close to my own heart, which has brought high level shows like “Hadestown,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Mamma Mia!” to this town which will have all of its classes cut entirely, as well as our truly unique and constantly inspirational director Mrs. T with it.
To the programs we’ve worked hard to create and have put our passion into which we now watch crumble. It is for this I write. It is here now for the sole purpose of reaching the school I’ve gone from loving and adoring, to absolutely loathing every time I think of it.
“Grapevines & Chains”
Away from dust and rubble,
I came to be within your walls,
And there I thrived and sat safe from the rains.
With trust I shrugged over your trouble,
Not hearing those before and their calls,
Slowly sighing with the dwindling gains.
Still I smiled through the growing stubble,
Echoing laughter through the halls,
Always skipping in the plains.
However now as I see you crumble,
Unable to lift from your crawls,
The reins that once I gave you have become pains.
Pushing outward the sides of this bubble,
Of this chamber which once hosted balls,
Of this place with hanging grapevines turned burning chains.
I find you now in your own dust and rubble,
Fueling me with withdrawals,
Betrayed as I sit sorry on the leaving trains.
Riley Osburn
Birch Bay
The Editor:
The Blaine Senior Center is a nonprofit organization that has, for almost 60 years, provided a multitude of services to the senior community in the Blaine and Birch Bay area. It’s an organization that is member based, run by seniors for seniors. Many have put their hearts and souls into making it the vibrant, welcoming and social community it is. They take great pride in it and have full voice in its operation.
The city of Blaine and the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) have coordinated efforts to take this program out of the hands of the members, and place it in the hands of a government agency.
They apparently believe BBBPRD2 can do a better job or somehow it will save the city money. They have not fully considered the impact of this decision. They will be taking away the voice and autonomy of seniors in running their own lives. Voices that are already diminished for a vulnerable, aging population. They will be taking our worth and sense of pride. And by taking away all funding, even of our membership dues, they will be destroying a needed community non-profit.
The Senior Center to us is more than just a building in which we do activities. It is a home. It is our social life. It is our friend base. It is ours. The lack of empathy demonstrated during this entire process is astonishing. Sure, some members will still come. Some have no choice as it is life-sustaining to them. But it will never be the same. And this grief needs to be acknowledged.
This decision to move control of the Senior Center facility and programming to an already overstretched government agency will be a stain on this community, Blaine City Council and the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2. Constituents, many of them senior citizens, will remember which elected officials supported this.
Please write to your city council members and come to meetings to express your support for the Blaine Senior Center to retain the contract for services.
Sieneke Stevenson, president
Blaine Senior Center Board
Blaine
The Editor:
This is an open letter to the Washington state contingent in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and is being sent to their offices.
I won’t try to rehash all the things that are happening under President Trump’s administration. I do know there are many lawsuits challenging his illegal and destructive actions. But that should not encourage you to sit back and let the courts protect us. While I’m on the subject of courage, perhaps you could lend some of yours to your colleagues. Convince them to stand up for America, that you’ll stand with them so they aren’t alone. Urge them to resist what they surely know to be wrong and harmful. Lend them your support, so that the entire Congress will have the strength to stand against the obvious harm being done to not just your constituents, but all Americans.
Taking an oath is not enough. Fulfilling that oath by resisting Trump and Musk is what will prove you deserve your position, now and for the future. That resistance will also show the world that, when this current nightmare ends, America would be proud to once again join the rest of society in protecting the innocent around the globe from war, famine, disease and power-hungry dictators.
There are serious mistakes being made that will have serious consequences. Please find a way to show strength and lend some of that strength to those who know that what is happening is wrong, but are too afraid to stand alone. Do not concede the power with which you are entrusted. We will not forget it. There are lives in the balance. I hope one day to be convinced that heroes don’t look like they used to, they look like you do.
Gary Meador
Everson
The Editor:
“An Ode to Friendship”
Hey Southern neighbor, we gently shout
Please tell us, what’s it all about?
Not long ago – the lowest tide – (White Rock – Blaine)
We walked on sand, stood side by side
Hey “Elephant”
We are the “mouse”
And on the hill, the big white house
Trying hard to squash the “mouse”!
Forgive as friends? – We are perplexed
There is no kindness in your text!
The “elephant,” oh yes it is
Come look! – On the “endangered list”!
The little “mouse” – oh pardon us –
Will multiply without much fuss!
Belittle us – go right ahead –
To lift you up – one does just that!
Goodbye, good luck and friends will say:
We watch you close – how fate will play?
Oh Canada! Eh –
Heidi Bumann
South Surrey, B.C.
