New hospital district commissioner and superintendent
Vic Riley was appointed commissioner number three for the Point Roberts Hospital District at its March 4 meeting.
In his introduction the previous month, Riley said he was a founding commissioner who first took office in 2005 and highlighted the clinic’s growth, calling the current urgent care model “perfect for the community.”
Riley said his priority is restoring stability after several years of disruption, noting the provider “has never had a stable year here,” citing COVID, attempted contract takeovers and inconsistent board support.
He said the district needs to review its contract and finances to ensure long-term sustainability and plans to take a data-driven approach, starting with identifying stakeholder needs before developing solutions.
Those concerns were reflected in the district’s current financial picture.
Clinic practice manager Alexandra Wiley confirmed a projected $102,000 loss for 2026, adding losses have occurred “every year … just at about that same rate,” and are covered by revenue from the Bellingham SuperTrack Urgent Care Clinic. The district’s $16,000 monthly subsidy has remained unchanged since 2019 despite expanded services.
Riley said inflation has reduced the value of that subsidy, noting “$16,000 in 2019 is worth a little less than $12,000 today,” and added the provider is “not being fully compensated for everything they provide us.”
He also questioned the district’s growing reserves, saying, “It doesn’t make any sense for the district to get richer and the provider to get poorer.” District funds are approaching $500,000, while annual levy revenue is about $300,000 and limited by state caps.
Board members acknowledged funds have accumulated without a clear plan and discussed the need for clearer financial reporting and a better understanding of cash flow and contracts.
Riley said the board will begin by defining the problem, emphasizing, “We start with what are the needs … before we think about solutions.”
Following an executive session, Farrah Carsten was appointed superintendent, replacing Javid Nouripour, who was hired in January 2025. Carsten has served as the district administrative clerk since 2018 and financial auditing officer since 2025.
Parks District missing funds, new commissioner appointed
The Point Roberts Park and Recreation District discussed several financial issues at its regular March meeting at the community center, including a delayed grant reimbursement, a bond account discrepancy and a budget overrun.
Administrator Dee Gough said the district cannot claim $66,000 in reimbursement for electric vehicle charger installation because
required state labor documentation was not completed during the project. She said staff had been told the paperwork was not required, which she attributed to a commissioner no longer serving on the board, and reimbursement cannot be processed until contractors and subcontractors submit the missing documents.
Gough also reported a $10,889 discrepancy in the district’s general obligation (GO) bond account.
How the Raven came to Point Roberts
B y A nn E ll E n orm A n , E x E cutiv E D ir E ctor , P oint r o BE rts c ircl E of c A r E
Transportation is one of the biggest barriers facing many Point Roberts residents, particularly seniors and those without reliable vehicles. Reaching services on the mainland can be one of the biggest practical challenges of living in our unique community.
Back in late summer of 2023 a discussion was started at a Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) meeting on why Point Roberts was not getting transit service from Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA). Previously, WTA attempted to serve Point Roberts through various means, including a WTA operated van, zone service, taxi service
(See Raven, page 7)
Voters approved the bond in 2013, authorizing up to $250,000 for improvements to the Point Roberts Community Center, repaid through a dedicated property tax levy. When the final payment came due, the district transferred $10,889 from its general fund to complete it.
“I’m working with the state au-
(See Missing funds, page 11)
Photo by Ashley Strub
Clocks, phones and watches have sprung forward for the last time in British Columbia. When Washington residents “fall back” Nov. 1, they will be falling into a different time zone than their northern neighbors.
B.C. is adopting permanent daylight saving time. B.C. passed the Interpretation Amendment Act in 2019, which allowed the change, but chose not to enforce it to “co-ordinate timing with neighbouring U.S. states in the same time zone,” according to the B.C. government website.
B.C. officials explained on the government website that “recent actions from the U.S. have shifted how B.C. approaches decisions that merit alignment, including on time zones.”
It’s not yet clear how this will impact border crossings. While the Boundary Bay, Peace Arch and the Pacific Highway border crossings are open 24 hours, NEXUS lanes have specified hours.
This change is expected to affect cross-border appointments, dates and meetings.
For more information on B.C.’s change to permanent daylight saving time, visit bit.ly/4rTYwbq.
Library Picks
KRIS LOMEDICO
Bestsellers:
Whidbey Kira T. Madden
The Devil’s Bible Steve Barry
More Than Enough Anna Quindlen
Jigsaw Jonathan Kellerman
Movies:
The Senior Michael Chiklis
Hamnet
Jessie Buckley
Running Man Glen Powell
The Summer Book Glenn Close
Music:
Joni’s Jazz
Joni Mitchell
Sunday Best Nick Jonas
Prize Fighter Mumford & Sons
World Gone Wrong Lucinda Williams
Teens:
Sibylline Melissa De la Cruz
A War of Wyverns S.F. Williamson
Beast Richard Van Camp
Kids:
Sweet, Tart Kara Douglass Thom
Phoenix Kimberley Brubaker Bradley
Don’t Eat Eustace Lian Cho
Hours: 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays
Express Library: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily wcls.org
The All Point Bulletin is published weekly by Daffodil Press, LLC.
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All Point Bulletin 229 Marine Drive Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777
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Printed in Canada • Vol. XL, No. 12
The Editor:
Letters To The Editor
Thank you to everyone who attended Paddyfest on March 7. We had a wonderful time and hope you enjoyed the experience. We reached our capacity of 350 guests, and we apologize to those who were unable to attend. While we aim to accommodate everyone, the safety of our guests and the well-being of our volunteers and staff remain our priorities. As demand grows, we are open to securing larger venues; however, purchasing tickets early is the best way for us to gauge that need.
We would like to recognize the individuals who made this event a success:
- Michelle, Marilyn and the Nielson’s staff. Thank you for being such incredible partners and for your help with ticket sales.
- Our volunteers. A special thank you to Kimberly and Maureen for managing merchandise, and to Sylvie and the others who assisted with check-ins throughout the
day.
- Nick Kiniski and The Reef staff. Thank you, Nick, for supporting our vision for a winter tent event, and to Allison and the entire team for a professional and well-organized experience.
- Ashley. Thank you for capturing the event.
Both bands and the Seattle Irish Dancers also asked us to share how much they enjoyed performing for such an enthusiastic crowd.
Looking ahead, the Strings & Things Music Festival will take place on July 11 at Lighthouse Park. Early bird tickets go on sale April 1 for $40 until April 8.
You can view the lineup at stringsandthingsmusicfestival.com, follow
us on Instagram and Facebook, or join our mailing list for updates. For inquiries, please email us at stringsandthingsmusicfestival@ gmail.com.
Lastly, we invite you to The Living Orchestra album release, an original project by Mike Bell. The album release show will be held on May 17 at the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver, B.C. featuring a 13-person band, an 18-person choir, and a projector and light show. This album was inspired by the beauty of Point Roberts and has been Mike’s focus for the past three years, with support from producer Garth Richardson and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Tickets are available at stringsandthingsmusicfestival.com. We would love to see the Point Roberts community there.
Breeda Desmond and Mike Bell Point Roberts
Please send letters to editor@allpointbulletin.com
Local org offers marine stewardship education, underwater archeology and more
Sea Life Ocean Dreams was founded by Alan Pezzuto and James Fu in 2025. The organization strives to connect the community with handson education about the stewardship of our waterways, boat restoration, underwater archeology and more.
The idea for SLOD came after Fu experienced significant loss in his family, and the two friends wanted to find a way to honor those he had lost.
“Why don’t we start an organization that basically goes through and gives people the education experience in areas of environmental studies, you know, fishing, aquatic survival, etc., to honor them,” Pezzuto said of what the two decided.
Pezzuto said the goal is to “teach people about the oceans, teach people about the waterways, teach people eco cycles.”
Pezzuto is uniquely qualified for this broad mission of marine education.
After retiring from the military, he worked for National Geographic as an underwater photographer and cinematographer for 17 years. He worked with Capt. Jacques-Yves Cousteau for two years in the 1980s.
He also captained vessels throughout South America and the Unit-
ed States for over 40 years. Pezzuto worked with Earth Connections in Costa Rica and with American treasure hunter Mel Fisher on the search for the Atocha off the coast of Florida.
Boat Restoration
SLOD has three boats in its fleet, including a 27-foot sailboat and the Annie Moggin, which sank at the Point Roberts Marina guest dock in February 2024. The iconic Annie Moggin is an 82-year-old troller.
“The marina has been kind enough to let us use that for one of our education programs,” Pezzuto said of the Annie Moggin. “We’re able to show ship care, woodworking, ship righting and marine biology.”
One of the problems Pezzuto aims to address is boats falling into disrepair and dilapidation.
SLOD educates people on how to care for their vessels and repair them with the hope that with more education fewer boats will end up at the bottom of Pacific Northwest waterways.
“That’s one of the biggest, biggest hassles that the state of Washington has,” Pezzuto said.
The boats either sink or continue
to leak oil into the water as they sit in disrepair. The state has attempted to address the issue with vessel turn-in programs and the Derelict Vessel Removal Program.
Underwater Archeology
Another integral part of SLOD’s mission is getting people in the water for underwater archeology. Participation and hands-on learning are paramount to the organization’s mission. People who aren’t scuba-certified are welcome to don SLOD’s snorkeling equipment. Those who wish to become certified will be able to through Pezzuto, who has been a certified scuba instructor for 40 years.
Pezzuto discussed the process of using a grid made of PVC pipes and attached anchors to search areas and document found items.
One such area was the old pier site.
“Every pier is a source of commerce. There was a reason it was there,” Pezzuto said. “People went back and forth. Things fell out of pockets and got knocked down.”
When found, the items reveal details about local history.
“Whether it’s the Titanic or whether it’s the pier, you can learn so much about the people, the behavior, the artifacts from a region by seeing what’s there, by taking proper records, saying, ‘All right, here’s a grid.’”
One of the finds SLOD has made off the old pier site was a black powder horn with brass fittings. Pezzuto estimated it had been underwater for 140 or 150 years. SLOD also recovered a pocketknife and several coins.
There will be an open house for community members to connect with SLOD in May. Details will be published in the All Point Bulletin as they become available. For more information visit sealifeoceandreams. org or visit their YouTube channel @ slodorg for educational videos.
The grid made of PVC pipe that Sea Life Ocean Dreams uses for underwater archeology.
Photo by Alan Pezzuto
B y A ly m c G EE
Historical Society photo of the month
This early, rustic U.S. border station was at the 49th parallel. Photo taken circa 1900. From the book Point Roberts Backstory by Mark Swenson, "It was as late as 1919 that a border station was even built for land entry to Point Roberts, when a road was first constructed in Canada to reach the boundary line. A tarp was strung between trees making a tent-like structure for the customs officers who visited two or three times a month. Point Roberts got its first proper border station building fifteen years later, in 1934, built for $165 in private funds (about $3,000 today). The Government leased it for seven years as a border station. Occupying the station's two rooms as the first Point Roberts-based customs official was Pa Davis, who served from 1936 to 1957."
Courtesy of Point Roberts Historical Society
• Fam ily Me dic ine
• Eme rge ncy Me dical Care
• Cardiolog y
• U rge nt Care
• Derm atolog y
• Oncolog y
In The Garden
B y V IC t ORI a S MI th
Spring arrives in flowers. Cherry and pear trees are in full bloom and buzzing with bees, and springtime bulbs sparkle in the borders. I love this time of year.
There is much to do indoors and out, rain or shine. The unheated greenhouse is filled with pots and flats of baby plants, ready to move outdoors over the next few weeks. Inside the house are cell trays of freshly planted seeds that prefer controlled heat and bright LED lights to sprout. Trees, shrubs and perennial plants are waking up, and I’m looking forward to seeing my yard filled with veggies, herbs and flowers again this year.
along the way.
I am teaching a series of free gardening classes in Point Roberts this spring and summer. Information about topics and dates can be found below, and in the monthly events listings in the All Point Bulletin and on the Point Roberts Park District website calendar.
This year’s first class, “Seed Starting 101,” was held at the community center in March, and I was excited to see so many enthusiastic gardeners gathered in one place.
a much wider selection of plants than you might find at local nurseries, and you avoid any potential issues with bringing plants across the border.
Knowing when to start your seeds is the key to success. Many smaller seeds benefit from being started indoors and other seeds prefer to be sown directly into the garden. Some seeds germinate and grow quickly, others can take three weeks or longer to sprout and have a lengthy growing season.
Seed packets usually suggest when to start your seeds, based on the last average frost date in our area. Generally, plants can go into the garden when nighttime temperatures remain above 50 degrees, which is typically around Mother’s Day in mid-May.
and move plants to a larger container if needed.
As planting day grows near, move your plants outdoors to acclimate them to the weather: start with an hour on the first day, and add an hour or two daily for seven to 10 days.
More information and suggested planting dates can be found online at westcoastseeds.com and johnnyseeds.com, and in books available from Whatcom County libraries.
March, April gardening events
My garden — expansive, messy and always changing — is my happy place, but it may not be the garden you desire for yourself. That’s the joy of gardening: You are in charge of your space and what you want it to be.
Every successful gardener was once a beginner: We learn through the process and build additional skills along the way. There are many ways to get started, and I’m here to cheer you on and help you
We discussed when and how to get started, the pros and cons of starting seeds indoors or outdoors, what supplies are needed, how to read a seed packet and much more. Attendees chose seeds to take home, chatted with old and new friends and asked some great questions. I have many more packets of seeds to share at upcoming classes.
Starting your own seeds saves money and provides a head start on the growing season. When growing from seed, you can choose from
You’ll need small pots or compartmented seeding trays and some lightly dampened seed starting mix or fine textured potting soil to get started. Follow the directions on your seed packets for planting depth, water lightly, then cover with a clear dome or plastic wrap. Place your containers in a warm spot like a windowsill, kitchen counter or top of the refrigerator, and provide strong light for 12 to 14 hours per day.
Remove the plastic covering after the seeds have sprouted.
If you are using grow lights, they should be no more than 2 to 3 inches above the plants. Water as needed, provide good ventilation,
If you want to learn more, please join me for free classes at the Point Roberts Community Center on Gulf Road. All classes are 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, will bring a class called “Gardening Basics: the Nitty Gritty of Getting Started.” Whether you’re starting from scratch or getting your garden ready for the new season, you’ll walk away with tips, tricks and science-based information on soil prep, creating beds, growing in pots, feeding the soil, irrigation and dealing with weeds and critters.
On Friday, April 24, there will be a class called “Pollinator Plants.” Pollinator-friendly plants provide a wide range of benefits that extend from your own backyard to the global ecosystem. Learn what to plant and how to nurture nature.
I’ll see you in the garden.
Volunteers needed for Scotch broom removal in April
ment, including weed wrenches, will be available.
A community Scotch broom removal event will take place at 10 a.m. on April 25 on the Baker Field trails, with volunteers meeting in the parking lot on Benson Road.
Led by Bronwyn Glor of the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District, the event is open to anyone interested in helping improve local park land.
Participants should wear gloves and bring tools such as hand clippers, loppers or chainsaws if they have them, though some equip-
Volunteers can pull smaller plants, cut larger ones or carry debris to a dumpster.
Glor said the effort is environmental- and community-driven, noting that “there’s work for everybody.”
Scotch broom is a fast-spreading invasive plant common across the West Coast and can crowd out native vegetation and create fire hazards.
It produces large numbers of seeds that can remain in the soil for a decade or more, meaning removal is an ongoing process rather than a one-time fix. Spring is an ideal time to tackle the plant because it is easier to identify once it begins to bud and its bright yellow flowers open, and removing it before seeds develop helps reduce growth. B y E rin K E lly
Tuesdays
Call
Special needs, please call scheduler to discuss. Please call to schedule after school pick up for your children.
Bronwyn Glor in front of a large Scotch broom plant and its distinctive yellow flowers.
Photo by Erin Kelly
How the Raven came to Point Roberts
and, during COVID, a partnership with the Port of Bellingham that provided shuttle service via a now discontinued ferry service.
None of these options worked. So WTA and PRCAC collaborated to find a better way.
By early 2024 an agreement was reached.
WTA would donate a vehicle and provide the funds to operate the program. WTA would not be involved in decision making (e.g. policies, scheduling, customer care, operations, maintenance, etc.), but rather Point Roberts Circle of Care — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — would operate the service for the Point Roberts community.
A community resource
Today, the Raven provides transportation for all Point Roberts residents who need to travel to medical appointments, run errands or access services on and off the Point. The van can accommodate up to six passengers and has space for walkers or other mobility aids.
For many riders, the service provides something just as important as transportation — peace of mind, an opportunity for connection with other residents and independence.
One anonymous rider said, “I have been enjoying this service over the past few weeks, and I only wish I’d tried it sooner. The experience of traveling for shopping and acquiring social services, along with other residents has helped me forge new friendships in a setting of exploration and adventure that has shown me a side to people that I haven’t had the fortune of experiencing within the
routines and setting we share.”
The anonymous rider went on to add, “Every time I ride, I return with treasured memories of these new encounters. I’m grateful we have this service, and I only hope it can be expanded to include the weekends, and longer hours.”
Nichole Nelson said the service allowed them to remain in the community.
“I ride the Raven on Fridays and can’t imagine what life would be like if it wasn’t available to take me to the store, the bank or the post office,” the rider said. “I would have to move off the Point if this program were not available.”
Weekly schedule
- Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
- Pickup at the Point Roberts Community Center
- Transportation to Blaine, Ferndale and Bellingham
- Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
Pickup is at your home
Local rides within Point Roberts
How to book a ride
Residents can schedule a ride by contacting the Raven scheduler 360-788-9473 and leaving a message or by using the online booking system at Our scheduler will contact you with confirmation.
Advance reservations are recommended.
Because the van serves multiple riders during each trip, passengers are encouraged to schedule mainland appointments between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. whenever possible.
Obituary: Charles Franklin Nunes
Charles Franklin Nunes (Chuck) passed away peacefully on Dec. 13 at the age of 89, following a long stay at Surrey Memorial Hospital. He was deeply devoted to his family and found his greatest joy in being surrounded by those he loved.
Charles was born in Oakland, California. For most of his younger years he was a United Parcel Service driver and he later worked in construction, interior design and owned his own trucking business. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, boating and car racing. In 1980, he moved to Surrey, B.C. He later invested in a secondary property in Point Roberts, Washington, where he personally logged the land and built a vacation home. This place held a very special place in his heart.
Charles was a strong-willed, hardworking man with a remarkable ability to fix just about anything. He loved spending time in his garage, where many happy hours were spent working on projects and enjoying a few “cold ones.” You could often find him daydreaming about time at his cabin in Point Roberts, or better yet, actually be there, soaking it all in. He was often said to have nine lives. Through everything he endured, Charles remained a fighter, allowing him to live long enough to see the people and places that
meant the most to him.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, JoAnn; his children, Dionne and Erica; his grandchildren, Lauryn, Carson, Reece, Kael and Lawson; and his great-granddaughter, Ainslee. He is also survived by his sons from a previous marriage, Michael, Larry and Raymond; his stepdaughter, Shannon; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Patrick, Terry and Chris; and his great-grandchildren, Madison, Logan, Misty and Brooke.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Margot Griffiths, M.Ed., C.L.C.
After 30 years experience at The University of British Columbia in the Office of Counseling Services, I am pleased to begin my Life Coaching practice in Point Roberts.
Confidential appointments arranged by email or text. margot@pointroberts.net 206-604-1713
self-awareness personal development relationships recovery wellness transitions retirement life planning
Point Roberts | 360-945-0420
maureen@pointrobertscounseling.com
www.pointrobertscounseling.com
Private and confidential
Call or e-mail for an appointment
Providing
Courtesy photo
1000 of all agents in the USA: 2023 Top 1.5% of all agents in WA State: 2023, 2024, 2025
agent in Point Roberts: 2024, 2025
•
•
PR Beekeepers Association celebrates 18
years of camaraderie and honeybees
The Point Roberts Beekeepers Association celebrated 18 years of sweet friendships and interests at its March meeting.
David Weldon, association president, said his favorite thing about being involved with the group is “the camaraderie of spending time with other individuals who have similar interests, questions and a general fascination with our honeybees.”
Weldon started keeping bees at his Point Roberts cottage about 15 years ago. He now keeps bees both at his cottage on the Point and in Saanich, British Columbia.
The upcoming April 6 meeting will be a friendly get together with beekeepers and bee enthusiasts. No speaker is planned.
The group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the community center.
Interested parties are all wel-
come at the meetings, whether or not they keep bees.
The organization encourages those thinking about keeping bees for the first time to come to a meeting to learn more about them and how to get started.
Point Roberts Women in Art
Artists gather for a meet and greet during the fourth annual Women in Art exhibition at the Point Roberts Community Center on March 15. Work will be displayed throughout the main hallway and commons room during March. Featured artists include, from
Point Roberts Walkers at morning coffee
Point residents looking for their pot of gold
Participants searched for clues along the Enchanted
during the fifth annual St.
Day-themed scavenger hunt, sponsored by Ollie Otter
The free community event invited residents to follow shamrock-marked riddles hidden throughout the park, leading them to a "pot of gold,” bringing residents together for a playful afternoon outdoors.
The Point Roberts Beekeepers Association celebrates its 18th anniversary at its March 2 meeting. Members present for the festivities include, from left, Dustin Koefed, Linda Marie Bruce, David Weldon and Kim Burnett.
Courtesy photo
The Point Roberts Walkers, formerly known as the Wackie Walkers, meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. at the community center and Saturdays at 8 a.m. at Lily Point. After their Tuesday and Thursday walks, the group gathers for coffee at the community center at 9 a.m. All are welcome to join the walk or simply stop by for coffee.
Photo by Erin Kelly
left, Savilla Kress, Jean Barrington, Cheryl Kirton, Kris Lomedico, Madeleine Anderson and Marie-Anne Liégeois.
Photo by Erin Kelly
Trail at Baker Field
Patrick’s
Bakery.
Photo by Erin Kelly
More photos from PaddyFest 2026
Reef and featured The Whiskeydicks, the Coming Up Threes and the Seattle Irish Dance Company. For information on the next big music festival in Point Roberts in July, visit stringsandthingsmusicfestival.com.
Sheriff’s Report
March 1,1:04 p.m.: Assist citizen on Boundary Bay Road.
March 2, 10:30 a.m.: Mental health flag on Boundary Bay Road.
March 6, 3:14 p.m.: Vehicle abandoned cold call on Benson Road.
March 6, 9:01 p.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Bay Road.
March 7, 2:34 a.m.: Mental health flag on Boundary Bay Road.
March 11, 1:44 p.m.: Parking problem on Gulf Road.
March 12, 4:15 p.m.: Trouble with subject on Mill Road.
March 13, 3:40 p.m.: Vehicle abandoned cold call on Peltier Drive.
March 14, 12:34 p.m.: Disorderly conduct on Tyee Drive.
Church News
B y fath ER M a R t I
One thing I love to do throughout each week is work on the big crossword puzzle in the paper. Recently, there was a clue whose answer brought to mind the famous ancient saying, “Veni, Vidi, Vici.” It means, “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
A quick Google search says that it was a phrase Julius Caesar allegedly wrote to the Roman Senate after a swift victory in a campaign to expand his empire.
I thought of these words while reading a story from John chapter 1. Two people who meet Jesus for the first time ask where he’s going. John says that after Jesus tells them, “They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him.”
ing, seeing and remaining are all connected with each other — and with baptism
When we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are baptized into a new way of coming, a new way of seeing.
Because of their baptism, Christians must side with the ones whom Christ loves. They neither conquer them nor leave them to the conquerors. We must always ask: Are our actions, and those of others, consistent with the teachings and example of Jesus, or are they not?
Christians are called to live out what they promise in their baptism: to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.” (This is how the Episcopal Church puts it.)
Question of the month
B
What are you looking forward to growing in your garden this summer?
time this year. I have about 15 varieties."
thE LEttERS In thE fOLLOwIng phRaSES Can BE REaRRangED IntO pOInt ROBERtS LOCatIOnS thE anSwERS Can BE fOunD BELOw
CHAPEL BEAM
DEER IV YET
Point Roberts word scramble of the month Answers: 1) Maple Beach 2) Tyee Drive
I wonder what version of “veni, vidi, vici” people caught up in the horrors of many times and places would say?
Maybe, I came, I saw, I feared. Or, I came, I saw, I cried. Or even, I came, I saw, I despaired.
What do we Christians do when we encounter fear, grief and despair when those we trust betray Christian values, many of which they espouse? We come, we see and we remain.
Well, it’s no accident that the part about the disciples following Jesus comes right after John tells about Jesus’ baptism. It’s because com-
Seed Share 2026
So we come and see and remain, but not as conquerors, for Christ has already defeated the violence of the world in dying for it.
Following him, we come to any place where the least are exploited or brutalized. We see by bearing witness in solidarity with them.
We remain in resistance and repentance. We remain in repentance of our evil and of the evil done in our name. We remain in Christ, loving our neighbors: both the conquered and the conquerors.
We remain, loving ourselves into changing our ways.
Point by the Numbers
Point Roberts clinic numbers for February 2026 (2025 numbers follow)
Total calls 21 : EMS calls 9, resulting in the following transports: Airlift Northwest/LifeFlight 3, St. Joseph Hospital 1, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue 1; fire classification 1 resulting in search and rescue 1; EMS CARES/ MIHC 5; public service 6.
Sian Morgan and mother Anne: "I am looking forward to sweet peas. I actually got them into the ground at the right
Vic Riley: "I am looking forward to growing dahlias."
Fern Adam: "Black Krim tomatoes and lemon cucumbers."
Photo by Ashley Strub
Photo by Ashley Strub
Photo by Louise Mugar
PaddyFest boasted a full house on March 7. The event took place outdoors at Kiniski's
The annual Seed Share on March 7 saw the exchange of many, many seeds. We can't wait to see the results in local gardens.
Photos by Erin Kelly
Parks District missing funds, new commissioner appointed
ditor to figure out why we were $10,889 short,” Gough said. “The GO bond was put on everybody’s property taxes … so we shouldn’t have been short money.”
The bond account now contains about $1,500, though roughly $11,000 should remain, according to the report.
The district also reported being $52,000 over its 2025 budget, largely because some 2024 expenses were paid in 2025.
Gough said the discrepancy stems from a pattern of prior-year bills being paid in the following budget cycle, which she said occurred under the district’s previous secretary, who left the position in June.
“This has been consecutively happening for years,” Gough said. “Every year when the budget was presented as about $170,000, it was actually closer to $120,000.”
“So right now, as long as nothing breaks, we have enough money to pay the bills till the end of the year,” she added. “If something breaks, we are in trouble.”
Following the discussion, commissioners entered executive session and later approved a $1 per hour raise for administrative support staff member Heather Stewart.
Carbon credits from EV chargers
Commissioners approved a contract with Fuse Energy to manage carbon credits generated by the district’s electric vehicle charging stations. The company will broker the credits, keeping 15% of the proceeds, while the remainder will be placed in a capital account for charger maintenance. Under the agreement, funds will accumulate over a 10-year period to cover future repairs or equipment replacement tied to the charger system’s maintenance contract.
“There’s a five-year plan, so we’re never going to make a whole lot of money off of this because of where we are,” Gough said. “By the looks of our usage, we’d be lucky if we got about $1,000 a year.”
Senior’s Point
Menus for april
April 1: Passover: Matzo ball soup, blintzes with applesauce and sour cream, cabbage salad and dessert
April 3: Linguini with red clam sauce, Caesar salad, garlic bread and dessert
April 8: Eggs, sausage, hash browns and dessert
April 10: Baked lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread and dessert
April 15: Chef’s choice
April 17: Enchilada casserole with ground turkey, Spanish rice, shredded lettuce and dessert
New commissioner joins board
The board welcomed new commissioner Jen Olson Kurcz, a Point Roberts resident of about 4-½ years who works in organizational development and change management.
“I would like to be part of the board because I think I’ve got a lot to contribute. I clearly need something to do with some of my time, and I just really like getting out and meeting people,” Kurcz said.
Kurcz said she also values the community’s outdoor environment, noting her long history of trail running, backpacking and spending time in nature.
Tree trimming for communications tower
Commissioners approved a request from AT&T to trim several tall trees near Baker Field to improve the signal path from the communications tower behind the firehall.
Grant Heitman, a Point Roberts resident working with AT&T on the project, said trimming is necessary to maintain a microwave connection between the Point Roberts tower and a relay site near Lake Terrell in Whatcom County.
“There’s no other way to make the site work as it was designed without touching the tops of those trees,” Heitman said.
The upgrade will support FirstNet, a nationwide wireless network designed for emergency responders.
At the Whatcom Fire District 5 meeting March 11, Fire Chief Christopher Carleton said he plans to test the system once it is fully operational.
“I’m very interested and will be working with Grant and AT&T to trial the FirstNet program once it’s up and running at full power for the district,” Carleton said.
He said the system could improve both emergency communications and overall cellular connectivity in Point Roberts.
April 22: Mediterranean quesadillas with chicken, feta, dried tomatoes, olives etc., chips and dessert
April 24: Bacon and broccoli quiche, toasted potatoes, garden salad and dessert
April 29: Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables and dessert
May 1: Shrimp Louie, artisan roll and dessert
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (or until food runs out) on Wednesdays and Fridays in the community center’s dining room. Contact prseniors@whidbey.com or call 360-945-5424 for more information.
Yacht Sales–Power and Sail Service
Stories of the Point: Kris Lomedico
Point residents and regular visitors alike probably know Kris Lomedico from the library. After all, she has been working at the Point Roberts Library since 1984. Talking to Lomedico about Point Roberts is a conversation hemmed in nostalgia and laughter. Lomedico has seen a lifetime of Point Roberts history firsthand, and the following is just a glimpse into her life story. Lomedico’s father, Agnar Magnusson, was born in Point Roberts to Icelandic parents, and her mother, Shirley Dennison, grew up in the Ladner and Tsawwassen area.
Her parents met while Shirley was delivering Vancouver Sun newspapers on her bike one day. Shirley had a flat tire and was pushing her bike down what is now Benson Road. Agnar saw her from his front porch and offered to fix it.
Subsequently, Lomedico was born at the closest hospital to Point Roberts, which was an hour away in Vancouver, B.C., as were most of her siblings. The closest U.S. hospital was a two-hour trip. Just as many Point Roberts children do today, Lomedico went to elementary school in Point Roberts and then attended Blaine High School.
“We rode our bikes everywhere … You didn't have too many friends, because there was just a small selection,” Lomedico said of childhood. “The ones you had, you had to be pretty nice to. If you fought with them, you had to go make up.”
Lomedico remembered the secrecy of local blackberry patches fondly. Parents wanting to keep the kids busy would send them to pick wild blackberries and huckleberries. Early in the morning she and her siblings would dress in long pants and long sleeved shirts, be dropped off at the blackberry patch and were told they would be picked up later.
She said every family knew of a place where the blackberries grew, but “they would never tell anyone else.”
She said the wild blackberries “were just treasures.”
Lomedico recalled when a local benefactor finally built a play-
ground behind the school building.
“Community-minded folks provided us with a little playground with a new slide and monkey bars and one of those merry-go-rounds the kids jump on and step off again,” she said. “It was huge.”
She went on to attend University of Washington in Seattle and married Ivan Mojica, her first husband. After the birth of their first child, they moved to Costa Rica for two years. Then they lived in Panama for four years and Honduras for another two.
When they lived in Panama Lomedico would take her family to beaches and to watch ships passing through the Panama Canal. She called living internationally “a real education,” adding it was “good for the children to be exposed to a totally different kind of life.”
While her husband’s work enabled the family to live internationally for a long time, eventually the jobs were scarce and the jobs that were available were in countries where there was a lot of danger. Lomedico and their children moved back up to the Point in 1982, staying with family until they bought the house where she still lives today.
In 1991, Lomedico married her second husband, Ricardo Lomedico, and together, they eventually owned The Letter Carrier, which was a parcel pickup service.
Lomedico started working for the Point Roberts Library in 1984, after her mother told her, “Kristen, there’s a job down there at the library, you get down there and apply for it.” And she did. It was an entry-level, part-time job, but Lomedico stayed on and works there to this day.
was much more fluid when I was growing up, because much of my family just lived in Tsawwassen and Ladner, so we just would go across easily,” Lomedico said.
A few summers ago, Lomedico went with her son to see the yellow-bellied marmots living in Tsawwassen near Roberts Bank and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. She said they come right up to visitors and beg for food.
Lomedico talked about how before the ferry slip went in, people would go to the beach on the Canadian side where there was a skid hill for timber. “You could walk up there and kind of come back down, sliding half the way, it was a great thing to do,” she said.
Lomedico authors the monthly Library Quick Picks column for the All Point Bulletin
When asked if she has a favorite book, she said, “I love so many books. I really do. I like mysteries. I like fantasy, I like a lot of things. You never know what’s going to strike your fancy.”
Lomedico mentioned that she has been particularly partial to checking out audiobooks on CD. Living on the Point, the drives to the mainland are long. “You really need something to keep you going,” she said. “So those have been a joy to listen to, and that’s how I do my reading, my fiction reading.”
When asked to recommend one book, in true librarian fashion Lomedico said, “Everybody has different tastes.”
$1750/mo includes all utilities except wifi and cable. Call 604-782-7876 or email for pictures cheri.cogman@gmail.com.
BEAUTIFUL HOME On fenced 1/2 acre. Fireplace and all amenities. 360-945-0521.
When asked what her favorite thing about Point Roberts is, Lomedico said, “I like the beaches. You know? I love to walk on the beach, look for agates and pretty stones. The air down there kind of revives you.”
Lomedico spoke fondly of “the views, the sunsets in the mountains, the water, the lights at night.”
When she was little, Lomedico said, “We would drive over to see my grandparents who lived in the Tsawwassen area. As you go through the border, you’re on that hill, and there’s the lights of Vancouver in the distance and that was such a thrill.”
When asked what sets the Point apart, Lomedico said, “It’s so unto itself ... you can’t just decide that you’re going to drive down the road and get to Point Roberts. You have to go through borders. You have to be prepared and all that, especially these days.”
It wasn’t always that way. “It
That being said, Lomedico did recommend “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett, “The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece” by Tom Hanks, and “The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter, which was a Whatcom READS selection a few years ago.
Lomedico’s stories show a history of the Point’s changing landscape and a timeline of the fluctuations in convenience and access. Her story also illustrates how change is a constant.
When Lomedico was young, her parents lamented that the barn on their property didn’t have animals anymore, as it had when her father was young. She said that her parents “both kind of felt sad that us kids wouldn’t grow up knowing what it was like to have to get up and milk a cow.”
But, she said, “Us kids didn’t miss that at all.”
If you would like to nominate someone you feel lifts up the Point Roberts community, please email aly@daffodilpress.net with their name, contact information and why you think they should be featured in Stories of the Point.
B y A ly m c G EE
Kris Lomedico pictured here at the Point Roberts Library, where she has worked since the mid 1980s.
Photo by Erin Kelly
Coming up ...
Scheduled Meetings/ Ongoing Events
Cemetery District No. 8: 5 p.m., March 30 and April 27, community center. Public welcome.
PR Hospital District: 7 p.m., April 1, via Zoom. Info: bit.ly/3Kw9Ypt.
Oswald Kienapfel’s Celebration of Life: 2 p.m., April 4, Ancient Light Lodge Masonic Hall, 4873 Delta Street, Ladner, B.C. Refreshments to follow.
Point Roberts Pickleball Committee: 7 to 8 p.m., April 6. Public meetings via Zoom. Contact melanieosmack@gmail. com for Zoom link.
PR Amateur Radio Club: 7 p.m., April 6, at the community center.
PR Beekeepers Association: 7 p.m., April 6, community center.
Friends of the Point Roberts Library: 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, library. Info: foprl1@gmail.com.
Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 7, at RE/ MAX office, 1480 Gulf Road. Members meeting and businesses interested in joining are welcome to attend.
PR Park and Recreation: 7 p.m., April 7, via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org. Link: bit.ly/3UCOvAU.
Poetry Collage Workshop with Crash Solo: noon to 2 p.m., April 8, library. Combine collage techniques with found poetry to make a piece of art to take home. Adult event. Info: wcls. org.
Fire District No. 5: 4 p.m., April 8, fire hall and via Zoom. Link: bit.ly/45YUv9U. Info: WCFD5.com.
PR Taxpayers Association: 7 p.m., April 9, via zoom. Info: PRTA@pointroberts.net. Link: bit.ly/3EWEysY. Topic: PRTA Meeting.
Tyee Drive Cleanup: noon to 2 p.m. on April 11, meet across from Nielson’s Building Center. Bring tools and weeding gloves. Info: text Bastiaan 312-351-2861.
Self-Publishing Success with Jill Flores: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 11, library. Info: wcls.org.
Gardening Basics: The Nitty Gritty of Getting Started: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 11, community center. Free gardening class presented by Victoria Smith, WSU Master Gardener. Class sponsored by P.R. Seniors Association and the Point Roberts Park District.
PR Water District: 5 p.m., April 14, 2002 Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.
Historical Society: 7 p.m., April 15, Point Roberts History Center.
PR Community Advisory Committee: 7 p.m., April 16, community center and via Zoom. Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com.
Point Roberts Garden Club: 2 p.m., April 18, community center. WSU Master Gardener Janis Walworth presents on “Garden Weeds: How to identify them and cope with them.” Public welcome.
Point Roberts Book & Movie Discussion Group: 2 to 4 p.m., April 20, library. Info: wcls.org.
All About Gardening: 3 to 4 p.m., April 22, library. Children’s event. Learn all about the simple wonders of gardening and plant seeds that will grow into yummy veggies or beautiful flowers to take home. All supplies provided. Teen corps volunteers needed. Info: wcls.org.
Pollinator Plants: 1 to 2:30 p.m., April 24, community center. Free gardening class presented by Victoria Smith, WSU Master Gardener. Class sponsored by P.R. Seniors Association and the Point Roberts Park District. Every-
one welcome.
Scotch Broom Removal Work Party:10 a.m., April 25, Baker Field trails parking lot on Benson Road. Participants are encouraged to wear gloves and bring tools such as hand clippers, loppers or chainsaws. Some materials provided.
PR Book Club: 6 p.m., April 29, library. For this month’s title, call 360945-6545. Info: wcls.org
America 250 Community Art Invitation: Submissions are open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays in June at the Point Roberts History Center. Seeking creative works that feature the obelisk at Monument Park as the central theme.
Ongoing Events and Hours
Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars: Open Enrollment: Until Friday, May 15. Students must complete an online profile at pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org. Donations can be made at Columbia Bank (Payee: Dollars for Scholars), at pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org, or by mail (PRDFS, P.O. Box 1354, Point Roberts, WA 98281).
Craft and Game Night: 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays, library. Bring a craft to work on or a board game to play.
The Raven: Tuesdays and Thursdays, rides to Bellingham and the surrounding area. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays offering flexible stops anywhere on the Point. Free pickup for most Blaine School District activities/events. Book your ride: bit.ly/45PVJFP, call 360-7889473 or email prtheraven@gmail.com.
Point Roberts Walkers: 8 a.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturdays are at Lily Point. Tuesdays and Thursdays vary, and locations can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com.
Point Roberts Storytime: 10:30 to 11 a.m., Wednesdays, library. Ages 2-6.
Seniors and More Lunches: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, community center. All ages welcome. Info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360-945-5424.
Ukulele Group: 6 p.m., Wednesdays, community center. All skill levels welcome. Extra Ukuleles can be checked out from the Point Roberts Library.
Alcoholics Anonymous: 6 p.m., Thursdays, Trinity Church, 1880 APA Road. Open meeting. Contact: 253-331-7560.
PR Food Bank: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Fridays, community center. Info: prfoodbank.org.
The Commons: noon to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays, back room at the community center.
Point Roberts Writing Club: 3 to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Point Roberts Library.
History Center: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, community center.
Point Roberts Eagles Club: 1 to 3 p.m., Sundays, community center. Parent attendance mandatory. Weekly educational activities for kids age 5 to 11. Info: pointrobertseaglesclub@gmail.com.
PR Library Hours: 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Library express hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary care provider schedule: Dr. Lary: Mondays and Thursdays, 9 to 4 p.m.; Dr. Sean: Tuesdays, 9 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday hours vary with nurse availability. Appointment needed. Urgent care can be accessed through telemedicine or in person at the Bellingham clinic 1050 Lakeway Drive 360-746-6531 Seven Days a Week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services. Info: 360-945-2580 or admin@supertrackurgentcare.com.
Self Storage
Don't disturb the eagles: Eagle SkyeNet presents on local eagle population
Eagle SkyeNet founder Jeff Butts is highlighting Point Roberts’ role as a major habitat for bald eagles and encouraging residents to reduce disturbances to the birds.
“One of the reasons Point Roberts is so important is that it has the trees,” Butts said at an event called Eagle Talks held on March 9.
A second eagle talk is set for April. The Eagle Talks are designed to introduce locals to Eagle SkyeNet, and attract those who want to help, protect, and learn about eagles and get involved. Butts plans on having a series of Eagle Talks, publishing a Substack Article, and creating a Docuseries.
“Eagles get all their food from the water, but when they’re not feeding they need a place where they can rest and not be disturbed. All the forested areas here in Point Roberts are used by eagles,” he said at the event, which included maps showing known eagle nests, common perching areas and locations where injured or dead eagles have been found.
Butts explained that Boundary Bay is part of the Pacific Flyway migratory route that brings tens of thousands of birds through the region each year. The combination of shoreline forests and abundant food sources make the area particularly attractive to eagles.
Eagles rely heavily on resting areas because they can remain in flight for limited periods without favorable winds.
“They can only fly about 30 minutes a day in the warm half of the year and about 15 minutes a day in winter,” he said.
He encouraged residents to keep their distance when encountering eagles and avoid causing the birds to take flight unnecessarily, a disturbance known as “flushing.”
“Don’t walk right up to them,” he said. “Stay a couple hundred feet away and just wait. If they feel safe, you might see them hunt or interact with other eagles.”
Butts asked beachgoers to keep dogs under control when eagles are resting on sandbars.
“People think it’s not a big deal if an eagle flies for 30 seconds,” Butts said. “But if they’re forced to keep flying again and again, it uses up energy they need to survive.”
Eagle SkyeNet was founded in 2012. The nonprofit focuses on monitoring eagle nests, rescuing injured raptors and raising public awareness about protecting eagle habitat in Point Roberts. More information is at eagleskyenet.com.
A follow-up community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on April 13 at the community center on Gulf Road.
Tides at Boundary Bay Not for Navigation
am 7.0 7:57 am 7.6 4:24 pm 0.6 Th 9 12:54 am 8.2 5:49 am 7.1 8:03 am 7.3 5:18 pm 0.8 Fr 10 2:00 am 8.2 6:17 pm 1.1 Sa 11 2:45 am 8.3 7:17 pm 1.3 Su 12 3:17 am 8.4 9:32 am 5.5 1:16 pm 6.1 8:17 pm 1.5 Mo 13 3:41 am 8.6 9:56 am 4.5 2:50 pm 6.5 9:11 pm 1.9 Tu 14 4:05 am 8.7 10:24 am 3.3 4:02 pm 7.1 10:01 pm 2.4 We 15 4:27 am 8.8 10:56 am 2.0 5:06 pm 7.9 10:51 pm 3.2
Eagle SkyeNet founder Jeff Butts giving a presentation on eagle habitat in Point Roberts.
