Lifestyles - Journal of the San Juans

Two big finishes for Friday Harbor at Orca Bowl; A team wins first, B team wins fourth

Teams from Friday Harbor placed first and fourth in the Washington State Ocean Sciences Bowl, or Orca Bowl, Saturday in Seattle. Friday Harbor High School's Stewart Bell, Audrey Olshefsky, Nick Roberts, Matthew Skeels and Hannah Snow won first place. Friday Harbor's B team of Nicki LeBaron, Graham Ellis, Elle Guard and Gavin Guard placed fourth. The students were coached by Max Maliska, a graduate student at the U.W. Friday Harbor Labs; and Nick Frazee, a teacher at Friday Harbor High School.

Dr. Frederick Ellis, conservationist, dies in his Shaw Island home at 93

Dr. Frederick Ellis, a founding member of the San Juan Preservation Trust, died in his Shaw Island home Feb. 5. He was 93. No funeral arrangements had been set by press time Monday. Visit SanJuanJournal.com this week for updated information.

What does 'floccinaucinihilipilification' mean? Ask third-graders Joseph Kaden and Claire Rathburn

Friday Harbor Elementary School third-graders Joseph Kaden and Claire Rathburn correctly identified the meaning of the word — get ready for this — "floccinaucinihilipilification" in the local Grange's dictionary contest. They each received a $20 gift certificate from Serendipity Book Store, and a 100 Grand candy bar from Pomona Grange member Pat Ball. Claire is a student in Darlene Clark's class. Joseph is a student in Tessa DeGavre's class.

Jason Wheeler Sears and Shaena Ann Berg | Engagements

Bud and Jan Sears of Friday Harbor announce the engagement of their son, Jason Wheeler Sears, to Shaena Ann Berg. She is the daughter of Tim and Ann Berg of Yakima, Wash.

Jacob Seiler and Pamella Correia Sanches | Engagements

Jacob Seiler’s parents are proud to announce his engagement to Pamella Correia Sanches of Brazil. Jacob has been traveling and working in Brazil for the past nine months. His parents are John Stamey and Lenore Bayuk; Kim Seiler-Bell and Scott Bell of Friday Harbor. He is brother to Cady Seiler, Audrey Espinoza, Paul Espinosa, and Emily Bayuk-Johnson. Pamella’s parents are Italo Enso Sanches Lloris and Suzeti Correia Sanches Lloris of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. She has one sister, Paola.

How do you spell 'victory'? Dalton Ayres wins annual spelling bee

Dalton Ayres, a seventh-grader at Friday Harbor Middle School, won the 2010 Friday Harbor Community Spelling Bee Feb. 2 at the San Juan Community Theater.

Mike and Julia Vouri, San Juan Historical Museum team up to author book on San Juan Island

A new book about San Juan Island is being authored by Mike and Julia Vouri and the San Juan Historical Society and Museum. The book, titled "San Juan Island," will be published this summer by Arcadia Publishing Co. as part of its Images of America series. Other Arcadia books of local interest: "Orcas Island," "The Pig War," "Friday Harbor," and "Roche Harbor." (A book on Lopez Island is forthcoming.)

Memorial service Feb. 13 for Susan Elizabeth Hull Meredith

Susan left this world peacefully and unafraid on the evening of Jan. 26, 2010. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day in her beloved San Juan Islands. She was in the presence of family and friends, and the wonderful caregivers at Islands Convalescent Center made her last hours as comfortable as can be desired.

Celebration of Life for Richard Lawson Feb. 6 at West Valley Road ranch

Richard Lee Lawson was born Sept. 30, 1943 in Friday Harbor, Wash., to Gilbert and Geraldine Lawson. He lost his fight with cancer on Jan. 26, 2010 at The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Richard left behind his mother, Jeri Lawson; son, Richard Jr. (wife, Tricia), son, Tommy (wife, Leah); stepson, Chris (wife, Sherry), and their sons, Chaz, Parker and Gabe; four grandchildren, Jordan, Ashley, Brandy Lee, and Dylan; brother, Victor Lawson; sister, Ruthie Paull; nieces, Cathy VanZanten and Ashley Paull; nephews, Rob Lawson, Adam Paull; and countless other relatives and friends.

Kurt Daniel Johnson | Passages

Kurt Daniel Johnson was born and raised in the community of Ballard in Seattle, Wash. His love for the outdoors began with time spent at the family cabin on Lake Whatcom, at Camp Orkila, Cub Scouting and family camping trips. He climbed Mount Rainier and hiked all over the Cascades and the Olympic Mountains.