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Orcas Today: October 3rd-5th

Farm Tours of the San Juans: Orcas Island
October 3rd-5th
Celebrate your local farmers and food this September and October at the annual Farm Tours of the San Juans! Explore working farms, meet island farmers, enjoy farm-to-table tastings, u-pick produce and hands-on demos. Most activities are free and family-friendly. Details and maps are available at www.farmtourssanjuans.com. Join the community in supporting local agriculture and experiencing the rich food and farming culture of the islands!

Kids Storytime at the Orcas Island Library
October 3rd from 11:00am-12:00pm
Join Jenny for storytime in our kids section!

First Friday Book Group
October 3rd from 12:00-1:00pm at the Orcas Island Library
Join community members in person at the library to discuss this month’s book selection.  The same book will be discussed over Zoom on the 2nd Saturday of the month.  Please contact areback@orcaslibrary.org for more information.

Art with Carla at the Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 1:00-3:00pm
Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative process with a strong belief in your artistic potential, regardless of skill level. The class is $10 (or $8 for OSC members). Contact Carla at 360.317.5652 or onlyonorcas@gmail.com to secure your spot. Uncover your artistic potential and join creative Fridays at Orcas Senior Center!

Needlework Circle at The Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 2:00-6:00pm
Join this weekly gathering for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all needleworkers at Orcas Senior Center, every Friday at 2pm. Come hang out—no project required! Whether you haven’t knitted in years, want to learn to crochet, or just want to relax and chat, you’ll find a wonderful selection of donated yarn, needles, books, and plenty of friendly advice. For more information, contact Edy Hansen at edy@orcasseniors.org or 206.413.6167

Teen Event: Make Your Own Monster Mug
October 3rd at 4:00pm at the Orcas Library
Design your own spooky (or silly) monster mug using acrylic paint pens. Perfect for sipping hot cocoa all season long.

Teen Event: Spooky Movie Fridays
October 3rd from 4:00-5:45pm at the Orcas Library
Get in the Halloween spirit with a different spooky (but teen-friendly!) movie every Friday. Popcorn provided!

Orcas Island Fall Farmers Market
October 4th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the OISD Cafeteria
The 2025 Fall Farmers Market promises to be better than ever! Now through November, you can head over to the Orcas Island School Cafeteria every Saturday and support your favorite vendors, farmers, and food growers, and catch some amazing musical talent from the stage. Featuring live music by Clint McCune.

The Great Islands Clean-Up
October 4th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Eastsound Village Green
Pick-up bags, vests and grabbers at the Village Green starting at 10am. Collected trash can be dropped off the day of the event between 2-3pm at the Village Green. Head to https://exchangeorcas.org/next-gicu/ to join a team!

Orcas Fire & Rescue Open House
October 4th from 12:00-2:00pm
Explore fire engines, ambulances, rescue gear, and more! Meet your island emergency team and learn how you can get involved. Free and open to the public.

Annual Apple Tasting & Pressing
October 4th from 12:30-2:30pm at the Orcas Island Historical Museum
The Orcas Island Historical Museums and Kwiaht will host the third annual Apple Tasting at the Museum on Saturday, October 4th.  Attendees can sample dozens of varieties of local apples, enjoy fresh-pressed cider, and learn about Orcas Island’s heritage orchards. Although apple tasting will conclude at 2:30, apple pressing will continue until 3:30. Community members are welcome to bring their own apples to press or use those provided. This event is supported by Girl Meets Dirt and Orcas Isle Cider.

Salmonberry Fall Festival
October 4th from 1:00-4:00pm
Celebrate the season with Salmonberry Community School! Enjoy an afternoon of crafts, games, snacks, and cider with friends and family.

 

Get out and Hike

Little Summit Trail – Difficult

2.2 miles. 430 feet elevation gain/loss Little Summit rests above Mountain Lake on the eastern side of Mount Constitution. The Little Summit Trail starts at one of the best picnic vistas in Moran State Park, with several tables for visitors to relax on as they enjoy views of Mount Pickett and the south sound. The trail continues along the sloping ridge of the mountain towards the summit through variable terrain populated by switchbacks, ant hills, and ancient Lodgepole Pine growth. Several vantage points along the trail offer breathtaking views and photo opportunities of eastern Orcas Island, including Mountain Lake and Twin Lakes, and the waters of the Salish Sea. Take the mid-way cutoff towards the Cold Springs Trail for further hiking or continue the ascent towards the summit and see the best view in the San Juan Islands.

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A Bite Of Orcas

New Leaf Cafe – By Howie

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Period, full stop, buck stops there, you get the idea. Though I don’t garner the opportunity to savor a good breakfast often, it warms my heart, body, and soul when I gain said opportunity. Our previous restaurant on the list had to be pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances, but it made for a wonderful brunch in the end. My esteemed colleague and I set sail for a early-afternoon adventure of the taste buds, and if you couldn’t tell by my praise, it was a fine voyage indeed! New Leaf Café is a restaurant located in one of the three buildings belonging to Outlook Inn, one of the premier places to stay for a visit on the island. They have gone through several Iterations and have since settled to doing Brunch and Dinner. However, due to the times we live in, Brunch is the only meal they could serve this season, but we, as food connoisseurs, were not deterred from this fact, boldly striding into the calming atmosphere of New Leaf Café with our heads high, and our appetites… uh… also high? We were hungry, okay? While my esteemed colleague opted for one of his favorites…

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