Hey, its: Friday, November 14

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Orcas Today: Thursday, November 13th

Kids Storytime at the Orcas Island Library
November 14th from 11:00am-12:00pm
Join Jenny for storytime in our kids section!

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

Orcas Pride Book Club
November 14th from 6:00-7:00pm at the Orcas Library
Orcas Pride’s Queer Book Club meets on the second Friday of the month to explore LGBTQIA+ stories, authors, and themes. All are welcome! *Discussing “Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree! Questions? Contact Sara at sarapelfrey@gmail.com

On Stage at Orcas Center: Magical Mystery Tour – A Beatles Music Extravaganza
November 14th & 15th at 7:00pm, 16th at 2:00pm
Rock on the Rock Choir and Orcas Center are presenting a Beatles Music Extravaganza on the main stage for three weekends in November. Magical Mystery Tour is a one-act show featuring an all-island cast of singers, actors, dancers, and musicians who will take you on a nostalgic, heartfelt odyssey. Directed and created by Grace McCune, the production is a re-imagined approach to the songs we all know and love from not only the Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” album but also selected songs from the vast anthology of the Beatles repertoire.

A Dogs Life: The Musical
November 14th & 15th at 7:00pm, 16th at 1:00pm at The Grange
Join the Grange this November for A Dog’s Life, a heartwarming musical by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto. All proceeds benefit the Orcas Animal Protection Society. Catch one of six performances, with evening shows at 7:00pm on November 14, 15, 21, and 22, or matinees at 1pm on November 16 and 23. Link for tickets: https://adogslifeonorcas.com/

Adult Ballet: Level 1 Barre & Stretch
Saturdays from 9:30-10:30am at the Orcas Center
Adults Ballet classes are a great way to learn basic ballet steps at the barre to help stretch and strengthen your body. Some ballet classes will learn short choreography in the middle of the floor and work on turns, leaps and jumps. Dancers of all levels are welcome to come give these classes a try. Ages 16+. Register here

Orcas Island Fall Farmers Market
November 15th 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 Kady Fox.

Grannie’s Holiday Sale
November 15th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Orcas Senior Center
Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find special gifts and seasonal inspiration.

Art Sale at Olga Artworks
November 15th & 16th from 10:00am-4:00pm
This Saturday and Sunday, November 15 & 16 from 10am-4pm, you can shop Orcas Island Artworks and receive 20% off gallery-wide! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to support our local artists and save! All artists will receive full commission for their work. The discount is Orcas Island Artworks’ gift to the community and their beloved gallery artists!

Hunger Games Movie Marathon
November 15th at 10:00am at the Orcas Library
Step back into the Arena with Katniss and Peeta, and follow their journey from survival to revolution!
Join us for an all-day binge of The Hunger Games films – and don’t forget, The Hunger Games is also this month’s featured Teen Book Box pick!

Mushroom Identification Hike
November 15th at 2:30pm at the South Arch Parking Area
Please join local naturalist River Augenstein for this series of free mushroom identification hikes.  “High Elevation Fructification” – Upper Cold Springs Trail. 3 miles, out and back with minimal elevation. Meet at Upper Cold Springs Trailhead. You will learn about many of the regions distinctive mushroom species; where they grow, how they live and and which species are edible or medicinal. There will be an emphasis on mycological nomenclature using the binomial system of classification. All hikes begin at 2:30pm sharp Meet at Trailhead. Call 360.376.5080 for more information. Bring water, warm clothing and appropriate footwear

Beatles, Burgers & Brews Fundraiser
November 15th at 5:00pm at the Orcas Center
For $49, you will enjoy a meal, beverage and a chance to win one of ten raffled prizes. Additional raffle tickets are available online or at the event to increase your chances of winning! Meals prepared by The Lower Tavern. Doors open at 5pm, dinner is served at 5:30pm You must be present to win. Raffle winners will be chosen only from those present at the event. Tickets to Magical Mystery Tour show that starts at 7pm are sold separately.

Bingo for Birds
November 16th at 11:00am at the American Legion
Come play bingo and win a bird for your Thanksgiving meal! The Auxiliary will also be serving a turkey lunch. Open to the public. The festivities will take place at the American Legion Post 93.

35+ Basketball
Sundays from 4:00-6:00pm at the Orcas Island High School Gym
Join other adult basketball players in pick-up basketball games on the full court in the gym. New and experienced players are invited to join a team. The gym opens at 4pm each Sunday, and play continues through 6pm. Indoor shoes are required. Balls and a first aid kit are provided. Pay $5 for a one-time drop-in, or pay $30 for a 6 month all-access pass that allows you to drop-in to any adult sport, including soccer, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Buy your Drop-in Pass Here.

16+ Volleyball
Wednesday/Sunday from 7:30-9:30pm at the Old Gym
Join adult volleyball players in the gym to learn volleyball and put your skills to the test in rounds of short games. New and experienced players are invited to join and play along. Several players are needed to help set-up and remove the net each time. Indoor shoes are required. Pay $5 for a one-time drop-in, or pay $30 for a 6 month all-access pass that allows you to drop-in to any adult sport, including soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Purchase your Drop-in Pass Here.

Get out and Hike

Mount Constitution Loop – Difficult

6.7 miles. 1,490 feet elevation gain and loss For a great exploratory trek across Mount Constitution’s steep eastern face try the Mount Constitution Loop trail. Park at Mountain Lake to commence a steep climb towards the crest of the mountain where the trail will join with the Little Summit to Mount Constitution Trail. Follow the route through wooded hills, with marvelous views of Lummi Island and the Salish Sea, towards the summit and stone tower lookout. Once at the summit, the trail crosses the parking lot and continues down to Twin Lakes, then running south for a shaded woodland hike through the park’s largely undisturbed wooded interior back to Mountain Lake. Ambitious hikers can continue on the Mountain Lake Loop Trail, or cut straight back to the camping area. Make sure to come well prepared for this long, invigorating hike through some of Moran State Park’s most variable and primal terrain.

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A Bite Of Orcas

Matthew’s Smokehouse and Deli – By Simon

A Brief Overview Southern cooking, at its essence, is comfort. Comfort for both body and soul, and a place for people to come together in an environment, created as much by the food as anything else, and share experiences. Fueled by salt and fat, southern cooking is not a tame cuisine and takes a skilled and sure hand to wield it well. A chef must walk the path of authentic southern cooking lest they move towards unflattering imitation, slathered in store-bought barbecue sauce, reliant on little more than sugar to mask the clear lack of flavor. It is unexpected then, at least to me, to find something so outlandish as a Southern-style smokehouse located here on Orcas Island, especially in the building that once housed what was perhaps “just another American-Italian semi-fine-dining restaurant”. While I came away from my meal somewhat conflicted, certain things were never in doubt. Clarity, however, eludes me when examining the intricacies of the ownership of the establishment. Despite this fact…

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