Creekside Village Stories

     In the crisp breezes of October, the signs are clear, autumn has arrived in Creekside.  Click or right-click the photos to view them full size. As the days shorten and the sun rises ever lower, the winds set the rhythms for dances of light and shadows.  Because of our evergreens, the Pacific Northwest pallet tends to be darker.  Fall is the time when deciduous leaf colors puncture the darkness. "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!  Are we going to sing pumpkin carols?" A medieval danse macabre summons Creeksiders to Halloween tricks and treats.     When the sun comes out, autumn is the best time to get outside and enjoy nature.  Not too hot, not too cold, not too crowded, it's the quiet, gentle season. Our pooches should not be allowed Halloween candies containing xylitol or chocolate, but an occasional severed hand is fine. "Nevermore!"     Autumn reminds us of the inherent cycle of life and renewal in the way nature prepares for

  A group of Creekside owners proposed an idea for beautifying the 18-foot “tree stump” located in the grassy area behind the sign at the H Avenue entrance. The proposal was to commission a local chainsaw wood-carver artist to carve sections of the stump in a manner that complements our natural environment. The Chairs of the Landscape and Architecture Committees, two Board members, and a few interested owners met with artist George Kenny at the site to consider options. The result is the amazing sculpture shown above.  You can visit George Kenny's Chainsaw Carving School in Allyn, Washington near Hood Canal.  As an aside, Allyn is just a stone's throw from where I grew up. To the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast, "Owl is viewed with deep respect because it possesses the sacred knowledge of our ancestors. Owl represents wisdom and intuition, and is associated with the moon and nighttime. Owl is a bridge between the physical and spiritual world."  Other

  We Zoomed Into 2021 DATE & HOUR: Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Via Zoom – Residents were notified of the meeting. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathy Anderson, President                            Marilyn Herst, Vice President                           Peggy Noethlich, Secretary                                 Norm Culbert, Treasurer                                 Lee Worthy, Member-at-Large    MINUTES:  Alice Dickey         CALL TO ORDER: President Anderson called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.   QUORUM: Alice Dickey stated there was a quorum, 27 in attendance plus 18 proxies for a total of 45.   PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:  Peggy Noethlich made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2020 Annual Meeting, Norm Culbert seconded, all approved, motion passed. PRESIDENT REPORT:  Kathy Anderson said a high priority this year and going forward is keeping everyone informed.  Thanks to Mary Robbins for taking the input from various sources and putting

 On Tuesday, October 6th, members of the Landscape Committee, joined by some of their friends, went to work on those naked berms along Creekside Lane.  Recall that English Ivy had taken over and was starting to encroach into adjacent yards, trees and shrubbery.  While beautiful growing on stately manor halls in rural Britain, it tends to be an invasive pest in the Pacific Northwest.   The ivy was removed a couple of years ago.  The banks were treated and barked to prevent regrowth of the persistent plant.  After lying fallow for a while, the berms were now ready for replanting.  With blue sky and sunshine, it was a perfect day for gardening.  And just in time to catch the autumn rains. The new plantings include Golden Thread Cypress, Azaleas, Winter Heath, David Viburnum, and native Sword Ferns.  This selection was chosen for low maintenance, drought tolerance and cost-effectiveness.  These have also been growing successfully around the Creekside campus.  A second phase of plantings i

...one plant at a time.  Clockwise from upper left:  Snowberry, Salal, Salal, Shore Pine. Beaked Hazelnut This spring, the sound of chainsaws filled the air around Creekside's northwest corner.  The removal of some hazardous trees left behind a large, unattractive clear-cut.  Without careful stewardship, this might have become an aggressive, impenetrable Himalayan Blackberry thicket. Instead, Craig Illman, Peggy Noethlich and Rick Noethlich who live near the damaged area, answered the call.  They took up the task of repairing the damage.  Of course, only plants and trees native to Fidalgo Island would be suitable to restore a natural area.  Included, but not pictured are Madrona, Pacific Rhododendron, Mock Orange, and Salmonberry.  Think of these little plants as pioneers, beginning the process of succession to a fully restored natural forest. Dave Wenning Photos by Craig Illman

It is only the middle of February. but I found rhododendrons blooming in Creekside.  Our winter has been cold and wet, but there is hope our gardens will return after all. Does anybody know what variety these are?  My guess is 'Christmas Cheer,' but that is only a guess.  During one of our next sunbreaks, bundle up and take a walk around the neighborhood.  Discover what is already blooming. Dave Wenning