Nancy Hilliard
Around the Island
Islander Nick Forsgaard, 18, eats lunch in the shade at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island last Wednesday.
Elizabeth Celms
Mercer Island Reporter
Carrie Wood
Bellevue Reporter
The iPod is a most beloved device. iPod owners are able to store a large portion of their music and, in newer models, video and photo collections — within reach at all times. This allows for what most folks do with such treasures — enjoy and share them. But things are not so perfect as this feel-good phenomenon would otherwise present. Although the owner of an iPod does own the device, she or he must conform to the protocols and parameters of the iPod “system.”
The Rotary Islander of the Month award for November was given to Mercer Island High School senior Olivia Witter.
A few weeks ago, we addressed the complex nature of the online social networking community called MySpace. In that article, we referenced parental controls and how to find out more about them in order to provide online safety for children.
MulvannyG2 Architecture raised $138,850 to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Puget Sound Affiliate, at its sixth annual golf tournament, “Swing for the Cure,” held at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore. Mitch Smith and Ming Zhang, Senior Partners of MulvannyG2, along with Chairman of the Board, Jerry Lee, presented a check to Mona Locke, Executive Director of Komen’s Puget Sound Affiliate, on Oct. 10 in support of breast cancer awareness month. MulvannyG2’s cumulative donation from this event has now peaked to over $528,850, aiding in the fight against breast cancer.
Mercer Island residents DJ and Renae Brooks celebrated their 50th birthdays by cycling around Mercer Island 50 consecutive times for Children’s Hospital. Tackling the marathon tag-team style, each taking one 13-mile loop at a time or riding together, the couple finished their goal in 44 hours and 36 minutes. They covered a total of 650 miles and raised $5,000 for the charity — $100 per loop.
Bright fall-colored leaves are reflected in a pond at The Lakes neighborhood on the South end of Mercer Island, Oct. 27.
Centuries ago, the Duwamish Indians would not set foot on Mercer Island past dusk. The Island, shrouded in fog and dark with mystery, was believed to be filled with spirits. Natives who hunted and foraged on the Island by day made haste to row away before sunset. When the first settlers came to Seattle, the Duwamish agreed to canoe the men over to explore the Island but refused to accompany them through the night, returning instead to pick the settlers up the next day. Since that time, Mercer Island has grown rich with stories of haunted landmarks and restless souls. Here are some of the Reporter’s favorites:
Anyone who drives up S.E. 40th Street has probably seen it — a glittering, 12-foot-long duck with bulging red eyes and a handsome bill. There he sits, these days wrapped up in tarp to keep warm from the cold. Earlier this summer, you may have seen him bobbing peacefully on Lake Washington or trailing behind a Ford truck on his way home.
Freshmen royalty Elana Skouras (left), Emma Guthrie and Jeremy Chow wave to the crowds.