In the December 29, 2010 issue

You kept us going another year

     We are very grateful to you – our readers and advertisers and the local artists who contribute photos, stories and poetry – for keeping La Conner Weekly News in business.

     As we head into 2011, we thank you, our community, for helping us through 2010.

     Thank you La Conner. We wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

     Sandy and Cindy

A gift of masters and mystics

Photo by M. Sharon Baker

 Museum benefactor Paul Gingrich stands next to “Interior Blue,” a painting by Walter Isaacs.

By M. Sharon Baker

When a museum hosts a significant show or collection, it has become customary for the museum to ask the artist or collector to donate a piece to enhance the museum’s collection.

So when Paul I. Gingrich Jr. agreed to show his collection of Northwest works from prominent artists including Guy Anderson, Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, Richard Gilkey, and many others at the Museum of Northwest Art, he was prepared for the promised gift request.

And he instantly said no.

What he said next surprised MoNA’s Lisa Young, curator of the permanent collection, and Greg Robinson, then executive director.

“I will give you the whole collection,” Gingrich told them.  Read about MoNA's biggest gift in today's paper.

 It was snowing this morning... 

     Writer Sue Phillips missed the December dark and drizzle because she and her husband, Barry, have been vacationing in Hawaii all month. They're due back in time to see the white stuff falling out of the sky. In today's paper, Sue shares a story she heard about Makana Mountain on Kauai.

 Makana Mountain in Hawaii -- Photo by Sue Phillips

Meanwhile, here in town ...

  Photo by Bill Stokes

 The swollen Swinomish Channel submerged the intersection of Conner Way and Sherman Street again on Tuesday. The town was not in danger of sea flooding, though, since the extreme high tide was not accompanied by a storm surge.

In the Police Blotter: Read about the guy who called the cops to see whether he was wanted for burglary ... 

   The paper is in news stands all over town and at the drug store, gas station, book store, produce market and liquor store. Or subscribe and stay out of the snow and have the paper delivered to you.