Olympic Paddlers’ guest to talk orcas guest

The Olympic Peninsula Paddlers Club hosts a general membership meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, at the Solana Clubhouse, 135 Solana Parkway.

Guest speaker Cindy Hansen will present “Preventing Extinction – the Story of Southern Resident Orcas.”

Attendees will learn about the fascinating biology, social structure and culture of local orcas and the juxtaposition between two ecotypes: the Bigg’s orcas, who are thriving, and the Southern Residents who are endangered. Find out how to get involved and help the ongoing efforts to prevent icons of the Salish Sea.

Hansen earned a degree in zoology from the University of Washington and has worked as a naturalist and educator for more than 20 years. After volunteering for Orca Network for much of that time, she joined the staff as the education and advocacy coordinator in 2016, working from her home on San Juan Island in addition to doing education, outreach and advocacy throughout the region. She also migrated with the gray whales to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico, for several years, where she worked as a naturalist/guide.

VHOCC schedules orientation in PA

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) is hosting an in-person volunteer orientation for those interested in learning more about or volunteering with the organization, starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, at the VHOCC offices, 829 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles.

Register by calling 360-452-1511 or emailing to reception@vhocc.org.

Volunteers serve in a variety of roles such as front desk receptionist, in the organization’s lending closet or delivering medical equipment to patients’ homes. They can also serve at the bedside of hospice patients or offer grief support and spiritual care or handle various tasks in the office or at fundraising events.

VHOCC is a nonprofit serving Clallam County from Joyce to Diamond Point, and all its services are free. It provides end-of-life nursing care, loans medical equipment and supplies and offers education programs, grief support groups, one-on-one bereavement services and practical workshops on life after loss.

To learn more about the nonprofit, call the organization at 360-452-1511, or visit its website at volunteerhospice.org or facebook.com/Volunteerhospiceofclallamcounty.

Grange breakfast set for Sunday

Sequim Prairie Grange members offer a pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m.-noon on Sunday, March 10 at 290 Macleay Road.

The menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, an egg, a slice of ham, coffee and orange juice.

Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 10 years and younger. Additional eggs or slices of ham are $0.50. There will also be a bake sale table full of homemade goodies.

Part of the proceeds go to the Sequim Free Clinic.

Guild’s thrift shop to reopen

The Sequim Hospital Guild Thrift Shop at 204 W. Bell St. will reopen from10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, March 7-9. Guild members say there are many changes, inside and out, with plenty of high-quality clothing, kitchen and decor on sale and restocking of new things every day.

All proceeds stay in Clallam County.

Donations are welcomed between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and when the shop is open.

The guild is always looking for more volunteers, too, they said.

Genealogical group sets meeting and featured speaker

The Clallam Count Genealogical Society (CCGS) meets at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the group’s Research Center at 403 Eighth St., Port Angeles.

The public is invited to join the free presentation in person or on Zoom.

The featured speaker will be Claire Smith, a certified professional genealogist. She provides an organized presentation that includes a gift or humor and supporting details, group members said.

Her topic will be “Shaking Loose the Clues: Using Timelines to Organize Your Research.” Attendees will learn how to organize the information they have, identify gaps and determine what records are needed to advance research projects. Smith will give examples of adding historical context, parallel timelines, tracking FANs (Friends, Associates and Neighbors), resolving conflicting information and tracking migration.

Get the Zoom meeting number and passcode by contacting the CCGS Research Center at 360-417-5000 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, or noon-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Or, request the information by email at askus@clallamcogs.org.

For more about CCGS programs, visit clallamcogs.org.

‘Tea to Die For’ set in Sequim, PA

Death Cafés “Tea to Die For,” sponsored by Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC), are set for Monday, March 11, in Sequim and Wednesday, March 27, in Port Angeles from 4-5:30 p.m.

The Sequim discussion will be held in the community room at the KSQM 91.5 FM broadcasting offices, 609 W. Washington St., No. 17, while the Port Angeles talk will be held in the craft room upstairs at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.

Tea, coffee and snacks will be served. The groups are free and open to all and do not require prior registration.

Conversations are held every second Monday in Sequim and every fourth Wednesday in Port Angeles. They are meant to foster relaxed and informal discussions surrounding death and dying and open to anyone curious about end of life.

For more information, call VHOCC at 360-452-1511 or visit its website at volunteerhospice.org.