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Lummi's Island's Community...
Lummi Island has a decidedly old-time, rural feel. Residents are un-inclined to worry about locking doors, walking after dark, or keeping track of their children's every move. Life on Lummi moves at a slower pace, with islanders feeling an intimate connection with each other and the world of nature that enriches our everyday experience.
Community spirit abounds. Friends and neighbors organize the delivery of evening meals for those recovering from serious illness or the stresses of settling in with a new baby. The island community club newsletter, The Tome, keeps residents up-to-date on events such as the annual pancake breakfast, salmon barbecue, the "Taste of Lummi Island", the island-wide talent show, and the much anticipated gargantuan church rummage sale (to name a few!).
In the summer, the Saturday Farmer's Market, is an opportunity for local gardeners and craftspeople to sell their produce and wares and has become a favorite time for islanders to schmooze and shop for organic fruits, vegetables and one-of-a-kind crafts.
Many accomplished and varied artists have been attracted to Lummi Island, who sponser three Artist Tours a year. Local artistic talents include potters, sculptors, painters, and those who do amazing things with wood, fiber and glass. These tours attract visitors from the mainland as well as islanders interested in keeping track of our artists' latest works. The tours are held each Memorial and Labor Day weekends, and the first weekend in December.
Lummi Island children go to the island's elementary school, Beach Elementary, for grades K-6. After that they are bused to nearby Ferndale, on the mainland. A school bus picks up students on the island and delivers them to Beach elementary. Older students are bused to the ferry where are picked up on the other side for the 30 minute trip to Ferndale. Beach Elementary has approximately 50
children total. As you might expect, there is a lot of
parental involvement.
The Lummi Island Library is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with a good
selection of books and the ability to order any book an islander may want. The library also offers internet access, computer research and ordering stations, and a self-checkout system. Island children are inspired to read by a variety of programs offered
for them by library personel and volunteers. 
Commercial development is limited to one general store
called The Islander (which functions also as information
central) and includes a gift shop stocked with the work
of local artists. We also have a glass art studio/shop, two
restaurants, a
lunch/espresso cafe, a post office, and
several B & B's.
Residents must go to Bellingham for gas,
banking, and
general shopping.
There is one church on the island. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, but opens its arms to people of any denomination. The congregation is very active in the community, sponsoring the Island Fair, Rummage Sale, Christmas Pageant, Parish Nurses and Care Team, Choir, Children's Choir and the wonderful Sunday Church on the Beach events.
During the summer, reef netters dot Legoe Bay using a Native American fishing method practiced in only a few parts of the world. Lummi's history is in large part about fish. The salmon runs that skirt the island created a huge fishery with many canneries being built between 1896 and 1919. Today, there are fewer than a dozen licensed reefnetters allowed to fish the dwindling runs, but visitors can see the flat reef boats lined up along Legoe Bay.
The 2000 census revealed a year-round population of 822 with the highest percentage of the population being in the 45 to 54 year old group (24.5% of the total population). The total number of homes on the island in 2000 was 742, with approximately 52% of these being permanent residents. The remaining homes are used seasonally. In the years since the census, the "building boom" on Lummi Island has increased the number of homes to approximately 800. Community web sites of interest:
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