Get out of the classroom this summer and into the field with two exciting classes starting June 23 at Skagit Valley College. Louis LaBombard, now in his 18th year as an instructor at SVC, leads Introductory Archeology 7167 ANTH (Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m.), and Native Americans of the Northwest 7543 ETHNC (Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m.)

“We have a private dig site on Whidbey Island and we will also visit various sites to examine, measure and compare them,” said LaBombard. “Students will learn about people on the island and how the surplus of natural foods was so vast they formed quite a feudal society. Due to social stratification, they had different degrees of status, specialists, hereditary chiefs, with real power, currency, permanent winter houses, advanced art and so on.”

Early Native American settlers and later Euro-American settlers on Whidbey Island had trouble with the Haida. These accomplished raiders from the Queen Charlotte Islands are said to have removed Col. Ebey’s head following a misunderstanding in Port Townsend.

They would travel all the way to Northern California for slaves, who would later be buried with the trash, rarely with “regular members.”

In one particularly extravagant potlatch, some slaves were killed. Potlatches, site identification, excavation and analysis of laws governing protection of prehistoric and historic sites are discussed in class.

LaBombard, a Seneca and Mohawk of the Iroquois Confederacy, points out that Native Americans (American Indians) are both ambiguous but politically correct. “All people born in America are Native (born) Americans. American Indians are not people from India (Indians) living in America. They are the indigenous peoples of North and South America.”

You must enroll in both classes for Learning Community credit (10 credit hours) but it is not necessary to take both of them for individual credit (five credit hours each class).

“The two hours additional study online is for class discussions concerning materials in the texts and our activities in the class,” he explained.

Class members will take an overnight trip to the Makah Museum at Neah Bay the weekend of Aug. 8 and 9. The Skagit Valley College business office is at 1900 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor. Call them at 675-6656 before these classes fill up.

Trish keeps tradition

For the past 12 Memorial Days, TRISH ROSE, Whidbey General Hospital Community Relations Director, has motored her boat to Orcas Island for a weekend with friends.

“They have the Taste of Orcas and a pet parade that is just adorable, with all the kids from town showing off their pets,” she said.

What made this year particularly special was the arrival of her best friend since grade school, SIOBHAN DENDY, from Massachusetts. Her fondest memory of Siobhan is when they rode the bus from Fall River to Boston.

“We spent all our babysitting money on good food at the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace and then walked the Liberty Trail past Paul Revere’s house out to the USS Constitution,” she said.

Man on the move

Col. Mike Vance, USA, graduate of Oak Harbor High School class of 1979, recently returned to the U.S. after a one-year tour with Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa, with U.S. Central Command.

Waiting for him on his return were two things he holds dear: his wife, LaSheen, and a new Harley he calls “Blue.” He always wanted to answer the call of the wild on the back of a hog, and what a beauty it is.

Several years ago, Mike began writing daily familygrams and I keep track of his whereabouts because, as his inquisitive neighbor, I am on the mailing list.

At last word, he was headed to New Orleans on Blue for a day or two of rest. His destination is Key West, Fla. Then he will travel up the East Atlantic Coast and head back to the Northwest.

What’s next for Vance?

“I’ll be shipping Blue overseas so I can explore the English countryside from my next job in the United Kingdom for AFRICOM as director, joint analysis,” he said.

Thanks for your calls and emails coming. Read more about what North Whidbey folks are up to right here next week.

Call 675-6611 or write to me at lifeonwhibey@yahoo.com.