Apple Harvest Fest lookback
Meanwhile, in the community center
CAP Community Toy store registration to open November 1
Registration opens Saturday, November 1 for the Community Assistance Program’s (CAP) Community Toy Store.
The program offers new toys and gift cards at a markdown of about 80 percent that will be displayed in a store-like manner. Pre-registration is required and will be open through Sunday, November 30. To register, go to blainecap.org.
Families are eligible to register who live in the Blaine school district, meet the income guidelines for free or reduced lunch and are not receiving other forms of gift assistance.
will have 25 percent of their sale donated to the program. The fundraiser will take place at the Blaine location at 1733 H Street, suite 200, and is hosted on World Children’s Day.
CAP provides resources to families with additional financial needs in the Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts communities.
This year’s Apple Harvest Festival, once again organized by Annelle Norman, filled Point Roberts with joy, music, and the scent of fresh cider. What began as a small neighborhood celebration now brings hundreds of neighbors and visitors together annually, while raising funds for Point Roberts Circle of Care.
Festivalgoers enjoyed live music, apple-pressing, games, and the ever-popular apple pies and baked goods. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers who baked and hauled apples, set up, staffed booths, and cleaned up.
The festival started with bingo on Friday night. Amanda and Holly Parsons organized the bingo evening. Amanda and Kai called bingo numbers. We had lots of visitors from across the border, some of whom came in fun, whacky Bingo costumes. Marketplace gift certificates, cash and fun prizes were awarded to winners. Shauna Sylvester sold 50/50 tickets. Beth Calder generously donated her winnings back to Circle of Care.
Saturday and Sunday the community came out in droves bringing bushels and bushels of apples to press hundreds of gallons of fragrant, delicious, apple juice. Families, kids, grandparents, and neighbors were supported by team leader, Dr. Donna McLachlan and her band of amazing, hardworking volunteers.
Saturday morning began with The Border Cruisers classic car show organized by Cheryl Zeve and a photo shoot of lovely ladies in vintage costumes coordinated by Savilla Kress.
Jen Kurtz and Patricia Johns sold delicious baked goods, created and donated by local bakers. Kathleen Pierce of Ollie Otter Bakery donated an Apple Spice Pecan cake for a raffle and Ingrid Johnson was the winner!
The community center was transformed into a psychedelic hippy den for Sunday evening’s dance concert/costume party. Contractor Andy Leaf sent a team of workers to help volunteers decorate. The Point Band provided hippy-era music for dancers. Bill Zidell manned the door and greeted partygoers, selling tickets and making jokes. There were fabulous door prizes thanks to Nielson’s Hardware, Kora’s Corner, Tia Maria, and Larry’s Liquor Locker. Maureen Kirwin and Holly Robinson sold 50/50 tickets and Circle of Care board members and volunteers staffed the bar.
The weekend raised over $3,000 for Circle of Care. Those funds will support The Angel Project, the Durable Medical Equipment loan program, pay insurance costs and defray other expenses.
Circle of Care extends heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, donor and neighbor who made this year’s event possible. You are the roots and branches of this growing tradition.
(Special thanks and kudos to Point Roberts Park and Recreation’s Dee Gough and Allison Calder who restored the community center to the clean, tidy space that we all enjoy so much.)
Plans are already underway for next year’s festival, and we invite new volunteers to join the fun! To get involved, contact us at prcircleofcare@gmail.com.
The toy store will take place 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 13 at Christian Way Community Church, 1733 H Street, suite 260, in the Blaine International Plaza.
On Thursday, November 20, Westside Pizza will host a fundraiser, and those who order using the code “Blaine Toy Store”
The program runs on community donations, with many ways to donate. Those who purchase toys to donate from Launching Success Learning Store in Bellingham are eligible for 15 percent off their purchase. A wish list is available on Amazon, and monetary donations are also accepted, with proceeds going to nonprofits in the community. Donation information can be found at blainecap.org.
Cash is the only accepted form of payment. People who require additional financial assistance may apply for vouchers after registering at blainecap.org. Those unable to register online may call 530/828-5195.
Man dies in CBP custody after Peace Arch incident
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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that a U.S. citizen died last month after being apprehended for driving the wrong way at the Peace Arch border crossing and running from officers. The man likely died due to a major artery blockage.
CBP detailed the following account in an October 23 press release.
An unnamed U.S. citizen was driving a white Mercedes Benz the wrong way on a southbound exit ramp at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine at 10:13 p.m. on September 20. The driver crashed into a curb, stopping in grass south of the primary lane booths, before running north toward the primary lanes. A Glock 26 handgun fell from his waist. Cocaine, marijuana, ketamine and a THC vape was later found on him.
A CBP officer called 911, while other officers requested the man surrender. The man, who wasn’t complying, was taken into custody after falling. Officers handcuffed him in front of his body as well as put leg restraints on him.
At 10:25 p.m., just over 10 minutes after the incident began, the officers moved the man, who they placed in a wheelchair, to a secondary area.
At 10:30 p.m., the officers laid the man on his side atop of a mat in the secondary area. Officers tried to wake him and called 911 again after he didn’t respond. An officer assessing the man could not find a pulse and began chest compressions before using an automated external defibrillator a minute later.
At 10:42 p.m., Whatcom County EMS arrived and attempted to save the man’s life until pronouncing him dead at 11:11 p.m.
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on September 22 that had preliminary results showing the man had a major artery blockage. The toxicology report and official findings will be released when the report is complete.
The CBP Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident and has notified the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Numbers
Fire Incidents for September 2025
Total calls 29: EMS calls 10, resulting in the following transports: Airlift Northwest/LifeFlight 2, Saint Joseph Hospital 2, county medic 1; fire classification 7 resulting in outdoor burn –permit 1, outdoor burn – illegal 2, false alarm 3, power lines down 1; public service 2; EMS CARES/MIHC 10. Clinic numbers for September 2025 (2024 figures following) Total 179 (168); office visit 139 (127); labs 20 (2); PT/INR 0 (7); telemedicine visits 20 (13); Physical exams 0 (0); skin clinic 0 (9); B12 and flu shots 0 (10).
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s CAP Toy Store in 2024.
File photo