Carolyn Harrison Sisley – Founding Member Family
Early OPALCO – From a Child’s Memory I was three years old when we moved to Orcas. My Dad, John E. Harrison, was born and raised in Eastsound, … Read More
Katie Jensen – Member Family Since 1953
Katie Jensen wrote (April 2012): “The Jensen connection to OPALCO began in November, 1953, when we rented a house on North Beach Road with Tina (age 6), Judy … Read More
Mildred Sandwith, Member Family Since 1943
Mildred was born and raised in Friday Harbor, where her grandfather was a doctor and owned the local pharmacy. As the youngest of four, Mildred did not have … Read More
Jane Barfoot Hodde, Member Family Since 1937
Jane is a long-standing member of OPALCO herself, having joined the Co-op with her late husband Jack in 1947. She is also a member of the Willis family, … Read More
“To Date” Poem by Zoa H.Cowden, 1940
From the collection of Buyral and Ellen Madan TO DATE When it’s candle lighting time in Crow Valley Everything is up in whirl. But most of the time … Read More
Coffelt Family – First Recorded Membership
Vern Coffelt comes from a long line of OPALCO founders and supporters. His grandfather, John Gus “JG” Smedberg, a pioneer Orcas farmer known for his prize-winning apples … Read More