If you have a have a chance to start really poking around this island and learning more about the residents, you’ll be struck by the creative aura that pervades. True, some might view these artistic people as a bit quirky, but the things they create are amazing. Just being around so many lateral thinkers makes you want to let loose and try things yourself.
When you see someone who has found their niche, found their medium, it’s just so enjoyable to view their work. But being a small community, there are only so many buyers. Last month one of the local artisans, Dan Miller, was driving around town, just trying to show off his work, looking for buyers. His pick-up truck was loaded with his work – chairs, benches, birdhouses, tables. He happened to stop by the inns, where innkeeper Erin Dannelly spotted him. She was enthralled with his furniture – ended up buying a cozy bench of recycled woods, seven beautiful hand-crafted Western Red Cedar chairs, and placed an order for more!
Dan Miller Handcrafts Wood Furniture
Dan’s a man of few words when it comes to his work, perhaps preferring to let the pieces speak for themselves. “It’s hard to find the right wood; then you have to make it into something people want.” An island carpenter by trade since 1972, Dan likes to “mess with antiques” and make furniture. Sometimes it’s a hobby, sometimes it’s a sole source of income, all depends on how well things are going on the island. He always has a booth displaying his furniture at the San Juan County Fair in August and usually makes 15 to 20 large pieces a year – a corner cupboard, a dining set, whatever the available wood dictates. “It’s the same basic principles; furniture is all put together the same way, except the materials are different. I just start building and see how it turns out.” Most of his pieces are one-of-a-kind, simply because of the availability of materials.
You wouldn’t think so, but finding appropriate woods is a problem. The nice stuff is still very expensive, though occasionally he scores at a lumber yard or estate sale. The old weathered woods from buildings that have been torn down offer interesting possibilities for unique pieces, but then again, you have to be able to find it, along with other elements he uses in his craft. He’s used old copper sheets for table tops, discarded doorknobs for perches on his birdhouses, painted panels for benches. He loves to build artistic garden sheds out of recycled materials. Can’t you just picture it? You’ll have to, because so far Dan hasn’t taken any photos of his handiwork.
If you’d like to talk with Dan about crafting a special souvenir of the island, you can reach him at (360) 378-2046.
The Harrison House debuted a new suite this past weekend. The Friday Harbor Suite – a penthouse studio suite with king bed, full kitchen, fire place, private hot tub on the back deck with views of the Harbor, tiled bath with dual showers and dual vanity with waterfall faucets. Beautifully appointed accommodations with hand crafted built in cabinetry and Brazilian Cherry flooring. Check out the photo gallery below:
King Bed with feather top bed and lofty down comforter!
600 square feet of pure luxury!
Small & compact kitchen, but stocked with everything you need to cook Thanksgiving dinner – 1/2 draw dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator/freezer, 4 burner gas stove, deep sink all wrapped in a soap stone countertop.
Enjoy your own waterfall faucet that fills into a beautiful green glass vessel sink. The dual waterfall showers allows each to individually select the perfect water temperature.
Snuggle up in a cozy leather love seat with matching leather ottomans and watch your favorite movie or tv show on a flat screen high definition televison.
The private deck enjoys filtered views of the harbor. The Hotspring Jetsetter tub is inviting after an action-packed or lazy day.
Enjoy the Hot Tub under the stars.
Take your breakfast on the deck or grill up some salmon on the outdoor barbie.
Stephanie Prima-Sarantopulos recently joined Harrison House Suites, Tucker House Inn and Coho Restaurant in the newly created position ofGuest Services Coordinator.
Stephanie Prima-Sarantopulos will be involved in all the marketing and promotion activities for the two Inns and Coho Restaurant. She will serve as the in-house editor for online and print publications including the Inn’s e-newsletters, blogs and social networking initiatives. She will explore new community partnerships and create new avenues for promotion. She will serve as the head concierge for our guests and assist in other administrative responsibilities at the Inn.
“We are so fortunate to have Ms. Prima-Sarantopulos as part of our team. Her background as a publisher of a small food-related newsletter and producer of an accompanying cable television program, along with her leadership, communication and organizational skills demonstrated as a national seminar leader for Fred Pryor seminars, make her the perfect candidate for this position,” says de Freitas, the Inns’ Owner and General Manager. “And her culinary arts training give her an insider’s understanding of the hospitality business. As an active island resident, she understands the importance of working in a community. She has made the Inn’s public spaces available to local non-profit agencies for meetings free of charge.”
Prima-Sarantopulos has been a summer resident for many years, cruising the winter aboard the family sailboat with her husband, Jeff and two chocolate labs. Last summer she became a full-time San Juan Island resident. She is an active member in Soroptimists, and has volunteered for the Fire Department Thrift House, Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, Island Rec activities, Trash to Treasures, Islands Oil Spill Association, and along with her husband, has adopted Wold Road in the Anti-Litter Initiative effort to keep the Island’s roads free of litter.
The Harrison House and Tucker House Inns and CohoRestaurant are three historic properties on San Juan Island conveniently located a few steps from the Friday Harbor Ferry Landing. The properties provide an exemplary guest experience: privacy, beautifully appointed rooms and personalized guest services offered by a friendly staff. With six guest rooms, seven suites and two cottages to choose from, the Inns have a variety of options to fit the most discerning traveler. Coho Restaurant serves Island grown Pacific cuisine with an international flair. Coho’s wine list was awarded a 2009 Award of Distinction from Wine Spectator.
The Harrison House & Tucker House will host pilots for the 1st annual Mooney fly-in to Friday Harbor Airport (FHR) this August. Pictured below is the airport and the two runways.
Lodging and Dining-Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant
We are finally catching up with our pictures from all our renovations. This is a picture of the Roche Harbor Kitchen with its new paint job and tile floor. This full kitchen has a dishwasher, 4 burner range/oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster and barbecue on the back deck – perfect for preparing a simple snack, steaks on the grill or Thanksgiving dinner.
Lodging and Dining-Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant
Mollie’s doggie treats have been so popular with our guests that she decided to branch out with her own line of baked goods and food. Mollie treats will be able starting May 1st for the four-legged friend in your life.
Lodging and Dining-Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn
Coho Restaurant
The Harrison House and Tucker House welcome Erin, our new innkeeper. Erin moved to Friday Harbor from Maryland. There seems to be a trend here. We are so thrilled to have here. Erin and Shay are for sure the Inn’s dynamic duo! The next picture – not our dynamic duo, but Lilly and Maya – Erin’s two dogs.
Lilly & Maya have settled into their new home quite nicely after a week long journey across the country. Here they are peeking out a window keeping watch over the Inns. Mollie, the Inn’s assistant innkeeper, wants to let the two new arrivals know she is not ready for retirement or to relinquish any of her innkeeper duties anytime soon. Even though Mollie turns 13 next month, she still greets all of our guests with one of her many balls and a wagging tail.
Even though this is the middle of February and Puxitony Phil thinks there is another 6 weeks of winter…our gardens at the Harrison House are ready to pop. Our first crocus showed its purple head this morning.
There is quite an energy in town on the eve of the Centennial Celebration. Tomorrow Friday Harbor turns 100. We will celebrate in three different venues in town with music, dancing and of course cake. We will share pictures of tomorrows festivities.
The great weather and the Salmon Derby this weekend brought lots of folks to the Island. Many of our guests were disappointed that they were leaving tomorrow and wouldn’t be around for the Centennial Celebrations beginning tomorrow afternoon.
Coho’s new winter menu along with our centennial specials – entrees and bottles of wine for $19.09 and a $100 special for 2 including a starter, main, dessert, wine, taxes and gratuities were popular. We will continue these specials through Friday the 13th.
After the centennial celebration tomorrow, we will turn our energies to prepare the Inn’s for Valentine’s Day -roses, truffles and heart shaped cookies will abound. Our pastry chef’s will be feverishly preparing the pièce de résistance – the 7 deadly sins plate for 2 for dessert!
We had the pleasure of hosting the opening session for the Class V of Leadership San Juan Islands at the Harrison House this past Friday. This is a county-wide program that engages new leaders by showing them the range of county networking resources available, designing learning opportunities around team-building and facilitation, and giving them practical hands-on tools to use in the workplace. This 5 month intensive program focuses on different aspects of our community: economics, government, history & culture, the environment and health and community services. Many of the graduates hold position in local government, including yours truly, others are entrepreneurs, while others work as professionals within the community. Class V is underway. Stay tuned for application information for class VI this coming fall. http://www.leadershipsanjuanislands.org/
Innkeepers: Anna Maria de Freitas & David
Pass
Harrison House Suites Bed and Breakfast 235 'C' Street, Friday Harbor, WA
98250
(800) 407-7933 ~ (360) 378-3587 ~ Fax: (360) 378-2270 ~ Email: innkeeper@harrisonhousesuites.com
