A Personal Message from the Director |
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We had a great night on Halloween. It was so nice to have the public back on the grounds. I figure we had around 500 kids for the all outside event. The weather was perfect! We had over 20 sponsors handing out candy all over campus. It really felt like we were getting back to normal!
The Pines project is heading towards completion. The doors are going in and most of the lights are ready. We just need some flooring and fixtures. The brick plaza is completed as well. The Pines Campaign topped the $3,000,000 mark this week! YAHOO! There is still time to help push Pines across the finish line. Please consider answering the letter we sent last month. Look for an announcement in the next few weeks about the opening celebration. Thank you all for all you have done to make this happen!
I tend to get a little emotional about the Pines project. There are bricks on the patio that make me choke up a little. There have been many times I have received a gift with tears in my eyes. Some people say that fundraising is really friend-raising. I have never really liked that saying because I like to think my motives for making friends around here have little to do with the fundraising aspects of my job. I have many friends who have never contributed to us. However, I have been struck by a couple of things in the last month.
I sign every letter that goes out asking for support. It’s not an ego thing, I just think if you are asking someone for money, they deserve a personalized letter that is hand signed, not a “Dear Friend” letter that has been bulked copied. While I was signing the 3,300 letters, I would glance at most of the names. It amazed me how many of those names I could see their faces, knew about their families and with which group they come to Seabeck. The other time was earlier this morning. I was giving a tour of Pines and we ended on the brick plaza. People were asking about some of the wording on the bricks. I was rattling off story after story of why that brick was important to that person or family. These things made me realize how interconnected I am with our guests and how connected our guests are with this place and staff. I am truly humbled to work in such a great place filled with the best people on Earth. THANK YOU!
Have a great November and a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I look forward to seeing you soon here on campus.
Thanks,
Chuck
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15th Annual Seabeck
Community Halloween Party
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The Seabeck Community Halloween Party was another success. This year we did not open the dining room with all the games but everyone had a good time and they didn't seem to care that the dining room was closed. We had a total of 22 sponsors this year. Thank you to all of you who helped with this great event.
Thank you to all of our Sponsors
Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Seabeck Living
Jennifer Bridgeford Insurance Agency
Silverdale Rotary
Seabeck Community Center
Seabeck Community Club
Christian Worship Center
Seabeck Pizza
Thrivent Financial
Girls & Boy Scouts of America
Women's Club of Seabeck
Kitsap Animal Rescue & Education
Wilma & Bob Lewis
The Howell Family
The Pratt Family
Navigator Kitsap
The Ricke Family
Evergreen Lutheran Church & Preschool
Chico Pee Wee's
Dana's Heating
Girls on the Run West Sound
Smokin' Robinsons Food Truck
Thanks to our Volunteers
Wilma Lewis - Retired Staff
Arnie Marcus - Seabeck Board Member
Julie Peck - Seabeck Board President
And thanks to all of the Seabeck staff members who worked hard to
make this event happen!
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Thank you to Wilma and Bob Lewis for the candy donation and helping to hand it out to welcome the trick-or-treaters as they came over the bridge. |
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Buster greeted all the guests and watched over the candy bowl! |
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The Seabeck deer have multiplied since last year. They must have been happy with the peace and quiet that the pandemic created. There are at least 8 deer on the property that don't seem to mind being around people and they know it's safe here!
This little guy was being shy but not too scared!
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November Random Acts of Kindness |
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Here is your August Random Acts of Kindness Calendar. Make someone smile today!
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November 'Unofficial' Holidays! |
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November 1
World Vegan Day is celebrated on November 1 and it amazes us to see how far this movement has come! We remember when veganism started off as a diet fad and then eventually grew into a lifestyle option. The joys and benefits of veganism are advocated on this dedicated day, highlighting just how easy it is to go for this cruelty-free lifestyle as well as generate awareness on rights for our furry friends. Even though veganism calls for the rejection of all animal-based products, a plant-based diet is the best way to encourage this change; with thousands of delicious vegan recipes or altered versions of meat and dairy dishes posted online.
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November 2
Simply put, deviled eggs are hard boiled, cut in half, and filled with — well, that part’s up to you! Whether you use mustard or ground mustard, prefer chives or bacon, or hold the paprika or add extra, National Deviled Egg Day is for making and munching on America’s favorite potluck treat. Celebrate on November 2 with your favorite recipe, using trendy ingredients, or buzzing to the grocery store for some easy, pre-made eggs.
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November 3
Observed annually on November 3, National Sandwich Day is one of our favorite holidays. The sandwich is believed to be the namesake of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, following the claim that he invented the first ever sandwich. As one of America’s most popular lunch items, this day gives us a great reason to enjoy a sandwich.
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November 4
We hope your sweet tooth is ready, because November 4 is National Candy Day. These sweet and sour treats have been our favorite snack since childhood. Whether they’re hard, chewy, fruit flavored, or a “melt in your mouth not in your hand” sort of treat, candy has been a consistent source of happiness and, as we get older, nostalgia.
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November 5
Time to phone your friends and get the old pigskin out, because November 5 is American Football Day. Sure, they could have just called it Football Day, but if we want the rest of the world to join in on the festivities, we should probably be more specific. American Football Day celebrates the U.S.A’s most popular sport and reminds us all that it’s mid-season and we should probably check on our fantasy teams. How will you be celebrating this great American pastime?
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November 6
November 6 is National Nachos Day! On this day we celebrate everyone’s favorite snack no matter how you make it. Chicken or beef? Beans or salsa? Cheddar or that yellow stuff they top chips with at football games? There’s no one specific way to make it as long as it has two main ingredients: Chips and as much cheese as you can pile on!
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November 7
Daylight Saving Day, occurring this year on November 7, is officially the end of the Daylight Saving period which began on March 10. This means that not only do you get an extra hour of sleep, but it will also become darker earlier in the afternoon. Brace yourself, winter is coming.
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November 8
Enjoy a cup of foamy deliciousness on November 8 as we celebrate National Cappuccino Day! Double espresso, steamed milk and foam. It’s amazing that these simple ingredients can make us so happy! Start the day with a steaming mug of frothy cappuccino, or wind down after dinner with a hot, relaxing cup alongside a rich dessert.
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November 9
Is there anything better than biting into a fresh, fried chicken sandwich? Hearing the crunch and feeling the crisp texture of the fried batter over the juicy slice of chicken beneath it? The buttery, warm roll with mayo and crisp cold pickles. That experience merits a lot of respect, which is why we take National Chicken Sandwich Day seriously over here.
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November 10
Some people think that “vanilla” is synonymous with “boring,” but National Vanilla Cupcake Day is dedicated to dispelling that myth. The very first cupcakes date back to the late 18th century and took their name from the small ramekins or cups in which they were baked. (Who knew nonstick muffin tins weren’t widely available in the 1700s?) We’ve come a long way since then—now, cupcakes are miniature, edible works of art that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Diehard chocoholics, do what you will on November 10; the rest of us will be trying not to get vanilla frosting on our noses.
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November 11
National Sundae Day falls on November 11. Sweet! Desserts don’t get much more decadent than marshmallow, chocolate, or strawberry sundaes so let’s enjoy every minute of this day. You can visit a fun local ice cream shop or simply whip one up at home. It’s a treat either way. Of course anything ice cream-related seems to brighten things up, but this one’s especially enjoyable.
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November 12
If you’re sitting at your favorite watering hole with a group of buddies chowing down on free or reduced price buffalo wings, chips and salsa, fries and maybe some coconut shrimp with cocktails or beer between 5-7pm on November 12, then you’re right on time for National Happy Hour Day! Life would be dull without it, so, enjoy!
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November 13
World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World Kindness Movement. It is observed in many countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the U.A.E. World Kindness Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon one of the most important and unifying human principles. On a day devoted to the positive potential of both large and small acts of kindness, try to promote and diffuse this crucial quality that brings people of every kind together.
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November 14
National Pickle Day is on November 14th and it was created to celebrate the pickle as one of the worlds favorite fermented foods. Pickles prove to be preposterously popular with people across the country; the number of pickle-eaters is projected to proliferate to more than 250 million by 2023. That gives plenty of pretext to position November 14th as prime pickle time!
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November 15
Excuse the pun, but the timing has never been riper to celebrate National Clean Out Your Fridge Day on November 15! This is the perfect opportunity to tackle that science experiment that’s been growing way in the back, there. Of course, ideally, we’d all clean out our fridges far more often than once a year, but let’s be real: Making it an annual occasion provides everyone with the reassurance that at least the horrendous situation with your roommate’s long-forgotten “homemade kombucha” will be rectified eventually, and marking it as a day on the national calendar gives you plenty of scope for getting passive aggressive in the preceding weeks.
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November 16
Once simply ornamental in nature, the button as a means to fasten clothes has been around since 13th century Germany. Since then, a wide variety of materials like wood, clay, shells, and plastic have been used to make buttons in every size, shape, and color. A button jar can morph into a great craft project, extra game tokens, or fashion embellishment. Sure, we have zippers and Velcro now, but buttons are just more fun, interesting, and whimsical. Buttons can even be works of art, so take time to appreciate those useful, pretty little things on National Button Day on November 16.
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November 17
The best thing about National Homemade Bread Day might be the way it incorporates all your senses: the sweet, roasty comfort smell that lingers in the kitchen; the sight of steam rising from the top of the loaf, the warmth in your mouth, the taste of home when you take a bite, and the seemingly automatic “Mmmmm” that comes while you chew. Get baking November 17 to celebrate and break bread with your friends and family.
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November 18
Mickey Mouse first appeared publicly in the short film “Steamboat Willy” on November 18, 1928, the day fans officially recognize as Mickey Mouse’s Birthday. It must be fun to celebrate your birthday when you never age! Mickey reminds us of the magic of childhood — a time when dreams had wings, and our imagination made everything possible.
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November 19
International Men’s Day observed on November 19 focuses on men’s health, improving gender relations, highlighting male role models, and promoting positive expressions of masculinity. It’s also an opportunity to recognize men who don’t fall into traditional manifestations of masculinity, such as gay and bisexual men, transgender, or masculine non-binary people.
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November 20
National Peanut Butter Fudge Day on November 20 is when we try our hands at making a delicious batch of fudge. There is a wide range of viable peanut butter fudge recipes to be found on the internet and elsewhere, but what they all have in common is a quick prep time (a matter of minutes, in some cases), and a short list of simple ingredients that most of us probably already have in our kitchens. As a bonus, peanut butter fudge is much easier to make than chocolate fudge, because it doesn’t involve melting the chocolate to a specific temperature measured by a special thermometer.
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November 21
World Hello Day is a secular unofficial holiday celebrated on November 21 by 180 countries to illustrate the importance of personal communication for preserving peace. On this day, people are encouraged to participate by simply greeting 10 people. Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are among the people who have noted World Hello Day’s value as an instrument for preserving peace and as an occasion that makes it possible for anyone in the world to contribute to the process of creating peace. Other supporters include almost 100 authors, entertainers, and world leaders. Remember to greet someone kindly on this day!
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November 22
Love Your Freckles Day, on November 22, is all about celebrating and flaunting freckles. Commonly found in redheads or those whose parents are respectively dark and fair, freckles are cute, sun-kissed spots that make most of those blessed with them look wonderfully unique and natural! Synonymous with youth, and sported by beauties including model Adwoa Aboah, ‘Big Little Lies’ star Zoë Kravitz, and the actor Lily Newmark, the freckled face offers an idiosyncratic alternative to those flawless Instagram selfies where make-up is applied in thick, opaque layers. On this day, make sure to appreciate freckled faces all over the world.
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November 23
What’s the difference between espresso and just plain coffee? According to professional baristas, it doesn’t really matter what kind of bean you use, or how it’s roasted — it’s all in the way the beans are brewed. Forcing pressurized water through finely-ground coffee beans produces a concentrated brew with its signature delicate foam. This foam, or crema, to use its proper name, contains concentrated sugars and oils from the beans, adding a light sweetness that helps balance out the bitterness. Grab an espresso on November 23 to taste the difference for yourself!
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November 24
Celebrated the night before Thanksgiving, November 24 this year, DrinksGiving is the ultimate homecoming celebration. Local bars are packed as adults returning home for Thanksgiving weekend meet up with friends and family and catch up over drinks and laughter. It’s like a Springsteen song plays out in real life every year. Remember, drink responsibly and assign someone to be D.D. If you‘re driver is drinking…well...thank god for Lyft and Uber!
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November 25
America’s Thanksgiving holiday, born in the 1500s, mythologized in 1621, and observed even during the bleakest hours of the Civil War, now stands as one of the nation’s most anticipated and beloved days — celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November (November 25, 2021). Perhaps no other nonsectarian holiday has more tradition. Family, friends, food, and football have come to symbolize Thanksgiving — a rare celebratory holiday without an established gift-giving component. Instead, the day urges all of us to be grateful for things we do have.
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November 26
Black Friday has cash registers ringing every November 26. It’s the day of the year when retailers finally start generating profit, thus going from “being in the red” to “being in the black.” Get out your pocketbook and prepare to shell out some cash, because the Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year!
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November 27
Small Business Saturday® falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — November 27. In the age of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s easy to skip over the mom-and-pop shop for the big box store or online retailer. But SBS sponsors hope you don’t forget about smaller neighborhood shops.
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November 28
No need to wonder about what to make for breakfast on November 28 — it’s National French Toast Day. You know — that thick, sweet, savory dish that’s become a staple of the American breakfast diet. Just writing about this topic has us thinking about heading out for a late breakfast. That’s why we’re so jazzed about National French Toast Day.
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November 29
Cyber Monday is celebrated the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Established in 2005, Cyber Monday is the Internet’s answer to brick-and-mortar holiday shopping. Unlike Black Friday, Cyber Monday gives you the chance to shop those amazing Black Friday deals from the comfort of your couch or office.
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November 30
Every year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people take the time to kick off the holiday season by giving back to their community. Whether it is donating money to a charitable cause or volunteering, Giving Tuesday is a day set to benefit the community.
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Ways to Donate to Seabeck |
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WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT
SEABECK CONFERENCE CENTER
Want to help us lay the foundation for the next decade of Seabeck Conference Center?
There are many ways, not all of them involving huge disbursements of cash.
Here are some creative ideas you might not have thought about:
Cash Donation Today
Tax-deductible gifts via check, credit card, in person, or online. Please consider
upping your regular gift by another 10 percent.
Automatic Monthly Payments
Gifts can be deducted periodically from your bank account, making larger donations
easier by spreading them over time.
Low-Cost Appreciated Stock
Avoid paying the capital gains by giving full-market value to Seabeck Conference Center.
In-Kind Donation
We are always in need of furniture, lighting, rugs, and much more - the market value is tax-deductible.
Multi-Year Pledges
A great way to ensure support will be there when we need it year after year.
Designated Gifts
Donate to a targeted project or capital campaign.
Commemorative Gifts
Donate a bench or rocking chair in honor of someone or something important to you.
A Bequest in Your Will
Your gift can be a specific sum or a percentage of an estate after other bequests.
Just add an addendum to your existing will.
Life Insurance and Savings Accounts
Same as retirement plans, except those payments made to Seabeck Conference Center
are exempt only from estate taxes.
IRA's and Retirement Plans
Your estate receives a charitable deduction for the full gift amount on estate and income
taxes, while we receive full donation value. Non-charitable heirs receive only a part of
the value (since inherited assets are subject to estate and income taxes).
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. You must be 70 1/2 or older to be eligible to make a QCD.
All gifts are welcome. Seabeck Conference Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your contribution may be tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please contact our Executive Director, Chuck Kraining at (360) 830-5010 or email him at chuck@seabeck.org.
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Seabeck Conference Center
13395 Lagoon Dr NW
Seabeck, Washington 98380
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