Here is Your Monthly Newsletter from Seabeck

January 2023

A Message from the Director

Happy New Year!

I was just saying to one of our guests, that this New Year’s Eve seems different from the last few. There is a lot less uncertainty. In 2020 I was wondering if we would survive. Last year I was scrambling to finish Pines, wondering if guests would return in the coming year and bracing for the coming storm over the Holiday. This year we have our friends from Eliot Institute here again. The campus is in one piece, and we are certainly more financially stable than the last two years. I feel we have much to celebrate about 2022 and even more to look forward to in 2023.

We had a rather quiet December around here. We used the free time to deep clean areas and do deferred maintenance like carpet cleaning and linen cleaning. We hosted a very successful toy closet for the Seabeck area. A local family runs the whole thing. It’s amazing to see the outpouring of generosity from community. They filled Rhododendron with free toys for kids.

We are starting to host public events again. We will have a World Champion Drummer in concert this week (see below) and the Bagpipe Concert will return on February 13th. Watch for other events throughout the year. I also plan to host a “Seabeck weekend” at some point. We have many friends that don’t have a group that comes to Seabeck anymore. This gives everyone a chance to come and enjoy the campus.

I had the pleasure of traveling to Fort Worth, Texas to watch our former exchange student and adopted son, Matej Kunak graduate from Texas Christian University. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from the Neeley School of Business with an Associate of Business Administration in Business Information Systems. He is home for the holidays in Slovakia and will start a great job with Pimco Bonds in Austin in February. He is getting married in September and his football team plays for the National Championship next week. Looks like the stars have aligned for him!

I have had a few people come up to me with tears in their eyes thanking me for keeping Seabeck open during the pandemic. The staff will tell you that I will take credit for just about anything, but we wouldn’t be here without the support of our friends and donors. Gloria just dropped over 40 receipts on my desk that are a result of the letter we sent last month. Over $30,000 was donated so far. THANK YOU!!! That is an incredible amount especially considering how much we have relied on your support to survive lately. I told the Eliot gathering that I officially think Covid is behind us at this point. 2023 will be the time for us to thrive! Watch out, here we come!

Have a great year!

Chuck

Japanese World Champion Drummer Concert

Thursday January 5th 6:00 PM

Seabeck Conference Center Meeting House

Donations accepted and will go directly to the performers

Takumi Kato is an independent Japanese Taiko drum artist of the highest caliber from Japan. His performances are high-energy and world-class. He came from small beginnings, born in a small town called Ena City, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan but has risen to play at international events across the USA, Europe and Asia In 1996, at the age of just 15, Takumi played to a crowd of over 500 people, at a concert to raise funds for reconstruction after the Kobe earthquake. Continuing his passion for showing that music can help bring healing to people, in 2001, he played a series of monthly concerts in the memory of those who lost their lives in the 9-11 tragedy.

In 2004, Takumi joined the world famous Kodo drummers, studying their playing techniques and way of life for 2 years at their village on Sado island in Japan. He also then spent the next 3 years, learning and playing in and around the USA.

All this hard work paid off in 2008, when he won the top prize in the O-Daiko section of the Tokyo International. He has also toured in the USA, Europe and around Asia. His drumbeat is so passionate and powerful that it always rocks any city and venue that he plays in. People in the USA love his energetic and exciting performances and look forward to seeing him each and every time he tours.

Takumi is now returning to the USA, as part of a new project to bring the passion and power of the Japanese Taiko drum to communities across the country. He and his young family will be moving to the USA, to live and undertake his next big step. His dream is to play 1000 individual concerts across the USA in the space of 5 years. Takumi has a background in Welfare and his idea is to play at schools, hospitals, orphanages and other such public institutions. He hopes that through his Taiko drums, he can bring people together in happiness and enjoyment.

The future is wide open for Takumi and he very much hopes that you will be a part of it. Please take a look at his video on You Tube for a taste of what you can expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QEzu92LjbA

Save the Date

The Celtic Arts Foundation presents

Masters of Scottish Arts Concert

Monday, February 13th 7:00 PM

Seabeck Conference Center Meeting House

Ticket Price: $10.00 per person

Ticket proceeds will go directly to the performers

December Snapshots

Some pictures of the storm before Christmas!

The King Tide in Seabeck!

Salmon Bake Beach was a little wet!

The Swim Beach seems to have gotten much bigger!

12/30/2022

And a rainbow over Seabeck just in time for the new year!

43 Things to Get Rid of in the Next 43 Days

Extra cooking utensils

Even if your drawer of cooking utensils is overflowing, it’s hard to keep track of which pieces you actually use regularly. Chuck any that are chipped, warped, or have peeling plastic. Put the rest into a box on your kitchen counter, says Jamie Novak, a professional organizer. As you cook, return the utensils you use to their original home in your drawer. “After a week, anything in the box is something you’re not reaching for, and there’s probably a reason,” says Novak. Rummage through for any that you love too much to toss, but get rid of the rest.

Fast food extras

All those extra plastic forks, condiment packets, and straws from fast food and takeout orders tend to pile up, sometimes turning into scrunched-up napkins or unwrapped straws. “Some people take these items intentionally, while others just let these freebies happen to them,” says Maeve Richmond, founder and coach of organizing company Maeve’s Method. She recommends picking a number, and capping your saved items to that, like keeping just three soy sauce packets in the kitchen or five napkins in the car. If you never intend to use them (especially the unhealthy condiments), ask the cashier to hold the duck sauce or plasticware so you don’t have to trash them as soon as you’re home.

Painting outfit

Most of us have one grungy outfit on hand that we wouldn’t mind ruining if we needed to paint, garden, or do any other dirty work. “They’re not the most flattering, and there’s something else in your wardrobe that you’d probably rather wear,” says Novak. “You don’t have to hold onto them for that occasion that probably will never happen.”

Old papers and notes

You probably scribbled down names, phone numbers, and ideas when planning a trip or life event. “All the information we gather during ‘planning stages’ feels so important, it seems like you will never be able to let it go,” says Richmond. “But the truth is, when the trip or event is over, most of this information is old news.” Glance the information over before you toss it in the trash. Any important phone numbers or addresses can go in your phone, and a memory-filled item can go in a scrapbook or scanned for a digital album.

Specialty appliances

Those specialty appliances make it oh so easy to make cake pops, quesadillas, and ice cream, but they’re rarely worth the space. “All of that stuff was made in a kitchen before they had a special appliance for it,” says Novak. Get rid of any that you don’t use on a regular basis, or at least move them to another room in the house, she says.

Food storage containers

It seems like a waste to trash the plastic boxes that come with takeout, but those containers can pile up fast. Hang on to the ones you’d realistically use during the week—like the ones that fit in your lunch bag or are big enough for your typical leftovers—and trash the rest, especially if the plastic is peeling or warped. Better yet, invest in some microwavable glass containers, which don’t have the chemical risk that plastics do, says Richmond. “Somehow we don’t think we should be spending even a cent on something that we can get for free,” she says. “If it’s a day-to-day activity for you, by all means it’s a great idea to invest in something that’s great quality.”

Water bottles

“Travel mugs are the hot new thing to hoard,” says Novak. Between smoothie bottles, tumblers with straws, regular water bottles, and thermoses, those containers take up a lot of cupboard real estate. Pare down to only the water bottles and travel mugs that you actually use on a regular basis. Keep the one that fits in your cup holder, bike, and yoga bag, and let the rest go, says Novak.

Spices and herbs

Knowing when to toss sour milk or wilted greens is easy enough, but you might be holding on to spices and herbs too long. “They won’t expire in the sense that they won’t make you feel well, but they will lose flavor and potency,” says Novak. “Take a bit of the spice or herb in your fingers and crush it a bit. If there’s no scent, there’s no flavor.” If you’re ever in doubt, Novak recommends checking the site StillTasty, which lets you search for common foods to check their lifespan.

Rusty razors

Old razors can cause health problems like razor burn and skin infections, especially if you keep them in a moist shower where bacteria grows. Replace any blades that you’ve already used more than four times.

Old makeup

Toss mascara after three months and products with SPF after six. For everything else in your makeup bag, a one-year expiration is an easy rule of thumb, says Novak. “It wouldn’t harm you necessarily—although it could, or cause blemishes,” she says. Write the date on a product when you open it so you don’t forget. Don’t feel the need to hold on for a full year though—throw out products as soon as they change consistency, color, or scent.

Plastic shopping bags

Yes, those plastic grocery bags can come in handy, but that doesn’t mean you should keep an endless stockpile. Take a moment to calculate how many you actually use in a typical week. “Do the math,” says Richmond. “It’s what I use when clients are struggling with volume.” Add a pad of five or so to that number to give you a bit of wiggle room, she says.

Reusable bags

Reusable bags are sturdier and more eco-friendly than standard plastic grocery bags—if you remember to take them along. Chances are, you’ve bought extras when you forgot yours at home. “Some of those bags are crumply and crinkly and don’t fill to the top,” says Novak. Keep your go-tos and toss any with designs you don’t love, she says.

Gift bags

Don’t hang on to every gift bag you receive, just because you might reuse it in the future. That big stack just makes the bags more likely to wrinkle and look used. Keep just two generic bags each in small, medium, and large sizes, says Novak. “Steer clear of occasion-specific bags,” she says. “Keep pretty bags that could do for just about any gift.”

Worn-out bath mats

It’s time to finally let go of that old bath mat with the rubber backing peeling off. “We act like we’re going to use it again,” says Novak. Toss it in the trash—we guarantee you won’t miss it.

Outdated magazines

When a pile of magazines gets bigger and bigger, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll actually get to each one. Toss any that older than four to six months, suggests Richmond. “There’s something fresh and new to read instead,” she says.

Gift wrap

Only keep gift wrap with generic patterns that could be used for birthdays, holidays, and everything in between. “When they’re occasion-specific, you wrap one gift and have 29 square feet of gift wrap that you can use maybe one other time during the year, and it’s unrolling and getting crinkly,” says Novak. Donate the rest to a children’s librarian or art teacher, who can use the gift wrap in art projects, she suggests.

Loofahs

You might not think of them as having expiration dates, but loofahs, bath poufs, and body brushes can harbor bacteria. They’re tough to clean, so you might as well replace them. “They’re usually not so expensive that you can’t just pick up another one and keep skin blemish-free,” says Novak.

Single socks

It’s fine to hold on to an unmatched sock for a bit while you wait for its mate to show up, especially if all your socks are the same brand and style. But a drawer stuffed to the brim with single socks is a waste of space. “Take that space and translate it to something else, like a sweater or a pair of jeans,” says Richmond. “You’re taking up valuable real estate with a bunch of little things.”

Expired medications

Drugs lose potency over time, so scan your medicine cabinet for any expired bottles. “Now is the time you want to find out your cold medicine is out of date, rather than when you need it,” says Novak. Check if the Drug Enforcement Agency is collecting in your area, or if your local pharmacy or police station will accept drop-offs.

Old sheets

Don’t hang on to old sheets that don’t fit any mattresses in your house. “It’s that ‘just in case’ mentality,” says Novak. If you really do end up getting a new mattress that size later, you can always buy new sheets. Donate the old ones to someone who can enjoy using them right away.

Unflattering clothes

You probably already know you should pare down your wardrobe, but an overflowing closet of clothes can be overwhelming. To make the task easier, start in the back of your closet or bottom of your drawers. “There’s a good chance that’s the stuff you’ve forgotten about and you will be more likely to let it go,” says Novak. Ask yourself these closet-cleaning questions to decide what’s worth the closet space.

Expired batteries

Do a quick run around your house to find all those loose batteries lying in random drawers. Pull any out that are past their expiration date or are starting to corrode. Even if those decade-old batteries still have juice, you’ll be on step closer to clearing out that junk drawer. “If you’ve never done the battery challenge, do it once in your home to whittle out stuff that’s just sitting there useless,” says Richmond.

Ratty towels

Be honest: You’ll probably never dig out a ratty towel when you have a stack of clean, fluffy ones. “You wouldn’t even give them to a guest, so what are you doing?” says Novak. Keep a few for emergencies like cleaning up floodwater, then trash the rest, she says.

Souvenir T-shirts

Don’t clog up your closet with T-shirts from vacations just for the sentimental value. “There are some things you think are clothing but are actually memorabilia,” says Novak. “You keep those clothes in your closet, but they actually belong in a memory box.”

Unused specialty foods

You might have used a tablespoon of a special sauce or spice when experimenting with ethnic foods. “We love feeling inspired to cook a new food,” says Richmond. “But some items don’t get used or we lose our taste for the food.” Trash those ingredients in the back of your cupboard that you only used once and have not immediate plans for.

Memorabilia

Contain yourself to just one memorabilia box that’s easy to store out of sight. Once that container is full, pare it down instead of letting new boxes build up. Instead of holding on to the physical item, consider taking a picture for the nostalgic value. “Any time you can, take a picture of the item and have a folder of something that’s all your memories,” says Novak. Instead of a bulky box of dusty teddy bears and melted candles, you’ll save those memories digitally.

Costume jewelry

Chances are, someone out there will get more use out of that costume jewelry than you do. Consignment shops will often buy jewelry on the spot instead of paying you after it’s sold, and community theaters use costume jewelry as props, says Novak. You could also consider selling the pieces on Etsy. “People that use them for their art projects will buy it,” she says. “That’s your target market right there.”

Old intimates

Trash any stockings with runs or intimates with elastic that’s barely hanging on. “All those support garments should actually support you,” says Novak.

Cardboard boxes

You might be holding on to the original box for a big-ticket item like a TV or computer just in case you want to sell it or need to move, but they’re usually not worth the space. The few extra bucks you might make selling it in its original packaging probably aren’t worth it, and you shouldn’t start hoarding boxes unless you plan to move within two months, says Richmond. “If you think you might return an item, by all means, hold onto the original box for a month or two,” she says. “But once that item becomes a member of your family, that original box isn’t important anymore and can go.”

Purses

You probably have a few go-to purses and barely touch the others. Get rid of any bag that’s so heavy you hate carrying it, looks ratty, or has torn lining. “If it’s not something you would spend money on to have it repaired—if it even could be repaired—you can’t use it,” says Novak.

Lunchboxes

Toss old lunchboxes that have broken clasps or zippers, or that aren’t insulated if you need to keep your food cold. “Some of them are so gross in the corners with food stuck to them,” says Novak.

Chipped mugs

“They’re not good for you—you could injure yourself,” says Novak. Anything that you wouldn’t hand to a guest doesn’t belong in your cupboards, she says.

Unread books

Choosing a book used to require a trip to the bookstore, scanning the shelves for the most interesting ones. But now that new books are just a click away, they tend to pile up before we can read them, says Richmond. “Knowing we spent money on something and didn’t use it triggers this personal guilt issue,” says Richmond. Sit down and figure out when and why you bought each one, then send the ones you don’t plan to read anytime soon to a book donation organization.

Old knickknacks

Get the clutter-free home you’ve always wanted by cutting out any home décor items that just don’t suit your personality anymore. “They’re in the home so long they’re just part of the landscape,” says Novak. She recommends clearing off your bookcase, then considering whether you actually love each item before putting it back.

Holiday table runners

Keep a few tablecloths and table runners in basic colors that could work in different seasons. Ones that only work for one specific holiday just take up precious storage space. “You don’t have to have occasion-specific ones that take up room year-round but you use once a week of the year—maybe, if you remember you have it and want to iron it,” says Novak.

Old toys

Cutting down on the number of toys your kids have is the first step to cutting down the mess they make during playtime. Anything with broken or missing pieces can go in the trash. If you’ve noticed your children don’t touch all their toys, ask them to pick three to give away. “Let them know that you’re giving them to an organization for kids who don’t have any toys,” says Novak. You could also put less-used toys in a box for six months, she says. If your kids don’t ask for the playthings back, they probably won’t miss them if you give them away.

Obsolete technology

“Life is changing fast,” says Richmond. “Technology we spent good money on only a few years back is now antiquated.” They’re hard to let go because you remember how useful they were, she says. But unless you can honestly say you would use that outdated phone that doesn’t have a charger, get rid of it.

Bath bombs and salts

If you don’t generally take baths, you’ll probably never get around to using those bath bombs and salts you’ve been hanging on to. By the time you finally do use them, the moisture and traffic in the bathroom will probably make them unusable. “A ball of salt or bath bomb crumbles aren’t relaxing to put in the tub,” says Novak.

Designer dress bags

Don’t feel obligated to keep the protective bag that an expensive dress or suit came in. “Think of them as a transportation device,” says Richmond. “Then, if you want to use it in your closet…by all means protect away.” But if you’re more inclined to smush it into a corner of your closet, let it go.

Drink coasters

“A lot of people have an inordinate number of drink coasters in their side table as if they’re having a huge party,” says Novak. Unless you do, in fact, do a lot of entertaining, throw out the extras that you never reach for. Any that are wobbly or have chips or a soiled cork can go straight in the trash.

Junk in your purse

Receipts, scraps of paper, old makeup, dead pens, and wrappers should all go straight in the trash. Check if any of your loyalty cards have apps so your wallet isn’t so fat. “We’re trying to go paperless when we can,” says Novak.

Potpourri

Give that potpourri a whiff. “If it doesn’t have a scent, it’s lost its purpose,” says Novak. Refresh the container, or get rid of it for good if you don’t use it for the aroma.

Extra buttons

Dump that basket of extra buttons and threads that came with clothes you might not even own anymore. “You would never be able to match it up,” says Novak. “There are so many colors of thread that a tailor can certainly match the color to whatever.”

Chuckle of the Month

Text

UPDATED COVID-19 Precautions

Ways to Donate to Seabeck

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.

Seabeck Conference Center

13395 Lagoon Dr NW

Seabeck, Washington 98380

360.830.5010 Email | Websi te