One of Washington Island's best-known senior citizens recently left the Island and moved to Florida.

Although a youthful senior — born in Sturgeon Bay in 1950, making her only 59 years old — she no longer felt quite fit enough to participate in life here on Washington Island.

So, after a meandering trip to Florida and a bit of cosmetic surgery, she will begin a new full-time career in warm and sunny St. Petersburg.

On the morning of Oct.18, the C.G. Richter — the Island's longtime ferry across Death's Door and for many years the only ferry able to cross during the winter — departed Washington Island for the last time.

She was sold by the Washington Island Ferry Line to a Florida company called "A Pirate's Life for Me" and will soon begin her new career as an excursion boat with a crew of "pirates." She will travel to Florida via Lake Michigan, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico.

For a personal remembrance and short history of the C.G. Richter, visit Ferry Cabin News for Oct. 17 at http://ferry cabinnews.blogspot.com.

Clothing sale

Islanders have always recycled. In fact, the sign on Town Line Road pointing to the landfill says "Island Exchange."

And the annual clothing sale at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church shows off Islanders at their recycling best.

For many years Islanders raised money for school activities through a clothing and rummage sale in the gym. About five years ago part of the sale — the clothing part — spun off into a separate event.

Using the church social hall for the clothing sale allows more time for setting up. "Clothing sales are very labor-intensive," says Gloria Small. "Everything that is dropped off has to be sorted, which takes a long time. We now ask people to do a bit of sorting themselves beforehand, and that helps a lot."

"We sort all day Wednesday, and those who volunteer for sorting get first pick of the items," Gloria continued. "We set aside for special sale what we call 'boutique clothes' that are new or higher quality."

On the final day, shoppers can take what they want in return for a donation. Any remaining items are loaded into vehicles destined for charities off Washington Island; drivers volunteering to carry away the clothing drop it off at charities of their choice.

Marlene Mann recycles items that can't be sold because they are soiled or torn. During the winter she cleans them up, makes small repairs by sewing seams and replacing buttons and zippers, and then donates them to off-Island charities. "We try to use it all," said Marlene. "Someone, somewhere can use almost everything."

Proceeds, usually approaching $2,000, are used for Trinity programs for high school students, such as Wednesday breakfasts at the church and an annual mission trip.

Hours of the sale this year are from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.

Contact Mary Marik at (920) 847-2742 or mary.marik@gmail.com.