Brice Melum, 24, grew up on Camano Island. He is the only commercial fisherman on the island who catches smelt the old fashioned way, with a giant net.

Artist Jack Archibald, high on the ladder, is helped by locals Dick Marsh, left, and Bob Down during construction of the new Chamber of Commerce Art and Business Center.

Chuck Churchill walks through his orchard on Camano Island, past his horses Jack and Nutmeg.

Keith Anderton tries to upright the bikes for sale at the Second Chance Thrift Shop after they all fell over. The shop is run by volunteers with proceeds going to the Camano Senior Services Association.

Linde DeVere, director of the Cama Beach Institute, is part of a team helping to convert the old resort into a state park and historic site.

These old boats from the Cama Beach resort will be restored by the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle.

Ben Colwell, 9, and his sisters, Lacey Colwell, 7, and Rita Ickert, 11, row just off Utsalady Point, a popular spot on the island.

Bob McCusker stands outside his home on Camano Island with his dog, Paddington Bear.

Laura Aseltine of Arlington and her 3-year-old son, Evan, look out at Mount Baker from Cavalero Park on Camano Island. Aseltine is a third-grade teacher in the Stanwood School District where she teaches Camano Island students since there are currently no schools on the island itself.

These old cabins at the Cama Beach resort are slated for renovation as park of the state park development.

Four-month-old Chusco (left) familiarizes himself with Amorcita, a very affectionate alpaca being raised on a farm owned by Hugo Ulloa and his wife, Karen. They sell the alpacas and their wool through a business called Alpacas de la Patagonia.

Hugh Humphrey, 84, waters flowers at his home on Driftwood Shores on the island's east side. He bought the house for $950 in 1952, when there was no electricity and no running water. Humphrey runs a business sharpening saws, and still allows payment by the honor system.