Editor,

Whidbey Environmental Action Network wants to thank all who participated and contributed to a very successful, fun for all “WEANFest: Celebrating 25 years of Protecting Our Native Biodiversity.”

We especially want to thank the folks who attended the annual meeting and potluck, donated to the silent auction, bought donated items, as well as Greenbank Farm’s fantastic new rental facility manager Madisun Clark.

We also want to thank the great performers who raised the roof and blew the doors off the barn with their glorious music: Whidbey’s own Cranberry Bog Blue Grass Band; Bellingham’s soulful, mischievous baritone Dana Lyons, Orcas Island’s banjo playing, folksy singer Tom Rawson and his Baez-channeling partner Katherine Ellice from Vancouver, British Columbia.

I know many are wondering who won the Busted Bulldozer and Home Island Hero awards. The Dozer went to Oak Harbor mayor Scott Dudley and the Oak Harbor City Council for callously cutting down an Oak Harbor icon, the Post Office oak tree.

The second award went to ex-Island County Commissioner Angie Homola for her efforts while in office. Though competition was stiff, in both cases the decibel meter went off the scale in favor of the winners.

One reason WEANfest was held at the farm was because WEAN was instrumental in its evolution. When Chateau Ste. Michele Winery decided to sell the farm in 1995, WEAN organized the first meeting. Eighty people crammed the Greenbank Progressive Hall to strategize a plan.

The rest is history and typical of what we do. It is truly a jewel in the navel of Whidbey Island and a resource for residents and the region.

With your continued support we look forward to 25 more years of championing sustainable strategies for a viable, verdant and healthy future.

Gary Piazzon

Coupeville