Call it serendipity …

When they were still “just friends” in the mid-1990s, BETH asked SEAN what he saw himself doing in 10 years. He gave it a moment and replied, “Oh, maybe run a small coffee shop or bookstore in the Northwest.” He didn’t know that Beth had the same idea.

Fast forward a few years. The two got married, finished school, had a son and are now operating a new business in downtown Oak Harbor. They will always be grateful for the help given them by AARON HOWELL, owner of Penguin Coffee in Anacortes, a valued friend and mentor.

Wind & Tide Espresso opened in the popular book shop on Pioneer Way about a month ago. With a smile surrounded by red hair and pigtails, Beth looked more like a teenager than a businesswoman.

A literature major, she worked for the book shop before she and Sean went back east. A business major, Sean got a job at Sears Credit in Massachusetts, only to be laid off when they sold to CitiBank. It seemed natural for them to return to the small town where Beth’s dad was stationed in ‘59 and ‘91.

They love Oak Harbor and feel their 4-year-old son is lucky to be here. “This is going to be his community,” said Beth.

Said Wind & Tide Book Shop owner DIANE SULLIVAN, “I think Pioneer Way is looking the best it has in the 17 years we’ve been here,” she said. “It’s great having an espresso stand here.”

Wind & Tide Espresso is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Stop in, call 672-9399 or e-mail wtespresso@gmail.com.

Coffee, continued …

We just heard that JENNIFER HELLMANN is moving up the Starbucks’ career ladder.

A 1998 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, once a barista at the Navy Exchange and at the Daily Grind, now manages Starbucks 303 across from Bellevue Square.

Parents JO and JOHN HELLMANN urged her to interview with Starbucks when they came to town, and after a series of three interviews, Jennifer got the job and worked here for about a year.

She was shift supervisor, assistant manager at age 21, and then manager as she moved to stores in Burlington, Bellingham, Seattle and now Bellevue.

A father’s pride …

CMDR. FRED NILES’ voice broke as he acknowledged a special guest at the May 12 VAQ-139 change of command. “Joe, we’re glad you’re home,” he said.

LANCE CPL. JOSEPH NILES of Gulf Company 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, is a graduate of Oak Harbor High School class of 2002. He was wounded in Arramadi, Iraq, while covering a platoon under attack. “They came under fire by a number of insurgents,” Joe said, “so I laid down suppressing fire,” expending more than 1,000 rounds in the 45-minute battle.

The 21-year-old combat veteran has received two Purple Hearts and is at home until his leg heals. Parents FRED and RENEE, and siblings CRAIG, KURTIS and PAIGE are taking turns spoiling him. Godspeed, Joe.

Well done, Tom …

If you’ve got a job to do, give it to the busiest person you know. That would be TOM FORD.

When CMDR. THOMAS and LESLIE PAYNE told him they wanted to build a memorial to honor EA-6B community friends who died in the line of duty, Tom stepped up to help. Today the place more resembles a meditation garden, the bronze figures and gold-etched names taking on the patina of time and weather. As is his style, Tom deflects any credit.

He would not dream of leaving the Prowler community and now works on the air station with Electronic Warfare Associates, a civilian contractor. He remains an active member of the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League, where he recently received the President’s Award for service above and beyond in support of the president and council.

DEB LEACH, another Navy Leaguer and secretary to the EW Wing Commodore, confirmed, “He’s one of the nicest people I know. The award speaks for itself.”

Cousins come to town …

I’d like to report the unusual sighting of 13 first cousins of CMDR. CHUCK LUTTRELL, arriving from the four corners of the country to see him take command of VAQ-139. Berthed at our finest local motels, the beautiful ladies and handsome men partied with CHUCK, MELINDA, NICHOLAS, JOSHUA, ALYSSA and kept their friends up late. Think I need a nap.

Write lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611. See you May 20!