Return trip for 2 …

GENE and DOROTHY RICE of Oak Harbor were lucky enough to live on the Mediterranean island of Sicily from 1995 to 2000 when a government job took Gene overseas.

“We actually lived in Motta San Anastasia,” said Gene, the name rolling expertly off his tongue as he prepared scrambled eggs on a recent Sunday morning.

I did a little research and found photos of the beautiful countryside on the Web, almost every view with towering Mt. Etna in the background. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In 1992, the military used controlled explosions to divert the flow of lava headed toward Zafferana, a town of 7,000 people on Etna’s lower slopes.

Even though they lived in a straight line from the volcano, just 10 miles away, Dorothy said they never felt in danger of an eruption. Dusting the furniture was another matter. “We had ash all the time in the house, so you could dust in the morning and have to dust again in the afternoon.

“The people are just wonderful,” she continued. “They never talked to you first. As I’d go to my bus stop in the morning, they’d put their eyes down until I said ‘Good morning,’ and then they would converse with you.”

Food and wine were also excellent, as were fresh vegetables Dorothy bought from a vendor who came by her house on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

When they left Sicily five years ago, they promised their friends they would return. They are home now after a 40-day journey that took them to not only Sicily, but also to Spain for four days, Germany for 10 days and Naples for a week.

The two met when they were in their 20s and both serving in the Navy. They have brought two wonderful children, Tim and Carolyn, into the world and came through one of life’s toughest storms with their strong faith. A cancer survivor, Dorothy will be among the hundreds taking part in the North Whidbey Relay for Life on June 3 and 4.

Easy riders …

The good folks at ISLAND TRANSIT are counting their blessings with news they will receive a share of a $2 million grant to transit systems in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

MARTHA ROSE, executive director, said, “Transit, county, city and business people got their heads together and worked on this for over a year. Then when Senator Mary Margaret Haugen, chairman of the transportation committee, saw how sincere we were and how much work we put in, she really fought for us on the front lines. She was fantastic!”

Besides the grant for operating expenses, some grant money is expected to come from WSDOT for development of smaller park-and-ride lots throughout the county, which will alleviate congestion at the larger lots.

Public input is critical to make modifications and add connections. “We will discuss the draft schedule and possibility of revamping existing route schedules,” she said. Want a bus stop closer to your house? Say so on Thursday, June 16, at 4 p.m. in the Oak Harbor Library, or on Tuesday, June 21 at 4 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. More meetings are set for July and August.

Band of brothers …

My inside source (a local VP-1 Neptune wife) reports that a group of retired Patrol Squadron (VP) men meets every Monday morning somewhere in Oak Harbor. They are currently interested in promoting the Whidbey Patrol Squadron Memorial and plan to buy a brick and have it engraved “The Old Fogies” to be set into the memorial’s patio.

DON GROVE is the current scribe and collector of funds. JIM LOTZGESELL and DICK HAYDEN are the elder statesmen or “Old Fogies” and, as such, may be entitled to Head of the Table status.

For an organization with no officers, bylaws or rules, no muster, no dress code and no membership cards, it seems to be thriving and growing. If you see these men around town, please introduce yourself and shake their hands. Thank them for devoting the best years of their lives to flying those lumbering patrol planes to and from Oak Harbor. Their contributions cannot be overlooked.

T-shirts on sale …

Get ‘em early, those attractive T-shirts supporting the 2005 Coupeville Festival. All money from the sale of these T-shirts will go directly to the Festival Association.

You can pick one up Saturday evening during the Arts and Antiques Walk, when several galleries on Front Street stay open until 9 p.m.

What is the worst driving habit you have observed on North Whidbey Island lately? Write to me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call me at 675-6611. See you on June 8!