Of the countless miles of roads we drive on in Island County, some are either under repair or are being evaluated for future work.

Take Madrona Way that runs west out of Coupeville, for example. PETE SEYBERT of Island County Public Works Engineering said SRV Construction of Oak Harbor has been awarded the contract to build a 1,000-foot micro-piling bluff stabilization west of Sherman Road.

“They should get started on major construction after July 4 and there will be some closures of the road, but only for a two-week period and only during working hours,” Seybert said.

The road will have one straight curve, not two as it currently has, with 4-foot shoulders. “We are trying to increase it as little as possible, but as much as needed,” to stay historically accurate. Seybert said they will also protect existing vegetation. The 80-day contract is valued at $814,000.

Meanwhile, Penn Cove Road will have work done in two locations: build out road shoulders at the high spot where there are guard rails and do shoulder repair on the roadbed near the San de Fuca Fire Station.

Work on Monroe Landing Road from SR 20 to Penn Cove Road is expected to go out for bid sometime this fall. The plan is to reconstruct and widen the existing road with a 6-foot paved shoulder on each side, with a right turn drop lane at the SR 20/MLR intersection.

Save a trip …

“Folks are very happy to see us,” said MAT HANSON, assistant manager of HOME DEPOT’s new store in Oak Harbor. “They say, ‘You saved us a trip,’ and prefer to come here instead of driving over to Burlington.”

Hanson said they brought only a dozen people with them to staff the new store, and the rest of the 125 associates are from Oak Harbor and surrounding communities.

“They worked long hours and long days,” he continued, referring to their shared sense of pride.

RICK HORNING of Oak Harbor likes the new store and has already shopped there a few times.

“There are plenty of people available to help you,” he said.

Home Depot plans several summer events, and will have another Kids Workshop in July. Call 675-0105 to find out when. Home Depot is open Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Christmas in July …

“It’s not a problem during the holidays,” said JEAN WIEMAN, “but we have to feed the hungry year-round.”

The executive director of North Whidbey Help said volunteers will be at the entrances of three local grocery stores on Saturday, July 16, handing customers a list of suggested non-perishable food items they may purchase to donate.

“Our goal is 5,000 pounds of food,” Wieman added, “and $5,000 in cash donations.”

One can always drop off donations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or send a check to Help House, 1091 SE Hathaway Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Wieman praised local postal carriers who recently collected 8,500 pounds of food items from customers on their route. It takes all these people working all year long to keep the warehouse full.

Dueling chainsaws …

CAMERON and AMANDA JONES wanted to do some landscaping in their backyard, but one unloved and rather large tree was in the way. The Gunnery Sergeant with MATSG knew exactly who to call.

Enter GUNNERY SGT. MICHAEL BASSETT, STAFF SGT. SERGIO QUEZADA and PFC ROBERT HEALY. Jones joined the three in making short work of the tree. Next up: split, move and store the wood until it is sold.

A cord costs $150 split and delivered in Oak Harbor. Proceeds fund the annual Marine Ball in November, but don’t wait until then to order. Call 257-3177.

Kiwi wit …

MIKE HODGKINSON of New Zealand had a short visit with ADOLPH and DOLORES MEISCH recently. He is a professional photographer who is traveling the U.S. and Canada taking photos of PBY Catalina seaplanes.

After enjoying some of Toby’s famous mussels, he settled down for the night in his host’s guest room.

Next morning, Dolores apologized for the noisy peacocks outside Mike’s window, but he said he didn’t mind, having raised over 200 of them.

Then in typical New Zealander fashion he added dryly, “They sounded different. I think I detected a dialect.”

Folks on North Whidbey lead fun, fascinating lives. If you have news to share, call me at 675-6611 or write lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com. See you on June 22.