A promising start …

Driving by the corner of Fidalgo and Dock Streets, I spotted a T-shirted SCOTT FRASER having an animated discussion with several workers at a building site. Last fall, the former Kasteel Franssen chef announced he’d open his own place, so when I saw him there again the following day, I decided to pull over and investigate.

Fraser is actually more than a little hands-on in the design and construction of his new restaurant. Active partners in the project are his father-in-law, local builder FRANK FRANSSEN, and his friend architect TERRY DeLESKY.

Fraser even took a one-day course in setting the Styrofoam Logix building blocks. Unlike wood forms that are removed once the concrete is firmed up, these stay in and have an R20 rating for insulation.

There will be two shops at street level. The restaurant will occupy the first floor with an open kitchen and porch for outdoor eating. The top story will have two luxury condominiums.

They are shooting for a February opening, and I get the feeling he’d like to button up the outside work before the rainy weather returns.

Dude, where’s my car?

JUDY PEDERSEN of Coupeville reports a case of mistaken identity of a car. Her son KARL, 20, recently left their apartment for his first day of work at Whidbey Telecom. Trouble was, his 1984 Chevy Celebrity was missing from in front of the building.

Although somewhat of a clunker, it still ran well. Not wanting to be late for work, he hitched a ride with a friend. A stolen car report was made to the police and the insurance company.

Several weeks later, the apartment manager was wondering why a junker car out back hadn’t been towed away as planned. When he heard about Karl’s missing car, he put one clunker and another together — maybe the towing company had taken the wrong car by mistake. Judy says that was indeed the case, and it turns out Karl’s car had later been donated to Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue for practice.

“They were going at it with the Jaws of Life and everything,” she said with a laugh. She said the towing company, which she wanted to remain nameless, was great. When they learned of their mistake, they reimbursed Karl for the $1,000 he originally paid for the Celebrity three years ago. Now he’s driving a newer Geo Metro.

Just another happy ending on Whidbey Island.

So near, and yet …

BARB OLESON reports two unusual sightings on her recent trip to New York. She spent two weeks with her sister Bernice who lives upstate.

“We spent the first week on Long Island with a cousin and while there went into the city to see a Broadway play,” Oleson said. “While waiting in line, I took a picture of my sister, cousin and niece, only to discover that right next to the theater is a ‘Seattle Café.’

“The following week, my sister and I were back in upstate New York and we stopped at a shopping mall in Corning, N.Y., to get something to eat. As I walked to a table at Burger King, what should be directly in front of me but three giant prints of Mt. Shuksan!”

I’ll bet those reminders of home tugged at her heart just a bit. I guess that would be as strange as running into someone from Whidbey Island while waiting to board a camel in the desert. Well, it could happen.

Hail our alma mater …

JO BALDA reports that the Triennial Reunion of the Oak Harbor High School was held Aug. 6 and 7 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. Every class from 1931 through 1955 was represented. There were 177 guests at the dinner and 114 at the luncheon.

Special honoree was EDITH HUNT GRINDELIND, having graduated in 1929, who came from Seattle with her grandson.

KEN LANG and JACK MURPHY, both now living in Louisiana, came the farthest. Classes 1954 and 1955 were especially honored as the latest classes included.

Time was spent renewing old acquaintances, reminiscing and looking forward to the next reunion in 2008.

Art, Antique Walk coming

Stroll a little, dine a little and pick up some great local art during the quarterly Coupeville Arts and Antique Walk from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 3. Galleries feature painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media and antiques from around the world. The Island County Historical Museum will again be open with free admission during the Art and Antique Walk.

It’s a date! Call 360-678-9200 for more information.

Watch out for students headed back to school. They’re excited and won’t be looking for you. I’ll be back on Sept. 7. Call me at 360-675-6611 or write to lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.