On Oct. 3, even the weather joined the celebration as the community gathered to cheer for the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s 25th anniversary. Thanks to all who helped make it so. That celebration culminated this season of joy over land protected forever.

Dozens of people volunteered – donating and arranging flowers, helping plan the event, providing food and drink, making films, and smoothing the details into a warm, satisfying evening. Particular thanks to Linda and Gerry Nordberg who opened their home and started the celebration. To Pat Cozine, Lynda Richards, and Lael Ross for their wonderful organization and unflagging energy.

Many businesses donated both directly and in-kind — Whidbey Party Girls!, Penn Cove Shellfish, and the Whidbey Marketplace. JW Desserts made a memorable cake (the stuff of legends) and it was great with Whidbey Coffee.

From Coupeville High School, we had great adult help from Peg Tennant, Kim Andrews and custodians Steve Ellis, Gary Smart, and June. We received wonderful student assistance from Daniel Nelson and the Honor Society – specifically Marie, Brittany and Spencer. We showed a beautiful film produced Oak Harbor High School students about our award recipients. Thanks to teacher Chris Douthitt and students Meijiao Jaehning, Cristin Lade, Jared Plang, Asia Pruyne, and Jeff Opdyke. Hours of work became a thing of beauty.

Thanks to our sponsors, Puget Sound Energy, Island Athletic Club, and Paul Shapiro Video. And to the Whidbey News-Times for wonderfully helping to spread the word.

And finally thanks to the community that turned out to learn, laugh, and cheer for lands protected lands here on Whidbey and Camano Islands over the last 25 years. With the closing concert by Tingstad and Rumbel, we look ahead to the next 25 and to beautiful natural surroundings.

A toast to the land and the people who love and protect it.

Elizabeth Guss

Director of Development and Outreach

Whidbey Camano Land Trust