At last! It’s warm and dry enough to consistently enjoy the outdoors and I’ve spent this week outside. I don’t even mind the yellow hue of our lawn; the greening effect of rain will come soon enough. It’s time to enjoy the natural treasures of the Pacific Northwest and talk these days is all about the salmon.
J. Reverdy and Carol Allender of Oak Harbor will celebrate 50 years of marriage Friday, Aug. 19. They were married in the base chapel at Hamilton Air Force Base in California in 1961.
Oak Harbor resident Melissa Duffy has desired holding a tea ceremony at Smith Park for some time. She wants to bring back some pioneer traditions like holding summer citywide picnics in the park.
Last week my husband and I went on vacation to celebrate 30 years of marriage. As part of our celebration, we stepped away from all forms of media. We completely unplugged. The moment we returned and plugged back in, we learned some startling facts. A helicopter was brought down in Afghanistan. Londoners are rioting. Our national credit rating is lowered. Stock markets around the world plunge.
This month a celebrity is scheduled to visit Whidbey Island. After her breakout role in the 1990s flick “Star Trek: Generations,” this actress entered the big leagues and starred alongside heartthrob Johnny Depp in “Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2003.
Vacation Bible Schools
Poetry and spirituality
Whidbey poet Judith Adams will share her thoughts about the spiritual aspects of poetry during the Sunday, July 24, service of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 20103 Highway 525, Freeland. Adams suggests that poetry awakens us to compassion and connects us to our humanity and to what is invisible. All are welcome. Visit www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.
Mark Vance of Island Transit is the winner of the local 2011 Bus Roadeo.He will represent Island Transit at the Washington State Bus Roadeo sponsored by WSDOT, Washington State Transit Association, and Washington State Transit Insurance Pool. Eligibility requirements are based on establishing positive reinforcement for operators who are sincerely dedicated to providing the best of service, courtesy, and safety to our customers.The course is based on ten problem areas encountered on a daily basis, and is a seven-minute, scored event. It tests driving skills and safety training.
While growing up my parents always told me that school was my job. They were therefore willing to provide me with modest amounts of spending money if I showed good effort and contributed to the running of the household. When I became a teenager, however, I was expected to work each summer and I agreed with that plan. I grew embarrassed about asking for their spare change. I understood it was time to step up.
The 22nd annual Loganberry Festival at the Greenbank Farm will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and July 24.
Admission is free and parking is $3, which goes toward the Greenbank Farm’s expenses. This year’s greatly expanded festival is themed, “Back to the Farm,” with more than 100 booths and exhibitors reflecting the farm’s role as a center for sustainable agriculture, recreation, environmental education, small-scale economic development and its continued emphasis supporting local artists and artisans.
My friends and family have always known that I can be awakened in the middle of the night, if necessary. Not only will I never be troubled by the intrusion, but I’m quite functional. That’s because I see myself as “on duty” 24/7.
Walking on the beach on Central Whidbey Island provided an unexpected treasure for Mona Lisa Carney.
It’s all about balance, I thought to myself as I stumped through pickle weed and over driftwood before reaching the beach. It was a heavenly day and the tide was exceptionally low. There were clams and mussels to gather and oysters to shuck down by the water, but making my way safely over the logs, hauling a pail and shovel, posed quite a balancing act at moments.
