Winnebago, part deux …

On Sept. 28, I told the story of JOHN MATTHIAS of Teronda West who generously gave his 30-foot Winnebago to help a family traumatized by Hurricane Katrina.

Thanks to the hard work of neighbors TERRY ANN DAUGHERTY, DICK and ARNELLE HALL and BOB and LYNDA DIAL, every inch of the motor home was clean enough to pass a white glove inspection and stocked with supplies. They even donated gas money.

Alas, the plan to drive it to New Orleans had to be scrapped; there would be no one at the other end to receive the motor home because a second damaging hurricane named Rita brought more flooding. Residents were not allowed back in, and that included staff members of a church that had been its intended destination.

Daugherty had seen CAPT. MICHAEL PAUGH of the Salvation Army Anacortes branch in action on Sept. 24 and was impressed. That was the day clothing donations were gathered here in Oak Harbor. Daugherty had a good feeling he’d know what to do. She called him and he said he could put the motor home to good use right away.

“There is always someone needing help in the way of transitional lodging,” said Paugh. For example, he said, a New Orleans resident sent her two children to their grandmother in Anacortes and followed on two days later. They will live in the Winnebago until they get on their feet. An Anacortes resident offered use of her five-acre lot and even said she’d watch the children while the mother looked for work.

“The response from the Whidbey Island community has been overwhelming,” Paugh continued. “Many many more ‘hurricanes’ will happen in people’s lives and this will allow us to help a number of them.”

Paugh takes the demands on his time in stride. It’s not unusual for the police to call at 3 a.m. and ask if he can put up a family overnight. “God does work in mysterious ways,” he said with a smile in his voice. “We hope people will continue to support us.”

Contributions may be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 303, Anacortes, WA 98221. To send an e-mail, write to michael_paugh@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 360-420-3103.

Songs my mother …

Some people blame their parents for everything that goes wrong in their lives, so I got a lump in my throat when I heard of two musicians who paid a very public tribute to their mothers with the release of their new CD, “A Moment’s Peace.”

ERIC TINGSTAD and NANCY RUMBEL say the project was intended to focus on slower tempos which tend to support needed moments for rest, relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation.

The cover notes explain, “The title was inspired by a phrase both our mothers would say and now we find ourselves saying, ‘We’d love a moment’s peace.’ We dedicate this music to SUE TINGSTAD and HELEN RUMBEL, our mothers and first music teachers.”

The duo’s 2002 offering, “Acoustic Garden,” was honored with the Grammy for Best New Age Album. In “A Moment’s Peace,” they perform several original compositions plus three favorites, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Crazy” and “What a Wonderful World.”

Check with Wind and Tide Bookstore, visit www.tingstadrumbel.com or call 360-678-5120 to add this to your collection.

The flogging post …

I would like to offer a thousand pardons to OAK HARBOR TRAVEL. I erred in the Oct. 8 Life on Whidbey column by not clearly stating it was this fine local business that organized the recent Alaska cruise enjoyed by a number of locals as a fundraiser for the Oak Harbor Senior Center. I regret the omission and any confusion it may have caused.

Garden lovers meet …

As the CHUCKANUT DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB celebrates its 50th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 27, they invite interested gardeners from Island, Skagit and Whatcom Counties to join them from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burlington Community and Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf Avenue, Burlington. Kindly call 360-755-0102 in advance if you plan to have lunch.

DAVID HELMS of Cambium Connection in Mt. Vernon will speak and the Chuckanut District’s Judges Council will present Designs through the Decades, from the 50s to today.

JUDITH JUNO can give you more details at 360-675-5866.

I’ll be back on Oct. 26. Please call me at 360-675-6611 with your news, or e-mail me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.