Fairy dust and all …

Here it is. Proof that the Tooth Fairy lives. Boys and girls in BRIANNA THOMPSON’S second-grade class at Olympic View Elementary School have seen her.

Her mother-in-law, KATHY THOMPSON, was invited to talk to the children about taking good care of their teeth. Kathy failed to tell Brianna she’d be appearing in her Tooth Fairy costume.

“I just floated in unannounced, twirled around, sprinkled some fairy dust and asked, ‘Does anyone have a loose tooth,’” Kathy said. Several hands shot right up.

One child wanted to know if this was her full-time job, and Kathy explained, “I polish teeth and take care of gums. I am a dental hygienist.” Another child asked if smoking really hurt your teeth. Some took their new toothbrushes to lunch with them, so they could brush after eating.

Kathy gives credit and thanks to Dr. Gary Berner who generously donated all the toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste for her March 10 visit. She has been a dental hygienist since 1972 and been with Dr. Berner’s office for 17 years.

Never underestimate …

There’s more to being a Navy wife than meets the eye. She is a dual parent while he’s on deployment, makes sacrifices we never hear about and walks the floor at night when her loved one goes in harm’s way.

What she needs is a comfortable place to fall. That’s what many have found in Navy Wives’ Clubs of America Whidbey Island No. 150. Women have found strength in this sisterhood that began 50 years ago.

They will celebrate their anniversary on July 22, inviting clubs from around the Northwest and contacting former members to join them.

Meanwhile, they’d like you to be their guest at the April 4 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in building 49 on the Seaplane Base, past the fire station and around the curve. The meeting room is above the old Self-Help.

If you’d like more information, call Betty Glein at 675-0233 or e-mail glein@oakharbor.net.

Bids for Kids …

More than $93,000 was raised at this year’s Bids for Kids, the annual auction to raise important revenue for the BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB of OAK HARBOR. That amount includes $20,000 in matching funds from ISLAND THRIFT.

Guests could hardly wait to find out who won the featured item, a diamond ring worth $7,000. Fifty-two raffle tickets costing $150 apiece were sold.

DIANE PIERCE won the 1.73 karat ring, donated by GLORIA CAROTHERS of The Jewelry Gallery. Teacher LYNN GOEBEL won last year.

Auction items included garden displays, a Caribbean pig roast for 50 people, Seahawks tickets, boat cruises, a trip to Disneyland and Mariners tickets.

This is an important event, according to ROOSEVELT RUMBLE, executive director. Money raised accounts for 38 percent of their revenue. Last year, approximately $85,000 was raised. That included a $30,000 match from Island Thrift.

Rumble wants to attract older teenagers and extend the club’s hours this summer. Naturally, they always need volunteers. Please call (360) 240-9273.

The price is right …

DEBBIE SOTO of Rolling Hills can’t say enough great things about Whidbey Freecycle, a group of people who recycle stuff that otherwise would go to the landfill. All you do is go to freecycle.org, click West Coast and look for the group under Whidbey.

“I found out about it from a friend,” she said, “and have gotten some great stuff.”

There are 862 members now. Check it out.

Also on the subject of free stuff, two women of Whidbey are helping their neighbors by taking what the thrift stores don’t want and giving it away each Saturday. LAUREN TYME and BARBARA McCARTHY once worked in thrift shops and no, you won’t find a mink coat in the box of free clothes, but you can find plenty of stuff. Drive 2.5 miles south of the main light in Coupeville and turn right off Highway 20, across from Jehovah’s Witness. Go to 375 Safari Street. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In search of Jodi …

JIM PHAY of the Coupeville Post Office is holding mail for a JODI MOE that was sent from Seattle in 1993. Problem is, she no longer has a P.O. Box there.

“It looks like a packet of photographs from K-mart,” Phay said. He’ll hold onto it for a couple of weeks in case anyone knows Jodi’s forwarding address.

If you have information that will help, please call Phay at (360) 678-5353.

Be kind to each other and remember to floss. See you on March 22. Call me at (360) 675-6611 or e-mail lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.