100 years ago
The stockholders of the Oak Harbor Fruit Growers & Cannery Association elected a new board of directors. They were P.P. Custer, E.W. Wood, J. Ely, R. Zylstra, D.N. Judson, J.T. Rogers, W.R. Parker, E.B. Stewart and L.F. Bonnelle.
A member of the American colony of Moscow contributed 3,500 presents for Russian children whose fathers were at the front.
After the U.S. sent a note to Great Britain requesting improvement in the treatment of American commerce by the British Fleet, Britain sent a preliminary note in reply. The British note said detention of American ships would not stop, but international law would not be exceeded.
75 years ago
The North Whidby Sportsmen’s Club went on record as favoring the Grange’s plan to exterminate the rabbit pests on Whidby Island. “Realizing that the farmers’ welfare comes first, the sportsmen felt they should cooperate with the farmers to the fullest extent in efforts to curtail the rabbits…,” said newly elected sports club president John Vanderzicht.
Sociology teacher Jack Wood read a list of improvements suggested for the town of Oak Harbor by his sociology class to the town chamber. The class’ suggestions were so well-received by members that the chamber resolved to investigate the plan. Improvements suggested by the class included a well-equipped playground, airport, 4-H clubs, removing old buildings, better residence streets and walks, good public hospital, paving Main Street and more efficient police service. The full list included 21 suggestions.
State patrolman Fred Grant wrote out tickets for 13 motorists whose vehicles were equipped with 1939 license plates. The drivers were arrested and only released after they had purchased their current 1940 licenses.
50 years ago
Coupeville girl Christine Carter won the coveted Miss Naval Air Station Whidbey crown for 1965. Christine, the third Coupeville girl to win the crown in the last four years, was a 5’6” brunette with sparkling brown eyes. Her vivacious manner made her a favorite.
An Oak Harbor woman, Mrs. Robert Francke, was severely burned when fire ripped through her home. She made several attempts to rescue her infant from a bedroom in the middle of the inferno but couldn’t reach the child. Fireman Marvin Porter entered the blazing building through a window and felt his way along the walls until he found the infant’s bedroom. After grabbing the infant, Porter couldn’t see through the thick smoke and once again had to rely on following the walls to get out. He cut his wrist on the window and was the only fireman injured at the blaze. Mrs. Francke and the infant were taken to the Navy Hospital.
The Coupeville school board signed a school board architect contract for the instillation of a boiler.
25 years ago
U.S. District Court judge Jack E. Tanner spoke to a crowd at the Church of the Nazarene in Oak Harbor in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Tanner said, “Racism today is more covert than blatant,” but just as much a problem as when he was working actively with the civil rights movement in the 1960s. “Racism is present in all aspects of our lives,” Tanner said. He served on the National Board of Directors the NAACP 1961-67.
The Oak Harbor School District attempted to woo voters into passing a two-year, $4 million maintenance and operation levy. If passed, the cost to the taxpayer would be $2.17 per $1,000. The levy was to go to vote early February.
NAS Whidbey doctors and aviators received pay increases. Officers serving more than six years but fewer than 25 received a $250 monthly pay hike. The increase was approved Nov. 29, 1989, when President George Bush signed the fiscal 1990 Defense Authorization Act.
