Honoring those who gave their all
Military and civic organizations are having a busy holiday weekend with festivities today and Monday on Whidbey Island.
The big event today, May 24, is the Coupeville Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m., followed by speakers, patriotic music, free hot dogs and ice cream in Town Park.
Memorial Day services will be presented at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor and noon at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fleet Reserve and others gather to pay respects to the nation’s war dead. Following the Coupeville service, there will be refreshments available at the American Legion Hall on Barrington Drive in Oak Harbor.
Island actress needs your vote
An aspiring actress from Oak Harbor needs the community’s help to land a role in a multi-million dollar horror flick.
Shayla Beesley is competing for the lead female role in “Ghosts in the Machine” through a unique audition process. She currently holds the No. 3 spot in a voter-based, online competition. With only three days left, she needs as many people as possible to vote for her.
To vote, go to www.massify.com and create a user account, which is free to do. Then verify the email they send you. Finally, go to Shayla’s personal page on the Web site located at www.massify.com/auditions/738 and vote for her.
“I really hope that I can make Oak Harbor proud,” she said.
Even without the role, Beesley is having pretty amazing success in Hollywood. The 20-year-old, Strasberg-trained actress has the lead role in the independent film, “Promises,” which will be released at Sundance next year. She is the star in the HBO short film, “Trophy,” and has appeared in other movies.
Relay for Life helped by sale
A Relay for Life team, representing the Oak Harbor Church of Christ, will hold a book sale today at 8 p.m. to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Team captain Samantha Tanner said the community donated about 1,500 books, including fiction, children’s books, cook books and so on.
“Relay for Life is partly about celebrating those who survive,” she said. “I have cervical cancer and my minister’s wife is suffering from cancer as well. The issue is really close to heart.”
The Relay for Life event is June 6 and 7 and over 70 area teams will participate. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention and treatments.
The church is located at 1000 NE Koetje Street, behind the Arby’s.
