Oak Harbor’s ladies of mystery, the Crab Queens, took a relaxingly regal trip to Canada last weekend. They reclined and spa-weekended in the “lap of luxury” the Fairmont Hotel where they enjoyed massages, refreshing facials, mud wraps and all other treatments the spa offered.

“As soon as we started the holidays we knew we needed a breather,” Boss Queen said. “We decided to put ourselves number one. Because if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will?”

In deference to our neighbors to the North and customs officials, the group did not travel in their usual queenly regalia. “But we’ll be on the train in our tiaras and pearls,” Boss Queen declared. “It’s important that we pamper ourselves. We know if we’re taken care of, we can take care of everyone on our Christmas lists.”

After a weekend sans royal duties on Whidbey, the Crab Queens are back, ready to thrust themselves back in the holiday swirl of gaiety.

The current “Wings of Gold,” the voice of naval aviation, has “From Coral Sea to Whidbey Island” by Scott Hornung and includes a story by Yours Truly regarding the air show this past summer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station complete with picture of Helen Chatfield-Weeks and Bo Ault, son of the aviator for whom Ault Field is named.

A letter came this week from Dwight and Judy Whipple of Olympia, former Oak Harbor residents when Whipple was pastor of Whidbey Presbyterian Church. Their Thanksgiving letter included the many countries they have traveled, from England to the Netherlands, Italy, France and China. And all the areas in between. Their daughter and son-in-law, Lorna and John Deremia live in Riverside, Calif.

Al and Lucy Enriquez, long time residents of Oak Harbor, just returned from a two and a half-month trip around the USA. They write:

“It was our long time dream which was planned four years ago. When Lucy retired from her business Jan.1, 2002, we bought a mobile home to travel in.

We visited all the northern states up to Michigan. In Detroit we crossed over to Canada and continued all the way to Quebec City, a most beautiful city.

We returned to the USA via Maine in mid-October. The timing was perfect to witness the fall colors of the New England states. And it is all true what is said about the beauty of New England in the fall.

After the New England states we stopped at White Plains, N.Y., where our rig was left at the Elks Lodge while we commuted to the city. The New Yorkers were very nice to us. Things seemed to have changed since Sept. 11. We stayed for four days in New York; visited all of Manhattan, the Empire State Building and Ground Zero. Most depressing to see what the terrorists did. We also visited the Statue of Liberty, a beautiful sight. And also Ellis Island where we found Al’s and his brother Justin’s names engraved in the wall of honor. Lee Iococca started restoration of Ellis Island some years back by asking for private donations mainly from immigrants but many people born here donated to the cause.

Travelers

head south

After New York we went to Washington, D.C., and visited all the monuments. Lincoln’s is the most impressive. The Smithsonian is incredible. It was a bit stressing being there because at this time the sniper was shooting people in the area. When Al had to fill up with gas at a station in Virginia, he was weaving and constantly moving from side to side while pumping gas. Also the gas stations looked deserted all over this area.

After D.C. we went to North Carolina to the Wright Brothers’ monument in Kitty Hawk. Al’s dream finally came true because he has been a pilot for 37 years and he wanted to see Kitty Hawk for a long time.

After North Carolina, we continued south into Florida where Lucy has a brother who is a veggie farmer and runs a sizeable operation. We then continued to the Florida panhandle to visit friends who lived in Oak Harbor 25 years ago. We had kept in touch with them all these years by mail and phone but had not seen them since. We were very glad to see them and they us.

After Florida we continued west on Interstate 10 to New Orleans then to Houston, Texas, to visit a relative who works at the Johnson Space Center. Then we went to Laredo, Texas, where we crossed over to Mexico and went all the way to Monterrey for a short stay. Then we continued to Torreon, Calif, Al’s birthplace for an Enriquez family reunion which is held every year to comemmorate All Saints Day — a big event in Mexico. We stayed for a whole week there to celebrate Al’s birthday. We then continued on to Chihuahua City, Lucy’s birthplace. We stayed there for a week visiting relatives and partying darn near every night.

We drove on the El Paso, Texas, to visit more relatives and friends. After three days in El Paso, we continued to Deming, N.M., to visit Lucy’s niece. Then we went to Prescott Valley, Ariz., to visit Al’s relatives. We traveled on to the Grand Canyon — the most wondrous sight in the whole world. Really mind blowing. We also went to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., to spend some time with Al’s relatives at their winter home.

Winding back to the West Coast

After that we went to China Lake, Calif., to visit our daughter and family. She is a Navy wife whose husband is a Navy petty officer with an FA-18 unit in China Lake.

After China Lake on to Los Angeles to visit more relatives and friends. We stayed there a week. Then we went back to China Lake to spend Thanksgiving Day with our daughter Jessica and family. We left the following day for Las Vegas but changed it to Carson City and Reno.

After Reno we continued back to Washington via Northern California on US 395: a most beautiful route. Then we continued to Mount Shasta to catch Interstate 5 north. With an overnight stay in Oregon, we finally arrived in Oak Harbor Sunday, Dec. 1. The odometer registered 12,253 miles. A trip with no problems — medical, health, weather — and did not get shot in Maryland, Virgina or D.C. What a trip.”

Thank you Al and Lucy for sharing your trip with us all.

Whidbey Playhouse gift certificates make great Christmas presents: for one or many, family or friends, for one show or for a season…it’s a nice gift to give…Call 679-2237 or go to www.whidbey

playhouse.com

Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon is Dec.19, at the CPO Club at 11:30 a.m.

Luncheon will be sponsored by Countrywide Home Loan. The Oak Harbor High School Jazz Band will entertain us and there will be an amateur talent show.

Tickets for the chamber’s annual banquet are on sale now. Join an evening of fun Feb. 7, 2003, at Kasteel-Franssen to honor chamber members for their excellence and hear Sunny Kobe Cook talk about her experiences while building a major retail business, Sleep Country USA. Buy your tickets today at the chamber office for $35 per person. For more information call Priscilla at 675-3755.

Interested in helping your neighbors and friends fill out their 2003 tax returns? Want to learn how to complete your own tax return and give assistance to the elderly and moderate income families in filling out their returns? AARP in collaboration with the Internal Revenue Service provides such a program on Whidbey Island. Last year we helped nearly 500 persons meet their filing requirements for personal income taxes and we are hoping to increase that number this next year. Training is provided by a retired IRS agent and covers all the information you will need to complete all but the more complex tax returns. All Taxaides must complete this training (approximately 40 hours) each year and pass a certification test. Training sessions are held at the Race Road Fire Station during the first two weeks in January. Upon competition of the training, each Taxaide is expected to provide approximately 20-30 hours at one of the sites assisting in tax preparation. If you are interested please contact Ed Van Patten at (360) 331-1513.