From the Oak Harbor News 100 years ago, in 1917:
n With all county commissioners in attendance for their regular session, the board voted to approve the expense report, to establish the Wm. Kohlewes Road and to make various changes to several voting districts.
n Mrs. Bradburn implemented a “self-governance” plan that required young women to help serve hot lunch at Watson Corner School as a punishment for bad behavior. Conventional thinking was that “this plan ought to work out very well, except that if girls like to cook they might offend purposely.”
n Mayor Elly presided over Oak Harbor City Council, which approved plans for the purchase of a like-new fire engine from the city of Georgetown, provided that everything checked out satisfactorily.
n Oak Harbor Drug Co. advertised 35 tablets of Nyal’s Laxacold for 25 cents, ensuring prospective customers that the drug “cures colds in 24 hours.”
From the Island County Farm Bureau News 75 years ago, in 1942:
n Congressman Henry M. Jackson assured the city of Oak Harbor that it would receive 100 new housing units on Crescent Harbor’s Naval Air Base reservation in an estimated expenditure of $350,000.
n Ruth S. Ball was slated to speak at a Woman’s Improvement Club meeting on Jan. 6, 1942. A home management supervisor for Farm Security Administration in Mount Vernon, Ball planned to address the Oak Harbor ladies with a speech entitled, “The Place of the Homemaker in National Defense.”
n Island County Defense Coordinator L.B. Muzzall assured the public that Whidbey Island was even more safe once the military increased its off-shore patrolling. In spite of the military’s official presence, Whidbey Island’s volunteer civilian defenders remained ever vigilant, with aerial posts manned around the clock.
n Seattle’s Commodore Hotel advertised rooms starting at $1 and ranging up to $1.50 for a room with a bath.
From the Whidbey News-Times 50 years ago, in 1967:
n Despite Oak Harbor Police Department’s traffic check on Pioneer Way finding “no great problems” with the street’s congestion, Police Chief Fred Murcray told the Oak Harbor City Council that parking along the roadway and drivers who attempt to turn left down the Foodtown ramp seemed to hold up the traffic.
n Between March 1964 and 1965, in the most recent study published, Island County’s employment increased by 12 percent, climbing along with regions across the state, which saw a 4 percent increase as a whole.
n The Fourth of July celebration was North Whidbey’s largest event of the year. As such, the board of trustees for the North Whidbey Chamber of Commerce voted in January 1967 to sponsor the event in the coming summer.
n Oak Harbor’s Don Boyer car dealership advertised a 1960 Dodge Polara hardtop coupe for $389; a 1961 Ford four-door sedan for $499; a 1962 Plymouth station wagon for $845; a 1962 Ford station wagon for $885; and a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere four-door for $997.
From the Whidbey News-Times 25 years ago, in 1992:
n Central Committee Chairwoman Vickie Churchill said the Island County Republican Party had given its full support to Dick Caldwell’s and Gordon Koetje’s respective plans to run again for their seats as county commissioners.
n James Alexander was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murdering his 1-year-old son, Brian Alexander. The sentence, a second degree murder conviction, was longer than the typical 11-14 year rulings. James allegedly punched his son after becoming angry at the boy’s spilled milk, resulting in brain swelling that became the young Brian’s cause of death.
n Beverly A. McRae did not stop immediately after running over and killing Mark A. Engles, a New Year’s Eve jaywalker. Engles was struck from behind while walking west on Deer Lake Road. McRae eventually returned to the scene of the accident.
n An ad “introducing Whidbey Island Coach” promised a “convenient and efficient connection to Seattle,” servicing island customers Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
