PEOPLE & PLACES: We have news from Alaska and now, Hawaii

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, February 4, 2004

We didn’t know how many friends we had until our life changed so much. Friends have stopped in at Fairhaven, friends I haven’t seen in years. This week we received calls and letters from people who remember their days in Oak Harbor. These kind people now live from Alaska to New Zealand.

One letter came from Elna Barrington, widow of Bill Barrington, who grew up in Oak Harbor in a house across the street from today’s Smith Park. His father was Hill Barrington, one of Oak Harbor’s settlers, and whose father Ed Barrington, was an early-day steamboat captain. Bill Barrington and my sisters and brother were playmates among the oak trees. Bill died in November 2003.

Peggy Fosso brought in a newspaper clipping from West Hawaii Today. Her son, Dan Fosso, an Oak Harbor High School graduate, sent the news bit to her, from his home in Hawaii. Oak Harbor residents may leave one island for another, but news always gets back to us.

“At Big Island Country Club, Dennis Sherman aced the 142-yard No. 8 on Jan. 14. The 67-year-old used a 7 iron for his first hole in one. Too bad none of his competitors from Oak Harbor, Wash., were here to see it.”

Thanks to eagle-eyed readers on another island, we can let all his friends know.

Writer Sally Hayton-Keeva paid a visit this week and brought her book “Ancestral Walls,” about old homes of Central Whidbey Island, a most complete description beginning with Coupeville which became a bona fide town in 1853. The book is beautifully written with pictures to illustrate each dwelling.

The senior high youth group at Whidbey Presbyterian Church invite the community to attend an evening of dinner and entertainment Saturday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church’s Heritage Hall. There is no charge for the evening; however, a collection will be taken to benefit the 2004 youth mission trip. Call 679-3579.

Sarah and Ben Brody are the proud parents of a baby boy, Samuel Clark, born Jan. 21, weighinb 8 pounds 10 ounces. Grandparents are Dave and Karen Everett.

Harbor Haven Crisis & Respite Childcare Center offers free temporary and emergency childcare in Oak Harbor. In February, the center will be open each Wednesday and Thursday, with free Parent Support Group sessions Feb. 12 and 26. Reservations are required, 1-800-518-8614.

The February meeting of Agape, which meets monthly at First Baptist Church, will begin at noon Feb. 18 with a potluck luncheon. Speaker will be Oak Harbor Police Chief Seve Almon. All are invited.

Cynthia Fletcher is happy to announce the birth of a grandson, Jack Flectcher Jan. 20. His parents, Stuart and Elizabeth Fletcher, are stationed at Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., with the Coast Guard. Little Jack joins a sister, Delaney.

Since opening last summer New Beginnings Thrift Shop in Coupeville has raised thousands of dollars for programs that prevent child abuse and neglect on Whidbey Island. Through Child Abuse Prevention Foundation (CAPF), funds supported Harbor Haven Crisis Nursery in Oak Harbor, In A Pinch Crisis Nursery in Clinton, parenting programs, public awareness campaigns, training seminars, and support for foster and at-risk children in the community.

The CAPF Board of Directors recently honored the volunteer staff of the thrift shop by naming them all volunteers of the quarter for the last quarter of 2003: Roberta Black, Patricia Brooks, Sue Cann, Ruth Dean, George Estes, Michael Hertlein, Kathleen Konopik, Jackie Maner, Irene Mueller, Ginny Munn, Barbara Murphy, Kathryn Pigott, Debra Rusnak, Barbara Saugen, Janet Sebastian, Patricia Shill, Kay Sterns, Shirley Westefeldt and Gretchen Wood.

Oak Harbor High School Class of 1984 will be having their 20-year reunion Aug. 13, 14 and 15.

Please send addresses, phone numbers and other contact information to ohhs1984@yahoo.com. Contacts are: Sheryl (Grace) DeMarsh 675-9277 or Teresa (Michel) Besaw 675-4589.

American Legion Post 129 hosts an all-you-can-eat breakfast Saturday, Feb. 14, from 8 to 11 a.m. Public is invited. The meal is $5 and proceeds go to support scholarship and boys state programs. The post is at 690 SE Barrington Dr., call 675-6752. Breakfasts are served the second Saturday of each month.

All Island Community Band rehearses from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through June. The location is Oak Harbor Middle School. For more information, call 240-1380.

Whidbey Playhouse is hoping to find a local dog to play Toto in the upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz.

Whidbey Playhouse will be holding auditions for canine thespians Saturday, Feb. 21, from noon to 2 p.m. Interested dogs should be small enough to carry (under 30 pounds), respond to simple commands and be able to learn a new trick or two. Call 679-2237 to reserve a 10-minute slot for an audition.The original Toto was played by a Cairn terrier, but auditions and casting are open to all (small enough) breeds.

Wizard of Oz performances will run June 4 through 26, 2004.