On Whidbey: Read on and discover who’s doing what locally

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Tipsy

gravy …

I kidded my friends LOU and BOB BIDDLE about serving barbecued roadrunner for Christmas dinner at their desert hangout. The Biddles love a good laugh and spice up their life with fun and good storytelling.

No can do, said Bob. Roadrunners are protected in Arizona. No problem, I said. You simply must try a recipe I came across while sorting through some family papers.

If you were a Seattle PI reader 40 years ago, you may recall Emmett Watson’s legendary Thompson’s Turkey. My dad thought it was the greatest invention since Rainier Beer and reverently listed details of its preparation: smother the fowl in a paste of herbs and spices, bake in a pastry shell and liberally baste with assorted alcoholic beverages.

He said the aroma drives guests wild. After the brown crust is peeled away, the succulent bird is gently lifted to a waiting platter and the prize marinade is strained, served and sipped. While the bird is delicious, it’s the “gravy” that steals the show.

Hot dogs

for humanity …

T.J. PIERZCHALA reports the St. Augustine Church Catholic Education Department is hosting a hot dog luncheon open to the public on Sunday, Jan. 23.

For a donation large or small, church middle and high school youth will serve the lunch and proceeds will go to the Catholic Relief effort, earmarked for tsunami relief.

Ute Freund sings…

This former Oak Harbor resident, now living in Edmonds, will sing as part of an international conference at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Seattle at 8 p.m. Friday. The event will benefit tsunami relief. Call Betty Freund for directions and details at 675-2439.

Making connections …

To be hired, one must be experienced. But with few job openings, how does one gain that experience?

CHERYL JASON, academic advisor and coordinator of Learning into Action and Cooperative Education programs at Skagit Valley College, currently has 50 students taking advantage of these programs.

“It strengthens the community,” Jason said. “It gives students a chance to experience a potential career they may want to go into.”

Under Learning into Action, students who are transferring to a four-year college are required to work 30 hours over 10 weeks. These students have mostly office experience, but some have done retail, some volunteer at the hospital and some even provide one-on-one tutoring.

“If a business is looking at a special project and can use help on a short-term basis, we can fill that need,” Jason continued. The project must be of short duration, no longer than 90 days.

Employers may decide on their own whether or not to pay students, whose ages range from 18 to 30-plus. A student who serves as an intern often stands a better chance of becoming a full-time employee four years from now.

There are more opportunities to hire technical students in the Cooperative Education program. These students primarily study marine Technology, office Business technology, and computer information systems and are required to work in the community from 30 to 200 hours.

Write to Cheryl.jason@skagit.edu, call her at (360) 679-5326, or visit www.skagit.edu/directory.asp_Q_pagenumber_E_177

Living gracefully …

Someday, when house and yard are no longer appealing, I’d like to live in an apartment or cottage at the Oak Harbor Retirement Community. I fell in love with the place on my first visit.

HEIDI KUZINA is marketing director at the former Oak Harbor Retirement Community, now called Regency on Whidbey Retirement Community.

“The change reflects our high standing in the community,” Kuzina said, “and introduces a travel program unique to the center for accommodations at sister buildings: the Regency Kauai, Regency Hawaii, Regency Fallbrook, Calif., and others.”

The community is invited to a rededication open house on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m., have a tour of the place, watch the ribbon cutting, enjoy a light buffet and cap it off with a drawing at 6 p.m. for a trip for two to Hawaii. Please call 279-0933 if you plan to attend.

Regency on Whidbey Retirement Community is co-owned by Jim and Andy Clay of Greenbank, Bart Beddoe and Dr. Nate Barrett.

A special dress up dance party is planned for the night of Jan. 27. They’ve rented a dance floor, hired a band and planned a dessert buffet. This is for residents, family members and friends only.

Call me at 675-6611 or write lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com. I’d love to hear from you. See you on Jan. 26!