Even when temperatures dipped during the second week of December, the chill didn’t deter students from their prime directive.
“It was really cold,” student Diamond Antoniou said.
“My fingers were purple.”
Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor’s Tree of Hope is helping local families again this year.
The program has more than 950 children enrolled and, at one point, only had about 500 of them sponsored.
The community since rallied to fill the remaining sponsorships.
“We’re still getting last-minute sponsors who want to help out,” said Rose Freitas, Tree of Hope co-chairwoman.
“That’s how great this community is.”
A new wellness center is in town.
North Island Chiropractic and Wellness Center opened Oct.1 at 520 E. Whidbey Ave., Suite 101.
Owner Dr. Rondle Bennett likes the location because there is plenty of room for growth.
“It’ll take me to retirement,” Bennett said.
Fire districts may have to become compliant with the Affordable Care Act by 2015.
Volunteer firefighters are considered employees when it comes to the Affordable Care Act, said Marv Koorn, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue chief.
“At this point we have a year to investigate all what’s going on,” Koorn said. “We’re going to have to track all the volunteer hours until the IRS or Congress exempt volunteers.”
While walking along a beach in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1979, Barb Bland came upon an injured seagull.
Instead of walking past, she decided to stop and help the crippled bird.
“I realized then that there are things out there that needed to be fixed,” Bland said.
She began volunteering with wildlife rescue groups. She and her husband, Curt, moved to Whidbey Island in 1980 after sailing down from Alaska with friends.
After some time on the island, she started volunteering at Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, or WAIF, when it was started in 1990.
After spending six years in his garage, Eric Peterson’s business has a store front.
“It’s grown enough to be able to purchase this space,” said Peterson, Ashley’s Design owner.
“It’s still blowing me away.”
Peterson started the shirt screen-printing company, Ashley’s Design, because of his experience trying to order custom printed T-shirts. He’s the Oak Harbor High School cross country head coach and the girls’ track team head coach. When the teams ordered shirts, sometimes they would not receive them for six to eight weeks.
Adults gathered around long tables with coupon books — clipping, passing and chatting away as rugrats played with Duplos and other toys in the center of the tables.
“We have C-O-O-K-I-E-S for the kids,” Amy Hannold spelled out for the parents, so she wouldn’t cause a sugar riot amongst the children.
For the past three years, this has been Hannold’s favorite part of the week. She is the North Whidbey Coupon Club coordinator, and every Friday morning devoted couponers congregate to clip and confer about their week.
Those stopping by the Holiday Market on Pioneer Way in downtown Oak Harbor might see some familiar faces from the farmers’ markets during the summer.
“It’s nice to have something to do in the off season,” said Lisa Phillips, beekeeper and Round Tuit Farms owner.
Phillips is selling honey at the market. She has six hives that she looks after on Whidbey Island.
If anyone has questions about honey, Phillips is the person to ask. She has plenty of samples to make sure people can find the right honey for them. She also sells honey from four other beekeepers, so there is a variety of honey to try.
Even with dark gray clouds overhead, fate refused to rain on the holiday happenings Saturday.
Community members came together in downtown Oak Harbor for the annual Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival Nov. 30.
Marisa LaRue traveled from Freeland with her granddaughter to do some shopping and watch the lighting.
“I’m glad it’s not raining,” she said.
After two budget workshops and two meetings, the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District Board of Commissioners passed its 2014 budget.
The board approved a 10 percent fee increase to all programs, except for pool rentals and swim school. Fees for swim school were raised by 20 percent 18 months ago, while other programs fees hadn’t increased since 2006.
Customers at Island Pet Center will no longer see a friendly face at the back of the store.
Reno, the macaw parrot, died Tuesday, Nov. 19.
“I was 15 and half years old when I took her out of the box for the first time,” said Brian Knoll, Island Pet Center owner.
Reno has been a prominent figure at the store for 33 years. The store opened 36 years ago.
Walking into the basement of Jack Tingstad’s house is like taking a trip back in time. Trains traverse the old railroads of Colorado, making their way through mining towns.
“It’s a great hobby, especially in the Northwest during the winter,” Tingstad said.
Tingstad will host his 13th model railroad open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at his home on 508 Broadway St. Tingstad has volunteered at the food bank for 10 years, and asks those coming to see the trains bring a donation for Gifts of the Heart food bank.
When looking for holiday gifts this weekend, shoppers can stay close to home.
Small Business Saturday follows the traditional shopping day of Black Friday and island residents are encouraged to participate.
“Everyone should turn out and support small businesses,” said Kathy Reed, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce executive director.
