100 years ago (From the 1916 Oak Harbor News)

• The home of Coupeville residents Mr. and Mrs. Clark was quarantined for two months after a Seattle specialist diagnosed their son with “infantile paralysis.”
• After reading an article from the Langley Islander, the Oak Harbor News reported that Oak Harbor was in dire need of a brass band to “liven up our dull moments.”
• The Homeschool Association in Oak Harbor arranged a community Christmas tree program for all the children in District No. 201. The attending children were to receive candy sacks before decorating the tree, though funding for the event was reported to be almost non-existent.
• Oak Harbor elections were a quiet affair, with more than half of residents failing to vote. After just 42 ballots turned in, J. M. Pratt was elected treasurer, and Barney Nienhuis and Max Goehry were elected to the city council.
• Mrs. Aurthur Behrbaum, an Oak Harbor teacher of piano and organ, advertised instruction sessions priced at 75 cents per one hour and 50 cents per half hour.

75 years ago (From the 1941 Island County Farm Bureau News)

• The United States’ declaration of war on Japan rattled the communities across Whidbey Island, resulting in a “grim spirit of cooperation” with officials and the sudden activity of Lyle Muzzall’s civilian defense units.
• Junior hostesses were set to deliver gift packets to soldiers in addition to the refreshments offered at the Fort Casey dance, a Christmas party that was scheduled without interference by the “war situation.”
• “The Navy needs men, but also needs knitters.” The Navy department advertised that knitters were needed to make regulation sweaters, gloves and caps to be sent to specific individuals and vessels within the Navy.
• Due to Oak Harbor’s “full war footing,” and its observation of wartime blackouts, local volunteer firemen rigged their fire siren as a warning for a potential enemy raid.
• Columbia Valley Lumber Co. advertised “famous” Olson Manufacturing’s barn equipment at “very attractive prices” — specifically drinking cups for dairy barns, delivered to homes for $3.20.

50 years ago (From the 1966 Whidbey News-Times)

• Coupeville Volunteer Fire Department reminded the citizens of Coupeville — including former firefighters — that it is against the law to follow fire engines to the scene of the fire.
• Films of “elkdom” were to be shown at the North Whidbey Elk’s crab feed and ladies night. Members were urged to bring their own crab-eating equipment, such as nutcrackers.
• Raymond L. Kyers was driving down Hastie Lake Road when his vehicle failed to make a turn onto Highway 525. The accident left Kyers uninjured, but resulted in $200 of vehicular damage after hitting a fence.
• Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce members Dick Bogardus, Bob Squires and Al Bowers organized supplies for Island County Courthouse’s Christmas tree lighting.
• Oak Harbor Furniture advertised a television set that included set-and-forget volume control; front controls and front sound; automatic fine tuning; and built-in VHF antenna-loop OHF antenna, all for $198.

25 years ago (From the 1991 Whidbey News-Times)

• A Neo-Nazi group, planning to hold a vigil at South Whidbey State Park for their fallen leader, Robert Mathews, drew the attention of protesters from a Seattle area anti-hate group.
• While President Bush signed a $21.1 million defense bill for 300 Navy enlisted housing units on North Whidbey, local developers argued that the conditions listed in the bill made the development financing next to impossible.
• Oak Harbor Schools Superintendent Rodger Woehl invited the public to the school board’s study session to discuss the alternatives left after a levy and bond election failure.
• Oak Harbor was the site of the Drug Free Workplace Symposium that claimed Island County employers were losing up to $14.5 million a year to illicit drug use on the job.