I was reading the article about the grand old man (oak tree at the post office) and was saddened to hear that his distinguished service is coming to an end.

One of the ideas was to make a walk-through out of it — what a grand idea for a grand old tree! For generations to come to be able to walk through a preserved part of Oak Harbor would really show all that he is not gone, just rehabbed. To do away with it completely would be a shame. It was there even before a good friend of ours, Vince Stroop, came to the island in 1908 (?). Since Vince was the first postmaster and the tree is at the post office, what a neat thing it would be to call it “Stroop’s stroll” or something like that. To pay for the work, take the wood and make it into $1 tooth-picks and sell them.

Please don’t do away with the grand old man completely. I’m sure folks still like to walk through the old tree at the south end of Mt. Vernon and I-5.

Thank you for listening to a couple of retired Whidbeyites transplanted to Alabama. We remain part of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Betty and Chuck Smith

Foley, Ala.