She was born to be an artist, and even majored in fine arts in college. But first, she’d wear the uniform of a surgical scrub technician. Don’t misunderstand. She loved her job, and the hard work made her goal more precious.

So when MARGARET EKLUND retired and moved to Whidbey Island five years ago, it was to pursue something she had put on hold for 23 years.

Margaret stood back for a moment to see if her painting, unofficially called “Hidden Arbor,” was straight. Picking up where she left off, she said, “I decided I wanted to go back to it.”

As she arranged more watercolors and acrylics on the west walls of Angelo’s Caffe, she admitted she paints whenever the spirit moves her. “I hadn’t painted in a month, so I thought I’d better get busy,” she laughed. Her paintings of geraniums, a pot of pansies, a La Conner tulip field and my favorite, the arbor, prove there is fulfillment following the road less taken.

Although Margaret began painting in oil, she doesn’t confine her work to one medium. “I like what I’m doing at the time I do it,” she said, so watercolors, acrylics and even pen and ink share equal time in her repertoire.

Her husband GLENN handles the computer side of the business. Margaret paints, gets the art framed and takes them around town.

She doesn’t paint people, but enjoys painting birds and has done commissioned animal portraits. You can reach Margaret at (360) 279-0838. Her work would make some excellent Mothers’ Day gifts.

Ahh, summer nights …

School’s out. Party’s on.

As sure as there are fast cars, booze and youthful invincibility, there may well be more deaths on island roads. The prospect weighs heavily on the hearts of parents, law enforcement and the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County. IDIPIC is especially concerned about underage drinking. Their free awareness presentations are real eye-openers.

Have you ever attended one of their safety panels? Their 100th takes place tonight at 7 p.m. in Hayes Hall 137, next to the Oak Harbor Library. It is required for driving-under-the-influence and minor-in-possession offenders, as well as all Oak Harbor High School and Coupeville High School driver’s ed. Students must bring a parent or guardian with them. Open free to the public.

You will hear compelling stories told by survivors and victims, guaranteed to keep you awake tonight.

What is IDIPIC? This fine community service nonprofit organization was born six years ago when parents, youth, victims, teachers, lawyers, law enforcement, driver’s ed instructors, park rangers, military personnel, Department of Corrections, court and probation personnel decided enough was enough. It was time to act.

JoANN HELLMANN took the helm. Since then, she and a dedicated crew of volunteers have enabled over 4,000 islanders to experience IDIPIC. Thousands more have seen specialized safety presentations through military or business safety training, organization or church meetings and elementary through high school programs.

How many of us have been spared tragedy because of IDIPIC’s intervention? Find out more at www.idipic.

Love in broom …

Look at me. I’m ga-ga over a broom. Sweeping has become my favorite leisure activity.

The natural fiber broomcorn broom being sold as a fund-raiser for the Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge is a bargain at $10. Now they have a child’s version for $5.

The slick, lightweight brooms come from a family-owned business in Wisconsin, where dairy cows cannot wait for you to sweep out the kitchen. Hairdressers and people with limited mobility especially love them.

A tag boasts it can sweep 97 miles. If that’s true, this baby will outlast me. Better call SUZIE BAKER at (360) 675-7583 to order yours.

In other Nordic Lodge news, members and guests will celebrate Norway’s Independence Day, or Syttende Mai, with a potluck at 6 o’clock on May 19 at the Coupeville Rec Hall. Social hour starts at 5. If you are interested in attending, call Lodge president Dick Johnson at 678-4889.