Small world indeed …
This kind of thing just doesn’t happen. Yet it did. Twice.
Last fall (Oct. 6 Whidbey News-Times) I told of a man from Shanghai who is a regular house guest of the IVERSON FAMILY on Arnold Road. They met him in a park while touring China 20 years ago and became fast friends. His name is JOSEPH WU and he is a retired doctor.
MATT IVERSON got a phone call recently from TED CLIFTON, Coupeville Class of 1993. Seems he too had visited Shanghai and had a most unusual experience.
He met an elderly man in a park who asked him where he was from.
“Coupeville, Washington,†Ted replied.
To which the man said, “Oh, yes, I know the Iversons of Oak Harbor.†It was Joseph Wu.
According to the World Population Clock, there were 6,417,352,910 people on earth on Feb. 7. You figure the odds.
‘Phenomenal’ …
That’s how WIN STITES describes the impressive military history exhibit just opened in Coupeville at the Island County Historical Society Museum.
Many of those involved in the planning and execution of the year-long exhibit were present at the open house on the evening of Feb. 4.
Credit for this world-class display is shared by CEO CINDY JOHNSON; her assistant, JULIE DOUGHERTY; and archivist JOAN HANDY.
The museum is at the foot of the dock on Front Street. Make sure you visit at least once.
See ‘Sylvia’ …
At some time or another, we have all brought home a stray. For good or bad, your life is forever changed.
“Sylvia,†A.R. Gurney’s romantic comedy about a husband, a wife and a dog, is currently on stage in Langley at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, with performances on Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.
TIM RARICK of Coupeville, a newcomer to Whidbey who taught and directed theatre at North Idaho College for 17 years, including “Sylvia†in 2001, directs the play.
BRIAN PLEBANEK, GAIL LISTON and BRISTOL BRANSON as “Sylvia†are joined by ERIC MULHOLLAND and WICA newcomers ERIKA HOLLUM and E.M. HOLLY.
Reserve your tickets at the WICA box office by calling 1-800-638-7531 or go to www.wicaonline.com.
It’s all in the wrist …
Flipping crepes, that is. SHIRLEY YUNKER reports that 79 people enjoyed an excellent crepe entrée and dessert at a recent Coupeville Methodist Church Gala Lunch, topped off with entertainment by the Shifty Sailors.
GLENN ECKARD gave the after-lunch Habitat of Humanity presentation. In all, the luncheon resulted in 13 new 1000 Friends, $1,750 in donations and several volunteer sign-ups.
Habitat especially thanks Shirley, her cooks, ANNE COLLIGAN and JODY BURCHAM, all hosts and their guests.
Cooking secrets …
Not crepes but salt-baked lamb is one of the recipes featured on the KCTS Chefs 2005 special airing this Saturday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. Former Kasteel-Franssen chef SCOTT FRASER is taped preparing his lamb recipe.
Viewers asked the station to uncover the cooking secrets of local restaurant chefs so they could re-create their favorite dining-out dishes at home. A dozen recipes will be prepared live on-air in addition to three pre-taped segments showing local chefs preparing recipes in their own restaurants.
Henhouse update …
Fresh eggs continue to appear daily in the kitchen window box of ADOLPH and DOLORES MEISCH. She discovered 13 of them about two weeks ago and now it’s not unusual for me to come home to a recorded message with the news, “Nineteen today.â€
None of this behavior would surprise the people of Key West, Fla., where there are an estimated 2,000 chickens on the tiny two-by-four-mile island. The Chicken Store, a former tanning salon, rescues retired roosters, injured or orphaned chickens and even blind or disabled birds.
The Spaniards brought the first fighting gamecocks to the Florida Keys, as did Bahamian settlers. These “gypsy chickens†later interbred with bantam chickens brought in from Cuba. There are plenty of bugs in the tropics, and these heroic omnivores devour cockroaches and termites 24/7.
Whether on Arnold Road or the Florida Keys, I say give chickens a wide berth. The prospect of chickens watching you while you shower, roosting in the car or nesting on your best pillow may amuse Stephen King, but it’s best not to encourage them.
Are we having fun yet? I sure am. Write to me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611. See you Feb. 23.
