The Fourth of July in Oak Harbor was hot and dry and so were parade watchers. Parmjit Singh and Amrik Rai, owners of Henderson’s Restaurant and Queen Anne Motel dispensed more than $200 worth of Pepsi, juice and bottles of water to thirsty folks. The brothers are making plans to include this outpouring of generosity and community support in next year’s celebration.
Lots of people were thankful for the beverages; Oak Leaf Rebekah Lodge members Alyce, Cindy, Judy, Stacy and Kristyna wrote Parmjit and Amrik this note:
Your kindness mean more
Thank you’d ever guess –
Thank you so much
For your thoughtfulness
We really appreciated the cold refreshment from you during the parade. It was greatly welcomed. In friendship, truth and love, Oak Leaf Rebekah Lodge No. 254.
Perhaps not everyone read the same book when Sno-Isle sponsored the first Oak Harbor Community Reads program from April. But plenty of people did read “Bellwether by Connie Willis. Here are a few facts from the library.
Cataloged copies were checked out 58 times after the title was announced. Uncataloged copies checked 127 times. Local bookstores sold more than 120 copies of “Bellwether”
The library distributed 210 copies of the toolbox, which was a series of pamphlets intended to help with book discussions
At least 10 book discussion groups selected “Bellwether” as one of their monthly reads 66 people (that we know of) participated in a book discussion about “Bellwether.” About 80 people attended the grand finale program, which featured author Connie Willis
Since this was the library’s first community-wide reading program, no one was certain what to expect. The program did exceed expectations and the library is working on next year’s community program.
Dick and Donna Biddinger of Castro, Calif., old friends of Dee and R.R. Harbour, spent a week on Whidbey Island with the Harbours. For the Fourth of July, the Harbour’s boat Fiddlers’ Green, along with 28 other boats from Oak Harbor celebrated at Lopez Island in the San Juans. Guests over the weekend at the Harbour home were C.R. and Nancy Terry, also from California.
Former Whidbey Island resident Timothy M. Force Jr. has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle project was completed while he lived in Clinton. He organized the dismantling and removal of a playground at Whidbey Evangelical Free Church in Greenbank so the church could extend an existing building. His Court of Honor was May 10, 2003, in Wichita, Kansas.
Joe and Katie Kiefer of Oak Harbor are celebrating the arrival of a new granddaughter, Inessa, born July 17 to Jim and Oksana Kiefer in New York City. Jim is the youngest son of the Oak Harbor couple. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1984 and is a computer programmer for PepsiCola. New York Kiefers live near Central Park. The baby is the first grandchild of Inessa’s parents, Irina and Anatoly Krynsky.
Orca Network reports exciting news. A humpback whale was spotted around South Whidbey Sunday. A whale sighting network member at Bush Point Bed & Breakfast reported a humpback whale breaching and swimming south, heading south late Sunday afternoon.
If anyone saw the whale, let Susan Berta know. Call 1-866-ORCANET (672-2638) or e-mail susan@orcanetwork.org
For sighting archives, news, and much more, visit www.
orcanetwork.org
U.S. Coast Guard offers a 13-lesson “Boating skills and seamanship” class in Anacortes. Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at Anacortes Fidalgo Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes. Class is free; cost of books and materials is $35. For information, call (360) 293-9300 or (360) 293-2795 or (360) 299-2185.
Friends of Admiralty Head Lighthouse received approval from the United State Postal Service for a special postal cancellation at the Fort Casey Park’s Centennial celebration, Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Coupeville Postmaster Bill Nye and retired postmaster Bruce Bryson and a team of lighthouse volunteers will use the cancellation stamp to mark mailable “Century of Service” postcards.
Coupeville resident Steven Kobylk designed the cancellation and also obtained a limited supply of the 1989 Admiralty Head Lighthouse stamps for the anniversary These stamps were first issued by the United State Postal Service with three Midwest and East Coast lighthouses in the first installment of its popular lighthouse stamp sets. The stamp has been out of circulation for almost 10 years. The stamp can be purchased with the cancellation on a seldom-seen 1913 “Two Lights” photographic postcard for $4.50. A set of four lighthouse souvenir postcards will also be available for cancellation. John and Kathy Willson, Centennial Cochairs believe” this event offers a rare opportunity for stamp, postcard and lighthouse collectors to acquire a unique stamp together with a once in a lifetime” cancellation on authentic historical postcards.
In keeping with longstanding postal regulations, the cancellation must be used and then destroyed. Cancellations will only be done Saturday, August 23, 2003 on a first-come first-served basis. The two-day celebration will feature several bands, banjos and a barbershop chorus. Scholarly lighthouse seminars, an old-fashioned picnic, quilt and watercolor exhibits and children’s activities round out the weekend’s activities. For more information go to www.admiraltyhead.wsu.edu or call 679-7391.
