Mernon and Helen Burkhart moved from McMinnville, Ore., to Oak Harbor in July; they had lived in Oregon for 46 years. Before Oregon, they had lived in the Spokane area for most of their lives. Vernon was an automobile dearler (new and used) for 60-plus years and even flew his own Beechcraft Bonanza for years. The Burkharts are parents of Marilyn Vander Werff of Oak Harbor.

Ginny Munn will be returning home from Texas to spend the holidays with her sone and to sing with the Coupeville Carolers. She says she is so excited to come home again from Texas.

Mitchell Jacob Billings was born to Mark and Jessica Billings on Nov. 14 in Boise, Idaho. He joins his big sister Sarah. The Rev Clint Webb and Charlene of Oak Harbor are the proud grandparents.

News from sunny Arizona tells us that John Fakkema, spending the winter there, has been hospitalized with pneumonia and a collapsed lung, and is recovering slowly.

Adolph and Doloris Meisch of Oak Harbor spent the Thanksgiving holiday at the home of their son in Bothell.

Dennis and Susan Conzatti received a surprise when their youngest daughter, Wendy, and granddaughters Carly and Skye, flew in from Phoenix to join the other four daughters, their husbands and Conzatti grandchildren for a big family Thanksgiving. There were 23 together to celebrate the day in Redmond.

Lena Younsman celebrated her 95th birthday at a family dinner at Kasteel Franssen. Present were Frank and Lois Franssen, rose and Karl Windell, Kathleen Boone, Mary and Al Wright, Lois and Andy Vander Muelen, Glen and Josie Younsman. Lena was born in Clover Valley in 1906. She has 35 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and has lived in Oak Harbor all of her life.

Lowell and Ann Louise Peterson returned from visiting Lowell’s mother in time to enjoy a festive Thanksgiving with their son Kevin, his wife Irena and their children. They are now preparing for a Christmas visit from Ann Louise’s mother from California.

Marge and Art Admiral report a most enjoyable Thanksgiving visit with their son and his wife in Port Angeles.

Isy Carskadden, a long time Oak Harbor resident who now lives in Oakton, Va., called this week to let her friends know that her daughter Judy nas completed another series of radiation treatments and that things are looking up.