Brenda Ackley recently celebrated her 60th birthday with a “surprise” birthday party given by her husband, Bud, and a few of her close friends. The party was held at the Flounder Bay Restaurant in Anacortes with 80 of her closest friends and family. Some traveled from as far away as Oregon and Montana to help her celebrate the milestone birthday. Her grandchildren presented her with a birthday cake complete with sparklers. Special friends and family members took the opportunity to honor her by sharing their special stories about what makes Brenda special to them. One of her grandkids was quoted as saying, “she lets me eat ice cream for breakfast.”
Western Washington senior Carol Hansen, daughter of Richard and Faith Hansen of Coupeville, has been awarded a $1,000 departmental tuition fee and fee waiver for the 2002 – 2003 academic year.
Hansen has earned a 3.9 GPA her last six quarters at Western and is majoring in English language arts and secondary education.
Marine Corps Pvt. Jeffery C. Mack, son of Wynne G. Mack of Oak Harbor and Jeffery S. Mack, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Mack was first addressed as a Marine after going through The Crucible, a 54-hour final evolution that culminated with the new recruits being presented with the Marine Corps symbol of the eagle, globe and anchor.
Laura Vander Beek and Susan recently had as dinner guests the Van Houtens from Buell, Ore., old friends.
Jan Ellis made a trip to San Francisco to visit at the home of her daughter Alana and Peter Morris to do some “babysitting” with Antje and Isak and a new puppy. The Morrisses were on a trip to Boston and Cape Cod, and visited Providence, R.I., where the pilgrims first landed in America. On her last night there they enjoyed dinner and attended “Beach Blanket Babylon,” a hilarious play. Jan said while she was gone “Doc” Ellis held down the fort, and that it is good to be back now after being in a foreign country — California.
Win and Donna Stites are recovering from the air show at NAS Whidbey, where 60 PBY veterans attended a dinner at the CPO Club the Saturday before the show. PBY vets came from as far away as Arizona.
We have lots of news from the Herm Eerkes family …
Herm and Mary Eerkes spent the weekend in Beaverton, Ore., with with their daughters’ Amy Carson’s and Polly Selby’s families. While Herm and Mary were in Oregon, their twin grandsons, Nate and Nolan, celebrated their ninth birthdays.
Amy Carson, husband Shawn and son Kellan spent a week with her parents and all enjoyed a couple of days in Victoria.
Son Dan Eerkes has moved to Ogden, Utah. He writes how much he enjoys his new job and outdoor activites available.
Daughter Polly Selby of Beaverton, Ore., attended her 20th high school reunion in August and son Alek celebrated his 12th birthday at his grandparents’.
Mac and Lorraine Bailey vacationed for a week at Crescent Bar East of Wenatchee where strong winds over 50 miles per hour blew all night and were responsible for an estimated $25 million apple crop loss.
Oak Harbor Rotary presents its annual gala dinner and auction at the Elks Lodge Sept. 27. The evening will start with a mixer at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the auction will follow. Auction items will include a golf package at the Semiahmoo resort, and a wildlife woodcarving by local artist Roger Leonhardi, plus much more. Proceeds benefit community projects and the Rotary scholarship fund for local high school seniors. Last year’s auction raised $10,000 for scholarships. Tickets for this formal evening are $50 per person. Call 675-5971.
Coupeville resident Brian Baker graduated from the Oregon Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science degree in software engineering technology. The school is in Klamath Falls, Ore.
Daniel F. Hinkley, son of Navy Cmdr. and Mrs. Brian E. Hinkley, recently participated in the U.S. Naval Academy’s week-long summer seminar program in Annapolis, Md. During the program, Hinkley was introduced to academy life, including the academics, physical training, intramural sports, sailing and seamanship, leadership training and social activities offered through the academy.
Air Force Airman 1st class Kelli N. Cox has arrived for duty in Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan. Cox is a weather forecaster apprentice with the 20th Operational Weather Squadron. She is the daughter of DeAnn Pumphrey of Oak Harbor and Gary D. Pumphrey of Livingston, Texas.
Island Art for Veterans presents its final benefit fundraiser Sept. 21 at Oak Harbor Elks Lodge with music by the SeaNotes Big Band and W. T. Preston Dixieland Band. Everybody is welcome to attend. The group is raising money for a memorial to be dedicate in Coupeville Nov. 8. Tickets are available at The Daily Grind in Oak Harbor, Coupeville Pharmacy and Miriam’s Espresso in Coupeville.
