Ken Grigsby has been an active member of Whidbey Playhouse since 1988 when he was one of the sailors in “South Pacific.” The director was a friend and needed more men! Since then he has acted in numerous productions, most recently in “The King and I.” Ken has also served as a member of the board of directors, including vice-president and president. He has been on staff for various shows, and produced “Godspell.” Ken was selected as the 2003 Whidbey Playhouse Volunteer of the Year.
A junior high/middle school history teacher in Oak Harbor School District from 1966-2000, Ken now substitutes in the Oak Harbor middle schools. During the 34 years he taught, Ken was coordinator of the North Whidbey Middle School Cultural/Heritage Fair for 11 years, served as History Department chairman, and was also president of Oak Harbor Education Association.
An active member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Ken is presently the vice-president of the church council and is serving on various committees and ministries. A long time member of the church choir, he has participated in numerous church dramas and musical productions.
From 1991-2002 Ken hosted nine high school exchange students from Europe and South America, who enjoyed attending productions at the Playhouse. Some of them took a drama class in high school, and one even was a member of the stage crew for the Whidbey Playhouse production of “Auntie Mame.”
Ken is looking forward to the 2004-2005 season and being producer for Cynthia Fletcher’s off-season show, “A Little Night Music.”
Paul and Karen Whelan recently visited Las Vegas where they renewed their wedding vows at a drive-through wedding chapel. Then they spent their second honeymoon traveling the California and Oregon coasts where they visited more than 50 ice cream parlors.
That’s a sweet way to celebrate.
Ken Enzminger purchased new onion sets this week with an eye on growing a Walla Walla Sweet even larger than the 2-pound, 2-ounce monster he produced last year. Last year’s onion crop was exceptional, said the Banta Road gardener. “I had a lot of big ones, I use a lot of steer manure.” He got rid of his steers over the winter, but he says they left plenty of manure behind for this year’s crop.
Island County Historical Society is offering a series of classes on Whidbey’s history. The series starts with pre-history and ends with what is in store for the island in the future. At the end of the annual series, people will walk away with tons of knowledge about the island’s Native American history, settlements and more.
All classes are held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the museum in Coupeville.
Saturday, April 3, is Pacific Northwest Native American prehistory.
Saturday, April 10, is sea captains and maritime history.
Saturday, April 17, learn about pioneers, fur traders and the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Saturday, April 24, the focus will be on Fort Casey, coastal artillery and Admiralty Head Lighthouse.
Saturday, May 1, will cover working with non-profits and fundraising.
Saturday, May 8, will include histories of Island County Historical Society and Ebey’s Landing.
The registration fee is $25 for Island County Historical Society members, $35 for non-members. Graduates of the program are encouraged to become museum volunteers. When a graduate has worked 50 hours by the end of 2004, the registration fee will be refunded. Call 678-3310.
Volunteer Lawyer Program of Island County (VLP) recently accepted a $6,000 grant from Island Thrift to help pay the rent and utilities of the program. “These funds will have a huge impact to the VLP and we are very grateful to Island Thrift for supporting low-income people in Island County who are in need of free legal help.” said Rita Worley, program director. Call 675-4750.
