OLD Whidbey Life Magazine

Author: David Stern

  • October Traditions in Coupeville

    October Traditions in Coupeville

    BY DAVID STERN
    Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
    October 26, 2016

    Thousands of families travel to Sherman’s Pioneer Farm in Coupeville each year to carry on or start a new tradition and create happy memories. The farm, with its squash, gourds, barns, and cows helps me reconnect with a time when I spent my summers on a farm as a teenager.

    Sherman’s has been farming pumpkins and squash since the 1950s, and Dale and Liz Sherman produce some of the finest squash in Washington State. The Blue Hubbard variety grown here was developed by the Sherman family and has become a staple of chefs and fine grocers around the region. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of this squash are processed and packaged on the farm to be shipped all over the state.

    But that is not why most people come to visit the farm in October. Taking a trolley ride to the pumpkin patch and selecting your own jack-o-lantern is the main attraction. The Sherman family’s sense of humor is obvious when you see all their toys on the farm. Dale Sherman pulls people to and from the pumpkin patch with a larger-than-life “Tonka” tractor.

    For me, traditions start when I visit a place that I simply cannot go a year without re-visiting. Sherman’s Pioneer Farm is one of those places. The brightly colored pumpkins, squash, and gourds bring happiness during a season that ushers in many dreary days. Thankfully, families like the Shermans are committed to creating a beautiful place to visit, while also working a historic local farm.

    Sherman’s Pioneer Farm is open for trolley rides Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in October. During the rest of the week, you can purchase pumpkins with cash or check by depositing your payment in the honesty box on the farm stand door.

    The farm is located on Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve at 46. S Ebey Road. Coupeville, WA 98239.

    A tractor pulling a trailer with a pile of squash in foreground.
    Big Toys at Sherman’s Pioneer Farm in Coupeville.
    A large bin full of green squash.
    Buttercup squash is among the sweetest and creamiest of all varieties. As good as a sweet potato, and it grows on Whidbey Island.
    A bin full of light green, football-shaped squash.
    The Sugar Hubbard variety was developed by the Sherman family and is unique to Whidbey Island.
    A large plastic jack-o-lantern on a shipping pallet.
    Larger than life pumpkins welcome visitors to Sherman’s Pioneer Farm.
    A Radio Flyer wagon with "monster truck" wheels.
    Big boys need big toys.
    A cow surrounded by pumpkins.
    Dale Sherman’s cows are always on hand to help eat the rotten pumpkins. Nothing gets wasted on the farm.
    Two men on a trailer shake hands.
    New friendships are made on the trolley to the pumpkin patch.
    A father looks at the bottom of a pumpkin as his young son watches.
    The most common method for choosing a pumpkin is making sure it will stand up straight.
    A young boy carries a large pumpkin.
    The perfect pumpkin has been chosen.
    A tractor pulling a trailer filled with families.
    Dale Sherman bringing back a full load of happy families and their new pumpkins.

    David Stern is a Coupeville-based photographer and co-owner of Whidbey Custom Photography with his wife Madisun Elizabeth. David was mentored by his grandfather, a world-famous landscape photographer based in New England. David hopes to work as a photojournalist one day, traveling the world and telling stories.

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    To read more WLM stories and blogs, CLICK HERE. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

    WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. You may link to this story. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

  • When a Town Remembers: Coupeville Memorial Day Parade

    When a Town Remembers: Coupeville Memorial Day Parade

    TEXT BY MADISUN ELIZABETH
    PHOTOS BY DAVID STERN AND MADISUN ELIZABETH
    Whidbey Life Magazine Contributors
    May 30, 2016

    On Saturday, May 28, the town of Coupeville remembered the greatest sacrifices made by fallen heroes. To honor these sacrifices, the community marched in the streets in celebration of freedom at the Memorial Day Parade.

    Heroic survivors lead the parade, followed by passionate tributes and vibrant local color in a procession across the town to a community picnic in Town Park. During the picnic, the Coupeville Lions Club served a seemingly endless amount of complimentary hot dogs and ice cream bars while families enjoyed a musical salute to the Armed Forces and the nearby playground bustled with youthful energy.

    Mayor Molly Hughes lead a Remembrance Service, with a keynote speech by Captain Geoffrey Moore, new commanding officer at Whidbey Island’s Naval Air Station.

     

    1 WCP - Memorial Day Sign - MD#1 (1 of 1)

    The Coupeville Memorial Day Parade took place on Saturday, May 28 during Memorial Day weekend.

    2 WCP - Marine Corp Float MD#2 (1 of 1)
    Veterans of the Marine Corps League proudly represented fallen heroes at the head of the Memorial Day Parade.

    3 WCP - Pearl Harbor Survivor - MD#3 (1 of 1)
    Pearl Harbor Survivor John Hunting of the US ARMY was joined by many other local Veterans at the head of the Memorial Day Parade in Coupeville.

    4 WCP - Marching Lion - MD#4 (1 of 1)
    Many generations of The Coupeville Lions Club participated in the march across town in honor of Memorial Day.

    5 WCP - Kids Getting Candy - MD#5 (1 of 1)
    There was inspirational joy during the Memorial Day Parade as candy was tossed into the streets, while smiles were shared by all-ages.

    6 WCP - Orca Attacking Salmon - #6 (1 of 1)
    While the mood was respectful, there was still lighthearted fun to be had at the Memorial Day Parade.

    7 WCP - Classic Cars - #7 (1 of 1)
    A cavalcade of Classic Cars cruised through Coupeville in honor of Memorial Day. Many of the drivers are Veterans.

    8 WCP - Fire Dept Vets - #8 (1 of 1)
    Whidbey’s bravest marched alongside the community for whom they have dedicated their service.

    9 WCP - Jacket with Patches - #9 (1 of 1)
    A view from the back: veterans and young family members lined the Memorial Day Parade route as spectators.

    10 WCP - Mayor Molly and Captain - #10 (1 of 1)
    A powerful Remembrance Service with Mayor Molly Hughes and Captain Geoffrey Moore followed the Parade.

    11 WCP - ROTC students - #11 (1 of 1)
    Young community members are proud to represent the Armed Forces.

    12 WCP - Empty Bottles - #12 (1 of 1)
    The Coupeville Lions Club served complimentary hot dogs and ice cream bars to the whole community following the Memorial Day Parade in Coupeville.

    Whidbey Custom Photography is a married duo of local photographers who believe in capturing the custom community that surrounds us. David Stern and Madisun Elizabeth use artistic approaches to showcase real life on Whidbey Island, which can be both industrial and romantic. In addition to event photography, they provide a variety of professional production services. Learn more about what they do at www.WhidbeyCustomPhotography.com and find Whidbey Custom Photography on Facebook for more of their photos.

    The couple is grateful to Whidbey Life Magazine for supporting them as local contributors.

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    CLICK HERE to read more WLM stories and blogs. Have a great story idea? Let us know at info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.

    WLM stories and blogs are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Linking is permitted. To request permission to use or reprint content from this site, email info@whidbeylifemagazine.org.