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Tag: Whidbey Island

A Pageant with a Purpose: the Misters of South Whidbey Strut their Stuff

BY SEAN FLETCHER
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
Sept. 23, 2015

For the tenth consecutive year, the Mr. South Whidbey Pageant will be held to support those in our community who need help with medical expenses and emergencies. Sponsored by the Friends of Friends (FoF) Medical Support Fund, an organization that has raised over a million dollars to provide temporary shelter from medical hardship, the pageant will feature the winners of the past nine years in a talent extravaganza as they compete to solicit donations from the crowd. The man who raises the most money, wins.

Come watch the hilarity ensue at this annual event to decide who will be 2015’s Mr. South Whidbey. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Langley’s Moonraker Books. In addition, you can begin voting for your favorite candidate now at http://fofmedicalsupportfund.org/

In a blatant attempt to influence voters, and because we asked, some of the candidates gave us their thoughts on the upcoming pageant.

Randy Hudson, a member of the Rural Characters band and a Clinton-based foundry worker, always goes the extra mile for Friends of Friends.

Randy Hudson (photo courtesy of Mr. South Whidbey Pageant)

WLM: Why should people should vote for you?

RH: Because I am the Donald Trump of this election—entertaining but otherwise unqualified. Plus, I’m likeable enough.

WLM: Do you possess any interesting or hidden talents?

RH: No. I have already publicly overexposed the extent of my talents.

WLM: What made you decide to participate in the pageant?

RH: I am an advocate for National Health Care, but until that happens the efforts of groups like Friends of Friends are becoming increasing important and need our support. Other than that, I am finally overcoming years of debilitating stage fright and cherish the opportunity to sing to a crowd who will cheer for anything.

Paul Mathews, a former Friends of Friends board member, is a world traveler and punster extraordinaire.

WLM: Why should people vote for you?

Paul Mathews (photo courtesy of Mr. South Whidbey Pageant)

PM: The other guys have talent; I have courage. Plus, I have no shame.

WLM: Do you possess any interesting or hidden talents?

PM: I am able to recite all the letters of the alphabet in alphabetical order, completely and without interruption.

WLM: What made you decide to participate in the pageant?

PM: This is my second Mr. South Whidbey Pageant; I was in the very first event. Prior to that, I had been the only male member on the FoF board. I always felt that the good ladies of the board nominated me to punish me for resigning, so my performances have been a kind of pay-back or revenge, if you like.

Frank Parra, who boasts he has no talent whatsoever, runs Sebo’s Do-it Center, Bayview Appliance & Mattress, and Bayview Design Center.

WLM: Why should people vote for you?

FP: The last three presidents of these United States of America have each been elected for two terms; people really don’t like change. They know what to expect, and since I am the reigning Mr. South Whidbey, people should cast their vote for me!

Frank Parra (photo courtesy of Mr. South Whidbey Pageant)

Do you possess any interesting or hidden talents?

FP: I ran last year as a contestant lacking ‘talent.’ Nothing has changed. I’m just a normal, down-to-earth person.

WLM: What made you decide to participate in the pageant?

FP: Really, it was decided for me. I have a hard time saying no to a good cause. Kathy Gianni is the one I blame for my involvement! I did have fun the first time, I have to admit, though I’m much more nervous this time around.

Rocco Gianni, a retired schoolteacher and member of the South Whidbey School Board, bicycles up and down the California coast for fun.

WLM: Why did you decide to participate in the pageant?

RC: It’s about making people feel good. I see so many people who really need help, so it’s a no brainer to help bring awareness to their situation.

WLM: What will you be performing for the audience?

RC: I’ll be singing ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ from Fiddler on the Roof. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pick out a Russian peasant costume.

Rocco Gianni (photo courtesy of Mr. South Whidbey Pageant)

Swing on by the Freeland Hall Oct.3 at 7:00 p.m. to support your favorites candidate and raise money for a good cause. Advance tickets are recommended for this very popular, extremely silly and reliably outrageous event. Support your favorite (s) for Mr. South Whidbey: John Auburn, Rocco Gianni, George Henny, Randy Hudson, Paul Mathews Frank Parra, Jim Scullin, Gordon Stewart, and Nick Welles.

Sean Fletcher is an author, as well as an editor with Andrea Hurst & Associates. He spends his free time adventuring on and around Whidbey Island.

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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.

September 29, 2015
Memories Take Flight at the PBY Museum

BY DEB CRAGER
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
Photos by Matt Buchholz
September 9, 2015

A plane rests on Pioneer Way, waiting to be made whole again. Early this fall, the wings will be attached to the plane, known as a PBY, an aircraft that holds many memories for those who flew in it during World War II. Cross the street and step into the museum, a place that will take you back in history—not only of the history of the beloved plane and sprawling base—but of Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island.

PBY-5A aircraft built in 1943 awaiting wings

“We try to tell the story of our little town,” said Wil Shellenberger, president of the PBY Museum Memorial Foundation. Formed in 1998 to preserve the history of naval aviation on Whidbey Island, the Foundation garnered the support of several of the original Oak Harbor families, who donated funds and artifacts.

“We’re often asked how little Oak Harbor became the Naval base that it is today, and the museum tries to tell that story, including the dedication, the work and the commitment,” said Shellenberger. “But it also tells the story of Oak Harbor and the history of the Seaplane Base and Ault Field, a base that was built in 1943.”

In the entry, a visual history of Oak Harbor

During World War II, the Seaplane Base was closely tied with Seattle’s Sand Point as a place to refuel, to arm and set up planes so they could cover longer distances over the water. Although construction of the base was started before Pearl Harbor, it accelerated once the war began.

A history timeline stretches through the museum. As you enter, you can read the story of Oak Harbor in the early days, presented in newspaper clippings and photos. Many of the local residents were involved in overseas missions, and many of their families still live on Whidbey.

Different time periods within the museum

The PBY, an amphibious plane—and the focus of the museum—was designed to be a patrol bomber, a plane to attack enemy transport ships and disrupt enemy supply lines. But this “flying boat” proved to be more valuable in search and rescue, saving the lives of thousands of airmen shot down and stranded at sea. While several versions of the flying boats were employed by the Navy, the PBY was the most widely used and manufactured.

Charles Aus, an Oak Harbor resident and former radioman on the PBY plane, has vivid memories even after 60 years. “The PBY was a very stable plane,” he recalls. He also served as a tail gunner, manning the gun that dropped from the center of the plane. That stint of flying confirmed his desire to become an aviator, and he ultimately became a Navy pilot who traveled the world.

The museum is designed to include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fulfilling STEM educational requirements. Interactive displays appeal to everyone, including children; exhibits and story boards highlight local history makers. A gun turret—with room to put your shoulders inside—helps us understand how Aus might have felt as he took his place as a gunner.

Tail of a Super Constellation from 1960s

Visitors can see a maintenance shop and a cutaway of a PBY engine. Beaching gear, wheels on axles, and tail hooks tell more of the story. Two flight simulators reveal just how skilled the pilots had to be to fly in adverse conditions. Under construction is a “Night Vision Goggle” room, where you can try goggles on to experience the way darkness limits a pilot’s view. Included is a display of the Aleutian Islands, one of the places where planes were lost to weather more frequently than to battle.

P2V Pilot Flight Suit from 1960s

Uniforms line the walls: WWII uniforms, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) uniforms, Red Cross Volunteers, and flight suits. Other walls hold a variety of signal flags used to communicate with aviators and other ships.

Destroyers played a large part in the war, a role that Shellenberger knows firsthand, being a “blackshoe,” watching for subs and rescuing downed flyers. Chaplains always travelled with the crews, as did corpsmen and firefighters.

On display are pictures of the Salisbury Sound, a ship stationed at Whidbey Island for two years. Visitors can progress through the history of US wars fought in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan. One exhibit includes a tail fin from a Russian Mig brought back from the Afghan war by the VAQ-142 Gray Wolves; complete with signatures from the team, it occupies a place of honor.

VAQ 142 Gray Wolves tail fin of Russian Mig

Plans for the museum include expansion and the addition of a hangar to house the PBY plane and protect it from the elements.

“There’s a rich history of aviation, and we’d like to keep it all together on Whidbey Island before it flies away,” said Shellenberger.

Museum hours: Wed. through Sat. 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sun. 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Cost of admission: $7 (discounts of $1 for seniors, active military, children, and groups of 10 or more)

Visit pbymf.org for more information.

Deb Crager is originally from the Midwest but has lived on the island for 24 years. She wrote the book “101 Things to do on Whidbey Island: for a Day, a Weekend, or a Lifetime” available on iPad and Kindle Fire.

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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.

September 23, 2015
The Hot Club of Troy Opens DjangoFest Northwest 2015 on Wednesday, Sept. 23

BY RUSSELL CLEPPER
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
September 16, 2015

Whidbey Island’s gypsy jazz ensemble, the Hot Club of Troy, has a few subtexts to their mission statement. First subtext; “No amps? No problem!” Second: Gypzy jazz all year long. Third: Coffeehouses make great music venues.

As for their mission statement itself, just three words, one for each subtext; Django, Django, Django.

Hot Club of Troy (Troy Chapman, Kristi O’Donnell and Keith Bowers (l to r)) play in front of the DJangoFest mural at WICA (photo by David Welton)

Working exclusively with Django Reinhardt’s body of work, the trio strives to present his music with the purest expression possible, eschewing any amplification except a single microphone placed in front of them as they perform. Although band leader and guitarist Troy Chapman, guitarist Keith Bowers and bassist Kristi O’Donnell each have long resumés in music-making, the Hot Club of Troy is just one year old. However, this nearly nascent act will open this year’s prestigious DjangoFest Northwest at WICA in Langley at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Lance Cercel and the Roma String Ensemble will also perform that night. The headliner for this year’s festival is Bireli Lagrene, the “undisputed top guitarist in the gypsy jazz genre” according to the festival’s website, and according to Chapman and O’Donnell as well.

Chapman himself is no stranger to the DjangoFest stage. One of North America’s premier interpreters of the genre, the Whidbey Island resident has been a member of the influential Seattle gypsy jazz group Pearl Django since 2010. Along with the Robin Nolan trio, Pearl Django starred in the first DjangoFest Northwest in 2001, and they have appeared every year since that highly successful beginning. On Saturday, Sept. 26, Chapman will perform with Pearl Django once again, sharing the bill that night with the Hot Club of Detroit.

Hot Club of Troy in an impromptu performance in downtown Langley (photo by David Welton)

The Hot Club of Troy’s debut at DjangoFest caps a year of advanced musical exploration of Reinhardt’s music by the group. “One thing we do is play not only strictly gypsy jazz, but we only do Django’s compositions. He wrote 84 songs and some of them are rarely heard,” said Chapman. “We want to do stuff that people haven’t heard, to dig deeper into his repertoire and learn about his influences. We don’t want to present great guitar playing so much as his songs as great compositions.”

Of course, Chapman and Bowers are highly regarded guitar players and their shows certainly feature expert picking. O’Donnell explained the group has labored to meld Bower’s chordal style of playing with Chapman’s straight ahead approach as they have explored ways of performing Reinhardt’s music. “We work at weaving the two styles together,” she said. “We’ve worked really hard to make that happen,” Chapman added. “You have to learn first how Django did it, then you can put your own style in it.”

Another reason they formed a gypsy jazz trio was to create opportunities to play that style all year long, not just during the time of DjangoFest. Their home base venue has been Useless Bay Coffee Company (UBCC), which is where the three musicians first jammed together on Tuesday nights for awhile. That collaboration resulted in the formation of one of Whidbey Island’s finest bands, Trio Nouveau, whose repertoire is mined from the swinging jazz of the Great American Songbook.

“When we’re playing there, we joke that we’re fueled by UBCC coffee,” said O’Donnell. “Lots of eighth notes!”

Even the local canines appreciate the outdoor concerts and smooth sounds (photo by David Welton)

UBCC owner and head roaster Des Rock has been a stedfast supporter of the group, as well as of local live music in general. “He told us that ‘the quality of the atmosphere goes up every time you play!” said O’Donnell. We’re really lucky to have Des. He rocks!”

The popular Langley hangout is the only coffee house on the island currently offering a steady program of live music. Historically, coffee houses have often provided a place for musicians to perform in public and sometimes become important incubators of musical talent and generators of vibrant musical “scenes,” such as one that is happening right now in Paris. In fact, a coffee house in Montreal was instrumental in the musical path of a young Troy Chapman where he spent countless hours at a place called the Yellow Door, one of the longest-lived contemporary live music venues in North America, and one well known among the folk and singer songwriter crowd on the East Coast.

His mother worked there in the late 1960s and 70s. “I spent every summer, for years, spending my days there,” he said. “until I began living full time with my mom in ’73,” he said. “I sat in the Yellow Door after school, day after day, and watched great guitar player after great guitar player and decided that was for me!”

The label for UBCC’s new “Django Blend” was created as a celebration of the Hot Club of Troy’s beginnings at the lively local gathering place. It was created by author, artist and gypsy jazz guitarist Irene Ypenburg.

The Yellow Door was the site of his first public performance. “I played ‘Goodbye Porkpie Hat’ with my new Electro Harmonix Small Stone Phaser plugged into the PA. Probably in ’78!”

If that truly was a hootenanny, Chapman must have caught some of the banjo players off guard with that one. It wouldn’t be the first time he has surprised people.

For example, The Hot Club of Troy’s association with UBCC has inspired the creation of a special offering for coffee lovers and music fans. “We are going to have a brand of coffee,” said O’Donnell, “the Hot Club of Troy ‘Django Blend,’ roasted by Des, in time for DjangoFest. UBCC will be selling the coffee that week and it will be online, too.”

That development was not part of their original mission statement, but the organic aspect of the coffee that Rock brews at his establishment does compliment their desire to nix amplification of guitars at the group’s performances. Chapman said, “There’s nothing like the beauty of the un-amplified instrument. There’s a great simplicity when playing with no amps.”

Hot Club of Troy’s bandleader, Troy Chapman, got his inspiration to play guitar from countless hours spent at the famous Montreal coffeehouse, the Yellow Door (photo by David Welton)

In some music circles that approach would be described as “organic,” meaning natural and unaltered by electronic amplification. Even though the guitar itself is a mechanical sound wave amplifier, the sound it produces is the result of the type and quality of the wood, the kind of strings, the skill of the luthier, and the expertise and soul of the musician. Any kind of electric amplification alters that “natural” sound. Even though the altered sound may be pleasing to the ear, it’s not the same as the un-amplified sound of a guitar.

Chapman has played plenty of loud music throughout his long career in music, but to get at the heart of Django Reinhardt’s sound he and his bandmates are taking this organic path to get there. Their show at DjangoFest will provide an excellent opportunity for local gypsy jazz addicts and music lovers to hear the Hot Club of Troy fulfilling their mission.

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Django’s Hand
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Langley resident Drew Christie has created an animated short film for DjangoFest Northwest. Christie’s work has appeared or been featured in numerous publications including the Atlantic and the New York Times. Hot Club of Troy’s bandleader Troy Chapman performs the soundtrack for the short which is titled “Django’s Hand” and tells the story of how Django Reinhardt turned a terrible injury sustained in a fire into the creation of a new style of guitar playing.

To see the 68 second-long film, visit this link on the DjangoFest Northwest website: http://www.djangofestnw.com.

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Russell Clepper is a singer-songwriter who plies his trade locally and around the country. He is also a substitute teacher for the Oak Harbor School District.

Please check the following links for more information about the Hot Club of Troy and/or DjangoFest Northwest 2015:

http://www.kristio.com/the-hot-club-of-troy.html
http://djangofest.com/home/djangofest-northwest-2015/

And soon-to-be up online:
www.TheHotClubofTroy.com

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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.

September 17, 2015
Send it Soaring at the Whidbey Island Kite Festival

BY LARA DUNNING
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
September 16, 2015

I’m standing at one of the primo kite flying spots on Whidbey Island―Fort Casey Historical Park. There’s a northwesterly wind cutting across the lawn, and the Whidbey Rev Flyers show off their skills in preparation for the upcoming Whidbey Island Kite Festival on Sept. 19 and 20.

Lisa Root, event organizer and 15-year competition flyer, calls out commands: “One eighty go! Flank right! Break to thread! Face your edges! Do-si-do!” Under her lead, hands move with precision, and the Revolution kites—which resemble two connected upside-down triangles—create dynamic patterns in mid-air.

Fort Casey Historical Park is one of the favorite kiting spots on Whidbey Island (photo by David Welton)

This aerial ballet will be one of dozens at the Festival. The Olympic Mountains and Admiralty Inlet will provide the backdrop to the spectacular sight of hundreds of airborne kites.

An array of kite activities will take place throughout the weekend. The highlight of the event—sport kite championships—will include teams, pairs and individuals flying in dual and multi-line events. Winners will be acknowledged at a Saturday awards dinner and again on Sunday afternoon.

Those wishing to pre-order festival gear, sign up to compete, or purchase lunches and dinners may do so on the Whidbey Island Kite Festival website. At the event, hungry bellies can fuel up with hot dogs and sodas from Central Whidbey Lions Club and warm cups of coffee and snacks from The Kaffee Haus.

At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, dozens of delta and box kites will take to the skies in a mass ascension. At the same time on Sunday, flat and soft kites will rise. Anyone may join in for these flies, and no registration is necessary. For children 10 and under, teddy bears will don parachutes for the popular Teddy Bear Drop each day at 1:00 p.m.

Kite flying lessons, single-line challenges, free fly areas, and kite making classes will be offered. Kite games (think of the “running of the bulls,”) will be held in which children tie a kite around their waists and run like the wind. The mystery ballet event challenges flyers to create an impromptu routine to music they’ve never heard.

On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., the indoor kite fly takes place at the Coupeville High School gym. “It’s amazing. There is no wind except what is created by the flyer,” Root said. “We encourage folks to come and watch and come and try.”

The admired Whidbey Rev Flyers, joined by Island Quad from B.C., will entertain visitors with a choreographed performance to music with their four-line Revolution kites. If the practice session I’ve witnessed is any indication of what to expect, it’s going to be quite a show.

Whidbey Rev Flyers practice for their upcoming performance at the kite festival (photo by David Welton)

“You can’t just have one kite,” Root claims. “You must have a series of them.” She whips out her phone to show me a picture of her kites―there are dozens. The festival feeds this passion for multiple kites by hosting a Used Kite Loft where folks can buy and sell kites. A drawing for a raffle of 500 kite related items will be held on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. (You needn’t be present to win; all proceeds fund the festival.)

At Fort Casey, the wind continues to blow steadily over the grounds, and a handful of children excitedly fly their own single-line kites. As I observe the Whidbey Rev Flyers team practice, I notice that each face is a mixture of meditation and concentration. Bodies brace against the wind. Positions are called out. Hands move in sync. And the best part—geometric kites dance against a turquoise sky.

Hundreds of colorful kites take to the skies at the Whidbey Island Kite Festival (photo by David Welton)

To join Whidbey Island Kite Fliers, visit http://www.whidbeykiteclub.org/. Every third Saturday of the month the Fliers combine a “fun fly” at Fort Casey Historical Park with a cookout. Members also meet on-island and off-island at various kiting locations. For more information about the Whidbey Island Kite Festival visit http://www.whidbeykites.org/.

Lara Dunning is a freelance writer. She has been published in The Crossing Guide, Anacortes Scene and Waggoner’s Pacific Northwest Boating. Her interests include young adult novels, history, travel and locavore inspired food.

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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.

September 16, 2015
Reflections of the Island Shakespeare Festival Company

BY OLENA HODGES
Whidbey Life Magazine Guest Contributor
Photos by Michael Stadler, photo collages by Olena Hodges
Sept. 9, 2015

As our 2015 season winds to a close and many company members prepare to depart, it’s easy to feel a bit nostalgic. For those of us who’ve been part of ISF’s growth over the past six seasons, it’s incredible to think of what’s changed in just a few years. We know we are part of a uniquely beautiful beast, and we each have our reasons for coming back every summer to play Shakespeare with our tribe of merry madcaps.

Olena Hodges

My journey with Island Shakespeare Festival began in 2010, when I returned home to Whidbey Island after graduating from Circle in the Square Theater School in New York, NY. I wasn’t sure of my next steps, and was excited at the prospect of auditioning for a production of “As You Like It,” to be played in the woods. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in classic theater, particularly Shakespeare, and what a fantastic way to begin! I was cast as Rosalind in our inaugural production, and have enjoyed some incredible opportunities to play some of Shakespeare’s most courageous and empowering women since.

Olena Hodges in Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice, 2013), The Tempest (Ariel, 2015), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet, 2011), As You Like It (Rosalind, 2010), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena, 2012).

What I love about this company is that we don’t forget where we came from. While we’ve outgrown our original location, the beautiful Storyhouse stage on the Chinook land in Clinton, we continue to reminisce and pass the stories of those first years on to new company members. I will never forget our cast circle before our opening performance of “As You Like It,” when Rose, completely unsure of what to expect (we were literally in the middle of the woods—the hike up to the stage from the parking lot was short but steep!) said to us “if we have as many people in the audience as we have on stage, we’re doing the show!” We were all shocked when we couldn’t count the number in the audience. We continue to be astounded by our growing audiences. But we will always be a hands-on company of passionate artists who love sharing these timeless stories of the human condition with our community and beyond. We more than love to do this—we are a company who feel a necessity continue the prehistoric tradition of storytelling.

Miles Harrison

Miles Harrison in Romeo and Juliet (Balthasar, 2011), The Three Musketeers (Athos, 2015), Much Ado About Nothing (Don Jon, 2013), The Tempest (Antonio, 2015), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius, 2012).

I have chosen to return to ISF from as far away as MA because of the Artistic Integrity maintained by both the cast and crew, as well as the incredible community that Whidbey fosters within these casts. The natural beauty of Whidbey, the generous contributions of community members housing actors, Good Cheer Food Bank and volunteer staff are just some of the support that makes for a unique and touching bond amongst the cast. We in turn get to share that bond, via the stories told, with the community that supports us. I’ve been working since I was 13 years old and this is the best job I’ve ever had.

Morgan Bondelid

Morgan Bondelid in The Three Musketeers (Ensemble, 2015), Richard III (Queen Elizabeth, 2014), Much Ado About Nothing (Verges, 2013) and The Tempest (Gonzalo, 2015).

Why I keep coming back to ISF is not something I can adequately put into words. There’s the far-too-rare opportunity to perform Shakespeare; the talented and dedicated acting company; the raw, beautiful, utterly unpredictable nature of outdoor theater. And then, “herding all of the cats,” there’s our fearless leader Rose Woods, whose fierce passion and indefatigable nature inspires devotion. All of these elements combine into something ineffable that lives perpetually in my heart whether or not I’m actively in the company.

Ahna Dunn-Wilder

Ahna Dunn-Wilder in Richard III (Ensemble, 2014), Much Ado About Nothing (Hero, 2013), The Taming of the Shrew (Bianca, 2014), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snug, 2012), and The Three Musketeers (Ensemble, 2015).

Through ISF I have found an incredible and meaningful family. The atmosphere and culture that Rose Woods cultivates as a director carries into our rehearsals, relationships, and ultimately makes for incredible and touching theater for all who witness it. I am so grateful for the deep inspiration and love I have received as a part of ISF. What an fantastic company to be a part of!

Andrew Fling

Andrew Fling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom, 2012), The Tempest (Alonso, 2015) and The Three Musketeers (Duke of Buckingham, Treville and others, 2015).

This is my second year at ISF. My first was 2012’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Both summers at the festival have been pure magic, and if you knew how much of a stoic and skeptic I can be, you’d know I don’t use that term lightly. The people I’ve worked with at the festival, the work we’ve done and the island itself is like another world to me. I have said and can say again that this summer has been the best time of my life, hands down, and though I must wait two years to do so, I anticipate my return with a great deal of excitement.

Valerie Huntington

Valerie Huntington in The Taming of the Shrew (Biondello, 2014), The Three Musketeers (Queen Ann and others, 2015), Romeo and Juliet (Peter, 2011), The Tempest (Caliban, 2015), Richard III (Ensemble, 2014), and Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret, 2013).

Meeting a group of people, some old faces some new, who are all here for the same purpose, to work and strive to give art, FREE art; that’s why I return. Because here, for the past five years that I have been blessed to be a part of this company, we give it our all; all love, passion, energy, time. We all are here working together.

Laurel Livezey

Laurel Livezey in Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula, 2013), The Tempest (Elemental, 2015), and The Three Musketeers (Ensemble, 2015).

I was brought into Island Shakespeare Festival purely on faith two seasons ago and I believe that has been the greatest lesson I have learned from this company. The artists with whom I have worked have an incredible faith in each other and the work we do, and because of that, we have all grown in unexpected and beautiful ways. As I explore life and future artistic endeavors, I will always consider ISF my home base and my family.

Zora Lungren

Zora Lungren in The Three Musketeers (Constance and others, 2015), Richard III (Lady Anne Neville, 2014), The Taming of the Shrew (Nathanial/Saloon Wench, 2014), and The Tempest (Elemental, 2015).

I was so excited to come back to the island this summer. I had such a blast last season; we had an amazing cast and incredible shows and both were so well received by the community. There was no question in my mind that I would want to come back. The shows are so different this season, we’re in a new space and have lots of new faces. We have battled weather and heatstroke and bugs! But we have had so much fun doing it! The island is my home; it has given me so much. I love giving back what I can through free Shakespeare.

Melanie Lowey

Melanie Lowey in The Three Musketeers (Milady, 2015), The Taming of the Shrew (Katherine, 2014), Much Ado About Nothing (Antonia, 2013), Richard III (Ensemble, 2014), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snout, 2012).

ISF’s first production was As You Like It (2010); things were a bit different then. We didn’t have Henry the tent, or even a place to call home. The company itself is Rose Woods’s brainchild; she simply possessed the passion, experience, and will to inspire others to give what they had to make some Shakespeare happen. The entire South Whidbey community was so gracious to us. The Hulls created a stage on their land, which required a lot of labor; Rose, the actors, ISF volunteers and Timothy Hull did much of this work themselves. Whidbey Children’s Theater lent us a lot of costume pieces, rehearsal and storage space; artists donated their time and resources for set decoration, props and costuming. It was a largely collaborative endeavor. We had no idea whether or not people would come see us. But they came in droves, which told us that—hurrah!—we probably could keep making shows each summer. Though we have changed locations, acquired a tent and a board of directors, and while the company grows by leaps and bounds and more and more audience comes to see us, the core passion that created the company remains unchanged. I am proud to have been part of each and every production since ISF’s inception. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Ken Stephens

Ken Stephens in The Taming of the Shrew (Gremio, 2014), and The Three Musketeers (Rochefort, 2015).

I come back because it is so addictively fun! The cast, crew, directors, environment—all too much fun. And getting to be on Whidbey all summer long? Wow.

Damien Cortez

Damien Cortez in Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio, 2011), As You Like It (Touchstone, 2010), The Three Musketeers (Porthos, 2015), and Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry, 2013).

I have been with ISF since before we were ISF. What we started in that forest was magical for all involved, to say the least. I return as often as I can because of the people in this company, and what we do here. We get to play with swords for crying out loud! I come back because I feel at home here. my children were born during rehearsal, I married my wife in our tent. There isn’t a word to express how honored I am to get to be a part of this. I truly believe in what we do, here, and the people I do it with.

We have one weekend left to our 2015 season. The Three Musketeers plays Thursday, September 10 and closes Saturday, September 12. The Tempest plays Friday, September 11 and closes Sunday, September 13. For further information, please visit our website.

Olena Hodges has shared her love of Shakespeare with the Island Shakespeare Festival and as a guest contributor to WLM this summer.

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September 9, 2015
WIN’s summer campers serve up ‘Fun with Food’

PHOTO ESSAY BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
September 2, 2015

Since 2007 Whidbey Island Nourishes (WIN) has been on a mission to resolve food insecurity for children in the community with over 20,000 free sack lunches each year prepared by a team of volunteers. WIN has partnered with the school district to create a community garden, operated by Cary Peterson, to provide fruit and vegetables for this effort.

Kayla Shorey reaches for a strawberry to add to her fruit skewer.

“Fun with Food,” a 10-week summer camp, culminated with a Gala luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 26 for 50 donors, staff and volunteers. The meal was prepared by the campers with produce harvested from the garden, with guidance from Orchard Kitchen’s Lyn Kiernan and others. The celebratory gala marks the ‘graduation’ of 25 students, ages 5-12.

“Fun with Food” is WIN’s second pilot teaching program, expanding WIN’s programs into teaching children about food in the garden and cooking with that same produce in the kitchen. They learn skills including cooking methods, the importance of nutrition, creativity with foods and the science behind cooking. The results of this pilot further WIN’s efforts to develop educational programs that could be included in the school classrooms.

“We feel that when children see how food grows—tasting fresh beans off the vine and carrots plucked from the fertile soil—they experience life,” said Kristi O’Donnell, program co-coordinator. “In the kitchen, they learn skills to preserve, prepare and present food. These ‘good turns’ of teaching will nurture the kids their entire lives.”

To support and learn more about Whidbey Island Nourishes, visit their website: www.whidbeyislandnourishes.org.

Watermelon hulls with skewer masts make fun sailboats and pirate ships. Barb Schiltz (right) coaches Savanna Allen and Ramiyah Degrace-Kyles: the heavier fruit needs to be engineered at the bottom of the skewers so as not to topple the ship.

Peterson, Ryan Hodges and Jacob Faucher munch fresh carrots, harvested minutes earlier.

Peterson selects the best beans.

The kids decorate tables with fresh fruit, flowers, vegetables and drawings of their favorite activities at the camp. Making “gimy, slimy, gofer guts!!!” topped the list, but fruit pizzas and the bean teepee also rated.

Alohi Elliott strives for perfection.

Hibiscus Tea, prepared and poured by Mary Fisher, WIN founder

Matthew Snyder says he could live for one week in the bean teepee, which will shelter, shade and feed him.

Peterson raises the heavy $10,000 check from WIN to the school district for the garden!

Wilson Castle receives his certificate from Kristi O’Donnell. Tiffany Paine is about to award him with a medallion.

Campers proudly carry the feast in a grand procession from the WIN garden kitchen to the Gala pavilion.

Volunteer Jelcy Romberg pauses among other volunteers, donors and staff as they enjoy the feast of homemade artisan crackers, kale confetti salad, caprese, asian quinoa with ginger dressing and Cary’s garden tacos. Lyn Kiernan from Orchard Kitchen assisted with menu planning and meal preparation.

David Welton is a retired physician, staff photographer (and occasional writer) for Whidbey Life magazine.

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September 2, 2015
Now, and Then || A Home, Lost, Expands the South Whidbey Fire Department

BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
August 19, 2015

The cry of a distant siren reminds us of our vulnerability, yet reassures us that aid is near those in distress. But it wasn’t always so.

When South Whidbey’s volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1950, the only fire station was in Langley. On a night in Nov. 1953, events on French Road—ten country miles to the south—catalyzed change.

Mary Sue Kinskie, 13, had just put her two younger brothers, Art and Fred, to bed; her mother Susan was working the night shift at White Acres Nursing Home in Freeland. Mary Sue had just settled herself at the kitchen table with her homework when she and her father, Clarence “Tern,” smelled smoke coming from the dining room.

Mary Sue and her brothers, with their scooters beside the house, a year before the fire. (photo courtesy of the family)

Mary Sue rushed to the hand-crank telephone—a party line that served 14 homes. Fortunately, someone at a prayer meeting at the Little Brown Church, just down the hill from the home, answered at the same time as the operator and heard her call for help. The young woman awakened her brothers and, as they fled the house, she tumbled down the front steps, injuring her knee. Her father, an amputee, tried to dowse the flames with a pail of water, but the one-man, one-legged bucket brigade was no match for the growing inferno.

Mary Sue points, on her dollhouse replica, to where the fire began. (photo by David Welton)

The men from the church arrived long before the fire truck; there were rumors of an empty gas tank and a flat tire. They were able to save a few belongings, including the stove, a water heater and, from the basement, a box of dynamite—essential to Tern’s lumber business for the removal of stumps. The house, however, burned to the ground. A firebreak kept the flames back from the tree line.

Mary Sue said one thing she recalls was an elderly neighbor lady who, while the house burned, gave her father a tongue-lashing about the dangers of storing dynamite in the basement—all while she sat right on top of the crate.

The teenager and her brothers spent a sleepless night with neighbors and were sent to school the next day, but with a valid excuse for losing their homework.

The fire truck, barely visible, in 1954 at Dave Mackie Park during the Maxwelton 4th of July festivities. Pictured are Floyd Grubb, Darrell Green, Clay Green, Lincoln Wildes, Lyle Borden, Wayne Hawley, Pat Nourse, Allen Bilderback, John Patton, Randolph Erikson, unknown, Paul Long, Dewey Hoistra, Gus Skarburg. (photo courtesy of George Mills, Maxwelton Valley historian)

The Kinskies had no insurance—forecasting dreary holidays for the family—but the next morning a procession of visitors arrived with gifts of food and clothing. A neighbor allowed the family to stay in his empty guesthouse nearby. Timber was felled and hauled to Green’s Mill at Maxwelton Slough to provide lumber to rebuild the house. A work party soon assembled, and within a year the family was home again.

Everyone agreed it was time for the fire department to expand. A temporary one-bay station was quickly erected on Maxwelton Road and a fire truck acquired. A larger two-bay facility, which stands to this day, rose at the intersection of French and Bailey Roads, just below the Kinskie property.

Mary Sue still lives in the reconstructed house. The rescued water heater still functions in the basement. (photo by David Welton)

Mary Sue got married and moved away, but later returned and still lives in the rebuilt family home where the rescued water heater serves their needs. Looking back, she said “I still chill to this day when recalling the heat of the fire. But, in the long run,” she added “it was a good thing, as it brought the community together.”

Today, she has memories of family and friends and a 1/12th scale replica of the original house. And South Whidbey has a modern, well-equipped fire department with six strategically located stations, numerous fire trucks and even a fire boat. In real life, adversity can lead to happy endings!

Tern and Susan Kinskie along the fence in front of their home, 1938 (photo courtesy of the family)

David Welton is a retired physician, staff photographer (and occasional writer) for Whidbey Life magazine.

“Now, and Then” is an occasional series of historical Whidbey Island photographs paired with contemporary images by David Welton. Read the first story in the series: “Maxwelton 4th of July” here. Contact david@whidbeylifemagazine.org if you have a story to share.

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August 19, 2015
More Weathered History—The Crockett Barn

BY LES McCARTHY
PHOTOS BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributors
August 19, 2015

In our Spring/Summer print issue this year, we ran an article on some of the treasured barns on Whidbey Island. We realized, however, that there are so many barns, we needed to save a few to share later. Here is yet another of our island’s well-known barns, photos were taken this last spring…

Snug on prairie land in Coupeville is the Crockett Farm and Barn. Built in 1895, the original 640 acres, owned by Walter Crockett, Sr. and his sons, was one of the oldest farmsteads in the area that later became known as Crockett’s Prairie. (And yes, if you’ve heard the rumor that Walter, Sr. was a cousin to Davy “King of the Wild Frontier!” Crockett, it’s true.)

That area is now known as Ebey’s Landing Historical Reserve. And the barn is listed on the National Register of Historic buildings, as well as the Washington State Historic Barns register.

The Lovejoy Brothers out of Pt. Townsend were hired to build both the Crockett home and the barn; they were originally shipwrights but went on to build many of the Victorian homes in Coupeville. The hip-roofed barn—a style, from back east, with which the Crocketts were familiar—is the only one of its kind in the state

The barn was built like a three-dimensional puzzle—from the ground up, with local stone forming the foundation and each plank fit in with such precision that the diagonally pieced walls are perfect to less than ¼ of an inch. There is amazing workmanship in this 120-year-old structure.

The original building used no iron bolts and the largest nails used were only for the siding and for attaching the wall sheathing to the studs. The barn is an example of classic “mortise and tenon” joint construction: the ends of the beams were “pegged” and corresponding cavities, or holes, were drilled in posts. Then the beam’s pegs were fitted into the cavities in the posts and pinned with wood dowels.

For most of its years the barn was used for horses and cold storage on the main level, with a hayloft upstairs and an outside awning for keeping cows; it was a regular working farm. When asked about the oddest thing that was found on the property as far as farm implements, it was said that there were remnants of a cow-fueled methane gas lighting system in the lower barn.

From coins found in the granary attic (the smaller of the barns) it’s assumed that Asian farm laborers were housed there in the early days.

As with most old structures there are stories of tragedy and triumph—a lot happens over 100-odd years. There were barn dances and political gatherings and, one year, a grass fire; the neighboring Engle family helped save the Crockett home and barn. And then there was the suicide of one of the sons, in the 1890s, in an upstairs bedroom of the home; his (non-threatening) presence is still felt by some today.

The property’s current use is as a private home as well as the Crockett Bed and Breakfast; the grounds are also used for weddings and other events. And while no animals live on the farm at the moment, bees from the surrounding hives are happy flitting around the vegetable and flower gardens that spill over and around the property.

Thanks to Paula Spina and Lance D. Loomis, current owners of the property, for their invaluable information. Book a stay with them (http://www.crockettfarmbnb.com) and they’ll be more than happy to fill you in on…the rest of the story.

Les McCarthy is an author, entrepreneur and IPPY bronze medalist for her yearly, “Healthy Living ~ Healthy Life: 365 Days of Nutrition & Health for the Family” calendars. She is now a full-fledged islander and loves every moment of life on this special rock. She joyfully tends to her geriatric fur factory but is rethinking the cuteness of the local garden-devouring deer and slugs.

David Welton is a retired physician and staff photographer for Whidbey Life magazine. He thinks and processes information visually much to our delight.

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August 18, 2015
Blooms Winery Is Set to Release another Award-Winning Syrah

2012 Blooms Winery Syrah, set to be released this fall, won a Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco Wine Competition. (photo by Chris Korrow©)

BY CHRISTY KORROW
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
August 12, 2015

For wine lovers, anticipating the release of an award-winning wine is something to savor. When I learned that Whidbey Island’s Blooms Winery 2012 Syrah was awarded a Gold Medal at the well-respected San Francisco Wine Competition—the largest judging of U.S. wines in the world—my interest was piqued. I recently stopped by to chat with Virginia Bloom and hear more about the Syrah she and her husband Ken produce in their Freeland winery.

Syrahs are big red wines. Generous acidity and heavy tannins give the wine extended aging potential. Syrah is most widely associated with the Rhone region of Southeastern France where it is often blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre (a common Côtes du Rhône blend). Syrah can also be enjoyed as a single varietal.

Washington Syrahs are gaining a world-wide reputation and capturing the attention of critics and wine lovers. The extreme climate and unique soils in eastern Washington alchemically combine into Syrah grapes to bring a concentrated variety of rich and complex flavors.

Washington Syrahs are a great way to experience terroir. Try a Syrah from The Rocks AVA and you will find it tastes completely different from a Red Mountain AVA Syrah.*

Ken and Virginia Bloom in their Freeland winery (photo by Chris Korrow©)

The Blooms began making wine in the late 1990s and released their first Syrah vintage in 2006. From the beginning, the Syrah grapes for Blooms’ wines have come from the Julia Bosma vineyards in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA. Rattlesnake Hills AVA is an east-west expanse of hills along the northern boundary of the Yakima Valley. This south-facing AVA is just a few miles from Yakima.

Bosma’s site is agriculturally diverse, with cherries and apples on the same property as the grapevines. Bloom painted a visual picture of the Bosma site, “Her vines are planted on a hillside. When we go to pick up our grapes, you can look out over the valley and it feels like you can see forever from the top of the ridge.”

Map courtesy of the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail (used with permission. www.rattlesnakehills.org)

Why did the Blooms chose the site? The answer offered was simple: the flavor of the grapes when tasted fresh from the vine. “After sampling grapes from many sites, when we visited Julie’s vineyard, the grapes we tasted out in the field were flavorful, rich, and so distinct,” Bloom said. In fact, Bosma is essentially Blooms’ estate vineyard—all the grapes that go into their Syrah wine come from exclusively from this site.

It’s the flavor of the grape that drives the timing for the harvest as well. Trips to the other side of the Cascades will begin soon. In addition to testing for sugar and acid levels, Bloom explained, “we go out and taste the grapes to make sure they have arrived at the flavor profile we’re looking for.” Only when sugar and acid levels, seed and stem maturity, and flavor all come into play in just the right way will the Blooms give the go-ahead to harvest, “You don’t get gold medal wines if you don’t have gold medal fruit,” she added.

The Blooms have been making Syrah since 2006. (photo by Chris Korrow©)

“We’re looking for a wine that is fruit forward with less tannins, yet retains its richness and complexity,” said Bloom, explaining their wine-making style when it comes to Syrah. Stems add tannins to wine so, prior to crush, care is taken to hand-pick through the grapes and remove stems. The use of mostly neutral oak barrels softens the wine and also helps keep the tannic tendencies of Syrah at bay.

Syrah’s are known for being able to age for 20 years or more. When asked about the cellaring potential, Bloom noted that their Syrah “is good for at least 10 years and probably would be at its peak then.”

Blooms’ 2012 Syrah is a juicy, medium-body wine with bright acidity and deep red color. The tannins are structured and yet not at all over-powering. A recently opened bottle of their 2011 Syrah shows the wine is still holding strong and has a lot of life left in it. Both are accessible, friendly, easy-to-drink red wines.

The Blooms will use an oak barrel for up to 10 years. Barrels that have been used for three years or more are referred to as “neutral.” (photo by Chris Korrow©)

Visit the Blooms Winery Tasting Room at Bayview Corner Cash Store to taste their wines. Blooms’ wines are also found at all the supermarkets between Coupeville and Clinton on Whidbey Island. Enjoy the 2011 for a while longer until the 2012 is released later this fall. There will be approximately 150 cases with a suggested retail price of $29. Blooms’ website is http://www.bloomswinery.com.

Photo at top: The Blooms purchase French and Hungarian oak barrels made at a cooperage in Napa. (photo by Chris Korrow)

*AVA is an American Viticulture Area determined to be geographically distinct and distinguishable by climate, soil, elevation, and other physical features. Learn more about Washington state AVAs here: www.washingtonwine.org/wine-101/regions/

Christy Korrow lives in Langley and she is employed full-time in publishing. She and her husband Chris are co-developers of the Upper Langley Affordable Housing Community, an eco-village of 16 households on 10 acres in the city limits of Langley. https://christykorrow.wordpress.com.

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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.

August 12, 2015
Postcards from Whidbey Island || A Tale of a Whale

August 12

Dear One and All,

She was born under the cloudy skies of the Pacific Northwest, but she’s lived most of her life beneath a blistering Florida sun. As a youngster, she roamed 100 miles a day in the Salish Sea; for the last 40 years, she’s inhabited a watery cage a mere one-and-a-half times her size.

An intelligent and curious creature that thrives on stimulation, she’s encircled by barren concrete walls. Originally part of a close-knit family, she lives in isolation. Once wild, she now performs tricks twice a day for tourists. Among 45 of her kind caught between 1965 and 1973, she’s the last survivor.

The very last.

This orca whale has two names: Lolita is one. Tokitae—Chinook for “nice day, pretty colors”—is the other.

To mark (or mourn) the 45^th anniversary of the capture of members of the Southern Resident pod of whales in Penn Cove on Aug. 8, 1970, the Orca Network held a day of education and activities.At a waterside ceremony on the Coupeville wharf, representatives from the Samish Nation offered up a cedar plank, cedar boughs, kelp and a salmon—along with a prayer for Tokitae’s return to her home waters, where her pod still swims and her mother, thought to be 87 years old, still calls for her. Vern Olsen of the Shifty Sailors performed his song, “Come Home, Lolita.” Musician Jim Marcotte sang “Better Days,” a hopeful look toward the future.

At the Coupeville Recreation Hall, items for a silent auction were displayed: orca-themed embroidered scarves, jewelry, the documentary DVD “Blackfish,” felted whales.

There was even whale ale for sale. Nearly everyone in attendance wore a message tee-shirt featuring an orca.

Authors Sandra Pollard (“Puget Sound Whales for Sale”), David Neiwert (“Of Orcas and Men”), and John Hargrove (“Beneath the Surface”) described the remarkable nature of this species, the evolutionary advantage of empathy, and our ethical obligations as humans. Hargrove, a former whale handler for SeaWorld, revealed the cruel practices of the marine circus industry: “Pure exploitation and greed disguised as education and conservation,” he said.

The Derik Nelson family—siblings Dalten, Riana, Derik—performed their song “Lolita.” If heartfelt words and ethereal music could magically bring about the release of Tokitae, these surely would. But there’s no doubt they contribute to a growing movement for her release; the Orca Network hopes the next event will be a welcome home party.

Leaving the Hall at the close of a day of ancient prayers and insider insights, tales of whales in song and story, I was stopped in my tracks by a rainbow stretching the length of Penn Cove. Although that rainbow might be only a mixture of light and mist, prism and refraction, I chose to see it as a sign that Lolita/Tokitae might one day swim beneath its mysterious, marvelous banner.

As always, wish you were here.

Dianna

To learn more about the orcas of Penn Cove, visit www.orcanetwork.org and any of the authors’ websites. To learn more about the Shifty Sailors, visit www.shiftysailors.net. To see a video of the Nelson family performing their ode to an orca, visit www.deriknelson.com. For a sensory experience, pay a real (versus virtual) visit to the Langley Whale Center at 117 Anthes, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, Thursdays through Sundays.

Dianna MacLeod holds a journalism degree from the University of Michigan and has worked as a writer and editor for individuals and nonprofit organizations. An alumna of Hedgebrook. She moved to the Isle of Whidbey in 2011 to complete a novel—and never left.

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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.

August 12, 2015