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Tag: Whidbey Island

My Best Whidbey Island Shots Of 2014 | Martha McCartney

BY MARTHA McCARTNEY
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
Dec. 31, 2014

Whidbey Island has such beautiful scenery that sometimes it’s easy to miss the small details; to forget to look closer in than the vast expanse of mountains and water. 2014 has been full of interesting colors and sensual discoveries that continue to unfold and 2015 only promises to be better yet. These are photos taken throughout the year, some were part of features written for Whidbey Life Magazine in 2014 and links to the original stories are below the photo.

There’s always something new to see on Whidbey Island even if it may be the same scene in different light. This shot is from the top of Hill Road looking towards Ebey’s Bluff.

Even if the day is drippy there is some small jewel to be found. These berries seem to glow from within at the Cultus Bay Nursery. Read more about the Cultus Bay Nursery in this story by Dianna MacLeod with more photos by Martha McCartney, “Beguiling Seasonal Secrets at Whidbey’s Horticultural Heaven this Weekend.”

On a dash into the Greenbank Store I stopped for a while to watch a nest filled past over-flowing. The nest was built just over the window and above a strand of lights but this apparently was no bother.

A very cozy lodge atmosphere seems to whisper tales of long winter’s nights of darts and ale by the fire at the Captain Whidbey Inn in Coupeville. Read more about the Inn in Dianna MacLeod’s story with more photos by Martha McCartney, “Location, Location, Location.”

Tom Lindsay creates a giant bubble tube at the boat launch in Coupeville with the pier in the background. Read more about Tom in Martha McCartney’s story, “From Leprechauns to Soap Bubbles: I Reckon a Fella Could Do That.”

During my afternoon with Tom Lindsay I was able to capture this self portrait with the bubble artist and myself standing on the boat launch in Coupeville.

Whidbey Island is filled with interesting sights, not all are what everyone would consider scenic, however I love a good rusted vehicle tucked into the landscape.

This young buck blacktail deer, here still in velvet, is one of a pair of twins that frequents my yard.

There was an amazing variety of work in the studio of bronze sculptor Jeff Day days before his exhibit at the Brackenwood Gallery in Langley. Read more about Jeff in this story by Martha McCartney, “Oh Happy Day: The Sculptor Speaks.”

Siri Bardarson joins her twin sister Karin Blaine for a duet at Tres Gringos in Langley. Read more about Siri Bardarson in this story by Russell Clepper, “Artist Renews her Muse in Distant Lands, Comes Home to Play.” You can read Siri’s blog here.

Beautiful poppies bloom during the summer at the Lavender Wind Farm.

The day I spent talking with Buffy Cribbs the tent caterpillars were rampant and covered her assemblage sculpture. It made for a very creepy shot but added some movement! Read more about Buffy in this story by Martha McCartney, “The Art of Buffy Cribbs: Painting Backward, Thinking Forward.”

The Northwest Language Academy’s event China Pearls was like watching fireworks in slow motion. Read more about the NWLA in this feature by Martha McCartney, “On the Silk Road to Langley.”

While doing a little exploring this spring, I happened upon this stunning scene in Clinton.

On another photo shooting foray I stopped to investigate some pigs on Penn Cove. This photo tells quite a story. I did not stop there for long.

I was delighted to recognize what I had considered to be an east coast wildflower, the white trillium, while on a trail near Maxwelton.

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December 31, 2014
If the Land Could Talk—Thank You, Whidbey Camano Land Trust

BY LISA KOIS
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
December 24, 2014

If the land could talk, oh—the stories it would tell: Classic legends of life and death, rebirth and renewal… Epic poems of love and survival… Stories of adventure, hardship and perseverance… Songs of endurance…

Libby Beach, from the Land Trust’s 2015 calendar (photo courtesy of Brian Schneider)

Some believe that the land, trees and wildlife can, and do, talk and that most humans have lost the ability to hear what the land has to say… To listen to the trees… To gather stories from the rocks… To hear the sweet song of the prairie…

The people who make up and support the Whidbey Camano Land Trust—staff, members, volunteers, land owners and donors—can and do hear the land.

And the Land Trust, like Dr. Seuss’ famed Lorax, speaks for the land—for the trees, tidelands, farms, wetlands and prairies. And they help us all hear what the land has to say.

Since its founding in 1984, the Land Trust has permanently protected 76 properties, comprising more than 7,800 acres of land on Whidbey and Camano Islands. More than 7,000 acres of this has occurred in the last 11 years under the leadership of Executive Director, Pat Powell, and her professional staff.

(photo courtesy of Land Trust staff)

The Land Trust’s mission is to actively involve the community in protecting, restoring, and appreciating the important natural habitats and resource lands that support the diversity of life on our islands and in the waters of Puget Sound.

Albert Heath, the Land Trust’s creator, wanted to save his land forever and he needed a land trust to hold the conservation easement; a conservation easement protects land from development while allowing the property owner to continue to own or sell the land. Heath created the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and donated a conservation easement to the Land Trust, forever protecting Ebey’s Bluff Trail and ensuring access to the public. Ebey’s Bluff Trail is one of the most visited trails on Whidbey Island.

Heath’s is not an uncommon story. It is the paradox of private land ownership. Landowners do not live forever. And yet over a lifetime, or sometimes over generations, a deep bond with the land grows. Whether it’s a connection to open spaces, tall trees, clean water or one’s heritage and way of life, landowners often come to realize that although they cannot live forever, their love for the land can. And so they turn to the Land Trust to help translate that love into legal protection. That is one of the ways the Land Trust accomplishes its mission—through partnerships with landowners.

During the last 30 years, the Land Trust has grown from an all-volunteer organization working out of the homes of its members into a nationally accredited land trust—a status that recognizes standards of excellence and has been conferred on only about 15 percent of land trusts nationally.

A large part of the Land Trust’s success is its professional staff—experts in land protection, land management, ecology, conservation and finance. Despite its land-based mission, most of the Land Trust staff is tied to their computers, telephones and desks much of the time. So they make a special effort to get out of the office and onto the land, whether through staff meetings on Land Trust land, tours of different properties, special events or staff development.

I caught up with the Land Trust’s 10-person staff one windy morning at Fort Casey last week, along with Whidbey Life Magazine photographer, David Welton, who was leading a photography workshop for the group.

Whidbey Camano Land Trust Staff (photo courtesy of David Welton)

The Land Trust’s success depends on its staff’s ability to capture and convey the stories of the land so they can engage the community, expand membership and secure large grants. Compelling photos can make all the difference, particularly when time is short and stakes are high in the competitive grant process.

The organization’s success in securing large grants has made local dollars stretch much farther. Every dollar donated by the community is worth $24 in land value because the Land Trust is able to leverage community dollars to help secure large million or multi-million dollar grants. In order to do this, staff members need all the tools in their toolbox to be sharp and ready so, on this day, they are sharpening their photography skills.

Welton guides staff members first to the beach and then to the forest, where they practice the skills he has taught in an in-house session at the Land Trust’s Greenbank Farm office. At Fort Casey the staff is learning what it means to get their cameras off automatic mode and to adjust the ISO, aperture and shutter speed so that they can take technically excellent documentary photos. It’s not an easy or necessarily intuitive process. There is the science of it—and the art.

Members of the Land Trust staff practice their technique. (photo courtesy of David Welton)

“The hands-on application really helps,” Janelle Castro, the Land Trust’s Outreach Manager, told Welton. “I must admit I was confused when you were explaining it all, but now it’s starting to make sense,” she said.

Janelle Castro focuses her frame. (photo courtesy of Land Trust staff)

Welton agreed that nothing beats hands-on learning, which is why he took Castro and her colleagues out on the land to learn.

It’s often the Land Trust that plays that role, getting people out on the land through tours, work parties and stewardship projects. At a recent work party, volunteers between the ages of 12 and 85 planted 46,000 native prairie plants. But today, it’s the staff’s turn to be guided through the forest—learning techniques to better capture and convey the story of the land so they can continue their work, protecting the iconic lands of Whidbey and Camano islands.

“What we learned!” (photo courtesy of Land Trust staff)

Image at top: David Welton demonstrates technique to Ida Gianopulos, Carrie Viers, Vicky Riemer and Janelle Castro. (photo courtesy of Land Trust staff)

After 13 years in South Asia working as a human rights lawyer, writer and documentary filmmaker, Lisa Kois returned to Whidbey Island with her daughter and founded Calyx Community Arts School, the 347-acre classroom at South Whidbey State Park. She believes passionately in the transformative powers of nature and the arts.

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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.

December 24, 2014
A Coupeville Christmas, Done Up So Right

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTHA McCARTNEY
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
December 10, 2014

Just after Thanksgiving small changes begin to take place in Coupeville. Wooden snowmen, painted with festive Island themes representing local civic groups and businesses, mixed in with common everyday snowpeople, start to appear along the streets. The Historic Downtown area is gradually adorned with greenery and lights in preparation for the kick-off of the season—The Greening of Coupeville. Coupeville does the holiday season “small-town.” But it does it Small-Town Done Up Right—and, oh, so Whidbey…

The Coupeville Schools are ready to cheer in the season.

The local food bank demonstrates its version of a “Shriner’s formation” and has as much fun as the crowd.

Local equestrians get into the spirit with several beautiful parade entries.

Penn Cove Shellfish Mussel Farm always creates an entry that’s a favorite.

Next, everyone gathers at Cook’s Corner Park for the Lighting of the Trees and Carol Singing.

Boats sail from Oak Harbor, festooned with lights; they circle Penn Cove and return on a path of moonlight.

During the evenings leading up to Christmas, Santa makes appearances all through the Coupeville area, hosted by the local fire company. The trucks sound their horns and sirens and play music while one elf delivers treats to folks who stand on their front porches and take photos.

Martha McCartney, an east coast transplant, is always amazed at the wonders of the Pacific Northwest and, particularly, life on Whidbey Island.

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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.

December 10, 2014
Elves, Cowgirls, Pipers and Santa—All Celebrate the Holiday Season

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WELTON
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
December 10, 2014

Holiday celebrations were everywhere this last Saturday, Dec. 6 across south Whidbey Island.

The ELF CHASE 5K Fun Run and Walk took off at South Whidbey Community Park at 10 a.m. with costumed elves and beneficent strangely dressed adults running amok among the trees. Prizes were awarded for best costumes as well as to the top three runners. The Fundraiser benefits the Langley Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association, allowing them to provide for school improvement and grant programs for staff.

Later that morning, the city of Langley celebrated with its 5th Annual Holiday Parade, complete with a float contest. The parade ran for approximately 45 minutes and went from 6th Street and Cascade Avenue, wound its way down First Street, along Anthes Avenue and then back up Second Street, to the delight of an animated crowd of onlookers and participants.

ELF CHASE 5K Fun Run and Walk

Image at top: In the Elf Run, Cross Country teammates dressed as elves—with ribbons tied around their waists—hide out in the forest, trying to stay away from runners who will attempt to capture the ribbons.

When a young runner passes by they leap into action. There are special prizes for those who seize a ribbon!

The elves pay no attention to adults, even when the dress for the part. However, prizes are awarded for individual and group costumes as well as top finishers.

Langley’s 5th Annual Holiday Parade

Sarah Boins from “Wander on Whidbey” carries the flag for Langley CC at the head of the parade.

The parade entry for WICA featured scenes from “A Christmas Story,” including a skinny Higbee’s Department store Santa, the slide that sends children to the first floor and the hat from Ralphie’s pink Easter Bunny pajamas from Aunt Clara.

Whidbey Wranglers 4-H, horsing around on First Street.

Mrs. Claus, aka Miss Matilda, aka Matt Hoar, wearing her tall boots, crosses the street in front of the Whidbey Girl Scout contingent.

And what’s a Holiday parade without Santa—this one with a police escort!

Pipers piping down First Street

Whidbey Girl Scouts (looking a lot like elves!) toss candy from the North Pole Express in front of the Dog House.

Who knew that cowgirls can also do Celtic dancing?

Washington Scottish Pipe Band

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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.

December 10, 2014
Beguiling Seasonal Secrets at Whidbey’s Horticultural Heaven this Weekend

BY DIANNA MacLEOD
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTHA McCARTNEY
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributors
December 3, 2014

Whidbey Island’s best-kept seasonal secret, accessible a mere five days a year, can be found in an area no larger than a potting shed.

In fact, it is a potting shed.

Located at the end of a winding road, set amid espaliered dwarf apple trees, evergreen hedges and tawny towers of ornamental grasses displaying their winter splendor, the potting shed at Cultus Bay Nursery is all dressed up for the holidays and packed full of unusual and exquisite seasonal gifts.

Cultus Bay Nursery has been owned and operated by Mary Fisher since 1986. The quiet of an out-of-season nursery seems to reflect Fisher’s philosophy about how to live life. “Whether you’re an artist or a scientist, it requires patience to observe nature. In order to see the patterns, move slowly and develop your observational skills,” she said as she served up a cup of hot cider to a customer.

Fisher inherited a love of plants from her father, who worked for the Department of Agriculture, and a love of textiles from her mother, who was “a beautiful seamstress.” With two brothers who are ornithologists and a grandfather who studied entomology, Fisher’s love of birds, bugs and the natural world seems bred in the bone. She is proud of her great-aunt Penn who—blessed with beautiful handwriting—worked for the Smithsonian inscribing labels for the birds and insects under glass. Her great-grandfather, Sievert Allen Rohwer, and father, George Gregor Rohwer, collected specimens for that same institution to display.

Fisher herself majored in textiles at the California College of Art. The materials of her creative desires these days are primarily paper and plants—twin loves on display at the holiday cottage. Suspended from the ceiling are dozens of intricate paper ornaments she has fashioned, fusing both Hispanic Ramilleta and German Dresden traditions. Hanging on the walls are wreaths stunning in their shapes and unusual materials. Vases of foliage in striking combinations grace the shelves.

Although floral arrangements scent the air and delight the eye, plants have also made their way into the jellies and jams displayed on the windowsills. Quince gleams ruby red. Cornelian cherry (described by one food writer as tasting of carnations, cherry liqueur, black cherries, and the fragrance of a night-blooming cactus) shimmers like a bottle of merlot. Jellies made from the berries of the Japanese silverberry plant and the white wine grape—Elaeagnus umbellata and Siegerrebbe—seem lit from within.

The fruit is harvested by Fisher from her own trees and vines and the hand-lettered Latin labels make it seem that Great Aunt Penn’s spirit hovers somewhere near. Garden gourmets will also appreciate the small loaves of fruitcake on offer. “All the fruitcake jokes are laid to rest once you taste these,” claims Fisher. “They are a holiday tradition among my friends and family; everyone anticipates the yearly batch.”

Fisher’s creative partner and fellow artist in the holiday cottage is Linda Apsitis. Apsitis, who possesses a horticulture degree from Edmonds Community College, shares Fisher’s love of plants. “I grew up under a shrub in north Seattle when it was still rural,” she joked.

From March through September, Apsitis works alongside Fisher at Cultus Bay Nursery. But the minute the nursery closes, she begins creating gifts for the cottage. “My home becomes a Santa factory. I take over my husband’s woodworking shop with my glitter, paper and glue.”

Like Fisher, Apsitis loves birds and applies images of her feathered favorites to cards, notebooks, boxes, candles, tree ornaments and even plates. While she’s busy at the nursery seven months of the year and making bird-themed art for another ten weeks, she’s always on the lookout at thrift stores and estate sales for interesting vases for her floral arrangements. Unique paper is her great passion and she searches it out twelve months a year. “Most of what I buy is handmade,” she said. “And certain papers can be found only once in a lifetime.” Fisher and Apsitis agree they are “paperholics.”

Although Fisher has been filling the potting shed with gifts to sell in late November/early December for the past 19 years, Apsitis joined her only five years ago. Judging from the birds flitting among twinkling lights and ornaments crisscrossing the ceiling, their artistic sensibilities are extraordinarily similar.

In a mass-produced, bigger-is-better, glowing-screen age, the cottage—with its complimentary cider and samples of home-made fruitcake—is less like shopping and more like wandering through an enchanted realm. The potting shed is as far from a Pottery Barn as it’s possible to get—and Fisher and Apsitis like it that way.

“Whidbey is an island of unique people,” observed Fisher. “Being local ourselves, we know what locals like.”

And that, it turns out, is a small potting shed in the greenwood where you can listen to classical music, drink cider with neighbors and admire the glories of the natural world gathered, arranged and interpreted by two artists with a deep appreciation of the pleasures of a northwest, cedar-dusted winter.

• • •

The holiday cottage is open one more weekend this year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7. Visit http://www.cultusbaynursery.com for directions.

Look below to view
more festive and vibrant gifts
available at the
Cultus Bay Nursery holiday cottage.

• • •

Dianna MacLeod holds a degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. An alumna of Hedgebrook, she moved to the island in October of 2011 to complete a novel—and never left.

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CLICK HERE to read more entertaining and informative WLM stories and blogs.

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.

December 3, 2014
Rob Schouten Gallery wins ‘Best Art Gallery’

Nov. 19, 2014

“It was a happy surprise to find we had been nominated for “Best Art Gallery” in King 5 TV’s Best of Western Washington contest. Once we knew, we let our customers and community know. It was great, everyone was so enthusiastic, more than willing to vote and spread the word,” owner Rob Schouten said.

Paintings by Jacob Kohn and ceramics by Dan Ishler (photo courtesy of the gallery)

“It was a nice way to connect with our patrons, and it got exciting as we saw our rating rise and rise! Two hours before voting closed we were thrilled to see our gallery at #1. Shortly after that the site removed all data, so we had to wait two weeks, until Nov. 14 to learn the final voting results.

The official announcement from King 5 came last Friday: “Voters named Rob Schouten Gallery the Best Art Gallery in Western Washington for 2014. More than 185 other nominees competed for the title, but in the end there was only one winner. Thanks to all who voted, and congratulations to the Rob Schouten Gallery.”

Photo of the announcement as it was made on TV (photo courtesy of the gallery)

Not only did the Schouten Gallery garner enough votes to win over Chihuly Glass, the Seattle Art Museum, and more then 180 other top area galleries, over 100 voters left glowing comments as well. Comments like:

“This gallery is truly exemplary of all the artistic talent on Whidbey Island. We are presented with glass, wood, jewelry, woven art, sculpture, bird carvings, in addition to Rob’s internationally respected paintings and the welcoming greetings from Victory, Rob, and their staff. How lucky we are!”

“Have traveled the world and never found such an eclectic, wonderfully presented, diverse and premier buying opportunity as Rob and Victory Schouten’s wonderful gallery on Whidbey Island.”

“This is a beautiful gallery run by wonderful owners. I go here whenever I am in Washington. Never a dull wall! Love it!”

“Highly skilled artist, Rob Schouten, has created a small, yet always visually stunning gallery with an array of fine artists. This gallery is a”schlock-free” environment.”

“Flower,” steel sculpture by Dan Freeman (photo courtesy of the gallery)

“Art that evokes a feeling of real life; an unpretentious gallery. Down-to-earth folks are Rob and Victory. The place is a spirit lifter.”

“Artist-owned with an amazing and eclectic mix of Whidbey related and general interest beauty. A must-visit gallery and a great supporter of the Whidbey arts community.”

Established at Whidbey’s Greenbank Farm in 2008, Rob Schouten Gallery and Sculpture Garden’s showcases top-quality painting and sculpture as well as fine art glass, jewelry, ceramics, encaustics, woodworking, printmaking, woodworking and fiber arts created by some of the region’s finest artists.

Blown glass by Robert Adamson (photo courtesy of the gallery)

“Victory and I really love our gallery,” Schouten said, “and we are proud to represent the 30 world-class artists who show with us. We also very much appreciate our wonderful customers and community with whom we very much value a warm connection.”

“We also feel extremely lucky to be a part of Whidbey’s thriving arts-loving community. Whidbey has a number of terrific groups and individuals supporting the arts in myriad ways, and a good representation of top-notch studios and galleries exhibiting and promoting the island’s many fine artists. We would not want to be anywhere else.”

“We are particularly happy to be a part of Greenbank Farm with its other fine galleries, shops and cafe. We hope our win as “Best Gallery in Western Washington” adds to the buzz making the Farm, and Whidbey Island itself, even more of a destination place, as it so deserves to be.”

The Rob Schouten Gallery is having a party from 1 to 4 p.m.on Sunday, Dec. 14 to celebrate their wonderful year and the holiday season. There will be refreshments and the wonderful music of Keith Bowers and Kristi O’Donnell to add to the fun. The Schoutens hope you can join them!

The gallery lit up at night (photo courtesy of the gallery)

November 19, 2014
So, You Think You Can Write a Novel? Whidbey Island Participates in NaNoWriMo

BY KATIE WOODZICK
Whidbey Life Magazine contributor
November 12, 2014

Every November, thousands of writers across the globe participate in National Novel Writing Month. The math is simple and the concept is audacious: if you write an average of 1,667 words a day, by the end of the month you’ll have a 50,000 word first draft of a novel.

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, was started by freelance writer Chris Baty in July of 1999. He organized 21 participants in the San Francisco Bay area. By 2002, increased awareness, facilitated by stories on National Public Radio and CBS Evening News, increased the participant count to 14,000.

In 2013, NaNoWriMo had 310,095 participants and it was calculated that over 2,872,682,109 words were written.

Several writers from Whidbey Island are 2014 NaNoWriMo participants.

Author Suzanne Kelman recently published a book that she started during a previous NaNoWriMo. 2014 marks her fourth year of participation. She explained why she keeps returning each November:

“It is the only way I get my butt kicked into gear—having to write on the fly as my bike careens out of control down huge hills. The process works well for the rompish feel of my stories.”

Kelman looks for the daily word counts that other writers post on their social media streams, including Penny Rose Webb, Development Director for the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts.

“I check Penny Rose Webb’s word count from the day before and make my mind up to beat it,” Kelman said.

Webb is working on a novelization of a memoir she began years ago.

“I had written about 200 pages five years ago, then put it aside when I moved to Whidbey,” she said. “NaNoWriMo has inspired me to pick it back up, though I just started writing from scratch and in the third person, so it’s kind of a novelization of my memoir, written very stream of consciousness, leaping around from past to future in the blink of an eye.”

NaNoWriMo image courtesy of the organization.

Savannah True Randall is a student Southern Oregon University who has recently declared a English major with a Creative Writing Concentration. She described her NaNoWriMo project:

“It’s a YA fiction about a recent high school graduate who has a fairytale romance with a boy and a soulmate kind of best friendship with a girl but when she and her boyfriend break up and her best friend comes out to her, she has to navigate the fallout.”

Randall reflected that the writing process is challenging, but ultimately worthwhile:

“I feel pretty crazy about taking it on (as if I didn’t have enough writing to do as an English major). But I think I have a story in the works that needs to be told. There’s a lot of great literature for gay teens being published these days and there are fantastic novels for straight teens, but for teens who are somewhere in the middle, or trying to figure out where they fit in on the sexuality spectrum, there is very little with which to relate.”

Laura Tarasoff, a Diet Aide/Nutrition Assistant at Whidbey General Hospital, is working on a novel she’s named “The Pleasures of Life.” She described her writing process as both cathartic and rewarding:

“The fiction novel has been a toy project. I write poetry and non-fiction. Since the death of my father I’ve needed a focus. It seemed appropriate to write about enjoying life as a means to get back to enjoying my passion of writing. NaNoWriMo is the vehicle to get me going…Some people read or watch TV. I write. It’s not a chore; it’s my pleasure.”

Notable novels that have been started during NaNoWriMo include “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern, “Don’t Let Me Go” by J.H. Trimble and “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan.

Talking with participants and watching the hashtags #NaNoWriMo and #AmWriting trend on social media sites, it’s clear that while writing a novel in a month is the objective goal of NaNoWriMo, it is ultimately an enterprise that encourages writers to get words on the page. Even if a participant doesn’t reach the goal of 50,000 words, they will have felt the encouragement and momentum of thousands of writers striving to write alongside them.

For more opportunities to write with others in the community this November, read this post: Meet your word count by writing in community this November.

NaNoWriMo image at top courtesy of the organization.

Katie Woodzick works at Hedgebrook as an External Relations Manager. She is also an actor and director who can be seen on local stages. Learn more at katiewoodzick.squarespace.com.

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CLICK HERE to read more entertaining and informative WLM stories and blogs.

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.

November 12, 2014
Not All Whidbey Life Occurs on Whidbey

BY LYNNAEA LUMBARD
Whidbey Life Magazine Guest Contributor
November 5, 2014

Sometimes Whidbey goes traveling. Like to the UK. Unbeknownst to each other, five of us Whidbey-ites showed up at the New Story Summit: Inspiring Pathways for our Planetary Future at the Findhorn Foundation in Northern Scotland in late September. Two years in the making, this Summit was designed to support the emergence of a coherent new story for humanity and to produce practical, collaborative ways to live this new story.

In session at the New Story Summit (photo by Rick Paine)

It really shouldn’t have been a surprise to any of us. To begin with, we’re all friends of the Whidbey Institute, which has had a long-standing resonant relationship with Findhorn, having adopted many of its early principles and practices through the work of Fritz and Vivienne Hull and David Spangler. And Thomas Berry, the namesake of the Institute’s Hall was one of the first to write about the need for A New Story, back in 1978.

It’s all a question of story. We are in trouble just now because we are in-between stories. The Old Story—the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it—sustained us for a long time. It shaped our emotional attitudes, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge, and guided education. We awoke in the morning and knew where we were. We could answer the questions of our children. But now it is no longer functioning properly, and we have not yet learned the New Story.

All five of us have been dedicated to helping envision a New Story for many years. Robert Gilman was there as he wrote one of the seminal texts for the New Story in his In Context magazine in 1985. Plus he is currently consulting with Findhorn on the development of their eco-village.

My husband, Rick Paine, and I were there because we steward a non-profit called New Stories out of Freeland with essentially the same mission and intention of the conference: How do we name and live into a New Story for humanity that will help us survive and thrive through these turbulent times when so many of our old systems are collapsing around us. Rick and I, along with Christina Baldwin, Rick Ingrasci and others, have been working for the past six years to curate emerging stories that offer hope and guidance for our future while also supporting projects on Whidbey and around the country that cultivate the practices that create thriving communities.

Ann Amberg

Ann Amberg was there because of her beautiful work with What Does the Universe Do?, a holistic inquiry and introduction to ten primary cosmological dynamics that come out of work of Brian Swimme, which comes out of the work of Thomas Berry. There’s a lineage here.

And Deborah Koff-Chapin was there to offer her Touch Drawing as a kind of soul-based graphic recording of the Summit as it proceeded through the seven days. This is an extraordinary gift that she has provided many such conferences like the Winter Gatherings offered at the Whidbey Institute by Peggy Taylor and Rick Ingrasci and the Dawn of InterSpirituality Conference hosted by other fellow Whidbey-ites, Will Keepin and Cynthia Brix. There is really nothing quite like having dozens of Deborah’s spontaneous drawings spread out on the floor, down the staircase or shown on a large screen at the end of a conference. Through her art she bears witness to the energies that are emergent in our collectives as we tackle some of the deeper questions of our times.

A staircase full of Touch Drawings from the summit by Deborah Koff-Chapin (photo by the artist)

It would have been enough to have our friendships with each other deepen through a week of gathering with 325 others from fifty countries around the world to contemplate how we might restory our future and live more respectfully, collaboratively and joyously with all of humanity and with Earth. However, Rick and I were to be treated to an additional, most serendipitous event.

Rick and Lynnaea Lumbard at the opening reception in London for Whidbey native—artist Aleah Chapin (photo by Victoria Watson)

Our one free night in Europe before returning to the States just happened to be the opening reception for Deborah and Ross Chapin’s daughter Aleah Chapin’s new portrait show Maiden, Mother, Child & Crone at the prestigious Flowers Gallery on Cork Street in London.

Aleah Chapin with Rick and Lynnaea (photo by Victoria Watson)

Aleah’s paintings have already graced these Whidbey Life pages as she is one of the extraordinary young talents this island has produced and recognized. And there we were, with Deborah and Aleah, surrounded by her larger than life portraits of Whidbey Women and the cream of the London art crowd. Of course, no one else knew they were Whidbey Women, just Aleah’s Aunties. But we knew, and how amazing is that? She sold half of the paintings before we even got there—more amazing still.

A Touch Drawing from the summit by Deborah Koff-Chapin (photo by the artist)

So Whidbey Life isn’t always on Whidbey. You can find it in nooks and crannies everywhere. I’m always surprised—when I say I’m from Whidbey Island—how many people around the world have experienced the magic of our community. And how delightful to experience that same magic somewhere else.

Image at top: Author Lynnaea Lumbard (photo by Rick Paine)

Lynnaea Lumbard has been co-president of New Stories for the past six years. She is a transformational psychologist, Interfaith Minister, evolutionary leader, writer and speaker. Her current passions are community weaving, social artistry, and strategic philanthropy. She lives on both ends of the Salish Sea: Whidbey Island WA and Cortes Island BC.

Touch Drawing from the summit by Deborah Koff-Chapin (photo by the artist)

Touch Drawing from the summit by Deborah Koff-Chapin (photo by the artist)

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November 6, 2014
Langley celebrates the installation of sculptures…and Halloween

BY DAVID WELTON
November 5, 2014

On Friday, Oct. 31 Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy led the unveiling ceremony for the new Langley Sculpture Program. Two sculptures, selected by the newly formed Langley Arts Commission, were installed on Thursday, Oct. 30 and unveiled for the public following the annual Halloween downtown event.

These two sculptures by local artists Lloyd Whannell and Sue Taves are on display on the Second Street plaza. These photos captured the installation and the unveiling.

Sue and Lloyd work with the Hanson’s boom truck operator to get Lloyd Whannel’s sculpture in place.

Setting Sue’s sculpture “Ocean Waves” on the pedestal.

Sue fastening the mounting bolts.

Toni Talia Marcus and Gary Piper share the festive spirit of Halloween.

Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy thanks the trumpet players for helping to gather the crowd at the unveiling.

The Wicked Witch, complete with flying monkeys, outside of Callahan’s Firehouse.

Olaf the baby boxer came with Olaf from the movie “Frozen.”

A giant monkey joins the crowd.

City Council woman Robin Black meets “Groot.”

City council members Robin Black and Bruce Allen look on as Jim Balkowitsch keeps them dry.

Mayor Fred presents each of the artists with recognition pins with the city logo.

Locals came prepared with rain jackets and umbrellas adding to the festive colors of the day.

Lloyd Whannell with his basalt sculpture “Sun Catcher” following the installation.

For more photos from the event, visit the Langley Main Street Association Facebook page

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November 5, 2014
May I interest you in a can of beans?

BY DIANNA MacLEOD
Whidbey Life Magazine Contributor
October 29, 2014

As Day One of the fall Whidbey Island Writers Conference unfolded, both my brain and binder filled with tips on the art and craft of writing: constructing dialogue, creating conflict, developing character.

The format—small group meetings at private homes—was designed to put me and my fellow writers at ease as we conversed with Prominent Authors. Prominent Authors are a lot like the rest of us; nothing brings this fact home more than seeing them snuggled into an overstuffed leather armchair, feet propped on an ottoman. Or sipping coffee and grimacing because their cup of joe went cold hours ago. Published or unpublished, we all like our feet up and our coffee hot.

This cozy informality (the only thing more homey would be for us all to show up in our pajamas) lulled me into a sense of well-being and camaraderie…which may explain my insanely ambitious agenda for the next afternoon.

The morning of Day Two, I attended a workshop titled “The Realities of Publishing with the Big Five,” which gave me a chance to spend a couple of hours with Daniel James Brown, the Prominent Author of the recent mega hit (and soon-to-be movie), “The Boys in the Boat.”

Daniel James Brown, author of “The Boys in the Boat” (photo courtesy of NILA)

I’m always interested in how private stories become public sensations, and it seemed to me that Brown’s own account of his trajectory as an author would be especially interesting. After all, he labored for years with moderate success (including self-funded book tours and publicists who wouldn’t return his calls) before his ascension from semi-obscurity to full frontal fame (publishers vying for book rights).

I was sure Brown would be a treasure trove of advice. He was. On top of that, he was as humble and approachable as the Prominent Authors I met on Day One. But the phrase that stuck with me as his workshop ended was hardly the one I expected to remember.

To paraphrase Brown, authors and their books are viewed by the publishing industry as commodities to be sold like “a can of beans.”

On some level, I knew this already. We all know this. Although devotion to story certainly exists among individual agents and editors, the publishing industry is primarily a money-making enterprise, and all involved in it are looking for the next hit.

It was this metaphor—my mostly-finished novel as a can of beans—I carried with me into my self-inflicted afternoon activity: pitching my book to eight different agents and editors in six-minute consecutive segments.

The chance to make a case for our books is a wonderful feature of the conference. We pitch the story and hope the editor/agent across the table will catch it. How many words? What genre? Who’s the readership? What are comparable titles? What shelf would it occupy in a bookstore? Is it finished?

I had six minutes to make it clear why my manuscript should come off my screen and onto their radar.

Prior to pitching, I tried pumping myself up. Get to yes. Eyes on the prize. Go for the gold. But my pep talk was constantly interrupted by the image of baked beans packed into a can bearing a red-and-white label and the sound of an infectious jingle consisting of the words “ummm ummm” and “good.”

Eight agents/editors in 48 minutes was like speed dating book junkies. I learned a lot about what they want and don’t want. I learned my novel isn’t a mystery (mystery readers expect dead bodies). My novel is too long for a first-time author (the sales of an unknown author’s book don’t justify the paper and ink of a tale over 100,000 words). The youngest agents had never heard of the authors I count in my literary fiction genre camp. (Yes, they’re mostly British and mostly female and mostly dead, but c’mon, they’re fantastic!)

I emerged feeling grateful to the agents and editors who, despite my missteps and blunders, expressed interest in my not-mystery, too-long, of-dubious-parentage, unfinished manuscript.

I emerged ravenous, seeking comfort and comfort food, ready to celebrate. So what did I make myself for dinner?

I’m betting you can ummm ummm guess.

The Northwest Institute of Language Arts (NILA) encompasses the Whidbey Writers Workshop low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, the Whidbey Island Writers Conference, and the Whidbey Island Writers Association. NILA also produces the Soundings Review literary magazine.

Read more about the conference from blogger Siri Bardarson and view David Welton’s photo essay here.

Dianna MacLeod holds a degree in journalism from the University of Michigan. An alumna of Hedgebrook, she moved to the island in October of 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.

October 29, 2014