Last Sunday WEAN–the Whidbey Island Environmental Action Network–celebrated its 40 year anniversary with a sold-out summer benefit at Dancing Fish Vineyards featuring hors d’oeuvres, spirited beverage and live music. Part of the live music included a collaborative homage to WEAN’s founders Marianne Edain and Steve Erickson–a couple whose in-the-trenches dedication spearheaded, among other victories, protection of our old growth forests. Fearless in citing existing law to those who wield power, team Marianne and Steve delivered and continue to update us with ‘straight no chaser’ reality when it comes to doing right by the Earth.
In his homage, the “Ballad of Marianne and Steve,” WEAN board member Skip Demuth,–pronounced ‘Deh’-muhth–is proud of the words he crafted to the tune of Creedance Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” Skip moved to Whidbey Island in 1972 and is long familiar with WEAN’s mission. Skip collaborated with newcomer Fred Hostetler, who produced a video, played guitar and sang the tune with accompaniment by local band Salish Moon. Another version of the video is available here.
Skip spoke by phone about the song.
“I was motivated to do the song because I thought a good song would best capture the energy and spirit of their work,” said Skip. “More than just words, music is an international language. Everyone loves a good song. I was inspired by the Creedance song ‘Fortunate Son,’ which Fred took the energy of the song and converted it.”
The song is divided into three verses. The first is about the environment: “Once virgin prairies fed the Salish Sea/Streams and salmon were running free/A 1,000 years of no neglect/Now our job here is to protect.”
Chorus: “So it’s Whidbey, here on Whidbey, yeah/Where we make our stand, ya’ll/So it’s Whidbey–here on Whidbey/Where we make our stand/I don’t care what they say/You know I still believe–in Marianne, Marianne and Steve.”
The second verse celebrates WEAN’s 2022 court victory in preventing Navy Seals from training at Washington State Parks:
“Its all cool at the beach/Kids and dogs are splashing/But Navy Seals want to train there for a military action/Steve says, ‘Wait a minute, now/I can’t let this stand/The court agreed Navy Seals ain’t gonna land.”
And the third verse in “The Ballad of Marianne and Steve” is the legacy we leave our children:
“So let’s share the bounty/Of this creation/Don’t leave our children standing at the station/Bring them along/Help them get on board/This train is bound for glory/It just keeps rolling on.”
Skip can be found at the South Whidbey Commons, engaging in what he calls “epic catchups.” He met Fred there a while ago.
“I know Fred from Langley,” said Skip. “We bonded around music and politics over coffee at The Commons. I’m a long timer, and he’s a short timer. He’s an all around good guy, and was willing to work with me. He took my idea and created the song and we worked together. The song kinda captured the spirit of their overall journey. The more we can honor them, the better. They’re unique. No one is doing exactly what they’re doing.”
Meanwhile WEAN’s executive director Marnie Jackson moved to Whidbey Island when she was 11 years old. At that age she was already made aware of caring for the earth through WEAN’s activism.
“One of the first things that caught my eye were the No Spray signs posted around,” said Marnie. “In high school I organized the South Whidbey High School Ecology Club to boycott building a McDonald’s. It was pretty fun to work with Marianne and Steve while I was young, and learn about activism. They were instrumental in getting me involved when I assumed role of ED with WEAN. They’re always on hand to give advice.”
Marnie recalled the Aug. 17 event was “…a great success. We raised a lot of money and celebrated. [The Ballad of Marianne and Steve] was beautiful and really well received. A sweet homage to all their hard work over the years. They’ve changed the community for the better.”
Meanwhile, WEAN is engaged in a number of issues these days.
“We’re very involved in passing a good Comprehensive Plan,” said Marnie. “There’s the statewide advocacy for shoreline armoring and we’re advising the State Dept. of Ecology on shoreline management. We’re keeping an eye on developments that are concerning or going against state law. We’re advocating and educating concerning a lawsuit against the City of Oak Harbor, which is in violation of SEPA–WA State Environmental Policy Act. The city skipped a process in passing an ordinance that removed the right of the public to vote on disposal of city parkland. We’re waiting on our court date for that appeal.”
To learn more about WEAN, visit their website.