Note: Marli Jenkins, founder of Woodhaven High School, sent an email announcing a middle and high school art show whose work graces the walls of the Frank Rose Gallery in the South Whidbey Community center. Here are photos she sent as well as ones I took today. Fun to see the creativity of our young people. Here’s what Marli wrote: Maggie Hogan and Alicia Jenkins are curating a student art show that opened May 7th and will run through the 28th in the Frank Rose Gallery (FRG) at the South Whidbey Community Center (SWCC). Middle and high school students from…
Author: Kate Poss
Kate Poss
Kate's background includes a career in newspaper reporting in Los Angeles for various weeklies and dailies, including The Los Angeles Times. She was a frequent contributor to the online Whidbey Life Magazine. She is working on her third young adult novel with a writing partner. These days, besides working as a personal chef, she writes about the big and little issues that face our island. 'This is Whidbey' is her first publication.
Everyday people are who you meet at the Langley United Methodist Church or LUMC. Those who visit may wind up feeing better after immersion in the community’s genuine atmosphere of inclusiveness, dedication to social justice and love of music. “As part of the United Methodist denomination, we are members of a larger faith community that believes in letting people think for themselves as they balance the spiritual with the ethical,” notes the LUMC webpage. “If you have a history with Methodism or other mainstream denominations, you’ll find a familiarity here that is comfortable for you. And if you’ve given up…
Before we traveled to Maui April 26-May 4 this year, I read Sara Kehaulani Goo’s Book Kuleana. It is a compelling read about the author’s ancestral native Hawaiians, their land, and the struggles to maintain Kuleana or responsibility/stewardship of land and family. With her words in mind, our visit to Maui this time was with the intention of being mindful of Hawaiian cultural heritage, and deeply appreciating the beauty of its people, land and sea. As we sat in the ferry line awaiting an early boat to Mukilteo, parked next to us was our neighbor Diane and her daughter Thea.…
While we can feel benumbed by the climate and environmental challenges facing us, a local woman has assembled a toolbox that can help us connect and be part of the solution. As Engagement Director of the Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN), Amanda Bullis sends out regular emails informing subscribers about ongoing climate/environmental news, and providing ways we can easily contact our elected representatives. Amanda and WEAN Exec. Director Marnie Jackson host ‘Finding Your Civic Voice’ workshops, which emphasize sharing our personal story—an empowering technique that helps us address civic issues when speaking at public meetings. What I like about Amanda…
An artist whose company I enjoy is Doe Stahr of Deer Creek Studio. Here are some examples of her art from previous stories. Her installation of inspired art is a part of this important conference, which is all about learning about available tools to repair and care for our Earth. It runs May 7-11 at Fort Worden State Park & Conference Center in Port Townsend. With more than 350 pieces in her collection, her art serves “to bring cultural grandeur to public events and the private commercial banquets where intertribal and multicultural groups meet for business, education, and ceremonial…
Langley resident and super can-doer Jane Spalding invited me to interview Jessie Gunn, the executive director of the Whidbey Community Foundation—or WCF—which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Jane serves on its board. Meeting at the Coffee at Dawn Cafe, I typed fast while Jessie, who has worked with WCF since 2019—and was hired as its ED in 2022—filled me in on the opportunities offered by WCF. The foundation is supported by philanthropic donors, grants and fundraising to further its mission, which is “connecting people who care to problems that matter.” “Donors are critical to the work of nonprofits, comprising…
Marli Jenkins, founder of Woodhaven High School, emailed to let me know rePurpose Whidbey is hosting an Earth Day Open House. The school learners will participate in helping. Here’s the news:
We found ourselves intoxicated and immersed in immensely vibrant flowers early April 15th while visiting the Roozengaarde gardens in Mt. Vernon. A Tucson friend Barbara invited us to join her. She and friend Lin traveled to western Washington for a camping trip. She had visited 30 years ago and wanted to visit once again. Oh my! What an experience. We had avoided Roozengaarde thinking it would be overrun. We will return next spring! Our awareness is raised. Arriving on a Wednesday at 9 AM is the trick. We visited with Whidbey friends in April 2000 and this is the first…
The Orca Network celebrated our whales and orcas the past weekend with a Welcome the Whales Parade and other whale-themed activities. Orca Network was formed 25 years ago, founded by Howard Garrett and his wife Susan Berta. At first the couple was dedicated to returning Tokitae, a young resident orca captured from her family from Penn Cove in the 1970s. She spent the rest of her life at the Miami Seaquarium, despite efforts by Orca Network and the Lummi Nation to return her to her pod. Tokitae, after finally being allowed to return home, died at the Seaquarium in 2023…
Kira, now 16, has prepared for earning a Girl Scout Gold Award since she joined Girl Scouts years ago. This is Whidbey published a story of her journey in 2024. It takes many steps, focus and perseverance to earn the Gold Award. According to the Guide to Going Gold website: “The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable. Through pursuing the Gold Award, Girl Scouts change the world by tackling issues they are passionate about to drive lasting change in their communities and beyond while they learn essential skills that will prepare them for all aspects…