Issue 21
In this issue
Heritage in Every Fiber
By Allyson Meyer • Photos by Dave Meyer & Amahra Leaman
The fog settles over the green acres, hugging the treed perimeter and covering the landscape in a dewy, mystical softness. The pastoral fields, bathed in a muted sunlight filtered through the mist, seem akin to a scene out of a James Herriot book. more
Taproom @ Bayview Corner
A Neighborly Place
by Kate Poss • Photos by Dennis Browne
We all need a local gathering place, where good food is served up daily and friendships are made over a pint. In our own corner of the world, the Taproom at Bayview Corner is just that—with its friendly staff, Pacific Northwest-inspired comfort food, craft beverages, weekly live music, and bimonthly open mic night.
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Endangered to Enduring
Coupeville Wharf Celebrates 120 Years
by Lea Cramer • Photos by Dave Meyer
It rises resolutely from the rippling waters of Penn Cove—a vision of weathered wood and quiet resilience. The Coupeville Wharf, built in 1905, stands as both a literal and symbolic tether to the past—a bridge between Whidbey Island’s maritime history and the constant flux of its present. This year marks Coupeville Wharf’s 120th anniversary, and the community is invited to a historic anniversary party on Saturday, July 19th. more
The Nautical Minimalism of a Foamy Wader
by Mary Reddy • Photos by Bijan MITCHELL
The design of the shingle, or small sign, hanging outside Foamy Wader echoes the delicate lines on display within. The word “shingle” also refers to a grouping of small, round pebbles found by the seashore. A serendipitous double meaning for this artisan jewelry shop in Langley, since the jewelry on display here is inspired by all things nautical—including waves, beaches, barnacles, and boats. more
The Story in the Song
Whidbey Island Music Festival Turns Twenty
by Russell Clepper • Photos by Dennis Browne
Nearly two decades ago in November 2005, Tekla Cunningham found herself at her aunt’s home in Greenbank for Thanksgiving. It was a trip she and her family often made during holidays and summer vacations. However, this visit would prove to be momentous for her, and for the cultural landscape of Whidbey Island. more
Bursting with Joy
The Artistry of Greg Thomas
by Lea Cramer • photos by Jamie Conners
Sunlight floods a warm, tidy studio overlooking Mutiny Bay, the air humming with creativity. Here, Greg Thomas—an accomplished woodcarver, painter, and photographer—focuses his wild imagination on fascinating works of art. He embodies the spirit of Whidbey Island, where nature is both muse and collaborator. more
Preserving Whidbey’s Prairie History for the Future
By Jon Bach • Photos By Jamie Conners
Midway up the island, just north of the Washington State Route 525 and 20 split, there’s a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sustainability of native plants and the Whidbey prairie. For the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship (PRI), it begins with understanding the island’s past and future and that every ecological link, from grass to butterfly, makes a difference to food and culture. more
Fun for Sleuths of All Ages
Celebrating Four Decades of the Langley Mystery Weekend
by Jon Bach Photos by Jamie Conners
Remember the television show Murder, She Wrote? It aired from 1984 to 1996 and starred actress Angela Lansbury as main character Jessica Fletcher—a mystery writer and detective in the fictional small town of Cabot Cove, Maine. more
Creating a World on Canvas
by Taylor Collins • photos by Nia Martin
If you have ever seen the film What Dreams May Come starring the legendary Robin Williams, then you’ll know the scene in which Williams’ character is rolling around with his dog in a field of paint. It’s a moment of awe in experiencing the color and beauty surrounding him. more
Experiencing the Beauty of Deception Pass
by Allyson Meyer • Photos by Dave Meyer
If you listen quietly, you can almost hear the history. It’s whispered softly over the salty ocean breeze. It’s in the creaking of the giant evergreens as they stretch their limbs toward the sun. And it’s fully present along the bluff, as you view the steep cliffs that hug the appropriately named water passage that is Deception Pass. Amidst the hiking trails, rocky beaches, and iconic bridge, Deception Pass State Park is a special place—capable of transporting a visitor back in time… more
A Radical Idea—Buy Local
by Charlotte Behttps://whidbeylifemagazine.org/creative/ar
It never ceases to amaze me—the effect a single person can have by making one simple change. What if I told you, starting today, you could have a quantifiable impact on issues like soil health, air quality, clean water, food waste, plastic use, human health, animal welfare—and the list goes on. In a brave new world of chronic inflammation, climate intensification, and economic inflation, there is no doubt things are heating up, and it seems we have reached a fever pitch. So, what can we do about it? more