LIFE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS FOR NORTH WHIDBEY’S 50-PLUS CROWD VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 8 • FEBRUARY 2015
THANK YOU TO HARBOR TOWER VILLAGE By Barb Spence
All of us at the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center wish to thank the many creative and talented residents and staff at Harbor Tower Village for the hard work put forth to raise money for the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center. A very generous check of over $1,400.00 was presented to Mike at a luncheon in honor of the Center. Thank you so much Harbor Tower Village. It is our honor to be a shared community partner with you.
Island Thrift Supports Community By Barb Spence
You cannot find one person on Whidbey Island who does not know where Island Thrift is located. Most of us have frequently wandered through the store hunting for that special bargain that we need so badly. What many people do not know is that Island Thrift donates a lot of money to the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center. For the past 29 years we have been the proud recipients of their funding support. For that we are eternally grateful. But it is not just our Center that benefits from their community generosity. Every year, proceeds from Island Thrift go to many community projects, such as Help House, Opportunity Council, Meals On Wheels, Toddler Learning Center, Compass Health, Wildlife Care Center and many more organizations. One way we can say thank you is to consider donating those things we no longer want or need that lay around our house. I cannot think of a more rewarding way to recycle our usable but unneeded items. Donations of “gently used” items are always welcome. We are very proud to be a partner of Island Thrift and to be a help in making our community a better place to live. Thank you so much!
Reverse Mortgage “Discussion Hour” By Barb Spence
Steve McLean, Reverse Mortgage Advisor, with Bank of the Pacific, is joining us on Wednesday, February 11th at 12:00 noon to hold a discussion hour on reverse mortgages. You are invited to a casual BRIEFS continued on page 2
Sweetheart of Gems Show
50th Annual Rock and Gem Show
by Barb Spence
Every year, during the first weekend in February, the whole Whidbey Island community looks forward to the Annual Rock and Gem show. This year, on February 7th and 8th, the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center will open its doors to celebrate 50 years of gem shows on the Island. The 50th Annual Sweetheart of Gems rock and gem show is set for Saturday, February 7th, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, February 8th from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center, located at 51 SE Jerome Street, Oak Harbor. Admission is free. The Whidbey Island Gem Club came into existence in 1938. Originally part of the Holland Happening celebrations, the Sweetheart of Gems Show has been held at the Oak Harbor Senior Activity for the past 28 years. The club meets each month for a general meeting, door prizes, coffee and cookies. The group also enjoys field trips in search of treasures. Favorite treks are to Saddle Mountain where petrified wood and opalite is found, Glass Buttes, Prineville and Madras in Central Oregon. Closer to Whidbey Island, the club searches the Big Lake area, Walker Valley and Mt. Higgens. Even the beaches of Whidbey Island have beautiful rocks. You can find jade, jasper, fossils and ivory to name a few. The show this year will feature some amazing demonstrations of art and skill. The Wire Wrap Club, in partnership, will have many pieces that have been created. There will be showcases and collections of jewelry and other artifacts that the members have created.
Vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest will be attending and demonstrations will take place throughout both days with hourly prizes. Some of the vendors include Cristol Rich, Grand Products, Washington Crystals, The Opal Guy, R&T Crystals, and Ludemann’s Lapidary.
This show is simply spectacular and it gives attendees the opportunity to find an incredibly beautiful piece of original jewelry or raw material to take home. Attendees will learn that lapidary is the skill and art of working with rocks. Demonstrations will show Wire Wrapping, and Knapping, which is the art of making arrowheads for primitive weapons such as spears, arrows, bows and knives. Please mark your calendars for this event. This is a must experience for everyone.
INSIDE THIS EDITION Guest Spot..................... Pg. 2 Library Events................. Pg. 3 Volunteer of the Month... Pg. 4 Calendar....................... Pg. 5 Menu............................. Pg. 6 Travel............................ Pg. 6 Activities & Events........... Pg. 7 Crossword Puzzle........... Pg. 8