Kira Erickson

Photo by David Welton   Derrick Sutton — also known as Eldritch Black — is the author behind the “Weirdbey Island” books. The strange, eerie series for kids is ongoing and currently has five books.

This man pens tall tales from ‘Weirdbey’ Island

Derrick Sutton (aka Eldritch Black) publishes zany books for kids. Think pirates in Penn Cove and UFOs over Ebey’s Landing.

 

Baby Sunlight is the cutest new addition at Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary. (Photo provided)

Oink! Porcine runaways find sanctuary

Thanks to Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary in Clinton, the ham is no longer on the lam.

 

Aurora Echo recently launched her new business, Wildly Beloved Foods, to sell her organic pasta, which also comes in a spinach variety. (Photo by David Welton)

Oh, the pasta-bilities: One-woman noodle factory starts up on Whidbey Island

To make her pasta, Aurora Echo uses Italian semolina flour, fresh baby spinach and whole eggs.

 

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Beard photo in Whidbey Island exhibit hits a snarl

A photography show has come under scrutiny due to an image of a man dressed as a female pirate.

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Kelly Cameron is the woodworker behind Clinton-based business Turnco Wood Goods. (David Welton)

Whidbey woodworkers turn local lumber into art

In the “Slab Room” at Madrona Supply Co., customers can find hunks of wood native to the south end of Whidbey Island.

Kelly Cameron is the woodworker behind Clinton-based business Turnco Wood Goods. (David Welton)
Magician JR Russell attempts to pull something out of his ear. For the past eight years, Russell has been teaching magic to kids with a side of life skills. (David Welton)

Sleight of hand: Popular classes are about more than magic

Whidbey Island magician JR Russell strives to perform the ultimate feat: Get kids off their screens

Magician JR Russell attempts to pull something out of his ear. For the past eight years, Russell has been teaching magic to kids with a side of life skills. (David Welton)
South Whidbey residents Brenda Lovie, left, and Sandi Lusk are headed to the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Finland next year. (Photo provided)

Whidbey women, age 60 and 74, to compete in Half Ironman championship

Brenda Lovie and Sandi Lusk started training for Ironman 70.3 races four years ago. They qualified for the worldwide event.

South Whidbey residents Brenda Lovie, left, and Sandi Lusk are headed to the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Finland next year. (Photo provided)
Jerry Wennstrom with “Lightning,” a multi-layered sculpture. Wennstrom’s second body of artistic work consists of several tall, wooden sculptures resembling women that are meant to represent complex themes of birth and death, good and evil, femininity and masculinity. (David Welton)

Meet a Whidbey sculptor who makes interactive, eccentric art

Jerry Wennstrom publishes a book detailing his artistic body of work, which emphasizes feminine figures.

Jerry Wennstrom with “Lightning,” a multi-layered sculpture. Wennstrom’s second body of artistic work consists of several tall, wooden sculptures resembling women that are meant to represent complex themes of birth and death, good and evil, femininity and masculinity. (David Welton)
Dan Neumeyer peers out the window of his Hummingbird Yurt. (David Welton)

Otherworldly structures constructed on Whidbey Island

The small buildings — yurts, with a Western twist — were built by Earth dweller Dan Neumeyer.

Dan Neumeyer peers out the window of his Hummingbird Yurt. (David Welton)
Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop, is closing the arcade this fall. (Photo by David Welton)

Arcade owner to pull plug on beloved Whidbey Island business

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop in Langley, recently decided he’ll call it quits this fall.

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop, is closing the arcade this fall. (Photo by David Welton)
Jennifer Sadinsky is the owner of Grayhorse Mercantile, one of Langley’s newest stores. (David Welton)

Shopkeeper brings taste of Europe to Whidbey Island

A first-time business owner’s dream of opening a cheese shop became a reality this year.

Jennifer Sadinsky is the owner of Grayhorse Mercantile, one of Langley’s newest stores. (David Welton)
Tavier Wasser officiated the wedding ceremony of Julie and Peter Williams. (Photo by Bare Bones Co.)

Whidbey’s love enforcement officer offers the right to say, ‘I do’

When he’s not out stopping crime, Tavier Wasser is helping couples get hitched. He’s a certified wedding officiant.

Tavier Wasser officiated the wedding ceremony of Julie and Peter Williams. (Photo by Bare Bones Co.)
Photo by David Welton

Whidbey Island’s oldest winery is closing

After three decades in operation, the owners of Whidbey Island Winery have announced their retirement.

Photo by David Welton
A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)

Sightings of mammal-eating orcas increasing in Puget Sound

The killer whales enjoy a diet of harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises and the occasional bird or squid.

A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)
Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Island County officials decry subpar ferry service

The Mukilteo-Clinton route has mostly been operating with one boat instead of two since last fall.

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Langley building moratorium not making comeback

Councilmember Rhonda Salerno withdrew her motion for a moratorium for new development proposals.

A ferry worker gazes back at the Mukilteo ferry terminal as the vessel departs the dock. (Photo by David Welton)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry a high priority for restored service

Each route has to go through several stages before service is restored to pre-pandemic levels.

A ferry worker gazes back at the Mukilteo ferry terminal as the vessel departs the dock. (Photo by David Welton)
A construction crew prepares to install a window at a South Whidbey site. Photo by Dave Welton

At long last, Island County building permits hastened

A year ago, it was not unusual for a building permit request to take six to eight months to be fulfilled.

A construction crew prepares to install a window at a South Whidbey site. Photo by Dave Welton
Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )

Whidbey’s cherished iconic elk is alive and well

The island’s lone elk was sighted a few hours after an online rumor posited that “Bruiser” had died.

Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )
Alexandra Morosco works on a relief carving in her studio. The art piece is a thank-you gift to the kennel where she found her faithful canine companion, a Tibetan mastiff. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Whidbey Art Market returns Nov. 26 and 27

The market creator hopes that shoppers will see the value in buying locally this holiday season.

Alexandra Morosco works on a relief carving in her studio. The art piece is a thank-you gift to the kennel where she found her faithful canine companion, a Tibetan mastiff. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)