Whidbey

www.whidbeycrosswind.com

COVERING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S NAVAL AIR STATION COMMUNITY

VOLUME 1, NO. 40 | 30 DECEMBER 2011

THIS EDITION

Crosswind nine months in

review ....................pg. 2

Movie times at Skywarrior

Theater ..................pg. 3

Sarah Smiley: Filling Dustin’s

spot at the table ....pg. 4

Polar Bear Plunge set for New

Year’s Day ..............pg. 5

(Above) Jennifer Kochanski kisses her husband, Lt. Anthony Kochanski, at the homecoming of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 on Dec. 23 at NAS Whidbey Island. (Top right) Four EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-138 fly in formation as the squadron returns to NAS Whidbey. (Right) Yellow Jackets Executive Officer, Cmdr. Andrew DeMonte, embraces his children, Araminta, 15, Nicky, 9, and Jazzy, 13, upon his arrival at NAS Whidbey Island on Dec. 23. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

Welcome home, Yellow JacketsBy KATHY REED

Whidbey Crosswind

The reds and greens of holiday decorations were replaced with the black and yellow bal-

loons representing the Yellow Jackets of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 Friday, as squadron personnel returned Dec. 23, just in time to celebrate Christmas with their families.

The squadron left last May for Iraq, marking only the second expeditionary deployment for a squadron of EA-18G Growlers.

For family members gathered at Haviland Hangar on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the squadron’s return was an unexpected gift.

“We did not expect them home for Christmas,” said Angie DeMonte, whose husband, Cmdr. Andrew DeMonte, is the

squadron’s Executive Officer. “January or February was what we thought.”

DeMonte said she kept the news of her husband’s homecoming a secret from her three children — Araminta, 15, Jazzy, 13, and Nicky, 9 — until she was absolutely sure the squadron would be returning. As one might imagine, the kids were anxious to see their dad.

“Half the family is missing,” said Jazzy, who was already plan-ning to go snowboarding with her dad.

“There were lots of times we set the table for five without thinking,” acknowl-edged DeMonte, who said her husband’s deployments seem to get harder for the children.

“To be honest, it does get harder the older they get, because now they realize what they’re missing,” she said.

For others, the homecoming was a wel-come chance to reconnect and strengthen bonds. Mary Clarity was there with her

daughters, 2-and-a-half-year-old Isla and 3-and-a-half-month-old Mae. She said her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Clarity, had missed Mae’s birth, but had been able to come home for 10 days shortly after. Even though they hadn’t been together for several

months, Clarity was philosophical about it.

“You can’t work your life around the Navy, because the Navy always changes your plans,” she laughed. “But for me, the last stage (of a deployment) is the hardest, because you know they’re com-ing home soon, and I’m not a patient

SEE HOMECOMING | PAGE 3

Looking back on 2011

Since Whidbey Crosswind launched on April 1, we don’t have a full year of memories to look back on, but we have generated quite a list in our first nine months:

AprilOur premiere issue featured a look at the

lives of Navy spouses, who stand faith-

Nine months of Crosswind memories

SEE YEAR | PAGE 2

2

“Look around — it’s a chance to look at American history,” said Oak Harbor resident L.D. Latta, one of thousands who attended Naval Air Station Whidbey’s public Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA) celebration July 29.For Latta, his family and others who attended the event, it was a history and science lesson rolled into one, beginning with the Kids Zone activities set up in Haviland Hangar. There, the Flying Gizmos presentation sponsored by the Seattle Museum of Flight gave people a chance to fly everything from glider models to hot-air balloon mockups and learn a few principles of flight in the process. Predators of the Heart also entertained families with a unique display of animals, birds and reptiles.Though the event was not billed as an air show, there was some of that, too. A legacy flight featur-ing an AD-1 Skyraider from Bellingham’s Heritage Flight Museum and an F/A-18 Hornet from NAS Lemoore gave an aerial, side-by-side demonstration of the “old” and the “new,” as the planes circled the

sky together.From full size demonstra-tions by NAS Whidbey’s Search and Rescue teams on both bases, to flight demonstrations on a smaller scale by the Whidbey Island Radio Control Society, there was plenty to please onlook-ers.“This is the aviation com-

munity out here today,” said WIRCS president Chuck Bowers. “You could say this is our kind of crowd.”Another unique aspect of the show was the aviation-themed quilt dis-play, which captured the glories of naval aviation on fabric for everyone to see. “Tales of Naval Aviation” was a big attraction at the event as well, as pilots, crew members and others gave the audience a taste of their real-life experiences. The accounts were both har-rowing and humorous by turns, and featured speak-ers who ranged from retired Navy Cmdr. Harry Ferrier, Battle of Midway veteran, to “Flight of the Intruder” author Stephen Coonts.While it will take another hundred years before we can celebrate the bicentennial of naval aviation, naval history lessons are never far away, thanks to the Naval History Center, housed at the PBY Memorial Foundation on Seaplane Base.Rooms filled with artifacts and displays showcase the role played by naval aircraft in conflicts dating from WWII to the present. Three dioramas promised by the Navy will further help illustrate the unique history of the Seaplane Base.

Centennial of Naval Aviationcelebrated innovation and history

“Grumpy,” a B-25D Mitchell bomber, attracts attention during the Centennial of Naval Aviation event in July. FILE PHOTO

An AD-1 Skyraider and a F/A-18 Hornet fly side by side at the Centennial of Naval Aviation in July. FILE PHOTO

The pilot prepares the AD-1 Skyraider for flight at the Centennial of Naval Aviation event in July. FILE PHOTO

YEAR | FROM PAGE 1

Clockwise from above: Sgt. Maj. George Espinosa carries the Marine colors dur-ing a change of command ceremony for MATSG-53 in July; a Douglas A-3 Skywarrior lands at NAS Whidbey in April; Cmdr. Brett Mietus salutes Cmdr. John Maxwell during a VP-40 Change of Command in May; Col. Tammie Pettit, JBLM, takes a close look at a cake entry in the second annual Culinary Arts Competition at NAS Whidbey Island in April; The Cougars of VAQ-139 come home in September. FILE PHOTOS

SEE 2011 | PAGE 8

fully in the shadows of America’s heroes and who are often credited with being the true backbone of the military.

Also in our first issue were change of command ceremonies for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Electronic Attack Wing, as Capt. Christopher Shay took the reins and Capt. Peter Garvin became the leader of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10. The Lancers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 came home and creative cooks battled each other dur-ing NAS Whidbey’s second annual Culinary Arts Competition.

Also in April, we met Tomomi Feldhues, who had to evacuate Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami and we introduced LS1 Christopher Cady from Naval Base Kitsap, who was a finalist for Military Father of the Year.

Midway hero Harry Ferrier recounted his memories of the Battle of Midway and work began on the new Navy Federal Credit Union building.

We rounded out our first month with a look at the return of “the Whale,” as a Douglas A-3 Skywarrior returned to NAS Whidbey in prepa-ration for a future static display and Cmdr. Mark Stockfish assumed com-mand of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2.

MayThe first week of May began with

a fitting tribute to a winning Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps; we took a look at how Navy personnel help other Armed Forces through the Individual Augmentee program; and military teens sailed off on a San Juan Island adventure.

From 1963 to 1967, NAS Whidbey’s Seaplane Base was home to the USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) — we talked to Wes Westlund about his time on the Sally; Cmdr. Brett Mietus took command of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 and Cmdr. Gregory Sleppy became the new commander of VP-1 in two separate ceremonies at NAS Whidbey.Also in May, members of the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy

League packed up care packages for active duty Navy personnel and the Veterans Resource Center in Freeland shared its hopes of healing area vet-erans’ invisible wounds. We also met members of the Tired and Retired Civil Service Ladies of NAS Whidbey, who gathered for their annual meet-ing in May at the CPO Club in Oak Harbor.

JuneOur first June issue featured a look

at several Memorial Day observances, which included a parade and cel-ebration in Coupeville, flag-planting at local cemeteries and Memorial Day services in Oak Harbor and Coupeville; and World War II veteran Jim Lotzgesell shared memories of his time as a Navy pilot.

Old Glory graced the cover of our next issue as we looked at some of the traditions associated with Flag Day; the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit and the Navy Operational Support Center saw Cmdr. Charles Murphy and Cmdr. Brian Collier, respectively, take com-mand; Navy personnel paid tribute to those who fought in the Battle of Midway; and the Navy Wives Club of America said goodbye to its longtime home at NAS Whidbey’s Seaplane Base.

The Garudas of VAQ-134 returned to NAS Whidbey Island in June, completing the squadron’s first carri-er deployment in 16 years; and Navy and Air Force pilots recounted their time on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to members of the Association of Naval Aviators.

As June came to a close, we saw a Bremerton sailor receive the 2011 Military Fatherhood Award; mem-bers of NAS Whidbey’s MARS/amateur radio station participated in the annual American Radio Relay League’s Kids’ Day; and we peeked into some of the training techniques used at the Aviation Survival Training Center on NAS Whidbey.

JulyThe biggest event of July was, of

course, the public Centennial of Naval Aviation celebration on July 29, but there were several other happen-ings of note:

Seaponies took over NAS Whidbey Island’s Youth Center for a perfor-mance of “The Little Mermaid” by the Missoula Children’s Theater for our July 1 edition; for the first time in 19 years the Wizards of VAQ-133 completed pre-deployment workups on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); and NASWI’s WIC office pro-vided vouchers to eligible personnel for its farmers market program.

The first squadron at NAS Whidbey to transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler, the Scorpions of VAQ-132, returned from an eight-month expe-ditionary deployment in early July; Cmdr. Peter Milnes took over as leader of Electronic Attack Weapons School at NAS Whidbey Island; and Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 took part in 2011 Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exer-cises in Malaysia.

Harry Potter fans were rewarded in mid-July with a sneak peek of the final movie in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2;” Col. Bradley Close became the new leader of Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53; and the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) navigated the waters by Fort Casey State Park as it left for deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

AugustOur first issue in August featured

a recap of the Centennial of Naval Aviation; and founding members of VAQ-133 gathered for a reunion in Oak Harbor during Centennial weekend.

Summit Assistance Dogs in Anacortes announced its plans to launch an assistance program for vet-erans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Cmdr. Matthew Kennedy took over as commander in charge of Fleet Support Unit 10 and the ceremony also marked the retirement of Cmdr. Stephen Ruscheinski after 20 years in the Navy; the Lancers of VAQ-131 also saw a change of command, as Cmdr. Stephen Flaherty took over as com-manding officer.

The Maj. Megan McClung Memorial Run drew a good crowd to

JOIN US IN

675-4837

Oak HarborLutheran ChurchNW 2nd Avenue & Heller RoadAcross the street from OHHS Staadium

Nursery Available Sunday Evening Prayer 6:30 PM at

St. Mary Catholic Church in CoupevillePastor Jeffrey Spencer

Pastor Marc Stroud, Caring MinstryLynne Ogren, Music & Children Ministry

679-1561

Saturday Worship ................. 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Worship ....8:00 & 10:30 a.m.Sunday School .........................9:15 a.m.

House of Prayer Faith Tabernacle of Praise

Monday Prayer Meeting - 6:00 P.M.Tuesday Night Bible Study- 6:30 P.M.Friday High Praise Service- 6:30 P.M.

Sunday Celebration/Children’s Ministry – 9:30 A.M.Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 A.M.

Church Telephone Number (360)679-1003Bishop Charles And Pastor Effie Boyles (360)929-3127

620 A/B Erin Park DriveOak Harbor, WA 98277

(NEXT TO U-HAUL BLDG.)

Sunday Services8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am

(“Kids on the Rock” Ministry for Children

ages 3mos.-5th grade meets at all services)

“Amped” Jr. High Youth: Sun., 5:00 pm“Legacy” High School Youth: Sun., 7:15 pm

Small GroupsWomen’s Ministry • Men’s Ministry

Russ Schlecht ~ Senior Pastorwww.elivingword.org

490 NW Crosby Ave., Oak Harbor 675-5008

WhidbeyPresbyterian

Church1148 SE 8th Ave

Oak Harbor11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Dave Templin, Pastor

Bethany Popkes, Youth DirectorKurt Imbach, Adult Facilitator www.whidbeypres.org

679-3579Child Care is available and Everyone Welcome

Sunday Worship .8:30 am & 10:45 amClasses For All Ages ................ 9:45 amYouth Ministries-Choirs-Bible Studies

Dave Johnson, Pastor

675-2441 • www.ohfumc.org1050 SE Ireland St • Oak Harbor

FirstUnitedMethodistChurch

Oak HarborUnited Pentecostal Church

Sunday Service - NoonWednesday Bible Study 7pm

Pastor Mark Dillon404-661-4653

mdillon@oakharborupc.com

Mailing Address:41 NE Midway Blvd Suite 103

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

CALVARY APOSTOLIC TABERNACLE(The Pentecostals of Island County)

............... ............

..........................

632-7243

Word OfEverlastingLife & FaithChurch

721 S.E. Barrington • Oak Harbor360-632-3642

SundayBible Study 9:00am

Worship Service 10:00amEvening Service 6:00pm

Come Worship With Us!Thursday Bible Study 7:00p.m.950 S.W. Upland Ct • Oak HarborPastor Dr. Thomas Stoneham Sr.,

Minister Donald Cole

Oak HarborChurch of Christ

1000 NE Koetje Street(Just North of Offi ce Max)

“To Know Christ & Make Him Known”Sunday Morning:Worship Assembly -------------------------9:30 amBible Classes for all ages --------------- 11:00 amWed. Classes for all ages ------------------6:30 pm

Joe Cook, Preaching Ministerwww.churchofchrist-oh.org

oakharborchurch@gmail.com

675-3441

721 SW 20th CT (one block south of Highway 20 off Scenic Heights St.)www.christiansciencewhidbey.com ❖ csrroh@frontier.com ❖ 360-675-0621

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHOAK HARBOR

COME VISIT!

Sunday Service & Sunday School - 10 amWednesday Testimony Meeting - 7:30 pm

Free Child Care - All Services

Visit our Reading RoomIT’S MORE THAN A BOOK STORE!Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday - 11am to 3 pm

Wednesday - 6:30 to 7:30 pm

679-1288

ConcordiaLutheranChurch

Missouri SynodWorship Service .........................Sunday 10:00amAdult Bible Study & Sunday School .....11:15amEvening Service ....................Wednesday 6:30pm

Nursery Available

Pastor Juan Palm360-675-2548

Preschool 360-679-1697590 N. Oak Harbor St • Oak Harbor

www.concordialutheranwhidbey.org

Whidbey IslandChurch of Christ

3143-G North Goldie RdOak Harbor

Sunday Worship ........9:00 a.m.Sunday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.Sunday Evening ........5:00 p.m.Wednesday Evening .6:00 p.m.

For more information call:Gary 675-5569Jerry 679-3986

Come Worship With Us.Promote Your Place Of Worship In

The Whidbey News-Times For Only $11.25/week.

Now You Can Have Additional Promotion In Whidbey CrosswindsDouble The Coverage For Only $20.00/Week.

Please Call 360-675-6611 Today!

St. Stephen’s AnglicanThe Rev. Paul Orritt

SUNDAY SERVICE8:00 AM

SOLEMN EUCHARIST

9:30 AMSUNG EUCHARIST

11:11 AMEUCHARIST CELEBRATIONwww.ststephensanglicans.org

2 CHURCHES - 1 BUILDING555 SE Regatta Dr.

Oak Harbor679-3431

ST.

ST

EP

HE

N’S

AN

GL

ICA

N C

HU

RC

H

A Church, A FamilyA Spiritual Home

ISLA

ND

VIN

EYA

RD

CO

MM

UN

ITY

CH

UR

CH

Island Vineyard Community ChurchPastor James Gallagher

6:00-7:30 PMSUNDAY NIGHTS

www.islandvineyard.org

person.”Clarity good-naturedly predicted her

husband would quickly get into a routine with baby Mae.

“I’m thinking he’ll get some night feed-ings coming his way,” she joked.

While it wasn’t the first deployment for Heather Bettis, who is married to Lt. Steven Bettis, it was the first as a mom. Her son, Blake, is 20-months old.

“The hardest part was probably being on call 24/7 as a mom,” she said. “Luckily, this little guy is pretty charming.”

Excitement grew as the hangar doors were opened and family members spilled onto the tarmac, hoping to catch a first glimpse of the squadron.

“I see ‘em! They’re over there — see ‘em?” called Nicky DeMonte as he

jumped up and down.Four planes (Cmdr. Tabb Stringer,

VAQ-138’s Commanding Officer, had to stay behind for a minor repair but returned separately later) flew in forma-tion over the hangar, then circled back for another fly-by, peeling off one at a time to make a landing approach.

Those flying skills served the Yellow Jackets well while on their first deploy-ment in the Growler. In all, the squadron flew 785 missions with just over 1,800 flight hours, maintaining a 24/7 opera-tions schedule in support of Operation New Dawn.

“It’s rewarding to know every flight was a combat flight,” Cmdr. Stringer said in a press release. “We’re very lucky, because regardless of what happens after Operation New Dawn, we know that we’ve made a difference protecting our troops.”

HOMECOMING | FROM PAGE 1

Isla Clarity, 2-and-a-half, waves a flag and waits for her dad, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Clarity, to return with VAQ-138 on Dec. 23. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

Friday, Dec. 30 Double Feature$5 adults/$2 youth

7 p.m. - Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (PG 13)

9:15 p.m. - J. Edgar (R)

Saturday, Dec. 31 Free Holiday Movies!

2 p.m. - Happy Feet 2 (PG)

4 p.m. - Jack and Jill (PG)

Sunday, Jan. 1Free Holiday Movies! 2 p.m. - Puss in Boots (PG)4 p.m. - The Rum Diary (R)

Thursday Movies$2 adults / $1 youth

Shows start at 7 p.m.

Pricing:Adults: Ages 12 and upYouth: Ages 6 to 11Children: 5 and under are free

Information: 257-5537

It’s that time again — time to make an honest assess-ment of things, including yourself, and somehow come up with a resolution that will help make it all better.

I freely admit I belong to the 40 to 45 percent of Americans who make a resolution every year. But with age comes wisdom — in theory — so I’ve decided the

best kind of resolution is one I actually have a chance at keeping! In some cases, that means making the resolution broader in scope.

For instance, instead of resolving to lose weight, you could resolve to “be healthier” in the new year. That way, if you make lifestyle changes that are healthier, an end result of that could be losing weight.

On the flip side, however, some resolutions are too broad. If you’re

like me and you resolve to get organized, you could be looking at an uphill battle. Pick one or two things to organize instead of trying to organize everything — and don’t pick your spouse! You could be facing an uphill battle with that one.

My resolution is to get all my craft stuff organized this year so I actually have a chance to work on some projects instead of spending all my time searching for things. Does it matter that I’ve told my husband he must create space for me in the garage in order to do this? Perhaps. But this way if I fail, I can say it’s not entirely my fault! Flawed or not, there is logic in this strategy.

Statistics show 46 percent of resolution-makers still keep them after six months. That may not sound very good, but research also shows that people who make resolutions, whether or not they keep them, are more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t. (Go to proactivechange.com/resolutions/statistics.htm to check this.)

So, whether I keep them or not, I will continue to make New Year’s resolutions. If I’m lucky, I can arrange the carcasses of all my broken resolutions into a stair-case I can climb one day in my quest to actually reach a goal.

Happy New Year!-Kathy Reed, editor

I resolveto keep resolving

KATHY REED

NAVYVIEWS

“I plan to improve my job skills.”

JACOB BURDICKAviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class

“My resolution is to have my husband home safely from deployment.”

ASHLEY YODERWife of Aviation Electrician’s Mate Third Class Jeremiah Yoder

“To get healthy!”

TINA GOODMANWife of Lt. Cmdr. Dave Goodman, retired

“I plan to start running and do whatever it takes to get back in shape.’”

ANDY MAHONEYBrother of Lt. Cmdr. Sean Mahoney

What is your New Year’s resolution?

“To lose a pants size within a reasonable amount of time.’”

JAYME WINTERSFormer Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class

Dinner with the SmileysWhen Dustin is gone, I

get creative with ways to count down the time.

The standard way, of course, is with a paper chain. But a chain with 390 paper links could probably wrap around our small house three times and still have length left over for the dog to chew on. Plus, whoever thinks kids, staplers and scissors belong hap-pily in the same sentence probably was the same person who invented those snowflake templates with Star Wars designs on them.

Once, when Ford was a baby, I counted down trash days until Dustin was home. “Just 25 more times of taking out the trash,” I’d yell to my neigh-bors as I wheeled the big green can to the curb. However, when that deployment was extended by a month, the last four times I took out the trash

it felt like the driveway had lengthened by two miles. Plus, as it turns out, I take out the trash when Dustin is home, too.

Counting M&Ms was equally inefficient. There were mul-tiple problems: 1) Who eats just one M&M at a time? 2) a lonely wife and a jar of M&Ms

should never be left alone together, and 3) when that deployment was extended (are you sensing a pattern here?) and then unexpectedly shortened, I had to first dump more candies into the bowl while Ford was sleeping, and then — oh, the trag-edy!— eat all the extras a few weeks later.

For this deployment — the longest Dustin’s ever

SEE SMILEY | PAGE 5

Published each Friday from the office of The Whidbey Crosswind

107 S. Main St, Ste E101 ~ P.O. Box 1200 Coupeville, WA 98239

(360) 675-6611 ~ (360) 679-2695 fax

On the Internet at www.whidbeycrosswind.com

THE WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

We’reindependently audited!

READER INFORMATION:ADMINISTRATIVE: The Whidbey Crosswind is a publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban News-papers of America. Advertising rates are available at the Crosswind office. While the Crosswind endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of the Whidbey Crosswind. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Display Ads–4p.m. Monday;Classified Ads – 4 p.m. Monday; Community News – Noon Monday; Letters to Editor – Noon Monday.

Scan the code with your phone and look us up on-line! Keep the app and

look us up anytime

Publisher ..................................................................................................... Marcia Van DykeEditor ............................................................................................................... Kathryn ReedWriters........................................................................... Melanie Hammons, Bryan IlyankoffAdministrative Assistant ................................................................................. Connie RossAdvertising Manager .................................................................................. Lee Ann MozesAdvertising ................................................................................ Erica Johnson, Gail RognanAd Services ~ Graphics ............................................................................... Ginny TomaskoProduction Manager ......................................................................Michelle WolfenspargerStaff Artists ............................................................................. Leslie Vance, Rebecca CollinsCirculation Manager ......................................................................................Lynette ReeffCirculation Assistant ..................................................................................Diane Smothers

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATESThe Whidbey Crosswind is published weekly by Sound Publishing on Fridays for $19 for

3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by Whidbey Crosswind PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodi-cals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Whidbey Crosswind PO Box 1200,Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2010, Sound Publishing

SARAHSMILEY

FAMILY

LIFE

GAIL ROGNAN

WE SELL RESULTS

COVERING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S NAVAL AIR STATION COMMUNITY

Whidbey

www.whidbeycrosswind.com

Advertise in the Whidbey Crosswind and watch your business GROW!Call Gail today for a FREE consultation!

50% OFFALL CHRISTMAS ITEMS

DECEMBER 26, 2011 - JANUARY 5, 2012

Oak Harbor - 230 SE Pioneer Way360-675-6688 | 800-378-6688

Clinton - Ken’s Korner Shopping Plaza360-341-3880

Cowlitz River Lodge

ELK Country

888-305-2185Packwood, WA

Nisqually Lodge

888-674-3554Ashford, WA

www.Escapetothemountains.com

50% OFFLodging For Active Duty onSecond NightMake NEW Holiday Memories...

been assigned to — I knew I had to come up with something different. Thirteen months is a really long time, and frankly, eat-ing M&Ms and stapling paper chains can’t disguise this fact. What we needed this time was not a unit of measurement but a distrac-tion.

I started thinking of all the things we would miss during Dustin’s time away, because perhaps we could find a way to fill the void. Dustin’s dry, unexpected and well-timed humor was at the top of the list. But how do you replace Dad’s corny jokes? I mean, who else would take the time to go into the garage before coming into the house after work, cut holes in a paper bag and wear it over his head as he came through the front door to hide a bad haircut? Who else could repeat Saturday Night Live skits at the most opportune time?

Dustin’s affinity for competition will also be missed. Who else can turn anything into a game? Who else will drop everything to play catch with Ford or kick a soccer ball with Owen?

Certainly our friends and neighbors have offered to fill in where needed. And a trip to the bat-ting cage with our friend Lincoln would be a bright spot in the spring. So is the attention and care from the boys’ coaches. But when Ford looks over his shoulder at third base, he is looking for no one else but his dad.

Family dinners are

another time to miss Dustin. There is no more special place in our home than the old wooden farm table in the kitchen. We sit there for dinner as a family at least five nights a week.

Who would fill Dustin’s chair? Or, more impor-tantly, would I even make dinner for “just the four of us?”

That’s when the idea came to me. To count down the days until Dustin’s return, we will host one guest a week for dinner. That’s 52 special dinners, 52 opportunities for the boys to see some-one where their dad would have been.

I presented the idea to Ford, Owen and Lindell, and then we got busy cre-ating a guest list. It grew from “our teachers” to “the mayor, the president, a sen-ator.....” And why not? We have 52 dinners to plan.

The boys are writing the invitations themselves, and the first round has already been sent. Over the course of the next year, I’ll be excited to share with you some tales from this special adventure. We are call-ing this “Dinner with the Smileys,” and it has already proven to be a great dis-traction. Dustin’s chair is empty and cold, and we are happy to offer it to our 52 guests, even if we know it can’t truly be filled until that 53rd dinner, when Dustin is home again.

Sarah Smiley is a syndi-cated newspaper columnist, author and military wife. Her columns appear the second, fourth and occa-sional fifth Friday of each month.

SMILEY | FROM PAGE 4 Creative kids can

design a calendarNorth Whidbey Parks

and Recreation District’s Creative Kids Club will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Senior Center on SE Jerome Street.

Children of all ages (with parents/guardians, please) will have a chance to create a 2012 calendar.

All supplies are provided with the cost, which is $3 per person or $6.75 for families.

Sign up in advance by calling 969-6737. Bring the family, meet your neighbors and enjoyed an “unplugged” good time.

Next IDIPIC

panel setThe next Impaired

Driving Impact Panel of Island County will hold its first North Whidbey DUI/Underage Drinking Panel of the year on Monday, Jan. 9 in conference room 137, down the hall from the Oak Harbor Library.

The panel is open to all and organizers suggest those interested should arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. to ensure a seat. There is no late admittance. The panel is required by local driving instructors for both driver’s education students and parents. Call 672-8219 or go to www.idipic.org.

Be a voice for

animals in 2012Join the volunteers at

Pasado’s Safe Haven and help save animals this new year.

Orientation is Saturday, Jan. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pasado’s West, 8898 St. Hwy. 525, Clinton. Meet the animal rescue team at Pasado’s and learn how you can help.

Pasado’s Safe Haven

offers foster homes, adop-tion support, work parties, fundraising, farm time, farm animal support, cen-ter staffing and more.

No experience is neces-sary. Please send inquiries to: staciem@pasadosafe-haven.org.

Take the fast

track to fitness Let the new year find

you ready to hit the ground running and let Whidbey Island Running Club show you how.

Whether you’re on the couch and aiming for a 5K or already a seasoned runner, this group will help train and motivate you towards your goal of running a Whidbey Island marathon, half-marathon or 5K on April 14 and 15.

From Jan. 9 to April 13, meet at 11 a.m. at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s fitness center for approximately one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

January will be devoted to indoor conditioning and treadmill training with road-work beginning in February. Workouts include speed and tempo runs as well as core and leg strengthening using TRX. Distance runs will be held off-base Saturday mornings on the Whidbey Island half-marathon course. Participation is free. Club tech shirts will be available for $10 each. Register by Dec. 30. For information, call 257-9018.

Resolution Run 5KStart your new year

off right with Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Fitness’ Resolution Run 5K on New Year’s Day.

The event features a

scenic run through Gallery Golf Course, and a prize drawing for all participants will be held. After the race there will be a bonfire for hotdogs, s’mores, hot choc-olate and hot cider.

Courtesy time-keeping will be provided.

This event is free and begins Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Rocky Point recreation area. Register at the front desk of NAS Whidbey Island fitness center. For information, email karissa.sandstrom@navy.mil or call 257-6438, extension 2420.

Snowshoe in styleIf you can walk, you

can snowshoe. If you don’t know how to snow-shoe, Crescent Harbor Adventures will show you how on Saturday, Jan. 7 at Mount Baker.

The basics are easy to learn, it’s great exercise, and each outing offers new discoveries and challenges. Experience the beauty and fun of the back country in the winter.

Those interested should wear lightweight ski pants, rain pants with long underwear, snowboarding pants lined with a light fleece layer or regular trek-king pants. Layer your upper body with a quick-dry piece close to your body, a fleece jacket that can be unzipped for ven-tilation and a waterproof, breathable outer shell. You want to be a little cold when you start, because you will warm up quickly. Also bring warm, water-proof boots (hiking boots with Gore-tex-like materi-als work well), waterproof gloves and a warm hat.

Bring a daypack with sunglasses, sunscreen, lunch, water and snacks and extra money for food

and beverages. If you need snow pants, boots or day pack, please let staff know when you sign up.

Cost is $15 for Liberty-qualified; $20 for guests. This fee includes trans-portation and all equip-ment necessary to spend a day in the mountains. Depart from the Liberty NW Center at the galley at 8 a.m.; from Crescent Harbor Adventures on the Seaplane Base at 8:30 a.m.; return 6 p.m. to the Liberty NW Center at the galley, and 6:30 p.m. to Crescent Harbor Adventures. Pre-register by Thursday, Jan. 5.

For information, call 257-3309, log onto www.navylifepnw.com or text WILberty to 30364 for updates.

Plunge into

the New YearHere’s a chilly way to

bring in the New Year. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island fitness center is hosting a Polar Bear Plunge Sunday.

Participants must com-pletely submerge them-selves in the ocean, and may run back to shore after being completely sub-merged.

All children under 16 years of age who partici-pate must be accompanied by a parent throughout the entire plunge. Plunge time is 2 p.m. at Rocky Point recreation area. Afterwards, join organizers at a bonfire for hotdogs, s’mores, hot chocolate and hot cider.

This is a free event, and all participants who sign up will get a chance to win prizes. Register at the front desk of NAS Whidbey Island fitness center. For more information, email karissa.sandstrom@navy.mil or call 257-6438, extension 2420.

PAGE 6 I Dec 30, 2011 www.nw-ads.com WWW.WHIDBEYCROSSWIND.COM

NEW HOUSING COMMUNITY

‘Where upgrades are standard!’

360-675-9097www.WhidbeyIslandRentals.com

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

Serving North Whidbey for all of

your housing needs.

real estatefor sale

Real Estate for Sale

Manufactured Homes

Real Estate for Sale

Office/Commercial

Classifieds. We’ve got you covered. 800-388-2527

real estatefor rent - WA

Real Estate for Rent

Island County

Classifieds. We’ve got you covered. 800-388-2527

Real Estate for Rent

Island County

Real Estate for Rent

Island County

Classifieds. We’ve got you covered. 800-388-2527

Real Estate for Rent

Island County

Real Estate for Rent

Island County

Apartments for Rent

Island County

Quality Living at an Affordable Price

WA Misc. Rentals

Condos/Townhomes

WA Misc. Rentals

Mobile/MFG Homes

Winter Specials!

Lease, Purchase or Rental Options Available Now

APPLICATION FEE

WA Misc. Rentals

Rooms for Rent

real estaterentals

Commercial Rentals

Office/Commercial

announcements

Announcements

Announcements

DID YOU USE THE OSTEOPOROSIS DRUG FOSAMAX

Found

Lost

jobsEmployment

Education

margie@cadacanhelp.org

Employment

General

PNWMarketPlace!

click! www.nw-ads.com email! classified@

soundpublishing.com call toll free! 1.888.399.3999

or 1.800.388.2527

Dec 30, 2011 I PAGE 7WWW.WHIDBEYCROSSWIND.COM www.nw-ads.com

T PRO

GENERAL CONTRACTORLiving and Serving Locally for 30 years.

360-678-6040Lic#CC01SPATZWL953PR

ARE YOU READY?Winter Debris Cleanup

Mary’s Weeding ServiceLeaves, Downed Trees & Limbs,

Winter Pruning,

“New” Gutter Cleaning and more!SERVING ALL OF WHIDBEY ISLAND

360-632-7088 or 360-333-8805Marysweeding@yahoo.com

wJERRY SMITH CHEVROLETANACORTES

360-679-1426LOOKING FOR A GREAT VALUE

ON A NEW CHEVROLET?WE’VE GOT THEM!

JERRY SMITH CHEVROLET

VISIT US 24/7 @WWW.JERRYSMITHCHEVROLET.COM

DISCLAIMER: ALL VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE AND ONE ONLY. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX, LICENSE, AND $150 DOCUMENT SERVICES FEE. MUST QUALIFY FOR REBATES. MUST BE A MEMBER

OF USAA TO QUALIFY FOR USAA REBATE. REBATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ON APPROVAL OF CREDIT. EXPIRES 01/01/2012

2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LTZ CC 4X4AUTO, A/C, CRUISE, POWER LOCKS, POWER WINDOWS, ONSTAR W/TURN BYTURN

NAVIGATION, CHROME GRILL,REAR DVD, 5.3 V8,

MOON ROOF, POWER SEATS, CHROME WHEELS,

AND MORE

VIN:3GCPKTE34BG267069 STK# T108

MSPR ................................. $52,286DISCOUNT ...........................-$4,387REBATE ...............................-$4,505BONUS CASH .........................-$500USAA REBATE ........................-$750TOTAL ................$42,144

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU LAUTO, A/C, CRUISE,

POWER LOCKS, POWER WINDOWS, BLUETOOTH, CD,

ONSTAR W/ TURN BY TURN NAVIGATIO

VIN:1G1ZB5E03CF140397 STK#C120

CASH PRICE OF $22988, (EXCLUDES TAX, LICENSE, AND $150 DOCUMENT SERVICES FEE) 5.99 APR, 84 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $299.15, WITH $4750 DOWN ($1500 CASH FROM CUSTOMER, $2500 REBATE, AND $750 USAA REBATE), TOTAL DEFERRED PURCHASE PRICE $25128.60. SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF CREDIT.

2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE ECONUMBER ONE IN IT’S CLASS! AUTO, A/C, PWR SEAT,

CRUISE, CD,ALLOYS,

VIN: 1G1PK5SC2C7128242 STK# C1214

39 MONTHLY LEASE PAYMENTS OF $259.84, EXCLUDING TAX, WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE AT END OF TERM, $2000 DUE AT LEASE SIGNING/DELIVERY ($500 CASH FROM CUSTOMER, $1500 FACTORY REBATE, APPLIED TO FIRST MONTH PAYMENT, LICENSE, CAPITALIZED COST REDUCTION, AND $150 DOCUMENT SERVICES FEE. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL

2012 CHEVROLET SONIC LSAWARD

WINNING!AUTO, A/C,ONSTAR, CD!

VIN:1G1JB6SH0C4128863 STK#C123

ONLY!!$259/MO

+TAX

SAVE!

$10,000

MSRP ................................ $15,745DISCOUNT ...............................-$83USAA REBATE .......................-$750TOTAL ................$14,912

ONLY!

$14,912

ONLY!

$299/MO

SOLD

TURN YOURJUNK INTO

CA$H!We Buy...

Island Recycling

360-331-1727

Local, legal business serving Whidbey Island for over 30 years!

Employment

General

Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc.

Longview, WA

* Journeyman Millwright* Journeyman Pipefitter* Journeyman Electrician* Journeyman Instrument Mechanic

Apply online atwww.longviewfibre.com

https://www1.apply2jobs.com/ LongviewFibre/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=

mExternal.showSearchInterfacehttps://www1.apply2jobs.com/LongviewFibre/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.showSearchInterface

Health Care Employment

General

professionalservices

Professional Services

Janitorial

10% Discount for all WGH Employees, Police, Firefighters & EMS.

IslandSewing&VacuumVACUUM AND SEWING MACHINE

SALES, SERVICE & REPAIR

360-679-2282

CONVENIENT JANITORIAL & MAINTENANCE360-720-2617

Commercial and Industrial Janitorial Services for All Whidbey Island

Classifieds. We’ve got you covered. 800-388-2527

homeservices

Home Services

General Contractors

RedsConstruction

Commercial & ResidentialINSTALLATIONS

& REPAIRS:

24 Hour Emergency Service360.969.2922866.396.7004

redsroofingrepair.comLicensed, Bonded & Insured

Lic #REDSCC*902B7

Serving all of Whidbey Island

Home Services

Handyperson

stuffAppliances

flea marketFlea Market

Flea Market

Free Items

Recycler

Miscellaneous

pets/animals

Cats

Dogs

SOLD IT? FOUND IT? Let us know by calling 1-800-388-2527 so we can cancel your ad.

Find what you need 24 hours a day.

Dogs

vashonislandgoldendoodles.shutterfly.com/allison@dancingleaves.com

wheelsMarine

Power

Automobiles

BMW

Automobiles

Chevrolet

Automobiles

Chrysler

Automobiles

Ford

Automobiles

Lexus

seattle-mom@hotmail.com

Automobiles

Pontiac

Automobiles

Toyota

Pickup Trucks

Chevrolet

Pickup Trucks

Dodge

Sport Utility Vehicles

Jeep

Vans/Minivans

Dodge

ATVs

Motorcycles

Sell it free in the Flea1-866-825-90 1

Motorcycles

Motorhomes

Build up your business with our Service Guide Special: Four full weeks of advertising starting at $40. Call 800-388-2527 to place your ad today.

NAS Whidbey Island in August, with over 225 participants; VP-40 sailors assisted in the rescue of a small boat near Guam; and Cmdr. Jason Vogt took the reins of com-mand at NASWI’s Naval Ocean Processing Facility.

A scale model replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was on display at the Swinomish Casino in Anacortes for sev-eral days in August; radio-controlled jets took to the skies over NAS Whidbey’s Outlying Field near Coupeville; and the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League said farewell to its president, Tom Tack, who moved on to work with the Northrup Grumman Corporation in New York.

SeptemberIn September, the 10th annual military

appreciation picnic at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor saw a terrific turnout as families enjoyed food and fun; VAQ-139, the Cougars, returned from a seven-month deployment on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76); and area fire depart-ments teamed up to host a moving 9/11 memorial service at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island cel-ebrated its 69th anniversary on Sept. 21; VAQ-129 hosted a ceremony in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day at the Sentinel Memorial Fountain on the Seaplane Base; and the Patriot Guard Riders shared their reason for participat-ing in their rolling honor guard.

Also in September, the OHAC of the Navy League joined forces with Whidbey Island Bank to honor the Scorpions of VAQ-132 with an appreciation night and local author Trudy Sundberg shared details of her new book about USMC hero, Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon.

OctoberIn October we got a sneak peek at the

Navy’s new Child Development Center on Regatta Drive in Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey Commanding Officer, Capt. Jay Johnston shared his ‘state of the station’ address with Navy League members.

A new group, the Oak Harbor Hispanic Heritage Committee, made up of active duty and reserve sailors, planned a Latin night at local restaurant Mi Pueblo to cel-ebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Also in October, Marines from MATSG-53 put their muscles to work helping move and lay carpet for the Island County Business Expo and the Navy Exchange on the NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base celebrated its grand re-opening.

The Fighting Marlins of VP-40 hit a major milestone which we told you about in October, surpassing 275,000 mishap-free flight hours and Navy personnel took time out of their busy schedule to share a tour of their city within a city with folks from the Association of Washington Cities.

NovemberIn November we shared the story of

Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Michael Amersbach, an Oak Harbor native, who helped deliver water to a drought-stricken island nation in the South Pacific.

Quilters on the Rock shared their art with us, as we explored the American Hero Quilts project and its tangible gifts of love.

Veterans were honored in a special cere-mony at Oak Harbor High school on Nov. 11 which featured a video of survivors of the Battle of Midway; WWII Army Air Corps pilot Joe Moser shared his amaz-ing survival story with the Association of Naval Aviators; and we shared the celebra-tion as Marines of MATSG-53 celebrated the 236th birthday of the Corps.

A dual ceremony featured in the Nov. 25 issue told the story of the change of command ceremony for the Zappers of VAQ-130, whose leader, Cmdr. Robert Coughlin, was relieved of duty and then retired after 20 years of service. Cmdr. Richard Vaccaro is now at the helm. Members of the Marine Corps League talked about their upcoming Toys for Tots toy drive; and Capt. Jay Johnston gave his “state of the station” address to members of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

DecemberThe Veterans Resource Center in

Freeland announced it was closing the doors of its community center, but remaining active as an information and referral center for area veterans; the Wizards of VAQ-133 changed command while at sea — Cmdr. Christopher DeMay is the new squadron leader; and we shared the news that Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes will build a research vessel for the Navy.

VAQ-129 put together a moving tribute to honor the memories and the survivors of Pearl Harbor, holding a wreath-laying ceremony at the Seaplane Base marina; the Skywarrior Theater on NAS Whidbey hosted a sneak preview of the new George Lucas movie “Red Tails,” which tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII; and we met a former Whidbey Island man who now makes mischief in Fremont — Mischief whiskey, that is.

The annual Navy League-Rotary Club awards for sailor and Marine of the year were announced in December. Shore Sailor of the Year, AT1 James Conkey, Sea Sailor of the Year, AWO1 Christopher Shephard and Marine of the Year Staff Sgt. Joseph Napolitano were honored at a luncheon Dec. 9; and members of VP-40 and VAQ-141 all came home in time for the holidays.

As the year wound down, we shared the story of VP-40 sailors giving a helping hand to Santa by providing gifts to the Life Skills class at Oak Harbor High School; Navy Band Northwest put lots of Oak Harbor area residents in the Christmas spirit with its annual holiday concert; Cmdr. Gregory Byers assumed command of the Garudas of VAQ-134 on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70); and finally, the Yellow Jackets of VAQ-138 arrived back at NAS Whidbey Island just in time to celebrate the holiday with their families. All in all, a very good way to end the year.

I only want the best for Mom... and I’ve found it at

Homeplace provides a nurturing, familiar and uplifting environment where the needs of individuals matter.

Providing Quality Memory Care for Whidbey Island Since 1999

hpoakharbormktg@frontiermgmt.com www.homeplaceoakharbor.com

RESERVATIONS: www.seatacshuttle.com360-679-4003 • 877-679-400

AIRPORT SHUTTLE & CHARTER SERVICE

WHETHER A PRIVATE PARTY OR A COMPANY FUNCTION, LET US TAKE YOU IN STYLE

AND BE YOUR HOLIDAY DESIGNATED DRIVER.

Stay safe during the holidays and book your holiday

event transportation with us. We have vans, buses and a

limousine to make the most of your trip.

First Friday at the FarmWine & Art WalkJan 6th 5-8pm

Featuring:Harbinger Winery from Pt. Townsend

$10 per person for wine tasting

Hwy 525 & Wonn Rd.Greenbank Farm 360-678-7700www.greenbankfarm.com

2011 | FROM PAGE 2

Local Pearl Harbor and Battle of Midway survivors are honored at a Veterans Day ceremony in November. FILE PHOTO

The sailors and Marine of the year were honored at a luncheon Dec. 9. From left is Shore Sailor of the Year, AT1 James Conkey, Marine of the Year, Staff Sgt. Joseph Napolitano and Sea Sailor of the Year, AWO1 Christopher Shephard. FILE PHOTO

Lt. Col. Ed Drummond, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, is honored during a screening of the movie “Red Tails” at the Skywarrior Theater on NAS Whidbey Island. FILE PHOTO