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Finding Community on Whidbey Island
Moving to Whidbey Island offers more than just a change of scenery, it’s an invitation to join a warm and welcoming community. Getting involved in local groups and activities is one of the best ways to meet people, stay active, and feel at home quickly.
Here are some great places to start:
Join a Run Club or Outdoor Group
Staying active is easy with Whidbey Island’s natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. Consider joining groups like the Whidbey Island Running Club or North Whidbey Hiking Enthusiasts, where you’ll not only get exercise but also connect with like-minded locals. Participating in group runs, hikes, or bike rides is a natural way to form friendships while exploring the island’s scenic landscapes.
Connect with Local Farmers Markets
Whidbey Island is known for its vibrant farmers markets, like the Bayview Farmers Market in Langley or the Coupeville Farmers Market. These markets offer more than fresh produce, they are community hubs with local artisans, farmers, and fellow residents. Grab a coffee, browse handmade crafts, and strike up conversations with friendly faces.
Explore Art and Craft Co-ops
If you have a passion for the arts, there is no doubt that you will love Whidbey Island’s creative community. Visit local co-ops like the Penn Cove Gallery in downtown Coupeville or the Whidbey Art Gallery downtown Langley, where you can meet local artists, attend workshops, or participate in art walks. Engaging in these creative spaces opens the door to new friendships and shared experiences.
Attend Festivals and Local Events
Whidbey Island’s calendar is packed with events that bring the community together. Don’t miss these annual favorites: the Whidbey Island Fair, Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, or the Mystery Weekend in Langley. Attending these events is a great way to immerse yourself in local culture, meet your neighbors, and create lasting memories.
Get Involved in Community Groups
Whether you are passionate about gardening, music, or volunteering, it is likely that there is a local group to join. Look into organizations like Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative for agricultural enthusiasts, Island Shakespeare Festival for theater lovers, or volunteer opportunities with Good Cheer Food Bank or Habitat for Humanity. Getting involved is a direct path to building meaningful connections on the island.
Make Whidbey Feel Like Home
The key to settling into a new community is active participation. Whether you are hiking with new friends, attending a lively market, or volunteering at a local event, the connections you make will turn Whidbey Island from a new place into a true home.
Ready to make Whidbey Island your home? Let’s connect.
Paragliding at Fort Ebey
Whidbey Island’s unique terrain offers some of the best opportunities for paragliding. One of the best places to go paragliding is Fort Ebey State Park. Follow along to discover why:
Scenic Beauty:
Fort Ebey State Park boasts stunning coastal views and picturesque landscapes, making it an ideal backdrop for paragliding. You’ll soar above lush forests, rugged cliffs, and the sparkling waters of Puget Sound.
Topography:
The park’s topography, with its elevated bluffs and open fields, provides excellent launch sites for paragliders. Most paragliders prefer to take off from what was formerly called parade lawn on the the bluff. The natural terrain and prevailing winds create favorable conditions for safe and thrilling flights. Observers gather to watch the extraordinary sport.
Experienced Community:
Whidbey Island has an active paragliding community with experienced pilots who are familiar with the local conditions. This makes it an ideal place for both beginners and experienced paragliders to enjoy the sport.
Variety of Flights:
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing coastal glide or an adrenaline-pumping descent from the bluffs, Fort Ebey State Park offers a range of flight options to suit different skill levels and preferences.
Access to Amenities:
The park provides convenient access to amenities such as parking, restrooms, and picnic areas, enhancing the overall paragliding experience.
Wildlife Viewing:
As you glide through the skies, you may have the opportunity to spot local wildlife, including eagles, hawks, and other bird species, adding an extra layer of excitement to your flight. If you are interested in birdwatching too check out this article.
Community Support:
The paragliding community on Whidbey Island is known for its support and camaraderie. Local pilots are often willing to provide guidance and share their knowledge with newcomers.
It’s important to note that paragliding can be a physically demanding sport, and safety should always be a top priority. If you’re new to paragliding, consider taking lessons from a certified instructor to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Fort Ebey State Park’s combination of natural beauty and favorable flying conditions makes it a standout destination for paragliding enthusiasts on Whidbey Island. If Paragliding brought you to Whidbey Island and you like it so much you would like to call it home, connect with us.
Random Acts of Kindness
Performing random acts of kindness can be a great way to brighten someone’s day and make the world a better place. The best part is that these acts of kindness don’t have to be big or extravagant – even small gestures can make a big impact.
We have compiled five simple things you can do as a random act of kindness:
- Buy coffee for the person behind you in line: Next time you’re waiting in line for your morning caffeine fix, consider buying a coffee for the person behind you. Not only will you make their day, but you will also inspire them to pay it forward.
- Create kind notes for your mail carrier: Our mail carriers work hard every day, regardless of the weather, to ensure that our packages and letters reach us safely. Take a few minutes to create some kind notes thanking them for their hard work. You can leave them in your mailbox for your carrier. You can also leave a small gift, like a snack or a drink, as a token of your appreciation.
- Do something kind for your significant other: Whether it is doing the dishes, folding the laundry, or making their favorite meal, doing something kind for your significant other can show them how much you care. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture – sometimes the little things mean the most.
- Pick up trash at the park: The environment is something we all share, and taking care of it is everyone’s responsibility. Next time you are at the park, take a few minutes to pick up any litter you see. Not only will it help keep the park clean, but it will also set a good example for others. You can find Washington State Parks here.
- Write a gratitude letter: Finally, taking the time to write a gratitude letter can be a meaningful way to show someone how much they mean to you. It could be a friend, a family member, or even a coworker – just take a few minutes to express your gratitude and let them know how much you appreciate them.
In conclusion, performing random acts of kindness is a simple but powerful way to make a difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s buying coffee for a stranger or picking up trash at the park, every act of kindness has the potential to make the world a better place. So the next time you have the opportunity to do something kind, seize it – you never know how much it might mean to someone else.
Navigating Paradise: On a Ferry Ride
Who says you can’t navigate paradise from the comfort of a ferry ride? Our experience when taking a ferry to or from Whidbey Island is that it offers a unique and picturesque experience that is packed with charm and several noteworthy advantages. Follow along to find out the top 10 reasons we suggest you take a ferry the next time you need to cross the water.
Scenic Beauty:
The Washington State Ferries treat passengers to breathtaking views of the Puget Sound, surrounding islands, and the majestic Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. It’s a visual feast for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Relaxation:
Our ferries offer a peaceful and leisurely mode of transportation. Not only do you not have to navigate the hustle and bustle or sit in stop-and-go traffic to get to your destination, but ferry passengers can unwind on deck, enjoy the fresh sea breeze, or simply gaze at the tranquil waters, creating a serene and enjoyable journey to your destination.
Convenience:
The ferry system is an integral part of the Pacific Northwest’s transportation network. It offers a convenient way to connect Whidbey Island to the mainland, making it accessible for both commuters and tourists.
Time to Unplug:
Depending on who you are, you will either love or hate, the absence of Wi-Fi on most ferries. However, this absence of connectivity encourages travelers to unplug from the digital world, promoting relaxation and providing an opportunity to disconnect, unwind, and take in the spectacular atmosphere surrounding you.
Wildlife Watching:
Keep an eye out for marine life during the journey. It’s common to spot seals, sea lions, dolphins, and various seabirds while crossing the Sound. If you get to snap a picture, don’t forget to tag us at @windermere_whidbey_island on Instagram.
Community Experience:
Passengers often strike up conversations and share stories while riding the ferries which fosters a sense of community. It’s a chance to connect with fellow travelers or engage with locals who cherish their island home. Such an opportunity for learning about the island if you are new here. If you are hoping to learn more about the island or looking for a place to live and aren’t currently working with a realtor, connect with us here so we can be your guide.
Adventure Starting Point:
For tourists, the ferry ride to Whidbey Island marks the beginning of an exciting adventure. It is the gateway to exploring the island’s charming towns, outdoor activities, and natural wonders.
Child-Friendly:
Ferries are child-friendly, so you don’t have to feel like you can’t go because you have kids. You can stay in your own vehicle if you choose to do so, however, many ferries offer play areas and tables for kids. In fact, the experiences of riding a ferry can offer opportunities to teach children about marine life and navigation.
Cafes and Dining:
Many ferries feature cafes or dining options where passengers can enjoy a meal or snack while taking in the views.
Sunsets and Sunrises:
This might just be one of our favorites. The early morning and evening ferry rides provide an opportunity to witness stunning sunrises and sunsets over the water, creating magical moments for travelers. We highly suggest you experience a sunset or sunrise ferry ride at least once in your life time.
In essence, taking a ferry to or from Whidbey Island is not just a means of transportation; it’s an experience that adds to the overall allure of the island, combining convenience with a touch of adventure and a generous serving of natural beauty. Click here to check out the Washington State Ferries schedules and to book your next ride. If you have fallen in love with Whidbey and are considering staying connect with us here.
Penn Cove Park
Welcome to Penn Cove Park. There is no doubt you will find a home you like here. There is an array of newer and older homes amongst this quiet community on the northern shoreline of Penn Cove off Monroe Landing. The central location between Oak Harbor and Coupeville provides not only more options for educational opportunities but also quick access to all the amenities both cities have to offer.
What sets this neighborhood apart from some of the others you might find on Whidbey Island is that residents not only have access to a private beach, but they also have a boat ramp. During the summer the water is warm enough to swim in because the cove is protected from the strong offshore winds that other water access areas are exposed to, making it likely the warmest beach on Whidbey Island. Not to mention, the incredible views of Penn Cove, gorgeous views of Saratoga Passage and the lovely historic Town of Coupeville. On sunny days you can spot snow covered mountains in the distance and a pod of Orca whales may be playing in the Cove.
One of the major benefits of living here is the short distance to the only Hospital on the island, Whidbey General Hospital. Downtown Coupeville offers quaint restaurants, galleries, shops, and a museum that overlook the cove offering luxurious views making for special trips all year round. Oak Harbor, just north of the neighborhood is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island where you will find an array of fast-food restaurants, car washes, and big-name shopping centers. In between the two discover the heart of Whidbey, with family farms like Three Sisters Market, small churches, and one of the very few left in the USA the Blue Fox Drive-in Movies with attractions like arcades, go-carts, and food!
Are you ready to get to know this Whidbey Island neighborhood better? Check it out here.
Have questions? We are happy to help. Connect with us here.
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Staying motivated to achieve your New Years Resolution
It’s that time of year again – the start of a new one filled with possibility and potential. Many of us set New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions, but sometimes life gets in the way and we find ourselves falling off track. It can be easy to lose motivation and give up on our goals, but it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to get back on track and make progress. If you’re feeling unmotivated and struggling to stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions, there are many things you can do to get back on track and stay motivated. Whether it’s setting small, achievable goals, taking breaks to recharge, or seeking support from friends and family, there are many strategies you can use to regain your motivation and stay committed to your resolutions. So don’t give up – with a little effort and determination, you can achieve your goals and make this year your best one yet!
Here are 8 ideas to consider so you can try to get back on track when you’re feeling unmotivated:
- Set small, achievable goals: Break your larger goals down into smaller, more achievable tasks. This can help you make progress and feel more motivated.
- Take breaks: Taking breaks can help you recharge and come back to your work feeling more energized.
- Find your motivation: Try to identify what is causing your lack of motivation. Once you understand the root cause, you can work on addressing it.
- Change your environment: Sometimes a change of scenery can be enough to boost your motivation. Try working in a different location, or rearrange your workspace to make it more inspiring. If you need a new house, we know a great realtor 🙂.
- Get organized: Having a cluttered or disorganized workspace can be a distraction. Take some time to tidy up and get organized.
- Exercise and eat well: Taking care of your physical health can improve your mental well-being and boost your motivation.
- Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, or colleague about your lack of motivation. They may be able to offer support and encouragement.
- Make every Monday a “Wonday”: Start your week off on a positive note by setting an intention for the week ahead. This can help you get back on track and stay motivated.
…and If you are considering buying or selling a house, we encourage you to reach out to us. We would be happy to assist you with this process and answer any questions you may have. Connect with us here.
Improving Lifestyles While Reinforcing Independence
Did you know that our North Whidbey Help House offers more than just food? Part of their mission is to, “offer the best assistance possible and assist wherever possible in not only improving lifestyles but striving towards independence from the need for assistance.”
WHERE DOES THE ASSISTANCE COME FROM
They work in combination with other human service agencies within our communities and even offer welfare checkups to those in need. However, they cannot do it all alone. The North Whidbey Help House relies on 96.41% of public funding and the remaining 3.51% from the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP).
That means it is donations from people like you and me that personally affect those in need within our community to keep this program running.
DURING THE HOLIDAYS
During the holiday seasons alone in 2021, the help house was able to provide 458-holiday food baskets that fed over 1,870 people. There were 45 families “adopted” for Thanksgiving, and 51 Families for Christmas. Let’s make sure they can offer the same, if not more this year.
With the weather changing here in the Northwest, there is a need for warmer food items like to-go oatmeal bowls where you just add water, hot-hands, pasta, and rice. Easy-to-open items like pop-top cans of meat, cereal, and peanut butter are much appreciated.
WHAT ABOUT HYGIENE
Did you know the help house goes above and beyond supporting those in need with hygiene products too? There is a need for items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, deodorants, and feminine products.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We urge you to take a moment to clean out your pantries this month and donate any extras you might have that are cluttering up your space. We have made it easy by hosting a drop-off location in our Oak Harbor and Coupeville offices on Whidbey Island for you to drop off your donations.
We know it has been a rough year for a lot of people. Let’s work together to make it slightly easier for those in our community who are struggling to get by.
To kick off this event @WhidbeyIslandLiving has pledged to cut her coffee orders for a week and donate the funds directly to raising funds for the Whidbey Island Help House. If you would like to join in the efforts you can make a money donation here. Once done, message us at @windermere_Whidbey_Island as we would love to publicly thank you on Instagram for your donation and inspire others to do the same!
A Sweet Treat from Zan Fiskum
“Maple Valley raised singer/songwriter Zan Fiskum uses her haunting and beautifully controlled singing to craft ethereal and brooding folk/pop songs.”
If that quote alone doesn’t make you want to get up and listen, I don’t know what will.
Like many of us, Zan grew up in the PNW. Her family volunteered at a diner theater called Auburn Avenue. Like most children, she remembers playing make-believe, except she was playing among the red velvet seats of the auditorium while her family prepared for their performances. When Zan followed suit and took to the stage she was a natural.
“At the age of 12 Zan broke away from the molds of her classical music training and experimented with enmeshing forthright lyrics, cinematic melodies and explosive synth sounds into her songwriting. She went on to release her first 6 singles and achieved over 2 million streams on Spotify alone.”
She found herself and began sharing her unique gift with the world.
“Just 2 years later, Zan made her national debut on NBC’s The Voice as a top 9 finalist and received recognition for her dynamic performing and voice from Billboard magazine, Maggie Rogers, Camila Cabello and the Indigo Girls.”
You might recognize her by her debut album “Sleeping Problems.” To learn more about Zan click here.
She recently has been performing in iconic Seattle venues such as The Moore Theater, The Triple Door, Sasquatch, and more. We are lucky enough to be welcoming her here to Whidbey Island Wednesday, August 10 as part of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series put on by the Oak Harbor Music Festival and Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island. Mark your calendars every Wednesday evening in August for the first four Wednesdays. In addition to Zan Fiskum on August 10 you can catch Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra with featured guests The Gothard Sisters (Aug 3), The Chris Eger Band( Aug 17), and Janie Cribbs and the T.rust Band on (Aug 24). To learn more about the event and others like it click here.
Another Successful Community Service Day
Every year since 1984, Windermere offices everywhere have dedicated a day of service to the community. Each office closes its doors for a day to join together and complete projects that improve our local neighborhoods and community.
The hands-on projects are chosen by brokers and staff. Projects vary widely from area to area. Some examples of people and places served include senior centers, kids playgrounds, community organizations, state parks, road clean-ups, individuals in need, food banks, and much more!
With over a million hours of community service logged to date, we are proud to continue this tradition of giving back to our communities where we live, work, and play.
On Friday, June 10th we had an opportunity that was a bit different from years past. This year prior to the big day we connected with Senior Services here in Oak Harbor to help us identify 7 individuals within our community that could use a helping hand maintaining their properties. Once the individuals were identified we meet with them and evaluated their properties to see how we could best meet their needs. Some needed overgrown bushes removed, weeds pulled, lawns mowed, tree branches removed to keep from falling on their home, flowerpots replanted, benches cleaned so they could sit and enjoy their property, and more. Over the next several weeks we gathered the materials needed. Meanwhile, we took a trip over to Mailliard’s Landing Nursery in Oak Harbor to identify the plants needed for each property. The staff at Mailliard’s are a wealth of knowledge and helped us identify low-maintenance plants that will stay or return for years to come as well as offering a variety of mulch and fertilizers to keep each plant healthy. Did you know Mailliard’s accepts yard waste too? We didn’t know either till they sponsored our project by taking the debris we removed from each of the properties. What an awesome help that was!
When Friday came, our agents broke into three teams to tackle each project till all 7 homes were complete. It didn’t matter how large or small the task our agents worked tirelessly together to get each task done from bringing down tree branches, to pulling weeds. Through sweaty brows, we witnessed smiles and even some grateful tears throughout the day. Seeing the owners enjoying their space again was worth every ounce of work put in.
If you have an idea for our community service day project in 2023 and beyond please reach out! We love to hear how we can give back.
Timothy Haslet Mural
Have you driven down SE Pioneer Street recently? Perhaps the stunning new artwork by Timothy Haslet captured your eye.
Changing Downtown
Over the past five years, programs like the Allgire Project, Oak Harbor Main Street Association commissions, and fire hydrant painting projects have led to an increase in art downtown. For years though, a deteriorating mural from the 70s resided on the exterior wall of Riverside Café in desperate need of revision. Shortly prior to Memorial Day weekend, this beautiful mural of a Prowler passing Deception Pass was revealed in its place. Artist Timothy Haslet says, “This mural relates to my series on Navy Planes.”
Welcome Oak Harbor
He wanted to fit a Navy Plane within the context of Deception Pass, with the overall goal of depicting who we are as a community. Timothy wants to send the message “Welcome to Oak Harbor” to the people moving here from all over the country and the world. His goal is to “create something that could be recognizable and identifiable by our diverse community.” Historically Haslet’s work consisted primarily of landscapes.
Why the change?
A recent article by Kathy Reed in the Whidbey Weekly revealed, that “as he was processing this new direction in his art, conflict over jet noise within the Whidbey community occupied a great deal of his thoughts.” A question came to Haslet that he knew he needed to solve, “What would a picture of ‘the best of both worlds’ look like?” He pondered, “who are we, as a community, and where are we going? Can we create artwork that could be a bridge between the two?” Read the rest of her article here.
This beautiful masterpiece is his answer to that question for all to enjoy no matter how they arrived on Whidbey Island, whether by road, water, or plane.
What a special tribute to the community.
Timothy says prints of the mural will be available soon. If you would like to see more of Timothy’s work, stop by our Oak Harbor Windermere office and peruse his artwork on display. You can also find his work online here.
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