So many talented people. I felt like Ed Sullivan in their midst of this “really big shew.” Friday evening at Coupeville’s Pacific Northwest Art School will be the talk of the town for quite a spell. Midst the Chianti and celebration, a lot of talented people gathered to celebrate the Opening Night of “A Night In Italy” and the demonstration/lecture Golden Lecture:  Innovations in Acrylic by Barbara DePirro.

Sue Symons Shares Tales of Adventure

The painting exhibition showcased the work of instructors and students who attended the Art Expedition in Umbria, Italy back in May.  We had crackers, cheese, meats and other little authentic Italian spreads that looked and tasted yummy on crackers. The artist had us on the edge of our seats with exciting tales of their enchanted Umbria adventures.

If fancy wine, exotic victuals and inspired conversations wasn’t enough, there were door prizes. A couple of folks wore costumes or a mask, as suggested on the announcements, and thus walked away with a Ruth Bernhard notecard collection of Nudes.

In the very next room painter, sculptor, installation artist, educator, Barbara DePirro gave a lecture/ demonstration entitled Golden Lecture:  Innnovations in Acrylic.

Don’t fret is you missed Friday’s happenings. Unfortunately the Golden Lecture was a shot deal but the “A Night In Italy” exhibition will remain up until November 10. I’d move quickly because as you know time and Chianti waits for no mortal.

James Moore celebrates the sale of a featured piece

Time and Chianti waits for no mortal

Like the biblical Job “I tossed with worry and woe” the night before our Deception Pass tour. Saturday, as you remember, was bright and shiny with record high temperatures and not a hint of rain. However, Sunday the temperature dropped and rain clouds had gathered while we slept and a misty day was at hand. Fortunately members of the Whidbey Island Camera Club, friends and family decided to endure the elements. Out of 18 reservations, there was only one no-show.

Despite a slight drizzle, spirits remained high as we set adrift on our Deception Pass Tour. The water was smooth and but the visibility rather limited. But we got a great view of the Pass and Bridge under fog.

We had several sightings of seagulls, harbors seals and herons. Remember without light, visual life becomes a gray scale. So what can you expect to see on such a foggy misty day besides fog and lots of it? You might have to squint but if you look closely enough you’ll see the subtle beauty of the Pass. Harbor seal lay resting on the rocks. Sea gulls and herons fed among the kelp. The animal life is still out there but you have to retrain your eyes to catch these subtle nuisances. The bridge is there but under the cloak of mist. Under fog, it becomes more of a poetic passage.

Canoe Pass

You might walk away unfilled. As stated in previous writings, Deception Pass is not a static environment or a controlled Disney or IMAX experience but rather a real-time in-your-face nature expedition. You can witness nature at its best and worse all within the scope of a couple of hours. So if you feel you didn’t get your money’s worth come back after lunch. Disney or IMAX can’t guarantee a varied experience.

Over the Shoulder Shot of Deception Pass Bridge

Robert Duvall was quoted as saying, Without a hobby, a man would die. If this is the case, John Rose is living the Life. A survivor of five heart attacks, a struggle with cancer, living on a fixed SSI income, John’s girl friend suggested that he quickly find a hobby. A limited income prevented him from obvious type hobbies but being a resourceful man he took inventory of his environment.

John Rose started crafting unique pieces of art out of shells, driftwood and discarded jewelry. When asked the name of his collections he chuckled and responded, “What do you see collection.”  John let out his hardy trademark laugh after I suggested naming his collection Would-Be Art. Regardless of the chosen name, John’s unique brand of story or talking sticks speaks for itself and requires very little human labeling.

The Happy Fish

A Denver native, John migrated to Whidbey Island, by way of Vancouver, WA almost two years to be with his friends. He needed a more relaxed atmosphere to regain his health and peace. Most of his pieces are donated by friends or friends of friends. John said people often pick up pieces of drift wood or shells during walks along the beach, but quickly tire of them and pass them along to him. John especially encourages recycling of Whidbey drift wood.

The pieces are meticulously selected and formed into a storyboard that reveals John’s pilgrimage. Often John resorts to buying the right pieces to bring the story to fruition. Years of being a drummer in the pow-wow circuit, John has learned that his is mission and art are intertwined. Many Native Americans have left lasting impressions of him and thus influenced his craft.

Would Be Art

John worked as a production worker for years and sees the death in turning out pieces just for the sake of it. He became serious about his craft after a friend from Purple Moon encouraged him to make a jewelry display rack to hang woman’s jewelry.

John's Treasure Chest

John would like to go retail but admitted that the dustier pieces, on the mantle, have been dear friends for so long that he would have a hard time parting with them. He still would like for people to get to know him through his work. Hopefully, next spring he’ll have enough pieces to go retail; but in the meantime, it’s back to creating more Would-Be Art.

John Rose : The Man

John holds a gnarly head.jpg

In the midst of a busy wedding season, I managed to corner Connie Weech in Mt. Vernon. A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of briefly chatting with Connie at a wedding at her place of business, The Grand Willow Inn. What impressed me the most was her attitude about family, success and life.  I needed to learn more, and I also wanted to share her ideas with you…the world.

Success is not an overnight thing according to Connie. She left southern California twenty some years ago in pursuit of a better life for her family. Every season presents a new demand which must be dealt with. Connie never actually planned to enter to the wedding business but always had a genuine love for people and enjoyed the idea of making people happy. Trained as an interior decorator, she has spent most of her adult life either as a real estate broker or real estate investor. She acquired The Grand Willow eight years ago in a foreclosure settlement and quickly set about gutting and remodeling The Grand Willow to its present day standard. If you have an adventurous heart, visit The Grand Willow Inn’s Facebook page and view the remarkable 2million$$ Later before and after photos.

The Grand Willow 2001

The Grand Willow Today

Connie said The Grand Willow is for the discerning seeker and that it is not uncommon to redirect a client elsewhere where their needs may be better served.  Compared to the local competition, The Grand Willow is reasonably priced and the service is unmatchable. It’s not always about money with Connie. The client must have a value experience; otherwise, the whole dream wedding experience becomes meaningless.

The Grand Willow’s onsite wedding coordinator impressed me the most. Often I meet brides who have no idea who is going to manage the flow and assume things are going to magically fall into place. Even though The Grand Willow’s wedding coordinator was technically not on the clock, sensing the wedding party’s inability to make critical decisions, the coordinator quickly intervened, quietly took charge, called the shots and instantly restored harmony.  I should add that this particular wedding was a “bare essentials” package which did not include a wedding coordinator. Most of Connie’s weddings, for the past 6 1/2 years, have included a coordinator. Clients naturally gravitate toward the all-inclusive packages because they prefer being responsibility free on their special day.

Bird's Eyeview of Ceremony

The grounds are spacious enough to accommodate gracious outdoor planning and in case of inclement weather activities can quickly shift indoors with yet room to spare. Reflecting on my own Northwest experience, I learned that having access to an indoor facility is wise planning. Three years ago I received an email from a bride describing her miseries.  ” While I’m grateful to all who made our day special, weather wise,  it was the worst day of my life.”

Many do-it-yourselfers are sticker stricken after renting canopies, chairs, eating ware, making sure all provisions are met, renting outdoor toileting facilities.  Add up all expenses, and the stress of it all, you’re probably looking at more than what you’d pay The Grand Willow Inn. Let’s digress; speaking of porta potties, even from a man’s point of view, nothing beats indoor plumbing. Even in the cool of the Northwest, porta potties can get hot and suffocating. You’ve spent at least a thousand so far, do you want to subject your eloquent best dressed guest or squeeze the bride into a claustrophobic experience.  The bathrooms at the Grand Willow are not only indoors but the Bride has her own with a large soaking tub. The guest bathrooms are very nice also.

Point made I’m sure, now let us move on to less practical matters such as fun. With all practical matters settled, guests are greeted and the ceremony flows seamlessly .  The ringing and I-Dos are exchanged. The Pianist strikes the keys and the rest of the evening is a blur of fellowship, dancing and promises to stay in touch.  The best man wheels the honey moon machine around front for a celebrated departure. Rose petals fill the air as the bride and groom give one last kiss for the camera. Vendors weep inwardly, knowing that harmony reigns in the great Northwest because another family trusted The Grand Willow to facilitate their event.

Living the Dream

Enhance your experience

It’s not about making money. It’s about making a commitment to ensure your client has a valuable memorable experience. Was this just talk? No, last year she proved the experience for herself. What really reassured Connie that she’s on the right track? Connie admitted, weddings can be expensive. Was it worth spending all the time, money and energy on a wedding…a one-time deal that’s over in a blink of an eye?

Reception Area

Last year Connie had an opportunity to prove the validity of her beliefs and business practices. Her son announced that he was getting married. Rather than elope or elect a civil ceremony her son chose to be married on the property. Connie went all the way out as far as expenses and provisions. Family and friends visiting from as far away as California and Texas were afforded the very best quality and professionalism a wedding venue could provide. The experience not only proved worthwhile, Connie had measurable results. All the guest and family had a wonderful time. She didn’t mind paying the associated wedding bills because she had a memorable experience which validated her love for family and friends. She was able to demonstrate proof of her validity and still beams with excitement today as she retells the story. Confident that she had chosen the right vocation, she moves forward continually revising her marketing plan.

Combined with in-house wedding coordinator and catering at competitive prices, a client can’t ask for a better experience. Connie has unmatched zeal for her calling. She’s goes beneath the surface to ensure that each client is a perfect fit for The Grand Willow and that they’ll have the most enchanting carefree experience of your life. Get to know Connie through her work and philosophy you won’t regret the adventure…I didn’t.

View through Gazebo

Last minute update…The Grand Willlow Inn has been nominated again this year for King 5 Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington.  If you’re familiar with their services show your support by clicking http://ctvr.us/thegrand1 . They were #5 in the top 5 last year, it would be awesome to be #1.

Lynn Copeland, an owner of six rescued dogs and two horses, doesn’t consider herself a rescuer; but rather, a person who has grown in love for animals. She was afraid of dogs until in 1980 when she got her first a rescued “mutt” puppy named Bear.  Dogs often chased Lynn because she displayed a fear of animals.

Lynn played games with Bear to help overcome her fear of his growling.  She was successful, and since that time has not met a dog that causes her to be fearful. Shortly after getting Bear, she eyed another dog in a pet shop.  She was an adorable Shih Tzu, with an ugly pink spot on her lip named Lacey. Over a month, Lynn watched Lacey go from being a happy friendly tail wagging puppy to a very quiet depressed looking pup. Lynn finally purchased Lacy but it took 6 months of extensive TLC before her tail again wagged with delight.  Lynn visited her sister one Thanksgiving and not realizing that Lacy was “in season,” Lacy mated with Lynn’s sister’s toy poodle. Lacy had a litter of 8 puppies. Lacy almost died trying to feed 8 puppies, so Lynn let her nurse only a few at a time, and Lynn fed the rest. Lynn gave them all “Southern Bell” names, and kept the runt of the 8 named Caroline.  In 1988 Lynn’s first husband got orders to England, where they lived for 3 years. Lynn had to let Bear and Lacey go to other homes because they could not afford to pay for all three dogs to go abroad.  Caroline was only 6 months old, and Lynn felt she would do the best of all the dogs on the airplane and in the required 6 months of quarantine.  Lynn had Caroline for 16 ½ years.  She died 2 months before moving to Whidbey Island.

In April of 1997, Lynn’s daughter, Karen worked for the Oakland Animal Shelter as a police specialist.  One day five 2 days old pups were brought into the shelter.  The story goes that the mother of the puppies belonged to a homeless gentleman, who took the mother and her puppies to his grandmother’s home.  The grandmother, who was in her 80’s, demanded he take the puppies and mother back because she could not care for them.  He took the mother, and left the puppies to die.  The shelter did not have a nursing mother. Karen, fearing the pups would be put to sleep, brought them home and between Karen and Dale, Karen’s husband, and Lynn, all 5 puppies were saved.  All finally found homes except one.  Karen contemplated returning the one puppy the animal shelter. Lynn first pick of the litter was originally Charlotte, but she chose Andrew instead because of his gentle personality.  Emotional torn over being unable to find Charlotte a home, Lynn ended up with both puppies.

A year later, a 5 week old puppy named Hannah came to the shelter.  Karen felt there was something special about her so she brought Hannah to Lynn’s workplace. Lynn reminded her then that she already had 3 dogs, and could not afford another.  Karen claimed that 3 other people had pending applications on Hannah. Lynn spoke in conditional terms with Karen, promising that if none of the 3 applicants claimed Hanna she would give Hanna a home. She ended up in Lynn’s home.

Katie came in 1999.  Caroline was getting old and was losing her sight and hearing.  So Katie was thought to be a “sort of” replacement, but also would help Caroline get around more since she was slowly going blind and deaf.  Katie was the result of a breeder not watching her dogs. Katie’s owner did not realize the mother was pregnant when she was purchased.  Her owner did not want this “mixed breed” dog, and put her in her room all day without water.  Katie lived on the owner’s bed until Lynn’s daughter found her.  Katie had a broken rib and rotting teeth and she would not get off the bed.  Everything frightened her and to this very day, the bed is Katie’s sanctuary. Katie was a year and a half when she came to live with Lynn. She still fights to maintain her territory.  Due to progressive gum disease Katie has lost most of her teeth. This causes Katie’s tongue to hang out the side of her mouth.  Lynn is so grateful that she’s otherwise healthy it doesn’t bother her a bit that the tongue hangs out.

Sammy came along in June 2004 to keep Katie company since all the larger dogs were outside pets and left outdoors when Lynn traveled.  He too was a rescue dog from a private owner.

Moving to Whidbey Island in May, 2002, Lynn and Bill purchased 2 ½ acres, which the dogs loved.  It was completely fence in, and the dogs could run until they could run from sun to sun.  They loved it. Lynn noticed that after about a year of living on Whidbey that there seemed to be many horses on the Island, but so many of them seemed like they were not being adequately cared for.  Lynn started reading and learning about horses. She loved horses as a small child, and watched all the programs on TV that had horses in them.  Fury, My Friend Flicker, Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, to name a few. Lynn had not been around horses, and discovered that she had a fear of them.  After a year of continued, Lynn started taking riding lessons and was hooked. Lynn thought she would never find any activity more fulfilling than being a nurse.  Today Lynn can say with heart filled sincerity that raising horses rivals, perhaps even surpasses, her love for nursing.

Lynn’s first horse teacher was a real bear.  She taught children well, but was not very competent at communicating with adult riders.  However, after about 5 months of taking lessons, Lynn felt she ready for own horse.  Her neighbor owned four horses, but knew very little about taking care of horses.  All 4 horses were badly underweight, especially Maggie the oldest.  Maggie was a National Show horse, which means she is a cross between a Saddlebred horse, and an Arabian.  Maggie was 22 years old.

One night Lynn called her neighbor and asked if he would consider giving her Maggie. Lynn knew that the horse was given to him as a package deal when he purchased another one of his horses.  Maggie looked half dead. The vet and horse teacher gave the horse a poor prognosis, and felt at best that it would be touch and go. Both they agreed with a lot of TLC Maggie might survive. She was supper depressed, and was a very sad picture for a horse. Lynn accepted the challenge and quickly went to work nursing the failing Maggie back to health. She was only 600 pounds, and at her death in October 2009 she weighed about 1300 pounds.  Lynn gave her great care, and loved her like she had never loved before. It took about a year, but she was in perfect condition at the time of her death.  She died of old age.  Maggie lived with Lynn 3 years.

After getting Maggie, Lynn realized that Maggie was unhappy being by herself. Maggie beat a well defined trench in her pen pacing back and forth while calling to the other 3 neighboring horses.  Lynn talked to her neighbor again, and ended up buying Callie to keep Maggie company.  Callie became part of the family. Lynn was Callie’s fifth owner, and she is now 10 years old.  Lynn’s neighbor owned Callie for 3 years, and Lynn for 3 ½ years, and the other time was shared between previous owners.  Callie hated men, and originally would not allow Lynn’s husband, Bill, around her. Lynn later learned that a previous owner had beat her with a whip while trail riding. She displayed abused behavior patterns, and trusted no one.  Now, after proper loving, Callie, Lynn and Bill are the best of friends.

Maggie passed away in Oct. 2009 at the ripe young age of 25.

The last rescue dog to report in was Emma.  Emma is from a large litter of puppies that had been found after being attacked by wild animals.  Emma had a torn lip and a hole between her gums and nose probably an injury received from the attack.  Two puppies were killed. Of the surviving litter, Emma suffered the worse with facial damage. Lynn found out about her in the paper and quickly slipped into rescue mode.  Three of Lynn’s dogs were getting old, and Andrew and Charlotte both had cancer and would not last much longer. Lynn wanted a puppy to grow up with these dogs so that it would take on the personality of the older dogs.  She has.  Emma is now 11 months old and is the biggest of all the dogs.  She is a Lab Sheppard mix, but looks mostly Lab.

Both struggling with cancer, soon Charlotte and Andrew will have to be put down.  Charlotte has already lost most of her hearing and sight. Large malignant tumors fill multiple areas of Charlotte’s body. Andrew’s not much better. His tumors cause him to have difficulty breathing. Hannah suffers from arthritis, and probably will not be around much longer either.  Hannah is a large dog that has outlived her time. Lynn is considering another large dog when Hannah, Andrew and Charlotte pass away to keep Emma company.  You can count on the fact that it will be another rescue dog.

An Evolving Lynn

Lynn has always enjoyed making things with her hands so while wheelchair bound for two years due to knee, leg and ankle injuries, she started getting in touch with her creative spiritual side. This getting- in -touch process accelerated Lynn’s healing process. Lynn now dedicates even more time to her hobbies: knitting, crocheting, sewing/alteration, doll and jewelry making, embroidery, and many other talents. Lynn believes self-discovery is a wonderful process that leads to fulfilling ones ambitions.

Lynn’s goals

After retiring from a thirty year nursing career, she’s definitely not seeking another 9 to 5 occupation but rather spend more time getting in touch with her creative nature. Lynn plans to grow her at-home jewelry and alteration business and spend quality time with Bill and her family of aging pets. She does alterations through Amy’s Touch in Oak Harbor and vends her jewelry through SeaSide Spa and Salon in Coupeville. Lynn now lives life more fully by riding, tending to her pets, participating in church and getting reacquainted with her loving husband, Bill.

So we have a portrait of Lynn. Of course, this is only snapshot of a very dynamic woman. Lynn’s story illustrated how facing animal fear can bring about lifetime relationship, an income source, a sense of higher purpose, and physical healing. You’re invited to follow Lynn as she continues her ascent to a higher platform of LOVE.