Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Not sports? Tough!’ Category

Coupeville’s restaurant business is taking a hit.

Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine, which has operated on NW Coveland Street in the building formerly occupied by Christopher’s on Whidbey, is closing as of Sunday, Jan. 26.

The restaurant released the following statement:

 

Dear Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine’s permanent closure, effective Sunday, January 26.

This decision was not made lightly and comes after exhausting every possible effort to continue serving you.

First and foremost, we want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have walked through our doors, whether as a loyal customer of Gordon’s Fusion or from our days at Blueberry Hill.

You have been the heart of everything we do, and it has been an absolute pleasure to serve this wonderful community through both bustling times and quieter moments.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of creating meaningful connections with so many of you. Whether it was a quick hello or a heartfelt conversation, these moments have been a constant reminder of why we do what we do.

Our goal has always been to provide a place where the island could gather to enjoy good food in a warm and welcoming environment, and we hope we have succeeded in that mission.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to navigate the increasing challenges of running a small business, we have reached a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue operating.

The financial pressures of these times have taken their toll, and in fairness to our amazing staff, we must face this reality with honesty and integrity.

To our loyal customers, thank you for your unwavering support and for allowing us to be a part of your lives.

To our dedicated staff, thank you for your hard work, passion, and commitment—you have been the backbone of everything we’ve accomplished.

While this chapter is coming to an end, the memories we’ve created together will live on in our hearts.

We are truly humbled by the love and support we’ve received from this incredible community over the years.

Thank you for everything.

Gordon’s Fusion Staff

Read Full Post »

Cheer captain and artful welder, Kassidy Upchurch is a young woman of many talents. (Lincoln Kelley photos)

Their skills are many.

A batch of Coupeville High School students spent last weekend competing in area competitions with a focus on their work with both metal and sweet sugar.

Shepherded by CHS teacher Lincoln Kelley, the first group of Wolves visited Everett Community College Friday, Jan. 17, where they vied in the SkillsUSA Welding Sculpture, Welding Fabrication, and Technical Welding competitions.

Delanie Lewis, who displayed her project “The Nutty Giraffe,” placed twelfth in Welding Sculpture.

She had a busy day, taking part in an interview, showing her art piece, and taking a written knowledge test.

Meanwhile, Kassidy Upchurch claimed ninth in Technical Welding, where she demonstrated Oxy-Fuel Cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, and the ability to construct a project from blueprints.

Jesus Madrigal and Danica Strong make the sparks fly.

Finally, the trio of Danica Strong, Jesus Madrigal, and Landon Roberts collected fifth place in Welding Fabrication.

The trio followed blueprints, measuring, cutting to length and various dimensions, fitting, and then welding together the pieces.

The result was a jet stove constructed from stock materials that had been provided.

Marz Halstead is on point in the kitchen.

After a few hours of downtime, Kelley was back on the road Saturday, taking Marz Halstead and Tenley Stuurmans to Arlington for a pastry and baking arts contest.

The duo baked a braided bread roll, two types of yeast rolls, a cherry pie, chocolate chip cookies, and biscuits, while also decorating a cake.

Get in my stomach.

Stuurmans placed ninth, with Halstead claiming eleventh place in a very close contest where the difference between first and ninth was less than seventy points.

While it was a long weekend, Kelley came away pleased with the skills shown by his young proteges.

“Great work by every one of our contestants,” he said. “They represented Coupeville very well.”

Read Full Post »

Darren Crownover, American Badass, closes out his law enforcement career with a dramatic animal rescue. (Photo property Island County Sheriff’s Department)

Out of the patrol car and on the school bus.

Capping a stellar career in law enforcement, Darren Crownover made his final “out of service” call Monday.

A Lieutenant with the Island County Sheriff’s Department, he and wife Kelly (a longtime 9-1-1 operator) had a huge positive impact on Whidbey Island and its occupants over the years.

They also were my traveling companions during daughter Veronica’s senior season of softball at Coupeville High School — a year that ended with a run to the state tourney.

Now, with Darren following Kelly into “retirement,” the couple are off to Texas, where Darren will be driving a school bus while (possibly) humming “bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?”

I wish all the best to the entire Crownover family (which also includes son Nickolas) and not just because they bought me my weight in M & M’s.

Though that certainly didn’t hurt!!

 

Read Full Post »

Jay Roberts

He’s still on the big record board at Coupeville High School, but Jay Roberts continues to earn awards long after his prep sports days.

The Wolf grad, a father of three stellar athletes of his own, was tabbed as the 2024 Builder of the Year by the Building Industry Association of Washington.

Roberts was part of a 4 x 100 track team that set a school record back in 1986 — and that mark still stands almost four decades later.

These days Jennifer’s husband, and Madeline, Ally, and Grace’s dad, is the Vice President of Cascade Custom Home and Designs.

After working alongside big bro Jon for many years in Coupeville, he now lives in Chelan — where his youngest daughter plays volleyball and softball — and continues to charge full steam ahead in the building biz.

Jay, son of Sandy and Susan, has served as the President of the BIAW while also chairing that group’s Legislative Policy Committe.

Plus, he’s now a YouTube star. So, there’s that, too.

 

Read Full Post »

CHS Athletic Director Brad Sherman is leading a toy drive. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Coupeville High School basketball players are spearheading an annual toy drive this weekend.

The Wolves host home games Friday (Orcas Island) and Saturday (Morton-White Pass) and will be accepting unwrapped gifts to be given to Holiday House North, which serves families in Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

It’s a competition as well, as the CHS girls’ and boys’ hoops stars will each have a box set up in the lobby of the gym.

“We are excited to give to some families in our community,” said Coupeville High School Athletic Director Brad Sherman.

“And we encourage all spectators to join us in helping to spread some joy and happiness as we enter into the holiday season.”

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »