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A parklet has sprung up in downtown Coupeville. (Sarah Kirkconnell photos)

NW Grace Street is now an ideal “resting zone” as you peruse the shops.

It’s news to me.

I live less than a mile away from the waterfront views of Front Street here in Coupeville and yet had no clue when my sister asked me if I had seen the changes to one of the side streets.

Now, “have no clue” is my default setting, so…

But anyway, it’s true — NW Grace Street is permanently blocked off and a spiffy new parklet has sprung up just in time for an official debut during this weekend’s Arts and Crafts Festival.

The new structure eases traffic congestion in the area, while giving folks a place to rest as they walk through downtown.

Otherwise known as “man benches” for guys waiting for their wives or significant others to finish hitting all the waterside shops.

Before wandering through Coupeville, tourists and locals alike can garner info on the best paths thanks to an article my sister posted today.

To find that, pop over to:

Local Adventures: Hidden Trails in Coupeville

Sunday or bust!

The Central Whidbey Soccer Club wraps up registration for its fall season at midnight Aug. 14.

The league offers teams ranging from U6 to U15 and is particularly in need of U12 boys (born in 2011-2012) as it tries to fill out rosters.

For more info and to register, pop over to:

https://www.centralwhidbeysoccer.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1508117

Coupeville High School baseball coach Will Thayer is moving to Las Vegas. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Will Thayer exits on top.

After leading the Coupeville High School baseball team to the regular season Northwest 2B/1B League title, and winning Coach of the Year honors, the diamond guru won’t be back next spring.

Instead, he’ll be livin’ life several states away, with an upcoming family move to Las Vegas in motion.

Originally hired as a CHS softball assistant coach, Thayer jumped across the road to replace baseball head coach Chris Smith after his own move off-Island.

Thayer compiled a 20-10 record in his time running the hardball program.

Thayer discusses strategy with Xavier Murdy.

Coupeville baseball went 7-3 during a pandemic-shortened 2021 season, then finished 13-7 this past spring.

The Wolves were 11-1 in NWL play in 2022, edging defending champ Friday Harbor (10-1) for the regular-season crown.

CHS fell 3-2 to the Wolverines in a winner-to-state, loser-out playoff game, denying Thayer and seniors Cody Roberts, Hawthorne Wolfe, Sage Sharp, Xavier Murdy, and Cole Hutchinson a chance to advance to the big dance.

While his tenure on the CHS bench was a relatively short one, Thayer will be remembered as a coach who was very easy to work with, and one who was always willing to answer all my questions — even the dumb ones.

I wish him and his family the best in the future.

 

The family move to Vegas also plucks away Thayer’s daughter, Brooklyn, a hard-working basketball player who suited up for the Coupeville JV this past winter.

Once the hardwood season ended, Brooklyn capped her freshman year by working as a manager for her dad’s baseball team.

Brooklyn Thayer

“I am not amused with your shenanigans, sir.” (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

I’ve been called snarky.

Ignorant.

Childish and immature.

Or in the immortal words of one badly failing local builder who resembles a sentient oil slick, I’m “a sick human being, a punk, and an asshole.”

So, I got that going for me, which is nice.

Coupeville Sports hits its 10th birthday this coming Monday, Aug. 15, and this is the 9,381st article I’ve published.

Apparently, not all of them have been universally beloved…

Now, overall, my stats trend towards the positive. Otherwise, I likely wouldn’t still be doing this gig.

But, over the years, I have torqued off a few folks, especially those whose addresses fall inside the King’s, ATM, Klahowya, and South Whidbey school districts.

Sometimes, I knew it would happen. Other times I was genuinely surprised.

But getting paddled in the comments section (hopefully) keeps me on my toes, checking to see if the aggrieved have a point, or if they’re just lil’ crybabies hiding behind fake names.

Sometimes it’s the former, a lot of times it’s the latter.

Or at least that’s my story … and I’m sticking to it for today at least.

In honor of the last decade, I fished back through the comments section to collect some of the best angina thrown my way.

Enjoy!

 

10 — Before posting this, you should make sure your facts are straight. It is sickening how a reporter would report this way not only on this game but other games this season very unprofessional.

 

9 — This article is not just “snarky” it is a piece written out of ignorance. What you call snarky has provided a snapshot of who you are and how you think.

 

8 — The ignorant have never spoken so confidently and so erroneously. Your career has obviously reached its zenith in Coupeville. Like those sour grapes?

 

7 — Who cares?????

 

6 — I understand you are upset about losing the game but at least have some class, you don’t post the refs names that is completely childish and immature.

 

5 — Those who can do, those who can’t blog. I guess that’s why we south enders, do.

 

4 — This blog has gone too far. What you post isn’t even funny.

 

3 — I am horrified that this article could be written this way. You make it seem as if the Coupeville team was some great team!

 

2 — Poopville sucks!! South Whidbey will shit-whip you.

 

1 — You guys are weak as hell. Grow up you children.

Coupeville High School athletic legend turned Wolf coach Megan Smith prepares to become Mrs. Bennett Richter. (Dina Ginn photos)

Two empires unite.

Coupeville High School girls basketball coach Megan Smith and Wolf football guru Bennett Richter were wed Saturday, and we have pics.

They’re shot by Dina Ginn, come to us courtesy of the former Ms. Smith (now Mrs. Richter), and continue a tradition started when Megan’s brother Ian wed in 2013.

That tradition?

As shown here and at https://coupevillesports.com/2013/06/29/ian-smith-weds-thousands-of-women-cry-in-the-streets/ it’s apparently my burning desire to be Coupeville’s answer to People magazine.

Coupeville’s new head football coach joins the family.

Tasty treats, artfully plated.

CHS Athletic Director (and proud papa) Willie Smith walks the bride in.

Welcome to a woodsy wonderland.

The “I do” portion of the festivities.

Smoochy-boochies makes it official.