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She’s queen of the racetrack

August 1, 2022 by David Svien

Scotlyn Helm is coming for all your auto racing trophies. All of them, I said. (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)

Scotlyn Helm is the terror of the Monroe Speedway.

The Coupeville Elementary student overcame high temps and a packed field of contenders to run strongly during a weekend of fast cars and screeching tires.

Helm, daughter of Jerry and Lindsey, was competing with the Washington Quarter Midget Association.

Plotting strategy with papa.

She attended her driver training graduation ceremony, then climbed behind the wheel of her fiery purple bomber to blitz her foes.

Qualifying fourth overall, Helm zipped into the “A” Main event for the second straight time, before winning her first race.

Roaring up from the fifth slot (out of eighth racers) during her heat, she “ran a super clean race and battled all the way” according to dad, motoring across the line in front of the pack.

Fresh off nabbing the W, Helm returned to run two more races and was just as sharp.

“Scotlyn came out firing on all cylinders to take home some hardware,” Jerry Helm said.

“The smile on her face after receiving her first trophy and winning her first-ever heat race, is something that I’ll never forget.”

Along with trophies, the pedal-through-the-metal racer was also invited to move up and compete in a faster class the next time she visits the racetrack.

Keeping cool in the summer heat.

Standing tall among the award winners.

Hanging out with her fan club.

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Bowl for Bowser

July 30, 2022 by David Svien

Throw a strike, help a pooch. (Photo property WAIF)

Do it for Mittens.

And Sparky, and Lil’ Lulu, and the Colonel.

Take part in a bowling fundraiser for the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation this weekend, and your lane activity will benefit the pooches and kitties of the Island.

WAIF is hosting an event at Oak Bowl & Mario’s Pizza (531 SE Midway Blvd) Sunday, July 31 with proceeds going to benefit its work.

The fundraiser runs from 1:00-3:30 PM, costs $20 per person and covers two hours of bowling plus shoe rental.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle (cash only!) with $10 tickets. Hit the jackpot and you take home half the ticket sales.

Money raised from the fundraiser will help WAIF with general operations and its animal welfare program.

That includes things such as spay/neuter coupons for low-income households, as well as food, toys and medication for the animals.

Register in advance for the fundraiser at waifanimals.org/lets-bowl and you’ll be eligible to nab one of two $50 gift cards from Popsies, a popcorn/ice cream/candy store in Oak Harbor.

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A gentle soul, a family in need

July 26, 2022 by David Svien

Esther Hummel

Esther Hummel was a genuinely nice person.

From back in the days when she worked at the family business at The County Deli and visited Videoville on a regular basis, to more recent times, she was always kind to all.

Esther, who had fought valiantly to overcome health problems in recent years, passed away Tuesday at age 46 after suffering a heart attack.

She’s survived by John, her husband of 25 years, and their children Dylan and Elizabeth, as well as a large, loving family and many friends here in Coupeville.

Esther’s sister-in-law Seaneen has launched a GoFundMe where the community near and far can aid the family with funeral expenses.

 

To read more, and help out if you can, pop over to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-brother-john-p-hummel-with-funeral-expenses?qid=ba21dc259c2f19d3e03ea929d14d9ce4

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Burn ban hits July 30

July 26, 2022 by David Svien

Burn ’em if you got ’em.

Thanks to abundant rain in the early days of summer, Island County’s annual outdoor burn ban is arriving later than normal.

But it is coming, as of midnight on July 30.

The ban, which was announced Monday by Island County Fire Marshal/Sheriff Rick Felici, covers outdoor burning of natural debris, even with a permit.

Recreational fires are still allowed in approved fire pits, with the fire no more than three feet in diameter and two feet high.

The burn “must be contained within a fire pit that has been cleared of all combustible material within a 10-foot radius, (and) must be monitored at all times.

Also, “there must be a water source readily available — at a minimum, a charged water hose or a five-gallon bucket of water.”

Barbeque grills using propane or briquettes, or self-contained camp stoves, are also allowed during the burn ban.

The burn ban was put in place due to “atmospheric conditions of reduced moisture levels, low humidity, and warmer weather.”

For outdoor burning info, contact the Island County Health Department at (360) 679-7350.

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Coupeville’s loss is Florida’s gain

July 25, 2022 by David Svien

Savina Wells, one of Coupeville’s best and brightest, has moved to Florida. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Savina Wells has taken her talents to South Beach.

Or, at least somewhere close to there.

A family move to Florida will subtract the rising sophomore from Coupeville High School sports rosters, bringing an end to a stellar run in Wolf uniforms for the youngest child of Lyle and Katy Wells.

The move also affects Cow Town’s teaching depth, as Katy Wells was an Elementary Paraeducator for the Coupeville School District.

Savina, who followed in the footsteps of Ulrik and Izzy, who both graduated from CHS, has been at the forefront of Coupeville athletics since she was old enough to walk.

In the early days, you’d be at one of her siblings’ games, and there would be Savina doing a series of never-ending cartwheels, all while never losing the bag of chips she was bringing back from the snack bar.

The Wells sisters fuel up before wreaking havoc on the diamond.

Once she was old enough to capture the spotlight, she was a gold-plated star from day one.

Did I think about calling Savina “The Chosen One?”

Possibly.

Did I show restraint for once, though, and not refer to her as that in print until now?

Definitely, though it was a tough battle with the shameless hype master living inside me.

A standout in little league and youth sports, Savina made her high school basketball debut as a precocious 8th grader and was second on the team in scoring during a pandemic-shortened season.

Through her first year-and-half of high school hoops, she racked up 133 points, leaving her 85th all-time among Wolf girls for a program which started in 1974.

Older sister Izzy graduated with 204 points to her credit and is #58 all-time.

Soaring above the competition.

Savina was also a varsity volleyball and softball player for CHS during her freshman year.

On the volleyball court, she registered 70 kills, 47 digs, five block assists, and 42 service aces in her debut, ranking #2 on the team in aces and #3 in kills.

When spring rolled around this year Savina was Coupeville’s starting catcher, where she hauled in pitches from her sister.

The lanky fab frosh was a dangerous hitter and a fleet-footed runner, cracking a steady string of extra-base hits for a Wolf squad which went 16-3.

Savina hauls in another strike from big sis Izzy.

Coupeville has taken a hit in the offseason from family moves, losing four talented athletes in the prime of their prep careers.

Along with the Wells clan moving to Florida, other Wolves departing include sisters Olivia and Amaya Schaffeld and three-sport star Mikey Robinett.

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