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Posts Tagged ‘Coupeville’

Kings of the hardwood. (Photo courtesy June Mazdra)

They weren’t just going to beat you, they were here to squash you.

A Flashback Friday photo takes us into Coupeville’s basketball past with a look at the Squashers, a team longtime hoop stat queen June Mazdra places in the early ’60s.

“Looks to be about ’63 or ’64,” she said.

“I know a few. Back row middle is Eric Hopkins, back row far right, Marvin (maybe Daryl) Darst.

“Middle bottom, Rocky Libbey, next to him on right, my brother Jerry Wilson.

“Graduates of ’69 and ’70 I think.”

Hardwood heroes, one and all.

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Phoenix Da Costa-Ford, livin’ the mermaid life.

There’s magic in the air, and the sea.

Phoenix Da Costa-Ford — Wolf Mom, master scoreboard operator and all-around mega talent — is embracing a second persona as a bewitching mermaid.

She was in full costume Saturday at “Ye Old Yarrrd Sale” at The Enchanted Beedle, a gift boutique in Coupeville.

Da Costa-Ford and friends were helping raise money for a Renaissance Fair scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend 2024, which will go down at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center.

It’ll be the first local Ren Faire in close to a decade.

“I know that for years people on Whidbey have been begging for a Ren Faire,” Da Costa-Ford said. “And we are now underway to making that dream come true!”

While selling mermaid-themed merchandise, she also dressed the part, bringing the magic of the sea alive.

“At the yard sale I met not only excited kids but excited adults as well, who were living out their dream of meeting a real mermaid!” Da Costa-Ford said.

“I had the best time bringing smiles to our Coupeville community and now I know for sure that this is the career for me!”

Da Costa-Ford, who has launched an Instagram page to celebrate her mermaid lifestyle, is available for birthday parties and events as well.

To see more photos and follow her fantastical adventures, pop over to:

https://www.instagram.com/siren_phoenix_/

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Bill and Sylvia Grasser

He was an integral part of Wolf Nation.

Bill Grasser’s children and grandchildren are among the most talented athletes to ever suit up for Coupeville High School sports teams, and the man himself exemplified everything positive about prairie life.

He might have been born in Anacortes, but he was Coupeville through and through.

Mr. Grasser lived his life well, and his positive impact on our community will endure.

From his family:

 

On the morning of August 7th, 2023, surrounded by his family, the cloudy sky opened up, the light beamed down directly on Bill, and called his spirit home.

William Joseph Grasser was born August 11, 1938, to Melvin William Grasser and Jeannette Gladys Maylor Grasser, in Anacortes, WA.

He was raised in San De Fuca and attended Coupeville schools.

On November 25th, 1960, Bill married Sylvia Arline Coates, settling in Coupeville and raising their family in Sylvia’s family home on the hill.

After leaving the Coast Guard, he worked for Shell Oil Company on a tugboat as a wiper delivering fuel up and down the West Coast.

He enjoyed his tugboat work, but a few years after having children he began working closer to home.

In his younger days he logged on Whidbey Island, then worked for a time with Libby’s Construction.

Later in life he worked for Lakeside Industries as a heavy equipment operator, until he retired in his mid 50’s.

After retirement he began driving to help out the local farmers and eventually became a part time trucker with Skagit Valley Trucking, hauling produce.

Bill loved spending time with his 10 grandkids and riding his beloved motorcycle.

He also took great interest in staying connected with, and caring for, his childhood friends.

He is survived by his children, Marie (Ron) Bagby, Michele Fournier, and Dean (Sherra) Grasser.

His grandchildren; April Ellsworth, Ashley Heilig, Craig Fournier, Michael Bagby, Crystal Hurley, Jason Bagby, Tyler Grasser, Erika Sather, Emmy Grasser, and Lance Sather.

His five great grandchildren; Mia, Noah, Savannah, Brayden, and Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sylvia, his daughter Marlene Grasser, and his brother Howard Grasser.

Graveside service will be held Sunday, August 20, 11:00 AM, at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville, WA.

A celebration of life will follow, starting at 1:00, and be held at the Grasser Homestead.

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Coupeville’s Sophie Sandahl (left) teaches younger sister Lucy the way of the water. (Photo courtesy Sandahl family)

She’s graduated, but the honors keep on coming.

Coupeville’s Sophie Sandahl was one of four Seattle Pacific University rowers honored Wednesday, with the group earning Scholar-Athlete award recognition from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association.

The Whidbey wonder was joined by fellow Falcons Macie Leach, Audrey Rekedal, and Kalais Samuelson.

To earn CRCA honors, rowers had to meet certain criteria.

Athletes, who needed to be in years 2-5 of eligibility, had to have rowed in 75% of their school’s spring races, while achieving a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA for their career.

Sandahl, who attended Coupeville schools before later graduating from Oak Harbor High School, majored in art history, with a minor in museum studies at SPU.

Before her college graduation this spring, she joined with little sis Lucy to be part of a very-successful Falcon crew program.

Seattle Pacific rowers capped their season in May by placing 3rd in the team standings at the NCAA D-II Championships in New Jersey.

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Coupeville’s ultra-snazzy new Boys and Girls Club building is awash in bright colors. (Michele Kempees photos)

State of the art, and open for business.

A dream which has endured for close to two decades came to fruition Wednesday, as the new Coupeville Boys and Girls Club facility was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new establishment, located at 706 S. Main Street, welcomes local children starting Thursday.

Prior to making the jump to the snazzy new building, the Boys and Girls Club shared a building with the food bank, jointly occupying a garage on N. Main which once was part of a fire station.

“I am so very proud of my small community,” said Coupeville artist Michele Kempees. “This state-of-the-art building blew me away.

“Even the overhead lighting is computerized to change colors,” she added. “Nothing is stagnate here.

“To think this is only the beginning with a gym and ballfield planned. Wow, just wow!”

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