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Posts Tagged ‘Ebey’s Prairie’

Deb Sherman hangs out with one of her grandkids at a basketball game a few years back. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

She came from the big city and built a vibrant life on the prairie where her husband’s family has lived for generations.

Along the way, Deb Sherman, who ran at the state cross country meet for Everett High School back in her Deb Dire days, has become forever linked to Coupeville.

This is where she and husband Don raised their three sons, this is where her countless grandchildren now frolic, this is where her kindness and joy have taken root.

When the school year ends, she is stepping away after 27 years of guiding Cow Town’s children, retiring from the teaching profession she has honored, and which has given her so much in return.

Not that she’s going away anytime soon, just that she won’t be in a classroom at the elementary school anymore, one of the best to ever do the job.

As she prepares for the transition, Mrs. Sherman offers a fervent farewell:

 

These years have been filled with moments I’ll carry with me forever.

I’ll never forget standing at a Coupeville parade a few years back, watching float after float go by filled with students in various sports and activities.

They were shouting, “Hello, Mrs. Sherman!” from every direction.

The woman standing next to me finally turned and asked, “Who are you?”

That’s when it hit me — in Coupeville, we teachers are rock stars.

At games, at community events, even in the grocery store, we’re recognized and valued in a way that’s rare and precious.

I will deeply miss that connection.

I’ll miss the kids who grew up before my eyes, the families who trusted me with their children, and the colleagues who became friends.

This community has given me far more than I could ever give back, and I’m grateful for every moment — the challenging ones that made me grow and the joyful ones that reminded me why I chose this profession.

Thank you for 27 years of support, laughter, and shared purpose.

While I’m ready for what comes next, leaving this small district family will be bittersweet.

With gratitude and warm regards,

Debra Sherman

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Don’t worry, prairie skies will look just like this during the “spring” softball season as well… (David Svien photos)

I left Coupeville for two months-plus, and things changed.

Slightly, but in a very positive way.

After years of watching fouled-off missiles bounce off of homes in a nearby trailer park, hit the windshields of passing cars, or lure teenage girls into sprinting across the road in pursuit (often without looking for cars), Coupeville High School finally has a legit softball backstop.

Nothing is getting away from this netting. I said, nothing.

Plus, the scoreboard got moved into a more-prominent position, one in which it also will stop getting hit by wayward foul balls.

With softball arguably the most-successful sports program at CHS, the Wolf diamond queens deserved the upgrade, as did fans who have dodged incoming death from the sky for years.

Bout dang time.

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Deb Smith is working overtime to make a virtual edition of Race the Reserve a reality. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Deb Smith is so nice, she’s giving you extra time.

The force of nature Wolf mom behind this year’s Race the Reserve has stretched the deadline for registration until 11:59 PM, Sunday, Oct. 11.

The popular running event, which normally offers a marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, all stretched across Ebey’s Prairie, will be a virtual event this time.

With an ongoing pandemic, organizers were unable to get permits for an in-person race.

Race the Reserve is the biggest fundraiser for Coupeville’s Class of 2021, though, so Smith and Co. are plowing ahead as best as possible.

Step up and pay your $45 to be an official participant in this once-in-a-lifetime (we hope) virtual event, and you’ll still get a race bib, T-shirt, medal, and swag bag as in years past.

All proceeds go towards a safe, drug and alcohol-free graduation night party next spring.

 

To register, pop over to:

https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Coupeville/RacetheReserve

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   Sean LeVine cruises in at the finish of the 10K during Race the Reserve last year. (John Fisken photo)

The race is on.

With the clock ticking, and just 46 days left until the year’s biggest running event, Race the Reserve, things are at a fever pitch.

The shindig, which features five segments — a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 10K and 5K — is set for Saturday, Aug. 12.

Whichever event you choose, you’ll be front and center at one of the most beautiful race sites in the biz, as you run through the Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve on Whidbey Island.

To keep your mind off the miles ahead, you’ll be treated to views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Olympics and the Straight of Juan de Fuca as you run.

With the money raised benefiting the Coupeville High School Class of 2018, organizers are plowing through all the preparations and runners (if they’re smart) are in training.

For all the info you need (including a chance to register today) pop over to:

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   Fourth-generation Central Whidbey farmer Georgie Smith (left) and cousin Kelsi Franzen sell produce at a farmer’s market.

Before the embers have cooled, the community is already coming together.

Monday night, Central Whidbey lost an iconic structure when the Smith Barn, built in the 1880’s and home to fourth-generation farmer Georgie Smith’s Willowood Farm, burnt to the ground.

All family and animals are safe, though Georgie’s husband, hard-charging “man of the people” lawyer Charles Arndt, suffered a dislocated shoulder.

The nearby farm house, where the family lives, remained untouched as firefighters from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue kept the blaze contained.

The barn, located on Ebey Road, was the hub of a vibrant working farm, one of the few remaining in an area which was built on just that — farming.

Georgie’s seed growing was just underway, making the timing of the fire even harder to deal with.

As she and her family decide how best to go forward, people both near and far are immediately stepping up to help them out, launching a GoFundMe in the late hours of Monday night.

To read more and help keep a huge piece of WORKING history alive, pop over to:

https://www.gofundme.com/never-finished-farming-smith-barn

And for a look at what Georgie and her family are accomplishing on a daily basis, take a look at Willowood’s home site:

Currently at Willowood Farm

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