Just as people choose to live on South Whidbey, what are the other daily choices they make that are intentional? Pam Kniseley says she defines… Continue reading
All who have been touched by Diana Putney describe her as humble, sweet, caring and a model of a good person who creates hope in the human race.
Angie Pratt says, “My daughter Mya had been in 4-H for six years and was ready to give up on performance, because of various circumstances.
Besides songs, poems, bumper stickers, protests, and posters, one way to define peacemaking is on a personal level. And so it is with Hometown Hero Tom Ewell, whose friends and colleagues often refer to him as a peacemaker.
Once a year South Whidbey schools nominate one senior to be a hometown hero. This person is chosen by adults and students, is a person who inspires others, and makes the community and school a better place. This year it’s Macey Bishop.
Caring isn’t always easy. Sometimes it comes with a price. The person who acts indifferent or apathetic towards others and life may think they’re avoiding being hurt, but the truth is, fear of showing vulnerable feelings of caring and acting detached is more painful in the end. It hurts oneself, others and the world is cheated out of the real you, says Macey Bishop, hometown hero.
What are your fears? We all have them. You know, the ones that hold you back from being your better self. Fear of failure, success, rejection, not having enough, being good enough or perhaps fear of being alone.
It does not matter who you are, what you do, what race, religion or non-religion, political party, or if you are rich or poor, Don Allen will cheerfully help you, and share with you.
Many of us are big picture people, some of us are better at seeing the small details.
Hometown Hero Jerry Lloyd, however, sees the forest and the trees clearly at the same time. His motivation is what is best for the community as a whole, and then he narrows the needs of individuals all at once.
For those who know Bob Alexander, affectionately called “Mr. A,” he’s referred to as a steady-Eddie, a behind-the-scenes kind of guy whom one can always count on.
How many times in life are we motivated only to become disillusioned? How many times do we feel led or called to do something, only to allow circumstances or others to derail us?
With a heart as big as her smile, Angela Vosburg has a way with people.
Some describe her as the bright spot in a room, others know a dedicated community volunteer. Still more know her as a savvy and successful businesswoman. While the reports vary, there seems to be one thing everyone agrees on: Vosburg makes both an impression and a difference in people’s lives.
Mary Fisher says she’s learned to bloom wherever she is in life. When Fisher’s kids left home, she felt emptiness, and wanted to fill that hole. She looked close to home, and became aware of kids in need of nutritious food right here on South Whidbey.
Ever feel like you’re fumbling for what to say when someone has had a loss, or feel so uncomfortable you avoid the person altogether? Jean Matheny went through this with others after losing her husband suddenly. But, she found a way to put people at ease.
“After my husband passed away, I noticed people were treating me differently or avoiding me all together,” she said. “I knew they weren’t trying to shun me or anything, they just didn’t know what to say.”
So she went to the places she was involved with, such as the teachers’ lounge, to try and put them at ease.
Actions, not mere words, are what defines the reputation and character of a person, according to James Itaya, a South Whidbey High School senior.
“Erik has been instrumental in developing one of the most effective physical education programs in our state here on South Whidbey.
Not all lessons in the classroom come from textbooks. Sometimes they come from special teachers, professionals such as South Whidbey’s Erik Jokinen.
She came to South Whidbey in 1977, leaving a life behind her in Seattle that had been shattered by the death of a child, drug addiction and broken dreams. As Judy Thorslund says, “I spent the next 4 years here on South Whidbey finding the bottom of a bottle. Thankfully in 1982 I had a very powerful turn-around point in my life.”
“Ula brings all of her gifts to the table here at Good Cheer Food Bank. Her tireless contribution goes well beyond any reasonable expectation of one human being. Her super couponing makes it possible for South Whidbey to feed its growing number of hungry families. We have begun a coupon club to support her efforts, but this has yet to decrease her full time hours of volunteer contributions.”
