The following are segments of stories taken from the front pages of the Whidbey Island Record 50, 25 and 15 years ago on Thursday, June 10, 1965, Tuesday, June 5, 1990, and Saturday, June 3, 2000

50 years ago

Editor: Ace Comstock

Freeland Gets Mailman For Own Rural Patrons

“Freeland Postmaster Bryan Gates announced this week that effective June 19, the Freeland Post Office will have its own delivery man for customers on the rural route. At present, Freeland’s rural route customers are served by Omer Porter, who also delivers mail for the Langley rural route.”

Seven Charged In Local Court

“Seven persons, all but one of whom live off the island, were charged in Langley Justice Court last week.

“The Islander was [a] deputy marshal of Langley. He was fined $25 and $2.50 court costs, with the fine suspended, on a charge of shooting migratory game birds during a closed season. He had previously paid a $25 fine in police court on a charge of shooting firearms at pigeons within city limits.”

25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Nichols buys second yard in Portland

“After a lengthy search Nichols Brothers Boat Builders has found another yard in the Portland area.

“Company owners Matt and Archie Nichols have purchased Floating Marine Ways, a presently shutdown yard on the Willamette River about five miles from downtown Portland.

“… General Manager Mike Shelton said the new yard ‘is not a detriment to Freeland facility — we’re not leaving the island.’

“Actually, Shelton will personally be leaving the island for Portland to become president and general manager of the new facility, to be called Nichols Marine Ways.”

15 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Eggs beside road hatch, baby killdeers survive

“With some protective help from the community, a pair of killdeers are proud parents of three little hatchlings.

“Three of the four killdeer eggs laid on the gravel shoulder of busy Double Bluff Road hatched within the past week, according to Lori Hastings, an area resident who watched over the eggs since she found them while taking her morning walk on May 12.

“Being so close to the road, the eggs were given little chance of surviving until they could hatch. But Hastings, with help from neighbor Brian Doherty and the Island County Road Department, placed some protective barriers around the eggs, and the entire community started rooting for them after a story appeared in the May 17 issue of the South Whidbey Record.”