Maxwelton history book now available
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Hours and hours of interviewing, research into old papers, photos and books, and studies of geological and historical events are coming to fruition with the publication this weekend of “A Journey Through the Maxwelton Watershed,” a new book about the natural and social history of the largest watershed on Whidbey Island.
Written by Ann Linnea and published by the Maxwelton Salmon Adventure, the volume of oral and recorded information will be at the center of a celebration Saturday, when the author and many of those whose recollections and stories formed the nucleus of the book will be present. Among them are several longtime Maxwelton residents who also read portions of the book in progress and provided their personal insight: Gerry Brixner Miller, Myron Brixner, Evelyn Hagstrom Varon and Darrell Green.
The publication party will be special in another way, taking place in a historic venue that has its own place in the book.
Many of the people interviewed for “A Journey” will likely remember Woodland Hall. Now owned by Kim Hoelting, the building was originally an elementary school, then a church, and finally a community gathering place where plays and canning food took place. It hasn’t been open to the public for many years.
Linnea will read excerpts from the book at 1 and 3 p.m., and watershed “elders” who contributed to the book through interviews or by loaning pictures will also be featured.
Linnea, a Freeland resident and a biologist and educator by training, has written two other books and is co-owner of PeerSpirit, Inc. She leads wilderness seminars and trips that combine adventure with personal development.
“It’s been a joy to work with so many people who love the Maxwelton land and its history,” Linnea said in a press release. “I hope this book will make people even more aware of the precious resource we have here, and unite old and new residents for continued stewardship of the watershed.”
The book is part of a larger Salmon Adventure project called “Remember the Past, Envision the Future,” which is partially funded by a contract with the Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team’s Public Involvement and Education Fund. The effort was particularly collaborative. The book design and layout, including preparation of all images and graphics, was done by Vicki Grayson Liden of Grayson Design. Susan Zwinger provided three illustrations, including one used on the cover. Matt Nash of Island County Public Works created some of the maps of the watershed. Copy editing was done by A. T. Birmingham-Young.
An advisory committee has been steering the project since last spring. Members are historian Barry Bjork, wildlife expert Russell Link, artist Bruce Morrow, landowners Carolyn Geise, Todd Peterson, Virginia Price (who is also the South Whidbey Historical Society representative), Bud Silliman and John Williamson, and Salmon Adventure Board members Rene Neff and John Hastings.
“The Journey” will also serve as the basis of a curriculum on the watershed for some Intermediate School fifth graders. As part of their geology unit, students are studying the forces that have shaped the watershed–both natural and human–and will create a mural of the watershed’s history at the end of their study. Washington State Artist-in-Residence Liza vonRosenstiel, who lives on South Whidbey, is facilitating the mural project.
Stories of the watershed will also go “on the road,” in presentations to clubs and community groups over the next several months.
To schedule a talk call 579-1272 or send e-mail to history@salmonadventure.org.
