By JIM WALLERjwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com

It’s smooth sailing for the Oak Harbor Hydroplane Races Aug. 14-16.

Hydroplanes return to Oak Harbor for the second con-secutive summer after a lapse of nearly 40 years.

Last summer’s race was a success and included only a few minor bumps, which can be expected when hosting an event for the first time, according to owner Michelle Curry.

“This year has gone much smoother and I have been ahead of schedule, which is an amazing feeling,” Curry said. “With the first year under our belts, everyone in all areas has a better under-standing of what is happen-ing in terms of the actual races and the event portion.

“It allows me to focus more on details and making sure that next level is as solid as the first as we continue to grow.”

That growth should be ample this summer. Last year 42 boats competed; 60-70 are expected this year, Curry said.

New this year will be five Grand Prix boats that will be

racing at Seafair. The Oak Harbor races will also include boats from the other end of the race-boat spectrum, the “J” hydros with drivers 9 to 14 years old.

The spurt in participation was predicted by drivers who attended last year’s event.

Steve Whisman, a driver from Seattle, said, “I guaran-tee you there will be more boats next year once they hear about the course.”

Covington’s Ed Kelson echoed that comment: “Once we brag about this town, oth-ers will come.”

Both said the crowd helped create a great atmosphere for racing.

“The racers and crew love Oak Harbor,” Curry said. “(They like) how welcoming the town is, the incredible venue we have and that it is a big event with lots of specta-

tors waving to them from the shore.

“Many have raved about it so much that we have unlim-ited hydroplane drivers com-ing up here just to enjoy the races. For me, that is a big compliment.”

An estimated 12,000 spec-

tators attended last year’s two-day event, Curry said. Most similar events attract 5,000, according to American Power Boat Association.

Problems were few last summer, Curry said, and that “can be accredited to a great staff and the support of the city.”

Changes this year will include a program that can be purchased at the information booth, a larger beer garden, grandstands on Pioneer Way and speakers “so everyone can hear the noise,” Curry said.

After putting down a solid foundation last year, goals for the future are to add more boats, sponsors and specta-tors and fine tune to make everything “as perfect as it can be,” Curry said.

In addition, she said, the hope is to add more and big-ger boats and eventually host a national race.

The early success of the Oak Harbor Hydroplane Race is because of the sup-port of “so many people,” Curry said. More than 200 volunteers helped in 2014.

“It truly is not possible without so many people com-ing together for a common goal,” Curry said.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015 | Vol. 1, No. 15 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | FREE

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2014 file photo

Organizers for this year’s Oak Harbor Hydroplane Races anticipate 60-70 boats participating in the races this weekend.

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CALENDARHYDROPLANE RACES: Aug. 14-16, in Oak Harbor. Volunteers are needed for security, information booth, cleanliness brigade, beer garden and road barricade. Visit www.oakharborhydros.com for details.

WednesdayAug. 12

Mask Yourself, 2 p.m., Aug. 12, at the Oak Harbor Library Meeting Room. Break free from your “secret identity” and cre-ate a mask representing your inner superhero. Supplies provided. 360-675-5115.

Peter Pan, 3-3:45 p.m., Aug. 12, at the Coupeville Library. Free. Fly away with the Darling children of Neverland, where Peter battles a band of pirates and his arch nemesis, Captain Hook. Presented by the Traveling Lantern Theatre Company. Contact Leslie Bakker at lbakker@sno-isle.org or 360-678-4911 for more information.

Literature & Laughter Book Group: “The Absolutely True Diary

of a Part-time Indian,” 6:15 p.m., Aug. 12, at the Coupeville Library. Free. Join us for a discussion of this National Book Award winner by Sherman Alexie. All are welcome. Contact Leslie Franzen at lfranzen@sno-isle.org or 360-678-4911.

Thursday, Aug. 13

The Whidbey All-Island Community Band summer concert, 7 p.m., Aug. 6, at Windjammer City Beach Park. Free. Features a variety of music styles, including traditional military march-es, classic pieces, popular tunes and some songs for dancing.

Oak Harbor Fire Department visits the library, 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Oak Harbor Library

Meeting Room. Free. All are welcome. Climb on board the OHFD truck and learn fire safety. 360-675-5115.

FridayAug. 14

Create Your Unique Story, 2-4 p.m., Aug. 14, at Coupeville Library. There is a story inside you, one that is unique that no one else would tell. Is it a tragic romance? Are there dragons? Join us for writ-ing prompts to quickly write your story.

Patrol Squadron NW Reunion 2015, 3 p.m., Aug. 14 to 8 p.m., Aug. 16. The main event will be held Saturday at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. Cost is $60. Reunion of all former and current VP squad-rons from the Northwest. Hosted by VP-69 alumni-Contact Daryl Phillippi at

darl_p@juno.com or 503-238-6020. https://vp69.wordpress.com/

Second Friday Nonfiction Book Group: “Salt — A World History,” 10:30 a.m., Aug. 14, at the Coupeville Library. Free. Join the dis-cussion of this nonfiction title by Mark Kurlansky. Contact Leslie Franzen at lfranzen@sno-isle.org or 360-678-4911 for more information.

Create Your Unique Story, 2 p.m., Aug. 14, at the Coupeville Library. Free. For teens. There is a story inside you, one that no one else would tell. Is it a tragic romance? Are there dragons? Historical figures that are actually interplanetary scouts bent on dominating Earth? Join us for writing prompts to quickly write your story. Contact Leslie Franzen at lfranzen@sno-isle.org or

360-678-4911 for more information.

1975 40th class reunion, 6 p.m., Aug. 14, at Elks; Aug. 15 at Lang’s; and Aug. 16 at City Beach. Contact Wanda or Debi at wanda1975johnson@gmail.com or 360-914-7702. Classes ‘73-’78 welcome. RSVP by July 31.

SaturdayAug. 15

All-you-can-eat Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, Aug. 15, at the Coupeville Masonic Hall. Saturday morning breakfast Includes bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes and orange juice, coffee or tea. $7 for adults; $3 for children under 12.

VA-52 Knightriders 2015 Reunion, 1 p.m., Aug. 15, at the Oak Harbor American Legion. VA-52

shipmates will get togeth-er to share sea tales. Contact Pete Rodgers at pete.rodgers.94@facebook.com, www.facebook.com/events/900702186637714/

Choose Your Adventure Orienteering Event, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 15, at the Fort Ebey gun battery. Hike, race and hunt for checkpoints. This is a family-friendly event suitable for all skill and experience levels. Contact Sherri Brady at coc.land.permission@gmail.com or 360-672-8719 for more informa-tion.

Oak Harbor Garden Tour and Tea, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 15, Oak Harbor. $15 donation. Ticket includes self-guided tour of six gardens in the Oak Harbor area. Contact Janine Shelley at 360-720-2377.

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015 • WhidbeyXtra! WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM Page 3

AUTO BODY REPAIRCentral Collision623 Industrial Ave, Oak Harbor360-675-4949

AUTO PAINTINGCentral Collision623 Industrial Ave, Oak Harbor360-675-4949

AUTO RESTORATIONCentral Collision623 Industrial Ave, Oak Harbor360-675-4949

BOOKKEEPING SERVICESNW Bookkeeping Services LLCCindi Zimmerman, Owner31650 SR 20 Ste #3, Oak Harbornwbookkeeping@comcast.netwww.nwbookkeepingservices.com360-279-2010

CHAMBER OF COMMERCECoupeville Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Info905 NW Alexander St, Coupevilledirector@coupevillechamber.comcoupevillechamber.com360-678-5434

CONTRACTORS Waldron Construction31640 SR 20 #2, Oak Harborwww.waldronconstruction.com360-679-1827

COUNTERTOPS Northwest Granite & Flooring687 Mobius Loopsuzette.nwgf@hotmail.comwww.nwgraniteand� ooring.com360-675-4978

EQUIPMENT RENTALDiamond Rentals33650 SR 20, Oak Harbordiamondrent@comcast.netwww.diamondrentals.org360-279-0723

FLOORING Northwest Granite & Flooring687 Mobius Loopsuzette.nwgf@hotmail.comwww.nwgraniteand� ooring.com360-675-4978

FURNITURE Hansens Furniture916 West DivisionMt. Vernon, WA 98273o� ce@hansensfurniture.biz(360) 424-7188

INSURANCESue Blouin CIC, ACSRKoetje Leavitt Insurance775 NE Midway Blvd, Oak Harborsue-blouin@leavitt.comwww.leavitt.com/oak harbor360-675-5916

INSURANCE-AUTOCascade Insurance Agency LLC404 S Main StreetCoupeville, WA 98239shelli@cascadeinsuranceagency.comcascadeinsuranceagency.com360-682-2162

LANDSCAPINGSERVICESMailliard’s Landscaping Nursery3068 N. Oak Harbor Rd, Oak Harborwww.mailliardsnursery.com360-679-8544

Mary’s Weeding ServiceCoupeville, WA 98239360-632-7088

REAL ESTATE AGENTCheri EnglishBroker, REALTOR®, SRESWindermere Real Estate/Whidbey IslandCheri@Ask4Cheri.comAgent4Life.net360-320-9764

Elaine McDowellManaging Broker, REALTOR®, SRESWindermereReal Estate/Whidbey IslandEMcDowell@windermere.comElaineMcDowell.withwre.com360-929-1500

REAL ESTATE AGENT-CONT. Judith Zapanta-BorrasManaging Broker, Windermere32785 SR 20 Ste 4, Oak Harborjudithzapanta@windermere.comwww.judithzapanta.withwre.com360-914-7759(c)360-675-5953 (ofc)

Julie Kinnaird,Broker, REALTOR®, SRESWindermereReal Estate/Whidbey IslandJulieKinnaird@windermere.comJulieKinnaird.withwre.com360-632-6619

Kathi Phillips, CRS, GRIManaging BrokerRE/MAX Acorn Properties, Inc.kathiphillipsremax@gmail.com360-679-4585 (ofc)360-929-0206 (c)

Linda Earnhart,Managing Broker, REALTOR®CRS, GRIWindermereReal Estate/Whidbey IslandEarnhart@whidbey.netWhidbeyIslandHomes.com360-929-0922

NON PROFITPregnancy Care Clinic670 SE Midway Blvd, Oak Harborexecdir@islandspcc.orgwww.islandspecc.org360-675-2096

Boys and Girls Club98 NE Barron Dr., Oak Harbornbarone@bgcsc.orgwww.bgoh.org360-240-9273

PAINTINGPainter’s Alley33650 SR 20, Oak Harbordiamondrent@comcast.netwww.facebook.com/paintersalley360-279-0723

SEWING MACHINE& VACUUM REPAIRIsland Sewing and Vacuum31570 SR 20 Ste 101, Oak Harbor customerservice@islandsewnvac.comwww.islandsewandvac.com360-679-2282

BUSINESS & SERVICES DIRECTORYLOCAL This Week’s

Featured Business

Elaine McDowell Managing Broker, REALTOR®, SRES

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Sunday Aug. 16

WAIF’s Wag ‘n’ Walk, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 16, at Greenbank Farm. Free admission. Meet shelter dogs, play games, bid in a silent auction, play trivia, relax in the beer garden and choose two former shelter dogs as king and queen. Contact Merritt Atwood at atwoodjm@whidbey.com

Tuesday Aug. 18

Team Tsunami Dragon Boat Practice, 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays through October, at the Oak Harbor Marina. Join dragon boat team Tsunami, a diverse group of people who enjoy the sport of dragon boat-ing, for a complimen-tary practice. Contact Lori

Rhodenbaugh at rhodenbaugh@sprintmail.com or 360-240-9105.

Thursday Aug. 20

The Whidbey All-Island Community Band summer concert 7 p.m., Aug. 20 at Windjammer City Beach Park. Free. Features variety of styles.

Friday Aug. 21

Crockett Lake Blackberry Bust, 9 a.m., Aug. 21, at the Crockett Lake East Preserve near Coupeville. Whidbey Camano Land Trust vol-unteers will pull lakeside blackberries before the ground becomes too wet. Snacks, drinks and tools will be provided. Bring work gloves and a friend.

projects@wclt.org, 360-222-3310.

Saturday Aug. 22

All-you-can-eat Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, Aug. 22, at the Coupeville Masonic Hall. Includes bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes and orange juice, coffee or tea. $7 for adults; $3 for children under 12.

Coupeville High School Reunion, 7 p.m. to midnight, Aug. 22, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. Admission is $10 per person or $15 per couple. Save the date and RSVP online or contact commit-tee members, Janet Engle Olson, Joyce Fruik, Phyllis Brett or Pam Young for form. Please reply by Aug. 7. Band, dancing, must be 21, BYOB. Invite your class-mates and let’s have some fun! 360-678-5107

Page 4 WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM Wednesday, August 12, 2015 • WhidbeyXtra!

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