Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 • The Islands’ Sounder
WOmen In buSIneSS
Total eclipse of the heart
Page 13
Denise Wilk runs a charter business and a gift shop in eastsound
D
by Cali BagBy Staff reporter
enise Wilk and her husband, known as Captain Dan, have spent a combined 29 years as island residents. This year they celebrate 22 years as operators of Eclipse Charters, their tour and whale-watching business. This year also marks their 22nd wedding anniversary. And with all those years have come plenty of life lessons. “We have learned to be successful through commitment, being consistent and hanging in there through thick and thin,” she said. “We both have skills that complement each other and together we do most of our own work on the boat … We both have learned to give and take what we need from each other.” Denise has had many accomplishments, such as being named Educator of the Year by the Sustainable San Juans 2010 awards.
The Wilks have also made it to the silver screen. In the 1993 movie “Free Willy II,” Denise and Daniel played the “Coastal Marine Patrol,” captaining their 56-foot Orca Express charter boat. And with plenty of experience under their belts, the Wilks decided two years ago to open the Eclipse Charters Wildlife Store next door to the Nest and beneath the Windermere headquarters. “We are able to educate people about the stewardship of whales, wildlife and the nature of the islands,” Denise said. “We have been able to get more people out on the water with the store in Eastsound and our store at the ferry landing.” Denise has selected a variety of native offerings, including wood carvings, silver jewelry, silk screened art, rain jackets, delicate silk-blend scarves in deep blues, greens and mauves, books on native legends, small decorative magnets and brightly hued post-
See DENISE, Page 14
Denise Wilk with her new sales associate, Dutch, a miniature schnauzer.
Cali Bagby/staff reporter