Destination Guides - Central Whidbey Visitor Guide 2013

Coupeville & Central

Whidbey Island

Photo By Sarah Richards

Visitor Guide

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“Janet’s professionalism, intuition & Island knowledge are phenomenal!”

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FRONT STREET REALTY Drop by my office next to the Coupeville Wharf 22 NW Front St., Suite B • Coupeville 360-678-6100 • 206-387-1924 • www.janetburchfield.com

Examiner The Whidbey

News from the Heart of Whidbey Island

2013 Coupeville & Central Whidbey Visitor Guide

Small Town Charm . . . . . . 4

Arts Scene . . . . . . 6

Natural Beauty . . . . . . 8

Family Fun . . . . . 10 Birds, Whales and Wildlife . . . . . 12

Whidbey Island Map . . 14-15

Ebey’s Prairie . . . . . 16 Wonderful Whidbey Farms . . . . . 18

Greenbank Farm . . . . . 20

Eat Like a Local . . . . . 22

Calendar of Events . . . . . 24

Whidbey Lodging . . . . . 26

The Coupeville & Central Whidbey Visitor Guide is a special publication of The Whidbey Examiner To subscribe, call 360-678-8060.

Visit the Examiner online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com

Whidbey Examiner staff: Publisher & Executive Editor • Keven Graves Editor • Megan Hansen Editorial Assistant • Jessie Stensland Staff Reporters • Justin Burnett, Ron Newberry, Jim Waller and Nathan Whalen Production Manager • Michelle Wolfensparger Advertising Manager • Lee Ann Mozes Advertising Sales • Teri Mendiola, Lee Ann Mozes Gail Rognan and Kimberlly Winjum Creative Artists • Rebecca Collins, Ginny Tomasko and Leslie Vance

Your Guide to the Best of Central Whidbey

ON THE Cover:

Photo of Ebey's Bluff taken by Sarah Richards of Lavender Wind Farm.

© 2013 The Whidbey Examiner, Coupeville, Washington.

All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from The Whidbey Examiner and Sound Publishing, Inc. This Guide is available online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

VISITOR CENTER

905 NW Alexander, Coupeville • 360.678.5434 www.coupevillechamber.com

The Whidbey Examiner

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Enjoy Our Small Town Charm Coupeville - a great place to begin your visit

Coupeville offers a variety of unique businesses that take pride in presenting an attractive community.

Save The Date!

May 25 – Memorial Day Parade &

Remembrance Ceremony, historic downtown Coupeville. A quintessential small-town parade honoring America’s veterans with music, food and celebration. coupevillechamber.com or 360-678-5434.

June 29 – Strawberry Social, 10 a.m. to

2 p.m. at Coupeville United Methodist Church.

An honest-to-goodness old-time social featuring waffles, shortcake or sundaes made with fresh strawberries from Bell’s Farm near Coupeville. 360-678-4256.

Aug. 10-11 – Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, historic downtown Coupeville.

Artists and craftspeople fill the streets for this community celebration, held annually since 1964. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will visit Coupeville Wharf and stage an exciting battle sail on Penn Cove. coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org or 360678-5116.

Oct. 5-31 – Scarecrow Corridor, Coupeville. Vote for your favorite scarecrow on display all month in front of homes and businesses throughout historic Coupeville. coupevillechamber.com. 360-678-5434.

Dec. 7 – The Greening of Coupeville and annual Christmas Parade, 5 to 8 p.m. historic Coupeville. Pick a spot along Main Street or Front Street to watch an old-fashioned holiday parade led by Santa Claus aboard a decorated fire truck. Tree-lighting and caroling follow. coupevillechamber.com. or call 360-678-5434.

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The Whidbey Examiner

Nestled in beauty and steeped in history, to found Seattle’s Best Coffee – part of the the small Town of Coupeville is one place early Northwest coffee culture that forever changed the way Americans think about that truly should not be missed.

Located within the heart of Ebey's their favorite caffeinated drink.

Surrounded by scenic farms, the shimLanding National Historical Reserve, a one-of-a-kind national park, the town mering waters of Penn Cove and Admiralty houses the county seat, is dotted with his- Inlet and the majestic mountain beauty of toric structures and is, unsurprisingly, the the Olympics and the North Cascades in the distance, Coupeville seems frozen second oldest town in Washington.

Founded in 1852 and named after Capt. in time. The town’s beautifully preserved Thomas Coupe, a New England sea cap- historic buildings, peaceful charm and tain, Coupeville was established two years interesting, unique shops and restaurants before Seattle. Much of the town’s his- attract visitors looking to experience a tory has been carefully preserved, with bit of the past while enjoying a relaxing more than 100 buildings on the National getaway.

A great place to begin your visit to Historic Register.

Coupeville’s historic glory days began the Reserve is the Coupeville Chamber in the mid-1800s when its bustling little of Commerce Visitor Center at 905 NW business district caught the attention of Alexander St. in downtown Coupeville. sea captains from New England, some The visitor center is housed in Coupeville’s historic fire hall, which 50 of whom eventually was built in 1937 and sailed into the pristine refurbished in 2011. waters of Penn Cove Public restrooms can and settled into their be found on the north new home. side of the building.

Coupeville thrived Visitors to downfrom the middle town Coupeville find 1800s to the early a vibrant business 1900s. Businessmen district housed in the sold goods to prospectown’s original buildtors headed to Alaska ings, charming bedto seek their fortune, and-breakfast inns, steamboats built in beautiful Victorian Coupeville plied the homes, breathtaking waters of Puget Sound, views, a chance to see and the town’s resigray whales and orcas, dents built beautiful and a warm welcome Victorian homes that from locals eager to boasted of the town’s Penn Cove Water Festival is held in May each year. share the best of their prosperity. hometown.

In the late 1930s, as Coupeville also is home to the oldest development shifted to other parts of Puget Sound, Coupeville settled in as a sleepy working wharf in Puget Sound. The hislittle agricultural village. Then in the late toric, barn-red granary at the end of the 1960s, a modest coffee shop opened and 450-foot pier was built in 1905 for the became a new focal point for the revital- Mosquito Fleet and ships bringing supplies ization of Coupeville’s historic waterfront to Whidbey Island and carrying away the shopping district. The owners of the Wet produce from local farms.

Today, the remodeled wharf building Whisker, Jim and Dave Stewart, went on Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

One of the more unusual destinations for visitors to Central Whidbey is historic Sunnyside Cemetery, just south of Coupeville. Located high on a wooded ridge above Ebey’s Prairie, the peaceful grounds have a broad, sweeping view of Admiralty Inlet and the beautiful farmland below. In the distance, the white-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains to the west Coupeville Wharf houses several businesses as well as serves as a and the Cascade Range docking location for boats. to the east provide a majestic backdrop. houses a restaurant, an espresso bar Established in 1865 with the burial of and shops featuring gifts and souvenirs, Whidbey-made products and marine Winfield Ebey, the cemetery is the final supplies for those arriving by boat. The resting place of many early pioneers. building also houses an interpretive Also buried at Sunnyside are Chinese display focusing on the marine life in laborers, Native Americans descended Penn Cove, the preserved skeletons of a from Whidbey Island’s early occupants gray whale, a Dall’s porpoise and a sea and sea captains from the eastern lion as well as an interactive underwa- United States who sailed into Penn Cove ter camera you can use to check out the in the early 1850s, found their idyllic vision of safe harbor, and stayed. sea life beneath the wharf.

The cemetery is also home to Davis The wharf also offers public restrooms and showers for visiting boaters. Blockhouse, a small structure originally An 80-foot long fuel pier provides access built as a log cabin in 1853 and later to diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline. remodeled into a blockhouse after pioFloats attached to the wharf provide neer Isaac Ebey was beheaded in 1857 about 400 feet of mooring space for by a raiding party from a Northern pleasure craft. No electricity or fresh tribe seeking revenge for the death of water is available at these floats. Just a chief. Ebey and his wife had been the west of the wharf are four mooring island’s first white settlers, arriving in 1852. buoys for boats 32 feet or less.

On the Wharf!

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

Where the locals go for coffee!

COFFEE & BISTRO

200 S. Main St. 360-682-5832

coupevillecoffeeandbistro.com

Where shopping is “Practically Magic”

Hats • Shoes Purses • Jewelry Embellishments for body & home 2 Front Street • Coupeville • 360-678-0664

Welcome to the Port of Coupeville

Greenbank Farm Mussels • Crab Cakes • Seafood Phở • Mussels • Stir Frys • Seafood FishFish & Chips • Stir•Fry • Sandwiches & Chips Sandwiches Enjoy the best view in town from Enjoy from the the historic Coupeville Coupeville Wharf! historic Wharf!

Front St., St., Coupeville, Coupeville, 360-678-4924 2626Front 360-678-4924

Eclectic Northwest Cuisine in a Casual Bistro Atmosphere

Coupeville Wharf & Marina

Diesel & Unleaded Gas • Showers for Boaters • Café • Coffee Shop • Gifts Moorage • Marine Exhibits • Kayak Rentals • Historic Facilities

Protecting the Environment • Promoting EcoTourism

portofcoupeville.org • 360-678-5020 The Whidbey Examiner

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Explore the Island Arts Scene Central Whidbey offers a rich and varied art experience

Artists demonstrate their craft for visitors at the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival each year.

Save The Date!

June 22-23 – Visual Voices, an art show, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, featuring 11 women artists from Whidbey Island and benefiting the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www. visualvoiceswhidbey.com July 7 – Summer Swing Dance, 7 p.m. at Crockett Barn, Coupeville. Enjoy music from the seven-piece Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band. Sponsored by Concerts on the Cove. concertsonthecove.org or 360-678-6821.

July 27-28 – Artist invasion 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lavender Wind Farm, 2530 Darst Road.

Aug. 10-11 – Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, historic downtown Coupeville.

Artists and craftspeople fill the streets for this community celebration, held annually since 1964. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will visit Coupeville Wharf and stage an exciting battle sail on Penn Cove. coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org or 360678-5116.

Aug. 24-25 – Whidbey Open Studio Tour, locations from South Whidbey to Greenbank.

More than 25 artists open their art studios to the public. Visit whidbeyworkingartists.com

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The Whidbey Examiner

Endless inspirations make Central to learn how to oil paint landscapes.

The art school pairs students with some Whidbey a natural settling spot for artof the nation’s best artists, bringing togethists.

It's why many artists make Central er those who are eager to learn and those Whidbey home. Look around and it's easy who are eager to teach.

Set in one of the most beautiful locations to see why.

Inspirations are found in Central in the world, the school’s varied programs Whidbey’s landscapes of open prairie, emphasize the visual arts. Established as bluffs, trails and beaches. Stunning pan- the Coupeville Arts Center in 1986, today oramic views of water, land and history the school attracts both students and proare offered at both ends of Coupeville from fessional artists seeking a creative and beautiful atmosphere. historic downtown to Fort Casey.

Many local artists also offer classes and On the clearest days, light illuminates the nuances of the spectacular island scen- workshops at their own studios.

Whidbey Island is home to three annual ery. When clouds blow in, they move fast, shape-shifting and sending shadows scud- self-guided tours of artists’ studios, one in the spring and two in late summer. ding across the fields of Ebey’s Prairie.

The first summer tour is set for Aug. 24-25, On foggy days, the jagged horizon of evergreens fades into a mist, intriguing featuring artists from South Whidbey to the imagination. And on those gray days Greenbank. Central Whidbey artists will when clouds hang low in the sky, the colors hold their summer tour Aug. 31-Sept. 2, with this tour rangof nature, with all the ing from Greenbank to greens and punctuations North Whidbey. of flower brights, glow This format is a deparall the more intensely. ture from 2012 when an Galleries representing island-wide tour was regionally and nationheld in October. ally recognized artists These summer tours and craftspeople are offer an intimate look found in Coupeville, into the private working Greenbank and along spaces of artists. Guests Hwy. 20 at the head of can meet local artists Penn Cove. and purchase their work Artist-owned and directly from them in cooperative galleries, the environment where art shows and workit was created. shops are opportunities These tours also for visitors to converse enable collectors to with local artists about browse works before their work, inspiration they’re shipped to a galand techniques.

Steve Eelkema works at his gallery and working lery or sold elsewhere.

Beginning and professtudio, Penn Cove Pottery in Central Whidbey.

Many vacationers return sional artists alike learn from top working artists in fiber arts, home with a truly original souvenir.

In addition to the large, organized tours, mixed media, painting and photography.

The Pacific Northwest Art School offers many of our local artists offer classes and more than 100 workshops each year, ensur- workshops at their studios at various times ing there’s a class for the artist who wants throughout the year.

The performing arts are well represented to learn feltmaking to the one who wants Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

on Central Whidbey, with a busy season of family-friendly concerts at Coupeville Town Park and other local venues presented by Concerts on the Cove.

The fiber arts communities also gather at Greenbank Farm for special textile events. Whidbey Island’s Quilters on the Rock transform the big barn for their annual quilt show, and the Whidbey Weavers Guild offers handspun and hand-dyed yarns, weavings and jewelry at their annual show and sale in November.

No matter what the season, visitors stepping into historic Central Whidbey Island will be surrounded by a rich and varied art experience.

Dive in and enjoy!

Central Whidbey offers many locations for artists to display their art including galleries and an art school.

Acute Medical Services; Caring for you and about you.

Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery Services; Our surgeon’s skills are close at hand.

The quality care and highly trained staff of a big medical center, right here on Whidbey Island.

An All-Digital Diagnostic Imaging Center; Medical imaging with a difference.

Accredited Cancer Care & Diabetes Education; You don’t have to go off-island.

Whidbey Family Birthplace; The closer and better birthing center.

Rehabilitation Service Centers; (Coupeville & Oak Harbor) the road to rehabilitation is close to home.

“I chose to practice at Whidbey General because of its talented, caring staff, the breadth and depth of services offered, and the fact that I can offer the kind of personal care that every patient deserves.”

Mary Leah Oman, M.D., is Board Certified in General Surgery and a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

At Whidbey General, we are committed to reducing our use of resources and having less impact on our environment.

Physician referral services available. • 101 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA 98239 • www.whidbeygen.org • 360-678-5151 • 360-321-5151 Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

The Whidbey Examiner

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Bask in Our Natural Beauty Parks showcase Whidbey Island's natural wonders

Admiralty Head Lighthouse is a landmark historic structure at Fort Casey State Park.

Save The Date!

MAY 12 – Mother's Day Concert,12-4 p.m.

at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens in Greenbank. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912.

July 5 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz. 360-678-7700..

SEPT. 8 – Community Concert & Salmon

Barbecue, noon at Coupeville Town Park, Coupeville. Free outdoor concert follows sponsored by Concerts on the Cove; barbecued salmon served by the Coupeville Lions Club. coupevillelions.org or 360-6784105.

SEPT. 21 – Tour de Whidbey, a 10 mile flat ride. Registration now open. www. tourdewhidbey.com.

Oct. 5-6 – Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank.

Buy all sorts of lovely rhododendrons and more. meerkerkgardens.org. 360-678-1912.

Dec. 7 – Jingle Trail Run and Walk, Camp Casey,

Coupeville. 5k run and 1-mile walk through pretty forest trails. centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434.

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The Whidbey Examiner

Central Whidbey's history and charm two 10-inch and two three-inch guns were are accentuated by a series of parks sprin- remounted for visitors to view.

In addition to exploring the military kled around the region. These parks not only display the beauty of Whidbey and structures, visitors can hike the park's Puget Sound, but offer a wide variety of many trails, play on the beach and view activities and sights that attract visitors of an array of wildlife.

Fort Casey provides RV and tent campall ages.

From breathtaking gardens to an under- ing, a public-assess boat launch and a water marine, from a former U.S. Army marine park for scuba divers.

Volunteers with the Fort Casey Volunteer fort to a retired lighthouse, you will find it all on Central Whidbey. The parks provide Battalion lead 45-minute guided tours of hiking trails, beautiful beaches, tent and the gun batteries at 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday from May RV camping and play fields.

The most prominent on Central Whidbey 18 through Sept. 14. Tours also are offered is Fort Casey State Park. At the center of on July 4 and Sept. 3. For more informathe park are the old Army structures and tion, call 360-678-4519.

Included in the park is the Admiralty battlements that are a delight to explore.

The U.S. Army took over the land in Head lighthouse. The lighthouse was built 1890 and began building the fort in 1897. as a navigation aid for ships sailing down the Strait of San Along with Fort de Fuca into Casey, the army Puget Sound. constructed Fort The original Warden (Port structure was Townsend) and removed and Fort Flagler in 1903 a new ( M a r r ow s tone lighthouse Island) to form was built with the "Triangle of 18-inch walls Fire." The condesigned to figuration of withstand the forts protected concussion of Puget Sound Fort Casey's from invasion of massive guns. enemy ships.

Meerkerk Gardens is located just south of Greenbank Store, off Highway 525 The lighthouse Fort Casey, which was named after Brigadier General was shut down in the 1920s.

Today the lighthouse is an interpretive Thomas Lincoln Casey, was fitted with guns that had the ability to disappear center and during the Christmas season from view to keep out of enemy sight and includes a holiday gift shop.

In 2012 a historically accurate lantern to protect the guns and the soldiers while was reinstalled. reloading.

Fort Casey State Park is open 8 a.m. to Ironically, the fort was almost obsolete when it was completed. The disappearing dusk, and the picnic area is open April 30 guns, once the cutting-edge of military to Sept. 30.

For information about the campsite, call technology, were vulnerable to aircraft which were invented about the same time. 888-226-7688.

Fort Ebey State Park, also originally build The fort was deactivated after World as part of the coastal defense system, sits War II. The original guns were removed, but just north of Fort Casey and offers many of Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

the same activities at a smaller scale.

In the summer it is open 6:30 a.m. to dusk. In the winter the campground closes Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, and day-use hours are 8 a.m. to dusk.

A Discover Pass is required to enter all Washington state parks, such as Fort Casey and Fort Ebey. For information about the pass, visit www.discoverpass. wa.gov.

Another historic and interesting stop is the Greenbank Farm with its many offerings and spectacular views (of both sides of the island!). In the center sits a 100-year-old barn, shops, art galleries and a restaurant. The farm is a nonprofit organization owned by the Port of Coupeville. In addition to its visitors' services, it offers a farm school for those wishing to get a better understanding of organic farming and the legendary Loganberry Festival (July 27 and 28 in 2013).

The farm businesses are open noon to 5 p.m. seven days a week and until 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month.

While in Greenbank, drive two miles south to visit the Meerkerk Gardens and its array of Northwest beauty. The notfor-profit garden includes 10 acres of display and educational gardens within a 43-acre woodland preserve. Over four miles of trails wind through the park.

Friends of Meerkerk memberships, plant sales, admission and contributions combine to care for the gardens. The gardens are noted for their rhododendrons which hit full bloom in the spring.

A series of garden-related activities, including hands-on, educational

programs for youngsters, are offered throughout the year. Musical and festival events also dot its calendar.

Summer hours (March 15 to Sept. 15) are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the winter (Sept.

16 to March 14), the park is open 9 a.m. to dusk.

Visit meerkerkgardens.org or call 360678-1912 for more information.

Two popular Island County parks are Libbey Beach and Rhododendron Park.

Libbey Beach, at the end of Libbey Road north of Coupeville on Partridge Point, offers great views of the sun setting into Puget Sound, bird watching, barbecues and beach walks.

Rhododendron Park, about 1.5 miles south of Coupeville, provides three ball fields, restrooms, picnic area, playground, trails and sheltered barbecue area.

The park also offers 10 campsites open April 1 to Nov. 1. The sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Just up from the iconic Coupeville wharf sits Coupeville Town Park, home of a covered outdoor stage and host of summertime concerts. It is a popular picnic destination and offers restrooms, a tennis court and peak-a-boo views of Penn Cove.

Rhodies are in full bloom in late spring at Meerkerk Gardens, where every variety of the flowers may be seen in peak months.

a peaceful woodland garden

Meerkerk take a walk . . . ❧ ❧ ❧ ❧ ❧

10 acres of display gardens 43 acres of forest trails Rhododendron plant sales Musical and festive events Custom guided tours

A State Flower License Plate helps support Meerkerk

in Greenbank

Open Daily 9-4 www.meerkerkgardens.org a 501(c)3 organization

The Yoga Lodge on Whidbey Island yoga classes retreats bed & breakfast

WWW.yogAlodge.com

360-929-5985 Visitors can tour old military structures at Fort Casey State Park.

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

3475 Christie Road, Greenbank, WA The Whidbey Examiner

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Great Places for Family Fun fly a kite, build a beach fort, meet a wooly mammoth

Above, children enjoy many fun activities on holidays and during festivals on Whidbey Island.

Karri Wright of Oak Harbor is all smiles during a photo opportunity in historic downtown Coupeville during Musselfest 2013.

Save The Date!

July 27-28 – Loganberry Festival, 10 a.m. to

5 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. A free annual winetasting, food, music and art extravaganza with activities for kids and a lip-smacking loganberry pie-eating contest. www.greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Aug. 10 – Whidbey Island Highland Games, Greenbank Farm. Bring the kids and check out the Whidbey Island Celtic Society’s annual celebration of all things Scottish. Enjoy pipe bands, pipers, dancers and athletic events along with sheepdog demonstrations and plenty of food and fun. wihg.org or 360-3315437.

Aug. 15-18 – Whidbey Island Area Fair,

Langley. Bring the whole family to our oldfashioned country fair, where you’ll enjoy music, carnival games and rides, food booths and lots of animals. whidbeyislandfair.com or 360-221-4677.

Sept. 21-22 – Whidbey Island Kite Festival.

This colorful event colors the sky with all kinds of kites, single line, dual and quad line. There is a sportkite competition, mass ascensions, kite lessons, a teddy bear drop, kids kitemaking, and more. On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. there is an amazing Indoor Kite Flying event at the Coupeville High School gym. 360-678-7052 or visit www.whidbeykites.org

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The Whidbey Examiner

Central Whidbey offers no shortage of and a maximum speed of 25 mph.

During Penn Cove MusselFest, held the places to explore for children.

Kids get a chance to play in a real fort, first weekend of March, the museum offers dodge squirting clams on beaches and kids a chance to make unique mussel have a close encounter with skeletons of souvenirs and mermaid decorations.

Each October, the museum hosts enormous sea life.

In downtown Mammoth Day, an annual celebration Coupeville, kids of the island’s best-known prehistoric can walk out on resident. By digging for and identifying Coupeville Wharf different characteristics of real mammoth and check out bones, kids are transformed into real, colorful starfish certified amateur paleontologists. Fun, hanging out hands-on activities include making and u n d e r n e a t h playing “prehistoric” musical instruments the pier. In in a Caveman Band. A scavenger hunt in the historic the museum and on its grounds is lots of building at the fun, and along the way, kids get to learn a end of the Wharf, little about mammoth life.

Looking for a place for the kids to burn they can visit Rosie, Rudy and Samson – a display of the complete off some excess energy? A swingset and skeletons of a gray whale, a Dall’s porpoise jungle gym can be found at Coupeville and a Steller sea lion that once swam Town Park, just a short walk up Coveland Street from downtown in the waters off Whidbey Coupeville.

Island.

At Greenbank Farm, When you visit the pier kids can watch ducks and when the tide is at its geese on the pond next to lowest, it’s easy to spot the big red barn or run reefs of mussels, quirky through the fields where tangles of brightly colored the farm’s signature starfish and squirting loganberries once grew. clams. Families with The farm also offers an older children may enjoy expansive and scenic offrenting a couple of kayaks leash dog park with views from the Harbor Store of two different mountain at the end of the wharf ranges. for a short paddle on the On Sundays from protected waters of Penn spring through fall, the Cove. farm hosts a farmers At the Island County market with fresh produce Historical Museum, Samson, a skeleton of a Steller sea lion that and local crafts, and the you can see the largest washed ashore on South Whidbey in 2008, collection of woolly mammoth is displayed in a building at the end of the annual Loganberry Festival Coupeville Wharf. in July always features face artifacts in the Puget Sound region, most of which were found in painting, kids’ games and an old-fashioned glacial deposits on Whidbey Island. Kids hayride.

In October, the Coupeville Farmers are especially impressed by the big tusks and teeth. The museum also is home to Market hosts its annual HarvestFest, Whidbey Island’s first car, a 1902 Holsman featuring a giant-pumpkin contest, silly with black leather seats, 48-inch wheels scarecrows, wild and crazy relay races Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

and fun for all ages. Be sure to wander through town to check out the scarecrow competition!

Kids also love to explore the beach at Ebey’s Landing, just south of Coupeville.

Walk for miles along a pristine shoreline, looking for agates among the rocks on the beach and keeping an eye out for whales, eagles, sea lions, container ships, cruise ships, tugboats – and even an occasional submarine.

Fort Casey State Park, which is close to the Keystone ferry dock, is a great place to fly a kite, explore the historic Admiralty Head lighthouse and play hide-and-seek in the old fort structures where soldiers once kept a lookout for invading foreign forces that never

came.

At Seattle Pacific University’s Camp Casey Conference Center, on Engle Road not far from Fort Casey State Park, a protected outdoor swimming pool is a great place to spend a warm summer day. The broad, grassy field where Army soldiers long ago practiced military drills is now host to the annual Whidbey Island Kite Festival, held each September.

A few miles north of Coupeville, the Blue Fox Drive-In is one of Washington’s few remaining outdoor cinemas. Open since 1959, the theater also offers go-carts, miniature golf and a game arcade, along with the latest movies starting at dusk.

Ecl ectic toys, books car ds & candy

The Honey Bear

n tow ld o ic 23 F ront St stor reet in hi

678-6122

Coupeville

Open every day

Complete Automotive Repair Domestic & Foreign Diagnostics & Tune-up

Fuel Injection Brakes • Clutches Electrical • Engines Transmissions & more 105 NW Coveland St., Coupeville • Mon-Fri • 8–5 A young visitor to Coupeville's MusselFest in March met a colorful, new, four-legged friend.

360-678-1746

FISH & CHIPS! We’ll take you where you need to go!

Espresso, Ice Cream & Chowder

Island Transit Public transportation throughout Whidbey & Camano Islands – Fare-free and Easy!

Across from the Keystone Ferry Coupeville • 360-678-5396

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

Check out our Google trip planner at www.islandtransit.org Toll-free: 1-800-240-8747 The Whidbey Examiner

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Birds, Whales & Wildlife Get up close and personal with Whidbey's wildest residents

Hawks can be seen perching all over and soaring in the skies above Central Whidbey.

Save The Date!

Aug. 15-18 – Whidbey Island Area Fair,

Langley. Bring the whole family to our oldfashioned country fair, where you’ll enjoy music, carnival games and rides, food booths and lots of animals. whidbeyislandfair.com or 360-221-4677.

AUG. 25 – Wag & Walk, Greenbank Farm.

Bring your four-legged, tail-wagging best friend for an afternoon festival celebrating all things canine. Benefits the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation. wagnwalk.org or 360-678-7700.

Sept. 21-22 – Whidbey Island Farm Tour,

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, self-guided tour of working farms all over beautiful Whidbey Island featuring locally grown food and products, farm animals and a tour of the largest mussel farm in the United States. whidbeyfarmtour.com.

Sept. 21 – 4th Annual Whidbey Raptor Day, Pacific Rim Institute, 180 Parker Road, Coupeville.

Upcoming event details to be announced. Visit www.pacificriminstitute.org and click events or 360-678-5586.

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The Whidbey Examiner

Birding at Crockett Lake. Hands down, Life flourishes on the scenic landscape, in the skies above and below the lapping the state-designated Important Bird Area at Crockett Lake is Whidbey Island’s top birdwaves of Central Whidbey Island.

Bald eagles and hawks are omnipresent, ing spot, among several great ones. Watch riding the thermals rising from the earth. bald eagles devour their kill at the water’s Tame deer graze all day on the parade edge while gangly great blue herons step grounds at Camp Casey. Giant octopus and deliberately in the marsh, necks coiled to rockfish the size of small dogs live in under- spear dinner with their bills. This large marsh and adjacent saltwater shore attract water gardens.

Then there's the coyotes, salmon, shell- dozens of migrating species, plus hawks, fish, whales, seals, raccoons and a world- owls, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds. renowned diversity of birds.

Watch gray whales in Penn Cove and It’s a natural paradise that’s equally rewarding to hikers, bicyclists, birders, Saratoga Passage. The large, leisurely whale-watchers, artists, photographers – grays often travel solo. Several take up and anyone looking for a serene island residence in Saratoga Passage in March during their spring migration northward, escape.

And just off the west shore of Central staying through early June to feed on ghost Whidbey, Smith and Minor Islands shrimp in the sandy shallows. Watch for Aquatic Reserve, designated in 2010, cov- plumes of spray, arching backs and tail ers more than 36,300 acres of tidelands flukes from public-access points at Monroe and seafloor habitat surrounding Smith Landing, the beach at the west end of and Minor islands, already part of the San Penn Cove, Coupeville Wharf, Captain Coupe Park or Long Point.

Juan Islands National Book a springtime trip Wildlife Reserve. on a whale-watching Connected to neighboat from Coupeville boring Minor Island Wharf. The grays will be by a spit of land visfound almost anywhere ible only during low along the Whidbey and tide, Smith Island was Camano shorelines from once home to a lightCoupeville to Langley. house that endured for See orcas in Saratoga 100 years before eroPassage and Admiralty sion forced its abandonInlet. Watch for agile, ment in the mid-20th black-and-white orcas century. Little evidence traveling in groups led of human habitation Wildlife and everyday life live in harmony on by a female elder. Pods remains, and the local Whidbey Island. Many people visit Crockett Lake of Puget Sound resident wildlife has reclaimed to bird watch, where this eagle photo was taken. orcas often prowl the west the island.

In Central Whidbey, farmers over the shore of Whidbey from October through years have signed over the development January and may be seen from any high rights to thousands of acres, now set aside ground or from the deck of the Keystone forever as open prairie within Ebey’s ferry. Visiting transients pass through our waters at any time of year on either side of Landing National Historical Reserve.

Central Whidbey’s spectacular natural the island, and occasionally are spotted in environment beckons visitors to explore. Penn Cove just off the Coupeville Wharf.

Admire underwater marine life at Here’s a list of suggestions for enjoying the Keystone Jetty. Acres of anemones and best of what the region has to offer: Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

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a vineyard and now set aside as public • Books for Mind Body Spirit • Raw Food • land for all to enjoy. Walk the farm and woodland trails, watching for herons, hawks and other birds hunting in the grassy fields. Take your dog – and please bag any pet waste.

Hike through old growth in the Classic U Forest. Marvel at rare monarchs of the forest – centuries-old cedars – when you walk the Wilbert Trail through the Classic U Forest at South Whidbey State Park.

Offering Vegan Lunch Visitors looking for On the Waterfront a detailed guide to 12 Front Street • Coupeville Whidbey Island’s spec(360) 682-5270 tacular natural landwww.eaglessonghealth.com scape should pick up a copy of “Getting to • Chocolate • Ice Cream • Wine • Supplements • the Water’s Edge on Whidbey and Camano Islands,” available for $15 at local bookstores Seals sun themselves on mussel rafts at the Penn Cove Shellfish farm. and shops.

The book, written by local residents entire dive site to themselves. These waters are cold and the currents dan- with extensive knowledge of the Island, gerous; consult a pro with local experi- provides maps and descriptions of 57 Restaurant, Lounge & Motel ence at a dive shop in Oak Harbor or public places to enjoy the Whidbey shore and includes many trail maps and recreAnacortes.

Admire majestic trees along ation suggestions. It’s also available by Madrona Way. There may be no more mail by placing an order at www.island. delightful canopy of madrona trees wsu.edu anywhere than along the several-mile Dan Pedersen is the author of Daily Specials•Modest Prices•Salad stretch of Madrona Way, which hugs the “Whidbey Island’s Special Places,” a Bar Delicious Desserts southern shore of Penn Cove between beautifully illustrated book that explores (Pool table & Pulltabs in Lounge) Highway 20 and Coupeville. These rare, the island through the eyes of locals. The 360-678-6616 red-barked, broad-leafed evergreens book is available at a variety of locations Just 2 blocks south of SR 20 grow mainly within sight of saltwater around Whidbey Island. Reach Dan at 405 S. Main St., Coupeville and reject human assistance of any whidbeywriter.com www.tyeehotel.com kind, including watering!

Mingle with mussels and marine life at Coupeville Wharf. Gaze down from Coupeville Wharf at clusters of Whidbey Sun & Wind is proud to help our neighbors and community blue-shelled mussels, the succulent local utilize our abundant renewable energy resources. bivalve that appears on restaurant menus worldwide. The world’s largest commercial mussel farm, Penn Cove Shellfish, grows them from lines suspended from dozens of aquaculture rafts anchored a mile west of this pier. Visit the marine exhibits at the end of the pier to learn more about the cove and what swims here. And enjoy the wealth of waterfowl that visits the cove from September through May, including grebes, loons, scoters and goldeneye ducks.

The Whidbey Sun & Wind team at the Enjoy trails and birds at Greenbank Greenbank Community Solar Project.

Farm at Whidbey’s narrow neck. The SOLAR ELECTRIC • SOLAR WATER HEATING • WIND POWER • MICRO-HYDRO • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL water on both sides of the Island can Whidbey Sun & Wind • Purveyors of Positive Energy • 360-678-7131 • www.whidbeysunwind.com be seen from this rolling hillside, once coral-encrusted rocks await scuba divers at the underwater marine park next to the Keystone ferry landing. Divers find a wonderland of riotously colorful rockfish, large Pacific octopus and lingcod, schools of forage fish and undulating forests of kelp. A diver who visits on a weekend will often have the company of a lot of other visiting divers. But those who arrive on a weekday often get the

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CHECK IN WITH THE LOCALS To find out about local events and activities, use your smartphone to scan the QR code below, which takes you directly to the mobile site of The Whidbey Examiner, the local newspaper of the central region. Find the paper online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com .

To subscribe, call 360-678-8060.

NEED INFORMATION? Contact the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 905 NW Alexander Street in the heart of Coupeville’s historic district. www.coupevillechamber.com

Whidbey Island

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CHECK IN WITH THE LOCALS To find out about local events and activities, use your smartphone to scan the QR code below, which takes you directly to the mobile site of The Whidbey Examiner, the local newspaper of the central region. Find the paper online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com .

To subscribe, call 360-678-8060.

NEED INFORMATION? Contact the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 905 NW Alexander Street in the heart of Coupeville’s historic district. www.coupevillechamber.com

Whidbey Island

TASTE FOR WINE

THOMPSON

MILLMAN

R O RB HA

GOSS LAKE

FREELAND

HOLMES HARBOR CELLARS

AMBLE BRAINERS

USELESS BAY

Greenbank Farm Admiralty Head Lighthouse

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2 DARST

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WEST

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Ebey's Historic Prairie Explore the unbroken traditions of Ebey's Reserve

Central Whidbey farms provide many seasonal crops including many varieties of pumpkins and squashes, like the native sweet Hubbard Squash at Pioneer Farm.

Save The Date!

May 18 – Penn Cove Water Festival,

Coupeville waterfront. Free family festival with Northwest tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, dance performances, artist demonstrations, grilled salmon and other native and Northwest foods and children's activities. penncovewaterfestival.com or 360-682-5250.

Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 –Summer Art

Studio Tour, Greenbank to Deception Pass.

More than 25 artists open their art studios to the public. Many island artists portray our historic and scenic Whidbey vistas in their works. whidbeyworkingartists.com

Nov. 1-2 – Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve annual conference and celebration, Coupeville. Bring the family for a weekend of hands-on farming and historic preservation workshops Saturday and a community potluck Friday. nps.gov/ebla or 360-678-6084.

16

The Whidbey Examiner

Central Whidbey is a place of enduring of Commerce visitor Center at 905 N.W. beauty and historic grandeur. Its landscape Alexander St. in downtown Coupeville, is dotted with golden seas of agriculture, where a large wall display presents the breathtaking scenic vistas and buildings history of the area encompassed by the of a bygone era that today, offer visitors a Reserve and a map to help you find your way around. glimpse of the past.

The visitor center has brochures on the The charming ambiance and smalltown flavor for which the area is renowned Reserve, including one on local farms are due in large part a community-driven that features a map and guide to heritage effort 35 years ago to thwart development barns.

On the ridge overlooking Ebey’s Prairie, in Ebey's Prairie.

Their efforts made history, helping the historic Jacob Ebey House hosts a to establish Ebey's Landing National seasonal visitor contact station. The Historical Reserve – a national park and house, which was built in the 1860s, the first of its kind. The enduring pioneer has a interpretive panels illustrating spirit and vision continues to be a part of 19th-century pioneer life.

Within the Reserve is one of the largest our working rural community.

Established in 1978, the 17,400-acre concentrations of historic architecture in Reserve preserves and protects a rural the state, from pioneer blockhouses and community and an unbroken historical Victorian homes to historic Coupeville record of Pacific Northwest history, from storefronts.

Ebey’s Landing is one of the places where 19th century exploration and settlement to the 21st century. The landscape is a bucolic Washington began. Originally cleared by tapestry of fields, farmhouses and wooded the Northwest’s native Salish Indians, the hills that reflects the pattern of settlement fertile land – an ancient lakebed – is still used for farming today. The Reserve reaches from the 1800s. beyond Ebey’s The historical Prairie to landscape of include the Ebey’s Landing boundary appears much lines of the as it did a original 1850s century ago. land donation Historic homes, claims. Many farmsteads and of the roads commercial we use today buildings remain are the same in their original roads that settings. Within farmers used the fast-growing more than 100 Puget Sound years ago. region, the E b e y ’ s Reserve is the last Landing is remaining place Local pumpkin patches are a draw for families. unique in the where visitors can see a broad spectrum of Northwest nation. While the Reserve is part of the history still intact within a large-scale U.S. National Park System and is protected from development, it is by no means a landscape.

A great place to begin your visit to static museum of the past. Within its the Reserve is the Coupeville Chamber borders are the thriving small town of

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

Ebey's Prairie is home to several historic homesteads, which still function as working farms to this day.

Coupeville, neighborhoods tucked away in the trees, and productive farmland still being worked by descendants of some of the families who first established homesteads in the prairie landscape.

In 2013, the Reserve celebrates 35 years of protecting the unique historical and cultural landscape of Ebey’s Prairie. As Whidbey Island’s population continues to grow, awareness of the value of protecting this landscape is key to its continued preservation.

Development rights are purchased from willing landowners who want to see their land preserved as part of the prairie’s unbroken historical record, and sustainable building and land-use practices are encouraged as a way to limit our footprint on the land and protect our historic resources for future generations.

To encourage preservation efforts, the Reserve hosts the annual Preservation Field School, which provides people Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

with a hands-on opportunity to help preserve nationally significant historic structures for future generations. Past projects include the landmark wooden

water tower at the historic Kineth Farm on Smith Prairie as well as the historic Ferry House, which is located on the bluff just above Ebey’s Landing.

WELCOME TO

The Coupeville Inn

Located in downtown Coupeville

One block from the wharf, restaurants, museum, antique & gift shops.

• Free Internet & Wi-Fi • Conference Rooms • Continental Breakfast • View Rooms & Suites Available Senior & Military discounts 200 Coveland St. • www.thecoupevilleinn.com • 360.678.6668 • WA & BC Reservations 1.800.247.6162 The Whidbey Examiner

17

Celebrate Our Wonderful Farms Farmers embody entrepreneurial spirit

A variety of berries, like these Marionberries shown above, are grown on Whidbey Island.

Save The Date!

Aug. 15-18 – Whidbey Island Area Fair, Langley. Bring the whole family to our oldfashioned country fair, where you’ll enjoy music, carnival games and rides, food booths and lots of animals. whidbeyislandfair.com or 360-221-4677.

Sept. 21-22 – Whidbey Island Farm Tour,

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, self-guided tour of working farms all over beautiful Whidbey Island featuring locally grown food and products, farm animals and a tour of the largest mussel farm in the United States. Visit the website whidbeyfarmtour.com for updated information.

Mid OCT. – HarvestFest, Coupeville Farmers Market. Celebrate the end of the market season with fall produce, food, art, music, a giant pumpkin contest, wild and wacky relay races and more.

Email coupevillemarket@aol.com Nov. 1-2 – Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve annual conference and celebration, Coupeville. Bring the family for a weekend of hands-on farming and historic preservation workshops Saturday and a community potluck Friday. nps.gov/ebla or 360-678-6084.

18

The Whidbey Examiner

With weather and market conditions strawberries available in May and June continuing to be unpredictable, the at Bell’s Farm on West Beach Road and optimistic and flexible nature of Whidbey raspberries available at Milepost 19 Farm Island farmers allows them to thrive in the and several other farms in July.

During the growing season, local 21st century.

Central Whidbey's agricultural scene produce is available each Saturday at currently includes cattle, sheep, llamas, the Coupeville Farmers Market, located goats, vegetable seed crops, hay, squash, in the field behind the library, just two lavender, potatoes, organic fruits and blocks south of the historic district and Coupeville Wharf. vegetables, flowers and even shellfish.

At Greenbank Farm, a gorgeous sweep of Families can get an up-close look at our working farms during the Whidbey Island land that started out as a dairy and later Farm Tour, held this year on the weekend became the largest loganberry farm in the of Sept. 22 and 23. It’s a chance to visit country, visitors can roam trails up into the with local farmers; purchase locally grown rolling fields for a spectacular view of the food; fiber and farm-related products; and sparkling waters and distant mountains soak up the friendly rural character of that surround Whidbey Island. The upper trails offer a our beautiful place to let island. your dog run Some of the off-leash. most scenic A small farmland is group of protected as students are part of Ebey’s learning the L a n d i n g ins and outs N a t i o n a l of farming by Historical growing crops Reserve, which on several encompasses acres organic the fertile pasture.

In p r a i r i e addition, the surrounding students are Coupeville.

Some farms feature "U-Pick" locations and times. researching Among the the best most profitable crops grown by Central Whidbey farmers organic seeds that could thrive in today are vegetable seeds such as beet Whidbey's environment.

The historic barn and adjacent buildings and cabbage. Seeds produced on Whidbey are distributed by multinational seed house art galleries and a restaurant as well companies and may be planted as food as shops featuring fine wines, cheeses and gifts. Outside, ducks and geese float on a crops all over the world.

Central Whidbey also is home to pond next to a demonstration garden that several farms that specialize in organic beckons visitors to take a stroll. And in the produce. Some sell their fruits and lower fields, a training program provides vegetables through community-supported aspiring farmers with an opportunity to agriculture, at local farmers markets or learn about sustainable agriculture and direct to local restaurants that like to “buy the business of farming.

At Lavender Wind Farm on Darst Road local.” Berries are an important crop, with Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

west of Coupeville, you’ll find a pretty purple labyrinth in a spectacular scenic setting above the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A gift shop offers gifts, ice cream and other treats made with lavender essential oil.

Whidbey Island is home to a few more unusual agricultural operations as well, including the largest mussel farm in the nation. Driving along scenic Madrona Way just west of Coupeville, you can see floats bobbing on the waves of Penn Cove, where the workers of Penn Cove Shellfish grow mussels from “seed.”

Penn Cove mussels have emerged as one of Central Whidbey’s bestknown farm products, and many local restaurants feature the small, shiny black shellfish on their menus.

The mussels are delivered fresh daily to restaurants all over the region, including some of the finest restaurants in Seattle.

The Central Whidbey farm scene also includes a project aimed at encouraging native prairie plants that might otherwise disappear as open land is developed or used for more traditional farm production. At Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship just southeast of Coupeville, volunteers save seeds from about 20 endangered prairie plants, and those seeds are used to restore the prairie environment that settlers found when they first arrived in the 1800s.

Spring is a great time of year to see these rare wildflowers in bloom, and Pacific Rim welcomes visitors who enjoy roaming its trails, taking in the prairie landscape and watching the eagles, hawks and other raptors that hunt for lunch in the broad, open meadows. To get there, follow Highway. 20 south from Coupeville, and turn left at Parker Road. The entrance is on the right. Stop in at the office to ask directions to the trails.

While you’re there, you might even see a few pheasants on the Pacific Rim property; the land once housed a state-owned game farm that raised the birds to be released at hunting locations around Washington. Today, Pacific Rim keeps a few of the colorful creatures as a way of preserving a link to the historical use of the land.

Rich pockets of agricultural lands on Whidbey Island carry a deep history Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

of the evolution of farming. Salish tribes regularly burned the broad, open prairies to encourage wild camas and provide forage for game. As the early settlers arrived, they found the deep, loamy prairie topsoil and mild climate with good year ’round rainfall a soughtafter gift. Land that settlers claimed on Whidbey eventually produced a wheat crop that broke the record for the highest yield per acre in the entire United States.

Early farms raised cattle, produced milk, grew hay, wheat, rye and oats as well as peas and potatoes. While the first farms were subsistence operations, Central Whidbey farmers went on to provide supplies for passing sailing ships and, later, for those headed north to seek their fortunes in Alaska.

Between the 1880s and 1920s, Chinese tenant farmers were known for their impressive potato crop. Remnants of their tiny, one-room shacks can still be seen tucked away at the edges of the prairie.

From the turn of the century to the 1960s, Central Whidbey was known for poultry production, and the early 1900s brought the first dairy creamery. Perfect climate conditions and the ability to grow top-quality forage crops kept dairies a mainstay of farming until the late 1990s, but changing market conditions and other factors led to the closure of the last dairy farm in 2007.

Today, the Holstein heifers you see at local farms are being raised for farms elsewhere.

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Saturdays 10 am-2 pm April thru mid-October • 8th & Alexander coupevillemarket@aol.com

Saturd

4 pm am to 16 • 10 , Sept.

Sunday t. 15 & ay, Sep

Island

Farm Tour W hidbey

a supplement

Guide created by

Promote your business in the September issue of the 2013 Whidbey Island Farm Tour Official Guide publishing as a supplement to The Whidbey Examiner Contact your sales rep at 360.675.6611.

Examiner The Whidbey

News from the Heart of Whidbey Island

www.whidbeyexaminer.com

The Whidbey Examiner

19

G reenbank Farm Connect with Island history amid pastoral beauty

Greenbank Farm features several buildings including a barn used for many social functions.

Save The Date!

June 22-23 – Loganberry Festival: the annual event features live music, wine tasting, loganberry pie eating contests, equestrian activities and children's activities.

Aug. 10 — Highland Games: Scottish culture comes alive during the 15th annual event that features such athletic games, highland dancing and, of course, bagpiping.

Sept. 22 — Whidbey Island Farm Tour: Greenbank Farm leaders are planning to offer slow food demonstrations, tractor demonstrations and walking tour of the Greenbank Farm.

Nov. 1-2 — Uncommon Threads, Whidbey Weavers Guild Show and Sale: A community of fiber artists offer weaving, spinning, dyeing, basketry felting and more during a two-day event in the farm's rustic main barn.

Nov. 29-Dec. 22 — Holiday Gift Market: Taking place over the course of four weekends during the holidays, the festive markets features local vendors and artisans along with a visit from Santa.

First Fridays at the farm includes wine and cheese tasting along with art, music and more during the monthly event that takes place in the evening.

For more information about events at the Greenbank Farm, see www.greenbankfarm.biz or call 678-7700.

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The Whidbey Examiner

With future farmers learning their through the course of a growing season.

Greenbank Farm also is home to a craft on picturesque farm fields, historic barns filled with art galleries, food and solar P-Patch, with solar panels installed wine shops, the Greenbank Farm is an by a local alternative-energy business, event destination that draws thousands Whidbey Sun and Wind. A kiosk at the farm provides information about this of tourists and locals alike.

Greenbank Farm is nestled amid 522 community solar demonstration project.

A former dairy farm that more recently acres of rolling fields, with quiet forest and sparkling wetlands beckoning visitors was home to the largest loganberry who want to relax and enjoy Whidbey’s farm in the world, Greenbank Farm was threatened with development in the laid-back atmosphere. mid-1990s, when The farm is owner Chateau located at the Ste. Michelle narrowest part of made plans for a Whidbey Island, community with and a short walk 700 homes. Local from the barns residents rallied and shops to to the rescue, the top of the and the farm ridge provides was preserved as a 180 -degree public property panorama that that includes features the snowconser vation capped Olympic easements that Mountains and protect it from the Strait of Juan development. de Fuca to the The landmark west, Saratoga farm is now host Passage and the to working fields, volcanic peaks a demonstration of the Cascade garden mainRange to the east, tained by the and a view across Washington State Holmes Harbor University Master to Mount Rainier Gardeners, a toward the south. wildlife refuge The upper trails a cultural and offer a place to Jan Gunn offers delicious treats at her Whidbey Pies Cafe. communit y let your dog run center and a place off-leash.

An agriculture training center is to kick back and relax.

The barn and adjacent buildings that thriving at the Greenbank Farm.

It provides aspiring farmers with an house unique shops, art galleries and opportunity to learn about sustainable a restaurant are owned and operated agriculture and the business of farming by the Port of Coupeville. A stop at the Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

farm’s wine-tasting room is a distinctly Northwest experience where visitors can explore fine wines in a casual and decidedly unstuffy atmosphere. And if you’re looking for picnic supplies, be sure to stop in at Greenbank Cheese to choose from a wide variety of foods that includes a number of locally made items.

The publicly owned farm features a full array of activities throughout the year that make the Central Whidbey facility a community destination.

And throughout the year, Greenbank Farm hosts a monthly First Friday on the Farm event that features art, wine, music, snacks and lively conversation.

The farm also hosts several popular annual events, including the familyfriendly Loganberry Festival in July,

The Loganberry Festival pays tribute to the tart berry once grown in abundance on the property.

the Red Wine and Chocolate Wine Tour and Market in February, and a holiday market – complete with caroling and a tree-lighting celebration and visits with Santa – during the Christmas season.

The Greenbank Farm also has become a popular location for weddings, receptions and other celebrations, with ample parking for guests and a courtyard and gardens providing scenic surroundings for the historic, century-old barn that provides a center for events.

Students learn farming by taking an active role in the farm's production each year.

Fine Art Originals Cards Prints - Gifts

Wine Tasting • Cafe Art Galleries • Cheese Shop Trails • Gardens Wildlife Viewing Agriculture • Festivals & Events • Facility Rentals Farmer & Artisan Markets www.greenbankfarm.org 678-7700 or 222-3151 Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

Distinctive Art

by Island Artists 360-222-3010 • www.artworkswhidbey.com

Rob Schouten Gallery connection

inspiration

beauty

GLASS . JEWELRY . PAINTING FIBER ARTS . ENCAUSTICS SCULPTURE . CERAMICS (360) 222-3070

Edible Works of Art Fabulous artisan soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches, espresso, select beer & wine and PIE, both sweet & savory!

Dinners served the first Friday of each month. Reservations recommended.

(360) 678-1288 ~ Cafe www.whidbeypies.com The Whidbey Examiner

21

Eat Like A Local Penn Cove mussels, lavender treats, local wines and more

Coupeville Musselfest, held the first weekend in March, offers an amazing culinary array of dishes featuring the famous mollusk.

Save The Date!

SATURDAYS – April 6 thru mid October, next to the Coupeville Sno-Isle Library Branch on the community green, Eighth St. and Alexander. Plenty of parking, hot food for sale, produce, arts & crafts, artisan breads and cheeses, and local camaraderie abound.

Aug. 3 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz. 360-678-7700.

Aug. 31 – Late Night Shopping, historic

downtown Coupeville. Enjoy refreshments as you wander galleries and shops late into the evening. centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434.

Sept. 8 – Community Concert & Salmon

Barbecue, noon at Coupeville Town Park, Coupeville. Free outdoor concert follows sponsored by Concerts on the Cove; barbecued salmon served by the Coupeville Lions Club. coupevillelions.org or 360-6784105.

Mar. 1-2, 2014 – Penn Cove Musselfest,

downtown Coupeville and nearby venues.

Celebrate Penn Cove's signature shellfish with chowder tasting, a mussel-eating contest and much more. thepenncovemusselfestival.com or 360-678-5434.

22

The Whidbey Examiner

With Central Whidbey offering some farmers market in Washington and its of the richest farmland in the world, it's motto is “homemade, homegrown, and no wonder the area is quickly becoming handmade.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturdays throughout the season. known as a foodie destination.

From spring to fall, as the market gets Early settlers saw the potential for abundant crops here, noting the gentle under way, you’ll see food enthusiasts marine climate, rich loam and just the and local chefs scouting out fresh foods right amount of rainfall. Thanks to and planning menus based on what efforts by local preservationists, Ebey’s they find.

Restaurants throughout the area Landing National Historical Reserve is a protected prairie and farmland at the feature local products on their menu and advertise it proudly. heart of the Island.

Spring market days feature bedding Today, Central Whidbey is dotted with small farms, where a new generation plants, fresh greens, rhubarb, hot food cultivates a variety of crops and farm and a chance to talk to local growers.

Visitors can plan a sumptuous picnic life.

While many Islanders grow their own from the bounty to be found at the veggies or participate in Community Supported Agriculture Programs, visitors can enjoy the bounty from local farms at Central Whidbey’s two weekend farmers markets, at farm stands in summer, and year ’round at local restaurants.

Spring brings the return of a happy, healthy Whidbey Island tradition – market, choosing the weekend farmers best produce from markets – offerlocal, organic farms, ing fresh, locallyberries, artisan cheeses, grown produce, homemade bread and baked goods, prespecialty jams and serves and spepreserves. cialty food items, At harvest time, plants, flowers, Coupeville Farmers handcrafted soaps Market glows with and lotions, arts, fall colors — plump crafts, chef’s dempumpkins, knobby giant onstrations and squashes, rosy apples music.

Loganberry Festival at the Greenbank Farm is one and smiling scarecrows.

The Coupeville place where 'pie in the face' is considered cool.

In 2012, the annual Farmers Market, HarvestFest on Oct. 13 held on Saturdays in the Coupeville Community Green marks the end of the 2012 season for at Eighth Street and Alexander Street, the popular market with music, games, opens in early April and runs until mid- a giant pumpkin contest and wild-andwacky relay races.

October.

At the markets, look for another In operation since 1979, it’s the second-oldest continually operating specialty unique to Whidbey Island – Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

SALAMI CHOCOLATE FRESH DELI ITEMS

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

Your island source for all things delicious!

The Whidbey Examiner

LOCAL, ORGANIC SCREAMIN’ BANSHEE BREAD

The cheese shop at Greenbank Rockwell beans. The beans are named ARTISANAL CHEESE CHAMPAGNE for Elisha Rockwell, who grew them here Farm offers samples of local artisan and award-winning cheeses as well as around the turn of the last century, Rockwell beans are grown today by unique marinades and dipping sauces, third-generation Island farmer Georgie many made in the Northwest.

Locals wait all year for sweet, juicy Smith. Smith, who runs Willowood Farm on Ebey’s Prairie, grows produce strawberries from Bell’s Farm. The for local farmers markets and for berries can be found at farmers markets from mid-June to mid-July, or arrange restaurants.

The white bean with cranberry for u-pick/orders at the farm on West mottling was held in such high regard Beach Road north of Coupeville. After by the farm wives of Ebey’s Prairie that strawberry season fades, raspberries many of them would save beans from become available. Milepost 19 Farm the garden each year to plant in their on Highway 20 southeast of Coupeville offers fresh and frozen berries as well as kitchen gardens come spring.

COUPEVILLE OAK HARBOR You’ll find this bean on the menu at preserves.

678.6603 675.6600 Lavender Wind Farm on Darst Road, some local restaurants, and you can www.bayleaf.us buy a bag of dry beans at the market to off West Beach Road northwest of Coupeville, offers a variety of foods use in your own recipes.

OLIVES CRACKERS GIFTS At Greenbank Farm, stroll the trails from mustards and jams to scone and for spectacular views of both Saratoga cookie mixes, all made with lavender farm in America. Penn Cove’s unique Passage and the Cascade Mountains produced right there on the farm. The hydrological and geographic features gift shop is open seven days a week. make it the most prolific mussel growing and Admiralty Inlet and the Olympics.

At Sherman’s Pioneer Farm just area in Washington. Look for the Greenbank Farm is also home to a wine shop and tasting room that carries outside Coupeville, Dale and Liz shellfish farm’s 60-foot, custom musselSherman grow the only commercial harvesting barges, next to the rafts in local wines.

The signature Greenbank Farm crop of sugar Hubbard squash in the Penn Cove west of Coupeville.

Coupeville’s signaprivate label Loganberry ture shellfish have wine and the unique won top honors at Loganberry Dessert wine international tasteare best sellers. test competitions for Wine tastings are their sweet flavor offered daily, and don’t and fabulous texture, miss the monthly First and are annually the Fridays at the farm, when star of Penn Cove the wine shop highlights MusselFest in March. local wines and the farm’s MusselFest is also a art galleries entice visitors great chance to learn with wines, cheeses and about sustainable art 5-8 p.m. sea farming methods The Loganberr y used to grow and disFestival held each year in tribute mussels, oysJuly is the farm’s gift to ters and clams. the community, with live Fresh Penn Cove entertainment, food and mussels, Manila artisan vendors – and all clams and 27 varieties the loganberry pie you Kapaws Iskreme in historic downtown Coupeville opens seasonally, offering hand-scooped ice cream of Pacific oysters are can eat. and freshly-made waffle cones as well as shakes and smoothies. available in Coupeville Once the biggest at Prairie Center Red loganberry farm in the world, Greenbank Farm still has some country. Edwin Sherman planted the Apple Market, 408 South Main St. The annual Whidbey Island Farm of the sweet, tart berries growing, first sugar Hubbard crops on Whidbey Tour will be held the weekend of Sept. and visitors can enjoy freshly baked Island during the Depression.

Sherman Farm is open weekends in 21-22. The family-friendly free tour loganberry pies among other delicacies at Whidbey Pies Cafe. The café is October. Take a trolley ride out to the offers visitors a chance to meet local popular with locals and visitors and is Pumpkin Patch, buy a fresh-made pie, farmers, buy farm products, and see check out the farm animals and let the how small farms work to provide food open daily, year-round. for our tables.

Greenbank Cheese & Specialties, kids run through the hay maze.

Coupeville also boasts Penn Cove Bon appetit! open daily, is a great place to stop for Shellfish, the oldest and largest mussel picnic supplies.

23

2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturdays – through the second weekend in October – Coupeville Farmers Market on the community green off Alexander Street. Fresh produce, herbs, flowers, crafts, hot foods and baked goods.

Sundays – through the last weekend in September – Sunday Market, Greenbank Farm. Organic produce, honey, food and arts and crafts of all kinds. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7710.

April 13 – Meerkerk Magic, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. Enjoy the garden in peak bloom and shop for rhododendrons in the garden center. Children of all ages enjoy making forest fairies from woodland materials. meerkerkgardens.org or 360-678-1912.

MAY 3 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. Meet the wine makers, shop the galleries and have a special dinner. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

May 12 – Mother's Day Concert,12-4 p.m.

Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. meerkerkgardens.org or 360-678-1912.

May 18 – Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville waterfront. Free family festival with Northwest tribal canoe races, native arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, dance performances, artist demonstrations, grilled salmon and other native and Northwest foods and children's activities. penncovewaterfestival.com or 360-682-5250.

May 25 – Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance Ceremony, historic downtown Coupeville. A quintessential small-town parade honoring America’s veterans with music, food and celebration. centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434.

May 25 – Late Night Shopping, historic downtown Coupeville. Enjoy refreshments as you wander the galleries and shops late into the evening. centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434.

June 7 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

June 22-23: Visual Voices, an art show, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, featuring 11 women artists from Whidbey Island and benefiting the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation.

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The Whidbey Examiner

July 27-28 – Artist invasion 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lavender Wind Farm, 2530 Darst Road.

Aug. 3 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Aug. 10-11 – Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, historic downtown Coupeville. Artists and craftspeople fill the streets for this community celebration, held annually since 1964. The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain will visit Coupeville Wharf and stage an exciting battle sail on Penn Cove. coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org or 360-6785116.

Aug. 10 – Whidbey Island Highland Games, Greenbank Farm. Bring the kids and check out the Whidbey Island Celtic Society’s annual celebration of all things Scottish.

Enjoy pipe bands, pipers, dancers and athletic events along with sheepdog demonstrations and plenty of food and fun. wihg.org or 360331-5437.

Aug. 15-18 – Whidbey Island Area Fair, Langley.

Bring the whole family to our old-fashioned country fair, Sailboats dock at the Coupeville Wharf during race week in July. where you’ll enjoy music, July 14-19 – Whidbey Island Race Week. carnival games and rides, food booths and lots Whether you’re a sailor or you just enjoy of animals. whidbeyislandfair.com or 360-221watching the action from the Coupeville 4677.

Wharf, you’ll enjoy these annual sailboat races Aug. 24-25 – Whidbey Open Studio Tour, from Oak Harbor to Coupeville on the scenic South Whidbey to Greenbank. More than 25 waters of Penn Cove. whidbeyisland artists open their art studios to the public. raceweek.com whidbeyworkingartists.com July 7 – Summer Swing Dance, 7 p.m. at Aug. 25 – Wag & Walk, Greenbank Farm.

Crockett Barn, Coupeville. Enjoy music from Bring your four-legged, tail-wagging best the seven-piece Uptown Lowdown Jazz friend for an afternoon festival celebrating all Band. Sponsored by Concerts on the Cove. things canine. Benefits the Whidbey Animals’ concertsonthecove.org or 360-678-6821.

Improvement Foundation. wagnwalk.org or 360-678-7700.

July 27-28 – Loganberry Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. A free annual wineAug. 31 & Sept. 1 – Summer Art Studio tasting, food, music and art extravaganza with Tour, Greenbank to Deception Pass. More than activities for kids and a lip-smacking loganberry 25 artists open their art studios to the public. pie-eating contest. greenbankfarm.biz or whidbeyworkingartists.com 360-678-7700.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.visualvoiceswhidbey.com June 29 – Strawberry Social, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coupeville United Methodist Church. An honest-to-goodness old-time social featuring waffles, shortcake or sundaes made with fresh strawberries from Bell’s Farm near Coupeville.

360-678-4256.

June 29-30 – World’s Biggest Garage Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday at Coupeville Elementary School. Get there early for the adrenaline rush when the starting gun blasts. coupevillelions.org or 360678-4105.

July 5 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Nov. 1-2 – Ebey’s Landing National Historical

Reserve annual conference and celebration, Coupeville. Bring the family for a weekend of hands-on farming and historic preservation workshops Saturday and a community potluck Friday. nps.gov/ebla or 360-678-6084.

Nov. 30 — Gingerbread Workshop sponsored by Coupeville Chamber of Commerce and Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coupeville Rec Hall. Free family event. All fixins provided.

Enter creations in the 4th Annual Gingerbread Challenge sponsored by The Whidbey Examiner. coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com or 360-678-3310.

Dec. 6 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Each year the Highland Games offers a glimpse into the past with a big festival.

Dec. 7 – Jingle Trail Run and Walk, Camp Casey, Coupeville. 5k run and Aug. 31 – Late Night Shopping, historic Oct. 5-31 – Scarecrow Corridor, Coupeville.

1-mile walk through pretty forest trails. downtown Coupeville. Enjoy refreshments as Vote for your favorite scarecrow on centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434. you wander galleries and shops late into the display all month in front of homes and evening. centralwhidbeychamber.com or360businesses throughout historic Coupeville.

Dec. 7 – The Greening of Coupeville and 678-5434. centralwhidbeychamber.com or 360-678-5434. annual Christmas Parade in historic Coupeville.

Stake out your spot along Main Street or Front Sept. 6 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at Oct. 5-6 – Fall Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Street to watch an old-fashioned holiday Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, Greenbank. parade led by Santa Claus aboard a decorated music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Buy all sorts of lovely rhododendrons and fire truck. Tree-lighting and caroling follow. more. meerkerkgardens.org or 360-678-1912.

Sept. 8 – Community Concert & Salmon Weather permitting, there is also Barbecue, noon at Coupeville Town Park, a Christmas Boat Parade of Lights Coupeville. Free outdoor concert follows and late-night shopping 5-8 p.m. sponsored by Concerts on the Cove; centralwhidbeychamber.com or barbecued salmon served by the Coupeville 360-678-5434.

Lions Club. coupevillelions.org or 360-678-4105.

Dec. 7 – The Greening Concert Sept. 21 – Tour de Whidbey, a 10 mile flat ride. in Coupeville. A Celtic yuletide Registration now open. www.tourdewhidbey. concert featuring the Magical com Strings performing with Irish Sept. 21-22 – Whidbey Island Farm Tour, instruments, step dancing and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, self-guided tour of vocals. Sponsored by Concerts on working farms all over beautiful Whidbey Island the Cove. concertsonthecove.org featuring locally grown food and products, or 360-678-6821. farm animals and a tour of the largest mussel Dec. 14 — Breakfast with Santa, 9 farm in the United States. whidbeyfarmtour. a.m. to noon at Coupeville Rec Hall. com coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com Many of Central Whidbey's events give children the chance to get up Sept. 21-22 – Whidbey Island Kite Festival. or 360-678-3310. close and personal with farm animals.

This colorful event colors the sky with all kinds Dec. 22 - Red Ticket Drawing. of kites, single line, dual and quad line. There is Shop, dine and stay with Oct. 26 – Coupeville Halloween Torchlight a sportkite competition, mass ascensions, kite participating merchants and earn red tickets Parade. A colorful children’s costume party by lessons, a teddy bear drop, kids kitemaking, to enter a drawing for $1,000 cash. Held at the torchlight (flashlight) begins at dusk. Trick-orand more. On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Island County Historical Museum. Must be treating and kids’ activities follow the parade. there is an amazing Indoor Kite Flying event at present to win. coupevillehistoricwaterfront the Coupeville High School gym. 360-678-7052 coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com or 360-678.com or 360-678-5434.

3310. or visit www.whidbeykites.org Nov. 1 – First Friday at the Farm, Greenbank Oct. 5 – First Friday at the Farm, 5-8 p.m. at For more information on central Whidbey Island Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, music.

Greenbank Farm. Wine and cheese tasting, art, events and news visit whidbeyexaminer.com greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700. music. greenbankfarm.biz or 360-678-7700.

Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

The Whidbey Examiner

25

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Relive the past and charm in Victorian officers’ two-bedroom houses.

Sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet. Walk to the beach, Fort Casey State Park, Admiralty Head lighthouse and the Port Townsend ferry.

fortcaseyinn.com

866.661.6604 Central Whidbey Island Visitor Guide

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Step back in time to the good ol’ days at Coupeville’s hometown bowling alley!

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