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Wednesday, January 8, 2014 • The South Whidbey Record
Matrimony
Notable
Jim Balkowitsch and Bruce Allen tie the knot Fund donations help island On Nov. 30, 2013, Jim Balkowitsch and Bruce Allen were married at Langley United Methodist Church by Reverends Mary Boyd and Paul Morris. The church was decorated for the Christmas holiday Your Real Estate Consultant
teve trehlau
MANAGING BROKER CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST
You’re Moving!
You’re moving and you’ll need to sell your home. You’ve mentioned it to your friends, and two of them– both in real estate–have asked to represent you in the marketing of your home. Which one should you choose? The sale of a home is not a matter of luck or friendship. It is “hard work meeting opportunity.” Marketing successfully involves a process, not a single activity. List with the agent who understands the process and has a history of making things happen. If that individual also happens to be your friend, you may have a fine match. To earn the right to represent you, ask the agent to provide evidence of the price recent buyers have paid for similar homes. Expect the agent to tour your home like a buyer looking for improvements that should be implemented. The agent will teach you to present your home in the most favorable light to excite buyers. Finally, the agent should have a history of implementing successful marketing strategies. Ask about his/her methods and timetable. Once you’ve identified the right agent, make your choice and get started.
*****
If you or your friends are interested in buying or selling a home or land, call me. I can help. Steve is a Managing Broker, Certified Residential Specialist and an Accredited Buyer’s Representative at
223 Second St, Langley Steve’s cell: 206-819-3411 www.RealEstateWhidbey.com
Windermere Real Estate/South Whidbey
and two baskets of Bird of Paradise flowers were placed at the altar. More than 200 people attended the wedding. Jim wore black shorts with a white shirt, lavender vest and purple bow tie. Bruce was dressed in his Army dress blue uniform. Music was provided by Cathy Hagen on the piano and Bill Humphreys on the viola. Bruce and Jim also asked a barbershop quartet from the mainland to sing during the ceremony. They graciously accepted and were a big hit. The ceremony was moving with Bruce crying and Jim very stoic. Near the end of the ceremony, Bruce said the reason for his tears was that he never envisioned being able to get married in his lifetime. He said how thankful they were for having so many people be a part of their lives and for allowing them to be a part of theirs. After the ceremony,
food banks, nonprofits
Lifetouch photo
Jim Balkowitsch and Bruce Allen wed on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 at Langley United Methodist Church.
Jennifer Morris, Paul’s wife, catered a large array of food finishing with a cake by JW Desserts and a hand-
crafted cake topper made by Val Heggenes gifted to Jim and Bruce by the Morrises.
Several community nonprofits are starting the new year in celebration. Coldwell Banker Tara Properties Community Fund made year-end donations Photo courtesy of Gail Pierce to all three Gail Pierce (right) from the Coldwell island food Banker Tara Properties Community Fund banks, presents a $500 check to Shawn Nowlin, Helping Good Cheer Food Bank community Hand, the outreach coordinator. The fund made Senior Center, the donations to several island nonprofits in Readiness December. to Learn sional donations to famiFoundation lies who have had house and Big Brothers and fires or faced other devSisters of Island County. astating crises, according The community fund to a news release. is celebrating 20 years of Every year scholarships giving in 2014. are given to high school Over the years, the seniors in North, South fund has donated hunand Central Whidbey, and dreds of thousands of a number of island nondollars back to the comprofits are given donamunity in scholarships tions. and donations to nonprofits as well as occa-
New arrivals Naval Hospital Oak Harbor
Melissa Stewart, was born on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.
Evelyn Mae Stewart Evelyn Mae Stewart, daughter of Jordan and
Mikaela Grace McCoppin Mikaela Grace McCoppin was born
to Matthew and Robin McCoppin on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013. She weighed 5 pounds, 9 ounces.
Gabriel Payton Graham, son of Katherine Graham, was born on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. He weighed 7 pounds.
Gabriel Payton Graham A new baby boy,
Lacy Rhae Kaplan A warm welcome to Lacy Rhae Kaplan, daughter of Justin and Kaitlyn Kaplan. Lucy was born on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013 and weighed 7 pounds. Scarlett Ann Murphy A new baby girl, Scarlett Ann Murphy, was born to Chris and Marla Murphy. Scarlett was born on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 and weighed 7
pounds, 12.5 ounces. Briseis Kenzie Kurschner Briseis Kenzie Kurschner was born on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013 to parents Aaron and Annelize Kurschner. Briseis weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Penelope Lancion Deves A warm welcome to Penelope Lancion Deves, daughter of Roonie and Frenny Deves. Penelope was born on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013 and weighed 6 pounds.
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