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SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015 | Vol. 91, No. 1 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢
Polar bears start
2015
with Useless Bay plunge By JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record Temperatures that dipped into the 20s and frost on the roads wasn’t enough to stop 178 people from taking a New Year’s swim in Useless Bay Thursday. Convening for the 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Double Bluff Beach Park, the mob of all ages roared into the chilly water with screams and laughter. While some braved it alone, for others it was a family affair. “We just all follow great -grandma,” said Jessica Cooks, an Oak Harbor resident. She was one of four generations who participated in the event under the lead of family “matriarch” Barbara Fournier, 74. The Coupeville resident had made the plunge twice before and recruited the rest of family.
They included Fournier’s daughter, Peggy Mitchell, 55; Mitchell’s daughter, Cooks, 38; and Cooks’ daughter, 8-year-old Kayla Cooks. Family friend Kevin Yagle, an Edmonds resident, also participated. Even Zeva the dog joined in. “Barbara started it all,” Yagle said, though Kayla may also have been a deciding influence. “I made them go,” she said, earning a chuckle from the three older women. Fournier said they are a close family who “celebrates everything together.” The polar bear plunge is just another way to bond, and is quickly becoming tradition. It’s also highly enjoyable, and serves as a natural fountain of youth. “It makes us feel younger,” she said. Put on by the South Whidbey Parks and
Justin Burnett / The Record
Jessica and Kayla Cooks of Oak Harbor, with Peggy Mitchell of Greenbank and Barbara Fournier charge the chilly waters of Useless Bay Thursday for the 11th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. The women represent four generations, and the event has become a New Year’s Day tradition for the family. Recreation District, the annual event is sponsored by the Island County 4-H Teen Leadership Club. “Jon Gabelein and the 4-H Teen Ambassadors and volunteers did a great job organizing the event,” said Carrie Monforte, program coordinator for the district in an email to The Record. Attendance this year was slightly less than 2014’s 190 swimmers, but still saw a healthy turnout. Supporters from the beach numbered 330, and about 40 dogs were also present. And those who did make the plunge came from as far away as Virginia Beach, Va.
According to Monforte, air temperatures ranged from 25-46 degrees during the morning, with the water temperature estimated at 47 degrees. Despite the cool climes, clear skies and no wind led some people to say it felt warmer than it really was, especially after just getting out of the water. But not everyone felt that way. “It was colder than I thought it would be,” said River Kline, a 7-year-old Freeland resident who made the swim with his father. SEE PLUNGE, A16
Justin Bun / The Record
Ash Kline, 4, addresses his hot chocolate mustache at the Polar Bear Plunge Thursday. Behind him are his brothers, Emery Kline, 2, and River Kline, 7.
South Whidbey woman shares story of homelessness By KATE DANIEL South Whidbey Record As patrons of the Island Church of Whidbey soup kitchen finished their meals, lively piano music mingled with the scents and sounds of lunchtime as one amicable young woman nimbly tickled the ivory keys. Like many of the soup kitchen visitors, she is without a home. Madeline Lusk, 19, comes by the soup kitchen each Thursday in order to receive a warm meal. Until recently, Lusk and her best friend, Graham, a young man whom she affectionately calls her “road dog” were camped out in a tent near Coles Road.
Lusk has been without permanent housing Homeless, one study by the U.S. Department for nearly two years. Graham has been on of Health and Human Services found that the streets for nearly over half of homeless seven. teens interviewed said “Homeless people have After her parents they had been kicked to work to live, not just died when she was 11 out by a family memwork for a living but work ber, or that their family years old, Lusk moved in with her aunt in “didn’t care” that they to live, period. It’s not Indianapolis. The relawere leaving. easy.” Initially, Lusk stayed tionship was tumultuous, Lusk said, and her Madeline Lusk, in Indianapolis but South Whidbey resident soon left for Northern aunt kicked her out on California where she her 18th birthday. eventually met her comLusk’s story is not uncommon amongst homeless youth. panion, Graham, whose grandmother had According to the National Coalition for the lived in Brookhaven in Langley until about
a year ago. Based on his fond memories of South Whidbey, the pair determined that it would be a favorable next destination. “Madeline is a pretty intelligent young woman. I think she is going to go far with support,” said Judy Thorslund, chairwoman of the South Whidbey Homeless Coalition. “That’s what they’ve been looking for, that’s why they ended up here on Whidbey Island.” Lusk said she is “really grateful” for South Whidbey’s initiative to aid homeless individuals. The South Whidbey Homeless Coalition SEE HOMELESSNESS, A16