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Examiner The Whidbey

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Penn Cove MusselFest guide Inside

www.whidbeyexaminer.com

Thursday, March 5, 2015

VOL. 20, NO. 30

Festival brings out tasty competition By Megan Hansen Co-Editor

Megan Hansen photo

June Blouin processes more than 100 pounds of mussels for her chowder this year.

Every March, Coupeville restaurants step up to the plate, or rather the chowder bowl. They painstakingly spend hours cleaning, cooking and shelling pounds of mussels in preparation for the annual Penn Cove MusselFest chowder contest. It’s a labor of love for some business owners, offering a day of community spirit and

fun. It’s important to make it fun or it’s not worth all the work, said June Blouin, owner of Coupeville Coffee and Bistro. “Normally, I try to do it myself or an employee volunteers to help.” Blouin is preparing for her fourth chowder contest. She’s also the 2012 and 2014 winner. This year, the coffee shop owner stepped up even more and volunteered to double her offering after another restaurant had to bow out.

Each restaurant prepares 500 samples of chowder for each day. MusselFest sells three different tickets with five tastings per ticket. The businesses put a lot into participating, said Vickie Chambers, executive director of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association. Blouin will process the 50 pounds of mussels each participant is given by the Coupeville

See Chowder, page 12

Ron Newberry photos

Acres of mussel rafts from Penn Cove Shellfish dot the waters of Penn Cove as the sun sets on Mount Baker on a recent evening. The shellfish company has been a Coupeville staple since 1975.

40 years of farming Penn Cove By Ron Newberry Staff reporter

On a recent Sunday, Rawle Jefferds is sitting in a spacious office, reminiscing about the early days of Penn Cove Shellfish. The room is intimately familiar to him as is the filtered view of Penn Cove through large windows. Years ago, the place Jefferds is sitting was his parents’ living room. Now, it serves as a business office with desks, computers and chairs. Down the hall is a private office that holds a big desk and large fish tank featuring three imposing Oscars. This is the office of Ian Jefferds, Rawle’s business partner and older brother. “Ian’s office is my old bedroom,” Rawle said, cracking into a smile. It’s hard for Rawle Jefferds to fathom just how far the family’s shellfish operation has come over the years. Started by Peter Jefferds in 1975, the mussel

farm was sold to his eldest and youngest sons in 1986 and has grown into a thriving, diverse shellfish operation that has put Penn Cove on the map in places thousands of miles from Whidbey Island. Approximately 2 million pounds of mussels are grown and sold nationally each year by the company, which now also offers a wide assortment of oysters and clams raised elsewhere in Puget Sound. “It started out in the back of my mom’s station wagon,” Rawle said. “It’s come a long ways.” And for two brothers from Coupeville High School’s classes of 1976 and ‘81, the journey and growth can seem like a blur. Depending on the day. “Some days when I look how far we’ve gone, it seems like a long time,” Ian said. Both were still in school when their father combed the waters of North Puget Sound seeking an ideal spot to launch an unorthodox business idea he developed overseas during his military service in the Army.

Intrigued by consumers’ healthy appetite for mussels in parts of Europe and Asia, he hatched a plan to create a market in North America and came across Coupeville as a site while gassing up his boat at the wharf one evening and noticing pilings covered with mussels on the return home to Seattle from the San Juan islands. The San Juans were the original target, but more research after the chance encounter led to Penn Cove as being an ideal location. Still, there was still one major underlying problem.

See Mussels, page 12

Rawle Jefferds is co-owner of Penn Cove Shellfish but also likes to deliver to Seattle.

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The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

Career fair offers glimpse into world of options By Ron Newberry Staff Reporter

doned for the oversight. Other than that comical incident, Improta said Coupeville’s Career Fair was a rousing success. Representatives from Whidbey Island businesses joined those from colleges and the armed services to offer nearly 500 high school and middle school students a glimpse at potential career paths. The fair was held in the school’s commons area, where more than 50 careers were represented, including healthcare, technical trades, small business, parks and recreation, culinary arts, banking and law enforcement. At one end of the room, Whidbey General Hospital surgeon John Hassapis demonstrated how to stitch up a wound using a grapefruit, while in another area, Mark

When an event is brought back after a 15-year absence, a few quirks in the planning process are to be expected. So it could be understood that in the weeks leading up to the revived Career Fair at Coupeville High School/ Middle School last Friday, some important figures in the community might have been inadvertently overlooked. Even Coupeville Marshal Rick Norrie. “One of the kids asked him (in the school cafeteria), ‘Are you coming to the career fair?’ ” said Leslie Improta, middle school counselor. “He said, ‘What career fair?’ ” The innocent mistake could be laughed at later. Improta phoned Norrie, asked if he would attend and was par-

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Laska, owner of Coupeville’s Ciao restaurant, held a captive audience while talking about the restaurant business. Deputy marshal Bo Miller also fielded questions, attending in place of Norrie, who had another commitment. “They’re asking questions, which is good,” woodshop teacher Tom Eller said. “I think it’s great,” said Jon Crimmins, area manager for Central Whidbey State Parks. “I’m pretty impressed

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with how many people are here.” Friday was a half day for high schoolers and middle schoolers, devoted mostly to the career fair. The idea to bring back the event was prompted by high school/middle school principal Larry Walsh, who asked new counselors Kate Anderson and Improta in the fall if it was something they thought they could tackle. The counselors consulted with the Island County Economic Development Council, then forged ahead after they received a grant from the Coupeville Education Foundation. Nearly all of the attend-

ees, which included knowledgable community members with certain skills, represented Central Whidbey. Senior citizens from The Regency came to share their professional backgrounds. One of the most popular participants brought a drone that hovered in the air. Oak Harbor artist Kim Niles came to show her cartooning and creative marketing skills. County commissioner Helen Price Johnson was on hand to talk about career paths offered by the county, which range from environmental health to public safety to construction. “It’s a way to give back to

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Ron Newberry photo

Whidbey General Hospital surgeon John Hassapis uses a grapefruit to show daughter Sofia Hassapis how to stitch a wound.

your county and have a good career,” she said. Price Johnson said showing students what’s available on Whidbey and in Island County is a good idea. “It really raises awareness of the range of opportunities,” she said. Improta said the idea behind the Career Fair was to spark interest in students and provide inspiration to work harder in the classroom to reach their goals. The event also helped with more immediate goals regarding summer employment opportunities. Improta said she and Anderson asked educators to email them all the jobs they held before they went into teaching. The counselors wrote all of the job titles on a large bulletin board that was on display for students to see. “We wanted kids to learn that not everything is linear,” Improta said. “We might have gone to school to become a teacher, but we did all this before we got here. “The whole purpose of a career fair, especially in middle schools, is exploratory. Kids were sitting down all morning and asking questions.” Some of the senior citizens who attended stressed to students the importance of writing thank you notes, shaking hands and other pertinent job-seeking skills. “People were already talking about next year,” Improta said.

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Thursday, March 5, 2015 • The Whidbey Examiner

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whidbey island’s community calendar Thursday March 5

10, at Fire Station No. 25, Heller Road. Laura Sparr will be the speaker; the subject will be preparing and using a research log. Call Ruth Hancock at 360-675-4086 or 360-969-0064. There will be refreshments and drawings. Everyone is welcome.

Coupeville Garden Club meeting, 9:30 a.m. to noon, March 5, at the Coupeville Rec. Hall. Coffee and snacks will be served. The business meeting will start at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Mutiny Bay Brass Band community rehearsal, 7-8 p.m., March 10, at Click Music. Bring your brass and other mobile, acoustic instruments. Over time, they hope this produces a performanceready stage band and parade band to add to the lively culture of Whidbey Island. Bring tunes you want to play, and music will be provided. All levels are welcome, but they ask that you are able to read sheet music.

Greenbank Garden Club March Meeting, 9:30 a.m. to noon, March 5, at Greenbank Progressive Clubhouse. Short business meeting followed by a program. The March program is Propagation Basics by guest speaker George Lasch, the supervisor of the Northwest Perennial Alliance Border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Whidbey Weavers Guild monthly meeting, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Pacific Arts Center, Coupeville. There will be a short business meeting followed by a “show and tell” of members’ recent fiber activities. The speaker this month is Gail Harker of the Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts in Oak Harbor. For further information, visit www.whidbey weaversguild.org

Friday March 6 Rob Schouten Gallery “The Third Dimension” Sculpture Show Reception, 5-8 p.m., March 6, at the Rob Schouten Gallery, Greenbank Farm. www.rob schoutengallery.com

Saturday March 7 Whidbey Gardening Workshop, March 7, at Oak Harbor High School. Choose from 45 classes, beginning to advanced, with 20 new classes. The keynote speaker is Nick Bond, state climatologist for Washington and KUOW NPR guest reporter. He will speak on “Changing climate and the gardener. … What can we expect?” www.whidbeygarden ingworkshop.org

Monday March 9 Hard Times: Hank Cramer Sings of the Great Depression, 1:30-3 p.m. at the Coupeville Library. The 1930s was an era of hard times across America. Folksinger, historian and traveling musician Hank Cramer will share stories and songs of the Great Depression. Ebey’s 101, 5:30-7:30 p.m., March 9, 16, 23 and 30 and April 6, at the Coupeville Library. This six-week course explores Ebey’s Landing by using primary documents,

Wednesday March 11

Ron Newberry photo

The Coupeville Wolf PAC Theatre Troupe will present “Swing Fever” 7 p.m. March 6,7,13 and 14 at Coupeville Middle and High School’s Performing Arts Center. so we can hear first-hand the voices of our ancestors. Focus will be on European explorers, American settlers, establishing the territory and state, the commercialism of Coupeville, and the connection of Whidbey Island to the U.S. Presented by Lynn Hyde, Historic Whidbey.

Tuesday March 10

participants through Stanford Universitiy’s program for dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, medication, pain management, food choices for better health, decision making and problem solving, and communication with family, friends and medical personnel. Space is limited for those 18 years of age

“A Beginner’s Guide To Your Family History,” 6:30 p.m., March 11, 18, 25, at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. The classes will be hosted and presented by Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers (WIGS) and members of the Genealogical Society of South Whidbey Island. Basic genealogy research principles and strategies needed to find the pieces of your family history puzzle will be introduced with a focus on sources for basic family history documents, how and where to find them, including the use of digital resources. Preregister required by Friday, March 6. Call 360-279-4580. Classes limited to 15 people.

and older. This free program is sponsored by Senior Services of Island County and the Friends of the Coupeville Library. Preregistration is required. Call 360-321-1600, ext. 23.

RPEC Chapter 41 Meeting, 11:30 a.m., March 11, in the Whidbey General Hospital Board Room. The speakers will be Mason Leland, Oak Harbor Senior Information and Assistance, and Chasity Smith, South Whidbey Senior Information and Assistance.

Whidbey Island Genealogical Searchers club meeting, 1-3 p.m., March

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Come join us for Lutheran Worship Services in Coupeville! Pacific Rim Institute St. Mary’s Church Sundays • 6:30pm Oak Harbor Lutheran Church invites everyone to experience a casual evening of prayer, worship and friendship in Coupeville. Call 679-1561 for information.

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viewpoints

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

The mollusk that ate Coupeville Hard to believe, but not too long ago some folks on the Rock didn’t care much for mussels. The creatures disfigured dock pilings and messed up boat bottoms. Their sharp-edged shells cut your bare feet. They were tough and rubbery if you ate the big ones right Harry Anderson off the beach. And the idea Rockin’ a Hard Place that someone would create a commercial mussel farm and plop several dozen floating platforms on pristine Penn Cove waters just off Madrona Way raised more than a few Rock hackles back in the 1970s. Mention that this week as MusselFest 2015 gets underway in Coupeville, and you’ll likely hear a guffaw or receive a frigid stare. Penn Cove and mussels now go together like Philadelphia and cheesesteak or San Francisco and sourdough. The once-maligned mollusk has made us famous. Diners from New York to Paris and beyond now are apt to ask, “Where’s Penn Cove?” when told that’s where the plate of delicious mussels they’re about to devour came from. Hopefully, those mussels will be steamed, as we all know they’re supposed to be, in white wine, butter and garlic, not smothered in herbs and sauces as fancied by some in America. But let’s not pick that fight. Love of our mussels has, if possible, grown stronger since we came close to losing our mollusks in 2012 with the notorious sinking of the Deep Sea crab trawler. Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the cove from that abandoned old hulk, just a few hundred yards from the Penn Cove Shellfish mussel farm platforms operated by the Jefferds family since 1975. The farm was forced to shut down for several anxious weeks, until certification by state environmentalists proved that no permanent damage to the cove’s water and marine life had occurred. But long before retired Army officer Peter Jefferds, his wife and sons discovered how perfect Penn Cove is for growing mussels, the original Rock dwellers knew it only too well. Large communities of Skagit and Clallam peoples lived around the cove for several millennia, in no small part because of the abundant shellfish. That included oysters, clams and, especially, Mytillus trossolus — the mussel species native to Penn Cove that has cream-colored meat and tastes best when harvested at two or three inches in length. The naysayers in the 1970s thought it almost sacrilegious to “commercialize” the cove by turning something into a cash crop that you could harvest free by simply walking on the beach. But since then, commercial farming of mussels has, in big ways and small, transformed Coupeville. Forty years ago, some folks thought Coupeville resembled a ghost town. The saw mills were long gone and so were the big boats that stopped at the wharf to haul the prairie’s agricultural bounty to warehouses in Seattle. About the town’s only claim to fame was as the seat of Island County government. Contrast that with today’s prosperous tourist trade – day trippers, lovers, campers, bicyclists, seekers of peace and quiet, foodies and artists – that grows larger every year. This weekend, as you weave your way through the mob scene at MusselFest, drink a beer and clamor aboard the shuttle to visit a dozen local eateries and vote for the best mussel chowder, keep in mind where we’d be if it weren’t for Mytillus trossolus. Still loving our beautiful cove, I imagine, but poorer and lonesome.

Examiner The Whidbey

CONTACT US: news@whidbeyexaminer.com The Whidbey Examiner, 107 S. Main St., Suite 101, Coupeville, WA 98239 ph. 360-678-8060 • fax: 360-678-6073 Online: www.whidbeyexaminer.com

Don’t waste resources on exploring definition Editor, After reading “Board explores reserve’s message” in the Feb. 19 edition of The Examiner, I was disheartened to see that after the reserve’s 37 years of existence, the trust board is focusing its limited staff and funding resources on “What exactly is a reserve?” Really? With all of the important and exciting work that could be happening in the reserve, to continue the tired discussion of what is a reserve and what is a park is disappointing. Congress, not local citizens or congressmen, actually established the reserve in 1978 for the American people, for our nation to learn about Pacific Northwest history still visible in the land and in the historic structures. Visitors come from all over the world

to see this 19th century landscape that has (for the most part) gracefully survived into the 21st century. It surely was a new kind of National Park Service unit, and its management structure reflects the public/private cooperation that defines this unit. This reserve is a special place with unique needs and opportunities, but it remains threatened. The provincial discussions on what is a reserve and what is a park need to end. It is non-productive. What is the motivation behind these discussions? Since its creation, the reserve has lost farmlands to development and historic buildings to demolition or alteration. Instead of this wheel-spinning discussion of what is a reserve, wouldn’t it be great to read about the new programs and events and initiatives the trust board is working on to ensure the natural, cultural, scenic and recreational resources of the reserve will be there for future generations? What if the Trust Board started plan-

ning for the reserve’s 40th anniversary, which is just around the corner (three years)? What about replacing and updating the deteriorated interpretive panels throughout the reserve? What if they worked on enhancing existing conservation programs that help ensure the reserve’s significant resources remain? What if partnerships were created or expanded with the chamber and local businesses to take advantage of the tourism dollars that flow into Central Whidbey because it is an NPS unit? What if the reserve engaged youth so it would have its future stewards? There is so much meaningful work that needs to be done here. The American public needs to know the reserve is on a steady and productive course into the future with the trust board at the helm. Spending time on these tired old conversations that masquerade as action is frivolous.

Gretchen Luxenberg Coupeville

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IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Established in Coupeville in 1996, The Whidbey Examiner is published weekly by Sound Publishing on Thursdays. Subscriptions are delivered by mail (USPS 015-276) for $19.50 on Whidbey Island and $23 off-Island. Copies are available at newsstands for 50 cents. To start a subscription, call toll-free 888-838-3000. To place a classified ad, call 800-388-2527. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey Examiner, PO Box 445, Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright 2015

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Thursday, March 5, 2015 • The Whidbey Examiner

Page 5

Events schedule Friday, March 6 5:30-8:30 p.m., Mussel Mingle at Coupeville Rec Hall. Enjoy giant “Prairie Dog” Polish dogs, mussels and frites, wine and beer. Live music by Broken Banjo. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Available at Coupeville Chamber of Commerce, bayleaf and Aqua Gifts.

2014 File photo

Above: The mussel-eating competition will be held at 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Below: Chowder tasters visit restaurants all over town for samples.

Town celebrates cove staple By Megan Hansen Co-Editor

Chowder aficionados don’t have to wait much longer, the Penn Cove MusselFest gets underway this weekend. The weekend festival comes complete with mussel chowder tasting, live music, beer and wine gardens and activities for the whole family. The Mussel Mingle starts the weekend 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at Coupeville Recreation Hall. Participants will dine on Prairie Dogs, mussels and frites, beer and wine while listening to the band Broken Banjo. Tickets are $20 and are pre-sold sold at Aqua Gifts, bayleaf and Coupeville Chamber. Tickets are $25 at the door. Nearly every restaurant in town will be participating in the mussel chowder contest, said Vickie Chambers, executive director of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, or CHWA. The association sells three different tickets, with five tastings per ticket. In all,

1,500 tickets are sold both Saturday and Sunday. But beware — Chambers says tickets always sell out early on Saturday. Because of business closure and one business having to cancel, two restaurants have stepped up to make twice the chowder — last year’s winner, Coupeville Coffee and Bistro, and Pizza Factory. Chowder-making restaurants are given 50 pounds of mussels, onions and potatoes by CHWA and Penn Cove Shellfish. The rest of the ingredients and innovation is up to the participant. Each business plans to give out 500 samples of chowder each day. “It’s a huge time and financial commitment (for our businesses),” Chambers said. Free shuttles will take chowder tasters around town. In addition to the chowder tasting, two beer gardens will offer beverages, music and more mussels. Penn Cove Shellfish hosts a big tent across from the Coupeville Rec Hall just on Saturday. Live music will go until 9 p.m. Proceeds from the tent go to the Coupeville Boys and

n 5:30-9 p.m., The Steve Trembley Band 3-3:30 p.m., MusselFest eating competition at Coupeville Rec Hall. $5 to participate.

Sunday, March 8

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., MusselFest Headquarters open at Coupeville Rec Hall. Buy mussel chowder– tasting tickets and mussel farm tour tickets here.

11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mussel chowder tasting. Visit local restaurants for samples and vote for a favorite. Tickets are $10.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mussel farm tours leaving from Coupeville Wharf. Tours last one hour. Last boat leaves at 4 p.m. $10. Buy tickets at Rec Hall.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mussel cooking demonstrations at Rec Hall. n 10 a.m., Jon-Paul Dowdell — Roaming Radish n 11 a.m., Larry Cordova — World Marriott

different ways to prepare them with demonstrations running hourly form 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rec Hall. There will also be several children’s activities including “fishing” for treasures, music performances and arts and crafts. Make way to the Windjammer dock 12-2 p.m. both days for a chance to catch a golden mussel in a fishin’ contest for kids. Chambers said it’s fun to watch the fishing and people will line up along the wharf to watch the people down on the beach. Save some room each afternoon as contestants line up 3 p.m. each day at the Rec Hall to see who can eat three 16-ounce cups of mussels the quickest.

n 2:30-5:30 p.m., Jones and Fischer

Saturday, March 7

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mussel shuttles. Travel the chowder tasting route on a continuous loop through town. Free.

Girls Club and Coupeville High School Science Scholarships. New this year, organizer Cindy Olson is bringing in DJs Pablo Esco and Mike Check to the CHWA beer garden 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday in the Rec Hall parking lot. The pair will also set up on Front Street Sunday. The Cranberry Bog Bluegrass Band will perform 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Curious where all these mussels come from? A boat will be leaving Coupeville Wharf every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for one-hour tours of the Penn Cove Mussel Farm. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the Rec Hall. And after you learn all about mussel farming, learn

n 12-2:30 p.m., The Orville Johnson Band

n 12 p.m., Tim Voss — Etta’s n 1 p.m., Chris Garr — Ivar’s Acres of Clams n 2 p.m., Herschell Taghap — Hot Stove Society 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s activities and songs at Masonic Lodge, 804 N. Main St. Eric Ode, a children’s author and songwriter at 11:30 a.m. Art and activities to follow. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Waterfront Beer Garden in Coupeville Rec Hall parking lot. DJs Pablo Esco and Mike Check perform 12:30-3 p.m. 12-2 p.m., Children’s Fishin’ Off the Pier, 22 Front St. Fish for treats and treasures. Free. 12-9 p.m., Penn Cove Shellfish Mussel and Beer Garden, across from Coupeville Rec Hall. Live music. Spicy, Southwestern mussels served 12-5 p.m.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mussel farm tours leaving from Coupeville Wharf. Tours last one hour. Last boat leaves at 4 p.m. $10. Buy tickets at Rec Hall. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mussel shuttles. Travel the chowder tasting route on a continuous loop through town. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mussel cooking demonstrations at Rec Hall. n 10 a.m., Jon-Paul Dowdell — Roaming Radish n 11 a.m., Larry Cordova — World Marriott n 12 p.m., Tim Voss — Etta’s n 1 p.m., Chris Garr — Ivar’s Acres of Clams n 2 p.m., Herschell Taghap — Hot Stove Society 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s activities and songs at Masonic Lodge, 804 N. Main St. Eric Ode, a children’s author and songwriter at 11:30 a.m. Art and activities to follow. 12-2 p.m., Children’s Fishin’ Off the Pier, 22 Front St. Fish for treats and treasures. Free. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Waterfront Beer Garden in Coupeville Rec Hall parking lot. Cranberrry Bog Bluegrass Band performs 1-3 p.m. 3-3:30 p.m., Mussel Eating Competition at Coupeville Rec Hall. $5 to participate.

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The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

Page 7 Supporting Business ~ Strengthening Community

©Don Bush Photography

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Thursday, March 5, 2015 • The Whidbey Examiner

use!

905 NW Alexander, Coupeville 360.678.5434 www.coupevillechamber.com

Coupeville • 360-678-4803 • 888-743-2033 www.penncoveshellfish.com

10am to 5pm daily Lavender Hot Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, Baked Goods and Hot Lavender Lemonade

13 11

Town Shop: 15 Coveland Street ~ Coupeville Farm & Shop: Closed for season Coupeville | 360.544.4132 | Learn more at lavenderwind.com

NW Alexander St 8

Library

CA S C AD E

AGENCY

LLC

404 S Main St • Coupeville • 360-682-2162 www.cascadeinsuranceagency.com

Coupeville freelandacehardware.com Mon–Sat 8AM-7PM, Sun 9AM-6PM 331-6799 • 1609 E. Main, Freeland

3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank 360-678-1912 or 360-222-0121 www.meerkerkgardens.org

Saturday, May 16th 2015 11am-5pm

. . . loves you and mussels too! 606 N Main St • Coupeville • 360-861-6466 Tues to Fri 10 am – 5 pm • Sat 10 am – 3 pm

LB Construction

360-678-5470

Past Mussel Eating Contest Winner Manny Rojas

www.lbconstructionofwhidbey.com LBCONW19680W

Tribal Canoe Races Native Arts & Crafts Music, Dancing, Food Storytelling & Youth Activities

Downtown Parking Chowder Contestants Altered Distance Chowder Tasting Route Free Shuttle Stops

Come see our new spring collections!

Enjoy the Food & Fun at Mussel Festival!

Healthcare Excellence Close to Home

≈

Mmm-mmm-mmm

Mussels!

To Oak Harbor 360-678-4222 • 8 NW Front Street • www.tobysuds.com

Live the Island Dream...

GRAY WHALES 100' MYSTIC SEA March 7 - May 10

PRAIRIE Locally Owned andCENTER Locally Operated

10:30AM Check-in • 11AM Depart • 2PM Return Adult $69 / Seniors $59 Military — $10 off regular rate*

www.mysticseacharters.com

Across from the Keystone Ferry • COUPEVILLE • 360-678-5396 THURS & SUN • 8 AM-6 PM • Open FRI & SAT ‘til 7:30 PM!

2 Front Street • Coupeville • 360-678-0664

Fresh Steamed Mussels • Seafood • Burgers • Clam Chowder

1-800-308-9387

A Free Family Festival in Historic Coupeville!

PennCoveWaterFestival.Com PennCoveWaterFestival@gmail.Com

(*immediate family & seniors only)

Too Much Fun? Our ER is Always Open!

of Whidbey Island, Inc.

Manny & Janet Rojas

Front Street Grill Toby’s Pizza Factory Tyee Restaurant & Lounge The Oystercatcher Captain Whidbey Inn Knead & Feed Christopher’s on Whidbey Ciao Coupeville Bistro & Coffee Kim’s Cafe Brett’s Bread Mosquito Fleet

WE LOVE COUPEVILLE

Penn Cove Water Festival

POLE BUILDINGS Barns • Shops • Garages • Concrete Projects • Storage Buildings • Living Spaces

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Espresso, Ice Cream & Chowder

WE LOVE COUPEVILLE!

INSURANCE

Mussel Festival Chowder Contestants

FISH & CHIPS!

From our  to your Auto • Home • Business

Thank You Coupeville Restaurants!

10 6th St NW

7th St NW

8th St NW

Patio Tea Room

5Grace St NW NW Coveland St

101 NW Coveland Street · Coupeville · 360.678.6603 · www.bayleaf.us

Main Street S

Front St

Mussels · Wine by the Glass · Bánh mì Sandwiches

Main Street N

We Love MusselFest!

High School

Terry Rd

BEST OF

WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS

French Macarons are a perfect palate cleanser for Musselfest!

3rd St NE

Center St NE

To Freeland and Langley

Highway 20

THE

≈ ≈ ≈

9th St NE

all things delicious!

8th St NE

Haller St NE

Departs: 228 Wharf St. Langley, WA

DON’T MISS THE GRAY WHALES

FLYERS LOGO

COFFEE & BISTRO

360-678-5611

Winner of 2014 Chowder Contest!

408 SOUTH MAIN STREET COUPEVILLE

Janet Burchfield Front Street Realty 22 NW Front St., Ste. B Coupeville

WWW.PCREDAPPLE.COM

360-678-6100 • janetburchfield.com

Give us a taste test & vote for us again! 200 S Main St • Coupeville • 360-682-5832

623 Industrial Ave.

serving whidbey island since 1983

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Dr. Lee Roof · PA Heather Good · PA Ellen Jacus · ARNP Irene Puhr

360-675-4949 R E S T A U R A N T

Caring for your Muscle Car • • • •

Full Frame & Unibody Insurance Claims Free Estimates Major & Minor Collision Repair

(360) 678-4440 www.whidbeyislandmedicine.com 77 N Main St. · Coupeville, WA 98239

B R E W E R Y

32295 SR20 • Oak Harbor 360.675.5858 • www.eatatflyers.com

comprehensive general medical care

MOSQUITO FLEET CHILI & PIES

To make a reservation, call or R E S Tbook A U R A N T online & B R E W E R Ynow! 360-679-4003 (LOCAL) 877-679-4003 (TOLL-FREE) www.seatacshuttle.com

2004 ALL MATERIAL CONFIDENTIAL

Try Our Mussel chowder!

Specializing in chili featuring gumbo, sandwiches and quiche. Open for lunch and dinner 10 am – 8 pm. A simple menu for simply delicious homemade food. 12 NW Front Street, Coupeville 360-678-2900

Page 6

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

Page 7 Supporting Business ~ Strengthening Community

©Don Bush Photography

r - N o t th

Fr esh

ro m

wate e h t

Thursday, March 5, 2015 • The Whidbey Examiner

use!

905 NW Alexander, Coupeville 360.678.5434 www.coupevillechamber.com

Coupeville • 360-678-4803 • 888-743-2033 www.penncoveshellfish.com

10am to 5pm daily Lavender Hot Chocolate, Tea, Coffee, Baked Goods and Hot Lavender Lemonade

13 11

Town Shop: 15 Coveland Street ~ Coupeville Farm & Shop: Closed for season Coupeville | 360.544.4132 | Learn more at lavenderwind.com

NW Alexander St 8

Library

CA S C AD E

AGENCY

LLC

404 S Main St • Coupeville • 360-682-2162 www.cascadeinsuranceagency.com

Coupeville freelandacehardware.com Mon–Sat 8AM-7PM, Sun 9AM-6PM 331-6799 • 1609 E. Main, Freeland

3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank 360-678-1912 or 360-222-0121 www.meerkerkgardens.org

Saturday, May 16th 2015 11am-5pm

. . . loves you and mussels too! 606 N Main St • Coupeville • 360-861-6466 Tues to Fri 10 am – 5 pm • Sat 10 am – 3 pm

LB Construction

360-678-5470

Past Mussel Eating Contest Winner Manny Rojas

www.lbconstructionofwhidbey.com LBCONW19680W

Tribal Canoe Races Native Arts & Crafts Music, Dancing, Food Storytelling & Youth Activities

Downtown Parking Chowder Contestants Altered Distance Chowder Tasting Route Free Shuttle Stops

Come see our new spring collections!

Enjoy the Food & Fun at Mussel Festival!

Healthcare Excellence Close to Home

≈

Mmm-mmm-mmm

Mussels!

To Oak Harbor 360-678-4222 • 8 NW Front Street • www.tobysuds.com

Live the Island Dream...

GRAY WHALES 100' MYSTIC SEA March 7 - May 10

PRAIRIE Locally Owned andCENTER Locally Operated

10:30AM Check-in • 11AM Depart • 2PM Return Adult $69 / Seniors $59 Military — $10 off regular rate*

www.mysticseacharters.com

Across from the Keystone Ferry • COUPEVILLE • 360-678-5396 THURS & SUN • 8 AM-6 PM • Open FRI & SAT ‘til 7:30 PM!

2 Front Street • Coupeville • 360-678-0664

Fresh Steamed Mussels • Seafood • Burgers • Clam Chowder

1-800-308-9387

A Free Family Festival in Historic Coupeville!

PennCoveWaterFestival.Com PennCoveWaterFestival@gmail.Com

(*immediate family & seniors only)

Too Much Fun? Our ER is Always Open!

of Whidbey Island, Inc.

Manny & Janet Rojas

WE LOVE COUPEVILLE

Penn Cove Water Festival

POLE BUILDINGS Barns • Shops • Garages • Concrete Projects • Storage Buildings • Living Spaces

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Espresso, Ice Cream & Chowder

WE LOVE COUPEVILLE!

INSURANCE

Mussel Festival Chowder Contestants

FISH & CHIPS!

From our  to your Auto • Home • Business

Thank You Coupeville Restaurants!

10 6th St NW

7th St NW

8th St NW

Patio Tea Room

5Grace St NW NW Coveland St

101 NW Coveland Street · Coupeville · 360.678.6603 · www.bayleaf.us

Main Street S

Front St

Mussels · Wine by the Glass · Bánh mì Sandwiches

Main Street N

We Love MusselFest!

High School

Terry Rd

BEST OF

WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS

French Macarons are a perfect palate cleanser for Musselfest!

3rd St NE

Center St NE

To Freeland and Langley

Highway 20

THE

≈ ≈ ≈

9th St NE

all things delicious!

8th St NE

Haller St NE

Departs: 228 Wharf St. Langley, WA

DON’T MISS THE GRAY WHALES

FLYERS LOGO

COFFEE & BISTRO

360-678-5611

Winner of 2014 Chowder Contest!

408 SOUTH MAIN STREET COUPEVILLE

Janet Burchfield Front Street Realty 22 NW Front St., Ste. B Coupeville

WWW.PCREDAPPLE.COM

360-678-6100 • janetburchfield.com

Give us a taste test & vote for us again! 200 S Main St • Coupeville • 360-682-5832

623 Industrial Ave.

serving whidbey island since 1983

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Dr. Lee Roof · PA Heather Good · PA Ellen Jacus · ARNP Irene Puhr

360-675-4949 R E S T A U R A N T

Caring for your Muscle Car • • • •

Full Frame & Unibody Insurance Claims Free Estimates Major & Minor Collision Repair

(360) 678-4440 www.whidbeyislandmedicine.com 77 N Main St. · Coupeville, WA 98239

B R E W E R Y

32295 SR20 • Oak Harbor 360.675.5858 • www.eatatflyers.com

comprehensive general medical care

MOSQUITO FLEET CHILI & PIES

To make a reservation, call or R E S Tbook A U R A N T online & B R E W E R Ynow! 360-679-4003 (LOCAL) 877-679-4003 (TOLL-FREE) www.seatacshuttle.com

2004 ALL MATERIAL CONFIDENTIAL

Try Our Mussel chowder!

Specializing in chili featuring gumbo, sandwiches and quiche. Open for lunch and dinner 10 am – 8 pm. A simple menu for simply delicious homemade food. 12 NW Front Street, Coupeville 360-678-2900

Page 8

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

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OF BELLINGHAM

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*DISCLAIMER: All offers on approval of credit, plus taxes, fees and license. Highway gas mileage obtained from FuelEconomy.gov

Thursday, March 5, 2015 • The Whidbey Examiner

Page 9

Bike riders hit trails to join MusselFest fun By Jim Waller Staff Reporter

Those willing to endure the weather associated with MusselFest are just the type of people who might like mountain biking in the same elements. That was the reasoning of the organizers of the first Mussels in the Kettles non-competitive bike ride five years ago. “It takes a hardy person to eat mussels and listen to music in one of the wettest and windiest times of the year,” according to Matt Plush, one of the ride’s original organizers. “We thought the same personality would be willing to ride their mountain bike in the same weather.” The Mussels in the Kettles, a mountain-bike and poker ride sponsored by the Whidbey Island Bicycle Club, takes off from Coupeville Elementary School Saturday, March 7, as part of the an-

nual MusselFest celebration. The start line is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the event features three courses through the Kettles and Fort Ebey trails: easy, moderate and expert. Good poker hands will win prizes. Riders can register at www.active.com About 250 riders have signed up for this year’s event. If the trend of past races continues, that number should grow on ride day. For the first ride five years ago, 16 registered but 60 showed up. Last year, 75 signed up and the total swelled to 160 the morning of the race. The latest issue of Outside online named the Mussels in the Kettles as the No. 2 event of the 20 best beginner races in the country. Brian Wood, Ross VanVactor and Plush organized the first race in only six weeks.

cross Series race). “WIBC spends hundred of hours a year riding and working on the trails at the Kettles and Fort Ebey,” Plush said. The events allow the club to show off the island and “this awesome place to ride,” he said. Club members participate in weekly rides on Saturday mornings based out of Oak Harbor’s Honeymoon Bay Coffee. During non-winter months, the club sponsors bike rides and mountain bike rides on multiple nights of the week from different locations. For more information about the club and the Mussels in the Kettles ride, visit www.whidbeybicycleclub.org

The trio rode in Woodinville’s Stinky Spoke ride for several years and decided to put together a similar event in the Kettles. “So in 45 days we started Whidbey Island Bicycle Club and put on the event,” Plush said. “We used the event as a way to get membership in our club, so if you rode the ride you became a member unless you opted out.” They decided to link up with the already established MusselFest, according to Plush, because “you can’t have an event where you expect people to drive to a destination and not have something to do afterwards.” Mussels in the Kettles is one of four public events sponsored by the Whidbey Island Bicycle Club each year. The others are Cookin’ in the Kettles (a BuDu mountain bike racing series event), the Trick or Treat Ride at the Kettles and the Thanks Give’er (a Cascade Cyclo-

Photo courtesy of WIBC

A rider enjoys a past Mussels in the Kettles ride.

Rafferty takes over high school softball program By Jim Waller Staff Reporter

Winning with integrity is one of the key elements of new Coupeville High School varsity softball coach Deanna Rafferty’s philosophy. This is Rafferty’s first high school coaching assignment, and she began when the Wolves opened practice for the 2015 season Monday, March 2. The 2008 Oak Harbor High School graduate takes over the helm from the coaching tandem of David and Amy King. The Kings led the program for two seasons after assisting with youth and school teams for many years. Jim Waller photo

Deanna Rafferty is the new Coupeville High School softball coach.

“I want these girls to want to win as badly as I do, but without sacrificing their sports integrity,” Rafferty said. “If we’re not out there to win, then why are we playing?” Rafferty hopes to build a “strong team dynamic.” “If each girl can trust in another girl’s ability to perform at a position, I don’t see why they couldn’t succeed.” Rafferty played softball at Oak Harbor High School for four years and then attended Central Washington University. At Central, Rafferty switched sports and took up lacrosse. She was the CWU’s team captain for two years and helped coach the squad for three. Rafferty also played and coached intramural softball at Central. She applied for the Coupeville

job because she remembers “what it was like to be in high school and love softball.” “I’m excited to work with girls that have that raw passion for the game,” Rafferty said. Rafferty’s aim is to aid the girls in their attempts to be successful. “I want these girls to take away a successful season,” Rafferty said. “I define success as accomplishing not only team goals but their personal goals. If any girl wants to try to go to college and play softball, I want them to know I’m there for them and will help them in any way possible.” Coupeville reached the state tournament last spring for the first time since 2002. Rafferty’s goal for this season is a return trip: “The Kings set the stage last season for state playoffs, and I believe that we have the same potential.”

Stone leads Coupeville haul of Olympic League honors By Jim Waller Staff Reporter

First, the Coupeville High School girls basketball team dominated the Olympic League, then it dominated the selections for all-conference honors. Junior Makana Stone, who averaged nearly 17 points a game, was named the Olympic League’s Most Valuable Player. Seniors Julia Myers and Madeline Strasburg received

first-team honors, while seniors Hailey Hammer and Kacie Kiel received honorable mention. Head coach David King was chosen as Coach of the Year. The Wolves were also selected for the conference’s Sportsmanship Award. Coupeville finished the season with a 9-0 Olympic League record and 15-7 overall. The Coupeville players received letters and team

awards at the season-ending banquet Tuesday, March 3. Varsity letters were presented to seniors Hammer, Kiel, Myers, Strasburg, Wynter Thorne and Monica Vidoni; juniors Stone and McKenzie Bailey; and freshman Mia Littlejohn. Sophomore Kailey Kellner received a varsity participation certificate. Kiel, Stone and Strasburg were named team captains. Four-year participation certificates went to Hammer

(a four-year varsity letter winner), Kiel, Strasburg, Thorne and Vidoni. Other special awards: Best Defense, Hammer; Best Offense, Stone and Myers; Best Newcomer, Littlejohn; Most Improved, Thorne; Most Inspirational, Stone and Strasburg; Wolf Pride, Kiel; and Leader of the Pack, Stone. John Fisken photo

Makana Stone was named the Olympic League MVP.

WHIDBEY Classifieds!

Page 10 March 5, 2015

real estate for sale

www.whidbeyexaminer.com

real estate for rent - WA

Real Estate for Rent Island County LANGLEY

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wheels

real estate for rent - WA Real Estate for Rent Island County

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announcements

Employment General

Nursing Assistant Part & Full Time * Shift Differential for P.M. & NOC Shifts * Competitive Wages, DOE Come work in a clean, safe and friendly environment where EMPLOYEES ARE GENERAL CONTRACTOR LivingVALUED. and serving locally for 30 years

t /FX $POTUSVDUJPO Please apply in person: t 3FNPEFMJOH

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March 5, 2015 Page 11

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Electronics

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Dogs

Garage/Moving Sales Island County Coupeville

pets/animals Dogs

$300 (+) RAT TERRIER PUPS $300. Unbelievably cute, loving little babies with plenty of â€œRatitudeâ€?. We have chocolates, black and tans and theyâ€™re all toys. Ta i l s d o cke d & d ew claws removed and by the time they go home, Sell it free in the Flea t h ey â€™ l l h ave h a d t w o shots and been wormed 1-866-825-9001 several times. Ready for V I AG R A a n d C I A L I S new homes. 360-273USERS! 50 Pills SPE- 9325. Rochester. CIAL - $99.00. FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855409-4132 VIAGRA - Pfizer brand! Lowest Price from USA Pharmacies.Â No doctor visit needed! Â Discreet H o m e D e l i ve r y. Â C a l l 855-684-5241 $500 AKC English Mastiff/ Great Pyrenees pupMiscellaneous pies. Perfect for families, Acorn Stairlifts. The AF- security and as gentle as FORDABLE solution to can be! AKC Mastiff Dad your stairs! **Limited & Mom is a beautiful t i m e - $ 2 5 0 O f f Yo u r Great Pyrenese. All red Stairlift Purchase!** Buy or brown colored pups Direct & SAVE. Please w/ some black markings. call 1-800-304-4489 for Pick you puppy, before F R E E DV D a n d b r o - their gone, call Francis now 360-535-9404 Kingchure. ston, WA. K I L L ROAC H E S ! B u y 9 AUSTRALIAN ShepHarr is Roach Tablets. herd Pups. Pure Bred. Eliminate Bugs-Guaran- Parents very docile and teed. No Mess, Odor- friendly! Mom on site. 6 l e s s , L o n g L a s t i n g . males and 3 females. Available at Ace Hard- Tails & dew claws done. ware & The Home Depot Shots & worming will be. KILL SCORPIONS! Buy Taking deposits now, will Harris Scorpion Spray. make good family pets! Indoor/Outdoor, Odor- $ 4 2 5 f o r Tr i - C o l o r s ; less, Non-Staining. Ef- $500 for Blue Merles. fective results begin af- Call: 360-631-6089 for t e r s p r a y d r i e s . more info. Ava i l a bl e : T h e H o m e A K C P U G P U P P I E S ! Depot, Homedepot.com, First shots and wormed. ACE Hardware We have adorable male P r o t e c t Yo u r H o m e - fawns. Well socialized ADT Authorized Dealer: with animals. Ready for B u r g l a r y, F i r e , a n d great homes soon. Mom Emergency Aler ts 24 a n d D a d o n s i t e . hours a day, 7 days a Available at $700 ea. week! CALL TODAY, IN- 360-929-7860 or S TA L L E D T O M O R - t c t r i m m e r @ m s n . c o m ROW! 888-858-9457 (M- Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island. F 9am-9pm ET)

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wheels Automobiles Others

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garage sales - WA Garage/Moving Sales Island County Langley

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Vehicles Wanted

LEGAL NOTICES

Wanted: 190SL, 230SL, 280SL, Mercedes or othe r p r e - 1 9 7 2 Fo r e i g n Sportscar or Convertible. Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, etc. ANY CONDITION! FA I R O F F E R S ! M i k e 520-977-1110.

sentative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim is barred by otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal representativeâ€™s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the cour t. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication ofthe notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the deced e n t â€™s p r o b a t e a n d nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: March 5th, 2015 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Nanette Streubel ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Charles Arndt of Kelly, Arndt & Walker, Attorneys at Law, PLLP ADDRESS FOR MAILI N G O R S E RV I C E : 504 N. Main St. Coupeville, WA 98239 COURT OF PROBATE PROCEEDINGS AND CAUSE NUMBER: Island County Superior Court Cause Number No. 15-4-00044-8 Legal No. WEX618116 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 5, 12, 19, 2015.

legals LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE ISLAND TRANSIT BOARD MEETING NOTE DATE CHANGE OF ALL REGULAR BUSINESS MEETINGS T h e I s l a n d Tr a n s i t B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r â€™s regularly scheduled monthly business meetings have been changed to the fourth Friday of every month. The next regular ly scheduled monthly business meeting of t h e I s l a n d Tr a n s i t Board of Directors is on Friday, March 27, 2015, at 9:30 AM, at Island Transitâ€™s Operations & Administration Building, 19758 SR 20, Coupeville, WA. Accommodations made available upon ten days advance request for communications assistance. The meeting room is accessible and open to the public. For more infor mation, please call (360) 6787771. Legal No. WEX618313 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 5, 19, 26, 2015.

SUPERIOR COURT CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! OF WASHINGTON Running or Not, All ISLAND COUNTY Makes!. Free Towing! In the Matter of the EsWeâ€™re Local! 7 Days/ tate of Week. Call 1-800-959Beverly E. Lane, 8518

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Deceased. Case No. 15-4-00044-8 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Repre-

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Measuring up to your expectations one ad at a time. Are you searching for a better job or a more reliable car? Have you outgrown your apartment? Are you looking to get rid of that old couch and chair sitting in the garage? Whether youâ€™re buying or selling, Sound Classifieds has it all. From automobiles and employment to real estate and household goods, youâ€™ll find everything you need in the Sound Classifieds.

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Page 12

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 5, 2015

Mussels: Family reflects on how shellfish farming has grown over decades From page 1 “In this country, people didn’t eat mussels,” Rawle said, noting they were referred to as perch bait. “People walked over them to get to clams and oysters. “There was no commercial market for them.” But in time, that all changed. After their first harvest, the Jefferds were persistent and thick-skinned in their trips to some of Seattle’s fin-

est restaurants and caught a break when some top French chefs raved about the Penn Cove mussels that reminded them of the ones back home. Gradually, public perception changed and Peter Jefferds’ puzzling plan suddenly had real promise. “My hat’s really off to him for taking such a huge risk and creating this venture,” Rawle said. “He had faith that he could create a market. It didn’t happen over night, but it did.”

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Through the years, the company has cracked out of its Coupeville shell and expanded. In 1996, Penn Cove Mussels formed a joint venture with Coast Seafoods Company, the country’s largest oyster farm, to become Penn Cove Shellfish. Now, Penn Cove Shellfish consists of three sites with mussel farms in Coupeville and Quilcene and a boat and equipment fabrication shop in Burlington. The company

employs 84 people. Along with mussels, the company also wet stores and distributes Manila clams and a wide variety of oysters that come from regional allied growers. The growth included the construction of a large packaging and maintenance shop in Coupeville in recent years just a short distance away from the business office that was once the Jefferds family home. While some things have

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changed, others haven’t. “We harvest to order every day,” said Tim Jones, longtime operations manager. “Our policy is it’s good when it’s really fresh. That’s what we try to do. It’s not a fishery. We don’t harvest them and try to sell them. We sell them and go to harvest them.” In Penn Cove, harvest occurs on acres of mussel rafts, where mollusks attach themselves to dangling ropes and grow to harvest size of nearly 3 inches in a single year. The Jefferds have refined the process, using a patented disc and dissolvable sacks to allow the mussels to separate and grow to harvestable size. A refrigerated truck leaves Coupeville bound for SeaTac Airport five days a week before sunrise to destinations all over the country with the goal of getting the shellfish to a dinner plate on the East

Chowder: Businesses gear up for MusselFest From page 1

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Coast that same evening. Rawle Jefferds handles a separate Seattle route himself, catching the 4:40 a.m. ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo four days a week. He delivers to Pike’s Place Market and restaurants. Karen Jefferds, Ian’s wife, serves as the company’s assistant general manager. “When they were putting those mussel rafts in, originally there was quite a bit of controversy,” said retired Coupeville farmer Roger Sherman. “People living there thought it would break up the scenic view. “It employs all kinds of people. It brings money back into the economy. People are used to it now. And the tourism stuff they do. They’re community-friendly. “We farm dirt. They farm water. I think that’s a pretty good deal.”

Historic Waterfront Association and Penn Cove Shellfish — twice. She asked that her mussels be delivered earlier in the week and started cooking and processing them Tuesday. And because she likes her chowder with lots of mussels, Blouin said she will actually purchase additional mussels and estimates she will process an extra 30 pounds or so. After committing to do twice the chowder, Blouin said she joked about having a mussel party with her friends to have them help her cook and shuck the mussels. The worst part is processing all the mussels, she said. “Then you don’t want to eat mussels for a whole year.” Each year, Blouin comes up with a different recipe to enter, but one thing stays consistent. Blouin prefers using non-dairy ingredients. “I have a lot of my experiments in the back kitchen,” she said. “I try to mix and match.” Blouin also likes to blend all of the ingredients, creating a broth with large chunks of mussels. “So they don’t figure out what’s in there,” she said. Last year, she said she roasted all of her vegetables prior to blending. And while Blouin plays LIFEST YLE around and experiments with her chowder each year, chowder participant Brett Rebischke-Smith said once he perfected his recipe, he’s stuck with tradition. This is Rebischke-Smith, the owner of Brett’s Breads’, third chowder contest.

His chowder is actually a modified potato soup recipe. “We make good, solid American food,” RebischkeSmith said. “We threw in all the things we love to eat — bacon, cream, sour cream, butter.” “It’s definitely not light. It’s amazing.” The first year, he said he bought 32 pounds of sour cream and ran out. Rebischke-Smith said MusselFest is something he looks forward to. “It’s one of our favorite times of the year,” he said. “For us it’s a big family day. I don’t have employees. It’s me and my wife and kids. “My kids really step up. It makes me proud.” Two weekends before the event, Rebischke-Smith was starting to prepare for the big weekend, making 1,000 1-ounce dinner rolls. He makes the dough ahead of time and freezes the rolls until they’re ready for baking. “Everyone who comes, gets to try our bread,” he said. Rebischke-Smith said his wife is responsible for processing the mussels and this year is coming prepared. She got pliers because her fingers got cut up last year, he said. MusselFest marks one of the busiest times of the year for many businesses and kind of an unofficial start to festival season. “It thaws Coupeville out,” Rebischke-Smith said. “It’s the start of spring.” n For more information about MusselFest, see the special section starting on page 5.