Record South Whidbey
INSIDE
Emma Lungren, 2015’s student hometown hero See...A8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 | Vol. 91, No. 41 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
Hospital, parks district consider pool plan
my mother hollered,” Simmons recalled. “It was tough on my folks when he was killed.” Stanley’s sacrifice, and that of 1.35 million other men and women who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces, were honored by about 220 South Whidbey residents on Monday at two separate Memorial Day services at the Clinton and Bayview cemeteries.
South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District may soon partner with the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation and Whidbey General Hospital to establish a recreation center complete with a pool and physical therapy unit. The center plans are a revamped version of those turned down by voters in 2008. The 2008 bond measure requested $15.2 million for a 50,000 square foot facility. The district began re-imagining their concept in early 2013, and involved the South Whidbey Parks and Aquatics Foundation later that year. The concept developed in 2013 would cost an estimated $3.7 million for a project of approximately half the size. The new design plans state that the center would still be largely focused on aquatic recreation, and would most likely feature three pools: one for community and recreational use, one for teaching and wellness and another, smaller and warmer pool for
SEE MEMORIAL DAY, A18
SEE PARKS, A12
Justin Burnett / The Record
South Whidbey Boy Scout Troop 57 members Liam Henny, 15, Casey Justus, 13, and Dustin Scharwat, 15, raise the American flag at a Memorial Day ceremony in Clinton on Monday.
South Whidbey remembers Memorial Day services see healthy turnout at Clinton, Bayview cemeteries By JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record Clinton resident Roy Simmons will never forget 1945. He was 8 years old, and his older broth-
er Stanley was overseas fighting in World War II. Like many young men at the time, Stanley had been eager to serve his country and dropped out of Langley High School to enlist. He said goodbye to his family, and was shipped off to fight in the Pacific Theater. They never saw him again. Stanley died at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was 18. Simmons still remembers the day he got the news. “We were off in the woods someplace when
Pawz, claws and feet turn out for Langley race By KATE DANIEL South Whidbey Record
Lorinda Kay photo
Will Simms crosses the finish line in first place Monday at Pawz by the Sea 5K Run/Walk in Langley.
Nearly 150 two and four-legged racers of all ages assembled in Langley Monday morning for the annual Pawz by the Sea 5K Run/Walk. The event began at 9 a.m. at Second Street and wound through the town. The skies were overcast, but participants appeared to remain both dry and cheerful throughout the race. Will Simms, a student at South Whidbey High School, and 11-year-old Kaia Richmond, both Langley residents, took first
place in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. Another Langley resident, Prince Brown, took first place in the kids category. Peter Lawlor, age 70, also entered the kids category and took the prize for “best last place finish” by “crawling over the finish line,” according to a Tuesday news release. In addition, the top 10 men, women and dogs each won prizes. Several K-9s won accolades for categories ranging from “biggest eyes” to “most drool.” SEE PAWZ, A12