ahoy!
Welcome to the holidays. Is it that time already?
Where in the world has 2008 gone? Time flies when you debut a magazine halfway through the year. But jump-start aside, I’m sure many of you feel the holidays are creeping in closer and that someone, somewhere, is whittling down our 365. This year’s rollercoaster ride of economic ups and downs has no doubt intensified the hurried feeling. Our nation’s financial unsteadiness has forced us all to make hard decisions and return to lessons in frugality, creativity and necessity. We tried to keep this in mind when putting together your holiday edition of OH Magazine. Our “essential” gift suggestions aren’t just to entice you to buy local. Hopefully they’ll get your creative juices flowing to look beyond mainstream gift ideas. Be aware of the resources that exist here versus fueling up to travel elsewhere or ship your dollars to another zip code. When you look local you are more likely to purchase unique, quality items that are memorable and make those dollars spent
worthwhile. In this edition we forgoed our “Drop Anchor” real estate feature and “Catch of the Day” coverage to allow more space to spotlight holiday entertaining, Cynthia Woolbright, OH Magazine Editor decorating for the seaChristmas, circa 1984 son, philanthropic opportunities and reasons to give thanks. We put out the call for readers to submit their holiday traditions and received a tender handful. We are grateful to those who took the time to share their precious memories, and hope their reflections inspire you toward optimism in the new year. Look for those “regulars” to return in 2009, in addition to more insight into the people and things that make this city an essential place to live. Until next edition,
for the
HOME HOLIDAYS Readers share family tales of tradition Submitted by Maribeth Crandell
For generations, my family gathers on Christmas Eve at the old homeplace on a dirt road outside of Zebulon, N.C. The house was built as a two-room log cabin during the Civil War, but each generation helped expand it in all directions since then. A porch became a hallway and bedrooms sprouted off on both sides. The house was a maze of rooms leading to Maribeth Crandell, Enviornmental other rooms. Despite all the new, the Educator for the City of Oak Harbor, original log rooms with the small fire- submitted this picture of her family place and homemade furniture were still homestead in N.C. circa 1920. where everyone preferred to gather. We have a big extended family and it was hard to fit us all in the house for dinner. We lined up and down the hall to get a plate of food and ate at little tables all over the house, each decorated with a sprig of holly and a small candle. For dessert we always had my grandma’s drinking custard and a piece of pound cake. 4
November/December 2008
OH
life ❉ insight ❉ style ❉ culture ❉ fun ❉ shopping ❉ biz
Continue this tradition & more, page 20
magazine
Publisher: Marcia Van Dyke Editor: Cynthia Woolbright Production: William Bolles & Connie Ross Art: Teresa Besaw & Susan Hanzelka Contributing writers: Jill Johnson & Bernie Rietz Copy Editing: Jenny Manning Marketing: Robyn Bainbridge & Cindi Peters Special Thanks: City of Oak Harbor, Jo Balda and gracious Oak Harbor merchants.
OH distribution
OH Magazine: The Essentials of 98277, is a bi-monthly community lifestyle magazine produced at the Whidbey News-Times office and published as a product of Sound Publishing, Inc. It is distributed to all Whidbey News-Times subscribers in the 98277 and 98239 area, and is available at select sites around Oak Harbor. For additional copies, visit the Whidbey News-Times office at 800 SE Barrington Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
OH is all yours OH Magazine is always on the lookout for content ideas and talented freelance writers. To submit a suggestion for edition theme, Crow’s Nest coverage, Bearings & Beacons business, feature story or to be a freelance writer, contact editor Cynthia Woolbright at 675-6611, via email at cwoolbright@whidbeynews times.com, or write 800 SE Barrington Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
OH! Wait, there’s more ... OH Magazine content and web exclusives can be found in the lifestyles section of the Whidbey News-Times Web site www.whidbey newstimes.com. For information about advertising online, call the marketing department at 675-6611.