The heart of the matter: Our lives

I sent years of the La Conner Weekly News to North Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona, Montana, Tennessee and to multiple locals here and in Anacortes. To neighbors forced to move by rent increases. To a long-time boat-owner, moored here. Oh, even to Olympia. Why?

The heart of many articles: individual living experiences of humans, creatures (some pets), ivy killing carbon-sequestering trees, passages of birds recoloring fields, a blue heron shot to death, a home ablaze, flooding.

Photographs and basics of elementary, middle and high school students of the month.

Bill Reynolds’ consistently detailed and accurate reporting on meetings that Readers could not find time to attend. The facts informed us all to be able to hold to account elected and appointed individuals. No hiding funding decisions behind closed doors.

Volunteers are highlighted, pictured. Businesses that champion fundraising for a family with a tragically ill child – year after year.

Would the La Conner Swino­mish Library be standing if Kiwanis members had not taken over the once-upon-a-time La Conner auto repair shop? Kiwanis collected furniture and items for sale there, raising thousands. Once locals show such spirited determination, politicians have to get ahead of their movement.

Money shouts.

National trends hit home via our newspaper: local bank closures, bookstore changes, drugstore gone! Faces in generational depth where they belonged. Deep caring expressed in outrage, at the swift shift in use of the Hedlin ballpark. Letter after letter to our newspaper’s editor RE the Center Street multiple residential property proposed use.

Yes, Letters to the Editor. Wranglings and hissings and cheers; Ken Stern spewed on to the page: all points of view clear to read.

Olympia’s politicians and those running for local, state, national office: all their promises and plans were there between our fingers. Choices informed.

Democratic processes in action via our newspaper.

In 8-10 pages we enjoy (lap up), Aqiimuk’s recipes every week, a large crossword and a sudoku, lists of where to dance, music, theatre, local parades: for pets, July 4th, notable people celebrations, beside Tom Robbins sat Alexis, yea! Santa in our ancient firetruck. Coverage superb – as if the Reader were there on site. And for $1.25 per week, value!

From a twinkle in his eye to conception, through pregnancy, birth pangs, delivery, from first squeals to words, consistent feedings by Mel Damski and other notables, enabling a confidence of standing on his own two feet, Ken ends this successful seven-year, risk-taking adventure now in a near 70-year old, rather tired bod’.

This multi-curved, hard-fast and slow sinker ball player has given the game his all.

No local with deep pockets has chosen to step up to the plate. Nonetheless, Ken, your owner, publisher, editor, newshound, OPEN, earned pseudonym shines like a revolving 360-degree beacon. It reminds one Reader of a WWII searchlight. Such strong beams pierced cloud layers for enemy aircraft.

Your beacon may prove too enlightening for deep pockets folks’ far narrower vision, perchance. You leave as a trusted friend whose legacy can breathe life into those willing to take a deep breath, or leave us all shaking our heads, our lives lacking the heart of what we didn’t or couldn’t acknowledge as critical matter. Existence keeps on. Life?

To close: Winston Churchill, English people’s WWII hero, was not re-elected in 1945. But, in 1952, King George VI suddenly died. The hero returned as prime minister; a steady, well-known hand at the helm.

Ken will not return. Winston’s heart-piercing summation will play out: We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

J. Walker-Wharton lives in La Conner.