BY WLM STAFF
PHOTOS BY DAVID WELTON
And VICKY BROWN
Sketches by BARBARA BARRY
April 28, 2014

As part of the lively celebration at the Whidbey Life Magazine Launch Party, unveiling the first print issue of WLM, publisher Sue Taves announced, “This is the part where the doctor turns around and says “Congratulations, you have a baby…magazine.”

The key management team of WLM: publisher and managing editor, Sue Taves; webmaster and graphic designer, Jan Shannon, and co-editor and graphic designer Claire Moore, were joined by the WLM writers, photographers, contributors and many community supporters for this event.

Co-founders Jan Shannon and Sue Taves mingle as the party gets started. (photo by David Welton)

WLM event coordinator Meri McCormick pulled out all the stops to celebrate the occasion. The historic Freeland Hall and stage were decked out, the room was packed with enthusiastic WLM supporters and the food, music and cake demonstrated some of the artistry of Whidbey’s creative community.

Peggy Moe’s paper flower centerpieces help create unique and fun mood as local photographers and art supporters Ruth Cox (left) and Sharon Shoemaker enjoy the evening. (photo by David Welton)

The colorful creator of the paper flower centerpieces, the luminous Peggy Moe (photo by David Welton)

Peggy Moe’s colorful, hand-crafted flower bouquets decorated all the tables and the stage. (photo by Vicky Brown)

In response to comments from Sue Taves, “it takes a village to raise a magazine, “MC Marsha Morgan kicked off the evening with her original lyrics in a “thank you” song to the many, many people who work on—and have worked on—WLM. Eileen Soskin coaxed the old stage piano through this song with just the right tempo. (See more notes on the village at the bottom of this article). To see the words to the “thank you” song, read this short article with the lyrics here. 

Marsha Morgan, MC, sings a long list of thanks for everyone who made WLM and the magazine a possibility. (photo by David Welton)

Matt Hoar, Siobhan Wright and Mary Ann Mansfield enjoy the evening’s entertainment. (photo by David Welton)

John Auburn of J.W. Desserts outdid himself with a champagne bucket and bottle that was a chocolate cake. The accompanying tasty lemon cake was a perfect counterpoint.

Congratulatory cake created for WLM by John Auburn of JW Desserts, celebrating the magazine’s launch (photo by Vicky Brown).

Copious amounts of delicious food were prepared by Laurel Davis of 2nd Street Wine Shop, and Lisa Carvey of The Braeburn, both in Langley and Vicky Brown of Little Brown Farm. (photo by Vicky Brown)

“Apricot Cilantro Prawns” and “Curried Chicken stuffed Medjool Dates” prepared with care by Laurel Davis were served with gusto by the South Whidbey Commons servers. “Gingered Apple Beet Salsa,” a Charcuterie Board and fresh cheeses prepared by the culinary talents of Laurel, Lisa and Vicky, were among the many choices available at the food table. The team of enthusiastic servers of the South Whidbey Commons were guided by Gretchen Cole and Katy Wilson-Albert.

Little Brown Farm pheta and olives and other culinary delights as they looked before the party started. (photo by Vicky Brown)

Musician and teacher Linda Good walks to the stage to accept the first WLM Arts Grant, presented to Island Strings. (photo by David Welton)

Early on in the evening, WLM Publisher Sue Taves announced that WLM has created a grant program and will set aside 10% of the proceeds from sales of the print magazines to fund this grant. The first grant was awarded to Island Strings and Island Strings co-founder Linda Good accepted the big check.

Publisher Sue Taves and musical guest Gloria Ferry-Brennan present the first WLM Arts Grant to Linda Good and Island Strings (photo by David Welton).

WLM writer Carolyn Tamler (far right) and her husband Rich enjoy the music in a whole row of WLM writers, bloggers and contributors. (photo by David Welton)

A sea of people listen as MC Marsha Morgan introduces musicians Gloria Ferry-Brennan and Sophia Duccini (photo by David Welton).

Beth Bacon (left), WLM writer Susan Wenzel and her husband, Tim, enjoy the merriment.

Barbara Barry sketches the action as Gloria Ferry-Brennan and Sophia Duccini perform. (photo by David Welton)

A table of Whidbey Island Sketchers recorded the entertainment at the party with paint and brushes. Artist Barbara Barry shared her sketches with WLM and more sketches by Faye Castle, Sue Van Etten and Phyllis Ray can be found on the Whidbey Island Sketchers Blog.

Gloria and Sophia performing (photo by David Welton)

Gloria Ferry-Brennan (right) shows off the custom-designed and custom-made performance dress created especially for her by Brenda Lovie. (photo by Vicky Brown)

Barbara Barry’s sketch of the performers Gloria and Sophia (sketch courtesy of Barbara Barry)

A sketch by Barbara Barry; Gloria performs on her violin with Eileen Soskin accompanying her on the piano (sketch provided by the artist)

Helen Price Johnson, Island County Commissioner, 1st District, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to release the first print edition of  Whidbey Life Magazine. Sue Taves, publisher, says “at last!” (photo by David Welton)

Finally, the magazine, held aloft by Taves, Price Johnson, co-editor Claire Moore and Marsha Morgan, MC for the event. (photo by David Welton)

Whidbey Life Magazines can be purchased for $5 and are available at many island locations. You can find more information on the WLM order form.

Many thanks to the “village”

For the party:
Meri McCormick-party planner extraordinaire
Marsha Morgan-the MC who can sing
Gloria Ferry-Brennan and Sophia Duccini-knock your socks off musical entertainment
Phenomenal FOOD by:
Laurel Davis of 2nd Street Wine Shop
Lisa Carvey of The Braeburn
Vicky Brown of the Little Brown Farm 
John Auburn of J.W. Desserts
Goosefoot Community Fund for co-sponsoring the event
South Whidbey Commons, an ace serving team
Helen Price Johnson-grade A ribbon cutter
Peggy Moe-bright light and flowers
Eileen Soskin-perfect piano
Sharon of the Freeland Hall
And all our party volunteers!

The creators and contributors for Issue #1:
Sue Taves-Publisher and Managing editor
Jan Shannon-Graphic Design and Layout
Claire Moore-Co-editor, Layout, Design and Photo Editing
Dianna MacLeod-Co-editor, proofreading
Writers:
Russell Clepper
Patricia Duff
Suzanne Kelman
Deb Lund
Dianna MacLeod
Penny Webb
Susan Wenzel
Photographer:
David Welton
Poetry contributor
Joni Takanikos
WLM Logo Lori Tate
Ad Sales:
Susanne Newbold & Sue Taves
Marketing/PR Meri McCormick
Printer Shawn Van Dyken and LithtexNW
And numerous other volunteers who helped produce the magazine

The additional WLM contributors who keep the content flowing online:
Betty Freeman
Carolyn Tamler

WLM Bloggers

• Sirithiri by Siri Bardarson
• Pigment, Pandas and Perspective by Anne Belov
• Chief Milkmaid by Vicky Brown
• Play That Song Again by Erik Christensen
• The Storied Stylist by Julie Cunha
• Duff ’n Stuff by Patricia Duff
• Sue the Screenwriter by Suzanne Kelman
• The Creativity Cafe by Deb Lund
• From Stage to Page by Eric Mulholland
• In Search of Truth and Beauty by Joni Takanikos
• Minding the Sky by Judith Walcutt

Anne Belov-Virtual Gallery Curator

There are so many more thanks:
Our business sponsors: John L. Scott in Langley, Whidbey Vision Care and the Whidbey Island Arts Council
Our Indiegogo Contributors-see the list on our “Thank you” page
Our advertisers who took a chance signing up for Issue #1 sight unseen
Our many readers, contributors, Facebook and Twitter followers who help spread the word about WLM
Whidbey Island Local Lenders  for helping us with our start
Our anonymous donors-our many, many thanks
The forming team of Whidbey Life Magazine: Sue Taves, Jan Shannon, Patricia Duff and Kim Tinuviel
The original Whidbey Art Source Advisory Group of 2012: Laura Blankenship, Anastasia Brencick, Robbie Cribbs, Diane Divelbess, Bridget Fischer, Zia Gipson, Robbie Lobell, Paul McClintock, Claire Moore, Sharon Shoemaker, Michael Stadler, Lori Tate and Sandra Whiting

(Featured photo: MC Marsha Morgan, Co-editor Claire Moore, Island Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, Publisher Sue Taves and volunteer Rob Anderson show the new magazine to the audience. (photo by David Welton)

CLICK HERE to read more entertaining and informative WLM stories and blogs.

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