During the early 1980's I was involved in doing much grass roots public relations and fundraising of what has become the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District, utilizing television, radio, and printed media to create public awareness and support.

The following pages are from a South Whidbey Recreation brochure from 1982 showing early progress. 

What good is a wonderful idea and a chunk of land if no one knows about it?  I did public relations until the South Whidbey Recreation project started rolling and gaining  momentum. 

I organized and publicized South Whidbey Recreation's very first community recreational event, consisting of a concert, dance, and food event that took place at the American Legion Hall #141, which raised funds to start the groundbreaking of the baseball fields.

Another fundraiser that garnered community attention and support were teams of volunteers selling helium filled balloons with the South Whidbey Recreation name, logo, and slogan "Your Community Center" at all the community functions and celebrations, Choochokum, and the Island County Fair.

I was also interested in assisting the equestrian community in developing a community equestrian center and island wide trail system. 

Consulting with horse leaders in Island County, expert horse trainer and instructor Betty LaFort worked with drafting designer/artist Tony Shults in designing several plans.  One"ideal" equestrian center Betty LaFort designed was a plan for a 20 acre equestrian facility with an indoor arena.

At one point an airplane hanger from the Oak Harbor Navy base was available to be moved and reused as an indoor arena.  At that time, the most feasible way of moving the 120' trusses to the South Whidbey Recreation site was by helicopter through the Army Corps of Engineers.