Editor,

Many regular readers of the Whidbey News-Times have for several years been the beneficiaries of Harry Anderson’s periodic column “Rockin’ a Hard Place.” Harry recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

That special birthday provides the perfect opportunity to thank Harry for sharing his writing skills and knowledge with us regularly for so long. Harry is a transplant to Whidbey as you know, but is a Northwest boy and comes equipped to appreciate the history and interests of people living on our island. He regularly puts his skills as a reporter to work providing us with a variety of interesting stories covering life all over Whidbey.

We have had the privilege of calling Harry and his spouse, Terry Bible, our neighbors and friends for the past 15 years. Most people would know Harry through his column. What you may not know is that both Harry and Terry have been very active in the community as volunteers for an amazing variety of organizations. Their lists of friends and contacts would fill an old Coupeville telephone book back in the day.

Harry and Terry through their love for the island and for their Coupeville community have been a wonderful blessing. They are the epitome of good neighbors and community boosters extraordinaire. Thank you both.

Happy Birthday, Harry. Keep those columns coming.

Jim Sherman

Michael Ferri

Coupeville