10 Years Ago 1997
Skateboarders have been given the boot from the Food Pavilion Shopping Center. At least they have if MK Properties has its way. Weve had skateboarders in our center, causing damage and vandalism and bringing in trash. Theyre wonderful to watch, but I dont want them in my center, said Property Manager Sandie Yost. Yost sent a memo to tenants in the complex stating skateboarding is not allowed and advising them to call the police if they do see a skateboarder. Signs posted in the parking lot and behind the buildings are notification that skateboarding is a criminal trespass violation. Yost said the memo follows months of complaints from tenants who say the skateboarders are driving their customers away. Much of the concern is about liability, she said. If a customer is injured by a skateboarder or a skateboarder is injured by a passing vehicle, the companys insurance rates could skyrocket. Other concerns include the cost of cleaning up the parking lot after the skateboarders are gone as well as vandalism done to the signs in the parking lot. But not all of the tenants agree that the skateboarders are to blame. Seth Simpson, of Johnny Wanna Sports, said the vandalism and trash isnt necessarily from the skateboarders and doesnt believe they should be ticketed just for skating there. All this is being blamed on the skaters. Theyre made to look like criminals, he said. This is no reason to put our children in jail or give them a ticket for skateboarding. The sport might be extreme. It might be bothersome to some, but not to others. Simpson, 24, said the ultimate solution is to build a skatepark. He is trying to make some connections to accomplish that but so far hasnt made much headway, he said. Its his hope that at some point before hes too old to skate the park will become a reality.

25 Years Ago 1982
Thanks to the generosity of a local veterinary doctor, one young family, and in particular their 7-year-old daughter, looks forward to the best of Christmases. Glen Boersema works at Summit Timber and along with the rest of his fellow workers, he had taken a significant pay cut to keep the business going. The story is best told in the words of the girls mother, Debbie. Jennifer is a 7-year-old girl with big dreams just like every other kid her age, but she knew her daddy didnt have as much as other dads and so she hadnt asked for a lot. We have a dog named Coco. She loves her dog and the dog feels the same about Jennifer. Coco sleeps at the foot of Jennifers bed and at times they are inseparable. Coco was hit by a car and had to go to the vet. The vet told Jennifers dad that it would cost a lot of money to help Coco and he didnt know if she would live. So Jennifers dad had to tell the vet that we didnt have enough money to help Coco and the only thing that was left was to have her put out of her misery. The vet said OK. Jennifers dad said he didnt know how he was going to tell his little girl that her dog died, then he turned and left. When he came home and told Jennifer, it was like the world came to an end. She looked at us and said it was the worst day of her life and the worst Christmas ever. I would give up all my presents if I could have Coco back, she said. Before Jennifer went to bed that night she told her dad and me that she was going to say a prayer for Coco. The next morning, Jennifer got up feeling really bad but she went to school telling me she was going to try not to think about Coco. At 11 a.m., the phone rang. It was the vet. He said he didnt have the heart to put Coco to sleep and that he had fixed her up and we could come get her. Jennifers great-grandpa went to get Coco and when he tried to pay for the doctors help, the vet said, No, take the money and buy something for your granddaughter. When Jennifer came home from school she couldnt believe her eyes. There lay Coco on the rug in front of the fire. Jennifer looked up at me with the biggest and best smile and said, I prayed for Coco to come home and God made it happen. This has to be the best Christmas we have ever had. He was the only vet of out of a list of five who would even look at Jennifers dog without wanting money first. I want Dr. Ron Huitger and everyone else to know that because of his kindness we have a better feeling about the Christmas Spirit and we know that there are people out there who care.

50 Years Ago 1957
Claude Bovee, Arlingtons first auto freight operator, retired from duty with Oak Harbor Freight Lines on Nov. 1, 1957, and purchased the former Roy Waterman place a mile north of Edgecomb. Mr. Harley is the father of two sons, both of whom graduated from Arlington High School. Harley is at present working for his doctors degree at the University of Washington and Robert Claire is employed in the engineering department at Boeing.