Coastal Washington readers are very familiar with the works of Ocean Shores journalist Gene Woodwick. She’s been chronicling happens “Up the Beach” along Washington’s coast north of Grays Harbor for many years via her popular columns that appear regularly in Aberdeen’s The Daily World and Ocean Shores’ The North Coast News.
In addition to her columns, Woodwick has written six books, including Images of America - Ocean Shores, Images of America - Logging in Grays Harbor, Coastal Combing: A potpourri of trashy treasures, Gene’s Pocket of History: A self-guided tour of Ocean Shores, along with her recently published Island Girl, a personal slice-of-life memoir that captures her time as a young girl growing up on Fidalgo Island in the early 1950s.
Book Signing
Woodwick will offer an author’s talk and share passages from Island Girl at a book signing and reading event set for 12 p.m. this Saturday, March 12, at The Westport Timberland Library. The library is located 101 E. Harms Ave.
About the book
Island Girl is a true story about a love affair with Washington’s San Juan Islands seen through the eyes of a young girl learning life’s lessons — some delightful and some difficult — growing up surrounded by the state’s inland waters.
A blend of personal reminiscence, history and biology, Island Girl offers a window into the near idyllic life of growing up during the halcyon days of the early 1950s in Anacortes, Fidalgo Island’s largest town, at that time boasting a population of fewer than 6,000.
Fidalgo Island is tucked between Guemes Island to the north, Rosario Strait and the other San Juans to the west, Whidbey Island to the south and the Swinomish Channel and the mainland flats of the Skagit Valley to the east.
Believing in the premise of the ‘Grand Adventure,’ the author and her best friend Sandy set out on near-daily ‘expeditions’ to explore their island and others.
Sit back, relax, and be transported to a simpler time seen through the bright eyes of these two almost always near-fearless and sometimes foolhardy tomboys as they grow together on their journey to adulthood.
As you join them on each ‘Grand Adventure,’ you will, no doubt, find yourself reliving some of your cherished childhood memories, as well.
About the author
A writer for 58 years, Woodwick has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, for daily and weekly newspapers and as a freelance writer. She has won numerous awards as a reporter and columnist, at both state and national levels, including an award from then U.S. President Bill Clinton for her work in salmon enhancement public education.
Woodwick is also currently a contributor to the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society’s publication, The Sea Chest.
Order by mail
You may also order Gene’s book by mail. Send your check or money order to: Coastal Heritage Services, P.O. Box 1531, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
Price per book is $20 plus $2.75 shipping.
