Open for Business

Photo by Lance Winkler

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last Tuesday for Oakwood’s newest financial institution, Lebanon Citizens National Bank. A large group of friends, well-wishers and future clients turned out for the event. Opening speeches were given by President and CEO Stephen Wilson, Vice President Stanley Castleman and Oakwood Historical Society spokesman Mark Risley. The Oakwood Historical Society has given a number of historical prints from Oakwood’s past to hang from the walls of the bank. The bank in-turn made a $200 cash donation to the Oakwood Historical Society.

OHS alumnus chooses houseboating lifestyle

By Dolores Winkler

An OHS graduate has written a book that will be featured on the History Channel.

Jeri Robinson Callahan, nee Judy Robinson, graduated from Oakwood High School in 1953 and from the College of William and Mary in 1957. She married in 1958, raised three children and…plunged into a watery life as a resident houseboater in Seattle. That was back in 1988. and since then she has become the best-known authority on houseboating in America, known to many as “the houseboat lady.” She has written a book on the subject titled “Discover Houseboating.” First published in 2005, it is now in its second printing.

Callahan, who was divorced from her husband of 30 years, lives on the Waterfront, a prime real estate site in Seattle, Wash. located on the once-industrial, urban Lake Union, and which is now a Seattle signature. The book is written from the love of houseboating and with the knowledge of its history, its residents and the boats, themselves “Discover Houseboating” avoids the usual parade of photos and data and concentrates, instead, on individual houseboaters, why they have selected life-afloat, and a smattering of their lives before houseboating. She also includes interesting stories about the boats themselves, e.g. she writes about the boat featured in the movie “Sleepless in Seattle” and the family who has purchased it. She tells about a family of five who lives in a houseboat the size of their previous bedroom suite, and about the retired Microsoft bachelor who has an underwater basement and wine cellar.

Jeri Callahan's houseboat on Lake Union

Jeri Callahan is a lively writer. In the 315 pages, she tells 50 or so houseboat stories, all interesting enough to beckon you to life on the water. Her enthusiasm for her selected lifestyle derives from the many pluses it offers, for example: “One of the joys of living here is we don’t have to mow the lawn, so what do we do? We pay good money for dirt and pots so we can have a container garden,” Callahan said.

You will be able to see Callahan on television this Saturday, May 26 at 10:30 p.m. when she will appear on the History Channel. “I’ve also been interviewed for a “What Makes (Seattle) Click” on the Fine Living Channel,” she said.

A signed copy of her book was presented to both the Wright Library and to Oakwood High School to honor two of her former teachers – Miss Paige and Mrs. Bender. You can read more about her book online at www.discoverhouseboating.com

And don’t forget to tune her in on Saturday.

An After-Prom ‘Thank You’

This year over 300 students attended Oakwood High School’s Casino Royal After Prom Party. We would like to thank all of our parent volunteers, businesses and organizations for their generous support that made this outstanding event possible.

Lisa Tramontano & Debbie Sherk, Chairs

After-Prom Committee

Kristin Carpenter, Molly Cobb, Beth Loew, Allyson Danis, Tricia McGill, Lisa Garner, Dana Murphy, Tracy Payne, Stephanie Maxwell, Cindy Ambrose, Beth Merritt

Volunteers

Nancy Lake , Pam Diefenderfer , Sally McLachlan , Ed and Cindy Fritz , Kate Halpin , Cindy Couch, Kerry Harlan, Shirley & Jim Murphy , Marygena Lynn , Chris & Tom Hartzell, Karen & John Haviland, Stephanie & Kevin Maxwell, Janet Bourne, Denice Moberg, Patty & Paul Vanderburgh Karen Kern, Nancy Jones, Dave Taylor, Kathy Vail, Healy Jackson, Beth Lehrner, Kendall Gerken, Jim and Lynne Mosman, Kathy Ross, Janine Whalen, Janie Luna-Loftus
Barb Cantwell, Peggy Quinn, Kevin Werst, Janice Field, Anne Davis, Sheri Warwar, Tammy Lewis, Kay Huber, Gail Ely, Joni Payne, Bob Tramontano, Arik Sherk, Hilton Garner, Lee Carpenter

Prize Donations

Vince & Wendy Lewis, Victoria Nilles & Tom Hardy, Deck the Walls, Kimberly Liston-Lake, Denise Moberg, Lee & Kristin Carpenter

Graphic Designer

Suzanne McGill Class of ‘07

Photographer

Susan Kettering

In-Kind Donor’s

Talbot’s, Pink Daisy, Ashley’s, Big Sky Bread, Marco’s Pizza, Cousin Vinny’s Pizza, Dorothy Lane Market, Smith Elementary School, Harman Elementary School, Carlin Audio, Oakwood Junior/Senior High PTO

Oakwood Senior Prom photos in the photo gallery >  

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