Behind the Sign

February 15, 2025

Tom Robbins’ Lost 1974 High School Commencement Address

Legendary author Tom Robbins passed on at his home in La Conner on February 9, 2025. He was 92 years old and still growing. Back in 1974, just as his literary career was taking off, he gave a high school commencement address in Oak Harbor. It was, quite truly, a speech for the ages -- given all that was going on in the early 1970s. What is most amazing, however, is just how relevant his sentiments remain. "Tommy Rotten's" words on the evening of June 7, 1974 were preserved and shared by Fred Obee, a former Oak Harbor newspaper editor. Thanks, Fred!

September 26, 2022

Tales of the Magic Skagit: Swedebs Park Tells the Swinomish Journey

Travel across the Rainbow Bridge to the western banks of the Swinomish Slough and look toward Komo Kulshan (aka, Mount Baker). Now, close your eyes and stretch your imagination back more than two centuries ago. The year is 1790, and you are in the village of Txiwúc.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: The Life and Times of “Honker” McCormick

Bruce McCormick is a living link to the Skagit Valley’s pioneer past — a first hand witness to a bygone era of immigrant settlement. For Bruce, that past is more than a collection of newspaper clippings or museum artifacts — it is remembered oral history learned at the knee of his grandfather, David McCormick. They’ll be more to say about David McCormick…but first, l’d like you to meet his grandson.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: The Ties that Bind — An Interview with Jo Wolfe

Jo E. Wolfe and the Skagit Valley have a history — and as is ultimately the case with all history, it’s personal. Since Jo became a part of the Skagit County Historical Museum eleven years ago, however, the relationship has become professional as well.

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