Arts & Entertainment Community

‘Amidst the Changing Tides’ shares stories of a personal connection to the water

An octopus that traveled up Donkey Creek, an orca who carried her dead baby for more than a week, and local celebrity animals inspired author Drienie Hattingh to compile an anthology, “Amidst the Changing Tides.”

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Hattingh moved with her husband from Ogdon, Utah, to Gig Harbor eight years ago. She fell in love with the clean air and pristine views and had some unforgettable encounters with wildlife.

After hearing a few stories from locals who shared their interactions with the sea life, as well as other animals, she set about writing and compiling her seventh book.

Life on the water

Hattingh put out a call for writers who wanted to share their own experience on the water, their observations of sea life and how it impacted them. Hattingh wrote eight stories herself and received 22 submitted by community members, including one from Fox Island and another from Bremerton.

Drienie Hattingh recently completed her seventh book, an anthology titled “Amidst the Changing Tides,” which features local writers and illustrators. The book highlights local wildlife, sea life and a famous local dog named Buddy. Photo courtesy of Drienie Hattingh

“I didn’t want it only to be (about) Gig Harbor,” Hattingh said. 

As one would expect of a book about the Salish Sea, the anthology includes stories of orcas, including J Pod. Some authors shared personal accounts of how the waters have helped heal emotional wounds. Others wrote about the thrill of gliding across the sound in a dragon boat, the impact of observing marine life and the wild birds that call this place home. 

Hattingh asked marine biologist Rachel Easton, the education director of Harbor WildWatch, to write the forward.

“I sent her about 20 of the stories that I had at that time, and made a synopsis of each story, and later when it was edited I sent her some, and she loved it,” Hattingh said. “She tells what it’s like to be a marine biologist.”

Contributors largely local

Together with Shannon Lewis, who collaborated on the book, Hattingh posted flyers around town asking for artists to contribute to the project. She happened to be at Finholm’s when she saw a framed illustration of a dog, and asked the manager for information on the artist.

“He said his daughter did it,” Hattingh said. “Alexis works there in the summer, and he called her over to the table, and I showed her the stories that I needed illustrations for, and she did at least eight of them.”

Two illustrators are not from the area — Amber Donovan Steves, who lives in England, and Brenda Hattingh Peatross, who lives in Utah. The rest of the authors and illustrators live in the region.

“I just happen on these wonderful people,” Hattingh said. 

“Amidst the Changing Tides” is available at Invitation Bookshop, Direction Apparel, gather Gig Harbor, Fox Island Trading Company, and Salmonberry Books in Port Orchard. Photo courtesy of Drienie Hattingh

Where to find it

“Amidst the Changing Tides,” is available at Invitation Bookshop, Direction Apparel, gather Gig Harbor, Fox Island Trading Company and Salmonberry Books in Port Orchard. Each store sets its own pricing, but Hattingh said they are around $20-$25.

Gather, at 1326 Harborview Drive, is hosting a book party to coincide with the Downtown Waterfront Alliance’s Sip ‘n’ Stroll, from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 3. Hattingh will be there from 3:30 to 6 p.m. A local celebrity who is featured in the book, Buddy the golden retriever book, will be there to “autograph” books with his paw print from 5 to 6 p.m.