Neighborhood Spotlight: Clara Iverson


Clara Iverson turned 96 years young on Friday, May 29, 2020!

Clara moved to Angle Lake in 1924. Together with her husband Gene they eventually purchased the old log house at the north end of the lake. There they raised their 4 kids. The lake and the Shore Club were centered in their lives. During her recorded interview for StoryCorps.org, Clara proclaimed that living on the lake was the source of many of her most cherished lifetime memories.  

In the earlier days on Angle Lake, the whole lake froze over nearly every winter. Clara recalls frequent bonfires aglow during those winter evenings, sharing hot dog dinners and even hot buttered rums with neighbors as they skated under the moonlight! 

Even today, Clara still wants to “dip” into Angle Lake as much as possible this summer, although she acknowledges that her famous Jack Knife and Swan Dive days may be behind her now.  She enthusiastically remembers the thrill of having competed in Angle Lake’s annual 4th of July championship swimming races with Billie Jones & Betty White, who were also long time residents! Her cousin, Bob Holmstrom, often rejoiced that there were no girls swimming against the boys at that time! He was certain that Clara and her girlfriends would have easily outperformed the boys!


Now, at the age of 96, Clara is still looking forward to paddling around Angle Lake in her pink kayak and maybe even partaking in a lap or two in her very rare 1920’s vintage Willits Brothers Canoe hand-built on Day Island in Tacoma. 

Her award-winning homemade apple pies stopped when the old apple tree blew down a few years ago and the accordion she played at beach fires for so many years has gotten a little too heavy for her but she can still sing The Beer Barrel Polka!

She has a clear memory of her hospital room at age 10 where she lay quarantined and paralyzed with polio.  Her father tapping on her window. He had climbed his fireman’s ladder to show her the bicycle he had bought for her recuperation! A series of firemen performed an express delivery of a new serum from Portland; it was transported from one fireman to another in their personal cars with the trip completed in mere hours and injections performed to her spine before the day was over!  And yes, the bicycle helped with her recuperation efforts, that and her determination and the personal efforts from those firemen drivers! 

Residing fulltime now in Solstice Senior Living in Normandy Park, the facility is still in quarantine with visitation restrictions in place, preventing the ability to meet with neighbors. However, if you have time to send her a card it would be much appreciated and certainly enjoyed! 

Cards and letters may be left in the box located outside the Solstice Center main entry doors or can be mailed to the following address:

Clara Iverson
17623 1st Ave. S. Rm 115
Normandy Park, WA 98148

It is due to her wisdom, enthusiasm, inspiration, and a positive “GO FOR IT!” attitude that Clara turned 96 on Friday, May 29, 2020! And we salute you! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday.

Due to COVID-19 forced cancelation of our ALSC summer events, we hope to continue building community by shining a spotlight on notable neighbor accomplishments. If you have great news to share, please send an email to anglelakesc@gmail.com so that all can join together in celebrating your success.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Steve Huff


The driver of the world’s first and ONLY electric dragster to break the 200 MPH threshold.

In 1964 "Big Daddy" Don Garlits surpassed the 200 MPH mark in an internal combustion engine dragster and was looking to do the same in an all-electric powered dragster. In 2017 Garlits announced that he was attempting to be the first in the #QuestFor200 electric drag racing title. In July 2019 at the age of 86, Garlits held the electric motor speed record at 189.04 MPH

Angle Lake Resident and avid race enthusiast, Steve Huff had set a world record of his own 2015 operating a modified 80 cubic inch pushrod Harley Davidson motorcycle reaching 202.8 MPH. Huff credits Garlits as being a huge inspiration to him as having following Garlits' success through his early years. However, this time Huff wasn’t looking to follow Garlits but surpass him to be the first to achieve the honor of reaching that 200 MPH mark in his own electric dragster aptly named “Current Technology”.

The competition had been fierce between both men aiming to be the first to break the 200 mph barrier in an all-electric powered dragster. That is until the wee hours of the morning on May 14, 2020 when Steve Huff broke the record on his second pass of the night, achieving a speed of 201 MPH.


After the run, Huff commented on his success. “It is bittersweet because, as competitors, we want to win but you hate beating your hero to the punch” Now a holder of two world speed records, surely Huff is another youngster’s Racing Hero and inspiring future racing greatness. 

Congratulations to our neighbor Steve Huff and his racing team in achieving this great success.

NOTE: Due to COVID-19 forced cancelation of ALSC summer events, our hope is to continue building community by shining a spotlight on notable neighbor accomplishments.  If you have some great news to share, please send an email to anglelakesc@gmail.com so that all can join in celebrating your success. 

ALSC Board Announces Further Cancelations


The COVID-19 crisis has already led to the cancellation of the Easter Bunny Dock Hop and postponement of the generations-old Fishing Derby. With the Governor’s order to Stay Home / Stay Healthy including adherence for Social Distancing to remain in effect, the City of SeaTac has announced the cancelation of the Family Fourth activities at Angle Lake Park. 

Now the Angle Lake Shore Club Board of Directors is also announcing the cancelation of their traditional Fourth of July events as well, including the Manor Club Kiddies Parade.


The year of 2020 will continue to finish clouded by this COV19 virus we are all faced with.  While most might not be directly infected by the disease itself, this crisis and the critical emphasis placed on social distancing are having a considerable emotional effect on many, especially on the senior community who make up the majority of our ALSC membership. 

With the need for continued separation leading well into the summer months, the Board has determined the club will forego all remaining Summer Events, as well. While this may be received as disappointing news to many, it is the prudent thing to do. 

Please note the board has not yet reached a final determination if the Fishing Derby can be held in September and will be deciding on the status of the Winter Events later into the fall. We appreciate your understanding and please don’t hesitate to reach out to a board member to express any concerns.

One Breakdown Away from the Junk Yard!

During the COVID-19 crisis period, the Tukwila Pantry, our neighboring food bank is serving over 1,200 households per week. This is up from the typical average of fewer than 300.  The Tukwila Pantry relies on its refrigerated food truck to collect and distribute over a million pounds of food to feed the communities of Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, and Boulevard Park.  This 2004 year vehicle now has over 575,000 registered miles and is in desperate need of replacement. 


With so many more people depending on this truck, the Tukwila Pantry does not have repair funds necessary if it were to suffer another serious breakdown. The resulting service disruption would have a devastating effect on the many families that rely on the Pantry to provide much needed food and supplies during these difficult times. Therefore, the Tukwila Pantry is seeking a new truck that is dependable, won’t break down, and will be more financially sustainable.  

To date, the Pantry has received some support from generous donors, but are in need of raising $15,000 more by the end of May for donation match and enabling them to buy a new truck! 

If you are in a position to lend financial support, won’t you please consider making a contribution today? Donations can be made through a partnering website at: https://www.tukwilachildrensfoundation.org/get-a-truck-2020  

You’ll be presented the option to have your contribution applied specifically to the ‘Buy-A-Truck’ campaign or to benefit other Tukwila Children’s Foundation programs. You can also choose to make a one-time donation or monthly recurring contributions.

There are so many who are in need at this time. Ensuring people are properly nourished is a critical basic need. Thank you for your consideration in helping to address this need.