Happenings
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Memorial Day
Islanders will gather to honor the nation’s fallen veterans at a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, at Vashon Cemetery.
The solemn service will take place against the backdrop of Vashon Cemetery’s War Memorial, which has stood for more than a century, commemorating those who have died in conflicts dating back to 1861.
Moderated by Vashon veteran Ryan Shannon and capped by an address by Nancy Bachant on behalf of Gold Star families and WWII orphans, the service will include the presentation of wreaths by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Hero Quilts, Vashon Scouts, the Eagles, Masons, Rotary Club and the Sportsmen’s Club, and also feature a short program by Vashon’s Judd Creek Gospel Singers.
Mike Mattingly, commander of Vashon’s chapter of the American Legion, confirmed that Vashon’s Scout Troupe 294 and Cub Scout Pack 275 will make preparations for the ceremony on Saturday, fulfilling their yearly duty to place small American flags on the final resting places of the now almost 700 veterans who are buried there. And on Monday, the scouts will return, to participate in the color guard and presentation of the flags.
Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, assisted by local volunteers, will also place flags in Vashon town center, beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday.
Safety gear giveaway
Vashon Adventures plans to giveaway safety gear on Friday, May 24, starting at noon at the Jensen Point Boathouse. Bike helmets, reflective vests, ankle straps and an assortment of life jackets, paddle floats and pumps that Vashon Adventures is no longer using will be given away.
The giveaway will run through the weekend until items run out.
Senior Center
An “Armchair Travel” talk with Barb Gustafson will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Vashon Senior Center, at 10004 SW Bank Rd. Gustafson will discuss the natural and human history of her favorite places in Washington State, including hikes and habitats in Olympic National Park.
The Center will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day, with no lunch program that day.
Join the Vashon Bridge Club for Duplicate Bridge from 6:15 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Senior Center. Party Bridge sessions take place on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
Kick off Pride Month, celebrating the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community, on Saturday, June 1, with the Senior Center’s now-beloved fundraiser, Rainbow Blingo at Camp Burton — a fundraiser that comes complete with appetizers and libations, a sumptuous dessert auction, followed by lively games of chance led by Louvel, a Seattle-famed chanteuse and bingo queen who will host the event.
Get tickets now at vashoncenter.org for this event for ages 21 and older only, with all proceeds benefiting the Senior Center. Want to volunteer, and attend for free? Contact Pamela Wickard at coordinator@vashoncenter.org.
Take a walk in the woods
Vashon Forest Stewards invites the public to another walk in the woods at a 20-acre privately owned alder-in-transition forest on Maury Island. Meet at Engels Repair & Towing at 10 a.m. on May 25, and the group will caravan to the forest from there. For more information, contact David Warren at 206-295-6670 or VashonForests@gmail.com.
Vashon Library events
Calling all readers, of all ages, to Ober Park from 6:30 to 7:30 on the last Tuesday of every month from May through September, to read together in the beautiful outdoors. The “Reading in the Park” events will begin on Tuesday, May 28.
Bring a book or check one out at the library, then sit on your own blankets, chairs or the grass. Some chairs and blankets will be available to borrow, and warm-weather snacks will be provided.
The program is presented in partnership with Vashon Park District, with supplies provided by Vashon Friends of the Library.
Two more free events, celebrating gender equality and Pride Month, will also take place at Vashon Library on Saturday, June 1.
The first, “Accessorize for Pride,” will take place from 12:30-3 p.m. at the library on June 1. Attendees can make a variety of pride-themed accessories — bow ties, sunglasses, bracelets and more. The event is open to all ages.
Join costume designer Diane Johnston for “And it has Pockets! The Battle for Women’s Clothing Equality,” from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Vashon Library. This presentation will dig into the pockets of the past, tracing the history of the humble pocket to determine if the battle for gender equality might still be decided by a few inches of extremely influential fabric.
The talk is sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Vashon Friends of the Library. Registration is not required. Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request. Email access@kcls.org at least seven days before the event.
Wine auction fundraiser
An online auction, featuring the remarkable wine collection of the late islander Wayne Holt — known on the island and internationally as the founder of Software Research Northwest, a software company headquartered in Vashon’s Spinnaker building — will continue through May 31, with proceeds benefiting Vashon Community Scholarships and Vashon Rotary.
Every bid submitted since the start of April 28 will automatically earn a chance to win a three-night luxury stay for New Year’s Eve 2024 at the elegant Grand Desert Resort in Las Vegas.
Go to vashonscholarships.org and click on “wine auction.”
Master Gardeners at your service
Bring your gardening questions, plant samples and/or plant photos to the Vashon Master Gardeners, stationed in front of Ace Hardware every Saturday, May through August, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and first Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Vashon Master Gardeners, WSU Extension, at mgvashon@gmail.com for more information.
Ice Cream Social
Join Inclusion Island for an ice cream social for adults with developmental disabilities and their families and friends. The party, featuring therapy dogs, will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at the Vashon Lutheran Church, 18623 Vashon Hwy SW. Questions? Contact Hersheyhousing@gmail.com.
Grief Ritual
A monthly community grief ritual is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 1-3 p.m. at the Tree of Life Wellness Center at 17331 Vashon Highway, with donations accepted. June’s first Sunday of the month is June 2. Islanders are invited to share and witness, either in silence or out loud, grief for loved ones, pets, relationships, the climate, and wars. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or Brad Davis at 206-799-7235 or Colleen Carrette at 206-351-7769.
More Pride events
Several upcoming events will celebrate Pride Month on Vashon.
Join Voice of Vashon’s Brown Briefly hosts from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, at 101.9 FM or voiceofvashon.org, when the show’s guest will be islander Jennifer Hawke, of the Bearded Lady Road Report. Hawke will talk about her art, her concept of Vashon as “a safe place,” and gender nonconformity in the 21st century.
A Pride Street Dance, sponsored by the Dove Project and other community partners, will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 7, in Vashon Theatre’s Backlot.
“Family Storytime Rainbows,” will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Vashon Library. Attendees can read stories, sing songs, learn about rainbows, and make a rainbow-themed craft.
“Orbit Planet Gala: Last Day of School and Youth Pride Celebration,” will take place from 12 to 3 p.m. at Open Space for Arts & Community. The celebration, open to middle and high school LGBTQ+ youth and allies, will include dancing, a deejay, activities, and more. Questions? Contact orbit@openspacevashon.org.
Where the Water Begins
King Conservation District invites all to attend a free day of learning and beach walk, from 9-3 p.m. Friday, June 7, at Camp Sealth.
Learn more about natural forces that impact marine shoreline properties of King County. The morning class session will provide participants with an opportunity to learn about ecological, geological and vegetation management issues associated with shoreline properties. After lunch, walk the beach to see the principles discussed in action. Register and find out more here.
