Pack a box for a child in need
Some folks on Vashon have joined my family every autumn and have packed gift-filled shoeboxes for needy children around the world. There are a million ways to help someone else; this is just one of them.
When our daughters were little and we were trying to teach them to help others, we found out about gift-filled shoeboxes.
They had so much fun choosing a stuffed animal, art supplies, a toothbrush and toothpaste and writing a letter to pack in a shoebox to send to another child somewhere who had less than they did.
This autumn, it’s time for my family to pass on the collecting of gift-filled shoeboxes to two other families. Tina Parrish and Cindy Stirling and their families have been “packing shoeboxes with love” for quite a few years and want to see the tradition continue on Vashon.
If Operation Christmas Child is a way you’d like to help another child this autumn, you can pick up a brochure in town at the Vashon Pharmacy or The Little House. Tina and Cindy will have a collection table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, outside Vashon Thriftway.
Remember, the reason why the shoeboxes must be filled and turned in by early November is that it’s a process and quite a journey for a shoebox to go from your hands to the hands of a child somewhere else in the world.
If you need brightly colored empty shoeboxes or if you have a group packing shoeboxes and need them picked up, you can call Tina Parrish at 463-5066 or Cindy Stirling at 463-1986.
However you help someone else, thank you. You are making a difference.
— Nannette Cotton Pawlowski
Learn how to plant orchards
Considering planting a new orchard? These two workshops offer a wealth of information to get you off to a healthy start. We’ll cover fruit tree and berry plant selection and sources, optimal planting times, sun exposure, soil requirements and preparation, drainage and more. The classroom portion of this workshop will be presented at the club’s quarterly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the meeting room at Courthouse Square, where Bob Norton will summarize the principles of planning an orchard.
Beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, we will visit four sites of new or planned orchards to see how this information can be applied to real cases. This workshop begins at the home of Emma and Roger Newby, 13617 S.W. 235th St., and will move on from there.
Please direct questions regarding these events to Mary Ornstead at 463-0565.
— Tracy Barrett
Youth talk politics
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a national political convention? Great plans and promises are made. We have the opportunity to hear about some of these goings on from our Vashon Unitarian young folks. Nick Bordner was elected a delegate, and Laura Hicks went as one of two Washington pages. They will be offering insights at the Sunday Conversation at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in Lewis Hall behind the Burton Community Church at 23905 Vashon Hwy. S.W.
Religious exploration and child care are provided.
Join us for coffee, tea and snacks during the conversation.
For more information, call me at 799-9433.
— Wendy Wharton
VIGA hosts meeting
The Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) Annual Meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Grange Building on the north end of the Island. There will be a potluck meal and a review of the year’s activities. VIGA will also elect four new board members. Current members are invited to run for office and/or vote in the board election.
If you have questions or have an interest in learning more about the VIGA board, contact current president Mark Timken at mtimken@comcast.net for more information or call me at 267-8146.
— Joanne Jewell
Italians make cavatelli
The Vashon Italian Club will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at St. John Vianney Church in the social hall. We will be making fresh homemade cavatelli and pizzas.
Please bring a pasta sauce, pizza toppings, antipasto, salad or dessert and a bottle of wine and soft drinks for children.
For more information please contact Dick Bianchi at dbianchi@windermere.com.
— Mary Ann Beardsley
VIGCC plans ahead
The big news for October is that the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club (VIGCC) will have an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. There will be German food, wine and beer available in addition to our regular lunch menu. We are having pumpkin decorating and putting on contests for the kids.
Non-members are invited to come enjoy this once-a-year opportunity to use the club facilities. The golf course will be open to all, and there will be a special discount on green fees.
We will be showing the movie “A Wink and a Smile” on Saturday, Nov. 8. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and then the movie. The film is a documentary about a group of women learning the art of burlesque. The movie was made in Seattle and was very well received at the International Film Festival. Some of the performers at our recent Burlesque/Cabaret Night are in the movie.
We’ll begin taking reservations for our New Year’s Eve Gala with Bill Brown & the KingBees after the first of November, but mark your calendar right now, and plan to be there.
If you need to make reservations or get more information about these events, please call 463-2005.
— Victoria Miner
