CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Garden program still open

Garden program still open

There is still time to apply to the 2009 Master Gardener Program, but the Oct. 3 deadline is fast approaching.

The program is open to anyone interested in horticulture, sustainable gardening and providing information to others. Participants will receive 12 days of training on 12 consecutive Tuesdays beginning Jan. 13. After that, they participate in master gardener clinics on Vashon and other master gardener activities.

The program opens access to a wealth of horticulture resources and continuing education opportunities. The local group of Vashon-Maury Island Master Gardeners is hoping to expand and offer more resources to our community. This year, the group started a collaborative project with Vashon High School.

For an application, contact Elaine Anderson at 205-3122 or download the application from http://king.wsu.edu/gardening/BecomeaMG.html.

If you’d like to talk about the program, call me at 567-5132 or Sally Fox at 206-567-5027.

— Olivia Graffe

Buffet and bingo at VIGCC

September heralds the return of Bingo to the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club (VIGCC). Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept. 19, for an all-American buffet and VIGCC bingo, hosted by Bob Koch. Make your reservations early because this is a popular event.

Duplicate bridge night this month is on the first Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. In addition, the Wine Club meets on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. to sample dry rose wines. There will also be a small-batch bourbon tasting Saturday, Sept. 20 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. If you like bourbon, you’ll love this. Please make reservations, so we know how much specialty bourbon to have on hand.

This is the last week that the pool is open for the season. Be sure to make some time for a last swim.

If you need to make reservations or get more information about these events, please call 463-2005.

— Victoria Miner

Kiwanis helps libraries

School libraries on the Island need more books, and Vashon Kiwanis is using $750 of the Vashon Community Fund to help fill that need.

Vashon Kiwanians voted Sept 2 to buy books for the financially pressured schools of our Island children. The action flowed from a survey of school librarians. Vashon Kiwanis Club’s Leaders are Readers project was the catalyst for making those books available to kids in all three public schools and the private Harbor School.

Kiwanians worldwide change the world one child, one family at a time.

“What better service than helping develop the leaders of tomorrow?” Bosch asked.“We ask community members who appreciate books to donate the books or cash to buy needed books. This quiet effort is intended to be a continuing effort, not a once-a-year event,” she added.

Sixteen titles are current on the “need, but can’t afford” list. Kiwanis expects the list to change over time.

Vashon Kiwanis also sponsors the Key Club at Vashon High School and Builders Club at McMurray middle school, where students learn and practice leadership in service to their communities. The Kiwanis Community Fund comes from pancake sales at the Strawberry Festival and annual community calendar sales.

For more information, call Jean Bosch at 567-1600 or 463-5223.

— Jay Becker

Lutherans host sale

Vashon Lutheran Church will host its annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. There will be housewares, books, furniture and more.

All proceeds go to the support of mission work. Free fair trade coffee will be available.

— Patti Wagner

Illustrators,

writers meet

Serious about writing or illustration for children? Lets get together to share ideas and inspiration. The first meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Books by the Way. For more information, call me at 463- 5255.

— Suzanna Leigh