Memorial Day events

Commemorate Memorial Day with these events on May 25 and 26.

• Sunday, May 25: 2 p.m. formal rededication of the World War II Memorial at Vashon Senior Center, located at 1004 SW Bank Road. RSVP ahead of time by calling the Senior Center at 206-463-5173 or emailing admin@vashoncenter.org. Seating will be limited.

• Monday, May 26: at 11 a.m. at Vashon Cemetery, islanders will gather to honor the nation’s fallen veterans at a Memorial Day service. The solemn service will take place against the backdrop of the cemetery’s War Memorial, which has stood for more than a century, commemorating those who have died in conflicts dating back to 1861.

The service will include the presentation of wreaths by such groups as 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.

Vashon’s Scout Troupe 294 and Cub Scout Pack 275 will make preparations for the ceremony in advance, 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’s town center, beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday.

• Monday, May 26: 1-4 p.m.: Community cookout and unveiling of the “Giving Tree” fundraising wall mural at the Senior Center.

Senior center events

The Vashon Senior Center offers a hot lunch at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and activities throughout the week. Visit vashoncenter.org for a full monthly event calendar. The following events take place at the center unless noted otherwise.

At 1 p.m. on Friday, May 23, hear from Lisa Devereau, funeral director / manager at Island Funeral Service. Have you thought about what happens to your body after you die? The talk will go over Washington’s approved methods of disposition, reducing your carbon footprint and having a meaningful end. The session will include details on a June 7 tour of Vashon Cemetery.

At 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, enjoy Word Play with Vashon Poet Laureate Margaret Roncone. Then, at the Vashon Library, join the Senior Center book group at 6 p.m. Contact the Senior Center or library for topic and book suggestions.

Death café

The Vashon Death Café meets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on every first and third Friday, at the Tree of Life Wellness Center, at 17331 Vashon Highway SW. Upcoming dates include June 6. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session, with an objective to increase awareness of death and help people make the most of their finite lives.

Palestine film series

Vashon Film Institute, in association with a new local group, Vashon for Palestine, presents the film “Israelism” at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Vashon Theatre. The film is an examination of the portrayal of the Israel-Palestine history and conflict within the Jewish community in the United States. This film is co-sponsored by the Vashon Israel/Palestine, Palestine/Israel Study Group. Following the film screening, there will be a discussion and Q&A led by islander Yve Susskind.

Find out more about the films and purchase tickets at vashonfilminstitute.com/vfipresents.

Mammogram screenings

Assured Imaging will offer mammogram screenings from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 23, at the J.G. Commons Community Room, located at 17300 96th Place SW. Call 888-204-9214 to schedule an appointment.

Major insurers are accepted and no referral is needed, though patients should bring a picture ID and an insurance card. Patients must be 40 years old or older, with no current breast problems or complaints, and have not had a mammogram in the past year.

Land Trust restoration

Volunteer with the Vashon Land Trust’s stewardship team from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, May 24, for restoration at Paradise Valley, including pulling invasive plants to planting, mulching and watering young trees. Meet at the Judd Creek Preserve parking lot. Dress for the weather and bring hydration. The Land Trust will provide tools, gloves, and treats.

Bird walk

Skilled birders Sue Trevathan and Steve Caldwell will lead a birding-by-ear walk sponsored by the Vashon Bird Alliance on Sunday, May 25, and Sunday, June 8. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Judd Creek Preserve parking lot in Paradise Valley at the intersection of SW 204th Street and 111th Avenue SW. Prepare to walk about two mostly-flat miles with some uphill. No dogs, please.

Grief ritual

A monthly Grief Ritual is held the first Sunday of the month from 1-2 p.m., including June 1, at the Tree of Life, 17331 Vashon Highway SW. Islanders re invited to share and witness each other’s grief. Questions? Call Susan Pitiger at 206-818-4232 or Brad Davis at 206-799-7235.

Boater tech talk

The Quartermaster Yacht Club will offer a tech talk for Vashon boaters from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, at Meyer’s Hut at the yacht club, 23428 Vashon Hwy SW.

At this free event, open to the public, yacht club member Rick Oppegaard will show boaters how to use OpenCPN, a free maritime chart plotter and navigation software. Bring your PC or Mac, but be aware that Rick is a PC guy. To register, email mariebrowne2000@comcast.net.

Services van

Washington’s DSHS Mobile Office will bring its services to the Vashon Food Bank’s parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June. 4, at 10030 SW 210th St. Apply inside the van for food, cash, and medical services. Islanders can also drop off paperwork, complete a case, make changes to an existing case, or request an EBT card. Visit washingtonconnection.org for more information.

Food Bank meal

Join the Food Bank with a delicious, free meal from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at Vashon Methodist Church prepared by Gravy owner and chef, Dre Neeley — who is also a Food Bank board member. It’s a chance to learn about Picnics in the Park and other Food Bank updates.

RSVP at tinyurl.com/VashonFoodBankJune25 or call 206-463-6332.

Racial justice movie

The Vashon Island Unitarian Universalists and Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) will cosponsor a screening of the documentary “Racially Charged: America’s Misdemeanor Problem” at Vashon Theatre starting 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10. It will be followed by a panel discussion. Donations benefit Community Passageways and the Northwest Community Bail Fund.

Men in Black bash

Celebrate the origin of the “Men in Black” film series — the mysterious 1947 Maury Island Incident — from June 13-22 at the Men in Black Birthday Bash in Des Moines, with a look-alike contest, scavenger hunt and more. For more information and tickets, visit mib622.com.

Graduation

Celebrate Vashon High School Class of 2025’s graduation at these events on Saturday, June 14.

12-1 p.m.: The Class of 2025 parade rolls through downtown Vashon, sponsored by the Voice of Vashon and broadcasting on 101.9FM and livestream.

5-7 p.m.: The graduation ceremony is held outdoors at the VHS Football Stadium, rain or shine. The stadium opens at 4:30 p.m. Seating is first come/first served.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Juneteenth celebration

Celebrate Juneteenth from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 19 at the Vashon Center for the Arts atrium with education, music and snacks.