Vashon Library re-opens
Vashon’s branch of the King County library system re-opened on Jan. 31, after being closed for more than two weeks due to damage sustained from the mid-January cold snap.
The library was forced to close because the facility’s pipes burst on Jan. 15, submerging the library’s HVAC system. Community partners such as Vashon Youth & Family Services, the Vashon Senior Center and Cafe Luna helped host library events during the facilities crew’s repair process. No items on the main floor were damaged, library staff said.
Land Trust leader named
Theron Shaw, the senior philanthropic advisor and campaign director of Pearson College on Vancouver Island, has been selected to take over as executive director of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust.
Shaw, who lived on Vashon before his work at Pearson, “brings strong experience in nonprofit management and strategic communications, as well as a deep and abiding appreciation for Vashon Island,” according to the Land Trust.
The Land Trust also announced that, in mid-January, it purchased 10 acres of land in the upper ravine of Shinglemill Creek, adding property to the preserve previously owned by the Maestrello family.
Festival stage to return to Ober
Last week, the Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2024 Strawberry Festival mainstage and beverage garden will be located at Ober Park in 2024.
During the festival, set for July 19-21, islanders will once again be able to throw down a blanket and dance on the lawn — a beloved music destination at prior festivals — all weekend long, and into the night.
“We’re exceptionally grateful to the Vashon Park District for welcoming us to host the beverage garden alongside the mainstage at the park, as those proceeds go directly to funding our bands and artists,” said Amy Drayer, the Chamber’s executive director.
Local students recognized
Local Vashon-Maury students were recently honored for their academic achievements in college.
Flora Dougher and Laura Erickson were named to the 2023 fall semester President’s List at Gonzaga University, which requires maintaining a 3.85 to 4.0 grade point average. Catherine Brown was named to the Dean’s List, which requires maintaining a 3.5 to 3.84 grade point average.
Enrique Delzer was named to the fall 2023 Dean’s List at Kalamazoo College, which requires maintaining a 3.5 grade point average or higher.
In January, Kelsey Stinson earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences from The University of Alabama.
