Editorial: The Beachcomber offers up an array of special inserts

Every year, The Beachcomber publishes what we affectionately refer to as “special sections,” inserts that deliver up helpful listings, guides or other offerings that we think give our readers a deeper appreciation for life on the Rock.

Every year, The Beachcomber publishes what we affectionately refer to as “special sections,” inserts that deliver up helpful listings, guides or other offerings that we think give our readers a deeper appreciation for life on the Rock.

This week, you’ll find an insert that lists Vashon’s graduating seniors — a wonderful opportunity to take stock of the Island’s young men and women, many of whom have grown up here.

Last week, we published “Island Child,” a guide to the rich array of summer camps and preschools available to parents of young children.

And a couple of weeks ago, we issued the biggest and most ambitious of our special publications, Destination Vashon, a fantastic little guide (if we do say so ourselves) to the Island’s many gems — its galleries, parks, beaches, farms, restaurants and inns.

The 74-page publication is available at The Beachcomber’s office, Vashon Thriftway, most real estate offices, bookstores and other retail outlets. On its cover is a beautiful shot of the Point Robinson lighthouse by celebrated Island photographer Ray Pfortner. Within its pages are other remarkable shots by an array of Island photographers, as well as some wonderful articles about Island life, many of them penned by community members.

But of course, we often make a mistake or two along the way. And this year, one of those mistakes we feel most chagrined about: We failed to list a photo credit for one of the pictures that was graciously offered up to us for inclusion in Destination Vashon.

It appears below, a beautiful shot of a farm by Island photographer Lotus. And along with it comes a boatload of thank yous to Lotus, the many other photographers who contributed shots to Destination Vashon, the fantastic writers who helped us fill its many pages and the advertisers who helped to underwrite its costs.

Thanks, too, to John L. Scott for sponsoring both Island Child and the senior graduation guide. And thanks to the many people who helped to make both of those publications possible, especially the seniors who somehow managed, in the midst of the remarkably busy last few months of school, to submit information about themselves to The Beachcomber.

All of these publications reflect well on the Island: They remind us of the richness of this place, its beauty and its strong sense of community. So enjoy perusing this week’s special section. And if you need another copy of Destination Vashon, stop by the office. We have a few extras.