Summer ends tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 22, which means not just an end to warmer, sunny weather, but also an opportunity to look back at a busy summer on Vashon that saw many significant changes that will shape the island’s future.

With the island’s largest clinic closing and reopening all in a little over a month, the ferry system becoming a headache of half-filled boats, delayed sailings and failed solutions all capped off by changing public transportation pictures elsewhere, a lot happened between June and September. With that in mind, The Beachcomber offers a recap of these important events and what islanders should keep in mind going forward.

1. Neighborcare Health at Vashon: The island’s clinic reopens on Monday with a team of familiar doctors, less than two months after it closed due to CHI Franciscan announcing it was not making enough money to remain on Vashon. The opening was made possible by quick work from islanders, county and state representatives and a whirlwind fundraising effort. Looking ahead, islanders need to use this clinic or risk losing it again.

2. The ferry system: It was a rough summer to be an island commuter. While Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) boats are normally pushed to their limits with summer tourists, some islanders believe the ferry lines and wait times recently were the worst they have ever been. Indeed, islanders took to social media and shared photos of boats with space for dozens of cars while the line to get on a ferry extended for nearly two miles and temperatures outside climbed into the 90s. Islander and State Sen. Sharon Nelson answered the call and vowed to look into the issue and how to make changes at Fauntleroy to allow for more efficient loading.

Data is being gathered and a meeting with WSF officials is slated for sometime this fall. When the details for the meeting are made public, islanders need to show up and participate. This is a rare opportunity to speak with WSF officials face-to-face, discuss potential solutions and get answers.

3. Sunday bus service: After 16 years without, Vashon had Sunday bus service reinstated earlier this month. After a survey of islanders, King County found a way have bus routes on Route 118 follow the route’s Saturday schedule. However, like the clinic, this service needs to be used in order to stay around.

The rest of this year will require a lot from islanders in terms of participation, but it is what this island does best. Vashon is full of activists who are passionate about helping neighbors. We all know what to do.