Opportunity knocks to win a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands and at the same time support the effort of the Vashon Senior Center to raise funds to create a more inclusive playground at Ober Park to be known as “Every Body’s Playground.” In collaboration with the Vashon Parks District, it will be a place to keep seniors and others safely moving and be outdoors. The raffle prize includes seven nights on the “True Love”, a 2-bedroom 2-bathroom luxury houseboat in downtown Amsterdam, plus $2,500 cash for travel expenses. Tickets are available at the Senior Center and Ober Park and cost $50. The winning ticket will be drawn at 1p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, at the Senior Center by our lovely mayor, Eirene.
Having been a guest on the “True Love” several years ago I can say without hesitation this was our best European experience. Having never been to the Netherlands before, we were pleasantly surprised at the number of English speakers. We were greeted by the houseboat’s caretaker who made sure all our questions were answered. The location on the quiet Brouwersgract canal was minutes from major sites like the Anne Frank House Museum and in the busy Jordaan neighborhood with its myriad of restaurants and shops.
If you are brave enough to ride a bike in the city of 10 million bikes, you will realize how quickly you can get out into the countryside and be riding along a beautiful dike with only you and the ducks. If biking is not your thing, the public transport, be it cable car or train, is excellent and on-time, making a trip to the Hague, seat of the nation’s parliament, an easy day trip. Returning to the boathouse in the evening after a busy day of sightseeing was the best. Great people watching from the fantail’s outdoor deck and onboard meals made easy by a well-equipped kitchen.
I am a big believer in the support and improvement of our parks and applaud this effort by the Senior Center. Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold for this unique prize. Don’t wait to purchase; in less than two weeks you and your friends could be planning a great trip this coming August 2020.
— Mary Rothermel and Tom Northington
