By Caitlin Rothermel On June 20th, I listened in to the Vashon-Maury Community Council meeting. It completely grabbed my attention. Topics included the electric undergrounding proposal being presented to Puget Sound Energy, the planned Thunderbird drug rehabilitation facility, and the status of the Vashon Health Care District. If you didn’t attend, and are interested in…
By Jane Valencia Fernhorn Bakery’s story interweaves with that of Island resilience. In our conversation with owners Thomas Vroom and Jordan Ashley Beck, we chat about Vashon-grown grains. Did you know that it’s possible to grow wheat on Vashon? Several Islanders are growing wheat already, and work is underway to support Island grain-growing. In 2022,…
By Jane Valencia Summer wild fires have become more common in recent years. Whether we’re traveling through areas where fires are raging, or encounter smoke billowing over our Island from elsewhere, poor air quality can irritate and inflame our bodies in many ways. Luckily, plants abound that can help. Here are some of my favorites…
By Marj Watkins and Suzanna Leigh Suzanna: You are going to be 100 years old during Strawberry Festival this year! How long have you lived on the Island? Marjorie: We moved to the island July 1969. Our furniture was due to arrive the next day, so my daughter Jeannie and I went uptown to get…
Alert reader M.D. noted that our apple cake recipe, lacking any oil, milk, or water, might end up being unusably dry. Happily, reader C.H.L. wrote in about the recipe; she had discovered that there’s an entire genre of oil-free cakes. Finally, M.T. noted that these were likely rooted in the Great Depression times, when one tried…
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have paid clergy. Local members are asked to serve in all different capacities, all as volunteers without monetary compensation. They receive a “calling” to serve. After 7 years of dedicated service, Chet Tillman, long-time Islander, has been released from serving as Branch President (congregational leader)….
By Joyce Kiefer Joyce Kiefer is a frequent visitor to Vashon, and the mom of editor Jane Valencia. She shared this recipe. Grandpa grew “young berries” in the backyard by the back fence. These berries were a hybrid of blackberries and raspberries. We had to do something with the abundant crop, so this cake was one…
