By Stephen Buller In my previous article, we discussed how you can give more of your hard-earned money to your neighbors when shopping at local businesses by avoiding credit card fees. We also touched on the reasons the banks want you to use credit cards – spoiler: they profit. Now, let’s look at some other…
August 2023, Health Matters
Fireweed
By Kathy Abascal I am told that you can measure when summer will end by watching fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) bloom. Here on Vashon, its purple flowers began to open at the base of its stem in early July. They then work their way up until finally the tips of the plant are in bloom. When…
Arrival Stories, August 2023
What Brought You to the Island
By Nichole Banducci Saying that Vashon feels like home has so much more meaning than we could have realized. Our family first visited the Island back in June of 2018. The trip was a part of a “top secret” future home search, disguised as a family vacation. Our older kids were going to college in…
August 2023, Health Matters
Medicinal Plants on Vashon – Horsetail
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Equisetum, or horsetail, is the only remaining genus in the prehistoric plant family Equisetaceae. I certainly think it looks like it belonged with dinosaurs, with its crusty texture and poky, bottle brush appearance. It is extremely persistent, with very deep rhizomes that make it extremely difficult to eradicate. It does not…
August 2023, Recipes
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars: A Festival for Your Tastebuds
By Nichole Banducci In honor of Strawberry Festival, I wanted to share my favorite strawberry-filled baked treat. Rolled oats, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, strawberries, chia seeds, and lemon juice are the main heroes that make these bars delectable. The cool part is you can substitute your preferred flour, sugar, butter, or fruit filling to…
Advertisers, August 2023
Minglement for August
The fruit and berry season is in full swing now and making bubbly refreshing shrubs to make it through the hotter days ahead will be a delight. Here is my recipe that I use for most things shrubs, and of course you may have your own twist, too! It’s easy and the shrub mixture should…
August 2023, Recipes
Island Epicure
By Marjorie Watkins When we lived in Crete, there were little white churches scattered over the hills. Their doors were always unlocked and you could go in any time to say your prayers, although you might not find chairs to sit in. The priests were always tall. Greeks are not noted for being tall, but…
August 2023, Literary
Excerpts From “The Heart of Vashon”
The Vashon Way: How to Be Mistaken for a LocalBy Gayle Kellner When you run out of almond milk and have to go purchase more, put on a loose-fitting dress and mismatched sweater, preferably hand-knit. Finish off your outfit with a pair of rubber boots. If they look new, walk through a couple of mud…
August 2023, Children, Island Resilience
Herbs with Kids – Plant Safety Basics and a Few Summer Remedies
By Jane Valencia Are you curious about learning how to use herbs in your yard or around the Island for medicine? A great way to start is to learn with your kids. And here on Vashon, chances are they know some herbal remedies already. Start there! Do they have a favorite remedy for a nettle…
August 2023, Llaughing Llamas
Llaughing Llamas
By Daniel Hooker A man goes to Australia after meeting a U.S. couple that shared tales of a town in the Outback called “Life.” The town had a tea called Koala that had rejuvenating properties. It took a week’s worth of travel with buses and jeeps to get to the town. Once the man arrived,…