Vashon Island. What an amazing community we are. We may have our differences, but when push comes to shove, we band together. How thrilled I was to see Tag Gornall and Island GreenTech get behind the Vashon Theatre, bringing community support for a digital projector.

How fortunate we are that Eileen and Gordy Wolcott bought the theater as I was wearing out. I was only going to be there for five years; 14 years later, they turned on the TV on Oscar Night to see the theater was for sale. The Wolcotts made an appointment to come tour it. Two years of negotiations followed; they had to fix up and sell several properties to make it happen. The process was the best kept secret on Vashon! Eileen worked Saturday nights for a year to learn the business. She is as passionate about the theater as I was.

When I bought the business, many asked me about the mural on the outside wall. We had meetings and jars in stores to collect money for the project. For those of you who contributed, I want you to know that Eileen and I talked about the mural, but now a remodel to accommodate the new projector seems more of a priority. She still has hopes for the mural. But first we need to address these other issues. I have turned over to Eileen the $363.79 that has been in a special account for nearly 25 years.

This wonderful surrounding of love and support reminds me of Vashon Community Care. A call on a Saturday morning years ago from Pat Cunningham about the nursing home being sold for a rehab center, a standing-room-only meeting Sunday night … When owner Jim Alexander saw the Island support, he put off signing the next day, and the rest is history.

I am so proud of this community and how we can come together so quickly when the need arises.

— Carolyn Youngblood