It is not very often that the hair on the back of my neck stands up and tears well in my eyes. It was anticipation, excitement, joy and silent thanks for a gift that was given to all. The gift was the gift of voices, voices of many, singing with unsurpassable love. It was an amazing operatic event last Sunday, “Eugene Onegin.” We seem to take it for granted, this talent, the Vashon Opera, but that is what it is — a gift.

Having lived here since 1976, I know that from Summer Salad days at VAA to the Vashon Chorale, Drama Dock and the arts and humanities series, we have needed a better performance hall.

It makes me wonder, what is it about a gift that some do not understand. We have extraordinary patrons here who are gifting the community with a new performance hall so that all kinds of performance can be enjoyed. Vashon takes our arts community seriously and yet some fail to give credit to the long hours of thought and deliberation on how best to serve all aspects of the arts. Our collective gift to the arts and to the whole community should be applause and support.

— George Wright