Artists sell at Holly Daze

The crafts of local artisans will be the feature of the annual Holly Daze Bazaar at the Vashon High School, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The event is sponsored by the Vashon Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital.

At the bazaar, the guild is introducing this year’s artisan mug, which features the work of Island artist Ilse Reimnitz. The mug is available individually or as part of a set, which includes the previous mugs by Mike Spakowsky and Ted Kutscher. Additionally, the guild will raffle two beautiful baby quilts at the event. All proceeds from sponsorship of the bazaar, sales of the mugs, raffle and food go to support uncompensated care at the hospital.

The group will serve lunch, including homemade soups, hot dogs, baked potatoes, baked goods and more for busy shoppers.

This is a great way to support our local artists and children in need at the same time. The guild, which has been an active organization on Vashon since 1924, meets four times a year. For more information about the guild, call Mary Rosenbaum at 463-9446.

— Jean Mendel

Islander to be in quilt book

The Vashon Island Quilt Guild met on Nov. 18, with Lisa Bird, Sue Nebeker, Barb Jansen and Margaret Mackey doing hostess duty. Paula Larsen was a guest and then became a new guild member.

Many completed quilts for the American Heroes project were brought in, and Su DeWalt distributed many more for binding. It was announced that guild member Ann Rindge has made four quilts, which will be featured in Sandy Bonsib’s next book due out in 2009 titled “Patchwork Party.”

Margaret Bickel collected names of those wishing to display quilts at the Vashon Community Care Center (VCCC) next March and April and of people who can sew clothing protectors for the residents there.

Diane Brenno is seeking volunteers for assistance with a sewing/quilting project at Chautaqua Elementary School beginning in January. She has received a grant from Partners in Education for a sewing machine.

A slate of officers was elected to serve in 2009. They are president, Su DeWalt; vice president, Susie Hill; secretary, Jo Ann Bardeen; treasurer, Pat Stougard and member-at-large Barb Trenary. Janice Johns will continue to serve on the board as “Night Group Representative.”

A lunch meeting for the outgoing and incoming officers will be held at Sound Food after the guild meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

The night group of the Quilt Guild will meet at VCCC at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, for a demonstration of making placemats and a discussion about the use of starch in quilt-making.

The Quilt Guild holiday lunch meeting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Camp Burton. The cost is $14.50 and reservations need to be made by Nov. 30 with Donna Botten at 463-2952.

— Jo Ann Bardeen

Kiwanis helps those in need

An advocate for the homeless asked Vashon Kiwanis for financial help Nov. 18, and the club inducted three members into a Legion of Honor for long, exemplary community service.

Emma Amiad, the president of Vashon Interfaith Council on Homelessness, said the council’s work shifted as the economy melted. Now the council is working more with the working poor who are “one medical emergency away from losing their home.” She asked for money for help with emergencies.

Kiwanis considers grants from the Kiwanis Community Fund at the first meeting each month.

The Interfaith Council does not seek government grants but depends totally on donations from individuals. It invests about $25,000 a year helping about 250 families a year with various needs. This year they’ve already helped 272 families and spent $24,000.

Amiad said the Homelessness Council has helped with rent, temporary shelter, laundry, transportation, utilities, food and health products this year.

The three new Legion members are Joe Boyd, a member for 45 years and a 25-year Key Club advisor; Trux Craven, a member for 29 years who conceived and built the club’s pancake grill of recycled metal, and John Watkins, a member for 33 years, a Community Calendar photographer and former speakers’ program manager. Boyd and Craven were club presidents, too.

— Jay Becker

Support VIPP; buy calendar

Vashon Island Pet Protectors’ 2009 Pet Calendar is now available for $15 at the following locations: Pandora’s Box, Books by the Way, Fair Isle Animal Clinic and the Vashon Bookshop.

— Victoria Rohlfs

Senior reflects on Nov. 11

Some of us at the Senior Center are writing our memoirs. One never-to-be-forgotten event was the veterans’ tribute party at the Eagles, Chapter 3144, on Nov. 11. The ballroom decorations were enchanting, completely draped in red, white and blue buntings and flags of all sizes.

The band, The Portage Philharmonic, played “The Star Spangled Banner” as we all stood with our hands over our hearts and sang.

Roger Montez, in full service uniform, gave a lovely opening speech. Now, I know it is unusual to describe a speech as lovely, but this one was patriotic, well worded and succinct, and, yes, indeed, it was lovely.

Veterans were given red tickets for prize drawings. Sheree Tomoson, along with fraternity brothers from the University of Washington, doled out large baskets filled with treasures to a representative of each branch of the service found in the crowd: Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army and Navy.

So there was food, music, prizes, dancing, honoring, good conversation and joy — something for everyone.

— Bea Coldeen

Figgy Pudding event set

Lighthouse Theatre will host its second annual Figgy Pudding Fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Vashon United Methodist Church. This family-friendly event will feature a silent auction, fabulous desserts and community caroling. Combined admission/raffle tickets are $10 each. People may purchase tickets even if they won’t be able to attend.

Proceeds from the event will help Lighthouse Theatre to establish an internship program in drama therapy, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. This program will provide direct services to clients in other organizations. Our goals include working with seniors in assisted living, survivors of domestic violence, cancer patients, teens and families.

At Lighthouse Theatre, we believe that theater is more than just entertainment, and interactive drama is more than just play. Theater and drama are instruments of community integration and personal transformation. Theater is also a social service.

Lighthouse Theatre is a non-profit theatrical service company, located on Vashon, serving the greater Puget Sound community. We provide theater performances, interactive classes, trainings and presentations on topics of social concern. Since we were founded in 2004, we have provided regional interactive theater programs focusing on homelessness, the elderly, domestic violence and drug and alcohol prevention. Please help us to continue this excellent work.

Lighthouse Theatre is a non-profit organization, dedicated to using theater arts to empower individuals and strengthen the community. All donations are tax-deductible.

If you would like to be more involved, or make a direct contribution to Lighthouse Theatre, please visit us on the Web at: www.lighthousetheatre.org or contact deb@lighthousetheatre.org.

— Deb Pierce

Arrange holiday flowers

“A Vashon Christmas” will be the theme on Monday, Dec. 8, when Carol Ahlfors is the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Vashon Garden Club.

Ahlfors, who is currently assisting Blooms with its holiday floral arrangements, has received many national awards and been featured in national magazines.

Table arrangements with a Vashon theme will be demonstrated by Ahlfors at the meeting, which will be at the Vashon Lutheran Church. It begins at 10:45 a.m. with sign-in, business meeting and sack lunch. The speaker begins around 1 p.m.

— Arlene Hess