Informative Speech Outline

Vashon Island

I.  Introduction

A. Attention grabber – I bet a lot of you have been on a ferry before, either going to Kingston or Bremerton, Downtown Seattle or Vancouver, BC.  Imagine having to take a ferryboat every time you wanted to go to the mall, needed a dentist appointment or to go to sports practice twice a week.  Living on Vashon Island for 18 years, I did just that.  I estimated that during one season of volleyball playing on a team in Seattle, I spent over $400 just in ferry fare!

B.  Today I would like to talk to you about the island of Vashon, located about an hour’s travel time southwest of Northwest University.

C.  Specifically, we will discuss the History of Vashon Island, some facts of Island life, and something that only happens on Vashon, the Strawberry festival.

II. History of Vashon Island

A.     Discovery - George Vancouver, named after his friend, James Vashon.

B.     Maury Island used to be separated, but now connected by an isthmus, all considered Vashon Island.

     C.  Used to be mainly economy of orchards and strawberry fields

     D.  Japanese Americans residing/relocation during WW2

1.    “Looking Like the Enemy” written by Mary Matsuda, about leaving her family berry farm on Vashon Island.

2.    Coincidently, Mary Matsuda was my mom’s best friend’s Aunt growing up, small island!

III.  Life on Vashon

     A. Population

1.  According to the New York Times, “the hilly, woodsy island has a population of just 10,000.”

2.  According to the US Census, Vashon is populated by over 90% Caucasians, only about 35% of residents religious, and of those 15% adhering to Catholicism.

3.  Would be categorized as “middle class”.

     B.  Livelihood

1. Small businesses – My grandpa owns one of the two local grocery stores.  If you come to Vashon looking for a Starbucks or Metropolitan Market, you will be disappointed to learn that Vashon Island has neither.  The only thing that comes close to fast food on Vashon is Subway, which in itself was a huge deal when it opened.

2.  The arts – Dance companies, art studios, Art Walk every first    Friday.

          3.  One school district - one of each school, some private schools

               a.  Small, 500 kids in HS

     C. Things to do

1.    Nature - beaches, trails, parks

a.  According to King County, “Island Center Forest is a 363-acre working forest and nature preserve that is managed to demonstrate sustainable forest management while protecting and restoring the health of the site's habitat.”

          2.  Vashon Island Golf and Country Club

IV.  The Strawberry Festival

     A.  Traditional since 1909

1.    Because of vast economy of strawberry fields

2.    According to the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, “In 1909 Vashon shipped more than 120,000 crates of strawberries.”

          3.  Always in July

     B.  Attractions

1.  According to the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, “Approximately 200 vendors sell crafts, clothing, jewelry, art and of course, delicious “Fair Food”.

            a.  Grand Parade

            b.  Street Dance

            c.  Vendors

d.    Carnival

V.  Today we have talked about many aspects of Vashon Island.

     A.  History of Vashon

     B.  Life on Vashon

     C.  The wonderful Strawberry Festival

     D.  I would like to leave you with this, if you have ever heard of Vashon         before this speech, you may have been told that it’s a crazy place, but I’d   like to tell you that the truth is just that, and if you ever need a place to explore on a weekend, I highly suggest to you Vashon Island.

Bibliography

Todras-Whitehill, Ethan. "A Trip Across Water, and Time, From Seattle." New       York Times. N.p., 30 Mar. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/travel/vashon-island-near-seattle-a-rural-throwback.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&>.

"Strawberry Festival." Vashon Chamber of Commerce. N.p., 2011.  Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://vashonchamber.com/strawfest/>.

"ISLAND CENTER FOREST." Island Center Forest. King County, 11 Sept. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2012. <http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails/backcountry/islandcenterforest.aspx>.

Hughes, Marnie. "Vashon Island Has One of Lowest Vaccination Rates in the State." KCPQ. N.p., 01 Dec. 2011. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-vashon-island-seen-as-pocket-of-need-in-terms-of-vaccinations--20111201,0,5786007.story>.

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"2010 Census Interactive Population Search." 2010 Census Interactive Population Search. United States Census, n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=53>.