By Marianne Lincoln

It almost snuck past me entirely. There was so much going on September 26, several family birthdays and a big event at PLU for the Tribes and Cecilia Svinth Carpenter.

But September 26, 2024 was the 30th anniversary of The Spanaway Community Action Network! It was officially filed as a corporation on January 13, 1995 as the Spanaway Community Association. But our very first meeting at Sprinker was held on September 26.

So to all those who participated over the years, and especially to Dennis, Sharon and Bonnie who help plan that first meeting, a BIG thank you. Several of our members have passed away, other moved and a few area still around to chat with occasionally.

Around 2003 we stopped having meetings, there was not enough attendance. There are few people that will say attending meetings are their favorite pastime. But, it was recognized that the newsletters were still quite popular. With the help of Parkland, we had formed the Parkland Spanaway POST. It ran for several years, until the editor, Joe Fulda, had a tragic car accident.

Then in 2012, after serving on the School Board, I decided to meet up with my former neighbor, Ben Sclair and see how difficult it would be to create an online newspaper like the Suburban Times in Lakewood. Technology was finally taking a lot of costs out of publishing and distributing a hard copy newspaper. Ben was very helpful, but it was actually easier than I realized. August 14, 2012, the Pierce Prairie Post launched. It is still operated under the Spanaway Community Association’s Corporation and 501(c)(3), in case anyone wants to start having those in person meetings again. (I am winking.)

In the meantime, just keep sending me the information and I will get it in there. If you like meetings, you can help out the Parkland Community Association, they just purchased the Parkland School in May and are starting to lease space. I am certain they need your help.

So, technology has changed the way we get together, but we are still out there, trying to make community work in an unincorporated area with so many new people that don’t know about us yet. Like yesterday, when I was at Bethel High for ABC Day, passing out business cards with the QR code for the Pierce Prairie Post. 50 of those disappeared quickly. I hope they look; they might learn a lot.

Next time a work at a table like ABC Day, I am bringing a community quiz. There is lot I will wager you still don’t know. Maybe someone might want to start a crossword puzzle based on the South Pierce County

So HAPPY 30th SCAN! Thank you for being there for us!