By HARRIET MUHRLEIN

She is well maintained and clean but definitely is showing her age. She is closed and locked to the public much of the time. When she is open and in use, one only has to step into the main hallway in order to notice the huge black lock on the doors to the main room that once was a center of community activities — plays, community events, meetings, etc.

She continues to house the Kingston Library branch, which is a bright welcoming center of knowledge, friendliness, and activity. The library is open six days a week for a minimum of four hours on Tuesday and Saturday, and longer the other work days. A variety of story times and activities are provided for children during the year.

The Senior Center (no longer named on its doors), with its own gentle ramp from the parking area, is still open at least twice a week during library hours for lunches. The well stocked basement kitchen is used at that time so that hot meals can be provided. Foot care is provided there once a month by appointment, too.

This was the Bayside Community Church before it became the community center. I have heard that the church was outgrowing its building and was looking for land for expansion. The county had land nearby and the people of Kingston really wanted a community center. A swap was made. Bayside had room to grow and Kingston had a new community center. (The old center had collapsed, but that is another story.)

Kingston Historical Society has a small number of books for sale. Both “The Little City by the Sea” and “From Cherry Blossoms to Strawberries” will be for sale at the market before the parade on July 4. There are no plans to reprint either book. If you wish to purchase a book now you may call me at (360) 297-2448. Mail Harriet Muhrlein, Kingston Historical Society, PO Box 333, Kingston WA 98346.