Carol Dahl: Shoreline-LFP Patch's Greatest Person for April 2012

Q1: Where were you born and raised? Tell us about your family.

I was born in 1930’s in Southern Alberta, Canada where the wind constantly blows.  I was raised in a rural Calgary area.  Both of my parents were American.  They were farmers.  We had oats, wheat, grain, rye and more on the farm.  I am number eight of nine kids; six boys and three girls.  All my brothers were in the military, Army mostly for the U.S. and Canada.  Four of my brothers died of natural causes, one died in WWII and another died in Viet Nam.

From the age of ten until high school graduation, I lived in a culturally diverse area of Tacoma.  The neighborhood was made up of Italians, African Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Eastern European and Scandinavian people to name a few countries.  We kids didn’t know that we weren’t supposed to get along or that society didn’t respect differences.  Our group of kids celebrated diversity, we didn’t think our community was unusual. 

Q2. Tell us about your education.

I was going to High River Elementary School, about 40 miles south of Calgary until I was 10 years old (1946.)  Then, we went back to the U.S. to live.  I was a 5th grader in Tacoma.  This is the first time I ever heard the “F” word.  It came out of the mouths of some boys. 

In 1954, I graduated from Stadium High School. The summer after high school, I worked for Pacific N.W. Bell. Later, I went to school at Western WA University.  Back then W.W.U. was a teacher’s college. No, I did not become a classroom teacher.  After finishing two years of college, I worked for the telephone company.  I was a long distance and directory assistance operator, I know how to spell names.

Around 1958, I moved to Northern Alberta to work and be closer to my older sister.  Later, I transferred to Edmonton and became a manager for Alberta Government Telephones.  I met my husband, Vern who was an equipment foreman.  Some time went by and Vern was asked to take a job on a military base (NORAD) near Cold Lake east of Edmonton – a bitterly cold place.  I told Vern that I was “not going there with you or anybody else.”  We both left our jobs and went to Tacoma.  

• 1965: Vern and I married.  Our honeymoon comprised of looking for jobs.  We found jobs in San Francisco at Pacific Bell Telephones.
• 1968: This was the height of hippiedom, Haight-Ashbury movement.  We transferred to Seattle and were managers until the phone company turned over to U.S. West to whatever it is now.
• 1985: Vern retired and started his own home remodeling business.
• 1988:  I went back to City University to finish my Bachelor’s Degree. Before retiring, I was part of a management training group.  We trained others to become managers.  Managers and employees came together for collaborative work and solve problems.
• 1990: I retired from the phone company.

Q3. How long have you lived in Lake Forest Park?  Tell me about the neighborhood you live in?

We lived in LFP since 1978 in the Southern Gateway neighborhood.  It is well established and there is not much movement in and out.  We sold out original house and moved seven blocks north.  The man who sold us the house, I knew him when he was a little boy.  I let him know that we wanted 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a view of the lake…that’s what we got.

Q4. Why did you decide to live in Lake Forest Park? What do you like best about LFP? 

It’s just a wonderful, wonderful community.  I have a passion for environmental issues, recycling, preservation of environment and sustainability – “leaving something for those who follow.”  My interests and love for this community is reflected in my volunteer work with the city of LFP.  I believe in being active.  I am involved with LFP advocacy work, rotary and political campaigns.

Q5. Tell us about your volunteering in Lake Forest Park?  I understand you’ve been involved in city matters also, describe what you’ve done. 

Some of these dates overlap because I juggled multiple jobs and/or volunteer positions at one time. 

• 1990 on:  Volunteer at Nature Conservatory in Seattle.  Outreach Coordinator.
• 1991 – 1996:  I saw an ad for a master recycler and composter.  I jumped at the opportunity.  I agreed to be the community outreach coordinator.  I trained and managed large group of volunteers.
• 1996 – 2000:  Joined Parks Board for LFP.  I received a mayoral appointment and became a Parks Commission Chair and later Co-Chair.
• 1998 – 2004:  Board of Directors, Shoreline/LFP Arts Council. 
• 1998 – 2008:  Co-Founder of LFP Stewardship Foundation to protect, sustain value of our natural resources.
• 2008 – Present:  The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council Gallery opened in Town Center and “I have been volunteering here ever since.”
• 2005 – Present: LFP Rotary, working in membership, marketing and leadership capacities.  Community Service Chair: The objective of Rotary is "Service above Self." “I love this job because I love connecting the dots, getting people connected to one another.  I especially like getting young people to come together. For example, a friend of mine has a son who graduated from college recently.  The young man had degrees in finance and marketing. I connected him to a retired medical doctor.  The M.D. is the father of the man who is the CEO of a local hospital.
• 2000 – Present:  A volunteer of a the Seattle Chamber Music Festival Council. 
• 2001 – 2009:  Vern and I became legal guardians to Vern’s granddaughter.  She is an adult now and in college.
• 2007 – Present:  Citizens Committee:  “This is a place where we review and recommend grants from cities for the aquisition of green and open areas for the purpose of purchasing scarce space.  Most of the money comes from property taxes.
• 2011 – Present:  Volunteer at Kellogg Middle School, mentoring and helping kids with their homework.
• 2010 – Present:  On the second and fourth Wednesdays, I serve as one of the Adult Advisors to the LFP Youth Council.
• For the last ten years until current:  "Almost every weekday morning, I pick up a little boy and bring him to school.  He loves my home made chocolate chip pancakes and has a complete breakfast to include but not limited to: sausage, bacon, fruit and juice. Life is good."