On a spring Saturday afternoon, I drove my minivan to the Buckley Eagles for the Wilkeson’s Way Forward fundraiser.
Our team recently designed and developed the Wilkeson Historical District website, a project that launched just as the organization’s efforts gained traction in the news and at the State Capitol.
If you aren’t familiar with Wilkeson and the impact of the Fairfax Bridge closure, the situation is straightforward:
Deferred maintenance. Washington State Department of Transportation closed the Fairfax Bridge, cutting off access via a major thoroughfare to Mount Rainier and halting the tourism the town’s economy depended on to thrive.
The event at the Eagles was a testament to community. The energy was high and the event successfully raised the funds necessary to secure 139 acres just beyond the historic town of Wilkeson.
That spirit of the town and the community is personified by Jayme Peloli, Executive Director of the Wilkeson Historical District.
The Shared Screen
I recently interviewed Jayme for the podcast. We started with our standard opening questions:
- When did you first get on the internet?
- What was your experience like?
- Do you remember your username?
Her answers recalled a time when computers were a shared household resource. Access to the internet came in turns, scheduled around the needs of others. Since then, her relationship with the internet has remained minimal.
Connection as a Foundation
Jayme’s life is rooted in face-to-face communication. While we built a digital platform to help the town’s cause, Jayme reminds us that the internet is a tool, not a destination. For her, meaningful connection happens in person. This philosophy forms the foundation of the community she leads.
In This Episode
We discuss the path forward for Wilkeson, the fight to restore access to the region and why physical presence matters in a digital age. Watch the podcast, then visit the Wilkeson Historical District website to learn more about the efforts to preserve the livelihood of the town.
You can learn more about the Fairfax bridge closure on the Reconnecting Rainier podcast.
