The sound of piano notes trailing across the summer breeze has been the soundtrack on my daily walks through town and it has been such a treat.

The recent arrival of an upright piano outside the Templin’s Center was a true community endeavor.

Near the end of 2019, the Deer Harbor Community Club replaced its piano, and rather than throw the old one away, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival suggested it would make a great public street piano in downtown Eastsound. Board member Mimi Summerville and her husband Slim agreed to house it at their place until warmer weather arrived.

Unfortunately, the year 2020 put life on hold. The piano bided its time in a storage unit, longing for the moment when it could reemerge.

And then this past June, with the help of Mimi, Slim and other volunteers, Orcas Island’s very first street piano was unveiled.

Thank you to the Chamber Music Festival staff for such a delightful idea, to the Deer Harbor Community Club for the donation, the Sommervilles for their storage space and moving assistance, Rick and Marlace Hughes for providing the perfect piano spot and Sallie Bell and Martin Lund for the bench.

Each time I see a different person playing — some are tentative and some are full of gusto, but all have a smile on their face — I am a little bit overcome with emotion. What a special place to call home.