Wow, hard to believe it’s been 25 years. Even as we are excited to leave for a new chapter in our lives for our home in Coronado, California, we are going to miss Astoria so much. Our list of what we are thankful for is extensive: wonderful neighbors who were always there for us, good friends and co-workers, teachers who made such an impact on our kids’ lives and incredible community members who taught us how a small town works together.

We’ve enjoyed the many opportunities to sing — at the Liberty, the Lund House, church and various concerts and events — and the performances of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” were especially memorable. We will miss the Riverwalk, good restaurants, viewing beautiful sunsets from our front window and eating really fresh salmon. We have fond memories of even noisy sea lions and one-way streets. The view from the Column, the sound of the trolley, fog horns at night — especially on New Year’s Eve — geese flying and honking overhead … we could go on and on.

We originally came here for our beautiful Victorian house we call “The Big Blue.” The Holmes family lived in it for 70 years, the Collins family for 26 years, and now we leave after 25 years. We know that new legacies will continue to be formed in this historic home.

Astoria has been an amazing place to raise our children, as well as grow in our own maturity and experiences. For all this, we say a huge thank you and farewell — we will forever hold Astoria in our hearts.

Keith and Genny Butenshon

Astoria