Josh Sherwin, Neighbor

I love Puget Sound and have lived here most of my life.  I was born in Tacoma, but spent most of my school years in Marin County, CA.

While I was a youngster, my Dad built an A-frame beach cabin out on Henderson Bay on the Key Peninsula.  It seems my entire life has centered on that wonderful summer cabin.  While living in Marin, my family would spend our summer vacations at the cabin.  I came to treasure those childhood memories living on Puget Sound.  So when it came time to decide which college to attend, it was no surprise to anyone that I chose the University of Puget Sound.

While attending college I became involved in student activities.  I served three years as the Chairman of the film program that brought movies to campus.  I created a student film festival called <i>Foolish Pleasures</i>.  And that is when I discovered my passion for special events and the joy they bring to others.

I spent the next 30 years managing retails stores up and down the West Coast.  Whenever possible, I involved myself in the planning of company events.  And no matter where I lived, I would always return for a vacation to our cabin on Henderson Bay.  I would have a party there every Fourth of July, and inevitably discovered a fascination with fireworks, which has now become an obsession.  It is an event in itself that has fueled my event planning passion.

Now I enjoy living in Gig Harbor with my wife Leiani and our two sons, Jarrod and Nick.  I have put aside my retail career to focus on planning events. I&#39;ve spent the last year or so helping organizations in Gig Harbor plan their events and seeing that they run smoothly.  It gives me great pleasure to be part of something that helps make our community such an incredible place to live. I&#39;m looking forward to being a Patch contributor and discussing events and happenings about town.