Members of online group ‘Growing up in Vancouver, WA’ gather at Vancouver Lake Regional Park

FRUIT VALLEY — Members of the online Facebook group “Growing up in Vancouver, WA” gathered Sept. for a picnic at Vancouver Lake Regional Park. Of the 6,721 current members of the online group founded five years ago, around 60 people met up at the group’s first in-person event, according to organizers. Old photos, including images of sports teams from decades past, were laid out on tables as people mingled, enjoyed food and discussed their history growing up in Vancouver. According to group founder Patrick Klinger, local historian and author Pat Jollota discussed the city and its growth after World War II, while Clark County Historical Museum Executive Director Brad Richardson talked about partnerships between the two groups. The online group has digitized a number of old photographs from members, Klinger said. “(We) reminisced about the history of Vancouver for three to four hours,” Klinger said. “It’s really become a community that is engaged with each other and is talking and asking questions.” The closed group requires three questions from users before they can join, including explaining their connection to the city. Find the group at www.facebook.com/groups/1456597907921864/