Mike Bennett of Maple Valley holds his 19-month-old daughter, Taylor, over the shoreline of Lake Wilderness so she can wash her hands. Their dog Bailey waits behind them.

For four years, John Avila, left, and Lou Vaughns have volunteered about 35 hours a week at the Maple Valley Food Bank. "I feel all warm inside when someone goes home with a bag of food," Vaughns said.

Valerie Bresson hangs onto Carley, her 3-week-old daughter, while picking out produce at the Maple Valley Food Bank. At one time Bresson donated to the food bank, and now she is a client for the first time. When her pregnancy became high-risk, she had to stay home from work and received no disability benefits. She will return to work next month.

At the 50-year-old Testy Chef Cafe, many of the patrons know one another. Don O'Brien, in overalls, has been going there for 47 years.

Lisa Dundurand of Federal Way chats with Quincy Cook of Maple Valley between customers at the Maple Valley Market espresso stand.

Beckie Town talks to her 1-1/2-year-old grandson, Jake Acker, behind the counter of her bakery. The Dough Shop sells more than 40 dozen bagels a day.

Michelle Gato, 6, of Maple Valley walks through a puddle at Lake Wilderness Park on a sunny day in October.

Retired nurse Helene Hokenson helps John W. Campbell prepare for a flu shot in the library of the Maple Valley Community Center.

Anton Andereggen of Portland walks through the parking lot of Lake Wilderness Park carrying a broomstick horse for his granddaughter, who lives in Maple Valley. 

Firefighter Kelley Jensen cooks dinner for his colleagues at Station 81 in Maple Valley.

The training barn at the Jones Farm, just outside the city of Maple Valley, is home to thoroughbred race horses.

The Oslon House and barn (not shown) in Maple Valley became a King County Landmark in 1991. Norwegian immigrant Olof Olson built the house between 1907-1909 and is a rare example of concrete construction in a residential building. In the background is Tiger Mountain.

Jerry Gould sits at the console of his vintage Wurlitzer pipe organ, which he houses inside a big barn at his home in Maple Valley.