Thank You

Many volunteers help our schools in many ways

It is with sincere appreciation that I write this letter to publicly thank Anacortes school volunteers for making our schools a better place this year.

The sheer number of volunteers continues to astonish: So far this year, 1,067 volunteers have donated 20,150 hours in support of schools and students.

Included in this total are 65 parents who have given 4,000 hours of time at the Anacortes Home Education Partnership Program located at the Walla Walla College Marine Center Campus on Rosario Beach Road.

Looking closer, the numbers show 15 amazing volunteers who have each donated from 200 to 875 hours of their time since the doors opened in September.

Another 18 volunteers have spent 100-199 hours each in the schools. Forty-four others gave 50-99 hours each in support of students. Another 300 volunteers worked 10-49 hours each and finally, the largest group — 689 volunteers— donated from one to nine hours each helping students learn.

School volunteers come from all walks of life, both young and old.

Middle and high school students — about 50 of them — help out in the classrooms and mentor younger students after school. Another 182 are community members who have no children in the schools, but are retired or semi-retired and understand the importance of education.

Volunteers ask what needs to be done and set out to do it — in the classroom, as one-on-one tutors, in the office, in committees or wherever there is a need.

Our largest group of volunteers — some 835 — is parents. They play a big role in the elementary classrooms, help on special projects and attend field trips. Others are involved in the school’s PTA or PTSA and support our schools through fundraising and advocating for all children.

At the middle and high school level, many parents support their teen’s involvement in sports. Volunteer groups such as SABA — the Seahawk Athletic Booster Association — make sure student athletic programs are supported on a day-in and day-out basis.

Our unofficial motto is “We Love Our Volunteers” and it really is true. We know how important their presence and involvement is to students of all ages. Understanding and experiencing the high value of volunteers, Anacortes teachers and staff work hard to make volunteering a positive, rewarding experience.

As the school doors close, we want to send a large, collective and sincere thank you to all school volunteers for making a difference in our schools and with our students. On behalf of the students, staff, teachers, principals, administrators and school board, we wish you a healthy and happy summer reprieve. We hope to see you in September.

Jayne Branch

Volunteer Coordinator

Bark in the Park

Festival raises more funds for off-leash park

Bark in the Park 2009 was a wonderful success again this year. We had a gorgeous day and lots of folks from near and far turned out with their dogs to participate in our 5th annual dog festival. It seems we had folks from Seattle all the way to Victoria join us this year.

As with any event, there’s always a long list of folks to thank. We really want to say a big thank you to our sponsors: Joyful Dog Training, Nutro Products, PetCo, Cap Sante Inn, Sebo’s Hardware, PetSmart, Banfield-The Pet Hospital, Coldwell Banker Island Living, Blue Cow Car & Dog Wash, Walker’s Healthy Pet, Canine Cozy Care Resort, Arkat Nutrition and Pacific Design Screen Printing for all their support.

Many thanks also to all of our vendors, as well as to the Anacortes Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Sunrisers, American Dream, Wizards of Ooze, PrePaid Legal, Clean & Clip, the Anacortes School District, the city of Anacortes, and Marie Padovan, for their community support on behalf of the dog park. And a very special thanks to Sunnyhill Kennel for all they provided, and as always to Brian Greer, our terrific emcee, whose work for our dogs is so appreciated.

And we can’t forget a huge thank you with lots of doggie kisses to all the volunteers, whose time, talent and dedication helped make this event happen. The dog festival truly was a community effort, and I can’t say thanks enough to everyone involved.

We are really looking forward to the opening on July 11 of our permanent dog park at the Ace of Hearts Creek Rotary Park at 38th Street and H Avenue. All the funds raised at this year’s Bark in the Park, as well as the previous years, will go to making our dog park one of a kind and fun for the dogs.

We live in such a wonderful dog-loving community, and we are grateful that our dogs will soon have their permanent place to romp and play in our very own off-leash dog park here in Anacortes.

Thank you to all.

Amy Terhune

Bark in the Park coordinator for F.I.D.O./Fidalgo Islanders for Dogs Offleash

Tourism Support

Port actively works to attract visitors to town

The July 1, 2009, edition of the Anacortes American questioned if the Port of Anacortes was doing enough for tourism in our community.
The Port has been increasing its efforts to attract tourists for several years. Cap Sante Boat Haven is second in the state of Washington for transient boat visits. In order to help promote an increase in boat visits, the port has had a display for several years at the Seattle Boat Show. Advertisements through the Chamber of Commerce, marine and other related magazines promote Anacortes as a tourist destination. The Waterfront Festival, free boat shows, Salmon Derby, whale watch boats and the Trawler fest help to create tourist business.
The addition of the trailerable boat launch and the soon to be built small boat hoist on “P” dock should bring many more visitors of our community.

Other activities the Port of Anacortes engages in to increase tourism are free summer music concerts, no gates on the public docks and an improved esplanade with benches and plantings. The port is currently negotiating a contract for an Anthony’s Restaurant to be located on the marina waterfront. The port also has had inquires about a boat chandlery and a coffee shop to be located in the marina complex.
Another facility that is located on port property is the Port Warehouse. The port has purchased carpeting, dance flooring and furniture to be made available for many public and private events. More improvements are planned such as a new floor, and improved utility system, and restrooms. The coming Marine Skill Center will also have some meeting facilities available, parking and classes on boat maintenance for boaters.

There has been a number of discussions for building a multi-purpose banquet facility that would seat 200-300 people with a warming kitchen. As funds become available this will be given serious consideration by the Port commissioners. Our marina public advisory committee told us loud and clear that the marina is for the public, boaters and boat support. They did not want that compromised with the construction of condos.
I wish we could implement more objects to promotes tourism at the port. Unfortunately, the port does not own a printing press like the federal government.

Bill Short,
Port of Anacortes
Commissioner, District 2

Festive Fourth

Thanks to those who worked on parade, program

The Fourth of July Parade and Program were appreciated again by our community and our guests. Anacortes Women of Today want to thank the many participants who enjoyed the weather, the event and hard work of the community. We would especially like to thank the following: Mayor Dean Maxwell, Sound Engineer Martin Iverson, Chief Bowers and the police force, the Auxiliary Patrol, drivers Brandon Wion and Darryl Clark, Jim McNally and his Anacortes Middle School wrestling team, Anacortes Town Crier Richard Riddell, Sidney, British Columbia Town Crier Burt Stevens, Radio Station KWLE, Debra Mahar, Pastor Sally Balmer, Associate Pastor Matt Keltner and Boy Scout Troops 81 and 85. A special thank you is owed to Lee and Betty Dawes for refurbishing, bringing, and operating the cannon in honor of their late friend Ward Koeberle and to Jessica Koeberle for supporting them in this endeavor.

Again, a warm thank you to all the participants and attendees, and any volunteers whom we have not mentioned by name. We couldn’t manage this without you!

Joyce Paradine

Anacortes Women of Today

Thank You

Sports physical night helps students play

The Anacortes High School Athletic Booster Association (SABA) would like to thank the doctors, nurses, medical students and volunteers who helped make the 2009 Spring Sports Physical Night a big success on May 27! We provided over 80 sports physicals to students. By providing these sports physicals, SABA saves families over $1,000 in doctors’ fees while providing a necessary service, thus providing more students the opportunity to participate in sports at the middle and high school. The sports physicals are good for 13 months.

The following medical professionals volunteered their time and expertise at the Spring Sports physicals: Dr. Les Conway, Erin Reiger, ARNP, Dr. Robert Rieger, Dr. Patrick Lyons, Dr. Ken Oates, Dr. Mark Backman, Dr. Jason Hogge, Dr. Gina Thompson, Terri Rains, LPN, and Azil Francoise, ARNP.

Thank you to the SABA volunteers who helped during the sports physicals: Patty Sherman, Steve Courtney, Colleen Painter, Heather Brennan, Linda Everton, Heiko Miles, Geri Bamonte, RN, and Jean Kohl, RN. Much appreciation to Deni Bowker, LPN, Treasurer Barb Abbott and Vice President Kim Barrett for helping to organize the event. Because of everyone’s help and efforts, the evening was a success and student athletes can participate in sports during the next school year!

Sydney Olausen

President,

Seahawk Athletic Booster Association