100 Year Anniversary Milestone Celebrated: City Hall Charter Signing 
December 22, 2022 marked a key date as the Anacortes Rotary Club celebrates its century of service to the community. Click on these links to see the festivities and more on the super interesting historical context.   Numerous projects and events took place throughout 2022 and will culminate in 2023, including the work on a new Cap Sante hiking trail and viewpoint. If you would like to participate or just learn more about your club's storied history, check out "100 Years of Service".
2023 Grant Applications Begin!
The Anacortes Rotary Club is accepting applications for its 2023 grant awards--deadline is March 10.
We anticipate awarding approximately $25,000 in grants this spring. Requests in the $1,000 range for smaller projects are welcome. Larger requests should not exceed $10,000. 2023 Rotary Grant Guidelines

Our goal is to fund a wide variety of worthwhile and effective projects that address needs in all corners of our community. Past grants have targeted social services for youth, families and seniors; education and career training, recreation programs and park development, art and cultural programs and civic enhancements. The majority of the grant decisions will be made in late April, with funds awarded soon after. 
Grant Application
Anacortes Rotary Club Information
Anacortes

"Big wheel keep on turning!  Rotary keep on burning!"

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Majestic Inn & Spa
419 Commercial Ave
PO Box 94
Anacortes, WA 98221
United States of America
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Winning the "New School" Way
Posted on Jan 21, 2023
 
Sports teams--especially winning ones--tend to generate strong community followings. Anacortes High School Head Football Coach, Justin Portz, joined us on Wednesday to share his team's remarkable journey that goes far beyond wins on the field (of which there were many). Since arriving in the "not a football town" of Anacortes, as he was told by a local parent in 2018 shortly before the varsity team disbanded, Coach Portz has planted and grown his philosophy about leading with love and being inclusive.  At AHS, if a kid of any skill level approaches him he'll find a role for that student either on the field or somewhere else--no one is cut. And if someone is in the program, it's his goal to make sure that kid feels safe and valued on the field and off.  The football family plays together, supports each other all year round, and the players work together in the summer to run a skills camp for youngsters.
 
Maybe that's why they finished 8 and 1 in the regular season including a 21-2 victory over mighty Archbishop Murphy! Maybe that's why recruiters from both WSU and the UW sat down with him to talk about his talented players.  We Rotarians would like to believe it was the club's 2019 grant towards new uniforms that helped put 'em over the top ;-)
 
Football is a tough sport and fewer parents want their kids playing because of the potential for injuries. But Coach Portz pointed out that because of the tackling techniques they teach, the team didn't have a single significant injury all season. Wow! Echoing Superintendent Justin Irish's comments, we are so lucky to have him here. Heck, Anacortes might just be a football town after all!
Charter Signing Celebrated
Posted on Jan 01, 2023
 
On a wintry December 22 Thursday night at City Hall the Anacortes Rotary Club, community partners, and supporters celebrated the 1922 signing of the charter that officially established the Anacortes chapter.  The tone was set by a talented, high school jazz trio who serenaded with Christmas classics as guests arrived to fabulous hors d'oeuvres from Gereadeli and libations flowed from the bar provided by the Rockfish.  There was even a visit from Santa accompanied by the world's tallest elf, Kevin Meenaghan, distributing centennial Christmas ornaments made by AHS.
 
President Rick Star provided glimpses into 1922 of what life was like at home and abroad, then handed the ball to Club Historian Duane Clark who shared amazing facts about the original 17 and the club charter.  Rotarians and honored guests that night proceeded to sign a newly fashioned version of a charter document that will last us the next 100 years.

Wrapping things up, our own house band, Sea Level (Rick, Tim Garrison, Dan Worra) romped with an expanded line-up including Lindy Reno on percussion and, keeping it presidential, Curtis Payne on guitar / vocals. Then Kiwi (Mark Lascelles) brought us into a toast with another of his amazing poems.  By the time the last reveler rolled out into the snowy evening and Mayor Miller had finally locked up the building, I'm sure everyone would have agreed that it had truly been a night to remember.
 
 
 
 
Viewpoint Trail Signs Installed
Posted on Dec 21, 2022
 
 
Recent improvements to the Rotary Viewpoint Trail at Cap Sante Park take you easily from the water’s edge to the Cap Sante summit in a short 1⁄2 mile walk. Now, seven new interpretive signs have been added to trail kiosks, telling local stories and making the path even more enjoyable for park visitors. The signs, installed in the park Friday (Dec 16), are a cooperative effort of the Anacortes Rotary Club, the Samish Indian Nation and the City of Anacortes.
 
Anacortes Rotary is providing the money for the park improvements from three sources, club charitable resources, a separate grant from the Rotary International regional district and a City of Anacortes Lodging Tax grant to the club. Rotary Volunteers built the kiosks earlier this year. The 4-foot square panels are placed at four trailside locations in the park, where they give park users background on the history, culture and natural surroundings of Anacortes.

Team members responsible for the design and installation of the interpretive panels are Bret Lunsford and Adam Farnsworth, Anacortes History Museum; Jackie Ferry, Samish Tribal Historic Preservation Officer; Brian Tottenham. Sky Guthrie and Bob Vaux, Anacortes Parks and Recreation; and Jack Darnton, Anacortes Rotary.

Cap Sante offers one of the best panoramas on Fidalgo Island, with sweeping mountain, water, island, valley and forest views. The park is enjoyed by hikers, dog walkers, boat watchers and casual strollers, all drawn to the park’s variety and its summit’s splendid scenery. Looking toward the future with the City of Anacortes, Anacortes Rotary is examining design options for a new summit viewpoint looking east toward Mt. Baker. that will include easy ADA access at parking lot level, seating, more interpretive signs and multiple view locations. Final design and engineering work will follow, guided by further community input and approvals from the city.
 
See All 7 Kiosks
 
Read the Article
 
 
 
Chain of 100 Wishes
Posted on Dec 12, 2022
 
 
Everyone knows wishes are more powerful when linked together!  Kids of all ages stopped by the Rotary tent at Winter Wonderland Friday & Saturday night to enjoy candy canes, glow sticks, and snap bracelets while writing down their ultimate wish for the season.  iPads, Elsa "Frozen" toys, happiness and world peace were the most requested, with snow, puppies, and kittens (a pink one!) making strong showings.  Parents and Rotarians alike loved seeing the smiles and earnest faces of the kids as they built their part of the chain,  which will be prominently displayed at City Hall as part of the club's 100 year celebration on December 22nd.
 
 
 
Club Historian Declares "Foul"
Posted on Dec 05, 2022
 
Fellow History Loving Rotarians,
 
At our November 30 luncheon meeting, those present witnessed a very creative and unique, if somewhat questionable, legal maneuver.  Whereas Raj, our District Governor (DG), was unable to meet with us in person, visiting via ZOOM instead, and whereas special DG presentations were to be made at this luncheon meeting, and whereas a couple of our members are creative, and whereas quick-thinking action was required, Jim Anderson, acting in a legal fashion, and Mark Lascelles, acting as a DG want-to-be conspired to “officially” swear-in Mark as our DG for two minutes – long enough to carry out the required duties.  It all worked out great, and DG Raj even suggested that Mark’s tour of duty should last for more than two minutes.
 
Those few minutes of fun reminded me of a delightful and clever legal PRANK that was carried out during a joint meeting of Anacortes and Oak Harbor Rotarians in June of 1960.  The complete story is recorded in the June 17, 1960 edition of the “Anacortes Rotarian.”  I’ve attached a copy of the two-page record of that meeting.  The story begins midway through the first page, but, in fact, the entire report is a great read, opening a window into the topics covered in a typical 1960s Anacortes Rotary meeting.   50-year Anacortes Rotarian Paul Luvera was the bulletin editor at the time.   President Ben Van Deusen and Sergeant At Arms, Earl Morgan, who by the way, was the grandfather of current member Christine Cleland-McGrath are shown in the 1960 scrapbook picture below.
 
Enjoy,
 
Duane
 
President Ben Van Deusen (cello) and Sergeant At Arms, Earl Morgan (violin), who by the way, was the grandfather of current member Christine Cleland-McGrath.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ringing in the Holidays--Rotary Style!
Posted on Nov 30, 2022
Thank you to the 32 Rotarians and supporters who greeted shoppers at BOTH Safeway doors, braving a blustery late November Saturday in Anacortes.   The Rotary bell-ringers collected donations of more than $1500 ($1553 to be precise) for the Salvation Army.  With the proceeds from sales of the “must have this season” Rotary Santa hats we'll be able to donate another $200 toward the effort.
 

Salvation Army Lieutenant Shane Ingram reached out to project lead Jack Curtis to express how grateful he and his team are for the club's support.  He said the $1500 haul is the largest he could remember for an opening weekend!  If you think about how little it costs the Salvation Army to fill one of the food boxes our club packed a few weeks ago, you can see how far these funds can go!

If you’d still like to contribute, bell ringing continues throughout the holiday season and the Salvation Army now has its “Virtual Red Kettle” where you can learn more and donate online.

A-Town "Boxing Day"
Posted on Nov 28, 2022
 
 
The Club kicked off the holiday season in classic fashion with one of its most venerable "Centennial Community Partners".  Lt Shane Ingram hosted a full house at the Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service,  enthusiastically describing upcoming programs and his vision for the center and community. Anacortes Rotary Club Historian, Duane Clark, then shared more than 50 years worth of photos from both groups' collective work. 
 
     
Phil Madden, Mike Matheson, and John Carabba packing boxes in the early '90s
 
 
After the lunch meeting concluded,  nearly Rotarians headed downstairs to help Food Bank Director, Paula John, prepare Thanksgiving Dinner food boxes for Anacortes families.  The dedicated crew packed 124 boxes in 37 minutes!
 
The holiday season continues, with Bell Ringing at Safeway scheduled for Sunday Nov 26.
$1 = $3 = One Cure
Posted on Oct 20, 2022

For the second year Anacortes and Fidalgo Rotary Clubs teamed up to hold the “Pints for Polio” fundraiser to cure polio under the big top at the Rockfish Grill.  $4,700 was raised from members and guests while Monday Night football played on the big screen.

Better yet,  each of those dollars was matched by TWO additional dollars by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, meaning every dollar collected at Rockfish provided one dose for one child.  Multiply by Rotary’s 35,000 clubs around the world and the collective impact is huge. Rotary launched its polio prevention drive in 1979 and has partnered with the Gates Foundation since 2007.  Polio cases have been reduced 99.9% and nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries have been protected.

.  

October is Rotary’s “End Polio Month”,  which is why the Anacortes and Fidalgo clubs along with many others around the world hold polio awareness events this time of year.  We are happy to do our part as part of this broad global effort.

Letters from Copan
Posted on Sep 11, 2022
 
We recently received dozens of colorful letters from two elementary schools in Copan, Honduras.  The children and teachers of Escuela Lempira and Carrizalito #1 wrote to share their appreciation for Anacrotes Rotary's support.   In recent years, along with other Skagit County clubs, Rotary has provided funding and on-site help for a variety of programs including:
  • Finding and maintaining sponsors for 30 primary schools and 400 individual secondary students (via its Adopt-a-School and Adopt-a-Dream programs)
  • Creating library systems for village schools
  • Providing health care for students
  • Ongoing construction and repairs for schools, village power, water systems and home latrines
  • Equipment for health clinics and emergency services
  • Economic development and microfinance
Here are three samples that exemplify the sentiments of all.  They speak for themselves!
 

Dear Rotary Club,

I greet you affectionately wishing you are in good health and your dear family. The reason for my letter is to thank you for all the help that you have given me as I know: I use for my study, uniform clothes and shoes.  I and my family are very grateful because with my study I am ensuring my future. Without more than tell you I say goodbye to you with much affection.

Erik Fainardo Ramirez
 

Dear Rotary Club,

I am grateful for the support that you give my children, it is a great blessing since we are a low-income family, thank you very much for the uniform and supplies and we know that when our children get sick they will have help.

 

Good day beloved sponsor hope you are well I hope you are having a great time with friends and family.  I want to tell you that I am in 5th grade and I have seven classmates and I thank you for the supplies you give us, thank you very much. It was a pleasure to write you this letter. I hope to be able to write you again soon.

Sincerely,

Francis Solis

 

 
 
Honoring Mr. Anthony's
Posted on Aug 21, 2022
 

The Club held this Wednesday’s lunch at Anthony’s Cabana where we honored none other than “Mr Anthony’s” himself,  founder Budd Gould, for his service to the community.

Anacortes Rotary & Anthony’s have been working together since 2011. The first Rotary dinner was hosted on January 17th and actually took place BEFORE Anthony’s official opening a few days later.  Then as now, ALL proceeds from dinner—not just the profits—went to the community.  That means Budd & Anthony’s have been generously donating the venue, the food, and their staff’s time to Anacortes for the last 11 years! 

10 dinners have raised a total of $200,000.  The money has supported a wide range of projects, causes and organizations, everything from the American Legion, Fidalgo Pool and the Anacortes Family Center to the Salvation Army, Hospice of the Northwest and the Anacortes Library. Money has gone to the Anacortes Senior Center, the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance and the Ready to Learn Fair.

Many grants have gone to programs at our elementary and secondary schools. They include but are not limited to:

• Support for the Robotics program and the Metals Club at Anacortes High School.

• Literacy nights at all Elementary schools.

• Ovens to support the Garden to Kitchen program at Anacortes Middle School.

Donations have been large: We gave the Boys & Girls Club 21,000 in 2014. And some have been small: We gave the AHS Spanish Dept. $169 in 2018 for supplemental Spanish magazines. Most grants fall in the $2,000 to $5,000 range.

There have been 32 recipients over the 10 years - some groups have received more than one grant - and 48 grants in all.  The Giving Committee, led by Rotarian Jack Darnton, has been overseeing the grant program since 2016 and making recipient recommendations to the Board.

All the grants have touched people in our community. Anthony’s generosity has made Anacortes a better place in so many ways. The gorgeous summer weather and the the Cabana provided the perfect day and place to thank Bud and Anthony’s once more for this wonderful partnership.

Centennial Float Wins!
The Club's 100 year celebration float turned out to be a real crowd pleaser that wowed the Anacortes 4th of July Parade judges. Perhaps it was Lindy Reno leading Rotarians and Anacortians singing "happy birthday America and Anacortes Rotary Club..." (which turned out to be impossible to articulate in unison) or maybe it was driver Mark Lascelles "encouraging" the judges with a $10(Canadian of course) donation,  or maybe it was just the enthusiasm of the marchers and the beauty of the float itself that garnered a perfect score from Mayor Matt Miller and his team.
 
Special recognition goes to team that designed, built, and decorated the float (and themselves):  Jim MacDonald, Stephanie Hamilton, Loalynda Bird, Duane Clark, Colleen Craig, Lindy Reno, Colleen Craig, and Mark Lascelles.  Enjoy the live action clips below.
 
Parade Beginning (Mark Lascelles video)
 
Parade Finale (Steve Berentson video)
 
 
Site Pages
Upcoming Speakers
 
January 4- Fellowship, no better way to start the new year than in fellowship with one another
 
January 11 – Easy Peasy Invitation Playshop. Rebecca P. Murray, facilitates a hilarious, fun, and interactive experience to boost member skills and confidence to grow your club
 
January 18 – AHS Football Head Coach Justin Port. Our club provided funds to the football program and they had a historically great season.
 
January 25 – Kern Funeral Home and Mount Vernon Cemetery. Fellow Rotarian David Lukov promises an entertaining and enjoyable presentation examining different ways people have been memorialized in cemeteries throughout the world.  Prepare to be amused and inspired!
 
February 1- Northwest Career & Technical Academy and opportunities , Lynette Brower, Director Northwest Career & Technical Academy and student.  
 
February 8-  All about Camp Korey, Nichol Ellis, Community Engagement Manager
 
February 15-  Latest from the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce,  Jessica Kiser, President/CEO
 
February 23:  100yr Centennial Dinner Celebration at the Transit Shed
Fab Four
 
As planning began in 2017 for the club’s Centennial, it became obvious that the possibility existed that not one, not two, not three, but four Anacortes Rotarians were on track to become 50-year members by the time the club celebrated 100 years. Those four members became known as the “Fabulous Four.” Click here to read more about remarkable members John Chambers (joined 1968), Bob Murray (1969), Von Kuehn (1972), and Jim Anderson (also 1972).
Club Executives & Directors
President
Rick Star
President Elect
Lindy Reno
Vice President
Marta McClintock
Past President
Dan Worra
Treasurer
Therese Rudzis
Assistant Treasurer
Dan Worra
Secretary
Peggy Flynn
Centennial Project
Tom Decker
Centennial Celebration
Duane Clark
Club Historian
Duane Clark
Club Service Chair
Jim MacDonald
Club Workforce Chair
James Poitras
Community Service Chair
Tim Garrison
Fellowship Co-Chair
Sondra Peters
Fellowship Co-Chair
Skip Peters
FInance Committee Chair
Therese Rudzis
Grants Chair
Jack Darnton
International Service Co-Chair
Mark Lascelles
International Service Co-Chair
Vicki Stasch
Membership Chair
Krista Oicles
Public Relations Chair
Jim Renfro
Rotary Foundation Chair
Ron Litzinger
Vocational Service Chair
Mark Lione
Fundraising Chair
Lindy Reno

Member Spotlight 

 
Welcome Anacortes Rotary's Newest Member, Jesica Kiser!
 
Jesica Kiser is not only a new Rotarian, but a new resident of Anacortes, as of 2021 when she started as the President/CEO of the Anacortes Chamber. She moved here from Arlington, where she ran her own printing company for over 15 years and served on Arlington City Council for 8. While running her own company, she got involved in the Chamber of Commerce and later was offered a position running the Marysville-Tulalip Chamber, which she ended up doing for 6 years before moving here. There she was able to serve the business community for both a municipality and a Sovereign Nation.
 
Jesica is married to Seth Kiser, who is a 3rd generation Anacortian. Together they have 5 children, with 3 in college and 2 in high school. Jesica volunteers her time with Leadership Skagit as an advisor and also volunteers for the Anacortes Sister Cities organization and plans to be a chaperone for their Japan trip next summer.  We are excited to have Jesica on board!
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