Anacortes Rotary Club members heard from many of this year’s grant recipients at its May 18 lunch meeting, including Anacortes School District leaders who accepted a check for $20,600 to support teacher training for its Science of Reading initiative. Funds came from last fall’s successful fundraising campaign.

Representatives of six organizations receiving grants funded by the recent Anthony’s Dinner were on hand to explain how their funds would be used.

• Fidalgo Pool received a $3,000 grant to support lifeguard training and certification.

• Fiddlehead Montessori received a $1,500 grant for curriculum materials as it expands to serve preschool and kindergarten students.

• The Anacortes Waterfront Alliance received a $1,350 grant for a new racing team sail.

• Fidalgo DanceWorks received a $2,000 grant for its Dance for Parkinson’s class.

• Transition Fidalgo received a $1,000 grant for Anacortes Middle School garden renovations.

• Island Hospital Foundation received a $2,000 grant for its Reach Out & Read program that makes early literacy a standard part of pediatric primary care for low-income families.

Anthony’s grants also went to the Anacortes High School Metals Club ($3,000), special ed programs at Fidalgo Elementary and Island View Elementary ($1,300), Literacy Nights at Fidalgo, Island View and Mount Erie elementary schools ($1,500), Anacortes Parks & Recreation ($2,600), Ready to Learn Fair ($2,000), Reading is Fundamental ($2,000) and Anacortes Boys & Girls Club ($2,000).

Anthony’s grants totaled $25,100, the largest amount ever thanks to the work of Lindy Reno and her team and great support from club members.

From left: Anacortes Rotary Club President Dan Worra; Angie Miller, Anacortes School District Director of Teaching and Learning; Dr. Becky Clifford, Anacortes School District Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Inclusive Services; and Dr. Justin Irish, Anacortes School District Superintendent.

Rotary Trail Volunteers Build Two Kiosks

Anacortes Rotary’s Centennial Viewpoint Trail project work officially got underway this week as Anacortes Rotarians Jim MacDonald, Tom Kuhn and Mark Lascelles, joined by community volunteer Tom Haug, put finishing touches on two trailhead kiosks for Rotary and Cap Sante parks. 

The structures will be placed on site by city crews. When complete, the kiosks will feature new signs helping visitors navigate the parks.

Funding for the kiosks and trail head signs is being provided by the club, a Rotary District 5050 grant and lodging tax money from the City of Anacortes. Kiosk design assistance was provided by Angela and Stuart Currie of Currie Design Group in Anacortes. Volunteers will build several additional kiosks for park use later this spring. 

Coming soon are more opportunities for hands-on volunteer work as part of our Club’s Centennial. Next up will be the enhancement work on the main viewpoint trail itself. City Parks and Recreation personnel will take the lead but we will need about 10-15 club volunteers to clear paths and spread crushed rock along with other tasks. 

Dates for this work are expected to be early in 2022. If you want to pitch in, please contact Tom Decker at tomkdecker@gmail.com. That way, you’ll be on the list to be notified when the work party dates are set