Friends of Fort Worden
Newsletter Archive
Read excerpts from our Newsletters below. To find out more about our projects and activities, click the pdf download link for the desired Newsletter.
- Spring 2010
Friends of Fort Worden Offer $35,000 to Support Park Plan
The Friends of Fort Worden believe that Fort Worden State Park thrives through active and passionate community support. Over the years the all-volunteer group has contributed many hundreds of thousands of dollars for the betterment of the park. Now they are donating $35,000 to support the final phase . . .Fort2Fort Bike Ride, Sunday, June 6, 2010
with history! Join us for the Fourth Annual Fort2Fort Bicycle Ride from historic Fort Worden State Park located in beautiful Port Townsend, Washington for a supported tour along quiet roads through scenic Jefferson County to either Fort Townsend (a Fun Ride of 17 miles roundtrip or a more challenging 42 mile loop) or Fort Flagler (62 miles round trip for a metric century)- Fall 2009
5th Annual Wildlife & Nature Art Exposition
This year’s Wildlife and Nature Art Exposition happens again at the Commons on the Fort Worden campus, October 10 and 11, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Expo’s focus animal is the orca whale and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, along with the Whale Museum, from Friday Harbor, will be offering presentations throughout both days. Families with kids are encouraged to attend and learn about the local pods that inhabit the Sound and how humans affect their ecosystem. Admission to the Expo and presentations is $3/individuals, $5/families.On Friday, October 9, members of the Friends of Fort Worden
and special guests are invited to an exclusive Expo preview and a Meet-the-Artist reception, following a short annual meeting. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. If you are a member we hope to see you there at 6:00 p.m., if you are not . . .Rick Sepler ~ President's Report
The historic buildings at Fort Worden are enduring reminders of the use of the site prior to its conversion to a state park. However, these structures are aging and many are in need of stabilization and/or rehabilitation. Due to the lack o available funding at the state level for restoration, this issue is perhaps the most significant challenge that faces the Fort . . .- Spring 2009
Kate Burke ~ Fort Worden Area Parks Manager
These past few months have been a series of challenges and opportunities–peaks and valleys. The State Parks’ budget has been dramatically affected by the economic conditions within our state. The budget shortfall for the State of Washington in our upcoming biennial year is expected to be close to $7 billion. All state agencies are in the process of making brutal cuts . . .Classical North Indian Music Concert
On Thursday, June 25, at the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden, the Friends of Fort Worden is co-sponsoring a concert of North Indian classical music featuring master sitarists Shivnath Mishra and his son Deobrat Mishra from Benares, India. They will be joined by Pandit Kumar Lal Mishra on tabla and Port Townsend’s . . .- Winter 2009
Artists Praise Wildlife Show
The fourth annual Fort Worden Wildlife & Nature Art Exposition opened just ahead of the largest snowstorm in recent history, on the day the snow began falling. A few of the artists themselves were not able to attend but the twenty who did showed their work and talked with attendees who braved the frigid weather. The lectures were well attended with Dean Butterworth’s presentation of the fisher reintroduction program in the Olympic National Park . . .Patience Rogge ~ Fort Worden Oral History
We extend our deepest sympathy to Laurie Medlicott on the passing of her husband Bill. Laurie organized the Oral History Program as part of the Fort Worden Centennial Celebration in 2002. She worked tirelessly to recruit volunteers to make the celebration a success, and continued her dedication to the park long afterwards as Volunteer Coordinator. Bill played a large role in all her activities, and we will miss him.- Fall 2008
Kate Burke ~ Fort Worden Area Parks Manager
The Task Force concluded that management by a non-profit is the structure best suited to achieving the lifelong learning center vision. Staff concurs with this recommendation, and understands that implementation will require resolution of significant and challenging issues –particularly those related to safeguarding employment and benefits of park staff; committing the agency to set levels of . . .Rick Sepler ~ Fort2Fort Bike Ride
The sound of pedaling feet greeted the overcast morning of June 8, 2008, as the Friends of Fort Worden hosted the 3rd annual Fort2Fort bicycle ride. Although the day was overcast, 197 brave riders challenged the elements and rode via three routes out and back from Fort Worden to Old Fort Townsend and/or Fort Flagler State Park. While the skies were gray, the riders were glowing in their accounts of . . .- Spring 2008
Patience Rogge ~ President's Report
We donated to the repaving of the tennis court in order to improve the safety and enjoyment of local and visiting tennis players. To help Park Manager Kate Burke attend conferences and seminars that will add to her effectiveness in running the Park, Friends has set up a fund to cover registration fees and travel expenses; we have also set aside money to support a graduate student to work on special projects for Fort Worden. Neither of these items is covered by the State Parks budget. Our contribution to the Washington Arts Commission Art in Public Places program . . .Membership Committee Report
Remember that membership has its rewards, including discounts on purchases of the unique merchandise available at the Guardhouse, free or reduced admission to Friends events, exclusive invitations to special events, plus the warm feeling that you have supported one of our state's scenic and cultural treasures.
