Registration open for Stream Stewards

The Stream Stewards Program, hosted by WSU and the North Olympic Salmon Coalition (NOSC), provides Jefferson and Clallam County residents with the opportunity to turn environmental knowledge into action. Through this five-week course, participants learn about connections between the land and water with classroom sessions, field trips, and hands-on activities that connect participants with experts and opportunities to get involved in local efforts.

Course topics include stream ecology and restoration, salmon lifecycle and habitat, upland influence on streams, and water supply and stormwater management.

Upon completion, stewards are asked to commit to 20 volunteer hours at an environmental organization of their choice over the following year. Volunteer hours can be applied to a wide range of opportunities that work toward the larger goal of improving local ecosystem health. From getting involved in a citizen science project to engaging in public outreach, volunteers can connect with projects that fit their skills and interests. Throughout the training, organizations will provide participants with information about local projects and offer opportunities to plug in and make a difference on the Olympic Peninsula.

Registration is now open at www.nosc.org online. The five-week course fee is $100 and classes take place every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 6 through April 3. For more information, contact NOSC at 360-504-5611 or email outreach@nosc.org.

PT city attorney departing

Heidi Greenwood recently announced her departure from her role as Port Townsend’s city attorney, after more than five years of serving. Greenwood will remain in the position through mid-March, aiding the city and her team through this transition.

“It has been a pleasure serving the Port Townsend City Council, staff, and residents,” Greenwood said. “I have grown as a public servant and as an attorney during my time here.”

City Manager John Mauro expressed gratitude for Greenwood’s service during her tenure. “I’ll miss her quick wit,” Mauro said. “Heidi has an important role in many aspects of the City’s work – most of which our community doesn’t see, and largely because they go smoothly.”

Greenwood handled tasks ranging from insurance issues to drafting resolutions and ordinances, as well as assessing legals risks, reviewing or drafting contracts and public records, and being on hand for every City Council meeting. She came to the city in 2018 from the legal team at neighboring City of Port Angeles, where she served as senior assistant city attorney for 11 years.

The Port Townsend city attorney manages a team of three full-time staff, including the city clerk, legal assistant, and public records officer. The city has hired an interim staff person to help meet the community’s legal needs during the transition.

Rhododendron Festival plans coronation, fundraisers

The 89th Annual Rhododendron Festival is scheduled for May 15 through 19, with a royalty coronation scheduled for Feb. 10 at Chimacum High School at 1 p.m. Two contestants are running for Royalty Queen and Princess of the festival, under this year’s theme of “Rhody Soars Around Washington.”

Paige Govia is a senior at Chimacum High School, the daughter of Rich and Carlene Govia. Paige participates in cheerleading, track, NHS, and yearbook, and plans on going to college to study endocrinology or journalism. Rosemarie Schmucker is a senior at Chimacum High School, the daughter of Andy and Anita Schmucker. She would like to attend a two-year college and may study forensics. The Queen’s Court includes Jacklyn Hirschel of Chimacum Junior/Senior High School, and Ella Welte of Blue Heron Port Townsend School District.     

Junior Royalty this year includes Dawson Ryan and Caden Sanders from Chimacum Creek Primary School, Rhea Cook, Laviana Nagy and Chase Maneval of Salish Elementary School, and Iselind Champman of Quilcene Pearl. The 2024 Port Townsend Senior Royalty are Jim and Audrey Anderson.

Upcoming fundraising events include the Rhody Cornhole Tournament at the America Legion on Mar. 17, and Barstool Bingo at the Hilltop Tavern every Wednesday in April. More details are available at rhodyfestival.org online. People interested in volunteering for the festival are encouraged to contact Rita Hubbard at 360-301-1104.

Son’s legacy supports maritime education

The family of the late Dylan Rondeau has chosen to honor his life in the maritime industry by making two $100,000 financial gifts, one to Northwest Maritime Center and the other to Jefferson Community Foundation.  

At Jefferson Community Foundation, Rondeau’s family is creating the Dylan Rondeau Sail Away Scholarship Fund, to provide scholarships to young people who are called by the ocean and seek to pursue education in marine trades. 

“Dylan was a smart, self-motivated maritime worker who was just at the beginning of his career when he passed,” said Siobhan Canty, CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation.

“We are honored to open this scholarship fund to help other young people start their careers.”

Rondeau was passionate about boats and was employed in the maritime industry, earning his Able-Bodied Seaman certification and working toward his US Coast Guard 100-ton Captain's License. He sailed his family’s boat from Crescent City, California, to Port Hadlock and lived aboard while working on the Peninsula. Rondeau died from an injury in April 2023, at the age of 22.

At the Northwest Maritime Center, the Dylan Rondeau Youth Maritime Fund will support programs that create pathways to maritime careers. “Dylan’s death was a tragedy. Turning that grief into opportunity for others is nothing short of inspiring,” said Jake Beattie, CEO of Northwest Maritime Center. 

Poets to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Port Townsend and the Olympic Peninsula have a storied legacy as home to many poets, literary presses, and publishers. These talents join forces on Valentine’s Day to share poems of passion, desire, obsession, and heartbreak with the public.

More than a dozen poets will read their own love poems, and works by other poets, during a Feb. 14 reading at the Fort Worden Chapel, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation of $10 per person.

Local favorites such as Port Townsend Poet Laureate Conner Bouchard-Roberts, Matthew Nienow, and Lauren Davis will be joined by poets from throughout the Salish Sea region, including former Washington State Laureate Rena Priest, Susan Landgraf, Erin Malone, Sara Marie Ortiz, and others.

This special event is presented by Poetry on the Salish Sea, a series dedicated to the power of poetry’s intimate, singular language and its influence on the human heart. Organizers launched the inaugural season in 2023, bringing together 18 poets and more than 500 patrons for six readings at Wilderbee Farm.

Valentine’s Day marks the first of six 2024 Poetry on the Salish Sea events, including a Summer Sundays series held at Wilderbee Farm July through September, curated by Kathryn Hunt.

For more information, visit:
kathrynhunt.net/readings