ILLAHEE PRESERVE DEDICATION - OCTOBER 26, 2010
Windy & Rainy Weather. The weather couldn't have been worse with rain and wind during the dedication.
Two Tents Were In Place. Thankfully the county had set up two tents for those attending next to the Almira parking lot.
Why a Weekday & Morning Dedication? It was one of the few times available for both Frank Chopp and Josh Brown. Frank is the Washington State Speaker of the House in Olympia and has a tight schedule and this was a date that worked for him and Josh Brown.
Why was Frank Chopp Recognized? Frank was just one of the two people specifically named on the dedication plaque. The other was Audrey Boyer, an Illahee resident, who was Frank's teacher years ago. It was because of that teacher student relationship that Audrey and Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen approached Speaker Chopp about what needed to be done for Kitsap County to be able to purchase the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Illahee Forest.
Commissioners Were Supportive. In order for the process to move ahead the other commissioners also had to be in agreement, which eventually involved three other commissioners in addition to Chris Endresen, Tim Botkin, Patty Lent (who attended the dedication), and Jan Angel. The second line on the dedication plaque recognized the County Commissioners.
Visionary Citizens and Volunteers. The third line on the plaque recognized the visionary citizens and volunteers, who for over 25 years were working for the purchase and establishment of the DNR property for a preserve and park. It took all three groups to "Save the Forest" and the dedication ceremony recognized their achievement.
Eagle Flying Over the Ceremony. Some of the attendees found it striking, even ominous, that during the dedication ceremony a bald eagle circled overhead as if to thank the recipients for saving one of the few forested areas between Bremerton and Silverdale.
A Moving Ceremony. In spite of the inclement weather, we were told the ceremony was very moving. Josh Brown was the master of ceremonies, Frank Chopp was reminiscent and humerous, Dori Leckner spoke for the Park's Department, Vic Ulsh spoke for the Stewardship Committee, Jim Trainer talked about the trees in the Preserve, and Judith Krigsman paid tribute to Audrey Boyer.
John Lind Photos. John Lind is an Illahee resident who has been our unofficial photographers and we have included some of his photos of the dedication. We are working at getting the rest of them on the illaheecommunity.com website.
Written Input Requested. If you attended the dedication ceremony, we would like to have you provide a written report of the dedication so that we could pass it on.
Jim Aho
