Membership in the D.V. Task Force now included:

Dayle Crane	Russ Hauge
Jeff Jahns	Judy Bennett
Lori Wilkie	Roberta Leonardy
Sandra Morales	Debbie Harrison
Heidi Hoke	Ramalina Steiner
Suzanne Ertzgaurd	Rena Pagaduan

The skeleton of our present Task Force was in place. We described who we wanted as members of the task force and now our vision included health care, educators, religious leaders, the military and the media as well as our traditional partners in the criminal justice system and treatment providers.

We developed our statement of purpose, philosophy and intent:

• To promote coalition building and networking among providers involved with the issue of family violence.
• To educate the community on the nature, scope and dynamics of domestic abuse.
• To coordinate domestic violence services within the community to assure a continuum of care, safety, and confidentiality for those experiencing domestic violence.
• To assure that domestic violence treatment services are fully addressed and available to both victims and perpetrators locally.

On April 4, the Domestic Violence Forum was held at the Silverdale Community Center. Bernadette Gerhardt, DSHS Program Manager and Mary Pontarolo, Executive Director of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence participated. The audience of 100 listened to a panel of local providers speak and answer questions about D.V. services in Kitsap County.

In the Summer, Judy Bennett submitted a grant to the National Women's Resource Center in Alexandria, Virginia. We were accepted for the Center's "Community Team Training Institute" which was focused on the development of community groups around the issue of violence against women. PERFECT! Twelve (12) of us were chosen to attend the training from September 20-25. The members of the team were: Dayle Crane, Director, Kitsap County District Court Probation, Ramalina Steiner, therapist, private practice, Martha Wescott, Director, Kitsap Sexual Assault Center, Joan Holcomb, Director, Bainbridge Island Helpline, Matthew Clukas,Deputy Prosecutor, Kitsap County Prosecutors Office, Heidi Hoke, Program Coordinator, Kitsap Project Family, Deborah Fitzgerald, Police Officer, Bremerton Police Department, Sally Olsen, Prosecuting Attorney, City of Poulsbo, Roberta Leonardy, Program Director, Bremerton/ Kitsap County Heath District, Carol Hooker, Victim Advocate, U.S.N., Marilyn Paja, Judge, Gig Harbor Municipal Court, Judy Bennett, Manager, YWCA/ ALIVE.

Starting with the purple hat and going clockwise: Dayle Crane, Roberta Leonardy, Carol Hooker, Heidi Hoke, Deborah Fitzgerald, Joan Holcomb, Marilyn Paja, Ramalina Steiner, and Sally Olsen.

We learned a lot about organizing our community and ourselves. We developed our first action plan right there in Virginia. And we elected our first task force leader, Roberta Leonardy. Our promise to the NWRC for the wonderful training was to do our best to implement our plan once we returned to Kitsap County and report back to them annually on our progress.

1996

The next year we met monthly and worked to develop a true "community task force". We also struggled to maintain our identity as a "group" of "individuals" working toward the same goal. We were learning that although we all wanted the same thing, "eliminate domestic violence from our community", we often disagreed on how to accomplish that goal. In Virginia, we had learned about the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. It often felt like we spent most of our time in the "storming" phase.

We became the recipients of a small but greatly appreciated portion of the county STOP grant money, about $3,500.00. It allowed us to hire an administrative assistant for five (5) hours per week. This was a giant step forward for the Task Force in becoming more organized.

Our last task for the year, develop our Mission and Goals Statement, which has stood the test of time and remains basically the same to date.

1997

1997 turned out be be a HUGE year for the Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force. We finally arrived at the "norming" and "performing" stages of the teams development.

In February, we adopted our Bylaws setting up our internal organization to be run by a board of 15 directors and a chairperson. We elected Sally Olsen as our second Task Force Chairperson.

In May, Nick and Heidi Hoke finished the first "Resource Guide for D.V. Victims" brochure. The care, feeding and distribution of this brochure would become our longest and most successful Task Force project.

In July, we finally received our incorporation status as a non-profit, 501(c)3 from the State of Washington. At the same time, planning had already begun for our first countywide D.V. Summit scheduled for October.

Washington State had already conducted its first ever statewide Summit in June, 1995. This Summit was the first of its kind in the nation and brought together community leaders throughout the state including judges and state elected officials. In December 1996, the second state Summit was held showcasing a mini-summit presented in Benton-Franklin County bringing together all sectors of the community. The program was sponsored by the Washington State Gender and Justice Commission established by the Washington State Supreme Court. A model was established and the Commission was anxious for other communities to become involved. Kitsap County District Court Judge James M. Riehl, had attended both statewide Summits and come to the conclusion that Kitsap County was ready for a Summit. With assistance from Dayle Crane, Director of Probation Services for Kitsap County District Court, they began organizing the first Kitsap County Domestic Violence Summit. Judge Riehl received sponsorship from the Gender and Justice Commission with the assistance of the State Office of the Administrator for the Courts. Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard P. Guy, Chair of the Gender and Justice Commission, was instrumental in providing a leadership role.

On October 18, 196 participants gathered for a day long Summit highlighting the work done by ten citizen groups which had been meeting and processing D.V. related information for several months prior to the Summit. The groups representing, law enforcement, elected officials, prosecutors, attorneys, probation, juvenile, treatment/social services, educators, students, health care, faith, military, business and media, shared their work with all other participants and, with the help of a professional facilitator, began planning for a community-wide response to domestic violence. Participants developed specific action plans on issues that had been identified as a high priority for the community:

• Public education to change societal norms about domestic violence.
• Create a victim "safe" room for children and adults at each county courthouse.
• Increase training about domestic violence for social workers, counselors, teachers, health practitioners, clergy and employers.
• Improve the security of victims advocates, bystanders and staff in and around courthouses.
• Address multi-cultural issues in all aspects of the community's domestic violence response.
• Better follow-up by all systems after initial contact with someone affected by domestic violence.
• Address juvenile dating violence early by developing a juvenile offender treatment program.

In addition to the work group activities, the summit featured speeches by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard P. Guy; Washington State Attorney General, Christine Gregoire; and Executive Director of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mary Pontarolo. Their words of encouragement to the community were warmly received and convinced all participants that statewide leaders such as these shared the same concerns as the community. A video and audio presentation of the sights and sounds of domestic violence filled the hall during the morning session, bringing home the tragedy of domestic violence.

Mary Pontarolo, Ex. Dir., WSCADV and Judge James M. Riehl

Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard P. Guy

One of the ten (10) community working groups that participated in the Summit. Moderated by Ardis Morrow, North Kitsap Rotary.

In December, we were able to expand our paid position to 7.5 hours each week and include some accounting tasks with the existing administrative tasks.

By the end of the year planning for law enforcement and prosecutors training was underway. It was taught by a team of trainers (primarily Task Force members) from law enforcement (Pete Ball), victims advocacy (Vicki Sherman), and attorneys from the Kitsap County Prosecutors office (Tracy Bahm and Jeff Jahns). The sessions were offered at rotating times and locations to meet the needs of officers working various shifts. The series continued into 1998. The direct result of the training was a dramatic increase in D.V. arrests in 1998.

1998

In January we received word that we were being awarded another small county grant ($3,000.00/ year) for our "community coordination" efforts around D.V. Now with a little cash flow we made the committment to an annual Summit. With the very public boost from the 1997 Summit, the Domestic Violence Task Force grew rapidly with volunteers coming from every aspect of the community. The local newspapers began printing names of convicted domestic violence defendants. Education and training levels for those involved in domestic violence increased significantly. The Prosecuting Attorneys Office, as well as the District Court Probation Department, received a grant funding the development of a domestic violence unit to include intensive supervision of convicted offenders. The Task Force initiated a program providing resource brochures in women's restrooms, which has proven to be a tremendous success. More importantly, the spirit of cooperation from all sectors increased to a greater level than ever before.

We began to develop working groups based on the needs that had been identified at the Summit. These groups became the core committees of the Task Force.

Our work in 1998 centered on:

• Promoting our brochure "A Resource Guide for Victims of D.V."
• Providing law enforcement training to all our local agencies.
• Supporting specialized D.V. programs at Harrison Hospital, K.C. Prosecutor's Office, K.C. Probation, & USN/NCIS.
• Investigating transitional housing & supervised visitation programs.
• Assisting Project Family in the promotion of specialized parenting classes for D.V. families, particularly for children who witness violence.

Our first DVTF Newsletter was sent out in April and continues to be a quarterly publishing of the Task Force.

Our DVTF web site was born this year. The Silverlink Corporation, a local ISP, donated the hosting of the site. It was an important step toward reaching another part of our community. Without Silverlink, we would not have been able to carry the cost of this new technology. We almost immediately began receiving emails from victims who were accessing information and resources via our web page.

September 1, marked our second county Summit, "A Reunion, Celebration, and Challenge". This year, with no financial support, the Summit was designed as a four hour evening event and still it drew more than 100 attendees to the Silverdale Lutheran Church in unseasonable 80 degree weather. We wanted to tell our community that what we had started at the Summit in 1997, was still alive and well. We brought back some of the principal participants from the year before, Judge Riehl, Justice Guy and Mary Pontarolo. We reported out to the community on our activities over the past year. We again challenged ourselves to assess our community needs and set goals to achieve them. We presented our first annual "Community Awards" to people/ organizations in the community in recognition of their extraordinary achievements. The awards that year went to: Judge James M. Riehl, Harrison Memorial Hospital, and the North Kitsap Rotary.

In October, we struck a partnership with Project Family and placed our free lending library of books and audio tapes in their Parenting Center with the hope that they would be accessible to more people.

1999

We elected our third Chairperson, Tracy Bahm, Deputy Prosecutor, K.C. Prosecutors Office and D.V. training was her platform! 1999 proved to be the "Year of the Trainer". It was our major focus. We presented D.V. 101 and D.V. in the Workplace to the employees of Kitsap County. We provided CLE's to Family Law Attorneys. We provided a panel for the U.S. Navy Judge Advocates and command staff for the region on Kitsap County's Community Response to D.V. We gave a presentation to county youth pastors and faith-based youth groups on teen violence. We provided outreach to 17 faith communities in our county. We developed and presented a training series on D.V. to our local Department of Health and Social Services social work staff. We facilitated a dialogue between the District and Superior Courts on various D.V. orders and concerns about conflicting requirements.

Our third Summit was planned for October 2, "Supporting A Coordinated Community Response". We decided to take the big step and return to a full day Summit. Once again, with very little financial support, this was a decision not made lightly. We received individual donations as well as in-kind help from local businesses. We were able to benefit from the U.S.N. who was bringing Dr. Anne Ganley here for Navy training. She provided the morning program for us. Bellevue Police Officer Elizabeth Faith provided an emotional afternoon for the audience. She spoke about her own personal victimization and survival. We also used the day to offer four educational breakout sessions on: criminal justice, workplace violence, victim services and schools & youth. We presented our Second Annual Community Awards to Kitsap County Deputy Pete Ball, YWCA Victims Advocates, and Project Family.

YWCA Advocates receive award from KCDVTF Chair Tracy Bahm	District Court Judges, Marilyn Paja, Dan Phillips, Jim Riehl
Port Orchard Soroptomists provide an outstanding breakfast	The clothes Line Project display by Marcy Kittelson

Our year closed on what felt like a life cycle note. Our very first DVTF Chair, Roberta Leonardy, who had brought us all the way from our "storming" days in Virginia and into our "norming" days back home in Kitsap County, was retiring and leaving the Board of Directors. As with any "first", it was hard to say goodbye but the memories and friendship have remained strong.

THANKS Roberta !

2000

As the Millenium dawned, our Chair, Tracy Bahm, decided to leave Kitsap County and take a job with the National District Attorney's Association in Virginia. Their gain was certainly our loss! Vice-Chair, Dayle Crane became our fourth Chairperson.

We say "Goodbye" to Tracy Balm

At our annual Task Force Planning Retreat, we revisited our goals and organizational structure. We decided to focus are activities in two major areas: Programs and Community Education. The Program Committee accepted the responsibility for the planning of all our community events, monthly Network meeting, quarterly Community Forums, annual Summit, and the annual Community Awards. This committee also agreed to supervise the publications and media pieces of the Task Force: brochures, newsletter, web site and our lending library. The Community Education committee was charged with meeting the education and training needs of our community. We formed subcommittees to outreach to the faith community, criminal justice system, youth, treatment providers, and social service providers.

Our Summit proved to be our major activity this year. We had an extraordinary opportunity to secure TWO nationally known speakers! Once again the U.S. Navy became our benefactor. They were involved in a project with Jackson Katz, Director, Mentors in Violence Prevention, which was to bring him to our area around the same time as our Summit scheduled for September 26th. At the same time, Kitsap County and specifically Commissioner Chris Endresen stepped up and donated the speakers fee for Casey Gwinn, City Attorney, San Diego. We had a double header on our hands! In fact, we had to begin looking for a facility that would accommodate what we felt would be our largest crowd yet. We chose the Crossroads Neighborhood church in Bremerton. "Build it and they will come." "Plan for it and they will attend." Summit 2000, "Children the Forgotten Victims of Domestic Violence" had a record 250+ attendees. We were also able to provide educational breakout groups on topics of: Internet Safety, Full Faith and Credit, Safe Sanctuaries for Children, "In her Shoes" an interactive victim's story, and a victim/ perpetrator panel. It was a successful event and for the first time we actually had a financial base on which to plan for the next years Summit. As with the first three (3) Summits, the event provided a time for the community to come together, celebrate, educate, refocus, and rejuvenate for 2001.

2001

We elected Cheryl Graf our fifth Chair and training seemed to be the by-line for this year. We provided specific training to all the county law enforcement agencies, emergency medical staff, county employees, DSFS staff, Naval attorneys & prosecutors, the Dispute Resolution Center mediators, Certified chemical Dependency Professionals, ministers, and to several private businesses on the topic of DV in the workplace.

We also collaborated with agencies and organizations with whom we had not done so in the past. In addition to the mediator training, we assisted the DRC in the writing of new protocols around DV issues with couples referred for mediation. In August, a grant funded family center, El Centro d la Familia, opened providing, health services,family resources, a food & clothing bank and support groups for Hispanic women and children. This project was developed through the Health District and co-sponsored by the Task Force. We partnered with the Kitsap County Housing Authority at a back to school event and again at a Halloween event. We chose a housing project where D.V. calls to 911 were the most prevalent. We provided D.V. educational materials suitable for both the parents and kids. We participated in the Ethnic Unity Coalition conference in September. We partnered with the local Substance Abuse Professionals in the development of our annual Summit in October, "D.V. and Methamphetamine". We partnered in December with the Kitsap County Human Rights Commission, on their annual conference, "Diversity".

Financially, 2001 was a good year. We received two (2) grants which funded the continuation of our "Resource Guide for Victims" and "What Every Congregation Should Know about D.V." brochure project. These funds allowed us to continue to distribute these brochures at little or no cost to our community. Our Community Development grant increased too. Our renewable grant income is now $10,000!

Organizationally, we made a couple huge steps. We added a liaison board position for the Suquamish Tribe's Domestic Violence Task Force. We also added the Minority Services committee to the umbrella of the Task Force. Both have added a very needed perspective to our Board and our work in this community. Our Faith Action Committee held its second annual Faith Forum which was well attend and even got media attention!

Click the picture for the entire news article.

We continued to thank those in our community who give so much and make such a significant difference in our campaign against D.V. At our Annual Awards Celebration in April, we recognized, Leah Schipper and Catherine Clark from the Kitsap County Prosecutors Office, Nancy Polen and the Suquamish Church, the Navy Family Advocacy program and Barb Mills, YWCA Advocate.

What's a celebration without a cake?

We ended the year planning for a community survey project to be conducted in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Community Development (one of our funders). This is an exciting project which we hope will generate data about Kitsap County specifically and how DV services are reaching our community and victims. Check with us in 2002 for the results!

2002

We started our year by electing Debbie Brockman our sixth chairperson. As an advocate, her concerns about victims and diversity issues became the subject for our year. We set diversity as our summit theme and provided quarterly meetings and community training in preparation for the summit in October.

We also completed your first community survey started in 2001. The result and report of that survey can be found by clicking here. This survey was our first attempt to test if the Task Force is meeting its mission in our community. Of course there is still much work to do, but we where very pleased that our primary project, the "Resource Guide for Victims", is widely used on our community.

Our topic specific committees completed significant projects. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (youth) obtained grant for the development, publication, and distribution of a youth specific brochure about dating violence. The Faith committee continued there mission by meeting with pastors to do training and help to develop D.V. protocols for specific faith traditions. The Minority services committee helped to lead our planning for the diversity Summit. The legal Gaps group held a judicial roundtable to elevate the conversation about conflicting protection orders.

In the Spring we celebrated our most valued community members at our annual Community Awards event. We honored Marcy Kittelson, District Court Probation Officer and chair of the Faith committee, Susan Dewees, YWCA Legal Advocate, Susan Hawk, W.A.V.E. Suquamish Tribe, Oudy Acosta-Perez, District Court Probation Officer and chair of the Minority Services committee, and the Soroptomist International of Port Orchard.

Marcy Kittelson & Oudy Acosta-Perez	Soroptomists
Susan Dewees	Susan Hawk

In October we hosted our annual summit, "Diversity and Domestic Violence--Overcoming Barriers".

2003

The board voted in Sue Shultz as the new chairperson for the Task Force. Sue is a Detective for the Bremerton Police Dept. She has been very instrumental with training in the work place including law enforcement.

We also welcomed 3 new board members, Susan Dewees, Dave Bell & Kelly Pelland.

In January we had our quarterly, "Smacking Down the Eye Candy" with Adam Shipman, of SAFeT in Spokane, WA. This was centered on youth violence and the media, leading into our upcoming Summit in October.

This year at our awards we recognized; Sgt. Mark Duncan; Port Orchard Police dept., Lt. Tim Lopez, Bremerton Police Dept., Sue Edwards; Journalist, Dayle Crane; Director Kitsap County District Court Probation and The Parenting Place; Kitsap Community Resources. These groups and individuals went the extra mile in eliminating DV in our community.

On July 28th we held our 1st Annual Community Picnic. Approximately 200 attended. It was at the Silverdale Lutheran Church. Community businesses donated burgers, hotdogs, chips and soda so we could offer it free to the public. The local law enforcement helped with the cooking. The Backwards Company a North Kitsap youth drama group performed their original play regarding domestic violence and teens. It was very well received and in fact many attendees asked for their contact info. The Hometown Band provided music and clowns were also available for face painting.

In October we held our annual Summit. The topic was Youth Violence, entitled "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly ~ Youth Violence & the Media". Jackson Katz was our keynote speaker. Approximately 200 community members attended this years Summit on Youth Violence with Jackson Katz. Over 25 of those attendees were students from various Kitsap County Schools. Nearly all of the students that attended know someone that exhibits violent behavior. Now they feel they may have the tools to do something about it.

We received an additional $5500.00 bringing our total to $12,000 from the Community Mobilization Fund Grant. The money is for contractors, events, postage, phone, insurance & printing. To help cover our cost for the Summit speaker we received funding through the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children with the Hope Grant.

It was definitely a growth year for the Task Force!

2004

Sue Shultz was voted in again as our Chair. Joining her as Vice-Chair was Sandy Robins, Treasurer was Dave Skelton & Secretary was Susan Dewees.

Our first quarterly for the year focused on legislative information. Debbie Brockman and Susan Dewees coordinated the event. Representatives provided up to date information on laws being passed pertaining to DV. Discussion continued about what still needs to be addressed.

This years Community Domestic Violence Awards went to: Mary Ellen de la Pena from Kitsap County Personnel/Substance Abuse Program, Martin Ellingboe from Naval Criminal Investigation Service, Johanna Hansen-Keller from Bremerton/Kitsap County Health District, The Kitsap County Prosecutor's Special Assault Unit, David Lewis from the Kitsap County Clerk's Office/ D.V. and the Members of the U.S.S. Ohio.

Our Summit entitled "Stalking ~ Every Move You Make" was attended by just over 200. Tracy Bahm was our keynote. Tracy is the Director of the Stalking Resource Center of the NCVC, where she has trained hundreds of practitioners on all aspects of stalking, including stalking technology and stalking and sexual assault. Before joining the NCVC, Tracy was a Senior Attorney in the Violence Against Women Unit at the American Prosecutors Research Institute. As faculty member and lecturer at numerous domestic violence and sexual assault programs, she trained our nation's prosecutors about violence against women crimes.

The reviews were outstanding both for Tracy and the breakouts that were offered throughout the day.

2005

Sue Shultz again voted in as Chair was joined by Jody Stewart as Vice-Chair, Oudy Acosta Perez as Treasurer & Susan Dewees as Secretary.

Our January Quarterly was focused on Violence in the Faith community. It was well received by approximately 70 attendees. Information was provided for Clergy, Congregation members, battered Women's Programs, Human Service Providers, Survivors as well as Community members.

This years awards for going above and beyond to help rid our community of Domestic Violence went to: Linda Kroum, Gonzalo Caballero, Ray Moody and The Youth at Silverdale Lutheran Church.

    

On July 26 we held our annual community picnic. As every year the local law enforcement came out to man the barbeques. The local fire dept. was also on hand to give out fire safety information and give tours of the fire and medic trucks. Nearly 300 community members joined in on the fun and free food!

Our Summit was held on Oct. 14th and entitled: "Breaking the Silence Elder & Vulnerable Adult Abuse". Bonnie Brandl was our keynote speaker. Bonnie is the Senior Project Coordinator for the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL). NCALL provides technical assistance, training and consultation on domestic abuse in later life. Ms. Brandl has worked with battered women and their children for over 17 years and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) for 13 years. Approximatley 225 attended the event and it again received rave reviews for the keynote presentation and the very informative breakout sessions.

   

2006

This year Jackie Aitchison became Chair, joined by Sharlyne Hays as Vice Chair, Susan Dewees as Secretary and Benny Myers as Treasurer.

Our first of the year Quarterly focused on the issues of DV from the point of view of Lane & Patti Judson, parents of Crystal Brame who was murdered by her husband, David Brame. It was a very well attended program. Over 100 people attended and gave it excellent reviews. The Brame's deep, heart felt but accurate account of the things that lead to the brutal murder of their daughter gave audience members a clearer image of what to look for if they suspect a Domestic Violence situation.

Awards recipients this year were: Lane & Patti Judson, Julie McCormick, Maria Rosario Guzman and Stephen Garcia. These individuals spend time beyond work hours to rid the community of Domestic Violence.

July 25th was our 4th annual community picnic at Evergreen Park in Bremerton. Joined again by the local Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters to help make it a success. Approximately 200 attended for free food and fun.

"Deadly Silence ~ Anatomy of a Crime" was the title of the Task Force's 10th annual Summit. This year the Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force presented training through a live drama that depicted the progression of a DV assault. The program also included a PowerPoint presentation and after each scene, professionals presented information relevant to what they just witnessed on stage and then offered a question & answer session. At the end of the production those professionals joined with other community professionals to continue creative discussion with the audience members. The professionals included, Steve Garcia a DV Treatment Provider, Susan Dewees a Victim Advocate, Detective Sue Shultz, Stephen Greer a Defense Attorney, Claire Bradley a Prosecuting Attorney, & Kevin Grandy a Probation Officer. The Summit was attended by just under 100 people both professionals and community members. The response we received from those who attended was very good. It was a very educational session that brought a lot of awareness to everyone. The attendees whose profession deals with DV felt that seeing what happens after their job is done will help them to provide better service to their clients. The general community felt that the Summit brought awareness to them as well. It helped them to realize the depth of destruction of a DV assault and the long road to wellness for both the Perpetrator and the Victim.

2007

Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force and the RESPECT Kitsap Youth subcommittee presented the finalists in our Dating Violence Playwriting Contest. The three finalists were Irene Zhang and Nick Thill from Klahowya Secondary School, Karl Knutzen from Central Kitsap High School, and the South Kitsap Acting Ensemble from South Kitsap High School. The contest was open to all Kitsap County High School students and required that students write an original play focusing on dating violence awareness and/or prevention, not to exceed 20 minutes in length. The winning plays were performed by student actors at the KCDVTF Quarterly on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007, at Crossroads Neighborhood Church in front of about 65 attendees. A grand prize of $500 was awarded to Karl Knutzen for “He Says He Loves Me”. First and second prize of $100 went to South Kitsap Acting Ensemble for “Behind Closed Doors” and Irene Zhang & Nick Thill for “Tears of Love” Peoples Choice Award of $200 went to South Kitsap Acting Ensemble.

Our 5th annual picnic was held at Evergreen Park in Bremerton on July 24th. We had a terrific turnout as usual. There were clowns for face painting, magic, juggling and balloon art. The Bremerton Fire Dept. brought down fire and medic trucks for the kids.

The Stevenson quints joined in the fun and even captured a fire truck photo that may be in their 2008 calendar!

Police Chiefs, the Sheriff and Task Force members did the grilling for everyone.

The community did a great deal (as always) in helping make this such a success. Much thanks goes out to:

Costco * Walmart * Fred Meyer * Albertsons * Commissioner Josh Brown * Central Market
Gai's Bakery * Garguiles Red Apple Market * Minders Meats * Bremerton Bottling
Tim's Cascade Chips