WHALING DAYS Honoring Joanne Haselwood Whaling Days 2011 Lion’s Grand Parade grand marshal Joanne Haselwood, seen here in her Silverdale Scrapbook Zone store.
Kitsap philanthropist key to development of new YMCA
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hen it came to picking this year’s grand marshal for the Lion’s Grand Parade, the Silverdale Dandi Lions did as they normally do, think about the pool of citizens or business folks that have contributed something significant and important to the youth of the community. Joanne Haselwood fit the bill perfectly. “This year the choice was not hard,” said Carla Larson, Whaling Days president. “She well deserves it.” This summer’s opening of the Haselwood Family YMCA on Randall Way, is seen by the Dandi Lions a huge contribution to the youth of the community. And, as many in Kitsap County well know, her $2.5 million gift to the YMCA was the latest by the well known philanthropic local business family who have been generous for decades, including the 2007 $1 million endowment for Olympic College’s Haselwood Library to keep them current with technology each year. The fund generates $50,000 annually for upgrades. “It’s a good way to carry on Chuck’s name,” Joanne Haselwood said of the
YMCA building carrying the family name. “He would be proud to have his name on this facility knowing that his legacy will make a difference in our community for many generations.” Haselwood, in 2009, said that her husband would have made the donation himself had he the chance. “She’s so committed and has so much admiration for her late husband Chuck,” said local YMCA spokesperson Michelle LaRue.
Whaling Days fun Whaling Days 2011 runs Friday through Sunday, July 29-31 in Old Town Silverdale. Highlights include: Opening Day Fireworks – Friday 10 p.m.
Mainstage Entertainment
The Timebenders (Friday, 8 p.m.) Joey Dean (Saturday, 8 p.m.) & The Pendletones (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.) highlight a full weekend of mainstage music and entertainment. For a full list of performers and event schedule, see www.whalingdays.com
Rotary Pancake Breakfast Silverdale Community Center – Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Street Fair Hours
– Friday, 5-10 p.m. (food only) – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Sunday, 10a.m. to 6 p.m.
31st Annual Whale of a Run
Saturday morning, 8:45 a.m. on All start times are sharp! 4-Mile Race – 8:45 a.m. 1-Mile Run/Walk – 8:50 a.m. Kids’ Dashes – 9:30 a.m. Special Olympics dashes – 9:40 a.m.
Lions’ Grand Parade
Saturday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Begins at Ridgetop / Silverdale Way, ends at Anderson Hill Rd.
Tour de Kitsap
Register at Silverdale Beach Hotel – Sunday, 7 - 10 a.m.
Canoe Races
Hui Heihei Wa’a (Silverdale Outrigger Canoe Club) presents Dyes Inlet Dash 2011 Sunday 9 a.m.
The Great Kitsap Duck Race – Sunday 3 p.m. at the Pier.
Along with the ability to serve up to 15,000 members, the Haselwood “Y” provides jobs for an estimated 200 people. The Haselwood’s four daughters all swam at the YMCA growing up and now their children and grandchildren have a safe enjoyable place to swim too, said Roland Arper, parade co-chair. After hearing of her selection as grand marshal, Haselwood said she would gain some bragging rites with her granddaugh-
ter that once cruised the Lion’s Grand Parade as Katie Kitsap. These days, Haselwood gifts are given in the name of Joanne’s late husband Chuck, well respected business man that built the Haselwood Auto Group, who died in 2006. The couple provided generous support to Pendergast Park, the Bremerton Ice Arena and the rebuilding of the Olympic College Library after the original collapsed during a 1996 snowstorm. The library, with a 60,000 book capacity, opened in the spring of 2000. Larson said the honoring of Haselwood with grand marshal is in equal part to raise more awareness of the new YMCA facility and to honor Joanne Haselwood. Haselwood’s contribution was spurred by the $1 million gift by Ron and Nadean Ross. It really inspired her contribution, said Arper. Together they encouraged others to get behind the “Y” and make it a reality, he said. “It’s about those who support kids,” said Larson. Haselwood’s financial gift helps Silverdale kids have a better life with a place can hang out safely, that does not cost a lot of money, Larson said.