Hou graduates from Central Missouri

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Skagit Women in Business awards scholarships of $500 to $2,000 to qualifying women each spring.

Applicants must be women currently living in Skagit County who have had a break in their education and are currently enrolled in an accredited vocational school, two-year or four-year college or professional accreditation or will be returning to school.

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The Anacortes branch of the American Association of University Women is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a woman who is entering or completing an undergraduate degree program, a vocational certification program, or taking courses beyond the undergraduate level in preparation for an advanced degree.

The woman must either be an Anacortes High School graduate or have resided on Fidalgo Island or Guemes Island for the last three years. Previous applicants and recipients of AAUW scholarships may apply.

The scholarship will be paid directly to the accredited college, university or training institution where the student is registered. The funds may be used by the student at any time during the year for books, tuition and/or supplies.

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The Anacortes High School Advancement Via Individual Determination staff is looking for motivated volunteers to take part in a highly successful AVID college prep program.

Help is needed once or twice a week on Tuesdays and/or Fridays to work with teenagers in the classroom. This program targets minority, low-income and students with no college-going tradition in their families.

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Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island gave its annual awards at its bi-monthly meeting on Feb. 5.

The Ruby Award, for a woman making a difference in the community, went to Angela Freeberg.

The Violet Richardson Award, given to a teen volunteer, went to Michelle Scott with Days for Girls.

The Women’s Opportunity Award, given to head of household going to college, was awarded to Christine N. Nderi.

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For three residents at Chandler’s Square Retirement Community, the effort to convert a small storage space into a picturesque railway scene is more than a project to tinker with — it’s an opportunity to keep alive a spirit of independence and productivity.

“The three of us never dreamed we’d have an opportunity to build a train again,” resident John Conlee said.

Chandler’s Square, at 1300 O Ave., boasts studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments along with a host of other amenities.

But when Frank Thompson and his wife moved from their 2,300-square-foot home on A Avenue into 875 square feet at Chandler’s Square, he said they had to downsize. A Master Gardener through the WSU extension program, Thompson had to give up a greenhouse full of orchids, a lot of furniture and his Japanese model railroad collection, complete with engines, cars, track and accessories.

“I had quite a collection,” he said.

Some items went to his daughter, some were sold and the train set went to the Kiwanis Thrift Shop.

Thompson said that during his first week at Chandler’s Square he asked if anyone else was interested in model trains. Conlee and Bob Easton stepped forward. Years ago Easton had a set of trains above each of his two sons’ beds and a track running between them.

Conlee has lived in Anacortes for more than 25 years. He moved to Chandler’s Square four years ago and said residents give up a lot when they move into the apartment-style units, especially if they love to tinker on projects.

“Men have to leave their favorite tools,” he said. “That’s a big blow.”

Chandler’s Square Executive Director Pete Kovach supported the project from the start, and Thompson hurried back to the Kiwanis shop, where he discovered most of his set had already sold, But the group didn’t let the setback derail their plans.

“Fortunately, I’d kept some stuff,” Thompson said.

Chandler’s Square Maintenance Supervisor John Fuik joined the crew and built a table from plywood and 4x4s in one of the facility’s parlor rooms. They laid out a simple figure-eight track, along with some buildings, but they soon realized that it wasn’t going to be enough.

“Just a plain old room doesn’t do it,” Thompson said.

The group received permission to convert a small storage room into a scenic, custom-designed train room.

Residents at Chandler’s Square have rallied around the “C Square Line,” as it’s known. A sign outside the train room lists more than a dozen supporters of the project, including facility management, residents and community members.

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