Theler Community Center History from 1950 to 2002

1950 Mary E Theler's Death

1968 Sam Theler dies at 83

1968 Mary E. Theler trust is formed through the North Mason School District
[NMSD]

1978 Clara Fisher dies (Sam Theler's sister)

1983 Theler Board is formed

1984 Articles of Incorporation of Mary E. Theler Community Center filed
(10/24/1984)

1984 Bylaws of Mary E. Theler Community Center adopted (11/05/1984)

1984 Belfair elementary school moved onto present METO site

1984 Theler Board tries to make Ball Fields

1985 US Department of Interior geologist R Bucknum

1985 Theler Board thinks about trail to Hood Canal, Lynch Cove

1985 Goal of Mary E. Theler Community Center Board: To operate the Mary E.
Theler Community Center, using the funds from the Sam Theler estate, for the benefit of the Community of Belfair.

1988 Theler Board broadens vision

1989 Developed working partnership with WDFW

1990 First Grant awarded from DOE PSWQA $37,000

1990 Gains attention of the Governors Council on Environmental Education

1990 Schools for the 21st century -integrated curriculum with the environment

1990 Second grant from CZM for Master Plan

1994 Green through GCEE & began our partnership with Department of Natural
Resources (DNR)

1995 Become one of three priority watersheds by the GCOEE

1995 HCWEN advisory committee, which includes stakeholders with interest in this region including DNR, WDFW, GCOEE, NMSD, HCWPC, Local Tribes, County, Community

1996 Developed a funding plan through Theler & HCWEN changed trustees (American Marine Bank) to make Trust 100 income-producing

1996 Recruited local businesses to sponsor projects (Reid Reality) Provides input, expertise, school to work transition students working with professionals

1996 Mentioned in the President's Council on Sustainable Development paper along with the DNR, NMSD as a community which is already doing what they prescribe others to do in order to accomplish the goal of providing a sustainable future.

1997 Brought three more partners (sponsors) into projects.

1997 Acquired five (5) acres (Schindleheim)

1997 Mapped Theler Wetlands, Sand Hill & HCLT.

1997 Installed 160 Bird, Duck, Bat and Butterfly habitat boxes. Volunteers, Boy Scout Troup's, students and Audubon Society

1997 Planted flowers, trees, and bushes for a butterfly, hummingbird and bee garden

1997 Completed a site characterization for Sand Hill E property.

1998 Initiated first environmental explorations

1998 Established first onsite bee hive

1998 Finished first master plan for the HCWPC

1998 Extended butterfly garden

1998 Began construction of activity building

1998 Bylaws of Mary E. Theler Community Center revised (11/05/1998)

1998 Started, working partnership with Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement roup[HCSEG] • Spawning Surveys • Fish passage surveys • Internships & Scholarships • WSI building and marketing Global Information System DNR, NMSD, and Keyport

1998 Began Design of Second Master Plan

1998 Built four (4) new informational kiosks

1998 Added six (6) new carvings
1998 Added new entrance gate
1998 Updated technology • Scanners • Digital Projector • Digital Camera • Zip &
Jaz capabilities

2002 Theler Community Center [TCC] services used over 27,000 times in
2002 Theler Wetlands and Trail System. Approximately one-half mile of the River Estuary trail was resurfaced with approximately 60 tons of gravel.
2002 Hood Canal Watershed Project Center [HCWPC] services include both the Hood Canal Watershed Project Exhibit Building and the Wetlands Classroom. The environmental education and outdoor experimental learning were used over 150,000 times in 2002.

2002 Theler Wetlands and Trail System. The trails and boardwalks are all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. An estimated 85,000 people used the trails in 2002.

2002 TCC Director resigns

2002 TCC hired Visitor Information Center (VIC) Specialist. Funding provided by Mason County Lodging Tax Committee. VIC works 30 hour week Tuesday through Friday.

2002 TCC Director-Brent E. White. The previous manager resigned in August and there was a three month vacancy

2002 TCC acquired a house adjacent to Theler property which the Theler Board plans to rent to the North Mason location of Sound to Harbor Headstart/ECAP.

2002 TCC -Co-sponsored twice weekly Senior Citizen's Social

2002 TCC -Co-sponsored the North Mason Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels

2002 TCC -Sponsored community classes to youths and seniors in life skills, exercise programs, mental wellness, dog obedience, and karate

2002 TCC -Sponsored a Cadet/Senior level Girl Scout troop and other Girl Scout activities by providing meeting space at no charge

2002 TCC -Provided meeting space at no charge for North Mason little League, Pee Wee and Youth Soccer groups

2002 TCC -Provided weekly meeting space to local Weight Watchers Group

2002 TCC -Provided information on the structure, services, economy, events and activities of the North Mason community to over 5,000 individuals through the North Mason Information Center.

2002 TCC -Housed and provided support to the North Mason County Head Start Program (Sound-to-Harbor Headstart/ECEAP)

2002 TCC -Provided space for several large community meetings and private parties

2002 TCC -Housed the Mason County District Court, held once each month

2002 TCC -Housed the Mason County Probation Services every Friday

2002 TCC -Hosted the Belfair Districts 1 & 5 as a polling place for elections

2002 TCC -Designated as a Disaster Shelter for North Mason County. Services not required during 2002. Responsible for storage and maintenance of Disaster Preparedness equipment and supplies.

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