To the editor:

I’d like to say thanks to Leslie Kelly and the Bainbridge Island Review for the great coverage (May 29 edition) of the 2015 Blakely Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation, which this year goes to four really cool young people in the Fort Ward neighborhood: Erik Appleberry, Mark Dettman, Aila Ikuse and Kate Merifield.

The four were honored for their spirited and ongoing efforts toward restoration of the fort’s historic bakery building for use as a community hall, and the recognition is well-deserved.

There was a minor error in the print version of the story, which I point out only because it might impede subscribers’ ability to find out more about the Fort Ward Community Hall effort.

Admittedly it was a cumbersome address, and anyway since Leslie wrote her story we’ve streamlined it to www.fortwardhall.org. The site is a clearinghouse of information on Fort Ward’s colorful history, with periodic updates about project fundraising and related events.

As noted in the Review’s thorough reportage, Bainbridge Island has a string of historic buildings that have over the years been restored and maintained for community use, including Seabold Hall, Island Center Hall, Camp Yeomalt and the Filipino-American Community Hall. We hope to add the Fort Ward Community Hall to the list, the first such amenity in the south end.

Our fundraising efforts have so far been confined to the immediate neighborhood, but the campaign is now reaching out to the broader community and the many islanders, organizations and businesses who support historic preservation.

Find out more about the project at www.fortwardhall.org, and please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. Pledge forms can be downloaded from the site, or email the campaign at fortwardhall@gmail.com for information.

DOUGLAS CRIST

Fort Ward