In this Issue: Historic WWII Theater at Fort Flagler Grand Reopening, and more...
The Show Goes On: A Triumphant Return for the Fort Flagler Theater
The historic WWII Theater at Fort Flagler State Park came back to life in a remarkable way, as more than 250 guests gathered to celebrate its reopening. On March 29, 2026, the event, thoughtfully planned and executed by Friends of Fort Flagler (FoFF) board member Claire Jackson, was a true community success—bringing together history, performance, and local pride under one roof.
Guests were treated to an afternoon of engaging speakers, a vibrant atmosphere, and a special one-act play that captured the spirit of the era. The theater, once an important part of military life at Fort Flagler, once again served its purpose as a place to gather, connect, and be entertained—just as it did decades ago.
Behind the scenes, this celebration was made possible by an extraordinary collective effort. Thousands of volunteer hours went into restoring the theater’s interior, transforming it into a welcoming and functional space. In addition, hundreds of hours were dedicated to planning and coordinating the reopening event itself—demonstrating the passion and commitment of the FoFF community.
The one-act play, written specifically for the occasion by Judith Glass Collins and performed by local actors with deep ties to the area, was a highlight of the afternoon. The production brought the theater’s history full circle—honoring its past while showcasing its future as a vibrant community venue.
This reopening marks more than just the restoration of a building—it signals the return of a community hub. With continued support from volunteers, partners, and visitors, the Fort Flagler Theater is once again ready to host events, performances, and gatherings for years to come.
FoFF extends its deepest thanks to all who contributed their time, talent, and energy. This milestone would not have been possible without you.
Historic WWII Theater at Fort Flagler Grand Reopening Story by Mark Secord
It’s been more than six years since FoFF Board president Vigo Anderson declared at our annual members meeting on November 3, 2019 that the WWII theater “is an ANCHOR facility and FoFF is determined to renovate the building.”On March 29th of this year we celebrated the re-opening of a beautifuly restored theater, giving it a new life for park visitors and the local community.What did it take to get here?It’s been quite a journey!
When we began,renovation of the theater really wasn’t on the radar of State Parks officials.We got attention by hiring our own architect, Richard Berg, who provided an estimate of the cost of restoration, and putting together a well thought out case statement.As a result, when the Parks and Recreation Commission submitted it’s budget request to the Governor in 2020, money for the planning and permitting of the project made thelist—just barely. READ THE FULL ARTICLE >
Friends of Fort Flagler Easter Egg Hunt 2026
“Oh, what a beautiful morning!” we had for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.The weather was perfect, the mountains showing off their snow-capped peaks, the birds singing their springtime songs and the air crisp and scented with pine.The bunny volunteers arrived at 9:00 at the lower campground at Fort Flagler and donned bunny ears. Their first task was to clear the field of animal waste to prepare it for the hiding of 250 colorful plastic eggs. They also got picnic tables ready with oodles of candy, toys and prizes. Ninety adults and children showed up eager and equipped with baskets for collecting the eggs.At 10:00 the Easter Bunny, aka Lee, announced that the hunt could begin.It is always joyful chaos to see parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings rush off, many holding hands to ensure their egg hunter got a fair share of eggs. Six special prizes were given to those who collected specially marked eggs.After the collecting, the children exchanged the eggs for candy and prizes.In the blink of an eye, it was over and everyone who came left smiling.The happiness shared was the reason the Friends of Fort Flagler love to host this event for the public each year.
Earth Day Success: A Beach Cleanup Worth Celebrating
This year’s Earth Day at Fort Flagler gave us something extra to celebrate—and it wasn’t just the sunshineand great company. Our annual beach cleanup and invasive grass pull marked a major milestone in aproject that’s been years in the making.
We also want to thank our dedicated beach cleanup volunteers: Lynne Schwarz and Nancy Stevens.Nancy’s husband, Alan Stevens, also plays an important role, regularly volunteering to remove invasivegrass and collect treated wood from the beaches. While many volunteers contribute to this effort, these individuals bring a level of consistency that has become the foundation of the program. Along with Richard Schwarz, who has been at every pull and taken on a leadership role, these volunteers are truly the backbone of this work. Without their dedication, Fort Flagler would not be as pristine as it is today. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing commitment to the park and the environment.
For the third year in a row, volunteers gathered on the beach to tackle invasive grass that has long impactedthis beautiful shoreline. But this year felt different in the best possible way. Instead of hauling away bags and bags of grass, we filled just one bag. Yes—one!
That small bag represents something big: progress. It’s a clear sign that the consistent effort of our incredible volunteers is paying off, and we can finally see the finish line ahead. What once felt like a daunting, ongoing battle is now becoming a success story we can all share.
This achievement didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of countless hours from dedicated volunteers who have shown up year after year, rain or shine, to care for this special place. Every pull, every root removed, every conversation on the beach has made a difference.
Earth Day is about taking action, and this year we saw firsthand how small, consistent actions can lead to big results. Thank you to everyone who came out, got their hands dirty, and helped protect and restore our beach.
We’re not quite done yet—but we’re close. And that’s something worth celebrating.
Programs News
Join us for the 2026 Rat Island Docent Program Training: May 1st, 10am to 1pm at the FoFF Theater.
Open to both new volunteers interested in becoming Rat Island Docents and returning docents looking for a refresher and updates.
Rat Island and the adjoining spit are ecologically rich and culturally significant areas within Fort Flagler State Park. This training will prepare docents to engage the public with accurate, science-based information about wildlife, habitat protection, and responsible recreation—while serving as friendly, informed ambassadors on the beach.
Upcoming Events:
April 2026 - Opening of the Fort Flagler Welcome Center,
April 25, 8:00 p.m - Historic Searchlight lighting.
May 1, 10am, Docent Trainingin the theater
June 20th - Strawberry Festival at Nordland Garden Club, 320 Garden Club Road. 11am to 2pm.
Remember, only members can attend for free.Non-members will be charged a nominal fee of $5.00. If you need to cancel your attendance, no worries! Sendus an email and we'll take care of it.
Thank you for being part of our vibrant Fort Flagler community.
Get to Know Your 2026 Board
We will highlight 2026 Board members, starting with our first 3 board officers. Deisy Bach (President) is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, with a passion for marine mammals and hands-on volunteer work with organizations such as The Marine Mammal Center, Año Nuevo State Reserve, and SR3. Since retiring, she has focused on serving the Jefferson County community and advancing conservation efforts through her work with Friends of Fort Flagler. At FoFF, she developed the Natural History Program and the Rat Island Docent Program, helping connect the public to local wildlife while supporting habitat protection.
Tim Tibbals (Treasurer), retired Electrical Engineer, brings his organizational and physical capabilities to projects with Friends of Fort Flagler. He has been with the friends group for 12 years now and has been treasurer for 10 years. He enjoys working on improving the trails throughout the park as well as working on the other projects that improve the park experience for all visitors.
Lee-Alison Sibley (Secretary). Lee has worn many hats in her long career – singer, actress, author, teacher.She was the Earth Day Network Representative in New Delhi and Yangon and was trained to be a Climate Reality Leader in 2015.She and her husband moved permanently to Marrowstone Island in 2022 and Lee decided to volunteer locally for causesthat she supports.She joined the Friends of Fort Flagler Board in 2023 and has been secretary since 2024.
A donation of any size is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible! Help us continue the great work we do at the park—from natural history events and habitat restoration, to maintaining trails, renovating buildings, putting on community events, and so much more.
We are deeply grateful to our amazing and dedicated volunteers. Their commitment helps keep Fort Flagler State Park clean, safe, and beautiful for visitors and wildlife alike. If you’d like to join future efforts, we’d love to have you! Cick below to tell us what you would be interested in helping with.
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