Connie Gallant
Port Townsend Leader
Joe and Joy Baisch are making a difference in South County through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For the past several years, the Baisch's, who are residents of Brinnon, have been involved in a project to improve the chances of success for our young students. Through an innovative and entrepreneurial process, they have helped students in forming Big Quil Enterprises (BQE), a business run by the students with mentoring from community leaders and educators.
On Friday, Dec. 8, the Baisch's, along with Pam Roberts representing WSU Extension, shared a power-point presentation showing the many successful projects that our young students have undertaken. Hosting the event at the Brinnon School, the community was well-represented by a cross-section of business people, teachers, and grant foundation evaluators. Among those attending included Commissioner Pat Rodgers, Tom and Sue Bettinger, Brady Blake, Jim Watson, Ken Dressler, J.D. Gallant, Bud Schindler, Denise Williamson, Jim Hodgson, Charlie Baker, Karla Miller, product development manager for the Northwest Area Foundation, and Diane Morehouse, President of QED. Students Jake Murray, Nathan Hood, and Sam and Pete Dressler represented Big Quil Enterprises. (Read More)