Daily Sitka Sentinel

August 29, 2014 Community Happenings

Library Closure
    Kettleson Memorial Library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

    Walks, Talks Set
    At National Park
    Sitka National Historical Park offers daily guided programs teaching visitors about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
    This week the ranger-guided schedule includes:
    Sunday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; noon Discovery Talk: ‘‘Fungus Among Us!’’
    Monday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk.
    Tuesday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; 11:30 a.m. Discovery Talk on banana slugs; and 1 p.m. Discover Talk ‘‘Mysteries of the Salmon Spawn.’’
    Wednesday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; and 7 p.m. ‘‘Historians as Detectives: Using Photographs to Solve Mysteries of the Past.’’
    Thursday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; noon Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Pinks and Chums and Kings, Oh My! Salmon in the Indian River.’’
    Friday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk; 10 a.m. Totem Walk; 1 p.m. Discovery Talk ‘‘Climate Change.’’
    Saturday – 9 a.m. Battle Walk and noon Totem Walk.
    Ranger-led tours meet at the Sitka NHP visitor center on Lincoln Street.
    For more information call the visitor center at 747-0110.

    Photos Used to
    Solve Mysteries
    ‘‘Historians as Detectives: Using Photographs to Solve Mysteries of the Past’’ will be presented 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Sitka National Historical Park visitor center.
    Photographs can provide important information about people, places, and events for anyone trying to uncover mysteries of the past, the park said.
    The public is invited to join a ranger for an interactive program that will demonstrate the role that photographs played in the restoration of the Russian Bishop’s House and give participants an opportunity to sharpen their own detective skills by viewing and analyzing some of the historic photographs.
    For more information about the free program, call Anne Lankenau at 747-0110 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

    Submissions Sought
    For Photo Contest
    Sitka National Historical Park is accepting entries for the National Public Lands Day photo contest.
    Space permitting, all entries will be displayed in the resulting photo exhibit, ‘‘Sitka National Historical Park: Then and Now,’’ which illustrates these interpretations of time and place, and the slightly different lens through which each visitor views and experiences the park.
    ‘‘For over 120 years, visitors have embarked on their own unique journeys through time and place as they experience Sitka National Historical Park’s dynamic cultural and natural landscape,’’ the park said. ‘‘Whether you’ve lived in Sitka your whole life or visited for an afternoon, you too, have seen the interplay of natural and cultural changes in the park.’’
    To enter, e-mail or submit up to three photos relating to the following categories: Native Heritage: capture any aspect of Southeast Alaska Native culture; Sitka NHP Wildlife: Alaskan wildlife in their natural habitat in the park; Sitka NHP Scenery: Southeast Alaska’s beauty as seen from the park;
E.W. Merrill: reproduce the historic E.W. Merrill photographs of the park (historic photos may be obtained at the visitor center or online for reference); and Small Perspectives: photos taken by youths ages 13 and under relating to the park.
    All entries must be submitted with an entry form no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the visitor center front desk, or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The minimum photo size is 4-inch by 6-inch. The maximum size is 11-inch by 14-inch. Electronically submitted photographs are held to the same size limitations at a resolution no lower than 300 dpi. Accepted file formats include jpeg, tiff and png.
    Contestants who e-mail their submissions must include in the body of their e-mail the following information: contestant name, location (city, state), category, title of work (or leave untitled), e-mail and/or mailing address (preferred contact), and daytime phone number. They must also attest that they own the image, and they agree to release the photo to the public domain. No photographs will be returned to contestants. The official entry form can be downloaded from the park’s main web page: go.nps.gov/photocontest.
    Photographers can enter to win as long as no more than 25 percent of the contestant’s income derives from the sale of their photographs.
    Local judges will evaluate submissions and determine category winners, taking into consideration originality, artistic composition, technical quality, and whether the photos showcase Sitka NHP resources. The People’s Choice Award will be awarded to the photo with the most likes on the Sitka NHP Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SitkaNationalHistoricalPark).
    There will be three first-place ribbons will be awarded to the adult categories, and a People’s Choice award for the most popular photo on the park’s Facebook account. Every entrant in the children’s category will receive a participation ribbon.
    Entries will be mounted by park staff and will remain on display throughout the duration of the Sitka National Historical Park: Then and Now exhibit in the Sitka NHP visitor center.

    Harp Sing Set
    The 5th Sunday Sitka Sacred Harp Sing is scheduled 3:30-5 p.m. Aug. 31.
    Singing will be from the Cooper Book, which has a more southern gospel influence. Beginners and listeners are encouraged to attend. More info, call 738-2089.
   
    Cruise, Auction
    Set for Breast
    Cancer Benefit
    The 7th Annual Hope Floats Cruise and Chocolate Extravaganza Auction Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser kicks off at Crescent Harbor 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
    The three-hour cruise will feature scenery, a gift bag, door prizes and a chance to bid on a dessert with help from auctioneer Dave Miller.
    Tickets can be purchased at the Sitka Community Hospital radiology department. Tickets are $40 each and 80 are available. Proceeds will be used to benefit uninsured mammography patients.
    The event is sponsored by Allen Marine Tours and the Sitka Community Hospital Radiology Department. To purchase tickets or donate a dessert,  contact Ronda Anderson at 747-1727.

    Senior Biking
    Set with SAIL
    Southeast Alaska Independent Living is set to offer a morning of biking 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 4.
    Seniors ages 60 and older are invited. SAIL has bikes with two and three wheels available for use. Participants should meet at the SAIL office, 514 Lake Street, Suite C. Transportation will be provided to the biking location.
    The cost is $10. Contact Bridget for more information and to RSVP at 747-6859.

    Youth Kayaking
    Slated Sept. 12
    Southeast Alaska Independent Living invites children experiencing disabilities ages 7-14 for an afternoon of kayaking 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
    Pick-up from school is available to participants. SAIL will provide kayaks, gear and instruction. The cost is $10. Contact Bridget for more information and to RSVP at 747-6859.

    Senior Hiking
    Club to Meet
    Seniors ages 60 and older are invited to hike with Southeast Alaska Independent Living 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 27.
    All experience levels are welcome, and hikers are being encouraged to hike at their own pace. Participants should meet at Swan Lake Senior Center. Transportation to the trail head will be provided, as well as snacks, and SAIL will return to the senior center by 11:30 a.m.
    Contact Bridget for more information and to RSVP at 747-6859.


    Natural History
    Seminars Begin
    The first natural history seminar of the season will feature a discussion of human ecology and natural history in the western Gulf of Alaska with Nancy Huntly, Utah State University and Sitka Sound Science Center scientist in residence.
    The presentation will be 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at UAS-Sitka Campus in room 229.
    Huntly’s talk will describe the natural history of Sanak Island, other nearby islands, and the western Alaska Peninsula. The western Gulf of Alaska/Alaska peninsula region has been the home of the Aleut/Unangan people for at least 10,000 years, and the Aleut and their livelihoods have shaped the ecology of the region.
    Recent research in the Sanak archipelago describes 4,500-plus years of their ecology and the legacy they have left on today’s soils, plants, animals, and landscape. Islands of the Sanak archipelago that have different histories of natural resource economy show how much the resource choices of people can dictate the local ecology, Huntly said. The Aleut people are and have been vital parts of a number of different ecological communities.
    Those with questions may call 747-9432.

    Story Time Includes
    Songs, Craft Project
    ‘‘Perfect Square’’ by Michael Hall,  a book that celebrates how creativity can change the way to look at a basic shape, will be one of the readings during the next preschool story time at Kettleson Memorial Library 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11.
    The program includes readings, rhymes, songs and a craft project. Everybody is welcome.
    For more information call the library at 747-8708.

    Teen Library
    Board to Meet
    Kettleson Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. Members will have the opportunity to explore the new equipment for the Teen Lab and share ideas.
    All teens ages 13 to 16 are invited to join the TAB. Board members will have exclusive opportunity to help select materials for the library’s collection, plan parties and programs, suggest improvements to the future teen area, gain volunteer experience, and promote the library throughout the community.
    Snacks are provided to all participants. For more information call the library at 747-8708.

    Memorial Dinner
    For Alfred Gray
    A Panakhyda memorial service for Alfred Gray will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church.     Dinner will follow at 5 p.m. at the Swan Lake Senior Center.
    For more information contact Charlene Peterson at 747-8285.

    Home Health
    Manager to Speak
    Care in their own home for the ill, the elderly and those recovering from surgery will be discussed by Elizabeth Faulkner, the home health manager for Sitka Community Hospital, at the Auxiliary meeting noon Sept. 9.
    Faulkner will talk about the vast array of services her department offers to Sitkans. Lunch can be picked up at the Basement Bistro, located near the classroom where the meeting is held. Auxiliary members’ lunches are courtesy of the hospital.
    Following the short business meeting, Faulkner will speak. All are invited. Members may call 747-3670, Judy Johnstone, to RSVP.

Ed Mikulski and Judi Bacon. (Photo provided)

    Florida Volunteers
    At Lutheran Church
    Judi Bacon and Ed Mikulski will serve as September volunteers at Sitka Lutheran Church.
    Mikulski worked as a social worker with the Veterans Administration. In his busy retirement, he works part-time with the U.S. Census Bureau, counsels  and hobbies, which include NASCAR, fishing and golf.
    Bacon was a nurse practitioner. She is an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Daytona Beach with duties as a boat coxswain on patrols, vessel safety checks and cooking at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Smyrna Beach.
    The two will assist the church youth program on Sundays and will greet tourists during the week.
    Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. Youth group meets on Sunday afternoons. Wednesday evening soup supper is at 6 p.m., followed by a short prayer service.
    The Rev. Sandra Rudd is the pastor of the church.

    Barracudas Set
    Swim Tryouts
    Baranof Barracudas Swim Club will have tryouts 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Blatchley pool.
    Anyone interested in learning how to become a competitive swimmer is invited. The cost is $60 a month for Dolphins, which meet 4-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
    Those trying out should take a suit, goggles, towel and a parent or guardian.
    Coach Siouxha Tokman is a National and International Level 5 swim coach with more than 40 years of coaching experience. Call Tokman at 738-8155 with questions.

    Boathouse Work
    Party Saturday
    The Japonski Island Boathouse will have a work party 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.
    The windows have been rebuilt and painted and volunteers are now needed to clean the paint from the glass, and install the windows.
    All are welcome to ‘‘come by, have a warm drink, tell us a joke, admire the progress, and of course, pitch in. Even coming by for an hour makes a difference,’’ organizers said.
    Those with questions may call Carole at 206-920-2155.
   
    Sports Injury
    Program Topic
    Sitka Physical Therapy is offering a free injury prevention/dynamic warm-up program to any interested high school sporting activity.
    ‘‘A 10- to 15-minute sport-specific warm-up can be designed for each activity, and shown to you’re athletes to help prevent injury, and aid in proper warm-ups to improve performance,’’ organizers said.
    Players and coaches can contact Alicia at 747-4559 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

    Task Force Meets
    The Sitka Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force will meet noon Sept. 2 at the Sitka Community Hospital classroom.
    The task force strives to create a community where interpersonal violence is not tolerated. The meeting is open to all. For more information, call SAFV, 747-3370.

    White E Closure
    The White Elephant Shop will be closed Monday, Labor Day. The store will reopen noon-3 p.m. Thursday.