Daily Sitka Sentinel

July 28, 2020, Community Happenings

School District

Sessions Set on

Opening Schools

The Sitka School District will hold  Smart Start information sessions 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 29-30 at Centennial Hall.

School district employees will meet July 29 and parents and students on July 30. A Zoom link will be posted on the website under announcements.

Superintendent John Holst and members of the Smart Start Task Force will answer questions, hear concerns, and gather suggestions regarding the opening of schools on Aug. 27.

Music Festival

Via Raven Radio

The Uncommon Music Festival Radio Hour will be held 10 a.m. Aug. 10, 17, 24 and 31 on Raven Radio. It will include selections from four years of performances in Sitka plus glimpses behind the scenes and new pieces.

Visit uncommonmusicfest.org for more information.

40 Day Party for

William Howard

A 40 day party for William Eli ‘‘Buddy’’ Howard, 78, will be 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Sitka Moose Lodge, downstairs.

Mr. Howard died June 4.

Walking Group

To Start Aug. 5 

All are invited to join SEARHC staff for weekly fitness walks starting Aug. 5.

Participants will meet at lower Moller Field at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in August. 

Everyone is asked to take a clean face covering and follow public health guidelines about social distancing.  Walkers will go around the track as many times as they like to increase their step counts for  the Start Stepping Southeast 29-day walking challenge that runs Aug. 3-31.

For information contact Doug Osborne at 966-8674/douglaso@searhc.org or go to searhc.org/startstepping.

Utility, Moorage

Help Deadline

Set for Friday

Applications for the CARES Act utility and moorage subsidy programs through the city are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31.

Applications received after the deadline will be considered late and will not be accepted, the city said. 

Residents should submit the online application at www.cityofsitka.org or an electronic copy to caresact@cityofsitka.org. Paper applications can be picked up and submitted at the utility office at City Hall.

Call 747-1818 or 747-1859 with questions.

Car-A-Van Event

Slated Saturday

A Car-A-Van for those with older cars, 1970s and older, will gather at the Sea Mart parking lot 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, to take a group ride out to Starrigavan and back through town and end at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

All are invited to join. For information call Jeff, 747 4821.

Moose Annual

Picnic Aug. 2

The Loyal Order of the Moose will host its annual picnic noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter. 

Hamburgers, hotdogs and the trimmings, and beverages will be provided. Attendees should take a potluck dish to share. A signup list is at the lodge to check what’s already being taken.

Adult horseshoe tournament, teens scavenger hunt, kids races, face painting and other activities are being planned. Members and guests are welcome.

Oct. Alaska Day

Festival Put Off

Trustees of Alaska Day Festival Inc. have postponed the Oct. 18 observance of Sitka’s popular weeklong set of activities.

Coordinators said they have spent the last few months considering the pros and cons of moving forward this year despite the risks and prolonged uncertainties associated with the coronavirus.

The annual parade, traditional re-enactment ceremony, formal ball, variety show, and Army band concert are among the events that would be impacted, the committee members said.

“Mark your calendars now for 2021,” said festival Vice Chair Steve Dalquist and Secretary Mindy Lowrance.

Quilting Class

Slated in Sitka

Ocean Wave Quilters will hold a S. Dresden ‘‘town in the round’’ quilting class 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29 at Centennial Hall.

Go to Abby’s Apparel and Quiltworks to register and pay $60 for members and $70 for non-members.

‘‘We will maintain social distance, not share food and require masks when closer than six feet indoors,’’ a press release from the quilt group said.

For a supply list or information call 738-1627.

Reception Slated

For Rickett Book

To celebrate the publication of Sitkan Nancy Rickett’s memoir, a reception will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, on the lawn of the Pioneers Home near the main entrance. 

The memoir, ‘‘Becoming Myself,’’ covers the first 50 years of Nancy’s life. Signed copies of her memoir can be purchased at Old Harbor Books.

John Straley, her longtime friend, will serve as moderator for the reception.

Attendees are asked to observe distancing and mask requirements for the short ceremony. For information, call 747-5941.

City Seal Redesign

Project Reveal Set

Entries in the city’s contest to redesign the official city seal can now be viewed.

An open house for the public to view entries is 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Entries will be on display, and a survey available for the public to fill out.

The survey also is online through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. It can be accessed at: https://forms.gle/yqx2EKKSKWoypvw76.

A guided discussion on the entries will be hosted over Zoom 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30. Those who wish to participate can contact planning@cityofsitka.org for the meeting link.

Call the city planning department at 747-1814 with questions.

Medicare, SS

Presentation Set

A joint presentation on Medicare and Social Security retirement benefits will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Lunch will be provided.

Susan Briles of SEARHC and Cynthia Gibson, CFP® with Waddell & Reed Inc., will speak.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, space is limited with signup required by Friday, July 24. 

‘‘It is common to be unsure of Medicare options, including coverage needed and when to sign up,’’ said Briles, a Certified Medicare Specialist with the Patient Health Benefits team at SEARHC. She will speak about Medicare options and avoiding common pitfalls and penalties.

Gibson will speak on how to make the most of Social Security benefits.

SEARHC is a Certified Application Counselor agency offering free assistance to all Southeast residents.  Gibson is a financial adviser offering securities and investment products and services provided through WRI, member FINRA/SIPC.

 Call Gibson at 966-2803 to reserve a spot, or receive information. For information from the SEARHC PHB team, contact Susan Briles at 966-8662.