Daily Sitka Sentinel

October 10, 2017, Community Happenings

Public Invited

To Walker, Mallott

Campaign Event

Gov. Bill Walker will be in Sitka this week meeting with officials and community groups, and participating in the Alaska State Chamber Fall Forum, his campaign office said.

Walker and Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott filed for reelection as Independents for the November 2018 election. Walker is the only non-partisan governor in the nation. Candidates must gather 3,213 signatures to appear on next November’s ballot. 

The Walker and Mallott campaigns are now under way with fundraisers planned around the state, each one hosted by dozens of community members. On Wednesday, about 40 Sitka residents will host a fundraiser for the Walker and Mallott campaigns. The public is invited to stop by Beak Restaurant, 2 Lincoln St. between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to meet the candidates and find out more about their vision for Alaska, the campaign said. 

Keet Gooshi Heen

Photo Retakes Set

Retakes for student photos at Keet Gooshi Heen elementary school will be Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Parents wanting to have their child’s photo retaken due to eyes closed, bad photo, or other abnormalities, should have them take their original photo packet (with no missing pictures) on the day of retakes.

Children who did not have their photos taken the first time, photo forms are available in the KGH office. Photos must be paid for Tuesday, the day of the retakes. Parents should tell their child’s teacher they want retakes, so the names can be added to the list.

Photos will begin at 8 a.m. Call the office at 747-8395 with questions.

Community photos are at Keet Gooshi Heen 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16.

‘Transfer Story’

Play Oct. 14

‘‘Sitka: A Transfer Story,’’ an original one-act play written by Zachary Desmond and directed by Taylor Ciambra, will be performed to commemorate 150 years of Native, Russian and American heritage as part of the 150th Commemoration of the Transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States.

Two performances are planned at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. Tickets are at Old Harbor Books and the door.

The event is sponsored by the Sitka Historical Society.

Books Supplied

Sitka Public Library has expressed appreciation to the public for book donations, but said it now has enough for the Alaska Day Book Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 18.

‘‘We would like to ask the public not do donate any more books to the Library until after Thanksgiving,’’ the library said.

SEARHC Updates

For Alaska Day

In observance of Alaska Day, Wednesday, Oct. 18, SEARHC administrative offices and all outpatient medical clinics throughout the region will be closed.

The emergency department at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka will remain open and available for all emergency medical care. The hospital will stay fully staffed, and visitors are welcome during the holiday to spend time with family members or friends that are patients at MEH, SEARHC said.

Biathlon Tests

Skills on Sunday

The annual test of running speed and shooting accuracy in a biathlon is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, by Sitka Sportsman’s Association.

Participants are urged to use a pre-race safety clinic at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, to review biathlon rules, correct shooting positions, safety procedures, race strategy, and time for shooting practice. For those who miss out on Thursday, the mandatory safety clinic will be offered again 1 p.m. Sunday.

The 5,000-meter race course begins from the indoor shooting range at 5211 Halibut Point Road to the turn-around at Starrigavan bridge. Stops are made for shooting from prone and standing positions. 

The $15 entry fee covers use of the biathlon special .22 rim fire bolt action target rifle provided by the Sportsman’s Association along with all ammunition, hearing and eye protection, awards, and refreshments. Contests are planned for individuals age 14 or older, as well as teams of 4. Beginners are welcome.

Biathlon organizer Foy Nevers, 747-3469, may be contacted for more information.

Trick-or-Treat

Event Downtown

Downtown trick-or-treating is planned 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31.

Merchants will have baskets of ghoulish and ghostly treats for the children. Halloween costumes are encouraged for all.

Beards, Bonnets

Judged on Sunday

Men who sport facial hair are offered rewards at the Variety Show, 7 p.m. Sunday at Harrigan Centennial Hall, when beards are examined by judges from Sitka Emblem Club #142. No advance sign-up is required. 

Women’s hats and bonnets for Alaska Day will be judged by a team from Sitka Elks Lodge #1662. 

The Variety Show evening of entertainment is coordinated by Sharyn and John Ferrick. Tickets for $3 are sold at the door or in advance at the Alaska Day table in Centennial Hall daily 11 to 3 p.m.

Kaagwaantaan

Meet Oct. 15

Sitka Kaagwaataan will meet 3 p.m. Oct. 15, at Blatchley Middle School Room 114. Kaagwaantaans are invited for song practice and planning for the upcoming Coho memorial.

For more information call 738-4004.

Public Rotary

Rally Oct. 14

All are invited to join a public Rosary rally noon-2 p.m. Oct. 14 honoring the 100th anniversary of the Blessed Mother of Fatima.

The gathering will be at the intersection of Lake Street, Halibut Point road and Sawmill Creek road.

‘‘All ages are welcome and it is fine if you can only pray a short time,’’ organizers said.

New Archangel

Dancers Perform

Ending a season of shows for visitors, on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., New Archangel Dancers will stage their annual grand finale performance for Sitka at Centennial Hall. 

Traditional folk dances from Russia and the surrounding regions will include long-time community favorites as well as new routines and some revivals from the past.

Tickets at $5 for adults, $3 for children under 10, are sold at the door or in advance.  Proceeds benefit Alaska Day Festival which thanks the dancers for their dedicated service.

Linda Speerstra, 747-8316, coordinates for the New Archangel Dancers.

‘Explain Pain’

Session on Tap

The public can attend a free “Explain Pain” class 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Sitka Community Hospital classroom.

Bridget Hitchcock, PT, will teach the physiology of chronic pain and how to manage it. Research shows that understanding pain can help lessen one’s pain. For information, call 747-1771.

Open House Set

At Brave Heart

Brave Heart Volunteers will host its annual Alaska Day open house and fundraiser 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Pioneers Home Manager’s House.

All are invited to stop by after the parade for homemade chowder, bread and treats. Live music is planned.

Princeton Hall

Topic of Talk

Sitka Maritime Heritage Society will present ‘‘The Princeton Hall Story’’ 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Beak Restaurant, 2 Lincoln Street, 1A.

Built in 1941 at Sheldon Jackson College, the M/V Princeton Hall has had a long and colorful career at sea. 

All are invited to join vessel owner Kathy Rudy to learn about the history of the boat, and off their own story.

For more information email sitkamaritime@gmail.com.

Fish and Game

Advisory to Meet

The Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committee will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Sitka Sound Science Center, Karsh Classroom.

The Advisory Committee will discuss Board of Game statewide proposals and plan for meetings and discussions on Board of Fish proposals. Elections for open seats will be held. The seats that are coming up open are Resident Sport Fish, Trapping, Fish Processor, Shellfish, and an at-large seat. This meeting is open to the public.

New Archangel

Dancers Called

All past and present New Archangel Dancers, and their families and loved ones, are being sought to march in the Alaska Day parade.

‘‘We are looking for 150 participants for the Alaska Day parade to ring in the 150th Sesquicentennial celebration year,’’ organizers said. 

For more information contact Linda Speerstra @ 747-8316 or e-mail newarchangel@gci.net