LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 22, 2018, Community Happenings

Oddities Entertaining

‘‘Atlas Obscura,’’ by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton. Copyright 2016 Workman Publishing Co., Ince. ISBN: 978-0-7611-6908-6.

‘‘Atlas Obscura’’ is a book that explores oddities of every region of the world: Weird Encounters in Alaska, the International Banana Art Museum at the Salton Sea, the alligator man in Florida, the huge ball of twine in Missouri, the glowworm caves of New Zealand, and the calf with two heads in Texas.

‘‘Atlas Obscura’’ must weigh five pounds, is an ambitious 470 pages, and in these pages it catalogs strange and mysterious phenomena from all over the world in text and vibrant photos. It includes 141 countries, all 50 United States, and 13 Canadian provinces, with about 1,600 entries in total. The book has a Special Index with 53 different categories.

Among its categories, the authors seem to favor Crypts and Cemeteries with 48 entries; Macabre Museums with 56 entries; Nautical and Underwater Wonders with 80 entries; Strange Architecture with 91 entries; Strange Flora and Fauna with 60 entries; and 115 Unusual Collections. I will be honest – I did not read every entry, but I read at least one entry on every page. This was a monumental chore by any book review standard – maybe I ought to be in the book? 

Here are some examples: England has Stonehenge, Nebraska has Carhenge. There is the International Cryptozoology Museum in Maine (shout out to Ryan Kauffman); Africa has the world’s largest Coca-Cola logo with 60,000 empty bottles which comprise a 30-year-old ad seen only from the air. Temples, Churches, and Monasteries with 57 but no mention of the Potala in Tibet or of Tibet. Alaska mentions: Spirit Houses in Eklutna, Muktuk Land in Tok, and the Adak National Forest which is 275 square miles with 33 pines trees all huddled shivering together. There are several others but in the interest of space you will have to look them up. I was surprised Sitka wasn’t mentioned – especially with the DeGroff Street repair of 100 yards taking three to five years and counting. You can find this book at your favorite local bookstore.

–JB

 

 

Swagel Event

Planned July 2

The public is invited to “Will’s After Party” on Monday, July 2, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter, in honor of Will Swagel, who died April 1.

There will be some main course dishes supplied by the family, but people are also welcome to bring dishes, especially appetizers, and beverages. “A baseball and a glove or two would not go amiss, either,” said his wife, Suzanne Portello.

 

STA to Offer

Financial Assist

Sitka Tribe of Alaska Social Services provides financial assistance programs to those who qualify.

General assistance and emergency assistance help to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and utilities are offered. Child care assistance is also available as a secondary resource to cover licensed child care costs.

Direct employment assistance is available to help cover costs associated with securing or keeping employment. Contact Blossom Twitchell, general assistance caseworker, at 747-7245 or stop by 110 American Street for more information or applications.  

 

Awards Banquet

For Little League

The Sitka Little League awards banquet will be 5 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at the Sitka Elks Lodge. The banquet is sponsored by Sitka Emblem Club.

The burger bar will be $16 and the hot dog bar, $8. A dessert auction, team awards and all-Star announcements are planned.

To-go orders are welcome.

All events held at the Elks Lodge are for members and invited guests.

 

Pallets Free

Those wanting free pallets can take them from the Sitka Community Playground site. For information, contact Bridget at 738-5515.

 

Life Celebration

For Scott Brill

The family of Scott Brill who passed away Dec. 25, 2017, invites all who knew him to a Celebration of Life 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the family’s home, 130 Patterson Way.

Food, live music, a bonfire and stories will be shared. The family said to feel free to carpool and take a dish to share as well as a favorite beverage.

 

Event Saturday

For Children

A Super Kids Saturday event is planned 1-3:30 p.m. June 23 at “the clubhouse,” behind the leasing office at Sawmill Creek Apartments, 103 Burkhart Street.

Games, balloon sculptures, Bible stories and refreshments are planned. Parents and children of all ages are invited. Call Brianna Clark, Child Evangelism Fellowship, at 738-7258 for more information.

 

Harp Sing Set

The fourth Sunday Sitka Sacred Harp Sing is set 3:30-5 p.m. June 24 at the Pioneers Home Chapel. Beginners and listeners welcome. Call 738-2089 with questions.

 

Brass Students

To Take Stage

Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s new Alaska brass workshop students will perform a lunchtime concert 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Odess Theater.

The performance is free and open to the public and will feature top brass students from around Alaska.

Students will perform a final concert 3 p.m. Friday, June 29, at 3pm in the Odess Theater. 

 

Health Networking

Luncheon June 28

The Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een Health Networking and Learning meeting will be 2:30-4 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the first floor conference room at SEARHC’s Community Health Services Building.

The purpose of the gathering is to spark partnerships and foster cross sector collaboration, learning, and networking to improve well-being in Sitka. For information contact Sitka Community Hospital’s Doug Osborne at 747-0373 or SEARHC’s Holly Marban at 966-8938.

 

 

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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