September 11, 2024, Community Happenings
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- Created on Wednesday, 11 September 2024 12:54
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Candlelight Vigil
For Ethan McGill
Classmates, teachers, friends and family are invited to a candlelight vigil to remember Ethan McGill 7-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Moller Field.
Ethan’s birthday is Sept. 16 and he will be remembered fondly for caring deeply for his family and friends and his creative spirit.
Conference On
Native Culture
Begins on Wed.
The Sharing Our Knowledge Conference will be Sept. 11-15 on the SJ Campus.
Registration is open and can be completed online or at the door. Cost is $100 for adults, and $50 for students and those over 65. All are invited to attend.
This yearʼs theme is “For Our Grandchildren’s Wisdom.”
Sharing Our Knowledge is a biannual conference, founded in 1993, that celebrates the cultures and languages of Southeast Alaska and of neighboring Canadian First Nations. Presentation topics will include language revitalization, Indigenous history, traditional arts, tribal school compacting, and a celebration of the history of Indigenous education in Sitka.
Daily activities include morning plenary sessions, and concurrent workshops and presentations. Evening events will include dance, films, and a Native Youth Olympics demonstration. A Chilkat weaving demonstration and opportunities for hands-on crafting projects are planned. Special sessions will honor the history of the Sitka Native Education Program. A Warming of the Hands welcome will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11. For information and to register, go to https://www.sharingourknowledge.org.
Mayor Candidate
Forum Friday
A mayoral candidate forum will be held noon Friday at Westmark Sitka banquet room. The two candidates are incumbent Steven Eisenbeisz and Leah Mason.
The event is sponsored by the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce and is open to the public.
The public can meet the mayoral candidates, hear their views, and ask questions. Candidates will answer pre-written questions about business topics and take questions from the audience.
USCG Auxiliary
Meeting Sept. 14
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, America’s volunteer lifesavers, will meet 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the office on the pier.
For information call 907 738-8891.
Health Summit
Goodbye Party
Set for Sept. 19
A ‘‘goodbye party’’ for Sitka Health Summit is planned 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at UAS-Sitka Campus Room 229.
‘‘Join us to celebrate 17 years of the Sitka Health Summit Coalition, 30 transformational community wellness goals, and all of you who have worked to improve health in Sitka,’’ a news release from the coalition said.
A meal will be served.
Community-led wellness initiatives and events will be celebrated as the coalition distributes more than $10,000 in awards to the 2024 prize recipients.
‘Cruise Boom’
Film to Show
On PBS, KTOO
‘‘Cruise Boom,’’ a locally produced documentary, will premiere nationally on PBS Sept. 14.
The 55-minute film will be available on PBS.org, the PBS app and on stations across the country.
‘‘Cruise Boom’’ will broadcast throughout Alaska on KTOO 360 TV 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, and 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
An Artchange Inc. production created by Ellen Frankenstein and Atman Mehta, the film chronicles the community over a course of a year, preparing for the boom and the impacts and opportunities that come with it.
For more information and broadcast times go to www.cruiseboomfilm.com
Organ Concert
Slated Thursday
An evening of organ music, with selections from contemporary composers and French Romantic and German Baroque works, will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 105 Shotgun Alley.
Organists are Riley Palmer and Elisabeth Palmer.
Pool League
Meeting Set
Greater Sitka Pool League 8-ball captain and team representatives will meet 7 p.m. tonight at the Sitka Moose Lodge.
The pre-season 8-ball pool tournament will be Sept. 15-23; 8-ball pool league begins Sept. 24; and the Neil Huff pool tournament is slated Oct. 9-13.
‘Strike a Chord’
Quilt Class Set
Ocean Wave Quilters is hosting a class taught by former Sitkan Barbara (Pankey) Dahl 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28 and 30 at the United Methodist Church.
Cost of class is $90 for guild members and $100 for non-members. The quilt class requires the pattern “Strike a Chord,’’ which can be purchased as an online download.
Call Ruth at 907 738-1627 to sign up or for further information.
Sacred Harp Sing
Scheduled Sept. 22
All are invited to learn to sing four-part a capella harmony in the Sacred Harp (shape note) tradition 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Pioneers Home chapel.
Beginners and listeners are welcome. Singing is from the red Denson book, and loaner books are available. For information call Sara at 907 747-2915.
BHV Buoys, Chairs
Event Rescheduled
Because of Sitka’s Internet disruption, the Brave Heart Volunteers Buoy and Chair online auction has been moved to Sept. 18-25.
The buoys and chairs will be on exhibit at Island Artist Gallery during the auction. An after-hours event is set 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. It will include live music and light refreshments as well as the opportunity to view the art.
To see all the bouys and chairs, plus a link to the auction, visit braveheartvolunteers.org.
BHV End-of-Life
Training Scheduled
Brave Heart Volunteers will offer its annual end-of-life training 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12 and 1-4 p.m. Oct. 13.
EOL volunteers sit at the bedsides of those who are nearing the end of life, and they provide respite for caregivers.
Medical assistance is not given. Volunteers provide a compassionate presence while holding a hand, reading aloud, giving words of comfort, or keeping vigil so caregivers can rest.
To register for this free training, email
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or call 907 747-4600.
School Board
Meets Sept. 12
Sitka School Board will hold a special meeting 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the district office board room.
The board will interview and appoint a new board member. Also to be discussed is the Tremco Blatchley roof assessment.
The board will then meet in executive session for an attorney-client discussion.
Assembly Candidate
Meet and Greet Set
A meet-and-greet with Assembly candidate Robert Hattle will be held 5-7 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Mean Queen.
For more information call 907 738-2230.
Alaska Pioneers
To Meet Sept. 19
Due to local communication challenges, illnesses, and a change of venue, the next meeting of the Pioneers of Alaska has been postponed until 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Salvation Army.
Those attending are asked to take a side dish. The theme will be ‘‘Autumn.’’
CPR, First Aid
Class Sept. 21
A CPR, AED and first aid class is planned 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Sitka Fire Department.
Sign up is at the fire hall. The cost is $125. For more information, contact instructor Lolly Dahl at 907 738-2214.
BHV Training
Set for Oct. 5
Brave Heart Volunteers will hold a training 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
It is for new visiting volunteers, for those who want to provide companionship for elderly or homebound care receivers.
It will provide social and emotional support through activities such as sharing stories, playing cards or crafting.
Those who signed up to volunteer with BHV and had not taken the free training, or want a refresher, are also invited to sign up.
Call 907 747-4500 or email
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to register.
Wildlife Cruise
Slated Sept. 22
Sitka Rotary Club and Allen Marine will host their seventh annual three-hour wildlife cruise 12:30 p.m. Sept. 22 from Crescent Harbor.
Ticket prices are: under 5 years, free with an adult; ages 5 to 18, $35 each; and 18 and older, $55 each.
Seating is limited. Call 907 738 2014 for tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at Old Harbor Books.
The event is sponsored by Allen Marine Tours, supporting Southeast Alaska Through Tourism.
Indigenous Peoples’
Day Planning Set
Individuals or groups wanting to be involved in Sitka’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024 planning or participation are invited to attend planning sessions, held 3 p.m. every Thursday at UAS-Sitka Campus, room 106 or 230, and online via Zoom.
Those wanting to be included in the email group and get meeting notices and minutes can email Christine Galiza at
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. Planning meeting dates are Aug. 15, 22, 29; Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26; and Oct. 3.
Planning help is needed in the areas of food preparation and planning, performances, breakout sessions, keynote presentation, youth and family activities, and merchandise selection.
For more information, contact Martina at
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.
Senior Exercise
Classes to Run
City Parks and Recreation will again sponsor Strong and Steady exercise classes at the Swan Lake Senior Center.
Classes will run 1:30-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 22. The free class is focused on reducing falls by building strength and maintaining range of motion. Portions of the class may be performed while seated.
An additional senior strength class will immediately follow, from 2 to 3 p.m. both days of the week.
Classes will be taught by Dorothy Orbison.
For information, contact Sitka Parks and Recreation by emailing
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or by calling 907 747-4031.
F&G Accepting Photos For
Sport Fishing Book Lovers
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish is accepting photo submissions for the 2025 Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Cover Photo Contest.
ADF&G publishes four separate sport fishing regulation summary books each year for the Northern, Southcentral, Southeast, and Southwest regions. Each regional book features a cover with photos submitted by the public of their kids, families, or friends. The submission deadline for photo entries with a completed and signed media consent release form is 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
A maximum of three photos may be entered. The photos must have been taken in Alaska in the past year or two. Photos submitted without a media consent release form will not be accepted. The media consent release form must be signed by the parent or guardian of children under 18 years of age.
Photos that show evidence of fish and game violations, unethical, or unsafe actions or advertisement will not be considered – this includes youths in a boat without life vests.
The email should include the anglers’ first and last name, age, species of fish, and the name of the waterbody where the fish was caught. Include as attachments the signed media release form and up to three photos.
For more information in Southeast Alaska contact Carly Lemieux,
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20 YEARS AGO
October 2004
The Sitka High School baseball, softball, football and football cheerleading programs got a boost Tuesday when the School Board unanimously approved $17,000 in coaching stipends for the sports. The programs, which were started by community members and hadn’t received district funding before, will remain responsible for paying their own travel expenses.
50 YEARS AGO
October 1974
Photo caption: Howard Fitzgerald collects his trophy and cash prize from Sitka Chamber of Commerce President Gordon Harang, several days after the Sept. 8 demolition derby held at Granite Creek gravel pit. Fitzgerald, sponsored by A&T Enterprises, eliminated six other autos in the final championship jousting. Tex Armer, also of A&T, was second and Bud Niesen was third.