Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 30, 2022, Community Happenings

Adults Can Try

Master Swimming

Baranof Barracudas Swim Club is offering local adults the opportunity to try masters swimming for one week for free as part of U.S. Masters Swimming’s Try Masters Swimming initiative July 1-31.

Adults can join BBSC Masters for its practices 6-7 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Blatchley pool. BBSC is Sitka’s premiere swim club offering swim instruction and workout groups for all ages. USMS is a nonprofit national governing body that promotes the health, fitness, and social benefits of swimming to all adults, regardless of their ability level or age. 

Contact Coach Kevin Knox for more information about Try Masters Swimming at bbsc.sitka@gmail.com or at https://www.teamunify.com/team/asbbsc/page/masters-swimming.

Gavan-Harbor

Trail Hike Set

Sitka Trail Works is coordinating a hike on the Gavan-Harbor trail 9 a.m. Saturday, July 2. Hikers will meet by the Sitka High School entrance to the Cross Trail.

The hike is a strenuous six miles and depending on the speed of participants may take about six hours, hike organizers said. Expect extensive stairs, roots, rocks, and log or rock steps, which can be very slippery when wet. 

Sitka Trail Works will not be directly coordinating car drop-off or carpooling. Hikers can check the Trail Works Facebook events page for more information.

Kids Races Set

For 4th of July

The annual Fourth of July Kids Races will take place after the parade, at Totem Square.

Activities for ages from crawlers  through 11 and older are planned. All are invited to come take part in gunny sack, three-legged, wheelbarrow and other relays. Prizes will be awarded to all participants.

The event is sponsored by the Sitka Historical Society. 

Washington Volunteer

At Sitka Lutheran

Aloha Hart, from Coupville, Washington, is one of the June volunteers at Sitka Lutheran Church.   

Hart is returning for a second stint at volunteering here.

‘‘She brings energy, a winning smile and a vibrant faith to this volunteer project,’’ a church member said.

 Over her 35 year career as an health care administrator she worked with patients in a community mental health center, a pediatric office and substance abuse hospital. As a retiree, she continues to volunteer for a local library, a food bank, and her home congregation.  

Hart has been worshipping with Sitka Lutheran Church through the Zoom connection throughout the pandemic.  

Here in Sitka, she will run the popcorn machine, greet visitors and preach the Gospel.   

Regular Sunday morning worship services are held at 10:30 a.m.   

For information call the church office at 747-3338 or visit the church’s web site at:  http://www.sitkalutheranchurch.org/ or e-mail the office at slc.admin@acsalaska.net.  

T’ai Chi Chih

Offered Saturday

T’ai Chi Chih Practice will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2, behind the Sitka Public Library.

Cyclists Reminded

To Be Courteous

The Sitka Cycling Club is reminding cyclists to keep speeds down and be courteous to walkers and other people on the Sitka’s multi-use paths, such as the Sawmill Creek Pathway that goes from Jeff Davis Street to Silver Bay.

Multi-use paths are designed for walkers, joggers, skaters and cyclists who are traveling in either direction, under 10 miles per hour while yielding to people who are moving slowly, on foot, in a wheelchair, or with a stroller.

‘‘Bicyclists who are going over 10 miles and don’t want to slow down, give a verbal cue, and slowly maneuver around a walker, are best suited for biking on the right side of the road shoulder instead of the multi-use path,’’ the organization said.  

Forest Users Asked to Help

In Cutting Down Fire Risk

The USDA Forest Service is offering tips to decrease wildfire risk during the summer’s warmer weather.

–Always keep a close eye on campfires. Be sure campfires are on a soil or rock surface and not on muskeg. Keep campfires from turning into wildfires:

–In remote areas, find a place clear of nearby fuels such as overhanging branches, dry grass, or leaves.

–In developed areas, campfires should always be built in an established fire pit or within a metal or rock-ring.

–Drown all embers with a lot of water. When ready to leave, stir the coals and then drown them again. Repeat until the fire is DEAD out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

–Consider alternatives to a campfire, such as a portable camp stove.

–Homeowners can prevent fires and protect property by reducing brush, debris, and other flammable materials around their home and other structures.

–Create a buffer between structures and vegetation to help slow or stop wildfire and may provide a space for firefighters to defend structures.

–If smoking, collect butts and ashes in a non-flammable container.

–Make sure all off-road vehicles have a properly functioning catalytic converter or approved spark arrester.

–If burning piles at home, be sure to choose an area that is clear of combustible materials and a good distance from nearby trees to prevent fire from spreading and always keep an eye on the fire.

–Keep track of fires nearby in case evacuation is needed. View active wildland fires on the  Alaska Wildland Fire Information website.

For more information go to www.fs.usda.gov/r10.

‘50ish’ SHS Class

Reunion Activities

Slated for Weekend

The50ish reunion classes of the 1970s have a reunion planned for the weekend.

The group will tour Sitka High School at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 1. Meet at the main entrance – which was the back entrance in the 1970s – by 6 p.m.

On Saturday, July 2, a potluck dinner is planned with the venue to be determined.

A beach picnic at 3201 Halibut Point Road will be 1-9 p.m. Sunday, July 3. Attendees should take their favorite food and drinks. Restroom facilities and access to a kitchen will be available.

On July 4, decorating of the float begins 10 a.m. at 2713 Halibut Point Road. Take any patriotic decorations  that are available to help decorate the float. Parade line up starts at noon in front of State Farm Insurance on Lake Street.

Class members and families are needed to ride the float and toss goodies. Contact Valorie (Sturm) Nelson at 907-747-4589 with questions.