Thanks to Rotary
Dear Editor: The Sitka Babies and Books Committee would like to thank the Sitka Rotary Club for once again generously contributing to our organization. Sitka Babies and Books serves to encourage the children of Sitka to become lifelong readers by providing books, education, and support to children and their parents in the first three years of life; without the continued financial support of the Rotary Club and others like them, we would be unable to fulfill our mission.
Once again, we would like to earnestly thank the Sitka Rotary Club for their consistent support!
Sitka Babies and Books
Committee Members
Herring Hop
Dear Editor: The annual Herring Hop fundraiser for the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society was a huge success all around, thanks to all those who made it so, that we would like to express our sincere appreciation for helping us raise funds for the historic preservation of the former USCG lighthouse and 214 acres of Lighthouse Reserve on S. Kuiu Island, where this summer’s work party will begin the window restoration project with major support from the Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Fund, one of four grants awarded statewide last fall. Since 1997, CDLS has accomplished many historic preservation projects, and has been working toward making the lighthouse available to the public. With the continued help of our donors and supporters, this rather large undertaking continues to make headway, and we are thankful.
It is with gladness that we would like to thank and acknowledge the following people, businesses and partners: Craig Shoemaker and Seafood Producers Cooperative, the rockfish rocked, and Dave Newman for dock watch; Scott Saline, Sea Daddy, on Katlian for taking charge of the galley, and making the best fish ’n’ chips on the outer coast of Southeast Alaska, gluten-free this year; Sean Cavlan for prepping and cooking the fries; Mike Mayo for kitchen help, and Summer Mayo for food prep, and filling in; Phyllis Mulligan for just plain knowing what to do, and doing it; and Amy McGraw for cole slaw prep, and serving; Shylee McGraw, and friends Dylan and McKayla, for set-up, and peeling carrots; Bjorn McGraw for assisting Scotty in the fish prep; Ray Nielsen for the herring eggs; Brandon Marx dessert auction emcee, and for galley assist where needed; the Brothers and Sisters of the ANB and ANS for the ambient hospitality of the ANB Founders Hall; Billy Grant at North Pacific and Sitka Sound Seafoods for the really yummy smoked salmon bellies, enough for all, and the gorgeous yellow eye, and SSS Steve Buss for bringing the trayco of ice; for the light show, sound system, and Cape Decision slideshow to John and Sharyn Ferrick, thanks again; the kindness and really rocking tunes of Joe Montagna, Jen, Colin, Bob, Peter, Slack Tide packed the dance floor, ‘‘Close your eyes, and I’ll kiss you’’; Jane Lando and Don Reed for shielding the dessert table from dancing children, serving and clean up; Sitka Elks Lodge, Jon Shennett, Lloyd, Austin, Kenny, for use of the kitchen to prep, and the french fry cutter; Suzan Hess and Richard Armstrong of Baranof Island Brewing Company for the root beer kegs; Robin and Aleah Shull for making the root beer floats; Alaska Pure Sea Salt, Jim and Darcy Michener, for the variety of local sea salts that graced the table; ticket takers Mary Todd Andersen and Sheila Finkenbinder; Charles Bingham for the photo shoot; Pete Krovina; Brandon and Jamey Marx, Mayo family, Nora Stewart, Dick Dapcevich, and Greta Eliason and Megan Pasternak, who both way exceeded dessert donations expectation, for sweetening the evening with lemon tarts, rum and carrot cakes, deep dark Rocky Road, Dutch apple, peanut butter, Dick’s cherry, coconut custard, chocolate peanut-butter, and French silk chocolate, yes, all pies; and to all those who bid, and contributed. Elizabeth Faulkner, Friendship Beading Co. chrysophix fish bracelet ‘‘prosperity’’; to all the little dancing children who livened up the event, and to all who came to the Herring Hop, we were stunned at the turnout serving over 175 fish and chips baskets to support the historic preservation work on S. Kuiu, a very special appreciation. All said, and done, it was rather fun!
Many heartfelt thanks to our local donors in Sitka who annually contribute to the Hop: Bob Burnett, AC Lakeside for the spuds and cabbages, and long-standing supporter Roger Hames of the Hames Corporation Sea Mart Quality Foods for the gift certificates, donating to the upcoming summer work party, as well. Editors Thad and Sandy Poulson of the Daily Sitka Sentinel for the amazing coverage from start to finish, Shannon Haugland for the weekender that went Associated Press to San Francisco, Ken Fate hosting us on Raven Radio, and getting the word out to the fleet; KIFW Problem Corner; to Jessica Gill for the herring eggs and including us in the Herring Fest, and to board member Elizabeth Figus, for coming down from Juneau, and taking up the slack.
This letter of thanks is not complete without a special thanks to Michael and Winsome McIntosh of the McIntosh Foundation for their unwavering financial support since the beginning of this adventure. Beginning May 1, we will have 22 tickets on sale at Old Harbor Books for the upcoming dinner cruise fundraiser onboard the Boat Company’s M/V Mist Cove happening the evening of May 15.
A sincere thanks to all.
Mike Mayo, Elizabeth Figus,
Dick Dapcevich, Chris Brooks,
Sean Cavlan, Brandon Marx,
Andrew Washburn, Karen Lucas,
CDLS Board of Directors
Public School Funding
Dear Editor: On Friday, April 3, the Alaska State Senate passed an operating budget proposal that cut an additional $47.5 million from public school funding. This brings the total proposed statewide school cuts to an unprecedented $79.7 million. The magnitude of this decision would affect extracurricular activities including athletics, arts programs, language programs, facilities like public pools, performance centers, and more. It will impact the students and the workforce – draconian measures such as these would result in more kids per classroom and insufficient teachers to lead them.
Funding public education is not optional. Legislative decisions like these send the message to parents, educators, and particularly students that they aren’t a priority. If educators are told their jobs don’t matter, why would they keep trying to inspire and engage our kids? If students are told their education doesn’t matter, why would they be motivated to be an active citizen? Contact your legislators and urge them to restore funding promised in last year’s three-year school plan.
This is our last chance to change the outcome of this legislative session. Remind your legislators that all of their platforms are built on the premise that Alaskans deserve access to a quality, world-class education system. Urge legislators to keep their promise, and make this process transparent—solidarity demands that they listen and hear what other people are saying. Education is the only constitutional mandated state responsibility, and we demand that they uphold it.
Margaret Garrison, Sitka
