Wearable Arts Show
Dear Editor: The 8th annual Sitka Wearable Arts Show, now the Alaska Airlines Wearable Arts Runway Show, held for the first time at the Sitka Performing Arts Center is over. This is a thank you to all who were involved and your long hours and creative minds that made it fun and possible.
The families, I am sure, also deserve a big thank you. As always the Sitka audiences are as good as they get, your smiles, clapping, and general all around enthusiasm make the show really fun for all involved. You get a four star gold bond rating. The wearable art of course doesn’t happen by itself – there were 78 or so different artists and models that graced the runway, a huge bravo to all of them.
Thank you Pat Hughes for the construction of the ramp and the PAC for allowing it to be built. Our emcees this year, all librarians: Kari Sagel, Sarah Bell and Brooke Shaffer – never once had to shhh anyone and ran the program with just the right amount of humor and pacing – well done indeed. Peter Apathy put all the music together and ran the sound machine with great finesse. The lights that accompanied the models were marvelously run by Rachel Bratager and Charlie Morgan. Special thanks to J Bradley for his creative lighting and help in making this such a fun show. The front of house was very ably managed by John Stein, board president of the Greater Sitka Arts Council. Greta Healy, PAC house manager, provided the ushers: Noah Galarza, Neil Christy, Kathy Newman, Esther Kennedy and Lanis Beach. Others helping with the front of house chores included: Ted Howard, Cleo Brylinksy, Kalina Merkle, Michael Mausbach, Lisa Gilardi, Ana Kim, Jami Roberts, Karen Hegyi, Caitlin Lavorgna, Annika Ord. The reception was brought to the zenith by the ever-resourceful, ace baker and cookie monitor Bernadette Rasmussen, assisted by Maura Bresser and Leona Pfeiffer. Thank you Sarah Lawrie for putting the program together, and thanks to Matthew Lawrie for rescuing us with program transportation and Seaton at the Sentinel for last-minute printing.
The back of the house, behind the stage, was coordinated by co-producers Jeff Budd, Teal Gordon and Sarah Lawrie. Keeping the show running in a timely manner and searching out a possible “lost” model were the stage mangers Kristy Crews, Kammie Daniels, Joshua Houston, Jasmine Shaw, Hillary Seeland, Zoe Kitchel and Ana Kim. Carla Whiteside provided makeup for several of the models that was greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Linda Gao and Tina Li, production assistants.
We had terrific support publicizing this event from the Daily Sitka Sentinel, KIFW, Raven Radio, the Sitka Soup, Sitka Chamber of Commerce, Sitka Rotary Club, and Capital City Weekly in Juneau. Thank you to all the shops that allow us to put up our flyers as well. Thank you Old Harbor Books for selling tickets and their eighth year of sponsorship. The Sitka Public Library, Baranof Elementary School, Old Harbor Books, The Backdoor Cafe, and White’s Pharmacy allowed outfits from past years to be displayed in their windows, that is most appreciated.
Thank you to the Elks Club for the use of their raffle whirly gig. Thank you to our very generous sponsors: Alaska Airlines, Guardian Flight, Tongass Threads, SEARHC, Chocolate Moose, Sea Mart, ALPS, Dawson Construction, Cascade Creek Inn and Charters, City of Sitka, First Bank, Sitka Vision Clinic, Sitka Realty, True Value, White’s: Living Local, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield, First National Bank Alaska, Gouker Custom Construction, AC Lakeside, Alaska State Council on the Arts and NEA.
Next year’s theme is: ‘‘Nine Lives’’ – the ideas behind this are to think of lives you may have wanted to live or have lived in the past or to give a broader range of opportunities for wearable art pieces. For more information about the Greater Sitka Arts Council go to www.thinkartthinksitka.com
I am fairly certain someone(s) were left out, for that my sincere apologies.
Thank you.
Jeff Budd, Teal Gordon
and Sarah Lawrie, producers,
Sitka Wearable Arts Show
Mock Trial
Dear Editor: The Sitka High Mock Trial team wishes to thank everyone who contributed to our first- and fourth- place finishes at the state tournament on March 5. This year we traveled with two six-member teams, and eight of our students were first-time participants. We couldn’t have progressed so quickly without the continued support of this amazing community. Our students work very hard to write questions and review the case materials, and the hours of preparation were made easier knowing that so many people are behind them.
A huge thanks to Judge David George who adjudicated our final practice trial and provided sage advice for both witnesses and attorneys. And thanks to Christine Pate for assisting with everything from legal strategy to wardrobe. We also appreciate Teri Loree, Lindsey Jorgensen, Sondra Lundvick and Lyle Sparrowgrove for all their work to facilitate our travel and to manage student eligibility.
Finally, none of this would have been possible without the generous contributions from CHARR, the Sitka Rotary Club, and trial lawyers in both Sitka and Anchorage.
We are blessed to live in such a wonderful town.
Jude Pate and Howard Wayne, Sitka High Mock Trial Team
Crab Feed Thanks
Dear Editor: The BMS Jazz Band Valentine’s Day crab feed was a great success, thanks to so many. We appreciate the support we received from the following local businesses and organizations: Sea Mart Quality Foods, AC Lakeside, Pizza Express, McDonald’s, Kingfisher Charters and Sitka Summer Music Festival. We are also grateful to everyone who donated food for the meal, desserts for the auction, and those who so generously bid on the tasty treats.
The funds we raised helped the BMS Jazz Band members travel to Lafayette, California, where our Sitka students had many great experiences that served to broaden their minds both as musicians and people. Thanks to Sitka for being so generous with your support of our children.
Susan Brandt Ferguson for the
BMS Jazz Band Parents
Sitka Cleanup
Dear Editor: I want to express my gratitude to the Mt. Edgecumbe High School students, Spruce-Up Sitka, and whoever else stepped up for the March 18 cleanup. Sitka certainly looks sweeter because of your efforts.
Also thanks to the Sentinel for their recognition in the March 31 edition.
John Murray, Sitka
