Alaskan Cruise
Dear Editor: I forced four of my friends to take the Alaskan cruise that stopped in Sitka to celebrate my 50th birthday because of the Gregory Peck movie, ‘‘The World in His Arms.’’ And although it wasn’t quite like the movie, I have to say it was a very special stop.
We took the ‘‘historical Sitka’’ excursion, which took us to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, the New Archangel Dancers, the park with all the totems, and St. Michael’s.
I really appreciated learning about the Native American and Russian history of Sitka, and that there were artists in residence at the park and I got to talk to them and see their process. The dancers all looked like they were having a great time, and I enjoyed their program immensely.
But this I didn’t expect – I was very affected by St. Michael’s. I’m a lapsed Catholic and don’t do much believing. And compared to Catholic churches I’ve attended, St. Michael’s is very small. But Brother Nicholas introduced himself, it turned out he knew Berkeley, Calif., my hometown. We chatted for a bit and he made me feel welcome, and I was able to look around with a different attitude, and feel something religious, even sacred there. And I lit a candle for two friends whose partners had passed two months and a month before the cruise and even now I can’t think about them without sadness, and I prayed. I can’t say I’ve over-prayed while playing tourist, but it felt right.
So, I was very charmed by Sitka, but I want to thank the town for making St. Michael’s so open and accessible. It meant a lot.
Terry Rillero,
Berkeley, Calif.
Thanks, Rotary Club
Dear Editor: Sitka, for over 20 years, has enjoyed and benefited from the efforts of dozens of young people who come and work as Jesuit Volunteers. Brave Heart Volunteers is but one of many organizations that has accomplished goals that would have been next to impossible to complete without their dedication.
The Sitka Rotary Club has committed to helping us fund a Jesuit Volunteer for the past two years through their community grant program. This past year, JV Shoshauna Schmidt was the storytelling assistant at the Pioneers Home, Heart Beats e-communication writer, birthday and “thank you” card creator, event food and volunteer coordinator, and was an extended care volunteer through the Companion Giving Pilot Program.
We are thrilled Shoshauna will remain in Sitka and become a full-time staff member at BHV.
Next month, five new JVs will arrive in Sitka to start their intentional year of service. The JVs will serve at various organizations throughout town focused on social and ecological justice. BHV will be welcoming Taylor Ciambra, a recent graduate in theater arts from Keene State College who will serve as our community outreach coordinator.
Thank you, Sitka Rotary Club, for your continued support.
Krisanne Rice, Office Manager,
Brave Heart Volunteers
