Quidditch Tourney
Dear Editor: On behalf of Sitka Public Library, a hearty thank you is extended to all who participated and helped make the first annual Quidditch Tournament a success.
The program was part of the library Summer Reading Program, ”On Your Mark, Get Set, Read,” and gave all fans of the Harry Potter series an opportunity to celebrate the release of a new book, this time a play script with the title ‘‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.’’
I would like to thank all the volunteers who agreed once again to dive for Hogwarts clothes in their closets to become fantastic house leaders: the winning house, Gryffindor, had Shira Kahan as leader. The Sitka Hufflepuff house could never be the same without the pink hair of Ellen “Tonks” Chenoweth. Ravenclaw’s leader, Emily Kwong, took her house to second place and Slytherins fought hard with a very elegant house leader, Owen Fulton.
We had two very professional Quidditch referees who adjudicated the match without one single error. Marjean Ragsdale and Mike Matiatos proved that they belong to the best and bravest school of Quidditch referees. They had to deal with broom-tampering, and they were perfectly capable of watching the antics of 24 players.
Muggles Bernadette Rasmussen and Bella Laybourn were also a big help, getting all the equipment ready at any given time. And the audience behaved and cheered when needed, and kept silent when appropriate.
Thank you also to all the Sitka media who time after time help us to promote all of our library programs to bring more young people to the Library, and special thanks to my colleague Mike Matiatos, whose unbelievable creativity allowed the library to become Hogwarts one more time.
I am very thankful.
Maite Lorente Rial
Youth Services Librarian
Sitka Public Library
Sourdough Day
Dear Editor: Brave Heart celebrated Sourdough Day on July 30 with a fundraising event at the Pioneers Home. Sourdough pancakes with stories from local “sourdoughs” was an excellent combination. We have many to thank:
Sponsors: CHARR, Stan Filler; Christine Harrington; Candi Barger, Sitka Realty; First National Bank of Alaska.
Hal Spackman from the Sitka Historical Museum shared some local lore and was an excellent emcee.
John and Reber Stein flipped pancakes for all of us to enjoy while Steve Warren and musical friends entertained us. Many other community members and Americorps volunteers helped pull our event together.
Ann Stevenson provided most of the sourdough starter and mixed up the batter.
The sourdough bread makers were: Sadie Maher, Lorraine Lill, and Amy Kramer-Johnson. Max Cottrell contributed sourdough crackers. Sitka Sound Seafood provided a large tent.
Finally a huge thanks to Skye Workman, Pioneers Home activities director, and her staff for all their help setting up and coordinating our event.
If you missed it this year, look for it next summer! Thank you.
Brave Heart Volunteers
Board and Staff
