Updates
Dear Editor: Here is a quick update on Bill Davis and on Paths Across the Pacific:
Finally, the day for Bill’s return to Sitka is set: August 26. His good cheer, his will to get mobile, good professional care and prayers certainly aided his remarkable recovery. Beware of wild wheelchair on Lincoln Street.
One of the themes of Paths Across the Pacific 9 conference next week got a tremendous surprise boost on Aug. 10: The distinguished journal ‘‘Nature’’ published an article that proposed a coastal route to the Americas! About time! Cheers to Sitka!
Nancy Yaw Davis, Sitka
Youth Roller Derby
Dear Editor: This past weekend I witnessed young people, many of whom have never played a team sport before, participate in contact roller derby. They dug deep. They got tough. They gave out smiles, high fives, and a hand up to each other. They challenged themselves. And if they fell down seven times, they stood up eight.
They confronted their fears. They pushed their boundaries. They surprised themselves. They felt proud of themselves. They accomplished something they never imagined they could do when practices started in June. They learned, grew, and spread wings they didn’t even know they had.
I am humbled by the support from Community Schools and the Sitka Sound Slayers that made this sports program a reality. Matthew Turner has been more than accommodating, he went way above and beyond to ensure the success of Youth Roller Derby. Community Schools has been the perfect partner in this endeavor. The Sitka Sound Slayers’ board of directors entrusted myself and the team of coaches with the responsibility of creating an epic program, and for that I am so grateful. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you! Viva la derby revolucion!
Courtney MacArthur,
Aka Coach Bev O’lution,
Community Schools
Youth Roller Derby Head Coach,
Sitka Sound Slayers
Youth Roller Derby
Committee Chair
Half Marathon Thanks
Dear Editor: Last Saturday marked the Sitka Cross Trail Classic Half Marathon. A heartfelt thank you goes to the following people who gave up their Saturday morning (and more) to help make this a successful event:
Todd White, Murray Lawson, Emily and Ray Howard, Brian and Julie Beall, Christine Davenport of xtinepix.com, Fire Chief Dave Miller, Denise Turley, Don Kluting, Sara Peterson, Kim Sparks, Tammy Perensovich, Paige and Riley Bernhardt, Lucas Bayne, Abel and Esther Diaz, Valerie Ozawa, Krista Perala, Mike Vieira, Greg and Helen Raschick, Samantha Krause, Susea Albee, Corrie Bosman, Jeremy Downie, Jaye Forst, Chris Horan, Patti Macpike, Pam Petro, Penny Brown, Pam Samuelson, Melissa Dinsmore, Karen Johnson and Amy Johnson, Mankies Hankies, Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka Fire Department, Sitka Soup and Daily Sitka Sentinel.
It wouldn’t have been possible to pull this off without the help of all of you. Thank you all.
Julie White, Race Director
Sitka Cross Trail Classic
Half Marathon
