AmeriCorps Service
Dear Editor: My name is Alden Lee and I have served with the Sitka AmeriCorps Program at Sitka Counseling from 2022-2023. During my time with Sitka Counseling’s Family Center, I have worked with children spanning from ages 4-14 to help them in their journey to overcome trauma, build resiliency, and cultivate and maintain healthy social behaviors.
I moved to Sitka, Alaska, having no idea what was in store for myself. My willful ignorance ranged from a lack of knowledge about the Tongass and what it meant to live in the sprawling, endless sea of green, gray, and blue that Sitka lies within. The realities of a small town on the coast of Southeast Alaska. A town where the fish dictate the changes of season for those within and outside that industry.
I did not know of the excitement of the herring season. I know now that it means that you may see humpbacks on your Thursday grocery run, or better yet, that they are the harbingers of spring after a long winter. I did not know that in the wintertime the snow would be the fluffiest, lightest snow I have ever seen in my entire life. I knew not of the gentle blanket it sets upon the entire town on occasion. I had heard of the bears of Baranof and did not know the excitement and awe of finding one on a foolish walk to Medvejie Lake at dusk in the fall. I had no idea of how it feels for a sunny summer day in Sitka to be a demanding and gorgeous hike to the top of a mountain and end with a bonfire overlooking a deep blue ocean.
I spent almost the entirety of my life up until this point within the south. I grew up right on the edge of country and urban sprawl in a county just south of Atlanta, Georgia. An entirely different place with entirely different types of people and an entirely different environment.
Coming from the south I wanted to go to a place that I had such ignorance about and gave me the excitement of practically a different country. As I look back and try to make sense of my experience within Sitka, I think of some of the ruminations I had throughout my year. I reflect on Sitka being a land of extremes. A land of something authentic, honest, and requiring commitment. I believe that these things elsewhere may have lost the sort of conviction that Sitka possesses in the unending sprawl of strip malls and red lights. Maybe it was buried underneath the concrete.
I found in Sitka this honesty, authenticity, and commitment. If you are to survive living in Sitka you must be honest with yourself and with your interactions within your setting. If you want to be social, you better make friends and better take care of them as this is a small town. If you want to hike, you better be prepared for big hikes as you live at the foot of mountains. If you want to know yourself better, good because the winter gives you plenty of time for reflection. These experiences are ones that are not only offered by Sitka but almost required. You must commit to your life here in Sitka and you will most likely find reverence for the experience in one way or another.
As I continue down unknown journeys in life, I will hold on to that honesty and reverence I found in Sitka. I will remember to carry that in whatever shape or form I can into the next experience, the next place. Though the environment may not be as stark, beautiful, and extreme, I will remember the ideals that come from such a place.
I will try not to inherit the malaise that is so easily found in urban sprawl. The potential confusion and dissonance of the never-ending signals and stimuli found within our cities that beckon us to go in all ways all at once. Those things may make you want to hole up in only what you know and what is safe.
I am so grateful to have these teachings that are found living at the feet of wild mountains to one side and nothing but sea and horizon on the other. I will remember the feeling of realizing how within something so extreme, there is new growth, new forms of nurturement, and new discoveries waiting for you.
Alden Lee, AmeriCorps Volunteer
Hearty Thanks
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Sitka Cancer Survivor’s Society we would like to give a BIG thanks to A/C Lakeside for the barbecue fundraiser they held for us on Saturday, Aug. 19.
Also a big thanks to Northern Sales, and the Cola Cola Company, who helped make this all possible.
The total raised was $2,656, plus additional donations. The weather cooperated and we had a really good turnout, making this a huge success. We are all so thankful to Vince and the “Burnt Ends” crew who donated their time to host this amazing event.
On the menu was hamburgers, with the option of a double burger, cheese, bacon, roasted Hatch chilies plus the “works” for condiments, and chips plus a drink. Also available were hot dog plates. The customers gave rave reviews, some saying the “best burgers” ever!
The SCSS board and some Sitka Emblem Club members were on hand to help serve and volunteered where needed. We were also able to sell our raffle tickets for the drawing for three separate prizes that will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Elks Lodge. We appreciated all who came and supported us. With these funds we are able to give mini-grants to those individuals who are dealing with cancer here in Sitka. We are always happy to accept donations at any time.
Thanks, again, all!
SCSS Board members
Carolyn Fredrickson,
President/Publicity;
Candi Barger, VP/Grants;
Patti MacPike, Treasurer;
Jill Scheidt, Secretary/Facebook;
Bonnie Richards, Quilt Sales;
Shannon Callahan,
Guardian Path Of Hope;
Gail Roderick,
Guardian Path Of Hope;
Pam Samuelson, Communications
SEARHC Home Health
Dear Editor: My concern, and I hope it is that of many others, is that it is neither possible nor probable for the medical directors of SEARHC to think that they could provide the same level of care to our community after closing the Home Health program.
The explanation given for this closure seems to be related to the implementation of required federal regulations resulting in an increase of time, and administrative effort to comply.
All departments within the City of Sitka are constantly and continually dealing with current and new federal and state regulations. These regulations often require more paperwork and administrative time and procedural changes in order to meet the new standards. I don’t believe I have ever heard our city administrator announce that the wastewater treatment plant would be shutting down due to new time-consuming regulations.
The desire of a person or family to honor the wish of a loved one who wants to remain at home should have the support of our medical community. Home Health has always provided medical care and evaluation as well as partnering with numerous community support groups to give compassionate, professional in-home care to all members of our community. They have always supported the patients’ right to make the choice to be at home surrounded by all the people and comforts that only a home environment can provide.
The assurances from SEARHC that the same level of care will be provided are of little comfort to all current recipients, their families and caregivers utilizing Home Health. They will be feeling the anxiety, and fear of the unknown that this type of announcement always brings.
The closure of Home Health is a bad decision for all of Sitka. The benefits of the Home Health program far outweigh in reasons given for its closure.
Susan Padilla, Sitka
