Canning Lessons
Dear Editor: Sitka High School’s foods and nutrition class would like to say thank you to all those who helped us learn to can locally caught fish this semester. Sitka Tribe of Alaska, specifically Nancy Douglas and Charlie Skultka, presented a culturally filled lesson on the “how-tos” of canning. The lesson was packed with shared stories, canning techniques and laughter. As Mr. Charlie reminded us, even when you are working hard there is always time for laughter! The Fish to Schools program donated the local fish for our students’ use; we couldn’t have done it without fish! Countless individuals and businesses donated jars and canning supplies as well.
Students started the canning unit learning about hot water bath canning and making jams and applesauce. After this was pressure canning. We began with a classroom lesson taught by the experts. Next was the processing of the fish with Ms. Nancy and Mr. Charlie. After the fish made it into jars, it was back to the classroom at Sitka High to pressure cook. Each student came away from this experience not only with jars of fresh, local fish to take home and share with family but also the community connections and cultural stories to keep forever. That, my friends, is the BEST part of teaching – knowing that students have walked away with more than just the jar in hand!
Thank you, again, to all who helped us, we couldn’t (and wouldn’t want) to do it without you!
Meggan Turner,
Sitka High School
Foods and Nutrition Class
Holiday Thanks
Dear Editor: Sitkans Against Family Violence’s Children’s Program would like to express our gratitude to all the businesses and individuals who contributed to making SAFV’s annual holiday party and holiday season a success!
For their delicious food donations for our party, we would like to thank our board member Dave. We’d also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Agave Restaurant, Backdoor Café, Beak Restaurant, Highliner Coffee Company, The Nugget, Pizza Express, Sea Mart Quality Foods and Westmark Sitka for the incredible and generous food donations. In addition, we would like to extend a thank you to all of our volunteers and SAFV Staff members who helped prepare our holiday feast, including Jeanne, Carol, Nicole, Amanda, Natalie, Peg, Karin and Deanna. Feeding over 50 people only happened with the kindness of the community!
We greatly appreciate the presents from all who generously donated to the Methodist Church Giving Tree and the Coast Guard Angel Tree. We’d like to thank Harry Race, Silver Basin, The Cellar and True Value for the gifts, wrapping paper, and decorations. In addition, we’d like to thank the Today Show Toy Drive. Without the generosity of the Sitka businesses and individuals in the community, we would not have had so many wonderful presents to distribute to families for their holiday season.
Thank you to Michael LaGuire, Pat Swanson and St. Gregory’s for the beautiful Christmas tree, and to St. Peter’s by-the-Sea for allowing us to use their beautiful location to host our party.
Thank you to Alivia Crowl for being our Mrs. Claus and Siraj Sindhu for being our Santa!
Finally, thank you to all those who helped out with the party including SAFV staff Megan, Kelsie, Natalie and Karin. It would not have been a success without you all. Also, thank you to our wonderful volunteers from Mt. Edgecumbe High School, Leisha, Sierra, Angelina, Jasmine, Dante, Dylan and Duke and their generous leader Matt Foruria.
Thank you Sitka for your incredible generosity this holiday season. So much joy has been expressed from all of our residents, clients and staff created by your support.
Tina Bachmeier,
SAFV Children’s Program
Thanks to Jud Kirkness
Dear Editor: As any visitor to Sitka will tell you, our small community has some of the most beautiful public gardens, green spaces, and athletic fields anywhere. In fact, Sitka is considered a “poster child” for beautiful community landscaping by the Alaska Community Forest Council and is honored each year with the National Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree City” designation. A huge part of the credit for all of this belongs to Jud Kirkness, who for the last seven years has served the city as Parks and Grounds Maintenance Specialist.
This job title somehow seems too small for all that Jud has contributed to the beautification, improvement and health of Sitka’s large number of gardens, trees, green spaces and athletic fields. Jud has taken it upon himself to become highly educated in his field, earning a certified arborist designation from the International Society of Arboriculture. Jud has also become an expert on our tricky local growing environment. He’s a natural leader and educator and has always generously shared his considerable knowledge.
Since 2014, Jud has served on the board of the Alaska Community Forest Council, giving our city a voice at the statewide level. Sitka has received several major grants from the ACFC for tree plantings and for a tree inventory and management plan.
Members of the Sitka Tree and Landscape Committee have experienced firsthand Jud’s tireless passion and energy for his work. Jud has spent countless hours working on committee planting projects, not only in his official capacity, but also as a volunteer. Many of the TLC projects have been successful because of Jud’s landscaping designs, expert knowledge and labor. No project has been too large or too small for Jud’s enthusiastic participation.
As any gardener in Sitka knows, good soil is hard to come by. Jud has always had an eye out for any bit of soil that could be salvaged from one project to contribute to another. He saved orphan plants and even started a small nursery for discarded plants so they could once again flourish and be used in future planting projects.
Jud has often been seen after work hours, finishing up a project, helping the TLC on one of their projects or experimenting with growing techniques. One spring evening this year, Jud and one of his boys were spotted grafting the prairie fire apple trees at Baranof school. And this is just one example of many that speak of his tireless dedication.
We could go on much longer singing Jud’s praises but perhaps a better way to honor him is to go out on a beautiful summer day and enjoy one of the many projects that Jud has played a significant role in, such as the Centennial Hall or the Public Library gardens.
Jud has recently moved into a different position with the City of Sitka, and the Tree and Landscape Committee wishes him the best in his new job, with great appreciation and gratitude for the significant contributions that he has made for all of us who call Sitka home and for all her many visitors.
Sitka Tree and
Landscape Committee
Holiday Cheer
Dear Editor: Over the past month I have had the pleasure of working with multiple local businesses to help make their holiday parties fun-filled events. Between working for Edith Johnson and Our Town Catering, or for Tim Holder bartending for The Nugget, I feel that every party was a HUGE success. The teamwork and talent made every event truly magical.
What most people don’t see during these events are the hardworking, behind-the-scenes people who help make them what they are. I would like to take the time to thank all of the city employees who work so diligently at the Centennial building. They are very helpful and they work extremely hard and late to make sure everything is properly taken care of. They are absolutely amazing.
I would also like to thank Mary Boose for everything she does at the Odess Theater. Mary obviously has the passion and energy to help make sure everything goes smoothly. There is no doubt she takes great pride and care in what she does. Thank you all so much, and thank you to everyone who allowed me to be a part of your holiday event. It was so much fun and I hope to see you all again next year!
Cheers and happy holidays.
Kimberly Gleason, Sitka
