Island Institute Auction
Dear Editor: The Island Institute held its 19th annual fundraising auction a week ago. If that event isn’t proof of our community’s generosity, we don’t know what is. Our thanks go out once again to a long list – too many to name here – of individuals and businesses that donated auction items and services. There truly was something for everyone who came.
And the bidders themselves—what a great sense of fun and camaraderie filled the room as they challenged each other for favored items. Auctioneer Ken Fate did a fabulous job encouraging bidders to up the ante one more notch. And the great Belly Meat trio of Gary Gouker, Ted Howard and Ernie Eggleston serenaded the crowd, warming them up for the heart of the evening.
The event’s success depended on lots of others as well. We couldn’t have done it without a terrific crew of volunteers: Brooke Schafer, Paul Norwood, Linda Schmidt, Sabrina Cimerol, Americorps Kitty Wilson, Garrett Bauer, Jasmine Shaw, Nancy Behnken, Tamantha Pittman and Vella Stone-Hart all helped things go smoothly throughout the evening. Thanks to Sitka WhaleFest, John and Sharyn Ferrick, and the Sitka Sound Science Center who helped provide decorations, as did Old Harbor Books who also sold tickets. The Sitka Sentinel and Raven Radio were both a great help with publicity. The Larkspur Cafe created tasty platters of appetizers and scrumptious chocolate desserts. Ludvig’s Bistro put together a fine selections of wines and cider for the no host bar. Thank you, all.
Last but not least, special thanks to Island Institute board members Ashia Lane, Andrianna Natsoulas, Linda Behnken, and Brenda Campen, who contributed critical support.
The Island Institute’s work wouldn’t matter without an extraordinary community like Sitka to give it meaning. Our gratitude to all who help make it possible.
Carolyn Servid and Dorik Mechau,
Co-Directors, The Island Institute
Cold-Water Safety
Dear Editor: Last week Blatchley seventh-grade students participated in the Cold-Water Safety program.
Seventh grade P.E. teacher Jarrett Hirai presented two days of classroom instruction on cold-water safety and survival techniques. The following two days the students practiced what they learned rotating through stations at the pool. The stations were personal flotation device instruction, immersion suits and proper survival skills, Avon raft, and USCG rescue basket.
The stations provided a hands-on opportunity for using cold-water gear and equipment.
The following have made the unit a successful learning experience for the students: Jarrett Hirai, P.E. and AMSEA certified teacher instructor; Jaquette Carroll and Mike Morris, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association for PFD and Avon raft instruction; United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers AST3 Cameron Cullen, AST3 Dave Munns, and SN Chris Johnson for presenting the rescue basket station; Sitka Dive Team member Lance Ewers for assisting with the immersion suit station; AmeriCorps volunteer Melissa Berger for assisting with the PFD station; pool director Jane Eidler; and lifeguard Damon Roher.
Becky Charlton,
Migrant Education Manager,
Sitka School District
