Spelling Bee
Dear Editor: The 2024 Sitka Adult Spelling Bee has been completed. There were more than 17 teams. Thank each and every one of you. After six suspenseful rounds it came down to three teams. And the winners were …. Team Calvin and Hobbes, consisting of Ari and Paul Fitzgibbon. Congratulations and thank you to all the teams. The spelling bee was a fund raiser put on by the Friends of the Sitka Public Library for the Sitka Public Library.
We would like to acknowledge the crew that put all this together: Word list and sentences – Margot O’Connell of the Sitka Public Library; host, emcee, and master of ceremonies – Mr. Robert Woolsey; the standout spell checkers – Brenda Campen and Dorothy Orbison; our welcoming committee of John and Karen Weitkamp.
Here come the judges – Kari Sagel and Martina Kurzer. The co-producers consisted of Kari Sagel, Margot O’Connell, and Jeff Budd. The Harrigan Centennial Hall staff, always professional and on their toes.
Thank you to the Daily Sitka Sentinel, Raven Radio, KIFW Radio, and the Sitka Soup for their help in getting the words out.
This year’s generous sponsors consisted of: First National Bank of Alaska; Hames Corporation and Sea Mart; Fate Accompli; Charlie Morgan and Grace Brooks; The Beak Restaurant; Northrim Bank; Harry Race Pharmacy; Work and Rugged Gear; Old Harbor Books; The Back Door Café; Karen Parker Alaska Computer Office Supply Center and Radio Shack; Dr. Robert Parker, Finding our Way Video Streaming, FindingOurWay@outlook.com; and John Stein and Jeff Budd – Team Zero.
A bountifulness thank you to the Sitka audience who, as always, are the best – near, far and wide. Several provided “lifelines” for the spellers. The End.
Jeff Budd for the
Adult Spelling Bee
Voices for Peace
Dear Editor: Community members are invited to attend the weekly Voices for Peace vigil, Saturday, Feb. 17, noon-1 p.m., at the roundabout. Weekly vigils will be held every Saturday until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Everyone is welcome to join the vigil for part or all of the hour.
According to vigil organizers, a ceasefire is desperately needed to save lives. They quote UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk who, speaking of the high number of civilian casualties that would result from a potential full-fledged Israeli military attack on Rafah, said on Monday: “The world must not allow this to happen.
Those with influence must restrain rather than enable. There must be an immediate ceasefire. All remaining hostages must be released. And there must be renewed collective resolve to reach a political solution.”
For more information call Cindy Litman at 530 574-3468.
Cindy Litman, Sitka
