New Adventures
Dear Editor: As I begin packing, I reflect on my life I’ve had here in Sitka. Born and raised in this very unique and beautiful town, over the years I’ve seen many changes. There is so much about Sitka that can be ‘‘taken for granted’’ living here.
A walk through Totem Park to watch the salmon run. Watching the waves at Sandy Beach during a winter storm. Ice skating on Swan Lake. Having a whale surface next to the boat. Catching the first king of the season, and so much more. Sitka is a place where beautiful scenery surrounds us everywhere, but what makes a town are the people who live there.
Sitkans have generosity and help their neighbors as well as strangers, as I’ve learned first hand.
Marrying the ‘‘boy up the street’’ and raising two beautiful sons has been wonderful. Now it is my turn to say goodbye to Sitka as a new chapter is opening in my life. I head forward Feb. 16 to new adventures and will always hold Sitka close in my heart.
Best wishes to all.
Rosemary (Barden) Burnett, Sitka
Family Reading Night
Dear Editor: Baranof Elementary and the district’s STEPS grant would like to thank the many people and organizations who contributed to a Family Reading Night that enticed 115 students, siblings, parents, grandparents, friends, and caregivers to come to Baranof for a night celebrating reading. Thank you families for coming.
Thanks to AmeriCorps volunteer Jamie Hovis, paraprofessionals Cliff Chandler and Laurie Salness, and school secretary Diana Erickson for running the picnic for families. So many hotdogs and so many buns in a quick half hour.
Teacher Jeff Hole read a cautionary tale – his all-time favorite book and one he read with his mother at bedtime back in the day. Baranof kids now know to stand back when the elephant announces a sneeze. Thank you for reading a book that connects you to your mom even today. Reading together promotes bonding and shared memories. What a good way to snuggle with your child.
Community members and educators offered sessions ranging from phonemics, social emotional learning books, and good old-fashioned readalouds. Thank you youth services librarian Maite Lorente, Officer Wheeler, school board member Paul Rioux, and educators Kathi Jones, Angela Pirtle, Andrea Leach, Morgaine Enfiejian and Jeanine Brooks.
Photographer Bobbi Jordan pulled off a centerpiece of the evening – free reading portraits for Wooch.een and Baranof families. Assisted by educator Peggy Fedoroff, Bobbi was able to take portraits of 31 families. Watch for an upcoming public display of the portraits honoring families and reading.
Volunteerism is one of Sitka’s strongest assets. Thank you to Sitka High student Grace Harang and a wonderful team of Mt. Edgecumbe High School students including April Wyatt, Marissa Crabtree, Flossie Lamps and Jada Dahl. Students greeted and directed families, set up stations, hauled furniture, and helped clean up. We give them credit for setting the welcoming tone of the evening. Thanks to MEHS wellness specialist Matt Foruria and SHS educator Benjamin Cordero for facilitating this volunteer experience.
Many people worked behind the scenes – as volunteers, encouragers, suggesters, and space providers. Thank you to Joe Montagna, Cindy Conforti, Marlie Loomis, Liz Warren, Colleen Carroll, Ruth Joens and Jacquie Hedrick.
We could not do without the Sitka Public Library – a leader in family reading in Sitka. Youth services librarian Maite “Mighty” Lorente is dedicated to providing story, inclusion and voice to Sitka’s children and youths. Interim director Joanna Perensovich assisted with getting books ready for the event and providing a fantastic backdrop for the family portraits.
A final thanks to our merchants in Sitka. Thank you to the Hames Corporation and Northern Sales for accommodating, filling and delivering our orders.
Jill Lecrone, Principal,
Baranof Elementary School
Kari Sagel, STEPS Grant,
Sitka School District
Cross Channel Competition
Dear Editor: Re: Thursday’s sports headline, in our humble opinion, ‘‘Cross Channel Competition’’ would have been a better alliteration than ‘‘Bridge Battle.’’
Words matter.
Spike and Jean Arnold, Sitka
