Sitka Farmers Market
Opens Season Saturday
The Sitka Local Foods Network will host its 14th season of Sitka Farmers Markets with an opening market 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 3, on the plaza outside Centennial Hall.
It will be the first of eight full markets this summer at Centennial Hall. Others will be on July 17, 31, Aug. 7, 21, 28, Sept. 11 and 18.
“After last year’s COVID-19 pandemic limited our markets to only produce booths, we’re happy to be getting back to some normalcy this year,” Sitka Local Foods Network board president Charles Bingham said. “Our eight markets this year will still have some COVID safety measures, such as being held entirely outdoors and encouraging everybody to use face masks. But we will have a variety of fresh local produce, fish, homemade baked goods, cottage foods, cooked food, arts and crafts, and more. We missed the community aspect of the markets last year, so it will be nice to have some of our vendors back this summer.”
The Sitka Local Foods Network continues to host the Sitka Farmers Market, and also runs a farm stand selling produce grown at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm. The SLFN farm stand also sells Alaska Grown value-added products from around the state.
Last year when the market was simplified due to COVID, the Alaska Grown products were dropped. This summer, they are back, with Barnacle Foods kelp products from Juneau, Alaska Flour Company barley products from Delta Junction, Bridge Creek Birch Syrup from Homer, Chugach Chocolates from Girdwood, and more. New this year are Foraged and Found kelp products from Ketchikan, Moosetard mustard and BBQ sauce products from Fairbanks, and some special Sitka Farmers Market-label chocolate bars from Sitka’s own Theobroma Chocolates.
“We still are recruiting vendors for the markets, but we do expect Middle Island Gardens with fresh produce at all eight markets, and the Hog Hole hot dog stand at all eight markets,” Bingham said. “In addition, at our first market we have Harriet and Ron McClain of Fish Eye Studio with arts and crafts, Pamela Ash with arts and crafts, Ashley and Dustin Ward and family of Ward Craft with arts and crafts and cottage foods, and Charlie Bower with cultivated mushrooms.”
New this year is an online vendor registration site, https://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com, where potential vendors can register and pay for their vendor fees.
Nalani James, who was market co-manager last year, will manage the markets this summer, with Charles Bingham and Amanda Anjum assisting. A youth vendor program for vendors age 14 and younger is available. Potential vendors can email sitkafarmersmarket@gmail.com or call Charles Bingham at 623-7660 with any questions. Potential musicians and volunteers also can call Bingham, if they want to help.
Virginia Thomas
Dies at Age 80
Virginia Thomas, 80, died June 30 at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.
An obituary will be published later in the Sentinel for the longtime Sitka resident.
Grant Funding
For Non-Profits
Grant applications are available for non-profit organizations to apply for annual funding from the City and Borough of Sitka General Fund for FY22.
A total of $45,000 is available for disbursement. Applications are available at the administrator’s office, City Hall, 100 Lincoln Street, 3rd Floor, or online at www.cityofsitka.com.
Completed applications must be submitted by email to the administrator’s office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20. Late applications will not be considered.
Grants will be awarded in September at a special meeting of the Assembly. For additional information, contact Administrative Coordinator Holley Dennison at holley.dennison@cityofsitka.org or call 747-1818.
Volunteers From
Colo. to Help at
Lutheran Church
Phyllis and Ken Wright, residents of Longmont, Colorado, will volunteer at Sitka Lutheran Church as volunteers in July.
The two will make popcorn, share the Gospel, greet tourists, tell the Lutheran history and help care for the church during their monthlong stay.
A Navy veteran and 32-year employee of IBM, Ken also worked for the National Institute of Standards and Technology for 20 years. He held leadership positions within his congregation at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, while serving on the church council as treasurer and going on mission trips.
Phyllis also works with their home congregation. She teaches Sunday School, has served on the call committee, as a communion assistant, and assists with healing prayer.
Both work with the Homeless Center in Longmont, providing meals, clothing and other services. They have four grandchildren who are in high school and college.
The couple has traveled to six of the seven continents. The said Antarctica is on their wish list. They were in Sitka when they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.
Sunday morning worship services are at 10:30 a.m. A weekly soup supper is at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a short prayer service following. The Rev. Sandra Rudd is church pastor.
For information call the church office at 747-3338, visit the church’s web site at: http://www.sitkalutheranchurch.org/ or e-mail the office at slc.admin@acsalaska.net.
Heat Assistance
Through STA
Sitka Tribe of Alaska has federal heating assistance funds available for income-eligible households with at least one member who is Alaska Native or American Indian.
STA can provide: Up to $1,700 a year in funds to assist with heating bills – electric, gas, fuel oil or wood; up to $500 for eligible households that have already received assistance since Oct. 1, 2020; up to $2,500 for repair or replacement of faulty heating systems.
The amount of assistance depends on household size, household income, heating bills, fuel type, and availability of funding.
For information or to apply, visit STA’s website, stop by the STA office at 456 Katlian Street, or call 747-7293.
Climate Connection: Is the Future of Farming in the Ocean?
A World Bank study found that if you take less than 5% of the U.S. waters and just grow seaweed, you would be able to remove the carbon-output from the equivalent of 20 million cars. Seaweed, specifically kelp, can grow up to 2 feet in one day. Now that is an efficient and climate friendly crop!
The popular podcast The Freakonomics Radio Book Club focused on the issue of the future of farming by highlighting the work of Bren Smith. Smith is the author of the book Eat Like a Fish, which focuses on the efforts to feed the planet while putting less stress on the environment. His proposed solution? Kelp.
One value of growing a crop like kelp is that it replenishes rather than depletes the ecosystem it grows in. Kelp requires zero inputs, no fertilizers or feed, and it creates new habitat for a diversity of species. Smith advocates for a future of “regenerative ocean farming. He recognizes that his farm is 80-20, 80 percent kelp and 20 percent shellfish. While there isn’t a large market for kelp in countries like the U.S., Smith is optimistic about its future with its potential in food ingredients, bioplastics and fertilizers.
Bren Smith created the nonprofit GreenWave to promote regenerative ocean farming by guiding others interested in starting a farm with models, how-tos and more. Though Smith is being recognized all over the world for this important work, he stated “I’m just a moment in this really long lineage...regenerative ocean farming goes back, in the Pacific Northwest, thousands of years, when Indigenous communities were creating clam walls.” Among those who have consulted Smith for guidance on ocean farming is Alaska Native Dune Lankard, who expresses his experience in the article “A Native Perspective on Regenerative Ocean Farming.
Lankard is Eyak Athabaskan from Eyak (now called Cordova). He shares his personal experience growing up and watching the fish populations diminish due to climate change and man-made disasters like the Exxon oil spill in 1989. Lankard writes, “Having witnessed first-hand the steady decline of our fishing way of life, I knew I had to look at the ocean differently... it was time for me to give back to the place that had given me so much and my people for thousands of years.”
After meeting with Smith and brainstorming solutions to recover from the Exxon oil spill and other climate change effects, Lankard returned to Prince William Sound with a kelp-centered plan and optimism about a blue-green future. Lankard said to his family and friends, “we need to jump-start a region-wide Alaska Restorative Kelp Initiative that brings Native tribal members, women, youth and fishermen together to help restore the ocean and to learn how to grow traditional sea vegetables and to help us get this new ocean industry off the ground.” Both Smith and Lankard believe that this model of farming can save our seas and our planet. Learn more about the possibilities with this blue-green movement from the podcast, The Freakonomics Radio Book Club: Is the Future of Farming in the Ocean? or at GreenWave.org.
This fall, Sitka students will grow kelp at a teaching farm for the UAS Fisheries program’s first-ever Alaskan Aquaculture Semester. Visit http://tinyurl.com/akas2021 or contact amlaffrey@alaska.edu for information.
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Anna Zauner is a member of Citezen’s Climate Lobby and an AmeriCorps volunteer.
Artist Talk at SJ Museum
Sheldon Jackson Museum Alaska Native artist-in-residence Robert Hoffmann (Tlingit) will give a talk “Where We Meet” 3 p.m. July 3 at the museum and on Zoom.
Hoffmann will look at how cultural and historical context helps individuals appreciate objects more fully. He will select artifacts from the museum’s collection to highlight the idea. Hoffmann also will talk about contexts for today’s artistic and cultural creations, including: political statements; cultural identification; market; self-expression, and appreciation.
A limited number of seats are available to attend the talk in person. Call 747-8981 to reserve one. All are welcome to attend via Zoom by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2294857244?pwd=bGo2WXlxaVpTZGoxREp1OUIra1pKZz09; Meeting ID: 229 485 7244; Passcode: FORMLINE.
Hoffmann will be working in the gallery until July 10, most days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For additional information on the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program, a schedule of when artists will be working at the museum, or for information on museum hours of operation, admission fees, and COVID mitigation processes, call the museum at 747-8981.
Barn Dance
Slated July 3
A free outdoor barn dance is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at the Totem Square end of Lincoln Street.
The event is part of Sitka Historical Society’s Old Time 4th of July celebration.
Masks will be optional for fully vaccinated dancers. Sitka’s Fishing for Cats band will provide live music.
For information call 747-3412.
Fundraiser Lunch
Slated July 3-4
The Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 will hold a fundraiser lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 3 and 4 at the ANB Founders Hall. Proceeds will benefit the family of Wilfred S. Hanbury, Jr., and ANB Camp 1.
The menu features combo meals for $15.50 by Mario, plus desserts, which are being accepted. To make a donation or for information contact Liz at 738-2836.
Patriotic Concert
On Fourth of July
A patriotic 4th of July concert will be held 11:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, July 4, at Sitka Lutheran Church.
Local musician Dave Nicholls will play patriotic songs on the 1844 Kessler Organ.
The free event is open to the public and all are welcome.
Wildlife Cruise
Departs July 4
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society is offering a history and wildlife cruise on Sunday, July 4, with departure at 3:45 p.m. and return at approximately 6:15 p.m.
Tickets are $65 for adults and $40 for ages 12 and younger. Go to sitkamaritime.org to buy tickets on line, which can be picked up at the boat before departure. Tickets also will be available for purchase at Old Harbor Books, with cash or check, after June 20. For information, contact SMHS at 907-623-8054 or sitkamaritime@gmail.com.
Parade Showcases
Sitka’s Older Cars
The second annual Older Car Parade is planned for the 4th of July.
Those with vehicles from the 1970s and older, or other unique cars, are to meet at 9:45 a.m. at Whale Park for a 10 a.m. start.
The route will be down Sawmill Creek Road, around the round-a-bout onto Halibut Point Road to Kashevaroff Street, then left on Edgecumbe Drive, down Cascade Creek Road to Halibut Point Road and out to Starrigavin. Vehicles will turn around to drive back to town on Halibut Point Road, taking a right on Katlian Street, a right at St. Michael’s Cathedral, and disperse at Centennial Hall.
Those with questions can call Jeff at 747-4821.
Hot Dogs, Events
At Catholic Church
St. Gregory’ Catholic Church will sell hot dogs, chips, soda, baked goods and snacks noon-4 p.m. on July 4 at the church.
A fish pond will be set up for the kids. All proceeds will be donated to the Sitka Pregnancy Center.
