Medvejie Run
Dear Editor: The 16th Medvejie Solstice Run went off without a hitch on Saturday, June 18. Once again we have a long list of amazing Sitkans to thank for their support of this fun fundraiser for Sitka High’s incredible running programs.
First and foremost, thank you once again to former race directors Murray Lawson and Carolyn MacIntyre for creating and nurturing this event - their positive energy continues to infuse it!
Without the financial support of Sitka businesses this event would not be a productive fundraiser for SHS running programs, so a huge thank you to:
AC Lakeside, ALPS Federal Credit Union, Arrowhead Transfer, Birch Equipment, Christine Harrington CPA, Daily Sitka Sentinel, First Bank, Foreign Automotive, Harbor Mountain Brewing Co., Neurobehavioral Consultants, Russell’s, Schmolck Mechanical, Sea Mart, SEARHC and Sitka Rotary. We are deeply appreciative of your support given the ongoing economic challenges that our community faces.
And a special apology to Schmolck for omitting that great company from the T-shirts!
For race preparation, City and Borough of Sitka staff (legal and electric departments in particular), Sitka Fire Department Chief Craig Warren, Search and Rescue Chief Matt Hunter, and Sitka School District/Sitka High staff (Brooke Rivera, Carrie Spackman, and Athletic Director Rich Krupa, Superintendent Frank Hauser) were instrumental. Jeremy Strong and Rainforest Services/Bob Reid provided additional help as we set up for race-day. the Sentinel, KCAW, KIFW, and the Sitka Soup helped get the word out, as they do for so many local events.
On race day we relied on the dedicated help of so many: Kate Mullin, Mandy Sumner, Hank Maxwell, Christine Pate, Juliet Spurrier, shirt distributer and athletic trainer extraordinaire Carolyn Black, head timer Aaron Prussian, sweeper Terry Lovett, and bear patroller Jake Denherder. Their hard work and smiling faces were invaluable!
Finally, thank you and congratulations to all the amazing runners and walkers who joined us at Herring Cove on Saturday. Your enthusiasm inspires us to start thinking about plans for next year! And we appreciate your patience as we compile results for publication later this week. A little preview is that both 1/2-marathon records fell! And thank you to the exceptional student-athletes and coaches at Sitka High who we’re so happy to support as they represent our community.
With appreciation,
Medvejie Solstice Run Co-directors
Jennifer McNichol, KK Prussian and Erika Knox
Higher Prices
Dear Editor: It is appalling how companies are taking advantage of higher taxes due to the tourist season. Prices for just regular grocery items have gone through the roof. Let’s not forget fuel, the price for regular unleaded is over $6.71 per gallon. People have to pay more just to get to work, forget about having to buy groceries or even heating their homes.
THIS HAS TO STOP and NO EXCUSES for hiking up the prices.
Food for thought: people who end up paying for the high fuel prices are low income people who can not afford to buy any fuel economical cars, like hybrids. Only people in the high income brackets are able to afford hybrid and electric cars.
Cornelia Hübscher, Sitka
