Family Fiesta
Dear Editor: We all know that Sitkans are extremely generous and fun-loving. This was confirmed again at SAFV’s Family Fiesta fundraiser. The event started with great live music by Julie Schmitts and Ted Howard. The bidding for scrumptious and amazing desserts was wild at times, much to the delight of the receiving party. Thanks to auctioneer Ken Fate, we are so lucky to have you. We appreciate all participants and enthusiastic bidders.
Thanks go to our sponsors Sea Mart and Sitka Sound Seafoods. We gratefully received in-kind donations by the Mt. Edgecumbe High School kitchen, AC Lakeside, Pizza Express, Agave Restaurant and McDonald’s Restaurant. Our cook and organizer Karin Mullins was supported by Grace Brooks, Becky Brown, Charlie Morgan, Michelle Mahoney, and Vicki D’Amico. Martina Kurzer coordinated the volunteers in the hall, Mt. Edgecumbe students Kayleen Teeluk, Mildred Nanouk, Nick Bouker, and Peter Demientieff, as well as board members Sharon Sullivan and Dave Levesque, Mary Levesque, Karen Boyer, Larry Edwards and Julia Schmidt.
We also thank the dessert donors Highliner Coffee Co., Ludvig’s Bistro, Back Door Café, Westmark Sitka, Botanika Organic Spa, Larkspur Café, Kathleen Brandt, Martina Kurzer, Mary Levesque, Paulla Hardy, Karen Boyer, Sharon Sullivan, Deanna Schuldt, Barbara Kendall, Elizabeth Borbridge, Kathy Ingallinera, Kathy Hope Erickson, and especially Sarah Ferrency and daughter Esther Burdick, who awed us with their creations.
We couldn’t have had this event without the support of ANB Camp 1 and ANS Camp 4 who hosted us in the ANB Founders Hall and kitchen. We apologize to anyone we might have left out.
This was a memorable community event. Thanks again to all who attended. See you next year.
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Board and Staff
AmeriCorps Project
Dear Editor: A part of the AmeriCorps pledge states, ‘‘I will get things done for America, to make our people safer, smarter, healthier.’’
On Sunday and Monday this week an effort led by AmeriCorps volunteers removed and replaced a rotten bridge on the Cutthroat Creek Trail next to Keet Gooshi Heen School. This trail is used by students and neighbors, yet suffers from overburdened city and school district staff when it comes to maintenance. Paul Norwood, a local AmeriCorps, stepped up to find the support, materials and manpower to remedy this unsafe trail section, fulfilling the AmeriCorps pledge.
Paul received technical support from volunteer Mike Venetti, material support from Sitka Trail Works and Spenard Builders Supply, and human power from AmeriCorps volunteers Steven Gabelein and Garret Bauer, SCS volunteers Brooke Schafer and Paul Killian, and KGH Stream Team volunteers Wendy Alderson, Melissa Dinsmore and Autumn Dinsmore (who is wicked good using a lever!).
On behalf of today’s and future students at KGH, I would like to thank Paul and the many volunteers who helped make this valuable project happen. Hooray, AmeriCorps.
Casey Demmert, Principal,
Keet Gooshi Heen
Elementary School
Positive Experience
Dear Editor: Last month we traveled to Sitka to visit our daughter and her family who had recently moved to your lovely community. During the visit we had an opportunity to spend time on your water and experience the ocean swells. Prior to boarding the boat at the harbor, our camera case was inadvertently left on the dock unattended.
When we missed it and began looking for it, it was gone. Some very helpful folks in the sheltered area at the harbor aided in our search, subsequently called the police department on our behalf, and found that the camera case had been rescued and turned in to the police. Our many, many thanks to the person who found the camera case and delivered it to safe keeping. Bless you. Additional thanks and appreciation to the police department for its efforts to contact us and advise us that the camera equipment was in safe care.
Toward the end of our stay we had need to visit Sitka Community Hospital for relief from a kidney stone. The registration nurse, emergency room nurse and Dr. Golub were so pleasant and so very helpful. They truly made a very uncomfortable time much more manageable.
Our memories of Sitka and the folks we met during our visit are both warm and thankful. It is comforting to know that our daughter and her family are surrounded by such kindness.
Many thanks and best wishes.
John and Kathy Holmquist, Juneau
Tribute
My heart is saddened today by the loss of a dear friend, father figure, competitor and, most of all, a man who helped me become the man I am today.
He made me go inside myself and really find out my inner feelings about life, love and forgiveness. I think we both learned from each other, but I learned from him how to hold your composure when a child you once helped raise became your main adversary in business. He held his head high and came to me and talked about it.
I worked for Bob for almost nine years – nine wonderful years. He taught me so much and he gave of himself to me as a father. I will always love you, Bob Colliver, and family, for taking me in.
To Mary Lou and his children, I offer my condolences and my prayers for a man who gave so much to the youths of this community. God bless you, Bob, and one day we will meet again up there in heaven for one more game of Foosball.
With love and Respect,
Clifford (Tuffy) Robards
