Family Fiesta
Dear Editor: I am writing to thank everyone who helped make SAFV’s fundraiser, the Family Fiesta, a great success. Sitka Sound Seafoods and Sea Mart sponsored the event by donating fish and a generously loaded gift card, and Mt. Edgecumbe High School’s kitchen contributed a large pan of rice. ANB Camp 1 and ANS Camp 4 allowed us to use the ANB Founders Hall and kitchen, and long-time auctioneer Ken Fate trained his successor Jack Davis so that everyone had a fair chance to bid on one of the precious desserts donated by community members.
We thank all the event volunteers: cooks and kitchen crew Michelle Mahoney, Heather Riggs, Natalie Wojcik, Aliyah Merculief, Emily Pound, Kevan O’Hanlon, Cheri Hample, Lisa Manske, KT Wiley, and Shadeed Miller. We thank Jack Davis and Wendy Leverett, MEHS students Tia Patkotak, Kennedy Langlie, Alliyah Nay and Ana Karmun for running the dessert auction, and Sam O’Brien for taking pictures. We also thank the hall crew Mary and Dave Levesque, Karen Boyer, Larry Edwards, Michael Mahoney, Zane Mahoney, Heather Chandler and Steven Morales.
Most of all we thank everyone who baked and donated remarkable desserts, came to the hall to celebrate with us, and bid generously to support SAFV’s mission of providing empowerment based services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and promoting a community of non-violence and respect. To find out more about SAFV, please go to our website www.safv.org or follow us on Facebook. If you would like to volunteer at any of SAFV’s events, please call Martina at 747-3370. Thank you and gunalcheesh.
Martina Kurzer,
Community Coordinator,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Quilt Auction
Dear Editor: The Ocean Wave Quilters held their 21st Annual Scholarship Auction recently. Featured were 26 amazing mini-quilts made by wonderful, generous guild members. These quilts were bid on by the public and guild members in a “fast and furiously” 10-minute process. A silent auction plus a variety of outcry items were auctioned the rest of the evening. Fun was had by all!
The guild has many folks to thank for helping make our evening so successful. Ruth Culp for making the incentive quilt. The Harrigan Centennial Hall staff who helped set up all the tables and chairs. KCAW, KIFW, Daily Sitka Sentinel and the guild’s FaceBook page all helped publicize the event. Jill Scheidt at Abby’s Reflection and Quiltworks created an eye-catching window and inside store display.
Working behind the scenes before the event and keeping the evening running smoothly were Megan Pasternak, Nancy Young, Annette Blankenship, Mary Levesque, Karen Boyer, Sarah Jordan, Linda Swanson, Margie Esquiro, Jane Seez, Birdie Curran, Charolette Candelaria, Faye Nutting, Bonnie Richards, Duane Swanson and Lloyd Swanson.
The Ocean Wave Quilters is grateful to you, our community, for attending and supporting our event. Thanks to all who donated, attended and purchased. Nearly $3,000 was raised to be given in scholarships to Sitka students; both at the high school level for two graduating seniors; and at the elementary level through the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Vicki Swanson, Nancy Jo Bleier,
Ocean Wave Quilters
Banff Film Festival
Dear Editor: So much inspiration, motivation and adventure took place at this year’s Banff Film Festival. To yet another sold-out crowd, Sitka came out in force ready for an action-packed night. On Feb. 22, Sitka was honored to be one of hundreds of host sites around the world. Each of us were captivated and our adventurous spirits ignited.
An event this size takes an army and many people to create a successful night like this with many to thank! A huge thanks to the Performing Arts Center for providing and maintaining top-notch equipment. We couldn’t do it without the tech support of Zeke Blackwell and the front of house support that Kristina and Kenley provided. Thank you to our raffle prize runners and ushers. A special thank you to the film selection committee who volunteers their time and energy to select the film program: Dawn Johnson, Zak Schafer, Kari Sagel, Gary Hayes, Krisanne Rice and Jeff Budd.
We thank the many local businesses involved for their support and advertisement. Our Banff “Road Warrior” enjoyed complimentary accommodations courtesy of Westmark Hotel. Special mention goes out to Raven Radio and the Sitka Sentinel for the PSAs, articles and interviews to hype up the night. Thank you to Old Harbor Books for providing the incredible service of ticket selling and thank you to our wonderful, generous local sponsors who contributed raffle prizes: Russell’s, Yellow Jersey Cycle and Work and Rugged Gear.
Finally, we would like to thank the entire community of Sitka for your support and attendance! Thanks to you we were able to raise over $5,000 (our biggest year yet) for the Hames Wellness Fund which will provide free programs and partner funding for the community so that all can have access to health and wellness. Thank you to all who attended. You were a stellar crowd and helped make it a great success. Together we will be able to keep the Banff Film Fest returning and greatness happening within the Sitka community. We can’t wait for next year! With Gratitude,
Dawn Johnson,
Hames Center Director,
Banff Film Fest Sitka Tour Host
