Benefit Thanks
Dear Editor: This is a letter of thanks to the wonderful people of Sitka who went above and beyond to hold a dinner and auction for my benefit. Going into this illness I would have never guessed the amount of generosity and kind words and well wishes on my behalf. This only proves to me that Rosemary and I live in the best town in the world!
I would like to thank the Elks Lodge for their hard work planning and cooking such a delicious meal. Although I was unable to attend, I was blessed with a generous portion of the dinner delivered to my home. (Thanks, Brad!)
Also I would like to thank my ‘‘old crew’’ at LFS for all the calls, cards and visits during my stay in Juneau.
If I missed anyone, please forgive me as I am overwhelmed by all of this. Respectfully submitted,
Pat and Rosemary Burnett, Sitka
Industrial Park
Dear Editor: Thank you for the opportunity to provide information on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. The GPIP has gone through some substantial changes over the past year. After over a decade of trying to secure funding for the project, the GPIP deep water dock was finally constructed and installed. The 250’ x 74’ multipurpose floating dock will serve a wide range of purposes, including the ability to move freight and provide a great work area for vessels wishing to complete in-water boat work with a drive down ramp and three phase power available. The new dock will help jump start a marine service industry at the park. The dock is scheduled to be open to the public later this spring.
The GPIP also gained a new long-term tenant in Northline Seafoods. Over the fall and winter, Northline installed a low angle access ramp to haul its floating processing barge to complete bottom work. The GPIP Board hopes this is the first of many barges that will be hauled out of the water for work at the industrial site. The CBS will be moving forward this spring with designing, engineering, and permitting a high angle access ramp that will allow for additional vessels to be hauled out for repair, further expanding the marine services industry at the GPIP.
A majority of the rock discarded in the GPIP after the Blue Lake Dam Expansion project was finally moved during the fall, which opens up additional waterfront and uplands to further support marine services industries. The CBS is in the process of cleaning up the lots to provide flat, graded surfaces.
The GPIP Board has also updated its strategic plan for the development of the industrial site. Among other things, the Board’s strategic plan calls for the development of a port facility to accommodate the maritime industry. The board’s strategic plan, meeting information, and maps of the industrial site can be found on the www.sawmillcove.com website. Additionally, GPIP Board packet information can be found at the library for those that wish to see a hard copy.
It is an exciting time in the development of GPIP. It’s great to see multiple people earning their living at the former mill site again.
Garry White, Executive Director,
Sitka Economic
Development Association
Quilters Auction
Dear Editor: The Ocean Wave Quilters held their 20th Annual Scholarship Auction recently. Featured were 27 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. Joanna Perensovich for making the incentive quilt. The Harrigan Centennial Hall staff who helped set up all the tables and chairs. Raven Radio, KIFW, Daily Sitka Sentinel, the guild’s FaceBook page and Sitka Chatters all helped publicize the event. Jill Scheidt at Abby’s Reflection and Quiltworks created an eye-catching window display.
Working behind the scenes and to keep the evening running smoothly were Megan Pasternak, Nancy Young, Annette Blankenship, Mary Levesque, Karen Boyer, Sarah Jordan, Vicki Baggen, Shana Thorton, Birdie Curran and Jane Seesz
The Ocean Wave Quilters is grateful to you, our community, for attending and supporting our event. Thanks to all who donated, attended and purchased. $2,500 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.
Nancy Jo Bleier and Vicki Swanson for Ocean Wave Quilters
White E Donation
Dear Editor: This week Sitka Counseling received a generous donation from the White Elephant to help enrich our client’s lives. The donations included our Family Center, Harbor Lights, Clinical, Prevention and Residential programs. This donation will be used to support our clients/programs.
The Family Center has asked for therapeutic supplies and community activities for youths in the spring and summer programs. The Harbor Lights programs will use the funds for therapeutic activities in the community, art supplies and gym passes. The Clinical program will be using the funds for clients who need recovery/wellness books, group engagement supplies and snacks. Our Prevention program will use this donation for offsetting some of the production cost for getting the performance troop set up. The Residential program will use their donation for clients to reintegrate into society socially, therapeutic community activities, sundries, gym passes, and graduation ceremony items for the men and women.
Sitka Counseling would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to the Sitka White Elephant Shop for their continued support of our agency.
Amy Zanuzoski,
Executive Director,
Sitka Counseling
