Julie Hughes
Dear Editor: 40 years ago this exceptional swimmer of mine sadly passed away with a big dream of some day to participate in a triathlon.
So, I organized one for her.
With the help of her parents Bill and Carol, and her beloved sister Susan, we pulled it off. She wins it every year. Her gold medal goes to her parents and she’s never forgotten. Now, the Julie Hughes triathlon is not only the very first triathlon to be organized in the state of Alaska, but also it is one of the most consecutively run triathlons in the nation.
I remember Julie being an incredibly hardworking, respectful, responsible and perfectionist athlete. She and I used to sit and have long talks about the future and her goals. Julie always reached her goals. So, I couldn’t let her miss the triathlon goal.
This amazing girl was so determined to be successful, she was breaking state records while she was under chemotherapy. I am in Sitka to celebrate this fantastic lady on her 40th year anniversary triathlon event. Looking forward to seeing the absolutely incredible people of Sitka, my hometown. People, who’ve been heroically helping to keep Julie Hughes triathlon going all these years. Especially Kevin Knox, Dean Orbison and all the other great people. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. God bless you.
The humble lifelong swim coach,
Siouxha Tokman
AmeriCorps Thanks
Dear Editor: The generosity of Sitkans is overwhelming. One letter to the editor and a PSA later, and Sitka AmeriCorps Program was able to house all AmeriCorps members safely for the summer.
Sitka Rotary Club, thank you for providing a housing subsidy to Sitka AmeriCorps members. Your generosity ensured members could remain in Sitka over the summer.
Special thanks need to be given to Tim Fulton, Rob Allen and Robin Sherman, Sue Litman, Peter Apathy and Carol Knuth, Donna Donohoe, Ashley Nessler, Roger and Shirley Curry, Cheri Hample, Ryan Barwick, Mary Forbes, Mary Stevens, Barb Morse, Cathy Poulson and Sam Carter.
Also, everyone who called me with leads, too numerous to list.
While the future of Sitka is feeling uncertain, it is good to know we are still a tightknit community and that supporting service in Sitka is a priority.
Thank you, Sitka.
Sarah Lawrie
Sitka AmeriCorps Program Director
Found Wallet
Dear Editor: I write in hopes that this letter will be seen by the person who found my lost wallet on the Gavan Hill Trail on Thursday, May 16, and promptly delivered it to the Sitka Police Department.
Since you did not leave any information about yourself that would allow me to reward you personally, I have made a $2,000 donation to Sitka Trail Works instead. I hope this is satisfactory to you. Thank you,
Mark Anderson, Fairbanks
Generous Donation
Dear Editor: Sitka Sound Science Center and the Kéet Gooshí Héen second grade teachers would like to thank Laura Rogers and the Cool Bus Team for generously donating rides to every second grade classroom as part of their Symbiosis Scientist in the Schools program.
The Cool Bus donation enabled every second-grader to visit the aquarium, where they discovered examples of different kinds of symbiotic relationships in their own ocean backyard. Laura was incredibly flexible and generous with her time and expertise in scheduling Cool Bus rides on short notice after it looked like the field trip wasn’t going to happen with the school district’s spending freeze due to budget constraints.
Thank you, Laura Rogers and Cool Bus, for supporting enriching experiences for Sitka’s students!
Sitka Sound Science Center
Education staff and
Kéet Gooshí Héen
Second Grade Teachers
