Careful Plans Made For
Community Thanksgiving
The annual Thanksgiving dinner is being planned at the ANB Founders Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving Day.
Alaska Native Brotherhood, Camp 1, President Harriet Miyasato Beleal and Alaska Native Sisterhood, Camp 4, President Nancy Furlow are inviting the public to attend.
‘‘In these changing times, certain accommodations have been required,’’ organizers said.
This year the ANB and ANS hosts are planning a ‘‘take out and delivery’’ for families and individuals in need.
‘‘Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitka is in a red alert status, and with a social distancing mandate, we are not able to allow sit-down dining in the ANB Hall,’’ Beleal said. ‘‘As we navigate through the pandemic, ANB and ANS will continue to find ways to serve our most vulnerable, the homeless, those who are living on boats, and those Sitkans in need.’’
Rachel Moreno recounted a brief history of this event.
“In 1981, my father Phil Moreno Sr. and his sister Julie Huff were talking at her place about how difficult it must have been for families living on fishing boats to fix a complete Thanksgiving dinner in the small ovens they have,’’ Moreno said. ‘‘My dad said they could ask Sea Mart to donate a couple of turkeys to them and the fixings so they could at least cook for them. Aunt Julie suggested they ask the ANB and ANS if they could use the ANB Hall and ANS kitchen to cook in and serve the dinner in the hall. There were only about 20 people who showed up, but every year following that, it had grown thanks to Isabella Brady stepping in to take over the organizing of the dinner. My dad and Isabella worked so hard for so many years to keep this tradition alive and it is continuing through the good intentions of everyone involved.’’
The camps were awarded and have received a Food Distribution grant from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Cares CBS food security funds, and funding from Sitka Conservation Society with support from Sitka Mutual Aid and the Alaska Community Foundation.
The groups anticipate offering Christmas dinner in the same manner. Past donors and any others who would like to financially contribute to the holiday dinners may send a check made out to ANB Camp 1, 235 Katlian, Sitka, AK 99835, with holiday dinners in the memo line. Letters of request to past donors for donations will not be mailed out this year. All contributions are tax deductible, and a receipt can be provided.
All cooking and food prep will be done under Alaska Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 policy and regulation standards by certified food handlers. Volunteers are needed on Nov. 25 to support the distribution from noon to 6 p.m. Volunteers will be required to follow COVID prevention protocols.
Those who would like a Thanksgiving dinner, or dinners for a family group, must call to be put on the list on or before 7 p.m. on Nov. 23. Call Karen at 747-7803 to leave a name and phone number to be put on the dinner list or to volunteer. Calls will be returned for confirmation, and pick up or delivery arrangements.
‘‘The ANB and ANS are pleased to host the holiday dinners again but will miss everyone and the fellowship in the ANB Founders Hall this year during the holidays,’’ a news release from the groups said.
Cooking for Cause
Fundraiser Slated;
Tickets On Sale
Tickets are on sale for a chance to win a virtual cooking lesson with Chef Collette, owner of Ludvig’s Bistro.
The Cooking for a Cause winner also will receive the ingredients to cook a gourmet meal for two.
Proceeds from the event will go to the seafood donation program run by the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust. Since March 2020, ALFA and ASFT have provided more than 480,000 meals of seafood, free of charge, to Alaskans who are food insecure.
Others can join in the virtual class by purchasing a box with all the ingredients to cook a gourmet two-course dinner with video-led instructions from Colette. The food, with vegetarian and chicken options, are available and each box also contains dessert for two. Boxes will be available Dec. 4, however, participants can set their own schedule as the instructions and entertainment are pre-recorded and can be accessed at their convenience.
‘‘Entertainment from local musicians and singers will be available to watch while you enjoy your dinner and a silent auction with many great items will be posted as part of the fundraiser,’’ ALFA said. ‘‘Post photos of your finished plate in our photo contest and the best looking dish can win you a $50 Ludvig’s gift certificate.’’
Silent auction and photo contest winners will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Ticket sales go through Nov. 22. Visit alaskansown.com/pages/cookingforacause2020 to purchase tickets. For more information contact Lauren at 714-369-4057 or at alfa.asft.outreach@gmail.com.
Christmas Lanterns
On Sale Saturday
The Christmas lantern sale will continue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the United Methodist Church, 303 Kimsham Street. The event is to raise funds to pave the road in front of the church.
COVID-19 precautions will be followed, so a mask and social distancing are required, the church said.
Those with questions can call Gloria Hagerman, 747-3656 or 738-3656.
New Arrivals
Baby Boy Creek
Hunter Hugh Creek was born 4:01 p.m. Oct. 28, at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.
At birth, the infant weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
Parents are Meghan Moreno and Mike Creek. The mother works at First Bank and the father is employed at the Backdoor Cafe.
This is the couple’s first child.
Wills, Estates
Planning Offered
Sitka Legacy Foundation will offer a free online workshop about end-of-life planning with local attorney Brita Speck noon Thursday, Nov. 19, via Zoom. The presentation will cover wills, estates and advance medical directives.
To register, visit https://sitkalegacy.org/slf-virtual-workshop/.
Boat Parade Set
For Dec. 13, 20
The Sitka boat Parade will be Dec. 13 and 20. Those wanting to join should meet at the Longliner Hotel at 5 p.m.
Lee Hansen will lead the parade. First prize is $1,000 and second prize is dinner for four at the Longliner Restaurant.
For more information call Beverly Caldwell at 623-7038.
Monthly Grind
Seeks Performers
The Sitka Monthly Grind is seeking performers for the Dec. 12 Holiday Grind.
Those interested are to record their presentation and give it to Jeanne Stolberg by Dec. 1. The show will be produced and shown on Sitka Monthly Grind’s Facebook page and YouTube channel starting on Dec. 12.
For details or questions, contact Jeanne at sitkajean@gmail.com , 738-8083, or Jeff at 747-4821. The Sitka Monthly Grind is under the Greater Sitka Arts Council umbrella. The philosophy remains family oriented, nonpolitical, and affordable.
School Board Sets
Work Sessions
The Sitka School Board will hold a superintendent-search work session 6-7 p.m. Nov. 18, followed by a strategic planning work session from 7 to 8 p.m.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate, the board said. The virtual meeting will be available using the Zoom conferencing service. The link to the meeting will be posted on the front page of the School District website under announcements.
Spelling Bee
Being Planned
The Sitka Public Library and the Friends of the Library are hosting the Sitka Spelling Bee 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Centennial Hall, which may be viewed via Zoom.
Sitkans can find a partner and practice their spelling “chops,” organizers said. Teams will be socially distanced. The event is a fundraiser. Teams will have entry fees and several ways to purchase “life lines.”
For information call Margot O’Connell at 747-4025 or Jeff Budd 747-4821.
Fish Distribution
To be Delivered
The CARES Act fish distribution will be home delivery only for applicants who have signed up for the program.
Because of the governor’s mandate, the scheduled November pickup at the Community House has been canceled. Home deliveries will begin Nov. 16-20, and if an applicant is not at home the box will be left on the doorstep.
Call (907) 738-9992 with questions. Those who have not registered can still sign up for the fish program at www.sitkatribe.org.
