Gymnastics Meet
Dear Editor: On Saturday, Nov. 4, almost 40 gymnasts from around Southeast competed at the Under the Sea Gymnastics Meet hosted by the Sitka Gymnastics Academy.
The Sitka Gymnastics Academy’s Booster Club would like to thank the following businesses for their support: Sitka Bottling Company donated bottled water to keep the gymnasts hydrated. Renee Pierce donate organic fruit and vegetables to provide healthy snacks to the gymnasts, judges and volunteers. Work and Rugged Gear donated gift bags to hold all the gymnasts’ goodies. Sitka Community Hospital donated Chap Stick to put in the gymnasts’ gift bags. The U.S. Forest Service donated luggage tags to add to the gift bags. The Booster Club would also like to thank Sitka’s Girl Scout Troop 4119 for making delicious treats and running the concession stands. Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank the members of the community who came to show their support for the gymnasts. It was a wonderful and successful day for each of the gymnasts who competed!
The Sitka Gymnastics Academy Booster Club
Sitka Sounds Cafe
Dear Editor: A big heartfelt “thank you” to everyone involved with our highly successful, second annual “Sitka Sounds Cafe” at Sitka Whalefest. Together, we are ensuring that our award winning Sitka High School music program will continue to be the absolute best program in the great state of Alaska!
A number of folks went above and beyond in their involvement. Thank you, thank you, thank you to: Sitka Fine Arts Camp and Alaska Arts Southeast, Laura Schmidt (bread composer), Theresa Weiser and Alaska Premier Charters/Wild Strawberry Lodge (gold-level patron), Cheryl Vastola (cornbread maestra), Jerry Fleming (smoked-salmon virtuoso), Allen Marine (cookie section), Chef Doug Comstock (score consultant), Tonya and Mike Venneberg (just can’t seem to get rid of these two!), Sitka Sound Science Center/Sitka Whalefest staff and volunteers, Harrigan Centennial Hall staff (chief stage hands), Peter Apathy, Jen Reid and Joe Montagna for their excellent tunes, Shannon Haugland, SHS music students, music parents and music teacher Mike Kernin (master conductor).
Thanks to all those who enjoyed our soups, bread and treats, and to all who slipped something extra into our donation jugs.
As parents, we believe music makes our kids better students and better citizens.
These talented and hardworking musicians are available to perform at holiday parties and events. If you are interested in making a contribution or hiring them, please give Kristen a call at 738-0238.
Sitka High School
Parent Fundraising Group
WhaleFest Run
Dear Editor: I would like to thank Murray Lawson, Chris and Charles Horan, and Julie Beall for volunteering there time to help put on the 21st annual WhaleFest Run and Fun Walk. I especially want to thank all the runners and walkers that came out to support our run and our cause. The WhaleFest Run is a fund raiser which contributes to supporting WhaleFest, the Sitka Sound Science Center, and in many ways, Sitka’s unique marine environment. Again, a big thanks to Sitka’s running environment for supporting our run and thank you very much for your generosity in supporting a great cause. We’ll see you all next year.
Brian Beall, Race Director,
WhaleFest Run
Hospital Care
Dear Editor: A recent traumatic health event landed me in hospital for 24 days. My memory of the first four days in acute care is foggy, yet I do remember feeling serenely safe and secure. I was aware of my grave circumstance but I was not afraid. I credit the health care professionals at Sitka Community Hospital, and of course my husband Steve (who earned the title “super-husband”) for this blanket of calm and confidence that surrounded me.
We have lived in Sitka for 20 years, going about our business with never an idea of the phenomenal level of health care available at our local hospital.
Every doctor, RN and CNA met this standard of care without fail – to a person. The nursing staff I have come to think of as “angels of compassion.” I was so gently and lovingly cared for, as it is so often said “there are no words.” I felt like a “dear relative.”
Therapists, administration, lab techs, maintenance, kitchen staff, activity director, even the mobile long-term residents seemed to play a part in this exemplary world of “support.”
I love you all, and will forever hold a debt of gratitude to each of you. Thank you.
Shirley Dalquist, Sitka
WhaleFest Thanks
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Sitka Sound Science Center, I would like to thank the following individuals and businesses who donated $25 or more to 2017’s Sitka WhaleFest, helping make it such a success: The North Pacific Research Board, National Science Foundation, University of Alaska Southeast, Alaska Airlines, Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust, Northline Seafoods, City and Borough of Sitka, Allen Marine, The Bear and Tigger Fund, Alaskan Brewing Company, Venneberg Insurance, Turnagain Marine Construction, Odom Corporation, Sandra Kincheloe, John Palmisano with Biological Consultants, Jeff Budd, Sybil Lubin, James Simard, Paulla Hardy, Margret Lohfeld, Dorik Mechau, Carolyn Servid, Carla Beam, SSSC Board Members, Foreign Automotive, Hames Corporation, Golden Alaskan Lodge, Sharyn and John Ferrick, and Alaska Litho Print and Media. We greatly appreciate your support.
I want to thank the numerous volunteers (at least 60 individuals) who volunteered their time helping display student art, donating food for our visiting speakers, taking tickets at the door for multiple events, decorating for the Mingle and Banquet, assisting with clean up, and much more. You are all incredibly helpful and dedicated members of our community.
I also would like to thank the students and individuals who made beautiful art to be displayed at Centennial Hall throughout WhaleFest weekend. Additionally, thank you to the following market vendors who had wonderful booths up for shoppers to enjoy all weekend: Larisa Manewal, NPRB, The Island Institute, Marty Johnson, Marissa Amor, Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, Alaska Pure Sea Salt Co., Alaska Clean Harbors, Marms and Meeks, Wintersong Soap Co., Homer Whales, The Outer Coast, Sexi Seaweed, Sea Dreams, Sitka Conservation Society, NOAA Law Enforcement, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, MK MacNaughton, Old Harbor Books, Laura Kaltenstein, Fishprint Man, Sweet Sisters Caramels, and S.E. Alaska Conservation Council.
A special thank you to Old Harbor Books for selling WhaleFest tickets. Also, thank you to Chuck Miller and Herman Davis for their Tlingit Welcome to start off our three-day symposium. Thank you to Raven Radio for helping us with our PSAs, thank you to the amazing staff at Centennial Hall, thank you to Our Town Catering for the delicious food, and thank you to Sitka School District and Mt. Edgecumbe High School for welcoming our visiting scientists into your classrooms. Scientists come to WhaleFest courtesy of the NIH sponsored Biomedical Learning and Student Training program from University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the USDA sponsored Scientists in the Schools program.
Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended WhaleFest last weekend, whether it was for the symposium, the wildlife cruises, the Banquet, or any other event. We could not have put on this awesome science engagement festival without your participation. Thank you!
Rachel Klein,
Sitka WhaleFest Director
Church Refurbish
Dear Editor: Many tourists attend church services while in Sitka and this communion with their co-religionists enhances their experience, making them more likely to return. I trust you will welcome a motion to contribute $5,000 to the recent refurbishment of St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, and likewise to projects at every congregation which serves the spiritual needs of our visitors.
Peter Roddy, Sitka
