Twitchell Nominated
For Emmy Award
X’unei Lance Twitchell has been nominated for an Emmy award for his work on ‘‘Molly of Denali.’’
Twitchell, a University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau campus, professor, is a writer and adviser for the animated PBS kids program.
The series was nominated by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the first Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, to be presented Dec. 10. Molly of Denali is the first nationally-distributed children’s show in the United States to feature a lead character who is Alaska Native.
“It is such an honor to be part of an incredible team that works on Molly of Denali,’’ Twitchell said. ‘‘At its inception, the show has involved Indigenous peoples at the creative levels, at first under the guidance of Creative Producer Princess Johnson, and then Yatibaey Evans. There are many gifted Indigenous writers in the team, and they continue to inspire my creativity.”
“The School of Arts and Sciences is thrilled for professor Twitchell,’’ said Carin Silkaitis, Dean of Arts and Sciences at UAS said. ‘‘Here in A&S, we believe creativity is a catalyst for social and economic change and know it to be one of the most essential skills for success in today’s society. Our faculty live this ethos in and out of the classroom environment. This show is a tremendous example of using creativity to help enact social change, creating much needed visibility for Alaska Native children on national television in this beloved character.”
X’unei Lance Twitchell, Ph.D., is a professor of Alaska Native languages, one pathway offered through UAS Alaska Native studies.
Women’s Pistol
League Awards
Top Shooters
This year’s Women’s Pistol League, sponsored by the Sitka Sportsman’s Association, finished up 10 weeks of competition on Sunday and presented awards to the top shooters.
The two divisions of competition were optical sights and open sights. With 300 possible points each week, scores were averaged to come up with the final tallies.
Top shooters in the optical sights division were Retha Winger in first place with 254.5 points, Laura Ramp in second with 251.2 points and Cathy Hazel in third with 161.2 points.
In the open sights division, Abbey Volmer took top honors with 233.1 points, Monica Egger placed second with 230.1 points and Lillian Owens took third place with 166.1 points.
Next year’s league will start in early September.
Albatross Count
Presentation Dec. 1
The public is invited to hear Krisanne Rice speak about participating in the annual albatross count on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Sitka Public Library multipurpose room.
The event is part of Sitka Public Library’s Armchair Travel Series and will be held in-person. No registration is required, and all are welcome. For information, call Margot at 747-4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
Library Scavenger
Hunt for Youths
Twenty wintery pictures are hiding at Sitka Public Library for youths of all ages to find and decode a secret message.
Correct answers go into a random raffle and the winner receives a prize.
The program runs Nov. 26-Dec. 23.
For information, email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org or call the library at 907-747-4020.
Sacred Harp
Sing Nov. 27
All are invited to learn to sing four-part a capella harmony in the Sacred Harp (shape note) tradition 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Pioneers Home chapel.
Beginners and listeners are welcome. Singing is from the red Denson book, and loaner books are available. Masks optional. For information call Sara at 747-2915.
Annual Turkey
Trot on Nov. 24
The annual Turkey Trot will be Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. Participants in the 5K fun run and one-mile gobble wobble will meet at Crescent Harbor at 9 a.m. to register.
Start time is 9:30 a.m.. Registration cost is $14 for adults, $10 for 16 and younger, and families, $35. Cost for the one-mile Gobble Wobble is $10.
The winner of each 5k classification wins a pie. All participants will be entered to win a pie.
The event is sponsored by Sitka High School track and field.
Sitka Elders is
Meeting Topic
The Sitka Health Summit Coalition will facilitate a discussion on ways to enhance services and facilities for Sitka’s elders.
The idea was selected as a top health goal at the 14th annual Planning Day earlier this fall.
The open public meeting will be 1- 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Swan Lake Senior Center.
Tax-Free Days
Are Nov. 25-26
The city Assembly on Sept. 13 voted to authorize Nov. 25-26 as sales tax free days.
Fuel, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, marijuana, and any sale which is part of a continuing obligation of the buyer to pay the seller over time, are excluded.
Those with questions can contact the Sales Tax Office at 907-747-1840.
Alaska Pioneers
To Meet Dec. 1
The Sitka Igloo of Pioneers of Alaska will host a holiday party potluck get-together at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Centennial Hall, room 7.
The room is in the back of the building, with plenty of parking, the organization said. For those parking in front, there will be directions to room 7.
The main dish and beverages will be provided for the potluck; additional dishes are needed and welcome.
Sitka residents with more than 20 years in Alaska are invited with their families. There are historians, story-tellers, and memories of the past from all over Alaska, right here in Sitka, the organization said. Pioneers are interested in Alaska stories and program ideas for future films and speakers.
For more information, call John Stein, 907-738-2677.
