Pumpkin Patch
Dear Editor: The Three to Five Preschool program had its most successful Pumpkin Patch event ever and none of it would have happened without the support of the Sitka community and a whole host of event sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and pumpkin patch participants. Please accept our ENORMOUS “thank you” and know that we deeply appreciate each and every person, club, organization, local business, government agency, and professional who contributed to a community event that not only helped us to raise funds, but also brought the community together in a fun and safe manner.
Thank you to our event sponsors: AC Lakeside Grocery, Sitka Bottling Company, Sitka Swirls, Fisheye Coffee and Northern Sales. This group of sponsors helped to pay for the shipment of pumpkins sold at the event, provided bottled water, or a percentage of sales proceeds that were then donated to the preschool from the event. Special thanks to Vince Winter (manager) at AC Lakeside Grocery for the use of the store’s parking lot and indoor spaces for the sale of food, the DJ and lively music, the pumpkin patch and pumpkin sales areas, a covered eating area, the photo and game booth spaces, and a safe, accessible space for Sitka Swirls. The preschool also extends thanks and appreciation to Michael Fernandez, Lakeside’s produce manager, whose patience and positive assistance on the morning of event set-up was paramount to helping preschool master volunteer, Marcia Hirai, organize a mass of wide-eyed volunteers with a million questions, props, and requests. The delightful pumpkin patch came together under Michael and Marcia’s leadership. You rock!
A shout out to all who helped the preschool program to promote the Pumpkin Patch event on social media, through fliers and ads, letters to the editor, public service announcements, community calendars and radio. A genuine thank you to the volunteers and professionals at Sitka Sentinel, Sitka Soup, KCAW (Raven Radio), and KIFW radio station 1230 AM. The Sitka community has a lot going on and many local groups needing help to promote their events, but you are always there, always helpful, professional, and positive.
Several local businesses and organizations deserve our gratitude as well. Their year after year support of the pumpkin patch enables the event to take place annually. Special recognition and thanks go to these behind-the-scenes, but very vital, supporters; ALPS Federal Credit Union (and Jamie), Fortress of the Bear, Dan Jones, Dean Orbison, Hames family, Sitka National Honor Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Sitka Fire Department, City of Sitka Public Works, State of Alaska Department of Environmental Protection, Sitka United Methodist Church, and every preschool family or friend who gave time, in-kind donations, and elbow grease to this year’s very successful (and fun) Pumpkin Patch!
And the final “thank you” goes to each adult and child who came to the pumpkin patch event on a cold October day to see friends, buy pumpkins, move to the music, eat food and ice cream, jump in line for a ride or a game, or to pose at the photo booth with family and friends. From those of us who worked the event: it was a joy to watch so many people having fun while coming together as a community to support a good cause. Your purchases and generous donations made this year’s annual patch a BIG success!
3 to 5 Preschool Board of Directors,
Fundraising Committee,
Teachers and Families
OctoBEAR Fest
Dear Editor: Fortress of the Bear’s first annual OctoBEAR Fest was a huge success! Anyone that visited over the weekend will have seen that our resident bears are really slowing down, and their keepers expect them to start hibernating soon. As we close for the winter, we’re so thrilled to have ended our 2021 season with such a bang!
Reflecting on the event, we’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone that took part in making OctoBEAR Fest happen.
Thank you to AC Lakeside for donating all the candy we gave out as prizes for the games over the entire weekend!
Thank you to Sea Mart Quality Foods for donating all the beautiful ornamental pumpkins that decorated our fall photo booth!
Thank you to Sara Hadad-Dembs (Edward Jones rep) for offering the use of her fun photo booth equipment, and running the photo booth all weekend to create those fun GIFs! You can find them all in an album on the Fortress facebook page.
Thank you to Sitka Swirls for selling delicious treats on Saturday and running a costume contest for local kids!
Of course, we have to extend a huge thank you to everyone that came to visit during the event! Everyone that played some games, made some bear crafts and hid their pumpkins in the habitats. We also had 65 participants in our coloring contest, young and old! Wow! Our keepers had fun delivering all your prizes this week.
Finally, thank you to our hard-working team of staff and volunteers, for organizing and running the event. Now it’s time to rest up and prepare for next season. We’ll see you in the spring!
The Fortress of the Bear Team
Gratitude Month
Dear Editor: “We never know the worth of water ’til the well is dry.” Thomas Fuller
In Sitka we are very fortunate to have an ample supply of good clean drinking water. We also have a water department with dedicated city employees who maintain a constant supply of potable water for our consumption. Every time I turn on the faucet, fresh water comes out. I am very appreciative of every person who designed, built, and now maintains this life-sustaining system.
When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, we were advised that the best way to flatten the curve was to shelter in place. Two city departments made rapidly sheltering in place feasible – the water department and the electric department. Thank you! And a big thanks to every public servant who works to keep our community going. Your service to Sitka is greatly appreciated.
Doug Osborne, Sitka
