WhaleFest Thanks
Dear Editor: The 2018 Sitka WhaleFest was a smashing success! This event would not be possible without the support of the community, local businesses, sponsors and donors.
On behalf of the Sitka Sound Science Center board, staff and members, I would like to thank the following individuals and businesses who donated financially to support the Sitka WhaleFest event: The North Pacific Research Board, National Science Foundation, Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust, University of Alaska Southeast, Alaska Airlines, Allen Marine, Tigger & Bear Remembrance Fund, Sandra Kincheloe, Hames Corporation, Alaska Channel, Venneberg Insurance, Southern Wine & Spirits, Baranof Island Brewing Company, The Backdoor Café, Rising Tide Bagels, NMS Food Service and Catering, Howard and Dana Pitts, Richard and Patricia Seifert, Brian Beale, John and Sharyn Ferrick and Margaret Lohfeld.
I want to thank the numerous volunteers who donated their time helping display student art, making and donating food for our visiting speakers, taking tickets at the door for the many events, decorating for the Mingle and Banquet, assisting with clean up and so much more. You are all amazing, dedicated members of our community! This festival would not be possible without your time, talents and help.
I would also like to thank the students and individuals who provided the beautiful artwork that was displayed at Centennial Hall throughout the weekend. Your artwork truly adds a special touch to Sitka WhaleFest.
Additionally, thank you to the following Market and Café vendors who provided shoppers and festival goers with a variety of merchandise, information and delicious treats: Homer Whales, Jerry Wright, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, Winter Song Soap Company, SeaDream, Sitka Conservation Society, Charlee O, The Outer Coast, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Alaska Pure Sea Salt, MK MacNaughton, SE AK Conservation Council, Sweet Sisters Caramels, Sexi Seaweed Jewelry, Alaska Clean Harbors, Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, Smokin-Arrows, Counting Twirls, 57 Peaks, Sentinel Coffee, Raven Shaw and Colorful by KaiLyn. A thank you to Old Harbor books who not only participated as a vendor in the Marketplace, but also sold tickets for WhaleFest.
Each year the symposium is artfully curated by Jan Straley and Michael Castellini. I cannot thank them enough for their expertise and care in making sure that Sitka WhaleFest has outstanding speakers. It is because of this unique mix of information and communication of that science that Sitka WhaleFest has been able to bring university students from Alaska, and the lower 48 to Sitka.
Thank you to University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Peninsula College and Fort Lewis College for traveling to and participating in Sitka WhaleFest.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the team of the Sitka WhaleFest Fun Run. Thank you SEARHC for sponsoring, Heleena VanVeen for coordinating and Brian Beale for emceeing. Also, the Grind and Greater Sitka Arts Council for coordinating and executing the Maritime Grind and the full house audience that attended. Also, thanks to Don Sineti for coming all the way from Mystic, Connecticut, to delight the WhaleFest and Sitka community with his Sea Shanties in the schools and around town.
A heartfelt thank you to Louise C. Brady, the contribution of her song and story to open Sitka WhaleFest was truly remarkable and something we will not soon forget. Thank you to Raven Radio and the Sitka Sentinel for getting our PSAs and event information out to the public. Thank you to Our Town Catering for the delicious banquet dinner, Graceful Pastries for the beautiful and tasty desserts for the banquet and Chef Galen and Westmark Sitka for the creative appetizers for the SSSC Reception. Thank you to Will, Cheryl and Jake Rymer for their donation of salmon to support these meals.
Lastly, the Science Center gang is grateful to everyone who attended WhaleFest last weekend. We are impressed and appreciative of your interest and enthusiasm for learning about the curious creatures that inhabit our oceans. Whichever events you chose to attend we sincerely hope you enjoyed yourselves. Without your participation we could not continue to put on this celebration of marine life! Thank you!
Alex Thorne,
Sitka WhaleFest Director
Music to Our Ears
Dear Editor: A big heartfelt “thank you” to everyone involved with our highly successful, third 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! We believe music makes our kids better students and better citizens.
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), Collette Nelson and Ludvig’s Bistro (ringing of the bowls), Cheryl Vastola (cornbread maestra), Jerry Fleming (smoked-salmon virtuoso), David Lass (artistic director), Tonya Venneberg, Connie Kreiss, Paul Audette, the incredible Sitka Sound Science Center/Sitka Whalefest staff and volunteers, Harrigan Centennial Hall staff (chief stage hands), Shannon Haugland, SHS music students including our cafe manager, the incomparable Karina Belcher, music parents and our 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.
These talented and hard-working 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 Music Program,
Parent Fundraising Group
Homeless Connect
Dear Editor: Sitka Outreach and Support: Lifeline Group would like to thank the many people who made the Get-Ready-4-Winter Project Homeless Connect such a success. To those who donated warm clothing, socks, jackets, thank you. To 17 people who volunteered their time to help at the event, thank you. To the Salvation Army for the lunches every day and particularly for the event, thank you. To the organizations who came to offer services, SAIL, SEARHC, UAS, HOPE Coalition, St. Peter’s, United Methodist Church, thank you. To the businesses who donated to the event, True Value, Sweet Sisters Caramels, and LFS Marine, thank you. To the White Elephant and the Salvation Army Little Store for vouchers and clothing, thank you. To the Salvation Army for hosting the event, thank you.
There are many people who are homeless in Sitka today. The Homeless Coalition is looking for a place where men can sleep at night just to get out of the cold. If you can help let us know, 738-6336.
Julia A. Smith, President,
Sitka Outreach and Support:Lifeline Group
