Betty Allen, 89,
Services Pending
Services are pending for longtime Sitkan Betty Allen, who died this morning in Sitka. She was 89.
An obituary and notice of services will appear in next week’s Sentinel.
New Pastor Joins
Christian Center
Scott Hutton has been named the new pastor of Sitka Christian Center.
‘‘For the last seven years I have had the privilege of sitting under the tutelage of our founding pastor, the late Bob Benton, as well as our second pastor Al Hass,’’ Hutton said.
Hass is retiring and relocating south to be near family.
Hutton is a graduate of Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, N.J., and has been in the ministry for six years. He and his wife, Panya, have been married for 17 years. They have four children, Christina, Ricky, Caleb and Desirae, and one grandson, Shane.
‘‘I grew up at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio,’’ Hutton said.
For the last 23 years he had been enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.
‘‘Now that my time in the military has come to an end I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve this wonderful community and the new adventures that entails. God bless,’’ Hutton said.
The Christian Center services are: 10:30 a.m. Sunday service; 6 a.m. Tuesday prayer; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday Bible study; 6 a.m. Thursday Bible readings; and movie night, 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Methodists Return
To In-House Service
The United Methodist Church of Sitka will resume in-house church services 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at 303 Kimsham Street.
The congregation will celebrate World Communion Sunday.
Attendees are to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Safety protocols will be followed, the church said. Those who can’t attend in person can join the livestream services available at https://www.facebook.com/umcsitka.
Manna lunch will be served. Lunch bags and soup will be available 12:30-1:30 p.m. Those who have questions can contact Pastor Bennie Grace Nabua at (907) 419-3112. The service is open to the public.
Climate Connection: Feeling Change: October
We have experienced another summer of extreme weather events. For all the destruction caused, they have also brought an increasing awareness of what a changing climate looks like. And especially what it feels like, in all its unsettling uneasiness. And with this awareness, there seems to be a growing appetite for solutions.
When approaching a problem, an important first step is to define the task at hand. For climate change, our collective task is becoming clearer. It’s to change those behaviors and activities that are pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and warming the planet. Or more simply put: to stop burning so much fossil fuel.
As individuals though, this can feel overwhelming. After all, the scope of this problem is truly global in nature.
Not only that, but we are more closely feeling the impact of a changing climate. If we didn’t directly experience an extreme weather event this year, it’s likely we know someone who did. Someone whose home flooded, or was threatened by fire. Someone who was without electricity or air conditioning during sweltering heat waves. Someone who had to hunker down during unusually powerful storms.
We need to understand the nature of the problem that climate change poses. Because in some important ways it’s not like other problems. It’s something that is both everywhere and nowhere at once. We can’t exactly touch it , but we can feel it all over the place.
One term to describe these kinds of problems is as hyperobjects. Other hyperobjects include COVID, the internet or black holes. Things so big, they are beyond our ability to fully grasp. They also tend to challenge our belief in human mastery. After all, it’s this belief that gives us the confidence to complete a task or solve a problem.
And this is what can make climate change so scary. It’s not only the scope of the problem, but the threat it poses. Not just the threat to our own and other lives but a profound threat to the possibility of life itself.
So we know our collective challenge in reversing the trends driving climate change. But what about our task at the personal level? Can we define this in a way that gives us a map to move forward and courage to meet this challenge? The next few articles here will explore these questions.
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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Alaska Chamber Names
2 More ‘Shot’ Winners
Jim Durkee, Fairbanks, and Elia Samuelson, Bethel, are the week three winners of the Alaska Chamber’s Give AK a Shot sweepstakes. Durkee wins $49,000 in cash and Elia Samuelson wins a $49,000 scholarship administered as an Alaska 529 savings plan. Elia Samuelson’s mother, Carol Samuelson, also wins $10,000 for being vaccinated. The two winners were selected randomly by an independent auditor and vetted for eligibility through Alaska’s Immunization Information System (VacTrAK).
To date, winners of the Give AK a Shot program have been from Valdez, Kodiak, Palmer, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Bethel.
Alaskans who receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine now through Oct. 30, are eligible to enter the Alaska Chamber’s Give AK a Shot drawing for a chance to win $49,000. The next weekly drawing entries are due Saturday, Oct. 2. Newly vaccinated Alaskans are only eligible to win in the week they are vaccinated.
A remainder of 12 prize drawings are split between two categories: Alaskans aged 18 and older and Alaskans aged 12-17 will be awarded. Two drawing pools will be created per week for those newly vaccinated for COVID-19, and two drawing pools total for those vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to Sept. 2. Alaskans vaccinated before Sept. 2 may enter once any time between now and Oct. 30 for their chance to win.
Eligibility requirements for the Give AK a Shot incentive program include: entrant must be an Alaska resident ages 12 or older. Entrants must be in receipt of the first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine at any time before or during the sweepstakes period and must have received a vaccination in Alaska or if a veteran, at any VA hospital or VA clinic.
To enter, participants must provide the following information into the secure website: name, date of entry, first-dose COVID-19 vaccination date, vaccination location, and Alaska residency status.
Entries accepted and official rules and FAQs are available at www.GiveAkaShot.com.
WhaleFest Cruises
Listed Nov. 6 & 7
All are invited to join local wildlife experts and the Sitka WhaleFest crew aboard an Allen Marine boat to discover the wildlife of Sitka Sound 8:45-11:30 a.m. Nov. 6 and 7. Cruises are part of the Sitka WhaleFest.
Masks and social distancing per suggested COVID-19 protocols are required. Tickets are $60 per person and to register go to https://sitkascience.regfox.com/2021-sitka-whalefest-wildlife-cruise. All proceeds benefit the Sitka Sound Science Center and Sitka WhaleFest.
Radio Theater
Auditions Set
GSAC Sitka Community Theater will hold auditions for Radio Adventure Hour 2 p.m. Sunday, October 10, at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Four short works will be featured in a performance Nov. 12. Works are by local playwrights Sotera Perez, Zeke Blackwell, Seaton Bryan and Rebecca Poulson.
Those 14 and up may audition and no experience is necessary. Proof of vaccination required. More details will be announced next week. Sign up for the mailing list by calling or texting 907-738-0602, or emailing shannon_haugland@yahoo.com.
Alaska Day Pie Sale
At Lutheran Church
The Alaska Day pie sale at Sitka Lutheran Church will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (or until sold out) on Monday, Oct. 18.
Whole pies will be $20, and the church asks patrons to have correct change. No slices will be sold.
To purchase a pie, go to the back entrance of the church behind Raven’s Hook hobby store. Parking is not available behind the church, but motorists can park across the street or in the public lot. A listing of available pies will be posted outside the back entrance and will be updated. Pies will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
‘‘Thank you for your understanding of our desire to help maintain the health of everyone by asking that you wear a mask at all times and maintain social distancing,’’ the church said.
SE Winter Troll
Fishery to Start
The Southeast Alaska/Yakutat commercial winter troll fishery will open by regulation at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11.
The fishery will continue through March 15, or until a total of 45,000 non-Alaska hatchery-produced Chinook salmon are harvested.
The boundary line for the 2021–2022 winter troll fishery remains unchanged from recent seasons; however, the description is modified by emergency order, with the addition of coordinates for nearest headlands that are undefined in regulation. These coordinates will be available in the 2021–2022 Winter Troll Fishery Management Plan when published.
The 2021–2022 Winter Troll Fishery Management Plan will be available in all ADF&G area offices and on the troll fishery website at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon_trollwinter.
Seasonal Sales Tax
Changes Set Today
The City and Borough of Sitka tax office reminds citizens the seasonal sales tax returns to the winter rate of 5% today. On April 1 it will go back to 6%. Bed tax rentals less than 30 days remain at 6% year-round.
Those with questions can contact the tax office at 747-1840 or tax@cityofsitka.org.
Women’s March
In Sitka Oct. 2
A march to bring attention to the reproductive rights of women and in support of ‘‘our sisters in Texas’’ will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, beginning at Totem Square, at the corner of Lincoln and Katlian streets.
Attendees will hear a few short inspirational speakers, then walk around St. Michael’s Cathedral and back. Signs are encouraged. The event is part of nationwide marches occurring the same day.
Those with questions can call Kathy at 738-2393.
Farewell Party
Set for Edwards
Perry Edwards and Michelle Putz will be leaving Sitka for jobs with the U.S. Forest Service in Salida, Colorado.
Friends wishing to say goodbye are invited to an “open house” 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter.
Taking a snack or dessert to share and a drink is encouraged but not required.
Edwards will be leaving Sitka soon and Putz will stay in Sitka until the ferries return in January, she said.
Both Edwards, Sitka District Ranger, and Putz are employed with the U.S. Forest Service in Sitka.
Those with questions can call Michelle at 747-2708.
Ham Radio
Expo Oct. 2
Sitka Ham Amateur Radio Klub will hold the first SHARK Ham Radio Expo 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Sitka Sportsman’s Association, 5211 Halibut Point Road.
The group hopes to make the expo an annual event.
The public is invited to view displays and use radios, antennas, accessories and information on how to become a ham radio operator.
For more information call Darryl Ault AL7BW at 738-4539.
Guns, Gear Swap
And Sell Oct. 9
Sitka Sportsman’s Association will have a fall Gun and Outdoor Gear Swap 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 9, at 5211 Halibut Point Road.
For sellers, tables rent for $10 for SSA members and $20 for non-members. Both individuals and businesses can sell at this event and sellers only may arrive at 8 a.m. to set up. Sellers must reserve a table by contacting Chad on 623-0908 or email premiertrainingak@gmail.com.
‘Shop of Horrors’
Musical Staged
Sitka Fine Arts Camp will present the smash hit musical ‘‘Little Shop of Horrors’’ Oct. 1-3 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center. Performance times are 7 p.m. tonight, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The show will feature professional actors from the San Francisco Bay Area along with local performers.
With crowd-pleasers like “Feed Me,” “Suddenly Seymour” and “Be a Dentist,” the show is sure to delight audiences of all ages, organizers said.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for ages 12 and older for entry to the performance. All patrons must be masked at all times while at the PAC. Tickets are available at www.fineartscamp.org/shows.
