Christmas in Schools
Dear Editor: For a community that is so involved with the promotion of Christianity in the schools with Young Life, Wild Life, and other youth Bible study programs, why are the Sitka schools practicing this same philosophy of the article: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/10/08/one-sacred-song-for-every-five-secular-songs-wisconsin-school-district-cracks/.
Are these countries’ Christian roots so evil that we can’t sing traditional “Christmas” songs? This year will mark the 12th “Winter” Concert I’ve attended, which unfortunately is like Ground Hog Day when you have three children and hear the exact same non-Christmas songs over and over and over again every year. Not to mention some of the songs are non-English songs. I understand and appreciate the whole idea of teaching our kids to be culturally diverse, but it sure is sad when they don’t even know the words to Christmas carols, let alone never even heard of some of various carols.
Why has the politically correct bug taken over our country today? We as a society are cheating our children out of one of the most fun and exciting times of the year. When I was a child I had so much fun singing and participating in our “Christmas” plays and concerts, yes I said the evil word again “Christmas.” If it was my decision, and I thought my kids would understand what is going on today with all the changes for the worse, I wouldn’t even let them participate in the Winter Concert.
Unfortunately, they’re already brain washed into thinking this is the norm, because they have never had a true “Christmas” concert or play to compare with the insignificant Winter Concert. Why don’t we change these policies back to the traditional American ways without all the political correctness of our current society and stop worrying about what everyone in the world will think?
Thank you for your time.
Brad Wheeler, Sitka
Paint the Town
Dear Editor: On behalf of the staff and board of the Sitka Sound Science Center, we would like to thank the Alaska Tourism Industry Association group of 375 for coming to our facility for the “Paint the Town” event. It was a very special evening for us as we got to meet people from different aspects of the tourism trade and show off some of what we have to offer, and get people excited about the art of science education tourism.
Entertaining that many people took a large cooperative team effort and we have a group of people to thank. Thank you to Sitka Sound Seafoods and Seafood Producer Cooperative for donating the salmon and especially to Tim Ryan for barbecuing it. Alaska Pure Salt provided the sea salt for the salmon. Thank you to Springfield and Dagger, the band that played some rockin’ good dance tunes in the Mill Building.
Megan Pasternak and John and Sharyn Ferrick helped with decorations. Ludwig’s Bistro provided a delicious chowder. Baranof Island Brewing Company sold beer. Sitka Seafood Festival provided a whale sculpture out of ice and additional beverages. Ashia Lane helped out with enthusiasm. Thank you also to Sewing Solutions.
Thank you to the Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce for organizing the event, raising the funds to put it on and including the Science Center on the community tour. What a creative group of event planners.
Kitty LaBounty and Kristen Green
SSSC Board Members
