Photographer Comments
Dear Editor: When I was an impressionable grade-school student in the 1970s the entire Baranof Elementary School marched single file to the Etolin Street gym for an end-of-the-school-year treat, a movie. “Old Yeller” tells the story of a boy and his dog, the family pet that gets bitten by a rabid critter in the days before rabies vaccines.
The movie ends with a rabid Old Yeller being put down with a shotgun. The movie came to mind earlier this week when a bear suffering from a nylon cord wrapped around its neck, likely picked up while rummaging through someone’s trash, was put down by police in the middle of town.
Maybe the take-away message from the movie is to get vaccinations. I don’t know. I sincerely hope that the take-away message from the photograph published Monday is that we all need to be conscious of the way we handle our garbage. It seems easy to ignore when someone suggests keeping smelly trash inside until the morning of garbage pickup. But the consequences of not doing so can be as tragic and sad as the ending of “Old Yeller.”
James Poulson
Pumpkin Patch Event
Dear Editor: No matter what October weather brings to Sitka, the annual PUMPKIN PATCH event is just around the corner! This annual fall fundraiser supports the “3 to 5 Preschool” program and will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the AC Lakeside grocery parking lot. As you arrive, please drive slowly while in the parking lot to ensure everyone outside stays safe. Bring and use face masks and maintain a safe distance between yourself and others to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Youngsters (and oldsters!) are invited to meander through the Pumpkin Patch to find the perfect pumpkin for Halloween, wander over to the kids’ Ghost Bowling or Water Balloon Toss, and little ones can enjoy the quarter rides staged inside the warm mall. (Parents, round up those loose quarters!) There will be a DJ and music, and once again the popular fall-themed photo booth that offers the perfect opportunity for family and friends to get silly, have fun, and take home some great photos.
In lieu of fees for games and activities this year, participants will make cash or check donations, located at the game and photo booths. This honor system will help to raise funds for the preschool but also ensure that no child is excluded from having fun if unable to pay. No child will be turned away. Thank you, in advance, for your generous donations, and for your help in seeing that all little ones feel welcomed and can join in the fun.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, hot drinks, cold beverages and chips will be available for purchase. All child and adult food combinations will include chips, and bottled water or soda. Hot apple cider, sodas and bottled water also will be available to purchase separately. Credit card payment for foods/drinks will be accepted inside the store. Checks and cash payment will be accepted outside at the food booth.
For those who have a sweet tooth or a craving for ice cream, jump in line! Sitka Swirls will be serving yummy ice cream concoctions AND donating a portion of each sale to the preschool program. Given the attention that the Sitka Swirls truck draws, it might be smart to dress warm because the line for ice cream is always a long one! Sadly, baked goods will not be sold this year at the Pumpkin Patch, but the aisles inside the grocery store are open!
New to the Pumpkin Patch fundraiser this year is the sale of seaweed mulch. While some of us are thinking about getting ready for Halloween, local gardeners are busy preparing garden beds and yards for the winter season. To that end, a limited quantity of beach seaweed will be available for $5 a bag. The seaweed, gathered from beaches around Sitka Sound, will be pre-bagged in reused plastic grocery bags.
And last, but not least, the annual Pumpkin Patch could not happen without the support of Sitka businesses and volunteers who give generously of their time, resources and money to make this event a success each year. Kudos to the following sponsors for this event: AC Lakeside Grocery, Sitka Bottling Company, Sitka Swirls, Fisheye Coffee, and Northern Sales. And kudos to all the parent and community volunteer for their work and dedication. We appreciate each and every one of you!
See you at the Pumpkin Patch!
3 to 5 Preschool Board and Families
October Monthly Grind
Dear Editor: It has been enlightening to team up with Jeanne Stolberg to produce the October Sitka Monthly Grind. I’m ever-amazed at the vibrancy of the arts in Sitka, and the importance of artists in defining the way we see ourselves as a community. In the years of owning an art gallery, that fact was reinforced over and over and over through the fresh eyes of visitors. It’s real, we are foremost described as an arts community and it is a comfort to know that the arts are still very much alive and our artists are resilient in finding new ways to express themselves during this pandemic.
A big shoutout to the October SMG artists: Franni Donahoe and Charles Hart of Sitka Cirque (Marley Richards, Kat Rhodes, Jill Kisaka, Kyle Dart, who each choreographed their pieces), Brant Miller, Ted Howard and Julie Schmitts, BellyMeat (Ted Howard, Ernie Eggleston, Gary Gouker), Theresa Allen-Olson, Yvonne Heitzner, The Bunker Group (Karen and Brian Neal, Vern Culp), Sitka Balalaika Orchestra (Jeanne Stolberg), and Summerfall (Jim Shepard, Debby LeVeck, Punkin and Charlie).
Thanks to the umbrella organizations of Greater Sitka Arts Council and the Sitka Monthly Grind for the solid ground we create on. But wait, there’s more. Hats off to those who helped get the word out – Sitka Soup, Sitka Sentinel, KCAW, KIFW. Gunalcheesh!
Vern Culp, Producer,
October Sitka Monthly Grind
