ALFA to Receive Award For
Conservation Achievements
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association will be presented with the Lowell Thomas Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization from the Alaska Conservation Foundation Oct. 3 at the Anchorage Museum.
The foundation Tuesday announced the recipients of its 2019 Alaska Conservation Achievement Awards, presented annually to recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to protecting Alaska, and making outstanding contributions to Alaska’s conservation movement.
‘‘These remarkable community members work tirelessly to ensure Alaska is thoughtfully protected, not just now, but for generations to come,’’ the foundation said in a press release. ‘‘We thank them for their commitment to Alaska.’’
Other winners announced are:
–Lifetime Achievement Award – Jim Stratton, Anchorage;
–Celia Hunter Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions – Michael McKimens, Craig;
–Olaus Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions – Polly Carr, Anchorage;
–Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists (2) – Karl Pfeiffenberger, Seward, and Cate Gomez, Dillingham;
–Daniel Housberg Wilderness Image Award for Excellence in Film or Video – Drew Hamilton, Homer;
–Jerry S. Dixon Award for Excellence in Environmental Education – Kristen Romanoff, Juneau;
–Caleb Pungowiyi Award for Outstanding Achievements by an Alaska Native Organization or Individual – Heather Kendall-Miller, Anchorage.
The Lowell Thomas Jr. Award for Outstanding Achievements by a Conservation Organization recognizes an Alaska-based organization or program that demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to conservation.
In announcing the award, the foundation said: ‘‘Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association is an alliance of small-scale fishermen committed to sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal communities. It is a recognized leader in Alaska fisheries conservation and management, and an effective voice for sustainable, community-based fisheries at the national level. ALFA’s Fishery Conservation Network engages fishermen and scientists in collaborative research and marine stewardship, combining the problem-solving genius of fishermen with the rigors of science,’’ the foundation release said.
‘‘ALFA has a powerful and well-respected voice in the policy arena,’’ the release said. ‘‘The organization is known for fact-based advocacy, unwavering commitment to conservation but a willingness to work with others to identify win-win solutions.’’
T’ai Chi Chih
Practice Saturday
T’ai Chi Chih Practice will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, behind Sitka Public Library.
Sitka Photographer White’s
Work Up at Centennial Hall
Photographer Roberta White is the artist-of-the-month for October at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
White was born and raised in Sitka. She has four children and four grandchildren and has worked for the Sitka Fire Department for the past 17 years.
‘‘In the beginning, it was the joy of taking photos of my children as they were growing up that started me on the photography journey,’’ White said. ‘‘I always had them posing for me.’’
Her first camera was a Minolta film camera back around 1984.
‘‘But it wasn’t until 2009 that I even thought of doing something with my photos other than placing them in the family album,’’ she said.
Sometime in 2012, White had taken a picture of three young swans at the Starrigavan Estuary and a photographer friend said, “you should get that printed and do something with it.”
So she printed it, had it framed and took it to a local Sitka gallery and asked the owner if she would sell it for her. The photo was the beginning of her photography career.
She also began to sell her photography at the local farmer’s markets, Christmas bazaars, and Artisans Market.
‘‘A couple of ladies at the Island’s Artist Co-op Gallery said they were starting at a new location and would love for me to join them,’’ White said. ‘‘Unfortunately I couldn’t at that time. By the time I was ready to join them, their gallery was full of artists. I went often to see if they had any openings over the next few years, and they didn’t. Finally, around 2017, they had a glass jewelry case open up and asked if I would be interested in starting with that.
‘‘I jumped at the chance and joined the Island’s Artist Co-op Gallery selling my photos out of a glass jewelry case,’’ she said. ‘‘Later a wall pod opened up and I could expand into larger photos. It was about this time that I started to experiment to see what type of photo sold the best and what kind of product worked well for me.’’
White said she prints her photos on aluminum because of the clarity it produces and the simplicity of hanging the photo on the wall without a frame.
‘‘I realized early on that photographing people was not my calling,’’ White said. ‘‘So I focused on the things I would see in everyday life. A lot of my photos are of ones I have taken right on the road system. Or someplace I could easily get to. Unfortunately, I am not the climb-the-mountain kind of gal to get a picture. We are so lucky to live in Sitka, Alaska. There is such beauty around us and it changes each day, depending on the time of year or weather.’’
White said she started her career late in life.
‘‘I also realized I enjoyed being alone in my moment to capture what I see,’’ she said. ‘‘Just driving around alone in the car, playing my music, I might come across something I see every day, but I saw it in a different view. I find photography a continuous learning process and with each picture I take, I learn something new from it.’’
Cycling Club
Group to Meet
The steering committee of the Sitka Cycling Club will meet noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Sitka Public Library.
All are invited to attend. For information or to sign up for the club go to https://sitkacycling.wordpress.com/.
ANB, ANS Hold
Joint Meeting
Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will hold a joint meeting 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the ANB Founders Hall. A potluck dinner starts at 5 p.m.
The meeting is open to the public and all are invited to attend. The meeting will be to update members and others about what happened at 2019 ANB/ANS Grand Camp.
Ice Cream Social
At Baranof School
Baranof Elementary School will hold its annual ice cream social 1:15-2:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Baranof, Ventures, Wooch.een and Imagination Library families are invited to the free event.
Ice cream bars, carnival games, and Drums Alive will be some of the activities. A group drone photograph is planned. Call Kari at 752-READ with any questions.
Blessing of Animals
Service on Oct. 8
A Blessing of the Animals service will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
All are invited to take their pets for a special blessing. The church is located at 611 Lincoln Street. For more information, call 747-3977.
Card of Thanks
I would like to express my many thanks to each and every one who helped the family of Richard Lee Sam Sr. – Nov. 22, 1959-August 17, 2019. He was 59 years old.
We have a special thank you to Robert A. Nielsen for all his help. Without him we’d have been lost . He was a tremendous help; and for the transportation he gave to family and friends who needed a ride. Also a special thank you to Lou Primacio who made the wonderful dinner for Richard’s Celebration of Life.
Also to my sister Marie (Sam) Salvidar who provided the food for Lou to make this possible. Lou did an awesome job! Also to Evie Edenshaw and her fiance who gave her aunts – Marie and Betty Jo – much needed help.
Thank you to Prewitts, American Legion, Ernie’s Old-Time Saloon, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Shee Atika, and other establishments I may have forgotten. Please forgive me.
There are many, many family and friends to list who gave support, advice and condolences. Thank you, each and every one of you.
Betty Jo Edenshaw,
Richard Lee Sam Jr.,
Sam Family,
Maberry Family
College to Career
Program at UAS
A college-to-career coordinator is now available at UAS-Sitka Campus for those interested in professional development.
As part of the UAS College to Career Program, staff members have made resources available to both students and the community at large. The program offers “tool kits” for those interested in all facets of workforce readiness. Topics include apprenticeship, application prep, interviewing techniques, goal-setting, and more.
For information contact: Jeff Budd at jjbudd@alaska.edu or 747-7795.
Teenagers Called
For Weekly Group
High School students struggling with academic pressure, peer dynamics, family conflict, substance use, or any other form of stress are invited to a weekly get-together.
Participants can learn ways to reduce stress, cope with day-to-day pressure, build healthy peer relationships, and learn more about themselves along the way.
Meetings will be held 4:30-6 p.m. Mondays at The Cloud teen center. Snacks will be provided.
The trauma-informed group will be run by Sitka Counseling clinicians and prevention staff and will provide a safe space for high schoolers to ask questions, learn skills, and support one another.
