Alaska Day Pie Sale
Dear Editor: The congregation of the Sitka Lutheran Church would like to most sincerely thank the citizens of Sitka for all their personal, verbal, and financial support during their pie sale on Alaska Day.
Sitkans have amazing pie-eating abilities with approximately 180 pies being consumed! Additionally, we would also like to thank Raven Radio, the Sitka Soup, and the Daily Sitka Sentinel for their outstanding advertising of this event. We are so pleased to be a part of this amazing community!
The Sitka Lutheran Church
Pie Committee
Rosary Rally
Dear Editor: First of all, thank you to Jesus and blessed Mother Mary for giving us the opportunity to hold a Rosary Rally Saturday, Oct. 14.
Thank you, Deacon Ron Mathews, for your energetic support. Also thank you to all those who participated: Mary Soltis, Sherri Schauwecker, Warlee Martin, Margaret Swanson, Patricia Durham, Mike Trainor, Charles Horan, Eliza Villanueva, Mike Perensovich, Mr. and Mrs. Danilo Canete, Marlon Calatrava and Mr. and Ms. Brian O’Callaghan. We apologize to those we missed.
Also special thanks to the Sentinel for their generosity and support. In Jesus and Mary,
Salvador and Adelia Agne, Sitka
Reading in School
Dear Editor: Twenty-one years ago, we sent our son to kindergarten at age 6. He was a summer birthday. If we had sent him at age 5, he would have been developmentally still 4.
He loved books, we read to him often. He did not read in kindergarten. By the end of first grade, he joined those who had read in kindergarten, in the highest reading group.
Children are developmentally ready to read at age 7. Many European countries do not teach reading until age 7.
Entering school with a healthy vocabulary is foundational to reading. As children we do not learn language from television. We develop it in conversation, being read to, exploring the beach or wood, and asking questions. Eye contact and personal relationship are key.
Sitka School District’s method of supporting young readers has been excellent. Several first-grade teachers have taught half-day and given reading support their remaining hours.
Our son was surrounded by readers and books, thanks to the library and secondhand store.
Christy Williams, Sitka
Brisket Cook-Off
Dear Editor: The Sitka Historical Society’s Annual Alaska Day Brisket Cook-off Contest went very well. We had nine brisket contestants, as well as some generous persons who cooked additional briskets for patrons who purchased tickets for our Brew Cruise.
The contest winners were announced today in the Sentinel but the historical society would like to acknowledge all who helped make the event a big success. Those who donated their time to cook brisket were Brandon and Jamey Marx; Nate and Nicole Miller; Tristan Rhodes; Greg Stevenson; John and Andrea Leach; and Shannon Bradstreet, Jenny Torgerson, Jordan Vaughan, Rylynn Pollow and Chris Balovich.
Also thanks to those who donated time to grill additional briskets were Jon and Jenn Barton, Vince Winters and Troy Wingard.
Side dishes were created by Tim Ryan, Todd Ryan, Paula Clayton and Jamey Marx
The historical society would like to thank Allen Marine Tours, Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC). Odom Corp. and Harbor Mountain Brewery for their donations; and a “shout out” goes to Anel y Los Vatos, Whistlin’ John Petraborg, Meathead DJ Mike Schinke for entertaining the cruisegoers.
Finally, hardworking volunteers make events like this possible and the Sitka Historical Society owes them a debt of gratitude: Tamy Stevenson (donated ice cream), John and Barb DeLong, Jamie Elstad, Bev Brill, Marissa Carson, Chris Heim, Mark Daum, Susan Brown, Ryan Keefe, Nicole Fiorino, Rachel Harris, Jenn Steinson, Rebekah Carley, Kenny Carley, Tony Rosas, Chris Balovich, Sabra Jenkins, Sabrina Jenkins, Roz DeRensis, Cori Schumejda, Ed Johnson, John Stein, Bonnie Brenner, Shauna Thornton, Robert Baty and the extremely helpful Allen Marine crew!
Hal Spackman
Sitka Historical Society and Museum
Executive Director
Home Health
Dear Editor: I was interested to read Dr. Elliot Bruhl’s letter and the recent barrage of advertisements in the Sentinel asserting that SEARHC will continue to offer identical services to Home Health through its new Outpatient Home-Based Services program. On the other hand, the devil is in the details.
For this reason, I welcome Sitka Woman’s Club’s offer to organize and host a community discussion so that concerns can be heard and SEARHC’s position and plan for home health clearly communicated. Thank you, Sitka Woman’s Club. And yes, please!
Cindy Litman, Sitka
