Sitka Library Thanks
Dear Editor: We will all remember the frustration and aggravation we felt as a community when our connection to the outside world was compromised last month.
What I am hoping we will also remember is how the Sitka Public Library became the hub of the community, welcoming residents (and visitors) and offering us the opportunity to check emails, monitor bank accounts and make important calls when limited bandwidth compromised our ability to do so in other parts of the city.
At Sitka High School, we were already starting the year without a school librarian (as well as three other teachers) due to a reduction in force.
One of our goals each year is to have books in the hands of each student as early as possible and we were planning to accomplish this by taking field trips to the public library with ninth grade English classes.
When I visited the library that first weekend of the outage, it was literally packed with people. I fully expected that they would ask us to cancel our visits for the coming week.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Director Ieremia and her staff were willing to allow our students to come in before the library was open to accommodate us. Joanna Perensovich worked with our teachers to assure every student had a temporary card issued and knew what to do to receive the permanent one. Students got a real-world taste of how valuable our libraries are as a repository of knowledge. When we have a telecommunications connection, the world is just a click away, but when we don’t, the library holds the keys to the information we need to function.
As we enter the fall/winter season and begin conversations about budgets, revenue and value, I would like to thank the library for all it does for our community.
When I searched for “Sitka Public Library” on the KCAW news page, I was amazed by the number of stories about individuals, organizations and events that have benefited from the support and flexibility of our librarians and the whole staff. Their work enriches us all.
Laura Rogers, Interim Principal
Sitka High School
Brewfest, Chili Cook-Off
Dear Editor: The Sitka Economic Development Association would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate Alaska Day at SEDA’s 8th annual Alaska Day Brewfest and Chili Cook-Off.
First, thank you to all the chili cook-off participants and congratulations to Isaiah Gerke for retaining his chili cook off championship for the second year in a row.
I would like to thank the folks who made the event possible this year.
The breweries and distributors that provided beer and participated, Harbor Mountain Brewery, Denali Brewery, Alaska Brewery, King Street Brewery, Matanuska Brewery, and Glacier Brew House; Republic National Distribution Company (RNDC) and Odom, who helped bring the beer to Sitka; Elks Lodge 1662 and the Alaska Day Committee for their continued support of the event; Sitka Sound Cruise Ship Terminal for allowing us to use their fencing; the CBC Construction team for helping set up and tear down event fencing; Aspen Hotels for offering lodging for out-of-town breweries; Seafood Producers Cooperative for providing ice; Spenard Builders Supply for providing event tables; Juan’s Cuban Cuisine food truck, the Fresh Fish food truck and Sitka Swirls for serving great food and treats; Tiffany Pearson with Sitka Wedding and Events who helped plan and run the event; City and Borough of Sitka and Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for working with us to host another successful event; DJ Bethany Lowrance and the Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums for the great music; and all the excellent beer pourers and volunteers (too many to name) for their support and help.
Thank you to our financial sponsors of the event – Alaska Airlines, Royal Caribbean Group, Holland America Group, Princess Cruise Lines, Cruise Lines International Association, Sea Mart, White’s Pharmacy, Arrowhead Transfer, Seafood Producers Cooperative and the SEDA Board and staff. I hope I did not miss anyone, but if I did, thank you, again.
Garry White, Executive Director
Sitka Economic Development Association
