Sitkan Among Finalists for
Alaska Nurse of the Year
Susan Ward, a nurse at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, has been named one of 65 finalists in the March of Dimes Alaska Nurse of the Year.
At the dinner on Nov. 3 in Anchorage, 16 awards will be presented to nurses who ‘‘exemplify an extraordinary level of patient care, compassion and customer service in their specific disciplines,’’ March of Dimes said in a press release. Melissa Frey of KTVA 11 will be emcee.
Sixty-five finalists, representing 13 health care facilities, will be recognized for their contributions to the profession.
More than 110 nominations were received.
‘‘Whether serving as health care provider, educator, researcher, volunteer and/or adviser, nurses play a critical role in advancing the mission of March of Dimes. The mission of the March of Dimes is to fight for the health of all moms and babies. The Nurse of the Year initiative supports this mission while recognizing exceptional nurses throughout the state, celebrating the profession, and creating awareness of the strides made in this growing field,’’ March of Dimes said in a press release.
The 2018 Nurse of the Year awards are presented by the Children’s Hospital at Providence. Gold sponsors are Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Foundation Health Partners and Southcentral Foundation.
Parent-Teacher
Events at SHS
Sitka High School will hold parent-teacher conferences 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.
Classroom conferences continue 8-11 a.m. Appointment conferences are noon-3 p.m. and arena conferences in the commons are 4-7 p.m.
Insurance Talk
Slated Thursday
SEARHC Patient Health Benefits Manager Andrea Thomas will offer a free presentation 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Sitka Public Library to help Sitkans navigate the health insurance marketplace.
Call 966-8883 or 966-8662 for more information.
SCS Wild Foods
Potluck Nov. 18
All are invited to celebrate the bounty of the Tongass at Sitka Conservation Society’s Annual Wild Foods Potluck 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Centennial Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Attendees can take a dish to share featuring ingredients that were fished, foraged, hunted, or cultivated in Southeast Alaska.
‘‘Join the SCS staff and board for an evening of your favorite dishes and an opportunity to try something new,’’ the SCS said in a press release.
Radio Theater
Hour Nov. 16
Greater Sitka Arts Council Sitka Community Theater will present The Radio Adventure Hour 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Performing Arts Center.
The live performance of original radio plays is performed on stage with live sound effects. The stories are an Indiana Jones meets Monty Python adventure, a reporter who stumbles on the story of a lifetime, a ghost story in the desert and a fairy tale gone wrong.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. Free admission is extended to the community of AmeriCorps, Vista, JVs and Sitka Winter Fellows.
Tickets are available at Old Harbor Books and the door.
Those with questions may call 738-0602.
Sitka Community Theater is a project of the Greater Sitka Arts Council, with help from Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Woman’s Club
Meets Nov. 3
Sitka Woman’s Club members – present and future – will meet noon Saturday, Nov. 3, at the back room of A Little Something shop in the Franklin Building.
Those attending can buy themselves a treat then go to the shop’s back room at the end of the hall. The agenda will include discussion of the Woman’s Club Single Mothers Scholarships, updating non-profit paperwork, and planning for a holiday party.
Newcomers are always welcome at Sitka’s oldest club, President Robin McNeilley said.
Elk Hunting
Closure Given
An emergency order was issued to close the elk season in the remainder of Unit 3 effective 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.
The closure is necessary to restrict unsustainable harvest. Any additional harvest could have long-term negative effects on the elk population and prevent further recovery.
The emergency order does not affect the upcoming registration elk hunt on Etolin Island.
Goat Hunting
Closure Noted
The Sitka District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, is closing the Clarence Kramer Zone to the harvest of mountain goats effective 11:59 p.m. Nov. 1.
It will remain in effect through the rest of the season, Dec. 31. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued a concurrent closure in the same zone. Further mountain goat harvest in this zone could have a long-term negative effect on the conservation of this mountain goat subpopulation. The remainder of Baranof Island is open to goat hunting until the season closes, unless closed by special action.
A map and description of closed areas are available from the Sitka Ranger District Office and the Sitka area office of ADF&G.
Advance Directives,
Wills to be Discussed
All are invited to attend a presentation on wills and advance directives by Catherine Rogers, Americorps medical legal partnership attorney with SEARHC, 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Sitka Public Library.
The program is the first of four educational events, held monthly, on topics related to elder health. Future presentations will include physical activity, nutrition and hydration, and volunteer opportunities. Contact Erin Matthes at 966-8720 or ematthes@searhc.org with questions.
T’ai Chi Chih
Practice Saturday
T’ai Chi Chih Practice will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, behind the Sitka Public Library.
Hold Donations
The volunteers at the White Elephant Shop are asking that donations be held until further notice. Volunteers will be busy preparing for the Christmas sale and won’t have time to process them.
SSA Turkey
Shoot Ahead
The Sitka Sportsman’s Association’s will hold its annual Turkey Shoot 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at 5211 Halibut Point Road.
Contestants hitting a particular colored clay target during one normal round of trap or skeet wins. Contestants get five shots and the top score out of every five shooters wins. .
Winners choose either a turkey or a coupon for a free round of trap or skeet. No experience is necessary and non-members are invited to participate. It is limited to one turkey or coupon per shooter.
The cost to shoot is $15 per round of trap or skeet and $5 per pistol event. Both fees include ammunition. Loaner shotguns and pistols will be available for use at no charge.
Sitka Sportsman’s Association is a non-profit organization and its member volunteers continue to provide range activities to our community.
For information contact Mike Johnson at 752-7900.
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
Boys Run I toowú klatseen is an after-school running and life skills program currently in its fifth season in Sitka. The program incorporates cultural activities that honor traditional Southeast Alaska Native values. More than 25 boys participate twice-weekly at Keet Gooshi Heen elementary school.
This week, Boys Run participants have been learning about gender stereotypes and what it means to be a strong man. Boys looked at magazine advertisements and determined whether they targeted boys or girls, thought about their strong male role models, and learned ways they can be “strong in mind, body, and spirit,” one of the Tlingit values which helps inform the program. Here’s what some of the boys said about what they learned:
–“Today we are learning how to be a strong man, and how to run around.”
–“Some people think a strong man is someone with huge muscles. What it is to be a strong man is not outer or physical strength, it’s inner strength.”
–“To be a strong man is to be kind.”
–“To be a man means be responsible, respectful, and to care about others.”
–“Just because something is meant for girls or for boys, a girl or a boy can still use it.”
–“I think stereotypes are bad because they put everyone’s opinion into a box.”
–“Girls can like Star Wars and boys can like Frozen. Anyone can like anything.”
Throughout this season, Boys Run will be providing the Sitka community with updates on the program. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Boys Run to the children in their lives. Consider using these conversation starters:
–Why can stereotypes be bad?
–Who is a strong man that you admire? Why?
–What do you think it means to “strengthen your spirit?”
SEARHC to Take On
Wrangell Medical Center
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Board of Directors on Oct. 26 passed a resolution in favor of transferring responsibility for Wrangell Medical Center to SEARHC.
SEARHC will operate WMC while building a new health care campus, which will be adjacent to the Alaska Island Community Services Medical Clinic and include a critical access hospital and long-term care facility.
The transition of WMC’s operations is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
“The SEARHC Board is unwavering in its commitment to provide the best health care possible for our communities,” said Board Chair Kimberley Strong. “By assuming responsibility for WMC and building a new health care campus, we are serving all of Wrangell and ensuring access to quality, long-lasting services.”
Since the beginning of 2018, SEARHC, the City and Borough of Wrangell and WMC have worked in partnership with the Wrangell community to identify a health care solution that addresses industry challenges and provides sustainable health care services for Wrangell. On Oct. 2, Wrangell residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of transferring responsibility of WMC to SEARHC.
“Our collaboration with the CBW and WMC is an excellent reflection of SEARHC’s strategic intent,” said SEARHC President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Clement. “With the vote of the SEARHC Board, it‘s full steam ahead to realize the goals of CBW, WMC and SEARHC in support of enhanced and expanded health care services for Wrangell.”
Teams, including both SEARHC and WMC staff, have been working closely together to ensure a smooth transition. The teams are guided by shared principles to ensure the affiliation enhances the infrastructure and services in Wrangell and increases the efficiencies and effectiveness of access to care.
Completion of the new health care campus is anticipated within four years.
MEHS Student
Receives Honor
Mt. Edgecumbe High School student Braden T. Bahnke of Nome has been named a Commended student in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.
MEHS Principal Bernie Gurule made the announcement and will present Bahnke with a Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2019 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSATINMSQT®).
SAFV Board Meets
The board of Sitkans Against Family Violence will meet 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, at the shelter. The meeting is open to the public. For directions and more information, call 747-3370.
Early Childhood
Open House Set
Families of children ages birth to 5 are invited to an open house to help identify priorities for early childhood programs 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the SEACC building, next to Pacific High School.
Parents will be asked to fill out a short survey focusing on childcare and parenting resources. Childcare will be provided while parents complete the survey, and families can take a plate of cookies home for dessert.
Contact Mandy Evans, 966-1266, or Kari Sagel, 966-1344, for information.
Art Show Slated
The “Love and Land” art show, featuring local and regional artists, is planned 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Smokestack building on the SJ Campus, across from the Rasmuson Center.
