Prescriptions
Dear Editor: When SEARHC and the City began their discussions of selling Sitka Community Hospital, one of the concerns the public voiced was the impact this takeover would have on the citizens of Sitka. (Remember, we were not allowed to vote on this.)
One of those concerns was the impact it would have on Harry Race and White’s pharmacies, and their employees. SEARHC’s CEO assured there would be little to no impact on them, as people would still have a choice as to where prescriptions would be filled. This newspaper published that assurance.
But current practice proves this is absolutely not true, especially when too many are complaining about how difficult it is to get their prescriptions sent to Harry Race or White’s. Several friends have shared the long arguments they have had with doctors and two pharmacists/techs at SEARHC to have their prescriptions sent to another pharmacy in town. Still others add that is what others have shared with them as well. One was brave enough to finally ask the clerk/pharmacist why a computer transaction (the prescription) could not be sent as easily as most other computer transactions to another pharmacy. The answer was that it took “one press of the button” for the SEARHC pharmacy to get the prescription, and “three buttons” to send it to Harry Race or White’s!
That is ridiculous. I ask that each of us think about the impact this current SEARHC policy/practice will ultimately have on people who have constantly kept Sitka’s citizens at the top of their priority list, who have gone out of their way to provide extra care for us, who serve on many local committees, and who even make house calls (!), and insist SEARHC physicians (there are NO independent-of-SEARHC physicians in town) and pharmacists/clerks send our prescriptions to our personal choice of pharmacies, and hold SEARHC to its promise/assurances.
G.L. Hammons, Sitka
Moose Convention
Dear Editor: Thanks to the generosity and hospitality of our fellow Sitkans, the 74th Annual Convention of the Alaska-Hawaii Moose Association was a success. The Sitka Moose Lodge extends a sincere thank you to all who donated items for the silent auction and door prizes, purchased ad space in the convention booklet, or assisted with the convention.
A special thank you to First National Bank Alaska, Northrim Bank Alaska, Random House, Old Harbor Books, the artists of Island Artist Gallery, Dirk and Trish White, The Pub, Ernie’s Bar, Munchie Mart, Sitka Bazaar, Hames Corporation, Tongass Threads, and countless volunteers. Please forgive us if anyone was inadvertently omitted from this list.
The Members of
the Sitka Moose Lodge
Rosary Rally
Dear Editor: All are invited to join our Lady of Fatima Public Rosary Rally from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the intersection of Lake Street, Sawmill Creek Road and Halibut Point Road (public parking lot area). All ages are welcome and it’s fine if you can only stay and pray for a short time.
Refreshments will be served after the Rosary Rally.
Salvador and Adelia, Agne
Preservation Fund Grants
Dear Editor: The Sitka Fine Arts Camp recently wrapped up Historic Preservation Fund projects on the Sheldon Jackson School National Historic Landmark, on Fraser Hall and the Laundry Building-Power House (“Smokestack”). This is part of the ongoing restoration and revitalization of the historic 1911 campus.
Two of the grants were Certified Local Government or “CLG” grants to the City and Borough of Sitka. This valuable partnership brings federal funds into the community, passing them through to nonprofits who perform the work, do the reporting and provide the matching funds.
The projects on Fraser Hall were performed by the Historic Restoration Team of college students and recent graduates. Larry Jackson developed and managed the HRT program, donating his time, through 2018, and Pete Weiland led the project in 2019. This program contributes to our community and to the education and enrichment of young adults, some of whom go on to pursue preservation-related studies.
To celebrate and share historic preservation with the community, in September James Poulson presented on the architecture of the campus, highlighting his research into the Sheldon Jackson Museum and the curious story of the man who promoted octagonal concrete buildings. A video of that talk will soon be on line, accessed from the Sitka Fine Arts Camp “Our Campus” page.
Sitka is a special place, all the more when we come together to make music, share art, honor history, and celebrate the work of preserving and reusing these remarkable old buildings. Also in September, the Sitka Fine Arts Camp and the Greater Sitka Arts Council collaborated on the art show “What I Did This Summer” in the restored Laundry Building.
We would like to thank everyone who shared their projects, including paintings, photos, drawings, and Bill Foster’s newly completed 90-year series of Alaska license plates.
We had outstanding live music, by Zoe Trafton, Susan Brandt-Ferguson, and Debby LeVeck of the Sitka Strings, the fine Ceoltoiri Celtic band featuring Brian O’Callaghan, John Ingman, Dick Curran, Ted Howard, and Debby LeVeck, and the rich duo Summerfall of singer-songwriter Jim Shepard and Debby LeVeck. Thank you to these fine performers, for a great show, and a magical evening!
Thank you everyone who came out or participated in the events, and to all who volunteered with and have contributed to preservation work. Historic preservation and the arts are a natural, beautiful combination!
Rebecca Poulson,
preservation grant contractor,
Sitka Fine Arts Camp
Amelia Mosher, Executive Director, Greater Sitka Arts Council
Rotary Cleanup Day
Dear Editor: The Rotary Club of Sitka is a local volunteer organization that raises funds to provide opportunities for youths and other members of the public, mini-grants to local nonprofit organizations, and services for the community.
We are also involved in international projects to promote world peace, and improve health in the developing world. We do this through such projects as Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign to eradicate polio and the youth exchange program.
Funds we raise at local club meetings, the annual Duck Race and Allen Marine cruises go toward supporting our local and international activities. We are a nonreligious, apolitical organization. And we do have fun together!
Feel free to join us as we pitch in to beautify the community with our garbage cleanup day, meeting at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Totem Square (bring gloves!), and the upcoming Allen Marine Cruise Oct. 26. Tickets are available from jweitkamp@aol.com. Thank you to the generosity of Allen Marine.
Rotary Club of Sitka
