Memorial Scoreboard
Dear Editor: Last spring, several people and businesses helped to make our family’s wish a reality by erecting a scoreboard at the Keet Gooshi Heen ball fields in memory of our husband and father, Tony DelMoral.
Our desire was to give something back to Sitka, in thanksgiving for all the kindness and love that was shown to us after Tony’s passing. There was perhaps no better way to do this than to provide something for kids, since Tony felt such love for all kids and served as a surrogate uncle and friend to many.
Also, since most of Tony’s coaching years were spent on the Keet ball fields, we thought it would be ideal to give the kids who played there a much-needed scoreboard. After sharing our idea with Rich and Karen Krupa, they mentioned it to Kris Pearson of Coastal Excavation and he immediately offered his generous help and support.
Rich later met with Shawn McLeod, the parks and grounds maintenance supervisor for the City and Borough of Sitka, who also offered great support and provided the scoreboard. We were amazed by these gestures of kindness – though we shouldn’t have been because they are further examples of Sitka’s goodness. When we were trying to give something back, we got even more in return.
We are enormously grateful to all who donated their time, labor and materials to this effort: Rich Krupa; Kris Pearson and Tyler Cropley of Coastal Excavation; Shawn McLeod and the City of Sitka; Sitka Ready Mix; and Spenard Builders Supply. We are honored and delighted to see the scoreboard standing there in Tony’s name and memory. Kindest regards,
Angie DelMoral,
Lindsay and Matt Pagni,
Brit, Nick and Ruby Szymoniak
City Grants
Dear Editor: The officers and board of the Sitka Seafood Festival thank the city Assembly for their recent grant award to the Sitka Seafood Festival. The process of distributing grants to Sitka’s non-profits is a difficult task. The Assembly members demonstrated thoughtfulness, compassion and fiscal responsibility in their deliberations. We thank you for that.
The Sitka Seafood Festival plans to use this grant money to fund chef and speaker fees for the 2014 festival. We hope to continue to grow our Festival and continue to attract top quality, acclaimed chefs and speakers. This money will help us do that.
As our festival grows, we will be expanding our educational programs to include more scholarship opportunities. We also hope to start some culinary classes taught by our chefs.
The Sitka Seafood Festival relies on the support of many in the Sitka community. Fundraising efforts continue year round. Our next event is a live art auction scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. at the Westmark Sitka banquet room. This art auction is co-presented by the Fishermen’s Eye Gallery. John Stein will be our auctioneer and he has promised to dance for us.
The 2014 festival is scheduled for Aug. 1-2, 2014. Please mark your calendars. And thanks, again, to the city Assembly for recognizing the Sitka Seafood Festival with this city grant.
Ann Wilkinson, Treasurer,
Sitka Seafood Festival
