Bridge Rededication
Set for Sunday, Sept. 11
The American Society of Civil Engineers and Sitka Historical Society will celebrate the rededication of John O’Connell Bridge rededication ceremony and plaque unveiling 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, on the town side, under the bridge.
Speakers include David Gamez, a professional traffic operations engineer from Lounsbury and Associates in Anchorage; Larry Magura, ASCE Region 8 director; and staff and members of the Sitka Historical Society board, who will provide the history of the town before, during, and after the construction of the bridge and how it has affected the town. All are welcome.
Sawmill Creek Rd.
Project Updated:
The Sawmill Creek Road Resurfacing and Pedestrian Improvements project website has been updated with the following information for this week:
The following work will occur from the Lake Street roundabout to the end of the project past Jeff Davis Street:
–Curb and gutter work at various locations within the project corridor.
–Underground storm drain installation will continue.
–Gravity block walls will be installed.
–Manholes will be lowered followed by milling of the roadway.
There will be construction this Sunday, Sept. 11. As a reminder for displaced residents, designated parking from this Sunday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be on the city lot off of Baranof Street.
Reminder of the following bus stops relocated on Sawmill Creek Road:
–The Biorka Street bus stop has been relocated to the entrance of the recycling center on Sawmill Creek Road (about 80 feet past the end-of-project location around Jeff Davis Street).
–The Baranof Street bus stop has been relocated to the corner of Degroff Street and Baranof Street.
The school year has started. The city lot on Baranof Street will be shared with school staff and residents so please accommodate each other accordingly.
Eisenhower Dance
Detroit to Perform
Sitka Fine Arts Camp will present Eisenhower Dance Detroit 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
‘‘Considered one of the world’s finest contemporary ensembles, Eisenhower Dance Detroit gives new life to the art of dance with breathtaking moves that are versatile, fun, and totally accessible,’’ SFAC said.
Tickets are $20 and are available at www.fineartscamp.org/shows. For information call 907-747-3085.
Monthly Grind
Schedule Given
The Sitka Monthly Grind is planning for its 28th season. The philosophy will remain family-oriented, non-political, and affordable at $5 admission for all ages, organizers said.
The first event of the season, the Beatles Grind, will be Oct. 8 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. The Whalefest Grind is Nov. 4 at Centennial Hall; to be announced on Dec. 10; the Library Grind in observance of the Sitka Public Library’s 100th anniversary on Jan. 14; Fiddle Grind on Feb. 25; and the March 11 Artist Grind.
Organizers are looking for anyone interested in helping, having suggestions, or wanting to be part of one of the grinds.
Call Jeff, 907-747-4821 or Jeanne, 907-738-8083, with questions.
Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum
Welcomes Alaska Native
Artist-in-Residence
The Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum will host Alaska Native artist-in-residence Debra Dzijuksuk O’Gara (Tlingit, Yup’ik, Irish) beginning Sept. 17.
She will work most days between Tuesday and Saturday, Sept. 17-Oct. 9, at the museum. For details, consult the artist residency calendar available at the museum or online on Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
While in residence, O’Gara will give several artist talks and teach a hands-on ravenstail weaving class. Her first artist talk titled “Tillie Paul Tamaree: Educator and Tribal Historian” will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Sheldon Jackson Museum and simultaneously on Zoom. Call the museum at (907) 747-8981 to reserve a spot to attend in-person.
Zoom details are: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83908633969?pwd=REpwbXpZdE5WZ1RMY1NadGNSZVBzUT09; Meeting ID: 839 0863 3969; Passcode: 422241.
‘‘Matilda (Tillie) Kinnon Paul Tamaree was raven from the Teeyhittaan clan of Wrangell,’’ O’Gara says about the subject of her talk. ‘‘Tillie was my great-grandmother. She was born in 1864 and died in 1955. Though I never met her in person, her spirit and life accomplishments have and continue to provide me with inspiration and guidance in my life.
‘‘In her 91 years, Tillie was a teacher, translator, historian, and activist for Native and civil rights,’’ O’Gara said.
Tamaree spent many years in Sitka and was a translator for the Rev. Sheldon Jackson, an early leader in the Presbyterian church, and also created a Tlingit dictionary.
She was mother to the Paul brothers – William Sr., Louis and Samuel – in her first marriage, and to Gladys, Frances (Skip), and Florence in her second marriage to William Tamaree of Wrangell.
The Sheldon Jackson Museum is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed holidays. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and free for ages 18 and younger and active duty military and their families (with an ID). Call (907) 747-8981 to confirm hours.
