Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 1, 2023, Community Happenings

Vendor Signup Underway

For Sitka Farmers Market

Vendor registration is open for  the 16th annual Sitka Farmers Market series to be held this summer.

Sitka Local Foods Network will  host seven markets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1, 15, 29, Aug. 12, 26, and Sept. 9 and 23, at ANB Founders Hall.

Go to the online vendor registration page, http://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com, to sign up and pre-pay for spots.

Vendors will pay $40 per market for a full table inside or outside or to bring a food truck, and $25 for a half-table inside. Vendors who register for all seven markets before the first market happens will pay $240, which pays for six markets with one market free. Vendors can register for one or two markets, or all seven. The youth vendor program for ages 14 and younger is $20 for all seven markets.

Vendors can pay using PayPal or credit/debit card. Those who prefer to pay by cash or check can contact Charles Bingham at 907-623-7660. 

Anastasia Stefanowicz is the Sitka Farmers Market manager this summer. Laura Schmidt is lead gardener at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm, where the Sitka Local Foods Network grows most of the produce it sells at the market. Charles Bingham is the assistant market manager and the president of the Sitka Local Foods Network.

For questions about the market, email sitkafarmersmarket@gmail.com or call (907) 623-7660. More details about the market will be posted on the Sitka Local Foods Network website, http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org, and shared on its Facebook pages — https://www.facebook.com/SitkaLocalFoodsNetwork and https://www.facebook.com/SitkaFarmersMarket — and on Twitter, https://www.twitter.com/SitkaLocalFoods.

Vendor rules and responsibilities are at https://d12m9erqbesehq.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/33913/2023/05/28045037/2023VendorRulesResponsibilities.docx

Memorial Bench

Fundraising Set

Sitkans Against Family Violence is partnering with Sitka Rotary Club to commission a yellow cedar bench with a brass hummingbird inlay in memory of SAFV’s shelter supervisor Deanna Moore.

The project was inspired by Deanna’s family. To support the project visit www.safv.org. The goal is $5,000. 

Trail Master

Workshop Set

The first Sitka Trail master workshop, a free two-day training, is slated 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4.

It will teach the science and techniques of sustainable trail management. Individuals can attend for all or part of the training.

Training begins at Keet Gooshi Heen multipurpose room for the Saturday morning classroom session, then to the Cross Trail for hands-on field work and experience. 

All skill levels are invited to participate. The training will be facilitated by Sitka Trail Works, the Tongass National Forest Sitka Ranger District, Sitka Cycling Club, and other community partners.

Register to save a spot by clicking the link on the front page of SitkaTrailWorks.Org or full link here: https://forms.gle/CH4WF5gZQFyZ4GAA8.

Voron Earns

Bachelor’s Degree

Avery Lee Voron of Sitka is one of 186 students who received diplomas from Montana State University, Bozeman, during a commencement ceremony on May 12.

Voron received a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She graduated with highest honors. 

She is a 2019 Sitka High graduate. Her parents are Chris and Natalie Voron. 

Kids Fishing Day

Set for June 10

The Sitka Rotary Club, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Forest Service are inviting kids to participate in the annual Swan Lake Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, June 10.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Fishing will take place from 9 a.m. to noon.  Prizes will be awarded throughout. The free event is for children, ages 4-12 years, accompanied by parents.

Fishing may take place from shore or by boat. Flotation jackets are required for boaters.

The Rotary Club will be selling hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Motorists should avoid parking on the Swan Lake side of the street unless loading or unloading boats, organizers said.

Comments Open

On Proposed

USFS Rec Fees

The public has until Sept. 30 to comment on proposed new and increased recreation fees at 17 developed forest recreation sites in Southeast Alaska.

Locations with proposed changes include developed day-use areas, group picnic sites, campgrounds, cabins, and wildlife viewing sites. 

A list of locations and proposed fees is available on the interactive Alaska Region Recreation Fee Proposals site.

Comments can be submitted four ways: electronic comments are accepted at bit.ly/3ItLeOe; email  sm.fs.tnfrecfee@usda.gov; mail comments by the closing date to Tongass National Forest-Ketchikan SO, Attention John Suomala, Recreation & Wilderness Program Manager, 648 Mission Street, Suite No. 110, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591; or in person or by phone at any USDA Forest Service office, or call 907-228-6215.

Comment information, including the commenter’s name and address, will be considered part of the public record and viewable by the public.

“Recreation fee increases help close the gap between annual revenue and actual costs for operations and maintenance,” said Jay Anderson, Recreation Staff Officer for the Tongass National Forest. “As an example, our Fish Creek Bear Viewing Site has an annual cost of over $350,000 with an average fee collection of approximately $50,000.’’

The public will be informed six months before charging a new or increased fee is charged. If approved, fee changes will take effect in 2024. Collected fees are used to fund ongoing operations, maintenance, and improvements to provide high quality recreation sites for locals and visitors alike.

For information contact John Suomala, Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager, at 907-228-6215.

Music Festival 

Friday Concert

Sitka Music Festival will present its first evening concert of the season 7 p.m. Friday at Centennial Hall.

It will feature works by Mahler, Piazzolla, and Schumann. Tickets are $22.50 for seniors, military members and youths, and $27.50 for adults, when purchased in advance, or $25 and $30 at the door. Learn more at sitkamusicfestival.org, or call (907) 747-6774.

Music Festival Sets

Thursday Event

The public is invited to Sitka Music Festival’s presentation “A Sher Thing” 6 p.m. Thursday in the Miner Music Center at Stevenson Hall on SJ Campus.

It will be presented by Martin Sher and guest musicians.

More information on the festival can be seen at sitkamusicfestival.org, or call us at (907) 747-6774.