Sorted by date Results 930 - 954 of 1096
To the Editor: I am writing today to thank, Clay Hammer and the city crew that fixed the broken city owned light across from the driveway to City Market at the Nolan Center, as well as the installation of a new pole light on the nearby city owned power pole. Both of these improvements will increase the safety of this area keeping people and property safer. I witnessed several incidents of minor accidents in this area after dark, thankfully this is now behind us, due to the timely good work of these individuals, Koodoos. Kip...
Several years ago June and I heard rumors about a Salvation Army work that was in serious trouble. I said to my Salvation Army colleagues, “I pity the poor slob that ends up having to take care of that horrible situation.” A phone call then came from the divisional commander and I discovered that I was the poor slob selected for the task. Three years later rumors drifted around about a tragic incident that had taken place on a faraway island in Micronesia. I said to my Salvation Army colleagues, “I pity the poor slob that ends up having to ta...
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined…For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2, 6) I was afraid of the dark when I was a kid. I wanted a nightlight in my room and I asked for my bedroom door to stay open so I could see the light from the other rooms. I’m not exactly sure what I was afraid of, but I am still not...
Black Friday, Merry Christmas, bah humbug, happy holidays, be politically correct, buy the most presents, host the best party, attend the most parties, Happy Hanukkah, children focused on how much they can get, depression, wrong gifts-hurt feelings, anger, credit card bills, crime, stress, good will to all, pressure, buy too much for all the wrong reasons, sadness. This is a result of everyone looking for the meaning of Christmas. Wonder when we decided we had to look for the meaning? I can’t think of where it says in scripture that we have t...
In our technology saturated world, if you take the time to do a Google search on the word “Christmas,” you will find an endless list with numerous suggested additional searches including, songs, countdown, games, quotes and the history. And if you type in the same word at www.dictionary.com, you get a simplified definition, as a noun, “the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus: celebrated on December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and an occasion for exchanging gifts.” However, you and I k...
Have children make their own wrapping paper by designing and coloring on paper grocery bags or use old homework pages to wrap gifts. Grandparents love to see them. Sunday comics make colorful gift wrap for children's packages as do old posters, maps old sheet music, and wallpaper scraps. For packing consider these alternatives: Popcorn (enclose a note saying birds can eat it), biodegradable starch peanuts, used packing peanuts or bubble wrap from a previous gift, or crumpled newspapers. Consider buying a potted tree that can be used ever...
Four Sundays thinking and looking forward to the Christmas Season and the Birth of Jesus. We all get a sense for hope and happiness at this time of year, wishing each other a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.” Maybe we should include “Happy Birthday” also. Remember there was a Birth of a Child. There is nothing that brings a smile to one’s face as seeing a newborn child for the first time. Moms and Grandmothers all want to hold the Baby. Each and every “Child” is special in its own way. We all get to share in the happiness of the...
In Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts to help him see how past and present decisions are influencing his future, along with those around him. What a great story. Oh…to get a glimpse of what our present decisions can do to our future and others around us. The story though is about second chances. The truth is there are many of us who walk around with regret, indecision, confusion, and pain regarding our past. Whether we’re unhappy with our own choices or of those made around us, past mishaps, miscu...
They say it's better to give than to receive. But try explaining that concept to your child during the holiday, and they’re likely to look at you as if they just found coal in their stocking. Nonetheless, teaching children about charitable acts will give them a valuable appreciation of showing kindness and compassion toward others. You can begin by establishing charitable family traditions during the holidays. START GIVING Introduce your children to the concept of giving — while also making room for the new toys and clothes they’ll recei...
When a Christmas tree is cut, over half of its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your displayed trees. Below are a number of tips relating to the care of displayed trees: 1. Displaying trees in water is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle loss problems. 2. In selecting a tree, make sure that the "handle" at the bottom is long enough to allow the trunk to fit into you tree stand. Otherwise, it will be necessary to remove large branches near the base, which could ruin its...
Editor’s Note: The Sentinel letters policy remains unchanged. Only rarely do we publish letters endorsing candidates or positions during an election, which the following letter references. Daily newspapers, with more available space are more likely to use such letters. To the Editor: Why are there no recent letters to the editor in the Wrangell Sentinel? Have you changed the policy on letter submission? If so, please let your readers know. When I submitted a letter a month ago you declined to publish it. Then I noticed that no one else was g...
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving once a year, remembering those poor pilgrims who were just happy to be alive. So we, Americans, take it many steps farther, but how many remember the pilgrims when they sit down to eat? My wise son, a freshman in college, on the subject of coming home for Thanksgiving said he didn’t think so, “isn’t it just a meal?” And it is just a meal, a meal that we have somehow made into a very stressful holiday. It seems we are now celebrating the meal, how much and how well it is presented and we forget the Thanksg...
To the Editor: Thank you for the nice write ups about our teams. We really appreciate it. Jack Carney Wrangell Public Schools Teacher & Activities Director...
I have always appreciated living in places where the seasons are distinct; where winter days are short and more often than not we have a white Christmas. Spring leaves are bright green and the rain washes away the snow mounds on the side of the road. Summer means going out and about without a jacket and dinner time ends up being closer to 8 p.m. than 6 p.m. And then the colors of fall make the dying of nature’s foliage rather beautiful. When God created the heavens and earth God made the lights in the sky, sun and moon and stars, to guide us th...
To the Editor: The beginning of our school year is quickly approaching and soon our students will be walking through our doors at Evergreen Elementary, Stikine Middle School and Wrangell High School. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to a new school year. For those of you who I have not yet had the opportunity to meet, I am your new Superintendent, Patrick Mayer. My background is quite varied since arriving in Alaska during April of 1982. I worked for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Palmer Research Center for many...
To the Editor: It is with great delight that I return to Wrangell Public Schools this fall, and I am excited to welcome our families back to school. I hope everyone has had an opportunity to relax and reenergize and all are fully prepared for an exciting year of learning beginning August 25. As we reluctantly say goodbye to Ms. Vickie and Mrs. Brown, after 25 years of service, I would like to thank them for all they have given to Evergreen Elementary. Congratulations to Ms. Kauppila who is now Mrs. Angerman. I would also like to welcome our...
To the Editor: Each 4th of July celebration brings new traditions, new faces and creates new memories. Until 1983’s parade, the 4th of July queen and her court made their royal journey down Front Street by car. That is the year Beta Sigma Phi took on the responsibility of creating a float. Wire, plastic, and a simple wooden frame on the back of a truck were turned into a throne worthy of their majesties. Each year since 1983, Beta members have met, with help from their spouses, to assemble and dissemble the queen float. It’s been a labor of...
To the Editor: I’d like to tell you why I am endorsing Chere Klein for our next District 36 House of Representative and why it’s very important that you vote for her August 19 over all the other candidates currently running. First and foremost consider her experience and understanding of our local Wrangell community. Chere and her husband Loren Enright have actually operated businesses here for the past 15 years. They hire and purchase locally and are contributors to our economy. Secondly, and almost as important, is her experience working for...
To the Editor: There are three competent candidates running for Wrangell’s House District 36, the seat vacated by Peggy Wilson. The one who stands above the others, in my opinion, is Agnes Moran from Ketchikan. Agnes was born and reared in Ketchikan, graduating from Ketchikan High School, and then from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in Electrical Engineering. She is the only candidate who has served in elected office, serving two terms on the Gateway Borough Assembly. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of a local SE b...
To the Editor: I viewed your dance group on North 360 during celebration and they were truly an inspiration. The Unity of Youth dancing with Elders was just lovely. The colors and regalia were stunning and the hats were outstanding. Well done, Wrangell. Once again, you’ve done yourselves proud. Christina Sakamoto...
To the Editor: In this day of wanting everything given to us, reality often is overlooked. Here is a case: both responses to the question posed to Chuck residents reflect both sides of this concern. In the end as it affects this marine traveler, I will adjust as I have all my adult life, living on what I can afford or do. As I did when the Wrangell moorage began increasing, I reduced the times and days of moorage in Wrangell. Nothing personal in that action, just a case of living within my means recognizing cost increases are a living...
Here we are into the month of May. Easter has passed by and we are moving into the family season. Bright outdoor playground weather, baseball, Mother’s Day and graduation. It is with a renewed spirit we take on the fun times ahead. Children are happy to be playing baseball with parents, grandparents cheering them on. Children are so excited to present their mom’s with that special item to show their undying love for them. We will all gather in our high school to witness our young adults make a major step into a completely new world as they gra...
To the Editor: A May 1 letter authored by Kip Valvoda gives readers the impression that Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is neglecting lead-based paint in its public housing properties. This is not the case. The health and safety of our tenants is a top priority since AHFC’s very mission is “to provide Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing. Lead based paint was banned for use in the United States in 1978, and AHFC has worked to address the issue of old lead based paint. Etolin Heights in Wrangell is a good exa...
To the Editor: I have another question for all people in public housing within the state of Alaska: Do you have headaches? Rashes? Are your kids underachievers, lethargic? This could be a sign of lead poisoning. The federal government enacted laws for the identification and removal of harmful lead in housing, similar to asbestos. However the nepotism rampant within the state’s administration has ignored this fact, ignoring federal law. This does put your children as well as yourself at risk. The build up of lead in a child’s system will lea...
The Thomas Bay Power Authority needs to censure its president, James Stough, for his action two weeks ago that ordered, via letter, the end of negotiations to allow the Southeast Alaska Power Agency to take over operations at the Tyee Lake Hydroelectric Project. Stough took the action without the approval and in some cases without the knowledge of his fellow commission members. It was an irresponsible move and he had no authority to carry it out without the joint approval of his fellow TBPA commissioners. Again, without the support of fellow...