The Juneau Community Garden Association’ celebrated their 27th Annual Harvest Fair Aug. 24. The fair was a success due to the efforts and generosity of so many people. We need to thank Jeff Jemison of the ADFG Hunter Education Shooting Complex, and Jerry Godkin of the Juneau Gun Club for the use of their parking lots, Super Bear IGA for the generous donation of hotdogs and buns, and to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for their guidance. We also thank KTOO and KINY for helping to publicize the event.
Produce and flowers were exhibited at the fair and ribbons awarded by the team of expert judges: Ed Buyarski, Lead Judge; Danielle Brown-Farrell; Janis Burns Buyarski; Jenny Fremlin, Douglas Community Gardens; Sylvia Geraghty; Nan Mundy; Joe Orsi; Darren Snyder, Cooperative Extension Service; and Terry Toon. Well done, folks.
We also extend our thanks to the talented guest folk musicians, Greg Burger, Tom Paul, Henry Hopkins, Lis and Leif Saya, Tony Yorba, Chris Meade, Carl Schrader, Dale Wygant, and Gerry Fiscus, who provided a festive atmosphere for our gathering.
The Farmers’ Market, food sales and exhibit of produce and flowers are made possible through the efforts of JCGA members who contributed produce and baked goods for purchase. Volunteer garden members worked many hours before and during the Fsir to make sure it all ran smoothly, including parking, activities for kids, set up and cleanup. Thanks to all for your dedication to our community garden.
Alan Davis,
JCGA Event Coordinator
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350Juneau-Climate Action for Alaska would like to thank the many wonderful Juneau folks who volunteered to make our two climate crisis events a tremendous success. The Sept. 9 program, “In the Heat of the Moment: Reports from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis,” with award-winning climate journalist Daniel Grossman was standing-room only at the JACC. The staff at the JACC were invaluable in setting up logistics and the technology needed for making the evening a success.
The next day, Sept. 10, a Stand Strong for Climate rally was held at the state capitol and Centennial Hall with courteous and professional traffic control by the Juneau Police Department. We are sincerely thankful for the four dynamic speakers: Zach Brown, Ernestine Hayes, David Noon and Linnea Lentfer, and special thanks to the Juneau Alaska Native dance group, Yees Ku Oo who opened the rally and drummed us to Centennial Hall. We are particularly grateful for the enthusiastic participation of over 30 high school students who carried flag signs welcoming the many nations attending the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds conference. Thanks also to Trish Custard, Mike Gomez and Noah Williams for taking photos and videos of the events, and to Keith Giles for the great sound system.
Huge thanks also to our 350Juneau steering committee: Suzy Cohen, Heather Evoy, Gretchen Kaiser, Andy Romanoff, Bob Schroeder, Mike Tobin and Eileen Wagner.
And finally, special thanks to the Empire staff reporters and photographer for providing outstanding coverage of the events.
Doug Woodby and Elaine Schroeder,
Co-Chairs, 350Juneau
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Students celebrate and pose for a picture at the end of camp at Centennial Hall. (Courtesy photo | Kyle Worl)
The one week Traditional Games and Cultural Arts Camp would like to extend a big gunalchéesh and haw’aa to the many partners who made this camp possible.
The camp of 23 students embodied the value of Haa Latseen; strength of Mind, Body and Spirit. Students and staff challenged themselves and their peers to strive for kicking a higher ball, reaching for the next hand hold and hiking to the next vista. Through Traditional Games, hunting, fitness and media arts, the students have become stronger. We are inspired by their hard work.
We would like to thank the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and Alaska Airlines for providing funding for the camp. Without this support, we would not have had the supplies needed to create an enriching program.
Gunalchéesh to Sealaska Heritage Institute for providing staff, materials and much more. Without your commitment to youth and culture, we could not have hosted this camp.
Gunalchéesh to Central Council Tlingit and Haida Tribal Family and Youth Services for your support of this camp, allowing use of the VTRC and for all of programs serving young people in Juneau.
Gunalchéesh to Goldbelt Heritage Foundation for funding elder stipends and for your commitment to cultural education. Your work enriches our programs.
We would like to also thank the students who attended the Traditional Games and Arts Camp. You made our work worth it every day. Thank you for learning and teaching us how to be better educators. Thank you to the families for raising inspiring young people.
Finally, we would like to take a moment to thank the many staff and guest instructors who made this camp engaging and creative. Thank you for your knowledge, humor and patience and for listening with respect.
Gunalchéesh /Haw’aa,
Kyle Worl
Cultural Specialist and NYO Coordinator for the Juneau School District
Will Kronick
Family and Community Engagement Specialist, Tribal Family and Youth Services Department, Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
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The Juneau Community Foundation recently awarded a grant from the Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund to the Juneau 4-H Luge Club. The grant is designated for purchasing new luge sleds for the club. The luge club is very appreciative of this financial gift that will anchor our fundraising efforts.
Since 2015, the Juneau 4-H Luge Club has provided luge sledding opportunities at no charge to more than 150 youth and adults at Eaglecrest. The club has used plastic Laser Luges that slide well on snow, but the one-size-fits-all sled is difficult for children (and some adults) to steer. The new sleds come in various sizes and steer much more easily. Everyone is welcome to join our sliding sessions at Eaglecrest where we hope to provide a more fun and exciting experience this season!
The Juneau 4-H Luge Club must raise $1,000 in matching funds in order to receive the grant. With that, we would be half way to our goal of $4,000 for the purchase and shipping of the new luge sleds. We are asking the community of Juneau for help in reaching our goal. Please send your tax deductible donations to: Juneau 4-H Luge Club, 712 W. 12th St., Juneau, AK 99801.
Doug Sanvik,
Juneau 4-H Luge Club Leader
