Letters – Dec. 23

Thank you for caring
The untimely death of a friend is always very difficult, especially so when it comes during a season usually associated with rejoicing. We at the Refuge thank the people of Homer for their compassion and for recognizing the problems of homelessness and addiction in our community. We also thank our two local newspapers for accurately reporting the events surrounding Raegin’s death.
We feel this is a good time to clarify a few things concerning the Refuge’s goals, practices and intentions.
We feel it is our obligation to follow the direction of our Savior Jesus Christ, and thus will continue to reach out to the needy, the addicted and the strangers in our midst. We will continue to do everything we can to comply with the code requirements of the City of Homer.
For the protection of the community and our residents, we will continue – as we have for the past two years – to screen applicants for criminal activity, including predatory sexual behavior.
For the protection of our residents, we will maintain a policy of zero tolerance for the use of drugs and/or alcohol on Refuge property; to insure that this policy is observed, there is oversight by a church member at the Bunkhouse 24/7.
The Armageddon Cafe also has two staff on duty during its hours of operation.
For the protection of the community, we will inform the police when we ask an inebriated person to leave our premises, especially in emotionally charged situations.
We welcome questions, comments and input from all members of the community, regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs.
Sometimes, no matter what we do, it is not enough and tragedy happens. We grieve, do what we can to improve, ask for your support and go forward.
Doug Dodd,
Refuge Bunkhouse board of directors

‘Eat wild Alaska salmon’
As a shareholder of Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Alaska Peninsula Corporation, Levelock Limited and a Tribal Member of the Naknek Native Village, I would like to applaud the actions of our Bristol Bay Native Corporation Board. We have been trying to get them as shareholders to make a stance on Pebble for several years now. A survey to shareholders has shown the high majority oppose the Pebble Mine. Other surveys have shown that up to 88 percent of Bristol Bay residents oppose the project. I never thought BBNC would come out in opposition but I am so glad they have. We need to keep this irreplaceable, renewable resource of our salmon safe. The salmon that brought people to the area 9,000 years ago has continued to support the people to this day. 
Cynthia Carol of Anglo American has said that, if the project didn’t have the support of the local people, they would not move forward with it.  The social license is not being given.  
I have been fishing every season, all season since the age of seven. This last season was my 26th-consecutive season in a row. My daughter of nine years old now fishes with me as well, and I try to teach her my values. “Fish First - BBNC.” They are values that have been instilled in my being living here. Subsistence hunting and fishing help us out through the winter in Bristol Bay and commercial fishing is the majority of my income. For more information, go to www.naknekfish.com.     
Everett Thompson
Naknek

It’s that time  
I would like to express my gratitude to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who are protecting me and those I love. In my 64 years, I have never met or seen any group of people who were so selfless. 
It is the time of peace and love and the celebration of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.
I have heard it stated that the only two who have offered their lives for you and I are Jesus and the American soldier.
I pray to one for peace on Earth.
I thank the other, from the bottom of my heart, for being the instrument he uses to answer that prayer.
I want also to thank their families for enduring that empty chair at the table. I pray that chair will soon be occupied.
Ed Lyda

Sock, glove, hat drive on
The fifth-eighth grade faith formation class at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is having a sock, hat and glove drive for the homeless and people in need all around Homer. We need your help. Our “Share the Warmth” donation drive will last throughout January and February. Please bring donated items to St. John the Baptist Church at 238 Jenny Way near Fat Olives. Please help us share the warmth.
Aurora W.
Sixth grade

Shovel for goodwill
Peace on Earth, good will toward men. Here’s a thoughtful gesture during the Christmas season. Shovel your paths. Keep the area around your mailbox clear for your mailman and newspaper delivery. Shovel a path to your fuel tanks and propane tanks. Someone has to trudge through snow to those tanks – hauling hoses – so you can cook and be warm. Keeping these areas clear makes a safer work environment, and is greatly appreciated by the people who deliver things to you.  
Garnet Mace
                           
Forensic camera improves evidence
The Forensic Services Department of the South Peninsula Hospital would like express our deepest gratitude to the South Peninsula Hospital Foundation for its recent purchase of a new and updated forensics-level Fuji digital camera. We do our very best to accurately document all injuries and evidence that come to our attention, whether a person presents with a report of domestic violence, physical or sexual assault.
This new camera will enhance our ability to do our job. Thank you so much, from ourselves and our clients, for your support of this program.
Colleen James, Gayle Claus, Kate Finn

Thank you, Homer
I would like to extend my thanks to the community. We’ve lived in Homer going on our fourth year now, and our first two years were a little tough. I didn’t properly thank the people then, so I am thanking them now. These last few weeks have been a little tight for my family and myself. We have had to utilize Share the Spirit and the Food Pantry.
So from the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who contributed. I give what I can, when I can, and am just thankful that when I needed it this time around, it was there.
Thank you and happy holidays to all.
Melissa Chesley

Compassion in action
Hospice of Homer recently held our annual volunteer appreciation dinner, and would like thank the following local businesses and people for their continued and generous contributions toward our work: For food: Save-U-More, McNeil Canyon Meat Company and Safeway. For door prizes: Petro Express, Oceanview RV & Gifts, Subway of Homer, Bay Club, Homer’s Jeans and Duncan House. For delivering a huge load of sand for an icy driveway, thank you to Homer Winter Services. It is gratifying to have so many businesses join with HOH to thank our volunteers.
Thanks also to Tom Irons and Jeanie Aspen, who graciously opened their home and hearts for this event.
If you are interested in giving back to your community and making a positive difference in someone’s life, consider becoming a Hospice of Homer volunteer or making a contribution to Hospice at PO Box 4174.
Darlene Hilderbrand
Executive Director, Hospice of Homer

Rotary fosters learning
The third-grade staff and students of West Homer Elementary School would like to express their thanks to Cathy Stingley and Fran Moore of the Homer Rotary Club for sharing information about Rotary Clubs and providing each third grade student with a dictionary. This thoughtful gesture supports a community partnership invested in the personal and academic success of Homer’s young people.
Thank you for your continued participation in our children’s education.
Ann Heimbuch
Third Grade Teacher, West Homer Elementary 

It doesn’t get any better
To friends in Anchor Point and Homer, there is just no way to tell all of you how special it is to be able to retire and have so many people wish you well. The retirement party at South Peninsula Hospital/Long-Term Care was so wonderful. Thank you to all of my resident friends and all of our other friends for giving us a great send-off. I had several people tell me how great it was that I got to “choose when to retire.” I finally figured out what they meant. You are right. Again, thank-you to all. We are truly blessed. Friends and Alaska – it doesn’t get any better.
Linda Jolly

Nutcracker tops attendance records
The 21st-annual production of the Homer Nutcracker Ballet has completed another successful year. We would like to extend our thanks to all those who helped to make it possible; from the tiniest lamb to giant king rat, the behind-the-scenes techies and the miracle workers in costumes and props, all of the parent volunteers, our ticket outlets and our advertisers. But the magic only happens when we are able to share it with our audience. This year audience attendance topped all previous years, with a total of 3,247 individuals seeing the show. Thanks to each and every one of you who came to be a part of the magic that is Homer’s Nutcracker Ballet. Happy Holidays to all. 
Jill, Ken, Marianne & Joy
The Nutcracker Partners 

Swimming in thanks
The Kachemak Swim Club would like to thank the sponsors of the Age Group Championship Swim Meet held Dec. 4, 5, and 6 at the Kate Kuhns’ Aquatic Center. Local sponsors were Twin Peaks Construction, Petro Marine, Homer Odyssey, Homer Medical Clinic, MSA Inc., Best Western Bidarka, Ulmer’s, Jay-Brant Contractors, Cosmic Kitchen, Fat Olives, Ocean Shores Inc., Home Run Oil, Icicle Seafoods, The Grog Shop, VBS Heating, and Homer Electric. Thank you to Safeway, Two Sisters Bakery, The Grog Shop, Fat Olives, and Subway for donations of food and ice.
Thanks to Nomad Shelters, Dan Tucker, Starbucks, VBS Heating, Homer Brewing Co., All Hopped Up Espresso, The Washboard, Christian Community Youth Ministry, and YWAM Arctic Mercy for providing us with the yurt, heating, and coffee supplies. We would also like to thank the Homer High School administration and the pool staff for helping to make our meet run smoothly.
Meets are an opportunity for youth swimmers to demonstrate their skills and provide a learning experience. We are appreciative for the support from our sponsors and the donations of those in the Homer community that helped make our swim meet successful.
Holly Alston
Secretary, Kachemak Swim Club

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