Tag: Events

StoryCorps Unalaska Update

 StoryCorps Unalaska is quickly approaching the point of no return.  April 30th will be our last recording day.  This evening  Kristine and I recorded our 72nd Unalaska story.  Woo hoo!!!  We are getting so close to our goal of 105 stories.  We have booked slots up and actually only have about 25 slots available for booking. 

Kristine and I have gone all philosophical during breaks while waiting for folks who have forgotten their appointments  (isn’t that a nice way of putting it?).   We have decided that although we have always appreciated the people in Unalaska, we have been priviledged to get to see factions to their personalities that sometimes are not visible as they present themselves to the public.   We are so in awe of this opportunity.

That being said….we are having a HOOT of a time.  Team Unalaska is dedicated to hard work, but we are the team that just has to have fun. 

Kristine and I have both interviewed priests.  Sorry, StoryCorps NY, this is as close as we could get.  Lots of grey space between us. 

Sharon and Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa.
Sharon and Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa.
Kristine and Father Nelson Marilag.
Kristine and Father Nelson Marilag.
We have facilitated for mothers and daughters.
img_07021
img_10521
And fathers and daughters.
img_12721
And mothers and sons.
w & son
And a husband and wife, or two.
img_1105
k and joe
gigi 2
A couple of sisters.
a & l
s & w
A veteran of three wars.

US Army, Retired Samuel R. Svarny

And best of friends.
T & S
We have our standard issue box of tissue for those tender moments.
Waaah
Things can start out quite seriously.
alena
And sometimes just take on a life of their own.
kristine/alena
mel and alena
Kristine has gotten quite the reputation around town.  We joke that we will have to put an ad on channel 8 and in the Dutch Harbor Fisherman letting people know that after April 30 it will be safe to approach Kristine again. 
king
kk
kk
kKing
She has, unfairly, I might add,  been called a stalker and has been accused of ambushing people.  We are tricksters of the best sort.  And in all this nudging, and cajoling, we have not had one person who did not enjoy the experience.   And I’ll tell you something…she is the best partner in the world!
New York thinks that Kristine’s and my blurry pictures are because Unalaska people are just so full of energy that they can’t stand still.  We let them think that, but secretly, Kristine and I have both vowed to stand still ourselves when shooting pics!
So, let me invite you all, once again, to give Kristine a call at 359-8016 to schedule your conversation before StoryCorps wraps up the Alaska Initiative.  Ya won’t regret it.  And Akutan….here we come!
Tell your story.   Pass it on.  Remember, for Alaskans, its free.

Ode to the Bowl

 

bowl-3 

Who would have ever thought

A bowl could hold ties to memories brought

By a little bundle that took us like an explosion

On a seven year ride, seemingly without stop in motion. 

 

It went from holding snacks, to spaghetti, to desserts

Always allowing for those sneaky, sharing flirts

Finally reigning supreme over the breakfast tradition

A known comfort as life goes through countless transitions.

 

What happens when you hear out of the blue,

As you are adding the magic organic moo,

“Grandma, I’m big now, I’m seven years old,

I don’t think I need the baby bowl,” you’re told.

 

 
 

 

 
 

First week of Lent…no time to post!

This week has been our first week of Lent, so we have been having church each evening at 6PM and, on several occasions, during the morning also.  This has left me crunched for time. 

Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ
Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of Christ

Father Jonah will be traveling to Atka for the second week of Lent.  I don’t want to sound sacreligious, but that will give my legs a rest!  (We do stand during our services.)  And some time to get out walking and taking pictures again!