Thanks to farmers, fishermen and hunters for Food Pantry donations

We have had a bountiful season of fresh-grown beautiful vegetables and fresh-caught salmon, halibut and moose and we are so very thankful. On behalf of the Homer Community Food Pantry board of directors, volunteers and clients, I would like to thank all of the farmers, community growers fishermen and hunters that have donated this season. It is truly amazing to see the beautiful produce and pounds of fish and meat that come through our doors every Monday — what a gift.

Our community is so fortunate to have such an awesome Farmers Market led by Robbi Mixon and her army of volunteers. The farmers are truly a fantastic bunch who supplied us with such wonderful produce twice a week. Since school began in August, the Wednesday donations have been going over to the Flex School where the kids are learning about food preparation and the importance of nutrition while providing them with wholesome food for the week. A special shout out to these farmers who make this happen: Luba’s Garden, Synergy Gardens, Twitter Creek, Wilderness Greenhouse, Will Grow Farm, Rob Heimbuch and Lucky Star Gardens. Thank you all.

There are also some green-thumbed folks in the community who have also shared their bounty with the Food Pantry that should be recognized for their kindness and generosity: St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Homer Elks Lodge 2127 (thank you Debbie), Cookie’s Greenhouse, Lynn Bittner, Shirley and Harry Forquer, and Shirley Fedora. The fruits of your labor are most appreciated; you made a difference in lives this summer.

And to our fishermen and hunters, we cannot tell you how wonderful it was to have a full freezer, even if only for a moment. There have been times when we didn’t know what we would have to offer folks in the way of protein. You all have really eased those fears this season. Special thanks to Frank Ragulsky, Judy Gonzalves, Luke Scalzi, Jim and Claire Burns, Joy, Robin W., Shelly Laukitis, Susan, John Kuklis, Chuck and Beverly Buck, Homer Hounds, Shirley Fedora, and Tom and Debbie Stroozas.

These, and the many other donations we have received, we are truly grateful for. To all of you who have given so generously this season, thanks and God bless you.

Cinda Martin, Secretary

Homer Community Food Pantry

Time to reconsider U.S. gun laws?

I am extremely shocked and devastated to hear about the mass shootings that took place in Las Vegas by 64-year old man Stephen Paddock. The shootings killed over 50 people and left more than 500 injured.

It is extremely upsetting to imagine that in the 21st century we have such extremists roaming the streets of a developed western country so freely.

Irrespective of whether this is terrorism or not (which it clearly is), I think the more pertinent issue here is about the gun laws in the United States.

In 2017, there were over 270 mass shootings, and over 11,000 deaths in the United States through gun violence. This has led to the continuous grief and worry of many families.

What else will it take to reconsider the gun laws in the United States?

My thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with the injured and families left bereaved.

Jariullah Adnan, executive member

Muslim Writer’s Guild

Maryland, Md.

Young in pocket of sugar cartel

Congressman Don Young (R-AK) is in the pocket of the nation’s beet and cane sugar cartels! Young continually votes to maintain the U.S. Sugar program. Why? It is really quite simple, Congressman Young received well over $48,000 in political donations from the sugar cartels since coming to Washington in 1973.

Thanks to Rep. Young and others, the U.S. Sugar Program continues. The Sugar Program is a Soviet-style command and control scheme that restricts planting and imports. This inflates the price of sugar in the United States to almost double the world price. So, when you go to the store to buy a snack cake or anything sweetened, you pay more! According to the Congressional Budget Office, the program means Americans pay $3.5 billion every year in increased grocery costs, which breaks down to $58 per household.

In Rep. Young’ 44 years in office, he repeatedly voted against sugar reform costing each Alaska family an additional $2,552 for groceries. You have to ask yourself, is my Congressman really fighting to make life better, or is he just another politician in it for the campaign contributions? It’s time for Congressman Young to step up and end this costly government giveaway to the cartels!

The Independent Bakers’ Association is an international trade association that fights to protect the interests of mostly family-owned wholesale bakers and allied trades. For more information about IBA and sugar program corruption, visit IBAbaker.com.

Sincerely,

Nicholas A. Pyle, President

Independent Bakers’ Association

Washington, D.C.

Appreciation goes to HHS guest speakers

“That was a great experience!” exclaimed one teenage boy running quickly toward the bus loading zone.

“Awesome guest,” exclaimed a smiling instructor passing the teacher lounge on her way back to her room.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, over 26 invited speakers from various careers met with Homer High School students to discuss the different aspects of their occupations. The entire school wants to let the presenters know how grateful we are for all the excellent information gathered during the career event.

We sincerely thank the following participants: Sergeant Ryan Browning with The Homer Police, graphic artist and teacher, Nina Lisowski, Land’s End CEO, Mike Dye, Rosie Robinson with the Ocean Bowl contestants, local fireman, Assistant Chief Terry Kadel, SPH professionals including Shelly Allain and other staff, Josh Weston, Sean Rhodes in marine transportation and tender operation, agriculture specialists, Paul Castellani and Emily Garrity, Evan Vogyl and his chef with The Mermaid Café, Matt Early representing Beachy Construction, Meghan Barker and Arthur Kettle from Islands and Oceans and the US Fish and Wildlife Department, Margarete Wisner from The Center, KPT physical therapist, Jay Cherok, Attorney Ginny Espenshade, Steve Glasman for maritime industries, Deb Hinton Burdick from AVTEC maritime programs, City Manager, Katie Koester, KPC Professor Brian Partridge and of course, Michael Armstrong and Megan Pacer from The Homer News.

One local businessman recently reported to the school counseling staff, “I loved doing this career talk and definitely want to come again!” Interested persons may contact the HHS counseling office for information about future presentations.

Gia Baker

Counseling Assistant and Career Guidance Liaison

Homer High School

What a town! What a library!

Returning home from a recent three-week friends and family tour back East, I was immediately reminded of a key reason I love this place! Catching up on local news, I learned that the Homer Public Library has been honored twice again. Fodor’s named it one of “19 Remarkable Public Libraries in America” alongside such distinguished libraries as the New York Public Library, the Library of Congress, Boston Public Library, Seattle Public Library and the Queen Mary 2 Library: fodors.com/news/photos/19-best-public-libraries-in-america. And the American Library Association just awarded the Homer Public Library one of 28 nationwide grants sponsored by Google to implement computer coding programs for youth: ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/10/ala-announces-500000-first-time-grants-develop-coding-programs-libraries-0. What other community of our size has such a landmark of literacy and learning? Congratulations and deep appreciation to the city of Homer, Library Director Ann Dixon and all the supporters and users of the remarkable Homer Public Library.

Marcia Kuszmaul