Tag: Seldovia
Inaugural Sail for Seldovia’s Young Sailor and Boat Builder
by Jenny Chissus
Richard and Lynx, waiting for the wind!
There are some things in life you might regret – like not following your dreams and having the courage to pursue a different path than your peers. This is not the case for young Richard – who at 13 years old – took action! All he wanted to do was – sail, and build his own sailboat.
When most 13 year olds are begging for a new PS4 game, paintball guns or money for Christmas, in 2013 all Richard wanted was marine plywood and plans to build a boat! Richard had found the plans for the perfect small boat online, on Phil Bolger’s website! His parents, Jen Gordon and Bruce Rein were more than supportive of his dreams and gave him the 10 sheets of marine plywood and boat plans he needed to get started on his project for his Christmas present!
Construction began in January 2014 in the neighbor’s garage! With his dad’s help – over the next year and a half, on weekends and after school, his dream came together!
Leaving the dock under sail for the very first time!
“When I was sailing on our family boat I always thought it would be really cool to have my own boat, a little boat here that would actually be mine! We have a 14 foot Capri, but it is not ours, it’s my dad’s boss’ boat, but he lets us use it!” When I asked Richard what his favorite part about the process was, he smiled and replied, “Probably launching just a little bit ago!”
When asked what was the most challenging part of the project, he thought for a minute and said, “Making the mast was probably the hardest part. There’s two 2x4s, and we had to route out the inside of the boards to make them hollow, then we glued them together, and we had to turn a square post into a circle, it was just a lot of work!”
Out in Seldovia Bay
The boat’s name is “Lynx” – though she doesn’t have it painted on the boat quite yet. The name came from the design, which is called the Bobcat – and Richard thought that since the Lynx is an Alaska cat – that name fit perfectly!
It was a cloudy but totally calm day in the harbor, and I was enjoying a visit with Richard at the dock, while he waited for the wind to pick up! He kept looking out at the water and skies – I could see his longing to go – but knowing the sailing would be better if we got some wind – otherwise he’d be rowing!
This dream of sailing really started as a young boy – traveling with his experienced sailing parents on their boat. When asked what he liked about living aboard – his response was simple: “I liked all of it! I liked going to new places everyday, I love sailing, this is just the beginning. Once I’m out of high school, I have plans to sail around the world, solo.” I responded “Just like Dove?” and he smiled and shuffled his feet “Yea, Just like Dove, I’ve read that book dozens of times!”
Richard and Lynx on a sunny day sailing in to Seldovia’s harbor!
Richard and Zac out on Lynx! Photo by Jen Gordon
He and his mom will be here in Seldovia all summer, “Sailing all summer!” He mentioned that he could probably fit one more person in the boat, and that it would be fun to have a friend along. (As proof of that, his mom, Jen, sent me this photo of Richard and Zac out for a cruise a few days later!)
Besides sailing all around the bay, he’s also looking forward to exploring! “I was actually thinking of taking the boat camping this summer, to hang a tarp over the boom.” As we parted ways he assured me that he’ll always wear his life jacket and that he’ll continue moving in the direction of his dreams!
Reminds me a bit of Mark Twain “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Taking off! Photo by Jen Gordon
So Richard, at 14 you have already taken hold of a very simple – yet difficult concept, taking action towards making your dreams a reality!
We are happy for your success and persistence and hard work that brought you here to this day, making your dream happen – setting off in your own boat for the very first time!
Thanks for making Seldovia your first port of call, your home port and celebrating your inaugural sail with us! We wish you the very best in your endeavors and many days of strong winds and safe sailing!
2015 Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival Program of Events
by Margie McCord
Join us for the 14th annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival, held in a most beautiful setting where the eagles awaken you to another day to enjoy the snow-topped mountains as a backdrop. The blue, blue ocean bids you to watch for playful otters, and the sounds and scents coming from the shops and attractions ask you to explore the many nooks and crannies of our special town! Our walking map actually has listed over 101 things to do in Seldovia, so get going with the exciting Summer Solstice Music Festival always held over the longest weekend of the year!
This year we are so pleased to present as headliners for the Festival, the very innovative Inuit band Pamyua that has entertained all over Alaska and the world with their drum songs of native traditional music mixed with a fusion of Yupik dance. You will be amazed!
Adding to our first time in Seldovia headliners will be a great variety and mix of new-to-Seldovia artists as well as a reunion of past favorites we just haven’t heard enough of, including a poet! In addition, the 2nd annual “En Plein Air” event, featuring artists from around Alaska capturing the beauty of Seldovia scapes, will take place. A silent auction of their work will be held Sunday morning.
Thursday, June 18
The festivities begin with the performers boarding the Seldovia Bay Ferry in Homer at 11:00 am for an hour ride of greeting and mixing it up with a jam session of favorite tunes to get everyone warmed up and in the spirit. Any festival attendees are welcome to ride for a sneak preview of what’s to come and to enjoy the breathtaking view!
The performers will be greeted by the Seldovia Arts Council members and host families who will take them to their housing before the fun begins! There will be time to stroll around to find the school and to check out the town before the “Meet and Greet” held at the Linwood Bar and Grill starting at 5:30 pm where you can catch an early dinner before attending the very popular OPEN MIC’ at the Susan B. English School with sign-ups at 7:30 pm and a start time of 8 pm. This is for the community members, visitors, or performers who would like to share a song, poem, story, or tune. This is always a fun, often a surprising opportunity to have a moment of stardom!
Friday, June 19
This year we are giving the community and visitors an opportunity to hear short “Samplers” from the performers of what’s to come at the Friday and Saturday evening concerts! There will be several places throughout town that will host the performers during the day; depending on the weather, they may find themselves on a sunny deck or playing in our new harbor pavilion! At noon be sure to drop by the Seldovia Village Tribe (a major Festival sponsor) at the Alaska Tribal Cache Building for the Tribe’s Annual Picnic and a chance to hear Pamyua play.
Expect an intermission so you can scoop up a CD of your favorite performer(s), and visit the commons for a delicious dessert and support the Children’s Fine Arts Camp!
| 6:15 |
BRIAN SLOVER |
| 6:30 |
CLARK WHITNEY |
| 7:00 |
CHARMER’S DAUGHTERS |
| 7:30 |
HURRICANE DAVE |
| 8:00 |
PAMYUA |
| 8:45 |
intermission |
| 9:05 |
KEVIN WORRELL |
| 9:35 |
FOOD FOR THE SOUL |
| 10:05 |
YNGVIL VATN GUTTU & ELENA LUKINA |
Saturday, June 20
Saturday always peps up our day with the popular YOGA hour (8:30 am) at the Seldovia Sea Otter Community Center followed by the favorite SONG CIRCLE at the Boardwalk Hotel deck (or tent) at 10:00 am with our musicians jamming and sharing tunes over lattes and/or breakfast. This is a lot of fun and all are welcome.
Saturday afternoon (1 -4 pm) is a favorite with the performers holding workshops for kids as well as the community and visitors. There will be several choices offered each hour including many “how-to” compose, teach, play, tune, drum or sing. Pick and choose whatever looks fun and see how the artists inspire the love of their talents. In between all the happenings, there will be a chance to browse the shops, watch the boats come and go, or take a short walk or hike to our beaches or along the Otterbahn Trail which begins next to the school. Don’t forget to periodically check out how our visiting artists with “En Plein Air” are doing creating their masterpieces throughout the town!
| 6:15 |
KATHLEEN CLAIBORNE |
| 6:30 |
DAVID LYNN GRIMES |
| 7:00 |
SWING 49 |
| 7:30 |
BETSY SCOTT |
| 8:00 |
PAMYUA |
| 8:45 |
intermission |
| 9:05 |
YNGVIL VATN GUTTU & ELENA LUKINA |
| 9:35 |
SHELBY & TIEG |
| 10:05 |
NUTHER BROTHERS |
Sunday, June 21
Sunday brings to a close a very busy weekend but not before you get to view the work of our En Plen Air artists and then attend the very popular GOSPEL SING. We will end the fine arts portion of the celebration with an En Plen Air silent auction on Sunday, June 21st starting at 11:30 am until 1:30 pm with snacks and coffee available. The public viewing space at Seldovia’s new pavilion, located adjacent to the boat harbor, will be the place where all can view each artist’s work and where the auction will take place. The Gospel Sing will begin at 2:00 pm (location to be announced); bring your own instrument and/or voice to join along with the festival performers and the community. Song books will be provided.
There is just enough time left to grab your personal belongings and an ice cream cone before saying good-bye to new and old friends and a memorable weekend of fun, song, and fond memories from a very special place by the sea! The Seldovia Bay Ferry departs at 4:30 pm. Thanks for coming and see you next year!!!
The entire festival passes are: adults $49, teens $16, and kids under 12 Free. Single night performances are: adults $25 and teens $8. Early bird festival passes (adults $39 and teens $15) are available locally at Thyme on the Boardwalk and Linwood Bar and Grill until 5 pm Wednesday, June 17th .
To read more about all the artists performing at this year’s festival – please visit the Arts Council’s site!
Human Powered Fishing Derby in 7th Year!
by Tim Dillon – taken from DillonTimber.com
Annual non-motorized fishing derby based in Seldovia, Alaska!
- Simon – Grand Prize Winner 2014
Schedule:
- Memorial Day Weekend – 8:00 am Friday, May 22 – 4:00 pm Sunday, May 24
- The 2015 Human Powered Fishing Derby will span 3 days on Memorial Day Weekend (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday -May 22, 23, 24).
- Tim Dillon will be signing people up starting Friday morning at 8:00 at the pavilion on the harbor front across from SNA.
- Fish fry Sunday at 4:00 pm at the harbor-side pavilion. Fish provided, bring a potluck side-dish or suggested $5 donation.
- To pre-register or for more information, call Tim Dillon at 907-234-7858
Entry Fee:
- $40 per fishing rod
Rules:
- Boats entered can not have any type of motor installed.
- All boats must leave from Seldovia Harbor.
- No fishing within the Harbor or Seldovia Slough.
- No fishing from a beach.
- Lines in Friday morning, lines out Sunday afternoon.
- Each person in a boat must have a derby ticket.
- Find a complete list of rules at the sign-up booth.
Sponsors:
- Tim & Ila Dillon – Dillon & Dillon Timber & Log Wrights
- Seldovia Chamber of Commerce
- Dave & Judy Longworth
- Joe & Heather Miller
- Mary & Tim Pedlow – The Sea Parrot Inn / Perry’s Cafe
- And many others…
Seldovia Time
