RAMP at Bugge BeachBy Janalee Minnich Gage January 01, 2015
At the time, I said it was great they were putting in the stairs, but what they really need is a ramp to the actual pool. Because since they put in that large viewing area with a picnic table it has made access to the actual beach harder for those in wheelchairs and even I, due to a steeper incline. Course I know that the drift wood would block any kind of ramp but I also know that there are so many people who would willingly go and cut and move the blockage. So as I was out roaming the south end of town on a beautiful December Saturday afternoon and noticed that they had done some tree removal at Buggies beach, I stopped to investigate and stretch my dog's legs. Course I wasn't expecting to go further than the lookout but as I neared the area I noticed a most amazing thing. You see, when I had mentioned a ramp last July, both individuals I spoke to had agreed it would be nice, but probably not possible this year, since they had already paid for the stairs and also the repairs after someone in our community vandalized their project in progress. I understood completely and was gracious that they said they would take it to the club for a possible project in the future, so imagine my surprise and complete delight when I came upon a ramp made of cement running down the lookout to the beach! I know of no newspaper article acknowledging this amazing gift to our community or a ribbon cutting. I have no idea when they did this or if the cement fairy came in the cover of darkness and created this ramp from the many wishes sent to the skies above by those who wished for this very thing. I don't even know if it was my big mouth that made this possible or if I just added to several other individuals who voiced this same request. What I do know is that I give the Rotary Club a standing ovation for their constant and tireless effort to keep this precious place in our community, a place of a thousand childhood memories that make living here so wonderful. We never know how much we miss something, until it is gone, thank you all in Ketchikan who work tirelessly to care, maintain and keep the parts of Ketchikan that we all know bring back memories of long ago, family, friends, and moments that Buggie Beach holds for all of us, and the magic it gives our children to create their own lifelong memories. Thank you Rotary for making it possible for all no matter our abilities, that we may all equally dip our toes and swim in the rocky sand and pool of Bugge Beach AKA; Rotary Beach. I hope I speak for everyone who knows the difficulties of access in our community, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Rotary club for putting in the ramp to the beach. Janalee Minnich Gage About: "Janalee Minnich Gage is a photographer who recently did a show in October 2014 at the Main Street Gallery Called: Look, See, Hear, & Listen, which can currently be viewed at the Southeast Discover Center. The show is in Regards to the treatment of those with disabilities. Janalee lives with a disability and is a lifelong resident of Ketchikan; she is the daughter of Janet and John Minnich, Grand Daughter to Jane & James Church, Thelma and John Minnich, Great Granddaughter of Jack and Elaine Talbot, and the Great -Great Granddaughter of Harriet and Forest Hunt. She attended Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles from 1986 to 1990 to study a Bachelor in Photography." Received December 30, 2014 - Published January 01, 2015 Related Feature Article:
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