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Community
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT: ALL ABOARD THE CONCERT CABOOSE
MID-APRIL 2026
Contributed by Alys Culhane On Sunday, April 19, at 3:00 p.m., the Mat-Su Orchestra has agreed to do a free benefit concert for the Bright Lights Book Project. I’m looking forward to this; however, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief when it’s over because there has been a lot of behind the scenes work. The planning for this event began in late January, shortly after BLBP Board President Pete Praetorius approached Ronna Williams and asked if the orchestra would to do a benefit concert on
behalf of the BLBP. Ronna said yes. The BLBP board agreed that this would be a wonderful idea. A long-range plan, which centered around this event evolved during the course of our meeting. The BLBP board decided that a March 13 fundraiser at Bleeding Heart Brewery would precede the concert and the BLBP summer-long Summer in the Park(s) program will follow it. The work began. We decided to have a raffle. In order to have a raffle, you
need to a gaming permit. We had one. FYI, getting a permit takes considerable time and energy. Two applicants need to take an online test. Additionally, the gaming application needs to be submitted with a list of 25 supporters. BLBP Board Member Kaitlyn Klippert made the raffle ticket contacts. Pete drove to Anchorage and picked up the tickets. I procured raffle items, which include two round-trip tickets to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad, a wooden box donated by Matanuska Woodworks owner Bill Schmidtkunz, a pastoral scene painted by Betty Hansen, a signed copy of The Alaska Train illustrated by Brooke Hartman, and dinner for two at Turkey Red. I agreed with Pete that we should have door prizes, which will take the form of you guessed it, books. In early March, local artist Lynsey Dillinger agreed to draw up an event poster. Shortly thereafter we met in the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel and talked at length about a possible illustration. I said that I wanted to go with our train theme, explaining that this coincided with our 2025 stint at the Alaska State Fair. For the past two years Alaska State Gardener Becky Myrold constructed train topiaries in the center area. The 2024 theme was Enjoy the Ride and the 2025 theme was Reach for the Stars. The 2024 topiary, one in which Alaskan animals were passengers and onlookers, resonated with me. I added that Anchorage Artist Brooke Hartman’s children’s book entitled The Alaska Train was replete with Alaskan wildlife. We laminated individual pages and hung them on the Wineck Barn handrails. Brooke also read her book during one of our afternoon fair story times. We also have a donation of Alaska Railroad Tickets for our raffle. Lynsey and I continued our conversation the following evening. I drew a blank when she asked for a poster theme particular. I finally said that I’d get
back to her after I cleaned the horse pen – that most likely something would undoubtedly materialize. I went outside. As I scooped poop, the word caboose came to mind. I then made a comparison. A caboose is at the rear of the train. The BLBP chugs along, making sure that appreciative readers get books and literacy resource materials that otherwise might have an altogether too short shelf life. The phrase “All Aboard the Concert Caboose,” follows suit. I ran back up to our cabin, called Lynsey and told her my idea. She liked my idea as much as I did. Logan Dillinger appeared with the poster in hand an hour before the 5:00 p.m. Bleeding Heart Brewery fundraiser and laid the poster on a BLBP table. Tears came to my eyes as I looked at Lynsey’s artwork. A caboose was dead center. A horse wearing a train conductor was conducting the musicians -- chickens and goats. We sold raffle tickets and T-shirts with our Mr. Sun logo on it at the Bleeding Heart Brewery fundraiser. Zack had also made a special IPA called Bright Lights, Big Heart. A portion of the beer sales went to the BLBP. After this event we began approaching sponsors, telling them that their names would be in the concert program. Folks, fundraising is hard work. Pete and I provided potential donors with letters and followed up with phone calls. The most gratifying response came from the father of our two Saturday teenage volunteers, both of whom were instrumental in our getting books to Kenya. (As an aside, the two pallets of books are now in Carrollton, Texas and soon will be shipped overseas.) He wrote us a check, which we included in our sponsorship coffer. The question you might ask after reading the above is, would I do this again? Although I likened fundraising to turning myself inside out, my answer is yes. It’s the cause that motivates me to keep chugging along.
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Contributed by Rowan Holmes
Alaska Junior Theater presents Lucas Miller, known as The Singing Zoologist. He is not your typical performer.
With a real background in zoology and a talent for turning complex ideas into something joyful and immediate,
Theater
he transforms the stage into a living, breathing celebration of the natural world. This is science you can feel. Through inventive songs, unexpected humor, puppetry and dynamic visuals, audiences are pulled into the rhythms of ecosystems, the personalities of animals and the wonder of how life connects. Kids are not just watching, they are responding, moving and asking questions long after the show ends. While he’s in Alaska, Lucas Miller isn’t just stopping with one performance, he’s also heading up to Talkeetna to share the fun with even more families. There’s something especially exciting about knowing he’s taking the time to connect with communities across the state, and it makes this visit feel even more special. Even better, he’s created brand-new songs inspired by Alaska and its incred-
ible wildlife, such as Heavy Metal Moose and Bear Spray, so audiences here will get a one-of-a-kind experience you truly can’t hear anywhere else. It’s not every day you get a show that’s this personal, playful and uniquely Alaskan. The Singing Zoologist: Saturday, April 25, 2026; 2:00 PM matinee. Join AJT for One Great Saturday. Plan to arrive an hour early and turn your afternoon into a full experience. The Discovery Theatre lobby will be buzzing with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity before the show even begins: Story Tracks where you can explore your favorite stories alongside your children; free books to take home and enjoy; Pageant Princess storytelling; interactive experiences with the Alaska Children’s Museum; and more
for all ages. Make it your Saturday plan. Bring your kids, indulge their curiosity and leave with something new to talk about on the way home. Great seats are still available at centertix.com or by calling 263-ARTS.
CMS DRAMA PRESENTS OLIVER JR! Contributed by Jessie Wetherell
Colony Middle School Drama is proud to present Oliver JR! For the first time in many years, performances will be held next door at Colony High School’s Theatre. Tickets will be $5 at the door, cash or check only. Performances are on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7pm, Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2pm, and Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7pm. Oliver JR is based on Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Oliver, an orphan since birth and living near London circa 1805, dares to ask perhaps one of the most famous literary lines ever penned, “Please sir, I want some more.” The
audacity of this youngster asking for additional food in a time of great poverty kicks off a series of misadventures as Oliver finds himself being bounced from one family to another. Along the way, he gets mixed up with a group of street urchins and pickpockets, who expose him to the underbelly of pre-Victorian London. The plot is a serious one, but with moments of hilarity and poignant introspection along the journey. We have a large cast who have been working diligently to make this production absolutely incredible. I am so proud to be directing this show with each and every one of these students this year, and I hope you will
come out and support us! We hope to see every seat filled for all three shows!
This is a performance you won’t want to miss!
MID-APRIL 2026
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SING, LAUGH, DISCOVER: THE SINGING ZOOLOGIST TAKES THE STAGE!
surprises waiting to be discovered. Stay after the show. When the performance ends, the experience continues with: a milk and cookie reception where you can meet Lucas Miller, The Singing Zoologist; and a lively cake walk filled with prizes and excitement
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Events
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Coloring Page FIRST NAME
LAST NAME AGE
MAILING ADDRESS
MID-APRIL 2026
Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business!
HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!
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Calendar Funnies of Events
Submit your event & we’ll print it in the next edition! APRIL
MAY
April 19 @ 3PM Mat-Su Orchestra + Bright Lights Book Project Fundraiser Concert
May 1 @ 8AM Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center Online Auction Fundraiser
Bright Lights Book Project Mat-Su College Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr brightlightsbookproject.org pwpraetorius@alaska.edu
April 22 @ 10AM Fat Tire Bike Ride: Bold Airstrip
Revel Adventure Club Eklutna Lake Trailhead reveltreksandtours.com/events Cost: $15 for non-members April 30 @ 5PM Sip, Step & Sample
Altair Integrative Wellness 892 E USA Circle, Ste 108 (907) 357-1818 altairinwellness.com
Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center 12235 W Birch Road akwildbird.org
May 1 @ 7PM Fri & Sat, 3PM Sat & Sun Alaska Theatre of Youth
UAA Mainstage Theater 3700 Alumni Dr (907) 338-4901 alaskatheatreofyouth.org Cost: $15–20
May 2 @ 9AM Peak Physique Pilates Grand Opening
Peak Physique Pilates 1747 N Chet Cir #103 peakphysiqueak.com (904) 536-0308 Cost: $25
May 5 @ 10:30AM Valley Garden Club Regular Meeting
Valley Garden Club Grace Community Church 900 Leatherleaf Cost: $20 annual membership fee
May 15 @ 7PM & May 16 @ 2PM Oliver JR - CMS Drama
Colony Middle School Drama Colony High School Theatre 9550 E Bogard Road jessica.wetherell@matsuk12.us Cost: $5 cash or check
Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers 33398 Ski Hill Rd alaska@backcountryhunters.org May 16th @ 9AM Lazy River Paddle Float
Adventures by True North AK Reflections Lake Palmer, AK US 99645 adventurealaska.net/ladies-only-paddle-adventure/ May 16 @ 11AM Mat-Su College Out of the Darkness Campus Walk
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Mat-Su College 8295 E College Dr afsp.org/matsu (907) 746-9343 May 30 @ 9AM Russian River Fencing Project
Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Russian River Campground, Mile 54 Sterling Highway alaska@backcountryhunters.org (607) 349-1831 May 30 @ 3PM Music in the Park Kickoff Day
City of Wasilla Iditapark 594 W Nelson Ave musicintheparkwasilla.com
Ongoing - Fri, Sat, Sun 4:30PM-8PM Candlelite Jazz
Pizza Ria Delphi 101 E Arctic Ave STE C, Palmer, AK
MID-APRIL 2026
We’re more than a community paper! We also run 95.5 The Pass KNLT-FM, and offer other media services too!
May 16 @ 9AM Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Trail Clearing
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Funnies
MID-APRIL 2026
Stella, 7
Adlee, 10
Community
Contributed by Isaac Smolden
MY House is excited to announce that “Behind the Mask of Ramon Raccoon” will soon be available at every library in the Mat-Su Valley, thanks in part to the Mat-Su Health Foundation and Recover Alaska! Ramon Raccoon hides his sadness and pain behind the mask of a smile. When the hurt won’t go away, he tries a “remedy” to numb those bad feelings. This leads the little raccoon down a deeper, darker path. It will take all his courage, as well as the love, grace and compassion of others to help him face what’s behind the mask of Ramon Raccoon. A heartfelt story of trauma, recovery, faith and the cour-
age to be seen, “Behind the Mask of Ramon Raccoon” invites readers of all ages to embrace hope, honesty and the beauty of new life, one day at a time. Our next project in collaboration with Brad is already in progress, look for more info in the month of April! To purchase a copy of Behind the Mask of Ramon Raccoon, visit: tinyurl.com/ramonraccoon For an audiobook version that includes all of Ozzy Keener’s illustrations, visit the MY House YouTube channel, “MY House Mat-Su.” To read “Behind the Mask of Ramon Raccoon,” visit your local public library!
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RAMON RACCOON COMING TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!
Visit: tinyurl.com/ramonraccoon For an audiobook version
Film
RILEY PAIGE CONNIFF FILMS PATREON EVENT & FESTIVAL Contributed by Riley Paige Conniff
Riley Paige Conniff is a local filmmaker and storyteller. She has made three short films to date. Bear Trek was an entry to the Adam Young Scores Short Film Contest in 2016, where contestants were allowed to use music created under the Adam Young Scores project. Bear Trek 2 was the long-planned sequel, based on the original idea thought up by Riley and her brother back in 2010. It was released in 2022 and made as a project during Riley’s education at The Los Angeles Film School. The Matts’ Christmas was a variation on an old idea and was made as Riley’s capstone project in late 2022. It was her first live-action film, released in 2023, and premiered at 203 Kombucha right here in Palmer. Its sequel, The Matts’ Halloween, has a planned release in October of this year. Bear Trek 2 and The Matts’ Christmas were scored by Riley’s brother, Cooper Rae Blan-
kenship, who is a student at Berklee College of Music for Film and Media Scoring. Riley’s upcoming projects include: The Lyowyn Princess, a medieval princess fantasy adventure with a twist; My Friends in Bantry, a multi-cam sitcom set in Bantry, Ireland, whose pilot script was a second rounder at the Austin Film Festival in 2024; and The Bowling Team, a sports comedy show that is both a love letter to and a farce on fiction. Come check out the event at 6pm on April 19th at 203 Kombucha, where Riley will be screening Bear Trek, Bear Trek 2, and The Matts’ Christmas, and you can learn about The Lyowyn Princess, My Friends in Bantry, and The Bowling Team. If you can’t attend the event but still want to support Riley Paige Conniff Films, you can do so at patreon. com/RileyPaigeConniffFilms.
MID-APRIL 2026
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Books
THE IDITAROD TRAIL
Contributed by Helen Hegener, Northern Light Media The Iditarod Trail has been featured in many books, from personal stories by sled dog drivers, long-distance runners, fat tire bikers, backpackers, snowmachine riders and many others who have traveled the trail and written to tell others what it was like. There are splendid photography books showcasing the majesty of the landscapes or intrepid racers steadily making their way over the trail across treacherous ice and
Community
through howling blizzards. The trail has played an important role in books written about the travels of missionaries, miners, merchants, pioneers, scientists, doctors, homesteaders, explorers and more, some as memoirs, some as biographies, and some of the stories are inspiring, some are harrowing, and a few are tragic. The trail has been the subject of government reports and surveys, magazine and newspaper articles, radio and television broadcasts, and countless school essays and even a doctoral thesis or two. Now a new book by local author and historian Helen Hegener traces the history of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, telling the stories of the first travelers who created the 2,400-mile network of trails; the trailblazers who officially surveyed and marked the route as the Sewardto-Nome Mail Trail; the gold seekers, roadhouse builders and freighters who frequented the trail in the early years of the twentieth century; and the re-opening of the route by the U.S. Army after decades of benign neglect. The most well-known use of the Iditarod Trail is the annual 1,000-mile sled
CALL FOR QUILTS MID-APRIL 2026
Contributed by Jana Berna
It’s no secret that the Valley is home to a huge population of quiltmakers. Practically everyone you meet here has a family member who is obsessed with quilting and has a beloved quilt in their possession. Usually, we only get to describe our quilted treasures; it is rare that we get to share their impact directly with others. Inspired to bring our beautiful quilts
out of the dark and into the light, we are organizing a brand-new quilt show for Palmer: The Airing of the Quilts. On Sunday, June 7th from 11am2pm, we invite the community to bring and display a favorite quilt from their home for everyone to enjoy. This will be an outdoor event; we will be “airing” out the quilts in the June sunshine. Participants will be asked to stay with their quilt so they can talk about it, think of it
dog race from Anchorage to Nome, but many other sled dog races use portions of the trail as well, not only present-day races, but historic sled dog races from Anchorage, Iditarod and Nome. There are many more uses of the trail as well, such as the Iron Dog snowmachine race, the Iditarod Trail Invitational, an ultra-marathon for skiers, runners and mountain bikers, and the grueling Crow Pass Crossing over one of the most daunting sections of the route. The book includes details on the network of groups which manage, maintain and advocate for the Iditarod Trail, including the Alaska Bureau of Land Management, the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, the Iditarod Trail Committee Inc., the Iditarod Trail Blazers and many others. From tidewater at Seward to tidewater at Nome, over multiple mountain ranges, across treacherous rivers and through temperatures reaching 50 below, travelers of the Iditarod Trail face challenges which make the route unique among our nation’s National Historic Trails, the only winter trail in the extensive National Trails System. The Iditarod Trail: From Resurrection Bay to Norton Sound, by Helen Hegener, published in March 2026 by Northern Light Media. ISBN 9798252387352. It is
like a car show but for quilts, and keep it safe. Quilts will be displayed around the Palmer Community Center (Train Depot) and the Downtown Pavilion across from the Palmer Visitor Center. We can only accept 40 quilts this year, so please register early if you want to display a quilt. To commemorate the first
408 pages with over 200 photographs and maps, fully indexed. Included is a bibliography, annotated references and extensive online resources. $29.95 plus $6.00 shipping from Northern Light Media or your favorite bookseller.
annual Airing of the Quilts, participants will receive a complimentary quilt block pattern based on this year’s event poster, which features Alaska’s wild rose in a traditional Baltimore Album appliqué style. Follow our Facebook page for updates or email palmerairingofthequilts@gmail.com. Registration open to all, limited to one person, one quilt. Registration opens online May 1 at 10AM. Registration link will be posted on our Facebook page and via email.
MAKE A SCENE HELPS BRING TOURING ARTIST
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Music
NATALIE GELMAN BACK TO ALASKA
Contributed by Larry Lee Hansen
WWW.MAKEASCENE.MEDIA | 907-373-2698
MID-APRIL 2026
My name is Larry Lee Hansen, and I’ve been part of the Make A Scene community since I was 13-years-old. Over time, I’ve grown alongside it as a musician, producer, radio DJ, and independent label runner, learning the ins and outs of the scene both on and off the stage. Taking on this role of Local Music Liaison feels like a natural extension of that long relationship and a chance to give something back to the Alaska music community that shaped me. This marks Make A Scene Media’s debut into music management and tour booking. I’m excited to start building something more hands-on within the Alaska music scene. The first artist I’m working with is Natalie Gelman. Originally from New York City and now based in Los Angeles, she has built her career through relentless touring and a strong connection with live audiences. She has received
praise from outlets including the New York Post, Huffington Post, and Music Connection. While busking in the New York subways, she was handpicked by Bon Jovi’s manager to be the opening act at their concert, which speaks to her caliber of performance. Natalie first performed in Alaska in 2024, touring the state while eight months pregnant, with her husband and young child alongside her. That experience left a strong impression on the Alaska music community. This summer, she returns to Alaska with her husband and two kids, with Make A Scene Media representing her tour. Our goal is to make her name known by Alaskans far and wide, getting her in front of new audiences and building something lasting from the ground up. This is the starting point. The focus is simple: work with artists we believe in and help bring them into the Alaska music community in a real, meaningful way.
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Arts
CRAFTING FACES & UNLEASHING CREATIVITY: AN EXCLUSIVE
PORTRAIT DRAWING WORKSHOP WITH OLIVER SIN
Contributed by Diane Paoletti, Paoletti Studio of Art Step into a truly inspiring artistic experience with an exclusive portrait drawing workshop led by acclaimed artist and
instructor Oliver Sin. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is thoughtfully designed to meet you where you are and elevate your artistic journey. With over 25 years
of teaching experience at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and clarity to the learning process. His engaging, step-by-step approach makes complex concepts accessible and rewarding. Throughout the workshop, you will explore: the fundamentals of portrait drawing; understanding head structure, shapes, and planes; essential anatomy for artists; value rendering and expressive mark-making; techniques using vine charcoal and charcoal pencils; live demonstrations and guided exercises from life models. A standout feature of this workshop is the opportunity for personalized feedback. Oliver’s insightful critiques and guidance will help you strengthen your skills and push your work to the next level. Oliver’s impressive career includes: concept artist at Lucas Arts since 2001; professor in Fine Arts and 2D Animation;
author of Drawing the Head for Artists (published internationally); creator of Portrait Drawing Simplified (Streamline Publishing, 2022); Portrait Society of America Signature Status (2022); First Place, PSA International Portrait Competition (2021); featured artist on TIME Magazine’s “100 Women of the Year” issue (2020). This is a rare opportunity to learn locally from an award-winning portrait artist whose work and teaching have influenced artists worldwide. Join us for a transformative experience of creativity, skill-building, and artistic growth. Spots are limited, secure yours today. To see more of Oliver’s work: oliversinart.com When: May 29, 30, + 31. Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm. Where: Paoletti Studio of Art, Palmer, AK. Cost: $600 + $60 model fee. Questions: 907-355-4632 or dianeypaol@gmail.com. To register: dianepaoletti.com
Community
MID-APRIL 2026
MOTHER’S DAY AT THEoriginal GARDEN GALLERY 7th ANNUAL ALASKA NATIVE watercolors, pastel chalk pieces, Contributed by Karren Crandall For Mother’s Day the Garden Gallery will have fresh florals for sale by designer Garlands of Grace. Karen is creating hanging baskets full of assorted flowers that display an English Garden effect. As summer progresses that assorted florals bloom and produce a variety of colors and fragrance. Baskets and fresh florals will be available May 7–9, hours are Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a place in Big Lake for people to come and enjoy the natural surroundings of nature. The Garden Gallery is a quaint little log building that fits into the Big Lake ambiance of a recreational getaway. The owner, Karen Crandall has lived at Big Lake for 50 years. Her art is a creation of nature and wildlife in the habitation of Alaskan grandeur. Karen displays
and acrylics. Working on an art degree at UAA, printmaking was her favorite media along with watercolors. Many original pieces are on display and on sale. The Garden Gallery exhibits 10 local artists featuring metal art by Bill Noyes who hangs his sculpture both inside and outside the home. His imagery is heartshaped leaves assembled as branches or growing as trees. His recent display is physical address planks to be ordered and hung outside your home. Matting and framing art pieces is an area of need in the Valley. Karen works with prints that have not been framed, and she can help you bring new life into your art purchases so that your home design and display are met. She has helped customers refurbish paintings or stained-glass work, so that they hang well in your home.
BOOK FAIR & AUTHORS EVENT Contributed by Jonathan Butzke
The Alaska Native Media Group and the Alaska Native Book Fair Committee invite you and your membership to its 7th Annual Alaska Native Book Fair & Authors Event. Date: Friday, April 17, 2026; Time: 12 PM to 4 PM; Location: Cook Inlet Tribal Conference, Inc (CITCI), first floor conference rooms, 3600 San Jeronimo Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508. The purpose of the book fair is to encourage and educate Alaska Natives on becoming authors and to prompt dialogue about the writing process from the perspective of Native authors. In addition, we want to showcase the amazing work of published Alaska Native authors
and illustrators to a large audience. We have a lot of talent to highlight. Please feel free to add the event to your membership calendar or other communication tools you may utilize. The free event, from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Cook Inlet Tribal Conference, Inc (CITCI) building, will also feature raffle door prizes, author book signing, a therapy dog, and Molly of Denali. Alaska Native authors include the following: Patty Godfrey; Phyllis Adams; Barbara Atwater; Ethan Atwater; Sharon Kay; Lily Tuzroyluke; Katherine Gottlieb; Caitlyn Kelly; Miranda Miller with Arya Bear the therapy dog; Holly Guise; Richard Atuk; Yaari Walker; and Edward Thomas.
Books
WAR AND LOVE The book signing will be at Band of Brothers, 2050 N. Merciful Circle, Wasilla. AK, 99654 Saturday, April 25, 2026, from Noon-3PM.
Contributed by Bernard Walker, Jr., and Nelda Massengill Walker, Mat-Su’s New Authors We (Bernard and Nelda Walker) both in our 70s, have written and published our first book, War and Love, a 376page non-fiction book centered around letters we wrote to each other during the Vietnam War Era. We hope this will inspire others to share their memories and experiences, no matter your age. But I must confess, it was not initially our plan to write a book. We will share with you how this book came to be written. For over 50 years I carefully preserved over 200 letters and several cassette tapes Bernard and I exchanged with each other, mostly during his time in Vietnam before we were married. For almost 40 years we moved them with us every time we went from one place to another. Those letters have not only traveled across the ocean, but they have also traveled thousands of miles back and forth across America. After our move to Wasilla, Alaska, I put them safely away in a closet where they stayed for another 10 years. Bernard claims he did not even realize we had been hauling these letters with us all those years. Why would someone keep old letters for 50 years? Well, I just could not get rid of them. They told our story. Those letters helped our love survive and even thrive during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. In the letters we had shared our deepest thoughts,
fears, feelings. For our 50th wedding anniversary, I pulled the letters out and began to organize and type Bernard’s letters from Vietnam to put on thumb drives as a gift for each of our children. I did not want my letters on the thumb drive, but Bernard insisted that all the letters should be typed and arranged chronologically. That was very difficult since only a few of his letters had dates on them and letters mailed from Vietnam did not have postmarks on the envelopes. (Yes, I had even saved the envelopes.) What began as a gift for our children became a much bigger project after our son, Jonathan Walker read one of Bernard’s Vietnam letters at a church service around a military holiday. We began to be encouraged to write a book. In August 2025, we submitted our completed manuscript to Publication Consultants and by December we had our first copies in hand. It is generally recommended that a a book has a release and signing event within 1-2 weeks of being published. However, we postponed this due to Christmas and surgery. Even without a release party, we had sold over 100 copies to family and friends in 15 states by the end of January, and we were receiving positive feedback. With major holidays behind us and my knee healing well, we are finally hosting a book release and signing event for War and Love on April 25th. You are invited to come meet us, buy a signed copy of our book and also support Band of Brothers. We will donate $5.00 from each book sold at this event to Band of Brothers. The café at Band of Brothers will be open to
purchase drinks or food. Come visit B.O.B. where “mentorship matters”. If you are unable to attend the book signing on Saturday, April 25, you can still order a signed copy of our book directly from us by either emailing us at walkerwarandlove@gmail.com or ordering directly from our website https://walkerwarandlove.com. We would be honored if you read our story and join us on our journey through time and distance as our faith was tested and our love grew. War and Love is a “real time” account of Bernard, a Native American soldier, sharing his experiences and thoughts during his military training and his service as a sergeant in the field in Vietnam. It gives an account of me, the girl Bernard left back home, who seems to just chatter endlessly about everything happening in my life. I repeatedly reminded him that I loved him and missed him. Bernard says, “Those letters literally meant the world to me. They made me know there was another world other than the one I was experiencing and someone in that world loved me and was waiting for me to return. It would be hard to over-estimate the importance of letters to soldiers in Vietnam. She could have written Old McDonald Had a Farm and as long as it was signed ‘With Love,’ I would have been happy.”
NON-PROFIT DIRECTORY 2026 Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com
(907) 841-3173 Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska. In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environment, adress medicals concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen. In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volun-teers and foster homes.
Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Seniors www.alaskabvi.org
(907) 771-4322 The Alaska Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired provides blind and low vision Alaskans tools to eliminate vision loss as a barrier to employment, independent living, and community participation. It is the only statewide training and resource center for vision reha-bilitation. In the Mat-Su Valley we sponsor two monthly support groups for socialization and informational activities, titled “Living Well with Vision Loss”, meeting at the Wasilla Area Seniors and the Palmer Senior Cen-ter. Low Vision Clinics demonstrating low vision devices and home assessment visits for independent living are offered to those who qualify and who have uncorrectable vision loss.
Alaska Community Development Corporation www.alaskacdc.org
(907) 746-5680 Alaska Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit agency located in Palmer, AK. Our focus is housing assistance for low-income households in Alaska. We offer housing assistance to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and most areas in Southcentral Alaska and to rural areas in Southeast and Southwest Alaska. Our housing assistance includes home weatherization; hous-ing accessibility improvements for seniors and disabled households; & homeownership assistance including home purchase assistance, home building assistance and home loan packaging. Our housing assistance helps to keep people safely in their homes and helps low-income households move into home ownership. All assistance is free to eligible households.
Connect Mat-Su www.connectmatsu.org
(907) 373-2628 Connect Mat-Su is a program of the Mat-Su Health Foundation that provides access to information and referrals specific to the local community. Assistance is available in the areas of care, educa-tion, food, health, housing, legal services, social con-nection, transportation, work, and more. It is a network that is both a physical and virtual resource center linking residents to the things needed to thrive physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Connect Palmer, Inc. www.connectpalmer.org
(907) 746-9675 Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women, located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work
Desgin, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, a safe and caring place for ladies without homes to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs. We also offer different community assistance pro-grams, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items, and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instructions. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation (MEACF) www.mea.coop/connect/operation-roundup
(907) 761-9300 Join MEA members in making a big impact with small change! Since 2011, the Operation RoundUp® program has raised over $2.5 million in grants for local organizations. By rounding up your electric bill to the nearest dollar each month, you can help support vital community programs and initiatives. Every penny stays local, funding projects that benefit the communities powered by MEA. The MEA Charitable Foundation Board, made up of dedicated MEA member volunteers, reviews grant applications quarterly and awards funding to deserving causes. To apply for a grant or learn more about how to participate, visit our website today!
We offer a diverse range of course offerings from open enrollment summer adventure courses, profes-sional development courses, to year-round after-school and homeschool opportunities. Check out our website at www. onwardandupward.org for more information!
REACH 907 www.reach907ak.org
info@reach907ak.org | 907-745-6200 Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard. At REACH 907, we walk alongside Alaska’s youth—helping them build resilience, discover their worth, and find their voice through compassionate, trauma-informed care. Through therapeutic foster care, behavioral health services, case management, learning support, and youth programs, we meet children where they are and help them move forward with strength, resilience, and hope for what’s ahead. REACH stands for Restoring, Empowering, and Strengthening Alaska’s Children and Homes—a mission lived out every day, in every relationship. If a child or family is struggling, don’t wait. Connection changes everything. Reach out today and let’s take the first step -- together.
Mat-Su Health Foundation
Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Program
www.healthymatsu.org
www.specialolympicsalaska.org
(907) 352-2863
(907) 631-8591
The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. The tools we use include grantmaking, conven-ing of local partners, and policy change. We have generated significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce develop-ment, transportation, housing, and senior services. Visit www.healthymatsu.org to learn about scholar-ship and funding opportunities.
The Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Pro-gram is an accredited program of Special Olympics Alas-ka, Inc., a 501c (3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide year-round sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the Mat-Su Valley, there are 137 active Special Olympics Alaska athletes and 56 Unified partners (non-disabled peers) that train and compete in 12 sports year-round. There is no cost to participate for qualifying athletes. For more information on the Mat-Su Community Program, please call 907-631-8591, email matsu@ specialolympicsalaska.org or visit us on social media - @soakmatsu.
MYHouse Mat-Su Youth Housing www.myhousematsu.org
(907) 373-4357 MY House is a youth drop-in center in Wasilla that serves at-risk youth ages 14-25 from around the State of Alaska. We provide stable housing to youth that are couch surfing, unstably housed, living outside, sleeping in cars, or residing in generally unsafe situations. Our organization also gives our clients access to comprehensive wrap-around services, with on-site case management, peer support, substance abuse treatment, shower and laundry services, and meal assistance. Furthermore, we provide job training and assist with high-school completion both on and off-site. We also provide substance abuse treatment for individuals 18-25 in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Onward & Upward www.onwardandupward.org info@onwardandupward.org
(907) 953-5360 Onward & Upward is an evidence-based, accredited, 501c3 nonprofit organization based in the Mat-Su Valley. Our mission is to establish a culture of “One Health” in Alaska through evidencebased action. We accomplish this by engaging our students in adventurous, inspiring, meaningful, and empowering experiences with varying degrees of challenge methodically designed for positive growth and development.
United Way of Mat-Su www.unitedwaymatsu.org
550 S Alaska St., Suite 205 Palmer AK (907) 373-5807 United Way of Mat-Su strives to make our community a place where all individuals can thrive. We focus on the building blocks of education, financial stability, health for all, providing resource assistance, community collabora-tion and advocacy, outreach and engagement across the health, human, and social services spectrum. Early childhood and family support, youth programs, grants for non-profits, and disaster relief; Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide; volunteer opportunities; Stuff the Bus; Project Homeless Connect, and more. Call for more information on Thrive Mat-Su Mat-Su Coalition, Early Childhood Partnership, Youth 360, and the Alaska Wellness Coalition.
Valley Charities, Inc. www.valleycharities.org
400 N Yenlo Street, Wasilla AK Valley Charities, Inc: Connecting those who need help with the help they need. Valley Charities, Inc. (VCI) over-sees a locally owned non- profit Thrift Store, turn-A-leaf. VCI Re-entry Program assists ex-offenders to become successful citizens helping to stabilize a home, work, personal
needs, and basic council. Our Homelessness Prevention Program provides financial assistance creat-ing housing stability for Valley residents. Program supports our residents with short term equip-ment loans to help with their recovery from illness and injuries. Housing Assistance: 907-354-4660; Re-Entry Assistance: 907-232-7125; Durable Medical Equipment Lending Program, see our website: valleycharities.org
Valley Arts Alliance www.valleyartsalliance.com Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types - painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts - to network and to experiment with new ideas and media. We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more ven-ues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe 10697 E Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Check out our archives at www.valleyartsalliance.com
Valley Recycling Valley Community for Recycling Solutions www.valleyrecycling.org
(907) 745-5544 REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Drop off your clean, separated recycling Mon-Fri 9:30 to 5 and Saturday 8 to 5. We accept cardboard boxes, aluminum beverage cans, magazines, this newspaper and more! We are located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, near the MSB Central Landfill, just past the MSB Animal Care Shelter. Follow the smells. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Become a member, visit our classroom, schedule a field trip, find out more about volunteer opportunities and ways you can make a difference in your community. #dontfeedthelandfills. Go to our website for more details.
Victory Bible Camp www.vbcalaska.org info@vbcalaska.org
(907) 745-4203 Victory Bible Camp exists to evangelize and disciple children, youth and adults in Alaska for Jesus Christ through Christian camping. We offer programs for everyone from 2nd grade through high school. Check out our website at vbcalaska.org or call us at (907) 745-4203 to learn more about our upcoming programs!
Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. www.wasillaseniors.com
(907) 376-3104 Wasilla Area Seniors mission is to provide for the lives of seniors living in the Matanuska Susistna Valley and to enable seniors to live as independently as possi-ble for as long as possible. WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fit-ness Center. Club50 is for individuals 50 years of age and older and provides clean, accessible exercise equipment and offers a variety of FREE fitness classes for seniors of all skill and mobility levels. For more information, give us a call or find us on Facebook.`
DANDY
WHOA GOD
Contributed by Charles Dean Walker Whoa God I never want to lose this feeling It’s been an awful long time since this peace Too long without the calmness Life is a storm in my head My clouds are usually gray, but not today No not now...only tranquility sings throughout the oura A gentle world I wish never to depart That endless green horizon Spotted colors of the foliage strewn about The sun is an orange in the endless sea above Hearing songs of this wild earth’s fowl Who needs to retire to bed When we’re living together in a dream How can we be sure we ever awoke I don’t want the dream to cease But I don’t remember closing my eye I feel like we’re in heaven God let me stay Let me play with the angelic choir
SPRINGTIME IN ALASKA Contributed by Laura Jones
There is a season called spring that I know nothing of I’ve never seen the flowers that come from April showers Spring in my mind has only brought pooling water with garbage intertwined Yet, my Xtratufs are steady Again they’ll be ready for another round Sloshing through the mud and the muck on the ground I keep my gear near knowing that winter is still really here But soon the melting ice and snow will clear and summer will appear!
THESE ARE MY DOGS Contributed by Angela Campos
Oh my dog Flash, she is the meat-missle, oh my dog Flash, she is irresistible, she is so cute, she is so sweet, but she does not like it when people watch her eat. But Lazer on the other hand, he does not care where you stand, He will play, he will run. He will have so much fun, he does not care where you stand. Lazer and Flash, they are the best you ought to see them in matching vests! They are so cute, they are so sweet, they always want something good to eat. Flash is smart, Lazer is strong, together perfect they would make a song!
PAGE 13
Poetry & Prose Contributed by Annie C. Little boy All brand new Kissy cheeks Squeal & coo Gurgle laugh Kicky toes Rolls of chub Button nose He’s a Dandy baby What a Dandy boy! Fistys wave Acting coy Squeal & coo Rattle toy Peek-a-boo Flirty smile Sparkle eyes Chat a while Play with Dandy baby What a Dandy boy! Scrubby eyes Snug-a-bug Sleepy smile Squishy hug Saggy cheeks Breathing deep Lashes droop All asleep Such a Dandy baby! Love my Dandy boy!
INTEGRITY
Contributed by Robert Lyons We journey on high Circling farther than ever To gray cratered moon
CREATIVE SCARF LIFE Contributed by Improbable Scribe
MID-APRIL 2026
The scarf sat upon the shelf for days, wondering when it would see the light of day then! Hooray the scarf got picked to be worn that day It is long and light, yet warm and colored bright The scarf that is worn, can go many places, First to the park to see the wide spaces Next to the trees to feel the warm energy Reaching to the stars as we dance Swirling and twirling like horses we prance Floating gracefully in time with the earth and air The scarf is able to change and adapt For mood, for flare, with tie pins or clasps Wear round the neck, or over the hair Worn in a turban, the colors swirl around the head Flung over the shoulders, it is warm and light If the Sun is too hot, it keeps the skin cool A scarf for all seasons, all time and reasons Is a scarf to treasure and wear.
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Mysticism
MESSAGE IN THE BONES: THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL AND THE STRENGTH OF SURRENDER Contributed by Tamara Zenobia, Diviner & Healing Arts Medium
There comes a moment in life when you’ve done everything you know how to do. You have showed up. You tried. You planned it out. You prayed on it.
And still, things don’t move the way you want them to. That moment can feel like failure. Like defeat. Like something has slipped through your fingers that you should have been able to hold onto. But what if that moment isn’t defeat at all? What if it’s the very shift that begins to move everything in your favor? This reflection didn’t come out of nowhere. It came in the middle of a very real moment in my own life, one where I found myself face to face with something I couldn’t control, no matter how much I wanted to. I had to ask myself: what is the best de-
cision I can make in this situation? And when the answer came, it wasn’t what I thought it should be. No one likes to feel out of control. Control gives us a sense of safety. It tells us we’re steering the ship, that we know where we’re going. So, when life interrupts that illusion, it can feel deeply unsettling, like we’ve somehow done something wrong. But life has a way of reminding us that we don’t know everything. No matter how experienced, intuitive, or prepared we are, there will always be situations that stretch us beyond what we understand. Nature itself teaches us this. The seasons change without asking for permission. The tide comes in and goes out whether we are ready or not. So, the question becomes: when control slips away, what do we do next? Instead of labeling the moment as failure, what if we asked a different question: what is this moment in time trying to teach me? This question has a way of shifting the energy from failure to empowered, because now, instead of resisting the experience, you begin to lean into it. You begin to listen. You begin to notice what is opening, even as something else is closing. I’m learning that sometimes what
feels like giving up is allowing yourself to be held in a way you didn’t think you needed. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means releasing the grip you had on how things are “supposed” to look. And in that release, something unexpected happens: space. Space for new ideas; space for a better path; space for something you couldn’t see before because you were too busy trying to force what wasn’t working. Some of the greatest turns in life don’t come from having everything under control. They come from surrender, intentional, aware and willing. I do feel like these past few years of my own life have been all about this lesson of surrendering control in certain areas. I’d like to leave you with this question: where in my life am I holding on so tight that I can’t see what’s trying to open for me? There may be a few things that come up, but I challenge you in this season of winter breakup to let some things melt away with the snow and get a fresh outlook on your situation. Thanks for exploring life through the bones with me. If this spoke to you, visit tamarazenobia.com and reach out through the contact page. Until next time, peace.
www.susitnabrewing.com
Book for your next birthday party or special event! 907-775-1877 nicksamusements.com
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Books
SPIRIT LINES: WRITTEN IN THE SOUND Contributed by Holly Gittlein
I didn’t set out to write a novel. I started it alone on a remote island in Prince William Sound, working as a whale researcher with no cell service, no distractions and a lot of weather. Long days on the water. Long nights listening. The kind of place where your mind either settles or cracks open. Somewhere in there, the story came through.
Spirit Lines: The Great Separation was written in pieces between field notes, tide shifts and the constant presence of whales moving through the Sound. It didn’t feel like inventing something new as much as paying attention to something that was already there. On the surface, it’s a young adult adventure. A girl, a journey, a world that starts to break open. Underneath, it’s about something most people who’ve spent time in Alaska already know, that the line between human life and the natural world isn’t as solid as we pretend it is. That separation is, in many ways, the real illusion. This book carries that tension. Science and mystery. Logic and instinct. Control and surrender. The question of what happens when the systems we trust stop
making sense and something older starts calling. The official release is May 19. I’ll be launching it in the water. Not as a stunt, but because it’s the only way that feels honest for a story that came from the ocean in the first place. This project started in Alaska, but it belongs to anyone who has felt that pull, out on the water, on the land or in those quiet moments where something deeper starts to come through. If you want to follow the project, see where it goes or connect: hollygittlein. com I’m also opening the door to a small number of final early readers before launch. Sign up here: hollygittlein.com/ about-3