SEE MORE ON PAGE 2
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Events SALMONFEST RETURNS FOR 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Contributed by David Stearns, Salmonfest
MID-JULY 2026
Salmonfest returns July 31 through August 2 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds and ARCHES Amphitheater in Ninilchik for the festival’s 15th anniversary celebration. The 2026 lineup features Trampled by Turtles, Guster, Goth Babe, Daniel
Donato’s Cosmic Country, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, two-time Grammy Award winner Molly Tuttle, and many more national and regional acts. Alaskan favorites include Black Barrel & The Bad Men, Blackwater Railroad Co. and Hope Social Club. Known as three days of fish, love and music, Salmonfest brings more than 60 bands to four stages. The annual
festival also features camping, food, art, craft vendors, premium brews, family activities and the uniquely Alaskan spirit that has made it one of the state’s favorite summer traditions. With a mix of nationally known performers, regional artists and Alaska musicians, the festival offers something for a wide range of music fans. Attendees can spend the weekend
discovering new artists, supporting vendors and enjoying live music in the heart of Ninilchik. Festival hours are noon to 2am Friday, 11am to 2am Saturday and 11am to 10pm Sunday. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticket-holding adult.
ARTIST 2027 GREAT ALASKA AVIATION WANTED GATHERING POSTER DESIGN Contributed by Devin Rawson
Each year, the Alaska Airmen’s Association hosts Alaska’s largest aviation event, bringing together aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and pilots from across the country. This premier gathering celebrates Alaska’s vital aviation presence, and the unique role aviation plays in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned aviator, an aspiring pilot, or simply captivated by flight, the event offers an exciting lineup of exhibits, aircraft displays, educational seminars, and networking opportunities. Alaska Airmen’s is looking for an artist to design
Music
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Arts
the 2027 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering Poster. The selected poster will be printed and featured throughout the event and on associated marketing materials. The winning artist will receive: • $1500 Compensation • Recognition on our website, social media & artwork • VIP pass to the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering • A booth at the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering Contact marketing@alaskaairmen.org for details and submissions.
ALASKA TEEN MUSICIAN IAN GREY UTIC RELEASES
AWARD-WINNING DEBUT SINGLE Contributed by MJ Riemann
Still in his teens, Ian Grey Utic has already distinguished himself as a songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. His debut release, “My Favorite Song,” is entirely his own original composition and first gained public recognition when it was named Grand Champion of the 2025 Great Alaska Talent Competition. As if writing and arranging the entire song were not enough, Ian also performed guitar, piano, drums, lead vocals, and most of the vocal harmonies featured on the recording. He additionally arranged the guitar, piano, and vocal harmony parts himself, demonstrating a remarkable level of musicianship for a young artist. Produced in collaboration with Surreal Studios in Anchorage, the project reflects a commitment to helping launch a new generation of Alaska musicians while maintaining full respect for artistic
ownership and creative development. “My Favorite Song” was released through Surreal Nightworks Publishing, an extension of Surreal Studios dedicated to publishing, promoting, and supporting original musical works by emerging and established artists. Additional contributions to the recording include supporting vocals and B3 organ from producer Kurt Riemann, bass guitar from Dirk Westfall, and mandolin from Ludek Wojtkowski, adding depth and texture to the finished track. Available now on major streaming platforms, “My Favorite Song” can also be purchased through iTunes and other digital music retailers. Ian Grey Utic is available for interviews, media appearances, and live acoustic performances of “My Favorite Song.” Media contact — Instagram @ iangreyak; YouTube — @IanGreyAK; Surreal Nightworks Publishing — 907-444-7054 mj@surrealnightworkspublishing.com MID-JULY 2026
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Poetry & Prose PROFFER
I FOUND SOME COAL ON BLUEBERRY KNOLL
[to present for acceptance or rejection] Contributed by Whitty G Thy lovely maiden, gentle and fair Undiscovered mysteries yet shared Shall she bare her forbidden fruit Or conceal away his desired loot Standing distant, consumed by fear Afraid to come close, too soon, too near Heart hidden, tucked away Lurking in shadows of yesterday Hurt harbored, lover’s past Longing to free his heart alas Shall he choose to give of thee Does thy maiden hold the key Temporal angst, flooded mind Transcends all reason, eternally blind Will he chance his hand at fate Or forever stall, too long, too late Eloquent beauty within his grasp Purely authentic, no game, no mask Bosom bare, proffer away Forbidden not, tis his to take For he is who conceals desire Veiled lust to touch the fire To what fate does he await Desolate forlorn or perennial mate
FLY ON THE WALL
Contributed by Wendy Brooker The fly on the public outhouse wall does not see the profanity confessions of forever love scrawled wisdom and insanity Its compound eyes do not comprehend the crude, nude artwork or rude rhyme Attracted to decay, it will not call that number for a good time But the fly does see we’re all much the same the naked truth – the bottom line All ages, colors, shapes, and sizes the mosaic of life’s design
Contributed by Nan Potts In found some coal On Blueberry Knoll On Blueberry Knoll When I wandered there. My heart stood still Upon that hill I lingered until I realized my err. The wind in the tundra Sang enriching melodies But, alas, I lacked a pick So, it was not meant to be. Lacking tools for a hole Sadness darkened my soul For finding the coal On Blueberry Knoll. The wind in the tundra Sang enriching melodies But, alas, I lacked a pick So, it was not meant to be.
Now I must part From Blueberry Knoll My heart seared as charred coal On Blueberry Knoll.
MID-JULY 2026
NON-PROFIT DIRECTORY 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.`
PAGE 6 MID-JULY 2026
Funnies
Dillon, 12
Luna, 8
Charlotte, 8
Harmony, 10
VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS
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Theater
KICKS OFF 51ST SEASON Contributed by Jenna Worley
Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason. Armed with the knowledge and confidence he gains on his adventure, Milo sets out to rescue the princesses from the Mountains of Ignorance. Filled with humor, imagination, and timeless lessons, The Phantom Tollbooth is a fun adventure for audiences of all ages.
Valley Performing Arts launches its 51st season this September with The Phantom Tollbooth, directed by Aaron Peatross. Based on the beloved novel by Norton Juster and adapted for the stage by Susan Nanus, this imaginative production features a talented youthled cast that brings the magical Land of Wisdom to life through creative puppetry, theatrical effects, and plenty of adventure. Everett Petal stars as Milo, a bored young boy who The show opens Sept. 4 at the VPA Theatre. journeys through the Land of Wisdom alongside Tock the Watchdog, played by Connor Newcity. Along the Tickets go on sale in August way, Milo learns of the feud between King Azaz and and will be available the Mathematician, whose disagreement over words at vpaalaska.org or by calling and numbers has led to the banishment of Princesses
907-373-0195.
The Phantom Tollbooth is sponsored by Shawesome Media and will offer an ASL-interpreted performance Sept. 19.
MID-JULY 2026
PAGE 8
Music
THE ORCHESTRA THAT CHANGED ME Contributed by Jayce Allred
I still remember walking into the Mat-Su Youth Orchestra (MSYO) for the first time. Stepping through the dimly lit entrance of the Valley Performing Arts Center, I saw instrument cases scattered across the auditorium seats and musicians hunched over some of the most complex sheet music I had ever seen. I was only 12 years old with just one year of violin experience under my belt. An adult teacher walked over, introduced herself, and guided me to my seat. Sitting right next to her, I was simply told, “Play everything you can.” For the next hour, I stared at the page, completely lost, struggling to track where everyone else was in the score. I went home that day humbled but determined to practice so I could keep up the next time. After a semester of weekly rehearsals, I finally began to contribute, confidently playing the right notes and following the conductor. In that moment, I experienced a profound sense of awe and joy I had never felt while practicing alone. Blending my seemingly insignificant notes with everyone else’s created something magnificent. Discovering the unique harmony of playing music as an ensemble became the primary reason I continue to play. Because I was homeschooled at the time, I joined MSYO partly to make friends—specifically, to connect with dedicated, disciplined peers. I’ve found that fellow musicians tend to be dependable and eager to learn. However, when I first started, the other kids were just as shy as I was. I kept waiting for someone to reach out first, but when that didn’t happen, I realized
I had to take the initiative. I set a goal to learn the names of everyone in the second violin section and talk to a new person during every snack break. I became great friends with a new bass player named Max, and we decided to use our breaks “to the Max.” Since our practices were held at Iditarod Elementary School, we turned the playground into a massive obstacle course. I vividly remember countless autumn evenings when our hands were freezing from playing outside, only to rush inside and realize everyone else was already seated with their instruments ready, waiting for us. Beyond the friendships I’ve built, the greatest gift MSYO has given me is the opportunity to play three of the four standard orchestral string instruments. I started on the violin, remaining in the second violin section for my entire time in the orchestra. Then, for my fifteenth birthday, my incredible music teacher gifted me a viola. I learned the alto clef and joined the viola section the following semester. Not stopping there, and drawing on my previous year of piano experience, I decided to tackle the bass clef and learn the upright bass. I asked the founder of the youth orchestra, Kai West, if I could borrow her double bass to play in the ensemble, and she graciously agreed. When I first walked through those dimly lit doors 12 years ago, I had no idea of the joy, friendships, and musical opportunities that awaited me. The dedicated teachers and talented students I have been blessed to play alongside have shaped me into a more passionate, skilled, and versatile musician. MSYO gave me more than just a place to play—it gave me a musical community and a lifelong love for music.
Music MAT-SU FLUTE CHOIR PRESENTS “WELCOME TO THE FLUTE CAFÉ”
MID-JULY 2026
Contributed by Sara Bowen
The Mat-Su Flute Choir’s upcoming August concert romanticizes an afternoon at a café, with music selections evoking pensive rain in Satie’s “Three Gnossiennes,” a spike of caffeine through the lively Latin beats of Piazzolla’s “Libertango,” and the bossa nova standard “The Girl from Ipanema.” “Welcome to the Flute Café” takes place at 2pm Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Wasilla Public Library. Admission is free. The concert will open with an arrangement of Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2,” a dreamy dance tinged with a bittersweet minor key. Spirits settle into contemplation for Satie’s “Three Gnossiennes,” an im-
pressionist piano piece known for its lack of bar lines and unusual page directions, such as “on the tongue” and “advise yourself carefully.” Since it is arranged for flute choir, a time signature has been added, but the emotion and artistry remain. We are joined by musical friends throughout the concert. An interlude will feature Piazzolla’s “Café 1930,” a flute and cello duet, and Gershwin’s “Lullaby,” performed by the Mat-Su String Quartet. A French horn and cello add depth to the flute choir’s lower range in several pieces, and Mancini’s “Lujon” also features congas and a guiro. The Mat-Su Flute Choir is made up of the flute section of the Mat-Su Concert Band, joined by friends
from the Valley and Anchorage. While the concert band is on break, the flute choir rehearses throughout the summer in preparation for its fourth annual concert. We are thrilled to bring people together and share the gift of music with the community.
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MID-JULY 2026
PAGE 10
Arts
MAKE FAMILY MEMORIES WITH ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER Dance. The season begins by tumbling into a familiar world where nothing is quite as it seems.
can be every bit as entertaining as it is exciting.
MID-JULY 2026
Contributed by Rowan Holmes There is something special about having four Saturdays already marked on the calendar—four afternoons when your family can unplug, laugh together, discover something unexpected, and make memories that last long after the curtain falls. This season, Alaska Junior Theater invites you to experience its 2026-27 season, Once Upon a Twist, a collection of four extraordinary performances offering something completely different. With a season ticket, you’ll journey through curious adventures, laugh alongside spectacular science, marvel at music created from recycled materials, and discover fairy tales that delight in turning expectations upside down. Season tickets save up to 20% off single-ticket prices, offer the best available seating, and ensure you never miss a show. It’s an easy way to make live theatre part of your family’s tradition. Three public performances this season take place Saturdays at 2pm at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, creating the perfect afternoon outing for families of all ages. But the experience begins in the lobby. Arrive early to enjoy storytelling with local pageant princesses, free books to take home, hands-on activities with the Alaska Children’s Museum, and other surprises that make every show day unique. After the performance, stay for the Milk & Cookie Reception, where you’ll meet the artists, ask questions, and take photos together. Then try your luck in the popular Cake Walk, where families can win cakes and prizes donated by local businesses. Childhood is made up of moments that pass far too quickly. An AJT season ticket gives your family four Saturdays to slow down, laugh together, and create memories that become part of your family’s story. Turn the page to your next adventure with Meet the Hatter by Joss Arnott
Meet the Hatter reimagines one of Wonderland’s most unforgettable characters through a blend of dance, original music, storytelling, animation, and visual design. Step beyond the famous tea party and into a world of wonder where every movement tells a story, every sound sparks curiosity, and every moment invites you to see the impossible in a new way. If you love Lightwire Theatre, Meet the Hatter takes it to the next level. With dazzling theatrical elements and a dreamlike atmosphere, audiences are swept into the Hatter’s extraordinary imagination—a place where creativity has no limits and the unexpected is always around the corner. Filled with humor, heart, and surprises, Meet the Hatter is an unforgettable journey celebrating individuality, curiosity, and the courage to embrace what makes each of us different.
Doktor Kaboom in LOOK OUT! Science is Coming! invites audiences to forget everything they know about science. Doktor Kaboom combines professional theatre with hands-on science to create an experience that supports STEM learning while keeping audiences laughing from beginning to end. Every experiment reinforces the idea that failure is part of discovery, questions are meant to be asked, and curiosity is one of the greatest tools a young mind can have. It’s a performance that proves learning
Scrap Arts Music: Phonk: Rewired! shows that some of the world’s most extraordinary music begins with the most unexpected materials. Using handcrafted percussion instruments built entirely from recycled and reclaimed industrial materials, Scrap Arts Music transforms what others might overlook into a breathtaking performance filled with rhythm, movement, and imagination. Every beat is a reminder that creativity has the power to see possibility where others see waste. This special evening is also Alaska Junior Theater’s Annual Benefit, where the community comes together to celebrate the arts while looking toward a greener tomorrow. Throughout the evening, local businesses and organizations dedicated to sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship will share how they’re helping build a healthier future for Alaska through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and inspiring ideas for families of all ages. Together, we’ll celebrate the belief that even the smallest actions can make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s finding new purpose in recycled materials, supporting local organizations committed to protecting our environment, or investing in arts experiences that inspire young minds, this benefit is about building a stronger, more creative community. Join us for an unforgettable evening where music, innovation, and environmental responsibility take center stage, and discover how imagination can change not only the way we create, but the way we care for the world around us. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Griffin Theatre is based on the popular children’s book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. The production takes audiences on a delightfully chaotic
journey where classic stories are hilariously reimagined. Familiar characters wander into the wrong tales, beloved endings are turned inside out, and the narrator struggles to keep everything from falling gloriously apart.
Meet unforgettable characters like the Stinky Cheese Man, who discovers that being made of cheese isn’t exactly a fairy tale ending, along with quirky twists on favorites like The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, and Little Red Riding Hood. Filled with clever humor, unexpected surprises, and fast-paced theatrical fun, the production delights children while rewarding adults with witty jokes woven throughout the performance. It’s a laugh-out-loud celebration of imagination that reminds us the best stories are often the ones that refuse to go according to plan. Four shows, one season, and countless memories. The best family traditions aren’t things you collect. They are experiences you share. With a season ticket, you’ll enjoy four remarkable performances, exclusive savings, the best available seats, and a year’s worth of unforgettable Saturdays filled with stories, laughter, and imagination. Whether you’re watching the Hatter lead you through Wonderland, laughing at Doktor Kaboom’s latest experiment, marveling at the artistry of Scrap Arts Music, or cheering for the delightfully ridiculous characters in The Stinky Cheese Man, you’ll be sharing experiences your family will talk about for years to come. Season tickets are available now. Save up to 20% off single-ticket prices and get the best seats in the house when you reserve today. Call 907-272-7546 or visit akjt.org. For 45 years, Alaska Junior Theater has opened doors to new worlds and new ways of thinking—and the next unforgettable story is waiting for you.
MID-JULY 2026
Coloring Page FIRST NAME
LAST NAME MAILING ADDRESS AGE
Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business!
PAGE 12
HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!
PAGE 13
Calendar Funnies of Events
Submit your event & we’ll print it in the next edition! JULY July 18 @ 10AM Book Sale & Story Swap
Red Sweater Press Cold Snap Coffee 4931 E Mayflower Lane, Suite 2 cait@redsweaterpress.com (907) 715-7950 July 19 @ 12PM Leaf Printing on Silk Workshop
Revel Adventure Club N Palmer Fishhook Rd https://reveltreksandtours.com/events Cost: $50 July 19 @ 1PM Mushers’ Hall of Fame Induction of Burt Bomhoff
Wasilla-Knik Historical Society 10524 S Knik Goose Bay Road, Mile 13.9 knikmuseum@gmail.com (907) 376-7755 wkhsociety.org July 21 @ 1PM 50ish and Over Hike: GPRA
Revel Adventure Club https://reveltreksandtours.com/events (907) 903-1664
July 23 @ 7PM Madeline & the Brothers Smith Live with The Jephries
Palmer Alehouse 320 E. Dahlia Ave, Palmer (907) 746-2537 Not a ticketed event July 24 @ 5PM Wine Walk
Palmer Museum of History and Art 723 S Valley Way director@palmermuseum.org palmermuseum.org (907) 982-1788 Cost: 75.00 July 24 @ 4PM Foraging 101, Plant Identification Walk
Revel Adventure Club Palmer https://reveltreksandtours.com/events (907) 903-1664 Cost: $15
July 30 @ 7:30PM The Music Machine: The Musical
August 4 @ 10:30AM Tiny Hikes!
July 31st – August 2nd Salmonfest
August 8 @ 10AM Arctic Visions 2026
AUGUST
August 31 @ 6:30PM Mat-Su Youth Orchestra Registration Day
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts 621 W. 6th Ave themusicmachineanchorage.com Cost: $10-$25
Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds 16200 Sterling Highway, Ninilchik, AK 99639 david@salmonfestalaska.org Purchase tickets online
August 1 @ 6PM Spell Check Book Launch & Spelling Bee
Red Sweater Press 203 Kombucha 105 S Valley Way (907) 745-2665
Revel Adventure Club Palmer https://reveltreksandtours.com/events (907) 903-1664
Aurora Events LLC UAA Fine Arts BLDG 3211 Providence Dr www.arctic-visions.com (907) 231-0885 Tickets limited
Mat-Su Youth Orchestra Iditarod Elementary School 455 East Carpenter Circle matsuyouthorchestra907@gmail.com (907) 355-3742 $100 for the year
MID-JULY 2026
PAGE 14
Books
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT: SUMMER IN THE PARK(S), PART 1 Contributed by Alys Culhane
It was one of those rare sunny, warm, windless days in Palmer, one in which local residents chose to be outside. On this particular day, a handful of parents and children were spending time in Bugge Park, located at the far end of Cobb Street. Free lunches and books were an added draw. I took in the park landscape. Two Kids Kupboard volunteers were sitting at a table passing out lunches. Two teenage girls were pulling books from the Lions Club’s big little library. Another was lying on her back, reading a book. A mother sat at a picnic table, holding a young child. A little boy, about 8 years old, was reading a children’s book about excavation to his 4-year-old brother. At 12:30pm, a handful of children came racing through the gate entrance to where BLBP Summer in the Park(s) staff had laid out a tarp, colorful desks, crayons, and sheets of butcher paper. The children, who were Summer in the Park(s) returnees, sat down, began coloring, and looked expectantly at Kora Dorman, who held a copy of The Cat in the Hat. Newcomers left the playground equipment and ventured over to see what was going on. I told them it was Cat in the Hat storytime and invited them to have a seat. The 12 children remained rapt as Kora read the book.
Summer in the Park(s) staff member Mike Purcell, who was dressed as the Cat in the Hat, led the children in a group activity. He pulled hats out of a bin, asked participants which category they belonged to, such as fun, group, or winter, and then asked them to place each one in three separate hula hoops. The children then made their own paper hats and participated in a Cat in the Hat game. Mike held up a specific Dr. Seuss book and had them do activities related to the title, such as hopping when he held up Hop on Pop. At the game’s conclusion, children were encouraged to take Seuss books home. The above was a typical Summer in the Park(s) day. The project began June 1 and will end Aug. 7. It takes
place Mondays and Wednesdays at Bugge Park and Tuesdays and Thursdays at A-Moosement Park. On Fridays at midday, BLBP volunteers occupy the side area of the Palmer Visitor Center and talk with passersby about BLBP and the next week’s Summer in the Park(s) curriculum. The Story in the Park(s) curriculum includes storytime, hands-on activities, and movement-related activities. Naturalist-based themes include plants, ants, worms, spiders, bees, skulls and bones, fossils, and Dr. Seuss. The remaining program lessons will center around balance and movement, measurement, transportation, and finally, farm animals and harvest, which will promote children’s activities at the upcoming Alaska State Fair. Community members who have assisted us include Mat-Su Garden Club member Meredith Buchman; former teacher Linda Jo Klappervich, who led a bee-related storytime; and Zoren Kaiser, a 15-year-old entomologist. The combined BLBP and Kids Kupboard motto remains, “Nourish the mind, nourish the body.” BLBP’s intent remains to get books
into the hands of appreciative readers. As we discovered by placing bookcases and newspaper boxes throughout the Mat-Su Valley, making books accessible to young and old alike increases literacy levels. Our outreach program, which takes place outdoors rain or shine five days a week, has complemented those efforts. The program’s primary challenge has been weather-related. A-Moosement Park has covered picnic shelters, but Bugge Park does not. On our first heavy rain day, we set up a small shelter in Bugge Park and spent time with one individual. The child had decided in advance that she would attend our midday session, and on her way to the shelter, she stopped and picked up a worm. No surprise, she was present when we discussed worms. On this particular day, she and her grandmother were wearing heavy-duty rain suits. BLBP has since invested in a larger shelter. The Summer in the Park(s) program has been made possible by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, the City of Palmer, the Palmer Lions Club, and the Rasmuson Foundation. Their sponsorship has paid for staffing, equipment, and promotion, which are much needed when putting together literacy-based outreach programs like ours. Alys Culhane is a lifelong reader who enjoys reading to BLBP project volunteers. To contribute to BLBP’s efforts, contact her at director@brightlightsbookproject.org.
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