Make A Scene June 2025

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Events

ARTS IN THE GARDEN FESTIVAL IN PALMER Contributed by Meggie Aube-Trammell

The Palmer Arts Council (PAC) and Palmer Museum of History and Art (PMHA) are proud to present the Arts in the Garden Festival on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For many years, MatSu residents and visitors alike enjoyed the yearly Midsummer Garden and Art Fair. Last year, the event was canceled and the PMHA created a smaller event, Art in the Garden, to support the vendors who usually participated. This summer, the PAC is joining forces with the museum to create a larger event more closely resembling past festivals.

MID-JUN 2025

On the museum grounds, you’ll find artisan vendors, a kids’ art station, and several food vendors. The PAC will expand the event with more vendors in the Quad, hands-on art stations for kids and adults offered by other arts organizations, art workshops led by local artists, and a community canvas led by Barbara Hunt. The Alehouse has graciously donated the use of their stage. Scheduled so far are Mat-Valley Dance, The Robotz, The Highland Dancers, and the John Budnik Band.

If you have a group that would like to perform, please contact PAC to schedule.

Participating organizations include Valley Arts Alliance, Valley Fine Arts Association, Bright Lights Book Project, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, and Friends of the Palmer Library. If you are part of an organization that would like to participate, we’d love to have you join us! We are also seeking artist vendors to have booths on the Quad and volunteers to help make the day run smoothly.

For vendor applications or to volunteer, contact PAC Managing Director Meggie Aube-Trammell at palmerartscouncil@gmail.com or call 907-745-7735.

SPRING CLEANING FOR A GOOD CAUSE:

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Theatre

AJT’S ANNUAL BENEFIT GARAGE SALE RETURNS FOR ONE WEEKEND ONLY! Contributed by Rowan Holmes, Alaska Junior Theater It’s that time of year again—when your spring cleaning can do more than just clear out closets. It can help bring the magic of live theatre to children and families across Alaska!

Alaska Junior Theater’s Annual Benefit Garage Sale is back for one weekend only: Saturday and Sunday, June 28 & 29, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Midtown Anchorage (off 36th & LaTouche—just follow the signs).

Are you decluttering? Downsizing?

Done with the old and ready to make space for the new? Donate your gently used items—furniture, clothes, toys, books, holiday decorations, party supplies, jewelry, home goods and more—to Alaska Junior Theater (AJT).

The donation deadline is June 23. To arrange a drop-off, call 907-272-7546.

Your contributions will help support

scholarships for low-income students, making professional family theater experiences accessible to all.

Once you’ve donated, mark your calendar and bring your friends to AJT’s huge Benefit Garage Sale. You’ll find top-quality items at unbeatable prices—everything from furniture and crafts to Christmas décor, party gear, and designer clothes. There’s something for everyone. And the best part?

Every dollar you spend goes directly to supporting AJT’s mission: bringing professional, multicultural and educational theater performances to children and families throughout Alaska.

The sale runs Saturday and Sunday, June 28–29, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Midtown Anchorage, off 36th & LaTouche.

When you donate or shop at the Annual Benefit Garage Sale, you’re not

just cleaning out a closet or scoring a deal—you’re investing in the arts, in education, and in Alaska’s future. Help AJT continue to inspire, entertain, and educate thousands of children every year. To schedule your donation dropoff, call 907-272-7546.

AJT’s 2025–2026 “SOUNDS Like Fun!” Season is now on sale. Season ticket holders enjoy priority seating, exclusive discounts, early access, and up to 20% off single ticket prices. This year’s lineup includes: Kattam and His Tam Tams on November 7, Holiday Tales: A Season of Miracles on December 13, Black Violin on January 16, Ball in the House on March 21, and The Singing Zoologist on April 25.

This unforgettable, music-driven season is packed with performances you won’t want to miss. For tickets, show info, or details on free public events, visit www.akjt.org.

Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Needs Your Help!

VOLUNTEER? DONATE?

CALL 907-631-8591

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to cheer on athletes, keep scores, wave flags, and spread high-fives (our athletes love those!).

There are various other fulfilling roles available too, all of which are a breeze. By volunteering, you'll have an incredible experience and make plenty of new athlete friends!

MID-JUN 2025

MID-JUN 2025

Funnies

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Viveya R.

Zaida K.

JUNE

JULY

June 14 @ 10:00 AM Grotto Lunker Coloring Station Palmer Museum of History and Art palmermuseum.org

July 1 @ 3:00 PM Dear Body - Intuitive Eating Group – Virtual Sunshine Community Health Call to Register (907) 733-9292

June 19 @ 2:00 PM Mat-Su MLK, Jr. Foundation 2025 Juneteenth Celebration Downtown Palmer Pavillion (907) 227-9799 June 19 @ 6:00 PM Northern Lights Social Mat Su Dems Marcellos Restaurant (907) 232-3712 June 21 @ 11:00 AM Essential Oil & Bioenergetics w/ Dr. McLaughlin All About Herbs admin@allaboutherbs.com (907) 376-8327 June 27 @ 6:00 PM Egan Dinner Mat Su Dems Turkey Red (907) 232-3712 June 28 @ 4:00 PM Midnight Sun Music Festival Permafrost Promotions Fairbanks facebook.com/permafrostpromo June 30 @ 5:00 PM Learn to Write a 10-Minute Play with Caitlin Buxbaum Wasilla Public Library (907) 376-5913

July 3 @ 3:00 PM Parenting with Love and Logic: A Virtual Support Series Sunshine Community Health Virtual – Call to Register (907) 733-9292

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Calendar Funnies of Events Help us grow our calendar! Submit your event and we’ll print it in the next edition!

July 19 @ 10:00 AM Arts in the Garden Palmer Museum Palmer Arts Council Museum Grounds & Palmer Quad 723 S Valley Way palmermuseum.org (907) 982-1788 July 19 @ 11:00 AM The Skinny on Fats All About Herbs admin@allaboutherbs.com (907) 376-8327

July 4 @ 11:00 AM 50th Annual Girdwood Forest Fair 216 Girdwood Pl. girdwoodforestfaries@gmail.com July 10 @ 7:00 PM Boot Juice Live CreekBend Café 67444 Second Street, Hope linktr.ee/crkbnd | (907) 782-3274 July 11 @ 8:00 AM Crow Pass Overnight Adventure Crow Pass Trailhead, Girdwood 6400 Crow Creek Rd trailmates.online July 11 @ 7:00 PM Hatcher Romp!

Blackwater Railroad & Skeetawk Skeetawk at Hatcher Pass Mile 10.6 Palmer-Fishhook Rd hatcherromp.com

MID-JUN 2025

We’re more than a community paper! We also run 95.5 The Pass KNLT-FM, and offer other media services too!

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Coloring Page FIRST NAME

MID-JUN 2025

AGE

Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business!

LAST NAME

MAILING ADDRESS

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY THE ALASKAN SCOTTISH CLUB

@alaskanscottish ASL Interpreters On Site

MORE INFORMATION, TICKETS, AND EVENT LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE AT www.ALASKANSCOTTISH.org

GATES OPEN AT 8AM OPENING CEREMONY SATURDAY AT 10AM GAMES MEAD & SCOTCH TASTING LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

DENALI STONES

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

TUG O’ WAR

TEA TENT

www.alaskanscottish.org/watch-live

FAIRGROUNDS MAP

PIPERS GREEN Cèilidh Theatre

(BOREALIS THEATRE)

MERCH

ANTS

NTS

CHA MER

MERC

HANTS

SCOTTISH STRENGTH FIELD

NTS

CHA MER

PIPING & DRUMMING FIELD MERCHANTS MERCHANTS

MERCHANTS

ALASKAN SALMON TOSS

GATHERING O’ THE CLANS

SCOTCH & MEAD TASTINGS

ALASKAN SCOTTISH CLUB

HIGHLAND COO EXHIBIT

SCOTTISH HEAVY ATHLETICS

PALMER FOLK SCHOOL DEMOS

HIGHLAND PUBS

SHEAF TOSS

BRITISH CARS

HRG

SHETLAND PONY RIDES

K9 SEARCH & RESCUE DEMO

SPONSOR HOSPITALITY TENT

CELTIC STAGE

KILTED MILE START

STRONGMAN

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

MERCHANDISE TENT

TEA TENT

CULLODEN MEMORIAL STAGE

PHOTO BOOTH

TUG OF WAR

DENALI STONES

PIPING & DRUMMING FIELD

WEDDINGS, RENEWALS, HANDFSTINGS

INFORMATIONAL TENT

ATM PICNIC AREA RESTROOMS

CÈILIDH THEATRE (BOREALIS THEATRE)

WHEELCHAIR & SCOOTER RENTALS

BY ALASKA MOBILITY

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Celtic Marketplace OVER 175 MERCHANTS AND FOOD TRUCKS THROUGH-OUT THE GAMES!

PARTICIPATING CLANS

CHATTAN

DONALD

FRASER

GORDON

HAY

MACKAY

MACLEOD

MACTAVISH

MURRAY

SCOTT

SHAW

WALLACE

SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025! The Inaugural Midnight Sun Scottish Highland Games are coming to Fairbanks and they will be making history as the furthest north Highland Games in North America! Prepare for a day packed with traditional Highland events, local vendors, music, food, and fun for the whole family! You won’t want to miss this historic celebration of Scottish culture in the heart of Alaska's Interior! LOOKING FOR MORE INFO? VISIT ALASKANSCOTTISH.ORG/MSSHG

OR EMAIL MSSHG@ALASKANSCOTTISH.ORG

2025 ASHG CELTIC MARKETPLACE MERCHANTS A-Z Food Merchant - Beverages Alaskan Soda Jerks Alaska’s Original Shake Up Aethereal Coffee Bema Coffee Northern Sno Southern Exposure Café

Food Merchant - Sweets Akookie Co. AK Stuffed Banana Alaska Bubble Waffles Alaska Sno Biz Alaska Soft Serve Baby Cakes Becky’s Original Kettle Korn C&D Perfect Pudding Parfaits Delightful Fudge Dippin’ Dots Divine Dips Dolce GG Macs Kettle Korn Express Mer’s Creations Purely Scrumptious Tundra Cotton What The Fluff

Food Merchant - Savory Alaska Mac Shack Alaska’s Best Gourmet Dogs AK Hope Barbecue Babes Big Dogs Bless Your Heart BBQ BruceSkies Turkish Cuisine Cravingz 4 Dayz Crepes De Paris Flourishing Pizza Garcia’s Mini Chimi Truck Grandma Wei Wei Homemade Dumpling High Five Hand Pies Net’s Thai Kitchen Nonkie Bes Cajun Faves Oh My Monte Parlay Patriot BBQ Pioneer Peak Pretzel

Rhea’s Russian Eats Salmon HookUp Truck The Hungry Robot Tiki Pete’s Two Girls and a Grill Wisconsin Cheese Store Food Merchant - Pre Packaged Snacks/Sauces/Treats First Colony Farms Bakery Forty Nine Fifty Farms Fox Sauce Jazzy Gourmet Popcorn Jingle Jellies Makin Whoopie Tundra Snacks The Welsh Baker Welsh Cakes Quircky Chocolates

Artisan Merchants - Crafts, Art, Home Good, Clothing, Etc AK Mamas AK Tie Dye and Alaska Rug Company AK Wildwood Designs Alaska Bead & Gem Alaska Prancing Peony Farms Alaska Soap Basket Alaska Wild and Free Alaskan Gryphon LLC All Syncht Up Always June Alaska Arctic Blossom Crochet Arcticfox 3D Printing Arctic Frost Jewelry Arctic Pups Dog Gear Armoured Wolf Productions Bad Bob’s Alaskan Beard Products Barbara Unlimited Bee AK Blue Sky Soaps Caribou Vixens Vinyl Cherime’s Treasures Coffee Cat Glassworks Crafty Pickers Crystal Healstals Custom 3D Kid Dark North Art Co

The Leather Peony David Staeheli Studios The Mad Platter Denali Tactical Knives The Moody Nerds Denise’s Flower Crowns The Rekindled Spoon DW Laserworks The Toy Lady Earthly Chic The Wild Juneberry Eli’s Dyes The Wild Rose Fables and Dragons Three Petal Pottery Fiber N Ice Timber and Tundra Leather Co Frigid Fox Designs Timeless Portals Glacier Rose Boutique Tinkers This and That Guilded Dragonfly Studio Tundra Comics HeyWire Jewelry Wanderlust Crafts Hobbs Hill Design Whalebone Watercolors Homestead Handicraft Wild Rose Mehndi Just North of Normal Winter Light K. Paulson Illustrations Witty Twisted Finished Laser Design King’s Custom Designs Lemons and Leather Entertainment Made with Love in Alaska Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums Matanuska Pens Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center Meg Wilde Art Amtgard of Alaska Megan Moore Art Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band Mermaid Cove Arctic Chiropractic Rehab and PT Modern Mortem Brittani with Grace Mofo Yarn Co Bungee Bounce Molly’s Collectibles & Design Calliope Facepaint Nova Skye Designs & Jingle Jellies Color Me Fun Oliver’s Cookies and Treats Crow Creek Pipes and Drums PaperPie Curl AK Permafrost Beards Gradient Expressions Phillimore Leather Hydrate Alaska Popular Homestead/The Knotty Poplar Irish Club of Alaska Fiber Mill and Artistry Mat-Su Borough - Emergancy Services PyeWackets Mat-Su College Rebal Oddities & Design Nameless Wild Art Regal Alaskan North Paw K9 Search and Resuce Rippin Wristlets Palmer Folk School Sasha’s Stichess and More Palmer Police Silverbear Sundries Pamer Fire Dept Silver Wolf Designs Red Hackle Pipe Band Sipping Steams Tea Company The Alaska Club Snow Thistle AK The Alaskan Kilted Photographer Sport Kilt The Mine Shaft Starry Dreams Boutique The Tiny Home(stead) Steampunk Bling Takenya The Great Alaskan Bowl Company 44th Annual The Last Frontier Furrier Highland Games!

Saturday, June 28th THROUGHOUT THE ASHG:

GATES OPEN - WELCOME TO THE GAMES!

8AM ALL DAY

Celtic Marketplace (175+ Merchants & Vendors)

ALL DAY

Heilan Coo (Highland Cow) Sponsored by Holaday Parks

ALL DAY

Entries for Shortbread Competition (Informational Tent)

8AM-1PM

Entries for Tall Tales Competition (Informational Tent)

10AM-5PM Tea Tent Sponsored by 49/50 Farms and Pure Hawaiian Honey Company and Snow Thistle Teas & Treasures

9AM7PM

Highland Pub located by Athletic Fields

9AM7PM

Highland Pub located in Cèilidh Theatre

Hosted by Denali Brewing Company

Hosted by Denali Brewing Company

4:30PM

Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins

5:45PM

Albannach

Celtic Stage* Sponsored by Kimberlee Carver, Morgan Stanley

ALL DAY

Rogues and Wenches in the Main Highland Pub

ALL DAY ALL DAY

11AM-4PM Children’s Throwing Events Sponsored by MAKE A SCENE Media, Fred Moore and Phyliss Shoemaker

12PM

Denali Stone Sponsored by Granite and Anchor of Iron (Scottish Strength Field)

1PM

ASL Intro to Heavy Events (Main Athletic Field)

2PM

Tug-O-War Sponsored by Truog Consulting and Beard Brothers Meadery (Scottish Strength Field) Tim Kincaid Challenge Caber Sponsored by Arctic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy (Main Athletic Field)

4PM

4PM

Challenge Stone (Main Athletic Field)

4PM

Alaskan Scottish Salmon Toss (Main Athletic Field)

Cèilidh Theatre (Borealis Theatre): 10AM

OPENING CEREMONIES featuring Honorary Games Chieftan Graham McTavish with ASL Interpreter

11AM

House of Hammil with ASL Interpreter

12:30PM

Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins with ASL Interpreter

2:00PM

Albannach with ASL Interpreter

Scottish Heavy Athletics Events (Main Athletic Field)

11:30AM

Red Hackle Pipe Band

ALL DAY

Sheaf Toss Sponsored by Supreme Electric (Scottish Strength Field)

12PM

Crow Creek Pipes and Drums and Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band Solos, Duos and Trios Pipe & Drum Showcase

11:30AM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

3:30PM

Red Hackle Pipe Band

12PM

Comerford School of Irish Dance Alaska

4PM

12:45PM

Whisky Jacks Celtic Band Freestyle Step Dance

Crow Creek Pipes and Drums and Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band

1:45PM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

4:30PM

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums

2:15PM

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

2:45PM

Beginner Scottish Highland Dance Lesson with Melissa Scholten Triple Threat Celtic Percussive Dance Demo

3:15PM

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

4:45PM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

Gathering O’ The Clans*

Culloden Memorial Stage Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

11AM-4PM Children’s Throwing Events Sponsored by MAKE A SCENE Media, Fred Moore and Phyliss Shoemaker

10AM

11:30AM 1:30PM

Scotch Tasting: An Introduction Featuring BenRiach,

McTavish Spirits Tasting Hosted by Graham McTavish Sponsored by Allocated (Hoskins)

3PM

Scotch Tasting: What is Highland Peat?

4PM

Featuring BenRiach, GlenGlassaugh and GlenDronach

High-End Scotch Tasting: A Deep Dive

4PM

Featuring GlenDronach

4PM

Salmon Toss Amateur (Main Athletic Field)

4PM

Tim Kincaid Challenge Caber Sponsored by Arctic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy (Main Athletic Field)

Cèilidh Theatre (Borealis Theatre):

2:30PM

Tall Tales with ASL Interpreter

4:30PM

Haggis Eating Contest Sponsored by Macski’s

Highland Foods & Gear, with ASL Interpreter

Palmer Folk School Demos: 9AM

Blacksmithing

11AM

Broom Making

1PM

Blacksmithing

3PM

Pottery

4PM

Blacksmithing

* New Location Starting this Year

8AM

GATES OPEN - WELCOME TO THE GAMES!

ALL DAY

Celtic Marketplace (175+ Merchants & Vendors)

ALL DAY

Heilan Coo (Highland Cow) Sponsored by Holaday Parks

10AM-5PM Tea Tent Sponsored by 49/50 Farms and Pure Hawaiian Honey Company and Snow Thistle Teas & Treasures 11AM

Deadline for Shortbread Contest (Informational Tent)

9AM6PM

Highland Pub located by Athletic Fields

9AM6PM

Highland Pub located in Cèilidh Theatre

Hosted by Denali Brewing Company

Hosted by Denali Brewing Company

11AM-5PM British Sports Cars (Red Gate)

11AM

Crow Creek Pipes and Drums and Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band

11:30AM

Red Hackle Pipe Band

12PM

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums

12:30PM

Solos, Duos and Trios Pipe & Drum Showcase

2:30PM

Crow Creek Pipes and Drums and Anchorage Scottish Pipe Band

Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins with ASL Interpreter

4PM

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums

Parade Starts to ASHG Opening Ceremonies

THROUGHOUT THE ASHG:

Piping & Drumming Sponsored by Deeptree

3PM

9:45AM

Pipe and Drums 101 Workshop

Pipe and Drums 101 Workshop

Red Hackle Pipe Band

Clan Roll Call

1:30PM

3PM

3:30PM

9AM

Sunday June 29th

Beards, Braids, and Mustache Contest Sponsored

by Permafrost & Beard Brothers Meadery, with ASL Interpreter

House of Hammil with ASL Interpreter

CLOSING CEREMONIES with ASL Interpreter

Sponsored by Alaska Restaurant Supply, with ASL Interpreter

1PM

1:45PM

5:15PM

Midnight Sun Spurtle Challenge

Shortbread Competition Judging Sponsored by Alaska Restaurant Supply, with ASL Interpreter

Albannach

Kids Passport Start and Finish

12PM

12PM

12:30PM

ALL DAY

Kilted Mile Race Start

Kids Passport Start and Finish

Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins

Albannach with ASL Interpreter

1:30PM

ALL DAY

11:15AM

4:15pm

Kilted Mile Race Sign-Up

Gathering O’ The Clans

House of Hammil

Gathering O’ The Clans

11AM

ALL DAY

10AM

ALL DAY

Purple Gate Kilted Mile Sponsored by City of Palmer

Culloden Memorial Stage Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

Fit, Arctic Chiropractic and Physical Therapy and Anchor of Iron

Farmers Walk Event Sponsored by The Alaska Club

Mead Tasting Featuring Beard Brothers Meadery GlenGlassaugh and GlenDronach

Alaska Scottish Strongman Sponsored Sponsored by Dexa

4PM

Tastings (Raven Hall / Hoskins)

Highland Heather Dancers

3:45PM

Scottish Heavy Athletics Events (Main Athletic Field) Sheaf Toss Sponsored by Supreme Electric (Scottish Strength Field)

ALL DAY

12:30PM

4:15PM

Athletics:

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

11AM-3PM Birds of Prey Exhibit by AK Wildbird Rehabilitation Center 11AM-5PM British Sports Cars (Red Gate)

11AM

11AM

Gathering O’ The Clans*

Athletics:

Piping & Drumming Sponsored by Deeptree

House of Hammil

3:15PM

Celtic Stage* Sponsored by Kimberlee Carver, Morgan Stanley

Palmer Folk School Demos: 9AM

Blacksmithing

11AM

Broom Making

10:45AM

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

12PM

Jewelry Making

11:15AM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

1PM

Blacksmithing

12PM

Irish Club Presents: Songs of Scotland

2PM

Weaving Demonstration

12:30PM

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

3PM

Pottery

1PM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

4PM

Blacksmithing

1:30PM

Beginner Scottish Highland Dance Lesson with Melissa Scholten

2PM

Irish Dance Academy of Alaska

11:30AM

2:30PM

Highland Heather Dancers

1:30PM

3:15PM

Good Ol’ Good Ones

4:15PM

Fireweed Fling Highland Dancers

4:45PM

Alaska Treble Makers Irish Dancers

5:15PM

CLOSING CELEBRATION OPEN CEILDH DANCE PARTY LEAD BY COLLEEN OEFELEIN

Tastings (Raven Hall / Hoskins)

3PM

Mead Tasting Featuring Beard Brothers Meadery Scotch Tasting: What is Highland Peat?

Featuring BenRiach, GlenGlassaugh and GlenDronach

McTavish Spirits Tasting Hosted by Graham McTavish Sponsored by Allocated (Hoskins)

44th Annual Highland Games!

BIRCH BOWLS & ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFTS

www.woodbowl.com

ANCHOR OF IRON

PIPING & DRUMMING

STRENGTH GYM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

ALASKA CELTIC PIPES & DRUMS

ANCHORAGE SCOTTISH PIPE BAND

CROW CREEK PIPES & DRUMS

RED HACKLE PIPE BAND

South Central, AK

Eagle River, AK

Anchorage, AK

Fairbanks, AK

A TRIBUTE TO TIM KINCAID

WE’RE A HIGH-QUALITY GYM DEDICATED TO TOP-TIER HEALTH, WELLNESS, STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING, REHABILITATION AND ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT.

Lift heavy. Live strong. Build legacy.

poplarhomesteadsmercantile.com

You might notice a familiar face in this years poster design.

We are deeply honored to pay tribute to Tim Kincaid, a true pillar of the Alaska Scottish Highland Games. Tim’s passion, dedication, and unwavering support helped create and shape this event into the incredible celebration it is today. His legacy lives on in every stone lifted, every caber tossed, and every note played at the ASHG. This year, we not only celebrate the rich tradition of the Games but also an extraordinary person who helped make it all possible.

ALASKAN-GROWN & PROCESSED FIBER

The Alaskan Scottish Club is a non-profit organization established to celebrate the Scottish culture, heritage and teachings to the people of Alaska.

We achieve this through events, workshops, concerts and other social gatherings in Alaska throughout the year. Stop by our booth and join the club!

Win a Trip to Scotland!

PRIZE PACKAGE FOR TWO INCLUDES A PRIVATE FULL-DAY OUTLANDER TOUR FROM EDINBURGH WITH A DRIVER-GUIDE, INCLUDING ALL ENTRANCE FEES AND PARKING FEES; A 5-NIGHT STAY IN A STANDARD ROOM AT IBIS EDINBURGH CENTRE SOUTH BRIDGE – ROYAL MILE; DAILY BREAKFAST; WINSPIRE BOOKING AND CONCIERGE SERVICE; AND TWO ALASKA AIRLINES ROUND-TRIP TICKETS ($1250.00 VALUE EACH!). THE DRAWING WILL BE HELD AT THE MIDNIGHT SUN SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES (FAIRBANKS) CLOSING CEREMONIES ON AUGUST 9, 2025. ONLY 1,000 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD. WINNER NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN.

TICKETS ONLY $20 EACH!

WWW.ALASKANSCOTTISH.ORG OR AT THE GAMES!

Saturday Opening Ceremonies 10AM

mctavishspirits.com

CONCERTS INCLUDED IN PRICE OF ADMISSION!

Albannach

House of Hamill

Jingle Jellies The Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins

UNIQUE. PERSONAL. ONE-OF-A-KIND.

SUPPORTING PEN-AHOLICS. www.matanuskapens.com

ALL NATURAL + HANDMADE

HANDMADE ALASKAN JEWELRY & MORE

FIND US AT THE GAMES! CALL 907-252-1371 OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK

permafrostbeards.com

ALASKA BEAD & GEM

FEATURING SCOTTISH JEWELRY, CHAINMAIL, & MORE!

ALASKA SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES HEAVY EVENT ATHLETE ROSTER 2025: Saturday, June 28 Alaskan Open (Women) Emily Adams (IN) Jessica Bridenthal (MI) Amarissa Handy (AZ) Women’s A Morgan Ashcraft Men’s A Levi Lacey (CA) Francis Cullen (CA) Jeb Taylor (WA) Dan Parks Mathew Wittmayer (CA) Raven Kahula Stephen Wehe Timothy Dommek Karl Olson Charles Knefelkamp Men’s Novice (Flight 1) Brandon Thomas Mathew Loy Donald Simmons Martin Glaves Patrick Brewer Matthew Rehrig Justin Gonka Ronald McPherson Taylor Bryant Men’s Novice (Flight 2) Rick Walsh Austin Eisenman Judd Wattenbarger Gage Minson Joshua Howard Kelvin Rogers Hunter Shields Thomas Collins (MT) Cobi Berman Men’s C Ryan Murrell (WA) Cody Vongprachanh Quinn Johnson David Journeay Connor Stanton Dawson Cooper

Myles Cooper Edward Morones III (CA) Samuel Steinberg Women’s Novice Cindy Beadle Raegan Nicholson Kaylee McClain Carly Jensen Bethany Ali (WA) Heidi Cooper Julie Tisdale Audrey Simmons Vianca Sanudo Women’s C Amber Rageth Erin Rageth Devin Taylor (WA) AnnaLisa Kaz (CA) Kim Kramer Kathleen Dolan Dalton McRae Aislinn Martolano Molly Nichols Marie Abbott Men’s Master 50-59 Tommy Jerome Baxter Travis Stine (CA) Mel Steinberg Toma Gillen Eric Mendoza (CA) Men’s Master 60-69 John Springer (UT) Bret McDonald Micheal Looney Kevin Dolan Dayn Cooper Men’s Master 70+ Chris Kilday Mark Buchanan (CO) Juniors 15-17 – Boys Spencer Whipple Jace Minson Chase Hall

Juniors 15-17 – Girls Ainsley Cooper Savannah Dixon Olivia Journeay Aubrey McBee Autumn Charles Josie Schrecengost

Sunday, June 29 Alaskan Open (Men) Kyle Lillie (CO) Edward Brown (AZ) Danny Autrey (AK) Bryce Hall (UT) Cameron Newkirk (MI) Matthew McDougal (VA) Rick Simmons (CA) Scott Hutchison (OR) Jared Conklin (MI) Scott Farr (UT) Men’s B Justin Gilfus Joe Brown Jacob Larson (CA) Joseph Townsend Zachary Gillies (CA) Jerrod Dolan Jeremy Lowell (TX) Edward Morones III (CA) Women’s B Maggie Wallace Heather Paddock (CA) Jenny McLaughlin Breanna Love Ellen Wallace Jill Parks Naqkara McKinney Krystal Autrey Men’s LW Jacob Thompson Adam Long (WY) Rabun Fox Nelson Alger Sawyer Graber Brandon Swisher Michael Brownwood

Men’s Masters LW Eric Crawford Eric Gillies (CA) Hal Shepherd Aaron Cooper Jason Simmons Men’s Master 40-49 Rob Moody Stephen Sammons Clint White Blake McDowell James Martin (WA) Rob McCallum (MO) Dwayn Cooper Alan McBee Joshua Schrecengost Matt Adams (IN) Women’s Masters Emily Keck Collean Saenz (CA) Gretchen Sell-Finley (HI) Morgan Ashcraft Katharyn Daun (CA) Meredith Gutierrez Brandi Neuterman Mariah Moon Shawna Haferkamp (MO) Courtney Buchanan (CA) Marie Abbott Women’s LW Jesse Nichols Jenni Klebesadel Heather Dolan Morgan Borkovec Allison Brownwood Juniors 12-14 – Boys Kenan Dixon Jack Parks Charles Dunlap Warren Bowlin (OR) Juniors 12-14 – Girls Haylee Cooper Molly Ashcraft Phoebe Kramer Josephine Dunlap

Thank You! to all of our Generous Sponsors who made the 2025 ASHG possible!

Adam Eley, AK Ceremonial Band, Alaska Chip Company, Amy Kearns, Ann Mason, Betsy and Ray Bonnell, Bill and Jean Watson, Brad and Nik Cunningham, Brandon Telford, Caliber Law Group, Carrie McAllister, Cathy and Randy Steen, Christa and David Wallace, Christina McCoskey, Cory Graham, Cynthia and Marshall Scott, Dale Carlough, Daniel Chopenko, Darleen Lime, David Braun, Diana Kuest. Donald and Carole Henry Jr, Evan Kingrea, Fred Meyer, Palmer, Fred Moore and Phyllis Shoemaker, Hal Shepherd, Holly and Dave Moreno, Ingrid Miller, Jane Simono, Jason Owens, Jeffery and Julie Frizzell, Joel Glenn Taylor, John and Debbie Hanson, John Thomson Trust, Katrina Sousa, Lee Cromwell, Lori Reetz, Margaret Sharpe and Michael Swart, Melissa and Kent Alger, Merri Shunk, Michael and Kathy Miller, Misty Ott, Nyree Bausman and Rick Walsh, Outdoor Life Professional Services, Pam and Curtis Clifton, Pat and Mark Ryan, Pat and Nancy Patterson, Rick Ingersol, Robert and Janet Barton, Robert Dickson, Ronald McPherson, Sarah Heverling, Shauna Grant, Sherri Borchert, Shiela Murray Cernich, Stan Tebow Allstate Insurance, Susan Miller, Teresa Gool and Buck Judkins, The Vally Hotel, Thomas Eley, Thomas Johns, Todd and Christina Clark, Tonda Scott, Tony Boneta, Tray and Cynthia Miller, Victoria Fox

Thank you to our volunteers, planning committee, vendors, participants, and attendees for keeping Scottish traditions alive and being part of the Alaskan Scottish Clan—see you next year, June 27–28, 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 volunteers and foster homes.

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 programs, 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.

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 rehabilitation. 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 Center. 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.

Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation (MEACF)

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; housing 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, education, food, health, housing, legal services, social connection, 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.

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!

Mat-Su Health Foundation www.healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 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, convening 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 development, transportation, housing, and senior services.

Visit www.healthymatsu.org to learn about scholarship and funding opportunities.

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 highschool 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 email: 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 evidence-based 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.

We offer a diverse range of course offerings from open enrollment summer adventure courses, professional development courses, to year-round after-school and homeschool opportunities. Check out our website at www.onwardandupward.org for more information!

Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Program (907) 631-8591 www.specialolympicsalaska.org The Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community Program is an accredited program of Special Olympics Alaska, 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.

United Way of Mat-Su (907) 373-5807 www.unitedwaymatsu.org 550 S Alaska St., Suite 205 Palmer AK 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 collaboration 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) oversees 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 creating housing stability for Valley residents.

Lastly, our Durable Medical Equipment Lending

Program supports our residents with short term equipment 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 venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events.

Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. 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 (907) 745-4203 info@vbcalaska.org 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 possible for as long as possible.

WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fitness 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 22

Poetry & Prose ROBIN IN THE GRASS Contributed by Nan Potts

There’s a Robin in the grass, Chip-chop, hip-hop, He makes his way across the mowed lawn.

There’s a Robin on the lawn, Dash-dart, stop-start, Scurried fury, in search of a meal on the green.

There’s a Robin on the green, Peck-peck, hunt-peck, A squirming worm dangles in his beak plucked from turf.

There’s a Robin on the turf, Tic-toc, head-cock, Mouth full of breakfast, he flees to the trees.

There’s a Robin in the trees, Pert-chirp, melodious-burp, Sated by repast, he sings a delighted song — “I’m here to stay, Come what may, As long as bugs are a’plenty!”

SUMMERTIME STREAMS WITH EASE

TRAINS, TRAINS AND MORE TRAINS Contributed by Yvonne Moss On antique lands trekked caravans, Now, trains run on rails of steel.

From engines of vaporous steam, To pungent fumes of diesel.

Voltaic cells power them too!

Mother introduced me to trains, When I was very young girl.

Carried away on adventure, From Englewood to Denver.

Colorado was the place for me!

Though a short ride, it did provide, I recall being on board.

Thrilled by the speed, movement and noise, Only once was I aboard.

An endearing vision it made!

Today, it seems less exciting, Adventure, mere common place.

Modern cars, trucks, buses and planes, Have replaced numerous lines.

Yet, where there are tracks there are trains!

Trains’ lineage, an age-old story, That history can parade.

Trains, of all types, have persevered, By technological bounds.

Their future appears to abide!

Contributed by Carrie Bowell

MID-JUN 2025

As the grass becomes greener, The birds grow louder. The trees come alive like an orchestra, Bringing colors together in shapes and styles. The air thickens with summer heat, Waters dance fluidly, Wind chimes sing while BBQ smoke rises, Sending salivating scents into the breeze.

Smiles beam brighter, Hearts feel lighter.

Summertime streams with ease.

SALMONFEST RETURNS AUGUST 1–3

PAGE 23

Music

Contributed by David Stearns, Salmonfest

One of Alaska’s most beloved summer traditions is back this August 1–3. Salmonfest 2025 will once again bring thousands of music lovers, artists, nonprofits, and families together at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik for a weekend celebrating wild Alaskan salmon and the habitat that sustains it. Headlining this year’s festival are chart-topping rockers The Revivalists and genre-bending powerhouse Elle King, promising high-energy performances that span soulful ballads to rootsy rock anthems. They’ll be joined by southern jam legends The Allman Betts Band and acclaimed mandolin virtuoso and two-time Grammy Award nominee Sierra Hull.

This year’s genre-defying lineup showcases nearly 60 acts across four stages, including celebrated names like The Dip, ALO, The Bridge City Sinners, and Jakobs Castle featuring Sublime frontman and son of Bradley, Jakob Nowell. Manic Focus will lead the late-night electronic experience with two unique sets, one featuring live instrumentation. National touring bands like Shakedown String Band, High Step Society, Po & The 4Fathers from Maui, Cousin Curtiss, The Builders and The Butchers, Free Creatures, and Brown Chicken Brown Cow add to a roster that represents a vibrant mix of Americana, bluegrass, rock, funk, EDM, and more.

Salmonfest is a family-friendly event, so please bring your kids. All youth 6 and younger are free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Salmonfest’s Small Fry Activity Area will feature plenty of kids’ activities and arts and crafts so parents can enjoy the rest of the festival. Salmonfest is a not-for-profit festival dedicated to protecting Alaskan salmon, a species highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Our mission is to remain humble stewards of the land and sea, to care for and advocate for the protection of critical Alaskan watersheds and the precious salmon that sustain us. One of Salmonfest’s signature features is the Salmon Causeway, where guests can learn, engage, and take action on the many issues facing Bristol Bay, Alaska, salmon, and the world at large.

Salmonfest brings together the best of Alaska’s food vendors to keep Salmonfestians going all weekend. Look for tents and trucks serving up Thai food, salmon, Indian cuisine, classic American fare, gourmet sandwiches, barbecue, and more.

Salmonfest is committed to sourcing and featuring local vendors, including in the beer gardens where you’ll find some of the best Alaska has to offer—dozens of taps, wine, champagne, canned cocktails, non-alcoholic choices, and more.

Hosted in the lush coastal hamlet of Ninilchik, Salmonfest is more than just a music festival—it’s a movement. A portion of proceeds supports salmon habitat protection and conservation efforts throughout Alaska, with the festival acting as both a platform and partner for advocacy groups like the Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, Cook Inletkeeper, ARCHES Alaska, Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay, Wild Salmon Center, and the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds.

MID-JUN 2025

Salmonfest is a fully immersive experience: think mountains, music, and meaning. In addition to a world-class lineup, attendees will enjoy on-site camping, food and craft vendors, art installations, daily parades, and family-friendly activities. Tickets are now available at salmonfestalaska.org, along with volunteer opportunities and detailed information about transportation, lodging, and the full festival experience. Come for the fish. Stay for the music. Leave inspired.

PAGE 24

Music

COUNTRY CHART-TOPPER WARREN ZEIDERS JOINS STATE FAIR LINE-UP Warren Zeiders, one of country music’s fastest-rising stars, is heading to the Alaska State Fair during his 2025 Relapse Tour. He will perform Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m. as part of the ConocoPhillips Alaska Concert Series. Tickets went on sale Friday, May 30 at 10 a.m. AKDT at alaskastatefair.org.

Zeiders broke out with his 2023 debut album Pretty Little Poison, featuring the RIAA double platinum hit of the same name, which reached #1 at Country Radio and earned a CMT Award for Breakthrough Male Video. His 2024 album Relapse continued the momentum, with the title track becoming the second-most-played country song of the year and the People’s Choice-nominated single “Betrayal.”

Contributed by Melissa Keefe, Alaska State Fair

The 25-year-old artist has racked up 3 billion career streams, 2 billion TikTok views, 7.6 million Spotify

listeners, and a sold-out tour. He’s been featured in GQ, on Grammy.com, and appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and TODAY.

Zeiders joined a stacked lineup that also includes Medium Build (Aug. 15), Rainbow Kitten Surprise (Aug. 16), “Weird Al” Yankovic (Aug. 17), Chris Tomlin (Aug. 18), Mastodon (Aug. 22), Billy Currington (Aug. 23), Wiz Khalifa (Aug. 24), Sean Paul (Aug. 28), Foreigner (Aug. 30), and Dwight Yoakam (Aug. 31).

Concert-only tickets and discounted bundles that include Fair admission are available now.

Admission-included tickets must be purchased

by August 14. Full pricing and concert details can be found at alaskastatefair.org. Convenience fees apply to online ticket purchases.

We’re more than a community paper! We also run 95.5 The Pass KNLT-FM, and offer other media services too!

MID-JUN 2025

celebrating JULY 19TH ALL DAY

-FOOD TRUCKS -GIVEAWAYS -DISCOUNTS 840 S BAILEY ST. PALMER, AK

50 YEARS!

WWW.MAKEASCENE.MEDIA | 907-373-2698

Events

PALMER ALEHOUSE BRINGS FREE LIVE MUSIC

ALL SUMMER LONG! Contributed by Corey Brister Palmer Alehouse

As the summer sun returns to the Mat-Su Valley, so does one of Palmer’s most beloved traditions—free live music every weekend at the Palmer Alehouse. Nestled in the heart of downtown, the Alehouse isn’t just a spot for craft beer and great food—it’s become a vibrant gathering place where neighbors, friends, and visitors come together to celebrate local talent and summer nights.

Starting early May and running through the end of September, the

BIKE BONANZA AT TURN-A-LEAF THRIFT STORE:

PEDALS OVER PIXELS Contributed by Valley Charities

Valley Charities’ Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Store is celebrating the benefits of outdoor play with a special event—Pedals Over Pixels—on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. All available bikes will be rolled out for sale, encouraging families to swap screen time for ride time.

The event highlights the many benefits of cycling for children, including

improved physical health, better sleep, stronger social skills, and mental well-being. A bike helmet giveaway courtesy of the Center for Safe Alaskans and a bike safety presentation from Alaska State Troopers (pending) round out the day.

Stop by Turn-A-Leaf to pick up a bike, enjoy the community, and support healthier habits for the next generation.

Follow Valley Charities on Facebook for updates and details.

Alehouse will feature a diverse lineup of bands playing everything from rock and blues to folk and funk. Whether you’re dancing under the midnight sun or just soaking up the music from the spacious outdoor patio, these shows are always free and always community-focused.

It’s a simple idea—great music, great atmosphere, no cover charge—and it’s one of the many ways Palmer Alehouse continues to be a cornerstone of our town’s cultural life. www.palmeralehouse.com

Literature

THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BOOK PROJECT

SHARING OUR LITERACY-RELATED VISION readers and our vision was envisioning power of literacy to change lives.

This mission statement was tangible. I and other volunteers salvaged, sorted, cleaned, and stamped books on a near daily basis. Unbeknownst to me, our vision statement would soon supersede this mission statement.

Contributed by Alys Culhane I didn’t have a vision when, in 2019, I started salvaging books at VCRS. I simply wanted to get the books, which were in abundance, into the hands of appreciative readers. These readers were initially friends and family members.

The books that were coming into VCRS in large numbers were (as I saw it) more than plentiful. Books were being shredded and pulped, and this generated an income for VCRS. The problem was, the volunteers could not keep up with the shredding workload. The quality of many of the books was also quite high.

The VCRS staff was well aware that if they didn’t take the books, they’d end up in the adjacent Mat-Su Borough Landfill. I felt similarly. Furthermore, I was aware that added material would impinge on land set aside for recreation purposes. I was an avid horseback rider, and so the prospect of trails being covered by a landfill didn’t sit well with me.

I moved the Bright Lights Book Project to the Meeting House, a one-story residential looking church building located on Bailey Street, in January 2021. The BLBP became a fledgling nonprofit 501(c)(3) and acquired a board of directors. We drew up mission and vision statements. Our mission was to get books into the hands of appreciative

The Mat-Su Health Foundation and the Foraker Group were two early BLBP partners. The Mat-Su Health Foundation provided us with funding. And the Foraker Group provided us with board governance training.

Tracy Kalytiak (of the Mat-Su Health Foundation) and Mike Wash (of the Foraker Group) were instrumental in bringing our project vision to the forefront of my consciousness. I was initially resistant to what they both told me, which was that we (meaning me and BLBP board members) needed in theory and practice to put a greater emphasis on the word literacy.

I argued that we were doing well in getting books into the hands of appreciative readers. Our Bookcases in the Schools, Books to Villages, and Books to Seniors programs had been well-received, locally and state-wide.

It slowly dawned on me that both Kalytiak and Walsh were right. For example, Alaska ranks 2nd lowest in the nation in fourth grade reading levels, which is contributing to an uninformed citizenry.

As you readers know, the act of reading and the acquisition of a larger world view are inextricably linked.

The BLBP moved to its current location, the former Banquet Room of the Historic Eagle Hotel, in June 2023, and with this move came a greater emphasis on literacy. Thought embodies itself in language, and this was the case here. I revised

my so-called elevator speech, and put literacy first, telling all involved with the project that we envision literacy to change lives, and to this end, we are making books accessible to all individuals. I first practiced this at the 2024 Science of Reading Symposium, where my audience was primarily educators. I next took it to the streets and when distributing books in local businesses, said the same thing. My rallying cry became, “Let’s Make Alaska Literate Again.”

I also decided that a name change, that is one that complemented our literacy-related stance, was in order. And so, the former banquet room of the Historic Eagle Hotel is now the Palmer Literacy Center. This was fitting, in fact so much so that I, with the help of BLBP board members, made our current space even more inviting. Visitors continue to enter the Palmer Literacy Center via the side door but now walk into an open space that invites further literacy-related discussions. These days our focus is on our Children read to Seniors program, which takes place at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home.

The board speaks with one voice. We’ve agreed that in order to sustain our remarkable vision, we have to fundraise.

Like all other nonprofit entities, we have operating costs. It costs $90.00 a day to keep our doors open: rent, U-Haul storage space, gas, and travel expenses included.

The beauty of our literacy-related vision is that it’s community-based. We’re all in this for the long haul, and by we, I mean all Alaskans. So please go to our website (brightlightsbookproject.org) and make a financial contribution. Volunteer hours also count as a contribution since corporate donors take numbers into consideration when making financial support determinations.

Our 9-Hole Par-3 Course & Driving Range are open. Walk-ins welcome! No tee times needed.

www.susitnabrewing.com

Book for your next birthday party or special event!

907-775-1877 nicksamusements.com

curtisnickerson@icloud.com

5120 S BIG LAKE RD. 907-892-2336

Arts

VFAA 10TH ANNUAL FALL ARTIST RETREAT

Contributed

by Martha Happs Valley Fine Arts Association is excited to announce its 10th Annual Artist Retreat, taking place August 15–17, 2025, at the scenic North Star Bible Camp in Willow, Alaska. The retreat runs from 8:30 a.m. Friday through 3:00 p.m. Sunday, with early arrival available after 5:00 p.m. on Thursday for those who’d like to settle in and join a potluck at the Susitna Commons.

A variety of classes will be offered by Alaskan artists. Attendees can participate in scheduled workshops, paint plein air, or simply relax and work on their own canvas. Chris Zafren will lead a two-part

collage workshop on Saturday. The morning session covers techniques for creating acrylic-painted tissue papers, followed by an afternoon session where those papers are transformed into canvas collages. Chris will also demonstrate her collage strategies throughout the class.

Barbara Johnson will teach a nature journaling class on Friday morning. A retired teacher, Barb finds nature journaling to be a meditative practice that deepens her connection to the outdoors. “Nature journaling is a way for me to connect more closely with nature and keep a record of natural events that take place around me,” she says.

Renee Morhain, a full-time art teacher based in Anchorage, will offer several acrylic painting classes. Her sessions will include landscape painting, multimedia techniques using various acrylic mediums, and a class on creating “Acrylic

Skins” for use in collage. “I always strive to give each person a positive experience and a fun creative outlook on life,” says Renee.

lower bunk beds and private bathrooms.

Meals are served in the spacious Loon Lodge. Evening activities will include bonfires, movies, and games with prizes.

Gina Murrow, a multi-talented artist, will teach several classes as well. Her pet portrait classes focus on capturing animals’ personalities in pastels, oils, or acrylics, while her “The Eyes Have It” class teaches students how to depict the unique shapes and depth of animal eyes.

Gina will also teach a travel journaling workshop covering plein air painting while traveling, sketching on the go, and tips for transporting artwork. On Sunday morning, she will teach silk scarf painting, where participants can create and take home a hand-painted silk scarf.

Sponsors include Ampersand (Gessobord panels), Winsor & Newton, Liquitex (paints), and M. Graham (honey-based watercolors and acrylics), among others.

These sponsors provide generous product samples for participants to try.

The retreat setting offers a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere at the back side of Hatcher Pass. Meals are provided and accommodations include rooms with five

Annual membership to Valley Fine Arts Association is $25. Scholarships are available in limited quantities. Retreat costs for members are $250 for two nights and six meals, or $125 for one night and three meals. Classes are three-hour sessions at $25 each. Early Bird arrival on Thursday is $30.

To register, visit valleyfinearts.org or search for “VFAA 10th Annual Fall Artist Retreat” on Eventbrite.

OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE ON PAGE 9