June 24th & 25th
Power of Nutraceuticals
Contributed by Juliah/ MY HOUSE MY House Mat-Su Youth Housing’s third and newest social enterprise, REDEMPTION, is a sustainable loungewear clothing line made from luxury hotel linens with a mission to provide job training for MY House clients and raise awareness about the human trafficking pandemic in Alaska.
In 2022, REDEMPTION set up shop and began working with Alaskan hotels such as Captain Cook and the Holland America Line to upcycle their cozy bed linens into loungewear. This clothing is produced by clients through paid internships from NineStar Employment Education Services.
The job training is designed to equip interns with the skills needed to operate sewing machines in Alaska’s growing sewn product manufacturing industry. It also provides valuable training in other aspects of the business, such as modeling & photography, social media, clothing design and customer service.
This program works with MY House’s trafficking recovery treatment program, coordinated by Staci Yates, Director of
Human Trafficking Recovery Services at MY House. Additional wrap-around services include behavioral health treatment, substance use disorder counseling, peer support and case management assistance. Redemption is a bold and powerful
word with many definitions. For us, it means having the freedom to not define ourselves by the wear and tear of our past. With lots of love, a needle, and thread, we all have the power to sew a bright new future.
You can rock your very own luxury REDEMPTION lounge pants and support our mission to end human trafficking by visiting our rack at the Steam Driven boutique!- Located at 300 N Willow St. Wasilla, Alaska, 99654. Store hours are 10-6:00pm, Monday-Friday, and 10:003:00 pm on Saturdays. You can also visit our Music in the Park booth at Wonderland Park on June 17th and June 24th. Follow our journey on social media @redemptionapparelak and visit our website: redemptionapparelak.com. Listen to the REDEMPTION podcast on any streaming platform with hosts Juliah Barnett and Staci Yates for discussions with empowering guests, stories from survivors, updates on Alaska human trafficking legislation and news about the business!
Thank you for supporting MY House and our clients!
Artisan Highlight: Birch Grove Studio MORE ON PAGE 7 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE Brushes
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Mayowa Aina
When Lois Lester visited Alaska for the first time, she fell in love. Not with a person, but with a glacier.
“This was way back when Portage Glacier was where you could touch it,” she says. “I decided, ‘okay, let me come back and see what’s what.’ ”
That was during a summer more than 50 years ago. At the time she was a high school teacher in Hartsdale, New York. The following year she did come back to Alaska thanks to a one-year sabbatical. She fell in love again. This time, with a man who would become her husband, the father of her four children, and a partner in building a life in the state.
Like many who only plan to stay in Alaska for a short while, it was the natural beauty, the opportunities, and the people who turned a one-year adventure into half a century of experiences.
Lois served on boards and taught driver’s ed for the AARP. She remains active in the community, serving on the Anchorage advisory board for the Salvation Army. Thousands of Alaska students will know her as a chemistry professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Not only was she the sole
Black person in the department, she was also the only woman on the faculty. Lois, who grew up under segregation, learned to take each day as it came. Some days were good, and some were bad, but she says she only worries about what she can control. It’s a philosophy she’s taken into her retirement.
“I refuse to complain about the weather no matter what it is because I have no control over it. So, I take it as it
is,” she says. “Each day I get up and say, ‘it’s a good day’ no matter what.” She says her time in Alaska has been more good than bad, and she has observed some changes. Early on the Black community was tight-knit. As it grew, and she and her husband grew older, they started to know people in the community less intimately, though her active participation with the Alaska Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority keeps her engaged.
People still ask if she wants to stay in Alaska. And without hesitation or confusion she always responds, “Yes. I do. This is my home.”
Today, her home is filled with Black figurines, and portraits and quilts depicting famous Black people. She spends time doing puzzles and bowling when she can, taking it one day at a time.
As she reflects on what makes her life here special, she says it’s most apparent when she travels. “There’s just too many people,” she says with a smile. Her aversion to crowds is less about the people and more about having the space to breathe, to be.
“It’s nice here that you can breathe a different kind of air.”
Contributed by Jack Williamson
I’m excited to announce the Bishop’s Attic is getting a fresh, new look. We’ve updated our lighting, interior paint, and are in the process updating our signage and décor to provide the welcoming shopping atmosphere our treasured customers deserve. We’ve received many compliments from our loyal shoppers and anticipate even more as we continue to update the store. Come check out our new look and the great selection of quality products at exceptional prices.
We know you have a choice of where you shop, and where you donate. I want to remind you that our proceeds go back into our community to support Palmer/Wasilla Food Banks, Palmer/ Wasilla Senior Centers, Boys and Girls Club, Family Promise, and our local Parishes (to name a few). Please consider giving your gently used household items and clothes to the Bishop’s Attic. We greatly appreciate your continued support. It’s been an honor to serve you over the past 45 years; we look forward to serving you for many more years to come.
SERVICE AND SALES
We’re certified to maintain your Generac generator and service your Generac warranty. GET A FREE ESTIMATE 907-376-1200 frankie@allphaseelectricak.com
10AM-8PM SAT-SUN 907-388-4579 @RETREATROOM907
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Family Promise Mat-Su
Family Promise Mat-Su will be holding their annual Cardboard City event the evening of July 14th. Included in this year’s homelessness awareness event is an open mic to recognize the many talents often hidden behind homeless status.
“I’m so happy to be hosting this event again,” said Ginger Bear, Executive Director of Family Promise Mat-Su.
Story Time: We typically have one
Contributed by Blue Star Museums
Colony House Museum to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer Palmer, Alaska 05/04/2023– Colony House Museum announced it will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer.
The 2023 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 2023, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/ bluestarmuseums. Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.
“We thank the 2023 Blue Star Muse -
person share their experience with homelessness. This year, we are expanding the open mic to Board members, Staff, and Volunteers. Come listen to why we do what we do, and how our daily encounters with homeless children and their attached adults have influenced our lives.
“I never thought I’d see myself needing shelter,” said a former guest. “A slight miscalculation of finances landed me in unfamiliar territory, and left my family homeless. Family Promise Mat-Su
helped us get back on our feet.”
Founded in 2002, and serving their first families in 2005, Family Promise Mat-Su is the leading agency when it comes temporarily housing homeless families. Offering intensive case management along with compassionate care, Family Promise Mat-Su provides a safe space, meals, transportation, and evening activities to the families they serve.
Family Promise Mat-Su is a local affiliate of a national organization serving families in 43 states, and organizes over 2,00,000 volunteers annually.
www.fpm-su.com/events
ums who invite military personnel and their families to experience the many wonders they have to offer, whether it’s a glimpse into the past, an encounter with aweinspiring art, or a moment of discovery,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “ The Colony House Museum is helping to enrich the lives of military families and build meaningful connections between our nation’s
military and their local community.” Blue Star Museums include children’s museums, art, science, and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses, and more, and hail from all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.
Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum. Palmer Historical Society Palmer, Alaska Promote, Preserve, Protect
NEW • ANTIQUE • UPCYCLED JEWELRY • APPAREL • DECOR ALASKAN MADE TREASURES Espresso Cafe & Ice Cream Inside! OPEN M-F 10AM-6PM & SAT 12PM-6PM CREEKSIDE PLAZA 1830 E PARKS HWY, WASILLA check out our gift shop!
Questions, contact CFD at (907) 6319776 or visit us on our Facebook page.
Date:: Saturday May 20, 2023
Location: Wasilla, Windbreak/CafeSide room Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contributed by Elizabeth Dennis Annual Meeting, coming up for the Non-Profit Christmas Friendship Dinner committee. All Public, past, present and future volunteers are encouraged to participate. Agenda items include; the election and ratification of Board members, setting yearly budget, updating bylaws, updating the service roster and more. Come join a wonderful group of community members serving the Valley for over 30 years.
IRON CASTING BLACKSMITHING RAKU POTTERY ENCAUSTIC WAX LAMPWORK GLASS
Contributed by JJ Harrier
Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (AARS) will again be hosting its annual Fun Day event from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, June 3 at its facility at 26731 W. Point Mackenzie Road in Wasilla.
Fun Day is a free annual event that brings together the community and families to celebrate recovery while supporting AARS and its clients.
Fun Day will feature a free barbecue, family games and activities, a volleyball tournament, Nugen’s Ranch farm tours, door prizes, produce and flower sales, and
announcement of AARS’ annual raffle winners.
More than 300 people are expected to attend.
“Fun Day is an opportunity for our clients to see that people can have fun in sobriety,” said Bryan Brandenburg, Executive Director of AARS. “Our volunteers and staff have been working hard to put on an amazing event for the community while raising awareness and support for the work AARS does.”
Since 1982, AARS has been serving adults living with substance use disorder (SUD). Treatment services include a 25-bed residential treatment facility, outpatient programming, and two transitional living
houses, all located at Point Mackenzie in the Mat-Su Valley. Clients participate in a combination of twelvestep recovery and group/ individual counseling in a supportive climate. Additionally, clients participate in work therapy and life skills training on Nugen’s Ranch, owned and operated by AARS, by cultivating seasonal produce and flowers, tending to livestock, and maintaining the grounds daily.
If you are interested in attending Fun Day and would like to set up an interview, contact JJ Harrier at 907-3764534, or email j.harrier@ aarsrecovery.org
Contributed by Lynette Ortolano Kids Kupboard,
Additional information and tickets to attend KidStockAK can be found on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/KidsKupboard
Additional info about childhood hunger in the valley can be found at kidskupboard.org
Families will want to experience this day of music, TONS of free activities, food trucks, a helicopter candy drop and so much fun at the first ever KidstockAK Music and Family Festival at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer on June 3rd. Country, pop, rock, -- it will all get you moving and grooving together as a family while raising funds for Alaska’s largest outside school hours child feeding nonprofit – KIDS KUPBOARD! We’re also raffling off a custom Harley Davidson Street Glide during the event. This year it is documented that more than 6,000 of our valley students rely on the free school lunch program for most of their nutritional support. Proceeds from this event will provide thousands of healthy meals to kids in need across the state that would be otherwise unaffordable.
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Debra McGhan
Photos: 1. AlaskaTrails1.jpg;
Author taking a break at the first bridge on the Crescent Lake trail. 2.AlaskaTrails2.jpg; Resurrection Trail. 3.AlaskaTrails3.jpg; Crescent Lake US Forest Service Cabin. 4.AlaskaTrails4.jpg; View of Crescent Lake on the Kenai Peninsula. 5. ATV.jpg – Riding the trails on an ATV
Hiking through forested paths, jumping over streams, scrambling up hills and discovering mysterious lakes that pop out of nowhere; these are just a few of the reasons so many of us live in Alaska. There are hundreds of miles of trails to explore and enjoy throughout this state, from close-in short hikes to far-out multi-day treks accessed by ATV. But be aware, what can be an easy hike suitable for the entire family, can also become a pathway to peril. Every year the Alaska State Troopers respond to dozens of search and rescue calls and rack up millions of dollars in expenses responding to these emergencies. Some of these missions’ end with just a close call, big scare and a valuable lesson; others end with a lifetime of heartache and loss for those left behind.
In an effort to raise awareness and share important tips for avoiding tragedy, the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Alaska State Troopers, supports opportunities for residents and visitors to receive free training through the Backcountry Safety program. Alaska Safe Riders and Alaska Avalanche Information Center have teamed up to provide more than 50 all-season training courses across the state. You can find their schedule at www.alaskasaferiders.org or www.alaskasnow.org
Anything can happen while you’re out enjoying Alaska; a fish hook in the ear, an uninvited dinner guest dropping by your campsite, a slip on loose rocks, a crash on your ATV… Making sure you are prepared can help keep the unexpected from turning your adventure to tragedy.
Keep in mind, if we want our children’s, children’s, children to also enjoy the spectacular vistas that stretch for miles, pristine mountain streams bab -
Contributed by Doris Thomas
Free Vessel Safety Checks will be offered by the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Saturday, May 20 at the Eagle River Walmart and on Sunday, May 21 at Eagle River VFW Post 9785, 10527 VFW Dr. Both Vessel Exam stations are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any boater interested in knowing more about their power or paddle craft’s condition before launching can bring the boat by for a check of its systems and safety gear. These checks are completely voluntary and there is no penalty for not passing the check. Many insurance companies offer a discount for boats that earn the “Seal of Safety” from the Auxiliary. For additional information or to arrange for an examination on a different day, call S E. Thomas at (907) 694-3570.
bling over rocks and meadows, sparkling glaciers that echo through the ages, we must take care of the trails. We must treat the environment with respect.
One summer, when hiking the Resurrection Trail from Hope to Cooper Landing through meadows and forests and blueberry patches, the adventure turned from joy to frustration after hunters failed to follow this advice. For the first two days, we savored the quiet and beauty. But then, on the third day, we reached a junction shared by the hunters.
This portion of the trail was rutted and muddy, but worst of all, littered with cigarette butts. It was as if a group of chain smokers on motorized vehicles had come charging by tossing out their butts every few hundred feet. The sight was depressing at best and made me wonder how anyone could be so unaware of the consequences of their actions. At worst,
had it been dry and conditions right, this could have resulted in a massive wildfire.
Etiquette on the trails can make the experience of meeting others during your adventure a thing of delight and not regret. That means greeting your fellow trail mates with respect, obeying the signs that stay ‘keep on the trail’ or ‘no motorized vehicles,’ and all of us doing our part to keep the trails clean and ready for the next guest who has the honor of experiencing this amazing ‘pathtime.’
Here are a few favorite tips the Alaska State Troopers and others have shared for safely exploring Alaska that make for fun trail times. Make a trip plan. Tell someone you trust where you’re going and when you expect to return. Check the weather forecast and be prepared with emergency supplies. Carry water and a way to safely replenish your supply (filter or tablets.)
Bring bug repellant. Some swear by ‘Deet’ but there are lots of natural alternatives that are effective as well.
Go with a friend whenever possible. And make noise, especially when you are traveling through thick woods and brush. If you do encounter a wild animal, don’t run. Slowly back away and get behind a tree or rock.
Carry a first aid kit and know at least basic first aid skills. Have nutritious snacks, dry socks and extra clothes in your supplies.
Take communication with you. Cell phones don’t work everywhere but have also saved lives. Even better options include In-Reach, SPOT, Zoleo and Sat phones.
Be considerate and protective of the environment and others you meet in the amazing wilderness of Alaska.
Be prepared to be your own rescue team. You seldom have the ability or time to go for help.
You can find lots more resources online, and even ways to get involved and help protect our trails at http://www. alaska-trails.org/ or through the state and federal parks.
The Auxiliary is also accepting serviceable used adult and children’s flotation devices for donation to the Kids Don’t Float life jacket loaner program. The vessel safety checks are part of kickoff events for the 2023 North American Safe Boating Campaign, May 20-26, being observed throughout Alaska, particularly in the 10 communities served by Auxiliary flotillas. For more details about the VSC program, go to http:// www.cgaux.org/vsc/
COMMUNITY
Join Set Free Alaska, Inc. in helping people recover from drugs and alcohol in Alaska during the 2nd annual Rally Recovery Ride on Saturday, June 17th!
Addiction continues to be a major
problem in Alaska. Knowing how those affected can find recovery is paramount! The Rally Recovery Ride helps the community get essential information they need from local treatment providers while celebrating their clients and the recovery community at large.
On June 17th, motorcycles, cars, and
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
Time to gather up your grandchildren. Take away their cell phones, put them in a wagon and take them out to the garden. There is of course nothing much growing yet, but it may be the most important time of the year for learning. It is very important for children to experience setting up the beds and being involved in the planning stages of gardening.
Working in the garden has always provided me with inspiration and a sense of accomplishment. With all the things that demand our attention it is important to take some time to sooth the soul in your garden. Of course this may not be possible when you add your grandchildren to the yard. Would that I could instill the love of gardening to my grandchildren. It is very important that they get started young experiencing the joy of getting their hands
Contributed by Lynette Ortolano, Kids Kupboard, Executive Director
Kids Kupboard is excited to announce that we have teamed up with Steelhead Realty, LLC to provide Alaskans with an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and provide meals to thousands of Alaska’s children in need at the same time.
Between June 3rd and June 12th, there’s a charity fishing tournament to be held in Seward Alaska. Now, this is not an unusual thing. Lots of fishing tournaments are held during the summer in Alaska, and one thing in common is that anglers taking part always have a great time putting their skills, talent, and luck up against some of the best anglers in the state, often to win cash and prizes, but this tournament is something special and there are divisions for everyone! It’s a benefit tournament to help Kids Kupboard continue to make sure no child goes hungry in Alaska.
This year it is documented that more than 6,000 of our valley students rely on the free school lunch program for most of their nutritional support. The Fish4Kids tournament/food drive will provide thousands of healthy meals to kids in need across the state that would be otherwise unaffordable.
Additional information about signing up a team for the
trucks will rally together from Anchorage, making stops at local treatment facilities and culminating at a community event from 1 to 4 pm at Denali Harley Davidson in Palmer. Join us for a free barbecue, family activities, recovery speakers, and vendor booths hosted by Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Cook Inlet
dirty and creating their very own garden spaces.
At this time of year that gardening space may take some imagination as it is somewhat plain and boring. It can be a challenge to create a beautiful word picture of the future for your small charges. Waiting for seeds to come up is really a difficult time for young people as they think of time in minutes while we think of seasons. Because of this, it probably works best to have one garden planted with seeds and another with small plants purchased at the local garden center.
Now let me warn you about taking small children into a garden center. It can be a challenging experience. It may be wise to include one of their parents along to help keep track of the little ones. Also to keep the buying spree of the older children somewhat under control. No matter what happens in the garden center remember that life is a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Also, some of our fondest memories are about problematic experiences with our children.
Before going to the garden center it is wise to make a plan of what is to be planted and where. Help them brainstorm and make their own plan. They may come up with plants that you know are hard to grow in your area. If that happens just have them add some plants you know will do well. That way if their choice of plants do not do well they will still have a positive experience, as well as a learning experience. Be sure to show them how to plant and also label their seeds. It is also
tournaments can be found on our Facebook page or at Eventbrite here - www.bit.ly/Fish4kids2023
Additional information about childhood hunger in the valley can be found on our website; www.kidskupboard. org
Tribal Council, Set Free Alaska, True North Recovery, and Volunteers of America. The Rally Recovery Ride is a recoveryoriented and family-friendly event, open to all ages. Together “WE CAN” help shine a light into the darkness of addiction! Learn more on Facebook at Rally Recovery Ride (2023).
important to allow freedom so they will take ownership of their garden. Spring also sees the return of many insects. Keep an eye out for beautiful butterflies, and check the ground for worms. Teach them that it is ok to hold an earthworm in their hand and inform them that bugs like crickets, daddy longlegs, and dragonflies are safe and wonderful to observe. Talk to them about the bugs and allow them to handle daddy longlegs to see that it is fun to have it crawl up an arm.
Another fun way for kids to enjoy a vegetable garden is to plan one with a theme. A gnome in the garden is fun and adding little stick houses for the gnomes or fairies can be a lot of fun no matter what the age of the child. Whatever you do with your children or grandchildren make sure it is fun.
I love my gardens whether I am alone or with family. I believe it should be a work of art as well as a source of food. My rock gardens are a joy to look at and my strawberries and raspberries are a joy to eat. To cut lettuce from your own garden before dinner is just fun. Whether you garden for the sheer joy of getting outside, a love of nature or because you want to enhance the look of your property it is ok. What is important is taking advantage of our many hours of sunshine and enjoying life to the fullest. Be sure to plant a few sunflower seeds just for fun.
Marilyn Bennett was a Master Gardener in Minnesota and is experimenting and learning about gardening in Alaska.
Contributed by Malea Miller
Set Free Alaska, Inc.
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Alexa Pullen/ Alaska Honeybee Sanctuary
Pollinators need your help now! If you have any authority over a patch of land, then you can make a positive impact. Even small acts can make a huge difference. At minimum, if each person in Alaska added only a single flower pot to their property, that would be more than 500,000 additional resources for pollinators. Become a Bee Beneficial Member in Alaska and be a part of the movement for preserving Alaska’s pollinators. Members are instantly emailed an Alaskan specific guidebook that is easy to follow!
Become a Bee Beneficial Member in 4
Easy Steps:
Have pesticide-free flowers or trees on your land that will provide nectar and pollen sources for pollinators during various seasons. *Plants that bloom at the beginning of spring or late in the fall are the most beneficial for pollinator survival.* Non-invasive and/or native Alaskan plants are preferred.
Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides on your land. Consider switching to natural methods if possible.
Provide nesting areas for pollinators by having undisturbed soil, tree stumps/ brush piles, bee boxes, or permanent
Contributed by Ken Dunlop
Alaskans have been going bonkers for Handy Bonk, a one-of-a-kind floating bonker designed to fit in the handle of your net. This unique product is the culmination of 4 years of dedication by its founder and inventor, Roger Gibson, an Air Force veteran and lifelong Alaskan.
The idea came to Gibson while harvesting some salmon during the first sockeye salmon run at the Russian River confluence in June of 2019. From there, he researched then filed for his utility patent that was delayed almost a full year during the COVID pandemic. During this waiting period, Gibson designed his prototype while conducting an in-depth market research in Alaska.
With patent in hand & prototype complete, the summer of 2022 saw a handful of trusted friends and family begin rigorous field testing. During these outings, other fishermen often approached the testers inquiring about the product.
Gibson stated they often let these other fishermen use the Handy Bonk landing net to get their assessment. Everyone who used the product loved it and saw the value in having the all-in-one multi-tool in their arsenal.
Gibson and Jamonn Roberts, a longtime friend since childhood, spent the past winter designing the Handy Bonk
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
Here in Palmer we have a wonderful facility that offers many benefits to the Seniors living in the Palmer Mat-Su area. This includes transportation to take seniors to their medical appointments as well as for other needs. There are classes for exercise, estate planning, painting, knitting and crocheting, as well as free tax help, Spanish lessons as well as memoir writing and the basics of pool. The wonderful thing about this facility is that they are open to anyone who has a skill they would like to share with a senior citizen.
It is important to note that a facility like this can only survive with the help of many volunteers. There are volunteers
Cotributed
by Kitty Stimson
In today’s fast-paced business environment, networking has become an essential tool for companies to stay competitive and grow. Business-to-business networking has emerged as a powerful way for companies to establish meaningful connections with other businesses in their industry.
Business-to-business (B2B) networking involves building relationships and exchanging information between companies with similar or complementary interests. This can take many forms, from attending industry conferences and events to participating in online forums and social media groups. The benefits
plants/trees.
Pay an annual $20 membership fee.
Benefits of Becoming a Bee Beneficial Member:
You can make a positive impact on our community by creating spaces that are more beneficial to pollinators. This can be done with small acts, such as adding a pollinator safe flower pot to your property or an outdoor watering bowl. Participation is based on the honor system, and we understand that Alaska has a short season for outdoor impacts.
You demonstrate to others that your location is making a difference for our environment, which can elicit a more positive stance towards your location from other community members.
You encourage others to also make a difference with their own properties.
You visually let people know that you provide products that are safe for pollinators with the placement of a Bee Beneficial emblem (if applicable)
You can utilize our Bee Beneficial graphic on your website or at your location by using the resources provided in our guidebook. Or you can purchase a high quality outdoor yard sign if you are designating your area as a pollinator habitat.
You can choose to be included in our list of sponsors on our website, or you can
remain anonymous.
Your contribution is tax deductible. The annual fee is $20.00, but you are welcome to give any contribution that you’d like. 18” x 24” outdoor yard signs are included with a $40.00 or more donation.
If you are interested in this opportunity, here is the link for our online membership form. It only takes about 2 minutes to complete and it is only required to be filled out once. www.givebutter.com/beebeneficial
logo and website. At the same time, Gibson, his wife Cindy and brother Ken began building bonkers in his garage. Handy Bonk debuted at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show in Wasilla in March and then the Great Alaskan Sportsman Show in Anchorage three weeks later. Gibson and Handy Bonk were the talk of both trade shows due to Gibson’s enthusiasm and the products’ quality.
All Handy Bonk products come with a lifetime warranty, except for the netting on the landing nets. The bonkers are 100% handcrafted in Alaska by Alaskans. Gibson gives every bonker his final approval before adding it to his inventory.
Gibson stated that the sales at both shows were better than anticipated and that the online sales of his products continue to remain strong even weeks after the last show. B&J Sporting Goods on Northern Lights Boulevard in Anchorage recently started carrying the bonkers. There are other local Alaskan stores coming soon as well.
The Handy Bonk fish bonkers have set a new standard in the industry; bringing a whole new level of innovation. For those who already have a lucky net, their bonkers are compatible with most nets on the market, including round and octagonal tubing as well as the T handles for dip nets. You can always contact Gibson directly or refer to the Handy Bonk web -
who help to make and deliver the meals on wheels. The many activities would not be possible without the volunteers who facilitate and teach. Besides the many volunteer run events we have a library which has a bookshelf of large print books. There is also a pool room, exercise room and a computer room that are open all weekdays until 4pm. This year has been a difficult time for the Senior Center and so they have been forced to cut out the congregate meals for seniors.
This has been a difficult transition for many seniors who had depended on a good meal at noon to help them maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately many of the seniors in this area have no other retirement income than social security and that
of B2B networking are numerous, and companies that make an effort to engage in it often see significant improvements in their bottom line.
One of the most significant benefits of B2B networking is the ability to share knowledge and resources. By networking with other businesses, companies can gain valuable insights and access to resources that can help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
B2B networking can also help companies build partnerships and collaborations. By establishing relationships with other businesses, companies can create opportunities to work together on projects or initiatives that benefit both parties. These partnerships can lead to increased reve -
site to confirm if the bonker will work with your current net.
The full lineup of products, including landing nets, are available for purchase online at handybonk.com. Gibson mentioned that they offer free shipping for any purchases over $50 and they are offering a 5% discount for active duty military and veterans. Certified guides can contact him directly to inquire about any discounts available.
Roger Gibson said he loved the support and feedback he received from other vendors and customers at the shows. He enjoyed it when other vendors would tell him how often they noticed one of his nets or bonkers walking around the trade shows.
He continues to receive an outpouring of support and positive feed back from the two trade shows and market research. To stay up to date on Handy Bonk, make a purchase, or provide feedback and pictures, you can follow them on Facebook (HandyBonk) or Instagram (handybonk).
Gibson mentioned he’d love customers to share their adventures with the products and photos of their fish.
“Alaskans supporting Alaskans, veterans supporting veterans,” Gibson said was the message he kept hearing from those who stopped by his booth.
is often not sufficient to cover their housing and medical needs, much less decent meals. The center did reach out to all those who were eligible for free meals and made sure that they would be included in the meals-on-wheels program. The center is also open for seniors to come and socialize with one another with a cup of coffee or tea and sometimes a sweet provided by some special volunteer.
I believe most people in the area were not aware of the problems the center was having. If I had not been coming for the exercise class I would have had no idea the center was running into money problems. I know many people in the area are feeling pinched because of the raise in gas and food prices, but consider how much more difficult it would be if you could only depend on social security. This community saw a need for a senior center many years ago and built this wonderful facility and
nue, improved efficiencies, and a stronger competitive advantage in the market.
In addition, B2B networking can help companies stay up to date on industry trends and changes. By participating in industry events and forums, companies can learn about the latest developments and innovations in their field. This knowledge can help them stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions about their business strategies.
Finally, B2B networking can help companies build their brand and reputation. By establishing relationships with other businesses, companies can increase their visibility and credibility in the industry. This can lead to increased customer trust and loyalty, which can ultimately drive
If you have further questions, please visit our website. https://alaskahoneybeesanctuary.org/
Thank you for your support! We look forward to having a mutually beneficial relationship for us and for pollinators! The Alaska Honeybee Sanctuary is a registered non-profit public benefit 501(c)
now it is up to all of us to keep it operating at full capacity. If you can spare a few hours a week to volunteer at the center it would be a huge help. If you have the capacity to donate financially, this is the time that such a donation is much needed and appreciated.
Also, when you register for the Alaska PFD be sure to check Pick Click and Give to the Mat-Su Senior Services to support your Mat-Su Valley seniors. Since Alaska has the fastest growing senior population per-capita of any state in the Union we must look to the future for what we can do as a community to include our seniors in our daily lives.
Please contact the Palmer Senior Center to volunteer or help in any way you can. Phone #907-745-5454 or go to https:// www.matsuseniors.com/volunteernow . Thank you in advance for caring.
sales and revenue growth. Overall, B2B networking has become an essential tool for companies looking to stay competitive and grow. By sharing knowledge, building partnerships, staying up to date on industry trends, and building their brand, companies can gain a significant advantage in the marketplace. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that B2B networking has become a top priority for many businesses today.
I invite you to go out and meet your work neighbors, get to know each other. Together we can help everyone grow and strengthen our community.
Kitty Stimson (907) 982-9569
kittystimson1@gmail.com
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Kimberly Kellar
turn-A-leaf Thrift Store celebrates their customers on Saturday, June 10, 2023, for its Annual Customer Appreciation Barbecue event hosted by Valley Charities.
Saturday, June 10th is a special day that we have set aside to thank everyone who has generously donated and shopped with us to support our mission helping residents in the Mat-Su Valley. We are humbled and thankful to you all!
You’re invited to join turn-A-leaf Thrift Store on Saturday, June 10th from 11am to 1pm for a good ole fashioned Customer Appreciation barbecue. Don’t forget to grab your Scratch & Save card. You could win up to 75% off on one item of your choice.
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY EVENTS
Save the date | Saturday, June 10, 2023
Located at 400 N Yenlo Street, Wasilla Valley Charities will be giving away three pairs of Alaska State Fair General Admission tickets
Live remote broadcasting by 95.5 The Pass Radio from 11am to 2pm
Name your own price pet adoptions by the Mat-Su Animal Shelter from 11am to 3pm
Whether you shopped at turn-A-leaf Thrift Store, or donated to the Durable Medical Equipment Lending Program, you joined our cause to make the Mat-Su better for all residents. This is our way of saying thank you for your support over the past six and a half decades.
Contributed by Alys Culhane
The other day I met up with a friend who I hadn’t seen in some time. She was checking out the books in the fiction bookcase located on the first floor of the Koslosky Business Center in downtown Palmer. After chatting about the beautiful weather, we talked about the Bright Lights Book Project.
I told her the project tasks vary, then provided specifics. Before parting, she said that she had no idea that it was so much work. I subsequently decided to write this article, figuring that People Paper BLBP readers might want to know what’s involved in getting books into the hands of appreciative readers.
At this point in time the BLBP has three ongoing programs. There’s the Bookcases in the Community Program (which includes the Books to Seniors Program), the Bookcases in the Schools Program, and the Bookcases to the Villages Program. The Bookcases in the Schools Program was funded by a 2022 grant provided by the Palmer Community Foundation, and the bookcases were built by the students in Randy Wolf’s Mat-Su Career and Technical High School shop classes.
The work week begins on Saturday morning, when 2-4 of us meet at VCRS and salvage books. The number of books varies. Last weekend, we received a donation of three truckloads of books that remained after a death in the family. BLBP Board member Pete Praetorius and I sorted and placed the books in banker boxes and then took a truckload of fiction, nonfiction, and children/adult books to the Meeting House. The fiction and kids’ books boxes were taken upstairs and the
nonfiction boxes were taken downstairs.
Pete returned with two more loads the following Monday and Tuesday. I spent the next five days sorting and categorizing our latest haul. I selected nonfiction material for local distribution. I also set kids’ books out for cleaning.
I assist former elementary school teacher Lois Liebing, who heads up the book cleaning crew on Tuesdays. Here the books are wiped down, discarded if they’re unreadable, and further categorized if they’re readable. We also stamp outgoing books, thus providing readers with our name and website information. This week was no exception. The book cleaning is a much-welcomed social event. I enjoy talking books with others, and as well, about a wide range of topics that surface as we prepare the books for further distribution.
I, as is my usual habit, spent Tuesday morning at the Palmer Center. There I set books on a table, set aside for this purpose, and talked books with seniors. I collect books that I think will be of interest to lunch time attendees – on this particular week, I passed out art, Spanish, historical fiction, and kids’ books to those who’d previously requested them. I also shelved some of the lower floor library books, then after, put a handful of books on the upstairs Senior book club bookcase, located in the newly renovated Golden room. Wednesday’s, Thursday’s, and Friday’s tasks centered around further sorting and categorization of the nonfiction books. The estate book drop-off (as I referred to it) contained six-or-so boxes of baseball books, a dozen boxes of WW II history books, and numerous books on heredity and genetics. There were also 20 or so
boxes on this and that.
I put the downstairs this-and-that books in six small black totes, then went upstairs and placed an equal number of kids’ and contemporary fiction books in the same. I then loaded the remaining totes into my Subaru, the license plate which reads DGNPNY. I next put full boxes on the upstairs shelves of the Meeting House. These boxes contained books that in the next few days will be distributed by five other BLBP distributors. We now have bookcases in Eagle River, Palmer, Sutton, Wasilla, and Meadow Lakes. I share distribution duties with Matanuska Woodwork owner Bill Schmidtkunz, who in the mornings stocks the bookcases in Turkey Red Restaurant, the
Valley Hotel, and the Koslosky Building.
I also stock the Eagle Motel, Car Quest (auto repair books), and the Pioneer Home bookcases. And both BLBP Board member Rebekah Dungan and I stock the Bugge Park Little Library. Saturday again rolled around. It appeared as though it was going to be an easier week, since there were just two pallets of books on the recycling room floor. One was from Bishop’s Attic, and the other was from a private donor. As much as I enjoy all phases of this project, I was relieved to see that there would be fewer books to handle in the upcoming week because I had, in the previous week, fallen behind in my publication/administrative duties, one of which included writing this article.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Contributed by Director Jessica Frey American Lung Association
The Clean Air Challenge in support of the American Lung Association in Alaska celebrated its 39th year on May 13th. This is the largest annual fundraiser the American Lung Association hosts each year and thanks to the generous support of the
Contributed by Dr. Josh/ Bee Well Chiropractic
As the spring season arrives, many people suffer from allergies and asthma, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life. While medication can provide relief, it may come with side effects. Fortunately, there is another option that can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies and asthma - chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective alternative that involves hands-on techniques to improve neuro alignment and overall body function. The connection between the spine and the immune system is well-established, as the immune system is controlled by the nervous system, which is connected to the spine. Subluxations in the body can cause nerve interference, which can affect the immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off allergies.
Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce nerve interference and improve immune function. This can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies and asthma,
Contributed by Andrei Chakine Alaska Health Fair, Inc.
May has arrived, and as we welcome the warmer weather and blooming flowers, let us also take a moment to recognize the importance of mental health. May is Mental Health Month, and Alaska Health Fair, Inc. is dedicated to raising awareness for mental well-being. In this article, we will discuss the significance of mental health and teach you a simple gratitude exercise to practice in your daily life.
The Importance of Mental Health
Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, as it encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellness. Our mental health influences how we think, feel, and act, and plays a significant role in our ability to cope with stress, relate to others, and make decisions. As we navigate through life, it is essential to prioritize our mental well-being, just as we would our physical health.
The Gratitude Exercise
One of the simplest yet most effective practices you can incorporate into your daily routine is a gratitude exercise. Practicing gratitude can have a profound impact on your mental health, helping
community, and our 185 riders, we were able to raise $230,000 that will go toward our mission work.
The American Lung Association’s work directly touches more than 34 million Americans each year. This number includes the 4,600 kids living with childhood asthma, the 32,300 adults living with asthma and COPD, and the thousands
such as congestion, sneezing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Chiropractic care at Bee Well is a personalized approach that recognizes each patient’s unique needs and creates a tailored treatment plan.
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, contact Bee Well Chiropractic today to explore the benefits of personalized chiropractic care. Our licensed chiropractors can help you reduce your dependence on medication and improve your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Start your journey towards a healthier life with us.
Success Story: This superstar’s mom was amazed at the results of chiropractic care at Bee Well Chiropractic. Before, he was consistently getting sick and each time would have to make that dreaded trip to the hospital. After starting care with Dr. Josh at Bee Well Chiropractic, not only did his asthma and allergy symptoms drastically improve, but he also rarely got ill! The few times he did fall ill, his body was able to fight it off without the need for a hospital visit. This was a huge relief for momma, who had grown accustomed to frequent hospital visits and medication for her son.
Contributed by Sue Wallin
Concerned about food security? Start with healthy Matanuska grown seedlings. Never gardened before? Don’t know a thing about it? Join our Valley Garden Club! This Valley is FULL of gardening wisdom and taxpayer supported agencies. These resources are here to help you grow, harvest and successfully store and use your garden produce.
In this time of commercial monopoly of our Alaskan food source, now is the time to take control of your veggie and fruit supply by growing your own! Remember when consumers could not buy toilet paper and baby formula? NO need for this to happen to your food. Don’t put yourself at the mercy of incompetently managed
to reduce stress, increase happiness, and promote a more positive outlook on life.
This exercise can be done in a matter of minutes and can be easily incorporated into your morning routine, whether you’re still in bed, enjoying your morning coffee, or taking a break at the office. Follow these steps to practice the gratitude exercise:
Find a comfortable position: Sit or lie down in a relaxed posture, allowing your body to feel at ease.
Close your eyes: Gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
Reflect on your blessings: Bring to mind three things that you are grateful for in your life. These can be big or small, and can range from personal accomplishments to relationships, or even the beauty of nature.
Visualize your gratitude: As you think of each blessing, visualize it in your mind’s eye and feel the warmth of gratitude in your heart.
Express thanks: Silently or out loud, say “thank you” for each of these blessings, al-
more living with a variety of different lung diseases and cancers. The money raised at this year’s event will continue to work for those individuals and their loved ones through a pioneering model of research, education, and advocacy. The Lung Association is focused on defeating lung cancer, creating a tobacco-free future, championing clean air for all, and improving the quality of life for those living with lung disease and their families.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors Matson and Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute, many other generous sponsors of the
event, our donors, the volunteers, and our riders for making this year a great success!
Mark your calendars for the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Air Challenge in Alaska on May 11th, 2024! It will be an event you won’t want to miss.
To learn more about the Clean Air Challenge or to make a donation to one of our riders go to www.cleanairchallengeak. org or contact the Alaska Office at Jessica. Frey@lung.org
When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.
supply chains. Grow your own peas, potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, microgreens, cherries, apples, plums, currants…even apricots! SHOP LOCAL! Attend Farmer’s Markets. Join groups to learn how to grow and put up foods for the winter. Enjoy cooking and dining on ultra fresh ingredients you grow indoors and outdoors.
May 27, the last Saturday in May, Valley Garden Club will hold its annual SPRING PLANT SALE 9am to 3pm at Mat-Su Boys and Girls Club located at 3700 East Bogard Rd just outside Wasilla. off Seward Meridian. Come early for the best selection. Buying healthy Valley grown plants helps insure your gardening success.
lowing the feeling of gratitude to fill your entire being.
Return to the present moment: Take a few more deep breaths and gently open your eyes, bringing your awareness back to your surroundings.
By practicing this gratitude exercise daily, you can cultivate a more positive mindset and experience the many benefits of gratitude on your mental health. In conclusion, the month of May is an excellent opportunity to prioritize mental health and engage in self-care activities. By practicing gratitude you can nurture your mental well-being and face life’s challenges with greater resilience. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as maintaining your physical health. So, embrace the month of May and make your mental well-being a priority!
Upcoming Health Fairs and Affordable Blood Tests
Make appointment online at www. alaskahealthfair.org.
Fairbanks - Tuesday, 5/9/23, 8am - 1pmFairbanks Office Draw, 725 26th Ave., Suite 201, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Anchorage - Saturday, 5/13/23, 8am12pm - St. John Methodist Community
Health Fair, 1801 O’Mlley Rd Anchorage AK 99507 Sitka - Saturday, 5/13/23, 8am - 12pmSitka Community Health Fair, Harrigan Hall 330 Harbor Dr, Sitka AK 99835
Central - Saturday, 5/20/23, 8am - 11am - Central Community, Mile 128 Steese Highway, Central, AK 99730 Nikiski - Saturday, 5/20/23, 9am - 1pm - Nikiski Community Health Fair, Nikiski Community Rec. Center 50097 Kenai Spur Hwy, Nikiski AK 99611
Fairbanks - Tuesday, 5/23/23, 8am - 1pm - Fairbanks Office Draw, 725 26th Ave., Suite 201, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Catch the Wellness Wave: Schedule Your Fall Health Fair Today! Don’t miss the opportunity to bring affordable blood tests, free screenings, and vital health education to your community or organization this fall! Partner with Alaska Health Fair, Inc. to encourage your constituents to prioritize their well-being. To reserve your spot and schedule a health fair, contact our team at (907) 278-0234 for Anchorage and statewide inquiries, (907) 374-6853 for Fairbanks, or (907) 723-5100 for Juneau. Let’s catch the wellness wave together and make a positive impact on the lives of Alaskans!
FAITH
Contributed by: Charles Dean Walker
Forgive me Lord for my sins. In Jesus name, Amen.
I write this poem to you God, and I plan to show it to others.
God I am just another man.
Just another flawed human being that you’ve created.
Never have I been a perfect person. Lord, I will admit I’m exhausted.
Contributed by JR
John 14: 27-31
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29 And now I have told you before it
Contributed by Rebecca Lasley
Attend a course in Scientology. Life is stable and rewarding when you can handle it, and this is the simple and practical way to learn how.
Here is the means to new ability and lasting security in the workplace—all from the application of Scientology to the workaday world, using principles from The Problems of Work book by L. Ron Hubbard.
Conducted by trained specialists, this course provides personal instruction in application of Scientology tools so you can use its discoveries to improve your life and increase happiness at once.
On What Does Success Depend?
Is it intelligence?
Is it hard work?
Is it who you know?
Contributed by Chaplain Ruthann Crosby/ Chessed Alaska
After a season of some very traumatic life events, I traveled to Philadelphia where, at forty-five, I would return to college for my BA and MA in Jewish Studies and become a Hospital Chaplain. This was the prominent motivation behind the formation of Chessed Alaska in 2012 when several friends encouraged me to form a nonprofit for my Chaplaincy work. Chessed Alaska includes Jill Chadbourne, Jeff HewiL, myself, our board of directors, and our many dedicated students serving Mat-Su and the wider Alaskan community, building bridges of education and kindness.
“Chessed” is a Hebrew word that means loving-kindness. Simply stated, our mission flows from teaching the deep meaning of the Hebrew language applied practically in our daily lives. Whether one is Jewish or any other denomination of spiritual awareness, we believe that answers to life’s questions can be found by simply looking into the language, customs, and culture of the Bible. Here is an example. In English, we see
I’ve grown so tired of the confusion of everything.
What denomination is for me?
What truly is doctrine?
What and why is something a tradition?
Is any of this actually a requirement for you?
Christianity is named after Jesus Christ.
This we all know.
I hope God that you just guide me to find answers.
Lord knows that I mean you no harm in
come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
We can face most anything if there is a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. The book of James talks about praising
Or is it luck?
By knowing the underlying rules of life and applying these principles, you can achieve security in your job, relationships and all other areas of living.
“Here, we have Scientology assisting the worker and the executive in assisting Man to be more competent and more able, less tired and more secure in the workaday world.”
—L. Ron Hubbard WHAT IS THE PERSONAL EFFICIENCY COURSE?
Life is composed of seven-tenths work, one-tenth familial, one-tenth political and one-tenth relaxation. Here, then, is Scientology applied to that crucial seven-tenths of existence.
The Personal Efficiency Course contains the senior principles and laws which apply to every endeavor, every problem of work.
my questions. I am your creation.
You are my creator.
Please Lord let me find your creation answers.
Why have I been worried about the LGBTA especially Transgender/Nonbinary?
Why have I been against the overturning of Roe V. Wade?
Why did I write a poem about Genocide recently?
The answer is that a Christian is someone that should be selfless not selfish.
The politics as of late has been sad and fear inducing.
People are dying.
God in tribulation. Not in the tribulation itself, but in the fruit that it will bring. With Christ you can face anything, and have a glorious hope for the future.
Whenever someone goes through a disabling physical incident, physical therapy is often required. A doctor or physical therapist might say, “This event in your life is going to take two years to resolve. But at the end of your physical therapy, you will have a healthy and fruitful life.”
We can face changes in life, even chaos, if we have confidence and instruction on how to make it through. When Jesus prepared to leave earth and return to the Father, He told His disciples, “In the world
People are having God given rights stripped away. The Far Right Extremists have been attacking Transgender/Nonbinary rights. They’ve even been attacking Women’s right to choose whether to have a child or not. But God honestly all I see is unjust actions. And I hope God that you will help all these people.
Help put a stop to these people attacking innocent people.
Help end this dark fearful time. Please God help stop people in power from taking people’s rights away. In Jesus name, Amen.
you will have tribulation.” That sounds daunting and discouraging; how would they survive the future? But Jesus didn’t end there. He also said, “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In other words, the future will be challenging, but I am telling you ahead of time so that you will persevere. Nothing can separate you from My love (Romans 8:31-39).
We live in life-changing times which will likely become even more challenging (Matthew 24:4-14). Thank God today that Christ has overcome the world. If you don’t surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos…..E. Stanley Jones
God tell Abram (later known as “Abraham’’) to leave his country. The specific Hebrew words used are “lech lecha,” which is usually translated as “go forth,” but literally means, “go to yourself.” This seems to be a puzzling statement at first glance, however, anyone we see a phrase that doesn’t make sense, it’s a clue to look deeper.
Abram’s brother and father had both passed, and his surroundings were steeped in idolatry and negative influences, not conducive to the divine purpose given to him at birth. By saying, “Go to yourself,” we see the great kindness of God, calling Abram toward his divine mission. This is a lesson for each one of us.
Most are aware of the story of the Hebrews being redeemed from Egyptian bondage, which is celebrated during the spring holiday of “Pesach,” which means to “jump over” or “pass over.” This refers to the Angel of Death passing over Israelite homes, sparing their firstborns. It also means “the mouth speaks,” a reference to the tradition of telling the story every year. What some may not be aware of is the command regarding the Omer: “You shall count.” For forty-nine days after the Exo -
For they are the discoveries which lay bare the core of these problems and explain the very fabric of life itself. The breakthroughs detailed here include:
The Anatomy of Confusion—and its cure
The Doctrine of the Stable Datum—the most fundamental law of work, and living
The Anatomy of Control—and how to turn “bad control” to good
The “Secret” of Efficiency
The most fundamental elements of life—Affinity, Reality and Communication
The Eight Dynamics—and how life can be understood by compartmenting it into eight main divisions
And, the rock-bottom cause of Exhaustion, with the powerful Scientology processes that return the energy of youth
Here, then, is not only technology to bring stability to the workplace, but the
dus from Egypt, the Jewish people (and many Egyptians that le” with them) are told to count the days one by one, focusing on “seven core emotive attributes” that constitute the range of human experience and interpersonal relationships.
In Chaplaincy, we refer to this as the practice of IPR, Interpersonal Reflection. You must know your strengths, weaknesses, trigger points, limits, and boundaries, to function in a balanced manner in the varied situations and relationships of life.
You may have heard it put this way: ‘The Lord can take you out of Egypt, but that doesn’t take Egypt out of you.’ “Mitzrayim,” The Hebrew word for Egypt, also means “restriction” and is related to the word “tzar,” which is narrowness and confinement. God miraculously freed the Jewish people from their outward physical slavery, but inwardly they had to become active participants in breaking out of the psychological trauma inflicted by decades of abuse.
The first of the seven emotional attributes reviewed is “chessed” or love, kindness, and generosity. Ask yourself, am I acting in a loving and kind way?
Am I giving, stingy, selfish? The second is “gevurah,” your personal discipline and the discipline you expect of others. Am I self-disciplined or overly indulgent? Do I judge others harshly? Third is “tiferet,” or harmony, compassion, and truth. Neither
magic processes to return joy itself to all of life.
For this is Scientology.
COURSE INCLUDES:
Free testing
A film presentation that illustrates the Scientology principles of the book The Problems of Work
A complete course kit
The Problems of Work: Scientology Applied to the Workaday World book by L. Ron Hubbard
Attend the Personal Efficiency Course RSVP: anchorage@scientology.net or call 907-336-6086 to reserve your spot. Seating is limited.
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Time: 3:30pm Cost: $50
Course Length: 2 ½ hours
love nor discipline, it harmonizes the two. Ask, do I have compassion in my heart for loved ones and strangers? Fourth is “netzach,” endurance, the energy to achieve one’s goals. Ask, do I endure unpleasant situations or people and remain committed to my values, or do I give up on myself and others?
Fi”h, is “hod,” humility and modesty. Ask, am I modest about myself/my achievements? Do I acknowledge God and others? The sixth is “yesod,” bonding. Ask, do I bond with others in a healthy, appropriate way? Proper bonding allows the seventh emotive attribute to arise, “malchut,” or sovereignty and leadership. What kind of leader am I? How do I lead myself and others? All seven emotional attributes are vitally important to the health of the soul and must be regularly refined and healed, which is why it is repeated annually. While we may not be able to control our surroundings all the time, we can control our reactions and responses.
So how does God’s command to Abram to “go to yourself” and His command to the Jewish people to “count” the Omer come together? It is by deep self-examination and let go of narrowing, restrictive fears, thoughts, and behaviors, that one comes closer to the true essence within - the beautiful and powerful person who was created for a wonderful, one-of-akind purpose in this world.
From the Journal of Joshua Fryfogle
Liberty, Liberally
Volume III - Issue V
May 2023
Can’t Be Deleted
The Internet Is Inherently Insecure (and always has been)
PUBLISHED JANUARY 2021
ORIGINALLY
There is a permanence to paper. Not compared to the stone carvings that preceded scrolls, but human history has unrolled on paper.
The internet, on the other hand, is a flickering flame. Quickly extinguished with the flick of wrist, the entire system of communication - or just your own ability to communicate - can be turned off. With some unknown, faraway hand on the mouse, they can simply delete your self-expression, if it goes against ‘community standards’, whatever that might mean at the moment.
The Constitution doesn’t change, they can’t go back and just edit it, it’s not a blog post. It doesn’t change with the latest update on your phone. The Law of the Land is considered to be consistent, and all individuals are guaranteed the rights described therein. The freedom of the Press is a freedom to express one’s self, one’s conscientious concerns, as the courts have defined it. This is a broad interpretation that the individual’s freedom of the press extends beyond the printing press into all modern media of mass communication, whether radio, television, or the internet, but still, the letter of the law specifically respects the individual’s right to print things on paper with the intent of public distribution.
The ‘Press’ being described in the First Amendment is, in fact, the printing press, and nothing else.
At the time this clause was written, the printing press was a powerful weapon, a tool in the hands of average people, to express their own beliefs - anonymously if necessary - in order to affect the public discourse. The founders understood how powerful this was, an antidote to the heavy-handed control of monarchs and other dictators. They had seen that it was not guns alone that secured their revolution against the monarchies of Europe, but first it was a weapon of words, made possible by the printing press.
Nowadays, we have electronic devices, that use light and technology to (temporarily) show us more information than we could ever imagine. However, more and more we see less and less information that counters the prevailing narrative. This de facto-fascistic censorship, with the government and the corporations controlling the flow of info, hasn’t technically infringed on our Freedom of the Press, but bypassed it entirely, and this danger has revealed itself more clearly than I could have possibly described it these last 13+ years. And describe it I have.
For more than 13 years, I’ve written and warned about how the internet was a bottleneck that was easily controlled, and how the potential for control of the individual’s self-expression was great. I’ve told people that while the internet makes it easy to express oneself, it also makes it easy to silence large segments of society, or even specific voices.
Honestly, most people didn’t want to hear it. Up until now, it hasn’t affected most people. But that is changing, and will likely continue, and more rapidly as it does.
Now it’s clear what I’ve been saying, and why I’ve continued to strive to keep The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine alive.
We’ve been able to grow, slow and steady, over the years. In spite of the naysayers saying ‘Print Is Dead’, literally from the first edition we printed, we’ve grown.
I think this is because we were keeping something sacred.
The printing press produces actual hard copies of our self-expression. If you print something on 10,000 (NOTE: As of 2023, The People’s Paper is now at 17,000 copies per issue) separate pieces of paper, and physically distribute those hard copies to hundreds of distribution points around your community, Mark Zuckerberg can’t possibly go round them all up, can he?
Jack Dorsey of Twitter, where they’re all atwitter about Trump, can’t decide that your take on current events isn’t acceptable. He can’t make it go away with a mouse click.
Even Josh Fryfogle (yours truly, the owner of The People’s Paper) can’t possibly un-ring that bell. Once it’s printed and distributed, it’s beyond even the reach of the individual who printed them.
You might notice that people are complaining about their perceived loss of ‘freedom of speech’, but what they’ve lost is actually more akin to freedom of the press than that of speech. While the internet allows for multi-media expression, it’s the use of a medium (the internet) that makes it more like freedom of press than speech. Unlike freedom of press, however, is the lack of a material medium. There is nothing tangible or concrete to receive the ‘im-pression’ of the printing press. Nothing of permanence.
From a First Amendment perspective, this is an inherent security flaw. While the internet makes it easy to express oneself, it makes it incredibly easy to stifle that same self-expression.
The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine (which I’ve stewarded for more than 13 years) are completely devoted to the voices of local people like you. We always have been. We’ve been publishing what local people send us, and nothing more, for all this time. We’ve stood the test of time, because we’re devoted to the mission of the First Amendment - to facilitate the free expression of the conscientious concerns of local people like you.
We relinquish control of the content of our paper, handing it over to the people in the community. Then, we relinquish control of the narrative, with each hard copy that we hand out to the public.
You’re welcome.
You’re welcome to publish your content, in a more permanent way, on paper at MakeASceneAK.com
We’ll do the printing and distribution.
You can respond to what you’ve read, or write what matters to you.
Alaska
Broken TV Stare
by Joshua Fryfogle
Written on 4.19.15
We could start a revolution
But the TV wouldn't care
Just another revolution
In the cycle of despair
We would take up arms as armies
If we all were made aware
But the TV doesn't tell us
So we think there's nothing there
We could start a conversation
But really, who would dare And face the consternation
Of the broken tv stare?
We’ve gotten a surprising number of donations from community members at The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine over the years, and recently it’s increased with the publication of Liberty, Liberally.
We’ve also received many requests for subscription services, requests to mail Liberty, Liberally, and our other publications to people near and far...
So we thought, why not make it easier to
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POLITICS & OPINION
Contributed by Daniel N.
Russell
We need hydrogen fuel-cell train service from Seward to Girdwood to Anchorage to Palmer and Wasilla. Constantly closing, repairing, and enlarging our road system
Contributed
by
Mr. Carl Marrs
The common refrain in Juneau this session is “We need a fiscal plan”.
Unfortunately, to many, that translates into a much longer lyric that asks, “How do we impose more than $1 billion in new taxes on residents and Alaskan businesses to turn a marginally sustainable $1,300 dividend into an attempt to fund an unsustainable $2,700 dividend. All this, on the heels of the Permanent Funds losses
Contributed by F. Irene Waggoner
The April 2023 edition of The People’s Paper contained a letter asking What is a Woman? The writer covered a multitude of complex, related issues and ended with another implied question: What is Our National Identity?
Our National Identity is a composite of how we resolve the many thorny issues facing our nation. Currently, women are at the center of one such key issue – reproductive rights – and marriage is closely related. Definitions, and resulting laws and legal interpretations, are imperfect but necessary tools to help resolve these issues, as different groups in a very large, diverse nation see things quite differently. Broadly speaking, two sides have emerged, framing these issues quite differently. One frames the issue around procreation, defining a woman in strictly procreation terms, and offers a solution entirely focused on control of an individual woman’s physical body. The marriage issue requires keeping women in the marriage equation, also for procreation protections. The other side enlarges the frame, beginning with the definition of a human being, defining a woman first as a human and viewing basic procreation
Contributed by Adam Habig
“So doctor, why did you decide to go into health care?”
“Oh, I don’t care for the health part. I just love all the paperwork.”
That’s a conversation that has likely never happened in the history of medicine— because for doctors, providers, patients, and caregivers alike, the “non-health” parts are the very worst parts of health care. From unexpected costs, to confusion, to access challenges, to long wait times, the barriers to seeing a doctor are more than just annoying—they’re actually standing in the way of the health care we need. In Alaska, two bills in the legislature are poised to make a major, fundamental change in the broken health care system. It’s a simple change known as direct health care, introduced this session as Senate Bill 45 and House Bill 47.
The idea is straightforward. With these bills, health care providers would be able to enter into service arrangements directly with patients, instead of only through a gatekeeping third party such as a health insurance company or government health
every summer is too expensive, inefficient, frustrating, and hazardous, and driving in winter can be perilous and not dependable, especially for senior citizens. The first hydrogen-powered train set for the U. S. A. has been delivered
of nearly $3 billion in the market over the past year?” Wouldn’t it be great if our legislators thought about a sustainable longterm fiscal plan for Alaska, rather than just thinking about their next re-election?
Alaska does not have a “fiscal crisis.”
Thanks to the Permanent Fund earnings and general fund receipts from oil production, we have enough revenue to pay for reasonable state services, a good capital budget and still have enough left over for a fair and sustainable dividend for all Alaskans.
The only “crisis” is that we are currently unable to afford dividends twice that large
attributes as secondary. Marriage for this side is simply a legal contract for regulating rights and responsibilities for this specific union. This more complex view focuses on upholding basic human rights for everyone.
Human being: a member of the family Hominidae generally characterized by human attributes of an erect carriage, high intelligence, articulate speech, and a mind capable of musing and theorizing to explain their immense curiosity about their world. Mind: the processes and elements that enable humans to reason, think, feel, will, perceive, judge, etc., manifested as the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities of humans. Woman: an adult human being that a) holds all human attributes and that b) typically has the capacity to produce eggs and bear young. Man: an adult human being that a) holds all human attributes and that b) typically has the capacity to produce sperm, which fertilizes the egg for procreation. Clearly, the mind is the primary functional element that adds immense complexity to our status as humans, separating us from simple procreation capabilities that we have in common with other animals. Marriage: a legal contract between two human beings that
care program.
This would allow patients to enroll in a “membership” with their health care provider of choice, including family doctors and primary and specialty care providers. In exchange for a fixed monthly fee (typically ranging from $50 to $100), patients get ‘round-the-clock access to their doctors, guaranteed appointments, and significantly shorter waiting times.
Best of all, because of the direct relationship between the provider and the patient, doctors are able to spend more time with their patients, answering questions and focusing on health, instead of filling out paperwork and fighting with insurance companies. One of the top frustrations felt by patients is not feeling heard by their doctor, which can happen when the doctor has to shuffle people in and out in order spend more time dealing with paperwork and insurance disputes instead of health care.
The current model squeezes out time for preventative checkups that can catch problems early and improve health overall, and confusion over networks and long wait times for initial visits can cause many
to San Bernardino County Transportation Authority by manufacturer, Stadler, which announced up to 29 more orders for California service at https://www. trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/ stadler-unveils-first-hydrogen-train-for-u-
without raiding the Permanent Fund or drawing our savings to a dangerously low level.
Proposals are now pending in the Legislature for a state sales tax, state income tax and a higher oil tax. Any or all of them would be a major blow to the state’s economy—not a stimulus as some want you to believe.
None of those proposals are necessary at present to pay for essential state services or even additional desirable state services like better education, roads, airports, health care, day care and public safety.
codifies a legally and socially sanctioned union regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring (if any).
Rights of Humans: consequences for women from the restrictive view reduces a living, thinking, feeling, complex human being into a mere vessel or conduit for procreation, controlled through draconian abortion and contraceptive restrictions, without exceptions for medical complications of the fetus or the mother, forced birth for rape victims including children, restricting choice, restricting travel to obtain an abortion, etc., and uses the institution of marriage as a means of further legal control for women and offspring. The more inclusive view presents a much larger, deeper and broader picture – it requires careful and reasoned consideration of reproductive choices that prevent undesirable consequences or mitigate suffering for all of the human beings in any of these situations, including society in general. Marriage from this perspective is simply a binding legal contract between two humans who choose to form this type of union.
National Identity: Abraham Lincoln said, “As I would not be a slave, so I would
people to avoid it all together. Instead, the direct health care model has countless benefits for both the patient and the provider, including same-day appointments (instead of long waits), transparent pricing, and easier and more reliable preventative care.
Because this administrative change cuts out the middleman of the insurance or government, there’s more transparency for the real cost of the service, rather than complex billing agreements, in-network vs. out-of-network puzzles, and confusion over who to call to actually talk to someone.
This model of direct health care is already at work in 49 states, with 26 states passing legislation to codify that it’s not insurance, and shall not be regulated as insurance.
Alaska is a prime candidate to update its laws and follow in their footsteps. Alaska residents currently pay some of the highest health care costs in the country—one study found that Alaskans pay the most of any state for their health care, at more than $11,000 per person. We’ve all seen horror stories about unexpected medical bills destroying life savings—two-thirds of bankruptcies in America are tied to medical issues.
Up-front, transparent pricing also means fewer surprises when the bill
s-announces-order-for-up-to-29-more/ .
Far more appealing to tourists than diesel-burning trains, hydrogen fuel-cell commuter trains would remove, potentially, tens of thousands of vehicles and their polluting emissions, everyday, from our poor roads, and it would make our roads last much longer, too. New catalysts have been developed to split hydrogen from seawater, more cheaply, without producing any pollution.
Hydrogen fuel-cell rail service would stimulate economic development of our state, and it may breathe new life into the proposed Alaska to Alberta rail proposal. Publicity from opening and marketing such a modern, clean rail service would also encourage more people to ride Alaska Railroad’s regular service from Anchorage to Seward, Talkeetna, Denali & Fairbanks. Please, convey your support for hydrogen fuel-cell commuter rail service to Christy Terry, Alaska Railroad External Affairs Director at 907-265-2357 or email: public_comment@akrr.com , Today.
Truly, Daniel N. Russell, physicist
If in the future, if a national recession and/or sustained low oil prices were to occur and we need new taxes to pay for essential services, then I am sure most Alaskans will agree that those taxes are needed and will only argue about which combination to implement. But in the meantime, implementing new taxes to pay for a higher dividend that is already taxable? I don’t believe that is what most Alaskans really want. Carl Marrs is CEO of Old Harbor Native Corporation. He previously worked at CIRI from 1973 to 2004, serving as their president and CEO from 1994 to 2004.
not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.” The Golden Rule also applies: do unto others as we would have done to us. As I would not want the burdens of bearing a rapist’s child, so I would not force another human being to do so. As I appreciate the joys and legal protections of marriage, I would protect that right for others. As I cherish the rights and freedoms afforded me by the US Constitution and American jurisprudence, so I would protect those rights and freedoms for other Americans.
Finally, our nation is made up of many cultures, religions, social and political groups, each wanting and needing considerations that meet their needs. Our elected representatives’ job is to create laws and policies that reflect a National Identity that provides for the greatest good for the greatest number, considering ALL Americans’ perspectives – a huge undertaking, indeed. We owe gratitude and patience to those politicians who undertake this enormous and essential responsibility seriously.
NOTE: I am delighted to have the opportunity of an old-fashioned print paper (rather than 140-character social media sound bites) generously offered as a way for us to share our complex views – thank you!
comes, and fewer hidden costs that result from disagreements over what insurance decides to cover. Unfortunately, this kind of direct model for health care is currently blocked by state law, which treats these providerpatient arrangements the same as health insurance policies. This requirement comes with prohibitive costs, regulations, and (you guessed it) piles of paperwork. Alaska lawmakers can change that and offer a better way forward by passing the two bills under consideration right now, Senate Bill 45 and House Bill 47.
In 2021, Montana—another large rural state with similar health care challenges—signed direct patient care into law. In just a year, 16 providers decided to offer membership options, at an average membership cost of $77 per month, significantly below the cost of traditional employer-sponsored or individual insurance coverage. It’s time for Alaska to follow the lead of other states by offering an option for lower costs, faster service, more time with your doctor, and fewer headaches from dealing with insurance. That way, we can all spend less time on the paperwork, and more time on our health. Adam Habig is the president and cofounder of Freedom Healthworks.
POLITICS & OPINION
Contributed by Cathy Mosher
The Valley Republican Women of Alaska excited to have Jim Minnery as our guest speaker. His presentation is on School
Contributed by Brett Ahern
Hey there reader, I built a website about how law and grace are two sides of the same coin. We are exploring the interactions of law and grace. We will also see other ways to view the Ten Commandments.
While we appreciate the great value of seeing the Ten Commandments as a list of commands, we also appreciate seeing additional facets of this treasured diamond in God’s design. Just how many facets to His wisdom have been incorporated in it? I am currently at an additional 5 ways to see the Ten Commandments.
Let’s begin with the phrase, Ten Commandments. The Hebrew word for ‘commandment’ is miswa and means word, command, order, prescription, instruction. Other similar words have the same defini-
Sc Education, and Indoctrination of the transgender agenda. He is well informed (1) this subject. Walk away with a better understanding of the transgender agenda for our society.
tions. We see that in the Hebrew worldview the meaning of ‘commandment’ is also ‘word.’
The Ten Commandments can be seen in the larger context as the Ten Words, a phrase sometimes used in scholarship literature when exploring the significance of the Ten Commandments.
Consider its conceptual use from an example in Genesis 1. When God said, ‘Let there be light!’ a whole symphony of the music of light appeared. All the types, seen and unseen. All the options in the plethora of visible light. All the dynamics that color our sunsets and sunrises. All the seasonal variations. And so much more that we don’t know yet!
Now we have a context for exploring numerous possibilities. What was the Hebrew author trying to convey to us when he chose to possibly name these
Thursday May 18, 2023 6-8 P.M.
Matsu Family Restaurant 401 Parks Hwy, Wasilla Come early to order dinner and network. We get the room for free when
the Ten Words? What are we missing by thinking of them in only one dimension of application, as commandments? And, if the same author also wrote the five books of the Torah, as tradition holds Moses did, was he hinting that we should explore this metaphor and apply it deeply?
We can see that possibility by something similar he did elsewhere. Moses did something similar in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, the two times he listed the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20 he provided the reason for keeping the Sabbath as a memorial to God’s creation. In Deuteronomy 5 he said we keep the Sabbath as a memorial of the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. These two views provide a depth of perception, allowing 3D vision of Sabbath significance.
This conceptual approach is enlarged by how the author handled the design of
people order their meals there. The meeting starts at 6 P.M. and members are there by 5:30 P.M.
the books of Genesis (where everything begins) and Exodus (exiting the broken world of slavery). We see several features in Genesis mirrored in Exodus, revealing creation as a paradigm for liberation from slavery. We have a parallel concept running through both books. We can see a lot of similarities between creation and freedom: God’s creating liberty! This is the core significance in our walk with Him. Moses spoke with God frequently. He understood how to handle God’s Word properly and creatively. His example shows us the freedom to explore the depth of God’s metaphors richly. We are expected to do the same. Go to TheGraciousTenCommandments.com and let’s begin!
NOTE – On the web site is a section of ‘Other Ways to See’, with 5 alternative ways to view the Ten Commandments. If you appreciate these insights, you may want to join us for our home Bible Study. If so, please email us at brettact2@gmail. com.
Right to Religious Instruction: Parents have the right to provide religious instruction for their children outside of school hours.
Contributed by Sean Murphy
This is the second part of our series of articles to describe an education model for the new Chugach Regional Borough (CRB). As we have discussed and will repeat, our goal is to first protect the future of the children of our community. After all, isn’t it always about the future?
This second article discusses the current framework for school district authority in Alaska and the rights of parents. We believe that the better our community discusses and analyzes this authority framework, the better we can ensure that the ultimate authority and rights belong to parents and the better information for you, our readers.
The Authority of School Districts in The State of Alaska
In Alaska, the authority of school districts over children is established through a combination of state laws, regulations, and case law. The state’s laws, regulations, and court decisions have created a framework for the powers and responsibilities of school districts in educating and caring for the children of the state. It appears that these legal sources give school districts a more favorable position compared to parents in making decisions about the education and upbringing of their children.
The Alaska Constitution provides a foundation for the authority of school dis-
gives the State Board of Education and Early Development the power to adopt regulations for public schools, while AS 14.07.099 outlines the powers and duties of school districts. These laws provide guidance and support for the authority of school districts to direct the education and upbringing of children.
The State Board of Education and Early Development also has the authority to adopt regulations that provide further guidance for Alaska school districts. These regulations cover a range of issues, including budgeting, hiring personnel, and providing education services to students.
It is further noted that the Alaska State Constitution provides no limitations regarding the number of school districts a local government may regulate, especially through a home rule approach.
Alaska School District Rights
The rights of Alaska school districts over education and control of children are determined by a combination of federal and state laws, regulations, and case law. Here are some of the key authorities that Alaska school districts have:
Authority to set curriculum: Alaska school districts have the authority to establish and set the curriculum for their schools, including determining the subjects and courses of study.
Authority to regulate student behavior: Alaska school districts have the authority to regulate student behavior and enforce
the authority to control access to school property, including setting rules and regulations for who is allowed on school grounds and when.
Authority to manage school resources: Alaska school districts have the authority to manage and allocate school resources, including funding, personnel, and facilities.
While Alaska school districts have these authorities over education and control of children, they must also operate within the bounds of the law and respect the constitutional rights of students and their families.
Can a local government’s home rule charter further regulate these authorities? We believe it can.
Parental Rights Regarding Children’s Education
As per the laws, regulations, and case law in Alaska, parents have the following rights regarding their children’s education:
Right to Enroll: Parents have the right to enroll their children in a public school within the district or to choose alternative education options, such as private or homeschooling.
Right to Access: Parents have the right to access their children’s education records and to participate in their children’s educational planning and decisionmaking.
Right to Review: Parents have the right
Right to Homeschool: Parents have the right to homeschool their children, if they meet the requirements set forth by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
Right to Seek Alternative Education: Parents have the right to seek alternative education options, such as private schools or out-of-state schools, if they are dissatisfied with the education provided by their school district.
Alaska school districts do have an authority over directing the education and consequently the upbringing of children. It is critical to understand that a local government such as the Chugach Regional Borough may balance these rights through its charter to ensure that parents retain control over important aspects of their children’s education.
Understanding these legal sources and how they apply to the operations of Alaska school districts is part of informed decision-making and effective governance.
In the next article we will continue to discuss this new borough’ education model. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working towards a brighter future for the children of the Chugiak-Eagle River area.
We encourage you to get involved, too! Feel free to call us anytime, and don’t hesitate to come to our weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the Cozy Carpet Warehouse behind the store at 7 pm.
COMMUNITY
Contributed by The Big Lake Library Advocates
When did Alaska become the 49th State? Where did Japan invade the USA in World War II? What authors have written novels about life in Alaska? Come to the Big Lake Library to quickly find answers to these questions and many more about our state.
The Big Lake Library has assembled a unique collection of books, newspapers, and memorabilia where its patrons can learn about Alaskan history, its authors, residents, and events and enjoy exciting novels featuring Alaskan locales and characters.
Nicely displayed in newly installed shelving, the Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room offers a compact, quiet room to view old newspapers headlining Alaska becoming the 49th State, the discovery of oil and building of the pipeline, and
World War II activities on the Aleutian chain. Both fiction and non-fiction books by Alaskan authors, featuring locations in Alaska, can be checked out or read in the room’s quiet setting.
The Jo Cassidy Alaska Reading Room recognizes Jo Cassidy who served as the Big Lake Library’s Librarian for over 30 years. In April, 2021 the Alaska Legislature honored Jo with a commendation for “her many years of dedication to the community of Big Lake, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and the state of Alaska”. The library staff have been working diligently to honor Jo’s contributions by gathering Alaska-themed items to create a compact location where library patrons can easily learn about Alaska’s unique history and read novels featuring characters and activities within Alaska.
The Big Lake Library Advocates, the non-profit dedicated to supporting programs and events offered through the
Big Lake Library, secured the grants to purchase the shelving for the Alaska Reading Room and bought the book ends that help arrange the books for easy access by its patrons. The Advocates continue to provide the supplies and to assist library staff in its community outreach through the summer reading program, adult learning classes, STEAM, story time, and other programs offered through the library.
The Big Lake Library Advocates fund library programs through donations from book purchases, patron contributions, and Pick Click Give. Please bring your used books to the library and peruse their offerings for your reading pleasure. Join the fun with the Advocates. Membership forms are available on their website, BL-libraryadvocates@weebly. com, as an adult (life-$35 or annual-$5), or youth ($1) member. Remember us on Pick Click Give, too!
It’s back again, and a little earlier this year! Valley Recycling’s 5th annual Recycle Revival all day music festival is happening at Skeetawk ski area in beautiful Hatcher Pass, Sunday, June 4th, from 2-11pm. Musical performances by Alaska’s favorites: Feral Katz, Carhartt Brothers, Denali Cooks, and H3 Hawaiian Reggae Band. There will be food vendors, beer garden, lift rides, and a silent auction with cool outdoor stuff to bid on.
This year’s music festival fundraiser is a zero-waste event, so don’t forget to bring your reusables in your backpack. We will have earth friendly items available for use and for sale – even the food vendors will be prepared with sustainable, single-use plastic and styrofoam FREE serving options! Bring your own reusable container and receive a free sticker to decorate it! Or count the exclamation points in this exciting article and get a free sticker!! Hint: there are two in that last sentence! And it’s not too late to donate to the silent auction. We are accepting mindful items until May 30th, at the recycling center office. Major funding for this event provided by SUBARU of America - #DontFeedTheLandfills. There will be limited dedicated “rock star” parking for Subaru vehicles only and Subaru swag to bid on in the silent auction. Additional funding provided by 95.5 THE PASS, Make-a-Scene, Aethereal Coffee, Martha Brookbank of Valley Market Real Estate, Dr. Joanie Kirk, ND., Princess Cruises, Valley Arts Alliance and The North Face, so far. There’s still time to become a sponsor. Come and join our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, recy-
clers, music lovers and anyone else willing to pay a paltry $20 donation for a full day of fun and music, all while supporting a good cause – recycling in Alaska! We recycle so much that even this entire article is recycled from last year!
If you are unable to attend, feel free to donate at valleyrecycling.org Donation link is valid year-round! And I needed to end this with an enthusiastic sentence and the final exclamation point. Count ‘em up, and we’ll see you there! Valley Community for Recycling Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-deductible organization.
The Palmer Chess Club hosted its second annual Mat-Su Chess Classic tournament April 29th, with a turnout of 26 participants from the Valley and beyond, with competitors as young as 11 years old. Henry Rockey is one of the two youngest players and a member of the Palmer Chess Club. Upon being asked, he said that he has been playing chess for three years now and learned from his grandpa and older brother. According to Henry’s mom, Henry joined last year in search of more difficult opponents. He had started to outplay his family members. In this year’s Mat-Su Chess Classic, Henry began the competition competing against fellow 11 year old Casey Hendrickson, who has been playing chess for two years now and started learning chess through YouTube with the help of his dad.
This year’s first place winner was Kate Wendleton, who has been playing for three years and began chess after being inspired by Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” and has since been playing chess online as well as in an Anchorage chess club on occasion. When asked why Kate enjoys chess she responded that she enjoys in-
spiring others. “I want to be a good player and inspire other girls by proving that girls can play just as well as anyone else.”
Second place winner Courtland Hoose, a member of the Palmer Chess Club who has been playing chess for 15 years enjoys playing because “It has an endless amount of things to learn.”
Third place winner Sean Kelley has been playing for about 40 years after having taught himself in middle school. “It’s a good mental exercise, it works your brain. It’s very good to train your brain to work through problems, and it’s great for both young and older people.”
The Palmer chess club not only recognizes first, second, and third places but also honors and respects veterans, elders, and most improved (scholastic). Dawn Rowell, who was awarded both Veteran and Senior trophies, has been playing since 1972 and was inspired to start playing after watching Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky play in the World Chess Championship of 1972. Dawn enjoys chess because “It is the royal game, and it is a game that involves just about everything you can think of. It involves knowledge, tactics, strategy, and planning.”
Scholastic trophy winner, Ryan Eklund,
as well as fourth placed, is a member of the Palmer chess club and has been playing for about 8 years and learned how to play at school “I like chess because it’s a way to fight with your friends on a mental level and challenge your friends and get to know where each other are at and there is a good amount of respect shared in the game.”
Do you enjoy playing chess? The Palmer Chess Club meets weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30-8pm at 203 Kombucha, all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring a board and your friends or even borrow a board from the Palmer Chess Club. For more information you can check out “Palmer Chess Club” on Facebook.
Contributed by Amber Godin
Contributed
by
Frankie Allen
The home renovation cost vs value calculators that you find online don’t show the value that’s added when you update outlets and switches. There’s very little information on how One major reason for that is not a lot of people track it. If we’re not tracking how much value upgrading our devices adds to our property, how do we know if this is something we should do?
Let’s look at something people do track to add value to a home; painting.
Oddly enough, giving your home a fresh coat of paint gives homeowners the greatest return on their home improvement investment. It’s an easy to do and makes the home look like you’ve been reinvesting into your property. New home buyers want to know if they’re going to buy a home that’s going to need rebuilt one leaky pipe at a time or if it’s going to be something they can relax in. Updated switches and outlets do the same thing but also offers up a level of safety. Changing out device plates that have become dingy looking is an easy upgrade, but it also forces you to look at the electrical in the wall. When you pull the plate, you can see if the wire has been damaged, if there’s insulation inside the box which could cause a fire hazard, and if the wires look charred. When you have something that isn’t working properly, changing it is easy because you’re already there.
Changing out the regular duplex
receptacles for the rectangle Decora style receptacles is another easy upgrade that looks great. When you’ve swapped out your devices to these slick looking receptacles, you’re showing you’ve invested the time and attention to your home to ensure it’s safe and working well.
There are different styles of receptacles well. There’s the USB outlet that has electrical power and USB charge ports. They’re handy, convenient, and shows that your home isn’t outdated. Having these installed in your home showcases that you’re staying with the times.
Surge arrestor outlets do the same thing. In order to protect your home from power surges when we lose power or need to switch to generator power, it’s always a good idea to have multiple layers of surge protection through the home.
Having a surge arrestor in your panel, in your receptacle, and in your plug, strip helps reduce the power of the surges going into your computers, WIFI routers, TVs, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and ovens.
A lot of this is stuff you can do yourself if you have the time and the attention. But there’s help in the Valley for anyone who just doesn’t want to do it. Or for those who get started and decide that this work isn’t fun, and they’d rather be painting, fishing, hiking, biking, gardening, bee keeping, goat raising, or anything else. Alaska is filled with amazing things to do.
Be sure you’re making time to improve and maintain your home, adding value and safety to your friends, family, and to yourself.
Contributed by Jennifer Brass
We are a local Veteran owned company that has been in business for over 10 years. We started with shows and a booth
at the
and so much more!! Our most common orders are customs, whether they be simple changes to our products or a completely new design. We pride ourselves in our work, pour our hearts into every piece we make and love seeing the emotion on someone’s face when they get that special item. Located in Creekside Plaza.
Contributed by Carolyn Lambrecht/ Wasilla Noon Rotary
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Jeni McDaniel
The Alaskan Scottish Club will host the 42nd annual Alaska Scottish Highland Games on June 24th & 25th at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. Gates open daily at 8am. The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Saturday the 25th at 10am. Registrations, Sponsorships, and Advanced discounted tickets are available now at alaskanscottish.org.
Featuring all things Scottish - Bagpipes, Heavy Athletics, Gathering O The Clans, Tug-O-War, Celtic Dance, Drumming, Kilted Mile, Scotch Tasting, Shortbread Contest, Strongman Competition, Tea Tent, Salmon Tossing, Tall Tales Contest, Highland Coo, Spurtle Contest, Haggis Eating Contest, Farmer’s Walk, Tug-OfWar, Celtic Marketplace, and Food Trucks, Historical Demonstrations, Kilted Mile Sheaf Toss, Musical Guests, Children’s Events, and so much, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
The Scotch Tastings at the games are one of the major fundraisers for the ASHG. They are generously Sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company Alaska and will feature Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and The GlenDronach this year. Straight from Scotland, the Scotch Tastings will be hosted Brand Ambassador Rory Glasgow. All Tastings are Educational Tastings. Tasting includes a commemorative Glencairn glass you get to keep! Tickets for our regular Scotch Sessions are $65 in advance and $75 at the door (if not sold out)
Regular Scotch Sessions Include:
Saturday 24th 1:30 pm Featuring: Benriach
Saturday 24th 4 pm Featuring: Glenglassaugh and The GlenDronach
Sunday 25th 1:30 pm Featuring: Glenglassaugh and The GlenDronach
Sunday 25th 4 pm Featuring: Benriach
The High-End Scotch Tasting is back and will feature 6 tastes! Featuring: Benriach, Glenglassaugh, and The GlenDronach. Tickets for this tasting are $150 in advance and $175 at the door (if not sold out). There is a limit of 50 seats for this tasting, and tickets are going fast for this unique experience. This tasting only takes place once and is on Saturday 24th at 5:30 pm. These tastings sell out, so don’t wait to get your tickets.
Scotch is not the only tasting we offer at the Alaska Scottish Highland Games; we also have Mead Tastings! Mead Tastings are generously Sponsored by Beard Brother’s Meadery and Hosted by the Beard Brothers themselves. Mead Tasting Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door (if not sold out). These tastings sold out last year, and tickets are going fast this year! Don’t miss out, get your tickets!
Educational Mead Sessions Include:
Saturday 24th 11:30 am
Sunday 25th 11:30 am.
Beard Brother’s Meadery is a small family-owned business in the hills overlooking Fairbanks, Alaska. The Mead Master uses organic fruits, roots, and
berries in the quality meads. The Alaskan honey is sourced on family land and is used in every batch. Some of the flavors they have come up with include The Blue Tartan, Spicy Cyser, Raspberry Glenn, DryHopped, and The Buzzed Ginger.
Admission into the Games includes special musical concert performances throughout both days by Celtica Nova and back by very popular demand, The Harp Twins with special guests The Volfgang Twins.
CELTICA NOVA is an international ensemble with a majestic sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes that soar above a powerful rock band and a masterly played violin that expands their unique style. They received the “International Celtic Artist of the Year” award at the 2019 Australian Celtic Music Awards!
Identical twin harpists, Camille and Kennerly Kitt, mix their virtuoso harp skills with the use of Electric Harps and Concert Grand Harps to provide stunning complex arrangements of rock, metal, Celtic, Renaissance, and soundtrack classics – as well as Celtic Nordic inspired original songs. They have represented the
United States at four World Harp Festivals, toured worldwide as a duo and was featured guests on the 2020 nationwide PBS special, Celtic Heart. The Harp twins deliver exciting, comedic, and interactive family-friendly performances that will not be forgotten.
VDrømil and Drømal Vølfgang are identical twin musicians, artists, and craftsmen. Inspired by nature, mythology, and their heritage, they express themselves through creation. The twins are multi-faceted artists who make primarily music, paintings and illustrations, and are skilled builders. They are also axe throwers and stunt men! Their artistic stylization and inspiration is derived from Norse Myth and fueled by their imagination.
Advanced discounted tickets may be purchased online at alaskanscottish.org, or in-person at Fireside Books in Palmer, The Bookshelf in Eagle River, and both Bosco’s location in Anchorage for single day and 2-day tickets. PARKING IS FREE AT THE RED GATE!
The Alaskan Scottish Club will be out in the community this summer before the games and you can purchase your Advanced discounted Tickets and 2023 Merch ahead of the ASHG. You can find us at Wasilla Music in the Park on June 3, Colony Days June 9-11, Friday Fling on June 16, Palmer Alehouse for a special concert featuring Celtica Nova and The Harp Twins featuring the Volfgang Twins on June 22, and Palmer Alehouse on June 23 for our Lightweight Elite Class Weigh-in. Event Updates can be found on alaskanscottish.org or our Social Media Accts: @ alaskanscottish
Be sure to Check out Next Month’s People’s Paper for our 2023 Alaska Scottish Highland Games Event Guide packed with everything you need to plan your time at the 2023 ASHG.
COMMUNITY
Contributed by The DUDE Glen Butts
While we all see there is a tremendous addiction problem in Alaska, and there needs to be more help like insight on how people can get into recovery and what exactly there is out there in the recovery community as far as treatment centers, aftercare, and 12 step meetings. We have a couple of yearly events that do just that - and even added another one to the list. These are CLEAN and SOBER, family-friendly events, open to ALL in our community. These are the 3 Addiction Recovery Rally Rides this year in the Anchorage/ Matsu Valley, and though initially set up as motorcycle events, they are NOT just for them. You can use a car or truck, or just come straight to the end of the rides to the event. Either way, they are all meant as a way for the general community to be able to gather information on all the AWSOME recovery-related facilities and people within them, and even the clients in the facilities, and the
people in recovery themselves. Here is the list of events in dated order, and please follow them on Facebook for additional updates.
Rally 2 The Ranch (10th Annual)
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Starting Point: Anchorage Alano Club at 9:30 AMMeet and Greet. Kickstands up at 10 AM, to Denali Harley Davidson (arrive about 10:45, takeoff 11:15), to Matsu Alano Club (arrive about 11:45, takeoff 12 noon), to Three Bears (Knick) for gas (arrive about 12:20, takeoff 12:35), to Nugen’s RANCH - Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services Inc. about 1 PM
To enjoy the FUN DAY Open House BBQ and festivities, find out more on Facebook at Rally 2 The Ranch 2023.
S.O.B. “Sober Old Bikers” Ride (31st Annual) Sunday, June 4, 2023 Bikes leave Mat-Su Alano Club (901 Snohomish Dr. Wasilla) at 11 AM to Talkeetna - with a 12 step meeting in Talkeetna at the end. Split the POT and Poker run $10 (funds going to help Matsu Alano Club) $10 Breakfast will be served from
8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, and T-shirts for $20. Find out more on Facebook at Alaska’s Sober Old Bikers Run. Rally Recovery Ride (2nd Annual) Saturday, June 17, 2023 Starting Point: Anchorage Alano Club at 9:30 AM (kickstands up at 10 AM), and there are stops “RALLYING” recovery centers from Volunteers of America ARCH Center, Salvation Army ERNIE TURNER Center, True North Addiction Recovery Center, Matsu Alano Club, Set Free Alaska, FINNISHING at Denali Harley Davidson - 1497 SOUTH HYER ROAD PALMER, AK 99645. This is an awareness community event, and it is meant to inform people in our state about the problems and process of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. There will be musical entertainment, multiple speakers, a BBQ, and a drug and alcohol recovery 12 step-anonymous meeting at the end. This will be a fun and informative community event for the entire family. Together “WE CAN” help shine a light into the darkness of addiction! Find out more on Facebook at Rally Recovery Ride (2023).
PETS & ANIMALS
Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann/ Clear Creek Cat Rescue
CUPCAKE : Yes, I am a girl! This is unusual in the cat world because I am orange and white. I have taken that specialness to a new level by having a unique marking -like a starburst kiss- on my cute face.
I am probably a couple of years old. I was found crying outside a house with an injured leg. My people were never found, but I won over my rescuers in a minute. And I have been great in foster. My injured leg has healed and I have adapted easily to a home with
Contributed by GB Jones
For more than twenty years, the Iditarod Trail Kennel in Knik has been accepting retired sled dogs and finding them great forever homes. Throughout the years, this kennel has placed over 200 dogs in good homes throughout Alaska and the lower-forty-eight. Today, we introduce you to the very last dog we are re-homing!
We are proud to introduce you to a dog named Night!
This lovable five year old retired sled dog is in need of a good home! Night is an all black Alaskan Husky who has
other cats, mellow dogs, and schoolage children. I don’t seem to need a cat buddy, but could co-exist with one in a home. I very much enjoy being pet by my people and will be a great family member. I also would be happy to help with any invading rodents that might come your way, so I will need a safe yard to venture into during the summer. If you’re looking for an easy, lovable girl to join your family, I would be purrfect. To meet me, please call or text 907-980-8898. To see other adoptable cuties, please visit http://clearcreekcatrescue.org/.
trained for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, and who has run many miles in harness with her teammates.
During this past Iditarod race, Night entertained and accommodated a couple of hundred folks, giving sled dog rides on the Iditarod Trail to kennel visitors!
Night now seeks a home where she can get more human interaction. She is good with other dogs and people. She is in great health, and is microchipped. We want Night to be a member of a new forever home. Night is house trained and has no bad habits! She is very shy, however, and will need time to
warm up to you. Night would be a great dog to go jogging or biking with! She is high energy and a very strong dog when in harness! Night would be great to go on walks with, and she is good on a leash! This dog needs to be spayed! There is a $100 rehoming fee to get Night. If she does not work out for any reason, the rehoming fee is refunded.
And while we await this new chapter to begin in this dog’s life, we will continue to treat her with the respect that she deserves. A friendship with a dog is priceless!
Night is currently housed at the Iditarod Trail Kennel in Knik! If you would like to meet this incredible dog, send us an email to: thealaskangardens@gmail. com
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 19
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Doris Thomas
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Friends of Nike Site Summit is hosting Cold War history tours at two former Anchorage-area Nike missile sites this summer. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. The first two tours are May 20 and June 10 at the former Site Point Nike battery at Kincaid Park. Both hiking tours are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are limited to fit hikers aged 10 or older. Registration ($25) is at http://reg.planetreg.com/FONSSHikes-2023. Kincaid Park tour reservations can be made as late as the day of the event if it isn’t sold out. However, late potential participants must follow the guidelines on the reservation link in order to make last-minute reservations.
At both Site Point and Site Summit, tour
participants will talk to veterans who were stationed at Nike sites in Alaska, find out how the missiles were launched and learn about Alaska’s role in the Cold War. Site Summit is culturally significant as the only one of eight Cold War-era Nike-Hercules missile sites in Alaska still standing. Fewer structures remain at Kincaid Park, but visitors will visit several on the tour.
Morning and afternoon bus tours of Arctic Valley’s historic Site Summit are on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, Aug. 13. Hiking tours are set for three Saturdays, June 17, July 22 and Aug. 26.
The on-line registration link for all tours is http://reg.planetreg.com/FONSS-2023. Those without Internet access can reserve by calling (907) 929-9870 and making payment and reservation arrangements.
The bus tour price includes round trip
907-917-TREE
transportation to Site Summit from the Arctic Valley Lodge parking lot. Bus tours are $75 for students 12-17, veterans and senior citizens 65+, and $80 for adults.
The Site Summit hiking tours are open to fit, experienced hikers 13 and older, and the fee is $45 for adults and $40 for youth, veterans and seniors.
Reservations are required no less than three days in advance for the Site Summit tours.
Friends of Nike Site Summit was formed by local volunteers in 2007 to advocate for the preservation of Site Summit. In 2009, it partnered with the U.S. Army (now JBER), the National Park Service, and State Historic Preservation Officer to preserve the historic mountaintop fortress overlooking Arctic Valley. FONSS’ mission is to preserve and interpret the site for the education of current and future generations about the Cold War, and, by doing this, memorialize the millions of veterans who served during the Cold War. FONSS
