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One of the most cherished traditions in the world of baseball began as a bar bet between two saloon owners at the turn of the last century when Fairbanks was a small gold rush town. The stakes? Bragging rights for the entire winter. According to local lore, the first "High Noon at Midnight Classic" was played on June 21, 1906, between the Eagle's Club and the California Bar. Led by Eddie Stoecker, who became known as "Father of the Midnight Sun Game," the score ended with the Eagles falling to...
I get so excited when someone from my past contacts me about visiting Alaska for the first time. I revert to my travel agent days and have to restrain myself from boring them with minutia about all of the beautiful and diverse towns I've seen along the coast of Alaska. For 20 years my husband and I lived aboard and operated two beautiful old wooden salmon tenders. It was always Ron's dream to get into tendering for the commercial fishing industry. Tenders don't catch fish; we haul fish. After I...
The Valley Quilters Guild (VQG) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the educational and charitable aspects of quilting. The mission of Valley Quilters Guild is to promote quilt-making and foster an appreciation for quilts while enhancing members' knowledge of quilting techniques and history. One of the significant enterprises this year benefits Quilts of Valor® (QOV) which operates in the Mat-Su Borough through two dedicated groups: The Forget-Me-Not Quilters of Alaska and...
Hospice is not a place. And hospice care is not just about those who are dying. Hospice is a comprehensive, compassionate kind of care that focuses on living-hospice is about living as fully as possible, surrounded by family and friends, up until the end of life. Palliative care brings this special philosophy of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness. Did you know that Hospice of Anchorage is a volunteer hospice? Did you know there are three Medicare hospice providers serving...
June is packed with events as Alaskans get the most amount of sunshine of the year this month. The summer solstice is June 20 at 6:41 p.m. Alaska time.. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/anchorage?month=6 You can get out and enjoy the summer through a variety of activities. … An event to bring metaphorical sunshine into your life takes place June 6. The Forget-me-not Chorus, a program of Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, is performing its spring concert at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center Ballroom. Complimentary refreshments will be ser...
When I think of Mother's Day, I think about the woman who always encouraged me to go after what I wanted. My mom believed in education, independence, and making the most of opportunities-values she passed on to me from a young age. So, when her memory started to slip and things became more uncertain, I knew it was my turn to step in. It happened quickly. She had been living in Idaho, and at first the signs were subtle, repeating herself, forgetting details, growing more anxious. Then I got a...
1. Keep a routine. Consistency helps reduce confusion and anxiety. Keep meals, rest, and activities on a regular schedule whenever possible. 2. Simplify the environment. Clear clutter, use labels or photos on drawers and doors, and create calm, easy-to-navigate spaces. 3. Be patient with communication. Speak slowly, use simple sentences, and offer reassurance instead of correction when your loved one is confused or upset. 4. Take care of yourself. You can’t care for someone else if you're running on empty. Make time for breaks, ask for help, a...
My husband Gary had lived in the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home for two years on Memorial Day 2024. I planned to join him as usual to attend the 11 a.m. Memorial Day program. With our grandson sweating away in Army basic training in Fort Moore, Georgia, the holiday had even more significance. During the Sunday sermon the day before, the pastor had brought several interesting things to light about celebrating Memorial Day. Then first thing Monday morning, I found the entry in my daily...
If you are hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” a lot lately, that’s because May brings with it the commencement ceremonies happening at high schools and universities across the state. This month is also a time to reflect on the sacrifice of military personnel killed in battle. Americans also associate Memorial Day weekend with the official start of summer, and that’s no different in Alaska, where you may have noticed scenic byways getting more congested with tourists … Many coastal communities have shorebird festivals, such as the Cooper River Del...
May 1-31 Nationwide Older Americans Month. May 11 Nationwide Mother’s Day. May 3 Anchorage The Anchorage Genealogical Society is having its spring seminar. The AGS will have a slate of speakers with a variety of knowledge about genealogy, including presentations about German and Scottish genealogy, recording your family history on your phone, learning about DNA, the Mayflower Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution. The keynote speaker is Claire Gebben. Gebben is an award-winning author, historian, and genealogist. She is a public s...
In the city of Houston, an innovative program is addressing two critical issues: reducing fire hazards and supporting vulnerable community members. Spearheaded by a creative use of the United States Department of Forestry's Wood Innovations grant, the program has not only mitigated the risk of wildfires but also provided essential firewood to seniors, veterans, and disabled residents. The program's origins stem from a pressing need to address the threat of beetle-killed trees, which pose a...
To help Anchorage residents protect their properties against wildfires, the Mayor’s Office, Anchorage Fire Department Wildfire Division and Solid Waste Services (SWS) are partnering together to open the local wood lots for free to Anchorage residents clearing their properties this spring and summer. From March 29 to Sept. 30, no Anchorage residential loads of woody debris will incur fees. “I live in South Anchorage, so I know firsthand our need to prepare for wildfire risk. People want to take action, and they want to contribute to the effort,...
Shaquil Aribuk was born and raised on the island of Palau, where his childhood was filled with the simple joys of fishing, hunting, and playing basketball. However, the limited opportunities on the island prompted Aribuk to pursue a new life in the United States, where he joined his family in Alaska. Tragedy struck when Aribuk contracted a rare bacterial infection known as necrotizing fasciitis. After suddenly collapsing, he was rushed to the hospital, where he spent 10 days in a coma. When he...
RurAL CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors Program includes the Elder Mentor and Senior Companion Programs, which provide volunteer opportunities for people 55 and better. RurAL CAP partners with schools, Head Starts, local governments, and health agencies to set up volunteers host sites. Volunteers get training, support, and a small stipend as a thank you for I never expected to become an Elder Mentor. One of the teachers at our school called me and asked if I would volunteer. At the time, I wasn't...
Community members are invited to join the Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc., 1301 S. Century Circle. This elegant gathering will raise funds for Meals on Wheels while celebrating mothers and loved ones with an afternoon of tea, delicious treats, and great company. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon! An online auction will run from May 6–10, allowing supporters to bid on unique items and experiences to further benefit WASI’s senior nutrition programs. Tickets for the tea are $...
We were a group of eight ladies sitting in a circle in the living room of the Colony House Museum, gathered for our annual docent meeting in May 2024. The Colony House Museum features all things relating to the 1935 United States government New Deal project that brought 203 families from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to the Matanuska Valley to create an agriculture community. The phone rang during the middle of our brainstorming discussion about how to recruit desperately needed...
It’s springtime. In the Municipality of Anchorage, that means it’s election season. The last day to turn in your mail-in ballot or vote in person is Tuesday, April 1. The municipal election includes the Anchorage Assembly, the school board, and a slew of bond propositions. The Anchorage People Mover is free all day on Election Day … Alaska Pacific University is hosting an outdoor gear swap. The event is Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at APU’s Mosely Sports Center, 4400 University Drive. The sale is a fundraiser for the APU outdoor gea...
The Anchorage Museum will host artworks by famous American artists through a partnership with the National Gallery of Art for the National Gallery’s “Across the Nation” program, which brings key works of art to regional museums across the United States this year and next. Through this loan, the Anchorage Museum will receive three works of art: They are Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Winter Road,” 1963, oil on canvas; Nancy Graves’ “Consequence,” 1982, oil on canvas; and Mark Rothko’s “Untitled,” 1958, oil on canvas. The works are on view April 4, 2025...
For over two decades, Velda Geller has been a cornerstone of the Kenai Senior Center, dedicating her time, energy and heart to improving the lives of seniors in the community. She reminds us just how much you get in return for "giving back." A life of service Her journey with the Kenai Senior Center began nearly 30 years ago around the time she and her husband turned 60. Originally from Kansas, Velda recalls how the senior center became a place of connection and belonging. "When I first came...
As a veteran mental health and addictions counselor in Alaska, you would think Alaskan writer Michael Horton would focus his writing on his work experiences all across the state. Yet the prolific writer has veered far afield to the realms of a series inspired by Biblical characters, a Star Wars themed science fiction series and yes, one novel of Bush teens dealing with life challenges. What comes across in his writings is his close connection to the many people he counseled and his understanding...
Note: The location for this meeting has been changed from what appears in our print edition. The new in-person meeting location is the Division of Personnel Training Room on the 10th floor of the State Office Building in Juneau. The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold a quarterly meeting in Juneau on February 11 and 13. The event will be in-person and online via Zoom, from 8:30 a.m. to noon both days. At this meeting, commission members hear reports from ACoA commissioners, ACoA staff, and Senior and Disabilities Services. Revision of and...
Nestled in the heart of Kotzebue, Utuqqanaat Inaat, Maniilaq's Long-Term Care Facility, is more than just a care center for elders. It is a home, a family and a community where love, connection and cultural tradition thrive. A home-like environment At Maniilaq, the focus is on creating a true home for the residents. "We try to make it as comfortable and familiar as possible," a staff member shared. Each resident has a shadow box outside their room, filled with personal mementos, photos,and...
In September 2021, Kawerak Inc. was awarded $3.8 million in funding for Project Regional Educational Model for Online Technology Engagement from the Dept. of Education, Alaska Native Education Program (REMOTE). Project REMOTE's goal was to increase online learning opportunities over three years for 555 Alaska Native learners in the Bering Strait Region. Project REMOTE successfully advanced remote learning capacity by reducing the technology access gap for Alaska Native residents in the Bering...
Valdez, Alaska is a lucky town to be blessed with so many artists. There is something about the mountains that seem to draw them in. Kevin and Kris Reeves are two such artists. Kevin is a poet, writer and painter. Kris created wonderful handcrafted paper cards. As fate would have it, Kris fell ill and her time on earth was cut short. Kevin has been learning to live on and decided to share his experience in a book, "Now and Ever, Dear Kristine". In December, Kevin was invited to the Valdez...
Every senior deserves dignity, respect and a voice. In long-term care facilities across Alaska, residents need dedicated advocates like you to ensure their rights are protected and their voices are heard. As a Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer, you'll build meaningful connections with seniors while serving as their advocate in assisted living homes and nursing facilities. We provide thorough training and ongoing support - your compassionate heart and willingness to serve are all you need to...
