June 2025 Edition
June 2025 Edition
Assistive Technology of Alaska is celebrating World Assistive Technology Day on June 4. There is a virtual expo on emerging assistive technology from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by an in-person open house at ATLA from 1 to 4 p.m. Schedule 9–10 a.m. Emerging Tech: Assistive technology for employment 10 –11 a.m. Emerging Tech: Assistive technology for community living 11 a.m.–12 noon Emerging Tech: Assistive technology for education 1–4 p.m. In-person open house at ATLA, 1500 W 33rd Ave...
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), observed annually on June 15, is a critical opportunity for Alaskans to reflect on the safety and dignity of our rapidly growing senior population. With more than 160,000 Alaskans now aged 60 and older—representing nearly 22% of the state’s population—the risk of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation is rising in step with demographic changes. Older adults in Alaska face unique vulnerabilities, especially in rural communities. People may be...
Laura Long is one of just a handful of dedicated senior companion volunteers across Alaska. She gives her time, energy, and heart to support older adults in her community. Since October 2024, Long has served as part of RurAL CAP's AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program, where her passion for culture, connection, and care is helping reawaken a sense of togetherness among Elders in St. Mary's. "My community needs more activities for Elders, and I want to make that happen as a Senior Companion...
Three years ago this month, I finally planted my black currant berry patch -a total of 14 plants-along the sloping edge of my year-old lawn. It was such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment to complete a project that was 10 years in the making. Normally, to develop a successful berry patch, a person would identify a location and prepare the ground before or at least at the same time as acquiring the berry plants, but not me. Those kinds of considerations rarely seem to come together for my...
June 1 Nationwide National Cancer Survivors Day. June 1 Palmer Stallions of the North. A parade of stallions that live in Alaska. This free event begins at 12 noon. https://www.alaskastatefair.org/site/stallions-of-the-north/ June 3 Statewide The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is having a webinar titled “Warming things up with plastic, glass and plastic mulch” 5:30-6:30 p.m. These gardening classes started in April, but there are still some left in June. Join...
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...
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...
Anchorage bird feeders came down this April heavy with uneaten seed and unresolved questions. Throughout the winter, local birdwatchers remarked on the absence of small passerines-an order of perching birds that includes more than half the world's avian species. Where were the redpolls, the pine grosbeaks, and white-winged crossbills? Last year these birds mobbed feeders and fir trees across the city. How could the flocks vanish like so many melting snowflakes? Science offers important clues....
Wildland fire danger is growing across Alaska. A warm and dry winter has put fire officials on high alert and prompted residents in zones where wildland meets urban development to take precautions. "The wilderness surrounding us presents a significant fire risk," said Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance at a recent town hall about fire prevention efforts across the Municipality. "Our beautiful green spaces, while cherished, also mean that the risk of fire is ever present, even in our urban core....
David Washburn received the 2025 Ron Hammett Award from the Municipality of Anchorage Senior Citizens Advisory Commission on May 7. Washburn, the long-serving editor of the Senior Voice who retired in March, was singled out for his service over the course of a three-decade career at the Senior Voice. The award was presented during Older Americans Month in May. "My community work has been your community work," Washburn said in receiving the award at the Anchorage Senior Activities Center. In...
Q: I recently watched the documentary “The 90s Club,” where individuals in their 90s share their perspectives on life, love, loss, and the search for meaning. This deeply resonated with me and sparked reflections about my own future. Some days, it is challenging to remain optimistic, especially when I find myself surrounded by constant reminders of farewells and funerals. I'm seeking ways to shift my perspective and find hope amid grief. How can I develop a more positive outlook? A: One...
Preventive health care is care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. Medicare covers many preventive health care services, including routine vaccines. Today I will discuss how the different parts of Medicare cover vaccines, along with some important notes about a few common vaccines. Point 1: Understand that most vaccines are covered by Medicare Part D If your provider recommends that you get a vaccine, in most cases this service will be covered by...
I am a Certified Medicare Counselor working under SHIP. My office is in the Soldotna Senior Center, and I serve the state via phone. If you are local, I can help you as a walk-in. I am here Mondays through Thursday, 8 am to 3:30 pm. Call with your Medicare questions,...
Even though muscle is heavier than fat, and exercise greatly stimulates appetite, no health improvement or weight loss program will ultimately succeed without focused toning. This is because muscle is highly metabolically active tissue and uses up close to 80% of our glucose requirements. In general, I favor low carb (and no refined carb) diets, especially for blood type O and B. A blood types would ideally choose a pesco-ovo vegetarian diet (avoiding red meat and heavy dairy products). But we all like to have a treat now and then—right?...
Technology use among older adults appears to benefit cognitive health rather than harm it, according to a large-scale meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour, a monthly multidisciplinary online-only peer-reviewed scientific journal. The study, which examined data from more than 411,000 adults ages 50 and older, found that engaging with digital devices may actually help protect against cognitive decline and dementia. “The generation that brought us the digital revolution is now...
Only a four-mile drive to Homer enters you into a world of birds. At the Inspiration Ridge Preserve, walk through forests, bogs, meadows, ponds, and creeks, all part of the 693 acres of critical wildlife habitat best known for its visiting summer population of sandhill cranes. The legacy stewardship of the property of Nina Faust and the late Ed Bailey is continued by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, which offers guided tours. The 1.5-hour tour covers about two miles at a leisurely pace...
Mount Gordon Lyon is in the Chugach Mountains about 14 miles northeast of Anchorage. You can see it with the naked eye. Look closer. See the steeply ascending slash across the entire mountain, from the bottom left to the top right? That is the road to the top. Very narrow, a largely useless guardrail when there is one at all, not for the squeamish. It leads to where they stationed the nuclear weapons. Perched on the very top of the mountain, also visible to the naked eye, are two white domes,...
