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For the first time ever, the Light the World Giving Machine is coming to Alaska. Disguised as a vending machine, it dispenses cheer by simply choosing one of the local non-profit organizations in the machine and depositing money. Actually, there will be two machines. "In case one goes down, you know electronics, and it can allow two people to donate at the same time. The lines can get long," said Fairbanks Senior Center Co-Director Angela Jones. This year for the 2024 holiday season, there will...
The Alaska Commission on Aging with hold a quarterly meeting on Dec. 4, via Zoom and by teleconference, starting at 9 a.m., breaking for an hour at noon, and resuming from 1 to 4 p.m. At the meetings, commission members review policy and activities regarding senior housing, transportation, health care and other topics, with reports and input from representatives from agencies and organizations serving seniors and their families and caregivers. There will be a public comment period at 1:10 p.m., allowing for feedback from individuals and...
Veterans and their families in the Mat-Su Valley will have the opportunity to connect with valuable resources and support services at the third annual Mat-Su Veterans Resource Fair. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, the event will be held at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. The fair, which has grown to become an essential event for local veterans, will feature upward of 50 organizations offering information, resources and guidance across a wide range of topics. Attendees are invited to explore the fair, speak with...
Mollie Walsh made a name for herself among the prospectors who flooded north during the Klondike Gold Rush. Her "grub tent" was a welcome sight to many miners who climbed the White Pass Trail in the late 1890s. One man carried such affection for her that he created a memorial that still stands today in the little town of Skagway. Born Mary Walsh in 1869 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Irish lass and her laundry worker friend Maggie Allen packed their bags and headed north on board the Bristol in...
The Social Security Administration is hosting a webinar through Microsoft Teams on Dec. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Nathan Cole will lead the workshop, “Social Security 101,” to explain Social Security benefits and eligibility. The webinar is free but registration is required. Register online at https://bit.ly/3CCUboo or scan the QR code to be directed to the site. Local offices emphasize appointment-based services The Social Security Administration (SSA) is expanding appointment-based services at its loc...
A unique program is underway in Fairbanks in which local police officers are learning to make beaver hats from Native elders, while learning about Native traditions and cultures. Hosted by the Interior regional non-profit elder organization Denakkanaaga, the sewing sessions are held over several weeks, with the result being a warm hat the officers can wear while on duty in the winter. Four officers are paired with four elders to make the hats in each session. This is the second round of the prog...
In a town not much different from the one where they both grew up, orthopedic surgeon and husband Henry Krull alongside his wife, entrepreneur and visionary Mary Krull, have embarked on a mission to bring fresh food, renewable energy and a unique experience to Soldotna, and all of Alaska. Including the talents of their adult children, the Krulls have turned Whistle Hill into a thriving hub for locals and visitors alike, with a combination of innovative farming, dining experiences, local art,...
It is late August and despite the nip in the air as fall descends on Interior Alaska, 56 elders and emerging elders eagerly gathered to learn and share their traditional Native activities at the third Denakkanaaga Elders Mentoring Elders Cultural Camp. Held at the scenic Howard Luke Gaalee'ya Spirit Camp on the Tanana River, the elders joined together to celebrate Native traditions, values, stories and skills. "The camp is an opportunity to support elders who were disconnected from their...
It could be said that I owe my existence to square dancing. My parents met at a square dance in the basement of the Seward Methodist Church in the early 1950s. Dad grew up on a ranch in Montana and came to Alaska for adventure and work. Mom grew up in a Pennsylvania town and came to Alaska as a missionary nurse. They married in 1954 and lived in Seward, Anchorage and Cooper Landing before moving their growing family of four children (I'm the oldest) to Glennallen in January 1963. Glennallen did...
The Elder Mentor Program, part of RurAl CAP's AmeriCorps Seniors Program, serves children across Alaska in pre-K and school settings. Elder Mentors, age 55 and older, volunteer to support school readiness and academic engagement as mentors and culture bearers. They receive training, support and a small stipend for their service. John Borromeo has been part of the Elder Mentor program since 2022 and volunteers at the Pilot Station school with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Last...
The Anchorage Museum Atwood Resource Center has been working to identify individuals, places, natural features, and elements of the built environment in historic photographs of rural Alaska villages. In support of this project, the museum hosts a booth at the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) annual convention and attendees are invited to stop by and help identify any unknown people, places, or features in the historic photographs from the Anchorage Museum collection. The booth will be located...
The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHF) has announced its 2024 inductees, recognizing ten remarkable women who have made significant contributions to their communities, professions, and the state. The honorees will be celebrated at a virtual induction ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. The event will be broadcast live on the AWHF website, providing a platform for the inductees to share their inspiring stories. This year’s inductees include a diverse group of women whose achievements span various fields, from science and education to hea...
In the heart of Alaska, Karen Eddy, the director of Community Services for the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA), has dedicated nearly a decade to championing elder justice. A retired educator originally from Sitka, Karen's journey is one marked by a deep commitment to her community and heritage. Her Native name is Sh'tanaax, such an old name it doesn't have a meaning anymore. Karen's ancestral ties are to the Taku River. She embodies a profound respect for cultural traditions and elder...
For the last two years, the Age-Friendly Anchorage team-comprised of AARP Alaska volunteers, community partners and Anchorage community leaders-has been collecting input from the community on ideas for actions that would make Anchorage a more age-friendly place to live. While working to collect community input, the Age-Friendly Anchorage team conducted several walk audits to learn more about potential improvements for pedestrian safety in several areas of concern in the city. One of these walk...
Reverend Doctor Chief Anna Frank is a name synonymous with unwavering dedication to her community. At 82, she continues to inspire and lead, drawing on decades of experience as a health educator, community leader and spiritual guide. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring importance of cultural traditions. Born and raised in Old Minto, Alaska, Anna Frank's journey began in a small village where she was deeply influenced by her aunt, the first...
The "pop" of the lids on the jars as I lifted them out of the pressure cooker was music to my ears. It's always a relief to know that the last of the many steps to "canning" my bone broth is successful. Although if one or two jars don't seal, it really is no big deal. I just use them first or freeze them until needed. Ten pint jars of caribou bone broth stood cooling on the counter in August 2020. Making and canning bone broth is a rather new endeavor for me. Bone broth came to my attention...
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor a free fall lecture series featuring talks on diverse topics, ranging from Tlingit property law and Indigenous knowledge and art to the history of glacial movements in Southeast Alaska. The lectures will be held at the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau and live streamed on SHI’s YouTube channel at noon Alaska time. Recordings of the talks will be saved to the institute’s channel immediately after. The lecture series schedule for September: Sept. 4 Our Submerged Past: Exploring Inundated Late Ple...
I'm a fabriholic. I admit it. But I'm not alone. I buy fabric, allegedly to make quilts. But I would have to live to be 300 to use all the fabric I have. And I'm certainly not alone: According to the latest data, there are 22 million quilters in the U.S. and that number is growing by about 4% per year. The average age of a quilter is 63-about 65% are older than 45. And since most of them have been quilting for a while, their fabric collection-known as a "stash"-is now worth nearly $6,000. What...
In 2009, Agnes Sweetsir noticed that the Yukon Koyukuk Elder Assisted Living Facility (YKEALF) in Galena was empty. "It just sat and sat," she recalls. "I lived right down the street and was embarrassed. It was just a monster of a building." Agnes prayed on it. "I figured I could help get it up and running for a few months, but I didn't realize we needed an administrator." She took on the role. "I worked 60 to 80 hours a week for $25,000 a year. Charlie Green was our maintenance manager-same pay...
The dictionary defines a prospector as one who searches or explores. Members of the Alaskan Prospector's Society (APS) are continually prospecting for fun and knowledge about the great state of Alaska. The celebrates its 80th birthday this August. According to the organization's website, APS organized in June of 1944 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, now Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. APS was a spinoff from a popular course titled "Short Course in Mining," at the University of Alaska's extension...
Sassa Alexandria Dunn was born October of 1933 and given the Yupi'k name Amarchuli by her mom, Nanny Franklin, and dad, George Andrew. When she was just three years old Sassa's mom passed away and she was raised by her grandma. Sassa remembers having a beautiful childhood filled with laughter, stories and family. Her favorite memories are from her time at fish camp on the Igushik River. When Sassa was old enough, she moved to Naknek to work. where she made 50 cents per week washing dishes for a...
The "Eyes of Freedom" memorial exhibit, featuring the poignant "Silent Battle" sculpture, will visit Anchorage in July 2024 to honor the memory of Lance Cpl Grant Fraser, a fallen Marine of the Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion. He was from Anchorage. This exhibit, which travels nationwide to honor fallen military personnel, will be displayed at three Anchorage locations: July 20-21 Arctic Thunder Open House, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The exhibit will be accessible...
July is peak season for festivals around Alaska. Here are some highlights: Chugiak/Eagle River Bear Paw Festival, July 10-14. Free. Grand parade, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Human Foosball Tournament, community service awards, classic car show, music, vendors, much more. www.bearpawfestival.com Girdwood Forest Fair, July 5-7. Free. A family fair that features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods, and entertainers from all over Alaska. https://girdwoodforestfair.com/ Homer Peony...
The twists and turns of everyday life can sometimes take a toll on families and individuals residing in the Mat-Su Valley, unexpectedly and through no fault of their own. Just paying the bills to keep utilities on and prevent eviction can become a serious challenge at times. But there is a program in the Valley that can provide financial housing assistance during those low times. Since 2012, the primary purpose of Valley Charities, Inc. (VCI's) Housing Assistance Program (HAP) has been to help f...
