Alaskan Prospector's Society members gather for a photo at the El Cap Cave hike trailhead on Prince of Wales Island in May, 2022.
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 service. With so much interest in the course, APS was formed to capitalize on what was learned, with its first objective searching for minerals.
As the social aspect expanded, parties, picnics, hikes and other outings were included in the schedule.
New members and new interests changed the APS's purpose and resulted in the motto, "To See and Know Alaska." The organization's Constitution was changed in 1961 to reflect the greater interest in social gatherings, travel type programs and trips designed to give meaning to the APS motto.
Alaskan Prospector's Society meetings are at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the First United Methodist Church, 725 W. 9th Avenue in Anchorage. Come early from 6:30 to 7 p.m. for snacks and socializing. Guests are always welcome.
Programs are presented at each meeting.
"After the interest in mining petered out, it became a group of over-50-year-olds who are like sponges soaking up new information," said Rosie Stauffer, APS program director.
"They're so intelligent and ask great questions at the end of the presentations."
The membership requirement is unusual in that one need only attend three meetings and sign the attendance roster-need not be consecutive meetings-or present a program.
Stauffer's goal is to invite presenters who "think out of the box," like the upcoming lecture by Mr. Whitekeys in September on "The Voyage of the Alaska Union," that he describes as the telling of an untold gold rush story.
"He will be a great draw," Stauffer said.
There are no dues and once a member, always a member, resulting in over 8,000 present or past members scattered all over the United States.
In the past, some trips went by charter planes to remote villages with arrangements made to sleep in sleeping bags on floors of armories, school, community centers and churches, with those going taking their own food.
Last summer, the group traveled to Port Allsworth in Lake Clark National Park, spent a weekend in Skagway, took the train to Seward on the Fourth of July for the Mount Marathon race, spent five days exploring Nome and the surrounding area, rode the Whistle Stop train to Hurricane Gulch and back, and held the Goodbye to Summer picnic and the annual Christmas Party.
Upcoming programs
Aug. 6, "Last Frontier Flight Mission" with APS Board President Karla Shaw. The intent of the mission is to celebrate Alaska's Veterans with a trip to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honoring their services and sacrifices. The trip is currently available to those who served during the period from WWII through Vietnam, including the Alaskan Territorial Guard. These trips are without cost to the Veteran and are funded entirely by individuals and corporate sponsors.
Aug. 20, world traveler of 99 countries Tam Agosti-Gisler presents "Giving Your Time, Talent and Treasure as You Travel." Tam has been in Alaska since 1959. Retired from her career as an educator, educational non-profit director and school board member, service remains her passion along with travel. She tries to combine the two by doing service projects in other countries and will offer some tips on how you can do the same. Her most recent trip brought her country count to 99 and she's currently contemplating what country will be her 100th. She will talk about the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka.
Aug. 27, the 80th birthday celebration of the founding of APS. This will take place at Coast Inn on Lake Hood. Happy hour begins at 5 p.m. with a dinner at 6 p.m. and entertainment to follow. Tickets are on sale until Aug. 20-none will be sold at the door. Price is $40 each with $10 refunded to those attending.
Sept. 17, "The Voyage of the Alaska Union." Renowned Mr. Whitekeys of the "Whale Fat Follies" and "Christmas in Spenard," will be telling this untold gold rush story.
For more information go to https://alaskanprospectorssociety.org or email alaskan.prospectors.society@gmail.com. Or call Rosie Stauffer, 907-301-7029.
