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Tesla, Age 6
David, Age 7
Shammah, Age 10
Aliyah, Age 11
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Coloring Page
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Arts
Contributed by Charice Chambers
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Penny Herndon is an accomplished bead artist. Her work has been described as some of the best in the state. Her projects include both traditional and contemporary pieces and beading styles. As a Russian Aleut, Herndon is a registered Silver Hand Artist. The program, created by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, is designed to help native artists promote their work. The Silver Hand decal attached to art guarantees that the piece is original contemporary and traditional Alaska Native artwork. Silver Hand art is never a reproduction nor is it manufactured. Each piece is an original item produced by an Alaska native artist. Herndon is very proud to have that status. It all began with her mother, Barbara Redmond. She was born in a small shack in Ninilchik, the only girl in a large fishing family. At the age of three, her mother died. She was sent to the Jesse Lee Home, where she remained until the age of thirteen. The home was closed at that time.
World War II had started, so that the space was needed to house troops. Redmond was sent to Palmer where she eventually married and had five children. It wasn’t until many years later that she discovered her past and reconnected with members of her family. According to Herndon, her mother could do anything, and was never afraid to try something new. She approached life with gusto and imbued a sense of strength and independence in all of her children. Redmond is Herndon’s heroine. She is also the reason Herndon began beading. At fifty-five, soon after her retirement, Herndon’s mother dragged her to South Central Foundation in Anchorage. There, native ladies gathered to work on all types of contemporary and traditional arts and crafts. With their tutelage, Herndon was soon beading with the best of them. For many years Herndon had loved sewing. She began making her own clothing in elementary school. She
soaked up all the sewing instruction offered through home economics classes throughout high school. She added quilting and many handcrafts to her reparatory as well. At South Central Foundation, she talked administration into purchasing a group of sewing machines, and she taught the ladies to quilt. It was a wonderful experience of both giving and receiving for all involved.
Herndon’s lotus pouch necklaces must
be seen to be appreciated. Crafted of soft suede leather, and festooned with beadwork, each pouch opens revealing the interior of a lotus blossom, a perfect storage space for something small and very special. Many of her beaded necklaces feature pressed glass pendants, each a unique product of this multifaceted artist. Herndon has not left her love of fabric crafting behind. She still produces a large variety of quilted table runners, seasonal placemat sets, shopping and fashion bags in several styles, doublesided embroidered aprons, and a variety of embroidered tea towels. Her many fiber arts are on display at the Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop located in the Palmer Senior Center building at 1132 S. Chugach Street in Palmer. We invite you to follow us on Facebook, check us out at www.matsuseniors.com, contact us at giftshop@ matsuseniors.com, or give us a call at 907 745-5454 to make one or more of these items your own!
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As a Silver Hand artist, Herndon has a huge collection of beaded earrings. With over 1000 on hand at any time, she has produces flowers, angels, birds, traditional and abstract patterns, and an incredible variety of holiday related designs. She also creates a variety of beaded medicine pouch necklaces that employ small antique gold beads as well as Swarovski crystals. Using this type of bead, though expensive, creates sparkling iridescent art pieces. Both pouch and necklace “chain” are fully beaded.
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Arts
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Community
Contributed by Sam Dinges EVENT: Beyond the Classroom Student Art Exhibit Stop by the Palmer Museum to check out our Beyond the Classroom display. Each year, we feature the work of high school student artists from around the valley. Students are encouraged to submit one piece of art for display, as well as an artist statement and description of the piece. We display their work, and our Art Committee at the museum provides juried feedback to each student. Two students are selected to receive a scholarship for best achievement. This year, we are proud to offer two $1,000 scholarships, and will be making a small donation to each participating art department.
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This is our largest Beyond the Classroom display yet, with thirty one pieces on display from six schools: Palmer High School, Colony High School, Wasilla High School, Mat-Su Central School, Mat-Su Career Tech, and Mat-Su Middle College. We are able to offer two scholarships this year courtesy of sponsorship from Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union! We appreciate MVFCU helping to change the lives of young artists looking to advance their education. You can view Beyond the Classroom in person at the Palmer Museum and Visitor Center, or on our website at www. palmermuseum.org. In four years of putting on this display, these are some of my very favorite selections. I do not get to pick the scholarship recipients, and I am glad I do not have to choose this year. There is so much talent here from our young people.
EVENT: Palmer Sip & Shop Join us for a night of wine, shopping, and celebration in downtown Palmer! The Palmer Museum is putting on our inaugural Palmer Sip & Shop winter fundraiser. This is a perfect excuse to get out and have fun while we wait for the daylight to return and support your local museum and small businesses all in one! WHEN Sip wine and shop local at five Palmer boutiques from 5p to 8p on Friday, February 25th. WHERE Check in will be at the Palmer Depot, and tasting will be held at Peak Boutique, Northern Lilly, NonEssentials, Whimsy Gift Shoppe, and Cobb Street Market - all right in downtown Palmer. WHAT Sample a dozen wines at five different downtown retail stops, open exclusively to just 200 ticketed participants. Your ticket gets you eight 2 oz pours, free snacks, and access to the event. We will also have 50/50, a silent auction at check in, and fun events and activities along the way. HOW Tickets are available to Museum Members starting SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 2021. Tickets are available to Nonmembers starting TUESDAY, JANUARY 4th, 2022. Tickets are $60. Museum Members receive a special rate of $50 for their first four ticket purchases. You can get your tickets in person at the museum or over the phone at 907-746-7668.
WHY This is a FUNdraiser for the Palmer Museum, and a great way to support your local small businesses in one of the slower months of the year. Not to mention a fantastic cabin fever reliever or post Valentine’s Day gift. As a bonus, we are participating in in the Palmer Chamber’s Shop Palmer program! These tickets will fill up those
Shop Palmer cards fast, giving you a chance to win a weekly prize of $500 in Bingles or the grand prize of $1,000! Best, Sam Dinges Executive Director Palmer Museum and Visitor Center www.palmermuseum.org
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SIP WINE AND SHOP LOCAL AT FIVE PALMER BOUTIQUES FROM 5P TO 8P ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH. CHECK IN WILL BE AT THE PALMER DEPOT, AND TASTING WILL BE HELD AT PEAK BOUTIQUE, NORTHERN LILLY, NONESSENTIALS, WHIMSY GIFT SHOPPE, AND COBB STREET MARKET ALL RIGHT IN DOWNTOWN PALMER WWW.PALMERMUSEUM.ORG
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Community
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Arts
Contributed by Felicia Desimini Does art stir your soul? Has your art been sitting on the back burner or needing a little guidance? If so, the MatSu College Art Department has just what you need! Come and explore art and improve your art-making skills with us. Are your paintings not catching your audience’s interest?’ If that’s the case, perhaps a beginning painting and/ or a beginning drawing class can help sharpen your technique, help define your work’s perspective and value and put some ‘POP’ in your style! Are your skills in painting and drawing good - but something still feels off? Perhaps our Color Design course is just the course for you! Color Design is a great course for anyone who doesn’t understand how colors react with and entice your audience. In 15 weeks, if you apply yourself, you will learn this life-time skill for artists - color mixing. Our Beginning and Intermediate Drawing courses promise artists the opportunity to further their development and growth. How do you turn a good drawing or painting into an exhibition-ready work of art? Knowing how to draw well is a time-honored shortcut for this endeavor.
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If Music strikes a chord with you, or if you think Broadway is calling, MatSu College offers 3 courses in these disciplines during the spring semester. Music and theater are fundamental - the Greeks used music as the framework for the educational system - and we all know about the great Greek myths and their playwrights. Does learning a bit about visual culture interest you? It is everywhere, influencing (almost) everything we think, do, and say. For this reason, an Art Appreciation course will help you
navigate the art world, from prehistory to Banksy and the Global Art Market. Want to delve even deeper into the History of Art? Or even, perhaps learn the significance of and how we have been influenced by cave paintings and the arts and artists of the 13th Century? Then the college’s offering of Western Art History I (from prehistory to the proto-Renaissance) is just the course for you. If you are more interested in how art evolved after during and after the Renaissance, then Western Art History II is right up your alley! For a complete list of courses or if you have any questions, please contact Felicia Desimini at fdesimini@alaska. edu or by telephone (907) 745-9755. Seasoned artists continue their studies - forging ahead, working day to day to add new tricks and techniques to their skill sets. A pandemic is the perfect time to hone your skills. Apply yourself to art studies at MatSu College during the spring semester. Don’t sit still! Think about and Make Art. You’ll be glad you did. See you in the spring!
Contributed by Sally Ontiveros National best-selling children’s book author honored with exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum! Jan Brett, celebrated American author and illustrator, was honored last month in an exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. With over forty-one million books in print, Brett is one of the nation’s most iconic children’s book authors with titles like “The Mitten,” “Cozy,” and her latest charttopping best-seller “The Nutcracker.” Brett’s long-standing career has resulted in twenty-six original stories,
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Literature many of which have been recognized and awarded for their unique illustrative style and imaginative storylines. Her book “Cozy,” released in 2020, is a heartwarming story about the softest musk ox in all of Alaska. He becomes separated from his family and begins to feel lonely, that is, until he is joined by new friends who begin to live in Cozy’s fur to stay warm during the long Alaskan winter. “Cozy” was well received nationwide and was listed as one of The New York Times best-selling children’s books. In-
fluenced by her worldly travels, Brett’s conception of “Cozy” was no exception. When her daughter moved to Alaska, she visited The Musk Ox Farm and told her mother stories of the majestic creatures known as musk oxen. A longtime lover of arctic animals, the story of Cozy the musk ox was inspired by Brett’s fascination with musk oxen after traveling to Alaska to visit her daughter for the first time. Brett was enamored with the quaint farm tucked away in the beautiful MatanuskaSusitna Valley and returned to conduct
research for her new book idea. Since then, Jan has visited the farm many times, and is considered the #1 fan and friend to the resident herd of over 80 musk oxen. She even has a favorite musk ox, Teal, whom she has adopted and visits as often as she can. Brett is currently planning a trip to the farm on December 18th for a “Cozy” book signing and meet-and-greet event at The Musk Ox Farm. Fireside Books of Palmer will also be present selling beloved titles from this acclaimed author. This is a great chance to complete your Jan Brett Collection, and have them signed too! For more information on the event, visit www.muskoxfarm.org/janbrett-cozy
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Poetry & Prose Contributed by Katherine Baker Standing before the world as free, our USA still yearns to be. Let US-search our hearts & minds, and recognize what’s good & kind. Let US-believe in love & peace, and live our lives to increase each. Let US-truly accept others, with respect for one another. Let US-when in earthly sorrow, seize a moment of tomorrow. Let US-willingly lend our hands, to harvest all the good we can. Let US-persistently endure, every trouble has a cure. Let US-accomplish beyond odds, ignoring nays, believing nods. Let US-have faith instead of doubt, providing calm to all about.
Contributed By Yvonne Moss This winter That’s made itself known, With record low temps The wind, in has blown. The taming Of clime in Alaska today, With below zero digits, We hope it won’t stay! The lasting Of chill, seemed wanting to stay And sunlight that wanes, Cause its departure, delay. With luck I stay warm in a cozy dwelling, Safe and inside where my heart, It is knelling.
Let US-smile & cheerfully do, too serious is always blue. Under God-join together so, differences no longer grow. Together, in effort, is best, united grants a future blessed.
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No identity crisis here, many nations, one diverse sphere.
Contributed by Karly O’Loughlin
Contributed by Katherine Baker Our democracy sealed inside, the law which protects all & guides, source of greatness & liberty, observance of the lands’ decrees, lasting honor of all who serve, their contribution, our preserve.
Love always held her like roots to a tree And she burrowed right in Losing all her senses in the richness of the soil But this love, this love sets her free And she finds herself awakening to her surroundings; Eyes bright and wet Sitting up amongst the dampness of the fallen leaves The pearly soles of her feet stained with dirt And her stomach bloated with acuity It is here at loves base, She will gather her self Sifting the earth through her fingers as she rises, Pressing it between her toes as she walks on through the starry forest Stripping the bark from her skin until she is smooth and raw A child of wonder and translucence Full on the stars and quenched by the moon, Wildly unashamed of the pain sliding off her like raindrops Or the worms crawling out of her ears as she sheds layers of dirt and grime; For she is no longer fed upon and sucked out of her shell, She is neither of the earth nor the sky, But a pearly teardrop on the face of the evening sun; A moonmelt falling off into the velvet darkness
Contributed by Charles Dean Walker The next afternoon was eventful for all involved with Bagels. First he played his heart out, then peacefully slept, while Jackson went off adventuring. As child often times do. The innocence of a boy walking on his own, triggered the rest of the day. Parents shouldn’t let their kids play in the woods alone! When Bagels awoke from his nap, he searched for Jackson, sniffing his sent. The smell of sweat and sandwiches were profound on him. Mostly cause dad can’t cook, but also the running around too. “ Oh shit!”, Bagels thought. As he reached the woods near town. He wasn’t prepared. Why can’t he ever be prepared? Fate is cruel to the vengeful it seems. Running home to see if the parents noticed their child gone, his heart beat fast like a drum. It didn’t take him long to get home, his legs shook nervously. His ear picked up the worries of mom, and the counseling of dad. Bagels had no choice now to gather Chase and Nite, perhaps even Nathan and Marilyn too. The more allies the better. His head pointed to the ground, taking a deep sniff, catching the sent of Marilyn. He bolted! The world around him melted into colors and shades to his eyes. Making his own wind with the otherwise still air. “Why?”,He thought. Howling
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Creative Writing and barking he called out with every tireless step. He’d gotten closer to Nite and Chase sitting at their spot from yesterday. Bagels leapt into a flight on to Chase’s leg, startling both him and the bird. The barking was ceaseless, but still was clear for both of them. “ Help! Jackson is gone! I think he’s in the woods near here!”, Bagels barked. As they’d got up, Bagels again bolted. His nose caught the scent of Nathan, a light flower cologne. The trail of his smell tailed off down east of the church, where another assortment of shops resided. A particular shop was of such success that it was as big as a mansion! It belonged to a friend of Bird’s friend in Spark. It had a light pleasant purple painted wall with a complimentary creamy orange. The ground was around this whole area was a tan flatland. Inside were Marilyn and Nathan, just looking around at the shop’s assortment of merchandise. It was as big inside as was out, though the colors were inverted now, with a dark yellow flooring. The checkout desk, was more like a huge bar table. It was polished dark brown wood, the lights attached to the roof shown their glare. A thin woman wearing a peculiar set of clothes from Spark, stood watching the two. They finally went to look at her. Wondering what she’d been wearing. First the obvious was a name tag that
read “ Graceland”, but then it was new. It was grey metallic like fabric, with lime green LED lights, that webbed the whole set. “ Where did you get those?”, Marilyn asked. Graceland sneered at her with her deep brown eyes. “ Are you going to buy anything?”, She said. Marilyn disliked the sneering and rude tone. Still, she’d have to confess they’d been there awhile. “No, we just wanted to look around.” She said back. “Then leave! I’ve no time for chitchat, nor patience for loitering.” She said. Her face was reddened from held back anger. Nathan was ready to leave now, no sense in staying. Marilyn also red from her held back mood, decided to just follow. Why waste time on a sour person? Back outside, they saw Bagels bolting towards them. Baying was heard louder the closer he got. They were puzzled as to why Jackson wasn’t with him. Once the dog leapt in the air at Marilyn, the final bugle of a bay hurt both their ears. Given the moment, they read the dog like a book, Jackson is missing. Soon after while following the dog, they met up with Chase and his owl. Who’d also been after the beagle. It was then that Beagles stopped a moment to breathe. His body was rooted to the earth from his exercise. Heavy panting from his mouth was heard from all the ears of his crowd. A circle of eyes watched the poor thing,
until a final deep nastily breath was pushed out. “ What’s going on with him?” Asked Marilyn. She knelt to pet him. Bagels licked her hand thankfully. “ I wish I knew.” Said Nathan. Nite put his beak near Chase’s ear with a wing up, to hide his face. “ His human Jackson is off in the woods!” Nite said. Chase looked serious at both of them. “ I think Jackson ran off somewhere!” He said. Marilyn was helped up by Nathan. She brushed the dirt off of her. Then looked at Chase. “I want to help, what should we do?” She said. Bagels was back up again, walking away from them towards the woods. “Just follow the hound.” Said Chase and Nathan. Dust puffed like a furious storm from Bagels. The howling began like a battle cry. Neighbors started to yell while they all raced. They ignored it, it all felt like a petty waste of time when Jackson was gone. By time they reached the woods they’d stopped with heavy lungs. Though the sun was still out, the many trees, bushes, and fallen foliage, made a darkness. It was a grey with a hint of blue. Perhaps, to an adventurous child, this wasn’t a problem. However, if his parents knew he’d been near, they’d kept him out. A chilled spine was the feeling felt by all here. “ It’s so dark!” Marilyn said. She stepped back to be away from the entrance. She’d looked about herself to see the look at the others. Nothing but plain faces. Beagles slowly entered, to both get a good scent, and not lose his friends.
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Literature Contributed by Sharon Aubrey November saw the launch of a new children’s book designed to help kids understand identity stems not from your age but from your position in Christ. God has a wonderful purpose for your life, and it starts when you are young like it did with a little shepherd boy named David who later became king. Written by Florida resident, JerriAnn Webb, The King in You, A Children’s Story of Purpose Told Through the Life of King David was published by Relevant Publishers LLC, in Sutton, Alaska. Ms. Webb holds degrees in English, Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy. JerriAnn encourages children to see God’s anointing on their lives from childhood and walk with courage and faith through the dark seasons of life until the season of blessing flows. Seasons of blessings will eventually come and outshine past difficulties, just like they did for King David.
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Initial reviews of The King In You have been wonderfully positive, includ-
ing one by local Wasilla pastor, Joe Munday. Pastor Joe has over 48 years of biblical experience and stated, “I found this story to be Biblically correct, touching the heart, and motivating children to love God and find their purpose in life. A very positive approach to the Gospel of Christ.” Vanessa Reinhardt, a homeschool mother of three and reading coach in Wasilla, agreed, “this story can be appreciated by all ages. I would have appreciated using this beautiful book as a part of our homeschool Bible curriculum with my younger students.” The King In You is available in softback and electronic formats and can be ordered from most local book retailers and online via Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon or through the Relevant Publishers’ online store at www.relevantpublishers.com/store.html Relevant Publishers LLC is a multiaward winning publishing company based in Alaska. ISBN 978-1953263001 Paperback, $15.99, ISBN 978-1953263018 Ebook, $9.99