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Caleb, Age 4
Milana, Age 6
David, Age 7
Shammah, Age 10
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Coloring Page
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Coloring Page
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Arts
Contributed by Diane Paoletti The pursuit of masterly quality and technique is a high priority for Lyn Diefenbach whose work is imbued with a celebration of her faith and of life. Her paintings in pastel and oil cover a myriad of subject matter with her bold florals consistently receiving accolades nationally and internationally. Her ability to communicate her ideas has entrenched her as a respected and sought-after tutor, with teaching engagements internationally and across Australia.
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Lyn was accepted into the International Guild of Realism in 2008, and holds Master Pastellist status with the Pastel Society of Australia. Lyn was awarded Eminent Pastellist status in the International Association of Pastel Societies
in 2019, having achieved Master Circle status with that group in 2014. Lyn was accepted into the Pastel Society of America as a Signature Member in 2016. She has been featured numerous times in the International Artist, Pastel Journal and Australian Artist magazines. May 24-26: Oil Portraits May 31-June 2: Pastel Portraits June 3-4: Pastel Florals June 5-6: Pastel Landscapes For details and bookings contact Diane Paoletti Phone 907-355-4632 Email dianeypaol@gmail.com
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Creative Writing
Contributed by Charles Dean Walker
she’d had this trait. Obviously he hated it about her.
A long road full of jagged rocks, pointy tree branches, and twigs, went on for miles. They all walked for hours calling for Jackson as Bagels play leader. His nose never left the ground. The sent stayed straight on deeper into this dim abyss. Chase and his owl were behind the beagle, looking in all directions.
“I got it from my home, never leave without one.”, He said. Her face read full of puzzlement. Nathan continued to find another tree to carve an x. Her eyes followed him, expecting more explanation. There was none.
Marilyn saw soon a mountain, it twirled up its path like a spiral. Nathan had them all stop here. “Beware where you step, one wrong foot, and it could be all over!”, He said from the very back of their line. They all except Nite and Bagels looked at him, then back. The dog took a huge breath, then howled up to the sky like the wolf spirit, living inside him would do. They lead on until the dim of the woods was dark. While the group didn’t know it, Jackson’s parents were looking tirelessly for them all, amassing a crowd of neighbors and friends. Higher up some tree were rooted into their trail. Nathan began carving a long equation, ready for any wildlife. Whilst Marilyn knew what he’d been up to as she could hear it, the others didn’t and went on.
After what felt like hours of calling, looking, and carving, finally, Jackson young voice was heard. It was more shrill than usual for this young boy. The sense of fear was a chill spell on all their spines. There was the loudest yell from a bear any of them had heard in memory, especially for Chase. Despite all fear and, with the dog’s forceful leadership, they ran together towards danger. Nathan being always last in the line. A huge black bark tree with deep green leaves was rooted into the mountain’s highest cliff. The tree looked to be five foot in height, halfway sat Jackson on a thick branch. Altos was on his hind legs, his forelegs baring his sharp claws, were buried into the trunk. Readying himself to climb to his prey, but then
Bagels barreled towards Altos. “ I won’t let you take my family from me again you bastard!”, He said with a furry. He leaped at Altos, almost flying, his jowls ready to piece flesh. His true spirit was showing, but only Chase and Nite could see it. “ Be ready for any word from Bagels, Chase!” Nite said in a deep serious tone. He was silent, trusting the owl. Bagels’s teeth bore into Altos’s neck. Altos violently shook him, while motioning his paw at his body. A growl came from both with conviction. Alto buried his claws into the dog’s sides. Pain intensely struck Bagels, the sharpness forced him to yelp loudly. He looked as though Altos was holding him like a human, before being thrown back at his friends. Another yelp of pain came from the poor animal whilst in the air. His body hit the ground hard enough to make it audible to the group’s ears. His body spun fast before striking Chase. ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE makeasceneak.com/charlesdw
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There was one question on her mind. “ Where did you get the knife Nathan?”,she asked. After carving a seventh 4 he stopped to answer. Marilyn was still impatient. Over the last few days, Nathan picked up that
Marilyn wouldn’t accept this. So, she asked further. “ Why did you bring a knife?”, she said. Nathan went on to the next tree, carving another 4. “ Oh, because sometimes I like to cut my own silverware while at Bert’s home, and for moments like this one too!” He explained. Yet again continuing on.
the sound of the hound and humans made him stop. The group formed a half circle saved for Bagels, whom stood in the front. He gave out a howl at Altos, who was turning to face the group. Nathan ran to the nearest tree to begin carving an equalizer. A tree was at a left of Altos, so that his spell wouldn’t hit everyone along with the bear. Nathan decided to wait for the perfect moment, when Altos would either get closer to the group, or back to Jackson.
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Music Contributed by Anonymous
gone horribly wrong?
Local Palmer cartoon band, 3000-21, has just released their debut album: “Across the Metaverse”. It can be found on all music platforms.
Only time will tell.
Little is known about these robots -but they sure can write a decent pop song!
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Are they time travelers from the future? An intergalactic technology here to take over the world, through the power of song? An AI experiment
We tried to reach out to known collaborators [name redacted] and [name redacted], but they seemed aloof and refused to answer any questions directly. Only one thing is certain: the future is now. 3000-21.bandcamp.com instagram@3000.21
Contributed by Carmen Summerfield The Valley Arts Alliance is proud to host their 16th annual VAA Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show at the Palmer Depot on Saturday, February 19, 2022. Again, this year we will present two identical performances—a matinee at 3pm and an evening performance at 7pm. Wearable Art refers to hand crafted and one of a kind pieces of artwork designed to be worn by the human body as an artistic expression. Using their knowledge of color, fabric and non-traditional materials, artists create
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Arts unique, wearable garments which they (or their models) wear while parading down an authentic “fashion runway”, accompanied by narration and music. For our 16th year we’re using the theme “Glacier Glamour!” for staging the show, and we’re encouraging artists to use the same theme for their creative inspiration. To view exciting scenes from years past, visit our Wearable Art archives pages at www. ValleyArtsAlliance.com/archives. To become a part of the 16th annual VAA Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show, download our application package, which contains the 2022
Entry Form, along with criteria, guidelines, and tips to make your entry a smashing success! Then return the completed application to us by Friday, February 11, 2022. Due to the overwhelming success of this show, we must limit entries to the first 25, so we urge you to submit your completed application early. The ticket price is $15 per person for each performance. For the 3pm Matinee ONLY, children 12 years old and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are on sale now—in Palmer at Fireside Books and Non-Essentials; and in Wasilla at My House / Gathering
Grounds Café. We expect both shows to sell out, so please purchase your tickets early. Palmer music group 3000-21 will be performing at this event for both the matinee and evening shows. The 16th annual Valley Arts Alliance Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show will be an exquisite evening of art and entertainment, in what has become a well-loved winter tradition in our Valley. Don’t miss this opportunity to support the arts in the Valley!
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Theatre
Contributed by Garry Forrester
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Equal parts murder mystery and hilarity, Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot will have you laughing and guessing “who dunnit?” until the very end. A Connecticut castle in December 1936 is a great setting for a get together of closely knit friends and family...plus a not‐so‐
welcome guest. A perfect recipe for mayhem and comedy galore! Valley Performing Arts brings this comedy to the stage with all the pinache and style of an Agatha Christie story with extra laughs thrown in for good measure. Audiences are cautioned that strobing lights and stage combat
with fire arms and other loud noises are part of the show. Come join the FUN with VPA! THE GAME’S AFOOT opens January 14th and runs through January 30th. Ticket prices are $19 Regular Admission, $17 Seniors 65+/Students 18 and younger. The production will be at Val-
ley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Avenue, in Wasilla. Purchase tickets online at www.valleyperformingarts.org or call our office at 373‐0195 for more information. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www. facebook.com/Valley‐Performing‐Arts.
Contributed by Nan Potts Are you ready to sing? The Mat-Su Community Chorus is resuming for the Spring 2022 Season!
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Music The chorus is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality choral music to the Mat-Su Valley. Adult singers of all levels of experience are encouraged to join, and no audition is necessary.
Seasonal dues for members are $60, and we ask that all members participate in our fund-raising efforts. New singers are welcome to try us out for three rehearsals before committing to membership.
Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm at Mat-Su Evangelical Church on Mayflower Lane, off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Rehearsals begin January 27th and the season ends with our concert in mid-May.
Email questions to director@matsucommunitychorus.org, or simply show up to register at 6:30pm on January 27th before our first rehearsal. We can’t wait to sing with you!
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Poetry & Prose Contributed by Katherine Baker Delicate design, crystalline, particles of ice, frozen spice. Hypnotizing variety,
Contributed by Maxine Franklin
untouchable,
Trying to write a simple poem.
anxiety!
The blank page like a field of white
Soft, steady,
Snow, which the fox hasn’t ventured
visual delight,
to cross yet. Voles scurry in their
purity,
Snowy tunnels, search for last
a fragile insight.
Summer’s seeds and frozen Berries. I sip fermented juices Under lamp glow in my warm loft. The clock on my desk stopped Long ago.
Contributed by Maxine Franklin He stood on a March morning in the open Field, his paws firm on submerged grass in an icy snowmelt pond. Having studied the deep Clouds and blue sky within, he looked up
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at me with the most joyful and understanding Glance. How you can touch Infinity with your feet, Your cold tingling toe pads.
Contributed by Randi Perlman December 18, 2021 It’s colder than cold, and the winds are a-howlin’ Our vehicles don’t want to start But VCRS keeps on hummin’ along On a mission that just warms the heart Our talented staff are on top of their game They know how to keep things on track The processing floor keeps taking on more Be it pallets, bales or super sacks With interesting articles on industry trends And reusable new product samples The staff can turn visitors into long-time friends By their welcoming, professional example Whether learning new equipment Or pricing commodities worldwide They move our materials where they most need to be With a confidence taken in stride We can’t say enough ‘bout our great volunteers Without them we wouldn’t get far They help us in so many wonderful ways They really are shining stars! And hooray for our many supporters Who work toward our vision each day It’s a network of true believers In a fundamental but miraculous way
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Poetry & Prose That embraces our simple premise Of sustainable zero waste rule And turns thoughtfulness into an art form In a creative & green type of school Today we give our blessings To all who share our world And look toward a healthier future To inspire our young boys & girls And we always remember Mollie For beginning this noble quest As we follow her large footsteps With our hard hats and our vests We are grateful for your presence For our building, land and air Thank you all for coming And for bringing your love to share! Serendipitous Solstice & Happy Holidays to All! Note: This poem was written for the Annual Recycling Center Blessing, which takes place every year on the Saturday closest to Winter Solstice. It’s a tradition started by Mollie Boyer, founding member & longtime Executive Director of VCRS who recently passed, and will be continued in her honor, and because it’s a great idea! Our recent 11th annual blessing took place on Saturday, December 18, at 12 noon. Call 907.745.5544 for information about how to recycle right.
Contributed by Maxine Franklin Sharp axe splits dry wood.
Dark night- -no owl cries.
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Ice cracks on the frozen lake.
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Activities