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Jonathan, Age 7
Jareda, Age 9
Lyla, Age 10
Lee Anna, Age 71
Events KNIK MUSEUM ANNUAL PICNIC & MUSHER INDUCTION 7/18/2021 – 1PM Knik Museum Mile 13.9 KGB, Wasilla FREE Admission
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15TH ANNUAL FIREWEED FESTIVAL 7/24/2021 – 11AM Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc., Inc. Trapper Creek Community Park Mile 115.2 Parks Hwy, 9971 E. T.C. Park Cir. Trapper Creek FREE Admission 1ST ANNUAL TARTAN TOURNEY 7/24/2021 – 2PM Settler’s Bay Golf Course Settler’s Bay Golf Course 7307 S Frontier Dr. Wasilla Cost: $125 per golfer, $500 team of 4
3RD ANNUAL RECYCLE REVIVAL MUSIC 7/31/2021 – 3PM Valley Community for Recycling Solutions Settler’s Bay Golf Course 7307 S Frontier Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $20 TOASTMASTER MEETING 8/3/2021 – 6PM Palmer Toastmasters Turkey Red 550 S Alaska St. Palmer FREE Admission ALASKA WHOLE LIFE FESTIVAL August 6, 2021 – 12PM August 7-8, 2021 – 11AM Alaska Whole Life Festival Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer Cost: $5
19TH ANNUAL RUNNING WITH THE BULLS RUN/WALK 8/8/2021 – 11AM The Musk Ox Farm 12850 E Archie Rd. Palmer Cost: $15 - $40 www.muskoxfarm.org/rwb2021
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Coloring Page
Send in your coloring page and you can win a gift card to a local business! MID-JUL 2021
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Coloring Page
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Arts
Contributed by Felicia Desimini Have you finally come to the realization that art stirs your soul? Has your passion for art been sitting on the back burner or needing a little guidance? If so, the Mat-Su College Art Department has just what you need! Come and explore art and improve your art-making skills with us.
Beginning Drawing, ART A105, Jason Isley, M-W, 3 Credits, 4pm - 6:45pm 2D Design, ART A111, Jason Isley, M-W, 3 Credits, 1pm - 3:45 pm Color Design, ART A112, Barbara Laucius, Online, 3 Credits Art Appreciation, ART A160, Barbara Laucius, Online, 3 Credits
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 and put some ‘POP’ in your style! Are your skills in painting and drawing good - but something still feels off? Color Design is a terrific course for anyone who doesn’t truly 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.
Art Appreciation, ART A160, Felicia Desimini, Tue. 3 Credits, 9am - 11:45am
If music strikes a chord with you, or if you think Broadway is calling, Mat-Su College offers four courses in these disciplines during the fall 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.
Music Appreciation, MUS A121, Meghan Aube, Online, 3 Credits
Does learning a bit about why visual culture is so important in our lives interest you? It is everywhere, influencing (almost) everything we think, do, and say.
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Beginning Drawing, ART A105, Jason Isley, M-W, 3 Credits, 9am - 11:45am
For this reason, an art appreciation course will help you navigate the art world, from pre-history to Banksy and the Global Art Market. Want to delve even deeper into the history of Art? Then the college’s offering of Western Art History I is just the course for you.
Western Art History II, ART A262, Barbara Laucius, Online, 3 Credits Art Education, ART A203, Felicia Desimini, Online, 3 Credits Beginning Watercolor, ART A212, Felicia Desimini, T-Thur. 3 Credits, 1pm - 3:45pm Beginning Painting, ART A213, Felicia Desimini, Friday, 3 Credits, 9am - 3pm Music Appreciation, MUS A121, Naomi Stamoolis, M-W, 3 Credits, 1pm - 2:15pm Theater Appreciation, THR A111, Matthew Sale, Online, 3 Credits Theater Appreciation, THR A111, Matthew Sale, T-Thurs. 3 Credits, 1pm - 2:15pm Seasoned artists continue their studies - forging ahead, working day to day to add new tricks and techniques to their skill sets. Now is the perfect time to hone your skills. Apply yourself to art studies at Mat-Su College during the fall semester. Questions? Contact Felicia Desimini at fdesimini@alaska.edu or by telephone, (907) 745-9755. See you in the fall!
Contributed by Terry Matteucci Koch, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions 3rd Annual Recycle Revival Music 7/31/2021 – 3PM Valley Community for Recycling Solutions Settler’s Bay Golf Course 7307 S Frontier Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $20
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Events
Major funding for this event provided by SUBARU of America #DontFeedTheLandfills. There will be dedicated “rock star” parking for Subaru vehicles only. Additional funding provided by 95.5 THE PASS, The People’s Paper, Aethereal Coffee, Green Jar, Valley Market Real Estate, Valley
Country Store, and Dr. Joanie Kirk, ND. Come and join our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, recyclers, music lovers and anyone else willing to pay a paltry $20 donation for a full day of fun and music, all while supporting a good cause – recycling in Alaska!
If you are unable to attend, feel free to donate at www.valleyrecycling.org. Donation link is valid year-round! And I needed to end this with an enthusiastic sentence and the final exclamation point. Count ‘em up.
It’s back! Our 3rd Annual Recycle Revival Music Festival is live at Settler’s Bay golf course on Saturday, July 31st, from 3pm-11pm. Musical performances by Alaska’s favorites: Braided River, Carhartt Brothers (The “Bobs”), Denali Cooks and H3 Hawaiian Reggae Band. There will be vendors, a silent auction with cool stuff, food and beverages available from the Albatross, and best of all, a real crowd of people you haven’t seen in person since lockdown. See first-hand how everyone really looks, without the help of Zoom and Instagram filters! We always strive for zero-waste events, so if you have a reusable container and/ or sustainable straw to consume your beverages with, please bring them along. And a folding chair or blanket to sit on. If you don’t own any of these items, they will all be available to bid on in the silent auction. Be prepared to live a sustainable future!
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Bring your own drinking vessel and receive a free sticker! Or count the exclamation points in this exciting article and get a free sticker!! Hint: there are two in that last sentence! And it’s not too late to donate to the silent auction. We are accepting items until July 26th at the VCRS office.
Contributed by Melissa Keefe, Alaska State Fair, Inc. Opening night at the 2021 Alaska State Fair on August 20th just got even better with hometown heroes Portugal. The Man adding a second show as part of the Fair’s 2021 AT&T Concert Series. The band is also playing the Fair on August 21st. High demand led the Fair to add a second night of music with Alaska’s homegrown Grammy®winning rockers, who will take the ConocoPhillips Borealis Theatre stage on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now for both shows, with limited tickets remaining for August 21st.
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Music
“In celebration of a third weekend of the Alaska State Fair, we are pleased to add a second show featuring Portugal. The Man on opening day of the 2021 Fair,” said Jerome Hertel, Fair general manager. The band that first came together at Wasilla High School has gone on to play over 1,700 shows around the world, but are still proud of their roots in the Last Frontier. Portugal. The Man has performed on legendary main stages at the biggest festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and many more, and is bringing that show back to Palmer for the Alaska State Fair.
“We spent our childhoods going to the Fair. Those memories are etched in our minds, and we look forward to playing for our fellow Alaskans. We will see you in the funnel cakes line!” said Zach Carothers, bassist of Portugal. The Man. The band soared to epic heights with the release of the RIAA certified-gold album, Woodstock, which included the trans-global, six-time RIAA platinumcertified single, “Feel It Still,” as well as the RIAA-certified gold single, “Live in the Moment.” The band is comprised of John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Eric Howk, Jason Sechrist and Zoe Manville. Tickets for both Portugal. The Man shows are now on sale on the Fair website, www.alaskastatefair.org. Limited tickets are available for the August 21st show, and seats are expected to sell quickly for the August 20th concert.
Concert-goers have the option to purchase concert-only tickets or tickets including Fair admission. The included admission is at a discounted price and good any day of the Fair. Concert tickets including Fair admission must be purchased by August 25th. Details on ticket options and pricing are available on the Fair website. Convenience fees apply. The Fair’s 2021 concert line-up also features Martina McBride on August 22nd, Michael Jr. on August 23rd, Dashboard Confessional on August 27th, Jon Pardi on August 28th, The Guess Who on August 29th, Zach Williams on August 30th, Common Kings on September 2nd, and Billy Idol on September 4th. For more information, visit www. alaskastatefair.org or contact Melissa Keefe, marketing and communications manager, at mk@alaskastatefair.org.
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Creative Writing Contributed by Charles Dean Walker The moon was a crescent in a sky painted a deep blue. Bert’s story took hours as always, never did Marilyn imagine it would eat up the day. Bird opened the door, her surprise with visitors was written on her face. “Hi!”, Marilyn said. Jackson ran to his mom, Bagels followed along always happy to see Bird. Bagels reached his forepaws up to Bird’s leg, trying to kiss her. “Bert, who’s this?”, she asked. She moved the dog and Jack from her so she could walk further in. “This is Marilyn.She’s a friend of Nathan’s.” Bert said. Bird walked towards Marilyn, seeing her pleasant smile. “Nice to meet you, and nice to see you, Nathan. How are you?”, She said hiding her true thoughts of sudden guests. “I’m doing great Bird, thanks for asking.”, Nathan said. “Bert, come talk to me in our room a moment.”, Bird said passively. “I’ll be a moment guys, please keep an eye on Jackson and Bagels.” Bert said to Nathan and Marilyn. He knew by her tone, he was in trouble. Moments later, they came back out. Bert’s face visible upset with his wife’s lecture. He hated being treated like a child. However, Bird kept a pleasant look, she hated when she had to lecture her husband. “Bert and I would love to have you over for the night.”, Bird said. “Bird, that’s sweet, but we really shouldn’t burden you. After all, we came here today without warning.”, Nathan said apologetically. “No, it’s my treat, Nathan, really!”, Bird said. Into the night, Jackson and the rest of the family had gone to bed. Nathan lied on the couch while Marilyn was on the floor. It was a courtesy from her. Nathan was thankful, but felt bad still. Marilyn was still awake, with a black blanket to cover her and a white pillow for her head.
“Nathan?”, she whispered. She let some time pass. “Okay, never mind.”, she said to herself. She lifted her arm up to see her left hand. A rash irritated her skin. It was from a split she’d gotten earlier today. “Damn it!”, she thought. “Why is this happening to me?”, she wondered. Yet, deep down she had an idea why. “D’wellric why?”, she thought in pain. The noise of skin ripping from the middle of her palm, was heard in her ears. Marilyn beat her head down on the pillow, to hide her sounds. “Damn the Gods!”, she screamed silently. Tears well water falling on to her pillow. A moment of flesh-tearing time passed, before she sat up to look. Her right hand grasped her left making a slapping noise. The skin had stopped opening, and in its place was a new layer, but not of skin, it was bark. A stem protruded up at her with a leaf. Slowly the pain began to numb. With each passing second a segment of bark fell, the stem shortened, and new skin in place of the fallen bark. “What the hell?”, Nathan said. “What?! I thought you were asleep!”, she said back in a quiet yell. “How? You’re making too much noise for to!”, Nathan said. “How good is your hearing?!”, Marilyn said. “Very!”, Nathan answered. Marilyn stopped saying anything to look back at her hand. All the pain now left her, along with the mystery stem and bark. Nathan got up from the couch to turn a small light on. Has he did, the pitch-black bark was on top of Marilyn’s blanket. “Now, let’s slow down a bit here.”, Nathan said. He walked back to the couch to sit again. “First off, who is D’wellric?”, Nathan asked tiredly. Marilyn now looking at Nathan had let go of her arm. “He’s a god known in my kingdom. He gives prophets prophecy, and the chosen their power.”, Marilyn explained.
“That’s how I got my power.”, Nathan thought. Marilyn looked at him thinking. She didn’t care to ask, she’d rather move on now. “Why were you crying?”, Nathan asked. “Because my skin was ripping open!”, she said. “I assume the bark was from the power you possess then, but how do you think you got yours?”, Nathan asked. “Earlier in the woods, a tree gave me a splinter, I didn’t say anything, because it wasn’t a big deal. At least that’s what I thought”, she explained. “Interesting.”, Nathan thought. “There was a stem that formed, then slowly got shorter as the healing began.”, Marilyn continued. “I wonder what else you’ll be able to do, to be frank.”, Nathan said. “Nathan! This is hardly the time to say something so outright!”, she said in an angry whisper. It made her wonder how he could be so stupid, to say something like this now. The fear of everything that has just transpired, had flooded her head, as it would anyone. Nathan put his head down, burying his face in his hands. “Marilyn, I know everything is happening so fast, but we can’t do anything about this. We need to see what time has to show of this power.”, Nathan said tiredly. Marilyn thought about what he meant. Obviously, he was right, and it was very late in the night. There wasn’t time to be arguing amongst one another anymore. Despite only knowing this man for such a short time, she felt he was a new friend. Marilyn never having a friendship was, at the very least welcoming to this idea. “Okay, I understand. It’ll be hard for me, but, let’s rest up.”, she said. “I’m sorry.”, Nathan said. They looked at one another. “I know, it’s okay. Goodnight.”, she said. They got back into their beddings, then fell asleep. The sun held a nice red, in the clear
blue skies above, the grass was the greenest Marilyn had seen thus far. A gentle breeze was cool on both her, and Nathan’s skin. “Are you ready to head into town?”, Nathan asked. “Absolutely!”, she said. Without another word they waved goodbye to Bert. “Take care!”, Bert yelled. Bagels ran out the door to follow, Jackson chased after him. This was their chance to leave. “Hey, get back here!”, Bert yelled. Jackson stopped in his tracks while the dog kept running. “Oh come on, Dad.”, Jackson said. Bert thought a second whether to let him go. “Alright fine, but stay with Nathan.”, he said. Jackson then continued running. Bagels jumped up to Marilyn’s leg. “Get down Bagels!”, she said. Then the continued into town. Nymirria’s layout was two infinities. Each with many buildings, some of simple cookie cutter cube designs. Some were the famed Doghouse structures. “Wow, this place is weird to see.”, Marilyn said. “Shh, don’t say that out loud.”, Nathan said. “Oh, come on Nathan!”, she shot back. “Look you can’t be so rude, this place is a second home to me.”, he said. “Alright, fine!”, she said. They walked to a doghouse shaped restaurant. It was a bright red, mixed with white. A grey roof, a giant glassless window. All the tables were in five rows of four. In the third row of the fourth table was a young man and an owl. He wore a light grey hoodie, the hood up, the owl asleep on his right shoulder. His hands were clasped together. His skin was a light ebony. The owl was a different story. To Nathan, he was a white owl, while for Marilyn he was a brown and white barn owl, while Jackson saw him as a grey and white owl. None of them brought this
up. He was just a random person with a bird, and Jack had seen him before. Bagels ran towards them, which made the three of them to run after. Bagels put his forepaws on the man’s side. Baying at him. This hurt the man’s ears, so he lightly pushed Bagels, all the while the owl had awoken. The owl starred down at Bagels, rightfully angry at his rudeness. And the horribly loud noise, and sudden movements. The owl soon looked back up to see the man, who in turn saw Nathan and Marilyn. Jackson was grabbing his dog. Bagels yelped, again adding annoyance. “Hey! Quiet over there! Just because you’re the only ones here, doesn’t mean you can be loud as you like!”, the owner called. “Sorry!”, they all said in unison. Jackson stood beside the man holding Bagels. “Hi, Chase”, he said. “Morning.”, Chase said. His voice was slightly deep, with a hint of sadness. Nathan went over to the owner. The owner was skinny, had olive toned skin, and slightly tall. They wore a red shirt, tan pants and a tag with blue ink, their name was written in bold: [MIKE]. His equipment was visible, nothing not seen in a typical kitchen, except for a television. It was a jet-black flat of 10 inches, there was a small AC conductor to power it. “Hey Mike, again sorry to cause all that noise. What’s that rectangular device?”, Nathan said. “It’s what they call in Spark a teslavision.”, Mike said. He had his arm on a honey mustard yellow serving table. His back hunched with his scared face looking at Nathan. “Huh, ha, that’s amazing.”, Nathan said.
to meet new people. “Hoot!”the owl injected. “Huh, well, I’m Marilyn, I just met Jack yesterday.”, she said. The man said nothing. Marilyn didn’t like this. “Who may you and the owl be?”, she asked. “Why do you want to know?”, he asked back, wishing he’d just stayed quiet. “Because I like meeting new people.”, she said. “Well, I don’t!”, he said back. Things went quiet again. The owl shut his eyes. Jackson and Bagels left to go play near Nathan and Mike. Marilyn felt bad for trying to talk to this man now, clearly he didn’t want to be bothered. “Sorry for bothering you.”, she said. The man felt the owl move it’s wing to his ear. A hoot was then let out. Then there was a sigh.
“You know, you shouldn’t be so standoffish!,” Nite said. Only Chase and Bagels could actually understand him. “It’s not easy with this cursed blessing.”, Chase said. “Is that what you call your abilities?”, Nite said. “What else do I call this? Every time I breath from my nose, I smell burning bodies and feel guilt for almost every action!”, he said. “Well, that’s why you shouldn’t run from your problems in one world to hide in another.”, Nite said. “Just be quiet, Nite! Go to sleep!”, Chase said. “Fine, but remember what Bagels told me. Soon we fight the bear.”, Nite said. “Of course I won’t forget.”,Chase said. The day went on.
“I’m Chase the Second, and this is Nite, my owl.”, he said against his personal wishes. The owl was still as stone after this. “I like your names, Chase the Second and Nite, the owl.”, she said. “You can just call me Chase.”, he said. “Why are you here Chase?”, she asked. “I’m just here specially to sit and rest, why I’m here in this town is a long story.”, he said. “Would you like to join us later to look around?”, she asked knowing the obvious. ”No thank you, I just need to be alone.”, he said. Nathan, Jackson and Bagels came back. Bagels barked at Chase and Nite. Which made Nite open an eye at him, angry at his dog “friend”. When the rest looked at the two animals, there was a feeling a message was given to one, and received by the other. “Be quiet or leave already!”, Mike hollered. Jackson lightly bopped his dog. Bagels didn’t like that. “Alright, well, you ready?”, Nathan asked. “Yeah, let’s go. See ya, Chase.”, Marilyn said. Chase lightly waved goodbye as they left.
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Back to Marilyn, Jackson, and Bagels, Marilyn was sat on the other side of the table. “You know Jack?”, she said. “Yes…”, Chase said in a standoffish tone. He was hesitant
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Creative Writing
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Poetry & Prose Contributed by Randi Perlman Dear Mollie – You lead a movement You educated a community You raised a Leed Gold building Dear Mollie – You fostered our collective consciousness You awakened our passion You believed in us and our mission Dear Mollie – You honored your friends and family You cherished our planet You held tight to your vision Dear Mollie – You created so much good You accomplished your dream You left a sustainable legacy Dear Mollie – You touched us all in meaningful ways You made the most of all your days Your energy was contagious Dear Mollie – You always cared & persevered You inspire us all by what you shared Your lessons will guide us forward Dear Mollie – You remain large in our hearts Your presence surrounds us always You will forever be missed And we will dance in your honor
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This poem was written in celebration of the life of Mollie Boyer, long-time executive director of our local Recycling Center. She made our wonderful Valley an even more incredible place to ‘hang yer hat’, and taught some valuable lessons along the way. She is missed, but never forgotten…
Contributed by Rosetta Cason And death has changed me...It came like a giant unrelenting wave, crashing through my being. All at once, who I was, vanished. I wept and wept, and I went to look for her. I, me, she...was gone... That cutting taste of death has yet to leave me. In fairies and dragons, in glitter and lace, in kisses and moonlight, death still has stolen my whimsy. In the sweetest highs, and prettiest valleys, in the longest hugs and tastiest treats, death has stolen my delight. I still weep for the sweet ignorance I once frolicked in. My blind mind could conquer all things. Oh death, you brutal beast, you churning, bottomless pit… My ears hear death’s hollow ticking clock, just beneath my own jubilant laughter. The damage death has done is permanent. My eyes see death’s cruel magic trick. Now it’s here, and now it’s not, in every face that greets me with a smile. The damage death had done was pervasive. Life matters, oh yes, and I wake, I walk, I participate, I talk. But death... Death left behind a blazing fire. All my timber, all I had ever mustered is still smoldering. I am still only just soot and ash. I am only just now waking from death’s loud destruction.
can
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Poetry & Prose Contributed by Katherine Baker (This title meets “new reality” spun and politically correct requirements. In politically incorrect, unspun, “old reality” this was blatantly referred to as vicious organized gossip and character assassination) Mouth reveals not just expression, verbalizes all oppression. Persuasive gossip, poisons’ paw, a pesticide produced by gall. Exposed vibrations shake forth spills, forgeries, changing sincere wills. Encouraged good to criticize, the character reviled by lies. Hade’s abduction, all surround, while helpless long. let truth be found. Objective never out of sight, a toy for hates’ despised delight.
Contributed by Katherine Baker The young are known as truth is unrecognized. The uneducated are known as truth is unheard. The ignorant are known as truth is denied. The lawless are known as truth is manipulated. The scholarly are known as truth is questioned. The wise are known as truth is understood. And the nations are known as truth is either Feared or revered.
Contributed by Katherine Baker Manipulative charm, of causes which harm, the twisting of truth, in a rhetoric of ethics. Judgment errors, a camouflage of cares, when special interest decide, a demise of the wise. Freedom disguised, rights compromised, liberty abused, vividly bruised, Seduction of Destruction.
Contributed by Caitlin M.S. Buxbaum Someday we’ll see / alien is only / a matter of perspective.
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Photography
Contributed by Richard Estelle, Palmer Museum of History & Art The most common barn design in our part of Alaska is that associated with the Matanuska Colony project and has become a symbol of agriculture throughout the Valley. While four or five Colonist farmers constructed their barns of the rounded “barrel vault” roof design, most of the over two hundred Colonists chose the highly recognizable design that we now often refer to as the “Colony Barn” style. Over the years, as land ownership changed and farming practices evolved, many of the barns were
Untreated logs of the foundations and ground floor crumbled from rot and were not replaced. Accidental fires consumed some and others have been intentionally torn down. Consequently, many of the iconic barns have collapsed and disappeared. However, numerous barns in the Valley have been moved from farms where they were no longer needed or wanted, to a different farm or location where they have been restored and placed back in useful service. Our photo this month features one such barn with developing plans to move it from its original Colony farm to another original Colony farm where it
farmstead of Clarence and Alice Sjodin (pronounced “Shodeen”) on tract 98, with their field of harvested hay. The hay has been raked into windrows and near the house we can see work has begun placing the gathered hay into haystacks to dry. Across what is now Scott Road to the right, are the house and outbuildings of Claude and Helen Hesse on tract 101, and beyond the Sjodin barn can be seen the barn of Virgil and Lillian Eckert on tract 100.
sold to the adjacent Alaska State Fair. Rather than turn the land into a typical carnival venue or back lot storage, the Fair set out to establish a unique agriculture-based park that would preserve the buildings of the original Colony farmstead and make the farmland available for agriculturebased education, demonstrations, and other uses. Programs will support youth groups including Future Farmers of America and 4-H.
The Sjodins used their first summer here, 1935, to clear land for planting and build their log house, seen in the center of the photo. Their typical Colony barn, at left in the photo, was probably built the following summer.
Part of the objective of preserving and restoring the farm buildings of the Rebarchek Agricultural Park is to maintain structures representative of those commonly found on Colony farmsteads to help visitors better understand the living and working situation of Colony families. Until recently that objective was challenged by having a farmstead that lacked the very heart of the Colony farm - the barn.
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At the same time, another Colony family was establishing their new farm a short distance south of Palmer. Ray and Edna Rebarchek were clearing trees from their selected tract #52 and building their log house. Their barn, almost identical to Sjodins’, was likely also going up in 1936.
no longer actively used and their maintenance was neglected. Consequently, winter winds stripped away protecting roofing paper, allowing rain to invade and cause structural timbers to weaken.
will be preserved and placed back in use. The photo shows portions of three Matanuska Colony farms as seen in the fall of 1939. In the foreground is the
The Rebarchek’s established a Grade A dairy enterprise, of which their barn was an integral part. When fire destroyed their original barn, Rebarcheks acquired a duplicate barn from a nearby farm and moved it to replace the one he lost. Many years later, when the family no longer worked the farm, the replacement barn was sold and moved away, and the property was
However, the original Sjodin Colony barn (of the same design as the previous Rebarchek barns) has now become available to be moved to take its central place on the Rebarchek Agricultural Park. Numerous hurdles have yet to be overcome to make it happen, but fund-raising efforts will soon be underway, and volunteers will be working hard to make the move happen this summer. If successful, one more iconic symbol will be saved to stand tall as a representative of a unique social experiment and a reminder of an important part of our Matanuska Valley heritage. For more information on how to become involved or contribute to this unique preservation effort, you may contact LaMarr Anderson at 232-5082.
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