The People's Paper November 2020 by The Peoples Paper

Contributed by Randi Perlman We lost a shining light this month, a spiritual being with a stubborn persistence and a dogged belief in our greater good. Mollie Boyer, longtime Executive Director of our local recycling center, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS), lost her brave battle with cancer on Sunday, November 8, 2020. She was at peace, surrounded by family and the warm, enveloping thoughts of the many friends who loved her. Mollie raised the recycle flag back in December of 1997, and along with a small, grassroots group of dedicated believers, started down the long, winding road toward a permanent facility to house and operate a fullystaffed and functioning recycling center in the Mat-Su. Over the past 22 years, with the help of many different state, federal, and local partnerships forged by Mollie, along with strong community support, she led the way toward bringing recycling to the mainstream in our Valley. That passionate founding group outlined short and long term goals, and Mollie worked tirelessly to attain those goals. Through a series of small steps and large leaps forward, Mollie’s relentless vision enabled the value of recycling and the concept of everything as a resource to take root and grow. Mollie was at the helm of the recycling movement in its earliest phases in Alaska, and steered the ship forward through some turbulent waters over the years, with a laser focus on not only making recycling easily accessible for all Valley residents with the presence of a permanent facility, but also on educating the public on why it made good sense. From the very beginning, Mollie’s commitment to the cause never wavered. She attended countless Borough Assembly meetings with convincing facts and arguments as to why recycling should be part of the Mat-Su Borough (MSB) infrastructure, and traveled to Juneau to lobby our state legislators on the benefits of

recycling for the borough, as well as for all of Alaska. Her knowledge and expertise in her field, along with her tireless persistence, eventually led to the inclusion of recycling in the MSB solid waste plan. Ten years ago, Mollie’s vision of a permanent recycling center was realized as staff moved into the new Resource Recovery & Training Park, the first of its kind in Alaska. VCRS continues to grow and generate goodwill throughout our communities, helping groups set-up recycling facilities at outlying transfer sites, working with cities and towns outside the Mat-Su that want to follow our model, and providing meaningful opportunities for many diverse groups of volunteers. The center has amassed an incredible cadre of over 400 volunteers who help in a myriad of ways to keep operations moving forward. As extraordinary as Mollie’s legacy and accomplishments were, she will always be remembered as a warm, generous and loving person. Mollie was a huge supporter of the underdog, and was compelled to reach out to those in need and help in any way possible. She would truly give you the shirt off her back, and believed in the essence and beauty of each person’s being. She loved planet Earth from the bottom of her heart, and it was her fervent wish that we all treat it with the care, love, and respect it deserves. One of the last events Mollie helped

plan was the VCRS Recycle Revival fundraiser in September 2019, at beautiful Settlers Bay Golf Course. Her cancer diagnosis did not allow her to attend, but her many friends, and large group of family members, danced and donated to help raise funds in her honor. This year’s Recycle Revival will be held virtually, and once again, sadly, Mollie will not be there. But we can still dance in her honor, at a distance, and donate to the cause she loved most. Check out our website at www.valleyrecycling. org to be part of our virtual on-line auction running from now through Saturday, December 5th, and our incredible music event taking place on that day! Mollie Boyer was a pioneer, not only for recycling in Alaska, but as an example of women taking on leadership roles in the community. Her passion, enthusiasm, knowledge, friendship, generous heart, and brilliant smile will be forever missed, but her spirit will always be a part of VCRS and of the Mat-Su Valley. She has left a loving and indelible legacy for all of us, and we are all better off because of her. One of her favorite questions was, “if you’re not for ZERO waste, how much waste are you FOR?” I don’t know anyone who can come up with an answer Mollie would have accepted…

Oxmas Shopping, Anyone?

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Palmer Museum Photo of the Month

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COMMUNITY

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and plan your meals for a week. Then you go shopping over the weekend and have everything on hand that your need for your meals. While you are at the grocery store, bring your children with you and allow them to help you shop. Encourage them to try new things, especially new fruits, and vegetables that they pick themselves. This gives them the opportunity to explore new foods on their own terms, without being pressured. In this manner they are more likely to want to eat new foods and even enjoy them.

Contributed by Julie M. Cascio, University of Alaska Fairbanks Winter weather is encouraging us to spend even more time at home this year. Pandemic challenges have kids doing remote learning for school from home; adults are doing their jobs from home computers. This provides more time with our families. Being together offers the opportunity for parents and grandparents to teach their kids how to cook! Including children when cooking has many pluses. They’ll learn life skills to use through the rest of their lives. In addition to cooking skills, math and chemistry are practiced. Learning how to cook their own food helps kids eat healthier. Dr. Susan Albers, a New York psychologist said, “Research indicates that kids who cook actually eat less processed foods, they’re healthier, happier, and they find enjoyment in cooking throughout their whole lives.” Studies also show that kids who are involved in cooking are more confident in the kitchen, like trying new foods, and are more open to eat fruits and veggies.

win for everyone. It gives your family something to do together. When children gain more food making skills, it gives them experience in cooking and in cleaning up. It is an opportunity to share family heritage and memories, and create more! Meal Planning Involve everyone in the meal planning. Sit down together and brainstorm a list of everyone’s favorite meals. Consider MyPlate and how to include a variety of vegetables, whole grains, proteins, fruits and dairy foods to encourage healthy eating. Look at recipes, food available in your cupboards and in the store. Once there is a good list of recipes to pull from then plan your weekly meals. Some families give each family member a night to pick a recipe. Other families have theme nights such as Taco Tuesday, Italian Wednesday, and Fish Friday. For me, growing up meant Sunday nights were always a late breakfast meal like scrambled eggs and muffins or whole wheat waffles with canned peaches on top.

Cooking with your children is a win-

Set a time, such as Saturday morning,

Contributed by The Freedom Merchant

“make myself” is more a testament to others success than to mine. All I did was purchase some already made aluminum sheet. Cut it with amazing tools which I have no idea how to create. Welded it together with my welder which I have no idea how it even works or could even began to create, which was connected to the power outlet in my shop which I honestly have no idea where the power comes from or how its created.

We all have our symbols of success. For some it’s a Lamborghini, for some an airplane, for others a nice house. For me its my 1999 Toyota Tacoma. I am especially proud of the custom front bumper which I built myself. But let’s think about this for a moment. Let’s consider how much work went into creating this automobile. This vehicle is more a monument to the success of others than it is to my success. It would be impossible for me to create this pickup all by myself. If I went out into the wilderness alone with no help from any one I would probably not be able to create enough value to keep myself alive, much less be able to create even one of the many components which make up this super practical transportation device. Imagine how many lifetimes it would take me to create an automobile out there in the wilderness working alone. Each automobile represents many lifetimes worth human effort, yet most of us have more than one and over the course of our lifetimes will own 10s, if not 100s of them. How is this possible? Even the super awesome front bumper that I did

Each of the items on this small incomplete list of things, without which I would not have been able to make this bumper, exist as a result of some one else having much greater success than I have. The greater the success of the people around me, the greater my possible success. Think about this in terms of food. Each of us must eat every few hours. If we don’t, even the best of us will become thieves and worse. Every thing that we can eat, which provides sustenance is made out of dirt. Carrots are made out of dirt. Moose are made out of grass, which is made out of dirt. Turning dirt into something we can eat takes hard work.

Kids Cooking Opportunities With ingredients gathered it is time to cook! Here are age appropriate tasks that you can do in the kitchen with your family: 2 - 3 years old - (With supervision), wash fruits and vegetables, add ingredients to a dish, count out ingredients. 3 - 4 years old - (With supervision), mash potatoes, pour things into cups, assemble simple ingredients for recipes 4 - 6 years old - Assemble ingredients, stir ingredients, cut cooked vegetables with a child’s knife. 6 - 8 years old - Make salads, create their own wraps or sandwiches, write healthy snacks they would like to eat, make smoothies, use basic kitchen equipment with adult supervision. 8 - 11 years old - Use small knife to cut easy foods, make own healthy snacks and easy meals, use the microwave and stove with supervision. Pre-teens and teens - Follow recipes, cook easy meals as their skill levels increase. As children get older, they can start taking on more responsibilities within the kitchen. Remember it is okay to get messy if they learn to clean up afterwards! Cooking together with your family is a fun and rewarding experience, something that can help your children learn, grow healthier and bond as a family.

Imagine if you could live on carrots alone, imagine how many carrots it would take to last you a year. Imagine how much work it would take to grow enough carrots to last you a whole year. Not only would it require the work of planting, watering, weeding, thinning and harvesting but there would also be the work of preserving them so that they would not spoil. There is no shortcut to any of the processes there is machinery which can reduce the labor but the machinery requires labor to create. Each time we eat, let us pause before we take the first bite and consider the work that went into converting dirt into what we are about to eat. Who did this work for us? Have they received their due recognition? When we work together the value created is exponentially more than what is created if we work alone. I was able to create this fabulous bumper because I worked in cooperation with others. Success is much, much bigger than I am. And it isn’t about me. The more success that people around me have, the greater my possibility of success.

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Contributed by Kyle Fox, Manna Foods Two years ago, they were farming crickets in a spare bedroom in Palmer. Now Manna Foods has international investment and an alpha facility in San Antonio, where it is making sustainable protein powder out of darkling beetles. It sounds like science fiction, but the reality is that insect protein is in high demand due to its incredible nutritional value and unparalleled sustainability. Eating insects isn’t novel, with cultures across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia regularly relying on insects to provide quality protein, vitamins and minerals. With American consumers increasingly looking for more sustainable sources of protein, Manna is at the forefront of this emerging market. In early September, Manna launched its first product, Manna Protein, and within the first few weeks, they were sold out of their first batch. The nutritional protein market is flooded with options, many of them increasingly focused on sustainability: So how is a beetle protein company gaining so much traction? CEO Luke Wright gives three reasons: “Manna is the most sustainable protein on Earth, it’s natural, and it’s delicious.” It sounds bold, but the science backs Wright up. Insect protein requires a tiny fraction of the water, feed, and labor required by traditional farming. Interestingly, it’s far more sustainable than plant-derived proteins because it is minimally processed. Pea and soy protein require as many as 16 processes to obtain a protein isolate, including chemical treatment and exposure to heavy metals. All those processes require power, water, and fuel for transport. Eli Fouch, Manna’s COO, outlines Manna’s process: “We harvest, freeze, dehydrate, and mill twice. That’s it.” Manna is so much more sustainable than their competitors’ products that they can even tell you how many trees-worth of

Contributed by Melissa Keefe (MK) Bright Up the Night 11/26/2020 - 1/2/2021 Alaska State Fair 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Tickets: $25-$75 Bright Up the Night, Alaska’s largest drive-through holiday light display, comes to the Alaska State Fair for a 29-day run, beginning November 26th through January 2nd. Tickets on sale today at www. alaskastatefair.org. The light display, designed by North Pole Productions, features more than 70 different light displays spanning the entire length of the fairgrounds, from the Purple Gate through the Green Gate. From the warmth and

carbon you are offsetting by choosing Manna Protein over options like milk-derived whey protein and plant isolates like pea and soy protein. “For every pound of Manna chosen over whey, you offset the same amount of CO2 that 4 trees offset in a year.” — Luke Wright, CEO Manna Protein contains no added ingredients; it’s just beetle, and that’s a big plus to their customers. With the ever-more-popular Keto and Paleo diets emphasizing simple, clean eating, Manna provides an ingredient that not only contains incredible protein content, it also tastes good. That’s a big reason why Kyle Fox, Manna’s Branding Officer, joined the company. “My initial reaction to tasting Manna was surprise, because it tastes like sunflower seeds. It’s slightly nutty; some people say it smells and tastes like peanut butter.” He says that adding Manna Protein into their morning smoothies is how most people are using Manna, but the most popular recipe on their website is Beetle Brownies. In fact, Manna can be added to just about anything; you can even substitute 1⁄4 of a recipe’s flour with Manna. The taste of Manna Protein is one of its biggest differentiators against other insect protein companies. Cricket is by far the most commonly farmed insect, and Manna contains 6x less sodium than cricket protein. Manna also has impressive levels of various vitamins and minerals, including 130% of your daily recommended biotin, which is good for hair, skin and nails. The

comfort of their vehicles, guests drive through about a mile of festive light displays while enjoying the holiday music broadcast synced directly to their radio. Bright Up the Night presented by AT&T is open Thursdays through Sundays from November 26th through December 13th, and daily from December 17th through January 2nd. Hours are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets to the event go on sale November 9th at alaskastatefair.org. All tickets must be purchased online. Special advance prices, starting at $20 for personal use vehicles, are available for tickets purchased by November 25th. Guests can double

other major differentiating factor of Manna against other insect companies comes down to cost. Manna has designed and filed four patents that decrease the labor and resource needs significantly, leading to a cost of production that is less than half that of their competitors. In the USA, the average price for a pound of cricket protein powder is $39. Manna Protein sells at $20. Manna Protein is the most affordable insect protein by far, allowing insect protein to compete with isolates like whey and plant derivatives. Those patents and breakthroughs in efficiency are what makes Manna attractive to their early investors. Thai Union, the largest seafood company in the world, and producer of the popular tuna brand, Chicken of the Sea, is one of those investors. With a rush towards sustainable eating, Manna is on the bleeding edge of food technology. Manna Foods started in Alaska, but international interest grew rapidly for the company, and at the end of 2019 the three Alaskan co-founders found themselves in Asia, where they met their first investors. Manna is now producing their insect protein in San Antonio out of their alpha facility, and while they’re currently in Texas, Wright emphasizes that Alaska is in the company’s DNA—it’s what motivated him to pursue a product that would conserve wilderness and make a big impact on the planet. For more information, or to purchase Manna Protein to try it for yourself, go to mannafoods.org.

their holiday cheer by taking advantage of the Fair’s partnership with The Christmas Factory, which offers a 10 percent discount code to anyone who buys tickets to either event. At The Christmas Factory, located on the fairgrounds, visitors experience the magic of Christmas by touring Santa’s workshop, delivering a personalized letter to Santa’s mailbox, getting a peek into the elf wrapping room, powering up Santa’s sleigh, enjoying a treat in Mrs. Claus’ bakery, and even meeting Santa himself. For more information, visit www.alaskastatefair.org or contact Melissa Keefe, at mk@alaskastatefair.org

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Linda Myers-Steele

or senioreducationwasilla@gmail.com.

Senior Ed is directed toward adults who are interested in keeping mentally active, curious, learning and having fun. No tests, no grades, and no homework! At this time, classes are being presented virtually. The instructors volunteer their time. WASI (Wasilla Area Seniors Inc.) has been kind enough to host the classes (see address above). Each class has a separate ID number and passcode. For questions, contact WASI at 376-3104

November Schedule:

Contributed by Robin Minard

the vision that every person in the Mat-Su has access to all that is needed to live a healthy and fulfilling life,” said Mat-Su Foundation CEO Elizabeth Ripley. “The service offers many kinds of assistance, including information about how to access food, housing, healthcare, elder care, childcare, and even the social connections that are such an important part of good health.” Connect Mat-Su Director Ashley Peltier stated, “One of the things that sets Connect Mat-Su apart from other resource centers is the tailored experience we provide. Clients have the option to search hundreds of local resources on the Connect Mat-Su website, or they can call us for a more personalized experience that includes taking time to understand their

Local community resource center, Connect Mat-Su, has launched a new website at www.connectmatsu.org. The new site gives residents easy access to the largest known database of support services available in the Mat-Su. Connect Mat-Su was developed by the Mat-Su Health Foundation and community partners to be a comprehensive and innovative health and social services information and referral resource center. It links residents with access to the information, referrals and direct assistance they need to thrive physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. “Connect Mat-Su was designed to support

“I Read What I Want To Read” Book Club Tuesday, November 17, 2:00 pm Facilitated by Andi Nations, Retired Educator. Each participant may share a book summary. Learn of other books that may interest you. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Class number 259705525.

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December Schedule: Virtual Painting Classes, two sessions each 1.5 hours. Paint from home. To obtain the supplies list, contact WASI 376-3104 or email senioreducationwasilla@gmail.com Artist Judith Vars will instruct painting a lovely winter mountain scene. Judy has been a popular instructor with great talent.

individual needs, offering options, helping to navigate the options, and providing warm handoffs for further assistance.” Connect Mat-Su has been in operation since April 2018, offering service by phone and in-person at the Mat-Su Health Foundation offices until the building was temporarily closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new Connect Mat-Su website comes when it is needed most, making it easier for residents to access resources,” said Ripley. About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares owner-

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Tuesday, December 1, 2:00pm-3:30pm: Class number 3715908029 You can also dial in using your phone. +1(872) 240-3412 Access Code: 371590-829 Tuesday, December 8, 2:00pm-3:30pm: Class number 278819309 You can also dial using your phone. +1(571) 317-3112 Access Code: 278819-309

ship in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org.

and direction.

Contributed by Joey Crum, Northern Industrial Training Presented with another opportunity to help our neighbors, our community once again rose to the occasion and showed a level of generosity and compassion rarely seen in other places. In a year where many possible excuses were given, and used by some, there were people and organizations that opened their hearts and shared what they could. I’d like to highlight and say thank you to a few organizations. For several years, now my company, Northern Industrial Training, LLC (NIT), has held fundraisers benefiting an array of worthy veteran-focused non-profits and causes. These causes are brought to our attention by our staff (many of whom are veterans and/or veteran spouses), and we try to help when we can. Five years ago, we began hosting Military Appreciation Night at Mat-Su

Miners games. These events raised tens of thousands of dollars and the Miners, to the surprise of no one that knows about the organization, helped us organize them, promote the events and participated. Two years ago, Pete and Denise Christopher decided to do even more and worked with New Balance to created custom military-themed Miner’s jerseys to be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to veterans charities. NIT matched the total amount of the auction and jointly we were able to support some very deserving people. This year, the Alaska Baseball League cancelled the entire season, but Pete, Denise and the Mat-Su Miners Organization weren’t going to let that stop them from making a difference. They held another jersey auction and despite not having a season, this community stepped up and raised $4,175, which NIT was able to match, and then the Mat-Su Miners Boosters donated an additional $1,000!

Another example of a great organization comprised of exceptional people is located in downtown Wasilla, and called MY House. MY House serves homeless and at-risk youth through counseling, job training, housing and many more acts of grace and love. When we all went into a hunker-down period at the onset of the Coronavirus, MY House didn’t end the services they provided. Instead they found safe and responsible ways to continue to provide services and even expanded their suicide prevention programs. With the help of local churches, MY House was also able to provide thousands of meals for hungry clients. The documented results that MY House has been able to achieve by partnering with the local community to provide a hand-up instead of a hand-out are second to none. Not even a pandemic could erode the resolve of the MY House staff ,and Michelle Overstreet once again provided us all with hope

In addition to the Miners and MY House, the Wasilla Rotary found a way to support our community. They altered their format, embraced new methods and put safety precautions in place to hold a fundraiser in early October. Their willingness to show support inspired a community and the community responded by raising nearly $60,000 for the Rotary scholarship fund and MY House. In a time where we have been given an excuse to look inward and ignore others, these three organizations giving to our community serve as a beacon of hope and illustrate the level of grace and compassion we are all capable of. Thank you to all the community members that provided their support to those that needed. To Pete and Denise Christopher, the Mat-Su Miners Organization, Michelle and Jeff Overstreet, the MY House staff and volunteers, and the Wasilla Rotary club, thank you. Joey Crum

COMMUNITY Contributed by Randi Perlman My husband, Steve, left on his regular hunting trip a couple of weeks ago. Most every October, he heads down to Michigan to hunt and fish with his family. He’s like a little boy, on the phone with his son and grandson almost every day discussing their hunting strategy, getting more and more excited as he gathers up his gear and digs out the 2 coolers on wheels that he’ll take down empty and bring back filled with venison, wild turkey, and whatever else is unfortunate enough to cross their paths. And I am like a giddy schoolgirl during spring break. This is my vacation, too! Cook and eat whatever & whenever I like, wash dishes or not for a while, TV remote all to myself (if used at all), peace & quiet for 3 weeks, WOW! Just me and the dogs. C’mon, ladies, tell me you can’t relate… My husband’s food groups include meat, potatoes and butter, with a side o’ sugar. If it’s green and even remotely healthy, he views it as some kind of mold, not to be touched. Me, I could make a big salad full of all kinds of different ‘molds’, and live off it happily for a week. My time in the kitchen is minimal when he’s gone, the TV is mostly silent, and the bathroom stays clean – I LOVE it! He was really helpful before he left, putting the greenhouse to sleep and

stowing away all the deck furniture, covering things up, and getting the house prepared for winter. Right after he left, it snowed a bit – no biggie. Since the temperature was still pretty mild, the snow began to melt, and then, as if on ‘hunting husband cue’, temps dropped like the New Year’s ball at Times Square. Just like that, it went from the 20’s to below zero in a literal flash-freeze, creating a downhill, rutted ice skating rink in my driveway. Walking the dogs became a fight for survival, so was immediately abandoned. Being quite large, they need their exercise and social time, but I could still throw them in the car and take them to the park, right? Except the ‘doggie’ car is not garaged, and the hatchback door was frozen shut. No amount of running the vehicle with the heat blasting would budge that door to open. OK, plan B, guess I’ll have to take them in my Explorer, which I vowed never to do and is the reason we have a ‘doggie’ car. Anyone with dogs can empathize… One of my boys, Sage, had a traumatic ride to the vet as a pup and has not liked cars ever since. Even though it’s always a challenge to coax him in, once there he’s [almost] always happy to get to our destination. But this was a new, unknown vehicle to him, and he was having no part of it. I tried soft dog treats, hard biscuits, even wieners (his favorite kind of dog), but no go. I got his front paws up a few times, but that

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80-lb. rear end would not follow. I even dug out a dog ramp we had gotten for our previous big boys when they got old, but he refused. I was frustrated, sweating and PO’d, but at least I had gotten a workout… Having owned Steve’s Toyo Stove Repair for 8 years, one might assume our home heating system was completely under control, but we all know the dangers of assumptions. We’re fortunate to have natural gas heat, which burns clean and economically, but every now and again the wall thermostat gets finicky and we have to play with it a little – not a huge problem. A few days after Steve left, it had enough playing around and flat out quit. No amount of creative play time made any difference. Several times a day I gave it my best shot, but like Sage, it was having none of it. So I turned up the Rinnai in the rear of our home, dragged out a back-up electric heater, put on a hoodie and curled up next to the dogs, the most reliable & efficient heaters in the house… One morning, about half-way thru Steve’s hunting trip, I discovered mouse turds in my kitchen. It’s not the first time we’ve had these nocturnal visitors, but in the past it’s always been in the garage or out in my recycle shed. I can’t really blame the little critters for seeking a warm hangout and some easy pickin’s of dog food crumbs, but this was ON MY KITCHEN COUNTER!!! Gross,

POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Marilyn Bennett Thanksgiving is a very special day of the year. It has traditionally been a time to get together with relatives or friends to give thanks for all the blessings we have here in America. Although in years past, I have noted that in my family the women retire to the kitchen after dinner to talk and clean up while the guys gather around the boob tube to watch football. Today’s football players may have ruined that tradition. I personally would welcome watching another episode of Charlie Brown rather than a bunch of wealthy guys playing football in my living room. Be that as it may, this year I wish to relate a short feminist history of the holiday. We can thank the perseverance of one of America’s first feminists for making Thanksgiving Day one of our national holidays. This woman, Sarah Josepha Hale, wrote her first novel in 1827 in London under the title. “A New England Tale”. The novel made Hale one of the first American women novelists. She then published a collection of poems in 1830 called Poems for Our Children, which included “Mary Had A Little Lamb”. That poem has the distinction of being the first English words heard over the phonograph that was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877.

Sarah also was an early advocate of higher education for women and helped found Vassar College. She was hired as editor of the Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1837. With Godey’s, she made the Lady’s Book into the most influential and widely-circulated women’s magazine published in the country; by 1860, its circulation was reputedly 150,000. She remained editor at Godey’s for forty years, retiring in 1877 when she was 89 years old. One of her major achievements was compiling the Woman’s Record; or, Sketches of Distinguished Women, issued in 1853, 1869,and 1876. In the course of this ambitious project, she completed some 36 volumes of profiles of women, tracing their influence through history on social organization and literature. Her other great achievement that we can celebrate this year is championing the cause of having Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Throughout her time as an editor, she wrote hundreds of letters to governors, ministers, newspaper editors and every U.S. president. Her advocacy for the national holiday began in 1846 and lasted 17 years before it was successful. It was her continual advocating through the years that eventually led to making Thanksgiving a national holiday in the United States. Before her efforts bore fruit, many states had some form of Harvest Celebration, some as early as

and how did they get in??? And where there’s one…OMG! In the past, I would trap them and feed them to Artemis, the Great Horned Owl I was caretaker of for many years. That was kind of a losewin-win; their demise provided relief to me and sustenance for her. After she passed, I would live trap them and release them far away. Well, this one [hopefully only one] was ornery and had some trapping experience. I tried peanut butter, cookies, bread, cheese, and a combo-meal of all the above, but the bugger got the goods and escaped. We haven’t crossed paths in a week or so, but he knows this restaurant’s hours of operation… In the wee hours of the morning, after a quick potty break, I had just settled back under the covers when I was jolted out of bed by a 5.0 earthquake. While it was nothing compared to the 2018 shaker almost exactly 2 years ago, I still got that awful feeling in my gut that an earthquake always triggers, and as I wrote this, an aftershock jiggled my computer screen. Earthquakes are not uncommon in this glorious place we call home, but underneath our acceptance of their existence is the ever-present question: when will the Big One hit…?? As Steve’s hunting trip winds down and I prepare to welcome him home, I’ve been reflecting back on my almost-over vacation. I DO cherish my alone-time, and while yes, absence DOES make the heart grow fonder, I’m pretty sure that when next October rolls around, I will help Steve pack, wish him well, and head somewhere sunny and warm for a REAL vacation. Anyone know a good dog kennel…?

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September. Goes to show that if you keep at something long enough, it will eventually wear the opposition down. She wrote to presidents Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. In September of 1863, she put her thanksgiving message into an editorial and wrote to President Abraham Lincoln. Our country was in the middle to the Civil War that year. She wrote the following: “Philadelphia, Sept. 28th 1863. Sir.— Permit me, as Editress of the “Lady’s Book”, to request a few minutes of your precious time, while laying before you a subject of deep interest to myself and -- as I trust -- even to the President of our Republic, of some importance. This subject is to have the day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival.” “For the last fifteen years I have set forth this idea in the “Lady’s Book”, and placed the papers before the Governors of all the States and Territories -- also I have sent these to our Ministers abroad, our Missionaries and commanders in the Navy. From the recipients I have received, uniformly the most kind approval.” She pointed out that if Lincoln would

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make a Proclamation, appointing the last Thursday in November as the National Thanksgiving Day, it would serve to unite the country in one common day of thankfulness. Apparently Lincoln agreed with her, as he proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. Since Lincoln was in the middle of the Civil War, he may have thought he needed at least one day of Thanksgiving. He ordered all government offices in Washington closed that day. Every president after Lincoln also proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday and it was sanctioned by congress as the fourth Thursday in November in 1941. Today we really need to have a national day of Thanksgiving, as it is past time to unite the country in one common day of thankfulness. Perhaps honoring this great feminist leader is a beginning to bring us together. It doesn’t matter who or where the first Thanksgiving was held. It doesn’t matter if there is football. It doesn’t matter that you are on a diet. It is only important that for one day we all work at finding some common ground to be thankful that we are Americans. Also, for those of us who want to have one day of unrestricted eating with lots of leftovers, it is a day of joy.

POLITICS / OPINION Contributed by Wes Keller “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions… with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” (Signed by 56 profoundly principled, brave, well-educated, politicians) This final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence is the “firing-pin” of the explosion that was to be heard around the world as our revolutionary new nation – government with governing authority equally distributed via voting – was unveiled. It announced the brazen decision of the Second Continental Congress, (an official act of will of the new-born nation): “Enough is Enough!!!”. The fervor 244 years ago was likely similar to the fervor now felt in the Trump -v- Biden debacle. Whether you love or hate Trump, you cannot deny the “MAGA” movement has revealed an electorate that has no intention of surrendering our hard-won inherent role and freedoms! There is a real connection to our heritage. We have many patriots committed to original Constitutional

Contributed by Edna DeVries So, what now? Come to hear from the local legislative winners on their plans when they go to Juneau in January. Who’s on the first in

intent. It is very obvious the decision to stand firm against the oppression of the King was justified using “religious” logic. The theory and practice of human governing begs life’s most basic, inescapable question: Either God’s authority exists, or it doesn’t! Either He is our Divine reference point for justice and freedom… inherent rights… or He is not! A so-called “secular” government perspective that pretends these questions are irrelevant is irrational. America stands for religious freedom, not religious suppression. The Declaration of Independence reads like an invocation prayer! Define “Supreme Judge” and “Divine Providence” for yourself - then read it again! You have fallen for a lie if you still maintain the United States of America is secular in its founding - it is not! The new government created a lot of room for applied “religion” so long as it stops short of government ESTABLISHING “religion” or PROHIBITING the free exercise thereof.

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stant in our quest for justice. All human government authority springs from His ultimate authority. The new democratic republic governing process was intended to produce justice, peace, and security for all humans because of inherent (God-given) rights. They believed these rights could be protected in the complex, inefficient, check and balance structure they ratified. Theis stunning new governing concept was a radical variation of establishment of governing authority UNDER God’s sovereignty. The electorate (“We the People”) were officially “coronated”as the highest human governing power to replace the human authority of King George; either/both answerable to God.

It was presumed our government would always be engaged in a quest to determine what God may want in our law books (“Nature’s Law”). The founders intended the new government to function under the authority of God. His Law was presumed to be a con-

It is tragic for us to have bought into the removal of crosses, prayer, and the Ten Commandments from the public square as we have done. The founders acted on their belief the nation they were creating would ultimately answer to God Himself (the Supreme Judge). Obviously, the founders set it up so the electorate (we the people) have the freedom to reject or accept Him at our own risk. The Declaration of Independence spawned the Constitution, the Bill of Rights (Et Al) to build a governing structure reflecting God’s Law as the basis for governing the “Rule of Law”. Even if we deny the Bible as the source of moral truth, we are saddled with whatever this new nation might become under whatever moral authority we may adopt. The permanent authority and responsibility

the organization in the Alaska House and Alaska Senate.

good government in Alaska is just starting out not just completed.

Carol Carmen, district chairman, will be doing a presentation on “How to keep track of Juneau legislative activities”. You should still be involved. The race for

Time for 2021 Membership: Pay your dues for 2021 and receive a gift: pin, Trump t-shirt (limited supply), or something else – your choice.

the US government’s prosecution of Julian Assange.

Contributed by Michael Widney, Alaska Republican Party District 8 Chair Journalistic publications, including

WikiLeaks, exist to tell the people the truth - even when the government tries to hide it. Confronting uncomfortable truths is necessary in a democracy; for this reason, I am deeply concerned with

It is already enough to get the truth to the public. Sometimes it takes braves whistleblowers willing to leak secrets, fully knowing they are putting their careers and freedom on the line. Soon, however, the journalists that help reveal these secrets might be targets of prosecution as well.

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of “We the People” includes the power to amend the Constitution via a specific process. Using this and our legislative representation we continue to control the legislative, administrative, and judicial elements needed to keep America “under God” to reap more unity, peace, prosperity, security, and justice. Our insistence on religious freedom and freedom of speech is in itself, a religious determination. It is predicated on all men being “created equal” and entrusted with identical dignity of free choice. We need to “clean house” and remove elected leaders who do not bend a knee to the Supreme Judge. The congressional founders’ religious values are laid bare in this final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence. To be clear, I am convinced some of them share my own belief - one that is not rare - regarding the identity of the “Supreme Judge”. He is identified in the Old Testament and quoted in the New: “Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:22-24) Wes Keller | WesKeller.com

Election is Not OVER Thursday, November 19th at 7pm at Sunrise Grill in Palmer. Paid for by the VRWAK, P. O. Box 876739, Wasilla, AK 99687

If Assange is extradited to the US to face 175 years in prison for engaging in journalism, it would set a dangerous legal precedent that could impact journalists around the world. If reporting in the public interests becomes a crime simply because the government declared something a secret, we fall deeper into our worst authoritarian tendencies.

POLITICS / OPINION

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ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134 APPAREL & CLOTHING All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123 D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585 Mila’s Alterations ........ 830-8339 ART & CRAFTS Artists Uncorked… 982-2675 The Gallery ........ 745-1420 BOOKSTORE A Black Sheep Shop ......... 376-8198 Black Birch Books ...... 373-2677 Fireside Books ........ 745-2665 CAFÉ & COFFEE Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543 Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404 Vagabond Blues……..745-2233 CANNABIS RETAILER Matanuska Cannabis Co. ...... 745-4211 CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675 EDUCATION Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990

Contributed by Doug Ferguson Recently, and while doing (and paying) my COVID-delayed federal income taxes, I reflected on the current state of the country, and the environmental movement in particular. I was wondering, “What was missing from the whole picture?” Suddenly, in a cosmic flash of insight, it came to me! We have to save the money trees! Everyone knows that all our money that pays for all the wonderful stuff our local, state and federal government’s provide us grows on these marvelous gifts of nature! Up to now, environmentalists have ignored this critical national resource. The only efforts to even approach dealing with this resource are the ill-informed groups that advocate mandating more aggressive harvesting from the woods and forests

owned by the richest among our population. As all good environmentalists know, overharvesting trees eventually destroys woods and forests. Eventually these privileged rich people will just give up caring for them, sell their land and move to the Cayman Islands. When that happens they will just turn into weed patches and fertile ground for invasive species or a dumping ground for toxic materials. Therefore I came up with this bold, environmental plan: Every community in the U.S.A. should immediately initiate a “Plant A Money Tree Plantation in Our Town!” A special sector of each community would be identified for this purpose. A nursery would be established to develop the seedlings and make sure they are strong enough to be planted. Special natural fertilizers would be

developed and use to promote their growth. Innovation would be encouraged to promote plantation health and smart harvesting. The whole community could get involved! If every town or city did this, just imagine the eventual bountiful harvest of money our country would reap to further fund all the wonderful things our governments could provide. Why, there might even be enough surplus to start paying off our huge national debt! I sincerely hope all our trusted leaders will wholeheartedly endorse this revolutionary environmental plan! Good luck to them in the future! Doug Ferguson is a retired engineer who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His interests are nature (including trees), gardening, history, the arts and, of course, money trees!

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Contributed by Doug Ferguson As a former electrical engineer retired from 40 years in the computer and communications industry, I have always been interested in the history, news and developments in this significant part of our current culture that has increasingly dominated our lives from television, the internet email, cell phones to social media. First let me say, I truly appreciate Josh Fryfogle and The People’s Paper for being one of the few actual “Free Speech” publications in the Valley and for letting others like me publish their opinions here. Last year and up to the current COVID-19 crisis, I had been working on an idea to propose a regular local radio show every month or so to bring the amazing story of how the vast wild territory of Alaska (almost two and one half times the state of Texas) went from practically no means of communication between the few populated areas and the rest of the world to one of the most modern communications infrastructures in North America in less than a century. Each show would highlight the story of one of the steps along the way and the tough pioneering individuals that made it happen; from the building of a

Contributed by Stuart Thompson Concerning the presidential election aftermath: Regardless of what the Media says, the voting in all states needs official certification before results are legally final. There is a legal process for this that isn’t completed. This is what permits time for recounts and any properly formulated legal challenges based on credible evidence. Mudslinging and opinions masquerading as facts in the Media will just provoke violence and emotional havoc.

chain of military forts and a telegraph system at the start of the new century, dog sled mail, horse drawn mail, air mail, road building and truck mail, the building of radio and TV stations, microwave links and finally satellites and ground stations. I had liked to think that my own career over time had made some small technology contribution to these efforts. Besides doing a great deal of research on this history, I had even talked to one of our local stations about doing it. However, during this past election season conducted under the draconian lockdown conditions by many local and state governments around the country (and the world, for that matter), I have concluded that our wonderful and advanced mass communications technologies have been grossly corrupted and misused by most of our mainstream media.

are abusing this power themselves to stifle free speech, provide false and/ or distorted information and promote fear to achieve a political end. Previously I wrote an opinion piece published here titled, “Does The End Justify The Means?”, where I discussed the original “community organizer” Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” and where he promotes this amoral concept to solve most perceived problems of society. I ended it with this comment: “As more and more organizations and movements endorse these “Rules for Radicals” methods we will see more and more anarchy in our country and throughout the world. Unless the trend to devalue civility, honesty and truth is reversed in our country, it inevitably will lead to more violence and either to a police state or civil war.

Instead of providing a variety of real scientific information to enhance individual’s health and welfare (especially during a virus epidemic), instead of giving voice to a variety of opinions on issues (including unpopular ones) on which to base critical voting decisions, instead of using this amazing power to reach millions of people to prevent or reveal abuses of political or economic power, they have actually entered the arena of political warfare. They

We can hope and pray for the best, but first we must see the problem for what it is.”

Get this. Politicians and government officials - being human - are never worthy of unsupervised trust. US founders said so and promoted checks and balances theory to restrain human imperfection. How dare anybody revolt against the tested thinking of people more competent concerning politics than anyone - anyone - alive today?

Patrick Henry about it. Are the chains of intellectual slavery enforced by censorship, and the dictatorial protection of government against dangers it dictates without our true understanding, more valued and comfortable than personal selfdeterminism?

As a nation, either we uphold the rule of law and its methodical processes - or die from censorship and the blackmail of violence and prejudice-driven slander attacking dissent. This is the choice. Let me paraphrase Founder

Based on the events of 2020, I see no reason to change my opinion. Therefore, until and when these destabilizing uses of technology ever change, my idea for a celebration of Alaska’s communication history is to be put off for another time.

I know not what others may decide, but as for me: Give me Liberty or give me Death! Stuart Thompson lookitover@att.net

PETS & ANIMALS Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates One of the worst experiences in life is having one of your family pets get injured or have a life-threatening illness. Not only is this a traumatic time emotionally, but often, finances are not sufficient to pay the bill. Vet bills have become incredibly expensive and with our current financial situation many families are struggling to pay their bills. Most vet offices do not offer an option to make payments and will in fact expect full payment before you pet is released to go home with you. I manage an animal rescue group, Alaska Animal Advocates, and we are constantly asked to help with medical bills incurred by families with ill pets. Unfortunately, we do not have a chunk of unused money to pay for medical bills. Our medical costs are exorbitant for the animals in our rescue system and we struggle to pay for these costs. Still, because we love animals, we do occasionally help families when we can. Below is a list of organizations that I researched online. I have very limited personal experience with these groups. You may want to contact more than one group to gather all the money you need. Don’t forget friends, family, credit cards, etc. as another resource. PAWS PAWS is a wonderful organization that offers a number of free services to lowincome clients. If you qualify, you can get your pet spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated for free. Use the link below to contact PAWS for more information on help with vet bills. Where: https://www.paws.org/about/ contact/ LOCAL CLINICS Did you know that spay/neuter and vaccination clinics are often set up in many towns and neighborhoods? At these clinics, you can get common medical care for your pet. Ask your vet or local animal shelter if they know of any local clinics, or check out this page to locate clinics in your area. www.petsmartcharities.org/pro/ how-we-support-you/spayneuterclinic-locator RED ROVER Red Rover is an organization that offers support and financial assistance to pet owners. The Red Rover Relief Urgent Care Grant is designed to help pay for the cost of caring for animals who need urgent or lifesaving veterinary treatment. If you want to get a grant from Red Rover, then you’ll need to complete the application form (link below). Generally, grants are between $150 and $200. www.redrover.org/redroverrelief-grants GIVE FORWARD GiveForward is unlike the other organizations on the list. Unlike PAWS, RedRover and other animal groups, GiveForward is a fundraising platform.

On the site, you can set up a fundraising page, where people can contribute towards your pet’s treatment. It takes less than ten minutes to set up a GiveForward page. www.giveforward.com/cause/raise-money-for-petexpenses SPAYUSA SpayUSA is a nationwide network and referral service for low-cost spaying/ neutering. It’s the organization’s aim to reduce the number of cats and dogs that are in shelters or euthanized in the United States by reducing unwanted births. If you are looking for an affordable spay/neuter service, then SpayUSA, which has been around for 20 years, could help you. It refers pet owners to more than 1,500 low-cost clinics and sterilization programs nationwide. www.spayusa.org BROWN DOG FOUNDATION The Brown Dog Foundation is an organization that aims to bridge the gap between the cost of medical care and saving your pet. It offers financial assistance to pet owners that need veterinary care for their pet. You can learn more about the aid on offer on the website. www.browndogfoundation.org ACTORS AND OTHERS FOR ANIMALS Actors and Others for Animals is a non-profit organization that helps pet owners to pay for spay/neuter services and veterinary assistance. It’s designed to help pet owners living on a low income. www.actorsandothers.com THE PET FUND The Pet Fund is a non-profit association that offers financial assistance to pet owners who can’t afford surgery or medical treatment for their pet. It does this by not only assisting in paying for standard expenses, like vaccinations, and spaying/neutering services, but also many other medical costs for pets. If you want to apply for funding for your pet, then check out this link: www.thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners CARE CREDIT Care Credit is another organization on this list that differs from the others. It’s a credit card company that focuses on health care, including veterinary care. It helps clients to finance medical treatments and procedures that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford. It offers a number of payment plans. www.carecredit.com FRANKIE’S FRIENDS Another non-profit foundation that can provide help with vet bills is Frankie’s Friends. This organization specializes in assisting pets that need specialty veterinary care, and have cancer or other life-threatening conditions. If you need help with your pet’s treatment, visit the website and contact

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA

Frankie’s Friends. www.frankiesfriends.org THE MOSBY FOUNDATION If you need help with paying for your pet’s medical expenses, then consider contacting the Mosby Foundation. It’s a non-profit organization that helps owners with limited funds to pay for vet bills and assists in paying veterinary costs for sick, abused and neglected dogs. If you require financial assistance with vet bills, then you can complete an application. www.themosbyfoundation. org/apply-for-assistance/ SHAKESPEARE ANIMAL FUND The Shakespeare Animal Fund helps owners that can’t afford to pay for vet bills. It’s a non-profit organization that’s named after a cocker spaniel called Shakespeare. The fund was set up in his memory to help other pet owners struggling financially while trying to save their pets. www.shakespeareanimalfund.org DIABETIC CATS IN NEED If you’re the owner of a diabetic cat and need assistance with paying for treatments, medications, and supplies, then consider contacting Diabetic Cats in Need. It’s an organization that helps owners living on a low-income to pay for treatments and supplies. It also offers information on caring for cats with diabetes. www.fdmb-cin.blogspot.co.uk/p/compassionate-assistance-program CANINE CANCER AWARENESS Canine Cancer Awareness (CCA) is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping dogs with cancer. The organization helps pet owners that are struggling to pay for the vet costs of canines with cancer. You can request help on the CCA website. www.caninecancerawareness.org/ cancer-and-dogs THE DOG AND CAT CANCER FUND If you own a cat or a dog with cancer, and you’re struggling to pay for their veterinary care, then contact The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. It’s an organization that provides financial assistance and information to pet owners. www.dccfund.org MAGIC BULLET FUND Another organization that you should consider contacting if you own a dog that’s been diagnosed with cancer is the Magic Bullet Fund. It specializes in helping families that can’t afford treatment costs for their pet. So far, the organization has helped to fund cancer treatment for more than 500 dogs. www. themagicbulletfund. org/ PAWS 4 A CURE Paws 4 A Cure is an organization that assists pet owners who can’t afford veterinary care. It helps animals of all

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breeds, ages and medical issues. So, whether you have a cat or a dog who needs treatment, that you’re struggling to afford, contact Paws 4 A Cure. www.paws4acure.org/askforhelp.php THE RIEDEL & CODY FUND The Riedel & Cody Fund offers funding to owners that need help with vet bills. You can find out more about how to apply for funding here, and learn more about the financial aid available here: www.riedelcody.org BREED SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS Did you know that there are actually organizations and associations out there that specialize in caring for specific breeds, like: Labrador Harbor Labmed Special Needs Dobermans CorgiAid Labrador Lifeline Pyramedic Trust WestieMed These organizations may be able to help you pay your pet’s vet bills. Also, check out this list from Red Rover of breed specific national organizations that may be able to provide financial assistance. STATE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS There are many state-specific programs, organizations, and associations that can provide help with vet bills. Check out the following lists to see what’s available in your state: Red Rover Humane Society Tips for getting help with vet bills: Here are a few tips on getting help with your pet’s veterinary care: > Be honest with your veterinarian about your financial situation. > Ask about a payment plan. Some vets will allow you to pay for your pet’s care in installments. > Hold an online fundraiser. Aside from GiveForward, there are a number of other fundraising platforms out there, like Pet Chance and Fund a Pet Miracle. Or you could even try non pet specific platforms, like GoFundMe. > Get in touch with your local church or community/neighborhood organizations. They might be able to help you to fundraise. Don’t give up. Do whatever you need to do in order to help your animal friend. He would do it for you.

PETS & ANIMALS

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Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates Speckles wants a home of his own! He got his name because he almost looks like a Dalmatian and has spots or speckles. He is a 5-month-old Pit Bull and American Bull Dog Mix. This sweet boy loves everyone. He is almost house-trained, and knows how to “sit”. I guarantee that this is the most awesome puppy you will ever meet. He is currently living with four cats and is learning that kitties don’t put up with too much from doggies. To meet Speckles, call Angie at (907) 841-3173

Contributed by Kerry Nelson, The Musk Ox Farm

upon entrance, and number of customers at a time will be limited**

Oxmas November 27-29, 2020 - 9AM The Musk Ox Farm 12850 E Archie Rd. Palmer FREE Admission

• ONLINE: FREE shipping to AK residents! www.muskoxfarm.org/shop

We’re making Small Business Saturday a weekend event this year! Shop locally this season for your holiday needs, or treat yourself to some qiviut and locally-made musk ox-inspired goodies. Friday, November 27th – Sunday, November 29th | 9am-5pm |All Musk Ox Farm Qiviut yarn and garments will be 30% OFF! • IN-STORE: Stop by our gift shop November 27th – Sunday, November 29th, from 9am-5pm. **Masks are required, hand sanitizer available

• CURBSIDE PICK-UP: See something you like online? You’re welcome to stop by the farm, we’ll bring your goods to your car! Simply make your purchase through our online store, and choose the “curbside pick-up” option. Beyond that dreamy qiviut, we’re super ox-cited to have limited, autographed copies of celebrated children’s author Jan Brett’s new book about a musk ox, Cozy! These will sell like hotcakes at lightning speed, so your best bet is to get yours on Friday while supplies last. We’ll also have a limited supply

of signed Cozy posters, and Cozy bandanas! - **In-Store and Curbside Pickup ONLY** Facebook LIVE: We’ll be going live on Saturday, November 28th at 1pm to answer any questions you have about qiviut, gift shop goodies, or just the farm in general! There’s something for everyone, and every budget, including locally made ornaments, holiday cards, jewelry, headbands and more! Follow us on social media to see sneak peeks of some of the awesome musk ox-themed goodies we’ll have available. Don’t forget - everything we make from the sale goes directly back to our nonp-rofit! So, you’ll be keeping those muskies happy out there. Win-win!

Art Show at Bearpaw River Brewing

MORE ON PAGE 10 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

PETS & ANIMALS Contributed by Nancy Wade, Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center There have been no reports of a wild barn owl visiting Alaska, but Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is excited to have a barn owl join our team of education ambassadors. Our new resident, named Ace, was a rescue from Ojai Raptor Center in Ojai, California. The examining veterinarian deemed him non-releasable, so he was put up for adoption. As a warm weather species, he will be residing indoors at our center until next spring. In its natural habitat, the barn owl is nocturnal, venturing out of its roost at dusk to hunt throughout the night, returning before dawn to sleep the day away. Barn owls have perhaps the keenest hearing of any animal, enabling this nocturnal lifestyle. Their ears are set asymmetrically in the skull and they have feathery flaps in front of the ear openings that can be moved assist the satellite dish shaped facial disk to pinpoint the incoming sound of a mouse squeak. Barn owls hunt a wide variety of food items, mostly small rodents, but also insects, larger mammals such as rabbits and bats, some birds and even the occasional fish. The variety of prey is useful because the Barn owl has rapid digestion and will eat more each day for its size than any other owl, up to 50% of its body weight. Even though excellent hearing is all that is needed for hunting, it also has fantastic night vision, and uses sight to avoid flying into obstacles. There have been no reports of a wild barn owl visiting Alaska, but Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center is excited to have a barn owl join our team of education ambassadors.

Our new resident, named Ace, was a rescue from Ojai Raptor Center in Ojai, California. The examining veterinarian deemed him non-releasable, so he was put up for adoption. As a warm weather species, he will be residing indoors at our center until next spring. In its natural habitat, the barn owl is nocturnal, venturing out of its roost at dusk to hunt throughout the night, returning before dawn to sleep the day away. Barn owls have perhaps the keenest hearing of any animal, enabling this nocturnal lifestyle. Their ears are set asymmetrically in the skull and they have feathery flaps in front of the ear openings that can be moved assist the satellite dish shaped facial disk to pinpoint the incoming sound of a mouse squeak. Barn owls hunt a wide variety of food items, mostly small rodents, but also insects, larger mammals such as rabbits and bats, some birds and even the occasional fish. The variety of prey is useful because the Barn owl has rapid digestion and will eat more each day for its size than any other owl, up to 50% of its body weight. Even though excellent hearing is all that is needed for hunting, it also has fantastic night vision, and uses sight to avoid flying into obstacles. Fun fact: Those same ear flaps can be closed to block loud noises. Barn owls are one of the most widely dispersed bird species, being found in nearly all temperate or warm locations around the world on all continents except Antarctica. They prefer roosts near open fields and brushy meadows. Before humans came on the scene to provide barns, chimneys, and other roost locations, they used (and still do) cliff walls, old burrows in soft banks and even the old nests of corvids and hawks. They generally are not migratory, but in some in more northerly locations may move a bit seasonally to avoid cold weather and to find food. Fun fact: No other North American owl spends so much time near humans, yet is so rarely

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seen. Like all owls, the barn owl has extremely soft feathers adorned with a fringe of serrations along the leading and trailing edges of the primary wing feathers for completely silent flight. This allows them to sneak up on prey and to hear it. It appears large and pale, with a wingspan nearing 4 feet and a slow steady flight, usually within 10 feet of the ground. It is light colored with tawny speckles and a pale tan back. The face has a unique heart-shaped facial disk, visible only in better light. They weigh about one pound, and the female is slightly larger than the male. The call of a Barn owl is not a hoot, but more of a loud scream. They also make up to 15 other clicking and snapping sounds. Fun fact: the claw of the middle toe has a comb-like edge, possibly for holding prey or for grooming. Living in temperate habitats, the barn owl will breed almost any time of the year. The “nest” in a roost site is lined with random debris and the remains of broken pellets which are regurgitated following a meal containing the fur and bones of their food. In years of good prey, they may have as many as 12 eggs, but more often 5-7. Incubation takes about a month and begins with the first egg laid, hatching in about 30 days. Despite the hunting prowess of the male, he may not be able to keep up with the voracious appetites of the young, which can eat 1½ times their own weight in food each day. At about 60 days, the young fledge, or leave the nest, but the parents continue to feed them and they may actually weigh more than the adults! Fun fact: Barn owls may mate again and lay more eggs before the first clutch fledges. Barn owls have a very short life span for such a large-sized bird. 65-75% of first-year birds will not survive, and only about 10% make it to their 5th year. The combination of second and large clutches compensates for the high mortality and keeps the population stable. One of the biggest causes of barn owl mortality is poisoned rodents.

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The most frequent predator of adult barn owls is the Great Horned Owl. Eggs and owlets will be taken by racoons and squirrels. In self-defense, both adults and owlets will roll on their back and use their sharp talons to fight the intruder. In captivity, barn owls may live to 20 years. Fun fact: Farmers have realized that barn owls are more efficient and less expensive rodent controls than rodenticides and now encourage their nesting nearby. We are looking forward to presenting Ace the Barn owl to the public. When he is ready for programs, it will be announced on our web site at www.akwildbird.org.