Contributed by Josh Fryfogle Print is dead, that’s what they said. More than a decade later, this monthly publication is still growing strong! I couldn’t be more happy with how far we’ve come, and where we’re going in the near future. Back then, when this paper was still very new, what I heard the most is that the medium of print was on the way out. Everyone would be getting their news online, I was told. I take a little pride in that my response then is the same as it is today. It’s not the paper that’s the problem - people don’t trust the media. They trust their neighbors.
The ‘Fake News’ epithet of today was yet to be spoken, but the signs were there all along. People were getting their news online, but they were getting it from the strangest of sources... each other. Go figure. Social media was beginning to take the world by storm, and many corporate publications were struggling to fit in to that new ecosystem of information. The problem wasn’t paper, and the solution wasn’t internet. The problem was that the information systems developed by these large corporations did not serve the public interest, and left the public feeling
left out of the conversation. The ‘professional’ politicians, publishers, and pontificators no longer had a lock on the flow of information. As they lost their grip on the narrative, the people began to reclaim their first amendment rights and responsibilities, through social media, both online and in print! Freedom of the (printing) press belongs to each individual. Why? Why did the framers enshrine this idea that anyone should have the ability to mass produce their thoughts? What was the spirit behind the first amendment? What were they trying to achieve?
ALASKA RACEWAY PARK IS OPEN FOR 2019 MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Contributed by Susan Olson Nestled in the trees at the edge of Flat Lake is a faith-based summer camp dedicated to giving every kid a week-long adventure. Even getting to Camp Tukuskoya is an adventure. The traditional summer camp, complete with cabins, a lodge with soaring windows, and dedicated staff, is accessible only by boat. This idyllic camp on the lakeshore offers adventure, new friendships, and activities from morning to bedtime designed to give every camper an unforgettable week. When my own sons wanted to experience summer camp, Camp Tukuskoya was the one we chose. It was close by but isolated enough to give them a feeling of independence, of being on their own. But I knew better. Every one of the camp staff is chosen because of their values and their commitment to providing a safe environment for the campers. The camp counselors, recruited for their maturity and commitment to helping campers develop, come from all over the country. Most are college students who fondly recall their own camp experiences and want to give
the same back to a new generation of campers. Leaving my boys at the dock, watching them motor away in the camp boat, was always a moment of wondering for all of us. What would the next week promise to be like? Would they make friends? Did they pack enough stuff? I shouldn’t have worried. On their return, there were nonstop tales of swimming, canoeing, and campfire stories. There were reviews of the home-cooked meals and the group activities that challenged them physically, mentally, and socially. They began the week with a pack of clean clothes, a willing spirit, and a touch of apprehension. They returned with the same bag now stuffed with clothes that had seen the great outdoors, but more importantly, they’d gained confidence and new skills and found new friendships. Eventually, when they reached their teens, my sons attended Camp Tukuskoya’s Teen Extreme Camp. Among the activities they enjoyed were whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain biking at
Hatcher’s Pass. They came home with bigger tales and better skills and the ever-present pack of dirty clothes. Maybe dirtier. If you’re looking for a summer camp experience for your little adventurers or your big ones, Camp Tukuskoya offers a Christ-centered, valuesbased camp that promotes physical, social, and spiritual growth. Cabin life, the recreational fun, the songs and stories around the campfire in the evenings all add up to an unforgettable week.
VALLEY GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE MORE ON PAGE 12 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Camps this summer for ages 8-12 are July 7-14, and July 21-28. Teen Extreme Camp, for ages 13-16, takes place June 30-July 7. For more information, go to the camp webpage at www.alaskaconference. org/departments/alaska-camps. You can also call (907) 346-1004 and ask for summer camp information. My sons are too old for camp now, but my oldest has spent two summers giving back to the camp he grew to love, both as a volunteer and as camp staff. Camp Tukuskoya’s vision, to prepare young people for a life of service to others, had come full circle.
MAT-SU COLLEGE: MACHETANZ ARTS FEST
MORE ON PAGE 13 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
VALLEY ARTS ALLIANCE: ART ON FIRE 2019 MORE ON PAGE 15 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE