Contributed by Ben Rowell March is my favorite winter month. The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising and it’s prime time for most outdoor winter activities. But March also means our long winter will soon be over, and for many Alaskans like me, that means one thing – fishing season. During winter, we prepare for this time, hunched under task lamps in garages, spare rooms and kitchen tables, by tying tens and even hundreds of flies. It’s a hobby that requires patience, attention to detail
and creativity. The flies are made of feathers and synthetic material designed to mimic smolt, sculpin and leeches.They come in all colors and patterns, and at the end of winter, a fly fisher can amass quite an arsenal. My wife recently remarked, “You sure do have a lot of flies. You should go fishing more so you lose some.” Those are words I thought I’d never hear. Shortly after break up begins, MatSu fly fishers will migrate to stream banks to intercept resident fish species, such as trout and grayling, just as the fish
Warrior Transition Unit on JBER, I have seen firsthand how detrimental putting a Band-Aid over a bullet hole can be for our veterans, especially those with harsh conditions of PTSD, complications of conversion into civilian life and family issues.” said Bodey Turner, Chief Operations Officer with Valor Corp. and retired U.S. Army Combat Medic who witnessed the pitfalls of military transition.
ARTIST RUSTY CLARK
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Three Bears Alaska employs over 500 employees at nine locations in Alaska. Since 1980, they have generously donated to numerous Alaskans, local schools and nonprofit organizations.
Three Bears Alaska announces its partnership with Valor Corp. to support veterans with donation boxes at its KGB, Palmer 4-Corners, Meadow Lakes, Big Lake and Chugiak stores.
LAVOY RETURNS TO ALASKA
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PERCUSSION CAMP IN PALMER
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The Valor Corp. mission is to provide sustained life improvement and empower Alaska’s veterans by providing basic needs such as new construction of single-family homes, ADA access and renovations to existing homes and personal rate rentals as building blocks towards lifelong progression. Valor also provides job placement, onsite training and veteran-to-veteran camaraderie, including licensed psychological therapy to engage in at participants’ own will. “Temporary assistance and momentary distractions from debilitating and restrictive trauma do not solve the problems our veterans endure. After personally serving in the US Army for 23 years, inclusive of just under four years as the First Sergeant (1SG) Alpha Company
“We are honored to partner with Valor Corp. in the Valley and Chugiak to benefit Alaska’s veterans,” said Jim Kolb, Marketing Director for Three Bears and a decorated U.S. Marine combat veteran who served two tours of duty in the Middle East in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Three Bears is committed to supporting this worthwhile organization and will be providing donation change boxes in all of its Valley and Anchorage stores so patrons can assist veterans in need.” “It’s an honor to have Three Bears choose our charity on behalf of Alaskan veterans, to support and benefit the advocacy. All of the funds raised via the Three Bears donation boxes will be allocated towards the construction costs of Valor’s Community and Rehabilitation Center. Three Bears will also be carrying our coffee in its Valley stores called ‘Tactical Compound’ roasted fresh by Alaskan Artisan Coffee, with proceeds from every bag dedicated to Valor Corp.” added Turner. www.ValorCorp.org
VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
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